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.
This is the habit that helps other habits out
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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 name-dropping more often than you’d like, or reaching for that sugary snack when stress levels rise. Similarly, we also possess beneficial habits we might undervalue - that quick, daily meditation session in the morning, the routine of tidying up your workspace at the end of the day, or reading a few pages of a book before sleep. Journaling, in its essence, holds up a mirror to these patterns. It is the habit that allows you to track other habits. It helps you celebrate the ones you want to nurture, like regular exercise or mindful eating, and confront those you wish to break, like procrastination or mindless social media scrolling. This act of recording and reflecting has the power to expose our unnoticed habits, bring clarity, and accelerate our personal growth. The beauty of journaling is in its recursive nature; it’s a habit that essentially tracks itself. See you later, P.S. Tomorrow (Thursday, October 16th), Module 3 of TimeCrafting and ADHD — Start with a Start Date — unlocks inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. It’s designed for anyone who wants to work with their time, not against it. Much like journaling, shifting your focus from deadlines and due dates to start dates can be a powerful way to create momentum — especially when consistency feels hard to hold. You can access this course and more as a member for as little as $14/month. Just start here. |
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.
The Lantern by Mike Vardy Vol. II, Issue 3 | March 14, 2026 Hello Reader, For years we’ve been told the same story about technology: Each new tool promises the same thing: This will save you time. Email was supposed to do it. Smartphones were supposed to do it. Productivity apps were supposed to do it. Now the promise belongs to AI. But a recent study from researchers at UC Berkeley Haas found something curious after observing a technology company for eight months: Generative AI wasn’t...
Hello Reader, When a company like Bending Spoons acquires another platform, something interesting happens. People start asking the same question: Is this still the tool I want to rely on? Sometimes the product improves, the direction shifts, or it slowly becomes something else entirely. That’s the nature of software. Tools change. Owners change. Pricing changes. Priorities change. Which is why it’s worth remembering something simple: The real system isn’t the app. It’s you. Apps are...
The Lantern by Mike Vardy Vol. II, Issue 2 | March 7, 2026 Hello Reader, Have you heard this line before? “Pressure makes diamonds.” It’s a line that can be heard everywhere. Locker rooms, keynote stages, motivational posts meant to remind us that hardship produces greatness. Except there’s one problem: Coal doesn’t become diamonds. Diamonds form deep in the Earth’s mantle, from pure carbon under extraordinary heat and pressure. Coal forms much closer to the surface from compressed plant...