How to enjoy boring tasks
Of course, if what you’re doing has no impact, stop doing it. (Dutch Nationaal Archief)
When I was twenty-one, my uncle shared with me the works of Eknath Easwaran, a spiritual teacher from India.
I was particularly intrigued by the concept of one-pointed attention: the idea of doing one thing at a time as a spiritual practice. I couldn’t always follow through on it — a long drive with nothing to listen to is a long drive indeed — but there have been times in my life where I have discovered the magic of treating virtually any task as an opportunity for meditation, or at least, reflection.
It turns out that the key to washing dishes, folding laundry, painting a wall, or writing an email and actually enjoying it is to become fully absorbed in the work. You must put in enough effort and attention to do it well, sticking with the the task until it’s done and accepting no shortcuts.
When you have this level of engagement, you will make refinements to your process until you have mastered it, making your subsequent efforts easier and more satisfying. You’ll realize that you need better tools (a scouring pad instead of simply a sponge, a rag instead of a paper towel) and learn to use them properly in order to get better results.
There’s a moment in which you can choose to do the work half-heartedly or to pour your whole heart into it. Ironically, it’s the half-hearted efforts that are emotionally and mentally draining. To get really into in the work, even work that’s supposed to be boring, is energizing.
At times, I’ve sought to avoid preparing meals. Such an important aspect of life became like an atrophied limb, disused in favor of the convenience and variety of restaurants and take-out. To bring things back into balance, I had to treat cooking as a hobby. I planned the week of meals in advance, painstakingly seeking out intriguing recipes. Going to the grocery store became a ritual. And cooking the meal itself was a project. Instead of seeking to throw something together as quickly as possible, I took my time, followed a recipe to learn new skills, and did more than the minimum. As a result, creating meals became something that I looked forward to instead of dreaded. I had been bored because I wasn’t giving enough to the work. When that changed, so did my perception of cooking.
When I’m hasty, I am miserable. I’m in such a hurry that I know I’m not doing a good job, which makes the whole experience intolerable. Ironically, slowing down and doing things right improves the experience. It takes longer, but it’s worth it to lose the sensation of being stabbed by thousands of tiny knives. Instead, I can find a rhythm and feel good about myself and my results.
It seems backward that we can overcome boredom by becoming more engaged, but I’ve seen this to be true with everyone from math students to employees to fellow entrepreneurs. When we have respect for even the most ordinary chores and give them the attention they deserve, we can find a bit of satisfaction in them.
Whatever you’re trying to do, whether it’s solving for x or mopping a floor, there’s someone who has made a career out of the work. At the very least, they have perfected their procedure for maximum efficiency and effectiveness; at best, they do the job with passion and gusto. You can choose this, too. You can step away from apathy and reluctance, which drain your energy and enthusiasm, and toward curiosity and openness, which will generate energy and enthusiasm.
Turn off your phone and listen to the sounds of work you are doing. Be present and alive to an experience that you had just wanted to get over with. When you stop trying not to be bored, you might find that you’re not bored anymore.
