Reading 43 Folders has the instant effect of making me feel like the master of my domain. I am so smart. SMRT.

This week, Merlin’s been offering up a series of posts on how to take control of your email inbox. Some examples: do not check your email more often than every 20 minutes; respond quickly (and succinctly); and become good friends with the delete button.

Admit it: you jump when your mail program goes ding. You have messages from 1999 sitting at the bottom of your inbox, and folders you haven’t peeped into since two jobs ago. You need this advice. Bad. Part of you is crying “Yes, YES!” like you’re the star of the next Herbal Essences commercial.

Merlin is the undisputed heavyweight champion of all things productive. He may also be the snarkiest, most entertaining writer on the Interweb.

“If you want to stop being part of the dolorous majority whose ass is getting kicked by email every day, it’s time to get serious about improving your habits.”

• Inbox Zero (43 Folders)