Jelena Dincic
We all have our own unique way of seeing and understanding the world around us.
What distinguishes highly perceptive people from everyone else is their acute awareness of the world around them and their ability to pick up on subtle nuances that others don’t pick up on.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 ways highly perceptive people see the world differently.
Let’s jump right in:
1) They see beauty in the little things
The great thing about highly perceptive people is their ability to appreciate the little things in life.
You see, most people seem to be in a constant hurry to get from point A to point B and they miss out on so many beautiful things.
Highly perceptive people on the other hand notice everything, down to the tiniest detail.
They actually stop to smell the roses!
And do you know what?
They try not to get distracted by everyday problems.
They don’t like to feel too bad about the past or worry about the future. They prefer to focus on the present moment and all the beauty that surrounds them – whether it be an actual rose, the laughter of a child, or a beautiful old building they pass on the street.
We could all stand to learn something from perceptive people because the ability to see the beauty in small things is a good way to cultivate gratitude and experience more joy and pleasure in life.
2) They pay attention to body language
Did you know that we’re constantly giving out tons of information with our bodies?
How much of that information is picked up depends on two factors: how open your body language is and how perceptive the person reading you is.
Perceptive people look for subtle gestures – the almost imperceivable tremor of a lip, the way someone fidgets in their chair, and gestures that show whether someone is open or closed to communication.
That means that they know when someone is nervous, when they’re excited, when they are angry, and even when they’re in love.
Now, you’re probably wondering how you can learn more about body language if you’re not very perceptive.
Easy.
There are literally dozens if not hundreds of books out there that can teach you what perceptive people intuitively know – how to read body language.
3) They’re self-aware
Here’s the deal, being highly perceptive isn’t just about reading other people and observing the world around you, it’s also about having insight into their own thought patterns and behavior.
Their ability to pick up on various information from their environment means that they can make the connection between certain situations and how they make them feel.
For example, they notice that they get anxious every time there’s a big family gathering and they’re able to link this to the fact that these gatherings always end in arguments.
They may also notice that every time their boss wants to talk to them, they bite their nails. Being highly perceptive, they attribute their behavior to their insecurity.
The good news is that they can recognize certain patterns in their behavior and thought patterns which allows them to address the problem and find coping strategies.
4) They can think outside the box
Turns out that perceptive people have a creative and sometimes unconventional way of thinking which allows them to see things from a different perspective.
They’re skilled at making connections between seemingly unrelated events and they see patterns that others do not.
And because of their unique perspective, they’re less afraid to take risks and experiment with new ideas.
And do you know what? That’s exactly how breakthroughs and new discoveries are made!
In short: Their ability to think outside the box means that highly perceptive people are often great problem-solvers and innovative thinkers.
5) They are good at anticipating other people’s needs
Which is good news for their romantic partners, family, and friends.
You see, because they’re so observant, they know exactly how someone is feeling and what they need.
For example:
- If someone is sad, they know when to give a hug, when to get some ice cream out of the freezer, and when to offer comforting words.
- If someone is nervous before an interview, they know how to deliver the best pep talk ever.
- And when someone is exhausted, they’ll take their dog for a walk, run their errands, and help them out in any way they need so they can get some rest and recharge.
Actually, a lot of perceptive people are empaths, which explains why they’re so thoughtful and considerate.
6) They are curious about the world around them
Highly perceptive people notice so much that other people ignore or take for granted. They’re able to make connections between different ideas, objects, and situations.
And the result is?
They’re curious about the world around them and eager to learn new things. They like to travel, try exotic foods (bugs included), meet people from other cultures, and learn new languages.
You see, curiosity encourages people to seek out new experiences, explore new ideas, and think creatively. That means that they’re able to see the world from several different perspectives at once.
Isn’t that awesome?
7) They’re very sensitive to their surroundings
This is why being highly perceptive can be both a gift and a curse.
Let me explain.
When you’re very sensitive to your surroundings, it means that you’re more affected than other people by noise, smells, and other stimuli.
Take me for example. I am extremely sensitive to noise which makes me one of the lightest sleepers you’ve ever met.
If I don’t take a sleeping pill before bed, I’ll hear everything from the neighbor’s TV to my husband grinding his teeth!
And think about traveling to exotic locations with unpleasant smells? An ordinary person might notice that there’s a bit of a scent in the air without paying too much attention, whereas a highly sensitive person will be extremely focused on how unpleasant the smell is.
And think about dust and pollen particles and vibrations from a nearby subway that can be felt in the apartment.
It can all get overwhelming, to say the least!
8) They are more likely to question authority
I didn’t know this about perceptive people and only found out about it recently.
So, why would they question authority? What does that have to do with perception?
Quite a lot if you think about it.
Because of their observations, perceptive people see things that others don’t, such as great social injustices.
Their insight into the way the world functions is what drives them to question the status quo.
And another thing – highly perceptive people also tend to have a strong sense of intuition which allows them to know in their gut when something is wrong and which motivates them to do something about it.
The bottom line is that they understand themselves, they understand the world, and they can see when something is not right which leads them to question authority.
9) They’re good at reading between the lines
Remember how I said that they can pick up on subtle cues and read body language? That also includes reading facial expressions and picking up on someone’s tone of voice.
Once they put all these observations together, they’re able to understand what someone’s thinking, how they’re feeling, and what their true motives are – i.e. they can read between the lines.
For example, an artist receives a bad review in the press.
They tell their friend, “I don’t care. I don’t make my art for incompetent critics, I make it for myself. If someone gets it, great, if they don’t, it’s their loss.”
What’s more, they smile and try to change the subject to something else.
A highly perceptive person will know that while their words and smile say one thing, there’s more going on beneath the surface.
They’ll notice how their friend said, “incompetent critics” and how they were in a hurry to change the subject.
And, even if the critic’s opinion didn’t matter all that much, was there really cause for smiling? Seems like they’re trying too hard to seem ok.
They’ll conclude that their friend is actually quite hurt and disappointed, possibly even embarrassed by the review, but they’re not ready to talk about it.
10) They’re good at predicting future outcomes
Finally, I have to mention how someone’s highly perceptive nature pays off, especially in a professional context.
So, we know how they recognize patterns, notice everything around them, and make connections that other people don’t.
Well, that’s what makes them so good at anticipating trends and predicting future outcomes.
Think of an investor who can predict the rise of a new technology before it becomes popular.
Because of their perception and insight, they’re able to invest in that technology. And once their prediction proves true, they stand to make a lot of money.
Sounds good right?
And now, for the million-dollar question, “Can you learn to be highly perceptive, or do you have to be born that way?”
It’s true, some people are born with a natural inclination to perceptiveness.
But the good news is that there are ways to become more in tune with your surroundings and improve your perceptiveness, such as learning and practicing:
- Mindfulness
- Active listening
- Active observation and reflection
- Non-verbal communication (body language)
- Critical thinking
