Memorizing names and faces is a great challenge for many people. In fact, some studies indicate that approximately 85% of older and middle-aged adults have difficulty remembering the names and faces of people they have just met. Some manage to memorize the names, but not the faces, while others recognize the faces but cannot identify the names. Besides being frustrating, this can be embarrassing. However, don't think you're doomed to forever carry the fear and discomfort of mistaking a company executive for a bar acquaintance. Learn some special techniques and mental exercises to improve your ability to memorize names, faces, and the combination of both.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Remember names
Step 1. Focus on people's names
One of the most common reasons for forgetfulness is simply inattention. After all, there may be a lot going on at presentation time. Perhaps you are at a party with many strangers or it is the first day at your new job and you feel great anxiety. Sometimes people don't listen very carefully. Therefore, focus your energies on paying attention to people's names when meeting them. Make a conscious effort.
Also, make sure you have understood the name clearly; it is better to ask him to repeat it, in case you have not heard well. You may feel a bit uncomfortable, but you can avoid embarrassing situations in the future
Step 2. Meet, greet and repeat
An interesting trick to remember a person's name is to start repeating it during conversation. Repeat it several times in the following sentences and try to pronounce it correctly. Then, when you say goodbye or walk away, do not miss the opportunity to repeat it again. Repetition is the key to remembering a name.
- For example, you can say something like “Hi Laura. Pleased to meet you. Now, Laura, how long have you been working here? "
- Asking a person's name is another way to repeat it in conversation. For example, you can say “Nice to meet you, Maria. Would you rather me call you Maria or Mari? " or “I really like your name very much, Samir. What is the origin of the name Samir?”.
Step 3. Spell the names
A good idea is to ask a new acquaintance to spell your name, especially if it is long or unusual. If you prefer, you can ask for a personal or business card to read the name while they speak. If your memory is visual, this technique will be very useful.
- The conversation can continue like this: “Zunilda, what an interesting name! How do you spell the name Zunilda? By any chance, do you have a personal card, Zunilda? "
- Again, continuous repetition is very important. Therefore, try to mention the names several times during interactions.
Step 4. Create mental associations
Pay attention to the face of your interlocutor and try to create a kind of mental association with his name. For example, imagine that you have met a boy named Ricardo, who has striking black eyes. By keeping this characteristic in mind, you can begin to call it "black eyes" in your mind to remember it. ("Black eyes" = Ricardo Montaner = Ricardo).
- The secret to remembering through visual images is to create a connection in your mind between the face and the name. It doesn't have to be a unique feature. Perhaps it could be "Juan" who reminds you of your uncle or associate your new partner "Julieta" with Julieta Venegas.
- Creating mental images requires an effort to achieve an effective association, which strengthens the memory and allows you to remember the name and the face.
Step 5. Create other types of mental associations
Just as you can associate a name with something or someone you already know, you can also try a mental image or strategy to add to the name. These connections should be easy to remember.
- A good idea is to resort to alliteration (a kind of pun). For example, you may remember Rafael from the Marketing Department as "Rafael, cake face" (in your mind, of course) or Agustina from Contaduría as "Agustina who likes Chinese food."
- You can also do another type of mental association. For example, if you know Maria who is from Mexico, you can imagine her having a margarita.
Step 6. Create clues
Look, say hello, repeat and look again. Turning a name into a long-term memory takes time. The more times you repeat it intentionally, the faster you can remember it. If necessary, you can create tracks. For example, make a list of the names of everyone in the book club and review it until you remember them by heart.
People who have to deal with many names (for example, supervisors, teachers, etc.) often agree that it is very useful to create lists. You can even put pictures to the names and highlight the main characteristics of each person. For example: "Paula, a history student, wears large glasses and likes to debate in class." In this way, you will match the name with a mental representation, creating a vivid image of the student
Part 2 of 3: Remember faces
Step 1. Identify a unique characteristic
Some studies have shown that most people find faces easier to remember than names. This is because the human brain better assimilates visual information. Therefore, finding a face in a crowd will be easier than remembering a name. To memorize new faces more easily, the trick is to focus on a particular trait or characteristic.
