Tag Archives: Curiosity

Becoming a Beginner Again: Finding New Purpose in Life’s Second Act

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The journey through midlife (ages 45-65) often brings us to an unexpected crossroads – one where we’re invited to transform our relationship with success, purpose, and personal growth. While our earlier years might have been dominated by external measures of achievement (what we do, what others think, what we own, and what we control), midlife presents an opportunity for a profound shift in perspective.

Developmental psychologist Erik Erikson suggests a powerful alternative mindset: “I am what survives me.” This simple yet profound reframing encourages us to consider our legacy and impact on future generations, moving beyond immediate gratification to focus on lasting contribution.

Think of yourself as a plant that occasionally needs repotting to flourish. Throughout our careers, we accumulate valuable seeds of knowledge and wisdom. Midlife offers the perfect opportunity to transplant these seeds into new soil, allowing us to grow in different directions. With decades of experience, we’re better equipped to recognize the environments where our talents will thrive.

The modern workplace increasingly supports this evolution. The pandemic accelerated the trend toward flexible work arrangements, with more companies offering phased retirement options. This shift acknowledges that stepping back from full-time work doesn’t mean retiring completely – instead, it’s an invitation to reimagine how we can apply our skills and knowledge in new ways.

One of the most valuable contributions older professionals can make is teaching and mentoring. As Arthur C. Brooks notes, the best synthesizers and explainers of complex ideas tend to be in their mid-60s or older. This makes intuitive sense – wisdom accumulated over decades creates natural teachers. Beyond technical expertise, older professionals offer “invisible productivity” – the ability to elevate the performance of entire teams through their well-developed social skills and emotional intelligence.

The key to thriving in this new chapter lies in becoming a beginner again. While it might seem counterintuitive to start fresh when you’ve mastered certain skills, introducing novelty into your life creates distinct memories and actually slows down your perception of time. When we engage in new activities that put us in a state of flow, we temporarily lose track of time, creating a psychological pause in aging.

Curiosity plays a crucial role in this reinvention process. Like hunger or thirst, curiosity creates a dopamine-fueled motivation to seek information and learn. Particularly valuable is what author Jeff Wetzler calls “connective curiosity” – the desire to understand others’ thoughts, experiences, and feelings. This form of curiosity, rooted in the Latin word for “care,” becomes an act of genuine interest in others that deepens relationships and learning opportunities.

To maintain your curiosity, practice what Simon T. Bailey calls “vujá dé” – the opposite of déjà vu. This means seeing familiar situations with fresh eyes and understanding common experiences in new ways. It’s about finding extraordinary insights in ordinary moments through careful observation and openness to new perspectives.

I’m reminded of a quote by Alexandra Horowitz: In childhood, then, attention is brightened by two features: children’s neophilia (love of new things) and the fact that, as young people, they simply haven’t seen it all before.

Can you learn to have the curiosity of a child again?

Having rediscovered this curiosity, what does that mean for our legacy?

Most of us want to leave a legacy, even in the smallest ways. Here are five questions that could help define your legacy:

  1. Who will benefit most from what you leave behind?
  2. What invisible but valuable gifts can you offer?
  3. How will you prepare and deliver your legacy?
  4. When is the most meaningful time to share your wisdom?
  5. Why does this matter to you personally?

Here’s some wisdom from David Viscott: “The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” Midlife isn’t about retiring from life – it’s about transitioning from “human doing” to “human being.” It’s an opportunity to move beyond the pursuit of happiness to the practice of joy, finding fulfillment in sharing your accumulated wisdom and experience with others.

My journey of becoming a Modern Elder involves embracing both the wisdom I’ve gained and the beginner’s mind that keeps me growing. By maintaining my curiosity, seeking new challenges, and focusing on meaningful contribution, I am creating a second half of life that’s as rich and rewarding as the first – perhaps even more so.

This transformation doesn’t happen automatically – it requires intentional effort to see familiar situations with new eyes and remain open to learning from others. Surrounding yourself with people who challenge your thinking and illuminate your blind spots helps maintain this growth mindset. As I continue to navigate this transition, I am reminded that my greatest contribution might not be in what I do, but in how I help others grow and develop through my accumulated wisdom and experience.

Exploring Curiosity: The Socratic Method vs. a Three-Year-Old’s “Why?”

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In the latest version of “Nina and GrandBob’s Summer Camp,” Anita and I recently spent a week in VA keeping our 3-year old grandson and 3-month old granddaughter while their daycare was closed for a couple of weeks. Our kids had planned one of the weeks as a vacation, but needed help for the other week – and of course we were very happy to do it!

