1. Jot it down. With the many details that you have to
remember in any given day, why should you try to keep it
all in a memory bank? At the very moment that you remember something needs to be done, the best thing to do is write it down. Then, just as you need to recall it, it will be there for you in an instant.

2. Keep it all in one place. Once you have developed the
knack of writing everything down, your next step will be to
keep your writing all in one place. You will remember
better this way. Otherwise, you are going to spend valuable
time searching for your notes.

3. Stay healthy. A keen memory is a well-nourished mind.
Eat healthy; get plenty of rest and lots of good exercise.
These will all see you through to having a good memory,
staying focused and being alert.

4. Record your every thought. You might find yourself
driving when a good idea about organizing comes to you or you might recall something that you need to write down. No
need to pull over and start writing, record instead! Pull
off to the side of the road and use a small handheld tape
recorder. This is a wonderful tool to carry around with
you, to record your thoughts, or your parking space number, or even a memorable telephone number you see on a billboard as you drive by. Use your handy recorder to be your second eyes and ears.

5. Call ahead. When you are at your business and you
want to do something when you arrive back home, call ahead to your answering machine and leave yourself a message. As soon as you get home you can listen to your message and remember exactly what you wanted to do.

6. Be confident in yourself. If you keep saying you have
a bad memory, you will probably continue to have a bad
memory. It is important to have a motivated, I CAN remember attitude.

7. Handy e-mail reminders. There are many good and free
e-mail reminder services available. You can type in what
you want to remember, such as a business meeting,
anniversary or special event, and you will receive an
e-mail reminder when the date is approaching. This is a way to jog your memory by Internet.

8. Use sticky notes. Those wonderful, little sticky
notes are the next best thing to sliced bread! They are
amazing as memory helpers. Want to remember something before leaving your home? Just mark it down on a Post-It
Note and stick it to the inside of your door. The bright,
neon colors will be great to catch your eye as you are
leaving. You will not likely miss it! Need to make an
urgent call first thing in the morning? Leave a Post-It
Note on your telephone.

9. Use timers and alarms. Take advantage of alarm clocks
and timers throughout your day. Need to be at your local
organization by 12 noon? Set your alarm clock to remind
you. Want to leave for the women luncheon by 7 p.m.? Set
your timer to beep a few minutes before it is time to start
to get ready.

10. Visual memory joggers. Visual reminders will help you
remember and stay focused. Use visual reminders for
remembering your goals. If your goal is to take a cruise in
a few years, keep a magazine photograph of a cruise ship
and pictures of your destination right on your desk.