Curiosity Loops
Overview
Curiosity Loops is a structured method for gathering contextual advice from a curated group of peers rather than relying on a single mentor or vague questions. It turns decision-making into a data-collection exercise.
Core principle: The best advice is contextual. Bad advice happens when advisors lack context about your specific situation.
When to Use
- Facing a significant decision (career pivot, product direction, personal dilemma)
- Feeling indecisive or stuck
- Need diverse perspectives quickly
- Want to avoid "single point of failure" advice
The Four-Step Process
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 1. FORMULATE → Ask specific, unbiased question │
│ (NOT "What should I do?") │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 2. CURATE → Mix Subject Matter Experts + │
│ People who know your context │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 3. EXECUTE → Reduce cognitive load │
│ (e.g., "Pick top 2 of 9") │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 4. CLOSE LOOP → Process data, share outcome with advisors │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘Quick Reference
| Element | Good Example | Bad Example |
|---|---|---|
| Question | "Which 2 of these 9 topics resonate most?" | "What should I talk about?" |
| Audience | 10 friends (5 experts + 5 who know you) | 1 mentor |
| Format | Low friction (2 choices max) | Open-ended essay |
| Follow-up | Share what you decided and why | Ghost them |
Common Mistakes
- Vague questions → Ask specific, structured questions
- Single advisor → Curate 8-12 people with diverse perspectives
- No follow-up → Always close the loop; thank advisors
Real-World Example
Ada Chen Rekhi used this to select podcast interview topics: emailed 10-11 friends a list of 9 topics, asked them to pick their top 2, synthesized patterns, and closed the loop.
*Source: Ada Chen Rekhi (Notejoy, LinkedIn, SurveyMonkey) via Lenny's Podcast*