Laziness is the enemy of productivity. If we were lazy, there is no way we could accomplish meaningful things. We may procrastinate doing things, or – even if we do them – we may do them only half-heartedly. There is no way we can produce high-quality results that way.
So we need to overcome laziness. While I can’t say that I’ve been completely successful in overcoming it, I’m happy with my progress. Here are 16 tips I find useful to overcome laziness:
1. Exercise
You could feel lazy if you do not have enough energy to do your activities. Exercising is a good way to increase your energy level so that you feel energized and alert throughout day.
2. Have a good rest
Not having enough rest could also make you lazy. How can you feel enthusiastic if you are sleepy? So make sure that you have good rest.
3. Set a minimum time limit to get started
The most difficult thing is to get started – the rest will be easier. So set a small amount of time, like 15 minutes or even 5 minutes, and decide to work on the task until the time is up. After that, it would be easier to decide to continue.
4. Create a sense of urgency
This is among the most effective ways to defeat laziness. If you have a sense of urgency, it will be much easier to get up and do what you need to do. One way to create a sense of urgency is by setting a deadline. You can read more about it on my article about sense of urgency.
5. Look at the benefits
One reason we become lazy is because we only see the difficulties of the tasks ahead without thinking about the benefits we will get when we finish them. So focus your mind on the benefits instead of the difficulties.
6. Set a reward for yourself
If the benefits are too far in the future, they might not be strong enough to motivate you to act now. In such cases, you can give yourself a more immediate reward. You may allow yourself to eat your favorite meal or watch a movie as your reward for completing the tasks.
7. Think about what will happen if you don’t do it
While thinking about the benefits can motivate you, thinking about the disadvantages if you do not do the tasks can also motivate you. What are the consequences if you do not do what you are supposed to do?
8. Find partners
Partners can motivate you to overcome laziness. While inner motivation is the best, sometimes we also need motivation from the outside.
9. Aim to minimize idle time
Make it your resolution to minimize idle time. Try to be in the state of doing as often as possible. If you have this mindset, it will be easier to overcome laziness.
10. Divide the task into manageable chunks
We could be lazy if we feel overwhelmed by the scale of the task. In such cases, divide the task into manageable chunks, and then tackle them one by one. Remember, the way to eat an elephant is by taking one small bite at a time.
11. Decide what the next physical action is
We may procrastinate because we are not sure what to do next. So look at the task and decide what the next physical action is. Once you know exactly what to do, it will be easier to start.
12. Do one thing at a time
It may seem obvious, but we could be lazy because we try to do more than one thing at a time. That makes us feel overwhelmed. So select just one thing at a time, do it, and ignore the rest.
13. Challenge yourself
Make the tasks fun by turning them into a challenge. Can you accomplish those tasks? Many people can, so why can’t you?
14. Write down your progress
You will be more motivated if you can easily see the effect of laziness. One way to do that is by tracking your progress daily. Put a mark whenever you complete a task. Laziness will give you an empty sheet, and you can easily see how bad it is.
15. Watch other people’s progress
Knowing how far behind you are compared to other people could also motivate you. Watch good performers in your field and let their performance inspire you.
16. Align yourself with what matters to you
While all the tips above can help you, it will be much easier to overcome laziness if you do something that matters to you. You will have the burning fire within that make you want to act. So find a cause that matters to you and align yourself as much as possible with it.
***
Those are the tips I learned. Do you have other tips to overcome laziness? Feel free to share them in the comments.
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Comment by Ryan
#1 21. February 2008, 4:23 pm o'clock |
Exercise is one of those that I heard a lot, but never listened to. Then one day I just decided I was tired of being out of shape and started walking. And guess what? Exercise did exactly the opposite of what it seems like it would and gave me more energy. I always figured I’d be more tired after exercise because that’s what happened when I was sporadic about it. But now that I’m in a fairly regular routine I get tired when I don’t exercise.
And I really like #10. Unfortunately I had to learn that one on my own. Breaking down tasks really did help me a lot. Instead of “doing something for project Y tonight” it’s become “write the code for this small task tonight” and I’m much more likely to get the small task done instead of blowing it off.
But #7 is the most motivating for me. I know what goal I want to reach with a series of projects, and I know what will happen if I don’t reach those goals. The projects are a stepping stone to that goal. It’s pretty easy to get up off the couch when I think of what the option is.
