By Megan M. Moore
When we become curious, we are more likely to listen deeply and learn from a neutral place. As we get more curious, we better understand our own and others’ behavior, as well as the positive intentions behind that behavior.
Using curiosity as a mindfulness practice centers and opens our awareness by taking a moment to engage all our senses. We can get curious and grounded anywhere at almost any time. Begin by taking two or three deep breaths. Then engage different senses by asking yourself questions. Try it with these sample questions:
- Where am I right now? (Office, kitchen, the park, in bed, courtroom, etc.)
- What do I feel under my feet? (My sock and the sole of my shoe on the carpet, my skin on the carpet.)
- What do I feel with my hands? (My jeans, the keyboard, a glass desktop, the arms of my chair.)
- What can I see around me? (A computer, trees, grass, a desk, a ring lamp, my pets, my calendar, the bailiff, water pitcher, etc.)
- What can I hear? (Music is playing, my dog is licking her paw, my kids are moving around in the next room, a siren outside.)
- What do I smell? (A candle burning, nothing, air freshener, food cooking, my lunch.)
- What do I notice about my breath? (It sped up because I am thinking about work, it feels slow and easy.)
- What do I notice about my body? (My neck is tight, this chair feels comfortable, my feet are cold, my cheeks are warm.)
Engaging our senses can help us slow down, feeling calmer and present in the moment. What did you notice when you tried it?
Curiosity also supports personal and professional growth. It helps us focus on results and learn from past actions before thinking about or offering solutions. It allows us to consider things from a neutral rather than a judgmental place. When you are working on an outcome or goal, along the way stop and ask yourself:
- What did I commit to doing?
- What did I do?
- What results did I get?
- What did I learn?
- What will I do the same and/or differently the next time?
Asking these questions provides for a space for you to think neutrally about your actions and results. By asking what we learned and what will do the next time, we can generate new ideas or next steps.
Megan M. Moore (Megan@MeganMooreInc.com) is a licensed attorney and certified professional coach. She is President & CEO of Megan Moore, Inc., a business founded on curiosity and the power of the right question. She supports career-driven attorneys ready to pivot away from stress and pivot toward personal and professional fulfillment.