FATE

How can four factors inhibit curiosity and what can we do to get it back?  If you have not yet taken the Curiosity Code Index assessment, this is a good time to do it (it is not required for this course).  To access it, please go to:  CuriosityCode.com

Fear:

Many things make us avoid certain actions. People can hesitate because they do not want to look foolish. They might also be concerned that their interests are not in line with what others deem worthy. While some people might want a crystal ball to feel confident about the future, others find the unknown, a source of excitement. Fear of failure is a genuine issue for many people. Having a family or a work environment where those around us see failure as a learning opportunity can enable us to explore ideas that we might not have considered in the past. We might sometimes feel a sense of safety by doing things repeatedly because they are familiar. However, others find it exciting to try something new, even if there is some risk involved. While some might believe they prefer a daily routine, they also often find that they become bored if things become too routine. By learning to enjoy the challenge of solving complex problems, fear becomes less of an issue. As we learn to embrace the uncertain, we can remove some of the uncomfortable or anxious feelings associated with exploration.

Assumptions:

Assumptions include the way we look at the world through preconceived ideas. For example, some of us have the self-confidence to make crucial decisions because we assume we know the outcome. However, others might assume a negative impact of trying something new. People have been known to say that ignorance is bliss because ‘they’ might think that knowledge brings inherent issues. However, they have also said that curiosity kills the cat, and we realize that perhaps they were inaccurate. We have found that having a good EQ (emotional quotient – your level of emotional intelligence) and IQ can enhance our lives. While some people are fatalists and think they have no control over life, others thrive by setting their paths. If we look for the surprises and wonder of life, it can open us up to a world of opportunities. Critical thinking skills can be beneficial, and they allow us to analyze some of our options in life. By being empathetic and listening to opposing viewpoints, we can embrace change. Some believe that trying new things is a waste of time, and they might want to consider how they spend their time instead, and if that is fulfilling for them. By thinking about ‘what if’ scenarios and considering ‘why not,’ we open the door to wonder.

Technology

We rarely think about how things work because we have so much technology to do something for us every day. While technology has opened a world of opportunities, it has also created some reliance on it and some fear of it. Some of us avoid learning how to operate technology or look at it as an impediment to learning. Many people are so dependent on social media that they base their decisions and choices on what their friends do. Others are so turned off by social media that they avoid being around people who embrace it. The Internet offers a world of knowledge, but it can be challenging to keep up with all the advances. While some people want to keep up with all the latest gadgets, others would prefer to explain how to use them rather than explore how they work. Having technological skills can be necessary for careers. Many workers hold onto old ways of doing things because they worked well in the past. Embracing technology change can require proactive preparation. If we still had a dial phone connected to the wall, what communication advantages would we miss? While some think of using a computer as playing around, others view it as utilizing an effective tool. While it might take some time to learn, technology can save time in the end.

Environment

Our environment can have a powerful impact on how we live our lives. Family,  teachers, friends, social media, and others can paint a picture of what is expected of us. They can sometimes inadvertently hold us back from the direction we were naturally headed. Sometimes people want to do whatever the gang is doing, which is not difficult. Sometimes parents or teachers don’t have time to answer questions that might open other areas for exploration. Our friends might like things that we might not like, but we might go along to be easy to get along with and friendly. Some of us naturally think outside the box until we are not rewarded for that thinking or told not to be difficult. As we grew up, people said that curiosity killed the cat to keep us from being too much trouble. This might have caused us to avoid new things or meet new people. Some of us were fortunate to have teachers who allowed us to explore. Others have had teachers who might have been overwhelmed with too many students or told to teach to a test. It might come naturally for some of us who were prepared to think big. For others who were not, it might be more challenging.