- Assess the eyes, hair, nose, mouth, physical build, hairline, ears, and any other facial features.
- Pick a notable feature such as: "Laura's earlobes are connected to her head" or "Sergio has a very large mole on his chin." You can also choose something that is familiar to you. For example, maybe Pedro reminds you of your uncle.
Step 2. Associate the face with a strange visual clue
This is a fun and interesting technique. When meeting a person, create a fanciful or strange visual clue. A good memory champion focuses on a specific physical characteristic. For example, you can associate a man named "Ricardo" with "Ricardo Arjona." Since the singer has a big nose, you can imagine a little Ricardo Arjona inside the nostrils of the person in question.
This technique may seem a bit silly and, in fact, it is. In truth, the secret is just that; the more scandalous the image, the easier it will be to remember a person and, therefore, associate them with a name and face
Step 3. Make a connection between the face and the name
To do this, you must repeat over and over again. Use the name during the conversation and watch the face consciously. After saying goodbye, check the name and the face in your mind. To help you remember the name, use the tips mentioned above: lists, name cards, etc. In this way, you can create mental strategies such as word games or pictures. Remember that the more associations you form with a name and a face, the easier it will be to reinforce them in your memory.
Part 3 of 3: Exercising Your Memory
Step 1. Prioritize memorizing names
Some people have a harder time remembering names and faces than others. Few of them manage to remember a face for years and have an unusual memory. For example, women have an easier time remembering faces than men. However, all people can improve with effort and dedication. Make a conscious effort to strengthen your memory skills. There are many ways to reinforce memory (and not just for faces and names).
First of all, pay close attention. The brain processes everything very quickly, be it names, faces, addresses or other types of data. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare yourself properly to retain as much as possible. It takes eight seconds of concentration to anchor the information in the brain. You will have to pay close attention to learn and remember things
Step 2. Use mnemonic resources
These techniques have been developed to aid memorization through associations. There are many ways to create a mnemonic device, such as through words, letters, rhymes, and mental images. The more creative you are, the easier it will be for you to remember the information well.
- An "acrostic" is a sentence whose initial of each word encodes something you want to remember. Some examples are: When Someone Reads, They Learn Much (calm) or Three Rats Escape Flushed (three).
- An acronym is a word formed with the first letter of other words such as: Fundéu (Urgent Spanish Foundation), FIFA (International Federation of Association Football), MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market), UN (United Nations Organization). You can also create one to remember something special.
- Rhymes and puns are also helpful. How many days is the month? Just remember: "November has thirty days with April, June and September, twenty-eight there are only one and the other thirty-one."
Step 3. Play games
Mental activities will allow you to have an active and flexible brain, just as physical exercises make the body stronger and healthier. Try games that stimulate short and long-term memory. For example, try crosswords or sudoku puzzles. Memory games like "Simon Says" are great for developing memory.
- There are certain activities that you may not think allow you to exercise your memory. Do you sing in a choir or play an instrument? Playing a song from memory is an excellent mental exercise.
- Chess is an excellent memory game that also allows you to develop logic and the ability to solve problems. A study conducted in 1985 has shown that students who play chess on a regular basis have better memory and organizational skills.
Step 4. Use the different senses
There are several ways to acquire knowledge. Some people learn best through pictures, while others prefer to read or listen to information. Use more than one sense to better fix the knowledge.
- For example, writing a name by hand multiple times stimulates the brain in a number of ways. By writing it down, you will be able to see it, think about it over and over again, and your body will create a physical memory or muscle memory. For this reason, taking notes with a pen or pencil can be more effective than writing on a computer.
- Try associating the information with colors, aromas, textures, and even flavors. If you learn best through reading, read aloud to stimulate hearing during the process.