Decode your laziness

Explore the five hidden causes of laziness and learn practical ways to overcome them

- Soumya Prabhu

Laziness is something everyone faces at times. It is not always about being careless or unwilling to work. Often, laziness comes from hidden reasons like tiredness, stress, or lack of direction. By understanding the different types of laziness, people can find better ways to deal with it and bring back focus and energy. “Laziness isn’t just about avoiding work, it often hides fear, overwhelm, or exhaustion. The key is to recognize what's really behind it, then take small steps, build simple routines, and stay accountable. Above all, show yourself compassion, because kindness fuels progress far more than criticism. With the right mindset, laziness can turn into motivation and growth,” says Ekta Dharia, Clinical Psychologist & Psychotherapist.

Let’s look at five common kinds of laziness, why they happen, and how to beat them.

Procrastination

This kind of laziness shows up when someone keeps delaying tasks, even though they know it must be done. A student might scroll on social media instead of finishing an assignment. An employee may delay sending an important email until it becomes urgent. Tasks feel too big, too boring, or too stressful. The brain seeks comfort in easier activities, even when guilt builds up. To beat this, you should break the task into smaller, bite-sized steps and give yourself a quick reward after progress.

“Back in my undergrad, I often delayed tasks just because my peers hadn't started yet. Most of my energy went into planning and postponing instead of actually doing. The turning point came when I began acting, even if imperfectly. I realized outcomes big or small give confidence and push you forward. Procrastination may never fully go away, but my mantra is simple: act quickly rather than perfecting the plan,” says Tanmay Vyavhare, MBA second year student.

Decision fatigue