CHAPTER #7
Master Your Email Inbox With 321Zero
How can you empty your email inbox quickly and keep it from interfering
with truly productive work?
Email as a Cognitive Slot Machine
According to a survey conducted by the McKinsey Global Institute,
office
workers spend 2.6 hours per day reading and answering emails, which equates to
33 percent of a 40-hour workweek. (OK, OK, nobody only works 40 hours
anymore, but it’s
still a big chunk of an average work week!) Clearly people
send
too much email at work, and as the dominant form of professional
communication, it’s hard to ignore. But you have to take responsibility for your
own role in email overwhelm, too.
Your brain uses email—and all social media—like a cognitive slot machine.
Like
pulling a slot handle, there is anticipation, which feels good as you go to
check for new messages. And most of the time it’s a bust, nothing there. But
every now and then,
ding ding ding, “Oh, look! An interesting article!” Or even,
“Oh, someone has a question I can answer in only five minutes! I’m so helpful
and productive!”
And our brain releases a bit of dopamine with every triple cherry on the email
slot machine.
Ah, that feels good! Which makes us come back and check it again
and again. Yes,
you receive too much email, but you need to take responsibility
for handling it.
7 Steps to Mastering Your Email
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