Some things are meant to be done one bit at a time. Living life, for example. Life is lived as it comes, even though we might spend a lot of time and effort apparently ignoring our presence in the present.
Other things are best done in clumps or “bunches.” For me, processing emails is a task that works best with bunching. If I leave my email program open when trying to work on projects at my computer, the constant, distracting trickle of emails might not completely paralyze me, but it certainly reduces my concentration to undetectable levels.
The problems caused by a constant influx of email interruptions may not be news to you, but if you know the downsides, it’s very easy to fall back in to bad habits of email overexposure.
Batch processing and email are made for each other. Here’s how to do it. Pick a time when you can spend a reasonable amount of time going through email (whatever “a reasonable amount of time” is for you). When that time arrives, turn on your email program and read, write, file, and delete as necessary. Then turn your email program off.
Many people who field a lot of actionable email find they can manage with just two of these email batch sessions a day. They enjoy higher levels of concentration and find themselves more productive than they used to be when they were in their “always on” mode.
What are your “always on” issues? Would your life be made any easier, less hectic, or more enjoyable if you tried batch processing instead?
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