In last week’s episode of The Walking Dead, one of the characters complained about being bored. Then, someone told him that he is incredibly lucky to feel safe enough to be bored in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. (Excuse the vagueness as I’m trying to avoid spoilers for anyone who hasn’t seen the show.) The thing is, even if you’re not surrounded by hordes of the undead craving to eat your flesh, the very notion of “being bored” is an incredible luxury not afforded to most.
It’s a phrase that you’ve likely heard many times before, oftentimes from people of the younger set: I’m sooooo bored. There’s nothing to do.
The fact of the matter is that there is never nothing to do. There is always something that needs doing. This has become even more apparent for me in these last couple of months as I try to balance running my freelance writing business with the responsibilities of being a new dad. I’m always busy and I never get to see the bottom of my to-do list. I have neither the time nor the patience for boredom.
But what if you don’t have a business to run 24 hours a day? What if you don’t have to tend to a newborn child? What if you have a job where you really do have a true weekend off from work? What if you really are free from any real responsibility, free from any real obligation or care in the world?
Even under those circumstances, feeling bored should never be an option.
Life is short and every moment is precious. When you do have the good fortune of having a little spare time on your hands, try learning something new. Try reading a book. Try new experiences. As Dr. Seuss taught us, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
And even if you decide to waste away your hours with some video games or mindless YouTube videos, that’s still time well spent. Be entertained. Be merry. Just no matter what you do, don’t allow yourself to be bored.
Couldn’t agree more with you Michael. I found your site through your post on JohnChow.com.
Never since I started my entrepreneurial venture in March 2013 I felt bored. But I did before, when I was employed and working as Business Consultant.
I feel that being an entrepreneur has given a new drive to my life, there’s so much I want to explore, so many people around the world to connect with.
Everytime I’m close to the end of my to-do list, a new project starts or a client get’s in touch with me. No chance for being bored 🙂
Best,
Jan