Procrastination and the Pomodoro Technique

On the MIT Inspire website, it clearly states that this blog must "Discuss any challenges you have encountered and if applicable, how you surmounted them." Perhaps the biggest and most frustrating challenge I have encountered is not Writer's Block, but rather (as you may have guessed from the title of this blog post) is procrastination.

Procrastination is a matter of self-control and motivation. Sometimes you can be very motivated to complete a task, but the self-control isn't there, or vice versa. This issue of procrastination in apparent in all sorts of jobs, in all sorts of people. In the most basic terms, procrastination is when you push off something that's unpleasant or difficult to do in exchange for doing something easier and perhaps more fun. For example, a majority of kids rather go ride their bike or play Nintendo than finish their homework.

Now that you know the issue, you must be wondering how I "surmounted" it. Quite frankly, I haven't completely solved the problem. But I found a solution that seems to have been working for me so far. It's called the "Pomodoro Technique."

Stock image of "tomato timer" often used to represent the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is simple and easy to implement. All you need is a timer (or a phone) and you're set! All you need to do is set a timer for 25 minutes. During those 25 minutes, all you're allowed to do is work. No distractions and no breaks. After those 25 minutes, you get a 5 or 10-minute break. Repeat until finished.

I first discovered the Pomodoro Technique in 6th grade. I thought it was silly and not worth my time. But now, I realize that somehow this simplistic implementation of a timer motivates me to finish the task.

In conclusion, I recommend trying out the Pomodoro Technique if you, too, are suffering from Procrastination. I wish everybody good luck, and Happy (belated) New Years!