| As a young man getting started with my own | | | | otherwise known as suspenders. "Wow, that |
| business, I found that being tall, dark, and | | | | looks really good," my brother said. It was |
| handsome simply made me blend in with all of my | | | | perfect. I fully equipped my wardrobe with an |
| devilishly, good-looking compatriots. It didn't take a | | | | assortment of silk braces and started to wear |
| rocket scientist to know that if I was going to | | | | them everywhere. |
| make it in my town, I needed my own memory | | | | Receiving mixed reviews on my fashion choice |
| hook; a distinct thing that made me noticeable and | | | | didn't bother me in the slightest. Some people |
| memorable. | | | | gave me compliments. Others said I looked |
| One night, at an after-hours business event, I | | | | strange. Some looked me straight in the eye and |
| decided to look around the room to kick up some | | | | told me how great I looked, although it was |
| fresh ideas. | | | | obvious that wasn't their true opinion. Regardless |
| "What about a hat?" I thought to myself. "No. I | | | | of what the comments were, one thing was for |
| enjoy having a full head of hair. I don't want to | | | | sure: everybody noticed them. |
| cover that up." | | | | Within only a few months, some were referring |
| "What about wearing tennis shoes with my suit?" | | | | to me as "Suspender Guy" or "The guy who |
| Suddenly, I pictured Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump. | | | | always wears suspenders." With my suspenders, |
| "No. That's not quite the image I'm trying to build." | | | | people found it easy to remember who I was, |
| Then, I noticed a younger man at the cocktail | | | | what I looked like, and what I did. I finally had a |
| party who looked like he just rolled out of bed. | | | | way for people to not just remember me, but to |
| You see, the trend nowadays is to look like you | | | | remember my business as well. They would say, |
| don't care about your looks. Tousled hair, | | | | "Yes, I met a guy who does that. Oh, what's his |
| untucked shirt, fringes at the end of each pant | | | | name? He wears suspenders all the time. Oh, yes, |
| leg: these are some of the pieces meticulously | | | | Tom Richard." Perfect. |
| assembled to create the "I don't care what I look | | | | Having a memory hook separates you from the |
| like" look. | | | | countless people seen every day. It is noticeable, |
| I knew this wasn't my style. I'm a tucked-in shirt | | | | grabs attention and sparks interest. It also acts as |
| kind of guy. I needed something a little more | | | | a mental label to organize and store information. |
| substantial. Images of Tucker Carlson came into | | | | When you think of a memory hook, your mind |
| my head as I briefly considered a bowtie. | | | | recalls all of the other pieces of information that |
| Unfortunately, my abnormally large head would | | | | are associated with it. It's like smelling garlic and |
| look even larger with a colorful bowtie directly | | | | immediately thinking of not just Grandma's classic |
| beneath it. | | | | spaghetti, but remembering with detail the sights, |
| So, for a few weeks I gave up, until I went suit | | | | smells and sounds of her kitchen. |
| shopping with my brother. Browsing through Neil's | | | | Being unique and memorable should not be by |
| Men's Shop, I picked out some nice shirt and tie | | | | pure happenstance. It is your choice. With a |
| combos. As I was trying out the first set, the | | | | memory hook, you can help create unforgettable |
| nice salesman laid out other products for me to | | | | relationships at networking functions and even |
| consider. Well, wouldn't you know, he laid out | | | | create a notable reputation. You memory hook |
| exactly what I needed. | | | | doesn't have to be something you wear. It can be |
| Lying together, proudly coordinated, my shirt and | | | | a unique business card, nametag, or even |
| tie combo had found a new friend: silk braces, | | | | introduction. Whatever it is, make it memorable. |