Can Someone Help Me Find My Keys?
That’s one of those questions that can leave you feeling frustrated and anxious. If you own a: house, a locker, a cabinet, a car, or anything that requires locking, you probably own a key or a set of them. You probably classify your keys as important items. But no matter how important they are, many of us misplace them. Why is that?
Consider this, you get home after a long day of work. You head to the door with your hands filled with grocery bags and mail. You struggle to keep everything together as you think, “Gosh I have so much to do. I need to cut the grass, cook dinner, do some laundry and play with the kids.” You open the door and see toys thrown all over the floor and the kitchen table is a mess. You sigh and put down the groceries, mail, and keys to address the problem.
Why is this happening to me?
Does this sound familiar? Many of us juggle an array of responsibilities and tasks. And our brains are taxed by hundreds if not thousands of inputs daily. In an effort to be as efficient as possible, the brain focuses in on what is important. Since not everything is important or a priority, the brain stores the location of things like your keys in your short term memory. Unless you take the time to set the location of your keys as a priority, in the moment you put them down, you very well may forget where they are later.
Other things like: fatigue, stress, depression, multitasking, lack of vitamins, medication and aging can also contribute towards mental lapses. If you notice that you are forgetting small things like the location of your keys or where you put your remote for the television, this isn’t something to be concerned about. But if you forget major things like: where you are or how to to get home, consult your physician. These may be early signs of cognitive decline or mental decay.
Why is it so hard to find them?
Now that you understand why you lose your keys, why can it be so challenging to find them? The answer is pretty simple, but proving it here is not the objective of this article. Please read this amazing article about why we have such a hard time finding our keys. (Click Here) The answer is, we generally aren’t very systematic with our search. How can we be more methodical with our search for our keys?
5 Tips
1.) LOOK AROUND THE MOST OBVIOUS LOCATION
This might sound simplistic and almost silly but by putting your keys in the same location each time or at least in a general area, you don’t have to worry about where they may have ended up. The challenge can be when you deviate their location, even a little. They may feel misplaced but chances are they are nearby if you keep this routine. Try looking about 1 to 2 feet around the area where you normally leave your keys. Systematically move papers or objects that may be covering them out of the space.
2.) BE METHODICAL
Often when you start searching for your keys, you oscillate between rooms. You go back and forth, back and forth, searching the same areas and not using a specific process to eliminate search areas. Download the PDF (WORKSHEET FIND YOUR KEYS) and place it on your fridge. Next time you lose them, conduct a search using the PDF.
3.) RETRACE YOUR STEPS
Retracing your steps requires you to know where you had your keys last. Check things like: pockets, bags, and or other things you may have stored your keys in.
4.) TAKE A MOMENT TO BREATH AND RELAX
Often when we are stressed, angry, or overly focused we tend to have tunnel vision. The problem with tunnel vision is it narrows your search results considerably. You more prone to miss where your keys when your focus is within the context of anxiety or stress. Taking a moment to breath allows your brain to receive more oxygen and can improve its function.
5.) ENLIST SOME HELP
Enlist the help of someone who may have seen or even moved your keys.
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