How to be a Professional Slacker
If I can do it, you can too!
My friend, Chris, has been a professional slacker for years.
She committed to taking a slacker day once a month.
She unplugs from all social media, checks into a hotel, and gives herself the royal treatment; perhaps the spa, room service, or treating herself like royalty.
Her husband knows how to reach her in an emergency, but otherwise she goes off the grid and clears her head.
She deserves it because she works passionately for days on end, and several years ago, she realized her capacity to keep going depended on her ability to slow down!
I’ve learned from Chris that life will go on without me, and my business won’t collapse, nor will my friends disappear during my absence.
So last week I was in professional slacker mode.
It was amazing, only I didn’t go to a hotel like Chris, I rented a huge house and had my husband, children, and grandchildren with me.
I did not look at social media for days. I had margaritas at 11 a.m., late-night walks on the beach, and family game time.
I read two books in four days and said “yes” to daily ice cream!
I tuned in to watch two little guys be awed by the ocean and blew more bubbles and tickled more tummies than I had in a long time!
I observed grown children finally getting a chance to act like little children again.
I never looked at the news, turned on the TV, or responded to email.
I slacked like the best of them and loved every minute!
I just don’t understand why being a slacker has a negative connotation.
I get that no one should be a lifetime slacker, but why are we the first to criticize someone who can effectively balance a life?
The president is criticized for golfing. Celebrities who don’t work constantly are often viewed as “has-beens,” and we may even look upon parents who take a trip without their children as neglectful or selfish.
In Europe, taking a holiday is widely accepted.
In the United States, more than 40% of all individuals don’t use all their PTO!
That’s just crazy, people!
If you don’t know how to be a slacker, maybe it’s because you believe one of these myths:
No one can do the job as well as you can.
Nothing will get done if you are not there to do it.
Your company, business, and position will take a hit if you are not present
There is just too much to do to take a break
There are no resources available for you to gift yourself slack time.
Passionate people don’t need to take a break.
Your competition might move ahead of you if you become idle.
Any one of those beliefs is costing you much more than any downtime ever will.
In a world where we can all be replaced, and life goes on whether we are on the job or not, it is ridiculous to assume that taking time to slack off is impossible.
Everyone’s definition of how to enjoy being a slacker may be different.
Perhaps you feel like a slacker when you indulge in binge-watching or binge scrolling, or when you window shop, take a nap, or don’t take phone calls.
One of my clients owns a very successful business with several locations.
He told me he takes about an hour each day and heads to a local park, puts on headphones, and watches life go by. When the weather is inclement, he visits a local library and does much the same.
He knows the breaks help him be a better entrepreneur.
Being a slacker doesn’t require a lot of money or time.
It just requires committing to a time to slack the way you need to.
There is no right or wrong way to Slack.
But knowing how to become a professional slacker is essential for your well-being.
Permitting yourself an escape periodically, regardless of how or where, can make all the difference in perspective, growth, and performance.
I coach dozens of clients a week, teach online courses, create new media, lead workshops, and speak at conferences, and I know how to be a professional slacker!
I’m proud to say I get better at it each time I try!
Forget chasing your first 1,000 Substack subscribers or hitting $50K in monthly sales.
Close the tabs. Power down. Put your phone on airplane mode.
Now—pause.
Step out of the hustle. Let yourself slow down, on purpose.
Because sometimes, what you really need isn’t another productivity hack—it’s a full stop.
A moment to breathe. A chance to remember who you are without the deadlines and dopamine loops.
And here’s the kicker: when you do, you might find you’re sharper, more creative, and more you than ever before.
Slacking off might not be failure—it might be the reset your life’s been begging for.
So, be honest—
Are you a professional slacker? If not, why not?
What’s your go-to way to escape the chaos and find calm again?