Curiosity – A Vital Ingredient in Life
When I was a young child I was hospitalized for a short period of time. One day during my hospital stay, my Mom and sister came to visit me bearing a gift. It was a Curious George stuffed animal. “Georgie” became my constant companion and trusted confidante. Little did I know, he would become the perfect symbol for how I lived my life.
To some degree, curiosity has been given a bad rap. You may have grown up being told that asking too many questions was rude or expressed ignorance. If you read any of his books, you know the trouble Curious George got into due to his curiosity. You might even have been warned that “Curiosity killed the cat!”
But I didn’t believe any of that. To me, curiosity is as natural as breathing and necessary to a fulfilling life. The truth is that curiosity is one of the most vital and life-affirming qualities you can bring to your work and your relationships.
Be Curious, Not Furious
It’s so easy to play the blame game when things go wrong. Instead of reacting with anger or frustration, consider being curious about the situation. For example, instead of beating yourself up or blaming someone else for not reaching a set goal—again—try asking yourself, what contributed to the outcome. What is going on for you (or them) that resulted in the subpar performance? With an attitude of, “How fascinating that I’ve created this! I wonder why,” you are much more likely to find new solutions to attaining your goals.
Curiosity in Life
Helen Keller said, “Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all!” When you cultivate an attitude of curiosity, doors open and adventures begin; questions lead to new possibilities. For example, asking yourself, “What do I want to learn now?” can set you on a journey of exciting exploration that moves you forward. If, instead, you come from the place of “I already know what I need to know,” you shut off the possibility of discovering something new that could rock your world.
Curiosity in Relationships
How often we assume we know what someone else is thinking or experiencing. What if we came from a place of not knowing and offered others an invitation to speak? According to Sharon Ellison, creator of Powerful Non-Defensive Communication, “A non-defensive question is innocently curious, reflecting the purity of the child who asks how a flower grows or what makes an airplane fly.” We invite others to share their true experience when we ask questions without hidden agendas and to clarify understanding.
Cultivating Curiosity
Here are some ways to cultivate a more curious life.
Questions. Practice asking questions with openness and neutrality. Practice with strangers in stores and with people close to you. Stop thinking you know all the answers…be open to being surprised!
Inquiries. An inquiry is an open-ended question designed to broaden your perspective. For example: “What would make life a daring adventure for me?” “Where in my life do I assume I already know everything I need to know?” “What is another way of interpreting this situation?”
Assumptions. These impact how we treat strangers as well as loved ones. Challenge your assumptions by asking, “What if that’s not true?” Be open to seeing the world in new ways and build your understanding of other people’s perspectives. Remember there are many ways to see everything.
If you truly want to expand your excitement, joy and fulfillment in life and relationship, sprinkle liberal doses of curiosity and watch your life become the fabulous adventure it can be!
I invite you to leave a comment with answers to the following questions: How do you use curiosity in your life? What are you curious about?
