self-determination – self cheating

Do you know those little self cheatings in the form of “Oh, I will not do this now.  I also need a break sometimes.” or similar thoughts? We all need breaks and a balance between goal tracking and letting go, between rigor and softness, etc. The point is how we distribute these opposites in our lives. If the effort is always in a certain area and letting go in a certain other? And do we conceal this from ourselves as the alleged self-determination and personal freedom?
How do you differentiate yourself the self-determined balance from laziness or even escape from unpleasantness?
In what areas of your life do you particularly “like to rest”?
How exactly do you do this self-cheating?