12 Simple Ways to Be More Detail Oriented (and How It Will Change Your Life)

The textbook definition of detail oriented is baked right into the phrase itself: It’s someone who pays attention to details. But that’s a pretty vague definition.

When employers say they’re looking for a detail-oriented person, it can mean a wide variety of things. They want someone who…

• Pays attention to the little things
• Is thorough with their work 
• Puts effort into presentation and aesthetic 
• Follows through with their duties
• Doesn’t require micro-management
• Checks their own work 
• Is organized and prepared 
• Has a good memory 

Being detail oriented doesn’t sound quite so simple when you consider all that. And if you take the concept beyond the workplace and into the realm of personal relationships, it gets even more complex. 

A detail-oriented person in day-to-day life will remember important dates like birthdays and anniversaries. They might be the type who has a daily to-do list, likes to plan ahead, and always has a piece of gum or a tissue when you need it. 

Perhaps you know people like this and admire how they’re thoughtful and prepared. Those are strong ideals to aspire to, but before we drill down into how to build detail-oriented skills, let’s take a look at a somewhat darker side of this personality trait.

 

Is being detail oriented always a good thing?

The upsides of being detail oriented are easy to see. It can help you get jobs, position yourself as a reliable and trustworthy person, be a better friend, and get closer to achieving your goals.

But it’s not all rainbows and sunshine—the true detail oriented meaning has a dark side. Sometimes, being too detail oriented can lead to bigger issues. There is a fine line between paying attention to details and being obsessive or a perfectionist, which can have knock-on effects that diminish the value of being good with details. 

For example, imagine you have a big report due for your boss on Friday. You finish the majority of it on Wednesday, but you spend Thursday and Friday tweaking the fonts, making sure all the boxes on your Excel sheet are exactly the same size, and debating which stock images to include. 

In the meantime, your colleague turns in the same report, and though there may be a typo here or there, they managed to get it into the boss three days before you. Do you think the boss will care about the typos, knowing they got the report so much faster? 

Being detail oriented is one thing, but getting caught up in the details in ways that impact your productivity can lead to setbacks like this.

It’s best to cultivate an appreciation for details, while still being able to step back and look at the big picture. This can help center yourself when you’ve been deep in the details for too long. 

If the idea of being too detail oriented resonates with you, then you might want to check out this article about progress vs. perfection instead.

But if you already have a handle on the big-picture stuff, it doesn’t hurt to work on your attention to detail skills. Here are a few practical methods you can use to improve.

 

12 simple ways to be more detail oriented

1. Train yourself to slow down and breathe

Here’s a red flag to look out for when you’re reviewing job listings: Any job that asks you to be “fast-paced” while also being detail oriented is likely a toxic work environment. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to work quickly while also paying close attention to details. 

Learning to take your time may be the hardest task to master on this list, but it’s also the most important. If you find yourself missing details, the best thing you can do is train yourself to slow down.

You may be a talented multi-tasker (more on that later), and your ability to get things done at a breakneck pace can be a useful skill. But rushing through things is the number-one way to miss important details. 

To overcome your tendency to rush, a bit of mindfulness can work wonders.

Train yourself to recognize the moments when you’re rushing, and give yourself mental reminders to slow down. Try using a timer the next time you’re working on something that requires attention to detail. (The one on your phone will work just fine.)

Set an alarm to go off every 5 or 10 minutes. When that happens, take a break, step back from your work, maybe stretch or go for a walk.

When you return to the computer, put yourself into “details” mode. Instead of pushing forward with the project, take a few minutes to review the work you’ve just completed. 

 

2. Be realistic about deadlines

We’ve established that being detail-oriented means you need to slow down, which leads us to the next skill: setting appropriate deadlines.

If a certain set of tasks requires attention to detail, then you will need to build more time into your schedule to accomplish that task, no matter what it is. Being able to measure your time and anticipate when you will likely be done will make life much easier. 

This applies to both your personal and professional life.

For example, let’s say you’re moving out of your apartment, and you need to clean it top-to-bottom in order to get back your security deposit. If you leave cleaning to the last minute, you might be able to do the big stuff like sweeping and cleaning the toilet. But you still could lose some of your deposit if you forget to take out the trash or dust the ceiling fans. 