Comment by Edythe
#2 21. February 2008, 7:22 pm o'clock |
I have two methods to deal with laziness. First, I make sure that I know I am being lazy and I focus on it–a cup of tea, warm bed, good book, a nap. Usually if I indulge the urge, it is gone much sooner than if I fight it. Second, I trick myself with the old ruse of telling myself “You only have to do something for 15 minutes, then you can stop.” Once I get started, I can usually keep going.
Thanks for all the new ideas. I think I’ll try the suggestions in the post. (After all, a girl can have too much tea.)
Edythe
Comment by etavitom
#3 22. February 2008, 1:30 am o'clock |
Thanks for the great tips! Exerting energy generates more energy. Exercise is so crucial on a daily basis…. Best, Brad
Comment by Em
#4 22. February 2008, 7:42 am o'clock |
I love your thoughts. I am someone who wants to put everything off until tomnorrow. Is that lazy??
Comment by Rob Moshe
#5 22. February 2008, 4:10 pm o'clock |
When I feel myself getting of track, I will go into a quiet room and lie on the floor for 10 min and focus on my breathing. It helps to clear and calm my mind. And the deeper breathing physically refreshes me.
Comment by Donald Latumahina
#6 22. February 2008, 10:29 pm o'clock |
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, everyone!
Ryan,
Your experiences are good examples of the points in this post. I like them.
Edythe,
Good tips. Indulging the urge is especially interesting for me.
Brad,
I agree. I do feel the difference in my energy level when I exercise and when I don’t.
Em,
In my opinion, it depends on the reason. For instance, if you decide that you need a rest today, that is not lazy. You need the rest to improve your productivity. But if you just want to put everything off without a strong reason, then I would say that’s lazy.
Rob,
That’s an interesting tip, especially the “lying on the floor” part.
Comment by michael
#7 23. February 2008, 5:18 am o'clock |
the key to overcome laziness is by push one self
Comment by voice
#8 23. February 2008, 11:13 am o'clock |
Hello Donald,
I’ve been reading your blog for a while, and this is the most useful entry for me so far. I’ve been trapped in this lazy cycle in my effort to complete my thesis, and have been practicing tip #1 and #2. It’s time to test tips #3 – #7. Thank you!
Comment by Donald Latumahina
#9 24. February 2008, 2:55 am o'clock |
Michael,
I agree with you. We should have the drive to move forward.
Voice,
You’re welcome! I’m glad you find it useful. I wish all the best for your thesis.
Comment by Leona
#10 25. February 2008, 12:12 am o'clock |
Thanks Donald,
Sometimes I think the hardest point is to find out why we are lazy?
It is because we’re tired and unhealthy hence diet and exercise is what we need.
Or is it because we don’t want to do it like bookkeeping or filing etc.
Or is it because we are scared we might fail. So if we don’t do it we won’t fail.
I personally have to divide things into very small bits and forgive myself when I don’t get ALL the other stuff finished and tick off my process when I do get it finished. I have a great program that makes it easy for me.
Leona
Comment by Donald Latumahina
#11 26. February 2008, 1:02 pm o'clock |
Leona,
That’s a good idea. Yes, knowing the cause is laziness can greatly help us overcome it.
Comment by mnop
#12 10. March 2008, 1:18 am o'clock |
Those tips are really helpful. Thanks
Comment by Donald Latumahina
#13 12. March 2008, 4:55 am o'clock |
You’re welcome, mnop!
Comment by j.twilite
#14 14. March 2008, 11:23 pm o'clock |
Thanks for the post! It’s extremely helpful.
Comment by Donald Latumahina
#15 15. March 2008, 12:28 pm o'clock |
j.twilite,
Glad you like it!
Comment by Mr Positioning (Stanley Bronstein)
#16 21. March 2008, 3:12 pm o'clock |
The best tip I’ve ever seen to overcome laziness is to just do it …
Seriously, just get up and get it done …
Once it’s done, you can go back to being lazy (until the next time something needs to be done) …
Take care
Mr Positioning (Stanley F. Bronstein, Atty, CPA, Author and Professional Speaker)
Comment by Sneha
#17 23. April 2008, 8:57 am o'clock |
It was really helpful. Now I want to make it a pracitse to overcome this!!!!!!
