Curiosity is one of the most important traits of a genius. I don’t think you can find an intellectual giant who is not a curious person. Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci, Michaeangelo, Albert Einstein, William Weber, Richard Feynman, they are all curious characters. Richard Feynman's adventures in particular came from his curiosity.
But why is curiosity so important? I'm going to list four reasons:-
a) It makes your mind active instead of passive.
Curious people always ask questions and look for answers in their minds. Their minds are always active. The mind is like a muscle which becomes stronger with use, the mental exercise caused by curiosity makes your mind stronger and stronger.
b) It makes your mind notice new ideas.
When you are curious about something, your mind expects and anticipates new ideas. When the ideas come they will be recognized. Without curiosity, the ideas may pass right in front of you and you may miss them because your mind is not prepared to recognize them. Just think of how many great ideas have been lost due to lack of curiosity?
c) It opens up new worlds and possibilities.
By being curious you will be able to see new worlds and possibilities which are normally not visible. They are hidden behind the surface of normal life, and it takes a curious mind to look beneath the surface and discover these new worlds and possibilities.
d) It brings excitement into your life.
The life of curious people is never boring. It’s never dull or routine. There are always new things that attract their attention, there are always new ‘toys’ to play with. Instead of being bored, curious people have an adventurous, more exciting life.
Now, knowing the importance of curiosity, here's how to develop it:
1. Keep an open mind. Wide open. Don't reject ideas. Don't be closed to anything.
You should be open to learn, and relearn. Some things you know and believe might be wrong, and you should be prepared to accept this possibility and change your mind.
This is essential if you are to have a curious mind. Be open to learn, and relearn. Some things you know and believe might be wrong, and you should be prepared to accept this possibility and be prepared to change your mind.
2. Don’t take things for granted.
If you just accept the world as it is without trying to dig deeper, you will lose your curiosity. Never take things for granted. Try to dig deeper beneath the surface of what is around you.
3. Ask questions relentlessly. Like you used to as a child.
A sure way to dig deeper beneath the surface is to ask questions: What is that? Why is it made that way? When was it made? Who invented it? Where does it come from? How does it work? What, why, when, who, where, and how are the best friends of curious people. I don't necessarily mean just ask people, do that too, but "ask" books, encyclopaedias, dictionaries, libraries, the internet, any reliable residence of learning and information.
4. Don’t label something as boring. This is too common nowadays.
Whenever you label something as boring, you close one more door of possibilities. Curious people are unlikely to call something boring. Instead, they always see it as a door to an exciting new world. Even if they don’t yet have time to explore it, they will leave the door open to be visited later.
5. See learning as something fun.
If you see learning as a burden or a chore, you won't want to dig deeper into anything. That will just make the burden heavier. But if you think of learning as something fun, you will naturally want to dig deeper. So look at life through the glasses of fun and excitement and enjoy the learning process..
6. Read diverse kinds of things. Different, unusual, not what you "normally" read. Spread your self out - and your mind.
Don’t spend too much time on just one world; take a look at other worlds. It will introduce you to the possibilities and excitement of the other worlds which may spark your interest to explore them further. One easy way to do this is through reading diverse kinds of reading. Try to pick a book or magazine on a new subject and let it feed your mind with the excitement of a new world.
One more thing, don't just listen to "music" for hours on end, read, learn, enjoy life. Do something, anything, else.
Oh, yes and One More Thing, Remember I Love You. Grandy XXX
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Excellent post, Silver Fox, old chap!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of what my grndfather told me: "Don't believe everything you think!" Grandfathers can be wise. My father liked to say: "If the assumption is that everything is true that is accepted as true, then there can be no advancement." I think he quoted the Wright Brothers and he was right in doing so. Orville & Wilber certainly were curious about how the birds flew and why the lift tables of the day didn't work. Their curiousity helped get us to the moon & back!
Fathers and grandfathters can have wisdom, like you, old chap!
My mother used to say that curosity killed the cat ..... but satisfaction brought him back. (I'm still working on that one.)
Thanks and Cheerio, Curious george