The Forgetting Curve: How Memory Techniques Help You Beat It (Without Endless Reviews)
Jul 13, 2026
Hermann Ebbinghaus is remembered mostly for discovering the forgetting curve. Open any psychology textbook, any blog devoted to a flashcard app or any study-tips listicle, and you’ll find his name alongside a distinctive graph.
Memory expert Tony Buzan called it the most important graph in the world. That’s because its iconic line shows memory plummeting within hours of learning something new, then flattening out over days.
Countless discussions of how to reduce forgetting give you the same tidy recommendations. Usually they tell you to review your study materials at intervals, just at the point you’re starting to forget.
That way, many authors promise, you’ll beat the curve.
The problem, just one of many you’ll discover today, is this:
Ebbinghaus didn’t discover the forgetting curve. He discovered his forgetting curve.
He was one man, testing his own memory, on one kind of material, using one method.
And although the forgetting curve is indeed one of the most repeatable and reproducible principles in the history of scientific studies, reproducibility in laboratory settings does not mean you’ll stop forgetting by using the conventional recommendations.
Besides, here’s something almost no one else will tell you:
The deepest principles the Ebbinghaus experiments revealed were already written down more than two thousand years earlier by Aristotle.
You’ll find them in a short treatise that describes something remarkably close to using a Memory Palace in combination with the same kind of serial positioning Ebbinghaus described as a means for reducing forgetting.
So today I’m going to cover a few aspects of the forgetting curve all serious users of memory techniques need to know.
These are points I’ve been putting off writing about for a long time. However, a few emails and comments I’ve received over the past few years have convinced me that now is finally the time.
Especially since I’ve spent decades memorizing poetry, scripture, mantras, complex terms, the names of people from various backgrounds and vocabulary and phrases in multiple languages.
And I’ve done this all while teaching thousands of students to do the same. From where I sit as a practitioner, the forgetting curve is real, useful and badly misunderstood.
But treated correctly, it’s an invitation to success.
First, however, for the uninitiated, let’s make sure we’re on the same page about the definition of this term. That way, you’ll be able to discover your own curve and work on reducing its impact in your learning life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_qwUkfO65M
What Is the Forgetting Curve?
In 1885, Ebbinghaus published Über das Gedächtnis (Memory: A Contribution to Experimental Psychology). In this monumental work, he reported years of experiments he had run on a single subject: himself. He memorized lists of sinnlose Silben, the German term for nonsense syllables.
These were consonant-vowel-consonant combinations like ZOF and KEB. After committing lists of such invented words, he then tested how much effort it took to relearn them after various delays.
Notice two things. First, these were invented words. Nothing with any meaning.
Second, pay attention to the word relearn. Ebbinghaus did not measure memory only by asking whether he could reproduce an entire list perfectly. He also measured what he called “savings” in the context of relearning. This study goes quite deep into the nuances and implications of this particular concept for memory.
To get the concept in brief, suppose it initially took you 20 repetitions to learn something. If it took only 10 repetitions to relearn it later, some trace of the original learning clearly remained. Your inability to reproduce the information perfectly would not mean the memory had disappeared completely.
Keep this idea of “savings” in mind. It matters more than the famous graph, and we’ll return to it when I show you what happened to a long Sanskrit mantra I intentionally abandoned for years. It also connects to some concepts in memory introduced by Richard Semon and studied more recently by Dr. Paul Garrett in relation to the role of fuzzy memory.
Back to Ebbinghaus, the result of his experiments is what we now call the forgetting curve. It shows how retention drops steeply at first, then the decline slows. He also documented what we now call the spacing effect. It describes how reviews distributed over time preserve more in long-term memory than the same number of reviews crammed together.
All of what Ebbinghaus found replicates, so his science is not in question here. What’s in question is what you and I should actually do with his findings. And that’s where things really start to get interesting.
Ebbinghaus Was an Early n=1 Memorizer
Notice what Ebbinghaus actually was:
A practitioner running experiments on his own memory. In today’s language, he was doing n=1 self-experimentation. He had skin in the game, memorized real material with his own mind, and measured what happened.
I took his actions as both a lesson and an inspiration.
It’s just that rather than memorize nonsense (apart from a bit of Kurt Schwitters’ “Ursonate”), I’ve focused on applying memory techniques to Chinese, scripture, poetry and facts related to law school.
But you will never see the results you can achieve by reading about Ebbinghaus. You’ll only see it by memorizing information yourself and paying attention to what happens next.
Tony Buzan was great about splitting the difference during his ThinkBuzan seminars. He taught memory techniques, but also had participants draw their own graph of the forgetting curve.
Here’s mine:
In sum, reading about the forgetting curve while never memorizing anything is like reading about swimming while refusing to get wet.
Is There Such a Thing As Too Much Scientific Literacy?
Studying it has helped me discover many powerful memory activities and brain exercises
The only problem I’ve seen is that about a year ago, students of all ages started writing to me in the language of science at an increasing rate. And for many, the various terms and memory statistics available online have created anxiety and perfectionism I don’t think needs to exist.
For example, a medical student taking the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass recently emailed multiple times with worries about whether his review schedule was set to properly combat the “decay function.”
Now, obviously, the research on memory genuinely matters. I cite it often and terms like this can be useful for forming a solid practice with using mnemonics.
But Lorayne’s warning has started to take on a strange and unexpected sense because something strange happens when the vocabulary of science replaces practice. After all, science is mostly there to describe, not proscribe.
We can certainly use scientific findings to improve our practice, but it’s not helpful to let techniques that have been used happily for thousands of years become the source of anxiety thanks to scientific papers.
Don’t Let These Terms Interfere With Your Memory Training
It’s not only beginners with memory techniques or medical students who would tend towards scientific verbiage when contacting me.
I regularly hear from people fluent in the terminology, sometimes with publications to their name.
A published researcher wrote me recently and had thoroughly reasoned himself into genuine paradox. Amongst other things, he wanted to know what a trained mnemonist’s memory does “without any technique.”
Now, you certainly can get a swimmer to demonstrate what a particular stroke looks like without the water.
And in the context of memory training, the question can sound rigorous.
But in my view, this kind of question suggests that the researcher has lost contact with the very thing he’s asking about. This is because someone with a trained memory can’t isolate a ‘raw baseline’ without risking cognitive paradox. I would have to reflect on my use of mnemonic methods while not using them.
And since he immediately followed-up with a pseudo-scientific claim about photographic memory, I knew he was not taking Ebbinghaus’ n=1 practice as an example by actually using the techniques himself. After all, photographic memory has been thoroughly debunked and I’ve demonstrated many times over that it not only does not exist. The term itself makes zero sense.
So this is where some nuance about the forgetting curve is very important to the serious user of memory techniques. No matter who you are, you need to make contact with actual remembering.
Aristotle Described the Core Principle Two Thousand Years Ago
Actually studying and practicing a wide variety of memory techniques will get you insight far more interesting and impactful than any psychology textbook could hope to provide.
In De Memoria et Reminiscentia, Aristotle describes recollection as movement through an ordered series. At one point in the book, he uses a sequence like the letters of the alphabet and gives strikingly practical advice that deeply inspired what I call Recall Rehearsal. This is a form of spaced repetition applied specifically to the Memory Palace technique.
As Aristotle puts it, if you forget something, don’t start over from the beginning. Start from the middle of the series and move outward from there.
Richard Sorabji, in his landmark study Aristotle on Memory, admits that he doesn’t understand what Aristotle is talking about in this passage. That’s a courageous confession, as many scholars would just make something up or speculate.
As a practitioner of memory techniques with decades of experience, I can tell you what I believe Aristotle is describing. It’s either:
An alphabetically labeled Memory Palace
An early description of serial positioning and spaced repetition
Or a description that provided the inspiration for creating this kind of Memory Palace practice.
It’s genuinely difficult to say which. But either way, the principle and how it reduces unwanted forgetting is unmistakable to anyone who has actually run the technique.
In case you have never used a Memory Palace, it involves ordered locations, deliberate starting points, and strategic entry into the middle of a sequence as part of several spaced repetition patterns that establish substantial retention.
Modern Practitioners Who Know How to Beat the Forgetting Curve
You can trace this practitioner lineage forward through Peter of Ravenna, Jacobus Publicius, Robert Fludd, Giordano Bruno, and in our own time, mnemonists like myself and Lynne Kelly (especially in her book, Memory Craft). Our combination of fieldwork and daily personal practice in particular sets the standard for studying these techniques.
Certainly Frances Yates deserves credit for reviving scholarly interest in mnemonics through her book, The Art of Memory, but she acknowledged never practicing the techniques herself.
Frankly, it shows. Her treatment of memory wheels, for example, creates the impression they were used as Memory Palaces, which is possible but unlikely. Practice changes what you can see in the Memory Palace books you read.
Why does the Aristotle passage matter for the forgetting curve? Because his advice that you should “start from the middle” of a sequence of information you keep forgetting is serial positioning in action. And serial positioning is the key to defeating the curve.
My Own Forgetting Curve, Observed in the Wild
The reason I’ve never tried to reproduce Ebbinghaus’s experiment formally by memorizing nonsense is precisely because you see advice on how to beat the forgetting curve thousands of years before he conducted his research.
That said, I have watched my own forgetting curve operate over years, and the observations I’ve made are instructive.
For example, I worked daily with one long-form mantra built from a few dozen Sanskrit phrases for many years: the Song Celestial.
Then I deliberately let it lapse with no rehearsal at all for approximately two years. I was not as deliberate as I could have been in terms of tracking like Ebbinghaus would have. But since the research is so heavily reproducible and we know why Memory Palaces work, I was happy to be casual about it.
When I finally came back to this mantra, I was shocked by how much I could still recall. The forgetting curve had certainly caused some “decay.” But it was nothing like what Ebbinghaus’s graph would predict for material of that length after that much neglect. In Ebbinghaus’s own terms, the “savings” were enormous. And the relearning cost me a fraction of the original effort, because the trace was never gone. It was waiting for me.
The question is, why? After all, I can’t sing songs I used to know by heart when I was a kid?
Part of the answer is that I never stopped reciting the other three Sanskrit mantras I have memorized. They have very similar meanings, and in many cases, some of the same words.
The meaning element in particular suggests that I partly benefitted from stronger retention due to what scientists call context dependence. Because I never left the realm of reciting Sanskrit entirely, that must explain the higher rate of retention.
Compare this to my previous career as a Film Studies professor. I hardly watch movies anymore, let alone read theoretical books about them or lecture for weeks on end during a traditional university semester. The lack of context has accelerated the force of the forgetting curve and deskilled my chops as a film scholar.
Memory Palaces: Structured Spaced Retrieval Systems That Beat Forgetting
Apart from context-dependent memory benefits, another reason I could recall so much of a mantra despite not reciting it for years has to do with how I memorized it: using the Memory Palace technique.
In brief, the key is to place information tethered to associations along the stations of a Memory Palace and then practice Recall Rehearsal following patterns no software like Anki can guide you through.
Titus Andronicus and Recall Rehearsal in Action
My favorite demonstration where I show you Recall Rehearsal in action involves Shakespeare, specifically a passage from Titus Andronicus I memorized for my case study of how Anthony Hopkins memorizes his scripts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhjIkGu32CA
I’ve retained the passage ever since running it through Recall Rehearsal with minimal repetition.
Or better said, I repeat these lines often, but now it’s performance, not just recitation.
But the interesting thing isn’t really that I can recite this passage. Anyone can chain words together through brute force rote learning and recite lines like these forward.
The proof of the power of Recall Rehearsal is that I can recite the lines out of order:
Jumping between sections
Running lines in reverse
Reciting the odd-numbered lines and then the even numbered lines
It’s now probably my favorite demonstration because it makes the power of serial positioning visible.
Even better: I’m not alone in enjoying the benefits of improved retention.
Magnetic Memory Method Students Who Have Bent the Curve
I’ve watched this play out in my students for years, and two cases capture it especially well.
Jeannie Koh spent years learning Koine Greek using rote learning during years of what she said were filled with tears and pain.
But after learning to encode with Memory Palaces, she found memorizing “much less painful, and much more enduring over time,” now recalling whole passages in that ancient language with an ease she says feels almost suspicious. Same brain, same language, two encoding methods, two completely different forgetting curves. She’s a one-person controlled experiment.
For more success stories, including physicians who used these methods to retrieve high-volume, complex information under exam pressure months after encoding it, check out my testimonials page.
The pattern is always the same: the forgetting curve is not destiny.
So long as you’re using memory techniques optimally, you can resist it, if not beat it.
Should You Reproduce Ebbinghaus’s Experiment?
One problem I see time and again is that many people want the exact steps needed to measure their progress. Especially when they hear me discuss how rigorously I use journaling as part of my memory activities.
I’m sorry, but the demand for “exact steps” is mostly a desire installed by content marketing. The truth is that there isn’t one exact path. There are several and the real lesson in Ebbinghaus’ story is that you need to get involved in creating your own.
You can journal manually by simply memorizing real words or nonsense words. Note the dates, and test yourself over time. What matters is that you work inside projects that matter to you. Whether that’s language learning, poetry, mantras, scripture, use a memory journal to help you test what holds and what fades as you use memory techniques.
If you’re competitive, you can study how memory athletes use journaling to sharpen their game. My podcast conversation with Johannes Mallow, in which he explains how journaling improved his competitive standing, will be useful in that regard.
Often Forgetting Is Actually a Crisis of Commitment
If there’s one thing I’ve noticed over the years, it’s that people often take on learning projects connected to lives they do not actually want.
They study for a qualification because they believe they should, or to please a family member.
As a result, they struggle to memorize information for a job they already suspect will make them miserable. Then they interpret their resistance as a defective memory, when the deeper problem is in fact a conflict of purpose.
I’ve had to face this in my own law-school experiment.
I could not know in advance exactly what studying law would involve or how well the field would suit me.
The saving grace is that trying it has given me greater insight into what’s involved.
But now that I’ve seen some of the field from within, I have to ask a different question:
Just because I am a mnemonist who can memorize legal Latin quickly and an upcoming presentation I have to give does not mean I must continue pursuing every possible outcome associated with the degree. The ability to remember something does not prove that it deserves years of my life.
As I know from my studies in polymathy, memory mastery must include the development of careful selection parameters.
In other words, one of the best “meta level” ways to beat the forgetting curve is to decide whether the material deserves a place in your memory at all.
If you’d like help picking what to memorize on top of using the Memory Palace technique and Recall Rehearsal, my new training “The System” can help you pick a first project you actually care about.
Once you have a learning goal you love, keep a journal as you memorize.
Not to reproduce a nineteenth-century experiment, but to watch yourself break the forgetting curve, one piece of info at a time.
15 Ancient Memory Techniques to Supercharge Your Learning Life
Jul 03, 2026
Frustrated when you read an article about ancient memory techniques that only covers the Greek mnemonic tradition?
Me too.
See, when I first encountered memory techniques through Harry Lorayne and others, they mentioned the Greek tradition in passing.
Lorayne in particular mentioned “old techniques in dusty old books.” But he never went deep into what those techniques were until he wrote Ageless Memory.
And in that book, his focus was on the Greek mnemonic tradition.
Over the years, my research has continually shown that memory techniques are way older than Simonides of Ceos and his “Memory Palace.”
As a result, my practice in using them has deepened considerably, as have the outcomes.
Don’t get me wrong.
The Greek version of the Memory Palace is a profound tool for learning faster and remembering more.
It’s just that it’s not the only approach.
And the ancient world has so much to offer our learning lives right now. Not to mention in the future.
So if you’re ready to discover a much wider range of ancient mnemonic devices and add them to your arsenal, let’s dive in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0uw27EfCUw
Ancient Memory Techniques That Still Work
As we go through this list together, two things:
There’s no particular order of importance. I’m just laying out all the great techniques I’ve learned from around the world and throughout time.
You’ll notice some crossover between these techniques, if not repetition. That’s because all memory techniques appear to be spatial in one form or another. Further, as Giordano Bruno has said in many of his memory books, if anyone thinks long and hard enough about these techniques, they’ll reach the same conclusions as he did.
These techniques might seem like they belong to or originate with a particular group. Certainly, everyone should take pride in their history. But because there is so much crossover between these techniques, we should see the common humanity in them and not arrive at some kind of tribalism.
This final point is made by Tyson Yunkaporta in his excellent book Sand Talk and repeated during our discussion on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
So if you notice universal patterns in my list, I suggest being open to exploring the repetition. I used to dismiss things that seemed repetitive.
But over the years I’ve learned that not examining the patterns that repeat is almost always a mistake. If anything, repetition is difference. And in that difference lies so much to explore and benefit from.
Finally, it’s useful to note that “ancient” can mean many different things. We often use the word to mean “very old.”
But more specifically it sometimes used to mean “before the fall of the Roman Empire.” That would rule out, for example, Medieval and Renaissance memory techniques.
For the purposes of this article, I’m not going to exclude either of those periods. Both the Medieval and Renaissance periods definitely count as “very old” in my mind, though I’m certainly interested in your thoughts on this and hope you’ll leave a comment if you think differently.
One: Aboriginal Memory Techniques & Songlines Rooted in Landscape
Songlines were used to help memorize everything Aboriginal people needed to know about animals, plants, navigation, genealogies, the legal system, ethical expectations… the list goes on and on. The culture was entirely stored in memory.
How to Use a Songline
Songlines are all about being connected to the land. To truly understand how this works, I suggest you start by looking at an actual Songline.
Keep in mind that you can use both the land and the sky to help you construct a Songline. Here’s an example of mine based on the Glass House Mountains:
I assigned this Songline based on a mountain range and used the Songline itself to help me remember the mountains and the ancestral stories about them.
For this particular Songline, I memorized the names and the stories related to the main mountains themselves, Tibrogargan, Beerwah and Coonowrin.
The operation is quite simple: You place associations at predetermined points along the Songline. Then you use the Songline in combination with rules of active recall to usher the information into long term memory.
Two: The Ancient Mnemonics Hidden In Coins & Scrolls as Abbreviations
According to Eran Katz in Where Did Noah Park the Ark?, abbreviations entered use as mnemonic devices at least as early as circa 132 A.D.
As Katz explains, coins found during this period contain some of the oldest abbreviations in the form of reminders. Used by the Bar Kochba rebellion against the Romans, the abbreviations reminded the Hebrews of the year and their quest for freedom.
It seems like abbreviations are even older than that, however. Messages carved in stone used them, both to make it faster and easier to encode messages. And probably sometimes for secrecy through cryptography.
For example, you can make simple abbreviations any time like WALK to help you remember a specific routine:
Walk the dog
Buy apples
Leave the night light on
Kiss your partner good night
Today, we use memory techniques based on something like abbreviations all the time. For example, the pegword method allows you to attach an image to each letter of the alphabet, which you can expand in many ways, use along a Songline, and more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuk2POY_3yM
Three: An Ancient Number System
Chances are, you already know about one of the modern memory techniques for memorizing numbers.
But it’s not as common for people to know about the katapayadi. The earliest examples are found in 683 CE, but it’s almost certainly much older than that. I’ve written more extensively about this system in the context of mental exercises, but it’s also a powerful memory technique.
I believe it’s probably the origin of number memory systems we use now like:
If you want to use the katapayadi, all you need to do is commit the code to memory and start practicing it with the numbers you want to remember.
If you’re an English native speaker, one of the more modern options will probably be easier for you.
Four: Buddhist Memory Techniques
It was 2009 when I first heard Michael Roach talk about how Buddhist practitioners sometimes use their temples to help them memorize long form meditations.
Roach is not always considered a reputable source so I was glad when I encountered basically the same description in the work of Karen Armstrong. If you read her book, you’ll find a very similar idea. And hers is solidly referenced. She also ties it to yoga.
So what’s the idea?
Simple:
First, you chunk down the different parts of your meditation. Then you place these around the temple where your meditation sessions take place. Michael Roach walked his listeners through one such meditation, and the proof is in the pudding: I still remember the different parts of the meditation very well.
In many ways, this approach is a lot like the Stations of the Cross mnemonic in a church. The main difference is that you’re using your imagination to place images on parts of the building instead of visiting actual stations with permanent images in them.
Five: Ars Notoria & Angels as Mnemonic Images
This approach to remembering more has to belong to the weirdest of the bunch.
But as Dr. Justin Sledge and I agree, the Ars Notoria probably helped boost the concentration and focus of its users.
In brief, this memory hack asked you to stare at images and recite the names of angels and other words.
Once you know the names of the angels, these can be applied to helping you learn similar-sounding information in the future.
Even if parts of Ars Notoria makes some really wild promises, it got lots of things right too. For example, it encouraged its users to read books and attend lectures.
You might not normally think of going to class and reading books as a kind of memory technique, but actually those activities are mnemonic strategies in their own right.
If you find this approach interesting, you might want to check out the recent Matthias Castle translation of Ars Notoria.
Not only is it excellent, but his introduction to the book provides a fantastic overview of memory techniques in medieval and renaissance Europe.
Now we get to the ancient Greek memory techniques. But as you’ve seen, many Indigenous people were already using space as a key mnemonic strategy much deeper into history.
The reason the Greek rendition of the Memory Palace technique has been continuously attributed to them probably comes down to one thing:
How memorable they made its origin story. Whereas songlines are kind of abstract to explain, the story of Simonides of Ceos is direct and easy to grasp:
He was giving a speech at a banquet hall. An earthquake tore the place to the ground and he was the only survivor. Because he remembered where everyone was sitting, he was able to help the authorities identify all the bodies.
He was literally recreating their positions in the building using a mental journey.
And because this journey took place indoors, the idea of a “Memory Palace” took hold. There’s more to the story than that, elements added by people like St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas and teachers like Peter of Ravenna.
No matter who tells it, the story is memorable because of the drama in it. And that’s one major reason the Memory Palace technique survives to this day.
That said, you may have heard of this technique by many other terms other than Memory Palace:
Parallelism happens when an original thought is repeated several times but each time comes with a different example. You see this throughout the Psalms (which one of my students talks about memorizing), but also lyrics in songs like My House by Lou Reed.
Enveloping is similar, but happens when images and ideas presented at the beginning of a piece appear again at the end.
Enveloping may involve straight-up repetition or be done with a twist, as Shakespeare often tantalized us by ending his sonnets with puzzling phrases that make you rethink everything he said at the beginning of the poem.
As Dave Farrow shared in his episode on my podcast, puns like those used by Shakespeare can be highly memorable.
Eight: The Hand Memory Palace
In Medieval Music and the Art of Memory, Anna Berger details the use of the hand as a mnemonic device. People learning music during this period would transfer knowledge about the musical modes to their hands.
You can also use your hand to help you remember the months of the year.
Back to the Aboriginal memory techniques, if you check out my podcast with Tyson Yunkaporta, you can see me using his version of the hand Memory Palace to repeat some of the points made in his book.
I just mentioned The Medieval Craft of Memory. In that book, you’ll read a few extracts from Hugh of St. Victor.
One of them details The Mystic Ark, which Hugh painted to help people memorize key points from the Bible.
What Hugh seems to be stressing is that you can make a lot more progress by fusing the content of a text with a Memory Palace related to that content.
In other words, if you’re memorizing a Biblical story, use either a church or a location indicated in the story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv3WSP1f4y0
You’ve already read about me doing something similar when I talked about memorizing the names of the Glass House Mountains and using the mountains themselves as a Songline.
Another example would be something like the way Masons reenact various aspects related to Solomon’s Temple to help them remember key principles related to their philosophical beliefs.
Indeed, many of their rituals probably serve as a kind of spaced-repetition that help members remember key points and add more details over time.
Scott Gosnell has released a recent translation of this text under the simpler title, Thirty Statues. Although it’s a challenging read, I recommended it.
In this work, Bruno shares how he used the bodies of figures in statue form as mini-Memory Palaces.
Using statues is not unlike using the hand. It’s the same principle extended to the entire body. You then attach mnemonic images to a journey laid out along a statue’s body to help you recall anything you wish.
Bruno suggests that you assign 30 stations to a figure like Atlantis:
As you can see in the example above, Bruno is “double-dipping” by using only the parts of the body that have two parts.
This approach is effective, however. You can for example always have a foreign language word on the left eye and definitions on the right eye. You just repeat this pattern based on the rules you set as you move down the body of the statue.
Or, you can use body Memory Palaces like this for opposites. The word for black can be on the left ear in a foreign language, the word for white on the other.
Or, watch my 2026 video where I take you through a series of applications for the Body Memory Palace I don’t think you want to miss, from dates and facts to numbers you might need to remember at random:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMddgm37Mi0
Bruno’s version is indeed something worth exploring. Just keep in mind that I don’t use the thirty loci as he describes them myself. The full description of my approach is found in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
Eleven: Ninja Mnemonics and… Scarring
I’ll bet you never thought ninjas would show as part of this tutorial.
But it’s true. Ninjas are ancient and they used at least two memory techniques to be successful in their trade, which essentially involved spying. Their particular version of espionage began in the 15th century proper, though some people think the ninja tradition goes back earlier to the 12th century.
While on their missions, ninjas required excellent long-term memory abilities. They couldn’t always carry paper and needed to retain information sometimes for months in order to deliver it.
So, almost as if taking a tip from Giordano Bruno, they used their own bodies and linked numbers using something like the number-memory systems discussed above. Kioku-Jutsu involved basically the same strategy Bruno describes, except in this case, the ninja used his own body.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkg4A8GSjZk
Fubo-no-jutsu took things one step further.
Using this ancient memory technique, the ninja cut information into his own body.
A ninja might even shave his head before entering enemy territory. That temporary sacrifice would allow him to imprint information into his scalp and then hide it by letting his hair grow back.
For example, he wrote a book with a very complicated title: The metaphysical, physical, and technical history of the two worlds, namely the greater and the lesser.
In this book, Fludd seems to be addressing readers who wanted to create imaginary Memory Palaces. This desire is the equivalent of students wanting to use video games in our era.
Or perhaps, you’re spending time using AI to help you generate your Memory Palaces and mnemonic associations.
I’m not saying whether you should or shouldn’t because I’ve done some experiments myself. And experiments are always interesting.
But even more interesting is how Fludd’s advice probably still stands, even if it isn’t quite right.
Robert Fludd insisted that we base our Memory Palaces on real locations to help strengthen our skills with memory techniques and avoid weakening our minds.
According to Fludd, you shouldn’t use imaginary Memory Palaces because this weakens the imagination.
Now, I don’t personally agree that merely using an imaginary Memory Palace will weaken your visualization skills. Rather, you likely stand to gain a lot by experimenting with imaginary mnemonics as frequently as possible.
But I get Fludd’s overall point because in order to use an imaginary space, you have to spend mental energy on:
Creating the Memory Palaces
Memorizing your journey through the mnemonic spaces
Fludd also points out the most obvious thing in the world to the audience of his era.
They were all theatregoers, so Fludd suggested they use one of their favorite locations for their Memory Palaces. He may also have been influenced by Giulio Camillo’s memory theater concept, though this is not known for certain.
I do something like this in our time by using movie theaters. They make fantastic Memory Palaces and you can readily use the characters in your favorite movies instead of statues.
And, if you stick with Bruno’s suggestions, you can use the bodies of those actors and add a number system. That way, no one has to get cut… at least, not outside of your imagination.
Thirteen: The Computational Memory Wheel
Ramon Llull was passionate about his beliefs. So much so, he invented something we now call ars combinatoria.
Bruno, who you just learned about, wrote commentaries on Llull’s work and expanded the concept into what we now call the “memory wheel.”
Here’s the idea:
You reduce key concepts down to their first letter (benevolence becomes B, like an abbreviation)
You place these letters on concentric wheels you build in your imagination or create using paper
You then rotate the wheels so that various concepts align, helping you either decide what to do or remember key pieces of information
Bruno probably used his memory wheels while meditating as part of his faith and while completing certain duties, such as counseling others.
Martin Faulks has studied this concept intensively and has impressively demonstrated how the wheels work in practice.
Rote learning is ancient, even if it’s not the best possible way to learn. I’ve included it here because even if it’s not fun or easy (and sometimes as painful as Fubo-no-jutsu must have been for the ninjas), it’s important to understand a bit about its history.
The word “rote” is connected to learning as early as the 1580s and probably stems from other words like “route,” “routine” and “rotation.”
In Chinese, they have a funny expression for this technique: 死记硬背 (Si ji ying bei). This means: death memory stiff back.
Use it with caution, my friends, and if you want an alternative technique, get my FREE Memory Improvement Technique now:
Fifteen: Knots & Twisted String
As bad and boring as rote repetition can be, there’s a place for it. For example, when reciting mantras or praying, repetition is the bee’s knees.
One way you can help yourself remember certain parts of a prayer, involves getting a string and either placing a knot in it or twisting a part of the string.
Next, you encode your desired information into each knot or twist.
Later, as you feel your way along the string, you practice recalling what you wanted to remember on a knot-by-knot basis. This practice is probably where we get the iconic image of a string tied around someone’s finger as a memory aid.
Ancient Wisdom for Sharper Thinking Goes Far Beyond Greek Memory Techniques
As I hope you’ve learned, these ancient memory techniques aren’t just fringe curiosities.
They were essential tools for survival that worked across the centuries for many different cultures.
You’ve learned how memories were sculpted into the landscape, encoded into knots, embedded in statues and even carved by ninjas into their flesh.
People used the techniques then for the same reason they use them today. For scholarship, spiritual development and shaping their identities while navigating the complexities of our world.
All without having to look up information from books or videos.
If just one of these techniques speaks to you, learn it and put it into practice.
And remember:
Just because it’s old doesn’t make it dated.
When you train your memory with these time-tested tools, you’ll do more than learn faster.
Protecting My Cognitive Function: What 15 Years Teaching Memory Has Taught Me
Jun 23, 2026
If you want to know how to improve cognitive function, you probably already know the basics.
You need to eat well, get regular sleep, exercise consistently and maintain social connections.
That last point hits me hard because as someone who has taught memory improvement for fifteen years, I recently moved away from all my friends. And I’m definitely feeling the impact of that decision.
And we’re all facing the consequences of the decisions we make because everything influences the quality of our minds.
So if you’d like to know what I’m personally doing to maintain focus as I age while leading an unusually isolated life, today I’m sharing my research and experiences.
It’s a bit unique because I’m the author of multiple memory improvement books, an independent memory researcher and someone with a reputation to maintain in the field of mental performance.
And since we all need to preserve our reputations, how I’m tackling my own concentration, memory and focus challenges might help you along your own journey.
Let me share this proclamation loud and clear as we begin: Tackling challenges to my own concentration and focus is my passion.
And it has to be a passion and a mission because I intend to enjoy a very focused mind with strong recall abilities for as long as I possibly can.
Ready to explore some of the best, science-backed strategies that are helping me?
Let’s dive in!
What Is Cognitive Function? And How Does It Relate To Memory?
“Cognitive function” is a term used in a variety of fields, from memory science to Jungian psychology.
For Carl Jung, cognition boiled down to how your mind processes and experiences emotional feeling, intuition, a variety of sensations and thought.
When it comes to memory in the realm of learning, cognitive function specifically refers to:
Attention and how you focus on information like hearing someone’s name
Working memory so you can temporarily hold an instruction or phone number in mind
Long-term memory for accessing facts like names and locations
Processing speed for thinking efficiently
Executive functions like planning or switching between tasks
Holding focus during conversations or while studying
Speaking languages
Navigating a variety of places
Most importantly, cognitive function governs how we use memory techniques to remember things, specifically information related to data like numbers and information related to our professional work and studies.
Why Cognitive Function Slips (According To Science)
First things first: If you’re concerned about your memory, please see a doctor. Or, if you’re concerned for a loved one, assist them in doing so.
Generally, the reason most of us have issues is because we distract ourselves with multitasking.
Good recall begins with paying attention. But far too often we clutter our lives with social media, creating digital amnesia. This is a term that literally refers to Internet-induced forgetting.
The good news is that we can improve.
Like focusing on diet, exercise, sleep and socializing, paying attention is a behavior. This was a point made by memory expert David Berglas in A Question of Memory. He’s worth listening to because his memory stayed sharp up until a very old age indeed.
How do you turn paying attention into a behavior?
Start making an effort to remember names, for one thing. Yesterday at the bank I did just that, and the clerk delighted in covering up her name tag to test me several times.
You can also engage in activities like memorizing scripture. Or other forms of long-form verbatim memorization, like poetry.
For an inspiring outcome from one of my students who was recovering from cardiac arrest, check out the memory improvement case study and scripture demonstration provided by Matt Barclay.
There are a few more activities to consider that I’ll cover below, but let’s look at what happens to our brain cells next. It will provide more context to this mission-critical aspect of our mental lives and why maintaining memory is so valuable throughout life.
It’s bad no matter where it happens in the body. But there are two ways it can affect memory:
Reducing the functioning of your brain cells
Creating pain and stress that distract you and reduce focus
If you find yourself dealing with cellular senescence, diet might help improve your cognition. This study found that adopting a ketogenic diet improved memory in aging mice.
Anecdotally, I’ve eaten either an entirely keto or near-keto diet for years. I have to regulary eat yogurt now, and that unfortunately causes some brain fog. But during the years I ate near-totally keto, I was sharper than I ever felt in my life.
Genetics
We often think that things are just the way that they are. Our genes above all cannot be changed.
Assuming this is true now, will it always be the case that we have to just deal with the cards we’ve been dealt in the game of life?
Scientists are hard at work answering this question.
One interesting study on animals has shown promise with respect to potentially treating neurocognitive deficits with gene therapy. In this case, spatial memory was studied in particular, and treated animals were able to navigate mazes better.
In humans, how we use memory to navigate space is only starting to be understood. The science writer Christopher Kemp wrote a lovely book on the topic and shared his findings on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Although it’s not entirely clear that Kemp’s personal struggles with navigation are genetic in nature, Dark and Magical Places is well worth reading because some scientists have shown a substantial relationship between place cells and memory. I’d be surprised if gene therapies didn’t emerge in the future that improve both spatial and other types of memory, giving them greater longevity in our lives.
Environmental Factors
One of the hardest things for many of us to change is our environmental conditions. As I mentioned, I moved away from the city and did not anticipate just how out of touch this would put me with my friends.
I also did not anticipate that it would be such a challenge to make new ones. It’s critical that I take care of this soon, however. As this study shows, poor social connections are a strong predictor of cognitive decline.
Another study found that people with stronger social networks have a lower mortality risk. The catch is that “naturally occurring social” relations are at the core of the benefit. Corny “interventions” by community groups or the recent explosion of rent-a-friend and rental family services don’t show much promise.
Quite the opposite, as this Afar story details. If it’s true that people work ten-hour days only to carry on eating and relaxing with their co-workers, that sounds like a very challenging environment to live in.
And that’s not to mention the possibility that worries over climate issues are causing anxiety-induced memory loss. If you’re struggling to think clearly and remember, you might want to think about how this kind of environmental issue might be affecting you. Research into eco-anxiety is underway at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences and likely to grow in importance as a field of therapy over the years to come.
How Memory Improvement Activities Can Improve Your Cognition (Even As You Age)
Now that we’ve covered some of the key reasons mental sharpness slips throughout our lives, let’s look at activities that will help restore and improve your cognitive function.
Obviously, diet and nutrition for cognitive enhancement are assumed. And again, please consult a doctor for advice that directly addresses your personal situation.
Likewise with the following activities. If you have doubts, always run each past a qualified professional before engaging in them.
Even though I engage in them myself, critical thinking remains important and I always encourage you to seek at least one professional opinion before taking any action.
Not only does my book, The Victorious Mind cover much of the key research on the benefits of meditation. I wrote it because combining meditation with memory training helped me in a variety of ways.
The key is to understand that there are many forms of meditation to explore. Not just sitting or chanting mantras.
For example, benefits of mindfulness on your cognitive function will likely start to flow for you through:
I’ve certainly found that my own practices need to be consistent.
That’s why I optimize my environment to remind me of my meditation practice. I have my journal always in sight, the place I sit and the book of mantras I’m memorizing from.
Interestingly, the study also demonstrated that “purpose in life was also associated with a reduced risk of incident disability and risk of death.”
I was fortunate to spend time speaking with the memory experts Tony Buzan and Harry Lorayne. They both were incredibly sharp when I met them, despite being in their seventies and eighties respectively.
Why?
It was not just the fact that they both engaged in regular memory training.
In my view, their strong sense of purpose was a huge part of it. Tony had the World Memory Championship he helped found, along with his work in mind mapping and his polymathic personality.
For his part, Lorayne wrote and published books and performed card magic almost until the end.
I myself have made teaching as a mnemonist and understanding as much as I can about memory science my purpose. It’s not clear yet that I’ll last as long as they did or make a similar mark.
That doesn’t matter nearly as much to me as enjoying the benefits that doing my best in this field brings. So your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to craft your own vision statement and work on your purpose. From there on in, it’s just a matter of consistent execution.
If you’d like some help with this piece of the puzzle, check out:
The problem is that many people cringe at the first sign of challenge. Yet, the challenge itself is what’s so helpful for restoring and maintaining cognitive function!
As part of my mission and purpose, I’ve created many tutorials on language learning that will help you. Many of these lessons are geared to reduce the challenges and speed up the process based on my personal experiences with applying memory techniques to language acquisition.
But that’s not to remove challenges altogether. In many ways, it’s more about keeping the challenges fun and eliminating the boredom of rote learning.
Quick Memory-Based Exercises That Restore Concentration
We’ve just covered three areas of activity to engage in over the long-term. They’re not quick fixes, but tactics and strategies to explore across a lifetime.
What about things you can do within a few minutes a day and get some benefit?
Well, as I talk about here, completely crossword puzzles likely isn’t one of them (though they can be fun). It also isn’t fiddling with online brain games (which have been shown not to work very well).
Instead, give these quick activities a try.
Four: Repeat Conversations Silently In Your Mind
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get caught up in thinking about what I’m going to say next instead of focusing my mind on my conversation partner’s exact words.
To combat this, years ago I started repeating what people were telling me in my mind.
You can use them to remember appointments, where you parked and your shopping list.
Every time you do, you’re getting in a bit of cognitive exercise.
Seven: Listen Like An Audiophile
Music has become ubiquitous in our society. You almost can’t go anywhere without hearing it.
But that doesn’t mean it has to be background noise.
Pay attention deeply to the rhythms you hear. Repeat the melody in your mind.
When I do this, I find that my irritation with music I don’t want to hear goes away.
Even better, it connects me more deeply with music itself. And studies like this have shown that music is linked to memory in a variety of ways, including episodic memory, semantic memory and explicit and implicit memory. Just by listening to music in a serious way, you’re giving your memory a huge workout.
On another level, I try daily to listen seriously to music I’ve never heard before. Luckily, there are bloggers and vloggers who share their most recent acquisitions. Within seconds, I have them playing on Bandcamp or YouTube.
Then, the steps are simple:
Close your eyes
Listen deeply
Imagine the different instruments (even if you don’t know what they are)
Call back melodies later in the day to exercise your recall abilities
For an extra boost, read biographies about musicians. Go through their music in historical order. Read the assessments of professional critics about them during their era.
This simple act contextualizes the music and exercises your brain’s unique ability to make connections and expand with new learning.
If music isn’t your interest, you can do something similar by looking at and recalling art. Or even going to indoor or outdoor art galleries. I’ve got a whole tutorial on how to use art galleries as part of your lifelong memory improvement journey.
One simple exercise is to just think back to a painting or sculpture you’ve seen. In the feature image above, I’m standing under a sculpture in Brisbane, and I’ve combined it with the music exercise. I just asked what it reminded me of and thought instantly of the Canadian band Voivod, which I know from my reading has a relationship to Metallica.
Since the sculpture looks like a big M, I then turned it into a kind of virtual Memory Palace, a final type of mental exercise we’ll discuss briefly next.
The trick is putting aside the time and being consistent about the activities. I’ve shared some of the strategies I’m using to keep my brain sharp, and you’re welcome to explore even more.
Keep in mind that consistency is helped by a variety of cognitive activities, not getting stuck in just one or two. There are also benefits to be had by rotating between several, especially those where learning is involved. This is shown by the principle scientists call interleaving.
But you know, my favorite tactic of all is to use my memory in a variety of ways. And for that, I like to have multiple Memory Palaces. These mnemonic tools are very old and really fun to use.
To learn more about how to incorporate them in your quest to improve your cognitive function, get my free memory improvement course:
It will give your brain a workout with four free videos and some worksheets you can complete.
If some of the steps you discover in that course present a challenge, now you know that this is a good thing.
Lean into it and enjoy the results that taking on challenges brings to the long-term sharpness of your mind.
The Unhackable Mind: Phil Chambers on AI, Truth, and Memory
Jun 21, 2026
What happens to your memory when artificial intelligence can imitate knowledge without actually understanding it?
How are truth, learning and creativity transformed?
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I reconnect with Phil Chambers, World Mind Mapping Champion, memory expert, author, trainer and long-time collaborator of Tony Buzan.
Phil shares a candid personal update regarding his diagnosis with myotonic dystrophy, including the mental strength required to focus on what remains possible when life changes dramatically.
From there, we explore how mind mapping can help with big decisions, why color and branching support memory and creativity, and how chunking helps reduce the load on working memory.
But the conversation goes much deeper.
Phil and I discuss whether AI truly “knows” anything, and why invented citations and synthetic content create serious risks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMsJpDd0enQ
My favorite part of our discussion revolves around why memory may become more important in a world where digital records can be copied, distorted, hacked or hallucinated.
As Phil puts it, memory gives us something the online world cannot easily provide:
A safer internal space for knowledge.
We also talk about:
How mind mapping helps with decision-making
Why colors improve memory and creativity
The difference between semantic memory and episodic memory
How memory athletes encode cards and numbers
Why AI can appear intelligent without understanding
How wonder, teachers and early influences shape the mind
Why “luck” may depend on perception, preparation and pattern recognition
If you care about memory techniques, mind mapping, critical thinking, AI literacy, creativity, Tony Buzan, or the future of truth in an increasingly synthetic world, this conversation will give you a lot to think about.
Why Phil Chambers is One of the World’s most Experienced Memory Experts
Phil is one of the rare memory experts whose knowledge is truly multi-dimensional. He’s involved in memory competition, mind mapping comeptition, teaching, coaching and writing.
A member of MENSA, Phil has served as Chief Arbiter of the World Memory Sports Council and has helped oversee national and international memory competitions around the world. He is also the only person to receive the Brain Trust’s “Special Services to Memory” Award twice.
In his book, How to Train Your Memory, Phil shows how practical memory systems can help with the kinds of challenges people face every day: remembering names and faces, giving speeches without notes, learning foreign language vocabulary, memorizing numbers, passwords, formulae and other difficult information.
His work in mind mapping and speed reading, accelerated learning and long-term review systems is second to none. He will help you sustain what you learn instead of watching it fade away.
I can think of no one else who has spent so much time and traveled so many miles to help people turn a variety of memory techniques into powerful habits that improve multiple aspects of life.
Ready for another episode related to AI and memory?
Check out the views and experiences of AI expert and author Andrew Mayne, host of the Open AI Podcast. Amongst other things, Andrew’s a skilled user of memory techniques and great person to follow-up with on the themes of AI and memory.
Open Book Exam Tips From a Professor Who Went Back to School
Jun 19, 2026
I just sat my first open book exam, the format where you’re allowed to bring your notes.
You can even bring the physical textbook if you want, a testing format that was totally new to me.
Should be easy, right?
That’s what your tricky examiners want you to think.
And I know not to fall for it. I have a PhD in Humanities, two MA degrees and taught at three universities around the world.
During my years of teaching, I wrote, administered and graded more exams and assignments than I can count.
Now, back in school as I near my 50s, I’m working on a second Bachelor’s degree. This time in law so I can develop an exact understanding for what law memorization is all about.
For my first exam, I scored “High Distinction.” That’s the top grade here in Australia.
But here’s something to consider that probably no one else will tell you about open book exams:
There was one question I got wrong. And it wasn’t even the one I thought I’d missed.
This “error” suggests that having the textbook wouldn’t have saved me even if I’d brought it with me.
No, the problem was caused by the open book format itself.
In this experience-based guide, I’ll show you what this kind of exam actually tests, and how to prepare properly. That way you can avoid the same recycled study advice just about everyone else gives online.
https://youtu.be/_orag2IBwbA
What an Open Book Exam Actually Tests (It Isn’t What Most Guides Tell You)
First, I have to tell you that I was initially surprised that open book testing exists in law school at all.
Especially since to pay for my earlier university studies I took some high-stakes exams for jobs I worked to help pay my tuition at York University.
For example, I worked as a store detective and having open book testing for the required security guard license would have been absurd. No employer wants a guard who needs to flip through a textbook to determine whether or not they’ve witnessed a crime, after all.
But now that I’ve taken my first exam of this type, I’m fascinated and did some research on why such tests are administered in the first place.
In this study, researchers Ming-Yin Chan and Kwok-Wai Mui reveal that open book examinations have existed since at least the 1930s.
Using my university library access, I found one such early study in the Journal of Higher Education from March, 1934.
As John and Ruth Stalnaker argue in Open-Book Examinations, such testing has many positives:
Emphasis falls on the course objectives
Students utilize facts to solve problems
Inference skills are exercised
More time tends to be spent by students on preparation rather than cramming
They predict that these kinds of tests will be more widely used in the future and encourage more research into the best kinds of questions suited to this format.
Are the questions suitable to the format of studying law?
Now that I’ve sat for a couple, I think so. After all, law is the field where getting even just one section number wrong could change the outcome of a case.
That means this kind of testing is only partially about testing recall.
It’s more about determining whether you can read with precision and work with the exact information as worded on a variety of source materials while the clock is ticking.
Twenty Questions, Sixty Minutes, and No Authentic Way to “Look Things Up”
So there I was at my laptop, the entire device reduced to just one screen by a lockdown browser called Respondus.
My first exam was for a course called “Legal Institutions and Processes.”
It is heavy on history and legislation. The first few weeks involved a ton of dense reading from multiple textbooks and a legal dictionary.
This is the kind of reading I really haven’t done since I changed my major from Political Science to English during the second year of my first undergraduate degree.
Although I had dreamed at my naive young age of one day becoming the Prime Minister of Canada, I changed my mind that year after interviewing the premier of British Columbia for the student newspaper. He clearly lied in response to my question and I determined right then that I was never going to be anything like him.
Anyhow, do the math with me.
Twenty questions during an hour-long exam gives you three minutes per question. During that time, you need to
Read each question carefully
Check your answers
Fight off all kinds of urges and fidgety feelings that arise when you’re trapped
And due to how the lockdown browser software works, I was literally trapped. The rules dictated that I could not leave the computer until I ended the session or the time ran out.
The Practical Reality of Flipping Through Notes
If you’ve never sat for an exam like this, ask yourself:
How much time can you really afford to spend flipping through fifty pages of notes looking for an answer you don’t know?
There’s no cookie-cutter answer here, but without preparation, the answer may as well be “zero.”
The research agrees. In a 2024 study involving 112 open book and 83 closed book cognitive psychology students, the open book group scored higher.
However, they also took longer to finish their exams.
One way to interpret these research findings is that having access to your textbook increases your accuracy. But at what price in a world where time is your scarcest resource?
How Long Did I Spend?
As a time-poor entrepreneur with lots of polymathic projects on the go, I finished my first open book test in approximately thirty minutes.
But needing the time to do other things was only part of the reason.
A lot of the questions I was able to answer simply by using critical thinking, a skill I taught at university as a professor myself for four years. If you’re interested, here’s a list of my favorite critical thinking books.
But the real reason I finished early is because I took the exam without a textbook.
And that means for me, it wasn’t an open book situation at all. At least not in the normal sense.
Here’s what I mean:
My Notes-Only Experiment: Testing Digital Amnesia Under Exam Conditions
Years ago, I wrote about a condition the Kaspersky Lab researchers called “digital amnesia.”
In brief, your mind blanks out when trying to access information because you’ve stored it on a device you trust instead of in your head.
Back then, I argued that every time you reach for a search engine instead of pausing to ask your own memory first, you deskill it. This is not unlike the way your muscles droop when you stop performing pushups.
Anyhow, I don’t know if I’ll take more advanced law school courses without buying the physical textbooks.
But for this exam, I took it as my chance to run a more high-stakes experiment with digital amnesia than I’d ever tried before.
Did I have to experiment under proctored conditions, with a grade attached?
Of course. Because real test conditions matter.
And all the more so in the age of Artificial Intelligence, which challenges many aspects of mind and memory as I’ve previously written about in the context of learning.
Let me take you a bit deeper behind the scenes. Because if you know my work with the Magnetic Memory Method, you’ve probably seen me with books frequently.
And it can be confusing to suddenly hear that I decided to study 100% online.
Why I Refused to Buy the Course Textbooks on Purpose
Two reasons.
First, I’ve said it on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast for years:
I’m not alone with this problem. Some researchers even have a name for people who forget what they read from digital devices: the screen inferiority effect.
Pablo Delgado and his research team probably gave away the best advice about how to handle the fact that we forget what we read from screens. They gave the solution away in the title of their 2018 Educational Research Review meta-analysis, “Don’t throw away your printed books.”
Don’t throw print away indeed.
Even some of the most pro-digital people I know follow this advice. For example, Andrew Mayne, host of the OpenAI podcast has been on my podcast to talk about how and why he still uses print journals and physical notebooks as part of training his memory.
Second, I made this choice to dimensionalize my work on Peter of Ravenna, the 15th-century jurist who wrote about his legendary memory techniques. In my imagination, he wouldn’t have bought the textbooks either.
All of which is to say that I knew what I was getting into when I made the deliberate choice to forgo ordering any of the physical textbooks for my first trimester of law school.
But when I learned that my first test settings were going to be open book?
I immediately had to reconsider my approach. And handle a frustration I faced with a contradiction in terms.
The Unprintable Textbook Problem
The assigned textbook, Laying Down the Law, is available through the university’s online library. But they’ve offered it in a digital format that makes printing individual chapters impossible.
This means that a student who can’t afford the print edition, or doesn’t want to study from print, has exactly one permitted way to use the textbook: effective note taking.
Could I have opened the library copy on a second computer during the exam?
Technically, perhaps. But the rules make clear that accessing any secondary device counts as cheating.
So I showed up to the test prepared with my handwritten textbook notes instead.
I also prepared my own version of the lecture slides to make sure I could refer to them if needed.
This required a couple of steps:
Download them from the online course platform
Upload them into Google Slides
Export them as text files
Edit the text into useful notes in a Google Doc
Supplement the notes with my own observations
Print them out
Study them further from the printout
These steps took time.
But I wound up with much more understandable notes as a result.
The notes not only fused the lecture content with the readings. I also got an additional review of the material.
An Absurd Study Requirement
Still, part of my mind couldn’t let go of the absurdity of the situation.
I was preparing for an open book exam where the book is locked behind a screen you’re not allowed to open. Students willing to spend the money get to bring the textbook.
Anyone else has to bring whatever they managed to copy out by hand.
This is not a level testing field. It’s a paywall wearing an academic gown.
In my case, the absurdity of this barrier served my learning experiment. But I had a choice. Plenty of students don’t.
Think First, Verify Second: How I Actually Used My Notes
So how did my handwritten notes and transformed notes based on the slides perform against the clock?
At first, I didn’t use the notes at all.
Instead, I initially answered every question by thinking first.
Then I went over everything a minimum of three times, checking my answers for accuracy against the notes.
In other words, I used my notes as a verification instrument, letting the answers come first from my memory.
Now that you know how my exam went, let me consolidate everything into some tips for your own open book test.
How to Prepare for Your First Open Book Exam: My Best Tips
My study suggestions break down into practical strategies and mindset management.
You really can’t have one without the other because unexpected things can and do happen no matter how prepared you come to a test.
Build a Reading “Moat” Well In Advance
Even before I knew about the assignment structure and course exams, I started reading the instant I had access to the course area.
To supplement the reading, I also found as many YouTube channels and podcasts about Australian law as I could. I listened intensely and watched as many hours of video tutorials as possible.
Sometimes these audio and video supplements went quite ahead of the reading. So I took care to balance going too far afield of the requirements against making sure I was going through additional material related to legal institutions.
Placing guardrails on myself required vigilant self-monitoring and discipline, but I wound up with a “moat” around the core reading. In other words, my core reading was surrounded by related multi-media study.
How to Pass an Open Book Exam? Complete All the Readings & Every Exercise
Often students ask me about how to find the most important details in their study materials.
As I discussed in my tutorial on finding the main points in books and articles, many books include summaries and conclusions.
And some include dedicated exercises. That was the case with Laying Down the Law.
The instructor also included some additional exercises, and so I completed both.
And this is exactly what you need to do too.
Be a completist.
I know it is tempting to search for hacks of every kind under the sun. But in reality, the point of studying something is to become an expert in that topic.
Some experts certainly do skim and scan, but that doesn’t mean you should.
Frankly, I found both the readings and the exercises for my first exam a bit boring. But I went through them anyway to help develop my understanding of the material.
And to go beyond the call of duty so that later on, I will know I at least tried my best.
How to Pass an Open Book Test with Help from AI
As I discussed in my video tutorial on studying complex topics, I wrote an AI prompt to spar with and test my answers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfL5ygsYpyg
The prompt is called A.I.M. and you’re welcome to grab it below if you want to give this GPT I trained for myself a try with your study material.
Here’s an important point:
Getting your reading down early and supplementing it with additional material enriches how you complete your exercises.
Memorize Anyway, Even If You Have Textbook Access & Keep Flawless Notes
One thing I kept hearing early on were sentiments like, “No one cares if you can remember legal Latin.”
I took this point into consideration, but memorized the phrases I came across anyway.
It turns out one Latin phrase did show up on the quiz. If I hadn’t memorized it, I would have been underprepared (especially since I did not have the textbook with me).
Memorization of terms, dates, important names, sections and other minutiae related to your studies might not prove valuable in the end.
Although it can take a while to learn and practice these mnemonic devices, it is well worth having them on your side.
Organize & Supplement Your Notes Effectively
I actually got the idea to print out the slides and then rearrange them from my friend Nick.
At first, I thought it might be a waste of time. I already faced the problem of forgetting more from digital exposure.
But as I edited the slides in a Google document, I realized that the additional exposure involved looking at the information from a unique perspective.
While changing the format and organizing them into a structure I better understood, I was processing the information again.
I wouldn’t call this form of learning either deep or shallow. It was simply an integrative step that enabled further questioning after I printed out the notes.
And I found some initial study exercises in the notes that I later answered with a red pen after doing further research.
For example, I extended my understanding of the “Cab-Rank rule” as you see here:
Additionally, I took a moment to set up the footer area.
As you can see in the example, this simple trick indicates:
To which lecture slide the notes belong
The page number
The total number of pages for this set of notes
Although I felt a bit silly, and perhaps more like a secretary than a student doing this, the rewards were obvious as I was doing it.
Knowing that each set of notes was full and completed reduced my test anxiety. And because the pages were numbered and using the footer showed me at a glance that I wasn’t missing anything, I spared myself any and all mystery about the status of my notes during the testing hour.
This simple activity while taking time off helps with memory formation and comprehension.
Verify Your Sources Before Exam Day
As a final step, I went through everything again the day before the exam.
This included checking the file names of all my notes and various citations.
Plus, there were various names and dates that I had memorized that were not on my notes. So I checked those, such as for the Mabo decision, an important legal case in Australia.
Although I knew it was unlikely that a multiple choice question was going to confirm that I knew Mabo’s first name was Eddie, I checked my memory of the fact anyway.
This simple verification step not only made sure that other details of the case were clear to me. It’s also just fun to check for accuracy.
For Online Open Book Exams, Test All Software In Advance
Since I’m a remote student, I not only made sure I completed installing the Respondus software days in advance of the exam.
I also made sure all my software was up to date, from the browser to the operating system.
Not only is regularly updating software a best practice.
Knowing that everything is operational helps reduce exam anxiety.
Control Your Mind While the Clock is Ticking
Although I finished the exam quickly, it’s not that time wasn’t on my mind.
In fact, it was raining hard and I hadn’t slept well.
Both of these factors injected no small amount of misery into my mind.
In my case, I kept thinking about Peter of Ravenna and how disappointed he would be. There wasn’t much room for memory techniques to shine during the exam experience.
Then I started doubting that law school was such a great idea after all.
As soon as I caught myself doing that, I started running some of the mantras I memorized prior to writing The Victorious Mind.
Having this simple ritual focused my mind back on the task at hand by blowing the distracting thoughts away.
If mind wandering causes you issues while sitting for exams, it could be worth looking into various mental routines you can practice.
Although I passed with High Distinction, my first exam of this type felt alienating.
I can’t quite put my finger on what bothers me about it. But to use a critical thinking tactic, I’ll try to steelman the format by way of understanding the reason behind the testing scheme.
It’s clear that this kind of test is less about knowledge and more about how detail-oriented the student is.
I also suspect that the reason the teacher gave an open book exam is twofold:
One: Anti-Guessing Design
The open book format means that you will actually go through your learning material. There’s no incentive to guess when you can look at your study sources, leading to at least one more pass through the material.
Two: Blended Testing
This exam was only part of the grading for the course.
I still need to give an oral presentation and submit an essay.
By having an initial exam with the anti-guessing design optimized to generate an additional review of the study material, it does set the stage for stronger performance.
Summing up: A Plan for Your First Open Book Exam
Because time is always in short supply, I suggest that you:
Start reading as soon as possible, ideally before the course even begins.
Take extensive notes and give yourself time to verify them.
Complete all of the available practice questions.
Use ChatGPT as a sparring partner, not as a source of answers.
Schedule plenty of breaks.
If you’re a remote student, check that all of your software is updated.
If you would like access to the sparring partner I created for myself, it is called A.I.M.
As a study prompt, it’s simple and direct. But I found that it helped me identify a number of blind spots in my thinking.
Click or tap the image below to claim it:
I don’t know what Peter of Ravenna would have to say about exams like this.
But in my experience, the format rewards the prepared mind and the precise reader.
I expect my memory will be tested in future law courses and because of the amount of review this kind of testing promotes, I expect the experience has indeed helped my recall.
Even if in a different way than I’m used to when studying.
For more of my experience and teaching on that, check out my guide on How to Study Effectively next.
Above all, enjoy the learning process.
We sometimes forget what a blessing it is to be able to study at all.
Yet, here we all are, with more people on the planet studying than ever before.
Don’t forget to celebrate the opportunity you have and bring that awareness to the exam. Keeping a positive attitude is a major skill that promotes massive success in all of life’s many “tests.”
Can You Memorize Books Page By Page Without Using Memory Techniques?
Jun 09, 2026
Can you memorize entire books by using your concentration alone?
Some people claim such retention is possible, and often point to figures like Swami Vivekananda.
Frankly, I’m skeptical.
Not because Vivekananda wasn’t smart, influential and an author of interesting works.
No, I’m skeptical and concerned because such claims are unlikely to be true.
And not only has no solid evidence been presented, but when myths about people who aren’t here to be tested, stories about them tend to grow larger with each retelling.
Plus, there is so much value to be had from real techniques that actually work.
True, there’s a bit of effort involved in learning and using mnemonic devices properly. For some people, lots of effort.
But you can still get there with proper training, steps you might never find if you’re lost in mythology and chasing after outcomes that were never true.
That’s why I want to respond in depth to this question from a reader of this website and fan of the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass:
I like your MMM System, and I am learning and following it bit by bit.
But I have one doubt.
In India the Swami Vivekananda and other people read a book page by page without using any mnemonics techniques, and are still able to recall all of the concepts and vocabulary words.
Concentration certainly can assist memory when reading.
But reliable recall and verbatim memorization from books requires robust memory techniques for encoding and ample review.
I’ve done quite a bit of verbatim memorization and will share my process at the end of this post.
For now, let’s look deeper at the question of whether or not concentration will help with book memorization.
Can Concentration Alone Help You Memorize An Entire Book?
Assuming Vivekananda did this or anyone exists who has memorized any substantial amount of information through concentration alone, then I guess that’s the word you would use to describe this memory technique:
“Concentration.”
Guess what?
Concentration does work to help you form memories. It’s also a great way to connect new information to older information that you’ve already learned. But you have to concentrate on the right things, such as using a mnemonic linking method to connect the information in your mind.
As far as I’m aware, there’s only ever been one documented case of what people sometimes call “photo reading.” But it’s an episode from the history of memory science that should make us all skeptical. I cover it in my full breakdown of why photographic memory doesn’t exist.
Long story short, such claims involve people who are probably not being honest.
Why Extraordinary Claims About Memory Need Scientific Testing
Let me ask you this:
Do you really think such extraordinary claims about people reading one page or more of a book and repeating it perfectly would stand up to scrutiny through scientific testing?
Even if something like flashbulb memory were involved while reading (which is unlikely), the claims of being able to recall entire books remain dubious.
Part of the argument about concentration assisting memory does make sense, however.
Merely concentrating on a book does indeed help me personally learn and remember the material from it. But how exactly this increase would lead to memorization of the exact content without some kind of elaborative encoding in the mix is a mystery to me.
How I Use Memory Techniques While Studying Law
Frankly, I’ve dealt with lack of concentration often in my life. I’m dealing with it now as I go through law school and apply memory techniques to help me get through it. I reported this new study project recently in my law memorization announcement.
In order to reliably memorize the tons of material I’m currently facing, I’m once again using the textbook memorization system that helped me so much while getting my PhD in Humanities at York University many years ago.
You can learn all about the process in this detailed video tutorial:
Quite frankly, there are so many advantages to this textbook method that I would sooner have people who are serious about learning take a few extra steps rather than experimenting with the claims of dead Swamis and their fans.
In the case of Vivekananda, he was called a srutidhara. This is a Sanskrit term used to describe an eidetic person. This condition is sometimes confused with, but is absolutely not the same as photographic memory.
Not only that, but eidetic memory has to do with visual memory, not the semantic memory involved in words on pages.
According to my research, eidetic memory has only been scientifically demonstrated as valid for a couple of minutes. And as the original study by Ralph Haber discusses, it’s a kind of recall practically unheard of in adults.
The Closest Case Still Involves Memory Techniques
If there is one interesting case, you’ll find it in the story of Solomon Shereshevsky. But even then, there’s evidence that the potent memory skills of this figure involved the use of mnemonics.
In any case, I suspect that many people can recite the gist of what they read on a page for a couple of minutes after placing a book aside.
It’s long-term retention that matters. And this means that even if you could work on developing an eidetic memory to visually recall a page, it’s unlikely to help with developing the strong memory skills that help you retain information for the long haul.
What Did Vivekananda Say About His Own Memory?
Of course, Vivekananda did not use either the term photographic memory or eidetic memory. A large part of how his memory was described comes from the diary of a disciple named Shri Sharat Chandra Chakravarty.
This disciple records the following statement from Vivekananda after being asked to explain how he quoted a variety of points from various texts:
Simply by the observance of strict Brahmacharya (continence) all learning can be mastered in a very short time.
Now, the fact that this quote comes from a diary doesn’t make it false.
But the text does not exactly say that Vivekananda recited anything verbatim. In fact, the diary recounts:
Disciple: Whatever you may say, sir, the manifestation of such superhuman power cannot be the result of mere Brahmacharya, something else there must be.
Swamiji did not say anything in reply.
Then Swamiji began to explain lucidly to the disciple the arguments and conclusions about the difficult points in all philosophies.
Notice that Vivekananda, referred to here as “Swamiji” declines to explain himself further, as if to let the disciple create an illusion in his own head.
A More Likely Explanation
As for recalling a few passages here and there, which is what the text says Vivekananda actually did, I regularly perform this skill myself and often cite the page numbers of various quotes during my live streams.
Do I use “continence” to do it?
Partly, yes, in the sense that brahmacharya means to control the senses and bring one’s conduct into accordance with basic ethics.
But I also use a PAO System to help me recall page numbers. It’s based on an ancient memory technique called the katapayadi, which Vivekananda almost certainly knew.
He also likely knew:
Krama-pāṭha
Jaṭā-pāṭha
Ghana-pāṭha
These techniques are similar to the Recall Rehearsal process I’ll talk about in a bit more detail below. They help install lots of information in long-term memory that can lead to extraordinary results.
Above all, it’s important to understand how other people exaggerate things.
But unlike Vivekananda, when one of my private coaching clients exclaimed that I had spoken in eight languages in just fifteen minutes, I corrected him immediately.
I said, “I may well have quoted various lines in a handful of languages, and probably drew from four or five. But let’s not mistake knowing various quotes in various languages for speaking those languages.”
In other words, I did not sit in silence to bask in his praise or allow myths to grow. I nipped the false impression in the bud. Probably due to one of my biggest influences when I was younger.
Why We Must Debunk Extraordinary Claims About Memory
James Randi was a magician and professional skeptic who spent decades challenging people to demonstrate and validate their claims to have super powers of concentration.
He even offered a million-dollar prize if they could prove their claims true.
That’s a lot of coin, so it’s hard to believe that more people didn’t rush to get tested. Their absence says everything, don’t you think?
I’ve read that the Randi prize was eventually terminated following his death, but it’s still worth knowing about and considering for its decades-long promotion of critical thinking.
If we don’t promote critical thought ourselves, we risk having more and more gullible people roaming the earth.
And we wind up with people thinking that everything is about memory and not another very important ingredient.
Recall Without Understanding Is Not Enough
Being able to recall what you read is not just about retention. Parrots can retain and repeat, after all.
The results most people want involve (and should involve) developing deep understandings of written material. And content in any medium, for that matter.
This point is important because you want to turn raw information into knowledge that leads to wisdom. This was a point made by Thomas Aquinas that still holds true.
But to weave data and information into wisdom is likely only possible if you stop chasing after useless fantasies and worrying about which memory method or style is better than the others.
The only method that ultimately matters is the one that:
You’ll actually use
Gets you results reliably
But if concentration works on its own for some people without using any kind of mnemonic method, what can I say?
With their level of skill in mind, let me give you a brief overview of how I suggest you go about tackling books.
A Practical Formula for Memorizing Key Content From Books
The path I suggest you follow is simple.
Build at least one Memory Palace based on a familiar location
Encode information inside of it using strongly elaborated mnemonic images
Practice with material you care about in addition to books, such as poems, speeches, names and anything else you want to remember
Recall the information using Recall Rehearsal (the Magnetic Memory Method term for a simple spaced repetition procedure that harnesses the power of the primacy effect and recency effect using serial positioning)
You might also find my walkthrough on memorizing Sanskrit phrases useful.
Apart from the passages from Shakespeare I shared in my Anthony Hopkins case study, memorizing verbatim from ancient Sanskrit books comprise the longest passages I’ve committed to memory. I’ve worked up to over 2000 words.
If you’d like similar results, the best place to start is with a proper understanding of Memory Palace development.
That’s why I created this free memory improvement course:
It walks you through the process step-by-step with tutorial videos and worksheets.
That way, you can stop wondering about whether memory techniques will work for you and start proving it to yourself with information you actually want to remember.
And real memory training will stop the temptations and seductions of myths. As interesting as these stories might be, if they can’t be reproduced, they don’t matter.
Why a 3x USA Memory Champion Stopped Using His Mind
May 21, 2026
When a three-time USA Memory Champion tells you that the exact strategy that made him a world-class competitor is the very thing that nearly broke him in half, you listen.
Especially since John Graham’s solutions to getting his focus and concentration back in order are so practical.
They might seem counterintuitive, however, especially for people who love using memory techniques.
That’s because we’re constantly burrowing around in our minds for associations.
It’s normal and exactly what we need to do. But spending so much time purely focused on the activities of the mind can also become a trap.
That’s why I’m excited to bring you this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast. John Graham returns to share a radical paradigm shift.
It involves moving away from absolute mental dominance and dropping into what he calls embodied, living intelligence.
If you’ve hit a wall where traditional mindfulness techniques don’t click, you feel blocked, or your mind simply refuses to stop running the show, this conversation is going to provide a path for change.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HD14NaHPyY
What You’ll Discover in This Episode:
Why traditional meditation and visualization fails when you let your mind run the show.
How John used pushups and loud podcasts to handle competitive stress, and why he eventually abandoned these strategies for something deeper.
How dropping into raw physical sensations instantly dissolves negative programming, brain fog, and panic.
Want to go deeper with John?
He is launching a 10-week live Embodiment Cohort to help you build a world-class capacity for handling life’s storms. Secure your spot on his webpage for the program.
For more with John, I’ve compiled our previous discussions on this Memory Training Secrets page. Since he almost never talks about memory techniques anymore, you’ll definitely want to check it out.
Anthony’s Concluding Notes: The Paradox of “No Mind”
I know it sounds entirely backwards to say that you can make your memory sharper by letting go of thoughts.
But this is one of the ultimate secrets that the best memory athletes regularly report.
I believe it works because when you can clear out the mental noise and stop over-intellectualizing everything, you’re able to drop into your body.
As a result, your mind naturally clears, making space in working memory for the information at hand while drawing upon information in long-term memory to forge your mnemonic associations.
So, if you’d like to stop your mind from running in circles so you can get more from memory techniques, hit play on the recording above. You’ll learn how to unlock the “living intelligence” already inside you.
That way, you’ll stay grounded while memorizing. And, as I always love to say, be able to “keep yourself Magnetic.”
Can a Memory Expert Conquer Law School? I’m About to Find Out.
May 16, 2026
What happens when someone who has spent decades teaching memory techniques enrols in law school to find out if everything he teaches actually holds up?
That’s exactly what I’m doing.
Mind you, I’m not the first person to try a learning feat like this. Nor am I the first to document the journey of applying mnemonic methods to the law.
In 1491, Peter of Ravenna published The Phoenix, a manual designed to teach his approach to the “Art of Memory.”
It’s a short, but detailed memory improvement book that explains Ravenna’s techniques and how they enabled him to possess a massive amount of civil law code in his mind.
His legal knowledge isn’t the only thing that made Ravenna legendary.
As I explain in my previous writing about him, he could also recite mountains of scripture and speak multiple languages.
Myself, I’ve memorized more than enough scripture to demonstrate the teaching I’ve offered in my own memory improvement manuals. Likewise, I’ve absorbed enough skills with enough languages to prove the concept.
I hold a PhD in Humanities from York University and two MAs. But what I haven’t done is attend law school.
Now, later in life, I have finally enroled after decades of thinking about it.
This isn’t a career pivot, mind you.
Having co-authored a well-received book with a lawyer years ago on memorizing legal terminology, I am already more than personally interested in law.
But since I never went to law school myself, I’ve always wanted to pressure-test every memory technique I teach against what has to be one of the most volume-intensive, high-stakes disciplines on the planet.
This page is the hub for that experiment.
Whether you are a law student drowning in “legalese” and tired of the “bad memory” excuse, or a memory enthusiast looking for a high-stakes demonstration of the ancient memory arts in action, you are in the right place.
I’m going to share with you all the learning tools I’ll be using throughout the experience.
And you can follow my real-time study log below to see exactly how the man Tony Buzan called a “Warrior of the Mind” intends to conquer the law, one Memory Palace at a time.
Why Legal Material Presents Special Problems for Memorization
When I was young, I prepared 10,000 places because I wanted to surpass all the men of Italy with an abundance of remembered facts and holy scriptures, including both Canon law and Civil law. I also wanted to be an authority on many other things.
By “places,” Ravenna is referring to the method of loci. It is the basis of the Memory Palace technique, something many law students have used across history.
I’m only a week into my first trimester readings, and I have a feeling Ravenna might not be so boastful in our times. Medieval law was in no way simple. But it’s unlikely Ravenna dealt with nearly as much study material as contemporary law students.
For one thing, nearly everyone knew Latin back then. This means he wouldn’t have needed to memorize the Latin needed when he studied to become a Doctor of canon and civil law.
The topic of international law would have been much smaller during his time.
And laws relating to media, Internet and Artificial Intelligence? All of these vast fields of legal material would not appear for hundreds of years.
Nonetheless, many of his techniques still apply and will help contemporary law students avoid cramming. Here’s how I’ll be using them based on my own version of the techniques Ravenna describes.
What Happens When a Memory Expert Enrols in Law School: The Magnetic Memory Method for Law
A lot of study advice treats complicated topics like the law like any other memorization task.
There is nothing wrong with these approaches. I’ll be incorporating them too.
However, not everyone is going to get the same results from just those two fundamentals from the world of accelerated learning techniques.
The Memory Palace Technique for Law
Since you don’t get partial credit for vaguely remembering that a case exists and need the name, the year, the principle, and how it applies, I’m pulling out the same technique Ravenna describes in depth as my core learning strategy: the Memory Palace.
In case you’re new to it, the Memory Palace technique for studying uses familiar locations subdivided into various sub-locations. It’s almost like a living, breathing mental filing system.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4J5ZUzCxZY
By placing information on those sub-locations, or what I prefer to call “Magnetic Stations,” you provide yourself with a canvas for layering vivid mental associations.
For example, I’ve already memorized the name and date of Derry v Peek (1889) and the basic three-part test it established for fraudulent misrepresentation.
When it comes to section numbers and dates like 1889 in Derry v Peek, I’ll be using a 00-99 PAO System.
Now, this kind of mnemonic system is something I’ve developed over many years. And for most of us, it’s not something you can develop overnight.
Indeed, most of us base our PAO System on the Major System. Or, more rarely these days, some people still use the Dominic System.
The key is that when you have to memorize a section number, you can instantly place an association in a Memory Palace.
PAO System Example Applied to Law
For example, last week I memorized the name of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and a chapter and section I’m interested in (Chapter Two, Section 18).
I used a combination of my aunt Cassie’s computer station in a former home with associations drawn from my PAO System to rapidly commit this information to memory.
Later, I can add more relevant details. But for the time being, I have what I call a “Magnetic Bookmark” that helps me cite the act and find the relevant section quickly.
Think about what that means if you’re in an exam or a tutorial and someone references the Competition and Consumer Act. Or even just working as a lawyer who cares about your clients.
Instead of that sinking feeling where you know you’ve read it but can’t place where, the section number leaps to mind. You cite exactly what the situation requires and move on while everyone else is still flipping through their notes.
Active Recall Combined with Physical Notebooks
I have been teaching active recall principles since long before I knew there was a scientific name for them.
In brief, the core process involves calling information to mind and then writing it down, ideally in a notebook reserved for testing. You do not use rote repetition or cheat by looking at the answers during the process.
You only make corrections later and use the data produced by your mistakes to work out how to fix issues in your recall.
Training yourself to write down answers from memory is mission critical for passing exams, as is analyzing your answers so you can make any corrections before handing your work in.
I’ll be doubling down on this practice substantially.
Optimized Flashcards and Zettelkasten
Whether it’s for language learning, philosophy or general learning, I’ve used a particular process for taking notes that I’m already employing as I read as much as I can before my first class starts.
These processes have been covered before in detail in my posts and podcasts on:
I don’t know what, if anything, will change about my approach as I enter law school at my age.
But I will keep you posted if anything does.
Mind Mapping Essay Assignments
Although I sometimes do use mind mapping as a memory technique, I anticipate that I’ll be reserving it in law school for planning any essay assignments I have to submit.
That’s because mind mapping is a far greater tool for brainstorming in my practice than it is a memory aid.
But you never know. I might find ways to deepen the ways that I’ve combined mind maps with Memory Palaces for language learning that apply to the law.
For my existing teaching on mind mapping, check out this playlist of videos on YouTube:
Although creating to-do lists has its place, I’ve found throughout my BA, two MAs and PhD that using course syllabi and a simple calendar is more than enough to keep various deadlines sharp in memory.
What’s more useful for me is to diligently track what I’ve read and when.
I use a simple spreadsheet for this purpose, along with tabs for keeping various links.
Since I’ll need to read a lot of online resources for my first trimester, this habit is especially key and will keep all the links in one central location for easy access.
Other Law Memorization Tactics & Strategies
Beyond these learning tactics for law memorization, I’m not yet sure what else I’ll need apart from solid places to study and a decent group of fellow students.
So far, I’ve been studying at home and am already signed up for a group dedicated to discussing one of the first courses I’ve enroled in. It’s called “LA1101 – Legal Institutions and Processes.”
I’ve also signed up as a student member of the Queensland Law Society to receive regular updates.
The Benefits of Context & Immersion
Although this membership might seem like a distraction, I’m actually tapping into what scientists call context-dependent memory. Although far from bulletproof, this principle shows that we tend to remember more when we regularly dive deep into related topic areas.
In other words, if you study history regularly without interrupting yourself with biology, you’ll tend to remember more history with greater ease.
As my research on polymathy and autodidacticism shows, some people think that masters of multiple fields are scattered. In fact, most polymaths go deep into just a limited set of fields at a time.
And because they spend a lot of time in each lane, they benefit from more context as they learn.
More on Why This Mnemonist is Studying Law At Nearly 50 Years Old
I mentioned above that I co-authored How to Learn and Memorize Legal Terminology years ago.
One reason that happened is simple:
Following the success of my first book on memorizing German vocabulary, tons of people reached out to me. Many of them were either law students or had used memory techniques during law school.
One of them asked if he could help me produce a book and so I took some of his examples and credited his contributions even though they weren’t that intense.
A Very Personal Background Interest
But the real reason I was interested in the law actually started many years prior. My nose had been broken and I was required to provide a victim impact statement when the case went to court.
Long story short, the defendant’s lawyer told her client that he should plead guilty right away rather than have me testify on the stand.
Her client took the advice and after the Crown lawyer representing the Canadian government asked me if I’d ever considered going to law school. When I asked him why, he said that my victim impact statement showed promise in how I’d written it.
“Clinical,” was the word he used to describe it. And he said he thought the field could use more people with that kind of descriptive skill.
But as someone who prefers to finish what I start, I kept going with my MA in English. And although law school regularly came to mind, I also finished the PhD in Humanities I had my eyes on, along with a second MA in Media & Communications.
The Real Estate Detour
A few years ago, I decided I was going to develop a physical Memory Palace. Part of this project relates to my ongoing research into Simonides of Ceos. Another part relates to my polymathy research.
But above all, I realized that I needed to not only learn a lot about real estate to pull off the project.
I also needed to learn about how real estate agents use and abuse the law to avoid traps.
So, I completed a real estate license course and encountered a lot of law during that course. It has helped me proceed in many ways, and that’s part of what has kept my mind on the law leading up to starting this new study venture.
Enter Peter of Ravenna
I’d first heard of Peter of Ravenna when concentration and focus issues from depression drove me towards memory techniques during my PhD.
After I started the Magnetic Memory Method project, I would consult his memory training book, The Phoenix from time to time, always thinking that I should do my own edition.
But it was only when AI and various internet disruptions started challenging the idea that I’d be able to easily access Ravenna’s book that my “Reborn” series came to mind.
I finally did produce my own edition of his book, and it’s been one of my most popular memory training offerings.
Undoubtedly, that’s because we have independent confirmation of Ravenna’s memory skill. And although he was famed for his language learning prowess and ability to memorize scripture, it’s his command of the law upon which most of his legend rests.
As I continue my studies of ancient memory techniques, I expect I’ll keep revisiting and expanding based on how I’m applying some of Ravenna’s law-specific mnemonics.
In fact, there’s one part of his book that I think will apply to remembering sections in law that I’m excited to try very soon. I’m not sure it will change the Magnetic Memory Method approach that I’ll be using, but that’s the most exciting part of being a memory expert who applies these techniques frequently to course work.
I’m in the trenches and always taking you with me to learn more about memory techniques together.
Frequently Asked Questions About Memorizing the Law
I’ve received dozens of questions about memorizing law over the years.
I believe all my answers still stand, but also expect I’ll be coming back to this page to update a few things as I get deeper into my own “legal immersion.”
For now, here are some direct answers taken directly from my inbox as I’ve helped people over the years.
What is the best way to memorize law?
There is no one single best way. Rather, a combination of techniques is likely to work best.
The reason the Memory Palace technique is universally admired has to do with the power of spatial memory. Locations have long been considered a powerful resource going back thousands of years.
Combining the Memory Palace technique with spaced repetition and other active recall-based strategies leads to deeper encoding and recall than using any single technique on its own.
How many Memory Palaces do you need for law school?
The core Memory Palace system I’ve used involves 26 Memory Palaces, one for each letter of the alphabet.
This choice is based around ideas in Aristotle’s On Memory, Ramon Llull’s Memory Wheels and innovations offered by the Renaissance memory master, Giordano Bruno.
When you have one Memory Palace per letter of the alphabet, you can run the art of combination, or ars combinatoria. This means that if you have a Latin phrase like Res ipsa loquitur in tort law to memorize, you never have to wonder what Memory Palace to use.
In my case, R is my friend Rick’s home because that’s the first letter of his name. I choose it and use him as a core mnemonic association due to the sound and spelling of the Latin term. Since the term means, “the thing speaks for itself,” I imagine Rick engaged in actions that remind me of the sound and meaning of the term.
For memorizing section numbers, it’s possible to build a second Memory Palace Network based on a 00-99 PAO System. I’m not yet sure if I will do that, but they are relatively easy to develop if you have developed skills with this kind of mnemonic system.
If you have both systems for law, you will have 126 Memory Palaces. That is almost certainly more than enough.
Can you use mnemonics for the bar exam?
Yes, but make sure you know how to spot issues and actually provide the answers your examiners are expecting.
The BARBRI website talks about using memory techniques for the bar in this article. The only thing missing is that they don’t say nearly enough about Memory Palaces.
They also focus a lot on visualization, which is not technically necessary when using mnemonics.
How long does it take to memorize a legal rule using a Memory Palace?
I consider this what I call a “magic number” question.
In reality, it’s not possible to know how long absorbing any piece of information is going to take. That’s because information is not equal.
However, if you get good at memory techniques, you’ll find that you can get quite fast. And all the faster when you combine the techniques of memory with regularly putting yourself in contexts where you use what you’ve learned.
Are flashcards or Memory Palaces better for law school?
This question creates a false dichotomy because the answer is both.
Also, it’s helpful to understand that a well-created flashcard is not unlike a station in a Memory Palace.
If you include a quick sketch that involves three or more colors and use active recall principles to test yourself, you’ll find that you can think back to that card with greater ease.
Then, you can reproduce the target information, much like you would revisit a Memory Palace station and reconstruct knowledge through decoding during the learning process.
This still doesn’t mean that using one is better than the other. That’s because you can have each flashcard refer to a station in a Memory Palace for even better results. So in summary, I suggest you use both and combine them.
Join the Journey
Peter of Ravenna documents his memory methods exactly as he used them. I’m excited to do the same.
Except this time around, I’ve got more memory science on my side, a camera and a microphone.
If you’d like to join this journey and get regular updates, start now by completing my free Memory Palace course:
You’ll learn how to create well-formed Memory Palaces and apply them to anything you’re studying. And that includes complex, high-volume material like the law.
Before we go, let me recap how years ago, a Crown lawyer told me my writing was “clinical” and suggested I consider law school.
At the time, I had an MA to finish. Then a PhD. Then another MA, followed by many other courses, books and an edition of Ravenna’s The Phoenix (Phoenix Reborn).
It took me decades to finally get enroled in law school.
This page will grow along with my studies, so feel free to bookmark the page and check back in as things develop.
The “Warrior of the Mind” as Tony Buzan once called me is finally going to law school.
I hope you’ll follow along and apply how I’m using the Magnetic Memory Method to your own learning goals.
Declarative Memory: Why It Matters for Memory Training
May 04, 2026
Declarative memory is used when consciously recalling information, big or small, usually in a sustained way.
It’s also the type of memory you use every time you use memory techniques like the Memory Palace or basic mnemonics. That’s why these mental learning tools can sometimes feel effortful, especially when you’re new to using them.
But that’s also why the effort fades with practice.
So to give you a small sense of what declarative memory feels like, give this exercise a try:
What’s the name of your first friend in school? Can you think about a specific event from the time you spent together?
When I do this, my friend Ryan comes to mind. He was the first person to show me an American dollar, something that was unusual to see way up north where we lived in Canada.
These facts about what took place, where we were and my personal familiarity with the memory:
It all belongs to declarative memory. This is quite different from nondeclarative memory for reasons we’ll discuss on this page, updated for you on May 4, 2026 with more information and an audio podcast.
So if you’re ready to take a deep dive into the nature of declarative memory, the role it plays in human experience and how you can enjoy greater success when using memory techniques, I consider knowing terms like this part of the “owner’s manual of the mind and memory.”
Let’s get started!
What Is Declarative Memory?
Declarative memory is another term for explicit memory. It’s also sometimes called conscious memory.
Knowing this definition matters a great deal for your memory training because this kind of memory is responsible for every act of encoding, from assigning Memory Palaces to placing vivid associations that make reviewing what you’ve studied using a Memory Palace much easier.
William James first defined this type of memory back in 1890 when he wrote:
The knowledge of a former state of mind after it has already once dropped from consciousness; or rather it is the knowledge of an event, or fact, of which we have not been thinking, with the additional consciousness that we have thought or experienced it before.
Note the nuance here:
Declarative memory isn’t necessarily true. Sometimes we confabulate certain facts, which means that memories can get distorted.
Dr. Gary Small has discussed our memory as a kind of neighborhood in which parts of our memories travel from house to house, getting changed each and every time they travel.
Nonetheless, declarative memory is the conscious awareness of knowledge that something in the past happened to you. And more often than not, our declarative memories are accurate enough.
The Science of Declarative Memory
Scientists use the term encoding to describe how memories form in the first place. A declarative memory is better when the encoding is elaborate and deep. But all too often, our encoding is limited and superficial, which is why I have shared these elaborative encoding exercises with you.
In the absence of such exercises, a lot of the depth of encoding comes down to focused attention. If you’re not interested in something, you’re more likely to encode in a shallow way.
But when we’re interested in topics and having fun, encoding at a deep level tends to happen very quickly.
The Role of Declarative Memory Over Time
Once encoding has been accomplished, declarative memories must be stored for future access in long-term memory.
Once the encoding and storage stages are complete, scientists call the result an engram. This term literally refers to the sum total of all the changes in the brain from the moment of perception to the ushering of the information into storage.
Engrams are distributed across the brain. Different brain regions seem to be specialized for particular kinds of storage to help with particular kinds of information retrieval.
Take chess openings, for example. William Chase and Herbert Simon asked chess players of varying levels of skill to analyze a chessboard featuring between 26-32 chess pieces arranged in actual configurations you might see in a game.
They found that Grandmasters vastly outperformed the analytical tasks they were given when looking at actual games.
However, when the scientists repeated the experiment with the pieces distributed randomly on the board, Grandmasters did no better than anyone else at recalling details of the chessboard. This is because the trained regions of their brains could not help them in this new context.
For this reason, when you wish to improve your working memory, it’s important to note that playing games might build you skills within the game environments. But those skills might not transfer much, and possibly not at all.
Declarative Memory Examples
Remember how I gave a declarative memory definition above by saying that it’s the conscious recall of memories in a sustained way?
This means that accessing the memory takes place over time, often substantial amounts of time.
Here are some examples:
One: Where You Were When Something Happened
I was in a cafeteria at York University when a friend called. He said, “Find a TV!”
“What’s going on?” I asked, but all he could do was repeat himself.
That was the morning of September 11, 2001. And when I finally found a television, I was just in time to see the second tower struck during the September 11 attacks.
This way of looking at declarative memory matters for your memory training because flashbulb memories show you what deep encoding looks like when you experience it naturally.
That’s why mnemonist David Berglas refers to it in his excellent book, A Question of Memory, when he discusses “the Kennedy Effect.”
His suggestion is that whenever you memorize something, you try to make the associations you use as striking as what happened to JFK. But you’re generating this kind of association between what you want to memorize and episodes of such historical impact not for entertainment.
You’re doing it with a depth of purpose tailored towards creating recall. Using that level of emotional intensity is tremendously helpful for ensuring the precious information you want to remember sticks.
Two: Trivia
Who doesn’t love to play from home during an episode of Jeopardy?
As the answers appear on the screen, you get a great brain workout trying to arrive at the answer in the form of question.
This is all declarative memory due to your conscious engagement in the process. You’re not just passively trying to arrive at the answer. You’re actively searching your memory and trying to do so fast enough to beat the clock.
Now, this is not necessarily the same thing as sharing details about your favorite author, composer or artist during a conversation. Usually, there’s no pressure in such contexts.
How they do relate is that we usually don’t memorize such facts deliberately. Such facts enter your memory implicitly, a kind of memory we’ll talk about a little bit further on.
If you do want to deliberately memorize information for trivia night at the pub, however, here’s a tutorial on how to do it.
Three: Locations And Directions
Locations are related to trivia in some contexts. But more broadly, if someone asks you for directions, you’ll be drawing on your declarative memory to explain how a person can find the desire target.
This process will take place even if you have aphantasia, which is the lack of a mind’s eye. People with this condition can both give and follow directions.
Assuming you don’t have navigation issues like Kemp has reported, locations you know give your declarative memory rich and reliable options to work with for memorizing information.
Four: Critical Thinking
Anytime you turn on your thinking engines, you’ll be drawing upon declarative memory.
And whenever you’ve got your inner Sherlock running to deduce or induce conclusions, you’ll probably also be drawing upon facts you already know.
This is why memory training does far more than help you pass exams or recall names. The quality of your thinking depends on the quality of what you can retrieve, how accurately and how quickly.
In other words, you can only reason using accessible facts. If your encoding is shallow when trying to memorize information, those facts won’t be there when you need them.
To help you better understand this, think about the last time you tried to form an opinion during a discussion about something complicated. Your brain needed to pull together things you’d read, heard and experienced, all while weighing one piece of evidence against the other.
All of this activity drew upon your declarative memory and the quality of how it fed your reasoning was based on how much material your brain could access.
This is why I often say, “the more you learn the more you can learn.” You’re able to use the element of thinking and reasoning while using memory techniques, as described by the great memory teachers Peter of Ravenna, Jacobus Publicius and Giordano Bruno.
What’s the Difference Between Declarative and Nondeclarative Memory?
In brief, it comes down to your conscious intention to recall information. Whereas with implicit memory (also known as nondeclarative memory you’re not conscious of either learning or recalling, declarative memory involves awareness.
Larry R. Squire highlights another key difference in the Journal of Neuroscience. Your declarative memory can dictate how you describe your behavior in response to stimuli. As he explains it:
An aversive childhood event such as being knocked down by a large dog might lead to a stable declarative memory for the event itself as well as a long-lasting fear of dogs (a nondeclarative memory) that is experienced as a personality trait rather than as a memory.
In other words, our self-perception of early experiences guides how we describe their influence on their lives.
But the influence itself comes from an early, nondeclarative memory experience. Procedural memory can also play a role, such as constantly acting out a learned helplessness around dogs.
Why This Distinction Matters for Your Memory Training
Since most people read the Magnetic Memory Method blog or listen to my podcast to improve their memory, it will be helpful for you to understand how declarative memory is involved in using most of the techniques I share in my mnemonics dictionary and Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
When you select a station in a Memory Palace, you consciously choose it. Then, when placing a mnemonic association, you use mnemonic techniques to generate and elaborate it.
Every step requires your complete attention. And that’s an example of declarative memory doing the heavy lifting.
If it feels slow or awkward, that’s not because memory techniques don’t work. It’s just a lack of training and practice in using them.
Why Practice Will Always Remain Essential
When you use memory techniques frequently enough, you will eventually need to spend less conscious effort bringing Memory Palace stations to mind.
And the more familiarity you have with mnemonic tools like Memory Wheels, the Major System and a PAO System, your use of the techniques will happen faster.
Later, when you practice retrieval through spaced repetition, your memory will serve you the target information at a faster rate.
It might never feel completely effortless. But as procedural memory grows, using memory techniques will feel like riding a bike. You do have to rotate the pedals, but you don’t have to think about all the various operations that go into operating the bike and navigating it to reach a destination.
The more you use Memory Palaces while generating and placing associations, the more it will be just like riding a bike with a feeling of automaticity.
Mnemonic Encoding is Always Declarative
Every time I create a new association, whether for memorizing something in Latin, my new law school project, Sanskrit, Chinese or the poetry I memorize, I have to consciously draw upon parts of the mind that involve declarative memory.
And if you’re a medical student memorizing the cranial nerves, you can certainly use rote repetition. But that requires a lot of effort compared to using a Memory Palace paired with vivid associations.
That’s because when you revise the information you’ve placed, you’ll be drawing upon those associations, many of which will involve episodic and autobiographical memories. You’re exercising multiple levels, strengthening the memory from a number of angles.
Then, when you sit for an exam and face a question about the facial nerve, retrieval will have become procedural. And that will free up your mind to think about clinical applications rather than burning up cognitive resources just trying to remember basic anatomical names and facts.
So the next time your encoding feels clunky and taking too much deliberate effort, don’t worry. Part of what’s happening is just an effect of how memory works.
You’re actually drawing upon your declarative memory and it is doing its job relative to your study and practice of memory techniques. Chances are, you’ve just come across information that you’ve never tried to encode before and need a bit more time to think it through.
Keep studying memory techniques and you’ll get better and faster overall. And when the gears grind to a halt, you’ll know that you just have to keep moving. That’s what I’ve always done and it has helped me memorize far more than I ever thought possible.
How To Avoid The Corruption Of Your Declarative Memory
As you’ve discovered, this aspect of your memory is not bullet proof.
You can consciously feel that a memory is 100% accurate, but wind up recalling things that are either exaggerated or simply not true.
Fortunately, there are ways to fend this off from happening.
For one thing, you can see a lot of improvement simply by focusing on improving your sleep.
You can also use memory techniques. There are countless studies showing just how strong these methods are for improving your ability to recall information accurately. Mnemonology is one particularly good and scholarly book that makes these studies accessible to anyone.
If you’d like help in any of these areas, I suggest you start with my FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
It will help you commit anything you wish to memory.
And give your declarative memory a great workout too.
So what do you say?
Do you now understand this critical aspect of your memory?
Get out there and “declare” that you are a master of memory and put it to good use. It’s a powerful asset!
Simonides’ Memory Palace: The Origin of the Method of Loci
Apr 29, 2026
Memory aids and training techniques like the Memory Palace or Method of Loci don’t materialize out of thin air.
But were they really the brainchild (pun intended) of Simonides of Ceos?
And was Simonides really the father of the Art of Memory and the mnemonic strategies people still use today?
Let’s dive deep into who Simonides of Ceos was and the secret lessons about the Memory Palace no one else seems to have explored… not even Frances Yates, in her famed book, The Art of Memory.
On this page, we’ll clean up the misperceptions and improve how you use memory techniques to retain anything you want to learn.
That includes your studies, your performance at work and your everyday satisfaction with life.
And when you get it right, the story of Simonides will also help you improve the lives of others.
What Is Simonides’ Memory Palace?
Simonides’ Memory Palace refers to the legendary origin story of the method of loci.
After a banquet hall collapsed, Simonides helped identify the victims by remembering where each guest had been sitting.
This story shows how observation, order, location and the use of mnemonic associations support recall.
But that’s only scratching the surface of the story.
Simonides was a very interesting figure and we can learn a lot more about how to use the technique by digging deeper into who he was and how the technique came into existence.
Who Was Simonides of Ceos?
The poet and famous lyricist Simonides of Ceos was a prominent member of the Greek society in the 5th century. He was often called ‘honey-tongued’ by his many admirers, especially after reciting his famous lyrics and poems.
And in many ways, he was an epic learner with a “mercenary” quality about him. I use that word because he was the first poet to charge money for his writing and recitation.
But he was also quite self-directed in how he learned things, as I discuss in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3-OMYLmm6E
One of the best books I’ve read about Simonides is called Economy of the Unlost by Anne Carson.
According to Carson, Simonides was interested in more than just memorizing his own poetry and songs.
She claims that he was the first to suggest that artists sign their works, ostensibly so we could remember who created them.
That said, he was apparently greedy and more than a little vain. As Carson writes:
“As to memory, I say nobody can equal Simonides!” said Simonides at the age of eighty.
The poet does not just use memory, he embodies it… His memory construct, unlike later mnemotechnic methods, is not artificial:
Simonides had sat in the room that becomes his theater of memory, he ate dinner amidst the data.
This poet is someone caught between two worlds, remembering both. His flame in every grain. For him, memory is both commodity and gift, both wage and grace.
How the First Memory Palace Was Born
During the 6th century BCE, Simonides of Ceos was hired by a wealthy man named Scopas to give a speech and recite poetry at a banquet before a group of distinguished guests in a large and impressive building.
After concluding his presentation, Simonides thanked Castor and Pollux, two mythical boxers who represented heroism.
This is not a throwaway reference. Because both Castor and Pollux were given immortality by Zeus, they appear in the story as symbols of the enduring power of memory.
When Simonides asked Scopas to pay him his fee, the host expressed annoyance that Simonides thanked gods instead of him.
“Go ask Castor and Pollux to pay you,” Scopas replied.
At that moment, a servant arrived to tell Simonides that two men were outside and asking for him.
“I’ll get back to this matter of the fee in a moment,” Simonides assured Scopas before exiting the building. After a short walk, he spotted two men on horses. They beckoned Simonides over.
“Closer please,” they said.
As Simonides approached them, he recognized the two men as none other than Castor and Pollux themselves.
Next, without warning, the building Simonides had just left collapses and everyone inside dies.
Later, as the dust from this shocking event settles, Simonides used his memory to help the authorities identify all the bodies so they could be properly buried by the mourning families, survivors who would never have experienced closure otherwise.
Exactly How Simonides Remembered the Names of the Victims
Simonides recalled where each person was sitting by drawing upon his memory of the seating arrangement in the banquet hall.
The process of following a journey in your mind came to be called the method of loci because loci is plural for location.
Later, probably due to the influence of St. Augustine, the term Memory Palace came into use.
Centuries later still, Sherlock Holmes fans popularized the term “Mind Palace.”
I personally prefer the term Memory Palace because it puts the focus on memory. If you’d like to learn how to use them for memorizing much more than names, check out my complete guide to the Memory Palace technique.
For now, there’s more we can learn from the story of Simonides.
Let’s go further.
The Art of Preparation
Even before recalling the locations of the guests before the collapse, Simonides was prepared.
He’d already primed his memory to observe, place and then recall each person.
In other words, as Yates points out, the first step Simonides took was to imprint the location itself in his mind before attempting to memorize anything.
And that’s what all the most successful memory students do:
Creation your Memory Palaces before you need them. Even if that means doing it within seconds after entering a room where you’re going to give a presentation.
I do this every time I go to events and demonstrate the techniques I use to to remember names.
This simple step is so important because without visually noting where the guests were seated at the banquet, Simonides would not have been able to recall their exact locations or identify the bodies.
Likewise, if I don’t have a point of reference before memorizing names, I won’t do nearly as well. It pays to take a second to note the shape of the room before memorizing a single name.
Exaggeration is Key
One reason the story of Simonides has stood the test of time is that it contains exaggerated and dramatic action. Each of the Magnetic Modes are accounted for when you feel the building crumbling to the ground.
What are the Magnetic Modes?
They are a form of mnemonic imagery that you can learn how to rapidly apply to anything you want to memorize by reading my free mnemonics dictionary.
You can practice right now by thinking about the story of Simonides itself:
Imagine hearing the rumble in your ears as the banquet hall crashes down. Even if you don’t see pictures in your mind, you probably have an idea of what a collapsing building looks like.
Add Emotions
Next, feel an emotion related to the event. Even if you have never lost a loved one in an event like this, you probably have a flashbulb memory of when a famous building like the World Trade Center was destroyed.
As the mnemonist David Berglas pointed out in A Question of Memory, you want to create what he called the “Kennedy Effect.”
That’s because emotions easily lodge information in memory very deeply when something majestic is lost. And the tale of Simonides contains not just the lost of a building. It also speaks about people squabbling over fees.
There’s even an element of poetic justice when Simonides not only walks away unscathed. He also lives on to be the hero who established the Memory Palace technique.
Build in Tastes & Smells
When you let your imagination do its work, you can almost taste and smell the food and wine at the banquet hall.
Likewise, you can imagine smelling and tasting the dust coming up from the rubble after the building’s collapse.
Use Your Mental Ears
Even without seeing a picture of where the attendees were sitting, you can imagine the sounds of plates clinking and people chattering as they sat around Simonides at their tables.
You can also imagine hearing Simonides’ voice and how his footwear scuffed the floor as he moved from the interior of the building to the outside.
For more on how these suggestions work, check out this full tutorial based around lessons drawn from Simonides:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSn2qjuYjxs
The Most Important Lesson I’ve Learned from Simonides
Although Anne Carson has outlined many less than friendly aspects of Simonides’ character, it’s important to recognize that when the situation required it, Simonides did not use his memory to impress people or win a competition.
He used his memory to reduce the suffering of his fellow human beings.
Without the help of his extraordinary memory, the families of the victims would never have identified their loved ones.
That means no proper burials, something that was as important in Ancient Greek culture as it is now. If not more so.
I believe that this story changes the true value of the Memory Palace technique.
Yes, you can use it to pass exams, learn languages, give a speech from memory, or remember names at events.
But at its core, this practice makes you more useful to the people in your community, your family and your friends.
The sharper your memory, the more present you’ll be at dinner parties too. Or in any conversation. And being more present is really the ultimate gift you can give the world.
And that means being more reliable in your personal and professional life. You’ll almost automatically serve others at a higher level simply because better memory makes it impossible not to be more useful.
If you’d like to start building your first Memory Palace using the Magnetic Memory Method I’ve been teaching for over fifteen years, I have a free course that walks you through it step by step.
Just click the image below to register:
It’s the same foundational training thousands of students have used to go from “I understand the basic concept” to actually practicing this important memory technique daily.
So what do you say?
If I’ve done nothing else, I hope you’re convinced by Simonides’ story that you can train your memory well enough to help both yourself and others.
And when you do, you’ll also become the stuff of legend.
How to Memorize Grammar Rules: 5 Powerful Strategies
Apr 18, 2026
I’ve received tons of questions by email about how to memorize grammar, including:
When to start studying grammar
How to use Memory Palaces for grammar rules
What about all the complexities of gender, tense and number?
These are good questions and present one of the most challenging aspects of learning another language.
That said…
There’s a time and place for memorizing grammar amongst other activities that will provide many of us much faster gains along the road to fluency.
On this page, I’ll share some of my best tips as someone who studied languages as part of earning my PhD at York University. Later, I gave lectures in German as part of my work at the University of Saarland.
Sometimes I used memory techniques to help me understand various grammatical principles. Other times, I used different strategies.
Sometimes I used no strategies at all.
This statement might surprise you. So as we go through today’s tips, please keep this point in mind:
When you can memorize individual words, you can memorize phrases. When you can memorize phrases, you can observe how grammar works within your mind.
I mention this point because when you start memorizing how the language is used rather than what rules govern its use, grammar can stop being such a huge barrier.
And language learning overall can become a lot more fun.
So, if you’re ready to learn how to memorize grammar, let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPM-gNX4AAM
How to Memorize Grammar: 7 Powerful Strategies
The following strategies have no particular order of importance. Think of them as a grab-bag of possible approaches.
It’s worth considering each and every one. But you don’t have to use them all.
Frankly, I found some of them tedious when studying various languages. Nonetheless, I’ve included them because different people have different needs and learning styles.
Not only that, but it’s hard to track certain outcomes. Sometimes you get more benefits out of techniques you don’t like than you might realize.
That’s why it’s important to experiment widely and let variety expand your horizons, especially when tackling a tough learning goal like mastering grammar.
One: Limit Yourself To Grammar Basics As Much As Possible
Unless you want to become a grammarian, you don’t have to know much grammar at all to learn a new language.
Prepare yourself, especially if you’re someone who is convinced that you have to master grammar rules to achieve fluency.
In this study, scientists found that young children were better at learning nouns and verbs before they learned to read.
As the researchers speculate, one reason for this effect is that children simply don’t overthink it. But thinking is precisely what looking at grammar in books causes us to do.
This is the reason behind why so many polyglots recommend that you simply limit how much grammar you study. It’s largely a distraction from the activities much more likely to help you become bilingual.
Now, of course, you came here to learn grammar better. And I won’t disappoint. I just want to make sure that you understand that in certain circumstances, it’s actually not all that recommendable.
Two: Apply Mnemonic Devices To Grammar Rules
When I started accelerating my path to learning Latin again after a long break, I was instantly reminded that you have to know grammar with this particular language if you’re going to learn it alone.
That’s because there are a lot of cases, declensions and conjugations, amongst other features.
Unless you are able to read, write, speak and listen to a language frequently, you will need to not only memorize the names of these rules. You’ll have to learn how to apply them.
For this goal, I recommend learning to use a Memory Palace for language learning. Here’s an example of how I always start this process with a simple drawing:
I know that it can be hard to make out what’s going on here, so let me explain.
The square represents a Memory Palace based on my friend Mike’s home.
Along the left side you have the cases nominative, genitive and dative. On the right wall, accusative, ablative and vocative.
Each of the sketches helps me remember those rules. The man with the guitar for accusative is the guitarist in AC/DC, for example. That reminds me of the name of this case. Sega is shorthand for Sega Genesis to remind me of the genitive case.
There’s a chess piece in the middle for the Latin word “magnus” (large). Using the walls of Mike’s house, I learned the declension for this word by following a journey using the method of loci.
There are many other memory techniques you can learn about. The process you’ve just discovered is my favorite way to memorize grammar rules.
Three: Use Spaced Repetition
As much as I wish the Memory Palace technique was a one-time strategy, the real reason to use it involves optimizing spaced repetition.
Basically, this term describes a finding from memory science that helps you determine how many repetitions you need to learn something. When combined with mnemonics, spaced repetition can help you skip rote learning.
Other ways to use spaced repetition without Memory Palaces exist. These include:
I’ve used each of these approaches. They’re all powerful.
Four: Diagram Sentences
Although visualizing sentences using diagrams has fallen out of favor, and at least one dissertation failed to find that it helped seventh graders, some teachers are not happy that the technique has disappeared.
Identify each part of speech by labeling it using arrows or lines (kind of like mind mapping).
Study the relationships between subjects, predicates and modifiers, etc.
Practice recognizing patterns as you work with more sentences over time.
Visualize your diagram later while you’re resting, literally reconstructing it in your mind.
When it comes to prefixes and suffixes, you can also diagram these in a different sense by understanding their general meaning.
This video gets deeper into how you can do that combined with the Memory Palace technique:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWz80vWvMU4
Five: Complete Grammar Games & Puzzles
Here’s one of the activities that I don’t like very much.
However, this study found that students who experienced games as part of language acquisition performed better.
More generally, in this study puzzles were found to help dental students learn as well.
I completed a lot of crossword puzzles when learning German in a Berlin school. Even though I didn’t enjoy this particular learning activity, I’m sure the research is right and that it helped me.
If nothing else, the variety on its own helps expand exposure to the core information from a different angle.
Six: Memorize Passages & Write Them From Memory
In every language I’ve tackled, I have taken time to learn at least a few songs by heart.
This simple activity teaches you a great deal about how sentences work, while giving you an opportunity to memorize new vocabulary.
After memorizing the lyrics, I always combine writing them out with singing them from memory.
This combination of engagement with the song gives me multiple levels of exercise by engaging the levels of processing effect.
Want an example? Here’s me practicing the Mandarin song I performed at my wedding:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCyPV6qfKkI
Although memorizing passages may not give you the names of various grammar principles, you’ll start using them.
And as you reflect on what you now know about the language, this meta-level thinking teaches you the grammar through observation.
In the case of the song in the video above, I learned a lot about possession purely through the observation enabled by memorization.
Seven: Immerse Yourself In The Language
At the end of the day, there is no substitute for combining what I call “the Big Five of Language Learning.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR15aAXv-F0
As we know from studies in interleaving, simply by rotating through a small set of activities, you will remember more.
In this case, the Big Five involves:
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Listening
Memorizing
All you need to do is get ample doses of each. And as many memory champs who learn languages have shared, it really helps to study in short blasts.
As daunting as grammar can be, you now have options that will make learning it much easier.
The best part is that every activity and approach we’ve discussed today is also fun.
If you’d like more help with the Memory Palace part of the puzzle, feel free to get my free course:
It gives you four video lessons and three worksheets.
Complete them, apply the techniques to grammar and before you know it, you’ll know grammar better.
And that way, you’ll avoid common grammar mistakes when writing and speaking.
You might even be able to identify a few of them when reading and listening too.
Native speakers make grammar mistakes too, after all. One more reason to go easy on yourself as you’re learning to master this area of human knowledge.
In many cases, it’s much closer to art than science.
The Scientist Exposing What Your Brain Does With “Fuzzy” Memories
Apr 10, 2026
Have you ever parked your car, walked away, and completely blanked on where you left it?
And yet… somehow you walked straight to it anyway?
When that happens, it might not be luck.
Rather, it could be your brain using what scientists now call “fuzzy memory.”
And this might be the most important discovery about short-term memory in the last 20 years.
To learn more, I sat down with Dr. Paul M. Garrett, currently doing postdoctoral work at the University of Melbourne.
In addition to studying how your brain makes decisions when it’s uncertain, his recent article on The Conversation raised old and new questions related to how I think about forgetting, remembering, and every decision I make in between.
Here’s one aspect of Paul’s research that blew my mind:
The old theory said your brain has a fixed number of memory “slots.”
If something made it into a slot, you remembered it.
If it didn’t, it was gone.
But that theory is apparently wrong.
Rather, Paul’s research demonstrates that even memories you’d swear are completely gone still leave a faint signal in your brain, precise enough to push you toward the right answer without you even knowing why.
That “gut feeling” you get sometimes? That might literally be a fuzzy memory talking.
In this conversation we go deep on why your brain caps out at 3 to 4 items in working memory and what that actually means.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm6C08m3WUI
We also discuss why you remember better from a physical book than a screen (and the possible spatial memory scientific explanations behind it).
Next, we discuss:
How trained motor skills get so deep into procedural memory that even ten years away can’t break their strength
How marketers and salespeople exploit your decision boundaries using time pressure
Why a tiny dose of Bayesian reasoning would make almost everyone a sharper thinker
What new EEG research on voluntary decisions reveals about whether or not free will is real
How to make memory science more accessible by finding good science popularizers
Paul and I had such a deep conversation that we kept going well past the formal interview.
That bonus discussion covers experimental design for mnemonic research, Giordano Bruno‘s 16th century memory seals, the neuroscience of pitch detection and white matter volume, music therapy for Alzheimer’s patients, and a lot more on the topic of how memory works.
Here’s the final thing (for now) that comes to mind about fuzzy memory:
If your brain is already doing this much work behind the scenes with zero memory improvement training, just imagine what it can do when you actually give it the right tools.
That’s what the Magnetic Memory Method is built for, and that’s why it’s based around the Memory Palace technique.
After all, many of us have been using locations we barely remember to memorize tons of information.
You might just be pleasantly surprised by just how much your fuzzy memories help you remember more than you ever imagined possible!
How to Think on Your Feet: The Complete Training System for Mental Agility Under Pressure
Mar 24, 2026
If you want to know how to think on your feet, you need to understand something most advice on this topic gets wrong:
Thinking on your feet is not a talent. It’s a trained response.
And the training required goes far deeper than memorizing a few “power phrases” or practicing small talk at networking events.
Real mental agility, by which I mean the kind that serves you in a boardroom, on a stage, in a heated conversation, and even in physical danger, is something you earn.
And to earn it requires systematic preparation across multiple domains.
I know this because I’ve spent decades training for exactly these moments.
