Everyone is born lazy. So how/why do some cast laziness aside while others don’t?

[Lioness]

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

Okay, the fun things: I’d do them for a time then lose interest.

.... I’ve been sacked from about nine or ten jobs, I’ve walked off from as many more, and in all cases loss of interest was what caused the change. So I lack self-discipline. I was born lazy. Like I said in the beginning. And I’m just a bit curious about why some don’t have that problem.

There is no one answer. I, too, am lazy but I keep my job because I'm highly motivated to have food, shelter, independence, and security.

Some people have jobs that they really enjoy, so motivation is no problem.

Some people are naturally very energetic, and have a lust for life in general.

Some were raised with a hardcore work ethic and they maintain a lifelong "never-an-idle-moment" attitude.

Some have a passion for a particular activity, like playing music, acting, or sports.

Some are driven to achieve prestige, wealth, power, or to help others.

You seem like you just don't have a passion or a sense of purpose. I think if you found something you could really enjoy, or something of great importance to you, your laziness would would be overcome. That is if you want to overcome it. Maybe you are happy the way you are?

[shinyjourney]

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

Laziness has cost me numerous positions of paid employment, plus one marriage and other relationships.

A desire for money has never been effective as an incentive. Nor has a desire to be better than anyone else at anything.

I’d really like to know what it is about others that makes it possible for them to overcome laziness. If I can learn this, maybe I can apply it to myself.

I would think that if you are lazy and happy i don't see any problem. I don't know if you are unhappy with this situation because of social pressure or because, it is really something you don't like and would do other things.

If it is the first solution, i would say, be lazy and happy, where is the problem, your joy isn't the same as others. It's not because we live in a society where succes is accomplishment in careet etc... Maybe you lost a mariage and other relationship because you didn't face the reality and not because of being lazy itself. It's something hard sometimes when somebody is lazy for example and do not accept is, so just complain or don't feel happy. I think everybody has the right to be how it will make them happy. If it is laziness, great! if is another thing great too. But don't do the mistake to want to fit the society if it is not what makes you happy.


If it is not this solution and you really don't like being lazy, and don't feel good when you are like that not because you do'nt face it, i would say that you need to find what you really love. And maybe this is that you don't face and so are not able to do...

Does it make sense?

Virginie

[elucidate]

This is really SCARILY true. It's too easy to be a lazy bum in Australia. I've spent most of my life attempting to get motivated and it's an uphill battle...which is silly since I am young , slim and 'should' theoretically have so much energy. Being quite on the introverted side though means I need to recharge and rest alot...which is easy to do in Australia.

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

Can I say something, and hope that it doesn't sound too un-PC?

Your demographics suggest that you are quite likely to have a rather .... laid-back .... attitude to life.

You are an Australian. Your age (I know your rough age) also indicates that you belong to that generation of Australians who definitely do take a very casual and easygoing attitude to life.

Furthermore you live in Queensland.

Time just moves differently in your society. It's easy to be lazy in your world. Put your feet up in the backyard, toss another slab of beef on the barbie, relax and watch the chooks and boomers pass by.

Australians have a strong disincentive to get motivated. Income tax rates are too high and the welfare benefits are too good. It often makes more sense to laze around the house and collect welfare, than to go to work, earn money and have the government tax away half of it.

After a while, it seeps into the general culture. Australia also has a lot of space; beautiful beaches; great waves for surfing; plenty of sunlight to bask in; vineyards with cheap good wine; and placid-looking sheep grazing langorously. It all contributes to the general atmosphere of time moving very slowly.

Summary - it's very easy to become lazy in Australia.

[AlmostGodess]

This post reminded me of a book written by a Belgian writer, Amelie Nothomb. The book is called "The biography of hunger". There she describes why people in Vanuatu are never hungry and always lazy: everything is at their disposal and they don't need to do anything to get food or shelter or security. This was just a small paragraph from the book, but I still remember it.

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

Can I say something, and hope that it doesn't sound too un-PC?

Your demographics suggest that you are quite likely to have a rather .... laid-back .... attitude to life.

You are an Australian. Your age (I know your rough age) also indicates that you belong to that generation of Australians who definitely do take a very casual and easygoing attitude to life.

Furthermore you live in Queensland.

Time just moves differently in your society. It's easy to be lazy in your world. Put your feet up in the backyard, toss another slab of beef on the barbie, relax and watch the chooks and boomers pass by.

Australians have a strong disincentive to get motivated. Income tax rates are too high and the welfare benefits are too good. It often makes more sense to laze around the house and collect welfare, than to go to work, earn money and have the government tax away half of it.

After a while, it seeps into the general culture. Australia also has a lot of space; beautiful beaches; great waves for surfing; plenty of sunlight to bask in; vineyards with cheap good wine; and placid-looking sheep grazing langorously. It all contributes to the general atmosphere of time moving very slowly.

Summary - it's very easy to become lazy in Australia.

[stewartM]

Originally Posted by AlmostGodess

This post reminded me of a book written by a Belgian writer, Amelie Nothomb. The book is called "The biography of hunger". There she describes why people in Vanuatu are never hungry and always lazy: everything is at their disposal and they don't need to do anything to get food or shelter or security. This was just a small paragraph from the book, but I still remember it.

Vanuatu Happiest Country On Earth Again | vanuatu-tourism-office | news

I wonder why?!?

[old dead wood]

I am near 60 years old. In my younger years I had some talent, intelligence,
and fortunate circumstances. I have participated in many group and solo projects that used my "talents", and have had several small wins and accomplishments. However, I NEVER have felt that ANY of the "rewards" were worth the effort or entanglements that resulted. I guess my main motivations in life were to avoid pain and perplexing and exasperating entanglements, which were mostly caused by the people I was forced to be around. I know LOTS of motivated and successful people that I can't stand being around, and shiver with dread when I think how miserable I would be if I were caught up in their webs of activity and constant problems. When I was in my pre-teens, I was into surfing and pop music (drumming & guitar) during the "golden age". I guess I thought that I would find OTHER things and activities that would be as satisfying as I "grew up". I was wrong.

[AlmostGodess]

exactly!

Originally Posted by stewartM

Vanuatu Happiest Country On Earth Again | vanuatu-tourism-office | news

I wonder why?!?