Quote Originally Posted by mthar1 View Post
I prefer having my inbox placed so that I do not see it when I'm concentrated at working on one thing but do see it as soon as I take a short break and look up from whatever I'm doing. That means that it (ideally) doesn't distract me when I'm trying to focus, but that I can't ignore it either. Very specifically, this is (at least for the moment) at arm's length at about a 45 degree angle.
I agree with mthar1.

Ideally, the inbox itself (or a reminder to process it) will be placed (or timed)
so that you see it when it's a good time to do processing, and you don't see
it at any other time. Reality may differ somewhat. Not seeing it too often
is important, to avoid reinforcing a habit of not doing anything
with it when you see it.

I have mine placed pretty much behind me across the room. I generally see it
when I'm arriving, getting up or moving around. I also often come to a time
in the afternoon when I've just finished something or
feel like a change of activity, and may
think of processing it then without needing a visual reminder.