Not long ago, I was training in public sector. The topic was 'Be Promotable' and, in working with human resources folks, I asked, "What would you really like your employees to understand from this seminar?" One response was that individuals had to realize that simply repeating tasks and occupying a seat on a regular basis would only lead them to possibility of continuing to occupy that particular seat! People are not promoted for demonstrating 'longevity model'.

This is an important shift to notice in work world of today. Whether you are a pre-boomer, a baby boomer, or a buster, a Generation X or Y, you can count on one thing. Your work ethic will not be same as folks of other ages within your organization. Your expectations will be different and your model will have been shaped by those expectations. There was a day, not too long ago, when workplace loyalty was a deciding factor. When someone demonstrated loyalty by working well for same company for a long time, they were rewarded by promotion. In fact, they expected it. That was way things were done. This was not necessarily loyalty to a concept or a person, it was a generalized loyalty demonstrated by showing up, accomplishing work and occupying that seat over a long period of time. Of course, I'm simplifying this to make my point.

These days, loyalty is more likely to be demonstrated to an idea, a concept, a product or a person than to a commitment for long haul. Whereas once folks had one career, average these days is three careers. Current research tells us that, in order to move up in your career, you will likely change positions or companies every two to five years. Not only that, research suggests you MUST do that to progress. That is a major shift, isn't it? And, it has taken place within thirty years. Huge change in a short time in way work is perceived.

So 'longevity model' no longer applies to our marketplace. We need 'maturity model' which exists when employees are learning, growing AND applying new information while taking responsibility for their roles, tasks and progress. These folks understand meaning of accountability. That's big!

This article can help you cope with a very common growth pain: that of being swamped with email. Some of it junk, some of it helpful reading material, some of it important correspondence that you must reply to and/or file away for future reference.

The email glut can cost you dearly. Here's your first tip on dealing with it:

* Start with a good email program.

This is a foundation stone of efficient Internet business operations. Here are some top email programs that can help you automate much of your email operations, based on collective opinions of many experienced cyberpreneurs:

1) Pegasus: http://www.pmail.com/

2) Eudora Pro: http://www.eudora.com/

3) MS Outlook: http://www.microsoft.com/outlook/

* Learn and use automation features of a good email program.

All above programs help automate various email activities to one degree or another, through features generally referred to as "filters." If you're not using an email program with automated filtering capabilities, or if you have one but aren't taking advantage of filters feature, seriously consider it.

* Arrange well-organized email folders.

If too much email sits in "In Box" of your email program, it can get overwhelming, and it's very easy to overlook high-priority messages. You can reduce that by using filters to move certain messages to folders specifically set aside for them.

(With Pegasus, you can also set up a series of "Quick Folder" keys, which allow you to quickly copy or move messages to certain folders with just a couple of keystrokes.)

* Periodically assess your email flow.

Subscribing to too many email lists can also contribute to your email deluge. If overwhelmed, periodically step back, assess which lists are delivering you true value - and which aren't - and unsubscribe from those that don't make grade.

To save time, you can temporarily move those you want to cancel to a folder named "To Unsubscribe," and cancel several at once.

* Reduce spam.