Remembering Names

CJ and Bo Karcanes,

Assistant International Directors & Curriculum Specialists:

As printed in Wing Wisdom June 2005

Your memory can be a tremendous asset in business, GWRRA, family, and other personal situations. Memory skills take practice and a conscious effort in order to utilize more of the brain’s potential. The new “Remembering Names” seminar is designed to provide some tools and techniques that you could use to remember more names and details about the people you meet.

Mnemonics (pronounced ‘nem-on-icks’) are methods for remembering information that is otherwise difficult to recall. The basic principle of mnemonics is to use as many of the best functions of your brain as possible to store information. By coding language and numbers in striking images, you can essentially file away an endless number of facts in your brain’s “file cabinet.” The key is to set up the coding/filing system so you can retrieve the information when you need it at a later time. The more you utilize the information, the easier it is to recall.  There are a some exercises/activities utilized in this seminar to illustrate that the right techniques can help to improve your memory – both to remember facts accurately and remember the structure of the information. As with other skills, the more you practice these techniques, the more effective your use of them will be in everyday life.

Suggestions for remembering names can be broken into three basic tips:

1. Image

2. Association

3. Repetition

 To create an image that will last in your memory, it is important to get a strong impression of the person you are meeting. Look at personal characteristics that may be unique or different. Listen carefully to their voice. Concentrate on the conversation with your full attention. The most memorable images are those that are positive and pleasant, use all of your senses, and are three dimensional. Another key to remembering names is to associate their name with a word picture or situation. This picture/image will provide more detail to help catalog or code the information associated with their name.

Some people are more introverted and aren’t as comfortable having conversations with people. Some extroverted people can be easily distracted in social settings. The conversation stack is a perfect way to help both types get to know other people and learn more details to associate with their name. This technique allows you to focus more on what the other person is saying, rather than trying to figure out what to say next. Typical information you can discuss may include:

-         Name

-         Work

-         Address (city/state/area)

-         Hobbies

-         Family

-         Travel

In the case of GWRRA Members, this list may include type and color of bike, how long they’ve been riding, in which chapter they participate, etc.

 There are many ways to build word pictures to help you with this conversational stack.  The important thing to recognize is that you are creating images and associations that are more memorable because they are colorful, action-oriented and/or exaggerated.  When you are applying this association technique to other information, sometimes it helps to visualize:

· linking items with similar colors, smells, shapes

· placing the things on top of each other

· crashing the things together or merging the images

· wrapping or rotating the items around each other

Additional examples of these techniques are provided in the seminar. Each method can be utilized to create more links to the information to help you recall it when the details are needed.  Finally, repetition helps to convert information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory. When you first start the conversation stack, make sure you hear the name clearly and can repeat it correctly. Ask the person you are meeting to repeat the their name if necessary. You can also repeat their name back, and ask about the spelling of it. For example: “Hi Jim. It’s nice to meet you. Do you spell Peterson with an ‘son’ or ‘sen’?” You can repeat the name silently to yourself, and even right it down if you forget easily. Use their name periodically in the conversation: “How long have you been riding motorcycles, Fred?” If forget their name, ask again.

If there is an exchange of business or calling cards, keep it handy so you can refer to the information as needed. Make notes on the back after the conversation to help you review/recall the information at a later time. Many chapters also provide name tags so those that don’t have their name on their vest or shirt can help everyone make that name and face association.  The methods suggested for remembering names are fairly simple and obvious in many ways. Use as many of your senses as possible to create IMAGES in your mind. ASSOCIATING those images and names with other similarities can really help. Then REPEAT the name (and review your conversation notes if needed) to help confirm your memory. Keep in mind that remembering names involves a skill, so progressive improvement takes practice and patience!

“Remember that a person’s name is the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”  -Dale Carnegie

  “It is better to ask some of the questions than to know all the answers.”   - James Thurber