In a world where so many of us rely on our smartphones or other devices to recall even the most basic information, it can sometime feel like a struggle to even remember what you had for breakfast.
Instant Memory Training for Success
So, when it comes to party season, how on earth are you supposed to remember the name of that guy with the beard in accounts you’ll inevitably get stuck next to at the works do? And that cousin you’ll bump into at the annual family get-together – what was his job again?
For some people, remembering names and details about people can seem almost effortless. You know the type – they flit around like social butterflies, including people in conversations, making introductions and just making everyone feel valued. It is an impressive skill.
So, how do you become one of these charismatic party superstars who remembers everyone they meet? Chester Santos is known as the International Man of Memory and has developed techniques that he says can help anyone boost their ability to retain knowledge. Here he gives us simple tips to improve our chances of building relationships during the festive season:
Use your imagination: When someone tells you their name, try to turn it into a simple image. Then, make the image you are seeing in your mind crazy, unusual or extraordinary so that you can take advantage of the psychological aspect of your memory.
For example, if you meet someone named Alice and you notice she has beautiful hair, you might imagine a white rabbit (from Alice in Wonderland) tangled in her hair. Or Jane might become a chain because it rhymes. Paul might become St Paul’s Cathedral.
Build a story: Next, when it comes to remembering key information about that person, visualise a story connecting the points. So, you meet Alice with beautiful blonde hair and learn that she lives in London, works in advertising, and has a dog called Rolo.
Imagine a white rabbit tangled in Alice’s blonde hair, then picture her reading a billboard advert for The Tower of London, next to the billboard is a dog eating a chocolate Rolo off the pavement. Run through this story one more time and see it like a cartoon playing out in your head. Now try and recite all the info about Alice that you want to remember by going through the story in your mind.
Involve additional senses: The more senses that you involve, the more of your brain you’ll be using and that means you’re creating more connections in your mind. Try bringing the cartoon you’ve created in your mind to life with sounds or even smells, and it will all be much easier to remember.
Focus: It may seem obvious, but you do need to pay attention to people. Focus on one thing at a time and try to shut off from distraction to remember the most information effectively.
Take them to bed: Not literally, of course, but take a moment to run through all the important information in your mind just before you go to sleep. Sleep is an opportunity for your brain to organise and “file away” your thoughts, and you’ll wake up the next morning being able to access the information you need much better than you did the day before.
Use it or lose it: Your brain is like a muscle that gets stronger with practice. You’re not going to turn into a memory champion overnight, but the more you try and remember names, facts and details about people in different contexts, the easier it will become.
Chester Santos is a world leading memory skills expert, speaker and author See http://www.InternationalManofMemory.com for more information.