From the Founder’s Desk
Virtually every self-help book that hits the bookshelves with the core message of defeating laziness provides you with a set formula (almost like a prescription!) directed towards framing GOALs. Paradoxical isn’t it? Common sense will tell you that laziness can never be overcome by setting GOALs. That is why the The Art of Laziness (published by Library Mindset), authored by Kyrie Petrakis, is a cut above the rest in terms of actionable content.
The central theme of the book is overcoming procastination and boosting your productivity. Now, how do we acheive this, and what does the book tell us about it? It starts with 100% responsibility with a brilliant quote by Winston Churchill -“The price of greatness is responsonsibility.” After reading the first chapter, I coudn’t deny that responsibility is the biggest enemy of inaction or inertia or laziness (however you put it). We all love to be in our comfort zone more often than not, don’t we? I don’t see what the problem is. But the book’s author certainly has a problem with it. Defeating laziness begins with a major step: come out of your comfort zone–the sooner the better.
Self-discipline comes next. The author sums it up beautifully when she defines self-desclipline as the art and science of doing what needs to be done. She prescribes two important lessons here: Do it now and delay gratification. A chapter on working on the right things involves not running away from doing hard things, and learning to prioritize tasks.
The book advises against multi-tasking, perfectionism, working 24/7, mediocrity and waiting for the right opportunity in the form of individual chapters. Chapters on learning to say No, setting up a daily routine (That’s my pick too), doing the hard thing first and Delegation are a refreshing take on productivity and overpowering procrastination. If you’re lazy about learning anything fast, then the chapter on how to learn anything faster is a must read.
The part 2 of the book begins with a chapter on tips and techniques in an easy-to-read bulleted text format, turning the book into a tool. We all have read and reread ‘Parkinson’s Law’ right from our school days, but a greater understanding of it, and more importantly its implementation can change the way you complete a project or any impending task, according to the author.
Adding more substance to the content is a chapter dedicated to understanding and implementing a few Japanese techniques including Kaizen, Ikigai, Hara Hachi Bu, Shoshin , Wabi-Sabi, Gaman and Italian method Pomodoro that help fight laziness, enhance focus, foster purpose, make incremental progress, and instill self-discipline. There are a few things that you can do for 10 minutes before you hit the pillow every night by simply using a pen and paper–a chapter promises this and much more.
Do you stay hydrated or surround yourself with people you love? What’s the link between them and productivity? Do read the short chapter on tiny habits that will change your life for the better. Principles like 5 Minutes Rule, 3 Second Rule and 2 Day Rule discussed in detail in the final chapters of the book can make one’s daily routine more interesting, leading to increased productivity and satisfaction.
You can find slices of age-old wisdom in almost every page that suggests a shift towards intensity and direct engagement. Sample these lines of profound wisdom from the book: “A lazy person has nothing to do except worry” or wake up and plan to do things differently.”
Our verdict:
The lessons in the book can be gulped down in a single sitting or while travelling because of its digest format. The book will hit you hard if you realize that you can be lazy most of the time even if you’re the smartest and most productive person. And that, my folks, is the essence of the book. If you’re someone looking to overcome laziness, destroy procastination or boost your productivity, this is the one for you. Or maybe, you can ignore the book at your own peril. But, IMO, please do not. Remember, time is running out!
Related Keywords:
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