After a long day, I realized I hadn’t accomplished much of anything. It wasn’t a good feeling. I ruminated on wasted time and the projects that could have used my focused attention.

Later, a mentor gently posed this question: “Did you have a plan?”

Alas, no. I hadn’t had a plan.

That simple awareness released a bit of internal tension.

Without a plan in place, it made sense that diversion and distraction had lead the way.

A plan — even a flexible one — helps to keep those antagonists at bay.

* * *

If you don’t make a plan, don’t give yourself a hard time about the way the day unfolds. That is, if you’ve decided to float where the breeze takes you, then breathe deeply and float.

But if the day calls for productivity, begin with a plan. Not a list of things to do, but a plan for how it will be done.