REMEMBERING PEOPLE'S NAMES

To forget names is a common failing. Many people can remember faces but fail when it comes to recalling the name. This is mostly the result of inattention. Remembering names is more difficult than remembering some other things, and for this reason many have fallen into the habit of not trying.

One thing which contributes largely to this neglect is a lack of definite knowledge of how to accomplish the result. The principles of memory, as given previously in this book, can be applied to prevent this common failure.

While children do not have to remember names as much as adults do they should have the principles well in mind and be trained in the use of them. They should form the habit of paying attention to the names and remembering them. Parents should require them to call the people they meet by name and to realize the value of being able to do so. Almost every one can remember faces of strangers more easily than they remember names. This is because of the difference in strength of the two sensesused in making the impressions. The eye nerve carries the picture of the face to the brain. The ear carries the sound of the name. As we have learned, the eye impression is nearly twenty times stronger than the one made by the ear.

Eye impressions are lasting and can be recalled when the impressions by the other senses can not.

It may be helpful to illustrate the result of your meeting with a Mr. Penn in the following graphic way. In the following drawing let the curve represent the surface of the brain, and the depth of the groove the comparative impressions made by the two senses.

This could illustrate the strength of the two images under the conditions, where the face was seen only as the name was heard. On the other hand, this is not usual, as a rule you hear the strange name but once, but you see the face for several minutes, sometimes for half an hour. During the time that you are looking at the face the eye is making a deeper and deeper impression upon your brain.

The ear never has had and never can have the same ability to impress the brain as the eye. It will never be possible to remember names as easily, or for as long a time as faces, if you depend upon the impressions as normally placed upon the brain by the senses.

The problem then is to first equalize the impressions of the face and name so that each will last and can be recalled with equal ease. The impression of the face was made by your physical eye; at the same time there is your mind's eye faculty which is dormant, not being used. With it you can learn to make an impression of the name upon your brain which will be as strong as the face impression made by the eye.

In order to recall with equal ease two mental impressions, they must be made with equal strength.

When you meet a stranger his face becomes a picture impression upon the brain, the first impression of the name is made by the ear, but it can easily and quickly be made into a mind's eye picture which will be many times more available. This mind's eye picture can be unusual, exaggerated, and moving, so that its strength can be regulated at will. The result will be two visual impressions, the face by the eye, the name by the mind's eye. These can be equalized by repetition so that when you recognizethe face it will be possible to recall the name as well. Let us adapt the former illustration and we have a picture of the face and a picture of the name impressed upon the brain.

Instead of retaining only the slight impression made by the ear, you can have two impressions, both made by the sense of sight. Apply this knowledge, and remembering names will become a much simpler matter.

When you heard the word Tie spoken you quickly transferred the ear impression into a mind's eye picture of a TIE. Do the same with the name of Mr. Penn. This is a word which has a definite meaning and it suggests a concrete picture. You can see the pen; see all the details of its shape, size, markings, etc. See this in your mind's eye, visualize this picture of the word pen. It can be exaggerated and you can animate it and put it into motion with many unusual or ludicrous circumstances. In other words, this Name Picture can be as firmly impressed upon your brain as you wish it to be.

When you wish to remember the Tie and Snow together, or to use the Tie to recall the Bread, you took advantage of the Law of Association. The two were pictured together and thus impressed upon the brain at the same time. If you wish to be able to recall the name when you see the face you must associate the Face Picture and the Name Picture together in the same impression.

You will remember that success in the use of associated picture impressions depend upon one of the objects in the picture being familiar and easily recalled. In this case the Name Picture is associated with, or hitched to, the Face Picture. The Face Picture will always be present when the name is wanted. The person may come into your home, or you may meet him outside, in each case when you see the face it will bring to your mind the picture of the name.

