I will soon start a new job where I expect to receive significantly more emails than I do currently. So far, I haven’t had a system in place, except for marking emails as unread until I respond and occasionally using flags.

I would like to change that practice, now that I have a clean slate. But how do I start managing my inbox?

I use Mac Mail and would like to continue using it. I know how to set up rules and create smart mailboxes etc., but I can’t really see the potential.

Thank you!

  • morganth
    5·
    1 year ago

    I use a system I read about ages ago. The idea is that you have a bunch of different reasons for keeping your mail in your inbox, and you should have separate boxes for each of those reasons rather than mixing them all together.

    So I have a box for “Quick Reply” (will need an answer today), “Slow Reply” (will need an answer, but it can wait) “To Read” (I need to read it or its attachments but don’t need to reply at all), “Reminders” (things like job numbers and due dates), and “Save” (any other reason it needs to be kept).

    Then I empty out my inbox whenever I have a chance (multiple times a day), and use those folders as I need them. Works pretty well.