What is Outbox Anxiety? Okay, so you’ve crafted the perfect email – it’s concise, informative, covers everything you need to say and it’s professional. Fine, only now you are wondering if every word is spelled correctly and if each comma is properly applied. It’s concise, but now does it sound too rude? It’s informative, but wait…will they feel like you aren’t giving them enough credit? It’s professional sure, but I thought we were all friends here! [Frantic delete] [Frantic delete] [Frantic delete] [Frantic delete] [Frantic delete]
Outbox Anxiety – it’s that intense feeling of foreboding that overcomes you as your mouse hovers over the send button. The fear of typos, massive miscommunication and worse!
What causes a person to suffer from this inconvenient condition? Compulsive Proofing Syndrome with a moderate case of a Self-Conscious Complex could bring on OA. Even a case of Erratic Deletion Disorder could cause a violent flare-up.
Sure, I fabricated the name of this condition, but it’s real. At some point everyone has/will experience the symptoms. Is there a cure? If you find one, email me.
Are you suffering from OA?
Not sure if I can help you with that affliction but it does remind me that Gmail has “Mail Goggles” to help you out before you send something late at night that you might regret.
http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-in-labs-stop-sending-mail-you-later.html
I also suffer from OA. And it’s worse than just email. It applies to facebook comments and even blog comments like this one.
Don’t feel bad, I have the same “Outbox Anxiety” condition. Set you e-mail to receive or send every 5 minutes, 10 mintes or whatever time works best for you. That will give you the time to read your e-mail again before it goes out.