This issue (albeit a month late to launch) marks the official shift to exploring time affluence—your ability to spend your time on what matters most. In the spirit of this new direction, I’ve tightened up the format to respect your time, while still using this outlet to share what I’m learning each quarter.
So, what stays the same?
The commitment I made seventeen years ago (yikes!) hasn’t changed: Every quarter, I conduct two expert interviews, log at least one life experience, and engage in acts of contribution that add up to a year’s worth of work (though reporting on those last two will now take a quieter role).
So, what’s new?
More utility. Less fluff. Ideas you can actually use.
Let’s get into it.
Leading thought: Sahil challenges the trap of chasing ever-shifting success metrics. In our conversation, he explains how our definition of “enough” often drifts—and why anchoring to how you want to live is more reliable than aiming for financial targets or status markers.
Action to take: Sketch out what a “rich” life looks like on your terms: Where are you living? Who are you with? How are you spending your time?
Want more? Click here to read my discussion with Sahil Bloom.
Leading thought: Shawn sees “margin”—not busyness—as the real sign of a healthy, successful life. He defines margin as breathing room across time, money, and mental energy. Without it, you’re one surprise away from burnout. With it, you gain the clarity to focus on what truly matters.
Action to take: Audit your obligations. What can you defer, delegate, and delete to create more margin in your days? Start with one thing this week and see how it feels.
Want more? Click here to read my discussion with Shawn Blanc.
Yay! (I exclaim in a comedic sarcastic tone.) In between trying to tame my self-narrative and IVIg infusions, I do try to do some cool $h!t (aka life experience) and give away time and money to worthy causes (aka contribution).
In the near future, I may more casually document the final eight years of life experience exclusively on Instagram. (To be clear, I mean the final eight years of this project—definitely not trying to be mortally prophetic. 🤣) For now, I’ll keep the life experience quarterly check-in here.
This quarter, I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural NeuroDiversion 2025 conference in Austin, TX.
Attending gave me the chance to hang out with old and new friends—my people—the ones who think, plan, and act a bit differently. Despite a terrible experience at the Comedy Mothership while in Austin, the rest of the trip was a blast. It’s pretty much impossible not to have fun when you’re hanging out with Gary Ware. It was also great to reconnect with Angela Belford and Sami Kinnison (the hosts of the Be Freaking Awesome podcast), along with so many other amazing folks from the creator community. I can’t wait to go back next year!
Contribution going forward will be documented on this scorecard. Regarding both life experience and contribution, I am so, so grateful to have had the privilege to share and stay accountable with you all over the past 17 years. But my priorities have shifted a bit since launching The Fun Habit, and in this moment, I feel that continuing to make half the newsletter about me feeds The Nothing.
Honestly, I’m really more interested in what you have going on. If you feel inclined, please hit reply and let me know. If you have thoughts about the new format or direction, I’d love to hear those too.
‘Til next quarter,
Mike Rucker, Ph.D.