The Art of Strategic Laziness (How To Get More Done By Doing Less)

Great news…it actually IS possible to be lazy and still be productive and make money! Just as long as you understand how to do it properly.

"Strategic Laziness" is not about being a coach potato, but rather it’s a call for intentional and intelligent effort.

It's about maximizing output by minimizing unnecessary exertion, and about finding ingenious shortcuts to get more work done in a shorter amount of time.

It’s no wonder some of the world’s smartest minds like Albert Einstein were also known to be super lazy and messy.

But what are some of the best ways to use strategic laziness?

The Science Of Productive Rest

The concept of "productive rest" might seem like an oxymoron, but it's a cornerstone of strategic laziness.

When you rest strategically, you’re not just idling; you’re allowing your mind and body to rejuvenate in a way that enhances overall productivity.

Recent studies in neuroscience and psychology underscore the importance of rest for cognitive function. When we take breaks, our brains consolidate information, enhance memory, and foster creativity.

One technique I like to use the most is the concept of micro breaks, where after every 30 minutes of work you take a 5 minute micro break which acts like a quick recharge.

There’s also the Segmented Sleep Model, which is where you divide sleep into two distinct phases. This bi-modal sleep pattern, consisting of two sleep periods separated by an interval of wakefulness, can inspire a modern approach to work and rest.

You could try this by splitting your workday into two productive blocks with a significant rest or leisure period in between. It’s actually pretty similar to the “siesta” midday nap used commonly in countries like Spain.

This could mean working during the morning hours, taking a longer midday break for relaxation or personal activities, and resuming work later in the afternoon or evening.

Leveraging Automation To Get More Done With Less Work

Odds are you have a lot of job responsibilities that are pretty monotonous. Maybe it’s data entry or general administrative tasks, but whatever it is it’s likely taking up a lot of your time that could be used for more important things.

Try to leverage some of these automation tools to let the power of AI and advanced computing to do these “busy work” tasks for you.

1. Microsoft Power Automate: Automating Workflows Across Platforms

Formerly known as Flow, Microsoft Power Automate is a robust tool designed to automate workflows across various applications and services. It allows you to create automated workflows between your favorite apps and services to synchronize files, get notifications, collect data, and more.

Power Automate can be used for a variety of tasks, from simple notifications and data collection to complex business processes. For instance, you can automate the process of collecting data from various sources, such as emails and social media, into a centralized database or automatically sync files between cloud storage services.

2. Make (formerly Integromat): Creating Sophisticated Automations

Make provides advanced, multi-step automation capabilities, connecting a wide array of apps and services for detailed, conditional automations.

Ideal for automating complex business processes, Make can sync data between CRM systems and marketing tools, automate invoice generation, or manage intricate project management tasks. It’s perfect for those who need detailed control over their workflow automation.

3. Airtable: Organizing and Automating Projects

Airtable is a versatile tool that combines spreadsheet ease with database functionality. It provides a visually intuitive platform for managing projects and tasks, with robust automation features.

Airtable excels in project management, content calendar organization, tracking milestones, and automating tasks like data entry and report generation. Its adaptability makes it a great tool for a variety of personal and professional uses.

The Laziest Geniuses

Some of the most brilliant minds in history were also known as the some of the laziest people. Maybe they were just too damn busy inventing, writing, or solving problems to clean their apartments. Or maybe they simply rejecting any work that didn’t propel them forward.

Either way, they were on to something.

1. Albert Einstein: The Thoughtful Slacker

Often perceived as 'lazy' in his early academic life, Albert Einstein's disinterest in rote learning was actually a sign of his preference for deep thinking and conceptual understanding over memorization.

Einstein’s famous 'thought experiments' including the one that led to his theory of relativity, are classic examples of how time spent in contemplation rather than constant 'doing' can lead to groundbreaking insights.

2. Isaac Newton: Genius in Relaxation

Isaac Newton’s pivotal discoveries in physics, including the laws of motion and gravity, were largely formulated during a period of forced isolation during the Great Plague. This downtime provided Newton the space to develop ideas that might not have flourished in a busier setting.

His work demonstrates how periods of inactivity or solitude can be critical for creative breakthroughs and deep intellectual work.

3. Steve Jobs: Cultivating Creativity

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., was known for his unorthodox approach to work. He believed in the power of intuition and often engaged in activities unrelated to his work, like calligraphy classes, which later influenced Apple’s typography and design aesthetics.

Jobs’ approach underlines the value of broadening one's horizons and gathering diverse experiences, which can lead to innovative ideas and solutions in one's primary field of work.

4. Agatha Christie: The Queen of Mystery and Downtime

Famed mystery novelist Agatha Christie often spoke about how her best ideas came to her while washing dishes. This mundane activity allowed her mind to wander and weave intricate plots and characters.

Her experience suggests that routine, monotonous tasks can sometimes provide the mental space necessary for creative thinking.

5. Archimedes: Eureka in the Bath

The ancient Greek mathematician and inventor, Archimedes, famously discovered the principle of buoyancy while taking a bath, leading to the legendary exclamation, "Eureka!"

This anecdote illustrates how great ideas often strike in moments of relaxation and routine daily activities, not just during active problem-solving sessions.

Although, in my opinion this just sounds more like an old guy taking a bath than a brilliant mind uncovering a groundbreaking discovery, so don’t get it twisted.

The BMM Takeaway

We’ve concluded that you can be lazy and get even more work done, but only as long as you’re doing it correctly.

By leveraging automation and AI, recharging your mental batteries for better work output, and prioritizing the tasks that get the most work done, you can actually find yourself having a less stressful day while outperforming those who grind till they die.

Try out some of these techniques and see if they enhance your work life balance and general productivity levels. After all, if some of the greatest minds in history were lazy but highly accomplished, don’t you think you should follow in their footsteps too?