Working memory is your brain’s ability to hold and manipulate information in the moment. It allows you to remember the first half of a sentence while reading the second, keep track of next steps in a meeting, and juggle multiple tasks without losing focus.

Unlike long-term memory, working memory is limited and highly sensitive to distractions. Think of it as your mental “RAM.” It is essential for decision-making, problem-solving, and productivity at work.

“...Life comes at us, and it comes at us very quickly, and what we need to do is to take that amorphous flow of experience and somehow extract meaning from it with a working memory that's about the size of a pea.” - Educational Psychologist, Peter Doolittle

Why working memory matters for work

Strong working memory helps you:

• Follow complex conversations without missing details

• Prioritize tasks and avoid dropping action items

• Stay focused when switching between projects

• Turn meetings into clear, actionable next steps

For example, think about a sprint planning session where tasks are flying around the room. Strong working memory helps you keep track of what was just discussed while anticipating the next point. Or consider a client call where expectations are laid out quickly. It makes the difference between leaving with a clear list of deliverables versus trying to reconstruct the details from memory later.

When working memory is low, you may notice:

• Forgetting details right after hearing them

• Losing track of tasks midway through

• Struggling to prioritize or organize information

What impacts working memory?

Several factors influence how well your working memory functions:

• Stress and overload: Too much input can overwhelm your mental bandwidth. When three Slack threads, a Linear update, and a Zoom call all hit at once, your brain struggles to decide what deserves focus.

• Sleep and rest: A tired brain struggles to hold onto information. Late-night work or skipping breaks can reduce recall the next day.

• Environment: Constant interruptions reduce your ability to focus. If you are trying to absorb a design review while monitoring email pings, your verbal memory is already working at a disadvantage.

• Tools and systems: Relying on memory alone to manage tasks adds unnecessary strain. Without support, important details from a meeting or brainstorm are easy to lose.

Researchers often explain these challenges through Baddeley’s Model of Working Memory, one of the most widely used frameworks. It describes four components that work together:

• Central Executive: Directs attention and focus. Stress or heavy multitasking can overload this system, making it harder to prioritize.

• Phonological Loop: Handles verbal and auditory information. Distractions during a conversation reduce its efficiency.

• Visuospatial Sketchpad: Manages visual and spatial data. Fatigue makes it harder to process diagrams, designs, or layouts.

• Episodic Buffer: Integrates information from different inputs and links it to long-term memory. Overload here weakens your ability to connect new ideas with what you already know.

Source: UX Stalin / Wikipedia

This breakdown shows that “low working memory” is not one single issue. You might recall spoken information easily but struggle with visuals, or you may multitask well until the central executive (your attention and focus) runs out of capacity.

Other models and theories exist, and some researchers question whether working memory can be divided so neatly. Even so, Baddeley’s Model offers a practical way to understand why working memory falters and how different systems respond under pressure.

Quick Check: Do You Struggle With Working Memory?

• Do you often forget what you were about to do?

• Do you lose track of conversations or instructions midway?

• Do you need to re-read information multiple times to understand it?

• Do you rely heavily on sticky notes or reminders to stay on track?

• Do you feel scattered when switching between tasks?

If you answered “yes” to several, you may benefit from improving working memory with the strategies in this article.

How to improve working memory

The good news: working memory is not fixed. You can strengthen it with the right habits and systems.

1. Reduce cognitive load

You have probably heard this before: write things down instead of juggling them in your head. Offloading information frees up mental space for deeper thinking. With apps like Radiant, action items from your calls are captured and organized automatically, so you can focus on the conversation itself.

2. Improve memory awork with structured systems

Use tools that automatically capture and organize meeting notes, tasks, and follow-ups. This prevents important details from slipping through. For example, instead of trying to remember who owned a task from your weekly standup, you can review the notes Radiant captured and move directly to execution.

This approach is part of what many call personal knowledge management: creating a reliable system outside your brain to store, organize, and retrieve important information. A good PKM system strengthens your working memory by making sure you always know where to find details, projects, and ideas when you need them.

