Hello Reader,

This issue’s arriving a few days later than planned—and that’s no accident.

My usual rhythm was interrupted. At first, I thought I didn’t have anything to say. Then I realized: I did. I was just saying it elsewhere, dedicating my attention to other places, other people. And today—on a day themed around Connection—I felt the resonance of sending this out now, not waiting.

We often talk about Routine and Ritual, especially in productivity circles. But we rarely give space to a third “R”: Resonance—the permission to act when something feels right, not just when it is scheduled. Resonance is what tells us when to follow the plan… and when to break from it with intention.

Not everything needs to be automatic. Sometimes the most human thing you can do is pause a routine—not abandon it, but disrupt it—to make space for what’s real, not just what’s repeatable.

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Look

In this short TED Talk, Damian Kulash from OK Go walks us through the unexpected journey of how a small musical idea spiraled into an elaborate, internationally filmed project—all built on progress, pivot, and keeping the spark alive. It’s a creative case study in how even a single idea can evolve when routine gives way to curiosity. So when you're wondering if breaking from habit is risky—watch this.

Listen

In this Art of Manliness episode, host Brett McKay talks with Madeleine Dore, author of I Didn’t Do the Thing Today, about the often misguided pursuit of the perfect routine. What emerges is a much-needed reminder that creativity and structure can coexist — but not necessarily in rigid form. Madeleine shares how interviewing creatives revealed that many don’t have fixed routines at all, instead leaning into cycles, seasons, and what she calls “portable routines.” It’s a refreshing listen for anyone whose rhythm has been thrown off lately. Listen here.​

Learn

Sometimes a routine needs to be interrupted. But more often than not, routines give us rhythm—and rhythm brings momentum. In this LinkedIn post, I reflected on a phrase from the Cincinnati Bengals that struck a chord: “Routine becomes rhythm.” It’s a good reminder that when repetition is met with intention, it becomes more than structure—it becomes style.

The Final Flicker

Rituals guide us. Routines support us. But it’s resonance that reminds us why we do any of it. Let that be the reason you press send, press pause, or press on.

See you later,
Mike

P.S. If you want to go deeper into topics like routines, energy, email, prioritization, and to-do lists — I’ve got a full suite of LinkedIn Learning courses that cover all that and more. Each one is short, practical, and designed to help you work with time, not against it. Explore the collection 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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