GenZ's Eternal Quest

The number one complaint we get from our 'lit' colleagues is usually about the toxic work environment. But this is about their number two; the work they're given is boring and they don't feel like doing it. In a 2014 study from the University of Central Lancashire, participants who completed a boring task—copying numbers from a phone book—performed better on subsequent creative tasks than those who didn’t.

It seems that boredom is under siege. With all the smart devices around we are never more than a swipe away from entertainment, social interaction, and doom-scrolling. The fear of "doing nothing stimulating" has created a generation allergic to boredom and idleness, as if every quiet moment must be filled with something—anything. But here’s the catch: in our rush to fill every second with stimulus, we may be losing something far more valuable—our ability to think deeply, create, and persist.

Boredom has always been viewed as something to avoid, a void to fill. We live in an era where attention is currency and distractions are available at the flick of a thumb. It’s no wonder boredom has become almost alien to us, something to dodge with every available app, notification, and algorithm designed to keep our brains buzzing. But what if, contrary to popular belief, boredom is actually a powerful force—a catalyst for creativity, resilience, and even accomplishment?

This isn’t just a state of mind; it’s a signal from your brain that it’s craving something more. Boredom is a fertile breeding ground for creativity, when your mind wanders it opens up space for new connections and insights, the kind you don’t get when your attention is hijacked by endless notifications.

“If you are immune to boredom, there is literally nothing you cannot accomplish. It is the key to modern life.” – David Foster Wallace.

So before you hand in your resignation because the work is mundane, suck it up, get it done, and I assure you the opportunity of doing something exciting is just around the corner. Can you give yourself the freedom to feel bored?