Does the constant stream of emails (both work and personal) make you feel stressed, anxious and overwhelmed? Not quite sure what to do as you watch them stack up in your inbox?

If you’re feeling like you’re drowning in emails and don’t know where to start, try practising the 5 D’s for better time management. These are…

  • Delete: you can probably delete half the emails you get immediately… seeing that number drop from removing those spammy, salesy or out of date emails is a great way to start clearing your inbox and your mind.
  • Decide:  when to focus on your emails and allocate time slots for each task so you don’t get overwhelmed. Remember: not all emails require an immediate response!
  • Do: if the email is urgent or can be completed quickly get these done so you can push them out of your mind.
  • Delegate: if the email can be better dealt with by someone else, delegate them to someone else who can handle them.
  • Defer: set aside time later to spend on emails that require longer action. Perhaps you can star or move these into another folder so you can find them easier to find later when you have the time.

What helps you to keep your inbox neat and tidy and your mind clear?