There’s a stark contrast between being laid-back and just plain lazy.

The difference is all about progress. Laziness is when you stagnate, unable to push past your comfort zone, often missing opportunities along the way.

Being laid-back, however, means you’re relaxed but still willing to move forward when needed.

Being lazy can trap you in a standstill, always watching as life passes you by. And let’s be real, nobody wants that. But how do you recognize those habits that are holding you back?

Well, here are some tell-tale signs to look out for.

Let’s get started. 

1) Procrastination

The most common habit of lazy people who never progress in life is undeniably procrastination.

Procrastination has a nasty way of seeping into your daily life, leaving tasks unfinished and goals unmet. It’s the age-old “I’ll do it later” mentality that just leads to a never-ending cycle of delays.

The thing about procrastination is that it’s not just about being lazy. It’s also about fear – fear of failure, fear of success, even fear of the effort required to complete a task.

But here’s the deal – success often comes from taking action, even if it’s small steps. By constantly putting things off, you’re essentially stalling your own progress.

So if you find that you’re always saying “I’ll do it later”, it might be time to reassess and break free from this habit that’s keeping you stuck in place.

Time waits for no one. And the sooner you start taking action, the sooner you can move forward in life. Don’t let procrastination be the anchor that keeps you from sailing towards your goals.

2) Neglecting personal growth

Here’s something I learned the hard way – if you’re not growing, you’re stagnating.

Several years back, I found myself stuck in a rut. I was doing the same things day in, day out, with no real change or progress. My job was monotonous, my social life was non-existent, and I was becoming increasingly dissatisfied.

That’s when I realized that I had been neglecting personal growth. I wasn’t learning anything new, wasn’t pushing myself to try new things or meet new people. I was comfortably numb in my routine, but it was a routine that wasn’t leading me anywhere.

The thing about personal growth is that it needs to be intentional. You have to actively seek out opportunities to learn and grow. Otherwise, you’ll just end up floating along on the currents of life without any real direction.

If you feel like you’re stuck in a rut like I was, take a step back and look at your life. Are you actively pursuing growth? Or are you just going through the motions? Remember, it’s never too late to start growing and moving forward in life.

3) Lack of physical activity

You might not think that physical activity has much to do with progress in life, but you’d be surprised.

Our bodies and minds are closely interconnected. When your body is physically inactive, it can have a direct impact on your mental state, often leading to feelings of lethargy and lack of motivation.

In a study conducted by the American Journal of Physiology, it was found that just two weeks of reduced physical activity can lead to significant loss in muscular strength, cardiovascular health and metabolic function. This is why regular exercise is so important.

Not only does it keep your body healthy, but it also helps to boost your mood and energy levels, making you more motivated to tackle tasks and achieve your goals.

If you find yourself frequently sitting around or avoiding physical activity, it might be time to get moving. Remember, a healthy body often leads to a healthy mind, and both are essential for moving forward in life.

4) Over reliance on comfort

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a little comfort. The problem arises when comfort becomes a crutch, something you depend on to the point where it hinders your progress.

Life is full of challenges and stepping outside of your comfort zone is often necessary to grow and achieve your goals. Sticking to what’s comfortable is easy, but it doesn’t allow for much growth or development.

If you find yourself always choosing the easy route, avoiding risk, or shying away from new experiences because they’re uncomfortable, you’re likely stuck in a comfort trap.

Breaking free from this trap often involves embracing discomfort. It might sound daunting, but it’s through these uncomfortable experiences that we learn the most about ourselves and our capabilities.

Don’t be afraid of discomfort. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it push you forward in life.

5) Avoiding responsibility

We all have responsibilities, whether it’s work, school, family, or personal obligations. But how we handle these responsibilities can say a lot about our progress in life.

Lazy people often avoid taking responsibility for their actions and decisions. It’s easier to blame others or circumstances for failures and setbacks. But this mindset can hold you back from learning valuable lessons and growing as a person.

Taking responsibility means acknowledging your mistakes and learning from them. It also means taking charge of your life and making your own decisions, rather than relying on others to make them for you.

