We grow when we have access to a larger frame of reference
I once wrote an article with Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi about how curiosity and exploration are fundamental to learning.
Museums spark learning by capturing our curiosity with objects and ideas that seem foreign or mysterious. This leads to what he called the “flow state,” where learning feels effortless and intrinsically rewarding because it engages our full attention.
But this kind of learning doesn’t come from a place of knowing. Rather, it comes from not knowing.
It comes from LETTING GO of what we think we know, and allow curiosity to take us somewhere new.
In this place of not knowing, we develop new skills and make connections that were previously hidden.
Having access to a more expansive set of possibilities inspires growth and creativity.
When we feel stuck or out of options, it’s because our frame has become too small. To get unstuck, we need to widen our view and give ourselves space for curiosity and discovery.
Here are some ways to broaden your perspective. Letting go of whatever you “think” is going on, and shifting your focus instead to curiosity and possibility. Ask yourself:
What am I curious about?
What is this situation asking of me?
What, or who, do I need to pay attention to right now?
What questions haven’t I asked yet?
Click here to read the full article I co-authored with Mihaly Csikszentmihaly:
