Have you ever been bored? Restless? Fidgety? In need of some inspiration?
I have a theory on boredom. I believe that the rate of boredom has increased alongside the pace of technology.
If you think about it, technology has provided us with mobile phones, laptops, iPads, device after device – all to ultimately fix one problem: boredom.
We have become a global nation that feeds on entertainment. We associate ‘living’ with ‘doing’. People now do not know how to sit still, and we feel guilty when we are not doing anything. Today, inactivity has become the ultimate sin.
You might not realize it, but boredom stimulates a form of anxiety and stress. It evokes an emotional state that creates frustration and feeds procrastination.
It’s a desire to be ‘doing something’ or to be ‘entertained’ – it’s a desire for sensory stimulation. What it boils down to is a lack of focus.
If you think about those times when you’re bored, it’s usually because you did not know what to do. So, indecision also plays a big part.
When we focus on what’s important to us and what we want to achieve, it’s pretty hard to be bored. So, one answer to boredom is to become focused on what you want.
Sometimes It’s Good to Be Bored
If boredom is a desire for sensory stimulation – then what’s the opposite of that? To be content with no stimulation – in other words – to enjoy the stillness.
Sometimes, it’s not boredom itself that causes the frustration but the resistance to doing nothing.
Think about it. What would happen if you were to ‘let go’ of the desire to be entertained? You wouldn’t be bored anymore, and you will feel more relaxed!
In my experience, it’s often the most obvious, simplistic solutions that are the most powerful in life. So, when you’re bored, the easiest way to combat this is to enjoy it.
It may sound weird but think of ‘boredom’ as a form of ‘relaxation’. It’s a break from the constant stimulation that 21st-century living provides – constant TVs, mobile phones, radios, internet, emails, phone calls, etc.
Who knows, maybe ‘boredom’ is actually good for us?
Next time you’re ‘feeling bored’ instead of feeding the frustration by frantically looking for something to do, maybe you can sit back, relax, and savor the feeling of having nothing to do.
In this article, I’ll share with you my 3-step strategy on how to overcome boredom.
1. Get Focused
Instead of chasing sensory stimulation at random, focus on what’s really important to you. Focusing on something important helps prevent boredom because it forces you to utilize your time productively.
You should ask yourself: what would make good use of your time? What could you be doing that would contribute to your major goals in life?
Here are a few ideas:
- Spend some time in quiet contemplation considering what’s important to you.
- Start that creative project you’ve been talking about for the last few weeks.
- Brainstorm: think of some ideas for new innovative products or businesses.
2. Do What You’ve Been Putting Off
Boredom is useful in some ways because it gives you the energy and time to do things. It is only a problem if you let it. But if you use it to motivate yourself to be productive, then you can more easily overcome boredom.
So, the next time you’re bored, why not put this good energy to use by ticking off those things that you have been meaning to get done but have been too busy to finish? This also presents a great time for you to clear your to-do list.
Here are some ideas:
- Do some exercise.
- Read a book.
- Learn something new.
- Call a friend.
- Get creative (draw, paint, sculpt, create music, write).
- Do a spring cleaning.
- Wash the car.
- Renovate the house.
- Re-arrange the furniture.
- Write your shopping list.
- Water the plants.
- Walk the dog.
- Sort out your mail & email.
- De-clutter (clear out that wardrobe).
3. Enjoy Boredom
If none of the above solutions work, then try a different approach. Don’t give in to boredom and instead choose to enjoy it. This doesn’t mean allowing yourself to waste your time being bored. Instead, think of it as your time to relax and re-energize, which will help you be more productive the next time you work.
Contrary to popular belief, we don’t need to be constantly doing things to be productive. In fact, research has shown that people are more productive when they take periods of rest to recharge.[1] Taking breaks once in a while helps boost your performance and can help make you feel more motivated.
So, take some time to relax. You never know, you might even like it.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to overcome boredom may be difficult at the beginning, but it can be easier if you make use of some techniques. You can start with my 3-step strategy on how to overcome boredom and work your way from there. So, ready your mind and make use of these tips, and you will be overcoming boredom in no time.
