Good day fellow Steemians. Keeping up has really been difficult lately, I have been through a lot recently. Pheew! Well, it’s all good though. In my [previous blog post](https://steemit.com/@ikechi/eat-that-snake) few days ago, I talked about how I was inspired by an image that I saw online. ![FB_IMG_1520493927975.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRsNZs3YEeEPkjszW7E5BYYTjrb7EsBQX9193kCRowJRh/FB_IMG_1520493927975.jpg) [Source](www.facebook.com/picturesinhistory) I also said that I will subsequently share inspirations that I got from the picture in series if necessary. Now this is me doing it! ### Recap From the image, a toad (well, a friend called it a bull frog) was caught swallowing a little snake; and I explained why I thought that it was an anomaly in the animal kingdom. It is a case where the predator became the prey. I explained that the reason that this was possible was because the snake had not grown to maturity. This led to my making an assertion that: >As long as a predator is not given the opportunity to grow, it will remain a prey. Then looking at the assertion figuratively, and relating it to ourselves personally; there could be things in our lives that if we allow to grow up to maturity and not nip it at the budding stage, would end up ‘eating’ us. The aim of this post and any other subsequent one on this series will be aimed at identifying such things, exposing its modus operandi and proffering solutions of how to annihilate it at its incipient stage before it becomes a terror. # LAZINESS Laziness is one of such things that if an individual fails to nip at the bud, will end up being a monster that could eat the individual. Laziness is the unwillingness of an individual (in this case) to work or make effort. ![images-2.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmadVMR58f8kmZZ2GBjZ9yG5kZZzZTZT75aay41rLVbyoj/images-2.jpg) [Source](http://www.queensjewishlink.com/qjl/laziness-or-lack-of-motivation/) Laziness can almost always be justified by a lazy person. Naturally, everything wants to achieve equilibrium; since at equilibrium, there is calmness. Similarly, man also naturally seeks respite from the onerous, herculean and most times humdrum tasks of an average man. That is why there is usually an ecstasy that comes during weekends; as a result of the respite from the week’s activities. Rest is good for the health, but when it is too much, then it becomes laziness. Laziness manifests itself when individuals decide to be more torpid than necessary. Laziness is so dangerous that it can rob individuals of useful and valuable time as well as productivity. Laziness is responsible for many failures – in business, academics, and even in government agencies and parastatals where the lethargy of the civil servants has succeeded in bringing down the erstwhile successful organizations to rubble. Enough said, how can someone then identify the subtle enemy called laziness? Well, it can be identified if an individual notices any of the following in his/her life. ### Procrastination Procrastination is simply postponing an activity that should be done to a later time. Like a chain reaction, this makes activities to pile up. As more activities pile up, it makes the individual to be less willing to tackle the pile of activities that are waiting for his/her attendance. ![images-4.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmeuvxbpWQm7yb52GkmKD5r5V3JGJrr8rt5ZBjDD5YvG9B/images-4.jpg) [Source](https://www.whyislam.org/article/spiritual-laziness/) Procrastination may be caused by several excuses that typical lazy people give like *”it can always be done later”, “there is still time”*, etc. **Solution** - The solution of this is by doing what should be done, when it should be done without further delay. This is made easier through planning of both one’s time and activities, and also making a firm and resolute decision to be prompt in doing it. ### Lackluster demeanor One of the greatest ways that laziness subtly prey on its victim is by taking away the zest of the individual for a particular activity. When laziness has set in on an individual, he/she lacks the passion for an activity during that time. ![images-5.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmfHtgYH4ZKy3bzQvXGF331yg7iHdhMusJ8fEPccCHZXNV/images-5.jpg) [Source](https://www.google.com/amp/s/rochemamabolo.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/the-new-definition-of-hard-work-and-of-laziness/amp/?source=images) ![images-6.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmXSPdRhPmo3yiyY39EjUv1LxYQwmkMWb7pyGnps8AjR3M/images-6.jpg) [Source](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.simplemost.com/why-people-are-lazy-and-5-ways-to-overcome-laziness/amp/?source=images) This makes the individual to be oblivious to the moribund state of such an activity or endeavor. At this point, to the individual, nothing counts. This sometimes happens when one has failed at that activity before. **Solution** - The best way to overcome this is just by going back to work. At this point, it is best for the individual to reflect on the importance of the task that he now lacks passion for, and also by thinking about the detriment of the delay of such activity. ### Excessive desire to rest ![images-3.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNcgi12ehYCZPNk4qDfQaQ3rzgjXF8UQzMSpL6jLps72p/images-3.jpg) [Source](http://thecontextofthings.com/2015/10/15/on-laziness-as-a-motivator/) While rest and relaxation is good for the body, excess of it is not. When one discovers that he/she always wants to be torpid, and would rather wish to engross himself/herself in entertainment at the detriment of work, then laziness is in existence. **Solution** - Make specific time for enough rest and recreation because it is usually said that >”All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” But also remember the saying that >”All play and no work makes Jack a lazy boy” So there should always be a balance. --- Are there other things that one can notice so that such a person can get rid of in time? Please feel free to share with us so that others can learn from you. Your comment and contribution will be appreciated. --- So in summary, Characteristic of laziness | Solution -------------------- | ------------------------ Procrastination | Doing what should be done at the right time Lackluster demeanor | Gingering oneself back to work Excessive desire to rest | Make time for work and recreation and give none more time than it requires I think armed with this, it’s time to eat that snake; it’s time to eat that laziness before it eats you. Cheers --- Follow the story via @ikechi, let's get inspired. --- Join the steemit school on discord to learn more about how to improve your content: https://discord.gg/V6X7TmD --- Join the steembee hive on discord to interact with great people, get information and tools to ease your steemit journey and also get rewards from the @kingbee https://discord.gg/cqRAXXS --- [©Ikechi](http://www.steemit.com/@ikechi)