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My inbox (work - personal is full of 'like to read one day stuff') represents how cluttered my mind is. If it's above 30 messages, then I'm not in control of wo

• elithrar 16y ago
  I hear you. I used to receive > 100 emails a day — some automated, but most thanks to Cc and mailing lists. I'd either read them in batches, or file them for 'later'. As long as that 'later' list was under ~10, I was in control. For my personal mailbox, keeping it under 5 is usually enough. I typically keep cell phone/web server/etc bills in there until they're paid, and emails about photo-shoots in there until the work is completed.
• hvs 16y ago
  That's pretty much how mine works as well. Once things start accumulating to the point where I don't even try to get it down for a few days (200+ messages), it pretty much means that I'm not in control at the moment. Conversely, actually getting it down below 20 or so (even if it means saying: "I'm not even going to bother pretending that I'm going to follow up on most of these") it really helps to clear my mind and make me more effective.
• JacobAldridge 16y ago
  And three hours later I'm down to 35. Thanks again HN for practical support!