When Life Threatens To Take You Down, Be Curious Not Furious

I don’t remember where I first heard this expression, but I have found it extraordinarily useful of late.

I teach a class on Growth Mindset, and always talk about being curious as one of the markers of a growth mindset.

But it can be equally useful when something threatens to harm my peaceful existence. The guy who cuts me off in traffic? I can wonder what might be going on in their world that they are driving so erratically.

The leader who gaslights me in a meeting? I can wonder why a rational, intelligent person would behave that way. In this case, I am assuming they are a rational, intelligent person. What if they’re not? I can be curious as to what went on in their life that made them who they are.

I saw Mike Tyson make an obscene gesture at the weigh in for the Netflix Tyson vs Paul fight. Yuck, disgusting! But before I get furious (okay, maybe too late 😊), I can be curious about what in his world makes him believe that’s okay behaviour for a 58-year-old man.

Try this ONE thing

Next time you feel your anger rising, can you make the switch from furious, to being curious? It may help explain their behaviour, but it will definitely restore your peace.

Want to experience coaching? I like to start with a deep, get-to-know-you conversation to see if we are right for each other. Sometimes we talk for one or two hours at no charge. I have no goal except to bring about transformation. Together we work on the lies, the self-deception, the fears of the power you perceive to be outside yourself. We work on your difficulties in making decisions and your inability thus far to make bold choices in life and to follow through and trust yourself completely to do so.

The irony for some people is that the very thing that they want the coaching for (an indecisive, half-hearted life) is what’s keeping them from deciding whether to get coaching.

When you’re ready, reach out @ karen.laidlaw.theONEthing@outlook.com. Meanwhile, enjoy the blog!