July 2004

W Is for Wonder

Are you wonder-ing already? Why did I choose “wonder” when I could have chosen “wisdom” or “wish” or “why”? Well, the answer is that there are so many wonder-ful things to talk about!

My first thought about wonder is that it reminds me of children. Children are naturally curious and inquisitive, which is why we go to school when we are young! That’s when we still want to know and understand the mysteries that surround us! Children wonder about everything — and they find wonder in many things.

Things that seem like magic are full of wonder for a child. Why does the moon change? Why don’t horses and flies sleep? What is God? What are fractions? Now, that’s always a challenge to answer!

What about you? Do you still wonder?

There’s a radio commercial running right now in which the narrator claims to be “Wonder Boy,” because he “wonders” about things. It’s pretty catchy, but more than that, it made me wonder.

And I asked myself what I just asked you, “Do I still wonder?” And more importantly, “Do I find wonder in the wonderful things of the world?”

I pulled just a handful of definitions for “wonder” out of the dictionary:

• (noun) The emotion aroused by something awe-inspiring, astounding, or marvelous
• (noun) An event inexplicable by the laws of nature; a miracle
• (verb) To have a feeling of awe or admiration
• (verb) To be filled with curiosity

Since we recently celebrated our nation’s independence, we had the opportunity to marvel at fireworks. Did you enjoy fireworks on the 4^th? Did the experience fill you with awe? That’s your sense of wonder!

When I meet people in a business setting, such as a seminar or a networking group, most of us are curious. We are interested to know what the speaker will teach us, or we want to know about the other businesspeople we meet.

I also find that, if I appear to be curious about a new person, we develop a relationship much more quickly than if I am disinterested or if I talk mostly about myself. And I learned that one the hard way!

Even if your natural curiosity seems to have dried up and blown away, you can regain some of your childlike wonder, if you try. Next time you meet someone, have some questions to ask.

• “Where are you from?”
• “How do you know (the host)?”
• “What other groups are you involved with?”
• “What do you like best about your work?”

You get the idea — asking questions shows curiosity and other people will respond. There aren’t very many people who don’t like to talk about themselves! Ask and listen to the answers — you’ll wonder why you haven’t always done it that way!

Wonder isn’t only about people, either. Try to remember the questions you asked as a child. There may be some that are still unanswered. Can you find those answers now? Or do those questions lead you to ask new, more mature questions?

If you have read my newsletters for a while, you know about “Blind Spots™,” those talents we hide from ourselves, mistakenly believing them to be commonplace. Look into your Blind Spots™ with wonder. Start by looking in the mirror and asking, “Why am I here? What’s interesting about my day, work, family, or life? What are my talents and how can I use them to enrich my life?”

If you develop — or re-create — your sense of wonder, just imagine what you can do in your life!

Wishing you health, wealth, and happiness,

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Steven works with entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals who want to clarify their communications and concepts so that they can dramatically increase their business profitability.

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