There was a time, not so long ago, that I wast a techno-addict. Gadgets, constantly connected to everything, checking my email on vacation, responding, constantly changing directions to please whomever has dumped the contents of their brain into my inbox and expecting an immediate response.
I'm letting everyone know publicly that I'm ending that. I've set up a system in my email that filters out certain messages to be dealt with later. Only my clients end up directly in my inbox. Everyone else has been categorized so that I can answer all the personal emails at another time. Look, it's not you, it's me. And the sheer volume of emails I deal with. I process well over 100 emails a day, minimum, and at least 40% of them require a quick turnaround. I get email from business contacts, my business partner, our administrative coordinator, freelancers who are out on jobs for us, the clients I'm currently working with, clients who have questions about their invoices, anyone from the book team I'm working with on any give project (including, but not limited to, production managers, marketing, sales, authors, executive editors, publishers, permissions coordinators, editorial assistants, photo researchers, copyright holders, etc.), blog correspondence, alerts from INTERCOT and associated responsibilities and, finally, friends and family.
If you feel bad about being filtered into a folder to be dealt with based on a ranked system that allows me to manage my time more efficiently, blame Merlin Mann and his Inbox Zero plan. I cannot say that I will begin answering emails as brilliantly as Meriln, but I can say that he bought me an extra productive hour this morning that I haven't had in years.
Oh, and here's the other thing: I'm only opening up my email client three times a day. In the morning, after lunch and at the end of my day. I'll then deal with all that is sent to me or, get this, I'll categorize it to be dealt with later. Today was the first day and, honestly, it's fantastic. I've gotten so much done. And 15 minutes after I returned from lunch? My inbox is empty. Nothing requires my immediate attention. In the past, my inbox was chock full and it felt like everything required my immediate attention.
But, seriously? If it can't wait three hours then you should be calling me. Email is not a means of instant conversation. I'm not your monkey.
So, if you email me and don't hear from me instantly, I'm sorry. I'm accomplishing at that moment.
Wait until you hear what I've done with my phone... No, wait, that's a secret.
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