Among many observations we made that week, one stands out:

Socrates and his method of questioning has nothing on a three-year old’s ability to ask “why.”

Each day began with me taking my grandson on a wagon ride/walk of about a mile or so, looping through all the streets in their neighborhood. The birds were out and about, pets greeted us with tail wags, cars and trucks needed explaining, and other neighbors out walking greeted us warmly.

All of the above, and much more, demonstrated the curiosity capacity of a three-year old. At the same time, it was a reminder that we’re never to old to ask “why” and learn more about what is going on around us.

Curiosity is a fundamental aspect of human nature, driving our pursuit of knowledge and understanding. Two notable expressions of curiosity are the Socratic Method and a three-year-old’s incessant questioning of “why.” While seemingly distinct, these two forms of inquiry share surprising similarities in their ability to ignite intellectual exploration and enhance learning. This article delves into the world of curiosity, comparing and contrasting the Socratic Method with a three-year-old’s relentless pursuit of “why.”

The Socratic Method: An Ancient Art of Inquiry

The Socratic Method, dating back to ancient Greece, is a philosophical approach that seeks to uncover truth through questioning. Inspired by the famous philosopher Socrates, this method involves a skilled interlocutor leading a discussion by asking thought-provoking questions. Through these inquiries, participants are encouraged to critically examine their beliefs, assumptions, and reasoning, arriving at deeper insights and understanding.

A Three-Year-Old’s “Why”: Unfiltered Curiosity

If you’ve ever spent time with a three-year-old, you’re likely familiar with their unyielding tendency to ask “why” about nearly everything they encounter. From mundane tasks to complex concepts, this simple question serves as their gateway to understanding the world around them. For a child at this age, “why” represents their innate curiosity and thirst for knowledge as they seek explanations and connections.

Comparing Curiosity in the Socratic Method and a Three-Year-Old

The Power of Inquiry

Both the Socratic Method and a three-year-old’s “why” share a profound reliance on inquiry to stimulate intellectual exploration. Both approaches aim to unearth deeper truths and insights, either within oneself (in the case of the Socratic Method) or about the external world (in the case of a child’s “why”). They demonstrate the inherent human desire to seek answers and understand the reasons behind various phenomena.

Cultivating Critical Thinking

Both the Socratic Method and a three-year-old’s “why” contribute to the development of critical thinking skills. The Socratic Method encourages individuals to question their assumptions, consider various perspectives, and evaluate the logic of their beliefs. Similarly, when a child asks “why,” they engage in basic critical thinking by seeking explanations and connections, fostering their cognitive development.

Contrasting Curiosity in the Socratic Method and a Three-Year-Old

Guided vs. Unstructured Inquiry

The Socratic Method involves a guided and intentional approach to questioning, with an interlocutor leading the dialogue strategically. On the other hand, a three-year-old’s “why” is often unstructured and free-flowing, following their natural inquisitiveness without any predefined agenda. This distinction highlights the difference in purpose between adult-led and child-driven curiosity.

Complexity of Questions

The Socratic Method typically involves complex and profound questions designed to provoke thoughtful responses and insights. In contrast, a three-year-old’s “why” often involves simple and straightforward questions driven by their immediate curiosity about their environment and experiences.

Social Context

The Socratic Method usually occurs in formal settings like educational institutions or philosophical discussions, involving adults or intellectually developed peers. In contrast, a three-year-old’s “why” is predominantly a social interaction between the child and their caregivers, teachers, or peers, occurring in informal daily settings.

Harnessing the Power of Curiosity

The Socratic Method and a three-year-old’s “why” demonstrate the inherent human drive to seek understanding and knowledge. While they differ in structure and complexity, both approaches showcase the power of curiosity as a catalyst for learning and growth.

For educators and leaders, understanding the significance of curiosity is essential in fostering a culture of inquiry and intellectual development. Encouraging critical thinking and open dialogue, inspired by the principles of the Socratic Method, can lead to profound insights and transformative learning experiences, not just for adults but also for the young minds who constantly ask “why.”

Curiosity is a timeless force that transcends age and time. The Socratic Method, with its guided approach to questioning, and a three-year-old’s relentless “why,” exemplify the power of inquiry in stimulating intellectual exploration and fostering critical thinking. By embracing curiosity and promoting thoughtful questioning, we can create a culture that values learning, encourages open dialogue, and nurtures intellectual curiosity in both adults and children alike. As we harness the potential of curiosity, we unlock the door to a world of knowledge and understanding, propelling us on an endless journey of discovery and growth.