As a university professor, I’ve lectured in multiple languages to rooms of students who didn’t always want to be there. And to get my PhD, I had to sit for a dissertation defense in a room where some of the examiners delighted in throwing hardball questions.
As a performing musician, I’ve improvised solos on stages where the set list changed mid-show. While performing card magic, I’ve recovered from botched tricks in front of audiences who were actively trying to catch me out.
And as a martial arts practitioner, I’ve used my training to escape three real-world physical confrontations without throwing a single punch.
Then there was my TEDx Talk where I had to make real time adjustments when the audience failed to even smile at my scripted laugh lines, but chuckled substantially during parts I had not planned to be funny.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqtDy68-gkY
How to Think on Your Feet: The Complete Training System for Mental Agility Under Pressure
What I’ve learned across all of these experiences is that every domain of “thinking on your feet” shares one foundational requirement.
It’s not intelligence. It’s not quick wit. It’s often not even confidence.
Rather, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that thinking quickly and responding in the best possible way comes down to the systematic reduction of ego.
That might sound philosophical, but it’s intensely practical.
And it will become the thread that connects everything in this guide. From how to recall information instantly in a conversation to how to physically escape a threatening situation without freezing.
Let’s dive in with why most people struggle with the skill of spontaneously responding in optimal ways in the first place.
Why “Thinking On Your Feet” Is a Trained Skill, Not a Personality Trait
As Freud pointed out, civilization is not our natural state. In Das Unbehagen in der Kultur, which is usually translated as Civilization and Its Discontents, he argues that much of our inner tension comes from how our social training represses our instincts.
“Discontents” is not really a great translation for the title of this book. “Unbehagen” means something more like “unease” or “discomfort.”
And since languages and skills are something we learn, we literally have to undergo a process of discomfort to learn most things.
That’s not a political statement. It’s a neurological one.
Your brain’s implicit memory system, the part that handles automatic behaviors, gut reactions, and how you repeat social patterns on autopilot, was shaped by millennia of environments that looked nothing like a conference room or a dinner party.
It was shaped by physical survival, tribal dynamics, and the need to read danger before it arrives.
This means that when you’re put on the spot in a modern context, your brain defaults to patterns it learned through observation, not through deliberate training. And those patterns were modelled on the people around you growing up. Especially in contexts like:
Being asked a question you weren’t expecting
Getting challenged during a meeting
Having someone force you to improvise a presentation at school or work
In such situations, you might find yourself freezing under pressure and not realizing that you’re actually repeating how you saw a parent go cold when you were young.
Or you might find yourself getting defensive in arguments the way a sibling did, or going blank during presentations based on someone else’s blip you observed.
When you repeat this behavior yourself, it’s not a character flaw. That’s implicit memory doing exactly what it was designed to do: replicate observed behavior.
And if you’re reading this and don’t have problems thinking on your feet, chances are that you were a lucky observer of someone who could when you were young.
Combatting Implicit Memory’s Hold with Reconsolidation
The problem is that your default patterns are not optimized for the situations modern life throws at you.
They’re survival patterns, not performance patterns.
Since you’ve learned to react like those you’ve observed instead of how you’d prefer to act as a fully realized being in this world, what can you do?
Fortunately, quite a bit.
Neuroscientists call the mechanism behind how you can shift the hold of implicit memory on your behavior memory reconsolidation.
Here’s how memory reconsolidation works in brief:
Every time you recall a memory, it temporarily destabilizes.
Researchers call this destabilization a “labile state.” And while the memory is transitioning, the memory can be modified before your brain stores it again.
This includes modifying behavioral patterns, not just facts. So when you clam up after being put on the spot and then reflect on what happened, that freezing response is briefly open to revision.
This process was first demonstrated in landmark research by Karim Nader and Joseph LeDoux at NYU, which you can read about in Memory Reconsolidation.
As part of their investigation, Nader and LeDoux demonstrated that even deeply encoded fear memories could be altered during reconsolidation.
As you’ll read, they discovered how long-held emotional patterns can be rewritten. Not through willpower, but through a specific process of activating the old pattern, introducing a contradictory experience, and allowing the brain to re-encode.
Khosla discusses how our earliest family-formed beliefs become the templates for how we respond under pressure as adults. Her work in family therapy suggests that these templates aren’t permanent fixtures.
Rather, they’re “reconsolidatable,” provided you understand how they were formed and deliberately create new experiences that contradict them.
This is precisely what the training in the guide you’re reading now is designed to do.
Every exercise, every practice, every discipline I’ll share works by activating your default pattern (the freeze, the defensive reaction, the blank stare) and replacing it with a trained alternative in the moment it’s most labile.
The Catch
But there’s a catch. There’s always a catch, isn’t there?
The pattern that most resists reconsolidation is your self-image.
It’s also your self-image that most aggressively defends itself against change. People literally argue for hours with therapists that they cannot change.
I know because I made this argument myself for years in front of my own therapists.
This is precisely why thinking on your feet requires training. You cannot simply decide to be quicker, calmer, or more articulate under pressure.
You have to deliberately replace your default patterns with trained responses. And use deliberate practice to ensure those responses become the new default.
The training looks different depending on the context:
In conversation and debate, it means learning frameworks for organizing thoughts rapidly and practicing with real people.
In professional settings, it means memorizing key information so thoroughly that recall becomes effortless, freeing your mind to think rather than search.
On stage or in front of an audience, it means thousands of hours of performance practice that builds a reservoir of recoveries and pivots you can draw on automatically.
In physical danger, it means martial arts or self-defense training that bypasses conscious thought entirely and produces trained physical reactions.
Each of these contexts has its own training methods. But they all share the same underlying principle: the trained response must be so deeply encoded that it fires before your conscious mind has time to interfere.
The single biggest source of that interference? Your ego.
But never fear. As big of a problem as the ego can be, you’re going to learn how to solve and resolve it.
Part 2: The Ego Problem (Why Your Self-Image Is Your Biggest Obstacle)
Here’s the uncomfortable truth that almost no “how to think on your feet” article will tell you:
The reason most people freeze, fumble, or fail under pressure is not that they lack information or intelligence. It’s that they’re managing their self-image at the same time as they’re trying to perform.
They experience serious cognitive drain as a result.
Why?
Well, when you’re in a meeting and someone asks you a question you don’t know the answer to, your mind doesn’t just process the question.
If your ego is not well-managed, your mind simultaneously processes: “What will they think of me if I don’t know? Will I look incompetent? How do I maintain my status?”
That parallel processing consumes the very cognitive resources you need for actual thinking.
The Additional Cognitive Drain of Fantasizing Your Own Wit
The psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan made an observation that I’ve found profoundly useful in this context. He once pointed out that our fantasies are almost always better than the reality.
For example, when we fantasize about being the quick-witted person everyone admires, we’re constructing an idealized self-image that the real moment can never live up to. At least not all the time.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “the gods have clay feet.”
Well, spend enough time with accomplished performers, and you’ll start to see why. No one always has:
the perfect response
the devastating comeback
the elegant pivot
But we fantasize that some people do. And then when we don’t perform like our fantasy, we experience not just the failure of the moment, but also a painful collapse of our self-image.
That’s why a stumble in a presentation can feel catastrophic even when the audience barely notices. The ego is experiencing a much larger injury than the situation warrants.
How to Reduce Ego Before It Costs You
There’s no quick fix for the ego.
And ego reduction exercises so you can respond with greater self-satisfaction in the moment require:
Practice in advance
Consistent application in a variety of situations
And in a variety of ways until responding off the top of your head from a clear mind becomes your default orientation.
Then you maintain the practices that get you the spontaneous mastery you want over time.
Basically, you deliberately imagine everything that could go wrong related to the situations that regularly require your response.
If you regularly visualize yourself going blank in a meeting, stumbling through a presentation, or being publicly corrected, the actual event loses its power to destabilize you.
You’ve already experienced the worst in your imagination. The real version is almost always milder.
It’s the flipside of the point from Lacan we discussed above. You’ve now made the reality much better than the fantasy.
Modify the Classic Stoic Exercise
You can modify premeditatio malorum in two key ways.
I suggest you experiment with both techniques I’m about to describe.
One: Transform Old Memories of a Disastrous Performance
First, you can excavate through your memory to find situations you recall where things have already been bad for you.
Then, you can “cleanse” those memories by placing them in a “Happy Memory Palace.”
The scientific basis for this process comes from research showing promise in therapy for trauma, such as this study of memory reconsolidation specific to declarative memory.
For more on this kind of research, the following livestream replay gives you an exact exercise and more about the memory science behind the positive outcomes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs9UHz4pVuM
In terms of how I’ve used this approach personally, I sometimes wince at one particular memory from when I sang a song during show-and-tell one morning when I was in grade two.
I don’t know why I used to feel embarrassed when the memory would arise as an adult, but I could feel the sting in my cheeks. And later when I first started sharing the Sanskrit phrases I’ve memorized, that little flush of shame would arise again.
So to forgive that kid whatever my memory was holding against him for his squeaky little voice, I turned the classroom into a Memory Palace and used it to memorize a delightful poem.
From the point that I finished learning the poem (you can learn the process from this poetry memorization guide), I can think of that episode without that old embarrassment reviving any of its sting. And I’ve used this approach to transform other lingering memories I don’t like as well, something I’ll share more in-depth in a forthcoming book.
Releasing old negative memories that involve shame makes me feel more spontaneous. And I’m confident you’ll enjoy a similar benefit too.
Two: Memorize Stoic Quotes
Memorizing poetry is one thing, but it takes time. You can commit quotes to memory a lot faster.
I share one of my favorite quotes from Seneca in this YouTube short, one that took only a few minutes to memorize, even though it’s in Latin:
The value of having ancient wisdom on tap cannot be exaggerated.
Not just for correcting your ego. You’ll also find that you have more things to say when pressed to speak on the spot. Things that have stood the test of time.
Meditate Specifically for Ego Reduction
Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now, often says in his talks that if you are empty of thought, you don’t have to worry about what to say next during a conversation. You’ll spontaneously produce the best possible reply.
Although Weber’s full program requires a fair amount of time, it’s worth it for the mental space and spontaneity you’ll enjoy.
Two Other Tactics for Detaching From Your Ego for Greater Spontaneity
While you’re experimenting with Stoicism, here are two other tactics to explore.
They’re both counterintuitive, but powerful.
Embrace ignorance as a position of strength
Saying “I don’t know, but I’ll find out” is not a failure.
It’s a demonstration of intellectual honesty that most people find more impressive than an imaginary answer.
If your ego tells you that not knowing something is a form of weakness, push back. Admitting when you don’t know something and then doing some research and following up, builds trust at the same time as it builds your knowledge base.
Detach from Needing Any Particular Outcome
Your job in any high-pressure moment is not to be brilliant.
It’s to be present and responsive. Almost as if there is no “you” longing to be perceived in any particular way. Or desiring things to play out for or against you.
When you stop trying to produce the perfect response and instead focus on actually hearing the question, understanding the situation, and responding honestly, the quality of your thinking improves dramatically.
And it happens largely because you’ve freed up the cognitive resources consumed by your egotistical needs. You’ll also enjoy your perception of the present moment much more.
Part 3: Mental Recall Under Pressure (How to Access What You Know When It Matters)
One of the most common experiences of “not thinking on your feet” is this:
You know the information, but you can’t access it in the moment.
You know your mind possesses the answer. But the pressure of the situation has locked the door.
As we know from studies in anxiety-induced memory loss, during stress, the amygdala takes prominence over the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for working memory, reasoning, and flexible thinking.
As a result, your brain redirects resources toward fight-or-flight responses that are useful for physical survival but terrible for articulate speech.
This is a major reason why you can know something perfectly in a calm environment and go completely blank when asked about it in front of an audience or in a heated discussion.
The information hasn’t disappeared. Your brain has simply redirected resources away from the systems that retrieve it.
The Alphabet Retrieval Technique
When I suddenly can’t recall something (a name, a fact, a point I wanted to make), I have a technique that works more often than I’d expect:
I mentally run through the alphabet from A to Z.
It doesn’t always bring back the information.
But the technique works often enough to make it a reliable first move, hitting the correct first letter while scanning through the alphabet triggers the retrieval.
When it works, it’s because the first letter acts as a cue that unlocks the rest of the word or thought.
It’s also the basis of how associative memory operates.
As Dr. Gary Small has explained, your brain stores information in networks that somewhat resemble neighborhoods.
And the first letter of a word is often enough of a “key” to unlock the door on a full node of information.
It’s the same principle behind why a song’s opening notes can bring back the entire melody.
Or how just a word or two of a lyric can bring back an entire verse.
The “Let It Go” Retrieval Technique
If scanning the alphabet doesn’t work, the next best strategy is counterintuitive:
Stop trying.
In other words, deliberately release any attempt to search your mind for the content.
Instead, move on to the next point, the next topic, the next question.
Often, within 5–10 minutes, the information you were grasping for will come racing back to mind.
This form of recall happens because your subconscious continues processing the retrieval request even after your conscious mind has moved on. Releasing the conscious effort actually accelerates the process, because you’ve removed the stress that was blocking retrieval in the first place.
The Anti-Digital Amnesia Discipline You Need
In order to ensure your memory gets stronger over time, you need to break the habit of immediately reaching for your phone or a search engine when you fail to recall something.
Every time you outsource mental retrieval to a computer, you weaken the neural pathways that perform recall.
You’re training your brain that it doesn’t need to do the work — and over time, it stops trying. This is the phenomenon I’ve written about as digital amnesia, and it’s one of the most insidious threats to mental agility in the modern world.
Preloading: The Real Solution to In-the-Moment Recall
Both alphabetical retrieval and simply letting go are recovery strategies. They’re useful when recall fails.
But the real solution to thinking on your feet is to ensure that recall rarely fails in the first place.
This is where a variety of memory training techniques enter the picture. Not as gimmicks, but as the foundational infrastructure for mental agility.
The Memory Palace Technique
Using Memory Palaces provides a core means of preloading information into your mind. Because this technique allows you to encode very large amounts of information, retrieval under pressure becomes qualitatively different from trying to recall something you passively read or heard.
You literally own that information, forwards and backwards.
It works because the spatial structure of the Memory Palace gives your brain a retrieval path that works even when the prefrontal cortex is under stress, because spatial memory is processed partly by the hippocampus. This is a different system than the one stress shuts down.
In practical terms:
If you’ve memorized the key points of a presentation using a Memory Palace, you don’t need to “remember” them under pressure. You just mentally walk to the next room.
The information is there, waiting. But it’s not merely attached to a place you know as well as your own home. It has also entered long-term memory.
Retrieving facts, quotes, even entire passages under pressure is one thing.
But what about those moments when you need to synthesize information on the spot? Such as when someone poses a complex question and the right answer isn’t a single piece of information but a combination of ideas you need to assemble in real time?
This is where most people’s recall fails them entirely. They might remember one relevant point, but they can’t pull together the three or four ideas needed to construct a substantive response on the spot.
I use a technique for this that dates back to the 13th-century philosopher Ramon Llull, later refined by the Renaissance memory master Giordano Bruno.
It’s called ars combinatoria or the art of combination. It works by pre-organizing your knowledge onto mental structures called memory wheels so that you can rotate through ideas rapidly and recombine them in novel ways during live situations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opmb-mU-KPI
Here’s the simplest version of how it works in practice:
Imagine a circle in your mind with the letters A through Z arranged around it.
For each letter, you’ve pre-assigned a thinker, a framework, or a principle you know well.
A might be Aristotle.
B might be a breathing technique.
C might be a core value you hold.
M might be Marcus Aurelius.
S might be the Stoic concept of premeditatio malorum.
When a difficult question hits you in conversation, instead of grasping for one perfect answer, you mentally spin the wheel.
Instead of searching randomly for something to say, you approach the task of coming up with something to say by scanning an organized inventory of your best thinking. Because you’ve pre-loaded and spatially arranged all of it, your mind can traverse what you’ve already learned quickly.
Memory Wheel Example
One of my favorite Memory Wheels is populated with philosophers (one for each letter of the alphabet).
When I’m confronted with a complex topic, I rotate through and consider what Aristotle would say and then move on through as many philosophers as I like, all the way to Zizek for Z.
I know this technique sounds elaborate and it requires having read the best philosophy books, but once you have a Memory Wheel built and practiced, the rotation takes seconds.
Here’s a rapid fire discussion with a few more examples from one of my YouTube shorts from the road in Brisbane:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/29nOib2ZS_4
Please don’t overlook this technique. It produces responses that are genuinely multi-perspectival, not just whatever my default opinion happens to be.
The deeper history of this technique and detailed instructions for building your own memory wheels are covered in my full guide to Ramon Llull’s memory wheel method.
But the principle you can apply immediately upon developing your own memory wheels is this:
If you pre-organize your knowledge into a spatial structure rather than leaving it scattered across your memory, you gain the ability to not just recall individual facts under pressure but to combine and recombine ideas on the fly.
That is the difference between someone who can answer a question and someone who can think through a problem in real time.
It’s not speed without purpose. It’s architecture with a sense of direction based on the shoulders of giants.
Part 4: Verbal Agility (How to Sound Smart, Pivot, and Recover in Conversation)
Verbal agility isn’t about having a quick tongue. It’s about having a calm mind with a deep well of material to draw from.
The people who seem effortlessly articulate in conversation are rarely making it up on the spot. They’re drawing on vast reserves of pre-loaded knowledge, practiced frameworks, and rehearsed transitions. What looks like spontaneous brilliance is actually the visible tip of an enormous iceberg of preparation.
Frameworks for Organizing Your Thoughts Rapidly
When someone throws a topic at you and you need to respond coherently, having a mental framework prevents the rambling that makes people sound unprepared.
Here are several that work, provided you practice using them before they’re required in real-life situations:
The PREP Framework
PREP stands for:
Point
Reason
Example
Point
It’s a very powerful formula to practice during debates as well as in conversation.
When using PREP, you state your position, give one reason, illustrate with one example, then restate your position. This takes 30–60 seconds and helps keep your replies structured without sounding rehearsed.
The WRAP Technique
I learned this one from Chip and Dan Heath’s Decisive.
WRAP stands for:
Widen your options
Reality-test your assumptions
Attain distance before deciding
Prepare to fail
I placed WRAP on a memory wheel and demonstrate how to run through it mentally in this ars combinatoria video tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cYDmaBXvJg
What to Do When You’re Stumped
Even with the frameworks we just discussed or tactics like running through the alphabet, you will experience situations where you simply don’t have a response.
Here are more strategies you can try.
Pause Peacefully
Although falling silent can feel painful when you first start practicing it, rest assured that it barely registers to the person listening.
And in many cases, a two or three-second pause before responding signals thoughtfulness, not ignorance.
Most people rush to fill silence because their ego can’t tolerate appearing slow.
But a measured pause followed by a substantive response is always more impressive than a rushed response followed by backtracking.
Seek Clarification
There’s nothing wrong with asking people:
“Can you say more about what you mean by that?” or “Are you asking about X or Y specifically?”
Such questions will not stall the conversation.
It’s genuine intellectual engagement, and it often reveals avenues for further conversation that would not be revealed any other way.
Use the Truth
You might not know this, but many people find it refreshing when someone admits that something is outside of their area.
Nir Eyal did that on my podcast a few years ago and I’ve never forgotten his willingness to “stay in his lane,” as he put it.
The best part?
Nobody penalizes honest uncertainty and a request to move on if you really don’t have a settled opinion on some matter or any expertise.
Practice Physical Awareness
Sometimes when we’re stumped, our body tenses up.
Shoulders rise, the jaw clenches and breathing shallows.
This physical tension feeds back into your mental state and makes mental freezing worse.
But deliberately dropping your shoulders and taking one slow breath can help break the cycle.
More on this kind of physical solution is coming up in Part 6.
Practice Steelmanning
One of the most powerful exercises for verbal agility is practicing steelmanning.
Related to the principle of charity in rhetoric, steelmanning is the practice of arguing for positions with which you disagree.
But not half-heartedly. No, you make the argument in the strongest possible terms.
One simple way to practice steelmanning involves getting a friend to throw topics at you randomly.
Your job is not to argue your own position, but to construct the best possible argument for the opposite side.
This practice accomplishes three things simultaneously:
It forces you to think through ideas from perspectives you wouldn’t naturally adopt, which builds cognitive flexibility.
It trains you to separate your ego from your position, because you’re explicitly not defending your own views.
It prepares you for actual debates, because you’ve already rehearsed the strongest version of your opponent’s argument.
If you take one thing from this section and act on it, let it be this:
Take an improvisation class.
Why?
Improv comedy training provides you with the single most transferable skill for verbal agility in any context.
The core principle of improv is quite easy. You simply answer everything with either “yes, and…” or “no, but…”
This simple structure teaches you to accept whatever is thrown at you and build on it rather than blocking or deflecting. This is the exact skill you need in meetings, conversations, presentations, and debates.
Improv also provides the one thing you can’t get from reading articles:
Real-time practice under social pressure while receiving immediate feedback. No amount of theory replaces the experience of standing in front of a group with nothing planned and having to produce something.
It’s been a long time since I took an improv class, or any class. But you really only need one round to create a permanent transformation.
Part 5: Performance Under Pressure (Lessons from Music, Magic, and the Stage)
If you’ve never performed music, theatre, magic, public speaking, or any other form of real-time presentation, you may not realize how much of “thinking on your feet” is simply having enough trained material that you can recover from anything.
The principle applies far beyond the stage. But the stage is where the principle is most visible, so let me share what I’ve learned from three performance disciplines.
Music: Improvisation Is Built on Structure & Self-Awareness
When I studied music, I learned something that most non-musicians find surprising: improvisational soloing requires more preparation than playing a written piece.
A written piece has every note specified.
You practice it, you perform it, you’re done.
An improvised solo, on the other hand, requires you to internalize the underlying structure so thoroughly that you can navigate it in real time without conscious planning.
You need to know the modes, the chord changes, the rhythmic patterns, the phrasing conventions. And you need to know them so well that they’re available to your fingers before your conscious mind has time to think about which note comes next.
I know this from decades of musical experience. But my life in music almost never happened at all.
In grade five, I failed a recorder test. It was given as a prerequisite for joining band class in grade six.
The reason, though I didn’t have the language for it at the time, was a condition then called image-deficit disorder, now known as aphantasia.
I couldn’t visualize what my teachers were asking me to see on the recorder or the sheet music. And the boring mnemonic sentences they gave us for remembering the notes made no sense to me.
The school’s verdict in the face of my supposed failure? No band class.
My dad changed that. He rolled up to the school on his Harley Davidson and had a conversation with the administration that I wasn’t privy to.
Whatever he said, it worked. I was in. So long as I played the trombone instead of my dream bass guitar. They thought trombone would be easiest for me with its one simple slide.
The Art of Coping By Copying
But getting into band class didn’t mean I could play.
In fact, for the entire first year, I sat beside another trombonist who picked up every note like it was nothing.
I survived by watching his slide positions and copying them. I wasn’t reading music. I was reading him.
The next year, in grade seven, the teacher gave us separate parts, and my copying lifeline was over.
I remember sitting alone in a room with that trombone, sweat rolling down my face, sheet music on the stand turning my brain into wet sawdust. It felt like staring at an explosive I didn’t know how to defuse.
But something shifted as my juvenile brain worked to solve the problem.
Once I was forced to actually engage with the notation instead of mimicking someone else, I started seeing patterns. The theory behind the notes began to click.
My teacher noticed the transformation quickly, both in performance and on my written tests. Later that year, she encouraged me to enter a sight-reading competition.
Even though I didn’t win, I remember the thrill of performing music I’d never seen before. And because my teacher saw how deeply I’d started engaging with music, she helped me secure a spot at the local summer school of music before high school.
That summer changed my trajectory. I studied with a celebrated trombonist from Canadian Brass. My skills went up substantially, and after a solo I played during the final concert, I was asked to audition for the Kamloops Rube Band.
I turned that invitation down and finally retired the trombone for a bass and joined a heavy metal band instead.
Over the years that followed, I played in multiple bands, learned increasingly complex music, and eventually realized a lifelong dream: going on tour with an established band.
Memory expert Anthony Metivier performing at a concert in Germany.
The Lesson That Changed How I Perform
And it was during that tour, playing with a sophisticated band called The Outside, that I received perhaps the most important lesson about thinking on your feet that music ever gave me.
After a show, our drummer Tito told me I’d missed a few notes. I braced for a critical lecture, but he said something I’ve never forgotten. It was an important tip that has everything to do with the practice of thinking on your feet:
“The real problem isn’t missing the notes. It’s looking like you made a mistake. If you look like you made a mistake, it is a mistake.”
From that moment on, I trained myself to improvise how I looked just as much as how I sounded. A missed note played with confidence reads as a creative choice. A perfect note played with visible anxiety reads as a near-miss.
The audience often doesn’t hear your mistakes, but they do see your reaction to them.
This principle extends far beyond music. It shows up in meetings, presentations and conversations.
Your stumbles themselves are almost never what people remember. They remember whether or not you flinched.
And to tie this all back to the beginning, flinching is an ego response. It’s the visible evidence of caring more about how you appear than about what you’re communicating.
Tito didn’t know he was teaching me about ego reduction back during that tour in 2013. But that’s exactly what his lesson was.
Card Magic: Multiple Outs and Recovery
In card magic, which is especially useful in memorized deck magic, there’s a concept called “multiple outs.” I think about it constantly in non-magic contexts.
A multiple out is a tactic you might never use, but always have something prepared so that no matter what the spectator does, you conclude the trick successfully.
In other words, no matter which card they choose, which pile they point to, which decision they make, you have a prepared path to a successful conclusion.
The spectator thinks they’re making free choices. In reality, every choice leads to the same place, or to one of several equally impressive endings.
This is exactly how preparation works for thinking on your feet.
If you’ve prepared thoroughly for a meeting, you don’t just have one argument. You have multiple arguments, multiple examples, multiple pivot points.
If someone challenges your position, you have an “out.” If someone asks an unexpected question, you have another “out.” The more preparation you’ve done, the more outs you have.
Magician in Trouble
There’s also a sub-genre in magic called “magician in trouble” where the performer intentionally appears to make a mistake, building tension before a surprising recovery. What the audience doesn’t realize is that the “mistake” was planned and the recovery was rehearsed.
But it only works because the performer has done thousands of hours of practice behind the scenes.
If you’re having trouble acting spontaneously, learning a few magic tricks is one of the best things you can do.
The more tricks you know, the more you can make mistakes and recover. If one trick goes wrong, you transition to another. If a spectator does something unexpected, you have a different trick that accommodates their choice. The depth of your repertoire is directly proportional to your ability to handle anything.
Translate this to your professional life:
The more tools, frameworks, examples, and stories you have memorized, the more “tricks” you can draw from when a conversation or presentation goes sideways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
Two Levels of TEDx Improvisation Where Preparation Met Reality
Minutes before I was due on stage for my TEDx Talk, a long-time fan showed up without a ticket.
From what I gathered, he’d traveled to attend the event in Melbourne. And I could tell he was genuinely excited.
But he didn’t have a ticket. And when the venue staff told him he couldn’t come in, due to fire capacity rules, we were both frustrated.
Anyone with two eyes could see that the room wasn’t actually full. But there was no time to argue the bureaucracy. I was about to deliver the most important presentation of my career, after all.
This is exactly the kind of moment that derails people. Not the talk itself, but the things that happen right before you hit the stage. I’m talking about the unexpected disruptions that flood your system with cortisol at the worst possible time.
My ego wanted to fight for this person’s entry. It wanted to make a scene about the absurdity of empty seats and fire codes. It wanted to be the hero who fixes things.
Instead, thinking on my feet, I suggested we meet for dinner after the talk. He understood. We shook hands. And then I had approximately four minutes to completely reset my mental state before walking on stage.
Here’s what I did, standing backstage where nobody could see:
I placed my hands behind my back and began Kirtan Kriya. This is a four-syllable meditation (Sa, Ta, Na, Ma) combined with a sequential mudra where your fingers tap. Gary Weber teaches it in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehvokeZnXMM
By using the technique with both hands behind my back so no one would see, I simultaneously slowed my breathing and brought myself back to center.
Between breath cycles, I also ran a quick body scan from my feet to my scalp, deliberately releasing tension wherever I found it. Jaw, shoulders, hands, the major muscle groups.
By the time they called my name, I was calm.
Not confident in the way people usually mean. I wasn’t puffed up or “psyched” to give my speech.
Just calm in the way that comes from having emptied the bowl.
The fan situation was gone from my mind. The ego’s need to intervene was gone. What remained was a mind with nothing in it except a memorized talk and the willingness to deliver it to whoever was in that room.
What To Do When the Room Doesn’t Follow Your Script
Shortly after my talk began, the room did something I hadn’t planned for.
A scripted joke that had worked perfectly to create laughter during the dress rehearsal the day before landed in silence.
Not awkward silence. Just… nothing.
The audience looked at me with interest but no laughter. A few minutes later, during a section I hadn’t intended to be funny at all, they laughed.
Genuinely.
A speaker working from notes would have been buried in their script at that moment, unable to read the room because their eyes were on the page.
But my entire talk was encoded in Memory Palaces using the technique I teach in my guide, How to Memorize a Speech. I didn’t need to look at any notes. I could look at everyone and connect with them directly.
So I did and leaned into their laughter.
I let it breathe. I adjusted my pacing to ride the energy they were giving me rather than forcing the energy I’d planned.
Going with the flow, I made an unscripted joke and it landed.
And when the moment passed, I stepped to the next station in my Memory Palace and continued on with the talk.
What the Audience Saw vs. What Actually Happened
The audience experienced this as spontaneity. They saw a speaker who was loose, present, reading the room.
What actually happened was decades of training expressing itself through a four-second decision.
The musical performance training that taught me to keep playing through mistakes without flinching. The card magic training that taught me to have multiple outs when a planned effect doesn’t land. The teaching experience that taught me to read a room full of people who may not be responding the way I expected.
And underneath all of it, my ego-reduction efforts shone through, including the willingness to let go of the talk I’d planned and deliver the talk the audience needed.
After the event, several people told me how natural and relaxed I seemed. One person said it felt like I was just talking to them, not giving a speech. That’s the highest compliment a speaker can receive. And it was entirely the product of preparation.
But nothing about that talk was spontaneous other than the joke I made up on the fly. Otherwise, every word of that talk was memorized verbatim.
The audience saw someone thinking on their feet. What they were actually seeing was someone falling back on their training. That, and they witnessed someone with enough training to fall back on.
That is the difference. And it’s available to anyone willing to put in the work before the moment arrives.
Part 6: Physical Composure (How to React When Your Safety Is at Stake)
There are situations where “thinking on your feet” has nothing to do with being articulate or quick-witted.
Quite the opposite. There are many moments in life when thinking itself is the problem, especially during situations where what you need is a trained physical response that fires before your conscious mind has time to interfere.
I’ve been in three of these situations.
Each time, it was my years-long Systema training that kept me safe.
In case you don’t know it, Systema is a martial art focused on breathing, relaxation, and fluid movement under stress.
To be clear, it didn’t help me fight. It helped me because it stopped fights from erupting in the first place.
Let me explain.
Incident One: The Attempted Mugging
While writing my dissertation, I was living in Washington Heights, a district north of Harlem in New York City. I was walking south, down to the 170s from the corner of 187th and Cabrini, where I’d stopped to use a bank machine.
On my way out, a man stood in front of me with something resembling a gun in his pocket. Exactly as it happens in the movies, he gestured in quick spurts of energy so that my eyes dropped and looked at his pocket.
“Give me your wallet and all your money,” he demanded.
My Systema training kicked in. Instead of having my shoulders shoot up with anxious tension — the default I’d seen in almost every new student Emmanuel Manolakakis worked with, including me during my first lessons — my mind automatically followed the training I’d received. Without willing it, my shoulders dropped and my mind and body synced with my breath.
In a way that still completely bewilders me, a smile came across my face.
I don’t know what I looked like, but my expression unnerved the mugger. It created the stress in him that should have been in my body.
After what seemed like an eternity, the mugger said, “Wipe that smile off your face or I’ll shoot you.”
At this point, my smile grew wider and I started to laugh. An instant later, it felt right to move.
I took one step forward into his space and angled to the left with the second and third steps. I didn’t break his gaze and watched as his eyes and entire head tracked me as I moved past him.
Then, still operating completely on autopilot, I started to run and found myself in a cleaning supplies store filled with mops and buckets.
No confrontation. No escalation. No ego.
Just a trained body responding faster than a thinking mind would have. My Systema training, from breath coordination to deep muscle relaxation and long hours of practice with dropping into calm during situations of simulated threat, delivered exactly what it was designed for: bypassing the conscious mind that would have frozen me and let the body handle the situation.
Incident Two: The Dark Path in Toronto
Some time later, walking in Toronto, I approached a path at the end of a high school field. It was too late to be taking this popular shortcut, but there I was during a night that was far darker than I would have liked. There was just one street lamp hanging over that path, and its bulb was barely working.
Before I stepped onto the path, I put a dime on my thumb. I didn’t think about why. There was no conscious strategy at work. My body simply did what training had taught it to do: prepare for the possibility of contact without committing to a plan.
Sure enough, someone stepped into my path. I flicked the dime. The coin caught his gaze and seized his attention, producing a few seconds of involuntary visual tracking. This is the same reflex that makes every human eye follow sudden movement.
Thanks to the distraction created by the spinning dime, I moved past him easily and paced off into the distance before his focus returned.
The entire encounter lasted maybe three seconds. There was no conversation, no confrontation, no mental calculation. Just a trained response that created a tiny window of distraction and an immediate exit through it.
I still think about the fact that I put the dime on my thumb before anything happened.
It wasn’t a decision so much as it was a product of procedural memory — the same memory system that helps a musician’s fingers find the right fret before their conscious mind has named the note.
Systema trains you to read environments the way musicians read chord changes. Not by analyzing, but by responding to patterns your body has trained to respond to inside the dojo.
Incident Three: Outside the Post Office
The third incident was the strangest. Outside a post office, someone with a grievance I didn’t fully understand began yelling at me aggressively. His body language was escalating and the situation felt like it could turn physical.
My response was immediate: I raised my hands into a prayer gesture. With my palms together and fingers standing straight up, I found myself saying “thank you” over and over.
I wasn’t being clever. I wasn’t trying to defuse the situation with wit. The gesture came from training, and it served two purposes simultaneously that I was only partially aware of in the moment.
First, it put my hands in a position to quickly block any incoming strike. The prayer position is a natural guard because your hands are high, elbows close and forearms ready to redirect.
I mean, it’s not going to make you bulletproof, but it’s just as disarming as the smile I delivered back during the mugging I survived in New York.
Second, my response psychologically short-circuited the man’s aggression.
Being thanked while you’re on the offensive is so dissonant that the brain doesn’t know how to process it.
This person’s rhythm broke. His volume dropped. The escalation stalled because the script he was running had been interrupted by a response that didn’t fit.
He didn’t thank me back. But at least he stopped. And I walked away unscathed.
The Common Thread: No Ego, No Thinking, Just the Fruits of Training
In all three incidents, the pattern is identical:
Because the ego was out of the way, I wasn’t trying to prove anything or “win” the encounters.
There was also no conscious thinking. The responses were physical, automatic, and executed faster than mental deliberation would have allowed.
Plus, there was relaxation under threat. The counterintuitive act of relaxing when threatened, which Systema specifically trains, prevented the freeze response that ego and fear typically produce.
Finally, the strategy in each case was oriented toward getting away, not engaging.
For anyone who wants to develop this dimension of thinking on their feet, I strongly recommend studying a martial art that emphasizes relaxation, awareness, and movement rather than aggression and force.
Finding Your Own Physical Practice
If personal experiences make you want to sign up for Systema, I’d encourage it. But I’d also encourage any martial art that emphasizes awareness, breathing, and relaxation over aggression and force.
The point is not to become a fighter. The point is to develop a body that responds to threat with trained composure rather than untrained panic.
Beyond martial arts, I practice Qigong daily and have for years. It’s not a combat discipline, but it trains the same foundational skills experienced in a gentler format:
Breath coordination
Bodily awareness
Relaxation under tension
For someone who has no interest in martial training, Qigong offers many of the same benefits for composure and physical presence without ever throwing or receiving a strike.
Whatever physical practice you choose, I’d offer one caution:
Don’t romanticize these practices or turn them into a glamorous fantasy. Remember the lesson from Lacan and the Stoic lessons that make sure reality is better than fantasy if and when real situations of trouble land.
The three incidents I described above weren’t action sequences. They were awkward, brief, and slightly absurd.
I didn’t defeat anyone. I smiled, flicked a coin, and said thank you.
The training didn’t make me dangerous. It made me calm enough to exit each situation without a scratch.
And that brings me to what I consider the most important physical skill of all, one that doesn’t require any formal training: situational awareness.
Train for Situational Awareness
In each of the three incidents, there was a moment before contact where my body registered something my conscious mind hadn’t articulated yet.
In Washington Heights, I noticed the man’s posture before he spoke. In Toronto, something made me put a dime on my thumb before I entered the dark path. Outside the post office, I registered the escalation in body language before any words were exchanged.
To train for greater situational awareness, walk with your phone in your pocket instead of your hand.
Move around the world with your ears empty instead of listening to music or podcasts.
When you enter a room, notice the exits.
When you’re in an unfamiliar environment, pay attention to who is around you and how they’re moving.
These aren’t paranoid habits. They’re the same environmental reading skills your ancestors used every day. Modern life has simply given us the luxury of ignoring them.
There is almost no better way to think on your feet than the thinking that steers you clear of sticky situations in the first place. When it comes to physical confrontation, the best-trained response is the one you never have to use.
Part 7: Daily Training Exercises for Mental Agility
Everything discussed so far requires ongoing practice. Here are the specific daily exercises I use and recommend, organized from quick (2 minutes) to involved (30+ minutes).
Breathing Techniques (2–5 minutes)
Before any high-pressure situation, be it a presentation, a meeting or a difficult conversation, controlled breathing is the fastest way to shift your nervous system from sympathetic (fight-or-flight) to parasympathetic (calm and focused).
The simplest technique:
Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, breathe out for 6 counts. The extended exhale activates the vagus nerve and physically slows your heart rate.
Do this for 2 minutes and you’ll enter any situation calmer and more mentally available.
For more advanced breathing techniques, check out this video tutorial I made for you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeO06_uZZcg
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (5–10 minutes)
Systematically tensing and releasing muscle groups, from your feet to your face, trains your body to release the physical tension that accumulates under stress. Over time, you develop the ability to detect and release tension in real time — during a conversation, during a presentation, during a confrontation.
This is the body scan component that I used before my TEDx Talk, and it’s a core element of Systema training as well. The ability to scan your body for tension and deliberately release it is a physical skill that directly supports mental agility.
Steelmanning Practice (15–20 minutes)
Get a partner. Have them throw random topics at you. Your job: argue the strongest possible case for the position you naturally oppose. Switch roles.
Do this twice a week and within a month you’ll notice a dramatic improvement in your ability to think through problems from multiple angles under time pressure.
Now, you might think about going to Chat-GPT or some other LLM. You can certainly give this a try.
However, beware of context-dependent memory and state-dependence issues. If you only train in digital environments with a bot, you will likely find that you perform fine when sparring with a computer, but flounder with a human.
As this study found, training in certain environments creates less cognitive fatigue than others. So if you come to develop certain beliefs about the difficulty of discussing things based on experiences with chatbots, you will probably not like the energy-drain you encounter when dealing with humans.
Remember: we tend to fight the way we train, so practice all rhetorical argumentation in a variety of environments, never just one.
Random Topic Riffing (10–15 minutes)
Have someone give you a topic and speak about it for 2 minutes without stopping.
What you say doesn’t need to be brilliant, but work at speaking continuously. The exercise trains your brain to keep producing output even when it doesn’t feel ready, which is exactly the skill you need when put on the spot.
Increase difficulty by having the topic-giver interrupt you with new topics mid-stream. This trains your ability to pivot and shift directions without losing composure.
Memory Palace Practice (15–30 minutes)
Every time you encode information using a Memory Palace, you’re doing more than memorizing.
You’re building the retrieval infrastructure that makes recall under pressure possible. Regular Memory Palace practice is the single most important investment you can make in your ability to access information when you need it.
The more you memorize, the more you should seek to incorporate memorized material into your steelmanning and random riffing practice routines.
Alphabet Drills and Multiple Mentality (5–15 minutes)
One of the most unusual training systems I’ve encountered comes from Harry Kahne, a performer from the 1920s who could write with both hands simultaneously while reciting poetry from memory.
He called his approach “Multiple Mentality” because it’s the deliberate practice of running several mental operations at once.
His exercises sound deceptively simple. The foundational one: write out the alphabet backwards from memory. Not from Z-A printed on a card.
From memory, cold.
Most people find reciting the alphabet backwards surprisingly difficult the first time. But once you can do it? That’s when the real training begins.
Kahne then asks you to pair the alphabet’s extreme ends mentally: A-Z, B-Y, C-X, working inward. Then start from the center and pair outward in reverse. These are pure concentration drills because they force your brain to hold a structure in working memory while performing various forms of recall.
I go deeper into the full Multiple Mentality system and all of Kahne’s exercises in my detailed review of his course, including the parts I think are brilliant and the parts where I respectfully disagree with him.
Part 8: Prepping Your Mind (Why What You Memorize Determines How Well You Think)
Most of us know that the quality of your thinking is directly proportional to the quality of what you’ve committed to memory.
A mind loaded with poetry, philosophy, scientific principles, historical examples, memorable quotes, and well-understood frameworks will produce richer, more nuanced, more creative responses under pressure than a mind that relies on whatever it happens to recall from last week’s reading.
This is not about showing off. It’s about having raw material that makes you mentally dexterous. And gives you information you can use in an instant.
What to Memorize for Maximum Mental Agility
As you’ve seen, I strongly recommend memorizing quotes and poems.
Because memorized poetry gives you access to compressed wisdom, beautiful language, and emotional resonance that you can draw on in conversation, writing, and thinking.
When you’ve memorized a poem or story, you own the content in a way that reading on its own never provides. The lines and structures become part of your mental vocabulary.
I’ve memorized dozens of poems and passages of verse, and they surface constantly in conversation, in my writing, in my thinking about problems that have nothing to do with literature.
Memorize Speeches for Mental Dexterity
Likewise, you can seek out speeches from people like Churchill, Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr. and Marcus Aurelius.
The words of leaders who were themselves masters of thinking on their feet make for excellent training material.
When you’ve memorized their words, you internalize their patterns of thought. You don’t just quote them. You begin to think in the structures they used.
Learn to Tell Jokes
Like improv, humor provides you with one of the ultimate forms of thinking on your feet.
And telling jokes is far more learnable than people assume.
To get started, commit a few jokes to memory and study their structure.
You’ll soon notice that a good joke is a tiny argument:
The setup establishes expectations
The twist violates the expectations
The punchline resolves the violation in a surprising or ironic way
This simple structure is not so different from the PREP framework we discussed above.
Practice Parroting and Accent Imitation
Imitating a famous actor might sound like a party trick, but it’s actually a profound exercise in sharing another person’s perspective and behavioral patterns.
To imitate someone convincingly, you have to at least try and understand how they think, how they move and how they use language. As a result, the understanding you develop translates directly to the ability to read and respond to different people in different contexts.
I’m not particularly good with foreign accents or imitating people. But merely by putting time into practicing a few people, I’ve learned a lot and become more spontaneous on my feet.
Reflective Thinking Practice
Memorization alone isn’t enough. The material you memorize needs to be processed through reflective thinking. This is the practice of deliberately considering what you’ve learned, connecting it to other things you know, and forming your own positions.
I do a lot of my reflective thinking through journaling, through conversation with carefully chosen friends, and through a practice I’ve maintained for years: regularly re-reading books I’ve already read, looking for things I missed the first time.
All of these practices transform static knowledge into dynamic intellectual resources you’ll draw upon with great ease when you find yourself put on the spot.
Part 9: The Paradox of Mental Silence
We’ve covered a great deal of ground today: ego reduction, memory techniques, verbal frameworks, performance training, martial arts, daily exercises, and the art of loading your mind with quality material.
And now I want to end with something that sounds like a contradiction but is, in fact, the deepest truth about thinking on your feet:
The goal is not to think faster. Rather, it’s to create the conditions where you don’t need to think at all.
I know this sounds paradoxical. How can “thinking on your feet” require not thinking?
It’s because the highest level of performance in any domain doesn’t just look like effortlessness. It actually is, if only in the present moment.
I’m talking about the musician who plays a transcendent solo. That performer isn’t thinking about which notes to play.
Nor does the martial artist who evades a strike sit there thinking about which direction to move.
And the speaker who delivers a perfect response to an unexpected question isn’t thinking about what to say. They’re drawing upon deep preparation.
In each case, the performer has trained so deeply that the right response emerges from a place beneath conscious thought. The preparation started long ago.
Practice has quieted your fantasies, both positive and negative. And what remains is a mind so well-prepared that it can be still during the demands and in that stillness, the right response simply appears.
This outcome is common in the world of mindfulness and meditation, where practitioners describe the experience of being “full by being empty.”
In order to receive the moment as it actually is (not as your ego wants it to be, nor as your anxiety fears things might go wrong), you just have to empty your mind of the noise that normally fills it.
Your Next Step
If this article has shown you anything, I hope it’s this: thinking on your feet is not a gift. It’s the product of deliberate, ongoing training across multiple domains — mental, verbal, physical, and philosophical.
The foundation of all of it is memory. Not “good memory” as a vague trait, but trained memory — the ability to encode, store, and retrieve information on demand, under pressure, in any context.
If you want to start building that foundation, I’ve created a free course that teaches you the core Memory Palace technique in four video lessons. It’s the same starting point my Masterclass students use, and it will give you your first experience of what trained recall feels like.
For even deeper training that includes the Memory Wheel technique, ars combinatoria, advanced Memory Palace strategies, and the Recall Rehearsal patterns that make long-term retention predictable, my Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass takes you through the complete learning system.
And if you want to explore the meditation, breathing, and muscle relaxation routines I’ve combined with memory training for maximum mental composure, I go into all of that in The Victorious Mind.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to stop worrying about what you’ll say next and start training so deeply that the right response arrives on its own?
Remember: the secret every performer, martial artist, and memory expert discovers is ultimately the same.
You don’t rise to the level of the moment. You fall back to the level of your preparation.
Start prepping now. You won’t regret it.
Everyday Genius by Nelson Dellis: Review, Interview & Analysis
Mar 18, 2026
Nelson Dellis delivers yet another epic memory improvement book with Everyday Genius: Hacks to Boost Your Memory, Focus, Problem-Solving and Much More.
In my view, this book is also a corrective to the increasing mountains of bad memory training advice online.
I mean, spend ten minutes browsing memory improvement forums and you’ll start to see the rot.
Same recycled advice.
Same flat explanations lacking nuance.
Same people “teaching” techniques they’ve:
Never stress-tested in public
Never pushed to the limits
Never offered anything more than mostly copied explanations of standard mnemonic methods
The toxicity for the serious student of the memory arts and mental skills is only getting worse as people ramp up their use of AI to produce even more untested “teaching” of these techniques.
So the fact that Nelson actually demonstrates and performs a kind of “immersion journalism” when it comes to the techniques he teaches provides just one of many reasons why Nelson Dellis’s Everyday Genius matters so much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJoc5gLIx2c
How Everyday Genius Takes Memory Training Into New Terrain
It’s not that Nelson has invented any new memory techniques in this book, which you can learn more about on Abrams Books.
He hasn’t. And it’s unlikely that anyone ever will.
Nelson told me as much at the opening of our interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcTJuCiDVqE
Anyhow, “new” doesn’t come into the picture for people serious about memory and accelerated learning.
As someone who has received and read Amazon reviews on memory improvement books for decades, I always find it odd when someone writes, “nothing new here.”
Since even Giordano Bruno essentially announced that nothing new would be coming to the field of mnemonics back in the 1600s, the real task is to:
Stop Confusing Activity with Accomplishment
Nelson’s book matters first and foremost because it comes from a mnemonist of actual accomplishment.
A real practitioner, not just a reader of memory improvement books who then comments on them.
He’s someone who has put his mind on the line under pressure, in competition, with nowhere to hide.
In other words, Nelson’s history of accomplishment adds weight to every page.
And you can feel it almost immediately.
Everyday Genius is written by someone who has actually lived inside the machinery of memory and various mental tactics and then extended these into real life situations:
Giving a speech
Making new business contacts
Solving real-world problems
Exploring the nature of the mind
At the risk of repetition, this distinction matters more than ever, because the internet is drowning the memory arts with all kinds of secondhand certainty written by people lurking behind anonymous user accounts.
What Kinds of Real-World Problems Will This Book Help You Solve?
Then, when you go through his explanations of how to apply these mnemonic systems to remembering names or speeches, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how to implement them.
Likewise when it comes to critical thinking.
Nelson takes you through actual real-world scenarios and shows you how various critical thinking examples can make life a lot smoother and more successful.
Making Memory & Learning Both Relevant & Fun
Another major thing Nelson gets right in Everyday Genius is that he doesn’t shy away from blending the use of memory and thinking tactics for fun with more serious learning outcomes.
I know that I’m guilty of not finding that balance in my own writing, even if personally I perform card magic with a memdeck and play music, etc.
The cost, however, is that using memory techniques for activities like card counting can be learned a lot more readily when you have at least some of the foundational mnemonic strategies working for you.
In reality, learning them doesn’t have to be a grind. And the stories and profiles of polymathic geniuses Nelson shares throughout the book will help you see the multiple layers of fun in store for you.
The key is to find ways to make these techniques integrate into your everyday life. Figuring out how to do that can be a challenge, but that’s all the more reason to pay attention to the examples distributed throughout Everyday Genius.
The Potentially Controversial Aspect of Everyday Genius
Now, you might be wondering…
Is Everyday Genius perfect and free from critique?
No. And unlike his previous books like Remember It! and Memory Superpowers, Nelson takes risks that I partly admire and partly question.
And one of my criticisms goes back to at least two years prior to its publication when Nelson first told us about his “remote viewing” experiments on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j240eFZNq04
Now, I worry about being hypocritical if I lean too heavily against Nelson when he enters such contested territory. I’ve run similar experiments myself at various times, and perhaps entered just as questionable territory with The Victorious Mind.
To take just one example, learning to remember your dreams is easy enough to do. But Nelson talks about practicing memorizing a deck of cards while lucid dreaming, and it’s just not clear how you could test the accuracy or measure the contribution of such untestable practice to your skills.
At least in the case of remote viewing, Nelson has practiced a kind of immersion journalism.
He’s gone to various labs and institutions where people conduct tests in remote viewing and out-of-body experiences.
Whether those tests are “scientific” or not is itself a critical thinking exercise, but I admire that Nelson:
Goes into the field to report back from lived experience
Is willing to face tough questions about the claims people make about such phenomena
And unlike the lucid dream claim, various aspects of the claims about remote viewing and out-of-body experiences can be tested
In any case, Dellis doesn’t build the book on the foundation of these more experimental activities. And it is of great importance that you are invited to experiment using the protocol Nelson provides.
I tried the provided remote viewing protocol myself.
And frankly, I would rather explore strange terrain from Nelson Dellis who has proven all kinds of astonishing accomplishments than from yet another forum philosopher who has yet to demonstrate… anything they make claims about.
The Future of Memory Training
And the whole realm of claims that people make is the larger issue here for me.
In our growing culture of cognitive indifference, people forget names, forget what they read, forget what they meant to say halfway through saying it, then shrug and call it normal “because internet”.
And it treats memory as something you train, not something you talk about.
But don’t stop with reading and implementing this book.
Do your part to help fix the culture.
Stop letting the swamp of bad information on the internet define what memory training is.
Memorize the most challenging information you can find and demonstrate that you can do it.
Take on hard skills and prove that you’ve got them.
That is your duty now if you want to distinguish yourself from the swamp and the robots.
Raise the standard.
That would be truly genius.
How to Memorize Poetry Quickly & Maintain It For Life
Feb 18, 2026
I have an uncle who used to sing the craziest (and often off-color songs).
He was a WWII vet and looked like the Canadian actor Lorne Greene. He would rip out the kinds of songs that sailors sang and I would rush to write down the lyrics so I could learn them.
And learn them I did.
The hard way.
It was irritating and frustrating.
Even though they say the hand builds the mind and it wasn’t the end of the world that I spent so much time writing them down and rewriting them, I was still relying on rote learning.
If only I knew then what I know today about memory techniques!
You see, I now memorize and regularly demonstrate poems I’ve committed to memory almost every month during my live memory training bootcamps.
I’ve memorized everything from ancient Sanskrit poems to some of the most inventive contemporary poetry.
And today I’m going to share a few case studies and key tips I know you’re going to love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUQYVUEBJVc
How to Memorize Poetry Fast
The fastest way I know to memorize poetry involves a combination of ancient memory techniques.
These are:
The Memory Palace Technique
Alphabetical association
Numerical association (where relevant)
Spaced repetition based on solid active recall principles
Now, I know that weaving together so many memory techniques to memorize poetry or even song lyrics, sounds like a lot. But if you want to memorize poems fast, stick with me. Bringing all of these strategies together is much easier than it might seem at first glance.
But first, let me further demonstrate that I actually do successfully memorize poetry to bolster the demonstrations given in the video tutorial above. I believe proof is important because there are a lot of people out there who talk about skills they cannot do.
In the case of mnemonics, there are even entire forums filled with people giving advice about memory techniques when they clearly haven’t lifted a finger to memorize a poem. That, or they’ve used rote memorization and are only pretending they used mnemonics.
So with those issues in mind, here are a few more videos with demonstrations from a variety of verses in various states of retention. Please be sure to watch each example because I will refer back to these recitations to help you rapidly memorize poems of your own.
Example One: A Univocalic Poem
In this video, you’ll see me at the Memory Palace Bookshop I’m developing practicing the recitation of a univocalic poem by Christian Bök:
That’s from a fantastic book of poetry called Eunoia.
Example Two: Shakespeare
This video not only shows me reciting lines from Titus Andronicus. It includes a very important teaching point.
That’s because I also demonstrate reciting the lines forward and backward to help teach you how to more easily commit even the most difficult poem to memory using a process I call Recall Rehearsal:
But in the case of the example shared in the video above, I had a special purpose in mind.
I was doing it to reproduce the memory technique Anthony Hopkins describes in his autobiography. Here’s the full case study.
Example Three: Song Lyrics
In this video, you’ll see and hear me singing a famous song called The Moon Represents My Heart in Chinese:
https://youtu.be/dCyPV6qfKkI
The entire song took just over forty minutes to commit to long-term memory.
Even though it’s been a few years since I sang the whole song, I still remember most of the lyrics to this day. Every once and awhile, I whip it out and it always brings a smile to my wife’s face.
The reason this Chinese poem set to music took a bit longer to memorize other poems I’ve memorized is because it’s in a foreign language that I was only just beginning to study at the time.
Example Four: Poetry Quoted in a Speech
When I wrote my TEDx Talk, I incorporated lines from a Sanskrit piece called the Ribhu Gita.
This was an interesting challenge because it called me to recall the speech and the poetry that had already been memorized.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
This particular performance was a lot of fun, but also challenging due to the combination of a live audience, cameras and the fact that the world was starting to go into lockdown at the beginning of Covid.
I had a lot on my mind, but thanks to the memory techniques you’re about to discover, I still think the talk came off fairly well. It’s been seen over four million times now, so I must have done something right.
A Memory Palace is essential for memorizing poetry, or anything verbatim.
What is this technique?
A Memory Palace is a mental recreation of a familiar location.
For example, in the first video example above from the poem Eunoia, I used my mom’s home from where she lived years ago.
I moved from the master bedroom to the kitchen and living room, to a few other bedrooms and finally out the door and down the driveway in front of the house.
How to Memorize a Poem in an Hour (or Less) Using This Technique
As I just mentioned, I started in one room, then moved to the kitchen, the living room, and so forth. On each corner and wall, I placed an association.
For example, for the line, “Awkward grammar appals a craftsman,” I placed an image of Apollinaire in a state of awe changing into being appalled.
Now, what exactly it means to “place” an association along a journey in an imaginary version of a building can feel a bit abstract in the beginning.
But basically, you’re taking a corner, a wall or a piece of furniture and elaborating it with strange, exaggerated ideas and feelings that remind you of each word of the poem or song lyric.
You can do it in any language and if you look at the Guru Viking video above, you’ll see me demonstrate exactly how and why it works in any language. In that particular example, I use the wall behind me for Shakespeare in the same way I memorize Sanskrit phrases when memorizing ancient mantras.
To Speed Up The Process When You’re Just Starting Out, Do This
Learning to use the Memory Palace technique can feel challenging in the beginning.
To reduce the cognitive load, I suggest making a quick sketch of a familiar location that you will turn into a Memory Palace.
You don’t have to be artistic. I don’t try to make fine art of it at all.
To wit, here’s a quick sketch of a bookstore in the Zamalek area of Cairo I have used many times to memorize poetry and other types of information:
A Memory Palace drawn on an index card to maximize its value as a mnemonic device. This one is based on a bookstore in Zamalek, a part of Cairo.
The reason for drawing out the journey is to get it clear in your mind.
That way, you can spend more time on the next step.
But failing to simply draw a Memory Palace in advance can lead to a lot of unnecessary frustration.
That’s because you will ultimately wind up trying to encode the poem while developing the Memory Palace at the same time. To memorize any poem as quickly as possible, you need to separate the two activities.
Step Two: Lay Down Your Associations One Word At A Time (Most Of The Time)
Shakespeare opens King Henry the Fifth like this:
O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend The brightest heaven of invention, A kingdom for a stage, princes to act And monarchs to behold our swelling scene!
When I memorized these lines, I started at station one with an image of the constellation Orion over the Statue of Liberty.
Using the pegword method, I associated Orion with O. Then, using the general concept of a woman that inspires people, I placed the Statue of Liberty in the Memory Palace.
In this case, the Memory Palace was a workplace where I was writing curriculum in Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
You might choose a completely different image for the words “muse of fire.”
But the technical point is that you want to find a direct sound and spelling correspondence that is:
Based on ideas and images already in your memory
Makes sense to you
Making sure that the associations you choose are personal is part of what scientists call active recall.
For me personally, Lady Liberty is an especially apt choice not only because she represents inspiration, as the muses. She’s also holding a torch, which helps me encode the word “fire.”
But I also lived in both Manhattan and Brooklyn for awhile and often crossed the Manhattan Bridge. This makes the memory of the Statue of Liberty even stronger for me, and another reason why you need to think about the images that make most sense for you.
How to Associate “Little Words” for Rapid Memorization
What about a word like “that”? Tricky and abstract, right?
Not really. You just need to pick an association that makes sense to you while sounding or seeming as close as possible to the target information as you can get it.
In the case of the Henry the Fifth line, I just took “th” and linked it with Thor and then used rhyming to have him put on a hat in a dramatic way. Thor + hat = that.
When it comes to the Bök poem, there’s a part of the sequence (full poem here) where I used Thor with his hat again:
Awkward grammar appals a craftsman. A Dada bard as daft as Tzara damns stagnant art and scrawls an alpha (a slapdash arc and a backward zag) that mars all stanzas and jams all ballads (what a scandal).
For a small word like “all,” I used the Punk Rock band All, but only in part. Drawing upon the mnemonic teaching of people like Peter of Ravenna, Jacobus Publicius and Giordano Bruno, I used the principle of reduction. Rather than imagine the entire band, or even an entire mascot, I just imagined the eyes of the mascot.
To memorize at speed, I suggest you practice this principle of reduction. Also develop what I call the Magnetic SRS in my full poetry course in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass. By taking an hour or so to assign association to all the pronouns and other “operator” words like “that,” you won’t have to stop and come up with associations ever again.
The Magnetic SRS training in my full program goes into further detail. It will help you develop dozens of images for words that seem like they’ll be tricky or repetitive. Done well, they can be used repeatedly, but never cause confusion.
Step Three: Memorize Multiple Words When You Can
Memorizing more than one word in a poem at a time is called mnemonic compression.
This term can mean more than one thing. But in this case, I’ve technically just given you a description of how compression works with the Statue of Liberty example. After Orion for O, she represents five words: “for a Muse of fire.”
In this case, it works because I’m familiar with the workings of English grammar.
But you can’t always get away with this kind of compression, especially when memorizing poetry in another language.
It’s just best to keep an eye out for compression opportunities as much you can.
When I memorized my TEDx talk using these techniques for speech memorization, thanks to compression, I loaded one station in my Memory Palace with up to 17 words using just 3-5 images (depending on how you count them).
Keep in mind that you don’t have to start with poems with long passages like the ones I included in my TEDx Talk.
A lot of people like to start with short Bible verses. I’ve put together a list of Bible verses to memorize that address the theme of memory if you’d like to select a few for practice.
Step Four: Use Intelligent, Creative Repetition
As I mentioned above, rote learning is a real problem.
What you want instead is something called spaced repetition. It provides a simple means of reviewing memorized material on a schedule that keeps it in memory.
Different poems and lyrics will require different amounts of repetition, and it’s not easy to predict in advance how much content will require how much repetition.
However, there’s something called context-dependent memory. Basically, it gives you a boost when you use a lot of content frequently. Or read continually within particular categories of information.
So if you read literature and quote it often, you’ll probably need less repetition than someone who doesn’t.
And if you memorize the sonnet form more than free verse, you’ll likely develop a stronger and faster reliability because you’ve internalized its rules.
Creative Repetition for Long-Term Maintenance
For most of us, poems will fade over time no matter what we do.
Fortunately, there are creative repetition strategies that can help make sure you maintain them.
One is to follow in the footsteps of geniuses.
For example, Anthony Hopkins keep common place books where they store and regularly revisit favorite poems. People like Thomas Jefferson used this strategy too.
Another strategy is to use reflective thinking to compare various poems you’ve memorized. You can do this from poem to poem or between poems and your favorite philosophy books, historical events, etc.
Finally, look for opportunities to recite the poems.
Even if you just quote isolated lines, this smaller recitation will help keep the full poem within your mental reach.
3 Alternative Ways To Memorize Poetry
You might be wondering if it’s possible to memorize poetry without using the Memory Palace technique.
Indeed, there are. Here are some options.
Rote Repetition
Although I personally don’t like how rote learning feels, it is an option you can explore.
It’s a slower option for most of us. But one simple way to get more mileage out of sheer repetition is to choose the time of day and location where you practice it strategically. You’ll need a lot of focus and concentration on top of sheer will power to keep repeating the same lines without the fun of mnemonics, so make sure you aren’t interrupted.
I’d also suggest focusing on shorter poems for use with rote. That way you can memorize more poems in their entirety and enjoy substantial accomplishments more often.
Cloze Methods
A cloze test involves showing yourself parts of a poem. As you read through the poem, you try and fill in the blanks. This activity can trigger some of the positive benefits of active recall.
Here’s an example of how you would apply the cloze test methodology to help yourself remember The Tyger by William Blake:
Tyger Tyger, burning _____,
In the _____ of the night;
What immortal ____ or ____,
Could _____ thy ______ ______?
Visual Flashcards
Finally, if you’re willing to make simple drawings, you can draw on flashcards.
This approach is kind of like a visual cloze test. Instead of hiding the word “bright” in the phrase “burning bright,” you would sketch an image that helps trigger the phrase.
I’ve done this a fair amount with memorizing the books of the Bible. It’s a fast and easy way to help the mind make connections without having to use a Memory Palace.
That said, drawing can take a lot of time. I would save this approach for when you feel like an experimental learning experience.
How to Practice Reciting Poetry from Memory
There are three key ways that I practice reciting poetry, not only to ensure that they’re locked in long-term memory.
The point is also to get the lines as fluid as possible and bring out various parts you want to emphasize.
After all, it’s not fun to sound robotic. The point of poetry is to convey meaning and beauty, humor or to stimulate some kind of emotion.
One: Write the Poetry from Memory
Another aspect of proper active recall practice is to call the information to mind by revisiting your associations in your Memory Palace, then write the words down.
When writing out what you’ve committed to memory, don’t worry about mistakes. If you catch yourself making a mistake, just scratch it out.
Then, once you’ve written as many lines as you can recall, test them against where the verse is written in a book or online.
Here’s an example of a test from another part of Eunoia I recently memorized:
At this point, I hadn’t memorized the entire poem and had to start a new journal. But the important point is to test in this exact manner so that you don’t fall into rote repetition.
Two: Recite Verbally
As demonstrated in several of the video examples above, I practice recalling the poetry verses from memory out loud.
This step is important because it gets the poetry into the muscle memory of the mouth.
And this is the best way to practice adding gravitas to your performance.
I suggest that you also recite the poetry out of order as you see in the Anthony Hopkins video above.
This will give each line primacy and recency using the serial positioning effect, as was codified by Hermann Ebbinghaus.
During the learning process, it can also be helpful to make up a little tune to go with the poetry.
Even if you don’t sing it later, there’s something to chanting and singsonging that aids memory. This is something Bruno notes in his memory guide, Cantus Circaeus (Song of Circe), available in this English translation.
Three: Recite Mentally
It’s also valuable to practice reciting what you’ve memorized purely in your mind.
You can do this solely by reciting the lines while moving through your Memory Palaces.
Or you can do it without thinking of the Memory Palace journey, which is a point you should practice as soon as possible.
If you are going to perform the poem live, it’s also helpful to imagine yourself delivering it live on camera or in front of an audience.
I’ve done all of these things and it has really helped make sure my performance is fluid. But it also creates that priceless feeling of preparation.
Your audience will appreciate your delivery much more as well.
Make Poetry Memorization Part of Your Daily Life
Finally, I’d like to discuss how to make poetry memorization a daily activity.
We’re all different, but I personally prefer to encode new poems during the morning.
This is simply because my energy is highest. Then I practice reciting in the evening.
You might find that you prefer the opposite pattern.
The key is to experiment, all based on having developed your mnemonic tools.
Plus, it only makes sense to have a lot of poetry that you like within reach. Along with having the right memory techniques for this kind of verbatim learning task.
That’s ultimately the most important tip of all. To get fast with memorizing poetry, you need to have your mnemonics prepped in advance.
If you’d like more help on how the Memory Palace technique and related mnemonic strategies will help you memorize poems of any length, please consider signing up for my FREE Memory Improvement Course:
It will take you through developing Memory Palaces for memorizing any poem at speed.
Those poems can be as short as a simple song or as long as the Bible (which as I discuss in this tutorial, is possible to memorize).
Or you can memorize songs from your weird uncle like I often did… even if I can’t always repeat them in polite company.
Frankly, I wish I’d known these techniques back when I was young. Not only because I’d remember more of the words to the songs he sang.
I’d remember more about him too.
And that’s ultimately the greatest thing about memorizing poetry.
We’re memorizing the ideas, feelings and images that impacted others, literally integrating ourselves with the stuff of life through memory.
Method of Loci: Memory Improvement Tactics with Case Studies
Feb 14, 2026
Imagine being able to recall names, speeches or the key points from complex books with ease. That’s the power you’ll enjoy after you use today’s tips to master the method of loci.
Also known as the Memory Palace technique or Mind Palace, this approach to learning leverages your spatial memory to help you transform even the most abstract ideas into unforgettable mental associations.
You’ll be able to recall both the mnemonic association and the target information because of how this technique helps you anchor them in familiar locations.
However, there are a few aspects to the technique that a lot of people miss, a key one being that the method of loci is actually part of a larger equation.
Your loci are meant to be used in combination with mnemonic associations and a rehearsal process people now call spaced repetition. One of the earliest descriptions of loci being used with associations and review patterns was given by Aristotle, and his approach is very powerful.
On this page, I’ll give you the complete, no-nonsense guide to how this system works, drawn from history, my personal experience as the founder of the Magnetic Memory Method and acknowledged demonstrator of these techniques.
I used them to help me pass university, learn languages, deliver a very popular TEDx Talk and more.
Fortunately, I learned from the best, including Tony Buzan while he was still alive. And I’ve also learned a lot from the thousands of people I’ve taught.
So whether you’re just starting or refining your practice, this guide gives you the historical foundations, practical tactics and real-world examples you need to make the method of loci your own.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOVr7K7x6Bo
What Is The Method of Loci?
Loci is the plural of locus, meaning a place, location, or as I prefer to call it a “Magnetic Station.”
For example, have a look at this image of one of my Memory Palaces:
Each of the tritons is an individual locus. The red string shows the journey between the loci. And that’s ultimately what the method of loci is: a strategy for stringing together a number of places along a journey used to help us recall information.
Because this method helps you move across a series of locations, the technique is synonymous with a technique called the “Journey Method” as well as “Memory Palace” and “Mind Palace.”
To help you see exactly how it works, check out my Memory Palace Guide and watch the Memory Palace walkthrough video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STlYIiF9RzI
Core Uses for The Method of Loci
Although many people think the technique is restricted to memorizing lists, that’s just not true… lists are involved, but with a twist.
That’s because all of the uses below essentially involve committing lists to memory. You can use this technique to:
Origins of the Term and Other Uses: From Simonides to Songlines
The terms “loci method” or “method of loci” mean at their core that we’re turning space itself into a mnemonic device. In other words, you can think of this memory tool as a “location-based mnemonic.”
No one knows exactly where the term comes from. But memory expert Frances Yates details how the Greek tradition of memory entered into the medieval world through Rome in her book The Art of Memory.
The Greeks attributed the loci technique to Simonides of Ceos, but as Lynne Kelly demonstrates in The Memory Code, it’s actually much older.
In fact, Aboriginals and other cultures around the world have been using the sky and landscapes to help them remember information since prehistoric times. Using the sky as part of the method of loci is sometimes called a “Songline,” just one of several ancient memory techniques.
It was probably the Romans who influenced the development of the term Roman Room, which is yet another variation of the term method of loci.
But in my view, the earliest and most thorough description is found in Aristotle. Yates discusses it, but does not fully understand why Aristotle labels each locus with an alphabetical letter as I share in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3N2i73LKt0
The reason Aristotle does this is because he’s teaching you his version of spaced repetition. Noting that the exact text has been corrupted, here’s an extract of what Aristotle says.
I am taking this from my version of Aristotle’s On Memory, where I also provided ample commentary of this work:
It often happens that you cannot recall at the moment, but can search for what you want and find it… But you must seize hold of the starting point. For this reason, some use places (or loci)…
Then, when discussing the act of recollecting from loci, Aristotle says:
Generally speaking, the middle point seems to be a good point to start from: for one will recollect when one comes to this point, if not before, or else one will not recollect from any other.
For instance, suppose one were thinking of a series, which may be represented by ABCDEFGH: if one does not recall what is wanted at E, yet one does at H. From that point it is possible to travel in either direction, that is either to D or towards F. Suppose one is seeking for either G or F, one will recollect on arriving at C, if one wants to G or F.
Yates finds this confusing, and admits that she never actually tried the techniques. Richard Sorabji also admits his confusion in Aristotle on Memory, one of my favorite books of all time. But it’s not clear to me whether or not he ever tried the techniques.
How the Method of Loci Works to Assist Spaced Repetition
In my interpretation, Aristotle is describing a process of revisiting your loci in different orders.
By using this specific version, you can increase your retention, because you have revisited the information forward, but also from the middle to the end and by applying a few other patterns.
I might be seeing what I want to see in this passage, but as a long-time professional mnemonist with decades of personal practice and professional teaching, I believe that if we were to ever find an uncorrupted text of Aristotle’s work on memory, we would find that he’s describing principles similar to those described by Hermann Ebbinghaus thousands of years later.
You can spend a lifetime studying the memory science. In brief, these patterns provide essentially the same kind of science-backed review that is built into spaced repetition software like Anki, which I have covered in detail in this guide.
The important point is that our species has been using the core principles of the method of loci for a very long time. And they have all been well-demonstrated by the scientists of our time.
For more on how spaced repetition worked in the ancient world and our time, please see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CthE_Napjg
Why the Method of Loci Works
Our ancestors noticed that we naturally tend to remember where things happened. We now call this spatial memory and training specifically to pair information more tightly with locations has been shown in scientific studies to produce superior memory.
You can test how the method works quite easily by simply thinking back to a location from your childhood or youth.
For example, think about where you went to elementary school or high school. Mentally walk around. Most of us will be able to reconstruct a fair amount of these buildings.
As an additional exercise, see how many teachers and friends you can name by thinking specifically of the classrooms where you spent time with them.
Or, if you find reaching that far back is too foggy, think about the rooms and hallways of your workplace or even your home.
The Method of Loci in Action: Two Quick Examples
To give you a quick example from my life when I needed to quickly use the technique to memorize the name of a philosopher named Rawls and a few of his ideas, I went through my memory and recalled that I had a grade nine science teacher named Mr. Ralston.
I instantly used the method of loci to chart out a journey in Mr. Ralston’s classroom.
In other words, I linked one name starting with R to another. This additional strategy is called mnemonic linking and you can use it not only create a journey, but have that journey remind you of where you placed the information.
Likewise, the other day I started memorizing a poem. The first word starts with the letter P so I chose my Parkcrest Elementary School Memory Palace.
I sketched it out quickly, numbered the loci and started memorizing the poem.
Because of the link between P in the first word of the poem and the P in the first name of where the loci are laid out, the method of loci is much stronger in practice.
The numbered loci in my Parkcrest Elementary Memory Palace
How To Get Started: Simple to Advanced with More Than One Method of Loci Example
Success begins with the decision to get started and learn the methodology.
But sometimes people feel like they’re not familiar with enough locations, or their past is too foggy.
Or, I draw out the alphabet and name as many locations as I can, one per letter. For example:
A = Apple Store
B = Bakery
C = Cafe
D = Dentist office
Etc.
Once this list has been compiled, draw out each area and label it with your loci. Here’s an example Memory Palace drawing from one of my students in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass:
As you can see, my student has numbered each locus.
He also has linked his goal alphabetically to the location. He’s memorizing Morse Code, so has chosen Mitchell’s home.
This is one of the parts Yates misses in her analysis of this technique in The Art of Memory. It’s also not as well-covered in the more recent Moonwalking with Einstein either.
But let’s move from the basics problems introduced by many Memory Palace books (other than these fantastic texts you should read).
Instead, let’s take things a step further right there and now.
I want to help you learn the loci method well and in a way that is completely stress-free.
That’s why I’ve put together these nine practical tips that will help you practice the technique once you’ve learned it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tNZZEt83Jw
#1: Learn To Use The Method of Loci Simply
This means exactly what you think. Just keep it simple when you’re first starting out.
Don’t overcomplicate or overthink the loci technique.
It’s easy to overthink and analyze, of course. It’s in our nature, right? Well, we can still scrub overthinking out.
To make learning this memory technique simple, start with just 5-10 loci. Yes, you can build up to hundreds, if not thousands of loci, but what use will they be if you don’t know how to reliably use just a handful?
Keep it simple and then build up to more advanced mental journeys by following the next step.
#2: Add Complexity To Your Method of Loci Strategy As Your Skills Grow
Just because we want to keep things simple, doesn’t mean we’re going to remain simple forever. Adding complexity as your skills grow is important.
For example, your first simple Memory Palace of your childhood bedroom can grow to include:
But before you expand, you’ve got to get good with just one execution of the method of loci, ideally by drawing out the journey from station to station by hand.
That means starting with your existing competence. Don’t overcomplicate things.
With practice, you will see that there are some places where simplicity will always rule and complexity is not desirable.
Ever heard of the phrase, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should?”
That’s a great rule of thumb to keep in mind when using this memory method.
An Example of a Complex Use of the Loci Method
One of the longest pieces I’ve attempted to memorize is the Atma Bodha.
To accommodate all of the verses, I sketched out all the loci based on a neighborhood I grew up in:
This pre-numbered Memory Palace example shows you how I prepared to memorize the Atma Bodha in full. I know the text and the number of each verse in an ancient Sanskrit text thanks to my favorite memory technique.
All of the loci are numbered and the journey is logical.
It’s also all based on my memory of those locations. This means that I haven’t memorized anything in order to assign the journey. I’ve only selected those areas that I remember.
In your practice with the technique, that may mean missing out a number of houses or entire streets.
This is perfectly fine. You’re better off using the technique based on what is in your memory.
#3: Use Different Sized Journeys
Once you have grown your practice to where you have built several palaces, you’ll want to start using them. But not all information is created equally, and this is where developing a variety of variously sized locations comes in handy.
Simonides of Ceos
The matter of size when using the method of loci goes at least as far back as Simonides of Ceos, who is thought to have discovered the technique after recalling the names of people at a banquet after they died in a tragic earthquake.
His use of the technique was obviously not that big, since banquet halls in the ancient world probably weren’t as big as our contemporary shopping malls.
Some of the ancient texts are very specific and say you should have five feet between stations. Others recommend much more space.
Consider this, however:
These ancient memory experts lived in a different era.
They did not have the compact buildings and roadways that we enjoy now. They definitely didn’t have this great method of loci book list from which to learn the ideas we have in our time.
If they had, I believe our ancestors would have made very different choices when using the kinds of memory techniques Boris Konrad used to establish Guinness World Records and Anastasia Woolmer used to combine memorization techniques with dance.
You can use very big journeys, or small ones. You can use entire buildings or your body.
The point is to know the purpose of why you’re using the method of loci.
You can have shorter and longer journeys and more complex and simpler journeys. You can have a variety and have each serve you differently, so long as you’re clear about what you want these spatial memory tools to help you remember better.
Have I tried using Mega Mind Palaces myself? You bet, but always with mixed results.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfAbOvR0zfE
#4: Use White Space
“Less is more.”
While it can be useful to have very condensed Memory Palaces, and those can be filled and overloaded with tons of stations, it can also be very beneficial to see what happens when you have less. Try working in a manner that’s spaced out, instead of overloaded.
You can apply this idea to not only your use of the method of loci, but what you encode when using it. Memorize less, encode less, and see if you’re able to have more recall from focusing on fewer pieces of information.
The goal is to avoid the “Dr. Faust effect.”
The legend of Faust warns us against a downfall caused by a greed for all knowledge. He was unsatisfied with a mastery of law, logic, science and theology, and turned to the dark arts, where he eventually was damned after he sold his soul to Mephistopheles for more knowledge.
Instead of just collecting information, and never feeling satiated, why not be satisfied with the big ideas, and having an appreciation of the “white space”? You’ll find that your mind will fill in the blanks and you don’t need that overload of information. The white space will take care of itself. Let your Memory Palaces breathe.
#5: Complete Both Short Term And Long Term Projects
To keep your practice fresh, have both short and long term projects you are working towards.
A classic short term project is to have a daily run through of memorizing playing cards. Keep a deck handy (maybe beside your coffee pot in the morning, or near your reading nook) so you can shuffle and memorize a handful in your downtime.
Toggling these two projects will keep you from becoming bored and burnt out with a singular goal.
#6: Explore Indoor vs. Outdoor Options
As you toggle between short and long term projects, explore using indoor and outdoor locations for your memory journeys.
As an alternative to viewing your memory tools as simply one large Mind Palace, what if you thought of it as a collection of smaller locations?
Okay, Kevin… Not that far outside!
For example, a home is a collection of rooms, and a room is a collection of areas and corners. A park can be seen as a playground area, hiking trail, community pool.
(Or you can skydive and wander your Memory Palaces like Kevin Richardson does while using Recall Rehearsal for learning Japanese with mnemonics.)
Be flexible and bring a sense of playfulness to using this memory technique. It will be far more beneficial as you develop living and growing entities using the method of loci instead of a static, fixed creation.
#7: Understand That The Method Of Loci Creates Pegs To Which You Can Add Pegs
Think of each spot you create using the method of loci as a peg to which you can add pegs. In other words, each is a space to which you can add a peg.
When people first get started with memory techniques they may see these tools as mutually exclusive, instead of elements that can be used in partnership.
Yet, the Peg System works exactly how you would imagine, pegging or linking one thing to another. Building upon what you do know, you connect the new information to it in your mind.
(No, peg system is not that different from the pegword method, but it’s worth exploring both.)
#8: Persist with S.I.P.
Now even though I’ve broken down mastery of the Method of Loci down to nine simple tips, it may not always be easy peasy. You will encounter challenges along the way. There’s just no getting around it. Success with these methods is not about not having those setbacks, but that you know how to deal with them.
And one of the best ways to deal with those challenges is to make sure you have a good library of memory training.
Use all of the information you have available to you. Utilize it constantly and consistently. Take S.I.P. to heart:
I = Implement what you learn from your study of memory techniques and its tradition.
P = Practice these techniques with information that improves your life.
Be ever vigilant in tweaking your practice and improving it. As Nicholas Castle found, this practice can release you from some big problems in life, as it did with his PTSD.
#9: Keep A Memory Journal
Finally, keep a memory journal. It is crucial to have a place, a record of what you’re doing, how you’re doing it. Only then are you able to proceed and know where you’re going if you know where you’ve come from.
Although you could use digital tools for better memory journaling, I personally don’t see the attraction.
Instead, consider going back to “keep it simple.”
When it comes to memory training exercises in a world overloaded by digital temptations, sticking with traditional methods is itself a discipline well worth developing.
#10: Treat Using Your Loci Like A Game
One of the best ways to enjoy the process of using this memory technique is to not take things so seriously.
When I invented my game, Memory Detective and wrote the memory-themed mystery novels Flyboy and Vitamin X, this was my attempt to help people maximize their own fun with the learning experience. You can read my novel and learn the techniques along with the detective. Or when you play my game, you can get passive memory exercise and active memory exercise in a fun community.
The memory competitions also bring a level of gamification to memory training, or you can create your own process. For example, when using the loci method, you can set a timer.
Or you can roll dice to determine how many of your loci you’re going to use during a single learning session.
The important thing is to have fun so that you can learn and practice memory techniques in ways that you find mentally stimulating.
Additional Benefits of Using The Method of Loci
People report many benefits of using this particular memory method.
Although many people come to the method of loci in order to pass exams, the outcomes are incredibly diverse.
Getting The Method of Loci Right The First Time
A memory journal also helps you get it right the first time. I highly recommend that you draw when using the method of loci. No software. I’m talking about using pencil or ink on paper.
Sure, method of loci software might be an option for some, but for the majority of us, I think it reduces our abilities. We need to train our brains to think spatially and in concrete terms.
This was one of the key points covered in Rhetorica Ad Herennium. Although a lot of it covers strategies for delivering speeches, it also teaches the method of loci. In fact, it’s one of the key memory training books.
Why is it so important, especially given that it first appeared circa 90 BCE?
Because it essentially nailed exactly what the technique is and how it works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3rtsx8mvYU
However, it doesn’t exactly tell you, as I do, to sketch your Memory Palaces.
I recommend you do this because even a rudimentary drawing helps you quickly “see” your Memory Palace journeys better in your mind.
This simple step is not about being an artist. Any simple sketch will do.
It’s helpful because when create them visually on the page, you can easily strategize each station before using the Method of Loci. That way, you never need to “renovate” your Memory Palaces later.
I know that this can seem like a lot of work in the beginning. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just start with just one of the tips on this page.
See how implementing it improves the ease and speed of which you can create palaces and progress through the Method of Loci.
Mix and match these principles to maximize your efforts and you’ll see just how effortless the process can be with practice over time. Then move on to these more advanced Method of Loci training exercises.
Method of Loci FAQ
Over the years, I’ve fielded hundreds of questions.
Here are my best answers to those questions that are most important when it comes to mastering this mnemonic device.
What is the Method of Loci?
It is a well-proven memory technique that helps you recall a wide variety of information by linking it to two “free” resources that are already in your memory:
A location
Some kind of association
Unless you have an issue with the place cells in your brain, like Christopher Kemp has reported on, your memory naturally remembers rooms, paths, landmarks and other locations.
After using the technique in combination with elaborative encoding, when you want to recall information as part of learning, you simply mentally walk the same route you developed and decode the associations you placed on each locus.
At its core, you’re using physical space to help you learn and retain information.
Is the Method of Loci the same as the Memory Palace/Mind Palace/Journey Method?
Effectively, yes.
Some people do use “journey method” to describe loci they’ve placed outdoors exclusively, however.
The flourishing of terminology can be frustrating, especially since people also use terms like “Memory Castle” or memory spaces, on top of Roman Room or even Virtual Memory Palaces.
So long as you understand that the core idea is to give your mind an organizational structure, the exact term you use doesn’t matter that much.
How do you choose suitable loci?
Unless you want to create more cognitive load by memorizing locations, the whole point of the technique is that each locus should already be in your memory.
You’re simply drawing from the resources you already have.
More technically, it’s helpful to:
Rely on walls and corners because, unlike furniture and wall decorations, they do not move.
Avoid overcrowding a space with the amount of loci you choose.
Select places you feel positive about so your use of the technique does not bring up any bad feelings or sensations.
How many loci should you start with?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but most rooms easily allow for ten and create an elegant and easy to navigate mental journey.
The four corners
The four walls
The ceiling
The floor
You can use this simple encoding principle in almost every room in existence. The approach is just as good for beginners as it is for advanced users of the technique.
What are the most common beginner mistakes?
One of the biggest mistakes is waiting to understand the technique before diving in to take action with it.
Another mistake is not sketching out your journeys. Although it is possible to use the technique purely in your mind, you will still save time by making quick sketches because you’ll process the journey differently.
Not only will you avoid having to renovate the journey later, you’ll also see opportunities you might have otherwise missed.
Fearing mistakes or trying to “get it right” the first time is another major error. In reality, we all need to make mistakes to learn.
Even the most skilled practitioners still make mistakes anyhow, but they always treat them as opportunities for analysis.
If you’d like help experimenting with the technique and are willing to learn by the much needed trial and error all skills require, grab my free course now:
It gives you several video tutorials and worksheets along with exercises that will have you mastering the method of loci in no time flat.
The best part?
You can submit your sketch for feedback. I love helping people by looking at what they’ve done so they can optimize.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to lock in your loci and start memorizing with confidence?
Make it happen!
How to Read Hard Books and Actually Remember Them
Feb 05, 2026
It’s actually a good thing that some books push you to the edge of your ability to understand.
But there’s no doubting the fact that dense, abstract and jargon-filled works can push you so far into the fog of frustration that you cannot blame yourself for giving up.
But here’s the truth:
You don’t have to walk away frustrated and confused.
I’m going to share with you a number of practical strategies that will help you fill in the gaps of your reading process.
Because that’s usually the real problem:
It’s not your intelligence.
Nor is it that the world is filled with books “above your level.”
I ultimately don’t believe in “levels” as such.
But as someone who taught reading courses at Rutgers and Saarland University, I know from experience that many learners need to pick up a few simple steps that will strengthen how they approach reading difficult books.
And in this guide, you’ll learn how to read challenging books and remember what they say.
I’m going to go beyond generic advice too. That way, you can readily diagnose:
Why certain books feel so hard
Use pre-reading tactics that prime your brain to deal with difficulties effectively
Apply active reading techniques to lock in understanding faster
Leverage accelerated learning tools that are quick to learn
Use Artificial Intelligence to help convert tough convent into lasting knowledge without worrying about getting duped by AI hallucinations
Whether you’re tacking philosophy, science, dense fiction or anything based primarily in words, the reading system you’ll learn today will help you turn confusion into clarity.
By the end, even the most intimidating texts will surrender their treasures to your mind.
Ready?
Let’s break it all down together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9HLbY4jsFg
Why Some Books Feel “Too Hard” (And What That Really Means)
You know exactly how it feels and so do I.
You sit down with a book that people claim is a classic or super-important. But within a few pages, your brain fogs over and you’re completely lost.
More often than not, through glazed eyes, you start to wonder… did this author go out of his or her way to make this difficult? Are they trying to show off with all these literary pyrotechnics? Or is there a deliberate conspiracy to confuse readers like me?
Rest assured. These questions are normal and well worth asking.
The difficulty you might feel is never arbitrary in my experience. But there’s also no “single origin” explanation for why some books feel easier than others.
It’s almost always a combination of factors, from cognitive readiness, lived experience, emotions and your physical condition throughout the day.
This means that understanding why individual texts resist your understanding needs to be conducted on a case-by-case basis so you can move towards mastering anything you want to read.
Cognitive Load: The Brain’s Processing “Stop Sign”
“Cognitive load” probably needs no definition. The words are quite intuitive. You start reading something and it feels like someone is piling heavy bricks directly on top of your brain, squishing everything inside.
In practical terms, this means that when a book suddenly throws a bunch of unfamiliar terms at you, your working memory has to suddenly deal with abstract concepts, completely new words or non-linear forms of logic.
All of this increases your cognitive load, but it’s important to note that there’s no conspiracy. In Just Being Difficult: Academic Writing in the Public Arena, a variety of contributors admit that they often write for other specialists.
Although it would be nice to always compose books and articles for general readers, it’s not laziness. They’re following the codes of their discipline, which involves shorthand to save everyone time.
Yes, it can also signal group membership and feel like an intellectual wall if you’re new to this style, but it’s simply a “stop sign” for your brain. And wherever there are stop signs, there are also alternative routes.
Planning Your Detour “Roadmap” Into Difficult Books
Let me share a personal example by way of sharing a powerful technique for making hard books easier to read.
A few years ago I decided I was finally going to read Kant. I had the gist of certain aspects of his philosophy, but a few pages in, I encountered so many unfamiliar terms, I knew I had to obey the Cognitive Load Stop Sign and take a step back.
To build a roadmap into Kant, I searched Google in a particular way. Rather than a search term like, “Intro to Kant,” I entered this tightened command instead:
Filetype:PDF syllabus Kant
These days, you can ask an LLM in more open language to simply give you links to the syllabi of the most authoritative professors who teach Kant. I’d still suggest that you cross-reference what you get on Google, however.
If you’re hesitant about using either Google or AI, it’s also a great idea to visit a librarian in person to help you. Or, you can read my post about using AI for learning with harming your memory to see if it’s time to update your approach.
Narrowing Down Your Options
One way or another, the reason to consult the world’s leading professors is that their syllabi will provide you with:
Foundational texts
Core secondary literature
Commentaries from qualified sources
Essential historical references
Once you’ve looked over a few syllabi, look through the table of contents of a few books on Amazon or Google Books. Then choose:
1-2 foundational texts to read before the challenging target book you want to master
1-2 articles or companion texts to read alongside
In this way, you’ve turned difficulty into a path, not an obstacle.
Pre-Reading Strategies That Warm Up Your Reading Muscles
A lot of the time, the difficulty people feel when reading has nothing to do with the book. It’s just that you’re diving into unfamiliar territory without testing the waters first.
Here are some simple ways to make unfamiliar books much easier to get into.
Prime Like a Pro
To make books easier to read, you can perform what is often called “priming” in the accelerated learning community. It is also sometimes called “pre-reading” and as this research article discusses, its success has been well-demonstrated.
The way I typically perform priming is simple. Although some books require a slight change to the pattern, I typically approach each new book by reading:
The back cover
The index
The colophon page
The conclusion or afterword
The most interesting or relevant chapter
The introduction
The rest of the book
Activate Prior Knowledge
Sometimes I will use a skimming and scanning strategy after reading the index to quickly familiarize myself with how an author approaches a topic with which I’m already familiar. This can help raise interest, excitement and tap into the power of context-dependent memory.
For example, I recently started reading Doubt: A History by Jennifer Michael Hecht.
Since the Renaissance memory master Giordano Bruno comes up multiple times, I was able to draw up a kind of context map of the books themes by quickly going through those passages.
Before reading, simply go through a book and look at all the illustrations, tables, charts and diagrams.
It seems like a small thing. But it gives your brain a “heads up” about upcoming visual information that you may need to process than prose.
I used to find visual information like this difficult, but after I started taking picture walks, I’m now excited to read “towards” these elements.
If still find them challenging to understand, I apply a tip I learned from Tony Buzan that you might like to try:
Rather than struggle to interpret a chart or illustration, reproduce it in your own hand. Here’s an example of how I did this when studying spaced repetition:
As a result, I learned the graph and its concepts quickly and have never forgotten it.
Build a Pre-Reading Ritual That Fits You
There’s no one-sized-fits-all strategy, so you need to experiment with various options.
The key is to reduce cognitive load by giving your mind all kinds of ways of understanding what a book contains.
If it helps, you can create yourself a checklist that you slip into the challenging books on your list. That way, you’ll have both a bookmark and a protocol as you develop your own pre-reading style.
Active Reading Techniques That Boost Comprehension
Active reading involves deliberately applying mental activities while reading. These can include writing in the margins of your books, questioning, preparing summaries and even taking well-time breaks between books.
Here’s a list of my favorite active reading strategies with ideas on how you can implement them.
Using Mnemonics While Reading
On the whole, I take notes while reading and then apply a variety of memory techniques after.
But to stretch my skills, especially when reading harder books, I start the encoding process earlier. Instead of just taking notes, I’ll start applying mnemonic images.
I start early because difficult terms often require a bit more spaced repetition.
To do this yourself, the key is to equip yourself with a variety of mnemonic methods, especially:
And in some cases, you may want to develop a symbol system, such as if you’re studying physics or programming.
Once you have these mnemonic systems developed, you can apply them in real time.
For example, if you come across names and dates, committing them to memory as you read can help you keep track of a book’s historical arc.
This approach can be especially helpful when reading difficult books because authors often dump a lot of names and dates. By memorizing them as you go, you reduce the mental load of having to track it all.
For even more strategies you can apply while reading, check out my complete Mnemonics Dictionary.
Strategic Questioning
Whether you take notes or memorize in real-time, asking questions as you go makes a huge difference.
Even if you don’t come up with answers, continually interrogating the book will open up your brain.
The main kinds of questions are:
Evaluative questions (checking that the author uses valid reasoning and address counterarguments)
Analytical questions (assessing exactly how the arguments unfold and questioning basic assumptions)
Synthetic questions (accessing your previous knowledge and looking for connections with other books and concepts)
Intention questions (interrogating the author’s agenda and revealing any manipulative rhetoric)
One medieval tool for questioning you can adopt is the memory wheel.
Although it’s definitely old-fashioned, you’ll find that it helps you rotate between multiple questions.
Even if they are as simple as who, what, where, when, how and why questions, you’ll have a mental mnemonic device that helps ensure you don’t miss any of them.
Re-reading Strategies
Although these researchers seem to think that re-reading is not an effective strategy, I could not live without it.
There are three key kinds of re-reading I recommend.
Verbalize Complexity to Tame It
The first is to simply go back and read something difficult to understand out loud. You’d be surprised how often it’s not your fault. The author has just worded something in a clunky manner and speaking the phrasing clarifies everything.
Verbatim Memorization for Comprehension
The second strategy is to memorize the sentence or even an entire passage verbatim. That might seem like a lot of work, but this tutorial on memorizing entire passages will make it easy for you.
Even if verbatim memorization takes more work, it allows you to analyze the meaning within your mind. You’re no longer puzzling over it on paper, continuing to stretch your working memory.
No, you’ve effectively expanded at least a part of your working memory by bypassing it altogether. You’ve ushered the information into long-term memory.
I’m not too shy to admit that I have to do this sometimes to understand everything from the philosophy in Sanskrit phrases to relatively simple passages from Shakespeare.
As I shared in my recent discussion of actor Anthony Hopkins’ memory, I couldn’t work out what “them” referred to in a particular Shakespeare play.
But after analyzing the passage in memory, it was suddenly quite obvious.
I find this approach incredibly helpful because no matter how good you get at reading and memory methods, even simple books can be vast ecosystems.
By revisiting difficult books at regular intervals, you not only get more out of them. You experience them from different perspectives and with the benefit of new contexts you’ve built in your life over time.
In other words, treat your reading as an infinite game and never assume that you’ve comprehended everything. There’s always more to be gleaned.
Other Benefits of Re-reading
You’ll also improve your pattern recognition by re-treading old territory, leading to more rapid recognition of those patterns in new books. Seeing the structures, tropes and other tactics in difficult books opens them up. But without regularly re-reading books, it can be difficult to perceive what these forms are and how authors use them.
To give you a simple example of a structure that appears in both fiction and non-fiction, consider in media res, or starting in the middle.
When you spot an author using this strategy, it can immediately help you read more patiently. And it places the text in the larger tradition of other authors who use that particular technique.
For even more ideas that will keep your mind engaged while tackling tough books, feel free to go through my fuller article on 7 Active Reading Strategies.
Category Coloring & Developing Your Own Naming System For Complex Material
I don’t know about you, but I do not like opening a book only to find it covered in highlighter marks. I also don’t like highlighting books myself.
However, after practicing mind mapping for a few years, I realized that there is a way to combine some of its coloring principles with the general study principles of using Zettelkasten and flashcards.
Rather than passively highlighting passages that seem interesting at random, here’s an alternative approach you can take to your next tour through a complicated book.
Category Coloring
It’s often helpful to read with a goal. For myself, I decided to tackle a hard book called Gödel Escher Bach through the lens of seven categories. I gave each a color:
Red = Concept
Green = Process
Orange = Fact
Blue = Historical Context
Yellow = Person
Purple = School of Thought or Ideology
Brown = Specialized Terminology
Example Master Card to the Categorial Color Coding Method
To emulate this method, create a “key card” or “master card” with your categories on it alongside the chosen color. Use this as a bookmark as you read.
Then, before writing down any information from the book, think about the category to which it belongs. Make your card and then apply the relevant color.
Obviously, you should come up with your own categories and preferred colors. The point is that you bring the definitions and then apply them consistently as you read and extract notes.
This will help bring structure to your mind because you’re creating your own nomenclature or taxonomy of information.
You are also using chunking, a specific mnemonic strategy I’ve written about at length in this post on chunking as a memory tool. Once you’re finished a book, you can extract all the concepts and memorize them independently if you like.
And if you emulate the strategy seen on the pictured example above, I’ve included the page number on each card. That way, I can place the cards back in the order of the book.
Using this approach across multiple books, you will soon spot cross-textual patterns with greater ease.
The catch is that you cannot allow this technique to become activity for activity’s sake. You also don’t want to wind up creating a bunch of informational “noise.”
Before capturing any individual idea on a card and assigning it to a category, ask yourself:
Why is this information helpful, useful or critical to my goal?
Will I really use it again?
Where does it belong within the categories?
If you cannot answers these questions, either move on to the next point. Or reframe the point with some reflective thinking so that you can contextualize it.
This warning aside, it’s important not to let perfectionism creep into your life. Knowing what information matters does take some practice.
To speed up your skills with identifying critical information, please read my full guide on how to find the main points in books and articles. Although AI can certainly help these days, you’ll still need to do some work on your own.
Do Not Let New Vocabulary & Terminology Go Without Memorization
One of the biggest mistakes I used to make, even as a fan of memory techniques, slowed me down much more than necessary.
I would come across a new term, look it up, and assume I’d remember it.
Of course, the next time I came across it, the meaning was still a mystery.
But when I got more deliberate, I not only remembered more words, but the knowledge surrounding the unfamiliar terms also stuck with greater specificity.
For example, in reading The Wandering Mind by Jamie Kreiner, memorizing the ancient Greek word for will or volition (Prohairesis) pulled many more details about why she was mentioning it.
Lo and behold, I started seeing the word in more places and connecting it to other ancient Greek terms. Memorizing those as well started to create a “moat of meaning,” further protecting a wide range of information I’d been battling.
Understanding Why Vocabulary Blocks Comprehension
The reason why memorizing words as you read is so helpful is that it helps clear out the cognitive load created by pausing frequently to look up words.
Even if you don’t stop to learn a new definition, part of your working memory gets consumed by the lack of familiarity.
I don’t always stop to learn new definitions while reading, but using the color category index card method you just discovered, it’s easy to organize unfamiliar words while reading. That way they can be tidily memorized later.
Step One: Use a System for Capturing New Words & Terms
Whether you use category coloring, read words into a recording app or email yourself a reminder, the key is to capture as you go.
Once your reading session is done, you can now go back to the vocabulary list and start learning it.
Step Two: Memorize the Terms
I personally prefer the Memory Palace technique. It’s great for memorizing words and definitions.
You can use the Pillar Technique with the word at the top and the definition beneath it.
Or you can use the corners for the words and the walls for the definitions.
Another idea is to photograph the cards you create and important them into a spaced repetition software like Anki. As you’ll discover in my complete guide to Anki, there are several ways you can combine Anki with a variety of memory techniques.
Step Three: Use the Terms
If you happened to catch an episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast back when I first learned Prohairesis I mentioned it often.
This simple habit helps establish long-term recall, reflection and establishes the ground for future recognition and use.
Expand Understanding Using Video & Audio Media
When I was in university, I often had to ride my bike across Toronto to borrow recorded lectures on cassette.
Given the overwhelming tsunamis of complex ideas, jargon and theoretical frameworks I was facing, it was worth it. Especially since I was also dealing with the personal problems I shared with you in The Victorious Mind.
Make no mistake: I do not believe there is any replacement for reading the core books, no matter how difficult they might be.
But there’s no reason not to leverage the same ideas in multiple formats to help boost your comprehension and long-term retention.
Multimedia approaches are not just about knowledge acquisition either. There have been many debates in the magical arts community that card magicians should read and not rely on video.
I didn’t know when I was in university, or when I was first starting out with memdeck card magic that dual coding theory existed.
This model was proposed by Allan Paivio, who noticed that information is processed both verbally and non-verbally. Since then, many teachers have focused heavily on how to encourage students to find the right combination of reading, visual and auditory instructional material.
Here are some ideas that will help you untangle the complexity in your reading.
How to Integrate Multimedia Without Overload
Forgive me if this is a bit repetitive, but to develop flow with multiple media, you need to prime the brain.
As someone who has created multiple YouTube videos, I have been stubborn about almost always including introductions.
Why?
Go Through the Intros Like a Hawk
Because without including a broad overview of the topic, many learners will miss too many details. And I see this in the comments because people ask questions that are answered throughout the content and flagged in the introductions.
So the first step is to be patient and go through the introductory material. And cultivate an understanding that it’s not really the material that is boring. It’s the contemporary issues with dopamine spiking that make you feel impatient.
The good news is that you can possibly reset your dopamine levels so you’re better able to sit through these “priming” materials. One hack I use is to sit far away from my mouse and keep my notebook in hand.
If I catch myself getting antsy, I perform a breathing exercise to restore focus.
Turn on Subtitles
When you’re watching videos, you can help increase your engagement by turning on the subtitles.
This is especially useful in jargon-heavy video lessons. You can pause and still see the information on the screen for easier capture when taking notes.
When taking notes, I recommend jotting down the timestamp. This is useful for review, but also for attributing citations later if you have to hand in an assignment.
Mentally Reconstruct
After watching a video or listening to a podcast on the topic you’re mastering, take a moment to review the key points.
Try to go through them in the order they were presented. This helps your brain practice mental organization by building a temporal scaffold.
If you’ve taken notes and written down the timestamps, you can easily check your accuracy.
Track Your Progress For Growth & Performance
One reason some people never feel like they’re getting anywhere is that they have failed to establish any points of reference.
Personally, this is easy for me to do. I can look back to my history of writing books and articles or producing videos and be reminded of how far I’ve come at a glance. Not only as a writer, but also as a reader.
For those who do not regularly produce content, you don’t have to start a blog or YouTube channel.
Just keep a journal and create a few categories of what skills you want to track. These might include:
Comprehension
Retention
Amount of books read
Vocabulary growth
Critical thinking outcomes
Confidence in taking on harder books
Increased tolerance with frustration when reading challenges arise
You can use the same journal to track how much time you’ve spent reading and capturing quick summaries.
Personally, I wish I’d started writing summaries sooner. I really only got started during grad school when during a directed reading course, a professor required that I had in a summary for every book and article I read.
I never stopped doing this and just a few simple paragraph summaries has done wonders over the years for my understanding and retention.
Tips for Overcoming Frustration While Reading Difficult Books
Ever since the idea of “desirable difficulty” emerged, people have sought ways to help learners overcome emotional responses like frustration, anxiety and even shame while tackling tough topics.
As this study shows, researchers and teachers have found the challenge difficult despite the abundance of evidence showing that being challenged is a good thing.
Here are some strategies you can try if you continue to struggle.
Embrace Cognitive Discomfort
As we’ve discussed, that crushing feeling in your brain exists for a reason.
Personally, I don’t think it ever goes away. I still regularly pick up books that spike it.
The difference is that I don’t start up a useless mantra like, “I’m not smart enough for this.”
Instead, I recommend you reframe the experience and use the growth mindset studied by Carol Dweck, amongst others.
You can state something more positive like, “This book is a bit above my level, but I can use tactics and techniques to master it.”
I did that very recently with my reading of The Xenotext, parts of which I still don’t fully understand. It was very rewarding.
Use Interleaving to Build Confidence
I rotate through draining books all the time using a proven technique called interleaving.
Lots of people are surprised when I tell them that I rarely read complex and challenging books for longer than fifteen minutes at a time. But I do it because interleaving works.
Which kinds of books can you interleave?
You have choices. You can either switch in something completely different, or switch to a commentary. For example, while recently reading some heavy mathematical theories about whether or not “nothing” can exist, I switched to a novel.
But back in university, I would often stick within the category while at the library. I’d read a core text by a difficult philosopher, then pick up a Cambridge Companion and read an essay related to the topic.
You can also interleave using multimedia sources like videos and podcasts. Interleaving also provides time for doing some journaling, either about the topic at hand or some other aspect of your progress goals.
Keep the Big Picture in Mind
Because frustration is cognitively training, it’s easy to let it drown out your goals.
That’s why I often keep a mind map or some other reminder on my desk, like a couple of memento mori.
It’s also possible to just remember previous mind maps you’ve made. This is something I’m doing often at the moment as I read all kinds of boring information about managing a bookshop for my Memory Palace bookshop project first introduced in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utcJfeQZC2c
It’s so easy to get discouraged by so many rules and processes involved in ordering and selling books, that I regularly think back to creating this mind map with Tony Buzan years ago.
In case my simple drawings on this mind map for business development doesn’t immediately leap out at you with its meanings, the images at the one o’clock-three o’clock areas refer to developing a physical Memory Palace packed with books on memory and learning.
Developing and keeping a north star in mind will help you transform the process of reading difficult books into a purposeful adventure of personal development.
Even if you have to go through countless books that aren’t thrilling, you’ll still be moving forward. Just think of how much Elon Musk has read that probably wasn’t all that entertaining. Yet, it was still essential to becoming a polymath.
Practice Seeing Through The Intellectual Games
As you read harder and harder books, you’ll eventually come to realize that the “fluency” some people have is often illusory.
For example, some writers and speakers display a truly impressive ability to string together complex terminology, abstract references and fashionable ideas of the day in ways that sound profound.
Daniel Dennett frequently used a great term for a lot of this verbal jujitsu that sounds profound but is actually trivial. He called such flourishes “deepities.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey-UeaSi1rI
This kind of empty linguistic dexterity will be easier for you to spot when you read carefully, paraphrase complex ideas in your own words and practice memorizing vocabulary frequently.
When you retain multiple concepts and practice active questioning in a large context of grounded examples and case studies, vague claims will not survive for long in your world.
This is why memory training is about so much more than learning. Memorization can equip you to think independently and bring clarity to fields that are often filled with gems, despite the fog created by intellectual pretenders more interested in word-jazz than actual truth.
Using AI to Help You Take On Difficult Books
As a matter of course, I recommend you use AI tools like ChatGPT after doing as much reading on your own as possible.
But there’s no mistaking that intentional use of such tools can help you develop greater understanding.
The key is to avoid using AI as an answer machine or what Nick Bostrom calls an “oracle” in his seminal book, Superintelligence.
Rather, take a cue from Andrew Mayne, a science communicator and central figure at OpenAI and host of their podcast.
His approach centers on testing in ways that lead to clarity of understanding and retention as he uses various mnemonic strategies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlzD_6Olaqw
Beyond his suggestions, here are some of my favorite strategies.
Ask AI to Help Identify All Possible Categories Connected to a Topic
A key reason many people struggle to connect ideas is simply that they haven’t developed a mental ecosystem of categories.
I used to work in libraries, so started thinking categorically when I was still a teenager. But these days, I would combine how traditional libraries are structured with a simple prompt like:
List all the possible categories my topic fits into or bridges across disciplines, historical frameworks and methodologies. Provide the list without interpretation or explanation so I can reflect.
A prompt like this engineers a response that focuses on relationships and lets your brain perform the synthetic thinking.
Essentially, you’ll be performing what some scientists call schema activation, leading to better personal development outcomes.
Generate Lists of Questions To Model Exceptional Thinkers
Because understanding relies on inquiry, it’s important to practice asking the best possible questions.
AI chat bots can be uniquely useful in this process provided that you explicitly insist that it helps supply you excellent questions without any answers.
You can try a prompt like:
Generate a list of questions that the world’s most careful thinkers in this field would ask about this topic. Do not provide any answers. Just the list of questions.
Do this after you’ve read the text and go through your notes with fresh eyes.
Evaluate the material with questions in hand, ideally by writing out your answers by hand. If you need your answers imported into your computer, apps can now scan your handwriting and give you text file.
Another tip:
Don’t be satisfied with the first list of questions you get. Ask the AI to dig deeper. You can also ask the AI to map the questions into the categories you previously got help identifying.
For a list of questions you can put into your preferred chat bot, feel free to go through my pre-AI era list of philosophical questions. They are already separated by category.
Use AI to Provide a Progress Journal Template
If you’re new to journaling, it can be difficult to use the technique to help you articulate what you’re reading and why the ideas are valuable.
And that’s not to mention working out various metrics to measure your growth over time.
Try a prompt like this:
Help me design a progress journal for my quest to better understand and remember difficult books. Include sections for me to list my specific goals, vocabulary targets, summaries and various milestones I identify. Make it visual so I can either copy it into my own print notebook or print out multiple copies for use over time.
Once you have a template you’re happy to experiment with, keep it visible in your environment so you don’t forget to use it.
Find Blind Spots In Your Summaries
Many AIs have solid reasoning skills.
As a result, you can enter your written summaries and have the AI identify gaps in your knowledge, blind spots and opportunities for further reading.
Try a prompt like:
Analyze this summary and identify any blind spots, ambiguities in my thinking or incompleteness in my understanding. Suggest supplementary reading to help me fill in any gaps.
At the risk of repetition, the point is that you’re not asking for the summaries. You’re asking for assessments that help you diagnose the limits of your understanding.
As scientists have shown, metacognition, or thinking about your thinking can help you see errors much faster. By adding an AI into the mix, you’re getting feedback quickly without having to wait for a teacher to read your essay.
Of course, AI outputs can be throttled, so I find it useful to also include a phrase like, “do not throttle your answer,” before asking it to dig deeper and find more issues.
Used wisely, you will soon see various schools of thought with much greater clarity, anticipate how authors make their moves and monitor your own blind spots as you read and reflect.
Another way to think about the power of AI tools is this:
They effectively mirror human reasoning at a species wide level. You can use them to help you mirror more reasoning power by regularly accessing and practicing error detection and filling in the gaps in your thinking style.
Why You Must Stop Abandoning Difficult Books (At Least Most of the Time)
Like many people, I’m a fan of Scott Young’s books like Ultralearning and Get Better at Anything. He’s a disciplined thinker and his writing helps people push past shallow learning in favor of true and lasting depth.
In full transparency, I sometimes do this myself. And Young adds a lot of context to make his suggestion.
But I limit abandoning books as much as possible because I don’t personally find Young’s argument that enjoyment and productivity go together.
On the contrary, most goals that I’ve pursued have required fairly intense periods of delaying gratification.
