1. Explore everything.
When I came home from school or kindergarten, my only job was to explore.
Whether it was the grass in our garden, where that hole in our neighbor’s hedge led, how that new toy worked or why the ants moved the way they did.
I was full-time curious and it was the best job of my life.
2. Be fearless.
Whatever I was exploring, I was never worried about how it might turn out. I just rode my bike and if I fell, I fell. Could always figure mistakes out later.
3. Always speak the truth.
I was fearless with people too. There are two kinds of honest people in this world: drunks and children. With children, everyone thinks it’s cute. When we’re adults, even drunk, people just think we’re being rude. The trick is to do it anyway.
4. Forget other people’s opinions.
I would yell across the entire grocery store if I wanted something. Not the most effective strategy, but at least now everyone knew what my intentions were. Also makes it a lot easier to be honest.
5. Believe in yourself.
I didn’t just know what I wanted, I was confident I’d get it too. Whatever I was attempting seemed to be the right thing to do at the time. I was my own biggest fan. That should be our default setting, I think.
Most of us had all these by the time we were 5 and ever since then, our biggest challenge has been to not lose them.
Ironic, right? Life starts you off with everything you need to succeed and then slowly takes it away, forcing you to make your move.
Every day, I try to become a little more like my 5-year-old-self without forgetting what I’ve learned along the way.
If I get close enough, maybe one day I can be full-time curious again.
That’s a job even my 5-year-old self would like. So it’s worth a shot.
