These 9 Email Tips From Google’s CEO Will Revolutionize Your Inbox
Email, is both a blessing and a curse, a tool for connectivity that often becomes a maze of doom. But no more.
Let’s talk about something that can be as annoying as a mosquito at a barbecue — emails.
But guess what? Eric Schmidt, the former Google maestro himself, has some rules that might just change the game for you. And I’m here to break them down, with a bit of straight talk and a dash of productivity magic.
“Respond quickly.”
Schmidt’s first commandment is about speed. Be the person who’s known for getting back pronto. It’s not just about being fast; it’s about setting a vibe of reliability.
Quick responses mean you’re in the mix, part of the action. It’s like saying, “I’m here, I’m on it.”
“When writing an email, every word matters and useless prose doesn’t.”
Here, Schmidt is channeling his inner Hemingway. Keep it lean and mean. If it’s not adding value, chop it. Think about how you skim emails — you skip the fluff, right?
Be the writer who gets to the point, and your emails will stand out like a cold beer on a hot day.
“Clean out your inbox constantly.”
This is all about decision-making. Open an email and boom — decide there and then what to do with it. It’s the OHIO principle: Only Hold It Once.
Treat your inbox like a game of hot potato — keep those emails moving, and your inbox will be as clean as a whistle.
“Handle email in LIFO order (Last In First Out).”
Flip the script on your inbox. Start with the newest and work backward. It’s like reading the latest news first — sometimes, the older stuff sorts itself out.
“Remember, you’re a router.”
Got some juicy info? Don’t hog it; spread the love. Be the person who connects others with useful stuff.
It’s about making your email world a little more communal, a little more helpful.
“When you use the bcc (blind copy) feature, ask yourself why.”
BCC can be sneaky, and sneaky doesn’t jive with transparency. Use it wisely, like when you’re decluttering an email thread.
It’s about keeping things above board.
“Don’t yell.”
Yelling in emails? Big no-no. Need to vent? Do it the old-fashioned way — in person. Keep your digital cool, and save the drama for face-to-face.
“Make it easy to follow up on requests.”
Here’s a pro tip: CC yourself on those action-item emails and tag them as ‘follow up’. It’s like setting a reminder to nudge others (or yourself) to get things done. Keep track without breaking a sweat.
“Help your future self-search for stuff.”
This is about being your time-traveling hero. Forward important stuff to yourself with keywords you’ll remember. It’s like leaving breadcrumbs for future-you to follow.
We see how Schmidt’s email rules aren’t just about managing communication; they’re about understanding the underlying patterns and behaviors that define our interactions. I
t’s about finding that ‘tipping point’ in our daily digital discourse, transforming our approach to email from a mundane task to an art form, driven by insight, efficiency, and a touch of the unexpected.
