Are you full of big dreams but just can’t get yourself to start?
Maybe you’re ambitious, but… a little lazy too? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. In this blog, we’re diving into how to turn that mix of high ambition and low energy into something powerful. Whether you’re learning English or just need a motivational boost, this podcast-based lesson will help you learn smart strategies, improve your English, and feel inspired—all without burning out.

Keep reading (or listening!) to discover practical English expressions, real-life motivation, and tips to grow at your own pace.

Blog Category: Podcast

Hosts: Ruby & Tim

Genre: Improvement / Education

Title: If you’re ambitious but lazy, please watch this Blog! | Learn English with Podcast

Ruby:

Hey everyone! Welcome back to English Podcast with Ruby! I’m Ruby…

Tim:

…And I’m Tim! So glad you’re here with us tonight.

Ruby:

Alright, Tim, let’s be real for a second…

Have you ever had big dreams — like really big goals — but still found yourself just lying on your bed, scrolling your phone for… hours?

Tim:

Mhm. Too real. That used to be the story of my life.

Ruby:

Yup. And that’s exactly what we’re talking about today:

What if you’re ambitious… but also kinda lazy? Can you still succeed? Can you still grow?

Tim:

If you’ve ever felt stuck between wanting more and doing nothing…

This episode is for you.

Ruby:

Before we jump into today’s topic, just a quick reminder:

If you want to review this lesson and check out the vocabulary list, just click the link in the description — it’s completely free for you.

Tim:

Before we dive in — do me a quick favor: hit the like button! It seriously helps the video reach more people and keeps this channel alive!, share, comment, and of course, subscribe — it really helps us keep this going for you.

Ruby:

Let’s go.

Are you really lazy?

1.You’re not lazy — you’re just afraid.

Ruby:

Alright, so let’s talk about this big idea:

What if… you’re not actually lazy — but afraid?

Tim:

Mhm. That’s a bold question. But maybe you’re right. What kind of fear are we talking about?

Ruby:

Yeah, think about it. A lot of people avoid starting things because deep down… they’re scared.

Scared they’ll mess up.

Scared they’re not good enough.

Scared they’ll look stupid or fail.

Tim:

That… hits hard. So maybe it’s not laziness — it’s more like fear in disguise?

Ruby:

Exactly! Your brain is really good at protecting you. So when something feels scary — like a big goal outside your comfort zone — your brain says:

“Nope. Too risky. Let’s scroll Instagram instead.”

Tim:

Wow. So the bigger the goal, the more likely your brain is to avoid it?

Ruby:

Yes! It’s a natural response to fear and uncertainty. It’s not that you don’t want it — your brain is just trying to protect you from the feeling of failure.

Tim:

So what should we do? Just shrink our goals down?

Ruby:

Not necessarily. But the first step is to recognize what’s really going on.

If you can name the fear — you can face it.

Instead of saying “I’m lazy,” try saying “I’m afraid of failing” — and see how that changes your thinking.

Tim:

I like that. It feels a lot more honest — and way more empowering.

Ruby:

Right? And once you realize it’s fear, not laziness… you can actually start doing something about it.

2. Motivation Feels Good — But It’s Not Enough

Ruby:

Let’s talk about motivation — that rush of energy when you get inspired, maybe after watching a video or reading a powerful quote.

Tim:

Yeah, like that feeling you get at midnight when you suddenly decide you’re gonna wake up at 5 AM, start working out, learn Spanish, and launch a business… all at once.

Ruby:

Exactly! In that moment, it feels like anything is possible.

But what happens the next morning?

Tim:

You hit snooze. Three times. And then feel kinda disappointed in yourself.

Ruby:

That’s the illusion. Motivation feels good, but it’s not reliable.

It’s like cotton candy — sweet, exciting… but it melts away fast.

Tim:

So what actually works?

Ruby:

Small, consistent action. Even when you don’t feel like it.

Let me give you an example:

A student I coached once told me, “I wait until I’m in the right mood to study.” But the right mood rarely came.

So we tried something different — just 10 minutes a day, no matter what.

And guess what? Two weeks later, she was doing 30 minutes without even thinking about it.

Tim:

Wow. That’s powerful. It’s like… you build trust with yourself through tiny steps.

Ruby:

Exactly. Forget the hype. Forget waiting for motivation to magically appear.

Action creates momentum. Momentum builds discipline. Discipline brings results.

That’s the real formula.

3. Hidden procrastination

Tim:

Okay Ruby, be honest with me — have you ever spent hours planning something… and still ended up doing absolutely nothing?

Ruby:

Mmhmm. All the time.

I mean, I’ve had entire afternoons where I made the perfect to-do list, picked out the right font for my notes, color-coded everything…

And then didn’t actually do the thing I was supposed to do.

Tim:

(laughs) Yup, that’s me. I once spent two hours choosing the perfect study playlist… and never opened the book.

Ruby:

See? That’s what I call “smart procrastination.”

It feels productive, but deep down, it’s just our brain’s way of avoiding the real work.

Tim:

So how do we know when we’ve crossed the line — from preparing to avoiding?

