“Today I don’t feel like doing anything. I just wanna lay in my bed” – Bruno Mars (The Lazy Song)
We would all be lying if we said we haven’t thought that way from time to time. For some of us, that is what we think EVERY TIME a task is presented – It can wait. Let me relax a little longer. Unfortunately, laziness is a real grades-killer. It sucks the fun out of studying and makes us work overtime. Not to mention, it causes unnecessary stress in the long run and could even destroy our relationship with others in some extreme cases. Going hand-in-hand with procrastination, laziness makes any task a dread and prohibits our true potential as successful individuals.
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So what’s the deal then?
What exactly precipitates us to be lazy and to prioritize leisure before work? Why are we excited to play video games and watch movies, but dread studying for the exam in 3 days? Studies show there are multiple factors that discourage us from getting off our butts and finishing the tasks at hand, but among the top few are those familiar to us.
The lack of motivation, no sense of urgency, and a fear of stepping outside our comfort zone are all factors that lull us into laziness. This said, the answer to overcoming our slothfulness may be something we’ve heard one too many times.
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The secret to overcome laziness
“I will always find a lazy person to do the job. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.” – Bill Gates
Even Bill Gates, one of the wealthiest individuals on the planet recognizes a lazy person’s true potential. Much like an obese person who has six-pack abs underneath a layer of fats, a lazy person’s talents are hidden by his lack of initiative.
What then is the secret to unlocking said potential? What is the ultimate secret to overcome laziness and achieve our goals? The truth is…
THERE IS NO SECRET!!
That’s right! We said it! You will have to get out of your comfort zone, put in a significant amount of effort and make a change in your lifestyle to overcome lazy habits. Research shows that the top habits of successful students include planning your study and assignments, avoiding procrastination and eliminating distractions. Albeit these truth bombs dropped, we do have some measure of freedom to create our journey in overcoming laziness. Here are 3 steps students can take to (actually) overcome laziness.
Unleash the beast!
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Unleash your hidden energy by getting excited about the future possibilities. The first step to overcoming laziness is to GET OUT of your rut. Picture your goals and write them down. Focus on where you want to be one year from now. Stop whining about what ‘should have been’ and focus on what ‘could be’. To kick-start your engine, watch motivational videos and listen to success stories such as Elon Musk and Richard Branson.
Consider today to be a fresh start to unlimited opportunities. If your success is measured in scoring straight A’s in all your courses, visualize and start planning. Planning your goals also requires a definite timeline and measurable results. Start with baby steps. Rome wasn’t built in a day so you don’t need to rush your goals. Create a safe space for you to grow and achieve your intended results. Once you are high on the rush of what’s to come, move to clearing clutter in every facet of life. Be it your room, your computer, or most importantly – your mind. Throw out the unused and unwanted clutter that may be hindering your progress. A bad habit like overeating, a distraction such as your favorite videogame, or even negativity in the form of bad company – it’s all gotta’ go!
Pull up your socks!
Once clutter is cleared, it’s time to get into full throttle. Time to pull up those socks! This crucial step is where Self-discipline comes in. Warning: it is uncomfortable, tedious, and sometimes even painful. But in the long run, discipline is what brings you success.
Start by saying NO to temporary pleasures; Facebooking when you should be studying, playing basketball when you should be completing the assignment due on Monday, or watching another episode of The Walking Dead when you should be preparing for tomorrow’s quiz. Deny yourself momentary enjoyment for future success.
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Along with saying NO to temporary pleasures, we also strive to instill good habits. Do vast reading on the habits of successful people. Read biographies of famous people and historical events. Keep to your schedule. Get a good night’s rest and start your morning by fixing a healthy breakfast. Outline your timetable and be detailed and deliberate about it. In every way possible, stick to the timetable down to the minute.
Keep your emotions in check. The younger we are, the more volatile our emotions are. As laziness and emotion are correlated, we have to make sure our emotions are not the deciding factors to our actions. Don’t put off the necessary tasks of the day just because you “feel like it”. Remember that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. It also helps greatly to work smart. Working smart means thinking creatively on how to manage your time as a student. Consult fellow students who achieve good grades and life goals as to how they do it. Pick up valuable tips and try them. Rest assured, you do far more than just overcoming your lazy feeling.
Do a Self-check
When moving forward, it’s always good to take a glance back at the past. With every small step you take to fight laziness, look back and see how far you have come. As time goes, you review how far you have come, fighting laziness and making progress, it will build your confidence and drive you to succeed as an honourable student. After the self-check, do reward yourself accordingly.
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Ultimately, laziness is a negative trait we all have to overcome. For some of us, it takes a while to truly win the battle. Even so, you can do it! So follow these steps today and you will find laziness to be but a figment of the past.
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This article was written by Joel Vijay from iPrice Group.
