A Better GMail Labeling System
November 17, 2007
The other day Cameron and I were talking about a better way of labeling and prioritizing your mail in GMail. It is a system of his friend’s devise, who’s name I’ve forgotten (I’ll update this when I get it.)
The system is simply to create 4 labels, and then apply filters to the emails you receive on a regular basis.
1. Now (Mail you need to look at RIGHT NOW!)
2. Soon (Mail that you should probably read by the end of the day)
3. Later (Mail to read when you find that free time you’ve been looking for)
4. Never ( crickets .. I mean maybe you might want to read them … sometime …)
So for example, Twitter direct messages auto go to Now. An email about that fancy pants party you’re going to in 2 days would go under Soon. Facebook messages would be filed under Later. Financial statements might go to Never.
It’s important that you preface the words (Now, …) with numbers so GMail orders them properly.
This works fantastically with Mihai Parparita’s wonderful GMail Macros Greasemonkey script.
Update: The aforementioned friend who devised this brilliant scheme is Ted Grubb.
November 17, 2007 at 9:17 am
Um. Why label them "now"? shouldn’t you be doing it if it is a "now" and not labeling it?
November 17, 2007 at 9:17 am
Ryan: The idea is that you have filters set up to forward important emails to "Now" automatically. This makes them easier to spot and process.
November 17, 2007 at 9:17 am
if you really want to be a productivity ninja, read <a href = "http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=5&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGetting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity%2Fdp%2F0142000280&ei=RMhYR4euFImgeqqR-cAJ&usg=AFQjCNERmQhDwDrq9Fbz0aG0eAaJqenelw&sig2=VwXeSrojFL7Chp0z4jQukg">Getting Things Done</a>. It has had a significant impact on me.
January 4, 2009 at 2:11 am
[...] Better Gmail Labeling System » A Better Gmail Labeling System1. Now2. Soon3. Later4. [...]
December 3, 2009 at 4:23 pm
This was a great read though! Thanks..