Worried or Curious? How Our Mindset Shapes Our Success

When we encounter uncertainty, our minds naturally respond in one of two ways: we either worry about what might go wrong or become curious about what could happen. At first glance, worry and curiosity might seem like two sides of the same coin—both involve thinking about the unknown. However, they lead us down vastly different paths. Worry keeps us stuck, while curiosity moves us forward.

The Difference Between Worry and Curiosity

The biggest shift for me these past few weeks has been in the idea of staying curious, versus being worried. Worry is fueled by fear. It is our mind's way of trying to prepare for the worst-case scenario, often leading to stress, hesitation, and doubt. When I worry, I create stories about failure, rejection, or loss and it takes a lot of my energy (reading the untethered soul this week). Our focus narrows, and instead of seeing possibilities, I usually see obstacles. For me, being worried about life, business, family, relationships, the weather, anything really… well, it is tiring for me! 

Curiosity, on the other hand, is fueled by wonder. It invites us to explore the unknown with openness rather than fear. When I find myself to be curious, I ask more questions, seek new perspectives, and embrace learning. Instead of assuming the worst, I become interested in discovering what is possible.

Why Curiosity is the Better Choice

1. Curiosity Expands, Worry Constricts
   Worry causes us to withdraw, hesitate, or overthink, while curiosity encourages us to explore, take action, and innovate. The curious mindset helps me open doors to new opportunities because I am willing to experiment, ask better questions, and adapt.

2. Curiosity Reduces Stress
   Worry activates our body's stress response, keeping us in a state of tension. Curiosity, however, shifts our focus from fear to fascination, making challenges feel more like opportunities rather than threats. When we approach uncertainty with curiosity, we experience less anxiety and more excitement. Try it, take ONE thing you are worried about right now, and see how different you feel instantly when you get curious about it instead of staying worried about it. 

3. Curiosity Builds Confidence
   Worry tells us, “What if this goes wrong?” while curiosity asks, “What can we learn from this?” Over time, a curious mindset strengthens our confidence because we realize that setbacks are not failures — they are lessons. The more we engage with the unknown, the more we trust ourselves to navigate it.

4. Curiosity Creates Solutions
   Worry keeps us focused on problems, while curiosity leads us to solutions. When we worry, we replay concerns in our minds without taking action. Curiosity pushes us to ask, “What can be done? What haven't we tried?” This approach fosters problem-solving and creativity.

How to Shift from Worry to Curiosity

• Ask Different Questions – Instead of asking, “What if this goes wrong?” ask, “What if this goes well?” or “What can I learn from this experience?”

• Embrace the Unknown – Instead of fearing what we don’t know, we can view it as an opportunity to explore and grow.

• Take Small Steps – Curiosity does not require us to have all the answers immediately. I am finding that taking small actions - reading, researching, experimenting, helps me shift from fear to fascination.

• Practice Awareness – When I notice worry creeping in, I am working to pause and reframe the moment as the opportunity to be curious instead of afraid (and this is taking time for me). 

Choosing Curiosity Over Worry

Both worry and curiosity stem from uncertainty, however the direction we choose determines our experience. Worry keeps us stagnant, while curiosity propels us forward. By training ourselves to replace worry with curiosity, we create the mindset that allows us to grow, learn, and thrive — no matter what challenges come our way.

So the next time we feel worry creeping in, let's pause and ask ourselves: What if we got curious instead?