in which my nerdiness knows no bounds

[anotheranon]

I am terrible with names - I mean poor bordering on nonexistent recollection.

I've tried (and will continue to try) the usual recommended memory aids of repeating names once I hear them and trying to associate the name with something, but in addition, I've also started keeping a spreadsheet.

Yes, an Excel spreadsheet of New People, including where I met them and through who, and some distinguishing features/facts about them.

This fact came up in conversation tonight, and some people seem to find this hilarious.

What??? Seeing something printed (or at least on the screen) helps me!

Comments

[nminusone.livejournal.com]

Many phones let you take pictures and attach them to address book entries. There are obviously a number of situations where that'd be frowned upon, but a bunch more where it'd be acceptable. I know having a pic helps me remember people.

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

Why hilarious? Sounds an innovative and sensible system to me ... we all have to do what works for us (which is why I send myself emails (at work and at home), and have post-its on my car dashboard, bathroom mirror, and "palmpilot" (if I think of personal to-dos at work, I stick reminder post-its on my water bottle), as well as the traditional all-around-the-edge of both work and home computer monitors.

I'm just glad my profession has given me years of getting away with telling people I can only remember their name if they wear a dustjacket. :p

[kat1392.livejournal.com]

OMG!!! I've already started associating people's names with what comes through ILL for them!!

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

Time to face it, dear ... you're obviously doomed ... er ... predestined to be part of The Profession. ***HUGE EVIL GRIN***

[kat1392.livejournal.com]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! ;)))))

Bad Memories

[(Anonymous)]

Hey, I hear ya--whenever I get back from an event I put the people I met into my address book, complete with notes.

Though, I've found that for me the thing that helps me remember names is visualizing them incised into the forehead of the person I'm talking to...macabre, but effective.