Ruby:

Good question. Here’s a little test I like to use:

Ask yourself — “Is what I’m doing leading me closer to actually taking action?”

If the answer is no… mm, you’re probably just stalling.

Tim:

So true. Sometimes we trick ourselves into thinking we’re making progress when really, we’re just… decorating the path.

Ruby:

Exactly! Preparation is important — but only if it leads to real movement.

If you’ve been “getting ready” for weeks and still haven’t started… maybe it’s time to just take the leap, even if it’s messy.

Tim:

Done is better than perfect planning.

Ruby:

Always.

4. Perfection Is the Enemy of Progress

Ruby:

Okay Tim, let’s talk about perfectionism.

Have you ever had an idea — a great idea — but never started because you felt it wasn’t quite ready?

Tim:

Hahaha, are you spying on me? That’s literally me with every project ever.

I’ll think, “It has to be just right… the timing, the tools, the results.”

And guess what? I end up doing… nothing.

Ruby:

Mhm, that’s the trap.

Perfectionism feels like high standards, but often, it’s just fear in disguise.

We’re so scared of doing it wrong, or not being good enough, that we never begin at all.

Tim:

Yeah, it’s like we want to control everything — even the outcome — before we take the first step.

Ruby:

Exactly. But here’s the thing:

You don’t need to be perfect to make progress.

You just need to start.

Think of it like this — no one ever runs a marathon by planning the perfect run in their head.

They just… start running. One step at a time.

Tim:

So you’re saying… progress over perfection?

Ruby:

Always.

I’d rather see someone write a bad first page than spend years waiting to write the perfect book.

Because once you start, you can learn, improve, adjust — but nothing grows in hesitation.

Tim:

Mmm, that hits deep.

Perfection can wait. Progress can’t.

Ruby:

Beautifully said.

5. Overthinking Drains Your Energy

Tim:

Ruby, have you ever felt exhausted… and then realized you didn’t even do anything yet?

Ruby:

Ohhh yes. That mental tiredness where your brain is spinning in circles — but nothing actually happens?

Tim:

Exactly! I’ll sit down to start something, and suddenly I’m thinking:

“What if it doesn’t work?”

“What if I fail?”

“What if people judge me?”

And after 30 minutes of thinking… I’m too drained to even try.

Ruby:

Mhm, I’ve been there too.

It’s like we spend all our energy playing out the worst-case scenarios in our minds — and then we’re too tired to move.

Tim:

So true. It’s like… fear of the future is stealing our energy from the present.

Ruby:

Exactly. That’s the danger of overthinking.

It feels like you’re preparing, but really, you’re just exhausting yourself emotionally.

Tim:

So what do we do when we’re stuck in that overthinking loop?

Ruby:

Start small.

Really — tiny action breaks the mental fog.

Send one email. Write one sentence. Open the book.

Just one move forward helps your brain shift from worry to momentum.

Tim:

Kind of like telling your brain, “Hey, we’re doing this now. No more what-ifs.”

Ruby:

Yes! Action quiets the noise.

You don’t need all the answers before you begin.

You just need to begin.

Tim:

Wow. That makes so much sense.

Overthinking drains us, but action refuels us.

Ruby:

Exactly. Let’s stop losing energy to thoughts… and start gaining energy through action.

6. So many goals, but barely any action.

Ruby:

Alright Tim, let’s talk about something that trips up a lot of people: having too many goals at once.

Have you ever set a million goals for yourself, only to end up doing… nothing?

Tim:

Hahaha, I’m guilty of that! New Year’s resolutions? Always a list of 15 things — and guess how many I stick to? Zero.

Ruby:

Mmhmm, the classic trap.

It feels great to dream big, but when we spread ourselves too thin, nothing gets done.

We end up feeling overwhelmed and lost, like we’re chasing 10 rabbits at once… and catching none.

Tim:

Yup, and instead of feeling motivated, I just feel exhausted. Like I’ve tried everything but achieved nothing.

Ruby:

Exactly! Here’s the thing: having too many goals at once causes mental clutter. It’s like trying to work on multiple projects at once, and everything ends up unfinished.

Tim:

So how do we fix that?

Ruby:

Simplify.

Focus on one clear, achievable goal.

It’s better to do one thing well than to do many things badly.

Tim:

So, you’re saying — drop the hustle and just pick one thing to focus on?

Ruby:

Yes! Think about it like this:

If you’re trying to read 5 books, start with 1. Finish it.

If you want to exercise, pick 1 habit — maybe just walking for 10 minutes a day.

Success comes from focus. And when you focus, you build confidence and momentum.

Tim:

Mmhmm, I see now. Too many goals = too much confusion.

Focus on one goal, and get that win under your belt.

Ruby:

Exactly. It’s the small wins that add up.

And once you’ve made progress with one goal, you’ll be more motivated to tackle the next one.

Emphasize the practical solution

Ruby:

Alright Tim, let’s wrap up with a quick review of the solutions we’ve discussed today. These are the real game-changers when it comes to getting out of the procrastination trap and taking action.

Tim:

Sounds good. I’m ready for this review! Hit me with it.

