I’m Mike Vardy, and I help people build a better relationship with time — not by controlling it, but by working with it. Through my writing, courses, and community, I explore how intention and attention shape a more meaningful life — one rooted in the original idea of productiveness over productivity.
It’s January 20. You’re not behind.
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Hello Reader, Every year on January 18, I resurface an old SNL sketch that’s very much not safe for work. The punchline? Everyone has already abandoned their New Year’s resolutions by that date. Darkly funny. Uncomfortably familiar. Yesterday also happened to be Blue Monday—that so-called low point of January where motivation dips and optimism wobbles. You can debate the science (and you probably should), but the feeling? That part’s real enough. So if the year hasn’t gone the way you imagined so far, let’s get one thing straight: You’re not late. As of today (January 20) about 5.5% of the year is behind us. That means 94.5% is still ahead. That’s 345 days. Plenty of runway. Now, here’s the important nuance. Yes, you can start the year you want whenever you want. January 1 isn’t sacred. Neither is Monday. Or the 1st of the month. But starting over every time things wobble? That’s not a reset... it’s a stall. The real work isn’t about perfect beginnings. It’s about continuity. Not restarting the year. Not scrapping the plan. But gently—and deliberately—re-entering the path you meant to be on. So instead of asking, “Should I start again?” Try asking:
You don’t need a clean slate. You need a clear next step. And if today feels heavy, that’s okay. Take the step anyway—but take it kindly. I’m rooting for you—not just on January 1, but on January 20… and January 137… and whenever you decide to keep going. See you later, P.S. If continuing feels easier with others around you, the READY Retreat begins today inside the TimeCrafting Trust. It’s a calm, guided way to reset without starting over—and you can join the community for as little as $14/month. No pressure. Just a place to re-enter with intention. |
The Practice of Productiveness
I’m Mike Vardy, and I help people build a better relationship with time — not by controlling it, but by working with it. Through my writing, courses, and community, I explore how intention and attention shape a more meaningful life — one rooted in the original idea of productiveness over productivity.
Hello Reader, Every weekday morning, I eat oatmeal. Steel-cut oats, cooked in the Instant Pot ahead of time. Nothing fancy. Nothing Instagram-worthy. On a recent call with my mom, I mentioned this in passing. Her response was immediate and unfiltered: “That’s gross.” I laughed. Because... that's fair. Oatmeal isn’t exactly thrilling. And no, it’s not my favourite breakfast either. But that’s kind of the point. Here’s the thing: oatmeal is foundational. It’s the default I don’t have to think...
The Lantern by Mike Vardy Vol. 1, Issue 50 | February 7, 2026 Hello Reader, I rewatched tick, tick… BOOM! on January 26—the day Jonathan Larson’s story begins—and it hit differently this time. Not because of the ambition. Not because of the urgency. But because of how devotion shows up when it’s left unquestioned. Jonathan isn’t lacking focus. He’s drowning in it. His attention is fiercely committed to the work, to the clock, to the idea that this must happen now or it won’t happen at all....
Hello Reader, Over the past little while, something interesting has been happening inside the TimeCrafting Trust community. People have been sharing how they use other productivity methods alongside TimeCrafting—not instead of it. One member mentioned using it in conjunction with the Time Sector System from Carl Pullein. Others have talked about borrowing pieces from systems they’ve trusted for years and letting them live comfortably next to TimeCrafting. That matters to me more than you...