Oxford dictionary defines observation "Notice
or perceive (something) and register it as being significant". So,
there are two parts in observation:
- Perceiving
- Registering it as being significant- Perceiving
One of the tool which has been very useful to me
during the process of observation is "Trigger questions technique".
Tool is very simple and hence it has been often ignored by many memory books.
Tool involves asking a inventory of questions during the process of observation
and making a mental note of the answers.
•
What is the need to observe this thing? Is it
really worth spending few minutes observing this thing? Answer has to be a
"BOLD YES" and mind has to spell out the need clearly. Without need
and motivation there is no perception and hence mind is not attentive
•
Go through the inventory of questions (example
below) and answer each of question as honestly as i can. (Framing questions
should cover question about "all 5 senses", "emotional
moods", logic)
•
Did i spend at sufficient time (which is relative)
observing? Is it worth spending more time observing and registering more
information
•
Finally, Summarize the significant information
collected in the process of observation and give a command to mind to remember
the information
There are many reasons why this tool works for me:
- First of all it force me to slow down. Most of
time i will be in auto steering mode, where i walk around like a zombie rather
than conscious intelligent being
- Secondly, inventory of questions force my
attention on specific things. Some people also call this convergent observation
where you perceive each and every detail of all possible information in the
process of observation
- Thirdly, summarizing helps me to evaluate quality
of observation and correct things if needed
When i started practicing this it was very tiresome
and i felt dizzy sometimes. Sometimes i felt there is no sufficient time to do
go through all questions, but believe me with practice mind can do this in a
matter of a glance.
Example:
Danielle.C.Lapp in her book "Don't
Forget" writes about observing a picture:
•
First concentrate on the most striking feature of
the picture, this would be different for different person. But this provides
motivation for you to continue. Ask questions:
What is the most
striking feature in this picture?
Why does
it impress me? Is it the color, shape, size, smell, sound, background,
foreground..etc
Does it
reminds me of any other pic/place/person..?
•
Secondly, concentrate on the emotions stirred
in you by the picture.
Is it
pleasant/unpleasent, stimulating/boring, happy/sad...etc
Why does particular
emotion is stirred? possible reason for this association
Many research has proved that emotions/moods and
memory is closely interlinked. If you want to recall some information give it a
try to go into the mood when you stored the information in memory
•
Thirdly Rational Awareness of the picture
What is the subject of
the picture? What is the central idea that the painter is trying to portray?
What is the structure of
the picture? Like what is color, shades, pattern?
What are other
significant items in picture? Why particular items are important in the context
of the picture
What is the painter's emotion when he is
trying to portray the picture..etc
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