Nobody Reads Long Emails – An ADHDer’s Plea

By Gonia Miksch

war and peace

 

 

Dear Neurotypicals

 

I know you like to write long emails. To make sure you cover all angles, perhaps.

 

Harsh truth is — nobody reads them. Not even you. Least of all people with ADHD, where focus is at a premium.

 

If you don’t get to the point in the first five seconds — that’s it. You’ve lost us.

 

A while back, I attended an FTL event on communication. The thing that stuck with me most was this: you can write a haiku about anything, and the point will still come across clearly. Try it.

 

First, write that long email. Don’t leave anything out. Include how you feel, include the weather, include a description of your favourite pen — go all in.
(Don’t send it!)

 

Now, turn it into a haiku. 5–7–5 syllables. For example:

 

Blog post was written
Write haiku, not long emails. 
Black pen is the best

 

How clear was that? You know what you need to know, I’ve said what I needed to say — and we both saved a lot of time.

 

Yours, in brevity

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