"I haven't done any of the things I meant to do today"

Have you ever had one of those days when instead of checking things off your To Do list, you find yourself spending hours on something completely different?

If it happens a lot, think about reprioritising your time so you get the important things done instead of wasting time with things that, ultimately, don't make a difference.

But if it's occasional, just give yourself a break. Cross off all the items unchecked and reschedule them for tomorrow or over the coming few days.

Then make a whole new list to honour all the things you did accomplish when you'd come off course a bit.

By reminding yourself that you weren't wasting the time, you'll feel much better and able to either take a break or focus on what you consider to be the most important items.

© Eve Menezes Cunningham / http://www.applecoaching.com/ 2008.