Page 148 - How to Develop A SUPER-POWER MEMORY
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152 Facts about People
Substitute words for first names are easy to find; Harry
could be "hairy"; Clark could be "clock"; for William, I
always picture a man with a bow and arrow as William Tell,
while money or "rich" always means Richard, to me. Anne
could be "ant"; Marion could be "marrying"; for Gloria,
you might see the American Flag (Old Glory), etc.
If you use the substitute word idea for remembering first
names, after a while you will have one at your fingertips
for any one that you meet.
The system of picturing a friend of yours whose first
name is the same as the person whom you want to remem-
ber, might work just as well for you. If you meet a Mr.
John Sitrous, you could use the substitute word "citrus"
to associate to an outstanding feature; then put your friend,
John, into the picture somehow, (in a ridiculous way) and
you'll remember that Mr. Sitrous' first name is John.
Again, it is not for me to tell you which idea to use, you
may use one or both, as the circumstances demand. This is
entirely up to you. If you find that you can remember first
names with one system better than with the other, then by
all means, use the one that helps you most.
If at first, you have a bit of trouble remembering the first
names, don't let it bother you; just use the second name.
Keep at it for a while and you'll soon be able to remember
first names just as well as you do second names, and vice
versa. You won't insult anyone by remembering only his or
her last name. Benjamin Disraeli had an out even if he
forgot both names; he once said, "When I meet a man
whose name I cannot remember, I give myself two minutes,
then if it is a hopeless case, I always say, 'And how is the
old complaint?'" Since most of us have some sort of old
complaint or other, Disraeli probably flattered everyone he
used this on, making them believe that he remembered them