3. Strengthen with practice

Exercises like learning a new language, playing memory-based games, or practicing mental math can sharpen your working memory over time. Even structured brainstorming with teammates can provide a workout, as you actively hold and connect multiple ideas at once.

Try This Quick Working Memory Exercise

You can strengthen your working memory with small daily practices. Here’s a simple exercise you can try right now:

1. Choose a short number or word sequence. For example: 4 – 9 – 2 – 7 – 6.
   
   

2. Read it once. Then close your eyes and repeat it backward: 6 – 7 – 2 – 9 – 4.
   
   

3. Increase the challenge. Add more digits or switch to words. For example: book – chair – light – phone – pen. Say them backward, then forward again without looking.
   
   

4. Add variation. Mix verbal and visual elements. For instance, look at a simple diagram, close your eyes, and redraw it from memory.

This short practice activates your phonological loop (for words and numbers) and your visuospatial sketchpad (for images). Over time, these small challenges help train your brain to hold and manipulate information more effectively.

4. Optimize your environment

Limit distractions, block focus time, and keep your workspace clear. Clear desk, clear mind. The same applies digitally: shutting down unused tabs and muting Slack during deep work is the online version of tidying your desk.

5. Prioritize rest and recovery

Adequate sleep, regular breaks, and short walks improve recall and focus. A well-rested brain holds onto information longer. Even a quick reset between meetings can make it easier to recall the discussion later.

Five-Minute Habits to Strengthen Working Memory

• Repeat new information out loud to reinforce recall.

• Sketch a quick diagram of what you just heard.

• Pause after a meeting to write down two or three key takeaways.

• Summarize a conversation to yourself in one sentence.

• Challenge yourself to remember a short list backward and forward.

Bringing it back to work

You do not need to rely solely on your brain to remember everything. By understanding what working memory is, recognizing what impacts it, and adopting strategies for how to improve working memory, you set yourself up for sharper thinking and better execution.

Professionals are increasingly relying on external systems to extend their memory. This concept, sometimes called “cognitive offloading,” allows you to free up mental space for higher-level thinking. 

Tools like Radiant not only capture your meetings but also organize your knowledge, moving toward a future where your working memory and your digital memory work seamlessly together.

FAQs

What is working memory in simple terms?
It is your brain’s ability to temporarily hold and use information, like remembering a phone number long enough to dial it.

How can I tell if I have low working memory?
Frequent forgetfulness, trouble staying organized, or difficulty following multi-step instructions can be signs of low working memory.

What are the symptoms of a poor working memory?
Common symptoms include losing track of instructions, needing frequent reminders, forgetting what you were just about to do, or struggling to keep information in mind long enough to act on it.

What is the best way to improve memory at work?
Combine habits like writing things down and minimizing distractions with supportive tools that capture tasks and details automatically.

Do people with ADHD have good working memory?
People with ADHD often experience significant challenges with working memory. Studies have shown that adults with ADHD struggled on working memory tests requiring rapid processing. Psychologist Russell Barkley has described working memory as “your brain’s GPS,” and explains that ADHD is not a disorder of knowing what to do, but of doing what you know. In the workplace, this can translate into difficulties with organization, deadlines, and task management.

I have ADHD, how can I improve my working memory?
Working memory can be tough with ADHD, but there are ways to make it easier:

• Use notes, planners, PKM tools or reminders so you don’t have to keep everything in your head.

• Break big tasks into smaller steps.

• Try brain training exercises. They can help, especially with similar tasks.

• Stick to routines to reduce mental load.

• Minimize distractions around you.

• Repeat info to yourself to help it stick.

• Getting support through therapy or medication can also make a difference.

The key is finding what works for you and building strategies that fit your life.

What is the difference between working memory and short-term memory?
Short-term memory refers to the temporary storage of information for a brief period, usually seconds to a minute, without active processing. For example, remembering a phone number long enough to dial it. 

On the other hand, working memory is a more complex system that not only holds information temporarily but also actively manipulates and processes it. Working memory is like a mental workspace for reasoning, decision-making, problem-solving, and guiding behavior.