Boredom is often viewed as a productivity killer and the antidote is more work. The thought looks something like this, “If people are bored, they don’t have enough to do so give them more tasks and duties to cure that boredom.” There is a belief that busyness is better.
But what if you just stayed with it? This means to let yourself be bored, let your thoughts drift and see what new ideas come to you. For some, this may sound enticing.
For others, being bored just sounds bad. One study found that participants would rather self-administer electric shocks than be alone with their thoughts and that “Most people seem to prefer to be doing something rather than nothing, even if that something is negative.”
Here's the thing, research suggests that boredom can be a catalyst for creativity and innovation, particularly in the workplace. When our minds are idle, they can rest and wander, creating mental space for new ideas and inspirations to emerge. This state of boredom allows us to reconnect with our values and priorities.
As a “functional emotion” boredom can guide us towards beneficial coping strategies, ultimately leading to improved personal and professional outcomes. Being bored isn't necessarily bad nor is it something to correct. But for many, it is important to understand it. Your boredom could be a transition to something new and uplifting.
Understanding Boredom
Boredom is not simply a lack of activity, but rather a state of mind characterized by disengagement from one's surroundings or tasks. Dr. Sandi Mann, a senior psychology lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, defines boredom as "a search for neural stimulation that isn't satisfied". This definition helps explain why even busy professionals can experience boredom when their work fails to engage them mentally.
If you feel bored or lack stimulation and engagement at work, the solution might not be at work. Maybe your job is indeed boring, but it pays the bills and affords you a schedule that you like. If that is the case, then seeking relief from boredom won’t come from your job, but rather from your life outside of work via meaningful relationships, engaging activities, or challenging non-work projects.
Embracing boredom might be your best next step. Here's how.
Embrace Mind-Wandering
Instead of immediately seeking distraction, allow your thoughts to wander freely. This research found that mind-wandering can lead to "creative incubation" and improved problem-solving abilities. The practice can foster unexpected insights and ideas.
Such as Tom, a software developer, who has a daily 20-minute "boredom break." He shuts off his tech and stares out the window focusing on what is in front of him. Sometimes he notices traffic or rain splashing on the sidewalk. Sometimes, he just feels relaxed. He calls it a high quality break for himself. But other times, he solves a problem. During one such session, when it felt like his mind was blank, an idea for optimizing a troublesome piece of code came to him. The boredom break ended up being productive.
Pursue Personal Development
Use periods of boredom as opportunities for learning and growth. In this case, reframe boredom as an opportunity for something new and seek it outside of work.
This requires taking inventory or just reacquainting yourself with what might “light your fire” or just fuel some energy. Maybe there is a former athlete in you that hasn’t seen the court in a while. Or there’s an aspiring artist, cook, or musician just waiting to be tapped. For some, this will be easy to identify. Such as, a colleague of mine who had been feeling restless. She finally signed up for a beginner tennis class to not only learn the sport she’d always wanted to try but also meet new people.
Some who feel trapped in boredom struggle to connect with what inspires them. Parents of small children sometimes say this, wondering what hobbies or interests they had before having kids. Ambitious career folks say the same when they realize they spent the past 10-20 years working long hours and climbing the proverbial corporate ladder, expecting that success would bring contentment. Instead, they have ended up feeling lost.
If you’re in this camp, read on for your best next step.
Hang Out in Nature
It's crucial to recognize that sometimes, boredom may be a sign of burnout or overwork. This is when you need more than a 20-minute boredom break. This blog has presented a wealth of strategies that can provide individual relief from burnout such as forming new relationships to build resilience, practicing gratitude, hiring coaches and finding mentors, saying no more often, managing emotions, defining values, and prioritizing time to think.
But another important, evidence-based strategy that has a wealth of benefits is spending more time in nature. A Stanford University study looked at the impact of nature on emotion and memory. Two groups went on a 90-minute walk. One group walked through a grassy area with trees and shrubs and the other along a 4-lane roadway. Researchers looked at their brains, took heart and respiration rates, and had participants fill out questionnaires.
There was a big difference in their brains. Those who walked in nature had less negative and stressful thoughts than those walking down a city street. Often, when we feel stuck, we overly focus on negativity. We ruminate on all the bad stuff.
What spending time in nature does is clear your mind and create space for new ideas and creative thoughts. To reconnect with what inspires you, spend time in nature. For more ideas, read this: One Sure Way to Find Relief from Burnout
While the instinct to avoid boredom is strong, learning to embrace and leverage these moments can lead to significant personal and professional growth. The next time you find yourself feeling disengaged at work, resist the urge to immediately seek distraction.
Instead, view it as a chance to explore your thoughts, reassess your goals, and potentially uncover new paths to success and fulfillment in your career. As the evidence suggests, a little boredom might be just what you need to spark your next great idea.
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Until next time!
Amy Drader is a management consultant and credentialed coach with over 20 years’ experience in HR and operations. She knows first-hand the joys and challenges of leading people and is dedicated to helping managers and teams advance their performance. She is the owner of Growth Partners Consulting, a boutique leadership and team development consulting firm that provides customized training and coaching.
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