Stay curious, why and how?

Let’s start with what curiosity is.. it's the expression of the urge to learn and acquire facts and knowledge. It can be directed at gossip and unimportant details, or to matters of more importance, as curiosity fuels imagination, creative work and innovation. It is a vital ingredient to become a good journalist, writer, inventor or scientist. And we have found that curiosity releases dopamine, a pleasurable chemical related to the anticipation of a reward. And that the curious state activates the hippocampus, enhancing memory, explained well by Matthias Gruber in this TED session.

1. It keeps your mind active

Curious people always ask questions and search for answers in their minds. Their minds are always active. Since the mind is like a muscle which becomes stronger through continual exercise, the mental exercise caused by curiosity makes your mind stronger and stronger.

2. It makes you observant for new ideas

When you are curious about something, your mind expects and anticipates new ideas related to it. When the ideas come they will soon be recognized. Without curiosity, the ideas may pass right in front of you and yet you miss them because your mind is not prepared to recognize them. Just think, how many great ideas may have lost due to the lack of curiosity?

3. It opens up new worlds and possibilities

By staying curious you are able to see new possibilities, which are otherwise 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 possibilities.

4. It adds excitement to your life

The life of curious people is far from boring. It’s neither dull nor 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 life, and generally feel better, propably because of all the dopamine they release.

So now, knowing the importance of curiosity, how do we develop it?

1. Keep an open mind

This is essential if you are to have a curious mind. Be open to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Some things you know and believe might be wrong, and you should be prepared to accept this possibility and change your mind.

2. Don’t take things as granted

If you just accept the world as it is, without trying to dig deeper, you will certainly lose the ‘holy curiosity’. Never take things as granted. Try to dig deeper beneath the surface of what is around you.

3. Question Everything

A sure way to dig deeper beneath the surface is asking 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.

4. Don’t label something as boring

Whenever you label something as boring, you close one more door of possibilities. Curious people are unlikely to call something as 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 another time.

5. See learning as fun

If you see learning as a burden, there’s no way you will want to dig deeper into anything. As that would just make the burden heavier. But if you think of learning as 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 diversely

Don’t spend too much time on just one subject, take a wider look around, try reading up on any topic. It will introduce you to the possibilities of the new worlds of knowledge, which may spark your interest to explore them further. One easy way to do this is through reading diversely. Try a book or magazine on a new subject and let it feed your mind with the excitement of discovering a new world to explore!

Curiosity definately didn't kill the cat, if anything...