I had to add another comment I just had to wow this method changed an over organised folder crazy email folder into a clear inbox and yes it works, I have to say I did a am and after lunch skim and sort but it truly worked for focusing my mind while I am so busy with different tasks, now this method has allowed me to better work along side my work journal to manage my day without being hot wired with stress I was missing something, thank you for another awesome technique xx
I started doing this last month after my workload changed and I was accepting way more emails than usual, and this seriously helped restore my sanity AND get things done! It is life changing! Thanks for sharing this method!
Been stacking for a while - will add 2 small points 1 - shortcut keys for stacking, makes it faster the dragging 2 - searching - I'll forward an email to myself with a subject line full of words that make it easier to find, when email arrives to inbox, I archive it.
When I was still working, I read (well, mostly just looked at) all my email every work day. Most email I received was stuff I didn’t care about, or it took me just a moment to get what I needed out of it. And then I would delete those. So then I would end up with 3 categories: read carefully, reply, or accomplish an action. I tended to do the reads right away. Then I usually did the replies. That left me with actions. Reads, replies, and actions were usually things I felt the need to retain. I had a simple folder structure for the ones I was done with. Anything remaining in my inbox was an action. Those stayed until I completed the action, and then we’re filed. So at the end of every day I only had emails regarding unfinished actions. It worked for me, even when I received over 200 emails a day. Very few required me to invest any real time.
That's a really great way to organize it too. I have tried this but with no success. I also tried flagging the to-dos too. It was just a lot, but I do enjoy trying different methods.
OMG! I wish I knew this over 10 years ago. I hate work email and this methodology makes so much sense, give how powerful the email search functions. I’ve been wasting so much valuable time creating folders & subfolders and filing. Also, I’ve been scared to use the delete rather than archive.
That is great! I have 1925 emails (personal) and I think this will be a game changer because it was so overwhelming. This helps immensely!! I love these tips! I use your Eisenhower Matrix too! I’d never heard of that before either. Keep ‘em coming!
Oh yay! Glad it is helpful. It look me about 25 mins to go through the 1200 emails. Just dedicated time and got it done. You can do it! And so happy to hear that the Eisenhower is working for you. That’s always a good one to use.
The difference between Productive and Unproductive people is that - the productive people know *”Its not to know what to do, it's doing what you know."* 🔥
I’ve been stacking for months and I’ve shared it multiple times! Glad more people are catching on! Wait till you dive into “building a second brain”… it’s totally up you’re ally!
This is great! Thank you for sharing. I recently started blocking off email time at work so I would stop checking it and context switching all day. This method will be a great next step to make that time even more efficient.
Thanks for sharing! Two questions: 1. How long did the first stack session with your 1200+ emails take? 2. Do you feel overwhelmed during the workday with your stack priorities and incoming emails? Has this reduced your email time or is it about the same?
Hi there. The first time I stacked with my personal email it took me about 25 mins of dedicated time. My work email was a little less, but that was because I already had something in place - but it wasn't totally working for me. I do feel a little overwhelmed with the incoming messages plus the stacks - that's why I took on the 2x a day stack. It helps me shift priorities if I need to.
I would say yes, but some programs just aren’t that great and finding what you need late. I have been having a lot of issues with Outlook recently. I could put in all the details and get nothing in return. Gmail and Mail do a much better job. What do you use?
Having that many emails would give me so much anxiety lol. Whoa. I will learn more about this because I could use this for work. Ugh we have to use Outlook which is trash lol
I used to use a very similar system at work, dealing with customer service. Not sure it would work for my personal email as it's mainly youtube notifications and junk lol
That’s cool. Finding what works for work is the best feeling. I’m trying to bring this into my personal email too… exactly like what you are explaining. It’s been slow moving, but it helps be go through the crap fast. Haha
I have found it to be helpful - personally. But I fall in and out of it. But when I come back to it, I feel better. It helps me get it to a spot in the immediate and come back to it in a priority when I need it.
I definitely need to do this in my person inbox. Work is a little more complicated since I am an Executive Assistant. As with any system, you can always take the pieces that work for you. It’s sticking to and believing in the system. Thanks so much for this!