The Lazy Genius Way to Do It: The Guide to Get You to Focus on What Matters
We’re All Being Sold the Productivity Myth
Be more productive. Do more. Achieve more.
That’s the story we hear day after day. WHICH GOES FROM things every CEO does in the morning, to a bunch of self-help books that claim the key to success is to get up at 4 AM.
But seriously—how many times have you read all the “productivity hacks” you could find and still felt like you were running like a hamster on a wheel?
The problem? We conflate being busy with being productive.
And productivity is not about packing more into your day. It’s doing the right things when the time is right. That is why the Lazy Genius way exists.
What is the Lazy Genius approach to productivity?
The Lazy Genius Approach can boil down to this: Be a genius about what matters and lazy about what doesn’t.
It’s not lazy in the common way. And it doesn’t take genius-level smarts. It’s then a matter of directing your energy towards things that move the needle.
Imagine you are juggling 20 balls. Some consist of glass, while others are composed of rubber. When you drop a rubber ball, it bounces back. But drop a glass ball? It shatters.
A Lazy Genius knows the difference between glass and rubber balls.
That is the secret to actual productivity.
Does The Lazy Genius Approach To Productivity
Find Out What High-Impact Tasks to Focus On
There’s an old saying: All tasks are created equal. Some take you closer to your goals; others are mere busywork.
What to do:
PS: Use the 80/20 Rule — 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. Find that 20%.
So ask yourself: If I got nothing else done today but these three things, would they matter?
📌 For example: Don’t answer every email as it arrives, block time for focused work instead. Your inbox can wait. Your priorities can’t.
Batch Similar Tasks Together
Task switching wastes brain power. Putting similar tasks together will help you stay focused.
What to do:
Consolidate email responses instead of responding throughout the day.
Meet sequentially to maximize deep work blocks.
Spend the days doing a specific task (Mondays for planning, Fridays for admin work).
📌 The example: For you small biz owners, designate a “content creation day,” rather than burning the midnight oil to compose posts daily. Less stress, more efficiency.
How to Say No (Without Feeling Guilty)
For each “yes” to something trivial, there’s a “no” to something consequential.
What to do:
Before you commit: Is this consistent with my top priorities?
Try saying no but with politeness (and firm): “I’d love to, but can’t commit right now.”
Make sure you set boundaries — your time is precious.
📌 Example: Can you skip that meeting? If it doesn’t require your input, avoid it or request a summary instead.
Allow Good Enough to Be Good Enough
Perfectionism destroys productivity. Do what you can If it means investing a little extra time, then do it
What to do:
Set a time limit for tasks. The work tends to stretch to fill the time allocated for it.
So ask: Is this extra work having a significant impact?
Think of the 80% rule — most things don’t have to be 100% perfect to work.
📌 Example: Writing a report? Rather than editing to infinity, write it, proof it once, and send.” It’s better to act and act imperfectly than to stay in the endless planning phase.
Rest Like a Genius
It sounds counterintuitive but rest makes you more productive.
What to do:
Take short breaks (the pomodoro technique: 25 minutes of work, 5 minutes break).
Sleep enough — tired brains slow things down.
If you hit a wall, step away — your brain solves problems best when relaxed.
📌 Example: Did you ever have a wonderful idea in the shower? That’s because when your brain is under pressure, it makes connections less well.
Real Talk: The Mindset Shift
Productivity is not a quantity in your output. It’s about making what matters matter.
Stop feeling guilty for not “hustling” every moment and start “Hustling for Intentional Effort”
So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask yourself:
👉 Is this really significant or today just busy work?
👉 How can we get this done as simply as possible?
Work smarter, not harder. That’s the Lazy Genius way.
Final Thoughts
You don’t require a longer list of things to do. You need a smarter approach.
By zeroing in on what matters, declining distractions and releasing perfectionism, you’ll accomplish more, with less stress.
Your challenge: Choose one strategy from this list and give it a try this week. Just one.
How much less work it will take —To accomplish more.