In a world centered around constant productivity, where each notification demands attention and being “busy” is worn as a badge of honor, it’s unsurprising that many people struggle to find the time to take a step back and relax. If we’re not trying to fit 28 hours into a 24-hour day, are we truly living? If we’re not “hacking” our way to more productivity, are we even striving for success?
Somewhere along the line, we all got on board with this idea that success is only attainable for those who hustle. It’s for those who continuously push themselves and, most of all, who are never, ever lazy. Therefore, if you consider yourself lazy – as the majority of people do, according to our “Laziness” survey – does that mean that you’re destined to fail?
While striving for productivity and efficiency can undoubtedly help you along in your life and career, there is also a flip side to it. In the pursuit of always maximizing output, we might miss out on life’s simpler pleasures: the joy of witnessing a sunset or a leisurely conversation over a cup of coffee. Yet when we do indulge in these moments, we often berate ourselves for being lazy, feeling guilty that we’re not doing enough and ashamed for not being able to keep up.
Why is being lazy so inherently negative? Is it actually bad? Are certain personality types more prone to laziness? How can we recharge in a way that will not hinder our chances for fulfillment in our careers and lives? These are some of the questions that we’ll discuss in this article.
The Label of Laziness
Do you consider yourself a lazy person? It’s seemingly an easy question to answer, but consider the implications before giving your final self-assessment. This question is not just a casual inquiry into your daily habits – it’s asking who you consider yourself to be as a person.
The words that we use to describe ourselves and our personalities are more than mere labels. They have the power to become self-fulfilling prophecies, shaping our identity and behaviors. The moment that we assign a label to ourselves, a subtle yet significant transformation begins. Whether this is a transformation for the better or worse depends strongly on the label.
When we apply a label, we are not just providing information about our behavior – we are framing our identity, personality, and character. Our mind always tries to reduce cognitive dissonance and enjoy consistency between our thoughts and actions. When labeling ourselves, we unconsciously nudge our mind toward behaviors that align with that label.
So when we do take the time to unwind, what happens when we assign the label “lazy” to ourselves, as so many of us are prone to doing?
The Root of Laziness
The word “lazy” carries judgment, either self-imposed or coming from others. When a person is labeled as lazy, there’s a perception that they are lacking in willpower. They’re seen as weak. They are easily swayed by short-term benefits, rather than staying committed to a long-term goal – or so we’ve been taught to understand by our society.
While willpower certainly can play a role in overcoming laziness, to attribute laziness to only a lack of willpower is to say that the only way to climb a mountain is to walk to the top. While not incorrect, it ignores the reality that training, exercise, the right equipment, overall health, and conditioning are just a few other extremely important factors that will impact whether you reach the top or not and in what type of state.
Laziness is a complex phenomenon. Most likely, a variety of factors are at play when you are “feeling lazy,” such as a lack of motivation, a lack of clear goals, mental health status, physical health status, feelings of overwhelm, a desire for perfection, or personal interests. However, the label “lazy” doesn’t truly convey that.
This complexity is not something that we address in our daily lives, yet the label continues to carry its weight. Seemingly, that weight is something that we give into and find hard to break free from. When we constantly view ourselves as being lazy, we start to believe it, and we slowly turn into couch potatoes. It becomes difficult to find the energy and enthusiasm that is needed to take on something new. Difficult, but not impossible.
Feedback Loop
When we apply a label to ourselves, it affects how we perceive and interpret ourselves. This can be a double-edged sword, either perpetuating a harmful idea about ourselves and hindering personal growth or boosting our confidence to stretch our goals and pursue them. Let’s look at an example: Samantha qualifies herself as a “go-getter,” while Erica describes herself as “lazy.” Who do you think is more likely to raise her hand to volunteer for a high-impact project that lines up perfectly with a promotion track?
This simple scenario, of course, overlooks a multitude of factors. However, that does not take away from the fact that a label creates certain confines to an identity. This is true both for the individual who applies the label as well as for how others interact with that person based on their understanding of the label.
“Go-getter” Samantha is more likely seen as a proactive worker, dedicated, and willing to take on extra tasks as needed. Her manager would happily delegate their high-profile projects to her. Hence, Samantha raises her hand, believing that she has the skills and abilities to take on this project.
Whereas Erica, who often talks about how lazy she is, might create doubt about her ability to finish tasks promptly and up to the required standards. She herself questions whether she has the energy to take on something extra, given that her normal workload already exhausts her. Therefore, when the question is posed, she keeps her hands where they are and stays silent. Consequently, Samantha is assigned the project, and she rises straight to the top of the promotion list.
Someone who believes that they are inherently lazy might avoid challenging tasks or opportunities that require effort. As such, they subconsciously confirm the label’s accuracy in their mind, creating a feedback loop. Turns out, that feedback loop often gets externalized – meaning that others interact with that person based on the expectations that are established by the label. That is why the manager in the above scenario would’ve probably already looked in the direction of Samantha instead of Erica when they asked for volunteers to lead the high-profile project.
Breaking the Loop
In our “Laziness” survey, the majority of respondents (70%) admit to considering themselves lazy, but those with the Introverted, Prospecting, or Turbulent personality traits are particularly likely to do so. If you fall into any of these groups, or even all three of them, does that mean that you are doomed? Of course, the answer here is no. Breaking free from the negative feedback loop of the laziness label will require some serious effort, though. But even the highest mountain climb starts off with just one single step. One step is a great start, and it’s doable, right? So where do we start?
First, acknowledge that laziness is not a fixed personality trait but rather a nuanced reaction that is influenced by a variety of factors. The label oversimplifies a situation – “lazy” is being used as a catchall explanation while not actually telling you all that much. It’s more helpful to look at the underlying causes, such as motivation, clarity of goals, task significance, burnout, anxiety, physical health, mental health, personality preferences, and sleep. What might that look like?
Introverted
For many Introverted personalities, the evening is their sweet spot when it comes to their energy. According to our “How You Spend Your Energy” survey, slightly more than half of Introverts say that this is the time of day when they experience their highest levels of energy, as compared to the morning or afternoon. Therefore, it’s reasonable to believe that it would be later in the day that they’d excel at their work – both from a quality as well as quantity perspective. However, our society functions overwhelmingly on a nine-to-five schedule. Essentially, we’re expecting many Introverts to perform at their optimal level while forcing them to show up to work when their energy is at its lowest. That hardly seems fair, does it?
“Humility” survey, Turbulent personalities have a tendency to shy away from the spotlight and happily attribute the success of important projects to their colleagues. While the intent might be to avoid extra attention, this can inadvertently create an impression of disengagement and a lack of involvement. As a result, while a Turbulent personality might be central to a project’s success, due to their strength in planning, attention to detail, and dedication, their reluctance to take credit can result in a skewed perception. Compared to their more self-promoting colleagues, Turbulent personality types can give the impression that they barely did anything to contribute to the project’s success.