When you meet a stranger take this opportunity to get a Face Picture of this person impressed upon the brain. When you hear the name, King, you have a light temporary ear impression of it. Take this ear impression of the name and quickly transfer it into a mind's eye picture of the king. Then into this picture of the king place the face picture, see the face of this Mr. King sitting on the throne, wearing the crown and robes and waving the scepter. Make this Name Picture strong, exaggerated and unusual. Here you are combining a mind's eye impression with a physical eye impression and the one is definite, a real thing, while the mind's eye impression seems, in comparison, to be vague and indistinct. It is a strong impression, nevertheless, and very little experience and practice will be necessary to prove its value and availability.

You must, of course, hear the name distinctly. You can not remember it if you do not know what it is. The first impression of the name must be definite and certain, do not hesitate to ask to have the name repeated or even spelled. The person will be complimented that you are making an attempt to remember him.

It will help you to become conscious of these mind's eye pictures if you will look away from the stranger's face for a moment and see both the face and name pictures in the visual impression which you have been forming. This can be done for an instant during the conversation, or at some other opportunity.

Go into any savage or semi-civilized tribe today and you will find that names are given because of some trait of character; some peculiar characteristic; some unusual appearance or accomplishment. About fifty per cent of the names you meet with are nouns, words with a meaning which suggests definite, concrete pictures, which can easily be associated with the faces of the persons just as we have done here with the name King. Note these examples:

There are thousands of names just as simple, including colors, animals, birds, fish, fruits, and almost every object. All these can be easily visually associated with the face.

Many names do not come under the classification of a direct and simple meaning because of a little change which may have been made in the manner of spelling them. Others can be converted intosome simple meaning which can be easily impressed upon the mind by making a slight change and spelling the names as they sound. In other words, by remembering them as they sound rather than as they are spelled.

The following examples are common:

Mr. Rhodes—roadsMr. Coyle—coilMr. Knoble—nobleMr. Reuter—rooterMr. Baran—baronMr. Asche—ashMr. Lyon—lion

Use the picture here as Mr. Perrett. The name as it sounds calls to your mind a bird. See the bright green parrot flying around his head and perching on his shoulder; see the vivid color of the bird. Close your eyes and review this picture association of the face and the name. Do this until you can see it with your eyes open.

Many names which seem to present difficulties upon first hearing them simply need a little attention and analysis. At times when names have escaped you, you have gone back to the alphabet andby running over the letters have found that the first letter suggested the name wanted. Some names which are apparently difficult will be easily remembered if you will notice that the first syllable of the name is a noun and has a definite meaning.

You meet Mr. Carruthers. This name presents considerable difficulty until you notice that the first three letters spell the simple word "car." By visually associating the object "car" with his face and repeating the name Carruthers a couple of times, you will find no difficulty in recalling the name.

Note these examples of this method of using the first syllable for the Name Picture:

Mr. Bellamy—bellMr. Reardon—rearMr. Raymond—rayMr. Seagraves—seaMr. Ringling—ringMr. Burroughs—burrMr. Dennison—denMr. Bushnell—bushMr. Boardman—boardMr. Pierson—pier

Practice with this idea by using the face here as Mr. Woodhead. See a stick of wood on his head, pile it there and see it roll off, don't be afraid to make strong, unusual Name Pictures. You will nothave to tell the man how you remembered his name, but to do it will be one of your greatest business assets.

Almost every vocation has been used as a proper name. Undoubtedly the name comes from the fact that the forefathers followed that vocation. In every such case see the person working at the trade. For practice use this man as Mr. Smith, suggesting a blacksmith; see him working at his forge, see the anvil, the sparks, the hammer, see him strike. Make a strong, vivid picture. (Smith comes from the word Smythe—meaning hitter.)

Each name picture of a vocation should contain the scenes which are familiar to you. Mr. Carpenter has a hammer and nails, working at the carpenter trade; Mr. Gardner, with hoe and spade, is caring for his garden.

