How to Improve the Powers of Observation
- 1). Clear your mind of everything. Stop talking, both out loud and in your mind. Take in information from all around you but avoid fixating on a particular point, image or visual clue (See Reference 1). Take in everything. Let your mind store the information that you take in. Take the time to practice this because the ability to shut down is not easily obtained.
- 2). Use all of your senses to make your observations. Practice smelling casually throughout your day and take the time to taste your food. Get into the habit of using senses other than sight and touch, and do not get discouraged if you find that you have been relying on them too heavily.
- 3). Listen to what your instincts tell you about things going on around you. Let your mind make judgments about the people you see or the events occurring around you (Reference 1). Weigh those judgments later to determine their validity before you take any rash action based on your instinctual judgment. Remember that instinctual judgment is meant as a tool for you to practice your observational skills, not to rush to a harsh judgment.
- 4). Practice your observational techniques regularly. Use them in your daily life to assess and evaluate your workplace, your family at dinner and your friends in social situations. Visit public places, such as malls or a parks, and casually practice observing people in their daily lives. Using these techniques, glance at people as they walk by, taking note of what you see and then testing yourself later to determine what you remember. Continue to practice until you notice yourself becoming more observant of the world and people around you.
