You read an email from a local politician asking for donations. What would be best for you to make efficient use of your time?
A) File it now so that later you can decide
B) Decide to give money and write a check
C) Decide not to give money and toss it away
D) Have someone else scan your email before you see it
The correct answer and explanation is:
The best option for efficiently managing this email would be A) File it now so that later you can decide.
Here’s why: When you receive unsolicited emails asking for donations, it’s important to handle them in a way that doesn’t derail your immediate productivity. If you stop everything to make a decision about the email right away, it could interrupt your workflow, leading to unnecessary stress or wasted time.
Filing the email allows you to prioritize your tasks and continue with your current responsibilities. You are essentially creating a manageable system to address this later. Later, when you have more time, you can go through the filed email and evaluate if you want to donate, research the politician’s background, or simply delete it without responding.
Choosing B) Decide to give money and write a check might seem like a quick fix, but making a decision without thinking it through could be impulsive, and it might distract you from your current priorities. Writing the check also requires time and effort, which may not be the best use of your time in that moment.
C) Decide not to give money and toss it away could be an option if you’re certain about not donating, but it’s often better to avoid throwing things away hastily, as you might change your mind later. Filing it keeps your options open.
D) Have someone else scan your email before you see it might be efficient in some contexts, but it takes up additional resources. It’s better to manage it yourself by simply filing it and dealing with it when you’re ready.
In summary, filing the email now is the most efficient approach as it doesn’t disrupt your work and gives you time to make a thoughtful decision later.