Stop forgetting tasks with this simple brain hack

Whilst this little white elephant, pictured, is rather handy when you need to remember to buy milk or put the washing on, if your memory is regularly failing you at work, then this simple brain hack is what you need.

Research published in the Journal of Psychology suggests that there is a way to bring back those forgotten tasks before it’s too late.

The trick is to associate the task with an object near to where it is to be carried out, which when spotted later on can trigger the missing memory.

For example, thinking of your desk plant at the same time as remembering to email your manager back will remind you of this task every time the plant comes into view.

Study author and psychological scientist Dr Todd Rogers said: “Our results suggest that people are more likely to follow through on their good intentions if they are reminded to follow through by noticeable cues that appear at the exact place and time in which follow-through can occur.”

The results of the researchers experiments showed that 74% of people who had been given a visual clue remembered the extra task compared with just 42% who hadn’t.
 
Researchers said that these cues could have useful implications for businesses as they offer a no-cost, low-effort strategy for remembering to complete the tasks would otherwise be forgotten.

The team at Harvard University are now planning further research to see if the cues can help people stick to medical and health-related regimes.