Breaking the Chain of Laziness: Unlocking Your Potential
BY: Neighbors’ Consejo|
In a world that constantly urges us to hustle, to strive for success, and to maximize our productivity, the concept of laziness often seems like a formidable adversary. We have all had those moments when procrastination sets in, when the allure of doing nothing outweighs the task at hand, and when our inner “couch potato” wins the battle. But is laziness truly the enemy, or could it hold hidden lessons and insights into human nature and the pressures of modern life? This article touches on an exploration of laziness, aiming to open the door to our thinking of its meaning, causes and effects.
“I do not know what to do”, “I just can’t”, “I am afraid I will fail or look stupid”, “I am too tired. I do not have the energy”, “I just do not care about anything”, “I am too old to get started. It is too late [1] ”… Here are some voices of laziness. But what is it?
Laziness is “having or showing an unwillingness to work”, “the fact or quality of encouraging idleness [2] .” According to Psychology Today, “synonyms for laziness are indolence and sloth. Indolence derives from the Latin indolentia “without pain” or “without taking trouble”. Sloth has more moral and spiritual overtones than laziness or indolence. In the Christian tradition, sloth is one of the seven deadly sins because it undermines society and God’s plan, and because it invites sin.”
“Laziness should not be confused with procrastination or idleness. To procrastinate is to postpone a task in favor of another task, which, though perceived as easier or more pleasurable, are typically less important or urgent.” On the other hand, to be idle is, “not to be doing anything. This could be because you are lazy, but it could be because you do not have anything to do or are temporarily unable to do it [3] .”
According to Pew Research Center survey [4] data in 2015, about half of Americans and 63% of Millennials, believe that the typical U.S. citizen is lazy. Another 2019 Pew survey [5] found that most Americans think people are lazier now than they used to be.
Exploring Your Mind [6] determines that four kinds of laziness exist: Physical; mental; existential; spiritual. How to overcome laziness and start acting? Set goals; create strong routines; exercise to reduce laziness; find motivated accountability partners; make fewer decisions; consider the consequences of laziness; think about the long-term pain of not acting and, just do it [7] .
As we conclude our short exploration of laziness, we find that this seemingly negative trait may not be the enemy we often perceive it to be. Instead, it serves as a mirror reflecting the complex interplay between our desires, motivations, and the demands of the modern world. The key lies in balance and self-awareness. Laziness needs not to be an adversary, but rather a companion on our journey toward a more mindful and purposeful life.
[1]https://www.healthassured.org/blog/8-voices-laziness-overcome/
[2]https://www.dictionary.com/browse/laziness
[3]https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201410/the-psychology-of-laziness
[4]https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2015/12/11/patriotic-honest-and-selfish-how-americans-describe-americans/
[5]https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/07/22/key-findings-about-americans-declining-trust-in-government-and-each-other/
[6]https://exploringyourmind.com/the-four-types-of-laziness/