Reminds me of the Feynman quote “everything is interesting when you go into it deep enough” (or similar to that).
Which I think is related to what you’re saying. Looking more closely at something and paying more attention can both unveil what’s “beneath the surface”.
One thing that helped me have a better attitude at work and maybe life in general, was reframing how I thought about people with stupid ideas or stupid questions
Instead of dismissing them or getting super annoyed (which still does happen, not going to lie), I ask myself the question “what do they know or not know that is making them say that? Why are they thinking about it this way?”
The answers aren’t always satisfying and a lot of the time they really are just stupid/annoying questions or ideas, but approaching it with curiosity means that finding out at least satisfies that curiosity and is its own mini reward
The real benefit though is that it’s simply made me a better listener and in turn a better communicator
> I ask myself the question “what do they know or not know that is making them say that? Why are they thinking about it this way?”
Great approach.
One of my favorite things to do when I'm answering or asking a question is always adding "what am I missing?" Because sometimes I'm missing something and it never hurts to ask.
This is something I strongly identify with. The world is so full of interesting things that being bored for too long feels like a virtual impossibility. There’s always something new to dig into.
It’s kind of uplifting in a way. The only depressing part is that one life isn’t nearly enough time to go through it all.
Which I think is related to what you’re saying. Looking more closely at something and paying more attention can both unveil what’s “beneath the surface”.