Planning for Meaning vs. Productivity: Why the Shift Matters
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Each week, I share real talk about building a life you actually enjoy—the wins, the fails, and everything I'm learning along the way.
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Four years ago, I started planning my weeks like my life depended on it.
It was pure survival mode. I was drowning at work, constantly stressed, and working way more hours than I wanted to admit. So I got obsessed with planning. I time-blocked everything. I batched tasks. I optimized the hell out of my calendar.
And it totally worked.
I became insanely productive. Reliable. The person who always delivered quality work on time. I finally closed my laptop at a reasonable hour instead of working until midnight.
Mission accomplished, right?
Except... something was off.
The thing nobody tells you about "getting it all done".
I'm currently reading Hero on a Mission: A Path to a Meaningful Life by Donald Miller. When he introduced his methodology for planning his days, my ears obviously perked up. But the way he described his ‘why’ behind making a plan really hit home. His daily plan isn't focused on productivity. It's focused on living a life of meaning.
This is a shift I've been making this past year. I realized I just didn't have the words for it until I read his description.
I spent years proving I could get A LOT accomplished with a good plan. I was crushing my to-do lists. Hitting deadlines. Checking all the boxes.
But I was missing time for things I really enjoyed. It’s the stuff that makes life feel full instead of just... full of tasks.
What planning looks like now.
These days, my weekly planning looks completely different.
Instead of strategizing how much I can fit into a week, I focus on designing a week I'm excited about. A week that feels good to live through, not just good to look back on and say "wow, I was so productive."
Sure, there are still the have-to-dos and the want-to-dos that give me momentum toward my goals. But now there's also the nothing time.
The "I want to scroll and laugh at cat videos" time. The "I'm spending two hours on diamond art because it's my latest hyper obsession" time. (Seriously, diamond art is like meditation. My brain completely goes quiet. Pure zen. You’ve gotta try it.)
When I actually plan space for these things, I don't feel guilty about "wasting time." Because it's not wasted. It's planned. It's intentional. It’s meaningful.
Essentially, I'm planning the "me time" and the fun stuff first, then filling in the rest of the space.
Which, funny enough, is something I've taught regularly in my course. I'm just taking it up a notch now.
The unexpected side effect.
Here's what I didn't see coming: when you plan your days with more play, you actually create space for inspiration and motivation to work on the things that will move the needle in your life.
Those ideas that won't leave your brain? You finally have the energy to do something about them.
That project you've been putting off because you're "too tired"? Suddenly you're not too tired anymore because you're not running on fumes.
This shift from planning for productivity to planning for a fulfilling life quickly transforms from burnout recovery into growth for your next season of life.
Your week transforms from a countdown to the weekend into something you actually want to experience.
Try this: Plan one week for meaning, not productivity.
Want to test this out? Here's what I want you to do this week:
Before you add a single work task or errand to your calendar, block time for:
One thing that makes you laugh
One thing that recharges you completely
One thing that's purely for enjoyment (no productivity required)
Maybe it's finally starting that craft project. Maybe it's a long walk with no destination. Maybe it's rewatching your favorite show for the 47th time. (No judgment. We all have one.)
Schedule those first. Then build your productive tasks around them.
You're still honoring your need for structure. You're just making sure joy gets a seat at the table too.
I promise you: the work will still get done. But you'll actually look forward to the week instead of just enduring it.
Kara
P.S. If this resonated and you're thinking 'okay, but HOW?'… I created a course that shows you exactly how to design weeks that feel good AND get things done. It's the same system that helped me go from burnout to actually enjoying my days. Check it out here.
Some of the links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. I only share things I truly use and love.
About Me
Hi, I’m Kara. I’m a former workaholic turned time-management expert. I help women stressed out in their 9-5 get more done, in less time, so they can get back in the driver’s seat and start living a life they love.
