Oh, It Tuesday: How Does One To Remember To Put Things On One’s To-Do List?
Photo Credit: Emilio Garcia
For the most part, I think getting older is the bomb. In my opinion, I’m happier, smarter, saner, and more good-looking than I’ve ever been. I still have a few leftover anxiety issues, but even those seem to be getting better with time. And if this is what my 30s are like, I can’t wait for my 40s, b/c they’re going to be DOPE. Except …
The memory thing. I’ve never been the type to write things down, as I’ve long held the theory that if an idea is really good, then I’ll remember it. And that worked quite well for a while, but not so much anymore. I’ll look back through my Writing Pad journal, and I’ll find all sorts of fantastic ideas that I just don’t remember writing. And I can often remember quite clearly coming up with the perfect solution for a problematic plot point in the shower … but I don’t remember what it was. I can’t tell you how frustrating this is.
The memory erosion has also worked its way into my regular life. I’ve come to accept this year, that if I don’t make a list before going away on trips, then something super-duper important will be left behind. For example, I forgot to bring my contacts to Hawaii — that was an expensive and time-consuming mistake. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to Target, only to discover when I got home that I had forgotten to buy something really important, because I had forgotten to put on the shopping list.
So I’ve accepted that I need to start keeping lists of questions, ideas, shopping items, etc. But I still haven’t figured out how to remember things long enough to put them on the list. Great ideas are lost in the 30 minutes it takes me to get ready after my morning shower. The need for toothpaste flies out of my head, when I scoop my daughter out of her crib.
Does anyone have any clever methods for keeping lists that gets around the original memory problem? If so, let me know in the comments.
I'm a huge fan of lists–and making sure I have ways to make those lists. I keep a mini spiral notebook in my purse for keeping track of shopping lists and other info. I also love having a whiteboard! It hangs in our hallway and is easy to see. My husband and I will both make random notes–things to do, phone numbers, messages to each other, and shopping lists. It's great if he uses up something in the kitchen pantry and I don't know we're out of it, or if he's out of some toiletry item that I don't think to check on before I go to Costco or Target. I try to add something to the shopping list when it's running low, to prevent entering crisis mode when it is all gone. Last but not least, I usually have a pen and at least a scrap of paper (like magazine subscription inserts) on my nightstand so I can jot something down if it comes to me late at night. I agree that those "obvious" things to buy and do don't necessarily stay on the front of the brain as long as they should!!
I'm a huge fan of lists–and making sure I have ways to make those lists. I keep a mini spiral notebook in my purse for keeping track of shopping lists and other info. I also love having a whiteboard! It hangs in our hallway and is easy to see. My husband and I will both make random notes–things to do, phone numbers, messages to each other, and shopping lists. It's great if he uses up something in the kitchen pantry and I don't know we're out of it, or if he's out of some toiletry item that I don't think to check on before I go to Costco or Target. I try to add something to the shopping list when it's running low, to prevent entering crisis mode when it is all gone. Last but not least, I usually have a pen and at least a scrap of paper (like magazine subscription inserts) on my nightstand so I can jot something down if it comes to me late at night. I agree that those "obvious" things to buy and do don't necessarily stay on the front of the brain as long as they should!!
I feel like the same thing is happening to me. I hope adding more exercise to my day will help with my memory
I feel like the same thing is happening to me. I hope adding more exercise to my day will help with my memory
Say or sing your idea out loud. It strengthens the neuro-transmission path in your brain, in other words, the merest whiff of an idea will be blown away for all eternity if not cemented to an already solid path ie; a tune you know well or a rhyme. If you are a visual learner, attach your idea to something audaciously wacky ie; imagine your TV swallowing up your house keys in blood spattered Cronenbergesque-style to remember that you left them on top of the TV set, or picture a tube of toothpaste sprouting legs and arms and chasing you down the hallway screaming to help you to remember to buy some more. If you are a kinaesthetic learner, draw a picture on your bathroom mirror or act out the motion or build a model!!! I am hopeless at remembering things. Freud, of course, would say that subconsciously I WANT to forget theses things for some reason….(usually because I have too many other things in my mind and can't handle anymore tasks!) I use Post-Its at home and have a LISTS book that I carry around with me at work. Could you use the voice memo on your iPhone as an Agent Dale Cooper style 'note-to-self'??
your imagery suggestion has been working for the most part in making my list. we’ll see if it worked when i get to scotland!
Say or sing your idea out loud. It strengthens the neuro-transmission path in your brain, in other words, the merest whiff of an idea will be blown away for all eternity if not cemented to an already solid path ie; a tune you know well or a rhyme. If you are a visual learner, attach your idea to something audaciously wacky ie; imagine your TV swallowing up your house keys in blood spattered Cronenbergesque-style to remember that you left them on top of the TV set, or picture a tube of toothpaste sprouting legs and arms and chasing you down the hallway screaming to help you to remember to buy some more. If you are a kinaesthetic learner, draw a picture on your bathroom mirror or act out the motion or build a model!!! I am hopeless at remembering things. Freud, of course, would say that subconsciously I WANT to forget theses things for some reason….(usually because I have too many other things in my mind and can't handle anymore tasks!) I use Post-Its at home and have a LISTS book that I carry around with me at work. Could you use the voice memo on your iPhone as an Agent Dale Cooper style 'note-to-self'??
I LOVE Fiona's idea of the toothpaste chasing you, hilarious. I have tried that singing trick too, substitute lyrics for the song that's already stuck in your head with whatever it is you're trying to remember, catchy and entertaining.
I too, usually remember exactly what I need to do, or want to write, or must buy while I am in the shower. If it gets to be the 3rd or 4th time I'm remembering to do something, drastic measures are taken and I will pinch the inside of my forearm. Then, 5 minutes later when I'm drying off and thinking, why is there a little red mark there, it'll ring the bell of "OH YEAH!" and I'll write down the to-do. Note that self injury is always the last option tho.
I LOVE Fiona's idea of the toothpaste chasing you, hilarious. I have tried that singing trick too, substitute lyrics for the song that's already stuck in your head with whatever it is you're trying to remember, catchy and entertaining.
I too, usually remember exactly what I need to do, or want to write, or must buy while I am in the shower. If it gets to be the 3rd or 4th time I'm remembering to do something, drastic measures are taken and I will pinch the inside of my forearm. Then, 5 minutes later when I'm drying off and thinking, why is there a little red mark there, it'll ring the bell of "OH YEAH!" and I'll write down the to-do. Note that self injury is always the last option tho.
Sadly pinches don’t show up on me, or I’d totally do that.
I used to keep a post-it pad in each room of the house. This came in handy for shopping trips or other stuff I needed to remember. When it was time to shop or time to compile a list of whatever, I just compiled the post-its.
Now, I am relying on my notes section in my iPhone or adding reminders to my calendar. Seems to work fairly well. But my memory is still for shit.
ETC – I have a Word doc that is my packing list so I never forget things like my contacts or glasses.
I used to keep a post-it pad in each room of the house. This came in handy for shopping trips or other stuff I needed to remember. When it was time to shop or time to compile a list of whatever, I just compiled the post-its.
Now, I am relying on my notes section in my iPhone or adding reminders to my calendar. Seems to work fairly well. But my memory is still for shit.
ETC – I have a Word doc that is my packing list so I never forget things like my contacts or glasses.
i need to do that word doc thing! how smart!