Why Email are killing Productivity? Find it here.

Posted by sravya m on March 7th, 2020

Originally Published at Troop Messenger 

Hey, Can I have your undivided attention for a minute?

Thank you! There is a question I need you to answer: ‘What is the average number of emails that hit your inbox every day?’

Pause for a couple of minutes and see if you can estimate how noisy and crowded modern inboxes can be. 

And these emails come in different forms - all vying for your attention. The majority of these Emails are clustered with attention-seeking subjects and catchy headlines. Each one is written with a purpose to rope you in so you click the button, read their content, and develop an interest in what they have to say.

For most people, the Email notifications popping up in the corner of the screen is a serious distraction. Not only does it prevent them from getting the tasks done, but it also makes it difficult to get back at work, with the same state of mind.

Here’s a hard-hitting fact about Emails Killing Work Productivity:

Whenever a person stops working on a project/task to check their inbox, it takes them almost 23 minutes to get back on the track. Refocusing on work after an Email Interruption is not an easy thing. If you are receiving over 100 emails, it is sure to harm your productivity.

Think I am wrong? See for yourself:

Hyper-Responsiveness

What was the last time you checked your inbox? As for me, ten minutes ago. As reported by surveys and studies, an average office worker checks their inbox 36 times in an hour. Since Emails are Omnipresent, every office worker, whether the employee or an employer, knows that they are important.

And Cherry on the Cake? Promotional offers, discounts, new deals and event details from your favorite sellers. They all get in the way of work.

Hyper-responsiveness to mails chops your workday into a series of work slot punctuated by distractions. When these emails need you to reply, the 26-minute average can stretch to an hour, without you noticing. Because, the quicker your reply, the faster responses you’ll get. The more responses you get, the more time you’ll stay distracted. It’s a vicious circle, you see.

Bottom Line: You Can’t Resist the Temptation of Checking your Inbox.

A habit of Composing Long Emails

Another crucial reason that explains how Emails kill our productivity is the time spent on composing them. I am guilty of writing detailed emails to my clients. I am sure you are too. We all end up composing long and detailed replies when dealing with a new client or an important when the same thing could’ve communicated in half the time and half the space.

Bottom Line: You tend to forget that short emails are not rude and It’s always better to be concise.