On Fire, Lately — #2

Why 15 minutes is better than zero: A lesson from the 7:00 AM coffee shop regulars

Feb 22, 2026

Hi friends,

Every morning before 7:00 AM, I’m at the same table in the same coffee shop. I’m there to write (and for the coffee — they have great coffee). But I’m also there for the regulars: the chess players in the corner, the guy with the stack of journals and Ryan Holiday books, the illustrator who clocks in exactly 30 minutes of art before heading to work.

They’re all getting in a little slice of what they love before their “real day” starts. It makes me happy to witness it every time.

Here’s what I love about this:

So many of us say we don’t have time for the things we love. It’s that same all-or-nothing mindset that keeps people from exercising if they can’t hit the gym for a full hour.

But little bits of time spent on the things that matter add up. Whether it’s 12 minutes practicing handstands at lunch or 30 minutes before work writing a short story, these small acts keep our passions alive and keep us from running on autopilot.

Don’t wait for a wide open calendar to do what lights you up. Make the time — even just 15 minutes — and watch the color return to your day.

Here is a look at what is lighting me up this month:

3 Things I’m Obsessed with Lately

Substack Live: I recently decided to get over my own discomfort with video and start hosting regular Substack Lives to talk to people about their passions. I’ve been having these conversations offline for years, but I underestimated how much fun the live format would be. Here’s the first one I did with Justin Barker (a.k.a. “Bear Boy”). Stay tuned for more!
“Fear” by NF: Not going to lie, I’ve listened to this song over 100 times since I first heard it last month. The lyrics are a reminder of why being human can be so hard — and beautiful. If you get it… you get it.
The Simply Piano app: I’ve recently re-committed to learning to play the piano (as in, I’m six days in). This app gamifies the learning process and makes me feel like I’m playing a video game… only I’m working toward a cool mastery goal! Suddenly, I’m actually looking forward to practicing. Amélie, here I come.

3 Things I’m Reading + Watching

How Much Should You Sacrifice For Your Dreams?: I loved this thought-provoking piece by Chris Wojcik on the sacrifices he made to follow his jiu-jitsu dreams, and his honest reflections on why some may not have been worth it.
Amélie: I just rewatched this for the first time in a decade and was blown away by the details. No movie reminds me to appreciate the little things in life quite like this one. (It’s also why I have a goal of attempting to learn the soundtrack on the piano!)
Theo of Golden: A Novel: A sweet, slightly meandering story about a man who embarks on a mission of kindness and generosity in a small town. Lots of wisdom in it. I love this line: “Sadness can make us bitter or wise. We get to choose.”

1 Thing I Learned Recently

I’ve been thinking a lot about a recent article by my good friend, social psychologist Amy Cuddy, on the science of “choking” at the Olympics. She explains that our nervous systems often mistake instant social media scrutiny for a physical predator — to our brains, judgment on the world stage feels like a survival threat. It’s an agonizing moment to witness, but Amy’s insights are incredibly hopeful. She offers compassionate strategies to help us regulate that threat response and stay present when the pressure is on.

You can read her fascinating piece in The New York Times “The Athletic” here.

1 Quote About Passion

“Whether we refuse love or risk ourselves in love there is actually no sincere path a person can take without having their hearts broken. We live and move most courageously through life by risking ourselves and by putting ourselves in some peril for a worthwhile goal, a worthwhile person, or a worthwhile life.” — David Whyte