How An Out-Of-Control Inbox Could Lead To Success

People are often surprised to discover that I am “terrible” at organizing my email inbox. In any given mailbox, I might have more than 15,000 unread emails . . .

. . . even though managing your email effectively to achieve “inbox zero” is a tried-and-true time management tactic.

You see, even back in my corporate career, I recognized that I simply did not have the desire to organize my inbox and that it often became a rabbit hole that would suck up my time.

I also had a demanding position with hundreds of emails a day, so I needed to be strategic in responding to what mattered most (and ignoring the rest) to still BE effective.

After many years of feeling like I was “failing” at my email management, I realized that it was working for ME. And, what works for one person might be different from another.

That led to the bigger realization that . . .

You need to have the right mindset FIRST and be crystal clear on who you are and how you can operate in a way that works for YOU.

Each time I opened my email, I would set the intention to only respond in a timely manner to what was required from me.

I had to accept that I had my own way to stay on top of things, and cast away all thoughts of “I’m failing if I don’t have my emails organized or respond to it all”.

Not trying. Not hoping. BEING intentional to focus only on what really mattered.

I don’t say this to advocate for my email inbox approach, but to share a very important insight about creating focus and balance in your life . . . or any change for that matter.

Because I see so many busy leaders and professionals get this part wrong, and I don’t want that for you.

Creating balance and success in your work and personal life doesn’t come from the latest tools or time management strategies. It comes from the person you are being and your mindset . . .

And giving yourself permission to do what works for YOU to accomplish the outcome you want.

Don’t get me wrong, managing your inbox effectively is hugely important . . . it’s just that so many people focus on tactics without really getting to the core of what really matters and what they believe will help them to accomplish what it is they really want.

If, deep down, you believe to be successful you need to work “crazy” hours, or must have the perfect setup to be productive, or that it’s bad if you say ‘no’ to something or someone, you won’t be fully successful in creating the change you want to see.

It’s too easy to get swept up into busy-ness of the day or waste time or go down a rabbit hole when you haven’t yet figured out this bigger intention.

And, it's even easier to look around at everyone else and convince yourself you need to do ALL the things they’re doing to be successful.

What if the easier path to achieve what you want started by simply discovering who you really are, what works for you, and shifting your mindset about what success looks like? 

Honoring what YOU value and is important to you? Figuring out what strategies and tools work for YOU? And, being ok if you do things in a different way?

Not constantly trying to be someone you aren't. Or doing what everyone else is doing.

From guiding and coaching hundreds of professionals, and my own transformation going from burning out to thriving, I know it is really hard to make progress if you don’t have the right mindset and intention and awareness of yourself in place.

It’s what allows you to lead from a place of authenticity, feel aligned with the direction you are moving and helps you focus on what is truly the best use of your time and energy.

You can learn all the tactics in the world but, if you don’t have the right mindset FIRST or self-awareness, you’re not going to have the success you want.

It’s not enough to ‘fake it til you make it’, though. It goes much deeper than that.

It’s about stepping into BEING the person you want to be first, then DOING the actions required which leads to that success and doing it in a way that is aligned for you.

The outcome stays the same -- how you get there is up to you!

Stacey L. Olson is a Certified Positive Psychology Coach and has more than 15 years of corporate experience. She works with busy leaders and professionals who want to create more balance and resilience, stress less and perform at a high level so they can be the leader they want to be, feel calmer and present in their life, and have more time and energy for what really matters to them. Stacey offers executive/leadership coaching, workshops, and speaking.