Day 205 – December 2nd 2008

Email Sabbatical Update ( and Confession!) 

OK, so I confess. I have been checking email. It started off innocently enough: I had some tasks to do for a networking group for which I am on the board - and most things are done by email. But while I was there I would just quickly check other things and open and delete others. And before I knew it at the end of last week I was – again – feeling overwhelmed by email.

So this week I am REALLY testing myself. I last checked email Sunday night – and whilst I have sent one email (I promised a website link to someone) I have not hit the very tempting "Send and Receive" Button.

Now it is only Tuesday afternoon. But I think (apart from holidays) that this is a record for me.

Interestingly what I have learned so far:

1. Basically I am the problem… Yes, others (that I know and don't know) may send me email – often when a phonecall could be simpler or faster – but it's ME that interrupts my work to check email.
2. If I don't check my email until lunchtime (I have done this a lot recently) I have a VERY PRODUCTIVE morning.
3. I keep checking email because I fear them growing out of control. It's the old, "A stitch in time saves nine" metaphor – but on steroids! Constantly checking email to avoid a backlog just interrupts my work, feeds any procrastinative (is that a word?) impulses I may have and makes me significantly less productive.
4. I feel obliged to reply to all my emails. And with the volume I get, that means I feel like I am constantly sprinting just to stay on top of them. I worry that people will think I am rude if I don't reply. Isn't it interesting that we have this societal need to be polite – to not hurt other's feelings. In the email arena this means we put other's needs before our own – by spending our precious time replying to unsolicited emails – sometimes from people we don't even know!
5. I worry what I might be missing out on. This is a very human condition – we don't like to feel excluded! And in business who knows what might come through via email? For example – I recently got a lucrative contract as a spokesperson via an initial email – and replying promptly. The most valid fears are the hardest to beat…

Technology is amazing AND yes, we are using it to stay in touch (and get back in touch!) more. But somehow we are becoming more DISconnnected with what's really important. Real 'in-time' contact – whether quality time with family and friends, a business meeting or a phonecall.

Like everyone else I use email because it's very convenient. We can fire something off quickly and with little effort by email. When we pick up the phone we need to think things through beforehand, and make an effort to be pleasant and professional. Email allows us to just type, review (some people miss this step…) and send – whatever mood we are in – with least effort.

So. I'm not going to check email until next Monday – and we'll see then if the world has ended…

Watch for future updates!