The productive power of curiosity

You are not bored, you are boring.

Here’s why.

Being bored is a choice.

You choose to wait for something interesting to happen to entertain you, and when it doesn't come - you get "bored".

Only boring people would outsource it like that.

What if instead you choose to create your own excitement?

How can you do that?

By getting curious.

Curiosity is a powerful tool for high performers:

• It drives innovation.

• Fuels problem-solving.

• Helps you see opportunities where others see obstacles.

Most importantly, it gets you into flow.

Ever wondered why some of the most successful founders are relentlessly curious?

• They constantly ask questions.

• They explore new possibilities.

• They challenge the status quo.

And today we'll explore how productive curiosity can unlock your next breakthrough.

Let’s get curious about curiosity!

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Before we begin: Here’s what you might have missed in the past few weeks…

• In issue #46 of The Productivist, I shared how you can engineer your own luck. Access it here.

• In issue #45, you learned 3 strategies to optimize your inbox management. Read it here.

• In issue #44, you discovered how to create your ideal pace in life. Check it out here.

Which one was your favourite? Just hit reply and let me know! 🫶

Big idea #1: Curiosity is productive

Curiosity = Fuel

• Have you ever been so engrossed in something that you forgot to eat or drink water?

• You get into a flow state, diving deeper into the subject, time flies.

• Curiosity energizes you.

• It’s a great return on your attention, especially if you compare to leisure activities like watching TV, which only drains you.

Curiosity = Motivation

• Even mundane tasks can become interesting if you inject curiosity into them. You'll be motivated to complete them and learn something along the way.

• I wish I knew this trick in high school. Many subjects, like history, “bored” me. If I had dialed up my curiosity, I could have explored specific aspects that intrigued me. For instance:

  • Who wrote those history books?

  • How did they gather information?

  • Is it factual?

  • Were there any contradictory opinions about that period in history?

  I would have loved history classes if we’d debated these aspects.
  Yet, I only turned to judgement instead of curiosity at that time.

Curiosity = Effective Problem-Solving

• When you explore problems deeply and from different angles, you come up with better solutions instead of just going with the first idea that comes to mind.

• An open mind allows ideas to come to you, making it easier to observe patterns and connect the dots.

Curiosity = Optimization

• Being curious means not just accepting things as they are but wondering how they came to be and understanding how they work.

• This mindset helps you notice ways to improve and optimize processes.

Curiosity = Being Proactive

• A proactive attitude helps you notice and resolve issues before they become real problems.

More Curiosity = Deeper Relationships

• When you slow down to truly be present, see, and hear those around you, active listening and curiosity can greatly improve your relationships.

• Stay curious about others’ thinking and views of the world.

• This is how you don’t just get to know them better, you get to know them deeper.

More Curiosity = Less Judgement

• Instead of labeling someone’s actions as good or bad (including our own), turn to curiosity: seek to understand their (or your) motivations and stories.

• Curiosity invites questions, opens dialogues, and builds bridges where judgment erects walls.

• A curious mind is a compassionate one, leading to deeper connections and richer experiences.

More Curiosity = Less Stress

• You stop worrying about things because you know that “everything is figureoutable.” Thank you, Marie Forleo, for this life motto!

More Curiosity = Less Fear

• Fear grows when we delay action. When we get into motion, it reduces.

• Getting curious about the situation is the action that reduces your fear.

Big idea #2: 5 powerful ways to get curiously productive every day

1. Approach everything with a beginner’s mind

When you catch yourself thinking, "I already know that," remind yourself that this stops you from learning new things.

• There’s always a new approach, a new angle, a new insight that comes from revisiting a topic you “already know”.

• Knowing something is not the same as having lived it. Knowledge is only power when you apply it.

2. Ask better questions

Ask questions like:

• "What would you do here?" (open-ended) instead of "What do you think about doing this [specific option]?" (too specific)

• "How did you come to that conclusion?" ('how' and 'why' questions) instead of "Is that conclusion correct?"

• "What have I learned from this experience?" (prompting reflection) instead of "Was this a good experience?" (prompting judgement)

3. Try new experiences

Stay curious and embrace being a beginner. It sparks creativity and innovation.

For instance, take up a new hobby or explore a new place.

Or do what you already love doing, but approach it in a new way:

• If you always read non-fiction books, give fiction one a try.

• Find an entirely new recipe to try.

• Take a new route to work.

4. Find the positive in everything

Would you agree that absolutely everything in this world has positive and negative side?

Get curious to always learn the positive aspects instead of amplifying the negative.

Imagine how much your attitude will change if you approach things positively.

5. Explore without a goal

Is there a topic that has always intrigued you?

Schedule some time to explore it freely.

Sometimes it leads to unexpected accomplishments, and other times it simply enriches your life.

Big idea #3: Build a system to stay curious

Curiosity is the engine of growth, creativity, and innovation.

However, unbridled curiosity can lead to distraction and inefficiency.

To harness the power of productive curiosity, it's essential to build a system that allows you to dive into topics without losing focus on your primary goals.

Here's how to structure your curiosity:

1. Set time boundaries

Curiosity can be a double-edged sword.

While it fuels discovery, it can also become a black hole of endless exploration.

To manage this, limit the amount of time you dedicate to curiosity-driven activities:

• Allocate a fixed time slot daily, such as 15 minutes, to explore new ideas, read articles, or watch educational videos.

• Designate one day a week/month as you “deep dive day” for deep exploration into a topic of interest.

2. Focus on boundaries of interest

While it's tempting to follow every intriguing lead, staying within certain boundaries helps maintain focus and relevance.

• Concentrate on areas that align with your goals, profession, or personal interests. Continue building your existing expertise.

• Before diving into a topic, list down specific objectives you want to achieve. This creates a targeted approach, making your curiosity-driven time more efficient and purposeful.

3. Document your discoveries

Curiosity should not just be about consumption but also about creation and synthesis.

Documenting your discoveries can transform fleeting insights into lasting knowledge.

For instance:

• Maintain a journal or digital document where you jot down interesting findings, insights, and reflections.

• Share your discoveries with others through blogs, social media posts, or discussions. Teaching what you learn reinforces your understanding and can inspire others, creating a cycle of shared curiosity.

The Productivist Challenge: Daily curiosity time

Dedicate 15 minutes every day this week to exploring a topic or skill of your choice.

What subject do you want to dive deeper into?

Remember, don't set any specific goals other than to spend at least 15 minutes on it daily this week.

Let’s optimize for joy.

The Productivist Question

Can you think of an instance when your curiosity led to a significant accomplishment?

How did it unfold?

Wish you a joyful week ahead,

Valeriya

PS: Should it be considered luck when you come across a valuable insight? Share your thoughts by hitting reply or DMing me on LinkedIn!

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