Comments on: Managing Email with an Assistant http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html Intentional Leadership Sat, 26 May 2012 18:51:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Jon_neal23 http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-145294 Jon_neal23 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:10:00 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-145294 Hey Michael! Really appreciate your words here.  Currently trying to figure this out as I am an assistant much like Vicki.  Do you have any more information as to how to set this up?  For example, was it POP or IMAP?  I guess I'm just confused how you both got the system to work when you use separate computer programs.  Maybe it's just an issue I'm facing as my boss uses Outlook, which doesn't seem to give an easy way to do this. Hey Michael!

Really appreciate your words here.  Currently trying to figure this out as I am an assistant much like Vicki.  Do you have any more information as to how to set this up?  For example, was it POP or IMAP?  I guess I’m just confused how you both got the system to work when you use separate computer programs.  Maybe it’s just an issue I’m facing as my boss uses Outlook, which doesn’t seem to give an easy way to do this.

]]> By: Steve http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-134514 Steve Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:10:00 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-134514 Hi Michael, thanks for this post. I'd be interested to know how your assistant manages your calendar too. Hi Michael, thanks for this post. I’d be interested to know how your assistant manages your calendar too.

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-108349 Michael Hyatt Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:07:00 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-108349 Yes, it was. Yes, it was.

]]> By: Joe http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-108247 Joe Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:01:00 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-108247 Just curious, was this the system that you settled on with your assistant? Or, were there some additional tweaks over time? Just curious, was this the system that you settled on with your assistant? Or, were there some additional tweaks over time?

]]> By: How to Better Manage Email On Your Next Vacation http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-103101 How to Better Manage Email On Your Next Vacation Fri, 13 May 2011 11:42:13 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-103101 [...] it is truly urgent.Use email rules to manage the flow of email. If you haven’t discovered the power of email rules, you are missing out. Most email programs (Outlook and Apple Mail) have this built-in. I place [...] [...] it is truly urgent.Use email rules to manage the flow of email. If you haven’t discovered the power of email rules, you are missing out. Most email programs (Outlook and Apple Mail) have this built-in. I place [...]

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-78747 Michael Hyatt Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:57:05 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-78747 Actually, I am not using that presently. I have switched my task management from Things to Nozbe. I am waiting on an AppleScript from Nozbe before I can implement it. Actually, I am not using that presently. I have switched my task management from Things to Nozbe. I am waiting on an AppleScript from Nozbe before I can implement it.

]]> By: Chris Fowler http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-78746 Chris Fowler Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:54:58 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-78746 Michael - Do you still use a BCC type system for tracking delegated items? If so, I'd appreciate understanding how you were able to set that up in a rule for Apple Mail. Thanks! - Chris Michael – Do you still use a BCC type system for tracking delegated items? If so, I’d appreciate understanding how you were able to set that up in a rule for Apple Mail. Thanks! – Chris

]]> By: Managing Email with an Assistant : What's Best Next http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-57997 Managing Email with an Assistant : What's Best Next Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:33:26 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-57997 [...] good thinking from Michael Hyatt, this time on an approach to managing email with an assistant that really looks [...] [...] good thinking from Michael Hyatt, this time on an approach to managing email with an assistant that really looks [...]

]]> By: todshuttleworth http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54966 todshuttleworth Thu, 06 May 2010 00:10:54 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54966 Great idea. I have to find a better email solution. Janet and I will investigate. Thanks!! Great idea. I have to find a better email solution. Janet and I will investigate. Thanks!!

]]> By: Vincenzo Vecchio http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54857 Vincenzo Vecchio Mon, 03 May 2010 17:10:46 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54857 Maybe I'm still not ready to "giving" control of my email to someone else... One tool I must admit I found very useful and that has really changed the way I handle email is GTDInbox <a href="http://(http://www.gtdgmail.com/)." target="_blank">(http://www.gtdgmail.com/).</a> A plug-in for Firefox and Chrome. It is one sure way you will never miss an email (either inbound or outbound). The only problem is always time... even if emails are now very well formatted tasks, there is always a need for a lot of time to take care of them :) Maybe I'm still not ready to "giving" control of my email to someone else…

One tool I must admit I found very useful and that has really changed the way I handle email is GTDInbox (http://www.gtdgmail.com/). A plug-in for Firefox and Chrome.
It is one sure way you will never miss an email (either inbound or outbound).

