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inneR enTRePReneUR T URiosi #1 c Y Curiosity is an important part of entrepreneurship. "You may think it's not necessary to cultivate curiosity because everybody has it," says Todd Kashdan, PhD, associate professor of psychology at George Mason University and author of Curious? (William Morrow, 2009), but that's only partially true. Although our attention is naturally drawn to novelty, intriguing ideas may slip by unnoticed when we're going through the usual motions. Successful entrepreneurs don't wait for flashes of insight; they use curiosity in strategic ways. "You're guaranteed to learn something and refi ne your understanding when you intentionally search for novelty," Kashdan says. "In the current economic climate, you won't get ahead doing the things you've always done in the way you've always done them." facts & figures according to the article "5 benefits of curiosity" on care2.com, adults who were curious by nature showed greater analytic ability, intelligence, and problem-solving skills than those who were not curious. do This Today! use curiosity in every client session as you peel back the layers to discover the client's pain culprit. curiosity might also inspire you to write a case report about a particular client file. check out abmP's five-part writing a case report webinar series, archived on www.abmp.com, in the online education center. 64 massage & bodywork may/june 2013 A curious approach helps you identify areas for growth. You may fi nd ways to offer better service within a given session or expand your practice in new directions. Rachel Hardy, a licensed massage therapist in Los Angeles, California, agrees. "One of the best things for me about being a business owner is the creative challenge of constantly evaluating how I am doing things and looking for newer and better ways to approach every challenge. It's a daily process, and my brain thrives on it." Cultivate curiosity by asking questions to get to know clients better. Most people don't do this intentionally, Kashdan says, they do it because it's part of interacting on a human level. The magic happens when you truly listen to clients' responses and follow up on topics they care most about. Notice the things that make clients' eyes light up or cause changes in their tone of voice. In the treatment room, tune in to the information that is coming from your own body as you work, as well as direct feedback from the client. Let these cues direct your practice. Interpersonal curiosity builds rapport, enhances the client experience, and makes your work more interesting.