Laziness Does Not Exist

Dampening refers to mental habits that diminish or suppress positive experiences and emotions. It involves behaviors such as distracting oneself from enjoyable moments, focusing on imperfections or flaws in positive situations, or downplaying personal achievements. Price presents dampening as a negative consequence of the Laziness Lie. This habit is seen as detrimental to overall well-being and life satisfaction.

A Digital Sabbath, as described in Laziness Does Not Exist, is a designated period of time during which an individual deliberately disconnects from digital devices and online activities. This practice typically involves setting aside at least one day per week to ignore notifications, emails, and social media. Price presents the Digital Sabbath as a strategy to combat the constant pressure of productivity and connectivity imposed by modern technology. It is portrayed as a way to reduce stress, improve mental health, and regain a sense of balance in life.

This concept refers to a parenting approach that embraces imperfection and rejects the pursuit of parental perfection. The good-enough parent provides love, shelter, and adequate food for their children, but they also make mistakes without causing significant trauma. They focus on finding a balance between their own needs and the unique traits and passions of their child, rather than obsessing over societal ideals of perfect parenting. This approach encourages parents to be comfortable with their flaws and to learn from their mistakes, which in turn helps children develop resilience and coping skills for life’s inevitable setbacks.

The Laziness Lie is a central concept in Laziness Does Not Exist. It refers to a deep-seated, culturally held belief system that leads people to view themselves and others as inherently lazy and to equate productivity with moral worth. This belief system promotes the idea that individuals must constantly work hard to overcome their supposed inner laziness and that a person’s value is directly tied to their level of productivity. The Laziness Lie encourages overwork, self-criticism, and the neglect of personal needs and limitations. Price argues that this belief system is harmful and false, leading to burnout, health issues, and decreased overall well-being. Throughout the book, he challenges the Laziness Lie and offers alternative perspectives on work, rest, and human value.

In the context of Laziness Does Not Exist, learned helplessness refers to a psychological condition in which individuals believe they have no control over their circumstances, leading to a lack of motivation or effort. Price discusses this concept in relation to perceived laziness or apathy, arguing that what looks like laziness is often a rational response to repeated experiences of powerlessness or lack of control. He says that learned helplessness can result from various factors, including systemic oppression, poverty, or prolonged exposure to difficult situations in which a person’s efforts seem futile.

The Prosperity Doctrine, also known as the Prosperity Gospel, is a religious belief system that Price mentions in Laziness Does Not Exist, saying that it contributes to the Laziness Lie. This doctrine, which is popular among some evangelical Christian groups, teaches that financial success and physical well-being are always the will of God and that a person’s wealth will increase through faith, positive speech, and donations to religious causes. In the context of the book, Price presents the Prosperity Doctrine as reinforcing the idea that hard work and dedication are directly rewarded by God, thus further entrenching the belief that lack of success or prosperity must be due to personal failings or laziness. This doctrine connects spiritual worthiness with material success, adding a religious dimension to the societal pressure for constant productivity and achievement.

Savoring is a key concept in Laziness Does Not Exist. It is defined as the process of fully appreciating and deriving maximum enjoyment from positive experiences. It involves being mindfully present in the moment, focusing on the details and sensations of an enjoyable activity or event. Price presents savoring as an antidote to achievement obsession and the constant pursuit of productivity. He emphasizes that savoring can be applied to a wide range of experiences, from nature walks to solving puzzles, and is associated with increased life satisfaction and better mental health outcomes. He positions savoring as a skill that can be learned and practiced to counteract the negative effects of the Laziness Lie.

Price defines secondary trauma as a post-traumatic stress response that results from exposure to others’ experiences of abuse, assault, or violence, typically through media or secondhand accounts. Price explains that this phenomenon can occur even without direct experience of the traumatic event. In the context of information overload, he highlights how the internet provides numerous opportunities for secondary trauma through constant exposure to distressing news, images, and stories. Price argues that this indirect exposure to trauma can be psychologically damaging and contributes to the overall burden of excessive information consumption.

Second shift, which is discussed in Chapter 6 of Laziness Does Not Exist, refers to the additional unpaid labor—typically domestic chores and household management—that many people (especially women) perform after their paid workday ends. The second shift includes tasks such as cleaning, cooking, childcare, and managing family schedules. Price argues that this phenomenon is a manifestation of societal expectations and gender roles, often leading to an unfair distribution of labor in households. The concept extends beyond the home, with women often taking on similar unpaid organizational and social tasks in professional settings, as well.