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I have a set of roughly two dozen labels, color coded for groups (i.e. mailing list, financial mail, online services, etc) and a set of filters that redirects a

by yan 17y ago

I have a set of roughly two dozen labels, color coded for groups (i.e. mailing list, financial mail, online services, etc) and a set of filters that redirects all mail to their respective label, skipping the Inbox. I usually filter based on the 'From' field. (Partial screen shot: http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/2189/screenshot20091003at625.png http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/2189/screenshot20091003at62...) Enable Gmail shortcuts, learn them and love to use them. Also, enable the 'gl' shortcut in the Labs page again (gl = go label.). They will make your life a lot easier, and I can't stress this enough. E.g., to go to label 'llvm-dev' and mark everything read, I just type: "glvm-d" (it maches on substrings) and then just "*uI" (select unread, mark read). For to-dos, I use Gmail's Tasks feature (look for it in Labs settings). Shortcut "gk" goes to it and I can quickly add a to-do. The idea is, only personal email should ever reach your Inbox. And once it does, I usually Archive it as soon as I'm done tending to it. I'm sure there are more things that I don't consciously think about and are muscle memory by now, but those features I find myself unable to live without.

thaumaturgy 17y ago
Yes, I second making extensive use of labels and filters. It's hard to do initially, because you feel like you're spending time without immediate payoff, but it's wonderful to have your email sort itself. Also, I was trying to wrangle my email a bit earlier this week, and discovered that going from 50 message on the front list to 25, and eliminating the multiple inboxes feature, really made my mailbox a lot less intimidating.
CyberFonic 17y ago
I write filters as I find the need for them. Many of them forward to those to whom I have delegated, applies label and marks them as read. Only read and respond to e-mails a couple of times a day. The rest of the time I'm focused on productive work, interruptions better be very important. I delegate on the basis of "Get ... done, by ..." and manage by exception. I discourage cc'd stuff and unsubscribe from everything that is directly relevant. It is a huge trap to appear important because you are across everything. I ration my time and anyone who abuses it by making disproportionate demands via e-mail, IM or phone is 'tutored' and if that fails, cut loose.

by yan 17y ago

thaumaturgy 17y ago

Yes, I second making extensive use of labels and filters. It's hard to do initially, because you feel like you're spending time without immediate payoff, but it's wonderful to have your email sort itself. Also, I was trying to wrangle my email a bit earlier this week, and discovered that going from 50 message on the front list to 25, and eliminating the multiple inboxes feature, really made my mailbox a lot less intimidating.

CyberFonic 17y ago

I write filters as I find the need for them. Many of them forward to those to whom I have delegated, applies label and marks them as read. Only read and respond to e-mails a couple of times a day. The rest of the time I'm focused on productive work, interruptions better be very important. I delegate on the basis of "Get ... done, by ..." and manage by exception. I discourage cc'd stuff and unsubscribe from everything that is directly relevant. It is a huge trap to appear important because you are across everything. I ration my time and anyone who abuses it by making disproportionate demands via e-mail, IM or phone is 'tutored' and if that fails, cut loose.