I’m not exaggerating when I say that I used to put the "pro" in procrastination. By no means am I perfect now, but, in the past, productivity (or lack thereof) turned into some sort of game in which I’d see how close I could get to the deadline before I even got started on my papers, projects, presentations, or whatever assignments loomed overhead.

And, it was stressful. I consistently neared the brink of disaster before I finally put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. The majority of the time, I worked hard enough within that small timeframe to get away with my last-minute work, showing little to no indication of how rushed it truly was. I got stuck in this rut, those mini pre-deadline adrenaline rushes creating a positive feedback loop for my poor habits.

Once I decided to introduce the time-blocking approach to my work ethic, however, it was like stepping into a whole new world of better organization and considerably less stress.

If you’re not already familiar with time-blocking, also known as the Pomodoro technique, it’s an approach that allots multiple, short amounts of time for continuous work and inserts mini breaks between these bursts of productivity. This process may be contrary to the traditional to-do list approach of attacking tasks one-by-one for long stretches of time, but that’s sort of the point. While some people go as far as time-blocking their entire schedules, I choose to apply it exclusively to work-related and academic tasks, such as writing papers, answering emails, and applying for internships and scholarships.

For me, the worst part is getting started. When I’m locked in my favorite Netflix-watching (i.e. bingeing) position, the last thing I feel like doing is using my laptop for something that involves actual cognition.

Typically, I’ll try to work through that initial roadblock by envisioning myself after I’ve completed my work. Conjuring up a detailed image of a less-stressed Isabella who’s proud of the task she just completed usually motivates me to at least open up a Google Docs tab and get the creative juices flowing. If you’re the type who responds better to an aversion to failure than to a desire to succeed, then perhaps imagining your frazzled future self and shoddy, last-minute work will have the same galvanizing effect.

Another way I convince myself to break out of my comfortable procrastination rut is by reminding myself that I’ll only need to stay focused for the next 25 minutes (proponents of the Pomodoro technique suggest that 25 minutes is the ideal block for maximizing productivity without tiring you out).

Which brings me to the very core of time-blocking - that rhythm of work, break, work, break, and so on, with extended rests every hour or so. I set timers on my clock app to track my pattern, but time-blocking has garnered such widespread attention that users now have a whole slew of apps and websites to help them stick to the suggested time slots.

The best part about this technique is that whenever I glance at the timer running down, I can see that I only have to stay focused for another few minutes before I can enjoy a reprieve. It’s like holding a plank during a workout; even if I’m exhausted, I can power through the pain by telling myself, "Just 30 more seconds. I can do anything for 30 seconds, right?"

Not only does time-blocking reduce mental fatigue by offering breaks, but it also allows for efficient transitions between multiple tasks. Rather than forcing myself to finish a PowerPoint in one sitting, for example, I can work on the presentation for twnety-five minutes, then perhaps switch to reading assigned textbook changes, followed by working through some math problems.

Now, there are some dangers that first-time time-blockers should be aware of. As you can probably predict, breaks can lead to distraction and loss of productivity if they’re abused. That’s why it’s crucial to set timers for those 5-minute breaks.

Additionally, avoid using your break for activities that might suck you in and lead you to rationalize straying from your strict schedule (I’m looking at you, online shopping and Netflix). I like to use this time for a quick scroll through Instagram (avoid that endless Explore page at all costs!) or a look at my friends’ latest Snapchat stories, but even resting your eyes for a second might be helpful, as long as you know you’ll be able to get back to the task at hand within a few minutes.

After a few months of applying this technique to my life, I can say that my stress levels have decreased significantly. Some days, I don’t feel like working in bite-sized chunks of time, and that’s fine. There are also times when my 5-minute break snowballs into a 20-minute foray into YouTube or Nordstrom’s shoe section, but the more I practice time-blocking, the easier and less chore-like it becomes.

Ultimately, whether you choose to introduce time-blocking to your life is a choice only you can make. I can at least tell you that it’s possible to ease yourself into a new work routine, even if it’s not necessarily time-blocking.

And, that’s coming from a former professional procrastinator.