A Journey of Regaining Childlike Inquisitiveness

 

    As a father of a 12-year-old daughter, I am often marveled at her inquisitiveness and natural curiosity towards the world around her. From the questions she asks to the explorations she embarks on, it’s amazing to witness her thirst for knowledge. It reminds me of the time when I was her age and had a similar curiosity towards everything. However, over the years, I have noticed that I, like many others, have lost that innate trait. It’s made me wonder why being curious is so important, why we tend to lose it as we age, and most importantly, how we can regain it to benefit in life and work.

    Being curious helps us learn and grow. Curiosity is what sparks creativity and innovation. It’s what makes us ask questions, seek answers, and explore different possibilities. When we’re curious, we’re more likely to take risks, try new things and learn from them. It's crucial in both our personal and professional lives, as it helps us develop new skills, think outside the box and adapt to change. In addition, curiosity not only helps us empathize and comprehend others better, but also enhances our self-esteem and endurance by leading us on a continual path of discovery. Curiosity is not just a nice-to-have trait; it is an essential ingredient for success in life and work.

    As we grow older, curiosity can wane for a number of reasons. From personal experience, I've found that placing more emphasis on responsibilities and goals rather than exploring new interests has been a big contributor. Additionally, as familial responsibilities increase, I've become more cautious about taking risks for fear of losing my job. Can you relate? Maybe you've faced similar inner-challenges or due to external sources such as social, peer pressures or simply being busy with life. Regardless, it's important to recognize and actively combat anything that stifles our natural sense of curiosity.

    Regaining our curiosity is vital to our growth and development and the good news is that we can regain our curiosity with some effort and intention. This means being open-minded, asking questions, and exploring new ideas and perspectives. It also means being willing to make mistakes and take risks which is not a comfortable thing to do. Looking to reignite your curiosity? Here are some areas I've been focusing on that could help you do the same.

• Start with the basics: Ask questions. If you’re curious about something, ask questions and find answers. This will help you gain new knowledge and expand your horizons.

• Cultivate an open mind: Be open to new ideas and perspectives. Don’t be afraid to challenge your own beliefs and assumptions.

• Step outside your comfort zone: Try new things, take risks and push yourself out of your comfort zone. This will help you gain new experiences and perspectives.

• Rediscover your interests: Take time to explore your interests and hobbies. Whether it’s reading, writing, volunteering or anything else, indulging in your passions will help reignite your curiosity.

• Focus on the present moment: Practice mindfulness and pay attention to the present moment. Let go of worries and distractions and be fully present.

    By regaining our curiosity we will reap many benefits in our life and work. It can help us stay relevant in a fast-changing world, boost our creativity and innovation, improve our problem-solving skills and increase our overall happiness.

    Curiosity is a valuable trait that we all possess, but it tends to decline as we age. As parents or individuals, we encourage curiosity in children through various activities...it is time that we do the same for ourselves. Though it’s easy to lose it as we get older, we must make a conscious effort to regain that childlike inquisitiveness. It’s never too late to cultivate a sense of wonder and exploration. So, let’s embrace our curiosity, ask questions, take risks, and continue to learn and grow throughout our lives. Are you in?