“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust

Curiosity [interest, novelty-seeking, openness to experience]: Taking an interest in ongoing experience for its own sake; finding subjects and topics fascinating; exploring and discovering personified for example by John C. Lilly (Source: VIA Institue) If Curiosity is your top strength, you are interested in learning more about anything and everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery. See more at the VIA Institute on Character. The Noel Strengths Academy defines it this way:  Curious people have an ongoing, intrinsic interest in their inner experience and the world around them. They are attracted to new things, people, and experiences They are rarely bored. Good listeners and conversationalists Able to focus their attention They ask questions from a new perspective Curious people are resilient learners and good problem solvers They often want to know, just for the sake of knowingCurious people have an ongoing, intrinsic interest in their inner  experience and the world around them They are attracted to new things, people, and experiences They are rarely bored. Good listeners and conversationalists Able to focus their attention They ask questions from a new perspective Curious people are resilient learners and good problem solvers They often want to know, just for the sake of knowing Source: Noel Strengths Academy The benefits of being curious How can curiosity benefit us? What is the value of nurturing this strength? By being curious, you will be: More open minded. Enjoying the world around you. Excited about what is going on in your life. Increasing your awareness of the world. Enhancing your chances of experiencing flow and therefore happiness. Learning new things. Building your confidence. Improving your job performance. Source: Here. Strengths can be overused or unused Underuse: Disinterest Overuse: Nosey Key research Five character strengths show a consistent, robust relationship to life satisfaction: Hope, zest, gratitude, curiosity, and love. The character strengths most associated with the meaning route to happiness are religiousness, gratitude, hope, zest, and curiosity; those most associated with the engagement route to happiness are zest, curiosity, hope, perseverance, and perspective; and those most associated with the pleasure route to happiness are humor, zest, hope, social intelligence, and love (Peterson et al., 2007) Psychological Impacts of Curiosity Curiosity is linked to learning and knowledge: Research has shown that individuals who score high on Curiosity are more likely to be lifelong learners, and are more likely to seek out new knowledge and experiences (Kashdan & Ciarrochi, 2013). Curiosity is associated with creativity: Studies have found that individuals who are curious are more likely to be creative, and are more likely to generate new ideas and solutions (Finke et al., 1992). Curiosity is a key component of problem-solving skills: Research has shown that individuals who are curious are better equipped to approach problems from unique angles, and are more likely to find innovative solutions (Duncan & McCann, 2007). Curiosity is linked to emotional intelligence: Curious individuals are more likely to be emotionally intelligent, which can help them navigate complex social situations and build strong relationships (Goleman, 1995). Curiosity is associated with open-mindedness: People who are curious are more likely to be open to new ideas and perspectives, and are less likely to be closed-minded or dogmatic (Kashdan & Ciarrochi, 2013). Curiosity is a key factor in personal growth: Research has found that engaging in curious behaviors can lead to increased self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-improvement (Hennessey & Amabile, 1988). Curiosity is linked to social connections: Curious individuals are more likely to form and maintain strong social connections, and are better equipped to navigate complex social situations (Gilliland & Dunn, 2003). Curiosity is associated with flow experiences: Research has found that engaging in curious behaviors can lead to flow experiences, which are characterized by complete absorption and engagement in an activity (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990). Curiosity can be developed and strengthened: VIA’s research has shown that curiosity can be developed and strengthened through practice, training, and experience, and that individuals can improve their curiosity over time (VIA Institute on Character, 2015). Curiosity is a key component of wisdom: Studies have found that individuals who are curious are more likely to be wise, which can help them make informed decisions and navigate complex situations (Kashdan & Ciarrochi, 2013). Ted Talk: The Value of Curiosity

Put into action the recommendations from  the Authentic Happiness Coaching Newsletter on Curiosity

“During those times when you are feeling bored or unstimulated (e.g., while waiting in line at the grocery store), focus your attention on something that ordinarily might not engage your interest. For example, if you are at the grocery store, really notice how various customers interact with the checkout clerk. Are they making eye contact or averting their gaze? Do they make small talk? Do they offer to bag their own groceries? Notice how much effort you need to expend to focus your attention. Is it worth it? Is there a trade off between being bored (but with no demands placed on your psychic energy) and being interested?”

Tayyab Rashid and Afroze Anjum offer 340 Ways to Use VIA Character Strengths including these four for Curiosity:

1. Expand your knowledge in an area of interest through books, journals, magazines, TV, radio, or internet, for half an hour, three times a week. Speak to an expert in this area to get recommendations for good resources.
2. Attend a function/lecture/colloquium of a culture that differs from yours. Consider how similarities and differences between this culture and your own might arise, without being judgmental toward either culture.
3. Connect with a person of a different culture and spend at least an hour, twice a month, learning about his/her culture. Be inquisitive, non-judgmental, and open about your own culture.
4. Try things that challenge your existing knowledge and skills. Give a presentation or seminar on a topic that interests you, or simply explain it in detail to friends who are unfamiliar with it.

“I have no special talents,” said Albert Einstein. “I am only passionately curious.”

