No fancy tools

A great system doesn’t always need fancy tools—but it does require that you understand the ones you’re using.

Take Gmail, for example. With a few tweaks, I’ve built email workflows that keep me productive and focused—like having my own version of Superhuman but free. Labels, filters, and keyboard shortcuts are all there if you know how to use them.

Of course, there’s a trade-off.

• Paid tools like Superhuman can save time by giving you these systems without any setup and can easily be replicated.
• Creating your own system can have some downsides. For example, when you switch jobs, you might have to rebuild everything from scratch because you get a new email inbox.

The key is understanding the tools at your disposal. Whether you build it yourself or invest in a ready-made solution, knowing how it works means you’re in control.

What’s your favourite email productivity hack? Help me level up.