This is very similar to the workflow I use with gmail. I use a slightly different means to achieve it though, I use Active Inbox (http://activeinboxhq.com http:

This is very similar to the workflow I use with gmail. I use a slightly different means to achieve it though, I use Active Inbox (http://activeinboxhq.com http://activeinboxhq.com) which is a plugin for Gmail. It helps with GTD stuff by giving "Statuses" such as Action, Waiting On and Some Day to messages (they're just labels underneath but it gives them a nice UI) and I use it to display my actioned messages next to my inbox via a feature called Radar. That's all well and good but so far it's only what the author has done (but with, IMHO, a nicer and easier to use UI). What Active Inbox does that isn't possible without a plugin is it adds notes and "next steps" to emails, it's easiest to explain with a screenshot: http://awesomescreenshot.com/08225ii5e9 http://awesomescreenshot.com/08225ii5e9 Full disclaimer: I have been paid to add features to Active Inbox (including some of the ones I've mentioned and very cool upcoming keyboard control thingy) but I was a happy customer before that happened.