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DISCUSSION
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What's on your mind?
Packaging Horizons
Why 'Why' Shapes our Future
Your curiosity will help determine what you can achieve and even impact history.
By Sandra Livermon
"Why?" Children ask that question over and over again. Each answer or explanation brings yet another serious question: "why?"
When we are very young, our curiosity is boundless. However, too often children are told to stop asking so many questions and to not be so curious. My reaction is to respond with the proverbial "why? Endless questions of why? how? when? can I? wouldn't it?, shape our discovery of the world. These questions also signal the early development of two of our most powerful business tools: curiosity and inquisitiveness.
Individuals, companies, corporations all want to be successful. Becoming too comfortable and satisfied with the status-quo can be suffocating and deadly. Inquisitiveness becomes the enemy of complacency. When we question, when we explore, when we embrace "what-if" scenarios, we challenge ourselves and others to keep thinking, to keep improving and to keep moving forward. Call it brainstorming, call it intellectual restlessness or just plain inquisitiveness, when we ask questions, we plant the seeds that enable us to work together to reap solutions. And those solutions could change history.
Curiosity is the stimulus of creativity. Look around. We are surrounded by the physical results of the previous curiosity of others. Witness the changing assortment of products we now enjoy. How these products are packaged, preserved, marketed and delivered are the results of wondering how? why? and If? It must be noted that if we are to truly benefit from these tools of curiosity and inquisitiveness, we must use them with sensibility, awareness and flexibility. We must refine our sense of timing and constantly evaluate our objectives and purpose. Maybe most of all, we must ask our questions and follow our curiosity with the greatest possible sense of humor.
Why a sense of humor? Because some of the best questions are often deemed a little crazy when first asked. The ability to laugh at our own curiosity and the questions others may find foolish ultimately encourages those same people to take us more seriously. Remember, laughter is a great sales tool.
Using our curiosity and inquisitiveness, particularly in the context of working together to accomplish something truly exciting and mutually beneficial, is productive, creative and fun. Without a doubt, questions are strongest when used as building blocks, not as wrecking balls.
Today's business means change. Would we want anything less? It is not possible to satisfy our curiosity and to answer our own questions without change. All of us can participate in the change of our business environment and in the success of our company or industry. I believe the women of Generation X are prepared to meet and participate in these exciting changes and will be stimulated and motivated by those changes. Because the women of Generation X are not only the product of change, but they are perpetuators of change.
Bring your inquisitiveness and curiosity to work. Why? Because the workplace needs you. Ask questions; then seek out, explore and encourage answers. Share your curiosity and be stimulated by it. Be stubborn in finding answers, yet tough enough to handle answers that are not to your liking. Be confident enough to continue to ask the next question after every answer. It's a matter of mental energy and personal commitment. Rest assured, your curiosity will demand even more questions.
When women in the workplace care enough to question, they provide a wellspring of energy, excitement and stimulation that can improve efficiency, creativity and, ultimately, productivity. As women of Generation X, be curious about what you can do, about what you can achieve. Get excited about our changing global business economy and how you can be a part of that change. Realize that your curiosity your questions could impact history. Think about it. Are you ready? Now? Any questions?
Sandra Livermon, an award-winning contractor, uses her business background, humor, and real-life experiences in nationally presented keynotes and seminars to corporations, businesses and associations. She can be reached on-line at: noexcuse@3rddoor.com.
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