LSC #21: Slow down your inbox 🐌 📬
Hey there, welcome to another edition of the LifeScore Chronicles, the #21th this time. Can you believe we've made it this far? Neither can I!
So, what's in store for you this time around? Well, as usual, you can expect your weekly dose of personal growth insights, health hacks, and productivity tips, all wrapped up in a fun and easy-to-read package. So, without further ado, let's jump right in!
Today’s summary:
🙈 The worst-case scenario
🐌 Slow down your inbox
🧗♀️ In your search for greater meaning in this life, you decide to go to the climbing gym
🪐 Universe size comparison
🙈 The worst-case scenario
What is the worst possible scenario if I take “x” action? What can I do to limit the downside?
I wanted to start the newsletter today with this classic Stoic principle.
I always use this when I have a big decision to make, but I fear the downside. For instance, when I started this newsletter back then, the “worst case” scenario was that nobody would read it or I would face ridicule. So I thought, “Not that bad, I could handle that!”. And I could prevent this scenario by ensuring the product was good enough.
The learning here is simple: What you fear most, may seem manageable when looked at closely.
🐌 Slow down your inbox
Alright, so we’re getting today into the third email on the Make Time series, this time about how to slow down your inbox, or at least have a better relationship with your email, decrease the number of emails received and, if possible, reduce that pile of unread emails so your device doesn’t look like this:
(I have a heart attack every time I see something like this)
So, with that said, let’s see how can we improve the way we handle our email.
I’m gonna start by saying something: If you’re like me, it’s not easy to slow down your email madness. I get pretty annoyed if I see unread notifications, so every time my inbox shows the icon for a new email, I’m pretty reactive in checking it. So, this slowing down technique didn’t come natural to me, but hey, we have to start from somewhere!
📤 Tackle emails at the end of your (working) day
Ever find yourself trapped in an email vortex first thing in the morning? Unsurprisingly, handling your email at the end of the day, when your energy is winding down, can have a big impact, as you save your prime hours, when your energy is higher, for top-priority tasks. Plus, with a bit less energy, you'll resist overcommitting and sending lengthy replies (that’s so me btw), keeping your inbox under control.
⏰ Schedule specific times for email management
A fantastic way to create a new behavior is to block out dedicated 'email time' on your calendar.
Seriously.
Just by creating an event in advance, you'll resist the urge to sort out your inbox randomly. Additionally, by scheduling email time before a fixed commitment (such as a recurring meeting or the end of the workday), you'll establish a clear boundary. Once email time's up, it's time to wrap up and move on! 🚀
🧹 Clean your inbox once a week
Transitioning into a better relationship with your email can lead to an empty inbox (or at least, without any unread messages). Something that might help is to create a weekly event, closer to the end of your week, where you go through your inbox deleting unwanted or promotional unread messages. During this time, go through your inbox, deleting unwanted or promotional unread messages. Additionally, unsubscribe from retailer email lists and sort out emails that require further action, either by labeling them or responding right away if it takes less than 3 minutes.
Over time, you'll notice a significant decrease in the number of emails you receive, resulting in a cleaner inbox!
🐢 Be slow to respond
Instead of jumping to respond immediately whenever you receive a new email, consider a more mindful approach. Let messages sit for a while—hours, even days—before replying. It might feel strange (and actually rude), but in the digital world, it's about reclaiming your time. Don't let the pressure to reply instantly dictate your rhythm. If you’re focused on your tasks, stay focused, and trust that urgent matters will find a way to reach you directly.
🚦 Manage expectations
When you're adjusting your email habits, it's important to set clear expectations. You can let everyone know that you're prioritizing important projects and may respond more slowly with an automated message like this:
“I might be slow to respond because I am prioritizing some more urgent projects, but if your message is important, reach out by XXX.” (being XXX your preferred way of communication)
This approach will reduce expectations while ensuring you're available if needed.
And with this, we’ve reached the end of the tips and tricks to have a better relationship with your email. I hope you learned one thing or two! For me, scheduling times to check and respond to my emails, and blocking a weekly space to sort out my inbox has been a game-changer. Also, deactivating email notifications, as they tend to be an attention grabber, and honestly, there is never anything urgent that can’t wait until the end of the day, right?
🧗♀️ In your search for greater meaning in this life, you decide to go to the climbing gym
Let's switch things up with the content recommendation this week.
Do you know that feeling when you're trying to figure out the whole meaning-of-life thing, and suddenly you find yourself at the climbing gym, the CrossFit box, the spinning class, planning another trip, or whatever method you use to escape reality? Yeah, this article felt like home to me. Anne Koda's short essay for Deez Links got me thinking. It's all about trying to fill that existential void with short-term hobbies rather than facing significant life choices and handling the consequences, right?
Does this resonate with anyone else?
🪐 Universe size comparison
There is something really calming in this 3-minute visualization that takes you on a journey from the smallest particle to the expansive cosmic web, offering a perspective that makes me feel both small and a bloody miracle.
📊 Data Dive
And with the data dive, we’ve reached the end of this LSC#21. At this stage, you are already familiar with this section, right? Every week, a little look at the LSC performance:
241 Subscribers → Last week we were 239
3 Unsubscribed → Last week we had 3, stable here…
59% Open rate → I had some issues scheduling the last LSC, so I assume that's the reason for this slightly lower number
Before wrapping up, one last question
I love hearing from you, and I'm always looking for feedback. How am I doing with LifeScore Chronicles? Is there anything you'd like to see more of or less of? Which aspects of the newsletter do you enjoy the most?
Hit reply and say hello - I'd love to hear from you!
And keep an eye out for the next LifeScore Chronicles—something exciting is just around the corner. 🚀
Until next week, stay safe and healthy!