One of the biggest problems we are facing today is handling big quantities of information. Our technology and access to information is electrifying but it is a double-edged foil. It fills our minds and our lives with muddle. The challenge is to sort, filter, organize, drop and assimilate the big amounts of information we are exposed to on a day-to-day basis. So what are we to do? Here are a couple of things I have proven to help me manage my mail better.

1. Don't Check Mail Every Few Minutes

This is a tough one, but it is much better and you will stay more targeted on your present work if you are not consistently checking for new mail. If you've a direct connection and your mail is delivered automatically, you can still wait to respond each 2 hours or so. By allotting a particular time to read and answer, you may definitely gain efficiency.

2. Flag Messages for Later Action

You got things to work on now. Do what you've planned for the day. Flag the message for later action. In this way, you can fully focus on reading and responding to it at a later time.

3. Create Folders

Nowadays, most email programs allow you to create folders to sort your mail. This usually makes finding messages much easier and helps you sort specified tasks/email chains into a single folder for easier reference.

4. Set up Rules

Most email programs will allow you to sort your email automatically when you received it. This is achieved based on set of rules you establish such as the content, the sender's email address, the address to which it's sent, etc. With the filtering/sorting in place, it leaves the main inbox less clutter and helps you sort out your emails in their specified folder immediately.

5. Deal with Similar Responses All At Once

By sorting your mail using the methods described above, you save time by not being made to look up the same information all over again. Thereafter, you can deal with the similar message all at once. Furthermore, some emails consist of sends and receives which can be read at one shot with the final email that you received.

6. Templates

Use templates and signatures. They'll save you oodles of time for those responses that require the same or similar information on a regular basis.

7. Cut, Copy, Paste

Save typing time with Cut, Copy and Paste. One of the powerful features of today's operating systems and office apartments is the power to cut and paste - sometimes multiple pieces of information transferred from one document to another. If you do not understand how to use this feature, learn today.

8. Make Heavy Use of the Delete Key

Remove data by hitting the "Delete" key. That's the best way to save space on your mailbox.

9. Archive Emails

If you are not intending to delete whatever is in your mailbox, try archiving the emails. It helps you keep all the email exchanges and you never know when you need to refer back again.

10. Customize Your Program

Most people use only 20-30% of an email program's capability. Have you consider improving the capability usage to 50%? Investing some time in learning more of the features of your email program and then customizing it to work the way YOU want it, and you'll marvel at your added productivity