Are you guilty of checking your email multiple times a day, on the weekends and even while you are on vacation? I read an article this week by Barbara Netburn of the LA Times “Constantly checking emails isn’t good for you” and was stunned to read that people who check their email regularly have higher levels of stress and are less focused. In my job as a Virtual Assistant I work with multiple clients and our main means of communication is via email. I find myself constantly checking my email, not only do I do this to see what my client’s needs are but I also store important information there that I need to complete the work I am doing for them.
Like many other entrepreneurs, I am consistently challenged to keep focused in my job so I can do my best for my clients and accomplish more in a shorter amount of time. So reading about this study that was done by the researchers at the University of California, Irvine that people who are regularly checking their emails were on a steady “high alert” heart-rate state while those who don’t had more normal heart rates really opened my eyes and made me stop and think about my work habits and how I feel during my work day. People who participated in this study who did not check into their email constantly felt like they were in more control and had more time to complete tasks.
After reading this I thought Wow! Wouldn’t that be great to feel more focused and calm during my work day?
Stay tuned for my next article- 5 tips to create a super efficient email process.
