An Easy Way to Remember Names

Phil the Mover

Has anyone ever said to you, “I never forget a face, but I can’t remember your name”?

For most of us this has happened more than once.  That means the person visually remembered you, and probably orally forgot you, or may never filed your name next to the mental image of you.  Sheryl Nicholson recently addressed a group of new members of the Tampa Bay Business Owners (TBBO) and gave us some tips on how to remember names.

Here is the process Sheryl gave us and I will give you some examples. Practice makes perfect.

1. Repetition x3 –  When you meet someone – offer your name first and then when they say their name, repeat it once out loud (making sure you got the right pronunciation) then repeat it 3 times under your breath.

2.  Mind writing – Ask how to spell their name and mentally write it in your mind. If it is a common name like Steve Jones, ask “Is that Stephen Jones with a “ph” or or Steven Jones with a “ven.”? Then repeat it out loud, “Oh Steve Jones with a PH.”

 3.  Paint pictures with their name – Sheryl even does this with her grocery shopping. Instead of writing cereal on her list – she pictures 2 scoops – that way she never forgets to buy Raisin Bran.

But what about Steve Jones with a PH?  Here is a trick. Imagine Jones Little Pork Sausages and Steve running around a bunch of pigs with his PhD Diploma held high in the air. Now you have Stephen Jones.   Warning: if you ever meet a Steve Jones, don’t say, “Oh the guy with the pigs and the PhD.”

Here is how Sheryl handles her name.

            After the first introduction she says, “That is Sheryl with an “S” Nicholson.   I have 3  sons and if you imagine me flipping a Nickle in the air and catching it and slapping it on my wrist (she demonstrates by throwing an imaginary Nickel in the air) You have “Sheryl flipping Nickle-son or Sheryl Nicholson.”

            Another Example:

            Everyone knows me as Phil the Mover but very few people know my last name.  We have struggled with our family name through three generations and Sheryl now gave me the way to end it with everyone except maybe Publishers Clearing House.

My name is Philip or Phil Frommholz. Not hard once you hear it.  How about this image:

Think of my last name first.  I am “Phil From Holes” like “Man from Uncle” and my first name is Phil with a “P” but if you Imagine me Filling Holes with a shovel then you have “Fill From Holes” or “Phil Frommholz” or “Phil Filling Holes.”

Now say it three times out loud, Phil Frommholz, Phil Frommholz, Phil Frommholz.

 For those who prefer, just call me Phil the Mover.

Sheryl  Nicholson  is a Top Rated International Professional Speaker who presents programs that advance business and the personal lives of their team members. To view her credentials and learn more about my friend Sheryl go to  http://www.sheryl.com 

The Tampa Bay Business Owners  (TBBO)  focus’ on entrepreneurial education and training, making powerful business connections through professional networking  and learning  about innovative Strategic Internet Marketing Solutions.   For more information about TBBO visit www.tampabaybusinessowners.org