Today’s Washington Post carries an article about an increasing number of people who find themselves having to declare email bankruptcy.
The article is full of sad cases of people who think that declaring email bankruptcy will solve their problem. It won’t. I’ve talked about why email bankruptcy is worse in some ways than financial bankruptcy, and this shows why email bankruptcy is not a solution.
Just as people without financial skills may find themselves bankrupt, people who lack email and time-management skills will find themselves wanting to declare email bankruptcy. People are usually restricted from starting businesses immediately after a financial bankruptcy. In a similar manner, people who suffer from extreme email overload should ensure they get some training in how to handle their workload before they get back in the game.
It’s not just a skill these people are lacking, though. It’s a way of viewing their inboxes and the place the inbox occupies in their life. I’m always saying that email overload is a state-of-mind, and David Ferris puts this very nicely:
“A lot of people like the feeling that they have everything done at the end of the day. They can’t have it anymore.”
I speak from experience. I once declared “job bankruptcy” — my inability to cope with my workload, in which email played a major part, prompted me to tender my resignation. My boss did not want to accept it, but I was determined. During the time that I worked out my notice, I adopted the Getting Things Done method. All of a sudden, I had more than doubled my productivity and reduced my stress tremendously. GTD worked for me because it solved both the practical and psychological sides of the problem. I found that I could do the job well after all, and I continued working there for another 18 months!
Email programs have not changed much in the past decade, but the amount of email we get has grown by a tremendous amount, significantly impacting our email productivity. The average information worker gets far more mail than s/he can cope with, and an increasing number of people suffer from "email overload". In this blog, Itzy Sabo analyzes the causes of email overload, discusses strategies to cope with the constant bombardment, and provides practical tips for getting the most out of our email programs. 
11 responses so far ↓
comment bankruptcy « Blogs are like opinions. Everybody has one… // June 5, 2007 at 2:44 pm |
[...] 5th, 2007 Ενώ άλλοι έχουν πρόβλημα με το email bankruptcy, εγώ έχω το αντίστοιχο πρόβλημα με τα comments*. Αλλά αν [...]
Brad Isaac // June 19, 2007 at 4:48 am |
When you throw in the stress some of us have of more than one email address – I have at least 8 for various businesses, etc. It becomes a huge load to keep track.
Some people email me many paragraphs, when if it’s more than a sentence or two I might not get back for weeks. Thus, short and sweet gets answered, long gets put on hold.
Priscilla Palmer // August 25, 2007 at 6:24 pm |
You have been tagged for The Personal Development List. (See my site for details), I would love for you to participate.
John W. McKenna // September 5, 2007 at 10:25 am |
Itzy
You’ve been tagged for the “Does Most Leadership Suck Challenge”. Check the link for details.
Take care…
JWM
Erin // September 6, 2007 at 3:44 am |
Hi Itzy,
After Priscilla Palmer’s self development list Jenny and I have decided to try to help build the self development community. So we are holding a little contest. I would like to invite you, and anyone else interested, to find out more details at Win a $25 Gift Certificate.
powerkis // September 10, 2007 at 10:26 pm |
I believe that by just being a part of “Priscilla’ Palmer’s Personal Development list obligates each of us to also post this list. You like me (Killeris at “Attitude, the Ultimate Power”) are on this list. If you have already posted it, THANK YOU. If you have not posted it, I am officially putting out a challenge that you add additional sites that fit the theme and post it. This list can be found at: http://mondaymorningpower.blogspot.com/2007/09/personal-development-list-challenge.html
Robert // October 2, 2007 at 6:40 pm |
You are so right! I don’t know how many times I thought never again and have just wanted to close down accounts. Yes, many is the day where my inbox runneth over with junk. But taking a deep breath and a firm grip on the mouse, and it’s easy enough to delete the junk and organize the rest. This was good food for thought.
tinatsu // October 29, 2007 at 1:12 am |
Great Post!What a great idea! Keep up the awesome work.
Love & Gratitude,
Tina
Think Simple. Be Decisive.
~ Productivity, Motivation & Happiness
7 steps to becoming an e-mail pro « Lawyer’s Right Hand // December 21, 2007 at 2:06 pm |
[...] Write an effective subject heading. Inboxes are overflowing these days, and people are desperate to find ways to sift through all that chaff and read only the important messages. If your subject heading is [...]
Leah // January 8, 2009 at 12:27 am |
I would recommend to anyone feeling overwhelmed by email overload to join OtherInbox. I use it to sign up for everything and it keeps my email for real people. I actually find myself reading blogs and things more now than when I would just get frustrated with the emails in my inbox and delete them. It also lets you fight spam and monitor who is selling your email address. OtherInbox is in beta right now. I am the community manager.
Hope you give it a try!
~Leah
7 steps to becoming an e-mail pro // April 23, 2009 at 2:05 pm |
[...] Write an effective subject heading. Inboxes are overflowing these days, and people are desperate to find ways to sift through all that chaff and read only the important messages. If your subject heading is [...]