Boredom is not always bad. Of the five types of boredom, three have positive emotions and can be used to spark creativity. Learn about the five types of boredom, and why you need them to come up with new ideas. Contact me at http://www.enterprisegarage.io/

1. Types of Boredom
And How to Use Them for Creativity
Compiled by
Mario Herger, PhD
@mherger
www.marioherger.at
5

2. What is Boredom?
Boredom is an emotional state
experienced when an individual is left
without anything in particular to do,
and not interested in their surroundings.
It is the opposite of engagement.
There are five types of boredom:
Thomas Goetz et al. Types of boredom: An experience sampling approach, 2014
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11031-013-9385-y

3. Apathetic Boredom1

4. Apathetic Boredom1
Apathetic boredom is a very unpleasant
form of boredom accompanied by a lack of
motivation.
It seems to be similar to depression, and it
may have more negative consequences
than other types of boredom.

5. Reactant Boredom2

6. Reactant Boredom2
When an individual can't change the
circumstances
— get up and leave the classroom or
conference room —
the experienced boredom may be
accompanied by restlessness and aggression,
along with the desire to do something else.

7. Searching Boredom3

8. Searching Boredom3
People who experience searching boredom
are highly motivated to find a more
interesting activity.
This type of boredom can lead to innocuous
behavior, like texting a friend, or may
prompt violent or risky actions.
However, searching boredom can also result
in highly creative and positive actions, it is a
big chance—it leads to actions.

9. Calibrating Boredom4

10. Calibrating Boredom4
This is a form where an individual lets her
thoughts wander, is open to new ideas but
doesn't feel any motivation to actually get up
and do something.
It is like daydreaming, but not actively
searching for new actions.

11. Indifferent Boredom5

12. Indifferent Boredom5
This is a pleasant form of boredom,
which is experienced as relaxing.

13. Dimensions of BoredomEmotion
Arousalcalm fidgety
+
-
Apathetic
Indifferent
Reactant
SearchingCalibrating

14. Creativity
To be creative, you need space for a specific period of time,
as well as pondering time, confidence, and humor.
John Cleese
on
Creativity & Humor

15. Turning Boredom into Creativity
Reactant
Apathetic
Searching
Calibrating
Indifferent
Get professional help! NOW!
Continue relaxing!
Don’t worry how you look to others.
Pretending to be busy is not making
you creative or productive.
Take as much time as you need to
ponder, play, and try.
Types of Boredom Action

16. To buy, click on the cover!
I write about boredom
and many other forms
that lead to motivation
and engagement in my
book
Enterprise Gamification
Engaging people by
letting them have fun
http://amzn.com/1470000644

17. More of my books on Amazon!
To buy, click on the covers!

18. Mario Herger, PhD
http://www.marioherger.at/
mario.herger@gmail.com
@mherger
www.linkedin.com/in/marioherger/
Enterprise Gamification
http://enterprise-gamification.com/
Silicon Valley Inspiration Tours
http://www.siliconvalleyinspirationtours.com/
Innovation Center Europe SV
http://www.innovationcenter.eu/
Stay Bored!
Some stuff that I do: