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, If you've been reading The Lantern for a while, you've noticed I end every newsletter the same way: See you later. It's not accidental. It's not a placeholder. It's deliberate. Three days ago, I finished recording a livestream that will serve as a solo episode of the podcast. Just me and those watching, thinking out loud about intentional productivity. And as I was scripting the scaffolding of it, I realized I needed a closing line that would work across everything I do....
The Lantern by Mike Vardy Vol. 2, Issue 8 | April 18, 2026 Hello Reader, I've been running workshops that offer up "quick wins" lately — for my TimeCrafting Trust community and for an organization I've been working with. The premise is simple: when time is short and the pressure is on, what do you actually do first? People come in thinking the answer is prioritization. Or focus. Or some system they haven't tried yet. And those things matter. But there's something that comes before all of...
Hello Reader, Episode 650 of A Productive Conversation dropped during the last week of March — and while that number means a lot to me, it's actually a little misleading. Because 650 is just this show. Before A Productive Conversation (formerly known as The Productivityist Podcast), there was Mikes on Mics. And WorkAwesome. And more within this space... and some well outside of it. Add it all up and I've hosted well over a thousand podcast episodes across more than a decade — and somewhere...