Curiosity Goals

Curiosity(ˌkyo͝orēˈäsədē) Goals

By Steve Pavlina

Maybe you have some goals for accomplishments you’d like to experience and enjoy(inˈjoi). That’s great. Just be aware that you can also set goals for outcomes and experiences that you don’t even know if you’ll like.

One of my current goals is to be able to walk 80 steps at a normal walking pace(pās) while comfortably(ˈkəmftərblē) holding my breath(breTH). That’s after exhaling(eksˈhāl) and with only relaxed and shallow(ˈSHalō) nose-breathing(ˈbrēT͟HiNG) beforehand, not while holding in a deep breath. I started working on this goal last week, and currently I’m up to 25 steps.

What will I gain(ɡān) by achieving this goal? I don’t know. I’m simply curious what might be different when I’m able to do that. Maybe there will be some interesting side effects like better focus and concentration(ˌkänsənˈtrāSH(ə)n). I can’t actually predict(prəˈdikt) what difference it will make. After reading The Oxygen(ˈäksəjən) Advantage, I have some ideas regarding potential benefits, but I won’t really know if there are any meaningful benefits till I experience them.

I’m not pursuing this goal for known and clear benefits. I’m exploring it for curiosity’s sake(sāk). I like giving myself new experiences to see how they affect me.

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Curiosity is a great antidote(ˈan(t)iˌdōt) for perfectionism(pərˈfekSHəˌnizəm). Curiosity is flexible and detached(dəˈtaCHt) from neediness. Curiosity keeps us wondering about what’s possible. Curiosity encourages exploration in the face of uncertainty. Curiosity is a fabulous(ˈfabyələs) teacher and an incredible character-sculpting(skəlpt) tool.

https://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2020/10/curiosity-goals/