http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2008/01/09/10-steps-to-become-an-email-ninja/

The only time I leave something in my inbox is when it needs to be replied to. When it’s something I need to fix before responding, I leave it in the inbox as I fix it. It sort of works as an immediate to-do list.

I get a small enough volume of email that I can just check it when it comes in, or when a good stopping point in whatever I’m doing comes in. (except for when I get automated site-down messages, then I get a flood of one every minute for however long the site is down…annoying).

Most mail I get means that there’s something I have to do or fix, so I actually have to resist the urge to ignore it and keep on working what I’m currently doing.

Rule 5 is a good one. I know there have been times when I tossed and turned because I knew I had neglected to reply to an email.

A good idea related to this is to turn off the new mail icon / sound effect. I have done that at work, and now only check e-mail whenever there is a good moment for it (I haven’t still fully implemented the idea of checking e-mail only 3 times a day… but I’m getting there.)

It makes a huge difference. For the better. Now I’m not distracted by each spam message that comes to my inbox, and can concentrate better on what I’m doing at that moment.

The downside of course is that sometimes someone sends something urgent through e-mail (you shouldn’t send urgent questions by e-mail, should you?) and then they are surprised when I don’t reply within the next 15-30 minutes. :)

But that doesn’t happen too often.