Dumb Little Man | Tips for Life

How many times have you seen someone and absolutely forgotten their name? It happens to all of us, all of the time. Ian's Messy Desk is a blog that I subscribe to and today he lists 6 tactics to use as a remedy.

Before, we send you over, here are some things that I personally use:

• Name tags: If you meet someone at a tradeshow or other corporate-type event, look at their name tag at least twice during the conversation. You don't want to stare at it, especially if it's a woman your talking to (chest area) but visual aids increase memory.
  


• Famous Names: I have been doing this one since grade school and really, it is kind of childish but it works. If the person has a name like Harris (for example), either first name or last, immediately create a rhyme. Ferris (Bueller's Day Off), Paris (Hilton), etc. Their face along with the rhyme combines the visual element you need as well as a mental 'something'. I don't know the science, but I know that my first grade teacher was Mrs. Stapleton, my second grade teacher was Mrs. Rogner, my third grade teacher was Mrs. Langerman, my 4th grade teacher was Mrs. Johnson, and my fifth grade teacher was the deceased, Mrs. Kuchida who taught me 7x8=56 and taught me the trick of 5-6-7-8. When she died mid-year in a car accident, my new 5th grade teacher was Mr. Kropp. Hell, that was all 20 years ago!


• Take a snapshot: In the movies, there are scenes that freeze on people as they are shaking hands for the first time. It is supposed to draw your attention to the meeting so you can remember it later on when the script calls for a deception or something. Do the same thing. When you extend your hand to give a good shake, make a mental snapshot of the person's expression. Again, it's all visual.

Those 3 tips have lasted me for years and frankly, I don't forget anyone. I don't want to sound like Robert Di Niro or some gangster, but I remember everything from everybody - good and bad - and I treat them in kind.

So, take those tips and then head over to Ian's Messy Desk for 6 more, ok 5, I will share one of his here:

Repeat the name back – It’s easy to confirm what you heard by saying something like, “Nice to meet you, Joan.” If the person’s name is a little unusual, you can repeat it to make sure you’re pronouncing it correctly. If you’re unclear about a name given via telephone, ask for the spelling.
Saying the name immediately helps lock it in the memory.

6 tricks to help you remember names by Ian's Messy Desk.