Memory training: memorizing names and faces

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Who among us did not get into a situation when the name of the person who introduced himself flew into one ear and immediately flew into the other without even leaving a trace in our memory? I think that a lot of people face this problem. But at the same time, we all know perfectly well that by referring to a person by name (especially in business relationships), we increase our chances of success. Whether it's a good business deal or just good service in a restaurant.

The main problem is that our brain is already overloaded with information, and remembering names is even more difficult. Because during this operation, the brain has to do a lot more work than, for example. when memorizing a face or voice. Visual memory is much better and longer lasting. So it's even better if you firmly link the person's appearance with his name.

Different authors give the same advice, but with their own sauce. I have selected several that, in my opinion, may not only be applicable, but also useful.

1. Tune in to an acquaintance. Relax, and be sure to get rid of the fear that you will not remember the name of the interlocutor again. This is especially true for business meetings with new partners. You will probably have a couple of free minutes before the meeting. Use them to relax.

2. Observe … When you meet a person, look them directly in the eyes. You are probably annoyed by interlocutors who, when talking to you, begin to look in the other direction or at their feet. Firstly, you will give the impression of an extremely impolite person, and secondly, you will not be able to remember the face of the interlocutor and tie it to the name. Try to find bright, non-standard features in the person's appearance. It can be thick eyebrows, dimples, bright eyes. Each person has such traits and if you are attentive, you will see that they are very, very different.

3. Listen. Focus on what the person's name sounds like. Don't worry about how to remember it. Just listen carefully.

4. Ask to repeat the name. There is nothing to be ashamed about. It is better to ask politely to repeat the name than to sit down in a puddle later, without remembering the name of the interlocutor, or, even worse, calling him by someone else's name.

5. Check your pronunciation. After meeting, repeat the name out loud. For example, "Vladislav, it's very nice to meet you." If the name is complex or foreign, it is best to ask if you pronounce it correctly.

6. Exchange business cards. Exchanging business cards also helps you remember the name and face of a new acquaintance. The Japanese consider the exchange of business cards to be one of the most important social rituals, and they will not advise you badly.

7. Mention the name in conversation. Everything is simple here. When addressing your interlocutor, say “Of course, Pavel, I agree with you” instead of “Of course, I agree with you”. This improves the memorization of the name and adds a plus to your karma in the eyes of the interlocutor.

8. While absent, check yourself. When leaving for a drink or other reason, check if you remember the new friend's name well. As well as information about his personality. This will help build a number of associations around him, which will greatly increase the likelihood of remembering the name the next time you meet.

9. Saying goodbye, repeat the name … First, it's polite. Second, it will anchor the information in your brain. So you will combine the two aspects of memorization - primacy and novelty, connecting the initial and final moments of the memorization period.

10. Try to associate name and appearance with a photograph. Of course, not everyone will agree with life photographed by you on a mobile phone for a card. Yes, and at a business meeting, this is inappropriate. But if a new acquaintance happened in a friendly company at a party, then a request to take a picture for a contact on the phone can be a great end to the evening and consolidation of new friendships.

11. Take your time. Due to the feeling of awkwardness at a new acquaintance, many are in a hurry to complete this process as soon as possible. This is especially true when there are more new acquaintances than 1. Do not rush. Try to contact new acquaintances at least once, calling each by name.

12. Turn dating into a game. For myself, of course. In this way, you engage the right hemisphere, which is responsible for your creative part. In this case, more associative links will be involved, which are the basis of good memory. Children, unlike adults, have a much better memory for names and faces simply because they unconsciously apply all the principles of memorization.

13. Apply the Plus One Principle. On average, when meeting, a person remembers the names and faces of two or three people out of thirty. Try to remember one more person.

And at the end, I would like to remind once again the most important thing - do not worry, it is better to ask several times what the interlocutor's name is, than to make a mistake and call him by a false name. Stop thinking about how to remember a name, relax, be attentive to appearance and voice, turn on associations. Repeat the name of a new acquaintance in a conversation as often as possible and exchange business cards.