BLINK

Let's try an experiment.  Let's imagine you are standing in a middle of a Target store on the week after Christmas.  50% off Christmas items are laid out on the floor after numerous of customers searched through the Christmas aisle for the discounted holiday collections and foodie stuffs; it's one of days that the Target associates dread since slashing down the price for the items mean more customers than on the regular day basis of work.  The customers, on the other hand, rushed in as fast as they can before their favorite and wanted items are taken by other greedy people who also desire to have them in their hand; a Target store is no racing field but base on how the customers carry themselves it is as if the store is just like a ground space where competition can get fierce and rough any second and in order to get the trophy (by this I mean the wanted discounted items) ones must prepare to hassle at any given second with other competitors, with the attitude they will not back down and lose the fight.  The sale associates know how the game works during the sales after the holiday and they expect the worst for what to come.  You, on the other hand, have no intention on buying any holiday items since your purpose is to come in Target and buy the half and half milk that is needed to make the cupcakes for a friend's birthday party.  However, as you stroll the aisles, you noticed how rough and competitive the customers and how frustrated the sale associates are, they do not say a word but you know for sure that they feel this way since it's on their face.  Your eyes scan from one area to another to study the people in the aisles picking out the items. You are thin-slicing without even consciously knowing about it.

In the book Blink, thin-slicing is the ability of our unconsciousness to find patterns in situations based on a small number of experiences.  The book talks extensively how to read facial expressions and about the researchers who devote their time to mind reading through body language. It's a book that helps readers to understand how the eyes can listen and see things beyond the exterior parts of the viewing objects; it not only can help our professional life but it will do many good to our personal life in term of being aware of what is happening around us. As for the Target experience, you are thin-slicing the customers and the sale associates and you can tell the emotions and thoughts on their face.

The book Blink not only portrays how to read situations with the eyes but it also helps you to know that the eyes can understand much more than what is shown and what it can capable see beyond the superficial levels.

How can thin-slicing helps us:
1. It helps us to process information quicker.
2. It helps us understand what is going around us.
3. It teaches how to trust yourself.