Boredom and Workplace Performance: A Contemporary Overview
A team of American researchers, including scholars from the University of Notre Dame, explored how boredom shapes work performance across diverse careers. The findings were published in the Journal of Applied Psychology (JAP).
Earlier studies consistently show that workers spend a sizable portion of their time feeling bored. The effect cuts across fields—from space missions to emergency services and public safety—where sustained focus is essential. The new analysis adds nuance by tracking how boredom interacts with attention and output in real time and across different job contexts.
The researchers examined whether trying to push away or ignore boredom actually slows people down. In three separate investigations, they looked at how boredom influences task performance, concentration, and productivity, and they tested these ideas with varied methodologies to capture a broader snapshot of the workforce.
The first study drew on data from dual-career households across several industries. Participants completed multiple brief surveys at different times of the day, enabling the team to map how boredom, attentional control, and work results evolve over time. The approach highlighted daily fluctuations and the ways in which people adapt to persistent tedium.
Subsequent studies broadened the scope and emphasized how meaningful, engaging work tasks can buffer the long-term impact of boredom. By matching task design with relevance to everyday goals, the researchers showed measurable improvements in sustained effort and overall performance.
Practical guidance from the investigators points to reorganizing daily tasks as a practical remedy. While certain tasks may inevitably be dull, teams can structure days to weave in more engaging and purpose-driven activities. This strategy helps employees conserve energy and maintain attention through transitions between tasks.
Across the board, the studies suggest that incorporating game-like elements and intrinsic motivation into monotonous work can lift productivity and focus. When people feel a sense of challenge, progress, and control, their capacity to stay effective—even during dull periods—improves, contributing to better outcomes for both individuals and teams. (Attribution: Journal of Applied Psychology)