Memory management
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Write down your goals and at least one step you will take toward them each day.
4 people, independently
Tape a note over a deadbolt listing what you need to take or do.
You cannot unlock the deadbolt without reading the note.
one person who lived it
Avoid using post-it notes for long-term retention.
You will likely lose them or forget their meaning when you find them.
- They are an inefficient way to maintain notes.
one person who lived it
Write down information to lock it into memory.
Writing it down helps secure the memory.
- For some people, writing it down is a surefire way to forget it immediately.
one person who lived it
Apply discipline by using your chosen note-taking method for almost everything.
Using one method means you only need to remember to check that single list.
- Some situations will not fit the list method.
one person who lived it
Write notes by hand instead of typing to improve memory retention and concentration.
Writing requires more concentration and the brain recalls information better when learned in a similar state; studies show better memory retention.
- Typing may allow for word-for-word capture and searchable context.
- Handwriting may lead to doodling and less attention for some people.
5 people, independently
- Write things down to improve retention.1
Spend five minutes at the end of each day writing down what you finished and its impact.
Having specific examples with impact reduces stress during reviews or interviews.
one person who lived it
Write notes on your hand before a task or exam, then wash them off; the act of writing aids memory.
Knowing you wrote it down helps you remember it.
one person who lived it
Write your name on your notebook.
So everyone knows it is yours.
one person who lived it
16 more on this
Write down what you are currently doing and what you will do next.
It helps if software crashes, you get distracted, or forget data.
one person who lived it
Write down important points before an important conversation to keep them fresh in mind, rather than reading from them during the talk.
It helps you explain yourself clearly when the time comes.
one person who lived it
Avoid preparing hot meals for people who do not want them.
Having a meal ready that is unwanted makes both parties feel bad.
one person who lived it
Keep a weekly note where you log tasks and link projects to keep an overview of open and finished items.
It allows you to write things down in one place while still finding them by project later.
one person who lived it
In chaotic environments where situations change rapidly, use a quick physical layout or checklist instead of technology.
Physical layouts work better than tech in high-chaos settings like emergency rooms.
one person who lived it
Recognize that remembering a memory changes it for next time.
The act of remembering alters the memory, which can make nostalgic memories seem better than they actually were.
one person who lived it
Add the year, month, and day to every written note or digital file.
It makes it easier to track records and revisit ideas later.
one person who lived it
Write a short paragraph reviewing movies or video games immediately after consuming them to capture opinions before they fade.
Without recording them, you may forget nearly all details about what you liked or disliked.
one person who lived it
Use calendars and alarms for small tasks and time-specific reminders.
It provides instant brain relief.
2 people, independently
Place small notepads in spots where you spend time, like near your bed, sofa, or desk.
4 people, independently
Tie a rubber band around your thumb to serve as a tactile reminder.
It provides periodic physical reminders.
one person who lived it
Set recurring yearly calendar events for important birthdays.
Fewer people use social media platforms like Facebook for reminders now.
one person who lived it
Catalogue your daily activities over several weeks to identify correlations between habits and mood.
One person noticed a connection between their mood and commute method (happier biking, angrier driving) and changed their commute to improve their mood.
one person who lived it
Index your journals or convert them to an electronic format to enable searching for specific events and dates.
Finding specific events and their exact dates is challenging without indexing or searchability.
one person who lived it
Put everything you need to do in your calendar.
Relying on memory alone is insufficient for managing adult responsibilities.
one person who lived it
Practice speeches from randomized starting points.
Randomized practice improves retention.
one person who lived it