How To Differentiate Being Neurotic From Being Lazy

[Gabriel Antonio]

- "Oh... I shouldn't push myself too hard"

- "Oh... I am being too neurotic."

- "I should give myself more self love."

Sometimes I feel like I use these excuses to justify my laziness.

Is there any rule of thumb to determine if I am being reall neurotic about some endeavor?

[Christian]

I recognize that these statements are the self talk coming from the ego or self. And they are trying to bring you back in your comfort zone generally speaking. In my own life, I have now meditated 25 days straight since the 1st of january 2017 and have had to deal with these subtle excuses almost daily. You have to not trust these voices if you want to change.

In the beginning, I would trust in the inner voice and do what it said, but I now know better with experience. The inner voice just creates  thoughts/sounds in your mind and they want you to backslide and go back to what has always worked. But what has always worked may not be the most optional for you. Ego is all about talking and thinking you out of change to maintain itself. Listen more to your higher intuition and take advice from it rather than your rational mind. 

[Bodhi123]

There is nothing wrong with having goals and being ambitious. To be honest it is pretty much necessary to survive in this world. The trick is not to take anything too seriously. Push yourself to be your best and have fun at the same time.

[Kenneth]

I believe M. Scott Peck answers this well in the Road Less Traveled.  He basically explains that you can not get to sainthood without going through adulthood.  I think Leo would equate this with learning how to be result oriented and winning at what you think is important before you can claim growth from giving up competitiveness. 

[FindingPeace]

Laziness is just another label for 'lack of motivation'. And motivation comes from the promise of reward. But neurosis is more fear-orientated. If your lack of motivation was the result of some fear then I would consider that neurotic.

If you think you are being lazy, then dig down and see which mechanism is at work. Are you lacking potential reward for taking action, or are you afraid of something by taking action?