Category Archives: Memory

Sometimes a short walk down memory lane

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“Sometimes a short walk down memory lane is all it takes to appreciate where you are today.”

—Susan Gale, author, karaoke fan and pet guru

Image from Unsplash by Clem Onojeghuo

Music is a time machine for me.

I can distinctly remember Sunday mornings — in my youth — as the time every radio in the house played Frank Sinatra while my mom did the week’s laundry.

The laborious process of sorting, washing, drying and ironing was made more enjoyable as the family took numerous trips from the basement to the first and second floors of our row house where everything was put neatly in their place.

As my mom aged her memory began faltering, which added to other challenges she faced while getting older. One strategy we would use to brighten her days was to play her music which had the miraculous power to transport her back to her younger years of greater vibrancy and vitality.

EXERCISE:

What are some of the ways that trigger you to take short walks down memory lane?

How do these periodic visits to the past help you more fully appreciate how far you have come over the years?

Rewind and review the game tapes of your life

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Rewind and review the game tapes of your life to improve your future efforts.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Andy Benham

In professional sports it’s common practice to review game tapes of past performances to get ready for upcoming games. Most teams also evaluate their competition to create strategies for winning based on the strengths and weaknesses of their next opponent.

How can your magnificent mind play back your own personal and professional efforts? How good is your memory at capturing the specific moments where breakthrough insights were offered?

Unfortunately, the game tapes of our lives can be distorted by time. Things become blurred or erased completely over the years unless we find a more permanent way of recording our observations.

EXERCISE:

How could you use a journal, notebook, cell phone, or an alternative tech tool to review your days?

Consider doing weekly, monthly and yearly reviews to capture more of the knowledge and wisdom offered by life.

“The second time you forget something, stop and create a better plan for remembering.”

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“The second time you forget something, stop and create a better plan for remembering.”

—Stephen St. Amant, author of the Savenwood Blog

Image from Unsplash by Aaron Burden

Over the course of our lives, we develop numerous habits and engage in daily rituals that are automatic.

These behaviors are so ingrained they don’t require any special tools or support.

For other efforts, we sometimes slip and forget important activities that can undermine our confidence and self-worth.

Many of us use checklists to help us remember the promises we’ve made to ourselves and others.

What happens when we forget to add an item to the list or forget the list altogether?

In the book Influencer: The Power to Change Anything the authors recommend using a personal, social, and structural matrix to help prevent things from slipping through the cracks.

EXERCISE:
What strategies help you remember the important and urgent aspects of life?

Consider check out the book Influencer to broaden your repertoire of techniques for remembering.