The average employee gets far more email than he or she can cope with, and an increasing number of people suffer from “email overload.” People are even declaring email bankruptcy and deleting all their email at once, but that doesn’t really solve the problem since more emails just keep pouring in.
Think about this…… Let’s assume you get 50 emails each day. On average, it takes about four minutes typing up a response to each one. That’s over three hours each day dedicated to email alone. Now, let’s factor that number into five days a week multiplied by 48 work weeks a year; that’s 800 hours spent on only email. That’s almost 20 weeks dedicated completely to email! Do you see what I’m getting at? Email is a serious contributing factor to a business’s lack of productivity.
In a world of information overload where email has created the never ending workday, it’s time we start using this tool more effectively. Here are two tips you can start implementing sooner than later.
Avoid opening email first thing in the morning: This may send shivers up your spine, and I am not suggesting waiting until noon, but by postponing your email, you can dedicate this high-energy morning time to a task that adds value to your day and brings you closer to your goals.
Process Email At Specific Times: Process your email in short doses, perhaps twice daily or for a few minutes each hour. Now I know this will be a challenge and requires a habit change, but email creates a reactionary work environment and you can greatly increase your effectiveness if you set aside specific email time frames. Additionally, when you don’t respond immediately, it sets the precedent that you are not sitting at your desk waiting to deal with someone’s email.
Since many of us have never had email training, and since we have not set up email rules and boundaries, the benefits quickly spin out of control. Manage yourself and you can reduce time spent on email.
To schedule an email management workshop call us at 778.839.5792 or visit our website for more details.
I love paper and love my files!!! I am not afraid to say that out loud, but that’s because they are organized and I can find things easily.
Over the years, I came to recognize two common issues with paper: it comes into our homes or offices in droves, and we have no idea what to do with it once it arrives. Where do you put it? How long do you keep it? I get these questions daily. And what about the computer, wasn’t that supposed to help with paper clutter? Not really – the computer age has increased paper use by 60% over the last ten years.
We will be tackling many of these common questions on our next teleclass on January 27, 2010, called Manage the Paper Crisis. This teleclass is for both professional organizers and clients who struggle with paper organizing.
But from now until then, I want to pose a challenge to you. SORT and TOSS one small pile each night between now and January 27th. The problem with paper is we don’t know where to start and so we never do. Start small. Look at the counter, the dining room table or your desktop. SORT and TOSS one small pile from one location each night and you will be blown away at how much you can get done. SORT like items together and let go of any paper you don’t need or plan to use. If you don’t know what to toss, attend Manage the Paper Crisis.
It’s the perfect time to organize your paper and files for the new year.Attend this workshop, File Yourself to Freedom, and leave with files you will never have to re-organize again. Attendees will learn how to use the filing product we use exclusively that will tell you where to put your paper and how long to keep it. The FreedomFiler has a built in purging system designed to help you let go of paper once and for all. We love this product and you will too!
Additional materials cost for this workshop. $49.95 paid to Christa Wagner for FreedomFiler product andattendees to bring 75 hanging file folders and plastic filing tabs. Call 604-257-6976 to register.
I’ve named this post “Focus Is the Name of the Game” because I just returned from the POC (Professional Organizers of Canada) Conference in Calgary and I feel more focused than ever. Now I know what you’re thinking; that I am pretty focused already. Well, even organizers can get a little lost with so many tasks, activities and To Do’s.
At the conference I listened to keynote speaker, Les Hewitt, author of The Power of Focus. He was amazing and he said, “Sustained motivation is when you have something thing good that goes along with what you you do well.” That really resonated with me. I am good at organizing and that’s why I created Savvy Solutions more than five years ago. Of course, I will continue to work with people in their homes and offices on paper, time and email management. But what I am really good at is speaking in front of a group. Not many people feel that way, but I love it. So in the future, you will see more focus on speaking engagements, Lunch & Learns, Workshops and Seminars. And here’s where I would love your help….
If you know of a business that would like to save time and money in the workplace, forward this message.
If you know of a company that is looking for a motivational speaker to light a fire under their staff, forward this message.
If you know of a group, association, organization or business that keeps running into the “No Time” trap, forward this message.
On average, we spend one our each day searching for misplaced information. The goal of my presentations is to give you back at least 10 minutes each day, which would equal one week over the course of a year. What would you do with an extra week of time?
I love working with you in your homes and offices and hope to grow our speaking services with your help. And the good news is speaking engagements can be in anywhere. Contact me at 778.839.5792 to schedule your Lunch & Learn at your office. Book by November 30th and lunch is included.
Email-Itus is the term I use for people who check email constantly; all day and night, in the middle of the night, on the weekends, on holidays, on vacation, etc. Email is addictive; in fact I just recently read an article about how checking email is an addiction like gambling or shopping.
By now most people know how I feel about email. I just feel it’s the largest distraction in our world today. Sure, I see the benefits, but only if it wasn’t so abused and overused. One can dream, right? Anyway, I spend a lot of time talking to clients about email and I’ve come up with a 3-Step Process to reduce time spent on email.
Self Management: Controlling email isn’t about time management as much as about controlling yourself and the strong forces that make us want to read and respond immediately. One tip is to open your email only after you have completed the day’s top priority.
Computer Management: We all know computers can be our best friends, but can also get in our way when not working properly. Outlook has many settings that help us manage email. For example, turn off your sounds alerting you of a new email. That’s not doing anyone a favor.
Quality Management: Next time you go to click the send button, ask yourself, “Does my busy recipient truly need this email to do his or her job?” If the answer is no, delete the email. For every 1 email you send, you get 3 in return. Moral of the story: the less you send, the less you receive.
