Tips to Break the Procrastination Cycle

Today’s rapidly changing living conditions can be burdensome for some people to keep up with the pace of change, resulting in procrastination. Specialist Clinical Psychologist Müge Leblebicioğlu Arslan from Istanbul Okan University Hospital, Department of Psychology, shared some information about procrastination behavior.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Procrastination?

• The first step is determining the conditions leading to procrastination, if any.
• Realistic, attainable, positive and flexible targets should be set.  
• Rather than generalised goals, specific goals should be established per time and priority.
• It is crucial to turn to flexible thoughts instead of all-or-nothing thinking. For example, a student who aims to study for two hours but tends to procrastinate should study at least half an hour instead of not working at all. Even placing their books on the table can be listed among these steps.
• Focusing on one goal instead of many simultaneously is essential in preventing procrastination behaviour. If you have difficulty achieving a goal, performing more than one task can be more overwhelming and may lead to procrastination.
• Getting support from your relatives may be helpful.
• If you think that your procrastination behaviour continues despite all these steps and this situation has started negatively affecting your daily functionality, getting psychotherapy support will be very important in ensuring your psychological well-being.