“It’s not about cutting hair, it’s about people’s lives” says a hair dresser friend of mine. She’s in high demand and there’s good reason for it. The reason is she knows people’s names and their stories. Aside from doing great haircuts she is plugged in to people’s lives and they love the attention. When a client comes in she addresses them by their name and the conversation picks up where the two of them left off a month ago. Is it any wonder why her day is filled with repeat customers?

“A person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language” – Dale Carnegie

Have you ever heard people say: “I’m really bad with names”? You seldom find those people in positions of influence or power. Leaders and influential people understand the importance of remembering names. Successful business people recognize this as well.

How many times in a day does someone say hi and doesn’t follow up with your name? Even worse they speak to a nameless face and ask “hey, how’s it going?” or “hello there” or “hi guy(s).” I know a good fellow named Guy and that’s where “hi Guy” starts and ends for me. What the issue for most seems to be is the fear of making a mistake. The sad part is this fear is holding many people back from success not only in business but in the depth and breadth of their personal relationships.

I bumped into a woman today named Diane. I’d not seen her in years. This woman used to repair my bent glasses frames for me and we’d laugh and joke while doing so. She’d obviously made an impression on me because as I bumped into her I was able to recall her by name and this was five years later. Funny, she was able to recall mine as well and maybe that’s why I remembered hers’ in the first place. The point here is this is not really a skill it’s a frame of mind. When you commit to remembering people’s names your whole world begins to change.

Remember the TV Show “Cheers”? What was the introduction song? “…where everyone knows your name.” Think about your own habits for a moment. Where do you spend your time, and where do you go as repeat customer? Whether it is the hair dresser or the Laundromat you’ll probably find there is a connection to your name or your story.

A person’s story is as important as their name. This person has shared something of their life with you which is of importance. If we actually care about this person will we remember what’s important to them? Yes we certainly will. When you become clear that this person and their story is important to you, then you will remember. Let me say this again, you will remember and, with no effort at all.

There is an abundance of information online about remembering names so fill your boots with searching. What I’d like to say is that to get out of your own way and remember names with ease is to declare to yourself that this person will be coming back into your life and you are going to reconnect with them someday. It’s really that simple. Go on make the commitment, it’s easy and you’ll see the difference in no time at all. So until next week, remember: “in only two days, tomorrow will be yesterday, lean into it!” As I offer insights, stories, tips and career information, please contact me to share your stories opinions and comments to Don Campbell.