How can a person increase their level of "Attention to Detail"?

Answer 1

By doing it. Normally, it's a sign of being mentally lazy. If you have never been asked to do something perfect before it's hard to do. For instance, if you have a lot of little errors in your writing on your lab reports etc. Also it means you have to do multiple drafts of everything and check each time for errors. So, make a lot of rough drafts and check them. No one can do this for you, but once you get used to doing it you'll find you make less and less errors. People also make more errors when they are distracted or tired. Being careful and doing everything over makes you better. For example, if you are good with putting on makeup, when you were a kid didn’t you have to fuss more to get it right? It's just a skill, now you can get yourself looking good in less time- because you practiced and took care about it - you would never walk around with a big piece of lettuce on your shirt. You need to feel that way about whatever thing it is you are messing up. Because you learned early on to care and be careful and establish a routine. You just have to do that with different things now. Same idea.
ps try to get more sleep, eat healthy (eat enough and a good diet - 5 a day etc) and get your eyes checked - you may not be seeing details well for a reason.

Answer 2

You have to want to pay attention to detail, That is not a learned trait.
If you don't care if something is perfect or not you will almost always overlook small details because to you they are irrelevant and don't matter.
You can make yourself focus on something which is what a perfectionist does.

Answer 3

My suggestion is to take some art classes. Studying art makes you very sensitive to details. You become very aware of everything around you and details are a priory in your life once you become focused into various mediums of art. Artist are usually very detail oriented.

Answer 4

Pick a mentor whose standards you admire, ask for help, and listen
Get checked for ADD as well.