ITinfo: Curbing Memory Loss Caused by Information Overload

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Don't Forget!

Tips for remembering details

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Curbing Memory Loss Caused by Information Overload

by Dave Murphy
ISSN 1535-3613

We're all getting older, it's a fact of life. One of the changes I've been attributing to my aging is an increasing memory loss. I don't forget everything, but I sometimes get frustrated that I can't recall common details, especially schedules, appointments, and non-routine tasks.

Recently I've caught myself saying to clients and family that I can't promise to keep an appointment unless I first enter it into my Visor handheld computer. I've written it off as my just starting to get old. But I don't feel old! And my parents, each well into their 70s, are still as sharp as tacks. Where did I get this memory loss gene?

I'm not so sure that my memory loss has a strong physical cause. I now attribute it to my trying to do too many things all at the same time. I may be suffering from information overload.

I am busy. I run two businesses and serve on several nonprofit boards; I'm active in business and community organizations, and I'm very involved in our children's schooling and activities. Wrap this all up and I've got more than my share of things to think about every day. Although I'm good at delegating tasks and declining unimportant requests, I judge that I'm not practiced at clearing my mind.

I did a bit of surfing on the subject of information overload and found a few helpful tips for sufferers of information overload.

1. Create a routine

Order the tasks that must be done each day and keep commonly used objects (car keys, eye glasses, tools) in the same place. This is very true for me. I'm careful to put my tools away in the same place after each use, and I'm never at a loss for finding just the right screwdriver for a task.

2. Repeat, repeat, repeat

A good friend, Patti, offers that she repeats important details 5 or 10 times. Not just bananas , bananas, bananas, while on the way to the store, but also dates, names, and promises.

3. Reminder notes kept in view

Patti also suggests keeping reminder notes in obvious view. I have taken her advice a step further by keeping an office journal of all my phone calls and meetings. In this one hard-bound volume, I document each activity I do throughout the day. If I need something to jog my memory, I can flip a few pages to see my phone calls and to-dos.

4. Match your learning style

If you're a visual learner, picture yourself completing the task you're trying to remember. Auditory learners can follow Patti's rule of repeat, repeat, repeat. Kinesthetic learners may have to tie a string to their finger.

5. Minimize distractions and take a break

A few weeks ago we were away on retreat. I was amazed at how my memory seemed to return practically overnight during our off-site. I got a lot of focused studying done that week, and I'm amazed at how well I've retained what I learned while away from all the distractions of the office.

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http://itrain.org/itinfo/2001/it010824.html
updated August 24, 2001