I saw a presentation from Microsoft about a common mental state known as Continuous Partial Attention. There is so much going on now, it is easy to forget things. Goading yourself to remember won't work. You will forget inevitably.
You can, however, take measures such that when you forget, you are triggered to remember.
When I go grocery shopping, I sometimes make a list, and then only count the items. "I need to get 6 items". You end up with only 5, you know you forgot something.
Similarly, your boss tells you to do three things, just remember you have THREE things to do. If you only do two, you forgot one. Think *** was it you were suposed to do?!
Here is another. I am sitting in a meeting and something comes to mind. For example, I made a mistake in a report or I need to pay my credit card, etc., .. I am afraid I will forget to correct the report, pay the bill. I put my watch on my other wrist. Two hours later, when I have long since forgotten, I notice my watch is on the wrong wrist. Why did I do this? I was supposed the recall something, .... Or I might set the alarm on my watch, so that two hours later the alarm on my watch goes off. It is not to remind me of an appointment, but to remind me I have something to do, which likely has long since slipped from my memory.
Here is another. I forget to bring things. I forget to bring my lunch, or bring my laptop to work etc., . Leave the item in a place so that you will have to overstep it in order to pass. I leave my laptop in front of the door. I leave my gym clothes hanging on the door knob.
This way, I don't have to rely on my memory. Instead, there are these physical obstacles / reminders to ensure I don't forget.
Hope this helps.
wmh