There are many names which do not have a meaning and are not readily changed to suggest a picture to be associated with the Face Picture. On the other hand, these names will suggest Name Pictures with which you are thoroughly familiar. They will suggest a location, article, place, or some familiar fact that can be used for the Name Picture and which will recall the name to your mind when you see the face.

Make it a rule to associate the unknown with the known.

The first one of five groups of familiar pictures of proper names is the Geographical group. You meet a stranger by the name of Mr. Lansing, and the name immediately suggests the city of Lansing, Mich. If you are familiar with the city of Lansing you can very easily make a visual picture of this person standing in some particular street or familiar corner of the city.

It is not necessary, however, to have a personal knowledge of the geographical location. The picture association of a stranger's face with the geographical location will be sufficiently strong if you see him holding the map of Michigan and pointing out the spot where Lansing is, or any other similar picture which may suggest itself to you.

Use this picture for Mr. Holland. This name immediately suggests a picturesque country of Europe. See this strange face by a Dutch windmill and the people in their distinctive costumes grouped around, see motion in your picture, the windmill turning and the people passing by.

A few common geographical names follow:

In some cases you can make a change in the spelling of the name and in this way associate it easily with a geographical picture. As:

Mr. Bostrom (Boston, Mass.)Mr. Knoble (Knoblesville, Ind.)Mr. Molan (Moline, Ill.)Mr. Haig (Hague, Holland)Mr. Jameson (James River)Mr. Bixby (Bisbee, Ariz.)

There are scores of proper names which, as soon as mentioned, will bring to your mind the picture of an object which has been constantly advertised. Having seen this article so often has fixed its picture and name indelibly in your mind. As soon as you see the article you can without hesitation speak the name. When you meet a stranger by the same name, as you often will, associate the Face Picture of the stranger with the familiar object for your Name Picture. When you see this face again you will recall the object which you can name without difficulty. For example, the face here may be of a Mr. Gillette, who may not be familiar to you, but if you hear the name Gillette it suggests the picture of a Safety Razor. When you meet a stranger by this name, see him shaving himself with a Gillette Razor. Review your picture a few times and when you meet the man again his face will suggest your Name Picture and you can call his name from the object in the picture. There are many opportunities to use this method, your own city will have many familiar trade marks and signswhich you can use, as well as those nationally advertised.

A few examples:

Many names immediately suggest familiar faces, which you can name any time, anywhere. You often compare the strangers you meet with them and note the similarities. Constant repetition has fixed these faces so thoroughly in mind that there will be no confusion in naming them. You pass a stranger on the street and some one says: "How much that man looks like Lincoln," and you reply, "Yes, but Lincoln was taller and did not have such large eyes, and his nose was entirely different in shape. And Lincoln's mouth was fuller, too, not so thin and straight." This comparison is possible, because of the clear, definite picture which has been formed in your mind of President Lincoln.

These familiar faces which you can recall so definitely in your mind's eye will be of wonderful assistance in remembering strangers by the same name. Practice with this picture as Mr. Grant. His face may be strange to you, but the name immediately suggests a familiar face. Now see these two faces in the same picture, see the familiar face looking over the face of the stranger, see them meeting, shaking hands, talking, laughing. Exaggerated, moving, unusual pictures are best. See the familiar faces clearly as possible, and compare the two; one is tall and the other short, one dark the other light, one has a beard and the other has not, etc. All comparison helps to make the mind's eye picture more definite and to strengthen the associated picture through prolonged attention.

The faces of these familiar names are fixed in your mind by reading history, as—

Some names suggest both geographical and historical reminders. For example:

A much larger number of names will suggest faces which have become fixed in your mind by your having seen their pictures in magazines, papers, cartoons, etc.; men who are active in politics and the accomplishments of the present day. These you can connect in the same way; use the known face as the name picture; see the two faces together; put your mind to the comparison, make it active, feel interested. When meeting strangers do not allow your mind to be dormant, make it work, this is imperative.

A dormant mind is impregnable; an active mind is absorbent.

