The Zero-Email Inbox Goal: From Overwhelm to Clarity
A few months ago, in a digital cleansing moment of clarity, I decided that I wanted to have a zero-email inbox. Scanning through the emails that were cluttering my inbox, I began to notice a clear pattern. Many of them represented procrastination and indecision.
Every day I was opening my inbox and entering a space where progress and action had come to die. Apart from the few emails that were genuinely awaiting responses, the rest were things I could probably action in five minutes but avoided. Some things were labelled with various beautiful colours but they still served no purpose beyond taking up space in my inbox and mind.
As a strategist and practitioner who helps people streamline their personal and professional lives, my own inbox was an embarrassing affront to productivity. Interestingly, despite the many social media tools that exist today, emails are still an invaluable method of communication - either for receiving information or sharing information with clients.
However, I had disconnected my inbox from the tools I use to organise information, consolidate tasks and interact with clients. More importantly, it was no longer supporting how I understand and manage my business.
Resting State
It was TIME to take some time off. This staycation retreat was just what this practitioner ordered…and needed.