Hello Reader,

March is weird.

Not quite winter, not quite spring. Some days, the world feels new and full of possibility. Other days, it’s cold and uninviting. Change is happening, but it’s not immediate—it’s gradual, unpredictable, and sometimes messy.

I remember one year when I was waiting for a big shift in my life. I had put in the work. I knew the transition was coming. But I was stuck in the middle—the limbo where nothing is fully settled yet. That space between the ‘before’ and the ‘after’ is where most people give up.

But here’s what I’ve learned: Change isn’t a switch—it’s a process.

And the in-between? That’s where the real shift happens.

If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or in limbo right now... you’re closer than you think.

Look

Change doesn’t happen all at once—it unfolds in steps, sometimes without us realizing how far we’ve come until we look back. That’s what makes this short film from Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell called The Gap, so compelling. Inspired by Ira Glass’ famous quote about the creative process, it’s a reminder that progress isn’t always obvious in the moment, but if you stick with it, the pieces start to come together.

If you’re feeling stuck in the middle of something—waiting for that shift to finally happen—this might be exactly what you need to see. Watch it here.​

Listen

Transitions don’t just happen on a personal level—they happen in the world around us, too. Systems evolve, old ways give way to new ones, and we often don’t realize we’re in the middle of a shift until we look back.

This episode of Bankless explores the evolution of something people tend to value as much (if not more than) time: Money. The conversation from 5 years ago gets into how we got here, where we might be going, and what it means to be in the middle of a financial transition. Whether you’re deep into economics or just curious about how change unfolds over time, this conversation is worth a listen. Listen here.​

Learn

​I’ve written before about my reverence for Groundhog Day—not just as a film, but as a concept. The day itself is a reminder that we can reset, recalibrate, and make small adjustments that, over time, lead to something bigger.

This piece takes that idea further, breaking down the lessons from Groundhog Day and how they apply to breaking out of cycles, building consistency, and making real progress. Read it here.​

The Final Flicker

Change rarely happens in an instant. More often, it arrives in whispers—a subtle shift in routine, a quiet nudge toward something new.

But because it doesn’t happen all at once, it’s easy to overlook. To dismiss it. To think: Nothing’s really happening.

So before you move on to whatever’s next, take a moment. What’s already changing around you? Within you? What if you noticed it instead of waiting for a bigger sign?

See you later,
Mike

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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