At work, setting appropriate deadlines may mean you need to be firm with your managers and colleagues. If someone is expecting you to pay close attention to details, but they set an unrealistic deadline, it’s important to politely explain why you either need more time, or won’t be able to do as much of the detail work.

For example, you might say, “I’m happy to meet that deadline, but I won’t be able to do the usual amount of research. If you give me another day to get it done, I can go deeper with my research before I turn it in.” 

Either way, you’ve either managed expectations or given yourself extra time so you don’t have to rush.

 

3. Create a focused space by minimizing distractions

Being able to juggle multiple tasks at once is something many people take pride in.

But the truth is, multitasking can actually mess with your ability to concentrate on the finer points. Your phone buzzing with group messages or the allure of endlessly scrolling through social media platforms can yank you out of a focused state.

Look, the notion of putting your phone on the other side of the room while working is out of the question for a lot of people, especially those who use it as an essential work tool.

But what you can do is manage your digital environment by shutting down apps that aren’t crucial or using website blockers until you’ve completed a specific task.

It’s not just work; tech distractions mess with your social game too.

Research from 2013 indicated that merely having a phone within sight—whether it’s turned off or face down—can diminish the quality of interpersonal interactions.

This shouldn’t be all that surprising. Remember the last time you were mid-convo with a pal and they glanced at their phone? You can feel their shift in attention, and it doesn’t feel good. 

There’s an app for that—or rather, apps designed to keep you zoned in. I’m partial to Forest, an app that lets you grow a digital tree as long as you don’t navigate away to some other app that’ll divert your focus.

But digital noise isn’t the only thing that can ruin your attention.

Recognizing other distractions is step one to mitigating them. When you catch yourself losing focus, take a moment to identify the culprit and strategize a way to sidestep it.

This could be as straightforward as seeking out a quiet space, tuning into ambient music, or putting a “do-not-disturb” sign on your door when you need to get something done. 

And don’t overlook your physical space.

A messy work area, uncomfortable chair, or even bad lighting can all ruin your focus. If you’re finding it hard to pay attention to detail, try changing your environment to something peaceful and comfortable.

 

4. Learn how to ask questions

Part of being detail oriented is knowing how to gather all of the information you need. In other words, you need to be ready to ask the right questions at the right time. 

Let’s use a work example. Your manager has tasked you with posting to Instagram on the company’s behalf. You ask some questions, perhaps about what photos you should use or how many posts to make.

After you make the posts, you show your manager. She takes one look and says you have to repost them all, because you didn’t use the right hashtags.

In this scenario, some of the blame falls on your manager for not briefing you properly. But if you had asked more detailed questions at the start, you would have impressed your manager by being so detail oriented that you knew what questions to ask. 

Sometimes, you need a bit of experience to know what questions to ask in different scenarios, so don’t beat yourself up if you don’t ask every question when you’re trying something new.

Instead, after you’ve finished a project or task, take a few minutes to reflect on the job. What questions do you wish you had asked at the start? Make note of these, and you’ll be able to ask more of the right types of questions the next time.

 

5. Always have a notebook and pen handy

According to experts like Jared Hovarth, of the University of Melbourne’s Science of Learning Research Center, writing things down by hand makes it easier to retain that information. 

When we write by hand (as opposed to typing), our brains have to work harder to keep up. If you’re taking notes while someone is speaking, your brain has to select only the most important words—and this process makes it easier for you to remember things later on. 

Beyond that, having a written record of important details means you won’t have to go hunting for them later on.

For example, if you’re having a conversation with a friend and they mention a book they want to read, write that down. Then, when it’s time for that friend’s birthday, you’ll have the perfect gift. Surprising a friend with exactly what they wanted—something they asked for months ago—will portray you as someone who remembers the details.

(Because you do, thanks to your notes!)

 

6. Get into the habit of checking your work

We touched on this before, but it’s hard to understate the value of self-editing and revising your work. There is no such thing as a perfect first draft—that’s why they’re called first drafts.

If you turn in work or “finish” a task without looking back over it with a detailed eye, then you will have a hard time adding that “detail oriented” status to your list of soft skills. 

