Monday, August 10, 2009

Tossing Your Tissues

There is a jokey line that many people use: "I have a good memory; it's just a little short."

Not me: I have a decent memory — for most things, most of the time — but it is terribly unpredictable and unreliable. The item that I need to remember isn't always present in my brain when I need it to be. It will usually come back to me at some point, but that point may be either too late or another inappropriate moment when I am once gain forced to file it and, therefore, repeat the process.

There are long term things one can do to keep track of necessary tasks. Most of us keep lists of some sort, for example. Unfortunately, I tend to lose lists after awhile. Even so, they frequently help me.

For very short term items, however, I frequently resort to displacing an article. Usually, it means throwing a box of tissues or something else that doesn't belong on the floor. That way, I'm sure to notice the object when I next get up from whatever I'm doing at the time (such as blogging), and it has never failed to remind me what it is I need to do. I always seem to recall why I put it there, and I usually tend to the chore then.

I think this temporary memory misplacement (of the mental todo list) to which I am prone tends to afflict males more than females (although Cuppa also resorts to the displaced object memory hook from time to time). Unfortunately, the task that we guys often lose track of is something that was requested by the missus. And I have observed (from afar, of course) most missuses find such temporary amnesia to be highly annoying.

So, although I recommend this displaced object technique for almost anybody, I especially suggest that males adopt it, especially with regards to those casual honeydo requests. We always intend to comply with such requests, and we always feel that we won't forget, but too often we do forget ... at least for long enough to really annoy that special someone. And it's really nice to keep Momma happy.

Wives, please feel free to share this to your husbands.

12 comments:

Mara said...

But you're saying this displaced object technique might work for women as well. Hm, I might give it a go sometime!

Anonymous said...

Well I hope it works for women, I need something to help.
QMM

MARY G said...

I love this; when I found it I was just about to start a post on memory. Stay tuned.
I switch my watch or my wedding ring to the wrong hand. My dad used the throw it on the floor technique and I was always falling over stuff in his front hall.

Donna said...

Hahaa...sometimes, I remember Too much...cool idea though!!hughugs

KGMom said...

AC--HA! someone else uses a displaced object on the floor as a reminder. I have done that. Only problem is, I look at the object and think--now why is that there?

Mary said...

AC,

I'm glad the misplaced item technique works for you. I may have to adapt it to my life, as it seems lately I can't remember what I was going to do five seconds before. lol

Glad you've had some rainless days. We didn't get a drop today but it was another hot one. Rain predicted for Friday in this area.

Have a great week. I'm trying to keep cool.

Blessings,
Mary

Grace said...

Reading your post about your memory, I can't help but relate it to myself. Somehow, I am a bit like you. Sometimes it is frustrating not remembering something that we need on the very moment. But a lot of times, things from the way back brought to my remembrance.

Barry said...

Sounds like a very practical idea for the short term. However, if I waited until the next day to pick up the Kleenex I'm sure I'd have forgotten it meant "pick up a loaf of bread and some milk at the store."

Kathy Trejo said...

I forgot what i was going to say...(((Hugs))) to you and Cuppa :)

Bernie said...

Anvilcloud, just one day too late for me.....(if you get a chance read my post tonight and you will understand. LOL
Have a great day....:-) Bernie

Anonymous said...

I am very relieved to hear that it is not only my hubby who suffers from an unreliable memory.. especially when requested tasks are involved. We have come up with a system that seems to work for us. Now, any honeydo request is often followed up with a sticky note stuck on top of his computer monitor. So far.. so good. :-)

Diana said...

My husband insists that I write everything done on the dry erase board in the kitchen. He erases them as he gets them done and there is no aggrivation involved!
Except for some of the things on the list of coarse!