Unslack: a card game for getting started
Unslack is a deck of 150 cards that students, parents, and friends can play together when they keep putting something off, from college applications to everyday tasks. The cards help players choose a task, talk about what’s getting in the way, and find one action they’re willing to try.
Website coming soon.
Start with the thing you’re avoiding
Sometimes you need a plan. Sometimes you need to admit that your plan has been “I’ll do it later” for the past three weeks.
Pick a Challenge card that sounds familiar. Draw a Shield to see what you’ve been telling yourself, then an Avatar for the person you become when you stall. You may recognize yourself immediately. You may object to the card quite loudly. Both are useful.
The Detective cards ask questions that help you get past the usual excuses. The Warrior cards offer something to try. You choose a step small enough that you might take it.
Meet the cards
Challenge
What are you avoiding? Pick a card, or name your own challenge.
Shield
The excuse, fear, or perfectly reasonable sounding explanation that keeps you from beginning. “I don’t know where to start” is a popular one.
Avatar
Your particular style of putting things off. Perhaps you’re a Perfectionist. Perhaps you’re an All-or-Nothing. You can have more than one.
Detective
A question worth spending a little time with. You can write your answer, say it aloud, or talk it through with someone else.
Warrior
An experiment or a small move you’re willing to try. Pick one that suits you.
And a few more
Time Frame cards to help you decide whether you’re thinking about the next day, week, month, or year; Jokers for a pause and a smile; and Reset and Time-Warp cards for when you need to change things up.
Take a look inside
The box, open, with the cards inside 
A few of the cards you might draw 
The five categories, each with its own sloth
How do you play?
Start with a Challenge that feels familiar. Pick or draw a Shield and an Avatar. Then pull a Detective card and give the question an honest answer. When you’re ready, choose a Warrior card and decide on one thing you’ll try.
That’s one way to play. You can do it by yourself, trade cards with a friend, or put the deck in the middle of a group. You’re allowed to skip a card that doesn’t fit, laugh at one that fits too well, and take your time with a question.
The aim is to leave with one small thing you’re willing to do.
For anyone who has ever said “I’ll do it tomorrow”
I made Unslack with students in mind, especially the ones who care about what they’re doing and still can’t seem to begin. But students are hardly the only procrastinators I know. Parents, teachers, friends, and colleagues have all found themselves in these cards.
It can be easier to talk about a hard thing when everyone at the table has one. And it’s surprisingly comforting to discover that someone else has been using your exact excuse.
Want a deck?
Unslack is printed and in use, though it isn’t available through a public storefront yet. If you’d like a deck for yourself or want to use it with a group, get in touch and I’ll tell you what’s available.
- Recommended for ages 14 and up
- 150 cards
- GTIN/UPC: 199874827599
Books and workbooks
Two things students can work through on their own, at their own pace.
The College Application Personal Essay A practical guide to finding a topic, developing your ideas, and shaping them into a college essay. View on Amazon 
The College App Essay Practical Workbook Memory Maps, writing exercises and examples that take a student from first ideas toward a draft. More about the workbook
If getting started is the hard part
When starting is the hard part
How I work with students who put things off, get overwhelmed, or have trouble following through.
A guide for parents
Practical ideas for helping your child without making every conversation about a deadline.
College essays
For the student who has opened the blank document, closed it, and opened it again.