Taming the Email Beast | April 2012

 Keeping a handle on the volume of email entering your inbox each day is a challenge for many lawyers.  In her recent post, Stop Email Overload  (posted on HBR Blog Network on February 21, 2012), Amy Gallo outlines a series of very practical tips for those aiming to increase their productivity by decreasing email overload.  She includes real life case studies and suggests the following “Principles to Remember”:

Do:

• Respond quickly and clearly to those who need your attention or input — this will reduce the amount of email you receive
• When you can't reply immediately, file the emails for action later
• Take an email sabbatical on occasion to give yourself a break

Don't:

• Assume that email is the real problem — a clogged inbox might mean you haven't established clear priorities
• Send one-word emails and reply to everyone on a thread — the more email you send the more you will receive
• Think a company-wide policy will solve your email problems — focus on what you can control: your own behavior

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