You procrastinate because you're lazy, right? Wrong. The truth is more complex -- and far more interesting. Learn how to stop putting off important tasks ... with a little help from master procrastinator Margaret Atwood. (Audio only)

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WorkLife with Adam Grant: The real reason you procrastinate

The real reason you procrastinate

Margaret Atwood, acclaimed for "The Handmaid's Tale," reveals her struggle with procrastination, likening it to braving a cold lake.

Procrastination isn't laziness but an emotional strategy to avoid negative feelings, transforming tasks into mood regulators.

Self-compassion and strategic planning, like to-don't lists, emerge as powerful tools to combat procrastination, fostering productivity.