When you start to practice valuing your time more intentionally, something remarkable begins to happen. It happens in the space between daydreaming about what you wish you were doing and actually doing it. That heaviness we all feel at some point, that feeling that time is somehow passing us by … that feeling begins to fade. As this unease is lifted, it gets replaced with something much better: an empowering feeling that we’re more in control of our story than we once led ourselves to believe.
For most of us, every day we’re upright, there are a handful of decisions that can tilt us toward routine or toward opportunity. When we’re a slave to our habits, many of those chances for microjoys slip away unnoticed. But if you’re a veteran reader of this newsletter, it should come as no surprise that those who mindfully look for ways to make their day enjoyable are the people who report having the most fun.
This isn’t about chasing a “better” way of going about your day. It’s about recognizing that memorable days often begin the same as forgettable ones. The only difference is that we show up a bit differently. We show up with intention. We say yes to life’s little invitations. We consider the consequences of trade-offs when we say no (or yes) to things.
To be clear, I’m not saying it’s easy.
In 2025, I’ve decided to throw my hat back into the entrepreneurial ring. This means lately my mind is often preoccupied with all the things I need to do to get my new business off the ground. But when I see a moment for fun with the kids I can’t get back, or have a chance to see a comedian who’s coming to town that I know my wife and I will enjoy, I rarely flinch. That’s because these things light me up. They might not be your thing, but undoubtedly, there are things you should be doing more of that you’re probably not.
So here’s a small, practical experiment from one of this quarter’s interviewees, Chris Guillebeau: Ask yourself tonight, “What was special about today?”
Don’t overthink it. Just identify one thing. And if nothing comes to mind? That’s your cue for tomorrow to approach things a little differently.
The goal here isn’t more pressure. It’s about presence. When you start showing up for what was always there in the first place, somehow, life tends to feed you more of the good stuff.
Leading thought: Chris offers a powerful reframe for anyone feeling overwhelmed by modern life: it’s not about having perfect systems or getting everything done. It’s about reclaiming choice. In our conversation, he explores why letting go, doing less, and even unfinishing can open the door to feeling more comfortable with time.
Action to take: Ask yourself: What am I still doing out of habit, not intention? Let one low-stakes obligation go this week, whether that’s finishing a book you’re not enjoying or a routine that’s no longer serving you. Then, replace the time saved with something more fun.
Want more? Click here to read my discussion with Chris Guillebeau.
Leading thought: Jay believes most people don’t suffer from a lack of ambition, but from a lack of alignment. In our conversation, he explains how breaking big goals into small, actionable steps and regularly revisiting them builds confidence, clarity, and long-term momentum. He also shares the rituals he uses to keep his life and work anchored in purpose.
Action to take: Schedule a 30-minute check-in with your future. Ask: Does my calendar reflect what I say matters most? If not, block time this week for something that does, and notice how it feel
Want more? Click here to read my discussion with Jay Papasan.
This summer, thanks to the kindness of Joey and Nina at Woozy Fishing (who you might remember from The Fun Habit), this quarter’s life experience came from finally taking my son fishing.
I’m a little embarrassed to admit (especially given all I preach) that the idea for this trip had been sitting on the shelf for far too long. It’s so easy to confuse intention with action sometimes. There’s a small lift we get in planning something, but the true magic is in the doing. However, when the plan finally becomes a memory, though, it’s the best kind of payoff. Watching my son catch his first bass this summer was one of those moments.
Takeaway: A great way to increase the opportunity for making memories is to decrease the time between intention and action.
Because Joey and Nina did so much of the heavy lifting to make it happen, I was reminded that some of the most meaningful scenes in our lives don’t ask for much. They just ask us to show up.
I continue to support various causes through quarterly contribution. I have moved the tracking of that effort to this online scorecard.
In many ways, this newsletter has always been about noticing what lights us up and finding small, consistent ways to protect those sparks. That’s still the work I care most about.
Professionally, alongside continuing to share the lessons from The Fun Habit, I’ve quietly started a new chapter with a consultancy called Upcraft Labs. It’s early days, but the focus is on helping creators, founders, and teams launch new ideas or improve existing workflows. It feels like a natural extension of everything I’ve been up to until this point, just with a slightly different slant.
As always, thanks for reading. I’m truly grateful you’re on this journey with me, whether you’ve been here a while or just found your way in.
Warmly,
Mike Rucker, Ph.D.
P.S. As of this send, Amazon has the hardcover of The Fun Habit at the lowest price I’ve ever seen. No idea how long that will last, but if you’ve been meaning to grab a copy (or gift one), now’s a great time to do that by clicking here.