Hello Reader, I’ve noticed something lately: the more tools I have to see the big picture, the less clear that picture becomes. I’ve got systems that map projects, tasks, themes, priorities—all the things. But there’s a point where visibility becomes noise: you see too much, and nothing stands out. That tension is exactly why I built TimeCrafting — to narrow the field, to choose themes, to define pathways of attention. Time theming, attention paths, and even the Spheres of Attention aren’t...
1 day ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, When it comes to habits, there’s one in particular that’s akin to a master key. A habit that not only enhances our life but also shines a light on our other habits, providing a deeper understanding of our actions and behaviours. That habit is journaling. Let’s face it... we all have small, nagging habits that we often overlook. Perhaps you’re prone to obsessing over trivial errors, falling into the trap of perfectionism at the expense of productivity. Or maybe you find yourself...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Today is Thanksgiving here in Canada, a holiday that reminds us of the importance of gratitude. Not just in thought, but in practice. That’s why I wanted to share a book with you: Gratitude Tiger by Joel Zuckerman. It’s a book about a simple but profound idea—writing Letters of Gratitude. These aren’t your typical thank-you notes. They’re deeper, more personal acknowledgments of the people who’ve made an impact on your life. One of my favourite lines from the book is: “A Letter...
6 days ago • 1 min read
The Lantern by Mike Vardy Vol. 1, Issue 33 | October 11, 2025 Hello Reader, During a recent re-watch of the 1984 film Footloose, something Reverend Moore said about his daughter grabbed my attention. While having a conversation with his wife, he declared that his daughter had become “willful and obstinate.” He said it like a curse — as if conviction were rebellion. That moment always stood out to me. Maybe because I’ve heard those same words used to describe anyone who dares to hold their...
8 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, We hear it all the time: “I’m just hustling hard right now.” Hustle has become a badge of honour — a signal that you’re making moves, pushing through, getting it done. But at what cost? What if hustle isn’t a measure of progress, but a mask for something else? In past seasons of my work, I’ve explored that question beneath the surface, recognizing how hustle often masks something deeper. Hustle can feel productive because it’s active. It’s motion. It’s doing. But not all motion...
10 days ago • 1 min read
The Lantern by Mike Vardy Vol. 1, Issue 32 | October 4, 2025 Hello Reader, This week I took my son to his first concert: Laufey in Vancouver. Her latest album, A Matter of Time, feels like a meditation on growth — on learning to live with and within time rather than trying to outrun it. Each song moves with ease, both delicate and deliberate. But it was the last song she performed — Letter to My 13 Year Old Self, from her previous album Bewitched — that quietly unraveled me. It’s a song...
15 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, October is ADHD Awareness Month. And since attention is such a central part of that conversation, I wanted to take a moment before the month gets into full swing to tap into yours. Firstly, the last week's edition of The Lantern was missing its LOOK, LISTEN, and LEARN section. I’ve fixed that and you can read it in full here. But I also want to share something deeper—because attention is both fragile and powerful. In The Productivity Diet I introduced the Spheres of...
16 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Michael St. Pierre recently shared this about The Productivity Diet: “It’s rare to find a book on productivity that feels somehow new and accessible to just about everyone.” That phrase—feels new—really stuck with me. Because what feels new isn’t always something that is new. The Stoics proved this thousands of years ago. Their ideas endure because they find fresh resonance in every era. Arnold Bennett’s How to Live on 24 Hours a Day was first published in 1910, and it still...
20 days ago • 1 min read
The Lantern by Mike Vardy Vol. 1, Issue 31 | September 27, 2025 Hello Reader, A friend of mine was feeling the weight of work recently. They’re a musician, so when I searched for words of comfort, I found myself speaking in their language. What came out was simple: “There’s a song in your struggles.” It wasn’t advice, exactly. It was a reminder. Musicians know that tension is part of the score — dissonance comes before resolution. Without it, music loses its depth. And the same is true for...
22 days ago • 2 min read