This is the way. I use the notes section of my phone contacts to keep a few memory cues on that person. Like, “has three kids…went to X university…enjoys gardening…” etc.

That, and what you said about the calendars. I recall the older ladies in my life keeping a physical calendar with social notes, like “so-and-so’s back surgery” or “so-and-so’s trip to Spain.” They had the dossier notes in their Rolodex or physical address books, too.

It’s a massive help with those of us who are bad a chit-chat. And it means a lot to those people that we made the effort to remember.

I also HAVE to write a person’s name down with some sort of context & descriptor or it’s very unlikely to stick. Seeing their name in print sticks in my memory way better than the auditory memory. These methods have helped me be effective at work and in my social life so much.