3 Strategies to Transform Boredom into Success

“The great threat to success is not failure, it’s boredom.”

                                                                                                         - James Clear

Throughout my over five decades as a martial arts instructor, I have had the honor of teach literally thousands of students.  During this time, approximately 1,800 students have earned their Black Belts. 

Of those students, I can think of only two students who when I first saw them, I knew they had everything it took to become a Black Belt and eventually did – only two. 

Many others had naturally physical, mental and emotional capabilities such as balance, strength, power, flexibility, focus and tenacity.  However, what I found is that for those whom martial arts came easily, they oftentimes quit because they felt it was too easy and that the routine became monotonous. 

In essence, boredom, not challenge or lack of skill, became their obstacle to success.

In his book, Mastery; The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment, author George Leonard speaks about a concept he calls the Mastery Curve.  About it, he states,

“There’s really no way around it.  Learning any new skill involves relatively brief spurts of progress, each of which is followed by a slight decline to a plateau somewhat higher in most cases than that which proceeded it………………………and this is the exorable part of the journey – you have to be willing to spend most of your time on the plateau, to keep practicing even when you seem to be getting nowhere.”

So how are you doing in the plateau?  Do you find yourself getting bored when embarking upon new activities and skill development, only to then focus on the next thing that comes your way?

Do you ever get frustrated with yourself for not following things through to completion?

Have you ever thought to yourself……..

“Man, I really wish I would have not quit (fill in the blank), I could be an expert by now”? (This was a common refrain I heard many times by parents when they were enrolling their children in my martial arts program and bemoaning the fact that THEY had stopped training in martial arts before attaining THEIR Black Belts).

While boredom and plateaus are sure to arise, here are three strategies I believe are useful in dealing with the plateaus that can keep you on the road to mastery.

• Fall in love with the process, not the end-result - There is so much emphasis in our society attaining the result.  Trust me, there is nothing wrong with great results, but as is often shared, it is about the journey, not the destination.  In your practice, be present with how your mind and body feel.  When you do this, your practice becomes a sort of moving meditation and joy can be found in the simple things.  You begin to notice small up-levels, changes and victories. This becomes the fuel for prolonged practice of any activity or skill.

• Know your Why – Knowing “why” something is important to you is oftentimes much more important than knowing the “how to’s”. When you are resolute in your why, obstacles and distractions minimize.  You are willing to lean into the boredom and keep going because you are doing something with a profound purpose in mind. 

         For example, if you want to release weight and you know doing so will allow you to be around longer to enjoy your kids/grandkids as you age, you may be much less inclined to become bored with eating healthy and getting regular exercise. 

• Have a Plan for When the Boredom Hits – It is inevitable that boredom will hit during even the things we are most dedicated to achieving or experiencing. Plateaus will present themselves and you will wonder if you will ever see any progress. 

         Here, I have found the best thing to do is to “pre-commit” to your activity or practice. 

         For example, if you are committed to walking each night after work, rather than decide to do so after you come home and relax in front of the TV, commit to putting on your exercise clothes and walking shoes as soon as you come home (no negotiations) and step outside.  Just act of getting moving in the direction you desire will build the momentum you need to get in the steps you committed to yourself to complete.

So, there you have it my friends.  Boredom and plateaus are sure to happen to the best of us.  The question is, how will you handle them when they occur?  Will you lean in and once again immerse yourself in the process or will you look for something else to entertain and distract you?

There is genius inside of your ready to express.  Can you embrace the plateau just one more time to experience your own personal mastery?

Chris Natzke

Black Belt Leadership Speaking & Coaching

PS:  Are you looking to over come boredom and experience breakthoughs in your personal or professional life, check out my Breaking Through Online Course.