Something I’ve learned is never to skim emails. Sit down and read them. Assess what they mean. Understand their ramifications. Build a quick and rough mental time estimate of how long it will take to address what’s in the email.

You have three options:

  1. If it takes less than five minutes, do it immediately.
  2. If it requires more time than that, schedule it for later.
  3. If it’s a dead or already-completed issue, archive it immediately.

Watch your to-do list and your inbox clear out faster than you ever thought possible. :)