I was in a meeting for a little more than an hour today. During that time, I received almost 40 emails. Just looking at the little number badge on my phone’s screen made me feel stressed. Apparently I’m not alone.
Depending on what statistics you review, the average person gets 100 to 150 emails a day. This equates to about 13 hours a week processing emails, according to my reading on the topic.
I achieved inbox zero once last week. I rejoiced and begged people not to message me. My bliss lasted less than five minutes.
I’ve decided that the only things sure in life are death, taxes and more email.
Email is a necessary communication method, but it isn’t always the best tool.
Email is a lean form of communication in that it allows for one-way communication without nonverbal cues. There are many times when a telephone call or a face-to-face exchange are more effective because of their richer communication qualities.
Email is a good tool for providing short information, data or direction that doesn’t require a response or to ensure there is a record of your communication.
Email is a poor tool for delivering bad news, providing lengthy information, or soliciting opinions (especially from a group) that require feedback or extended conversations. Also, remember that anything included in an email is public, so don’t put confidential or private information in them that you wouldn’t want read aloud in court.
Perhaps the best email advice I read is this: If you can’t write it in five sentences or less, pick up the phone or meet the person face-to-face.
Let’s Talk Nerdy!
What’s the best advice you’ve received about whether to communicate via email vs. another medium? Which communication method do you prefer?
danielalex_book says
I feel your pain.
I think the question to ask is, who is email (and other technologies) good for?
Often the answer is business.
So is that what we really want in life; to be good at business, to be more efficient in business?
Funny thing is, the more we evolve into this very commercial world, the wider the gap between the rich and poor is becoming; food for thought.
Personally, I’m striving for happiness… Well trying to…
profkrg says
danielalex_book If you’re striving for happiness, I bet that does not involve email. I am amazed at how often messages in my inbox make me angry or stressed.
danielalex_book says
profkrg danielalex_book I don’t think you are the only one… Emails are so easy to misunderstand. I assume because all non-verbal queues are missing.
danielalex_book says
profkrg danielalex_book Please don’t get the impression that I don’t have to use email though. I am a slave just like everyone else.
dadofdivas says
I definitely here what you are saying… I get so many emails in a day both at work and at home and it becomes very difficult to manage it all! The only reason I like email is that in many cases you can conclude the conversation and move on quicker, but the problem with this is that it does not really build the relationship as much as a call or an in person visit would.
profkrg says
dadofdivas I agree. It’s the whole rich/lean media thing again. I like texting for immediate resolution. I despise lengthy emails. I have a tendency to think I’ll read them later and provide a thoughtful response. Then… nothing. Ugh!
OrganizerSandy says
Emails can be crazy! I love using filters to help sort.
profkrg says
OrganizerSandy Filters are good. The only issue I have with filters is that I have a bad habit of never looking at the things I’ve filtered. I missed a lot of good information and networking opportunities by filtering one of the listservs I subscribe to. Danged if you do. Danged if you don’t.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Kenna
Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing says
Gosh, what’s a social media marketer and PR pro to do? No way to live without it! Now, can I turn off Twitter for a week? YES!
profkrg says
Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing But why would you want to turn off Twitter for a week? I love it!
patricksplace says
Email filters allowed me to cut my Gmail inbox in half and then some. I still have FAR too much email there, because my inbox doubles as storage. (I know, not the best idea, but it’s the easiest idea.)
At work, because I have so many projects going on at once, a “zero inbox” is virtually impossible. But I’ve gotten it as low as about twenty before, so I celebrated that achievement as though it were completely empty. Maybe one day! 🙂
profkrg says
patricksplace I have read that it’s more productive, rather than storing things in your inbox, just to use a “save” folder for anything you need to save, then search it when you need something. But I think it’s best just to go with what works for you. I must learn to be better at responding to email. I open them on my phone a lot, then just forget to go back and give thoughtful responses.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Patrick.