LKS August Digest: Navigating Boredom - Lessons from the Road

Welcome to the August Issue of the LKS (listen, keep, share) Digest

Over the past four weeks, my partner and I covered more than 4,000 miles by road, journeying through the Northwest US and Western Canada. That’s over 60 hours in the Wagoneer—me navigating and photographing, him towing safely, dodging wildlife, and tackling unfamiliar roads.

This journey also brought countless hours without the internet, and the desire not to miss a single moment of the passing landscape (except maybe Western Idaho, which wins for the most miles of nothingness); working or scrolling felt like a waste amid the vast views.

As the miles stretched on, boredom began to creep in, and I found myself uncomfortable with it. One day (in Idaho, again), I called my 89-year-old mom and mentioned how trips often have both spectacular and mundane moments. I shared, “During the mundane, there’s plenty of time to let the mind wander and the brain rest, knowing more beauty lies ahead.”

Her response? “Well, that’s kind of like life, isn’t it?”

For adrenaline junkies like us, the mundane parts of running a business can feel, well…boring. But boring—defined as uninteresting, dull, or tiresome—doesn’t have to be a negative. Here’s how to navigate those boring moments, whether it’s an hour, a day, a week, or even a season:

1. Get Curious About Boredom

When does boredom strike? What are you doing at that moment? If it’s specific tasks, and you can delegate, why are you still handling them? Try the EOS tool: Delegate and Elevate?

If it’s more of a season, consider if you’ve lost sight of your “why” or if your company’s direction needs a reboot. There’s value in recognizing the good amidst the mundane; pushing it aside could mean missing out on small or large adjustments that could revitalize your energy.

Occasional boredom is far from executive burnout, but getting curious about it can help you uncover what’s really going on. Check for signs of burnout here: 5 Burnout Warning Signs (and How to Respond)

If you’re feeling burnt out, here’s a resource on how to beat it: 6 Strategies to Beat CEO Burnout?

2. Lean Into Boredom

Maybe boredom has a purpose. James Clear puts it well: “Boredom is a filter. Common ideas come before it. Uncommon ideas come after it. Sit with a project long enough to get bored with it, then sit a little more. The most useful insights bubble up after you get bored.”

As an inspiring, driven leader, sitting with boredom might feel unnatural or uncomfortable. But consider how cluttered the active mind can be. Add some wonder to those boring moments and see what insights “bubble up.”

Members can now access the latest Vistage Peak Performer series featuring James Clear, one of my favorites, on how to get 1% better every day: ‘Atomic Habits’ James Clear on How to Get 1% Better Every Day (member login required).

For some, leaning into boredom might resemble meditation. If meditation isn’t part of your current practice, give it another thought the next time boredom strikes. Intentional time in silence and solitude can be a powerful tool for executives: How Meditation Benefits CEOs

I’d love to hear your go-to app or tool for quieting the mind. Mine is Calm, which includes the Daily Jay with Jay Shetty, geared for execs.?

3. Consider the Boredom of Others

If you’re bored, maybe your team is too. Is your vision old and dusty? Could the way you’re working be better? Is the endless inbox draining not only you but also your team?

Why not pull the team together and take a fresh look at everything you do and how you do it? There might be a better way to reach your goals.

Here are three things to consider if your team isn’t engaged (read: bored):

1. Use AI to drive creativity: Explore whether AI-Driven Innovation can outperform human creativity.

2. Divide the labor: Use the delegate and elevate tool, and help your team find their flow state. Check out Sneha Mandala’s toolkit on work culture and peak performance.

3. Outsource unenthusiastic tasks: Really. You can hire someone for anything—why not clear the boring stuff out of your office?

That’s it for now. I’d love to hear your thoughts on boredom—seriously.

LKS

If you run a business from $5M-$250M let’s talk. Book a 15-min intro call here: lynnekingsmith.com