Email management is crucial for productivity in today's digital world. As a zero inboxer, I've developed a system that works across any email client. Here's how to master your email and maintain a clean, organized inbox.

## Email Management Principles

### 1. Filter Everything

☕

I'm a [zero inboxer] who uses filters to achieve inbox nirvana. Create filters with clear prefixes:

- **MOVE** — Automatically move messages to specific folders
- **DELETE** — Remove unwanted messages automatically

### 2. Minimalist Folder Structure

📂

Less is more when it comes to email folders. I use a focused set of folders to narrow search scope and hide folders unless they contain unread messages.

{{< figure src="images/gmail-inbox-label-settings.png" alt="Gmail Inbox Label Settings" >}}

## Essential Email Folders

### 1. Accounts Folder

📃

The **Accounts** folder contains:
- Order confirmations
- Receipts
- Account-related emails
- Signup confirmations

### 2. Efforts Folder

💻

The **Efforts** folder organizes project-related emails:
- Home improvement projects
- Personal projects
- Professional initiatives

#### Example: Career Subfolder

Store recruiter emails and job-related communications in a **Career** folder for future reference.

### 3. People Folder

🧑‍🤝‍🧑

The **People** folder contains:
- Personal communications
- Family emails
- Colleague correspondence
- Social connections

### 4. Notifications Folder

🔔

The **Notifications** folder manages:
- System alerts
- Bank notifications
- Software updates
- Automated messages

## Best Practices

### 1. Email for Business Only

🕴

Use email for formal communications:
- Keep casual chatter in Slack
- Store tasks in Obsidian
- Create Kanban cards from emails
- Maintain clear communication boundaries

### 2. Account Separation

➗

Maintain separate email accounts for different roles:
- Work email
- Personal email
- Project-specific emails
- Job-specific accounts

### 3. Email Hygiene

📭

Maintain clean inboxes by:
- Avoiding automatic mailing list subscriptions
- Using [Unroll.me] for bulk unsubscribing
- Moving unsubscribed emails to a dedicated folder
- Blocking senders from previously unsubscribed sources

## Advanced Tips

### 1. RSS Integration

Use [Inoreader] to manage subscriptions via [RSS feeds]:
- Filter by keywords
- Disable when no longer needed
- Reduce email notifications

### 2. Mobile Management

- Minimize mobile app notifications
- Use email apps with smart filtering
- Enable push notifications selectively

### 3. Regular Maintenance

- Review and update filters monthly
- Clean up old folders
- Archive completed projects
- Update blocked senders list

## Further Reading

- [Zero Inbox Strategy Guide]

[zero inboxer]: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/12/zero-dark-inbox/320604/
[inoreader]: https://www.inoreader.com/
[rss feeds]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS
[unroll.me]: https://unroll.me/
[zero inbox strategy guide]: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/12/zero-dark-inbox/320604/