Your memory doesn’t magically improve without some effort on your part. These four tips require a bit of practice and focus. However, the dividends outweigh the time it takes to make them habitual.

1. Let’s say you believe, and constantly remind yourself, that you suck at remembering names. ask yourself:

a) Did you focus intensely on the person when they introduced themselves? Did you hear her name correctly?

b) Did you repeat your name?

c) Make a comment about the name. (It’s the same as a friend’s name, or never heard that name before, and so on.)

d) Did you associate something ridiculous and memorable with his face that helps you remember his name? For example, let’s say your name is noteworthy. You can imagine a huge nose on her face; is worthy of being noticed. As absurd as it may seem, the mind loves to think in images. The funnier the association, the easier it will be to remember.

e) Be brave and present it to a colleague.

f) Using your name more than once in the conversation. (Don’t overdo it.)

e) Use his name when you leave.

2. Suppose you want to buy food for dinner. You’re great at writing lists; you are terrible at leaving your lists at home or misplacing them. Here is a simple tip. Divide your list of items into categories. The mind loves to fragment things and finds it easier to remember them.

a) Dairy: milk, butter, eggs

b) Vegetables: beans, carrots, beets

c) Meat: hamburger, chicken, steak

3. How do you remember how difficult words are spelled? For this example, you can choose the word “believe.” Did you learn in school, “Never believe a LIE”?

The same idea works for piece-“a PIEce of PIE”.

This applies to remembering how similar words are spelled.

“To be stationary is to stand still, or “To use stationary is to write a letter.”

“A principal in a school is your PAL, and a principle you believe in is a RULE.”

Have you used these?

4. Let’s say you’re studying for a test and you have to memorize the periodic table of elements. Research the mnemonic used to memorize it. Chances are someone has creatively come up with a mnemonic for most of the things you’re studying. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Do what works.

Never think that because you are older your memory has declined. It is not a question of age, but rather a question of use. Take pride in practicing these four approaches. Friends and family can comment on how much your memory has improved!

Best wishes.