The more responsibility for projects and teams you have the more names, numbers and information you must remember. Unfortunately, the capacity of our memory seems limited. How can you increase it? The Open Forum website has prepared a few tricks that will help you.
1. Start using your visual memory
Visual memory is obviously better than word memory, thus replace the words with pictures. Example: You have to submit a proposal by 1 p.m. tomorrow. Draw a picture of a stack of papers and the clock showing 1 p.m. above it. Easy.
2. Choose an often-used place
What place is important to you? Is it your car, an armchair or the kitchen? Example: If it's your front door, put the note (the picture of the papers) on the front door of the flat to remind you before you leave.
3. Pick out the essentials
Complicated tasks need to be simplified to make them more memorable. Example: The proposal you have to hand in tomorrow must contain two price offers. You also need to discuss the project with two experts. Further, you would like to invite your partners to a business event. Redraw the first image (yes, the one with the stack of papers you have on the front door). Draw a scale comparing two price proposals with two experts drinking wine above it. Sounds like an art lesson at school, but it works.
4. Create rhymes
What song or rhyme can you think up to describe the proposal? I bet, a very rhythmic one. Why not to use the rhyme to improve your memory? Example: Tomorrow I cannot stop, until my project has reached the top. Nice, right?
5. Try mnemonics
You are going meet with your client. There will be five strangers at the meeting whose names you need to remember. Example: Your partners’ names are: Kulhavý, Novotná, Kalivoda, Váhavá and Výravský. They are not difficult but try to recall them before the meeting ... Try using a mnemonic sentence: Kate Never Kissed Vincent on Vacation. Now can you remember?
6. Use name associations
Names are often a challenge, you can try associating first name with known connections. Example: Helen (of Troy) = the Trojan horse, Richard (the Lionheart) = a crown etc. When you invite Richard and partners to the lunch, maybe you will can imagine him with a crown on his head.
Do you have any proven techniques of your own to improve memory? Share them with us.
-bn-