Lazy Genius 10 Ways to Apply the Lazy Genius At Home
Why We’re Overdoing It (And How to Cut It Out)
Modern life? It’s a to-do list that never ends. Work. Emails. Chores. Social life. Self-care (whatever that is even supposed to mean these days).
It’s as if we are all on a treadmill that never ends. But here’s the kicker: Doing more doesn’t get us more.
That’s why the Lazy Genius mindset exists. It’s about being intelligent about what matters and lazy about what doesn’t.
If you’ve ever wanted life to feel easier yet still effective, read on. Here are 10 practical ways to apply the Lazy Genius method to your everyday life and finally stop doing too much of everything.
Prioritize Like a Lazy Genius
Everything feels urgent. But not everything is urgent.
What to do:
Every day pick 3 Priorities that actually move the needle.
Forget the rest (or rather, defer them).
Ask: In a week, will this matter? If not, it’s not that big a deal.
📌 For example, instead of attempting to solve a massive todo list, kick-start your day with only three things on your list. The rest? Bonus.
Make Decisions Easier
Decision fatigue is real. So the more choices you have to make, the more mentally fatigued you become.
What to do:
Make repeating decisions simpler (clothing, food, routines).
Just have go-to defaults: Taco Tuesdays, one “work outfit” formula, a morning routine that doesn’t need to take a second thought.
👊𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘: 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆. Why? Because fewer decisions = more brainpower for what really counts.
Batch Your Tasks
Stop multitasking. It’s killing your efficiency.
What to do:
Batch similar tasks (email, errands, content creation, etc.).
Schedule dedicated blocks of time for them.
📌 For example: Rather than checking emails a hundred times a day, commit to only checking it twice a day. Less distraction, more focus.
Follow the “Good Enough” Rule
That’s one of the main reasons perfectionism is a killer of productivity. Very few things need to be perfect, or anywhere near 100%.
What to do:
Quit over-polishing work that’s already fine.
Set deadlines on tasks (so they won’t take forever).
Or, remind yourself: Done is better than perfect.
📌 Example: Writing an email? Let it sit one last time, proofread, then hit send. No need for five rewrites.
D: Automate, Delegate, or Eliminate
Your time is valuable. No more wasting it on things that don’t require you to do them.
What to do:
Automate: Automate repetitive tasks (bill payments, reminders, social media schedules) using tech.
Delegate: If someone else can do it (and do it well), pass them the baton.
Eliminate: Get rid of any unnecessary task entirely.
📌 Input: You hate grocery shopping? Order online. Problem solved.
Make Routines Work for You
Routines aren’t about exercising control. They’re about conserving mental energy.
What to do:
Write daily a couple of sentences to keep all your thoughts as fresh as your morning starts.
At close of business, there should be a wind-down ritual that lets your brain know the work is over.
📌For example: Avoid the morning rush by laying out your clothes and preparing your breakfast the evening before.
Say No Without Guilt
Every “yes” to something you don’t care about is a “no” to something that matters.
What to do:
So before you say yes, ask yourself: Do I actually want/need to do this?
Have a stock response prepared: “Thank you for the invitation, but I can’t commit at the moment.”
📌 For example: Avoid that pointless Zoom call and do something meaningful with the time instead.
This Is How to STOP Over-Complicating Self-Care
You don’t need a 10-step skincare regimen, or a 90-minute meditation practice.
What to do:
Do what truly restores you, not what Instagram told you to do.
Seek out quick, easy ways to recharge (a brief walk, a deep breath, music).
📌 For instance: Instead of writing in your journal for 30 minutes, name 3 things you are grateful for in 60 seconds.
Grant Yourself the Right to Be Well Rested
Rest isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.
What to do:
Treat rest the same way you treat work: Schedule it.
Accept that doing nothing is productive (because it recharges you).
Example: If you feel too exhausted to function, take a 15-minute power nap rather than pushing through and draining your energy. After that, you’ll be more productive.
Celebrate Small Wins
If you’re constantly pursuing the next goal, you’ll never feel like you’ve achieved enough.
What to do:
At the end of the day, admit what you did do, rather than what remains undone.
Keep a small wins journal. Progress builds momentum.
📌 Example: Rather than getting fixated on your lengthy to-do list, throw a little party for yourself for completing even a single thing that matters.
In Closing: Little Tweaks, Big Changes
The Lazy Genius approach is not about cutting corners — it’s about cutting stress.
By only doing the things that really matter, and letting go of the things that don’t, you’ll discover that you are doing less but achieving more.
So here’s your challenge: Choose only one of these tips and use it this week. Small adjustments add up to create huge effects.
Go ahead, give yourself permission for Lazy Genius. You could discover how much simpler life is.