Other Posts in Series:
Introduction
Part 1
In Part 1, we discussed how email, which can be such a great thing, can also cause so much dysfunction and inefficiency. In Part 2, we will discuss email procedures and protocols you can implement to begin to attack your Inbox.
Email Procedures and Protocols
First, a caveat: everyone’s situation is different. While many readers of this article are hungry for ideas to reduce their overwhelming stress, others will shrug their shoulders and say, “what stress?” Still others will scoff at many of the ideas set forth here with a “there is no way I could get away with that in my practice.” I understand that we are all different, with different demands and expectations. What one lawyer or staff member may be able to do might get another fired in another setting. The point is that for most lawyers, there is substantial stress and resulting inefficiency brought about by email overload, and some of these tips will be very beneficial. Adopt what works for you, and ignore the rest.
The first step in reducing your email overload problem and the associated stress it can cause has nothing to do with technology and everything to do with implementing some very simple and common sense procedures and protocols to reduce the amount of email you get and make it easier to handle.
