Checking your email too much
August 8, 2008 by Katie Skow
Filed under Biz
How many times a day do you check you email? Once, twice, five times, ten times, or a few dozen times per day? Most of us are email addicts. We all check our email way too much, mostly out of habit. I know I do and it is really starting to annoy me. I feel as though I’m wasting precious time sorting through too many meaningless messages and responding to messages that can wait.
Checking your email too much is simply not productive.
Deep down, I have always known I check my email far more than I should, but I have not seen a reason to change my habits. However, I recently left my usual daily grind behind and traveled to the other side of the globe. Despite confirmations from my destinations that I would, in fact, have internet everywhere I went…I didn’t actually have much internet access at all. Luckily, I had tied up all important loose ends before leaving and informed clients on a need-to-know basis that I would be unavailable.
The two whole hours during my two week journey abroad that I had internet access, I admittedly didn’t really feel like checking my email. From a small wine producing village in the middle of France, I could care less about the whispers of an earthquake back home or an email about my preference of wording for a document.
Back in the office, I’m trying hard to change my email patterns. I recently read in the book 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss and decided I should take a few cues from him as well. Finally, two good reasons (the trip and the book) to finally change my time consuming and unproductive habit.
I’ve been known for my instantaneous responses to emails, but that is starting to change. I still pledge to give a fast response. But now my response might take a few hours or even a day (business days) or two depending upon the urgency.
What’s your email habit?
Katie Skow
Entrepreneur Goddess
www.EntrepreneurGoddess.com
