Simple Tricks to Remember Names

After every show, I have people ask how I remember the names of most of the guests in the theater.

This might seem difficult, but I have dyslexia, and I still manage to pull it off. Let me share a few of my tricks with you.

This practice started for me as a kid. I had a mentor named Mr. Wayne Raeke. Wayne was a magician who also loved mnemonic memory systems. He taught me the basics that put me on this path.

First off, pay attention! I know, it sounds like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many people are too busy checking their Twitter feed or daydreaming about their next vacation to focus on the person in front of them. Look at their face, notice their weird hat, take in every detail, and find something memorable about it. Maybe they have a mole shaped like Elvis Presley's sideburns or a nose that could double as a coat hook. The point is, find something that stands out, and latch onto it.

Next, repeat and reinforce. When you hear someone's name, say it out loud, right then and there. "Nice to meet you, Glen. Is that Glen with one N or two?" It's a simple trick, but it works. Plus, it shows the person that you care enough to get their name right. And who doesn't appreciate that?

Let's get creative. Visualize and associate. When you hear a name, create a mental image that's so outlandish and ridiculous that you won't be able to forget it. If you meet a person named Lily, imagine a garden of lilies sprouting from their head like a flowery crown. Or maybe they have a tattoo on their forehead that spells out their name in, you guessed it, lilies. The stranger and more absurd, the better. Your brain loves a good laugh.

Let's not forget about mnemonic devices. Take the first letter of each syllable in a name and create a catchy phrase or sentence. Last night at my show I saw on the manifest that a guest was named Bryan Adams Thomas, I instantly thought, "B.A.T. on his shoulder. My brothers name is also Bryan so when I met the guy I pictured the BAT and instantly thought BRYAN. " See what I did there? I turned a name into a story, and my brain ate it up like a bag of chips.

Now, practice makes perfect. You can't expect to become a master at remembering names overnight. It takes time and effort. Seek opportunities to meet new people, challenge yourself to remember their names, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. It's all part of the learning process. And remember, technology can be your friend too. It is not cheating. Use note-taking apps or contact management systems to jot down key details about the people you meet. Take photos and write people's names on them. This can be useful, but don't rely on them to much. Nothing beats good old-fashioned human connection.

With these simple tricks up your sleeve, you'll impress people left and right with your memory skills. You'll be remembered as the person who always gets names right, the memory wizard of the room. And one day, you might even be invited to join the prestigious League of Name Rememberers. I made that last part up, but I bet you will remember it.

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