How Anyone Can Reduce and Keep Their Inbox at Zero
I know some of you will be familiar with Merlin Mann's advice on processing your email. I referred to his ideas briefly last week when I wrote about 9 Ways to Tame Your Inbox.
Merlin's system is simple, brilliant and powerful. I use most of these techniques but still categorize my mail into folders or add tags. What can I say, I'm a librarian and love buckets. I also find it works for me to search within these buckets fairly frequently. I may have a bit of folder-itis at work, however. I do have several folders I don't search within and that means I could collapse large folder groups.
If you've never checked out Merlin Mann's notes on Inbox Zero, definitely take time to listen to his Google Tech Talk. If you have listened but it's been a while listen again. You always can pick up something.
I love the Q&A at the end and where specific email practices are discussed such emailing it to everyone in the group and then watching to see if someone else watches first, more than 500 emails per day and about 1% to 2% to 5% are actionable, "mailing lists are knowledge archive fire hose type thing" and how to deal with it and "Google relies on randomness to make sure everyone gets information".
Tags: best practices | email | habits | inbox | inbox zero | Merlin Mann | personal information management | PIM | save time | techniques | tips | video
