TIL the 5-minute rule changed how I handle my inbox at work

I used to check email constantly like every 10 minutes and it killed my focus for actual projects. Around 3 months ago I started grouping replies into 5-minute batches twice a day (10am and 3pm at my desk in Chicago). Now I get through a stack of 40 emails faster than when I was poking at them all day. Anyone else try time-blocking for email and see a difference?

3 comments

3 Comments

robinf511d ago

Do those 10am and 3pm batches cover everything for the rest of the day or do you still sneak peak at your phone between them?

drewgonzalez1d ago

Time-blocking just means I spend 10 minutes stressing about replying fast enough instead of 30 seconds replying when I see it. Feels like trading one headache for a slightly bigger one.

craig.mila1d ago

I've seen this same pattern play out in so many areas beyond email. People think constant tiny checks make them more responsive but really it just trains your brain to stay scattered all day. Grouping things into batches is basically giving yourself permission to focus on one thing at a time without feeling guilty. It works for laundry, meal prep, even just checking social media. The hard part is sticking with it long enough for it to feel normal.