Sometimes words speak only half the story, tiny gestures reveal more than words ever could. I have a bad habit of observing everyone around me, how someone taps their fingers while thinking, how they lean forward which I think is because of curiosity, how they shiver a bit from anxiousness, or shifting of their eyes when they try to hide something. Observing helps me understand people and their emotions better but also makes me judgmental.
But observation isn’t just about reading or judging others, it’s also about learning from them. I try to notice how people solve problems and come up with solutions that I might not think of. That teaches me more than appearances ever could.
I observe myself too. I watch my own habits, the pauses in typing or my hesitation when solving new problems and my approaches. It helps me improve my efficiency. I have learned that observation should come from curiosity, not judgement. Every subtle gesture from a person can hold meaning if observed carefully.
Observation is a powerful tool for understanding, learning and growth.