Are you too lazy to read this? Don’t be

Bill Gates said once, that he would “Always get a lazy person to do a job, because they would always find the easiest way to do it.”

Well, that’s quite a revealing analysis of the very human condition, but the problem is that finding the easiest way to do something is fine, but what about the quality of the finished job? Would Gates be proud of it? Would it be well enough done to ensure the next phase could then be commenced? Probably not, because lazy people, jokes aside are just, well... lazy.

The word lazy is defined as not wanting to work, moving slowly or without energy. It is derived from the Latin word ‘iner’, which is of course the origin itself, of the word inert’, which means unable to move or act. However, the synonyms are much more critical, such as slothful, idle, indolent, work-shy, lethargic, sluggish, lax, passive and neglectful.

Tell a lazy person they are indolent, and they will first think you are praising them because it sounds like a quite positive word, and then they will ask you what it means.

Tell a lazy person they are lethargic, and they will probably complain of some malady, self-imposed illness, or ‘a virus.’ Your scepticism will probably result in an immediate feigned coughing fit, dizzy spell or the like.

Tell a lazy person they are lazy, and they will certainly be offended, but not too much, because they’ve certainly heard it all before. They will laugh it off somehow, if a little uncertainly, or change the subject.

Tell a lazy person they are neglectful, and they will seriously demand that you provide proof of their neglect. Did you read that? They will tell you to prove their neglect, again, even sub-consciously evading the responsibility of proving themselves capable and effective.

Is it okay for me to work harder, know and understand my duties and responsibilities, so that someone else can have an easier, more relaxed time at work, is it? Well, in reality no, it’s not okay. Any time, any place, any job, it’s just not on.

While it is not an individual’s job to ensure that all of those in a place of work are contributing equally, and demonstrating effectiveness in their work, it is their job to make sure that they, themselves, are doing so. The consequences of workplace laziness are sure to revolve around ‘shop floor’ alienation, as others realise you aren’t ‘pulling your weight,’ and edge you towards the periphery of the workplace community, and that’s only the beginning.

The worst thing about lazy people is that it doesn’t matter where it’s happening, there will be a price. At home maybe, at work, or among friends, in the beginning, a lazy person will be a sort of a ‘tolerated’ eccentricity. One whose parents and friends expect will grow out of it, eventually. Then you become the object of gossip, derision, ridicule, sarcasm and eventually, should you not change your ways, outright contempt.

Strangely, lazy people always seem to be moaners, never happy with their lot in life, and actually seem to know who, and what, they are. Yet when you ask them what they have done to get the, ‘better job,’ the ‘more opportunities,’ and ‘more friends,’ they will make every excuse under the sun, and be critical of everyone else, in cataloguing their woes. Proverbs 13:4, says, “Lazy people want much, but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.”

So, if your bumper-sticker says, “I don’t suffer from laziness... I’m enjoying every minute of it” You’re a loser, missing out, big time.

Ray Petersen

petersen_ray@hotmail.com