If you find that you’re always avoiding responsibility, it might be time to reassess. Start small, take responsibility for a small decision or task, and see how it feels. Over time, you’ll find that taking responsibility can be empowering and can help push you forward in life.

6) Lack of self-belief

Believing in yourself is one of the most powerful tools you can have. Without self-belief, it’s easy to fall into the trap of self-doubt and pessimism, which can hold you back from reaching your full potential.

When we lack faith in our abilities, we often hesitate to take risks or pursue opportunities that could lead to growth and success. We let fear of failure or rejection dictate our actions, which can leave us stuck in the same spot.

Self-belief isn’t about being arrogant or thinking you’re better than others. It’s about recognizing your worth and understanding that you’re capable of achieving your goals, even when faced with obstacles.

If you find that you’re constantly doubting yourself, remember this: You are capable. You are worthy. And you have the power to shape your own life. Don’t let self-doubt hold you back from moving forward. Believe in yourself and watch as doors start to open.

7) Ignoring health and wellbeing

There was a time when I thought I could burn the candle at both ends. I was working long hours, eating poorly, and barely getting any sleep. I thought my body could handle it, that I was invincible.

But boy, was I wrong.

One day, I woke up and realized that I was exhausted, miserable, and my productivity had hit an all-time low. It was a wake-up call that my health and wellbeing were important and shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Ignoring your health and wellbeing may seem like an easy choice in the short term, especially when you’re chasing deadlines or trying to juggle multiple responsibilities. But in the long run, it can lead to burnout and can significantly hinder your progress in life.

Taking care of your physical health through regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep, as well as looking after your mental wellbeing through self-care activities, can make a world of difference in your overall productivity and happiness.

If you’ve been neglecting your health and wellbeing, it might be time to hit pause and reassess. Remember, your health is your wealth, and without it, moving forward in life can be a real struggle.

8) Lack of goals and direction

Having clear goals and a sense of direction is like having a roadmap for life. Without them, it’s easy to drift aimlessly, unsure of where you’re going or why.

Lazy people often lack clear goals or vision for their future. They might be content with just going with the flow or sticking to the status quo. But this lack of direction can lead to stagnation and a lack of progress in life.

Setting clear, achievable goals gives you something to strive for. It provides a sense of purpose and can motivate you to take action. Moreover, having a clear direction helps you make decisions that align with your long-term plans.

If you find yourself aimlessly drifting through life without clear goals or direction, it may be time to sit down and do some soul-searching. What do you want out of life? Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years? Once you have a clear vision for your future, you can start taking steps towards making it a reality.

9) Resistance to change

Change is inevitable. It’s a part of life, and it’s often through change that we grow and progress. But for some people, the idea of change can be terrifying. They prefer to stick to what they know, even if it’s holding them back.

Resistance to change can be a major obstacle in moving forward in life. It keeps you stuck in your ways, unable to adapt or evolve. And in a world that’s constantly changing and evolving, this can be a major disadvantage.

Embracing change means being open to new ideas, experiences, and opportunities. It means being flexible and adaptable, ready to take on whatever comes your way.

If you find yourself resisting change, remember this: Change isn’t something to be feared. It’s something to be embraced. Because it’s through change that we learn, grow, and ultimately, move forward in life.

Final thoughts: It’s about choice

At the end of the day, our habits and behaviors are often a matter of choice.

Yes, environmental factors and circumstances can influence our decisions. But ultimately, we have the power to choose our actions, to choose our habits.

The nine habits we discussed are common among people who struggle to move forward in life. But recognizing these habits is the first step towards overcoming them.

Each day presents a new opportunity to make choices that align with your goals and aspirations, to break free from stagnation and laziness, and to move forward in life.

The philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” And this couldn’t be more true. It’s about taking that first step, no matter how small it might be, towards breaking these habits and paving the way for progress.

So ask yourself this: What choices are you making today? Are they helping you move forward or holding you back? Remember, every day is a new opportunity to choose progress over stagnation, action over laziness. The choice is yours.