Why boredom might be the fastest way to your next breakthrough idea
Stop trying so hard. Learn how to use stillness to spark creativity.
The train from Manchester to London was running behind.
A woman sat by the window, her head resting against the glass, watching the trees and hills blur past.
No pen. No notebook. No distractions. Just silence.
She wasn’t just bored. She was stuck.
At the time, her life felt like one long string of disappointments. Her marriage had just fallen apart and she was barely scraping by as a single mother. On top of that, she was carrying the weight of a dream that felt further away each day.
Writing was supposed to be her way out, but with every rejection, the voice in her head grew louder:
You’ll NEVER be good at this!
But here’s where she did something different in her boredom. Instead of pulling out a book or losing herself in distractions as the hours went by, she leaned into it.
She let her mind wander. And that’s when it happened.
Out of nowhere, the image of a boy with messy black hair and round glasses appeared in her mind. Alongside him came a world - a school, a story of good and evil, and a battle. That train ride gave her the foundation of an idea that would go on to change her life forever.
But here’s the thing: if she’d been like most of us - obsessively checking emails, scrolling social media, or trying to fill every second with busyness - she might’ve missed it.
Did you know that 72% of people feel uncomfortable when they’re bored?
But boredom, according to psychologists, is a catalyst for creativity. It forces your brain to wander, connect dots, and generate ideas you’d never uncover in your day-to-day grind.
That woman on the train? J.K. Rowling.
You now know her as the creator of Harry Potter - a billion-dollar franchise that started with a single idea on that delayed train ride. Unlike the story she would go on to create, her breakthrough wasn’t magic. It was the result of giving her mind space to wander.
As a 9-5er trying to build your business on the side, your time is limited. You’re juggling work, family, and your side hustle. You feel like you can’t afford to slow down.
But that constant hustle? It’s the enemy of creativity.
Boredom isn’t wasted time. It’s the white space where your next big idea is waiting.
And if J.K. Rowling could turn one quiet moment into a global phenomenon, imagine what you could do if you allowed yourself to stop, breathe, and just think for a change.
Here’s how to make boredom your secret weapon for creative breakthroughs with my B.O.R.E. Framework:
B – Break Away From Distractions: Silence your phone, shut down your email, and give yourself permission to just be for a set period of time.
O – Observe Your Thoughts: Notice where your mind naturally drifts. What keeps popping up? What excites you? Write it down, without filtering.
R – Reflect and Expand: As you’re writing down your ideas, let them grow as wildly as your imagination takes you. Don’t shut it down with “what-ifs.”
E – Execute When Ready: Pick one of the ideas and take the first small step towards bringing it to life.
Why This Works
As someone juggling so many things you feel HAVE to get done, your brain is always on. You’re working, planning, and squeezing productivity out of every second. But that busyness comes at a cost - it leaves no room for creativity.
Think about it: when do your best ideas usually hit?
Usually when you’re in the shower, on a walk, or stuck in traffic - moments when your brain finally has some space to wander.
Boredom lets you pause the noise, step back, and see the big picture.
J.K. Rowling didn’t sit down with a project management app to build her billion-dollar idea. She sat silently on a delayed train and let her mind do its thing.
Your next breakthrough doesn't need extra hours or effort - it just needs space.
Here’s What You’ll Get Out of It
• A simple habit to turn your downtime into creativity time.
• A proven method to generate breakthrough ideas - no extra hours required.
• Permission to slow down without losing momentum with your side hustle.
“Boredom is the birthplace of brilliant ideas.”
Your Turn
The next time you feel bored - whether you’re commuting, waiting in line, or zoning out after a long day - don’t fight it. Don’t fill it with a scroll or a distraction.
Do this instead:
→ Let your mind wander. What’s been sitting in the back of your thoughts? What challenge are you stuck on?
→ Grab the first idea that sparks your curiosity. Don’t dismiss it. Write it down.
→ Take one small step toward making it real.
Remember, J.K. Rowling didn’t have her whole story mapped out on that train ride - just a boy in glasses. She followed where the idea led, and it completely changed her life.
Your next big idea is already in your head. Give it space to breathe.