Remember anyone's name. No post-it notes required
How many times have you been in the position where you have met 3 or 4 new people in a group and when you end up talking to them later you can’t remember the names of any of them?
I know I have…lots and lots of times.
It was actually almost becoming a problem for me, especially at work, where part of my role was building up client relationships, and meeting new people.
At Work
At work, the majority of the time, when I met someone new I was focusing on what I had to do or say to promote our product and answer the questions that they had, rather than focusing on remembering their name when I met them.
One quick solution to this in a “business” situation, is to hand them your business card, and in doing so ask them if they have one as well.
Then, as you should always do when someone hands you their business card (its good etiquette) , you can look at their name on the card.
Casual Social Situations
This above approach does not work in a casual social situation, because you will look pretty stupid. so we need a new approach.
I recently went to a seminar (for work) and the presenter introduced himself on the way in and made sure to ask everyone for their name.
An hour into him giving the presentation, whenever someone raised their hand to ask a questions, he could rattle of every single person’s name, as they asked their question.
He later shared his secret later, which I use now, and it works really well.
Think In Pictures
I’m not sure of the exact percentages, but humans learn so much better when they think pictorially.
This is exactly how people can memorise whole decks of cards in the exact order or in Ben Pridmore’s case 27.
Long story short, in order to memorise anyone’s name:
1. Make sure you hear their name. Too many people rush their name when asked, so don’t be afraid to ask someone for it again.
2. Repeating their name after they say it can also help submit it to our subconscious
3. Pause for a second to picture their face doing in the body of someone famous with the same name.
For example
The presenter went on to confess that he memorised the following things for the different people:
James – pictured james’s face in a James Bond (007) Out fit with a gun
Sam – He just finished watching Lord of The Rings and pictured Sam’s face with Samwise’s body
Jessica – He was a big fan of Jessica Alba so pictured Jess’s face with a sexy Jessica Alba body.
I have since used this same technique and it works really well. And helps with long-term memory retrieval of their name.
I think the hardest part is making sure that you pause to picture them. Without this part the whole process will fall down.
Take Action
1. Next time you meet someone new, be sure to picture them as someone famous that you easily remember, even make it someone funny, because that will make it even easier for you to remember.
2. Slowly but surely build this into a habit and you will never have any problem remembering any ones name again
What do you think? What other techniques have you used or currently use to make sure you remember people’s names? Please comment in the comment section.
