Keeping Your Inbox Empty: My Top Processes for Staying Organized

As a user of Nozbe, a task management tool created by Michael Sliwinski, I've had the opportunity to learn from various experts in the field. Professor Richard Wiseman, a psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire, and David Allen, author of 'Getting Things Done,' have both shared their insights on how to keep your inbox empty and tasks under control.

In this article, I'll outline the processes I use to stay organized and productive. While these may not be suitable for everyone, they've worked well for me and can be adapted to fit your unique needs.

Clearing Your Backlog

The first step is to clear out your inbox backlog. This can be a daunting task, especially if you have hundreds or even thousands of emails to sort through. However, by dedicating one day to clearing your backlog, you'll feel relieved and empowered to tackle future tasks with ease.

To make the process more manageable, I recommend setting a daily goal for processing emails. For example, aim to clear 100 emails per day if you have a large number of unread messages.

Processing Each Email

Once you've cleared your backlog, it's essential to develop a system for processing each email that comes in. Here are my top tips:

* Mark each email as 'read' or add it to a task once you've processed it. This helps your brain recognize that the email has been dealt with and frees up mental energy.

* Close down distractions while working on tasks. If you're focused on writing a script, for instance, close unnecessary tabs on your browser or turn off notifications.

Rediscovering the Telephone

In today's digital age, it's easy to forget the benefits of using the telephone. However, I've found that phone calls can be an effective way to quickly resolve issues and get tasks done. Instead of sending multiple emails back and forth, try a 5-minute phone call to clear up any confusion.

Organizing Files

When it comes to storing files, I prefer to use my computer's inbuilt search function rather than relying on folders. By naming files based on what I would type in to search for them, I can quickly locate the information I need.

Configuring Multiple Inboxes

Another feature that has improved my productivity is Google Labs' multiple inboxes feature. This allows you to configure your inbox to send unread items to the top of your list. By marking emails as 'read' once they've been processed, I can keep my inbox organized and focused on priority tasks.

By implementing these processes into my daily routine, I'm able to maintain an empty inbox and stay on top of my tasks using Nozbe. While everyone's productivity system will be unique, I hope that sharing my experiences will inspire you to find what works best for you.

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