Sublime

The next time you feel boredom arising, resist the temptation to take a hit of data or do something “productive.” Boredom might just be the most productive thing you can do.

Suppose I want to write an article. The first thing I might do is warm up with ten minutes of freewriting and fast exercises. Maybe two or three of them. For the most part, I steer clear of business ideas. I’m writing about a world event that has my attention, a dream I had, a story I remembered, a TV show I watched. I may play the opposites game (

This has happened enough times that I know the solution: do literally anything.

It doesn't matter what! Write half of an article. Categorize two expenses. Write down all your ideas for videos. Clean your office. Respond to a single email.

By doing anything, I find momentum. I find motivation! I ease the heavy feeling and find my stride. The mere act

artist-brain activities—painting, driving, walking, scrubbing, running. This week, take an hour to follow your inner compass by doing an artist-brain activity and listening to what insights bubble up.

Take out a piece of paper (or several) and just start writing down everything—and I mean everything—you enjoy doing in life. Don’t get bogged down by trying to keep it organized, or profound, or something that will ever be seen by anyone other than you.