Leave a gap in the week
with nothing in it.

Sunday is when a lot of people look at the week ahead and fill it. Every evening spoken for. Every spare hour handed to something that has been waiting.

It looks tidy on paper. Then one thing runs over, or somebody needs you, or you are simply tired by Wednesday, and the whole week starts to tip.

A gap is not wasted time. It is where the unexpected things go when they arrive, and they always arrive. If nothing turns up, it is an hour that belongs to you.

Before the week starts, find one evening, or even one hour, and leave it empty on purpose. Then guard it as if it were already booked.