Laziness

LegacyUser

Anyone know how to get over laziness? I tend to waste days and days and do nothing. I don't know what is at the root of it. Please don't reply saying get up off your arse etc. I'm wondering if anyone knows or has had experience of the root causes of laziness. Like fear - and I'm shy and have always had a hard time making friends. I'm not making excuses for myself here, I try to get motivated but start worrying and then sometimes just go asleep instead of doing what I had set out to do. I've been depressed in the past as well but I'm trying to not let that get a hold of me. Anyone with helpful suggestions (I know this is quite vague) would be much appreciated.

boarduser1980

takeaction wrote: »

Anyone know how to get over laziness? I tend to waste days and days and do nothing. I don't know what is at the root of it. Please don't reply saying get up off your arse etc. I'm wondering if anyone knows or has had experience of the root causes of laziness. Like fear - and I'm shy and have always had a hard time making friends. I'm not making excuses for myself here, I try to get motivated but start worrying and then sometimes just go asleep instead of doing what I had set out to do. I've been depressed in the past as well but I'm trying to not let that get a hold of me. Anyone with helpful suggestions (I know this is quite vague) would be much appreciated.

hi, i was thinking 'depression' when i start reading at first, till i then seen you say you have been depressed in the past. From reading your post i think maybe you are lacking in confidence, when someone has no confidence, they are too shy to motivate themselves, go anywhere etc would you ever consider doing a personal and development course, to give you that little boost to get a bit of confidence? i dont believe your a lazy so and so, its more down to afraid to do things ?

xzanti

Might sound like a trivial thing but what is your diet like? I think diet has a lot to do with your state of mind.. If you eat junk you're more likely to feel lathargic and not motivated..

I found myself in a slump like that before and I found that doing out a diet plan, with loads of fresh fruit and veg etc really gave me a physical boost and from there I started going jogging every second day or so, really made a difference to me.. Just starting out with even a long walk in the evenings will give you more energy, you might suprise yourself.

Good luck.

Captain Average

Go to your doc and get yourself checked for Hypothyroidism. One of the main symptoms of that can be major lethargy.
Easily treated too.

tenchi-fan

Captain Average wrote: »

Go to your doc and get yourself checked for Hypothyroidism. One of the main symptoms of that can be major lethargy.
Easily treated too.

First, no medical advice :P
second, the op's symptoms sound a lot more like laziness than any medical condition.

some tips op, which might help.

• Avoid Internet and TV. They sap your time.
  
• Turn off your mobile for a few days. It's not healthy to check it every two minutes.
  
• eat well and exercise. Aim for your 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, start your day with breakfast, and eat well during the day. Make sure to get 30 mins exercise 5 times a week.

Try to remove the barriers that stand in your way from where you want to be:

• Pack your your gym gear the night so your gym bag will always be ready.
  
• Jump out of bed as soon as the alarm clock goes off and make sure to get up before 10 every day (weekends included!).
  
• Make to do lists.. if you write down what you're going to do you're more likely to achieve it.
  
• Make plans. Straight after work plan to go to the gym, followed by a plan to meet your friend, followed by a plan to have an early night. It's called getting your ass in gear! You'll be too busy to feel lethargic.

LegacyUser

Thank you all for the helpful advice. I am definitely lacking in confidence and maybe I need to sit down with someone and figure out an action plan on how to boost it. I went on a course recently (hobby that may become work) and the people were so supportive that I was really motivated afterwards to better myself and develop my skills in that area. I still am, but I have a lot of stuff to sort out in my life at the moment and so get a bit down. My diet - I need to keep that in check for sure. And planning my days and weeks is also something I need to do. My laziness has become habitual so I need to form better habits by making myself get up early and doing things like having that gym bag ready the night before. Great advice! All of what you said has sort of floated in and out of my head at one point or another so its great to see it all in black and white. And bullet points! Thank you all so much!

tenchi-fan

takeaction wrote: »

I am definitely lacking in confidence and maybe I need to sit down with someone and figure out an action plan on how to boost it.

I'm not sure if I agree with this.

You're lacking in confidence - you should have the confidence to make your own decisions! Sit down with yourself and figure out an action plan. Yes, have supportive friends to do things with but ultimately it's up to you to make your plans because, trust me on this, no one else knows what's best for you and most people are too busy planning their own lives.

I went to a course once. The advice was to write down what you want to achieve using the past tense and positive language only. Then write down how you achieved it. Then write down how it benefited you.

e.g. I lost 7 pounds. I did this by going to the gym for 30 minutes a day after work. I feel much more healthy.

There are a good few self-help techniques like this so you should read up on them and find one that works for you.

LighterGuy

op,
everyone goes through a time in their life where they get lazy... even to do the most easiest of things. Its always mental, not really lazyness.


tenchi-fan made a few good choices.
I too am feeling in a rut too lately. So i know where you're coming from.

Going to the gym is probably something I think is the best thing to do. It changes your mind completly.

LegacyUser

@tenchi-fan. Thanks, that technique of writing down what you want to achieve in the past tense sounds really good and I'll definitely do it. I have read some books on nlp etc and its helping me change my negative thought patterns. I wasn't actually saying that I was looking for someone to give me the perfect action plan for my life - although if by magic somebody did I wouldn't be complaining ;-) No I realise I'm the only one who can decide whats best for me. I just meant that maybe I need techniques to help me boost my confidence because it really has taken a hit in the last few years. And the first person who commented on the thread suggested doing a self development course and that put the thought in my head. I appreciate your advice. Are there any books in particular that you have read and found helpful?

LegacyUser

Hi OP

i kind of have a lack of confidence that stops me from doing the things i want to do sometimes. A book i found good was "Feel the fear and do it anyway" by Susan Jeffers.
Im not usually one for self-help books, but this one helped...in fact, im probably due another read of it lol