Being more self-sufficient

I've noticed this week that I kept running into all kinds of little things that I would have forgotten or messed up on. I don't usually forget important things that often, but this week it's at least one thing everyday; it's really getting a little annoying because it's not Murphy's Law spiting me but plain forgetting. It's only a good thing that it's only things at home, and not outside.

For example, I may forget to have pressed down the button for a rice cooker so the rice will cook instead of turn into something like congee, or not get a haircut until it gets really long or my mom tells me to.

As for the topic on hand, one of my flaws is I usually need a reminder of some sort for almost everything. In other words I don't always remember everything that needs to be done.

I'm wondering if anyone here have some tips on remembering things more easily. I had an idea of having paper and a pencil and write them down, but if possible I want to be more self-sufficient without the need of stickies or reminders.

In other words, I want to try to be more like the man that can remember everything that needs to be done without a single reminder, rather than the man who needs a secretary to keep track of most things.