The only problem is always time… even if emails are now very well formatted tasks, there is always a need for a lot of time to take care of them :)

]]> By: how much should i weigh http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54818 how much should i weigh Sun, 02 May 2010 00:31:46 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54818 lmao cool info man. lmao cool info man.

]]> By: free affiliate ads http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54470 free affiliate ads Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:12:54 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54470 Cool blog. Maybe you should try to monetize it with http://tiny.cc/05mrc They do have 40 days cookie duration and they pay 10-15% commisions. They'll match ads based on search query of your visitors and display relevant ads on you blog. Cool blog. Maybe you should try to monetize it with
http://tiny.cc/05mrc
They do have 40 days cookie duration and they pay 10-15% commisions. They’ll match ads based on search query of your visitors and display relevant ads on you blog.

]]> By: ToolBlog » E-Mail im Team: Mein(e) Assistent(in) und ich http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54193 ToolBlog » E-Mail im Team: Mein(e) Assistent(in) und ich Mon, 19 Apr 2010 07:16:43 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54193 [...] beschreibt auf seinem Blog, wie er seine E-Mails zusammen mit seiner Assistentin organisiert: Managing Email with an Assistant. Er zeigt uns in dem Beitrag, wie er Regeln/Filter setzt, um die Nachrichten zweckmäßig zu [...] [...] beschreibt auf seinem Blog, wie er seine E-Mails zusammen mit seiner Assistentin organisiert: Managing Email with an Assistant. Er zeigt uns in dem Beitrag, wie er Regeln/Filter setzt, um die Nachrichten zweckmäßig zu [...]

]]> By: best ad program http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54165 best ad program Sat, 17 Apr 2010 17:20:28 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54165 Cool site. Maybe you should try to monetize it with http://tiny.cc/05mrc They do have 40 days cookie duration and they pay 10-15% commisions. They'll match ads based on search query of your visitors and display relevant ads on you blog. Cool site. Maybe you should try to monetize it with
http://tiny.cc/05mrc
They do have 40 days cookie duration and they pay 10-15% commisions. They’ll match ads based on search query of your visitors and display relevant ads on you blog.

]]> By: Dave Baldwin http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54162 Dave Baldwin Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:30:13 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54162 Thank you Michael for this great post. It reminds me of a three part podcast that Manager-Tools.Com does on how to work with your administrative assistant. Mark & Mike talk about this area of working with your admin as well as a myriad of other aspects of our work. It's worth the listen. Manager-Tools.Com is just a plain good old podcast if you want to be a better manager and leader. I stumbled across them when I read a book on Transformational Leadership and the authors wrote that if one is to be a great transformational leader they must have some level of management acumen. I started looking for some management resources on the web and ran across Manager-Tools.com. Anyone who wants to lead better should subscribe to this excellent resource. Blessings, Dave My recent post <a href="http://dmbaldwin.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/what-difference-does-your-small-group-make/" target="_blank">What Difference Does Your Small Group Make?</a> Thank you Michael for this great post. It reminds me of a three part podcast that Manager-Tools.Com does on how to work with your administrative assistant. Mark & Mike talk about this area of working with your admin as well as a myriad of other aspects of our work. It's worth the listen.
Manager-Tools.Com is just a plain good old podcast if you want to be a better manager and leader. I stumbled across them when I read a book on Transformational Leadership and the authors wrote that if one is to be a great transformational leader they must have some level of management acumen. I started looking for some management resources on the web and ran across Manager-Tools.com. Anyone who wants to lead better should subscribe to this excellent resource.
Blessings,
Dave
My recent post What Difference Does Your Small Group Make?

