15 Recap: How do I take control of my emails and messages

Persistence Blog - The Queen of Results

English - April 12, 2015 19:46 - ★★★★★ - 11 ratings
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Each week, professionals are invited to ask Erica any business related question via email or special access conference call on Friday mornings. To find out how you can receive access to the private "Coffee with Queenie" mastermind call, email Erica at [email protected]

Ever feel bogged down by your current stream of emails and voice mails?

Plenty of emails and voice mails usually equals more clients and sales but this is often times a busy professionals’ number one headache. In fact, many of my coaching clients ask me about strategies to tackle the overflow of emails and messages. I refer to some of the most successful and influential people I know. Most of them replied:

Stick to checking emails and voice mail to only once or twice a day. Do your best to keep this activity to one half hour. (e.g. from 8:30 to 9 a.m. and then again from 4 to 4:30 p.m.)

I know, there’s probably a tiny voice in your head saying, “But, what if it’s an emergency?” Thank you for asking me that question, tiny voice...I LOVE that question. So, outside of someone being seriously injured, sickness or death OR there’s a catastrophic natural disaster, somebody’s emergency should not be your immediate problem. Often times, I have had clients say to me, “Well, they have a deadline so I HAVE to drop what I am doing to take care of this for them.” In most cases, the people screaming “deadlines” knew about said deadlines long before they are calling you. Their procrastination is not your problem, especially if you run the risk of running behind on your own deadlines.

Try this: Set up an auto reply on your email. You can change this daily if you wish but make sure it says something along the effects of: “Thank you for you email. I have a full day with clients and will not be able to check my emails or voice mails until ____ today. I appreciate your patience and I will reach out to you later today! Take Care, ______” You could have a similar message recorded on your voice mail.

Remember, in order for others to honor your time, you must honor your time commitments to yourself.

What are some other ways you handle the overflow of calls and messages? Share your tips over on the Queen of Results Facebook page!