What has three decades of being curious taught me

Curious about the world, So I can be the catalyst for change!

This might sound familiar to anyone that has read my LinkedIn bio.

I have written about curiosity before across a wide range of topics:

· Framing the right questions to impact innovation ⁉️

· How to create new perspectives as an expert 🧐

· Fostering a fail-fast mindset 🧠

As 2019 draws to an end, I look back and ask how I could be a little more curious in 2020.

Is inquisitiveness outpacing intelligence

As we enter the next decade, the future looks more like an off-road biker track than a straight forward path. 🛵

Curiosity has been fundamental to unlocking new possibilities and getting past the unknown.

By discovering and asking myself Why.., What If… and How Might We..?

Most of my life (since I was 9). I was diagnosed with dyslexia and all I could hear around me was no’s or you can’t do that. By thinking differently and being brave enough to try new things I was able to flourish in a traditional world that rejects anything different.

Finding ways to turn no’s to ‘why not’s’ has been critical throughout my life.

Now more than ever, the skill to remain curious can be as important as IQ and EQ according to Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Talent Scientist. By applying all three the world can become a better place!

Successful mistakes and chasing unicorns

One thing people would praise me on was my passion. And of course, that was a result of my curiosity. Trying my luck and learning along the way exposed me to new people, experiences and lessons.

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood” — Maire Curie, French-Polish Physicist

However, I wonder can too much curiosity be a bad thing?

What if too much exploration means you can’t focus on one thing. Almost the ADHD of innovation and creativity. You can only be seen as a shallow generalist with little to offer the real world.

It can be hard to find an environment that can tolerate risk-taking, when creating new ideas. And most of my job involves breaking the rules. Through asking thoughtful questions, exploring new ideas and opportunities, and being eager enough to learn on the way to support the creation of new value.

I have learnt how to fail upward and make successful mistakes! 🙌

Can curiosity get you in trouble

This year I turned 30. And although I have achieved more than most. An inner small voice is telling me “It might be time to slow down and focus on a few important things”.

On the other hand, a larger voice shouts “Just keep going kid you can do this forever”.

What a dichotomy! 🤔

I have seen how asking too many questions backfires.

Especially, when environments have a specific way of doing things. Or even worst, asks for change but when it comes reverts to their old habits when change is on the horizon.

In some cases, the opposite can be true. Working in highly creative or fast pace organisations can lead to people trying too many new things at once. The lack of structure and focus may lead to more distraction rather than action!

Being the one person that stands out can mean you are the one that has a target on your back.

Overtime, I have become more tactical (I think!) 💡

The data agrees

I have never been a big fan of tests that define your personality traits. Something about the Myers Briggs test just rubs me the wrong way.

Should we really categories people into one box.

· We learn 🌱

· We change 🌈

· We develop 🦋

That’s what makes us human!

However, a friend recommended that I take Harvard’s Curiosity Profile. I was intrigued to see my results. I was labelled as an Intellectually Hungry, Flexible Thinker, who Seeks New Experiences & Relationships.

Although, some of the most interesting findings happened when reflecting on taking the test:

· Meaningful repetition is important as long as there is a long-term goal that can help me achieve a result. I am in love with the process as well as the outcome. Whether that involves spending hours, days, weeks, etc on a problem or opportunity. There is nothing better than seeing how far I can go?

· Trying to understand how things work. Whether it is business, technology, people, the planet or beyond work has turned me into a glutton for knowledge. This takes me on a journey of exploration. By taking new courses, reading books or talking to new people all in an attempt to strengthen my curiosity muscle.

· Being introverted someone that prefers being calm and having minimal stimulation. Curious is not the first thing you think about! But over the years having an internal dialogue and balancing how much time I spend listening vs talking can help me reflect and ask more thoughtful questions.

If you have made it this far. I want you to pause and think about your own curious journey and where it might take you in 2020 by sharing in the comment section.

1. Where are you on the curiosity scale?

2. How are you going to remain curious in 2020?

3. What would you do to increase your curiosity?