That's when I decided to use my "secret weapon". I realized that I was spinning my wheels, that there must be a solution that I just couldn't see, and that I would be able to figure it out more quickly if I put it away and let my subconscious work on it for me.

Sure enough, within a few hours I had four new ideas to try. At 2:00 a.m. I woke up with another one, which turned out to be solution to problem.

It's kind of ironic isn't it? Sometimes best way to solve a problem is to stop working on it!

The secret is to take your mind off of it. Go on to something else. It doesn't have to be an activity that is related to problem; in fact I believe that larger difference in activities, better your result will be.

My wife is good at this. We often have animal-related problems to solve such as how to take care of them when we need to go somewhere, or how to keep dogs away from flower pots, or how to allow cats on deck but not out into forest. She thinks about it a while and then goes on to next thing. Before you know it, she has perfect solution; it just pops into her mind while she is doing something that has nothing whatsoever to do with problem.

Try it. It really works!

It's much harder to cope with things when you are tired. The mechanism in our brains that keeps us from being overwhelmed requires a lot of energy, and when we are tired it no longer functions properly.

Why is it important to know that? For same reason it's important to know that your car won't run without fuel. If you're feeling down and you're tired too, give yourself a break! Don't be so hard on yourself... there is a good reason why you feel as you do.

Once you realize that, a glimmer of hope appears because you know you'll feel better in morning. Try to divert your attention away from what is bothering you. If it is only bothering you because you are tired, give it a rest until tomorrow when your energy is back. Here are some ideas to try:

1. Spend your time doing low-brain activities, such as opening mail if you can't allow yourself to "goof-off".

2. If you have to press on because of deadlines, for example, take a nap or eat something that will give you more energy.

3. Take a walk. Get away from pressure and let your mind relax. Give yourself this gift; you deserve it!

The main thing to remember is this: it's much harder to cope with life's stresses when you're tired. Get into habit of recognizing that fact and put your worries to bed long before you get there yourself.