I'm still not good at being "bad" with email, but for the last two weeks I've been delaying when I open email. I used to do it right away and then drowned all day. Now I start working and don't check until later in the day and it's been helping so far.
That's a great idea! Another thing I do that is similar is create folders within my email and add unread emails to each folder. That way it doesn't appear urgent in my inbox and I can respond to emails within categories (i.e., advising, teaching, research) to keep my brain on certain tracks.
I have an inbox that is only emails from coauthors (and not all coauthors make the cut 😬). Everything else is directed to a hidden folder that I have to click twice to access. + No app on phone, no desktop app, no notifications.
Totally agree with turning off notifications on the phone! I also agree not having email up on your computer while doing other tasks. I have set times during the day where I’ll check email on my phone just to read the header, only opening up email on my computer if I need to reply.
It helped to internalize the message that there are no true emergencies that would come thru via email—those I would be alerted by a call on my cell. I also batch-reply to all students, once a week, and no one has complained. It’s totally changed my workflow for the better.
Mostly I just tell people that I don’t want emails from that I’m bad at email and that they should communicate with me in person. I haven’t crunched the numbers but it 100% works
I highly recommend moving to Slack or Pumble for all project-related and lab group communication. It keeps things super organized and you can find what you need without having to go into email.
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I also try really hard not to answer emails on my phone.