The core principle of the Lazy Genius approach is refreshingly simple: **be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't.**
It sounds obvious, but let's be honest, how often do we get this backwards? We spend ages agonising over the 'perfect' packed lunch, which gets eaten in three minutes, while neglecting the ten-minute chat with our kid that they'll remember all day.
Here’s how to apply this to your own life:
1. **Identify what actually matters to *you***. Not what matters to your partner, your parents, or that perfect dad on Instagram. What truly brings you and your family joy and peace? Is it a tidy house, or is it having the energy for a kickabout in the garden? Is it a home-cooked meal every night, or is it a relaxed pizza night where everyone's laughing?
2. **Become a genius in those areas**. If family dinner is your 'thing', then yes, put your energy there. Plan the meals, find the recipes, make it an event. Go all in. Create a system that makes it easier and more enjoyable.
3. **Be gloriously, unapologetically lazy about the rest**. If a perfectly ironed shirt doesn't actually make anyone's day better, then stop doing it. If meticulously organised Lego bricks are just going to be upended in five seconds, maybe a 'big bucket' system is good enough. Give yourself permission to let things go.
This isn't about being neglectful; it's about being strategic with your most precious resources: your time and energy. By consciously choosing where to focus, you're not just getting more done of what's important, you're also releasing a huge amount of guilt and pressure about everything else. It's about making your efforts count where they truly make a difference.
It sounds obvious, but let's be honest, how often do we get this backwards? We spend ages agonising over the 'perfect' packed lunch, which gets eaten in three minutes, while neglecting the ten-minute chat with our kid that they'll remember all day.
Here’s how to apply this to your own life:
1. **Identify what actually matters to *you***. Not what matters to your partner, your parents, or that perfect dad on Instagram. What truly brings you and your family joy and peace? Is it a tidy house, or is it having the energy for a kickabout in the garden? Is it a home-cooked meal every night, or is it a relaxed pizza night where everyone's laughing?
2. **Become a genius in those areas**. If family dinner is your 'thing', then yes, put your energy there. Plan the meals, find the recipes, make it an event. Go all in. Create a system that makes it easier and more enjoyable.
3. **Be gloriously, unapologetically lazy about the rest**. If a perfectly ironed shirt doesn't actually make anyone's day better, then stop doing it. If meticulously organised Lego bricks are just going to be upended in five seconds, maybe a 'big bucket' system is good enough. Give yourself permission to let things go.
This isn't about being neglectful; it's about being strategic with your most precious resources: your time and energy. By consciously choosing where to focus, you're not just getting more done of what's important, you're also releasing a huge amount of guilt and pressure about everything else. It's about making your efforts count where they truly make a difference.
Be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't.
Dad Action Plan:
- Sit down and write a list of 3-5 things that *truly* matter to you in your family life right now.
- For each item on your list, brainstorm one small system or 'genius' way to make it happen more easily.
- Identify three things you do out of habit or obligation that don't make the 'what matters' list, and give yourself permission to be 'lazy' about them this week.
Source
Podcast: Brave Together Parenting: a podcast for parenting disabilities and unique needs.
Episode: Summer Re-Run: The Lazy Genius Tips for Overwhelemed Moms with Kendra Adachi
Host: Jessica Patay
Timestamp: 21:18:31