This is really embarrassing......

But, I have a problem that is becoming more and more of a hurdle! 

I really struggle to remember names! I know I know people, I usually remember their businesses, but I really struggle to recollect their names. I'm sure you can understand why this is becoming increasingly difficult, especially if I don't have my winglady (Michelle Dalley) to remind me!!!

Has anyone got any tips on how to overcome this? 

H x

Read their name badge? 

I'm not too bad with remembering names except I'll get a hang up about particular individuals - quite often it's not remembering the name but it's where there's two ways it can be pronounced. Once I'm aware that I have an issue with it I become even more unsure and can't remember which it is! I've got one client who's husband's name I struggle with - I've no idea why. For some reason I think of him as Richard when he's actually called James (or is it the other way around...)!

I've been advised to make sure you say the persons name 3 times, naturally in the conversation when you first are introduced in order to cement it in your mind. Can't say I've ever consciously done this though.

Derren Brown technique,

Nice to meet you Helen. Helen so your business is Adore social media. Fantastic Helen. (then say Helen in your head 3 times) then at the end of the conversation. Well, thank you Helen from Adore, (make it cheesy!) - lovely to meet you.  Then, in your head as you move on, that was Helen from Adore, what a lovely gal.)

Hi Helen,

I always repeat the name back to myslef 3 times when they tell me, works for me

Helen
In it's severe form it in known as prosopagnosia and whilst I would not suggest that either of us suffer from it serverely. I know from personal experience, even in it's mild form, it can be a limiting factor when meeting new people, particularly when you are wanting to be friendly and sociable. All of the suggestions above are valid; repeating names over in your head etc. Sometimes I use word association, like maybe I would, if I met you, link you to Helen of Troy, no that I ever met her! (well maybe in a past life!). But sometimes that can lead to equally embarrasing faut-pas!
There is quite a lot of info on
http://prosopagnosiaresearch.org

Ha re reading the name badge!! A lot of people (including me) forget their name badges! When it comes to repeating it, I get so caught up in the conversation I forget to memorise their name, so I need to make a huge mental effort! 

These are all the signs of a mispent youth!! 

I'm so with you there!

Can't help you I'm afraid.

I always try some sort of word association but I can back fire.

I kept calling someone Mel when her name was Kim, or was it the other way round? (if unsure ask your parents)

I'd rather not be there when you do

Stop worrying about it would be my advice.  As networkers we all meet hundreds of people in a short space of time, you can't possibly remember everyones name. I for one really don't care if you can't remember my name after a single meeting, obviously after a few it gets a bit embarassing   I'd rather people remember what I do rather than my name, you can always ask again for name.

Meet Like Know Trust, once you get into it the names are easy to remember because they are in fact your friends.

Another tip is to associate the name with a picture or a face of someone you already know with the same name. The brain remembers pictures better than words - or picture the person in a funny situation that projects their name. Helen could be you dressed up as a devil (Hell).

Another tip I learnt to make sure your name is not forgotten quickly is to introduce yourself with your name twice.

for example I would say on first meeting you hello Helen (thinks picture of helen in devel suit) my name is Richard - (pause) Richard Duff.

First name said twice always.

I am very bad a the name thing, but if you have a good 40 seconds I will remember your business.

Then after a few more meets I start to remember names.

I just tell people I am useless at names, there is not much I can do about it, I just have fun with It.

I seem to remember the good strap line or I may change them for a bit of fun.

Don't loose any sleep over it, just tell people.

I use a technique that is sympathetic to how the brain works. I am assuming that you can remember the faces but not the names.

You take a mental photograph of that person with something related to the name. So if a person's name is Robin or Rose, your mental picture is of them with a robin or a rose.

For less obvious names like John and Helen, you can take a mental photograph of the person standing next to a famous person with that name, like John Lennon or Helen Mirren.

Kind regards,

Robert
(PS I know about tax as well!)

Ha - glad to see I am one of many with this problem!!

I usually tell people right from the get go that I am useless at names - gets them on your side.

George Savva has a couple of amazingly powerful techniques to aid recall - I learnt them on his "Crashing Through" programme, and I've found them really helpful - I just need to remember to keep practising them!!

Ha ha Peter!!! See! It's a nightmare! I do try and tell people, but I'm just so embarassed. Let's all make a pact to always wear our name badges!