If you’re human (which I assume you are), you know exactly what it feels like to fight the battle against laziness. For many of us, it’s a familiar nemesis and a frequent obstacle to our productivity. If we’re not careful, laziness can lead to a host of harmful habits that take a toll on our personal development. Especially as our relationships and responsibilities grow, we have to stay on the offensive against this all-too-common foe.
A proactive lifestyle is the antithesis of laziness --- and it’s the antidote! Whereas laziness wonders, How long can I put this off, a proactive mindset asks, How soon can I get started? One of the keys to developing a more proactive approach is establishing and maintaining momentum. To that end, consider the pointers below as you look to leave laziness in your rearview mirror:
Think ahead.
Forming a plan of attack is important, of course. But in many ways, it’s equally vital to envision the end even as you contemplate how to get there. Use your anticipation of the coming benefits as motivation for your efforts in the here and now. And as much as possible, look forward to the process itself, finding joy along the way.
Define due dates.
With long-term projects, we’re often tempted to push the snooze button until we’re finally bumping up against the deadline. But when we do so, we run the risk of succumbing to the time-crunch and cranking out a rushed and shoddy product. Self-impose periodic due dates to keep yourself on track.
Turn big assignments into bite-sized pieces.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the scale of a project, chunk it into smaller, shorter, and more achievable items. Create checkpoints that will help you track your progress and that will give you a sense of accomplishment as you go.
- This approach goes hand in hand with defining due dates. Rarely will you have someone standing over you, making sure you’re on pace to complete your project. So it’s extremely important that you establish expectations for yourself.
The first step is the hardest --- and the most vital.
Once you’ve summoned the willpower to begin, the rest comes easily in a lot of ways. It’s almost like driving a manual car for the first time: setting off in first is a bit of a challenge, but once you’re there, shifting between the subsequent gears goes much more smoothly. Thank goodness for the power of momentum.
Find a source of encouragement.
When the going gets tough --- and it will get tough --- turn to something that you know will revive your spirits and renew your resolve. It could be an uplifting song, an inspiring speech, or a motivational video. Whatever your source, seek encouragement whenever you need it, so that you’ll continue to persevere.
Think of the alternative.
What if you weren’t to seize this opportunity? What would you be missing out on? To put it more pointedly, what would you be sacrificing long-term for the cheap and momentary comfort of staying on the couch? One of the best deterrents to laziness is to count its costs. Sure, taking that first step is hard --- but it’s even harder to wonder, What if? Better to try, fail, and then try again, than never to begin at all.
Remember that time is always of the essence.
I love the old adage, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” It’s more easily said than done, of course. But when you actually think about the brevity and preciousness of your time, you’ll begin to register a sense of urgency. It’s a sobering thought for sure, but tomorrow’s never guaranteed, so to the best of your ability, do what needs to be done --- today.
Mark the milestones.
In the face of a long to-do list, it’s easy to feel suffocated by the mountain of incomplete tasks. But fear not: you have every reason to celebrate your progress as you knock them out. At every major checkpoint, take a moment to reward yourself --- with a family game night, a nice meal out, a fun overnight trip, or whatever else floats your boat. Experiencing some measure of gratification as you go helps you to stay energized.
Trust the process.
Even when you’re mentally and physically flagging, keep on keeping on. Have faith that your hard work will yield fruit, and for additional motivation, remember to look back at what you’ve accomplished so far.
Don’t let laziness have the last word. By adopting these practices for a proactive lifestyle, you will position yourself for greater purpose and progress.