In our Lunch & Learn called Avoid Email Bankruptcy we outline key steps you can implement to reduce your time spent on email immediately. Email just came into our lives and now its up to us to use this tool effectively. Contact me at 778.839.5792 to schedule your Lunch & Learn at your office. Book by November 30th and lunch is included.
Christa Wagner is a professional organizer and motivational speaker in Vancouver, BC.
Email is the greatest single interruption of the modern world and its taking over our workday; not to mention we have now added Facebook and Twitter. In this seminar, Avoid Email Bankruptcy, attendees will learn the three major causes of e-mail overload, and how to solve them. We’ll teach you how to reduce the number of e-mail you receive, how to compose more effective e-mail, and how to find and file the e-mail you need. Call 604-257-6976 to register.
** Every participant will receive a copy of Christa’s Audio Magazine – Live A More Organized Life **
Avoid Email Bankruptcy
Oct 13, 2009 06:30 PM
Investment:$22
Kitsilano Community Centre, 2690 Larch Street, Vancouver, BC
Chances are your kitchen counter, dining room table and desktop are covered with paper. What to do with all the papers that comes home from school, papers that need to be filled out and returned, tests the kids did well on and possibly should be displayed, thousands of pieces of artwork that may or may not need to be hung up. In this workshop, Uncover the Counter, Fridge & Desktop, Vancouver Professional Organizer, Christa Wagner, will teach you how to process your paper and create a system to manage your most important papers. Call 604-257-6976 to register or visit their website.
** Every participant will receive a copy of Christa’s Audio Magazine – Live A More Organized Life **
Uncover the Counter, Fridge & Desktop
Sep 17, 2009 5:30 PM
Investment: $22
Kitsilano Community Centre, 2690 Larch Street, Vancouver, BC
Yesterday, I gave a workshop called Simplify Your Life and Kick Start Productivity for the staff of Langara College. It was fantastic and I was honored to be selected as a speaker for their continuing education courses for their staff.
At the workshop, I shared Five Organizing Tactics to implement to start living a more organized life. One of them was “Manage Your Email” and the topic turned into a really healthy conversation about email overuse.
Nearly every attendee was complaining about how much email they had; they said it wasted their time and bogged them down from getting the more important tasks accomplished. This is all true, which is why we must learn to manage our email to more effectively.
A question that came up was what to do with all the “Thank You” emails you receive. You know the situation, it happens many times each day, when you send something to someone and they respond just to say “Thank You.” Or even worse, when you send a group email (which should be avoided at all costs) and everyone responds to say “Thank You.” These are very common after an event of some kind, like a holiday party. Everyone agreed the emails were polite, but completely unnecessary and just adds to their already full inbox.
I shared with them two tools you can use to reduce the amount of “Thank You” emails you receive. Of course, this may take some training and you will want to let your recipients know how these tools work so you all can use them properly.
NRN = No Response Necessary: Place these words or this acronym at the bottom of your email, near your name or closing. It implies, the person only has to read the email, but does not have to respond.
NTN = No Thanks Necessary: Place these words or this acronym at the bottom of your email, near your name or closing. It lets the recipient know you do not expect a return or thank you email.
Email has the potential to be a great tool, but with its overuse and abuse, its more of an annoyance than anything else. We need to train each other how to use email effectively so we can start to use this tool in a more productive manner.
Back to school and fall is a busy time of year. Be sure you are ready by attending this workshop, our 5th Annual Taming Family Chaos – Back To School Edition. The class will be lead by Vancouver Professional Organizer, Christa Wager of Savvy Solutions. Attendees will learn 10 family organizing secrets you can use to simplify your life and take control of your home. Keep in mind, your kids will learn a life skill that they will use throughout school, work and life. Call 604-257-6976 to register.
** Every participant will receive a copy of Christa’s Audio Magazine – Live A More Organized Life **
Taming Family Chaos
Aug 25, 2009 6:30 PM
Investment: $22
Kitsilano Community Centre, 2690 Larch Street, Vancouver, BC
Register: Call 604-257-6976
Christa Wagner is a Vancouver Professional Organizer and owner of Savvy Solutions. As a professional organizer, we bring the plan, the products and the know-how to get organized and stay organized. We help you decide what’s important and make sure you have the right tools at your finger tips.
I provided a workshop called Kick Start Office Productivity for the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce on June 18th and what a success it was. We had about 30 attendees at the gorgeous Watermark Restaurant on Kitsilano Beach. I have given many seminars and worshops over the years and this has to be one of the most beautiful settings I have ever spoken in. What a view!
I wanted to thank the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce, specifically Terry Clark and Kirsten Severson for hosting the event. The topic was Kick Start Office Productivity and I provided 5 organizing tactics you can use in your office that will make a huge difference to your productivity. There has been no better time to streamline and organize your business. In a challenging economy we do everything we can to drive store traffic and increase revenue and sales. Yet what are you doing to boost internal productivity, which can have a dramatic affect on the bottom line?
Each attendee was asked to select one tactic, where they are the most challenged, and commit to focusing on it for 30 days. Accountability is key so I will follow up and see how they are doing in 30 days. I can’t wait to hear.
The topics we talked about were related to email, desktop clutter, paper, time and focus. We could have talked about each tactic over the course of hours, but we only had an hour and my hope is each attendee left with a few nuggets of inspiration that will make a difference in their day. The feedback was terrific and everyone stayed afterwards to talk and ask me questions about their personal situation. The event could not have been better!
Thanks again to the Kitsilano Chamber and contact us at 778.839.5792 if you would like your own seminar on Kick Start Office Productivity.
We had about 30 attendees at the gorgeous Watermark Restaurant on Kitsilano Beach. I have given many 
Each attendee was asked to select one tactic, where they are the most challenged, and commit to focusing on it for 30 days. Accountability is key so I will follow up and see how they are doing in 30 days. I can’t wait to hear.