Gina shares a very unique workflow that she has been using since 2006 to conquer her overflowing email inbox.
When you read an email, if it just needs a quick response, reply on the spot. If it’s trash, delete it. Everything else will go into one of your three folders.
If the message is a task you’ve got to complete–like a request from the boss–file it into your To-do folder, and add it to your to-do list. If the message is about something you’re waiting for–like a package shipment notification or a promise from a co-worker to get you something by next Tuesday–put it in your Wait folder, and maybe even on your calendar.
Everything else–the CC’s, the FYI’s, the “just thought you should know”s–file these in Reference. That’s your library of email that you can search any time to look up information you might need later. link.