I bet that many of you struggle with the same challenge as me: really paying attention when our brain is being targeted by so many distractions in the form of notifications, sounds, badges, screens, tabs, calls, messages and more.
Being unable to give your undivided attention to something gives you fewer chances to learn through observation. There is so much potential in learning that way, though, so let’s unpack what you can do differently so you can build skills and gain knowledge from those around you more easily.
1) Focus on one thing at a time
I know it’s hard. You’re in the queue to get coffee and there are 5 people in front of you. Why not check your emails really quickly?
Resist the urge and keep the phone in your pocket. What can you see around you? How about the barista and how they prepare the coffee? What about the layout of the coffee shop? Or the writing on the sandwich board? Any dishes that inspire you for what to cook for lunch?
When you only focus on one thing, you can learn more and more quickly through observation. And it’s not just skills you can pick up, you can also learn a ton about people that way.
As a new(ish) mum, I get to spend many hours staring at our baby, whether that’s while she’s feeding, when she falls asleep on my lap, or when I watch her play. Over time, I have learned to identify her signals. Which noise means ‘hunger’, which one means ‘I need to burp before I can drink any more’, or ‘I need a nap’. I was also able to learn her little mannerisms, as well as those habits I’d rather she didn’t continue (like trying to chew her finger while feeding). I wouldn’t have learned those things if I hadn’t observed what she did right in front of me.
2) Find people you want to learn from
The nice thing about observing others – in a non-creepy way obviously – is that you don’t need to ask them for a big time commitment. It could be as little as asking to watch them while they work. This can be easier than finding time to receive active, hands-on training or instructions.
Who is somebody with interesting skills or knowledge and how could you best observe them doing what they do best?
As a food lover and keen cook, I have always enjoyed watching other people prepare food and move about in a kitchen. It started when I was little and helped my mum and my grandma. I learned so much from them that by the time I was 20 and made bechamel sauce for the first time, I knew exactly what to do, even though I’d never done it before and didn’t have a recipe.
Later, when I worked in restaurants and cafes, I always loved those moments in the kitchen, between serving food, when I got to watch the chefs cook and plate up the dishes. It gave me countless ideas and a big dose of inspiration.
3) Give yourself space
You know I’m a big advocate for personal and professional development. I hope you also know that I am not a fan of the relentless hustle culture on social media and I’m the first to remind you that it’s important to take breaks, take breaths and actually enjoy this human experience on our planet, without rushing constantly.
So how can you give yourself a bit of space, not just to relax between learning experiences, but also to make room for serendipitous moments. To discover stuff you hadn’t even thought of. To stumble across beautiful things and places and people?
When I explore a new place, let’s say a village somewhere here in England, I love looking down the little alleyways and into courtyards. They often hide beautiful flowers, charming outdoor settings or quirky decorations in plain sight. I also can’t go past a bookstore. I always discover something interesting to read, including books on random topics that I want to explore.
You need to give yourself that space to let the ideas enter your mind. And observation plays a key part here because without the mental space your eyes and brain probably won’t notice the things you then end up finding interesting.
There are many ways to learn and I have to say that doing so through observation has become one of my favourites, because it engages your brain in different ways and it allows you to take things in during moments when you never expected it.
Tell me, what is something you have learned by observation?
Have a great week!
Eva