for the procrastinator whose exam week plan is "study all day" and is now avoiding all of it
Goal
Survive exam week with bounded work blocks and protected play so avoidance doesn't spiral.
Source principle
In high-pressure weeks, the Unschedule plus 30-min countdown timer blocks work into survivable chunks instead of an avoidable 14-hour wall. : from The Now Habit by Neil Fiore.
The plan
- 😴SunBlock 8h sleep per night. Non-negotiable. No all-nighters.
- 🍽️SunBlock 3 meals + 1h play per day first. Real slots.
- 🧩SunSlot only 3× 30-min focus blocks into the gaps. Just 3, not 8.
- ⏲️Mon-FriRun each focus block with a 30-min countdown timer. Survivable.
- 🗣️Mon-FriBefore each block: say 'looks like I'm starting'. Lower the bar.
- 🎮DailyAfter every 2 blocks: real play break. Not 5 min of phone.
- 🎁DailyName the play reward before each block. 'Work earns ___.'
- 🌙WedKeep Wednesday evening work-free. Recovery is non-negotiable.
- 📓NightlyReview what got done. Not what didn't. Starts, not finishes.
- ✅Exam dayWalk in rested. Avoidance loses, structure wins.
Reward
One full guilt-free evening mid-week, scheduled in advance, no exceptions.