Four iPhone apps to help reduce procrastination

Procrastination is a problem for many of us at one time or another. The dread of writing a term paper, the soul sucking job of cleaning out the garage or even completing that sales report that’s due the next day makes procrastination tempting. You know you’re in lousy shape when you wash the dishes, organize your drawers, or revise your to-do lists five times (yes, I've done this) just to avoid actually getting started.

Honestly, getting started is the most difficult step toward completing those panic-inducing chores. Luckily, these apps make getting started a little easier. Whether your problem is simply not knowing which tasks to begin with or simply not having enough focus to work for long periods, one of these apps can help.

(10+2)x5 Procrastination Hack: This hack, now available as a handy-dandy iPhone app is based on Merlin Mann’s procrastination hack. Using this system, you complete 10 minutes of work and two minutes of play for five consecutive sessions. This results in an hour of work and leisure time. The app is perfect for procrastinators, those who are easily distracted, or those who have lots of small tasks that need to be completed. It is a painless way to trudge through a large, dreadful task, ten minutes at a time. The point is not necessarily to complete the task in 10 minutes, but to make progress toward completion of the task. The app gets good reviews with the only exception being that users are unable to choose different alarms and volume levels. If you work alone, this isn't much of a hindrance; the alarms are not appropriate in an office environment, though. In case you’re wondering, the sounds are people cheering when you complete 10 minutes of work and a whistle to end the two minutes of play.

Finish: Finish is an app developed by 16-year-olds Ryan Orbuch and Michael Hansen to help them through high school finals. Finish claims to take advantage of how you normally think by being in your face when you need it, and in the background when you don’t. The app features an easy-to-use interface with easy to-do entry. Tasks are automatically arranged in order of priority based on due dates. Tasks are categorized as short, mid or long-term tasks and slide up as the due dates get closer. Notifications are optional, but are useful for those who have a serious procrastination problem. This is a handy app for students and freelancers.

Focus Time: This app, formerly known as PomodoroPro, is based on the Pomodoro technique for time management. If you’re not familiar, it is yet another way to break up tasks into small time blocks. The Pomodoro method calls for working 25 minutes on a task followed by a five minute break when the alarm sounds. Then, you’ll complete another 25 minutes of work and five minute break cycle. These cycles are called “pomodoros.” After four pomodoros are complete, you are allowed a longer 15 minute break. The great thing about this app is that the time increments can be adjusted to whatever you like. If you prefer to work 15 minutes followed by a five minute break, this is easily adjusted in the options. The complaint that I have with this app is that when you switch to other apps, the ticker stops ticking. The clock still runs down, but the ticking sound makes me more aware of the time passing and the need to stay on task.

Priority Matrix: This app is based on the Eisenhower matrix for prioritizing and managing tasks. It visually organizes your lists, agendas, and priorities by color and label. You can set start dates, target dates and create recurring tasks. Setting reminders is easy, too. Items are sorted by more than 10 different criteria according to the matrix. The matrix is composed of four quadrants or categories for prioritizing tasks. These are critical and immediate, critical and not immediate, not critical and immediate and an uncategorized inbox. It is more sophisticated than the Finish app listed above and may be more appropriate for professional use.

Have you found an app that keeps you from letting your work pile up? Share it with us in the comments!

Image courtesy of Albert Jankowski via Wikimedia Commons.