Hey everyone, welcome back for another deep dive. You ever get that feeling like you're just spinning your wheels? Like no matter how much you do, there's always more.
Always more to do. Yep.
Well, today we're going to dig into Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price.
Yeah. This book really flips the script on how we think about productivity.
It's going to get interesting, I think. So, to set this all up, the book argues that we are not defined by our productivity.
Exactly. It tackles this deep-seated belief that we've all kind of absorbed that our worth is directly proportional to how much we produce,
which let's face it, can be a pretty exhausting way to live.
Absolutely. It's like we're all on this hamster wheel constantly striving, never feeling like we're doing enough. And that can take a real toll on us mentally and emotionally.
So then the big question is, what's really going on when we feel lazy? Is it actually laziness or is it something else?
Ah, that's the million-dollar question. And Price digs right into this, challenging the very notion of laziness. is a character flaw.
And he uses a pretty compelling example to make his point, right? Yeah. He talks about how even highly successful people like a movie star or a superdriven entrepreneur often struggle with feelings of laziness.
It's like no matter how much we achieve, that nagging feeling that we're not doing enough can still creep in.
Totally. And Price argues that this feeling often stems from this pervasive cultural myth that we're only valuable if we're constantly producing.
Okay. So, where does this myth even come from? Why are we so obsessed with productivity?
Well, it's a complex history, but some of the roots can be traced back to like the Puritan work ethic. You know, that whole idea that hard work is a sign of moral virtue,
right? Yeah. Hard work, discipline. I vaguely remember learning about that in history class.
Well, the Puritans believe that idleness was practically a sin and that thinking unfortunately uh sort of evolved alongside American capitalism. You know, creating this pressure cooker where our worth is measured by our output.
M yeah, I can see how that connection formed.
And you know what's even more disturbing is how this whole belief system was used to justify some really awful things like slavery. The argument was that well certain groups of people were inherently lazy and therefore forcing them to work was somehow um redeeming them.
Oh wow, that's pretty messed up.
It is. It really highlights how these seemingly harmless ideas about hard work can be twisted into something really harmful.
It's amazing how those ideas stick around even today. I mean, I can see how our media, pop culture, and even our education systems still reinforce that always be productive message.
Oh, absolutely. I mean, think about the traditional school day, right? Bells, schedules, it's all structured like a factory. It really emphasizes constant activity over anything else.
Yeah, that's true. But hold on a sec. Isn't there some value in hard work?
Sure.
I mean, we see stories all the time about people accomplishing amazing things through grit and determination. Like, those are inspiring.
Oh, for sure. I mean, striving for excellence is a great thing,
but it becomes a problem when your self-worth is tied to your output.
I see. Yeah. It's like chasing external validation instead of internal fulfillment,
right? You end up on this treadmill of achievement, constantly seeking approval from others instead of connecting with your own values and goals.
So, it's all about finding that balance, right? Like challenging ourselves without burning ourselves out.
Exactly. But that line that line can be tough to find and honestly, a lot of us, we end up on the wrong side of it. But what's the real cost of constantly pushing ourselves beyond our limits? I mean, yeah, burnout is a thing, but is there more to it than just feeling tired?
You might think overwork is like just being tired, but it actually shrinks your capacity for innovative thinking. Like your brain's stuck on that hamster wheel, too. You know, can't get off and explore new ideas. Plus, there's more and more research showing that overwork leads to some pretty serious consequences.
Like what?
Well, studies are showing that most workers are only truly productive for Get this. About 3 hours a day.
Seriously?
Yeah. After that, focus starts to fade. You make more mistakes. And yeah, burnout starts setting in.
Wow. Okay, I'm listening.
And it gets worse. Like productivity actually plummets after working more than 40 hours a week. It's like diminishing returns. At a certain point, you put in more effort, but you get less and less out of it.
So, working more doesn't equal doing more.
Yep. Not always.
I'm starting to see how all this connects. But let's get a little more specific here. How does this whole overwork culture play out in different areas of our lives like at work, at home, even on social media? You know,
think about it. At work, you're less likely to think of new ideas or make great decisions when you're fried. There's even uh research that shows that nearly 35% of grad students around the world are struggling with clinical anxiety.