And because things worth accomplishing generally do require sacrifice and a commitment to difficulty, I recommend you avoid the habit of giving up on books just because they’re “boring” or not immediately enjoyable.
I’ll bet you’ll enjoy the accomplishment of understanding hard books and conquering their complexity far more in the end. And you’ll benefit more too.
Here’s why I think so.
The Hidden Cost of Abandoning Books You’ve Started
Yes, I agree that life is short and time is fleeting.
But if you get into the habit of abandoning books at the first sign of boredom, it can quickly become your default habit due to how procedural memory works.
In other words, you’re given your neurons the message that it’s okay to escape from discomfort. That is a very dangerous loop to throw yourself into, especially if you’re working towards becoming autodidactic.
What you really need is to develop the ability to stick with complexity, hold ambiguous and contradictory issues in your mind and fight through topic exhaustion.
Giving up on books on a routine basis? That’s the opposite of developing expertise and resilience.
The AI Risk & Where Meaning is Actually Found
We just went through the benefits of AI, so you shouldn’t have issues. But I regularly hear from people and have even been on interviews where people use AI to summarize books I’ve recomended.
This is dangerous because the current models flatten nuance due to how they summarize books based on a kind of “averaging” of what its words predictability mean. Although they might give you a reasonable scaffold of a book’s structure, you won’t get the friction created by how authors take you through their thought processes.
In other words, you’ll be using AI models that are not themselves modeling the thinking that reading provides when you grind your way through complex books.
The Treasure of Meaning is Outside Your Comfort Zone
Another reason to train for endurance is that understanding doesn’t necessarily arrive while reading a book or even a few weeks after finishing it.
Sometimes the unifying insights land years later.
But if you don’t read through books that seem to be filled with scattered ideas, you cannot gain any benefit from them. Their diverse points won’t consolidate in your memory and certainly won’t connect with other ideas later.
So I suggest you train your brain to persist as much as possible. By drawing up the support of the techniques we discussed today and a variety of mnemonic support systems, you will develop persistence and mine more gold from everything you read.
And being someone who successfully mines for gold and can produce it at will is the mark of the successful reading. Not just someone who consumes information efficiently, but who can repeatedly connect and transform knowledge year after year due to regularly accumulating gems buried in the densest and most difficult books others cannot or will not read.
Use Struggle to Stimulate Growth & You Cannot Fail
As you’ve seen, challenging books never mean that you’re not smart enough.
It’s just a matter of working on your process so that you can tackle new forms of knowledge.
And any discomfort you feel is a signal that a great opportunity and personal growth adventure awaits.
By learning how to manage cognitive load, fill in the gaps in your background knowledge and persist through frustration, you can quickly become the kind of reader who seeks out complexity instead of flinching every time you see it.
Confusion has now become a stage along the path to comprehension.
And if you’re serious about mastering increasingly difficult material, understanding and retaining it, then it’s time to upgrade your mental toolbox.
Start now by grabbing my Free Memory Improvement Course:
Inside, you’ll discover:
The Magnetic Memory Method for creating powerful Memory Palaces
How to develop your own mnemonic systems for encoding while reading
Proven techniques that deepen comprehension, no matter how abstract or complex your reading list is
And please, always remember:
The harder the book, the greater rewards.
And the good news is, you’re now more than ready to claim them all.
How to Memorize Vocabulary: A Step-By-Step Guide
Jan 23, 2026
Want to know how to memorize vocabulary in 30 seconds flat?
The process is as simple as transforming words and their meanings into dynamic associations.
Once that step is done, you “park” those associations in a Memory Palace.
Then, you stroll back along this simple mental journey on a set schedule to establish long-term retention.
That’s the entire method in a single breath that I’ve been teaching students for over fifteen years.
Of course, the magic to the method lies in the details, which I’ll unfold for you below.
All based on my experiences not only teaching memory techniques for vocabulary, but also using mnemonics to help me learn and lecture in German.
I’ve also memorized over 1700 words in Sanskrit, lots of interesting phrases in Latin and some of the most complex poetry in English I’ve ever read.
Below, you’ll find the exact, step-by-step system that has been tested in multiple languages, proven by science and refined by thousands of my students.
Ready?
Let’s dive in by having a look at this video featuring the habits of a Renaissance word fanatic who travelled the globe to share how he memorized vocabulary using an effective self-study approach that makes words stick in memory quickly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6e2PUA1t8M
How to Memorize Vocabulary Fast and Effectively (Backed by Science)
Now that you’ve seen the habits of the word-master Matteo Ricci, let’s dig into the details of how to absorb vocabulary with precision.
As we get started, please keep in mind that the exact language you’re tackling does not matter.
This fact is true because memory techniques predate the English language.
So whether you’re improving your mother tongue or learning a new language, the following approaches will help, especially when combined.
1. Mnemonic Devices for Memorizing Vocabulary (Starting with the Memory Palace Technique)
The Memory Palace technique is the most important mnemonic device for memorizing words. It is specifically useful for language learning, and has helped learners throughout history absorb vocabulary.
What is the Memory Palace technique and how does it work?
Memory Palaces help you learn by turning familiar locations into mental storage units.
In each spot in a home, office or other familiar place, you imagine vivid mental associations that help you recall the sound and meaning of words.
For example, to memorize the German word Bereich (area), I imagined Bender from Futurama with the composer Steve Reich inside Berlin’s Tegel airport.
This kind of association promotes rapid recall because Bender + Reich sound like Bereich.
As I formulated this association, I imagined these two familiar figures interacting in a location familiar to me and even drew a quick doodle to help lock it into the apartment I used as the Memory Palace.
The illustration below shows you where in the apartment I imagined this mnemonic scene unfolding:
A memory strategy can involve importing one location into a Memory Palace based on another space.
If this process sounds a bit abstract, please don’t worry.
Just try to follow along.
Or, if you’re skeptical, check out this scientific study showing how using this technique helps support better memory.
A Detailed Mnemonic Example for a Useful Word to Know
The image above shows me at my desk, which is a station in this Berlin apartment Memory Palace.
Using the method of loci in combination with the pegword method to structure the choice of Bender and Steve Reich, I had not only the bed in this apartment on which to “place” associations.
I also had an alphabetic “toolbox” from which to draw multiple associations.
That’s what using the pegword method gives you.
Some people divide mnemonic pegs from Memory Palaces, but in reality they need to work together. Ideally, you’ll put them into practice with the other vocabulary memorization techniques we’re about to discuss.
Although these techniques aren’t magic, you’ll be surprised by how fast new words start to stick once you’re up and running.
2. Engage All Your Senses With Multisensory Learning Techniques for Vocabulary Recall
To get the most out of the Memory Palace approach, you need to treat the skills as much more than a visual memory technique.
You need to practice multisensory visualization.
Here’s how I approach this simple and fun learning approach:
When I memorize new words, I don’t just see the mnemonic association in my Memory Palaces.
I also imagine:
Sounds
Physical sensations
Tastes
Smells
Concepts
Emotions.
I even draw upon the sense of spatial location.
For example, when I memorized “expetendorum” in Latin, I imagined what it felt like to stand in front of a Pet Barn to recall the “pet” part of this phrase.
I felt the sun on my skin and imagined smelling the pet food.
If you don’t feel equipped yet for such mental experiences, these multi-sensory visualization exercises will strengthen multiple aspects of your imagination.
With so many of my students, the trick is to get them to move beyond trying to memorize vocabulary based solely on their “mind’s eye.”
3. Tap Into Context Using the Story Method for Vocabulary Memorization
Although I don’t always memorize vocabulary in phrases, it’s generally useful to do so.
Another way to add context to words that you’re learning is to add stories to them. There’s actually a mnemonic strategy called the story method.
For example, to memorize the word “expetendorum,” I not only used the Pet Barn as a Memory Palace.
I had a story in which an X-Man (Wolverine) with a ten of spades on his claws pounded the door while drinking rum. That little story gave the word a larger context and made it easier to memorize the entire phrase I found it in.
The “rum” part was a bit weak so I later improved it by thinking about The Shining, a movie which involves a character named Danny saying the iconic phrase, “Redrum.”
This additional mnemonic hook drew upon additional context and story that settled the word into long-term memory. For you, don’t worry about little errors here and there. Just use what you’ve already developed through association to compound.
4. Use Spaced Repetition Properly to Achieve Long-Term Vocabulary Retention
When learning vocabulary from a foreign language, it’s important to repeat the words frequently.
But not randomly.
When you use a process scientists call this process spaced repetition you can easily cut down on the amount of repetition you need.
As this study found, without using memory techniques, especially Memory Palaces to help rehearse the vocabulary you’re learning, you basically wind up with rote repetition.
Learning using memory techniques, however, always involves creative repetition. And there’s always a layer of challenge or what scientists call “desirable difficulty.”
In this study, for example, the researchers found that some level of challenge or difficulty increases conceptual understanding.
Since the definitions of many words can be quite abstract, that’s an additional win across the board.
5. Use Songs and Chants to Learn New Words Faster
I’ve memorized over 1700 Sanskrit words, a goal I’ve been able to push through largely thanks to chanting them to a bit of a tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zGDLE98GxY
It might sound silly, but it’s worked for thousands of years.
Anecdotally, my friend Luke Ranieri also used singing to help him memorize the first 100 lines of the Iliad in record time.
Just to drive the point home, you can also watch this video where I sang a Mandarin song I later performed at my wedding:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCyPV6qfKkI
This song endeared me to my new family and my wife. But it also helped me learn a lot of vocabulary in Mandarin very quickly.
So, pick a song in any language, memorize it using a Memory Palace and before you know it, you’ll have an expanded vocabulary.
The more song lyrics you memorize, the more vocabulary you’ll be able to access from memory and recognize while reading, speaking, listening and writing.
6. Use Active Recall and Self-Testing for Language Learning
In addition to spaced repetition, it’s important to challenge yourself using tests. Scientists call this process active recall.
Let’s pretend we’re learning English and take the word “account” as an example.
The first step is to select a Memory Palace. Then assign a mnemonic image. I grew up with Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, and a host of other characters on the children’s show Sesame Street. So when I think of the word “account,” Count von Count immediately comes to mind.
But we have an additional “AC” to add to that word. So I think of an air conditioner falling out of a window onto the Count. Just like you see in the feature image at the top of this post.
To get the meaning into the image, this air conditioner also looks a fair amount like a calculator (the tool used by an accountant while engaged in the act of accounting).
This action and object-based visualization with a meaningful character from pop culture almost guarantees you’ll not forget that word.
To add self-testing, the process is easy.
Get out a pen and some paper.
Bring the Memory Palace to mind first, then the mnemonic image.
Gradually you will notice improvement, if not very quickly.
This specific process has been proven in studies like this one to help form memories faster and I used it a lot, especially for my Mandarin exam, where I also needed to know Chinese characters on top of sounds and meanings.
Cloze tests are another form of self-testing you can explore. I used the test you see above to help me remember Chinese vocabulary for my level III test in Mandarin.
Basically, cloze tests simply leave out a piece of information.
Whenever you self test using flashcards in the way we’re about to discuss, don’t include all of the answer on the back. Always leave an element out so that it’s like a puzzle you have to solve.
This simple omission creates a “desirable difficulty” that will help you memorize the sound and meaning of words much faster.
Not only that, but you’ll get more handwriting into the testing process. As this recent study shows, there is really no debate that including handwriting is key to memory formation, especially in our increasingly digital world.
7. Use these Tactics to Optimize Your Vocabulary Flashcards
A lot of people like to use Anki for learning vocabulary.
I’ve never found it that helpful, largely because it’s boring to me and feels like rote learning.
As an alternative, I like to create my own flashcards in ways that use the active recall process we just discussed.
Take the owl in the shoe above, for example.
I created it by hand to learn some cool slang in French.
Instead of repeating the same phrase over and over again, simply by creating the card and then looking at the card 3-4 times, the sound and meaning entered long-term memory much more effectively.
I know that it can seem like a lot of time spent on drawing using this approach. But as this study found, combining flashcards with the other methods discussed on this page, strengthens both memory and academic performance.
Personally, I wish I could have added self-created flashcards to my language learning process much sooner.
8. Stimulate Vocabulary Reinforcement Through this Kind of Reading
When I started learning German, I waited far too long to start reading books and articles.
This is a problem because reading is one of the best forms of spaced repetition for learning vocabulary that you can get.
To give you a concrete example of a strategy that helped me a ton, check this approach out:
I’m very interested in music. So when learning German, I found interviews with one of my favorite bands in this language.
Not only did this choice help me find interesting material to read about people and topics I actually care about. It also gave me examples of the kinds of vocabulary used by people in everyday speech who also care about similar things.
This makes interviews a somewhat better source of vocabulary than novels and books for kids. That’s because it leads you to directly being able to talk with your fellow adults using words and terms they’ll appreciate. Using vocabulary from books for children is unlikely to create rapport by contrast.
That said, language learning expert Olly Richards has recognized the dearth of good material for language learners to read. His story books for language learners are excellent and the vocabulary selections are geared to giving you words you actually need to progress in a language. And they repeat in just the right doses.
Other ways to read include using your Netflix settings while watching foreign language movies. I often re-watch my favorite movies with subtitles on in languages I want to learn, giving me lots of repeated exposure to core vocabulary.
It’s not exactly learning by osmosis, but close. And here’s another study showing the empirical research that optimizing memory happens a lot more reliably when you use multiple strategies and techniques in combination.
Troubleshooting Vocabulary Overwhelm
The first way to handle overwhelm is to face the facts:
Feeling overwhelmed is normal. There are thousands upon thousands of words to learn and it’s easy to feel daunted to the point of not even knowing where to start.
After all, there are well over a million words in the English language alone.
How could you even make a dent in this number, never mind if you are learning a second or third language?
Well, let me break the process down in simple terms.
1. Your goal is to memorize the sound and the meaning of one word at a time, typically just one definition at a time.
Personally, I memorize vocabulary in Latin, Sanskrit, German and Chinese each and every week. I rotate between these languages partly because it’s fun, partly because I’m harnessing the power of interleaving as a memory technique.
Finally, it’s useful to spend some time learning about memory science.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Memorize Vocabulary Words Fast
Below are answers to some of the most common questions I’ve received over the years, both in response to my vocabulary learning books, my main language learning course and posts like this on the Magnetic Memory Method blog.
These insights will help you apply the methods you learned above.
Let’s dig in.
What is the fastest way to memorize vocabulary?
To reach the highest possible speed, you need to combine multiple systems.
You can read my free mnemonics dictionary for a full list, and from there, start developing the approach that works best for you.
Ultimately, you need a combination of memory techniques, testing and ongoing use of the words you commit to memory so they remain fresh.
Go for longevity and ongoing use and you’ll have momentum and consistency, which is even more valuable than speed in my view.
How does the Memory Palace technique help with vocabulary learning?
The main benefits are:
You can use associations and have a point of reference that helps you find them, rather than just tossing them into the “void” of your imagination.
Memory Palaces are fantastic for giving you a structured means of review. Spaced repetition is faster, easier and more effective.
It allows for arranging words in optimal orders, such as alphabeticall, making list memorization simpler and more efficient.
This technique is much more engaging. For many learners it feels like playing a game.
What is the best spaced repetition schedule for vocabulary?
Hermann Ebbinghaus set the best model when he first discovered spaced learning and the serial position effect near the end of the 1800s.
His approach involved personal experimentation that led to many studies that confirmed the power of spaced repetition.
However, the exact intervals that are going to work for you require some experimentation. That’s what Ebbinghaus did to find out his own personal “forgetting curve.”
So rather than looking for a magic number, I suggest you dive in and develop your own schedule by noticing when you’re sharpest during the day.
Observe other possible influences too. For example, I noticed many years ago that I memorize new words and Sanskrit phrases best before I eat breakfast.
This observation didn’t mean that I never memorized at any other time of day. It just helped me set a schedule that works very well in my case and was discovered through experimentation inspired by Ebbinghaus.
Should I use flashcards for vocabulary?
I believe so, yes, provided that you create them yourself.
Downloading a stack of cards created by someone else might help, but you’ll experience faster and deeper encoding if you create your own.
Consider including drawings and colors to create deeper engagement and reflection as you create them.
When learning a foreign language, should my mnemonics be based on my native language?
People often ask me whether they should first place a known word in a Memory Palace and then “point” to the foreign word from there.
In other words, they try to memorize a list of English words, then have them point to the target language word.
That’s almost always a mistake that chews up time and slows down your progress.
Here’s why:
You already know the word in your mother tongue. What you don’t know yet is the sound and meaning of the new word. So your mnemonic work should focus directly on that.
Use elaborative encoding to build mnemonic associations that capture:
How the new word sounds
What it means
How it feels in use
Then place the associations in your Memory Palace, even if you need one for each syllable.
Following this process trains your brain to recall the foreign word itself. It’s much better than forcing you to translate through your native language every time. That will only slow your path to fluency and weaken long‑term retention.
Why Memorizing Vocabulary Is The Most Important Skill In The World
Memorizing vocabulary is not only the easiest skill, but it’s also the most important skill you’ll ever have. It’s also the path to start to remembering all kinds of other things.
Almost all of the most important information we use to survive is transmitted through words. They are the building blocks of all language and information.
If you’d like more help, please get my free course here:
It will help you master the Memory Palace technique and other approaches we discussed above.
Vocabulary is crucial and essential to improvement in all areas of life. Again, words are fundamental to success as a lifelong learner. Especially if you want to become a polymath (like I do).
The only catch is that to grow, you must have a solid foundation.
So now that you’ve got all these tips under your belt, please let me know:
What vocabulary are you going to memorize now that you know these memorization secrets?
What Anthony Hopkins’ Ritual for Memorizing Lines Reveals About Learning
Jan 15, 2026
What does it take for an actor to memorize a script so deeply that it survives stress, pressure from everyday life, and even intoxication?
Sir Anthony Hopkins has an answer so tempting, I had to try it.
And it has less to do with “talent” than you might think.
According to his epic autobiography, We Did Ok, Kid, not even Anthony Hopkins thinks his ability to remember so many lines has to do with DNA or some special genetic trait.
Having memorized a lot of content myself, I completely agree.
And in this guide, you’ll learn how Hopkins turns scripts into mental landscapes, why most performers fail because they chase speed, and how you can adopt Hopkins’ obsessive learning rituals for yourself.
If they’re not for you, you’ll also discover how to adapt them using the Magnetic Memory Method.
This unique learning approach will help you install lines from a script or poetry so deeply the process will soon feel like second nature.
Whether you’re preparing for a stage performance, a TEDx talk, or a high-stakes presentation, this exploration of Anthony Hopkins’ approach to learning is the memory training guide you’ve been looking for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhjIkGu32CA
Anthony Hopkins’ Memory Ritual: A Healthy “Obsession”
Hopkins’ brilliant ability to memorize thousands of lines and perform them under pressure isn’t magic. It’s the result of a particular ritual that has made him polymathic in number of areas and skills.
In case you weren’t aware, Hopkins is not just an award-winning actor.
His skills include directing, painting, performing music and now writing. And it has to be said that the writing in We Did Ok, Kid is outstanding.
Now, although Hopkins has had teachers and mentors along the way, much of what he’s learned has been autodidactic.
For example, as a kid he regularly read Arthur Mee’s Children’s Encyclopedia. Without anyone telling him to do so, he committed lists of facts from its pages to memory.
His approach is a bit different than the method I teach in this list memorization tutorial, but related in terms of a kind of spaced repetition Hopkins worked out for himself.
That’s because he doesn’t just read a script or a set of instructions while learning.
No, Hopkins attacks the material with a pen and adds special marks that turn each page into a kind of private code.
And that’s exactly what I tried to do as you can see on this page I worked on from Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus:
Some people will protest that not only is Hopkins using rote when it comes to memorizing lines from a script, but that his rote reaches obsessive levels.
That’s because he goes through the process of reading and marking up his scripts multiple times, sometimes 250 times or more.
Having gone through the process myself, even at an admittedly small scale, I can tell you it is absolutely not rote learning.
Looking at a page once it has been marked up automatically moves you from rote repetition to active recall.
Active recall is present any time you place information on a page where you have to stretch your mind. And that’s what Hopkins’ marks achieve.
His process literally transforms each page from a bland field of words into a highly mnemonic landscape.
So when the time to perform arrives, he doesn’t try to recall.
He simply walks the landscape he has laid in his mind.
Or as he puts it:
“Becoming familiar with a script was like picking up stones from a cobblestone street one at a time, studying them, then replacing each in its proper spot. Only then could I look out over the road and know every inch of it spread out before me.”
Why So Many People Fail at Memorizing Scripts
Having worked with countless actors over the years, or even just people who have seen my TEDx Talk and want to memorize a speech, I feel confident when I tell you this:
The main reason people fail is not because they are trying to copy the memory tips given by other actors. It’s because they have mistaken activity for accomplishment.
And they are trying to move too fast.
On the one hand, this desire to create momentum is understandable.
Speed not only feels like progress. Moving quickly through rote learning can give you doses of what scientists call phasic dopamine (something you can develop a much healthier relationship with through my dopamine-resetting guide for learners).
But when it comes to serious learning and performance, speed is vanity. And as I learned from my podcast interview with actor Ashley Strand who memorized the entire Book of Mark, vanity kills depth.
There’s another problem too that many people who want to memorize large amounts of content face.
The Emptiness of the Long Distance Learner
As a child, Hopkins was haunted by self-doubt and failure.
His solution?
He not only built a mental container he calls his “Tin Brain Box”.
Like many other people with polymathic personality traits, Hopkins keeps a commonplace book and uses it to copy poems by hand.
He also carried notebooks when young, and developed a personal note-taking method.
More importantly, he learned to switch off his thoughts, a skill I share the science around in my book, The Victorious Mind.
I mention my book because when Hopkins advises actors and people learning skills like painting, I know exactly what he means when he said, “Remain empty. Don’t think.”
Although this suggestion sounds mystical, it’s pure performance psychology.
The Neuroscience of Learning Without Obstacles
You’ve probably had this kind of experience while learning something new. Maybe you’re studying a language or trying to memorize a sales script.
Instead of focusing, your mind keeps intervening and asking questions like, “Am I doing this right?”
When that happens, you’re stuck in the Default Mode Network (DMN), the brain’s internal chatter loop.
Hopkins’ learning technique?
It helps silence the Default Mode Network and then activate the Task Positive Network (TPN).
You can think of the Task Positive Network as being in what some scientists call a state of “flow.”
As Nature puts it in this study, the Default Mode Network is a constant antagonist to that state of flow.
But as I know very well, you can switch off the inner narrator with its endless “blah blah blah.”
Once done, that leaves you free to become the doer.
However, that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to perfectly install new skills or imitate the learning processes of others.
My Experiment: Hopkins vs. Magnetic Memory Method
I learned this the hard way when I tried Hopkins’ method.
I spent hours marking up pages. Without an example of what one of his scripts looks like, I had to imagine exactly how he draws circles all over his scripts.
But even with the drawings I’ve otherwise had success with on my Zettelkasten and flashcards, I quickly hit a wall.
Not because I’m lazy.
It’s just because my brain needs a different engine.
This is my go-to system for structure, proper mnemonic images, and well-formed Memory Palaces.
Once I gave each line a home using the techniques, the lines from Titus Andronicus I wanted to memorize clicked into place.
And you can watch me recite those lines during the recent Vitamin X live launch celebration training.
Not only did I recite the passage forwards. I demonstrated full Recall Rehearsal and recited them:
Forwards
Backwards
From the middle to the end
From the middle to the beginning
The even numbered lines
The odd numbered lines
Memory Palaces: The Shortest Path to Reliable Recall
Memory Palaces aren’t theoretical. They’re ancient. And they remain one of the most effective tools for embedding information into long-term, actionable memory.
If you’re unfamiliar with the method, here’s the short version:
You take a familiar physical location, such as your apartment, a childhood school, or a route you know well.
Then you assign information to specific points along a path you assign throughout the location. By mentally walking the path, you access the information in order.
It’s not rote memory.
It’s spatial, visual, contextual memory.
And when used properly, it’s incredibly fast. Here’s a walkthrough video of me using it to memorize some poetry:
By putting a camera on and starting the clock, something I’ve done before with success when I competed with Dave Farrow, I found myself locked in the Default Mode Network.
In other words, I started worrying about how I looked instead of focusing on using the Magnetic Memory Method.
For me, real memorization is quiet.
Private.
And for many of us, it resists observation.
When I returned to internal work on my own, no stopwatch, no camera, I shifted back to the ancient art of memory and simply learned the lines.
What You Can Learn from Hopkins (Without Imitating Him)
Hopkins’ genius isn’t something to mimic line by line. His method fits his mind and that’s a beautiful thing.
But the real lesson is that your mind might need something different. And that’s exactly what he says. Go out and explore and find your own method.
What I learned is that memory is not for display. For me, it’s a private practice that leads to increased focus, presence and command over the things I want to say.
Once you understand your learning goals, you can adapt any system to your own cognitive strengths.
For me, that system is the Magnetic Memory Method, and if you’d like to learn to use Memory Palaces for free, grab this course now:
It not only gives you four video lessons and worksheets to help you develop your memory skills.
It also helps you enter the state of flow that makes learning so much easier and more fun.
So what do you say?
I found it refreshing to learn that Hopkins wasn’t a particularly gifted child. He felt behind for much of his life.
But instead of accepting failure, he built a learning system that ultimately helped him master multiple skills.
His memory became the foundation for multiple experiences of development, growth and personal transformation.
If you’ve struggled with memorization, or felt pressure to perform before you’re ready, this is your call to take a step back.
Build your memory.
Explore the many techniques available to you and find the ones that fit your mind. Install them so deeply that learning never feels like work again.
Because when you get it right, it’s not work. It’s not play either.
It’s simply you. 100% present. Enjoying flow.
5 Memento Mori Exercises for a Stronger Memory and a Better Life
Jan 03, 2026
Memento mori sounds morbid. It may even conjure up images of people contemplating skulls.
But the ancient practice of “remembering that you will die” will not depress you when used as a memory exercise.
Far from it. When done using the exercises you’re about to discover, a variety of memento mori practices can help wake you up to the present moment.
And this awareness will help ensure that today (and every day) matters to your life.
That’s just one reason to practice the memento mori exercises you’re about to discover today.
They are powerful and have been throughout history.
Why?
For one thing, when you hold the fact that you are going to pass away in your mind for even a minute, mental junk that obscures the miracle of existence can start to lose its grip.
Petty worries shrink.
Procrastination fades. And you start choosing the conversation, the walk, the work and take more risks.
And that’s important because those are things you’ll actually be glad you did. As opposed to doom scrolling on your phone, which is usually an utter waste of time.
The Truth of Memento Mori Exercises Hidden in Plain Sight
Here’s the link between memento mori and memory training you might have missed:
I’ve taught memory training techniques for years, and the engine behind developing great recall isn’t “talent.”
It’s cultivating your attention in ways that you associate with meaning that is worth remembering.
Well-constructed memento mori exercises force meaning to the surface, which makes attention sharper automatically.
And as memory expert Harry Lorayne often pointed out, when attention sharpens, better memory follows.
That’s one reason why I keep an Amor Fati medallion from The Daily Stoic on my desk. In fact, I keep it right beside a “Mr. Death” pin that says “Catch you later.” I wore that pin on tour when I played bass with The Outside as a private reminder:
Do not sleepwalk through this rehearsal, and definitely not during this concert. You’re only going to get to do this one.
Finally, these two memento mori are kept with the Warrior of the Mind Emblem Tony Buzan awarded me for Outstanding Contributions to Global Mental Literacy. As you can imagine, it took on even more significance for me after he unexpectedly passed away.
It sounds ridiculously simple, but having visual reminders like this constantly in your environment makes a big difference to your quality of life.
And in the next few minutes, I’ll show you three more simple memento mori exercises you can do today to live a more memorable life. As a side effect, these will train the exact mental skill that makes your memory stronger overall.
One: Imagine Your Funeral
The exercise I’m about to share sounds grim, I know.
But it’s actually quite positive.
I adapted it from psychologist Richard Wiseman’s 59 Seconds, where he discusses brief, evidence-informed writing prompts that can shift perspective and behavior.
As Wiseman explains based on a study he cites, the imaginative act of seeing and hearing your friends, family and colleagues acknowledge your passing creates perspective and insight that can improve your happiness.
I’ve upped the ante and turned it into a brain game by not just imagining the scenario mentally, but by involving pen and paper.
Make a list of two friends, two family members and two colleagues (or fellow students if you’re still in school).
Next, write down one positive memory each person will share about you at your funeral. It could be a story or just a description of a personal attribute. Pretend that you can hear their voices as you complete the exercise.
This point is important:
Focus on the positive.
Don’t invite haters to your funeral. Really feel the upbeat sentiments people share about you and enjoy the warmth they create.
Then follow-up by imagining what you could do starting today to increase the praise you’ll receive. This simple additional step will help ensure you live a much more interesting life.
Two: The Monty Hall Memento Mori Exercise
If you’ve heard about The Monty Hall Problem, you likely have only heard it talked about as a quirky mathematical riddle. But for our purposes today, it’s really about why we humans cling to our first decision when changing our minds is the smarter move.
Here’s the Monty Hall Problem in simple terms, followed by an exercise:
Imagine that you’re on a game show.
There are three doors and behind one of them is a prize. Behind the other two, either absolutely nothing or undesirable objects.
The host, who knows the location of the prize, opens one of the two doors you didn’t pick and reveals either nothing. Or a dud prize, like a goat.
Then he gives you a choice:
Do you want to stick with the door you originally selected? Or switch to the remaining unopened door?
https://youtu.be/mhlc7peGlGg
Here’s what makes The Monty Hall problem interesting:
Although you’ve already decided on a door, many analysts of the problem believe that switching at this critical moment gives you better odds of winning the prize.
This means that changing your mind is the better and more rational choice. But many people do not perceive the benefits and wind up sticking with their original choice.
What Makes This Problem A Great Memento Mori Exercise
The reasons behind why people don’t switch makes this fodder for a memento mori exercise you can run entirely in your mind.
But before I give it to you, let’s explore the relationship between the problem and the memory exercise of remembering the impermanence of life.
Most explanations suggest that people won’t change their minds due to psychological biases. Myself, I think it comes down to a combination of memory biases and unconscious fears.
Memory biases, for example, can lock the first decision in place. The mind may even start editing the past or resort to mystical explanations to justify sticking with original choice. You might think:
I must have made this choice for a reason.
I had a good feeling (which may or may not be true).
I’ll look foolish if I change my mind and lose.
Then there’s psychoanalytic theory:
Switching can feel like a small symbolic death: death of the self-image that “gets it right,” death of certainty, death of the plan, death of other people’s approval. And when death anxiety is in the background, people prefer a familiar loss to an unfamiliar risk.
This is one of the insights I took from my experiences with Dr. Robert Langs. As I shared in The Victorious Mind based on my time in his office, he thought that death anxiety isn’t something that waits to show up when you’re dying. He thought that it shows up in ordinary life as “reasonable” stories and invisible defenses that keep you inside a frame that feels safe.
In Langs’ view, a decision is a frame. And inside that frame, staying put often masquerades as virtue when it’s really functioning as a form of protection. The only problem is that the protection is potentially weakening your mental strength or preventing you from seizing opportunities.
The Exercise
Think back to a time when you made a decision, had the opportunity to change your mind, but didn’t take it. It doesn’t really matter if you later regretted your decision or not, though that kind of scenario is ideal for this memory exercise.
Once you have found an example, use a journal to explore in writing the following questions:
What stories did you tell yourself?
What would you have had to symbolically “kill” about yourself in order to take action?
An image you held about yourself?
Risks to your reputation?
Potential losses?
There are many ways you can go with this exercise. Just knowing about The Monty Hall Problem has helped me countless times in life.
Three: Premeditatio Malorum
It’s been over a year since I acquired a unit I’ve been slowly turning into a Physical Memory Palace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utcJfeQZC2c
Because I’m hugely risk averse, I had to use an exercise called premeditatio malorum which means “pre-rehearsing the bad things.”
The modern version is called “prepare to fail” in the WRAP technique discussed by Dan and Chip Heath in their book, Decisive.
Basically, you spend a bit of time imagining what it will be like if everything goes wrong.
And it’s a memory exercise because you draw upon knowledge of other examples, images, emotions and concepts related to failure.
Now, the point of playing this memento mori game is not to feed your inner pessimist.
No, when done correctly, this exercise operates like a mental fire drill.
You don’t run such drills because you actually want a fire.
You run the exercise so that if one ever happens, you don’t freeze, fumble or wind up burned.
Here’s a quick protocol you can use to run this exercise yourself:
Step One: Set a timer for five minutes
Keep it short and sharp. This isn’t an exercise in wallowing.
Step Two: Pick one decision you’re worried about or work with something from your past
It’s really important you pick just one thing. This exercise is not about engaging in fantasies about the apocalypse.
Step Three: Run a “real world scenario” in writing
On a piece of paper, answer these questions:
What specifically could go wrong?
What will the consequences be?
What messes will problems create for my loved ones?
What strategies will I be able to pursue to fix these problems?
What would the future version of myself facing these problems urge me to fix now?
Step Four: End with gratitude
The beauty of running this simulation is that the problem you’ve just worked with actually hasn’t happened.
You can then write a few statements that express your gratitude that you’ve had this conversation with yourself.
Just remember that this exercise is supposed to be a scalpel, not a wrecking ball.
If you find yourself ruminating over the potential for doom, return to the exercise and focus on ending it with a positive outcome.
When everything is working as it should, you’ll start noticing that you’re living like your time matters more than ever before.
At least, that’s been my experience.
Four: The Book Cover Test (Memento Mori for Finishers)
Wayne Dyer shared a strategy in one of his talks I immediately adopted.
When working on one of his books, he had a mock book cover printed up and kept it on his desk until the manuscript was done.
Not as a manifestation.
But as a quiet, daily confrontation with the only question that matters:
Will this project be realized…? Or will it die as little more than an idea?
Not only did I keep an image of my very challenging Vitamin X Memory Detective book in my view during the years I worked on it. I’ve kept the mind map that guides my business since I created it years ago with Tony Buzan’s guidance.
These aren’t decorations.
They’re reminders of both the live-giving properties of completing projects. And the death-related anxieties we create by giving up.
Even better, they help prevent life’s many problems from thought blocking, which is one of the scientific terms for losing your train of thought.
How to Complete this Exercise
If your project is a book, create a mock cover. Otherwise, create a mind map that visually depicts the steps involved in completing the project.
Place it on your desk. Not tucked away. Always in your line of sight.
Every day, ask this question:
If I died before this project is done, what would this image mean to the people who I leave behind? And to the people who never got to benefit from the completed work?
This kind of exercise is not melodramatic.
Rather, you’re testing the truth of your conviction by continually exercising the memory of your commitment.
If you want to supplement this memento mori part with some journaling, which I highly recommend, experiment with statements like:
Because I’m here today, I will:
Draft the next chapter
Revise part one
Outline the ending
Send out queries to agents, etc.
Journaling in this way creates daily decisions that tip completion in your favor.
This is exactly what helped me finally finish Vitamin X despite many challenges. It’s the same activity behind most of the videos I put out on my YouTube channel, articles on this site and the audio podcast.
Five: The Black Dog of Memento Mori Meditation
Although I don’t personally follow any particular belief system, I’ve studied various teachers and methods as intensively as possible.
Twenty years ago, I found the abundance of meditations offered by Michael Roach quite impressive, if only in terms of volume.
Although I’ve seem some people warning that he’s running some kind of cult, he certainly does seem to have quite a memory for maintaining and sharing dozens of meditations. In this video he says he knows over 100, which is not at all impractical in my view.
Indeed, I have memorized approximately 2000 words of Sanskrit, and would argue that each Sanskrit phrase is its own meditation. It’s just more fun for me to group a bunch together, rather than repeat the same one and wind up suffering the deleterious boredom of rote repetition.
In any case, of all the Roach meditations I followed, my favorite involved him describing various scenarios playing out in a Buddhist temple. It was essentially an example of the method of loci combined with the story method.
I won’t go through all the parts, even though they all involved images and situations of threat.
The third part struck me the most because it involved imagining yourself at the third station of the temple and suddenly becoming aware of a little black dog nipping at your heels.
The purpose of the meditation?
To remind yourself that death is always behind you. And its potential as an event is continually as close as the faithful companion pet dogs symbolize.
You can easily practice it by picking a location you’re familiar with and imagining yourself walking when you suddenly notice this presence with you.
Then submit the sensations that arise to inquiry. You can use reflective thinking to post questions like:
Why does this meditation use a small puppy as a symbol for death?
In what ways does death influence my life?
What happens if I embrace the reality of death rather than fear it?
What exactly is it that we fear when we fear death?
The idea is that we can now identify what she calls “neuropatterns of belief.”
By questioning them and using other mental practices, we can change those patterns. Or at least change the ways the brain prioritizes attention to various ideas implicit memory has helped usher into our brains.
Our thoughts and ideas about death are perhaps the most pernicious when it comes to creating anxiety-induced memory loss. I’m sure glad I found practices like these to ease up my own anxiety. My mind has been much more open and my memory stronger ever since.
And many people who use the Magnetic Memory Method or have read The Victorious Mind report similar results.
A Better Life Is Rarely Built By “Motivation”
If you take nothing else from my adaptation of the memento mori concept in offering these exercises, please realize that the mental skill you desire is built by training.
That’s what memento mori does when you realize the role of our symbolic fears of death and use them as reminders to take action now. While you have a chance.
Over my years of experience, I’ve realized that Lorayne is perhaps more right than he ever imagined.
If you cannot train your attention, it will be very difficult to train your memory.
That’s why the exercises I shared with you today aren’t just philosophical.
They provide mental reps that keep you focused on what really matters.
And if you loved discovering these exercises, you’re really going to appreciate what I’m about to give you next.
I’ve put together a free course that teaches the most important foundation of memory. All without fluff, gimmicks, or needing photographic memory.
Grab this free memory improvement course now:
In four quick video lessons, you’ll discover how to:
Encode information so it sticks
Recall what you need on demand
And build memory skills you can trust in real life
Now, if the idea of using memento mori sounded morbid at the start, now you know the truth:
It’s a wake-up call.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to develop a mind that actually holds onto the life you’re living and realizes the goals your beautiful imagination has placed in your mind?
Carpe diem!
A Thriller That Teaches Memory: The Science Behind Vitamin X
Dec 28, 2025
Imagine for a second that Eckhart Tolle wasn’t a spiritual teacher, but a deep cover operative with a gun to his head.
And just for a second, pretend that Tolle’s Power of Now wasn’t a way to find peace, but a survival mechanism used to slow down time when your reality is collapsing. And your memory has been utterly destroyed by forces beyond your control.
Until a good friend helps you rebuild it from the ground up.
These are the exact feelings and sense of positive transformation I tried to capture in a project I believe is critical for future autodidacts, polymaths and traditional learners:
Vitamin X, a novel in which the world’s only blind memory champion helps a detective use memory techniques and eventually achieve enlightenment.
It’s also a story about accomplishing big goals, even in a fast-paced and incredibly challenging world.
In the Magnetic Memory Method community at large, we talk a lot about the habits of geniuses like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.
We obsess over their reading lists and their daily routines because we want that same level of clarity and intellectual power.
But there’s a trap in studying genius that too many people fall into:
Passivity.
And helping people escape passive learning is one of several reasons I’ve studied the science behind a variety of fictional learning projects where stories have been tested as agents of change.
Ready to learn more about Vitamin X and the various scientific findings I’ve uncovered in order to better help you learn?
Let’s dive in!
Defeating the Many Traps of Passive Learning
We can read about how Lincoln sharpened his axe for hours before trying to cut down a single tree.
And that’s great.
But something’s still not quite right.
To this day, tons of people nod their heads at that famous old story about Lincoln. Yet, they still never sharpen their own axes, let alone swing them.
Likewise, people email me every day regarding something I’ve taught about focus, concentration or a particular mnemonic device. They know the techniques work, including under extreme pressure.
But their minds still fracture the instant they’re faced with distraction.
As a result, they never wind up getting the memory improvement results I know they can achieve.
So, as happy as I am with all the help my books like The Victorious Mind and SMARTER have helped create in this world, I’m fairly confident that those titles will be my final memory improvement textbooks.
Instead, I am now focused on creating what you might call learning simulations.
Enter Vitamin X, the Memory Detective Series & Teaching Through Immersion
Because here’s the thing:
If I really want to teach you how to become a polymath, I can’t just carry on producing yet another list of tips. I have to drop you into scenarios where you actually feel what it’s like to use memory techniques.
That’s why I started the Memory Detective initiative. It began with a novel called Flyboy. It’s been well-received and now part two is out. And it’s as close to Eckhart Tolle meeting a Spy Thriller on LSD as I could possibly make it.
Why?
To teach through immersion.
Except, it’s not really about LSD.
No, the second Memory Detective novel centers around a substance called Vitamin X.
On the surface, it’s a thriller about a detective named David Williams going deep undercover.
In actuality, it’s a cognitive training protocol disguised as a novel. But one built on a body of research that shows stories can change what people remember, believe, and do.
And that’s both the opportunity and the danger.
To give you the memory science and learning research in one sentence:
Stories are a delivery system.
We see this delivery system at work in the massive success of Olly Richards’ StoryLearning books for language learners. Richards built his empire on the same mechanism Pimsleur utilized to great effect long before their famous audio recordings became the industry standard: using narrative to make raw data stick.
However, a quick distinction is necessary.
In the memory world, we often talk about the Story Method. This approach involves linking disparate pieces of information together in a chain using a simple narrative vignette (e.g., a giant cat eating a toaster to remember a grocery list).
That is a powerful mnemonic tool, and you will see Detective Williams use short vignettes in the Memory Detective series.
But Vitamin X is what I call ‘Magnetic Fiction.’
It’s not a vignette. It’s a macro-narrative designed to carry the weight of many memory techniques itself. It simulates the pressure required to forge the skill, showing you how and why to use the story method within a larger, immersive context.
So with that in mind, let’s unpack the topic of fiction and teaching a bit further. That way, you’ll know more of what I have in mind for my readers.
And perhaps you’ll become interested in some memory science experiments I plan to run in the near future.
Illustration of “Cafe Mnemonic,” a fun memory training location the Memory Detective David Williams wants to establish once he has enough funds.
Fiction as a Teaching Technology: What the Research Says
This intersection of story and memory isn’t new territory for me. Long before I gave my popular TEDx Talk on memory or helped thousands of people through the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, live workshops and my books, I served as a Mercator award-winning Film Studies professor. In this role, I often analyzed and published material regarding how narratives shape our cognition.
Actually, my research into the persuasion of memory goes back to my scholarly contribution to the anthology The Theme of Cultural Adaptation in American History, Literature and Film. In my chapter, “Cryptomnesia or Cryptomancy? Subconscious Adaptations of 9/11,” I examined specifically how cultural narratives influence memory formation, forgetting, and the subconscious acceptance of information.
That academic background drives the thinking and the learning protocols baked into Vitamin X.
As does the work of researchers who have studied narrative influence for decades. Throughout their scientific findings, one idea keeps reappearing in different forms:
When a story pulls you in, you experience some kind of “transportation.”
It can be that you find yourself deeply immersed in the life of a character. Or you find your palms sweating as your brain tricks you into believing you’re undergoing some kind of existential threat.
When such experiences happen, you stop processing information like you would an argument through critical thinking.
Instead, you start processing the information in the story almost as if they were really happening.
As a result, these kinds of transportation can change beliefs and intentions, sometimes without the reader noticing the change happening.
That’s why fiction has been used for:
teaching
therapy
religion
civic formation
advertising
propaganda
Even many national anthems contain stories that create change, something I experienced recently when I became an Australian citizen.
As I was telling John Michael Greer during our latest podcast recording, I impulsively took both the atheist and the religious oath and sang the anthem at the ceremony.
All of these pieces contain stories and those stories changed how I think, feel and process the world.
Another way of looking at story is summed up in this simple statement:
All stories have the same basic mechanism. But many stories have wildly different ethics.
My ethics:
Teach memory improvement methods robustly. Protect the tradition. And help people think for themselves using the best available critical thinking tools.
And story is one of them.
6 Key Research Insights on Educational Fiction
Now, when it comes to the research that shows just how powerful story is, we can break it down into buckets.
Some of the main categories of research on fiction for pedagogy include:
Psychologists use transportation models to show how story immersion drives belief change. It works because vivid imagery paired with emotion and focused attention make story-consistent ideas easier to accept.
This study of how narratives were used in helping people improve their health support the basic point:
Narratives produce average shifts in attitudes, beliefs, intentions, and sometimes behavior.
Of course, the exact effects vary by topic and the design of the scientific study in question. But the point remains that fiction doesn’t merely entertain. It can also train and persuade.
2) Entertainment-Education (EE)
EE involves deliberately embedding education into popular media, often with pro-social aims.
In another health-based study, researchers found that EE can influence knowledge, attitudes, intentions, behavior, and self-efficacy.
Researchers in Brazil have also used large-scale observational work on soap operas and social outcomes (like fertility). As this study demonstrates, mass narrative exposure can shape real-world behavior at scale within a population.
Stories can alter norms, not just transfer facts from one mind to another. You’ll encounter this theme throughout Vitamin X, especially when Detective Williams tangles with protestors who hold beliefs he does not share, but seem to be taking over the world.
3) Narrative vs expository learning (a key warning)
Here’s the part most “educational fiction” ignores:
Informative narratives often increase interest, but they don’t automatically improve comprehension. As this study found, entertainment can actually cause readers to overestimate how well they understood the material.
This is why “edutainment” often produces big problems:
You can wind up feeling smarter because you enjoyed an experience. But just because you feel that way doesn’t mean you gain a skill you can reliably use.
That’s why I have some suggestions for you below about how to make sure Vitamin X actually helps you learn to use memory techniques better.
4) Seductive details (another warning)
There’s also the problem of effects created by what scientists call seductive details.
Unlike the “luminous details” I discussed with Brad Kelly on his Madness and Method podcast, seductive details are interesting but irrelevant material. They typically distract attention and reduce learning of what actually matters.
As a result, these details divert attention through interference and by adding working memory demands.
The research I’ve read suggests that when story authors don’t engineer their work with learning targets in mind, their efforts backfire. What was intended to help learners actually becomes a sabotage device.
I’ve done my best to avoid sabotaging my own pedagogical efforts in the Memory Detective stories so far. That’s why they include study guides and simulations of using the Memory Palace technique, linking and number mnemonics like the Major System.
In the series finale, which is just entering the third draft now, the 00-99 PAO and Giordano Bruno’s Statue technique are the learning targets I’ve set up for you.
They are much harder, and that’s why even though there are inevitable seductive details throughout the Memory Detective series, the focus on memory techniques gets increasingly more advanced. My hope is that your focus and attention will be sharpened as a result.
5) Learning misinformation from fiction (the dark side)
People don’t just learn from fiction.
They learn false facts from fiction too.
In this study, researchers found that participants often treated story-embedded misinformation as if it were true knowledge.
This is one reason using narrative as a teaching tool is so ethically loaded. It can bypass the mental posture we use for skepticism.
6) Narrative “correctives” (using story against misinformation)
The good news is that narratives can also reduce misbelief.
This study on “narrative correctives” found that stories can sometimes decrease false beliefs and misinformed intentions, though results are mixed.
The key point is that story itself is neither “good” or “bad.”
It’s a tool for leverage, and this is one of the major themes I built into Vitamin X.
My key concern is that people would confuse me with any of my characters.
Rather, I was trying to create a portrait of our perilous world where many conflicts unfold every day. Some people use tools for bad, others for good, and even that binary can be difficult for people to agree upon.
Pros & Cons of Teaching with Fiction
Let’s start with the pros.
Attention and completion:
A good story can keep people engaged, which is a prerequisite for any learning to occur. The transportation model I cited above helps explain why.
The Positive Side of Escapism
Entering a simulation also creates escapism that is actually valuable. This is because fiction gives you “experience” without real-world consequences when it comes to facing judgment, ethics, identity, and pressure-handling.
This is one reason why story has always been used for moral education, not just entertainment.
However, I’ve also used story in my Memory Detective games, such as “The Velo Gang Murders.” Just because story was involved did not mean people did not face judgement. But it was lower than my experiments with “Magnetic Variety,” a non-narrative game I’ll be releasing in the future.
Lower Reactance
Stories can reduce counterarguing compared with overt persuasion, which can be useful for resistant audiences.
In other words, you’re on your own in the narrative world. Worst case scenario, you’ll have a bone to pick with the author.
This happened to me the other day when someone emailed to “complain” about how I sometimes discuss Sherlock Holmes. Fortunately, the exchange turned into a good-hearted debate, something I attribute to having story as the core foundation of our exchange.
Compare this to Reddit discussions like this one, where discussing aspects of the techniques in a mostly abstract way leads to ad hominem attacks.
Now for the cons:
Propaganda Risk
The same reduction in counterarguing and squabbling with groups that you experience when reading stories is exactly what makes narratives useful for manipulation.
When you’re not discussing what you’re reading with others, you can wind up ruminating on certain ideas. This can lead to negative outcomes where people not only believe incorrect things. They sometimes act out negatively in the world.
The Illusion of Understanding
Informative narratives can produce high interest but weaker comprehension and inflated metacomprehension.
I’ve certainly had this myself, thinking I understand various points in logic after reading Alice in Wonderland. In reality, I still needed to do a lot more study. And still need more.
In fact, “understanding” is not a destination so much as it is a process.
Misinformation Uptake
People sometimes acquire false beliefs from stories and struggle to discount fiction as a source.
His book helped explain something that happened to me after I first started memorizing Sanskrit phrases and feeling the benefits of long-form meditation. For a brief period, implicit memory and the primacy effect made me start to consider that the religion I’d grown up with was in fact true and real.
Luckily, I shook that temporary effect. But many others aren’t quite so lucky. And in case it isn’t obvious, I’ll point out that the Bible is not only packed with stories.
Some of those stories contain mnemonic properties, something Eran Katz pointed out in his excellent book, Where Did Noah Park the Ark?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhQlcMHhF3w
The “Reefer Madness” Problem
While working on Vitamin X, I thought often about Reefer Madness.
In case you haven’t seen it, Reefer Madness began as an “educational” morality tale about cannabis.
It’s now famous largely because it’s an over-the-top artifact of moral panic, an example of how fear-based fiction can be used to shape public belief under the guise of protection.
I don’t want to make that mistake in my Memory Detective series. But there is a relationship because Vitamin X does tackle nootropics, a realm of substances for memory I am asked to comment on frequently.
In this case, I’m not trying to protect people from nootropics, per se.
And since fiction is one of the most efficient way to smuggle ideas past the mind’s filters, I am trying to raise some critical thinking around supplementation for memory.
But to do it in a way that’s educational without trying to exploit anyone. I did my best to create the story so that you wind up thinking for yourself.
What I’m doing differently with Vitamin X & the Memory Detective Series
I’m not pretending fiction automatically teaches.
I’m treating fiction as a delivery system for how various mnemonic methods work and as a kind of cheerleading mechanism that encourages you to engage in proper, deliberate practice.
Throughout the story, Detective Williams struggles to learn and embrace the memory-based meditation methods of his mentor, Jerome.
You get to learn more about these as you read the story.
2) Memory Palaces as anchors for sanity, not party tricks.
In the library sequence, Williams tries to launch a mnemonic “boomerang” into a Memory Palace while hallucinatory imagery floods the environment.
Taking influence from the ancient mnemonist, Hugh of St. Victor, Noah’s Ark becomes a mnemonic structure. Mnemonic images surge and help Detective Williams combat his PTSD.
To make this concrete, I’ve utilized the illustrations within the book itself.
Just as the ancients used paintings and architectural drawings to encode knowledge, the artwork in Vitamin X isn’t just decoration. During the live bootcamp I’m running to celebrate the launch, I show you how to treat the illustrations as ‘Painting Memory Palaces.’
This effectively turns the book in your hands into a functioning mnemonic device, allowing you to practice the method of loci on the page before you even step out into the real world.
Then there’s the self-help element, which takes the form of how memory work can help restore sanity.
A PTSD theme runs throughout the Memory Detective series for two deliberate reasons.
First, Detective Williams is partly based on Nic Castle. He’s a former police officer who found symptom relief for his PTSD from using memory techniques. He shared his story on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast years ago.
And even if you don’t have PTSD, the modern world is attacking many of us in ways that clearly create similar symptom-like issues far worse than the digital amnesia I’ve been warning about for years.
We get mentally hijacked by feeds, anxiety loops, and synthetic urgency. We lose our grip on reality and wonder why we can’t remember what we read five minutes ago.
That’s just one more reason I made memory techniques function as reality-tests inside Vitamin X.
3) The critical safeguard: I explicitly separate fiction from technique.
In Flyboy’s afterword, I put it plainly:
The plot is fictional, but the memory techniques are real. And because they’re real, they require study and practice.
I believe this boundary matters because research shows how easily readers absorb false “facts” from fiction.
4) To help you practice, I included a study guide.
At the end of both Flyboy and Vitamin X, there are study guides.
In Vitamin X, you’ll find a concrete method for creating a Mnemonic Calendar.
This is not the world’s most perfect memory technique. But it’s helpful and a bit more advanced than a technique I learned from Jim Samuels many years ago.
In his version, he had his clients divide the days of the week into a Memory Palace. For his senior citizens in particular, he had them divide the kitchen.
So if they had to take a particular pill on Monday, they would imagine the pill as a giant moon in the sink. Using the method of loci, this location would always serve as their mnemonic station for Monday.
In Vitamin X, the detective uses a number-shape system.
Either way, these kinds of techniques for remembering schedules are the antidote to the “illusion of understanding” problem, provided that you put them to use.
They can be very difficult to understand if you don’t.
Why My Magnetic Fiction Solves the “Hobbyist” Problem
They “learn” techniques the way people “learn” guitar:
By watching a few videos and buying a book. While the study material sits on a shelf or lost in a hard drive, the consumer winds up never rehearsing. Never putting any skill to the test. And as a result, never enjoying integration with the techniques.
What fiction can do is create:
emotional stakes
situational context
identity consistency (“this is what I do now”)
and enough momentum to carry you into real practice
That’s the point of the simulation.
You’re not just reading about a detective and his mentor using Memory Palaces and other memory techniques.
You’re watching what happens when a mind uses a Memory Palace to stay oriented.
And you can feel that urgency in your own nervous system while you read.
That’s the “cognitive gym” effect, I’m going for.
It’s also why I love this note from Andy, because it highlights the exact design target I’m going for:
“I finished Flyboy last night. Great book! I thought it was eminently creative, working the memory lessons into a surprisingly intricate and entertaining crime mystery. Well done!”
Or as the real-life Sherlock Holmes Ben Cardall put it the Memory Detective stories are:
…rare pieces of fiction that encourages reflection in the reader. You don’t just get the drama, the tension and the excitement from the exploits of its characters. You also get a look at your own capabilities as though Anthony is able to make you hold a mirror up to yourself and think ‘what else am I capable of’?
A Practical Way to Read These Novels for Memory Training
If you want the benefits without the traps we’ve discussed today:
Read Vitamin X for immersion first (let transportation do its job).
Then read it again with a simple study goal.
This re-reading strategy is important because study-goal framing will improve comprehension and reduce overconfidence.
During this second read-through, actually use the Mnemonic Calendar.
Then, test yourself by writing out what you remember from the story.
If you make a mistake, don’t judge yourself.
Simply use analytical thinking to determine what went wrong and work out how you can improve.
The Future: Learning Through Story is About to Intensify
Here’s the uncomfortable forecast:
Even though I’m generally pro-AI for all kinds of outcomes and grateful for my discussions with Andrew Mayne about it (host of the OpenAI Podcast), AI could make the generation of personalized narratives that target your fears, identity, and desires trivial.
That means there’s the risk that AI will also easily transform your beliefs. The same machinery that can create “education you can’t stop reading” can also create persuasion you barely notice.
Or, as Michael Connelly described in his novel, The Proving Ground, we might notice the effects of this persuasion far more than we’d like.
My research on narrative persuasion and misinformation underscores why this potential outcome is not hypothetical.
So the real question isn’t “Should we teach with fiction?”
The question is:
Will we build fiction that creates personal agency… or engineer stories that steal it?
My aim with Flyboy, Vitamin X and the series finale is simple and focused on optimizing your ability:
to use story as a motivation engine
to convert that motivation into deliberate practice
to make a wide range of memory techniques feel as exciting for you as they are for me
and to give your attention interesting tests in a world engineered to fragment it.
If you want better memory, this is your challenge:
Read it to see if you can hold on to reality while the world spins out of control.
When you do, you’ll be doing something far rarer than collecting tips.
You’ll be swinging the axe. A very sharp axe indeed.
And best of all, your axe for learning and remembering more information at greater speed will be Magnetic.
Why an AI Expert Uses “Analog” Memory (And You Should Too)
Dec 16, 2025
You might expect an expert from OpenAI to rely entirely on digital tools to learn faster. Andrew Mayne does the exact opposite.
Andrew is a true modern polymath:
And in this hope-inspiring set of conversations, this AI expert, innovator, magician, novelist and host of the OpenAI podcast shares his passion for memory techniques.
In addition to unfolding why practicing with older memory techniques still matters, he’s navigating the best of all possible worlds.
And he’s got me convinced that this combinatory approach is the best choice.
But never at the expense of preserving our age-old memorization techniques and learning tools.
Andrew’s exploration of AI and Memory Palace creation is nothing short of extraordinary, and just as thrilling as his novels given what he’s concluded so far.
So join in as we discuss the science behind why “easy” learning often fails.
And exactly how to build a bit of friction into your routine.
So that you retain more and enjoy new technologies without throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlzD_6Olaqw
Why AI Expert Andrew Mayne Uses “Analog” Memory (New Conversation)
Since our last discussion on the intersection of AI and Memory Palaces (see below), Andrew has continued to push the boundaries of how we learn in a digital age.
But in this new episode, we take a surprising turn.
We aren’t just talking about the future. We are talking about the tactics of the autodidact and polymath in the here and now.
Andrew reveals why, despite working at the cutting edge of OpenAI, he often chooses “analog” tools to train his brain.
I’m talking about tools like:
Playing cards
Physical journals
Reading physical books
Having lots of conversations
We dig deep into role of friction in developing new memories and the science behind why “easy” learning often fails, and how you can use tools like ChatGPT and other AI tools to test your memory without becoming dependent on them.
You’ll also discover why an app-based Cloze test did not work for Andrew.
Missed our first conversation?
In this original interview, we established the foundation as AI was unfolding in real time.
Part One: The Intersection of AI & The Ancient Art of Memory
Ready to explore how AI and Memory Palaces can work together to unlock sharper and longer-lasting memory?
AI’s role in human memory: How artificial intelligence can possible enhance, refine, and possibly revolutionize how we use Memory Palaces today.
Future Insights: Andrew’s positive vision for where modern tech might take us and his enthusiasm for preserving the ancient art of memory. And many other “old” artefacts of the human experience.
Whether you’re a student looking to ace your exams, a professional aiming to remember more in less time, or just someone fascinated by the intersection of technology, memory science and human potential, this discussion will be a point of inspiration as you continue to develop enhanced memory capabilities.
Here’s the video version of the discussion:
https://youtu.be/iS_BgFuUohA
For More Andrew Mayne
If you’d like to learn more about Andrew and his incredible output, here is a link library for you to explore:
The Polymathic Poet Who Taught Himself “Impossible” Skills
Dec 11, 2025
If you want to understand the future of learning and equip yourself with the best possible tools for operating at the top of your game, I believe becoming polymathic is your best bet.
And to succeed in mastering multiple skills and tying together multiple domains of knowledge, it’s helpful to have contemporary examples.
Especially from people operating way out on the margins of the possible.
That’s why today we’re looking at what happens when a poet decides to stop writing on easily destroyed paper.
Ebooks and the computers that store information have a shelf life too.
No, we’re talking about what happens when a poet starts “writing” into the potentially infinite cellular matter of a seemingly unkillable bacterium.
This is the story of The Xenotext.
How it came to be, how it relates to memory and the lessons you can learn from the years Christian Bök spent teaching himself the skills needed to potentially save humanity’s most important art from the death of our sun.
Poetry.
But more importantly, this post is a blueprint for you. The story of The Xenotext is a masterclass in why the era of the specialist is over, and why the future belongs to the polymaths who dare to learn the “impossible” by bringing together multiple fields.
What on earth could be impossible, you ask?
And what does any of this have to do with memory?
Simple:
Writing in a way that is highly likely to survive the death of the sun changes the definition of what memory is right now. And it should change what we predict memory will be like in both the near and distant future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwQiW1XDAvI
Encoding Literature Into Life: The Xenotext
Christian Bök, often described as a conceptual poet, has run experiments with words for decades.
That means, in each chapter, Bök used only words containing one of the vowels.
This is a constraint, and it leads to lines like, “Awkward grammar appals a craftsman.” And “Writing is inhibiting.”
There are other “programs” or constraints Bök used to construct the poem. As a result, you hear and feel the textures of your own mother tongue in a completely new way as you read the poem.
But for The Xenotext project, Bök wondered if it would be possible to discover the rules and constraints that would enable himself, and conceivably other poets and writers, to encode poetry into a living organism.
That leads to a fascinating question about memory that many mnemonists have tackled, even if they’re not fully aware of it.
Can a poem outlive the civilization that produced it?
If so, and humans are no longer around, how would that work?
The Science of How Biology Becomes Poetry
As far as I can understand, one of the first steps involved imagining the project itself, followed by learning how it could be possible for a poem to live inside of a cell.
And which kind of cell would do the job of protecting the poetry?
It turns out that there’s an “extremophile” called Deinococcus radiodurans. It was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most radiation resistant bacterium on planet Earth.
As a life form, its DNA was sequenced and published in 1999. According to the Wikipedia page on The Xenotext, Bök started conceiving of encoding poetry into DNA and then inserting it into the bacterium circa 2002.
But the project is about more than having poetry persist within a cell so it can transmit the work without errors later. It’s a kind of combinatory puzzle in which the bacterium acts as a kind of co-author.
In order to pull this project off, Bök needed to enlist the help of scientists while mastering multiple skills many people would not normally consider “writing.”
But as we head into the future, we definitely should.
Radical Autodidacticism: Reaching New Heights Through Deep Discipline
To this day, many educators talk about the importance of being a specialist. But The Xenotext project and the work Bök put into it forces us to redefine what it means to be a self-directed learner in the 21st century.
When Bök decided to encode a poem into the DNA of an extremophile bacterium, he didn’t just “dabble” in science or explore various interests as a multipotentialite. Nor did he read a few pop-sci books and expect an organism to write a poem in return.
One of the first skills is to allow yourself to dream big. Giving oneself permission like this might not seem like a skill. But since we can model any polymath or other person who inspires us, you probably won’t be surprised that many of the most inspiring polymaths regularly daydream.
Picking a dream and pursuing it despite any obstacles is also a skill.
And once you’ve got a project, the next step is to take a cue from a polymath like Elon Musk and break your goal down into the most basic principles. No matter how unusual or unlikely your dream, it’s a useful exercise.
When it comes to analytical thinking and breaking a goal down so you can start pursuing it, it’s often useful to look at your existing competence.
In Bök’s case, I believe he wrote Eunoia by culling words manually from dictionaries over many years. But he couldn’t brute force The Xenotext in that way due to all the biological chemistry involved, so he had to become what you might think of as a computational linguist.
My point is not to diminish the originality of this project in any way. But I think it’s helpful to recognize that The Xenotext is not wildly divorced from the skills Bök already had. It’s an evolution that draws from them.
There’s also the skill of what Waqas Ahmed calls synesthetic thinking in his book, The Polymath. Not to be mistaken with synesthesia, synesthetic thinking involves imagining an outcome through at least one other sense.
In Bök’s case, The Xenotext involves imagining the use of living beings other than human as being part of art. And he has described the possibility that his work could reach “a sufficiently intelligent civilization that has fast computers and smart cryptographers.” This is the skill of sensing beyond our own species and taking the risk of trying to reach them.
Even if we’re long gone.
We Need Deathless Memory
Now, I have a confession to make.
One of the many reasons I’m so fascinated by The Xenotext is that my memory is incredibly weak. That’s why I use mnemonics with such passion, including for memorizing poetry.
Recently, I had the chance to interview Christian Bök, who you can probably tell by now, I consider to be one of the most rigorous intellects alive.
And right in the middle of the interview, I started reciting one of his books from Book I of The Xenotext. For all the mnemonics in the world, I choked.
Now, sometimes, this happens just because I have mouth problems and things get a bit sticky. Other times, it’s exhaustion and yet other times, I manage to recite poems with no problem at all.
I’m mentioning this human moment in my career as a mnemonist not because I have a deep need to confess.
No, this fragile, ephemeral human moment while talking about encoding and retrieving information perfectly from its placement within a living cell suggests the possibility that life really can be the most durable storage device in the universe.
And to see this project come to fruition after all the years Bök pushed through multiple struggles inspires me in countless ways.
For one thing, Bök’s project strikes me as the ultimate memory strategy.
Was Poetry the Original Hard Drive?
As Bök reminded me during our discussion, poetry was a memory technology long before writing existed. Rhythm, rhyme, and meter were engineering tools used to ensure information survived the “game of telephone” across generations.
In Bök’s words:
“We certainly owe every great epic story of the sort like the Epic of Gilgamesh or the Iliad… stories that were intended, of course, to transmit important cultural information over long periods of time. We need poets to be able to create that work and make it memorable enough… to persist over time.”
And it is in this context that Christian Bök realized something terrifying:
“There’s nothing that we’ve built so far on the planet Earth that would probably last more than a few tens of billions of years at most.”
Until his work on The Xenotext succeeded, we have had nothing to rely on apart from our brains assisted by techniques like the Memory Palace, or silicon prostheses.
But the computers and servers we now use to store our collective memory are just as subject to rot as paper. Even our homes would be ground into “an almost undetectable layer of geological dust” in just a few million years.
So Bök’s selection of a deathless bacterium isn’t just a petri dish stunt. By choosing a specific bacterium that is “widely regarded as one of the most unkillable things ever to have evolved on the planet Earth,” Bök has created a memory inside a “message in a bottle thrown into an enormous ocean” that might actually survive the death of our sun.
How to Develop Your Own Polymathic Persistence
Reading this, you might be thinking, “I’m just a student,” or “I’m just a writer.”
Bök could have thought that too.
As he told me: “My assumption was that I’ve got training in English literature… Obviously, in order to embark upon such a project, I had to acquire a whole set of new skills, familiarize myself with a lot of very difficult discourses.”
And so he made the decision to step outside of his lane, joining other innovators who have done the same.
But how do you engage in a project that takes decades without burning out? Bök gave me three specific clues you can apply to your own learning journey.
One: Embrace the Unknown
Bök told me that if he had known how hard the project would be, he might not have started.
He called this his “saving grace,” yet how many times do we turn away from our dreams because we don’t know the size of the mountain.
Nelson Dellis told me something similar once about memory training. He’s a memory champion, but also a climber who has summited Everest.
He said you don’t have to worry about whether the top of the mountain is there or not. Just focus on where you’re going to place your hands next.
Two: Focus on Incremental Achievement
Even as Bök’s project threw new obstacles at him, he told me:
“I gave myself accomplishments or achievements that were incremental, that I knew I could probably fulfill, and would embark upon those doable tasks in an effort to acquire the required skill set in order to accomplish the remainder of these tasks.”
In other words, he stacked small, doable wins on top of each other. And kept stacking until he had built a ladder to the impossible.
Three: Tunnel Through the Noise
Bök was candid about some of the loneliness on the path of the polymath.
Sadly, he noted:
This project, especially, has been beleaguered with all kinds of obstruction and difficulty that were added to the already difficult task at hand and the improbable kinds of risks that I had to adopt in order to be able to accomplish it.
His advice having pushed through and made it to the other side?
“If you’re going through hell, keep going. Don’t stop, because otherwise, you’re in hell… Just keep going, try to tunnel through.”
Bök’s work definitely makes a big statement when it comes to 21st century poetry.
But for me, it’s also a statement about memory and human potential.
The Xenotext challenges us to stop thinking of computers as something that has eclipsed the human brain as the ultimate storage and retrieval device. It places our attention squarely back on the relationship between poetry and life, and the aspects of language that were in so many ways already a technology “infecting” our cells.
If you want to become a polymath and enjoy a legacy that lasts, you must be willing to endure what Bök described as “36 different side quests” of complex projects, you must be willing to look at subjects and skills that seem “impossible” and learn them anyway.
Ready to start your own “impossible” learning project? I have a guide that will help you develop your own curriculum:
This Self-Education Blueprint will help you transform scattered curiosity into tightly interwoven levels of expertise.
That way, the knowledge you accumulate gets put to use, and above all, helps others too.
How to Turn Any Painting Into A Mental Hard Drive
Dec 01, 2025
Although basing your Memory Palaces on buildings you’ve seen with your own eyes will always be a best practice, it’s not your only option.
Sure, buildings are generally best.
That’s because remembered locations let us easily “offload” what we want to learn onto walls, corners and furniture as if they were hard drives.
But you can also develop thousands of Memory Palace options simply by utilizing art. And there are countless works waiting to be discovered using the phone in your pocket.
Using art is in fact one of the most elegant and pleasing ways to expand your memory practice.
From paintings and photographs to album covers and book jackets, I’ve long expanded my Memory Palace collection by using art.
There is a trap, however.
If you use art in the wrong way, you’ll double your cognitive load and confuse yourself faster than you can say “Giordano Bruno.”
(In case you don’t catch the reference, Bruno was the Renaissance memory master who used many statues in his Memory Palaces to expand them.)
In this tutorial, I’m sharing with you how to use any piece of art as a Memory Palace effectively, including the one “golden rule” you definitely don’t want to break.
Believe me, I’ve tried and it’s not worth the hassle.
Ready to massively expand your use of mnemonics by drawing upon art you’re already familiar with?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7bkrmYJOmE
Paintings as Memory Palaces: Architecture Within Architecture
Let’s start with the basic concept first.
When you use a painting as a Memory Palace, you are opening up a number of options.
The simplest involves either using a painting that is already in a building that you are using. Or you place a painting inside of a Memory Palace you’ve used before to expand it.
As a third option, you can refer to a painting and use it as a Memory Palace unto itself without reference to where it exists in space.
Finally, as I discuss in my post about visiting art galleries to help improve your memory, you can turn galleries and museums into Memory Palaces. By using the various artworks that stood out to you, it’s possible to wind up having an exceptionally strong Memory Palace.
One of the Memory Palaces I used to memorize a Sanskrit mantra used Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art, for example. Many pieces from one particular exhibition formed part of the encoding process, assisted by an effect memory scientists call context dependent memory.
There’s always the risk of putting pressure on your brain instead of reducing it unless you use the painting variation of the Memory Palace technique carefully.
To that end, let’s go through some best practices, starting with the most important.
Metivier’s Golden Rule: Do Not “Memorize” Any Memory Palace
Some people will hear that I use paintings in my Memory Palaces and start looking at art and memorizing it.
Although you can certainly do so, this is not what I mean.
Rather, I mean to suggest that if you use any of the possible options I listed above, you make sure that the painting or artwork is already in your memory.
This point seemed to be very important to Giordano Bruno, whom I mentioned above.
In his book, Thirty Statues, Bruno places his mnemonic associations on mythological figures he already knows.
He’s following a principle crucial to all ancient memory techniques that distinguish them from the processes of some memory competitors that have led to a lot of confusion.
Whereas memory competitors may learn a lot of associations assisted by techniques like the Major System and the PAO System, that’s for accomplishing short-term retention.
For this reason, I wince whenever someone tells me that they’re going to memorize a bunch of locations to use as Memory Palaces.
Even after looking at my massive collection of Memory Palace ideas and Memory Palace examples, some people still charge forward and memorize despite learning that the most accomplished mnemonists did not do this.
So the point is that if you’re going to use the Mona Lisa as a Memory Palace, make sure you already have a basic mental image of this artwork in your mind.
The Mona Lisa Test
I’m mentioning the Mona Lisa because it’s both relatively simple and very famous. It’s almost certainly in your long-term memory.
But a great way to start using a variety of paintings is to create an inventory. The following activity is a powerful memory exercise unto itself.
Step One:
Write A-Z on a piece of paper
For each letter name an artwork or artist that comes to mind
When you’re just starting, I recommend sticking with portrait paintings or photographs
You might not be able to complete the whole alphabet. So if Agostina Segatori Sitting in the Cafe du Tambourin by Van Gogh doesn’t leap to mind, move on to B and the other letters until you have at least a few artworks listed.
The key to this exercise is to work with what you’ve got. Do not look up any of the artworks using a search engine. Just list what you can come up with on your own by name, or the name of the artist if that’s all you remember.
If you can’t remember the name of either, just list down where you remember seeing the artwork. Or jot down anything else about it that will help you recall the image you mean at a glance.
Step Two:
Pick one of the paintings and sketch it out from memory.
You don’t have to be an artist to complete this step. Just look at how basic my example is for Francis Bacon’s Study for Portrait I is:
Keep going with this exercise until you have 5-6 of these sketches based on your list. Don’t stress it if you can’t come up with that many.
Likewise, feel free to produce many more.
The key is to produce examples and test that you remember enough of each image so that it can function as a Memory Palace.
This is why I suggest you start with portraits. They’re generally simple figures in space and not overloaded with all kinds of elements that probably never entered your memory.
Step Three:
Divide your sketch using the rule of threes. Just like you see in this example:
If you can do this, then the artwork has passed the Mona Lisa Test.
And it has at least three stations using the method of loci:
Top of the portrait
Middle
Bottom
Placing the Artwork in a Memory Palace
Once you’ve tested that you remember the artwork will enough, place it in any room you’re using.
By following the basic principles of the journey method, you’ve given yourself at minimum three new stations.
Each painting you place can also serve as an alternative to the fifth station golden hand talked about in many of the older memory instruction manuals. These include books by Peter of Ravenna, Jacobus Publicius and even modern guides like Memory Craft.
In terms of exactly how to “place” the chosen artwork in a Memory Palace, this is done purely by the imagination.
You can imagine yourself hammering a nail into the wall and hanging the portrait, have aliens glue it in place, or just imagine it flickering into position.
Myself, I skip all of that and just mentally place it without any special fuss. Personally, I find those steps create cognitive drag because I wind up remembering what I did.
But the goal is to increase the size of the Memory Palace, not remember how it got that way.
Now let’s talk about other ways to use the artwork.
Using the Corners of the Frame
In addition to using the interior of the painting, which ranges from dividing it into threes to using multiple characters and buildings, you also have the option of ignoring the art.
This might sound strange, but I regularly use only the four corners of the frame, or the corners and the edges.
This clean application of stations to the frame using the method of loci creates a clean, numerically progressive journey.
You literally just encode your first piece of information on station one, then move to the second corner for the second piece of information, etc.
In the example above, which is 1:00 p.m. from Christian Bök’s Moons of Darwin project, I have also used the moon as a fifth station for one simple learning project.
If you don’t know how to form associations now that you’ve understood the use of frames, check out this tutorial on the best list memorization methods.
Utilizing Elements in the Art
In the video above, I discuss an image of a creature on the painted album cover of Crowded House’s Dreamers are Waiting.
Some people will look at art and think, “That’s just a rabbit.”
But to the mnemonist, or person who excels in memory techniques that I hope you’ll become, it’s a “magnetic trigger.”
For example, if you want to memorize a quote from Alice in Wonderland, and you know any piece of rabbit art, you can place the text on the art (or the frame).
You don’t need the trappings of a surrounding Memory Palace at all.
Expanding the Art on Book Covers Into Memory Palaces
Another approach I love that you can try yourself involves taking the art on book covers and expanding them based on the story.
For example, one of my ‘M’ Memory Palaces is the cover I read when I was young of Stephen King’s Misery.
It evokes the room inhabited by the characters throughout most of the story.
Having that image to refer to makes the room easy to develop into a Memory Palace. And you can use it in addition to the room and other areas portrayed in the film adaptation.
As part of my ongoing efforts to make unique memory training experiences for people who follow the Magnetic Memory Method project, I’ve deliberately had the covers of books like Flyboy designed for use as Memory Palaces.
In the image above, you can see the feather imposed over the building. Both can be used in interesting ways. The feather refers to Peter Pan, who serves as 92 in many PAO Systems. And each window on the home can be used as a Magnetic Station.
If you already have the book, more details are coming soon about how to use the story as you practice the memory arts.
But for now, keep in mind that many books in your collection have art that you can use in a variety of ways to expand your mind as you improve your use of mnemonics.
Start Simple & Avoid Artistic Overkill
As you’ve seen in the examples I’ve discussed, the art I choose is generally quite simple. I don’t use Bosch paintings overloaded with weird figures. Nor do I use chaotic scenes from Mad Magazine or Where’s Waldo books.
You certainly can, but those examples are filled with visual noise that is anathema to memory work. Even if you have studied such maximalist artworks intently, that time could wind up wasted the same way a lot of people fritter hours of their learning life away fiddling with virtual Memory Palaces.
You can also work with every single album cover or book jacket in your home library. But I don’t recommend it.
Instead, I suggest that you not overcomplicate this practice.
Choose paintings and artworks you already know. And if newly encountered artworks strike your fancy after you visit a gallery, let them arise naturally. There’s little to be gained by forcing yourself to memorize an entire exhibition.
If you want more nuances and some thoughts on using conceptual art in your memory work, scroll up and watch the video above.
Or, if you’d like more Memory Palace training tips immediately, register for my free memory improvement course by clicking the image below:
It gives you four detailed video tutorials, worksheets and exercises.
Above all, by taking action, you will join a long-standing tradition of memory practitioners who see more than just objects in space when looking at art.
They see opportunities to store more information, making the world part of a large “supercomputer” that lets them retain more information.
Tools you can use to expand your learning capacity are all around you, just waiting for you to unlock them.
How to Remember a Story Using a Memory Palace
Nov 19, 2025
If you want to remember a story, the process is actually pretty simple.
You can be as detailed as you like, or just recite the general gist of a tale.
And by the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to entertain people at parties or include stories in your speeches and presentations.
Or maybe you want to better convince your friends to read stories and watch the movies you love. That will be much easier for you to do as well.
If you want to become a better writer, nothing will help you more than knowing stories inside and out.
Even better than that, on this page, I’m also going to show you how to memorize the ins-and-outs of plot.
Who am I to teach you about remembering stories?
Well, in addition to having told a story at a TEDx event that now has nearly 2.5 million views, I spent nearly a decade as a Film Studies professor.
I also spent a few years working as a story consultant on movies that actually got made. And I’ve written two well-received books about screenwriting.
Indeed, I got my story consulting gigs partly because of the books I’ve written on screenwriting. I even have a writing credit on my IMDB profile.
Anthony Metivier on the set of Bailout with Eddie Furlong, Dominic Purcell and Uwe Boll
Although I certainly don’t know everything under the sun, I’ve proven that I can write and help craft successful stories. I’ve memorized detailed stories and delivered them before the masses.
And if you’re ready to remember any story, I’m confident my tips will help you out
So let’s get started!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM4TxD6ez1Y
Two Different Ways to Remember a Story
When it comes to reciting a story from memory, there are two main ways to proceed.
Both approaches are powerful. Which one you pick depends on your goal.
You’ll also want to consider your existing skills with memory methods overall. You can check my guide to the main memory techniques to get a sense of where you currently stand.
With that in mind, let’s look at the two main strategies for remembering stories.
Story Strategy #1: Verbatim
Memorizing a story verbatim is powerful when you care about the exact language.
There are many circumstances where word-for-word recall matters.
Take my TEDx Talk, for example. This platform requires you to deliver your message within a particular timeframe. You simply cannot afford to go off on tangents, and verbatim memorization helps make sure you follow the script and finish on time.
People who memorize scripture tend to want to memorize a particular translation verbatim for theological or poetic reasons.
Then there are actors like my fellow mnemonist, Ashley Strand. On this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, he shared how he memorized the entire Book of Matthew:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0op9LSE3_yQ
Ashley’s example involved acting, but fits more exactly under the banner of monologue memorization.
In addition to his recitation of the Book of Mark, the most impressive recitation I’ve seen was Ralph Fiennes in Faith Healer.
I caught the play while living in Manhattan, but had read it many years earlier as an undergrad in an English course.
As a stage production, Faith Healer is remarkable because the Frank Hardy role involves two long narrative monologues. The first one is at least 30 minutes long and I was blown away by watching Fiennes deliver it.
Even more remarkably, the play is itself about how memory shifts and changes. As Fiennes shared in this Irish Times article, he spent a very long time with the text. But during the last two weeks he focused specifically on “feelings, emotions, and nuances.”
Like Ashley Strand, Fiennes needed to deliver the exact words.
Unlike Strand’s experience, however, Fiennes did not have to work on interpreting the text. As Fiennes told his interviewer, Faith Healer is “extraordinary because when you’ve got it inside you, in the memory, it’s a support. With writing that is less masterful, you would have to compensate or find things in the interpretation to keep it buoyant.”
If you choose to memorize a story verbatim, keep these points in mind. Some stories will have features built into them that help you remember them better.
Others, like various stories in the Books of the Bible, may require more interpretation and even additional research or personal study.
Story Strategy #2: Generative Memorization Based on “Story DNA”
Many people know that ancient cultures passed their stories on verbally.
But that doesn’t mean they recited them verbatim.
As Alfred Lord reports in Singer of Tales, many story tellers actually memorized a variety of formulas.
In this video, I talk about how this technique likely worked, one that I’ve used myself as a Film Studies professor many times:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20En1Nm8VOY
There are quite a few ways you can memorize formulas to generate new versions of stories on the spot.
Or, you can learn formulas in ways that help you recite and explain particular sequences in movies.
You can see an example of me doing this in my case study of Minority Report or the one on Training Day. Each of these video lessons is based on one of the Film Studies lectures I delivered while teaching at the University of Saarland in Germany.
To talk about story architecture in this way, it’s not that I memorized the stories verbatim. No, I literally memorized the “Story DNA” based on an understanding of Vladimir Propp‘s Morphology of the Folktale amongst other narratological tools found in the field of literary criticism.
Should you take such a deep dive into story mechanics in order to remember stories better?
Personally, I believe so. Here’s why:
Why Remembering Stories is an Underrated Career Skill
Reciting stories is not a trick.
It’s a skill that can give you an unfair advantage, especially in high-stakes careers. These career areas include:
The legal industry
Bartending
Being a musician addressing an audience between sets
And although we’ve already discussed acting above, we should not forget becoming a magician.
As discussed in an episode of my podcast with the inventive magician, novelist and AI innovator Andrew Mayne, there are many benefits for magicians who use memdecks in their performances.
Story deck routines fall under this rubric and Bill Malone’s performance of Sam the Bellhop is one of the most famous examples of a story helping making a magician’s career:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLaz4-c3B2A
Now that you know how lucrative being able to tell stories better can be, let’s look deeper at one of the easiest ways to get started remembering them.
The best point of entry I’m aware of is to spend a bit of time examining the nature of stories before you even apply a single mnemonic technique.
What is a Story Anyway?
One of the most interesting aspects involved in memorizing stories, is that you soon discover every narrative is composed of many different kinds of information.
Just about every story will involve:
Names, places, locations
Descriptions
Special terms (sometimes foreign vocabulary)
Quotes and epigraphs
Actions
Dialogue
Numbers
Themes
Plot
Characterization
Details about the author, publishing history, audience reception
The more you divide these types of information in your mind, the more you’ll be able to approach the story as a whole with dexterity.
With these different types of story information in mind, let’s look at the process step-by-step.
How to Remember A Story in 7 Easy Steps
As you go through these steps, keep in mind that you don’t have to master each and every one the first time you commit a story to memory.
The more you allow yourself to grow with the story memorizing process, the more success you’ll have.
That said, it’s important to focus on these fundamentals.
Why?
Because we don’t want to put the cart ahead of the horse and wind up frustrated.
That’s why I’ve done my best to arrange the steps you’re about to discover in order of priority, keeping beginners with no prior experience with remembering stories in mind.
Step One: Decide on the Exact Goal
Before you start committing any of the story to memory, think about your exact goal.
Memorizing stories to prepare for any type of exam?
Required to recite the story verbatim?
Or are you allowed to work from bullet points?
I ask these questions because when I gave my TEDx Talk, I memorized the entire story word for word.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
But when I was a film professor and summarized stories as part of my lectures, I usually memorized just the bullet point version of those stories. Because I know all of the plot points by memory, I often didn’t even need to do that. (We’ll talk more about the plot points method in a moment.)
When I memorize scripture, I sometimes include the verse number, which involves knowing a technique called the Major System or 00-99 PAO.
Step Two: Get Intimately Familiar with the Story
This probably goes without saying, but you’ll want to read the story in its entirety first, or watch the movie in full.
And I would suggest you go a few steps further.
In addition to going through the material thoroughly, read about the story.
One thing I used to do as a Film Studies professor was to read the screenplay before watching a movie. Then I’d watch the movie and read as many reviews and critical interpretations as I could find. If I had time, I’d watch the movie at least one more time before writing my lecture.
In the case of short stories or novels, there is no screenplay. However, you can follow-up by reading articles, interviews with the author and reviews on bookseller pages and book reviews.
All of these efforts will help build a larger web of associations in your mind that make the actual memorization a lot easier. It also makes everything a lot more fun because you’re making yourself an expert about the story itself.
Do this enough times, and you’ll come to think about the place of the stories you remember in the context of history, philosophy and the culture at large, all of which is very rewarding.
Step Three: Create a Primary and Secondary Memory Palace
When you really want to know a story well, I suggest you have at least two Memory Palaces instead of just one.
It’s a simple mnemonic device that allows you to create mental versions of locations. Typically, you would base them on homes, offices, schools and any location you’re familiar with and can easily organize into a simple journey.
Why two Memory Palaces?
I’ve found it very helpful to have all the names of the characters and location names in one Memory Palace, and the major plot points in another.
This approach is useful even if you’re memorizing the story verbatim. It helps you get some of the harder elements out of the way first. And knowing character names also serves as a kind of time signature. It’s easier to remember parts of the plot because you’ll remember the names of the characters and place names with knowledge of the order in which they come up.
If you like, you can extract the character names while you’re reading by using the technique I teach in how to memorize a textbook.
Step Four: Memorize Word for Word
To memorize verbatim is a simple affair.
You just need to assign associative, mnemonic images for the words and lay those associations out along your Memory Palace journey.
Now, if you’re new to the practice, you might need more images than a more experienced memorizer. For example, there are tons of operator words, like “to,” “it,” “he,” etc.
For these words, it’s no more or less difficult to come up with images than it is for more complex words. Basically, everything comes down to your level of skill with the techniques and completing the exercises in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
Often, you can get away without having an image for such words. When I memorized the story I told in my TEDx Talk, I managed to relate it word-for-word by just encoding the keywords. Because I know English, most of the smaller words fell logically into place. And if they were slightly different here and there, it did not change the theme or message of the story I told.
The final part of this step is to segment the memorization. Rather than expect to memorize the entire thing in one go, break it down. I like to memorize for 5-10 minutes, then take a break.
This might seem slow to you, but in the end, it’s actually faster. You’ll make fewer encoding errors and spend a lot more time with your full mental powers charged. If you plow on while drained, you’ll wind up spending too much time correcting issues that didn’t need to be there in the first place.
Step Five: Robust Rehearsal
Once you have any amount of material memorized, it’s important to start reviewing it.
For this, I use a process called Recall Rehearsal. It taps into the memory science of active recall.
To make the process as effective and efficient as possible, I follow these steps:
Find a quiet place where I won’t be disturbed
Have pen and paper ready
Write out the memorized narrative material in forward order
Check the accuracy
Use the memory techniques to correct any unacceptable errors
But when I really want to present at my best and feel “bulletproof” on the stage, I go further.
I write out the speech in reverse order and out of order.
For example, the odd numbered sentences are typically on the odd-numbered stations in the Memory Palace I use. That means I can write the entire speech forwards with only the odd numbered sentences forward.
Then I write the even numbered sentences on the second pass, but this time in reverse order.
Why do this?
The answer is simple: It gives each sentence extra doses of primacy effect and recency effect.
Not everyone has to go to this extent. But I always do it when I want to speed up the memorization process and feel extra-familiar with each and every word I’m delivering on the stage.
Step Six: Practice Your Delivery
Although writing out the story from memory is a form of practice, it’s important to practice verbally delivering your story as often as you can.
Thomas Kraft suggested that I walk while reciting the talk. Since I could take my walks in the Memory Palace I used for my TEDx Talk, I did exactly that.
Here’s an illustration of that Memory Palace, located in Kelvin Grove, Australia, where I was living at the time:
A Memory Palace Example based on a Brisbane neighborhood I used to live in
Now, why might Thomas have given that advice? And why is it worth paying attention to scientifically?
The answer is context-dependent memory. Any time you can contextually relate the content you’re memorizing with the actual Memory Palace location you’re using, you will get a recall boost.
Since I walk relatively quickly, I kept context-dependence in mind. But also another aspect about memory psychologists have found called state dependent memory.
Because I didn’t want to recite the story in my TEDx Talk too quickly, slowing down created a calmer state that improved the speed of my delivery.
To expand my practice of delivery across multiple contexts and psychological states, I practiced both mentally, by writing the speech by hand from memory and recording myself.
As a result, I wound up with a much more robust understanding of the story-based talk in all of its parts and delivered it with confidence I would not have achieved otherwise. I know because as a university professor, I’ve delivered a lot of talks in different ways and the process I’m sharing today is by far the most reliable when it comes to results for your audience.
Step Seven: Memorize and Recite More Stories
Mastery won’t come from memorizing just one story. You’ll want to carry on and remember many more.
It’s also advisable to remember several kinds of stories:
Short anecdotes
Jokes
Narrative poetry
Parables
The more variety you work with, the more your skills will grow.
How to Remember Plot Points
Again, the Memory Palace will be your go-to technique for this.
I would string out the following narrative elements along a journey, perhaps using the Magnetic Memory Method approach to the story method.
The major plot points in most stories are:
Character is haunted by a ghost from the past
The world is in some kind of flux or change
Character has a driving ambition that is in conflict with an unconscious need
Character encounters a problem that must be solved
There is a period of delay as the character resists the dilemma or thinks through multiple avenues of action
A crisis forces the character to take action (usually the least desirable option)
Along the way to solving the problem the character either:
Gathers allies that help
Undergoes a training sequence
During the battle, the character experiences a self-revelation that resolves the ghost and the conflict between the driving ambition and the unconscious need
Following the problem-resolution, the world of flux resolves to a stable state
Note that not all of these plot points necessarily unfold in the same order in every story. And not every story has all of them.
But if you commit this general structure to memory, they will start leaping out at you as you read stories and watch movies.
And this knowledge of story architecture itself will help you remember stories much better.
As will knowledge of Memory Palace structures. If you’d like help with developing them so you can remember everything we discussed above, feel free to register in my free memory improvement course:
It takes you through a series of exercises with worksheets and video tutorials you won’t find anywhere else.
Remembering Stories Is Easy
So, what do you say?
Are you ready to commit your first story to memory?
How will you do it?
Verbatim or just based on the general plot?
I suggest you spend some part of your life mastering both. It’s tremendously rewarding.
And if you’d like more context with respect to lines of dialog, check out my article on how to memorize lines next.
How to Approach Learning in the Age of AI (Without Harming Your Memory)
Nov 14, 2025
Everywhere you turn, someone’s either hyping up AI or panicking about it.
But if you’re a lifelong learner, you can’t afford to miss one simple fact:
The real danger isn’t the technology itself.
No, the major problem we all face is how other people’s thoughts about AI quietly and constantly reshape our thinking.
Pretty much on a daily basis, we undergo a whiplash of influence as one person plays prophet of doom and another froths with unhinged praise.
If you don’t study memory and its relationship to thinking as much as I do, you might not notice this shift happening.
But I do, and am concerned that many people can’t see why the disconnected dialog about artificial intelligence is so corrosive.
Perhaps most alarmingly of all is how many people adopt new tools unthinkingly and try to move faster, consume more and mistake speed for substance.
Little by little, they come to rely on the dopamine hits created by endless summaries instead of doing the critical thinking work that leads to synthesis and understanding.
The solution for you so that you don’t burn out and wind up forgetting everything you try to learn?
Slow down.
Continue using notebooks, sketches, mind maps and time with physical books.
As I’ll show you in a moment, the best AI innovators are doing just that.
And it’s smart because these simple activities will help build your memory, preserve your thinking and ensure you get the most out the new tools. While continuing to enjoy the benefits of ancient memory techniques.
To help you find the balance, in the video below and various resources I’ve shared on this page, I’ll help you explore AI technologies while creating a brain that no technology can imitate.
Let’s get started.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XOiutq-Af4
How to Use AI as a Lifelong Learner (Without Harming Your Memory)
The first strategy is to keep using physical notebooks.
You might think that sounds old fashioned, but it’s not.
For example, David Perell recently had Sam Altman on his podcast to discuss his method for clear thinking.
It’s very similar to the journaling method I’ve been teaching myself for years. It involves pen, paper and the mind. Nothing more.
If the CEO of OpenAI operates this way, why wouldn’t you?
I think this example, amongst the journaling habits of other top performers is great. It helps us completely sidestep yet another paranoid conspiracy that suggests the moment you stop writing by hand, you start letting machines dictate how you think.
It’s the other way around:
The humans shaping the way artificial intelligence platforms operate regularly journal.
Why Analog Tools and Slow Reading Matter More Than Ever
Their example is also useful because it highlights the relationship between the medium you use to assist your thinking, what you think about, and how you think.
And I believe it’s beyond obvious that many people mistake how fast they consume information as an accomplishment, when far too often it’s really just busy work. Little more than activity.
This confusion of activity as accomplishment isn’t a new problem. Speed reading gurus have duped people for years with the fantasy that speed is a kind of substance.
And the few good ideas you might find in speed reading books and courses? They tend to be borrowed from somewhere else.
Many, much better tactics existed decades before mass market speed reading books started teaching such tactics. Many ultimately wound up watering the strategy down.
These days, the entire speed reading industry is obsolete. And the reading approaches I’ve advocated since my university teaching days has never been more important.
It’s more important than ever before because now, the real skill is knowing when to use shortcuts and when to apply reflective thinking so that books have time to settle in.
Sometimes it makes sense to take a second pass through courses and books. This is one reason I developed a personal re-reading strategy.
Even though I use zettelkasten and the Memory Palace technique, reviewing both your notes and the source material often gives you additional insight that you cannot get any other way.
Yet, we live in an “efficiency” focused culture where the speed of AI summaries create an illusion of depth, when in fact they are actually prompts to get back to traditional reading tactics and techniques.
The Real Meaning of Artificial Intelligence
As you can tell by now, I’m not at all saying to avoid using AI.
Rather, I believe that the best way to protect your lifelong learning goals must involve learning to use it through experimentation.
But not without acknowledging the strange paradox we all face. Various AIs can now summarize any book you feed them. In all kinds of flavors depending on their training.
In other words, if you want to know how a celebrity would criticize a book, there’s an AI that can approximate their response for you.
Yet, despite this wealth of textual production, very few people can remember what they read last week. Some people can’t even remember what they read an hour ago.
Adding to the confusion is the fact that many people are using chatbots and calling them artificial intelligence, when they are anything but.
Unless we actively approach the learning process differently, we will continue living in a world where increased volumes of content decrease retention.
So how do we reverse the trend?
One of the best critical thinking exercises you can conduct is to think much more deeply about what this term “artificial intelligence” means.
In my view, many people use “artificial intelligence” far too loosely, almost the way we use terms like “automobile” or “vehicle.”
Rather than do that, try and stop yourself and drill down into specifics.
To that end, let’s look at some interesting authors and creative people who can help you form better definitions for the various aspects of what AI is (and is not).
Four Books That Show What Real Thinking About Artificial Intelligence Looks Like
If you want to see what real thinking about AI and its relation to learning looks like in practice, you won’t find it summaries.
You’ll find it in the work of people who engage the physical world, wrestle with complexity, and use tools, both analog and digital.
The following authors show, each in their own way, what disciplined perception and deep understanding actually produce.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS_BgFuUohA
Andrew Mayne
Andrew Mayne is a polymathic inventor, author, magician and multi-media talent.
I recently heard him talking on a podcast he co-hosts called Weird Things about how important memory training and using physical notebooks is to him.
In this dynamic discussion, Andrew also talks about various angles on robotics and how important human connections still remain to him… even though he is deep into multiple areas of artificial intelligence and generative chatbots.
He’s also the host of the Open AI podcast, a role that started not long after he appeared on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
One thing you might notice in that episode is that Mayne is surrounded by interesting physical objects. He loves new technologies and the world they can potentially help us create, but not at the expense of the immediate, physical world.
He’s a huge fan of memory techniques too, but at this moment, I’d like to highlight one of his most interesting novels: The Naturalist.
On top of being excellent genre fiction, it’s also a very interesting meditation on the nature of the physical world, new technologies and the role of expertise.
The tactile world is everywhere in the novel and Mayne expertly conveys the raw sensory foundation true expertise requires.
Although technology is involved, the role of observation as a mental discipline shines through. Essentially, you’re reading about the human training of perception itself based on the mind’s ability to track multiple data points in both the physical and technological worlds.
In order to think about them and solve problems in both the immediate world and the digital, Mayne’s hero needs to rely on critical thinking muscles AI can never replace.
That’s why it’s ultimately a book about the kinds of computational thinking humans have done for a long time in collaboration with our technologies.
Here’s a key example, probably my favorite part of the book:
“Our war on cancer has been filled with countless maybes. Billions of dollars and millions of human hours have been spent chasing after a pattern we can’t even begin to guess at.
Even still, we’ve made some progress. Many of these maybe have panned out. People live longer than before because not all that effort was wasted. And for every maybe that turns out to be a no, we still move forward.”
Don’t mistake this for romanticism. It’s more like cognitive realism.
Our brains evolved to think through contact with the world. Digital tools can extend that process, but when we allow our fears about technology to replace our common sense, comprehension collapses.
Michael Connelly
The second book I suggest you check out is The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly.
In this legal thrillers Connelly delivers a courtroom narrative where truth itself is on trial. Following the death of a young student prompted by a young man’s exchange with an inappropriately trained chatbot, you as the reader explore how quickly a legal team has to learn to use multiple technologies.
In the story, data gets forged, evidence gets erased, and reality itself gets imitated, messing with the procedural mechanics that both the legal thriller and crime novel rely upon. It’s like the nature of proof becomes entirely psychological as the characters feel the need to train themselves faster than the latest LLM.
But another reason I think of Connelly is interesting for those of us interested in learning memory is that he’s built an entire paracosm around a character named after Hieronymous Bosch. This is an allusion to the painter of astonishing works like The Garden of Earthly Delights and The Last Judgment.
These are fairly highbrow references in so-called popular fiction, but my point is that Connelly’s productivity is hardly the antithesis of algorithmic creativity.
It’s referential.
Plus, Connelly was a crime reporter before succeeding with fiction. And it was observing real life detectives while reading other writers in the crime genre that led him to finding the missing ingredient that brought his own stories to life.
It was literally seeing a detective put the arm of his glasses into his mouth while crouching over a victim’s body that he found what he needed to make his fiction seem real.
How is that not training in a way that reflects how AIs work to produce their outputs?
How I Trained On Connelly to Produce My Memory Detective Series
One reason I’m excited by some of the generative text AIs is that I’ve written many books. Some of them are memory training guides in the style of Tony Buzan’s The Memory Book.
But Connelly holds a special place in my personal writing within the memory improvement niche because his books helped spawn my Memory Detective series.
There’s a long story behind how exactly Connelly arrived in my one, one I shared with Guru Viking on this episode of his podcast.
But the key point is this:
When Connelly originally inspired me to produce “Magnetic Fiction” that uses the detective genre to teach memory techniques, I originally considered reworking Sherlock Holmes stories that were in the public domain.
Early Training Meets New Goals in a Brave New World
But that didn’t seem quite right, especially since I had written many novels before and worked in the film industry.
So although I could have used ChatGPT to write Flyboy, the first novel in the series, I decided to study Connelly novels even further and write the book on my own.
But it was also my memory of how stories work that I drew upon to produce the text, almost like an AI draws upon training. In fact, I would go so far as to say that everything I produced could only come from the training of what I’d previously read.
The point I’m trying to make might sound abstract, but what I’m trying to suggest is that my works are compressions of what I’ve studied. As are Connelly’s.
Speaking of “compression,” the next book I’d like to recommend takes the idea of learning and memory through training to an astonishing level.
The Radical Compression of Poetry Into Living Matter: Christian Bök & The Xenotext Project
Christian Bök’s Xenotext project is the most literal act of intellectual preservation imaginable. It is a decades-long attempt to encode a poem into the DNA of a radiation-resistant bacterium called Deinococcus radiodurans so that two poems can endure for thousands, even millions of years.
As another genuinely polymathic thinker, Bök spent years shaping The Xenotext through a combination of computational tools and deeply human expertise. His work exemplifies the point I’m trying to make about learning and memory because Bök successfully managed to:
Commemorate meaning in our brave new world of big data and new interactions between biology and technology
Encode human thought in a way that resists much of the ephemeral thinking of our times
Counterbalance computational art with the AI-generated noise and “slop” we are now regularly navigating online
Approach learning through research, endurance, patience and the materialization of conceptual ideas that anyone can enjoy
To accomplish all of this, Bök studied molecular biology, worked alongside geneticists, and carved a poem out of thousands of biochemical possibilities until it could survive as both literature and living organism. It is a fusion of the ancient ambition to become immortal with the rigor of modern science.
So when people claim that creativity ends the moment machines can mimic art, I point them to The Xenotext as an image of what books will be like in the future and in some ways have already become thanks to AI.
As quoted in a Stanford University article, we are facing the possibility of working regularly with books that “no longer take on the form of codices, scrolls, or tablets, but instead [….] become integrated into the very life of their readers.”
When you can carry not only entire libraries in your smartphone, but actually talk to them and get a response, it’s my view that we’re already living in this world.
But equally interesting to me is how Bök’s project reveals what true interdisciplinarity looks like. It’s not chasing new tools for their novelty, but extending a lineage that runs from Homer to the present on a quest to create beautiful works that endure.
Bök’s success isn’t a story of speed. It’s a story of patience, constraint, and the willingness to make thought incarnate even at a microscopic scale. The smaller the medium, the more pressure it places on the idea. Which is why the central vision of The Xenotext feels cosmically large.
The Ancient Connection Between Compressing Ideas Into Matter and Human Memory
Fans of memory techniques will recognize the name instantly, but they might not have heard some of the lesser known tales of Simonides of Ceos.
I’m referring to the ancient poet credited with inventing the Memory Palace technique, or method of loci as it’s also known.
Simonides was also known to carve epitaphs in stone.
Once, on the way to catch a ship for a long, oceanic journey where he would work on writing epic poems in praise of the finest achievers of his time, he came across a dead body. So Simonides gave the abandoned man a proper burial and carved into the stone epitaph:
I pray those who killed me get the same themselves, O Zeus of guest and host, I pray those who put me in the ground enjoy the profit of life.
“Enjoy the profit of life.”
Before we continue with the story, think about what just happened.
Simonides encoded his wish for a reward by programming it into stone.
Is this act really that different than Bök encoding a poem into a deathless bacterium in the hopes that a few of our words might enjoy the profit of life beyond the death of our sun?
Later that night, the ghost of the dead man appeared to Simonides in a dream.
“Don’t get on that ship,” the ghost said.
Simonides warned his fellow travelers the next morning about the ghost’s message, but they would not listen. Everyone but Simonides got on board and the ship sank.
In response, Simonides returned to the epitaph and wrote,
This is Simonides’ savior who even though dead, has bestowed on the living a grace.
Whether it’s Simonides chiseling an epitaph or Christian Bök encoding poetry into biological matter, the impulse is the same:
To ensure that meaning endures beyond the noise of the moment. Thought becomes durable when it is fused with matter.
This is where your learning habits matter.
Because in an age where AI can generate interpretations, summaries, and opinions at scale, it is dangerously easy to adopt other people’s conceptions of AI without realizing it.
Those impressions don’t just stay on the surface. They settle into implicit memory, the form of memory that shapes your assumptions and decisions beneath conscious awareness.
The only antidote to the harm that passive acceptance creates is deliberate, embodied thought and regular acts of memory-based learning.
This means:
Reading widely.
Thinking slowly.
Taking physical notes that force your mind to engage with the material rather than passively absorb someone else’s framing.
That’s how you prevent your implicit memory from being silently steered by the loudest or fastest voice in the room. Human or machine.
And if you want to build a system that protects your ability to learn in this way, especially now, then I strongly encourage you to go through my Self-Education Blueprint:
It’s designed to help you construct a learning philosophy grounded in clarity, embodiment, and intellectual autonomy.
If you’ve already completed it, revisit it now with the lenses we’ve explored today.
You’ll see new pathways you missed before.
And you’ll be ready for whatever comes next.
Because whatever it is, it’s coming.
And where preparation meets opportunity, there is no ceiling.
Master the Link Method to Memorize Details Fast and Recall More
Oct 27, 2025
The link method is a powerful memory technique that will help you learn faster and remember more.
You can rest assured that learning how to use it is worth your time because it has been used for thousands of years and studied by scientists.
We know how and why it works.
And one reason the technique has continually improved over the years is simple:
Many people have worked to ensure that proper mnemonic linking helps you build instant associations.
In other words, well-linked associations can help you memorize certain kinds of information within seconds.
You just have to learn it properly.
Sometimes, this particular learning strategy lets you retain information you’ve heard just once for the long-term without needing any repetition.
For example, as a memory educator, I give a lot of demonstrations in the community. I remember the names of people from live classes I’ve given decades ago.
And once you master basic linking for simple information like names, you can use the technique in more elaborate ways.
Everything from language learning to complex mathematical formulas.
The problem is…
Even simple versions of the technique can confuse people new to the link method.
This is not your fault. The confusion creeps in because different memory teachers use the term in several different ways.
In fact, the sheer number of definitions is enough to melt your mind.
Well, never fear. On this page, I’m going to do my best to reduce the confusion.
Because the reality is this:
Linking really can help you learn faster and remember more.
You just need to apply this mnemonic device in the right way and in the specific situations where it’s useful.
So if you want to master linking for faster and more thorough learning, let’s look at exactly how linking works.
And when to combine it with other memory techniques for even stronger recall.
https://youtu.be/bn4BERnf788
What Is The Linking Method?
In the world of memory training, we use the word “link” because this technique creates a kind of chain between what you want to remember and something you already know.
You can think of it like a gold necklace. Each loop links to the next one until the circle is completed by a clasp.
Except in memory, each mental image or association is the link that helps you find your way back to the target information.
This is part of where confusion about the technique comes in.
Is Linking Different Than the Chain Method?
Memory educators often use the word link to create the mental image of a chain, as in a chain of associations.
This means that there’s no particular difference between linking and the chain method.
The key is that you mentally “link” or attach one item in a list to the next item. That’s why most memory trainings will present a list of words with which to practice. For example:
Hero
Drill
Spacecraft
Music
Then most memory guides will suggest that you:
Create an image that reminds you of the first word in the chain, and
“Link” the next word to the first.
In the case of the example list above, you would imagine that your hero uses a drill on a spacecraft that is blasting out music.
This way of using linking sounds a bit like a story, doesn’t it?
The story is a kind of chain that you follow, and each action or action and reaction is the link that helps you “trigger” the next word.
And although most memory improvement guides do give you words to practice, I’m a critic of them and here’s why:
It’s very rare in real life that we have to memorize random words.
A rare case is when you go shopping and need to get tomatoes, carrots, celery, and bread. In such a case, it does make sense to use linking to quickly imagine a tomato stabbing celery and bread with a carrot.
Even so, as a person who loves using memory techniques for large learning goals, I have to ask?
Why waste time on memorizing a shopping list when you could just write it down? That lets you save your energy for memorizing vocabulary or technical terms related to your profession.
How to Practice Mnemonic Linking
And that’s how I suggest that you practice. With important information that you can’t just write down.
Here’s one fruitful practice:
If you’re going to memorize your shopping list, at least get a bang for your buck by memorizing it in a foreign language.
Then, apply the linking technique to memorizing more complex terms, like:
Medical definitions
Musical terms
Names you repeatedly forget
Geographical facts
Basically, learn to get really good at linking by practicing with useful information that will improve your life.
Then, once you’ve got a handle on the basics, take things to the next level using the process we’ll discuss next.
From Linear Linking to Spatial Linking: The Memory Palace Advantage
As you’ve seen, the linking method can be powerful for chaining together lists of information.
But it’s mostly linear. That means, if you can’t remember the first part of the chain, or drop one of the links, you’re in trouble.
No matter what you call it, a Memory Palace provides your brain with the ultimate, non-linear linking system for a few reasons.
Why the Memory Palace Technique is the Ultimate Linking Strategy
Think back to necklace example. We’re about to expand it.
Rather than having every link in the chain dependent on the previous link, a Memory Palace lets you place each link securely in its own display case.
Each case is itself linked naturally by your familiarity with the locations you use to place them. When you have a series of locations strung together in a chain, this is called the journey method.
For more on how this technique works, watch the video below and read my full Memory Palace guide.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5-YrZhudPU
In sum, you’re using familiar locations as a foundational link.
Then, on each spot within the Memory Palace, you use the story method to establish a link on each and every station of the Memory Palace.
First, you don’t have to think back to how the story started or do anything elaborate to kick off the first link. You can simply think back to where you placed the first link, which gives you two chances to kickstart your list of associations.
Second, the Memory Palace technique allows for spaced repetition. This non-linear form of review means you can quickly make sure each item in your list enters long-term memory.
True, in some cases you won’t need to review the information. But it’s the missing step many of the most popular books like The Art of Memory completely miss.
Applied Example: Remembering Names Using Linking with a Memory Palace
One of the most direct ways to see linking and the Memory Palace technique at work in combination is to join me at one of my events.
As you can see in the photo above, I’m at the head of the room.
I’ve just finished memorizing the names of everyone in attendance.
To do this, I used the room itself as a kind of Memory Palace.
Exactly where Alan was sitting, I imagined a giant Allen key. He used this to open a door on the ear of Sharon, who was sitting next to him. But to remember that her name was Sharon, I pretended she was the very famous Sharon Osbourne.
Later that day, I wrote out all of the names, revisiting each one from the exact location where I’d placed the association in that room.
In some cases, I had used the bodies of the attendees as mini-Memory Palaces.
For example, Martin had mentioned a friend named Eloise was an author of thrillers. I placed an association that helped me remember this fact on his chest.
You can learn the body Memory Palace technique yourself in my tutorial on the most important ancient memory techniques.
For a fun example that will improve your life immediately, go to your bookshelf or glance through your preferred e-reader.
Jot down a list of names you continually forget but would find helpful if you could remember them.
Then, create a quick Memory Palace. Let’s say you use your kitchen.
On the counter, create an association for the first name
Use the fridge door to stick an association for the second name in place
Place an association in the sink for the third name
Make sure to link each name to a distinctive association.
If name one is Lars, for example, make sure it’s Lars from Metallica pounding the counter with his drum sticks.
If name two is Lucas, have a Star Wars character like Luke Skywalker carving his name into your fridge.
