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Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Day 21 - Email

What does e-mail have to do with cleaning?

Let me ask you a question: what does your inbox look like? If it is anything like mine you have 500 e-mails just taking up space (and, incidentally, making your computer slower). Wouldn't it feel great to have those "put away" or thrown out? Having e-mails just sitting in there is clutter - just like junk mail sitting on the table by your front door. It's messy. Let's straighten up.

Today challenge is to go through ALL your e-mails and either delete them or create folders for them. I tend to leave e-mails in my inbox that I want to respond to but don't want to do it right away. The temptation is to leave them, but many times I know I just forget about them. Create a RESPOND folder so you know what you have to respond to but it doesn't clutter your inbox. The goal is a clean and tidy inbox.

Here are some great tips for organizing your inbox!

31 Days to Clean - Jump in here!

10 comments:

Kimba said...

Eek! That's a big job! And a good one! I'm going to take you up on this challenge. When we get back from the beach this afternoon and the kids are sleeping I'll do it!

Unknown said...

A respond folder - now why didn't I think of that? Great tip!

Heathahlee said...

I actually HATE my inbox to be full. I try to delete as many as I can. Right now I think I have 15 or so, and that is driving me NUTS! I tend to have selective OCD. This would be one of the obsesssive subjects. My husband told me his inbox at work had like 1000 or more emails and I almost fainted. I was like Monica going to Ross's date's apartment to clean it up (AFTER he got so grossed out and left). Anybody remember that episode?

Anonymous said...

I've never thought of having a respond folder either, but what a great suggestion! Nothing gets forgotten about!

Now, to clean up the remainder of the inbox....that'll be a chore!

Apple Joos said...

It's okay that you broke my lamp! I'm just happy to have people over. Now if only I could find out who keeps downloading Celine Dion songs to my iTunes...

Rachel Elizabeth said...

This will take literally days and days.

Christina said...

I JUST cleaned mine out last night! I read your mind. LOL

And I gave you an award! Stop by and check it out!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah Mae! I didn't jump off the cleaning wagon, I've just been dealing with this- http://web.mac.com/everychapter/Everychapter/Home/Home.html. I'm too overwhelmed togo back and do all the days but just by chance the laundry, digital photos, and email have all been done in the last two weeks- Whoo Hoo! So I'm only barely off track. Thanks for your comment regarding the slowness on my site-I'm going to look into it, I had no idea! I do use Mac so that may be it but I'm hoping it's something I can fix-I want to keep you as a reader! I am SO excited for you and your new little life-congrats on #3!!

Anonymous said...

This one I can do!! I HATE to have to scroll down to see everything in my inbox so I delete them as soon as I am done with them.

I started doing this when I worked. I would get overwhelmed (not hard to do) when I would have a ton of email.

Sarah Mae, I really appreciate you and all of your hard work trying to get us to stay on track. You're so cool!! --Brandi

Katie said...

Oh man do I ever need to do this.


Also, you have won an award. Its on my blog, check it out!