Mastering Message Mania
April 17th, 2007 by Kate Carleton
Overwhelmed by office email? Do you compulsively check email every time you hear a chime in your in box and find it difficult to complete work by 5pm? It’s no wonder corporations are bogged down and time crunched. We are continually being interrupted and unable to get work done because of the “must copy everyone” and “CYA” mode.
As an Executive Coach one of the key requests I receive is: “How can I do more in less time?” I first look at the systems in place and find most often, there are no effective communication systems at all. Instead it is: endless emails, email the person sitting next to you, ignore your phone, and just go on and on when emailing…you know.
Here are six ways to master the message mania:
- Establish ground rules for email use within your team, and corporate wide
- Turn off the chimes and check email once an hour
- Have symbols for emergencies or priorities
- Use the subject header to say it all, thus no need to open the text
- Make folders to create efficiency when referring back to information
- Turn off your Blackberry during meetings, lunch break, at dinner time, and weekends
Create rules and guidelines that work for you, your team members, and your company. The result is increased productivity, better communication and greater health! Yes, your sanity and time off is important to your company, so when you return on Monday morning, you are relaxed, fired up, and ready to dive in. Come on, you can do it. Set guidelines and turn it off. Give yourself the time to work!
~ Kate ~