On The Opportunities Of Boredom
I listened to Kara Swisher’s podcast last weekend and Adam Grant was on, talking about the numerous studies done on boredom and how it basically breaks down into two categories...
I’m bored because I have too much downtime and I don’t know what to do with it.
I’m bored because the work I’m doing isn’t interesting, isn’t meaningful, or is repetitive and I’m muddling through the day.
Let’s call the first personal boredom and the second professional boredom.
In both cases, boredom is an opportunity to try something new because our brains are inclined to solve the boredom “problem.” It’s a state we don’t generally enjoy being in, so we try to find some stimulus to make it go away.
Sometimes the bored feeling is momentary. But sometimes it's more constant… the kind that keeps nagging at us until we can’t ignore it any longer.
There’s a case to be made for practicing finding peace and solace and even inspiration when we’re bored. But there’s also a case to be made for finding a longer term solution, especially for the kind of boredom that won’t go away.
Once you’re bored of addressing your boredom with TV, cleaning, cooking, social media-ing, exercising, etc., here are a few thoughtstarters to consider….
For personal boredom:
When Coronapocalypse is over, what will I regret not doing?
What’s most important to me right now?
What skills do I want to learn or improve?
What to dos have been on my list forever that I can cross off?
What home projects have I wanted to do?
What books/long articles have I not had time to read?
What online classes could be interesting to take?
What habits have I wanted to build or break?
What hobbies have I ignored that I miss doing?
For professional boredom:
What does meaningful, fulfilling work actually mean to me?
What’s most important to me in my work life?
What problems do I want to solve?
What skills do I want to learn?
What’s my ideal work environment?
What qualities do I want in my work experience?
Who do I want to learn from?
What kind of leaders and managers do I want to work for?
What activities energize me?
These are the kinds of questions I ask my clients all the time. Almost all of them found me because they felt a level of professional boredom and sometimes personal boredom as well.
A lot of us have felt the momentary boredom in the last few weeks and we’ve found ways to cope. But if you’re feeling a kind of boredom that’s been bubbling under the surface for a beat, now's a good time to ask some of these questions and see if there's a longer term solution beyond coping.
Supposedly, we have nothing but time right now.
Much love in chaos and boredom.
🙏,
Pam
PS... I put together a list of spreadsheets, websites, and resources for job/freelance opportunities that I came across in a bunch of forums. Please use it and feel free to share with anyone who could benefit from it!
