Surviving and Thriving in Boredom

9th April, 2010 - Posted by L. John Mason -

Some people are masters at filling time. In their own way, they may be Zen Masters of boredom. My “Type A” personality makes it very difficult to sit still in any situations but it is especially difficult in a low energy, reduced stimulation lull. For example, you are at work, on the clock, and you have blocked out one hour of time to write up an assessment. You are caught up on your other work and because of circumstances you can not begin your next big project. So you are sitting there waiting “for the party to start” and there is a last minute cancellation… Now you do NOT have to write up the assessment and you have no easy way to fill the time. A co-worker I had, packed up and went home sick because she could not bring herself to sit still without a major project. I would consider writing a blog. But there are “masters” out there that can enjoy the “lull,” be present, and observe in peace as the time on the clock ticks by…

If I were on a back-packing trip, just waiting for comrades to arrive, I can sit by the stream or lake or mountain meadow and “kill” time by engaging in a Zen meditation of the beauty that surrounds me. I can soak up the ambiance of nature’s beauty. But in an office, dealing with a cancellation that comes in the middle of the day, I can suffer.

If I were a “reader,” I could pull out my book and take up where I had left off. If I were a “gamer,” I could just call up my video game and focus on the play. If I were a “writer,” I could just outline the next stage in my current project and begin to work on it. If I were a student, I could do an internet search and begin the research on my next area of interest or assignment. But if I were a typical, under-motivated worker, I might just try to find something to eat.

How you use your time in such a situation can tell a lot about your state of mind. If I could offer a recommendation, should you ever find yourself in such a situation, you can check your “Life Goal List” (also known as your “bucket list”) and get moving, at least researching, your next adventure or activity.

Time is too short to waste time and being “bored” is out of balance with good mental health… If all else fails, take a break, and go for a power walk.

By the way, if you did not already know what a “bucket list” is, it is a list of things you would like to do before you “kick the bucket.” Keep moving forward.