Making a Memorable Impression
In the time since I decided to seriously go into writing as a career, I’ve been to a lot of conferences and conventions. And since the writing world is relatively small, I’ve noticed I tend to run into some of the same people again and again. They’re the serious ones—or the devoted ones. Or maybe just the crazy ones. I can’t decide. Whichever it is, I’m one of them.
A lot of those people remember me. And I remember them. I take the time to learn their names (though it’s definitely not a strength of mine) and something about them that will stick in my memory.
At a recent conference, I had the opportunity to run into a few people who I have only met once or twice before. These people remembered not only my name, but that I used to live in Utah, that I write, and that I recently had a book published. And I remembered each of them, for a number of reasons.
Someone recently asked me how that works. My first instinct was to blush and say, I don’t know, it just does. But then I dug a little deeper into human nature, and I realized something. I am best at remembering those people who treat me with respect. But even more, I am BEST at remembering people who are kind. Who smile when we’re talking, and say gracious things. People who can have a conversation about nothing, and remember details. I remember people because of how they make me feel each time we meet.
I think maybe it works that way on both sides. I put a lot of effort into being kind. To everyone, regardless of who they are, what they do for a living, or where they live in the world. I try to be inclusive rather than exclusive. I try to embrace people for their individuality. I may not always succeed, but I definitely try.
I don’t know if that makes me memorable or not. But that is the number one reason I will remember someone else. Thus, my circle grows.
Granted, not everyone will always remember us. There are also people I've met a number of times who have yet to pay well enough attention to remember me. And that's okay. I guess I'll just have to keep being nice, keep being me, and one of these days, they will.
What do you think? How do people make a memorable impression on you?
A lot of those people remember me. And I remember them. I take the time to learn their names (though it’s definitely not a strength of mine) and something about them that will stick in my memory.
At a recent conference, I had the opportunity to run into a few people who I have only met once or twice before. These people remembered not only my name, but that I used to live in Utah, that I write, and that I recently had a book published. And I remembered each of them, for a number of reasons.
Someone recently asked me how that works. My first instinct was to blush and say, I don’t know, it just does. But then I dug a little deeper into human nature, and I realized something. I am best at remembering those people who treat me with respect. But even more, I am BEST at remembering people who are kind. Who smile when we’re talking, and say gracious things. People who can have a conversation about nothing, and remember details. I remember people because of how they make me feel each time we meet.
I think maybe it works that way on both sides. I put a lot of effort into being kind. To everyone, regardless of who they are, what they do for a living, or where they live in the world. I try to be inclusive rather than exclusive. I try to embrace people for their individuality. I may not always succeed, but I definitely try.
I don’t know if that makes me memorable or not. But that is the number one reason I will remember someone else. Thus, my circle grows.
Granted, not everyone will always remember us. There are also people I've met a number of times who have yet to pay well enough attention to remember me. And that's okay. I guess I'll just have to keep being nice, keep being me, and one of these days, they will.
What do you think? How do people make a memorable impression on you?
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