We’ve been warned repeatedly that it’s a bad idea to start your day by checking email — it hurts your productivity and focus. But waiting until later in the day to tackle your inbox actually presents a different problem: Email that requires you to make difficult decisions often doesn’t get answered. Research has shown that our decision-making capacity is finite and declines throughout the day. So the longer you wait to respond to that tricky email, the harder it’s going to be. To counteract decision fatigue, try to tackle your most complicated emails first thing in the morning. Set aside 20–25 minutes when your mind is clearest. Doing so will allow you to finally respond to those emails that are languishing at the bottom of your inbox.
Adapted from "Actually, You Should Check Email First Thing in the Morning," by Dorie Clark