]]> By: reflectionsbypj http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54135 reflectionsbypj Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:40:45 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54135 I giggled when I saw the title of this blog come through in my email, primarily because I just received an email from you (of which I was very surprised to receive, I was expecting marketing to respond). I also giggled due to the fact that I have so many inboxes (linkedin, twitter, facebook, myspace, blog, college, personal) and would love an assistant. Granted, I have no where near the volume you do but when my own mother says "you never responded to the email I sent you", it leaves me longing for an assistant, a clone, calgon, or an easy button - anything other than time management skills. (wink) I giggled when I saw the title of this blog come through in my email, primarily because I just received an email from you (of which I was very surprised to receive, I was expecting marketing to respond). I also giggled due to the fact that I have so many inboxes (linkedin, twitter, facebook, myspace, blog, college, personal) and would love an assistant. Granted, I have no where near the volume you do but when my own mother says "you never responded to the email I sent you", it leaves me longing for an assistant, a clone, calgon, or an easy button – anything other than time management skills. (wink)

]]> By: @abbylive http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54128 @abbylive Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:19:52 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54128 Good idea! My recent post <a href="http://www.abbyblogs.com/2010/03/what-im-reading.html" target="_blank">what i'm reading</a> Good idea!
My recent post what i'm reading

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54063 Michael Hyatt Fri, 16 Apr 2010 03:14:52 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54063 Good catch. I actually used the wrong screen shot. It should stop processing and leave the message in my main inbox. I have corrected in the post above. (You may have to clear your local browser cache to see it.) Thanks! Good catch. I actually used the wrong screen shot. It should stop processing and leave the message in my main inbox. I have corrected in the post above. (You may have to clear your local browser cache to see it.) Thanks!

]]> By: michael http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54061 michael Fri, 16 Apr 2010 03:06:15 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54061 I'm confused about #3. You move your "important contacts" to the "!vicki to handle" folder? I thought you wanted to see those yourself? I'm confused about #3. You move your "important contacts" to the "!vicki to handle" folder? I thought you wanted to see those yourself?

]]> By: Richard Morton http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54032 Richard Morton Fri, 16 Apr 2010 02:30:18 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54032 Good article. Here is a post on reducing your inbox. Frictionless Work: How to Clear Your Life of Non-Essential Tasks <a href="http://zenhabits.net/2010/04/minimalist-work/" rel="nofollow">http://zenhabits.net/2010/04/minimalist-work/</a> I liked several of his ideas. Thought you might as well. Good article. Here is a post on reducing your inbox. Frictionless Work: How to Clear Your Life of Non-Essential Tasks http://zenhabits.net/2010/04/minimalist-work/ I liked several of his ideas. Thought you might as well.

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54034 Michael Hyatt Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:37:58 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54034 That's why I added that the sender must be in my address book. That's why I added that the sender must be in my address book.

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54035 Michael Hyatt Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:37:33 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54035 That is a very challenging article, especially the part about eliminating comments. Wow. That is a very challenging article, especially the part about eliminating comments. Wow.

]]> By: @abbylive http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54030 @abbylive Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:12:06 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54030 I get people who are trying to sell me something use the "RE:" trick. They email me something with "RE:" in the subject line when I never wrote them in the first place. It gets my attention, but only makes me mad when I read the email. :) I get people who are trying to sell me something use the "RE:" trick. They email me something with "RE:" in the subject line when I never wrote them in the first place. It gets my attention, but only makes me mad when I read the email. :)

]]> By: D Rob http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54016 D Rob Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:39:38 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54016 Regarding your reason #2 for scrapping the first private e-mail idea, I don't know if you have heard of Fastmail, but it does offer the easy ability to send from the Fastmail e-mail system as another e-mail account. You can even make up e-mail addresses from their list of domains and send or receive e-mail through the fake (alias) e-mail addresses. <a href="http://www.fastmail.fm" target="_blank">www.fastmail.fm</a> Thanks for the blog and sharing your life. Regarding your reason #2 for scrapping the first private e-mail idea, I don't know if you have heard of Fastmail, but it does offer the easy ability to send from the Fastmail e-mail system as another e-mail account.

You can even make up e-mail addresses from their list of domains and send or receive e-mail through the fake (alias) e-mail addresses.
http://www.fastmail.fm

Thanks for the blog and sharing your life.

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54013 Michael Hyatt Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:45:39 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54013 I just changed the screen capture graphic on this, Jenni, just in case someone didn’t read down this far in the comments to see the fix. Thanks again. I just changed the screen capture graphic on this, Jenni, just in case someone didn’t read down this far in the comments to see the fix. Thanks again.

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-54008 Michael Hyatt Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:28:26 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-54008 I definitely won’t stop responding to reader mail. That's precisely why I am employing a system like this. However, many of the messages—probably more than 50%—are questions that my assistant can readily answer. I would rather ensure that they get their question answered by someone than stack up in my inbox unanswered. I definitely won’t stop responding to reader mail. That's precisely why I am employing a system like this. However, many of the messages—probably more than 50%—are questions that my assistant can readily answer. I would rather ensure that they get their question answered by someone than stack up in my inbox unanswered.

