So I don’t really like that last quote I posted by Lech Walesa. BUT, I posted it because the concept of “laziness” has been on my mind. I hear friends, colleagues, and clients say the very same thing: “I’m (just) lazy.” This is usually in response to a question of, “Why are you not doing X?” I’m here to call this out. Let’s shed some light on Laziness so that we can Step It Up.

When you say, “I’m lazy,” you are effectively saying, “This is a part of me.” I refuse to believe that people are lazy. Laziness is a symptom. It is essentially a lack of motivation. It is a by-product of our state of mind and physical being, not an essence of a person.

People usually take one of two orientations towards Laziness:

1) “I’m lazy and damn proud of it.”

Perhaps we can blame technology for making us into the most slothful creatures in human’s history. Or maybe Kevin Smith and other directors from the 90s for perpetuating the slacker archetype. Whatever the source of pride, this form of “laziness” strikes me as a very strong defense mechanism to avoid the fear and anxiety of life. The Slacker is an embodiment of apathy, which is essentially desensitization. Sounds like a good way to never be hurt, disappointed, or upset…and also a way to never feel joy, accomplishment, or love.

2) “I don’t get anything done in my life because I’m lazy.”

There is usually an element of regret, shame, or embarrassment in this second orientation. Again, sounds like a defense mechanism to me. Feeling “lazy” says something about your current state of mind. Depression, loneliness, or anxiety can all rob you of motivation. Here we have Laziness functioning as an avoidance coping mechanism again. It helps to unpack the source of our stagnancy. Am I too lazy to write this paper because I am afraid I’m going to fail? Perfectionism is incredibly crafty in the many ways that it can make us engage in self-defeating behavior, keeping us from facing the anxiety of our inherent imperfection.

Laziness can also clue you into your attitudes about the specific tasks or situations at hand. Maybe you just don’t like what you are currently doing. But surely, there is something that you do not feel lazy about. Even the biggest self-proclaimed slacker can think about something to geek out on. Music, baseball, World of Warcraft, whatever. Energy and motivation are more easily sustained when you actually like It, are good at It, or think It is important.

In short, the remedy for the malady of Laziness requires a few things:

First, recognition that YOU are not lazy. Disentangling the problem from ourselves gives us the agency to challenge Laziness and make change in our lives.

Second, understanding what function Laziness serves in your life. Laziness impedes us from growth and progress  - why might we be doing that?

From there, we can be ready to explore what that “It” is which brings positive energy and movement into our lives.

So if you find yourself feeling “lazy” or giving this as an excuse to others, challenge yourself. Take the risk of valuing something, someone, and most of all - yourself. Step it up!