The touch-it-once method means when you open an email (touch), you have to take action on it.
Inbox zero means you either delete/archive your emails so that your inbox has nothing in it. I also apply Getting Things Done (GTD) principles. I practice two principles that any productivity guru tells you: inbox zero and touch-it-once. I mentioned earlier that I stay on top of my emails.
Let me tell you why… 3 Reasons Why I Switched from Mail to Spark Mail