Let Joy Be the Metric Today
Why Rest, Play, and Presence Deserve a Place in Your Professional Life
Kamy Charles
5/24/20251 min read


Let’s Be Honest—Productivity Isn’t the Only Measure of Progress
We’ve been conditioned to measure our days by:
How many tasks we checked off
How many steps we took
How many emails we replied to
How “useful” we were
But what about joy?
Because let’s be clear:
A joyless life is not a sustainable one.
And if the only time you give yourself permission to feel good is on holidays or sick days, something’s off.
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Why Joy Feels Unproductive (And Why That’s a Problem)
We associate joy with indulgence.
We link rest with laziness.
We think stillness is a waste.
But here’s the truth:
Joy is fuel.
Joy makes you more present, more connected, more clear-headed.
And joy, unlike burnout, has no recovery time.
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How to Let Joy Lead—Even in Small Ways
1. Ask: “What would feel good—not just look good—today?”
Skip the aesthetics. Choose what feels right.
2. Set Joy-Based Micro-Goals
Instead of “clear 50 emails,” try:
Take a walk with music that lifts me
Make something with my hands
Laugh with someone I trust
3. Replace Guilt With Gratitude
Instead of “I should be doing more,” try:
“I’m grateful for the space I’ve created to feel this good.”
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Final Thought: Let Joy Count—Not Just Calories, Steps, or Stats
You’re allowed to feel good for no reason.
You’re allowed to rest without planning your comeback.
You’re allowed to enjoy life in the middle of building it.
So today—just for today—let joy be the metric.
And if your life needs more than a day of joy—Opus Opportunities can help you build that, too