Inbox Zero

Inbox Zero..... Inbox empty..... You in control of your inbox ...... Have you seen this lately?

Not me.... my inbox is in charge of me, not me in charge of my inbox - that is not good. See, I'm good at knowing *what* to do... but doing it is another thing.

I'm listening to Merlin Mann's "Inbox Zero" talk again while I'm working on it.

Do you remember email back in the late 90's ? (Some of you remember it before then:) I remember checking the email box every couple of days - and sometimes getting a message in there. Now, I check it all day, and it floods.

Part of what you have to remember to get control of your inbox is to process each and every time you check your email.

Take care of each email as you read it - does it need to be moved to a file? replied to? deleted? It does not need to sit in your inbox.

Merlin has five verbs that he uses for his system in the order of his desirability to act on each email

DELETE (or Archive)
DELEGATE
RESPOND
DEFER
DO

Learn to use your email application to its potential! I think all of them have filters.... if Aunt Mary always sends you jokes, set up a filter to auto delete emails from Aunt Mary with fwd: in the subject!

If you are starting with an inbox like mine (3100), you might consider deleting the entire thing. I am planning to move all of those into a folder "Old Emails" today, so I can start clean. Then as I have some extra minutes - clean out the "Old Emails" folder.

And as I stepped over to ActiveRain to share with you procrasinate tackling my inbox, I wish you well in your endeavors to keep control of yours! Feel free to share your best tips below....

NEW FOLLOW UP POST: Inbox Zero | How to

Posted by Kim Wood on 09/16/2008 06:57 AM

Comments (23)

Inbox Zero in the Technology and Tools Channel

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23 Comments on Inbox Zero

SEP

2008

If you peeked in my inbox it would be the equivalent of peeking in my closet :-)

Goodness, that's been on my to do list forever...

Love the picture!! I actually don't mind a lot of email. I read it when I can. I've learned to delete before reading if it's someone who I know is sending me a forwarded prayer chain. Jokes... it depends on the sender. Sometimes I just want a good laugh! I could use a time management coach. Maybe when I get a professional organizer over here, she'll bring a time management coach with her!! Hopefully, they'll bring the live in maid and butler too! Oh, and a laundress while I am dreaming.

I have a lot of stuff in my in box but it is all read so I guess I need to get a program that deletes automatically too

Kris, No kidding! I wrote a blog explaining signatures in Outlook and gave a screen shot of my inbox :O Yeah.... like the purse!

Susan, You are so funny, Girl! When they get done at your house - send 'em over, ok???? I also love email, use it all the time - but having so much sit (most junk) in my inbox is cluttering in my life.... so I need the control :)

Charlie, Program?? Maybe you need a trainer.... a pointer-finger trainer ..... it's up there in the right corner of the keyboard - Read.... then DELETE ! LOL

I have 14,000 emails in my inbox (and another 30,000 or so in various folders). Wish I could just hit delete and start all over again!

I just wish I could get it all organized into folders. I hate to delete most of it..... I might need that later......I recently had a situation where EVERYTHING got deleted as I tried to disconnect from my former companies server. As it all went away I looked at my husband in a panic with tears welling up in my eyes.....Good husband that he is said let me try something here honey and got it all back....more to the story ...but maybe it should be a blog not a response..

Lisa, Isn't it slow??? I do know people who have blown up their inbox and done just that - oooooh too scary for me!

Marie, I'm an "I might need that later" person as well, but just like the stuff in the house - poof! It needs to go. It will slow down the program if you have too much in there, even in folders. Now..... folders for clients than putting in an archive or something might work :)

Timely post Kim! I went in early this morning and took my inbox from over 1800 down to 200; went in and out of Outlook, and when I returned, none of the deletions 'took' so I had to do it again. Now THAT was irritating!! Am trying to get things organized, but will restart first!

Hmmm, maybe that is why my Outlook seems to keep crashing lately - could be that my Inbox is too big? I'm not a techie and hadn't thought of that.

Oh, you brave woman! To start your inbox from zero? Isn't that like going cold turkey? I salute you, I applaud you. :-)

My inbox is pretty full but I do clean it out from time to time (just like my closet) - good post!

Kim, I've been getting better at this and been making a conscious effort since hearing Merlin's presentation at Inman.

Kim, I can't remember where I read about this concept recently, but ever since the crash and burn of my laptop, I have been diligent about putting client emails in their own folder and getting rid of the trash that clogs up my system. I'm ruthless when it when it comes to using the delete button! Now, if I could only apply that to the closet that is bulging over with "need to lose 5 lbs", "need to lose 10 lbs" and "never gonna happen in my lifetime" :-)

SEP

2008

I've been using those filters for years and they are the greatest! I have a different folder for each buyer, so they don't get lost in the influx of e-mail that comes in every night.

Susie - Oh no... you had to... oh man..... twice??? Not fun!

Lisa - Absolutely, Dear !!! Clean out the inbox - that would be a reason for slow and fail. Too much mail isn't a good thing.

Jackie - Well, I cheated yesterday cause I moved them all to a folder which I'm going through as I can :) But I'm trying to keep current on the inbox too :)

Norma - Yes, just like closets they need purged - but the great thing would be if you can maintain it so that you don't have to purge :)

Brian - (I missed it) I forget what was going on at the time, but I didn't see it. So I was happy for this presentation on google videos :)

Lisa - Sounds like you made a great habit!

Todd - Good for you - so you keep your inbox zero ? Nice!

Just hit Inbox zero this morning... been working on it for some time now. Never been one to let myself fall so behind but 'life happens'. Feels great to be on top of it again. Thanks for the reminder on 'Inbox Zero'

Jason Farris

Jason, Great minds think alike... you were working on this while I was writing the post ::wink, wink::

Kim: Thanks for the push... shove... kick in the pants... to finally go in the direction of cleaning up my gazillion emails. It tires me out just thinking about it... so a new approach that works is very much welcomed. Thanks for sharing.

Karen, Kick in the pants.... that's what I do !!!! You can't think about it too long - just start!!! Do it!! Go do some and then come back to AR :)

SEP

2008

Kim, as I recall, I think you missed this presentation due to catching up on sleep after a late night epic after party party.

SEP

2008

Seems no matter how dedicated one thinks they are an Inbox can get out of hand very quickly.

OCT

2008

I thought I am the only one on the face of the earth with thousands of e-mails in the inbox. Now I am least can breathe (LOL)

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Kim Wood

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