Boredom is the Greatest Threat to Success

​Boredom, let’s talk about it. Boredom may seem like a strange topic to discuss here at Creating the Freelance Career, but the fact is I’ve seen too many people start to write books, to launch businesses, and talk about expanding their one-person operations and then get bored and discouraged.
 
In Atomic Habits, James Clear writes, “The greatest threat to success is not failure but boredom. We get bored with habits that stop delighting us.” Clear continues with this derails progress and causes us to jump from one thing to another. 
 
As someone who has started numerous businesses and written way more things than I’ve published, I can relate to his point. It’s not when things become a challenge that I want to stop and move onto something else. It is when my mind feels numb and unengaged. 
 
Almost thirty years ago I was in talks with a publisher who was interested in a book idea I had. The book was tentatively titled How to Research Anything and was a deep-dive on the topic of where to go to find the information you sought, whether you were a student, a journalist, a law enforcement agent, or anyone. And I had done tons of interviews and research to write about this topic. 
 
Then I started writing the book. The intro and chapter one were solid. Chapter two was sailing alone, but by chapter three, I was boring myself to sleep. I tried every way I could think of to infuse life into what really was a rather dry topic. Anecdotes helped a little but much of the content was straightforward and dry, as how-to manuals before the fun and enthusiasm of YouTube video, were prone to be. 
 
Finally, I wrote the publisher back and said, “I’m sorry but I can’t finish this book. I’m so bored writing it that I’m sure no one will be interested in reading it.” In some ways, I consider this event a failure, but I also consider it a major learning experience. I don’t want to experience boredom, especially not for any length of time. 
 
And most others don’t either. It’s why people fill time scrolling the Internet or spending way too much time on social media platforms or watching cat videos or binge watching streaming shows. We want something that entertains us and chases away our boredom before it turns into blues. 
 
Boredom in work or with a task at hand can signal that we are doing something where we like the idea of the end-result but we may either not feel committed to getting there or the process we are going through to get there may not be the best process for us. (As James Clear says, we all have different genes and different skills and interests so maybe we need to a find a way to do whatever we want to do that feels the best to us.) 
 
7 Ways to Overcome Boredom

1. The first way is to do what I referenced above: Find the best way for you to get the end result. For example, maybe you want to write a book. But sitting and typing at a computer is boring you and the white blank page seems like it is mocking your attempts. Instead, try a dictation software if you like to talk as opposed to type, or collaborate with a friend to make the writing more fun. Or work out your plot structure while you are walking your dog or climbing the wall at your gym or rowing your kayak around a slough. Writing doesn’t have to happen at a computer in an office or indoors. 
2. Take breaks from whatever you are trying to accomplish and set up a reward system for yourself. For example, if I send five e-mails or messages to five potential clients, I get to (fill in the blank with your favorite activity, snack, or item) for a certain set of minutes. Then it is back at it for another round plus the reward. 
3. Go outside and do something activity to clear your head, work your body, and boost your adrenaline. Walk around the block, shoot some hoops, do some yoga or stretches. All of these things release tension (which is what boredom becomes) increase your endorphins so you feel more “pumped” and happy.
4. Reorganize your space and clean clutter. Sometimes it is hard to focus and easy to get distracted when our spaces vie for our attention due to piles of papers and books, too much clutter or chores calling our names. 
5. Understand that boredom can be a result of inadequate rest or nutrition, doing tasks with low levels of mental stimulation, or tasks that feel like they take forever. To counteract these reasons for boredom: make sure you are well-rested (and take a short power nap if you aren’t), make sure you are well-hydrated and eat healthy foods, try to increase the activity so that it is more creative and mentally exciting, and set a timer and do the task in “sprints”. Having to race against the clock will turn the activity into a game.
6. If you are bored because the end-goal seems too large and overwhelming, break the task down into manageable and fun (or at least more interesting) “chunks”. As I said before, doing sprints is more exhilarating for many people than the idea of running a marathon or three. 
7. Hire a coach or partner with a colleague for accountability. Getting through the tough or boring times is easier if you can talk about it with someone you trust and with someone who has been there. An accountability partner or coach can help motivate you, see other ways for you to do the things that are boring you, and encourage you to go, go, go through the rough patch to accomplish whatever you want to do. 

 

---