How would you convince a lazy person to get a job?
By caliya
@caliya (1169)
Philippines
August 29, 2010 6:57am CST
If you were to convince a very lazy person who is married with two kids to get a job how would you do it? This person is very irresponsible and will never hear any words of encouragement. He is just relying on his parents to survive and I don't know when he will start to take action. Please help.
4 people like this
16 responses
@Tonton01 (235)
• Philippines
30 Aug 10
I would convince him, by this:
Get my hot lady friends, borrow a few $100.00 bills then just surprise him one day. With a harem of hot ladies and a pile of money. I wouldn't make him envy, but I'd challenge him, that if he wants to get these and be successful, he should start getting a job and take the opportunity to be the man.
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
30 Aug 10
LOL! He's married with kids! I guess this wouldn't be very appropriate!
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
29 Aug 10
First, I would try to find out why he doesn't like working. People are very seldom just 'naturally lazy': there is usually an underlying reason, such as lack of confidence or self-esteem. He needs motivating in the right way and to have confidence in and respect for himself and his life.
One of the quickest ways, of course, would be to cut off his support from his parents but that would very likely cause anger, distress and would further undermine what little self-esteem he has.
Perhaps it needs to be made very clear to him that his parents may be prepared to help his wife and children but ONLY on condition that he finds a job. This is the way that the UK government (at least) try to persuade people to find work: the benefit is called "Job Seeker's Allowance" and is paid on condition that they produce evidence that they are actively seeking work.
Words of encouragement are not enough, it seems. It's time to get tough with him!
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
29 Aug 10
I have worked enough with "Job Seekers" to have seen all manner of reasons why a person REALLY doesn't want to work. Many of them are very deep-seated and difficult to discover but they usually come down to a lack of confidence and self-esteem in the end. I was an "IT Trainer" for some of my life - teaching people the basics (and I mean the basics) of how to use a computer. Once they had mastered them and realised that, however they had done at school, they were actually capable of learning and doing something useful, it was amazing how motivated they became in finding jobs. One of the most rewarding things about MY job (and it was overworked and underpaid!) was that many of my least promising students actually came back to thank me when they got a job!
Perhaps you have had a similar experience, MrNoWrench (I hope I capitalised that correctly).
There is a point where you need to remove the props a little just so that people know that they CAN stand on their own feet!
@larish (2234)
• Philippines
29 Aug 10
You cannot convince a person to do something that he doesn't want/like. I think his parents should be the one telling him to get a job. Convince his parents to starve him :) I am sure he will find ways to make a living if he is hungry and no one will feed him.
@atv818 (1980)
• United Arab Emirates
1 Sep 10
Have him picture a scenario wherein his parents are no longer with him then ask him what will he do then. Make sure that you let him know that you will not help him regardless of the situation he is in. You have to be firm with this decision. Otherwise, he will think that you are just bluffing and will rely on you forever and ever. You have to make your stand. Think also of a game plan on how to help his kids since they should not be punished for the crimes of the father.
@greenteab7 (94)
• China
30 Aug 10
Hi
How are you doing today?
I don't think you can convince him just by words. I think you should do something to convince him. You'd better do something to let him know that he can't depend on parents all the time.
@cac2010 (41)
• Philippines
31 Aug 10
I was on that situation before so I tried to help my partner to get up and face his responsibilities. First, you have to believe that he knows his reponsibilities and also reminding him that this is his responsibilities. Try to suggest projects that would uplift him to earn somehow and appreciate his effort. From this first steps, he would gain his confidence and would now be the start for him to explore the whole world for better jobs.
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
29 Aug 10
Sadly, this is tough because most lazy people don't care. They just don't give a damn how hard others are working for them and they are comfortable.
If he is relying on his parents, have a talk-to-talk with his parents and tell them to stop helping him. They aren't being helpful if they are helping him out. People need to stop helping, let him fall on his butt, and that will be the wake up call that he needs.
@manu619 (450)
• India
30 Aug 10
Ok. Nice topic.. If that person is not convincing at all.. Tell his parents to not to give money to that person. After sometime he'll realise. If still that person is not doing any jobs. just froget him.He's not convincing by any means.(sorry for poor english.Hopes you vl undrstnd
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
29 Aug 10
Hi, caliya. I would tell him/her that their mom and dad will be going to a nursing home very soon. I will tell him/her that there will be no one to pay the bills at the house. He/she will have no choice but to move out of the house. Hopefully, this will force this person from being so lazy, that they will have no choice but to get out and find a job. If they really loved their kids, I would threaten them with DSS. I will tell him/her that he/she does not take care of their own kids, that DSS will come and take them away from him/her. I want to see what they will say then.
@Rainegurl (2156)
• Philippines
30 Aug 10
I would have thought his wife and kids would be motivation enough
Since the fact of having a family fails to push him to get a job, I think he really has a deep problem. I think that problem should be addressed first. Also, his parents should also stop supporting him. That way, maybe the urgency to find a job would dawn on him.
Have a nice day! 
Since the fact of having a family fails to push him to get a job, I think he really has a deep problem. I think that problem should be addressed first. Also, his parents should also stop supporting him. That way, maybe the urgency to find a job would dawn on him.
Have a nice day! 
@bird123 (10643)
• United States
30 Aug 10
Food is the answer. If the parents feed him plain beans and rice, he will long for all those tastier foods. Remember, the same bland food every night. It might not taste great but it will keep one alive. A few nights of the same old stuff, one will get a job to buy something tasty. Adversity creates a need. If you make life too comfortable, why would anyone work. Sometimes creating adversity is doing someone a favor. It might not be what they want but is often what they need.
@Graceekwenx (3160)
• Philippines
29 Aug 10
This is hard but i do have suggestions. What about... 1. tell him that his parents are not getting any younger and they would the remaining cash should one of them needed medical treatment. By the way.. where does the guy's family live? with his parents or does he have a house of his own? my second sugestion is... how about advising his siblings to deny him of financial help so that the guy can push himself to look for a job. My goodness! it is so hard to seek for employment these days! And the kids would need to go to school sooner, how on earth could he survive if he doesnt have money?
@sender621 (14893)
• United States
29 Aug 10
Sometimes lazy people just need an extra push when it comes to earning a living. they need more motivation to set their wheels in motion. Often they need to be shown the path to take. if their is a certain dream or goal in their life, they need someone to lead them in that direction before it is too late.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
30 Aug 10
First and foremost I would not aid in encouraging this person to persist on being lazy. This person has not been pushed hard enough to realize that being lazy is wrong. When a person with two kids relies on their parent for help continuously the answer should be no.
I am all for feeding the kids by not with cash with food that is. This person needs to feel the pain of being broke with no avenues and allies so that they can come to the realization that it is time to put on their "big girl panties on" and get a job!
I understand that jobs are scarce but the mere fact that they do nothing at all, oh on it is time to go!
@xtedaxcvg (3189)
• Philippines
29 Aug 10
Well, prayer is a good start. I was once like that and I couldn't care any less. But then something changed my life and made me realize my mistakes and it made me more responsible and conscious of the future. I guess that person should be made to realize his mistake. Admitting your wrong is the first step towards change.
