Some people think I’m extra organized because I always enter notes in my iPhone. The truth is I have the world’s worst memory. I can remember faces not names, directions not addresses, cereal not the milk. I’ve finally taken a few steps to try to improve my memory or at least fake that I have a better memory than I do.

Add an attachment to your e-mail before you write your message. I’ve tried this several times and so far, so good. At least my friends and clients have stopped sending me e-mails—some of them in an annoying tone—asking about attachments I was supposed to include.

Set a timer one to two hours before you need to leave for an appointment. I enter appointments—personal and business—in my iPhone but sometimes I forget to check my schedule first thing in the morning. The timer on my iPhone reminds me to get ready early so I’m not scrambling to leave.

Give yourself a two-day cushion for deadlines. You know that sinking feeling when you realize a deadline is minutes away and you’re not finished with a project? If you plan ahead, you can do a better job of scheduling your time and avoiding missed deadlines. And you can keep your stress level down.

At the beginning of the year, enter birthdays and other special occasions in whatever planning system you use. You’ll be less likely to forget important dates and offend your friends and clients. Have you ever called someone who thanks you for remembering his or her birthday—that’s not why you called because you forgot—then you quickly enter the date in your calendar for next year? I have, but I’m not going to admit which friend I’ve done that to. Several greeting card companies including Blue Mountain offer free, online reminder programs so you can send e-cards at the last minute.