The Secret Power of Boredom in Your Singing Practice

Last week, I shared one of my favorite tips from James Clear’s Atomic Habits—a simple yet powerful trick for building habits called the “two-minute rule.” Today, we’re diving deeper into the book, specifically Chapter 19, where something small but profound caught my attention.

It’s about boredom.

Yes, boredom—something we usually avoid at all costs. But what if I told you that boredom holds a key to mastering not just singing, but any skill?

Why Boredom Might Be the Missing Piece

Let’s be honest: no one likes feeling bored. It's uncomfortable, frustrating, and frankly, a little soul-sucking. But here’s the thing:

If you want to be great at something, you have to be stronger than your emotions.

In the book, Clear recounts a story about a conversation he had with an elite coach who had trained Olympians. When asked what sets the best athletes apart from everyone else, the coach listed the usual suspects—genetics, talent, luck. But then he said something unexpected:

“At some point, it comes down to who can handle the boredom of training every day, doing the same lifts over and over and over.”

That really hit home for me. As singers, we get fired up when we're preparing for a performance. The adrenaline kicks in, and we’re motivated to practice. But once that excitement fades—after the concert is over, or when progress stalls—practicing can start to feel heavy and uninspiring.

And that’s the true test.

The Real Secret? Show Up Anyway

Here’s what I’ve learned: showing up when it’s not fun is what separates committed singers from casual ones. Yes, there are ways to make your practice more engaging—you can set mini challenges, change your routine, or gamify your progress. But even with those tools, there will be days when it just feels boring.

And you still need to show up.

In singing, that could mean repeating vocal exercises, working on breath support, or practicing body awareness drills that don’t give you instant gratification. Often, you’ll be pushing through not just boredom, but frustration, too. Progress isn’t linear—it takes repetition, patience, and emotional resilience.

Emotions Drive Everything—So Learn to Work With Them

We often think we’re logical beings, but in reality, our emotions run the show. We chase what feels good and avoid what doesn’t. That’s why so many people fall into the trap of instant gratification—doing something pleasurable instead of something meaningful.

In the context of singing:

• We skip practice because it’s “not fun today.”

• We scroll instead of vocalizing.

• Then we feel frustrated about not improving.

This emotional loop holds us back unless we learn to interrupt it.

Two Powerful Questions to Ask Yourself

1. How do you show up even when you don’t feel like it?

2. How do you transform your emotional state so that you can show up?

This second one is especially interesting to me. Emotions are tied to unconscious thoughts—and when you become more aware of those thoughts, you can start to reshape how you feel. That’s a deep topic for another day, but just know: it is possible to change your emotional response to practice.

A Simple First Step: The Two-Minute Rule

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or bored, start here:

Commit to just two minutes.

Even when you're not in the mood, two minutes is manageable. It lowers the barrier to entry and often leads to more once you’ve begun. You don't need motivation—you just need to start.

Final Thoughts

Mastering singing—or any skill—requires consistency, patience, and emotional awareness. Boredom isn’t the enemy. In fact, it’s part of the process. Learn to embrace it, and you’ll unlock a new level of dedication and growth.

I hope this little insight inspires you to keep showing up for your craft—even on the dull days.