Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has grabbed attention once again by posting a video on X (formerly Twitter) explaining why we often feel lazy and how to overcome it.

The video features Scott Adams, the creator of the popular Dilbert comic strip, who explains that laziness isn’t just about lacking discipline — it’s mostly about how we think.

The video begins with him saying, “What if laziness is a habit of thinking about the cost of things or the effort instead of thinking about the payoff?”

Adams says that instead of focusing on how hard a task is, we should think about the reward or the good feeling that comes after completing it. This simple change in mindset can naturally boost motivation and help us stop putting things off.

To make it easier to understand, Adams gives everyday examples. For instance, instead of thinking about the effort it takes to get up and eat, imagine how good the meal will taste. This small shift in thinking can turn boring tasks into things we actually want to do. He also talks about how mothers choose to have more children even though childbirth is painful — because they focus on the joy of raising a family, not the pain.

A big part of Adams’ message is about dopamine — a chemical in our brain that makes us feel good and pushes us to get things done. When we think about positive results, dopamine is released, giving us a natural boost to act. So, motivation isn’t just about willpower; it’s about training our brain to focus on rewards.

When Musk shared this video, many people on X agreed that laziness often comes from not having a clear goal or purpose. Others pointed out that things like lack of sleep also make it harder to get motivated.

This idea fits well with Musk’s own approach to work and success. Known for his intense work ethic, Musk often says that having a clear purpose is key to getting things done. By sharing Adams’ ideas, Musk is giving his followers easy and practical tips to get past laziness and take action.