Wil and Orv are brothers. They are well-known in their neighbourhood for getting into all sorts of trouble. They are often curious about strange ideas and come up with ridiculous plots. When they play, they act out all of their weird imaginations. Most of the time, these cause a lot of chaos, to the dismay of Their parents, Kate and Mil are, as one might expect, worried about their sons’ curious nature because everyone knows that curiosity killed the cat next door.
Mil was so worried about his young sons that he decided it was time for a heart-to-heart.
“Wil, Orv, you know how much I love you, but I am very worried about your safety.” Your mother tells me that your most recent curiosity is to fly like birds. Let me tell you a thing or two about curiosity. Curiosity is a killer. As a matter of fact, curiosity killed the cat next door. I don’t want curiosity to kill you too.
Think about the harm you could cause to yourself if you tried to fly and then fell. You might break every bone in your body, including your spine.”
The Real Story
The above account is only partially true, of course. Wil and Orv are brothers; they were indeed curious young men that got into all kinds of mischief when they were younger.
They are non-other than the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, who are credited with designing, constructing, and piloting the world’s first successful motor-powered aircraft.
Rather than stifling his sons’ natural curiosity and spirit of adventure, Milton Wright sparked their curiosity when he gave them a toy helicopter. The toy eventually broke, and the brothers decided to fix it themselves, which was the beginning of their curiosity and interest in aerodynamics.
Without their curious minds, we may still travel across the Sahara desert on camels.
I was raised with the idea that “curiosity killed the cat,” and I have no doubt you were as well. When I ask why, I get a stern “I don’t know why. Stop asking silly questions.” I soon learned to accept things or risk getting in trouble for being curious.
It was strange to me that curiosity was considered a negative quality.
This article will examine what curiosity is, how it can help you succeed, and how to implement it.
What is Curiosity?
Curiosity is an interest in and desires to learn more about the world around you. It means being interested in new ideas for yourself and your business.
Extrinsic benefits like money or status do not motivate curiosity. Instead, curiosity is sparked by internal rewards, such as the sense of awe you feel when you discover unexpected breakthrough ideas or solutions.
How Can Curiosity Help You Succeed in Life and Business?
Curiosity is not just for geniuses; it is a powerful tool for entrepreneurs like you and me. Below are four ways a curious mind will help you succeed.
A curious-minded person is relentless.
A curious person’s mind is constantly asking questions and looking for answers. And because their curiosity is not motivated by money, recognition, or ego, they persevere in their pursuit, even if it is tough or unpopular.
Consider the many technological marvels that did not exist even 15 years ago that we take for granted now. Too many to count, right?
Think WhatsApp.
Before 2009, if I needed to call my mother in Nigeria, I either had to make an expensive call using my landline/mobile phone or deal with the bother of purchasing a calling card and dialling a series of numbers before ultimately placing my call. WhatsApp has done away with all of that.
Thanks to the curious minds of Brian Acton and Jan Koum, who decided that my calling my mum should be free and convenient. These two great brains felt SMS service could be improved.
It trains your brain to be on the lookout for new concepts.
People interested in a topic expect and look forward to new ideas. They recognise ideas when they come to them. A non-curious person will let thoughts pass them by without noticing the opportunities.
A lack of curiosity results in the loss of many potentially groundbreaking ideas.
It creates new horizons and opportunities.
You can only perceive new worlds and possibilities if you are curious. This is since being curious prompts us to delve deeper and investigate further.
I’ve had a few businesses; all started out of curiosity. Some are still running strong, while others have completely flopped. For the failed ventures, I am curious to learn and ask questions like “Joyce, where and when did you screw up this time?” I am never bored or overly sad, just excited to go again, telling myself I won’t make that mistake again.
Our lives are made more exciting by it.
There is never a dull time if you are a curious individual. Something fresh always catches your eye or inspires you to embark on a new journey.
Developing Your Curiosity
The good news is that everyone is naturally curious and eager to learn more. Although curiosity may be tempered with age, inquisitive brains remain.
But if you want to hone your curious mind, here are some suggestions:
Be open to fresh ideas.
This means learning new things about people, places, and things.
Re-evaluate what you believe you know. You may be wrong about things you’ve believed for 50 years.
Expand your understanding of known topics.
Confidently Investigate Subjects You Find Fascinating
I don’t just mean curiosity about making money; I mean curiosity about any topic you love and are curious about. It could be something you’ve been curious about since you were a kid but never had the chance to look into. Now, you are a grown-ass man or woman. No one can tell you off; go off, and explore. You never know what discoveries await you.
I’ve always enjoyed having houseplants in my home. I had a few, but they all died within days. This led me to conclude that I lack green thumbs and am a plant murderer. I gave up on plants.
But after moving to Central Asia two years ago, my curiosity about plants resurfaced, and I decided to act on it. The first two plants I bought died. Instead of being discouraged, I started to study why I always seem to fail plants.
Is it in my genes to be a slaughter of plants?
I began researching plant care thanks to “The Internet” (the best innovations of the last 40 years.)
My curiosity paid off because I am now the best plant mama in the universe, as proven by the absence of dead plants and the abundance of newly birthed plants.
New Products to Sell
But, more than acquiring plant care skills, other opportunities have appeared.
I have an Amazon retail store. Amazon shop owners would admit that their biggest challenge is knowing what to sell that has high demand and low competition. Curiosity in plant care has uncovered an entire world of “all things house plant”. Plants were not in my sphere of influence just two short years ago.
I don’t plan to sell plant care stuff on Amazon, but I want to know what other fun things are waiting to be discovered.
For those interested, plants are money-makers. Don’t just take my word for it. Check it up on Google and YouTube.
Never accept “no” as an answer.
I don’t mean to challenge everything and confront everyone who says no, but that you question important things. It doesn’t have to be a loud challenge; if you don’t get the answer you seek, vow quietly not to abandon this fascinating issue and continue your research. Our minds are like muscles growing with usage; curiosity grows our capacity. Diving and delving deeper means you build more understanding and skills, which will always be helpful at some point.
Additional ways to pique your curiosity
Travel is a great experience to have. Virtual travel can be an excellent option if you don’t have the opportunity to travel yet. As a youngster, I didn’t have the chance to travel, so I allowed my imagination to run wild. Envisioning myself in so many beautiful places.
Reading is a beautiful pastime that always piques my curiosity! We rarely had electricity when I was growing up. So reading became my form of entertainment. It’s a passion that I have never lost.
Today, we have a lot of options to choose from! It’s great that we have Google to help us find the information we need! Let’s explore the vast knowledge available on Google!
What curious questions do you have in mind?
Final Thoughts
I really hope that you found this list to be both helpful and motivational. No matter how old we are, let’s stay curious.
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Thanks for your time!
