Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses learning from Avraham’s trait of Zerizus (see Rashi). The term zerizus does not easily translate into English because it represents a certain mindset that is less prevalent in current culture. The words that most closely fit are assiduous and zealous, but they aren’t perfect. Those words imply dedication and consistency which is within zerizus, but does not include quickness. On the other hand, the term alacrity captures the positive attitude and quickness of zerizus but not the zealousness nor the dedication. So let’s say zerizus is both assiduousness and alacrity.

The Mesilas Yesharim’s (6) definition of Zerizus is:

וענינו של הזריזות מבואר, שהוא ההקדמה למצות ולהשלמת ענינם. וכלשון הזה אמרו ז"ל (פסחים ד): זריזים מקדימים למצות. The matter of "Zeal" is clear. It is the early engaging in mitzvot and their completion as the sages of blessed memory said: "the zealous are early to perform the mitzvot" (Pesachim 4).

This brings us to an important discussion about laziness, avoidance and procrastination. There are people who might notice themselves to be avoiders. They might characterize themselves as lazy, though lazy isn’t often the situation. More likely is that procrastinators are avoiding certain uncomfortable feelings associated with the task, or with the fear of failing at the task. For example, a person may put off paying bills because he or she doesn’t want to feel the pressure and lack of competence when faced with financial shortage. Or even if one has the money, the unpleasant feeling of spending it on something he or she doesn’t want to have to spend it on. If a person is a perfectionist of sorts and cannot bear being in contact with feelings of failure, her or she may avoid doing the task altogether. This is why people often do not study for exams or put in the necessary work to complete a project.  

How does one learn to stop procrastinating? First, it is important to understand that it comes from an avoidance of unpleasant feelings. Diagnostically, the person must target the root feelings or feelings that are being avoided, such as we described above. Now that we understand that we are dealing with, which is essentially a phobia about feeling, systematic desensitization with mindful exposure can work. In this case, the person may consider facing and accepting the unpleasant feeling and attempting to do the task anyhow. For example, one can study for the test but keep in mind to accept the possibility of failure, powerlessness or any other types of unwanted feelings that are at the root of this avoidance.

Another way is to simply work on desensitization and exposure without any clear targeted fear. A person could just work on gradually developing a capacity to bear the urge to avoid. For example, a person could decide that for the first hour of his workday he can ask himself one question, “What am I avoiding doing right now?” Whatever pops into his head related to his work duties should be done right then and there. If there is more time in this hour repeat the question and the process. For the rest of the day continue with the old avoiding pattern of behavior. If an hour is too much at first, then a half hour or even 15 minutes. Eventually expand beyond the hour. Even normal people procrastinate to some extent so it isn’t necessary to spend the entire day tackling unpleasant tasks, just to reach a functional level. These cognitive behavioral tricks can do wonders to help restore function.