I get so many messages every day in my e-mail. How can I better manage them? Don't despair! A few simple strategies will help you take control of the overload and you'll be in control in no time at all!

MESSAGES MANAGEMENT
Get rid of messages you no longer need, messages that are no longer current, no longer necessary or not used regularly. These messages just clutter your inbox. So, when managing messages, learn to archive items that you need to keep, or perhaps even print messages for legal or accounting purposes, but don't otherwise need to access on a regular basis. Delete any messages that you no longer need. Then, empty your trash can!  You no longer need those messages! Get rid of all the trash.

ARRANGE and ORDER
After you dispose of the old messages, arrange and order what remains. Sort your messages into categories that make sense for your home or business.
Create folders in your e-mail account and save important messages by category or sender. Be careful. Always name the folder with a meaningful name that will indicate what is in the folder. Most importantly - don't forget to backup files! The best system of folders can be erased in seconds with a hard drive crash.

Make sure to keep your 'filing' system simple but effective. Creating complex rules, layer upon layer, alot of color coding, naming, and sub-divisions may stop you from using the system over the long run. If a system is cumbersome, you probably will just stop using it and just let the messages 'pile' up in your inbox until you just 'delete' even the meaningful and needed messages in an effort to clean up your inbox. Keep your system simple and manageable.

PROPER MAINTENANCE OF YOUR E-MAIL
Now that you have everything in order. . . Keep it that way. Think of your organizing your e-mail just like you do your 'postal mail'. Get rid of what you don't need, want, or that dreaded junk mail! Organization of e-mail is a personal process. There is no one 'right' way to do it. You may wish to try a couple of different ways to organize until you find 'your' most comfortable and easy way to organize your e-mail.

Create a system that will keep your newly organized e-mail space in proper order! Once in order, it is so much easier to keep it organized and so much faster, fun and easier to get the work done on a daily basis. You are now in control! Stay in control!

Hope these tips help!