Managing Down The 28 Percent

Email can suck up to 28 percent of a perfectly productive day. I’m trying to manage that number – downward – with the email auto response. Has it worked? Mixed results. I’m still my worst email addict enemy. And the tone of my email auto response sometimes causes the receiver to email back. It’s an email auto response people, not me…really.

What’s been highly successful is the number of people who have used, borrowed or been inspired by my auto response. I’ve included a few below. When there is a Booker Prize for email auto responders, I’d like to be nominated.

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1. On the road - again. I'm in Malmo, Sweden and Brussels, Belgium this week, returning to NYC at the end of the week. I'll be on email, occasionally, so anticipate a slower than usual response from me.
2. Got your email message and I promise, I will respond just as soon as I can breakaway from the company of good friends, turkey leftovers and football.If you can't resist shopping this holiday weekend, support female entrepreneurs and shop Lion'esque Style, PlumAlley, Zady, New Form Perspective, Refine Basics, Dagne Dover ... Planning your next party? Then check out Revelry House. As for holiday cards and Thanksgiving thank you notes, Erin Newkirk and her team at Red Stamp have got you covered.I'm back in NYC on Monday (sensibly waiting till the holiday travel madness is over to fly home).
3. If you're getting this message it means I've received your email. I'm across the pond this week and will only be on email periodically (if you're in London, come find me at the Apple Retail Store on Regent Street on Wednesday evening.
4. If you're getting this message it means I've received your email. With some patience and humor, I'll get through my inbox and respond to your message.
5. Yes. This is an auto reply. I just want you to know that I got your email, I'll read it, I'll digest the information and if you're looking for a reply, I'll respond just as soon as I can. Promise.In the meantime if you're looking to speak IRL, connect with me within the WIM Accelerator ecosystem - which includes Chicago and London over the next month
6. You must search for inspiration and answers from those around you because I'm moving today and yes, too busy to check email.
7. Meetings, presentations, workshops, planning sessions, creative pursuits plus life, oh my! I'm in and out, on and off email and yes, trying at all times to be as responsive as humanly possible. Stay tuned, if you're getting this out of office message, it means I have your email.Looking to pick my brain? Read this post from Steve Blank or this by Adrienne Graham then connect with me through Emissary https://www.emissary.io/u/#/jkhoeyIf it's mentoring advice you are after, connect with me and ask your questions on Levo League.
8. Got your email but....It's going to take me till the end of the week to shake off the summertime blues as well as to finish a few priority projects. I promise to respond just as soon as I can.
9. Inspired by Randi Zuckerberg's "Getting To Inbox Zero", I will be celebrating the holiday weekend with an email party. Look for responses to your emails over the next 72 hours.Looking to pick my brain? Connect with me through Emissary https://www.emissary.io/u/#/jkhoey
10. Apologizes. I've been knocked off course by work demands and personal matters. Sidelined for the next few days as I get my life in order. Back soon.
11. On email but….I'm also in meetings, on the phone and working on various projects offline. I shall respond when, if and as soon as I can.
12. On the road again…I'm in CA and Utah the first part of the week, back to NYC on a red-eye flight arriving on Thursday am...
13. Yes, I'm in NYC this week with a full "must do" list in preparation for travel to Silicon Valley and Salt Lake City next week. Monitoring my email consumption and responding as promptly (when needed) as I can.