Why Boredom Helps You Get More Done
Discover how to use boredom to supercharge your creativity. It’s harder than it sounds, but absolutely worth it.
I know I’m not alone in the urge to do-do-do all the time. It’s hard even to fathom sitting still, unless it’s to meditate (which is fantastically calming, yes, but still gives you points for doing something).
So when my friend Ashley invited me to try being bored, I balked at the idea. She explained it could lead me to massive productivity.
It sounded like crazy-talk.
But she was persistent, so I tried it. Turns out, she was right. Just as our bodies need rest from physical demands, our minds need a break, too — and sleeping doesn’t count. I’m talking about giving yourself the space to just look around. Breathe deeply. Let your thoughts wander.
I’m writing this on a Saturday afternoon loaded with activities. This article is a reminder of the value of putting all that on hold. I’m going to sit here with the intention to just be. I invite you to do the same.
—Mindy
How to Harness the Power of Boredom for Increased Productivity
By Ashley Jonkman
Quick, put down your smartphone and let your mind wander, you screen-obsessed zombie! Just kidding — this article will not be technology-shaming you.
But it is an issue. As we increase our dependence on technology and especially AI, many writers are faced with difficult questions about how we’re engaging in the digital world.
There was a time when people thought that the internet was a dangerous and scary invention. Now, virtually all business and personal life is dependent on it.
Yet, many of us yearn with nostalgia to go back to simpler times. Remember when things were analog and we didn’t have the constant pinging of a computer in our pockets?
Surely there must be some benefit in taking time off from technology and allowing more space in our lives for less digital distraction… but what is it? Should we just shut our phones down and stare at the wall? Or, better yet, the sky, to grasp that elusive “boredom” we hear is so good for our brains?
Rather than simply locking our phones and laptops in a timed-entry safe, let’s look a little more deeply at the history of “being bored.” Then I’ll show you how to use an intentional method of boredom to supercharge productivity, creativity, and life satisfaction.
Avoiding Boredom is What We’re Wired to Do
For most of human history, people have been avoiding boredom. Think about our ancestors working on the farm, and before that, hunting and gathering. If you suspect they were living monastic lives of contemplation, you may be giving them too much credit. They didn’t have iPhones, but they were likely no better than us at tolerating boredom.
Studies have shown that humans would rather experience pain than an absolute lack of stimulation. We can assume that the passing down of stories and religions via oral tradition shows that humans were always trying to make life more interesting.
Boredom can be a wonderful catalyst to increased creativity. That’s because our brains simply can’t stand to be understimulated. But the problem in our digital age is that we’re too quick to fill the excitement void with easy cognitive tasks that can definitely decrease our inventiveness, innovation, and inspiration.
Here are three tips to help you get back your boredom and use it to supercharge your ingenuity as a writer.
1. Take a Content Break; Give Yourself a Mental Rest from ONE Piece of Distraction
Many technology users feel burnt out after a content binge. Sometimes boredom invites us to continuously scroll, even though what we’re seeing on the screen just isn’t satisfying.
Consider taking an extended break from social media, news bingeing, constant noise from the television, or any other boredom-stealing habit you may be reinforcing.
The point here is to break the habit of quelling every feeling of boredom or ennui with digital relief. Instead, build your tolerance for mental stillness.
I personally took a six-month-long fast from social media. I still had plenty of digital engagement, but there were far more moments of silence.
I began to retrain myself to endure those moments. Out of them grew greater curiosity, further engagement with the world around me, and more original ideas to overcome the tedium.
2. Prioritize Cognitive Work Over Easy Fluff
Entertainment has value, and I’m not suggesting writers should forgo all amusement in favor of simply staring at a wall. But oftentimes, we get numb to what we’re consuming and opt for the easiest way to stifle silence.
Consider leveraging your technology use in a way that is curiosity-provoking rather than purely a diversion. Challenge yourself to do tasks that require a bit more mental focus. Steer clear of simply scrolling, gaming, or numbing out with brain games. Try reading actual books, and completing mental assignments like writing prompts.
3. Experiment with Time Blocking
Most writers tell themselves they’ll get to their assignments “sometime today” or “definitely this week.” But many of us are easily thrown off track.
Instead of winging it and being thrown off by an interesting article, a text conversation, or a quick foray into online shopping, try blocking off times to do certain tasks. Then stick with it, no matter how “boring” it feels at the time.
With your own boundaries imposed on yourself, you can get into a deeper state of flow. From there, you’ll produce better results than if your mind and time were fractured.