Curiosity – I focus my curiosity

Introduction 

We can get so carried away, being curious that we lose track of what is important. If we focus our curiosity in areas that could bring success, we may find it. Focus your curiosity on the things that bring success to your passion. 

Benefits of focused curiosity

1. There is improved quality in decision making. 

2. You understand things better when you have researched them better.

3. You can find out what is important to you and why.

Skill example: 

I searched the internet on how to make interesting educational films and also spoke to as many people as I could in the film industry.

Samuel's story

Samuel is thirty-five years old and lives in Gauteng. He owns a small food restaurant and has the same clientele for years. Samuel wonders how he could increase his reach to get more clients in. Samuel sold "African cuisines" and preferred to retain the menu items. He did internet searches on how to grow a business, looked at marketing strategies, looked overseas for inspiration and starts writing to various people for ideas. Soon Samuel realised that he lost the plot because he was exploring too many things.

He cleared his table and decided to imagine that he was a customer in his restaurant. He let his imagination run wild. What would he as a customer, like an experience in his restaurant to be like? Relaxed, good food, nice atmosphere, music, poetry recitals or a play area for children?

Samuel imagined what additions he could make and made a note of this. He focussed his attention on what he already had at his disposal and worked within this. Slowly he started to implement small changes. Music was a lovely addition, and people enjoyed live music in a relaxing environment. Within a month, Samuel had new clients, and things were still changing. Samuel realised the value of focussing curiosity.

How to focus your curiosity

Curiosity is a natural human trait that drives us to explore and learn about the world around us. While curiosity can be a positive trait, it can also be distracting or even harmful if it's not properly controlled. Here are some tips for controlling your curiosity:

1. Set boundaries: It's important to set boundaries around your curiosity to prevent it from interfering with your daily life. For example, set a specific time each day to check social media or news websites, and limit the amount of time you spend on them.
2. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings and help you stay focused on the present moment. Mindfulness exercises such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help you manage your curiosity and stay centered.
3. Ask yourself why: When you feel curious about something, ask yourself why you're curious. Is it because you're genuinely interested in learning more about the topic, or are you just looking for a distraction? Understanding the underlying reason for your curiosity can help you determine whether it's worth pursuing.
4. Focus on your goals: Focus on your long-term goals and prioritize activities that will help you achieve them. This can help you stay motivated and avoid getting sidetracked by your curiosity.
5. Embrace uncertainty: Curiosity often arises from a desire to reduce uncertainty or solve a problem. However, it's important to embrace uncertainty and be comfortable with not knowing everything. Recognize that some questions may not have answers, and that's okay.

Remember that curiosity can be a positive trait when properly channeled. By setting boundaries, practicing mindfulness, and staying focused on your goals, you can harness your curiosity in a way that enhances your life rather than distracting from it.