Observing the Familiar

As mentioned before, most of us are not likely to spend decades of our lives intensely observing something, as Jane Goodall has done with chimpanzees (Side Note: If you want to learn more about her earlier work, and observe her own observation process, National Geographic has some excellent videos). However, we can benefit by learning how to be “creatively observant”. Bill Moyers said: “Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous.” Here’s an exercise that, if you do it, will greatly enhance your observation skills. It is not an easy exercise, but will help you to be more descriptive as you deepen your capacity to observe. The only prerequisite: a willingness to stretch your limits by spending at least one hour in the process of observing and recording. You’ll need to set up a place to work in silence where you won’t be distracted or interrupted.

1.     Set up note sheets by drawing a line down the center of each. Label the left column Physical Details. In this column, you’ll note what you observe and discover about the object you’ll be observing. Label the right column Inner Process Details. In this column, you’ll write about what you observe and discover happening within yourself as you observe: moods, reactions, associations, and thoughts.

2.     Select as your object for study one vegetable or fruit that you’ve seen and handled many times. Any such thing you can find in a store or in your refrigerator will do.

3.     Set up your workplace on your desk or kitchen table. You might also want to have a knife handy, and maybe some paper for sketching.

4.     Start by really taking time to explore your chosen object. Allow yourself to become absorbed in the task, like a curious child or a dedicated scientist. As your mind slows down, your sensations will tell you more, and you’ll make more discoveries. Be sure to notice not only parts, but also wholes; not only see, but also touch, taste, smell, and hear. Whenever you become aware of a characteristic you can articulate, record it in the Physical Details column.

5.     Don’t forget to use the Inner Process Details column for noting your own reactions as you observe. Did you ever become bored? Excited? Angry? Impatient? Lost in daydreams? Acknowledge any distractions.

6.     Note how many times you had to bring your attention back to your task. Note all plateaus, peaks, and valleys of interest.

7.     When you know for certain that you’ve finished, assemble your notes and write up your final description either as a report that describes your object completely, and also your own inner process, or perhaps in the form of a narrative.

Please share your experiences, results, and insights in doing this exercise.

(See Marlys Mayfield, Thinking for Yourself, pp. 22-4)