RadReads​ - [RIZE] Day 1 Challenge

Welcome to Day 1 of the RIZE Challenge!

RIZE stands for Reach Inbox Zero Everywhere, and we’re talking about wayyy more than email. You’ve got chat notifications, social media, project management tools, and community forums all clogging up your attention at any time.

This 5-day email series will walk you through all the inboxes you have for your life and how often you really need to be checking them to get to inbox zero.

So, let’s start with the basics: Inbox Zero!

What is inbox zero?

“Inbox zero” is when you have caught up with all the things that have your attention.

Everything has been handled: replied to, archived, filed away, added to your calendar or task manager, etc.

How do you get to inbox zero?

For every item in your inbox, ask: What do I do with this?

Then…

• Do it!
• Reply
• Delegate or Forward to someone else
• Add to your To-Do List
• Schedule something on your calendar
• File it away
• Archive / Mark As Read

Let’s get to inbox zero!

Today’s challenge is to get to Inbox Zero in just one inbox, all the while asking yourself: What do I do with this?

1. Pick one inbox
2. Start a timer
3. Get to inbox zero
4. Stop the timer
5. Reply to this email with which inbox you got to zero and how long it took

Not sure which inbox to choose?

Email is usually a go-to for most people because they’re already here, but you can deviate from the norm.

You can also try a social media platform you love and use this challenge to define the parameters of what inbox zero looks like. For example, is it just getting through all the notifications and direct messages? Or does it also include scrolling through time-sensitive stories or the main feed a bit?

Or maybe tackle a website that you gravitate to on a regular basis, maybe a news or shopping website. Determine the parameters of “inbox zero” as you are browsing.

Ready, set, DONE! ✅

Marian

P.S. Tomorrow, we’re going to talk about what Reaching Inbox Zero Everywhere (RIZE) is all about. Stay tuned!

P.P.S. If "inbox zero" makes you cringe, you're not alone. While we are using this tactic to build productive momentum in your life, we also recognize that this is $10 work. Here's Khe's take on "inbox zero."​