Having trouble remembering people's names? This happens to almost everyone from time to time. But if this is a permanent problem that you have, it's time to work on improving your habits that may be caused by poor listening skills. If you're shy, nervous, bored or have a crush on people who admire you, it's easy to forget people's names. But this shouldn't be an excuse because there's always a way to remember people's names to keep you fit in someone else's social position.
Using people's names is also important as the first door to make the new person you know a new friend or business partner. So, learn to remember people's names starting today.
Step
Step 1. Understand the importance of mentioning people's names
Sometimes it's good to be able to see what difference it makes when you call people by their names as opposed to just focusing on nervousness, poor memory, or simply a lack of intention to remember their names. William Shakespeare once said: "There is nothing sweeter than the sound of a man's name" and he was right. Saying names can help you make connections and is a way to show that the person is special and valuable. Saying names can make your interaction more meaningful to both parties and help the other person to feel better because you still know him or her. Lastly, remembering someone's name is a sign of politeness and caring, and a great way to make a good first impression.
Remember how you feel when someone forgets your name. Nobody likes to be forgotten
Step 2. Know that the most common reasons for not remembering people's names are actually very simple
The reason for not remembering names is usually because you're not listening well, or not paying attention. Both can arise because of nervousness or worry about the impression you will make on the other person. The solution is easy, listen to your interlocutor with full attention when he is introducing himself or being introduced to you. Focus on him, not on yourself. If the reason you're forgetting is because you're nervous about a good topic to talk about, then you should learn how to have small conversations so you don't think about it and focus on the person in front of you.
Step 3. Ask the name again if you don't hear it clearly
No one wants to see you pretend to know someone else's name if you don't really hear the name. If you don't hear the name clearly, say so. This will make him say her name again, and maybe more clearly or more quietly. This time, listen carefully. This is a great trick if you're overwhelmed by nervousness, noise, the movement of people around you, or anything else that's bothering you. You'll usually notice when someone introduces their name and you should use that awareness to immediately apologize for not listening and ask them to say their name again.
- If you don't know how to spell or pronounce their name correctly, this is a good opportunity to ask the person who has the name directly.
- If the name is unusual, ask him to spell it, and maybe even ask him where it came from. You should also be prepared to do that yourself if your name is difficult to spell or pronounce.
- If the conditions are right, exchange business cards with the person, and you'll see the name clearly.
Step 4. Use reps
Repeat the person's name when he or she is introducing herself, such as "Greetings, Aslan." Do this slowly to make it clearer and use a few commas in your introduction so you can smile and show that you really enjoyed meeting him. Say his name at the beginning of a conversation, such as at the end of a statement or question. Repeating the name at least three times will help you remember, because the name will immediately stick to your memory.
- Repeat his name in your head ten times when he introduces his name.
- Examples of statements and questions that can be used as a place to repeat his name: "What do you think, Aslan?", "What are the plans for this year, Aslan?", "Nice to meet you, Aslan." Saying their name when you're leaving is a great way to get that person's name stuck in your head.
Step 5. Make associations with people you know
Create a mental picture of your interlocutor sitting next to someone you already know closely and who has the same or similar name. Anyone, including artists or celebrities. When you need to remember a person's name, you can usually remember the mental image you have of this person, and the person standing next to them. For example “Hilda looks like Jennifer Aniston.”
It's even easier if the person you've just met is a friend or has known your friend. That way, you can ask your friend, and can also remember his name if you associate him with your friend
Step 6. Associate the name with the object or animal
There are several methods you can use, depending on what you find most effective:
- Look for an animal or object or something with the same initial letter as it. For example: “Aslan-Cloud”, “Dedi-Dadu”.
- If the name can be associated with something visual, then use that relationship. For example names like Grace, Dewi, Goldy, Cloud, Ferry, can all be linked with a visual image to help you remember the name.
- Associate the name with words that rhyme. For example "Sherry-Cherry".
- Associate the name with something that has the same meaning. For example "Cloud-Sky".
- Associate the name with something that is homophone or has the same sound.
