I'm currently reading The Power of Now and I'm a little unsure of "The Observer". My interpretation of this is that the ultimate goal is to become the observer of your own thoughts which by doing so, you take introduce an additional level of awareness. There's then you, your thoughts and the observer allowing you to observe your thoughts in the moment.

I'm able to be aware of my thoughts but I'm unable to observe them in the moment. I realise I've been thinking and I then replay my thought back to myself in order to observe it.

Other than meditation, is there a way to observe your thoughts as they happen and not after they've taken place?