There are a few good rules for becoming a good revisor. First, it’s always best to take a breather between finishing a job and revising it. This allows you to clear your head and refocus on the new task of revising, rather than creating or working. 

There are tools out there that teach you how to gain a better attention to detail as an editor—Grammarly is one popular option for writing.

But beware: Becoming too reliant on technology to find your errors and mistakes can lead to trouble. These tools aren’t perfect, and they’re meant to complement your own editing, not replace it. 

 

7. Call in a trusted person (or chatbot) for a second opinion

Thoroughly looking over your work will make you more detail oriented, but it’s always wise to call in a second opinion to help catch anything you may have missed.

In the workplace, this might mean you ask a colleague to look over documents.

At home, you might ask a friend or family member to weigh in. It’s as simple as asking, “Dad, can you have a look at my room? I just cleaned and want to see if I missed anything.” 

Asking for this kind of help will make it infinitely easier to catch details in the future. The next time you clean your room, you’ll remember the pointers your dad made and will take care of them automatically.

You can take this a step further by finding someone who can become an accountability partner for you. This would be a friend or colleague who you check in with regularly, to show your work and gather feedback (and provide the same in return).

Having something regular on the books, and knowing you have to show your work to someone soon, can keep you on task and help you focus on what needs to be done. 

What do you do if you need to finish a task and no one is around?

ChatGPT might be your friend in this case. The tool is excellent at reviewing written work and providing feedback, helping you catch things you may have missed. Try a prompt like this: 

I’ve just finished writing this blog article for my website. Can you review it for errors and provide feedback on any important points I may have missed?

 

8. Make the most of checklists and templates

If you’re struggling to be detail oriented on tasks you have to do over and over, you can make the whole process easier on yourself by creating a checklist or template. 

There are so many ways to make helpful lists—the most basic is a pen and paper, but you can also use the notes app on your phone, spreadsheets, or organizational tools like Notion or Trello.

When putting together a checklist, brainstorm all of the things that need to be done in order for the job to be completed with all the details taken care of.

You will likely have to come back to your checklist and update it, as you’ll realize there were items you missed that you don’t want to miss again.

Use this checklist every time you do the task, and it will be much harder to make mistakes. 

Similarly, templates for repetitive tasks can not only keep you focused on details but also save you time.

Let’s go back to the social media example. Instead of writing each post in its own document, make a template that allows you to make posts for different social platforms, and include a space for hashtags, wordcount, and the time you plan to post. 

With a process like this, you won’t miss any important details, because everything you need to include will have its own dedicated space on your template.

 

9. Practice putting yourself in other people’s shoes

To truly be considered detail oriented, you need to be able to anticipate other people’s expectations and wants. This isn’t easy, because most of us aren’t mind readers.

But taking time to sit down and put yourself in someone else’s shoes can help you get better at thinking of details you may otherwise miss. 

Let’s take an example: Your friend is getting married, and they’ve asked you to help plan the menu. This task requires a lot of attention to detail, and you can’t base it solely on what you want; you have to take into consideration what the newlyweds and their guests would want. 

So, you sit down with your pen and paper and start putting yourself in their shoes. Start asking yourself questions like: 

The more time you spend asking questions like these, the more details you’ll think of in advance. People will be impressed with your attention to detail, because you thought of so many possible scenarios. 

For more advice on how to develop deeper empathy and anticipate others’ needs in a healthy way, check out these resources:

 

10. Work on your aesthetic abilities

Have you ever stepped into a store or restaurant and been wowed by the atmosphere of the place?

Personally, I have a cafe I love because they always serve a little round, pink cookie with their coffee, which they keep warm by resting it on the lid of the cup. 

It’s not that I love the cookie—it’s the little thoughtful touch that resonates with me.

Someone who works in that cafe has great attention to detail—it’s evident in not just in the cookie, but the neat handwriting on their menu boards, the way their logo is etched onto their tables, and the delightful music they’re always playing. 

These aesthetic touches can go a long way into helping you present yourself as a detail-oriented person. You don’t need to take a course in interior design; all it takes is a few moments at the end of any given task where you can add a special touch. 

This can work with things as mundane as a spreadsheet. Before you send it to your boss, can you add in some of your company’s branding to make it look more official? 

