Category Archives: curiosity

“Can you stay curious a little bit longer?”

Posted on by

“Can you stay curious a little bit longer?”

—Michael Bungay Stainer, author of The Coaching Habit

Image from Amazon

Michael Bungay Stainer is one of the top coaches in the world. His best-selling book The Coaching Habit is among the most widely read books on the subject today with over 15,000 4- and 5-star reviews on Amazon.

When asked during a recent webinar with Chip Conely of the Modern Elder Academy for some of his very favorite questions he mentioned today’s quote.

As someone deeply committed to the growth and development of others, he points to personal inquiry and staying curious as key catalysts for realizing far more of our potential.

EXERCISE:

Consider tapping into your own inner coach by reading The Coaching Habit to see how this skill can be applied in your communities. Please also explore some of Michael’s other books including…

How to Work with (Almost) Anyone
How to Begin
The Advice Trap
Do More Great Work

“A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be curious, to fight tirelessly for something.”

Posted on by

“A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be curious, to fight tirelessly for something.”

—Paulo Coelho, Brazilian lyricist and novelist

Image from Unsplash by Jessica Rockowitz

Being a grandparent is the best! It offers us a second shot of youthful exuberance that many of us missed as parents — probably due to exhaustion.

Spending time with these little ones, often on the floor, only has one drawback — getting back up!

They say that the best coaching is a good example.

Who wouldn’t benefit from bigger helpings of happiness, curiosity, and the focused tenacity of pursuing our passions?

EXERCISE:

In what ways could you benefit from some kindergarten coaching from the little ones in your life?

Feel free to share any nuggets of wisdom you have received over the years.

“You don’t have to lose something to be searching.”

Posted on by

“You don’t have to lose something to be searching.”

—Stephen St. Amant, Author of the Savenwood Blog

Image from Unsplash by Marten Newhall

Keys, glasses, cell phone, or important documents are things we commonly misplace.

When you lose something of importance, what is it like to go searching?

Even if we are super organized, with nothing out of place, some things can still feel as if they are missing.

In such cases, the searching may require us to examine new dimensions of living, to discover puzzle pieces we never knew were there.

EXERCISE:

Where are you searching for things to complete the puzzling aspects of your life?

What pieces might you find with an attitude of openness, curiosity, and wonderment, when nothing is actually lost?

Comparison to others can have a positive impact on your life

Posted on by

“Comparison to others can have a positive impact on your life. Apply it with curiosity and embrace the opportunity to inspire growth.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by NorWood Themes

Most of us have experienced the dark side of making comparisons to others. Social media, in particular, has raised it to exponential levels.

What are some examples you’ve seen or experienced directly?

What negative and lingering consequences are easily observable in the people around you?

Alternatively, where and when has making comparisons propelled you toward greater mastery and achievement?

Who are the mentors, coaches, and role models that encourage and motivate you to be your best?

How do their examples help you tap into your own reservoirs of courage, tenacity, and persistence to realize far more of your potential?

EXERCISE:

Where and how could a more positive curiosity toward comparison with others inspire greater growth and achievement in your personal and professional life?

Friday Review: Curiosity

Posted on by

Friday Review: Curiosity

How curious are you about things beyond your immediate frame of reference? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“A question is a magnet… it draws information to you.”

 

 

 

“The best ideas rarely arise in one isolated mind, but rather develop in networks of curious and creative thinkers.”

 

 

 

 

“Satisfaction of one’s curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life.”

 

 

 

“The best ideas rarely arise in one isolated mind, but rather develop in networks of curious and creative thinkers.”

Posted on by

“The best ideas rarely arise in one isolated mind, but rather develop in networks of curious and creative thinkers.”

—Esther Perel, Belgian psychotherapist

Image from Unsplash by rupixen.com

Over the past month or so, I’ve noticed the numerous announcements of this year’s crop of Nobel Prize winners. When you examine these exceptional individuals for their big ideas and contributions it is apparent that their work stood on the shoulders of many other curious and creative thinkers, who preceded or currently partner with them.

It’s clear that being a “Lone Ranger” never consistently produces the best ideas, and even if it did, life would be pretty lonely.

EXERCISE:

Where are you currently working alone and experiencing limited success and considerable frustration?  Who are some of the curious and creative thinkers in your communities that can help you come up with more prize-winning ideas?

“All learning is state dependent.”

Posted on by

“All learning is state dependent.”

—Jim Kwik, Author of Limitless

Image from Unsplash by Matthew T. Rader

Over the past months, many of us have become increasingly aware of our biases, whether conscious or unconscious. We have learned, through countless examples in our personal and professional worlds, which doors to open, and which to keep closed.

How often do you close the door on others, or worse yet, never open them to peek at what’s inside? To what degree do you live in a state of judgement and protection of the status quo?

What past lessons have been ingrained and habitualized?

EXERCISE:

Where would a state of greater openness, curiosity, and acceptance of other ways of thinking and acting create new learning and opportunities for a fuller and better life?

Friday Review: Curiosity

Posted on by

FRIDAY REVIEW: CURIOSITY

How curious are you about things beyond your immediate frame of reference? Here are a few curiosity-related posts you may have missed.

 

“Always keep your eyes open. Keep watching because whatever you see can inspire you.”

 

 

 

“A question is a magnet… it draws information to you.”

 

 

 

 

“Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.”

 

 

 

 

 

“Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.”

Posted on by

“Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.”

—William Arthur Ward, 20th Century American Author

Image of a small candle burning

Image from Unsplash by Chirag K

There’s a lot of chemistry and physics behind the beauty and light of a candle flame.

Essentially, all waxes are hydrocarbons that, when heated, become vaporized when the flame melts the wax near the wick.

The wick’s key purpose is to draw up the liquid wax by capillary action, similar to a tree drawing up water and nutrients from its roots to its leaves.

EXERCISE:

What are some ways you can fan the flame of curiosity to take your personal and professional learning efforts to the next level?

A Question is a Magnet

Posted on by

“A question is a magnet… it draws information to you.”

—Author Unknown

Image of a man hiding in a box

Image from blibli.com

Children love the game of Hide and Seek. They are always curious about their surroundings. If you have been around kids lately, you have most likely been the recipient of a barrage of questions. They are human sponges, hoping to absorb as much information as possible to seek the hidden mysteries of their worlds.

Powerful questions are among the most important tools used by coaches, leaders, managers, parents, and other supportive individuals. Open-ended questions – those which cannot be answered with simple “yes” or “no” – tend to be the most magnetic.

EXERCISE:

How can you exercise and discover more of your own youthful curiosity to seek and find more answers to life’s most urgent and important questions?

One of my favorite books on this subject is A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger.