How To Handle E-mail Overload: Well here’s a stark but brilliant solution from Tom Patterson, CEO “Tommy John” (undershirts for men). When his e-mail box went from 150 or so a day to 300-400 as the company grew. “There wasn’t enough minutes in the day to handle all of them.” His solution? Don’t answer them. Instead Tom created an “auto response” that said “I am currently checking email before 9a.m. and after 5p.m. EST so there will be a delayed response. If this is urgent please call or text.” The result was remarkable: Tom was able to step back and “focus more on operations, strategy.. it allowed me to be more present and impactful,” he said.