You are laying in bed watching your 7th episode of Netflix avoiding the pile of clothes on the floor, your homework, and making that phone call. Deep down you know what you SHOULD be doing, but you just can't find the energy or motivation to do so. This is a hard thing to overcome (despite what your mother may say).

Are you a perfectionist? Oftentimes, people with these characteristics get easily overwhelmed by the magnitude of the tasks in front of them. Doing something, anything means that you are risking failing at it. Sometimes that risk seems so large and the task seems so unachievable that any sort of task just seems like it’s not worth the try.

I know this feeling all too well. I'm a perfectionist and I like to keep busy. I often get overwhelmed by taking on too much outside responsibility and my most basic needs such as doing laundry or vacuuming get brushed to the side. This usually ends with me laying in bed binge-watching Netflix. When I realize how much I REALLY need to accomplish I get very overwhelmed, I don't know where to start. So I do nothing.

Most of the time there is a situation or feeling underlying your laziness. If you can figure out what that underlying issue is then that can help! There are a wide variety of apps that can help you keep track of your day-to-day and give you motivating reminders to get your things done.Another thing that I have found useful is to reward yourself. This doesn't have to be anything spectacular. For example, when I would procrastinate doing my homework I would leave my phone in my dorm room and only allow myself to return when all of my work was done. Take something that you like to do and use that as your reward. To make this more achievable, you can ask the people around you to help keep you accountable or simply make sticky notes around your room/house. Asking for accountability can be very productive. It can be as simple as asking a friend to hold on to your remote for you until you're done with your task. I have personally, found this very useful.

Here are some tips to combat the laziness that I have found helpful:

1. Try planning your actions, breaking them into smaller tasks that are easily achievable. Those things serve as a very real reminder that you’ve made a promise to yourself that you need to keep. Your integrity has to be the thing that keeps you focused. Honoring your word has to become your primary motivation.

2. Most of the time there is a situation or feeling underlying your laziness. If you can figure out what that underlying issue is then that can help! There are a wide variety of apps that can help you keep track of your day-to-day and give you motivating reminders to get your things done.

3. Another thing that i have found useful is to reward myself. This doesn't have to be anything spectacular. For example, when I would procrastinate doing my homework I would leave my phone in my dorm room and only allow myself to return when all of my work was done. Take something that you like to do and use that as your reward. To make this more achievable, you can ask the people around you to help keep you accountable or simply make sticky notes around your room/house. Asking for accountability can be very productive. It can be as simple as asking a friend to hold on to your remote for you until you're done with your task. I have personally, found this very useful.

4. It’s no coincidence that we usually associate exercise (or lack thereof) with being lazy. Just thinking about maintaining a regular and consistent workout routine is a lot of commitment. However, the truth is that exercising regularly can be very helpful. It helps your mind relax, allowing you to think more clearly, it lowers your blood pressure, and it leaves you feeling great each day. Also, eating a balanced and wholesome diet can help you feel more energized!