If the third name is Jerry, imagine Jerry Seinfeld dancing in your sink, etc.
Later, revisit the kitchen in your imagination.
Bring each station to mind and simply ask what it was you imagined taking place on each location.
I suggest writing down your answers. Soon you’ll see exactly why I consider the Memory Palace the ultimate link:
Not only does each association help you recall the names on your list. The Memory Palace journey itself links you to the next item in the list in a logical formation.
One that is already in your memory. This fact reduces cognitive load and makes the learning process faster, more interesting and fun.
More Practical Link Method Examples You Can Try Today
One of the first ways to use the more advanced version of linking you’ve just discovered is to your studies.
In my full guide to studying faster, I share how I used the technique as part of earning my PhD and passing various certification exams.
To do this, you simply associate (i.e. link) each letter of the alphabet with a famous figure, pop-culture icon or familiar person in your life.
Here’s a video where I dive deep into how and why this simple exercise is so important for enjoying better recall:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caCUFPy7j0I
If you think about it, the alphabet is the ultimate mnemonic chain!
To ensure that you always have mnemonic links ready for use, here’s what to do:
Get out a piece of paper and write out associations for each letter of the alphabet. Like this:
Z = Zorro
Y = Yankovich (Weird Al)
X = Xenophon
W = Will Smith
Etc…
Once you’ve completed a list of people coded to the alphabet, create a second list filled with objects.
For example:
Apple
Biscuit
Camera
Doll
Etc.
Ideally, all of your objects will connect with people or places in some way.
For example, I don’t just think of a weathervane in an abstract way. I’m thinking specifically about weathervane for W as an abstract object. No, I think about how it was used as a weapon in the movie Warlock.
Likewise, with Zorro. I don’t think abstractly about him as a pop culture character.
I focus specifically on Antonio Banderas’ performance of this character. Drawing upon him specifically was particularly helpful when I was learning German, a language packed with Z words.
For example, “zerbrechlich” means “fragile.” I simply saw Banderas as Zorro at a Berlin movie theatre with a few other images to help me memorize the sound and meaning of this word.
To be clear, the link is not just the letter “Z,” but all of the many multi-sensory sensations Banderas as Zorro helps me bring into the Memory Palace.
Multi-Sensory Linking is the Key
The next step is to make sure the “links” are always multi-sensory.
When I say that this is the key, that’s not a simplistic cliche. The renaissance memory master Giordano Bruno often used the Latin term “clavis magnus” or “great key” in his memory training books.
To make all of your links multi-sensory, I use the eight main Magnetic Modes: KAVE COGS:
The point is that you have options. You can safely remember more by using multi-sensory links. Or you can explore bizarre imagery.
You should just know that scientists have found that adding weirdness simply isn’t necessary in order to get great results.
Link Method Psychology: The Mindset of a Memory Master
Phew — that was quite a deep dive into linking!
And if I’ve succeeded, you’ve seen how even a simple chain of associations can serve as a portal to the larger memory arts used by our ancestors for more ambitious learning goals than memorizing lists.
You’ve also learned more about how advanced mental imagery is multi-sensory.
This means that your memory is not limited by space.
The only limits you face come down to strategy and deliberate practice.
That’s why my message always involves the core suggestion that before you practice with a meaningless list of words, you take a moment to define why you’re memorizing.
Then practice with information that gets you closer to your goal.
That way you can improve your memory while learning in ways that help you experience accomplishment every time you use linking.
So what do you say? Are you ready to put linking to work? If you’d like to go deeper into memory improvement you’ll find more step-by-step exercises inside my free Memory Improvement Kit.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, and please remember:
Every link you create is more than a memory trick.
It’s a step toward mastering your mind and experiencing learning as a lifestyle and an art.
How to Get Rid of Brain Fog (Fast Relief + 7-Day Plan)
Oct 13, 2025
Today I’m going to show you how to get rid of brain fog based on the research I’ve done to handle the problem for myself.
I knew I had to take decisive action because when left untreated, brain fog is likely to get worse.
That means, your focus could continue to fade.
You may fail exams you want to pass.
And learning that language you dream about speaking fluently? It will continue to feel like a slog.
Worse, remembering the names of new people and even loved ones will potentially get harder and harder to retrieve.
But here’s the very good news:
You can reduce the impact of brain fog.
Possibly even eliminate it.
On this page, I’m going to share with you exactly how I resolved my brain fog in a step-by-step manner. And give you a 7-day routine you can start benefiting from immediately.
Important: The experience I’m sharing is educational and not medical advice. If your symptoms are new, severe, or worsening, see a clinician and discuss any changes before you try any of these suggestions.
As discussed in my book, The Victorious Mind, getting proper medical advice while researching solutions is what I’ve always done.
So, if you’re ready to reduce the impact of brain fog on your life, keep reading.
We’re taking a deep dive into what brain fog is and how to beat it.
https://youtu.be/PzMafhiYU0Y
What Is Brain Fog?
Brain fog is defined as mental fuzziness. Its symptoms include:
Another way to define it comes from the scientist Karan Kverno, who says that it is “the subjective experience of neuroinflammation.”
Just as important as the definition, we have to take note of this condition.
For example, mental fog has only gotten worse since the pandemic. Studies show that Long Covid Syndrome (LCS) can create or aggravate it.
People undergoing chemotherapy may also suffer increased incidences of mental fog.
With its ongoing evolution in mind, let’s look deeper at these symptoms.
Symptoms
Mental exhaustion can be defined as everything from lack of motivation to irritability. It can have short-term or long-term effects.
Reduced cognitive ability can involve things like struggling to complete tasks that should be deep in your procedural memory.
Poor concentration is not only about focus. It can involve difficulties in sitting still. You might also notice that you lose things more often.
Being spaced out involves mind wandering or feeling disconnected with reality.
And having a foggy head gets that term because you might feel like your mind is cluttered with dense clouds. You may be easily distracted or confused.
Causes
When I was still on the hunt for a brain fog cure, I experienced all of the above symptoms. In my case, each symptom was exaggerated by taking lamotrigine for manic depression.
Fortunately, I asked my doctor about alternatives (just like you should do). We found that a complete dietary overhaul enabled me to stop taking this medication.
Now all of the brain fog issues it caused are over now and I find it easier to concentrate on demand.
All the more reason to regularly visit your doctor and discuss everything.
In my case, it’s clear that a medication that was no longer needed was a huge driver of the symptoms. But many people don’t get regular medical reviews, which are so needed in our era of automated prescription renewals.
Beyond medication, there are many lifestyle culprits you can eliminate to deal with brain fog and other aspects of cognitive decline. These include:
Even air pollution has been studied for how it contributes to brain fog in different parts of the world. So if you can’t find other reasons behind why you keep forgetting things, consider getting air filtration systems where you work and sleep.
Even air pollution has been shown to contribute to brain fog.
Quick Relief
Now that you know some of the core causes, here are a few things you can do right now that will help:
Hydrate
Analyze your diet and reduce caffeine
Take a 5-10 minute walk (or if you want to be as polymathic as Thomas Jefferson, he would suggest at least 2 hours of exercise daily)
Practice box breathing
Open any curtains so you’re exposed to more daylight
Make a plan for an improved bedtime routine you can follow tonight
I know it can be frustrating looking to doctors and science to cure your brain fog. Often doctors don’t have enough time to go through your entire history and look at all aspects of your lifestyle.
You should still consult them, however. And insist that they take the time.
In fact, talk to as many people as you can.
As Dr. Raphael Kellman talks about in his Whole Brain Diet book, people need “will” to fix their brain fog issues and the best way to get this is by tapping into the largest community possible.
In addition to consulting medical professionals, you should discuss treatment options with family and friends who can support you.
And the good news is that there are a number of powerful ways to cure your brain fog.
We’ve covered some already, but let’s look at each in greater detail, along with some research resources I think you’ll find useful. I know I sure did.
Diet
According to Dr. Kellman, a “whole brain diet” should be one’s first line of attack.
The core of Kellman’s idea centers on the role of healthy bacteria in your gut. As many people have discussed, your digestive system is like a “second brain” connected via the vagus nerve, so it’s important to feed it correctly.
Feeding is one thing. There’s also hydrating, which can include various teas for memory, focus and concentration. For more information, check out my detailed guide on the best teas for memory and how to find the right ones.
Sleep
Diet and sleep go together in many ways.
For example, Dr. Kellman shows how preservative dyes can interrupt sleep. Since both the dye and the lack of sleep contribute to brain fog, people who react to the dyes suffer twice as much.
In addition to checking your sleep rituals and making sure you’re getting enough, do a thorough dietary analysis for ingredients that could be robbing you of rest.
There are many dietary and lifestyle choices that could be robbing you of the precious sleep needed to keep foggy head symptoms at bay.
Fitness
Physical activity and brain health are well-studied.
The good news is that you don’t need much. Even just a short, brisk walk every day provides tremendous health benefits for both your body and brain.
However, I’d suggest regularly adding more challenges to your fitness routine. It’s easy to get complacent and bored, but if you keep researching physical fitness and adding new things, you’ll be more motivated and encouraged.
Above all, exercise as a treatments is preferable to something like taking supplements. This is because many issues can arise from mixing off-the-counter substances.
For example, someone might say that Vitamin B12 is the ultimate weapon against brain fog.
However, you could easily overdose on it. Or, a supplement might interfere with some other absorption process in your body, especially if it’s already adequately covered by your diet.
Always see your doctor and ask for a full blood panel before taking any advice – including the advice on this page.
Get More Light
I mentioned getting more light in my quick fix and 7-day routine sections.
For some people, this will be easy.
But if you live in an area with constant bad weather or your home has poor access to outdoor light, discuss getting a light box or similar device with your clinician.
During the years I lived in Germany, which is notorious for its long and dark periods, I used a variety of lamps to help reduce the impact of poor weather days.
Another thing that helped, which is something to explore if you’re able, is planning travel in advance. I used to anticipate bad weather in northern Europe and make sure I was already booked at my favorite hotels in Greece and Spain.
How to Fix Brain Fog: My Personal Secret Weapons
For me, the solution to my brain fog was not knowledge.
Most of what cures brain fog boils down to common sense.
The problem is in remembering to put the information into action.
To make sure that I reached my life improvement goals, I did a few things. Here are those steps:
One: Make A Goal and Journal About It
First, I used The Freedom Journal to set a 100 day goal. It’s a great tool because it’s big and visually striking. That makes it hard to miss.
For each of the brain fog treatments above, I made a handwritten commitment.
I recommend you do the same. There’s something deeply personal about writing intentions out by hand.
Second, I wrote a “Magnetic Vision Statement” around the exact nature of my brain health goals.
This is all part of establishing the mental strength needed to stick with the lifestyle changes – which are admittedly hard to consistently pursue.
One great thing about this activity is that it gets you more into your body and out of your head (where the problem lives).
Here’s a tutorial on creating a vision statement for your memory. In your case, you’ll want to focus specifically on your vision for tackling your cognitive dysfunction.
If you prefer, you can also explore mind mapping as an alternative to writing your vision statement in a journal.
I’ve built a business through many mental challenges even more difficult than brain fog, and keep this business-development mind map in sight all the time so I don’t forget my mission and my goals:
Vision statements and mind maps are not magic bullets.
But the great thing about the mind map technique is that you can do it purely on the basis of images. I don’t have to read anything and am reminded of my goals by engaging images that are easy to understand at a glance.
And because they’re deeply personal and connected to a variety of memories, they quickly inspire me, even on the foggiest of days.
For example, I was overweight when I first tackled my brain fog in earnest. I got a health coach and a personal fitness coach.
To help me remember the choreography of various stretches at the gym, I used a Memory Palace. I used the same memory techniques to help me deeply internalize information about how to eat better.
Four: Get Plenty of Brain Exercise
People are currently stretching the limits of their minds with more information than ever before.
But constant exposure to the Internet is not necessarily exercising your cognitive functions.
You need real brain exercise, the kind that occurs offline and truly challenges your mind. There are many brain games for adults, but I strongly advise you favor the offline versions for best results.
Personally, I work a lot with playing cards.
You can see one of the challenges I complete in this video if you want to adopt a simple and fun brain-maintenance exercise for yourself:
https://youtu.be/-7Feazpc_ho
Five: Take On Meaningful Challenges
As human knowledge grows, meaning seems to diminish. We now understand so much about how the universe functions that we’re living in an age of anxiety.
Why?
Because few can agree on the fundamental reasons why anything exists at all.
And as more voices crowd online to argue about how things should be going forward, it can be hard for people to feel like they’re anchored to a solid position that makes sense for them.
I recommend you take on long form learning projects by designing your own 90-day learning missions.
I’ll be sharing how I do this for myself in my popular Read with Momentum program.
This form of self-study is powerful for fending off brain fog because it defeats the despair that leads to depression – a common cause of mental fuzziness.
The Future of Curing Brain Fog
Although I haven’t tried any of the following personally, I’m a keen reader of as much memory science as I can find.
Here are some of the more radical and interesting approaches you likely haven’t heard of before:
Transcranial Photobiomodulation
As you can see in this scientific study, researchers are studying various headsets and goggles to help the brain combat neuroinflammation.
The light-based procedure directly stimulates cellular energy production in the brain.
Researchers expect that, upon further validation, the technique will succeed because it can be conducted at home. It should be relatively inexpensive too.
Stimulating Neurogenesis
The death of brain cells could be a major cause of brain fog, along with the struggle to learn new things quickly.
These researchers are identifying various genes to help identify methods that will help the brain create new neural pathways. Although they are currently focused on people with Alzheimer’s disease, the findings could well help others who suffer brain fog for a variety of reasons.
Minimizing Electronic Exposure
Although some people criticize concerns about our constant exposure to computers and cell phones, these researchers have explored the role of electromagnetic pollution.
The major challenge they point out is that proper measurements aren’t always possible.
But the data they have been able to gather suggests that it should be possible to not only reduce the amount of energetic pollution to which we’re all exposed. It should be possible to reduce the energy costs we pay too.
Sound Therapy
I’ve been listening to a lot of singing bowl sound therapy sessions lately. Particularly via a YouTube channel called Mindful Melodies:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nodOEtLxLtw
As these researchers note, the relaxation benefits are often profound.
Although I can’t find any studies that state directly that singing bowls specifically help with brain fog, this study found many benefits for overall well-being.
And there’s solid scientific evidence that sound therapy helps with other cognitive issues.
My acupuncturist uses sound therapy a lot in her clinic.
But she also told me that she recently bought a CD player so she can listen to music offline.
Sure, there are still electronics involved. But she’s able to use a long headphone cable and reduce the time exposed to any device while still listening to music that could be helping modulate various brain wave patterns.
In all things, the future holds many exciting options, so watch this space for updates as I continue to explore new research as it arises.
How To Fix Brain Fog Permanently
As you can see, there are clear causes and solutions when it comes to brain fog.
But the final bit of common sense we need is this:
Rinse and repeat.
Your brain is a living organ.
You don’t get to stop solving the problem of brain fog.
You need to think and act like a gardener of your mind.
Keep tilling the soil.
Keep planting seeds.
Keep fertilizing, watering and clearing away the weeds.
You’ll be glad you did!
And if you’d like help with remembering everything involved, grab my FREE Memory Improvement Kit now:
It will teach you to use the same Memory Palace technique that helped me remember the self care needed on a daily basis to keep brain fog at bay.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to take care of that brain of yours?
Never forget:
You’re the only one who can!
Long-Term Memory Loss: 5 Proven Ways to Stop It
Oct 06, 2025
Worried that you might be suffering long-term memory loss?
See if you can relate to a scenario like this:
I have come to this area a hundred times before.
Yet, I’m lost in this maze of streets now.
Where’s my schoolmate’s house?
Wait, schoolmate, or was she my colleague at work?
If an inner voice like that sounds familiar, it could indeed be your long-term memory acting up.
The question is, what causes long-term memory loss? What are its symptoms? And, how do you treat or prevent it?
In this article, I’m drawing upon my fifteen years experience as a memory improvement teacher to help you understand and avoid long-term memory loss.
You’ll discover how to identify it, and get proper treatment if needed.
I’ll also show you a powerful, “magnetic” way to improve your memory so it stays intact even as you age.
Better than that, I’ll show you some simple memory exercise routines I practice myself to keep sharp as I approach my fifties.
Let’s start with a quick look at long-term memory. Definitions are important because often people don’t stop to consider exactly what this type of memory really is.
What is Long-Term Memory?
Long-term memory is how your brain encodes and remembers events, facts, and how to do things.
For example, if you can remember your high school teacher’s name or the route to the house you stayed in 20 years ago, that’s information stored in your long-term memory.
How is it different from short-term memory?
Short-term memory (or working memory) is how your brain stores things temporarily. Examples include a grocery list, or what you had for lunch earlier today.
How do short-term memories wind up in long-term memory?
Usually through some kind of repetition or process of learning that leads to what memory scientists call “consolidation.’
In other words, the more you deliberately recall memories, the better they get consolidated into permanent, long-term memories.
So, how are these memories stored in the brain?
Assuming your brain is free from any memory disorders, short-term memory activates your prefrontal cortex, frontal lobe, and the parietal lobe of your brain.
The hippocampus brain region is responsible for the consolidation of info from short-term to long-term memory.
And, your long-term memory is associated with the prefrontal cortex, cerebrum, frontal lobe, and medial temporal lobe.
Types of Long-Term Memory
I mentioned the recall of a teacher’s name or a street address. Those two details are actually a kind of information called “semantic.”
Overall, your brain stores many types of long-term memories, not just semantic memory.
For example, if your teacher’s name is a semantic memory, remembering the time your teacher gave you an A+ is an episodic memory. It is literally an episode from your life.
Your ability to effortlessly jot out the alphabet with a pen or pencil? The same teacher may have given you the skill, but it’s a procedural memory that helps you remember how to recreate your semantic memory of what letters the alphabet contains.
Fascinating, isn’t it?
Yes, and these differences in the various types of memory and kinds of information really matter. That’s because they make the deep-dive into all things related to long-term memory loss we’re about to discuss much more valuable.
Let’s dig in.
What is Long-Term Memory Loss?
When you find it difficult to remember any of the information types we just discussed, provided that you learned it in the past, we call the failure to retrieve these details or skills long-term memory loss.
Is long-term memory loss the same as dementia?
No. Long-term memory impairment isn’t the same as dementia. Not even close.
However, it can be a sign of dementia.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is an umbrella term for “diseases and conditions characterized by a decline in memory, language, problem-solving, and other thinking skills.”
Alzheimer’s disease specifically is a kind of cognitive impairment that progressively destroys your episodic memory, thinking abilities, and the ability to do even simple tasks like writing.
How does Alzheimer’s disease affect long-term memory?
The first symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is short-term memory impairment. Long-term memory impairment follows, along with other symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
So even though you’re probably not suffering any kind of dementia if you can read this page, if your memory is currently affecting your ability to perform daily chores, it’s worth checking things out with a doctor.
Doing so is critically important because many people diagnose themselves. But as we’ve seen there are different kinds of information and various brain problems influence them differently.
Different types of dementia
That’s why it’s important to understand the many types of dementia. Beyond Alzheimer’s, these varieties include:
Lewy body dementia: This is an umbrella term for Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease dementia — both characterized by abnormal deposits of the alpha-synuclein protein in the brain.
It usually sets in after the age of 50. Dementia symptoms are episodic loss of long-term memory, movement problems, and decision-making difficulties.
Frontotemporal dementia: This dementia is caused by progressive degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobe of the brain. It usually starts with behavior changes, and could eventually lead to severe memory impairment.
Vascular dementia: This is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain due to stroke or any other vascular brain damage. It causes progressive memory impairment and affects your attention and problem-solving abilities.
Remember, while memory impairment is a symptom of dementia, having long-term memory impairment doesn’t always mean you have dementia.
Also, note that dementia is often confused with cognitive impairment conditions like amnesia. One way that professionals test to make sure the diagnosis is correct is to have the patient play games that help identify dementia.
People with amnesia find it tough to form new memories. Others are unable to recall facts or past experiences. The two main types of amnesia are anterograde amnesia (characterized by short-term memory loss), and retrograde amnesia (inability to recall long-term memories that happened before developing amnesia).
So, is long-term memory loss different from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)?
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the intermediate stage between normal age-related memory difficulties and dementia.
People diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment have significant short-term memory impairment. But, for some people, it will eventually progress to severe long-term memory impairment and even dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.
How is long-term memory loss different from short term memory loss?
You’d be able to remember incidents from 15 years ago when you experience short-term memory loss, but you’d forget details of what happened 15 minutes ago.
Tests for short-term memory impairment
Your doctor will probably start with a medical history. This initial investigation may be followed by cognitive function tests, blood tests, MRI or CT scans, or cerebral angiography.
If you determine on your own that you have short-term memory loss when you actually don’t, this process can cause you to create problems you don’t actually have.
Or it can make a mild memory impairment worse because you start focusing on it in a negative manner, rather than in a positive and preventative way.
How do you prevent short-term memory loss?
The simplest way to prevent short-term memory impairment is to combine plenty of physical fitness with a good diet, sleep and various memory games, crossword puzzles, or sudoku.
I also suggest spending time with activities like the neurobic exercises I share in this video tutorial:
https://youtu.be/DU4VznNm1z4
By exercising your eyes, ears and your mind at the same time, your memory gets a full workout that transfers to other types of learning and memory tasks.
Please don’t skip this kind of activity. Get in at least a little practice daily, everything from juggling, writing with your non-dominant hand and memorizing playing cards.
You won’t regret it.
Now, let’s look at the ways long-term cognitive impairment like Alzheimer’s disease manifests itself.
Symptoms of Long-Term Memory Loss
The main symptom of long-term memory impairment is forgetfulness of important things or events that happened earlier in your life.
Here are some examples:
Forgetting the name of the countries you’ve lived in
Mixing up names of people and words
Forgetfulness of common words
Losing your way in familiar places
Confusion about time and dates
Repeating the same questions or personal stories frequently
Difficulty following instructions
Irritability and other mood changes
All of these signs and symptoms should be reviewed with a doctor.
Checking in with a medical professional is important because early intervention makes a big difference when it comes to long-term brain health.
You’ll also enjoy better piece of mind merely by taking steps to educate yourself with qualified help.
Now let’s look at some of the factors that might cause the symptoms we’ve just discussed.
What Causes Long-Term Memory Loss?
Long-term memory problems could occur due to several reasons:
Yes, your long-term memory can get weaker as you get older. So, occasional forgetfulness – or memory lapses like forgetting your new neighbor’s name – is normal.
This kind of forgetfulness is just a part of normal aging, and won’t affect your daily routines or the quality of your life.
But how do you know whether you should get medical help or not?
Let’s see.
When should you see a doctor?
Visit a doctor if:
Your memory problems start affecting your day-to-day activities
You had a head or brain injury
You’re disoriented or experience delirium
You have other symptoms like headaches, sluggishness, or vision problems
Why is it essential to diagnose long-term memory impairment?
Some people hide their memory problems due to fear of social rejection or family issues.
But, you should get any memory troubles diagnosed by a doctor, because in most cases it can be treated partially or entirely.
Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia will help you sensitize yourself and loved ones about the illness, get proper care at home or at a facility, and get support from organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association.
So, how can it be diagnosed and treated?
How is Long-Term Memory Impairment Diagnosed?
To evaluate long-term memory problems, doctors typically perform the following steps:
Medical history, including your family history, and any medications you take.
Physical exam to check for symptoms like muscle weakness.
Neurologic exam and questions to check for signs of cognitive impairment. (For example, basic calculations, naming common items, and writing short sentences.)
Depending on the results, your doctor would prescribe some or all of the following:
A blood test to check for vitamin deficiencies
Urine tests
Nerve tests
Brain imaging tests like computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Neuropsychological testing to find the exact reason for memory problems like Alzheimer’s disease
A holistic examination and the results of these tests will help your doctor make a correct diagnosis.
Based on the diagnosis, your doctor might refer you to a geriatrician, neurologist, or psychiatrist to medically manage the condition. Or they may refer you to a psychologist to help you cope with memory problems.
How to treat long-term memory impairment
The treatment of long-term memory impairment will depend on the underlying reason for your mental condition.
For instance, if cognitive impairment is due to vitamin B12 deficiency, the doctor could prescribe vitamin B12 injections. Or, if the underlying cause of your forgetfulness was a brain tumor, then you’ll need surgery to remove the tumor.
But, think about this:
Wouldn’t it be better if you could prevent memory problems instead of seeking treatment after it reaches advanced stages like Alzheimer’s disease?
I’ll show you how to do it.
5 Stimulating Ways to Boost Memory and Prevent Long-Term Memory Loss
These simple yet powerful activities will help you boost your mental function.
They work by strengthening connections between your nerves, helping compensate for any cognitive impairment due to changes in your brain.
1. Build Memory Palaces Using the Magnetic Memory Method
Building Memory Palaces is one of the easiest and most powerful mnemonic techniques to improve your long-term memory.
It allows you to develop your spatial memory while exercising your episodic memory, procedural memory, semantic memory, and more.
When combined with Recall Rehearsal, you’ll be able to move information into long-term memory faster — and with predictable and reliable permanence.
You can also use any other memory technique inside of Memory Palaces (but not the other way around).
Here’s how to use it:
Imagine you need to understand DNA sequencing techniques and be able to recall them later.
Mentally walk through a familiar place like your home or office. Place the facts related to one DNA technique in your entrance hall, all facts related to the next technique in your bedroom cupboard, and so on.
As for remembering complex DNA-related words, associate them with everyday words already in your memory — e.g., to remember Cytosine, associate it with cycle.
Later, take a mental walk through your home, and you’ll easily recall all the DNA techniques.
And, the more you recall (recall rehearsal), the better you’ll commit this information to your long-term memory.
2. Do Regular Exercise
Regular physical workouts are proven to enhance the development of new brain cells in the brain. Exercise lowers the risk of age-related brain impairment and protects the brain against degenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s or Mild Cognitive Impairment.
In a study, a few participants were subject to MRI scans and a series of cognitive tests before and after a physical workout over a period of 12 weeks.
Researchers found that those who exercise regularly could remember things long after the workout was over.
So, set aside at least 30 minutes of your day to walk briskly, run, dance, or cross-country bike.
3. Eat a Healthy Diet
Consume a nutrient-rich, healthy diet to strengthen your long-term brain function.
Some of the best brain-boosting foods are:
Fatty fish (like salmon and mackerel)
Turmeric
Dark chocolate
Berries like strawberries and blueberries
Nuts and seeds like sunflower seeds and almonds
Whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal
Eggs
Vegetables like broccoli and kale
Green tea
Also, stay away from a high-calorie diet. Research shows that a high-calorie diet can impair memory if it causes inflammation in certain parts of the brain. In a 2009 study, women above the age of 60 who reduced their calorie intake by 30% showed significant improvement in their verbal memory scores.
A seemingly simple activity like knitting is a complex one for someone new to it. So learning it from scratch will boost your brain by strengthening the connections between various parts.
You could try to learn anything unfamiliar to you — digital photography, speaking a foreign language, playing a musical instrument, or even how to fix a motorbike.
There’s also the power of relearning skills you’ve lost.
Technically, this problem is called deskilling, something I’ve gone through personally with both languages I’ve learned and skills like driving.
To explore how I re-learned those lost skills, check out this video tutorial where I take you out on the road with me for a drive here in Australia:
https://youtu.be/U1GH0teKTLo
5. Explore Targeted Strategies For Older Adults to Manage Memory Impairment
Again is a challenge, no doubt about it.
When I was younger, I thought I would be fine. But as I’m approaching my fifties, I’m starting to accelerate my use of these memory strategies for coping with forgetfulness and better preventing memory decline, including stopping Alzheimer’s disease in its tracks:
Stay socially active and maintain meeting new people as a regular routine
I know that all of these activities can sound like a lot.
In fact, some people suffering long-term memory loss will likely find so many suggestions a bit overwhelming.
The best thing is to pick just one or two things and take action.
Choosing something over nothing is key because it will promote stress reduction. Since we know that stress itself can cause memory loss, just by picking one or two activities, you stand a chance to enjoy a memory boost.
Take Control Of Your Memory Lifestyle
Your long-term memory is bound to decline with age and due to several other factors.
But memory loss doesn’t have to take over your life. And long-term memory impairment is often preventable.
If you’ve already got it, it’s certainly manageable. In many cases, such as with my student Matt Barclay, it’s reversible. He literally went through cardiac arrest, lost his memory and did everything we discussed above. In short order, he was able to recite a Psalm from the Bible in front of his congregation along with getting his memory back.
It’s success stories like his that make me so passionate about teaching the Magnetic Memory Method.
It’s an approach that taps into your brain’s natural ability to store and retrieve information.
And you can grab your free copy of the training now:
Enjoy taking your first step towards strengthening all aspects of your memory today.
Remember:
You don’t have to wait for forgetfulness to become frustrating.
You can start strengthening your memory today and safeguard your wisdom, your stories and your skills.
They’re what make life meaningful, so power to your progress and I can’t wait to hear your memory improvement story soon.
The Learning System Hidden Inside Tony Judt’s Memory Chalet
Oct 03, 2025
What does learning look like when your body has stopped cooperating?
For many people, paralysis would mean the end of studying.
But for the historian Tony Judt, who found himself immobilized by ALS, his condition became the beginning of something unexpected: a new way of thinking about memory, language, and the act of learning itself.
Even more astonishing, he found it within himself to write a book using dictation technology while he was still able to use his mouth.
The Memory Chalet is often read as memoir, and it is.
It’s also a poignant farewell by a brilliant European historian.
But hidden in its pages is something more enduring: a learning system disguised as autobiography.
And as I’m about to explain, part of this book’s value comes from the fact that it was forged under constraint.
This isn’t just a book review. It’s an excavation of the intellectual architecture and learning models Judt left behind for any autodidact can use.
And the tools and mindsets he shared matter now more than ever.
Let’s dig in.
https://youtu.be/UQHGXXKQIUo
Nostalgia as a Learning Tool
Early in The Memory Chalet, Judt wrote something that feels like a manifesto:
“Nostalgia makes a very satisfactory second home.”
It’s a striking claim.
Especially in our world of digital amnesia, where nostalgia is often dismissed as weakness, sentimental indulgence and a way of avoiding reality. We’re told to “live in the present,” to stop romanticizing the past.
Judt thought otherwise. For him, nostalgia wasn’t a trap. It was architecture.
Unable to write notes or type a single sentence, he turned memory itself into a private study where he composed his final lessons.
Many self-taught geniuses seem to have known this well, such as Benjamin Franklin who wrote extensively about his life and the lessons he learned along the way.
When we connect new information to vivid, personal memories, it sticks.
And we know that Judt was doing this based on his knowledge of memory techniques.
So his choice to write about his life was not nostalgia as escapism, but as construction material. And his choice to use a reframed version of the Memory Palace technique also helped him reinforce the present.
What does this suggest for you, practically speaking?
Your own history is not dead weight. It can be turned into a system for thought.
The hallway of your old school can become a place to rehearse arguments.
Even a remembered teacher’s voice can become a tool for mental rehearsal.
So Judt’s first lesson is simple but radical:
Don’t dismiss your past. Use it.
Nostalgia, when harnessed correctly, is not regression. It is forward motion.
The Autodidact’s Secret: Community
Judt described himself as an “isolated autodidact.”
It’s an evocative phrase, but it’s only half true.
The deeper truth is this:
Judt engineered his learning life so that he still encountered other minds.
When he set out to teach himself Czech, for example, he didn’t bury himself in a textbook or trust an app to drip-feed him vocabulary.
He sought out what he called “linguists of talent.” He placed himself in the company of sharp, demanding speakers.
Not only that, but he sought out the corrections of native speakers, which as anyone learning a new language knows, gives you the challenge of being wrong in public.
That friction was his sharpening stone.
And it can be yours too.
Why Would-Be Autodidacts Fail in Isolation
Too many self-learners today fall into what Judt would have called “methodological solipsism.”
Sure, these can be useful tools, but rarely do they put you under any kind of productive pressure.
Lacking real dialogue, too many ideas and assumptions go untested, leading to sometimes severe memory biases.
And without correction, errors harden into habits.
This is why so many would-be autodidacts flame out. They confuse consumption with education. They mistake being alone for self-directed learning.
But Judt’s example reminds us of the real secret: autodidacts design communities.
They don’t wait for the perfect classroom, professor, or syllabus. They build their own circuits of exchange, no matter how improvised.
Community as Cognitive Fuel
Cognitive science supports this claim.
Psychologist Lev Vygotsky argued that all higher thought is scaffolded by social interaction.
Our minds expand in dialogue, not monologue.
So when Judt surrounded himself with linguists, he wasn’t just practicing Czech. He was literally wiring his brain to handle complexity under pressure.
The same is true for polymaths across history.
From Leonardo da Vinci’s Florentine workshops to Benjamin Franklin’s Junto Club, the great self-learners of the past didn’t isolate themselves.
As I discuss in my full tutorial on how to become a polymath, people like these built learning communities tailored to their ambitions.
My Own Lesson in Community-Based Friction
I saw this need for community play out in my own journey with learning German.
Reading textbooks and attempting translations of Kafka got me only so far.
But everything shifted when I joined a German metal band called The Outside and decided to speak German with them, even if they continued to speak English back.
Suddenly my practice wasn’t theoretical.
Every rehearsal, every backstage joke, every late-night conversation became a test. My bandmates were my “linguists of talent,” and even if they continued answering in English, I knew I was making sense in German so long as the conversation flowed.
My point?
Progress rarely comes from having the perfect study conditions.
It comes from the awkward friction of real use. Mistakes, laughter, corrections. This is the true engine of fluency.
Building Your Own Learning Network
Judt’s lesson is one we can all apply:
Seek out friction. Don’t hide behind apps. Put yourself where mistakes can be corrected.
Even better:
Curate your companions. Find people whose skills are sharper than yours, even if only slightly.
It’s not really about studying on your own. It’s about creating a breadth of environment in deliberate ways that strengthen your depth of knowledge.
This is why I often tell people: if you want to become a true autodidact or even cultivate the broader traits of a polymathic personality, you cannot do it in a vacuum.
You need others. Not always as teachers in the formal sense, but as friction in your learning system.
Judt understood this. It’s why his “isolation” was never really alone. His “memory chalet” was built from the presence of others.
And that may be the greatest secret of all: self-directed learning is a communal act in disguise.
From Palace to Chalet: Rethinking the Memory Palace Technique
To use a Memory Palace, you simple place information along a route through a remembered building. You then recall each piece of information by walking through that structure in your mind.
For many learners, the grandeur of “palace” is inspiring. It suggests something vast, ornate, filled with chambers and corridors.
But for Judt, it was alien. Too grand. Too abstract. Too far removed from the reality of a body pinned to a hospital bed.
So he quietly re-engineered the method. Instead of a Memory Palace, he chose a “memory chalet.”
Modest, sure. But scaled to the size he need during his final months.
This adjustment wasn’t cosmetic.
It was a redesign of the mental engine that drives discipline itself.
Cognitive scientists call this predictive processing: the brain constantly tests incoming information against the models you give it.
The lesson is simple but radical:
Change the model, and you change the way the system runs.
One of my students, 88 years old, rejected the idea of palaces outright.
“Too grand,” he said. Instead, he invented his own phrase: “apartments with compartments.”
Suddenly, what had once seemed mysterious clicked. Memory became inhabitable.
This isn’t a trivial shift in language. It’s a structural shift in cognition.
At the risk of repetition, I’ll repeat a theme that shows up in countless books on learning:
Choose the wrong metaphor, and the system feels unworkable. Choose the right one, and the doors swing open.
For this reason, every learner should learn to test their metaphors and adapt them.
Take the Next Step: Build Your Own Memory System
Should you read The Memory Chalet?
The short answer: yes.
Tony Judt wrote a masterpiece in the face of unimaginable pain.
His book is more than memoir. It’s a manual for learning like a pro, full of lessons that will certainly endure in my mind.
And I hope yours too.
One of them is that memory is not a passive archive. It can be re-engineered, reshaped, and scaled to fit the life you actually live.
But here’s the part most people miss: you don’t need to wait until your back is against the wall to build your own system.
You can start now. And doing so doesn’t require superhuman discipline, just the right tools and metaphors.
That’s exactly why I created my Free Memory Improvement Course:
Inside, you’ll learn:
How to design a Memory Palace (or chalet, or “apartment with compartments”) that matches your life.
How to encode and recall information using images that actually stick.
Why the right metaphors make or break your memory practice.
Step-by-step exercises that transform abstract theory into daily results.
Thousands of learners, from language students and professionals to lifelong autodidacts, have already used this course to unlock their memory.
Now it’s your turn.
Because as Judt reminds us, someday never comes.
The time to strengthen your memory is always now.
Can You Use a Memory Palace Without Visualization?
Sep 25, 2025
Yes, you can use the Memory Palace technique without visualization.
I’ve been doing so for years as the founder of the Magnetic Memory Method. I’ve also succeeded beyond my wildest dreams as someone who experiences very limited visual imagery.
At first, I struggled with this technique, however. Until my research revealed that the Memory Palace technique was never purely visual.
No, from the beginning, the technique was taught in multi-sensory ways, including one powerful approach that is purely logical and conceptual.
And that’s the approach that helped me earn my PhD in Humanities at York University.
It also helped me learn languages, pass multiple certification exams and substantially expand my knowledge base.
And I’m not alone.
Today, accomplished memory athletes with no “mind’s eye” (aphantasics) prove that Memory Palaces work without inner pictures.
So how did the technique get mischaracterized as primarily visual? And how can you rapidly create well-formed Memory Palaces in just minutes?
Whether your imagination produces high-definition images or nothing at all, the methods I’m about to share will help you use the Memory Palace technique to learn faster and remember more.
Let’s dive in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJTZQbSE_dY
Why Visualization is Incorrectly Emphasized in Memory Palace Training
If you’re new to the Memory Palace technique, its ancient roots might not be on your radar.
Yet.
But we know from the historical science writer Lynne Kelly in books like The Memory Code and The Knowledge Gene that this technique had non-visual foundations for thousands of years.
For example, humans “offloaded” information they needed to remember onto rocks arranged in particular ways at sites like Stonehenge.
People also used objects covered in beads called lukasa to feel where they had encoded information in space.
As the Aboriginal author Tyson Yunkaporta shares in Sand Talk, elders used their hands as Memory Palaces. In some cases, they used each finger to remember an individual rule of conduct during a meeting.
Rather than visualize anything with the mind’s eye, bringing the thumb together with a particular finger sparked recall.
And these are all examples of the Memory Palace technique using an approach that is not inherently visual. It is spatial, kinesthetic and conceptual.
Fast forward to the Ancient Greek and Latin memory tradition, Simonides of Ceos emphasizes location as a concept above all things.
And St. Thomas Aquinas insisted his students imagine that they were inscribing information into the walls of their Memory Palaces as if writing on the surface of a wax tablet. He borrowed this idea from Aristotle and extended it with other useful ideas I have covered in this tutorial on Aquinas and memory.
So how did visual imagination come to be so prominent?
Misrepresentation by Modern Interpreters
In 1966, Frances Yates released an important, but deeply flawed study of the technique called The Art of Memory.
Don’t get me wrong. As a history of various mnemonic devices, it’s an important work. It has also inspired thousands, if not millions, of people to give memory techniques a try.
That said, we shouldn’t brush the problems she introduced under the rug.
By her own admission, she never actually used the techniques she wrote about.
As a result, she missed the importance of orientation, physical sensation and conceptualization discussed multiple times in her historical sources.
How was this mistake possible?
Besides not actually trying the techniques, I believe Yates may have been influenced by Dorothea Waley Singer.
Although this point might seem like an unnecessary detour, bear with me. It will pay off.
Singer’s biography influenced and inspired Yates’ own book on Bruno. Yeats in fact wrote The Art of Memory as background for her own book on the infamous mnemonist.
Here’s the problem:
Singer utterly dismisses the influence of another mnemonist named Llull on Bruno. She in fact suggests that Bruno was an utter fool for tinkering with Llull’s memory wheels.
So you don’t think I’m exaggerating, here’s exactly what Singer says:
Capable of hero worship, Bruno sometimes chose heroes who would have been strangely out of touch with him, as for example that saintly and mystical, muddled and truculent Franciscan, Raymond Llull, on whose worst works he wasted many years.
I wish the joke was on Singer and Yates. But it isn’t. Their mistaken dismissal and failure to deeply explore the techniques led a major problem to spread everywhere.
Due to Yates’ enormous influence in particular, uncountable numbers of people have misunderstood the non-visual art of combination so necessary to effectively using Memory Palaces.
Sadly, Lorayne believed that most people could not rise to the challenge of learning the most robust methods available (like the 20 memory techniques I describe in this tutorial).
He also thought that using memory science to prove that the techniques work only caused eyes to glaze over.
Although Lorayne may have been right that many people just want a fast solution to their memory problems, my point is that he and many other memory teachers took shortcuts.
Rather than lay out all of the multisensory, Lorayne went so far as to cut the Memory Palace from his training until his final book, Ageless Memory.
For years, he stubbornly insisted that he didn’t use Memory Palaces despite all evidence to the contrary. I give some of that evidence in this tribute video I made about Lorayne following his passing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaPMuWHZ1lU
On top of constantly using words like visualization and teaching people to see pictures in their imagination, Lorayne created the impression that Memory Palaces weren’t needed at all.
Another influential memory improvement author named Tony Buzan avoided this error by carefully detailing both Memory Palaces and multi-sensory mnemonic imagery.
But like Lorayne, who was a kind of stuntman of memory, many memory competitors flooded the market with books that refused to challenge readers.
Nelson Dellis is one of the few exceptions to the rule. As a 6x USA Memory Champion who openly teaches how to beat him, Nelson once remarked during a Magnetic Memory Method Podcast interview that “there’s no time to visualize” while using Memory Palaces in the heat of competition.
Despite my efforts in speaking with people like Nelson over the years, it’s been an uphill battle.
And when you combine the force of Lorayne’s influence with Yates, it’s easy to see why many people wound up misunderstanding how our ancestors actually used these techniques.
As a result, they’ve unnecessarily struggled and memorized much less information than they could have otherwise.
But there’s one more factor we need to consider, perhaps the most serious of all.
The Real Problem: People Falsely Believe They Need “Pictures”
Back in 2015, countless people started emailing me about a condition they called aphantasia.
Originally, I dismissed the idea because I know exactly what it’s like to live with seeing pictures in my mind.
But after finally learning about a study called Lives Without Imagery, I got seriously concerned.
People were now using a “condition” labeled by psychologists to describe why they were struggling to use Memory Palaces.
Given that Lynne Kelly identifies as aphantasic and still performed well at memory competitions and as a mnemonist, there’s a clear and obvious disconnect here.
Don’t get me wrong. Some people do benefit from visual memory skills.
The point is that you don’t need them to use the technique.
In fact, many people without aphantasia struggle to imagine clear visuals.
Personally, I feel like people trick themselves into mistaking how we describe the imagination for a proper definition of mental imagery as it is actually experienced.
When it comes down to brass tacks, I don’t know how to make the point clearer than this:
The belief that imagery is required for success with Memory Palaces blocks people from using the technique authentically.
The Multi-Sensory and Conceptual Alternatives
As you’ll discover in my full Memory Palace tutorial, my main suggestion is that people make the process inherently visual through the kinesthetic process of sketching.
Over the years, I’ve received thousands of Memory Palace drawings from students of the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass around the world.
These Memory Palace examples completely eliminate the need to imagine the location visually. Instead, you physically produce it so you can see the plan with your physical eyes.
This key distinction made it possible for me to start using the technique immediately after a period of struggle.
I only came to the idea of drawing my Memory Palaces after reading a book by Robert Fludd and speculating that he and other early authors of Memory Palace books must have sketched the illustrations for their printers.
When I discovered how helpful this simple step was, I added simple sketching to other aspects of memory techniques.
For example, I started sketching rather than using words on my flashcards and then combining them with my Memory Palaces. To take just one of many examples, I passed level III in Mandarin easily as a result back when I was learning Chinese using this approach.
Even if you’re highly visual, I still encourage you to sketch your Memory Palaces.
Not as art.
But as a simple planning step to avoid leading yourself into dead ends and creating other avoidable issues.
I’m still proud that my fellow mnemonist Jonathan Levi came to me for advice when preparing to memorize his TEDx Talk.
He’s very visual, but still benefitted from the exercise. He even shared the MMM-style Memory Palace in the talk itself:
But there’s more than one way to use the kinesthetic mode to help you experience the Memory Palace technique.
Let’s explore further.
Kinesthetic Loci
When using the method of loci (an alternative term for the Memory Palace technique), you can make the experience more physical in a few different ways.
I’ve used each of these approaches:
Run your hands along the walls of a location to make the journey firmer in your mind.
Imagine doing something physically at each station in the Memory Palace, such as bending down to tie your shoes by the door, brushing your teeth next to a plant, etc.
Reach up mentally to touch the top of a bookshelf (something suggested by Peter of Ravenna back in the 15th century).
Associate various locations with gestures, such as waving hello at an entrance.
As an exercise, quickly sketch your home and then run through each of the tactics I just shared.
Don’t try to visually imagine the Memory Palace.
Literally examine your own sketch with your eyes as you experience the location visually with your eyes and then feel the sensation of tying your shoes or making a physical gesture.
This will start training your mind to approach the technique in a deeply physical way.
Auditory Loci
Next, practice anchoring various points in your Memory Palaces to sounds.
Imagine:
Hearing footsteps in a hallway.
The echo of voices in a stairwell.
Music playing from a bedroom.
These are all associations that occur naturally in these locations.
Also practice strange soundscapes, like imaging massive church bells ringing in a tiny bathroom.
As you explore this form of Memory Palace creation, limit the scope of your focus as closely as you can to pure sound. Doing so will exercise your auditory memory at the same time you build your Memory Palace skills.
Abstract Loci
Although it’s not always practical for use in learning when exams are at stake, you can stretch your skills quickly by experimenting with abstract Memory Palaces.
For example, watch this tutorial on using Geometrical Memory Palaces:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAPwOf31N7o
Again, you don’t have to “see” anything.
Whether you’re using a square, circle or more complex shape, words alone will help you navigate from corner to corner.
Conceptual & Logical Loci
Some of the most powerful techniques are admittedly a bit challenging to understand.
My favorite are found in the work of Jacobus Publicius, who was massively influential on Giordano Bruno. Perhaps even more so than Ramon Llull, something neither Singer nor Yates seem to have picked up.
This approach involves using a lot of categories, oppositions and logical frameworks as spatial anchors.
For example, Publicius teaches us to think purely in terms of the cardinal directions (north, east, south, west).
He also discusses alphabetical arrangements on squares and wheels that are navigated directionally by looking at the diagram, not in your imagination.
This one, for example, is a physical volvelle with rotating parts that get your hands involved in the encoding process:
You also find in the ancient tradition a lot of combinatorial tables that work like logical slots.
One way I’ve used pure logic in combination with Memory Palaces has helped with picking up new languages.
Opposites, for example, are logical. You can place the word for “white” on one wall and the word for “black” on another. Provided you use the technique consistently, you can memorize a lot of vocabulary quickly in this way.
Think of it like this:
A location is not just something you look at.
It’s a system of relationships involving everything from facts about height and weight, to grades of light and shadow at various times of day.
The more you think about the logic of association, the more you can harness these conceptual aspects. And the command to “think” has long been part of the tradition, something demanded by Aristotle, Hugh of St. Victor, Peter of Ravenna, Jacobus Publicius and many more.
Perhaps Bruno’s demand to think reached the highest crescendo when he suggested that anyone who thinks long and hard enough about the Memory Palace technique will reach the same conclusions about it as he did.
In Tony Buzan’s The Memory Book, specifically what he called SEM3, we see this principle in play.
Although you might not need to go to these conceptual lengths for your own learning projects, the point is that none of them require you to visualize.
The Integration Principle
The key is never to rely on just one approach.
As taught by Hugh of St. Victor and many other mnemonists until the 20th century, you want to approach all aspects of mnemonic technique in a hybrid manner.
Especially the Memory Palace, as stressed by St. Aquinas long ago with his suggestion that you imagine writing your mnemonic associations into the walls. Literally feeling and hearing the process as you go.
Practical Walkthrough: How to Build a Non-Visual Memory Palace
When you’re just getting started, here’s how I recommend you proceed:
Choose a familiar location that doesn’t require the strain of trying to visualize it. The place you’re in while completing the exercise is a good option because you can see it in front of your eyes.
Sketch out the floor plan using pen and paper, not software. Some people do like to use various computer programs and even virtual Memory Palaces, but resist this for now so you don’t place an interstitial screen between your mind and memory at this point.
Assign each station using a variety of the methods described above using the Integration Principle.
Pick a learning goal and use multi-sensory associations on each station to encode the information. Start simply with the number rhyme technique if you want the easiest approach to encoding as a beginner.
When retrieving information, focus on physically navigating the Memory Palace as if you are participating in a theatre play, not replaying a movie.
This final practice step is crucial.
Many people try to re-enact what happens in their Memory Palaces perfectly, as if reviewing a movie.
That’s not possible, and it’s also not necessary. The Memory Palace technique is much more like theatre where the actors always do things differently.
They still give you the target information, but never in quite the same way.
In other words, approach your recall practice in a relaxed manner that allows for difference. They will always be there as part of your practice with this technique.
Advantages of Non-Visual Memory Palaces
If you’re already skilled with Memory Palaces, you’ll soon find many benefits from reducing down to other modes of experience apart from the visual.
For one thing, you’ll recover the true historical breadth of this mental art.
You’ll also likely find that logic-based loci and associations are more durable than fleeting images. This is because they’re typically easier to dimensionalize.
You’ll also enjoy deeper personalization and variety, which we know from studies in active recall help many learners recall more information with greater accuracy.
Examples & Case Studies
As already discussed, memory experts like Lynne Kelly have used memory techniques with great success without having inner images.
Kelly in particular uses a lot of the ancient memory techniques we’ve just gone through. Her book Memory Craft is fantastic for more information and notes from her personal practice.
Keeping in mind that I’ve already broken the advice from Rhetorica ad Herennium that the teacher of memory should give no more than two examples, let me detail one of the most direct case studies.
Bruno’s Body Memory Palace
Your own body is one of the most physical Memory Palaces you can use.
In Bruno’s case, he talked about creating 30-station Memory Palaces on the statues of mythological figures.
To get that many stations, he focused on all of the major body parts that come in pairs, like the eyes, ears, cheeks, hands, etc.
If you try this practice, your Memory Palace might look something like this:
You can easily start by applying this approach using the journey method to your own body.
I personally start from the top of each body (or my own body) and work my way down. You might prefer to start from the feet and work your way up.
Either way, note that you don’t have to assign as many stations as Bruno advised in his 1586 book, Lampas triginta statuarum (The Lantern of Thirty Statues).
For example, in his Black Belt Memory course, Ron White shares a 10-station version. Not only is this reduced number of stations more practical. He also shows how you can easily link each station to the Major System.
My Hand Memory Palace
My personal favorite use of a physical Memory Palace was a hand Memory Palace I assigned in preparation for an interview with Tyson Yunkaporta.
You can see me use it in the video version of our discussion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_–IAZz410
Although the list of steps for holding a meeting I memorized based on Aboriginal tradition was brief, using my hand was a lot faster than the way I normally memorize lists.
On each finger I placed a single word:
Connect (pointer)
Respect (middle)
Reflect (ring)
Direct (pinkie)
To lock in each word, I used a phonetic and logic-based version of the pegword method to lock in simple associations on each finger.
For “connect,” I imagined the singer Connie Francis on my pointer finger, Aretha Franklin singing “Respect” on my middle finger, and so on.
It was easy, fun, fast and required no visualization whatsoever.
FAQs About Non-Visual Memory Palaces
I’ve been blessed to receive countless questions about memory techniques over the years, either through my contact page or through one-on-one memory coaching.
Here are some rapid fire responses to the most common questions I’ve received.
Do Memory Palaces work if I have aphantasia?
Yes, and in many cases they work even better because having to visualize takes more time and mental energy than necessary.
What if my imagery is inconsistent?
There are two points to consider:
First, “imagery” is not quite the right way to look at mnemonic associations. So long as you practice using phonic similarities and logical connections, you don’t need imagery at all.
Second, as I discussed above regarding thinking of Memory Palace as theatrical rather than cinematic, our associations are bound to be inconsistent.
It’s not a problem so long as you approach the technique with realistic framing.
Why do people say that the Memory Palace is a visual technique?
Many people have been influenced by authors like Frances Yates and Harry Lorayne.
In reality, the Memory Palace technique was never strictly visual.
Having read vast amounts of ancient memory improvement guides, I believe our ancestors would be distressed to see how some of the most important aspects of the technique have been deemphasized.
That said, if you read teachers like Hugh of St. Victor, Peter of Ravenna and Giordano Bruno, you’ll quickly see that their students also came to them with incorrect conceptions.
There’s a particularly funny passage in Ravenna’s The Phoenix where the author corrects the limited mindset through an example of a typical student objection. You can read it in my updated version of this classic memory training book, available from the Magnetic Memory Method products page.
What senses can you use other than vision in a Memory Palace?
The main eight “Magnetic Modes” I use have come to be called KAVE COGS.
This is an acronym for:
Kinesthetic
Auditory
Visual
Emotional
Conceptual
Olfactory
Gustatory
Spatial
I don’t always use all eight. But sometimes I dig deeper into the conceptual mode, which has twenty variations. I shared some of them above in terms of category, opposites and the cardinal directions.
Generally, these are best saved for really tough information, like the Sanskrit phrases I’ve memorized.
Do non-visual Memory Palaces take longer to build?
When you follow my simple sketching recommendations, no. In fact, the process is much faster.
That said, the amount of time depends on the learning project.
For my Sanskrit memorization goals, one Memory Palace took a few extra minutes to work out.
This is my drawing of this particular Memory Palace, which I pre-numbered to help me also remember which verse I memorized on the individual stations:
This pre-numbered Memory Palace example shows you how I prepared to memorize the Atma Bodha in full. I know the text and the number of each verse in an ancient Sanskrit text thanks to my favorite memory technique.
But generally, a well-formed Memory Palace takes 2-5 minutes to develop or less.
Can I combine the Memory Palace with the Major System without visualization?
This is a very important and interesting question.
In fact, the Major System is a kind of Memory Palace.
The reason I suggest you consider these tools as types of Memory Palaces is simple:
As Hugh of St. Victor pointed out in his writings on memory (which you can find in The Medieval Craft of Memory), raw numbers create a kind of field.
I’ve created this illustration to show you what he means:
Hugh then discusses attaching various associations to these purely imagined locations. These associations are generally Biblical in nature and in some cases surround a Memory Palace based on Noah’s Ark.
But Hugh did not expect you to visually imagine any of these locations. In the case of the Ark, he had a painting on the wall behind him to help illustrate the pairing of Biblical information with associations and conceptual spaces.
In other words, the answer is yes, you can combine Memory Palaces with any numerical mnemonic system including the Major System without visualizing anything in your mind.
How many Memory Palaces should I create if I don’t visualize?
Along with anyone else interested in serious results with these techniques, I suggest you assign as many Memory Palaces as you can.
That way, you’ll always be prepared to memorize anything you like without hesitation.
As two starter projects, I suggest you assign one Memory Palace for each letter of the alphabet.
Once done, learn the Major System and develop a 00-99 PAO. You can use this as a Memory Palace unto itself by experiencing the numbers in a field.
Or you can make the number-based Memory Palace Network more tangible by assigning it to a street (or series of streets) in a neighborhood you know reasonably well.
In other words, you snap your 00-99 figures onto the actual street addresses. Using my system, I would assign Nick Nolte to a building with the number 27 in the address because the Major tells us that 2 is N and 7 is K.
Can children or beginners learn to use Memory Palaces without visualization?
Yes.
That’s because the same conceptual rules are available to anyone at any age.
For examples of young people succeeding with the Memory Palace technique, please listen to my podcast episodes with Alicia Crosby and Imogen Aires. They were both just ten years of age when they were recorded.
Common to both success stories is parental involvement.
And that’s the key if you would like to see your kids succeed with these techniques.
Don’t just put a training guide in front of them. Learn the techniques yourself first so you can teach them from experience.
And share in the fun too.
Unlock the Power of Memory Without Relying on Images
From Simonides of Ceos and Thomas Aquinas to Bruno and beyond, the Memory Palace has never belonged exclusively to those who see vivid pictures in their minds.
The technique has always been grounded on multi-sensory and conceptual frameworks that turn raw data into lasting memories.
Whether you see high-definition images or nothing at all, you can build Memory Palaces that expand knowledge, sharpen focus and unlock your potential.
The key is to correctly understand your imagination and pair it with structure, practice and a willingness to experiment with the techniques.
If you’re ready to go deeper, register for my free memory improvement course:
It walks you step by step through mastering the Memory Palace.
Inside, you’ll get four concise training videos and worksheets designed to get you taking action immediately.
Last thought before we go:
The Memory Palace technique endures because vast amounts of people adapt it to their needs.
Whether by focusing on sight, sound, tactile sensations or pure thought, this technique reminds us that memory knows no bounds.
And all that mastering it requires is the same as anything else:
Constant study and practice.
In this case, that’s a wonderful requirement because using this particular learning technique is endlessly rewarding and fun.
Memory Training Techniques: 7 Useful Daily Drills and Exercises
Sep 02, 2025
If you’re seeking memory training because of forgetfulness, mental fog, or information overload, you’re not alone.
In fact, I’ve been on both sides.
I’ve been so frustrated with my memory that I nearly dropped out of grad school.
And so successful I came in second in a memory competition against one of the best mental athletes in the world.
My range of experiences means good news for you.
With the right daily drills and proven exercises, you can dramatically improve your recall, focus, and clarity.
In this guide, you’ll discover 7 memory training techniques I’ve personally used to:
Complete a PhD using mnemonic strategies
Deliver a TEDx Talk seen by millions
Learn multiple languages with confidence
Each routine is practical, research-backed and useable starting today.
Whether you want to remember names, prepare for exams, or simply keep your mind sharp as you age, these drills work.
Let’s dive in.
https://youtu.be/DU4VznNm1z4
Proof that Memory Training Works
As we go through the list of memory techniques you can start practicing with today, keep in mind that there’s no particular order of importance.
They all matter and each one is well-worth spending time learning.
But you might like to have some assurance that scientists have actually studied these memory tools.
In addition to reading my full profile of the state of memory science, you’ll be delighted to know that many of my memory champion friends have participated in memory studies.
I’ll share a few more scientific references as we go, but for now, keep in mind that we are talking about training.
This means that your time does need to be spent on learning and applying the various memory techniques we’re about to explore together.
But every moment will be worth it once you see the results of better memory flowing into your life.
The Core Memory Training Techniques & Drills I Recommend
One: Mnemonic Linking
Mnemonic linking is where most people start training their memory.
What is linking?
It’s a simple technique where you assign vivid, strange or emotional associations between information you already know and new data you want to retain.
To keep things simple, let’s say you need to remember a list of words like “apple,” “book” and “dog.”
To use the linking technique, you simply mentally link the apple with something related to apples that is specifically familiar to you. I would personally forge a link with an Apple computer.
For the next word in the list, I would imagine the Apple computer interacting with a specific book. Since the final word is “dog,” that book could be the Bible in the jaws of a specific dog.
The key is to make every association specific. So in this case, the list will be easiest to remember if there’s a kind of mnemonic story playing out:
“An Apple computer flies down from the sky to try and wrestle the family Bible from the jaw of Superman’s dog.”
Silly, right?
Yes, and that’s what makes it so memorable.
In case you’re interested, one of the reasons why so many people start with linking isn’t because it’s the best place to start.
It’s largely because that’s where the dominant memory improvement authors like Harry Lorayne and Tony Buzan talked about starting. They were largely repeating the instructions given by Bruno Furst in his correspondence memory courses.
Linking is definitely worth learning. I use it frequently and found it especially helpful for learning the articles and other aspects of learning German.
To give you an example of the simplest peg system, here’s how the number rhyme technique works through the association of rhymed images:
1 = sun
2 = shoe
3 = bee
4 = door
5 = hive
6 = sticks
7 = heaven
8 = gate
9 = wine
10 = hen
As a fun exercise that will itself give your brain a workout, I suggest you draw your first number-rhyme list.
Here’s my own hand drawn list:
Once you’re set up with these rhymes (or variations of your own choosing), associating information using this technique will be a breeze.
To give you an example, let’s refer back to our previous list.
Using number rhyme pegs, you could imagine the apple growing as large and as bright as the sun. The book could be shaped like a shoe, and smell just as bad. And the dog could be chasing bees.
The advantage to number rhymes is that you not only remember the items. You also remember the numbered order of each item in the list.
Another advantage when you develop your skills will all four peg systems is that you have pre-learned mental associations.
You don’t have to invent new links on the fly. You have mental “pegs” to hang new information on.
Please train with all of these peg systems in the bulleted list above because having multiple tactics offers tremendous flexibility when you want to remember things quickly.
Also be sure to train with them within Memory Palaces once you know that technique. It will help you with some of the non-visual aspects of the Memory Palace technique that you’ll also benefit from mastering.
Three: Keyword Mnemonics
When preparing for my TEDx Talk, I didn’t memorize every word.
Instead, I pulled out only the most important words. This is generally the best approach to memorizing a speech.
By compressing the speech into a smaller set of memory triggers laid out along a Memory Palace journey, I was able to convey the main points without having to memorize the entire speech verbatim.
As a result, you can memorize two or three words and still recall entire sentences.
For example, my TEDx begins with the line, “How would you like to completely silence your mind?”
The images are simple Howie Mandel with a stick of wood hitting a like button on a YouTube video. Since I know the topic of my talk, I didn’t need to encode the rest of the phrase.
Verbatim Memorization By Making Every Word a Keyword
Now, if you’ve seen my TEDx Talk, you might have noticed that I recite a few quotes and Sanskrit phrases.
This is verbatim memorization, but it’s essentially the same process.
Instead of extracting keywords, every word is memorized as if it were a keyword. To practice this, I suggest you complete my tutorial on how to commit poetry to memory.
Let’s dig deeper into how this technique works so you can easily remember important phone numbers, credit cards, historical dates and even matters related to programming on demand.
What is it?
The Major System is called an “alphanumeric” technique because it helps you transform numbers into consonant sounds.
You then turn these into memorable words by inserting vowels between the consonants.
The Major System is a foundational technique and merely learning to use it will provide you with outstanding memory training.
Here’s the exact alphanumeric pattern I’ve used for decades:
The Major System
Once you’ve committed this set of associations to memory, here’s how it works:
If you have to memorize the number 34, you note that 3 = M and 4 = R.
You then insert a vowel and come up with a word like “mare” or a person like “Mary.”
Personally, I use “mare” as my word for 34, but make it more specific by thinking of a specific horse: the one pictured on the cover of Piers Anthony’s Xanth novel, Nightmare.
Although this technique is primarily used for remembering numbers, you can actually use it to remember many other things.
For example, often when I learn new words in different languages, I observe the consonants and work out what numbers they would be in the Major System.
This makes it fast and easy to come up with associations.
For example, in German, “blacksmith” is der Schmeid.
In the major, the “sch” sound can be represented by 6, which also covers J sounds. D is linked with 1.
61 makes words like “Jedi” and Judd. So I can imagine the actor Judd Nelson “smushing” his Jedi uniform into a suitcase shaped like an E.
Although that’s not 100% direct, it doesn’t have to be. With a small amount of spaced repetition, the target information will enter long-term memory.
A Brief History of Alphanumeric Mnemonics
Although it can be a bit tough to learn in the beginning, rest assured that people have been using mnemonic tools like the Major System for thousands of years.
For more background, check out Lynne Kelly’s The Memory Code.
In my own research, I’ve found the katapayadi system, which goes back to at least 869 CE.
I find the length of time this particular type of tool for establishing memories has been around inspiring. Hopefully it will continue to survive for both practical uses and fun projects like memorizing pi.
Five: The First Letter Mnemonic Technique
This next technique is great for training with poetry, song lyrics and quotes.
To use it, all you do is take the first letter of each word and write it on a piece of paper.
Here’s what I mean using the opening of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 59:
“If there be nothing new, but that which is hath been before…”
Once you’ve written out the letters, you look at the list and practice recalling all the words in full.
It is literally an exercise in mentally filling in the blanks.
As a learning technique, this approach is related to the Cloze test.
In this laboratory study of using what the scientists called the “first Initial mnemonic,” students who used it as part of their studies showed significantly better recall.
Although I would never use this approach to memorize something mission critical like a speech, it is a good training exercise. I use it a couple of times a year just for practice.
Six: Story-Telling For Better Memory
I mentioned the power of crafting mnemonic stories above. Let’s go deeper.
As we know from the story of Simonides of Ceos, the brain loves stories because it finds them instantly memorable.
That’s one reason why the Renaissance memory master Robert Fludd talked about using theatre plays in your associations.
I personally use this approach often, and have a full Story Method tutorial that will help you use it in a highly targeted way for both training your memory and as a learning tool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhN0rigUHTQ
Seven: The Memory Palace Technique (The Gold Standard)
Also known as the method of loci, it’s powerful because it lets you use one of our most powerful types of memory and mental faculties:
Spatial memory.
In other words, you place associations paired with your target information along a familiar route or location in your imagination.
Then, using spaced repetition and one of the association techniques discussed above, you revisit the images you placed along the journey. Soon, you’ll have the information you want to remember in long-term memory.
That’s exactly what I did to memorize my TEDx Talk using keywords after making a quick sketch of a familiar location:
And like all memory techniques, the Memory Palace has been thoroughly vetted by researchers.
As the scientist’s revealed when sharing the brain scans of memory champions who use the technique, their success in remembering vast amounts of information quickly came from using this spatial memory technique.
The researchers then put non-memory athletes through a memory training program and observed how their brains changed with exercise.
The more the newcomers practiced the memory training techniques, the more their brain activity started to resemble the brains of memory athletes.
That means you can expect similar memory boosts, even if you’re a beginner with this particular mnemonic device.
Beyond Training with Techniques: Daily Memory Exercises
Developing stronger memory skills is generally best approached using the techniques I just shared with you.
However, there are other smaller actions you can take to create remarkable results over time.
Here are some recommended daily memory-boosting exercises I personally use and recommend:
One: Brain Games and Puzzles
You can stimulate multiple aspects of your cognition by playing a variety of brain games.
In addition to the classics like Sudoko and matching games, you can get involved with my Memory Detective game. We usually play a round every Halloween in the Magnetic Memory Method community.
Two: Regular Mindfulness and Meditation
Even just ten minutes a day of sitting meditation can improve your focus and working memory.
Not only did they find that brand-new meditators enjoyed better memory. They also experience mood boosts and greater levels of emotional regulation.
Three: Physical Exercise for Brain Health
Although I don’t always feel like it, I work hard to get myself to the gym three times a week. Or I will do a calisthenic routine at home.
I also take walks almost every day, including walking backwards. As this study showed, even just imagining that you’re walking backwards produced a memory boosting effect.
Personally, I prefer the real thing, even though it gets strange glances when I do it at the local outdoor gym.
Four: Learn Something New Every Day
Whether it’s studying a new language, a musical instrument or practicing a hobby like writing, continually learning new topics and skills keeps your brain engaged.
It also helps with neuroplastic change, literally rewiring your brain for better processing speed and memory.
You might also consider exploring a variety of ways to learn. If you typically take notes in a top-down fashion, for example, you can spend a few months on Tony-Buzan style mind mapping for a change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years, I’ve received dozens of questions about various memory activities.
Here are answers to some of the most useful.
Does memory training really work?
The nuanced answers is that any memory exercise you engage in will work relative to the effort you put into it and the level of challenge.
Often people complain that a mental training routine isn’t producing results, but they are not actually challenging themselves in any meaningful way.
For example, in my critical analysis of crossword puzzles as a memory activity, you’ll find research showing that many people weaken themselves by looking at the answers.
So if you’re following a routine that lets you cheat in any shape or form, then no, it’s not likely to work.
The flip side of the coin is that you don’t want to engage in activities that are so challenging you simply feel frustrated.
So I encourage you to find activities that are challenging, but not to the point of constant failure.
How long does it take to see results?
If you choose a memory training exercise like the first letter mnemonic we discussed above, you could feel the results instantly.
But generally, there’s no magic number.
The point of memory training is similar to physical training. You want an ongoing balance of new exploration and maintenance of existing skills.
Are brain training apps the same as using memory techniques?
Not at all.
This is because the point of memory training is ultimately to have sharper recall in situations where you can’t reach for a device and use a search engine.
As I discussed in my post on cognitive training myths, you want some alignment between your specific memory improvement goal and the improvement activities you choose.
So if you truly want to improve your memory, think about exactly what that means. As I discuss in my tutorial on how to increase memory power, you need to start by defining your memory improvement goal.
Then select the activities most likely to get you there. Chances are, it won’t involve an app.
Can memory training help me pass exams?
Absolutely. People who regularly train their memory skills will gain an advantage.
But let’s be clear:
There’s a difference between daily training trills and sitting down to commit testable information to memory.
Just because you’ve sharpened your memory doesn’t mean you’ll memorize test answers.
For that, make sure you consider the techniques for studying I used when completing my PhD more comprehensively.
Memorization was a substantial part of my process, but not the only activity I engaged in by far.
Will memory training help reduce the impact of aging?
Almost certainly.
But you definitely want to discuss any issues you’re experiencing with a doctor.
As you do, please take inspiration from some of the greatest memory instructors who ever lived.
Harry Lorayne wrote many fantastic books on his way to the ripe age of 96 years.
He provided complete proof of concept and shared his best memory training processes in a book called Ageless Memory.
Likewise, Tony Buzan remained sharp during his twilight years. I re-read The Memory Book frequently to continually take inspiration from how he combined memory training with physical activity and diet.
What is the best memory training technique for beginners?
I suggest starting with number rhymes and applying them to simple lists.
It’s quick to setup and wonderfully effective.
Once you have the system setup, the only remaining task is to select various words with which to practice on a daily basis.
Fortunately, that’s as simple as picking up a dictionary or visiting a website that will suggest words for you.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need a “Photographic Memory”
I always turn them down because most of what we need to memorize is in language, not pictures.
Plus, photographic memory is widely considered to be pseudoscience.
Ultimately, if you want a trained memory, or even just to learn faster, every technique you’ve discovered on this page is very learnable.
If you’d like more help, especially with turning these exercises into long term results, sign up for my free course now:
It gives you the ultimate memory improvement exercise by focusing on spatial memory through four free videos and three powerful worksheets.
You’ll learn how to:
Lock information into long-term memory
Recall faster with less effort
Transform more of your studies and work life into effective brain workouts
And if you’d like more information on additional mnemonic tools, this list of memory techniques goes deeper still into the many mnemonic activities you can explore.
The important point is to get started and keep going.
The absolute best years of your learning and remembering life await!
The Learning Habits That Made Benjamin Franklin a Polymath
Aug 08, 2025
How did the runaway fugitive Benjamin Franklin become a writer, printer, inventor, philosopher and diplomat and still find time to help found the United States?
Part of the answer is easy: he was a self-made polymath.
That means he trained himself to study and succeed in multiple skills and disciplines with surgical focus.
The key to learning across so many fields?
Habits.
Routine processes and procedures that still work to this day.
In fact, they’re more valuable than ever.
On this page, you’ll learn how Franklin built one of the sharpest minds in all of human history.
Even better:
You’ll learn how you can use the same habits and techniques to learn faster, think deeply, and integrate knowledge across multiple fields.
Let’s dive in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tQm-sM4KIc
What Makes Benjamin Franklin a Polymath?
The term “polymath” has been used for hundreds of years to describe a person of various learning.
But we’re not talking about productivity nerds, which is sometimes how the term is now used in our time.
It’s important to understand this fact because Franklin was not born into privilege. He wasn’t a savant.
But the specific activities he engaged in make him one of the most influential minds of his time. He influences us to this day.
And his learning habits are proof that polymathy isn’t about talent. It’s about practicing the right habits.
Benjamin Franklin’s Most Important Learning Habits
As we get into my discussion of how Franklin learned, you might think that some of the habits I’m describing belong more to the realm of productivity.
Although that might be true, to succeed in everything from science and innovation to politics and diplomacy, Franklin’s biggest habit is the most important of all.
That’s because it creates reflective thinking. And when you have that, you learn from your own habits, enabling personal growth over time as you learn from your own journey.
With that point in mind, here are what I believe are the most important lessons about learning, overcoming obstacles and long-term focus.
One: The Focusing Power of Franklin’s Reading Deadlines
To educate himself, he would quietly borrow books from apprentice booksellers and read them overnight. Then, before anyone noticed, he would return them.
As he wrote about this habit:
“Often I sat up in my room reading the greatest part of the night, when the book was borrowed in the evening and to be returned early in the morning, lest it should be missed or wanted.”
This early habit of reading against the clock focused his mind and deepened his memory.
He also chose books written in modern styles, which would influence his communication skills.
But the point is that Benjamin chose to become one of the most well-read minds of his era.
And when he read, he wasn’t just reading. He was training.
I’ve also read against the clock for years and deadlines are indeed powerful. Check out my guide to reading faster for more information.
Two: The Expansive Power of Conversation
Franklin didn’t just read books. He also read people.
That’s because he understood something that many people who want to become polymathic miss:
The right conversation with the right person can teach you more than a hundred books. Faster.
In order to make sure he was having plenty of the right conversations, Benjamin created the Junto in Philadelphia.
This was a weekly discussion group where a variety of tradesmen, writers and thinkers shared ideas.
It was not just a social circle.
Rather, the Junto was a living, breathing social system that allowed its members to learn from one another.
As Franklin wrote with reference to the importance of relationships:
“A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.”
Three: Accumulating Knowledge Through Questioning
Franklin wrote a lot and was clearly highly opinionated.
But Walter Isaacson highlights in his excellent biography, Franklin wrote that knowledge “was obtained by the use of the ear rather than of the tongue.”
To make sure he had plenty to listen to, Franklin stimulated conversation through questions.
The key is to understand that Franklin didn’t ask questions to impress others.
He used dialogue to help refine his thinking, uncover new perspectives and help himself and others understand more.
All the reading to deadlines he did surely helped stimulate his curiosity and stockpile a number of questions.
But the deliberate practice of questioning helped make the process automatic, literally forging it into a habit thanks to what scientists call procedural memory.
Make questioning while you meet with people and as you study a habit of mind. It will help you think differently, learn more and experience tremendous growth.
And the best part is that the more you practice asking questions, the better your questioning will become.
Four: Setting Rules and Keeping Them
Just as reading to deadlines focuses the mind and memory, developing codes of conduct frees the mind to pay much more open attention to what you want to learn.
That’s why Benjamin was a fanatic for creating rules.
But he didn’t just create them.
He wrote them out, tested them, enforced them and evolved them over time.
For example, he crafted thirteen rules around a list of virtues. You can find them in his autobiography, specifically the section where he talks about his goal of achieving moral perfection.
But he didn’t stop at self-discipline for himself.
When he formed the Union Fire Company from a group of volunteers, he wrote bylaws. If members broke the rules around attending meetings or taking care of equipment, they paid fines.
Likewise with the Junto. Members followed written rules to help ensure an environment where their mutual focus on learning from one another thrived.
You might think Franklin’s approach is a bit old-fashioned. But in our time, internet companies like stickK enable people to set up commitment contracts. If they don’t achieve goals they’ve set for themselves, the company will send a certain amount of the users money to a charity or other designated party.
Although your mileage may vary from setting rules for yourself, habitually setting up codes of conduct and sticking to them can create a framework for learning.
Personally, I use rules as accelerators for my learning goals often, such as rewarding myself for getting through difficult books I don’t want to read. For example, I won’t let myself get a book for pleasure until I’ve finished one that I’ve committed to completing for my research.
I find that accountability works best when it’s unavoidable, visible and public. That’s one reason I made a video about my in-progress bookshop Memory Palace project.
Although many challenges have made me want to give up along the way, my rule that I finish the projects I start helps me push through. As does making the projects I start public.
Five: Masterful Note-Taking
As a student of multiple topics, Franklin developed his own shorthand.
These days, you can learn Gregg shorthand relatively quickly, sparing yourself the hassle of creating a system from scratch.
But the larger point is to learn how to take notes effectively.
You can also explore one of the core techniques Thomas Jefferson used, an approach now called the Zettelkasten method.
Whichever method you choose, it’s helpful to understand that many of Franklin’s notes were not main points copied out verbatim.
He formulated the ideas in his own words, often reconstructing the ideas in the form of Socratic dialogues.
Franklin even invented names for different personas and had these characters help him explore and refine a variety of ideas.
You can think of this approach as an advanced form of active, transformational note-taking. If you want to be as polymathic as Franklin, avoid passive reading and seek the active synthesis of ideas by engaging them deeply in your own words.
Six: Writing to Learn
Franklin didn’t stop at reformulating his notes. He treated long-form writing as a laboratory for learning.
Then, he would attempt to rewrite them from memory a few days later.
Even more importantly, he studied grammar and rhetoric to help him craft better persuasion skills. As he wrote:
This habit, I believe, has been of great advantage to me when I have had occasion to inculcate my opinions, and persuade men into measures that I have been from time to time engaged in promoting.
Franklin also wrote correspondences with people around the world. When he could not learn from available journals or his social circle, he wrote to thinkers across Europe.
They helped him design his own experiments, and his habit of regularly communicating in writing through the mail was tremendously fruitful.
Writing also helped provide Franklin with a fantastic memory for quotes and short sayings packed with wisdom.
And of course, writing made him incredibly wealthy. This habit literally bought him more books and more time to read them. He retired from his business at just 42 years of age.
Seven: The Synergy of Synced Habits
Although we often think of polymaths as people who have established mastery in multiple domains, Franklin unified his skills wherever possible.
His strategies for competing with a fellow newspaper printer named Andrew Bradford reveal synergistic thinking.
To do this, Franklin built a multimedia empire over time. He combined the ownership of multiple printing presses in various regions with also creating and owning products.
On top of owning the presses that printed his own catalogs, magazines, almanacs and newspapers, Franklin also wrote content for them.
From there he conquered distribution, meaning that he could profit by taking care of mailing his own products.
These strategies compounded the value of the habits he used to accomplish and maintain all of these processes.
As you work on your own development as a polymath consider the many areas where you can build new skills on top of the foundational abilities you’ve already developed.
In the terms Peter Burke offers in his book, The Polymath, Franklin was a centripetal polymath. This means that he built his many skills to support a singular vision.
Other polymaths might stack on skills more randomly. There’s nothing wrong with doing this, but you’ll wind up missing the benefits of syncing your habits synergistically the way Franklin did.
What We Can Learn From Franklin’s Daily Schedule
There’s no mystery to how Franklin fit all of his skills development and maintenance activities into his day. He lays out the process in his autobiography.
If you look at his illustration above, you’ll see an early version of what we now call “time boxing.”
But more important than giving his time organization habits a name, not that he did not cram. He crafted space for asking questions, removing clutter and thinking reflectively.
When you design your day around thinking, you’ll live more deliberately.
Your mind will have more space for focusing on what you want to learn. And your mind will be freer to integrate what you’re learning.
To emulate Franklin’s process:
Begin and end each day with one reflective thought
Protect and assign your thinking time
Plan and track your exact behaviors, not just what you accomplish
In other words, manage the meaning of your time. This will help align your activities into habits worth having.
Franklin’s Greatest Achievements as a Polymath
Everyone will have their own favorite accomplishment from Franklin’s incredible life.
Here are the ones that stand out most to me.
Science and Innovation
Franklin’s most famous experiment proved that lightning was electricity.
But he didn’t rely on intuition. He studied the topic deeply, including different ways to test his hypothesis safely.
He used some of the habits we’ve discussed above to contact other inventors and scientific-minded people.
As a result, he:
Invented the lightning rod, preventing destructive fires.
Created bifocal lenses, solving a personal problem that still helps people around the world.
Charted the Gulf Stream, helping massively improve Atlantic navigation.
Franklin went beyond curiosity and the relentless consumption of information we see today.
He tested what he learned, applied it and shared his results, inspiring many other “citizen scientists” to do the same.
Politics and Diplomacy
As a student of classical philosophy, Franklin understood the political theories of his time incredibly well.
His self-directed reading habits included international law so that he could practice the highest level of public service.
As a result, he helped:
Draft the Declaration of Independence.
Negotiate the Treaty of Paris.
Serve as a cultural and political ambassador between America and Europe.
Although some people attribute Franklin’s success to charisma, that’s not the full story.
He studied people carefully in addition to being a practitioner of rhetorical tools of persuasion. He turned everything he learned into skills that he leveraged.
Philanthropy and Civic Initiatives
Franklin used his knowledge and business acumen to serve others.
The list of examples is long, but includes:
Founding lending libraries.
Establishing volunteer fire departments.
Organizing street cleaning and mutual aid groups.
All of these came from Franklin’s passion for people.
But their success was aided by the habits that structured his interdisciplinary study efforts.
Writing and Publishing
As a writer and publisher myself, Franklin has inspired me for years.
Everything from his habit of reconstructing what he’d read from memory to building a multimedia conglomerate has given me insight into how to enjoy success of my own.
Establish a lucrative career in printing, publishing and distribution.
Tackle politics through satire by writing dozens of pseudonymous essays
Stacked, Not Scattered
If there’s one major lesson to take from Benjamin Franklin’s learning life, it’s that he leveraged the power of structure and balance.
His achievements were the product of interleaving:
Curiosity
Study
Systems development
Experimentation
Analysis
Sharing
It was like a perfect circle.
And one that anyone can emulate.
But if you find that your mind is scattered, I suggest getting some memory training.
That might sound like a leap in logic, but if you’ve enjoyed the insights about Franklin you’ve read today, I have good reason to believe that Franklin’s memory was sharp.
It’s part of the explanation for why he could pay attention to what mattered and prioritize the right habit stacks at the right times.
To help you get your memory sharper so you have more focus and clarity, consider signing up for my free course.
I teach all of the other techniques in the video above, including number rhymes.
But since I don’t recommend those techniques as the fastest and most practical means of memorizing a list, let’s get into the technique I favor the most.
In detail.
Step One: Create Your First Memory Palace
A Memory Palace is a form of mental association where you place a list of information along a journey you assign within a familiar location.
You’ve probably seen the technique used in Sherlock Holmes when the iconic character says, “I must go to my Mind Palace.”
Essentially, you just mentally order locations in the manner you see in this image:
And if you were Sherlock and had to commit a list of facts about a case to memory, you would use a location like the study pictured above.
To avoid laying out associations chaotically, you would identify a few places (called loci) where you can “store” each part of your list.
For example, if you needed to remember the name of a suspect, you would place a mnemonic image on the chair labeled “1” in the illustration above. You do that by using a very special form of association, which we’ll discuss next.
Step Two: Pair Each Item on the List with an Association & the Memory Palace
Let’s use the example of memorizing a grocery list.
If carrot is the first item on your list, you just imagine a giant carrot on the chair in your office.
That’s weird and strange enough to stick in your memory.
But what if you have a list of facts or the names of the presidents? This kind of information needs to be transformed mentally into an association that’s a bit more elaborate.
For example, if the first name is Washington, you can imagine a washing machine on your bed. Imagine yourself commenting that it weighs a ton. Washing machine + ton = Washington.
How to Practice Placing a List Item in a Memory Palace
For practice, write out your to-do list on a piece of paper.
Let’s say you have to attend a meeting about a technology at 2 a.m. The topic is Microsoft’s Zune.
To add an association and place the word in your Memory Palace, you will need to split the word using the principle of word division I teach in my bestselling course, How to Learn and Memorize the Vocabulary of Any Language.
For this word, I would personally imagine my favorite zoo in Berlin and have the movie Dune playing while zebras watch.
Zoo + Dune = Zune.
What about the time of this meeting, 2 p.m.?
To add this kind of information to your to-list, you’ll want to use either the Major System or a PAO System.
Although these memory techniques are somewhat advanced, anyone can learn them.
Step Three: Gather the Information Into the Best Possible Order
Sometimes the order of items is clear.
However, when studying for an exam, you might need to rearrange the main points in different orders of importance.
For this reason, I like to extract information from textbooks onto flashcards. That way I can easily move the facts around and place them in the most logical order before creating associations and placing them in one of my Memory Palaces.
As a pro tip, here’s something you can try:
I normally draw my Memory Palaces out on a piece of paper (these drawings serve as essentially a list of already-remembered stations within a location).
Then I fold the paper around the flashcards. The example you see above is one of the Memory Palaces I used when I learned Mandarin and passed Level III. Here’s what some of my cards looked like:
If you like the idea of being able to keep the lists of information you need to remember flexible, I also use special flashcard methods known as Zettelkasten and the Leitner System.
Step Four: Use Optimized Spaced Repetition For Reviewing Your List
Here’s where the Memory Palace technique for memorizing lists really shines.
Not only does the technique let you include as many items as you like.
It also makes it easy to use what scientists call spaced repetition. If you’re using flashcards as I discussed above, this kind of rehearsal technique looks like this:
The Leitner spaced repetition system helps you manage your exposure by placing accurate and inaccurate flashcards in boxes.
If you’re using the Memory Palace approach (which is kind of like using chairs and other furniture as index cards you draw on), here’s the process:
You simply mentally revisit the journey in your Memory Palace.
Then, on each station, you recall what funny image or direct association you put down.
Try it now:
If I ask you to think about the list item we discussed on the chair in the Sherlock Mind Palace example above, you will probably remember that we talked about a giant carrot.
That one came easily.
But what about the item you needed to discuss at a technology meeting?
Although it may take a second, provided that you personalized your own mnemonic associations, you should be able to get back the word “Zune.”
And that’s another key:
As the Renaissance memory master Robert Fludd used to stress about using these memory techniques, you need to personalize them so that when you are reviewing the images associated with the list items, they pop much better. He was completely right and contemporary science has shown this to be true.
The principle of personalizing your images belongs to what scientists call active recall. By adding personal elements to the information on your lists while you link them with associations, you increase your chance of remembering them.
Many people learn this technique within minutes and immediately get it working.
Memorizing Lists FAQ
Over my years of teaching the Magnetic Memory Method, people have sent me many questions about dealing with lists.
For example, one of my students in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass emailed today about memorizing the Buddhist eightfold path.
He expressed some concerns that naturally come up when dealing with lists where each item involves multiple words.
We’ll get into these issues and more in the following list of questions and answers.
What’s the fastest way to memorize a list of words?
The brief answer is to become a mnemonist who uses Memory Palaces and related tools.
That way, you’ll have all five of the main mnemonic systems needed for rapidly recalling information in list format.
The longer answer is that you need to start where you’re at.
Learn the memory skills I teach, and then set benchmarks.
If you start by memorizing just 2-3 items and practice recalling them reliably, move on to 4-5 items.
Progressively build the amounts from there by setting time challenges for yourself. If you can memorize 10 items in one minute, challenge yourself to build up to 15, then 20.
If you really want to push your skills, you can explore making your Memory Palaces “stickier” by pre-loading them with associations from your PAO System.
This is how some memory athletes have improved their speed with the kinds of lists that come up in memory competitions.
How can I memorize a long list without fogetting an item in the middle?
To establish long-term retention and recall of each item, you need to use spaced repetition.
You can use Memory Palaces, flashcards, Leitner boxes or software to help.
But giving equal doses of primacy effect and recency effect to each item in the list is key.
How do I memorize a list in order vs. out of order?
Although this is an interesting question, I’m not sure what it means.
Everything we do occurs in time. So if you’re memorizing a list, time always sets some kind of order, i.e. the first thing you memorize is followed by the second.
It’s possible that when people ask this question, they are trying to work out how they can add something to a list they’ve memorized after the fact.
In the case of the student who asked me today about memorizing the items on the Buddhist eight fold path, it actually makes sense to memorize it in two passes within a single Memory Palace.
First, you set the keywords up and use spaced repetition to establish long-term recall. Then you add the description of each step on the path.
How do actors memorize lists of lines or cues?
It’s important to realize that different actors approach learning their lines in different ways.
For those using memory techniques to memorize lines, I suggest this full tutorial. It describes the approach I use for memorizing Shakespeare and recommends a book you might like to read.
You might also have the option of not memorizing your lines at all.
In Dustin Hoffman Teaches Acting, Hoffman relates a story where he saw Robert De Niro reading lines from index cards he kept in his pockets shortly before the director would call action.
According to Hoffman, De Niro said that he didn’t memorize his lines because he didn’t want to look like he was carrying around his responses for two weeks. By not memorizing his lines, he made his performances more authentic.
Of course, the ultimate answer is to ask what your director wants and be prepared to collaborate with them. That way, you’re much more likely to produce an incredible stage play, series or film.
What’s the best way to memorize vocabulary lists in a foreign language?
Technically, the best way to study vocabulary lists is to find a method that you’ll actually use.
If using rote repetition helps you achieve your goals, that’s a great way to go about learning a language. In this tutorial about rote learning, I suggest reasons why it’s not the best idea for many people.
Also, I mentioned active recall above and the importance of personalization.
A second aspect of active recall involves writing.
The specific process is that you:
Bring the information in your list to mind by visiting the location you established in your memory palace
Write it down on paper
Check your accuracy
I’ve been doing a lot of this kind of active recall in my real estate course. The teacher and the program designers are very wise for including a lot of writing exercises.
How do I blend chunking, the method of loci and spaced repetition for maximum retention?
One way is to use the Magnetic Memory Method, which I designed precisely to form that blend of rapid learning strategies.
Once you have the techniques in operation, all you have to do is organize your time.
If you’d like to discover more about what this approach is like, please register for my free course now right here:
It will help you create multiple Memory Palaces, discover fun and easy ways to use the method of association and more about how to rapidly apply spaced repetition.
Combined, you’ll soon have all the lists you want stored in long-term memory.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to give this approach to memorizing lists a try?
Make it happen!
Master the Major System and Memorize Any Number Fast
Jul 21, 2025
The Major System is a centuries-old mnemonic tool that helps you transform numbers into concrete words and striking mental associations to increase their memorability.
You then apply these evocative mnemonic images to help with recalling the important numbers in your life. Such as:
Phone numbers
PIN numbers
Account numbers
Birthdays
Math formulas
Historical dates
The digits of pi
Playing cards during games
Technically, the Major System is a phonetic peg system. It works either on its own or in combination with other mnemonic peg systems.
It looks like this, a simple pairing of 0-9 with a specific set of consonants:
The Major System
Like other mnemonic devices, this means that the Major uses consonant sounds to ‘peg’ numbers to words and images, making them easier to store and retrieve from memory.
Although people have been using the Major System (sometimes called the Major Method) to commit numbers to memory for centuries, there’s a rarely taught, but incredibly powerful dimension you’re about to discover.
I call it “bi-directionality.”
It’s the very approach to the Major System that helped me get my PhD in Humanities at York University. I memorized key historical dates, facts related to the history of science, logical formulas and more.
I’ve also applied the bi-directional Major System to learning several languages. I even used it in 2015 to take second place in a memory competition against a two-time Guinness World Record holder for playing cards.
On this page, I’ll share exactly how to use this mnemonic system yourself for memorizing any number. And I’ll share use cases for how you can get started using the Major System to absorb many other types of information.
Ready to get started applying this system to everything from banking numbers to complex academic material?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vonJWVr9EMY
What Is The Major System?
The mnemonic Major System dates back more than 2000 years. The earliest version I’ve found is called the katapayadi. You can also find information about the ancient Hebrew version in Eran Katz’s Where Did Noah Park the Ark?
These versions show that people across many cultures have turned to this kind of mnemonic device throughout time.
In our era, it used for everything from credit card numbers and phone numbers to thousands of digits of pi.
Extraordinary as that sounds, Akira Haraguchi famously used the Japanese version of the Major System to recite over 100,000 digits of pi from memory.
A Brief History of the Major System
Historically, we know from Hugh of St. Victor that students of the Bible used a similar system to memorize the dates of Adam and his descendants.
Hugh even linked numbers to people, actions and objects back in the twelfth century in The Three Best Memory Aids for Learning History. You can find an English version of this text in The Medieval Craft of Memory.
Although Hugh was already quite sophisticated, the Major System really start to take shape in the 16th and 17th centuries through people like Giordano Bruno and Robert Fludd.
Both of these Renaissance memory masters used letters and consonants to represent numbers, but their systems were often inconsistent and lacked a standardized approach. Nonetheless, their contributions added new dimensions, such as Bruno’s influence on the development of the Memory Wheel, and Fludd’s evolution of the number-shape system of Jacobus Publicius.
When it comes to developing the standardized system we now use, these are the most important figures.
Johann Justus Winckelmann
Johann Justus Winckelmann was a German mathematician and mnemonist. He proposed a method where each digit was always associated with the same specific consonants, laying the groundwork for later developments.
Aimé Paris
As a French mathematician and memory expert, Aimé Paris simplified the associations, making the system more user-friendly. His version is nearly identical to the Major System as we know it today.
Here’s how he graphically represented the Major System in his book by embedding the consonants into each of the digits, 0-9:
Apart from his book, not much is known about Beniowski. Some people believe that “Major” refers to Beniowski’s military rank.
Although that’s the most likely explanation, the name clearly underscores Beniowski’s “major” role in popularizing and standardizing this mnemonic method. Through his teachings and writings, Beniowski helped spread the use of the system, making it accessible to a wider audience.
The name is also much easier to remember than “alpha-numeric” code.
Further Refinement and Popularization
The Major System continues to evolve and gain popularity. Memory experts like Harry Lorayne brought it to the masses. Later books like Moonwalking with Einstein encouraged many people to incorporate the system into their learning lives.
The technique continues to evolve to this day. Many memory competitors now use a variation called the Shadow, which is still based on the same alpha-numeric code you learned earlier in the video above.
If you want to check out some of the most impressive users of the Major, check out my podcast episodes with Katie Kermode and Don Michael Vickers. These memory athletes are seriously impressive.
They’re hardly the first of my memory champion friends to use the method, however.
Using Tony Buzan‘s SEM3 technique, many early memory competitors also used it to win year after year. The Major is still at the core of newer techniques like the Shadow, which competitors like Alex Mullen and Braden Adams have used to stunning effect.
Competition is not something many of us are interested in, however.
And the fact is that the Major System was never just about numbers. Limiting the Major in that ways is one of the biggest limitations learners impose on themselves.
But before we dive into how to use it bi-directionally—for both numbers and deep conceptual memory, let’s make sure you have the fundamentals locked in.
How the Major System Works in English
Now that you know where the Major System comes from, let’s break down exactly how it works. We’ll start by learning the sound-to-number code that makes it so powerful.
You start by converting the digits 0-9 into consonant sounds. This is basically a form of mnemonic chunking, a memory strategy that makes information easier to recall by breaking it down into smaller units.
The smaller these units are, the easier it is to make simple words that can be attached to meaningful associations you won’t forget.
Here’s a table of the core phonetic code used in the English version of the Major System. As you can see, each digit is linked to one or more consonant sounds, which you will eventually use to form words.
As you go through this table, you’ll notice that I’ve added a few suggestions for how to commit these pairings to memory:
0 → S or Z (sounds like the “s” in “zero”)
1 → T or D (sounds like the “t” or “d” in “toad”)
2 → N (has two downstrokes, resembles the letter “n”)
3 → M (has three downstrokes, resembles the letter “m” or a moustache on its side)
4 → R (the word “four” has four letters and ends in “r”)
5 → L (hold your whole hand with the thumb out and the hand makes the “L” shape)
6 → J, Sh, Ch, or Soft G (a cursive “j” has a similar shape to “6”)
7 → K, G (hard), C (hard), or Q (a “k” can be seen as two mirrored 7s)
8 → F or V (cursive “f” and “8” look similar)
9 → P or B (both have a loop resembling “9
What About Vowels?
Most people leave all vowels out of the system (A, E, I, O, U) .
That’s because vowels are used to form meaningful words or phrases by inserting them between the consonants.
For example, if you need to memorize 84, you can transform F and R into words like fire and fur. I’ll share a few more examples below to help you get the gist of how vowels work in combination with the consonants.
The Major System in Other Languages
Simon Luisi, a French-Canadian mnemonist and organizer of the Canadian Memory Championship event, uses a variation where 3 is also paired with W and 7 with Y.
To help people expand their Major System, Simon joined me on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast to discuss his approach in this episode:
In addition to Simon’s variations, you’ll find different versions in many languages.
Languages like Spanish and Russian each adapt the Major System’s consonant assignments to help native speakers of these languages assign the maximum number of words.
Here’s an illustration showing how the Major System looks in Russian and Ukrainian. Notice how the logic and its foundations remain, even if the exact consonants change:
In German, the Major System remains identical to English.
“Ziffern” means digit, and assembling digits into a code of meaning is exactly what you’ll be doing. No matter what language you speak, let’s next explore how to use these digit-sound pairings to make words and expand them into unforgettable mnemonic associations.
How to Turn Numbers Into Vivid Associations with the Major System
The next step is to transform sequences of numbers into vivid mental images.
To remember the number 123, you could break it down like this:
1 → T or D
2 → N
3 → M
From this arrangement, you might form the word “Denim” (D-N-M). This word is reached by inserting vowels between the consonants linked to the digits.
As you can see, D-N-M isn’t any more meaningful than 123. But once you insert the vowels to make a word, it’s easy to imagine denim. You can add even more meaning by imagining someone famous wearing denim whose name sounds similar, like James Dean.
Let’s take another example:
If you had to memorize 22, you could insert the vowel U and imagine a nun. If you had a number like 22235, you could imagine a nun attacking an “animal” like a tiger just by adding more vowels to the sequence to form words.
At this point, you’ve gone beyond mere words. You have the basis for building a narrative, which in the world of mnemonics is called the story method.
Back to the Ancients
I mentioned adding James Dean to make “denim” for 123 much more memorable.
This suggestion is based on an idea from Hugh of St. Victor, whom I mentioned above.
Don’t worry if you don’t know many celebrities.
You can also draw upon people from you real life, such as:
Now let’s take the vivid associations you’ve learned to form and give them a place to call home.
How to Use the Major System in a Memory Palace
The Memory Palace technique is one of the most powerful ways to situate the associations you’ve assigned in long-term memory. It involves selecting a familiar location and identifying a simple path for you to place figures like tiger-fighting nuns and James Dean wearing jeans.
I’m talking about locations like you:
Home
School
Church
Favorite cafes, restaurants, movie theatres
Libraries
Bookshops
Parks
The key is to develop clear mental journeys through your Memory Palaces.
They should be truly based on what is in your memory and have little or no imaginary elements (at least not in the beginning). That way your focus can fall on encoding the number-consonant associations into these spaces.
Once you’re set up, convert the numbers you need to memorize into consonants. Then form words or phrases by adding vowels or other non-consonant sounds. These words should be vivid and memorable and follow the principles you can learn by using these visualization exercises.
Next, place the words you come up with in a Memory Palace. Basically, you’re associating each word as a mnemonic image with the location.
Make each one as vivid as possible, with lots of detailed and interactivity.
Here are some examples:
Example 1: 314
3 → M 1 → T or D 4 → R Word: “Meter”
Memory Palace Placement: Imagine a large meter on the wall of your bedroom.
Example 2: 72
7 → K or G 2 → N Word: “Gun”
Memory Palace Placement: Picture a gunman standing in the kitchen, guarding the fridge.
By placing these images in specific locations within your Memory Palace, you can mentally walk through the space and easily recall the numbers associated with each image.
How to Get Numbers Into Long Term Memory
This next step is very important.
Although you will increase your ability to memorize this information greatly by not only creating a crazy image and sticking it in a Memory Palace, you can and should lock it down for the long haul.
You do this by revisiting the imagery several times. I suggest you specifically use a process called spaced repetition.
It’s really easy. You’ve created a Memory Palace and you know exactly where to look for that tiger-attacking nun 22235.
And if you’ve got ten pieces of information along that journey, it’s easy to travel it and decode each image. It’s almost like watching a movie.
I recommend that you revisit that journey and watch that movie you’ve created (making sure to decode the imagery and practice retrieving the information) at least 5 times the first day. This suggestion is based on remarks by Dominic O’Brien who created an alternative number mnemonic system called The Dominic System.
What To Do If You Have An Exam Coming Up
If you’re studying for an exam that involves historical dates or formulas, I’d recall the numbers five times a day for a week and then at least 1-2 times a week thereafter. Do this for as long as you want to keep the imagery fresh and available.
It will probably still be there if you don’t perform this Magnetic Memory Method Recall Rehearsal, but you might have to fish around for it.
But if you’re serious about being able to recall the information, you’ll revisit it more than a few times to get it down cold.
That’s just how the method of loci works best. Every good Memory Palace book stresses the same point.
And the best part is that you’ve done so without having to use index cards or any weird and boring stuff like that.
The only time that it’s good to repeat information over and over again is when you’re using your imagination to do it. That makes both your memory and your imaginative abilities stronger and stronger.
Intermediate & Advanced Major System Techniques For Memorizing Numbers
Once you have the basics of the Major Method down, you might want to learn how to create a Person Action Object (PAO) or 00-99 system. For that, please check out The 3 Most Powerful Techniques For Memorizing Numbers.
These next-level techniques for memorizing numbers will then help you in other areas, such as human anatomy. Learning numbers related to blood flow through the heart, for example, are easier and faster to absorb when using the Major System.
You can also think about using a Major System to help you memorize any book. All you need to do is call upon words or images for each page based on the page number.
For example, if you want to memorize a fact on page 75 of a book, you use an image built from the Major System to remember the location in the book. Then you use the page as the Memory Palace.
I did exactly this when I wanted to recall a point about episodic memory in Maps of Meaning. I turned 75 into John Cale and had him interacting with Freud and Shakespeare, who are related to memory science related to how we remember ancient wisdom.
You can also easily use the Major System in combination with a Memory Palace for language learning. I normally use alphabetical associations, but when I can’t think of images for some words, I just think through the consonants as numbers in the Major System and then start using that image.
Even if it’s not perfect or doesn’t exactly reflect pronunciation, it’s at least a starting point.
Although I later realized that a celebrity I’m aware of was better than my image for 07 (Oliver Sacks), at least working with Sacks to get started with “suktikarajatam” led me to think about using Sook-Yin Lee.
And just to make sure you fully understand how valuable bi-directionality goes, let’s dig deeper into this powerful dimension of the technique.
Bi-Directionality Case Study: The Hidden Superpower of the Major System
Although it’s perfectly valid to use the Major System only for memorizing numbers like PINs, historical dates and long sequences of digits, you now know there’s more to the technique than that.
As artificial intelligence ramps up, I find myself using it much more often than ever before.
Take Lindy’s Law, for example, a principle which states that the longer something exists, the more likely it will continue to exist.
To lock in that idea using the Major System, I used the number 51 because of the strong L and D in “Lindy.”
Here’s a quick YouTube short to enhance the written explanation that follows:
As you can see, I turned L and D into a name more familiar to me than Lindy: Alan Ladd. (L = 5 and D = 1).
I then imagined Alan Ladd pouring a “latte” (also 51) over a copy of Shane, his most-known film. Since this movie has endured for generations, it’s very likely it will continue to enjoy fame.
This is the power of using the Major System in a bi-directional way.
Rather than limiting yourself to using the Major System for numbers, you’re using it to encode words and concepts using the same system.
You’ve now doubled its value, if not more as you start using it to mentally catalog entire books, vocabulary lists and more with greater speed and accuracy.
Major System FAQ
As you’ve seen, the Major System is a powerful mnemonic technique that converts numbers into consonants.
By inserting vowels, you can create simple words that can be expanded into vibrant images and stories.
Let’s turn now to some of the questions I’ve received about it over the years with some answers that will help expand what you’ve just learned.
Why should I use the Major System?
Numbers are abstract and difficult to remember.
But by turning digits into images and stories, your brain remembers them.
As you’ve seen, you can also use the Major System bi-directionally. Whenever you struggle to find an association for a word or concept using the alphabetical pegword method, you can look at the numbers associated with the consonants. Then use those images.
Personally, I wish I would have started using the bi-directional approach much sooner.
Is the Major still worth learning in the age of AI?
Absolutely yes.
As you saw in the YouTube short above, I recently used it to memorize an important concept in computer science.
So if anything, it’s even more valuable now than in any other period of history.
Remember, the value of thinking in relationships, associations and patterns is beyond measure. You differentiate yourself by mastering this mnemonic system.
What’s the difference between the Major System and the Dominic System?
The Dominic System assigns numbers to people specifically using their initials.
For example, 1 = Andre the Giant, 2 = Bugs Bunny, 3 = Cheshire Cat.
Although the Dominic System is just as structured in its way, there’s a higher level of arbitrariness. You have to work harder to make the link between the associations.
The Major is much more flexible and less arbitrary. There’s a reason why you use the pope for 99 (because 9 is associated with B or P). You’re getting more value because of how easy it is to make words and logically infer why you chose them.
What about the Shadow System?
Although based on the Major, I believe the Shadow is specifically for memory competition.
In my understanding, it evolved for card memorization because competitors want to memorize multiple decks at a time. This means you will get two Jack of Hearts in row (if not more).
It’s definitely worth looking into, but I stopped learning it when I realized I would never use it.
What if I forget which vowel I inserted between the consonants?
This might happen in the beginning.
But as you establish a standard set of words for all of the 2-digit pairs, you’ll use the same associations repeatedly.
When I drilled mine to memory the first time, I put all the numbers from 00-99 on index cards. I then practiced shuffling them and naming my chosen figures.
Once I could name them all within seconds, I started practicing memorizing strings of digits.
By the time I had realized that the Major could be used bi-directionally, I was able to easily apply the same images to vocabulary and phrases.
How can I practice applying the Major System for real world benefit?
There are a number of valuable ways to practice applying the Major System once you’ve learned it. You can:
But all of the above methods are a lot of fun and I use the technique as I read often as a kind of “Magnetic Bookmark.”
Rather than putting a print bookmark into my books, I glance at the page number and have my association interact with the information on the page. That makes it easy to remember where I was in the book.
Can I use the Major System for memorizing formulas?
Yes, and the technique applies to formulas in multiple areas, from chemistry to physics, biology to computer science and programming. You can also apply the Major to speed math and becoming a mental calculator.
Here’s a video where I break down how to do exactly that:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAkiuGEs0CU
The trick is always to make sure that you are prepared with the additional symbol and alphabet systems I describe in the video above.
To give you a quick example:
When I was learning the formulas used in logic, I imagined a totem pole for totality and an air conditioner blowing cold air on one of the Ninja Turtle’s weapons for condition. These are examples of the pegword method applied to visual symbols.
For even more advanced techniques related to numbers and equations with examples, please go through my detailed tutorial on how to memorize a textbook.
What’s the role of chunking in the Major System?
The reason systems like the Major work so well is that they help you break long strings of information down into manageable units.
People who memorize large amounts of pi aren’t really memorizing dozens of digits at a time. They are memorizing how interesting images interact in their Memory Palaces.
By recalling these compelling scenarios, they “translate” them back into the original digits.
Should I apply the Magnetic Memory Method technique of KAVE COGS to the Major System?
Yes. Doing so will make your associations even stickier in your Memory Palaces.
In case you’re new to KAVE COGS, it is an acronym to help you remember to add the following multi-sensory associations:
Kinesthetic
Auditory
Visual
Emotional
Conceptual
Olfactory
Gustatory
Spatial
With “denim” for 123, you might feel what it’s like to be James Dean wearing denim and hear the zipper as you imagine looking at them.
You can smell the denim and imagine its size and really make things strange by tasting it and adding a zany concept. For example, James Dean could be trying to fit jeans over his race car, using the concept of racing to make the word denim more memorable.
What if the number-consonants don’t form words I like or want to use?
This problem is common.
And the answer is practice without thinking too much about whether one likes or dislikes the possible word options.
For example, even if I don’t care much for Thomas Szasz, but he’s a great image for 00.
In my mind, he’s more concrete than Zeus. Although Zeus is an option, there are countless pictures of this Greek god.
But Thomas Szasz is unique and that’s why I tend to use him the most.
Of course, you also have the option of more than one figure or association. That’s where the PAO System comes in because it gives you three different options.
Can kids or beginners learn the Major System?
Absolutely.
But if you or your children find it too challenging, ease your way in using number rhymes.
How do I avoid getting confused when the same digits appear twice in a Memory Palace (i.e. 33 or 44)?
This is where the Memory Palace technique really shines.
Because any duplicate numbers appear in their own spot along the Memory Palace journey, it’s difficult to get them confused.
33 on your living room recliner is not the same as the 33 in your sink.
When you add KAVE COGS in a way that includes the recliner and the sink, both the associations and the locations become even more unique.
And make sure to sign up for my free memory course here:
It gives you free worksheets and videos that walk you through getting your Memory Palaces and images created optimally in minimum time. But with maximum effect.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to get out there and master the Major System?
Make it happen!
Relearn Anything Fast: The Cure for Cognitive Deskilling
Jul 18, 2025
Believe it or not, I once lost my English skills after eight years of living abroad. As much as I loved living in Germany and speaking the language, my mother tongue underwent linguistic deskilling.
After moving back to an English-speaking country, I managed to improve my speed of expression and word selection.
But two things happened.
I stopped speaking German daily and that skill slowed down to a grind.
Plus, I stopped driving. Soon enough, my brain started deprecating that simple skill.
Even my guitar playing gets rusty if I don’t keep at it at least once a week.
More than just creating embarrassing experiences (especially on old episodes of my podcast), undergoing deskilling was a major wake-up call.
One we all need to heed because as artificial intelligence and automation ramp up, many of us are going to lose the skills we’ve needed for survival.
Including the practice we need to think clearly.
The good news is that deskilling doesn’t necessarily mean your brain has forgotten the skills entirely.
Your brain cells are just waiting for you to bring them back into action.
And in this post, I’ll give you some ideas for how to do just that.
Or if you do need to put some of your hard-earned skills on pause, you’ll discover ways to maintain them just enough so that you can hit the ground running when it’s time to relearn them.
Let’s dive in.
https://youtu.be/U1GH0teKTLo
What is Cognitive Deskilling & Why Is It Accelerating Now?
Deskilling can refer to a few things, but generally means a loss or suppression of knowledge in a topic area or skill.
In the business world, deskilling happens when new technologies or processes reduce the skills needed to complete a job.
Usually, whatever a new tool or technique that has arrived on the scene allows for core activities to be done more cheaply or easily.
According to Harry Braverman in Labor and Monopoly Capital, these processes degrade professionals in the workforce because it strips away their personal control and engagement with the world.
This dark outcome is certainly possible, and might be part of what scientists call the Reverse Flynn Effect. That’s the term for a generational decline in intelligence scores around the world.
We also have to factor in the distractions of the Internet. Along with causing digital amnesia, many adults have “forgotten” how to socialize. Meanwhile, many young people aren’t learning good social skills at all.
How I First Realized I Was Undergoing Linguistic Deskilling
I was completely floored when I realized that you can actually lose command of your mother tongue. I’m still shocked.
It dawned on me while I was still living in Berlin that I was starting to struggle with recalling very simple English words.
That’s because I almost never used English.
And when I did, it was usually over Skype, a context that robbed my brain of many non-verbal cues that the brain needs to bring spoken communication to life.
When I got to Australia after eight years in Germany, I would sometimes listen back to Magnetic Memory Method Podcast episodes recorded during my years in Berlin.
