Book Review: The Lazy Genius Way
Book Overview:
The Lazy Genius Way has been an invaluable resource as I’ve learned to “name what matters and ditch what doesn’t.”
Contrary to authors who convince readers they can (and should) do it all, author Kendra Adachi is clear that we’re all humans with limitations. There’s no way we can do it all, but we can learn to prioritize what’s most important to us—and let the rest go.
As someone who’s bought into the lie that I need to do it all, these principles have given me permission to stop spending precious time and energy on things that don’t really matter to me.
In an increasingly chaotic world, The Lazy Genius Way is a reprieve from overexertion and an invitation into simplicity and intentionality.
What This Book Does:
The Lazy Genius Way provides simple, helpful principles to simplify life. Each chapter outlines one of thirteen total Lazy Genius principles, along with personal examples and practical applications. The book is laid out with the principles in a specific order, because when multiple principles apply to one situation, following them in said specific order is helpful.
I could list half a dozen examples of practical ways The Lazy Genius Way has guided me to name what matters, but here are a couple ways I’ve learned to simplify my life because of this book:
Example: Lazy Genius Principle — “Decide Once”
The principle: For a principle which sounds so simple, it’s truly had a profound impact on the way I make choices. Whether it’s deciding once that all relatives get a book for their birthdays or deciding once what to wear every Monday, the goal of this principle is to free up mental energy that would normally be spent on countless tiny decisions.
The application: As the “Leader Care” heads for Young Life College (YLC) in Colorado Springs, Joe and I make a lot of choices about how to care for our leaders and simplify their roles. In YLC, there are typically several small groups going on in a given semester. At the beginning of each semester, leaders want feedback on what to study and where to start. So, this year, we decided once that everyone will do the same plan. Joe and I will use it for our leader Bible study, and the leaders will then take that same material to lead their small groups. Rather than choosing several studies, deciding once has simplified ministry for us and for leaders.
Example: Lazy Genius Principle — “Batch It”
The principle: This principle, as can be guessed from its name, encourages readers to look for areas in which they can save time later by simply making a bigger batch now. If you’re already making dinner, make some extra portions to eat over a few days (or freeze for later). If you’re buying a pack of chicken breasts on sale, buy a second pack to keep in your freezer for the next time you need it. This principle isn’t complicated, but it’s helped me question how I can make the most of what I’m already doing.
The application: Batching things has made our lives so simple, specifically when it comes to food. Rather than making a new meal each night, we prepare a large portion to last us at least a few nights. (We also tend to batch breakfast and lunch, which saves time during the work week.) Joe and I don’t mind eating the same meal a few days in a row, and we’re big fans of the time saved from not preparing something new every time. (Bonus: This also makes grocery shopping simpler and more effective. Yay!)
What This Book Doesn’t Do:
This book doesn’t “boss” the reader—and it’s a breath of fresh air! While the point of the book is to offer helpful hints to simplify life, the information isn’t presented in a way that makes the reader feel inferior.
So many non-fiction “self-help” or “how-to” books I’ve read feel condescending. When authors approach a book with a pretentious tone that implies they know everything and readers know nothing, I check out. The Lazy Genius Way, however, approaches the content from a “here’s what’s worked for me” tone, rather than a place of, “here’s what you should do.”
Kendra writes with a conversational tone that feels humble, helpful, and approachable. Her principles are simple and easy to apply in everyday life. The Lazy Genius Way has given me the tools to learn what matters to me, prioritize those things in easy and efficient ways, and to let the rest go. If you want to free up mental space, prioritize what matters to you, and feel permission to stop caring about things that don’t, check out The Lazy Genius Way.
Resources:
The Lazy Genius Way (Book)
The Lazy Genius (Podcast)
The Lazy Genius Collective (Blog)
The Lazy Genius (Kendra Adachi’s Instagram Account)
The Lazy Genius (Facebook Group)
