Have you ever read The Lazy Genius Way or listened to author Kendra Adachi’s podcast? Yep, I am a little late to the game in that I just was introduced to her work this summer and her book originally published in 2020. Tardy or not, I am a big fan. She’s practical, intentional with her words and I believe her book is a really great resource. It is funny though, I just finished reading her first book - and chapter after chapter I was like, “hey! I do that” -  only to discover for myself that in so many ways I have become a lazy genius over the last couple of years. 

As I was reading (listening!) to her book, I really resonated with why she wrote it. We live in a society today that just expects all of us to be high capacity and achievers in almost every area of our lives. (Well, does society expect it or have we created a personal narrative that we aren’t maxing our full potential unless we are these things?) Either way, it's a problem and it's causing so many of us stress, anxiety, exhaustion, and a host of other issues trying to do it all, do it well all while keeping up with our kids, putting dinner on the clean table, looking our best, having nailed laundry, held conference calls, and hosted book club the same day… exhausting.

A friend and I were talking the other day and the thing we have loved most about entering our 40s is finally being comfortable in our own skin. Like, I know what I am good at. I know what I enjoy. I know that not everyone will like me but that doesn’t mean I am not likable. I know that I am high capacity and that my life looks draining to others, and yet I’m also confident to say no when I’m stretched beyond my limitations so that I stay mentally, emotionally and physically healthy. I have created systems that work for me that have simplified so many processes in my day. I have practiced building intentional community and adding fun into my life. I have become lazy in things that don’t matter much to me, but feel like a genius about the processes, plans and priorities in my little world. I think I’m a lazy genius and I am here for it!  

I don’t want to fully spoil the book, because it's Agachi’s work, not mine… support her! Buy the book, listen to her podcast and learn from her!! But I thought I would highlight a few things I didn’t realize I had put the “lazy genius” way to use in my life… these little things have served me well and I hope they can you, too. 

 

High level… There are 13 lazy genius principles: Decide Once, Start Small, Ask the Magic Question (what can i do now?), Live in the Season , Build the Right Routines, Set House Rules, Put Everything in its Place, Let People In, Batch It, Essentialize, Go in the Right Order, Schedule Rest, and Be Kind to Yourself. Not even going to try to hit all 13, but here are a few that I have found great rest in:

 

Ask The Magic Question - the prompt is to ask yourself what you can do now to make later easier. You guys… I live by this mantra EVEN when I don’t want to. Example: Meal Prep - about 2 years ago I was flustered that dinner was never before 7:30pm and I didn’t know how to change that UNTIL I started prepping for dinner every day the moment we walked in from school. Kids were grabbing snacks and starting homework - so as they sat down to get things done, I started prepping. Most days, I have even started to prep before I pick them up because our new season has us going all over town for practices and games after school. Come dinner time I‘ve done all the heavy lifting! Second example: on any night that my schedule allows, I do my bedtime routine as soon as we tuck in Dorothy Grace. My routine can tend to include 1034897392 steps and honestly, when I’m tired I don’t love doing it - but I do it NOW so that I can fall into bed later with all the serums packed on. I’ve got more examples… but think for yourself how that would translate in your day.

 

Let People In - man, I mean I obviously don’t struggle too much with being vulnerable and authentic… but this one for me has been rubber to the road in the last 2 years. Being “new” in your hometown means most people assume your friend card and calendar is full. It takes a lot of bravery to practice letting people in but I have been so blessed taking a proactive approach to where we are in this season and pursuing people, fun and community. Turns out, it is a practice and often results in others responding in kind. And in those moments where my plate is overflowing and I’m stressed? I have friends who have been swift to lend their hands, time and prayers to lighten my load. I am so thankful. Do you let people in? Like really…. Not just do you have friends, but do you let people know what’s really going on? Do you have friends that tell you the real stuff so that you can be this kind of friend to them? This is the heart of true community!

 

Batch it - Yep, this is kind of like meal prep….. When I make school lunches, I cut all the bell peppers for the week on Sunday, clean / cut all the fruit when I bring it home and so that when I set out on the day before (often when I’m dinner prepping) I can open get to work doing all three lunches at the same moment. Prepped ahead and then did the monotonous packing at the same time. Same with laundry… I only do laundry ONCE a week. Most might think I am crazy… but it doesn’t overwhelm me when I do it this way. It is a to-do that gets completely crossed off in one day and I prefer that to never ending laundry throughout the week. In one day everything gets washed, folded and put away… and that batched task is life-giving for me. You may call that lazy… I call it genius.

 

I know that is only 3 principles but I just wanted to wet your appetite for the theory, because as I listened to her book I could write lots of words as to how I’ve learned evaluate what is life-sucking vs life-giving to me in a fast-paced season… and so today I genuinely wanted to just pass it along as an encouragement to anyone that needs someone giving them practical advice on how to be lazy in things that don’t matter to you and a genius about the rest. That’s it. 

Have you read the book? Do you listen to her podcast? She has another book for the kitchen and has her third book coming out in October called “The Plan”... where I’ve heard it is for those that love all the ideas but then need help executing or managing their time. I can’t wait to read it, too! 

 

You know what I am totally here for? People like Adachi who have found something that works for them and shares it from a place of abundance. Not because they think their theory is the only one that holds up, but because it has positively impacted them. This book did that for me as many others have, too. It makes wonder in the many ways that God has created and wired us all - consider what your add is to others and share it. It may be just what we’ve needed to hear, to learn, or to see.