For the more personal side of your life, adding special aesthetic details can show people how thoughtful and creative you are. Not to mention, ramping up your aesthetics is a great way to cultivate your own style of cool.

It doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming, either. Giving a gift to a friend on their birthday is easy—but if you include a handmade card with a personal note, you’ve added a surprising detail to what would otherwise be a simple gift.    

 

11. Cancel this thought: “I already know this.”

Imagine you’re sitting in a work meeting, and your manager is talking about tasks for the upcoming week. You already had a one-on-one conversation with her about your tasks, so you think to yourself, I already know all this. And you begin to zone out…

Fast forward to the end of the meeting, and all your colleagues are excitedly talking about the upcoming holiday party. But you zoned out during the meeting, and you missed all the details on the fun event.

Now, you have to sheepishly ask your colleagues or manager what’s happening—that’s not something a detail-oriented person should have to do.   

The temptation to let your brain “clock out” when you feel you’re hearing something you already understand is strong. It takes work to train yourself out of this habit, but if you can stop that thought in its tracks, you’ll find yourself picking up on details you might have missed.

 

12. Take care of yourself to improve your focus

You’ve probably read plenty of articles touting the value of self care—but it bears repeating here, because your mental and physical wellbeing has an enormous impact on your ability to focus and pay attention to details. 

Eating well and sleeping for six to eight hours a night helps you keep a clear mind. When you can’t keep your eyes open because of an all-nighter, or you can’t think because you’re hungry or overly full, then your attention suffers (which means you are bound to miss important details). 

Likewise, exercise that increases your heart rate has been proven to improve concentration abilities. If you aren’t into the gym, even taking a brisk walk, doing some yoga, or dancing in your room for 10-15 minutes can make a difference. 

Speaking of taking a walk, if you get outside in nature often enough, you’ll naturally improve your attention to detail. Hiking, cycling, or even just sitting on a park bench or in your backyard can clear the mind and make it easier to focus. Try doing this for a few minutes every day, without music or any screens to disract you.

Lastly, you need to make sure you schedule time to relax and do nothing at all. If you’re overworked, your ability to catch mistakes and hone in on details will decrease.

Make time for family and friends, or simply let your brain switch off as you binge-watch Netflix or play video games for an hour.

Allowing your mind time to rest will make it much easier to turn on your focused brain when you need it.  

 

Showcasing Your Attention to Detail in Resumes and Interviews

When aiming for that dream job or internship, your attention to detail can set you apart. Here’s how to demonstrate this valuable skill in your resume and during interviews.

 

On your resume:

Your resume is your first chance to show prospective employers your attention to detail skills. 

My first tip is the easiest: Put the words “attention to detail” or “detail oriented” on your resume. You can work these phrases into your experience section or your skills list, but having the actual words on your resume can help you get picked up by employers and recruiters who use keywords to sort through resumes. 

Start with a thorough proofread. Check for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting inconsistencies. Consider reading it backward or out loud to catch subtle mistakes. Ask a friend or find a mentor to look it over. 

Consistency in formatting is crucial. Maintain uniform fonts, sizes, and spacing throughout your resume. Ensure that any required skills or certifications are prominently featured.

Throughout your resume, find ways to highlight your attention to detail in your work experience and profile. Instead of vague statements like, “I increased sales,” use detailed facts, like “boosted sales by 15% over 3 months.” Quantifiable results speak volumes about your impact.

Whenever you apply for a job, tailor your resume for the application. This takes more effort, but it will get easier as you’ll eventually have a few versions of your resume that you can reuse with only minor tweaks. For example, I have one resume I use when applying to jobs related to creative writing education, and another related to SEO and content marketing. 

Most of the tips I’ve listed above also apply to LinkedIn, which is still the best social media platform for finding jobs in many industries. 

Here are more resume and LinkedIn tips you might find useful:

 

During interviews:

The best way to demonstrate your attention to detail in interviews is by doing your homework beforehand. Research the company by visiting their website and social media pages, and take detailed notes that you can review before the interview. Do this with the job description as well. 

Come prepared with specific examples that highlight your attention to detail. Perhaps you caught a minor error that prevented a major issue, or your meticulous approach improved a process. These stories illustrate your attention to detail skills in action.

