Surefire steps to overcoming laziness

Let’s be honest; we all get lazy sometimes; we just want to lie on our beds, grab some food, play games, watch movies, chat with friends, or just sleep. All of these are normal; I mean, we’ve all been there, and we hit that point every once in a while. It only becomes a problem when you’re in a constant state of laziness that it now affects your productivity as a person, whether it’s work or your personal life.

But contrary to popular opinion, laziness isn’t always a natural phenomenon. People aren’t just born lazy. It is often triggered by external factors you may not have figured out. So forgive yourself already; you were not born lazy.

Our Workee experts will help you figure it out in this guide. We will teach you how to overcome laziness and stay level-headed.

What exactly is laziness

People have various explanations for laziness, but it’s not always right. A Pew survey revealed that most Americans think people are lazier than they were in the past. The question is, what yardstick was used to draw such a conclusion? These tell you that there are lots of misconceptions about what laziness really means.

Sometimes you may not be lazy, but you could be overwhelmed with work and need to rest.

Laziness is a state of being where a person lacks the motivation or will to do something they should be doing. It's like you have a task at hand that you know you should be working on, but you just can't bring yourself to start or complete it. You may feel like taking a nap, watching TV, or scrolling through social media instead.

Some people might call it being idle, lethargic, or even slothful. It's important to note that laziness isn't necessarily a character flaw, as everyone experiences it from time to time. However, if it becomes a habit or starts to negatively impact one's life, it's probably a good idea to address it and find ways to overcome it.

When laziness persists, it births procrastination, and of course, a lot of things could go wrong with these flaws. So let’s talk about how to overcome procrastination and laziness.

What causes laziness

Social psychologist Devon, in his book, argued that laziness does not exist; in his discourse, he pointed out that when people seem unmotivated (lazy), it is usually because they are burned out, traumatized, or do not perceive any gains or rewards from engaging in an activity.

And while his stand is contentious, he established that there is usually a factor that causes laziness.  Let’s consider a few of them.

Feeling overwhelmed with work: When you are overwhelmed, you may feel like you have too much to do and insufficient time or resources to accomplish everything. This feeling of being stretched too thin can lead to a sense of hopelessness, which can, in turn, lead to feelings of apathy or laziness. When you feel like there is no way to get everything done, you may start to procrastinate or avoid tasks altogether.

Lack of direction: Lack of direction can make you feel lost, unmotivated, and confused about what you need to do. This lack of clarity can lead to procrastination, indecisiveness, and eventually, laziness. Without a clear goal, it's easy to become distracted and lose focus. You may find yourself spending your time on activities that don't bring you closer to your desired outcome. 

Fear of failure: Sometimes, people are afraid to try new things or take on new challenges because they're worried they'll fail. Fear can be paralyzing and lead to a lack of action. This is because failure can be scary, and it can be easier to just not try at all than to risk failing.

Perfectionsm: Perfectionism can also be a cause of laziness. If you feel like you need to do something perfectly or not at all, it can be really hard to motivate yourself to get started. This is because perfectionism can create a lot of pressure and anxiety, which can make it difficult to take action.

No interest or passion: If you're not really excited about what you're doing, it's easy to put it off or procrastinate. This is especially true if you don't see the task as being particularly important or valuable.

Unnecessary distractions: In today's world, there are a million things vying for our attention at any given moment. If you're constantly distracted by social media, TV, or other things, it can be hard to focus on the things that really matter.

How to overcome laziness and procrastination

Overcoming laziness and procrastination goes beyond wishful thinking; you need to take some actionable steps and be committed to leaving that state. We will share some practical steps that will help you in overcoming the spirit o laziness.

1. Set Goals: Setting goals is essential for overcoming laziness. It gives you a clear direction to work towards, which can motivate you to take action. Set both short-term and long-term goals, and make sure they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

2. Make a Plan: Once you have set your goals, create a plan of action. Break down each goal into smaller, manageable tasks, and schedule specific times for completing them. Having a plan will help you stay focused and on track.

3. Take Small Steps: Sometimes laziness can be overwhelming, and you might feel like you can't accomplish anything. In these situations, it's important to start small. Break tasks into tiny steps and focus on completing just one step at a time. Taking small steps will help you build momentum and make progress.

4. Eliminate Distractions: Distractions are a major contributor to laziness. To overcome laziness, you need to eliminate as many distractions as possible. Turn off your phone or put it in another room, close your email and social media tabs, and focus on the task at hand.

5. Reward Yourself: Celebrating your accomplishments can help you stay motivated. When you complete a task or reach a goal, reward yourself with something you enjoy, like a favorite snack or activity. This positive reinforcement can help you continue to take action and overcome laziness.

6. Practice Self-Care: Laziness can also be a sign of burnout or exhaustion. Practicing self-care, like getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly, can help you recharge and regain your energy. When you're feeling refreshed, it will be easier to take action and overcome laziness.

7. Employ automation where needed: One of the leading causes of laziness is having so much to do within a limited time frame. So as much as possible, you should employ automated tools where feasible to help you complete tasks and manage your business processes. For instance, using the Workee software to manage your freelance business cuts your business management time by over 50%. With Worke,e you eliminate the time-wasting, manual business management process and replace it with a smart tool.

The Workee software includes a booking and scheduling tool, a video conferencing and communication tool, a financial hub to track payments, and expenses, issue automated invoices, etc., and a CRM. Check out Wokee here and sign up; it’s free.

To conclude

Remember, overcoming laziness is a process that takes time and effort. It's important to be patient and kind to yourself along the way. Focus on taking small steps and celebrating your accomplishments, and before you know it, you'll be making progress toward your goals.