For many of us, the normal routines of work, life, and play are sidelined. Which means more free time or new situations (kids home all day, for example).

The natural reaction is to resent all this. It’s a total pain, brings about new inconveniences, and drives stress levels up.

How about directing focus on what’s been building on the to-do list?

I’m not referring to the small duties like cleaning the stove or shaking out rugs. I’m talking about the big plans. The real projects that you shrug off because there’s no time after work and the summer weekends are better spent on some...