Feeling lazy? Well, it’s the ultimate luxury, after all.
There’s nothing inherently wrong about being lazy.
But, sometimes, some things just need to be done.
And here’s a foolproof guide to overcoming laziness – every single time.
But First – Why Do We Even Get Lazy?
Laziness is a multi-layered psychological phenomenon.
What is it though? Where does it come from? What triggers it?
“Nothing changes if nothing changes.” – Courtney C. Stevens
Sometimes, you just don’t feel like doing anything or exerting yourself.
You lack motivation, so you stay inert. And that’s what laziness is.
Yes, to some degree, it’s a choice. But something’s weighing you down.
You’d much rather stay productive all the time if it was entirely up to you.
But laziness makes you hesitant to use your energy.
So, what causes laziness? Here are a few good examples:
- A lack of or excessive sleep.
- Physical, emotional, or mental conditions.
- Stress, anxiety, and being overwhelmed.
- Struggling to overcome distractions.
- Poor diet and a lack of exercise.
It can be any one of these explanations, something else, or a mix.
So, it’s time to self-reflect and make a few crucial changes.
Here’s everything you need to know.
1 • No More Zero Days
Starting small is key when it comes to motivation and discipline.
So, this is a simple rule to live by: no more zero days.
But what does that mean, exactly? Let’s give you an example.
Say you want to start working out consistently. You string two, three days, maybe even a week – and then you stop. But the no more zero days rule prevents that from happening.
This rule implies doing something, anything, rather than nothing.
Maybe you don’t get a workout in, but at least you do one pushup.
And when you start, you may find the drive to keep going.
It’s a simple and effective strategy for overcoming laziness.
2 • Surround Yourself With the Right People
Now, this one might be a little trickier to pull off.
It’s not easy to find, meet, and befriend people.
But the benefits far outweigh the effort it takes to form relationships.
Being surrounded by driven people is an endless source of motivation.
Their every accomplishment is a reason to celebrate and get inspired.
They push you to succeed, always checking up on you.
And that support goes a long way and may very well change your life.
3 • It Doesn’t Need to Be Perfect
Striving for perfection is noble and inspiring. But it’s not realistic.
Everything you do, it’ll never be perfect.
Sure, it can be excellent – but never perfect.
And changing that mindset can help you stay on the move.
Not everything needs to be done perfectly. Sometimes, it just needs to be done.
Recognize this and productivity and efficiency will skyrocket.
4 • Laziness Is a Reward
There’s nothing wrong with doing nothing. It’s fine. It’s necessary.
But the thing is, you can’t avoid work and responsibilities all the time.
So, reward yourself with laziness instead.
Take a two-hour break after finishing today’s tasks.
Take a day off after a hard week’s work.
Reward yourself with doing nothing, but make sure you earn it.
You can still be lazy and enjoy it without feeling bad about it.
5 • Don’t Let It Define You
Just because you’re lazy now doesn’t mean you’ll stay that way.
The only way laziness can define you is if you let it.
Just thinking that you’re not lazy can make a huge difference.
It can rewire your brain and help you spark yourself into action.
After all, it all boils down to your mindset. And nothing’s hardwired.
Remember to reward yourself when you get things done.
A single good day can break the cycle and change the narrative.
Even a few good hours of work on a bad day are worth their weight in gold.
6 • Fake It ‘Till You Make It
Do you need extra confidence or a boost of energy? Fake it.
Play the game of pretend and trick your brain to get things done.
You’d be surprised how easy it is to do this.
All it takes is a single thought to get you out of bed and on your feet.
Try pretending that you’re not lazy – and you won’t be.
Embody that role and give it your star performance.
Never say you’re lazy. Say you’re feeling that way. Feelings come and go.
Perceive yourself as a highly functional, productive adult – and you’ll be one.
7 • Fail, Fail, and Keep On Failing
The mind is a beautiful thing that can do some pretty incredible stuff.
You can change your perspective with just a little effort.
Laziness has many tricks up its sleeve – and the fear of failure is one of them.
It can paralyze you and make you inflexible, and incapable of taking action.
So, how do you overcome it?
Embrace failure. Love it. Welcome it. Let it become an obsession.
The more you fail, the more you learn – and that’s always been true.
Every failure is a learning lesson that brings you closer to success.
Fail at the small things and fail at the big stuff.
Fail, fail, and keep on failing. Until one ordinary day, you suddenly master it.
Wrapping Up
There’s no foolproof way to be rid of laziness once and for all.
Sometimes, it will return and try its best to keep you rooted. It’s normal.
But these tips and tricks will help you stay consistent no matter what.
Painting and writing – these are two passions that I have been perfecting for a decade.