Notice how the cartoonist observes the peculiarities of appearance and exaggerates them in his pictures; don't be afraid to use your imagination in your mind's eye pictures for remembering men's names.

Examples of well-known faces:

How many of these faces can you see clearly in your mind's eye? How definite are they?

The names of your friends with which you are thoroughly familiar will bring to your mind a clear visual impression. You can see the face as soon as the name is mentioned, not of the few but literally of hundreds of people. Learn to take advantage of this great series of Name Pictures, which you can indelibly hitch to the Face Picture of the stranger who chances to bear the same name. Use the same method as before, see the two faces clearly, compare them to make the mind's eye picture of the friend's face definite. Use motion, think, become interested, and every other means to make a strong, lasting impression.

The peculiarities of appearance which are easily detected by the physical eye constitute one of the most helpful methods of associating the face and the name together. You will find as you practice that this means is very often available. It is not possible to take advantage of this opportunity, however, unless you are observing. In fact, to the unobserving person there is no peculiarity about the appearance and therefore no aid.

For this purpose it will pay to give considerable attention to the development of the observation. You will find the stranger's appearance more and more helpful to you as you develop your ability to observe keenly the faces of the persons whom you meet. Many people have some distinctive or prominentcharacteristic which will directly suggest the name, or with which the name may be associated.

Note this peculiarity of the stranger's face, and quickly associate it with the name as you hear it. Use your imagination and strengthen the association as much as possible, enlarge and make more prominent the peculiarity which you have noticed. If you meet a Mr. Cole and his hair is dark, note the fact. See his hair as black as coal, in your picture. Imagine taking a big piece of soft coal and rubbing it over his hair to blacken it. The picture here is for Mr. White; note his snow-white hair and mustache; note these facts carefully, they will suggest the name immediately upon your seeing the face again.

Sometimes you can use the whole face, sometimes only certain peculiarities, a deep wrinkle, a scar, a blemish, etc. Sometimes it will be the general build of the body or the expression of character. Sometimes the similarity will be very noticeable. Other times the decided contrast will be as useful in fixing them in mind.

Color of hair or complexion is often helpful and may be more apparent if you use the idea of changedspelling, or taking the name as it sounds rather than as it is spelled. A few examples follow:

Mr. Short is a small man—short.Mr. Biggar is short and slender, suggesting that he could be bigger.Mr. Stout—is very slender.Mr. Smiley—is stern and cross looking.Mr. Gray—has gray hair.Mr. Redman—has rosy, pink cheeks.Mr. Molar—has a large mole(r).Mr. Fisher—has deep wrinkles, fissures.Mr. Baldy—is very bald.Mr. Reddish—has sandy hair, reddish.Mr. Remlinger—is bald with a rim of hair lingering.Mr. Eyer—has bright, keen eyes.Mr. Cloes—looks close and stingy.

Mr. Short is a small man—short.

Mr. Biggar is short and slender, suggesting that he could be bigger.

Mr. Stout—is very slender.

Mr. Smiley—is stern and cross looking.

Mr. Gray—has gray hair.

Mr. Redman—has rosy, pink cheeks.

Mr. Molar—has a large mole(r).

Mr. Fisher—has deep wrinkles, fissures.

Mr. Baldy—is very bald.

Mr. Reddish—has sandy hair, reddish.

Mr. Remlinger—is bald with a rim of hair lingering.

Mr. Eyer—has bright, keen eyes.

Mr. Cloes—looks close and stingy.

The circumstances under which you meet a stranger may easily lead you to a strong association which will impress the face and name strongly upon your mind.

To meet—

Mr. Dombville (dumbbell) in a gymnasium suggests a good picture.Mr. Long—keeps you a long time talking, and you easily remember the name when you meet him again.Mr. Pugh (pew) you may meet at church.

Mr. Dombville (dumbbell) in a gymnasium suggests a good picture.

Mr. Long—keeps you a long time talking, and you easily remember the name when you meet him again.

Mr. Pugh (pew) you may meet at church.

