Some concepts:

• Misunderstanding of boredom: Not absence of activity, but lack of novel stimuli.
• Flow state misconception: Deep work doesn’t always lead to flow states.
• Boredom training: Learning to tolerate boredom is key to deep work.
• Exercises to embrace boredom: Strategies like scheduling internet use and productive meditation.

How can you train boredom:

• Scheduling Internet Use:
  • Limit internet access to specific time slots.
  • Encourages concentration and focus by reducing distractions.
  • Helps develop discipline in using technology productively.
• Practicing Productive Meditation:
  • Focusing on a single, well-defined professional problem while engaged in a physical activity (like walking).
  • Aims to deepen focus and problem-solving skills.
  • Trains the mind to stay on a single task without succumbing to distractions.
• Waiting Without Entertainment:
  • Intentionally avoiding the use of phones or other distractions during moments of idle time.
  • Cultivates comfort with being alone with one’s thoughts.
  • Helps build tolerance to boredom, enhancing the ability to focus.
• Working Analog:
  • Performing tasks using non-digital methods (like writing on paper).
  • Reduces the temptation of digital distractions.
  • Encourages deeper, more focused thought processes.

On boredom and Deliberate Practice:

The skill-building aspect of deliberate practice, which is a flavor of deep work, can be boring and tedious. Training to tolerate boredom and mute its impact is crucial to mastering this kind of deep work. If you don’t develop tolerance for boredom, you may struggle with the deep work required in the course and beyond. Tolerating boredom in this context is likened to an athlete tolerating muscle soreness