]]> By: Chris Zaugg http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53997 Chris Zaugg Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:35:08 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53997 I love this, Michael! Thanks for the post and the screen captures. I have been fighting the battle of email bombardment and "personal touch" for quite some time, and this just may be the ticket to some modicum of technological freedom. By the way....can you add me to your address book? LOL! =) My recent post <a href="http://www.chriszaugg.com/mickelson-woods-and-blink/" target="_blank">Mickelson, Woods and “Blink”</a> I love this, Michael! Thanks for the post and the screen captures. I have been fighting the battle of email bombardment and "personal touch" for quite some time, and this just may be the ticket to some modicum of technological freedom.

By the way….can you add me to your address book? LOL! =)
My recent post Mickelson, Woods and “Blink”

]]> By: Peter Eleazar http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53992 Peter Eleazar Thu, 15 Apr 2010 09:45:13 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53992 I echo your views Tim - Michael may never get to know us, but he is allowing us to know him a bit and I hope we honor that trust. Its not just his vunerability and transparency that resonates for me - its his values. Michael, if you are looking for spiritual momentum, you may be overlooking what you have already started - for the real power of the kingdom vests in relationship. By the way, Tim, your personal photo may need a bit of updating, otherwise you are a really young writer?? I echo your views Tim – Michael may never get to know us, but he is allowing us to know him a bit and I hope we honor that trust. Its not just his vunerability and transparency that resonates for me – its his values. Michael, if you are looking for spiritual momentum, you may be overlooking what you have already started – for the real power of the kingdom vests in relationship.

By the way, Tim, your personal photo may need a bit of updating, otherwise you are a really young writer??

]]> By: Peter G. http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53974 Peter G. Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:51:31 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53974 When you open a post with "Let me be honest," does that mean honest as opposed to usually? When you open a post with “Let me be honest,” does that mean honest as opposed to usually?

]]> By: Geoff Webb http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53968 Geoff Webb Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:03:24 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53968 Thanks Jenni - hadn't heard or thought about the "Re:" issue - this helps us all! Thanks Jenni – hadn't heard or thought about the "Re:" issue – this helps us all!

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53963 Michael Hyatt Wed, 14 Apr 2010 22:43:20 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53963 Thanks so much for this resource. I will check it out! Thanks so much for this resource. I will check it out!

]]> By: Tim Sanchez http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53962 Tim Sanchez Wed, 14 Apr 2010 22:39:49 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53962 Hi Michael, You mentioned you couldn't find anything on the internet about managing your email with an assistant. If you haven't been there before, please allow me to introduce you to Manager-Tools.com (Mark Horstman and Mike Auzenne). They are the absolute best resource on management I've found online (and maybe anywhere). Check out this podcast for some great info on how to utilize your admin for email:<a href="http://manager-tools.com/2006/11/your-admin-and-your-email" target="_blank">http://manager-tools.com/2006/11/your-admin-and-y...</a> Hope you find it useful. My recent post <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DeliverBliss/~3/vP-Nc6jRJe0/" target="_blank">Embrace Selflessness to Deliver a Blissful Experience</a> Hi Michael,

You mentioned you couldn't find anything on the internet about managing your email with an assistant.

If you haven't been there before, please allow me to introduce you to Manager-Tools.com (Mark Horstman and Mike Auzenne). They are the absolute best resource on management I've found online (and maybe anywhere).

Check out this podcast for some great info on how to utilize your admin for email:http://manager-tools.com/2006/11/your-admin-and-y…

Hope you find it useful.
My recent post Embrace Selflessness to Deliver a Blissful Experience

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53924 Michael Hyatt Wed, 14 Apr 2010 22:24:41 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53924 I'd love to interview a dozen top executive assistants to see how they do it. It might be interesting. I'd love to interview a dozen top executive assistants to see how they do it. It might be interesting.