You can also practice your answers to common interview questions, and devise a list of thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. 

Here are more resources to help with all that:

 

Putting it into practice: 7-Day Detail Orientation Challenge

If you aren’t someone who is naturally detail oriented, don’t fret. Learning to focus on details is a skill you can develop, with a bit of practice.

To help with this, we’ve put together a “7-Day Detail Orientation Challenge,” which anyone can do. See it all the way through, and you will likely see a noticeable change in your ability to pay attention to details. 

 

Day 1: Observation Day

Goal: Hone your ability to notice and recall visual details. This skill is crucial for many aspects of life, from remembering important information in meetings to appreciating the world around you more fully.

Task: Visit three unique places today (e.g., a friend’s living room, a park, and a local café). Spend 10-15 minutes in each location, taking notes on what you see. Be as specific as possible. The next morning, review your notes and see how vivid the details are in your mind. This exercise trains your brain to pay closer attention to your surroundings.

 

Day 2: Memory Inventory

Goal: Our memories often lack detail, and we may not even realize it. This exercise will help you understand how much detail you typically retain and where you might improve.

Task: Choose a recent memory, ideally from the past month, that involved other people. This could be a presentation for class, or a date you went on, or some time spent with family. Write down everything you can remember about the event, no matter how small the detail seems. Then, reach out to others who were present and ask for their recollection of the same event. Compare notes and reflect on the differences. What details did you miss? Reflect on how you can close these gaps in the future.

 

Day 3: Mini Digital Detox

Goal: In our constantly connected world, it’s easy to miss details when we’re always looking at screens. This challenge is about reducing digital distractions to sharpen your focus on the present moment.

Task: Choose a level of digital detox that works for you. You might go the whole day without looking at your phone, ignore one specific app, or go for a long evening walk without headphones. Pay attention to how this changes your perception of your surroundings. What details do you notice when you’re not digitally distracted?

 

Day 4: Close Reading

Goal: Close reading is a valuable skill that enhances your ability to absorb and retain detailed information from text. This skill is beneficial in academic, professional, and personal contexts.

Task: Find a short story, essay, or news article. You can visit your local library, browse literary magazines online, or choose something from your own collection that you haven’t read before. Ideally, it should be around five to ten pages.

 Read the piece once or twice, then step away for a few hours. The next day, write down everything you remember about the text. Compare your notes to the original piece. What details stuck with you? What did you miss?

 

Day 5: Aesthetic Appreciation

Goal: Today’s focus is on improving your attention to visual details and improve your aesthetic appreciation, which is key to being a detailed oriented person. 

Task: Choose a room in your house for improvement. Give it a deep clean. Rearrange the furniture or add new decorations from a thrift store. Maybe you want to clean out the pantry or reorganize your closet. Whatever you choose, work without headphones or music to fully immerse yourself in the task. Pay close attention to every detail involved—the textures, colors, and arrangement of items. Notice how small changes can significantly impact the overall feel of the space.

 

Day 6: Learning Something New

Goal: Learning new skills or information requires careful attention to detail. Today, we’ll exercise your ability to focus on and retain new information or processes.

Skill: Choose an activity that involves learning something new. This could be watching a short documentary, learning a new board game with a friend, or picking up a simple skill like how to draw a lizard, fold an origami crane, or perform basic juggling. As you engage in this new activity, focus intently on each step or piece of information. Notice the details that might typically escape your attention when learning something casually.

 

Day 7: Review and Reflect

Goal: Finally, let’s consolidate what you’ve learned and identify areas for continued improvement. This kind of reflection is crucial for long-term growth in attention to detail.

Task: Take time today to review each of the previous six days’ activities. Write down what you remember about each exercise, noting which ones were most challenging or enlightening. Reflect on how your attention to detail has improved over the week. Consider which activities you found most beneficial and plan to incorporate them into your regular routine. Remember, improving your attention to detail is an ongoing process, so use this reflection to set goals for continued practice.

By completing this 7-day challenge, you’ve taken significant steps toward enhancing your attention to detail. Remember that like any skill, it requires consistent practice to maintain and improve. Keep challenging yourself to notice and appreciate the details in your daily life.