Laziness creeps in to destroy opportunities.

“She’ll be right, mate”. “There’s nothing I can do, as it’s beyond my control” is heard all too often in struggling communities. Laziness is not trying hard, avoiding strenuous tasks or heavy lifting, getting others to do the work, struggling with technologies, or not showing up. Some quickly point fingers at others when they demonstrate this sort of slothfulness.

But other sorts of laziness are far more damaging. Emotional indifference is very different from physical inactivity. While it’s hard to measure, it’s easier to avoid, and the consequences can be much more significant. Make a start by simplifying your life and your business.

There’s the laziness of writing people off without doing the hard work of seeing them for who they are and their capacity to contribute. There’s the laziness of bureaucracy, not wanting to make decisions because it means more work, and defaulting instead to rules and systems.

Then there is the laziness of rules of thumb or leaning on past experiences, which means nobody has to think very hard about issues. Lazy people don’t tend to accept personal responsibility for the state of the community and the decisions needed.

Doing the hard work involves embracing uncertainty, dancing with fear and taking responsibility before someone tries to give it to you. You stay in control.

Given enough helpful information and knowledge, it becomes easier to chart possible solutions for the future of most towns and villages. Unfortunately, many want the ‘big fix’ without considering the underlying circumstances or the people who have gone before them. Thus, it results in the “here we go again” syndrome, and opportunities are lost.

Quotable Quotes

“You become who you associate with, avoid dishonest, negative or lazy people, and associate with people who share your values”.  Peter Sergeant

“Stop giving energy to the things you don’t want and can’t control. As a leader and manager, be confident; you can do everything better, faster, and more efficiently by engaging others”. Peter Sergeant