Prospective memory is the ability to remember to do something at a certain time in the future (such as remembering to take medication after lunch or calling a client back at a defined time in the future). This memory function is vital for executing intended tasks but is at risk when your cognitive load is high.
Mitigate cognitive load, especially at work, by supporting your ability to recall past intentions. It can help to set an intention for the future action while clearly visualising yourself and your surroundings at that future point in time.
To bolster this capacity, you can also get support through setting automatic reminders, e.g. incorporate reminders for project steps in your digital calendar or agenda app. As we memorise better if we have written it down with pen and paper, consider writing the future task down in your physical calendar.
See more tips on prospective memory in the skills – future episodic thinking.
