What Happens When you Follow Your Curiosity Instead of Your Passion
“Find your passion” is a battle cry for freelancers everywhere, encouraging them to chase after the one thing that fires them up, promising a lifetime of perfect projects and perfect clients.
But what if you don’t know what your passion is? Or if you have many interests? Or the thought of dropping everything to chase after one interest seems too risky?
What if we did this instead: Follow your curiosity.
Why curiosity? Well, for one, it’s much easier and (potentially) less destructive than burning bridges and going all-in on one passion, which may or may not work out.
Second, it’s much more fun. Passion is demanding. It requires you to commit everything you have. But curiosity is ever-evolving.
Curiosity only requires that you’re willing to follow your interests, ask questions about them, and see where they lead you.
Mini-Case Studies in Curiosity
For you freelancers, what does it look like to follow your curiosity? I have two recent examples -- but there are a million more just like them.
From Pet Brands to Food Blogs
I recently had a screening interview with a candidate who was applying to be a social media manager for a food blogger.
She had previously worked with health supplement and pet product brands. But she had no interest in those industries. So staying on top of the trends was challenging.
She followed her curiosity which led her to apply to work with a food blogger. She was so drawn to working in an industry she loves, she was even excited about charging a lower rate to work with my client.
Creating Alignment
A freelance writer I know personally, Cara Lanz, is following her curiosity to fine-tune her book of clients, while building her food blog at Midwesternhomelife.com.
As her personal interests led her to build her own lifestyle brand, she turned her outreach to seek new writing clients in the lifestyle space, as well.
That means her resources, knowledge, and skills easily transfer to both -- and she’s creating a world that she loves to be in. All the time.
Following Your Curiosity as a Freelancer
The common thread between these stories is how they each rode the wave of curiosity to take them to the place they love to be.
As a freelancer, everyone has to start somewhere. But when you follow your curiosity, you leave yourself open to learning as you go, changing course along the way, and discovering new interests you didn’t realize you had.
Cultivating Your Curiosity Resource Guide
Because I’m so fascinated with the idea of curiosity and its value in finding fulfillment, I’m sharing some of my favorite resources on the topic. I hope they will help you to better understand the subtle differences between passion and curiosity.
[Book] Curious: The Desire to Know and Why Your Future Depends On It by Ian Leslie
For those curious about curiosity, this is a must-read (or listen). I’ve been listening to this book on Audible and love it.
According to Leslie, “The truly curious will be increasingly in demand. Employers are looking for people who can do more than follow procedures competently or respond to requests; who have a strong intrinsic desire to learn, solve problems and ask penetrating questions.”
I agree. You don’t get promoted for being good and following the rules. More important than being good is being resourceful. Thinking critically. Taking some risks. Creating innovation.
Resourceful people are priceless freelancers because they figure things out. They are ambitious, motivated, and adaptable. They are trustworthy; they solve problems. If they see something broken at work, they take the initiative to fix it.
[Article] “Business Case for Curiosity” in the Harvard Business Review
When I saw that the Harvard Business Review was also on board with the benefits of curiosity in their article, “The Business Case for Curiosity,” I did a little happy dance. Why? Because I knew this publication was being read and discussed in C-suites across the country. And it’s about time that more businesses hear about the remarkable benefits of curiosity.
[Podcast] “Choosing Curiosity Over Fear” On Being interview with Elizabeth Gilbert
In this interview, author Elizabeth Gilbert explores the challenges and limitations of discovering your passion, as well as the advantages of pursuing your curiosity.
According to Gilbert, “Curiosity is our friend that teaches us how to become ourselves. And it's a very gentle friend, and a very forgiving friend, and a very constant one. Passion is not so constant, not so gentle, not so forgiving, and, sometimes, not so available.”
Grab a cup of coffee, and give this a listen.
Follow Your Curiosity Like Your Happiness Depends On It
When it comes to creating a career you adore, it’s not passion that you’re lacking, but curiosity.
Passion is abstract and fickle. You might feel passionate about something one day, and the next you’re totally unmotivated to pursue it. Curiosity, however, tempts you to continue asking questions, digging deeper into pursuits that pique your fascination, and stepping into an openness that will curate success and meaning.
If creating a life that’s mind-blowing and awe-inspiring is your goal, passion isn’t your avenue. Like the data above suggests, curiosity is the characteristic that will open your eyes to the more that’s waiting for you. Step into it. Ask the questions. Be open. Stay inquisitive. Pursue curiosity.
Looking for Resources? I’d Love to Help
If you have a topic you’d like to learn more about and are looking for recommended resources, leave a comment, and I will get to work finding some recommendations. Chances are good that I will feature it in a future post.
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