Forgetfulness can lead to small or big issues. We’ve all been there before. You need to remember something important, and you completely forget about it. There are many reasons we do this. The causes can range from cognitive issues to a lack of attention. In this short essay we will examine the possibility that it is a lack of attention and provide some exercises to help you remember things that you do not want to forget. 

Our smartphones can replace our memories for many mundane tasks, but our brains need a workout. Try the following tricks to give your brain the activity it needs: 

Writing – putting pen to paper isn’t always about creating a record you can review later. Professionals believe the act of writing something down makes it 7 times more likely you’ll remember something over just observing it, even without looking at your notes again. 

Repetition – repeating something over and over is a common way to remember a piece of information. Numerical combinations and directions to a destination are the most common reasons to use this technique. If you have had problems remembering someone’s name, try repeating it in conversation subtly. “Nice to meet you, Herb. Tell me Herb, have you ever been so hungry that you’ve eaten food you found on a park bench? Because Herb, I have, and it was delectable.” 

Associate – understand why something is important to remember. Ask the who, what, when, where and why about the thing you are attempting to remember. If you need to remember an important appointment, understanding the reasons around why it is important is a good motivator to keep it in the forefront of your thoughts. 

Picture – visualizing the thing you are trying to remember can elevate it inside your brain and allow you to recall it later. Picturing the thing in your mind will also make actually seeing that thing stand out and assist you in recalling why it was important to remember. 

Self-Talk – taking the topic you wish to remember and talking about it to yourself about it is a reliable way to retain the purpose of what you intended to remember it. If you continually forget to pick up dry cleaning on your way home after work even though you are thinking about it as you clock out, try talking yourself through the process. Continually discuss the route to the cleaners in your head as you travel and push aside the mechanical routine of driving straight home. 

These tricks are good ways to take control of your memory and stop forgetting. They are distraction defeaters that help you better organize your thoughts. Our minds are unique so you may need to combine a few of the tricks to find what is best for you. Modern technology makes it easier for us to neglect the chore of having to remember, but taking time to do things in the ‘old way’ will help you maintain cognitive health.