10 Ways to Beat Laziness

Every once in a while it’s nice to have a lazy day, especially after you’ve had a difficult week.

But when laziness starts to take over your life it’s time to make a change.

To create a life you love it requires a considerable amount of effort. It doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s like expecting a sand castle to rise on the shore of the beach just because you kicked a little sand around.

A great life is the result of a vision that you put into action, and there’s usually only a little room for laziness in that plan.

Following these tips can help to minimize the laziness in your life and begin to craft an exceptional life.

Get More Sleep

It may seem counterintuitive but you may need more sleep! If you lack the energy to get much done, you may need to catch up on some z’s.

You may think your “busy” life can’t possibly fit in 8 hours of sleep, but your body can’t function properly without enough rest.  If you feel you don’t have enough time in the day then you have a priority and time management problem that needs to be addressed. Once you sort this out (and that means making time for exercise too!) you will be energized to take on your days.

Move More

Just like sleeping, your body needs to move. Getting even a little exercise each day, like a walk after dinner, will help you energize your body. If you feel you don’t have time try to think of things you do already that you could also exercise while doing. Call your mom each day – take a walk around the neighborhood while you are on your call. Love binging on Game of Thrones, watch each episode from a treadmill or exercise bike. (Back before Netflix I would do pushups and situps during commercials before I got my exercise bike at home.)

Using everyday activities paired with something you have a hard time fitting in is a great way to develop a new positive habit in your life.

Create Exciting Goals

Sometimes boredom is just a symptom of having goals that don’t motivate you. Think about what you want your life to be like and focus on how happy you’ll feel when you’re successful.

Try writing a list of things you want to be, do and have. It is a great exercise to get yourself out of a rut and on toward a more exciting and fulfilling life. Get out three sheets of paper and title one “be,” one “do,” and the last “have.”

On the first write things, you want to be. For me, I want to be a world traveler, a successful speaker, and NY Times Best-Selling Author. What do you want to be? Try to think of at least 10.

Next, grab your sheet and write out the things you want to do. Looking back and this exercise I have written down things like visiting the Grand Canyon, living in a lake house, and owning a gallery. While I still haven’t yet done the last one, this is a goal I am still working toward. What are things you want to do? Again try to think of at least 10, and keep adding to the list as you think of more.

Last, go to your have list and write out things you want to have. For me, this one is the most difficult, but for you, it may be easy. Whether it is easy or difficult for you write down things you want to have. Don’t worry if you can afford these things or if they seem silly or even over the top. You don’t even have to show these lists to anyone if you don’t want to. The point is to get your mind moving and start your creative juices flowing.

The Benefits of Beating Lazy

Imagine all the things you could get done and how that would positively affect your life. Once you break through this lazy spell think of how much better you will feel, and all those things from your be, do and have list you can accomplish. Stop worrying about consequences or negativity and think of the positives of doing more.

Focus on one thing at a time

Overwhelm can sometimes mask itself for laziness. If you’re overwhelmed by all you have to do then stop trying to tackle too many things all at once.

Multi-tasking has been found to be very ineffective and it can cause unnecessary stress. Try doing one thing, finishing it, and then moving on to the next task. If a task seems too overwhelming I have a strategy that is life-changing.

Chunk things down

Writing an entire book seems intimidating. But you could handle writing one chapter or even one page. Smaller tasks are less intimidating and more likely to get done when you take a step-by-step approach.

You can apply this to any task and any goal you have until the chunks feel doable.

Repeat positive affirmations

Affirmations keep your mind focused on positive thoughts and help you avoid negativity. It’s like killing two birds with one stone. Sometimes simply repeating, “Get up. Get up. You can do it.” can get you moving.

If you want to learn more about affirmations and incantations Tony Robbins and Louise Hay are two great people to start your journey.

Get started

Procrastination is a form of laziness. Learn to jump up and get started before you have the chance to talk yourself out of it.

Mel Robbins has a technique called the 5 Second Rule where you stop yourself from letting your mind talk you out of things, or overthink things, by counting backward from 5 (5,4,3,2,1) and then just moving forward, before procrastination, excuses or fear stop you. Try the 5 Second Rule next time you stop yourself from moving forward.

Hang Out with Motivators

Most successful people have figured out how to avoid becoming lazy. Seeing how others handle their lives can be educational and inspiring. You’ll also be amazed at how much they get done.

Take inventory of the people you spend time with most. You will find that they either motivate you to do more or hold you back from your goals. Shift the amount of time you spend to more time with the motivators. If you don’t have many motivators in your life it is time to find them. Take a class to learn a new skill, go to the gym or yoga studio, go places where people are active and learning new things. You can’t meet motivating, positive people from your couch. Get out there.

Use visualization

You can utilize your imagination to affect your behavior and future. Imagine performing all the tasks that you need to get done. Envision yourself completing them quickly, easily, and joyfully.

Make it a habit to visualize where you want to do and what you want to do every day. Take 5 minutes before you get out of bed or even in the shower to envision a life you love. It can be of today, this week or next year, it doesn’t matter. What you think about you bring about so begin thinking of your vision of your life.

Laziness breeds laziness, so this is one bad habit you need to nip now. 

Try a few of these strategies to break free from being unmotivated and start your way to creating a life you love. You can do it and I believe in you!

Here’s to creating the business + life you LOVE!