Jason Clarke has some great comments on why effective email management is essential to success in business and life. I can’t say it better, so go read it now.
On thing I’d like to add – there is a huge sense of satisfaction you get when you keep your email (and consequently, your life) organized. This is one place where David Allen and his GTD disciples are dead right. I start to feel a lot of anxiety when the messages pile up in my Inbox. It’s a constant reminder that I’m not on the ball and I find myself wasting time, going back through my email to make sure I haven’t missed something. It’s a relief when I can finally sit down and action all those emails. Don’t underestimate just how much of a difference this can make in your life!