It’s common to feel overwhelmed by compounding emails, while also craving the freedom ‘inbox zero’ promises. It’s not unusual to think ‘If only I could just get on top of my inbox, then I’ll have the freedom to be more productive.’

If this is you, then you have undoubtedly craved ‘inbox zero’. While it’s not the solution for everyone, inbox zero can, at the very least, help you to tame months (or years) of email neglect and allow you to start afresh.

If and when you achieve inbox zero, maintaining it is just as challenging. And you don't necessarily need to maintain inbox zero. What you should be aiming for is an inbox that is in control. This will help you to:

• Ensure nothing falls through the cracks

• Avoid being overwhelmed

• Never become trapped by your inbox again

• Have the time and brain capacity to serve your clients

Although inbox zero might not be totally possible for you, you can strive to get as close as possible with these simple tips:

1. Dedicate time to get started

Get started on your journey to inbox zero with a time block dedicated to getting things under control. Use this time to understand your situation, and then delete and sort your emails.

Think of this step as the pre-soak of your inbox cleanse—this will make the rest of the process easier.

2. Reduce clutter and unsubscribe

Think about an email newsletter that you receive. When was the last time you actually opened it?

If you can’t remember, it’s time to unsubscribe. And if you have mountains of previous editions waiting for you to read, it’s probably time to cut your losses.

If you don’t genuinely receive value from an email newsletter, then unsubscribe. Not doing so will just lead to a clogged inbox, with the newsletter doing you more harm than good—all before you opened it.

3. Stop using your inbox as a to-do list

If you feel trapped by your inbox, chances are you’re using it as a to-do list—even if you don’t mean to.