Have you ever suddenly noticed something that was right in front of you all along? Maybe on a familiar drive, you spot a landmark you’ve passed a hundred times. Or perhaps you become interested in a particular car, and now it seems to be everywhere. How many things slip by unnoticed each day? More than you might think! Let’s examine this phenomenon and the opportunity it presents.
What do you notice?
We often think “noticing” simply means paying attention or observing something. But how much escapes our notice each day? Not the many little things, but those that are more important.
When you notice something, you become aware and “see” what was previously unnoticed or unseen. Hidden in plain sight, it was there all along, but something happened, and suddenly, you paid attention and saw it.
Perhaps someone pointed it out, or maybe you were in just the right state of mind to see it. What if you could develop the skill to notice the more significant things in life? Imagine the insights and opportunities that could open up.
For example, if you slow down, clear your mind of distractions, and pay attention to what people are saying and doing, your entire perspective may shift and allow you to see what you were previously blind to.
What goes unnoticed?
When learning mindfulness, many people are initially unaware of their breathing or how much a bit of quiet can do for their minds. When you integrate mindfulness into your life, you will begin noticing things you hadn’t before.
Mindfulness helped me become acutely aware of my breathing — whether slow, fast, or shallow. It also helped me notice the tension I carry around my eyes, forehead, and other parts of my body.
Try this simple experiment — clear your mind and focus on your eyes and forehead. Lighten your eyes by releasing the tension around them. Next, relax your forehead. Feel the tension leaving. Now, notice your jaw. Drop it and release the tension. When I guide people through this, 99% of the time, it is the first time they realize how much stress they carry in and around their faces!
If this small exercise made you aware of unnoticed tension, imagine how many other vital things slip by unnoticed daily.
Let’s look at some areas where you may not notice what is happening.
The Unseen at Work
How many of us rush through life, missing the obvious? At one point in my career, I became so absorbed in my work that I became a workaholic. I thought I was succeeding but had almost completely neglected my family and friends.
Thankfully, the stress I had created led to a wake-up call. Once I saw the damage I was doing, I began to change. The old adage, “out of sight, out of mind,” certainly applied to me up to that time!
Lost on the Highway
Think about the many times you have driven somewhere, only to realize you can hardly remember any details of the trip. Have you ever been on the phone and missed an exit? Like many, I have experienced this more than once. I was so distracted on one call that I drove 25 miles past my exit before noticing. I wasted nearly an hour having to backtrack!
Hearing but not listening
How often do you listen to someone while your mind is crafting your response, causing you to miss what they’re saying? Or perhaps you were in a meeting and so focused on what you’ll say next you missed the discussion altogether. This can lead to some embarrassing moments.
Instead of trying to come up with a comment that puts you on a pedestal or makes you sound witty, pay attention. The more you concentrate on what someone is saying, the more coherent your response can be.
Slow down and become more present
To become more aware, no matter where you are, slow down. Use your senses — sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste. Be curious, and look for things you never noticed before.
The key is to consciously slow down so you can begin seeing more. When you do this in the presence of others, you will come across as more caring, interested, personable, valued, and reasonable. They will, in turn, find you more interesting, respectful, and considerate.
“You notice. And noticing, you live.” — John Graves
A great way to slow down is to learn some simple mindfulness techniques. These can help you become fully present, allowing you to see what often goes unnoticed.
Check out these two brief articles to quickly learn some mindfulness techniques you can apply anytime and anywhere to start noticing more of what you are missing!
As we grow older, we realize just how much in life we were blind to. The more you acknowledge that much goes unnoticed, the more curiosity you can cultivate, leading you to see even more. This newfound awareness can be inspiring and set you on a path of discovery.
“I think inspiration is always around; it’s just a question of whether or not you’re noticing it.” — John Green
Imagine the thrill of uncovering hidden treasures in your everyday life. All you must do is uncover them by noticing what you are missing!
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