How Getting Things Done Saved My Sanity: My Secret to Mastering the Inbox
Katrina E. Robinson
Building profitable co-living businesses, one entrepreneur at a time. Business Coach - Group Home on Autopilot. Public speaker. Entrepreneur. CEO.
(Or... How I Became an E-mail Assassin)
Are you drowning in a sea of unread emails? Some weeks, I’m on top of things, but other times my inbox spirals out of control. One tool that has truly helped me regain my sanity is from the book Getting Things Done by David Allen.
My Struggle with Email Overload
The first time I heard about Getting Things Done, it came as a recommendation from my boss during a particularly stressful period. I was furious. Managing 500 emails a week was already overwhelming, and being told to read a book called Getting Things Done felt like a slap in the face.
But about a year later, after my boss had moved on, I stumbled upon the book while browsing at Barnes & Noble. I decided to give it a shot. Little did I know, this book would become a life-changing read.
This book is now on my list of the Top 5 books that have changed my life.
Discovering Getting Things Done
Not only did it transform my work life, but it also improved my personal productivity. I highly recommend you read or listen to it if you haven’t already. This article isn’t a substitute for David Allen’s brilliant book, but I wanted to share my favorite method for tackling email overload.
领英推荐
My Favorite GTD Strategy for Handling Emails
One of the most impactful techniques I’ve adopted from Getting Things Done is the '4D' method. It’s simple, but incredibly effective:
- Do It: If an email is actionable and takes less than two minutes, I handle it immediately.
- Delegate It: If it requires someone else's attention, I delegate it and set a follow-up reminder.
- Defer It: For tasks that need more time, I schedule a specific time to handle them.
- Delete It: If it’s not actionable, I delete or archive it to keep my inbox clutter-free.
Final Thoughts: Achieving Inbox Zero
Clearing my inbox regularly has given me peace of mind and a clear focus on my priorities. I know it can do the same for you. Whether you adopt this system or create your own, the goal is to find a process that keeps you organized and stress-free.
If you’re interested in more tips on how to streamline your workflow or learn how to open and operate your own profitable group home, let's connect!