As a business owner it’s easy to slip into comfortable patterns and start running on auto-pilot.
Whether you’re stuck in a rut, looking for new revenue streams for your business model, or simply want more joy from your business there is a simple solution.
Curiosity.
Becoming curious gives you the ability to reach your goals in a more effortless way.
“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” Albert Einstein
Here are five benefits of becoming more curious in your business.
1) You Ask Better Questions
Curiosity is all about asking questions. The more questions you ask, the more adept you will become at asking the right questions when you talk with people.
“Curiosity is an act of vulnerability and courage.” Brene Brown
And asking more questions, thoughtful questions, deepens existing relationships.
2) You Gain Clarity About Your Obstacles
When you apply curiosity to situations when something isn’t working it takes the stress away and allows you to really see what is going on.
A great question to ask yourself when something doesn’t go right is: “What does this experience make possible?” from Michael Hyatt.
It approaches the issue with curiosity, a nudge to see things from a different angle. Start wondering and asking why, a lot.
3) You Get New Insights and Ideas
The more curious you are the more new insights and ideas you will have for your business.
You will discover new ideas for marketing, for new revenue streams, for anything that you focus on.
“Think left, and think right, and think low, and think high; Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try.” Dr. Seuss
Look at other industries and get curious about how you can apply their bright ideas to your business.
Innovation happens when people become curious about how things could be done differently.
4) It’s a Cure for Business Struggles
In addition to all of the positive things curiosity brings to your business, it can also help you avoid some negative situations. Here are some of them.
Giving Up
When things don’t go the way you want them to in your business sometimes you feel like giving up.
But if you look at the situation with curiosity instead of frustration, you have a much better chance at finding the way forward.
For more on this topic, check out my post: 5 Moments When You Need to Persist in Your Business.
Making Assumptions
We all make assumptions when we don’t understand a situation. And most of the time we assume the worst.
Things like, well she didn’t reply to my email so she must not be interested.
When in reality a number of things could have happened. Maybe she didn’t get the email, maybe she is on vacation, or maybe she’s just busy.
So instead of being pessimistic, be curious and try to find out what really happened and reach her on another channel.
“Be curious, not judgmental.” Walt Whitman
Check out more about this in my post: Making Assumptions is Costing Your Business Money.
Being Afraid
Sometimes there are things you want to do in your business but you don’t do them because it feels scary.
When this happens, turn to curiosity and try to identify what it is specifically that you are afraid of.
Look at the action as a fascinating experiment about which you’re excited to discover the outcome.
“Curiosity will conquer fear more than bravery will.” James Stephens
Get Elizabeth Gilbert’s take on curiosity and fear in this interview with Krista Tippitt.
And read my post, Secrets to Overcoming Your Fears So You Can Rock Your Business.
Taking Things Personally
Curiosity will also help you not take things personally. Instead of blaming yourself, you are able to see the situation as it is and that it isn’t about you.
Get my take on this in my post, Why You Shouldn’t Take it Personally When it Comes to Your Marketing.
5) It Makes Running Your Business More Fun
Who doesn’t want to have more fun in business and life? Who says business can’t be fun?
When you bring more curiosity into your business things lighten up.
The wonder of small things you’ve overlooked emerge and delight you.
Dare to veer off the paved road and see things from a new perspective.
Feeling ready to unleash your inner detective on your business and see things from a place of curiosity instead of fear?
The benefits speak for themselves, applying curiosity to your marketing and business is one of the best ways to move forward with joy and ease.
© Stephanie Ward
Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to create meaningful and prosperous businesses. Grab your FREE copy of the special report ’7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: https://www.fireflycoaching.com.
I’d love to hear about how you use curiosity in your business. Share your experiences, thoughts, and questions in the comments section below. I respond to every single comment.
