What To Do When You Are
Unproductive or Lazy
For days where you feel unproductive,
here are 5 possible self help tips. These tips are most suitable for
individuals who have something to do, but just feel like not doing it.
A1. Find out why you are feeling or being
unproductive. Jot down a list of reasons or
explanations. Attach as many emotional words to each. For example, I am feeling
‘lazy’ because I am tired. Why are you tired? I am tired, because I have too
much to do and I don’t know where to begin. Once you have a list of
explanations, come up with a creative solution for each. For example, to
overcome ‘stress’ from having too much to do, I will begin with the smaller
task first. By starting with a smaller task first, I hope that it helps me
build momentum.
A2. Once you’ve diagnosed your problem and came up
with a solution, start executing your solutions. If your solutions are working, that’s good! Keep
at them. If it does not, perhaps, you have to go back and re-evaluate the list
of explanations and solutions you’ve came up with. Check if you’ve missed an
explanation that you failed to address. Evaluate why the solution might not be
working. For example, you might learn that ‘starting with a smaller task’
didn’t help because you were actually working a task irrelevant to the bigger
picture. And this keeps you from building momentum.
A3. If you want to skip the analysation part (step
1), take the ‘just do it or stop complaining mentality.’ This is where you stop complaining and just do
what you have to do. Most barriers are actually a problem of the mind not the
actual task. If this is the case, a short cut then is just to start work and
complain later no matter how unmotivated you feel.
A4. Search for solutions to your problem. If you have trouble with step 2 finding a solution
to your problem, try looking on the web. For example,if you find out that you
are feeling unmotivated because you dread the amount of work you have to do,
search up ‘how to break the work into smaller tasks’ or ‘what to do when you
feel like you have too much to do.’ Do this until you find an answer.
Sometimes, it also helps if you read stories of people going through the same
thing as you. Reading their stories can help you identify your psychological
barriers and possible solutions that have worked for others.
A5. Even though pushing yourself as hard as you
could to be productive, you also need to listen to your body and take care of
yourself. If you feel that wholeheartedly, that
you’re just burning yourself out, then perhaps, it’s reasonable to take a
break. You could go do something outside, go shopping, go see a movie, hang out
with friends, play a sport, write about it (if you’re like me) do something that
allows you to find the balance you need.
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