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"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." - Robert Collier
Although laziness is common and a natural part of life, it has the potential to completely consume us. I personally have times where laziness causes me to feel trapped. No matter what I do, I cannot seem to shake it off. I feel tired, fall asleep constantly during the day, sit around a lot and feel unable to be active, avoid doing anything productive, and put on hold things that I want to accomplish. Sometimes the allure of my bed or to simply procrastinate on my phone on my couch seems like it’s simply impossible to overcome!
I believe there are two kinds of laziness. First, there’s the kind where you have been working your butt off for weeks and finally, after all your hard work, all you want to do is be lazy and do nothing. There’s nothing wrong with this form if you have been working hard, we all need a break every now and again and it’s an important mechanism to recharge.
The second kind of laziness on the other hand is not acceptable. It’s where you struggle to find motivation to do something and continue to avoid doing it, almost at all costs. Every time you think of something you would like to do or achieve, you cannot find the energy or drive to work toward it. This is the kind of laziness that I am talking about here, this is the kind that we need to overcome.
Being lazy is actually quite draining and depressing. I know because I regularly find myself feeling so lethargic that even the simplest task seems like a challenge. And it seems to have gotten harder as I have got older, perhaps that’s related to a depleted energy store or other factors such as a lack of sleep. I’m sure I’m not alone in this struggle, after all its human nature.
I have found seven effective ways to overcome my laziness that I want to share with you so you can win your personal battle too.
We often create a big list of things that we want to do and to achieve. But the list becomes the issue when you look at it, as thoughts of ‘where do I even start?’ start to creep in. A way to get around this is to focus on two or three things at a time as the goals will now seem so much more achievable.
Motivation also kicks in when you feel like you have a chance of succeeding or at least knocking items off the list. When this happens energy becomes much easier to access. A great way to tackle this then is to set yourself one or two Set yourself two or three easy to achieve goals at a time and you will notice that you will naturally gain inspiration and motivation.
For me the hardest part of dealing with procrastination is getting going. I know I need to write that article, review that contract, write that plan etc but it just seems too much so my mind finds reasons and excuses to not focus on it. Instead I elect to knock it down the road, telling myself ‘hey I’ll do that tomorrow’, which inevitably I won’t!
One way I get over this is to try to find one single task that is easier to start and which gets me going. To use the metaphor of the car, the task acts as the engine ignition and helps to get the car rolling in the right direction. Furthermore, once I get into the task my mind becomes more energised and focussed, the other more difficult tasks then suddenly seem so much more achievable!
Engaging in exercise serves as a straightforward method to combat laziness. Often, the reluctance to act stems from perceiving tasks as daunting. However, with exercise, there's no need to overanalyse. Simply deciding to move your body—whether it's through jumping, running, or doing lunges—initiates the process. Through personal experience, I've realized that conquering physical inertia naturally influences the mind.
As you integrate physical activity into your routine, you'll notice a shift in mind-set. Tasks that once seemed complex become more approachable. Whether it's tackling a project or addressing long-delayed responsibilities, exercise dismantles the barrier of inertia. Consequently, you'll feel a surge of motivation and a newfound willingness to exert effort.
Its general regarded that exercise in the morning is the best way to get going. I personally struggle doing this and instead prefer to go later in the evening. I also happen to be very productive late at night so it aligns well with that. Everyone of us is different so find the time that suits you best and stick with it!
When tasks appear daunting, laziness often sets in. Yet, by indulging in activities that bring us joy and relaxation, we foster satisfaction. This contentment breeds a willingness to tackle larger endeavours and achieve significant milestones. Additionally, taking time to unwind enables introspection and sparks inspiration. For instance, when facing writer's block, I find solace in leisure activities, allowing my mind to wander freely. Consequently, I rejuvenate my creativity and regain motivation.
A word of caution tho. Don’t let relaxing last too long, decide on how long you will indulge in your activity and have a strict cut-off deadline in place.
The state of your surroundings significantly impacts your emotional well-being. A cluttered house can intensify feelings of overwhelm due to the chaos it creates. Additionally, the task of cleaning adds to an already extensive to-do list, exacerbating stress and encouraging procrastination. By tidying up and organizing your environment, you'll naturally feel more motivated and productive.
Simplifying your surroundings makes life more manageable, potentially inspiring you to tackle neglected tasks in other areas of your life. Interestingly, what may initially seem daunting becomes more manageable once you start addressing it, leading to a decrease in tension and an increase in productivity.
My cousin is a great example of someone who benefits immensely from being organised. I consider his office almost a marvel of organisation as every aspect of his professional and personal life is well organised into folders, categories and directories. It means he can easily turn his mind to a task as he knows precisely where everything is. He wastes no time with indecision and is able to do things quicker as he knows where everything is. It’s a level of organisation I am striving towards, although still rather far behind!
This relates back to the first technique. Breaking tasks into smaller steps is a powerful strategy to combat laziness, especially when facing daunting or overwhelming endeavours. Rather than being paralyzed by the enormity of a task, breaking it down into manageable chunks makes it less intimidating and more feasible to tackle.
Consider a large project looming on the horizon. Instead of being overwhelmed by its complexity, start by deconstructing it into its main components or breaking it down into smaller, actionable tasks. By focusing on each step individually, the task becomes more digestible, diminishing the sense of burden and amplifying your motivation to initiate action.
This approach not only makes the overall goal more attainable but also instils a sense of progress with each completed step, further fuelling your motivation to continue moving forward. Breaking tasks into smaller steps empowers you to overcome inertia and make steady strides toward accomplishing your objectives.
The company you keep can greatly influence your behaviour and mind-set. If you surround yourself with motivated, driven individuals, their energy and enthusiasm can be contagious.
Seek out friends, colleagues, or mentors who inspire you and share similar goals or interests. Engage in conversations with them, participate in group activities, or join communities where motivation and productivity are encouraged. Their positivity and encouragement can help you stay focused and motivated on your own journey to overcome laziness.
These methods have helped me incredibly and continue to help me every day. I am sure that if you apply them too, you will experience a big boost of energy and motivation in your daily life.
