Focus
Embrace Boredom Quiz
Newport's second deep work rule: embrace boredom. If you reach for stimulation every idle moment, your brain won't tolerate the lack of novelty deep work requires. Four questions — see your boredom reflex and how to retrain it.
Results
Answer the questions to get your embrace-boredom plan.
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Frequently asked questions
- Why embrace boredom for deep work?
- Deep work often feels boring before flow arrives. If you're trained to flee boredom via phone or tabs, you'll never sustain the concentration Newport describes.
- How long should boredom practice take?
- Start with 10 daily minutes without stimulation. Build to 20–30 over two weeks. Separate from deep work at first, then apply during sessions.
- Is boredom the same as meditation?
- Related but simpler — Newport's point is tolerating unstimulated moments. Productive meditation is structured; boredom reps can be just waiting without your phone.