Ruby:

First up, remember the 2-minute rule — if something takes less than 2 minutes, do it right now.

It sounds simple, but it works.

Every time you do something small right away, you build a habit of action, not avoidance.

Tim:

Ah, I love that one. Like making the bed or replying to an email immediately instead of letting it sit.

Ruby:

Exactly! Little tasks add up and keep you from feeling overwhelmed by a pile of small things that never seem to get done.

Tim:

Mm, that’s a good one. And next?

Ruby:

Next is environmental influence. The people around you, your workspace, the things you see every day — they all affect your mindset.

Create a space that encourages action, not distractions. If you’re in a messy environment or surrounded by things that remind you of other distractions, it’s harder to focus.

Tim:

Right, like having a clean desk or even setting up a spot just for deep work. Environment sets the mood for productivity.

Ruby:

Yes, exactly! A simple change in your surroundings can make all the difference.

Tim:

Now, let me guess… perfectionism is coming next?

Ruby:

Haha, yes! Be careful with perfectionism.

We already talked about how trying to make everything perfect can stop you from starting.

Instead of waiting for everything to be “just right,” aim for progress. You’ll be amazed at how much you can achieve when you focus on getting better, not perfect.

Tim:

So true. And if you keep waiting for the perfect moment, it’ll never come. Just dive in.

Ruby:

Exactly. And here’s one that’s simple, but so powerful — rewarding yourself.

After you’ve completed a task, no matter how small, give yourself a little reward. It can be something as simple as taking a short break, enjoying a snack, or watching an episode of your favorite show.

Tim:

Mmm, I like that! Celebrating small wins helps reinforce good habits, right?

Ruby:

Yes! Positive reinforcement keeps you motivated to keep going. The brain loves rewards, so every time you reward yourself, you’re reinforcing the habit of action.

Tim:

And don’t forget the small, consistent actions we talked about. It’s the tiny steps that lead to big changes. Discipline, not motivation, is the real key to progress.

Ruby:

Exactly. Consistency is the secret sauce to making lasting change. And it all starts with just doing the first thing — no matter how small.

Tim:

I think we’ve covered some really great solutions today.

It’s not about waiting for motivation to hit. It’s about creating a habit of action and building momentum, one small step at a time.

Ruby:

Exactly, Tim! If you take just one action today, you’ve already started. And that’s what matters.

Highlight Vocabulary from Today’s Episode

Ruby:

Alright, before we wrap up, let’s take a quick look at some useful vocabulary from today’s episode.

Tim:

Yeah, these words will help you better understand what you hear — and also help you sound more natural when you speak!

Ruby:

So grab a notebook if you can, and let’s go through them together.

Word	Meaning	For Example
Procrastination	The action of delaying or postponing something.	His procrastination made it impossible to meet the deadline.
Motivation	The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.	She found the motivation to exercise every morning after watching a documentary.
Momentum	The force that keeps something moving or developing.	Once you start working, it’s easier to build momentum and finish the task.
Overthinking	To think about something too much or for too long, often leading to indecision.	Stop overthinking and just take action!
Perfectionism	The desire to do something perfectly, often to an unhealthy degree.	Her perfectionism made it hard for her to finish any projects.
Discipline	The practice of being controlled and consistent in one’s actions.	Building discipline is crucial for achieving long-term goals.
Procrastinate	To delay taking action or completing tasks.	He kept procrastinating on his homework, which led to stress.
Environment	The surroundings or conditions in which a person works, lives, or interacts.	A clean and organized environment boosts productivity.
Avoidance	The act of staying away from something or someone, especially as a way to avoid problems.	His avoidance of difficult tasks made him fall behind in work.
Reward	A thing given in recognition of one’s effort or achievement.	After finishing the project, she rewarded herself with a weekend trip.
Clutter	A state of disorder or mess, especially in a workspace.	A cluttered desk can make it difficult to focus on important tasks.
Distraction	A thing that prevents someone from concentrating on what they are doing.	Social media can be a major distraction when you’re trying to focus on work.
Hesitation	The act of pausing before doing something, often due to uncertainty or fear.	Her hesitation to speak in public made her nervous.
Consistency	The quality of being consistent, particularly in actions or efforts.	Consistency is key to improving your skills over time.
Small Wins	Achievements, even small, that help build momentum and motivation.	Celebrate small wins to keep yourself motivated along the way.

Closing & Call to Action

Ruby:

Alright ! I hope you’re walking away with a few practical tips to beat procrastination and take consistent action towards your goals. Remember, small steps lead to big progress!

Tim:

Exactly! If you’ve enjoyed this episode, make sure to hit that like button, share it with your friends, and leave us a comment letting us know what tip helped you the most today.

Ruby:

Don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring episodes, and tap that notification bell so you never miss a new one!

Tim:

And remember, if you want to review this lesson or check out the vocabulary, you can access everything for free through the link in the description.

Ruby:

Thank you so much for listening, and we’ll see you in the next episode!

Tim:

Take care and keep moving forward!

Learn English Vocabulary: Ruby’s English Vocabulary

Learn English Podcast: English Podcast With Ruby

Learn English Conversation: Master English Conversation

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