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One comment from my boss completely changed how I organize emails | Unfiltered Tech Rants - Free To Speak

One comment from my boss completely changed how I organize emails

My manager told me I was spending too much time digging through old emails for project files and she was right. She suggested I use the flagging system with color labels instead of just letting everything pile up in the inbox. I set up five categories last Monday and now I can find anything in under 30 seconds. Has anyone else had a simple workplace tip that totally shifted your workflow?

3 comments

3 Comments

hayden_craig952mo ago

The flagging system is such a game changer once you actually commit to it. I think people hear about it but just keep ignoring it because they think they'll remember where stuff is. What really made it click for me was setting up a folder for each active project and then having a "waiting on reply" label for emails where I need someone else to get back to me. That way I'm not constantly checking my inbox for responses that haven't happened yet. I also added a "done but keep" folder for stuff I might need to reference later without cluttering up my main view. Once you train yourself to actually use the labels instead of just glancing at them it saves so much headache. I honestly don't know how I survived before doing it this way.

sanchez.mary2mo ago

Took me way too long to get on the flagging train because I honestly thought I'd remember where I put everything. Spoiler alert: I didn't. I had that "waiting on reply" system but it turned into a graveyard of emails I was too embarrassed to follow up on. Ended up missing a deadline for a freelance project because I forgot I flagged something important. Now I color code my flags too and it feels ridiculous but my inbox isn't a disaster anymore. Have you ever had that moment where you realized your system was actually working?

jakewhite2mo ago

Hang on, you color code your flags? That's either genius or completely insane, I can't decide. I can barely keep track of one flag color let alone a whole rainbow system in my inbox. But hey if it works for you, that's all that matters, I wasted way too much time on systems that just made more work.