Haruto's Big Challenge: The Shopping List

2025-07-01 00:00:00 / episode: 444

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Welcome to Haruto's Memory Mastery, where we follow one IT consultant's journey to improve his memory in English business settings. Today, we'll explore serial recall—a technique for remembering sequences—and how it can transform your ability to remember lists, requirements, and instructions. Let's join Haruto as he faces his first memory challenge.

CHAPTER 1: THE CHALLENGE

Haruto Tanaka had just been promoted to client relationship manager at TechBridge Consulting in Tokyo. After three years as a backend developer, he was finally moving to a client-facing role.

For Haruto, this promotion was exciting—but also nerve-wracking. As a developer, he could rely on written specifications and documentation. In his new role, he would need to remember client requirements, often discussed only in conversation.

Today was his first solo client meeting with an American fintech company.

Haruto sat in a glass-walled meeting room, facing Kevin Smith from FinTech Solutions.

So based on our discussion, here's what we need for the initial phase: user authentication, transaction processing, reporting dashboard, mobile compatibility, and API integration. Can your team deliver all these within three months?

Haruto nodded confidently, but internally he was panicking. He understood each term individually, but the complete list was already fading from his memory. He would normally take notes, but his manager had told him American clients prefer consultants who can engage directly without constantly writing things down.

Yes, I believe we can meet that timeline. Our team has experience with similar projects.

As he continued the conversation, Haruto kept trying to mentally repeat the requirements list, but it wasn't working. By the time Kevin left, Haruto was worried that he had missed something important.

CHAPTER 2: FRUSTRATION

Later that afternoon, Director Yamamoto called Haruto into his office.

They need user authentication, transaction processing... um...

Haruto's mind went blank. He couldn't remember the other items, even though the meeting had only been a few hours ago.

I believe there was something about a dashboard...

Tanaka-san, in your new role, you must remember these details. Our clients expect us to truly understand their needs. Please be better prepared next time.

Haruto left the office feeling embarrassed and worried. Was his promotion a mistake? He had always been technically skilled, but client-facing work required different abilities. I need to find a way to remember these lists better, or I won't last in this position.

CHAPTER 3: DISCOVERY

That evening, Haruto stayed late at the office, searching online for memory improvement techniques. Mei Sato, a senior consultant known for her excellent memory, noticed him looking frustrated.

Tough day?

Is it that obvious?

A little. What's going on?

  Haruto explained his difficulty remembering the client requirements.

I knew them during the meeting, but when the director asked me later, they were just... gone.

I had the same problem when I started. Have you heard of the phonological loop?

No, what's that?

It's the part of your working memory that handles verbal information. Like a voice recorder in your mind. The good news is you can train it to hold more.

She took out her phone and opened a simple app.

Let's try something. I'll say some numbers, and you repeat them: 4, 7, 2.

4, 7, 2.

Now try: 8, 3, 6, 1, 9.

8, 3, 6... um... 1 and something else?

That's your current capacity limit. But with practice, you can extend it. It's called serial recall training, and it's particularly useful for people working across languages.

So I can actually improve this?

Definitely. Our memory isn't fixed—it's like a muscle that gets stronger with training.

How do I practice?

Start with sequences you can manage, then gradually add one more item. Focus on the sounds, not just the meaning. And practice in both Japanese and English—it strengthens the neural pathways.

Over the next three days, Haruto practiced diligently.

During his morning commute, he used a digit span training app on his phone. The app spoke random number sequences, and he had to repeat them back.

9, 2, 7, 4.

Correct! Next level: 3, 8, 1, 5, 6.

At lunchtime, he practiced with lists of technical terms.

API, GUI, SQL, JSON, XML.

In the evening, he created lists of common client requirements and tested his recall.

Authentication, processing, dashboard, compatibility, integration.

He discovered that focusing on the sound patterns helped him remember more effectively. He also found that immediately rehearsing information after hearing it significantly improved his retention.

Each day, his capacity improved slightly. By the third day, he could consistently remember six-item sequences.

CHAPTER 5: CULTURAL ELEMENT

The next day during lunch, Haruto discussed memory approaches with colleagues.

In school, we memorized so much information through repetition, but I never thought about actively training my memory for work.

I've noticed our American clients seem to expect us to remember details from conversations without writing everything down. It's different from how we typically work here.

Yes, there's a cultural difference. In many Western business settings, excessive note-taking can be seen as disengagement or lack of understanding. They value the ability to maintain eye contact and relationship while processing information.

So memory training isn't just about ability—it's about cultural adaptation too.

Exactly. In Japan, we often rely on meticulous notes and documented specifications. In international business, sometimes you need to absorb information in the moment.

This realization gave Haruto even more motivation to improve his memory skills. It wasn't just about impressing his boss—it was about bridging different business cultures.

CHAPTER 6: APPLICATION

A week later, Haruto had a follow-up meeting with Kevin from FinTech Solutions. This time, he was prepared.

Let's review what we discussed last time, and I'll add some new requirements as well.

Haruto took a deep breath, ready to focus on the sounds of Kevin's words.

So we need: user authentication, transaction processing, reporting dashboard, mobile compatibility, and API integration. Plus, we'd also like to add multi-currency support and regulatory compliance features.

As Kevin spoke, Haruto mentally rehearsed each item, focusing on the sound pattern. He visualized the seven items as distinct but connected components.

So that's user authentication, transaction processing, reporting dashboard, mobile compatibility, API integration, multi-currency support, and regulatory compliance. I'll discuss these with our development team and prepare a timeline for all seven components.

Great! You really understand what we need. That gives me confidence in your team.

CHAPTER 7: SUCCESS

After the meeting, Director Yamamoto stopped by Haruto's desk.

How did it go? What are they asking for now?

This was the moment of truth. Haruto took a quick breath.

They require user authentication, transaction processing, reporting dashboard, mobile compatibility, API integration, and they've added multi-currency support and regulatory compliance features.

Director Yamamoto looked surprised, then impressed.

Much better, Tanaka-san. I'll inform the development team right away. You seem to have found your footing in your new role.

As the director walked away, Mei passed by and gave Haruto a subtle thumbs-up. He felt a wave of relief and accomplishment.

CHAPTER 8: REFLECTION

That evening, Haruto updated his personal development journal.

One week ago, I struggled to remember five items. Today, I confidently recalled seven requirements without notes. My goal is to extend my recall to ten items by the end of the month.

He realized this was just the beginning of his memory journey. While he could now remember lists better, he still struggled with remembering information for longer periods and under pressure. But this first success gave him confidence that he could develop the memory skills needed for his new role.

I wonder what other memory techniques I could learn to become even more effective...

Little did he know, his memory challenges were just beginning. In his next client meeting, he would face an even greater test—remembering precise technical specifications through the fog of unfamiliar business jargon.

Serial recall training strengthens what cognitive scientists call the "phonological loop"—the part of working memory that handles sound-based information. By practicing with progressively longer sequences, you can increase both the capacity and duration of your verbal memory.

To practice this technique yourself:

Start with sequences you can comfortably remember
Gradually increase the length by one item at a time
Practice daily for 5-10 minutes
Use varied material: numbers, words, phrases
Focus on the sounds as you repeat them mentally

In our next episode, we'll join Haruto as he learns "Shadowing with Increasing Delay" to better remember technical specifications. Until then, happy practicing!