Remember Important Things

If you're a person who finds it hard to remember the things that matter, it can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are some good ways to remember the things you need to keep in mind, and this article will explain just some of these approaches. With a bit of focus and help from these suggestions, hopefully you'll start to remember more things.

Steps

Using reminders

  1. Remember a specific day by leaving reminders everywhere. Leave them on your cellphone, calendar, datebook, and so forth. Also, remind yourself verbally as much as necessary.
    • Try making a little notice board (perhaps better in your own room).
    • Sometimes things like email programs will have a calendar that you can mark important dates in, like birthdays. They will send you an email notice within 10 days so you can get a present.
  2. Ask your friends or relatives remind you of the matter every once in a while. Choose people you know are good at remembering things.
    • If it's something like a release date of an album, then ask a friend or relative who just happens to be a fan of that certain thing.
  3. Put backup plans in place. If it's vital you shouldn't really forget, (it's probably impossible to forget exciting things) but if you do, have many backup plans. If it's minor, then have one or two reminders.

Using muscle memory to assist you

  1. Do things that reflect on what you're trying to remember while you still remember. Action or movement can help you to recall things, as your body remembers, even if your mind is a little rusty.
  2. Make a song. Write a song to help you remember important information! This works great with locker combinations, passwords, PINs, etc. If you learn a song, you'll tend to sing it, and thereby be reminded whilst singing!
  3. Take notes. If you are trying to remember a specific maths formula, write it down! Taking notes in class will help you to better remember the material because you're using both your body and your mind in unison. It's also easier to recall where you were when you first learned the concept, making it easier to recall the concept too.
  4. Associate smells and sounds to what you are trying to remember. Using your other senses can help you to better remember, recreating a full picture in your mind. For some people, the other senses may be more reliable than just using sight, reading or writing.

Using prompts

  1. Remember names by writing them down. If you are trying to remember the names of people, a good strategy really is writing their names in small script on your palm. As long as you aren't constantly looking down, this should work.
  2. Get a sticky note and stick it on the bathroom wall at your eye level when you're going to the bathroom. During this short period of time, you will get bored and since you have nothing better to do you will look around and read the note. This is particularly effective since people go to the bathroom several times a day.
  3. Keep notes on your smartphone or mobile phone and carry it with you everywhere. Use it to record things you need to remember and ideas you've had. All you need to remember then is your phone.

Making the most of remembering

  1. Act whenever you do remember, as a source of positive reinforcement. If you happen to remember something, like if you have to put a book in your backpack, then do it at that moment, because you will forget later.

Memory Help

Doc:Memory Tricks,Memory Palace,Roman Room

Tips

  • If you want to write note down, try writing it in blue ink. Writing in blue ink helps the brain remember something.[citation needed]
  • Depending on how you remind yourself depends also on how you treat it. For example, if you only have one reminder for a party, you may not get involved or stand out as much as if you remind yourself in many ways.
  • Don't be afraid to rely on others occasionally to remind you of things.
  • Repetition is the key. Repeat the information you need to remember, and that leads to memorization, and that is good when remembering.
  • If you find you are constantly forgetting activities you did with friends, take pictures to capture the memories before you forget.

Warnings

  • Don't forget something special it could cause trouble or lead to broken hearts.
  • Don't have too much on your mind you will end up remembering something small and miss out on something big.
  • People that you associate yourself with may be disappointed if you forget their birthday and you will whether you like it or not send the message that you don't care that much about them, especially close friends.

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