The Lantern is a thoughtfully curated weekly email from Mike Vardy designed to help you craft a better relationship with time. Each edition brings you insights, inspiration, and practical tools through a simple yet powerful framework: Look (a thought-provoking video or visual), Listen (a compelling podcast or audio insight), and Learn (a deep dive into a key concept, article, or book). Designed to inform, inspire, and illuminate, The Lantern helps you navigate time with clarity and intention—without the overwhelm.
You need more of THIS in your "productivity diet"
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Hello Reader, I hope this message finds you well. Today, I want to explore a concept that goes beyond traditional ideas of productivity. It’s about reaching the quintessence in our tasks, projects, and overall approach to being productive. Quintessence, a term rich in history and meaning, originated from the medieval Latin ‘quintessentia’, which itself descends from the Latin ‘quinta essentia’, meaning “fifth essence”. Historically, this concept was pivotal in ancient and medieval philosophy, representing the purest, most essential substance that transcends the four classical elements of air, earth, fire, and water. In modern usage, quintessence refers to the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class. It embodies the utmost purity and concentration of essence in any substance or idea. The evolution and philosophical implications of this term are fascinating. Why Quintessence Matters That's where quintessence comes in. Embracing quintessence in our work is like discovering an essential element in our productivity diet—it enriches and fulfills beyond ordinary measures. I invite you to reflect on this concept of quintessence in your daily routines. Where can you see quintessence in your work? Perhaps it’s in the careful crafting of a client proposal, the innovative approach to a routine task, or the way you structure your day to align with your peak energy levels. So... how do you believe you can elevate your tasks to embody this richer, more fulfilling form of productivity? Feel free to reply to this email and let me know – especially if it will hold you accountable to adding this important element to your "productivity diet." I'd love to hear from you. See you later, P.S. Quintessence not only enhances our productivity but also brings us closer to achieving true quality and fulfillment in everything we do. For more insights on integrating such profound elements into your daily routine, I highly recommend Scott H. Young’s new book, “Get Better at Anything.” It’s packed with strategies to help you elevate your approach to work and life, aligning perfectly with our quest for quintessential productivity. |
The Lantern: A Weekly Guide to Navigating Time with Intention
The Lantern is a thoughtfully curated weekly email from Mike Vardy designed to help you craft a better relationship with time. Each edition brings you insights, inspiration, and practical tools through a simple yet powerful framework: Look (a thought-provoking video or visual), Listen (a compelling podcast or audio insight), and Learn (a deep dive into a key concept, article, or book). Designed to inform, inspire, and illuminate, The Lantern helps you navigate time with clarity and intention—without the overwhelm.
The Lantern by Mike Vardy Vol. 1, Issue 5 | March 29, 2025 Hello Reader, We don’t like stopping. We convince ourselves that rest equals laziness, that pausing means falling behind. But what if stopping was actually a strategy? When was the last time you gave yourself permission to pause? We push through exhaustion. We ignore burnout. We tell ourselves, “Just one more thing,” before allowing a break. But here’s what I’ve learned: Pausing isn’t quitting—it’s recalibrating. The best athletes...
The Lantern by Mike Vardy Vol. 1, Issue 4 | March 22, 2025 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...
The Lantern by Mike Vardy Vol. 1, Issue 3 | March 15, 2025 Hello Reader, Starting something new always feels exciting. A new project. A fresh habit. A commitment to change. You’re energized, focused, and convinced this time will be different. And then? The enthusiasm... fades. This is where most people quit—not because their goal was impossible, but because they expected motivation to carry them the whole way. And when it doesn’t? It feels like failure. But here’s the truth: This moment—right...