Page 149 - How to Develop A SUPER-POWER MEMORY

Facts about People 153
quite well. However, no need for subterfuge; use my sys-
tems and you will remember names and faces.
More important, I think, than remembering first names,
is to be able to remember pertinent facts about the people
you meet. This holds true for business and social life. Busi-
nesswise, particularly, since it is often helpful to remember
what items or style numbers you sold to a certain customer,
or, if you're a doctor, to remember patients' symptoms and
ailments, etc. It is also very flattering to meet a person
whom you haven't seen in some time and have him ask
about things that are close to you, but would ordinarily have
no interest to him. This will not only make people like you
(people always like you if you show an interest in their
interests) but can be quite an asset in business.
The method is the same as for remembering first names.
Just put the thing into your original association when you're
memorizing the name and face. If I met a Mr. Beller, whom
I wanted to impress, and I knew he was an avid stamp col-
lector—I might associate "bell" to an outstanding feature
on his face, and then associate stamps to that bell.
Some of you may feel that this might confuse you into
thinking that the man's name is Bellstamp; but again, true
memory tells you the difference. You'll know that the name
is Beller (to make sure, you could use bell-law in the orig-
inal association) and you'll be able to flatter him by asking,
or talking, about his stamp collection.
During my own performances, I will usually meet doc-
tors, judges, commissioners, mayors, and many people with
titles other than "Mister." It is essential for me to address
them correctly, because even though I remember their
names, people with titles may be insulted if I do not use
that title, or if I forget it. The same idea applies; I simply
put something into my original association which will re-