Digital life · 10 min
A reminder that actually helps
One well-worded phone or speaker reminder, at the right time and in the right place, for the thing that keeps being forgotten.
Phones and smart speakers can remind us of almost anything, and many reminders get swiped away without a second look. A reminder that actually helps is specific, timed for when you can act on it, and tied to something you already do.
The steps
Four small steps,in your own time.
Choose one thing that keeps being forgotten: a medicine, a glass of water, a phone call, a stretch.
Set the reminder for the moment you can act, not just the moment you remember it, for example after breakfast, when the kettle is on.
Word it as an action, with the detail you need: "Take the white tablet with water" rather than "Medicines".
When it goes off, do the thing straight away, or snooze it once for a fixed time. After a week, check whether it is working, and change the time or the words if not.
The reason
Why it helps
Reminders tied to an existing habit are easier to act on, because you are already in the right place. Clear words mean less thinking at a busy moment. Reviewing after a week keeps reminders useful rather than noise.
A gentle variation
If someone you look after finds phones hard, a talking clock, a smart speaker or a written note on the kettle may work better. A pharmacist can advise on pill boxes with the days of the week and other ways to keep track of medicines.
WE · TRIBE
Try itwith someone.
Set the reminder up with the person it is for, using their words and their times. If you are worried about doses being missed, agree together how you will check, so it does not feel like being watched.
Try it today
Today, set one reminder for one thing that keeps being forgotten, worded as an action, at the moment you can do it.
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