Category Archives: curiosity

“The best ideas rarely arise in one isolated mind, but rather develop in networks of curious and creative thinkers.”

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“The best ideas rarely arise in one isolated mind, but rather develop in networks of curious and creative thinkers.”

—Esther Perel, Belgian psychotherapist

Image from Unsplash by rupixen.com

Over the past month or so, I’ve noticed the numerous announcements of this year’s crop of Nobel Prize winners. When you examine these exceptional individuals for their big ideas and contributions it is apparent that their work stood on the shoulders of many other curious and creative thinkers, who preceded or currently partner with them.

It’s clear that being a “Lone Ranger” never consistently produces the best ideas, and even if it did, life would be pretty lonely.

EXERCISE:

Where are you currently working alone and experiencing limited success and considerable frustration?  Who are some of the curious and creative thinkers in your communities that can help you come up with more prize-winning ideas?

“All learning is state dependent.”

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“All learning is state dependent.”

—Jim Kwik, Author of Limitless

Image from Unsplash by Matthew T. Rader

Over the past months, many of us have become increasingly aware of our biases, whether conscious or unconscious. We have learned, through countless examples in our personal and professional worlds, which doors to open, and which to keep closed.

How often do you close the door on others, or worse yet, never open them to peek at what’s inside? To what degree do you live in a state of judgement and protection of the status quo?

What past lessons have been ingrained and habitualized?

EXERCISE:

Where would a state of greater openness, curiosity, and acceptance of other ways of thinking and acting create new learning and opportunities for a fuller and better life?

Friday Review: Curiosity

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FRIDAY REVIEW: CURIOSITY

How curious are you about things beyond your immediate frame of reference? Here are a few curiosity-related posts you may have missed.

 

“Always keep your eyes open. Keep watching because whatever you see can inspire you.”

 

 

 

“A question is a magnet… it draws information to you.”

 

 

 

 

“Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.”

 

 

 

 

 

“Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.”

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“Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.”

—William Arthur Ward, 20th Century American Author

Image of a small candle burning

Image from Unsplash by Chirag K

There’s a lot of chemistry and physics behind the beauty and light of a candle flame.

Essentially, all waxes are hydrocarbons that, when heated, become vaporized when the flame melts the wax near the wick.

The wick’s key purpose is to draw up the liquid wax by capillary action, similar to a tree drawing up water and nutrients from its roots to its leaves.

EXERCISE:

What are some ways you can fan the flame of curiosity to take your personal and professional learning efforts to the next level?

A Question is a Magnet

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“A question is a magnet… it draws information to you.”

—Author Unknown

Image of a man hiding in a box

Image from blibli.com

Children love the game of Hide and Seek. They are always curious about their surroundings. If you have been around kids lately, you have most likely been the recipient of a barrage of questions. They are human sponges, hoping to absorb as much information as possible to seek the hidden mysteries of their worlds.

Powerful questions are among the most important tools used by coaches, leaders, managers, parents, and other supportive individuals. Open-ended questions – those which cannot be answered with simple “yes” or “no” – tend to be the most magnetic.

EXERCISE:

How can you exercise and discover more of your own youthful curiosity to seek and find more answers to life’s most urgent and important questions?

One of my favorite books on this subject is A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger.

Always Keep Your Eyes Open

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“Always keep your eyes open. Keep watching because whatever you see can inspire you.”

—Grace Coddington, Vogue Magazine Creative Director

Image of two eyes next to each other

Image from Unsplash by Soroush Karimi

Over a three day holiday, I binged-watched a Netflix series titled “Natural Curiosities,” with one of my favorite narrators, David Attenborough. I love his accent, his passion for nature, and of course, his enthusiastic curiosity for the vast diversity and miraculous aspects of the animal world.

This series took a far deeper look into many creatures I thought I knew reasonably well, given the science-buff status I’ve given myself over the years.

Looking at many creatures with new eyes and Attenborough’s expanded view and insight inspired, entertained, and educated me for hours.

EXERCISE:

Where can you discover far greater inspiration in your life by widening your perspective, and looking more deeply and carefully at the world around you?

Friday Review Curiosity

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Friday Review: Curiosity

What difference would it make if you approached more aspects of every day with greater curiosity? Here are a few curiosity-related posts you may have missed. Click the links to read the messages.

 

“Ignorance killed the cat; curiosity was framed!”

 

 

 

 

“You don’t get into something to test the waters. You go into things to make waves.”

 

 

 

“Act nothing in furious passion. It’s putting to sea in a storm.”

 

 

 

 

The Greatest Source of Happiness

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“Satisfaction of one’s curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life.”

—Linus Pauling, 20th Century American Chemist and Author

Image of a boy curiosity

Image from Flickr by Mohammad Abdullah

Rate yourself from one (low) to ten (high) as to your general level of curiosity.

Virtually everyone I ask to do this exercise places themselves in the six to ten range. A few even go beyond ten, to see what happens when they break the rules.

We humans are seekers, always looking around the corner or over the hill to discover what lies beyond our own knowledge and view of the world.

Consider our historic and current explorers.

Examine the risks we as a species have been willing to take to feed this craving, the boost of dopamine, and the feeling of happiness it provides.

EXERCISE:

Where and how can you boost your happiness index by becoming a more curious explorer?

Please reply to this post with the actions you plan to take.

 

Act Nothing in Furious Passion

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“Act nothing in furious passion. It’s putting to sea in a storm.”

—Thomas Fuller, 15th Century English historian

Image of a boat in rough waters

Image from SafeHavenMarine

Except for the Coast Guard and maybe a few king crab fishermen, no one in their right mind would intentionally go to sea in a storm.

Being “lost at sea” in a toxic relationship is something we all want to avoid.

Stormy relationships, personally and professionally, are often the result of disagreements that rarely work out well for either party. You can see this destructive force in action with a quick look at the great wars, and even our current political state of affairs.

EXERCISE:

Consider the thought, “When Furious, Get Curious” to work out any stormy disagreements to navigate toward calmer seas.

“You don’t get into something…”

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“You don’t get into something to test the waters. You go into things to make waves.”

—Author Unknown

Image from daystarus.org

Image from daystarus.org

When was the last time you went swimming? What approach did you take as you entered the water? Are you a toe-dipper?  A cannon-baller? Something in between?

Many people take a “safety first,” somewhat timid approach as they take on new experiences. This is often a wise move as they explore the risk/reward potential.

When, however, we feel fairly confident that the waters are not shark-infested, today’s quote encourages us to displace as much water as possible.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what professional or personal situations is it time for you to stop testing the waters and take the plunge?