“A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. There will be sleeping enough in the grave.” Benjamin Franklin.
We have but one life. And how we live it is entirely up to us!Let’s look at one aspect – laziness. It is something that afflicts us all from time to time! While some of us make the effort of not being lazy all the time, there are others who are quite content lying around, doing absolutely nothing with their time. However, if we commit to being lazy on a daily basis, we are doing ourselves a great disservice. And that is because our success depends to a large extent on our ability to work hard and smart.
Laziness has the power to ruin the development of people who otherwise are blessed with immense potential. We can have the best brain in the world but if we are lazy, we will never accomplish the goals that we have set for ourselves or the greater heights that we can achieve given our natural abilities.
Once laziness sets in, it becomes difficult to get rid of it. It is, therefore, important to nip it in the bud. When we make peace with the fact that we may have to do certain unpleasant things to become successful, we will make the effort to tackle the tasks required to set us on the road to success.
So how does one become more active? How does one get rid of one’s inherent laziness? I am listing below some of the simpler ways to get rid of laziness – I am sure you will find them easy to implement:
Jump out of bed
We tend to be at our laziest best in the morning when we hear the alarm go off. Despite our best intentions, many of us will ignore the alarm and go back to sleep; on the other hand, those of us who are determined to succeed will find a way to get out of bed and face the day with enthusiasm and vigour. You can get rid of laziness, too, by getting out of bed when the alarm goes off. It might be a struggle initially but keep at it for close to a month and you will start to see huge improvements in your everyday routine and life. It will make you a more disciplined person for sure. Try this routine especially during the winter months for best results because that is the toughest time of the year to get out of that warm bed. A simple trick – keep the alarm at a distance from you so that you will be forced to get out of bed to shut it off!
Simple tasks
Sometimes, the heavier and tedious tasks fuel our laziness. Therefore, when you wake up each morning, engage in a simple activity that is easy to perform and that will get you started without much effort. These simple activities may include cleaning your room, writing an email to a friend or family member or taking an early morning walk with a friend. These everyday activities can be completed in a short span of time and will keep you on the go for the entire day.
When you complete these tasks, you will be filled with a sense of satisfaction that will then give you the impetus to tackle bigger tasks during the remainder of the day. You have to start small to go big, if laziness is an issue. See if this works because there is a differing school of thought that argues that we should tackle the more challenging tasks in the early part of the day. Assess for yourself what works better for you.
Sleep
Sleep well. If you do not sleep well, you are likely to feel lethargic right through the day. Do not underestimate the power of a good sleep. There is now conclusive medical proof that shows that a good night’s sleep is very healthy for us. If you did not have a good night’s sleep, consider taking a short power nap sometime in the afternoon – you will wake up feeling invigorated. Even a twenty minute power nap can work wonders.
Exercise
That dreaded word that can make anyone go into hiding – exercise! However, making it a point to exercise for even 15 minutes daily will keep you healthy and active. This should not prove daunting since 15 minutes is, well, 15 minutes. The key purpose of exercising, in the context of laziness, is to build momentum to face the day ahead rather than slacking off. Besides gaining momentum, you will also keep healthy and free of complications and diseases that may otherwise trouble you in the long term. When the momentum builds, you will be in a better position to tackle bigger assignments and challenges during the day.
A word on breakfast – have a good, healthy one. Avoid juices, bread and other foods that are laden with sugar and starch; they are harmful and tend to make you hungry faster. Many of us ignore this very sound advice on breakfast and give it a miss; the result is that we feel enervated and weary just when we should be bubbling with energy.
Make a List
When laziness becomes a problem, make it a point to list down all the activities or task that you need to perform during the day. However, this does not mean that you list down so many tasks that you feel overwhelmed. You could list down 3-4 major items to be completed during the course of the day or around 10 smaller chores that can be completed within the course of the day. Make it a point to complete all the tasks set out for the day no matter what. Make realistic, slightly stretched, to-do lists and complete every single task on them.
This dedication will not only serve to make you a more proactive person but will also provide a sense of accomplishment and happiness. Therefore, do not forget to make a job list every single day.
Cut the Addiction
The media has played a significant role in making people lazy. Most individuals would rather stay in bed watching TV, surfing the internet or playing games on their computers or smartphones. The time spent on all these mediums is, in all likelihood, unproductive unless used for educational or professional purposes. Try and stop going online unless you are absolutely required to do so. Although it would be hard for a certain period of time, you will get used to the routine. And this will free up your time for doing things that are far more productive.
Change of Perception
We are our own harshest critics. Therefore, we can have the power to de-motivate ourselves. Stop internal conversations that will hamper your growth or your ability to see the talent in you. Keep telling yourself that you are a person who takes action and is willing to go to any length to achieve your goals. When you picture yourself as a hardworking individual who is capable of completing all given tasks on time, you will do just that.
Immediate Action
When you get the opportunity to do something simple, do it without thinking twice. If you find that your room needs some clearing up, do that immediately, without waiting. These small tasks may not seem important but they can go a long way in curing you of that lazy streak.
All of us need our ‘lazy’ time, that Sunday afternoon when we are just not doing anything. Or that longish annual holiday when we forget the daily grind and go off on that ideal vacation in sunny Spain. However, for the rest of the time, how productive or unproductive we are is totally dependent on us. Make the best use of your time. You are in this world for a limited time and it is worthwhile doing something that fulfils you, makes you feel like a person who has achieved something concrete in life. Laziness, in small doses, is fine; if it becomes acute, though, that is the time to take some serious remedial action.
Visual Courtesy: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sarairachel/
