Need practice remembering names?
‘I never remember names!’ (from audience members – over and over!)
Remembering faces and names is a social skill much admired.
It’s easy to think that people are ‘born with a good memory – and I wasn’t!’
You CAN recall faces and names.
If you:
- believe you can
- pay close attention
- listen carefully
- give your brain memory traces (with repetition, association, visualising ….)
- practice!
Here’s a chance to practise now.
This 2 minute video asks you to remember the faces, names and where each cat lives.
See how much you can improve with practice. (No-one has reached Level 5 yet!)
p.s. On the video, you will see us referred to as the Brain and Memory Foundation – that was our full name until we were able to shorten it to Memory Foundation (and Brainfit® for Life). It is still us!
The Memory Tune course, written by Dr Allison Lamont and Gillian Eadie, takes you through, step-by-step, many other kinds of brain skills that will sharpen your cognition, recall and memory skills. Thousands of people have now used this tried and tested course. It comes to you over seven weeks and is accompanied by a print version, also.
$169.00 for the full course and book.
“Thank you both so much for this course which has given me the confidence and the tools to deal with my memory problems. I now enjoy puzzles, crosswords and memory tests.. I used to avoid them like the plague. Meeting people and remembering their names is now a pleasant experience rather than a nightmare! You have shone a light at the end of what was fast becoming a very dark tunnel. Thank you.” Maria G.
Will you share your experiences with this names and faces test? Your story will be helpful for others ….
I find it difficult to remember names more than faces. But On this test I remembered the cats names but not the places and although “not quite there” I felt pleased with myself.( Few tries though).
The exposure that the Memory Foundation has provided through the puzzles that puzzle me and the Brain Fit for life book has awakened in me a realisation that with daily practice and application a lot can be achieved.
For example, I used to read my Brain fit for life book like a novel rather than a work and exercise book. Now, As well as sharpening my brain, I have sharpened my pencil. The book often advised writing down memories learnt, which until recently, I did not do. The difference is amazing. I am not in autopilot now I am the pilot in control of that switch.
You know recently I was driving through a suburb in Christchurch. All this year the road has had continuing major work . We drove through rubble and thousands of road cones, negotiating dedicated teams of road workers, who worked hot days, rainy days, mild days and windy days. The team made a hugh error where they had to pull down an overpass and start again, Then Two weeks ago while driving through this area, to my amazement, I discovered the road was smooth and seamless, plants and little waterways had taken life and weirdest of all the workers and their machinery and the road cones had just disappeared. All that time negotiating obstacles and workers and, poof, they had disappeared., and left a magnificent landscape behind.
As I reflected on this and everybodies contribution, whether a driver or a worker,
It made me realise that changing habits and working towards a better way of life can be very similar. Negotiating the ups And downs. pulling down our mistakes take energy and stamina. And then, poof, we have turned a corner and everything is much clearer.
But then I turned a corner to the right and there was my favourite fruit and vegetables store. Outside was a sandwich board “ Have you got your bags” Yep, everything is alive and well isn’t it.
To think that a four letter word “bags” that I bemoaned last time could be such a catalyst!!
Also, how lovely that Christchurch is getting their own Brain Fit for Life presenter. Look forward to seeing some dates for next year.
Mary, we love your reflections on the progress you are making. You are taking the time to apply the strategies and reaping the rewards. Well done! You remembered all of the names of the cats and that takes concentration and focus – as well as finding a way to hold the information in the short-term memory. In that exercise, of course there is doubled information to recall – where the cats live as well as the names -which makes it much harder. You can see why no-one has yet mastered Level 5!
Thanks for your encouraging comments and tips Gillian. For the last six weeks I haven’t forgotten to take my bags into the supermarket – quite a thrill!
Yes I can see that reaching level 5 would be a remarkable achievement. ( Watch out Tom Barnaby from Midsomer, eventually we might be able to give you “ a run for your money”.!)
From a late, but very conscientious, bloomer.
Mary