Something about a man's business or the things he sells may help you. When you meet a man and find difficulty in picturing his name ask him what business he is in; this is well to know and may be helpful in remembering the name. All the examples given in this lesson are actual circumstances, not flights of imagination. This vocational idea is helpful because it starts you thinking about the name. Thought is the important factor. If you will learn to think intently you will remember.

Mr. McCash—is employed in a bank.Messrs. Puls & Puls—are dentists.Mr. Caution—is a banker.Mr. Kamerer—sells Kodaks (cameras).

Mr. McCash—is employed in a bank.

Messrs. Puls & Puls—are dentists.

Mr. Caution—is a banker.

Mr. Kamerer—sells Kodaks (cameras).

The law of association is wonderful in its operations, and the principles upon which it operates can be relied upon to help in cases where it seems almost impossible to make a picture impression. The thoughts you think when you see the face will return when you see it again, just as the conversation and other circumstances do. In trying to remember names that are difficult to picture, think intently about them, silently ask and answer questions about the person or his name, think of the peculiarity and just how it is spelled. See the name spelled in large letters, clear and definite. The Law of Association will tend to recall these impressions when yousee the face, and by their aid you will in most cases be able to recall the peculiar and difficult name.

Because a name is difficult few remember it, and its possessor is "bored to death" by continually repeating and spelling it. Here is your greatest opportunity; to remember this name will make a greater impression than if it were an easy one. When you feel that you cannot do anything else with a name think intently about it, make your mind active, become interested, stimulate some strong feeling of pleasure at meeting him, give the impression a strong stimulus.

In an earlier chapter we found that a mind's eye picture would last for hours, but if discarded, or not reviewed, it would gradually fade away, time will inevitably erase it.

We also learn that to retain an impression permanently it must be reviewed several times and preferably at frequent intervals. Names of the people you meet, whom you wish to remember, must become permanent knowledge and must be reviewed or you cannot expect to accomplish the result. While the visual picture can make the strongest possible impression it will not become permanently available unless reviewed.

This review and practice in the use of the visual faculty will gradually improve the strength of the mind's eye picture and develop the habit of attentionand concentration. The first review should be made shortly after the first impression, to insure its being distinct and vivid. Even while talking with the party see again your name picture associated with the face. Most names get away from you during the first thirty seconds after hearing them. Quickly make your Name Picture, associate it with the face and then review it. After a short interval do it again; when the party leaves call him by name and as soon as he is gone review the mind's eye picture of his Face and Name.

It is helpful to call a stranger by name during the conversation, speaking it clearly and distinctly. This will be of special value to those who have found that they are ear minded.

When being introduced to a group of people whose names you wish to remember, do not go rapidly, take a reasonable time to each name. After you have met four or five find some opportunity to glance back and review the faces of their associated Name Pictures, then meet a few more. As soon as possible review all the names in your mind. In no other way can you expect to remember a number of them. At least not until you have gotten considerable practice, and this is the way to practice.

This review of the names of the strangers you have met is one of the very necessary links in your success. You should do so each evening, or at someother convenient time of the day. Quietly go over the day's experiences and recall the faces and names of all the people whom you have met. Each name should be reviewed several times, by means of this review you can meet and name the stranger often enough to make his name as familiar as you wish. When he meets you the second time, you will surprise him by readily calling him by name. He may say, "Why, how do you remember my name; you only met me once?" The fact is you have met him as many times as you have visually reviewed his name and face together.

The most accurate method of review is to write the name of each stranger into a small note book, or on a pad on your desk. Each time you review the name check it off; after you have checked it five or six times you will be familiar with it and can dispense with further review.

Merely to go over the list and check the names is of very little value, the review that will get results is the visual review of your associated picture. See both the name and face pictures again, review names and faces just as you would House and Clock by seeing the picture.

Use the pictures of men given in this chapter, and review; as you read each name stop a moment and see the face as clearly as possible in your mind's eye.

