The notion of a productive job and a worthy result of activity warms the soul of true slackers. Because practical actions come rarely or do not come. Tired of fighting laziness and looking for a way to break this vicious cycle of inaction? In this article we will discuss in detail the human nature of reluctance to start work, identify the psychological characteristics of the perception of laziness. Also consider effective methods and ways to eliminate this negative phenomenon
The World Health Organization notes a decline in the overall level of activity among the younger generation. Alarming figures where, on average, 85% of girls and 78% of boys devote less than one hour a day to physical activity. Here is a vivid demonstration of laziness as a barrier to gaining body health. Among the adult population, idleness has taken root even more deeply. This is especially true for people whose work is organized at home (accountants, freelancers, etc.d.). Being able to put off tasks increases the likelihood that things will be put “in the back burner”. And the dependence of income level on the amount of work performed has little effect on increasing productivity.
Every lazy professional dreams of stopping procrastination and gaining frantic efficiency. Dreams are easy to achieve if one subjects one’s personality to deep analysis and transformation.The following are the main approaches to the understanding of laziness in different psychological directions:
Approach | Description |
Negative | Vision is based on religious beliefs. Laziness stands as a sinful manifestation unworthy of a righteous Christian. From a psychological point of view, it is understood as a negative personality trait that needs to be corrected. |
Positive | This approach understands laziness as a defense mechanism that helps restore the body’s resources after prolonged stress (physical, emotional, intellectual, moral). Psychologist M. Berendeeva believes that the nature of laziness lies in the origins of childhood. Psychological pressure from parents forms a passive approach to activity in the child. |
Pathological | From the medical point of view, idleness is an illness. It has varying degrees of severity. Healthy – a periodic reluctance to take up work. Unhealthy is a pathological phenomenon accompanied by general passivity and Aggressive reactions. Chronic – the picture of the disease is expressed by manipulation, designed to make others work for the patient and the need to lie to the people around them. |
Mythological | According to the mythological view, laziness does not exist. But there are neurophysiological disorders that cause apathy, fear of activity, and passivity. |
We view laziness as a dual quality with a positive and negative nature. The origins of the phenomenon does not explain it, so here are the basic causes of laziness:
Lack of existential motivation.This phenomenon can be characterized as an unhindered flow through life, an emphasis on socially approved goals and standards. In general, a lack of visions of one’s own life path.
Personality traits.Closed-minded, uncommunicative people with weak nervous systems tend to be passive about other people and activities performed.
Education.Pathological imposition of hard labor on a child by his parents, or, on the contrary, widespread saving him from household duties, leads to the development of laziness. In adulthood, it will follow a person always and everywhere.
Accidental Causes. Sometimes we are lazy because we are tired, hungry, given a difficult task, or under emotional pressure from outside. Passivity caused by this cause is healthy and easily correctable.
This can include more personal, deeper reasons for underlying laziness. For example, fear of new activities. It has nothing to do with a person’s abilities and motivation. The feeling of fear has a negative effect, destroying self-confidence and forcing to postpone things indefinitely. s.g. Zanin singles out such a reason as lack of instant gratification. If the task at hand requires a long period of work on it, and no encouragement from outside is observed, it reduces the motivational aspect of the activity. There is a desire to postpone an unpleasant moment.
Who is a hard worker
There are many reasons for laziness, but there’s no way out. And you try to make a psychological portrait of a classic workaholic who devotes all his time to work and self-development. First of all, it is discipline – the ability to follow tasks without excuses. Then competence comes out. An educated professional who is constantly developing in his or her field is able to cope with any challenge. Often it is difficulties that cause a feeling of fear, which paralyzes all activity. Excellent awareness removes the likelihood of developing these fears.
Time management skills, because without them it is difficult to fit all the many goals into a limited amount of time. Productive workaholics are people with amazing willpower. Perhaps these are the basic characteristics of an active worker. But know that there are no hopeless cases. Small steps can lead to a big goal. That is, a little, but regular effort can help cope with laziness and learn to work at full capacity.
