How to improve observation-ten skills to help you improve.

Observation has many uses in life. It can keep you safe at work, make you a better artist or photographer, and help you understand small details that others don't notice. However, you don't have to be as talented as Holmes to improve your observation! Look at this simple list of tips. You can try to observe the world around you more closely.

First, walk slowly and look around.

This is a good way to start paying more attention to the surrounding environment. Try to get rid of the thinking mode of thinking only from point A to point B, don't go where you want to go as fast as possible, but consciously slow down your walking speed and absorb everything around you.

Whether you are walking or sitting outdoors, try to observe the left and right, behind and above regularly. Pay attention to everything around you, not just what is in front of you.

Step 2 take photos of the surrounding environment

Seeing things through the lens will give you a new perspective. Don't just go from one place to another, but take a camera or leave your mobile phone outside, ready to take pictures. Look for interesting buildings, objects or scenes along the road and take photos of them while walking!

For example, you may notice shrubs with flowers or old buildings with unique architectural features, otherwise you won't notice them.

If you choose to use a mobile phone camera, please make sure that you don't spend all your time staring at your mobile phone. Sometimes the mobile phone camera can't capture what our eyes can!

Step 3 explore new places

This frees you from where you are not careful. For example, take a new work route, or go to a new place in town on weekends. In this way, you won't just drive automatically and do the same old things without really knowing the surrounding environment.

If you take a new route to work, you will notice that you have walked hundreds of times and know more than you did on the same street.

You can also expose yourself to a new environment by trying new activities. For example, sign up for a rock climbing course or an art course.

Step 4 get rid of distractions

Distraction will prevent you from paying attention to the things around you. Put away your smartphone or any other device that attracts your attention. Or, turn off your TV program or the music you are listening to. Look around instead of focusing all your attention on other things.

Distraction is also dangerous. For example, when you are crossing the street, you are watching a video on your mobile phone. You may not notice a speeding car.

5. Pay more attention to others

When you turn your attention to the outside, you will notice more. Focus on observing others. Pay attention to what they say, their body language and their behavior. Look at the way and speed of their movement to judge whether they are relaxed, in a hurry or in some kind of pain.

For example, if you see someone speeding by on the sidewalk and almost running over other pedestrians, you can assume that they may be in a hurry to go somewhere.

Step 6 ask yourself some questions

This will help you draw a conclusion based on what you have observed. Ask yourself, "What is this person's real feeling?" "What's the difference between what he said and what he really felt?" And "How many people in this room are in a good mood?" Keep your brain busy and constantly motivate yourself to find out what happened in a certain situation.

At first, switching to this curious thinking mode may be distracting. Don't ask yourself so many questions, don't live in the present.

If you are not sure where to start using this technology, ask yourself "Why?" For example, "Why is this person in this park now?" Then, make a wise guess based on their behavior.

As you practice more and more, you will learn how to keep questioning a situation while paying attention.

7. Observe with all your senses.

Mobilizing all your senses is the ultimate method of full observation. Please use all five senses when you talk to others, observe others or observe the surrounding environment. Pay attention to the sound, smell, texture and taste of things around you as appropriate.

No matter where you are, look around, observe and scan your surroundings and people's behaviors.

Listen to the different sounds around you and distinguish them from the background noise.

Use your sense of touch to infer people's emotions. For example, if someone shakes your hand and you find that this person's hand is sweating, this person may be nervous.

Look for any unusual smell with your nose, such as the sudden smell of gas or smoke in this area.

Pay attention to your taste buds. Pay attention to all the different tastes of a meal you are eating or a drink you are drinking.

8. Watch a foreign movie without subtitles.

This helps you pay attention to the details outside the story. Choose a foreign movie that looks interesting on your favorite streaming service, and then turn off the subtitles. Pay attention to the role's body language, tone and surrounding environment.

You can put forward your own storyline according to the character's behavior while watching it, thus turning it into a game.

9. Train your mind with observation games.

Puzzles and games can help you notice things faster. Put together a puzzle, or play a card game of memory and matching. Or, try to "find differences" in the same picture game.

Spending only 15 minutes playing puzzles or crossword puzzles every day is good exercise for your brain and observation.

You can also play a simple observation game by doing this: pick up a pen and paper and quickly write down everything you can think about your room or space without looking around.

10, meditate every day

Meditation helps to build an understanding of the body and mind. Sit down for 10- 15 minutes every morning and/or evening to make sure you feel comfortable in a quiet room and listen to your breathing. Focus on relaxing one part of your body at a time until you find yourself in a really relaxed state. Close your eyes and you will notice all the little things around you.

Meditation will distract the brain and make you know more about your surroundings and your own existence.

1 1. Write an observation diary.

This helps to form the habit of observing details in daily life. Wherever you go, take your notebook and writing utensils with you. Whenever you observe unusual sights, sounds or events, please take notes.

For example, if you go to the nature park on Saturday, please take a diary with you and write down how you hear the sounds of new birds and the appearance of plants that you have never noticed before.

12, pick up the painting

Drawing can help you have a new understanding of what you see. Draw at least once a week to help improve your visual observation ability. At home or elsewhere, sit down with a piece of paper and a pencil and draw what is in front of you. Try to include as many details as possible in the diagram.

For example, you can sit in front of a sculpture or artwork and try to draw it yourself.