How being curious gives you an edge
Do you think of yourself as a curious type of person? If the answer is no or not really, you might be unwittingly limiting the course and outcomes of your life.
Curiosity is the first name on the team sheet when it comes to life design — the scientifically proven method of building a meaningful and fulfilling life. It’s a longing to know more and more. It triggers a sense of adventure, in turn inspiring you to see what is hidden beneath the surface of ordinary life.
Without curiosity, it’s impossible to grow. But with it, you are more likely to ask questions, solve problems, try new things, and discover all the possibilities and opportunities open to you.
Curiosity also gives you courage, allowing you to push through pain and disappointment, casting your fears aside and making way for hope and optimism.
So, if you want to step up your game a bit, modify by getting curious:
Come at something with a beginner’s mind — don’t assume you know the answers before you ask the questions.
Listen and observe — it’s all too easy in our fast-moving lives to skip this bit and make a quick assessment of a situation or person. Instead, take a moment to understand what is in front of you; be in the moment.
Try an alternative — open your mind to a new point of view or a different perspective, e.g. read or listen to something you wouldn’t normally.
Be willing to be wrong and unafraid to say, “I don’t know,” and excited to learn more.
Put in the time and effort to try and understand new experiences, even if you start tiny and build from there.
Overall, research shows that curiosity is associated with higher levels of positive emotions, lower anxiety levels, more satisfaction with life and greater psychological well-being. And when you think of the alternative — apathy, disinterest, and indifference; what’s stopping you from channelling your inner Curious George?