1 Minute Habit · #226
1 Minute Habit for August 14
Jot down a question you want to explore this week
Why This Habit Helps
Berkeley researchers found that writing down questions activates the brain's reticular activating system, priming you to notice relevant information - a phenomenon called 'selective attention'.
The quality of your questions directly shapes neuroplasticity; curious questioning builds more synaptic connections than passive learning.
What You’ll Do in 1 Minute
- Triggers the 'information gap' cognitive effect (enhancing recall)
- Creates a personal learning roadmap
- Prevents confirmation bias by maintaining openness
- Turns daily experiences into research opportunities
- Builds 'beginner's mind' beneficial for creativity
Quick Overview
Einstein famously said he had no special talents, just passionate curiosity. His notebooks reveal how questions like 'What would it be like to ride a light beam?' preceded his breakthroughs.
Modern 'question thinking' research shows that writing questions (not just goals) increases intrinsic motivation by 34%. The brain loves mysteries to solve.
What the Research Says
How to Get Started
- Use open-ended starters: How might... Why does... What if...
- Include silly questions - they often spark real insights
- Review old questions to track intellectual evolution
- Cluster related questions to identify passions
- Set phone wallpaper with your current top question
How to Adapt This Habit
If you’re a busy professional
Keep a 'meeting questions' notepad for work topics
If you’re a parent
Create family question jar for dinnertime discussions
If you’re a student or learner
Link questions to coursework for deeper engagement
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💬 Your Success Stories
My 'question notebook' started as a class assignment. When I reread it a year later, I noticed most questions circled around communication psychology. This unexpected pattern led me to change majors - now I'm studying to be a speech therapist!
— Emma
