Using Curiosity to Get Unstuck

I had a coachee the other day telling me he’s been feeling pretty stuck and disconnected these days and he wasn’t sure how to start turning it around.

I told him: “When in doubt,
get curious.”
 
Curiosity is one of my favorite states of being. I find it so open, so pure…and so instantly transforming. When you look at the world through truly curious eyes, it becomes new again. The energy of curiosity cuts through stale perceptions that block you from truly seeing and understanding yourself and others. 

Getting you out of your own way

Have you ever found yourself caught in a conversation not knowing what to say? Try getting curious. No matter how different or familiar, or boring or intimidating the person you’re talking to seems, curiosity can be a game-changer. Try asking them, for example, what they would do with their life if money wasn’t a concern or what is one of their biggest worries right now or what talent they have that not a lot of people know about… Suddenly, you’re no longer in your head and, instead, immersed in the whole new world contained within that person. Plus, getting to peek into that world increases your understanding of them immensely.

Curiosity pointed inward

Invoking curiosity towards yourself is also really powerful, especially when you’re feeling activated. The other day I caught myself being stingy around something and my first impulse was to shame myself. Instead, I decided to get curious. 

I asked myself questions like: ‘Where did that come from?’, ‘What am I fearing?’, ‘What do I need to cultivate or let go of in order to not feel such a lack?’ Instead of beating up on myself, curiosity led me to a place of deeper understanding and affection for myself (the cornerstones for breaking through limiting patterns). And since a sense of curiosity often stokes our sense of humor, I also had a little laugh over it all.

Just think about the wonder and delight in babies and small children as they start discovering the world around them… Well, curiosity is the doorway to that.

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”
– Albert Einstein

The Curiosity Challenge

For the rest of the day, I challenge you to let curiosity lead the way! When you feel awkward, get curious. When you’re feeling triggered, get curious. When you’re feeling desperate to impress, get curious. When you feel stuck, get curious. Let this elixir of wonder change the alchemy of any situation.

I’ve been letting curiosity lead my way this week and, so far, it’s helped me turn a hurt around a friend into a learning opportunity, turn a potential “opponent” into an ally, and observe my shifting moods with fascination instead of irritation.

Thank you, Curiosity.

“’Curiosity never killed this cat’ — that’s what I’d like as my epitaph”
– Studs Terkel

Cat being curious

 
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Hello Compassionate Go-Getter!

Kimberly Carroll headshot

I’m Kimberly and I’m a coach for changemakers. 

I help leaders, activists, healers, and mission-driven entrepreneurs who want to make a bigger difference in the world do the transformative inner work and build the high performance habits and strategies to make them unstoppable.

I’m also a passionate world citizen & a director with Animal Justice & Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank.

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