The Secret Ingredient to Growth Mindset? A Curious Mind

There’s a phrase I carry with me whenever I feel stuck: stay curious. It sounds simple, almost like something you’d find embroidered on a throw pillow, but it’s been the most reliable compass in my journey toward intentional living.

I didn’t always see it this way. For years, I thought growth was about filling my schedule, checking off achievements, and proving I knew enough. But then I realized—what truly transforms us isn’t the knowledge itself, but the spark that leads us there: curiosity.

Let me take you into my story of how curiosity became the quiet, steady companion that changed not just the way I learn, but the way I live.

How Wonder Walked Back Into My Life

I still remember the first time curiosity knocked me sideways.

It was at a leadership conference over ten years ago. I was sitting in one of those air-conditioned hotel ballrooms, half-listening to a keynote speaker, when he asked:

“When was the last time you learned something new just for the joy of it?”

The question hit me harder than I expected. I couldn’t remember. Most of my learning had become about obligation: for work, for credibility, for survival in a fast-moving world. That’s when I realized I’d lost the playful, questioning part of myself that once made learning feel like wonder instead of work.

That moment was a reset button. I walked away not just inspired but a little unsettled—and determined to find that curious child again.

Remembering the Joy of Asking Questions

Growing up, I was the kid who drove my parents a little wild with questions: “Why does the sky change colors at sunset?” “Why do we dream?” “Why do grown-ups stop playing?”

Somewhere between adolescence and adulthood, I swapped wonder for answers. I became efficient, informed, capable—but not necessarily alive with possibility. Relearning to ask questions, even silly ones, was like opening a window I didn’t realize had been shut for years.

Rediscovering Curiosity in Everyday Life

My shift didn’t happen overnight. I started small: asking baristas why they loved a certain roast, taking a new route home just to see what was there, picking up books outside my usual comfort zone. The joy wasn’t just in the answers—it was in the aliveness of wondering again.

That’s when I began to see curiosity not as a side hobby, but as a way of living.

The Power of Staying Open to Possibility

I’ll let you in on something that made me pause the first time I read it: as stated in the Harvard Business Review, curiosity doesn’t just make us more open-minded—it actually improves decision-making by reducing our susceptibility to stereotypes and confirmation bias. Even more, it fuels engagement and sparks innovation in ways that keep both people and workplaces alive with possibility.

When I came across that research, I couldn’t help but think back on moments in my own life where asking one more question completely shifted the outcome. Whether it was in mentoring sessions, in tough conversations, or even in the way I approached my own growth, curiosity consistently widened the lens. It reminded me that wonder isn’t fluffy or childish—it’s one of the most practical tools we have for navigating change.

1. Encourages Lifelong Learning

Curiosity is like a gentle hand on your shoulder, reminding you not to get too comfortable. Instead of clinging to what we already know, it nudges us toward the question, “What else is possible?”

I’ve noticed in my own mentoring practice that the people who flourish aren’t necessarily the ones armed with quick answers. They’re the ones who keep asking thoughtful questions, who are willing to explore a little deeper rather than settle. That willingness to stay open—especially when life feels uncertain—is what keeps us adaptable and growing long after the “school years” are over.

2. Fuels Creativity and Innovation

Creativity doesn’t appear out of thin air—it’s usually curiosity in disguise. When we let ourselves explore, mix ideas, and wonder “what if,” innovation follows naturally.

I think of Steve Jobs’ famous words: “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” For me, curiosity is the soil that innovation grows from.

3. Deepens Relationships and Empathy

Curiosity isn’t only inward—it transforms how we connect with others. When I started asking people about their stories with genuine interest, I noticed how much easier it was to listen with empathy. Instead of assuming I knew, I leaned into discovery. And in those conversations, I’ve built some of the most meaningful relationships of my life.

Small Daily Choices That Keep Wonder Alive

The best part about curiosity? You don’t need special tools, courses, or credentials to practice it. What you need is permission—to slow down, ask, and notice.

Here are some ways I’ve learned to weave curiosity into my days:

1. Embrace the Habit of Questioning

I began by keeping what I now call my curiosity journal. Every time a question popped into my head—big or small—I wrote it down. Over time, this became a treasure chest of ideas and patterns.

Instead of dismissing “silly” questions, I’ve learned to see them as doorways. And when I share this practice with mentees, it often sparks new breakthroughs for them too.