While it seems easy to retain a picture of the face, yet the value of the impression for quick and accurate recognition will depend upon the observation of it. The games and exercises given in the first book will have developed this faculty in the child, but you should call his attention to the value of it here and urge the importance of making a special effort with the faces of the people whom he meets.

After the person, to whom the child has been introduced, has gone, see how much of a description he can give you of him. Help him to be systematic in his observation. First, estimate his height, weight, and general build. Second, tell the color of his hair, eyes and complexion; size and shape of his nose, chin, etc. Third, how did the child like him? Encourage him to form a definite conclusion as to just what kind of a person the visitor is. This is important and will be helpful later, but will need careful guidance in the formative years. Helps which you can give in reading character should be imparted to the child. Tell him all that you can of how you judge and estimate people, encourage him to study this important subject as he grows older. There are very helpful and scientific books available on this subject.

The ability to recognize and remember people, without regard to their name, is based upon just this kind of an observation and study of them. Observation is the resulting mental image after the removal of the object from view. Your ability to observe people is measured by what you can definitely recall about them when they are gone. Recognition of them will be based upon the memory of just these points mentioned and in turn the memory, of course, can be no more distinct than the impressions made upon the brain while the person was before you. Observation then is the basis for the recognition of people, and to improve it is of utmost importance.

There are three principal steps or points to be noticed. First, the size and general build. This can be done while the person is approaching as well as at the introduction. Because of the similarity of faces the size and build of a person will often be the point that will insure accuracy in recognition. You see a person at a meeting who looks very much like Mr. A whom you met yesterday, but Mr. A was a tall, slender man, this man is of medium build, and so the difference in size helps greatly in determining the identity. When meeting a stranger get a general outline picture of him. It will be helpful to make a mental comparison between the stranger and yourself, as to size, etc.

Second, the observation of the face should be especiallykeen and attentive, both for purposes of recognition, and because the face becomes the Hitching Post for the name. When being introduced, and during the conversation, study the face carefully. First as a whole for a general impression, and then in detail. Notice the hair first, determine its color, condition, heavy, sparse, bald or curly, and note any peculiarity. Then observe the eyes, nose, mouth, ears and complexion. Form the habit of starting at the top of the head; be systematic; and let the attention move from one feature to another.

What is the result, how much will you later recall? No more, and in fact no less than you can now see in your mind's eye picture when you look away or close your eyes for a moment. Apply this test and then look back again and improve the mind's eye picture. Add to it as much more detail as possible. Be especially careful about noticing the peculiarities of this face; any wrinkle, blemish or oddity of any kind will be helpful in later remembering it.

A natural memory for faces may be good, but it can be improved, this kind of definite effort will get results. Any uncertainty in recognizing people will be largely eliminated by improved observation. For practice in this observation of faces use pictures in magazines or papers as well as the faces of the people you meet.

Third, let the observation of the face be crystallized into a definite opinion regarding this person. Instead of considering him as an object of which youare trying to get an especially good mental picture, consider him now as an individual and decide how you like him. Help the child to form correct opinions. To know the business in which he is engaged, place where he lives, his avocation, and favorite form of recreation will all aid in forming a strong and definite impression of this person. It is not always possible to go to this extent, but get as far as you can with it, the more you succeed the more help you will have in remembering. Each effort will aid the memory in that particular case—and help to form the valuable habit of close observation.

Get a number of pictures of strange faces, such as you often see of a convention, or take them from magazines. Cut them apart and take five of these faces and observe them carefully. Make a deliberate effort to note any peculiarity of these faces or anything about them that will help you to identify them. Mix the five among the rest, now run through the entire group of pictures and see if you can, without hesitation, pick these five from the others. Practice until you can do this. Leave these five faces out of the group and select five more; observe these in the same manner. Now mix the last five with the large group and identify them as you did the first five. Now take the ten and shuffle them into the large group and identify them the second time. Divide the ten in the two original groups of five sothat you have the first five and the second five separate. When several children are playing this game together a score may be kept.

