Email is interrupt-driven by default—batch instead. Three times daily: morning, lunch, end of day. Process to zero: each email gets archived, starred (action), or deleted.
Unsubscribe ruthlessly. Use filters (Gmail filters, Outlook rules) to sort on arrival. Quick replies when you check—don't reopen messages.
Alternatives: lean on Slack for team communication, docs for async decisions. Use scheduled send for non-urgent messages. The goal: inbox zero or close to it, not let email drive your day.