One great way to not take any action is to debate everything and make it an intellectual exercise. Here are a few common tactics I have seen:
Tactic 1: Start analyzing the pros and cons of everything.
Example: If someone says, “You should start walking or running”, ask the following questions.
— Isn’t running bad for the knees?
— Is walking 10,000 steps a day a hoax?
— Why walk — why not swim?
— Is HIIT the best thing or is the Maffetone method superior?
This guarantees you won’t move a step and also not feel guilty.
Tactic 2: Stretch any point to a breaking limit and then argue that anything good could be harmful.
Example: “Yes, I should probably improve my focus but if I am focused and productive the whole day, life will lose all fun and spontaneity.” That way, they don’t make an effort to focus even for an hour.
Tactic 3: Blame the environment, weather, and the universe. (This is very popular.)
Example: I would love to go for a run but
— It is so humid.
— The roads are uneven.
— Morning is too early, evening is too crowded, and the gym treadmill is too boring.
— Cats keep crossing my path.
Tactic 4: Make everything sound like someone is conspiring to manipulate you.
Example: “Who is to decide that productivity is the right goal to pursue? Everybody is entitled to their own choices.”
In fact, there was one guy who once told me “I am the king of procrastination.” But God forbid, if you suggest anything to him, he would start a debate competition.
I am not saying that one shouldn’t use critical thinking but there is a difference between a genuine debate and avoidance.
If you want your life to change, start moving and stop intellectualizing.
– Rajan