(listicle)

Do you ever notice that life seems to pass you by? As if you’re doing lots of things, but something feels wrong. If yes, I have bad news for you: most likely, you’re living unconsciously because you are not observant enough. But there is also good news: you have realized the problem and I have an easy solution for you. Here are 5 key tips to improve your observation skills.

1) Observation diary

Every day, try to write down the details that you notice around you (colours, sounds, smells, people’s behavior, interesting situations, etc.). You can do this both in a traditional written way and non-traditional like voice recording or even drawing. The most popular and convenient way is a traditional diary, but you also can use notes on your phone, start a little blog on social media or even just record in your voice.

2) Games to develop observation

Yes, games. Remember your childhood — for example, a memory training game where you had to look at a picture with lots of details for 15 seconds, and then cover it with a sheet of paper and list the objects you saw there. It will not only keep your memory sharp but also help you to notice more — to really see, not just watch. You can also try a game where you need to find the differences between two pictures. You can even apply this game in real life! Every time you go out, especially to a new place, try to look at as many details as possible in this place — what colors are there, shapes or patterns, textures, where and what is planted, people there, etc. Take a picture of the place. And then try to come home and try to depict on a piece of paper from memory everything you saw (no cheating!). Then compare it with a picture on your phone. You may be surprised how much you can (not) notice.

3) Practice “mindfulness”

In other words, try to live at the moment, and focus your attention on what is happening specifically around you right now. This technique is often recommended by psychologists to people with increased anxiety and those who experience panic attacks, but others can use it too. Look around you and name at least 7 things: e.g. what color is the house you’re passing by, how many red cars do you see, how it smells near a street cafe, what you hear etc. Describe something to focus on the world around you.

4) Perspective

Reading books can also be helpful in training observation. For instance, if you prefer a certain genre or author, try to compare a certain book with others similar, highlight something in common and different, writing style, etc. Same with films and series. You can watch several films from by one director and try to catch the author’s film style, to analyze and understand it better.

5) Ask questions

So simple, you think it’s obvious, but it’s not. Speaking is a part of observation too, as well as just listening. When communicating with people, friends or strangers, it’s always a good idea to ask them clarifying questions that will help you reveal more details (of course, these should be polite and not weird questions). This will help you not only understand others better, but also notice interesting nuances in human behavior, and become more observant.

Remember that observation is a skill that can be developed just like any other. Practice every day, and soon you’ll see how much you now know and notice in this world.