How to Quickly Find a Misplaced Object

Finding a lost object can be a very difficult process. It is normal to fear that the object is permanently missing and freak out. Fortunately, there are some ways you can avoid bad search attempts and find what you need quickly. Nothing disappears forever, and this article will help you realize that.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Strategizing to Find Your Object Quickly

1
Think about why you used the object and where you used it. Make a mental image of all the details surrounding the last time you had it. Checking in these places will help you zero out possible places more quickly than simply checking everywhere.
- Think about where the object should be and where you used it. You may be surprised to find out the object hasn’t gone as far as you thought it did.
- If you're in a shared space, ask other people about where the object is. It’s possible someone you live with has seen it, put it in the wrong place, or saw you misplace it.
2
Look in the most cluttered areas first.^{[1]XResearch source} You will most likely start looking in the tidiest areas first, as you will assume that this will be quicker; however, in reality, the lost item is probably not in a tidy area, or you would have found it right away. People often miss key hiding locations because they look in areas where an object would be easy to see if it where there, leaving difficult areas to the end of the search. If you look in messier areas first and spend more time in these areas, you may increase your chance of finding what you need.
- After looking in messy areas thoroughly and double checking all spaces and other objects first, then move on to cleaner areas. This way, you are not wasting more time than necessary searching for your item.^{[2]XResearch source}
Advertisement
3
Keep your search focused and methodical. The "Eureka Zone Principle" states that looking frantically in many places will waste time, and you will be unlikely to find a misplaced object this way, causing the search process to be longer than necessary.^{[3]XResearch sourcewww.professorsoloman.com/pr10.html} Rather than being fully moved from one place to another, lost objects have often been shifted just a short distance. This usually occurs if an object has been covered by or rolled under a larger, more visible object, such as a computer or book.
- Search within a short radius thoroughly, before moving onto a different area altogether, as you are more likely to find what you are missing this way. ^{[4]XResearch sourcewww.professorsoloman.com/pr10.html}
4
Look thoroughly before moving onto another area. The "Look Once, Look Well Principle" explains that you should not look for short periods of time in multiple areas, as you are likely to actually spend longer finding your object this way. Instead, you should spend time looking through a whole area thoroughly before moving on. This way, your item is more likely to turn up, and you haven't missed it when speeding through searching in one area.^{[5]XResearch sourcewww.professorsoloman.com/pr9.html}
- If you have thoroughly searched one area, and are certain that your item is not there, move on and search well in another area. Avoid going back and searching again. If you keep retracing your steps due to lack of proper searching, it will take you more time to find your lost object.^{[6]XResearch sourcewww.professorsoloman.com/pr9.html}
5
Search under other objects that could be covering your item. The "Camouflage Effect Principle" suggests that your missing object is probably exactly where you thought it was, or where you are currently looking. It may have become "invisible" to you, causing you to believe your object has gone missing or is not in the area you are searching in. Search under all things that could be covering your item, before looking elsewhere. ^{[7]XResearch sourcewww.professorsoloman.com/pr7.html}
- Look under everything. No doubt, your missing object is probably right there in front of you, but you are just unable to see it. People tend to start looking in other areas and waste more time because they assume their item is in a completely different place as they cannot see it straight away when searching for it.^{[8]XResearch sourcewww.professorsoloman.com/pr7.html}.
Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Trying Tricks

1
Try to find your object using a vacuum. The "Vacuum Method" is a quick way to find small, light objects that can be difficult to spot.^{[9]XResearch sourcewww.huffpost.com/entry/life-hack-lost-items-house_n_580655c7e4b0b994d4c1b4d3/amp} Place a stocking or tights tightly over your vacuum cleaner hose, ensuring there is no gap between the edges and the end of your stocking/tights. Then, secure it tightly with a hair band or rubber band, looping this 3-5 times over the hose to ensure it is properly secure. After this, turn your vacuum on and go under all furniture and other objects to attempt to find your item efficiently. Your object will be sucked up and caught in the fabric. This makes it quicker to find your object instead of attempting to look for long periods and getting no end result.
- This will only work for small, light items, so avoid using this method for larger items as your vacuum may not have enough power to pick up larger objects.^{[10]XResearch sourcewww.huffpost.com/entry/life-hack-lost-items-house_n_580655c7e4b0b994d4c1b4d3/amp}
^{[11]XResearch source} This step sounds silly, because, obviously, you are eager to find your missing object as fast as possible; however, a poorly executed search can use up more time than intended. If you don't immediately need the item, think in terms of efficiency rather than speed. Put off your search and just keep an eye out as you do other tasks. This could result in finding your object much more efficiently than if you search frantically.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

When you look for something, try not to look in the same place twice.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful1
Check hard areas first.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful1