How to Kill Email and Save Time

Email can be a time-killer, so why not fight back?

When junk mail starts to outnumber legit mail, it's time to put them to sleep with the fishes. And what about those old emails that keep hanging around like cheap friends? You don't have time for this!

But you don't wanna whack the good guys, so whatta you gonna do? Well, say hello to my little friends:

Options

Before you start an email massacre, look at your options for junk mail on your email program. In Microsoft Outlook, for example, you can find a Junk Email tab in the Tools drop-down.

The next time you see mail that comes at you like your worst enemy, put the sender's address in that little Blocked Senders box. Then your computer will reject that sender for you -- it blocks malware, too.

Flags

Now look at your Inbox. Look at it.

You don't even know half of those guys. So separate them from the rest by flagging the ones you know -- like giving invitations to the family, the ones you want to keep around. In Outlook, you can even schedule the flags for your to-do list.

Delete

Speaking of to-do, it's time to do the rest. Hit delete on those email and forget about it. Who said you have to read them, anyway?

In case you accidentally send the wrong one to the email morgue, your computer will remember them. You can find them in the Deleted Items if you have to dig them up later, but don't wait too long because they decompose.

Now remember what we're doing here. We're talking about killing off email so you can do what you do --like the professional you are.

Want information on effective advertising? Let the experts at FindLaw's Lawyer Marketing give you a hand.

Related Resources:

• 5 Simple Ways Lawyers Can Improve Their Productivity (FindLaw's Strategist)
• What to Do When a Client Puts a Gun to Your Head (FindLaw's Strategist)
• Lawyer Blames Junk Email for Missed Deposition (FindLaw's Strategist)