How do you improve your memory?
Discussion
My main problem is that I cannot remember people's names. I can be introduced to someone and 5 seconds later have completely forgotten what they are called. I can get quite embarrassing in both work and social situations.
Anyone got some tips on how to improve this? I have tried picturing things about them when I meet them (e.g. Stephen Smith, becomes a Stephen King book called the Blacksmith for example), or repeating their name back (a bit creepy when people do it to you), but I often forget to do it!
Anyone got some tips on how to improve this? I have tried picturing things about them when I meet them (e.g. Stephen Smith, becomes a Stephen King book called the Blacksmith for example), or repeating their name back (a bit creepy when people do it to you), but I often forget to do it!
I am crap with names as well. Especially here in Thailand where people have names like Wanisat or Rabbit.
The only thing I have found that does help is to use their name when talking to them. I generally don't like people doing that, prand, but it does seem to help me remember names.
The only thing I have found that does help is to use their name when talking to them. I generally don't like people doing that, prand, but it does seem to help me remember names.
okgo said:
If it matters, and you care. You will often remember.
If its trivial crap, and of no interest, out of your head it will go!
What a daft thing to say. How would you know when you meet someone if it's important to remember their name or not? If its trivial crap, and of no interest, out of your head it will go!
Work might seem trivial and unimportant, but it's still of great benefit to remember people's names, and important facts. I do care enough to try and remember, but the names just don't stick.
I often wonder how politicians or good sales people remember people's names & facts, long after thr time they were introduced. There must be some training or techniques they employ to do so.
Edited by prand on Tuesday 8th September 12:48
prand said:
okgo said:
If it matters, and you care. You will often remember.
If its trivial crap, and of no interest, out of your head it will go!
What a daft thing to say. How would you know when you meet someone if it's important to remember their name or not? If its trivial crap, and of no interest, out of your head it will go!
Work might seem trivial and unimportant, but it's still of great benefit to remember people's names, and important facts. I do care enough to try and remember, but the names just don't stick.
I often wonder how politicians or good sales people remember people's names & facts, long after thr time they were introduced. There must be some training or techniques they employ to do so.
Edited by prand on Tuesday 8th September 12:48
However if I am intorduced to someone in a bar or something, and I have no interested in them, I will have forgotten their name very quickly.
I'm really bad at this too. I remember a light hearted talk on networking once, of which part addressed this issue.
One part is often we're trying to make sure we don't make an idiot of ourself, and so rather than actively listening to their name we concentrate on what we're going to say. So one thing to help is actually pay attention to the name!
Another thing to do is repeat the name back to them quite early on - e.g.
Random bloke: Hi, I'm Dave, nice to meet you
You: Good to meet you Dave, my name is Jeremy...
(Sorry about the cheese factor!)
I only tend to remember attractive girls names though!
One part is often we're trying to make sure we don't make an idiot of ourself, and so rather than actively listening to their name we concentrate on what we're going to say. So one thing to help is actually pay attention to the name!
Another thing to do is repeat the name back to them quite early on - e.g.
Random bloke: Hi, I'm Dave, nice to meet you
You: Good to meet you Dave, my name is Jeremy...
(Sorry about the cheese factor!)
I only tend to remember attractive girls names though!
Edited by jerwatt on Tuesday 8th September 12:54
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