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.
What's Your Procrastination Persona?
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Hello Reader, Did you know that we’re smack dab in the middle of National Procrastination Week as I send you this? Indeed, this week serves as a timely reminder that none of us are immune to the allure of procrastination. Interestingly, the term ‘procrastination’ originates from the Latin ‘procrastinare’, which literally means ‘to defer until tomorrow’. Historically, this wasn’t always seen in a negative light; it was simply part of planning and prudent delay. However, over time, the concept of procrastination changed. Maybe ‘tomorrow’ became too vague, too undefined, leading procrastination to morph into the often negative connotation it holds today? No one really knows how this shift in procrastination’s reputation happened. But it’s crucial to remember, not all procrastination is detrimental. In fact, understanding your unique approach to procrastination can unveil powerful insights into how you work best. This is why I’ve crafted a short quiz to help you discover "Your Procrastination Persona." It’s free, quick, and not only illuminates your procrastination style but also offers a fun peek into your productivity character. As we make our way through a week that explores procrastination further, here’s to embracing and understanding our procrastination – turning what may seem like a flaw into our superpower. See you later, P.S. Listen to Nir Eyal's insights into the misunderstood world of distractions complement our exploration of procrastination on this recent episode of A Productive Conversation. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, my YouTube channel, or visit the episode page 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.
Hello Reader, Yesterday in the Grand Connection’s Grand Productivity Group I shared three free tools that can help you work with more intention — not by adding pressure, but by giving your thoughts, your focus, and your habits a clearer place to land. I wanted to pass my choices along to you as well, because each one serves a different layer of how we relate to our time. No overlap. No noise. Just three calm companions you can try without spending a cent. Here they are. Amplenote: For...
Hello Reader, I’ve been thinking about John Lennon again — not the icon, but the man who kept reminding us that time isn’t something you conquer. It’s something you learn to move with. There’s the line everyone knows: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Quoted to death, sure, but only because it keeps proving itself right. Lennon wasn’t warning us; he was inviting us to loosen our grip. But the line that hits me most now is this one: “Time you enjoy wasting was...
The Lantern by Mike Vardy Vol. 1, Issue 41 | December 6, 2025 Hello Reader, You may be familiar with the phrase “it is what it is.” A shrug dressed up as wisdom. A way of stepping back when life doesn’t bend. But there’s another line — harder, steadier — that Robert De Niro delivers in The Deer Hunter. Holding up a single rifle round, he says:“This is this.” Not resignation. Recognition. Where “it is what it is” lets you drift away from the moment, “this is this” places you squarely inside...