Have you ever found yourself constantly delaying tasks, convincing yourself that you'll do them "later"?
You are NOT alone.
Procrastination can be sneaky and often disguises itself as laziness. But are we really just being lazy, or is there something more complex at play when we procrastinate?
The Procrastination-Laziness Conundrum
Procrastination : The art of unnecessarily postponing tasks or decisions to be addressed later, usually at the last minute.
Laziness : The reluctance to engage in any sort of effortful activity or work.
At first glance, it might be easy to mistake procrastination for laziness. After all, both involve putting things off and a lack of motivation. However, the underlying reasons and implications of these behaviors are markedly different.
When we procrastinate, we are often well-aware of the tasks at hand and the urgency behind completing them. We know the deadline, yet we wait until right before the due date to do anything about it. The act of procrastination is linked to various factors like fear of failure, perfectionism, or overwhelm. Procrastinators may struggle not with the work itself but with the emotional baggage that comes with it.
On the flip side, laziness tends to stem from an outright avoidance of effort. Those who are lazy may lack the motivation to even begin a task, regardless of its importance or impact. Unlike procrastinators, they may not feel the weight of imminent deadlines or the pressure to perform.
Types of Procrastinators
Let's dive into why people procrastinate because we all know delaying a task doesn't make it go away. It may temporarily alleviate the stress, but it creates a false sense of relief that is fleeting and can lead to even more stress in the long run. Leon Ho, of LifeHack.com, has labeled several different types of procrastinators. See how many you may or may not identify with *(my answers are below).
Perfectionists
Have you have ever edited something again and again because it's just not quiiiite rriiight? Perfectionists set high standards for themselves that are hard to achieve, and so they either do them thinking they will eventually achieve perfection or are waiting for just the right time, both leading to never getting the task done.
Dreamers
Big dreams call for big plans... and procrastinators are not good at laying out and executing step-by-step plans. So, instead, they flounder, continuing to have big dreams without realizing how to make those dreams come true.
Avoiders and Self-Saboteurs
When challenges arise, it's sometimes just easier to avoid the situation altogether. You can't fail if you don't ever start. Avoiders and self-saboteurs can use excuses, like not having time, to mask the real reason of not facing the challenge head-on.
Thrive Under Pressure
Anyone feel like when the pressure of a deadline is on that you are focused, unaware of distractions and the juices really start to flow? Well, then you may believe you thrive when there's a looming deadline. This leads more to hasty and mediocre results, rather than planning ahead, avoiding the stress and rush and doing excellent work.
Busy Bee
If you are bizzily bizzying yourself with menial tasks rather than focusing on the major task at hand, then you may be a bizzy bee - buzz buzz. You know, cleaning your desk, organizing your files, paying the bills or rearranging the furniture, etc, etc. Mainly, finding ways to stay busy without really accomplishing what you intend or need to get done.
*(I have to admit, I can identify with every single one of these at one point or another. Some just yesterday! I have always been a procrastinator, much to my husband's dismay, and with so many approaches in my tool belt, it's no wonder I'm a master! It's no wonder when this idea came to me that I knew it had to be my next post. This is a self-help post!)
Outlining Laziness
We have determined that laziness is not the same as procrastinating. So, let's see what differentiates procrastination from laziness. One major difference is that even though we typically realize the outcome of being lazy will be negative - like when we don't do our homework on purpose - it doesn't seem to matter. Laziness might be a symptom of burnout or a deeper underlying issue. It could signify a need for rest, a lack of interest, or even mental health struggles. Understanding the root cause of laziness is crucial in addressing it effectively.
Let's dig into reasons why someone might be lazy.
Lack of Interest
It's hard to get motivated if we aren't excited about what we're doing. Lacking passion and not having a clear purpose will take the wind out of any sail, which leads to inaction and lack of forward progress.
Low Esteem and Confidence
Low self-esteem may be the culprit. When we don't believe in ourselves, we have a lack of confidence. And, when we don't feel confident in our abilities, the fear of failure prevents action.
Hopelessness
Laziness can arise from feelings of hopelessness. Feeling completely overwhelmed by a task leads to a lack of interest that can be perceived as laziness. They don't look at the small steps to get something accomplished because they get bogged down by the sheer size of the whole project.
As with procrastination, laziness is usually an underlying symptom of an unidentified or unaddressed problem, but it may be positive at times, too. Those that prefer to work more efficiently look for ways to get a hard job done with less effort. "Work smarter not harder", is often the mantra you'll hear. They may or may not brag about being lazy, but you can be sure they are proud of not having to exert as much energy to get a job done well.
Overcoming the Hurdles
So how do we combat procrastination and laziness to lead a more productive life? It starts with self-awareness and self-compassion. Recognize when we're procrastinating and try to unearth the reasons behind it. Are you afraid of failure? Overwhelmed by the task at hand? By pinpointing these triggers, we can take proactive steps to tackle them head-on.
