Curiosity Redefines the Limits

Develop a “curiosity advantage” by embracing lifelong learning.

As a child, Rodney Adkins loved to investigate how devices worked. He tinkered with clocks, radios, and vacuum cleaners, and even lawnmower parts to build his own motorized scooter. Adkins’s parents didn’t punish him for dismantling their household appliances. Rather, they encouraged him to cultivate an insatiable sense of curiosity — a trait that, ultimately, helped transform him into a lifelong learner who could handle setbacks constructively. For example, when Adkins’s curiosity about bicycle chains led him to lose the tip of his right index finger, he worked to become ambidextrous: He learned to write, draw, play sports, and even eat with chopsticks using either hand.

Instead of seeing your circumstances as limits on what you can accomplish, use curiosity to explore ways to overcome the challenges you face and achieve the results you want. Asking open-ended questions like “how,” “why,” and “what if” will help you continuously uncover new knowledge and develop your ability to pursue innovative solutions to tough problems. Treat every experience as a learning opportunity. When you succeed, build on those...