Be attentive. “Our thoughts tend to wander as we drive or walk around,” says psychologist Colin Ellard, author of You Are Here, a book on spatial intelligence. When navigating new turf, “tune in to your surroundings,” noting anything distinctive, like graffiti or a sign, that can be used as a landmark.
Look behind you. A shift in vantage point changes your perception of a place. “If you tend to lose your car in the parking lot,” turn around to see how it will look on your return.
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