Zeroing out your inbox each day strengthens decision making skills and encourages decisive action. Below are 5 more compelling reasons to zero out your inbox!
Improve your relationships – When you commit to zeroing out your inbox, it is likely to improve your relationships. Emails from friends will no longer go unanswered, buried in an avalanche of lukewarm and half processed emails. You will be able to take decisive action and respond the same day. For example, if you receive an invite to a birthday party, RSVP and put it on your calendar. Are you not sure if you can go? Acknowledge the invite and put the RSVP date on your calendar.
Save money – Zeroing out your inbox can save you money. When you commit to processing your email and getting to zero on a daily basis, your bills and invoices will not fall through the cracks causing you to incur late fees and penalties. Also, when you process your email daily, you are more likely to take advantage of money saving events such as sales at your favorite department store.
Make more money – When you zero out your inbox, emails from potential clients get a quick response increasing your chances of closing the sale. Timely communications with clients builds rapport and client satisfaction. Clients know they can depend making them more likely to work with you again and to refer clients to you.
Be in the know – Stay abreast of the latest news, industry trends and upcoming events by reading (or strategically skimming) industry, alumni and other newsletters when they come in.
Reduce Stress – A zero inbox will reduce your stress level, leaving you with a wonderful feeling of completion. You will no longer be overwhelmed with a chaotic inbox and a million to-dos tugging at you, distracting you, slowing you down each time you check your inbox.
Tip: When processing email, use a “capture tool” such as a notebook or Evernote to keep track of your To Do items.
Take the zero inbox challenge! Zero out your inbox and let us know how you do!
I’ve done it in the past, and it does make a difference. It works when others use email well – for scheduling, quick actions or background reading that can be done at the recipient’s time. When it starts replacing conversation, it gets painful.