Genuine curiosity
One of the most reliable and overlooked keys to happiness is cultivating and exercising our innate sense of curiosity. Curiosity is a state of active interest. It creates an openness to unfamiliar experiences. Curiosity is something that can be nurtured and developed. With practice, we can harness the power of curiosity to transform everyday tasks into interesting and enjoyable experiences.
It all starts with wanting to know more.
If we are going to find a meaningful purpose or calling in life, we will probably find it in something that unleashes our natural curiosity and fascination. Curiosity is the entry point to many of life’s greatest sources of meaning and satisfaction: our interests, hobbies and passions. The more curiosity you have for something, the more likely you are to notice and learn about it, and thus the more compelling and meaningful it will become for you over time. The greater the variety and depth of our curiosity, the more opportunities we have to experience things that inspire us.
Why Is Curiosity Important?
1. It makes your mind active instead of passive.
Curious people always ask questions and search for answers in their minds. Their minds are always active. Since the mind is like a muscle which becomes stronger through continual exercise, the mental exercise caused by curiosity makes your mind stronger and stronger.
2. It makes your mind observant of new ideas.
When you are curious about something, your mind expects and anticipates new ideas related to it. When the ideas come they will soon be recognised. Without curiosity, the ideas may pass right in front of you and yet you miss them because your mind is not prepared to recognise them. Just think, how many great ideas may have lost due to lack of curiosity?
3. It brings excitement into your life.
The life of curious people is far from boring. It’s neither dull nor routine. There are always new things that attract their attention. Instead of being bored, curious people have an adventurous life.
But knowing the importance of curiosity is all well and good. Now you should learn how to be more curious.
How to Develop Curiosity
Practice beginner’s mind.
Spend a day actively looking at your life through the eyes of someone who has never seen it before. For instance, go for a walk or hike near your home that you never do. You will be surprised just how much you learn from an experience as such.
Explore your passions.
Be curious about yourself. What are your values and motivations? What makes you tick? Are there hobbies or activities you took part in when you were younger that you loved? What are they? Do one of them.
Make new friends.
Meeting new people can help us discover previously unrecognised aspects of ourselves and our loved ones. In his book Curious? Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfilling Life (2009), Todd Kashdan, recounts an experience he had watching his wife interact with new friends. She told them stories he had never heard and, as a result, he was able to see a part of her he hadn’t seen before.
Try something ugh.
Have you always disliked vegetables? Try them again — this time with no expectations. You don’t have to go in expecting to like vegetables at the end. Your goal should simply be to discover three interesting, new-to-you things about eating them. (“When it is roasted, it is sweeter than when it’s raw.”) Repeat this experiment with any item on your “that’s not for me” list.
Catalyze new thoughts.
Invigorate your brain by going in search of new ideas and perspectives. Watch a documentary or listen to a podcast. Pick up a magazine on a topic you don’t regularly read about. Choose a book from a genre you don’t normally read. Read a biography of someone you’re not terribly familiar with.
Become a better listener.
The next time you converse with someone, make it your goal to learn as much about that person and his or her perspectives as you can. Instead of trading quips and reactions, give the person you are talking to space and time to really flesh out his or her ideas. Use that awkward silence and don’t try to fill it. Prompt him or her to talk more with brief follow-up questions like “And then what happened?” or “Why did you think that?” Consider every conversation an opportunity to discover something truly interesting and thought-provoking.
Play 20 questions.
More often than not, we can meet up with our friend and talk about others or other things and connect on that superficial level, especially when there isn’t really too much going on in our lives or we are just tired. Playing a game like 20 questions can deepen your relationship because not only are you learning more about each other, you are also releasing the endorphins from someone being curious about you and you being more curious about them. It’s a good vibe!
A Daily Dose of Discovery
Here are some easy ways to begin expanding your own curiosity capacity:
When waking: Look with “fresh eyes.” Choose to see some things in your home, friend or family that you may have overlooked before.
When talking: Strive to remain open to whatever transpires — without assuming, categorizing, judging or reacting. Ask more questions and listen with care.
When driving: Instead of zoning out on a daily commute, make a point of actively anticipating what the drivers around you are likely to do next. Stay aware of what’s ahead and on the horizon.
When working: Look for opportunities to challenge and apply yourself in ways that spark your interest and produce great results. Ask questions like: What’s interesting here? How can I make this more fun?
When exercising: Instead of going through the motions, put your attention on the intricacies and sensations of your own movement and on whatever sights, sounds and smells are within range.