Comments on: How do *you* remember faces and names? http://www.steverrobbins.com/blog/2008/11/how-do-you-remember-faces-and-names/ Creating Extraordinary Lives Thu, 17 May 2012 07:49:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Matt http://www.steverrobbins.com/blog/2008/11/how-do-you-remember-faces-and-names/#comment-3016 Matt Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:54:26 +0000 http://blog.steverrobbins.com/getitdoneguy/?p=109#comment-3016 As Evelyn above, I teach college and rely on interesting details to make the connection. On the first day I always introduce myself, and then have the students do the same, sharing their name, hometown, major and interests. From that jumping off point I press further, and usually uncover something worth remembering. Then I pair the name, interesting fact and face together, and viola—I've learned their name. At the moment I'm teaching "long engagement" Jessica, "from Ethiopia" Henok and "historian hippie" Brent. That plus checking attendance and handing back assignments gets it done, at least in that context. As Evelyn above, I teach college and rely on interesting details to make the connection. On the first day I always introduce myself, and then have the students do the same, sharing their name, hometown, major and interests. From that jumping off point I press further, and usually uncover something worth remembering. Then I pair the name, interesting fact and face together, and viola—I’ve learned their name.

At the moment I’m teaching “long engagement” Jessica, “from Ethiopia” Henok and “historian hippie” Brent. That plus checking attendance and handing back assignments gets it done, at least in that context.

]]> By: rob http://www.steverrobbins.com/blog/2008/11/how-do-you-remember-faces-and-names/#comment-3011 rob Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:01:51 +0000 http://blog.steverrobbins.com/getitdoneguy/?p=109#comment-3011 I use a combination of evelyn's and jackie's methods. during conversation i try to use the name as often as i can AND a try to find out something personal, something unique that somehow sticks the name to the person. sometimes it sounds very stupid saying "so jill, how do you get your kids to school? are you getting them there in your lemon-green golf GTI, jill?" but people somehow like it when you call their names while having a conversation with them. I use a combination of evelyn’s and jackie’s methods. during conversation i try to use the name as often as i can AND a try to find out something personal, something unique that somehow sticks the name to the person. sometimes it sounds very stupid saying “so jill, how do you get your kids to school? are you getting them there in your lemon-green golf GTI, jill?” but people somehow like it when you call their names while having a conversation with them.

]]> By: Amy http://www.steverrobbins.com/blog/2008/11/how-do-you-remember-faces-and-names/#comment-3006 Amy Sat, 08 Nov 2008 05:25:16 +0000 http://blog.steverrobbins.com/getitdoneguy/?p=109#comment-3006 I teach elementary school and I've learned a really simple way to remember students' names - just call them all buddy, champ, or sweetie! Unfortunately, this technique doesn't work as well with adults. :) I've learned that I will remember a name if I have a chance to write it down. I think that hearing it AND seeing it makes a huge difference. I teach elementary school and I’ve learned a really simple way to remember students’ names – just call them all buddy, champ, or sweetie!

Unfortunately, this technique doesn’t work as well with adults. :) I’ve learned that I will remember a name if I have a chance to write it down. I think that hearing it AND seeing it makes a huge difference.

]]> By: Katie Clark http://www.steverrobbins.com/blog/2008/11/how-do-you-remember-faces-and-names/#comment-3001 Katie Clark Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:27:57 +0000 http://blog.steverrobbins.com/getitdoneguy/?p=109#comment-3001 I struggle with names and always always always have to relate their name to an interesting descriptor, or associate them with someone I also know, or even a song (I'm a singer). So, I originally associated my colleague Don to "Don-don-don-don (the tune of the wedding march)", my friend Veronica to the popular song, etc. That said, I'm a visual learner, so our company's directory with names AND faces is incredibly valuable :) I struggle with names and always always always have to relate their name to an interesting descriptor, or associate them with someone I also know, or even a song (I’m a singer). So, I originally associated my colleague Don to “Don-don-don-don (the tune of the wedding march)”, my friend Veronica to the popular song, etc. That said, I’m a visual learner, so our company’s directory with names AND faces is incredibly valuable :)