Wow, that's a scary statistic.
Yeah, it's a lot.
But it makes sense when you think about the pressure to achieve in academia. What about at home? How Does overwork creep into our personal lives?
It shows up as this pressure to be the perfect parent, the always available friend, you know, and then there's social media where even hobbies can become this competition. It's like, oh, you ran a marathon. Well, I just climbed Mount Everest.
Yeah. Yeah. It's like we can never just be
right. And for people who are already facing systemic barriers, this whole pressure to overwork is often even more intense.
It's like they're carrying this invisible weight all the time.
Exactly. And then you add on top of that societal expectations. around gender roles. Like women especially are often expected to do most of the housework and caregiving on top of their jobs.
So it's not just overworking in one area of your life, it's the combined weight of it all, right? But if overwork is so harmful, how do we break free? Is it really as simple as embracing laziness?
Well, that's where Price's book really changes things.
He suggests that what we often label as laziness is really our body's way of trying to tell us something. It's a signal that we need to slow down, rest, and recharge.
Wo. So, instead of beating ourselves up for feeling lazy, we should actually listen to those signals.
Precisely. Those feelings of fatigue or lack of motivation, they're not signs of failure, they're often signs that something's out of balance.
So, you're saying that laziness could actually be a sign that we need to take better care of ourselves.
Bingo.
That's fascinating. Tell me more. Okay. I'm starting to see this whole laziness thing in a different light, but I got to be honest, like, as someone who's always pushing myself to do more, the idea of embracing rest just feels, I don't know, kind of wrong.
Yeah.
It's like we're programmed to think that we have to earn rest through hard work.
That's the thing about the laziness myth, right? It makes us think that rest is this luxury, something you only get after you've been productive enough. What if like what if we looked at it differently though? What if rest was just a basic need?
Okay. Yeah. Like eating or sleeping.
Exactly. It's not something to squeeze in when you have time. It's a crucial part of life.
I like that. But let's be real. A lot of us, we feel guilty. when we do take like that voice in your head saying, “Shouldn't you be doing something more productive?”
Oh, that guilt. Yeah,
that's the laziness myth messing with you, telling you you're not doing enough even when you are. Remember, your body, it's smart. It sends you signals when you need to slow down.
So, those feelings of fatigue, that lack of motivation, those are signs we should be paying attention to.
Yes. And that's where the power of rest comes in. It's like hitting the reset button on your mind and body.
Okay, I get that rest is important, but doesn't it make us less productive overall. I mean, if you're resting, you're not working, right?
Not always. Think about it. Ever have a great idea in the shower or when you're out on a walk?
Oh, yeah. All the time.
That's not a coincidence. Studies show that those moments of downtime can actually make you more creative, give you better problem solving skills, too.
Wait, so taking a break can actually make me more productive.
You got it. It's like giving your brain a chance to catch up to make those connections. There's even research that shows work who like take breaks to browse the internet are more productive than those who just try to power through without any downtime.
Okay, mind blown. And this makes me think of Trisha Hersy's idea of rest as resistance. Can you remind us what that's about?
Basically, Hersy says that in our world where everyone's obsessed with hustle and achievement, just choosing to rest can be like this radical act of defiance, pushing back against this idea that we always need to prove ourselves.
That's so powerful. But how do we actually do that? this, you know, how do we go from rest is a reward to rest is a necessity.
It starts in your head. Stop seeing rest as something you earn. Start seeing it as a basic human need. This might mean saying no more often
to extra work, social commitments, even to things you put on yourself.
Yeah. But setting boundaries, man, that's tough.
I know
you worry about letting people down or seeming lazy. How do we get over that?
It takes self-compassion. You're not a machine, right? You're not designed for endless output and it's totally okay to prioritize yourself even if it means saying no to things that other people think are important.
Nedric Glover Tawwab uh she's a therapist talks about this a lot in her book set boundaries find peace. She makes it clear that setting boundaries is crucial for healthy relationships. It's about saying what you need clearly without apologizing.
So not I'm so sorry I can't do that but more like I'm not available for that right now.
