We all have a neglected trait that is beneficial to learning, creativity, and even job satisfaction. Curious? Let’s learn what it is.

The dictionary definition of curiosity, “the desire to discover something,” is powerful enough on its own. According to a 2014 study, participants were considerably more likely to remember the faces that were shown to them when they answered a trivia question that interested them. This unexpected memory boost could be really beneficial when we’re trying to learn something challenging. After all, it is unlikely that you will find our study to be interesting in every way. But if we can manage to spark at least some of our curiosity about the knowledge, we might find that the rest also stays far better. Curiosity might also help us improve our patience. In a recent, unpublished study, Abigail Hsiung, a Ph.D. candidate at Duke University in North Carolina, found that when participants were intrigued, they were more prepared to wait to find out the solution to a mystery. Greater patience and continuous participation in education, especially for difficult topics, are likely to lead to longer studies and deeper knowledge. This could be the reason why curiosity is such a strong indicator of academic success.

Are you curious to learn more about the benefits of curiosity? Don’t remain in your lane, and study more! As physicist Richard Feynman once stated, “Nearly everything is really interesting if you go into it deeply enough.”