Methods to combat laziness
According to the International Labor Organization, there are 4-5% of people for whom work is unacceptable. They will not work, even if there is a vacancy corresponding to their level of training. This is where the real idleness lies. But we are trying to overcome the tendency to procrastination and passivity. So let’s get acquainted with popular techniques to combat laziness.
The Kaizen Technique
Suitable for the long-term eradication of laziness in its origins, as it is carried out over an extended period of time. Carve out a minute a day for the activity that makes you reluctant. Suitable for developing the skill of systematic fitness training, learning foreign languages, etc.d. Can be transferred to any activity. One minute is the first day of implementing a technique. Next, you increase this time at a pace at which you will not feel discomfort. In time, you will get rid of laziness and learn to be productive.
The technique of three breaths
Suitable for dealing with situational laziness and combines elements of affirmations (internal positive attitudes). Perform three slow, smooth breaths and exhalations before beginning an activity you don’t want to perform. In the first breath, imagine the first operation with which your action will begin. As you breathe, imagine that you are doing a great job and are happy with it. The result of the technique is an increase in the body’s resources and motivation.
The good mood rule.
In a state of emotional decline, experiencing negative feelings, a person is not inclined to be active and productive. If the cause of the negative feelings cannot be eliminated at the moment, it is worth tricking the brain. A smile is a characteristic reaction to feeling good and having a good time. Stand in front of the mirror and smile sincerely. Feel uncomfortable at first because there is a resonance between facial expressions and emotions. Don’t give up, you are on your way to success. Over time, your brain cheats and you feel like the good mood has returned to you. And with mood goes laziness and comes productivity.
The “planned laziness” technique
If you constantly keep a high level of activity, the motivation will burn out, like a light bulb. Therefore, it is important to take planned breaks and allow yourself to be lazy without remorse. Ideally picking a moment when important things are done. Lack of discomfort from unfinished tasks will help you completely dissolve into resolved laziness. The key point of the methodology is that there is a limited amount of time for inactivity. If it’s a few minutes or hours – set a timer so you don’t have to worry about laziness lingering.
Ways to cope with laziness
The easy and simple ways that will help to find unprecedented productivity and streamline the work process are presented below. Familiarize yourself with them and go to fight laziness:
Clear organization of the workspace.Forbes magazine published the results of a study on the impact of workplace clutter on productivity. Statistics show that people who keep their workplace tidy perform better and have more accomplishments than their less tidy colleagues.
Break the goal into several small ones.Take a piece of paper and write your goal. For example, to clean the desktop. Break this activity down into several operations – sorting out documents, putting away paperwork, dusting, etc.d. More global goals require detailed analysis. But even then, laziness from the fear of failure will not arise, because you will see that you are quite capable of doing it.
A change of activity helps you relax and keep your desire to work. You can alternate between doing the paperwork and being more active. Then monotonous work won’t cut off motivation.
Reward yourself for small successes.It is nice to receive praise for a job well done. Create such “emotional stroking” for yourself. Completed an action you’ve been putting off for a long time, indulge in something meaningful to you. Expecting positive reinforcement will help eradicate laziness and help you be more productive.
Learn time management skills.When there are not enough 24 hours in a day, then you have the wrong organization of work in time. Make a diary, where the detailed hours and minutes will prescribe plans for the day, week, month, etc.d. Begin mastering time management by making a plan for today in the morning. Clear organization of work in time will help eliminate the surprise factor and the accumulation of several tasks at once.
Keep your body toned.A study at Cleveland State University (USA) showed that people who exercised increased their income by 6-10% . Exercise for 20 minutes 3-4 times a week helped to move to a new level of income by getting rid of situational laziness. And this is not the only advantage of regular physical activity.
Conclusion
Laziness prevents us from realizing our personal and creative potential. As you can see, there are many techniques and ways to overcome idleness, but not to submit to it and swim with the current. We are creators of ourselves and the reality around us. Wishing for goals and maximum productivity.
