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.
The Lantern by Mike Vardy Vol. 1, Issue 40 | November 29, 2025 Hello Reader, We like to believe perspective comes with age, but maybe it comes with motion. Not the hurried kind—the tilt. The slow, almost imperceptible shift of looking again. When I watched this 1952 interview with Bertrand Russell, what struck me wasn’t the content of his ideas so much as the steadiness behind them. The man had lived through two world wars, witnessed the dawn of nuclear power, and seen the rise and fall of...
Hello Reader, Black Friday tends to shout. I’d rather give you something simple — something steady and useful — as you move toward (and within) the new year. Here’s what I’m offering: The 12 Days of TimeCrafting — just $12 From December 26th through January 6th, you’ll receive a daily email — each one carrying a new TimeCrafting gift you can use right away or return to whenever you need it. Twelve gifts. Twelve lenses on your time. Twelve small shifts that can compound into something...
Hello Reader, Depending on where you live, today might be a holiday, a regular Thursday, or something in between. But it’s a day that tends to invite a little reflection — so here’s mine. Every so often, someone sends a genuinely kind email about something I’ve written, recorded, or shared. Not a quick comment. Not a reaction. A full email — one of your core communication tools — used to say something thoughtful. Those messages land differently. They feel like someone pausing for a moment,...