I have 37,240 unread email messages...

I have the best intentions to read all my email messages but my road to hell is paved with them... Which is why I have 37,240 unread emails in my gmail account, my main email account.

They have accumulated over a 2 year span. And they are spam free (GOOG has a great spam filter.)

My problem is that I write for a living and I could easily spend all of my day reading and writing emails. But I only have a limited number of keystrokes at my daily disposal. Which means I have to make sure I use some of those keystrokes to write articles and posts. Which means I don't get to read and answer all of my email.

It makes me feel guilty because I always intend to go back and do the right thing. But the longer I leave my unread emails the more they pile up. And the less I'm inclined to go to my inbox. Sometimes I wish I could just blow up my inbox and start fresh.

Please forgive me if you've sent me an email and I haven't responded--it is not personal. It is just my inability to manage my inbox and the rest of my attention...