Upsides of Boredom!

In a world that glorifies excitement and instant gratification, "boring" often gets a bad rap. The true power of boring lies in its ability to bring consistency, facilitate steady progress, encourage creative thinking, and yield long-term results. This principle can be seen across various fields, from the arts to athletics to the workplace.

In the World of Art, Sports, or Finance… the Boring Tasks Done Again and Again

Claude Monet: Consider the renowned artist Claude Monet. His series of water lilies, a hallmark of his work, wasn’t created in a burst of inspiration. Nope, Monet painted the same subject over and over again, capturing the subtle changes in light and color over time. This repetitive process might seem tedious, yet it allowed Monet to perfect his technique and produce masterpieces that are celebrated to this day. His dedication to the "boring" task of painting the same scene repeatedly enabled him to achieve a level of excellence that sporadic bursts of creativity could never match. Talk about finding beauty in monotony!

Rahul Dravid: Now, let's talk about cricket. Look at elite cricketer Rahul Dravid. Known as "The Wall" for his unyielding defense, Dravid's success was not just a result of his natural talent but also of his relentless commitment to training. The "boring" practice was the foundation upon which his extraordinary achievements were built.

Warren Buffett: And in the corporate world, take the example of Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of all time. Buffett’s investment strategy is famously simple: he buys high-quality companies and holds onto them for the long term. This approach, which some might describe as "boring," has allowed him to amass incredible wealth through slow, steady growth rather than chasing after quick wins.

Get Bored…yet “Mindfully Bored”

I also recall a friend handling her toddlers during “summer” holidays. They would complain that they have nothing to do and they are getting bored. Her response was “boring is good” - only get bored well. The rule was no digital entertainment, and from times of boredom they would envitably emerge with new games and activities—fun and learning.

In an interesting article by Harvard Business Review, "The Benefits of Being Bored at Work," the authors discussed how boredom can be a powerful catalyst for creativity and productivity. Boredom is also a common phenomenon at work, and there is also a correlation between boredom and burnout—if boredom is not handled well!

1. The first thing is to stop avoiding getting “bored.” We have all been guilty of instantly resorting to digital devices and beginning the saga of endless scrolls.
2. Notice that you are getting bored and decipher the kind of boredom it is—is it boredom from repetition, is it dislike for the work, is it lack of new challenges? What is the underlying cause behind your boredom?
3. Use moments of boredom to just let ideas and thoughts simmer without the rush to emerge with something immediately. You can do another activity you enjoy or get in touch with how you can improve or do things differently.

So, next time you think you are getting “bored,” just smile and remember that boring is the secret sauce to greatness. Because behind every Monet, Dravid, and Buffett, there's a whole lot of boring that made it all possible!