Due to the recent home organization craze, many of us have developed systems for organizing things. Digital clutter doesn’t always receive the same care. Keeping our email inboxes under control has similar benefits to having an organized home.
Getting lost in a black hole of emails is easy when your inbox is cluttered and disorganized. Our minds become scattered and overwhelmed when we have overflowing essential emails, notifications, and promotional messages. Taking control of your inbox lets you make email work for you.
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An organized inbox allows you to use your time more effectively, stay on top of your commitments, and stay focused. Keeping your inbox organized takes intention and dedication. Knowing where to find what you need boosts your self-confidence and productivity. Here are some expert tips.
Email Sorting
You can organize your inbox as you go through your emails with Ellen Faye’s simple system. Delete emails you won’t need again, she said. When you want to refer to an email again, but no action is associated with it, file it in a folder. Move all non-actionable emails to a folder or label called ‘Past Emails.’
It’s not essential to respond to every email. Action-oriented emails should remain in the inbox to keep your attention. “Think of email like junk snail mail.” You don’t have to read the mail you didn’t ask for. Email works the same way.
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“Spring Clean” Your Emails
Routine maintenance is a good idea for your systems. Keep things running smoothly, and don’t wait until a crisis strikes. The Order Expert’s Rashelle Isip, the Empty Inbox Online Course creator, recommends regular inbox organization. Do a “spring cleaning” of your inbox every three months.
If you don’t need or want any communications, unsubscribe or delete them. Pinch-Hitter Professional Organizing and Productivity Solutions founder Josephine Paige recommended renaming folders if the name doesn’t suit you and deleting or archiving files you don’t need immediately.