Book Notes: The Lazy Genius Way

I love the term "Lazy Genius." As author Kendra Adachi uses it here, "lazy" is not an uncomplimentary adjective meaning "doesn't do any work" or "doesn't get anything done." Instead, "lazy" refers to someone who prefers to work smarter, not harder.

 

In that respect, I am all about being lazy. I've been known to say that laziness is the mother of invention, and I read Cheaper by the Dozen dozens of times, partly because I was fascinated that the parents worked in the efficiency field. If there's a way to do something faster or with less effort, bring it on. I'm always looking for those.

 

But Kendra Adachi emphasizes in The Lazy Genius Way that being a Lazy Genius is not simply about getting your chores done so you can sit around and eat ice cream and read novels or binge-watch Netflix. It's about getting stuff done so you can do the things that matter. And it's about getting rid of what doesn't matter. It's not just simplifying -- it's making smart choices.

 

 

Listen to the full introduction to The Lazy Genius Way on Kendra's podcast.

 

There's a lot in this book about being real, and that isn't only the kind of "real" where someone on Instagram shows you what a disaster their life is because they forgot to put the carafe into the coffeepot before they hit the "brew" button, or their kids run around naked, strewing dirty, clean, and in-between laundry in their wake. It's also the kind of "real" where you celebrate the good stuff and don't feel ashamed of bragging (Small Success, anyone?).

 

In The Lazy Genius Way, you'll be encouraged use the lazy tricks to help you save time so you can turn around and spend that time the way you want to spend that time: with family, with friends, deepening your spiritual life, taking better care of yourself.

 

The chapters in this book are packed with tips, strategies, and ideas - so bring your pencil and planner and prepare to think about how and why you do the things you do. The habits, how-tos, and routines that end each chapter will inspire you to make changes and celebrate what you're already doing well.

 

What's my own best Lazy Genius tip? Wear a lab coat when you cook. It covers even more than an apron, so if you make a mess cook with enthusiasm, you won't regret it later when it's time to do the laundry.

 

Kendra Adachi is a Christian author, podcaster, and Instagram personality, so the spiritual is a big part of this book. She talks about church, about biting off more than you can chew when you decide on a devotional practice, about living up to those Proverbs 31 expectations ... and about changing the way we think about ourselves and others. Being a Lazy Genius, it turns out, is more than just saving time. It's about using your mental, physical, and spiritual resources in ways that nourish you and those around you.