Improving Memory at Work

Using Mnemonics to Memorize Important Information

Apr 12, 2008
Joni Rose

Using Memory Tricks - Stock xchng - akkia

Improving memory of important concepts, processes and procedures can lead to an improvement of efficiencies on the job. Improve your memory using mnemonics.

Mnemonics or memory tricks can greatly improve retention of important information. Mnemonics takes advantage of imagination and linking to create a memorable mental image. These tools offer strategies to improve memorization of important information.

Acronyms

An acronym is a word using the first letter of a list of words you need to remember. Some commonly known acronyms are: PAC (pronounced “pack”) or Parent Advisory Council, GMAT (pronounced “G-mat”) or Graduate Management Admission Test, and LASER or Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. For example, if you want staff to improve their memory of these three keys to safety:

Awareness
Common Sense
Training

The first letter of each of the words spells the word “Act”.

Catch Phrases

To use a catch phrase to improve your memory, create a short sentence or phrase using words that begin with the same letter as the list of words or concepts you want to memorize.

For example, if you want your team to remember when dealing with customers to demonstrate:

Respect
Listening
Kindness
Mirroring
Patience

Then the phrase Real Lives Keep Making Purchases will help them remember that the customers make purchases if they keep these elements of a good sales technique in mind.

The Link

To use the link as a memory enhancer, link mental images with the words. For example, using the sales technique example above:

Respect – link respect to an image of a Veteran being saluted
Listening – link listening to an image of a huge ear on a giant
Kindness – link this to a warm smile from someone special
Mirroring – link this to a reflection in a pool of water or gold framed mirror
Patience – link this to a bee keeper gathering honey

The more elaborate the visual image, the better the chances that you’ll remember the powerful picture.

Location Clues

Using location clues to help you remember is a common way that people remember phone numbers. Can you close your eyes and dial a number purely by the pattern of the button locations? Can you remember your grocery shopping list by doing a mental walk-through of your kitchen inside the fridge and cupboards to see what is missing? Using location clues can be a great way to remember a process or system.

For example, if you want to remember a new procedure with order processing where you must complete the following steps:

Pick up the order from the front counter
Enter the order onto a production schedule spreadsheet
Enter the order deadline on the white board calendar
File the completed order

Then create a mental map of walking to the front desk, then your computer, then your white board, then the filing cabinet.

Rhymes or Jingles

Creating a rhyme or jingle to help remember a key concept can bring not only the concept to mind but a smile on your face!

Some common examples are:

“i” before “e”, except after “c”
Spring ahead, fall back

Using these tips to improve your memory will help you remember key concepts, processes or other important information on the job. They can also help you remember your shopping list!

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