Hand up all those of you who have email connected to your cell phone. Inbox control with e-mails is highly addictive. We can even become addicted to it. Constant checking of emails is like a drug. However, we can only be treated if we acknowledge this addiction.
Ok, let’s keep the catastrophic predictions for Steven Spielberg’s film scripts.
From a psychological point of view, the dependence on e-mail control is associated with the so-called system of operational conditioning. Such operational conditioning is part of the functioning of our mind.
I will explain this directly with the example of e-mailing. By clicking on the icon (which speaks of a new e-mail), our mind receives a stimulus and uses it to take the next step (opening the e-mail). Another suggestion follows, a reply to the e-mail.
All this stems from our endless and deep-rooted curiosity. The same principle manifests itself in the case of messenger on Facebook, Viber or another well-known application, WhatsApp.
Constant checking of your e-mail box means that we can’t concentrate and concentrate on one thing anymore.
Email is considered the primary cause of distractions in the workplace. You can, of course, object.
“I don’t work when I reply to emails?” Of course not. It is more important that you do not think about e-mails and check them 345 times during working hours.
People check their inbox more often than they think. Even if they don’t physically check the e-mail directly, they at least think about checking it. That already sounds quite disturbing.
According to statistics, the average employee receives 100-200 e-mails a day. If we admit that the answer to each e-mail would take the employee even 1 minute, at the end of the day we would find out that we spent 2, maybe up to 3 hours on mailing.
The key to winning over this bad habit is self-control. First and foremost, you need to learn how to handle yourself. Only then do you look for help with various tools and tools that make working with e-mails easier and more efficient.
Constantly checking your inbox even belongs to some form of procrastination. Hand in hand with procrastination goes distraction. This connection then ultimately means that we do not do what we should or it takes us much longer. And we’re still just talking about checking emails. I’m not talking about the constant beeping of Facebook and other applications through which we communicate.
How to fight it?
1.) Turn off notifications
No porridge is so hot. However, you do not have to reply to the e-mail when it arrives. Even if it is some very important information that does not wait, your phone is turned on, the person in question can also contact you by phone.
2.) Beware of multitasking
Studies have shown that multitasking can lead to incorrect information processing and is then stored poorly in memory.
3.) More organization = less stress
Route different mail to different folders. It’s important to know how to organize your emails properly. Forward priority e-mails that require quick responses to a special folder and others to another in which the e-mails will wait for a while.
4.) Set your boundaries.
Set a timer or alarm to alert you when your mailing time has expired. In addition to work, you should have a maximum of 4 hours spent with devices such as mobile, laptop or tablet.
5.) Do not write e-mails to each other in the office.
It is said that up to 63% of messages are sent within the company to colleagues who are sitting next to each other. Wouldn’t it be easier to tell the information? However, be careful not to get stuck. That would then be counterproductive. And I’m not just targeting women 🙂
Despite the fact that people hate e-mails, paradoxically they love the feeling when they receive a new e-mail that flashes an icon on their mobile.
The solution is to clearly determine how many times a day you go through your inbox. This will prevent the stress of frequent browsing and checking the clipboard. Life shouldn’t just revolve around constantly checking your laptop, phone or tablet. In the long run, this could mean that you will have less and less time left for your loved ones, family, friends, hobbies or sports.
Are you one of those who perceives your e-mail box as your enemy or have you become friends? Write us about it in the comments 🙂
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