We all have moments when our memory fails us at work. We forget the name of an important contact, turn up to a meeting at the wrong time or overlook a vital task - but there are practical steps to make sure your memory doesn't let you down. Here, memory specialist Vicki Culpin, dean of faculty and director of research at Ashridge Business School in the UK, shares her tips.
1. Reduce stress
Stress is one of the most common causes of poor memory performance. Stressful situations, lasting weeks or months, have been shown to impair communication between the cells in the regions of the brain responsible for learning and memory. Take steps to reduce your stress levels and your memory performance will start to return to normal after just one week.
2. Get enough sleep
Sleep is very important for memory consolidation - the brain's method of transferring new material and information to our long-term memory. Research suggests that deep sleep is the key not just to storing information, but also to retrieving it. If you are sleeping badly, think about what you can do to improve the situation.
3. Reduce multitasking
We lead increasingly busy lives and multitasking has become second nature. The brain is less efficient at multitasking, however, than we realise. When the brain tries to do two things at once, it "switches" tasks rather than doing both simultaneously, which can affect memory. Research has shown that people who learn something new while multitasking are less able to remember what they have learnt later on.
4. Rehearse information quickly
In short-term memory, how much we can remember is directly related to how much information we can "squeeze" into 15 to 30 seconds. When we try to remember things, we often "rehearse" the information by repeating it out loud or silently in our heads. The quicker you do this, the more information you take in. Speak slowly and you may only be able to rehearse four or five facts in the time slot to get them into your short-term memory. You may eventually find you can rehearse and recall up to nine.
5. Group information
Ever been in a situation where you need to remember a phone number or car registration and don't have a pen? Research has shown if you "rehearse" the information in groups of three, it can make a big difference to your ability to recall it. Try it yourself. Take the number 145870236 and try to remember it as a whole. Then break it down into three groups - 145 870 236 - and see how much easier it is.
6. Chunk it up
"Chunking" information is another useful strategy you can employ. If you are giving a talk or presentation, break the information down into clusters. This will not only help you remember what you need to say but will also make it easier for the audience to take in and retain what you have told them.
7. Make it meaningful
Some people can remember all the FA Cup winners from the past 20 years. Others find that impossible but know the birthdays of their friends. A good way to make information meaningful is to relate something you want to memorise to something you already know. Ask yourself questions to encourage this process: "why do I need to learn this?", "how does this fit with what I already know?".
8. Pay close attention
When people complain their memory is poor, it's often because they simply haven't put enough time and energy into memorising material. Be honest with yourself. How often have you blamed poor memory when you haven't made any real attempt to remember information? Your ability will improve if you pay proper attention.
9. Use imagery or association
One of the biggest memory-related problems is an inability to remember people's names. Repetition helps, so use the person's name as much as possible during your conversation with them, as well as when you say hello and goodbye. Some people find creating a visual image related to the name can help. Does the person look like anyone famous, or is there an aspect of their face (glasses, moustache, nose) that is striking?
10. Think about the context
If you are struggling to recall a particular piece of information, reinstate the context in which you first heard it. It helps if you can physically do this (ie return to the room where a meeting was held) but if you can't do that, it's often enough just to create a visual image of the situation you were in. Think about the physical surroundings, the smell and the temperature as well as the mood you were in.
business@thenational.ae
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Rating: 5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
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Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
TYPES%20OF%20ONLINE%20GIG%20WORK
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDesign%2C%20multimedia%20and%20creative%20work%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELogo%20design%2C%20website%20design%2C%20visualisations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBusiness%20and%20professional%20management%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELegal%20or%20management%20consulting%2C%20architecture%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBusiness%20and%20professional%20support%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EResearch%20support%2C%20proofreading%2C%20bookkeeping%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESales%20and%20marketing%20support%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESearch%20engine%20optimisation%2C%20social%20media%20marketing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EData%20entry%2C%20administrative%2C%20and%20clerical%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EData%20entry%20tasks%2C%20virtual%20assistants%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIT%2C%20software%20development%20and%20tech%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EData%20analyst%2C%20back-end%20or%20front-end%20developers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWriting%20and%20translation%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EContent%20writing%2C%20ghost%20writing%2C%20translation%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOnline%20microtasks%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EImage%20tagging%2C%20surveys%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20World%20Bank%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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The%20specs
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2009 The White Ribbon (Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte), Michael Haneke
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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
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