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Achieving Inbox Zero

Jamie Hairston
2 min readMar 14, 2024

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Today, I am focusing on decluttering the inbox and getting it to zero… well, as close to zero as possible.

In today’s digital age, an overflowing email inbox can be a significant source of stress and distraction. Achieving Inbox Zero is not about obsessively keeping your inbox empty but relatively about efficiently managing your emails so that you can focus on what’s truly important.

Here are a few quick tips on what I am doing for my own Project Inbox Zero

Unsubscribe from Noise

Begin by unsubscribing from newsletters, promotions, and updates that no longer interest you. Unroll.me is free, and (an app available on Android and iOS) can help streamline this process by compiling all your subscriptions into a single list, making it easier to decide which ones to keep and which to cancel.

Implement the Two-Minute Rule

If an email can be responded to in two minutes or less, do it immediately. This practice helps prevent small tasks from piling up and keeps your inbox more manageable.

Use Folders and Labels Wisely

Create a system of folders or labels to organize your emails. Categories like “Action Needed,” “Waiting for Response,” and “Archived” can help you prioritize and track pending tasks. Remember, the goal is to simplify, so avoid creating too many categories that can become overwhelming.

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Jamie Hairston
Jamie Hairston

Written by Jamie Hairston

Jamie is a former addiction counselor who now writes fiction about substance abuse and mental health issues.

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