Empty Inbox: Mental Filtering
22 Feb
Mental filtering is not exclusively my idea, it’s based on the concepts of Merlin Mann which in-turn were based heavily on David Allen’s Getting Things Done book. Essentially mental filtering is based on using a few questions to filter the messages in your inbox:
1. How does this message affect me?
2. What does this message require of me?
3. What is the best way to achieve whatever is required?
Admittedly most 11 year olds could have come up with that, but then again have you applied those mental filters to any of the messages in your inbox before? Thought not.
In my experience more than half my email won’t make it past the first question and I can just delete it. Most of the rest won’t get past question two and normally warrants a one-two line reply. The left over messages are then dealt with by question three. The key is to get as quick as possible at pulling out actions from emails and getting on with them.
At the end of the day you control email, rather than email controlling you. These questions are based around the best use of your interest, time and attention and making your email work for you rather than the other way around.
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