A book by Mike Vardy
The Productivity
Diet
A practical guide to nurturing your productive potential — because more isn’t always better. Sometimes, it’s worse.
“If the early 2000s was the Age of Productivity, we’re now in the Age of Meta-Productivity, and it’s thinkers like Mike Vardy that will help lead us into this absolutely necessary new stage in the evolution of knowledge work and our quest to live better lives.”
Cal Newport · Author of Deep Work
The Book
Get your copy
Available in eBook and paperback, wherever you like to buy your books.
eBook
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The Idea
Most productivity advice puts you on someone else’s diet.
In The Productivity Diet, I challenge the traditional “more is better” mindset and offer a sustainable approach to productivity — one that prioritizes effectiveness over efficiency and quality over quantity.
This book isn’t about squeezing more tasks into your day. It’s about crafting a relationship with time that aligns with your energy, priorities, and goals — so you can work with time, not against it.
More than just another book on productivity, The Productivity Diet is a guide to reclaiming your time — helping you craft a system that works for you, instead of forcing yourself into one that doesn’t.
Inside the Book
Three parts. One sustainable system.
Part I
The Foundations of Productivity
Explore why conventional productivity advice often fails and discover a balanced approach that integrates intention, attention, and reflection.
- 1Understanding ProductivityBeyond time management
- 2The Pitfalls of AbsolutesWhy one-size-fits-all doesn’t work
- 3Striking a BalanceThe quantitative and qualitative sides of productivity
Part II
The Ingredients of the Productivity Diet
Learn how to apply TimeCrafting principles — including Time Theming, Attention Paths, and Reflective Practice — to structure your days in a way that fosters focus and flexibility.
- 4Time ThemingStructuring your days for optimal productivity
- 5Attention PathsNurturing intentionality in your tasks
- 6Reflective PracticeThe art of responsiveness and reflection
Part III
Making It Sustainable
Build a personalized system that evolves with you — with practical tools to integrate these concepts into daily life, ensuring your productivity is both effective and enduring.
- 7Putting Your Productivity Diet into ActionFrom theory to practice
- 8Bringing It All TogetherBuilding your Productivity Diet
- 9The Long GameSustaining productivity without burning out
- 10Personalizing Your Productivity DietMaking productivity personal
Every concept comes with practical recipes — brief, actionable exercises you can try right away, collected in the appendices like recipes in a cookbook: easy to follow, immediately useful, and adaptable to your tastes.
What Readers Are Saying
Reviews from readers
★★★★★
Tired of the “hustle” bros? This book’s for you!
“If you’re tired of productivity advice that just pushes the hustle and checklists, this one offers a grounded, thoughtful alternative. Highly recommend for anyone looking to feel more in control of their time without burning out.”
Amazon review · Verified purchase
★★★★★
Years of wisdom, channeled
“Mike has been talking with hyper-productive personalities for so long, it’s a gift from him to us to have all those years of wisdom channeled into this book.”
William B. Harding · Amazon review
★★★★★
A refreshing approach
“This is a more modern outlook on how to remain balanced while getting the right things done with high quality. Moving from efficiency to effectiveness, while avoiding burnout.”
Dave · Amazon review
★★★★★
Best diet ever
“If you are serious about starting YOUR journey to craft your time YOUR way (what fits your life). This is the book! This Diet works.”
Gloria-Jean Brown · Amazon review · Verified purchase
★★★★★
Read this one first
“Do NOT read any other productivity books until you read The Productivity Diet. Until you understand your relationship with time, you’re wasting it trying to find the perfect system.”
Don · Goodreads review
From the podcast circuit
“If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by productivity advice—or burned out trying to do it all—Mike’s approach offers a refreshing, sustainable alternative.”
Beyond the To-Do List podcast
Keep Reading
The how-to has a why-to.
The Productivity Diet is the how-to book — the ingredients, the recipes, the system. Productiveness is the why-to: the follow-up that goes deeper than doing, to the person doing the producing.
Stop doing productive. Start being productive.
Beyond the Book
Keep crafting your relationship with time
Every week I share productivity insights, practical tips, and thoughtful perspectives in my newsletter, The Lantern — designed to illuminate your path toward intentional living and impactful work.