I have been having a tough time with my memory ever since I got pregnant. All the books I read and people I spoke to claimed that this is a common thing during pregnancy. So I just brushed it aside and just made fun of it. But now in my 16th month post-pregnancy, I still struggle to remember things. I am doing a little better these days trying to get more organized in a (ahem) ‘mature’ way with the help of tools like Google Calendar. And this is why the article in this month’s Reader’s Digest caught my attention;
’Memory Tricks You Won’t Forget’.
Here are my favorite tricks from that.
1: How do you remember names?
Trick: Pay attention and visualize the name and create memorable associations.
I am introduced to my new colleague, Bobby Sawyer. First I listen to his name attentively and then I start visualizing…. Rishi and Dimple singing..
Hum tum (tara rumpumpumpum) ek kamare mein banda ho…..
Now every time I meet him in the hallway I exclaim “Hey Bobby, how is it going?” and my mind goes
tara rumpumpumpum….and he exclaims “You always look so happy when I see you”.
2: How do you remember where you last kept something?
Trick: When keeping something always remember to tell yourself loud and clear that you are keeping it there.
I get back home and as I am entering I remind myself, to remind myself while keeping the key about where I am keeping it. Somehow reminding myself two times seems to work!
3: What else did I have to do today?
Trick 1: Use your body parts to remember things when you don’t have a paper or pen to make a list.
I have forgotten the Indian grocery list at home (nothing new) so I call B and ask him to dictate the list while I am driving. I go into the store and I try to remember what I need to get.
Head – Nuts
Hair – Cilantro (Remembering being teased a lot of times as ‘
Nindu jutta illa kotambri katta’('
Is that your ponytail or a bunch of coriander leaves') ,
Shoulders (Bhuja in Kannada) – Bhujia
Hands - Haldi (Turmeric) and Chandan(Sandalwood) (Remembering
Vicco turmeric....nahi cosmetic)
Fingers – Okra
Butt - Battani (Peas)
Legs - Legumes
Trick 2: Roman Technique – In this method you associate your grocery or party invite list or to-do list with the rooms of your house or route to work, etc.
A task list for a day at work
Entrance -
Enter the latest code changes for testing.
Closet – File papers in
hanging folders.
Living Room – Attend a meeting for deciding a date for the project going
Live.
Kitchen – Meet a colleague for coffee to talk about what is
cooking in the office.
Dining – Book a conference room for a
lunch meeting.
Bathroom – Update the
release document.
Guestroom – Finish up the user manual when pretending to be busy when there are unwanted
guests in your cube.
Bedroom – Manager has a meeting between 2 and 3, best time for a
nap.
Backyard - Prepare stratergical explanations for
back-logs.
4: What is my password?
Trick: Rhyme the numbers with words
To remember a password of 2349 I tried this
Who (
Two)
said my memory (
Three)
is not more (
Four)
than fine (
Nine).
