UPDATED JULY 22, 2024
I created this page to help me allocate the right amount of time and energy to what I need and want to do. I will update this page regularly as I fine-tune its mandate. I’m striving for better harmony in my life and taking on too much puts the focus I need to work on the above in jeopardy.
I’m also focused on deep work (as described by my friend Cal Newport) going forward, which lines up well with my personal productivity philosophy. I’ll be writing more about this in my weekly ATTN: email. (You can also check out some of my writing over at Medium.)
MY DAILY THEMES
Here are my Daily Themes. Every day has one so that it triggers my overarching focus for that particular day of the week. My Daily Themes are defined as follows (with my week starting on Sunday), with dates established for those themes in parentheses:
- SUNDAY: Planning/Family Day (April 2020)
- MONDAY: Administrative Day (July 2024)
- TUESDAY: Membership Day (July 2024)
- WEDNESDAY: Podcast Day (July 2024)
- THURSDAY: Maintenance Day (July 2024)
- FRIDAY: THEMELESS (December 2021)
- SATURDAY: Family/Planning Day (April 2020)
(Note: Giving a day a theme doesn’t mean I only do things related to that theme on that day, but those activities/types of work receive my overarching focus.)
MY MONTHLY THEME
My Monthly Themes act in the same manner as my Daily Themes. Some months I’ll have what I call a “hybrid” Monthly Theme, named as such because the theme will apply to both my personal and professional life.
July 2024 is one of the months where I don’t use a personal or professional Monthly Theme. The summertime in the Vardy household is more dynamic than usual in July and August so I prefer to focus my efforts on Daily Themes and Weekly Themes (as needed) in July. I will, however, theme August with a focus on Planning. Some of that theme does bleed into July, but it isn’t an overarching focus so I keep July fairly flexible.
MY ANNUAL AXIOM FOR 2024
After using Chris Brogan’s “3 Words” approach to the new year for the past several years, I’m shifting to something I’ve developed for TimeCrafting: The Annual Axiom.
Essentially, it’s a phrase or mantra that represents my aim in all facets of my life for the next twelve months. I liken to what sports teams use in their locker rooms every season to help them strive to be the best they can be, game in and game out.
My Annual Axiom for 2024 is as follows: Reason my path. Refine my pursuits. Respond with purpose. “Reason my path” means making mindful decisions about the direction I take. “Refine my pursuits” is about honing in on what truly matters and enhancing my efforts. “Respond with purpose” encourages intentional and meaningful responses to life’s challenges and opportunities. You can learn more about the Annual Axiom process in my upcoming book, The Productivity Diet (September 2024).
PODCAST INTERVIEWS
I have episodes booked through to April 2025 for A Productive Conversation with Mike Vardy and I will not be conducting further interviews for the show until February 2025. If you are looking to be on the podcast, please know that even if you are interviewed in the later part of 2024 that your episode won’t likely air until Spring 2025 or later.
OTHER POINTS OF NOTE
I am not currently reviewing any products (apps, books, etc.) other than those I’ve already committed to reviewing.
SPEAKING
I am always willing to look at in-person and virtual speaking engagements – both keynote talks and workshops. Check out my speaking page to learn more.
This page was inspired by Derek Sivers.