Procrastination Killer v1.0

March 3, 2009

*update : iPhone / iPod touch version released!


itunes – iPhone / iPod touch version
Download (from Box.net)
Download (from Drop.io)
Download (from Filefactory)
Download (from Mediafire)

procrastinationkiller

What is Procrastination Killer :

This idea of this software came from one “procrastination hack” on 43folders.com.

Who it’s for

(10+2)*5

  • procrastinators
  • the easily distracted
  • compulsive web-surfers
  • people with a long list of very short tasks (a/k/a “mosquitos”)
  • people having trouble chipping away at very large tasks

How it works

It’s called “(10+2)*5” and here’s why:

  • 10 – Work for ten minutes with single-minded focus on moving toward completion on a single task. Ten minutes, and that’s all you’re allowed to do is work, work, work. No cheating, because (DING!) you actually get a break when you’re done…
  • 2 – After ten minutes of sweaty, dedicated work you get a 2-minute break to do whatever you want—drink coffee, read 5ives, call your bookie, whatever. When the two minutes are up, it’s back to work on the next task on your list. This is important.
  • *5 – You’re going to iterate this four more times for a total of one hour’s working/breaking

Important squirrely rules

  • You do not need to finish your task or your project in ten minutes; you just need to move it forward
  • If you finish a satisfying amount of work in fewer than ten minutes, STOP, and go right to your 2-minute break, than start another 10-minute dash
  • Do NOT skip breaks! You are not allowed. Breaks cannot be missed. Period. Go surf the web. Now. Seriously. GO!

What will happen

You’ll blaze through an hour’s worth of work/not work and will find yourself looking forward to both the breaking and working parts of the cycle. (Dang, how’s that for a change?)

* This software require the Microsoft .Net Framework 2 to be installed.

** This software is a donationware, meaning thats its available for free but the developers rely on your donation to continue development.

62 Responses to “Procrastination Killer v1.0”

  1. […] link, so expect pop-ups and flashy ads), requires Microsoft’s .NET Framwork 2.0 or higher. Prcorastination Killer v1.0 [Procrastination […]

  2. WanderingAuthor said

    Cool idea, but the download server keeps trying to connect me to other sites my security is blocking, and / or timing out. I’ve tried a few dozen times so far. So I can’t download the app. 😦 There are other free options; drop.io wasn’t bad the last time I checked. Any chance of getting a download anywhere I can use without picking up a nasty case of malware at the same time?

  3. elierodrigue said

    I just added 2 download links, Box.net and filefactory.

  4. elierodrigue said

    Just added drop.io download link!

  5. Jay said

    Great, all the download site you use are blocked by my copy. I will have to download it at home and bring it into work.

  6. Jay said

    Great, all the download site you use are blocked by my company< LOL . I will have to download it at home and bring it into work.

    I guess I need a grammar hack too.

  7. Jay said

    I only know of one. majorgeeks for sure. Do have any others? I can ping them to see if they are a go.

  8. WanderingAuthor said

    Thanks! BTW, if you want to get more exposure, there are a lot of sites you could put this out on. Just Google “software download sites” – although be careful, since there are bad sites in that list, and read the TOS first. I know a lot of apps are available through tens or even hundreds of sites, and it makes them more visible. CNet has a reputable site, some of the links in FreeByte’s listings are good; there are just too many possibilities to list here.

    Oh, and @Jay – you could consider getting a cheap USB stick and either Portable Vidalia / TOR or Portable OperaTOR – any portable proxy setup that will let you go where you want, not where your company decides you should go. Disclaimer: although some of these setups are designed for dissidents in repressive countries, to keep them safer if they’re careful using them, use them at your own risk. Your company could have monitoring software in place that could catch you, and only you can decide what risk is acceptable to you. I accept no responsibility for the consequences of any decision you make with regard to this information.

  9. […] link, so expect pop-ups and flashy ads), requires Microsoft’s .NET Framwork 2.0 or higher. Prcorastination Killer v1.0 [Procrastination […]

  10. Andrew Rae said

    Nice work! I recently started working again and this is something i will certainly use.

    p.s. spelling mistake: developpers 😉

  11. Love the app, as a big procrastinator it will get a lot of use. I have put it up on our site: http://techfoyer.net

    I do have a few suggestions though: make it resizable, perhaps a compact mode, dockable and “pause” and “start” buttons so that it doesn’t start by default. Was using it and I got a phone call, so a pause option would have been useful without having to restart it all over again. Look forward to any future updates.

  12. […] il download è sufficiente recarsi presso questo indirizzo e scaricare il software da uno dei quattro links forniti. Dopo aver riportato il tutto in locale è […]

  13. Anonymous said

    After some testing I noticed that the “Total Worked” counter is not displaying correct value. As a result, the statistics looked strange: correct ratio (80 something), 5 minutes worked, 20 minutes break…

    Otherwise, good work. Waiting for next version 🙂

  14. Me said

    Please make the main windows resizable (or at least smaller), since it takes too much of my screen area. Thanks.

  15. […] volviendo una prioridad. Y como seguramente a muchos de ustedes les pasa lo mismo, les cuento sobre Procrastination Killer, una aplicación que apunta a medir nuestros tiempos de trabajo y descanso, para ayudarnos a […]

  16. Steve J said

    Like it but 1 bug for you: When the pop-up window appears and the main window is is the middle of the screen then the pop-up is hidden but the main window is now inactive. Need to put the pop-up on top of the main window.

    Pause button definitely needed.

    Great gadget.

