The magic of daily emails

I’ve done stretches of daily emails many times in my career. Every time, good things happen.

In the past, I’ve done 30 day “challenges.” On occasion, they would turn into 40-45 days. This current streak is the first time I remember going beyond 60 consecutive days. Today makes 67.

This streak has created more significant changes than any other. Since I began, every aspect of my life has improved.

My life is better mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally, financially — I might even say spiritually. (Not sure about that last one. I suppose it depends what it means. Somehow it feels true, though.)

I’m doing a hell of a lot better than I was just a few months ago.

I’m sure therapy has helped — just like I’m sure my improved training and diet have helped. And there’s no doubt deactivating my Instagram account for a few months played a role — but, none of these was the determining factor.

It was discipline. I needed more discipline. Specifically, around my work.

The discipline to write and publish an email every day. No matter what.

Early this year, I was in a bad way.

I wasn’t writing, but I was showing up and creating content for Instagram. At least once per day, sometimes multiple times per day.

Yet my life only seemed to get worse and worse.

Relationships, finances, mental & emotional health were all spiraling out of control.

I started emailing again in late February. At first, a few times per week. The dailies began on March 20.

Within a few weeks, things started to get better.

What is it about email? What’s the difference between email and social media?

Content is content, no?

No. Content is not content.

Posting on social media every day is not the same. It’s just not.

There’s no incentive to be thoughtful on social media.

Why?

Two main reasons.

First, you can edit or delete your social media posts.

You can’t unsend an email. Nor can you get into someone’s inbox to edit one.

When it’s done, it’s done.

Once I’ve pressed the button, I can’t come back and change it or pretend I never sent it.

The second reason email is different from social media is that email is like being invited into someone’s home — whereas posting on social media is equivalent to squawking in the town square.

You wouldn’t behave the same way in these two places.

People go on social media knowing that they’ll have to wade through a lot of garbage. You’re not afraid to create more of it because the environment makes it acceptable. What’s one more garbage post?

Email, on the other hand, demands more decorum. You don’t bring your garbage into someone else’s house.

It’s true that you could write crappy, forgettable emails. You could. But you don’t want to.

If you’re gonna bring a gift to someone else’s home, I think you’d want it to be something they will appreciate.

You might not, but I do.

When I send an email, I don’t want to waste your time. Some days are admittedly better than others. But even on days when I have nothing to say — and I literally tell you “this email has nothing in it” — I still feel an obligation to do it with style.

Trust, self-respect, and confidence

Sending these emails every day for 67 days has required more discipline of me than I’ve applied to my work in years.

Experiencing myself putting in this level of effort has allowed me to rebuild self-respect, confidence, and trust in myself.

And I’ve been doing it all in front of an audience. Some of the people who are watching have noticed the difference. As a result, I’m being offered opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

If you want this kind of change in your life, send some fucking emails.