The pros and cons of being bored at work

"At work, [boredom is] often viewed as a counterproductive state that ignites discomfort, desperation for a new role, or perhaps simply a desire for the day to end," the authors write. Feeling bored at work has also been associated with risky decision-making, costly mistakes, and accidents due to inattention or a lack of focus.

Boredom can also lead to fatigue, and one recent study found that being bored at work was associated with burnout, as well as lower job satisfaction and an increased desire to quit.

However, research has also found that boredom, when handled constructively, "has big 'bright sides,'" the authors write. "Moments of boredom can offer a pause, or a short respite for your brain and body in a world designed to distract, overwhelm, and overstimulate."

Boredom can also provide opportunities to daydream, which can then lead to creativity, new ideas, and innovation. Prolonged boredom can also encourage people to reflect on their lives and consider whether they are on the right path.

How to make the best of your boredom

"[G]etting better at working with your boredom — and harnessing it for the good — can help you capture its bright sides," Meister and Stavskaya write. To do this effectively, they offer four tips:

1. Notice when you're getting bored

"Noticing and naming your boredom in order to intentionally direct it opens up the opportunity to develop your resilience and the potential to use boredom for positive ends," the authors write.

When you feel yourself getting bored, avoid acting on it right away. The authors also recommend avoiding making snap decisions, such as quitting your job, as a way to escape the discomfort of boredom.

2. Figure out what kind of boredom you're feeling

According to Meister and Stavskaya, boredom can manifest in different ways in the body and mind, which then leads to different behaviors. Some research-based types of boredom include:

• Indifferent boredom, which is one of the more positive types of boredom and can even boost rest and recovery
• Calibrating boredom, which occurs when you're not fully engaged with a task and can lead to wandering thoughts
• Searching boredom, which reflects restlessness and an active search for alternative activities to combat negative feelings
• Reactive boredom, which occurs in situations where people are required to perform a repetitive or tedious task and can lead to angrier and more aggressive feelings
• Apathetic boredom, which is related to feelings of disinterest or a lack of motivations toward normally enjoyable events or activities

"Consider what you're bored with specifically: Is it your role, the content or form of the work, or your prospects for the future in your job that bore you? Can you decipher a pattern with a typical type of work that ignites this uncomfortable feeling?" the authors write. "This can be an opportunity to consider your goals and values and whether you feel you're moving forward or feel 'stuck.'"

3. Decide what to do about your boredom

Decide what you want to do about your boredom based on what type of boredom it is and what it tells you about yourself or your situation, Meister and Stavskaya write.

In some cases, you simply need to relax and unwind to combat your boredom, but other times, it may be telling you something about your role at work.

Although all jobs have certain aspects that may be monotonous of frustrating, if you're persistently bored with your work, "try to harness the boredom to catalyze change, perhaps by engaging in job crafting to bring out the elements of your role that you really enjoy," the authors write.

You can do this by changing the type, variety, complexity, or significance of your work tasks. You can also intentionally avoid boredom by seeking out new ideas at work, which can then boost your leadership potential and abilities.

4. Encourage mindful boredom

"Moments of boredom can be opportunities to help you unwind from a fast-paced and hyper-connected world and allow you the opportunity to simply be in the present moment," the authors write.

Instead of being used for mindless distraction, moments of boredom can be used positively if you engage in an activity you find stimulating or just mindfully allow the discomfort to pass. In addition, since boredom can spark creativity, you can also include time for it in your work routine before you need to come up with new ideas or innovate.

Overall, "[w]hile boredom can be an unpleasant feeling, it can also be an opportunity to reflect on your interests, values, and goals," Meister and Stavskaya write. "By recognizing the type of boredom you're experiencing and identifying the underlying causes, you can take steps to address them and find new ways to engage with the world around you." (Meister/Stavskaya, Harvard Business Review, 7/4)

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