Observation is powerful, at least when it is not paired with judgement. Yet, pure observation is deceivingly tough to achieve because what we perceive is often distorted by our prior experiences and current mood; after all, we human beings are creatures of emotion rather than logic. I realize that experiences and perception are intimately connected, as one's perception influences one's experiences and vice versa.
So, this past year, I've worked on becoming an unbiased observer through metacognition, which is the art of observing oneself's thoughts without judgement. I've practiced viewing myself and my thoughts from a neutral third-person perspective as I go with the flow, so to speak. It sounds crazy, I know. But metacognition has helped me develop a calm, Zen mind—one that is minimally biased and not barraged with scattered, random thoughts. As a result, my focus has sharped and my productivity has skyrocketed.
I challenge you to try this out. Thoughts run rampant until they are acknowledged, so try observing them without judgement. At first you may feel anxious because you're not used to sitting still—you're usually antsy, thinking about your phone, your obligations, or your plans for tonight. But keep at it. Observe your thoughts, don't judge them, and let them pass. Eventually, your mind will become calm.
And this is a powerful ability—to minimize bias and have control over oneself's thoughts. As a scientist, this is true even more so as science is based on observation and reason. Practice observing—I promise you won't be disappointed.