The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. 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. ~ Einstein
The cycle of natural learning is curiosity> inquiry> knowledge> application.
We are wired to naturally learn as we go through life. However, many of us so called “adults” however seem to have given up on this type of thinking and learning, opting instead for finding the “right’ answer. Why is being “right” more important than learning?
We all do it in one way or another… reach for what we know versus what we could learn? I guess it is easier? If I already know how my husband is there is no need to listen, inquire or really communicate. If I already know how my employer is there is no reason to ask for a raise. The list goes on and on. Maybe it is some kind of risk management mechanism that our mind likes to play? Keeping us from really engaging in life. Life becomes dry and uneventful. We have been there done that.
As a result, many of us have stopped learning. The job of a coach is to develop people’s natural ability to grow and learn. When we open ourselves up to the question versus the answer anything becomes possible. Our child-like wonder is awakened. We experience more and more joy. Opportunities arise. Why? When we are in “the know” we cannot see our own incompetence. Unfortunately, the people around us can! We stay blind to what would be possible if we were to stretch and grow.
To start opening up to what you could learn, just ask yourself: “What could I become curious about?” Or challenge yourself: “Maybe I could learn something here?” or “What if that isn’t true?” The question is always more powerful than the answer. Start with all the places you are absolutely certain you are right. Start questioning the validity of your point of view. Be curious, not judgmental. There is a night and day difference. Play with possible points of view, ask: ” How else could someone see this?” or ” what is another possible way to interpret that?” . Remember, your point of view is limited to what you can see. From wherever you are, you can only see part of something. Thinking our way or opinion is right is what shuts learning and growing down. All of your answers come from the past. Aren’t you tired of living there?
Alicia Marie Fruin
BECOME A COACH