If you’ve ever called yourself lazy or thought, “I’m just being lazy. I’m too lazy of a person, I wish I wasn’t so lazy,” my friend, this video is for you.
My name is Dr. Karin Nordin, and I’m a PhD-level behavior and mindset expert here to bring you the real science behind self-help.
Specifically today, I’m going to bring you the real science behind laziness and how to figure out what’s really going on.
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Understanding Laziness
Laziness: A Cultural Concept
First of all, let me be loud and clear. Laziness is not a scientific or psychological concept; it’s a cultural one. It’s a concept our culture made up a long time ago to judge other people and easily explain actions we didn’t understand or like. When someone isn’t working as hard as we want them to, we default to calling them lazy instead of looking deeper to figure out why that work isn’t happening.
The Problem with the Term “Lazy”
The word lazy is deeply entwined with both racism and ableism. I don’t recommend books very often on this channel, but the book “Laziness Does Not Exist” by Devin Price gives an amazing historical, psychological, and cultural overview on the term we’re so quick to use. I highly recommend giving it a read.
Steps to Overcome Perceived Laziness
Step 1: Clarify the Problem
Instead of calling yourself lazy, I want you to articulate what it is that you are doing or not doing. For example, instead of saying, “I’m feeling lazy,” you might say, “I’m sitting on the couch instead of getting ready for my run.” Get specific about the exact behavior patterns you’re talking about, like “I always go to bed and scroll instead of tidying the kitchen.” The first step to a solution is clarifying the problem.
Step 2: Ask Why
A fundamental truth about behavior is that your brain is not working against you. Every behavior you do is your brain’s attempt to solve a problem. Even if it’s not the preferred way, it’s important to take a curious and compassionate perspective.
Ask yourself, “What are the very good reasons I’m sitting on the couch instead of going to the gym?” or “What is driving me to skip tidying the kitchen and scroll instead?” Identify the physical or psychological needs you are fulfilling with this behavior.
Step 3: Create a Momentum Plan
Think of a momentum plan like a snowball going down a hill. It’s a series of tiny, doable actions that fulfill those needs and will help you slowly change your behavior. This part is often the hardest because many of us have never gotten any kind of education on change skills. If you’re struggling, consider checking out our Change Academy membership for actionable solutions to personal development problems.
Try This:
If you’re scrolling every night to fulfill a need for calm and safety, make tidying the kitchen a more calming and safe behavior. Turn the lights down low, play calming music, and create a ritual out of what used to be just a chore. Start with the goal of cleaning the kitchen one night per week, and the rest of the week you can scroll. Gradually increase to two days. This is your momentum plan.
Calling yourself lazy is a way to give up on your ability to change. Instead, clarify the problem, understand the underlying reasons, and create a momentum plan. If you often think you’re just not motivated, check out our blog on the real science of motivation.
Before you go, I’d love to hear from you in the comments: What is one behavior you usually write off as lazy, and how did this video help change your perception? Happy brainstorming!
