8 Ways to Become More Detail-Oriented

In the modern age, with the ever-growing distractions of social media and reliance on AI tools and automation, it's no shock that many people are becoming less and less detail-oriented. Even so, being able to notice the little things that other people miss is just as important as ever.

Not only does being detail-oriented make you valuable in an academic or career environment as someone who's thorough, meticulous and diligent, but it can also help you be more mindful and present as you appreciate the little things in life. Of course, you can also go overboard with it, to the point of being obsessive and perfectionistic. If you're more on the disorganized side, we have some tips for you on focusing no the details that matter and moving into the future with better balance and appreciation.

Be Prepared and Informed Before You Start a Task

Have you ever hopped into a task and realized you weren't really equipped for it? Maybe you just don't have the information or tools you need, or you never requested permission to access the document you've supposedly been combing for the last couple of weeks. Becoming more detail-oriented can help you get on ahead of these issues.

Before you start working on something, think about everything you'll need to make it happen. Get introduced to the relevant tools, and reflect on the details you're missing that will make your life simpler. Make a list of questions you need answered and ask someone who can fill you in, or if that's not possible, search for the answers online and seek out examples similar to what you're doing. Even then, you might find some gaps in your knowledge. Paying attention can help you ask the right questions the next time you have a similar assignment.

 

Stay Organized and Tidy

As tempting as it always is to multitask, it's also a good way to distract yourself and create opportunities to miss out on important details and actually waste time. When you're trying to hone in and focus on one specific job, try to put your phone away and close out extra windows and tabs that don't pertain to what you're working on that second.

Before you start, gather up all of the tools and references you're going to need, so you don't get sidetracked later by that step. It can even help to tidy up your desk space so that physical objects don't unnecessarily draw away your attention, either. If it's a long task, you might want to set timers to occasionally give yourself breaks, so you're not tempted to go on your phone or look at your notifications until the time is right. When the job at hand has your full attention, you'll really be able to hone in on the details and make the work the best it can be.

(via Unsplash)

 

Keep a Written To-Do List

Keeping a mental to-do list can use up brain power that would be more meaningfully channeled into your work, so write things down, whether it's a physical pen-and-paper list or a digital one. This will allow you to take a look at everything that needs to get done, down to the smallest details, and then organize by importance, such as timeliness and deadlines. Having things written down, no matter how small, will help you stay on top of your work and not let anything slip through the cracks.

In writing and prioritizing your to-do lists, it's also important to know yourself. Some people will want to do the toughest, most important task immediately, to get it out of the way and off their plate. Others, however, might struggle to transition from rest into a big project. They need to first build some inertia and confidence by doing small, easy tasks and enjoying that feeling of getting things done. Regardless, checking things off a to-do list can feel good, and ensure that you're taking care of your responsibilities in a timely manner.

 

Also read about: 8 Tips to Communicate More Assertively and Get What You Want Out of Life

 

Take Good Notes

Of course, your immediate to-do's aren't the only things you can or should be writing down. Note-taking is an important skill to develop, whether you're in  lecture full of material that's going to be on an upcoming exam, in a work meeting full of important action items or even just watching a documentary with some important learnings you want to note down.

Writing notes by hand is a good practice, as it slows you down and forces you to prioritize what's most important, and also hones your memory. Meanwhile, digital note-taking is efficient and allows you to set reminders. Practice both to develop them over time. Also, maintaining calendars full of things like holidays, birthdays and anniversaries will help you remember critical dates when others might miss them.

 

Double-Check Your Work

It's one thing to do the work, and it's another to make the effort to go over it to ensure that all of your details are in place. Once your draft is finished, we recommend taking a brief break and returning with fresh eyes to proofread it for any inconsistencies, omissions or errors. When you're writing, we find that it's often useful to copy and paste your work into a different document and change it to a different typeface, as this might help you spot mistakes your eyes gloss over in your draft. Also, don't count on spell-checkers and AI tools to correct for you, as they can be highly unreliable. After all, people always appreciate polished and error-free work, and you can take pride in it, too.

(via Shutterstock)

 

Make Time to Pay Attention

It might seem simplistic, but one of the keys to being more detail-oriented is simply to make the time to pay close attention to the details that are all around you. Just pause to take everything in—sights, scents, tastes, smells and textures—and understand the space around you. When you're with people,  mindfully notice what they're wearing, what color their eyes are, if they're wearing a perfume and their general disposition. Seek out the little details and aesthetics that make moments feel special, and moving forward, try to implement them yourself to make others feel seen and included. Detail-oriented people also do what they can to never tune out of conversations or meetings, as you never what what important details might come up, and you don't want them to slip through the cracks.

 

Also read about: 5 Activities to Recover From a Heart-Wrenching Breakup

 

Intentionally Sharpen Your Memory

Memory and noticing detail go hand in hand, so doing what you can to keep your mind sharp will also enhance these skills. Read as often as you can, whether from books, magazines or articles online. Do puzzles, whether they're shape-based jigsaw puzzles or number or work-based ones. Learn and practice new languages, be open to embracing new skills, listen to music and, most important, always be open to learning new things.

 

Practice Self-Care

At first, it wouldn't seem that being detail-oriented and practicing self-care would have much in common, but really, tending to your mind, body and soul is one of the most important steps to really tuning in. After all, when you're tired, hungry and cranky, you're going to under-perform in any tasks that require memory and focus.

Remember to occasionally take a step back from everything, as always being tuned in and taking in every detail is going to quickly learn to burnout. Do what works best for you to get into a relaxed state, whether that's being out in nature, practicing breathing exercises and meditation or getting some exercise in. Instead of rushing through everything, slow down and take everything in. Spend a few minutes just existing to re calibrate yourself when you need it.

(via Unsplash)

 

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