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Inbox Zero
Rule: per email, one decision: reply in 2 min, delegate, defer, or delete. No "later".
Goal
End the "3000 unread" chaos via permanent decision protocol.
Steps
-
1
Open inbox. Start from newest.
Expected Outcome
Immediate
Inbox empty — first time in years.
Evidence base
School: Inbox Zero / GTD
Founders: Merlin Mann · David Allen (2007)
Merlin Mann 2007 coined Inbox Zero, built on Allen's 2001 GTD: "immediate processing instead of decision storage".
Keywords
Frequently asked questions
How long does "Inbox Zero" take?
This exercise takes about 45 minutes, practiced solo in a Action format.
When will I notice the effect of "Inbox Zero"?
Inbox empty — first time in years. In the short term: "Accumulated dread" from morning-email vanishes.
Is "Inbox Zero" evidence-based?
Yes — it draws on Inbox Zero / GTD (Merlin Mann, David Allen (2007)). Merlin Mann 2007 coined Inbox Zero, built on Allen's 2001 GTD: "immediate processing instead of decision storage".
Is "Inbox Zero" suitable for beginners?
Its difficulty level is: Intermediate. No external tools required — it can be practiced directly inside the app.
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