]]> By: patriciazell http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53873 patriciazell Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:41:21 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53873 I am not deluged with e-mails like you are--50 to 75 a day via 3 accounts--but, if I ever do, I will listen to you. I know your post on dealing with each e-mail just once really has helped me with my 2 personal accounts, and I now have a file system that works. This summer I'm going to set up a file system for my school e-mail account. I'm also glad you know the value of "tweaking" when something just doesn't fit right--making changes can save us from frustration. I am not deluged with e-mails like you are–50 to 75 a day via 3 accounts–but, if I ever do, I will listen to you. I know your post on dealing with each e-mail just once really has helped me with my 2 personal accounts, and I now have a file system that works. This summer I'm going to set up a file system for my school e-mail account. I'm also glad you know the value of "tweaking" when something just doesn't fit right–making changes can save us from frustration.

]]> By: Timothy Fish http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53925 Timothy Fish Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:27:32 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53925 I'm sure you get a lot more reader mail than I do, but I think I would quit writing before I quit responding to reader mail. My recent post <a href="http://timothyfish.blogspot.com/2010/04/thoughts-on-christian-fantasy.html" target="_blank">Thoughts on Christian Fantasy</a> I'm sure you get a lot more reader mail than I do, but I think I would quit writing before I quit responding to reader mail.
My recent post Thoughts on Christian Fantasy

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53923 Michael Hyatt Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:23:57 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53923 This maybe just where our styles are different, but I like the email trail. I certainly use Twitter DM a lot, but not much related to business. I really need to keep the history. This maybe just where our styles are different, but I like the email trail. I certainly use Twitter DM a lot, but not much related to business. I really need to keep the history.

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53922 Michael Hyatt Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:22:47 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53922 You are welcome, Tim. Thanks for your kind words. You are welcome, Tim. Thanks for your kind words.

]]> By: Tim Dahl http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53902 Tim Dahl Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:51:32 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53902 I've become very appreciative of your transparency. I've never really expected to have actual contact with you. As the CEO of Thomas Nelson, I expect to work through your assistant. Yet, after a personal email and a twitter response, I became very appreciative of your personal touch. Knowing that the amount of contacts you have to deal with, not only will I expect to go through your assistant (if I've ever a felt need to contact you); but on the off chance there is a personal contact from you I'll feel all the more blessed. Also knowing the huge amount of interaction that people desire of you, I won't attempt needless contact. I wouldn't desire to be a part of your problem. Thanks for all that you do! Tim My recent post <a href="http://tikesbestfriend.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/violence-against-women-by-david-lowrie/" target="_blank">Violence Against Women, by David Lowrie</a> I've become very appreciative of your transparency. I've never really expected to have actual contact with you. As the CEO of Thomas Nelson, I expect to work through your assistant. Yet, after a personal email and a twitter response, I became very appreciative of your personal touch. Knowing that the amount of contacts you have to deal with, not only will I expect to go through your assistant (if I've ever a felt need to contact you); but on the off chance there is a personal contact from you I'll feel all the more blessed. Also knowing the huge amount of interaction that people desire of you, I won't attempt needless contact. I wouldn't desire to be a part of your problem.

Thanks for all that you do!

Tim
My recent post Violence Against Women, by David Lowrie

]]> By: Greg Williamson http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53901 Greg Williamson Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:42:20 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53901 I claimed e-mail bankruptcy on Feb. 13/09. I have although noticed I am sneaking back a bit. At the time I had maybe 100+ messages a day. From then to know I went to about less then 10 per day. I have noticed that I have gone up to closer to 20 now and am concerned. I noticed that if I put it out there to friends and close colleagues that I do not use e-mail and would prefer a text, twitter DM or facebook message, or best of all a good old fashioned phone call then people did not e-mail me. I also noticed that how I treated others in e-mail would be how they treat me! No jokes, stupid reply alls, and other useless information would never come from me again. If I want you to see something I would tell you through Facebook or twitter, NOT e-mail. For direct reports I use Yammer, Michael you may like this. It is basically identical to twitter, but is closed to only people with the same e-mail extension. Here are my random thoughts on my journey this past year. I absolutely LOVE having virtually no e-mail habit, but I NEED more publicity because as you correctly pointed out I have not figured out yet how to make my e-mail address private or show my public e-mail when sending from my private e-mail? Next, by forcing people to text, yammer, tweet, or Facebook then the message I get is always short and to the point. Thanks for your post, there isn't many of us out there who are doing anything about their e-mail addiction Greg I claimed e-mail bankruptcy on Feb. 13/09. I have although noticed I am sneaking back a bit. At the time I had maybe 100+ messages a day. From then to know I went to about less then 10 per day. I have noticed that I have gone up to closer to 20 now and am concerned.

