12 Tips for Finding Lost Objects

Don't Look For It If youve lost an object, chances are that looking frantically through the couch cushions will produce 30 cents in change and a candy cane from Christmas 1997. According to Solomon, it is much more useful to wait until you have a good idea of where to look.

It's Not Lost, You Are While it may seem like the lost object has outsmarted you, the object is in fact right where it has been placed. If an object cannot be found, Solomon says, it is because we are unsystematic searchers.

Don't Panic

You may be 15 minutes late for work, but looking in the cookie jar for your cell phone is a bit nonsensical. Utilize what Solomon calls the three Cs and wait to look until youre comfortable, calm and confident.

Check the Object's Normal Spot

Often times, the lost object is exactly where it is normally housed. Its entirely possible that, if you havent seen it earlier, it is because your eyes are deceiving you.

Try to Remember Where You Last Saw It Take a moment to think about where you last used the object. In other words, dont look for your tooth brush in the living room unless you often brush your teeth there. This is standard advice, but that doesn't mean it won't help.

Check Again Go back to the place where you last remember it and check again, but this time remind yourself of what youre looking for. Often times when we are frantically looking for something, we forget exactly what it is that we are looking for. Try repeating the word over and over again to yourself.

The Camouflage Effect

Consider that the object may be in the right place, but hidden from view. Check carefully under things that may be hiding it like your purse.

The 18-Inch Rule Sometimes objects move themselves. This is especially true of objects that are capable of rolling, like pens. If this is the case, consider that generally they stay within 18 inches of their original location. Try drawing an imaginary circle with an 18 inch radius around where the object was last and search that area more thoroughly. According to Solomon, this circle is the Eureka Zone.

Where Did You Lose It? When you lose an object you are almost guaranteed to hear these dreaded words: well, where did you last see it? Looking where you last remember seeing an object is common sense for a reason. The best way to find an object is to remember where it was and in order to do that one must actually take a moment to think.

Don't Waste Time If you have searched a spot from top to bottom, do not keep checking it. If its not there, its not there. Returning to the same place again and again is a waste of time.

Retrace Your Steps Take a few moments to retrace your steps. You may not remember the details of where you lost the object, but what you do remember could help you find it.

Ask Around If all else fails, its safe to assume that it wasnt you. Perhaps your husband borrowed your credit card, or your dog ate your wedding ring. Whats certain at this point is that, unless there is a black hole somewhere in your house, you are not at fault.