Although email can be great, it can also be a huge time consumer, especially if you are someone who interrupts your own flow of work to check your email.

Here are some of our favorite tips for tackling a large number of emails.

Check your email twice a day.

To minimize interruptions and improve productivity, consider checking your email at specific times, such as first thing in the morning and after lunch. Find a schedule that suits your workflow and enables you to focus on other tasks.

Most email programs allow you to set custom check intervals and disable notifications, giving you greater control over when you access your messages.

If you’re accustomed to responding to emails immediately, be prepared to adjust expectations among colleagues and clients. Inform them of your new email schedule to avoid misunderstandings.

Try it for a week and then see just how much more relaxed your work pace becomes, and how much more you can accomplish.

Deal with each message right away.

When reading emails, aim to make a decision about your next steps during the initial read. As a general guideline, if an email can be addressed in three minutes or less, respond immediately. For more complex or time-consuming tasks, create a task, calendar event, or delegate the responsibility to someone else.

Avoid leaving emails open for later responses, as this can lead to unnecessary rereading and decision-making. By taking decisive action during the initial read, you’ll streamline your email workflow and improve efficiency.

Deal with it the right way.

When considering email as a communication method, assess whether it’s the most effective option. For emails sent to large groups, with extensive reply chains, or containing substantial information, a meeting or conference call might be more efficient.