Cal Newport: A World Without Email

EPISODE 186

Cal Newport doesn’t like the distractions of technology. In fact, Newport thinks that our focus on technology and how it dominates modern business is holding us back. His book, A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload, takes a sledgehammer to how technology runs the modern enterprise and, ultimately, our lives.

The idea is not to jettison email but to make it smarter. Instead of the back and forth, you get collaborative tools. You don’t even need to be a business owner or work in tech to have some of the messaging resonate with you, and stay with you long after you have finished. A World Without Email invites you to scrutinize how useful these tools are in your lives and reflect on the best practices.

INTRO

Cal introduces what he means by a world without email

  • Ad hoc communication leads to lack of focus (2m02)

THE CASE AGAINST EMAIL

Why email took over so fast, and the impact it had

  • The hist

  • ory of email (2m)

If the speed of email is damaging, you need to create a habit or replacement process

The hyperactive hive mind (3m35)

PRINCIPLES FOR A WORLD WITHOUT EMAIL

Early Owl breaks down Cal’s advice to find a better, more sustainable workflow

  • The Attention capital principle (1m04)

Early Owl introduce Cal's 3 steps to smarter processes

  • The Process Principle (1m27)

OUTRO

Final tip from Cal is to not forget misinterpretation happens, so be friendly and pick up the phone if needed

How to use email in the pandemic era (1m56)

READING LIST

  1. Cal Newport: A World Without Email