If you, like me, are standing in the kitchen, wondering why you walked in there, you might be dealing with the challenges of an aging brain. Here's a helpful hint: Practice visualization before you leave the room!
When you stood up to walk into the kitchen, you were likely using your frontal cortex, which doesn't age very well. You'll notice this disability when a word or a thought feels like it's "on the tip of your tongue" but you just can't remember it. As your frontal cortex ages, you'll sometimes have a harder time remembering just the right word, or the name of a movie that you've seen 100 times. You might feel the upsetting experience of being unable to "get it" as someone explains an insurance change or a new technology.
I am happy to say - There IS a solution! (although I forget it about once every second- ha ha)
Use the forever young ( and forever fun of course) part of your brain that helps you engage in visualization. Supplement your check list with a few minutes of imagining yourself completing your various tasks for the day, before you stand up from your office chair, take 30 seconds or so and imagine retrieving the object or having the conversation before you leave your space to do it. Before you go into a meeting, imagine yourself focusing on the conversations and demonstrations that matter most to you, and leaving with a new great idea or an improved understanding between you and a colleague.
If you've never practiced visualization, you can start with something very familiar like an apple. close your eyes and Imagine an apple. Feel the weight of it in your hand. Imagine the way it feels, and then imagine the taste, the feel of the apple on your teeth etc. The more details the better. After you can visualize an apple, try visualizing yourself brushing your teeth. Before you know it, you'll be able to visualize yourself completing your to-do list, remembering the reason you walked upstairs, and accomplishing your biggest goal.
Well, off I go to visualize remembering the location of my car keys. FUN!
I love you and your aging brains, especially the forever young and fun parts.