Be Curious.
Curiosity involves consciously viewing things as an interested researcher, a novice, or an alien, making everything appear new and exciting.
Being curious means understanding that you don’t have all the answers. Therefore, you are ready to ask clarifying questions, observe carefully, and become an active listener. You pursue new information, ideas, and knowledge. You explore diverse perspectives, contest untested assumptions, investigate new possibilities, and search for creative solutions to challenges. Most importantly, you reflect on yourself and adapt to new circumstances.
Here are some techniques to help you cultivate your curiosity and develop a deeper understanding of yourself:
Make it a habit to regularly ask yourself ‘why, what, how, who, when, where, and what if’ questions about the things you encounter each day, and try to ask the following questions:
- Why did this happen?
- Why does this work as it does?
- Why did I do this?
- Why do I feel this way?
- What did I learn from this?
- What purpose does this negative feeling serve?
- What is the alternative?
- What if I tried a different approach?
- What if I could solve this problem differently?
- How does this work?
- How can I improve this?
- How do experts approach this problem?
- Who is in charge?
- Who is responsible for this?
- Who can help me with it?
- Where do I want to go?
- Where do I need to be?
- Where can I find an answer?
- What if I did it a different way?
- What if I am missing the point?
- What if I seek help?
- What if I am wrong?
Embrace diverse ideas, experiences, people, and environments. You can achieve this by traveling, taking a different route to work, meeting people from different backgrounds, reading books and articles on various topics, practicing hobbies, taking courses, or actively participating in practical learning experiences. It’s essential to step out of your comfort zone.
Remember to question and challenge your own assumptions and beliefs. Engaging in self-reflection can enhance your understanding of your thought patterns.
Now, a quick question for you.
Try this exercise.
Each step has an exercise that you can complete on your own time. This exercise will introduce you to the process of thinking through a challenge, opportunity, or curiosity you are facing and may feel stuck with. It will pose questions about yourself and prompt you to think about possible actions. These will be a starting point in your journey, each step to help guide you as you navigate resources, meet with career coaches, and design your life!