2. Diversify Your Interests

It’s easy to get stuck in one lane. Curiosity nudges us sideways into unexpected paths. I once decided to learn about astronomy purely because I couldn’t stop staring at the night sky. That little detour ended up deepening my sense of wonder for the everyday—suddenly, even a walk home felt cosmic.

Try setting a monthly curiosity goal: one new subject, one new experience. It doesn’t matter how small. The point is to surprise yourself.

3. Create a Curiosity-Friendly Environment

Who you surround yourself with matters. I seek out friends and colleagues who love big questions, who challenge my assumptions instead of always agreeing with me. These conversations remind me that curiosity grows best in community.

And practically? I keep my living space sprinkled with “invites to curiosity”—a stack of books by my nightstand, a list of podcast episodes on unfamiliar topics, even art on my walls that sparks reflection.

4. Reflect and Connect

Curiosity without reflection is just noise. What makes it powerful is connecting the dots.

I’ve learned to pause at the end of the day and ask myself: "What surprised me today? What did I learn that connects to something I already know?"

These small moments of reflection often lead to creative sparks I wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

Following Questions Until They Lead to Meaning

Curiosity isn’t just about adding knowledge—it’s about aligning with meaning. When we follow our questions long enough, they often lead us to our values.

1. Aligning Curiosity with Values

In my mentoring, I guide people to explore not just what they’re curious about, but why. When curiosity aligns with core values, it becomes fuel for intentional living.

For example, if one of your values is sustainability, asking questions about eco-friendly practices can transform daily choices into acts of alignment.

2. Finding Joy in the Journey

Curiosity frees us from the trap of destination-only thinking. It reminds us that the joy is in the process—the aha moments, the small discoveries, the laughter when something doesn’t go as planned.

One of my favorite memories is trying pottery for the first time. My bowls were lopsided, my hands were messy, but my curiosity about the craft made the experience one of pure delight.

3. Sustainable Curiosity-Driven Growth

Unlike chasing constant achievement, curiosity-driven growth feels lighter. It creates balance: a space where rest and wonder matter as much as progress. It’s not about hustling endlessly—it’s about living with rhythm.

Protecting Wonder When the World Gets Loud

Staying curious in today’s world isn’t always easy. Between endless notifications, fear of failure, and the pressure to “know it all,” curiosity can feel fragile. But with awareness, we can protect it.

1. Battling Information Overload

I’ve felt it: the scrolling, the tabs open, the overwhelm of too much. Curiosity thrives when we choose quality over quantity. Now, I practice discernment. Instead of trying to learn everything, I ask: what feels meaningful to explore right now?

2. Combating Fear of Failure

Curiosity requires vulnerability. It means admitting we don’t know. For years, I avoided asking questions in meetings because I feared looking unprepared. Once I flipped the script—seeing questions as strength, not weakness—I felt liberated.

Failure, I’ve learned, isn’t the opposite of curiosity. It’s part of it.

3. Addressing Unrealized Potential

Sometimes the hardest barrier is self-doubt. Many of my mentees hesitate to follow their curiosity because they fear it won’t “amount to anything.” But the truth is, curiosity is never wasted. Every question expands us, even if the outcome isn’t obvious yet.

“Curiosity is the compass that turns learning from a chore into a journey of wonder. It breaks down bias, fuels innovation, deepens connections, and keeps us growing with meaning and joy. When we stay curious, we invite possibility into every moment.”

Wiz Daily!

Quick ways to invite curiosity into your day:

• Ask one “why” each morning—and follow it where it leads.
• Mix up your inputs—read, listen, or watch something outside your usual bubble.
• Engage in one new conversation—preferably with someone whose perspective differs from yours.
• Pause for reflection—end your day asking: What surprised me today?
• Name your next curiosity project—big or small, give it a start date.

Let Wonder Lead the Way

As I write this with a cup of tea nearby, I’m reminded that curiosity is less about answers and more about aliveness. It stitches our days together with threads of wonder, creating a tapestry rich in meaning, connection, and growth.

Curiosity doesn’t demand perfection—it simply asks us to stay open. To follow the questions, to honor our values, to celebrate both the journey and the pauses along the way.

If there’s one compass I trust to guide me toward a life that feels both full and free, it’s this: let curiosity lead.