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Level Up Your Inbox: Gamifying Zero Email with Apps Script
How I stayed motivated by turning email clean-up into a game.
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Inbox Zero. The concept is simple, almost zen-like: keep your inbox empty by consistently managing your emails. For someone like me who receives a lot of emails every day, it can quickly become overwhelming if I don’t stay on top of it. Yet, sticking to Inbox Zero is a struggle. Emails are relentless, piling up while you’re busy elsewhere, and staying on top of them can feel like a never-ending game.
So, I decided to make it into a game — complete with levels and rewards.
With my background in game development, I couldn’t resist bringing a bit of that magic into my daily routine. I know firsthand how powerful game mechanics can be in turning a mundane task into something fun and rewarding. So, I applied the same principles — like levels, points, and rewards — to my inbox.
Gamification works by tapping into our natural desire for achievement and providing immediate feedback. Players get immersed in games through these elements of progression and rewards. This approach may transform repetitive tasks into something motivating and satisfying.
