"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day."
The quote above by Albert Einstein appeared in a 1955 LIFE Magazine article entitled "Old Man's Advice to Youth: 'Never Lose a Holy Curiosity.'" I first heard it on the podcast Curious Humans (linked below). It got me thinking.
Then I remembered in the imposter syndrome video (also linked below) it mentions how even Maya Angelou and Albert Einstein had imposter syndrome. Einstein didn't feel he deserved the attention he got.
My new working theory is that when you remain curious you remain open to possibilities, and therefore may be more susceptible to feeling like an imposter because you don't pretend to think you know everything. Feeling like an imposter doesn't mean that you are one. In fact, feeling like an imposter may just be part of the recipe for doing exceptional work.... What do you think?!?
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Listen.
I discovered Curious Humans podcast through my friend Matt Trinetti's newsletter and was instantly drawn to the name. Host Jonny Miller acknowledges that in our productivity obsessed culture we struggle to justify investing time or money in something that doesn't have a defined outcome. The podcast is a call to "grown ups" to take curiosity more seriously.
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Watch.
This week I was a guest on an Australian podcast where we talked about "imposter syndrome". I'll be sure to share the episode when it's live, but in the meantime, this TED Ed video "What is imposter syndrome?" is a great one.
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Happy 14 Juillet from France!
STAY CURIOUS!
P.S. The "Ask More Questions" poster I'm holding in the photo is by Anthony Burrill.
P.S.S. I'm getting ready to head out of town for a few weeks. I'll be starting up with coaching clients again in August and September, but don't wait to reach out. If you hear of anyone looking for my services, please do send them my way! All the details are on anneditmeyer.com.
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Anne S. Ditmeyer is a designer, explorer, and creative coach based in Paris, France. Her latest endeavor is NavigateParisOnline.com.
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