5 Steps for Mindful Emailing

Email. There is so much of it. I love email, but if I'm being honest, I rarely consider my intentions behind sending an email, whether or not it adds value, or how it might be received by the recipient(s).

I think we all send a lot of mindless emails in our workplaces - emails that don't add value or are just snarky. Here are 5 quick steps to help you get mindful about your emails so that you send messages that are truly helpful and uplifting. If you start using this for your lengthier emails, I bet your shorter, day to day emails will become more valuable as well.

1. Draft your email like you normally would.

2. Take 3 deep breaths. In, out, in, out, in, out.

3. Do a quick body scan: Are you feeling tension anywhere? Do you have a knot in your gut? Just become aware of what's happening in your body for a minute.

4. Re-read your email. As you read it, ask yourself two questions: a) how will the recipient(s) receive this email (what might they feel or think)?, and b) does this add value to the work I'm doing (is this a message that is deserving of yours and others' time)?

5. Adjust your email accordingly. Make any changes to your email that will make it more compassionate and more valuable. Just by focusing on your words and your intentions behind them, you'll be sending a much more effective message.

This is an adaptation of a process outlined in an awesome podcast with Mirabai Bush. You can check it out here.