To Remember Names
The problem then is to first equalize the impressions of the face and name so that each will last and can be recalled with equal ease. The impression of the face was made by your physical eye; at the same time there is your mind's eye faculty which is dormant, not being used. With it you can learn to make an impression of the name upon your brain which will be as strong as the face impression made by the eye.
In order to recall with equal ease two mental impressions, they must be made with equal strength.
When you meet a stranger his face becomes a picture impression upon the brain, the first impression of the name is made by the ear, but it can easily and quickly be made into a mind's eye picture which will be many times more available. This mind's eye picture can be unusual, exaggerated, and moving, so that its strength can be regulated at will. The result will be two visual impressions, the face by the eye, the name by the mind's eye. These can be equalized by repetition so that when you recognize the face it will be possible to recall the name as well. Let us adapt the former illustration and we have a picture of the face and a picture of the name impressed upon the brain.
Instead of retaining only the slight impression made by the ear, you can have two impressions, both made by the sense of sight. Apply this knowledge, and remembering names will become a much simpler matter.
The Name Picture
When you heard the word Tie spoken you quickly transferred the ear impression into a mind's eye picture of a TIE. Do the same with the name of Mr. Penn. This is a word which has a definite meaning and it suggests a concrete picture. You can see the pen; see all the details of its shape, size, markings, etc. See this in your mind's eye, visualize this picture of the word pen. It can be exaggerated and you can animate it and put it into motion with many unusual or ludicrous circumstances. In other words, this Name Picture can be as firmly impressed upon your brain as you wish it to be.