How to Leverage Your Curiosity to Make Better Decisions
In school, we are tested on what we know. When applying for jobs, we boast about our skills and experience. In life, we return to the same recipes, vacation spots, or travel the same routes to visit familiar places. Knowledge is powerful, and not knowing seems scary.
Yet by focusing only on what we know, we are blind to possibilities. We stop growing and learning. Our experiences become more mundane, less meaningful. Curiosity, such a powerful force when we were young, becomes limited after years of being overshadowed by knowledge.
We make decisions big and small based on what we know, without ever stopping to ask what we don’t know.
This may be especially true when making significant decisions, such as choosing a new home. A recent New York Times article surveyed 160 people looking for a new apartment and found their expectations were “incredibly low.” Many of the searches were guided by “niche desires,” such as a window onto a courtyard or proximity to a favorite restaurant, grocery store, or gym. Most of these desires are informed by previous experiences and ignore the possibilities that might exist.
The same holds when looking for a senior living apartment. Recently, a family had narrowed their search to a couple of retirement communities in the Folsom area. Their non-negotiable was an apartment with a patio or balcony. Patios are lovely, but deciding where to move based solely on that overlooks other aspects that might have a greater impact on their overall happiness and quality of life, such as the quality of the dining experience or the availability of support if needed.
How can you ensure you have minimized blind spots when making an important decision?
1. Increase your (self) awareness.
- Many websites offer guides, such as our Family Decision Toolkit, that include checklists to illuminate what’s important to you.
- Reflect on your biases and assumptions. We all approach decisions from our unique perspectives. Be clear about your assumptions and biases and how they may influence your judgment.
2. Solicit the experience of others.
- If you have friends or family members in a similar situation, ask them about their decisions and journey. They may bring up aspects you had not considered.
- Find someone who made a different decision than you would—listen openly to try to understand their diverse perspective.
- Ask the sales counselors in communities that interest you what they recommend. They’ve helped many families navigate the journey you are on and can offer guidance.
3. Keep asking questions.
- Often, the more you know, the more you realize you don’t know. Repeatedly ask yourself and others “why?” to gain a more comprehensive understanding.
- Consider the opposite. Play the devil’s advocate, or ask someone else to take on the role, to ensure you’ve looked at different perspectives.
4. Allow time.
- Rarely are good decisions rushed. Allow yourself time to consider your priorities, research your options, and reflect on multiple perspectives.
- Start thinking about your journey before you plan to take the first step. When possible, do not make decisions when you are stressed or struggling with an acute situation.
Spending time asking questions is almost always a sound investment. We come away with greater knowledge. We make better decisions. The possibilities are greater. Approaching big decisions with an open mind and being attentive to what we don’t know can lead to better outcomes and greater happiness.
If we can help you better understand your options, please reach out to our Counselors.
