Memory loss??

[burbuja0512]

To give you guys an update - the new job that I started on March 5 is going really well. I love it! There are tons of genuinely nice people who are sincerely excited to have me on board. Some background: I am working at a prominent non-profit medical organization that has TONS of amazing products (content) but has never had a sales team. I love it, but it seems like my position as Head of Global Sales is very overdue. It's so fun but I am literally having to go into work at 6:30am and then stay until 6:00pm. The reason for this is that I am booked solid from around 9 or 9:30 to 4 or 4:30.

I am always really very composed in meetings and always have my ducks in a row, but today on meeting #5, I was going to a product discussion. I had already developed pricing for the product and was an important part of the meeting. When it came for my turn to speak, I totally forgot to bring my materials! WOW.. so embarrassing! The CTO was in the meeting as was a couple of other key people and I looked like an idiot. It's a good thing that I can BS pretty well and pulled it off, but I was actually worried about my memory.

I am learning about the over 5,000 different product offerings my organization has along with a gazillion other things.. so maybe it's just overload, lack of sleep. Am I getting old? I just have never been that unprepared for a meeting that should have really highlighted my skills!

I won't be too hard on myself, I think I'm doing well so far and have gotten lots of positive feedback. I just don't want to lose my memory! I have never been good at following a calendar because I always just remember every detail, so I don't really even know how to organize myself if I can't rely on what used to be a good memory


Thoughts?

[LaterBloomer]

Oh, gosh. If that isn't a waking nightmare, I don't know what is. Congratulations on sailing through rocky shoals.

As for a calendar, they're mandatory in my offce. If folks want to shedule meetings, etc., rather than calling back and forth, we check the Outlook calendar.

It's wonderful that the job is working out so well for you.

[mrs.b]

Grr! My computer is misbehaving and overwrote my original post with the edited-to-add. Oh well. Basically just said you're likely just stressed and need some R&R after moving your family and starting a new job. But some memory aids - stickie notes, email reminders, calendar usage - go a long way in helping to retain need-to-know information.

Edited to add:

Oh, forgot to suggest...

Have you considered getting yourself an assistant to help put details together and/or manage calendars? Your employer might not be willing to get you one, but virtual assistants are readily available through various websites. Odesk.com has a format where you can hire direct and pay as a contractor, and since they are contractors and bid their own value, you may be able to get some help for just a few bucks a week. Just a suggestion that might help you streamline your life adjustments and new job requirements, but I still think you will probably be fine after a relaxing weekend!

[Leebo]

So, it sounds like you are extremely busy for all hours of every work day, and you made one mistake.

I'm sure you're super proud of the job and your accomplishments, and they're definitely impressive, but the topic reads like a humblebrag =)

[Lindagerr]

As we get older our memory can start to go and we forget things, I have been having some problems pulling words out that are on tip of my tongue. I thought this was old age then I remembered at one of the first job interviews I ever did I was so nervous it was amazing I remembered my own name (and I was only 21) then I realized as time went on and I knew more about my areas of expertise I would still totally lose important words when I needed them during the interview. Now I realize the higher the stress level I am under the more likely I am to forget not just words but events and appointments.

It sounds like you are under an extremely high stress level and you may have to write yourself list. Either before you go to bed at night or first thing in the morning make a list of everything you need to remember, just for that day. That way you are not overwhelmed trying to remember everything you need for the next week. During the day cross out things as done (this is a great feeling and lessens the stress a little) and add notes of things you need to add or remember for tomorrow. Once your overall stress level has stabilized you will need reminders less often. Just don't let the stress of thinking you are loosing your memory add to the stress you already have.

[burbuja0512]

Oh, forgot to suggest...

Have you considered getting yourself an assistant to help put details together and/or manage calendars? Your employer might not be willing to get you one, but virtual assistants are readily available through various websites. Odesk.com has a format where you can hire direct and pay as a contractor, and since they are contractors and bid their own value, you may be able to get some help for just a few bucks a week. Just a suggestion that might help you streamline your life adjustments and new job requirements, but I still think you will probably be fine after a relaxing weekend!

Thank you! I actually do have an assistant.. but the problem is that since there wasn't anyone in my position, she was managing quite a bit of the responsibility that I now have. She's so smart and really interested in moving up the career ladder and based on all the work she handled before I got there, I think she's earned it. So I'm actually giving her more responsibility that will help me in the long run, but I'm not giving her my small tasks. My goal is to change her title by the end of the year if I can get her trained on some of the sales aspect of the job. This will be a great opportunity for her and will allow me to hire another assistant

[bluebooger]

I keep meaning to reply to this thread, but I keep forgetting