Mental operation becomes habitual and such practice will help the child form the habit of close observation of faces. The more difficulty he has in accomplishing this the more it shows his need of just such mental training. Let a week or so elapse and then go back to this same group of pictures and try the same exercise again, urge the child to look away once or twice and to make a real effort to build up his mind's eye picture.

Have several sets of pictures of faces so that this exercise can be continued as often as possible.

To recognize people accurately and to be able to call by name is a wonderful asset in business or in social life. Your children can have this advantage if you will see to it that they realize its importance and make a deliberate effort while young. They will easily form the habit and thank you for it all their lives.

The ideas and principles in this chapter should be studied by the parent and imparted to the child as he advances in years and becomes able to use them. Do not make the common error of waiting too long or expecting the child to get this for himself. We all like to have children remember our names as well as to have elders do so. The pictures which appear onthe preceding pages were for the purpose of practice and should be learned.

Take the same pictures used in the Face Game, on page 116, and put the names of each on the back. Now learn the name of five, making good strong name pictures, use every idea suggested in the chapter. Review the five and learn five new ones, now review the ten, and follow this plan until you have learned not less than twenty names.

Take the twenty learned and shuffle them and lay them one at a time on a table in front of you. Try to name the person instantly; wait only a moment and if you do not recall his name, place the card in a pile by itself. Go through the twenty and see how many you can name; do this often for practice. Use this group every day until you are familiar with all. Enlarge the group by learning ten new ones each day. When possible have some one hold the pictures for you. Try always to improve the score and also to decrease the time necessary to name the group. If there is more than one person learning the names, make a game of the idea, each taking the picture which he names first, seeing who can get the largest number.

After several persons have learned the names of the pictures shuffle the cards and deal equally to the players. The one to the right of the dealer lays a picturein front of the player on his right and immediately starts counting slowly from one to ten. The person on his right must name the picture before the other counts ten. If he succeeds in doing so he takes the card and starts a pile in front of him on the table face down. If he fails, the one on his right has an opportunity to name the face while the one showing the card again counts ten. The opportunity to name this card passes on to all players, the first one giving the correct name keeping the card and continuing the play by showing one of the dealt cards to the person on his right. If no one succeeds in naming the card, the one playing it tells the name and adds the card to his pile on the table and shows another. The play continues as long as any one has any of the cards dealt. When all are out each counts his pile on the table, secured by properly naming them, and the one having the largest number wins.

Take a group of strange pictures and have someone show five or more to you and name them as if you were being introduced to strangers. Use your knowledge of how to impress the faces and names upon your mind. Do not pass them too quickly; take time to be sure. Just this practice which you are now doing will make it possible for you to go more rapidly and at the same time to be accurate.

After you have been introduced to the group of pictures, let the person hold up any one, you namingit, and so on through the group. Keep at this Introduction Game until you have become able to meet ten strangers and later name each.

Think what this ability will mean to you in business and in winning the favorable attention of your fellow men. Carry a few small pictures in your pocket, using odd moments in which to practice with them. Paste them on cards and use them while riding on the street car. Practice for profit.

Traveling salesmen or others whose work takes them back to a city occasionally will find great help in keeping a written list of the names of those whom they have met in each city. Carry the book with you and as you are traveling towards the city, exercise your mind by going over the list and making a visual review of the faces and names of those whom you may expect to meet when attending to your business in this city. It will prove to be valuable to refresh your memory from time to time.

The problem of remembering names is the same as remembering anything else and can be solved by the use of the same general principles. Attention and concentration are necessary and produced by the visual picture. To recall this name at will you take advantage of the Law of Association, and hitch the Name Picture to the Face Picture. The face becomesour Hitching Post and when you see it you see with it the mind's eye picture of the name.

Name should become permanent knowledge and this is accomplished by an occasional review until you have made a permanent impression.

