Improving Memory/Organization

25 Comments

1. M Elizabeth IngramFebruary 16,2023 at 2:38PM UTC

   Not so much a memory trick, but I write everything down. I have a designated list on my computer for work and a pad for home. It's made a huge difference for me since having kiddos. Keep in mind to that as your youngest gets older, you'll have a little more bandwidth to remember and stay organized.

   Good luck!

2. AnonymousFebruary 16,2023 at 3:00PM UTC

   I have tried computer and paper. The computer one I still forget :( and the paper one I lose :(.

   I feel like such a failure. This used to never be me

3. Cindy GloverFebruary 16,2023 at 5:30PM UTC

   I’m the exact same way.

   When I leave on Friday - My boss (President of the company) has absolutely NOTHING on his desk.

   Mine looks like an explosion….

   I too could use some helpful advice!!!

   I supervise so many areas of a small family business from HR to IT - it’s a bit overwhelming.

4. AnonymousFebruary 16,2023 at 7:19PM UTC

   I hear you.
   I used to have an ironclad
   memory. No more after kids! If
   paper doesn’t work can you use your cell phone as a place to record everything ? For example record everything in Google doc (or one doc for home and one for work), put the app on your phone and anytime info comes your way…you know to take your phone out?

5. Jennifer ShoffnerFebruary 16,2023 at 2:44PM UTC

   Always have paper and pen ready. The only way I remember anything is to write it down. I actually have quite a few "reminders" lists that are on erasable boards so I can jot notes and then erase and reuse. I may be overly obsessive about it because I have 4 on my desk :( They fit nicely into my calendar and I can take them wherever I need.

6. AnonymousFebruary 16,2023 at 4:17PM UTC

   I write down when I can, use the tasks list on my computer, and I also use the reminders app on my phone- I keep a "work" list to easily locate. I can relate about not feeling at your best at work, but be kind to yourself, you're doing something to improve your situation! :)

7. Stephanie Malcom, MBAFebruary 16,2023 at 4:28PM UTC

   I am a calender, to do list, sticky notes, and list person. Without them all, I would not know who I was. I woke up today and didnt even know the day of the week without looking at my phone.

8. AnonymousFebruary 16,2023 at 7:30PM UTC

   What I found is organization extends through all parts of your life or else it's just temporary window dressing.

   By this I mean you begin with small things like straightening up your house and post a calendar with the household to-do lists. Get a housekeeper if you can afford it or start a room by room deep clean.

   At work you clean up your physical space first.....desk, file drawers etc. Then attack your computer files. Organize and purge until things are neat and everything in its place. Finally use your Calendar for an ongoing to-do list. Keep reoccurring meetings and reminders there and use it to record all open items

   I also keep a legal yellow pad next to me to jot down notes,. I flag my emails for follow up and check off those that are taken care of. These manual checks help me keep track of my open items.

   I use my first hour of the day to compile and review my daily priorities. I keep that running list on my legal pad. I use the last 1/2 hour of the day to straighten up my desk and start a new/clean list for my next day's priorities.

   It takes a bit of discipline but is well worth the concentrated effort as it cuts down on chaos and streamlines your energy. You just don't scramble as much because you've dedicated the effort to stay on top of things as part of your daily routine.

9. AnonymousFebruary 16,2023 at 9:37PM UTC

   I agree, start small and build habits.

10. AnonymousFebruary 17,2023 at 11:12AM UTC

    I agree that organization and memory must be approached in a comprehensive way or your life gets unmanageable.

    I keep professional and personal on a single calendar with kids and family appointments as well as work items all in a single calendar on my desktop. I make sure to schedule breaks, exercise (hiking with my kids in the stroller) doctor's appointments and school volunteering, date nights are on the same calendar as my work meetings, presentations and projects. This way I can manage my life as a whole.

    Part of organization and memory is making sure not to over schedule. Allow yourself ample time to enjoy your days even when they are jammed packed

11. Sandy NagelFebruary 17,2023 at 2:04PM UTC

    Congratulations on the new baby!

    Yes now you have more responsibities and things to remember. Use technology. Reminders, calendars, task sheets; that's what it's there for and then you can concentrate on doing your job. It can also help with the extra remindwrs you have ow at home too. Also reach out to other new moms in your company; I'm sure they are experiencing the same thing. Breathing and centering exercises help too.

