Learn how to remember peoples' names

Ok, so I didn’t do very well with this at work yesterday and it ended in an embarrassing situation… Still need practice, but I definitely think this is a worthwhile goal for me!

I am going to practice this goal at work! It would be a great skill for me if I could remember patient’s names better early on in treatment. I would also like to be able to retain the names so that if an old patient came back to say hi I could recall their name instantly. I think that using someone’s name frequently can be a powerful way to establish rapport with patients. I know that when I am a patient I feel more like an individual when someone remembers my name.

1) Focus at the moment of introduction
2) Don’t think about what to say—listen for a name
3) Repeat the name aloud
4) Think of someone you know with the same name
5) Use the name during and at the end of the conversation

—Don Gabor

Also, use the person’s name when you say hello, passing in the hallway or something.

I’m terrible at this. I can do it, though. Just takes a little work. I’m always so impressed with people that can do it easily.