It's very frustrating when you run into someone you know, but you can't remember their name. It's even more frustrating if they do remember your name. Everyone will agree that being able to remember names is a valuable asset in both the business and social arenas.
Steps
The system to remember names and faces consists of only four steps.
- 1) Attention. Mentally prepare, try to relax. Be interested. Be sure you hear the name when you're introduced to someone. Many of us don't even catch the other person's name when they're being introduced - we're too focused on ourselves. How in the world are you going to remember the name if you haven't even heard it? Also be sure you heard it right. Pay as much attention as possible to the sound and the pronunciation of the name
- 2) Meaning. Make the name meaningful. You won't have this problem with names that already mean something to you or names that remind you of something tangible.
The problem is the meaningless names. A way to make these names meaningful is to substitute words for thoughts. Make up a word or phrase that sounds as close as possible to the name you wish to remember, and that has some meaning to you. It isn't necessary to get the entire sound of the name into your substitute word or phrase. Remember the main element and the rest will fall into place. If you would like to remember the name Gordon, you can think of a garden. Or if you would like to remember the name Krakauer, you could picture a cracked clock ("crack hour").- 3) Observe. Look at the face and pick one outstanding feature. This could be the nose, the ears, the mouth or any other feature of the face.
- 4) Associate. When you've decided on the outstanding feature in the previous step, associate this feature to the name, or substitute for that name, in some ridiculous way.
Just practice with these steps and have fun!
How to Remember Names and Faces in 4 Simple Steps