Maximising your efficiency every day at work is a pretty tough task when having to juggle everything that comes your way. Just when you think it’s under control… along comes the next task!

Multitasking seems a really productive way to get through the day but often tasks will fall down as they aren’t receiving the attention they deserve. Focus (as much as possible) on one task at a time. The biggest culprit to eating time up sits right in your inbox...

Emails can eat away at the time available in the day, whether it is trawling through replying to everything or getting distracted by the alerts as they come through.

Here’s five simple tips on managing your inbox:

Don’t get distracted by the notifications

The notifications will only distract your focus from the work you’re currently on. Check them periodically and review the priority of each. Turning your notifications off will also help to keep you on track and your mind focused.

Segment your inbox

Either create two inboxes to focus on direct emails and CC emails or perhaps use the ‘Flag’/’Star’ to filter the emails that require your more immediate attention. Answer the priorities and mark the others for your attention later on.

Keep replies to the point

No one likes a lengthy, superfluous email, so don’t be the one sending them! Reply to the necessary points in nice concise sentences. It will save you time and the person on the receiving end will thank you for it!

Separate your email and task list

Ensure that your task list is independent of your emails otherwise there will always be the distraction. To-dos may come in emails but making a list of simple actions to complete will make it far easier and simpler to achieve. This way you won’t have to reread and decipher the email to know what needs to be done each time you revisit it.

Proof read before sending

Not much point sending an email if it doesn’t make sense. You’ll only have to send another email to explain yourself again. Don’t just type and send. Go back over the email, read it through and ensure it is as clearly written as possible. Use good structure too so the receiver knows how to reply.

The more efficient you are in your own email techniques, the more time you will have in the day and the simpler the email chain will be.