12. AnonymousFebruary 17,2023 at 2:13PM UTC

    lists! I used to remember everything but like you, with so many other things going on in life, I make lists. I also take notes at work so I don't forget important details. For home, one room at a time. Look at minimalist facebook pages - they are a great help!

13. Kelly HammerFebruary 17,2023 at 2:20PM UTC

    Like many have said, write it down. While we all think we can multi task, our brains just don’t work this way. The more we try to take on, the more we forget. I’m a pen and paper kind of girl. Digital reminders don’t work for me. I suspect that part of that is that I just learn and retain better that way. It was that way when I was in school and it’s that way with life skills for me. Find what works for you and build the routine. Congratulations on your new addition!

14. Paula Manczuk-HannayFebruary 17,2023 at 2:25PM UTC

    I carry a small journal and take simple notes in meetings and write other pieces of info down. The act of writing by hand helps me remember and I can easily flip back and use a reference. I also use lists and organize inbox using flags, folders, and rules. Reminders on my phone are also a huge help. I call the latter my external memory. There is a lot of my plate both at work and at home and, while not perfect, doing these things help keep me on track.

15. Barb HansenFebruary 17,2023 at 3:47PM UTC

    Give yourself grace.

    Major life changes including pregnancy and returning to work after a maternity leave can lead to not only changes in our body but changes in our focus, memory, etc.

    There are thousands of organizational tools and methodologies and most of them won't work for you but many of them will work for you, and you might need more than one (I certainly do).

    Here are some tips that helped me find the organizational methodologies that worked for me:

    -- I identified what I needed help with.

    -- I tried many tools and if that tool didn't fit immediately into my work day, I moved on. I didn't want to waste more mental energy trying to change how I function to fit into an organizational tool. I needed to find a tool that fit how I thought.

    -- As soon as a tool stops working for me, I moved on to another one.

    For many years, a recorded my work-life in an exercise notebook. Each day got a new page and all of my tasks and notes got written down in that book (even tasks that were also recorded in an online project management tool). About five years ago, the notebook stopped working for me. Things written in a notebook started to get lost, so I had to find a new tool. No shame to me, my work life had changed and I needed a new tool to support that change. I dropped the notebook and started a simple personal Kanban board in Trello where I kept all of my tasks (work + home), and for a few years that Trello board kept me sane.

    -- I stopped stressing that I missed a deadline or that I needed to refer to my notes or that I needed to do some research. If I made a mistake or it looked like I was going to miss a deadline, I owned up do it, mitigated any damage and ensured that that particular "miss" didn't happen again.

    We want to bring our best smartest self to our work day and if you are used to relying on your "smart brain" to have all of the answer, sometimes we beat ourselves up when our "smart brain" is otherwise occupied. I know I did this a lot. Then I realized that what I brought to the table was not my memory, it was my ability to solve complex Product problems (that's my super power) and I could still do that, I might need to add in a new step or two.

    I will say this again - give yourself grace.

16. Kimberley Ferretti HammettFebruary 17,2023 at 5:04PM UTC

    Congratulations!

    I have a 15 month old and I totally related to this post! My memory and focus has just not been the same since returning. I have learned a lot though and found ways to help improve it so I'll share what has helped me.

    First I want to start by saying that understanding why I was experiencing this so badly has helped not only improve it, but just give myself a bit of a break too and not feel like I'm getting dumber. Because I really felt like I was getting dumber! I can't tell you how often I would stumble while talking trying to remember common words.

    As new moms, our brains are doing wayy more work on wayy less energy. Sleep, for one, was a huge factor. Unfortunately, you don't have full control over that aspect, however, if you haven't had an uninterrupted night in the last year.. if you can get your partner or a family member to take the monitor for a night (and you can let go of worries) or something like that you will likely notice a marked difference just one night of good, sound sleep can do! My sleep is still inconsistent but between improved baby sleep and generally getting into bed around 930, sometimes earlier - even when I feel physically tired it has improved my clarity and memory.

