Hello Reader, October 30 — sometime known as Devil’s Night. A fitting time to talk about what haunts so many of us: the details. The calendar gives us the directory of our days—where things live.The to-do list gives us the details—what fills them.And that’s where the devil often hides. We stare down a swarm of half-done projects and open loops. Fear sets in—the fear of forgetting, of not finishing, of facing too much at once. But fear fades when we can see clearly. That’s what Attention Paths...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, I have this bright orange coffee mug that says ignore negativity in black script. It holds just enough coffee to get me through the first stretch of writing, but lately, it’s been holding more meaning than caffeine. Because here’s the thing: ignoring negativity only works for so long. Whether it comes from others—or from inside your own head—sooner or later, that voice you’re trying to tune out starts humming in the background, asking to be heard. When I chose The Productivity...
6 days ago • 1 min read
The Lantern by Mike Vardy Vol. 1, Issue 35 | October 25, 2025 Hello Reader, Kenny Loggins sings, “I’m free — heaven helps the man who fights his fear.” It’s a lyric from Footloose (yes, this is a callback to Issue 33) but it could easily be a mantra for anyone standing on the edge of change. We tend to treat fear as the opposite of freedom — something to overcome or eliminate. But fear isn’t a barrier; it’s a mirror. It reflects what matters most. The trick isn’t to silence it but to learn...
9 days ago • 2 min read
The Lantern by Mike Vardy Vol. 1, Issue 34 | October 18, 2025 Hello Reader, Canadian Thanksgiving always comes early — the leaves still turning, the evenings not quite cold enough to demand a coat. By the time Americans celebrate theirs, we’ve already returned to our routines. The pumpkins have softened, the lights of Halloween have dimmed, and November feels like a long exhale before the rush of December. That distance between our two Thanksgivings has always fascinated me. It’s like we...
16 days ago • 2 min read
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...
17 days 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...
19 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...
21 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...
23 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...
25 days ago • 1 min read