We need to talk about email
It happens to the best of us. We start the day with good intentions. Make a bit of progress on that article, maybe finish that grant section, get on top of the admin backlog…
But before we begin, our brain says, “Just a quick check of email.”
“a student email might have gone unanswered and the course student surveys are due in next month, so better check”
“Maybe there will be something fun in there like I’ve won an award or got a promotion”
“just check that we haven’t messed something up and are going to get in trouble”
“better show our faces on email because we haven’t been in the office for a few days”
And then we’re gone.
Before we know if, we’ve been dragged into a debate on decolonising the curriculum, we’re filling in the annual staff survey, we’re helping a student with their exam prep, and we’ve inadvertently signed up to do a talk at the research away day.
You don’t need to be on email all the time. In fact, in a job where your brain is your value, it’s ludicrous to think we spend so much time being always available for something which is constantly zapping our focus. Here are some email boundaries I’ve had for years that you might want to check in on:
These are the habits that quietly change your writing life:
Do you start your day with email? Stop doing this. It’s rare we need to start our days with it – I will argue with all of you about this). It pulls us in multiple directions and away from our goals. Check in later in the day and everyone will be fine.
Do you have work email on your phone? It doesn’t need to be there (I have literally had coaching clients delete the app off their phone with me sitting there for support). The costs far outweigh the conveniences.
Are you answering student emails at the weekend? They can wait.
Do you have email open in the background all day? No-one can resist those notifications and pings and the little red circle. It’s context-switching and it’s terrible for your focus.
When research gets hard, do you take an email break? Try looking out the window, going for a walk or powering through. Every time you resist the temptation to check, your brain gets stronger.
These are exactly the kinds of strategies I’ll be teaching (and coaching you through) in my free webinar: “20 time management mistakes academics make and how to fix them (without working harder)”
It’s happening early December, and it’s designed to help you set up your time, energy, and focus before the end of the year, so you can go into 2026 feeling more chill.
👉 Reserve your spot here.
