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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Lazy Genius Way summary
Kendra Adachi
Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done
23 mins
Brief summary
The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi is a practical guide to help readers simplify their lives without sacrificing productivity. It offers tips to prioritize what truly matters, minimize decision fatigue, and create easy routines.
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The Lazy Genius Way
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
Being a perfectionist is exhausting and lonely – but there is another way.
Do you ever have the feeling that no matter how hard you try, you will never manage to live up to your own high standards?
That’s how the author, Kendra Adachi, felt for most of her life. She’d grown up in a home with an abusive father who was angry and unpredictable. In order to escape his wrath, she tried as hard as she could to do everything perfectly. Her room was always squeaky clean, and she was a straight-A student. But it was never enough — her father would find fault anyway. And it was exhausting because she constantly felt like she was failing.
It was also lonely. Adachi was trying so hard to be perfect that she wasn’t able to be vulnerable with the people she loved. No one knew that, behind her polished facade, she was actually struggling and in need of support.
The key message here is: Being a perfectionist is exhausting and lonely – but there is another way.
When Adachi moved away from home and started her first job, something snapped. Out in the real world, she had to deal with lots of new demands. When she discovered that she couldn’t immediately do everything perfectly, she decided she would just stop trying. She started acting as if she didn’t care at all. She allowed her house to become a messy pit, and stopped trying to cook for friends and excel at work. But she was still completely exhausted.
This is because she was still stuck in a perfectionist mindset. She was so scared of messing up that she’d simply substituted not trying at all for trying too hard. Neither of those modes was authentically her. Neither allowed her to follow her true dreams and passions. And even though on the outside it seemed that she had stopped caring, on the inside, she still cared deeply about what other people thought about her. No wonder she was so tired.
Luckily, Adachi managed to find a middle way, which she calls being a Lazy Genius. Instead of racing around trying to get everything right, she started tuning in to what really mattered – for her. Having a perfect house wasn’t so important. Having a place where people had space to connect with each other was. Spending lots of time weeding in her garden felt like a waste of time. But spending hours baking pies in the kitchen filled her with joy. She became her own compass, and developed a host of strategies to allow her to pursue what she loved – imperfectly.
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What is The Lazy Genius Way about?
The Lazy Genius Way (2020) is an essential guide for perfectionists everywhere. We run ourselves ragged trying to excel at everything, but this leaves us exhausted and unfulfilled. Luckily, there is another way. We can identify what really makes our lives meaningful, and put our energy into leading lives that fulfill us. By adopting the practical strategies of the Lazy Genius, we can transform how we live and work, one small step at a time.
The Lazy Genius Way Review
The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi (2020) is a guide to help you thrive in your everyday life by embracing your own unique approach. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Full of practical tips and strategies, it empowers readers to become more intentional and effective in their daily routines.
- By sharing her own experiences and perspectives, Adachi provides relatable insights that resonate with readers, making the book engaging and relatable.
- With a refreshing take on productivity and an emphasis on self-acceptance, this book challenges conventional notions of success and encourages readers to find their own path to fulfillment.
Who should read The Lazy Genius Way?
- Perfectionists who want to learn how to relax
- Working parents struggling to balance a busy life
- Anyone overwhelmed by clutter
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The Lazy Genius Way FAQs
What is the main message of The Lazy Genius Way?
The main message of The Lazy Genius Way is to embrace your unique approach to life and create systems that work for you.
How long does it take to read The Lazy Genius Way?
The reading time for The Lazy Genius Way varies from person to person. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Lazy Genius Way a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Lazy Genius Way is worth reading as it offers practical tips on how to simplify and make the most of everyday life.
Who is the author of The Lazy Genius Way?
The author of The Lazy Genius Way is Kendra Adachi.
What to read after The Lazy Genius Way?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Lazy Genius Way, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler
- Brave, Not Perfect by Reshma Saujani
- The PLAN by Kendra Adachi
- The Pomodoro Technique by Francesco Cirillo
- Time and How to Spend It by James Wallman
- Accidental Genius by Mark Levy
- Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
- 168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam
- Start Now. Get Perfect Later. by Rob Moore
- Critical Thinking by Richard Paul