How to Use the Unschedule (from The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying

Guilt-Free Play, Neil Fiore, 1989) 1. Schedule only: Previously committed time such as meal, sleep, meetings Free time, recreation, leisure reading Socializing Health activities such as swimming, running, tennis Routine structured events such as commuting time, classes, medical appointments etc. Fill it in with as many non-work activities as possible; do not schedule work on projects (the purpose of the unscheduled is to guarantee the legitimacy of your personal time). 2. Fill in your Unschedule with work on projects only after you have completed at least one-half hour. Think of it as a time clock that you punch in as you start work and punch out when you take credit for your progress. 3. Take credit only for periods of work that represent at least thirty minutes of uninterrupted work. Do not record the time on your Unschedule if you stop before thirty minutes are up. 4. Reward yourself with a break or a change to a more enjoyable task after each period worked. 5. Keep track of the number of quality hours worked each day and each week. Total them up. Emphasize what you did accomplish. 6. Always leave at least on full day a week for recreation and any small chores you wish to take care of. Avoid the feeling of resentment and burnout that can come when there are no holidays because of work. 7. Before deciding to go to a recreational activity or social commitment, take time out for just thirty minutes of work on your project. 8. Focus on starting. Your task is to get to the starting place on time. 9. Think small. Do not aim to finish a book, write letters, complete your income tax, or to work continiously for even four hours. Aim for thirty minutes of quality, focused work. 10. Keep starting. Finishing will take care of itself. 11. Never end down. That is, never stop work when youre blocked or at the end of a section.