From turning off your gadgets to keeping your head up, these are some of the best ways to
stop being lazy!
12. Set Manageable Goals
Sometimes we become lazy because we’re too overwhelmed with everything we need to get
done that we just end up doing nothing at all. Luckily, this is easily avoidable by
setting manageable goals. It’s true that everybody wants a quick solution to life’s
problems, but we have to restrain our minds and begin by setting small goals we know we
can accomplish. As we do this, we’ll get closer to attaining our larger aspirations.
Plus, it’s important to remember that everyone needs a lazy day now and then… only when
these days become regular does it become an issue. So, take a deep breath, write down
your goals, and take things one step at a time.
11. Avoid Potential Distractions
We’re all guilty of self-sabotage when trying to accomplish mundane tasks. Work, school,
household chores - let’s face it, these things aren’t much fun. But, it takes longer
to get things done when we’re surrounded by distracting things. Lots of people are
capable of having the television on for background noise while they study, clean, or work. Unfortunately,
many aren’t able to multitask like that, and the background noise soon becomes their
main focus. So, one way to avoid lazy days is to avoid potential distractions. If you
easily lose your focus, then don’t compromise your tasks by doing things that could divert
your attention.
10. Change Your Diet
Everybody goes through times where they don’t make the healthiest food choices. When we’re
stressed and overloaded with chores, it’s easier to order out or pick up some fast food
on the way home than it is to cook. But, putting in the extra effort or simply making wiser
choices at the grocery store will help you avoid too many lazy days. Foods and drinks
that are high in sugar, fried, or contain refined carbs can take longer to digest and
spike your blood sugar levels, leaving you with hardly any energy to speak of. Choosing
foods high in protein, like almonds, tuna, eggs, and Greek yogurt can help give you the
boost you need to meet your goals.
9. Be Positive
When we don’t meet our goals in a timely manner or accomplish the things we wanted
to, we tend to speak badly about ourselves. We call ourselves “lazy,” “useless,”
“a failure,” etcetera. But, doing this is no way to motivate yourself to try harder.
Instead, congratulate yourself on the smaller tasks you were able to get done. Saying positive
things about yourself will make you feel capable. Tell yourself that you’re “able,” “valuable,”
and “ambitious” instead, and soon you’ll begin feeling more motivated. Plus, it’s
important to cut yourself some slack once in a while!
8. Good Night’s Sleep
Do you ever lay in bed for hours in the morning because you just can’t seem to get up and
start the day? This happens to the best of us, and a lot of the time it’s because we
don’t get enough rest. With daily chores, school, and work, it’s not surprising that
stress and overthinking sabotage our sleep regimens. But, it’s essential to get a good
night’s sleep to avoid being lazy. There are various home remedies you can try that
might just help you achieve the seven to nine recommended hours a night. Putting your phone
down and turning off the TV is a must because blue light keeps us awake for longer. Breathing
exercises, using an essential oil diffuser, and limiting nap times are beneficial as well.
You should even consider trying to take over-the-counter melatonin as a sleep aid. If you still can’t
seem to get some shut-eye, then you should consult your doctor about insomnia.
7. Play To Your Strengths
When we’re struggling to get things done, we usually don’t want to keep going. Not
everything is easy, especially the significant goals we set for ourselves, but there are
methods you can use to reach those goals more easily. Let’s say you’re studying for
a big test, and you want to ace it. You can accomplish this the usual way by studying
the textbook and reading your notes. But, if one of your skills is drawing, then why
not use that to your advantage? Draw small illustrations on your flashcards or throughout
your notes. This will make things interesting, and it will help you learn the material quicker!
Plus, it will change your attitude, and the thought of this once-monotonous task won’t
be enough to put you to sleep any longer.
6. Spice Things Up
Although playing to your strengths is an excellent way to make everyday tasks more enjoyable,
there are a variety of ways to make boring things fun. You may not be able to watch TV
and get work done simultaneously, but, try putting music on instead. Experiment with
some new dance moves while you clean the house - like Tom Cruise in Risky Business. You could
even incorporate it into your daily workout routine by counting the number of calories
you burn while doing chores or running errands. Although you’re no longer a kid, think of
the things your parents or teachers would do to make mundane activities seem fun during
childhood. It might seem a little silly at first, but if you use fun stickers to mark
things off on your to-do list or give yourself a small treat after accomplishing a portion
of your goal, then things will seem more exciting. There’s nothing wrong with being a child
at heart!
