What are you curious about?
What are you curious about?
Late last year – in the throes of a difficult parenting season, preparing for the holidays, feeling overwhelmed by upcoming travel, etc – I discovered I wasn’t feeling curious about anything.
Not about my work or my clients.
Not about my hobbies, interests or passions.
Not about the people in my life.
And especially not about myself.
Funny enough – this absence of curiosity made me curious: what was going on here?
I’m normally a very curious person. Not about everything, but definitely about myself. In fact, I love to luxuriate in questions about my purpose, my evolution, and my impact.
(Seriously, invite me to tell you what I’ve learned this week about myself and I’ll ask you how much time you have!)
So the absence of my curiosity was notable to me. And I don’t think I’m alone in this.
There is simply so much happening in our world – and in our own lives – that we often don’t feel like we have the time, energy, patience or motivation to pause and be curious. Life moves so quickly, with so many stressors and responsibilities, that curiosity can feel like a ‘nice to have.’
If that sounds like you, I totally get it.
AND, I’m here to tell you… you must make curiosity your priority ASAP. Here’s why:
This past week I coached with three brilliant, heart-centered women who each felt stuck around some kind of work challenge.
How do I support my team culture as we grow?
How do I tell my boss I’m quitting?
How do I know the next, right choice for my career?
Understandably, each felt varying degrees of frustration, confusion, and doubt; these are big questions that my clients had been wrangling with for a while.
So what was the key that resolved their ‘stuckness’ and unlocked their progress? Curiosity.
Specifically, it was asking a question that forced them to pause and inspect their situation with fresh eyes. To slow themselves down and create space to return to their inner wisdom.
To be clear, there is no single question I have to offer you (although, if I had to pick a question to take with me on a desert island, it would be “What’s important about this to you?”).
For one client, the question was, “What’s your role as your team grows?”
For another it was, “What are the emotions underneath this tough decision?”
For the other it was, “What does your heart wish for?”
And let me tell you – in these sessions, equipped with one curious question and the space to explore their answer – I witnessed each client coach herself to her own answer.
Seriously, I could have just opened up the Zoom room, offered up a powerful question, and then turned my video and sound off! They found their way through their doubts and into clarity – simply by being curious.
That’s the power of curiosity.
Today, I invite you to bring curiosity to a problem that you’re feeling stuck around. It could be work related, but maybe not. Find a quiet moment (even 5 minutes can be enough!) in a space that feels safe and private. Maybe it’s in your favorite windowsill, in your bed, or even on a walk in nature.
Think of the issue you’re facing, and send yourself a wish of compassion and curiosity as you prepare to view this challenge with fresh eyes.
Then ask yourself, “What’s really going on here?” Be curious. Notice the thoughts, answers and emotions that come up. Go deeper by asking “Why else?”
With time and curious inquiry, your clarity will come.
I’d love to hear what you discover. Hit reply and let me know what you’re curious about these days!
Onward,
PS: If you’d like to go deeper into your curiosity practice, check out Volume 1 of my guided journal series, “100 Days of Designing My Life.” It includes 25 days of curious prompts and stories to help you discover more about yourself!
And if you’re looking for a guide to help you create more intentional space for curiosity, let’s chat about coaching together! There are lots of ways I can support you. Book a time to talk with me here.