It is sometimes necessary to remember the initial as well as the name. Often it is as hard to remember initials as it is figures, because they have no definite meaning. An inquiry as to the names which the initials stand for, will be very helpful. It is much easier to remember George Henry than the initials G. H.

Initials which occur in alphabetical sequence are easily remembered and many times you will find that the first letter of the name continues the sequence, as: R. S. Thompson; F. G. Hibbard; D. E. Ferris.

Sometimes you will find the initials spelling a single word, as E. D. which can be taken to represent the given name "Ed", which is short for Edward. You will find many cases where the initials will spell a simple word such as:

At other times the initials will be those of names which are familiar to you because of historical, political or other well known associations, as:

S. A. Burke—will remind you of Samuel Adams Burke.

W. J. Casper—will suggest William Jennings Casper.

There are many initials which will represent titles or well known ideas such as the names of lodges and societies:

D. A. Rasmussen can easily be associated with the D. A. R.—Daughters of the American Revolution.

C. E., Christian Endeavor or Civil Engineer.

Another helpful idea is to make words beginning with the initial, either descriptive words, or those that can be associated with the business. You meet a Mr. R. E. Pasley in a real estate business—R. E. Pasley, Real Estate Pasley.

R. I. Sterns (a printer)—Red Ink Sterns.

H. R. Paul (hat dealer)—Hat Retailer Paul.

In many cases the two initials can be formed into the same word, the first letter of the word being the first initial and the last letter the last initial. The following are some examples:

H. R. Gray. His hair is gray which helps to remember his name and the initials can be made into the word HaiR—HaiR Gray.

L. T. Robinson, LighT Robinson. (Mr. Robinson is a light blond.)

M. L. Harber, MilL Harber.

C. D. Dauchy, CarD Dauchy.

You realize full well the value of the ability to call people by name. You have often wished that you had this ability. It is one of the priceless assets in a successful business career, and to attain it is to reach one of the high principles of mental development.

The ability to remember proper names is not an exceptional gift, but is an acquired faculty based upon the use of simple means and of personal effort.

Knowledge is power, but only when applied. All the knowledge in the world is of no value to its possessor unless used. You are successful in life just in proportion as you are using the knowledge which you have.

A dependable memory for names as well as faces is within your grasp. The knowledge imparted in this lesson, simple as it may seem, has been used by thousands of business men to develop reliable memories for Names and Faces.

You will have many opportunities to prove it in the next few days. Be true to the method. Make a deliberate attempt in each case. Force your mind to wake up and get on the job. Do not be content until you have a definite association which you are going to use to remember each particular name.

Under no circumstances allow yourself to neglect the review. Each review adds new strength to the impression. Only strong impressions can be recalled at will. Make it a part of your business to remember the names of the people to whom you are introduced. Know every customer; if the list is a long one, do not expect to learn them all in a week, but do not let a day pass without fixing definitely in your mind the names of several. Children should learn the names of every scholar in the room and of all the teachers in the school.

The persistent use of this definite knowledge will accomplish results that now seem impossible. It is the use of the knowledge that will bring progress.

"He who learns and learns and acts not what he knows is like the man who plows and plows and never sows."

You may feel yourself handicapped in life because of a poor memory. This shortcoming can reasonably be charged to a lack of right knowledge.

You cannot say as much for your children now. What will you do to help them form the Memory Habit early in life? Do not wait for them to do this for themselves; it should be done now. You are the child's guide—you are largely his will power. The responsibility is squarely up to you.

Nature's rewards are ample. You will both be fully repaid for every bit of effort.

Nature's rewards are just. You or your children will never reap the reward of a good memory until both have paid the price of effort.

Your child WILL grow—he cannot stand still or wait for your convenience.

He will form the Habit of Remembering or the Habit of Forgetting—which shall it be?

You can multiply the profits of his life by helping him to master his Memory—otherwise it will master him.

Practice is the great need. Play the games and develop the brain.

Back to Index Next