The Problem With People Forgetting What You Said

Let’s face it, we’ve all been in situations where we’ve said something important to someone, only to have them forget what we said a few minutes later. As frustrating as it can be, it is more common than you think—particularly with the amount of distractions we face in the modern world.

How Memory Works

There are three stages of memory: encoding, storage, and retrieval. The process starts with encoding, which occurs when you first take in new information. You take in information through your senses and your brain then processes and assigns it meaning — it assigns meaning through associations and connections. The second stage of memory is storage. This is when your brain decides what information is actually worth saving and assigns it a place within the memory. The third stage, and probably the most important, is retrieval. Once information has been put into your memory, it can be retrieved. Depending on the strength of the encoding and storage of the information, it can be recalled easily or take more effort.

What Factors Need to be Taken Into Consideration

When taking into account why someone would forget what you said, there are a few things to consider. First, is the person being distracted by something in their environment? Smartphones, social media, and other electronics have made it so easy to be distracted — even when we’re trying to focus on something.

Second, is the person being asked too much information at once? If you bombard someone with too much information at once all the sudden, no matter how carefully you try to explain it, the person you’re talking to might not be able to remember it all.

Third, how relevant is the information? If the information you’re trying to communicate is not in line with the person’s interests, motivations or goals, they’re less likely to remember it.

How to Make Sure People Don’t Forget

The best way to make sure people don’t forget what you’re saying is to make sure they’re not distracted while you’re saying it. If you have their full attention and the information is easy to digest, chances are they won’t forget. Also, the more important you make the information, the more likely it is that someone will remember it. Make your points interesting and vivid. The more vivid the experience of learning the content, the more likely somebody will remember it.

At the end of the day, it takes both sides to ensure that the person is getting the information correctly and will remember it later. Although it is ultimately up to the listener to remember what was said, the speaker should do their part to make sure the message is communicated clearly and in the most memorable way possible.