Procrastination is something that I have always suffered from, but lately I’ve begun to wonder if it isn’t really just pure laziness.
Is procrastination just laziness?
This is a question I’ve been asking myself a lot recently. I’ve also been acknowledging that I am indeed a lazy person. Yep, absolutely no denying that.
That applies to my photography as well. I’m not ashamed to admit that I can be very lazy when I’m out taking photos. It is something I always comment on, how my friends die from shock when we are out and I actually change the lens. It’s true, I’m hopeless.
Do you know how difficult it is changing it? You have to get your bag down, then open it. Get the lens you want ready to put on, take off the other one and swap them. Put the lens you were using back in the bag and put that away. So much work. Who out there knows what I’m talking about?
What does laziness cost me?
What a great question.
It does cost. It often means that I procrastinate so much at times that I miss out on things. Or by the time I get around to doing them, there is no point.
There are also the times I’m out and I think I should photograph something, then can’t be bothered. I don’t and then just regret it. Seriously, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done that.
Of course, there are other things that crop up because of it.
Gear for the lazy person
This is important. You might not think so, but if I get gear that seems too much trouble to use I won’t use it. It will sit on the shelf or I don’t bother buying it.
You can hear about gear that sounds great, but for me, it all becomes too much effort to use.
Camera bags are definitely like that. Recently I was loaned a Peak Design bag. People rave about these and while I don’t want to say they aren’t good, as they are incredibly well thought out and made. However, yes, however, the bag is no good for me.
When I told the rep that I had to give it back, she asked why. What could I say, so I was honest? I said I’m too lazy for the bag.
Simple. The bag has lots of different places to put the gear into it. There are zips on either side of it so you have to remember where you put everything and which side. It was getting so confusing. I just stopped using it.
She has now hooked me up with a bag from Mindshift and so far I’m really enjoying it. There will be more on that soon.
What about you?
How would you rate yourself? Do you think you procrastinate because you are lazy? Or are you more of a go getter?
All the photos in this post are ones where I’m so glad I pushed myself to get out and do some photography.
Is procrastination a form of laziness? Maybe. I also think it has to do with perfectionism and not wanting to do something until the time is absolutely perfect to do it. Or maybe it’s a way of controlling one’s environment/schedule. Or thinking of time as an infinite resource at our disposal. Whatever the cause, it’s a very hard habit to break, and I speak of what I know as it’s something I struggle with. Being in the moment and advocating for my needs is very hard for me to do. Also, goals/needs are not nearly as much fun to pursue as whims. 🙂
I suspect there are a lot of reasons for it.YOu have definitely brought up some great points Margaret. I love your last sentence, it is very true. Thank you Margaret.
‘Procrastination is of time the thief’?
Consider, though, that ‘Look before you leap’
Can give more time, and save you all the grief
That hasty action on your head will heap!
Very nice response Colonialist.
Leanne, in a way I do relate to what you are saying, yet your beautiful images don’t prove that.
Yeah, I’m not lazy with the computer, meaning my post processing, just everything else. Thank you Cornelia, good to hear I’m not the only one.
You produce exquisite photos. Sometimes it’s better to have less of something that’s high in quality vs. a lot of something with low quality. With regards to pulling stuff out of a bag – I can relate to that. For me – by the time I get the right lens ready – the bird/insect/butterfly is gone with the photo opportunity
YOu could be right Nora, but I wish I could get my act together at times so I can do the new work I want to do. I’m slowly getting to it.
Yes, lenses and bags can be annoying. Thank you Nora.
Procrastionation is different from being lazy. When I procrastionate, it’s because I really don’t want to do the task or I’m afraid I’m not able to do it. Once I begin and see how easy it is, I’m all in. Then, sometimes you just have to have a deadline to do the things you truly don’t want to do. I also don’t like changing lens in the field. I knew that from the beginning so I bought a 2-camera sling. After a couple of years, I couldn’t carry two cameras. I just don’t like all the weight when I’m out. I think I need to start using my vest again. I’m not sure that’s being lazy, but a personal preference. Your art is beautiful and there’s nothing lazy about it!
I do think it can be the same, but there are many different reasons for procrastinating, and I am planning on doing some other blog posts that hit on some of the points you have mentioned Anne. I love deadlines, but they need to be real, if I set them myself then I don’t really follow them.
Thank you Anne, I am lazy, it is something I face now.
One a recent episode of the Fujicast, professional wedding photographer Kevin Mullins joyfully admitted that he has no dividers or pockets in his camera bags. He removes all the padded dividers. He just tosses his equipment into the cavern of the bag. He’s too lazy to deal with setting up dividers.
It doesn’t seem to affect his work and your lazyiness does not affect yours.
That is really funny about Kevin Mullins, I’m not quite that bad, but I like a bag you can open up and see everything in.
It does in some ways. I’ve been planning some new work for a while now, and still haven’t started it. Not good. Thanks Khürt
I was thinking the same as Chris–‘lazy’ is not a word I would use to describe you at all, Leanne. Look at your amazing photos, the tutorials, the new photographers you select to inspire/inform us…..Lazy Leanne? I don’t think so.
There are so many things I want to try, but my laziness just doesn’t get me there. I’m terrible. Thank you Lois, I like the way you have described me, things like the blog really help me.
I agree 100% about the bags with too many places to put things. I thought it was just me being novice and not knowing how to organize. Guess I didn’t want to actually put that word to my problem but it fits. I need to do something about that. Your photography is an inspiration to get moving. Thanks for sharing this little piece of yourself.
I think a bag needs to be easy and easy access to everything. No, not at all, I think many of us feel that way. Thank you, and you’re welcome, it is nice to be sharing more personal stuff.
Lazy. I’ll give you an example. I like to shoot birds so I use a big lens. I also like creating macro images. I carry along an extra camera with a macro lens on it as I’ve discovered I am too lazy to change lenses. 9 times out of 10 I’ll use the big lens to shoot “macro”. I’m too lazy to take out the macro camera.
I hear you Sherry, I can so relate.
Looking at your amazing images, if you’re lazy it’s working well for you!
Thank you Chris, but I think there would be a lot more if I wasn’t so lazy.