The legendary figure of Sherlock Holmes has captured people's interest, generation after generation, thanks to his ability to solve even the most complicated mysteries. While using logic and facts, the core of Sherlock's detective skills to find a solution to his cases is his incredible intuition. You too can use your intuitive abilities to become a "hound" in everyday life. Developing intuition like Sherlock Holmes will allow you to make better decisions, especially when dealing with other people.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Becoming a Closer Observer
Step 1. Practice mindfulness
It is about the art of being present in the current moment. To be aware, you must pay close attention to what is happening around you, without giving in to the temptation to distract yourself or do several things at the same time. If you want to develop intuition like Sherlock Holmes, you must learn to optimize thoughts by practicing mindfulness.
- Focus on your breath. First start noticing when you inhale and when you exhale. If you want, you can get help from one of the many apps available for smartphones, for example "Breathing" or "Peaceful".
- Pay attention to what you are doing, even when doing normal daily tasks. Notice the "crack" emitted by the eggshell that breaks as you prepare breakfast, savor the mint taste of the toothpaste, smell the rain as you walk to the car, feel how the steering wheel slips under your fingers and observe the swirl of leaves along the sidewalk. Immerse yourself in the moment in progress. When the mind begins to wander, bring it back to the present moment.
Step 2. Refine your senses.
The five senses help you interpret the world around you, so you should make sure they work best. As for acquiring any other skill, it is essential to practice, in this case using sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell to learn to grasp the messages that come from the outside world to perfection. Thanks to the use of the five senses, you can grasp clues that will allow you to develop intuition like Sherlock Holmes.
- Refine your hearing by listening to instrumental music at a reduced volume. You should try to grasp the different sounds and identify the different instruments.
- Refine your sense of smell by closing your eyes and focusing on a particular smell. Practice smelling different scents and fragrances, for example using coffee, food, or essential oils.
- Refine the taste by eating simple, natural foods, focusing on the different flavors you feel.
- Refine your eyesight by getting more vitamins through your diet, exposing yourself to natural light and taking breaks when you spend a lot of time in front of a screen, for example a computer. You can also try doing some gymnastic exercises for the eyes, for example by spinning them and focusing your gaze on an object.
- Refine your touch by giving importance to the consistency of the objects you come into contact with. Compare different surfaces and notice the similarities and contrasts.
Step 3. Examine the world around you
Grab your metaphorical magnifying glass and examine your daily life with a scientific eye. Take into account the appearance, smells, sounds and textures of the place where you study or work. Keep track of who gathers around the coffee machine and try to predict who will get the last donut. By examining your own world, you will be able to become a more careful observer.
Start by gathering information about the environment and the people you hang out with every day. Become a passive observer. Try to make some predictions about what might happen, for example by guessing who will volunteer when your group has to answer a question. Find evidence that supports your theories
Step 4. Observe the people
Spend time watching others to develop your ability to notice ways, habits, and nervous tics. Choose a popular place; for example sitting on a bench in a park or at a bar table. Observe the people around you, cataloging the details you notice about each one.
- Ask yourself questions, for example: "What kind of coffee will that woman order?" or "Will that boy continue to behave as he did before his friends arrived?"
- Learn what a person's personality or mood might be.
Step 5. Solve some puzzles
Hone your ability to observe the world around you by solving games and puzzles that require, for example, to grasp the differences between two very similar images, to locate a hidden word or to find the way out of a labyrinth. It takes a flexible mind to find the solution to the mysteries like Sherlock Holmes does and the puzzles will help you to think more effectively.
- Play Sudoku or solve crosswords. You can find both for free online.
- Challenge your skills in a real maze. Enter alone so you can rely solely on your strength to find the exit.
Step 6. Pay attention to the details
If you want to develop intuition, you need to practice noticing the minutiae of the world around you. When Sherlock goes to a crime scene, he notices little things that no one else has been able to pick up on. His only secret is that he has practiced a lot. You can become as intuitive as Sherlock simply by training yourself to grasp the details.
Test your observer skills by listing the details you remember about the places you've been. For example, after you go to a restaurant for lunch, make a list of the things you remember. What was the furniture like? What kind of uniforms did the waiters wear? What were the deals on the menu? The next time you return to that place, compare the list with reality to see how many memories were correct. Keep doing this exercise to hone your skills
Step 7. Use a notebook
Write down your observations daily. Don't be discouraged if you are forced to practice in the same places all the time, however try to challenge yourself to make new observations.
- Strive to find particular details. For example, you might decide to look for people wearing a red T-shirt or carrying an umbrella.
- On the journey from home to work or school, try to count people who fall into a similar category. For example, on a train ride, you can count how many people are using their cell phones to play games.
- While queuing at the doctor, you can keep track of how many people are reading the magazines available in the waiting room in relation to those who have brought a reading from home.
