Productive Things To Do When You’re Bored

Why do we get bored?

Boredom is a complex emotion and it can be a result of several factors. It's our brain's way of telling us that it’s not finding our current activity rewarding. One common reason is a lack of stimulation or interest in our current activity. When our brains aren't engaged, they start to seek out new, more interesting things to focus on, which can lead to feelings of boredom and often lead to procrastination.

Another reason boredom kicks in is a lack of control or choice in what we’re doing. If we feel stuck in a situation that we can't change, our brains can start to switch off and boredom sets in.

Boredom can also be a sign that we need a break or a change of pace. Our brains are telling us to switch things up a bit. It's really our brains saying, "Hey, this isn't working for me anymore." It is a prompt to shake things up a bit and seek out new challenges or experiences. It means it’s probably time to take a step back, reassess, and consider what changes you could make to re-energise and re-engage yourself.

So, boredom isn't always a bad thing. It’s just a signal that we need to do something different to keep our minds sharp and engaged.

How to be productive when bored

Boredom often feels like a complete productivity killer, but actually, it can be an excellent opportunity to get things done and also get your creativity juices flowing. One way to take advantage of the situation is to emrace the boredom. When you're bored, and your mind starts wandering, let it wander! Let your mind take a break from whatever it is that’s so boring, and see where the journey takes you. Boredom can boost your creativity and lead to new innovative ideas and solutions. Productivity isn't about ticking off as many tasks on a to-do list as possible; it’s about making real, meaningful progress.

If you want to turn your boredom into something productive, then listen to the sign that your brain is seeking some novelty and stimulation. For successful productivity, we need to learn to manage our attention and use our attention levels as a guide to what tasks to focus on. Effective attention management can help us overcome boredom. By consciously directing our attention towards meaningful and challenging tasks, we can keep our minds stimulated and engaged and reduce that feeling of boredom.

Here are some ideas of things you can do when boredom strikes but you want to turn it to your advantage.

When you’re bored at work

Switch task:

If you're bored because the task is monotonous or unchallenging, switching to a different task can be a great way to get a refreshing change of pace and stimulate your brain in various ways. Just remember, the key is balance. Too much switching will cause your productivity to dip due to multi-tasking, as it takes time for your brain to refocus. For example, if you keep zapping between TV shows, you will miss out on a lot of the details as well as the full picture. However, a well-timed switch can be an excellent productivity boost.

Take a break:

Sometimes, your brain just needs a break (actually, quite often). Taking a break helps refresh your mind, making you more productive when you return to your task. Taking many small breaks throughout your day is a healthy practice for your overall productivity and well-being. It's all about maintaining that 'Ninja Preparedness' to ensure you have enough in the tank for later.

Plan your week:

When you're feeling bored, it's often a sign that your brain is craving some form of structure or challenge. Sitting down and planning your week can provide that structure and also give you a clear vision of what you want to achieve. It helps you prioritise your tasks and manage your time and attention more effectively. Grab a pen and paper or your favourite digital tool, and start mapping out your week ahead.

Review:

If you’re bored, reviewing where you are at this very moment is a great way to identify areas where you're feeling stuck or unfulfilled. It can also help you diagnose where and why you're getting bored, and then you can make a plan to address those areas. If you need a bit of guidance on how to do a weekly review, head to The Productivity Ninja Weekly Review. There’s also a handy Weekly Review Checklist.

Organise your workspace:

Organising your workspace when you're bored at work gives your brain a much-needed break from whatever is boring you, plus you’ll end up with a clutter-free and clean working environment. A clean and organised office desk can significantly improve your productivity. In a study, 31% of respondents reported increased stress levels due to a cluttered workspace, and 40% said a messy desk made them less productive. It's a clear indication that the state of our workspace can directly influence our stress levels and productivity. So, it's worth investing some time in 'Ninja Housekeeping' to keep that desk tidy.

A cluttered space is a cluttered mind.

When you’re bored at home

Read a book:

While it may seem like you're just sitting there with a book, your brain is actually very active and fully engaged. Reading is a fantastic way of giving your body and brain a rest from your everyday activities while making your brain more productive. Reading stimulates various parts of the brain, enhances cognitive function, improves memory, and even increases empathy. This allows you to process information more efficiently, helping you learn faster.

Take some time for mindfulness:

Boredom can indicate that we're not fully engaged with our surroundings or current activities. Mindfulness helps us reconnect with the present moment and find joy and interest in the seemingly mundane. It’s also an effective way to recharge your mental batteries, which will boost your productivity when you return to your tasks. If you’re not sure where to start with mindfulness, Mind has a practical guide to get you going.

Exercise:

Get your heart pumping and your endorphins flowing! Not only is exercise good for the body, but it also helps to clear your mind and can even spark creativity. And you don’t have to head out for an intense 10k run or lift heavy weights in the gym. Do any physical activity that you enjoy. Gardening or a stroll around the neighbourhood is an excellent way of getting your heart rate up while also connecting with nature and your surroundings.

Write:

It not only helps to pass the time but also stimulates your brain and encourages creativity. It's a great way to express your thoughts and feelings, which can be therapeutic and help reduce stress. My favourite writing exercise is ‘The Morning Pages’ invented by the creativity guru Julia Cameron. But the magic of writing is that you can write about anything you want, in any way you want.

When just generally a bit bored with life

Start a side project:

Starting a side project is a brilliant way to add some excitement and purpose to your life. This could really be anything from starting a blog to learning a new hobby or a completely new skill, which can be beneficial both personally and professionally. My side project for the last couple of years has been to learn to DJ, and now I’ve even done some gigs. A friend and I are about to start a Sunday afternoon Jazz club.

Remember, the key to choosing a side project is to find something that genuinely interests you. That way, it won't feel like a chore but rather something you look forward to working on.

Try many different new things:

So, instead of starting a whole side project, you can just explore what’s out there. This is great if you don’t really have any particular interests you want to immerse yourself in. Go to a free taster session, try a book club, a choir, a community walk, try winter swimming, try a new recipe or meal every day—anything that can shake up your day-to-day life, and even better if it leads to new conversations and new perspectives.

Conclusion

We all get bored, that’s ok. Boredom isn't the enemy of productivity; instead, it’s our brains craving something new and stimulating. It's a call to action, a prompt to shake things up and seek new challenges or experiences. It's our brain's saying, "Hey, this isn't working for me anymore."

When you find yourself bored, don't see it as a productivity killer. Instead, see it as an opportunity to redirect your attention, re-energise, and re-engage yourself. Embrace the boredom, and you might find that the world becomes a lot more interesting.

Want to dive deeper into the world of Productivity?

Check out my international best-selling book, How to Be a Productivity Ninja.