The same tool that shaves dollars off your overnight bill, minimizes your long distance charges and gives your fax a rest-e-mail- has a dual personality. While e-mail is an irresistible, inexpensive and ingenious way to save time, it can transform into a vicious time-stealer. So grab your favorite computer, arm your mouse and follow these six steps to combat e-mail enemies. Just say no...to e-mail distribution lists that is. When you receive an e-mail from someone, ask the sender to remove your name immediately. That applies to friends who have added your address to their "bad joke distribution list" and unwanted SPAM. When you receive an e-mail message, take action. If you have only a few minutes to check your messages, scan each one and

save as new, the ones you need to read closely. Delete the rest of the messages if you don't need to review the information further. Be selective about what you save and avoid saving and printing every e-mail message you receive. The purpose of e-mail is to communicate quickly and efficiently by avoiding the use of paper. If you know that you'll never refer to an e-mail message again, get rid of it. Use one e-mail address for business, and one for personal. Give your business address to your clients only and your personal address to friends and family. You'll unclog your business mail by keeping both categories separate. If you search the Web often, use a free e-mail address that you never check (it will only be filled with SPAMs anyway). Purge saved e-mail messages regularly. Get in the habit of reviewing your saved messages every month (if you label them clearly, they'll be easier to identify) and delete the ones you no longer need. Be concise. If you can use fewer words with the same meaning, do so. Enough said.