Part 2 of 4: Reading people's minds
Step 1. Read the body language
A lot can be understood from non-verbal communication. Generally by interpreting body language you can determine whether a person has good or bad intentions. You can also grasp his feelings and predict how he will behave. As you practice, you will be able to hone your skills and soon your friends will begin to notice that you are an excellent investigator, just like Sherlock Holmes.
Step 2. Learn to listen to others actively
It will have happened many times that while a person was talking to you you nodded to show them that you were following the conversation, while in reality you were almost completely distracted. Active listening, on the other hand, requires considerable concentration to grasp both what the other is saying and the way he does it and the tone he uses.
- Limit distractions so that you can really pay attention to your interlocutor's words. For example, put your cell phone away and take a break from interrupting what you are doing.
- Maintain eye contact with the person speaking to you.
- Focus on what he is telling you and not on how you might respond.
- Summarize what the other person said before you voice your thoughts.
Step 3. Learn to notice when someone is lying
Part of having good intuitions is being able to tell when a person is lying. For this reason it is important to learn to recognize a potential liar if you want to develop intuition like Sherlock Holmes. You need to be able to distinguish a true statement from a false one.
- Often people tend to cover their nose and mouth while telling a lie. They may also tug at their clothes or nervously play with their hair.
- Learning to recognize micro-aggression on people's faces is another way to be able to tell if they are lying. Of course it will take some time.
- Notice if a person is sweating inexplicably, for example while in an air-conditioned room. The reason he is sweating may be that he is untrue.
- Notice how fast a person speaks. If he expresses himself at a very slow or fast pace it can be an indication that he is lying.
Step 4. Predict the actions of others
Use your skills to predict how people will behave. For example, you can guess who will forget the gifts at home on the day you plan to exchange them at the office or which of your group will volunteer to give the presentation. By reading people's minds, you can anticipate their behaviors and therefore make better decisions for yourself.
Part 3 of 4: Developing Intuition
Step 1. Value intuition
Before you can use it like Sherlock Holmes does, you need to start considering it as a valid source of information. Some people think that intuition is just an illusion and that logic is the only truly effective tool, but as you can understand through the Sherlock Holmes stories it is best to use both hemispheres of the brain. Since intuition requires training and information gathering, it is by no means as illusory as one might think. On the contrary, it is a way of developing hypotheses based on knowledge, experience and attention to detail.
A well-trained intuition will help you make the right decisions faster as you won't have to sift through too many details because a network of connections has developed in your brain that will process information for you. As a result, you will be able to make the correct decision automatically
Step 2. Consider the facts objectively
If you want to rely on intuition, it is imperative to avoid subjective evaluations. It's easy to fall into the trap of subjectivity when you follow your instincts, but by practicing thinking objectively you will learn to unravel the mysteries like Sherlock.
- You should be guided by facts rather than your own personal opinions. For example, if someone has stolen your lunch, you may feel pressured to blame a person you have had an argument with in the past, but you should never make hasty judgments. The facts could indicate that it was someone else.
- Keep an open mind. Listen to the opinions and points of view of others because it is often possible to learn new information by looking at reality from a different perspective. Each person interprets the world in their own way and sometimes it is necessary to change one's own to remain objective.
Step 3. Take part in the scene
While you will sometimes need to remain a spectator, generally strong intuition requires close involvement with the people around you. Just as Sherlock needs to analyze the conditions of the crime scene to understand what happened, you need to remain immersed in your world in order to formulate useful opinions about him.
- Play an active role in your life instead of staying on the sidelines so that you can gain the experience you need to develop intuition.
- Make an effort to practice an activity every day, even a very simple one. For example, you could go for a walk with a friend, play basketball on the pitch downstairs, draw a picture, or practice speaking a foreign language.
- Try to spend less time watching television.
Step 4. Understand your surroundings
Mentally catalog the images and sounds that come from the world around you. Knowing the area will help you make better decisions at the right time. In most cases, people's reactions vary by scenario.
- For example, if a person walks towards you while you are in the mall, you could give them a nod and keep walking; if, on the other hand, you were in a dark alley, you would probably become restless and try to move away.
- As important as it is not to jump to conclusions, knowing the environment around you will help you to better interpret the situation because you will have less difficulty in grasping the signals.
Step 5. Reduce distractions
If you want to develop intuition like Sherlock, you need to play the lead role of your world. Things that distract your attention, like mobile games, prevent you from gathering the information you need to activate intuition.
Over the next couple of weeks, try to notice when you are easily distracted. For example, you might be in the habit of watching TV while having dinner with your family, using your cell phone to play games on your way to work, or flipping through a magazine while a friend is talking to you
Step 6. Be skeptical
While it may seem counterproductive to you, a healthy skepticism can keep you from jumping to conclusions based on your own prejudices. To be a good skeptic, you must learn to recognize what your personal beliefs are and how they affect your reactions to the world to avoid making mistakes in judgment because of your preconceptions.
