Inbox Backlog Clearout

INBOX ZERO IN 20 MINUTES (One-Pass Triage)

RULE: Touch each email ONCE. Make a decision immediately.

FOUR DECISION PATHS:

1. DO IT NOW (under 2 min)
   Examples: Approve/reply, sign a form, confirm a date
   Action: Read, reply (2-line answer), delete
   Result: Message leaves inbox, task closes
   Time per email: 1-2 minutes

2. DEFER WITH A DATE (will need time)
   Examples: Proposal to review, project kickoff, invoice to process
   Action: Read, extract the DATE, create a task for that date, delete email
   What to write: 'Review proposal from Vendor X (due Fri)'
   Result: Clutter gone, date trapped in task system
   Time per email: 30 seconds

3. DELEGATE (someone else owns it)
   Examples: CC'd on decisions, info for a teammate, vendor responses
   Action: Forward to owner with 1-line context: 'FYI — this is your call. Let me know.'
   Delete the original
   Result: Out of your inbox, on their plate
   Time per email: 30 seconds

4. DELETE (no action needed)
   Examples: Confirmations, newsletters, notifications, FYI emails
   Action: Read subject, delete
   If unsure: 'Do I need this in 30 days?' If no, delete
   Result: Noise gone, focus remains
   Time per email: 10 seconds

FLOW:
Start with OLDEST email (they're usually easier)
Go top to bottom
When you hit 'Inbox Zero,' STOP

WATCH-OUT: If an email doesn't fit these four, it's probably broken workflow (like unclear responsibility). Delegate with a note: 'Who should handle this?'

TIMING: 500 emails ÷ 1-2 min average = 8-16 minutes. Most people hit zero by minute 18 with breaks.
FREQUENCY: Maintain zero by doing this every Friday 4pm (15 min). Don't let backlog rebuild.