REUSING LISTS
Some lists can be used again and again, year
after year. A good example is a vacation list, on
which you write down all the things you need
to take with you. This can save time and anxiety
in the often frantic hours before you set off, and
can prevent irritation when you get to your
destination only to find you forgot to pack the
insect repellent. Keep lists you are going to reuse
in a safe place. For example, you might keep your
vacation list in a notebook, along with the names
and addresses that you need when you come to
write your postcards. Any type of list, memorized
or written, can lose its value if you do not keep it
up to date. Reviewing lists of things on a regular
basis, adding or deleting items as necessary,
ensures that you continue to make use of the list.
62
Applying Memory Techniques
WRITING LISTS
Lists are part of everyday life for many people.
They can be used simply to make sure you do
not forget some important item, or to help you
organize work or leisure activities for the day, week,
or month ahead. Apart from helping you feel in
control of your life, the process of writing a list in
itself aids your memory. Often writing something
down is enough to commit it to memory.
Using Memory Aids
T
here are times when information
cannot easily be committed to memory,
and times when it has to be shared with
others. Then memory aids come into their
own. They are especially useful when used
in conjunction with memory techniques.
Keeping long-term lists
A permanent list of things you need to
pack for a vacation is a time-efficient way
of making sure you remember everything.
If you find yourself worrying
that you have too much to do
and might forget something
important, try wording some
statements like these and
repeating them to yourself
regularly to keep things on
the right track.
“
I have plenty of resources
that I can rely on to remind
me of appointments.
”
“
I can enlist the help of my
family to keep us organized.
”
“
Putting some order into my
life will help me feel in control.
”
Self-Talk
RECORDING
THINGS ON PAPER
A household address book is
an excellent way of keeping and
maintaining crucial information,
when other members of the
household need to access it.
Planners and personal organizers
can combine the functions of an
address book and a notebook,
as well being a good way of
keeping track of birthdays,
anniversaries, meetings, and
dentist appointments.
Using Memory Aids
63
ORGANIZING INFORMATION
An essential way of keeping on top of things at home is
an efficient filing system. If this is used in conjunction
with your planner or personal organizer, it can act as a
reminder for things like quarterly bills or car servicing.
A logical structure in your filing system is essential,
perhaps alphabetically, by date, or by theme. Some people
use separate boxes for household bills, the car, and so on.
If you have a “Pending” file, look through it regularly.
Making use of memory aidsLiving without memory aids
Forgets appointments
and birthdays
Structures filing
logically
Keeps address book
up to date
Checks “things to do”
list regularly
Has no system for
keeping contact details
Feels disorganized
and overwhelmed
Maintaining order
Well-organized people are—
and feel—consistently in
control of their lives. They
are efficient, get jobs done
on time, and always
remember important
dates and appointments.
Storing vital
information
A well-maintained
personal organizer
can put structure
into your life.
KEEPING RECORDS
It is very easy to forget precisely what is said in
meetings. Sometimes minutes are taken, but if
no official record is being kept, make your own
notes. Write clearly, so you can read your notes
later. Some people find a small tape
recorder or dictaphone is useful,
but you should ask permission
before you use it.
64
Applying Memory Techniques
SHARING INFORMATION
When more than one person needs access
to information, it is usually best to have it
written down in some form. In the office, a
wall-mounted, wipe-clean board is an invaluable
way of reminding your team of schedules and
tasks. As well as tracking progress, the board acts
as a focus and helps to build team rapport. In the
home, notes stuck on the fridge or a bulletin
board help to keep families organized. A family
calendar, on which all members of the family write
their social engagements or extracurricular
activities, makes it an easy matter to
arrange time together as a family. It
also teaches younger members to
take responsibility for their lives.
Keeping informed
A communal calendar keeps
everyone up to date with
individual commitments as
well as such occasions as a
family outing.
●
Encourage children to
use a bulletin board to
keep adults informed of
their plans and activities.
FOCUS POINT
Taking notes
It is always useful to take
notes at a meeting, both as
a record of what was said and as
a reminder of things to be done.
Takes day off
with family
Keeps space in
calendar for outings
●
Make a habit of using
a daybook at work to
record telephone calls and
make a note of what you
have done each day.
●
Set up a label template
on your home computer
with addresses of people
to whom you send cards
on special occasions.
FOCUS POINTS
USING ELECTRONIC
ORGANIZERS
Most of us have computers at work or at
home. These can be excellent ways of storing
lists, calendars, and other memory aids. Handheld
machines, often called PDAs (Personal Digital
Assistants) can replace all the functions of
paper-based systems, and have the advantage that
you can work on them while traveling or away
from the office or home, moving or copying the
information from one machine to another. It is
wise to keep copies of your files on your desktop
computer, in case your PDA breaks or is stolen.
Using Memory Aids
65
MAKING USE OF
DIGITAL REMINDERS
Computer software for keeping names and
addresses, meeting reminders, and much else is
widely available, and may even be included free
in some operating systems. You can set up many
of the programs so that they alert you to future
appointments. The electronic, on-screen
equivalents of paper “stickies” are useful. They
have the advantage of not coming unstuck, with
the loss of your precious lists and reminders.
Using electronic aids
Laptop computers and handheld devices
can transform the way we organize our
lives. For example, you can check up
on meetings and appointments at work
and plan the week ahead from the
comfort of your armchair.
•
A large noticeboard is useful
for keeping a project team up
to date with progress.
•
A daybook kept at work is
invaluable for future reference.
•
Computers can be set up
to alert you to forthcoming
appointments.
•
Names, addresses, and
phone numbers can usefully
be stored on your computer.
At a Glance
Look at the family calendar or planner over
breakfast every morning to remind everyone
of what they are doing that day.
Make a Mind Map whenever you are planning
with others, whether for a meeting at work or
a family vacation. It will help all those involved
plan better and remember the details longer.
Keep paper and pencil by your bed and, before
you go to sleep each night, write a list of things
to do the next day.You will fall asleep feeling
you have things under control.
Useful Exercises
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