Names

Remembering Names

If you remember someone’s name, they remember you.

This is probably the memory technique everyone wants to learn, and also one of the trickier ones. The main reason is because it can be quite a hard one to practice. I usually start my seminars by memorizing everyone’s name, however I don’t initially draw attention to it. I meet everyone individually and introduce myself, then after about the first 10 minutes of introduction, start directing thoughts or questions to people in the class using their name. After about 10 minutes there is always a small buzz going around the room ‘he knows all our names!’ This has the effect of giving everyone confidence in the course and in me, which is essential when you are teaching a class of 30 and upwards. I have tried many different variations on memorizing names and so far I have found the technique I am about to teach you works best. Most of this will sound like common sense and to be honest it is, but like many things in life, there is no point just talking about it you have to do it.

Creating the proper mindset

Memorizing names is slightly different from other kinds of memorising as you don’t tend to have time to prepare for it in the same way you could prepare for let’s say an exam. Meeting new people is often unexpected, so remembering their name is sometimes the last thing on your mind, in this case it’s not so much as remembering who they are, as not getting their name to begin with. Sometimes you meet a large group of people at once and believe there is no way you will remember everyones name so there doesn’t seem any point trying, and even if you do try, you get the first 3 or 4 and then forget them within seconds. To deal with this challenge you need to construct a specific mindset that will help you instinctively remember names. This involves creating a set of steps to follow when meeting new people, you will be able to put these steps into practice straight away.

Before running through your mindset steps there are a few points to note when memorizing names. The first is not to be too hard on yourself in the beginning. Personally I have always been more instinctive at memorizing words, facts and figures than names, but with practice it is more than possible. Secondly, you won’t necessarily remember everyone’s name who you meet for years to come, but you will definitely remember them for a much longer period of time than you ever thought possible. And finally – practice, practice, practice, there are times when you won’t instantly recall a name, with practice those times will get less and less.

Mindset Steps

Pay attention and observe people

How do people look; the shape of their head, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, forehead and chin. Their hair and skin colour and type, is it smooth, rough, freckly etc. Do they instantly remind you on any kind of animal or famous person that would help you create an image of them? On the bus or on a train, start noticing people, not only when you are about to meet them but in general. This will coach your mind into creating a clear image of the people you meet.

Mentally exaggerate prominent features.

As you meet someone notice their most prominent features and mentally exaggerate them. Create a clear mental image of that person in your mind.

Notice your surroundings

If you can recall the location you meet someone, this will help in remembering their name if you meet them in the future.

Listen out for their name

If you don’t catch their name first time, just say so and ask for their name again. When you hear their name, repeat it back to them out loud to make sure it is the right one. There will be some situations where this may seem awkward; being introduced to a group of people could be one of them. In this case there are two things you can do:

• Firstly take a chance and memorize their names as quick as you can, by doing this you should pick up the majority of them, if there is any you can’t remember simply ask them again when you start to have a conversation with them. If you do this make sure you ask their name early in the conversation.
• Secondly, listen to the names being said once and then say to the group as a whole, ‘I just want to make sure you have everybody’s name’, and start running through each one out loud. People will realize if you haven’t got it the first time round and will tell you their name again. By doing this simple act and taking an interest in who people are, you will find that everyone will make sure they know your name.

Create an image for their name

In the beginning this will be the difficult part but you will soon get into the swing of it and start to build up a vocabulary of set images which represent names. For first names, if you already know someone called john and he likes to draw, you could use an image of a pen or paint brush, or maybe choose an image that represents one of his hobbies. By doing this you will always use the same image for John, making them easier for you to remember. You can also start to group all the Johns that you know together in your head making them more memorable. If you don’t know anyone with the same name as the person you are meeting then use a sound-alike image. For second names, there maybe an immediate association, for example; butcher, wood, taylor etc. If not then again use a sound-alike image.

Mentally associate the person with your image using ROM

Use their most distinctive features and link your images to it using ROM, exaggeration is particularly important here.

Create a strong belief in your ability to remember names

Tell your self that you are good at remembering names, if you can’t immediately recall someone you memorized, ask yourself the question ‘what is their name?’ and mentally repeat ‘their name will come to me shortly’.  As you say this, expect to get an answer. These may sound like simple steps but they can make a huge difference.

Mindset Summary

• Pay attention and observe
• Mentally exaggerate prominent features
• Notice surroundings
• Listen
• Create image for name
• Associate person with name using ROM
• Belief