I generally group the messages by SENDER - so I can group delete the routine/obsolete/OBE announcements that came while I was out.

I first ensure I had set an "out of office" message for the person who should be contacted while I am out - and see if they sent me anything they could not handle while I was gone.  And while I was gone, they would have cc'd me on any actions they took, so I can eliminate the initial message from the initial sender.

Check for any meeting makers - in case something has been added to my calendar I will need to prepare for.

Check the rest for key stakeholders I work with often - in case they need a quick answer.  The "out of office" would have told them I would review their message when I returned.

Then I do a quick scan of the subject lines - if it starts with "re:" - it is a reply I was waiting for usually.  I check those.

Anything new after those get a quick scan of subject lines to ensure there are no "fires" that need immediate attention. 

I then make a cup of coffee and meet with the person who handled items while I was gone, and get a quick back brief of actions they took, and get back into the normal rhythm of prioritizing.  

  
You should take vacations more often  - and you would get more comfortable with the process!  You become invaluable not when the office crashes while you are gone, but when it doesn't - you have prepared your co-workers and staff well.


-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Glen Sanderson
Sent: Friday, September 16, 2016 8:01 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Friday Pondering - order of things when coming back from vacation

Vacations are meant to refresh yourself so that means no work communication.  When back in the office what do you do about emails?

Start at the top and work down?

Start on the day you left and work up?

Or just delete them all and if it is important they will get back to you?



Cheers,



G


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