Procrastination vs laziness: The differences and how to overcome them

Ever wanted to do something and you just had to move it forward? Or you 
Just didn't feel motivated enough to do it so you abandoned it? That's Procrastination and laziness respectively. These two concepts make work lag, however, they can be fixed individually. In this blog post, we will look at the difference between procrastination and laziness and how to overcome them.

Procrastination is simply the act of delaying something that's supposed to be done until the last minute despite knowing fully well that it might be an issue. While laziness is the act of not doing something that needs doing despite knowing well that you have the ability or the energy to. 

The major similarity of both these constructs is that they are both a delay to success. They would not allow work that needs to be done to be done. Anyone hoping for success needs to get rid of both of them. In some cases, laziness could lead to procrastination. For instance, a person might not feel like doing something despite being able to then later they can procrastinate. Sounds complex? Well, it's simple really. You can be lazy and then be a procrastinator. It's not ideal but it does happen.

The major difference is also in their meaning. Simply, If an individual is lazy they will feel reluctant to exert themselves to accomplish a task; if they procrastinate they delay it for no reason at all. They are two different concepts but can be related. You can also procrastinate and not be lazy. 

So what causes procrastination?

• The unpleasantness of the task 
• Feeling overwhelmed by a task
• Fear 
• Stress and anxiety 
• Lack of self-control 
• Indecisiveness 

Laziness could be caused by the following:

• Lack of self-control
• Lack of self-esteem 
• Low confidence 
• Unpleasantness of task 
• Fear of failure 
• Indecisiveness 
• Boredom 

Some elements are similar in these causal factors. Such as indecisiveness, fear, and unpleasantness of task. 

How to overcome procrastination 

You can overcome procrastination by doing the following: 

• You need to acknowledge that you're procrastinating 
• Set attainable goals 
• Reward yourself 
• Take a break every once in a while 
• You need to be accountable 
• Start with achieving small goals 
• Make a suitable plan 
• Limit the influence of distraction 
• Organize your task 

How to overcome laziness

• Try to understand why you're lazy
• Set attainable goals
• Don't expect perfection 
• Ask for help if you need to 
• Reduce the influence of distraction 
• Exercise 
• Break bigger tasks into smaller tasks 
• Always have a strategic detailed plan
• Rest 
• Practice meditation 
• Create a good routine 

In conclusion, although procrastination and laziness have their similarities they also have their differences. When plagued by either of them, it is important to set a plan and stick with it. Procrastination or laziness, everyone has a day when both these concepts affect them. Just don't let them win. 

Riddle of the day: What starts with T, ends with T, and has T in it?

Remember to put your thoughts on the post and your answer to the riddle in the comments. Keep striving!