What's happening
You open your work inbox meaning to deal with one thing, then start scanning. Every subject line looks like it might matter, so you open three, skim them, leave them unread again and check something else. Twenty minutes later nothing is properly answered, the important one is still sitting there, and you've used up the focus you needed for actual work.
How to get moving
Decide that this session is ten emails or ten minutes, whichever comes first. Start at the top, and for each one do only one of three things: reply, delete or file, or park it in a "needs longer" folder with a note of what you'll do. When the batch or the timer ends, close the inbox. Do not reward yourself by having another quick look.
Important tip
Put a recurring calendar block for email instead of keeping the inbox open all day. Constant scanning feels productive, but it keeps breaking the work that actually needs your attention.
This is lived-experience content. It is not a promise that a particular idea will work for everybody.