Tag Archives: curiosity

Comparison to others can have a positive impact on your life

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“Comparison to others can have a positive impact on your life. Apply it with curiosity and embrace the opportunity to inspire growth.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by NorWood Themes

Most of us have experienced the dark side of making comparisons to others. Social media, in particular, has raised it to exponential levels.

What are some examples you’ve seen or experienced directly?

What negative and lingering consequences are easily observable in the people around you?

Alternatively, where and when has making comparisons propelled you toward greater mastery and achievement?

Who are the mentors, coaches, and role models that encourage and motivate you to be your best?

How do their examples help you tap into your own reservoirs of courage, tenacity, and persistence to realize far more of your potential?

EXERCISE:

Where and how could a more positive curiosity toward comparison with others inspire greater growth and achievement in your personal and professional life?

Don’t lose your temper, use it

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“Don’t lose your temper, use it.”

—Dolly Parton, American musician, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman

Image from Unsplash by Icons8 Team

Although anger is an emotion most of us prefer not to experience, it does have immense power if harnessed toward good rather than its dark side.

When force faces off with opposing force things usually go poorly. Standing for things we value and believe in is far more powerful that being against issues and people with whom we differ.

When we stand for our beliefs, we exude an energy that can attract and enroll others to consider alternative perspectives and find common ground.

EXERCISE:

Where and how can you use your temper instead of losing it?

When you are furious, get curious!

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 related posts you may have missed.

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

“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.”