CREATING VIRTUAL FOLDERS

Making new virtual folders is an easy way to organize the overwhelming amount of emails most people receive daily.  It saves weeding through long lists of emails and keeps your records organized – just like a paper file.  It’s pretty easy to do:

Set up folder categories.   Examples might include “To Do” folders for items you need to act on, “To Read” for informational newsletters, jokes, anecdotes; “Waiting for Response” for anything that you need to get more information on before you act, or if you are waiting for a response from someone else.

Delete spam and junk mail.  Use the virtual trash can just as you would the trash can or recycle bin.

Sort through old emails from the Received and Sent Folders and make a decision on where to put each one.  Follow through on this until these folders are empty.

After sorting, you can start working on the “To Do” emails.   Each day thereafter, sort through your emails first, and then take action on them.  You may find you need to set up additional folders for special projects you may be working on,  correspondence files, vacation, hobby/interest – any category you feel you receive a lot of email.