Great Minds Ask Great Questions

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Tom Peters – Seth Godin – Leonardo da  Vinci: a unique trio?

All of us come into the world curious.

I saw it in the birth and development of each of my four children. In different but equally valid ways, I see it in each of my eight grandchildren.

We’ve all got it; the challenge is using and developing it for our own benefit. I think our curiosity is at its highest from birth through our first few years. A baby’s every sense is attuned to exploring and learning – everything is an experiment. They don’t know it yet; to them it’s just survival. Then in a few months, or years, their curiosity becomes vocal:

• Daddy, how do birds fly?

• Mommy, what does a worm eat?

• Why? How? When? What?

It’s easy to lose our curiosity as we grow into adulthood – after all, we think we know it all (or at least everything we need to know.)

Not really.

Great, growing, learning minds go on asking confounding questions with the same intensity as a curious three-year old. A childlike sense of wonder and insatiable curiosity will compel you to always be a learner.

From Seth Godin:

I’ve noticed that people who read a lot of blogs and a lot of books also tend to be intellectually curious, thirsty for knowledge, quicker to adopt new ideas and more likely to do important work. I wonder which comes first, the curiosity or the success?

From Tom Peters:

Swallow your pride, especially if you are a “top” boss. Ask until you understand. The “dumber” the question, the better! Ask! Ask! Ask! (Then ask again!). Above all, sweat the details – the weird, incomprehensible “little” thing that appears in Footnote #7 to Appendix C that doesn’t make sense to you. Probe until you find out what it means.

From Leonardo da Vinci:

Do you not see how many and varied are the actions which are performed by men alone? Do you not see how many different kinds of plants and animals there are? What variety of hilly and level places, and streams and rivers, exist? I roam the countryside searching for answers to things I do not understand. These questions engage my thought throughout my life.

A few questions for you:

• How curious are you?

• When was the last time you sought knowledge simply for the pursuit of truth?

• Do you know curious (really curious) people?

• Do you want to be a lifelong learner?

Without “why?” there can be no “here’s how to make it better.”

A question, thoughtfully conceived, can illuminate a room, a company, a life.

Chip Conley, Wisdom @ Work

Part of a regular series on 27gen, entitled Wednesday Weekly Reader

During my elementary school years one of the things I looked forward to the most was the delivery of “My Weekly Reader,” a weekly educational magazine designed for children and containing news-based, current events.

It became a regular part of my love for reading, and helped develop my curiosity about the world around us.

What I’m Re-Learning from a 9 Month Old…

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I’ve made an astounding discovery: If you want a definition of curiosity and exploration, just watch a 9 month old discovering her surroundings.

A little backstory: while my son is going through basic training in the Air Force, our daughter-in-law and 9 month old granddaughter are living with my wife and me. It’s been a long time since we’ve had an infant in the house – over 18 years, in fact. Even with four children, I forgot how fascinating babies are – they are learning machines.

Babies are born with a deep desire to understand the world around them and an incessant curiosity that compels them to aggressively explore it. Even though she hasn’t yet begun to crawl more than a few feet at a time, my granddaughter is constantly in motion when she is on the floor – looking at objects, responding to sounds, grabbing things, and putting most of them in her mouth (GrandBob disclaimer: I only let her put Mom-approved objects in her mouth).

Babies younger than a year old will systematically analyze an object with every sensory weapon at their disposal. They will feel it, kick it (we have a budding soccer star on our hands), stick it in their mouth, stick it in their ear, and even give it to you to stick it in your mouth. I proved the last item at a cookout last night: after mauling my name tag, my granddaughter insisted that I put it in my mouth – which, of course, I promptly did.

Babies methodically do experiments on the objects in their universe to see what else they will do. We are natural explorers, and the tendency is so strong that it is capable of turning us into lifelong learners.

Music to my ears!

Our brains are not wired to outgrow the thirst for knowledge, but sadly, most of the time we are “educated” out of this natural curiosity. How sad.

As John Medina, author of the absolutely fantastic books “Brain Rules” and “Brain Rules for Baby” states:

The greatest Brain Rule of all is something I cannot prove or characterize, but I believe in with all my heart. As babies try to tell us and show us, it is the importance of curiosity.

What will you be curious about today?

For a few prior posts taking a look at specific topics from Medina’s book, click on these links:

Brain Power

Wiring

Short-Term Memory

Sleep

Vision

Also check out his books:

Brain Rules

Brain Rules for Baby