Happy New Year!
One of the benefits of going into a new year is the temporal cue to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Over the past 15 years, this project has explored what it means to live a healthy, wise, and fulfilling life. Along the way, we’ve delved into innovative ways to support well-being, the good and bad of positive psychology, and the art and science of having fun.
Moving forward, I’m inviting you to embark on one last journey with me—one that centers on the ultimate form of wealth: time affluence.
The Hidden Currency of Time
If health is the foundation of a good life and wisdom lights the way, then time is the precious currency that allows us to put these into practice. Yet, hearing from so many of you, it is clear that feeling time-poor is a primary roadblock to living a healthy life, let alone finding joy.
Too many of us (myself included) seem to be caught up in a cycle of busyness that leaves little room for what truly matters. As you may recall from The Fun Habit, research shows that the perception of having control over your time—time affluence—is a powerful predictor of health and happiness. (Even more so, surprisingly, than many measures of financial wealth.)
Reclaiming Our Time
Seeing that lack of time is the bottleneck that keeps so many of us from reaching what we would like to achieve, I’m shifting the remaining effort of this project to helping us obtain this form of precious wealth.
Cathy Heller is a bestselling author, speaker, and host of The Cathy Heller Podcast. Her work inspires people to create lives of fulfillment and abundance. In our interview, Cathy shares how redefining abundance as a state of being, rather than material success, can transform our daily lives. Click here to read the full interview with Cathy Heller to gain inspiration and actionable ideas.
Dr. Monica Rysavy is the former COO of Forte Labs and the creator of Systematic You. Her work bridges education, productivity, and operations to help people reclaim their time and mental energy. In our interview, Monica shares how well-designed systems can unlock creativity and joy. Click here to read the full interview with Monica Rysavy and see her actionable insights and approach to system design.
For life experience this quarter, we traveled to Italy for the holidays. Italians have such a welcoming culture, and Rome, in particular, is an amazing, inviting city. Of course, no trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Colosseum.
Contribution continues to come in the form of donating my time to the ongoing work I am doing for Grapevine, as well as donations to the Greensboro Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities, The Luke 2 Foundation, Health for the Hidden, as well as 2024 political donations and donations to support 2024 hurricane relief efforts.
I find synchronicity to be a wonderous thing. Exploring time affluence was originally just a loose intention, but both interviews this quarter provided the type of insights I’ve been seeking. Cathy’s answer to question four is especially powerful, and Monica’s entire philosophy on systems supports the idea of creating space by working smarter, not harder.
As this new chapter begins, I’d love to know: What would having more time mean to you? Is it the luxury of renewal, the freedom to create, the opportunity to share more healthy space with friends and family, or perhaps something entirely different?
I hope our ongoing conversations will spark new ideas and reflections—maybe even reveal what time well spent looks like in your life. If I learned one thing from The Fun Habit experience, it is that too many of us feel life is passing us by.
Here’s to embracing the new year ahead with curiosity, intention, and an open mind and heart. I wish you and your loved ones a 2025 in which your time feels not just plentiful, but also profoundly meaningful.
Warmest regards,
Mike Rucker, Ph.D.
