How to Be Better: Become Lazy

"I choose a lazy person to do a hard job. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it." - Bill Gates (allegedly)

Introduction

What if I told you that being "lazy" might be the secret to your success?

Yes, you read that right. The world is obsessed with productivity hacks and hustle culture, but I'm here to tell you that developing your laziness might be the best thing you can do for your performance.

Now, before you close this tab thinking I've lost my mind, hear me out. I’ve got two points for you:

One: Some of the most successful people in history were masters of strategic laziness.

Two: your most creative moments often come when you're doing absolutely nothing.

Context

As someone who regularly interacts with and works with high performers, I've noticed a troubling trend: many people wear their exhaustion like a badge of honour. "I'll sleep when I'm dead," they say, as they pour their fourth coffee of the morning.

But here's the thing - this non-stop hustle mentality isn't just unsustainable; it's actually holding you back from your best work.

Think about it.

When was the last time you had a breakthrough moment while frantically working? Chances are, your best ideas came during a shower, a walk, or right as you were drifting off to sleep.

That's not a coincidence.

The problem isn't that we're not working hard enough. The problem is that we're not being lazy enough—or more accurately, we're not being strategically lazy.

The Challenges of Constant Activity

Before we dive into ‘mastering’ laziness, let's look at the cost of constant activity:

1. Your creativity is suffocating: Your brain needs downtime to make new connections and generate fresh ideas.
2. Your decision-making is compromised: Ever notice how your choices get worse when you're exhausted?
3. The illusion of productivity: Sure, you're busy, busy, but are you actually effective?

The Method: Mastering the Art of Laziness

Let's break down how to become professionally lazy:

1. Perfect the Power Nap: Not all laziness needs to be long-term. Learn to take strategic 15-20-minute naps. I struggle with napping, but when I do it at the right time, it’s like hitting the Ctrl+Alt+Delete for my mind. Give it a shot.
2. Be Bored! Stop scrolling; stop filling every moment with activity. Stare out the window. Let your mind wander. Some of my best strategic planning happens when I'm doing absolutely nothing. Boredom isn't the enemy; it's the birthplace of creativity.
3. Strategic Procrastination: Sometimes, not doing something immediately is the smartest move. Let problems marinate. Sleep on decisions. What seems urgent at 10 PM often looks very different after a good night's sleep.

The Mental Side

Here's where it gets interesting. Your brain has two main modes: focused mode and diffuse mode. Focused mode is what we typically think of as "working"—concentrated effort on a specific task. But diffuse mode—that wandering, "lazy" state—is where your brain processes information and makes new connections.

It's like making a smoothie. Focused mode is adding the ingredients, while diffuse mode is letting them blend together to create something new and delicious.

You need both.

Challenge

Over the next two weeks, I dare you to get lazier:

1. Schedule two 30-minute blocks of complete "lazy time" in your day. No TikTok, no YouTube, no activity—just let your mind wander.
2. Take a power nap when you feel the afternoon slump instead of reaching for that coffee.
3. When faced with a non-urgent decision, deliberately postpone it until after a good night's sleep.

Closing Thoughts

Being strategically lazy isn't about becoming unproductive.

It's about recognising that your brain, like any high-performance machine, needs downtime to operate at its best.

So, the next time someone calls you lazy for staring out the window, smile and tell them you're not being lazy—you're engaging in strategic cognitive enhancement. (Or, if that's a mouthful, just say you’re mastering the art of doing nothing.)

Until next time,

Oliver

Mindset and Mental Performance Coach

P.S. If you're reading this while you should be resting... well, you know what to do. Close the tab. Go be lazy. The world needs your brilliance—well-rested and ready to go.