In contrast, mindless planning is a waste of time and energy, also taking you out of the present.

Sometimes it is hard to know the difference between mindful and mindless planning.  In general, mindful planning is pragmatic or practical while mindless planning is fanciful.  The good news is that as long as the mindless planning is isolated and does not give rise to other types of thinking, the cost of it is usually limited to wasted time and energy.

It is worth noting that many people are good at avoiding mindless planning in one or more life activities but not in others.  For example, many are mindful planners when at work, particularly if undertaking a specific task, but not when socializing, parenting, vacationing, or relaxing.

Avoiding mindlessness planning and, indeed, mindlessness in any form is a prescription that covers all of the thinking you do, a 24/7 proposition.