Productivity Pockets:

Boredom is DEAD

By Naveed Siraj, Intel

Are we too productive to be creative?

Our global thirst for growth and increased productivity means we have become dependent on connected mobile devices. We live 24/7 lives, we are always ‘on’, always connected and always entertained. Smartphones have killed boredom.

This may well sound like a good thing, with productivity levels surging. But, what is the cost of this productivity boost?

There are no longer pockets of time devoted to unwinding, unplugging or heaven forbid being bored.

Employers are able to reach employees at any given time and the boundaries of the office now extend beyond the walls of the office block and into people homes, cars and hobby time.

“It’s become impossible to do nothing,” said Intel Fellow, Genevieve Bell.

Even looking at the projected global GDP growth targets makes the mind boggle.

According to a recent McKinsey report, simply keeping pace with the projected global GDP growth will require an estimated $57 trillion in infrastructure investment between now and 2030. Nearly 60 percent more than the $36 trillion spent over the past 18 years.

In today’s highly productive mindset being bored is negative, it’s considered to be a waste of precious, useful time.

People no longer stand idle waiting for the train, they connect with others on social networking sites, check work email or play candy crush. Boredom has been extinguished – we have successfully scraped together all the spare five minutes of our day and filled them with activity.

But is boredom all that bad? Or has it just been given a bad reputation?

Intel Fellow and director of the Interaction and Experience Research Group within the Intel Labs, Genevieve Bell has researched the topic of boredom. According to Bell, “being bored is a moment of extreme productivity where your brain can reset itself” and allow for new and innovative ideas to flow.

Perhaps it’s time for a smartphone intervention?

So, how do you balance productivity with time for creative thinking? Simple: It’s time to turn off your smartphone. Stop playing candy crush, stop following your friends on Facebook* and be happy to sit with our own thoughts. What if we changed the way we use our smartphones and looked to them as a convenient way to tap into our imagination rather than seeing the device as a simple boredom cure?

Smartphones, tablets and other ultra-portable devices are the perfect devices for people to reach for and record their creative ideas. These devices can also be used to make yourself more productive during traditional work time, potentially unlocking time for boredom later in the day.

It’s time to revive boredom.

Unplug.

Put down that smartphone.

Make time for downtime.

Unleash your creativity.

Take your business or hobby to the next level.

The writer is the Country Manager for Intel Pakistan.