As we reflect back on our day, most of us will measure it by what we accomplished. We will count the activities on our to-do list we completed. The more marks we get, the better. We will also consider how well we performed. Our day is usually rated higher in quality by the more praise it receives, whether it's self-praise or that which comes from others.

It is tempting to measure our daily productivity against what others have managed to accomplish. What if, however, you have never accomplished what you wanted to accomplish, or if all the targets you met were just part of the same old daily routine, like a type of Groundhog Day of tasks? When you fail to do what you had planned well, or when you make a mistake, you chastise yourself harder than necessary - is it fair to say you had a bad day when you don't accomplish what you need to?

This is only true if you choose to measure life quality in this way.

In our daily lives, the quality of our experience often depends on what we do. We rarely assess the value of our life experiences based on how we are to ourselves or with others.

What would happen if we gave greater value to how we were? Can the quality of our day be changed if we take the time to reflect on how our day went, how we felt and how those around us experienced our input, rather than on what we accomplished and whether we’d “done better” than someone else?

How can we look over the day that’s spent, to see if it was a ‘quality’ day rather than a ‘quantity’ day?

In certain moments of your day, did you feel peaceful and calm? If so, you should give yourself credit for that.
Consider how your day was, honestly.
Are you aware of a time during the day when you offered support or kind words, not as part of your to-do list, but rather out of the kindness of your heart?
Did you find moments of unexpected joy? Did you seek them out? Did you smile often? Did you laugh often?
Was what you were doing fulfilling to you or, more importantly, were there people you enjoy being around you?
Do you take the time to appreciate the beauty around you? Are you grateful when you see glimpses of it?
Have you ever taken a moment to be still and quiet for a few minutes at least? Have you ever breathed deeply while observing your chest rise and fall, acknowledging that you still have life within you?

All these things can go towards making a better, more fulfilled day.

If you struggle doing this, don’t be too critical of yourself. It isn't just you - most of us spend too many hours each day reducing its quality by getting swept up in doing.

Think about writing a to-be list instead of a to- do list, for the next day, where you plan to be a person who is aware, mindful, someone who looks for opportunity to laugh or smile during the day, or a person of peace, for example.

We are, after all, human beings not human doings. We should assess the value of our days based on this, and live (and treat others) accordingly.