- Boredom at work can be a source of creativity, according to the Harvard Business Review.
- Taking advantage of it avoids distractions and promotes new ideas.
- Recognizing the pros and cons of boredom is key to approaching it constructively.
Boredom at work is a common experience that we have all experienced at some point.
Often, we associate boredom with a lack of satisfaction and the need to be engaged in more interesting activities.
However, an article published this week in the Harvard Business Review reveals that boredom can be a source of creativity and opportunities to generate ideas.
“From an early age, we learn that boredom is no fun, and as we get older, we see it as a waste of time or a lack of productivity,” the report says. And he adds that “boredom is generally considered unpleasant and evocative of a sense of meaninglessness.”
“Also, time seems to pass slowly when we’re bored, which can make our workdays endless,” he explains.
He HBR says that boredom at work often triggers a desire to escape the situation. “In the connected world we live in, the escape is just a tap away on our smartphones. However, using the phone to avoid boredom only offers momentary pleasure and can have a negative impact on our mental health and quality of life in the long term.”
Boredom at work: pros and cons
The Harvard Business Review article suggests that instead of looking for instant distractions, we must take advantage of boredom as an opportunity for creativity.
“Boredom can offer a break for our brain and body in a world filled with constant distractions. Moments of boredom can awaken the ability to daydream, which in turn encourages the generation of new ideas and innovation, ”says the article.
It is important to recognize the pros and cons of boredom in the workplace.
On the one hand (the negative), boredom can lead to risky decision-making, costly mistakes, and accidents due to inattention.
It can also lead to problematic behavior, such as non-work related browsing or inappropriate emotional responses.
In addition, prolonged boredom can negatively affect the well-being of employees, causing burnout and decreased job satisfaction.
Looking on the bright side, the HBR says that boredom can be used constructively.
The article suggests some steps to follow. First, it’s important to become aware of boredom and resist the temptation to reach for instant distractions (the phone, basically).
Then, he says that it is necessary to identify the type of boredom that is experienced and analyze the underlying causes.
This may involve reflecting on one’s role at work, monotonous tasks, or future prospects.
From this understanding, he says, decisions can be made about how to deal with boredom. This can include seeking rest and relaxation when necessary, or looking for new ways to approach boring tasks, such as making changes to the complexity or variety of work.
types of boredom
In addition, it is essential to cultivate mindful boredom, using moments of boredom as opportunities to be present in the moment and allow new ideas and thoughts to emerge.
Other study, in this case of professors from the universities of Munich and KonstanzThey say that there is something called “indifferent boredom”, which is experienced as a feeling of positive fatigue.
They also mention “calibration boredom,” which occurs when people aren’t fully engaged with tasks and drift off.
Finally, the “search boredom”, which is what promotes people to engage in the active search for alternative actions and some distraction that alleviates the negative experience.
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