Todd Kashden is the acknowledged expert on Curiosity following the publishing of his book by the same name. Arianna Huffington says “Curious? is one of those rare books that can make you rethink how you see the world.” Distinguished Professor and Author of Why Good Things Happen to Good People, Dr. Stephen Post, says “Combining well-designed self-help with state-of-the-art positive psychology and profoundly inspiring stories, this is the perfect book to read when you are having second thoughts about challenging yourself to explore that next step in life!”

Here he speaks with VIA about building Curiosity.

Todd Kashden through his reserach defined the 5 dimensions of curiosity:

1. Joyous Exploration – this is the prototype of curiosity – the recognition and desire to seek out new knowledge and information, and the subsequent joy of learning and growing.

2. Deprivation Sensitivity – this dimension has a distinct emotional tone, with anxiety and tension being more prominent than joy – pondering abstract or complex ideas, trying to solve problems, and seeking to reduce gaps in knowledge.

3. Stress Tolerance – this dimension is about the willingness to embrace the doubt, confusion, anxiety, and other forms of distress that arise from exploring new, unexpected, complex, mysterious, or obscure events.

4. Social Curiosity – wanting to know what other people are thinking and doing by observing, talking, or listening in to conversations.

5. Thrill Seeking – the willingness to take physical, social, and financial risks to acquire varied, complex, and intense experiences.

And upon treating these dimensions as part of a single profile, he found evidence for 4 types of curious people:

1. The Fascinated – high on all dimensions of curiosity, particularly Joyous Exploration

2. Problem Solvers – high on Deprivation Sensitivity, medium on other dimensions

3. Empathizers – high on Social Curiosity, medium on other dimensions

4. Avoiders – low on all dimensions, particularly Stress Tolerance

Curious: The Desire to Know and Why Your Future Depends On It

“I would never have guessed that so slim a volume could so richly pique my curiosity about curiosity. Stuffed with facts, ideas, questions, quotes, musings, findings, puzzles, mysteries, and stories, this is a book—as Montaigne said of travel—with which to ‘rub and polish’ one’s brain. It’s the most delightful thing I’ve read about the mind in quite some time.”
David Dobbs, features writer for the New York Times

• Authentic Happiness Coaching Newsletters: Curious About Curiosity?

Podcasts to feed your curiosity:

Tell me Something I don’t know:

Freakonomics Radio Live! is live journalism wrapped in a game-show package where we play a game called “Tell Me Something I Don’t Know.” Hosted by Stephen J. Dubner, it has the same kind of factual, inquisitive journalism that has been a hallmark of Freakonomics Radio, but it’s disguised in the most entertaining, unexpected, and occasionally ridiculous conversation you’re likely to hear.

Contestants come on stage before a live audience and try to wow Stephen and his guest co-host with a fascinating fact — a historical wrinkle, a new line of research — anything, really, as long as it’s interesting, useful and true (or at least true-ish). There’s a real-time human fact-checker on hand to filter out the bull. And the audience gets to vote for a winner!

Invisibilia

Unseeable forces control human behavior and shape our ideas, beliefs, and assumptions. Invisibilia—Latin for invisible things—fuses narrative storytelling with science that will make you see your own life differently.

How I Built This by NPR

How I Built This is our top pick because it shares the incredible stories behind some of the world’s most successful companies. It’s an inspiring podcast for innovators, entrepreneurs, and idealists like us at Eight.

• Podcast: “The Curiosity Hour Podcast” Episode: “Unleashing Your Inner Curiosity” – This episode delves into the importance of curiosity in personal growth and features discussions with experts and individuals who have embraced curiosity to fuel their lives.
• Curiosity – “Stay Curious” (The Knowledge Project)
• “Stay Curious” – The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish Summary: Shane Parrish discusses the importance of cultivating curiosity as a key driver of learning and growth. URL: https://fs.blog/knowledge-project/stay-curious/
• “Born Curious” – Hidden Brain (NPR) Summary: This episode examines the science behind curiosity and why humans have an innate drive to explore and understand. URL: https://www.npr.org/2019/04/15/712634304/born-curious
• “How Being Curious Could Improve Your Life” – Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris Summary: Dan Harris interviews psychologist Todd Kashdan on the benefits of curiosity for well-being. URL: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/todd-kashdan-curiosity
• “Cultivating Curiosity” – The Science of Happiness (UC Berkeley) Summary: Explores research on how curiosity encourages open-mindedness and ways to become more inquisitive. URL: https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/podcasts/story/cultivating_curiosity
• “The Power of Curiosity” – Unlocking Us with Brené Brown Summary: Brené Brown discusses the role of curiosity in fostering connections and squashing judgment. URL: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/the-power-of-curiosity/

Your Curiosity

• Guided mediation on Curiosity from Insight Timer
• Another guided mediation on Curiosity from Insight Timer
• Another guided mediation on Curiosity from Insight Timer

• A 12-Minute Loving-Kindness Practice to Cultivate Curiosity

• A 12-Minute Meditation to Approach the World With a “Don’t-Know Mind”

Learn more:

• The Science of Curiosity

• How to Cultivate Curiosity in Your Mindfulness Practice

• Curiosity and mindfulness – Mindfulness Meditation

Quotations on Curiosity

The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.     

• Dorothy Parker