Tired of constant “emergency scanning” and feeling driven by the incessant need to check your incoming items? This episode of "The Catalyst" focuses on the crucial stage of Clarifying: Getting “In” to Empty, transforming accumulated input into clear next steps. We explore how to move systematically from collected items to decided next actions, drawing on the components of the workflow processing diagram.You’ll learn the fundamental processing guidelines necessary to avoid backlog and maintain a functioning funnel:• Process the top item first.• Process one item at a time.• Never put anything back into “in”.We detail how true processing means deciding what an item is, what action is required, and dispatching it accordingly—it does not mean spending time on the item itself. The core principle of clarification is answering the key processing question: “What’s the Next Action?”. The next action must be the absolute next physical, visible activity required to move the situation toward closure.Once you determine the next action, you have three clear choices:1. Do It: If the action takes two minutes or less, perform it immediately. Following this two-minute rule creates dramatic improvements in productivity because it is more efficient than storing and tracking the item.2. Delegate It: If the action takes longer than two minutes, determine if you are the best person to do it. If not, hand it off to the appropriate party in a systematic format (like e-mail or a note). If you care whether the item happens, you must track it in a "Waiting For" category.3. Defer It: If the action is yours and takes longer than two minutes, you must write it down and organize it for later work.We also cover non-actionable items, which fall into three categories: Trash, Reference material, and items to Incubate (either placed on a Someday/Maybe list or given a calendar reminder).Finally, the episode connects clarified actions back to the bigger picture by defining projects—any outcome requiring more than one action step to complete—ensuring you have placeholders for all open loops until you reach closure. Tune in to finish the thinking exercise about your input and avoid the psychological gap that leads to procrastination.