![Collage of group of young people over colorful vintage isolated background smiling friendly offering handshake as greeting and welcoming. Successful business. Collage of group of young people over colorful vintage isolated background smiling friendly offering handshake as greeting and welcoming. Successful business.](https://59d71b.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/name-tag-folks.jpg)
Last week I was reminded why it is so important to put in the work to commit names to memory. As hard as it seems at times, recognition can change someone else's day.
I began a new class at a senior living facility. Immediately I recognized a woman who, years ago, had attended my class at a fitness center. Barbara is quiet and shy. The second I addressed her by her name I saw a light go on. I could tell that it meant the world that she was recognized, that someone remembered her and said her name.
Seeing Barbara smile reminded me how a small thing like being recognized by name can make you feel good. Especially in a sometimes isolating environment, finding a friend was delightful.
Now, on my busiest day I can serve upwards of 85 total people in my fitness classes. Likely, you may interact with as many people in a given day. It is tricky to learn and remember that many names.
There have been times when a new person comes into my life, we introduce ourselves, and mere seconds later I am thinking, "what in the world did she say her name was?"
One of the tactics I've began employing is repeating a name after I learn it. When I introduce myself, I try to repeat the other person's name at least once before we part ways.
Often, I will go back to my smartphone and type that new person's name into the notes section alongside a quick detail about how/where I met them.
I also try to focus and breathe when I meet someone new and learn their name. Stopping my mile-an-minute multitasking helps me concentrate on remembering their name.
If I've gone an embarrassingly long time having forgotten someone's name that I interact with frequently, I will try to discretely enlist the help of someone else who knows them to find their identity. I've also had to chalk it up to mommy-brain and apologize while asking them directly.
That day at the senior facility, I went around the room at the beginning of class to meet the 10 new people. I repeated their names twice, then at the end of the class I challenged myself to repeat all of the names. I got one wrong. This week when I went back I got them all right. It made me feel great and, in their smiles, I saw it made them as well.
I challenge you to introduce yourself, meet new people, and greet them by name. It's proven to be beneficial to your health and wellbeing. And, you'll almost always get a smile in response.