Before we give you a number, let’s set the stage.
We all get more work done when we are focused and uninterrupted. An effective time management strategy is to minimize interruptions and to group like tasks.
At least one out of every two workers has their inbox open, dinging and flashing while they work. This means that the arrival of a new email has the potential to interrupt focused work as many times a day as the number of email messages received.
Because email receipts have become one of the most prolific interrupters of the 21st century, managing the frequency with which you check your email will bring great returns to your productivity. It will also relect the strategy of grouping like tasks.
So, the answer, for the average business:
- 5 times a day.
That’s right, check your inbox only 5 times daily-first thing in the morning, mid morning, after lunch, mid afternoon, and end of day. Or, even less if you are capable.
This works because you’ve turned off automatic send/receive, so it allows you up to two hours to focus on your work, rather than to be continually interrupted. It works because you’ll be grouping the sorting of your email, so you’ll be productive in the zone of sorting your email. It works because you’ve evidenced that YOU’ve taken control of your email, not the other way around.