- Replace some elements of the name with words or names of famous people that you can visually associate with. For example in English, Alyssa Freiburg could be “Alyssa Milano fries burgers”. Remember, this is done so that you remember the name, not to laugh at the person.
Step 7. Get to know the person's face or other unique things that he has
But you should definitely do this quietly and not tell anyone. Take a look at his hair, face, or other characteristics when you meet him. Look for something memorable about him, such as his split chin, or very thick, spotty eyebrows, or something unusual that you can distinguish him from others. Try associating the name with it, so you can remember the name later. For example: “Andi with pink braces.”
Choose the thing that stands out the most and match its name with it
Step 8. Ask your friends for help
If you're still having trouble remembering the name, ask a friend or someone you can trust to help you. You can explain that you still can't remember his name well and would be very happy if he could help if you're still feeling uncomfortable or having trouble. Ask him to introduce himself right away, or say the name of the person you're trying to remember if he already knows. And make sure you listen carefully.
- You can discreetly or covertly ask people you know to help you during a conversation. But be careful when doing it. Your friend can also ask your friend's name before you actually meet the person, so you still have time to think about it and try to remember the name.
- Another example: “You know Aslan (the name of the person you want to remember) is a great painter?” or "Yesterday Aslan and I discussed this together."
Step 9. Believe in yourself
It's easy to admit and accept the fact that you have a hard time remembering names. But don't just let it go. You certainly don't want to be known as a “name-crazy person”, and you shouldn't say that to everyone because you're indirectly telling yourself that you won't be able to remember people's names and letting others know that you won't. make an effort, so they will be less sympathetic to you. Try to improve yourself, and say that you can remember people's names.
Imagine if you met someone and he simply said “I have a hard time remembering names” just when you were about to say the same thing. Are you annoyed that he has stated that he has no intention of remembering your name? At this point you should wake up and try to remember the person's name
Step 10. Write the name
When you're trying to improve when you remember names, you can take a small notepad with you (or a smartphone with a note-taking feature). When you meet someone, write their name in your notes. Do this when you're done talking to him, and you may need to add some minor information like his personality traits, where you met, in what month, and so on. That way, you can look at your notes every day or every week and try to remember every name that's on it. For example, “Cloud, met him at the office in May. He's a tall, skinny guy with glasses and a bit shy."
- Use an app like Nameorize and Namerick on your iPhone or Android to jot down the names of people you just met.
- Don't write anything when you are chatting with him or he is near you. Wait until you're done chatting with him, then find another place to quickly jot down his name. People will appreciate your efforts to remember names.
Step 11. Ask the person directly
Finally, if in the end you still forget the name, ask politely. Say something like “Sorry, I forgot your name. Can you tell me your name one more time? Smile and don't go into too much detail or apologize too much. Just say as usual. You probably won't forget his name again just like that.
Tips
- Pick the most interesting feature or thing about the person and associate it with their name.
- If you can't remember someone's name, try asking someone else after you've spoken to the person, or before. That way, when you see him again, you can remember his name if you use the right method of remembering.
- Try to pronounce the first letter of the name correctly, so you have a better chance of guessing or remembering the name later.
- If he talks to someone else before talking to you and he says his or her name, listen carefully and try to remember.
- You're likely to be able to remember a person's name if you've heard something about them before meeting them. You can ask friends or other people about the person if you are going to meet someone they know.
- Degrees and positions are also important to remember. Use the steps above to remember other people's titles and positions.
- Visualize the name of the person. For some people, turning names into visual memories can be helpful in remembering.
- Try to remember his first name. Don't worry too much about remembering his last name if it's hard.
Warning
- If you're meeting in a professional context, forgetting someone's name can have a worse effect than you think. Therefore, try to remember people's names well.
- Remembering people's names has its advantages. If you can't do that, you're underestimating yourself as an individual.
- Don't mention the person's name too often in a conversation, because it will sound weird.
- Avoid abbreviating someone's name. You can't guess other people's nicknames, and making assumptions is rude. Even if you hear her nickname, be tactful and ask her which nickname she prefers.
