When you "can't remember"...

Self | 2/23/10 | RightOnline

[RightOnline]

OK OK.....I know this may seem a silly and simplistic topic/post in such an age. Still, I just wanted to share a little "trick" with my fellow FReepers that has served me very well over the years. I've taught this to many; all have been grateful.

We all, especially us FReepers, take in so much information in a typical day (work, home, FR, TV, talk radio, etc.) that often it is very difficult to recall certain facts; certain information.

You know that feeling...."..oh darn it, what's-his-name....I can't remember"; or "...oh you know, that movie with...ummm....dang it...".

Here's the key: NEVER say "I can't remember". Never. What I want you to say from now on is "It'll come to me.".

Then....just drop it from your thoughts. Fuhgedaboutit (no pun intended). What you have just done is program that marvelous, God-given computer of yours (aka your brain) a command. It typically takes 5-20 minutes for that recall process to complete and you will find yourself blurting out the answer. Yes, it works.

When you say "I can't remember"....guess what? You've done the same, and your "computer" will do exactly what you just programmed it to do. It won't remember.

Small thing. Trivial....but it has helped me so much over many years, and I hope this little thing helps you. God bless you all, my fellow FReepers.

[sasquatch]

Remember what??

[RightOnline]

Ummm......it’ll come to me.

[Republic of Texas]

This advice will help me one day.

[Still Thinking]

Thanks. I’ll try to remember that.

;-)

[Bean Counter]

You know...that guy who was a friend of your sister’s brother’s cousin at that place with the thing that cost so much...

[Still Thinking]

Bad Boys Rape Our Young Girls But Violet Gives Willingly

It repeats: A constant of calculus, a constant of calculus (What's calcooolus?)

And no, I don't Enjoy Data Processing

[meyer]

Ahhh, the resistor color code. Remember the tolerance?

Get Some Now!

[Still Thinking]

Yup. Also note the colors are in color wheel or rainbow order, except for black, brown, and so on.

[Still Thinking]

And of course the Indian maiden Sohcahtoa, and her boyfriend Shochacao or whatever (whom when she sees him she goes hyperbolic!)

[mom aka the evil dictator]

As we age our long term memory remains sharp. It is our short term memory that we lose first. Also what you had for breakfast probably was not all that important, but you remember your husband’s serial number because for some reason it was important to you. I still remember my dad’s SSN because it was how I got anything done as an Air Force brat.

[timestax]

That technique also works on names of songs too when you forget them.

[DTogo]

Barack Obama: “I can’t ... uh ...uh ...It’ll ...uh .... come ...uh.”

[madamemayhem]

i still remember my grandma’s phone number (in the 70’s before she moved), my aunt and uncle phone number (70’s and 80’s before the divorce), and the part number of an electrical component i put together in a factory 20yrs ago. i cannot always remember my anniversary, i get the month right but the day and yr are tricky. it will be 6 yrs (i think) in April. and since i turned 21, i have trouble remembering how old i am (born in 67 someone else do the math).

[arthurus]

It works. The part about just forgetting about it and going on to something else works. A few minutes later the datum pops out of the memory bank and I say the missing name suddenly in the middle of a conversation about something else.

[BARLF]

As we age our long term memory remains sharp

My kids long time memory is certainly differently than mine.

LOL

[Irish Queen]

Actually, this technique (the brain Rolladex) is what I use to recall information. I'll let my thoughts and conversation wander to another subject, while the search engine part of my brain finds the missing bit of information. Sometimes the answer comes with a minute or so, and at other times it can take a day or so.

I'm known for my ability to recall all sorts of obscure trivia. This talent is good for winning rousing games of Trivial Pursuit, but annoying in many social settings.

[Finny]

Maica: In a related message, it is better to use positive words when giving directions to children. “Don’t go near the edge” is heard as “go near the edge.” “Stay away from the edge” or “watch where you walk” gives a positive direction to the child’s brain to process.

Mobties: That sounds useful. Positive thinking.

Words are much more powerful than most people realize. If you forget your car keys all the time, and instruct yourself: "Don't forget the car keys," the instructive word is "forget." So you keep on forgetting your car keys.

Instead, find the positive instructive phrase: "Remember the car keys." The instructive word is "remember." Take it from me: taking care to phrase self-instruction with words that tell you what TO do rather than what NOT to do, WORKS.

I CRINGED when Dubya declared after 911: "We will not fail. We will not waver." What he was doing was telegraphing in language fear of defeat. I also cringe when I read: "Never forget." It's a sure way of making people forget. The ol' saying wasn't "Never forget the Alamo." If it had been ... the ol' saying would be a long-dead saying.

We will achieve victory. We will be steadfast. We will be courageous.

Words are as mighty as swords.

[keats5]

Thanks. I need all the help I can get.

[keats5]

Thanks. I need all the help I can get.

[RightOnline]

"That technique also works on names of songs too when you forget them."

Yep...it sure does; or the singer/artist/band performing a song you hear on the radio. Drives people nuts the way I recall such trivia. Now you all know how I do it. :)