Has it ever happened that someone repeats a story they told you just a week ago? You wonder how they could forget they already shared this story with you so recently. As the story goes on, you think, "I know this story." You wonder how to react. Should you tell them you've heard it before? How do you do that politely?
These situations can be awkward, especially when the other person is surprised they don't remember telling you. Nevertheless, people have a lot going on and forget what was said to who. I'm sure I've done this myself, but no one has told me, so I remain unaware. If they do remember the story, I imagine they must feel uneasy and wonder how they should tell me they’ve already heard the story.We are all forgetful because we have so much going on in our lives. Thankfully, with today's technology like smartphones, we have tools to help us remember. That's why reminders are key in my daily life.
I use reminders for both work and family events. I set reminders for daily responsibilities, such as who is picking up the kids from school, after-school activities, and appointments. The calendar is visible to all family members, ensuring everyone is aligned and takes ownership. Reminders are crucial at work too, especially for team projects. Who is doing what, what is due when, who needs to talk to who. While this is obvious for projects, I also set reminders for basic things like taking breaks. I will sometimes forget to take a break. Breaks are important and needed during the work day to give your mind a rest from the computer screen, think of something else and get your body moving.
Reminders are not only useful because I forget things but also because I’ve noticed myself assume things when they are not told. If my wife and I don't discuss who will pick up the kids and neither of us does, it's not because we forgot; we assumed the other was handling it. It is the same with work projects. Why wasn’t something completed? Someone assumed someone else was doing the work. Therefore, my rule is to always say more than needed, even if it seems obvious. As simple as that may sound, it’s not easy because we forget details and assume what the other person knows. It takes practice to be clear and include the intricate details.
I’m forgetful and I make assumptions, but I'm learning and improving every day. Don't hesitate to set up reminders and communicate clearly, even if it seems obvious.
Take care.