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.
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 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, We’re about to step into that strange pocket of the year—the final non-holiday week of 2025. The one that looks tidy on the calendar but rarely behaves. It’s a week that tends to ask more of us than it has any right to: wrapping up projects, closing loops, tying bows, attending gatherings, showing up for others, showing up for ourselves, and preparing for the holidays… all at once. It’s the week where the world turns inhuman—deadlines tighten, calendars crowd, and expectations...
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...