Reading each incoming email can break one’s focus and hinder productivity. Turning off distracting pop-ups and alarms will improve concentration and task completion.

Gail Romero, CEO and co-founder of Collective Changes, recommends choosing specific times during the day to view and sort email into groups such as projects, vendors, news, delegate, staff, partners and others. Then, rank these categories. For example, flagged messages take priority followed by staff, partners and projects. Meanwhile, vendors and industry news get read on Fridays. Finally, delegate messages whenever possible.