Boredom and Effort
How many times have we heard children or teenagers exclaiming “I’m Bored!” It's a common complaint that all parents hear. We think of boredom as a lack of interest, excitement, and enthusiasm.
Since our recent move to Portugal, our kids have been experiencing plenty of boring moments. They have had to go to all kinds of stores, spent hours cleaning, waiting, enduring… We don’t have childcare and have a lot to do. They must join us in the numerous chores we need to accomplish and take on some responsibilities. This is our current reality. I've noticed something intriguing: certain chores that may seem super boring are actually super fun. So what is going on here?
But what if we reconsidered boredom as a consequence of our own lack of effort? What if, with a shift in mindset and an infusion of energy, we could transform nearly anything into an interesting and engaging experience? What if our investment of effort and enthusiasm can turn the mundane into something captivating, opening us to purpose, joy, and desire. Whether it's finding purpose, cultivating joy, or igniting desire, our active participation and investment play a crucial role in shaping our experiences.
When we assign value to something, we elevate its significance and potential. It's not about the inherent qualities of the thing or situation but our energetic output that defines our level of interest. Any experience can be infused with meaning and fascination when we invest ourselves fully. Experiences are not solely determined by external factors. It is our energetic output, our internal valuation of the thing/experience, and our investment of effort and intention that can transform a seemingly unremarkable encounter into a source of purpose, joy, and desire.
By taking ownership of our experiences and approaching them with a proactive mindset, we unlock the potential for growth, discovery, and personal fulfillment. It is also how we code the experience: deserving attention or not? Valuable or not? Meaningful or not? That defines the energy we put out and then what we gain from the experience.
Engagement requires a certain amount of energetic output. It's not enough to passively observe or simply go through the motions. To feel true purpose, joy, and desire, we must actively participate and invest ourselves in the experience. By engaging our energy, we create a connection that allows us to fully appreciate and extract value from whatever situation.
In a world where instant gratification is sought, we must remember that the most fulfilling experiences require effort. Purpose, joy, and desire are not delivered but are discovered through our dedicated pursuit.
To transform boredom into fascination, we must embrace the idea that we have the power to shape our experiences. Rather than passively waiting for external stimuli to captivate us, we can actively seek out the opportunities for growth and enrichment. This may involve trying new things, delving deeper into our interests, or MOST OFTEN approaching familiar situations with renewed curiosity. By infusing our actions with intention and effort, we unlock the potential for incredible discoveries and profound personal growth.
Boredom, at its core, is a call for us to invest ourselves fully in the present moment. By shifting our mindset and recognizing the power of effort and enthusiasm, we can transform the most mundane aspects of life into fascinating journeys of exploration and self-discovery.
(By the way, this lesson can be applied to anything; as John Gottman says lack of sexual desire is often a result of our own lack of effort, rather than our partner's failings. Interesting, isn't it?)
Are you interested in working on your personal development? Are you looking for a life coach or a life consultant? Are you feeling stagnant? Do you want to jumpstart change?
My transformational approach is a process where awareness, alignment, and action work together as catalysts to create momentum for change.
*Awareness is knowing what you genuinely want and need.
*Alignment is the symmetry between our values and our actions. It means our inner and outer worlds match.
*Action is when you are conscious that what you say, do and think are in harmony with your values.
Together we build an understanding of what you want to accomplish, and delve deeply into building awareness around any thoughts and assumptions that you may already have. To truly transform your life, I will empower you to rethink what’s possible for you.
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Learn more about my approach to life consulting and relationship coaching here or get in touch for your free 30-minute consultation here! Don’t forget to follow along @LilyManne on social for more regular updates!
