Seth Godin nailed another one, again, in his book “Tribes”. This short section on curiosity is sticking in my brain. It just won’t let go! So I’m going to pass it along and hope to get some peace so I can head off to bed.
“It’s more about a five- or ten- or fifteen-year process where you start finding your voice, and finally you begin to realize that the safest thing you can do feels risky and the riskiest thing you can do is play it safe.
Once recognized, the quiet yet persistent voice of curiosity doesn’t go away. Ever. And perhaps it’s such curiosity that will lead us to distinguish our own greatness from the mediocrity that stares us in the face.”
What if one of the expressions of your natural genius, your voice, the gift you were born to offer the world, was your innate curiosity? Just waiting to be recognized and nurtured.
In my case, I’m naturally curious about people, their stories and their social ties. So much so that I fit, perfectly, the description of Connectors in the book “The Tipping Point” by Malcom Gladwell. Yet, I’ve ignored, under-valued and neglected that part of me for years and years.
Now that I’m making my curiosity a conscious part of my life things are happening. A lightness is coming back into my life. No more struggling to find where I fit in the world. My actions are becoming focused and more effective. To not be this way feels incredibly risky. Even though it is the “safe” option.
I believe Seth is right. Once you hear your voice, there is no going back. Are you ready to listen to that voice? The one that whispers, asks questions and is always curious.
Here are a few ideas to help you get started.
- Spend some time alone. In nature helps. Reflect on your life.
- Find common threads in the various careers, hobbies and interests.
- Ask others what they see as your gifts.
- What magazines and books do you like to read? Why?
- What are you both good at and, this next part is important, enjoy?
- When you take a vacation, what is it that you enjoy doing and why?
- What movies and characters do you identify most with and why?
No matter how quiet. Your curiosity is one of your gifts to the world. And there’s a whole tribe of people waiting to share it with you. Discover your greatness.
