Mickey Mellen
@mickmel.com
I'm a cofounder of GreenMellen, and I'm into WordPress, blogging and SEO. Love my two girls, gadgets, Google Earth, and I try to run when I can.
Good design is always hard to notice.
February 6, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Good design is always hard to notice.
Be a sucker for the good kind of gamification
Most apps these days have some degree of “gamification” in them; lists and rewards and streaks and things that make you want to come back over and over. I see good and bad in this.
www.mickmel.com/be-a-sucker-...
Most apps these days have some degree of “gamification” in them; lists and rewards and streaks and things that make you want to come back over and over. I see good and bad in this.
www.mickmel.com/be-a-sucker-...
Be a sucker for the good kind of gamification - MickMel
Most apps these days have some degree of "gamification" in them; lists and rewards and streaks and things that make you want to come back over and over. I see good and bad in this. On the good side ar...
www.mickmel.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Be a sucker for the good kind of gamification
Most apps these days have some degree of “gamification” in them; lists and rewards and streaks and things that make you want to come back over and over. I see good and bad in this.
www.mickmel.com/be-a-sucker-...
Most apps these days have some degree of “gamification” in them; lists and rewards and streaks and things that make you want to come back over and over. I see good and bad in this.
www.mickmel.com/be-a-sucker-...
If all you search for is data that supports your idea, you'll find it every time.
February 5, 2026 at 2:27 PM
If all you search for is data that supports your idea, you'll find it every time.
Social media outcomes for kids are U-shaped
Kids who use social media excessively have bad outcomes, but so do kids who don't use it at all. Moderation is key.
www.mickmel.com/social-media...
Kids who use social media excessively have bad outcomes, but so do kids who don't use it at all. Moderation is key.
www.mickmel.com/social-media...
Social media outcomes for kids are U-shaped - MickMel
There has been a ton of hang-wringing in recent years about the use of social media among adolescents, but the data doesn't really match the hysteria. To be clear, social media isn't all sunshine and ...
www.mickmel.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Social media outcomes for kids are U-shaped
Kids who use social media excessively have bad outcomes, but so do kids who don't use it at all. Moderation is key.
www.mickmel.com/social-media...
Kids who use social media excessively have bad outcomes, but so do kids who don't use it at all. Moderation is key.
www.mickmel.com/social-media...
Getting into a flow state is amazing, but flow arrives as a symptom of the work we're doing, not the cause of it. If you just wait for flow to arrive, you could be waiting for a very long time.
February 4, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Getting into a flow state is amazing, but flow arrives as a symptom of the work we're doing, not the cause of it. If you just wait for flow to arrive, you could be waiting for a very long time.
Reading Refresh
I’m always looking for new ways to revisit old books. While most of the learning comes from the first reading, it slowly fades over time and I want to make the lessons stick.
The Reading Refresh site is another way to help with that.
www.mickmel.com/reading-refr...
I’m always looking for new ways to revisit old books. While most of the learning comes from the first reading, it slowly fades over time and I want to make the lessons stick.
The Reading Refresh site is another way to help with that.
www.mickmel.com/reading-refr...
Reading Refresh - MickMel
As you may know, I'm always looking for new ways to revisit old books. While most of the learning comes from the first reading, it slowly fades over time and I want to make the lessons stick. I use th...
www.mickmel.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Reading Refresh
I’m always looking for new ways to revisit old books. While most of the learning comes from the first reading, it slowly fades over time and I want to make the lessons stick.
The Reading Refresh site is another way to help with that.
www.mickmel.com/reading-refr...
I’m always looking for new ways to revisit old books. While most of the learning comes from the first reading, it slowly fades over time and I want to make the lessons stick.
The Reading Refresh site is another way to help with that.
www.mickmel.com/reading-refr...
"Sometimes magic is just someone spending more time on something than anyone else might reasonably expect."
February 3, 2026 at 6:15 PM
"Sometimes magic is just someone spending more time on something than anyone else might reasonably expect."
Supernatural to FitXR
I'm having to shift my morning workouts from Supernatural to FitXR, and here's some of the good and bad of that decision.
www.mickmel.com/supernatural...
I'm having to shift my morning workouts from Supernatural to FitXR, and here's some of the good and bad of that decision.
www.mickmel.com/supernatural...
Supernatural to FitXR - MickMel
As I first shared on here nearly five years ago, I use the VR app "Supernatural" most mornings to work out. A few friends joined me a while ago, so the three of us meet virtually in the mornings to wo...
www.mickmel.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Supernatural to FitXR
I'm having to shift my morning workouts from Supernatural to FitXR, and here's some of the good and bad of that decision.
www.mickmel.com/supernatural...
