Of all the things that have impacted my business the most, you might be surprised to hear that simply “staying curious” has always been at the top of the list. As an entrepreneur, I’ve had a very non-linear path.
But I like to think that’s how all great business stories begin.
For me, it started with blogging then photography, next photo editing then website design – I’ve explored a lot of different skillsets within the creative industry. Why? Because I’ve always had two main goals in business.
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To build a business that provides me with flexibility and freedom in life
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To work with other small business owners and help them to do the same.
I’ve been in business since 2015, and over the years I’ve found that each change in business accompanies a change in season of life. Ideally, my business will always support my life and not the other way around. And in order to make that happen, I always try to keep an open mind and be adaptable to whatever life throws my way.
I’ve found that this approach can be applied equally to both business and life. You don’t have to make major pivots in order to stay curious in business. But being open to the possibility of trying something new will help to fuel innovation, opens doors to new opportunities, and propel your businesses towards growth and success. So let’s talk a bit about the significance of staying curious in business and how it can positively impact your growth, happiness, and longevity.
1. Unlocking Innovative Ideas
Curiosity is the spark that lights the fire in business. By staying curious, successful entrepreneurs create an environment that encourages creative thinking, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. This mindset builds the habit of exploring new ideas and prompts to ask the questions “what isn’t working” or “what could I try differently?” When businesses embrace curiosity, they are more likely to come up unique solutions, new product or service ideas, provide a better client experience and simply remain true to their brand story rather than trying to force the latest trend.
2. Embracing Continuous Learning
Let’s face it, as an entrepreneur you never stop learning. Small business is a rapidly changing industry and what worked yesterday, probably won’t work tomorrow. However, it’s common to become bored with exploring the same topic over and over again. When you embrace the concept of curiosity, it can reignite the passion in your business as you work to acquire a new skill, expand your knowledge, or make a much needed pivot. By investing time and resources into continuous learning, it fosters a mindset of growth and development that you’ll be eager to continue.
3. Staying Adaptable to Change
Like I mentioned, the business landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies, products, and changing client demands. It’s impossible for you as the business owner to have all the knowledge you need and provide an answer for everything. But when you remain curious it can help ease the overwhelm and allows your business to navigate any changes it encounters more effectively. Curiosity helps entrepreneurs embrace the unknown, explore new markets, and identify untapped opportunities.
4. Improving Problem Solving Skills
Curiosity leads to asking questions and seeking answers. This mindset can help you approach problems in your business in a more creative and effective way. By staying curious, it forces you to identify blind spots, challenge assumptions, and consider alternative solutions. This approach can lead to more successful problem-solving and better outcomes. More than that, it leads to a better experience for your audience and clients.
5. Fostering Collaboration and Networking
When you approach your business with a level of curiosity, you are more likely to seek out new experiences and encourage collaboration opportunities. This enables your business to build valuable connections you may have otherwise missed out on. By actively seeking out opportunities to collaborate with other businesses, you can broaden your horizons, exchange insider knowledge, and tap into new markets.
6. Embracing a Customer-Centric Approach
Curiosity also plays a pivotal role in understanding customers’ needs and preferences. As the saying goes “if you don’t ask, you’ll never know.” By staying curious about your target audience, you have more opportunity to gather insights, anticipate trends, and tailor your products or services to meet your customers’ evolving expectations.
Overall, curiosity helps you to think creatively and find innovative solutions to complex problems. It also fosters a growth mindset, assisting you with in the process of embracing challenges and viewing failures as opportunities for learning and improvement.
Staying curious can help you learn to love your business again in a season of burnout, because you are more likely to feel fulfilled when you have the opportunity to work on something new, exciting, and challenge yourself.
That doesn’t have to look like making a major pivot in your business. It can be something simple that brings improvement to your day makes a small increase in your revenue so that you can make more room for growth in the future. Here’s a few fun ideas to explore for your business:
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Add affiliate income
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Simplify your service suit
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Start a podcast
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Read a new business book
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Learn a new skill with 2 degrees of separation
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Try a new technology/program
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Outsource a task you don’t like
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Send out a questionnaire to previous clients
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Create a digital product
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Visit an art gallery
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Start a creative “non business” hobby
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Finally build your email list
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Create a free, informational resource
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Monetize your website
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Sell your products on a new platform
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Review next quarter’s business goals
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Launch a loyalty program
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Start an ambassador program
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Implement a post purchase/off-boarding survey
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Build your first sales funnel
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Create a new lead magnet
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Learn new SEO techniques
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Reach out for a potential collaboration
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Record a new webinar
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Set aside 30 minutes every day for content creation
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Start a journal with prompts
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Try a new social media platform
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Create a resources list
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Develop a media page and reach out to brands
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Analyze your core daily tasks and time management
