Operation: Inbox Zero

[Moishebatchy]

A few weeks ago, I started a thread called "How many unread email messages is the most you've ever had in your inbox?" One of the responses was:

I never let it get above twenty. I'm a huge fan of inbox zero. Makes life much easier

I kinda like the term "inbox zero", I think it has a nice ring to it. Also, the idea of an empty inbox sounds nice. So, in my own personal episode of "Hoarders" (digital edition, I guess), I'm gonna tackle this mess and clean up shop. My objective is (at the very least) to have zero unread messages in my inbox, even if I keep some read ones there.

The screenshot below shows what I'm starting with (and those are the unread ones - counting the read ones, it's over 26k). I think if I work on it a little bit every day, I can do it in two weeks. How long do you think it'll take me?

[Chaikel]

The screenshot below shows what I'm starting with (and those are the unread ones - counting the read ones, it's over 26k). I think if I work on it a little bit every day, I can do it in two weeks. How long do you think it'll take me?

Over 2k emails per day on a "little bit" of time? Ambitious.

[mmermss]

Check out this thread

[Moishebatchy]

Over 1k emails per day on a "little bit" of time? Ambitious.

FTFY.

[Chaikel]

FTFY.

I was referring to unread as well

[Moishebatchy]

I was referring to unread as well

I wasn't.

My objective is (at the very least) to have zero unread messages in my inbox

It would be nice, but it would be all gravy.

[jaywhy]

A few weeks ago, I started a thread called "How many unread email messages is the most you've ever had in your inbox?" One of the responses was:

I kinda like the term "inbox zero", I think it has a nice ring to it. Also, the idea of an empty inbox sounds nice. So, in my own personal episode of "Hoarders" (digital edition, I guess), I'm gonna tackle this mess and clean up shop. My objective is (at the very least) to have zero unread messages in my inbox, even if I keep some read ones there.

The screenshot below shows what I'm starting with (and those are the unread ones - counting the read ones, it's over 26k). I think if I work on it a little bit every day, I can do it in two weeks. How long do you think it'll take me?

Wow! Look what I inspired
Read this.
I think you can do it in less if you do it smart, and use your keyboard shortcuts!

[Moishebatchy]

I think you can do it in less if you do it smart, and use your keyboard shortcuts!

Filters are fun. I'm already down to 11,865.

[jaywhy]

Filters are fun. I'm already down to 11,865.

Nice!
My strategy for keeping Inbox Zero is: Keyboard shortcuts!  J (down)+K (up) to go through email, [ and ] accomplishes to same but archives the email.(You may have to enable this feature in Labs IIRC), everything that I can respond to in 5 words or less I do that right away, Everything which requires a longer response is added to the task list which I then go through and mark off once I'm at inbox zero. Shift+T adds to the task list.
This works very well for me, I can get through hundreds of emails in 10-15 min.

[Moishebatchy]

Everything which requires a longer response is added to the task list which I then go through and mark off once I'm at inbox zero.

I have my inbox set on "show starred first". Then, any conversation requiring my attention later on gets starred. When it's done, I remove the star, effectively throwing the fish back into the sea.

[jaywhy]

I have my inbox set on "show starred first". Then, any conversation requiring my attention later on gets starred. When it's done, I remove the star, effectively throwing the fish back into the sea.

That can work too. I use stars as search operators. You can also add reminders to the task list which is why I like it better.
On that note, check out Boomerang.

[jack12]

On that note, check out Boomerang.

+1 I use boomerang and have found it to be very helpful in keeping my inbox clear of messages that don't need to be there right now

[henche]

Why don't you just click select all, and then mark all read.

I mean, you can still go back and read them, as much as you always could have. And you can search for the ones you need, as much as you always could have.

[Achas Veachas]

Funny, a friend of mine who I haven't heard from in years, just responded to 3 emails I sent him half a year ago

[elikay]

Personally I try to keep unread at zero though it quickly makes its way back to 100. I find that performing searches for the culprits for instance aa and then checking off all the junk you can easily go through hundreds in an hour.

[Moishebatchy]

Personally I try to keep unread at zero though it quickly makes its way back to 100. I find that performing searches for the culprits for instance aa and then checking off all the junk you can easily go through hundreds in an hour.

Filters are fun. I'm already down to 11,865.

[elikay]

Didn't realize that's what you meant

[skyguy918]

Filters are fun. I'm already down to 11,865.

+1. All of my subscribed type emails from airlines, hotels, even credit cards and banks, I have set up with filters. You can have them bypass your inbox, but even if you just set it up to tag it it's really helpful, because then you can open it and glance at it to figure out if you actually want to read it. Then you just x off the Inbox tag and it's automatically archived to the appropriate folder (this is gmail I'm talking about, though I can't tell from the screenshot if that's what you're using).