I'm having to shift my morning workouts from Supernatural to FitXR, and here's some of the good and bad of that decision.
www.mickmel.com/supernatural...
Why are we waiting for AI to develop "human-level intelligence"? It's going in an entirely different direction.
February 2, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Why are we waiting for AI to develop "human-level intelligence"? It's going in an entirely different direction.
The best businesses feel calm online
Your site should be powerful and informative, but also clear and concise. It’s a fine line, but one that will reward you greatly if you can find the right balance.
www.mickmel.com/the-best-bus...
Your site should be powerful and informative, but also clear and concise. It’s a fine line, but one that will reward you greatly if you can find the right balance.
www.mickmel.com/the-best-bus...
The best businesses feel calm online - MickMel
As a general rule, a calm and well-structured website will resonate more strongly with visitors than a chaotic one. There are two angles to consider with this. First, calm sites promote consistency ac...
www.mickmel.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:39 AM
The best businesses feel calm online
Your site should be powerful and informative, but also clear and concise. It’s a fine line, but one that will reward you greatly if you can find the right balance.
www.mickmel.com/the-best-bus...
Your site should be powerful and informative, but also clear and concise. It’s a fine line, but one that will reward you greatly if you can find the right balance.
www.mickmel.com/the-best-bus...
Marketing is the act of making change happen.
February 1, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Marketing is the act of making change happen.
The Sunday Summary: Revisiting the past, soft fascination, consistent attention, and thinking about other things
www.mickmel.com/the-sunday-s...
www.mickmel.com/the-sunday-s...
The Sunday Summary: Revisiting the past, soft fascination, consistent attention, and thinking about other things - MickMel
Here's a bit about what I wrote, read and learned over the past week. I hope you find it helpful! Blog posts from the past week If your website is working, how would you know? When it comes to your we...
www.mickmel.com
February 1, 2026 at 10:28 AM
The Sunday Summary: Revisiting the past, soft fascination, consistent attention, and thinking about other things
www.mickmel.com/the-sunday-s...
www.mickmel.com/the-sunday-s...
We spend most of our time thinking about things other than what we’re doing
“According to scientists, we spend 46.9 percent of our waking hours thinking about something other than what we are doing, and it does not usually make us happy.”
www.mickmel.com/we-spend-mos...
“According to scientists, we spend 46.9 percent of our waking hours thinking about something other than what we are doing, and it does not usually make us happy.”
www.mickmel.com/we-spend-mos...
We spend most of our time thinking about things other than what we're doing - MickMel
I recently read Zelana Montminy's book "Finding Focus", which she bills as a way to "own your attention in an age of distraction". Like similar books, this one is only getting more relevant as time go...
www.mickmel.com
January 31, 2026 at 10:28 AM
We spend most of our time thinking about things other than what we’re doing
“According to scientists, we spend 46.9 percent of our waking hours thinking about something other than what we are doing, and it does not usually make us happy.”
www.mickmel.com/we-spend-mos...
“According to scientists, we spend 46.9 percent of our waking hours thinking about something other than what we are doing, and it does not usually make us happy.”
www.mickmel.com/we-spend-mos...
Consistent attention beats occasional overhauls
There are cases where a site is simply so outdated that a replacement is the best move, but 90% of the time an afternoon (and a plan to revisit frequently) will have a much bigger and less expensive impact.
www.mickmel.com/consistent-a...
There are cases where a site is simply so outdated that a replacement is the best move, but 90% of the time an afternoon (and a plan to revisit frequently) will have a much bigger and less expensive impact.
www.mickmel.com/consistent-a...
Consistent attention beats occasional overhauls - MickMel
As I've said a lot lately, building and launching a new website can be a great thing and is something you should be proud of! In the vast majority of situations, though, a new website isn't what's nee...
www.mickmel.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Consistent attention beats occasional overhauls
There are cases where a site is simply so outdated that a replacement is the best move, but 90% of the time an afternoon (and a plan to revisit frequently) will have a much bigger and less expensive impact.
www.mickmel.com/consistent-a...
There are cases where a site is simply so outdated that a replacement is the best move, but 90% of the time an afternoon (and a plan to revisit frequently) will have a much bigger and less expensive impact.
www.mickmel.com/consistent-a...
