Have you ever met someone and within seconds completely forgotten their name? Remembering people's names is crucial if you want to build strong relationships in life. And we all know strong relationships are one of the most important factors for a productive and successful life. So why is it so difficult to remember someone's name? And what can we do to make sure we're not left in an awkward situation where we utter those fatal words: "sorry–what was your name again?"One of the key reasons we forget names is that we don't "focus" our attention on them. As soon as we're introduced to someone new, our thoughts are racing ahead to think of "what to say next" and we pay no attention to the name we've just been told. Not only is it embarrassing when this happens, it can also severely damage new relationships.On the flip side, one of the quickest and easiest ways to build rapport and demonstrate your respect for someone – is to use their name when you're speaking to them. You may have noticed that successful people who carry a lot of authority in their jobs often use people's names when they're speaking.There are a few things you can do to help you with this. For example: 1. Focus and listen intently. 2. Repeat the name. 3. Associate the name. 4. Rhyme (使押韵) the name. 5. Note facial features.As you can see, there are many ways to increase your memory when it comes to remembering people's names. And in my experience it really is worth making the effort, especially if it means you escape that dreaded phrase: "Sorry what was your name again?" Why not try using one of these tips next time you're introduced to someone? Who knows – it could be the start of a really important relationship in your life? What is the crucial reason why we couldn't remember people's names?