Chapter 1: The Value of Boredom in Creativity

Have you ever encountered this individual?

Certainly, you have, but do you recall where he hails from?

If you missed the memo, this is Dr. Kawashima, the mastermind behind the Nintendo DS game, Brain Training.

Filled with Stroop tests, basic math problems, and, for those who enjoy monotony, Sudoku, this game promised to "Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!"

While research on cognitive benefits from this game remains limited, one study indicates it can enhance executive functions and processing speed, particularly among older adults.

While I can't guarantee that playing this game will elevate your IQ, I've found that completing its puzzles often leads to personal revelations.

Initially, I regarded Brain Training as just another chore. I preferred indulging in Mario Kart or exploring Animal Crossing.

However, as an adult navigating the professional landscape, I have come to appreciate how engaging with Brain Training has nurtured my creative thought processes.

So, how do mundane tasks contribute to our creativity?

Studies reveal that engaging in dull reading or writing tasks promotes divergent thinking, especially during brainstorming sessions.

Journalist Manoush Zamorodi, in her TEDx talk "How Boredom Can Lead to Your Most Brilliant Ideas," discusses her experience of having ideas flood in during walks post-pregnancy.

However, when she transitioned to busily generating content on her phone, her brainstorming abilities diminished significantly.

Zamorodi explains our brain's "default mode," a state of inactivity that paradoxically boosts neural activity.

By allowing ourselves to experience boredom instead of constant busyness, we foster new synaptic connections, leading to fresh thoughts and ideas.

In today's hustle culture, many view monotony as detrimental.

While it may seem like a waste of time, I argue that creative boredom is foundational to innovation.

Without moments of tedium, who knows if Isaac Newton would have ever noticed the apple fall and formulated the theory of gravity?

Similarly, businessman Kevin Systrom was inspired to create Instagram while on vacation, after his girlfriend expressed dissatisfaction with the iPhone camera’s lack of filters.

Chapter 2: Embracing Tedium for Creativity

Allowing ourselves to engage in dull activities can be quite beneficial.

I often joke that I could spend an entire long-haul flight playing Solitaire while listening to music and suddenly find myself at my destination.

This phenomenon also occurs while driving, where individuals can enter a state known as highway hypnosis, allowing their minds to wander.

Similar to warming up before exercise, we should prepare our minds for knowledge work through periods of tedium.

I frequently find that engaging in low-cognitive tasks, like taking a walk or solving a puzzle, sparks inspiration.

For instance, before preparing a presentation for a client, I might tackle a simpler task, like updating a timeline or solving a Rubik's Cube, allowing my mind to subconsciously prepare for the task ahead.

The first video titled "Evolve, Innovate, Succeed: Key Strategies to Maintain Business Success" explores essential strategies for sustaining business success through innovation and creativity.

Chapter 3: The Role of Boredom in Group Settings

This notion extends to group scenarios, such as workshops or brainstorming events.

However, balancing client engagement while allowing for thoughtful reflection can be challenging.

The goal is to create a day that feels productive, even if it involves moments of tedium.

Unfortunately, many senior leaders might not appreciate a business team casually completing Sudoku puzzles as a method for stimulating creativity.

Facilitators must demonstrate pedagogical courage, embracing boredom in their practices and articulating its benefits to clients.

Incorporating breaks and encouraging participants to take walks can provide the necessary space for deep thinking.

The second video titled "The Best of Killer Innovations: Six Vital Innovation Skills" discusses essential skills necessary for fostering innovation and staying ahead in business.

Chapter 4: Rethinking Boredom

I remember the first time I heard the saying, "Only boring people get bored."

Initially, I thought, "I’m not boring, so I must never allow myself to feel 'bored'."

In retrospect, I misinterpreted this saying.

The truth is, those who can shift their mindset away from external distractions to cultivate their creative ideas will never experience true boredom.

In essence, I propose we reframe that saying to: "Creative individuals will never experience boredom."