How to develop Inquisitiveness?

Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra wanted us to develop Inquisitiveness in observation and inquisitiveness in service to others. The power of Inquisitiveness or Curiosity can never be undermined. Inquisitiveness is a superpower that can enable you to achieve the impossible. Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, Leonardo da Vinci, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates are a few examples of highly curious people. These people have carved out a niche in their respective fields.

How can you develop Curiosity?

You can try these 7 techniques to develop Curiosity.

1) Ask 70 questions every day

This statement sounds a bit strange, isn't it? Why ask 70 questions every day? Why not 50 or 90 questions? Well, various studies have revealed that a child generally asks more than 70 questions per day. However, as she grows into adulthood that number reduces significantly. Adults ask about 20 questions per day. Children are very curious, and they always want to know more. Can we bring back that childlike curiosity and ask more questions at the University and workplace too. Practicing questions like the following will help us improve our Inquisitiveness:

• Tell me more about it
• What is the cause of this problem?
• Why it happened this way?
• What are the different options?
• What if we do this way?
• Why not?

Remember, had Newton not asked why the apple fell on the ground, we would not have got the law of gravity for many years.

2) Reflect

Reflection is a powerful tool to develop curiosity. Without reflection learning cannot happen. US Army uses reflection very effectively. After every project is completed, the key members come together for a debrief. The ponder over and reflect on 4 key questions:

• What went well in the project?
• What didn't go well in the project?
• What were the gaps/short-comings?
• What would we do differently in future?

Each debrief session helps them get better at what they do. Reflection drives curiosity and fosters learning.

3) Try it out yourself

What do you typically do in the following situations?

• when you have a flat tyre while driving and it needs to be replaced by stepney
• when the tap in your bathroom malfunctions and needs to be replaced
• when a piece of knocked down furniture arrives at home and parts need to be assembled
• Battery in your smart phone needs to be replaced

Do you prefer to ask for help in the above situations or try it yourself? If your natural response is to try it yourself, then in all probability you are a very curious person.

Next time, when you are in a similar situation, please try to do it yourself. If you work with devices, instruments, tool-kits etc., your curiosity is likely to increase.

4) Read a lot

Reading gives you many perspectives. It helps you run your imagination wild. Reading introduces you to new possibilities. It makes you more curious to explore more opportunities, options and ways to achieve your dream.

5) Connect the dots

Everything in this Universe is inter-connected and inter-linked with everything else. There are similarities and differences between any two things in this Universe. Trying to solve every problem in life or at work keeping this broad guideline in mind will make us more curious. Take out time for contemplation. Seek out answers to questions like:

• What is the nature of the universe?
• Why and how the Universe came into existence?
• What are the different components of the universe?
• How are they (components) related to each other?
• How are they (components) related with the Universe (larger whole)?

6) Be madly obsessed with your Purpose

If you are obsessed with your vision, you would become inquisitive about how to overcome challenges and obstacles that may come on the way. This would eventually make you problem solver and achiever.

7) Serve with Inquisitiveness

Service begets inquisitiveness. When you love genuinely, you would want to make your loved one happy. Desire to serve your Beloved invokes inquisitiveness.

Let me end the article with a quote from Albert Einstein: -

"Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity."