Deciding not to decide...
Hi,
One of the ways that I make it "through" the inbasket is to "Define" the next action on those things that take longer than 2-minutes.
Then, that paper, note, or whatever, goes into an "Action Support" file on my desk. (Instead of a pending file.)
For example:
Let's say I have a flyer in my inbox about an upcoming lecture I'd like to go to. Well, I don't have time to call them now, and I will need that flyer when I call....so, I put "Call Jeremy re: Permaculture Lecture" on my @Calls list. Then, I put that flyer in my @Calls Action Support file. Most of the time, I put a note in the actual to-do that says: (see AS file for flyer). That way, I can REALLY forget about it for now, NOT have to re-process it out of another stack, and DO the call when I have the tools, time and energy to take that action.
The difference? Not processing because something will take longer than 2-minutes will create more stacks. The "martial art" of managing your workflow is engaging in deciding on the front end WHAT you're going to do...even if you can't do it right now!