In the past few weeks, two different coaching clients told me they think they’re “lazy.”  And they both clearly felt that was a negative thing, almost a character flaw.  The thing is, neither of them seemed lazy to me.  And based on their past histories, they didn’t sound like lazy people.  As we talked further, I realized they weren’t lazy at all – they were just trying to force themselves to do something they really didn’t want to do.  Once they realized that was the case, they both decided to refocus their efforts on goals that fit their strengths and their values, and the “laziness” went away.  In fact, they both experienced an energy boost!

Feeling “lazy” or blocked or lethargic can be a sign to take a step back and examine what you’re doing.  Is it something you want to be doing?  Is it in pursuit of a goal you really want to achieve?

Of course, we don’t always get to do things we love to do.  Almost every job or pursuit includes some activities that are less appealing than others.  But we tend to do them since they’re in pursuit of a larger goal.   (Though it’s worth looking at ways to decrease those activities, too.  Is there another way to get the same result?  Is there someone else who could do the activity?)

I’m talking about when you feel blocked about bigger things.  Something you feel you need to be doing, but you’re not.  Ask yourself if the activity is in pursuit of a goal you really want to achieve.  If you’re not sure, you may want to take some time to consider what values are important to you and if the goal fits with your values.  (And if you need help defining your values, take a look at this article: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_85.htm).

Next, ask yourself if you have the right strengths to get the activity accomplished.  I recommend taking the VIA Character Strengths Survey (https://www.viacharacter.org/Survey/Account/Register (you’ll have to create an account, but it’s free) and take a look at your top five strengths.  If those aren’t the right strengths for the task at hand, is there a way to partner with someone who has the required strengths?  Or is there a way you can develop those strengths in yourself?

Are you feeling blocked?  Stepping back and seeing how the activity fits with your strengths and values may be the first step to getting unblocked.