]]> By: Marissa Martinez http://www.steverrobbins.com/blog/2008/11/how-do-you-remember-faces-and-names/#comment-2996 Marissa Martinez Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:00:46 +0000 http://blog.steverrobbins.com/getitdoneguy/?p=109#comment-2996 In school I had a professor who at the beginning of each class during the first week or so had us do a name exercise. The first person says their own name. The next person says the first person's name then their own name. The third person says the first two people's names then their own name. And so forth. The first person then has to go back and say everyone's name. The class size was usually about 15-17 students. While this repetition exercise helped me remember the names for the period of the class, I rarely remembered them after that semester, since I did not have them in other classes. In networking situations, since I am a visual learner, I need to write something down about the person or see their name on a nametag in order to remember them. So if we exchange cards, I'll make a note on the back about some piece of information I need to provide them or at least the event where I met them. Even then, I sometimes need to refresh a look at names before going into meetings. At new jobs I physically go to people's offices an introduce myself and associate something with them like their position. In any situation, if I can associate the person with a story, I can then better remember the face even if I may not remember the name without peeking at my notes. I suspect that the folks who say they remember names based on saying the name or listening to the sound of the name are aural learners. Kinetic learners will need to associate some physical action with the name to better remember it. In school I had a professor who at the beginning of each class during the first week or so had us do a name exercise. The first person says their own name. The next person says the first person’s name then their own name. The third person says the first two people’s names then their own name. And so forth. The first person then has to go back and say everyone’s name. The class size was usually about 15-17 students. While this repetition exercise helped me remember the names for the period of the class, I rarely remembered them after that semester, since I did not have them in other classes.

In networking situations, since I am a visual learner, I need to write something down about the person or see their name on a nametag in order to remember them. So if we exchange cards, I’ll make a note on the back about some piece of information I need to provide them or at least the event where I met them. Even then, I sometimes need to refresh a look at names before going into meetings.

At new jobs I physically go to people’s offices an introduce myself and associate something with them like their position.

In any situation, if I can associate the person with a story, I can then better remember the face even if I may not remember the name without peeking at my notes.

I suspect that the folks who say they remember names based on saying the name or listening to the sound of the name are aural learners. Kinetic learners will need to associate some physical action with the name to better remember it.

]]> By: Pam Fox Rollin http://www.steverrobbins.com/blog/2008/11/how-do-you-remember-faces-and-names/#comment-2991 Pam Fox Rollin Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:05:04 +0000 http://blog.steverrobbins.com/getitdoneguy/?p=109#comment-2991 Hey, Stever. I used to guide kayaking on the weekends as a break from corporate life; for safety (and fun) I challenged myself to memorize every name, every time, on the first go 'round (groups typically of 8 to 30). For me, I associated the name with a facial characteristic ("Diane = dyed hair") or someone I know ("Chris looks a lot like the Chris I knew in high school"). For this to work, I always repeat the name ("Hi, Diane.") while thinking of the characteristic. Whenever possible, I give that a second go, as soon as I can ("Diane, could you lend me a hand with this boat.") Foolproof IF I'm fully attending to names when I meet the people. Pam Hey, Stever.
I used to guide kayaking on the weekends as a break from corporate life; for safety (and fun) I challenged myself to memorize every name, every time, on the first go ’round (groups typically of 8 to 30).
For me, I associated the name with a facial characteristic (“Diane = dyed hair”) or someone I know (“Chris looks a lot like the Chris I knew in high school”). For this to work, I always repeat the name (“Hi, Diane.”) while thinking of the characteristic. Whenever possible, I give that a second go, as soon as I can (“Diane, could you lend me a hand with this boat.”) Foolproof IF I’m fully attending to names when I meet the people.
Pam

]]> By: Wendywindflowers http://www.steverrobbins.com/blog/2008/11/how-do-you-remember-faces-and-names/#comment-2986 Wendywindflowers Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:20:32 +0000 http://blog.steverrobbins.com/getitdoneguy/?p=109#comment-2986 Bizarre, I rarely forget names! It's such an important thing so that's why I try to pay attention to it. (What's that famous quote? The most beautiful sound in the world is the sound of your own name?) Say the name aloud after meeting the person and repeat it in your head. It's useful to get familiar with the the way it physically feels to say the name. Maybe sing it too! Or think of a song with the same name! (Elenor?) It's also useful to store a memory of hearing someone else say their name. The only problem I have is when some people look like they should have a different name, eg their name's David but they really look like a Chris. In that case, I have to remember both names, and remember that there is an issue with their name.... so I go "Ah, that's Chris... no it's not... what's the other name... ah, it's David." As for people who have the same names, I just mentally group them all together! -Wendy Lang Bizarre, I rarely forget names! It’s such an important thing so that’s why I try to pay attention to it. (What’s that famous quote? The most beautiful sound in the world is the sound of your own name?)

