Investigating and correcting typical illogical behavioral patterns of INTPs: forgetfulness

[mu is mu]

Forgetfulness​

Over the past few months I’ve been becoming more and more aware of how plain forgetful I am and am beginning to think this is a problem that all INTPs potentially have—according to David Keirsey, Einstein was an INTP and the “tories about his forgetfulness are legion…” (see Please Understand Me II, page 162). Keirsey also asserts that, regarding their mates, INTPs are "somewhat forgetful of appointments, anniversaries, and other common social rituals." (pg 206) However, I’ve also realized that I can counter this forgetfulness, to a very significant degree, by means of things like planners, checklists, cell phone alarms, etc. But problems ensue whenever I forget to consult these reminder items in the first place, or whenever I’m at work and only remember to do something after the opportunity has already passed, etc.

So now is your chance to analyze this particular INTP problem and propose solutions; also feel free to redefine the INTP problem of forgetfulness as generally or specifically as you wish with as much or little detail as you wish. I am receptive to all information and insights whether they are of an informative or directive nature. Insights and information derived from practical personal experience are especially desired, though speculation and logical suggestions can be helpful as well. Also feel free to point me to any resources that have helped you.

After a bit of brainstorming I personally was able to think of these solutions. Some I have already put into practice with positive results, others are ones I just thought of:

A.) Instead of mindlessly scribbling a reminder down and immediately pursuing other tasks or retreating to a more introspective state of mind to “contemplate more important things,” pause and take the time necessary to understand the meaning and rationale of the upcoming task.
B.) Place reminder items in places that you will definitely see or move to, such as on your car seat, pillow, shoes, book sack, alarm clock, etc.
C.) Carry your primary reminder item (e.g., a planner) with you wherever you go.
D.) This seems a bit humorous the more I think of it, but I think it would be useful to check your primary reminder item periodically, such as when leaving a location, arriving somewhere, or on an hourly basis.
E.) Carry a secondary, portable reminder item on your person at all times, such as a handheld notepad (and pen), and later transfer any recent reminders in them to your primary reminder item.
F.) Get sufficient sleep.
G.) Even if you think you’ll remember something, write it down.
H.) Write down reminders instantly—before you forget.
I.) Write down things like birthdays or anniversaries far in advance--again, before you forget.

So feel free to offer any solutions to this problem of forgetfulness. Thanks in advance.

 

[nanook]

dementia is bliss.

i just remember different things. things that matter substantially, as building blocks, in my world-view and philosophy. things that are not even "real". (subjective impressions, concepts).

i choose an unstructured live, that matches my spirit of subjective perception, and if it gets me killed, in the gutter. (call me INTJ LMAO)

i do have a couple of reminders though. like the paper with the banking pin in my purse, right beside the electronic card. good thing there is no money on the bank.

 

[TriflinThomas]

The answer is smartphones. Just kidding, but I do put reminders in places I'm sure to see them and I have a checklist widget on one of my home screens so I don't forget.

 

[GYX_Kid]

Yeah. Also if I have many scattered reminders saved on a digital device, I like to include some word marker in the note for later organized filing (example, "song:" if it's lyric ideas)

 

[EyeSeeCold]

I already write my thought streams and ideas down, but most of them don't ever get picked up again.

About this one:

I.) Write down things like birthdays or anniversaries far in advance--again, before you forget.

My problem is, except when I don't know the date at all(which is usually the case), I'll forget to remember. As in I know it, but my mind just doesn't connect that knowledge with the fact that the day is approaching or that it is here. Though I usually don't even place much importance in the event anyway.

 

[mu is mu]

dementia is bliss.

i just remember different things. things that matter substantially, as building blocks, in my world-view and philosophy. things that are not even "real". (subjective impressions, concepts).

i choose an unstructured live, that matches my spirit of subjective perception, and if it gets me killed, in the gutter. (call me INTJ LMAO)

i do have a couple of reminders though. like the paper with the banking pin in my purse, right beside the electronic card. good thing there is no money on the bank.

Interesting. I think I know what you mean. My brain seems to do an amazing job at remembering conceptual things, like what you mentioned, and establishing connections between concepts no matter how much time had passed regarding whenever I learned them. But whenever it comes to remembering certain things in everyday life/reality... well, let's just say I'm not exactly up to par with the SJs yet, although I've made an enormous amount of improvement and am still improving.

The answer is smartphones. Just kidding, but I do put reminders in places I'm sure to see them and I have a checklist widget on one of my home screens so I don't forget.

Lol, reading about all this forgetfulness and how INTPs counter it is starting to crack me up for some reason. We're so... out of touch. But on a more serious note, I think one of the key aspects in remembering things is, like you mention here, to place reminders in places where we'll definitely see/notice them.

Yeah. Also if I have many scattered reminders saved on a digital device, I like to include some word marker in the note for later organized filing (example, "song:" if it's lyric ideas)

That sounds like a wise idea. I also find it interesting that you mention music. Have you ever written some cues/reminders for a song idea only to later discover that you've forgotten the song and the cues aren't detailed enough to bring the song idea back?

I already write my thought streams and ideas down, but most of them don't ever get picked up again.

I do that occasionally. But every once in a while I'll manage to discover something that I think is important enough to develop fully.

About this one:

...

My problem is, except when I don't know the date at all(which is usually the case), I'll forget to remember. As in I know it, but my mind just doesn't connect that knowledge with the fact that the day is approaching or that it is here. Though I usually don't even place much importance in the event anyway.

That's very interesting. My ENTP brother is also like that. He knows the days on which people's birthdays occur but will often forget... until a day or two after.

But hey, since you're aware of the issue right now, why don't you go ahead and write the reminders down before your awareness of this disappears for an indefinite length of time (no offense)?

 

[MissQuote]

I have a serious habit of losing the planner, unfortunately.

I used to be way better at all this stuff about being a productive and effective human being. I don't know what happened. I think I had it together pretty good when I was 19, which was a rather long time ago. Everything was organised that year though.

 

[NinjaSurfer]

I don't feel like it is fair that we are forced to conform to strictured world
But it seems that this is what's normal

To each his/her own

Are you wanting strategies to cope with the normal world?

Or would you prefer living a more stress free life, allowing you to flourish as the absent minded professor you were meant to be?

It's tough living in "their" world

That best tangible advice I haven't heard mentioned is meditation!?

All the stuff, planners, google calendar, smartphones ==> brain damage for me

Find a profession and relationships that allow you to be you is my best general advice

People who don't understand should be given 3-strikes of patience then cut from your life

 

[Hadoblado]

In regard to problems of birthdays and such, I openly tell people I do not care for their birthday or any other sort of factual detail about them. I care about the person and the means by which we relate, anything else would be an empty gesture. If people do not accept this, then it is quite possible I don't care for them in the first place.