As a good architect, I made another change! I’m going weekly now.
Thanks for reading. I’d love to hear some feedback on this letter! Please subscribe if you’d like the next letter in your inbox.
(notes on) A World Without Email
I’ve been a fan of Cal Newport after reading So Good They Can’t Ignore You a couple years ago (quickly followed by devouring Deep Work and Digital Minimalism). Accordingly, I borrowed his audiobook from the library as soon as it was available. The book did not disappoint. It is a great distillation of Cal’s current ideas on email and productivity.
Like many self help books, the first part sells the problem with a narrative detailing the road to our current “hyperactive hive mind”. This section is necessary, but is a bit drawn out. Fortunately, the second part of this book is full of actionable ideas and is highly recommended. You can find all this advice by listening to hours of his Deep Questions Podcast, but this book perfect for someone who isn’t already a Newport acolyte.
Some of his key recommendations include:
- be wary about the dissipation of our attention, mental switching costs are incredibly detrimental to high performance in knowledge work.
- a mix of practical tips for increasing productivity (such as batching similar tasks on various days)
- go outside of email for managing work. Use processes and systems for workflow coordination, such as using taskboards.
- don’t assume the simple and easy makes for the best process in organizing your work flow. A little friction may result in long term efficiencies.
Based on the recommendations in his podcast, I’ve already initiated weekly check-in’s with my architect and my immediate supervisor, which have worked spectacularly well. For my next projects, I plan on imposing a communication protocol.
I normally try to avoid enjoying the my status as an Owner. However, I shamelessly exploit the Owner’s prerogative to push the Architect’s workflow beyond our industry standard “fire in the inbox” method of management.
Maybe my first step will be to assign them this book.
My reaction to this book is muted because I was an avid listener to Cal’s podcast last summer. As such, I had already implemented many of his recommendations in his book. If I was ambitious, I would borrow the ebook from the library to carefully re-read the recommendations in the second part of the book. However, I’ve recently turned away from self help books towards classic literature, focusing upon the eight waking hours outside of the office. As such, I haven’t felt an urge to return to this book.
~
One Question
Do you have any workflows that may seem circuitous but actually help you manage the work more efficiently?
Hit reply and let’s chat!
~
Three Links
Arnaud Marthouret wrote three lessons from racing a bike too fast. His third lesson about no distraction resonates tightly with the aim of The World without Email.
Seth Godin’s Wayfinding gives us permission to be inefficient, because the murky is where the innovation is most needed.
The paintings of Torsten Jovinge (1898-1936) are a real treat. Thanks to Daily Dose for introducing me to this artist.
… and a photo.
~
Thanks for subscribing to the OPM letter! I hope you found some prompts to stretch your craft and relationships as a contentious Owner PM. See you next week!
Stay humble and keep experimenting!
Justus Pang, RA