Hello Reader,

Walking home from a Victoria Royals' WHL playoff win last week, my son looked up at me and asked, “Were you ever scared to do what you do now?”

I didn’t hesitate. “Yeah,” I said. “I still am.”

Fear’s played a role in everything I’ve done—even the things I’m proud of. And for a long time, I let it keep me stuck. From the outside, things looked fine. I was showing up, getting things done, moving forward.

But fear has a way of hiding in plain sight.

There’s a Green Lantern story I think about often—where Hal Jordan, the most willful of them all, falls to fear and becomes Parallax. From a distance, he still looked like a hero. He still wore green. But if you got close, you could tell something was off. He wasn’t driven by will anymore—he was being pulled by fear.

That story hits different when you realize how easy it is to wear the same colors and still be lost inside.

I don’t want to model that for my son. I want him to know that fear doesn’t disqualify you. It’s part of the deal. What matters is whether you name it—and keep going anyway.

Look

This short film pulls no punches—visually or emotionally. The Gap by Ira Glass has made the rounds in creative circles for years, but this adaptation by Daniel Sax puts fear front and center. The fear of starting. The fear of not being good enough. The fear that your taste will forever outpace your talent.

It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s definitely NSFW due to language. But if fear has ever stopped you in your tracks—or made you second-guess what you’re building—this is worth your time. Watch it here.​

Listen

Fear isn’t just something we feel—it’s something we carry. And sometimes, the way we carry it has less to do with the moment... and more to do with what we’ve learned to fear over time.

This episode of Hidden Brain explores how fear shapes us, how it shows up in our bodies and decisions, and—most importantly—how we can train ourselves to respond differently. You won’t eliminate fear. But you can change your relationship with it. Listen here.​

Learn

This isn’t just a movie prop. It’s a raw, full-length manifesto—the one Jerry Maguire writes in a sleepless, fearful burst of clarity.

It’s bold, messy, and honest. And when Cameron Crowe released the full text online, it instantly became more than fiction—it became something you could actually learn from. Because it’s not just about sports agents. It’s about what happens when fear meets truth... and you decide to write anyway. Read it here.​

The Final Flicker

Fear isn’t failure—it’s a signal. One that reminds you you’re about to do something that matters. Let it inform you. Just don’t let it stop you.

Even the strongest will can be shaken by fear. What matters isn’t hiding it—it’s recognizing it, admitting it, and choosing to move anyway. Especially if someone else is watching... and learning from how you show up.

See you later,
Mike

P.S. The Spring 2025 cohort of Maximize Your Minutes starts in just two days. If fear’s been keeping you stuck—afraid to commit, unsure of where to begin—this is your chance to break through. It’s not about getting everything perfect. It’s about choosing to move anyway. Join us and see what shifts when you stop waiting for the fear to disappear.

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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