According to recent studies, our distraction levels are rising at an alarming rate. A decade ago, we shifted our attention at work every 3 minutes; now we do it every 45 seconds! And, the average person switches tasks on their computer 566 times a day! Our culture has become one where the ability to multi-task is praised and eliminating boredom is a basic part of our everyday life.
But what if boredom was actually the secret to creativity and intellectual growth? What if, by eliminating the cracks in our lives, we are eliminating our ability to grow and expand our thoughts?
In her TED Talk, Manoush Zomorodi unpacks the importance of embracing the cracks in our lives to allow our boredom to lead to brilliance.
As presenters, these same principles apply. As the thought leaders and creative engineers of our communities and industries, we have to learn to embrace the boredom in our daily lives and allow our minds the downtime to grow, rest, and dream.
Here are three tips for embracing boredom and allowing space for brilliance.
Take a walk in SILENCE.
With the invention of the MP3 player, silence has become an ever-depleting resource in our lives. With access to on-demand music, podcasts, and radio, we never have to sit in total silence. However, by never taking time to be silent, we drown out our minds and eliminate our ability to daydream.
Take a walk in complete silence to reboot your ability to dream and embrace boredom. This may feel awkward at first, but you’ll start to appreciate the difference it causes if you make this time intentional. Intentionally let your mind wander, and see what brilliance follows.
Go offline.
It’s crazy to think that the current generation of middle and high schoolers have never experienced what it’s like not to have the internet within arm’s reach at any given time. Let’s face it, our culture has become addicted to the internet. In fact, studies show that when we interact on social media, the chemical dopamine is released in our brains which is highly addictive. The more we experience dopamine release, the more we desire it which continues to draw us back to the internet.
If you want to embrace the brilliance of boredom, then take a day each month and go completely offline. Shut off the TV, turn off your phone, and put away your computer. Once you have mastered a day per month, move to one day a week and allow your imagination to engage fully. This action will lead to natural releases of dopamine rather than the technology-driven releases we feel with constant social media use.
Create clear boundaries.
In a society where we have clients’ demands, colleagues’ questions, and email access 24/7, it can be hard to create boundaries and stick to them. But in an effort to embrace boredom and create brilliance, boundaries matter. If you struggle to create separation from work and embrace downtime, you’re not alone.
As a presenter, you learn early that hustle matters, and if you are not constantly trying to innovate, someone will pass you. This mindset leads to a no-boundaries lifestyle which can actually drain your creative thinking and progress. That’s why it’s important to learn to work smarter, not harder by focusing when necessary and then allowing your brain to rest when needed. By setting clear boundaries as to when and where you work, you’ll set yourself up for a more productive schedule which will lead to a greater output in the end.
Boredom = Brilliance. It’s not just a fun idea; it’s a scientifically proven philosophy. As presenters, we must learn to embrace boredom and allow our minds to wander. Only then will we become the thought leaders and creative voices that we desire to be.
Looking for more insight into how to knock your next presentation out of the park? Contact the team at Ethos3 today!
