Beginners, Start Here!

Cutting the Email Leash

Jay (Jason Van Orden) 12 Comments

I’m far too addicted to my email. For someone who is trying to build a lifestyle of freedom through the internet, I give far too much time and attention to my email. I just got back from a 7-day cruise in The Caribbean (and now I’m addicted to scuba diving, too). Internet access on the cruise costs 0.50 a minute and adds up fast. After one night of that, I decided my email was just going to have to wait even if the world imploded as a result. Guess what…

…the world didn’t implode.

I can count on one hand the number of emails I received that really were so important that they needed quick attention. And that was out of 550 emails received (not including spam).

The epiphone: I spend to much time on email and give it way more attention than I should.

The goals for implementing a solution:

  • I will only check email twice a day now–once in the morning and once in the evening
  • I will only check my email once on Saturday and Sunday (working towards never checking on the weekend)
  • I will no longer check my email first thing when I wake up. I will only check it after doing a couple hours of productive work.
  • I have turned of all automatic email checking and notifications in Outlook. Email will only come in when I open Outlook and hit the Send/Receive button (which will only happen twice a day).

I am going to keep a log of this and I’ll report back next week on the blog to let you know how I am doing. Hold me accountable. I encourage you to join me. Thank goodness I don’t own a “Crack”-Berry. If you own one, I urge you to sell it and get a “run-o-the-mill” cell phone.

On another note, thanks for your patience in waiting for the next episode of the podcast. I’ve been traveling every weekend for speaking gigs or vacation and Sterling has been going to every seminar on the planet it seems and mingling with the likes of Dan Kennedy and other big dogs. We’ll have lots of good stuff to talk about. Stay tuned!

Bookmark and Share
This post is in: 4-Hour Workweek, Productivity

12 Comments Leave a Comment


I would like to join you, but until I switch my business model this “Crack Berry is my master. My clients have come accustomed to me replying instantly to emails. I am just digging a hole for myself. I am in ¾’s of the way in “The E-myth” so I NOW understand what needs to be done. ;-)

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Reply


Jason,
I heard about cutting down email checking a couple weeks ago. I do have to say, I’ve noticed productivity go up greatly! It’s like freedom!
I don’t get as many emails as you do but taking the time to read and respond to an email as it comes in really broke the thought process and it took twice as long to get back on track. Then BAM, another email. So all day, I was TRYING to get back into what I was doing but the emails were the interruption. Now, scheduling that interuption, has allowed me to complete a thought and then check emails, then get back to it again.
It is a hard habit to break though.. I’ve found myself checking emails more frequently this week, but now that I’ve read what you had to say, I’m getting back on track!
Thanks!

Reply


I’d say that the most important factor is WHEN you start to check your email. I saw a C-span show on a famous author and he doesn’t do anything but his work until after lunch. Then he checks his email and phone. If you check it twice a day that could still suck you entire day if you were to start checking at 9 vs the guy that waits till 1. Plus what could be so pressing that it has to be addressed before 1 anyway.

Reply


That’s a great point. I think I’ll add that to my list of email controls: no checking email before lunch.

Reply


This is definitely something I need to work on too. It’s amazing how us internet entrepreneurs are seriously dependent (or we think so) on our email and having email access at all times. Can’t wait to hear the next podcast…. I still believe you both host the best podcast on the net…hands down!

Reply


@terra,

Thanks for those very kind words.

Reply



Pat

I am intrigued by the idea of chcking email less often. I can’t do that at my 9 to 5, but I can at my home biz.
Oh, and I have been listening to episodes 14, 15, and 20-26 over and over on my commute, because there’s nothing new to listen to. Can’t wait for IBM 27!
I finished the first binder of “Insider Secrets.” I hope to have an LLC started and something on the web in the next two weeks.

Reply


Looks like a solid system, Jay!

In The Four Hour Work Week, Tim Ferriss talks a lot about the importance of losing the “email addiction” and even going on a comprehensive *information diet.*

It’s remarkable how easy it is to create work for ourselves in simple tasks such as checking email or voicemail. Overcoming this compulsion to focus on the least productive tasks is an essential growth step for all entrepreneurs.

Keep me posted on your progress!

Best,

Jason Clegg
“Mindful Entrepreneur”

Reply


@Jason,

Tim’s blog was actually one big motivator in my goal to cut the leash. I’m reading The Four-Hour Work Week now. We talk about the book a lot on IBM #27 which we just finished recording. Incidentally, we mention you to ;).

Reply


I am currently on the info diet as well as the email twice a day thingermabob, it’s actually HARD! Must….not..read…blogs…Must … not… check…email.

Luckily I haven’t read a newspaper in years, nor have I watched the news in forever! I get my news where all responsible, intelligent patriots get their news: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart!!

Must…not…check…email….

I’m also going through the 4 hour work week again, chapter by chapter, and I am currently on the designing your lifestyle part specifically, I’m also finding that kinda hard too. I’m used to realistic goals…

Must… not… check…email!

Sterling…

Reply


@Pat

Good luck with your new business. One of the real keys is to actually get started ASAP. Don’t put it off. Doesn’t matter if it is perfect or you don’t know exactly what your doing, fail forward!

@All

I’m doing the 2 times a day email thingy, with the first after lunch right now. Once I get myself to consistantly do it I’m going to….wait for it….ONCE a day!! I know it sounds impossible, but I am now about setting unrealistic goals!

Sterling

Reply


[...] Cutting the Email Leash Part 2: Tips for Overcoming Compulsive Email Distraction [...]

Leave a Comment

To avoid comment spam and preserve the value of this blog to the readers, a name and e-mail are required. We also screen all comments. Please do not submit your comment more than once. It will appear shortly.