Hey friend,

I'm about to do something ironic.

In the words of Alanis Morissette: Isn't it ironic?

I'm writing you an email newsletter about Cal Newport's book A World Without Email, which argues we should dramatically reduce our reliance on electronic messaging.

Go ahead. Take a moment to appreciate that.

​

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): The way most of us handle email isn't working. It's making us less productive, more stressed, and—ironically—worse at the actual work we're trying to accomplish. Newport's research gives us a framework for reclaiming our attention.

​

The Interruption That Proves the Point

As I was writing this very newsletter, my inbox dinged. A USA Today journalist, Betty Lin-Fisher, wanted to know whether she could include my comments in one of her upcoming stories. She needed to confirm my business information.

So I stopped. Mid-thought. I fired off a quick response.

And just like that, the quality of this article dropped by approximately 1.07%.

I made that number up. But the reality behind it is backed by research. Every time we context-switch—every time we break concentration to handle an "urgent" message—we pay a cognitive tax. Studies show it can take over 20 minutes to fully regain focus after an interruption.

That journalist's email? Important. Genuinely.

But the timing of when I handled it? That cost me something.

​

The Hyperactive Hive Mind

Newport calls our modern approach to communication the "hyperactive hive mind." It's a workflow where we default to unscheduled, back-and-forth messaging for almost everything.

Question? Send an email.

Update? Send an email.

Need a decision? Send an email and wait.

The problem is that this approach treats communication as free. But it's not. Every email sent generates work for someone else—and usually generates a reply, which generates more work for you.

Newport's research shows that this constant, low-level communication actually makes people and organizations less productive.

No way, right? Unbelievable.

(It's hard to communicate sarcasm via digital messages. They did research on that, too. Could sarcasm be detected more easily through video or text? I think you know the answer.)

​

How Are You Doing With Email?

I want to ask you something honest.

How do you feel about your inbox right now?

Do you have hundreds—maybe thousands—of unread messages?

Does anxiety creep in if you haven't checked your email in 12 hours?

I know I feel that pull. The urge to refresh. The micro-dopamine hit of a new message. The low-grade stress of knowing something might be waiting.

Quick question: Which is more addictive—heroin, nicotine, or email?

Take the 1-question survey →

​

Fighting Back With Better Tools

One way I've been applying Newport's ideas is through Superhuman, an email client designed to help you process messages faster and with more intention.

It's not a perfect solution—it still involves email, after all—but it's helped me reduce clutter and batch my inbox time more effectively. I've noticed I spend less time in my inbox and more time on work that actually matters.

​

The Invitation

Newport isn't arguing we should abandon email entirely. He's arguing we should be intentional about how we use it.

For veterans, this might feel familiar. In the military, communication had structure. Protocols. Channels. You didn't randomly ping your commander with half-formed thoughts.

Maybe our civilian inboxes could use a little of that discipline.

Over the next two newsletters, I'll be exploring two more of Newport's books: Digital Minimalism and Deep Work. Together, they form a practical philosophy for protecting your attention—and by extension, your purpose.

Because here's the truth: your attention is a finite resource. How you spend it shapes the life you build.

​

One thing to try this week: Before you send your next email, ask yourself—could this be a 2-minute phone call instead? Could it wait until a scheduled check-in? Could it be eliminated entirely?

​

Until next time,

Joshua Brooks, CFP®

Founder, Exponential Advisors

Army Reserve Chaplain

​

P.S. If your inbox feels out of control, you're not alone. Hit reply and tell me: what's your biggest email struggle? I read every response.

​

You're receiving this because you're part of the Exponential Purpose community. If this isn't for you anymore, no hard feelings—unsubscribe below.