I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou
It makes a difference when you care about the people you work with. When you REALLY pay attention. It might not feel like a big deal if you forget someone’s birthday and it’s probably not, but it is a big deal when you remember it. It helps you create a connection with them, and they feel like you really care. You don’t have to be nosy or get personal but knowing the right questions to ask (or not ask) can make all the difference.
It’s always really impressed me when an associate or boss remembers an important detail without having been prompted by social media…that’s a skill!
You don’t need to remember all of these details but knowing one or two about each person you interact with frequently can really make an impact.
- Birthday’s (this is a great one to remember – people love it when you remember their special day and get even more excited if you give them a card or send them a small gift)
- Kid’s Names
- Work anniversaries
- Hometown or Where they Live
- Favorite Sports Team
- Hobbies and interests
- How their parents/kids/siblings are doing
- What big project they are working on that they are excited about
Here are a few tips and tricks that can help you remember these details a little easier.
- Write it down! I keep a notebook or planner with you and jot down these little details when they come up. I can’t remember anything. I write everything down so I can look at my cheat sheet before I go into meetings. After I have interacted with someone a few times and know them I don’t need to check my notes but it helps when I am learning about someone new.
- Visualize. If someone has two kids and loves to cook create a mental image of them in their kitchen making cookies with their kids. It sounds silly but creating a mental image will help you recall facts.
- Repeat information back out loud. If your trying to remember someone’s husband’s name is not just say “what does your husband do for a living” adjust your words very slightly and say “What does Bob do for a living” it’s a simple shift that will help you memorize names.
One of the most important things you can do to help your big old brain is to take care of yourself. Get enough sleep, take a daily vitamin, drink enough water, exercise your mind and body, and eat all the brain foods (fish, berries, nuts and seeds, avocados, eggs, broccoli, kale and don’t forget a little dark chocolate).
Minute with Mandy 