Management Tip of the Day: Give Up Email Altogether

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile APRIL 23, 2013 Give Up Email Altogether If you spend hours every day trying to keep on top of a huge inbox, try an extreme solution: Give it up. Yes, that's right, stop checking your email. Try other tools instead. Use your blog to post updates on your work instead of sending a message to a big distribution list. Try Basecamp or another project management tool to communicate with project teams. Get on Skype for a quick conversation instead of a 14-message exchange. Twitter direct messages, online chat, and texts are good for tight, efficient, and confidential messaging. Take your email address off your business card and website, and encourage anyone who needs to reach you to pick up the phone. This may seem radical – because it is! If this experiment doesn't work, you can always go back to your inbox, but keep these alternative communication practices in mind before you hit "send." Today's Management Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done. Buy the book for more ways to prioritize and stay focused » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done HBR Press Book IS YOUR WORKLOAD SLOWING YOU—AND YOUR CAREER—DOWN? Your inbox is overflowing. You're paralyzed because you have too much to do but don't know where to start. Your to-do list never seems to get any shorter. You leave work exhausted but have little to show for it. It's time to learn how to get the right work done. In the HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done, you'll discover how to focus your time and energy where they will yield the greatest reward. Not only will you end each day knowing you made progress—your improved productivity will also set you apart from the pack. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Keep Innovation Jams Small and Focused Avoid Visual Clichés When Presenting Find Out How Skilled a Job Candidate Really Is Aim for Smart Failure How to Connect With a Remote Colleague Allocate Your Time and Your Effort Act with Care When Someone Cries at Work Perfect Your Personal Elevator Pitch Use Personal Rituals to Make Changes Stick Get Customers to Advocate for You All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations Ebook + Video Case Study HBR's 10 Must Reads on Leadership HBR's 10 Must Reads on Managing Yourself HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2013 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)