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How to Become an Email Processing Ninja

August 27th, 2007

Merlin Mann recently addressed Google employees and advised them to become email processing ninjas. “Inbox Zero”, based on Getting Things Done by David Allen, he advises that your email inbox should be empty when you have finished checking your email. “Checking your email” shouldn’t consist of simply scanning your inbox for new messages and opening the few that catch your eye—it should be an actionable event. Each message has a place—often that place is the trash. Make that event happen as soon as possible. He further suggests turning off your email application for the majority of the day and only checking your email a few times per day. This will help you avoid the constant interruptions of new mail and actually focus on real tasks!

4 Comments »

  1. Scott Crader wrote,

    Inbox Zero is a great concept. An even better to enforce at a company (at least mine) is a cease and desist order against sending meaningless email =)

    Comment on August 31, 2007 @ 10:04 am

  2. Summer wrote,

    I am now down to 279. Not exactly “inbox zero” standards, but I am working on it ;)

    Comment on September 7, 2007 @ 7:43 pm

  3. Kristen wrote,

    You will be delighted to know that I am a pro at “inbox zero” - Mike calls me neurotic, I prefer to think of it as organized!

    Comment on October 7, 2007 @ 8:30 pm

  4. Shane wrote,

    @Kristen,

    I’m very impressed with your email processing kung fu. I never would have guessed!

    Comment on October 8, 2007 @ 9:44 am

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