Soft Fascination
“According to the research, when our attention is engaged through this kind of “soft fascination” (such as being in nature), without us needing to direct it or expend effort to focus, our top-down attention is able to rest and restore.”
www.mickmel.com/soft-fascina...
“According to the research, when our attention is engaged through this kind of “soft fascination” (such as being in nature), without us needing to direct it or expend effort to focus, our top-down attention is able to rest and restore.”
www.mickmel.com/soft-fascina...
Soft Fascination - MickMel
Many people say that you should spend time in nature to help relax your mind, and I fully agree. Getting out of the office and into the woods can be a wonderful thing. But why? As David Allen has shar...
www.mickmel.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Soft Fascination
“According to the research, when our attention is engaged through this kind of “soft fascination” (such as being in nature), without us needing to direct it or expend effort to focus, our top-down attention is able to rest and restore.”
www.mickmel.com/soft-fascina...
“According to the research, when our attention is engaged through this kind of “soft fascination” (such as being in nature), without us needing to direct it or expend effort to focus, our top-down attention is able to rest and restore.”
www.mickmel.com/soft-fascina...
Revisiting the past
Finding a way to easily view past entries of your "homework for life" (or "one line a day") is a great way to make sure you do it every day.
www.mickmel.com/revisiting-t...
Finding a way to easily view past entries of your "homework for life" (or "one line a day") is a great way to make sure you do it every day.
www.mickmel.com/revisiting-t...
Revisiting the past - MickMel
A few years ago I shared Matthew Dicks' idea of "Homework for Life" and I've tried to do it most days (though I'm generally about 50/50). The idea is pretty simple; every day, just jot down a single l...
www.mickmel.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Revisiting the past
Finding a way to easily view past entries of your "homework for life" (or "one line a day") is a great way to make sure you do it every day.
www.mickmel.com/revisiting-t...
Finding a way to easily view past entries of your "homework for life" (or "one line a day") is a great way to make sure you do it every day.
www.mickmel.com/revisiting-t...
“Link in comments” continues to die
Using the "link in comments" trick is becoming far less effective. What should you do now?
www.mickmel.com/link-in-comm...
Using the "link in comments" trick is becoming far less effective. What should you do now?
www.mickmel.com/link-in-comm...
"Link in comments" continues to die - MickMel
Over the past few years, the value of links in social media posts has plummeted. It's not that the links themselves have becomes less valuable, but that posts including links are pushed so far down th...
www.mickmel.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:30 AM
“Link in comments” continues to die
Using the "link in comments" trick is becoming far less effective. What should you do now?
www.mickmel.com/link-in-comm...
Using the "link in comments" trick is becoming far less effective. What should you do now?
www.mickmel.com/link-in-comm...
If your website is working, how would you know?
Most businesses don’t need to be investing dozens of hours a week into their website, but if that number goes to zero it can be incredibly problematic.
www.mickmel.com/if-your-webs...
Most businesses don’t need to be investing dozens of hours a week into their website, but if that number goes to zero it can be incredibly problematic.
www.mickmel.com/if-your-webs...
If your website is working, how would you know? - MickMel
When it comes to your website, there are a bunch of little things that can make a huge difference. Many can fall into the idea of "no news is good news", which is a dangerous path to take. In early 20...
www.mickmel.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:51 AM
If your website is working, how would you know?
Most businesses don’t need to be investing dozens of hours a week into their website, but if that number goes to zero it can be incredibly problematic.
www.mickmel.com/if-your-webs...
Most businesses don’t need to be investing dozens of hours a week into their website, but if that number goes to zero it can be incredibly problematic.
www.mickmel.com/if-your-webs...
We need more investigation and less “owning”
Few will have the attention span to track or challenge policies in dull, technical fields; what a majority now wants is not forensic investigation but a new video short “owning” the other tribe.
www.mickmel.com/we-need-more...
Few will have the attention span to track or challenge policies in dull, technical fields; what a majority now wants is not forensic investigation but a new video short “owning” the other tribe.
www.mickmel.com/we-need-more...
We need more investigation and less "owning" - MickMel
A popular goal for many people online, particularly in the world of politics, is to try to "own" the other side. Show them up. Make them look bad. In most cases, the "owning" is little more than a mea...
www.mickmel.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:04 AM
We need more investigation and less “owning”
Few will have the attention span to track or challenge policies in dull, technical fields; what a majority now wants is not forensic investigation but a new video short “owning” the other tribe.
www.mickmel.com/we-need-more...
Few will have the attention span to track or challenge policies in dull, technical fields; what a majority now wants is not forensic investigation but a new video short “owning” the other tribe.
www.mickmel.com/we-need-more...
