Email is our friend and the enemy. We love it and we hate it. We need it and we want it, but too often the price we pay is complete email overload. As certain as the sun will rise, our inboxes will be overflowing by mid-morning (if not by the break of day).
电子邮件是我们的朋友，也是敌人。我们爱它，我们恨它。我们需要它，我们离不开它，但我们付出的代价往往是电子邮件超载。正如太阳每天都会升起一样，我们的收件箱总会在上午，或者午休前爆满。

Honestly, we’ve done it to ourselves. We overuse it to communicate and as a result, have conditioned ourselves to respond to every ping. This is terrible for our productivity because email diminishes peak performance and disrupts our work flow. Every time an e-mail interrupts you, it costs time, money, and brainpower.
坦白说，我们是在自作自受。我们过度使用电子邮件进行交流，结果，我们像条件反射一样回复每一封邮件。对于我们的工作效率来说，这非常糟糕，因为电子邮件会干扰最佳状态，破坏我们的工作流。每次有电子邮件打扰你的时候，你都在付出时间、金钱和脑力。
Here are some of my best tips to manage email overload:
下面是我在管理电子邮件超载方面的一些心得：
1.Disable notifications.It’s Pavlovian! We have conditioned ourselves to respond the instant we get a new email, but now it’s time to train ourselves to do the exact opposite. Disable notifications so you’re in control.
1.取消通知。这是巴甫洛夫的条件反射理论！我们收到新邮件的时候会条件反射地进行回复。现在，你要训练自己做相反的事情。取消邮件通知，自己控制工作节奏。
2.Set a schedule.You can’t get into a proper work flow if you’re constantly checking email every ten minutes. Instead, establish certain times to check your inbox, like the top of every hour or every 90 minutes. Set a timer on your phone and stick to it.
2.制定时间表。如果你每隔十分钟查看一下电子邮件，你便无法进入顺畅的工作流程。相反，设定查看邮件的次数，比如每隔一个小时或90分钟查看一次。在手机上设定闹铃，并遵守自己的安排。
3.Scan your inbox.Do a quick scan of your inbox and delete everything that is unnecessary; answer timely requests first.
3.扫描收件箱。快速扫描收件箱，删除不必要的邮件；对请求性邮件要优先处理，及时回复。
4.Use the phone.Instead of creating an email trail (or prolonging one) try picking up the phone or walking over to a colleague’s desk. Often, a five-minute conversation is more productive than an email.
4.使用电话。不要使用电子邮件跟踪（或延时邮件）功能，尽量拿起电话或直接走到同事桌前。五分钟的谈话，往往比一封电子邮件更有效率。
5.Unsubscribe.What lists or blasts are you on that you can unsubscribe from? Do you really have to be cc’d on all those emails? Establish a clear protocol with colleagues about when to cc you to avoid unnecessary e-mails.
5.取消接收。你可以取消接收哪些群发邮件？所有电子邮件真的有必要全部抄送给你吗？与同事协定哪些邮件需要抄送给你，以避免收到不必要的邮件。