    Additionally, typically moms are housing and tracking a TON of information about their baby and their schedule. Think about all of the brain space and energy you are using if you're tracking how much baby ate, what they ate, when they should be eating, maybe keeping on top of the people caring for them while you work.. researching what development activities they should be doing, planning playdates or things to do with them, tracking when you need more diapers or wipes or clothes, drs appointments.. It's A LOT!! Yes, lists, journals, apps can be very helpful here. Not just in remembering the small tasks, but taking some stress off your brain trying to remember everything. My husband and I created a shared gmail calendar so we can add things to it and see in real time as a family what is planned or when his shifts are (he's a firefighter/paramedic). Any way that you can find that works for you to take some of the work of tracking everything off your plate. This can apply to work too.

    I can't say for certain this improved my memory directly but I have also implemented a lot more organization methods in my house. Organized pantry, fridge, hall closet... not just to keep the house tidier.. but I noticed how frustrated and exhausted I felt just having to search and dig for things. I really feel like making a place for all the necessities and communicating with my husband to follow the system has just made it easier to get things done.

    I still notice that I stumble over simple words now and then and can have trouble focusing but it's way better than it was 6 months ago. I try to remind myself that it's not as much that my cognition is worse, but that I'm using it for more and different priorities.

    I hope some of that is helpful to you! Take care of yourself and congrats again!

17. AnonymousFebruary 17,2023 at 8:31PM UTC

    Congrats on the baby!

    I'm a speech-language pathologist and I actually work with memory and cognitive disorders.

    Two of my work friends had horrible "mommy brain" with their pregnancies and after birth.

    I can assure you, it gets better with time! Give yourself some slack!

    Here are some strategies you can use:

    • PLANNER!! Planners are a wonderful way to organize your day with meetings, appointments, etc. I keep a small one in my purse and carry it with me everywhere!
    • Calendars with reminders.
    • Make lists. I'm a list-maker. I make lists for everything, whether it is work-related or not.
    • Memory games. There are so may apps that are great for memory and cognitive skills. Sudoku, crosswords, Wordle, Tile Master/Mahjong, logic puzzles, etc. Playing these types of games for 5-15 minutes a day will help improve your memory, attention, organization skills, etc.

    I hope this helps!

18. AnonymousFebruary 18,2023 at 2:14PM UTC

    Mommy brain is real! You are so focused on keeping your children alive and safe that nothing else is a priority to remember. It does get better with time. But I agree with others, planning and writing it down really helped me stay organized. Make sure you remember to enjoy this time with your little one! It doesn't last long... especially when they start taking back ?.

19. AnonymousFebruary 18,2023 at 3:17PM UTC

    Take notes! Use the notes feature in Outlook, or my saving grace, Microsoft OneNote! Get good sleep, eat healthy; those things affect your ability to focus and retain information.

20. AnonymousFebruary 18,2023 at 3:51PM UTC

    I play strategy games.
    Think chess but more complicated. It's fun and helps me with the following:
    Learning how to use all my assets to their fullest potential.
    To look a step or two forward so I'm not blindsided by change.
    To always have back-up.
    Patience, when I lose and try to determine in the next game how I screwed up.
    To teach my brain to think on different levels and exercise the "learning" part.

21. misskelleypFebruary 18,2023 at 5:49PM UTC

    Make and use lists. You can use the to-do feature in outlook, a list on paper, notes in your phone, or reminders in your calendar. I write everything down. Menopause has not been kind to my memory! So use the tools you have available, but write everything down in some way so that you can use it to remember. Good luck!

22. AnonymousFebruary 21,2023 at 10:10PM UTC

    A person below suggested OneNote and that has been my lifesaver for menopause brain. You can put in gobs of information, easily organize it by notebooks and pages, and the best part - search.

23. AnonymousFebruary 24,2023 at 8:46PM UTC

    I came across this Article today and thought of your post! Let's rebrand mommy brain to mommy is learning at an unbelievable fast pace to keep a human alive! So what if she forgets a word or a task. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/mommy-brain-real-research-shows-141803124.html

24. LeonardOctober 16,2026 at 6:28PM UTC

    Haha, love this reframe! Honestly, it's so true—juggling a tiny human is basically like running an entire company on no sleep, so forgetting a word here or there is just the system updating. Definitely going to start calling it that!

25. Koll HertOctober 19,2026 at 12:21AM UTC
    I would highly recommend Lions Mane extract, it has helped me a bunch for focus and clarity best lion's mane supplement . I take it daily and it takes a few days sometimes to feel the effects, but the results are well worth it.