I Defeated Procrastination!
By: Kashaf Noor
Tags: Amal Academy, Pomodoro Technique, Productivity, Procrastination, Eat The Frog

Do you also struggle with your procrastination habits? Or is it only me who keeps putting today’s work tomorrow and completes it just before the deadline? I know we all are always hooked up to hundreds of potential distractions in this age of mobile phones and laptops. And fulfilling tasks before the time is a miracle for us. So, how do you conquer your thoughts?

I can relate to this. Can you?

I came to know about “eat the frog with Pomodoro” today so I gave it a try and honestly speaking playing with Pomodoro was fun. I was a big procrastinator before knowing this Pomodoro technique, I even procrastinated when to play with Pomodoro and I was like “Tomorrow, I’ll give it a try.” And I keep on saying this whole week. And today finally I tried eating the frog and it was worth eating. (Before you say “eww, she ate a frog??” I want to tell “eating a frog” is a metaphor for “increasing your productivity.”)

Playing with Pomodoro means you just have to stay focused for 25 minutes. If you have to make a 3000 words assignment and you are unable to concentrate. Set a 25 minutes timer and as the timer rings, take a short break and then back to work and repeat. I am pretty sure we all can work on a task for 25 minutes uninterrupted.

All you have to do is:

1. Identify your frog🐸 (your one most important task)

2. Eat it 🍽 using Pomodoro (do it in the morning by setting a 25-minute-timer and don’t let yourself put it off for later. After every 25 minutes, take a 3 minutes break and then get back to the task. After 4 breaks, take a longer break and treat yourself.)

Mark Twain (one of greatest American writers)

Since I have played with Pomodoro, I’ll share my experience with you all. I identified the most important task which was cleaning my room and it was pending on for a month. So, I finally decided to try Pomodoro on my room which was a real mess. Books were on my dressing table and dresses were on the hooks behind the door. Make-up was scattered all over my room. Shoes were not in their place. It was a huge task to be done. I set a 25-minute-timer and started cleaning my room from arranging the books.

25 minute timer for my task.

First 25 minutes were not successful because my mother came into my room and after watching me cleaning my room, she made my fun asking “What’s the matter ? Are you okay? Are your friends coming? :D” because I usually do not clean my room unless she reprimands me. However, it distracted me and so I could only work for 19 minutes without any interruption. I was almost done arranging my books at their place. I took a break for those 6 minutes which were left from my first Pomodoro and then again set an alarm for the next 25 minutes. This time, to avoid all the distractions, I locked my room and put my phone on flight mode. As I was almost done with my books, I decided to organize makeup at its place. I thought it’s an easy task and I’ll easily complete it before 25 minutes. But no, although I completed this task in 24 minutes I was distracted as I started trying nail paints and lipsticks. I took a 2-minute break and treated myself with a glass of cold water. I then again set a timer for 25 minutes and chose to reset my wardrobe. I gathered all my clothes and put the clean clothes in the hanger and hung them up in the cupboard and I put those which needed to be washed in the laundry. This time I was not distracted by anything. And as the alarm rang, I was done with my wardrobe as well. I treated myself with chocolate this time. Now, cleaning side tables and putting shoes in their boxes were two big tasks for me. I set a 25 minutes timer again and get back to work planning “I’ll order pizza for myself after this as my reward.” This time I was in a hurry that I need to do it ASAP, so I put all my shoes in their respected places and cleaned my side tables. Although I took an extra minute, and then after 26 minutes, I was done with the last task too.

I treated myself.

I can’t tell how happy I was. I kept procrastinating this task for a month and by using this Pomodoro technique, I can’t believe I did it. I beat my procrastination habit so easily. It was fun and exciting playing with Pomodoro and it wasn’t difficult at all. In fact, it was easier to work taking short breaks than just working without enjoying it. Even, I managed to do more work by this technique as I didn’t plan to clean my side tables but since I had enough time, I did that too. And I will definitely use this technique for my later tasks as well. The peace I am having right now is unexplainable. The only thing I would suggest is “do not keep tracking the time.” As you put the alarm for 25 minutes, do not keep checking for how much time is left. It is a distraction too. Just stay focused on the task and put the timer aside.

If you also struggle with procrastination or have trouble deciding what to work on at any given time, then do give Pomodoro a try. I am sure you will witness yourself what I have experienced. Do share your experiences as well.