14 Weeks of Inbox Zero: How Superhuman Transformed My Workflow

By Colin McNamara

Published in Business & Strategy

November 22, 2024

2 min read

14 Weeks of Inbox Zero: How Superhuman Transformed My Workflow

For anyone who knows me, they know that email has never been my go-to method of communication. I’ve always preferred Slack, text messages, Discord, Twitter, and, most effectively, a calendar invite to get on my schedule. Emails would often pile up, unattended and looming, a silent weight of unprocessed information.

But something changed recently. Thanks to Jess at LangChain, I started using Superhuman. Now, I’m 14 weeks into inbox zero—and it’s been a game-changer.

Superhuman is more than just a fancy email client. It’s an experience. It turns emails into something more akin to a to-do list, an actionable dashboard, and I can’t believe I’m saying this—a source of delight. I never thought I’d use “delight” and “email” in the same sentence. Yet here we are.

A New Kind of Productivity

Over the last 14 weeks, I’ve done something I wouldn’t have imagined possible: I’ve replaced a large number of meetings with email conversations. Instead of juggling schedules, hopping from Zoom call to Zoom call, I’ve been able to move things forward, asynchronously. Projects are progressing, decisions are being made, and I’m not constantly leaning on my typical agile and lean traditions.

This new workflow has not only saved time but also allowed me to reduce the cognitive load that comes from preparing for back-to-back meetings. Instead of feeling perpetually “on call,” I’ve regained the ability to focus deeply, to dive into creative or strategic work without worrying about the next ping or a calendar chime interrupting my thought flow.

I’m still not fully async. I’m not sure I’ll ever want to be completely. But I can finally see the value in shifting towards it. It’s a middle ground that feels productive, balanced, and ultimately—sustainable.

Embracing Asynchronous Work

This experience has given me a glimpse into a working culture that values asynchronous communication—where conversations move at a pace that allows for reflection rather than reaction. Asynchronous work has benefits, particularly for distributed teams or anyone working across time zones. Research shows that async work can increase productivity and well-being, as it allows people to focus on tasks without the constant interruption of real-time messaging. According to a study from Buffer, 59% of remote workers prefer asynchronous communication because it gives them greater flexibility and control over their day.

And for me, it’s been an opportunity to think about how to evolve my approach to leadership. I’m used to driving projects with lean and agile frameworks, leveraging stand-ups and constant touchpoints. But now I see that driving a project forward doesn’t always require presence—sometimes, it’s about creating a clear enough path that the work continues to flow, even when you’re not directly pushing it.

The Superhuman Effect

A huge shout-out to Jess at LangChain for including that Superhuman invite link in your emails. It’s been a great ride so far, and I’m excited to see how else I can adapt my working style. The best tools don’t just make work easier—they help you work smarter and rethink old habits.

Inbox zero was never something I expected to achieve, let alone sustain. But now, 14 weeks in, it’s more than just a benchmark—it’s a signal of how much our tools and approaches to communication shape our effectiveness. And it’s reminding me that change, even with something as mundane as email, can lead to unexpected growth.