Re: Information Overload

It is SO easy to let email become a burden.

So I believe this is an area where you need radical new thinking.

My strategy is threefold. First I keep my Address book as flawless as possible with regard to current email addys of anyone who I'd actually wish to hear from.

The second is to keep a "trash" email account for all the airline confirmations, trade show registrations, and inescapable crap of modern electronic life. Which is handled by opening it everyday, marking everthing in it to delete. Then quickly uncheck ONLY those couple of items that actually have value. (Like the airline confirmation until the flight)

The final part is tougher. Be okay with WALKING AWAY from your personal email address and ALL it's data every now and then. Trashing an old account can be as satisfying as cleaning out the kitchen cabinets. But we seem to do it FAR less often. Be okay with the idea that if someone is important to you - you can control keeping up the contact - and if they're not important enough to track - it's OK if their e-presence goes away.

Essentially I'm saying that even tho it's POSSIBLE to keep everyone in your list that you've corresponded with over the past 5 years - WHY WOULD YOU?

Really, in a Google saturated world. How hard is it to search out anyone's contact info? So your address book should be mostly the EXCEPTIONS. The home team. The best of the best. Trash the rest.

I can vouch for this approach. In the last six months, my two year old primary email account has received exactly 8 spam messages. My 15 year old "trash account" gets 8 every 10 minutes.

So every few years, or as needed, just dump your old email life and start fresh. Send the new addy to those you really care about. And get on with life.

My 2 cents anyway.