The struggle was obvious, and the more I spoke English in Australia, the more I felt my English skills come back to life.
Working with many language learners over the years, I’ve realized just how easily bilingualism can be lost.
For example, I often help people who specialize in conference interpreting. Sometimes it’s to help them get into the field.
But often, I’m asked to help interpreters regain skills with languages they’ve watched fall apart through disuse.
Why the Brain Forgets Skills You’ve Slaved to Learn
As strange as it might seem, your brain is built to forget.
When you stop practicing a skill, your brain literally assumes it’s no longer important to you. So it stops spending energy maintaining the neural pathways that support the skill.
First those pathways weaken.
Eventually they disconnect entirely.
Or at least, that’s one theory.
The memory scientist Richard Semon thought it highly unlikely that a complete disconnection takes place.
His theory of engrams and how information is chemically encoded in the brain suggested that traces always remain. With the right ecphory or contextual triggering, he thought it was possible to revive lost memories and old skills.
But long before I knew anything about him, I found myself losing my native language, just like the people discussed in this New York Times assessment of how easy it is to lose fluency in your mother tongue.
Here are four ways that have worked for me. People who have contributed to my testimonials page report similar success.
Strategy #1: Ritual Repetition with Purpose
Since we know that deskilling happens when neurons disconnect, strategic reconnection is key.
I’ve practiced a basic ritual to keep my German skills basically intact, primarily through reading and listening.
As an avid fan of philosophy, from Nietzsche to the Advaita Vedanta at the core of The Victorious Mind, I read German books and articles that force me to think in the language.
I also listen to podcasts weekly and at least one video interview with a German author, musician or artist.
This ritual is not about drills in German.
It’s about encounters with meaning.
I could definitely do more to meet and speak with people in German.
But I’ve found that if I just keep reading, writing and listening to the language, I can get back into the flow of speaking the language relatively quickly.
This approach works because of the levels of processing effect, or what I often call the Big Five of Language learning.
Except in this case, I’m only maintaining part of the learning cycle elements. As a result, a sufficient number of connections survive in the brain to make the skill easier and faster to revive later.
Strategy #2: Engage All the Senses & Embody the Skill
Most skills involve movement.
So when I wanted to revive my driving skills, I had to get in a car and drive.
It sounds obvious, but how often do we say “someday,” only to wait until our skills are so atrophied, we’ve completely eliminated the possibility of relearning them?
Just as getting behind the wheel and spending lots of hours driving re-skilled my brain, I often have to make myself play my guitars to physically engage with the instruments.
Sure, I can think intellectually about music.
But to maintain your skills, you can’t just study them on paper.
You have to live them.
Bring them into the physical world.
Strategy #3: Develop an Anti-Deskilling Habit Stack
Here’s the fastest way I know to fight back against losing skills you’ve worked hard to develop:
Create a morning habit stack that combines as many of the skills you want to maintain as possible.
This kind of dual-purpose learning builds grit and resilience while fighting against deskilling.
In other words, one of the best ways to deal with deskilling is to never let it happen in the first place.
Strategy #4: Use Metaphor as “Memory Glue”
As I shared in my list of books on learning, one text in particular talks about “predictive processing.” The principle shows that when we use certain metaphors, we set the course for how we’ll perform in the future.
In other words, if you think positively about your ability to maintain or rebuild lost skills, you’ll help yourself make it happen.
Andy Clark talks a lot about predictive processing in his excellent book, The Experience Machine. I also made it the core of my video about how George Clooney used mental metaphors to reduce his chronic pain:
https://youtu.be/T9oNgt1MY70
Finally, Barbara Oakley talks about how thinking can either help you or hinder you in Mindshift:
With intelligence, you see the options, but you also see the barriers. This means that the smarter you are, the easier it can be to talk yourself out of things.
I don’t know about you, but I prefer to talk myself into things, provided they’re good things to do. Like maintaining a language, driving safely, and playing a musical instrument well for life .
To help with that, you can apply metaphors. I’ve done this many times, and started doubling down after Nir Eyal shared how he’s helped people choose better metaphors in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
My favorite example of metaphors leading to fantastic skills-based outcomes was reported in this Duke University Study.
In the controlled experiment, participants were told to think of themselves as art thieves when viewing an exhibition. Those who used this memory metaphor were able to retain information longer compared to those who had no mental metaphor at all.
After all, people come to memory training courses like mine because their ability to recall has been deskilled.
So by thinking of their memory in combination with an empowering metaphor, they are able to get back on their feet with techniques like the Memory Palace much faster.
The Metaphor That Keeps My Mind Skilled
My preferred metaphor is to think of my mind as “Magnetic.”
Sure, it’s the name of my brand.
But its meaning is profound.
Magnets stick things in place so they’re easy to find when you need them.
But magnets also repel. And in the case of my training, I show you how to repel distractions so you remain focused on learning new skills.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deskilling, Memory & Recovering Lost Skills
Many people email me with questions about why their brains seem to “delete” skills they’ve worked so hard to build.
This list of frequently asked questions and answers will help you understand more about why this happens. And how to fight back with memory improvement routines.
What exactly is cognitive deskilling?
This term refers to either the quick or gradual erosion of your cognitive abilities.
When it comes to languages, “linguistic deskilling” describes the loss of ability in either your mother tongue or another language you’ve learned.
Sometimes scientists call what I went through during my years of speaking very little English in Germany “first language attrition.” This scientific article goes deep on the topic.
When it comes to losing your familiarity with a topic, forgetting happens for similar reasons. Your brain literally lets the neuronal connections decay.
What’s important to understand is that cognitive deskilling is not related to temporary memory blocks.
Deskilling refers specifically to deep structural decline in the brain.
How long does it take to relearn a forgotten skill?
In case the idea of context dependent memory is new to you, the basic idea is this:
When first learning a topic, you’re in a particular state. Due to how memory cueing works, any time you’re in that state, you’ll recall the skill or information better.
To give you a concrete example, many people ask me why they can use language learning apps and excel. But whenever they try to speak the language in the real world, they fail.
This is because their state dependence on the app environment has not translated or transferred to the real world.
Although what I’ve said sounds like a detour from the original question, it’s actually the direct answer:
The more you can get yourself in the context or state of original learning, the faster you’ll regain the skill. You just have to make sure that you have developed the skill in the first place.
Sometimes, as in the case of people who use language learning apps, it’s not always the case that the skill was sufficiently learned. Please keep that in mind if you find yourself struggling.
Can AI tools cause deskilling?
Absolutely, and the decay ranges from writing to critical thinking.
When I was first concerned about the rise of AI, I reached out to Andrew Mayne, host of the OpenAI podcast. In this episode of my show, he shares strategies you can use to make sure you’re keeping your skills sharp.
There’s no need for you to lose them. None at all.
What’s the difference between forgetting and deskilling?
Forgetting specifically involves the failure to retrieve information.
It involves partial forgetting, temporary forgetting or permanent forgetting.
Deskilling, on the other hand, involves the degradation of a skill.
Think of forgetting as not being able to find the handle on a door. It’s still there, but you just can’t find it.
When it comes to deskilling, the handle has been removed. No matter how much you search, you won’t find it. You’ll have to insert a new one (or even build a new one from scratch).
What if I want to pause a skill but not lose it?
As with my maintenance of German, I suggest that you pause only parts of the skill.
For example, I still read, write and listen to German even though I rarely speak it. This partial engagement with the language helps prevent losing it completely.
I also haven’t practiced Systema in a gym for years. But I write and think about Systema often. And about once a year I manage to practice it with a sparring partner.
In other words, I cannot recommend a complete pause. I suggest only partial pauses so that your brain maintains a certain level of connection. That way it will be much easier to restore the skill later.
How can I use the Magnetic Memory Method to prevent deskilling?
A few ways:
Journal often, including about your identity, linked to well-chosen metaphors
Use a lot of mnemonic images to you connect specifically with skills you want to maintain
Develop an anti-deskilling stack and show up to it consistently
Focus on encoding your desired skills as deeply into memory as possible using the Memory Palace technique
If you need help with developing well-formed Memory Palaces, feel free to register for this free course:
Completing the four video lessons and three included worksheets will help you stop forgetting things quite so often.
You’ll not only start recalling specific details with greater accuracy.
Soon, your mind will solve problems with greater creativity as well.
Including the problem of removing all the barriers that lead to unwanted deskilling.
You’ll be practicing the cognitive architecture you’ve worked so hard to build, strengthening your mind and memory.
And enjoying a life of learning and continual growth, all based around skills that never fade.
The Memory Master Who Trained Geniuses: Jacobus Publicius
Jul 11, 2025
Jacobus Publicius is one of the forgotten forefathers of systematized mental training.
Until now.
And we sure need him in today’s world.
Whereas many people today reach for brain exercise apps, I recommend you train with his memory wheel technique.
Why?
For one thing, his influence on mnemonic theory was so strong, his book was copied thousands of times.
Other memory experts borrowed his visual alphabet and built upon his memory improvement program.
But there’s nothing quite like the original.
Especially when the focus is on exercises that make both your thinking speed and your memory sharper.
That’s why in this post I’ll explain everything you need to know about this incredible scholar, physician and rhetorician.
This article includes how to get started using his incredible memory and brain training program.
It’s the kind of training that helped people during the Renaissance build beautiful buildings, research the cosmos and usher in many of the innovations we still enjoy today.
https://youtu.be/m6t41VxTPsk
Who Was Jacobus Publicius? And Why Should Memory Students Still Read Him?
Unfortunately, not much is known about Jacobus Publicius other than he was a physician, poet and professor of rhetoric who taught at a variety of universities in the fifteenth century.
Sometimes called Oratoriae Artis Epitoma, this book also shows that he designed a chessboard, including an Alfil piece.
Beyond that, little is known about him.
But his influence was huge.
And the reason we should study him is simple:
It helps us better understand the better known memory improvement books of Robert Fludd and Giordano Bruno.
There’s no question that Fludd’s number-shape images and mnemonic alphabet were heavily influenced by Publicius.
And although we often take Ramon Lull’s memory wheels as the source of influence on Bruno, there’s reason to believe that Bruno copied a great deal of his On the Composition of Images from Publicius.
Influence on Universities
Because Publicius traveled so much to teach at various schools, his book and his teaching instituted memory training in schools.
Although many would have had Rhetorica ad Herennium to draw upon, that famous book is not nearly as high-powered as what Publicius offered those seeking mental training routines.
Plus, we have to take into account the fact that the printing press was relatively new in Europe. As Lynne Kelly puts it in Memory Craft, his was the first of many printed memory guides.
If Publicius really did print the first memory guide in Europe, it would have been a very novel learning resource indeed. Any other memory books at the time would have been by people like Aristotle, Aquinas and Augustine, important texts that copyists would have hand-copied and kept in circulation.
The Publicius Memory Wheel Explained
If you want to know how to use this particular memory wheel, it’s important to begin with what Publicius is not offering.
This matters for one very important reason:
Unfortunately, many people believe that our ancestors used memory wheels as a kind of Memory Palace.
You can use memory wheels in a few different ways, ranging from critical thinking and asking questions in a particular order to generating mnemonic images.
It’s for the purposes of training your brain to rapidly come up with mnemonic associations that Publicius offers his memory wheel.
In the image above, you can see one kind of memory wheel that Publicius included in his book.
Notice the snake in the center.
It was actually meant to be spun by the person reading the book. That makes this form of the memory wheel a kind of volvelle.
The Uniqueness of Volvelles in Memory Training
Volvelles are charts that operate like analog computers, compressing information into smaller spaces. In this case, the information helps you play a game.
For example, in the image above, the snake’s head faces C and the tail points at F.
You get memory exercise in coming up with mnemonic images by placing vowels between the consonants C and F to create words.
Playing it myself now, I can think of:
Caffeine
CEFR (a European language learning framework)
Cipher
Coffee
Cuff
Now, you’ll notice that I haven’t strictly placed the F consonant at the end of each word.
That’s fine. The point is to get in some mental exercise and stretch the mind to play the game as closely as possible to the rules.
Although this is just one kind of memory wheel explained, I hope you find it useful. You certainly can use it as a kind of Memory Palace, but that’s not at all the point in the case of Publicius’ book.
The next part teaches you how to write letters elegantly.
Finally, his Ars Memoritiva (art of memory) takes you through how to use what he considered the best memory techniques.
Although there’s overlap with other memory trainers, such as Peter of Ravenna, the uniqueness of his book on memory boils down to:
The memory wheel with the movable snake
His visual mnemonic alphabet
Descriptions of how to use a chessboard as a Memory Palace
Another unique aspect of Publicius’ work is the woodcut illustrations.
Some people believe these were created for him by Erhard Ratdolt, but I haven’t been able to confirm this as a fact.
Whoever created them, each illustration is evocative and helpful for understanding Publicius’ program.
Publicius vs. Bruno, Ricci & Other Memory Masters
Many people ask me who is the best memory expert to read from the world of ancient memory techniques.
Although it’s natural to want to optimize your learning journey, I believe it’s best to keep your learning goal in mind.
For example, if you want to learn Chinese, you can take inspiration from Matteo Ricci. He was the Jesuit memory master who travelled to China, so without question his goals will align with your own.
Or, if you’re interested in philosophy, Bruno’s use of the memory wheel for ars combinatoria (the art of combination) puts you in the right ballpark.
But when it comes to a book that combines memory training with mental fitness exercises, Publicius is fantastic.
I just wouldn’t suggest reading any of these older Memory Palace books as stand-alone textbooks. They all have their strengths and complement one another.
Exploring Publicius: Key Questions About His Memory System and Legacy
If what you’ve discovered so far interests you, the following question might be on your mind.
Or, there might be some angles to consider that you haven’t yet considered.
Let me answer them for you now.
Why don’t more people know about Publicius today?
In addition to the fact that people like Carruthers commented on and translated Publicius without working as mnemonists themselves, a much bigger problem emerged in the 20th century.
Harry Lorayne, who was unquestionably influential, hid his references. Rather than name his sources, he would just say that he learned memory techniques from “dusty old books in the library.”
Tony Buzan was a bit more oriented towards sharing his sources.
But not that much more. In The Memory Book, he presents SEM3 as if the mnemonic system is utterly unique to himself.
That’s a shame because Publicius was not like this. He talks about many other figures in his writing and their influence on him.
And my work on the Magnetic Memory Method blog, YouTube channel and podcast has always shared as many other memory books, courses and other resources as I can possibly study.
What makes Publicius’ memory wheel different from other ancient memory tools?
Unlike other memory wheels, this one specifically trains your mind to get good at coming up with mnemonic associations at speed.
You could potentially use it as a Memory Palace, but that’s not its express purpose.
Publicius actually teaches the Memory Palace technique separately. There’s nothing particularly new in that section, so I suggest you dive deep into his exercises. Not all of them involve the wheel, but most benefit from referring to it.
Are these techniques still effective in the age of apps and AI?
In a word, yes.
Even if people eventually adopt brain implants, I believe some of them will still want to switch off, unplug and train using their “native” brains.
As things stand now, so many are talking about how AI is leading to brain rot.
Sabine Hossenfelder recently predicted in this video that brain exercise and memory training would rise in importance.
And Andrew Mayne, host of the Open AI Podcast recently wrote in support of my work:
“Anthony is a brilliant teacher and scholar of ancient memory methods. I think people like him are going to be even more important as we become dependent on AI.”
Although it’s possible that one day we won’t need memory training techniques, I think that’s unlikely.
Even if we only use them for fun in the future, we’ll still want to know about and use a wide range of memory training routines. Including those offered by Publicius.
Can I combine the memory wheel with the Memory Palace technique?
Yes, and by completing the exercises offered by Publicius, you’ll increase the likelihood of success.
I’m actually working on that now with an experiment that I share in the Rules Reborn video supplements.
So far the approach is working great and I’ll share more in the future.
What kind of learner will benefit most from Publicius’ approach to memory improvement?
Although I believe everyone will find his training useful, I think specifically this book is helpful for people who:
Need help sharpening their mental processing speed
Want an alternative approach to the modern pegword method
Yunkaporta also said I might become the first person to identify a “unified theory of memory.”
As kind as that is as a complement, I believe that theory has long been with us. I prefer the custodian part, and believe it’s my duty to combine my many years of using memory techniques with providing versions of older books with commentaries from this perspective.
I want to help you better understand what Publicius was talking about. And help you put his techniques and training tips into action.
Should I start with Publicius if I’m totally new to memory training?
The liberal part of my brain says that you should start with whatever appeals to you.
But if you are already struggling with modern memory improvement books, the answer is probably not.
Although I’ve done my best to modernize his ideas and fill in the gaps left by his “shorthand” style, there’s still an assumption that you already know at least something about memory techniques.
It could also be the case that memory training books aren’t the right medium at all. If that’s the case, you will likely benefit from going through my list of memory training courses instead.
Or, memory coaching might be the best option, something I offer myself to very serious clientele.
Ultimately, there are too many places to start. So my best advice is to find someone you know, like and trust.
But instead of just asking them what to read or study, tell them your learning goals. That will enable your memory mentor to guide you with much greater specificity.
In sum, Publicius offers challenging mental activities that take people who already know a little something about memory techniques to the next level.
I’ve done my best to make his work approachable for anyone who can read at a high school level, so it’s definitely worth having in your collection. Even if only for future use.
Where Can I Read Publicius Today?
You can find versions of Publicius’ work in Latin across the web.
The only English version I’m aware of is in Carruthers’ Medieval Craft of Memory.
However, she doesn’t seem to be a mnemonist, which is why I created my own version.
Not only is the translation in that compilation loaded with long walls of text, it misses the meaning of the suggestions, steps and explicit memory training instructions.
If you’d like to read my adaptation, it’s called Rules Reborn.
In addition to completely rewriting the book based on an in-depth analysis of numerous versions, I wrote a full commentary.
Plus, I recorded the audiobook myself and included a full set of detailed videos to walk you through the various illustrations.
Final Thoughts: Restoring Lost Memory Wisdom For Contemporary Use
Memory training isn’t just about passing exams or learning languages.
As Publicius makes clear, you can use the techniques to think faster, and even enjoy a more aesthetic mind.
He talks about health, sleep and diet too, reminding us that memory is a holistic discipline.
This point is so important in a world that often treats memory techniques as “tricks.”
Medieval memory training and other cognitive memory systems of the Renaissance are about so much more.
They help you learn like a polymath, expanding how much information you can process and retain.
Just looking at people from previous periods and all they accomplished offers us more than enough proof that such mental training activities work.
Their success wasn’t produced by magic. It was created through deliberate practice and consistent mental training.
Jacobus Publicius gave us one of the earliest and most elegant systems for sharpening the mind.
Not only is it still usable today. It’s fascinating, inspiring and a means of connecting with intellectual history.
If you’re ready to experience how this forgotten memory master trained Renaissance minds to brilliance, Rules Reborn is your invitation to step inside his world.
You’ll not only bring the techniques back to life. You’ll also enjoy the rebirth of your mind, memory and speed of thought.
Memory, Mentats & Mental Mastery with John Michael Greer
Jul 03, 2025
If you’re looking to unlock the ancient memory techniques used by philosophers, mystics, and mental elites throughout history, this is the conversation for you.
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, John Michael Greer returns to reveal how memory systems from thinkers like Giordano Bruno and Ramon Llull can help us reclaim our cognitive power in the AI age.
Why do these long-dead figures matter more than ever in today’s world?
For one thing, a lot of people are scrambling to work out how to survive in a world in which remembering how to think is quickly becoming as scarce as human memory.
But Greer offers hope.
As a renowned author, translator of Giordano Bruno’s On the Shadows of the Ideas, and long-time student of multiple esoteric traditions, Greer joined me again to discuss the growing importance of memory training.
But what makes this episode special is that we’re not talking about just any old kind of training.
And we’re definitely not talking about your everday, average memory tricks.
You’re about to hear about real mental training, the kind that once produced polymaths, philosophers and masters of the mind who inspired the Mentat you’ve read about in Dune.
But don’t let the fictional reference distract from the value at hand. Everything we discuss accords perfectly with memory science, particularly the science of mental imagery.
As part of this discussion, Greer and I also explore his upcoming book project on medieval and Renaissance mental disciplines, a work I’m looking forward to reading very much.
We also cover the overlap between historical mnemonic systems and why reviving these ancient practices is absolutely essential in an age increasingly dominated by machine thinking.
Why you should explore the Trivium and Quadrivium as tools for modern mental clarity
Greer also shares insights into his current Latin translation work, John Dee research, and what the Twilight of Pluto means for our cultural moment.
No matter what happens, Greer believes memory techniques can thrive again.
But likely not in Silicon Valley.
They will rise again in the ruins of the cultures that resist.
Why not start resisting now?
Whether you’re a memory athlete, aspiring Mentat, or simply tired of outsourcing your intelligence to devices, this episode will give you both intellectual fuel and practical direction.
Bonus: John Michael Greer on Bruno’s On The Shadows of the Ideas
During my first discussion with Greer, we focus on Bruno’s memory systems and the nature of knowledge from what Greer calls “the rubbish heap of history.”
We also dig into Greer’s translation of On the Shadows of the Ideas by Giordano Bruno.
Finally, we discuss an old and mysterious book called The Picatrix. Like the Ars Notoria, it kind of freaks me out a bit, but Greer puts my mind at ease.
Press play and listen in as we discuss:
The value of “intellectual dumpster diving” to preserve ancient ideas
Why adding more to a text than a literal translation allows can be self-serving, yet somehow can’t be avoided
The limits of historical clarity in the age of photocopies (which are often of other photocopies)
Why Bruno’s memory theory remains of great importance to the art of memory
The reason subject/abject memorization is the most sophisticated method to memorize text
The deep mystery behind why alphabet-based mnemonics fell out of favor in modern times
And why overwhelm can occur, even when using a sequence as simple as the alphabet
Why memory, secrecy and initiation were inseparable in Bruno’s world
The reason Frances Yates’ ideas about Bruno should be viewed with discernment
The delusion of treating history as a straight line, and why this idea is wildly inaccurate, given the way the universe operates
Giordano Bruno
Further Resources on the web, the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast and blog:
My How to Think and Remember Like the Mentat video on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/ijm66YXxWfQ
Cognitive Training Myths Busted: 5 Authentic Brain Boosters To Try
Jun 19, 2025
Are you wondering if brain training actually works?
You’re not alone. Many people try memory apps or puzzle games only to wind up disappointed.
The truth is that real cognitive training doesn’t come from playing games on flashy apps.
As the founder of the Magnetic Memory Method, author of The Victorious Mind, and a memory coach with over a decade of hands-on experience, I’ve helped thousands of people get real results.
The results come from proven mental techniques used by memory champions, language learners, and even brain injury survivors.
In this post, you’ll discover what cognitive training really is.
I’ll also expose why most apps fail.
And you’ll discover 5 research-backed ways that actually improve your memory, focus, and learning speed.
The best part?
The improvements you seek can start to emerge faster than you might think.
Ready to dive in?
Great, but before we get to any specific routines you should follow, let’s address the elephant in the room.
Can Cognitive Training Really Improve Memory?
The answer is absolutely yes.
But you actually have to train.
You can’t be passive about it.
And you also have to actually need cognitive training.
See, sometimes people who struggle with brain fog actually have dietary issues.
Brain training alone won’t help them. Instead, they need to take a permanent break from foods that harm the brain.
If you have any concerns about these issues, please see a doctor. Although my blog contains information about recovering memory after a stroke, it’s far better for you to avoid having such medical issues in the first place.
And that’s not to mention an entire range of problems only a trained medical professional can help you sort out.
But if you’ve been told by a doctor that you need to look up some examples of cognitive training to give your brain a boost, then cool. Let’s carry on.
Cognitive Training Explained: How It Works & Why It Matters
As I explained in my post on spaced repetition, cognitive skill training was first studied by scientists in the late 19th century.
In brief, Hermann Ebbinghaus trained himself to memorize over 2000 nonsense syllables. Then, in his quest to understand the nature of memory as a cognitive ability, he tracked how long he was able to remember them.
Learning to use spaced repetition to defeat the Forgetting Curve started in earnest with the research of Hermann Ebbinghaus.
In a phrase, the definition of cognitive training boils down to brain plasticity. It’s the idea that certain activities can make your brain better.
These activities can involve everything from neurobics to brain games and memory games. One of my favorite neurobic activities is juggling while reciting the alphabet backwards:
The key thing is to avoid brain training apps. Scientists now agree that the evidence just isn’t there to support using them.
If Apps Don’t Help, What Does?
For the “training” part to be meaningful, it’s important that you’re consistent. Sadly, consistency to their chosen source of mental stimulation is a step many people miss.
I also covered this issue in detail during my Reddit AMA on memory and learning, where you’ll find dozens of questions about getting real brain boosts in the context of various people’s lives.
Cognitive Training Benefits
Now, provided that the activities you choose actually provide cognitive improvement, you stand to enjoy all kinds of benefits. These include:
Technically, there are no downsides. Using your mind is a wonderful thing to do.
However, self-deception is a problem. People wind up spending a lot of time on activities that don’t actually do much for them.
For example, a lot of the brain training apps create what is called context dependent or state dependent benefits. These terms mean that although you might become more skilled in the environment of an online brain training game, the skills won’t transfer to real life.
Unlike using memory techniques discovered by people like myself and memory expert Lynne Kelly who wrote Memory Craft, most cognitive training apps do little or nothing to combat Alzheimer’s or dementia.
That said, there are some legit activities you can pursue. Let’s take a look.
5 Science-Based Mental Exercises That Boost Brain Power
As we go through this list, start thinking about how you can incorporate one or two of these activities into your daily life.
Remember: It’s consistency that matters. It just simply isn’t “training” without at least 3-4 sessions per week.
Because they let you cheat. It’s way too easy to look up the answers.
You need games that push you a little, such as these memory exercises you can play with on your own.
Other challenging games include live-action role-playing games. Sometimes I host Memory Detective, for example.
To make sure this game involves lots of memory exercise, I wrote a novel tie-in called Flyboy. Knowing the story not only allows you to “play along” as a detective uses memory techniques to help him save the day and solve a crime.
You also get a lot of passive memory exercise because you’re tapping into a story you’ve read.
Also consider playing games where you need to make decisions, games with dice, card games or even some of the games memory competitors play.
If you can’t pick a language, go for either Latin or something like Sanskrit phrases.
The reason is that you can memorize a lot of useful wisdom in those languages. You get both the benefit of some language learning and powerful ideas that can guide you in life at the same time.
Talk about an incredible mental fitness routine!
Four: Learn Music
Did you know that you don’t have to play an instrument to benefit from learning music?
Even just studying some music theory can give you cognitive training benefits.
Or you can sing. As one study found, people who sing have the same or even better benefits than people who know about other ways to train their brains.
Singing also reduces stress, which is great because reduced stress helps you pay attention better. And that means you can learn and remember more.
Personally, I’ve toured as a musician and although I’m retired from gigging, still keep expanding my musical knowledge.
The benefits are clear. Each new song or theoretical principle I learn stretches my mind.
The key is to lean into new challenges, but never to the point of frustration.
Whenever you get frustrated by a challenge, scale back to where you feel challenged just a touch outside your comfort zone.
That way, you’ll have a healthy relationship to how musical cognitive training can improve your brain.
To get started developing your memory tools, complete this simple exercise:
List a number of locations from A-Z on paper
Then list a number of people you know, also from A-Z
Later, you can use these as Memory Places and mnemonic associations.
But it’s this initial exercise that oils your brain. No matter how rusty you might feel, this one simple exercise will get you started with the ancient art of memory.
And to help you lean into the challenge, I’ve created this powerful free training. Give it a try to start building a brain that remembers everything you learn.
Once you start using these techniques to combat your cognitive decline, you’ll discover what I believe is the ultimate cognitive skills training.
Not only does mastering memory techniques give your mind a powerful workout and great brain exercise.
It helps you reflect on the nature of what it means to have a mind.
It just doesn’t get any better than that, especially since better memory makes it easy to learn and remember cool terms like “metacognition.”
FAQ: Cognitive Training & Mental Exercise
Over the past decade, I’ve worked with thousands of people using memory techniques to improve their cognitive abilities.
These people include students, professionals, even stroke survivors.
As the creator of the Magnetic Memory Method and author of The Victorious Mind, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t when it comes to brain training.
These are the most common questions I hear about cognitive training—along with answers rooted in both science and experience.
Q: Do cognitive training apps really work?
Most apps provide short-term gains in the specific tasks they train.
But research shows these benefits from pattern recognition or matching games often don’t transfer to how you use memory and focus for learning in everyday life.
For lasting results, hands-on methods like memory techniques, language learning, or problem-solving games are far more effective.
Q: What are examples of real cognitive training?
True cognitive training includes memory techniques like the Memory Palace, learning new languages, playing musical instruments, solving logic puzzles, and engaging in complex reading or writing tasks.
These activities challenge multiple areas of the brain and build transferable cognitive strength.
Q: How often should I do cognitive training exercises?
Aim for at least 3–4 sessions per week, around 15–30 minutes each.
As with physical fitness, consistency matters more than duration.
Real improvements come from steady, repeated engagement with mentally demanding tasks.
Q: Can cognitive training help with memory loss or brain fog?
It can, but only when paired with lifestyle changes.
Poor memory is often linked to sleep deprivation, stress, diet, or underlying health issues.
If you’re experiencing brain fog, talk to a doctor.
And ask them about cognitive training as a powerful supplement to a healthier lifestyle.
Q: Is there a best cognitive training method?
No single method fits everyone.
But memory techniques (like the Memory Palace) consistently deliver strong, research-backed results.
The key is to choose something challenging that you will enjoy learning and stick with it.
Language learning is one of the best activities for helping your brain develop cognitive reserve, as evidenced by this research paper, among many others.
Q: What about using AI-based tools for cognitive training?
This question is tricky because search engines like Google were the most powerful AI humanity had ever seen until Chat-GPT.
But the Flynn Effect and how it shows IQ scores declining should give us pause.
Using AI is amazing and I do it frequently. But I still get offline as much as possible for learning and other aspects of life.
AI is an assistant and a supplement to human cognition, not necessarily a trainer or a solution to our thinking problems.
Your brain still needs deliberate, challenging training, just like it did in Ebbinhaus’ time. So if you’re going to ask it questions about how to train, make sure to include offline suggestions.
In fact, I’ve been doing that myself when it comes to dealing with some career burnout I’ve been experiencing. It has been helpful and I’ve been happy to see that it supports the suggestions you’ve encountered today.
In sum, cognitive training does really improve your brain, your memory and your ability to focus.
You just need to make sure you rule out other issues, pick the activities that suit your desired goals and engage in those activities consistently.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to start enjoying true cognitive training?
Make it happen!
Learn a New Language Fast: 5 Steps & 14 Best Practices
Jun 17, 2025
The best way to learn any new language is to establish a five‑part loop:
Set a micro‑goal (e.g. “hold a 3‑minute café chat in 30 days”).
Develop familiarity with the sounds & script before any of the other steps
Build a core vocabulary by memorizing your first 50 mission‑critical words using the Memory Palace technique.
Practice the “Big 5” skills of language learning daily:
Memorize new words and phrases
Speak
Read
Write
Listen
Get feedback and reiterate weekly to test your progress and get corrections from at least one native speaker.
Stick to this loop for 15 minutes × 3 sessions a day and you can hit A2 in approximately 90 days.
That’s exactly what I did to pass A2 when I lived in Germany.
I did it again to pass level III in Mandarin in an even shorter period of time.
Of course, there’s a bit more nuance to each of these steps.
And that’s what I’m going to share with you on this page
We’ll go through each step in detail and you’ll learn fourteen additional best practices used by the world’s most accomplished language learners.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgUsv2TZlKs
How To Learn A Language in 5 Steps
Step One: Set a Micro Goal
Having taught people how to improve their memory so they can learn languages faster, I’ve noted one major trend.
Many people make language learning hard on themselves by having an “all or nothing” attitude.
In reality, languages are learned with much greater ease by using what scientists call chunking.
This term means that you break a learning task down into the smallest possible unit.
Many people start by learning how to say hello, please and thank you in their target language.
Once you complete that simple goal, you set another goal. Or as I sometimes prefer to think of them, “missions.”
How to Set Language Learning Goals You’ll Love Completing
When I first started learning German seriously, my classes at the Hartnackschule in Berlin provided these small missions.
Later, I had to provide my own language learning missions.
To do this, I asked one simple question:
“What do I want to be able to speak about next?”
My choices will differ from yours.
But to give you some examples, I played in a band at the time. So I chose music-related topics to help fashion my goals.
I also taught Film Studies at the University of Saarland, so regularly memorized words and phrases related to this industry.
A2 was passed quite easily. That’s because the courses I took told me what I needed to learn.
But it was crafting my own missions that got me fluent. Because I spent time working out what I wanted to talk about.
And now you know how to create your own goals and missions too.
Step Two: Develop Familiarity with the Sounds and Script of the Language
Before diving into memorizing words or grammar rules, it’s helpful to get comfortable with how the language looks and sounds.
For example, I took a phonology course for that when I first started learning German. Likewise with Mandarin further down the road.
It’s also useful to learn the International Phonetic Alphabet. This set of symbols will help you with pronunciation, which is essential to being understood.
It’s also important to immerse yourself in the rhythms of the language. You can easily do this by:
Watching YouTube videos
Enjoying popular movies in the language
Listening to audiobooks
Even if you don’t understand much yet, this passive exposure will help your brain attune to the phonic features of the language.
Learning Writing Systems
Depending on the language, you may need to learn an entirely new writing system.
I had to do that with Mandarin by learning the hanzi.
You don’t want to rush, and some languages simply require more from your brain’s ability to associate sight and sound.
The point is that you will want to develop this kind of sensory familiarity between sound and sight to reduce mental friction later.
Your brain will stop having to ask, “What is the sound of this symbol?”
As a result, you’ll be free to focus on memorizing more vocabulary and phrases without interruption while studying.
Step Three: Build a Core Vocabulary
Once you’re familiar with the sounds and script of your language, it’s time to start building your vocabulary.
You’ll want to start small based on the goal-setting process and chunking we discussed above.
There’s lots of advice people give about organizing vocabulary by category and using word frequency lists, but I stick personally to the missions to work out what words I need to focus on.
That’s because taking classes and learning with native speakers does a lot of the organizing.
Using Memory Techniques for Language Learning
Given that you know how to create goals, let’s talk about getting your first round of vocabulary into your long-term memory.
Learning to use memory techniques for language learning well is one of the best ways to rapidly accelerate your practice. Mnemonics help because:
The Memory Palace technique allows you to rapidly scale the number of words and phrases you can remember
Effective association through multi-sensory visualization makes words and meanings incredibly “sticky”
In fact, the memory techniques optimize how you practice recalling information in a way that strengthens your memory overall.
Step Four: Practice the Big Five of Language Learning
In order to create momentum and progress, it’s important to balance multiple levels of processing everything involved in learning and using your chosen language.
To do that, you’ll want to learn the major “meta learning” skills that make achieving fluency possible.
These activities can be broken down into what I like to call The Big 5 Of Language Learning. I’ve illustrated them for you with this diagram:
These five elements are based on a scientific principle called the “levels of processing”
How do I know they are valid?
Because researchers continually confirm their value in research papers like this one about Stephen Krashen’s input theory.
How the “Big Five” of Language Learning Works
And as the illustration above shows, giving yourself enough exposure to achieve the levels of processing effect requires you to combine:
Memory
Reading
Writing
Listening
Speaking
It’s not a question of which one of these learning activities is most important.
It’s the holistic combination of all them that matters in the end. When I start a new language, I put each and every one of these activities into a learning cycle and interleave between them.
So far, only Hebrew, Sanskrit and Chinese have put speed bumps in my path. That’s because I had to learn their character systems first. But thanks to memory techniques, that didn’t take long.
Once you can read the language of the alphabet you’re dealing with, there are effective ways to combine listening and reading. You can do that by combining certain tools, like setting up subtitles on Netflix or the story narration program.
You can also get great writing practice at the same time you speak, by repeating what you put on the page verbally either before or after putting it down on paper. These days, you can also explore language learning with chatGPT, which I’ve found helpful in small doses.
Both writing and speaking are very important for learning a language. By reading aloud what you’ve written, you double-down on the benefits and learn faster.
Any decent language learning class will make you go through these steps, but if you don’t also get yourself to do it on your own, you’ll struggle to learn your language.
Step Five: Get Feedback by Learning with Native Speakers
Learning in isolation is possible.
For example, I’ve achieved a lot in Latin purely by studying on my own.
But for most of us, it only gets us so far.
Why?
Because language learners need feedback.
And when you meet regularly with native speakers, you get instant feedback.
Please don’t wait to get started. Speaking before you’re “ready” is a key strategy and provides you with one of the fastest ways to improve.
You can watch me put this into practice in this video with me and my Ukrainian teacher during our very first lesson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_dNtRuBRno
What’s the best way to find native speakers?
Join a language exchange forum or website
Schedule a call with a professional teacher and use Zoom (like you see in my Ukrainian learning documentary video above)
Find a local tutor through a school or by placing an ad
Even just 10-15 minutes of interaction a few times a week can reveal gaps you’re not aware you have.
I suggest recording every session and then applying memory techniques later.
When you combine speaking with each of the other Big Five language learning activities, you’ll lock vocabulary, phrases and grammar principles into long-term memory effectively.
And you’ll build confidence as you go, which leads to competence in the language.
The Best Practices That Get Languages Learned Faster
Now that you have my five best steps under your belt, let’s talk about some best practices.
These suggestions are based on my years of experience interviewing and being friends with some of the world’s leading polyglots.
Their advice has helped me so much and I’m confident these considerations will help you achieve fluency too.
Accept that mistakes will be made and be willing to learn from them.
Exploring and acquiring the best language learning materials.
Developing the courage to speak the language.
Use a journal to set your goals. It will help you gain clarity on what really matters because you can see your intentions more objectively.
Some people will need to spend more time learning these skills than others. But they can all be learned and improved as you go.
Best Practice Two: Choose The Best Possible Language Learning Materials
This step is tricky, but also very doable.
First, just accept that some risk is involved. You might end up buying a book or course that just doesn’t suit you.
This circles back to mindset, particularly managing your expectations.
Personally, I treat it all as research and don’t get emotionally involved.
In fact, I allow myself to be open to revisiting any resource I’ve purchased again in the future, because we as humans can be tremendously fickle. It might not be that the book or course is bad. It’s entirely possible that we were either not ready for it yet, or just having a bad day, week, month or year.
A subset of choosing the best materials for learning a language is to limit the amount of sources. When learning a language, we do want tons of input – but that doesn’t mean you want it from dozens of sources.
There is an overwhelming amount of language learning material to choose from. Set limits and focus on completing just one book at a time.
Instead, I suggest you take a tip I’ve benefited from. It comes from my friend and language learning expert Olly Richards, who advises that we pick at maximum:
One book
One video or audio program
One teacher
By sticking to limits like these, we give ourselves ample opportunity to experience the levels of processing effect while not overwhelming ourselves with materials. Embracing limits helps us maximize our investment in the materials and enjoy the benefits of thoroughness.
Plus, if you’re going to use rote learning instead of memory techniques, the limits will help ensure the rote is concentrated and not spread across too many different sources.
When it comes to avoiding rote, Olly shares some fantastic advice in this podcast:
Again, whether you use rote or mnemonics, you might find you acquire materials that simply don’t work. It happens, but at least you’ll have learned something about language learning materials that don’t suit your needs.
But overall, you can limit this problem in the first place my limiting how many language learning guides you bring into your learning life in the first place. And making sure that you always maximize your thoroughness with the ones you do choose.
Anthony Metivier with his Mandarin teacher.
That way, time will erase any mistakes and the materials you learn from will pay off soon.
My personal rule of thumb is to stick with a book, course or audio program for at least 90 days.
When I was learning Chinese, for example, I followed my own advice. By working with just one audio program, one book and one teacher, this limited focus helped me achieve much faster progress.
But had I been by constantly throwing new “shiny new textbooks” in my path, I would have been constantly distracted.
Need a source for good language learning teachers online? These days I suggest you give Languatalk a try.
Best Practice Three: Immerse Yourself With Sensible Input And Strategic Challenges
In the beginning, you might not understand anything. But as you learn, your pattern recognition will go up.
There are a number of ways to keep increasing your sensible input. These include:
Meet regularly with a native speaker
Be sure to bring a picture-based magazine. Learn to ask, “What is that?” and keep pointing at pictures. Record the sessions with your smart phone and listen back, trying to guess what you were looking at in the magazine.
It’s fun and easy to create your own mnemonic devices on flash cards. It’s also generally much more effective than using language learning apps.
Complete courses and textbooks thoroughly
These will help increase the amount of patterns you’ll recognize as you continue your exposure to the language you’re learning.
Read short stories and news articles
You can do this by just reading or by creating your own translations as you go. My friend Luca Lampariello shares a number of tips on how to use translation to increase your fluency.
Take a course
Strictly speaking, taking a course isn’t necessary. I’ve done it both as a beginner and as a more established student and find saving it for later much more useful.
If you take a course, make sure the teacher uses the target language primarily. You’re not there to improve your mother tongue or teach it to them.
Speak with natives online
There are many great websites for finding people to speak with during dedicated sessions or in small doses by sending and receiving audio texts.
As a rule of thumb, I like to give new speaking partners 2-3 sessions before deciding if they are a fit or not.
Follow Instagram and other social media accounts in your target language.
Learn songs in your target language.
I know that it can seem strange that learning songs will help, but it helps get more vocabulary and grammar in memory than you might think.
It’s fun too, as you can see as I practice singing a song in Mandarin I later performed at my wedding:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCyPV6qfKkI
With all of these learning activities, you need to use your judgment. If you go for something too advanced, you’ll just get frustrated.
By the same token, if you don’t challenge yourself, you’ll quickly get bored. Get out of your comfort zone. It’s where you’ll find the progress you seek.
Best Practice Four: Invest Enough Time For Daily Practice (But Not Too Much)
People think you have to spend five to six hours a day while learning a language. This just isn’t true.
By the same token, you’re not going to get very far with just 5 minutes a day.
That said, if you’re strategic about it, you can learn a lot in 15-30 minutes a day. The trick is in breaking up the activities and making sure you’re getting in enough practice of all The Big 5.
A schedule like the one I’ve drawn up for you in the following example can work wonders:
Mornings: 15 minutes memorizing vocabulary
Afternoons: 15 minutes of reading and listening using narrated short stories or news articles
Evenings: 15 minutes watching a movie (or the whole movie with about 15 minutes spent capturing words and phrases you find interesting)
Then, the next morning, you can memorize the new vocabulary you’ve gathered from the day before.
The exact amount of time you spend is not nearly as important as the consistency and focus you bring to each learning session.
Also, vary the routine. If the routine I suggested is something you use on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, do this on Tuesdays and Thursdays:
30 minutes in discussion with a native speaker
30 minutes reviewing the discussion recording
It’s also important to schedule breaks. Taking a week off once in a while actually does your brain good when you’re learning.
Scheduling breaks is important, as is learning how to get back on the horse when you fall from your plan.
The trick is making sure you don’t take off too long and then struggle to get back on the horse.
Here’s a simple tip:
Make sure your language learning sessions with speaking partners are booked in advance. That way, you’re taking some highly beneficial time off, but not with a dangerous open end.
If you still struggle with developing a personal schedule for language learning, give mind mapping for project planning and scheduling a try. I’ve found it useful during times when I was struggling to organize my time.
Best Practice Five: Build Your Own Vocabulary And Phrase Lists
But for those who are in a hurry, they often come across the idea of “frequency lists.”
These are compilations of words that are used the most often in any given language. If you’re learning Spanish, these lists can be especially seductive.
And they definitely can be useful. In some cases, they will accelerate how quickly you can get started learning the language.
However, they’re also incredibly limited.
Why?
Because no maker of such lists can know what contexts you’ll find yourself in or what you’re going to want to talk about.
That’s why when you’re reading news stories and translating them, it’s important to focus on information that’s interesting and relevant to you.
Making your own lists of words and phrases to learn is incredibly important. Be prepared with paper or a journal to capture what you want and need to learn.
You’ll move along so much faster if you let yourself be informed by word lists, but also always take care to build your own. There are no “right” words to focus on and true fluency comes from being able to accomplish missions.
When learning German, my favorite way to produce my own custom lists was to read interviews with musicians. They use so many interesting words and turns-of-phrase. It really helped me add interest and flair to how I use the language.
Likewise in Mandarin, I’ve learned a lot from the hip hop scene. They use a lot of interesting phrases that are not only useful, but also add character to my use of the language.
The point being that the more you build your own list of words and phrases you want to know, the more make your connection to the language unique and feel a lot more special.
Best Practice Six: Focus On Systems As Much As, If Not More Than Goals
Goals are important. But even more important are the systems that help ensure that you actually accomplish your language learning goals.
Let’s say your goal is to learn 50 new words by the end of the week. Great! That’s perfectly realistic.
But it’s also meaningless if you haven’t sat down and charted out a systematic means to ensure you memorize those words.
I suggest developing an if-this-then-that language learning habit stack.
For example, let’s say you’ve developed a Memory Palace strategy and you’ve spent some time gathering the words you want to memorize. Your habit stack might look like this:
If I wake up, I go immediately to my learning place.
If I go to my learning place, I open my Memory Journal to the list of words I’ve prepared.
If I have my list, I start with the first word and memorize it using Station One of the Memory Palace.
If I have memorized one word, I move on to the next.
If I have memorized 10 words, I put my Memory Journal away and start mentally reviewing the words.
If I have reviewed my words 3-5 times during the day, I test by writing them out by hand and speak them out loud.
This is a little system that drives you towards completing the goal. And if you do something like this every day, by the end of the week, you will have memorized 50 words.
You might think even something as tight as this set of steps will take a long time. But nothing could be further from the truth. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without such a simple and elegant system.
Best Practice Seven: Use The Language Every Day
Have you learned only one word so far?
No problem. Use it.
Or do you have only a few hundred words?
The principle is the same. Use what you’ve got.
Talk to yourself as you’re walking down the street.
Tell other people about the phrases you’ve learned and repeat them.
Sing songs in the language you’re learning.
Make your shopping lists in the language you’re learning instead of your mother tongue.
Learning songs in a foreign language is a great way to learn vocabulary and phrases.
You need to get the words into the muscle memory of your mouth and your mind.
If you dedicate yourself, everything from brushing your teeth to tying your shoes and kissing your loved ones to sleep at night are excellent opportunities to practice.
Best Practice Eight: Use History And Culture As Your “Secret Weapons”
As I’ve been learning German, Chinese and Sanskrit, I’ve made sure to not stop at the language itself.
Reading novels, books of history and philosophy from the cultures not only gives you more exposure to the language. It helps you understand the historical and cultural forces that shaped it throughout history and continue to exert an influence.
I would also include serious study of geography and topics like social science.
Knowing about the region can help you understand a lot about how the language developed, and understanding issues related to psychographics can help you fall in love with certain matters of grammar.
This latter point is important because a lot of people waste time trying to understand the “why” of grammar instead of simply accepting it for what it is.
That said, John McWhorter has shared some compelling reasons to believe that our language differences don’t distinguish us psychologically as much as we might believe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQRjouwKDlU
These are interesting points to consider, and all arrive at the same benefits for you:
When you immerse yourself in the culture and its history, you’ll have more things to talk about with native speakers.
This point is especially important if you’re introverted or generally shy. But read widely and you’ll never be at a loss for conversation topics.
Best Practice Nine: Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously
A lot of people get hung up on little things when learning languages. They become perfectionists, without realizing that you need to make mistakes in order to learn.
And rest assured, the kind of mindfulness that I’m suggesting you adopt has been formally studied for foreign language learners. As this researcher found, people who meditate get better results when learning languages.
Being able to give and receive criticism is a powerful skill when learning languages.
Another part of mindfulness involves how you manage your teachers and speaking partners. For example, if a teacher is frustrating you by correcting you too often, ask them to scale it down.
When I submit writing to language teachers, I ask them to please point out just three errors. That way I can keep things light and fun and focus on the biggest aspects to improve without overwhelm.
But if you meet people who can’t help you or make the journey too serious and destroy all the fun, find someone else. There are plenty of fish in the sea.
Best Practice Ten: Use “Chorusing”
Let me be honest with you:
Pronunciation has always been my biggest struggle when learning languages. It could be genetics. I’ve been tone deaf my entire life.
Yet, I have managed to learn to play multiple musical instruments and a few languages.
Time and time again, I always wish I focused more on pronunciation.
Enter a concept called “chorusing” that I learned from my friends at Outlier Linguistics.
“Chorusing” is a great way to improve your pronunciation.
In brief, this technique is the audio version of using flash cards.
Using recording software like Audacity, you record a native speaker speaking a word or phrase. Then you copy and paste it multiple times so you can hear it repeated and really dig into the nuances.
Next, you record yourself speaking it on a separate track.
Since a good audio recorder will let you see the sound waves, you can try to make your voice match certain characteristics visually.
But the more important aspect with this technique is you are training your ear to hear yourself and correct your pronunciation through direct comparison.
The time investment on this technique is admittedly intense. But it’s well worth the effort, especially if this is a weak point for you as it is for me.
Another way to memorize pronunciation is to learn the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). To do that quickly, I drew my own flashcards with striking images that remind me of the sound I’m supposed to make when looking at the symbols.
Check out the card above, for example.
The “i” is a symbol that indicates a long “e” vowel sound. That is also indicated by the two empty triangles I’ve drawn on the coffee cup.
Why a coffee cup? Because an example of the long “e” is in the word “bean.” Coffee reminds me of beans and that’s how I learned to read this symbol when looking at the IPA pronunciation guide.
The other way to remember pronunciation is to simply speak and listen as much as possible. You might feel like you have to go beyond the call of duty in this department, but if you really want to learn a language, the needed amount of exposure should be a non-issue.
It’s best to focus on one language at a time, however. Certainly you can learn two languages at once, but for most of us this is only going to be practical if we have time for enough speaking and listening practice in each language we focus on.
Best Practice Eleven: Use Cognates But Beware Of “False Friends”
Many languages have words that are the same or very similar.
In Spanish, for example, you’ll find thousands of words that are very close in sound and meaning to their English equivalents. You might also see these words referred to as “loan words.”
However, there are also a number of false cognates that mean very different things.
Always check so that you don’t wind up creating foundational errors that may be difficult to correct later.
Best Practice Twelve: Add Another Language After You’ve Earned The First One
It’s normal to want to be a polyglot, or someone who speaks 3-5 languages well. But as far as I can tell, all the successful polyglots got there by being willing to establish mastery in just one language at a time.
Once you’ve done that, you will be very well-versed in the meta learning skills that will help you proceed in leaps and bounds towards substantial speaking and understanding abilities.
And then you can do cool things like what my friend Benny Lewis calls “laddering.” This technique is when you pick a textbook or course in a language you’ve already learned to start covering the next one.
For example, most of my sources of material for learning Chinese have been from books written in German.
I love laddering, but am very glad I stuck with German long enough to enjoy great confidence speaking it before moving on.
One exception to this suggestion that some people find useful is to spend some time learning Esperanto.
The reasoning here suggests that Esperanto is especially suited to helping learners understand more about how different languages work.
Frankly, I’m not convinced you have to become a grammarian or linguist in order to become fluent in a language. If anything, the world is packed with people who are experts in those topics who can’t even speak one other language.
But if you’re still stuck, it might be worth looking into Esperanto for these reasons.
Or, you could look at a root language to see if it helps wake up your brain.
For example, a small amount of time learning Latin can open up Spanish or Italian for you to an incredible degree.
However, at the end of the day, the old saying that the hunter who chases two rabbits rarely catches either stands up here. Split your attention between more than one language only at great risk.
Best Practice Thirteen: Travel If You Can, But Don’t Make It A Must
I’ve been lucky and was able to spend years of my life in Germany. During that time, I made sure to live with people who spoke little or no English to make “total immersion” something from which I could not escape.
But I didn’t have the luxury of living in China when I first started learning the language. And it was absolutely not necessary.
In fact, after less than 3 months of studying the language, my time in the country was so distracting, I didn’t have time to study it at all. And that is typically what happens when you try to combine tourism with immersion.
Instead, use the tips on this page to create proper goals and the effective systems that will place you in the company of your target language each and every day.
Then, when you do get to travel, you can relax and focus on speaking and understanding much more around you. You’ll have earned it.
Best Practice Fourteen: Give Grammar its Proper Place
However, grammar does not need to be mastered before you start reading, writing, speaking and listening.
In fact, it never needs to be mastered at all.
Instead, it’s best to keep reviewing it and learning it in context as you go.
We have to do this in our mother tongue as well and grammar guides are sometimes updated as languages change over time.
So focus on how the language is used in your target language rather than focusing too much on isolated rules.
Often those rules are useful in language learning classes. But in real life, you’ll find that there are many exceptions to the rules.
Learn to absorb how a variety of people use the language so you can use the grammar naturally and intuitively.
Quick Language Learning FAQ
I’ve been blessed to help many language learners over the years.
These are the questions that I’ve seen the most since I started teaching memory techniques for language learning in 2012 following the publication of my first book, How to Learn and Memorize German Vocabulary.
How long does it take to learn a new language to A2?
Many people reach A2 in about 90 days. The amount of time you need might vary, but start by studying 45 minutes a day across three sessions (fifteen minutes each).
Focus on core vocabulary, daily practice with the Big Five skills, and consistent feedback from native speakers.
Should I learn grammar first or vocabulary?
Start with vocabulary.
You’ll absorb grammar more naturally through reading, listening, and speaking.
Use memory techniques to learn sentence patterns in context instead of memorizing isolated rules upfront.
Can I learn two languages at the same time?
It’s possible, but not ideal for most learners.
Split focus usually slows progress. Master one language first—then use it as a base (laddering) to learn your next language more efficiently.
Do I need to travel to learn a language?
Not at all. While immersion helps, you can create your own immersion at home using Memory Palaces, native speaker sessions, media in the target language, and goal-driven study systems.
In fact, sometimes traveling to learn a language can be a distraction. It made sense for me to study German in Germany only because I was already living there.
What’s the fastest way to remember new words?
Use the Memory Palace technique. The process is worth learning because it creates stronger neural associations and dramatically improves retention.
And don’t worry about not having enough Memory Palaces or that you won’t be able to learn enough words.
As you gain experience with the technique, you’ll soon realize that your memory has plenty of space.
And you’ll see how the Big Five of Language learning works as a spaced repetition process that allows you to focus on getting a lot of learning done as you memorize fewer new words over time.
The Best Ways To Learn A Language Begin And End With You And Your Strategy
A lot of people think that kids have some special advantage when it comes to learning a language. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
In reality, kids take years to speak proper sentences, and many more to read and write at a sophisticated level.
But because adults have all kinds of skills in their mother language, impulse control and the levels of discipline needed to make it on the job market, you have a distinct advantage.
You really just need to bring everything you know about being a mature and responsible adult to the process of learning a language. But that doesn’t mean you don’t bring childlike curiosity and fun to the game.
The benefits of speaking a language are immense, ranging from higher salary to the brain health benefits of bilingualism.
And if you’d like more help with the Memory Palace technique we discussed above, you’re welcome to grab my free course:
It gives you four video tutorials and three worksheets that will get you up and running.
So what do you say?
What language do you want to learn and are you feeling empowered now that you have all of these steps and powerful best practices for learning it?
Best Note-Taking Methods for Memory & Focus at Work or School
Jun 10, 2025
Struggling to retain what you read or hear in a lecture? No matter how many note-taking techniques you try?
I get it.
As a lifelong learner with a neurodiverse background, I found most note-taking methods either too rigid or outright ineffective.
I encountered this problem during university.
And many of the most highly-recommended note-taking tactics became even more unhelpful when I started teaching as a professor at Rutgers.
As technologies have evolved, I have found that the landscape for learners has gotten even more confusing.
Sure, many people love using apps to aid their learning. And they even get results from them.
But over the years that I’ve been working as a researcher, writer and host of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast and my YouTube channel, I’ve tested and developed multiple strategies.
I’ve also refined the note-taking strategies I used to use in grad school.
And in this guide, I’ll walk you through my favorite unconventional note-taking methods that consistently help me improve my focus, boost memory, and best of all, actually enjoy the learning process.
Whether you’re trying to keep up with a fast-paced lecture, sitting in a meeting or reading dense books, these flexible strategies will help you take better notes.
Even better, you’ll get more out of the notes you take when using these processes.
Let’s dive in.
https://youtu.be/bG-v3Yo1btA
My Best Note-Taking Recommendations To Make Information More Engaging and Memorable
A quick note before we dive into the techniques I recommend:
There’s no “perfect” method that works for everyone, every time.
The approaches I’m about to share apply to different kinds of information.
And that’s a huge point about having methods overall:
You need multiple techniques that you can switch between depending on the situation.
That’s why I recommend practicing all of them. This approach will leave you with a flexible framework for taking notes in multiple contexts.
One: Visual Note-Taking
Visual note-taking is exactly what it sounds like, and it has been essential to my goal of learning faster and remembering more.
Instead of scribbling out long, lifeless sentences during lectures, I realized that quick visual representation could be used to represent many concepts and skills I needed to learn.
For example, when studying the International Phonetic Alphabet to improve my language learning skills and understand my linguistics textbooks better, I drew a simple coffee cup next to the “i” symbol.
Here’s the drawing:
Here’s what this quick sketch achieved:
I was rapidly able to remind myself that this “i” makes the vowel sound in beans. Just one image anchored the concept instantly in my memory.
You Don’t Need to Be an Artist
As you can see from my example above, visual notes don’t need to be artistic or detailed.
In fact, the simpler, the better. Usually, I limit the visual notes I take to some simple rules:
Arrows and flow lines show cause and effect or represent connections
Symbols represent core concepts
Simple stick figures or icons to bring ideas to life
Spatial arrangements (like clusters or grids) group related topics
This visual note-taking method works across the board, but especially well for:
Fast recall of symbols, terms, or processes
Condensing complex material into visual shorthand
Keeping your brain engaged during dry or fast-paced sessions
You don’t need to take your visual notes on cards like you see in my examples.
You can integrate visuals into the margins of your books or reserve one or more pages in your notebook for collecting visual summaries of key ideas.
Copying Charts and Graphs By Hand for Better Understanding
Some people can look at a chart and instantly understand what it’s meant to convey.
Not me.
I often find even simple graphs visually overwhelming.
But as I learned from Tony Buzan, you can simply copy them from your textbooks in your own hand to process their meaning.
I followed his advice and did that to understand how memory works.
By using multiple colors and engaging more parts of my brain, I’ve never forgotten the forgetting curve and the serial positioning effect I drew out visually by copying it from a textbook:
The History of Visual Note Taking for Instant Engagement
Ultimately, I never would have believed visual note-taking would help me so much. But it has, and later I found out that this style of note-taking is actually ancient.
These included funny faces or pictures of monks with alert expressions.
So if you use visual note taking, you’re in good company.
For more reading recommendations like Kreiner’s to help broaden your knowledge about study techniques, check out my full list of books on learning.
Two: Outline Note-Taking for Streamlining Ideas
Outline note-taking is widely used. You could almost call it a classic approach, though you’re about to discover a few ways I’ve found to make it even better.
I use it frequently when attending lectures or listening to instructional videos by just making a dash beside each point based on keywords.
I also use outline note taking when recording my own thoughts.
For sub-points, I will indent slightly to the right.
It basically winds up looking like this example, which involves simple dashes to outline the larger topic:
The catch with this kind of note taking is you can sometimes puzzle yourself.
Because this kind of note-taking compresses the main point into a single keyword or phrase, you can’t always remember exactly what you meant during the note-taking process.
Fortunately, I have a fix for that.
Combine Outline Note Taking with a Review Process
To avoid being puzzled by notes later when using outline note taking at lectures, I ask the speaker permission to press record on my phone.
Then, listening back, you can expand your basic outline notes later. While getting a complete review of the points you thought were good enough to track during the lecture.
When I was in university, not all professors allowed me to record their talks.
Fortunately, these days it’s very common for just about every lecture to be recorded and even uploaded publicly for the world to view.
But if for any reason, recording is not possible, leave space to one side of the page so you can expand your notes immediately after the session.
Don’t wait. Write your summaries while the ideas are still fresh, even if your working memory is strong.
Also, if you can, go over your notes with classmates or co-workers within an hour or two. This simple activity is one of the most empowering study habits I practiced across my university years.
Should You Type Your Outline Notes?
People ask me by email or in comments if it’s okay for them to type their notes.
According to studies like this one from 2024, you won’t get nearly the same memory benefits from using a computer for note taking.
Why is handwriting better?
We actually have to address two angles: focus and memory.
You remember and learn more when using your hand due to processing that occurs because real-time note taking by hand is slower.
I know that sounds counterintuitive, but if you think about it, writing requires more focus.
And what we focus on, the brain engages with much more deeply, leading to better memory and comprehension.
Outline Notes for Creative Output
I’ve long noticed that I remember more and understand better when writing my study and research notes by hand.
But this form of note taking has also helped me edit my books better.
For example, it’s totally possible to revise books on the computer.
To get better and faster results, however, I print out my drafts, read them with a red pen and take outline notes on sheets of paper.
It’s so much easier to improve an entire book draft this way. Both to better remember the many moving parts, and to increase focus.
Editing on a computer is not only challenging because your brain activity slumps.
You’re also fighting against multiple open tabs and the knowledge that there are infinite entertainments that await you online.
So whether you’re editing an essay for a school assignment or an article for work, get it printed so you can make notes on the draft in ways that will better serve your goal of creating a masterpiece.
Three: SQ3R Note Taking Driven by a Powerful Questioning Formula
Review the ideas from my notes and mentally by continuing to ask questions about what I’ve read
Why Asking Questions Improves Learning and Memory
In my experience, constantly asking questions strengthens memory because you’re processing the ideas in a deeper way.
And scientists have found that you’re engaging in what’s known as elaborative rehearsal. You strengthen your memory and understanding because questions help you look at the information in more than one way.
Sometimes my questions are simple.
If you scroll back up and look at my card with “Really?” on it and the visual arrow to connect two ideas together, I’m expressing both skepticism and surprise.
Here are some other questions I frequently use while reading and note taking:
What does this point connect to?
Where else have I encountered an idea like this?
What is the author’s objective in raising this point?
Why is the content organized in this way?
What evidence supports this claim?
Is the evidence dated or likely to require an update?
What image, analogy or metaphor could represent this concept?
What’s the simplest way to explain this to someone who has never heard about it before?
What’s the biggest and most important takeaway?
Can I explain the key points in my own words?
What questions is this book not asking but should be?
There are many more questions you can ask. If you’d like to train your brain and become a question-asking machine, check out my ultimate list of philosophical questions. It’ll help turn you into an SQ3R machine.
Combining SQ3R with Other Learning Methods
As you’ve seen, I combine the question-asking process with my note taking process.
But you can also make quick doodles or sketches that embed questions. Or make sketches of question marks that prompt you to ask the sample questions I’ve shared above.
If you use the method of loci, you can embed questions marks along your mental journeys to trigger your recall.
In fact, one of the earliest memory training books by Peter of Ravenna encouraged its readers to ask lots of questions.
This point that questioning frequently forms memories was raised again by the Renaissance memory instructor Giordano Bruno. He taught people a means of placing questions on memory wheels.
These “computational” mental tools have a long history, and are worth studying because of how question-focused they were during an era packed with polymaths and autodidacts.
The point is that top learners rarely use any technique in isolation. So to get the most out of SQ3R, pop it into your outline note taking efforts as well.
Four: Flow-Based Note Taking for Capturing Ideas Faster
Flow-based note taking is all about getting your thoughts down without the kinds of filters other methods involve.
Sometimes I think of this approach as “brain dumping.”
For example, here’s a real instance of getting into flow and just letting ideas flow in real time:
In the same section I visually worked out a story idea and even listed the playing cards I had memorized earlier that day.
Although these pages from my private notebook might look chaotic to some, it’s a powerful snapshot of my thinking at that moment.
Handwriting for Speed and Focus
I carry the kind of notebook you see above at all times. The 90x140mm format fits perfectly in the back pocket of my jeans.
The only rule I follow when using this form of note taking is to not interrupt the flow.
There is one precaution, however:
Try to write cleanly enough that you’ll be able to recognize your own handwriting. I recently had to buy a magnifying glass so I could decode some of the notes I took a bit too quickly.
Since then, I’ve started taking more care that I write legibly. Not for perfection, but for the benefit of my future self.
You Don’t Have to Optimize Every Flow-Based Note
Even though I’ve started taking greater care, this approach is not the SQ3R, nor does it involve creating a specific outline.
Can you get the same effect from taking notes in flow on a computer?
Possibly, and sometimes I send myself notes via email, especially when ideas for books I’m writing come up while I’m working on other tasks, like editing videos.
These rapid notes wind up filled with a lot of typos that can be hard to decode later, however.
And we have studies like this showing that cursive handwriting gets much better results for anything involving memory, learning, focus and concentration.
In sum, I stick to handwriting these “brain dump” notes as much as I possibly can.
Five: Doodling While Taking Notes
This might be my most controversial suggestion, but please hear me out.
Doodling while taking notes isn’t about zoning out or expressing frustration with boring topics.
Although some people discourage doodling, my personal experience says otherwise.
As someone with two MAs and a PhD, sketching simple shapes while listening to slow lectures based on dense topics or challenging skills has helped me many times.
For example, when studying music theory and waiting for the teacher to move through ideas I didn’t want to miss, I doodled on the right-hand side of this notebook:
In a way, doodling while paying attention to information is like mind mapping, but without having to create a dedicated mind map.
Doodling also brings powerful memory benefits. As this study found, a group of doodlers who listened to a telephone call remembered 29% more than those who did not.
When it comes to doodles for language learning, the founder of the Fluent Forever app and author of a book with the same title, has talked extensively about making your own index cards. You can hear my conversation about this with Gabriel Wyner on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
I took his advice to heart and started drawing frequently to help me learn both German and Mandarin.
For example, this simple doodle in one of my language learning notebooks helped me remember a very important German word in no longer than the time it took to create the simple image:
Mnemonic Example for the German Word Bereich
I highly recommend giving doodling as a form of note taking for a variety of learning goals.
That way, you can stick with what you’re studying without feeling the need to seek a dopamine spike quite so often.
So next time, rather than constantly flipping through your computer tabs or getting irritated with a lecturer, keep your hands busy by doodling.
What You Should Immediately Stop Doing When Taking Notes
I thought you might find a summary of things not to do helpful.
Obviously, if some of these activities are genuinely helpful for you, feel free to keep up with them.
But for a lot of us, they’re the source of so many issues.
One: Stop Mindless Word-for-Word Copying
Sometimes we do need to write out quotes verbatim.
For example, I traveled long distances to visit libraries across Europe when I was completing my Mercator Guest Professor Grant in Germany. Many of the books were rare, did not exist in digital format and there was no way I would ever see them again.
Even then, I tried to limit my verbatim notes to index cards and only the most essential quotes.
Far better is to withdraw the key points and review all your notes for a book or article immediately. Then write a summary in your own words so that they context of the specific verbatim quotes stick more firmly in your mind.
Two: Avoid Reliance on Digital Tools
I get email from people who love to tell me about their digital tools.
Although I’m happy for them, I’m much more aligned with my fellow writers.
Like the journalist Ezra Klein who told Lex Fridman in this interview about how important it is to the quality of his writing to work with print as much as possible.
As he puts it, print helps him show up and do the work much better than some of his competition. He attributes the success of his podcast to reading from print and preparing his notes in this way.
My experience matches his and I’m confident you’ll enjoy a similar experience when you give your brain more exposure to printed media.
Three: Using Only One Note-Taking Method
After launching the video about my note-taking methods at the top of this page, one of my frequent commentators said he’s not sure what method is his favorite yet.
I said that actually it’s the combination of many methods that I prefer.
I would suggest that you keep flexible by developing skills with a variety of information capture techniques.
Four: Don’t Copy Other Learners (At Least Not Too Closely)
Along these lines, it’s useful to take inspiration from how others take notes.
But rather than copy what they’re doing, seek to “reverse-engineer” why they’re using a particular approach.
You’ll not only develop better research skills. You’ll wind up with your own research style, leading to the uniqueness and success Ezra Klein highlights.
Five: Stop Neglecting Integration
For best results, never make your note-taking a “set and forget” process.
Review them. Think about them. Connect them with notes you’ve taken in the past.
Then, in the context of learning a new skill, mark that page up with notes describing the specific steps you need to follow.
This kind of step-by-step note-taking will accelerate your progress.
And that photocopying tip?
Golden.
By making a quick copy, you can be as creatively sloppy with your notes as you wish, and still retain the book’s instructions in its original format.
Likewise if you’re learning from an ebook or PDF, by printing the pages and marking them up physically, you’re integrating your notes at a much deeper level. You’ll enjoy more substantial outcomes as a result.
Frequently Asked Questions About Note-Taking and Memory
I’ve been asked many questions about how I take notes over the years.
Here are some of the most frequent, and the most important.
What’s the best note-taking method for retention?
There’s no single “best” approach in my experience.
I suggest rotating through multiple approaches, especially in a way that combines handwriting, visual note-taking and asking questions as you proceed.
The most important point is that you take the initiative to make the note-taking process active.
Combining multiple approaches based on your specific learning goal will give you outstanding results.
Should I take notes by hand or on a computer?
As we’ve seen, studies show that handwriting works best for memory, comprehension and focus.
But that doesn’t mean you have to leave typing completely out of the process.
When I wrote my dissertation for my PhD at York University, I typed up many of my notes into an outline.
At the end of the day, it was important that the notes were taken by hand. But it’s not at all the case that typing was entirely excluded from the process that led me to a successful graduation.
Notes on paper pile up. How am I supposed to organize them all over time?
This can be a problem, but one thing to consider is that you don’t have to keep all of your notes.
When I’ve moved internationally, I photographed the most important and got rid of the physical versions.
Many of my cards also go into mental storage by using the Memory Palace technique too. There are many that I never photographed but still recall with ease as a result.
But generally I’ve found that using index cards is best because they pack easily into shoe boxes.
You can store thousands of cards inside one closet and label the boxes alphabetically or thematically.
Many people in the Zettelkasten community keep notes in this way. Some invest in wooden cases for their cards, which you might look into if you want to store and organize your knowledge.
What if I forget what I meant because I was sloppy?
This is a real risk.
But you reduce it substantially by constantly questioning and using memory techniques during the note-taking process.
And if you review your notes regularly and write summaries of what you’re learning, you’ll have a backup record.
Chances are, you’ll also wind up like me: Rarely having to look back at your notes because you simply remember them.
Of course, that outcome might make you wonder: If such strong recall is possible, why bother taking notes in the first place?
The answer is that taking notes well helps establish stronger memories.
So even if it’s fairly common to scratch your head when looking at some of your own notes, they don’t all have to be legible. The note-taking process will still have been valuable overall.
How do I make sure I review my notes effectively?
For most of us, spaced repetition is the key.
You’ll need to experiment with how long between reviews works best for you.
Myself, when I really want to remember something, I follow a pattern I modified from Dominic O’Brien’s Rule of Five:
Five reviews the first day
One review daily for the first five days
One review weekly for the next five weeks
Although I don’t follow that pattern slavishly for everything I learn, it’s a general rule of thumb to follow.
It might seem like a lot, but just take it one note at a time. If you let your mind constantly label how much review you have to do, you’re wasting time that could be spent on reviewing.
What are the biggest note-taking mistakes to avoid?
The list is simple:
Spending too much time on highlighting instead of writing the points out from memory
Taking notes verbatim without breaking them down to keywords
Not having a backup recording every time you have the option
Failing to review your note
Neglecting to write summaries in your own words
Not taking time for reflective thinking
Keeping it all in your head without speaking about what you’re learning
Not using memory techniques to help absorb more of the granular details
Waiting to understand instead of diving in and letting comprehension emerge as part of the process
Do I need to take notes on everything I learn?
Strategically selecting what you’re going to take note of is critically important.
No one can cover everything. In fact, human civilization developed specialization groups precisely so we can “offload” certain aspects of human knowledge to others.
Focus the notes you take on the big insights, patterns, trends and areas you really need to be able to recall.
If you try to cover every single detail, your competition will sail past you.
By the same token, to be a specialist, you want to bring your unique perspective.
That’s why developing your own systematic questioning process is so critical to your success.
How do I know which note-taking style works for me?
I would suggest asking a different question:
How can I make the time to explore as many note-taking approaches as possible so I have a collection of techniques to choose from?
This approach will serve you so much better because there are many different kinds of information to learn. There is no single technique that will cover every single kind.
My Best Tips For Turning Notes Into Long-Term Memories
Taking notes is powerful, but it’s just one part of having a truly holistic learning practice.
To truly remember and apply what you’ve learned, please follow up with the following strategies to strengthen your retention and understanding.
Over the years, as both student, professor and memory expert, I’ve refined each of these powerful processes to help turn the many ways I take notes into memories that last.
Understand the Levels of Processing Effect
Simply rereading notes or using Anki isn’t enough.
To enjoy greater understanding and remember more, you can make ideas stickier by speaking, writing, listening and reading those ideas more often.
Some of my favorite memories during university involved just that, typically covered by attending a variety of discussion groups.
In English 1300, for example, a small cluster of us all walked away with the top grades.
Why?
Because after many of the lectures and tutorials, we met to discuss the material further.
I’ll never forget sitting up in the 7th-floor Grad Lounge of the Ross Building.
Although we didn’t realize we were practicing levels of processing at the time, we practiced everything scientists have discovered works for learning at a deeper level. We:
Read our notes to each other aloud
Take more notes based on key points raised by our peers
Learn about additional resources so we could benefit from additional books and articles
Later, in grad school, I joined even more advanced study groups.
In one of my favorites, we would each voluntarily read an article to present to the group.
In this way, we exposed each other to additional reading material we would never have time to consider in any other way.
Yet, we could still take notes about the key points, commit them to memory and enjoy the effect of priming our memory for future encounters with those references.
Summarize What You’ve Learned in Writing
We’ve talked a lot about writing today, and it is proven to hone your focus and boost your memory.
But I didn’t always do it.
And initially, I’m ashamed to say that I hated it.
Especially when one of my grad school professors made me write 300-500 word summaries of the books I read for a directed reading course.
I reconnected with this professor a few years ago, however.
Why? To tell her how much I appreciated the exercise week after week.
Thanks to her requirement, I learned to process the information in my own words, which is incredibly powerful for memory and reading comprehension.
That’s because summarizing your notes in prose forces you to:
Clarify your understanding
Reorganize ideas to fit different combinations based on your overall study goals
Identify gaps in your knowledge
Ask more and better questions
Seek answers from more sources
If you don’t have a professor assigning summary tasks for you, try it yourself.
Even just the shortest prose summaries of your notes will boost your memory and improve your comprehension.
Organize Your Notes with Index Cards
I often take notes on index cards because they make it easy to:
Shuffle the ideas around and put them back into the original order I extracted them from the book
Effective note-taking skills are discussed everywhere.
But you also need to bring your best critical thinking skills.
Whatever you do, I suggest that you approach note taking as an art, a science and a lifestyle. Make sure that you experiment with multiple styles and track your results.
As you pay attention to what’s happening more consciously, you’ll learn more about what works for you and lean towards your preferences with greater understanding.
But at all times, choose flexibility. Make sure you have on hand what you need whenever you attend a lecture or recording of one so that all your bases are covered.
And above all, remove all stress. So many learners bring so much worry about the game of education that they forget to play it.
This point is important because learning really is a game. It’s one you can win too, provided you put your memory first. And provided you have the mental strength strategies we all need to succeed.
And to help with strengthening your memory, consider learning to use the Memory Palace technique. It’s an ancient version of the Leitner Box that helps you remember more without so much as breaking a sweat.
If you’d like to learn it now, feel free to join my free course:
It gives you a complete set of video tutorials and worksheets that will help you improve your memory.
So what do you say?
Whether you’re a student juggling dense textbooks, or a professional juggling back-to-back meetings, these approaches will transform your notes into meaningful knowledge that stays with you.
And that’s the ultimate point:
Note-taking is not just about notes. It’s about transforming everything you capture into questions, ideas and associations that help usher the target information into long-term memory.
Do any of these note taking technique resonate with you?
Let’s discuss below and keep learning together!
How to Deal with Information Overload by Boosting Your Memory
Jun 06, 2025
As a polymathic professional who has walked multiple career paths, I’ve learned exactly how to deal with information overload.
The real fix for when you feel overwhelmed?
In my experience as everything from a touring musician to university lecturer and the owner of multiple businesses, here’s the ultimate answer:
Improve your memory.
Not in a vague way.
And definitely not “someday.”
But by following a clear, proven path designed to held you reduce mental clutter.
On this page, you’ll discover a system that will sharpen your focus and help you relieve cognitive overwhelm.
Pretty much on demand.
No, I’m not offering any magic bullets or hype.
Just proven strategies for preventing cognitive overwhelm in the first place, along with the self-education strategies that have made my successes possible.
If that sounds good to you, let’s get started.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37oyQ4_kN2Y
Understanding the Modern Brain Under Siege: A Definition of “Information Overwhelm”
It’s supposed to be a dream come true, right?
I’d finished my first major guest professor grant and my first memory improvement books were taking off.
So I went on tour with a band I’d played with in Berlin near the end of my PhD studies.
Never had I experienced so much freedom. Yet, I had also never felt so overwhelmed as my phone buzzed with non-stop updates, alerts and notices of things to do.
But once you know that the biggest problem of all involves a reduction in your ability to think critically, workable solutions emerge.
What follows are the best I’ve found.
They’ve increased my “cognitive budget,” so to speak. Meaning that I have more mental power to spend on the activities that have allowed me to continue playing music while writing novels, learning languages and running multiple businesses.
Of course, there are other aspects of overwhelm to consider. So before we get into the tips, let’s examine what else might be going on in your life.
When I was a musician, a huge part of the overload came from the noise of traveling all day in a vehicle with my band.
We listened to loud music on top of the traffic sounds. Driving is visually stimulating even if you’re not at the wheel.
And then we would get on stage and have the sensory input of lights, audience cheers and our own extra-loud instruments pounding at us.
One simple hack that helped me was to wear my earplugs while traveling, not just while performing on stage.
As a result, I was able to read on the road and better manage my growing publishing business, which included writing this blog (and still does). To this day, I wear noise-cancelling headphones just to keep myself focused while writing.
As these scientists have found, one of the biggest barriers people face is that they need to experiment with their own ways of reducing sensory stimulation.
Identifying places you can go to enjoy reduced stimulation
Developing routines that involve more time spent in quiet
Creating a sensory tool kit (sunglasses, noise cancelling headphones, anything that helps you feel calm)
Cognitive Overload
I recently finished the eighth draft of my second “Memory Detective” novel.
The story is so complicated and my notes were all over the place…
There were too many inputs and not nearly enough integration.
The answer was to take a break and then order a print copy of the seventh draft.
I didn’t feel it was ready yet, but by reading the draft in book form, I was able to make marks on the page and consolidate my many notes.
When studying at university, and for my non-fiction books, I rarely have this problem. That’s because I used the Zettelkasten technique to easily organize and integrate my notes.
More on this strategy in a moment, but the point here is that part of my cognitive overwhelm came from working outside my circle of competence as a scholar.
As a result, I shifted how I dealt with the many inputs involved in writing a different kind of book. Chaos ensued until I took a break and approached the task more strategically.
Why did it take so long to arrive at a better solution?
As we now know, overwhelm reduces decision-making skills and other cognitive abilities. Breaking the patterned loop I was in was ultimately the fix, and doing that should help you too with cognitive overload.
Emotional Overload
I have an ongoing debate with a friend who disagrees that emotions have any logic to them whatsoever.
You just need to keep your specific goals in mind.
For example, if you’re overwhelmed with language learning activities, then you’ll want to take the memory advice of a world renowned polyglot like Luca Lampariello. You can listen to him on my podcast share a powerful mental metaphor he’s used to reduce his own overwhelm.
Or, if you’re dealing with books as part of your studies, take advice from someone like myself. I take notes from textbooks in a specific way that will help your memory for that specific type of learning goal.
With these points in mind, here are the major memory techniques that will help you deal with all kinds of overwhelm.
One: The Memory Palace Technique
When you’re drowning in information, it’s easy to feel paralyzed.
Especially when the clock is ticking.
The reason you feel overwhelmed?
The brain isn’t designed to hold disorganized data.
That’s why I use Memory Palaces to help internalize information along highly familiar routes that are already in my memory.
I’ve taught thousands of students to use this technique as well, and my testimonial page is quite long with their stories of success.
For a full training, please read my guide to the Memory Palace technique. It goes into great depth about how to get started and even reach advanced levels of use quickly.
It’s based on the fact that our mental processing power isn’t that large. Even if you engage in a ton of cognitive activities, you’ll still benefit from breaking things down to smaller components.
It’s more than reducing overwhelm. This “less is more” tactic actually helps your brain remember more.
Three: Rapid Fire Alphabetical Associations
Have you ever met someone and said, “Oh, your name will be easy to remember. I have a friend with the exact same name.”
That’s the principle behind making alphabetical associations to expand how much you can remember without overwhelm.
For example, 3x USA Memory Champion John Graham has astonished people by memorizing dozens of names and numbers associated with those names in high pressure situations.
But please set some time aside to pick up at least one or two of these techniques. You won’t regret how they help you rapidly absorb much more info than ever before.
I’ve also got a list of books on learning that often refer to them, amongst other learning strategies that help reduce overload quickly.
Organizing Your Learning For Stress Free Clarity & Retention
If you want to learn how to organize your learning, it matters a great deal what you’re trying to learn.
My strength is study tips for overwhelmed learners based on having completed so many degrees and certificates.
Even in my forties, I still take exams, such as when I passed Level III in Mandarin a few years ago.
Here’s a list of the tactics that have worked the best for me to create mental clarity and focus as a lifelong learner.
One: Balancing Input with Output
Too many students cram, consuming as many of the main points as they can.
Let me be blunt:
For most of us, this is a horrible learning strategy.
You need to integrate what you’re learning by using what scientists call active recall.
Put simply, instead of just studying, you need to regularly test yourself.
That’s why I suggest that you use Memory Palaces and the flashcard method we discussed above.
These techniques require you to process what you’re learning through writing and speaking the material. As a result
Two: Interleaving
One reason I rarely burn out on topics I study stems from my use of interleaving.
It’s a simple process where you switch between topics you’re studying frequently to avoid topic exhaustion.
The way I use it involves switching between books approximately every 15-20 minutes.
And I basically never read for long when feeling frustrated or bored with a topic.
Interleaving lets you switch without guilt and come back later when your brain is ready for another round.
This process helped me get through many books that didn’t feel like reading during university. And it still helps me educate myself when I have to go through articles and books for my research.
Give this approach a try. You’ll likely find it beneficial.
Three: Daily Routines
A huge part of my success comes from purposefully acting a bit robotic.
Even if you can’t change locations to reduce overwhelm, getting out for a daily walk or sitting in a different room to hear some music can work wonders.
How to Reduce Digital Info Overwhelm
Like everyone, I struggle with the tsunamis of information online.
There are more books than I’ll ever be able to read in a lifetime.
New bands release albums at a pace I can’t keep up with and YouTube is constantly filling up with fascinating new videos.
One simple tactic that helps me is to journal what I spend my time on.
In 59 Seconds, Richard Wiseman shares research showing that people who journal experience time quite differently. In my experience, it feels like I have more of it.
And when I look back through my journals, it’s amazing how much I’ve read and still managed to consume online.
But the act of writing it all down also serves as a kind of mindful reminder. Writing things down constantly raises the question:
Is this digital media I want to consume really worth the time?
If you keep asking yourself that question, written or not, you’ll likely waste less time.
You can also use digital filters. But I tend to think it’s better to train the mind to stand up to these temptations without external devices.
Train Yourself to Become an Intentional Learner
As a polymath and autodidact, I learned long ago that there’s a difference between passive consumption and active learning.
You’ll also want to study how other top performers managed to learn so much, such as Thomas Jefferson.
Although it’s temping to think that you might not be able to reach those levels, you actually can develop the personality traits they use to learn such incredible amounts without burnout.
The key is to get rid of so many of the cliches floating around out there. For example, many people say you have to be “curious.”
I disagree. A lot of top learners set an intention and then work out what needs to be done in order to accomplish a goal.
Then they do it.
And an open secret is that freedom is in the doing.
So much overwhelm comes from letting lists pile up and never attending to the accomplishment of your dreams.
But that doesn’t have to be you.
You really can master your memory and from there master how your mind responds to overwhelm.
If you’d like help, my free memory course has helped over one hundred thousand people. You can get started with it here:
Remember:
The goal isn’t always to consume less.
It’s to process better.
As someone who’s balanced the demands of academia, creativity and entrepreneurship, I know firsthand what overwhelm feels like.
But I also know that intentionally applying the various tactics I’ve shared today work.
And they scale with your goals too as you tackle increasingly ambitious projects.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to stop drowning in data and start organizing information in your mind with more structure?
I’ll be here learning right beside you and look forward to trading notes soon.
Learn a Language Like a Polyglot: Luca Lampariello’s “Net” Method
Jun 01, 2025
Want to learn any language faster? And actually enjoy the process?
Meet Luca Lampariello, one of the world’s most respected polyglots.
But he’s famous for more than just mastering many multiple languages.
He’s known for learning even the hardest languages with joy, and speaking them with remarkable precision.
Although this interview was recorded for the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast over a decade ago, it’s still high-value and highly relevant.
Especially if you want a methodical process that makes language learning fun.
And not only fun, much easier than ever before because you finally understand more about how people who live and breathe multiple languages tick.
Ready to learn from a master, outstanding teacher and all around great guy?
Note: This episode was originally recorded in January of 2024 and released in February 2014. The podcast notes on this page and a few links were updated for relevance and accuracy in 2025.
The audio, which was originally filled with a lot of echo, has now been cleaned up for your listening convenience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RKkPjx963E
Here’s What You’ll Learn From Luca Lampariello in This Episode
Why fluency is really nothing more than the capacity to assemble the pieces of a language together.
How to think of language as a net (so that you can go fishing for phrases).
The epiphany the point where the language is engrained in your brain.
What Luca learned about mnemonics while studying to be an interpreter.
How to develop your natural capacity for associating new vocabulary with places and feelings.
How to vary your activities using the best language learning hacks to maximize your learning curve.
Why you should think in terms of structures and phrases instead of words.
The difference between a beginner and an intermediate language learner.
The number one principle behind all language learning.
… and much, much more.
Luca Lampariello and Anthony Metivier in Rome
As you’ve just heard, Luca’s language learning methods are groundbreaking, riveting and fun. Every day you’re not putting his wisdom to work and studying a foreign language, you’re leaving part of life’s pleasure behind.
For more incredible tips from Luca, please listen to our follow-up conversation next, and this discussion we recorded about working memory. And visit his website where you’ll find courses and books.
If you prefer video courses, you can find my bestselling How to Learn and Memorize the Vocabulary of Any Language in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
Philosophy Books: 21 Must-Reads (and How to Remember Them)
May 31, 2025
If you’re looking for the ultimate list of must-read philosophy books, you’re in the right place.
I’ve been reading diverse works of philosophy since I was very young, starting with Albert Camus.
In fact, reading Camus at age fourteen is perhaps too young!
It started with stumbling on The Stranger at the local library while skipping school. It’s a quick and easy novel, but also tremendously profound.
At the back of the novel, the author bio talked about Camus’ work in existentialism, so I went on to read The Myth of Sisyphus and his other novels.
Although I didn’t understand much of his philosophy at the time, it introduced me to an entire world of writing about thinking. I was hooked.
And now I want to share with you my top philosophy books, why they matter and some of the key points that have stuck with me.
Not only that, as a memory expert, I’ll share with you how to remember their titles and key points as well.
Ready?
Let’s get started!
21 Must-Read Philosophy Books That Will Stick With You
Before we dive in, a quick reality check:
Can anyone really rank the “greatest” philosophy books of all time?
Probably not.
Why?
Because in philosophy, as in science, it doesn’t really matter who identifies the truth. As many of the philosophers you’ll discover today point out, it’s the process that matters.
This is one reason why philosophy is quite different than what we find in religious books. True, many books from religious traditions contain philosophy.
But when defining philosophy to the best of our abilities, philosophy always boils down to something we do. It’s not about final pronouncements or producing good feelings psychologically. Philosophy is about creating concepts with an attuned awareness of how our reading influences the concepts we develop.
Why This List Isn’t Just About Famous Philosophy Titles
When it comes to philosophy as a process of creating concepts, I am influenced by Gilles Deleuze.
Plus, as you’ll see, I’m also influenced by ancient thinkers and people like Nietzsche that at some level, we don’t even do that. Rather, philosophy does us.
I’ll explain more of what I mean as we go through this list.
One: Plato’s Dialogues
Getting to attend university was an extraordinary opportunity. But it wasn’t until my second year that I chose a major, which at that time was Political Science.
The first reading I was assigned was Plato’s The Republic.
It’s difficult for me to underscore the influence this book had on me during my early years as a university student.
I went to the professor as soon as I was done reading it and asked for more.
She told me that Plato had written a ton of dialogues and suggested the Edith Hamilton and Huntington Cairns edition of Plato: The Collected Dialogues.
All of the dialogs are worth reading, but my favorites are The Republic, Sophist, Ion and Lysis.
Lysis was particularly important for me many years later. It has a lot to do with friendship, which is the topic I ultimately wrote my dissertation on.
In terms of core ideas, there’s so much to highlight, and that’s one reason I make this my top recommendation. A major benefit of reading Plato beyond just a few dialogues is that you get to see just how old certain unresolved problems are.
It’s not that there’s “nothing new under the sun.”
Rather, you experience just how nimble the ancient mind was and how little our capabilities have changed. Although you would think our current concerns about technology would be very different, the core anxieties are right there back circa 427-348 BCE.
Pro-tip: To help make Plato’s ideas more memorable, take some time to read about the Pre-Socratics. A lot of what you find in Plato is a reaction to what philosophers like Thales, Anaximander, Heracleitus and others had to say about nature.
Two: What Is Philosophy?
Let’s skip ahead a few thousand years.
What is Philosophy? is a fantastic companion to Plato for a few reasons.
First, it helps you see how Plato created many important ideas as concepts linked to personae.
These points are important because we often think about truth as something objective. In other words, the truth is true regardless of our opinions about it.
But as Deleuze and Guattari argue, it is science that tries to “freeze” observations in time in order to make truth claims about the world. This approach resembles the Pre-Socratic processes and why Plato reacted to them as he did.
For their part, Deleuze and Guattari see philosophy as something intensive and coming into being as one does philosophy in time.
They distinguish their preferred kind of philosophy as immanence rather than the transcendence of Platonic thought.
Rather than respond to the world as if there were some other essential truth or God behind it (transcendence), they respond to being itself (immanence).
In this approach, they are heavily influenced by Nietzsche.
Three: The Gay Science
Friedrich Nietzsche wrote many books. They’re all important because, as Martin Heidegger shows in his commentary on Nietzsche, he was incredibly consistent across his career. It’s almost as if he knew what he would write in his last book in some of his earliest youthful writings.
I chose The Gay Science for this list because this is the book in which Nietzsche warns us against the harms created by thinking that the universe is someone “alive.”
Rather, we need to accept that things are just here and happening. We don’t necessarily get to know why.
This book also gives one of the most important references to the notion that “God is dead.”
However, as Fred Ulfers pointed out when I studied Nietzsche with him at the European Graduate School, this crude idea is not really what Nietzsche meant to convey.
Rather, Nietzsche was critiquing how we all behave religiously. And if we are going to go around acting ritualistically to our gods or even the universe itself (as if it were alive), then our gods may as well be dead.
This is a very different pronouncement and if you read The Gay Science carefully, you’ll pick up this nuance. You’ll become a much better thinker too.
Pro-tip: The Bernard Williams edition of The Gay Science is especially good.
Four: The Analects
Of course, Nietzsche isn’t the only person who thought that our capacity for ritual was out of alignment. Confucius focused on this long before he was born.
The Analects often isn’t on lists of top philosophy books because some people think it is merely commentary. And it was also compiled long after Confucius’ death, so doesn’t have an author in the strict sense.
However, as Bryan W. Van Norden points out in Taking Back Philosophy, you find all the important concerns covered by this text.
He compares Confucius to Plato for the importance of how the nature of being is discussed as a formal procedure. Conventions are described, interrogated and revised in order to help us live better at the personal and societal level.
Pro-tip: The Arthur Waley version looks better on the page than some versions I’ve seen. It also comes with excellent discussions of key terms and useful annotations.
He’s clearly passionate about this main thesis: We need to be aware of philosophy from a wide number of traditions, cultures and historical periods. This includes philosophical works from:
Asia
South America
India
Africa
Aboriginal philosophy
Native American
And many more.
He makes a compelling case that many traditions have been not only neglected by European thinkers, but also actively dismissed.
However, a weakness of this book is its lack of acknowledgment of European thinkers who have embraced other traditions. Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, possibly Hume, Deleuze and many others not only owe a debt to philosophers from around the world. They embrace them.
Another issue with this book is how the notion of “West” and “Western” is portrayed. Is there anything particularly “western” about some of the most important Greek philosophers?
Hardly, given the fact that many of them were from what is now called Turkey.
Nonetheless, I feel that Taking Back Philosophy belongs on your shelf and I’m glad it’s on mine. I refer to it often and it helps me think better about bringing together philosophers from around the globe and throughout history.
Six: The Nichomachean Ethics
Aristotle is not one of the Greek philosophers who originated from Turkey, even though apparently in 2016, the country tried to claim him.
Most people think that Aristotle was born in Macedonia, but where exactly he is from is not what makes The Nichomachean Ethics so important.
This book is important because it discussed many concepts that are important to us today:
The nature and role of happiness in our lives
Examples of the golden mean, such as its role in courage
Honesty
Friendship
I used this text in particular for my own dissertation on friendship. It was essential reading and Aristotle remains a key philosopher for ideas on how to educate yourself and form solid habits for the good of one and all.
Seven: Atma Bodha
Normally, you’d expect a text like the Bhagavad Gita to appear in a list like this.
And make no mistake, I think it’s well-worth reading.
However, there are many texts that have cut out the story and compressed the philosophical knowledge into a much shorter space.
I feel that it’s one of the best condensations of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy at the core of Bhagavad Gita.
Pro-tip: Ramana Maharshi also produced a compression of this knowledge in his Upadesa Saram. Comparing both texts is useful.
I’ve also shared my experience memorizing texts from this tradition in my TEDx Talk.
Eight: Sand Talk
In Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World, Tyson Yunkaporta shares key points from Aboriginal philosophy you’ll struggle to find anywhere else.
For one thing, he also shares more than just his own cultural knowledge. He digs deep into the ideas of lesser-known philosophers around the world.
Even better, he shares some of the Aboriginal and Indigenous memory techniques anyone can use to remember the philosophical ideas he presents.
Beyond the hand-based Memory Palace Yunkaporta shares, the core philosophy in Sand Talk involves a particular style of dialogue Yunkaporta calls “yarning.”
It’s an upgrade of the Platonic dialectal style of discussion, yet also predates it.
You’ll definitely want to read this book to widen your understanding of global philosophy and how Yunkaporta argues it needs to evolve.
Nine: The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics
A. W. Moore has to be one of the most underrated philosophers ever. He’s one of the few analytical philosophers out there who really understands and underscores the value of continental philosophy.
In The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics, his powers of clearly explaining core ideas are in full force. He takes you through the key thinkers starting in the Modern era with Descartes up to people who are often dismissed, like Jacques Derrida.
Since I myself have worked to balance ideas from both analytic and continental philosophy, I especially appreciate the depth of thinking and generosity of intellectual inquiry Moore brings.
Pro-tip: His book Points of View is more complicated, but also astonishing. I think he demonstrates his core thesis that it’s possible to think from no particular point of view very well.
For example, he helps us think about thinking. What’s important and how do we know? What is the nature of understanding? What exactly takes place when we’re expressing an idea?
Whitehead tackles science and asks us to rethink matter. He sees science as isolating things in time, a point Deleuze and Guattari raise in What is Philosophy?
Rather, if change is truly the only constant, then our philosophy must take it into account in a much more integral manner.
By the same token, Whitehead points out the limitations of language and the dangers of relying on it too much.
Whitehead sees how we use language as one of the main sources of our problems and a key issue with the materialistic worldview overall. Language, like science, causes us to try and “freeze” things in time rather than acknowledging the consistency of constant change.
The best part is that Whitehead often uses stories and anecdotes with references to animals that help make his points clear.
Eleven: Gödel Escher Bach
Although some people won’t recognize Douglas Hofstadter’s epic Gödel Escher Bach as a work of philosophy, I feel that it is one of the best.
It’s about the nature of consciousness with a heavy focus on examples of recursion in computer programming. But along the way, Hofstadter takes care to relate the nature of programming to art, music and our conscious experience of life overall.
Ultimately, Hofstadter sees consciousness as a “strange loop.” And the book is filled with such strange loops, including his excellent meditations on the nature of Zen.
Paradoxically, he later said in an interview, “I hated Zen.” Given how wonderfully he explains the workings of Zen in the mind of the practitioner, I have to believe he meant this in jest.
Twelve: Principles
Some readers will mistakenly dismiss books about business philosophy as “true” philosophy.
However, I feel that would be a mistake. Certainly, as a business owner, I’m biased. But it’s clear to me that a business, like every individual and the universe itself, has some kind of being. Businesses exist and we need to philosophize about them.
I chose Principles for this list for a few reasons:
Dalio’s tremendous business success
The structure of the book, which is reminiscent of Spinoza’s Ethics
The multiple layers of philosophy
For example, Dalio divides his suggestions between the nature of the individual entrepreneur, the entrepreneurial team and the business itself as a kind of “machine” operating in the world.
One of his core philosophical ideas is that all business machines are built from multiple moving parts. When conceived of correctly, these parts can be “fine tuned.”
Dalio really is a lot like Spinoza the more I think about it!
Thirteen: Aramis, or the Love of Technology
Bruno Latour took a risk with his wonderful analysis of technology and society by recording his observations in the form of a novel.
Latour introduces Actor-Network theory in Aramis, of the Love of Technology. Although it might seem unusual to deliver a philosophy about how everything is shifting at all times, Plato’s dialogues are essentially stories. And many philosophers have used the format.
If you’re interested in philosophy of science and the notions of pure immanence and becoming, this book is one of the greatest philosophy books I know that experiments with the format.
Fourteen: Striking Thoughts
A lot of people know at least one Bruce Lee quote. It’s usually, “be water, my friend.” Or it might be, “No ego, no enemy.”
These are all great, but like Bruno Latour, Bruce Lee was a philosopher of change and the relations between many things in the world. As he wrote in Striking Thoughts, “to live is a constant process of relating.”
The book is a fantastic study in dealing with constant change as a learner.
But the best part for me is the teaching philosophy. Although it won’t apply to every aspect of education under the sun, Lee focuses on processes that enable students to reach their own conclusions. And that’s including when either teacher, student or both are insecure.
And as many good books of philosophy do, this book includes enriched approaches to ethics. This book belongs on the shelf of every diverse critical thinker.
Fifteen: Discipline and Punish
Michel Foucault has been a controversial figure lately. A lot of people who seem not to have read him have co-opted poorly summarized versions of his ideas and twisted them out of shape.
Worse, they made ad hominem attacks against the philosopher himself. Sure, he may have been engaged in some unpleasant things. Many humans are. But that doesn’t necessarily reduce the value of his work.
So what is that value?
I chose Discipline and Punish for this list for two reasons:
The book tracks the historical shift from public executions to private imprisonment and the philosophical ideas involved in the transition
Foucault helps you think about how we as societies surveil each other
Foucault provides a nuanced definition of power
For these reasons, this book has been so influential, as have many other works by Foucault. You don’t have to agree with him or become “Foucauldian” to benefit from reading it.
But if you do find yourself responding judgmentally, this book might help you see how and why our culture shapes people for whom capricious responses are often the default setting.
Sixteen: On the Shadows of the Ideas
The importance of Giordano Bruno has yet to be fully explored. Many philosophers mention him, including Nietzsche, and his memory techniques remain highly influential.
Part of his ongoing longevity comes from Frances Yates’ portrayal of him in The Art of Memory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3GGcO5Cx3I
However, she misrepresents him as a hermeticist. Although he certainly has elements of pantheism in his approach, not dissimilar to Spinoza in his Ethics, I believe Bruno is ultimately a non-dualist.
If you read and even put into practice his conceptions and intentions, you’ll discover that, like the Vedantans, he was essentially working to neutralize or dissolve the notion of the individual self.
Sadly, these ideas are often lost in the discussions of Bruno, who was burned at the stake for the crime of believing in infinity.
Pro-tip: John Michael Greer’s translation is fantastic and we discuss it here.
Seventeen: Ethics
Spinoza’s importance cannot be underestimated. In some ways, the best philosophy that follows his Ethics owes him a great deal.
He is a philosopher of unity and becoming, of pure immanence before Deleuze and Guattari cooked up that term.
As Spinoza writes:
“The idea of the mind is united to the mind in the same way as the mind is united to the body.”
By demonstrating the validity of this claim, he ultimately demonstrates a complete oneness between all things. If he’s correct, we all get to experience infinity.
Pro-tip: Steven Nadler’s recent, Think Least of Death is an excellent and accessible discussion of some of Spinoza’s more challenging ideas.
Eighteen: The Classical Trivium
Marshall McLuhan is famous for his media philosophy. But none of his explosive ideas would have happened if he hadn’t been a student of how ideas were spread before radio, TV and cinema.
In fact, probably his most important book is his study of The Classical Trivium. In it, you’ll learn how some of the most important philosophers thought and wrote. For example, humanists like Erasmus and Bacon took pains to align themselves with the ancient philosophers. We often think of them as helping birth the modern era, but if anything, they were looking backwards, not forward.
McLuhan shows us how during the Medieval and Renaissance periods, thinkers believed we could read the world and the universe itself as if it were a book. It shows the history of the art of interpretation and you’ll learn about how people in this era structured knowledge. These are reading strategies that are still useful to this day.
Nineteen: Powers of Horror
Some books contain ideas that are impossible to forget.
This book helps you think better about a few things.
For example, why do you feel separate from everything else? Is it because you’re actually separate, or has your culture trained you to feel and think as if you were divided from the rest of reality?
Kristeva analyzes a number of linguistic codes and social processes, including bodily functions and conventions we’ve created to deal with them.
Sure, these topics are not exactly dinnertime conversation. But going through them with Kristeva will change your life for the better. It’s also essential reading if you want to understand cultural phenomena like the horror genre.
Twenty: How It Is
F. Cordova is an excellent philosopher to round out this list. In many ways, she compliments Kristeva’s concerns about differentiation. She shows how it happens to entire cultures.
We also find through Cordova’s work a compelling study of Native North American thinking. For example, she shows how individuality is a given, yet always in the context of the whole.
Each human being is given different opportunities to grow their strengths in this conception. They are shaped by a balance of interest in the individual’s ability to help the whole as a group.
She also talks about our duty to do philosophy, which reminds of Deleuze and Guattari’s insistence that philosophy is about the creation of concepts.
The more we all get together to collaborate on the creation of concepts for the good of everyone, then How It Is will be very good indeed.
Twenty-One: The Blazing World
Margaret Cavendish wrote philosophy against the odds.
One of the great things about this book is that Cavendish created a hybrid. Drawing from fiction, dialogue and exposition, it’s one of the most unique works of philosophy I’ve ever read.
Although it can be hard to agree with some of her views about the value of monarchic rule, you’ll benefit from considering them.
Especially given her vast intelligence. I recommend that Penguin edition. It comes with other pieces from Cavendish’s wonderful career as a philosopher who refused to be held back.
Read Philosophy with Momentum
There you have it. My top picks from decades of reading, wrestling with and remembering philosophy.
If even one of these books sparked a new idea or goes on to help you think more clearly, then this list has done its job.
But please always remember: philosophy isn’t just about what you read.
It’s about processes and creating new concepts. And it’s about what you remember, rethink and reshape over the years in your mind.
That’s where learning to retain more of what you read comes in. Not just in philosophy, but every area of your life.
To that end, I’ve created a free memory improvement course for you. You can register now right here:
It’ll give you powerful techniques to absorb complex ideas, recall them on demand and make your learning stick.
Happy reading, and remember:
The world is your laboratory for creating philosophical concepts and everything goes so much more smoothly when you have memory techniques on your side.
7 Surprising Autodidact Personality Traits You Can Easily Develop
May 30, 2025
Anyone who takes full responsibility for their learning journey already has one of the biggest autodidact personality traits: Accountability.
Whether we’re talking about Margaret Cavendish, Benjamin Franklin or Giordano Bruno, an autodidact is anyone who actively designs their own learning cycles.
That doesn’t mean the autodidact never takes courses or listens to teachers.
It means you choose your teachers rather than settling for the ones the system assigns.
Some part of your personality provides you with the motivation and wherewithal needed to arrange your own semesters.
How do I know?
I’ve memorized multiple Sanskrit chants, published dozens of books, earned a PhD, studied multiple languages and built more than one business.
All by following the autodidactic path for decades.
But here’s the real question:
Why do personality traits matter? And how do they connect with neuroplasticity, motivation and memory?
More importantly:
Can you develop these personality traits if you don’t already have them?
Yes, you can. And on this page, I’ll show you the most important traits and how to train each one into your system with surprising ease
Ready?
Let’s dive in.
https://youtu.be/8Pce6HGXdBc
The 7 Most Important Autodidact Personality Traits
The list you’re about to read contains some personality traits you’ll have heard before, such as curiosity.
But I’m not listing them just to check off boxes on a list. I’ll also challenge common assumptions and dig into the nuances that often get overlooked.
Why?
Because when we gloss over the details, we miss the real keys to developing ourselves as lifelong learners.
One: The “Cognitive Engine” of Curiosity
A lot of people have heard about Benjamin Franklin’s kite experiment.
It’s a classic case of curiosity driving an autodidact to run tests in order to produce evidence that solved a mystery.
But Franklin was also trying to avoid getting hurt. He realized that using conductive rods in the experiment would likely cause some serious damage, if not kill him.
So part of Franklin’s success that you can model is that he turned the question of electricity into a project.
Then he used analytical thinking to guide his curiosity and help him create measurable experiments.
Like Thomas Jefferson, Franklin journaled frequently, an activity you can start to do yourself in a studied manner.
Even if you don’t initially feel curious about boring topics you need to cover, simply starting to write has helped a lot of people.
I know it sounds counterintuitive, but journaling has helped me become a much more curious person. For example, I created a feedback loop around language learning using The Freedom Journal.
It helped me keep curious enough to keep moving forward when I started to find a Mandarin I needed to complete starting to get tedious.
I’ve also used journaling to explore why things I’m passionate about sometimes grow less interesting over time. This curiosity led me to discover the concept of “topic exhaustion” and develop strategies around overcoming it.
How to Use Tools of Inquiry for Driving Your Curiosity
In order to create a little engine of curiosity for yourself, I suggest getting into the habit of questioning everything. As I discuss in this tutorial, it’s one of the smartest things you can do.
David Hume is a philosopher who inspired me to question things strategically. For example, he famously inquired into human nature, partly driven by his need to heal a depression he struggled with while younger. I go deep into his strategy for doing this in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSrTyVpZRtc
Human questioned his own subjective experience relentlessly. As a result, he not only enjoyed a full career as a philosopher and historian.
Hume’s method of inquiry can take a while to develop. If you want to move faster, you can learn the memory wheel technique and ars combinatoria.
In brief, rather than feeling bored by a topic, you drive your curiosity by mentally access mental wheels where you’ve placed abbreviated questions.
Some are simple questions like who, what, when, where, why and how.
On other wheels, you can use the alphabet to place the names of various thinkers and then systematically ask how each figure would approach a certain topic.
Starting with A, for example, I would use my memory wheel to ask, “How would Arisotle think about this topic?” Then I would proceed to B and keep going until I either felt I had my answer or completed the alphabet with Zizek for Z.
Although it takes a bit of time to develop memory wheels, they truly do help drive curiosity just as if you have a little engine in your mind.
Two: High Openness to Experience
People with high openness tend to be mentally adventurous.
According to this study, people with high openness also excel at abstract thinking, artistic expression and intellectual curiosity.
Margaret Cavendish, which was the Duchess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, is one of my favorite examples of this personality trait.
That’s partly because she was also blessed with a number of polymathic personality traits too. But I also really just like her philosophical works precisely because they were so open during a time when her world was so closed.
Although Cavendish was excluded from academic circles (and was even mocked for trying to enter them), she still became one of the first women to publish under her own name in both philosophy and science.
The process she used is easy to follow, and easier than ever before in our times. Cavendish:
Read across disciplines like natural philosophy, poetry, politics and theology
Imagined alternative political and social structures
Self-published her controversial ideas even though she knew they would be rejected
Innovated by writing fiction to express scientific and political ideas
This final strategy is what you could think of as a cross-modal learning strategy.
If you want to learn more about how to bring multiple learning modes together, here’s my guide to becoming a polymath.
At the end of the day, openness isn’t really intellectual.
It’s about emotional courage. And the way you develop that so you don’t remain stuck within a limited range of interests?
In my experience with releasing deeply personal books like The Victorious Mind, I found that you really just have to get started.
I had very low openness before I published it and now am quite the opposite. And I’ve learned a lot more as a result.
Three: Tolerance for Ambiguity & Uncertainty
I don’t blame you if not having all the answers up front makes it hard to take action.
But you can develop the personality traits needed to feel utterly confused and still make progress.
Giordano Bruno is one of my favorite examples when it comes to epic achievements in the face of historical, intellectual, theological and existential complexity.
In case you don’t know his story, Bruno literally lived in a world where you could be burned alive for asking the wrong questions – and that’s exactly what happened to him.
He proposed an infinite universe filled with endless worlds and argued that no central authority could grasp the entire picture. Not Aristotle, not the church, not even Bruno.
Bruno also questioned whether Jesus had free will during his Inquisition and dared to imagine that human memory could be exercised so well that it came to model infinity.
How can you face so much uncertainty in your lifelong learning? And is it worth taking inspiration from rebels like Bruno?
Well, we’ve known since at least 1962 through scientific studies like this one that an tolerance and intolerance for ambiguity shape the careers we pursue. So I think the answer is yes.
Instead, I seek depth and breadth of experience and learning. And Bruno teaches us that we call can, because in some sense, the tolerance for ambiguity is a muscle.
I hope you will explore the processes I’ve followed and enjoy dealing with complexity with greater ease. Even under pressure.
Four: Belief in the Ability to Learn Anything
“Belief” sounds wishy washy. But it’s a real thing and when scientists measure it, they tend to use the term “self-efficacy.”
In this study, for example, the researchers found that higher levels of self-belief predicted strong grades.
If you’ve seen my list of books on learning, you might remember how I discussed the predictive processing outlined in Andy Clark’s The Experience Machine.
Basically, people tend to fulfil their destiny based on what they believe about themselves. This is true of both autodidacts and polymaths.
This fact is probably one reason why the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman came up with his own notation to help himself learn advanced mathematical skills.
His habit of simplifying things for himself has come to be known as “The Feynman Technique.”
