For the umpteenth time, you have lost your car keys and cannot find them. In addition to being frustrating, you may have to pay the consequences in the workplace if you arrive late. However, keys or other lost items can be recovered if you take a few minutes to calm down and follow these steps.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Regain Calm
Step 1. Inhale and exhale
Take a moment to take some deep breaths. Breathing will help you regain calm and focus.
Sometimes, the agitation grows while looking for something, therefore it is essential to find the right calm in order to recover the object. Your emotional reaction is an obstacle to research
Step 2. Clear your mind
As you breathe deeply, spend a few moments clearing your mind of other thoughts. Stop frantically trying to remember where you left the object and just empty your mind.
Step 3. Remember it's not the end of the world
If you allow the adrenaline to take control, you will not be able to focus. Calm down and take a step back.
Step 4. Insert the object in context
What were you doing when you saw the object for the last time? Where were you going? Carefully analyzing the context of the moment you saw the object for the last time will allow you to remember where you put it.
Step 5. Be confident
Tell yourself that you will be able to find what you have lost. If you are convinced that you can do it, not only will you be able to regain your calm, but you will acquire the right energy to go looking for what you have lost.
Method 2 of 3: Search for the Object
Step 1. Always start looking for the object in the place where it should be
This means that if you always store the keys near the door, you have to look for them there first. They may have fallen off the table or been under the bag.
Step 2. Tidy up
Sometimes, the simplest way to find an item is to start tidying up. You will be able to see better where things are if you move everything else.
Step 3. Be methodical
If you are sure you have lost an item in a particular room, divide it into sections. Search one section at a time by checking under furniture and lifting other items.
Step 4. Look in unusual places
It happens to slip something in an unusual place without realizing it. For example, you could put your cup of coffee in the freezer without realizing it, especially when you are half asleep.
Step 5. Look everywhere
Sometimes, the eye is distracted when it searches a space where the hope of finding the object is minimal. Take the time to carefully inspect the room and make sure the object is not there.
Step 6. Check your pockets
Don't forget to check your pockets. Look in your jacket, pants, purse or briefcase.
Step 7. Take a look in the car
If it is an object you carry around, you need to check both in the car and at home.
Step 8. Retrace your steps
Even if you have already mentally relived the journey, doing it for real will help you remember where you put the object or even find it. Retrace the stages of your journey from the last time you saw the object, then repeat each movement.
Step 9. Look in the usual place
If you often lose an item, check where you last found it as it may have ended up there again.
Step 10. Phone all the places you went to
If you can't physically reach them by car, call whoever you visited during the day. For example, if you've stopped at a convenience store, call to ask if they've found what you're looking for.
Step 11. Search for the lost item looking from a different perspective
Try looking for the lost object from the top of a stool, curled up on the floor, looking down when you are standing or up. Sometimes, the mind is more inclined to find things again if you take advantage of a different angle.
Method 3 of 3: Avoid Loss of Items
Step 1. Say the name of the place where you are storing the object aloud
For example, if you are putting the book in a different place than usual, say it out loud: "I'm putting the book on the bathroom counter."
Psychologists emphasize that inserting information in a complete sentence favors its memorization
Step 2. Find out which object you lose most often
It could be the cell phone, for example. In this case, find out the mechanism that leads you to lose it and correct it. The reason may be that you forget to put it back in your pocket. Consequently, you must always make sure that you put your phone back in your pocket.
Step 3. Make sure that some spaces are always in order
If you keep losing things on your desk, for example, make sure you keep it as tidy as possible so you can always find what you need.
Step 4. Always look behind you when you go out
When you get off the bus or taxi, get into the habit of looking behind you. You will reduce the risk of leaving something on the vehicle.
Step 5. Be focused
With your head in the clouds, it's easy to lose things. When you perform thoughtless actions, it can happen to store an object in an unusual place and then forget where it is. Try to focus on the actions you take during the day.
Step 6. Find out where is the best place to store items
The ideal is to store the objects in the spaces where they are most used. For example, hang a wall keychain next to the door because that's where you mostly use the keys.
Step 7. Always store items in the right place
As soon as you cross the threshold, hang the keys on the wall key holder. As soon as you take off your shoes, place them next to the dresser. If you try to always place the items in the same place, you will not lose them.
Step 8. Mark the object with your name
Mark your name, address and phone number on items, especially if they are expensive. This way, if you lose something in a public place, you may be lucky enough to have someone return it to you.
Step 9. Show who you are
This means you have to put your children's photographs in your wallet. Take pictures of yourself and save them to the camera to show who you are and why you'd like to get the item back. If you show your humanity to the person who finds the item, they are more likely to decide to return it to you.
Advice
- If you can't find the object, try again later. In the heat of the moment, you may not be able to find what you need, but just wait a bit and the object will reappear almost instantly. Sometimes, if you really can't find the lost item, ask someone else for help, if you can.
- Do not store items where disorder reigns!
- Try asking other people if they've seen it.
- Once you have found the item you were looking for and used it, put it back in the first place you went to look for it.
- Look for it in the place where you remember seeing or using it for the last time.
