Meaning as a Measure: How to Know If Your Day Truly Mattered
We live in a world obsessed with productivity. From planners that promise to optimize every hour to apps that track our progress, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that the measure of a good day is how much we get done. I’ve been there, checking off tasks like a marathon runner collecting medals. And yet, despite the full to-do lists, there were nights I lay in bed wondering: Did any of it matter?
That nagging question made me rethink how I measure the success of my days. It’s not the number of tasks I’ve accomplished but the meaning behind them that counts. What if, instead of asking, Did I do enough today? we asked, Did I do what matters today?
I’m not an expert. I’m not here to tell you the “right” way to live. But I want to share some thoughts and lessons I’ve learned about using meaning—not productivity—as a measure of a day well spent.
Redefining Success: Moving Beyond the Checklist
Success, as we often define it, is tied to achievement. We measure our days by how much we accomplish, how efficiently we move from task to task. But what if success isn’t about getting more done but about doing the right things?
For me, this shift began when I realized my most “productive” days often left me feeling empty. Sure, I crossed off ten tasks, but did I pause to connect with my children? Did I notice the sunlight streaming through the window or thank God for the gift of another day?
Measuring meaning isn’t about abandoning responsibility. It’s about shifting the focus. Instead of asking, Did I do enough? try asking:
Did I give my attention to what truly matters?
Did I love well today?
Did I notice the gifts around me?
When I started asking these questions, I realized that many of the things that made my days meaningful weren’t things I could check off a list.
Identifying What Matters Most to You
To live a meaningful life, we need to know what meaning looks like for us. This requires a bit of soul-searching. What brings you joy? What makes you feel most alive? What values guide your decisions?
For me, meaning often shows up in the small things:
A quiet moment with a cup of tea and my Bible
Laughing with my children over something silly
An unhurried conversation with my spouse
Your list might look different, and that’s the beauty of it. The goal isn’t to copy someone else’s version of meaning but to discover your own. Take some time to reflect on these questions:
What moments from the past week felt deeply meaningful?
When did I feel closest to God or to others?
What activities leave me feeling peaceful and fulfilled?
Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, it becomes easier to focus your time and energy on those things.
Embracing the Power of Presence
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned about meaning is the importance of presence. You can be physically present but emotionally or mentally miles away. I’ve been guilty of this—half-listening to my kids while checking emails or scrolling through my phone.
Presence is a gift, both to ourselves and to those around us. It’s the act of being fully here, fully engaged in the moment. And often, it’s the key to finding meaning.
I’ve found that some of my most meaningful moments happen when I’m fully present:
Listening to my child tell a story with undivided attention
Watching a sunset without reaching for my phone to capture it
Praying without a running to-do list in my mind
Presence doesn’t require grand gestures. It simply asks us to slow down and be where we are.
Letting Go of Perfection
If we’re not careful, the pursuit of meaning can become another form of perfectionism. We can turn it into a checklist, striving to make every moment meaningful and berating ourselves when we fall short. But here’s the truth: Not every moment will feel profound. Some days are ordinary, and that’s okay.
Meaning isn’t found in perfection. It’s found in grace. It’s found in doing your best with the time and energy you have. It’s found in the willingness to try again tomorrow.
So, if you get to the end of the day and realize you were distracted or rushed or didn’t give enough attention to what matters, give yourself grace. Meaning isn’t measured by a single day but by a lifetime of small, intentional choices.
Creating Rhythms of Reflection
One practice that has helped me measure meaning is setting aside time for reflection. At the end of each day, I take a few minutes to ask myself a few simple questions:
What am I grateful for today?
Did I spend my time on what matters most?
What could I do differently tomorrow to align more with what I value?
These questions aren’t meant to create guilt but to offer gentle guidance. They help me stay connected to my values and remind me that every day is an opportunity to grow.
Journaling, praying, or simply sitting quietly with these questions can help us recognize the meaningful moments we might otherwise overlook.
Finding Meaning in the Mundane
Not every day will be filled with extraordinary moments. Much of life is lived in the mundane—in the grocery shopping, the laundry folding, the dishes washing. But meaning can be found even in these ordinary tasks.
When we shift our perspective, even the most mundane moments can become opportunities for connection, gratitude, or worship.
Folding laundry can become a time to pray for each person whose clothes you touch.
Washing dishes can be a moment to practice gratitude for the meal you just enjoyed.
Driving to work or running errands can be a chance to listen to worship music or reflect on the day.
Finding meaning in the mundane isn’t about romanticizing every task. It’s about recognizing that every moment, no matter how ordinary, can hold significance when approached with intention.
Living with Open Hands
At its core, measuring meaning is about living with open hands—letting go of the need to control every outcome and trusting that God is at work, even when we can’t see it. It’s about surrendering our plans and trusting that what matters most will unfold in its time.
Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
This verse reminds me that life is fleeting, but it’s also full of opportunity. Each day is a gift, and the measure of its meaning isn’t how much we’ve accomplished but how faithfully we’ve loved, how present we’ve been, and how deeply we’ve trusted.
Conclusion: A Life Well Lived
At the end of the day, meaning isn’t something we achieve—it’s something we cultivate. It’s found in the quiet moments, the small choices, the everyday acts of love and faithfulness. It’s found in being fully present, in giving ourselves grace, and in aligning our lives with what matters most.
So tomorrow, when you wake up and face another day, don’t ask yourself how much you can get done. Instead, ask yourself how you can live meaningfully. And at the end of the day, as you lay your head on the pillow, may you find peace in knowing that a life well-lived isn’t measured by what you’ve done but by how well you’ve loved.
Meaning is the measure, and it’s one worth pursuing—gently, faithfully, and with an open heart.