Unsubscribe Me!!

How many of the messages in your inbox are really important?

How much time do you spend sorting to find the ones needing your attention?

Unsubscribing could be the key in managing your stress!

After having a conversation with my new Productivity Guru and pal, Neen James, I’m on a mission – to unsubscribe.

I have several email accounts and looking at the amount of unread messages in each mailbox can be overwhelming.  Just sorting through all the random information to get to what is actually important is time consuming   By the time I sort through, it is hard to have the energy to address what needs my attention.

Most of what is in my inbox isn’t spam – I’ve got a pretty good filter.  No, these are messages from organizations I’ve given money to, stores I’ve made purchases from, blogs and information sources I’ve found interesting in the past. It isn’t junk – but it is noise that is distracting me from the important messages.

Do I really need to know what is on sale this week at the online store I bought shoes from three years ago? No, I don’t.  It is distracting me from what I should be doing. Sure, I could just delete it, but it is taking up space in my inbox and the number of emails is stressing me out.  I’ll unsubscribe thank you!

Unsubscribing is freeing.  You don’t have to feel guilty about it.  As a person who sends out a regular email newsletter, I only want you to subscribe if you find value. If you don’t have time to read it, if it doesn’t fit your needs, if it is just cluttering up your inbox, please unsubscribe.  I won’t take it personally!  Really I won’t!

Think about it.

Deleting the stuff you don’t want to reach several times per day takes time and energy you could use better elsewhere.  Take a couple extra moments to scroll down and click the link to unsubscribe.  If there isn’t a link, send a return email or set your mailbox rules to move it directly to your junk file. Clear your inbox and leave room for yourself to breathe and focus.

Once you’ve cleared out your inbox, start thinking about what other things in your life are causing clutter and noise and distracting you from what is important.  We all “sign up” for activities and relationships that may work in the beginning, but over time we outgrow them or our needs change.

Is the book club really providing you with the social outlet and entertainment you crave or has it become a chore?  It’s okay – unsubscribe.  Be honest.  Try saying something such as, “You know I’ve taken on some additional responsibilities and I am just not finding the time to participate in the group in the way I’d like to.”  Give yourself permission to make priorities in your life.

Think about it this way.

If you say no to one thing, you are saying an emphatic yes to something else.

What is important to you?  Your family? A little time for yourself?  A hobby? Learning something new? Take a good look at your activities and commitments.  What could you unsubscribe from to make more room for those things?

Go ahead.  Unsubscribe.  You’ll feel better (and if it reduces your stress, you’ll live longer too!)

Eliz Greene survived a massive heart attack while seven-months pregnant with twins, struggled to lose the 80 pounds gained during her pregnancy, and searched for a way to hold on to the perspective and passion she found in her near-death experience. Drawing on her background as an adaptive movement specialist, Eliz developed simple strategies and tips to help other busy women be more active, eat better and manage your stress.

As the Director of the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative, Eliz travels the country energizing and inspiring audiences in keynotes and workshops on women’s heart health. She writes one of the top 50 health and wellness blogs. Find more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com.