If you aren’t careful, your inbox, and thus your To Do list, can grow out of control. However, if you pay attention, you will notice that many items landing in your inbox create work for you that need not be yours. Take a look at who is filling your inbox and why.

For example, think about those times when a colleague sends you a proposal, report, or something else for you to review. Why  you? What value can you add? Are they ducking responsibility or afraid to pull the trigger? Does the item really need to be better?

Or perhaps you get emails addressed to 10 people. Why and why you? Do you need to mark your calendar, check something off your list, make note of a decision, or take a specific action? If not, you were likely copied for the wrong reasons. However, if you aren’t paying attention, you may find yourself sucked into or instigating several exchanges of little value to anyone.

Watch what is landing in your inbox and take measures to deflect it before it lands.