1. Junk 2. Emails that require a response or action 3. Emails that you would like to read or use as a reference (these emails do not require a response or action). First, delete the junk emails immediately. Then respond to the action items. Finally, move the emails you want to read or reference in a "To Read" folder. If possible, clear out your inbox at the end of every business day. More Helpful Tips: • If possible, only check email 2-3 times a day at specific scheduled times. Start by scanning your inbox and deleting the junk. • When possible, do important action items immediately • Don’t feel obligated to read or respond to forwards. If you are interested in a particular one, but don't have time at that moment to read it, move it to your "To Read" folder. Schedule time in your week to clear out your “To Read” folder by reading and deleting what’s in there. • Do not put emails that require an action or response in your "To Read" folder • When possible, respond to personalized emails right away • Stop responding when an interchange has served its purpose #2 - Simplifying Your Meals Each time you make dinner, consider double or tripling the recipe. This typically takes less time than making 2-3 separate meals on separate nights. Divide up the extra portions into containers, label and freeze. If you were to triple your meals everyday for a week, you would have two weeks worth of frozen meals that just need to be heated up and served. Some meals aren’t good frozen so another option is to plan ahead and make meals that can easily be turned into different meals the following night. For example, you can make several different easy meals out of one rotisserie chicken. Another option is to plan a freezable meal two nights a week and simply heat up and serve already prepared meals the remaining days of the week. Just add a fresh salad and side dish. Your family gets the benefit of delicious and nutritious homemade meals and you get the benefit of only cooking two nights a week. #3 - Simplifying Your Postal Mail Create a specific place in your home where you deal with your postal mail. Keep a recycling bin, garbage can and paper shredder in or near that area. When your mail comes in, take just a few minutes to toss, recycle and shred. Shred all documents containing your personal information, as well as, credit card applications. Currently 68% of identity theft happens as a result of documents being stolen from recycling and trash bins. Shredding your personal documents is an easy cheap way to protect yourself. Next, set-up an “Active File System” to keep all of the papers that you need to take action on, bills to pay, forms to complete, and so on. Your “Active File System” is different from your long-term file system where you keep insurance policies, investment papers, taxes and those sorts of papers. Your “Active File System is just for your day-to-day papers that require an action or response from you. Keep your “Active File System” in a portable desktop sized file box in the area that you deal with your mail. This will help keep you stay on top of your papers, keep them organized and reduce the amount of piles of papers on your counter tops and tables. When simplifying your life, you will free up some of your valuable time and you may even feel calmer and happier. “How we spend our days is of course, how we spend our lives.” - Annie Dillard Written by Heidi DeCoux: A Professional Organizer who specializes in helping people get organized, simplify and save money. She is also a Public Speaker and Author of the Fast-Filing Method audio program, which shows you how to eliminate piles of papers and how to file and find any paper document in 30 seconds or less. For more information on this unique audio program, visit http://www.ClearSimpleLiving.com. Heidi offers a FREE e-Solutions Kit filled with tips and solutions on how to make your life easier, calmer and more organized. To get yours, just visit her website at http://www.HeidiDeCoux.com and click on e-Solutions. |
Organize Life 
3 Easy Ways to Simplify Your Email, Postal Mail and Meals
3 Easy Ways to Simplify Your Email, Postal Mail and Meals
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