Comment by Donald Latumahina
#18 23. April 2008, 1:35 pm o'clock |
Thanks, Sneha! I’m sure you can make it.
Comment by Rohit
#19 21. May 2008, 5:24 am o'clock |
thank’s i got my charge back
Comment by Gidi.
#20 22. October 2008, 4:24 am o'clock |
this is the best tips to overCome laziness. just get up and enpower youRSELF TO REACH THAT GOAL.
Comment by rami
#21 2. December 2008, 6:04 pm o'clock |
hi thanx for the tips i really feel they r gonna be helpful, i wish i’ll share u my own experience after putting them into practise take care
Comment by Duaa
#22 5. March 2009, 11:03 am o'clock |
tell me some tips so that i can keep my house neat and clean. I work from 9am to 5 pm, i have a little daughter to take care of and a husband who do nights and always blame me for untidy home. A mother-in-law who just supports his son and complaining about the way i treat my husband and daughter.
Comment by Fernando
#23 10. April 2009, 6:04 pm o'clock |
sure, what works best for me is when I think about the ugly consequences of not doing a task. that is a good motivator, by the way, thank you for sharing these useful tips.
Comment by Emily
#24 25. June 2009, 5:02 pm o'clock |
I like the “do what matters to you” and “create a deadline” ideas. these have helped me, as I have become very lazy as I’ve gotten older. Now that I write from home, I can’t afford to be lazy, so I create deadlines for myself and I write what matters to me. I also only take on what I can handle.
Also another tip might be to stop and think; what should I be doing right now? Am I being lazy? If the answer comes back “researching that article’ and “yes,” then be proactive–get off the couch and do it! NOW!
Hope this helps; great article!
Comment by Donald Latumahina
#25 26. June 2009, 11:52 am o'clock |
Fernando and Emily,
Those are nice tips you have. Thanks for sharing them!
Comment by Kipkech
#26 8. July 2009, 4:02 am o'clock |
I’ll fight it at least I know what to do now
Comment by Angelica
#27 11. July 2009, 3:13 am o'clock |
wow. thanks, for the reminder, i really have a hard time managing my time. becuase i am too lazy to work especially now that am in college and require lots of work. very helpful tips there.
Comment by remya
#28 24. July 2009, 2:01 pm o'clock |
i read the complete blog, but i am dead lazied, that all those ideas are already things which i know but nothing moves me..i don’t lackany energy, niether i feel sleepy.. but i dont want to do anything.. how to overcome this extremity of lazyness?
Comment by shifa
#29 24. August 2009, 2:14 pm o'clock |
fanx for the tips. they seem to be very helpful. hey reyma may b there is something which is extremely disturbing you. this is y u just cant get he mood. hey cheer up dear… forget the worries and think of the future and you will see how wonderful this world is! gud luck :)
Comment by remya
#30 24. August 2009, 9:23 pm o'clock |
Thank You Shifa :)
I think I had already overcome the previous situation and have an aim now in mind :)
But, still I have print out of some articles related to overcoming lazyness ;)
And, I understand that doing exercise changes the entire scenario of a lazy person. But the thing is , it is very difficult for a lazy person to go out and do it regularly !
Comment by nanda
#31 9. September 2009, 4:47 pm o'clock |
Very Very Nice Tips by all the Guys!! please keep on posting more like this!! Cheers!
Comment by Bekzod
#32 9. October 2009, 12:40 pm o'clock |
Procrationating is what I always do – i think it is caused by my laziness. But I found now how to struggle with it. I hope your tips will be very useful for us. Now I am setting the time to start my old task 3 mins … :) and tricking myself that I will stop doing it after 15 mins… I am sure I will not stop :).. Gd luck all!
Comment by anne
#33 14. October 2009, 3:58 am o'clock |
i thought i’m the only person in this world with this problem… hehe
Comment by jayakumar
#34 22. October 2009, 7:40 am o'clock |
It’s great, and it’s useful for me
Thank you.
Comment by anna
#35 5. January 2010, 8:44 pm o'clock |
I’m usually not lazy (far from it.) But I’ve had health problems the last few years and am just now getting to where I can do much at all. I’m hoping that the exercise pointer especially as well as the others will help me be back to my go-getter self soon.
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