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Save Time by Checking Email on Your BlackBerry Instead of Your Computer

I’ve noticed that I can get through my email in half the time if I use my BlackBerry rather than my computer. Email using my computer takes about 3 to 4 hours of my day, so using my BlackBerry is a huge time saver.

So why is it faster to do email on my BlackBerry than a computer?

For one, firing up my Windows Vista laptop sure ain’t quick. Even coming out of sleep mode, this can take a few minutes. My BlackBerry is always on, ready to go as fast as I can reach in my pocket.

Two, I’ve got about 1.5 GB of email, and I receive about 150 emails a day, so opening Outlook can take a while. Other actions, like deleting messages, switching to the next message, etc… also take a second or two and seem to get worse as my mailbox grows over time (I know I can archive things, but I tend to use past mails every so often). Flipping to email on my BlackBerry takes about a second. Deleting multiple messages is fast and easy to do by selecting multiple messages. Opening messages is instant. Even viewing attachments is quick on my Verizon BlackBerry Curve.

Thirdly, typing on a BlackBerry is almost as fast as a computer for me. But because its a BlackBerry, I somehow feel it’s ok to much more brief in my responses… like its a text message. I make use of common acronyms like TY or IMHO (or WTF) that I wouldn’t normally do in an email I’d type out from my computer. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like its ok to use text speak in email from a BlackBerry but not from a email created on a computer. Saves alot of typing and time!

If a particular email message requires extra attention, or a very long response, I will mark the message as not opened and take care of it from my computer later.

So maybe this approach can work for you? If you have a BlackBerry, or any smart phone with a real physical keyboard (I don’t think a touch screen keyboard will be fast enough), consider using this as your primary email device.

March 28, 2009 - Posted by Keith Forsythe | Uncategorized | BlackBerry, checking email, efficient, email, email best practices, save time, tips