Turning down the noise

A note on the future of Rethink

Dear Rethinkers,

Over the years, I’ve realised that doing meaningful work is about being very intentional and disciplined in what you choose to do. This requires reducing noise, making choices and stopping doing things just because they’re easy or available to you.

At the start of August, I always take stock of what I’m choosing to do. What’s come up — and it’s honestly been bothering me for a while now — is that I've fallen into the trap of feeding the online content machine, particularly on Substack. I don’t know about you, but I feel like there is just way too much noise (and so many Notes about hitting Substack goals. What is with that?).

Going back to the clear purpose

I started the Rethink newsletter five years ago with a simple concept and purpose. To create the space for people to slow down just a little, and rethink one concept, once a month. I gave a lot of thought to what that concept was, why it was relevant to readers and how I could reframe assumptions. It took time and deep research/thinking. I loved how it stretched me (and readers) into unexpected places and down rabbit holes of knowledge.

The wonderful community of Rethinkers has continued to grow over the years (thank you) and with that growth, I’ve felt the need/pressure to create more content. I have no idea why we correlate growth and productivity with doing more. It’s just hard to resist when a platform launches features like “Lives” and “Notes” to not jump in, even if it’s not quite for you (or your community). Right?

But the noise. The noise. It’s not a good thing when you receive so many newsletters that you stop reading most of them. When I see them just sitting in my inbox, I think of all that time and energy people pour into their writing and communities, wasting away. I really don’t want Rethink to be one of those newsletters. I don’t want to add to your noise — I want to help you create mental space for thinking differently. For making complex things clear. For joining the dots across disciplines.

So, I’m going back to Rethink’s simple promise: one important concept reframed each month with one thoughtful question to prompt a discussion and your own rethinking.

I’m also simplifying the damn paywall. The newsletter will be free to all readers, but my valued paid subscribers who make this work possible (Well-researched writing shouldn’t be free so thank you, thank you!) will be the only ones to have access to the archive of over 180 newsletters. You can upgrade here for this exclusive library benefit.

I want Rethink to always be a welcome sight in your inbox. Not just another thing.

Here’s to reducing noise and thinking more clearly. You’ll see the next Rethink in your inbox on September 15th and I hope you’re happy to see it there!

Warmly,