Trust is built in the space between clicks
Clicks are important, but the actions between the clicks are what really make the difference.
www.mickmel.com/trust-is-bui...
Clicks are important, but the actions between the clicks are what really make the difference.
www.mickmel.com/trust-is-bui...
Trust is built in the space between clicks - MickMel
If you're doing any kind of marketing, clicks are important. You want people to click on your posts, click on your videos, and click on your website. However, the real magic happens between the clicks...
www.mickmel.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Trust is built in the space between clicks
Clicks are important, but the actions between the clicks are what really make the difference.
www.mickmel.com/trust-is-bui...
Clicks are important, but the actions between the clicks are what really make the difference.
www.mickmel.com/trust-is-bui...
Search boxes are everywhere
Making sure your business shows up on Google is important, but so is showing up on ChatGPT, Instagram, YouTube, and a dozen other sites.
www.mickmel.com/search-boxes...
Making sure your business shows up on Google is important, but so is showing up on ChatGPT, Instagram, YouTube, and a dozen other sites.
www.mickmel.com/search-boxes...
Search boxes are everywhere - MickMel
There is a growing thought that traditional SEO (search engine optimization) is essentially dead. As Google continues to add more AI into their search results, the amount of traffic coming to websites...
www.mickmel.com
January 22, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Search boxes are everywhere
Making sure your business shows up on Google is important, but so is showing up on ChatGPT, Instagram, YouTube, and a dozen other sites.
www.mickmel.com/search-boxes...
Making sure your business shows up on Google is important, but so is showing up on ChatGPT, Instagram, YouTube, and a dozen other sites.
www.mickmel.com/search-boxes...
Would being upset help?
“Just stop and ask yourself: Why do you have to let a long line at the coffee shop ruin your day? Why is traffic putting you in a bad mood?”
www.mickmel.com/would-being-...
“Just stop and ask yourself: Why do you have to let a long line at the coffee shop ruin your day? Why is traffic putting you in a bad mood?”
www.mickmel.com/would-being-...
Would being upset help? - MickMel
Over the years I find myself being drawn further and further into some of the ideas of stoicism. In particular, it's the core idea that you can't always control what happens, but you can always contro...
www.mickmel.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Would being upset help?
“Just stop and ask yourself: Why do you have to let a long line at the coffee shop ruin your day? Why is traffic putting you in a bad mood?”
www.mickmel.com/would-being-...
“Just stop and ask yourself: Why do you have to let a long line at the coffee shop ruin your day? Why is traffic putting you in a bad mood?”
www.mickmel.com/would-being-...
My new favorite reading app – Paper2Audio
It's similar to ElevenReader and Speechify, but it gets all the little things right.
www.mickmel.com/my-new-favor...
It's similar to ElevenReader and Speechify, but it gets all the little things right.
www.mickmel.com/my-new-favor...
My new favorite reading app - Paper2Audio - MickMel
I've talked about ElevenReader a few times on here, the app that can turn an ebook into an audio book so you can listen while you read, an idea often referred to as "immersive reading". It's a great a...
www.mickmel.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:26 AM
My new favorite reading app – Paper2Audio
It's similar to ElevenReader and Speechify, but it gets all the little things right.
www.mickmel.com/my-new-favor...
It's similar to ElevenReader and Speechify, but it gets all the little things right.
www.mickmel.com/my-new-favor...
I don’t care what you consume. I care what you produce.
“I think sometimes we have a sick culture where people, especially on social media, they glorify consumption. It’s like, I don’t care what you consume. I care what you produce.”
www.mickmel.com/i-dont-care-...
“I think sometimes we have a sick culture where people, especially on social media, they glorify consumption. It’s like, I don’t care what you consume. I care what you produce.”
www.mickmel.com/i-dont-care-...
I don't care what you consume. I care what you produce. - MickMel
Consumption can be fun. If you just had a super fun meal, or you finally got that new car, you should absolutely share it so we can all be part of the enjoyment! Generally speaking, though, bragging a...
www.mickmel.com
January 19, 2026 at 10:47 AM
I don’t care what you consume. I care what you produce.
“I think sometimes we have a sick culture where people, especially on social media, they glorify consumption. It’s like, I don’t care what you consume. I care what you produce.”
www.mickmel.com/i-dont-care-...
“I think sometimes we have a sick culture where people, especially on social media, they glorify consumption. It’s like, I don’t care what you consume. I care what you produce.”
www.mickmel.com/i-dont-care-...