As far as obstacles to productivity go, procrastination is a challenge that many run into over and over again. Add the uncertainties caused by COVID-19 and the distractions that working in unsettling environment brings, tackling things that require effort and brainpower can feel downright impossible.

That's because as my cohost Pavithra Mohan and I discuss on this week's episode of Secrets Of The Most Productive People, procrastination—at its core—is about our unwillingness to deal with unpleasant emotions. It's not a time-management issue, nor is it an issue about willpower and discipline. We often procrastinate because in our heads, we assume that as soon as we start that thing we're putting off, we will experience bad feelings.

Mohan also spoke to Nir Eyal, author of Indistractable: How To Control Your Attention And Choose your life about why discipline and willpower is a myth when it comes to combating distraction and procrastination, and the role of internal and external triggers. We also discuss how self-compassion can go a long way in combating distraction and procrastination.

You can listen and subscribe to Secrets of the Most Productive People on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or wherever you get your podcasts.