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How do I overcome laziness and stop putting things off?

Asked by 4 real people using Gurudev AI · Answered from 5 of his talks, books and articles · Reviewed by a human on 3 Sept 2026

In short

To overcome laziness and stop procrastinating, strengthen your desire and intention, make a short-term vow to avoid laziness, ensure your body has enough energy, and use motivators like love, fear, or rewards. Additionally, check for vitamin deficiencies and break tasks into manageable parts to reduce overwhelm.

To overcome laziness and stop procrastinating, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar offers several insights and practical steps. First, he emphasizes the importance of intention and desire. When you truly want something, like quenching your thirst, you don't procrastinate. Strengthening your desire and intention can help combat laziness.

Gurudev also suggests taking a vow for a limited period, such as 20 days, to not be lazy. If you find yourself slipping, renew your vow with even more enthusiasm. This practice of making a commitment can help build discipline and gradually reduce laziness. Additionally, attending to your diet and ensuring your body has sufficient energy through pranayama can make a significant difference. Low energy levels, sometimes due to deficiencies like low vitamin D3 or B12, can contribute to feelings of laziness, so checking these levels might be beneficial.

Furthermore, Gurudev mentions that love, fear, and greed can be powerful motivators to overcome laziness. Making a promise to someone you love, recognizing potential consequences if tasks are not completed, or having a reward in mind can drive you to action. Lastly, compartmentalizing tasks and prioritizing them can help manage overwhelming projects, making it easier to start and complete tasks without feeling burdened.

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