Be honest: How finely honed are your powers of observation?
Are you the person who never misses a thing and could give Sherlock Holmes a run for his money? Or are you the oblivious one who couldn’t pick up a clue if it dropped on your head?
One of the greatest compliments I ever received was when a friend told me that the word I used most was noticed, as in “I noticed that you ______.” He explained that I pay attention to things, but more importantly, I take action.
Read that last part again: I take action.
Why does this matter?
Because simply observing something makes you a spectator, taking action means you go one step further and use that observation to achieve a purpose and effect positive change.
The former is passive; the latter is proactive.
In other words, it’s about combining attention and intention to move your career forward.
Let’s break down each of those essential elements:
Attention is all about focused effort. It’s about being highly selective with your time and energy and aligning them with your goals. This also means subtracting things from your life that distract you from what you want. When you say no to the things that no longer serve you, you can say yes to the things that do.
Paying attention also has the added benefit of demonstrating respect to others. This world has a cacophony of noise. Tons of distractions. A million reasons that make it difficult to be heard. When you actively listen to your boss, colleagues, and clients, you show them that they matter most.
And finally, when you pay attention, you increase the odds of observing things that others might miss—patterns, errors, or new opportunities. Create an environment where interruptions are minimized, so you’ll be free to take notice.
Intention means you commit to what you want. This is where you swear allegiance to a specific outcome. It’s where you translate a lofty goal into something that is top of mind EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Doing this involves creating reminders that resonate with you, and it also requires consistent practice that turns a new idea into a lasting habit.
Here’s the thing about intention: it’s never wishy-washy. It requires clarity about what you want and what you hope to achieve and then has you create an unshakeable determination to accomplish it. But at the same time, it’s open enough to allow alternative—and sometimes, even better—possibilities to emerge. It doesn’t let fear hold it back; it’s action-oriented.
Though each element is individually important, the simple truth is this: Attention without intention is meaningless.
Tremendous growth and learning occur when you combine attention and intention. When you’re in that space, what you observe—and then take action on—can catapult your career. For instance:
- Perhaps while scanning the P&L, you discover a colossal accounting error that leads to saving the company millions of dollars.
- Maybe you notice a pattern of people using your product in an unintended and unique way, which generates a brand new market.
- Or you might suddenly have the insight to combine two seemingly disparate things and create an entirely new category.
Without follow-up, all of these examples would be fleeting thoughts—and missed opportunities.
So how can you increase your powers of observation so you can take action? Here are a few suggestions:
Eliminate distractions
Put down your phone, stop checking your email, and close your door. Clear your environment of potential interruptions so you’ll be free to take notice.
Focus on whatever (or whomever) is most important to you
It’s hard to spot things when you’re busy multitasking. When you concentrate on those people or things that are most important to you, you’re better able to see, hear, and feel small details you would otherwise miss.
Maintain a childlike curiosity
Imagine the things we’d view if we all approached the world with an open mind? Cultivating your natural wonder will allow you space to make keen observations.
Remember: attention without intention is meaningless. But noticing things—and acting on them—can supercharge your career.
