Let’s be honest—most of us start our day with the best intentions, only to be buried under a mountain of emails, meetings, and never-ending to-do lists. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and lose sight of what really matters. But what if there was a simple way to cut through the chaos and take back control of your day?

Enter the RAFT framework: Refer, Act, File, Toss. Think of it as your personal filter for everything that lands in your inbox or on your desk.

• Refer: If something is better handled by someone else, pass it on straight away. Don’t let it linger and clutter up your day.
• Act: If a task will take less than five minutes, do it immediately. If it’ll take longer, book time in your diary to tackle it properly—don’t just set a reminder, actually block out the time.
• File: If it’s important but not urgent, file it somewhere safe for future reference. This keeps your workspace and your mind clear.
• Toss: If it’s junk or no longer relevant, delete it. Don’t waste precious time on things that don’t add value.

By using RAFT, you can process emails and tasks efficiently, reduce clutter, and end each day with a clearer inbox and a clearer mind. It’s not just for emails—this approach works for meetings, phone calls, and any other demands on your time.

Why not give it a try? Next time you’re feeling swamped, run your tasks through the RAFT filter and see how much lighter your workload feels. You might be surprised at how much more productive—and less stressed—you become!

Want to see how RAFT could work for you?
Take a look at your last busy day and sort your activities into Refer, Act, File, and Toss. You’ll quickly spot where you can save time and focus on what really matters.

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Please also note that many of the comments in this publication are general in nature and anyone intending to apply the information to practical circumstances should seek professional advice to independently verify their interpretation and the information’s applicability to their particular circumstances. Should you have any further questions, please get in touch with us for assistance with your SMSF, business, bookkeeping and tax requirements. All rights reserved. Based on content from Mindshop, a trusted resource for business advisors worldwide. Liability Limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.