For laziness, it's essential to differentiate between rest and avoidance. If we genuinely need a break, allow that time without guilt. However, if we find we are consistently avoiding responsibilities, it might be time to reevaluate our priorities and motivations.
Steps to Overcome Procrastination and Laziness:
Assess Goals and Motivations
Take time to determine goals and what excites you. When we have purpose and have a vested interest in what we're doing, we are going to be more motivated, even for those harder to achieve goals.
Breakdown Goals
Look at your goals and break it down into smaller, step by step processes. Much like eating an elephant, which can seem like an insurmountable task, it takes one bite at a time to accomplish it.
Create a Plan of Action
Now that you've got your steps outlined, it's time to set a timeline. Yes, deadlines. They should be realistic deadlines - and if you get done early, then you can decide if it's time to relax or forge ahead. Be sure to show someone or recruit an accountability partner that you don't want to let down, but who will be understanding and supportive with your struggles.
Identify Times of Procrastination/Laziness
We can't address our bad habits if we don't recognize them. When you notice that you're scrolling through social media, watching a movie or basically avoiding what you know you should be doing, take note of what it is you're doing and how you want to change that pattern in the future.
Practice Positive Self-Talk
It's easy to get down on ourselves, so instead of falling into the negativity trap, turn that frown upside down and say something good about yourself. When you hear yourself say, "I am so bad at meeting deadlines." Smile and say brightly, OUT LOUD, "I am getting to work because I like to be done ahead of time."
Recognize Your Strengths
We each have special gifts, and we need to start recognizing them. Use those strengths and gifts to propel you into a positive and growth mindset. Let yourself hear you say your strengths, again out loud, and your confidence and self-esteem will grow. Your weaknesses will not speak so loudly because your strengths will empower you to address and overcome them.
When you see change, celebrate those victories, no matter how small. It's how we re-wire our brain to eventually see long-term change. We will start to see unproductive time decrease. Inaction will become a time of deserved relaxation. Confidence will soar. And, we will feel worthy of success.
Embracing Being Uncomfortable
Let's face it, doing hard things is uncomfortable and we don't like the thought of being uncomfortable. But, in order to push past our comfort zones, we have to embrace the idea that comfort is undesirable because comfort is our own personal bondage keeping us in chains. Comfort keeps us complacent. Comfort keeps us from growing. Comfort keeps us from realizing our dreams.
Shotz says, "To stop procrastinating right now, identify the smallest possible step you can take to make progress toward your goals, and try to start with just that tiny step, while giving yourself permission to make mistakes during the attempt." (emphasis mine)
In a society that often equates productivity with worth, it's crucial to remember that it's okay not to be perfect. Embrace the process, even if it's messy and imperfect. Success isn't solely measured by the absence of procrastination or laziness but by how you navigate through these challenges and grow from them.
Remember, procrastination isn't a life sentence, and laziness isn't a personality trait. Don't believe the lies that you are destined to be like this forever. By understanding the nuances of these behaviors, taking time to understand God's promises for your life, you can take steps towards a more fulfilling and balanced life.
So the next time you catch yourself procrastinating, pause and reflect. Are you truly being lazy, or is there something deeper at play? Embrace the journey of self-discovery, ask God to search your heart, and watch as you evolve into the best version of yourself.
Let's break free from the shackles of procrastination and laziness, and step boldly into a future filled with growth and success.
If you are like me and really struggle with procrastination - and sometimes results in laziness, please look further at the sources I have listed below. They are full of more information and tips than I can share here. You can be sure that I'll be working these strategies right along with you!
Have you noticed how much of what we talked about today also applies to you and your health journey, too? The all or nothing mentality. Self-sabotage. Lack of confidence. Too busy to take care of yourself. These are all arguments we've heard or said to ourselves to prevent us from doing what we know we should do.
Thankfully, you're not alone in this journey. Although I may be trying to be a rehabilitated professional procrastinator (See! ... growing already by recognizing my tendencies), I am most certainly, without a doubt, and always will be a professional cheerleader (and, using positive self-talk and building on my strengths) providing you with positive feedback that builds you up into the confident, strong and worthy person that you were created to be. I feel EMPOWERED! I hope you are taking this message to heart, as well.
Submit your Application for your own Feel Better About YOU Breakthrough Session with me today. Then, we'll find a time to chat next week. No procrastination or laziness in either of those sentences! LOL
In Courage,
Dani
Sources:
Ho, Leon. LifeHack.org. Procrastination And Laziness: Their Differences & Connections. September 15, 2023.
Shotz, Itamar, PhD. solvingprocrastination.com. Procrastination and Laziness: Why They’re Different and How They’re Connected.
Vassiliades, Faye. Wellics.com. 18 Smart Tips to Overcome Procrastination. September 3, 2024.
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