Emails
I have always had a love hate relationship with email. In my working life, 300 emails in a day was not unusual. Most were important communications, but many were not. I had a company email guideline: Use the "reply to all" button judiciously. WA emails are different. They are instructional, inspirational, informative, heart warming message within a community. No one has to write a post or share a personal triumph or concern. No mandate causes one WA member to follow another. So, I enjoy sitting down every morning to pages of WA emails in a way that I did not enjoy emails before retirement.
I tend to break large tasks into small, manageable units. This is true of my approach to WA emails. I wanted to share my approach to WA emails in case someone is trying to figure out how to maintain control of a growing mailbox.
I read all replies, likes, comments, and private messages first because most are encouraging and affirming. I delete those that I am not saving.
I then go back and read all of the "follows" because these too are affirming and give me a glimpse of the follower. These then are deleted.
Next, I review all of the questions. Many are beyond my experience for answering and deleted without answer, but I do answer some questions before deleting them..
Then, I deal with all the blog posts. In any batch of emails, there are some posts that I don't think are relevant for me so i do not open them. I read all the other posts.
Finally, I look at the training emails and decide which are not relevant, which need to be saved for future reference and which need to be watched right away.
For me, working with WA emails is a pleasant task, but a task none the less. I could start with the oldest and go through to the newest email. But,its important to see each chunk of emails disappear as I delete them. Another time, I will write about how I respond to each type of email, but for now, sharing how I approach my WA emails is enough. I hopes this helps someone who might feel overwhelmed by emails. Keep on Fishin'.
Recent Comments
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Good system James and the fact that you are enjoying them and as you said, no demand is made of you, you relish encouraging others. Great spirit.
I start with the oldest first as replies sometimes refresh the space left. One 2 e-mails answered usually bring in one response.
Your blog just rang a bell. I started my present email address as a general manager in my last job before retiring, In my job I would save or delete emails as I read them. After retiring, I seldom read my email. Since joining WA, I'm going to my email several times a day. The only problem is the over 10,000 unread emails from years of ambivalence.
Thanks for the insight. It does get too much some days but there is just some info you do not want to miss. Have a terrific day! s
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Reminds me of "The In Basket," exercise/training I had to do as a up and coming manager. Believe me it was a great way to organise what came into that never empty box. Thanks James.