Need a day of laziness? It happens to the best of us. Taking the occasional lazy day is not only alright, but much needed in these busy times.
But if you find yourself taking lazy days more often than not, and you're struggling to get things done, it could be an indication that something's going on.
Some of the factors that can interfere with your ability to get things done are a lack of enthusiasm for your work, an endless to-do list, and even an underlying medical problem.
Here we cover all the foundations and tell you how to avoid laziness so that you can be more efficient.
How laziness can be conquered
"How am I supposed to avoid laziness? Maybe the solution isn't as cut and dry as you would think. Although certain individuals may be more likely than others to be lazy, even highly efficient individuals may often find it difficult to get things done.
Here are several ideas that will help you get rid of laziness and gain an appreciation of your productivity.
1. Make your objectives manageable,
It can result in burnout by setting ambitious goals and taking on too much. Although not an official clinical diagnosis, medical practitioners understand the signs of burnout. Exhaustion, lack of interest and motivation, and an urge to escape may be triggered by work burnout.
By setting smaller, attainable objectives that will get you where you want to be without frustrating you along the way, stop overloading.
2. Don't presume to be flawless yourself,
Perfectionism is on the rise and a psychological toll is being taken.
An rise in perfectionism over the years was noted in one 2017 study that looked at college students between 1989 and 2016. Researchers observed that "young individuals are now facing more competitive environments, more unrealistic expectations, and parents who are more anxious and controlling than generations before."
This increase in perfectionism leads people to judge themselves and others excessively. It has also contributed to a spike in anxiety and depression.
Another smaller study of college students concluded that expecting perfection was connected to avoiding coping, allowing stressors to be avoided.
3. Using positive rather than negative self-talk
In any area of your life, negative self-talk will derail your attempts to get things done. It is a form of negative self-talk to tell yourself that you're a lazy person.
By practicing constructive self-talk, you will avoid your negative inner speech. Instead of thinking, "I can't get this done, there's no way I can," say, "I'm going to give my all to make it happen."
4. Build an Action Plan
It can be easier to get there by preparing how you can get everything done. To achieve your target and develop an action plan, be realistic about how much time, effort, and other factors are required. And if you encounter an obstacle along the way, getting a strategy will provide guidance and trust that can help.
5. Utilize your abilities
When setting priorities or gearing up to tackle a mission, take a moment to think about what your strengths are. To help you get things done, try to apply them to various aspects of a job. Research has shown that reflecting on strengths boosts efficiency, positive emotions, and job participation.
6. Recognizing your successes along the way
For a job well done, patting yourself on the back will help inspire you to keep working. Consider writing down all of your successes in everything you do, whether at work or at home, along the way. It's a perfect way to improve your confidence and positivity, and to inspire you to carry on.
7. Ask for assistance
Many people feel that it is a sign of weakness to ask for support. But failing to ask for help could set you up for failure. A 2018 study by Trusted Source found that people who do not ask for support from colleagues are more likely to be unhappy with their employment and have lower job performance levels. They were also viewed by their employers less favorably.
Asking for assistance increases your chances of success and encourages you to engage with someone who will support and empower you.
8. Distraction avoidance
Whether it is scrolling through social media or playing with a pet, we all have our favorite distractions we turn to when we just don't feel like completing a job.
Seeking ways to be less open to your distractions. This can mean finding a quiet place to work, such as the library or an empty office, or using an app to block places that when you should be on task, you scroll mindlessly.
9. Make fun exhausting activities
We prefer to avoid work we find tedious or boring. Chores such as cleaning the gutters or the bathroom are never going to be a lot of fun, but you can make them more fun. Try listening to music or a podcast, or putting on your fitness tracker to see how many calories you burn when doing certain activities, or how many steps you take.
10. Rewarding yourself
Having a job done is a reward in itself, but external incentives motivate certain individuals. Concentrate about what you can benefit by doing this, such as moving closer to a promotion, or rewarding yourself for a job well done. After a day of cleaning, celebrate the end of a large project with a night out or invite friends over for a drink.
