Most email platforms let you mark important messages so they do not get forgotten. Whether it is called a flag, a star, or a reminder, the idea is simple. Turn emails into prompts for action rather than things you hope you remember later.
Outlook
In Microsoft Outlook, follow-up flags work like lightweight tasks.
How to do it
– Right-click the email, or select it
– Choose Flag
– Pick a time such as Today, Tomorrow, This Week, or choose Custom
Flagged emails stay visible and are easy to revisit when you need to act.
Gmail
In Gmail, there are two useful ways to handle follow-ups.
Star an email
– Click the star icon next to the message
– Find it later under Starred in the left-hand menu
Snooze an email
– Open the email or hover over it in the inbox
– Click the Snooze icon
– Choose a time or pick a date and time
Snoozed emails disappear for now and return to your inbox when you actually need to deal with them.
Apple Mail
In Apple Mail, flags provide a clear visual reminder.
On iPhone or iPad
– Swipe left on the email
– Tap More
– Tap Flag and choose a colour if prompted
On Mac
– Right-click the email
– Choose Flag
– Select a flag colour
Flagged emails appear in a dedicated mailbox so nothing important gets lost.
Why It Works
Spending a few seconds marking an email when it arrives saves missed actions later. Once it becomes a habit, your inbox starts working for you instead of against you.