I noticed that if I put it out there to friends and close colleagues that I do not use e-mail and would prefer a text, twitter DM or facebook message, or best of all a good old fashioned phone call then people did not e-mail me. I also noticed that how I treated others in e-mail would be how they treat me! No jokes, stupid reply alls, and other useless information would never come from me again. If I want you to see something I would tell you through Facebook or twitter, NOT e-mail. For direct reports I use Yammer, Michael you may like this. It is basically identical to twitter, but is closed to only people with the same e-mail extension.

Here are my random thoughts on my journey this past year. I absolutely LOVE having virtually no e-mail habit, but I NEED more publicity because as you correctly pointed out I have not figured out yet how to make my e-mail address private or show my public e-mail when sending from my private e-mail?

Next, by forcing people to text, yammer, tweet, or Facebook then the message I get is always short and to the point.

Thanks for your post, there isn't many of us out there who are doing anything about their e-mail addiction

Greg

]]> By: K.C. http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53898 K.C. Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:36:44 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53898 As an assistant this is great material to help me "manage up" to my executives and to my own assistant in the future. Thanks, Michael! My recent post <a href="http://thatguykc.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/a-mans-guide-to-birthday-success/" target="_blank">A Man’s Guide to Birthday Success</a> As an assistant this is great material to help me "manage up" to my executives and to my own assistant in the future.
Thanks, Michael!
My recent post A Man’s Guide to Birthday Success

]]> By: johnmrowley http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53888 johnmrowley Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:24:44 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53888 thank you Michael! thank you Michael!

]]> By: Brett Eddy http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53887 Brett Eddy Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:22:43 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53887 How apropos Michael- I am reading your blog while in the airport thinking about the To-Dos for today and tomorrow, processing which gaps in my schedule between meetings I will begin to knock off the prioritized tasks. Was then thinking "boy I miss my old Exec Admin", she was worth her weight in gold to pre-think my needs for the day. I think I will forward this article to her for when we bring her on board, it's a great post. Much appreciated. Blessings. How apropos Michael- I am reading your blog while in the airport thinking about the To-Dos for today and tomorrow, processing which gaps in my schedule between meetings I will begin to knock off the prioritized tasks. Was then thinking “boy I miss my old Exec Admin”, she was worth her weight in gold to pre-think my needs for the day. I think I will forward this article to her for when we bring her on board, it’s a great post. Much appreciated. Blessings.

]]> By: John Richardson http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53884 John Richardson Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:13:42 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53884 Great insights, Michael. I get hundreds of e-mails from school districts in California each week pertaining to a new state mandated student data system (CALPADS). Since there are over 4000 districts in the state, the e-mails come from a variety of people and require me to fix a particular student record, or Anomaly as they call it, when a student enter/exit date differs from my records to theirs. It's crazy that the state decided to use e-mail to process these records which really is a huge database flaw in their program. I have recently had some help processing these records, but it has been a challenge delegating and then having them round-trip back to my inbox when my co-worker sends them back to me and off to the other district. I actually get double the e-mail this way. I'm looking for solutions in Outlook to better filter incoming mail that doesn't have a consistent subject line and can come from hundreds of different people and also better round-trip solutions to have a digest e-mail instead of separate e-mails for every record from my co-workers. I'll have to try some of your ideas above. My recent post <a href="http:\/\/feedproxy.google.com\/~r\/successbeginstoday\/BHWQ\/~3\/eCcFL9591_M\/" target="_blank">Meet Me in Chicago</a> Great insights, Michael. I get hundreds of e-mails from school districts in California each week pertaining to a new state mandated student data system (CALPADS). Since there are over 4000 districts in the state, the e-mails come from a variety of people and require me to fix a particular student record, or Anomaly as they call it, when a student enter/exit date differs from my records to theirs. It's crazy that the state decided to use e-mail to process these records which really is a huge database flaw in their program.
I have recently had some help processing these records, but it has been a challenge delegating and then having them round-trip back to my inbox when my co-worker sends them back to me and off to the other district. I actually get double the e-mail this way.
I'm looking for solutions in Outlook to better filter incoming mail that doesn't have a consistent subject line and can come from hundreds of different people and also better round-trip solutions to have a digest e-mail instead of separate e-mails for every record from my co-workers.
I'll have to try some of your ideas above.
My recent post Meet Me in Chicago

