April 3, 2009 
As someone who is semi-compulsive about e-mails, I finally reached a point where I knew I was way too far behind.
When an e-mail comes in, I read it and either delete it, respond to it, file it, or leave it in the inbox for further reading before responding. Ideally, the e-mails in my inbox are less than 50 even when I get a few hundred a day.
The other day, I hit 500 in my inbox which was too much. It was stress inducing. Finally, I am back down below 250. I hope I can get below 100 before Monday. I would feel so much better.
Enabling Healthy Decisions 
I have worked for a few senior execs who did this. I even knew a CTO who used a ton of Outlook rules to move most things to the delete folder unless they were on a short list or it was the third time they sent the email.
I guess in certain positions you can pull this off. I am not sure I’m ready for that.
Something I picked up from a Sr Exec a few years ago is a simple way to manage emails when you get behind. Don’t laugh – because it works and more importantly reduces your stress levels. When you get behind on your emails, grab all the unread emails and delete them – yes, delete them or move them to a folder out of your inbox. If the topic was important enough people will email you again or speak to you in person or call you. At which point you profusely apologize and do what you need to do.
It works for me