I share this information based on my personal experience in rehabilitation and occupational therapy, not as a medical expert, more as a recovery expert! –Dave Prickett
Context /Treatment Facility:
Ruptured Brain Aneurysm, Meningitis 1992 – Northwestern Medicine – Rehab Institute of Chicago
West Nile Virus, Encephalitis, Meningitis 2019 – Northwestern Medicine – Marionjoy Rehab Hospital
Brain Hemorrhage 2023 – Northwestern Medicine Chicago
Many of these strategies we have all heard before, they became more meaningful when I really needed them and started applying them. I hope they can do the same for you. –Dave Prickett
Listen – I was told that most people don’t have a memory problem, they struggle with listening. I really related to this one and think its a great place to start.
- eliminate as many distractions as you can
- be present and really focus on what is being said
- ask questions to clarify what you hear
Tip: When listening to someone, ask their permission to repeat it back to them. (this engages the speaker, it shows you are listening, allows you to hear yourself repeat what they said, and gives them the opportunity to correct any mistakes.
Write things down – we know this can be helpful, during conversion, after, and even before.
Tip: Before a meeting, write down the names of people you are meeting with, key topics you will be discussing, and a simple list of questions to ask. It serves as a reminder during the meeting and reduces the note taking during the meeting.
Taking notes while listening can be difficult and distracting for me, especially in small groups. Therefore, taking notes after the conversation or meeting is over can be extremely helpful.
Tip: I literally stop in the lobby after a meeting, or sit in my car to make notes while the information is fresh, list questions and follow up.
Tip: I can look at my calendar in the morning to check my schedule for the day, look away and NOT retain what I saw, then do it again. If I look at the calendar and write down what I see, I retain it and often don’t even need to refer to the list again.
Brain Games
- Best played with a small group of people. Agree on a single word, ex PREVENTION, without using your phone or writing anything down, make up as many words as possible out of that word. My answer is 5. Picture them and say them out loud. PREVENT, ION, EVEN, EVENT, VENT
- Listening to sports on the radio while driving. Listen, visualize exactly what they are saying. Picture this: “the Eagles are down by 6 with the ball on the Bears 6 yard line, 10 seconds remain in the game and it’s 4th down. The ball is snapped, Jalen Hurts hands off to Saquon Barkley and he fumbles…the Bears recover!!
- Verbalize a story you hear or see. This could be the news story, a movie, a conversation, summarize it out loud to someone else or yourself. It forces you to listen well, use your techniques to remember and retain it by hearing yourself speak out loud.
