Inbox to Zero

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I never accidentally glance through my email inbox in the middle of a Pomodoro dedicated to some other activity. When, however, I have planned to read and act on my emails, then I apply the “Inbox to Zero” principle. David Allen describes it as a three-step process:[42]

  1. Start from the top.

  2. Take one thing at a time.

  3. Never put something back into the inbox.

I think about the next action for every new email. If it takes a minute or less to answer, then I’ll do it immediately. If I can delegate it further, then I delegate it right now. When I know it’s an activity that I will do but that takes a little longer, then I don’t start it now. ...

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