Who doesn’t like to think that they are an observant person? We prefer to believe that we do not miss any details. That our eyes are always attentive and our ears sharp. However, there really aren’t that many truly observant people. And if you want to know if you are part of that group, answer these simple questions:
How many steps are there in front of your house or up to your apartment?
What color is the building right in front of or next to your office?
Does your neighbor wear glasses? What color are they?
When you visit the same places, every day and in the same way, it is common to ignore the details. In the age of digital distraction, it is also easy to become engrossed in our mobile phones and forget about what is around us. However, even in these situations, observant people continue to pay attention to the details, it is as if they have a sixth sense for details and changes that go unnoticed by others.
The 5 characteristics of an observant person
Observant people have a kind of “superpower” that allows them to live and relate differently:
1. They notice small details. Few things escape those who have the “gift” of observation. They are not usually distracted, but pay attention to their surroundings, so they are the first to notice changes, even the most insignificant ones. It is difficult for anything to escape their attentive eyes and ears.
2. They are good at “reading” people. Observant people not only pay attention to the environment, they also tend to be very sensitive to others. Often that means they are able to pick up on micro facial expressions and small variations in body posture or tone of voice, so they can sense when someone is feeling bad, lying, or happy. If they watch a movie, for example, they will be able to notice the subtleties and realize the plot twist long before others thanks to a seemingly insignificant detail or phrase.
3. They have a good memory. Most observant people have a good memory, at least for details. They can remember things from their past quite clearly, as well as recover conversations and experiences in great detail. Although they do not have a photographic memory, the truth is that their ability to remember all kinds of details often impresses the others. Generally, this unusual ability is due to the fact that they tend to be fully present, so that their experiences are more vivid and better recorded in their memory, compared to those who always have their minds elsewhere.
4. They are very analytical. The ability to pay attention to small details makes an observant person a great analyst. Analytical thinking involves breaking problems down into smaller pieces to understand how they interact and be able to find a solution. Therefore, these are people who detect patterns that go unnoticed by others, which usually gives them an advantage for the future.
5. Great ability to concentrate. Observation goes hand in hand with attention. It could not be otherwise. Therefore, observant people are able to stay focused for long periods of time. This means that they can read for several hours without getting lost in their thoughts, be fully present in a conversation or even enjoy a landscape absorbed by what they see or feel.
The bad thing about being an observant person
Have you ever heard the expression “The devil is in the details”? If you are an observant person, you will feel fully identified because sometimes that insight is also experienced as a “curse.”
When most people do not pay attention to details, the propensity to see what others do not perceive can cause great problems and complications. In fact, on many occasions the observer may feel like an alien and wonders how it is possible that the others do not see what is so obvious to them.
Sometimes, these different perspectives of the situation can give rise to conflicts and discussions, creating friction in interpersonal relationships.
The ability to see small details can also work against them during interactions. In the end, emotionally “undressing” the other is not always convenient, unless we are able to manage the inconsistencies we perceive.
Observant people also run the risk of falling into pathological perfectionism. If they are not able to go beyond the details, they can get caught in their loop, so that the trees prevent them from seeing the forest.
How to take advantage of this observational capacity?
In 2007, Grammy winner Joshua Bell put on a baseball cap and played Bach on his violin during rush hour in a D.C. subway station as part of a social experiment. People hurriedly passed by him without realizing who he was, even though two days before he had sold out tickets to play at a theater in Boston, at an average price of $100.
During the 45 minutes he played, only 6 people stopped to listen to him. About 20 gave him money, but they just continued on their way. The musician only raised $32 and the experiment showed that the vast majority of people go through life on autopilot.
In fact, in the age of distraction, attention, concentration and observation are an even more precious commodity. The key is to be aware of its “adverse effects” to keep them under control.
Observation is much more than looking, it is about paying attention to details, patterns and nuances that often go unnoticed. It means involving all our senses and being completely present in the here and now.
When we observe, we can extract valuable information, detect opportunities and identify potential risks. That ability allows us to see beyond the surface to discover those underlying truths that are normally kept hidden in plain sight.
If you’re already good at paying attention to details, occasionally try to take a step back – metaphorically speaking – so you can get a glimpse of the bigger picture. Analyze, but don’t forget to synthesize. By having a more general picture of the situation, you will be able to make better decisions.
Use that “privileged” information tactfully and sensitively to navigate the social world. The ability to detect the deepest emotions of those around you should help you get closer to them, with empathy as your standard.
Use that “superpower” to reach a deeper understanding of people, situations, and environments. By actively observing, you can decipher non-verbal cues, discover motivations, and better understand human behavior.
And do it with curiosity, without judging. Ask questions and challenge your own assumptions to try to understand different points of view. All with an open mind. In this way, the downside of being an observant person will be minimized, giving way to the enormous potential that this incredible ability contains.
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