Good Morning Everyone! Let’s have a great day!
Picture This:
You open your email and feel that familiar knot in your stomach. 847 unread messages. Somewhere in that digital haystack are important deadlines, client requests, and that one email from your boss that you’ve been meaning to respond to for three days. Sound familiar?
The Email Overwhelm Epidemic
Checking email has become our modern-day nervous habit. We refresh it compulsively, interrupt deep work to “just peek,” and let our inboxes become digital graveyards of good intentions. The average knowledge worker checks email every 11 minutes—that’s exhausting, unproductive, and completely fixable.
Your 15-Minute Email Detox
Ready to reclaim your sanity? Here’s your step-by-step recovery plan:
Phase 1: The Great Purge (5 minutes)
• Delete obvious junk without opening—newsletters you never read, old promotions, spam • Unsubscribe from 5 email lists right now (be ruthless!)
• Archive everything older than 30 days that doesn’t require action
• Use search terms like “unsubscribe” or “promotion” to batch-delete faster
Phase 2: The Triage System (5 minutes)
• Create three folders: “Action Required,” “Waiting For,” and “Reference”
• Sort your remaining emails into these buckets
• Anything that takes under 2 minutes? Do it now
• Everything else goes into “Action Required” with a quick priority ranking
Phase 3: The Prevention Protocol (5 minutes)
• Turn off all email notifications on your phone and computer
• Set specific email checking times: 9 AM, 1 PM, and 4 PM only
• Use your phone’s Do Not Disturb during focused work blocks
• Write a template for common responses to save time
The Magic Maintenance Rules
Going forward, live by these simple principles:
• The 2-Minute Rule: If it takes less than 2 minutes, do it immediately
• The OHIO Principle: Only Handle It Once—read, decide, act, file
• The 5-Email Rule: Never leave more than 5 emails in your inbox overnight
• The Friday Purge: Spend 10 minutes every Friday cleaning house
Why This Works
This system transforms email from a reactive nightmare into a proactive tool. You’ll reduce decision fatigue, eliminate the constant mental load of “things to check,” and create space for actual work. Plus, your colleagues will notice you’re more responsive and professional.
Your Challenge This Week
Try the 15-minute fix today, then stick to checking email only three times. Notice how much more focused and calm you feel. Your future self will thank you—and so will your productivity metrics.
Remember: Email is a tool, not a tyrant. Time to show it who’s boss!
As always have a great day and see you all tomorrow!
The Casual Workweek