Perhaps the most important question in the world is: Why? This question leads to all kinds of insight, and occasionally, innovation & invention.
Why? Because questioning the reasons behind “the way things are” allows you the opportunity to usurp the status quo and find interconnections that you otherwise may not have realized. This curiosity digs deep into the foundations of assumptions and beliefs. Armed with such a tool, you can unearth some very interesting artifacts.
It’s also one of the main tools I use in my Serenity Philosophy of Entrepreneurship. This philosophy is all about accepting what cannot be changed, changing what can, and knowing the difference between the two.
Why do we have to carry all these heavy books around? Think: Amazon Kindle
Why do the screens on electronic devices have to break if we accidentally bend them? Think: Electronic paper.
Why do I have to worry about losing all of my data if my computer is stolen? Think: Dropbox.
These example questions are perhaps a little too specific, but you get the point. Start with a why and keep on asking it until you get to the foundation of the issue. Ask it relentlessly, like a wide-eyed seven-year-old. You may end up with a dead end, more questions, or perhaps some ingenious insight.
Such curiosity is the impetus for two types of thinking: critical thinking and lateral thinking. As an entrepreneur, these modes of thinking give birth to creativity and can separate the boring & useless businesses from the delightful & useful businesses.
Photo by: re-ality
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