I am lazy

As the title points out, I’m lazy, but so are you...it is in realizing this we can change.

Laziness is simple biology, why should you spend more energy than necessary to survive? It is in realizing this fact which we distinguish ourselves from most of the animal kingdom. It is easy to sit on the couch, saving precious calories which we need for survival. Why should we spend more time working when we have food and a roof over our heads?

There are of course situations in which it is hard to get motivated, but these are often caused by physical or psychological decease. In these situations, the word laziness is most likely misplaced, apathy or avolition seem more fitting. We can have some influence in these cases, but it is much harder than overcoming our ‘biological’ laziness. In some cases, we might even need help from external sources such as family, friends or professionals.

Our biology tends to force us to back down, to stop or relax. It is in this acknowledgement that we can to change. Given the time we have is limited we might just as well start being more appreciative about it. I’m convinced that we should be lazy occasionally, it can be fun or relaxing, which is time well spend. However, pushing our biology aside for just a bit can make a lot of difference, even if it is just for five minutes a day.

Paradoxically laziness might also have driven some of the technical developments, just think about it; Why use a stone to dig over a field when you could use a hoe? Why use a hoe when a plough gets the job done quicker? Let’s not just stop there, why do the work yourself, get a horse or even better, a tractor! Ok, this might be an overly simplified version of mankind’s technical achievements but, let’s face it, I’m just lazy…and so are you.