Let your emails pile up, or fight to achieve inbox zero? Two entrepreneurs from different schools of thought explain the reasoning behind their email-management methods.
Related: 4 Tips to Better Manage Your Email Inbox
Inbox Infinity
“The day I realized my email was not my to-do list but just other people’s to-do list for me, I had this incredible realization: Constantly managing an inbox is like doing someone else’s homework! The minute I stopped running my day based on my email, I immediately became more effective. And it’s not about ignoring messages; being responsive is really important, and it’s indicative of your work ethic. Of course, there’s a line between knowing your priorities and being responsive. I start every day with a list of the three to five critical things I need to do and slot them into my calendar. When I feel like I’m on track to achieve them, I’ll check on my email. I delete anything I know is marketing and then look for priority messages that require a decision on a deadline. Anything else, I leave it bold. It’s not that those messages aren’t important, but I can deal with them later, so it’s fine for them to pile up. Not obsessing over my inbox keeps me calm and has helped me prioritize my time and focus on what’s important, rather than constantly playing catch-up.”
— Rachel Blumenthal, founder and CEO, children’s clothing subscription service Rockets of Awesome
Related: Forget Inbox Zero: Focus on Reaching Inbox Zen
Inbox Zero
“If that little red dot on my phone’s email icon has anything higher than a number 5 in it, it causes me major stress. And I’m at a point in my life — and business — where removing stress is a priority. For a long time, I’d manage my inbox — Adam Tishman, co-founder and CEO, mattress company Helix