Say the name aloud after meeting the person and repeat it in your head. It’s useful to get familiar with the the way it physically feels to say the name. Maybe sing it too! Or think of a song with the same name! (Elenor?) It’s also useful to store a memory of hearing someone else say their name.

The only problem I have is when some people look like they should have a different name, eg their name’s David but they really look like a Chris. In that case, I have to remember both names, and remember that there is an issue with their name…. so I go “Ah, that’s Chris… no it’s not… what’s the other name… ah, it’s David.”

As for people who have the same names, I just mentally group them all together!
-Wendy Lang

]]> By: Marty http://www.steverrobbins.com/blog/2008/11/how-do-you-remember-faces-and-names/#comment-2981 Marty Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:19:05 +0000 http://blog.steverrobbins.com/getitdoneguy/?p=109#comment-2981 My method is similar to Jim's. We remember things the more funny, elaborate, painful, etc. they are. Simply hearing somebody's name isn't memorable at all. So, immediately I'll think of somebody else with the same name, if I can. The bigger, bolder the "other" person's personality, the better. Celebrities & political figures work great -- even fictional characters. I'll then imagine the "new" person doing something with the "associated" person, or link a physical characteristic to the new person. For instance, I recently met a "Sarah". I immediately thought of "Sarah, Plain and Tall", because this Sarah had a fair complexion, and was taller than me. Now, every time I see her, I think "Sarah Plain & Tall" and I immediately know her name. Of course, if the new Sarah looked anything like the Alaska Governor, liked to hunt, or I met her at a Mavericks game, I'd have associated her with a different Sarah... My method is similar to Jim’s. We remember things the more funny, elaborate, painful, etc. they are. Simply hearing somebody’s name isn’t memorable at all. So, immediately I’ll think of somebody else with the same name, if I can. The bigger, bolder the “other” person’s personality, the better. Celebrities & political figures work great — even fictional characters. I’ll then imagine the “new” person doing something with the “associated” person, or link a physical characteristic to the new person. For instance, I recently met a “Sarah”. I immediately thought of “Sarah, Plain and Tall”, because this Sarah had a fair complexion, and was taller than me. Now, every time I see her, I think “Sarah Plain & Tall” and I immediately know her name. Of course, if the new Sarah looked anything like the Alaska Governor, liked to hunt, or I met her at a Mavericks game, I’d have associated her with a different Sarah…

]]> By: Steven Wright http://www.steverrobbins.com/blog/2008/11/how-do-you-remember-faces-and-names/#comment-2976 Steven Wright Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:10:47 +0000 http://blog.steverrobbins.com/getitdoneguy/?p=109#comment-2976 No special methods... I remember faces extremely well... the name is just part of the memory of the face for me.. i love names so i love to connect the two if i am in a situation where i blank on a name, the face will remind me of the circumstances under which I met them or have interacted with them and with a few minutes i can almost always recall the name. No special methods… I remember faces extremely well… the name is just part of the memory of the face for me.. i love names so i love to connect the two

if i am in a situation where i blank on a name, the face will remind me of the circumstances under which I met them or have interacted with them and with a few minutes i can almost always recall the name.

]]> By: Jackie http://www.steverrobbins.com/blog/2008/11/how-do-you-remember-faces-and-names/#comment-2971 Jackie Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:06:50 +0000 http://blog.steverrobbins.com/getitdoneguy/?p=109#comment-2971 I work in a business where networking is key. I try to use the person's name a few times in conversation, then if they give me their business card, I make a note on it as soon as possible. So if John from ABC Marketing gives me his card, the next bathroom break I take, I mark 'wore a blue paisley suit' ... so I can remember when I get back to the office. I work in a business where networking is key. I try to use the person’s name a few times in conversation, then if they give me their business card, I make a note on it as soon as possible. So if John from ABC Marketing gives me his card, the next bathroom break I take, I mark ‘wore a blue paisley suit’ … so I can remember when I get back to the office.

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