Hello Reader,

We talk a lot about hard work. And smart work. And sometimes even deep work. But there’s another kind of work that often gets overlooked—maybe because it doesn’t look like work at all.

It’s the kind of work you do not because you have to, but because you want to. The kind that lights you up instead of wearing you down. It might be writing a line you don’t plan to publish. Or mapping out a new system not because it’s broken, but because you're curious what else it could become. It might even be taking a walk while turning an idea over in your head without pressure to capture it.

That’s joyworking.

It’s the theme I’ve chosen for July—my birthday month. A time when I don’t want to push but to play. Not to produce, but to explore. Not to ship, but to shape.

Joyworking doesn’t mean you're being frivolous. It means you're tuning into what matters most—to you. It’s a form of productiveness that prioritizes presence over pressure, and wonder over worry.

And if the word “working” rubs you the wrong way—don’t let it. Just focus on the first three letters: Joy.

That’s the point. That’s the path. That’s enough.

So in July, I won’t be launching anything. I’ll be learning things. I’ll be playing with ideas. I’ll be spending more time away from the checklist and closer to the kinds of things that don’t always show up on one—but still move everything forward.

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Look

In this clip, Matthew McConaughey walks through how he builds his to-do list—and more importantly, how much he genuinely enjoys it. You can feel the satisfaction he gets from mapping out his days, almost like he’s savouring the act itself. That’s the essence of joyworking: doing something productive not just because you have to, but because it gives you a charge.

He shares advice on how to balance direction and flexibility, while reminding us that the list isn’t the point—it’s what you bring to it. Watch the video here.​

Listen

What if the key to lasting behavior change isn’t discipline—but joy? In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with behavior change expert Michelle Segar to explore the science behind sustainable habits. We dive into her book, The Joy Choice, and discuss how flexible, feel-good decisions—like her P.O.P. method—can lead to lasting motivation and real results.

If you’ve struggled to make new habits stick, or want to find more joy in the ones you already have, this one’s for you. Listen here.​

Learn

Maria Popova’s essay on joy traces it beyond pleasure or fleeting happiness. She invites us to see joy as an act of resistance—an alertness to beauty, connection, and meaning even when life gets difficult. In the context of work, this kind of joy doesn’t just lighten the load—it shapes the way we carry it.

This piece offers a deeply moving argument for choosing joy not as an escape, but as a practice. Read it here.​

The Final Flicker

What would your work look like if it came from joy, not pressure?

What might emerge if your effort wasn't urgent—but inviting?

This July, I invite you to ask those questions—and let the answers drift in gently. Maybe during a walk. Maybe over a second cup of coffee. Maybe on a page that never needs to be shared.

Joy doesn’t have to be loud. Sometimes... it whispers.

See you later,
Mike

P.S. If the idea of joyworking resonates with you, The Productivity Diet digs even deeper into how to align your energy, attention, and actions with what truly matters. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing what feels right, sustainably. You can get your copy here.​

Thanks for reading. Your time is valuable, and I don’t take it for granted. In a world pulling us in all directions, thanks for choosing The Lantern.

Productivityist Productivity Services Inc. | 1411 Haultain Street, Victoria, BC V8R 2J6
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