- When you notice that you are reacting to something or someone, take a moment to ask yourself why you feel that way. For example, if you feel uncomfortable around your friend's new boyfriend, ask yourself if he is really the cause or if there are external factors involved. Does it remind you of your ex? Or maybe you're worried about losing your friend?
- Don't give gossip credit right away. Look for evidence and use it to judge the veracity of the rumors you have heard.
Step 7. Think outside the box
If you want to become intuitive like Sherlock Holmes, you need to learn to think creatively and thoughtfully. If you behave in a habitual way, resist change and tend to make judgments about everything, you will not be able to train your mind to grasp and process the reality of the world around you.
- Practice activities that help you gather ideas. For example, try making lists, mind maps, or scribbling on a chalkboard or piece of paper.
- Go to a place you've never been before. For example, sit down with your laptop in a new coffee shop or go for a walk in nature.
- Collaborate with other people to formulate new ideas together.
- Try your hand at an artistic endeavor.
- Alter your daily routine to change your point of view.
Step 8. Learn to do only one thing at a time
Multitasking is the enemy of intuition because it distracts the mind and prevents it from focusing on the surrounding world. Your brain needs to gather complete and accurate information to be able to draw correct conclusions.
Part 4 of 4: Using the Deduction
Step 1. Understand what it means to reason deductively
Sherlock Holmes solves crimes following the principles of deduction, which is the method used to draw a conclusion based on a reference theory. Sherlock's theories are centered around the connections he makes using his observer skills and personal knowledge.
The deductive method is based on the principle that all things in a particular group have the same rules. For example, if everyone in a conference room has won an award and Thomas is in that room, then we know that Thomas has been awarded
Step 2. Develop a theory
An expert in deduction develops his theories based on clear evidence, so he is able to draw valid conclusions.
- Look for patterns that repeat themselves in your life. Pay attention to the who, what, where, when and why in each situation. For example, record who made the coffee in the office. You may find that the only person who takes care of the coffee before eight in the morning is Lidia from the accounting department.
- Generalize based on the evidence you have. According to this scheme, you can deduce that all the coffee prepared before eight in the morning is the work of Lidia.
- Based on this theory, you can say that if there is still no coffee at eight in the morning then it means that Lidia did not come to work that day.
Step 3. Test your theory
After formulating a theory based on generalizations, see if it remains valid. In the example just described, the next time there is still no coffee at eight in the morning, you should check if Lidia is really absent.
Step 4. Improve your problem solving skills
You need to maximize your problem solving skills so that you can use deduction to make better decisions. To apply the deductive method, you have to be good at finding a solution to problems.
First try to understand the facts and define the problem you need to solve. Collect and process information. List the possible solutions, then analyze the positive aspects of each
Step 5. Use logic
You have to learn to think logically if you want to be able to develop intuition like the most famous detective in the world. For intuition to be accurate, you must practice obeying logic. Look for a possible cause and effect relationship.
For example, if you have noticed that your friend drinks more coffee on Thursdays, ask yourself what the distinguishing mark of that day is. Maybe he has a habit of going to bed late on Wednesdays because he takes an evening class. Collect more information to determine if there is a cause and effect relationship or a match, which means that the two situations are related, but one does not cause the other. Be careful not to assume that the correlation between the two is also true in reverse. While an evening class may make your friend drink more coffee the next day, that doesn't mean that every time he indulges in a few more cups of coffee it's because he attended a class the night before
Step 6. Expand your knowledge of the world
To develop intuition like Sherlock Holmes, you need to keep learning. Read books, watch documentaries, stay up to date through the news, and join groups to help you further expand your preparation. Going to school isn't the only way to learn something new.
- Do not limit yourself in the choice of subjects. For example, studying sociology may seem superfluous to you, but it can actually help you better understand the people around you and therefore develop intuition.
- Visit the site of an online tuition platform, such as Coursera, where courses taught by many of the world's most prestigious universities are available. You can learn for free directly from the best experts in each field. If you wish, you can also obtain a certificate of attendance by paying a modest amount. However, it is an excellent opportunity to broaden your knowledge.
- Visit sites such as Meetup, a social network service whose purpose is to facilitate the meeting of groups of people in different places around the world. Some groups will connect you with people who can teach you new skills. For example, you may have the opportunity to learn how to create a website, how to prepare an Indian cuisine dish, or how to combine essential oils.
Step 7. Relax
Once you have effectively exercised your brain, you will need to give it time to find a solution to the questions that crowd your mind. Sherlock supposedly relaxed by listening to music, so why not try doing the same with a playlist of relaxing tunes.
Advice
- Observe everything, even the smallest detail.
- Consider any source of information, but use your judgment to decide which ones are more reliable.
- Read the adventures of Sherlock Holmes written by Arthur Conan Doyle.
- Despite being an introverted man, Sherlock did not shy away from people. Stay close to center stage and listen to conversations, you never know where useful information might be coming from.
Warnings
- Keep your predictions to yourself until you are sure they are true.
- Don't make hasty decisions without first analyzing all the information.
