Secrets to Stop Laziness In Its Tracks

Let’s face it, all of us have lazy days. You know, the ones where you’re moving as slow as molasses — if you’re moving at all. Everything seems more important than what is actually on your to-do list…like binge watching that new series on Netflix and eating takeout. In your pajamas.
The problem with laziness is that it can snowball downhill, and fast. You put off work, more work piles on, you feel overwhelmed and choose to avoid your tasks and all of a sudden, you are buried under a heap of things you have to do. All this can add to stress and anxiety, which can get pretty ugly. As they say, prevention is the best medicine.
Here are 5 ways you can instantly stop laziness before you have to dig yourself out of a stress pit.

Break Big Tasks Into Smaller Ones
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This ancient Chinese proverb has stood the test of time because it applies to all the big projects we undertake. When you feel bit by the lazy bug, it is probably caused by fear.
If the fear of starting a huge task is bigger than the task itself, do yourself a favor and break it down into it’s smaller components. Have a proposal to write? Break down “write proposal” into stages: research, outline, first draft, edit, revisions, polish. Take breathers when you finish a component so you can approach the next bite-size chunk with a clean palate. If the top productivity pros are preaching this, it’s a probably an approach worth exploring.
Enlist Someone to Keep You Accountable
Studies have shown that when people hit the gym with a workout buddy, they’re more likely to stick to their fitness regimen. Knowing someone else wants you to reach your goals can keep you motivated and encouraged.
If you are struggling with getting your work done, ask a colleague or mentor to help keep you accountable. Set up a weekly 10 minute call to review what you have to do that week and a follow up end-of-the-week call where you report what you were able to accomplish. Knowing that someone will ask how productive you were this week can push you to get more done.

Have a Cheat Day
Got a huge proposal off your plate or hit a grand-slam with a presentation? Worked effectively two days in a row? Why not reward yourself with a complete unplugging or a half day. Do something completely for yourself.
This “cheat” can help keep you balanced and happy. Knowing you have something to look forward to, like a trip to the spa or just a nice coffee with an old friend, will help you stay on track before and feel rejuvenated afterwards.

Outsource Tasks Not Worth Your Time
Treat your time, working and non-working hours, as billable. Assign an hourly rate for yourself and then assess the tasks that take up your valuable time but could be more cost-effective to delegate to someone else.
You can outsource to an intern, hire a part-time assistant or a virtual assistant. If you are spending one hour of creative thinking time cleaning your house or running errands, compare the two on value: creative thinking at 1000 taka/hour can create a new revenue stream, cleaning your house at 1000 taka/hour can give you peace of mind and fresh smelling sheets.  Find someone to take some things off your plate at a better rate than yours and more things can get done simultaneously.

Automate Your Life As Much As Possible
Automation is laziness in action. What does that mean? If laziness is a resistance to work and exertion, then finding ways to automate means even less work and exertion.
Technology has made automation even more accessible for everyone. Make sure your weekly items are populated in your digital calendar with reminders. Use software to keep your networking contacts organized and budgeting apps to keep an eye on your finances. Whenever you can automate and better organize yourself, you give yourself one less excuse to get things done and take more things off your mind so you can stay focused to the tasks in front of you.
Now don’t get us wrong. A lazy day here and there is completely reasonable. Netflix can be a gold mine! But the laziness you’re trying to stop exhibits as consistent mental blocks that can derail you so far off track, you find yourself frustratingly hamster-wheeling your way back. Try a few of these tips and start feeling energized every day.