Curiosity: A tool for self-discovery and growth

There is much ink spilled on the benefits of self-discovery and growth, however these can sometimes feel like big, nebulous concepts. This is perhaps one of the reason why bookshops are filled with volumes of self-help books from Tim Ferriss to Oprah Winfrey to help you provide some answers. Now, the ideas and philosophies in these books are definitely impactful and influential so we don't want to talk them down, however it's equally important to remember that these are other people's answers; your path of self-discovery is going to be deeply personal and relevant to you.

This is where curiosity comes in. Curiosity is the engine of self-discovery and growth because it allows you to constantly explore new ideas, people, and experiences that can help you learn more about yourself. When you're curious, you're not looking for someone else to tell you what the right answers are; instead, you're thinking about how those ideas might influence your own answers.

How do you apply curiosity in the context of self-development and growth?

If we take a moment to consider the idea of self-development and growth, it's about gaining a new perspective or experience that helps you be a little better each day. Self-help books provide you with a particular idea written from the perspective of someone else (sometimes famous), but the secret to making real progress is to take those perspectives and think about how to make them relevant to you.

This is where curiosity is applied. Curiosity gives you the power to explore and experiment with new ideas on your own terms. When you're curious, you're not passively consuming information; instead, you're actively thinking about how those ideas fit into your life.

• What are the problems you're experiencing?
• What is the idea shared by the author of any self-help book?
• Is that idea relevant to you?
• Which parts are relevant, and why are they relevant?
• Which parts don't apply to you? And why not?

By applying your curiosity to ask clarifying questions, you can start to think more deeply about the ideas you read about and about how they are relevant to you.

How to cultivate a curiosity mindset

So how do you go about cultivating a curiosity mindset and becoming more curious? Well the good news is that curiosity is a latent superpower that we all possess. As children, we're natural explorers because we're curious about the world around us and how it works. However, as we get older we often lose touch with that childlike curiosity. Life gets in the way, work consumes us, and before long we can find ourselves living on autopilot without stopping to think about how things apply to us.

Cultivating a curiosity mindset is all about rekindling the curiosity we all possess. Instead of focusing on having the right answer, all you need to do is take a moment to pause and to let questions start to come into your mind, with the first question being: "What's the problem I'm trying to address?" From there, just let your curiosity continue to guide you with further questions.

By cultivating your curiosity mindset, it helps you see ideas and perspectives in a completely different light. It's no longer about being overwhelmed with information, but to give you the tools to navigate and control your own self-development and growth.

Why we created the Curiosity Journal

Curiosity is a powerful tool for self-discovery and growth. It allows you to explore new ideas, people, and experiences that can help you learn more about yourself. When you're curious, you're not looking for someone else to tell you what the right answers are; instead, you're thinking about how those ideas might influence your own answers.

That's why we created the Curiosity Journal, so you can practice and cultivate your curiosity in a safe environment. It contains both sections that guide you through a process of curiosity, as well as open space for you to simply let your curiosity wander. Why not pick one up today, and start cultivating your curiosity?