To use it yourself, start by:
Explain things to yourself as simply as possible
Identify the gaps in what you don’t understand
Relearn confusing parts of the topic and do further research
Overall, the lesson from Feynman is that you really can take charge of your own understanding. Now you have his process and can make it your own.
And if you still feel any doubts lingering, please remember that “anything” is not an exaggeration. The fact that you know there is something out there to learn means that someone has absorbed the knowledge before.
If others can do it, so can you. You just need to develop the curiosity engine we discussed before to help drive you through any boring parts. That way, you don’t have to rely on motivation because you have a system to rely upon.
Five: Resilience & Grit
Imagine being deaf and blind. Yet still having the inner resources needed to learn how to read Braille and go on to earn a college degree.
And that’s not to mention writing fourteen books.
Helen Keller did exactly that, proving that physical conditions don’t have to hold us back. Determination can help us push through all kinds of obstacles.
Then there’s Stephen Hawking. Despite his ALS, he lived to age 76 and taught theoretical physics across his career.
It’s a weird article though. The neurology professor they interview says he doesn’t believe that one of the most potent success strategies added to Hawking’s longevity.
We’ve just seen through self-efficacy that our believes can shape our outcomes, so I suggest at least experimenting with the following process:
Redefine your limits without ignoring or denying them
Be flexible and change your modus operandi as needed, but keep your autodidactic mission at the front of your mind
Build positive belief systems around your constraints
Read biographies of people who persisted and extract more clues from their success stories
Six: Metacognitive Awareness
Thinking about your thinking is a powerful trait to have.
I remember one of the first times I noticed it happening to me. During high school, I was sitting on the porch with my friend Dave and pondering how we actually know that the sky is blue.
He said that I was thinking a bit too much, but I persisted. Over time, I watched myself ask questions like these countless times to the point of even questioning the nature of philosophical questions themselves and how they play out in my mind.
As the author of A Mind for Numbers, she talked about how she flunked math. Badly.
She ultimately had to overcome a number of cognitive blocks around math by thinking about how she was thinking.
Once she cleared them out by analyzing her thought patterns, she went on to become an engineering professor.
Now, she inspires millions of people to think differently about their own thinking. Mindshift is one of her best books on the topic.
But until you get a chance to read it, here are some steps you can follow immediately:
Reflect on your past failures and how you thought about them at the time
Ask questions about the assumptions you were making
Identify better ways to keep moving forward
In Oakley’s case, part of how she improved her math skills involved embracing spaced repetition.
I’ve done that too by using the Memory Palace technique. The results have been truly profound.
And as Peter of Ravenna makes clear in one of the greatest memory improvement books of all time, a lot of his skills with memory techniques came from thinking about how he was using them.
All kinds of so-called “Renaissance Men” had the trait of thinking, and you can pick up more tips from them in this fuller profile of their habits.
It’s just that people with blogs were a dime a dozen even back then.
But Clear’s commitment to publishing weekly, no matter what?
It’s a prime example of personal accountability.
And you see this autodidact personality trait throughout the lives of all kinds of autodidacts.
Except, it isn’t always true.
For example, Leonardo Da Vinci gave himself all kinds of learning projects in his notebooks.
He would give himself little assignments, from interviewing experts in a variety of fields to learning how birds fly.
But he also left a lot of projects unfinished.
Others?
He returned to years later, and either dabbled with them or brought them to completion.
As someone who has worked on a lot of projects and recently struggled to make progress on one of my “Memory Detective” novels, I feel like I have a sense for why this happens.
As I’ve shared with my audience a few times, I nearly gave up on Vitamin X. But being able to share the struggle is part of what helped me reach the final draft in the end.
To give you a set of steps to follow that will lead to greater accountability, give these a try:
Write a list of topics you want to master over a one year period
Use a visible tracking system, like a print calendar or mind map
Set non-negotiable learning rituals, like always studying in the same place
Give yourself deadlines and deliberately work towards them
Stop consuming and do more producing
When I needed to push through the final draft of Vitamin X?
I put aside watching videos and mindless scrolling. I made a daily editing ritual and showed up without pause until it was done.
And to make it impossible to forget my goal, I kept a printed copy of the draft on my desk at all times.
The Tricky Thing about Autodidact Personality Traits (and How to Develop Them)
What many people miss is that autodidactic personality traits aren’t necessarily qualities that you’re born with.
For many people, they’re shaped over time. Or developed in order to solve a problem.
This is a point made by Peter Burke in The Polymath.
And you really can develop in each of these areas.
But the tricky part is that you can’t develop them merely by reading stories of the great autodidacts.
You develop them by designing your own personal operating systems and consistently showing up.
That’s what Benjamin Franklin did. It’s what Bruno did and it’s what I do in order to help students around the world learn faster using the tools taught in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
If you’re serious about becoming a more curious, resilient and self-directed learner, here are two final suggestions.
First, enrol in my free memory improvement course:
Both of these resources will help you transform from someone who merely reads about autodidacticism to someone who is a practitioner.
The results are profound, so I wish you godspeed on joining us.
How Many Words You Need to Be Fluent (And How to Learn Them)
May 20, 2025
How many words do you need to know to be fluent in a language?
The honest answer?
It depends on your goals.
But most people are surprised by how low the number can be to start holding conversations with confidence.
For example, if you want to understand around 75% of everyday conversations, you only need to know about 1,000–1,200 words.
That’s roughly what it takes to pass the A2 level on the CEFR scale. I know this personally as someone who has passed exams in German at this level and found that estimate spot on.
As someone who’s also learned and taught languages including Mandarin, Biblical Hebrew, Latin, German, and Sanskrit, I can tell you this:
It’s not the number of words you know.
It’s which words (and how you learn and retain them) that make all the difference.
In this post, you’ll learn:
Exactly how many words are required at each fluency level
How to figure out your current vocabulary size
Memory techniques that help you learn more, faster—and keep it all in long-term memory
Let’s break it down so you can stop guessing and start making meaningful progress in any language you’re learning.
How Many Words Do You Need to Know to Be Fluent in a Language? The Answer
If you want to understand approximately 75% of what native speakers are talking about in everyday life, you’ll need between 1000-1200 words.
This is according to A2 on the CEFR test. For that accomplishment, you’ll need knowledge of approximately 1000 words. I’ve done it myself in German and that number sounds right to me.
What 1000 Words Really Gets You
For some people, 1000 words is going to sound like a lot to cover.
But the problem is not the amount of words. What really matters is this question:
How exactly are these words counted? Take the word “run” in English, for example. Is it really just one word?
Not really. It’s also:
To run
To have run
Ran
Running
There are other examples, such as dog becoming dogs, or cat becoming cats. A lot depends on the morphology, because in some languages, grammar will determine whether a new word needs to be used or not.
In sum, the number of words you need to learn to become fluent depends on two things:
Your personal definition of fluency (a.k.a. your goal)
The way you speak in your mother tongue in order to accomplish everyday goals
An external testing structure like the CEFR
Why Word Count Alone Can Be Misleading
If you take the CEFR as your standard, which is not a bad idea, then C2 requires familiarity with 16,000 words. But this is generally based on what you will need to understand scholarly and academic writing, a class of information that may have little or nothing to do with your daily life.
Again, keep in mind that how those words in the different levels involves matters of grammar. You can often boost your word count just by knowing how one word changes across different tenses.
For more on memorizing grammatical matters quickly, check out this tutorial.
But you can also think about the exact number of words you need by thinking about the goals you need to achieve. If you don’t read scholarly papers, then you might not need anything close to 16,000 words.
How to Figure Out How Many Words You Truly Know
Think about your mother tongue.
How many words in the language can you recall right now?
Chances are that you would struggle to list all the words you’ve learned over the course of your lifetime.
The Truth About “Active vs “Passive Vocabulary” (And Why It Matters)
Passive vocabulary, on the other hand, involves words that have gone into reserve. We have to stretch to remember them because we use them less often. That, or we might undergo linguistic deskilling for a variety of reasons.
For example, this happened to my English when I spoke primarily German for a few years. Likewise, in Mandarin, if I don’t use the new words I learn frequently, I can wind up struggling to get them back from memory or confuse them with other words.
All of these facts about language learning beg the question:
How do you know how many words are active in your vocabulary? Here are a few things you can do.
One: Anki
Anki is a spaced repetition app that will help you track your recall rate.
It’s easy to misuse this software, however. To avoid failing to use it properly, be sure to check out my article on how to optimize Anki for language learning and other goals.
Two: Flashcards
If you use physical flashcards as part of your language learning efforts, you can simply count how many you answer correctly.
Three: Listening Tests
Throw on a podcast or movie in the language you’re learning.
Using a notebook, keep track of how many words you recognize.
There might be a catch with this kind of testing, however. If the movie or podcast is in a dialect you’re not familiar with, your accuracy count might not be accurate.
This can happen in your mother tongue too. For example, when watching Deadwood or The Witch, both of which use older forms of English, I sometimes didn’t recognize words or expressions, even though they are technically in my mother tongue.
Four: Reading Tests
As you read, keep a tally of how many words you understand. If you read at an especially high level, you can probably just count the amount of words on one line and multiply that by the number of lines on the page.
Recently, I got a famous German book and was delighted by how I can cruise through many pages and recognize almost every word. But when I pick up a Thomas Mann novel, I get the inverse effect.
Four: Writing Tests
Every once in a while, sit down and compose an email to someone on a topic in the language you’re learning. If you don’t have a friend or speaking partner in the target language, you can still complete the exercise without sending it to anyone.
But I highly recommend ample regular written communication with a variety of people who speak your target language. This simple daily activity will help you harness the levels of processing effect.
In 5-10 minutes per day, you can easily test the amount of words you know in any language.
Pop it into a software that gives you word counts and you’ll instantly know how many words you wrote in that message.
You have to make an allowance for repetition, however. Definite and indefinite articles should be excluded from the count, for example.
Six: Record a Conversation
If you’re meeting with a language learning teacher regularly, you can record the sessions. Then, when you review the recording, count the words you know.
If you need tools for doing this, check out the part of my language learning software post where I talk about how I record my sessions and review them.
Seven: Review Your Memory Palace Networks
In the language learning parts of the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, you learn to use a special memory device called a Memory Palace.
Once it’s populated with vocabulary, it’s easy to know how many words you know. This is because you’ll have one word on each station.
At more advanced levels, you can start to memorize entire sentences on each station of your Memory Palace.
This simple strategy will help you scale your vocabulary much faster than continuing to memorize just one word at a time.
Seven: Sit for an Exam
If you really want to know where your level of fluency is at, arrange to take an exam. The CEFR makes it very easy to see how many words you’re capable of dealing with.
There are other exams you can pursue, depending on the language. When I sat for the level III Chinese exam, for example, it was based on the HSK system.
How to Become Fluent in Any Language Fast
The truth about fluency is that you simply want to be able to accomplish the goals that are important to you in the language.
For most people, you’ll want to shoot for B1, which is achievable within 6 months to a year. This CEFR level will equip you with at least 2000 words.
Chances are that you’ll have a much bigger vocabulary than that, however, especially if you’re reading regularly in the language. After all, books are the ultimate spaced-repetition app.
But beyond reading, here are the steps you need to follow:
Lean Into Multiple Media
I’ve just mentioned the importance of reading. You also need ample doses of:
Speaking
Listening
Writing
Memorizing
For the listening and reading component, check out my tutorial on using Netflix to learn a language. It will help you combine listening and reading at the same time.
Setting limits with how many language learning books you use at a time is critical to your success as a language learner.
Be Disciplined with Your Language Learning Material
Many people overwhelm themselves with too many options. They’re constantly hunting the Internet for the “magic bullet” that will finally help them learn the language they’re interested in.
It won’t happen.
Instead, you need to milk the materials you already have for all they’re worth.
To make progress much faster, limit yourself to:
One video course
One audio program
One textbook
One teacher
Stick with them until you’ve reached a milestone before moving on to the next.
Learn How to Associate
The fastest way to commit anything to memory is association.
This means that you take something unfamiliar and associate it with something you already know.
When you learn how to do so, you’ll be able to benefit from active recall. For help with this, you can learn association techniques like the story method or the pegword method.
For a quick example of association, think of a word like “vocabulary.” Just pretend for the sake of this example that you don’t know it.
To use association to learn it, you would look at the first letter of the word. It’s a V so I’m going to think of a Vulcan named Spock. I would then have him tap his vocal chords while jumping into a cab.
What associations can you think up for the rest of the word?
Hint: It’s not always easy, but Ferris Bueller’s Day Off might help you.
How Memory Techniques Make It All Possible
The only problem with association is that it can be confusing and murky to figure out what association goes with what word.
Let’s say you have a Vulcan getting into a cab while tapping his vocal chords. He’s on his way to see Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at a theater next to a library.
Using the Memory Palace technique specifically for language learning, you would place this association in a familiar location, such as on your living room couch. Or you could use an outdoor journey, like the one pictured above that I’ve used for memorizing Sanskrit phrases.
With a smart and strategic approach to creating your Memory Palaces, you can memorize thousands of words and phrases with ease.
Embrace Mistakes
The fastest way to reach fluency is to make as many mistakes as you can.
Sadly, some would-be learners just can’t get past the embarrassment. That, or their egos are too strong.
But the reality is that making mistakes develops pattern recognition through comparison.
And of course, we need to realize that even as experts in our mother tongues, we still sometimes misspeak. Everyone slips up and needs to make corrections from time to time.
To develop greater tolerance for making mistakes, it’s important to be relaxed during your learning sessions.
I recommend meditation and simple stretching exercises a few times a day. These activities are also good for your memory overall.
Fluency On Demand
Anyone can develop fluency.
And everyone should. The benefits of bilingualism are too good to ignore.
The trick is to let the numbers help you, not frustrate you.
The CEFR levels are probably the best indicator out there, and the best part is that you can practice for the texts without worrying too much about exactly how many words you know.
For many of us, numbers will serve as milestones that we use to chart our progress.
Personally, I’ve never stressed about it. Although I once counted that I know 1700 words in Sanskrit, this knowledge hasn’t added a shred to the ways that I use the language to create fulfillment in my life.
The same thing goes with using the Memory Palace technique you can learn with this FREE course:
I have created several hundred Memory Palaces. But the actual number isn’t nearly as important as the outcome of using them.
And that outcome has been tremendously useful. It’s helped me earn degrees, travel the world, and speak with the locals in their language while visiting many different countries.
I’ve learned 1200 words for A2, reached B1 and probably now have 16,000 words for German by now. But as I’ve tried to show in this post, what matters is not your word count. It’s how consistently you study and practice.
And the more you base the words and phrases you learn on what you regularly say on a daily basis, the faster you’ll reach functional fluency. Chances are, what you say in your daily life in your native language is exactly what you’ll need in your target language too.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to dive in and start learning more words in the language you dream of speaking fluently?
Make it happen!
How to Memorize Things Fast: 5 Science-Backed Techniques
May 17, 2025
If you want to memorize information fast, you need more than hope.
You need the proven techniques you’ll find on this page, each of which has been tested in the real world.
Who am I to say?
As someone who’s trained memory competitors, taught university students, and explored the depths of ancient and modern memory science, I’ve answered thousands of questions about increasing memorization speed.
And I’ve given hundreds of demonstrations of how fast I can memorize using the simple strategies you’re about to discover.
Along with the reason and the proof behind why the strategies work so well to make long-term retention happen faster.
Ready for the no fluff, no gimmicks answer to how to memorize anything fast?
Let’s dive in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a16B8EIBgZ0
How to Memorize Anything Fast: 7 Proven Tips for Rapid Recall
If you want to memorize fast, above all, you must learn the most powerful memory technique ever invented.
That’s where we’ll start.
One: Embrace the Memory Palace Technique
Everything gets faster once you commit to using proper Memory Palaces.
The reason these tools help you out is that you use them to help you install associations in your Memory Palaces without having to think for more than a second or two.
No doubt about it. Learning these mnemonic skills takes a bit of setup.
But once you have them working, you’ll be able to memorize anything much faster.
Three: Use the Chunking Memory Strategy
So many of my students have an “all or nothing” attitude when they first wind up in one of my workshops or courses.
Although you certainly can memorize mountains of information, it’s important to take everything one unit at a time.
We know this from many studies in what is called the chunking memory strategy. I’ve profiled it fully in this guide for you.
Chunking helps you memorize faster because it strategically breaks large pieces of information down into smaller, more manageable units.
I made my TEDx Talk easier to remember, and the Sanskrit phrases in it simple by sometimes focusing on just one syllable at a time.
Some may worry that chunking will make them slower, but it’s the classic tortoise versus hare principle. The tortoise always wins.
It also just makes sense.
Instead of trying to memorize 15459878455, you break it down into 1-545-987-8455.
This method harnesses your brain’s ability to recognize patterns. As a result, you harness greater efficiency and ultimately move faster.
Four: Engage All Your Senses with KAVE COGS
Now that you know about the main mnemonic tools and chunking, the next step is to engage all your senses.
As scientists have demonstrated, the benefits of multisensory learning are profound when you set things up correctly.
Correctly is the key term, and that’s why when I memorize names at demonstrations, I use a mnemonic elaboration system called KAVE COGS:
Kinesthetic (touch)
Auditory (hearing)
Visual (sight)
Emotional (feelings)
Conceptual (ideas)
Olfactory (smell)
Gustatory (taste)
Spatial (sizes)
I apply the same set of elaborations to memorizing playing cards, numbers, speeches, poetry, historical dates or whatever it is I’m memorizing.
It’s that simple, though you can find more intricate approaches to engaging all your senses in the mnemonic works of authors like Giordano Bruno and Tony Buzan.
I’ve just found that KAVE COGS works best for me. It took me a while to come up with, but once I settled on the pattern, I was very pleased by the results.
But due to how memory works, you should certainly consider creating your own multi-sensory model if KAVE COGS isn’t right for you.
The point is to have one in the first place so you don’t waste time thinking about how you’re going to make the target information “stickier.” You just follow the system.
Five: Use Spaced Repetition Properly
Many people know about spaced repetition. But they don’t optimize how it works.
Briefly, you need to call information to mind first, then write it down by hand. Plenty of active recall studies show this exact process works well.
Alternatively, you can perform active recall completely from within a Memory Palace. You can also explore my guides on improving your use of these popular spaced repetition devices:
Once you understand your options for optimizing each of thse techniques, plan your review sessions with them deliberately.
Make sure that you manually set the spaced intervals. Leaving it to software to decide is a tragic mistake because notifications are easy to dismiss.
In this study, researchers also show the consequences of not getting enough cumulative reviews, which often happens when we relegate our review schedule to machines.
To avoid such problems, I suggest keeping a memory journal to help stimulate reflective thinking as you test the memories you’re working to establish.
Journaling is powerful because it builds metacognitive awareness around your practice. The process will give you clues on how to improve, and that’s ultimately how you wind up memorizing faster.
For more information on how memory champions use journaling, check out my interview with the legendary Johannes Mallow.
Rapid Recap: How to Memorize Anything Faster
You now know to create Memory Palace, learn the main tools of mnemonic association and tactics like multi-sensory elaboration, chunking and spaced repetition.
By combining these five simple approaches, you will rapidly enhance your ability to memorize information quickly and effectively.
Beyond that, you just need to be consistent. My guide on deliberate practice will help you with that if you don’t know how to show up often enough to get results.
And if you need more help with Memory Palaces and other mnemonic tools, sign up for my free course here:
It gives you four video tutorials and worksheets that will help you improve the speed of your memory.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to use what really works when it comes to permanently committing important information quickly?
Let’s do this thing!
How to Remember Where You Put Something in 5 Steps
May 14, 2025
Even as a memory expert, I know how maddening it can be.
You know you put it somewhere – but it’s just… gone.
Whether it’s your wallet, a USB drive, your keys or something you’re sure you stashed in a safe place, losing things is disruptive.
Fortunately, learning how to remember where you put something is simple.
And in this guide, I’ll show you practical, science-based ways to recover the memory of where you put something.
Even if it was weeks or months ago.
These strategies have helped many of my Magnetic Memory Method students recover lost items and strengthen their spatial memory for betting recall in the future.
Better:
They’ve been able to train their minds to forget less, which is what you’ll be able to do too after reading this post.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVOsG9CKCb8
Lost Something? Here’s How to Remember Where You Put It
When you can’t remember where you put something, your first instinct might be to search physically.
You know how it goes. You race around:
Checking drawers
Retracing your steps
Overturning cushions and pillows
However, there’s a better approach.
Search the area you believe you may have left the item mentally first. Here’s how.
When you consciously revisit the past, over forty years of research shows that you have more ability than you might think.
The key is to stop and relax. Breathe deeply and move yourself away from emotions of irritation or panic.
Next:
Close your eyes
Ask, “What was I doing the instant before I last held the item?”
Let your mind do its work
Just letting your imagination operate without too much nudging from you can be hard at first. But with practice, you’ll find that it gets easier.
As weird as it sounds, this technique works best when you stop trying to remember.
Replace the mental pushing with experiencing your memory, almost like you’re watching a movie you’ve seen before.
Two: Ask Reconstructive Questions
I just gave you one simple question to ask. But if it doesn’t work, you can get more specific.
Try these questions:
What was I wearing when I last saw the item?
What was I thinking about when I used it?
Was it part of a routine?
What there anything or anyone else near me?
Where have I lost the item before?
According to Harvard professor Daniel Schacter, famous for his Seven Sins of Memory, asking these questions helps you rebuild the context around the missing item.
Context dependent memory is powerful and these kinds of questions help your brain fill-in-the-blanks that you probably aren’t even aware of while hunting around.
Three: Use Physical Cues
If the previous two methods don’t work, it’s now time to revisit the environment where you most likely lost the item.
But not for the purposes of rummaging through cabinets.
First, return to the room where you think the item must be.
Next, try to stand in the same spot where you last had it.
Finally, start touching objects or furniture in the room.
Often, calmly walking into the space can bring you back to the same mental state you were previously in.
Like context-dependent memory, you’re activating what is sometimes called state-dependent memory. Although similar, it’s more physical.
Alternatively, taking a walk or grabbing a hot shower can trigger completely different states. By getting out of context and out of state, you can sometimes trigger recall from a completely different angle.
Four: Make A Checklist
If all else fails, keep a checklist of where you’ve looked using pen and paper. This simple activity is helpful for one simple reason:
Nothing wastes time and stacks on frustration faster than looking in the same place two or more times.
When looking for the missing object, aim to be thorough. If you’re looking into boxes in storage, make sure to pick the boxes up and look under them so that shadows don’t obscure the object.
This happened to me during a recent move when I was looking for a screwdriver I’d set down. I couldn’t see it in the garage until I picked up a box that had hidden the screwdriver in shadow.
Had I been following a check list that covered both the areas I’d searched and reminded me to pick up boxes and other items that cast shadows, I probably would have found the missing item a lot sooner.
Five: Prepare for a Future of Keeping Better Track of Your Items
We’re all busy, but one of the best things you can do when you finally find your missing items is take steps to never lose it or anything else again.
Simple, I know, but I’ve found the technique incredibly powerful.
And since knowledge is power, let’s consider why our brains make such annoying errors in the first place.
Why We Forget Where We Put Things
The list is long and possible reasons for forgetting include:
Clutter
Cognitive decline
Not knowing when something we set down will be needed at a certain time in the future (a prospective memory problem)
The specific intrinsic value we assign to the item
The kind of thing (receipts often get lost in ways that differ from car keys)
Disruptions that “knock” information out of our immediate awareness (we often forget things when moving from one room to another because temperature and other changes swarm our senses with new stimuli)
Thinking through such possibilities can help us be kinder to ourselves when things get lost, which they inevitably will.
Never in history have people owned so many personal possessions.
Not only do we tend to have more objects overall than any previous generation. We also have elaborate digital identities.
It might seem like a small thing at first glance. But in reality, having multiple email accounts and social media profiles on several platforms takes up tons of mental space. Managing where we’ve placed our information on computers or in the cloud can and often does lead to digital amnesia.
I can think of another issue related to how people living in our times own more things coupled with storing endless personal data in computers.
We have memory “meta-memories,” which is to say, memories about the memories that we’ve had.
In other words, I often think of photos I used to have on hard drives that no longer work. It’s great that I’ve used memory techniques throughout my life, something that’s made remembering such highly personal memories easier.
For some of us, however, this kind of meta-memory leads to levels of loss and longing our species never had to deal with before. Learning to let go is in some case the best option.
But the bigger picture aside, when it comes to simple items that you’ve misplaced, there are fortunately very simple strategies. I use them often myself and each one is powerful.
How to Find Lost Items: Additional Tips
When it comes to finding lost items even faster, here are some additional tips and tricks I’ve found useful over the years.
Keep Control Over Your Emotions
Getting upset when you can’t find something you’ve lost track of is understandable.
In The Victorious Mind, I go further into breathing exercises, meditation and other mindfulness techniques that can keep you in good emotional stead.
Harness Your Family & Community
You don’t always have to search alone. Ask for help from others in order to speed up the search.
If you’re particularly forgetful, getting into the habit of telling others where you’re placing a commonly misplaced object can be helpful.
The trick here is to only involve positive people. Family members who take every opportunity to criticize you for your forgetfulness should be avoided when it comes to this particular issues.
Say Locations Out Loud When Leaving Items
One way to help your brain remember the location where you’re leaving something much better yourself is saying it out loud.
For example, you can announce out loud, “I’m leaving the keys by the door.”
Sure, this might feel silly, but it will help create a stronger memory because you’re using more of your brain while placing the item in a location.
If you’re with someone else, you also give yourself an extra shot that someone else will remember it too because they will have heard you say the location of the item too.
Play Lost & Found Games
Okay, this suggestion is a bit quirky.
But think about it:
When you regularly exercise the “treasure hunt” capacities of your mind, you’ll develop mental muscles for locations.
You don’t have to wait for Easter to play such games. And it’s fun to get the whole family involved.
Also consider using a round of lost & found as a segue into other brain games for adults.
The Ultimate Way to Train Your Brain to Remember Where You Put Something
Earlier I mentioned starting at a particular part of your home when conducting a search.
This approach is also used as part of an ancient memory strategy called the Memory Palace technique.
It’s a way of rapidly finding our way back to ideas we don’t want to forget. It’s also useful in language learning, where the practice of memorizing vocabulary itself helps you find information better in your mind.
Although this technique offers you an indirect path to finding items you’ve misplaced, it will exercise the location-sensibilities of your mind because it uses spatial memory in a way that can heighten your awareness of your surroundings.
If you’d like to learn more about it, check out my FREE Memory Improvement Course:
Within a short period of practice, you should find yourself experiencing some memory boosts that help you learn faster across the board.
But at the end of the day, nothing beats relaxing yourself, searching strategically and then committing to do better in the future.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to find things you’ve lost in a better way than ever before?
5 Real Memory Palace Examples for Improving Your Recall
May 12, 2025
Have you been looking for real Memory Palace examples that will actually show you how this learning technique works in the modern world?
You’re in the right place.
I’ve used the Memory Palace technique to pass university exams, master foreign languages, and even lecture in German while teaching Film Studies at the University of Saarland.
My TEDx Talk, delivered entirely from memory, has been viewed millions of times. I’ll show you exactly how I built it along with a graphic of the exact location.
In fact, you’ll even get a Memory Palace walkthrough filmed inside my own home, so you can see how to structure your journeys for better focus, creativity and long-term recall.
Everything you’re about to learn comes from personally testing more than 300 Memory Palaces for accomplishing many different learning goals. And many interviews I’ve conducted with the most accomplished memory experts in the world.
Ready for the most empowering Memory Palace examples so you can achieve your learning goals?
Let’s dive in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STlYIiF9RzI
Now that you’ve watched the walkthrough in the video above, let’s take a moment to more closely define the Memory Palace technique.
Seeing this ancient technique in its fullest possible context will help you use this unique learning approach better.
Understand This Before Copying Any Memory Palace Examples You Find Online
The first thing to understand is that the Memory Palace technique was taught theoretically for a very long time. Ancient guides like Rhetorica ad Herennium had to illustrations.
At best, Aristotle gave a visual example of the stations in a Memory Palace using the alphabet. I show this page in my video tutorial on Aristotle’s Nuclear Alphabet.
Later, during the medieval period, Hugh of St. Victor was said to stand in front of an illustration of Noah’s Ark to help his students understand how to use it to remember aspects of theology. You can read about this history and see illustrations in The Mystic Ark by Conrad Rudolph.
Also note that the Memory Palace technique is sometimes called the Method of Loci. Other people call it the Roman Room technique. Searching these terms can help you find even more examples.
“Memory theater” too, which was one of Robert Fludd‘s preferred terms. Here’s what one of his illustrated Memory Palaces looked like:
No matter what you call it, the technique is based on layering associations along a journey based on locations you remember.
That’s the key.
You’re not memorizing locations for use as Memory Palace. You’re harnessing memory spaces that are already in your memory.
Please pay special attention to this point. Many people think they have to go out and memorize locations in order to use them.
That’s just not true and in fact creates the cognitive load using Memory Palaces helps reduce.
For more details on how to select and develop these learning tools optimally, please refer to my foundational Memory Palace tutorial which goes in-depth on its history and a number of important considerations for getting the most out of the technique.
With these principles in mind, let’s look at our first example.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWd1KaWFBm0
1. The Bird’s-Eye Memory Palace Using A Single Building
This kind of Memory Palace involves looking down and through the roof on a building.
You can use:
Homes
Churches
Cafes
Theatres
Bookshops
Schools
Museums
Just about any location will do.
The basic idea of this approach is to experience the Memory Palace as if you’re looking down at a floor plan.
To create your first Memory Palace in this style, I suggest you quickly sketch it out.
As you can see, I’ve drawn this Memory Palace based on one of my Berlin apartments by hand:
Drawing each Memory Palaces is important because it trains your brain to think about the journey through the building you’re assigning.
A bit of preparation in the beginning will ensure that you can use the Memory Palace much faster once you’re ready to use it to memorize anything, including vocabulary, or an entire speech.
I’m not the only one who draws Memory Palaces.
As you saw above, Fludd illustrated one of the theatres he used.
More recently, my friend and fellow memory expert Jonathan Levi shared his hand drawn Memory Palace mockup after I showed him some Memory Palace best practices.
He even showed the Magnetic Memory Method-style Memory Palace he drew from the top-down perspective in his TEDx presentation:
In sum, the process is simple:
Select a location suited to creating a Memory Palace (usually a familiar building, but parks and other locations will do)
Get out a sheet of paper, ideally in a Memory Journal devoted to Mind Palace creation.
Draw the Memory Palace.
Strategically structure your journey through the Memory Palace.
Practice the journey mentally one or two times.
Use it to memorize something by using mnemonic images (what I sometimes call Magnetic Imagery).
In this kind of Memory Palace, you use an entire university campus.
I found this kind very useful when studying for my PhD at York in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
And that’s not just because the multiple buildings gave me lots of space with which to work.
It’s also linked to something called context-dependent memory. It shows that you remember more when you closely associate what you need to remember with locations and other aspects of life.
Since I still use York’s campus from time to time, I’ve used an old campus map I saved to craft this detailed video tutorial for you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1GwODwffCc
If you want to use the example from my York Campus video tutorial but have never been there, it’s easiest to use the top-down view.
Or you can imagine watching yourself walking from station to station as if seeing the journey through your own eyes and imaging that you’re there.
Let’s explore that option further in our next example.
3. The 1st Person Memory Palace (For Immersive Encoding and Recall)
When using a first person approach, here’s what happens:
You imagine yourself in the Memory Palace, literally seeing the journey as if through your own eyes.
Or, you can pretend to be a character in a video game or movie and see through the eyes of that character.
For example, using an outdoor Memory Palace, I once imagined being this Giordano Bruno statue and navigated parts of Rome that I had previously developed into a small set of Memory Palaces:
Personally, I find this approach draining. But assuming the viewpoint of a character definitely works.
One reason why it works is that you’re using imagined experience as an additional hook.
The best part is that you can switch in and out of this approach while using top-down Memory Palaces.
You can also rotate between multiple roles.
For example, when I memorized the hiragana and other aspects of Japanese, I switched from pretending I was Ezra Pound to Homer Simpson.
This is based on a Magnetic Memory Method Principle I call the Bridging Figure.
4. The Virtual Memory Palace (For Imaginative Learning)
In other words, they are purely imagined, either by yourself or based on novels, movies or video game locations created by someone else.
This approach is not for everyone.
I personally find invented Memory Palaces more difficult than they are worth for my learning projects. Since my goals with Latin and Sanskrit involve a lot of moving parts, I prefer standard Memory Palace for activities like language learning.
But if you want to give imaginary Memory Palaces a try, I suggest listening to memory competitor Idriz Zogaj for some wisdom on using this kind of Memory Palace. You might find his comments useful.
In the meantime, I’ve recorded all my best suggestions for the virtual Memory Palace approach in this detailed video tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myN7wCWDWCI
5. The Magnetic Memory Memory Method Palace (Advanced, Integrative Learning)
This kind of Memory Palace combines a number of mnemonic systems.
At its core, you still take a location you know well and mentally assign specific pieces of information.
But unlike other approaches, you develop well-formed Memory Palaces that do not lead you into dead ends or waste time and mental energy by crossing your own path.
An illustrator helped me visualize my TEDx Talk Memory Palace with this picture so you can see how direct and unfettered a Magnetic Memory Palace can be:
What additionally sets the Magnetic Memory Palace apart are the additional tools I teach in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass. Such as:
With these additional techniques working in combination, using each and every style of Memory Palace feels like a game as you usher any information you want to know into long-term memory quickly.
FAQS About Memory Palace Examples
I’ve fielded many questions about this technique over the years.
Here are some of the most frequent with quick answers.
Personally, I believe that our species collaborated on the technique and we continue to develop it together. For more on this view, I suggest reading The Knowledge Gene. You might also consider my conversation with Andrew Mayne about the Memory Palace technique in the age of AI.
Do I need to have physical access to locations I want to use?
Not at all. I use locations I haven’t seen since I was 9 years old perfectly well.
That said, some people find it useful to touch the walls of the locations they will use, especially when starting out.
At a bare minimum, I suggest 26, one for each letter of the alphabet.
At more advanced levels, you can add a second Memory Palace Network to fill out your PAO System.
You can go further still by explore Memory Wheels, an older example of the Memory Palace technique that you might enjoy exploring.
Can I combine Memory Palaces with other mnemonic techniques?
Yes, and a core feature of the Magnetic Memory Method is that I show you exactly how.
By combining methods you can learn more at a faster rate and retain it much longer.
What’s the benefit of drawing my Memory Palaces by hand?
There are many benefits.
For one thing, you get the process out of your head and onto paper.
A lot of people underestimate how draining it can be to work out an optimal journey purely in the mind.
But by sketching out your Memory Palaces, you’re able to chart the journey quickly, logically and in a way that saves you time later. You know exactly where you’re going as you use the technique.
Additionally, you can store your journeys for review in notebooks or on index cards. I draw many of my Memory Palaces on cards so I can easily alphabetize them. Here’s one example of a Memory Palace sketch based on a bookshop in Cairo I use often:
A Memory Palace drawn on an index card to maximize its value as a mnemonic device. This one is based on a bookstore in Zamalek, a part of Cairo.
How do I choose the right locations to use?
The key is that the location is in your memory and you can easily move from what I call the “terminal station” to an exit.
If you watch the Memory Palace walkthrough video at the top of this page, I show you the logic of why this works so well.
When following these principles, you’ll find that nearly any location that you remember will serve as a perfectly suitable learning tool.
The only exception is that some locations may carry unpleasant personal memories. I’ve talked about this problem in The Victorious Mind and it is possible to cleanse these locations.
But in general, it’s best to choose neutral locations or places you feel positive about.
Bonus: How to Create Your Own Memory Palaces Based on These Examples
I suggest that you avoid starting with just one location.
Rather, use the alphabet to help assign a variety of locations you can link with information easily.
I call this approach the “Memory Palace Network.”
You literally develop one Memory Palace per letter of the alphabet.
To give you a quick example, I have a few ‘A’ Memory Palaces. Two of them are based on the homes of friends I know named Adam (once from elementary school, another from university). Another is based on my favorite Apple Store in Brisbane.
I often use my friend Brad’s house for words that start with the letter ‘B.’ I also use the local bakery as another B Memory Palace.
And when memorizing a poem recently that starts with the letter ‘W,’ I used a Woolworths supermarket.
This approach is an advanced form of linking, a technique well worth learning as you develop your mnemonic skills.
And if you’d like more help, feel free to grab my free memory improvement course:
It gives you four clear video lessons and three Memory Palace worksheets to fill out.
For now, the five Memory Palace examples and the full Memory Palace walkthrough video above demonstrate that this technique isn’t some fantastic notion from the past.
It’s a tried and true technique, a living skill that many people still use to this day. I’m talking about everyone from these memory athletes to the many students of mine who have sent in their testimonials.
Adapt the Memory Palace technique for yourself, expand on the core principles through practice and you’ll not only improve your recall.
You’ll change the way you think, learn and interact with information.
An incredible journey awaits.
Enjoy and please let me know how it goes. You next breakthrough is just one well-formed Memory Palace away!
7 Lessons in Learning from Thomas Jefferson’s Polymath Lifestyle
May 09, 2025
The polymathic brilliance of Thomas Jefferson spanned continents and revolutionized society.
The question is, how?
And why was polymathy so key to Jefferson’s success?
Part of the answer is because his thirst for knowledge knew no bounds.
But more importantly, Jefferson had a strategy for retaining what he learned.
From multiple fields.
The way that Jefferson tracked his knowledge helped make him great in multiple fields.
I’m talking about everything from agriculture to technological innovations in writing, language learning and politics.
Everything about his ability to challenge conventions and relentlessly pursue that knowledge that helped him change the fabric of society boils down to four things:
His personal knowledge management systems
His polymathic mindset
His community-focus
His consistency
Combined, Jefferson’s life of achievement offers us a blueprint for how we can become better polymaths ourselves.
So if you’re interested in constant growth as you explore multiple disciplines, the lessons I’ve extracted for you from Jefferson’s life will ignite your potential.
Let’s dive in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrmsVLJr-zc
What is a Polymath? Why Thomas Jefferson Perfectly Fits the Definition
In case you’re new to the term, any individual with deep knowledge and proficiency across multiple disciplines, counts as a polymath.
When it comes to Jefferson as a polymath, here’s a rapid-fire overview of some of his skills and accomplishments in a variety of domains:
Linguistics: Mastered Latin, Greek, Anglo-Saxon, and Italian. Jefferson created his own Anglo-Saxon dictionary by tracing thousands of words to their Old English roots.
Science and Invention: Participated in testing early carbon paper and using a pantograph for simultaneous copying, along with a portable copying press. He also designed a “mould board plow of least resistance.”
Agriculture: Kept a detailed “Garden Book” tracking meteorology and plant imports.
Education and Mentorship: Founded the University of Virginia, planning its buildings and rules; mentored students with curated book lists and study plans.
Law and Politics: Drafted the Declaration of Independence, researched and challenged primogeniture, advocated for free schools and a free press.
Literature and Analysis: Produced the Jefferson Bible through textual analysis. Maintained a commonplace book for reflections, akin to a Zettelkasten system.
Organizational Skills: Tracked data in pocket-sized memorandum books and erasable “ivory books.”
Skillfully outsourced tasks, matching people to roles.
Music: Played violin daily.
Designed his 1776 lap desk, mirroring other polymaths like David Lynch who crafted his own furniture for films like Lost Highway.
Persistence and Vision: Contributed to libraries and universities despite personal debt. Jefferson persistently pushed for educational and social reforms.
Where do all these talents come from?
Let’s look at the origins of his polymathic study habits next:
Setting the Foundation: Jefferson’s Early Learning Experiences
A polymath is also not necessarily an autodidact, though usually some form of self-education is involved. That was certainly the case in Jefferson’s life, including from a young age.
For example, in his first known letter at just 17 years of age, Jefferson expressed concern about anything that would take his time away from studying Greek, Latin and mathematics. He was already committed to extracurricular learning.
Thanks to his father’s library, he was able to read some of the greats at a young age, including Shakespeare, Swift, Bacon, Locke, Newton and Cervantes.
One of his polymathic skills involved book curation and storing them.
Despite losing his first library to a fire at his Shadwell home in 1770, he rebuilt his collection. By 1815, he had amassed 6,487 volumes, not counting many folios.
“Folio” can mean different things, but in his time, the term typically referred to large-format volumes reserved for authoritative works. The fact that Jefferson collected such books demonstrates his scholarly ambitions.
His collection with also multilingual and well-organized.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuX9U2SVF6o
As we’ll discuss later, Jefferson kept a variety of notebooks and special kinds of flashcards to assist in his style of structured learning.
In particular, Jefferson’s habit of keeping a “commonplace book” has helped historians track his many polymath personality traits.
As Jefferson once wrote:
“I was in the habit of abridging and commonplacing what I read, meriting it, and sometimes mixing my own reflections on the subject.”
This comment further underscores his disciplined approach to learning.
Finally, we should note his modesty. He was skeptical of honorary degrees, viewing them as unearned accolades. This choice reflects the true polymath’s preference for authentic mastery over superficial recognition.
Jefferson’s Major Contributions as a Polymath
Spanning politics, agriculture, science, linguistics and more, Jefferson’s contributions are astonishing to behold.
A huge part of his political success stemmed from his research skills, particularly in law.
He lived during a time when legal books were scarce, yet he tirelessly pursued the resources he needed. His investments demonstrated his commitment.
More impressively, he was devoted to legal education itself. As Silvio Bedini discusses in Thomas Jefferson: Statesman of Science, he created a book list for other would-be legal scholars and offered to visit one learner to help during the learning process.
These efforts at empowering others show that his commitment to positive change was both local and nation with a special devotion to individuals.
At the macro level, you can see this same conviction play out in Jefferson’s efforts to abolish primogeniture.
This law gave the eldest son the right to inherit all of a family’s wealth and land, devastating younger siblings who could be left with nothing. It concentrated wealth and power in fewer hands, limiting opportunity and reinforcing inequality.
Thanks to Jefferson’s reading habits and ability to understand Enlightenment thinkers, he succeeded.
Two: Designer
Jefferson loved adjustable bookshelves. He even designed a revolving bookstand that folded into a cube. It could also serve as a lectern.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAIiy_if1V4
He participated in the invention of early carbon paper systems and a pantograph.
Sometimes called a polygraph, this device had two pens, allowing a writer to create two copies of a composition at the same time.
Although he didn’t invent the device himself, Jefferson’s feedback helped shape how it developed over time.
In terms of landscaping, Jefferson prepared detailed plans for the Gardens of Monticello on his plantation in Virginia.
He also designed his own portable writing desk and in a completely different field, what he called the “Moldboard Plow of Least Resistance.”
That invention belongs to the next area in which Jefferson displayed polymathic mastery.
Three: Agriculture
We know a lot about Jefferson’s skills as an agriculturist because he documented his activities thoroughly.
In his Garden book, he meticulously tracked what he planted, where and when.
Harvests were also meticulously arranged into notated tables with dates. Jefferson called them “Kalendars.”
What can we learn from Jefferson’s detailed record-keeping?
The value of precision, for one thing.
He was able to optimize for efficiency and from there helped inform other agriculturalists. Here we see an example of the power of learning from great minds.
Jefferson’s devotion to documenting these activities set a precedent that would be valuable in the future too:
As an importer of plants from Europe, tracking also helped note any issues that might have emerged. This kind of information remains important today and is used at customs checkpoints around the world.
If you want to know how to think like Jefferson, always keep in mind the power of his commitment to documentation.
Four: Linguistics
Jefferson wrote that being able to read Latin and Greek texts in the original was a “supreme luxury.”
Likewise, he read Machiavelli’s The Prince in the original language, partly to learn more about languages, partly for political science.
Five: Music
Jefferson apparently played violin every day while he studied the law.
Jefferson continued playing throughout his life, and as Helen Cripe remarks in Thomas Jefferson and Music, “he devoted a surprising amount of time to it, given the scope of his better-known interests and activities.”
He needed to remember music too because anything on paper could be easily damaged. He once lost from precious minuets to both hungry rats and a strong period of rain.
Luckily, much of the music he collected survives to this day. Give this recording a listen to hear the kinds of tunes he enjoyed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAOurpDRyPw
Jefferson reportedly also sung clearly and was often heard at home. As a hummer, musical accompanied him outside the home as he walked around his properties.
He invested in top-notch musical educators for his daughters and grand-daughters and ensured they had quality instruments.
Although he did not expand his skills from the violin to the piano, he often wished that he did. Nonetheless, he learned to tune and maintain pianos, which is a skill unto itself.
One point Cripe makes in her book that I notice as someone who wrote a dissertation on friendship for my PhD at York University is powerful:
Music and his performance skills were essential to Jefferson’s relationships, both familial, with friends and with other polymaths. As his extensive correspondence with the lawyer, jurist, author and composer Francis Hopkinson shows, they delighted in optimizing their musical instruments.
For example, they experimented on perfecting special parts essential to producing the best possible sounds from their harpsichords.
Metronome drawing at the upper left and bass pedal board drawing at the lower right in a letter from Jefferson to fellow polymath Francis Hopkinson.
In his letters to Hopkinson, Jefferson sometimes sketched his ideas for a better metronome and foot-bass pedals.
The time spent in friendship like this provides evidence of collaboration, craftsmanship and a passion for what he called “the delightful recreation” music brings.
In other words, music gave Jefferson a lot of fun. We should all invest in learning to play at least one instrument and helping others do the same.
Six: Vision & Planning
Jefferson’s involvement in the founding of the University of Virginian showcases his ability to bring a wide variety of skills together.
He surveyed the grounds, helped develop the architectural plans and communicate his ideas in ways that led to practical designs.
Despite dealing with personal debt, Jefferson balanced his risk tolerance against his commitment to education. He put significant resources toward founding the university based on his vision, valuing social progress over personal gain.
What can we learn from his actions today?
Jefferson’s vision was almost certainly stronger because he wrote so much in a variety of ways, from journaling to meticulously documenting what some might consider minutia.
My belief is that he was able to take on so much additional risk precisely because his vision was only partially based on speculation. He knew that in order for his country to thrive, people would need to cultivate open minds.
As he wrote, “No nation can afford ignorance.”
To that end, he went above and beyond the call of duty by helping the new university craft innovative rules for admission, graduation and university governance.
Seven: Reading & Research
We might take it for granted that Jefferson was a reader. How could he write so much if he weren’t?
Like many polymaths and mnemonists, Jefferson kept commonplace books. More than just serving as a journal, this kind of personal writing helps people curate personal reference libraries.
Some of Jefferson’s commonplace books were for legal matters. In them he would focus on case law and legal principles.
In others, he would collect poems, philosophical ideas and notes related to textual analysis.
This activity lead to the creation of his Jefferson Bible. The first version was produced after Jefferson cut and pasted from several versions of the Gospel. He left out the miracles and supernatural events to highlight the life and morals of Jesus.
In addition to highlighting his skills in textual analysis, the Jefferson Bible demonstrates his commitment to efficient learning based on the core principles of the law and science he admired so much.
Strategically, we can learn from Jefferson the importance of:
Keeping our notes physical, but also portable.
The memory benefits of transfering our notes.
Evolving our knowledge over time by keeping multiple kinds of journals and notebooks.
For more on Jefferson’s notebooks, I highly recommend suing the search function on the Monticello website.
Want to Learn Like Thomas Jefferson?
When people hear about the accomplishments of someone like Jefferson, they can feel out of reach.
It all sounds like hard work, a feeling Peter Burke stimulates in his book, The Polymath. As he summarizes:
“A life of Thomas Jefferson describes ‘amazing readiness’ to work long hours, sometimes from five in the morning until midnight, and his advice to a student to work for eleven hours a day.”
There’s no doubt about it.
That kind of advice can be deflating. And it sounds quite a bit like the kind of “grind culture” we hear from tech bros like Elon Musk.
The good news is you don’t have to play games of comparison with Jefferson in order to use his example to supercharge your learning life.
A hidden secret to what Jefferson was doing is called interleaving. He rotated between multiple study projects, something anyone can do in order to boost retention and comprehension.
He took multiple kinds of notes and made sure to practice music across his lifespan, activities well within reach of nearly ever lifelong learner.
If you like tips like these and want to supercharge your mind and memory further, feel free to continue your journey by claiming my free memory improvement kit:
It gives you four video lessons and three worksheets that will help boost your learning speed and unleash your inner polymath.
No, you might not go on to revolutionize society. But you can revolutionize yourself.
Why not start now?
Memory Palace Ideas from Lifelong Learners and World Class Pros
Apr 20, 2025
When I started using memory techniques back in grad school, I worried that I was going to quickly run out of Memory Palace ideas.
I had tons of textbooks to cover, after all!
The same worry occurred to me later when I needed to learn German.
In retrospect, it was a silly worry that I can laugh at now.
But even though I’d heard that many memory champions and professional mnemonists typically developed hundreds of these mnemonic tools in short order, I still doubted myself.
After all, back when I was in grad school I had barely traveled. I also still barely knew about the technique and how it really works.
I needn’t have worried, however. And nor should you.
That’s because today I’m giving you concrete examples from a wide variety of people.
Some come courtesy of students who have completed my Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
Others are from my friends in the worlds of either memory competition or memory training.
Yet others have been handed down to us from the ancient history of mnemonic methods.
I’ll even share with you a few of my own Memory Palace examples.
So, are you ready to dive in and discover where to find Memory Palaces?
Good. Let’s begin our search with a powerful tool for assessing what precisely makes the following possible locations worthy of your time and effort.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU3UjILxlJE
L.O.C.I: A Mental Tool For Testing The Worth Of These Memory Palace Ideas
Before I dive into a list of examples, it’s useful to have a means of deciding whether or not one of today’s ideas will work for you.
Since the Memory Palace technique is based on the method of loci, I came up with a handy acronym for you:
Location
Does the memory space you choose support linear or logical navigation?
Ownership
Is the location lodged deeply enough in your memory that you feel like you “own” it? This guideline doesn’t mean that you remember every single detail. Just that it resonates with you in a personal way.
Clarity
Will you be able to clearly and distinctly navigate the space? Cluttered spaces with no clear journey can create obstacles that drain you of mental energy.
Indexable
Can you name the place or give it a number? Although not always necessary, it’s often important for mnemonic linking to be able to refer to the Memory Palace some kind of word-based or number-based label.
Keep this “L.O.C.I.” acronym in mind as you sort through the Memory Palaces ideas that follow.
The homes of relatives, friends, babysitters, real estate you’ve considered
Churches
Museums
Art galleries
Government buildings
Schools and university campuses
Swimming pools
Pool halls
Bookshops
Grocery stores
Arenas
Concert stages
Airports
Libraries
Clubs
Cafes
Workplaces (offices, warehouses, factories)
To give you a simple example of how I’ve used one of these locations, check out this quick drawing I made of my mnemonic image for the German word for “area” inside Berlin’s Tegel Airport:
Mnemonic Example for the German Word Bereich
I know, I know.
I’m not a great artist.
But that’s not the point.
The drawing involves Bender and the drummer Steve Reich in an area I was familiar with in the airport. I chose them because the sounds of their names combined reminds me of “Bereich” in Germany.
Why did I stick this strange image in the airport? In this case, it’s because airport starts with the letter ‘A.’ And although you can’t see it in the drawing, they are situated in the “area” of the airport where you can buy pretzels.
In German, pretzel is “das Bretzel” and Bender is trying to buy them from Steve Reich. But he’s getting drum sticks instead in that area of the airport.
If you’re new to combining mnemonic images with Memory Palaces, I know this can sound like there’s a lot going on.
But once you have a bunch of Memory Palaces, it will become very simple. Even intuitive.
So to begin the journey towards the ease I’ve experienced now for decades, start writing down possible locations from you life based on the list above.
And let me know in the comments: What additional possible Memory Palace examples come to your mind?
I used this Brisbane skateboard park as a Memory Palace while preparing for a Mandarin exam in 2018.
Memory Palaces Based on Outdoor Locations
My personal preference used to be buildings and the only time I would stray was when I used vehicles to memorize playing cards.
These days, I’ve expanded my collection of Memory Palaces and use:
Some outdoor locations are too difficult because they don’t have enough landmarks.
So when I mention rivers, please understand that I’m using the Brisbane CityCat ferry stops. They’re still all outdoors locations, but their plan lends a specific structure to the mnemonic journey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn05eskjIFg
How to Find Memory Palaces Ideas from the Indoor & Outdoor Categories
I’ve heard from a lot of people over the years who can’t travel or go outside.
That was once me too.
Long before I was able to travel the world, I spent most of my life indoors during the long Canadian winters.
For me, the initial key to getting together a number of Memory Palaces was to break my schools down to individual classrooms.
For example, in the Memory Palace drawing above, I indexed each room of the high school with the name of the teacher.
In other words, Mr. Ralston’s class was the R Memory Palace. Mr. Schmidt’s class was the S Memory Palace, and so on.
Although small, it was possible to use this one high school in a variety of ways.
Frankly, I believe schools are one of the best places to use as a Memory Palace because most of us spend hundreds, if not thousands of hours in them.
They also provide tactical benefits, including:
Logical flow
Distinct landmarks (like baseball diamonds and parking lots)
Rooms that can be mentally revisited with ease
Helpful features to use like desks and chalkboards
Usually aren’t cluttered or abstract
Body Memory Palaces
Although limited in size, it’s possible to use any human or animal body as a Memory Palace.
Essentially, your hand and other parts of your anatomy comprise geometrical shapes. To help you better break things down, give this tutorial on using geometrical shapes for your Memory Palaces a watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAPwOf31N7o
If you’d like to work with the cards you see in the video, they’re a wonderful product created by my fellow mnemonist John Michael Greer.
Other objects you can use include rings, keys, coins, even the buttons on your own shirt.
The key consideration when selecting objects is again found in the L.O.C.I. set of guidelines.
Although you can use a grain of sand as a Memory Palace… is it really going to help you achieve much?
Always keep the goal in mind as you develop your Memory Palace Networks.
Memory Palaces Based On Imagination
Now, you might be wondering:
Is it possible to create Memory Palaces out of thin air?
Yes and no.
When thinking about virtual Memory Palaces, keep in mind that they are always referential.
Here’s what I mean:
Whether you choose a game that has a fortress in it, or develop one on your own, that imaginary fortress is based on your more practical concept of what similar buildings look like in reality.
Some people do just fine with such Memory Palaces and that’s great.
But for many of us it adds a level of cognitive load because we have to memorize the location or object to which we have no practical connection.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myN7wCWDWCI
Here’s what matters most:
Experiment.
If you run into issues, no problem. You’ll have learned something.
Don’t run away too soon, however.
What you might struggle with in the beginning can soon become easy after a bit (or a lot) of deliberate practice.
Real-World Examples from Magnetic Memory Method Students
During over a decade-and-a-half of teaching the Memory Palace technique, I’ve received countless examples from lifelong learners around the world.
Here are some of my favorite examples they’ve sent me.
As you can see above, she used my “sea shelling” principle to create a “path on paper” she could mentally navigate for spaced repetition of my lessons.
Although some minds might find this approach challenging, it’s worth experimenting with at least a few times.
Lee Escobar
I’ll never forget Lee Escobar reaching out for one-on-one coaching for a very specific goal.
As a speaker, he wanted to remember the names of all his attendees… and their seat number.
Having this knowledge committed to memory enabled him to write a highly personalized presentation that blew his audience away.
Don’t take my word for how amazing his results were after I showed him how to accomplish this goal.
Lee himself sent me the results to share with you via this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWgx5W5p0VM
I’ve got dozens of success stories like this on my testimonial page.
But let’s turn now to some examples from memory champions and memory experts I’ve known over the years.
Example Memory Palaces from the Pros
As far as I can tell, the only difference between people who become highly skilled with Memory Palaces and those who don’t is a willingness to study and practice this special mnemonic device.
Here are some of my favorite success stories.
Jonathan Levi
When Jonathan Levi visited me in Berlin, the first thing he wanted was a personal lesson in creating the perfect Memory Palace for his upcoming TEDx Talk.
As a successful entrepreneur, Levi nailed that talk and even shared it in the presentation. Although he’s now a retired mnemonist, he taught memory techniques to thousands of people during his run.
We tested each other more than once during our many hang outs and he really knows his stuff.
Alex Mullen
Alex Mullen won the World Memory Championship three times.
As he has discussed and shared, he uses his own home as a main Memory Palace.
Want to know what it looks like inside?
Give this video a view:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNAXY53uKWk
Don Michael Vickers
Although I don’t have a picture of any of his Memory Palaces, I’ll never forget Don Michael Vickers telling us about how he uses locations like Tim Hortons during this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
He’s so fast with his Memory Palaces, he memorized 50 words in just under 38 seconds?
You can watch him do it under official conditions on MemorysportsTV.
There are other examples from other pros, but these are my favorite that come to mind.
Personal Practice: My Top 4 Favorite Memory Palaces
I’ve been using Memory Palaces for decades now. 2003 feels like a lifetime ago, but that’s when I first got into them.
I first learned about the technique via my interest in card magic and memdeck applications. Then I deepened my understanding by reading extensively about the ancient memory tradition.
Most of my Memory Palaces are simple, but some are a bit more complex. Here are my three favorites.
Mandarin Chinese Class Memory Palace
I still don’t know what I was thinking.
Jonathan Levi and I were developing a non-memory business together and the Magnetic Memory Method project was hopping.
But I’d so enjoyed visiting China and learning about the mnemonist Matteo Ricci‘s adventures there, I just knew I had to learn more about the language.
And so I did.
Without too much time on my hands, I used the Chinese classroom itself for much of the task. You see my sketch of it above.
I also combined a few mind maps with Memory Palaces, like this:
Although technically flashcards aren’t Memory Palaces, my colleague and Zettelkasten expert Sascha Fast recently told me he thinks they’re close enough. I agree.
Flashcards as mnemonic devices for Chinese characters
Zamalek in Cairo
When I visited Olly Richards in Cairo, I had big plans to learn as much Egyptian Arabic as possible while there.
A few days in, however, I fell off a camel. I got hurt so bad, I wound up not doing much language learning at all.
I did visit a bookstore in Zamalek, however.
It impressed me so much that I immediately sketched it out. I still use it to this day.
A Memory Palace drawn on an index card to maximize its value as a mnemonic device. This one is based on a bookstore in Zamalek, a part of Cairo.
My TEDx/Sanskrit Memory Palace
People ask me often about reusing Memory Palaces.
Although you certainly can do it, I normally prefer to avoid this practice. There are lots of issues that can arise, as discussed in this video tutorial about what mnemonists often call “ghosting”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umt-innA-u8
Call me crazy, but when I was asked to give a TEDx, I thought I’d risk it.
I’ve used this same Memory Palace three separate times. Not only that, I used it in three separate ways.
A Memory Palace Example based on a Brisbane neighborhood I used to live in
In addition to the TEDx Talk, there are two long-form mantras in it based around dozens of Sanskrit phrases.
But to be frank with you: I won’t take that risk again.
It was worth it for the experiment, to be sure. But I ultimately feel that my performance of the talk would have been better in a completely unused Memory Palace.
The “Sand Talk” Memory Palace
In Sand Talk, Tyson Yunkaporta teaches a very simple Hand Memory Palace.
Basically, you link the rules for a meeting to your four fingers. As you touch your thumb and each finger together, you recite: “Connect, Respect, Reflect, Direct.”
I showed Tyson that I had used it during our interview and I’ve been using it ever since. There are many other ways to use hands as Memory Palaces, and I look forward to spending the rest of my life exploring them.
Memory Palace Q&A
Now that we’ve gone through multiple ideas and plenty of examples, let’s get some of the most frequently asked questions answered.
Question 1: What is the best location to start with when new to the Memory Palace technique?
I believe it’s best to give your mind the easiest possible option.
That could be your home, workplace or school.
The key is that the location is already in your memory.
I don’t advise people to memorize locations because that would be the “Memorized Palace technique.”
A true Memory Palace is based on a location already in your memory.
Question 2: How do experts choose their Memory Palaces?
The answers vary.
Memory athletes need speed so their Memory Palaces tend to be clear.
For my personal projects, I often need a lot of volume. So I look for places with big rooms and large walls.
Originally, I struggled with hanging associations in the air. But now I’m much better at it and much of my TEDx Talk is outside.
Ultimately, I find that the more people practice, the more quickly they develop a personal “mnemonic style.” They develop an intuition for what kinds of Memory Palaces work best for their goals.
Question 3: How many loci should a Memory Palace have?
If you’re just starting out, I suggest getting familiar with 8-10.
That will prepare you for many more.
In the image above, you can see the Memory Palace I used for hiragana. It has 48 loci, which I could easily use because I’d already had years of experience.
That said, some people take to this technique very easily.
So it’s important that you experiment.
Try to avoid the idea that there are any “magic numbers.”
Set goals instead and develop Memory Palaces that will help you achieve them. You can always split large goals across multiple Memory Palaces.
Question 4: What factors make a location bad for use as a Memory Palace?
First things first, having negative emotions associated with a location can make it a bad idea to use certain locations.
There are some exceptions to this rule, but generally I suggest picking either happy or emotionally neutral places.
Beyond that, if the locations are overly complex like shopping malls, this can be bad.
Not all hope is lost, however. You can always break shopping malls down into individual stores and corridors. I’ve done that quite a bit.
Some people say that the locations should not be bland or visually unexciting. I haven’t found that to be an issue personally, however.
Many university campuses feature buildings that aren’t particular exciting. They’re just long hallways with doors leading into classrooms.
But I’ve found them perfectly suitable, so long as I hold them in memory. In some cases, bland locations are the best because they don’t distract from the task at hand: using them to memorize information.
Question 5: How many Memory Palaces should I have?
I believe you should develop as many as you possibly can across your lifetime.
Even if you only do it for the brain training, constantly exercising your spatial memory is a very good thing.
If you’re a lifelong learner, even better. You’ll easily remember what you study using the abundance of Memory Palaces you have on hand.
Final Thoughts on Finding Powerful Memory Palace Ideas
When I was just starting out, I had the benefit of years practicing both sleight-of-hand magic and music.
So I knew that it was going to be a lifelong learning journey that involved continually refining my technique and gathering more locations.
Now you have a proven framework that took me years to develop: L.O.C.I.
Always keep in mind that the best locations aren’t necessarily exotic. So long as they’re familiar and lend themselves to mental navigation, you’ll have no problem using them.
Treat your attention as the gateway to finding and using more Memory Palaces. They are literally every way. You just have to notice them and develop them.
Need more help? Sign up for my free memory improvement course:
It gives you four free video tutorials and three worksheets that walk you through everything you need to know.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to develop some Memory Palaces and use them to experience deeper recall, sharper thinking and long-term retention?
Make it happen!
Multipotentialite vs. Polymath: The Difference and Why It Matters
Apr 17, 2025
If you’ve heard the terms multipotentialite and polymath thrown around, but can’t tell what sets them apart, you’re not alone.
These labels have different histories, for one thing.
And although they both describe people who display diverse talents and interests, there’s a massive difference between them.
Why does the difference matter?
Because you’re not just interested in a few things — you’re fascinated by everything.
In fact, your browser tabs are a hall of mirrors.
Your bookshelves look like an interdisciplinary battleground. You’ve filled notebooks, journal apps, and your brain with treasure troves of knowledge…
But then someone casually asks:
“So… what do you actually study? What did you learn?”
And just like that — your mind goes blank.
You’re not alone.
In fact, this problem has haunted some of the most brilliant, curious, and driven minds I’ve ever met — and I was once one of them.
That’s why we need to dig deeper when it comes to terms like “polymath” and “multipotentialite.”
As soon as you do, you’ll find that there’s no clear consensus on their meaning for good reason.
And few are brave enough to criticize the cultural narratives behind these terms, including whether or not they are truly empowering. Or just being used in the modern world as part of marketing products you don’t need.
That’s why today, I’m inviting you to dive deep with me to explore how these labels and concepts can inspire your own journey.
All while avoiding the dead-ends and traps of empty promises offered by what are sometimes nothing more than self-aggrandizing labels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbsTUz2SsHw
What is a Multipotentialite?
The short answer is that a multipotentialite displays key characteristics like:
Broad interests and high curiosity in a variety of fields, from coding to painting and entrepreneurship, often mixing them together in unique ways.
Adaptability for learning quickly and picking up skills in ways that rapidly solve problems before moving on to the next challenge.
Flexibility, which may involve a lot of gig-style jobs or hybrid roles that allow for a lot of variety.
In this book, authors Ronald H. Fredrickson and John Rothney explain that a multipotential person is:
Any individual who, when provided with an appropriate environment, can select and develop any number of competencies to a high level.
The book is a passionate appeal for both the educators, local governments and the state to identify and nurture students through what they call “enrichment.”
They list several recommended procedures, many of which include encouraging young people to engage in autodidact efforts outside of the traditional classroom setting.
These include:
Participating in fairs, agricultural activities and contests
Taking additional courses so they graduate early
Working personally with teachers on enriched reading program
Visiting professionals working in a variety of impressions
If nothing else, the concept of being a multipotentialite owes Gardner a conceptual debt.
I feel this way because anyone who truly puts in the deliberate practice needed to learn new skills will need to exercise the different kinds of intelligence Gardner discussed. These include:
Existential (in other words, the ability to ask certain kinds of ontological, philosophical questions)
Overall, Gardner suggests that if someone is going to fulfil their potential, they need to leverage multiple intelligences. That way, they can blend strengths like verbal fluency and multiple kinds of creativity to navigate a variety of pursuits.
Mainstream Attention for the Multipotentialite
In a 2015 TED Talk titled “Why Some of Us Don’t Have One True Calling,” Emilie Wapnick shifted the term to include people who thrive on diverse passions, resist specialization and weave their skills into a multifaceted career.
In essence, Wapnick argues that people should feel free to call themselves what they please. Plus, they should pay more attention to the meaning of the TEDx Talk, not the word “multipotentialite” itself.
I agree, but that doesn’t free the use of the term from some much-needed critical thinking.
But before we get into a deeper analysis of what might be driving this most recent use of multi-potentiality, let’s look at polymathy next.
What is a Polymath?
A polymath is someone who displays expertise across multiple fields.
Often, they are unrelated and we commonly discuss polymaths as if they are driven by insatiable curiosity.
Although curiosity is one of many polymathic personality traits, Peter Burke provides one of the most nuanced studies of exactly what this term has meant throughout history.
His suggestion is especially interesting because we sometimes automatically consider polymaths lifelong learners.
But as the limited polymath category shows, there have been many cases where people only needed to be polymathic for a certain period of time.
During the early days of metallurgy, for example, a person experimenting in this area might need to know a lot about mining and smelting. But as civilization developed, there came a day when individuals could focus almost entirely on casting.
In other words, some types of polymathy have to do with historical evolution and the development of particular fields. It’s not necessarily the case that the individuals involved had any special, inborn characteristics. They are simply responding to the need to develop their multiple-potentialities until that need passes.
The Two Main Categories of Polymath
If you wanted to boil the more general understanding of polymathy into two broad categories, Burke suggests using:
Centripetal polymathy
Centrifugal polymathy
Whereas a centrifugal polymath simply stacks one interest onto another without any special connection between them, the centripetal polymath has a unifying vision.
For example, someone like Elon Musk talks about populating space as a central unifying concept, but his activities appear more centrifugal to many critics.
He tells a great story, but a lot of what has developed appears to be ad hoc, made up as things go along. Walter Isaacson gives plenty of examples of this, such as the sudden appearance of the Boring Company on the menu.
The polymath Giordano Bruno, on the other hand, had a unifying vision based on around learning, memory and a view of the oneness of infinity. Nearly everything he did was connected to this unifying theme.
Multipotentialite vs Polymath: A Critical Perspective
Please don’t get me wrong in what I’m about to say.
I’m just practicing the analytical skills I learned while studying for my PhD and throughout my career. And I’m mostly going to point the finger at myself.
But when I heard Wapnick talk about choosing the term “multipotentialite” because labels like polymath and Renaissance person failed to resonate, etymological narcissism was the first thing that popped to mind.
Now, I just made up the term etymological narcissism (or at least, I can’t remember seeing it anywhere else). But Wapnick is very specific about pronouns, all while running a blog that intentionally markets a book called How to Be Everything.
The Real Problem with Multipotentialite as a Category
As an author myself, my narcissism is high. It has been ever since I was a kid, along with my cynicism and a high tendency to contradict just about everything I encounter.
I’m not diagnosing anyone, but I am reflecting on my personal experience as someone who underwent psychoanalysis nearly twenty years ago in order to help me become more open.
As a result, I’ve become a better researcher and that’s why I went looking for the history of the term multipotentialite.
That’s when I found Fredrickson and Rothney’s book about multipotential youth.
No, Wapnick isn’t at all presenting the term multipotentialite as an original creation.
But the whole issue of assigning new terms and arguing for the right to own them without facing criticism makes me think of when Tony Buzan reportedly established trademarks for the term mind map. As of the time I’m writing this, I cannot find a trademark number for mind map in the UK related to any person or organization.
Don’t get me wrong. I loved Buzan, but as I wrote years ago about mind mapping, no one owns this term. Buzan did amazing work in popularizing a particular means of using round structures on paper to help with thinking and memory.
My feeling is that there’s a fallacy of false attribution at play that lends itself to the problem of narcissism. So although I agree with Wapnick that focusing on the terms themselves is futile, by insisting on a special definition for multipotentialite, it’s almost as if there’s a rush deeper into the problem of categorizing things. Not a way out.
That’s why I find the book title How to Be Everything confronting. Even Buzan said that the rules will set you free. But when there are no rules and you can call yourself anything and be anything, meaning crumbles.
A Devastating Blow for the Meaning of “Polymath”?
Although the term “polymath” has a ton of historical weight, it’s not immune to critique.
For one thing, the ideals of the Renaissance Man not only feel unattainable. They don’t really exist, and you’d be right if you felt the urge to dismiss the idea completely.
Time and again, Burke shows how the idea of the polymath is historically determined. And when it comes to the medieval and Renaissance eras, he describes a paradox.
People like Robert Fludd could claim to know everything. But that’s only because there weren’t that many books you needed to cover.
By the same token, it was harder to travel in order to cover all of the extent books. So even though we can talk about our contemporary ideas about human psychology in terms of openness, a person also had to want to travel. They also needed to have the financial means to do and often the social network needed to meet people who owned various knowledge resources.
Indeed, you could be the most curious person in the world. But if you didn’t have a letter of introduction from a powerful person, you didn’t just waltz into the library of Saint-Victor of Paris. You had to know someone, and that’s exactly how Giordano Bruno managed to access it during his lifetime.
Key Differences Between Multipotenialite and Polymath as Learning Types
Putting my critical thinking aside, let’s assume that these terms are both equally valid.
The main differences between the two learning styles boil down to the following.
Learning Style
According to Wapnick, multipotentialites learn quickly and rapidly become functional in the skills they need to complete projects.
Although the examples Wapnick gives strike me as surface learning, that doesn’t mean there isn’t understanding.
It’s just that polymaths typically go far beyond learning just enough to implement. There’s usually mastery involved a depth of learning that is refined over decades.
In my experience, for example, I studied and taught for years before earning a Mercator guest professor grant. I played in multiple bands before being good enough to go on tour with The Outside. And I wrote multiple full-length books, a dissertation and several journal articles before a single one of my titles stood a chance on the market.
Then there’s the countless hours I’ve poured into learning how to run a website. That skill is related to my success on YouTube, but video is its own realm of speciality and I’ve spent years on everything related to crafting presentations and delivering specifically for the screen.
In other words, polymathic learning is iterative and expertise compounds based on foundations that are established in multiple foundations and built thoroughly.
So although a multipotenialite might code a website on the same day they produce a some graphics, a polymath might have the depth of knowledge needed to innovate a completely new programming paradigm – and the entrepreneurial skills enough to start a completely new business around it.
For example, the poet Christian Bök learned programming while learning biology and other aspects of science to create living poetry. The skills needed to successfully create The Xenotext not only create a new paradigm, but also change how we think about writing and memory entirely.
Interests
Wapnick argues that multipotentialites shift their multiple interests around based on opportunities as they arise. For this reason, I wonder why Wapnick hasn’t been drawn to the term autodidact as an alternative to polymath.
After all, Wapnick is talking about how lots of people operate in the current gig-economy. Side-hustles and short-term projects aren’t necessarily interests, though I suppose it helps if a person can make themselves interested enough to get something done to a reasonable standard.
Mastery drives the polymath, however. There’s typically long-term strategy involved, particularly aimed at solving specific problems.
Benjamin Franklin’s polymathic work in science, politics and publishing all focused on solving specific problems. He put in the depth of study needed to address the complexities involved in each.
Dealing with Obstacles
Multipotentialites may struggle with challenges like indecision. As Fredrickson and Rothney point out in their 1972 book, a problem for students with multiple potentials is that society pressures them to pick one thing.
Nothing has changed in our world, and it was definitely that way in the past. Many medieval schools required students to focus specifically on the Trivium and Quadrivium, eliminating decision-anxiety altogether.
If we take Fredrickson and Rothney’s description as our foundation, a main problem for people of potential is that they don’t like to feel isolated.
Polymaths, on the other hand, often embrace isolation. If anything, a common theme amongst the most inspiring polymaths is how challenging it is for them to work with others.
A polymath might find it extraordinarily difficult to learn something just to complete a quick job for someone. Anything that takes time from their passions might frustrate them – including their own projects.
That sounds funny, but many people have noted how easily da Vinci dropped various projects he was working on throughout his career. It’s not that he failed at some of them. He deliberately set them aside.
The Mastery Fallacy
Many people mistakenly believe that polymaths do everything perfectly.
This is absolutely incorrect. Most of them only manage to reach higher levels of mastery because they embrace mistakes and analyze them. Doing so is one of the key steps to follow if you want to become a polymath yourself.
Multipotentialites have the advantage here because they priortize competence and a spirit of exploration over depth.
If you’re happy with dabbling without developing synthesis, them assuming the multipotentialite label could serve you well.
But will acting that way provide you with with the true versatility Wapnick suggests?
I’d like to say that it’s completely up to you. But if we’re going to have meaning in our words and in this world, I suggest you grapple with the topic deeply.
In fact, you might want to study meaning itself to a polymathic standard of mastery.
How to Become a Multipotentialite or Polymath
Frankly, I’m not sure the idea of becoming a multipotentialite stacks up. It sounds to me more like a fancy way of saying one is a “free spirit.”
But if you want to use that term, it seems like all you have to do is:
Explore lots of hobbies, side projects and various skills without pressuring yourself to commit to any of them. Lots of platforms like Udemy, Skillshare and Coursera cater to such outcomes.
Network across multiple fields. As suggested in Recognizing and Assisting Multipotential Youth, go to lots of job fairs and visit a variety of professionals in multiple fields.
Set short-term goals. Focus on functional skills for specific projects (like learning Photoshop).
Starting Out as a Polymath
Albeit challenging, the basics of polymathy couldn’t be simpler:
Commit to depth in 2-3 fields and dedicate years to mastering them.
Read foundational texts and take courses from the best experts you can find (even if they are snooze-inducing, it is possible to deal with boring topics).
Keep a journal to help synthesize ideas across the fields you’re studying.
Even if you prefer isolation, seek and invest in mentors. They will help guide your learning.
Either way, avoid the traps of self-labeling for validation.
As mentioned, I had problems with this habit when I was younger. I share the whole story of how I broke out of it in The Victorious Mind.
Yes, I admit that the book’s title is just another label, and sounds just as self-aggrandizing as How to Become Anything.
The difference is that I’m concerned for learners who wind up thinking that shallow exploration without accountability will truly fulfil them or make them feel like they are “everything.”
Always embrace your strengths, but stay critical of any claim that massive result without putting in some serious work.
Speaking of putting in some effort, feel free to take my free course on using the Memory Palace technique to rapidly remember anything as you engage in either learning approach.
It gives you four video tutorials and three worksheets.
I don’t skim on the details, so prepare for depth.
The focus here is on depth and rigorous skill-building when it comes to how you remember what you learn.
I hope you found this analysis of these two terms useful and as a fan of critical thinking, I look forward to your views and experiences related to what we learners call ourselves and the nature of accomplishment.
Do Memory Palaces Work? Here’s What The Evidence Says
Mar 29, 2025
The quick answer is yes, Memory Palaces absolutely do work.
Scientific studies consistently show us that using this ancient memory technique enhances memory recall.
Students in specialized fields love them because this technique works especially well for ordered lists, complex information and any learning goal where you need to establish long-term retention.
The catch?
Using this technique requires a bit of setup.
How much depends on where you currently find yourself in life.
For some people, mastery takes an incredibly short time.
In other cases, I’ve seen students try to learn the technique in bits and pieces. As a result, it’s taken longer than necessary.
Either way, the evidence stands in favor of the technique.
So does the thousands of years of tradition and the decades of memory competitions.
But it really wasn’t until 1885 that the first scientist truly put memory to the test.
Starting with that groundbreaking study, let’s look at what researchers have found since.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJgiPBDWCEI
Do Memory Palaces Work? The Essential Evidence
Noting that the use of Memory Palaces goes back thousands of years, earlier even than the method of loci discussed in Greek and Latin training manuals like Rhetorica ad Herennium, it was Hermann Ebbinghaus who helped us first understand why this technique works.
Thanks to his research on memory in the 1885 book, Memory: A Contribution to Experimental Psychology, we now have incredibly useful terms.
These include the primacy effect, recently effect and a memory strategy called spaced repetition.
This term describes a specific review pattern you can use to overcome what Ebbinghaus called “the forgetting curve.”
As his n=1 experiments showed, we lose 50-80% of information at a steady rate unless we review it.
Learning to use spaced repetition to defeat the Forgetting Curve started in earnest with the research of Hermann Ebbinghaus.
One of the best ways to defeat the forgetting curve?
Partly, that’s because the proof was already abundant in how people practice the technique. But scientists of the mind were also pouring a lot of their attention towards topics like subliminals for memory and other types of subconscious influence.
To make it work, the user would simply ask, “What was happening to the door?” and the scene would bring back the target information.
As Bower puts it, the technique works because:
“The loci on the list are well learned and are easily called to mind. Recall of the scene constructed at each locus enables him to recognize and name the other object in it.”
Bower is exactly right and that’s why I always tell people taking the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass to use locations familiar to them.
You certainly can use imaginary and virtual Memory Palaces. But you risk adding additional cognitive load that isn’t technically necessary.
Although neurological evidence was slim when Bower produced this scientific article, he used the memory science on hand to hypothesize that part of this techniques success boils down to left hemisphere brain activity and verbal ability.
Routes to Remembering by Eleanor Maguire
The Memory Palace technique is all about assigning memory spaces for whatever it is you want to learn.
The researchers found that, although their artificial Memory Palaces worked without taking up much time for the participants, these provided Memory Palaces did not improve anyone’s results.
As I interpret their research, you’re better off sketching your own Memory Palaces based on locations you’re familiar with. Like the one you see in this illustration:
A Memory Palace drawn on an index card to maximize its value as a mnemonic device. This one is based on a bookstore in Zamalek, a part of Cairo.
This difference is important because a true Memory Palace is not something you’ve memorized.
As the Maguire research suggests, a true Memory Palace works so well for a simple reason. It harnesses the power of spatial memory and locations you’ve already automatically learned.
It’s by basing your use of this technique on how memory works that makes the biggest difference outside the laboratory.
Studies of Medical Students Using Memory Palaces
A few years ago, researchers at Monash University tested Memory Palaces on medical students.
Both head researchers appeared on my podcast to discuss the study and you can still listen to both David Reser and Tyson Yunkaporta share their interpretations of the results.
A VR Memory Palace used in research from Journal of the Academy of Dermatology
One point about this dermatology research is interesting. It’s something you also find in the Monash University research:
Researchers supplied the participants in these studies with not only Memory Palaces but also mnemonic images.
This feature of their research raises an interesting question: Has anyone studied the difference between Memory Palace locations that researchers give you versus the ones you develop on your own?
The answer is yes.
Accuracy in a Virtual Memory Palace by Jan-Paul Huttner
We’re getting a bit into the weeds of mnemonic technique here, but these researchers report that participants using a pre-designed Memory Palace showed better results.
Frankly, I find the results problematic.
For one thing, this study and a similar study called Virtual Memory Palaces: Immersion Aids Recall both involved participants memorizing information of limited importance. Have a look at the following virtual Memory Palace:
Do you recognize Oprah, Napoleon, Shrek, Martin Luther King and Stephen Hawking in this Memory Palace?
I sure do.
Give how famous these faces are, I’m not convinced the Memory Palace is adding much in this experiment.
At least the Monash University research used challenging information related to anatomy.
Ultimately, I’m glad researchers have tested virtual Memory Palaces and shown an effect. But I await further tests using much more robust information before accepting that they work “better” than traditional Memory Palaces.
One reason I predict they won’t beat traditional Memory Palaces is cognitive load. Another reason is that studies in active recall have shown the importance of personalization in learning.
I’ve Used Memory Palaces to Learn Languages, Deliver Speeches, Ace Exams … And So Have Countless Others
We often hear about memory competitions and the people who win them.
Sometimes these memory athletes go on to inspire us, like Joshua Foer with his book, Moonwalking with Einstein.
Others contribute new variations on old techniques, like Dominic O’Brien did with the Dominic System.
Or, Memory Palace experts expand their teaching to include other techniques like Tony Buzan did with Mind Map Mastery (one of my favorite books on learning).
Some of my favorite testimonials have come from students who successfully passed critical exams.
For example, Robert Spraggs shared his exam results from a difficult set of neuroanatomy exams:
Robert Spraggs Neuroanatomy score after the MMM Masterclass compared to class average
As you can see, he wound up far ahead of the class average thanks to using Memory Palaces.
I was especially pleased by the results because I’m not all that young anymore. The classes started at 6 p.m., and that’s when the final test took place.
Nonetheless, I aced it, all thanks to using this technique.
How to Get Started with Memory Palaces
From my perspective as someone who has been using these techniques personally for decades and teaching them now for fifteen years, you’re best of learning to make your own Memory Palaces.
True, some of the studies show that you can use Memory Palaces created by others.
That’s totally fine if that’s the way you want to go. The only book I’ve seen that reasonably shows you how to use someone else’s imaginary location is Kevin Vost’s Memorize the Stoics.
Here’s what one of his Memory Palaces looks like so you know what you’re getting into if you go that route:
I learned a lot about how to do that and use various aspects of the technique from ancient memory masters like Robert Fludd and Giordano Bruno.
Call me old fashioned, but I find that the creators of newer books and courses are so in a rush to make a buck that they dumb everything down.
Even Harry Lorayne told me to never talk about memory science if I wanted to make a career out of teaching these techniques.
Ignoring Lorayne’s advice is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, especially when we take the results of the Flynn Effect into consideration.
Studying the scientific reasons why Memory Palaces worked in the ancient world (and still work today) has helped me better explain them to modern students. All ships have risen as a result of not walking away from the facts provided by research.
As a result, a lot of people have gotten better results than the books and courses designed for mass consumption.
There’s a bit of overlap between those mnemonic systems, but they’re all worth studying.
If you’d like help, feel free to get my free memory improvement course:
It gives you a massive head start with four detailed video tutorials and three worksheets.
And now that you know Memory Palace work, it’s just a matter of starting small.
You’ll exercise your spatial memory as you go. Not mention your reasoning skills and more.
As the research demonstrates, when you do this, you can easily reach memory champion levels of absorption and retention.
The only challenge I find some people have is in making the images they place inside of Memory Palaces bizarre enough to trigger recall.
But that’s where my free course comes in.
And rest assured, at more subtle levels of skill, you don’t have to keep making things so strange. The Memory Palace I used for my TEDx Talk was actually very calm.
Again, the key is just getting started. Is there any other way to start on the path to mastering this ancient art and unlocking your brain’s potential?
Top 22 Books On Learning for 2026: Master Skills, Memory & More
Mar 24, 2025
Sure, some books on learning are good. But good isn’t enough in our era.
At least not if you want real results.
In a time when AI, remote education and cognitive breakthroughs are reshaping how we grow, you need exceptional learning guides.
I’m talking about books that go beyond theory and actually rewire how you think, remember and master new skills.
That’s exactly why I put together this list.
But why should you care about my suggestions?
As an author of multiple educational guides, I’ve spent decades refining the strategies that helped me get my Phd and later help thousands of learners.
I must be doing something right because thousands of people have sought the lessons I’ve learned through my podcast, videos, courses and one-on-one coaching.
And during the fifteen years I’ve been teaching accelerated learning skills, I’ve seen firsthand what works, what doesn’t and how different approaches resonate depending on what you’re at with your learning journey now.
That’s why I’m not going to dump a generic list on you. I’ve carefully categorized these books based on specific learning goals.
But I’m only human, and obviously not every book I list is going to resonate with everyone.
So before we get into the various suggestions, let me give you a quick quiz that will help you determine where to start. It should also give you a solid framework for thinking about the kinds of books most likely to serve you.
Which Learning Book Is Right For You? (A Learning Professor’s Quiz)
I’m excited to give you my suggestions, but please first use your current reflective thinking skills to answer the following questions.
Grab a notebook to jot down your thoughts in writing to these simple questions.
There’s no pressure to come up with the “right” answer. All you have to do is be honest.
When you tell it like it is, your answers will help point you to the perfect book for where you are right now as a lifelong learner.
What’s your biggest frustration with learning something new?
Here are some example answers to help prompt your reflections.
Answer this question will help pinpoint the exact issue you’re facing.
Is it memory? Discipline? Overwhelm? These are all interrelated, but distinct issues. It’s worth figuring out which of them takes top priority as you look through the books below.
How much do you know about how learning actually works?
Your answers might look like:
Barely anything. I just throw mud at the wall and see what sticks.
Assessing your foundational knowledge will help point you toward introductory overviews if you need them.
Or, you can take a deeper dive into something more advanced. It pays to when you’re on the hunt for the best books on learning.
How much time do you realistically have to learn each week?
Here are some sample answers I’ve received from my private coaching clients to whom I’ve given this quiz:
10 minutes a day.
A few hours on the weekend.
I feel so swamped, it’s as if I have no time at all.
When you get more clarity on your scheduling constraints, you’ll find itself easier to match yourself to books that offer quick tips or long-term strategies.
What’s one thing you’ve learned successfully in the past and how did you do it?
Here are some possible answers to get you started:
I learned to stretch properly by watching YouTube.
By uncovering your existing strength and previous wins, you can select books that will help you build on what’s already working.
How confident are you in your current approach to learning?
For this question, you can give yourself a numbered rating, i.e.:
1/10 because I’m just winging it.
6/10 because I’ve got a system, but it’s still hit or miss.
9/10 and I’m ready to level up.
Gauging your self-awareness and current state of readiness using hard numbers is helpful because it will direct you to either beginner, intermediate or advanced learning books.
What’s your endgame? Why do you want to get better at learning?
Although all of the previous questions matter, this one is the most important. For example, you might answer:
Everyone’s priorities are unique, so make sure you clarify your personal motivations.
It’s okay to have more than one. In fact, it’s ideal. That was you can interleave between more than one book about learning tactics without confusing matters.
Now that you’ve spent some time answering these questions, let’s get into my recommendations.
https://youtu.be/oFsF0EgI4BU
Books By Learning Goal
There are many books that address different goals.
That’s why this list is split up in categories. I hope you find this particular arrangement useful.
I’m also giving each book a 1-10 rating.
They’re all on this list because they deserve to be, but the numbered rating specifically indicates how many gems I think you can expect to find.
However, when it comes to expectations, keep this important point in mind:
I am expecting you to complete all of the reflection questions before looking at any of these suggested books.
Please make sure that you’ve maximized your clarity by completing the initial exercises above. That will boost up the value of not only my book list, but every other book list you encounter going forward.
Books for Studying & Learning Faster
When it comes to learning faster, there’s one thing to keep in mind:
Efficiency comes from having the most effective foundations possible.
When your foundations are in place, that will make greater learning speed happen almost on its own.
One: How to Take Smart Notes: One Simple Technique to Boost Writing Learning and Thinking by Sönke Ahrens
Short summary: As the title promises, you’ll learn a simple technique that improves how your learn
Standout quote: “If you encounter resistance or an opposing force, you should not push against it, but redirect it towards another important goal.”
There are quite a few books about the Zettelkasten technique available. But what makes Ahrens’ book unique is that he walks you through multiple aspects of Niklas Luhmann‘s learning and writing routine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrN0kaE6DkY
Although I personally use Zettelkasten in a much more fluid way than Luhmann, Ahrens does well to stress the need for flexibility.
So if you find yourself wallowing though books with a slow and ineffective study method, this book will give you not just any old protocol.
You’re getting a glimpse into how one of the fastest and most productive learners organized the knowledge he was studying, remembered it and used it to create unique insights.
Short summary: As an engineering professor, Swain presents a systematic approach to studying.
Standout quote: “Learn where to go to find out what you do not know.”
Although it’s from way back in 1917, Swain’s How to Study is packed with practical advice.
He’s not just lecturing at you, either. He forwards the wisdom of giants of learning like Pascal and Berkeley.
One way I ensure I do not fall asleep while reading is to build what I call a “Magnetic Index.”
For me, the most powerful tip in his book is the idea of creating your own index.
Although he doesn’t quite say how, I interpreted this in a few ways. One is the Zettelkasten technique.
The other is a tactic you can see above. It basically involves writing the page number of an idea and then my key reflections at the beginning of the book.
Much of Swain’s advice is repeated by other books on learning, so if you want a short read that gives you the foundations, please don’t miss this book.
Three: Learning How to Learn by Barbara Oakley and Terrence Seynowski
Rating: 10/10
Learning goal: Scholastic success
Short summary: Although directed at kids, this science-backed book is also fantastic for adult learners.
Standout quote: “Doing the ‘hard start’ technique allows you to use your brain as a sort of double processor. Your diffuse mode can take over the hard problem as soon as you drop your focus on it.”
As is well known, Barbara Oakley in particular is legendary for making learning fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAg7eN2SatI
What I love about Learning How to Learn above all is how it doesn’t shy away from teaching you why the learning techniques you’ll discover within work so reliably.
You can see that excellent feature these authors bring in the standout quote above.
In my view, the direct use of scientific terms is incredibly valuable because they never advise you to do something that admittedly feels counterintuitive without a clear and proven reason for implementing that action.
Four: Ultralearning by Scott Young
Rating: 8/10
Learning goal: Mindfully directing yourself towards skills mastery.
Short summary: Young shares the background behind Scott Young‘s many learning feats, from drawing to completing degrees.
Standout quote: “When you see yourself as lacking the potential to be good at something or believe that you’ll always be behind everyone else no matter how hard you work, it robs you of the motivation to work hard.”
As with Barbara Oakley, Young is good at making sure you know why the techniques he’s sharing work.
Personally, I found that the number of stories used to illustrate various tactics dragged the book down.
But Young definitely serves as proof of concept. In his follow-up, Get Better at Anything, you can instantly see how Young has improved at integrating stories with the lessons and their takeaways.
That said, I think Ultralearning is definitely the book from Young to start with if your goal is strictly to study and learn faster.
Five: Didascalicon by Hugh of St. Victor
Rating: 8/10
Learning goal: Developing a structured framework for learning in ways that lead to wisdom.
Short summary: Aimed at students, this book stresses the importance of going beyond merely accumulating facts. It’s about using what you learn to help order your mind.
Standout quote: “I know there are certain fellows who want to play the philosopher right away. They say that stories should be left to pseudo apostles. The knowledge of these fellows is like that of an ass. Don’t imitate persons of this kind.”
This book is not just any blast from the past. Hugh of St. Victor was a major innovator in helping students read well during a time of transition.
Although writing during the medieval era, his students were nearly as distracted then as they are today. And they were just as starved for meaning in their lives.
Hugh also helps you develop persistence, humility and the kind of mindset that pushes through obstacles.
Speaking of mindset, that’s the category of learning books we’re examining next.
Books on Developing a Learning Mindset
Dealing with doubt is one of the biggest struggles learners face.
I’ve felt it myself many times. And every extraordinary learner I know has had to learn how to keep showing up when the going gets tough.
Not just show up, though.
They need to keep coming at it with lessons learned from thinking reflectively about why their brains were tempted by doubt and other objections.
The books we’re about to look at will give you the mental strength needed to show up armed with self-analysis.
That way, you avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Six: Striking Thoughts: Wisdom for Daily Living by Bruce Lee
Rating: 9/10
Learning goal: Learning in ways that lead you to the highest possible levels of success.
Short summary: This book combines short passages with various definitions, such as how exactly to think about analysis and abstract thinking in Lee’s view. In addition to mindsets for learning, you will learn a lot about the role of the teacher as part of your journey.
Standout quote: “If you learn concepts, if you work for information, then you don’t understand. You can only explain.”
One of Lee’s main concerns is that you learn to divide how your mind categorizes everything from how reality actually works.
His various thoughts point constantly to seeing the big picture, or as much “totality” as your brain can possibly perceive.
Although there are no exercises as such, having this book on your shelf will let you dip into Lee’s philosophy when you need a mindset shift.
I consult it often myself. Even though I don’t agree with everything Lee says, Striking Thoughts always helps me return my focus to what really matters:
Understanding that leads to accomplishment, not just the ability to repeat what authors and experts have said. There’s a major difference.
Seven: The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery by Adam Gopnik
Rating: 10/10
Learning goal: Understanding the truth about mastery and achieving it.
Short summary: Gopnik immerses you in various learning goals he gives himself. You’ll meet a variety of mentors and discover what the real work is all about as he learns a variety of new skills.
Standout quote: “Almost all of our useful knowledge is potential knowledge.”
We often throw around the word “mastery.” But what does it really mean?
Gopnik takes us deep into the mystery and provides many ways of looking at the question as you learn along with him.
One of the key points is that even if you don’t use certain skills and topics you study, their potential is empowering.
Throughout the book is a theme of learning’s hiddenness and a kind of vicious circle. We often can’t understand how to learn things because we never get started. And because we never get started, we never understand the process.
Added to this is the fact that so many skills lead to situations where we can’t even experience the skills we learn. It’s an abstract point, but I think you’ll know what I mean when you come across it in the book.
Eight: Mindshift by Barbara Oakley
Rating: 9/10
Learning goal: Break through your obstacles.
Short summary: Drawing on her understanding of the science of learning, Oakley helps you experience a mindshift through stories, research and exercises.
Standout quote: “Practice and repeat little chunks of learning over the course of several days. This will create the neural patterns that underlie your gradually growing expertise. The more difficult the little chunks are to learn, and the more deeply you learn them, the more rapidly your expertise will grow.”
You know that you have to explore alternatives to the way things are going in your learning life.
But what if you can’t change your mind and move yourself in a new direction?
In this book, Oakley explains the reasons why you get stuck. And as the quote above shows, a chunking memory strategy is a big part of what will help you start to transform.
As with her Learning How to Learn book and course, Oakley explains the science behind why it’s possible for you to rewire even the most stubborn brain.
This book helped me understand why so many people resist some of the simplest learning steps involved with memory techniques. I’ve improved as a teacher thanks to this book, and understood my own resistances better.
Nine: Changing Minds: The Art and Science of Changing Our Own and Other People’s Minds by Howard Gardner
Rating: 7/10
Learning goal: Develop deeper and more intellectually rich standards for yourself.
Short summary: Gardner analyzes various examples of how people used analysis to create personal and group change.
Standout quote: “Avoid egocentrism – becoming ensnared in one’s own construal of events.”
Whereas Oakley’s Mindshift focuses on science, Gardner is more concerned with research and implementation.
For example, he suggests the following basic model for learning how you can change yourself or others:
Research widely (both books and the content of your own mind)
Find and challenge resistances
Know the available resources
Know the rewards that come from change
Find non-threatening ways to “test” your new identity
Use “representational redescription”
The book has some abstract elements to it. But overall, the stories provide many examples of individual and organizational change. Every serious learner will find plenty of food for thought in this title.
Ten: The Sword and the Mind: The Classic Japanese Treatise on Swordsmanship and Tactics by Munenori Yagyū
Rating: 9/10
Learning goal: Freeing your mind of distractions.
Short summary: The second part of the book is most useful for helping you perceive situations correctly and react appropriately.
Standout quote: “If you constrain your mind, you will be unfree. You put your mind on a tight rein only while you are a beginner. If you continue to do so all your life, you will never reach the advanced stage, but end of remaining at a low stage.”
For Yagyū true mastery requires a mind free from distractions, preconceived thoughts and hesitation.
Although there’s a lot of talk about creating a unity between your sword and your mind, you can apply the ideas to whatever you’re learning as a topic or training to use as a tool.
That’s because ultimately, the sword in this learning manual represents your will. That’s why technique alone will never be sufficient. You need to develop mental clarity.
For that reason, the stronger your mind, the better your ability to avoid fear and cloud your mind with unnecessary judgement.
Whether it’s books for school or paint brushes and guitars, master your topic or tool and you will master yourself.
Books on How the Brain Learns
Even if you’re not interested in the science of learning, you will pick up many clues for what to do and how to do it from them.
In this section of the list, I’m sharing with you some of my favorite and the practical tips I’ve taken from them.
Eleven: The Web of Life: A New Synthesis of Mind and Matter by Fritjof Capra
Rating: 7/10
Learning goal: Metacognition about how learning takes place.
Short summary: Essentially a study in systems thinking, you’ll know about how we humans can be certain about what we know.
Standout quote: “The brain is, of course, not the only structure through which the process of cognition operates. The entire dissipative structure of the organism participates in the process of cognition, whether or not the organism has a brain and a higher nervous system.”
Although dates, this book remains worth reading to help understand the big picture of how, not just humans, but all organisms learn.
As Capra shows, communication is not as simple as words flowing between us. It is a coordination of multiple behaviors.
This means that we’re not always aware of our true motivations.
This fact means that our relationship to science is more complex than it seems. Capra’s theory of “approximate knowledge” and how we fill in our blind spots will get you asking much more subtle questions about how you learn.
Twelve: The Experience Machine by Andy Clark
Rating: 10/10
Learning goal: Understand why your brain succeeds or fails due to predictive processing.
Short summary: Clark shows how and why your mind deals fails to learn in so many situations where the solutions are “obvious.”
Standout quote: “One important and consistent finding in this area is that chronic depression involves a resistance to updating our negative expectations when confronted with what ought to be good evidence of positive outcomes.”
This book struck a nerve with me.
As I shared in one of my own books, I was once my worst enemy in therapy I desperately needed. No matter what I was told, I could not learn to do things a better way.
The Experience Machine explains why this happens to even the smartest people who “should” know better.
Although slim on practical exercises, it does have a few suggestions at the end.
But even just realizing that there’s a reason behind certain learning struggles can help shake you out of your situation. Insight is an asset.
The tips all tend to repeat themselves, and boil down to what I call “The Big Five of Language Learning.”
If you begin nowhere else, start with my first pick in this category.
Thirteen: Fluent Forever by Gabriel Wyner
Rating: 10/10
Learning goal: Develop fluency in a language.
Short summary: Wyner explains language learning strategies from his experiences picking them up as a professional opera singer.
Standout quote: “Fluency, after all, isn’t the ability to know every word and grammatical pattern in a language; it’s the ability to communicate your thoughts without stopping every time you run into a problem.”
Although now Wyner is probably better known for the Fluent Forever app, this book not only started it all. It remains an incredibly valuable guide.
One of my favorite aspects involves Wyner’s take on making your own flashcards. Getting my hands involved with a variety of colors helped me get more results from mnemonics.
All the more so because as much as I love memory techniques, sometimes health issues make them harder to use. Having his alternative approaches has been golden.
Fourteen: The Story Learning Books by Olly Richards
Rating: 10/10
Learning goal: Guidance for reading daily in the language you’re studying.
Short summary: Although these books are more about implementation, they give fantastic guidance on how to use reading to develop fluency.
Standout quote: “Make a note of the unknown word in a notebook and check the meaning later.”
That quote might not sound epic to you, but it is.
So many go back and forth to the dictionary, harming their progress.
In reality, you will do better by batching the various parts of the Big Five. When it comes to reading, read.
The only finesse I would add is that you don’t have to write out words in a notebook. That is a good thing to do.
But when I read foreign language books, I use what I call the “Marginalia dot.”
It’s just a small dot next to the line where I’ve found a word or phrase I want to memorize later. I limit myself to three new words per page, thereby avoiding overwhelm.
Then, when reviewing the page, I have a nice target-scanning test while reminding myself of the word I was interested in learning. And I’ve batched the gathering of the new vocabulary into its own task, followed by looking in the dictionary.
In other words, the process is:
Read and leave small dots to help quickly find the interesting words and phrases later.
Collect those words and phrases.
Looking them up.
Memorize them.
Richards’ Story Learning books have been golden for helping me keep consistent with this process.
Books on Creative Learning
Just as using the Marginalia dot and creating your own flashcards get your hands involved in the learning process, our next book involves paper and pen.
Fifteen: Mind Map Mastery by Tony Buzan
Rating: 9/10
Learning goal: Creatively solving problems and learning by using a variety of types of mind maps.
Standout quote: “A Mind Map relies on the power of Radiant Thinking rather than on deduction and reduction. As an open-minded thinking tool, a Mind Map charts the process of the brain in action instead of fixating on conclusions and outcomes.”
Mind Map Mastery was one of Tony Buzan’s last books. It is a fitting culmination of all his ideas, many of which I have used in everything from language learning to planning.
Although he mentions the Memory Palace technique, Buzan ultimately abandoned fusing this technique with mind mapping. I believe that was premature and eventually I will bring the two closely together.
In the meantime, Mind Map Mastery is well worth your time.
Sixteen: Thinking in Systems by Donella H. Meadows
Rating: 10/10
Learning goal: Learning to better bridge your rational mind with your intuition as a student of how humans use systems in a wide variety of fields.
Short summary: Meadows explains what systems are and what makes them function well. You’ll learn how to be more productive as a learner by understanding different kinds of systems, including your own current ways of operating in the world.
Standout quote: “Penetrate their jargons, integrate what the tell you, recognize what they can honestly see through their particular lenses, and discard the distortions that come from the narrowness and incompleteness of their lenses. They won’t make it easy for you.”
Although systems thinking might not seem like a form of creativity, being able to reverse-engineer your own current learning process is the key to improving it.
As you study other proposed learning systems, you’ll also want to do as Meadows suggests in the standout quote I’ve provided: see the limits of everything you learn from. This simple (and systematic) way of learning will help you avoid blindspots as a learner.
Books on Focus for Learning
Distraction is a major problem for all learners.
To help with that, let’s look at a few books that provide tips for focus that will help you out.
Book Seventeen: How to Be a Knowledge Ninja by Graham Allcott
Rating: 10/10
Learning goal: Getting focused and organized while studying.
Short summary: Allcott teaches you how to calm your nerves and love learning.
Standout quote: “The other thing about the lizard brain, which works for any kind of stress, is that if you convince your body that you’re not stressed, you can actually reduce your stress.”
I’ve long loved this book and dip into it frequently for its concise set of science-backed learning tips.
We often don’t think about how as physical creatures, the quality of our minds is dictated by where we study and how fit we keep ourselves.
Book Eighteen: The Wandering Mind: What Medieval Monks Tell Us About Distraction by Jamie Kreiner
Rating: 9/10
Learning goal: To understand how medieval monks dealt with distraction so you can try their techniques.
Short summary: This fascinating account shows the lengths to which monks went to focus their minds. Although you’ll learn more about what not to do, it’s instructive to discover that people living that long ago faced nearly all the same focus and concentration issues.
Standout quote: “We often blame our memories for blanking, but monks were likelier to accuse theirs of being hyperactive – and this was an additional threat to their attention.”
I learned about The Wandering Mind by reading Kreiner’s translation of John Cassian in How to Focus. Combined, these two books led me to remember a focus technique that helps a lot with learning, one that I shared in this short:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jA-x8dar4nE
In addition to discovering the many interesting ways monks tried to reduce distraction from their learning lives, you’ll also find interesting notes in The Wandering Mind regarding how these spiritual practitioners used the art of memory.
That’s because ultimately the “best” books in this field are the ones you’re going to actually use.
To that end, I feel that given the vast number of memory improvement books out there, those that focus on specific outcomes probably provide you with the most bang for your buck.
Give these a try.
Book Nineteen: Memorize the Stoics by Kevin Vost
Rating: 8/10
Learning goal: To commit Stoic wisdom to memory.
Short summary: Vost provides guidance and exercises on applying the Memory Palace technique to quotes and concepts from Stoicism.
Standout quote: “…viewed from a Stoic perspective, such memory methods could entail a revised impression of our own memory capacities, moving them from what we might have considered outside of our control to something within our control, for some to a surprising extent.”
Although I still urge caution around this aspect of his teaching, that doesn’t mean he isn’t one of the clearest instructors on how to use mnemonic tools to commit information to memory.
Plus, I find one of my favorite Seneca quotes in Latin in this book.
For providing that, I will remain grateful and his standout quote about coming to surprise yourself by controlling your memory is exactly my experience as an author of memory books designed for specific outcomes.
Book Twenty: The Victorious Mind by Anthony Metivier
Rating: N/A
Learning goal: To combine memory techniques with meditation by learning Sanskrit phrases.
Short summary: In The Victorious Mind, Anthony Metivier brings his terrifying experience of mental illness together with his depth of knowledge of memory systems to show how using mnemonics systematically can ease a troubled mind and replace terror with joy.
Standout quote: “The techniques that help us accurately lock down useful types of information can override the stories we tell about ourselves, leading to incorruptible recall of simple things that set you free – on demand. Some of the best is both ancient and new every time you use it, but always the same.”
Although I’m wary of including one of my own books, The Victorious Mind has helped quite a few folks achieve better memory along with greater focus and calm.
Its focus on bringing memory techniques together with meditation brings also helps you with language learning goals. Even if you don’t want to commit any of the Sanskrit to memory, you’ll learn mnemonic strategies that apply to all languages you might want to learn.
Miscellaneous Books On Learning and Memory
I would be remiss if I didn’t include a few books that don’t easily fit into any particular category.
Book Twenty-One: Guitar Zero: The Science of Learning to be Musical by Gary Marcus
Rating: 10/10
Learning goal: Overcoming the challenges involved in learning a musical instrument.
Short summary: Bringing together the science of musical cognition with his own adventure in learning to play the guitar, Marcus will help you understand how to develop musical ability.
Standout quote: “…playing guitar won’t increase how many babies I have, nor will it make them healthier. But maybe, just maybe, the art of reinvention and acquiring new skills can give us a sense of a life well lived.”
As someone who has been a touring musician, Marcus is right. You will have a sense of living a better life by coming to learn at least a little about playing music.
This guide comes at the many barriers people place between themselves and picking up an instrument. Read it and you will help tip yourself in the direction of musical mastery.
Book Twenty-Two: The Knowledge Gene by Lynne Kelly
Rating: 10/10
Learning goal: To understand the genetic basis of how and why you learn.
Short summary: Lynne Kelly continues her epic explanation of how indigenous and pre-historical people learned, providing many clues for how you can improve your learning game.
Standout quote: “Oral traditions the world over link knowledge to streams, rivers, rocks, lakes, cliffs, hills, trees and other features in their natural memory palaces. The songs, stories and associated knowledge are recalled whenever the landscape is walked, either in reality or in imagination.”
Although less focused on teaching memory techniques as Kelly does marvellously in Memory Craft, the book gets you thinking genetically about everything from music to language learning.
Supplement this one with The Memory Code and you will have a solid basis for understanding learning both historically and scientifically. Along with many ideas for practical applications that get your hands involved along with your imagination.
How to Keep Finding Good Learning Books
I want to conclude this curated list of books tailored to your learning goals with a suggestion.
Most of the books I’ve listed include works cited or bibliographies. Follow up with some of the books the authors you read reference.
Also, please remember that reading alone won’t transform your mind. But action will.
The real learning almost always begins when you take the learning strategies you discover and apply them.
Please always do so in a spirit of experimentation. That will help you push your limits without needing a particular outcome.
Also, reflect frequently on what happens when you implement. A few simple moments spent putting what happened in writing will help you develop metacognition that leads to even more value.
When it comes to some of the memory techniques we discussed today, grab my free course if you’d like more help:
It gives you four video lessons and three worksheets.
Even better, it will take you on an adventure.
One that never has to be a solo journey.
Because like I said, I’ve written lots of books about learning myself.
And as a lifelong learner, I’ll always share with you new books that I discover. We just need to be on this road together.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to go, read, apply and grow?
I hope so, because the future belongs to those who never stop learning.
How to Study Effectively: Retain Everything and Ace Every Exam
Mar 19, 2025
You want to study effectively, but you’ve read the chapter three times and still can’t remember what it said.
On top of frustrating you, you’re feeling stressed because exams are getting closer and more reading assignments keep piling up.
As a result, the deadlines are on your mind more than the material itself.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
As a PhD with two MAs, a former Mercator guest professor, and now as an adult law student at James Cook University, I learned how to retain what I read decades ago.
And not just retain it, but make sure I do so the first time I read the information based on effective study strategies so I rarely have to revisit a textbook or video lesson.
The secret is a set of memory techniques combined with daily habits that help you lock information in place.
On this page, you’ll learn the exact system I use to retain the key details from any textbook or course lecture so that you always walk into your exams fully prepared.
You’ll be calm, focused and actually look forward to sitting down and acing them.
9 Strategies to Retain What Matters Most When Studying
As a long-term student and former professor, I’ve observed that the biggest mistake students make is trying to memorize everything.
Effective studying is almost never about about broad coverage. It’s about identifying what’s going to be on the exams and making sure you remember the key details.
The first strategy is simple: schedule your study hours.
The technique I recommend is to make a spreadsheet, something I’m doing now to prepare for my first trimester in law school.
Just create a schedule using your favorite spreadsheet software. Include the date, topic, the names of the book or article you’re studying, and the memory palace you plan to use.
It might sound like an unusual way to spend your time.
But in reality, keeping track of your time helps your brain start forming memories.
Even better, you’ll have a dated and searchable record to look back on within a few clicks, one that gives you a mini-review of your study schedule and the history you’ve developed at a glance.
Here’s an example taken from my YouTube livestream on how to study effectively for long hours demonstrating how you can build out your schedule spreadsheet:
Another thing I find incredibly powerful when using a schedule like this is to write down my start and end times.
For example, I use this technique to record not just when, but for how long I study each of my subjects. Instead of wondering where my time went at the end of the day, I have a written record of everything.
That not only feels good, but it keeps the motivation going over time. There’s not only an ongoing accounting for time spent, but an ongoing feeling of accomplishment as the searchable study schedule is updated.
Yes, this approach does take time and effort, but the results will speak for themselves.
To build this time tracking skill into a habit, combine your digital file with a written record. Invest in a nice physical journal so you can track time in your spreadsheet and on paper.
Before you know it, you’ll build a positive habit and have a searchable record of exactly how you spend your time.
2. Take Better Notes
What do you do when you read? Do you just zip through a book or textbook and then have a hard time remembering what you just read?
Instead of stumbling through your reading with nothing to show for it, use a note-taking strategy. To help you figure out what strategy will work best for you, watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U64awMHJkAU
Will this help you find the absolute perfect note-taking strategy for you? Perhaps. What I do know is that the video will be very useful to you. It’s up to you to pick a strategy, test it out, and see what works for you.
