Mindset Monday - The Power of Boredom
“boredom always precedes a period of great creativity” -Robert Pirsig
There is so much noise in the world. Ads, apps, 24 hour news networks, streaming services with a list of binge worthy TV that you cant find the bottom of. Many of us cant even remember the last time we were truly bored. Alone with our thoughts. Being present in the moment is becoming a feeling we now chase. It is no wonder stress and anxiety are on the rise, and creativity is in decline. That space we are filling with the scrolls, singing shows and reality TV are taking the space that would otherwise have been designated for thought and creativity. Those periods of boredom allow our mind to wonder and come up with new solutions to problems. It allows space for new ideas and perspectives. To think up new ways to improve our business. To reflect on an interaction with a partner or client, and think through how that interaction could have been made better, how you could have delivered more value.
Some of the greatest ideas are born from boredom. Isaac Newton was bored and sitting under an apple tree when he discovered gravity. Some time alone to think, and a bump on the head from an apple and BAM!….gravitational theory.
Make it a point this week to achieve boredom. Go for a walk/hike solo, no music, no audio book, just you and the trail. Make it long enough and far enough that you run out of the first thoughts that regularly take up your brain space. (The thoughts of your next email or your next meeting, we cant help it, that is where we will go first). Or go to your favorite place to sit and read, but leave the book at home, leave the phone in the car, and take a pad of paper instead. Take 15 minutes in the morning to sit in silence and just breath. More things isn’t more productivity. We aren’t meant to live in a constant state of stimulation. Mental health and progress require boredom.
Get bored, and then get after it this week!
Written by Chris Catania
Chris Catania entered the mortgage industry in 2005. As a seasoned Branch Manager and coach at Fairway, Chris has consistently been at the forefront of providing, creative problem solving, exceptional service and tailored financial solutions. His commitment to excellence and deep understanding of the mortgage landscape have made him a trusted advisor and a leading figure in the field.
Beyond his professional achievements, Chris is a Army veteran, devoted husband and father. He is an avid outdoorsman and hunter. Chris also brings his leadership experience and skills to the community as a coach, where he mentors individuals, teaching them the values of teamwork, discipline, accountability and perseverance. Chris Catania's blend of professional acumen, family dedication, and community involvement truly sets him apart as a respected professional and valued community member.
