20 Habits Keeping You Lazy: How to Break Free and Get to Work

Laziness often creeps in through our thoughts and habits, leaving us unmotivated and stuck. Inspired by ideas from The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, here are 20 counterproductive habits and mindsets to watch out for—and how to overcome them.

1. Believing You’re Not Good Enough
Self-doubt paralyzes progress. The truth? You are capable of doing the work in front of you.

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” — Theodore Roosevelt

2. Thinking You Lack the Energy
Energy often follows action. A simple smile can boost your mood and motivation. Start, and the energy will come.

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” — Zig Ziglar

3. Mistaking Adopted Rules for Absolute Truths
Not all rules are universal; many are just opinions you’ve internalized. Keep questioning and analyzing.

“The greatest tragedy is not the rules we adopt, but the truths we mistakenly take them for.” — Unknown

4. Avoiding the Work (Classic Laziness)
Laziness thrives when you lack purpose. Reflect on why the work matters to you.

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” — Steve Jobs

5. Settling for Mediocrity
Never stop at “good enough.” Strive for your best expression of the work.

“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” — Jimmy Johnson

6. Setting Overwhelming Goals
Break your big dreams into manageable steps. The first step is often the hardest, but it’s vital.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” — Lao Tzu

7. Relying on Perfect Conditions
Waiting for ideal circumstances is an endless delay. Just start with what you have now.

“The conditions are never perfect. ‘Someday’ is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave.” — Tim Ferriss

8. Believing You Need Special Tools or Equipment
Don’t let a lack of resources hold you back. Creativity thrives with constraints.

“The right tools can help, but it’s the worker’s skill that creates greatness.” — Unknown

9. Quitting When Things Get Hard
Meaningful work requires perseverance. Push through challenges—they shape the outcome.

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” — Albert Einstein

10. Waiting for Permission to Begin
You don’t need anyone’s approval to start. Be your own authority.

“Don’t ask for permission; ask for forgiveness.” — Grace Hopper

11. Believing You Need More Resources
You can almost always work with what you already have. Start small and grow.

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

12. Being Overwhelmed by Too Many Ideas
Pick one idea and run with it. Passion will guide you through obstacles.

“The best way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” — Walt Disney

13. Never Finishing What You Start
Unfinished projects waste effort. Follow through and let go of perfectionism.

“Don’t let perfection be the enemy of progress.” — Voltaire

14. Blaming External Factors
Your circumstances don’t dictate your output—your discipline does. Own your process.

“The moment you take responsibility is the moment you gain the power to change.” — Hal Elrod

15. Romanticizing Negative Behaviors
Stop glorifying bad habits or excuses. Self-awareness is the first step to change.

“The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.” — Nathaniel Branden

16. Waiting for the “Right” Mood
Motivation is unreliable. Build habits that keep you consistent, regardless of mood.

“Motivation gets you started. Habit keeps you going.” — Jim Ryun

17. Letting Life’s Responsibilities Take Over
Prioritize what matters most. Guard your time to do meaningful work.

“Art is not a thing; it is a way.” — Elbert Hubbard

18. Giving in to Distractions
Distractions are endless, but your time is limited. Create systems to stay focused.

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” — Mark Twain

19. Being Impatient
Success rarely comes quickly. Patience and persistence are the keys to mastery.

“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” — Leo Tolstoy

20. Focusing on Things Beyond Your Control
Stop wasting energy on external factors. Focus on your effort—it’s the only thing you can truly control.

“The only thing you can control is your effort.” — Mark Cuban

Final Thoughts
Laziness isn’t an unchangeable trait—it’s a set of habits and thoughts you can address. Start small, stay consistent, and remember: action beats inaction every time.