The Lazy Genius Way to Master Your Day — An Approach to Productivity That is Smarter
It seems like everyone is busy running a race against time in this modern world. There’s work, things to take care of, family, obligations and endless things to do — and do — and do. Others schedule every minute of their day in a bid to get ahead. Other just make it up and cross their fingers. But what if there was a better alternative? What if you could be productive — without going insane? This is where the Lazy Genius philosophy comes into play.
Kendra Adachi, whose motto is “Be a Genius About the Things that Matter,” says that productivity is more about doing what matters most and releasing the rest than it is about doing everything well. Not by spending all your time and energy trying to get to every little thing, but by getting your energy spent on what actually needs to be done, and letting go of things that don’t. It’s striking a balance between being smart with your time and giving yourself grace.
So how can you Lazy Genius your day and still get it done? Let’s break it down.
What Is The Lazy Genius Philosophy?
The Lazy Genius approach is ultimately about being a genius at the things that matter and lazy at the things that don’t. That means you pick and choose what’s worth your time and energy rather than feeling obligation to do it all.
Sounds simple, right? But in practice, prioritizing is what most people are bad at. We’re hardwired to think that if we aren’t churning out output, we’re losing. The truth? Barring the fact that being busy doesn’t equal productivity.
I love the Lazy Genius way of approaching life… instead of trying to meet ridiculous expectations, the Lazy Genius philosophy says to figure out how you can do less but with more intention. Here’s how:
Decide Once — Limiting Decision Fatigue
Do you ever feel tired from simply making decisions all day? Because decision fatigue is real. The more small decisions you make, the more difficult it becomes to make bigger, more important ones. The Lazy Genius way? Decide one time and then execute.
Rather than stressing out about what to make for dinner every single night, map out theme nights (Taco Tuesday, Pasta Monday, etc.) to streamline your meal-planning process.
Pick a specific workout so you’re not having to choose whether you feel like doing yoga or running every morning.
Choose your standard grocery list rather than devising meal plans from scratch week after week.
People who make certain decisions only once free up mental space for things that really matter.
Break It Down —Making Huge Changes Starts with Little Steps
A common mistake people make? Wanting to transform everything in one go. It’s why New Year’s resolutions never work—people go all-in, overwhelm themselves and quit. The Lazy Genius way? Start small.
Want to wake up earlier? Take smaller steps, like getting up 10 minutes earlier for a week before making bigger changes.
Trying to eat healthier? Replace just one snack instead of overhauling your entire diet overnight.
Need to get more organized? Target one area (your desk, say) rather than trying to declutter your entire house.
When you take things in small chunks, you get that momentum and make practice an embedded habit.
Ask Yourself the Magic Question — What Can I Do to Make This Easier?
Every time a task feels daunting, consider: “What can I do now to save myself a headache down the line?”
For example:
Hate the morning rush? Lay out your clothes and make breakfast the night before.
Struggle to carve out time to exercise? Set out your workout clothes to be ready.
Always forgetting deadlines? Schedule calendar reminders or automate repeat tasks.
Don’t wait until it’s overwhelming, think in advance and simplify where possible.
Live in the Season — Quit Wrestling With Reality
One of the largest contributors to burnout? They resist the season of life they’re living in.
A new mom? It may not be the season for starting a new venture, and that’s fine.
Busy with work? It’s OK if your home isn’t meticulous every day.
Feeling overwhelmed? Perhaps you need a season of rest rather than more hustle.
Accepting the season you’re in helps you set goals you can achieve and avoids heartache.
Build the Right Routines — But Only If They Are Helpful
Routines are great — as long as they work for you. The Lazy Genius approach? Routines should mold around your life, not the other way around.
Morning person? Design your day to complete your most difficult task first.
Night owl? If getting up at 5 Am is not your jam, then do not force yourself to do this to be productive.
Hate rigid schedules? Make timers flexible blocks of time, not a plan by the minute.
Routines are meant to serve you, not to stress you out.
Side Hustles and the Lazy Genius Guide to Work
And now, let’s get into something that has become such an important and integral part of life in the modern society — hustles. There are more people than ever working on passion projects, freelancing, or launching businesses on the side. But the problem? A lot of people burn out trying to do it all. The Lazy Genius method can help with that.
Prioritize Your Time
Not all tasks are equal. Focus on high-value work (projects that put money in your pockets or advance your business) and eliminate busywork.
Automate & Delegate
Things like invoicing, social media scheduling, or email marketing, use automation tools for those type of things. If you can, delegate tasks — don’t try to do it all yourself.
Set Boundaries
If you’re not careful, side hustles can consume your life. Establish your work hours and defend your off time so that you won’t burn out.
Make It Sustainable
A side hustle shouldn’t feel like an additional full-time job. Put in effort but work smarter not harder, and ensure it’s something that brings you joy.
Conclusion – Work Smarter, Not Harder
The Lazy Genius way isn’t about laziness — it’s about being shrewd. It’s about dedicating resources to what counts and not expending effort on what this doesn’t. It’s about creating a life that suits you, not one that simply occupies your time.
So if you are perpetually overwhelmed, exhausted, or feel like you’re failing at productivity — stop. Step back and reassess.
Make the call and never second guess your choice.
Begin with small increments and increase habits over time.
Ask yourself in what ways you can simplify things.
Embrace the season of life that you’re in
Make routines that work and don’t overwhelm.
If you have a side hustle, make sure it’s not unsustainable and dominating your life.
At the end of the day, the objective isn’t to omnibus your way through every single thing—it’s to get to what really matters. And if that makes you a Lazy Genius, maybe that’s the wisest way to go.