Hayes - 747 things to do on a plane: from liftoff to landing, all you need to make your travels fly by

THE THINGS THAT NEVER GET DONE

There are so many distractions in your busy life that all the little things you intended to do just fall to the wayside and never get done. These small tasks could easily benefit your life; however, you just don't have the time to sit down and do them until now. You're sitting, right? You've got some extra time on your hands, right? Then what are you waiting for? Dive in and do all the little things you never seem to have a chance to get to on the ground. Your to-do list will thank you.

1 Update your agenda.

Break out that trusty planner and start filling in dates with all the appointments, meetings, and special events that have yet to make their way to paper (or screen if you're out of the Stone Age and gone digital with a PDA, iPhone, or Black Berry). This will end all the hemming and hawing that goes along with trying to plan a get-together with friends and will help save you from cancellation fees from your dentist.

2 Clean out your purse or wallet.

It's one of those tasks you always intend to do. Do you really need those phone-number-covered scraps of paper since you updated your BlackBerry? And those pictures! Some of them are of people you haven't dated since the first Bush administration. Toss them out. Next, prioritize your cards. Make sure the ones you constantly use (ID, debit, credit, etc.) are up front and space-fillers like that gym card you never use are stuck in the back.

3 Balance your checkbook.

It's not fun, but it needs to be done. Is that cash going to your party account, or is it going to pay your bills, where it belongs? Get out that checkbook and balance the dang thing already! You may realize you have more money than you thought. When you're on the ground, it's far too easy to find excuses for procrastination.

4 Read instruction manuals.

If you're like most people especially most men you never, ever read instructions. You could be missing out on any number of cool features available on your new high-tech gadget. Bring instruction manuals with you and pore over them. You'll gain maximum enjoyment from your recent purchases.

5 Learn how your car works.

One handy book most people never actually read until it's too late is their car's owner manual. It's there for a reason! Make sure to pack it in your carry-on next to your latest pop-fiction paperback. Then when it's time to read, make the smart choice and opt to better understand the workings of your vehicle rather than the vexing advances of a lovelorn protagonist.

6 Fill out all those thank-you cards.

In this age of e-speak, writing thank-you notes has become a lost art. But taking the time to thank someone with a real, live, three-dimensional card is good for the soul. You've got time during your flight, so use it to personalize cards for all recent gift givers.

7 Wrap some gifts.

Short safety scissors are acceptable on planes, so put them to good use. If you're traveling home for Christmas or to someone's wedding, use your flight to wrap small gifts. You've got the time to make them beautiful and to personalize them for your loved ones.