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Improving memory and overall cognitive process..
07-18-2015, 06:02 AM
Hi guys,
bit of a random thread that I wanted to start, but I just wanted to ask broadly about this.
I feel like for a 26.5 year old guy, I have an awful memory sometimes. Mostly, I notice this at work. My job is sales related, and a lot of what I have to do is about cold calls, following up calls, and organizing calls in the calendar for later dates.
Anyway, its like my mental process in doing all of this and the data entry associated with the job is just shoddy. I am not sure whether I am just lazy doing the administration of the job, but I feel like I have a hard time sticking to a standard process in terms of the function of the job, making calls, entering the information gathered from those calls onto the system, putting something in the calendar, then moving to then next task. I find that tough and usually I end up multitasking way too much. I'll be half way through a task, then have to respond to someone in the office, and then get a call, and then its lunch, and then I forgot the original task for example!
Secondly, I then have the problem of just forgetting basic stuff, like, the name of the a client, or what time they said they wanted me to call back. My boss will ask me, 'what happened with x?' and despite the fact this will be a task I carried out in the last few days, it will take me a few seconds of umming and urring until I am able to clarify. Sometimes I have to look through my inbox/calendar/crm system just to clarify my bosses question because of my poor memory recall.
I have had a lot of times where I have forgotten to follow up with customers at agreed times. My boss has also asked me to do countless tasks which I have not done straight away. I get stuck in this task on multitasking, and I just generally 'dont feel on top' of my work at any given moment. It feels like a continual and never ending spiral of administration and organising, and because of the high workload of my job and fast moving pace, I have to respond very quickly to what is going on.
I feel worried that despite my overall good sales perfomance and strong ability to sell on the phone, my good nature in the office and overall work ethic, that my admin/working memory/and process is really hindering me at the moment.
I just need to be sharper..
If anyone can relate, advise, emphathise and just generally provide any useful/help or tips I would really appreciate it!
In regards to improving some of my process/memory, I know there are two tools I can use to help, one being using a calendar to look at the week ahead, and also a daily diary to use before work to make sure I am aware of everything going on during a particular day. Secondly, I realised also I should create a kind of alarm process so I get a sound reminding me of an upcoming call in my calendar so I don't forgot the next call if I am buried into another task.
So yes, I am aware of how I can improve, but secondly I would really like to be sharper and feel more 'on top' of everything. My memory needs to improve. If anyone can give any pointers, I would appreciate it!
Thanks
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07-18-2015, 06:51 AM
I have always had good memory retention,(most people say I have excellent recall skills) but 2 years back, I went through a period of 6 months when I began to display symptoms similar to yours. I was worried if it was something serious and trust me, worry made it a lot worse than it was. Gradually, I regained my old memory recall ability. Now, when I look back at the period, I realize that the two biggest hindrances to memory recall are:
1. Stress
2. Multi tasking
When you hear someone's name, repeat it often.Let's say a guy named Patrick calls you up, once you hear his name, immediately repeat his name if you can, in course of your conversation with him, say, for example's sake, "That will all right, Patrick...I will call you again, Patrick, at around 8 in the evening" Repetition will improve memory recall.To me, it seems, you are also disorganized, relative to your job and if you introspect and find out that that is the case,then perhaps being more organised(prioritizing key work, posting reminders where you are most likely to see them often) will help you. Visualization will also help you in organizing your life.
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07-18-2015, 07:22 AM
Hi Goelsaab,
thanks for your advice and its good to know you were able to regain your memory recall.
There are definitely some basics to improve upon that I think I can implement. Its just prioritizing these tasks and doing things methodically. Easier said then done it seems but doing things like looking at my schedule for the week ahead on sunday night, making sure I have logged all my calls at the end of the day, these are things that are not hard to implement from a practical point of view but just require willpower.
Did you find that improving your organisation had a knock on effect with improving your memory recall?
Thanks
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07-18-2015, 07:31 AM
I can also account this symptoms to (high) stress and multitasking at work. Usually multiple task/project requests a day + meetings, it just fucks up my focus and memory. Haven't found a cure yet and think only changing job position or prioritizing work and disregarding any interruptions would help (but you can't do that to "costumers").
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07-18-2015, 07:54 AM
It may be good to check E-Mails only 2 times a day. Morning and after lunch, so you can plan out the two mayor working phases for the day. There will be interruptions you can't plan though.
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07-18-2015, 08:36 AM
It would be ideal to do that, although my boss requires we check emails constantly when he is sending them from a different location or when we are cc'd into the same email. It requires immediate response and some kind of attached process/response before going back to the initial task which doesn't help.
My function is not poor, but I would like to be able to create a smooth functioning ability and for my boss not to pick me up on anything for once. When looking at it objectively, most of it is 'easy' in some respect but just requires an element of awareness to remember everything and ultimately prioritizing completion of tasks if it means getting into the office early or staying late to ensure staying on top of things.
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07-19-2015, 04:21 AM
Hi Goelsaab, certainly I am lucky as I have the option of delegating some lower level/administrative work.
