You’ve to accept it; it’s the unsaid fact of life.
If you’ve teenagers around, then you know that procrastination or being lazy is a way of life.
Unless the activity involves their friends (that’s when you see a burst of high energy and cognition), everything else is ignored.
They always look like they’re totally unmotivated or feeling tired from stress or just overexerted whenever you ask them to do something.
Just try these simple ways to get them started.
1. Set clear goals and prioritise tasks.
They haven’t heard you? No problem, it’s okay.
List out the task they have to do. Prioritise them. Stick it on the cupboard or refrigerator where they can see it.
Or better still, use digital apps or to do lists or calendar. They’ll get the notifications reminding them to get the job done.
2. Create a structured routine.
Prepare a daily schedule that clearly allocates time blocks for work, break and leisure.
Established this schedule and consistently follow it to build a habit.
For example you allocate early morning hours for exercise and sports as it would kick start the day with high energy activity.
Remember, encourage them to stick to the schedule but don’t try to control or force them; it may get counterproductive.
3. Practice time management techniques.
Introduce them to time management techniques.
The Pomodoro technique is easy and simple to use. For every 25 minutes of work, take a 5 minute break.
This working style will be less overwhelming and motivate them to get out of their stupor.
Talk to them about completing their tasks on time to avoid last minute panic and avoiding stress.
4. Why are they being lazy or delaying the work?
Try to identify the emotional triggers and deal with them.
Fear of failure or not being perfect can be deep seated and needs you to focus on them.
Encourage them. Work on developing a growth mindset. Help them to focus on the process and experience.
Show them how they their mistakes are learning experiences which will enable them opportunities to improve.
5. Create a supportive environment.
Engage them in activities where they’re surrounded by supportive and motivating people.
Ask them to share their goals with family and friends who can help them. It will also make them feel accountable for their own (in)action.
Encourage them to join a study group or form a group which shares similar goals.
6. Avoid distractions.
Excessive use of gadgets is mind numbing and addictive. Their FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out, for the uninitiated) keeps them hooked to their phones.
I wish I could say take away their phones but that’s literally like unplugging their life lines.
So, nothing that drastic. Talk to them. Set ground rules for use of gadgets like switching of phones during study time or restricted usage time when at home.
7. Stop encouraging the behaviour.
Don’t cover up for them. If they haven’t done their share of the task, let them face the consequences.
It is not fair to ask others to pitch in just because you know they’re lazy.
Let them realise that there are after-effects and they need to accept responsibility.
If they don’t learn it now, they’ll always expect someone to cover up for them.
It’s time to understand responsibility and accountability.
Conclusion
If you want to deal with these behaviours effectively, then it’s critical that you understand the difference between laziness and procrastination. It’s only then can you find the suitable solution.
Laziness involves a general reluctance to exert effort, while procrastination is delaying the starting or finishing of tasks.
Both can influence personal and professional life, cause stress and affect those around you.
By setting clear goals, creating structured routines, practicing time management, addressing emotional triggers, and creating a supportive environment, you can overcome these challenges and improve productivity and well-being.
