Email Etiquette
We all live in a virtual world now. But, does that mean we need to work at all hours?
When you wake up on a Monday morning and there are several emails from overnight and you understandably become annoyed. It is bad enough the weekend is over but now you wonder do you stop and respond to the emails or do you start your morning routine with the knowledge of emails waiting for you? It really should not be this way.
First, best to not look at your Mail Icon on your phone until you are ready to fully engage those emails which require your response. This puts you in control, not your email or its senders. Enjoy the morning as best you can, let your dogs out, feed your cats, hug your children, drink that special brewed cup of tea, and then, and only then, look at your phone or laptop or IPad and say ‘Bring it On!’
Second, in many cases, if there is an overnight emergency, one would imagine the individual or firm sending the crisis email would also have your cell phone number. They should also text you to check your email due to the urgency. Even most emails geared around fraud for your bank or credit card accounts will also text you. So, make sure your notifications for anything fraud related include text notifications. This is an easy way to control urgent emails from sitting overnight waiting to vex you first thing in the morning.
Third, and lastly, we would challenge you to consider when you send work related emails. If it is a Sunday evening of a holiday, does it really make sense to send out that communication? Or can you wait until 8 AM on Monday when the start of the normal work week begins? Perhaps writing it as a Draft and sending next Business Day morning is a better option? Consider your content, consider how you would react to 4 AM emails that are not urgent? And, consider everyone’s mental health. Your clients, vendors, or employees will surely think better of you when you do not vex them with overnight emails.
We live in a complicated world, where personal time and work time often blend to the point that you cannot discern which time frame you are in or should be in. With so many people working from home, make sure to take time for yourself, away from the work which defines you. Take control of your time, manage it well, and enjoy that peppermint hot chocolate. Do not let your personal time be stolen from you.
Be as considerate as Mimi, the Poodle, send those emails during work hours only!
Be well.
