Using memory tools are extremely useful.

Below are 2 reasons why:

1. Memory tools get us to pay attention to things we need to remember. Using a memory tool, just like using any technique to boost your brainpower, will focus your attention more actively on information you need to remember.

Why?

When working directly with information, we pay closer attention to it. Let’s say you’re at a planning meeting for your office holiday party. You have just agreed to order the decorations.

Of course, everyone has an opinion about the party decor, but your boss rules the day with her suggestion of green and red palm trees and silver reindeer candles.

You, however, are so busy thinking how nice purple balloons would look that you aren’t really focused on what she is saying. When the group agrees to her idea you have no idea what they’re talking about.

Tough luck.

If you had been using a memory tool, you would have been paying closer attention to the discussion because you would have been taking notes, which you could review later at your own pace. Just by taking notes, you would have been paying closer attention.

2. Memory tools help us remember the things we need to remember but not memorize. We deal with three kinds of information:

A) Things we really need to remember. This category includes certain things we really must remember, such as our name, address, phone number, PIN numbers, e-mail address, cell phone number, and the names of people we work with closely. Committing this kind of information to memory is essential.

B) Things we don’t really need to remember. Let’s face it, there are some things we really, truly don’t need to memorize. For example, if I need to call a restaurant for a reservation, I need to use that restaurant’s phone number when I call, but I don’t need to learn that phone number by heart (especially if I don’t get a reservation).

C) Things we need to remember but not to memorize. This is information we need to remember for a brief period of time to help us function effectively. Such information includes appointments, errands, and phone calls we have to make. In general, however, we do not need to commit this kind of information to long-term memory.

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