Exactly. You're taking charge of your choices. You're respecting your own limits.
This is really making me rethink. things. But changing how we view productivity, rest, that stuff's deep, right?
It is.
It can be a real struggle.
What would you tell someone who's like just starting out on this journey?
Be patient. This is a journey, not a sprint. You will slip back into old habits. But give yourself a break when you do. Progress, not perfection. Okay.
It's a good point.
Yeah.
So, small steps, right? Gradually adding more rest and boundaries.
Yep. It's like working a muscle. The more you practice, the easier it gets and the more you'll see those moments of quote unquote laziness not as failures but as times to recharge.
This is honestly so refreshing and Price's book it goes even deeper into this, right? Like how this myth affects our relationships with others.
He does. Yeah.
And how we can like push back against those expectations and build a better world.
Absolutely. And that's where things get really interesting. It's about challenging those societal norms that say we always need to be producing and achieving. It's a big conversation.
I'm definitely intrigued. Tell me more about how we can navigate those external pressures and create that kind of positive change.
Okay, so we've talked about the myth, the power of rest, setting boundaries, but what about those people in our lives who aren't, you know, quite on board with this whole embracing laziness thing, like the people who still think hustle equals success. How do we handle that?
Ah, that's a good one. And Price tackles this head-on. It's about challenging those expectations that are always telling us we should be productive, always striving, always achieving. And And yeah, sometimes that means challenging the people around us.
So it's bigger than just us, right? It's like changing the conversation society has about all this,
right? We need to move away from this glorification of overwork and start valuing well-being more. Balance, authenticity, all that good stuff.
That's a tall order, though. How do we even begin to shift those deep-seated beliefs? Honestly, it's the small things. Every time you say no to something unreasonable, every time you put yourself first despite expectations, every time you push back against that idea, that your worth is tied to your output. Those are the little rebellions that matter.
So, leading by example, showing people it's okay to slow down, set those boundaries.
Exactly. And sometimes it takes having those tough conversations, explaining why you're doing things differently, why taking care of yourself actually benefits everyone in the end.
Yeah. But I bet those conversations can be hard. Not everyone's going to get it right away.
True. But you don't have to convince the whole world. You don't need anyone's permission to live a life that's true to you. That's a good reminder. Any tips on how to actually have those conversations? Like make them constructive, not just arguments.
Be clear about your needs.
Yeah.
About your boundaries. Nedra Glover Tawwab, remember we talked about her. She's big on this. Boundaries are essential. You communicate them directly. No apologies, no guilt trips.
So instead of, “Oh, I'm so sorry. I just can't.” It's more like, “I'm not available for that.”
There you go. It's about owning your choices, respecting your limits, and standing firm even if people push back. Oof. I can imagine that's tough, especially with people you're close to.
It can be. Yeah. But remember, setting boundaries, it's not selfish, it's healthy. It's so you can protect your time, your energy, so you can be your best self for everyone.
I like that. And in the end, it's not just about us, is it? Like, if we model healthy boundaries, putting our well-being first, maybe others will see that it's okay for them to do the same.
Exactly. It ripples outward. It can make the whole world a little more compassionate, a little more balanced.
So, big takeway. from laziness does not exist. What's the thing we want listeners to really walk away with?
You are worthy. Not because of what you produce, but just because you are. You are enough. Period.
And embracing laziness or what we're now calling rest and boundaries is actually the way to a better life.
100%. It's giving yourself permission to slow down, recharge. It's setting those boundaries, saying no to things that drain you. It's challenging the world's expectations and making things a bit kinder. You know,
it's understanding that test is not a reward but something you need for your mind, your body, your whole self.
And it's remembering that personal growth isn't a race, it's a journey.
So, as we wrap up our deep dive into laziness does not exist, one last question for you all out there. What would your life look like if you let go of that need to constantly prove yourself? What happens when you embrace rest, set healthy boundaries, put yourself first?
Think about it. Explore it. See what unfolds when you give yourself permission to just be. Thanks for joining us on this deep dive. We hope you found it insightful. Until next time, be kind to yourselves. Embrace the rest. Let go of the need to prove anything. You've got this.