I think alongside improving my organisation (I need to tidy my desk, my drawers, my actual desktop and files), organising a more coherent calender system, and perhaps leaving some more sticky notes, I think the main thing for me is to get into work a little earlier, make my day plan whilst tis quiet, coordinate the day, and make sure I am being more systematic with recording my call information, call by call.
I think part of 'my problem' is that I go to work, expecting to start at normal hours, and leave at normal hours, and often I don't log the information as well as I should after a call, if at all. So I am my own worst enemy I think. Hopefully as I begin to run a tighter ship in regards to having a more coherent and organised process my memory recall will improve!
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07-19-2015, 05:22 AM
I used to do Muay Thai and I suffered some concussions during sparring which gave me short term memory loss. I'm not sure if I suffered any long term consequences. I do worry sometimes.
What helps me is that whenever I have a task do I always write it down in my diary. I also use apps like Google Keep on my phone, or even set the alarm on my phone with a reminder if the matter is urgent. I think apps like Google Keep can sound off alarms for selected notes but I haven't tried this yet.
I eat a very clean diet nowadays and this definitely improved my clarity of thought, memory and mental energy. By clean I mean no processed foods, no additives, no refined carbs and no sugar. I actually avoid carbs altogether, although that might not be critical in terms of memory function.
Meditating for 5-10 mins every day also helps.
I also play a musical instrument and study a foreign language. I believe both of these activities can train and improve memory function.
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07-19-2015, 06:00 AM
Hi Robert S, thanks for the advice.
A big part of my problem is creating a reminder in my outlook calendar, but completely forgetting about the appointment because I don't look at my calendar for a few hours. I need to make sure I have some kind of sound alert from my phone/computer to make sure I don't miss it.
I eat somewhat clean, but could do with improving. Do you still drink? I feel if I was to stop that, it would probably help a lot.
And as for the musical instrument, I have been thinking about that for absolutely ages. I was thinking of even getting a keyboard and start from there. As for foreign languages, I have dabbled in and out of them, but would like to go to a language class in the week, I think that would be beneficial also. Both the musical instrument and languages apparently have a really good effect on the brain. I find the work itself can be quite mind numbing as well, and things like playing an instrument, or learning a language really energize the mind again.
Improving memory and overall cognitive process..
07-19-2015, 07:27 AM
After a couple of heavy concussions I also found my memory to be a little groggy. Here are some things I found to help quite substantially.
*Cardio - make your brain vascular health a top priority
* Gingko Biloba - again, ties into brain vascular health (also gives you super hard boners)
* zma - for deep restful sleep and rejuvenation.
* Fish oil - Eph / dha are very important for brain health.
* Dual n Back - brain training game has been invaluable, think of it like weight lifting for the brain.
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07-19-2015, 08:47 AM
Constantly learning will keep you sharp because you are training your focus everyday.
Also a great way for getting someone else to remember your name is to give them a reason to remember it. E.g. im michael, as in michaelangelo but im not a painter. They will remember that extra comment and by association remember your name. Use this trick in reverse for remembering client names.
If you are not trying to associate remembering things with either pictures or phrases then you are not using your memory optimally. You need to build strong neural connections if you want to learn or remember a lot in a small amount of time.
Also OP it just sounds like you are a bit out of practice. The brain needs training as well like your muscles.
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07-19-2015, 01:12 PM
My panacea for everything is working out, though when it comes to cognitive function i believe diet plays a much larger role than we'd like to admit.
I was having problems similar to you OP, though i was consuming a lot of healthy foods, taking zma, vitamin D, fish oil, and even working out 4 days a week yet i felt like a dumb gym guy.
I did some reading and discovered that if you supplement Zinc your copper levels will drop. Copper is incredibly important for memory and cognitive processes. Almost immediately after taking 2mg of copper my mental abilities improved. I reached a sort of equilibrium after a week or so. My quick wit returned and I was able to remember short term details more effectively.
OP take a look at your diet, potentially go to your GP and get a blood panel done to make sure your vitamins are in place.
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07-19-2015, 01:20 PM
Look into nootropics.
Edit: And also optimize your diet.
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07-21-2015, 03:11 AM
A very important tip is to sleep well. Aim for 7 hours a night. In my opinion, apart from cutting down on multi-tasking, good, restful sleep is perhaps no.1 tip for memory recall
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07-21-2015, 03:00 PM
Check out
Ageless Memory by Harry Lorayne. The title claims that it's for those over 50, but it applies to all ages. It's big on mnemonics.
Do a Google search and you'll be able to find it as a free pdf.
http://www.amazon.com/Ageless-Memory-Sec...B005M4BZUI
“When you're born into this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show. If you're born in America you get a front row seat.”
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07-25-2015, 05:00 PM
You can try memory/brain supplements.
Fish oil, already mentioned
Windmill Health Products Focus Formula, look up on Amazon - i've been taking it, seems to work, though no miracles
Also make sure you get enough sleep.