Cleaning up my Inbox – Part 1

The one thing I’ve learnt over time is that the trans pacific flight from Sydney to LA gives you around 10-12 hours of quality alone time. Time in which no one can contact you, no emails can interrupt you, and the only thing asking questions of you is the flight staff as they get you your next drink. 🙂

Like most people email is my main form of communication these days.  Maybe unlike most, my mailbox has gotten out of control AGAIN.  Despite having rules in place to move email to various subfolders, today I had over 2000 emails in the root of my inbox.  Many of them I’ve not read as they didn’t seem important at that point in time.

Well – I’m pleased to say that after 4 scotch and cokes, and around 6 hours, my mailbox now has 117 items in it.  All of which are now read and require action once I get Internet access once more.  I also have 146 items in my outbox – replies to various emails that have been sent to me – some long over due. So if you get an email from me in the next day and wonder why it took so long for me to respond… now you know 🙂

I’m considering having a monthly work day where I will unplug from the Internet, turn off my phone and go to a location where no one can contact me.  I’ve found that the time alone gives you the ability to focus greatly on many tasks.  Knowing that people can not interrupt you gives a sense of freedom.

What are your tricks to get things done?