How to Stop Being Lazy: 15+ Motivating Tips

Taking a lazy day off now and then is normal and can even be healthy. It only becomes a problem if every day starts becoming a lazy day. Eventually, you may find it difficult to stop being lazy.

This sort of laziness can quickly snowball and lead to stress and anxiety. It starts when you put off work one day, and more work starts to pile up. You may begin to feel overwhelmed and avoid taking action as a result. Before you realize it, you are buried under a heap of things that need to get done.

So, stopping laziness in its tracks and preventing it from taking over is vital. Here are few strategies to trick your mind and get you back into action.

1. Find out the cause of your laziness. To stop being lazy, the first thing you need to do is identify the root cause of your laziness. It can help you make the necessary changes to become more productive. Ask yourself, ‘What is it you are trying to avoid or what is stopping you from taking action?’

2. Acknowledge the effects of your laziness. Make a list of the negative effects of your lack of action. Your mind may not want to acknowledge the impact of being lazy, but there are consequences, and it will be helpful if you become aware of them.

3. Revive the passion for your work. Sometimes, even the tasks we love doing can become boring. When this starts happening, remind yourself of the reasons for doing certain tasks. Remember the positive outcomes of the tasks, rather than getting stuck on the bad parts of the job.

4. Get started. Often, the hardest part of overcoming laziness is simply getting started. Ask yourself, ‘What is the next step that I can take?’ Take a small step forward. For instance, if it means getting up 10 minutes early or simply getting out of bed, just do it. You will notice that gradually you’ll accomplish much more than when you started addressing the problem.

5. Get organized. Establish a strict schedule for yourself. A cluttered life is overwhelming and makes you procrastinate and laze around. Declutter your work hours and leisure time.

Ask yourself, ‘What would you do if you just had 1 hour of free time,’ or ‘What would you work on if you had just 1 hour of work time left?’ This will help you prioritize and get organized.

6. Create a to-do list before going to bed. Writing down your goals will help you visualize your action.

Every night before going to bed, make a list of 5 to 10 tasks (big and small) that need to be accomplished the next day.

7. Set a routine. Try starting and finishing your day at the same time every day. This creates a routine, which is something that differentiates a lazy person from a productive person. When you have a fixed routine, it gradually becomes a habit, and it will help you get things done every day. When you keep track of your time, it forces you to work harder and faster to get things done.

8. Start your day with the most important task. Start your day with the task that is most important to you. Every day complete a task that moves you closer to your long-term goals and heart’s desire. Build this into your morning routine. If you put them off for later, you will get busy with the day and run out of time for things that matter the most. This will also keep you motivated to accomplish your goals.

9. Break down your task. People often avoid tasks that seem too big, overwhelming and tiring. Breaking down your task into smaller tasks makes it less intimidating and seem less difficult. When you have smaller tasks instead of a big one, it doesn’t require so much effort all at once. This will help you overcome the inner resistance and help you stop being lazy.

10. Break down your time and take breaks. When you break down your hours, your work will seem less daunting, and you will stay motivated. Allow yourself small breaks between tasks. Take a short walk, check your Facebook updates or simply rest a bit. You will notice that taking a 10-minute break will help you stay focused.

11. Reduce distractions. Remove the things that make you procrastinate. Reduce your go-to distractions like television, internet, your smartphone and other things that divert your attention.

Put such distractions far away from reach – even at the other end of the house or in your car – when you’re working. This will help you remain focused and productive.

12. List the positives and negatives of being active. Ask yourself, ‘how will my life look in 5 years if I make changes and take action?' or 'how will my life become worse if I don’t take action?’

This gives you a reality check as to where you are heading. And when you examine the negatives of your laziness and the positives of taking action, you will be motivated to get up and take charge.

13. Surround yourself with active people. We tend to adapt to the mood and thinking of the people we spend the most time with. So, make sure to spend time with motivated people.

For instance, if you are around people who hate their work and complain about it, find others who have a more positive mindset about work.

14. Get someone to help keep you accountable. Get a friend, a parent, or your partner to check in with you and help gauge your progress, even if it means a kick in the rear end to break you out of the lazy habit.

You are more likely to take action when there is someone to hold you accountable.

15. Eat healthy. A healthy diet high in vegetables and fruits will boost your energy and get your body into high gear. Ditch the junk food that doesn’t provide sustained energy and be sure to eat regular meals.

16. Exercise. Make sure to exercise regularly. Exercise releases endorphins that improve your mood and gives you natural energy.

17. Don’t fear failure. Fear of failure can either stop you from taking action or make you opt for easier tasks. Know that everyone experiences setbacks. Take risks, and if things don’t turn out the way you want, take it as a learning experience.

18. Appreciate and enjoy an occasional lazy day. It is not the goal to become a workaholic. Even as your productivity increases, you need to take some time to slow down. Enjoy one lazy day without doing anything and don’t feel guilty about it. This will help you stay motivated and energetic for the rest of the week. When you push yourself too hard, your body and mind will take downtime when they need to, and it may not be when you need them to.