It is interesting when XKCD has a comic that matches my resolution fairly closely.
I continually have a plan to get my inbox cleaned up. One of the better methods I’ve had, which is more prevention than a cure, is to avoid the current year.
Let me explain:
When I receive an email, my mail program doesn’t necessarily show the date that it arrived. It will say “Today” or “Yesterday” as appropriate. If it arrived two days ago, then it will show the complete date, along with the year. So my current goal is to not have the year “2017” show up as a date in my inbox.
This requires me to stay on top of my email. It has actually helped me to be more productive. Things don’t sit around. I have a software project with my father that I now have to stay on top of. Because I am keeping mentally occupied with it, I found I am sleeping better. Mental exhaustion helps.