Let’s be honest—being productive can feel like a full-time job. You make a to-do list, color-code your calendar, and promise yourself this will be the week you finally “crush it.” But by Wednesday, you’re eating cereal for dinner and wondering where your motivation went.
If this sounds familiar, let me introduce you to a life-changing idea: the Lazy Genius method.
Coined by Kendra Adachi, author of The Lazy Genius Way, this approach flips traditional productivity advice on its head. It’s not about hustling harder or waking up at 5 a.m. to meditate (unless that works for you). It’s about being a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.
Let’s unpack what that actually means—and how it might just save your sanity.
What Is the Lazy Genius Method?
At its core, the Lazy Genius method is about living well without losing your mind. It encourages you to prioritize with intention, simplify routines, and ditch the pressure to “do it all.”
It’s not a one-size-fits-all system. It’s more like a mindset shift that helps you make decisions based on your real life—not the life you see on Pinterest.
“You can’t be a genius about everything,” says Kendra. “And you shouldn’t be.”
For example:
- Love cooking? Be a genius in the kitchen—meal prep, invest in a good knife, organize your pantry.
- Hate folding laundry? Be lazy about it—do it once a week, or don’t fold at all (just toss it in drawers and move on with your life).
3 Lazy Genius Principles That’ll Change Your Game
1. Decide Once
This is gold. Decide once, and stop making the same decision over and over.
🧠 Example:
Instead of stressing about dinner every night, create a weekly meal formula:
- Mondays: Pasta
- Tuesdays: Tacos
- Wednesdays: Leftovers
Now your brain is free to think about more important things—like how to dodge that 4-hour Zoom meeting.
2. Start Small
Raise your hand if you’ve ever bought a brand-new planner in January and abandoned it by February 🙋🏽♀️
We often fail because we try to change everything at once. The Lazy Genius method says: start tiny. Want to read more? Start with one page a day. That’s it.
“Consistency beats intensity,” Kendra reminds us. “Do what you can, when you can.”
3. Live in the Season
This one hit me hard. Sometimes we chase perfect routines without acknowledging our actual reality. New mom? Working two jobs? Studying for finals? You’re in a different season than someone with three free hours every evening.
Be kind to yourself. Create rhythms that work now—not when life is magically easier.
Real-Life Lazy Genius Moments
One of my favorite Lazy Genius wins? My friend Sarah, who was drowning in school drop-offs, work meetings, and PTA chaos. Instead of trying to be Supermom every morning, she implemented “Decide Once” breakfasts: smoothies on weekdays, pancakes on Saturdays.
Now her kids know the drill, mornings are less chaotic, and she feels like a freaking wizard.
Another one: I used to get overwhelmed planning content for my side hustle. I started batching tasks—Monday = brainstorm day, Tuesday = write, Wednesday = edit, etc. Suddenly, things felt easier. I was still productive, just smarter about it.
Why This Works (Even for Overachievers)
If you’re used to being go-go-go, you might think this method sounds lazy in the worst way. But here’s the kicker—it’s not about doing less, it’s about doing what matters most, with less friction.
Productivity expert Cal Newport calls this “strategic laziness.” You’re removing the mental clutter and decision fatigue that bog you down.
The Lazy Genius method is also anti-guilt. Didn’t finish your list? So what. You focused on what matters and left the rest. That’s a win.
Ready to Be a Lazy Genius?
If you’re tired of productivity hacks that feel like homework, give the Lazy Genius method a try. Ask yourself:
- What actually matters to me right now?
- What can I be lazy about?
- What decisions can I make once and stop revisiting?
Then… go live your life.
Less hustle. More intention. And maybe—just maybe—a little peace in the chaos.
Final Thought:
You don’t need a 10-step system to get your life together. You just need to stop trying to be good at everything and start being smart about the things you care about most. That’s the Lazy Genius way—and honestly, it’s genius.