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title: The Difference Between Seeing and Observing
description: Don&#x27;t just focus, be a good noticer as well
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author: Shane Parrish
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# The Difference Between Seeing and Observing

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by 

[Shane Parrish](https://time.com/author/shane-parrish/)


## Shane Parrish


May 29, 2015 11:00 AM UTC

by 

[Shane Parrish](https://time.com/author/shane-parrish/)


## Shane Parrish


May 29, 2015 11:00 AM UTC

In [A Scandal in Bohemia](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0486474917/farnamstreet-20), Sherlock Holmes teaches Watson the difference between _seeing and observing_:

---

> “”

---

The difference between seeing and observing is fundamental to many aspects of life. Indeed, we can learn a lot from [how Sherlock Holmes thinks](http://www.farnamstreetblog.com/2013/04/how-to-think-like-sherlock-holmes/). Noticing is even something that Nassim Taleb has chimed in on with [Noise and Signal](http://www.farnamstreetblog.com/2012/05/noise-and-signal-nassim-taleb/).

In the video below, Harvard Business School Professor Max Bazerman, author of [The Power of Noticing: What the Best Leaders See](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/147670029X/farnamstreet-20), discusses how important it is not just to be able to focus, but to be a good noticer as well. What he’s really talking about is observation.

---

> “”

---


\*\*\*

**_Follow your curiosity_** _and learn about why your_ [_decision making environment matters_](http://www.farnamstreetblog.com/2013/12/your-environment-matters/)_._

**_This piece originally appeared on_** [**_Farnam Street_**](http://www.farnamstreetblog.com/)**_._**

**Join over 50,000 readers and get a free weekly update via email** [**here**](http://www.farnamstreetblog.com/newsletter/)**.**

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