How to Stop Being Lazy

While I’m not generally lazy, I do know I am lazy about several things in my life. There are still areas I discover myself procrastinating about. Right now, it’s getting started on a new career. I’ve been disillussioned working for an employer for at least a year now but I’m yet to get my secondary sources of income in solid order. I find myself doing something small here, something small there but nothing that can be a financially viable replacement.

I decided to sit down and figure it out for myself. I found myself using this checklist of questions to get out of the laziness rut:

1. What are you being lazy about?

Many times, we just feel generally lazy but the truth is, we do so because we have no clear goals, no solid plan and no view of any outcome. We’re just being robots moving through life which is not necessarily bad but feels so incomplete.

2. If you had the power to remove your laziness right now, would you be doing this activity or something else?

Once you’ve defined what you are lazy about - whether it is losing weight, asking someone for a date, cleaning your basement - ask yourself: If I had a super-hypnotist who can trick me into overcoming my laziness about one thing, will I do it for this activity? If not, then perhaps there are other, more important needs you should attend to.

3. How do you manifest your laziness?

Do you party and have fun to avoid doing things you need to do? Do you busy yourself with unimportant things? Do you engage in passive activities like television and gossip? Do you sleep the whole day?

Recognize how you’re blocking the activities out of your immediate consciousness. When you do, you can then avoid the manifestation and have a greater chance of actually doing something towards your goals.

4. Which of these things describe your attitude towards this activity? Confused? Scared? Apathethic?

If you’re confused, get informed. If you feel you have done enough research but still feel unsure, just go ahead and do it anyway. If you find out the activity is wrong, you’re still the same guy. If the activity is right, then you add value to your life.

If you’re scared, you have to muster up the courage. Seek encouragement from friends. Read stories of people who have succeeded in the same area.

If you simply don’t care, check how important your goals are to you. Maybe you don’t care because it’s not worth caring about.

5. If you stop being lazy, and make this activity happen, what will your life be like?

How would doing this change you? What value will it add to your life? How much will it improve the quality of your living?

Sometimes, a positive vision of what you could gain is enough to excite you and excitement is usually enough to get you to lift a finger — at the least.

CONCLUSION
I used this checklist to help me define how important this move is for me and truth is, it is my primary priority. While I am still scared, I’ve decided to take the plunge and let’s just say my fingers are crossed. I’ve given up my regular partying. I’ve given up a large chunk of expenditures I’ve realized I didn’t need. I currently get very little sleep and I work pretty insane hours but I am moving, I am no longer procrastinating, and I think I’m on a good way.

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