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53883 Michael Hyatt Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:11:42 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53883 I use Apple Mail on my MacBook Pro, iPad, and iPhone. I use Google Calendar across all three as well. I have it set up to work with iPad and iPhone, but it requires a pretty convoluted set-up to make all five calendars appear there—but it works! I don't use Mobile Me for anything other than an online photo gallery. Flickr is a lot cheaper. I don't use Plaxo. Thanks. I use Apple Mail on my MacBook Pro, iPad, and iPhone. I use Google Calendar across all three as well. I have it set up to work with iPad and iPhone, but it requires a pretty convoluted set-up to make all five calendars appear there—but it works! I don't use Mobile Me for anything other than an online photo gallery. Flickr is a lot cheaper. I don't use Plaxo. Thanks.

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53882 Michael Hyatt Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:09:13 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53882 Great catch! I got an email from someone else mentioning the same thing. However, I think I have fixed it. I have added another condition to that rule: “Sender is in my address book.” Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Great catch!

I got an email from someone else mentioning the same thing. However, I think I have fixed it. I have added another condition to that rule: “Sender is in my address book.”

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

]]> By: Lynn Rush http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53880 Lynn Rush Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:59:52 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53880 Great post. I always wondered how you handle all the emails you must get. I get around 100-150 a day and have several rules set up in iMail already. . . but 300+? Jeepers. :-) Anyway, thanks for sharing. Have a great day. Great post. I always wondered how you handle all the emails you must get. I get around 100-150 a day and have several rules set up in iMail already. . . but 300+? Jeepers. :-)

Anyway, thanks for sharing. Have a great day.

]]> By: Fred McKinnon http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53875 Fred McKinnon Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:51:02 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53875 Michael, I just love it that you share how you struggle to peak .. .that's hilarious. I'm the same way. I delegate more and more, yet constantly peek in and try to take over. Best thing for my staff would be for me to disappear without internet for a while. Michael,
I just love it that you share how you struggle to peak .. .that’s hilarious. I’m the same way. I delegate more and more, yet constantly peek in and try to take over. Best thing for my staff would be for me to disappear without internet for a while.

]]> By: Jenni Baier http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53876 Jenni Baier Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:50:45 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53876 You deserve a lot of credit & kudos for tackling this level of delegation with material that can sometimes be quite sensitive. However, your first mail rule has a fatal flaw. You've just told the entire internet how to format their email to get your attention :) Anyone can put "Re:" in the subject line. In fact, a lot of spam is formatted this way in an attempt to trick you into opening them. I agree that the "secret box" method is also flawed, but it is possible to set it up in such a way that the "secret" address is not exposed when replying to a message. But another effective strategy is just the opposite: have a "junk" address -- a lower-priority email account that you use for things that you won't need to handle personally, and for those occasions where you are required to give an email address and you'd really rather not! Good luck taming your inbox! You deserve a lot of credit & kudos for tackling this level of delegation with material that can sometimes be quite sensitive.

However, your first mail rule has a fatal flaw. You've just told the entire internet how to format their email to get your attention :) Anyone can put "Re:" in the subject line. In fact, a lot of spam is formatted this way in an attempt to trick you into opening them.

I agree that the "secret box" method is also flawed, but it is possible to set it up in such a way that the "secret" address is not exposed when replying to a message. But another effective strategy is just the opposite: have a "junk" address — a lower-priority email account that you use for things that you won't need to handle personally, and for those occasions where you are required to give an email address and you'd really rather not!

Good luck taming your inbox!

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53870 Michael Hyatt Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:30:37 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53870 That’s a good word. Thanks. That’s a good word. Thanks.

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html/comment-page-1#comment-53869 Michael Hyatt Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:29:52 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2010/04/managing-email-with-an-assistant.html#comment-53869 I'm not sure my solution would work for anyone except me. And even then, I might change it next week. I thought I'd share it as a “work in process.” For right now, it is working great! Thanks. I'm not sure my solution would work for anyone except me. And even then, I might change it next week. I thought I'd share it as a “work in process.” For right now, it is working great! Thanks.

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