Curiosity and interest in the world
Curiosity/Signature strengths
Jul/Monday/2008 10:05 PM
One of
the things I know for sure in this life, is that I am
one curious person! There are very few subjects that
don't arouse my
curiosity. In
fact, the other day when the HVAC repairman came to
our house, I followed him around asking questions and
observing his every move. At the end of the call, he
said, "I don't usually like customers following me
around, but you really seemed so interested, it made
the time go by quicker, and I was happy to explain."
OK. What on earth am I doing, spending time following
the AC repair guy around, when I KNOW I have a
million other things to be doing? Well, if Martin
Seligman's work on Signature Strengths is correct,
this would be one good example of how I naturally
gravitate and used my character strength in a new
way. Talking about heating and air is not on my daily
agenda! I did
enjoy
learning something new. I also really
appreciated
his skill in doing an excellent job
(appreciation
of beauty and excellence). He had
taken time to do some of the maintenance others had
missed. It also allowed me to make someone else's day
a little more interesting as well.
As a coach, curiosity is a critical skill. If you aren't interested in your clients and curious about what will take them closer to their wellness vision, not a lot will take place! Balanced with listening and reflecting answers back to them, the combination of inquiry and reflection can be a powerful experience. Outside of coaching, who doesn't enjoy someone being interested in them?
As a patient and survivor, curiosity and interest can serve you well. For me, asking questions has helped me through the last four years of cancer survivorship. Information and knowledge is power for me. I recognize that everyone is different. Today, I used this signature strength in a new way. While reviewing an MRI report that had left me with lingering questions for a week, I made the decision to call the radiologist. With my curious questions, she was able to give me information that allayed fears I had had, and determine next steps. I felt energized and satisfied. It also took a little courage and bravery to call! There are those that don't appreciate questions, :-(, but thank goodness she was gracious.
My experience in life has been that sometimes people invite and appreciate questions, while other times they don't. As a young girl, full of questions, my father would get a little annoyed and suppress my eagerness to ask questions. However, I am making up for it as an adult! I found my shoes to stand in, and I ask away. Dad, just remember, when I ask a lot of questions and you get annoyed, its your fault! :-)
Go to www.authentichappiness.com to find your Signature Strengths, and use them in a new way today!
As a coach, curiosity is a critical skill. If you aren't interested in your clients and curious about what will take them closer to their wellness vision, not a lot will take place! Balanced with listening and reflecting answers back to them, the combination of inquiry and reflection can be a powerful experience. Outside of coaching, who doesn't enjoy someone being interested in them?
As a patient and survivor, curiosity and interest can serve you well. For me, asking questions has helped me through the last four years of cancer survivorship. Information and knowledge is power for me. I recognize that everyone is different. Today, I used this signature strength in a new way. While reviewing an MRI report that had left me with lingering questions for a week, I made the decision to call the radiologist. With my curious questions, she was able to give me information that allayed fears I had had, and determine next steps. I felt energized and satisfied. It also took a little courage and bravery to call! There are those that don't appreciate questions, :-(, but thank goodness she was gracious.
My experience in life has been that sometimes people invite and appreciate questions, while other times they don't. As a young girl, full of questions, my father would get a little annoyed and suppress my eagerness to ask questions. However, I am making up for it as an adult! I found my shoes to stand in, and I ask away. Dad, just remember, when I ask a lot of questions and you get annoyed, its your fault! :-)
Go to www.authentichappiness.com to find your Signature Strengths, and use them in a new way today!
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