Joyent

Beat Email Bankruptcy in Three Easy Steps

Step One: Take a Flight Somewhere

I recommend Southwest with a couple drink coupons. More laptop room, somewhat mentally lubricated. But get on a plane and go somewhere for around two hours. This gives you enough time to order the double-cocktail, lubricate the mind, and work yourself out of bankruptcy. Let’s get started.

Step Two: Open Your Email Client and Sort by “From”

Most of your email bankruptcy is on account of poor email management. You answer email, but you don’t move it out of the inbox. Those 1,276 messages are mostly answered email. Also, you can safely ignore co-workers. Scan and move. Especially if a message is more than a month old. Someone you talk with every day? Move all that mail automatically. Most of your mail falls into this category. With those messages culled, you can focus on “Who is the message from” and answer accordingly.

Step Three: The Mail You Do Answer, Try to Move the Ball Back Into Your Correspondent’s Court

Example:

From: correspondent@gmail.com
To: david@joyent.com
Subject: Agreed, let’s partner
Blah, blah, but what’s the 17th prime number after 3, blah, blah, blah?

This one is going to make you work. Don’t. Here’s your reply:

From: david@joyent.com
To: correspondent@gmail.com
Subject: re: Agreed, let’s partner
Is the 17th prime number the issue? Or the millions we’re going to make? FTW.

Optional Fourth Step

To: team@joyent.com
From: david@joyent.com
Subject: If you need something
I accidentally deleted all the mail you sent me. If you need something from me, please ask again.

It’s not bankruptcy, friends. It’s leverage.