Lazy vs. Lost: Finding Your Purpose When You’re Stuck

Lazy vs. Lost: Finding Your Purpose When You’re Stuck

You’ve been there, right? Waking up with good intentions, ready to crush the day, only to find yourself stuck in the same place, day after day. You feel lazy. You tell yourself, “Tomorrow, I’ll get it together. I’ll hit the gym. I’ll start that project.” But then tomorrow comes, and nothing happens.

It’s not that you’re lazy. It’s that you’re lost.

And trust me, that’s more common than you think. The problem isn’t a lack of effort. It’s a lack of direction. You wake up with no clear sense of purpose, and everything around you becomes a distraction. That’s when you get stuck.

Here’s the hard truth: Laziness is the easy scapegoat. You tell yourself, “I’m just being lazy,” when really, it’s the lack of clarity that’s holding you back. You’re not lazy. You just don’t know exactly what you should be doing with your time. The result? Procrastination. When you’re lost, everything becomes a reason not to act. You’ve got zero direction. So, you stall. And while you do, life keeps moving forward without you.

And trust me—you’re not alone.

Research shows that today’s younger generations are feeling more lost than ever before. A study from the National Bureau of Economic Research reveals that over 50% of adults aged 18-30 report feeling directionless. And this isn’t just limited to career paths. Many people are struggling to define their purpose in relationships, personal growth, and their overall life goals.

The cause? Many are growing up in a world that over-curates their lives. From social media perfection to external pressures to succeed, too many are left with little room for self-reflection or personal decision-making. This constant noise and distraction lead to a lack of critical thinking. Instead of developing their own passions or calling, many are living lives dictated by trends or what others expect of them.

As a result, when these individuals face challenges, they don’t have the mental resilience or clarity to navigate them. They feel lost, unsure of what path to take next.

The Real Problem: Lack of Clarity

When you don’t know your purpose, everything feels like a distraction. Your focus is compromised. The drama? The distractions? Your negative reactions?  It all pulls you away from what’s truly important. And when you’re constantly reacting to the world around you, instead of acting on your own terms, you stay stuck.

It’s time to get your focus back.

In The GRIP Factor, I talk about how focusing on what matters more means letting go of everything less. When you don’t have a clear sense of purpose, you’re constantly pulled in different directions. Your energy is wasted on distractions, reactions, and tasks that don’t align with your true calling. When you get clarity, you can focus on the actions that will actually create impact.

This doesn’t mean you have to have it all figured out, but you need to start by identifying what truly matters to you. Once you’re clear on that, the action becomes easier. That’s why I created the 5P’s to Purpose formula that challenges the old notion that passion equals purpose: 

Proficiency (what you’re good at) + Priority (what matters most to you) + Pursuit (consistent effort) + Potential(opportunity for growth) + Passion (emotional connection) = Purpose.   

This blueprint will get you unstuck and moving in the right direction. Let’s break it down:

• Proficiency: You know what you’re great at, but do you have tangible proof? Get real with yourself—what skills do you have that set you apart from everyone else?
• Priority: This is about what pulls you forward. What are you willing to fight for? Your values will always guide you toward your true purpose.
• Pursuit: It’s not enough to just think about it. You’ve got to act. And then act again. That’s the relentless pursuit of growth and excellence.
• Potential: You need to assess both your personal growth potential and the market’s demand for your skills and talent. It’s about choosing a path that allows you to grow and fits into the future landscape. Rather than investing in something that’s fading, look for where the future is heading. And make sure your purpose can actually support you, your goals, and your future.
• Passion: When you’re truly passionate about something, you’re unstoppable. You get up every day driven by a purpose that lights you up.

Now, it’s time to put this formula to work.

The Japanese Concept of Ikigai

Recently, I came across the ancient Japanese philosophy of Ikigai, which means “a reason for being.” It’s a concept that centers on finding what you love, what the world needs, what you’re good at, and what you can be paid for. It’s where all of those things intersect. And when you identify that intersection, you start to live with clarity and purpose.

It’s no longer about chasing the spark, or the quick fix. It’s about digging deep—getting clear on your true calling and pursuing it with everything you’ve got.

This Week’s Challenge:

1. Identify Your Ikigai – Write down your answers to the four Ikigai questions: What do you love? What is needed in the world? What are you good at? And how can you make a living doing it? Where do these intersect?
2. Assess Your Focus – What’s distracting you from your purpose? What do you need to let go of to get back on track?
3. Evaluate Your Actions – Are you consistently moving toward your purpose? Or are you letting other things pull you off course?
4. What Do You Bring to the Table? – Take a hard look at your strengths. What are you bringing to your partnerships, whether romantic, personal, or professional? Are you showing up with everything you’ve got?

The truth is, you’re not lazy. You’re just lost. But once you find clarity, you’ll have the focus and energy to take massive action. It’s time to stop dreaming and start doing. Focus on what matters most, and let go of everything else that doesn’t.