Paying Attention to What You Pay Attention to

For anyone trying to discern what to do w/ your life: Pay attention to what you pay attention to. That's pretty much all the info u need.

-Amy Krouse Rosenthal

I wish I read that quote in my early twenties.

Curiosity vs. Genius

I think what a lot of people call intelligence boils down to curiosity.

- Aaron Schwartz

In hearing people talk about geniuses, it’s consistent that they didn't have only talent, it’s mostly that they improved a little every week, never gave up, and they were curious.

Genius = Curiosity + Persistance

What Curiosity Means to Me

At minimum, curiosity provides an interesting fact or moment. At its best it can transform your life.

For me, curiosity is the engine of intentionality. It’s the byline of this site.

Curiosity is the seed for so many things. It drives us toward the new and explore what’s out there. It drives questions of why, which leads to learning that enables knowledge and skills you can use in everyday life. That learning creates the knowledge of intentionality.

I’m fortunate to have intrinsic curiosity. I’ve always wanted to know why things work the way they do. Without it, I’d have much less desire for continuous improvement, and really, learning. Call it being a nerd, another term used to describe going deep on a subject.

This curiosity has fueled my career growth, improved my relationships, and helped me be a better parent. It helps me appreciate the world around me. I’m grateful for the magic that is our world and what humans have accomplished.

Without asking why, your subconscious can play tricks on you. Curiosity helps your conscious mind see some of the cognitive biases in action. You can understand how it should be, or have the knowledge to know you’re trapped. It doesn’t mean you can solve for them, but knowledge alone can make you stop chasing things that don’t actually make you happy.