Email is likely one of the communication channels that you most use in your everyday life. Whether it's for work, or personal purposes, by using it effectively, you can avoid adopting bad habits, improve your communication, and make it more secure. Find out how below.
On average, there are over 4 billion email users across the world and over 300 billion emails are sent and received every day according to Statista. These figures reflect the universal reach and importance of this means of communication in our society. Even more, thanks to the expansion of the Internet on electronic devices such as smartphones, you can check your inbox anytime, anywhere, to send and receive messages.
Nevertheless, just as unlimited access to email serves as an effective tool in your day-to-day work, studies, or personal life, it can also have its drawbacks if you don't manage it properly. Habits such as answering every message immediately, sending more information than necessary and constantly checking your email, among others, can negatively impact your professional performance as well as your personal well-being.
How to identify bad email habits?
Martin works for a company that has offices around the world. Through email, he communicates with colleagues and customers from other countries to keep track of the services they provide. As such, he sends and receives lots of information on a daily basis. However, he has realised that he dedicates a large part of his working day to reading and answering messages - and even delays other more important tasks to do so. These two reflections led him to recognise that he had developed bad email habits.
Are you having trouble recognising the above signs? There are other options to try to learn if you have bad email habits. One of them is using your own technology. Nowadays it is possible to obtain factual information on how frequently you access your inbox, the number of messages that you handle daily and how much time you spend on your email tool, among other things, through digital apps for smartphones or for some email accounts. With this information, you can get a more accurate idea of your habits and take steps if necessary.
Tips for using your email more effectively
Aside from the amount of messages that arrive in your inbox, the first thing that you should be aware of is that not all information is of the same importance or urgency, nor does it require the same time or attention. These suggestions will help you properly manage your email.