Imagine living in a world where every day is full of beautiful new curiosities and surprises.
When is the last time you felt like there were new things to discover all around you? How different would it feel to wake up excited by how amazingly magical your world is? Or if every moment felt like turning a corner and seeing a field full of butterflies? Or happening upon a full-fledged “Bohemian Rhapsody” flash mob on your way to do errands?
Well, I can’t guarantee all that, every morning. But I can tell you that when you begin to intentionally invite curiosityinto the moments of your day and your relationships, you’ll begin to experience more joy immediately.
Why is Curiosity So Important?
When we practice being more curious with each other and with the world around us, we can get closer to:
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Bridging divides between people and factions.
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Having more meaningful conversations that lead to unity around solutions.
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Developing more empathy toward the environment and toward other humans.
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Being less quick to become angry, resentful, or dismissive.
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Enjoying life more fully.
I’ve been working consciously for the past few years on developing my own curiosity.
It takes practice and self-awareness to not immediately jump to thinking I know the answer or the reason for something, and to break down the social pressure to always be the expert and defend my beliefs and ideas to others.
Since I began this conscious work, I’ve developed deeper relationships with people and I’ve noticed so many more nuances around me that I would have overlooked. I’ve found many, many moments of unexpected beauty and peace for myself.
My Go Tos
Here are some of the things that I now practice, especially when I’m feeling discouraged, disconnected, lethargic, or uninspired:
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Experimenting with using my hand weights in the pool to see if that would inspire me more. I know I love swimming and I know I always put off doing my weights. Now I enjoy both.
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Observing nature and drawing what I see captured as little notes. This is called Nature Journaling and it is meditative and feeds my curiosity so much.
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Putting bird feeders in my urban back yard and watching who shows up and how they all engage.
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Inviting professional acquaintances who I feel a connection with, and am interested in learning more about, to a coffee or lunch. I have created so many new, amazing connections and learned so much about how others see and approach the world.
A few simple practices can help you develop your curiosity.
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Ask “why” or “how” about one ordinary thing you encounter each day — like why certain plants grow where they do. Or experiment with new combinations of herbs in your cooking.
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If you, like me, are someone who always likes to be the driver when you go somewhere in the car, take a turn as the passenger and notice what interesting things you haven’t seen on the drive before.
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Follow a child you know around using the “five-year-old approach” of wonder! Notice the things that they notice. Most of them will be things you and I take for granted every day. Share in their absolute fascination and delight. Notice what you may not have seen before.
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Ask people “what’s the most interesting thing that happened to you today?” instead of just “how was your day?”
Becoming Curious at Work
Curiosity isn’t just a tool for our personal well-being. It is always a great way to stay engaged, inspired, and build meaningful connections at work while also hitting goals.
Ask yourself, “What assumption did I make today that I didn’t even realize I was making?” This helps you notice your mental autopilot and question the “obvious” ways you approach problems or interact with colleagues.
Ask a newer team member, “What is something you notice about this situation that I might be missing?” This cultivates a beginner’s mind and helps you see familiar challenges, processes, or team dynamics with fresh eyes.
Observe others working on something you find challenging and ask yourself, “What is one thing a colleague does differently than me, and what might I learn from their approach?” This shifts you from judgment to genuine curiosity about different working styles and problem-solving methods.
The Magic
The magic happens when you pause, put Grace in The Space, and take time to reflect on and consider these questions, and what you observe by asking them. Even two minutes reflection can help shift your entire perspective.
Yes, all of these take a little practice and a little courage.
Take baby steps. Don’t try and jump in all at once. Every time you challenge yourself even a little bit, your comfort zone becomes wider!
I do believe strongly that our disconnection from our own curiosity is damaging our ability to build trust, to bond, to connect, and to work together toward the best solutions to complex challenges. In fact, I know it.
Next Steps
Interested in learning more about curiosity and how it can help you, your community, or your team?
Here are some resources I offer:
I look forward to hearing if you give curiosity a try!
I think you will find that it brings new energy, confidence, fun, joy, and even some new connections to your life and work.