Finding Lost Objects.

Professor Solomon outlines his 12 Principles for finding lost objects like a bloodhound. The first one is called "Don't Look for It":

Something’s lost, and your first thought—your basic instinct—is to look for it. You’re ready to start rummaging about. To hunt for it in a random, and increasingly frenetic, fashion. To ransack your own house.

This is the most common mistake people make.
And it can doom their search from the start.

I know you’re eager to find that lost item. But not yet. Don’t look for it yet.

Wait until you have some idea where to look.

Link (Thanks Prof. Solomon!)