Part of being more organized is understanding where you may have disorganization in the first place.  And I have a feeling that most of us would never think that our e-mail would be a problem.

But we would be wrong. We are now in information overload with over 2.9 million e-mails being sent every second around the world!

In the not-too-distant past, when you wanted to set up a meeting, ask for help and advice, or simply share something with someone, you would pick up the phone, send a letter, or meet face-to-face.  These took some planning and effort.  But today, communication is friction-free.  You can send a message from anywhere in the world, at any time of day.  And added to that is you can do it with the new smart phones: computers that can be with you 24/7.

After talking with business professionals as well as moms, I hear constantly that e-mails are another huge task on their to-do list each day.  Yes, e-mails can help with the work load but when it takes hours to go through them each day, it can cause some serious problems in just trying to organize one’s day.

With the tremendous time wasted on e-mails, here is a list of some ideas to think about before you hit send:

 Action Plan 

1. Respect recipients’ time.  Only send e-mails that are really important.
2. Brief is good.  It’s okay if replies aren’t long.  They need to stay on point.  Keep yours simple also.
3. Be clear.  Clearly state what your subject is in the subject line.  Many times this is how others can locate an e-mail.   And try to keep an e-mail string to one subject.
4. Be careful with CCs.  Only send a copy to someone else if it is mandatory that they have one.
5. Attachments.  Only use one when it must be used.  Otherwise, keep the information in the body of the e-mail.
6. Thank you.  Once someone says ‘thank you’, don’t reply again with an added ‘thank you’.

 Healthy Fit-Fact

While computer work is constant in most of our lives, it can cause problems with sleep.  A recent study has found playing video games, working on the computer and even texting on a phone before bed is not a good idea if you want a good night’s sleep.  Due to the emotional stimulation of the action, as well as the back lighting on the screen, natural melatonin levels are likely to be disrupted.  Reading a book and listening to soft music are more effective bedtime activities.

 Manna from Heaven

 It is so easy to get caught up in the business of life; in catching up on our e-mails; in keeping up our to-do list.  But, try to put time with the Lord first in your day:

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks though Him to God the Father.”   Colossians 3:16-17