Boredom is misunderstood and overlooked. We celebrate productivity and efficiency and, counterintuitive as it may seem, boredom can be a secret weapon for success. In this blog post, I’ll explore how intentional boredom can transform our lives and businesses.
The Decline of Boredom
Boredom has been a part of the human experience since the dawn of time. But, in today’s dopamine-soaked digital age, boredom is scarce. Facebook, TikTok, Insta, etc… our attention spans have shrunk, and we fill every spare moment with mindless scrolling. But what happens when something becomes scarce? Its value rises. Boredom is still a precious resource, we’ve just forgotten its value.
How to Make Boredom Your Business Superpower
1. Leverage the ‘Unsexy’ Stuff.
In today’s age of AI and Web3, boring is often mistaken for unprofitable. But, while everyone is chasing the latest trendy startup, overlooked industries like HVAC, cleaning services, Accounting services, etc. can provide steady cash flow and less competitive landscapes. Taking advantage of the tedium can lead to a more sustainable business.
2. Patience: The GOAT of Investing
Warren Buffet mastered the art of embracing boredom. He is known for patiently waiting for his investment decisions to play out. Buffett’s philosophy of simplicity, understanding the businesses he invests in, and giving them ample time to grow has been a winning formula. The power of stillness and patience, while insanely boring, can’t be underestimated.
3. Stillness and Intentionality: Productivity Fuel
No doubt, unintentional boredom at work is definitely a curse. But with stillness intentionality, there’s a two-fold opportunity here: 1. Repetitive tasks can lead to boredom, but deliberate practice can help us sharpen our skills and talent in our work, see where we’re merely doing busy work and how we can evolve… or even just find a way to automate it. 2. Our best ideas often come when we allow ourselves to be bored and give ourselves the breathing room to think outside the box. Give your brain a rest from actively trying to solve or create something and give it a rest, so your subconscious can take over.
What Happens When We’re Unintentional…
Living an unintentional life is a recipe for maddening mediocrity. You will trap yourself in mundane routines, settling for jobs, relationships, and experiences that never evolve beyond “meh.” The danger lies in gradually giving away parts of ourselves to fit into societal expectations. Intentional boredom and deliberate practice allows us to step back and choose to actively live lives we are interested in, maybe own boring businesses, and make deliberate choices that align with our passions and dreams by seeing the opportunities in the gap between the work.
So, harness boredom as a tool in your productivity arsenal. Recognise how it can unlock new opportunities, cultivate patience, and fuel our productivity. Change your perspective… We don’t have to be bored; we *get* to be bored. So, let’s intentionally wield it and create a life filled with meaning, purpose, and excitement.