What Makes a Good Day at Work? (Hint: It’s Not About Goals)

I remember stepping away from my career to launch my business like it was yesterday. Just last week, I reflected on the goals I initially set—calls to make, revenue targets, and more—and questioned whether they truly set me on the right path. I don’t do this to dwell on the past but to learn from it. And what I’ve realized is that I was often so focused on hitting the goal that I failed to appreciate the progress I was making along the way.

James Clear, in Atomic Habits, emphasizes that "getting 1 percent better every day counts for a lot in the long-run." This made me rethink how I approach building my business. Revenue-generating activities and productivity are crucial to keeping things running, but I’ve found myself discouraged each month I fall short of my goals.

So instead, what if I followed James Clear’s advice and focused on my system rather than just the end results?

I have work to do, but this isn’t just about me. I want to challenge you to consider: What makes a good day at work for you?

The Power of Progress

We often measure our workdays by how many boxes we’ve checked off a to-do list. But if a “good day” is only defined by completing tasks, what happens when an unexpected challenge arises? Or when a project stretches beyond a single day? If goals are the only way we assess our work, then any unfinished business feels like a failure.

That’s why a truly good day at work isn’t about goals—it’s about progress.

Progress is the fuel that keeps us engaged. It’s that moment when you finally crack a tough problem, when you see a spark of understanding in a colleague’s eyes after you explain an idea, or when you notice your own growth in how you handle a situation.

Unlike rigid goals, progress is dynamic. Some days it looks like a major breakthrough; other days, it’s simply moving the needle forward, even just a little. Either way, it builds momentum.

Purpose Over Productivity

Productivity is important, but purpose is essential. The best workdays leave us feeling like what we did mattered. Maybe it’s helping a teammate, creating something meaningful, or simply making someone’s day better.

Purpose reminds us that work isn’t just about output—it’s about impact. When we focus on progress and meaning rather than just goals, we find more satisfaction in the process itself. We start to enjoy the work, not just the results.

Oh and by the way, when we have impact on others productivity follows!

How to Make Every Workday a Good One

If progress and purpose are key to a good workday, how do we create more of them? Here are a few ideas:

• Celebrate small wins. Did you solve a tricky issue? Improve a process? Learn something new? Acknowledge it! Progress is often invisible unless we make an effort to recognize it.

• Reflect on impact. At the end of the day, ask yourself: How did I move things forward today? Who did I help? What did I contribute? Small acts of progress add up.

• Stay curious. Some of the most fulfilling days come from learning something new, trying a different approach, or pushing past a challenge. Growth is progress, too.

• Redefine success. Instead of “Did I finish everything?” ask, “Did I move forward in a meaningful way?” This shift helps us see value even in unfinished work.

  
  

The Bottom Line

A good day at work isn’t about achieving perfection—it’s about making progress. When we shift our focus from rigid goal-setting to continuous movement forward, we create more fulfilling, engaging, and meaningful workdays.

So, the next time you wrap up your workday, don’t just count tasks completed. Instead, ask yourself: How did I move forward today? Chances are, you’ll realize your day was better than you thought.

FOCUS ON GETTING 1% BETTER EVERY DAY - ONWARD AND UPWARD!