businesses fail because of money. Money is oxygen, oxygen is life. Todo lists are never ending Author Nir Eyal argues that **procrastination is an emotional regulation problem and an attempt to escape psychological discomfort**, not a character flaw or a time management issue.  Eyal, known for his books _Hooked_ and _Indistractable_, challenges the common belief that people procrastinate because they are lazy or bad at managing their time. Instead, he posits that all human behavior is driven by the desire to escape discomfort (a modern interpretation of Freud's pleasure principle).  Key Concepts - **Internal Triggers:** Procrastination is driven by "internal triggers"—uncomfortable emotional states like boredom, anxiety, frustration, insecurity, or fear of failure that arise when faced with challenging tasks. - **Avoidant Coping Mechanism:** We use distractions (e.g., checking our phones, social media, emails) as a way to temporarily "numb" or escape these negative feelings. This provides short-term relief (a dopamine hit) but comes at a long-term cost. - **Time Management as Pain Management:** Eyal summarizes this idea with the phrase: "Time management is pain management". - **Shifting the Mindset:** The key to overcoming procrastination is to recognize the true root cause: the desire to avoid discomfort. Rather than blaming ourselves or using sheer willpower, Eyal suggests acknowledging the emotion with curiosity and finding healthier ways to cope.  Strategies to Counter Procrastination Eyal offers practical techniques to address the underlying discomfort and become "indistractable":  - **Master Internal Triggers:** Learn to identify and observe the uncomfortable feelings that precede the urge to seek a distraction. - **Reframe Discomfort as Growth:**View the discomfort associated with a task as a necessary part of growth and improvement, not something to be avoided. - **Use the 10-Minute Rule:** When the urge to procrastinate hits, commit to working on the task for just 10 minutes. This often helps you get past the initial emotional barrier and continue working. - **Timeboxing:** Schedule your day in a calendar with specific time blocks for all activities, including work, relationships, and self-care. This turns abstract goals into concrete actions, reducing uncertainty and the associated discomfort. - **Make Pacts:** Use pre-commitments, such as effort or price pacts, to make it harder to give in to impulsivity and distraction.  By addressing the emotional root cause, individuals can regain control over their attention and live more intentional lives, as detailed in Eyal's work available on his website [NirAndFar.com](https://www.nirandfar.com/). `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:`