How can doing nothing actually produce a beneficial outcome? Although it may seem counter-intuitive, the act of being bored can help improve focus and increase creativity. By definition, boredom is signaling to you that things are getting stagnant and it’s time to get your brain engaged. If you allow your mind to wander and daydream, you might be amazed by what you come up with. 

In a study published in the Academy of Management Discoveries, researchers asked a group of people to perform the very mundane task of sorting beans. Then a second group was asked to do an art project with the beans requiring them to be more engaged. After the task was complete, both groups were asked to come up with an excuse for a person being two hours late. The results showed the first group outperformed the group that was given the more challenging task. “Boredom significantly increased both the number of ideas generated and their uniqueness.”

Cal Newport, author, and advocate of removing distractions to focus your craft supports the idea that boredom helps solve problems creatively. In his book Deep Work, he recounts a conversation with a businessman, Adam Marlin.  During their meeting, Marlin describes his morning routine of sitting and doing nothing. He states “I’ve recently been making more highly creative insights in my business life; I’m convinced it’s related to this daily mental practice.” By removing himself from distractions regularly, Marlin was able to train his brain to focus to the point where he could find unique solutions to his business issues. This exercise of disconnecting and dedicating time to be bored can build a very healthy “mental muscle.”

Quoted in a  Time magazine article, a senior psychology lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire in the U.K., Sandi Mann, says boredom is “a search for neural stimulation that isn’t satisfied. If we can’t find that, our mind will create it.” Therefore, if you are looking to solve a problem, or gain inspiration, allow yourself to be bored. Let your mind wander, be at peace with the mundane for a little while and you can see what your brain can spark. 

Although it may seem like an easy task, the distractions all around fill every void in our day and do not allow us to be bored. The best way is to carve out the time. Mann suggests picking an easy task, like taking a walk on a route you know then let your mind wander. She found if “there’s no other way of getting that stimulation, you have to go into your head.” Essentially, you are training your brain to intentionally focus.

The next time you need to break through a mental barrier, try being bored. Schedule some time to simply stare out of a window or find a routine task such as folding laundry.  Make sure all distractions are out of reach so nothing can interfere with your daydreaming. It’s your opportunity to unlock your imagination and seek creative solutions. By doing this regularly your ability to concentrate and focus will improve and strengthen your mental muscle.