If you spend hours every day trying to keep on top of a huge inbox, try an extreme solution: Give it up. Yes, that's right, stop checking your email. Try other tools instead. Use your blog to post updates on your work instead of sending a message to a big distribution list. Try Basecamp or another project management tool to communicate with project teams. Get on Skype for a quick conversation instead of a 14-message exchange. Twitter direct messages, online chat, and texts are good for tight, efficient, and confidential messaging. Take your email address off your business card and website, and encourage anyone who needs to reach you to pick up the phone. This may seem radical – because it is! If this experiment doesn't work, you can always go back to your inbox, but keep these alternative communication practices in mind before you hit "send."
Source: Today's Management Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done.