HOW TO REMEMBER ALL THOSE NAMES AND FACES YOU KEEP FORGETTING

(NEW ADDITIONS ARE MADE EACH MONDAY AND THURSDAY)

How often have you said, “I can remember faces but I can’t remember names?”
Well, as soon as you say that you are creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. But it doesn’t have to be. There are ways to accomplish what at this moment may well seem to you a miracle with no place to happen. Never forget a name? Always be able to put a face and a moniker together? Isn’t going to happen, yet you can improve. So let’s look at how to make your mind a better well-oiled machine.

First, when you are introduced to someone or they introduce themselves, repeat their name out loud. People love to hear their own name and it is also very basic; the act of repetition is the beginning of a memory road that will be more easily traveled. If the name you repeat is wrong, most people will correct you, at which time their name just made its way through your memory bank for a second deposit.

Secondly, get in the habit of making a word picture out of their name. Your brain will now be getting the message that you really want to remember their name. By way of example; take the name Fairchild and picture a little child having fun at a fair. Or, you just met Mr. Parker. Picture him parking his car outside the building where you are meeting. Sometimes the more ridiculous the better. You’ve just been introduced to Miss Boyle. Now add to your memory a picture of the same individual with, unfortunately, a boil in the middle of her forehead. Again, repeat these images.

Thirdly, play word games with names. Such as the name, Kuhlman, cool man. Or Richardson, rich son. Or Oliphant, elephant. Are you thinking, this is silly. Well, it’s not if you are starting to remember a few more names, even if you still are not remembering every name.

This next suggestion is a little more complicated since it has two parts; it puts your powers of observation to work and requires you to remember to make notes later on. To whatever degree you are comfortable, notice the outstanding features of the new face in front of you. Are the eyes small and hidden behind heavy lids? Do they sparkle or seem half asleep? Are they big and blue, deep and brown, almost hazy? We all have something rather distinctive about our features: square jaws or high forwards or big or thin lips. We have wavy or straight hair, or thick hair or no hair. We have bushy eyebrows or eyebrows so pale they are almost non-existent. Large noses or small noses. Big ears or small ears. Don’t stare, obviously. But also don’t fail to focus.

I realize that during this moment in time you are trying to keep up your end of a conversation but that is what memory is all about. And the more you use it, the better you’ll get at it. Soon you’ll be good enough to be able to describe the burglar who just robbed you to your local constable.

Now for part two; as soon as you can, take out the pen and little notebook you have decided to always now carry with you, write down the name and the outstanding characteristics of this person. We’re back to repetition again and your obvious desire to remember rather than make excuses.

Will it work? To a greater or lesser degree. But then if you remember twice as many names as normal isn’t it worth the effort?