The Brutal Truth About Laziness—and How to Finally Defeat It

Sometimes, procrastination isn’t about fear, uncertainty, or perfectionism—it’s simply about not wanting to do the work. Lazy procrastination is when we know exactly what needs to be done but lack the willpower or motivation to do it. Let’s confront this head-on and discover how to move past it.

What Is Lazy Procrastination?

Lazy procrastination is the classic image of putting off work for no reason other than the effort feels unappealing. It’s the temptation to stay on the couch, binge another episode, or scroll through social media instead of tackling your to-do list.

But let’s get real: laziness isn’t always about being a bad or unmotivated person. It’s often a reaction to:

• Exhaustion – You may lack physical or mental energy.
• Disconnection – The task might feel meaningless or disconnected from your values.
• Temptation – The pull of instant gratification can be hard to resist.

The good news? Lazy procrastination can be overcome—with the right strategies. This one may need a bit more aggressive action than others, and a bit more accountability. It could be that outside voices will help. For instance, if you’re burned out, you might want to think in terms of getting some burnout coaching for pastors.

Strategies to Overcome Lazy Procrastination

1. Get Honest About Your Laziness

The first step is admitting that laziness might be part of the problem. Ask yourself:

• Am I genuinely tired, or am I avoiding effort?
• Is there a specific reason I’m resisting this task?

Sometimes, simply naming the problem—“I’m being lazy”—can help you move forward.

2. Minimize the Pain of Starting

The hardest part of any task is often getting started. Reduce the friction by:

• Setting a timer for just 5 minutes. Commit to working for that short period, then decide if you want to keep going.
• Breaking the task into smaller steps. For example, instead of “clean the office,” start with “pick up 5 items from the floor.”

Once you start, momentum often takes over.

3. Create Consequences and Rewards

Hack your brain’s motivation system by attaching consequences and rewards to your actions:

• Consequences: Give a friend $50 and tell them to keep it if you don’t finish the task by a specific time.
• Rewards: Treat yourself to something enjoyable (a favorite snack, a short walk, or a TV show) after completing the task.

Make the stakes high enough to motivate you, but not so extreme that you feel overwhelmed.

4. Redefine the Task’s Value

Lazy procrastination often happens when the task feels pointless. Reconnect it to your values by asking:

• Why does this task matter in the big picture?
• How will completing it help me achieve my goals?

For example:

• Instead of “finish the budget,” think: “This helps my church steward resources for God’s Kingdom.”
• Instead of “write the sermon,” think: “This is my chance to impact lives with God’s Word.”

5. Build Willpower with Small Wins

Willpower is like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Start with small, manageable tasks to build your self-discipline:

• Leave a tempting treat on the counter and practice not eating it for an hour.
• Set a goal to complete one simple task daily for a week.

Over time, these small wins will increase your capacity to tackle bigger challenges.

Why Lazy Procrastination Is Good News

Lazy procrastination, while frustrating, is often the easiest type to address. It doesn’t require deep emotional work or uncovering hidden fears—just a commitment to take action. And every step you take builds momentum, making the next step easier.

What’s Your First Step?

Think of one task you’ve been avoiding. What’s the smallest possible step you could take toward completing it? Do it now—even if it feels imperfect or incomplete.

Action Step: Share in the comments or with a friend: What’s one task you’ve been putting off, and what’s your first step to tackle it today?

All the Types of Procrastination:

In this series on different types of procrastination, here are 6 types we’ll explore:

1. Fearful Procrastination – Driven by fear of failure, success, or others’ opinions.
2. Uncertain Procrastination – Caused by lack of clarity about what to do next.
3. Perfectionism Procrastination – Delaying because you feel you can’t do it perfectly.
4. Wisdom Procrastination – Resistance to tasks that don’t align with your skills or passions.
5. Control Procrastination – Putting off tasks as a form of rebellion against external expectations.
6. Lazy Procrastination – When you just don’t want to do the work.