For this step, watch the YouTube video above and decide on a note-taking strategy to implement.
3. Use Memory Palaces
Here at the Magnetic Memory Method Headquarters, I’m partial to the Memory Palace technique — not because I’m deranged, but because it’s the most effective and exciting learning tool in the world.
You don’t have to take my word for it, either. This study from the journal Neuron is just one of hundreds that show why and how this technique succeeds for learners.
Once you learn what a memory palace is, take the time to create your own, and fully use your memory palace(s) from top to bottom, they become a key part of your effective study techniques.
In brief, this technique involves simply crafting a journey throughout a familiar location.
You then place the information your want to remember on spots like your desk, bed, kitchen counter, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4J5ZUzCxZY
You can literally master this technique overnight.
But a lot of people miss out on the benefits of using a Memory Palace for one tragic reason:
They don’t schedule in when they’re going to learn and then use it.
That circles us back to the the scheduling strategy I shared above. It will help you carve out time in your schedule. Make time to learn about the Memory Palace technique, create your first Memory Palace, and start to apply it to your studies.
The ultimate reason this technique saves you time while establishing long term memories?
The Memory Palace technique lets you perform an advanced version of spaced repetition. In combination with everything else you’ll learn on this page, it is perhaps the most powerful memory strategy that exists.
Memory Palace Examples Applied to Multiple Study Topics
I’ve memorized many pieces of information over the years. Let me share with you a few case studies.
Example One: Law Studies
Although I’ve only just studied my first trimester of law school, I’ve already memorized terms in Latin like “ab initio” (from the beginning).
Yesterday, I committed the name of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 along with Chapter 2, Section 18 to memory so I can easily find it again and name it on my exams.
I’ve also memorized the names of a few cases, such as Derry vs. Peek 1889.
I placed all of this information in its own Memory Palace using mnemonic associations.
For “ab initio,” I placed Abraham Lincoln flexing his abs near the door of my dad’s friend Albert’s home. This tactic uses the pegword method to link similar sounding words to famous figures and abstract content.
I used the same pegword strategy for the Competition and Consumer Act and Derry vs. Peek. But because these examples involve numbers, I additionally used a PAO System.
Although a bit more advanced, please spend a weekend learning it. Combined with the Memory Palace technique, pegwords and the PAO System will help you save a lot of time as you retain more and walk into your exams with greater confidence.
Example Two: Anatomical Information
So many medical students have reached out to me that I started learning human anatomy. It turns out that it’s a lot of fun.
Often, I use my own body or the bodies of others as a kind of modified Memory Palace.
I’ve gone on to memorize information about muscles and eventually plan to take up more formal study of the human body after law school.
4. Incorporate Priming for Every Textbook You Read
Priming is one of the biggest and most powerful ways to study effectively.
All you do is read your textbook in a particular way:
Take a moment to read the back cover
Study the index and look at any topics that catch your interest
Read the table of contents and lightly read the most compelling sections or chapters
Memorize the name of the title and the author
Look at the course syllabus and start reading the required chapters
Apply my version of the Zettelkasten technique as you read so you’re capturing the best possible notes
To help you learn more about priming and how to apply it to study effectively, watch this video on how to memorize a textbook:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIQRiqQFKQY
If you want to learn how to study effectively for long hours, priming is a key component.
5. Apply the “Big 5” of Learning
A robust study strategy includes the Big Five language skills.
What’s the Big Five?
Reading,
Writing,
Speaking,
Listening, and
Memory.
This means you study information so it goes into memory and out of memory.
While a lot of my focus on the Big 5 has been around language learning, you can also use these for studying any subject.
Let’s look in more depth at 3 techniques involved in the “writing” component of the Big 5.
Write Summaries
One of the things you can do to make sure you’re studying effectively is to write summaries of what you’ve studied in your own words. Each might be as short as 100 or 200 words, or just enough to get the information out of your head.
This approach is beneficial because it helps you test that you actually understand what you’re reading.
Writing out a summary helps you engage with the information on a different level (see the 1972 Craik & Lockhart levels of processing model).
It’s very simple, and simply involves bringing information to mind and then writing it down in that exact order.
In other words, you’re not cheating by taking a peek to look at the answer. You’re definitely not using rote learning or flash cards.
You’re training your brain to retrieve information by bringing it to mind. Every time you do this successfully, the neural pathway you’ve established while studying strengthens.
So, as you’re reading, close the book every five to ten minutes and train yourself to recall what you were just reading. Then write it down in your own words. The more you practice reproducing what you’ve learned, the stronger your retention will be and the more your knowledge will grow.
Feynman Technique
The Feynman Technique is a teaching method that can also be applied to learning and studying. The four steps involve:
Write down everything you know about a topic,
Teach it as you would to a child — as simply as possible,
Identify any gaps in your knowledge, and
Review the material again to simplify your understanding.
Any time you run into a concept or information you don’t fully understand, you can apply the Feynman Technique. Write out your ideas about where the gaps are and how you might solve the problem.
6. Adjust Your Approach to the Type of Material You’re Studying
Not everything you study is going to be the same.
This means that the exact technique you use depends on the exact knowledge you need to build.
For example, if you need to:
Memorize names? Use mnemonics for names.
Recall facts like historical dates? Use a mnemonic number system.
Understand concepts? Use the Feynman technique discussed below.
Learn how to follow procedures such as in math? Put in extra practice.
Another tactic we don’t talk about enough is drawing diagrams and illustrations in your own hand. Let’s dig deep into this particular strategy now because it will help a lot of people who struggle to think visually.
Diagrammatic Thinking
To be honest, I used look at charts and graphs and think, “I can’t really follow this!”
But instead of rejecting the information, I now redraw them using colored markers to figure out what the charts are trying to tell me.
I learned to recreate diagrams and charts from memory expert Tony Buzan. Here’s an example chart I drew to help my brain understand and retain information about how memory works.
This strategy works due to the levels of processing effect. You’re recreating information using shapes and colors, and getting more of your brain involved as a result.
Because I integrated and assembled with these graphs and charts that used to confuse me, I now understand them better. Instead of immediately dismissing them and thinking I can’t understand, drawing them using my own hands make understanding and retention happen in a matter of minutes.
Create Your Own Illustrations
When I can’t understand something, I now make my own illustrations.
And when not in the mood to craft mnemonic associations purely in my mind, I make quick sketches.
Even when I was depressed or hungover due to the poor lifestyle habits I corrected using the tips I’ll share below, I combined mnemonics with self-drawn illustrations to help study German for my exams at the Hartnackschule in Berlin (which I passed). Here’s an example:
And this mnemonic strategy doesn’t just apply to language learning. It can be for anything you don’t understand or facts you want to commit to memory. I’ve even used it during lectures to get information to stick.
It’s not about artistry — I’m certainly not an artist. It’s just about illustrating things to help get information into your brain so you can move forward.
Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is a bit different than using illustrations. Although it can include making illustrations, it’s more about placing things in space and teasing them out. It’s about either testing your memory of what you’ve learned or generating new ideas.
So if you plan to use your mind map for memory, use Phil Chambers’ tip to use Roman numerals in the corner to track how many times you’ve reviewed it.
Basically, you just add a mark to each mind map after you’ve reviewed it and then leave a Roman numeral to track each review. Chambers suggests that you make a minimum of at least ten reviews. See his 101 Top Tips for Better Mind Maps for more information. I’ve reviewed it in this YouTube video.
7. Give Your Brain Plenty of Breaks
Although I am a fan of engaging in study marathons, I still take lots of breaks. It’s very important for both the health of your brain and your ability to focus.
Because I find it hard to get myself to take breaks, I have developed a protocol that I’ve found very useful.
The first part of the protocol is to take a walk. Walking is great, because while you’re walking you can reflect on what you just finished studying. Your mind can keep going while your body gets the movement and stretch break.
Walking also helps your brain engage in what learning experts like Barbara Oakley call “diffuse thinking. Alex Pang’s book Rest also has great ideas about using walking to recharge your brain.
To make sure you fit your walks in, schedule them. Rather than relying on an app, alarm, or timer you might just ignore, you’re more likely to obey things that are deep in your procedural memory. (That’s the type of memory where you just do things.)
There’s this crazy internal desire to, for example, go to the gym simply because this is the time of day I usually go to the gym. Ideally, you will get this way with taking breaks so your body almost forces you to take a break when it’s time.
The second part of the protocol is to alternate skills. This is one of my favorite things to do, and it’s scientifically confirmed in Rest. The basic idea is this: if you’re nonstop studying and reading, one of the things you can do to rest (aka: take a break) is to read something else.
This process is sometimes called interleaving by learning experts. I love it because it means you don’t have to stop reading. You just switch up what you’re reading.
I find that while I’m reading other things my brain starts to make connections. And those connections are formative to remembering more and understanding on a deeper level.
In simple terms, you’re alternating skills by using the same skill for a different purpose. You can also alternate skills by doing something completely different — perhaps pursuing more of your life and interests in the in-between and getting better at your core skills.
For example, when I was in university I was not only reading a lot of books, but I also wrote them. I started a small press to publish my work, which allowed me to alternate skills while keeping up with my memory training work.
The third step in the protocol is to use cognitive shifting. You want to focus, but you want to do so in a way that’s not task switching or multitasking. The more you train yourself to be able to cognitive shift, the longer you can study effectively for long hours.
In Rest, the author teaches how to do cognitive shifting in a way that promotes rest. It’s beautiful.
8. Practice Strategization
Here’s the truth about having a strategic approach to studying:
Planning is often more important and powerful than the plans themselves.
I spend a lot of time planning and replanning… and things rarely work out exactly as they seem like they might. But even if things don’t go the way you planned, that doesn’t mean planning isn’t important.
But how do you get the practice of “strategization” into your system? Practice scheduling, and practice all the things this post has already covered, so you can get them into your system.
Learn how to plan by planning to plan, and planning to practice and practicing planning — a perfect circle.
When in doubt: plan, plan, and plan some more.
9. Learn How to Learn
The final strategy is to have a steady diet of “learning how to learn,” which is a buzzphrase from the great Barbara Oakley and Peter Sejnowski.
This doesn’t mean just this or that book, but rather a steady diet of new books, new media, and new learning.
It’s meta-learning in some ways — constantly exposing yourself to the skill of learning, the study of learning itself.
In another book, Barbara Oakley uses the word “learnier.” But how do you become learnier? You have to schedule time in your life to practice strategization, and mind mapping or journaling can help you figure out how to do that.
As we wrap up this section on strategies, I recommend getting out a pen and paper. Take notes as we go through the upcoming categories. And make a plan for how you will implement each and every one of them so you can study effectively for long hours.
So far, we’ve covered a number of tactics. But what about on the exam day itself? Everything I’ve shared above prepares you for acing any test, but here’s what I do before actually sitting for any exam.
A Professor and Adult Student’s Exam Day Protocol
First of all, there are some exams where I simply let myself relax. For example, when I attended my dissertation defense, I didn’t review anything.
Instead, I meditated, focused on my breathing and performed regular body scans to make sure my major muscles were relaxed. But that was a particular kind of exam that involved no writing. Just me answering questions.
When I attend written exams, here’s what I’ve done and have recommended to my students for years, whether I was teaching study skills at a university or through the Magnetic Memory Method.
The Morning of the Exam
Look through your notes and perform a few last minute Memory Palace walkthroughs.
This is not to learn anything new. Rather, it’s to “warm up” the retrieval pathways in your brain.
Simply be reviewing the key information at a relaxed pace without trying to stuff more information in place, you’ll find that your brain is ready, willing and able to perform.
During the Exam
Read each and every page of the exam first.
Make sure all the necessary identifying information is on it so your hard work isn’t lost and then budget your time.
You’ll need to develop your own style when it comes to how you allocate the minutes you have, so consider whether or not you want to tackle easy questions or difficult ones first.
My personal preference was to find the questions I could not understand and ask the professor questions early. Then I would start knocking off some of the easier questions while outlining answers for the more difficult elements of the exam.
Since multiple-choice questions can be worded in tricky ways, I like to make sure I spend more time on these and may ask a second round of questions to clarify meanings.
After Completing the Exam
Before handing in the exam, I review everything.
This includes triple-checking that my student information is correct and reading over everything I have still have time to review.
I make sure that I’ve filled all the available space for long answer questions. New ideas tend to emerge and it’s worth scoring extra points by jotting them down.
This is also the time to make sure that your handwriting is clear (where relevant). If you’ve typed the exam, search for typos or awkward wording you may have used.
Always ask: “What is this point asking me and I have I actually answered the question?”
Now, all of these tips rely on having a body and brain that can actually perform. So let’s look at what supports that before you sit for another exam.
The Mind-Body Connection Needed to Study Effectively
In order to retain what you study, you have to take care of your body.
I learned the hard way that high-functioning memory is the product of a healthy brain. The more you take care of it, the more you’ll be able to pay attention and remember effectively.
Let’s take a look at 8 strategies that will support your newfound study techniques.
1. Stay Hydrated
In a detailed conversation with memory expert and 3x USA Memory Champion John Graham, we discussed supplementation for brain health. And guess what?
The best “supplement” for a healthy brain… is staying well hydrated! Water is basically better than any memory supplement on the market.
So fill up your water bottle and take sips regularly as you study.
2. Time Your Eating
Nutrition is another key component to keeping your body and brain healthy. But did you know that when you eat can be just as important as what you eat?
If you want to study effectively (and for longer hours) pay attention to how different foods affect you.
Keep a food journal and pay attention to how you feel after you eat. Not just right after, but also for the rest of the day and into the next. This helps you figure out what works for you.
You might also consider rotation or elimination diets to help you weed out problem foods from your diet. When you know how the food you eat will make you feel, you can become a lean mean focus machine.
If you get really clear about this you’ll learn that you have a 72-hour (or so) digestion cycle. For the 3 days before your big exam, avoid any foods that could have a negative physical effect. And instead, stick to the foods you know make you feel (and your brain work) great.
It takes time, but it’s super helpful to dig your wells before you’re thirsty.
There are so many people who come to me with just a few days until their exams looking for a last-minute silver bullet. And I have to tell them, next time make sure you take the time to prepare in advance!
3. Get Sleep in a Properly Darkened and Device-Free Environment
Sleep hygiene is important for brain health. But what’s involved in having good sleep hygiene? It’s having daily routines and a sleep environment that promote uninterrupted, steady sleep.
My best years were when I had this bedroom with window blinds (jalousie) that were made out of metal. My bedroom was as dark as I could make it. As a result, I never slept so well in my life.
I can say from personal experience that when you don’t have any light or devices, that level of darkness helps you get great sleep — which leads to better focus.
This is what happens when you don’t get enough quality sleep before your exams.
4. Meditate and Move Your Body
When it comes to keeping your physical body healthy, a daily dose of mindfulness and movement is very important.
If you don’t meditate at least four times a week, you’re not going to get the benefits. Ideally, you’ll meditate every day. There are certain meditation patterns I follow — I highly recommend them, but also recognize there are many different types out there.
Remember, your meditation practice is not a destination. It’s a journey.
Every day you sit, you keep going, learning new things, trying new things, adding new things. There’s no be-all-end-all of meditation.
The same thing goes with movement. Get some kind of exercise every day if you can. Mix it up. Try yoga to boost your concentration and memory, walking, swimming, biking… whatever gets you excited to stretch your muscles. There’s no one “best” exercise for every single person.
5. Wear Loose Clothing
Many people dress for failure — with clothing choices that restrict their circulation, make them uncomfortable, or otherwise distract them.
Instead, undo your belt, wear nice socks, and have loose-fitting pants and shirts that can breathe. You can be both stylish and comfortable.
When I was in university I wore linen a lot, especially in the summer. This style of clothing let my clothes breathe so my skin could get some air.
When making your clothing choice for studying (and taking your exams), choose comfort so you’re not distracted from your studies.
6. Alternate Hot and Cold Showers
There are a number of people these days who recommend hot and/or cold hydrotherapy (or contrast water therapy). Some of them say it helps open up the vagus nerve, sending all kinds of chemicals up to your brain.
I personally enjoy cold showers because they help build mental toughness and discipline.
For example, if your mind starts to think, “Oh, I don’t want to show up. I don’t want to study. I’m too tired,” the mental toughness you develop through a consistent practice of cold showers will bleed over into other aspects of your life.
If nothing else, a cold shower will help wake you up if you feel groggy from studying for long hours. To this day, I either hop in the ocean or take a cold shower before my study sessions if I’m feeling foggy or resistant.
7. Use Study Groups Wisely
It may not seem like it’s related to your body, but spending time with other people creates chemicals in your brain.
We talked about accountability as a strategy for studying effectively over long hours — and I can attest to the power of study groups.
At university, I took part in a number of study groups that were very powerful and important to my success. We:
Used the levels of processing effect,
Shared our writing with each other,
Shared our thoughts verbally, and
Heard the thoughts of other people.
This was all very important to help me remember more and build the duration of how long I could study.
If you’re in groups, you can accelerate your practice. The more you discuss, process, and interact with other people the more the neural networks in your brain grow.
So how can you get more strategic about how you socialize? Especially when we’re all limited in how we can interact in person, how can you make the most of your fellow students?
As you employ your effective study techniques, you can also become a student of neurobics.
Here are a few ways to mentally exercise your brain:
Unlock your door with your non-dominant hand (with your eyes closed)
Eat things with chopsticks you would normally eat with a fork
Brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand
There are also mental neurobics, which involve challenging yourself to learn topics you already know from a different angle.
Finally, let’s examine how things like your study location can impact your ability to study and remember.
Environmental Factors that Support Effective Study Techniques
It’s not just your physical body that allows you to study effectively. To get the most out of your study time, it’s also important to pay attention to the environment around you.
Let’s look at 6 elements of the ideal study environment.
1. Study in Well-Lit Areas
One huge mistake I made when I was a student was studying in the dark. All of the offices I had as a grad student were either in the basement or central in the building, and there was no natural light.
When I was in the depths of my darkest years of mental illness, I even boarded up a window that would have brought so much light into my study area. I didn’t know at the time how harmful it was to work in the dark all the time.
Studying in the dark is no good — you need lots of light to take advantage of your study time.
2. Surround Yourself With Green
I have always loved the idea of green — and not just any green, but the green from plants.
I’ll admit that I’m just not a caring plant person, but I can take care of plants in a basic enough way to keep them around and alive.
But I’m not quite at the same level as the roommate I had in Berlin who told me that the many plants he kept helped him stay focused and concentrate for long hours.
3. Study in Multiple Locations
This step is simple: study in a location for a set period of time, then move to another location. Repeat for as long as you’re studying.
I’ve read some memory science that seems to indicate norepinephrine is triggered when you’re in new or novel locations. That might be part of why it helps with remembering more.
I used this a lot while I was in university, but didn’t hear the term “road work” associated with it until later.
For example, I loved to go from floor to floor in the library. I would study for a while and then move down one floor — and during that break, I would reconfigure things. I would also move from cafe to cafe when I wasn’t in the library.
Now, as a writer, I use the term because I heard Gary Halbert talking about how he likes to walk a certain amount when he goes from place to place.
So just about anything you’ve read from me (blog posts, books, etc), I write for about 40 minutes at a time and then I go somewhere else and write some more. I also get the benefits of exercise when I do this.
There’s a second way to use locations as part of your effective study techniques: have locations that trigger study habits.
I keep a large physical journal on my desk, not because I don’t like to use online journals but because the habit of journaling is much more likely to get done when you can’t ignore it.
The journal is big. It takes up space. And because I keep knocking into it, I can’t ignore it.
One of the things you can do to trigger study habits is to have whatever pile of books you’re reading or studying in a place where you just can’t miss them.
When I take a new course, I often create a physical mind map and keep it visible in my space. It helps me keep on track because it’s there, and it doesn’t leave until it’s done.
5. Invest in Coaching
Our final environmental point is to consider getting some coaching.
Many people won’t – or can’t – invest in themselves in this way. But coaching has been huge for me, and I believe a lot of people would benefit from hiring a coach. Having a personal coach who is devoted to you and 100% focused on your stuff can really help.
And if you are working with a coach and you’re not seeing progress… they’re not the right coach. Sometimes you have to try a couple of different people to find that coach who will help you stay committed (and who you also gel with).
And here’s something to consider: showing up and doing what needs to be done has one word. Maturity.
If you can’t get yourself to “do it” – whatever it is – then maturity dictates that you need help. And so you should invest in a coach.
And, of course, you can be coached by books, programs, accountability meetings in a group, etc., but there’s something special about having one person really focused on your progress.
Finally, let’s take a look at some of the questions I get asked the most.
Frequently Asked Questions
People don’t just ask me how to study effectively. They also ask several more nuanced questions based on my years of study and teaching.
On that basis, let me help you with specific answers to questions that will help you get ahead in your studies.
My exam is in one week. What should I do?
First, contact your teacher and ask for a description of the exam format. Chances are, it’s already on your course syllabus, but it’s always good to be in touch with your instructors.
Once you know whether it’s a multiple choice, essay or problem-solving exam, focus on revisiting your notes and the original study material.
Try to find example tests and use any questions in the readings themselves to practice providing your answers.
The key is to always identify the information that’s going to matter most. For that, I have a complete tutorial on finding the main points in any book or article.
After reviewing and completing some assignments and practice tests, place the key information in your Memory Palaces and start using them for spaced repetition. This will deeply encode the information and help it stick long past the exam.
Finally, get some sleep. Staying up late to cram is not a winning strategy. Your brain uses a process called consolidation during sleep.
Should I use AI tools like ChatGPT to help me study?
At JCU where I’m studying law, AI tools are allowed, but with stipulations. That means you need to check with your university or teacher to figure out what’s allowed and isn’t.
Speaking from a high level, the accuracy of AI information has to be checked. So in many ways, by going to AI you might feel like you’re moving faster, when in fact you’re creating a time debt due to needing to fact check everything.
Also, using AI is not memorization that leads to comprehension.
In fact, he uses physical notebooks and even trains his memory with a physical deck of cards.
I use AI myself and am generally very positive about its role in education.
But I still make my own flashcards by hand on paper and am very deliberate about using the ancient memory arts as the core of my study process.
In sum, AI is a tool, but memory is a skill. It remains to be seen just how much AI will help sharpen human memory, but so far it’s clear that AI cannot replace the value of memory training techniques like these.
What if memory techniques aren’t working? What do I do?
This is an interesting problem that relates to the active recall strategy discussed above.
Sometimes we will misremember things when using all memory techniques. But that’s actually a good thing.
When you go back and correct or amplify the memory technique you’re using, you’re strengthening the encoding.
This means that you never have to accept a bad study session. You’re just learning how to reinforce mediocre mnemonic associations to make them stronger.
I have to do this all the time myself and the students who succeed with memory techniques do not have any special advantage. They just keep showing up and understand that getting things wrong is actually a good thing during the learning process.
Can I memorize using Memory Palaces during lectures?
You certainly can, but I don’t advise it. Nor have I practiced this myself based on anything I didn’t either write in my notes or record during the lecture.
It’s much better to capture as much as you can in your notes and then memorize it later.
This is because lecturers often throw lots of information at you in non-linear ways. They’ll have diagrams on the chalkboard and then suddenly go down a rabbit hole.
By taking careful notes and recording each lecture, you can create streamlined, linear notes that isolate the material you actually need to know at your own speed.
This might seem like a slower path in practice, but it’s actually key part of learning to study as quickly as possible.
Why do some people say that memorizing what I study is not understanding?
People say this because there’s some truth to it.
But looked at more broadly, comprehension and memorization are not opposed to one another. In fact, you can’t really explain something you’ve understood if you can’t produce it from your memory.
There are many times that I’ve only come to understand a concept or procedure as a result of memorizing it. But I did more than just memorize it.
I reflected on it, put it into application through both active recall practice and deliberate use through writing, discussing and completing practice exams.
I’m doing this a lot now in law school and memorizing terms and concepts I don’t understand helps me get to comprehension a lot faster. And this is important because a lot of the terms used in law is archaic and what they mean is not intuitive.
As a result, memorizing terms and definitions is a key strategy so long as reflective thinking and application are also part of the study process.
How can I study for long hours without getting bored?
Here’s the simple answer:
Check your head,
Have a strategy,
Get your ego out of the way, and
Do it for others.
Now for the slightly longer answer. We talked about this earlier in the post, but I’ll repeat myself: if you’re getting bored, the warning sign is that your mindset is off.
A lot of people are happy to leave their bed messy all day and then crawl into the same dirty old bed at night. And it turns out that’s how they treat their minds as well — they wake up and their minds are messy.
They’re happy to just live in that mess all day, go to sleep with a messy mind, and do it all over again.
But if you work on your mindset, you won’t be bored because you’ll be grateful. You have books to read, courses to complete, and exams to pass.
There are so many people in the world who wish they had completed high school, gone to university… remind yourself how lucky you are to have the “problem” of needing to figure out how to study effectively for long hours.
Instead of being bored, you have to create your own recipes for injecting excitement into your life, which is what a lot of the strategy we talked about today is all about.
Finally, look for the parts that do interest you.
If interest doesn’t just spontaneously erupt – and we all have things we have to study that we don’t necessarily love – then find one small thing to pique your interest and expand from there.
And even if the topic you’re studying doesn’t thrill you, maybe you can find joy socializing with other people or spending time with your study buddies or accountability group, or any of the other techniques you learned today.
How many hours a day can I study?
The answer is: it depends. It’s up to you, how much information you need to remember, and how prepared your body, mind, and environment are.
Remember, I used to study for hours and hours at a time, for as many hours as I could. Yes, I do meditate. And yes, I learned how to turn off my thoughts completely for short periods of time.
But really, you should be asking a different set of questions:
What is your study goal?
What are you trying to accomplish?
How can you minimize time spent and maximize your results?
To do that, learn the 80/20 rule, learn the strategies in this post, and get it sorted.
How long should you study in a single sitting?
The answer to this question is: it depends. Sound familiar?
It’s very personal as to what will work for each person. For example, podcast guest Dave Farrow likes to study in 5- or 10-minute blasts. But I like long reading and focus sessions between 45 minutes and an hour.
You need to experiment and find out what works for you. Split test. How long can you effectively focus at a stretch? What time of day do you focus best? What tools help you focus?
How can I study for long hours at night?
For better study at night, use the techniques you learned today to help you stay focused:
Get up and stretch
Go for a walk
Change location
Use a well-lit location
Studying at night will also depend on what time of day is best for you. If you’re a night owl, studying for long hours will work better than for the folks who do their best focusing early in the morning.
How can I study consistently using these techniques?
To study consistently, it’s important to make a plan and stick to it.
Commit to at least a 90-day sprint to build the tools of consistency. Get your brain chemicals (dopamine and myelin) firing on autopilot to engage your procedural memory.
The other techniques you learned in this post will also be helpful: have things in space so you can’t avoid them, scheduling so you don’t miss sessions, etc.
You also have to have a vision for yourself. And you need to spend some time strategically building your consistency. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
How do I avoid getting distracted?
First, acknowledge that the world is distracting. Then use the tools at your disposal to minimize or eliminate those distractions you have control over:
Turn off your devices
Don’t bring devices with you
Turn off all notifications
Delete any apps that distract you
Turn your phone on airplane mode
Use apps that limit the amount of time you spend
You can also control your environment by closing your door, using noise-canceling headphones, removing any potentially distracting objects from the room, etc.
Now you have a variety of simple techniques you can use to help you study effectively, plus additional ways to boost your focus and concentration. But what are your next steps?
How to Study Effectively, Right Now
Now it’s time to put your newfound knowledge into practice!
Because here’s the thing: you can read and learn everything in the world, but it won’t do you any good if you don’t do something with it.
So take what you learned today and make a plan. Sit down now and schedule out the time you have before you have to take your exam. And then get ready to study effectively for long hours.
And remember, everything you learned today ties together. You need to understand the whole picture.
Environment ties into strategy, because you are devoted to the art, craft, and science of the memory palace. You use your memory palace – which has to do with your mind – so everything has to do with mindset.
If you want to keep ahead of the competition, this post will put you in good stead.
But if you really want to shine, you’ll want to become a memory master. And for that, the Memory Palace technique is essential.
Make sure to sign up for this Free Memory Training Kit so I can walk you through this technique step-by-step. It’s one of the best ways to completely eliminate the stress as you stop studying for so long and refine the process for maximum effectiveness in minimum time.
The Flynn Effect: Why Rising IQ Scores Have Started To Decline
Mar 13, 2025
It’s almost like something out of a Sci-fi movie. IQ scores across the globe started skyrocketing, an upward trend called the Flynn Effect.
The scholar who first brought attention to the phenomenon was the IQ researcher James Robert Flynn.
His work on the Flynn Effect reveals incredible insights about human intelligence and how it is truly possible for societies around the world to progress.
However, the upward trajectory has slowed.
Worse, in some regions, the trend has reversed.
Now, shockingly, we’re faced with a new phenomenon. Not surprisingly, people are calling it “The Reverse Flynn Effect.”
They’re fiercely debating both the rise and fall of IQs around the world too.
The question is:
What does the decline in IQ around the world mean for you?
To help make sure you escape this downward trend (and your kids too), let’s explore the scientific research, causes and exactly what you need to do.
What Is The Flynn Effect?
By definition, the Flynn Effect refers to James Flynn’s observations that IQ scores rose over a short period of time.
As you can see in this graph, IQ scores grew by approximately 3 points per decade from 1940 to 2010:
More specifically, the Flynn Effect suggested that many people living in industrialized nations enjoyed higher IQ than their parents.
Originally, Flynn argued that genetics did not cause IQ scores to rise over generations. He thought it mostly reflected environmental pressures and factors related to the measurement of IQ.
However, as this meta-analysis shows, other researchers did believe genetics played a role.
For example, this researcher argued that more randomness in people from around the world mating with each other. Ultimately, this thesis was rejected.
At the end of the day, it’s important to understand exactly what Flynn observed. Not all areas of intelligence improved equally.
The most dramatic improvements were seen in fluid intelligence, which is often confused with crystal intelligence.
What Causes The Flynn Effect?
If it’s not genetics, and researchers still don’t agree on why people like these have such high IQs, what else might have caused this upward swing.
Although researchers continue to debate the exact causes and how more knowledge could be used to help people, some of the possible causes include:
One: Improvements in Education
Without a doubt, access to education has increased over the last 100 years.
As this study shows, IQ gains in Korea have been especially high in ways that tie to education improvements.
Two: Better Nutrition
Access to memory boosting foods, especially during childhood, have helped many people develop healthier brains.
Access to better food not only leads to stronger cognitive development. It means fewer incidents of malnutrition. As these researchers have found, malnutrition leads to lower intelligence.
Three: Technological Advances
Many people fear new technologies. But as AI expert Andrew Mayne has shown, things are getting better thanks to software programs like Chat-GPT.
Long before the artificial intelligence revolution started ramping up, people speculated that video games were boosting intelligence. Researchers later validated the hunch in studies like this one.
Four: Smaller Families Living in Cities
Although many are concerned by plummeting fertility rates, studies like this one show that your emotional intelligence will be higher if you come from a smaller family.
This effect likely happens because parents can pour more resources into the development of their children when they have more to go around.
Although you might think that living in a city raises IQ because you have greater access to libraries and museums, it’s not that simple.
Cities are more complex to navigate. This leads to many more cognitive demands which leads to stronger spatial intelligence and problem solving.
What To Make Of The New “Reverse Flynn Effect”
As time has passed and more researchers study the Flynn Effect, decline has been observed.
In places like the USA, these researchers have found a shocking drop. Compare this graph the one showing a dramatic rise I shared with you above:
The key factors behind the decline?
Again, researchers are divided, but some reasons probably include:
Stagnation as advancements in both education and technology slow or become harder for many people to access
Growing income disparity as “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer”
Disruptive policy changes in a large number of governments around the world
Increased screen time causing digital amnesia and less engagement with meaningful reading materials
In addition, how IQ tests are conducted has been challenged for bias over the years.
Some researchers have argued that intelligence assessments have historically not been fair. As changes to how IQ is measured change, the results change.
What This Means For You And How To Buck The Trend
Although the downward trend certainly appears shocking when you see it on a graph, keep hope.
There are a number of things you can do.
One: Prioritize Learning
One of the best ways to keep your mind sharp is to commit to being a lifelong learner.
By engaging your mind in continue education by taking classes, reading daily and continually building new skills, you will protect your brain.
You can shield it even further by learning a new language. There are too many cognitive improvement studies to share about this. But if I had to pick just one, this one about the advantages of bilingualism would be it.
In addition, get proper sleep. I’ve been a bit of an insomniac from time to time, but I always enjoy better fluid intelligence when I get memory-friendly rest in ample doses.
Three: Limit Screen Time and Boost Mental Engagement
It’s critical to balance the time you spend in passive consumption with active engagement.
As I discuss in my post on how to teach yourself, researchers have found that we learn best when we actively take on challenges.
A large number of these challenges should involve handwriting. As this study shows, getting your hands involved in the learning process produces several benefits for your brain.
Four: Exercise Your Memory
One reason people forget information and wind up feeling like they have a low IQ is simply that they don’t do any kind of memory training.
If you’d like more help with this particular skill, grab my free memory improvement course here:
In four detailed tutorial videos, you’ll learn how to use one of the most powerful mental training techniques in history.
You’ll get engaging worksheets too that will help you on your question to avoid the Reverse Flynn Effect.
This is important because as we’ve seen, intelligence is not fixed. We humans do have a capacity for growth and adaptation.
But we now know that constant growth is not guaranteed. Far from it.
Take proactive steps that grow both memory and intelligence and you’ll be able to contribute to the next chapter of human development.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to prioritize lifelong learning and engage with the world around you with greater curiosity?
The potential of your mind is waiting to grow!
Why Elon Musk is a Polymath & How You Can Become One Too
Mar 06, 2025
At age 12, Elon Musk coded a game in a weekend and sold it, all while navigating family chaos and international moves.
Since this is just for starters from a man who has learned enough to found, co-found and outright purchase multiple companies, the answer to the question, is Elon Musk a polymath is absolutely yes.
Although some people find Musk’s learning to be enigmatic, I believe that a combination of scientific analysis and historical study clarifies precisely how so much learning can take place in one person’s life.
Just as Leonardo Da Vinci sketched flying machines while living in war torn Italy and Nikola Tesla imagined incredible inventions while facing a whole host of problems, Musk has proven he can learn substantially despite many challenges.
Using strategies.
Not luck. Not genetics. But the implementation of various procedures that lend themselves to learning.
Of course, like most innovators, Musk is divisive.
Loved by some and despised during certain political climates, his polymathic accomplishments can teach us a lot despite the latest headlines.
In this post, we’re stripping away the noise to reveal lessons about learning from which anyone can benefit.
So whether you’re friend or foe, let’s dive into the factors that will help you thrive as a learner, no matter what turbulence you face.
I’m going to introduce some concepts and comparable figures you’ve likely never encountered before, so buckle up, dear reader.
You’re about to learn what it really takes to develop mastery across multiple fields.
https://youtu.be/UbgK7p8Q63I
What is a Polymath & What Makes Elon Musk Part of the Club?
Actually, there is no club.
And although there are aspects to consider, such as a variety of polymath personality traits, nothing quite explains the ability to dream big and fulfil ambitious ideas that require learning the way we’re about to do.
At its core, “polymath” simply means many + learning at the etymological level.
In order to become a polymath, you need only do what other polymaths do.
That way, you’ll easily fulfil the modern definition and be a “person of various learning.”
To do this, you have to go beyond the cliche definitions found elsewhere on the Internet.
Often you hear that polymaths need to be intellectually open. However, as Walter Isaascson’s biography of Musk shows, learning to being closed to a variety of options has been a massive driver of Musk’s success.
This factor directly contradicts scientific findings regarding the benefits of openness to challenge. If anything, stripping away unnecessary challenge is one of the major things Musk has learned and applied to great success.
Apart from that, Musk ticks just about every box that scientists have studied when it comes to polymathy.
Creative problem-solving using what some scientists call stochastic behavior
Genius or Chaos Agent?
Let’s examine this point about stochastic behavior for clues. It reveals clues that will help you break out of learning ruts that you might find yourself in.
Stochastic behavior refers to introducing randomness and uncertainty on purpose.
Here’s a concrete example.
Musk did reasonably well in school when it comes to mathematics. But he took an autodidactic approach to learning rocket science on his way to founding SpaceX.
Rather than follow a linear and traditional path, he created his own self-education program.
More than merely read books, he learned to fly to help himself visualize aerodynamics better.
When it comes to the books he read, he didn’t rely on libraries alone.
He picked up the phone and asked the best experts to lend him their old engine manuals. These primary documents introduced information to his learning that likely could not have been accessed any other way.
The “Chaotic” Benefit of Holding a Personal Philosophy for Learning
And because Musk’s philosophy involves the conviction that progress is not inevitable, taking these actions make his practice of “first order thinking” faster and more actionable.
The breadth and depth of learning has made Musk’s various arguments and persuasion tactics more successful because he’s able to converse deeply with the best experts in a variety of fields.
As a result, what seems to others as Musk making erratic bets really isn’t anything like that at all.
Rather, Musk deliberately makes stochastic gambles in order to ensure new results lead to new learning. For example, Musk pressed through several Falcon 1 failures and studied them.
Without allowing for these unpredictable setbacks to happen, Musk and SpaceX would not have been able to refine their knowledge or establish what ultimately became a pattern of success.
Nor, as scientists have demonstrated, would his brain have been able to generate the best creative solutions to problems either.
Elon Musk’s Diverse Skill Set: The Top Eight
Supporting the mental resilience needed to deal with the near-collapse of Tesla and many other issues, Musk’s skill set has proven fundamental across his career.
When it comes to our focus on polymathy and the learning needed to become polymathic, I believe these six skills are the most important for all of us to develop.
One: First-Principles Thinking
This form of problem-solving involves breaking complex issues down to their most basic elements.
Musk’s experience with teaching himself BASIC and coding Blastar (which you can play using this HTML5 version) required stripped down logical thinking.
Using a Commodore VIC-20 with no formal training apart from completing BASIC’s training and a conference his parents helped him attend, Musk simply asked a simple question.
How can computer bits become a game?
Later, he would ask similar questions about rockets, populating mars, electric cars, boring tunnels and the role of social media platforms.
Clearly, not everyone agrees with or likes the answers Musk’s approach to first-principles thinking produces.
But we would do well to remember that many people didn’t agree with the physicist Richard Feynman’s use of first-principles thinking either.
Nor with Einstein’s. And to this day some people still disagree with their results, none of which changes the process by which these movers and shakers used their skills with first-principles thinking to shake things up and drive innovation.
The ability to fuse insights from multiple fields is priceless.
Although much of Musk’s learning comes from autodidactic programs he created for himself, his dual-major in physics and economics at the University of Pennsylvania blended hard science with business.
According to Isaacson’s biography, Musk wrote papers on solar power and ultracapacitors.
He continued fusing fields while interning at places like Pinnacle Research Institute.
Combined, these experiences helped fuel (if you’ll forgive the pun), the development of Tesla’s energy software.
Three: Mastery of Memory Techniques
As Musk has shared in a number of interviews, he uses a variety of memory techniques.
I couldn’t find in my research when exactly Musk first discovered mnemonics. But it must have been when he was young. As his mother, Maye Musk, says in her book, A Woman Makes a Plan:
“We called Elon ‘The Encyclopedia’ because he had read the Encyclopaedia Britannica and Collier’s Encyclopedia, and remembered everything. That’s also why we called him ‘Genius Boy’. We could ask him anything. Remember, this was before the internet. I guess now we would call him ‘The Internet.’”
Musk describes the basics of the techniques he uses in this interview clip:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Wa-Z5nUIXgM
Technically, Musk is referring to techniques called:
Practically speaking, Musk’s memory is at the core of his ability to challenge engineers in a variety of fields. He genuinely knows his stuff.
And that kind of knowledge, although perhaps possible without memory hacks, is quite unlikely.
Four: Relentless Research & Reflection
Memory technique are great. I use them all the time myself.
But they’re not going to do nearly as much as they could for you without research and reflective thinking.
Introspection is key, and everyone can take a huge lesson from this episode in Musk’s biography:
After moving to Canada, Musk worked odd jobs. In one case, he cleaned boilers in what sounds like an extremely risky environment.
Nonetheless, Musk used the opportunity to reflect on energy systems.
But how often do we find ourselves thinking about the jobs we don’t really like? Instead of directing our thoughts at positive solutions to big problems?
The lesson here is simple:
No matter what situation you find yourself in, keep your mind focused on solutions.
The ability to direct your thoughts away from problems and towards solutions is a skill, one that can be developed through deliberate practice.
Five: Visualization & Mental Rotation
As we know from studies in mental imagery, it’s difficult to assess how other people visualize.
In fact, there’s still no consensus on exactly how to define visualization.
Nonetheless, Musk, like Einstein, seems to go through a process of “mental rotation.”
For example, he came up with The Boring Company after creating the mental image that cities are dominated by 2D streets.
This led him to conceiving the notion of making city traffic three dimensional.
What many people don’t add to the equation is that Musk’s visualization emerged from spending a lot of time in traffic. He was in the field where the problems existed.
Similarly, his learning to fly helped him visualization the first principles needed to improve rocket development and deployment.
You can tie this back to Einstein’s use of trains in his thought experiments to demonstrate principles related to his theory of relativity.
The common use of trains during his era almost certainly shaped Einstein’s choice of mental image. Had he been stuck in traffic on contemporary roads or a frequent flyer, he might have used those forms of transport instead.
When it comes to mental rotation, this can involve mentally inspecting an object from all angles.
But we know that Musk is very hands-on. When stripping away unnecessary robots from Tesla’s factory, he literally sealed windows himself to determine that the task would be more efficiently performed by people.
As he put it, “Humans are underrated.”
Finally, Musk uses mental metaphors like “the algorithm.”
It’s not really an algorithm, but a rotational list of rules and what Isaacson calls “corollaries.”
One of the most important involves a prompt to imagine the proper role of placing conditions upon progress:
“The only rules are the ones dictated by the laws of physics. Everything else is a recommendation.”
Mentally rotating through all the laws of physics you’re aware of will be a brilliant strategy if you’re developing as a polymath in fields involving design, technology and… just about everything.
The laws of physics may even be shown to apply to memory itself in the end. Although some people consider the idea fringe, Sir Roger Penrose has proposed something much like this with his Orchestrated Objective Reduction – a concept that will stretch your mental rotation and visualization abilities to the nth degree.
Six: Teleological ‘Pataphysics
Just as Musk believes that technological progress is not inevitable, he assumes that human consciousness is under constant threat of extinction.
For this reason, he works hard on developing rockets that will helps us become an interplanetary species and AI tools like Grok to help ensure alignment and compliance.
In other words, he’s making the effort to imagine the end game and imagine solutions that potentially prevent an end to human consciousness taking place at all.
If you’ll allow me to mash together two terms that illustrate my own polymathic efforts, I believe Musk is a teleological ‘pataphysisist.
Huh?
Stick with me. I’ll explain.
In a general way, teleological refers to thinking about the end of things, such as the end of a goal or the result of a process. By imagining the possibility of human consciousness flourishing – or at least existing – forever, Musk is engaged in teleological thinking.
‘Pataphysics is a big topic, but I mean it in the sense of “imaginary solutions in response to imaginary problems.”
In this case, “imaginary” does not mean fake, or anything less than real. Your brain and its neurochemicals are real, which means that your ideas are material.
So when people imagine problems and imagine solutions to them, they are engaged in ‘pataphysics.
And many products we now use on a regular basis come from this kind of problem solving. When people imagined tablets and communicators for the Star Trek television series, they didn’t imagine them fusing to create the modern cellphone.
But would we, as a species, have been inspired to bring them together without first imagining them in fiction?
I don’t know for sure, but this philosophical question is worth asking, especially when we consider the following interesting example who I hope will make this polymathic skill more clear.
Musk’s Most Interesting Contemporary Polymath
Christian Bök is a polymathic poet with a vast scholarly background.
Like Musk, he puts parts of his talents to use by working to help human consciousness survive the death of our sun.
In Bök’s case, he has worked on getting human consciousness into space via The Xenotext project.
As part of the project, Bök has literally placed poetry inside a deathless bacterium called Deinococcus radiodurans.
If I understand the project correctly, eventually an annihilation-proof poem written by Bök will be sent into space. Possibly even one that can reproduce itself to create new poems.
The idea of sending poetry into space might sound outlandish, but it’s not. It’s ‘pataphysical.
Plus, it’s already happened.
The satellite EIRSAT-1 carries a poem called All Ways Home. It was launched on December 2023.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l734H3Sp27E
Projects like these come about when people:
Allow themselves to dream wildly (even absurdly)
Invest in integrating multiple disciplines
Push through obstacles and barriers to implementation
Musk’s ability to dream absurdly big, from the Hyperloop to establishing a colony on Mars is not whimsy.
Exercising this kind of imagination is part of the open secret of genius and Musk is far from alone in thinking at massive scales like these.
Including the ultimate scale, which is seeing consciousness witness eternity.
Seven: Time Management
Multiple sources describe Musk as being tough on employees and partners, even cruel in his quest for epic goal achievement.
In fact, Isaacson lists multiple insults Musk has cast.
Let’s put that behavior aside to focus on the strategies that have allowed Musk and others on his team to maximize their learning.
First, Musk splits his days between companies.
The scheduling itself must require a lot of cognitive shifting and cognitive flexibility to switch between disciplines.
According to this study, the prefrontal cortex and parietal regions of the brain experience high levels of activity when handling task-based decisions.
Although Musk’s habit of time blocking his life in granular increments and holding regular meetings in a disciplined manner might seem rigid, this kind of study tells a different story. His quick problem-solving and adaptability (in some cases) may stem from his strict time management habits..
Of course, Musk has admitted to making many mistakes nonetheless. But I mentioned time management because he’s also shown how he learned to prioritize high-impact work early.
You could consider this protocol macro-time management compared to the micro-time management of daily meetings.
Eight: Installing Feedback Loops
Related to the skill of time management for learning while implementing various projects, consider how quickly Musk has his teams dissect test failures.
Following the SN8 explosion, they immediately adjusted their schedules to address fixes.
By moving constantly between iteration and analysis, Musk keeps his projects moving quickly.
Although other companies and individuals are not necessarily bogging themselves down by prolonged deliberation, the proof is in the pudding.
Having a deliberate system for focusing on problems and prioritizing the discovery of solutions leads to better results.
Although many have criticized Musk’s habit of working long hours, I suspect that it’s the structure behind the time he spends that does most of the heavy lifting.
That said, he could take a cue from Benjamin Franklin, whom as I’ve discussed in this profile, set plenty of side aside for rest and thinking.
Unlocking Your Polymathic Constellation of Skills
From integrating multiple disciplines to sharing signs of genius with people like Einstein and Bök, Musk exemplifies extensive research, memory mastery and multiple types of visualization.
As I’ve suggested, we should understand Musk through the lens of ‘pataphysics. Although a lesser known concept, it places Musk in the company of defiant rebels from the past.
I’m thinking specifically of the Renaissance memory master Giordano Bruno. Bruno took mental rotation so far that he re-purposed Ramon Llull’s Memory Wheels for mnemonic purposes.
As a result, he was able to use his memory to envision infinity in ways that inspires and influences astronomy to this day.
Bruno, unlike Musk, portrayed himself as fearless.
But another skill Musk has is calling it like it is.
When he’s afraid, he admits it.
As a philosophical thinker, he also allows for confronting ideas like fatalism to inform him. In other words, he feels the fear and thinks through such ideas anyway.
This helps Musk shoot fear down and make informed leaps.
Not fearless ones.
We can all learn from how his learning adventures have played out. We don’t have to cheer every move to see the roads he has traveled.
But you can come to see every barrier you’ve bumped into as a call to adventure.
If you’re willing to start small and work with the materials you have at hand, like coding a game using BASIC, you can dream past the noise.
And if you’d like help with the memory training aspect so essential to retaining the things you learn as you develop polymathic abilities, feel free to grab my free course here:
It gives you four video tutorials and three worksheets that will help you rapidly develop better retention.
That way, you won’t forget the lessons in Musk’s learning life, or those found in the lives of other inspiring polymaths I’ve profiled.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to start taking just one of these tactics and putting it into action?
Test them all one at a time. Before you know it, the turbulence in your own life will transform into triumph.
Mnemonic Devices: Top 10 Tools For Boosting Your Memory Fast
Feb 19, 2025
Instantly memorizing what you need to know is the ultimate dream, isn’t it? Mnemonic devices can get you quite close to that learning goal.
But let’s face it.
There’s no such thing as perfect memory.
What we do have are the kinds of mnemonic tools we’re going to discuss today.
Including examples of people who have absorbed astonishing amounts of information using them.
How do I know so much about all of these memory boosting tools? In such depth?
For the past fifteen years, I’ve been operating as the host of the Magnetic Memory Method podcast. I have interviewed dozes of memory experts and memory athletes.
Not only do I interview people who use these techniques. I use them myself and have written many books about them.
As a result, I’ve received dozens of questions every week since 2012 from people who read my books and this blog.
I share my knowledge openly, especially since mnemonic devices to help me memorize a variety of things to complete my PhD during a time of intense struggle.
Later, mnemonics helped me learn German so I could teach in Germany, which I did for several years.
But for many people who don’t yet understand what mnemonic devices are and how to use them, their inability to remember anything presents the ultimate nightmare.
One reason people struggle to master their memory is simple:
There are so memory experts out there who use different terms for the core memory techniques you need to succeed. It can be confusing.
Don’t fret. on this page, I’ll help you understand everything and help you find the memorization approach that will work best for you.
Overall, “mnemonics” is a highly adaptable term. It’s ultimately an umbrella term that covers a wide range of tactics and strategies. As you’ll see, you can optimize in your personal practice.
Mnemonic Device Types
Keeping the ancient world in mind, here are the major types of mnemonic devices in use today:
But here’s something to notice that might be helpful.
Flashcards really are “devices.” They are objects that you create and sort through using your hands.
Memory techniques like the Memory Palaces, however, involve the use of mental imagery as a process.
As memory expert David Berglas made clear in A Question of Memory, memory is not a unitary mechanism or a “thing.” It is a behavior.
And that is how you use mnemonic devices. You understand them as processes and then you sprinkle mnemonics into your life strategically so that applying them becomes part of your learning behaviors.
Of course, there’s more to it than that. Let’s have a look.
How Mnemonic Devices Work In The Brain: The Neuroscience Of Memory
At a basic level, research shows that mnemonics create stronger connections in the brain.
Here’s what weak memories look like in your brain.
When you use mnemonic devices to create stronger connections throughout your brain, the scans clearly paint a picture of much stronger memory:
One of the most impressive mnemonic tools you can use is the Memory Palace.
As this study from the brain science journal Neuron has shown, Memory Palaces helped people go from recalling an average of 30 words (from a list of 72) to remembering more than 60.
In other words, using this specific mental tool helped people double the amount they could remember.
A Personal Example Of How A Variety Of Mnemonic Devices Helped Me
Let me make these research findings concrete for you:
When I gave a TEDx presentation, I did more than merely memorize my talk.
There’s literally nothing I’ve seen yet that mnemonics can’t help you remember. In fact, when I was invited to moderate at the 2023 Pan-American Memory Competition, the top memory athletes used a combination of the techniques on this page to memorize cloud formations.
In other words, it’s even possible to memorize abstract shapes when you use these techniques.
Mnemonic Devices Examples & How to Use Mnemonic Devices For A Variety of Learning Goals
Let’s dig a little deeper using our list of mnemonic examples above.
One: Personally Created Flashcards
My friend and language learning expert Gabriel Wyner inspired me to give these a try after reading his book, Fluent Forever.
Basically, instead of downloading software put together by a stranger, get some paper and colored pens. (Obviously, you also have all the information you want to memorize organized too.)
Next, use the paper and colors to help you create images. These images should remind you of the target information you want to recall.
Flashcards as mnemonic devices for Chinese characters
Now, there’s a whole lot more going on in this example, so please keep it in mind. I’ll go deeper into it later in this post.
For now, if you’re worried about having a bunch of cards flying all over the place, don’t be. You can wrap them up in a Memory Palace drawing just like this:
I used simple and elegant combinations of mnemonic devices to pass level III in Mandarin last year
Next, let’s look at how abbreviations can help.
Two: Acronyms
Have you ever asked… what is it called when you use letters to remember words? As usual, there’s no one answer, but the first method is called an acronym.
For example, when I teach memory improvement in a live setting, I usually talk about how following the rules will set you F.R.E.E.
“Free” is a word that helps me remember the meta-rules students need to make learning with memory techniques easy and fun:
Frequent practice in a state of… Relaxation and a spirit of… Experimentation so that you can be… Entertained
Just follow those rules as you use mnemonic devices and you will truly be free to memorize as much as you want.
The best part?
Because acronyms are a form of chunking, you can use this approach to lay out acronyms inside of a Memory Palace.
Chunking is a memory strategy more than it is a device, but by breaking information down into smaller groups, you’re following Miller’s Law.
George Miller was the psychologist who discovered chunking and noticed that our brains can hold 7±2 items in working memory at any given time.
Memory athletes make use of this principle all the time, as do learners who use acronyms.
Some example acronyms that people often use include:
“My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nachos” (for the planets)
“Onward, Onward, Onward Two Travelers And Foxes Very Greedily Verified Ascending Happily” (for memorizing the cranial nerves)
Frankly, many of my students find acronyms to be the least effective mnemonic devices for learning semantic information.
That said, one study has shown compelling evidence that acronyms are good for remembering the sequence of actions in a task (sometimes called procedural memory).
That’s why I sometimes use the FREE acronym model when giving simple presentations. It’s proven to work for this kind of task. I just wouldn’t use acronyms for larger speeches or long term learning goals, like developing fluency in a language.
My point is this:
Use acronyms with caution, or at least combine them with the most powerful mnemonic device of them all, which is the one we’re going to cover next.
Three: The Memory Palace Technique
The Memory Palace is an ancient technique. It uses familiar spaces as a core mnemonic device.
It used to be called the method of loci because people would assign specific locations within a home or along a journey. Then they would place associations along this journey that helped remind them of various types of information.
You can start the process of using this technique now by thinking about a familiar location.
Next, chart out a logical journey that does not take energy from your memory. If you have to memorize the journey, it is not a good Memory Palace, so pick another location.
A Memory Palace must be based on your memory of the space. Do not memorize a location to use this technique – that would be called a Memorized Palace and simply takes too much work.
And don’t worry if you can’t remember each and every detail of a location.
For example, I once visited a bookstore in Zamalek. This is a part of Cairo, Egypt.
I don’t remember every single part of the bookstore and that’s find. As you can see in the illustration below, I used only the parts of the bookstore I remembered.
To help my brain reduce the cognitive load even further, I made a quick drawing of the space as part of the planning processed:
A Memory Palace drawn on an index card to maximize its value as a mnemonic device
Keep in mind that I’m using the word “drawing.” But this is more like a “chicken scratch.” It’s purely for planning purposes and not meant to be high art.
Notice I’ve also drawn the Memory Palace on an index card (or flashcard). I do this because it makes it easy to store many of them for quick reference if I ever need them in the future.
Next, I strongly recommend that you write down the number of your stations and name them.
I find this step helps me “set and forget” the Memory Palace and ensure I’ve gotten it right the first time. It also helps me make sure that I don’t overload the Memory Palaces, an issue Peter of Ravenna identified with his memory students during the medieval period.
Four: Associative Imagery, Linking, and Pegwords
Inside of your first Memory Palace, place a list of mnemonics you create. These will be a kind of mnemonic that are multi-sensory.
For example, think back to that first image I shared above with the flashcards for Chinese. Those colorful drawings help me remember the sound and the meaning of the Mandarin words.
But those mental images aren’t just on the flashcards! They’re also mentally situated on stations in the Memory Palaces I use.
(Some people call these stations “loci.” It’s basically the same thing, but “Magnetic Station” is my preferred term because recent advancements make them much more powerful than the ancient teachings suggest.)
To make such imagery, you will want to complete a number of exercises.
For example, go through the alphabet and think of an image for each letter. The pegword method is a great way to explore this technique further.
If you’re really serious about mastering the Memory Palace technique, you can explore having an image on each and every station.
For example, when I memorize cards, I always have images on the stations to help me “trigger” the row of cards I’ll be placing and later recalling on a Magnetic Station.
Basically, what I’m talking about is multiple levels of linking all at once. Some people talk about the linking method in a weak way. Their suggestions amount to little more than “this links to that.” I don’t find that approach is strong enough and certainly don’t use linking as superficially as other teachers tend to describe the method.
What most of us need is for our association imagery to combine:
Sound and meaning links at the granular level of the alphabet
Tied tightly to space so that we are working from the foundations of the strongest level of memory: spatial memory
Furthermore, the real trick with these associative images is that they must:
Actually associate in a way that triggers what you want to memorize (for example, the barber symbol I used on the card above triggers the ‘ba’ sound).
Help you get back the meaning of the content (where relevant).
Have a Memory Palace so you can mentally “find” the imagery. Some people don’t need the Memory Palace, but in my experience, they are few and far between.
And when you think about what mnemonic devices mean more holistically, each card is a kind of station in a Memory Palace.
Five: Story Method
Using a story (with or without a Memory Palace) is not much different than using, links pegs or associations. The only difference is that with the story method you’re adding the extra step of creating a narrative.
Stories also cause you to create strong cause-and-effect associations. They don’t have to be logical, but adding a certain rational element to them helps make recall effortless.
Anthony Metivier memorizing and recalling names at a memory demonstration in Brisbane
For example, let’s take the example of a time when I memorizes a list of names at an event in Brisbane that started with:
Haley
Allan
Sharon
Andrew
Edward
Angela
Sam
If you were using pegs, you would look at “h” when seeing Haley and associate her with something like Halley’s comet or a hat. Allan could be associated with an Allen key.
You can also spontaneously produce associations or have stock characters. For example, every Sharon could be Sharon Osbourne.
The story method, on the other hand, requires us to add a narrative to the association, such as:
Halley’s comet is crashing into an Allan key in the hands of Sharon who finds it burning hot and hands it to Andrew.
The story method can possibly be used without a Memory Palace. However, stories have parts. And those parts exist somewhere in your brain which means they are inherently spatially located.
I think you’ll find it a lot less mentally taxing to lay out any narrative elements you use in a Memory Palace.
Another way to approach the story method is to use a movie or novel plot you know well.
For example, let’s say you have mentally reduced The Matrix series down to three scenes: the hotel, the desert of the real, and Neo’s cabin on Morpheus’ ship.
For the first piece of information you want to remember, you would use the first room and perhaps Trinity doing her flying kick. Then you would move on to the next location for the next piece of information.
This example shows how stories are always spatial in nature… after all, if they don’t take place somewhere… how can they be stories?
Six: The Rhyming Peg System (Rhyme Mnemonics) for Amplifying Your Stories
Closely related to the story method is the number rhyme technique.
It works through what some scientists call “phonological encoding.”
To use rhyming mnemonics as part of creating supercharged recall, you need to first create your rhymes.
The ones I use are:
One is a bun
Two is a shoe
Three is a bee
Four is a door
Five is a hive
Six is (drum) sticks
Seven is my friend Evan
Eight is a gate
Nine is wine
Ten is hen
There are different ways to use number rhymes. For example, if you have to remember a list, you can associate the first item with a bun.
You are essentially making a tiny story. If the first item is a carrot, you put that carrot in a bun, which is kind of weird and memorable.
Likewise lettuce inside your shoes will be difficult to forget.
Mnemonic Example of a number shape for 1
Seven: The Number Shape System
One of my favorite approaches involves making stories from numbers that I imagine as different types of shapes.
To use it, you think about what the numbers 0-9 look like. Then you associate them with those shapes.
Here’s my list:
0 = a donut
1 = a candle
2 = a swan
3 = handcuffs
4 = a sailboat
5 = a seahorse
6 = a fishing hook
7 = a boomerang
8 = a snowman
9 = a golf club
To make a story using this technique, you could simply have your number one item being burned by a candle.
Your second item takes a ride on a swan, and so forth.
Ultimately, there is no right or wrong with these techniques. You can use stories on your own or amplify them with either number rhymes or number shapes.
The choice basically comes down to your level of skill, the context, and the nature of the information.
When it comes to memorizing numbers themselves, there are some very powerful mnemonic devices to discuss. Let’s examine the first of them next, and I do hope you find an opportunity to learn and use it.
Eight: Major System and Dominic System
When it comes to associative imagery, the alphabet is a great tool. But it can also be mixed with numbers.
The Major System (often called the Major Method) helps you associate a consonant with each digit from 0-9. This mnemonic device has been in use since the Katapayadi of ancient India.
A more common approach that has been in use since the 1700s looks like this:
A more recent innovation is the Dominic System. It has some key differences, so make sure to study both.
Nine: 00-99 PAO System
PAO stands for Person, Action, Object. Basically, you’re taking the Major System and using it to help you make words from numbers.
Here are some examples from mine:
01 – Sad (tragedy mask)
02 – Sun (from the movie Sunshine)
31 – Maid
86 – Fish
Notice that I’ve put some concrete examples for you in parentheses. I’ve done this because “sad” is not very evocative. It’s just a concept.
But when I think of a tragedy mask, it links the word based on the Major more closely to the concept of sadness.
To make the mnemonic connection even more specific, I think of the tragedy mask worn by William Shatner in Oedipus Rex. As you might already be thinking, the process I’m sharing adds a layer of elaboration that works by adding in a bit of the story method.
Ten: Mind Maps
Tony Buzan is one of the greatest innovators of mind mapping, but he says in Mind Map Mastery that he abandoned this technique for improving memory back in the 70s.
He focused more on using keywords that help with creativity, problem-solving, and planning.
I feel that the conclusion to remove their use as a memorization tool was premature. If you would like to learn how to combine mind maps with Memory Palaces, for example, here’s a simple way to also add in the Major System for incredible results:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIhHKBRoy8E
As you can see, it’s fun to mix keywords with the Major Method on paper in a way that turns the mind map into a simple Memory Palace.
It’s not just that there are a TON of mnemonic devices to choose from. It’s that we get to delight in how they can be mixed and matched in so many ways.
I Love Using A Combination Of Mnemonic Strategies — How About You?
We’re incredibly lucky.
Although it can be confusing, the Internet has enabled dozens of memory competitors, memory athletes, and plain ol’ memory fanatics like me to create tons of free content for the world.
Even though it’s easy to get lost in the intricacies, remember: Memory is not a thing. It is a behavior.
Dive into each of the approaches you learned today.
Really dig deep into their nuances through practice.
Let me know if you found this guide helpful and comment below. If there are mnemonic devices I missed, please share it so I can update this post. All of us will be eternally grateful.
And if you want to learn more about how to make the most of your new mnemonic strategies using a Memory Palace, pick up your free copy of the memory improvement kit today. Just go ahead and click this image to get started:
The 8 Step Bible Memorization Plan That Leads to Success
Feb 13, 2025
You absolutely can memorize Scripture. You just need a Bible memorization plan.
That’s what you’ll learn to establish on this page.
No matter how many times you may have tried and given up before, this approach to memorizing scripture will work.
How do I know?
I’ve coached verbatim memorization for fifteen years.
My students have publicly recited Scripture.
And I’ve interviewed people who perform entire passages of the Bible.
The only difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is one word:
They had a plan.
Soon, you will too. And thanks to the example plans I’ll share below, this tutorial will make everything incredibly easy for you.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
The Step-by-Step Process to Create Your Personalized Bible Memorization Plan
“Just get started.”
That’s often the advice we hear.
But when it comes to developing a Scripture memorization plan that works, you can’t go about it randomly.
That’s why this first step is so crucial.
One: Choose Your Focus
Different people are drawn to various aspects of the Bible.
Even if your goal is to memorize the entirety of the Bible, it’s critical that you learn how to memorize based on a strong foundation of interest.
Or you might choose to focus on the Psalms, as did my successful student Matt Barclay.
Perhaps you prefer to focus on the Sermons of Jesus in the Gospels.
Or you want to start with one of the key epistles, like Romans or Ephesians.
Don’t worry if you decide to change your mind later. That’s okay.
The key is to make note of the verses, passages or Books of the Bible that stand out to you.
Select from the list you’ve created.
Then, later when you expand the Scripture you’ve memorized, you can build upon this deeply personal foundation.
If you’d like to see the list of Bible verses I’m memorizing, you’ll see an example of how a chosen focus can be not only useful, but stimulating in several ways.
Two: Set Clear Short-Term Goals
Whether you work on a verse a day, or even a single word a day, the key is base your journey on a schedule to which you can stick.
Although some might scoff at the idea of memorizing just one word a day from Scripture, I’ve done this myself in order to keep consistent.
Over time, it adds up. And by keeping consistent, I’ve memorized and even delivered memorized Scripture from a related tradition in a TEDx Talk.
Although I normally work on entire verses on a daily basis, that’s my personal short-term goal:
Between one word and an entire sentence per sessions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5HEffOd27Q
My student Mike McKinley followed a similar pattern and quickly memorized over sixty Psalms in this consistently measured manner.
Three: Write Out Your Schedule
Once you’ve chosen the Scripture you’re going to focus on, make a pact in writing.
Then work out when you’re going to show up to both:
Encode the verses into memory
Review the verses
I also encourage you to schedule when you’re going to use the verses you’ve memorized.
Although no one can see the future, just jot out a number of situations where you’ll have opportunities to recite Scripture.
That way, when those opportunities arise, you’ll be more likely to take the chance to practice. This simple action is a form of priming that helps ready you for taking action.
Four: Review Daily
Start each day by reviewing the previous day’s memorization.
You won’t need to do this forever with each verse. But some repetition is necessary.
To reduce the needed amount of repetition, use the principles I discussed in this tutorial on spaced repetition.
You can also follow the basic practice of Tom Meyer, who is often called the Bible Memory Man.
His recommendation is to make sure that you review by:
Reading the text aloud to help with learning and retention through hearing
Writing the verses out by hand
Paying attention to rhythm and structure as you recite
These are good tips.
However, I suggest that when writing out verses, you avoid copying the text.
Memorize first, then bring the verses to mind before writing them.
This process follows the findings of what scientists call active recall. It will help your memories form faster.
Five: Keep a Progress Journal
Each time you review, note it down in a journal.
Why?
As renowned memory champion Johannes Mallow shared with us in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, keeping a Memory Journal is the secret of his success.
It enabled him to see areas where he was strong and identify areas where he needed to improve.
Journaling also helps eliminate that helpless feeling unstructured people often suffer. “Where has all the time gone?”
When you keep a journal of your efforts, you’ll never have that feeling. Instead, you’ll have a sense of accomplishment and an inspiring record of your consistent effort.
One progress journal I love is call The Freedom Journal. It has helped me complete quite a few projects. I highly recommend using it at least once.
Although this it not possible, his strategy is basically the same as rote learning. Many people will have neither time nor tolerance for such an approach.
As an alternative, I suggest using the Memory Palace technique (as indicated on the infographic above).
If you’d like to see a discussion with examples of how I memorized some of the Book of John in Latin, watch this video tutorial.
In addition to the Memory Palace technique, I suggest that you learn how to use:
Ask yourself and answer in writing what the passages you’re memorizing mean to you personally.
Also ask what they mean for others.
Think about the Scripture in its historical context as well.
And for best results, learn about the original languages. Even just a smattering of Hebrew, Greek or one of the other original languages will add great depth to your understanding.
As a result, you’ll remember more Scripture through contextual learning.
Example Plan #1: Verses for Overcoming Anxiety
Let’s say that you have decided to focus on memorizing verses in order to deal with a personal issue.
Since anxiety is known to induce memory loss, for many people, this kind of focus will be very effective in both the short and long-term.
Here’s what your plan might look like:
Step One: Find Bible Verses That Address Anxiety
These days, you can search easily online for a list of verses. Here are a bunch to get you started:
Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Matthew 6:34 – “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Psalm 55:22 – “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Psalm 34:4 – “I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
Proverbs 12:25 – “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”
Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Psalm 94:19 – “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
Luke 12:25-26 – “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
Psalm 56:3 – “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Hebrews 13:6 – “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'”
Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Psalm 27:1 – “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Step Two: Narrow the List Down
Next, pick the most meaningful verse to you right now.
Although it can be tempting to go all in on a large number of these verses, remember that you’re following a plan.
You want several verses gathered, but you’ll still work with them one by one.
Once you’ve selected just one verse, write it down in your Memory Journal.
Step Three: Develop a Memory Palace
For best results, I strongly advise that you use the Memory Palace technique.
Draw a simple representation of your home and use the method of loci to identify a number of stations where you will encode each word of the verse.
Here’s an example from one of my Scripture Memory Palaces:
This pre-numbered Memory Palace example shows you how I prepared to memorize the Atma Bodha in full. I know the text and the number of each verse in an ancient Sanskrit text thanks to my favorite memory technique.
Step Four: Add the Verse to the Memory Palace
Using memory techniques is simple.
You simply pair images together with the individual words you want to memorize.
For example, one thing that used to cause me a lot of anxiety was blurting out ideas during conversations.
That’s where Proverbs 18:13 came in so handy for me.
To memorize it, I used a Memory Palace and a number system for the verse numbers.
As you can see in the illustration above, I combined a number of mnemonic images to help me recall the sound of each word in the verse.
Take time each morning to recall what you’ve memorized the day before.
As a best practice, always:
Speak the verses aloud
Write them out by hand
Check for accuracy by reading them from the source
When you follow this specific pattern, you’ll help your brain enter the verse into long-term memory as quickly as possible.
However, if you read the verse first, you’ll essentially be deskilling your memory. You need to challenge it in order for it to improve and to help yourself memorize the verses you’ve chosen to focus on.
Step Five: Share with Your Partner or Group
After a week or two, make sure to meet with others who share your goals.
Share openly everything about the journey.
Remember:
There are no mistakes.
Even if you miscall words, or drop entire clauses, these are really just opportunities to learn about memorization as a practice.
Write down everything in your Memory Journal and ideas for improving will emerge.
Example Plan #2: Memorizing Entire Books of the Bible
When it comes to memorizing an entire book of the Bible, it is possible. And one aspect that makes it easy is that don’t have to spend time selecting the verses.
You’ll simply go through it one verse at a time until you are done. In other words, using your Memory Palaces for the Bible, you’ll proceed in an order like this:
Week one: John 1:1-4
Week two: John 1:5-9
Week three: John 2:1-6, etc.
In this case, however, you’ll need many more Memory Palaces.
You’ll also want to reserve more time for the recitation practice, both verbal and in written form.
As you review, you’ll need to work out what specific strategy works for you. Due to the amount of verbatim text, you may need to repeat many of the verses more often than when working with theme-focused selections.
This can tempt you to start thinking like some of my students, who have asked me about memorizing a book out of order.
I have done this, but ultimately I found it creates more confusion than simply memorizing from the beginning of a book to then end.
So I suggest you simply follow the book in order. Then repeat the review pattern you’ve noticed works best for you.
Overall, the most challenging part of complete book memorization is that you will need to speak it aloud and write it out by hand.
This requirement is not a deal-breaker. You just have to break the passages down to smaller units.
And that’s where the Memory Palace technique is so powerful.
If you’d like help developing multiple Memory Palaces that will help you retain Scripture en masse as fast as possible, consider completing this free course:
It gives you 4 video tutorials and 3 worksheets that walk you through everything you need to know.
These are the same lessons my most successful students have completed in order to achieve their Bible memory goals.
And the lessons are based on the same ancient memory techniques that our ancestors used to hold Scripture in mind across the course of their lives.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to start following your plan and enjoying the spiritual richness available only to those who have Scripture deeply embedded in their minds?
How to Become an Autodidact
Feb 04, 2025
If you want to know how to become an autodidact, I suggest you start by treating the adventure like a game.
Not in terms of gamification.
But in terms of game theory.
By that, I mean set up your learning journey is such a way that you want to keep going.
No matter what obstacles arise.
Because, let’s face it. There will be obstacles.
And that’s why the path of the self taught learner must include detailed studies in discipline, focus and determination.
Anyone can pick up these skills, even though traditional educational institutions have sadly made them harder to pick up.
I say it’s sad because you need to keep up with the rapid pace of change more than ever before.
As a result, autodidactic learning has never been more important.
As an autodidact myself who has started businesses, written multiple books, played in bands and taught thousands of people around the world, I’m happy to share the best practices I’ve found.
So if you’d like to take charge of your education, settle in. You’re about to learn how to take charge of your education and master new skills all on your own.
https://youtu.be/_sT0mUoD3Ag
What Is An Autodidact?
An autodidact is anyone who takes steps to acquire an independent education in a topic or skill.
Often, people think autodidacts do this without the guidance of formal instructors. But this belief is not strictly true.
The author David Morrell, for example, became well known for his deep research projects before writing various novels.
For example, he learned to fly a plane before writing The Shimmer. He has also studied interrogation tactics, how to establish a false identity and defensive driving.
This makes him a great example of a modern polymath. But the fact that he hired instructors to help him learn these skills doesn’t mean he taught himself.
The distinguishing factor is that he took the initiative and arranged the learning journey on his own.
There was no formal way to study for all those skills. So he informally crafted his own lifelong learning journey.
The Most Important Characteristics of Autodidacticism
In addition to taking charge of the learning journey, an autodidact is:
Flexible to the exact demands required to achieve their learning goals.
Research-focused in order to find the best sources of knowledge.
Capable of using critical thinking to assess the reliability of their instructors and information sources.
Devoted to developing a personal empowerment mindset, sometimes called mental strength.
Courageous and capable of withstanding isolation.
These characteristics are so important because autodidacts have to take more responsibility for their learning outcomes than a strict polymath might.
There’s no formal institution to blame, after all. As for Morrell’s most famous character, Rambo, it’s a jungle out there. As a self-directed learner, you are on your own.
How to Become an Autodidact
As you now know, autodidacts take responsibility for their own education and do not rely on formal instruction offered by institutions.
At least not the way you would attend one university to complete a degree.
When I was a student, that’s what I did for many years. I completed a B.A., M.A. and PhD without a shred of that learning journey involving any autodidacticism.
When I learned how to write, publish and market bestselling books, on the other hand, these skills were self taught.
Taking a cue from Morrell, to prepare for writing my first “Memory Detective” novel, Flyboy, I took two courses with a detective. One on gun handling and the other on the handling of crime scenes.
I also completed a forensics course. In it, I learned about Cellebrite Pathfinder,and then took a course on how detectives use this software.
My knowledge of this technology become good enough that a detective who read my novel was surprised I even know about it. He told me I described the technology and its use in digital forensics very well.
This is where the research-focused aspect of teaching yourself comes in handy. You need to find the best information.
That requires probing skills above and beyond just searching and analyzing the first page of a search engine. You also can’t just go with what an AI text generator tells you.
So, how does one accomplish massive goals without cheating oneself by studying in shallow ways when you need to dig deep?
You can learn more mnemonic devices and mind mapping. But those five memory systems are the ones I personally use the most.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y63eE3GjWyg
Then there’s note-taking, for which I prefer a combination of the Zettelkasten technique and Leitner boxes.
Two: Make Sure The Engagement Engine Is On
I’ve worked with a lot of one-on-one coaching clients over the years.
Most of them don’t have a learning problem. They have a passion problem.
Rather than study something they love, they focus on studying things that will make them money.
I’ve been there.
I once almost entered a teaching certification program so I could provide a steady income to fulfil someone else’s dream.
As much as I love education, entering a formal system to do that would have been miserable.
I got myself out of that downward spiral by completing a “Perfect Present” journaling exercise.
I wrote my “dream day” in a journal each morning.
After eleven days, the scales dropped from my eyes. I saw that there was no way for me to achieve my learning goals by trying to use formal education to make someone else happy.
That’s when I turned to learning self-publishing, podcasting, using YouTube, etc.
To complete this step yourself, test the truth of what it is you want to learn.
Write down five reasons it’s worth pursuing that topic.
Given the challenges involved in learning everything, if you can’t find five reasons the topic will help you achieve your dreams, it’s probably not worth pursuing.
Three: Set Clear Goals By Adding These Words
When I work with clients, they often describe murky goals.
They want to learn languages, master a particular dance program and fly planes.
Although each goal has a kind of clarity, they are ultimately vague.
Rather than focusing on the goals as such, add “so that” followed by a clause that highlights the outcome.
In this way, learning a new language becomes “learning a new language so that I can speak with my partner’s family.”
It seems like a small thing to add, but I’ve found time and again that adding “so that” makes the exact planning process more focused.
However, outside of the contexts for which I use them, these methods can be deeply flawed.
My bookish learning goals lend themselves to these techniques. But learning carpentry or plumbing?
I have no idea how I would use Memory Palaces and optimized flashcards to learn those skills. They might not involve any reading techniques at all.
To put it another way, if you’re going to take advice on how to learn, choose a learning guru who has actually achieved what you want to accomplish.
That way, you’re modeling the research and learning methods used by successful people.
On the flip side of the coin, also study some failures.
Personally, I think a lot about running a Kickstarter campaign for my forthcoming Memory Detective Jr. series.
Much of my research involves examining flops on the platform.
It’s as important to research what not to do, especially when learning on your own.
Five: Plan Your Study Path
Coming up with a learning goal is one thing. Planning how you’ll execute is another.
Since no one can see the future, planning is not without the risk that you’ll miss something important.
And plans often need to change.
That’s why I treat planning as a skill unto itself. I plan over and over again so that I’m skilled at rapidly drafting new plans.
By simply accepting that plans will need redrawing, you can release yourself to simply do your best.
And as you continually plan and replan, you will develop procedural memory around the process.
As this study demonstrates, strong planning skills directly determine your ability to complete your goals.
That means now is the best time to get started with planning as a deliberate practice.
Six: Learn To Maintain Your Commitment & Focus
“Stop stopping.”
It’s one of my favorite personal mantras amongst others I use to maintain focus on what matters.
I use memory techniques to memorize them so these handy inspirational phrases are easy to draw upon when times get tough.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdEER_MLzNQ
But how do you actually stop the habit of stopping or giving up on your goals?
First, make sure you’re in control of your dopamine. You can literally reset it.
Next, maintain a good diet and physical fitness routine. Also, take care of your sleep.
There are memory friendly foods you can explore, and it doesn’t take much exercise to keep your body and mind energized.
The key is to understand that the mind tends to throw up mental objects that weaken us when the body is out of shape.
Attending a live Tony Robbins event, I witnessed firsthand both his tremendous self-directed learning skills and consistent abundance of energy.
Craft a strong body and you will almost automatically enjoy a clear and focused mind.
Tony Robbins talks about this all the time. I saw him live once and if that guy doesn’t provide proof of concept, I don’t know who does.
He’s not only taught himself a ton. His energy is undeniable. And it just comes down to simple things like diet, fitness, sleep and various concentration meditation routines.
Seven: Refine Your Autodidact Approach & Skillset Over Time
Nothing is set in stone.
What works to achieve one goal might not have the same power for the next.
That’s why I talked about making planning and re-planning one of your skills.
But you may also need to patch in additional skills.
Next, you might beef up on your active learning skills.
Or study spaced repetition more closely to improve how you use it.
Reflecting and adjusting are incredibly important skills as a self-taught individual.
To do it in the best possible way, seek feedback from others and generate your own feedback by keeping a journal.
Some World-Famous Autodidacts You Should Know
The theory needed to teach yourself is one thing.
But let’s turn now to look at a few examples of people who have taught themselves various skills.
Leonardo Da Vinci
Although it’s true that Da Vinci studied under others, he also learned many things on his own.
He taught himself through experimentation, observation and keeping detailed notebooks.
His learning spanned multiple fields, from science and engineering to art and anatomy.
The detail he brought to concepts like a flying machine influenced and inspired others to realize the airplanes we now all see over our heads on a daily basis.
Lynne Kelly
Although she has a scholarly background, Lynne Kelly took it upon herself to learn a completely new field.
How did she learn so much about genetics so quickly?
As the author of Memory Craft and The Memory Code, Kelly simply drew upon the memory techniques she taught herself to use.
In addition to using her memory to write incredible books, Kelly has also performed impressively at memory competition.
And like several other memory champs, she has also used her memory skills to teach herself several languages.
For more intriguing self-taught people, check out these examples.
Learn Like An Autodidact Starting Right Now
I want to encourage you to make self-taught learning a massive part of your life.
Keep asking those “why” questions as you take up new projects.
Focus on one major topic and set proper goals and plans around it.
This is how you’ll take the first step towards meaning and mastery.
If you would like help with the memory component, register here for my free memory improvement course:
It gives you four video tutorials and worksheets that walk you through everything.
That way, you’ll remember what you take time to study.
Nothing is more valuable than retaining the knowledge you encounter.
And that’s because those who seek deeper understanding can only do so by sorting, sifting and screening information they’ve embedded deeply into their memory.
Now you know how to do it too.
On your own, the most empowering way to learn.
How to Memorize Important Dates & Names Quickly & Permanently
Jan 29, 2025
It’s incredibly helpful to remember dates in history.
Not only that, but you want to also remember the names of the people involved.
For example, I’ve taught memory techniques for over ten years and live stream a lot. My credibility soars every time I accurately recite the dates certain memory masters and other historical figures lived.
In your case, you might need to remember names and dates in history to pass an exam.
Or perhaps you want this kind of knowledge for personal satisfaction, to remember your family tree or to help your clients better by remembering critical dates related to their situation.
No matter the reason, there’s a fun and relatively easy way to remember dates and names at the same time.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
How to Memorize Important Dates & Names: The Most Effective Process
As we get into the ancient memory techniques people have been using for centuries, here’s a point that might seem obvious. But we need to cover it all the same:
Names and numbers are two different things. They require memory techniques that are definitely related, but the brain perceives names and numbers differently.
With that in mind, I’m going to show you how to use both techniques at the same time. Just understand that different mnemonic devices need to be use in combination.
But don’t worry – they’re not hard. In fact, they’re a lot of fun!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y68uMCrY2n4
Step One: Learn to Remember Names First
Learning how to remember names is one of the simplest place to start.
Basically, start by looking for sound and spelling similarities you can use to forge associations. I memorize a lot of important philosophy, both its history and its ideas.
When I come across a name I want to remember like Diogenes, I start by figuring out how the name is pronounced. Then I make an association, which in this case involved Princess Diana, who was often called Lady Di.
For the second part of the name, I thought of Walter Ong. The sound of “Ong” is not nearly as close as Di, but it doesn’t have to be 100%. It just needs to serve as a trigger as the name is being learned.
Step Two: Picture the Person Behind the Name
If you’re anything like me, or have full-blown aphantasia, it’s not always easy to form a mental image of a historical figure.
But that’s no reason not to briefly look the person up. Usually there’s either a photograph, illustration or painting. Getting a sense for the look of a person just makes sense overall as you expand your historical knowledge because many others will have developed impressions based on those images.
Step Three: Simplify the Historical Information
A while ago, I was memorizing the names and dates of my favorite philosophers while sitting in my dentist’s waiting room.
I had a book about the history of philosophy on my lap and started placing the names and their dates into a Memory Palace. But before I started to use this special technique (which you’ll learn more about in a moment), I focused specifically on “chunking” down the dates associated with these historical philosophers.
Chunking is a science-backed learning technique where instead of focusing on 1596-1650 for Descartes, you start just by remembering 15.
Although this approach to memorizing dates might seem slow, it’s actually faster in the end for reasons you’re about to discover.
Step Four: Associate Bit By Bit
For now, let’s assume that you’ve already memorized the name Rene Descartes for the following example. You’ve checked out his Wikipedia page and now you’re ready to memorize the date he was born on and when he died.
The key to association is to chunking down to dealing with just 15. Then link this smaller digit to something you already know that reminds you of this number.
Now, immediately you might think… 15… that’s too abstract.
You would be right.
And that’s where memory techniques like the Major System or a PAO System come into play.
These simple and fun mnemonic techniques give you images for numbers almost instantly.
That way, you can use something called the story method to place images in the hands of your historical figure.
My associations for these numbers are a bassist named Tal (15) and the rock band, Bush (96).
My image for 16 is always Dashiell Hammett and 50 is Wonder Woman.
Please take a moment to learn these powerful number techniques. They provide the most effective and efficient means to rapidly memorizing historical dates. If you find that simpler number techniques would be a better start, you can explore number rhymes.
Although my mnemonic examples may not work for you, once you know the theory, scientific research has shown that personalizing your own mnemonic system simply works. Scientists call the process active recall.
Once you have all of these principles combined together, you’ll be able to remember anything.
Step Five: Add More Names & Dates
Whether you’re studying for a history exam, memorizing your family tree or just want to know more about history, you want to rapidly remember not just one name and date. You want to be able to recall historical facts by the dozens.
In the example above, you see Rene Descartes in a bar.
That’s because, although I was at the dentist, I was thinking about a bar in Toronto where my dissertation supervisor and I used to talk about philosophy for hours on end.
It’s a much better Memory Palace than the dentist’s office because the pub has a personal association with philosophy for me.
The exact choice of where I placed Descartes and his dates involves using the method of loci and the journey method. By using these additional principles, it’s easy to add new names and dates in historical order. Like you see in this illustration:
Step Six: Review Using Spaced Repetition
The penultimate step involves revisiting your associations to help develop long-term memory of the historical information.
Basically, I use spaced-repetition according the well-established insights of Hermann Ebbinghaus. Ebbinghaus identified something called the forgetting curve and found ways to increase retention.
Learning to use spaced repetition to defeat the Forgetting Curve started in earnest with the research of Hermann Ebbinghaus.
To increase my retention of all kinds of historical facts, I tend to revisit information I’ve encoded using the techniques you’ve just learned:
5 times the first day
1 time for each day the following week
1 time a week for the following 5 weeks
This is a general pattern, one that can be reduced by following the next step.
Step Seven: Plant the Seeds Even Deeper In the Soil of Memory
Some people complain that using spaced repetition feels like rote learning. If you’re not using images like Wonder Woman for the number 50, I would agree that rote is boring.
But that’s why so many of us love accelerated learning techniques. By transforming dry and boring facts into dynamic images and ideas, we mnemonists (people who use memory techniques) start to feel more excited and alive than ever before.
That said, it’s still possible to forget information when using memory techniques.
So as a best practice to avoid unwanted forgetting, here’s what I suggest:
Keep a “Memory Journal” where you write out everything you’ve memorized by hand
Write essays or summaries in your own words to develop deeper knowledge, understanding and recall
Use reflective thinking best practices to generate more specific and broader insights that stimulate memory
Engage in plenty of discussions with a variety of people
Remain humble
Learn from mistakes
These final two points are so key. As we’ve learned from people with high IQs, it’s important to never take knowledge for granted.
Plus, every time you fumble a piece of information, you’ve just gotten an opportunity to learn more about memory techniques. Rest assured, I’m friends with the most impressive memory athletes in the world and they still make mistakes, both in competition and while learning.
If you’d like more lessons along these lines that will help you remember tons of historical information while keeping you humble, get my free course now right here:
It takes you through everything you need to know to beat the “forgetting curve” we just discussed.
And it will help you come up with all kinds of associations for names and historical dates at blazing fast speeds.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to get out there and conquer history?
Many treasure chests of knowledge await!
How to Improve Memory: 19 Proven Ways that Actually Work
Jan 23, 2025
Tutorial by Dr. Anthony Metivier, PhD | Memory expert, TEDx speaker, founder of the Magnetic Memory Method
Last updated: May 2026
C’mon, admit it. You think learning to improve your memory is going to be a drag.
I thought that myself the first time I picked up a memory improvement book.
I was so frustrated by its vague promises that I nearly tossed it across the room.
The description was so illogical that even as PhD student with two MAs, I couldn’t make it work.
Then I discovered mnemonic techniques like the Memory Palace, and everything changed.
I went on to deliver one of the most-watched TEDx Talks on memory, earn Tony Buzan’s Warrior of the Mind award, and teach thousands of people to memorize languages, names, speeches, and entire decks of cards. For fun.
Here’s what I’ve learned after more than a decade of teaching memory improvement:
You really can sharpen your recall without becoming a memory athlete in noise-cancelling headphones. You just need the right combination of lifestyle habits and proven techniques. And on this page, I’ll walk you through both.
Below you’ll find 19+ methods I personally use and teach, backed by peer-reviewed research. Several of them will surprise you. A few will work the first time you try them.
Aside from individuals with cognitive diseases or memory disorders, you may be one of the many people who are curious about improving their ability to process and store information for easier recall at a later time.
Scientific research has discovered several positive external effects on the different types of human memory. This means humans have several actionable ways to enhance their short-term and long-term memory retention.
Not surprisingly, memory research has shown that improvements to physical health go hand-in-hand with brain function and memory improvement. Stronger psychological, emotional, and spiritual health boosts memory as well.
We’ll explore the long list of actionable steps you can take to improve your ability to remember.
We’ll also look at some proven memory improvement tips and techniques that you can use to enhance your approach to learning, storing, and recalling information. (The good news is that you’re not completely at the mercy of your brain’s current state!)
A caution here: There’s no single miracle elixir for improving memory.
Currently, there’s no miracle pill or other single simplistic way to improve your memory. Your memory improvement depends on “checking as many boxes” as you can from the following list.
Let’s dive in.
18+ Proven Memory Improvement Tips
While you don’t have to do everything on this list, it’s helpful to incorporate as many of the following methods as you can.
1. Get Moving for Your Memory
We all know that physical exercise is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but did you know that even mild physical exercise benefits memory?
A 2018 brain imaging study of healthy young adults showed hippocampal-dependent memory (memory processing) improvements immediately after 10 minutes of very light exercise, comparable to walking at a slow pace.
Brain chemical researchers have learned that higher levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) protein correlate with improved cognitive performance. This is due to the protein’s strong supporting role in encoding long-term memories in our brains.
This animal study shows higher levels of BDNF in rodents that exercise in contrast to those that do not, leading clinicians to now include exercise in neurotherapy programs.
I’m not a rat, but that’s why you see me performing deadlifts at my favorite gym in Berlin in the picture below:
Deadlifting helps improve my focused attention and memory. Do you go to the gym?
I also walk daily, run three times a week and try to get sun every morning, weather permitting.
Ancillary benefits of aerobic exercise – to help with weight loss, promote better sleep, and elevate mood – provide multiple memory-boosting reasons to put on your tennis!
Like aerobic exercise, strength and resistance training improves your physical health and helps improve focus, manage stress, and promote better sleep.
Body mass index, or BMI, is a classification of the relationship between body weight to height and provides a relative reference to determine if your body weight is healthy for your height. Overweight individuals have a high BMI. Conversely, underweight individuals have a low BMI.
In the case of obesity, systemic inflammation is the suspected cause of cognitive decline. A 2017 University of Arizona study revealed a relationship between high body mass index, the presence of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood, and a more rapid rate of decline in brain function over time.
Additionally, a 15-year study suggested middle-aged or older patients with a low BMI have an increased risk of dementia.
Refer to an adult BMI Calculator to get an idea of your weight status. If your BMI indicates it, consult your doctor for advice on steps you can take to get your body ratio into a healthier range.
4. Get the Right Amount of Quality Sleep
Ahh… sleep! There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep to energize your body and mind!
Experts say that adults (18+ years) need between 7.5 and 8.5 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. But, sleep quality often deteriorates as we age.
Researchers at UC Berkeley linked poor sleep quality with memory loss. They discovered that during deep sleep, brain waves transfer memories from the hippocampus to the prefrontal cortex, where they’re stored. But older adults’ ability to enter deep sleep is often interrupted, which impairs memory storage.
If you’re prone to sleep-related problems like getting to sleep, staying asleep or daytime sleepiness, consult your doctor or a sleep specialist for possible causes so you can start getting the rest you need for better memory.
5. Avoid or Limit Alcohol Consumption
It probably won’t surprise you that research shows heavy alcohol consumption impairs or damages memory. However, daily alcohol consumption limited to “moderate” ranges can cause memory issues as well.
In order for memories to be formed and saved, our brain leverages a communication system between neurons in the hippocampus. Simply put, this communication system is slowed or derailed by alcohol. This reaction explains short-term memory losses after a night of partying.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control’s recommendation calls for moderate alcohol consumption for those who drink, limited to 1 drink for women and 2 drinks for men. (Also note that the recommendation is not to be considered a daily average.)
If you’re noticing memory loss and you consume alcohol, consider cutting back or avoiding alcohol. Be aware that our brains are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol as we age.
6. Stop Smoking (and Vaping)
The most noted negative effect of smoking is its impact on the lungs and heart, but here’s another reason to quit: The reduced supply of oxygen due to damaged blood vessels and exposure to over 50 toxic chemicals contributes to cognitive issues, including memory loss.
Nicotine, the primary component in cigarettes and e-cigarettes, is a highly addictive stimulant that affects concentration, learning, and memory.
Even “social” smokers are at risk for memory loss. A 2012 British study concluded that both daily and social smokers’ poor performances on memory tests were similar, with no significant difference between the two groups.
Chronic drug abuse can lead to difficulty in concentration, which is essential to learning and remembering. Due to drugs’ ability to cause harm to several regions of the brain, long-term abuse can negatively impact a person’s ability to think and solve problems.
If you use drugs recreationally, consider recovering from addiction with the help and support of your friends and family.
8. Balance Stress in Your Life
Memory and stress have an odd relationship. Highly stressful circumstances often form unforgettable memories in our brains, like being robbed at gunpoint. But, when we’re trying to learn, stress (i.e. adrenaline) battles against our attempts to remember things.
Emotional disturbances like stress, anxiety, and depression can cause difficulty with focus (concentrating) and subsequent forgetfulness. According to a Berkeley study, chronic stress and anxiety cause changes in the brain that interrupt normal communication and memory processing.
Fortunately, stress and other emotional disturbances can be managed, which can make your memory better. If you’re concerned about stress, depression, or anxiety as a cause for memory concerns, consult your doctor.
When you’re feeling stressed, sensory experiences like these quick stress relievers will help you relax, realign, and improve your focus.
9. Support Memory with the Right Foods
Want to know how to strengthen your memory?
Stop poisoning it.
Seriously:
The foods you eat have a tremendous impact on your brain health and memory. Your brain function is impacted negatively by eating the worst foods for memory that cause inflammation or contain toxic chemicals. You can strengthen it by discontinuing foods that weaken it and adding ingredients to your diet that support it.
Optimally, your diet should support the production of the brain chemical BDNF (the brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein that increases with exercise) and good blood flow to your brain.
But how do you know what to eat? This list of 11 foods to boost your memory is a great place to start while investigating other brain-boosting food sources.
Savor Some Flavonoid-Filled Fruits and Veggies
There are over 6,000 types of flavonoids, which is a family of plant chemicals that are the reason (in part) for the colors of fruits and vegetables. When consumed, they provide a myriad of health benefits, specifically antioxidant properties with anti-inflammatory effects and an increase in blood flow to the brain.
A 10-year study of seniors suggested that high dietary flavonoid consumption is possibly associated with better cognitive performance.
Another study focused specifically on fruit flavonoids found that they seem to protect brain neurons from toxic or inflammatory-based injury — suggesting that eating flavonoid-rich fruits like apples, berries, and citrus can limit or reverse age-related memory deteriorations.
Scientists are still working on zeroing in on recommended amounts of specific flavonoids to fight specific brain-related diseases and conditions. In the meantime, don’t overlook the healthful benefits of including colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet.
Reduce Sugar Intake and Other Inflammatory Foods
Although elevated glucose levels are harmful to the entire body, note that memory functions such as concentration and attention are negatively impacted by the inflammatory effect of excess sugar as well.
While reducing sucrose and fructose found in sugar, minimize your intake of other foods with trans fats and refined carbohydrates. Vegetable oils and processed meats also promote inflammation, which can adversely affect your memory.
Consider Choline
Choline – an essential nutrient found in eggs, beef liver, soybeans, and potatoes – supports brain development. The recommended adequate intake (AI) of choline for healthy adults ranges from 425 mg (females) to 550 mg (males) per day.
For example, a hard-boiled egg has approximately 147 milligrams of choline, which is about one-quarter of the daily recommended intake. Lecithin, a common food additive in processed foods, is rich in phosphatidylcholine and accounts for about half the dietary choline consumed in the U.S.
A Word About Vitamins and Supplements
There’s a lot of buzz about vitamins and supplements designed to promote brain health and memory enhancement. Some of these claims are legitimate with respect to brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, but may have trade-offs.
If you want to improve memory and have considered adding vitamins or memory supplements to your protocol, do your research before selecting the right high-quality supplement that fits your needs.
10. Schedule a Check-Up
Work with your doctor to manage any chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, depression, and obesity. Simple blood tests for hypothyroidism and your LDL cholesterol level can help reveal manageable solutions for improving your long- and short-term memory.
Hearing loss and poor vision are potential causes of reduced memory function as well.
Research shows that people with hearing loss are two times more likely to develop cognitive impairment than those with normal hearing. Protecting your senses can help preserve your brain function.
Your overall health is just as important to your cognitive function as it is to the rest of your body. If you’re concerned about forgetfulness and other changes to your memory function, arrange for a full physical and discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
11. Brain Exercises: Pump Some Gray Matter
In order to maintain good health, your body needs exercise. So does your brain! Let’s explore the kind of exercise that’ll show you how to increase memory without breaking a sweat!
Concrete brain and memory exercises like visualization or repeating and recalling will help you with focus and concentration as well as increase your mental agility and improve memory. Choose activities that you like, but challenge your comfort level often.
Simplistically, the difference between yoga and meditation is that yoga combines physical movement with mindfulness, while meditation is practiced while sitting still.
These days, I perform these specific yoga moves because of how they have been shown to boost memory and concentration.
Meditation for mindfulness and concentration is a learned skill, but is easy to pick up and provides greater cognitive benefits (and reduced stress and anxiety) over time. For a great introduction to concentration meditation, check out these 12 focus exercises.
13. Simply Socialize
Studies at the University of Michigan discovered a correlation between a higher amount of social interaction and higher cognitive function levels in people of all age groups, while also concluding that even a 10-minute conversation can boost intellectual performance.
Find opportunities to fill in your social calendar, like visiting an art gallery with a friend, volunteering for a local cause, starting (or resurrecting) a hobby, or taking a class.
Reflecting on your daily activities and thoughts in a daily diary or journal has many benefits, including improvements to working memory, processing thoughts, gaining focus, and reducing stress.
Plus, reviewing what you’ve written in the past is a great way to boost your explicit memory (long-term memory of facts and events in your life).
An easy way to start is to dedicate a notebook (or video or audio journal) for recording one unfiltered observation about each day.
15. Memorize Numbers with the Major Method
Let’s face it. Numbers are tough to remember and recall by themselves. Our brains need help with remembering phone numbers, dates, and other numerical data. Enter the Major Method.
The Major Method uses the association of certain letters and their sounds to each digit 0-9.
To remember numbers, form words with these associated sounds to remember a string or combination of digits.
For example, this mnemonic system lets you attach M to 3 and 2 to N, which makes the word Moon for 32.
“Through using our memory to its fullest we can unlock the vast reservoir of human potential that isn’t currently being used.” — Tony Buzan
Mind mapping improves memory by leveraging focus and energy to create it. While creating a mind map, you associate concepts and use your imagination to help store information into memory.
17. Magnetic Memory Map
At MMM, we’ve combined the use of Mind Maps with the Major Method to suggest a modified Memory Palace technique (see the next tip) that’ll help you boost memorization of up to twelve pieces of information.
By practicing the rules of this simple technique, you can accelerate learning and memory recall of a small quantity of related facts.
The ultimate “go with what you know” memory technique, the Memory Palace technique leverages your personal cognitive maps, your own conceptual representations of familiar locations (like your home or neighborhood).
As you mentally travel through your familiar location, place information in specific areas along the “walk.” To recall that information, you take your mind on an imaginary “walk” along the route to retrieve the target information.
Sometimes called a Mind Palace, Journey Method, Roman Room, or Method of Loci, the Magnetic Memory Palace technique uses effective visualization or “magnetic imagery” to create mental associations that help information “stick” in a memory palace and “repel” any distractions.
19. Watch Movies Strategically
You probably haven’t done this since you were a kid:
You watch a movie and then immediately get on the phone and retell the entire story to a friend.
At least, I remember doing this as a kid.
I loved hearing my friends recount what they had seen.
Back then, after all, if you missed a movie at the theatre, it could be six months to a year before it appeared on videocassette.
And even then, there was no guarantee that a video store in your town would carry it for rental.
The exercise here is to watch a movie and retell the story to someone.
If you cannot find someone to relate the narrative to, tell it to a pet.
Speak it into a recording device.
Or even just write it down. Who knows? You could wind up becoming a great film reviewer and critic and memorizing what happens in movies for a living.
For bonus points, do both:
Verbally recount the film and write your description down.
This verbal activity will exercise more parts of your memory and improve recall in a deeper way, especially of you make this a regular affair.
And keep in mind, this description doesn’t have to be super-lengthy.
When I recall the plot points of a movie in writing, for example, I can usually squeeze it all on to a mid-sized index card.
If you’re interested in more about memorizing plot points, you can check out this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast on memorizing plot points. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM4TxD6ez1Y
Your Next Steps?
As you can see, there’s an abundance of actions you can take to improve your memory!
But here’s the issue with many of these tips:
When it comes to self-care and upgrading your health status, it takes time to see improvements in your memory. You wonder: “What about some instant gratification?”
Mindful, of course, that while more healthful deep-rooted changes go to work in the background, you can realize some quick wins that’ll incentivize you to stay on track to better memory!
A good approach is to determine the memory type (or stage) that you’d like to focus on, then work toward success in that area.
Let’s explore distinct memory improvement tips, strategies, concepts, and techniques that are specific to short- and long-term memory.
How to Improve Short-Term Memory
A disheartening fact about short-term memory is that the capacity for working data is limited.
Due to this limited capacity, the fate of data in short-term memory is determined in less than a minute to allow room for new data to flow in. Technically, it’s tough to improve short-term memory.
However, the desire to improve short-term memory typically pertains to facilitating easier recall of new information or thoughts.
In order to give new information a chance at surviving more than a minute, our brain must “work” or “stage” the memory for processing into long-term memory. The key to improving working memory is to efficiently and consciously assist that “staging” process.
What do we mean by “efficiently and consciously?”
The efficient and conscious use of our brain leverages its innate tendencies, deliberately engaging the manner in which we’re biologically wired to remember. It’s all about increasing memory retention in the end as part of an overall program of cognitive training:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJk7tumRzM4
Here’s the biological scoop on the nature of the human brain and short-term memory:
Our brains are especially good at remembering locations (known as spatial and visual memory).
Our short-term memory capacity is limited to about six or seven “slots”.
With that knowledge, you can consciously help your brain “stage” short-term data by picturing things in your mind (visualization) while breaking down or consolidating (chunking) data into packets of information.
Here’s a simple example:
Cleaning the bathroom, you use the last of the bleach. While emptying the trash can, you notice a discarded tube of toothpaste and empty bottle of antacids.
To remember the items, you think of the acronym “BAT” (Bleach/Antacids/Toothpaste) and visualize a baseball bat-shaped pencil lying on the shopping list on the kitchen table.
You’ve successfully used chunking, visualization, and spatial memory to help you remember the three items to add to your list the next time you’re in the kitchen.
The way we process information in short-term or working memory is helpful in creating a more efficient path for memories to move into long term storage.
Improving Long-Term Memory
To improve long term memory, the technique of leveraging your brain’s innate “wiring” still applies.
The quality and strength of long-term memories can be enhanced by combining several techniques.
Strong, retrievable long-term memories are:
elaborately encoded,
have a (neuron) buddy and
are rehearsed.
Elaborate encoding techniques link new information with knowledge you already have. By associating your existing knowledge (a neuron buddy) to “sensory images” (”sensory modes”) of the new information (extremely elaborated for emphasis), you create strong visual images.
Repeating or rehearsing these sensory images and their storage points (say, in a Memory Palace), will strengthen memories and make recall easier.
Add to your arsenal other mastered techniques and tools, such as Mind Maps, the pegword method, the Major Method or Dominic System (for numbers), and you could become the next memory champion.
By employing these techniques, measurable long-term memory improvements are within reach.
You deserve to feel better about your memory, so why not strive to be your best self?
A holistic approach to improving your memory with this comprehensive list is your best strategy. Build habits that will improve your health and self-care wherever possible and leverage memory improvement techniques mentioned here to optimize your results.
You’ll notice that even minor changes to your self-care and adopting new techniques will contribute to improved memory and encourage you to continue exploring ways to boost your memory potential!
Your efforts here will take some commitment and continued maintenance, but imagine your confidence, optimism, and vitality when learning and remembering become easier than ever before! It’s a reward unto itself!
A Memory Palace Method for Mindfulness: The Missing Ingredient Revealed with Michael Taft
Jan 16, 2025
Mindfulness expert Michael Taft had long know about the Memory Palace technique.
But something was missing.
An ingredient absolutely critical for success in memorizing mantras for meditation.
Join in as Michael Taft, host of the Deconstructing Yourself podcast and author of The Mindful Geek, discusses with me ways that ancient memory methods can enhance mindfulness and spiritual growth.
All the more so when you have the missing ingredient that evaded him for so long.
To that end, in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you’ll learn a powerful spaced repetition strategy for mantra meditation that most people unfortunately miss.
And you’ll discover science-backed approaches to training your mind as we explore the challenging aspects of meditation practice rarely discussed by traditional teachers.
Michael shares insights from both contemplative traditions and modern scientific insights, offering a unique bridge between multiple worlds of knowledge.
Whether you’re a seasoned meditator looking to deepen your practice or a memory enthusiast curious about spiritual applications, our discussion takes you deep into practical techniques for combining memory palaces with meditation.
In this transformative episode, we explore:
How to use Memory Palaces for enhanced mantra meditation
Practical memory techniques for spiritual practice
Challenging aspects of meditation many teachers infrequently discuss
Advanced mind training methods combining multiple approaches
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrgxBOCXEo8
Who is Michael Taft?
Michael Taft is a highly-regarded mindfulness teacher, author, autodidact and thought leader working at the intersection of contemplative practices and neuroscience.
With decades of experience, he is a voice many look to for deeper results from their meditation practice.
As Michael shares with us in this episode, his commitment to mindfulness goes back decades.
He’s studied and collaborated with some of the most accomplished professionals in the field, paying forward the absolute best techniques for establishing clarity, calm and more concentration in your life.
His groundbreaking book, The Mindful Geek struck a chord with me personally. As a mostly skeptical person, his demystification of various “woo-woo” ideas helped me be more open to exploring why they may have evolved. And why they might be useful to engage with even if I’m skeptical.
When you listen to the Deconstructing Yourself podcast, you’ll find Michael’s style is warm, but also characterized by a no-nonsense approach.
I hope to one day attend one of his mindfulness retreats and suggest you connect with him for news of upcoming opportunities.
And above all, I hope his experience encourages you to discover and implement the missing ingredient.
How to Memorize Flashcards Quickly and Permanently
Jan 01, 2025
The best way to study flashcards is not to study them at all.
Now, before you bounce away, hear me out.
There’s a small set of techniques that make learning with flashcards so fast, you really won’t feel like you’re studying at all.
Instead, you’ll feel like you’re creating the knowledge you want to learn.
Isn’t that exciting?
I’ve been using cards for decades and spent hundreds of hours experimenting to find out how to memorize flashcards effectively.
I’ve used them to help me learn languages and get my Ph.d. at York University in Toronto.
Later, I used optimized flashcards to help me lecture at the University of Saarland in German.
And on this page, I’ll share with you the best tips I’ve discovered along the way. That way, you can also enjoy similar results.
Ready?
Let’s dive in.
https://youtu.be/0GNnQGLfly8
How to Memorize Flashcards Effectively: 10 Proven Tips
There are a small number of steps to follow.
They’re easy to learn, but let’s not beat around the bush.
What I’m going to share may feel counterintuitive at first.
You probably won’t be used to thinking or learning in these ways.
But please don’t stress it.
To get comfortable with the approach, I’m about to teach. You just need to practice.
Seeing me talk about how I link some of my own flashcards with a variety of mnemonic devices will also help. That’s why I’ve included videos for you on this page.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6HrJCWygmg
Now that you know this particular approach to flashcards involves some highly specific mnemonic strategies, here’s step-by-step information on how to set yourself up for success.
Step One: Identify The Main Points And Subpoints
Before you start making flashcards or committing them to memory, it’s important to have a strategy for identifying the main points.
Often, your study material is loaded with clues. Knowing how to analyze your information sources is key, so be sure to learn how to memorize a textbook effectively.
Step Two: Use The Right Sized Flashcards
Typically, 3×5 is a good size. It helps you focus on recording just the key points.
However, you may need to experiment first with a few different sizes. Use discernment and your own experiments to find out what sizes are best for you.
And don’t hesitate to use different sized flashcards for different kinds of learning projects.
Also, keep in mind that you can always photograph cards of any size and import them into a spaced-repetition software like Anki.
Step Three: Use Multiple Colors
Nothing limits your imagination like using just one color.
I try to always use at least 3 colors in each of my cards, a tip I learned from memory expert Tony Buzan.
Making sure your flash cards have multiple colors is a key strategy for engaging your brain and amplifying the learning process.
Not only does using multiple colors make the card creation process more interesting. It also makes looking at your cards later much more engaging.
Step Four: Integrate Words And Drawings
When learning how to study with flashcards, it’s easy to get stuck on using words.
By the same token, people with aphantasia cannot fully or partially visualize.
That’s where this next tip comes in handy:
Even with limited artistic skills, it’s important to incorporate images as much as you can.
Even the simplest of sketches will help you with the next tip.
I sometimes joke that my drawings look more like chicken scratches – and that’s probably too much praise.
But here’s the important point, especially for people who do not easily see images in their mind:
All that matters is that you can recognize your quick doodles on the cards. And as the next makes clear, even if you have to guess at your own drawings some of the time, that will actually help your brain start establishing the desired memories.
Step Five: Create Puzzles For Your Brain To Solve
The number one problem people face when using flashcards is rote repetition. This is when they use the cards to repeatedly expose themselves to the information.
That is no fun!
Instead, use keywords, images and even empty spaces to give your mind the opportunity to fill-in-the-blanks.
Let’s talk about the empty space principle in a bit more detail.
This simple flashcard creation strategy lets you harness the power of active recall.
For example, on this card for the Mandarin word Měishù guǎn or art gallery, there’s a line instead of an image for the guǎn sound.
Notice the three colors in this flashcard example and how the blank space stimulates the use of active recall for rapid memory formation.
When looking at the card, I know it’s my job to press my imagination for a solution. Although it might seem uncomfortable, it’s the stretch that helped me pass my Chinese test with flying colors, including the Chinese characters. I was happy because I was able to reach almost as many words that are needed for basic fluency in this language.
We’ll talk more in a minute about how we use our imagination, but for now, make use of this principle as often as you can. It’s powerful.
Step Six: Leave The Opposite Sides Blank As Often As Possible
Many people will be reluctant to leave out critical information when first creating flashcards in this manner.
But it is a very strong learning strategy I recommend you experiment with as soon as you feel confident.
So that you can develop confidence quickly, start with memorizing a simple list from a set of cards you create for practice.
And understand why putting too much information on your cards is such a bad idea:
Including the answers on the back of your flashcards is problematic because it leads to cheating. When you know you can just glance at the answers, you’re tempted to do so. Instead of trying to generate the answer from memory, which will strengthen your recall.
