Humans aren’t built to remember everything. 5 tips to remember the important stuff.

M is for meaning

Attach what you want to remember to something of importance.

You can remember information like names if you can tie them into information that has meaning to you.

For instance, if you are a fan of Greek mythology, you can link Ranganath’s first name, Charan, to Charon, the ferryman of the underworld who, for a price, transports the souls of the dead across the River Styx.

And (you can) imagine me ferrying people across the river of the dead.

Such vivid imagery can help you remember a name.

E is for error

Test yourself. Even if you make a mistake, Ranganath said trial and error is one of the best ways to remember something.

D is for distinctiveness

Make it pop.

Just as it’s easier to find a hot pink Post-it note on a desk full of yellow notes, it’s easier to find memories that have features (that) stand out from other memories.

For example, when you put down your keys, take a moment to attend to a detail like a sound or a unique visual cue.

It will go a long way toward helping you remember where you put them, he said, as you’re frantically scrambling to get out the door.

I is for importance

Take advantage of the fact that the brain has adapted to flag moments that are significant.

C is for context

Use your senses to do a little time traveling.

If you are trying to recall a past event, imagine yourself in that place and time — how you felt, what you were thinking about, the sights and sounds of the place — and you’ll find yourself pulling up a lot.