Start by setting your own rules for email. In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. He put his personal rules on email on the website World Wide Web Consortium. He wrote eleven points for sending email. He put these points under these three headings.
- “Before you email me.”
- “What not to email.”
- “What you can email.”
With these points, he helps people know which emails to use for which purpose. He tells people which types of attachments he will not open. He tells people which types of attachments he will open.
You will get your job done fast when people know how to work with you efficiently and effectively.
Read for content. The title and the first paragraph of an email or article give you the content. If you do not need the content, delete the email or close the browser page. You will get your email job done fast.
Safely unsubscribe from spam. You will get your job done fast when you only receive what you need to receive. Nearly everyone gets spam from valid companies trying to sell something. Although these companies you in to their email list, you can safely opt out by selecting the unsubscribe options in the email
Emails from unknown sources that have nothing but a URL are malicious. Delete them without thinking twice and you will get your job fast.
Emails with zipped attachments can harm your computer. If you don’t recognize the sender and if you don’t, delete these email. Do not open the attachment. If you do not harm your computer, you will get your job done fast.
Set a time limit on reading your email. Ten minutes should do and you will get your job done fast. Read your email twice a day: first thing in the morning, last thing in the afternoon. If you quit going to your email file, you will get your job done fast.
Ask people to call you if something is urgent. You can get your job done fast if people are helping you with urgent things.
If the answer to the email question is, “yes” or “no,” reply “Yes” or “No.” Writing shorter emails will help you get your job done fast.
Unless there is money involved, do not respond to emails to schedule phone calls. People who want to speak with each other, call each other. You can get your job done fast when you quit wasting time with people who are not willing to help you with urgent matters.
List five things to do each day. Line each one out as you complete it. You will stay focused and get your job done fast. If your job is processing email instructions and attachments, email goes on your list of five things to do each day. Set a timer. Complete your work within four hours. Focusing on your priorities will help you get your job done fast.
Do not go to a meeting you can cover with a phone call. Do not make a phone call you can cover with an email. Do not send an email you can handle with a text. Priorities are a great way to get you job done fast.
Only call people at times when they answer their phone. If the secretary leaves at 5:00 PM and the person answers the phone after 5:00 PM, call the person after 5:00 PM. Not wasting time on call screening will help you get your job done fast.
Do not call people between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. They are eating.
Not do Social media and personal email before 6:00 PM. You cannot get your job done fast when you are playing on the job.
Skip Surveys and polls. They are a waste of your time and keep you from getting your job done fast.