I will soon start a new job where I expect to receive significantly more emails than I do currently. So far, I haven’t had a system in place, except for marking emails as unread until I respond and occasionally using flags.
I would like to change that practice, now that I have a clean slate. But how do I start managing my inbox?
I use Mac Mail and would like to continue using it. I know how to set up rules and create smart mailboxes etc., but I can’t really see the potential.
Thank you!
I use Gmail, but it’s more about the process. For my brain, everything needs to be placed into a folder (labeled), and the inbox itself needs to be empty. I have a lot of labels and sub-labels, some of them more in use than others. I hope you get some great answers here, I’m not sure mine is helpful :/
That’s similar to how I do it. I can’t stop myself from reading an unread email, so if it’s a task or issue that I’m actively dealing with, it stays in my inbox, otherwise it gets sorted into various folders. That way, I can bring it up again if I need it for reference.
Automatic sorting (setting up rules in Outlook, for instance) is useful for either diverting those emails you don’t really need (ones you get looped in on as part of a department regardless of whether it involves you) or are important only in that they exist, so confirmation emails. Then you can rapid fire cycle through that sorted pile instead of dancing around in your inbox.
A general tip: you can also email yourself, or set reminders via the calendar, if you want to consolidate several discussion threads into one. Ccing your boss with “…and that’s why I’m doing [x]” might also be helpful in terms of keeping track of both your productivity and covering your ass.