Boost Your Memory with a Simple Trick

Posted on March 29, 2010 by LJ

Mondays are productivity days at SimpleProductivity blog.

Photo by koalazymonkey

I’m no stranger to the one- or two-page laminated sheet known as the reference card. They are available for just about everything out there from school subjects to software usage. I have a whole stack for various programming languages.

But they are also useful when you make them for yourself, as an aid to memory.

The whole point of having a reference card is so that you have information you need somewhat frequently in a place that doesn’t require you to do research. Some areas this might encompass are recipes, household tasks, phone numbers and addresses, and checklists.

The Phone List

Even with the presence of my iPod Touch, printed phone lists and numbers programmed into my cell phone, I often find myself hunting for numbers. I created a list of numbers that sit by each phone in the house. The lists include emergency numbers, the numbers of the doctor and vet, and helpful numbers like the gas and water companies.

The Recipe Cheat Sheet

I highlighted my Recipe Cheat Sheet before. This sheet gives me the ingredient list and measurements, while leaving out the details, which I seem to remember.

The Packing List

I don’t travel much, and on the specialized trips like camping and summer camp, I tend to forget necessary things, since I only do it once a year. I have packing lists that include not only the basics for each person, but also the equipment we may need to take. (Trust me, camping without a stove where no fires are allowed is not fun. Think cold hot dogs).

Household Tasks

I still have my Flylady zone lists around here somewhere, but I don’t use them. Instead, I have a little 8.5 x 11 sheet that lists each area of the house and things I will probably forget to do. For example, I can walk in my music room and remember to wash the windows, but I forget to vacuum the sofa cushions because the room isn’t used that much.

These are some of my reference cards. Do you do anything similar? Tell us below.

Photo by koalazymonkey

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