5. Exercise Regularly
As one of life’s primary battles, exercising regularly isn’t easy. We’re often too
tired, busy, or stressed to get to the gym everyday… and we tend to make excuses for
why we can’t go. Plus, life sometimes prevents us from pursuing a good routine - think sickness,
family emergencies, appointments - the list goes on and on. However, it’s essential
that you exercise regularly to end your lazy streak. Most people’s imaginations don’t
go beyond “hitting the gym” regarding daily physical activity. But, you can mix
things up to keep exercise entertaining as well. If you don’t like pumping iron in
front of others or paying a monthly membership, then look for at-home routines. Many of these
are free and don’t require a membership. Or, if you like to spice things up regularly,
consider joining a fitness club that offers a variety of classes. Zumba, cycling, yoga,
pilates, etcetera are all common courses that are available weekly at numerous gyms. Once
you get into working out on the regular, you’ll be feeling more energetic all the time.
4. Ask For Help
For some reason, people often think that asking for help shows weakness or the inability to
do things when it actually presents quite the opposite. Asking for assistance with something
you’re unsure about proves that you want to learn, aren’t afraid to admit you’re
confused about something, and will allow you to complete your tasks faster. A bonus is
that you’ll have new skills under your belt, and you’ll become more efficient at accomplishing
your goals in the long run. You’ve probably heard a teacher say, “there aren’t any
stupid questions,” and this is true. People aren’t born knowing everything, and we continue
to learn throughout adulthood. So, don’t feel bad about asking others for help or to
explain subjects you’re uninformed about. It will always benefit you in the future!
3. Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Another thing that prolongs our laziness is having bad coping mechanisms. Overeating,
oversleeping, and procrastination are very common ways people cope with stress from work,
school, or life in general. But, doing these things sabotages you. Eating too much will
make you sluggish and tired, sleeping too much will do the same, and procrastination
is a result of both of these things. So, it’s essential to come up with new ways to cope
with stress to stop being lazy. One of the best ways to deal with tension is to exercise.
Working out to manage stress takes care of two problems at once; you get the exercise
you need and get to take out your problems on the nearest punching bag. You can also
pour your pent-up pressure into a hobby like drawing or painting. Be creative and come
up with an activity you love to take the edge off; just make sure it’s healthy and something
you can continue long-term.
2. Don’t Expect Perfection
We’re often way too hard on ourselves. We don’t like what we’ve accomplished unless
the product of our work is perfect. But, there are a few issues with expecting perfection
regarding your goals. First of all, when we’re trying new things and striving to accomplish
our ambitions, it’s common knowledge that perfection is nearly impossible the first
go-round. Making mistakes is how we learn, and it’s normal to mess up a few times before
meeting the high expectations you set for yourself. Secondly, trying to be perfect in
everything you do will only lead to disappointment and procrastination. When you expect so much
out of yourself and come up short, then you’ll be upset over what you didn’t accomplish
instead of recognizing what you did accomplish. Last but not least, wanting to achieve perfection
will make you less likely to try things a second time. When you’re disappointed in
yourself and feel like you’re not good enough, it’s easy to give up. So, cut yourself some
slack. Don’t expect perfection when you’re starting something new, trying to reach your
goals, or even doing day-to-day chores. Of course, you should always strive to do your
best, but sometimes life gets in the way. Don’t let this deter you from giving your
all, learning from your mistakes, and ultimately achieving your aspirations!
1. Plan Of Action
This is another mistake we tend to make fairly often. Although it’s great that people want
to jump into new things head-first and give it their all, it’s not necessarily the best
way to go about meeting your goals. Do you remember your school days when you were learning
how to write an essay? One of the first things teachers tell you to do is to make an outline.
Doing so helps organize your paper and allows you to research and write more efficiently.
Applying this idea to your various goals is a wonderful way to stay organized and get
things done faster. When we try to take on everything at once, we get overwhelmed, and
when we feel that way, we procrastinate or give up. But, creating a plan of action will
prevent this from happening. Write down each step you need to take to reach your ultimate
goal. Following the plan step-by-step makes the desired outcome seem more attainable.
After you accomplish each step, you can cross it off your list and be that much closer to
success.
What are some ways that you keep yourself on track? Let us know in the comments below,
and, as always, thanks for watching!