Ask anyone who has started their own online business from scratch, and made it a success, what one of the most fundamental qualities a small business blogger can have, and they will probably tell you it is dedication.
Work hard, we are taught, and success will soon follow
However, have you noticed that we are getting pushed more and more to break our backs with work, and our social lives are taking a battering as we sacrifice our time on the journey towards success?
Because of this, I’m going to advocate a revolution in online working – the joy of laziness.
From the day we start school we are taught that laziness is a bad thing. It stops us from achieving our goals, makes us lose track of what we should be doing, and uses up time quicker than any other bad habit.
Lazy people are known to fail in business, and rarely succeed academically or in any other area of their lives. However, today’s fast-paced and demanding lifestyle is making many of us reach the point of potential burnout without even giving us a warning sign before we end up as a gibbering wreck.
Because of the added pressure which we are placed under when we run our own small online business, it’s more important than ever before to remember how to be lazy sometimes.
I’m not suggesting we sit down and hope that life will make our businesses successful while we eat grapes and watch re-runs of Friends, but rather that we need to actively take time out to do…nothing.
‘Nothing’ is as important an activity…
…as blogging or customer service – sitting looking out of the window on a rainy day, or curling up with a trashy novel recharges your batteries in ways which actively support you to be a great business owner, as you reduce stress levels.
Our minds work well when we are doing nothing
Things which have been bugging you for a while, such as challenges with work or the resolution to a question can quickly get processed during your down time.
Our brains are always on the go, even when we are checking out from work, which means your mind will actively work in the background to resolve issues for you if you free up some space for vacant time. This down time actually supports good business practices, by giving yourself space to process ideas and come up with new working models to apply the next time you sit at your desk.
Be happier…
Doing nothing periodically also supports you to be happier, as you get to step away from everyday pressures and simply relax.
Being kind to yourself can involve anything from taking lots of time to cook a great meal, having a bath or going for a swim or workout at the gym.
If you’re constantly on the go with work, think of doing nothing as an activity which needs to be ticked off from your ‘things to do’ list, just as important as publishing articles or developing products.
So…what are you going to do today that is lazy…you deserve it! (Plus your small online business will be better off!)
Please share your views in the comments below.
The truth is that some people just don’t want to break their backs and work for someone else..just that simple.
“Black Seo Guy “Signing Off”
Hi Andrew,
I couldn’t agree with you more. People seem to think that it is work, work, work, these days. I have to admit that I do take the time off to relax. Like this weekend. It was a holiday weekend, so I did step away from my blog and now I am recharged.
When we don’t take that time off, we are going to get burned out and work isn’t as much fun when we do buckle down.
Balance is the key to that happy life.
Thanks for the reminder, it is very important with today’s life.
Blessing,
Debbie
Debbie,
I took the whole w/end off as well…and it was no holiday here!
I rarely do that but the weather was so nice!
Balance 1s the key.
Andrew
Whether hard or lazy working,you should work smart to make money.Balancing of business and personal life is very important as said by debbie.And being lazy does not always help.
Nipon,
We do have to work hard and smart to make money…and we have to relax (be lazy) to re-charge.
Andrew
Hmm…I think there is a real difference between laziness and taking a break or including a healthy dose of leisure time to your schedule. Especially when you look at wikipedia’s definition: “a disinclination to activity or exertion despite having the ability to do so”. The next sentence describes the word as being pejorative… I think that’s the key. For me personally at least, laziness is a feeling that comes over you and prevents you from accomplishing your tasks. I think that’s different from giving yourself time to goof off and not worry about accomplishing your tasks.
I think overall however, most super-motivated people would view me as being lazy in general, every day, considering how much “nothing” time I allow myself! Maybe it could be called a more “European” attitude (where they give massive blocks of hours for breaks for lunch and leisure, super-extended paid vacations, etc).
fred
Fred,
I think in this fast paced world we need all the breaks we can get. As long as we work hard when we are working!
Andrew
I used to work 7 days a week, for both day time job and online business. I have to overcome the guilty feeling of being lazy, not easy to let go, especially my blog is still new.
David,
That’s how I started. Working 7 days – to get some momentum. I still do if I am really busy and have several client demands.
But the trick is still have some lazy time during the work days, as well.
Andrew
I think the key is to make sure that the lazy time on the work days is spent away from the computer, otherwise the lines between work-time and lazy-time can easily get blurred. No surfing, checking emails, etc. I know all about this one!I find it all to easy to spend free-time working, and work-time having “coffee breaks”. Neither is very beneficial…
Tim,
My lazy times on work days are definitely away from the computer.
Andrew
Corinne
Was you lazy?
I doubt it!
You may have spent a few more minutes relaxing though.
Andrew
sometimes when i work on blog i forget what the time is and how fast time passed
blogger must take some rest in order to be recharge
jibran
Time flies when you are enjoying yourself!
Andrew
Your blog has confirmed something for me that has amazed me every since I’ve started my blog site, and online business. Stepping away and giving my attention to something else helps me come up with fresh topics to blog about.
I like to meditate for 15-20mins everyday as well. Quitting you mind can help refresh your mental state. You will find solutions to problems come up new ideas for your blog site. Meditation has many rewards.
Nathan
I’ve tried meditation but I find it quite difficult.
Perhaps I should try again?
Andrew
Reading such articles makes me feel lighter. We work like maniacs and there’s no way out since we have to earn but somewhere we also have to learn to draw the line and try to have quality time so that we come back to work more inspired and motivated. And Andrew, you’re so right in saying that we have to learn to be happier.
Gary
It is hard to know when to stop. I sometimes, really have to force myself to stop working.
Andrew
Andrew,
Downtime is a must for your creativity and well-being.
It is the same thing as in sports – although you have training schedule to follow, you need rest days to give your body a chance to recover – and to develop your fitness even better.
Great article by the way!
Timo
Thing is with sport…I have to stop otherwise I would DIE!
With work I can go on and on and on.
Andrew
@topic: it’s kinda true. “Our minds work well when we are doing nothing,” this statement really strucks me coz i was once a very lazy person until someone suggested me to do online business. Well, at first I wondered how I would handle such work and how i would balance it with my family. eventually, i got used to it and I’m now contented with my job. so cheers people!
Avunit
That’s great to hear. I’m glad you found a way to handle such work.
Andrew
haha! I totally get this! I have been under pressure this wk with work, side projects, more side projects and everday life…
I was getting panicky and stressed and it was really stifling me! Last night I decided to have a full rare evening without going near my laptop or work. I went to the gym, had a nice dinner, freshened up and chilled out and it was great! The work is still there looming, but that night off made me feel ready to take it on with more tenacity! 🙂 Thanks for hammering the point home! 🙂
It good to have a rest but not lazy .
No matter how smart you are, if you are not a action taker. You will never be success.
Don’t think only but action .
Productivity is just like the force: you need balance. There’s a study that I lost the link to, but it showed that making workers work more actually had a negative effect on productivity.
People being pushed to work more were doing more “work” but producing very little.
Good, a little downtime is.