I am trying to figure out how to achieve “Inbox zero” in Gmail. I watched a few videos explaining the various systems, processes, and frameworks. Most of which, was done by creating automated filters. I am looking for some suggestions, feedback, or your approach to Inbox Zero from the community. Also, if you have come across any good tips or videos on this subject then please do share.

Disclaimer: I haven’t tried paid apps which teach you inbox zero like Superhuman etc. Also I routinely fail at this and have now given up. Jeff Su has couple of videos around Inbox Zero. Do check them. here. Inbox Zero makes sense for you if you are able to accept that reaching that state doesn’t mean you have done all the things you wanted to do with your email. There will be emails you want to action out later, newsletter you plan to read only if you get time, newsletter/emails you must read at a certain time etc. Many people including me struggle with this concept as we feel done means done. You need to have rituals, process for these future tasks, optional items etc. Otherwise you will never move things outside your email home view and always feel like a lost cause. Many other people also struggle to prioritize or accept that certain things are just not important or worth to be on top of. If you cannot do that, you will never get there. You would have moved things from one folder to another folder. My suggestion is to attempt this, iterate to fit your style/needs and most importantly accept the principles/ideas behind Inbox Zero. Expect failure and plan around it

I have been an inbox zero person my entire life. I have separate email accounts for: • finances/bank accounts/official paperwork • my freelance work • for e-commerce accounts, SaaS subscriptions, and newsletters • Throwaway account I unsubscribe and report spam every unsolicited email. I use filters to forward financial/investment emails to my brother who manages all my finances. Hope this helps.

I've had inbox 0 for more years than I can remember. Some tips- 1. Unsubscribe to marketing emails or newsletters you don't regularly read, irrespective of how interesting they may be. 2. Don't check emails throughout the day. Checking 2-3 times a day is more than sufficient, unless, of course you work relies on it. 3. Try to block 15-30 mins before you start your work day to going through all emails and performing affirmative action on them - no delays, no procrastination, just do it!

@loud-artist-61521 Thanks for the link. I like the multiple inbox setup and trying that out. I’ve been using Gmail for 10 years but did not knew that the keyboard shortcuts will make my process so fast. Also, my intention for “Inbox Zero” is to cleanup my email so that it will be easy for find something by removing clutter and take action quickly. What I follow is what Tiago Forte mention on his channel that I just capture task from the email and does not make my email as todo system ,rather I treat a notification system and my intention is to cleanup those notifications. I 100% agree to this “You need to have rituals, process for these future tasks, optional items etc. Otherwise you will never move things outside your email home view and always feel like a lost cause.”

I think other mail providers like fast mail etc have a folder that you can move spammy ones that it learns to filter as spam and another to do the reverse. If you are so troubled by this, you might as well pay for suhc services

@able-xylophone-142 how much pain is unsubscribing for those services? Takes what, 5 mins? 10 mins? 15 mins? Does it take more time that you've spent trying to organise your emails? Does it take more time than you've spent thinking about the whole inbox 0 thing?