[nathanasmith]

Here's a couple of practical tips.

A very powerful method for remembering facts long term is spaced repetition. There's a go-to app called Anki that makes it easy to get started. A good write up on how it works and why is here: https://gwern.net/spaced-repetition

If you want a neat way to help with more "absent minded" type stuff, just associate whatever you're trying to remember with something unusual in your environment. For example say you're driving home and you want to make sure you stop by the store to get milk on the way. If you wear a watch, flip the watch the other way around on your wrist. Now every time you notice your watch you'll immediately think, "oh yeah the milk." If you don't wear a watch just pick something else in your vicinity and arrange it in an unusual way. Every time you see that object you'll immediately recall the thing you don't want to forget.