In a world obsessed with productivity and results, laziness and procrastination are our great enemies. It impedes our growth, it delays the fruits we could have enjoyed early on. If not addressed properly, it might become a self-defeating habit.

How do we overcome laziness? How do we keep ourselves away from the temptation to be complacent? Let me suggest a few:

Understand what causes the complacent behavior. 

A complacent attitude is a symptom of a bigger issue. Refuse to believe the idea that you are a natural sluggard - there might be a reason behind it. Perhaps you have a lot on your plate that begins to overwhelm you. Your refusal to "work" is a defense mechanism, because you don't know where to begin with. Another reason might be fear of failure. You don't want to do the task because you are afraid of committing mistakes. Or maybe you're not comfortable with the task at hand. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt. Identify your reasons why you're being lazy.

List Down Your To-Dos, and work on it. 

Have a mental rundown of the things you need to accomplish every day. List them down for better results. Do the snowball method of doing tasks - start with the easy task first and proceed to the more difficult, complicated ones. This is a positive reinforcement to the mind that perhaps, you are not lazy at all. Your accomplishments are proof. Plus, with these continuous checks on your list, you will be motivated enough to finish everything on your list.

Don’t confuse your work environment with your resting environment. 

There's a reason why we are more productive at the office or school than at home. Our minds are trained to work or study when at the office or school, and to be comfortable when at home. The problem lies when we are on a WFH or homeschool set-up. There is environmental confusion. So the trick here is to separate your work/study space from your bed. Have a dedicated office/study table. Don't get too comfortable. If you don't have the luxury of a dedicated space, have it set up in the living room or on the porch. Bottom line is to stay away from areas where you might be tempted to sleep or play or do other stuff. Another trick is to follow the routine you used to have as if you're in the office or school. Take a bath, wear office/school/'productive' clothes. This will put your mind in a "serious mode".

Take scheduled breaks

While being productive is good, it is not advisable to work nonstop. Take breaks from time to time. Have extended rest, play games, read books, listen to music, watch movies… but have it scheduled. This is to train your mind to have something to look forward to. Consider this as a reward for accomplishing a series of tasks, or a pat on the back after being productive for a couple of days. This helps prevent burnout and prepares for the next couple of tasks. Don't obsess with too much work that you forget to have "maintenance mode". However, have it planned so you will not overdo it!

Remember your purpose

Always remember why you're doing what you're doing. Why are you studying? Why are you doing your best at work? You should have a reason, otherwise, you'll end up aiming for nothing. Your purpose and goals will determine the quality of work you will exert. It will sustain you as you go along. It will be your fuel. Whenever you don't feel like doing anything, remembering your purpose will give you your needed push.

Maybe you're not lazy. Maybe you just need some reminders, or some push to keep you going. Don't stay "in the zone". Get out of it as soon as you can!