Feeling stuck? Try these 4 “nosy” moves to spark momentum

 I tried to cancel.

Twice.

Let me share a story with you…

When I recorded my Wild Courage audiobook a few months ago, I spent a week in the studio with a team of audio engineers.

They’re creative, hilarious guys who usually work on music, ads, and podcasts.

The other day, they invited me to lunch.

I almost said no.

The first time was subtle:

(Also, note the wishy-washy vibes. As a committed people-pleaser, saying no is hard for me.)

“Do you want to reschedule?” I texted, after the lunch order form glitched, and I wasn’t sure if my order went through.

No reply.

My calendar was packed.

I had speaking requests to reply to, notes to prep, and a long to-do list waiting for me.

Spending 90 minutes at lunch with people outside my industry?

Didn’t exactly scream “high ROI.”

So I followed up a few minutes later with something a little more direct:

Instead of texting back, one of them called me.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “We already placed your order. Just hop in the car. We’ve got a seat for you.”

So I went.

Reluctantly. Half-thinking of all the things I should be doing instead.

And I’m so glad I did.

It was a total 180 from what I expected.

We sat outside. We belly-laughed.
We talked about music, AI, and entrepreneurship.​
​And somehow, I walked away with three speaking leads.

I almost skipped it in the name of “productivity.”

Turns out, it was the most productive thing I could’ve done.

The Problem

Post-COVID, we’re all a little allergic to showing up.

It’s easier to say “maybe next time.”
To protect your energy.
To stay in your pajamas and keep working through your list.

Especially if you’re wired for output like I am.

But the moments that move your career and your business forward?

They usually don’t happen behind your desk.

The Big Small Thing

When I almost bailed on that lunch, it wasn’t just about time.

It was about discomfort.

I didn’t know these guys well.
They weren’t in my industry.
The ROI wasn’t obvious.

But that’s exactly why it mattered.

Curiosity is a muscle.

And the best connections come when you use it—without a perfect plan.

That’s what I call being “Nosy.”

It means dropping your assumptions.
Asking questions like an outsider.
Letting the conversation surprise you.

Try These 4 “Nosy” Moves This Week:

✅ Say yes to something you were planning to cancel.

Maybe it’s coffee with a colleague, happy hour after a long day, or that networking event on your calendar you’ve been side-eyeing all week.

These are the moments where new ideas, unexpected referrals, and future collaborators often show up.

✅ Be the person who asks the first question in a meeting or event.

Start with: “What’s something you’re excited about right now?” or “What’s surprised you most about this project?”

It shows engagement, encourages others to open up, and helps you get noticed as someone who thinks beyond their own lane.

✅ Message someone you haven’t talked to in over 60 days.

Try: “Saw something that made me think of you. How’s life/work/that big thing going?”

Maybe it’s a past colleague, mentor, or someone from that leadership program you joined last year. You’re not asking for anything. You’re reminding them you exist—and that you care.

✅ Approach a stranger with beginner’s mindset.

At a wedding? “How do you know the bride or groom?”
At an offsite? “What led you to this company?”
On a panel? “What was your biggest takeaway from the last session?”

These things feel small.

But they build the kind of connection that unlocks your next big thing.

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How This Helps You Get What You Want

Get curious (aka Nosy).
Take a chance.
Walk into the room you don’t have to be in.

Relationships are the currency of your next opportunity.

And you can’t build them if you never leave your desk.