Do you know what curiosity is? Are you curious? Do you know how to foster it in yourself?

Good news… by simply asking these questions, you are a curious individual. Curiosity is the desire to learn or try something new or novel. And it is an attribute that can serve you well in any area of your life.

Being curious has benefits. When you explore new things it means you gain knowledge, experiences, wisdom, and relationships. Curiosity results in an active, creative mind, and often leads to more effective solutions. It can also bring joy and confidence.

While some people are naturally curious, for others, it takes work to develop curiosity as a talent and habit. Curious about how to develop this in yourself? Read on for five ways you can become more curious.

Ask questions

Asking questions when you don’t fully understand, when you want to learn more, when you have a passion to fulfill automatically opens you up to new ideas and opportunities.

They say there is no such thing as a “dumb” question. For curious individuals, this is true. The quest for knowledge will always include failure. And just because you may know less than someone else does not mean you should be afraid to ask. Asking a “dumb” question and risking looking silly in front of someone else is far better than pretending to know the answer and then being outed as a fraud later.

Read widely

No matter how or where you read, just make sure you’re reading. Pick up books on subjects you know little about, or even on subjects you think you know everything about. Ask librarians for recommendations. Find out what your friends are reading. Read magazines, headlines, blog articles, billboards, books, post-it notes. In a world where information can literally be found at your fingertips, a curious mind can be satiated with the click of a button.

One word of caution: Seek out trusted experts and sources so you don’t waste your time with information that is not accurate or helpful.

Talk to strangers

Curious people not only ask questions, but they ask questions of the people they come in contact with every day. In this way, they expand their worlds and learn things about humanity that can only come through interactions with others, particularly those who are different.

There used to be a time when we were required to actually look people in the eyes and talk to them us using our mouths and not our fingers. We need to get back to this in many ways.

The next time you are in public, strike up a conversation (from a safe distance) with the person nearby. Ask the grocery store worker if they’ve read anything new lately, what they are planning to cook for dinner, how they are doing. If you notice something new or notable in your neighbor’s yard, ask them about it next time you walk by their house. While the current climate of social-distancing and mask wearing can make this trickier, it is still worth a try.

Try and fail

Failure is a part of life. For everyone. It is only when you fail that you learn what doesn’t work. The act of failing means you gain more experience, and grow smarter and more efficient… this is the very definition of curiosity and one of the ways in which you become more curious. By trying and then failing. But then trying again.

Be bored

It’s OK to be bored! Boredom helps cultivate curiosity, perseverance, interest, and confidence, all important traits that help you grow into a smart, non-boring person.

Most people today, kids and adults alike, are intimidated by boredom. It makes them uncomfortable. And instead of sitting in the discomfort and the boredom for a minute, they pick up their phones and mindlessly entertain themselves to avoid those feelings. Don’t let this be you! Instead when you feel boredom creep in, resist the urge to pick up your phone and wait a few minutes. See what else comes up for you and what other creative solutions your mind develops when it has nothing to do.

Boredom is what gives life meaning. The American Psychological Association says that when people are bored, they tend to look back on their lives and feel like the things they’ve done are more meaningful. Reflecting on your life is an excellent way to inspire curiosity about your future.

And if you need help along the way, have a chat with one of our amazing life coaches. They can help you satisfy your curiosity about whatever it is you are trying to learn and achieve.