Why You’re Lazy & How to Stop
MINDSET/GROWTH | TIME TO READ: 5 mins
We’ve all been there.
That moment when you know you should be doing something productive, but you find yourself..
scrolling through social media
binge- watching your favorite tv show
staring into space
We usually find ourselves stuck on autopilot doing the same bad habits daily.
I sure do!
But don’t you worry because I have a few insights to share with you about how to start taking control of your life and getting sh*t done..
The Roots of Laziness
The first thing that comes to our mind when we think LAZY is FLAW or we may imagine someone lounging on the couch and neglecting chores or work tasks.
But we don’t stop to think about why?
Why are you lazy?
Yes, you don’t want to do anything, want to relax, or maybe don’t care…
BUT the truth is that laziness is due to several factors such as..
fear of failure
no intrinsic motivation
low energy levels
lack of structure
lack of interest
negative self-image
overwhelm
You may not believe that you are capable of success, you may be engaging in activities that are boring to you, or you may not be focusing on long-term goals but just immediate gratification.
Understanding the root cause of your laziness is crucial for implementing effective strategies to overcome it.
A study with college students was conducted with a questionnaire to see if they have meaning in their lives and noticed distractions were used to turn any negative emotions into positive ones showing how you are not lazy just because!
Create a Motivational Environment
Our surroundings play a huge role in influencing our productivity.
Do you have a designated space for focus work?
How about a distraction-free area ( no TV, phones..)?
Is your room or office surrounded by inspirational pictures, words, or books?
Are the people you surround yourself with goal-oriented and driven?
I noticed that once I started adding more picture frames with inspirational phrases like “good things are coming”, “no bad days”, or “ you have all the strength in you”.. I felt more confident and driven to want to start working towards my goals!
Simple changes, such as decluttering your workspace or adding motivational quotes, can make a huge difference!
Adding some life to your environment as well such as plants or a diffuser will help boost your mood and want to get work done:)
Make your environment work for you, not against you!
Have a Why
Do you know why you want to accomplish a certain goal?
What’s the vision?
If you don’t know..FIND IT!
When you have a strong sense of purpose and understanding of why a particular task or goal is important, it provides you with a sense of motivation and direction to keep pushing.
You will feel more enthusiastic about completing the task and have a greater sense of urgency because it’s MEANINFUL!
Intrinsic Motivation is defined as the incentive we feel when we complete a task because we find it interesting or enjoyable.
You are guaranteed to be more focused and reduce distractions knowing why you need to get that task done.
My why is definitely wanting to retire my parents early, my future family not having to worry about money, being able to travel, and turning my passion into full-time.
Breaking Tasks into Manageable Steps
Lots of the time I feel overwhelmed with how far away it feels to achieve my goals that it starts to seem “impossible” and “intimidating”.
I learned that it felt more manageable and realistic to achieve once I started breaking those big goals into smaller steps.
I started to set weekly and monthly goals to help me get closer to achieving my big goals.
Whether that was learning a new skill, researching, listening to successful stories, prioritizing my wellness, or saving money..
I started to see gradual momentum build, which motivated me to keep going!
Power of Routine
Laziness often thrives in the absence of structure.
We usually get stuck on autopilot: wake up, work, home, eat, netflix, sleep…
We aren’t building or working towards something!
Working in my corporate job it was challenging to build a healthy routine for my wellbeing that when I would come home from work I was so mentally drained that I didn’t want to do anything.
Once I started creating a morning routine to set time to go to the gym, read, and set my intentions for the day.. I was able to feel more motivated to want to start doing more tasks.
I highly recommend the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear to help you start building those good habits and break bad ones :)
Celebrate Small Wins
Be your biggest cheerleader!
Acknowledge and celebrate the small achievements along the way to help keep you motivated!
What has helped me is continuously focusing on showing up no matter how small the task and empowering myself through the process.
By celebrating me showing up it provides positive reinforcement for my efforts and a boost in confidence seeing that I am not being lazy.
From the book “Atomic Habits” it also talks about positive feedback loop that occurs from positive experiences resulting in the reinforcement of productive behavior which then signals your brain to want to have that experience again.
In conclusion, laziness is a journey that requires a lot of self-reflection, awareness, and consistent effort. By understanding the psychology behind procrastination and implementing these practical strategies, you will be able to break the cycle of laziness and live a more productive and fulfilling life. It’s time to take control of your life!
For my visual learners watch this video ⬇️
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HEYA! I’M KATHERINE.
I’m a former corporate junkie turned content creator who dared to leave her 9-5 to create a life of purpose & fulfillment. I believe that by taking control of your future & becoming your best self, you will be empowered to live a life of excitement, purpose, & fulfillment. Together, we’ll go on this journey of growth prioritizing our dreams & well-being so that you can create the life you want & deserve.
