Why Rely on Your Brain When You’ve Got a Smartphone? A Senior’s Guide to Using Your Smartphone to Capture Instructions You’ll Never Remember

I knew I was in trouble.

I was in my basement. The plumber was giving me a walk-through of the new water softener he just installed. As he started in about the buttons, levers, maintenance and magic incantations, I had a sinking feeling.

Because I knew I’d never remember most of what he was saying.

Then it hit me… not the plumber, an idea! Why trust my memory when I have a smartphone that can remember everything for me?

So I asked John (the plumber), if he could start over so I could record his dog and pony show. He agreed!

With a quick tap on “record,” I could capture everything I needed to know without lifting a mental finger.

Since then, this trick has been a game-changer for me. And it can be for you, too!

Below, I’ll share my tips, how-tos and some other situations where this will come in handy. Let’s dive in!

Why Hit Record? (Because Remembering is Overrated)

Let’s be honest: there’s only so much space in the brain, and it’s already packed with vital information (like where you hid the spare house key in 1972). So why waste precious memory on the 12-step maintenance routine of a water softener?

The beauty of recording these moments is that you never have to wrack your brain for the details. If you ever forget (or just don’t want to remember), you can pull out your phone, watch the video, and get the info straight from the source without calling in reinforcements.

Bonus Uses: Other Times This Technique is a Lifesaver

Cable guy explaining your new Universal remote? Record it!

This isn’t just for the water softener! Here are a few more times when hitting record could be your new best friend:

When Your Grandkids Teach You a New App

Kids today can make technology look easy. So the next time they’re showing you how to edit a photo or find old family pictures, get it on video—you’ll thank yourself later.

When a Doctor Explains Something Complicated

We all know the “I’ll remember this” feeling that fades as soon as you leave the doctor’s office. Record their instructions (if they don’t mind), and rewatch them later for a handy refresh on what to do or look out for.

When Learning New Gadgets or Recipes

Get a new car and the salesperson is explaining all its fancy gizmos? Friend sharing a new recipe for yet another “World’s Best Potato Salad? Cable guy giving you a tutorial on the new remove – you know, the one with 58 buttons? Pull out the phone and record these things so you don’t have to wing it down the road.

How to Do It: A Step-by-Step Guide to Capturing All the Action

Here’s the foolproof, step-by-step guide to recording your next lesson or setup instructions:

Step 1: Pull Out the Phone
Now, we all know this dance—the moment when someone launches into a detailed explanation just as you’re fumbling with your phone. Politely ask them to hold on for a sec while you summon your inner filmmaker and switch to “recording mode.” A quick “Hang on, let me get my camera ready” does the trick.
Step 2: Open the Camera AppAn app (short for application) is a program that helps you do specific tasks on your smartphone, tab... More
Keep it simple—no need for fancy apps or high production values. Just open your phone’s built-in camera and switch to video. This isn’t about becoming the next Scorsese; it’s about saving your sanity!
Step 3: Hit Record (and Don’t Worry About Shaky Hands)
Tap that red button, and don’t sweat it if the video’s a little wobbly or less than Oscar-worthy. You’re not winning a film award here; you’re winning at life by not having to remember anything! Just make sure the important parts are in the frame, and you’re golden.

Extra Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Recording

Let’s add a few tips to make sure you’ve got all your bases covered. This will make the recording as useful as possible for future you:

Get Close-Up Shots
If they’re talking about a specific lever or button, get the camera close enough so you can see exactly what they’re pointing at. (But not too close, unless you want an unexpected shower when you zoomZoom is a versatile video conferencing platform that enables users to connect and collaborate remote... More in on the wrong part of the plumbing!)
Ask for a Summary at the End
A little “Can you give me the main steps again in one quick go?” at the end of your recording can save you some serious time when you rewatch it later. Think of it as the cheat sheet at the end of a long lecture.
Label Your Video (So You Don’t Confuse Your Water Softener with Your TV Remote!)
Once you’re done recording, name the video something that’ll make sense to you later. Nothing’s worse than scrolling through 47 “Untitled Videos” and realizing you just can’t find the one you need. A label like “Water Softener Instructions” will save you from reliving that particular nightmare.