Curiosity-The Questioning Force
Curiosity- The Questioning Force By Victor K. Pryles "The
Creativity Coach"
Just how curious are you?
The reason we even wish to be creative lies in this human
faculty of curiosity. Without the essential quality there is no
engine to start our questing. You hear some gossip; your
curiosity is raised. You see a headline and you're drawn into
the story. A movie trailer teases you visually, with words,
action music and actors--- and you wish to see the entire film.
Every form of advertising and promotion, commerce and
entertainment is based on understanding this strong desire to
explore that dwells in the heart of everyone. You have an innate
interest in what the world has to offer, what makes it all tick,
what ideas others may have and which ideas you may develop.
This natural inclination is deeply embedded into our brain's
neurons and pathways and is so vital that your very survival is
based on its existence. Curiosity causes us to investigate
things. It urges us to invent, to explore, to experiment and
build.
Imagine where humanity would be without it!
If that stick were placed on that rock and spun with enough
force and friction next to some dry grass the miracle of fire
could be produced. Fire, which had belonged only to Mother
Nature as a wild force of unpredictable power and capacity,
found its way into our very hands to be used and directed. Born
of our curiosity. In our deepened simian eyes we could see it
rage across plains, eat whole forests and explode in intense
heat. Our curiosity brought us an invention in primordial
history that was as dynamic and life changing as the 18th
century development of the incandescent light bulb.
As a child you were constantly curious. You wanted to learn the
'why' the 'how come'--- about everything. You drove your poor
parents wild with your questions, didn't you?
What happened? In adulthood we seem to ask fewer and fewer
questions. It's not only because we 'found' so many answers
along the way. Rather, the very 'essence' of questing seems to
have faded as the 'day-to-day' concerns of life and commerce
impinge on our living.
Adults say they abhor 'idle curiosity' considering it some sort
of indulgence that is unworthy, with no real purpose behind it.
We want all our pastimes and efforts to contain 'useful
knowledge'--after all that is an adult requirement. We refuse to
leave our 'comfort zones' to explore. It becomes harder and
harder to go outside these perimeters and if we do occasionally,
we always feel somehow threatened or overwhelmed.
By losing our curiosity, little by little, we lose our ability
to create. A life with routine and measurable events replaces
the spontaneous and creative spirit. New information is not
sought after; new combinations are ignored.
What if Newton had simply ignored that falling apple--would our
knowledge of gravity exist?
If Edward Land had not acknowledged the impatience of his
daughters' desire to see those photographs -'right now'- would
we have instant photography?
Do this:
1.)Today look at a long held belief you hold dear and question
it. Challenge it. Open yourself to it and pretend it is some
bizarre new concept you have just now discovered. Take the tried
and true and turn it on its head. Find the irony in it.
2.)Leave your comfort zone. Take a risk today. If you feel the
ground beneath you give way--GREAT! Make a different kind of
friend, move outside your normal social structure. Read a book
that is banned in 32 countries, see a play or movie that you
would never normally view, tempt the fates and do something
you're almost guaranteed to fail at, follow the next hunch you
get.
3) Rate your curiosity level today. Measure it on a scale of
1-10. Plan on changing that rating by at least one or two points
upward by exploring your openness, your willingness to
experiment and take risks.
Finally, try and form a mental picture of what you were like as
a child. Review in your minds eye those many areas of life you
found fascinating. If you can't recall (don't worry many of us
have forgotten it all too!) then get around some children and
study their natural curiosity. Learn from them today.
Victor K. Pryles is the author of two best sellers "The Secret
Creator Within-23 ways To Awaken Your creative Genius at
http://www.creativepops.com and "Anyone Can Consult"-How To
Employ What You Already Know To Help Others And Make A Sizable
Income at http://creativepops.com/consult.index/ He writes a
weekly newsletter which always contains a fr^e e-book, course,
or report. To subscribe send a blank e-mail to
mailto:creativepopsweekly@creativepops.com