Wisdom

This Microstep Helps Me Stop Stressing Over My Email Inbox

My inbox has always been a source of stress for me, so I'm rethinking how I deal with it to make more time for what matters.
Sheri Bronstein

Sheri Bronstein

2 Min Read

While today’s technology-enabled work environment gives us ease of accessibility, it can be can be very stressful – and if we’re not careful, work matters can consume our minds 24/7. Our default is to look out for others and we sometimes put caring for ourselves on the back-burner. Well, guess what, that’s not OK. It’ll lead to burn-out and that doesn’t help anyone.

While many companies including Bank of America, offer a host of programs and benefits to support their employees’ emotional wellness, what’s often overlooked I think, are the micro-steps individuals can take that can have an immediate impact on our lives – and the ripple effect of changing one small habit. So I’m really pleased that Mika raised this topic at the recent Ascend Summit.

My micro-step is to stop cleaning out my inbox and sending emails on a Sunday. It’s a tough habit to break as I’ve been switching into work-mode every Sunday for as long as I can remember! But when I think about the negative effect this can have on my family and my team – never mind my own well-being – it’s a habit I’m determined to break.

I’m taking baby steps and trying hard to be more organized by blocking out time on a Friday afternoon or a Monday morning to catch up. Last Sunday I was really good – I carved out time first thing Monday to deal with my inbox. But this past weekend, the obnoxious voice in my head took over and I confess to sending a few messages. I’m asking my husband and my kids to help keep me on track – so when they see me checking in on a Sunday, they have full license to call me out! 

I’m standing up to that annoying voice in my head because I know that this will not only help my own work/life balance and well-being, it will also have a positive ripple effect on the lives of my family and colleagues. An added benefit to my new routine is that I’m taking more walks and spending more quality time with my family and friends.  

Follow us here and subscribe here for all the latest news on how you can keep Thriving. 

Stay up to date or catch-up on all our podcasts with Arianna Huffington here.

Author(s)

  • Sheri Bronstein

    Chief Human Resources Officer, Bank of America

    Sheri B. Bronstein is the chief human resources officer for Bank of America and a member of the company’s executive management team. In this role, she drives the company’s efforts to be a great place to work for all employees through a focus on recognizing and rewarding performance, creating opportunities for employees to develop and grow, being an inclusive workplace for our teammates around the world, and supporting employees’ financial, physical and emotional wellness. This includes leading a global team of human resources professionals responsible for recruiting, leadership development, learning, compensation, benefits, diversity and inclusion, and employee relations for employees in more than 35 countries.

    Bronstein joined Bank of America in 2000 and has held various roles supporting Global Markets, Global Investment Banking and the international regions. She served most recently as global human resources executive for Global Banking and Markets. Prior to joining Bank of America, she worked at JP Morgan in a variety of human resources capacities.

    Combining her expertise in human resources, people management and executive leadership, Bronstein is a member of the CHRO Global Leadership Board that aims to play a major role in influencing and advancing HR strategy and the HR community.

    Bronstein serves on the steering committee for Paradigm for Parity, a coalition of business leaders, board members and academics committed to addressing the corporate leadership gender gap. Additionally, she sits on the advisory board for both the Robert Toigo Foundation and Catalyst, having been a longtime champion of efforts to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She is also an active member of the Women’s Forum of New York.