Curiosity: The Neglected Trait That Drives Success

Have you ever wondered why the sun rises in the east every day? Have you ever pondered over how life began? Have you introspected the possibility of computers and machines becoming faster? Have you ever speculated on what could be found in the black hole? And have you ever envisaged being able to time travel? 

I’m sure that Google can help you with these answers today (or an encyclopaedia in the past). However, the thought process of arriving at these questions and the underlying want to learn more leads to a behaviour or skill is called curiosity. 

What is curiosity? 

A simple definition of curiosity is the strong desire to consume information and expand existing knowledge. It allows the mind to be widened and exposes it to different cultures, opinions, lifestyles, and theories. 

A curious person asks a lot of questions and possesses an eagerness to learn more. They are analytical, observant, thoughtful, attentive, and mindful. The curious mind assimilates the evidence at hand and processes the logic behind each reasoning. 

There are a lot of positive and interesting behaviours that curious people exude. They seek surprises and do not fear problems. They listen without judgement and do not mind being proven wrong. Most importantly, curious minds do not have a problem owning up and stating that they do not know something. 

This behaviour is very common in newborns as they are naturally inquisitive about everything around them. However, as they grow older, and as the brain matures, the curiosity component differs from person to person. 

Why should you be curious? 

BBC refers to curiosity as a neglected trait that drives success. Their research claims that when a person is highly curious about a fact, there is a 30% more chance that they are likely to recall and remember it. 

The numbers do not end here. Harvard Business Review worked on a business case study around curiosity at the workplace and recognized 92% (out of the 3000 surveyed) as change-makers bringing in new ideas and innovation. 

The final outcome of these research works credited curiosity as a driving force for motivation, high performance, and ultimately, job satisfaction. 

Being curious will certainly help you stand apart from the crowd. It boosts your self-confidence as you know you can overcome even the toughest of dilemmas with your curious streak. Cultivating the curious habit trains your mind towards an active approach to most situations, and this mental exercise can subconsciously change your outlook on life.

How powerful is the curiosity skill? 

If you generally tend to accept things at face value without introspecting much deeper, it’s high time that you get acquainted with the benefits of curiosity and understand how powerful this inquisitive skill can be! The mantra is simple: If you seek, you shall reap. 

While curiosity will certainly help you solve problems, understand complicated situations, and help you accumulate a mass of knowledge, the underlying powers of curiosity are much more. 

When curiosity takes over your mind, practically nothing can bore you. Ultimately, this helps you broaden your perspectives, naturally empathize with others, be appreciative of another opinion or narrative and build networks with a variety of people across various demographics. The kind of positivity, self-motivation, and confidence that this skill can bring cannot be quantified. 

Curiosity can also be considered an essential survival skill. Without this basic want to learn and understand more, it is almost impossible to make a name for yourself in this fast-paced world. 

It goes on to enhance the quality of your life by supporting your mental health too. Research does show that the possible decline in curiosity while old age occurs makes your brain less active and mundane, and in due course, it results in neurological dysfunction. 

The younger generation, especially the student population, has a lot to imbibe and hence the curiosity spirit would support them the most. It will help make learning fun and interesting. Curiosity is one key skill that will help them surpass the generic and menial lifestyle and blossom with a fruitful career. 

Can curiosity be linked with learning? 

Absolutely! Learning is the art of absorbing new information and being able to grasp it. Without a curious muscle, any amount of information that gets thrown at you would not be mastered. Curiosity and learning go hand-in-hand. Being curious about a new topic will ensure complete understanding; otherwise, it is pretty much like running water under a bridge with nothing being retained for the future. 

Most importantly, curiosity instils a recall factor. It allows you to store the new data and helps you recall this aspect eons later. 

Sometimes you might not be aware that you were truly curious about something. However, you will realize it when you recall it clearly! Curiosity is sometimes subconscious, as well! 

Does curiosity lead to more creativity? 

Again, the answer would be an unambiguous yes! Creativity happens when the mind is open to concrete feedback, endless possibilities, and intriguing experimentation. None of these arise without being able to curiously ask questions and seek more information. 

Curiosity remains a catalyst for creativity as it powers your passions, connects the dots, and allows your mind to explore the unforeseen and the impossible. Creativity certainly stems from a curious outlook on everything.

Can you associate curiosity with innovation? 

Albert Einstein is famously known to have stated that he has no special talents apart from being passionately curious. And Einstein is known to have over 50 patents or inventions in his name. 

He possibly knew what he was talking about when he made this factual statement! You’ve heard it from the great man himself – of course, the curious mind will be creative enough to learn, unlearn and finally innovate something out of the ordinary!   

How can you inculcate a curious mindset? 

Cultivating curiosity is not an arduous task. It can be achieved through internal motivation by introspecting into what you really want to attain in life and then finding answers to everything that you are passionate about. 

You could either be epistemically curious where you investigate and acquire new knowledge or you could be empathically curious where human emotions and relationships excite you. 

Read voraciously, explore widely, communicate constantly, practice regularly, meditate sincerely, and question inquisitively! Surround yourself with the right set of people, books, and media, and allow yourself to be inspired by the world around you.

Curiosity and Meditation

Curiosity and meditation are a two-way street. In many instances, meditation gurus inculcate curiosity in their students to delve deeper into their conscience. Alternatively, meditation can open your mind to the million possibilities that are there for you to curiously intake. 

Research has proven that Mindfulness Meditation through a Search Inside Yourself (SIY) approach urges you to build resilience, manage challenging situations and overcome negative emotions. Ultimately, this helps you manage stress better and opens up more mental space for curiosity and creativity. 

Take it slow and steady as you identify what you are truly passionate about and build curiosity where you are comfortable before venturing into the unknown. Allow meditation to encourage an empathetic approach and gently guide you through these wavering waters until you find yourself through this process. 

The most vital thumb rule here is to remain curious. It is not a one-time activity that reaps you billions. It is a continuous spirit that you would have to intentionally or unintentionally cultivate and pursue. 

How to balance the curious mind? 

Friendly disclaimer: With every skill or behaviour, there comes a limit. Curiosity is no different. You should know where to draw the line at being curious as well. There’s a famous idiom that explains how curiosity killed the cat! 

So, don’t go around snooping into your neighbours’ affairs, and don’t scrutinize your colleagues’ businesses. Keep your nose where it has to be and only be curious about what is going to be a game-changer for you! 

Be the curious cat that knows how to do the balancing act!