Laziness, as we commonly define it, might not actually exist
It’s easy to call someone’s actions lazy. It’s easy to call ourselves lazy. Then comes the guilt, self-chastising and other unhealthy behaviors that affect our productivity. I have gone through this myself quite often. To be absolutely transparent, it is the main reason why my last business attempt was completely annihilated. I wallowed in the failure for a couple of years, afraid to move forward on anything else. However, since starting in business again, I have help from people now who care, and hold me accountable on many levels. I sat down with Gemini AI and NotebookLM to help me research this nagging issue not only for myself, but others who might be experiencing it, especially when starting a new business adventure.
Here is what I found
See if any of this resonates with you. I’m not going to write a long-winded essay about it so I’m just going to break it down into bite-sized pieces.
Let’s start with the terms:
Procrastination:
- An “active”, voluntary delay of an intended action, even if you know nothing good will come out of the delay
- Carries stress, guilt and anxiety
- Effort is spent on distractions (other tasks you may have boosted the importance of)
- Avoidance of negative emotions
Laziness
- Lack of desire, intent or motivation to exert effort
- Carries indifference or lack of concern
- Preferring idleness over any effort
The Difference: Emotions
Recent research (notably by Dr. Tim Pychyl and Dr. Fuschia Sirois) has reframed procrastination not as a time-management flaw, but as an emotion-regulation problem. Fear is the main driving force – fear of failure, judgment, and complexity.
So What Can You Do Now?
Here is a list you can start with now, along with a few things that work for me.
- Be aware – this is the first step in solving this
- Give yourself some grace – and try again
- Lower the bar – break the task down into smaller chunks
- Check your battery and recharge – burnout and decision fatigue is everywhere, check to see if you are depleted
- Make lists – revise if you procrastinated and prioritize on the next list
- Block out time chunks – put focus times on your calendar and put your phone away
- Take small breaks – sometimes things are much clearer after some fresh air or different view
- Ask for help – yes, it’s hard, but do it
- Most important – Reward yourself when done
- Look at is as a puzzle – a good challenge is less fearsome than a “task”
“Procrastination is a struggle with your feelings, not your schedule. Laziness is often just a label for a body that needs rest or a mind that is afraid.” – Pine Rest
Sources:
Solving Procrastination – Procrastination and Laziness: Why They’re Different and How They’re Connected
Cadenza Center – Procrastination vs Laziness
Medium – Procrastination vs. Laziness: How to Break the Cycle
White Rose Research Online – Sirois, F. and Pychyl, T. (2013) Procrastination and the Priority of Short-Term Mood Regulation: Consequences for Future Self. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 7 (2). 115 – 127. ISSN: 1751-9004