Are you more curious than dismissive?

This is long, so feel free to skip.

Earlier today I attended an event during which David Chilton (the author of Canada’s all-time bestselling book, The Wealthy Barber) delivered an enjoyable keynote speech about his personal and professional journey over the last few years.

The most interesting part of David’s speech was about his eventful dealings with authors Janet and Greta Podleski re publishing the bestselling cookbooks Looneyspoons (sold approx. 850,000 copies), Crazy Plates, and Eat, Shrink & Be Merry!. In short, David told the audience how he almost missed out on what we NOW know to be an extremely successful business venture with Jane and Greta Podleski. So what saved the day for David? I don’t think it’d be fair for me to share David’s entire story with you here, but I can tell you this much—in a word, the answer is curiosity. 

“Hmmm?” Is that what you’re thinking right now?
If yes, then your next question is likely: but how did Janet and Greta fuel David’s curiosity? If you’re one of my regular readers, then the answer to that question will likely not surprise you. They did it by being Younique. For example, when David first agreed to meet them to hear their pitch, Janet and Greta told him that they’d take the train next day to come down to meet him in his home town. The train? ‘”That’s different—who takes the train nowadays?,’ I thought,” said David. And yet, by his own admission, he was excited and curious to go out and pick them up at his local train station, as he has not been to a train station in years.

I could go on, but, again, I don’t think it’d be fair for me to share David’s entire story with you here.
Instead, I have a question for you:
When you come across an opportunity, what does your internal monologue sound like?
Be frank. Usually, what’s your gut telling you initially? Does it sound something like this:

You’re not ready.
Maybe in a few years, when you’re a little more established.
But not yet. 

So go ahead, give this opportunity a dismissive shrug. 
Chances are, you’re right. 
Nowadays there are too many ordinary things shouting “Pick Me,” “Choose Me.”
And this could easily be one of them.

My 2¢:
It’s a lot easier to dismiss an opportunity than to embrace it.
It’s easier because you don’t have to do anything.
That’s how most folks are.

It’s sad but true: most folks don’t apply themselves. Much.
When you come across an interesting opportunity, if you want to be like most folks, then you don’t have to do a thing. Of course, if you’re not like most folks, you know that there are plenty of times when curious beats dismissive. You see, most folks change their tune, but only in hindsight. They “see” events that have already occurred. And they usually feel that things could have been so much easier. And they’re right. Things could have been easier. If only they’d been curious rather than dismissive.

And you, what about you?
Are you more curious than dismissive?
And what about the people around you, are they more curious than dismissive?
Sep 18, 2012

P.S. For my Canadian readers only: did you know that David might be coming to your home town soon? His tour is sponsored by Holiday Inn so the attendance is free. Check out this website for more info.