Is Memory a Learned Skill or an Inherent Ability ?
How many times have you gone to the grocery store to get bread or milk, got a bunch of items and forgot the bread or milk ? Or while you were there saw a few people you recognize but have no idea who their names were ? Or when you were younger, met someone at a club that you were interested in dating, but completely forgot their name when you saw them later ? If only your memory was better...
Matthew Goerke from Freedom Personal Development was the guest speaker at our recent office meeting held upstairs at The Hinge in Port Richmond. He gave an excellent presentation about Memory . I was a little dubious at first but his presentation was fabulous and thought-provoking. It so inspired Stephanie to a degree we are now registered for their memory workshop training in Allentown in September !
Can you relate to the following from a business standpoint ?
Forgetting names of people after you just meet with them ?
Or do you need to remember more of what you learned at a presentation ? Or have a better memory of what to say for your own presentations that you give to people ?
Or maybe need to recall product information better ? Or numbers ? Or information from meetings and/or books ? If so, their program guarantees to unlock your memory's potential ! Sounds pretty powerful !
Below are some of the items I learned from Matthew's presentation:
Two tips from Dale Carnegie's book How to Win Friends and Influence People:
- Favourite subject for anyone is themselves.
- A person's own name is the sweetest sound to them.
Two tips for remebering names:
- Slow down, clear your mind and focus !
- Repeat Repeat Repeat ! (say the person's name back to them during the conversation)
Six Other Memory Facts:
- Your first impressions when meeting new people will be in the first 10 to 30 seconds.
- Average recall for a person is 15 percent of info during a conversation or listening to a presentation.
- After 1 week, it is 4 to 6 percent.
- People expect for their memories to fail.
- Memory can be improved - it is a skill, not just an attribute that someone is born with.
- When asked about their own memory, 9 out of 10 people will say they have a bad memory.
They say they guarantee three items after attending their workshop:
- A 300 percent recall increase
- To be able to repeat back a list of 25 items (numbers and words) in any order.
- To do your own presentation without notes.
Stephanie and I thought about how advantageous it would be to increase our memory skills as far as networking, meeting people, giving listing presentations, buyer presentations and so forth. The benefits are endless ! I think what is most fascinating to me is how we can forget that memory is a learned skill and not just something we are born with. That being said, how often do we really practice and harness this skill ? No wonder we are a forgetful Nation !!!
How is your memory ?
What do you think about memory being a learned skill ?
If interested in buying or selling properties in Philadelphia, contact Chris and Stephanie Somers at thesomersteam@yahoo.com or 215-400-2612 . You can connect with us on Facebook and Twitter . For investment properties, check out our new investor site at Philly Investor Hub !
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Hi Guys! I think that if it's not inherent, we CAN, most certainly LEARN it! I have heard the tactics used that you mentioned and do have to use the name-calling (back, of course!) when at a networking function. I generally remember names but, when you meet 30 or 40 people in a given night, it becomes very difficult!
Have a wonderful Memorial Day!
Thank you for the tips. I feel I have an excellent memory for facts bt not names. I will try the repeating and clearing my mind
As a psychology major at NCSU and we were taught through numerous studies that memory is learned. There are several skills you can use to enhance your ability to remember things. This class should be fun and exciting for you.
Debe - It is a good practice at a networking function, but hard to do sometimes ! Especially if one is thinking about what they are going to say instead of listening to who you are meeting. When Stephanie and I were out to dinner last night we practiced a little with the people we met walking around and the restaurant where we went to dinner. We had fun and were surprised how quickly one of us could forget a name. But once we were focused on it, it came much more natural. Is very interesting even being so simple : )
Daniel - I am the same way where I often can remember numbers very well, both phone numbers and addresses but not so much other data. With names, sometimes I am great, sometimes not good at all ! Thus, that is why I found this training interesting and am looking forward to the workshop !
I have a terrible time remembering peoples names yet if I see someones name I can tell you what street they live on. I know I am weird - LOL
Christopher and Stephanie:
Aha! Memory, hummm, I guess that is what I use to have and misplaces somewhere.
I almost took a course myself. I think we rush as you say and are on overload. I need to get mine back. I forget good friends names, it is embarrassing!
Richard
Sheri - Yes, we are looking forward to it. Matt indicated that many children also sign up for the course. The great thing about it is that it can benefit anyone, no matter how old or young. If you really think about it, if a student had a better memory, how much better would they do at high school or at college ? It really is Memorythat should be taught more in terms of improving one's skill at it at a much younger age. Interesting concept...
Hi Kids:
I tend to believe that it's a combination of both. Having the mental capacity to capture the info and retain same is important. Learning the tricks to keeping more of the learned knowledge is a skill that can be achieved for some. At least I think I remember it that way?
Bill- LOL, I am similar as I will remember phone numbers of friends from a long time ago or even a number for a prospect or client but may not remember the name ! Same with addresses : )
Richard - It happens to the best of us. I think it is a skill that we all can improve on at any time. In this case, you "can teach an old dog new tricks" !
Chris and Stephanie, This is interesting. Years ago we were taught as children how to remember at least ten things (not 25 although they gave us a "formula" for as many as you wanted. I still use it and it still works--on anything but NAMES :( I work hard at that and do repeat but it just doesn't come easy to me.
Carole - I do not think it comes easy to most folks. But perhaps with training that skill it might come easier ? I'm not sure but we will know more after we take the course in September. I know Stephanie is really looking forward to it. It should be interesting and fun !