A new year, a new start. You’ve probably started some new habits this January, even if you didn’t make any New Year’s Resolutions. I made them too, and they are way too ambitious. However, there is one habit I did not plan but accidentally reinstated without too much trouble: reaching and sticking to Inbox Zero.
I’m not a person of absolute teachings or strict rules, flexibility is my middle name. But Inbox Zero is something I’ll always advise my clients to do, and here’s why: it forces you to make decisions.
The Clutter of Unmade Decisions
All too often, we let our inboxes clog up with all sorts of messages, and we can’t see the forest for the trees. And just like one more piece of paper on an already messy desk, one more email left lingering doesn’t seem to make much difference.
But here’s the catch: when your inbox is (nearly) empty every day, that one email you leave unhandled suddenly stands out. If you’re following the Inbox Zero method, you can’t escape it: you must decide what to do with that email.
The Goal of Inbox Zero: A Calm Mind
Professional organizers, like I once was, typically point out that clutter arises primarily from postponed decisions. And while that will disappear when your list of emails gets longer, it still creates unrest in your mind.
In other words, Inbox Zero helps you craft mental peace. And that’s priceless when things are hectic at work or in business.
Overcoming the Inbox Zero Challenge
Unfortunately, many people struggle to invest the initial time getting to zero requires. You might think it’s incredibly challenging to achieve Inbox Zero and that it’s not for you. But take a look at this blog where I explain how to get your email under control in just a few steps.
And while you are at it, maybe also read this post by Merlin Mann, the guy who originally coined the term for some question we should all ask ourselves more often.
Of course, it wasn’t that difficult for me to clean out my mailboxes (yes, multiple) and pick up where I had left off. I have a lot of experience with this habit.
How did I accidentally pick up this old and good habit again? It actually happened while I was creating lessons for “50x Smarter”. Obviously, Inbox Zero is part of that online program, explaining in detail how to achieve it in mail programs like Gmail, Outlook and Mail for Mac.
Would you like to give it a try? Then check out the Pre-Sale page here and find out how you can reclaim focus and control over your work.