  17. […] to DonSlice for drawing my attention toward this wonderful tool. Basically it’s a program that informs you that you need to start working, and […]

  18. […] Procrastination Killer v1.0 Download (from Box.net) Download (from Drop.io) Download (from Filefactory) Download (from Mediafire) […]

  19. […] link, so expect pop-ups and flashy ads), requires Microsoft’s .NET Framwork 2.0 or higher. Prcorastination Killer v1.0 [Procrastination […]

  20. Bob said

    Hi,

    I love it – thanks!
    Here some suggestions:
    – make it resizeable
    – let ppl set up custom countdown cycles (for example: 55 minutes – 5 minutes – 55 minutes – 30 minutes – repeat)

  21. guiyoforward said

    BIG WISH: MERGE THIS TIMER WITH THE FORGOTTEN temptation blocker (featured in lifehacker before, code available), that blocks access to selected programs (firefox, I’mlooking at you). however, if you type a URL in word and click on it it still launches the browser. so a foolproof version of temptation blocker with a timer like this would be great – i`m ready to donate for this software!
    Code:
    http://sourceforge.net/projects/temptblocker/

  22. […] Para llevar a cabo este método, puedes emplear cualquier cronómetro que tengas a mano, pero te recomiendo un programa gratuito con el que me encontré en Lifehacker: Procrastination Killer. […]

  23. a.- said

    i need this for mac!!! pleaaaase!

  24. Taph said

    I’ll readd a few suggestions from others because I think they’re really good:

    – Resizable window
    – Pause/Resume buttons

    And I’ll add mine I have not seen here:

    – Right now the app has no icon, make a cute one please ok so it will give me the taste to start the app in the first place, the icon is very very bland on the deskstop.

  25. […] il download è sufficiente recarsi presso questo indirizzo e scaricare il software da uno dei quattro links forniti. Dopo aver riportato il tutto in locale è […]

  26. Jimbo said

    I have this on my work PC and enjoy the app. I keep it in the system tray. I have a bug though, I cannot log-off my PC while the app is open. I have to right-click exit THEN log-off. It would be nice to have this fixed.

    One Request: make a simple, one text line (maybe count down timer), Google Desktop Gadget. Use the same options, same icons. P.Killer had me looking for a replacement in Google Desktop and there is nothing of quality.

  27. […] hay un programa, v1.0, se hace llamar, Procrastination Killer. Procrastination Killer […]

  28. Weehut said

    If I give credit to you, could I post this on my blog?

  29. orangndut said

    Nice tool, I hope it work fine in mine.

  30. This program is exactly what I was looking for. The only thing that bothers me is that I can’t figure out how to follow your rule:

    “If you finish a satisfying amount of work in fewer than ten minutes, STOP, and go right to your 2-minute break, than start another 10-minute dash”

    There is no option that I can see to “go right to your 2-minute break” – am I missing something or is this a feature you will be implementing soon? 🙂

  31. Geoseo said

    Very nice!

    Suggestion; some sort of audible alarm would be great.

    Thanks

  32. Matt Fleming said

    Please could you make an android supported version of this program, I love it and would love to use it away from the PC.

  33. ChaMZ said

    Please there is a bug :
    the application cannot accumulate hours
    when it’s 59:59 it’s going to 0:00 again
    so i cannot now how much hours i work

    thx for the application 🙂

  34. organic said

    i’m SO going to totally hack this program so that i can procrastinate instead of working

  35. thenoic said

    Hi, same problem as -> ChaMZ

    The time limit is 100 minutes in theory, but in fact is just 60. I expect get :

    – 999 minutes limit.
    – begin/end mode (for short time work, like me)
    – multi clock limit (for long day with different working time, ex: 4h work/2h break/1h work/2h on different work…)

    I really appreciate an answer. Thank you.

    Have a good day.

  36. […] Free piece of software that will divide your time up into break time and work time and will yell at you when you don’t follow the routine. Great for when you’re writing an essay. Can be found here:  https://procrastinationkiller.wordpress.com/2009/03/03/procrastination-killer-v1/ […]

  37. Bradley Rimbleus said

    Is there a way to change the default values for 10*2 to 50*5?

    As it is now I have to change it every time I reboot.

    50 min then 5 min break works much better for me.

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  39. Eli said

    How do you uninstall it?

  40. gui said

    This could use an update! 🙂 (and an android version…)

  41. Jairo Andres said

    Me parece bueno el progrma, voy a probarlo ya que la proclastinacióin ha robado grandes trozos de mi vida(Jin Rohn)

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  43. […] Procrastination Killer ”Windows only: Software developer Elie really digs Merlin Mann’s (10+2)*5 dash, which breaks hours into 10-minute bursts of plugging away at one thing with two-minute breaks. Elie’s Procrastination Killer app helps you time and controls those dashes.” – via LifeHacker […]

  44. k. gueth said

    great tool, but needs sound!

  45. […] tendemos fácilmente a desviarnos en nuestras búsquedas, procesos documentales, etc. Con Procrastination Killer podremos cronometrar el tiempo que dedicamos al trabajo y el tiempo que dedicamos al descanso. […]

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  48. Does not seem very nice that the program is in English only (this is a google translation). I don’t speak english. I’ll try anyway.

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  52. James H said

    This is a link to an article concerning a work interval according to usage statistics captured from a program DeskTime. It’s 52:17: 52 minutes of productivity, 17 minutes of break.

    So this program is pretty legitimate!

    http://start.toshiba.com/news/read/category/Lifestyle/article/the_daily_muse-the_rule_of_52_and_17_its_random_but_it_ups_your_p-newscred

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  55. […] Procrastination Killer. Uses the “(10+2)*5” system. That is, work for ten minutes, followed by a two minute break. […]

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