How I Make Myself Work When I Feel Lazy (Simple Guide)

Summary

Von Jean shares practical advice on staying productive even when you don't feel like it. The video highlights the importance of acknowledging your lack of motivation, committing to small tasks rather than overwhelming yourself, and reflecting on the positive feelings after completing them. Jean emphasizes the power of consistency and suggests keeping a journal to track progress and build confidence. By showing up, even when it's hard, you can cultivate discipline and eventually find motivation through action. It's a relatable and motivational guide to overcoming procrastination.

Takeaways

• 😀 Acknowledge when you don't feel like being productive rather than ignoring it or forcing motivation.
• 😌 Affirmations and motivational quotes aren't always effective in pushing consistent productivity.
• 💡 Commit to small, manageable tasks rather than overwhelming yourself with large, long-term goals.
• ⏳ Start with short time frames (e.g., 5-15 minutes) and gradually increase as the habit strengthens.
• 🚶 Ease into new routines; starting small helps build consistency without burnout.
• 📈 Reflect on how good you feel after completing tasks. This positive reinforcement encourages future action.
• 📝 Keep a journal for each task or hobby, logging progress and reflections to remind yourself of past successes.
• 📊 Tracking your productivity through writing helps remind you that you are capable of doing things even when unmotivated.
• 👁 The hardest part is often just showing up, but once you do, productivity can naturally follow.
• 🤗 Be kind to yourself during this process; it's a skill that may take time to develop.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker addresses regarding productivity?

The main issue is that sometimes people don't feel like being productive, even though they know they should be.

What is the first step the speaker recommends to improve productivity?

The first step is to acknowledge that you don't feel like doing the task, rather than trying to force yourself into it.

Why does the speaker believe traditional motivational methods like affirmations don't work?

The speaker believes that affirmations and motivational quotes sound good in theory but don’t consistently lead to action in real-life situations.

How does acknowledging a lack of motivation help improve productivity?

Acknowledging it reduces cognitive dissonance, which occurs when actions don’t align with one’s feelings or beliefs. This can help clear mental friction.

What is the second step in the speaker’s productivity process?

The second step is to only commit to a small amount of work at first, rather than overwhelming yourself with large tasks.

Why does the speaker recommend committing to a small amount of work initially?

Starting with small commitments helps prevent stress and bad habits from returning. It makes it easier to build consistency and eventually increase the time spent.

What example does the speaker give of using small commitments to improve productivity?

The speaker gives the example of learning Japanese, where they started by studying for just a short amount of time each day, which naturally grew into longer sessions over time.

What is the third step in the productivity process mentioned by the speaker?

The third step is to reflect on how you feel after completing a task, as this can reinforce positive feelings and make it easier to be productive in the future.

Why does the speaker suggest keeping a journal for each hobby or task?

Keeping a journal helps track progress, reflect on achievements, and serves as a reminder of your ability to show up even when you don’t feel like it.

How does the speaker suggest handling days when you don’t feel like doing a task?

The speaker suggests acknowledging the feeling, committing to a small amount of time, and reminding yourself of the positive feelings you get after completing the task.