Empty That Inbox!

Is actually emptying your inbox before the end of each day a realistic
goal? Yes, says Kelly Forrister, who recommends a short checklist of questions
to help you quickly sort through your messages and tame an unruly inbox:

• Can you safely delete the item? If the item doesn’t need to be read, saved,
  or require a response, then consider deleting it.
• Can you do the action that the email requires be done in less than two
  minutes? If you can, try to do the action required immediately.
• If you cannot do it, can you delegate it? Delegate can also mean handing it
  off sideways—consider whether a colleague could better handle it.
• If you cannot take care of it immediately, can you defer it? Be aware,
  however, that “deferring” does not mean allowing the item to sink beneath your notice forever!

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