We’re often encouraged to live life to the max. To make the most of every moment. To seize the day.

I’m not sure this is the best advice. Sometimes it’s good to be boring. Let me qualify this. There are two types of boring - good boring and bad boring.

‘Good boring’ is when you defer gratification. When you do stuff you don’t really want to do. When you make sober, sensible choices. Where the benefits are long-term, not short-term.

Getting up early. Not wasting money on frivolities. Exercising. Studying. Making wise food and drink choices. Sounds boring, I know. Not very Instagrammable. But important and valuable.

‘Bad boring’ is wasting your time on mindless activities, with no obvious benefit. Where you seek instant gratification.

Staying in bed. Endlessly scrolling on social media. Watching daytime TV. Boring and valueless. Addictive activities with no upside. Time that you can never get back.

There’s social pressure to do exciting stuff all the time. Resist the temptation. Successful people stick to boring routines. Athletes train regularly, even when they don’t feel like it. High performers practice deliberately and methodically. Instead, invest time into becoming the person you want to be.

Of course, find time to do the exciting stuff. Indulge in what gives you pleasure. But don’t make this your primary focus. This is the pay-off. Don’t worry about being boring. Become better at it. As long as it’s the good type.