Show no mercy
The Muse recommends you be uncompromising with e-mails that require no action on your part or simply have low priority and you know you will have no time to deal with them. Either delete or archive them.
Delegate
Similar to delegating work, managers should also delegate e-mails. If someone sends you an e-mail that a subordinate will be dealing with, forward them the message and tell them to include you in a copy of subsequent communication only if it is necessary.
Mark e-mails that require action by someone else
Many e-mails do concern you but you are waiting for someone else to do something first. Either label those e-mails accordingly, or ideally move them to a special folder. Check that folder at regular intervals to see whether some of the messages have reached the point that requires some action or reaction from you.
Sort e-mails into folders
Sorting e-mails into sub-folders should be a big help, be it by topic, priority or level of complexity. If you are not yet sorting e-mails in this manner, you should definitely consider doing so.
Turn off e-mail notifications
When you wish to focus on work or a task requiring deep concentration, turn off e-mail notifications so they do not disturb you. You can turn them off regularly for the majority of your working hours if this is possible, and only deal with e-mails in defined, limited time blocks.
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