Worse, cheating by peeking at the answers is a huge problem because it leads you into the memory-destroying boredom of rote learning.
So as you build up to using flashcards as puzzles your mind has to solve to reinforce what you’re learning, use plenty of puzzles and blank spaces.
For example, on this card for the word Kǎoshì or test/exam, multiple colors have been used (black, white and pink).
The front side of the card uses images alone to help the mind solve the puzzle.
On the backside of the card, notice how the blank space creates a puzzle to be solved, avoiding the horrible boredom of rote repetition:
The backside of the flashcard uses active recall to stimulate faster absorption of the target information into long term memory.
Rest assured, this tactic is scientifically valid. It’s called a Cloze test.
Using this kind fill-in-the-blanks approach will massively boost your retention in a short period of time.
Step Seven: Use Your Multisensory Imagination
Although flashcards focus a lot on our hands and eyes, we don’t want to leave out our imagination.
As you create your cards and the associations that will help you remember definitions and key terms, include at least these sensations:
Kinesthetic
Auditory
Visual
Emotional
Conceptual
Olfactory
Gustatory
Spatial
Here’s an example of what I mean.
The Měishù guǎn example pictured above and discussed in the video included with this post is not just a picture of Aunt May, some shoes, a blank space and some art in a gallery.
In my mind, I am physically feeling Aunt May kick a boot at my image for guǎn, which is a musical group called Gwar.
I can hear the sound of the boot hitting them and see them getting angry. I experience their anger and conceptualize their plans for revenge. They are going to burn all the art in the art gallery, which allows me to imagine the smell of fire and the taste of soot in my mouth.
As you work with your flash cards, imagine each image larger than life. You can project them on the walls of a Memory Palace for even better and faster learning outcomes.
I also take a second to imagine how big everything is and exaggerate the sizes. Combined, all of this multi-sensory association and visualization exercise makes the learning process so much faster.
Step Eight: Use Questions As You Study Your Flashcards
Rather than passively move through your cards, actively ask questions in order to study more effectively.
If you don’t, it’s easy to get frustrated.
My favorite question is, “What is this image trying to tell me?”
Then I focus on the clues and work it out verbally.
In addition to speaking and answering your cards out loud, you can also keep a memory journal. Doing so will deepen your brain’s processing of the learning material even further.
Step Nine: Follow A Consistent Schedule
To memorize flashcards effectively, you need to reduce repetition by following all of the steps outlined above.
But none of us can reduce repetition entirely.
For best results, go through your cards in small, reasonably sized sets. I prefer 10-20 sets at a time.
Then, craft a schedule based on a pattern like:
5x daily for the first 5 days
1x daily for the first 5 weeks
1x monthly for the first 5 months
But that time, you should have everything in long term memory that will in many cases last for life.
If you want to speed up the process, consider also using a Memory Palace.
Each card can be “cross-indexed” with a Memory Palace. I often number my flash cards to help keep track of where in a particular Memory Palace they have been encoded.
For more scheduling tips, I share some of my best strategies in a post called How to Teach Yourself.
Basically, once you have your memory skills amplified, really all that remains beside comprehending and implementing what you learn is time management.
Step Ten: Experiment With Additional Techniques
As powerful as flashcards can be, I don’t recommend using them in isolation.
A powerful way to add your cards to a Memory Palace is to simply number them. Then, place a version of each association on your cards at a Magnetic Station in your Memory Palace for that number.
In other words, the fifth card’s information goes on the fifth station of its Memory Palace.
Today’s suggestions will serve you well, so please explore them systematically.
But it’s also important to experiment. And also to improve your use of flashcards over time.
For example, as you grow with using cards optimized in the ways we’ve discussed today, you can interconnect them. To do that, I suggest exploring Zettelkasten and Leitner Boxes.
And let your own solutions arise.
When ideas come to mind that you think might work, give them a try.
Seriously.
I’m aware of no “Flashcard Police” anywhere on the planet.
Also, put aside your fears of wasting time or failure.
Mistakes will be made, but experimenting with new learning techniques and your ideas cannot waste time.
You will only learn new things that help speed your progress. The only waste that happens is when people let the fear of trying new things stand in their way.
And if you like trying new things and learning to put fear aside, check out my FREE Memory Improvement Course:
In it, you’ll learn to use even more memory techniques than we’ve discussed today. These memory hacks are fast, fun, effective and always like a game.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to take your flashcard game to the next level?
Give it a go and enjoy the learning journey!
How to Teach Yourself: 9 Strategies for Mastering Any Skill or Topic
Dec 19, 2024
Learning how to teach yourself can be fast, fun and incredibly effective.
It can even be relatively inexpensive.
But discovering how to learn on your own can also be psychologically and financially disastrous if you go about it the wrong way.
Whether you’re looking to advance your career, enrich your personal life, or simply satisfy your curiosity, there definitely is a right way to go about educating yourself.
And make no mistake:
In today’s fast paced world, you can’t afford to make too many rookie mistakes.
I know this all too well from my experiences getting a PhD, learning languages and figuring out how to reach millions of people through books, video courses and this blog.
My journey has been filled with mistakes that you can avoid by reading this post.
I’ve taught at three universities too and seen many learners make enter irrelevant learning mazes.
But because I’m so passionate about helping my fellow lifelong learners, I’m delighted to at least try and help you avoid the dead-ends and save time as you harness the power of learning on your own.
Ready for my best tips?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw32p0p7PEY
How to Succeed Along Your Solo Learning Journey: 9 Powerful Tips
Learning on your own starts with four core commitments:
Creating and reviewing a vision statement that guides your journey
Deep engagement with topics and skills beyond surface-level understanding
A long-term investment in active learning strategies
You need these commitments because it’s all too easy to feel like you’re involved in serious autodidactic efforts.
But if you want to become a polymath and master several skills and topic areas, especially if you lack the most common polymathic personality traits, you can’t afford to rely on your feelings.
As this peer-reviewed study demonstrates, many learners think they’ve learned much more than actually did because of how passive learning feels.
Although it’s true that the passive consumption of information is comfortable and often fun, it’s usually a dead end for self-learners.
We actually learn better through active engagement. And that means feeling challenged, which is a different sensation than understanding or even remembering something.
The lack of alignment found in the University of California study I linked you to above is not new. St. Augustine addressed this problem long ago, as did a very important medieval mnemonist named Hugh of St. Victor.
With the need for active learning in mind, here are my best tips for making sure all of your self-learning activities keep you challenged and deliver real results.
Ignore them if you choose, but please understand that without most of them in action, you risk learning little or nothing.
One: Spend An Epic Amount of Time Structuring Your Goals
A lot of people claim that S.M.A.R.T. goals can help keep you focused (Specific, Measurable, Relevant, Time-bound).
Really?
I’ve always found SMART goals to pale in comparison to creating a vision statement by hand in a journal.
I suggest focusing on a goal that is neither measurable nor time-bound in any traditional sense. Specific and relevant yes, but what the other two terms even mean makes little sense to me.
Think about it:
How can you measure a goal when you don’t know the main points or aspects of a topic you want to learn?
When setting and planning my learning goals, I prefer to avoid reinventing the wheel. I use traditional educational structures instead – very old learning cycles that remove a lot of cognitive load.
I’m talking about traditional semesters used at universities.
See, even though you’re learning on your own doesn’t mean you can’t harness institutional methods for structuring time.
Whether it’s three month or six month learning periods, I suggest you plan your self-study projects within the academic term framework.
I don’t think I’m biased when I make this suggestion, even though my long history as both a student and professor have clearly placed this kind of learning pattern deep in my procedural memory.
The Benefits of Planning Within the Semester Structure, a.k.a. T.E.R.M.S.
Even if I am suffering from a memory bias, the benefits are clear. Planning your goals within a 12-15 week will help you:
Pace yourself
Having clearly designated recovery periods will prevent topic exhaustion
Defined start and end dates make accountability efforts meaningful
Easier to fit around your regular duties and obligations
You can better track your progress
You can batch a small set of subjects together and use chunking while benefitting from interleaving
Practice using a “Not Now Folder” (more on that in a moment)
Rather than thinking in terms of SMART goals, I’ve replaced this acronym with TERMS:
Time bound sessions within a clear semester-like period (12-15 weeks)
Evaluated using a Memory Journal on a daily basis
Realistic limits based on the specific study load described in the vision statement
Modular and broken down into specific topics
Scheduled and fixed study sessions written by hand into a calendar
To give you an example of how I’ve used this technique myself, during the past few years I have researched and drafted a book on Giordano Bruno.
Because this self-learning project isn’t just about the man and his story, I created semesters for myself to cover the books he wrote, but also the topics he himself studied.
For that, I needed to create my own semesters for math, geometry, astronomy, logic and persuasion. I also took deep dives into the books on memory techniques Bruno most admired, such as The Phoenix by Peter of Ravenna.
Without leaning on the established educational structure of the semester, I do not think I would have made nearly as much progress as I have so far.
Two: Reasonable Resource Hunting
We’re all only human. Our brains love to chase shiny new objects.
But when it comes to lifelong learning that will amount to something, you need to let go of the majority of books and courses that will almost certainly provide you with magnificent experiences.
One to five topics max, but usually no more than three. That’s my personal threshold for making sure I’m not spreading myself too thin.
Although pursuing less definitely feels tragic, if you spend all day browsing books, ebooks, free video tutorials and even paid offerings on online course platforms, nothing will get done.
In other words, the fear of missing out is real. But worse is the reality of never getting anything done because you’re constantly spreading yourself too thin.
To keep the amount of distractions to a bare minimum, I suggest that you work primarily with physical books. Find a study place with minimal distractions and use my textbook memorization strategy.
I often read outside and take notes using flashcards that also serve nicely as bookmarks.
When working with online video courses or audiobooks, it’s best to close all tabs and take notes by hand.
To reduce the temptation to research every word or idea I don’t recognize while studying, I like to sit cross-legged on the floor at a distance from the computer.
That way, it’s harder to start consuming another research resource without first completing the current one. Instead, I keep a running set of notes that later serve as a to-do list of all the things I want to look up later.
The Not Now Folder Principle
When I was at York University, I took a fourth year course on Romantic Poetry.
Frankly, the course was bland and I didn’t much like the professor. He went out of his way to be mean to me because I was ill that year and asked for an alternative assignment instead of having to give a presentation.
That drama aside, he shared one strategy that I’ve never forgotten and appreciate so much that he’s entirely forgiven.
He called it the “Not Now Folder.”
Throughout his career, he said he was always distracted by ideas he wanted to research. Eventually, he learned to write them down on slips of paper and then tuck them into a folder.
He said that something curious happened. 99% of the time, items in the “Not Now Folder” because “Not Ever” items.
Scientifically speaking, my professor was helping himself avoid the Zeigarnik Effect. This is the tendency to remember things on your bucket-list, often to the point of distraction.
As a self-learner myself, I can tell you that it’s definitely better not to get yanked around by all kinds of fun and interesting ideas. That’s why I’ve been keeping a Not Now Folder ever since.
This simple place to put all kinds of interesting ideas also helps eliminate the Ovsiankina Effect. This psychological term describes the urge to finish tasks that you’ve started.
A lot of gamification relies on this effect, and it certainly has its positive aspects. But in order to guide yourself toward meaningful progress, you can avoid its negative aspects by only starting projects that fit your vision and follow your T.E.R.M.S.
Three: Use the Best Possible Learning & Spaced Repetition Tools
Whereas I prefer index cards, many people love spaced repetition software programs like Anki.
The key is being radically honest when exploring various objects and processes that can help you absorb information better.
Memory champions are great people to learn from when it comes to developing total transparency. They love scoring themselves on how much they’ve learned and how fast.
To adopt some of their best techniques for keeping your efforts clear and honest, I recommend learning Johannes Mallow’s journaling method. You’ll have to adapt it to your specific learning goals, but the principles are extremely valuable.
Related to learning tools and processes, you should also consider different types of thinking as powerful assets.
Four: Master Active Learning
Active learning is defined by actively engaging information through:
Each of these activities provide you with the alternative to passive learning.
In other words, you are not highlighting passages in books or downloading someone else’s Anki deck.
Rather, you’re creating your own highly personalized flashcards.
And you’re setting time aside for reflective thinking, one of the most important active learning activities of them all. The trick is to know your personal best time of day for studying so you can maximize the time spent when it comes time to reflect.
Five: Use This Search Hack
When it comes to teaching yourself, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Even with the best possible resources as we discussed above.
But when you think about it, there are only so many kinds of resources. For example, we’re all limited almost entirely to:
Books and Ebooks
Online Courses
YouTube
Apps
Forums
Friends
Mentors
To select the best possible material from these content categories, I suggest using search engines a bit differently than you might have considered before.
For example, when I started a self-taught project in the philosophy of metaphysics, I found a fantastic book by searching using this command:
filetype:pdf syllabus metaphysics
That’s all it took for me to find multiple reading lists from top-tier universities.
The next step was simple: order the books assigned by the world’s best professors.
Then, after reading those books, I looked for interviews with the authors of the books I found especially helpful to extend what I’d learned from my reading.
Six: Imagine Challenges & Obstacles Before They Happen
When learning on your own, it’s easy to get discouraged.
I don’t care how much mental strength you have. Learning alone often feels lonely.
It can also feel isolating too. That’s because the more people like you and I commit to memory while so many people in the world fritters their time away on social media, the more alienated we can feel.
One way to balance your learning with well-being is to make sure you imagine all the things that can go wrong. Then, plan for what you’ll do if those things happen.
This technique was popular amongst the Stoics, many of whom were very well-educated people.
In addition to potentially feeling isolated or removed from society, plan for other problems like:
Personally, topic exhaustion has been one of my biggest foes.
To tackle it, I practice a lot of interleaving. This learning strategy involves regularly switching between a small set of topics. It helps keep things fresh.
I also find that in my memorization work, switching from committing one type of content from another helps me remember a lot more without burnout.
Seven: Study Ethically & with Radical Honesty
Self-learning can make it tempting to avoid some of the ethical activities used in traditional learning systems and information sharing.
I’m talking about respecting intellectual property, especially by citing your resources.
That means also making clear when you’ve derived some fact or idea from an AI chatbot.
Why does this matter?
The answer is simple:
To be an intellectual worth your salt, you need to be able to share where your ideas come from so others can evaluate them.
You also need that ability too because things can and do change. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve needed to “fact check” myself when going from memory while writing new books and articles.
Although you might think we live in an age of digital content where it’s okay to say, “I can just look it up later,” there are at least two problems with that attitude.
Due to digital amnesia, people often forget the info that helps them look things up later
Disruptive technologies have changed search, often to the point of corrupting it almost entirely
Recently, for example, the Internet Archive went down. Its absence made fact-checking myself impossible, though fortunately I remembered enough to continue my personal learning goal.
The point being that you owe it to yourself and others to use memory techniques as much as you can. And cite everything in writing even if you do remember the info so people can assess your references if they’re interested in your conclusions.
Eight: Embrace Failure
So many people email me when teaching themselves the Memory Palace technique with the wish that they “get it right the first time.”
Although their hearts are in the right place, it’s a poor learning strategy.
There are no mistakes when learning. Just results and opportunities to get better results through analysis and repeat attempts.
The more ambitious your learning goals, and the more interdisciplinary they are, the more likely you’ll make what conventional learners call “mistakes.”
But you’re not going to be a conventional learner. You’re going to succeed at this most critical aspect of self-improvement by analyzing what happens and adjusting according to your goals without labelling or judging the outcomes.
How exactly do you embrace failure? As shown on the infographic above, you can:
Redefine the idea of making “mistakes”
Use reflective thinking to identify the specific action steps needed for your next attempt
Stay resilient by continuing to take action and maintaining a positive attitude
Celebrate effort and recognize the courage it takes to get started learning on your own in the first place
This point is so critical because year after year I see students flounder because they simply prefer to break, rather than bend.
I can relate. And I believe the need for flexibility reveals a “catch” in the meaning of learning on one’s own.
See, although I fully I know from experience and observation of others that it’s possible to teach yourself and learn very fast, there’s a something not quite true about the surface-level image created by the phrase “teach yourself.”
For example, I can fully say that I learned self-publishing on my own. And my first book was a self-published hit long before I started this website.
But I learned a lot from podcasts, business books and courses – all of which involved the efforts of other people.
I also belonged to discussion groups and eventually had mentors I met with regularly.
However, a lot of those beneficial learning activities never happened because I was quite rigid in the beginning. I didn’t want a website, for example.
I also didn’t want to learn how to make videos, skills I needed to keep ahead of the constant change online independent authors and course instructors face.
I found my “inner Bruce Lee,” however. In other words, I remembered his statement to “be water, my friend,” and relaxed my need to do it all my way.
As I discuss in The Victorious Mind, I also followed Tony Buzan‘s advice to follow the rules set by the realities around me. I’m sure glad I did, because otherwise I would have failed long ago due stubbornly refusing to learn skills necessary for my mission.
Ways to Become Flexible as a Lifelong Learner
Being adaptable for you might also involve:
Leaving behind an all-or-nothing attitude and learning incrementally
Seeking situations outside of your comfort zone so you can learn in real-life scenarios
Developing a growth mindset and facing any fears you have around change
Embracing ambiguity or comfort with not always having all the answers
Adapt to learning when you face limitations in time, money or access to resources
Cultivating intellectual humility so you can admit when your knowledge is incorrect or needs updating
Becoming an adaptable learner isn’t necessarily easy. But it’s the most important skill of all apart from developing a strong memory in my view.
How to Find The Main Points in an Article or Book
Dec 11, 2024
The number one reason students struggle to find the main points in their assigned reading is simple:
You are being tested on your ability to figure out what they are and why they’re important.
Teachers worth their salt won’t give you the answers because to do so violates your ability to learn this skill.
Why is this true?
Because all of human progress relies upon unique and innovative solutions to problems.
And knowing how to find the key points in an article is something that is learned by doing.
Plus, content is not king in this regard.
Instead, context is god.
So you not only need to practice identifying what the key points are.
You need to justify in your own words why those points are so important.
The best part?
I have tips for you that will help you improve your skills in not only finding the main points, but also explaining why those points count.
And I’ll teach you how I as a person with two MAs and a PhD earned my degrees by doing just that: finding, outlining and justifying each key point.
Ready to see A+ written all over your report cards and university transcripts?
Let’s get started!
https://youtu.be/fMcVofEtn2U
My Top 4 Tips For Finding the Main Point Quickly
I’m going to give you a bunch of tips in this article from my years as a university student and professor. But let’s start with the most important of them all:
Start at the end of most books and read the conclusion. Authors usually summarize the most important findings at the end.
Memorize the key words and terms authors use as you go. Don’t wait. The sooner you understand them, the sooner your comprehension will grown.
Don’t skip the charts, graphs and diagrams. Copy them out yourself to help aid understanding.
Use index cards. It’s important not to lock your notes in linear notebooks.
When you follow these four simple tips, you can skim and scan books quite effectively. You still want to read them thoroughly for best results, but by following these tips, you’ll get much more out of the process.
I’ll expand on each of these points in greater detail below. But first, let’s spend a moment exploring the exact definition of “main point.” The meaning of this term might surprise you.
What Counts As A Main Point?
A main point has several aspects to it. For starters, we have:
What the author meant
What the author actually said
Now, you might think that this is splitting hairs.
Fish is the author of How to Write a Sentence: And How to Read One. A huge part of his point is that there’s a difference between what a person actually means and how words can be interpreted in many different ways.
There’s a word for this problem: Polysemy. We face it when “a single word, phrase, or concept has more than one meaning or connotation.”
Because many sentences have this issue, the main idea of a passage almost always requires interpretation in your own words.
And if you want to interpret really well, you need to give evidence to demonstrate why your take on the meaning of the passage is valid.
So we might as well face an uncomfortable truth:
To a certain extent, a main point is what you say it is plus what you can validate through argumentation.
Main Points In The Classroom
The definition I’ve just given applies to all aspects of life, but might not be what a teacher in a classroom is looking for from you.
It may be that you need to give a specific answer. This is why I say that “context is god.” In order to pass a test or get an A+ on a paper, the right answer might not be in your control no matter how much evidence you provide.
I’ve personally suffered situations several times where in multiple choice exams, the wording of the question made it impossible to give the best possible answer.
That’s why I’m glad that I used to follow a few simple steps:
Read the textbooks thoroughly and answer any section or chapter quizzes
Talk to my teachers to make sure I knew exactly what they were looking for
Go through sample exams from previous years
Attend study groups to discuss possible exam questions in advance
Once in the exam setting, if I could not figure out what answer the person grading the exam considered correct, I took a detour.
Many times, I have handwritten on the reverse side of my exams simple messages.
In these notes addressed to the examiners, I explained that I could not give an answer in good faith. Then I would write a full explanation of why I thought the question was worded poorly. Finally, I gave the answer in prose that I felt was the best possible answer to what I felt was a better way of framing the question.
Although I cannot advise you to do the same, this strategy saved my skin in several exams. I always passed and ultimately completed most of my degrees with honor, something that would have been impossible if I had followed the “rules.”
In my case, my main idea paragraphs (or what I sometimes called “paragrowls”) saved my skin many times. And the strategy I’m sharing with you is not so outlandish. According to this study, almost 50% of students underestimate their own understanding.
That means you’re well-within reason if you think an exam question is incorrectly or confusingly written. I didn’t know about this study at the time, but I’m glad I didn’t underestimate my own comprehension.
And now you know that you don’t have to underestimate yours.
The Best Way To Identify A Main Point
At the end of the day, the best way to know the main point is to question everything.
Ask yourself:
What is the author trying to tell me?
What are the words the author uses?
How is the topic introduced and concluded?
What are the causes and the effects outlined in the material?
What solutions does the material propose?
What do any diagrams or illustrations tell me about the main points?
What references to other research does the author make?
What do commentators on the author say about the main points made by the author?
Can I find where in the book or article those commentators drew their conclusions?
By asking and answering questions like these, in combination with the strategies I’ve shared for how I used to pass exams, you should feel confident that you can find the main points much easier now.
And if you keep finding that you can’t remember what you read, make sure that you’re writing out the answers to the questions you’re asking. You probably need an additional layer of mental processing.
I write a lot myself, precisely because writing helps get the information out of my mind and into my body.
You might think that sounds strange, but recent research into how memory works shows that some of our memories are encoded in cells outside of the brain. Learning is literally a “whole body” experience, so make sure you get in as much writing as possible.
What Are Subpoints?
Subpoints are fairly easy to define.
Remember how I said that we need to validate our opinion about what counts as a main point?
Authors of books and articles need to do this too. By offering subpoints is how they do it.
A subpoint typically involves:
Giving an example
Providing evidence in order to substantiate a claim
Paraphrasing another source
Quoting a source
Analyzing a secondary text
Providing a variation on a key point
Performing historical or theoretical analysis on a main point
For a quick example of a subpoint, just scroll up.
When I mentioned that I’ve passed all my exams so well that I’ve earned the highest degrees you can get at a university, that was a subpoint. It is providing evidence to support the claim that my strategy is valid.
I could actually make the claim even more valid by providing proof that I have a Ph.d., such as by giving you this link to the alumni page of York University’s graduate program in Humanities.
Are subpoints more important than the main points?
In many ways, yes. They are often the evidence that substantiates the main point. Or they provide the nuances or historical background that help explain what makes the main point important.
How to Find the Key Points in an Article in 3 Steps
Now that we have defined main ideas and subpoints, let’s talk about some powerful ways to find them.
The following steps do not have to be followed in any particular order, though I do suggest always starting with the first one.
Step One: Know Your Goal
As I mentioned, a teacher or examiner may have a definition of what counts as the main point. I’ve given you some strategies for figuring that out.
All you have to do after determining what counts as a main point in your particular context is to read the books with that definition in mind. Searching for information based on a goal is a key part of reading faster, so take a second to write out the specific goal every time you sit down to read.
If you’re completing a doctoral dissertation or writing a book like I often do, the burden is a bit heavier. Your goal is to have a research question before you start reading.
Answering this question, and any sub-questions you may have, is your goal.
Step Two: Keep Detailed & Moveable Notes
Because it’s not always possible to know the main idea of a story or scholarly book I’m reading, I take notes on cards.
As I discuss in that post, there are several benefits to taking notes on cards. The main one is studying faster. Another is how using physical cards helps you constantly reshape your “deck of notes.”
The more you read, the more your idea of what counts as an important point might change, as will the subpoints you notice.
Keep in mind that subpoints don’t always have to come from the same source. As a former university professor myself, I can tell you that one way to make sure you get an A+ on your essays is to cross-reference several articles.
By doing this as much as possible in your writing and when answering exam questions, you’re demonstrating reflective thinking. This impresses your graders and will later impress hiring managers too.
Step Three: Test For Validity
One of the best things you can do is test your assumption that a point is as important as it seems.
You can test the validity of what you’ve decided are the most important details in your reading by:
Checking introductions and conclusions again for confirmation
Looking through the index for the terms you’ve selected
Follow-up reading online and in other books
Asking your teacher or professor if you’ve understood the reading correctly
Talking with others to see if they’ve reached similar conclusions
Ultimately, having your test, submitted assignment or the things you write yourself graded or scored by others is the ultimate validation. You need either the feedback of your teacher or comments from the court of public opinion to know if you’ve hit paydirt.
And that’s a very good thing. External validation is a huge part of how we grow.
Yes, it takes some courage and sometimes you might get things wrong.
What then?
The answer is simple:
Be willing to admit that a mistake was made. Then commit to improving in the future. So long as you commit to doing that, you cannot lose.
A Final, Powerful Way To Find Main Points
There’s an ancient technique for finding out what really matters in any given text.
Basically, you memorize a few details, or entire quotes. Then, you analyze them from within memory.
By doing this, you’re able to consider them in a way that is much deeper than if they are only partially absorbed in your mind.
If you’d like to learn more about this technique, consider going through my Free Memory Improvement Course:
This approach has helped me many times throughout the years, not only for academic goals, but also personal progress in other areas of life. I’m talking about health, mindfulness and professional matters.
Give it a try, and let me know:
What questions do you still have about identifying the main points in the texts that you’re reading? I love updating posts and answering questions in the comments.
And that’s another strategy you might consider:
Online discussion. It’s a great way to figure out what matters most to yourself and others.
Photographic Memory Exposed: Debunking Myths To Empower You
Nov 27, 2024
In the world of memory improvement, the mere mention of photographic memory is usually connected with some kind of scam.
But the problems begin with how so many people confuse the term “photographic memory” with a completely different concept called eidetic memory.
Sometimes they even confuse it with the term “photogenic memory,” which is a mix-up, not anything that exists. To be photogenic means to look great when appearing in photographs.
Another problem with this term is the validity of the available research.
Frankly, most scientific material about people looking at information once, taking a mental snapshot and recalling something perfectly has not been well evidenced.
Not only that, but if you think about it, no sane person would even want to be able to recall everything in such perfect detail.
I’ll explain why with a notorious case study of a woman who wishes she could forget information.
But first, let’s talk about how people define this term.
What Do People Mean When They Use the Term Photographic Memory?
Typically, people are referring to something called eidetic memory. This term describes the contested idea that children have highly visual recall. So visual, that it as if by accessing their memory, they are looking at photographs.
The term may also have seized the popular imagination following the initial popularity of the Hannibal Lecter novels. Throughout the stories, he is said to have an extraordinary memory that has a photo-like quality.
Other ideas that people take influence from include Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory or HSAM. But as this study shows, being able to remember your past is not the same as seeing what you remember visually in the sense of pictures.
As BBC’s Science Focus has discussed, experts simply do not accept the argument that memory is picture-based or even remotely related to cameras.
So with all this in mind, by the end of this article, I hope to convince you of one simple fact:
Photographic Memory Does Not Exist (And I Can Prove It)
Unless you’re a painter who would benefit from memorizing every single detail of a room or landscape, there are very few benefits to the idea of photographic memory.
Serious artists make study sketches even from photographs because it’s not just about what they see. Artistic representation is what they can reproduce using their mind’s eye and their muscles.
But let’s say you did want to memorize an entire book. Who would listen to you recite each and every word?
Where and when would you perform the recitation?
The answer is that you almost certainly would never use such a skill. And these days we have professional audiobook narrators, and even AI voices to handle such long-form content tasks.
You can watch me question the limited value of memorizing entire books in greater detail in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3bn63x6aCM
In reality, you need only memorize the most critical pieces of information in any given book.
That’s why I wrote and recorded an entire podcast episode about how to memorize a textbook the right way. In brief, the method involves identifying the main points of a book and memorizing only the important information.
Doing that releases you from not only memorizing thousands of words like “and, “if,” but, etc. You don’t need to bother reciting or recalling them either.
The question is:
Why do people want to possess so-called “photographic memory” when it won’t actually do anything for them?
I believe the answer boils down to just one word: Fear.
People Seek Fantasy Memory Tricks Because They Want Something Unrealistic…
They want certainty in life.
Since none of us knows what’s going to happen next, the idea of photographic memory is attractive because it creates a sense that some level of security is possible.
They believe that if you can remember “everything,” you’ll be able to pass exams, never look foolish, get the best possible jobs and always be prepared for debates.
In reality, you can study successfully without visually recalling words in books. You can also make mistakes and still avoid embarrassing situations and easily succeed in many areas of life. You can even stop forgetting important things once and for all.
I know because I’ve been researching, practicing and teaching legitimate memory techniques that are proven to help. They are all well-evidenced by memory science and the incredible records produced by memory champions.
But photographic memory is not how any successful learning or memory competitor achieves their results. Let me explain why.
Discussing a supposed Harvard student named “Elizabeth,” Stromeyer claimed she could remember detailed images with great clarity. He even claimed she could reproduce a stereogram, and some of his reports even wound up in Nature.
Why is this research questionable?
Two reasons. First, Stromeyer proceeded to marry Elizabeth. Second, he never studied her memory again.
Wouldn’t you think that someone with such extraordinary memory would be the subject of continual analysis for the rest of her life?
Why would such an incredible example disappear from view?
In reality, the answer is simple. There’s no such thing as photographic memory.
The closest thing to it that exists is sometimes called highly superior autobiographical (HSAM) or hyperthymesia. But this condition has little to do with visual memory or even iconic memory.
Her story and how she uses her memory in mostly verbal ways is quite unusual given what science has shown us about our massive storage capacity for images.
As you’ll see, many people displaying superior autobiographical memory recite not images, but historical dates, names and numbers. These facts draw much more on semantic memory than anything visual or even remotely “photographic.”
Far From Photographic Memory
Take the case of Jill Price. She’s the author of The Woman Who Can’t Forget. If you’ve ever had the fantasy that you wanted to remember everything, after hearing her story, you’ll probably think again.
As Price discusses in the book, her inability to forget information about the world and her personal life creates ongoing anguish.
So much so that doctors she worked with invented an entirely new term to describe her condition: “hyperthymestic syndrome.”
What exactly can she remember?
One example is her ability to recite the news of every April 18th for ten years in a row with reasonable accuracy. Certainly, this is an interesting and even amazing feat. But is it useful?
Not really.
Although Price has claimed she would never trade this ability for the world, it’s clear that her ability to recall aspects of her life and historical dates hasn’t made her life easy.
She doesn’t even use the term “photographic memory” herself, except in an excerpted passage from the chatroom where she met her husband.
She also didn’t include the term in the glossary at the end of her book.
This term also doesn’t fit the bill, showing that people who use her as an example of photographic memory are learning from someone who doesn’t have it, nor uses terms from memory science accurately.
Flashbulb memory refers to when we sharply recall dramatic or tragic moments.
For example, remembering where you were on the morning of 9/11 can seem vivid in your mind.
But that doesn’t make it photographic in the sense that you could draw any of the scenes you saw on the news the way Stromeyer’s research suggests Elizabeth might have done.
https://youtu.be/7FerGcT8HnI
Price Still Forgets
The news stories like to play up cases of highly superior autobiographical memory. But they hide key facts too.
Although this ability astonished scientists – and it truly is astonishing – Price has shared how she struggles to learn and memorize simple things.
Worse, her constant recall of emotional traumas from the past interfered with her scholastic performance.
Even if you’re interested in techniques to develop photographic memory and still believe that it’s possible and desirable to develop this skill, I recommend that you read The Woman Who Can’t Forget.
But if there’s one plus, it’s that Jill Price doesn’t have aphantasia.
Choose a Better Metaphor & Other Alternatives to Photographic Memory
Now that you know that there is a lack of scientific evidence for photographic memory, let me suggest that memory can be a lot more powerful than a camera.
Take the case of Stephen Wiltshire, for example. He has the ability to draw intensely complicated cityscapes from memory. Watch this video to see what I mean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyPqQIHkasI
Limiting this skill to something that a camera can do borders on insulting this incredible artist, something this Guardian article highlights in the article titled, “This man is not a camera.”
Indeed, what he’s doing is far beyond “photographic.” It’s more like “microscopic,” if not at the same time evocative of the James Webb Telescope.
My point is that memory is mysterious even to the best memory scientists, but appears to be reconstructive in nature.
As I’ve discussed in-depth, to our best understanding of how memory works, the process involves your brain literally piecing together all kinds of information after it has been distributed throughout your brain.
Dr. Gary Small describes the process like an entire family needing to get together for Thanksgiving Dinner. A single memory involves many different parts traveling along the “streets” and “highways” of the brain to gather at one home.
There’s no perfect metaphor for what’s going on, but that one makes what’s going on relatively easy to picture.
The question is, what will give you better memory so you can recall dates and facts as easily as someone with highly superior autobiographical memory?
Here are some suggestions:
One: Learn the Method of Loci
I mentioned the term “Memory Palace” above. This memory technique is based on the ancient method of loci.
To use it, you associate information with specific locations in a familiar place. When you want to recall information, you revisit these memory spaces and this process allows for easier recall.
A reflection process is involved, and some researchers believe that people with highly superior autobiographical memory tend to reflect more than others.
But there’s reason to believe that people like Jill Price also use locations in a way. She talks in her book about having written down more than 50,000 pages of notes.
Likewise, the so-called “Boy who can’t forget” uses photographs and thinks back to where they are located on his bedroom wall frequently. You can see how this happens clearly in this documentary about him:
In other words, there’s likely nothing particularly genetic about what these people are doing to remember more. It’s behavioral, a kind of unconscious optimization of the ancient memory tradition.
Two: Spaced Repetition
People with unusual recall abilities repeat information almost obsessively.
In fact, I’ve often talked about how I trained myself to have “Recall OCD” in order to learn faster and remember more.
Specific techniques exist that can help refine the recall process. The most famous is spaced repetition and it is a fantastic alternative to rote learning.
It is a discipline, however. Make sure to use deliberate practice so it enters your procedural memory. That way, you’ll use this process more-or-less automatically as you study.
Three: Tell Stories
We tend to remember information much better when it is embedded in stories.
The good news is that you can use a mnemonic story method that brings the method of loci together with spaced repetition.
https://youtu.be/YhN0rigUHTQ
You can start practicing this method now by taking the story of Jill Price and placing it in a Memory Palace.
Watch one of the videos about her or read her book. Then add a few of the details to a familiar location.
Or tell a story about Jack and Jill paying high prices at the store. This simple approach can help you remember the last name “Price.”
Four: Learn the History of Mnemonics & the Multi-sensory Memory Tradition
Long before cameras existed, the greatest memorizers in history knew that encoding information into memory needed more than mere images.
For example, Giordano Bruno taught combinatorial mnemonic systems. He developed these based on the Memory Wheel technique introduced by Ramon Llull and later refined by Jacobus Publicius.
These mnemonic tools engage multiple senses, emotions, mythological associations, and spatial reasoning.
Their experiences, independent accounts of their extraordinary recall and their written teachings provide yet another reason why “photographic memory” isn’t just unproven. It’s a bad aspiration, one that points people in exactly the wrong direction.
Photographic Memory FAQs
I’ve answered many questions over the years about photographic memory.
Here are answers to the ones that come up most often.
Is it “photogenic memory” or “photographic memory”?
The more common term is “photographic memory,” but “eidetic memory” is the one used by scientists. And to this day there’s no consensus that even that kind of memory exists.
The discussion around this term is misleading and as I hope to have suggested above, there are cases that demand better metaphors for what’s actually going on.
Are There Any Jobs That Require Photographic Memory?
No job could technically require a type of memory that doesn’t exist.
But I do understand why people fantasize about what they imagine this metaphor will give them. For example, when I was younger and needed a job to help pay my way through my undergraduate B.A., I applied to work for Customs Canada.
Had I been successful, I would have worked at an airport inspecting bags and scanning people for signs of suspicious behaviour.
One of the exams I took involved looking at faces in disguise and then some moments later, without their disguises. In many cases, it proved very difficult to make a match.
Would having something even remotely like a photographic memory have helped?
Of course.
But the reality is that I did well on this part of the test despite not having trained my memory to be photographic.
The reason is that I paid special attention to easily recognizable parts of the faces, rather than trying to mentally photograph them as a whole.
Is there a way to memorize faces that relates to photographic memory?
Years ago, I read that the brain tends to recognize the shape of the nose and some of the circularity around the eyes.
Everything else either fills in or it doesn’t, but you can increase your chance that these details will fill in by deliberately paying attention to the upside-down seven of the nose and the eight-shaped infinity symbol of the eyes.
Although this idea might sound unlikely, it matches recent research findings in visual chunking and the role of fuzzy memories.
I certainly wouldn’t call focusing on the nose and eyes bulletproof. But in my experience, taking a second to concentrate on these areas makes it much easier to recall faces later.
This particular strategy relates to a technique taught by memory expert Harry Lorayne.
However, in Lorayne’s teaching, the point was not to memorize the look of the face. It was to use an obvious feature, like the shape of a nose in combination with mnemonic linking to recall a person’s name.
For example, if the name is John, you might notice that John’s nose is somewhat hook-shaped and imagine him fishing with John the Baptist to establish stronger name recall.
Can you train yourself to have a photographic memory?
Technically no.
The answer is “no,” for the simple reason that there is no such kind of memory you can train.
What real memory skills can be trained instead?
People who enjoy better memory, from memory athletes to everyday learners use techniques like the method of loci, Memory Palaces, spaced repetition, linking, pegwords, mnemonic number systems and the like.
These skills will help you memorize anything related to words such as speeches, languages, poems, professional terminology and more.
Number systems like the Major System and a PAO System will help you absorb numbers related to personal information, equations and medicine.
Beyond Photographic Memory
Although the scientific community largely agrees that there are people with extraordinary memory abilities, the idea of recalling visual information with perfect accuracy after one glance is not supported by empirical research.
But although the myth has harmed many people who have fallen for memory courses promising this kind of skill, you now know how to avoid them.
You also have proper mnemonic tools to pursue that will help you remember, not every word in a book, but only those that matter.
And if you need more help, grab my free memory improvement course:
It gives you video tutorials and worksheets that help you develop the skills we discussed today.
That way, you’ll be able to rely on your memory and accomplish your goals.
How do you like that picture?
Learning and Memory Trends: My Predictions For 2025
Nov 24, 2024
2024 is winding down as a wild year for learning and memory trends. Largely because it’s been marked by record levels of disruption from Artificial Intelligence technologies.
But have they really changed that much for learners in any practical sense?
And are they helping human memory?
If so, who is helped?
Who gets left behind?
I’m in touch regularly with learners who experiment wildly with learning technologies and report substantial results.
But I also hear from people who just wind up overwhelmed.
Then there are those who are innovating with new technologies, hoping to help more people by meeting them where they’re at.
Which is all too often with their attention buried in devices.
That’s why in this post I’m sharing my reflections from the past year and making a few predictions about what’s likely to happen in 2025.
Buckle up, learning fanatic. This is going to be an intense ride!
Learning And Memory Trends: My Predictions For 2025
The landscape of learning and memory seems to be developing rapidly.
However, memory science and neuroscience at large shows us that the human brain doesn’t evolve quite so fast.
But the fact that evolution moves slowly over generations, and that we might eventually adapt to our influx of technologies, doesn’t mean that our brains aren’t being rewired.
2024 saw the release of Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation. His argument is that we are rewiring the brain by exposing ourselves to too much online technology.
His prediction based on existing data is that if we don’t make some serious changes, mental illness is going to spike. Especially amongst young people.
Whereas Haidt focuses on young people overall, Richard Reeves wrote specifically about the effect on males in Of Boys and Men.
Although I’m not quite as anxious as these two well-acknowledged thinkers, I mention them upfront because their themes are important.
But by the end, you’ll find a bold prediction from me about how the current alarming trends might converge in ways that not only revolutionize how we learn.
They could well fundamentally alter how we experience consciousness itself. For the better.
Elderly woman sleeping with string on her finger
One: Poor Sleep Will Continue to Erode Memory & Critical Thinking
The terms they use involve how sleep helps not only form memories. It also establishes and maintains “network stability” based on what another study calls “neuronal assemblies.”
Although the human brain is not a computer, there is a very real sense that the information we share flows between us like software code.
Critically, our lack of sleep ruins more than recall.
If we’re not well-rested, critical thinking often goes out the window. Part of the problem has to do with the maiming of working memory. You need to be able to juggle multiple details in real time when making decisions.
It’s also easier to be influenced by emotions instead of reason when you’re tired.
As these researchers have discovered, emotions and memory are tightly connected. So even emotional decisions that could be good if you were making them while well-rested stand a chance of being particularly poor when made while tired.
Worse, poorly rested people struggle to remember the details of how they arrived at their bad decisions. Even if they normally have “random access memory” to the very best critical thinking strategies.
My suggestion:
Instead of falling for the apps and add-ons claiming that blue light or some other hack make it okay to use devices while in bed, try this in 2025 instead.
Set a computer curfew and stick with it. Give yourself 2-3 hours of “digital fasting” before bedtime.
Both your memory and your thinking skills will thank you for it.
Two: Robot Created Learning Products Will Flood the Market
I’m not going to boost any particular company by citing specific examples.
But because I work online, advertisers target me with “automatic course creators” and “instant Ebook” artificial intelligence apps.
They tell me I can produce entire books in minutes and script flagship courses ready to be recorded with my video camera within an hour or less.
Used well, there is no doubt in my mind that experienced and ethical writers and course creators will become better than ever before.
Wordy people (like me) will be able to get help with how they describe things without having to pay expensive human editors. (Editors who often have no expertise in the topic area, so wind up cutting out crucial details students need to have in their deliberate practice of many skills).
But all kinds of people who really only care about identifying markets and selling products for cash and prizes will flood the market at a much faster pace. Because they have no scruples, they won’t worry about quality or student outcomes.
Fortunately, there are ancient principles that still work great: As I’ve been advising people for years through my Memory Training Consumer Awareness Guide, carpe diem, but always caveat emptor.
In case you don’t know any Latin, those terms mean “seize the day, but buyer beware.”
This leads us to my next prediction.
Three: Online Courses Will Continue to Help Learners Confuse Activity with Accomplishment
When it comes to learning and memory, there’s a strange fascination with “gamification.”
People seem to feel like they’ve learned more when animations explode on the screen. The sound of bells appeals to people when they complete a lesson.
Others like to collect points, coins or badges.
I get it. I don’t like it and find it thoroughly annoying – but I get it.
The problem is that I don’t find the evidence for the gamification of education compelling.
The justification for making claims based on self-reporting is lacking. Nature has reported on how self-reporting like this winds up problematized by memory biases.
My sad prediction is that people will continue “gamifying” online learning platforms with little or no evidence that any of the activities they’re injecting into the courses lead to accomplishment.
Feeling like you’ve had a great experience is great. But it doesn’t mean you’ve developed a skill in any meaningful way.
Four: Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality Will Remain Fringe Interests
I could be way off the mark here.
But it seems to me that the vast majority of humans want to be unencumbered by helmets and glasses.
For one thing, it’s hard to maintain situational awareness when you’re wearing a device – especially one that disrupts your attention with visual and audio notifications.
Perhaps such devices will increase your ability to monitor threats in the environment. But I think that’s misguided.
What if a connection goes bad? Or a bad guy has a scrambling device? Wouldn’t you rather that you were fully aware and ready to defend yourself instead?
Even in the relatively safe environment of one’s home, I predict that the vast majority of people will want to be instinctually free of devices that isolate or invade their ability to track environments in extreme ways.
Part of my thinking here is actually influenced by Jaron Lanier, a VR pioneer. He raises issues in Dawn of the New Everything that relate to situational awareness.
There are also uncanny valley effects that could pose challenges to our ability to learn in simulated environments.
Finally, there’s a memory champion who released a Memory Palace app. Strangely, his team wanted me to promote the product as an affiliate. But the creator would not appear on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast to discuss it.
I can’t be sure, but it feels strongly to me that there was no desire to face the hard questions I have to ask about the efficacy of such an app. My criticism of digital amnesia and my traditional views on what constitutes a Memory Palace are well-known. I can’t think of any other reason why the interview never came about.
Five: More People Will Take Their Health Into Their Own Hands
Besides the problem with decisions being made based on scientifically invalid studies, people are waking to the fact that many foods harm memory.
The more I think about it, the more shocked I am that governments allow our grocery stores to be filled with garbage.
I believe in free markets, but ever since I started making sure I eat primarily foods that improve memory and making sure I get enough exercise, my concern for others has grown.
Sure, memory techniques worked for me when I ate horribly during university. I even performed reasonably well at a memory competition against Dave Farrow while completely hungover.
Although my performance underscores the value of mnemonics, I’m not proud that I let myself live that way.
And memory techniques work so much better now that I’ve been sober since 2015. In fact, I quit the day of that competition because I realized I had dishonored the ancient memory tradition.
The Warrior of the Mind Emblem for Outstanding Contributions to Global Mental Literacy
Since releasing The Victorious Mind, many people have told me their stories of cleaning up their diets and other consumption habits.
Six: Interest In Memory And Aging Will Explode
Giants paved the way for my entire career as a mnemonist and memory improvement teacher.
Harry Lorayne gave me my first dose of business advice. Tony Buzan awarded me the Warrior of the Mind Emblem, an honor only he could imagine creating so much impact.
Both of these incredible educators were proof of concept.
Lorayne continued doing magic tricks that required “heavy memory lifting” into his 90s.
When I met Buzan, he looked far younger than his age and was mentally sharp in the ways only consistent memory training enables.
Often people find me because they’re searching for those guys. Or for more information because of how inspiring they were because they put the proof in the pudding.
And as people continue to live longer lives, they will want to enjoy mental fitness and memory agility.
For reasons we’ll get into, I believe it will be easier than ever before for people to enjoy lifelong learning.
The core point is that ours is a time for aging. Even though mistakes will happen as medical science develops better treatments, aging can be much more delightful if more people take individual responsibility for their physical and mental health.
Seven: Cultural Conflict Will Continue To Impact Memory
No, I’m not going to get political.
Except to make one simple point:
Implicit memory helps explain why some people believe they are “correct” about this or that claim to territories and ideologies.
Implicit memory describes the type of memory that makes us learn things on autopilot. If you’ve ever said, “I can’t change, that’s just the way I am,” chances are you feel that way because automatic learning has you locked in a holding pattern.
This “dark side” of memory makes it difficult for people to consider other points of view, let alone change perspective.
I don’t pretend to have a solution. But I believe the explanation lies with memory.
Sadly, I see little change happening because establishing some kind of “blank slate” society where people can grow up without learning various behaviors and thought patterns would be inhumane.
There’s a terrible irony in this, something Nietzsche noticed when he wrote one of his most misinterpreted lines:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfqL9NZp1T0
To look on the bright side, it’s possible that human memory will expand. Critical thinking and asking philosophical questions would naturally increase along with it.
I just can’t see us making substantial strides in 2025. If progress is possible, something one of my favorite mnemonists denies, it will likely remain incremental.
Eight: Microtubules Might Give Us Insight Into Consciousness & Memory
I predict that interest in this field will continue to grow. I personally hope the needed satellite experiment Roger Penrose has proposed will go forward.
For the full story, check out this review of the literature pertaining to this theory.
Nine: Language Learning Will Likely Suffer (And Learners Along With It)
When it comes to learning and memory trends, picking up a second language went through an explosion in popularity when the Internet went mainstream.
For the first time, you could easily rig Netflix to be a fantastic language learning software. Back when I was learning German so I could lecture in the language during my years as a Mercator Scholar, I had to get DVDs and make sure they had subtitles.
Often the translations were totally off. And overdubbing was rarely quality.
People getting together, especially when it comes to the inconvenience of scheduling language learning lessons, seems to be going down.
Shortcuts are incredibly enticing, especially since skilled marketers can easily sway the mass market. The shockingly bad ways many language learning apps use bunk science in their marketing will probably increase in volume.
The positive side is that the technology can help you find great language learning teachers. And it’s amazing to me how easy it is to connect with people who have mastered the languages I’m passionate about.
Maybe an AI will make scheduling easier soon too. The point being is that people need to make sure they aren’t starving themselves of speaking and listening to natives in their target languages. The temptation to do so will increase, and there’s the strong risk that this will impoverish us all.
Ten: Polymaths Will Patch Together Powerful Learning Frameworks
One of the greatest trends I’ve seen comes to me from my most motivated students.
Shortly after I released my latest book, Phoenix Reborn, he sent me an AI-slide deck version of the book.
Albeit a short work, it took me a long time to write and record the audiobook version of this adaptation of Peter of Ravenna‘s legendary Memory Palace book.
Not only that, but Brian had an AI produce a kind of mind map of the book as well.
Now, I’m not going to lie.
Before my in-depth interviews with memory expert Lynne Kelly and AI consultant Andrew Mayne, I was feeling ambivalent about AI.
The disruption it has caused people like myself when it comes to getting found on the Internet has not been easy to navigate. And some of my favorite writers about learning, like Audrey Watters at Hack Education, seem beyond despondent.
But those two guests made me feel much more hopeful. And Brian’s engagement with my latest book even more so.
As Brian put it in an email, “I am into multi-modal learning.”
Me too, I have to admit.
Even better, Brian’s engagement reminded me that people can treat these tools as supplements for the books I personally hold so precious. They don’t have to be replacements. As he put it:
“I must admit that the greatest joy I have is reading. The written word is what is most important to me. Moreover, an adaptation of something old by adding your insight is what is of value, like your book.”
I can’t say for sure, but I’m optimistic that attitudes like these will reign supreme over the year to come. And beyond.
If that proves true, it means I’ll be able to remain old school in my interests and still find an audience who shares my passion for memory techniques.
And if you like old school learning experiences, feel free to get my free memory improvement course here:
It gives you four video lessons and three PDFs that guide you through developing your skills with Memory Palaces and mnemonic imagery.
My ultimate prediction is this:
Students who truly want to learn will face fewer obstacles than ever before.
If passionate teachers are too wordy, there will be summaries that can get them a version of the ideas that helps them dive back into the walls of text.
Or when a learner lacks discipline and can’t figure out how to chunk down a skill or topic, they’ll be able to reach into their pocket and get coaching.
The fundamental question that will remain is one of choice and access to real people.
With so many incredible resources and technologies available, some people will inevitably choose not to use them. Implicit memory will likely explain why they say no to the wealth of resources in front of many of them.
And access to real people is likely to be needed more than ever. That’s because no matter how fantastic learning tools become, other people’s experiences with using them will remain a premium way to shortcut your learning curve.
The market will see more options than ever before. This means that the role of the curator will only grow in importance. Even if AIs develop viewpoints based on experience, human input is highly likely to be valued.
At least, that’s what I’m counting on. How about you?
7 Causes Of Forgetting And How To Eliminate Them Quickly
Oct 31, 2024
If you’re wondering what specific causes of forgetting are holding you back from acing exams or getting (and keeping) a great job, you’re in the right place.
As a graduate student, and later as a professor, I worked hard on eliminating various issues that harmed my memory.
I’m talking about everything from improving my diet to dealing with childhood trauma.
These days, I battle ageing and take action every day to keep my stress in check.
On this page, I’ll share with you everything I’ve learned about eliminating issues that harm my ability to recall critical information.
And I’m sharing just about everything I do as someone who writes, blogs and podcasts for a living. As a memory expert, I absolutely have to make sure that whatever is behind my forgetfulness is quickly and thoroughly handled.
By the end of this article, you’ll be able to effectively eliminate the gremlins causing you to forget too.
Ready?
Let’s dive in, starting with this handy infographic I created to list all of the major issues that could be causing your memory to operate in less than spectacular ways.
7 Causes Of Forgetting And How To Eliminate Them Quickly
As we go through this list of, it’s useful to quickly define exactly what forgetting is.
Sure, it’s obvious, but let’s look at forgetfulness in all of its dimensions.
Forgetting specifically speaks to any situation in which:
Information that was once stored in the brain because inaccessible
Memories can be lost temporarily or permanently
Some forgetting is normal and a healthy part of your cognitive functioning
Excessive forgetting indicates issues that could be neurological in nature or indicate a health problem
With this nuanced definition of forgetting under our belt, let’s look at the most common causes behind why we sometimes struggle or fail to remember a variety of information types.
One: The Decay Theory Of Forgetting
Sounds brutal, right?
It is brutal. But “decay” remains the right word. As you’ll see, my personal experience with deliberately testing it proves the case.
But the term itself goes back to Edward Thorndike‘s work in a 1914 book called The Psychology of Learning. He was influenced by Hermann Ebbinghaus’ “forgetting curve.”
You’ve probably felt what it’s like for memories to fade, or “slip.” That’s what the forgetting curve described: how long it takes for something learned to slide beyond your ability to recall it.
To beat the forgetting curve, you just need to use spaced repetition.
The difference between the decay theory of forgetting and Ebbinghaus’ curve is that the forgetting curve assumes you’re still trying to recall the information during regular intervals.
Learning to use spaced repetition to defeat the Forgetting Curve started in earnest with the research of Hermann Ebbinghaus.
Decay theory, on the other hand, describes the amount of time it takes for information to exit your memory after a period or not accessing it.
This explanation basically matches a phrase that we use all the time: “Use it or lose it.”
Although that phrase doesn’t sound all that scientific, there are principles of deliberate practice and spaced repetition that help ensure we do continue using information.
Personally, I’ve experimented with the decay theory by deliberately not reciting the Song Celestial. For example, this set of Sanskrit phrases took a few weeks to memorize.
After three months of not reciting them, I found that I could still recite the first 10. But beyond that, the word “decay” definitely applied.
After the first ten, the rest of the phrases had crumbled. Sure, I could get back some of the words in some of the phrases, but there was literally “decay” that had eaten into them.
It was an interesting experiment, but the tragedy is that I would need to memorize them again if I wanted to be able to either speak them aloud or review them mentally.
Thankfully, I have maintained several other long-form pieces in Sanskrit that I do main.
Two: Interferences Make You Forget
You’ve probably experienced interference many times. It happens a lot during arguments, for example. Someone establishes a point that you want to raise later, only to have it disappear from your mind.
Less dramatically, imagine the following scenario:
Someone introduces themselves and before you can commit their name to memory, they tell you something else that completely knocks it from your mind.
This happens not only because of interference, but because short-term memory only has a few seconds to encode the memory. If it doesn’t stay in working memory so that the information can enter long-term memory, it will typically be gone for good.
If you’ve ever felt like information you wanted to remember was on the tip of your tongue but you couldn’t quite get it, the failure of that attempt is called retrieval failure.
The exact mnemonic strategies you use to combat retrieval failure should be dictated by your specific learning goals, not just how memory works. This point is important because sometimes people choose the wrong approach when combatting this particular cause of forgetting.
It’s also normal for failure to happen once in awhile. I’m on podcasts quite a bit and recently struggled to remember a certain Sanskrit phrase I normally know well when discussing language learning with Luke Ranieri. If it happens to you, don’t beat yourself up about it, but use reflective thinking instead to get to the bottom of how you can improve.
Four: Motivated Forgetting
As strange as it sounds, sometimes people either forget on purpose, or work very hard at it.
Scientists don’t yet fully understand this type of forgetting. Nonetheless, this study suggests that people can and do impair their ability to retain certain types of information.
Another word for this kind of forgetting is “repression,” not to be mistaken with the kind that Freud meant.
Tony Buzan with Anthony Metivier and Phil Chambers
If you’re interested in diving deep into this form of forgetting, I suggest the psychoanalytical works of Robert Langs.
One of this theories was that patients often challenge the psychoanalyst in order to avoid doing the healing work of introspection. But they will unconsciously ask to be guided.
In his book, Psychotherapy: A Basic Text, he talks about how a patient “forgot” to put the right decimal amount on a cheque for the therapeutic fee. Langs interpreted this as a communication to the doctor and created basic “boundary” rules for helping patients recognized their motivated forgetting and the issues underlying them.
One thing you can watch for yourself and in others are similar lapses in memory that may encode deeper meanings. I often catch myself “forgetting” to do things, and journal about why that might be happening. It’s been incredibly helpful for increasing my productivity and facing fewer consequences from unnecessary lapses.
Five: Ageing And Forgetting
As I age, I definitely notice that I don’t remember things as well as when I was younger.
Ironically, memory athletes like James Gerwing exist. He won a memory competition after retiring in his sixties.
I also remember both Tony Buzan and Harry Lorayne fondly – as memory experts, they were incredibly sharp in their 70s and 80s.
Ideally, I’ll also be that sharp. But in order to achieve that, I’ll need to continually exercise my memory.
In order to combat ageing holistically, however, lots of socialization is also needed. That and solid sleep for memory and taking care to eat foods that improve memory.
Six: Not Paying Attention
This is a big one.
As Harry Lorayne often pointed out, there’s no point in using memory techniques if you’re not going to practice focused attention.
How to focus better so that information gets encoded into your memory in the first place?
You can also bring a level of intention to various situations.
For example, when I read books for research purposes, I set an intention to “hunt” for the main points. This attention strategy is tremendously useful for creating focus throughout my study sessions.
Seven: Unaddressed Stress And Trauma
I mentioned my TEDx Talk above. It’s a snippet from my book The Victorious Mind.
As a result of applying this technique, much of anxiety has disappeared. It might sound fantastic, but I learned about the idea from a research study that demonstrates just how useful the method of loci (a.k.a. Memory Palace technique). As Tim Dalgleish and his fellow researchers found, people who use this ancient memory technique experienced relief from depression.
Either way, the point is that anxiety and memory go together. Working on one will help resolve issues with the other.
The Ultimate Way To Remove Your Causes Of Forgetting
There are more issues we could discuss, such as substance abuse, various medical conditions and situations like simply disliking school.
But if you’re keep to just get on with your learning life, here’s what I suggest.
I’ve put together a free course that teaches you the Memory Palace technique that helped finally stop forgetting. Sign up here:
It will help you through four free videos and three worksheets.
In full transparency, this course will also challenge you and your memory.
The notion of challenge presents another hidden cause of forgetting:
Many of us fail to take on challenges.
That’s what this course will help you do:
Give your memory a good workout through simple and fun steps.
It’s just that they’re not too simple. And that’s important because scientists have fully evidenced the active recall activities you’ll go through on the journey to remembering more.
So, what do you say?
Ready to remove forgetting and start relying on your memory?
Make it happen!
6 Benefits of Mind Mapping With 6 Personal Mind Map Examples
Oct 18, 2024
I was skeptical of mind maps until Tony Buzan personally taught me how to use the technique in ways that unpack the true benefits of mind mapping.
In case you don’t know Buzan, he wrote many bestselling books on the topic.
But I still wound up ignoring his advice about this “mental Swiss Army Knife,” because I wrongly assumed there was no way mind mapping could be so good.
Thankfully, I finally put his instructions into action when we met. Now, I still follow the mind map I created under his guidance in my work.
I’ve created many more mind maps since that day and they have never failed to help me achieve some impressive goals.
In fact, a lot of the posts I’ve written for this blog started as mind maps using a few special ingredients I’d like to share with you today.
Ready to learn more about this special tool for creativity, planning, brainstorming and remembering more?
…initially as an innovative form of note-taking that can be used in any situation where linear notes would normally be taken, such as attending lectures, listening to telephone calls, during business meetings, carrying out research and studying. However, it quickly became clear that Mind Maps can also be used for ground-breaking design and planning; for providing an incisive overview of a subject; for inspiring new projects; for uncovering solutions and breaking free from unproductive thinking, among many other things.
In my experience, mind mapping does offer all of these outcomes. And as you’ll see, it can also help boost memory, a goal that Buzan says he ultimately abandoned in favor of teaching mind mapping for other outcomes. I’ve always thought that his decision was premature, and I’m excited to share with you ways that mind mapping can help with memory improvement.
6 Benefits of Mind Mapping
As we go through these advantages of mind mapping, keep in mind that it’s important to experiment and explore the technique in a variety of ways.
If any ideas arise that you don’t see covered here, or by other mind mapping experts like Phil Chambers and Joseph Rodriguez, follow your instincts. It’s just ink and paper, so you have nothing to lose.
In fact, as Joseph explained in this podcast episode, you potentially have everything to gain:
One: Rapid Career & Business Planning
I created the mind map that finally changed my mind about the technique when I met Tony at a ThinkBuzan event. I told him about my hesitations around using the technique to plan my entire business, and he reminded me to simply take the core ideas and give it a try.
I’m glad I did and here’s what that mind map, which I still refer to often, looks like:
Basically, this highly visual mind map represents the core goals I have for my work with the Magnetic Memory Method.
Although this business mind map might not make sense to others, I can see and understand at a glance the goals I’ve set for myself. At the seven o’clock position, for example, I see a quick doodle of the symbol for medicine with a sad face and a happy face. This symbolized my commitment to help nurses and doctors with mnemonics for medical terminology.
Since getting this goal visualized on this mind map, I’ve:
Shared some of my own medical history to inspire all kinds of people to improve their health by releasing The Victorious Mind
All that from just one on the tributaries on this mind map. “Tributaries” was Buzan’s word for the colorful, triangle-like shapes that you extend from a central image that established the theme of a mind map.
Here’s the point: If you want to achieve your goals, mind mapping them will likely help. The trick is to keep the mind map in view so that it helps you maintain your focus.
Two: Creative Depth
I write a lot of books, articles and video scripts. Many are successful because I take the time to dig deep into the issues worth discussing by mind mapping using the basic principles Buzan suggested.
For example, here’s a mind map I created while planning a blog post about how to retain information:
In addition to using tributaries, I have benefitted from Buzan’s suggestion to switch colors frequently. It provides a form of interleaving as you give your mind a break to come up with more ideas.
By boiling ideas down to simple keywords and giving your self space for a few bullet-points, you can create an unconventional outline that will make your writing unique in just a few minutes.
I have also mind mapped fiction as well. My well-received “Memory Detective” novel Flyboy, started as a mind map, for example.
Three: Note-Taking
A great way to use mind mapping basically involves creating a concept map to help you better understand a topic. Unlike planning your career or brainstorming creative ideas for writing projects, mind maps help you visualize the relationships between ideas.
In one mind map example I explained in a detailed video, I arranged my notes for a book I’d read visually:
As you can see, Keko used the circular structure all of my own mind maps use. But she adopted her own style. Her “seashell” structure really make the keywords pop at a glance.
That’s important because one of the most important benefits of mind mapping comes from being able to understand something as quickly as possible.
Unlike note-taking in a journal and having to flip through dozens of pages, the benefit here is that you can see all of the main ideas at a glance. If you want to go deeper on any of the details, they are also on the same page in the bullet points.
Every time you review a mind map, leave a roman numeral. That way you have a general idea of how many times you’ve revisited the information.
This might seem like a subtle point, but the benefit is that people often don’t track their activities enough. What isn’t measured is harder to improve.
So when students tell me that they have tried a technique, I usually ask them how many times and over what period of time. When they can’t tell me, I share Phil’s suggestion so that they have an accurate record. Memory athlete Johannes Mallow has shared similar ideas for tracking how often you show up to practice and review. And overall, tracking your progress is a well-established aspect of what top performers call deliberate practice.
Tracking how many times you’ve reviewed the ideas on your mind maps using Roman numerals is very deliberate, indeed.
Five: Fluency Boosts
Let’s face it: learning a new language is challenging. But this study shows that mind mapping is an effective means of remembering vocabulary. Yet another study has found that students not only learn vocabulary better when incorporating mind mapping as part of language learning. They enjoy the process much more too.
I experienced this myself when I incorporated basic mind mapping principles when successfully completing Level III in Mandarin Chinese a few years back.
Here’s one of the mind maps I created to help me while I worked towards getting the Level III certificate:
Although I did not use a central image, but rather the pinyin on these mind maps, I incorporated drawings whenever I could.
The benefit of having more fun was not produced so much by drawing pictures, but from:
If you’ve ever found language learning too challenging for your tastes, I’m sure you’ll benefit from injecting some creativity and fun into the process by incorporating at least a little mind mapping.
Need more detail? Check out this video tutorial:
https://youtu.be/6yxFOoyJeQw
Six: Mastering the Art of Memory
As I mentioned above, Buzan more or less stopped teaching mind mapping for memory in the 1980s. Although Phil Chambers has continued sharing his Roman Numeral idea, I’m not sure he’s explored mind mapping much further for memorization than that either.
But as you’ve seen, I used mind maps for language learning quite successfully. It gets even better if you’re interested in adding mnemonics.
You see, sometimes when people are new to the art of memory, they worry about whether they’ll be successful with the Memory Palace technique. Often, they worry that they won’t be able to find enough Memory Palaces easily to help them reach their learning goals.
A major benefit of mind mapping is that it helps you rapidly generate many Memory Palace options. This feature is something I discussed in-depth in my tutorial on using mind maps in combination with the method of loci.
Here’s an example mind map that helped me generate dozens of options in just a few minutes:
Given how powerful the Memory Palace technique can be, it’s well worth exploring further.
To get started, start with a central image and use multiple colors and tributaries to generate possible locations you could use. On the mind map I’ve shared above, you can see that I identified everything from the homes of friends and family to mnemonic locations in movies and series, to churches and cars.
I personally waited too long myself. Life would be very different had I been using this technique since elementary school. I would probably have accomplished much more in life, a lot sooner.
Still, I have no regrets. I’m just glad that I listened to Buzan’s advice and started exploring and experimenting with the technique. I’ve written many more books as a result, taken calculated risks without worrying to much and accomplished deeply personal goals that I had mistakenly believed were impossible.
Mind mapping might not be a magic bullet, but it does just what Buzan promised:
It helps make your ideas radiate. And with just a little bit of practice following the principles I’ve shared today, your ideas and desires stand a chance of going supernova.
If you’d like more ideas and help learning to use memory techniques in a “supernova” way, check out this Buzan-approved memory course I created for you:
Now that you know more about why mind maps are so great, I’m confident you’ll love the video lessons and worksheets I’ve got for you within.
After all, if I hadn’t had both Memory Palaces and mind maps myself, my own progress would have been even slower.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to apply mind mapping to your goals?
Here’s to taking action!
How to Remember Concepts: 5 Steps To Mastering Complex Ideas
Sep 25, 2024
If you want to know how to remember concepts, the trick is to use memory techniques that can handle conceptual information.
But deeply absorbing concepts is not entirely about memorization or using learning techniques.
On this page, I’ll teach you the Memory Palace technique and how to use it for developing expert levels of familiarity with multiple concepts.
And go further by making sure you embed the memorization steps in the larger process of processing what you learn.
How do I know why it’s so important to combine memorization with other learning activities?
My knowledge is based on my experiences as a professor who taught critical thinking at university.
And as a memory expert who has written over a dozen bestselling books on memory techniques, I’ve memorized dozens of concepts.
I learn a lot from the broad fields of philosophy, music, grammar, business and sometimes even physics.
From a memory perspective, the tools you need boil down to five “systems” that combine the best mnemonic devices for effective recall.
I’m going to share all of them with you and give some examples. But we’ll also talk about the bigger picture so that you’re not just reciting concepts from memory.
You’ll also be able to connect them across multiple fields.
Ready for a deep dive tutorial on turning even the most abstract information into concrete ideas you will easily remember?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIBq-k9pP_I
How To Remember Concepts: 5 Simple & Effective Steps
Before we get into the individual steps, you might want to read my tutorials on turning abstract thinking into concrete thinking within just a few seconds.
This opening step is essential because without it, you’ll be stuck thinking that concepts are much more abstract than they might be in reality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBYBu-Qystc
This video tutorial above details the first step:
Knowing your concepts and recognizing them by name.
I highlight this important step because a lot of people think that they are dealing with concepts when in fact, it’s specialized terminology they’re struggling to remember.
In other words, it’s often the case that you get the “gist” of the term. But it’s the term itself that’s got you stumped.
If that’s the case, you can move directly to my tutorial on how to memorize vocabulary. It will save you a lot of time whenever you’ve got the basic idea, and are really just struggling with the words themselves.
One: Start With The Concept By Name (With Or Without Understanding It)
Here’s a principle that I think you’ll find useful based on a problem:
A lot of people think you have to understand concepts before memorizing them.
As a result, they wait until they understand before committing anything to memory.
Although that delay can be useful in some contexts, I disagree that you have to wait for understanding before you start memorizing.
Here’s a personal example, one I unfolded in my TEDx Talk:
I only came to understand a lot of the Sanskrit phrases I’ve memorized while studying a philosophy called Advaita Vedanta after memorizing them.
Just memorizing the term “Advaita Vedanta” and its meaning helped me better understand it.
The process of memorizing first and understanding later might sound counterintuitive. But once you give it a try a few times, you’ll quickly see that the name of any concept is core information.
So, it’s well worth starting by memorizing the name of a concept first. Next, understand that every part of the concept is also essentially a name.
Example of a Concept with a Name and Multiple Parts
For example, a Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass student recently asked me about memorizing the Eightfold Path in Buddhism. The main concept is that certain behaviors will free you from suffering.
Then, you need to memorize each of the eight interconnected aspects of the concept. Each are themselves conceptual.
You can spend a lifetime reflecting on these paths and still not fully understand them. And that’s okay.
The key is to simple know how to memorize a list of information. And as I told my student, from there you couple memorizing the names of the parts by combining further study and practice over time.
How to Memorize Multiple Concepts by Name
To accomplish this, I personally use multiple Memory Palaces. That way I always have a lot of room for all the concepts I want to commit to memory.
We’ll talk more about layering concepts into Memory Palaces in a moment.
But here’s another tip:
Always say the concept and its definition out loud as you’re learning it.
This step is important because often we try to understand things purely in the silence of our minds. That’s just not workable for most of us.
That’s why formal courses often get you to engage in discussions with your fellow students. It’s a way of cementing in what you want to learn by experiencing both the term and the ideas in a more concrete format.
It’s also useful to question everything about the concept, both verbally, mentally and physically by writing.
I think of applying questions as a kind of “mental rotation.”
The more angles you see by asking the classic who, what, when, where, why and how questions, the easier it will be to remember any concept.
To give you a simple example, when I memorized the term “Advaita,” I combined the most famous advertising expert I know with Steve Via. Ad + Vai created a core imagine that made “advaita” stick to memory.
Then I added a few more associations for the second part of the term and the meaning.
Visualization and association are so important because they help make abstract information concrete and tangible for your brain.
Three: Place Your Associations In Memory Palaces
If you’re new to the Memory Palace technique and memory skills overall, here’s what it a Memory Palace is and how it applies to rapidly absorbing conceptual information.
The Memory Palace technique is also know as the method of loci or the journey method. To use it for memorizing concepts, choose a familiar location, like a living room or workplace office.
Once this is done, split your location into specific spots, as you see in this illustration:
A Memory Palace example based on my studio bedroom in Berlin circa 2013.
You then associate each concept you want to memorize with each spot in the Memory Palace by placing your associations along a journey.
Then, when you mentally walk back through the Memory Palace, you’ll recall the images. Like an advertiser with Steve Vai to get back the word “advaita.”
Although this kind of alphabetical association might seem like it only works for small bits of information at a time, that’s actually a good thing.
To understand why focusing on smaller units of information is so powerful, you can look into the science of memory and chunking for more on the why and how.
What’s more important is to know that breaking things down into smaller parts has been the method of choice for many great conceptual thinkers throughout history, including:
I suggest studying the history and techniques of these mnemonists in particular precisely because they learned and used so many concepts throughout their careers.
Four: Use Active Recall & Spaced Repetition
Right or wrong, a lot of people learn about the Memory Palace technique through Sherlock Holmes.
As a result, they come to think of the technique as a kind of “storage.” It can be, but that’s not really the point.
Rather, we want to use the Memory Palace technique for spaced repetition and active recall. This is the fastest and most reliable way to usher the concepts you need to learn into long-term memory.
Using the Memory Palace makes it easy. If you have ten concepts in a Memory Palace, you simply mentally walk through the space. As you go, you think about the associations you placed there and let them come to mind.
This process will feel challenging. But we know from plenty of memory science that the mind needs challenges like this to form memories. It can get a bit technical, but in this study you can see how various practice routines are essential to memory formation.
The same findings are available in many studies of what we call deliberate practice.
Five: Employ Study Habits That Boost Retention
Memory techniques are fantastic. But as I said in the introduction, you also want to embed your memorization in a larger range of activities.
This video details exactly how I passed my PhD at York University far ahead of my peers who entered the Humanities program the same year:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIQRiqQFKQY
I had to deal with dozens of concepts during those years of study and I’m so glad I had all of these techniques in my skillset.
The main technique starts with extracting ideas from books and writing them out on Zettelkasten. The Zettelaskten process is essentially an advanced form of using flashcards.
But this is perhaps the most important tip of all when considered in the context of my entire approach:
The study habits I use involve taking frequent breaks and switching strategically between topics.
This process of rotating through textbooks is the principle of interleaving that has been so helpful for many people dealing with concept-heavy information.
You Really Can Retain Even The Most Complex Concepts
As you’ve seen, improving how you learning complex ideas starts by deeply engaging the concepts you need to remember.
As we’ve discussed above, don’t be passive about it. Literally start by memorizing the name of the concept and unfamiliar terms.
Then go further by saying the concept out loud.
Then, commit the concepts to memory using the mental tools we’ve discussed. Mnemonics that use associations will lead to making greater connections over time.
And don’t worry about making mistakes. You can always go back and fix errors. Mistakes will also teach you as you learn to commit challenging information to memory.
In my experience after years of working with thousands of students, the key is to ensure that you’re actually memorizing the main point of the concept.
That way, you can add on the more subtle details on the basis of the biggest idea. This will help you memorize entire passages relatively quickly using the Memory Palace technique.
But it will also help you benefit from the “less is more” principle over time. When you’re regularly reading, writing, speaking about and listening to others talk about concepts, more detail will stick without needing memory techniques at all.
If you need more help with the Memory Palace part of the process, feel free to register for my memory improvement course:
In just four video lessons and three worksheets, you’ll have mastered the core technique needed to content with any complex conceptual information.
You’ll be joining the ranks of all the philosophers I mentioned above, not to mention becoming a top performer of the mind.
So what do you say?
Now that you have the power, get out there and memorize the heaviest concepts you can find!
7 Best Vitamins For Memory Improvement & How To Take Them
Sep 18, 2024
Do you really need to take vitamins for memory improvement?
For many people around the world, the answer is tragic.
Not only do they dump hundreds, if not thousands of dollars per year on the hope that pills in a pretty package will lead to a boost in memory is a common habit…
Sometimes they take vitamins that cause harmful interactions.
This happens especially to seniors who believe that it is essential to take nutritional supplements to combat against age related memory loss, brain fog.
It certainly can be, but you need the best possible vitamins to combat everyday forgetfulness and deter the onset of Alzheimer’s or dementia.
On this page, we’re going to look at a number of memory enhancing vitamins.
In many cases, you’ll be able to get what you need from food. But as we age, we often need supplementation. The trick is making sure we get the absolute best supplements matched with what we actually need.
As someone who has studied memory for a long time and who combats a number of health issues, I’ll also share the vitamin supplement pills that help me most with my own memory issues. As I age, they become more and more important for me to tackle correctly.
Ready for all of my best research findings and the vitamins I focus on above all? Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb8g91419gE
7 Best Vitamins For Memory Improvement
As we go through this list of vitamins, keep in mind that vitamins are a group of organic compounds.
They are different from fats, carbohydrates and proteins, substances that nourish our body and are essential for our growth and functioning. We usually get them through the food we eat.
Vitamins are equally important to maintain brain health:
“In particular, research over the past 5 years has provided exciting evidence for the influence of dietary factors on specific molecular systems and mechanisms that maintain mental function.”
Although it’s a memory supplement that comes in the form of a pill, I also make sure I get plenty of sunshine.
Exposure to sun for Vitamin D is especially critical during winter, as this scientific study has made clear.
Three: Vitamin E
This vitamin isn’t so much about boosting your memory.
Rather, studies like this one have shown that making sure you have enough Vitamin E is essential for reducing your chances of developing dementia later in life.
Four: Vitamin C
Want an immediate memory boost?
This study shows that people who take it not only enjoy better memory quickly. They also enjoy improved visuospatial and language skills.
Researchers speculate that these benefits might come from how Vitamin C improves your cerebrospinal fluid.
Five: Vitamin B6
Although Vitamin B6 is not directly tied to memory in this study, it has been shown to slow the degradation of the brain.
Having enough of it can also help regulate anxiety, as discussed in this study.
Scientists previously thought that K2 was mostly about bone and cardiovascular health.
Now, as this report discusses, researchers believe K2 is of holistic importance to all aspects of your health.
The catch might be that K2 is often taken by humans through dairy. Personally, when I eat dairy, I experience brain fog.
Frankly, it’s worth a little bit of unclear mental capacity a few times a week for the greater good of my brain health. But each person has to make these decisions on their own – ideally with guidance and insight from a doctor.
Seven: Vitamin A
The interesting thing about Vitamin A is that it helps learning and how you behave.
As this study has found, many people experience placebo rather than genuine improvements.
Marketers know this, which is why vitamins for memory improvement has become such a vast industry.
In the United States alone, annual sales of all multivitamin and mineral containing supplements totalled $14.3 billion in 2014.
Since the 1940s, Americans have been taking multivitamin and mineral supplements.
But get this:
To date, there has been no concrete study to substantiate that popping vitamin supplements has improved people’s health or their memory more than what can be achieved by a healthy diet and exercise.
Manufacturers decide the types and levels of vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients in their supplements based on factors that are not always guided by science or in your best interest.
How To Protect Yourself From False Claims
In a phrase:
Do your own research.
Fact-checking what people and companies claim about their “memory vitamins” is so important because many vitamin supplements, fish oil and herbs like ginkgo biloba are touted to improve memory, there is hardly any evidence to back up the claims.
A 2013 study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found no evidence that drugs, herbal products or vitamin supplements (including vitamin B6 and omega-3 fatty acids – products thought to help brain function) helps prevent memory loss in healthy people.
In fact, the study revealed that certain treatments actually seemed to contribute to cognitive problems.
Alternative Ways To Improve Brain Function and Memory
When it comes to brain vitamins for studying or memory enhancing drugs, nothing works better than a balanced diet, lots of hydration, an active lifestyle and at least 7 hours of sleep every night.
Easy isn’t it?
Well, hang on there, because it gets even better…
Foods like walnuts, green tea, blueberries, salmon are all super foods when it comes to protecting you from brain fog and memory loss.
The best part?
The Most Memory-Friendly Diet Known To Humanity
An easy-to-follow Mediterranean-style diet can have lasting benefits for brain health, confirmed a 2017 study. It showed that participants who closely followed a Mediterranean-like diet were less likely to lose brain volume as they aged, compared with those who didn’t follow such a diet.
Another study published in the journal Neurology suggests that a Mediterranean diet – rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, potatoes, nuts, olive oil and fish – may help make your brain about five years younger.
Processed foods, fried and fast foods, snack foods, red meat, poultry and whole-fat dairy foods are usually eaten less under this diet plan.
If you’d like more help with that, grab my free course here:
It gives you four video tutorials and worksheets that walk you through how to exercise your brain.
You still need to make sure you have all the right memory vitamins in your system.
But one that is covered, techniques like the Memory Palace that you’ll learn in this course will help you remember information quickly.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to vitalize your memory all around?
Power to you, one memory-friendly vitamin at a time!
Story Method: How To Master This Unique Mnemonic Strategy Fast
Sep 15, 2024
The story method is a cool mnemonic technique that helps you rapidly remember just about anything.
And here’s the very good news:
Because I know a lot about this specific approach to mnemonic linking, the specifics of the story method for learning faster are detailed for you on this page.
I’ve used it successfully for target learning projects like getting my PhD and learning languages. And you can too.
But please don’t get worried by the use of the word “story” for this method.
It’s not really about creativity or spending hours coming up with a detailed narrative.
By the same token, if you’d like to become more creative and connect in a deeper way with your imagination, this method is the ticket.
You just need to understand what the technique is and how to get it working effectively.
That way, you’ll be able to use it efficiently.
Ready to dive in?
Let’s go!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhN0rigUHTQ
What Is The Story Method?
For many people, a story is easier to remember than a list of facts. According to one researcher, our brain is literally wired to pay attention to stories, specifically through oxytocin. In his co-authored study, Paul Zak found that people who say public service ads featuring stories, were more likely to respond to the messages in the desired way.
In order for the participants to respond, they have to remember what the messages were about.
When using memory techniques, people have seized upon using stories to either improve memory or have ideas remembered for a very long time.
For example, we know a lot of about memory techniques because stories about Simonides of Ceos that teach the technique are themselves highly memorable. In the most famous story about his legendary memory skills, we learn about how Simonides memorized names at a banquet hall.
However, shortly after the dinner ended, an earthquake destroyed the building, ending the lives of everyone inside. Simonides, had already left, however. When the authorities asked him to help identify the dead, he used the method of loci to name where each person was sitting.
The drama of the story makes it memorable, and helps you learn the core processes involved in the Memory Palace technique.
Benefits Of Using The Story Method
The story method is good for specific learning outcomes, typically lists of names, items, certain kinds of events and simple concepts.
At a more granular level, you can add story elements to other linking methods, such as a PAO System or the pegword method. Usually, I think of adding narrative elements as a kind of mnemonic vignette rather than a full story.
Beyond that, I find the story method quite limited compared to other memory techniques.
But if you need to memorize lists, it’s a solid option because stories can help you forge strong connections quickly. You just need to understand how and why stories work so well as mnemonic devices, which is why we paused on the points above. Now let’s look at how to implement the technique.
How To Use The Story Method
Let’s have a look at how to use this method, followed by some examples and alternative approaches.
There’s no right or wrong, as such. Each person needs to experiment with the options and work out what I call a “mnemonic style.”
The more tools you have in your toolbox, the better.
Step One: Gather Your List & Optimize The Order
This step sounds kind of obvious, but it’s worth looking at some nuances.
For example, if you’ve got the main points gathered from a textbook, is it better to memorize them in the order you found them? Or should you order them in a hierarchy of importance?
I suggest taking a moment to reflect on your options.
The only time I don’t take time to organize information is when I’m memorizing names at an event. Or, in the case of memorizing a poem or speech, the information is already organized.
Anthony Metivier memorizing and recalling names at a memory demonstration in Brisbane
Step Two: Add Story Elements
Let’s use the example of memorizing names at an event.
A few years ago, I memorized 32 names at a presentation I gave in Brisbane. The first two names were Haley and Allan.
My basic mnemonic images were Halley’s comet and an allen key. The story I added involved Halley’s comet crashing into a giant allen key.
To make the story even stranger, and therefore more memorable, I had Allen Funt hold the allen key.
The next person was named Sharon, so I had Allen use his allen key to adjust Sharon’s next. The story built from there and I was able to recall each and every name with 100% accuracy 15 minutes later during my demonstration.
Now, I mentioned that little or no creativity is involved, but that using the technique can make you more creative. Notice in my example that I didn’t invent Halley’s comet or allen keys. I just drew a relationship between the sounds of the names as they were mentioned to me and made a story out of these elements.
But even the idea that I “made” a story is a bit much. Rather, it’s better to say that I used natural possibilities to quickly forge a connection. Comets falls from the sky, for example. Although we don’t use allen keys to adjust the human neck, it is within the realm of possibility for those ideas to draw a connection.
It can take a bit of practice to get used to letting story elements connect to the target information, but you’ll be able to do it. I even did it live for Guru Viking by memorizing Shakespeare on the spot on his podcast if you’d like to see a realtime example of using the story method.
Step Three: Involve A Memory Palace
The problem with the story method is that it takes work to come up with long and logical narratives for any kind of list with a substantial amount of information in it.
That’s why using a Memory Palace and the mnemonic vignette approach is so powerful. It essentially involves lots of mini-stories laid out along a journey.
Here’s the Memory Palace I used for my TEDx Talk. It’s based on a neighborhood I used to live in called Kelvin Grove:
Each station or locus in this Memory Palace is numbered.
The opening line of the speech is:
How would you like to completely silence your mind?
The story I used involved Howie Mandel using wood to hit the “thumbs up” button on a YouTube video. Here’s the breakdown of how the parts of this story helped me memorize the line:
Howie = how
wood = would
Youtube button = you
like button = like
Little words like “to” did not take an image. But if I needed one, I would probably involved someone like Desmond Tutu in the story. For the “completely silence your mind” part of the sentence, I didn’t involve a story. That’s because this was the theme of the whole talk and not in need of memorization.
For the rest of the talk, I carried on through the Memory Palace. Each station took as many mini-stories as was needed for me to memorize the entire speech.
As an additional memory aid, I scripted the talk itself to contain a story.
This leads us to an alternative story method options that you may want to consider using: Using a story itself as source for a Memory Palace.
Powerful Story Method Variation: Use A Story As A Memory Palace
To use this version of the story method, pick a movie or novel and make an inventory of locations you can remember. Ideally, you will not base the Memory Palace on every little last detail.
Instead, I suggest you work with just a few story locations that come naturally to mind. Of you can seek out one of my Memory Detective stories, like Vitamin X, to make use of some of the mnemonic techniques embedded within them.
For example, in The Matrix, I readily remember these locations:
The hotel
Neo’s apartment
The dance club
The interrogation room
The desert of the real
The bridge of Morpheus’ ship
Neo’s chamber
The Oracle’s waiting room
The Oracle’s kitchen
The subway
The hallway with the final showdown between Neo and Agent Smith
While I was writing the list, I remembered even more, such as the street with the woman in the red dress, the dojo, and more. Just going through one movie makes for incredible memory exercise!
To use this version of the story method, mentally arrange these locations to suit your learning project. Using the chronological order as you experience them while watching the movie makes the most sense, but you could also arrange them alphabetically or in whatever way feels right for you.
Next, start to “link” your information inside the story.
Now, unlike your home, this kind of Memory Palace comes “pre-loaded” with all kinds of imagery to work with.
For example, let’s say you want to memorize a phrase like meliora sequimur. This is the Latin motto for Brisbane, which means, “We aim for better things.”
You can take the mess hall on Morpheus’ ship and have Mouse complain about the “meal’s aura” “meliora” and have a giant second-hand from a clock ticking over his head. From there, you have many choices, such as using locations from The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings.
Should You Use The Story Method?
As you can probably already tell, I don’t find that story memory technique is the greatest method for speed, efficiency, or even effectiveness. But it is an interesting alternative to the Memory Palace for language learning and one well worth exploring. It can definitely help you remember all sorts of things.
That said, there’s something you need to be aware of as you start experimenting with using stories as part of your mnemonic strategy for learning.
I haven’t talked to every memory expert under the sun, but so far I don’t know anyone who uses the story method extensively. Here’s the only exception that comes to mind:
Years ago, the memory athlete Idriz Zogaj mentioned something like a virtual story method when speaking about a memory competitor he knows. Unfortunately, Zogaj’s explanation is second hand and therefore a bit vague. But if you listen to this episode of my podcast with Zogaj, you can just for yourself.
You might also like to consider a close parallel to the story method: the use of video games. This approach involves using virtual Memory Palaces. I’ve used Donkey Kong and have heard of people basing their Memory Palaces on games like The Legend of Zelda, Skyrim, and all kinds of fantasy locations to help them learn faster and remember more.
At the end of the day, those are all great Memory Palace exercises. But it’s up to you to learn and practice the techniques so you’re aware of which exact approaches work best for you. I hope exploring the story method and some of the variations I’ve discovered has helped you out with that process.
Need more help? Grab my FREE Memory Improvement Course here:
It will help you master these concepts further so you can get out there and remember just about anything.
Enjoy and please let me know how you find using this technique for your learning goals!
The Knowledge Gene: Lynne Kelly’s Discovery Could Save Us All
Sep 05, 2024
The Knowledge Gene is one of those excellent books that doesn’t come around nearly often enough.
Except Lynne Kelly has a habit of only writing incredible books.
Of course, I’m partial because I share Kelly’s love of memory.
But I don’t have anything like the scientific background and depth of research she brings.
Not to mention the wisdom that allows her to glean insights from so many cultures across space and time.
That’s why I couldn’t wait to talk with Lynne about The Knowledge Gene: The Incredible Story of the Supergene that Gives Us Human Creativity.
More than your standard interview, our discussion covers the book in-depth and topics we mnemonists love:
Memory Palaces
Mnemonic images
Learning faster and retaining information for longer
We also discuss a few of the social and political implications of how and why our species may have gone wrong when it comes to matters of education at all levels.
Click the play button above or watch the discussion using the video below:
https://youtu.be/rp17com8mAA
As you watch or listen, consider the implications…
What if we could prove that education needs to change due to the way our genes work?
Wouldn’t you like to see more people succeed as learners in a vibrant and holistic education system that serves us all. Not just those who can sit still behind a desk?
The Knowledge Gene: A Brief Review
How’s this for a compelling quote?
ADHD can grant broad thinking and endless performance.
I highlight this brief statement because so many people email me and talk about their experiences with ADHD, dyslexia or other issues.
And there’s no doubt about it. They can effect focus, concentration and of course memory and intelligence.
But what if education were to change, and operate more like the societies who used ancient memory techniques?
This is one of Lynne’s premises in The Knowledge Gene, something hinted at in one of her previous books, The Memory Code.
As Lynne demonstrates amply, our ancestors learned and retained far more than we do. They knew the location of critical medicines and could tell hundreds, if not thousands of stories.
The Knowledge Gene takes all of Lynne’s work to the next level by explaining how music, art, story and a variety of performance activities help us store information.
The scientific findings Lynne shares were produced in collaboration with a variety of researchers from fields like archeology, psychology, music, art and of course, genetics.
She also shares discussions from her fieldwork with a diversity of neurodiverse kids, adults and fascinating colleagues like Tyson Yunkaporta.
Lynne expertly weaves the central thesis that some of the learning disabilities associated with NF1 help explain how humans learn. The science is, true to the theme of the book, wonderfully told in the form of a story.
That means you’ll get an understanding of how and why scientists operate in particular ways in order to arrive at statements that are highly likely to be true.
You’ll have a hard time putting The Knowledge Gene down as Lynne introduces you to a variety of cultures, individuals and memory techniques.
True, some of the words might be challenging. But when you use the mnemonic methods discussed throughout the book, you’ll love how quickly they become second nature.
Of course, you”ll want to make sure you follow up with Lynne’s excellent work Memory Craft for more.
A Return To Knowledge Awaits… If We Dare
Although this book is grounded in data, Lynne strikes a careful balance between urgency and optimism in The Knowledge Gene.
That’s important because facts without emotional resonance are hard to take in.
Lynne is cautionary, but never alarmist about what will happen if we don’t incorporate more of what we know about learning from our ancestors into modern life.
She’s even occasionally humorous, sharing bits about her life as a mnemonist engaged in a noble battle against forgetting.
Overall, you’ll love Lynne’s objective and clear stance. It’s inclusive, empowering and you will not left wondering what to do.
The genetics facts alone should make it clear that out time and our opportunity is not just now, but right freakin’ now.
Read this book and then get busy living the knowledge gene within you.
Can You Really Get Better At Anything? Scott Young Says Yes!
Aug 26, 2024
Get Better At Anything originally made me skeptical when I first saw the title.
I mean, I’m usually not one to judge a book by its cover, but…
“Anything”?
That right there is what you call a big promise.
So, of course, I had to invite Scott Young onto the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast to asking him what counts as “anything.”
And I wanted him to define “better.”
As usual, Scott did not disappoint.
From accelerated learning techniques to rapid skill acquisition, the science demonstrating what really works is all there.
Click play on the the audio or video players to join in on the conversation.
And keep reading for a written review of this epic new book.
Whether you’re a lifelong learner, productivity enthusiast or simply curious about how you can explore more of your potential, Get Better At Anything is the book for you.
https://youtu.be/QBSGLoiwqmU
Get Better At Anything: A Review
One of the highest virtues of Get Better At Anything is how it gently, but thoroughly tackles many of our assumptions about how we learn.
Even if there are some issues with how scientific studies play out (which I’ll address further on), questioning common myths about learning is a valuable activity.
For one thing, questioning stimulates new ways to think about your own past as a learner. That way, your future learning efforts are more likely to succeed, especially as you take on new challenges.
Failure Isn’t Always A Good Teacher
One big takeaway I can foresee for many people involves the supposed value of falling flat on your face.
For example, Scott addresses the common wisdom that we need to fail to learn. As we speak, there are productivity gurus loading up their X accounts with tweets about how you have to “take action” so you can “fail faster.”
It’s not that they’re entirely wrong. We all need feedback and errors can be corrective.
But as Scott takes pains to show, it’s not the case that you absolutely have to fail in order to enjoy positive learning outcomes.
I’ve experienced this effect directly as a card magician, especially when learning memdeck routines. There are many magicians who preach that it’s better to learn from books. It’s not that they are wrong, but I’ve learned faster and mastered knacky moves very quickly when I could see them performed on video.
The real problem with no having examples in certain contexts is that people often give up on learning certain skills. I’ve certainly done that with more than a few magic instruction books. It’s a problem stimulated by the fact that a lot of talented magicians simply aren’t skilled writers.
Scott is great about showing how various “problem spaces” can be solved by finding ways to avoid failure. You’ll enjoy how this part of the book gets you thinking about ways to succeed faster and more often as you learn new skills.
Variety (And Theory) Is The Spice Of Learning
Although I think I talk about it in a different way than Scott presents the idea of getting plenty of variation into your deliberate practice and study sessions, I talk about how I use interleaving all the time.
Scott goes far deeper into the idea of shuffling between the various actions and aspects of learning.
A potential point of frustration with the suggestions in this section is that it’s not always clear when and where variability matters. For example, it seems unlikely that switching between chemistry books and fiction will make any of us better readers of either category.
That said, the research Scott presents seems to confirm something I’ve thought all along: understanding the theory behind many skills and topic really helps when it guides the actions we take during learning.
Michael Shermer says something similar in his introduction to Skeptic: Viewing the World with a Rational Eye. Shermer says we need an “interplay of data and theory” to guide our thinking. Scott extends this imperative seeking a balance of theory and practice from as many sources as possible:
“Talking to people in the field, and finding out what tools they’re using and theories they’re working with, gives a roadmap for acquiring more tools to work with.”
In our age of digital amnesia, extending beyond books and the Internet strikes me as sage advice indeed.
Expertise Guarantees Nothing
As a former story consultant, I was very interested on the material about a problem I sometimes think of as “coaching effect.”
You’ve probably seen coaches at the side of the basketball court who look like they couldn’t sink a ball to save their life. Well, back when I was working in the film industry, but like an out of shape coach, I probably couldn’t have sold a screenplay.
Yet, because I was able to memorize a few varieties of story structure, I was able to see “models” in the stories written by others and help them decide how to improve them.
Scott goes deeper into how to find models and use them to guide your learning. You’ll also gain a better understanding of how top performers in realms like chess and poker operate.
Various contradictions seem to arise as well, such as the role of experience.
As we discussed in the interview, we’re both YouTubers and both my channel Scott’s technically have tons of views and we aren’t lacking in basic presentation skills. Yet, when platforms keep changing their rules, all the experience in the world does little to guarantee “growth.”
That’s why his point that improvement is never a straight line is especially valuable, especially when he talks about old knowledge potentially hindering new ideas. From a memory perspective, I wonder how various memory biases might play a role in that. Either way, the final part of Scott’s new book has solutions for how to keep improving despite the problems developing expertise can create.
No Complaints
As with Scott’s previous book, Ultralearning, I have no gripes.
I will say that I like Get Better At Anything a touch better, however. One reason is that I think the stories supplement the takeaway points in ways that, well… work better for me as a reader.
One concern I didn’t quite raise as well as I might have in our interview relates to the reproducibility of various studies and other issues I often see in memory science.
It is this:
If so many studies show that various learning strategies work so well, why do so few students seem to pick them up?
Unfortunately, I neglected to ask Scott about what is sometimes called Hawthorne Effects – a variety of situations in which participants may modify their behaviors because they are know they are being studied.
Scott seems to have a preemptive strike on this issue for those who do put the accelerated learning techniques he shares into action, however:
Score your attempts
Write progress reports
Share with others in a “brain trust” to identify and improve your blind spots
In the world of memory competitions, many mental athletes suggest a very similar cluster of activities. Johannes Mallow, for example, has shared his approach to journaling while preparing to compete. Other memory athletes like John Graham, Alex Mullen and Nelson Dellis have noted how much they learn from others at competitions.
In sum, Scott stresses that there’s a difference between the act of solving problems and learning how to solve problems.
Just about anything you want to learn involves encountering one or more “problem spaces.” The more you know about how others have succeeded in tackling them and succeeding, the more you’ll improve your chances of success.
Can it really be that simple?
Well, here is where you’ll have to read the book yourself to find out how you should value “better.”
I think Scott’s closing chapter on mastery will put you in good stead when it comes to improving both your goals and how you set out to achieve them.
Highly recommended, and Get Better At Anything is widely available for whenever you’re ready to start enjoying improvements across the board.
7 Memory Champs Reveal Their Best Language Learning Secrets
Aug 23, 2024
Imagine mastering a new language using the same memory techniques the help memory champions remember thousands of random digits or multiple decks of cards.
Although you’d be forgiven if you can’t see the connection, I’ve interviewed many memory athletes over the years.
Not all of them also learn languages. But many do.
And for the first time ever, I’ve gathered the best tips from seven highly successful memory athletes who have also studied at least one other language.
Each of the memory champs you’ll discover on this page know exactly how you can make even the most abstract word or challenging grammar principle stick like glue.
So read on to discover how these memory mavens can help you revolutionize how you approach language learning.
In some cases, their approaches might seem to challenge conventional wisdom.
But as a PhD and professor who has followed their tips myself to pass more than a few language exams around the world, I know the value of how using memory techniques can dramatically slash time spent learning.
Ready for these potent strategies for your journey into fluency?
Let’s dive in!
The Common Memory Technique For Language Learning That Binds Them All
One quick point before I introduce you to our first memory athlete.
Each and every one of the champions I’ve spoken to over the years uses the Memory Palace technique in one form or another.
There’s good reason for that, but in case you’re not familiar with this ancient mnemonic method, it works like this:
Choose a familiar location (like your home, school or workplace)
Mentally walk back through each location to retrieve the images using a process called spaced repetition
Practice elaborating and strengthening the associations while reading, writing, speaking and listening to the target language
That’s the basics of the technique each memory athlete will mention in one form or another. For more on using this technique for developing fluency, you can check out this post on the Memory Palace for language learning.
Now let me introduce you to someone who is not only an accomplished memory athlete, but also a highly respected scholar. She’s even a recipient of the Order of Australia!
One: “Have Hooks For Everything”
Lynne Kelly is an Australian author, science educator and memory athlete. Her books The Memory Code and Memory Craft are legendary amongst people who use mnemonic strategies.
In Memory Craft, Kelly advises language learners to prepare their memory systems in advance, particularly the associations they will use.
She gives a number of examples for “hooks” she’s used while learning Chinese, for example. Because Mandarin characters involve so many radicals and other components, you can learn them a lot faster by having a “bestiary.”
That’s a medieval and renaissance era word for what some of us now call pegwords.
Basically, to use this type of memory system, you assign an image to each letter of the alphabet. That way, when you need to memorize a new word, you always have some kind of starting point for placing associations in your Memory Palaces.
For example, if you have to memorize the words “to be,” you just draw from your bestiary of images, such as a toad and a bumble bee.
Kelly prefers animals for these images. But you can use anything that makes sense to you, such as celebrities, friends, teachers and so on. The key is to forge the links alphabetically.
Two: “Study In Focus Bursts”
I was surprised when I told Dave Farrow I was studying Chinese. He immediately spoke to me in Mandarin – like it was nothing!
Farrow holds two Guinness World Records for memorizing multiple decks of cards.
He’s also an author, entrepreneur and inventor with a keen interest in robotics.
As you can see from the picture I took with him below, he also has a sense of humor about his last name sounding like “pharaoh”.
The trick for Dave is that he never spends too much time focused on learning any one thing.
As he told me when it comes to language learning:
Get all of the vocabulary on your phone and do five minute chunks here and there. Do it really intensely for a short time, have a timer on you, and that’s what can get you to that level.
Although you might be skeptical that this technique will work, scientists have studied processes they call interleaving and chunking.
Dave is basically doing a personalized version of these techniques with some Memory Palaces and other mnemonics woven in.
Three: “Crazy Combinations On Cards”
Brad Zupp has done all kinds of things on the memory competition circuit. He’s memorized an entire deck of cards in 90 seconds, 1,050 digits in 30 minutes and set a record at the 23rd annual World Memory Championship.
In that case, he listened to a 150-digit number, which is basically the equivalent of 15 phone numbers. To be clear, he only heard the numbers and never saw them written down.
Yet, using memory techniques, he recalled them all with 100% accuracy.
When it comes to language learning, Zupp told me that he started learning Japanese on a word-by-word basis by first picturing each word in English.
Building on that foundation, he created what he calls “funny little pictures” for each syllable of the Japanese vocabulary. This is basically another version of the chunking advised by Dave Farrow.
The difference is that Zupp also used flashcards as part of the process. As he told me:
I just got a bunch of them and I started filling one of these up a day. In between writing out the Japanese word and the English word, picturing the crazy combination, and then reviewing them and testing myself at the end of the day, I was learning 50 to 100 vocabulary words a day.
People were spellbound – the Japanese people I was working for, and the English-speaking people I was working with. At the end of the first week when I had 400 or 500 vocabulary words, they are going “How are you learning to speak Japanese? How are you doing that?” They were saying “You’re a genius.”
Brad’s a bit too modest for such high praise, however. He responded to the compliments like this:
“No, I’m not a genius, trust me.” I said, “Here, let me let me show you. See, with this word I pictured this, and then I pictured this.”
They were like “Oh, that’s pretty easy.” I would then teach them five words this way and they’d learn them.
In other words, Zupp didn’t leave the job of language learning to memory techniques alone. He got writing into the process by creating his own flashcards and placing crazy images on them. Language learning expert Gabriel Wyner also teaches this strategy in his book Fluent Forever and it’s a good one.
Four: “You’re Not A Tape Recorder”
It’s tempting to think that human memory is like a video camera. But both memory science and memory athletes assure us that our memory is nothing like that.
Nelson Dellis has won the USA Memory Championship five times and is an avid language learner. He’s also summited Mount Everest and written several books, like Remember It and Memory Superpowers!
In addition to tips very similar to what we’ve already discussed, I want to raise two of his best points related to language learning and motivation.
First, Nelson is often challenged when out in public. But he says it’s important not to think that you’re a “tape recorder” just because you use memory techniques.
In other words, you have to be realistic about the role of memory techniques in your language learning journey. They’re a tool, not a magic bullet.
Second, many people get frustrated, confused and lose motivation. As Nelson told me, however, it’s best to treat it just like summiting Everest.
“You know the summit is there. So there’s literally only one thing you have to focus on: where you’re going to put your hand next.”
Although those considerations are interesting, the answers can deflate your interest and make progress seem glacial slow, if not impossible. But in the time you spend seeking the answers, you can have memorized new vocabulary and moved toward the goal.
Memory athlete Alex Mullen
Five: “Use Interaction”
Alex Mullen has won the World Memory Championship three times, amongst many other competitions. He’s also an accomplished medical professional and Mandarin speaker.
As he points out:
Personally, I used mnemonics to learn Spanish and also to learn Chinese. Every language obviously presents with its own unique set of challenges. Chinese is obviously much different than Spanish. I do a couple of different tweaks and nuances to learn the Chinese things. It’s still all pretty much the general idea of [memory] palace images.
The key point that Alex stresses in how he has his associations interact within his Memory Palaces.
Using the term “loci” for the spot inside of a Memory Palace, Alex suggests that you focus on having your associations interact as vigorously as possible.
This is good advice because a lot of people are not energetic enough when first applying mnemonics to language learning. It can be tricky to learn and some people are cautious about having so many wild things going on in their minds.
But back to Nelson Dellis, he told us when he hosted my podcast that people not take these matters too seriously. Most of us will forget our associations anyway, leaving only the foreign language words and phrases we want to be able to recall.
Six: “Fear Is Inescapable”
I’ve talked a lot about memory athletes so far. But what about the man who created memory competitions in the first place?
Tony Buzan loved using memory techniques so much with his friends that he took the concept international in the form of competitions, basically using chess showdowns as a model.
He told me that many people understand and want to use memory techniques but stop them because they’re worried about all the mistakes they might make. But he suggests reversing the problem like this:
What’s worse, living in fear of what could go wrong, or knowing your potential, and not reaching it? Not, “What if this goes incredibly wrong?” but, instead, “What if this goes right and I never find out?”
As he points out, “fear is inescapable,” so why not feel the fear and use memory techniques to help yourself learn languages anyway?
Although I didn’t speak with Katie about language learning in the sense of speaking a language, she’s a programmer and using the Memory Palace technique for coding is definitely an option.
Her advice is to make using the techniques fun, no matter what goal you’re applying to. As she notes:
It’s a creative endeavor, it’s fun. It’s not something like where my parents went to school they had to memorize lists of things, countries and capitals, and they didn’t really do it in a fun way. It was just your rote learning. For some people – some people enjoy that, and that’s fine, but a lot of people find that so tedious that they just put off the idea of memorizing completely.
Unfortunately, a lot of people wind up observing their parents and adopting their attitudes due to how implicit memory works.
Thanks to people like Katie and everyone featured today, fun is clearly becoming more and more an obvious option for learners around the world.
Whether you’re learning a new language like Spanish or a programming language like Python, you now know that there are memory athletes out there who apply their incredible strategies to help them achieve their own learning goals.
If you’re intrigued and would like to learn their strategies yourself, grab my free course here:
It gives you four videos and worksheets that take you through all of the techniques mentioned by the memory athletes above.
And in case you’re wondering if any of my own students in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass have won a memory competition and succeeded with language learning, the answer is absolutely yes.
James Gerwing completed my course and started getting 90% and higher in his Latin exams… while spending his last years as a school administrator before retiring.
Then, after he retired, he became the 2019 Canadian Memory Champion!
The key to understand is that all of us who succeed with these techniques are basically following the same key principles.
And now that you know what they are, what do you say?
Are you ready to get out there and make advances in your language learning journey? Make it happen!
How to Remember Numbers: 3 Powerful Techniques
Aug 13, 2024
If you want to know how to memorize numbers, you might be getting frustrated…
After all, there is a ton of confusing information about the main remembering numbers technique known as the Major System.
I found it frustrating too when I first learned it as a PhD student at York University in Toronto… but I pushed through and it ultimately helped launch my career as a Mercator Scholar in Germany.
And that was interesting because the Mercator is named after a person very skilled in mathematics.
So to help you out, we’re going to address the question of just how many numbers a person can remember when using number mnemonics.
And you’ll learn how to use a Memory Palace to memorize numbers. As many digits as you want.
To do so, in this post, I will show you:
The Major System that allows you to memorize numbers with letters and words.
How to connect the Major System with a Memory Palace.
How to expand the Major System into a PAO or 00-99 system.
Or you can just watch the video version of this lesson:
https://youtu.be/Nlm4FKwoogU
No matter how you choose to learn these techniques, this is important:
Your goal is to shift the burden of memorizing numbers to recalling fun and straightforward images that are already in your memory.
This simple shift from trying so hard to using mnemonic images instead will reduce the cognitive load on your brain and make learning and remembering any number exciting and fun. Using these techniques will also expand your mind as they provide substantial mental stimulation over the years to come.
How to Remember Numbers: Simple Mnemonic Examples
Have a look at this image:
This is a nun.
She represents the number 22 in the 00-99 Major System I use.
Every time I see 22, I bring this nun to mind (I actually imagine Mr. Bean dressed as a nun. More on why later…)
I do this because if I next see the number 235, I can see an animal, it’s easy for me to use the Major System to add another image.
When the nun interacts with the animal in an unusual way, I’m able to remember a longer digit with ease: 22357.
The Major System That Underlies The Technique That Helps You Remember Numbers
To get to the stage where you can use nuns and animals, you need to understand why 22 is a nun and 235 is an animal.
The Major System has different terms, including:
The Phonetic Number System
Phonetic Mnemonic System
Number Consonant System
Herigone’s Mnemonic System
… and more.
The exact history of it is not known, but in Mind Map Mastery, Tony Buzan attributes it to Johann Just Winckelmann.
Others cite Aimé Paris and Major Beniowski, from whom we most likely take the name, Mnemonic Major System.
And that’s just in the west. The Katapayadi system goes back at least to 869 BCE.
Although there are many variations and you can make up your own, a large number of people use an arrangement like this:
0 = soft c, s or z
1 = d, t
2 = n
3 = m
4 = r
5 = l
6 = ch, j or sh
7 = k
8 = f or v
9 = b or p
In this way, I came up with Nun for 22, but perhaps you would prefer a piece of naan bread. Try to make sure that you have a vowel between the two consonants, but if that doesn’t work for you, a word like “onion” is also acceptable.
It’s really up to you, but I suggest that you avoid abstract concepts like “noon.” If you want to use “noon,” make sure it is a clock with its hands pointed at noon, and maybe include Gary Cooper who starred in High Noon to make it even more concrete.
Likewise with a word like “anon.” This word could make an excellent Magnetic Image for 22, but only if you make it concrete, such as by having James Woods with a particular book.
Why James woods? Because he starred in My Name is Bill W. about the origins of Alcoholics Anonymous.
I realize this specificity requires you to stretch your imagination, but its excellent brain exercise (better than any app) and is the secret of how to get a solid 00-99 working from the beginning. (Instead of having to fuss with it for years and potentially give up, as others sadly do.)
How To Expand Your Major System Into A Full 00-99 List to Memorize Numbers
To expand the rules that underly the phonetic Major System is easy. I suggest you take it 5-10 sets at a time.
But first, get a Memory Journal so you have a place to chart down your ideas on paper.
Overall, the best way to learn how to memorize numbers using this approach would go like this:
1. Get a Memory Journal for completing the creative task
2. On a new page, copy the start with 00 and write all the numbers up until 10.
3. Starting with 00, think of words that begin and end with ‘S.’ I personally use Thomas Szasz, but many use Dr. Suess.
Sissy Spacek would also work. Or a pair of eyeglasses built by Zeiss.
Many other options are equally concrete. If you choose Zeus, use the character from Planet of the Apes or a clear painting or cartoon of Zeus so you’re not relying on a vague concept.
4. Proceed to 01. For me, this is “sad,” and I see the tragedy mask worn by William Shatner in his performance of Oedipus Rex.
5. Keep going for about 5-10 minutes and take a break. It’s important to relax and revive your creative muscles.
How To Memorize Formulas For Physics & Chemistry That Involve Numbers
If you want to expand your skills and start memorizing formulas, you’ll want to expand your systems.
It might feel like a lot to cover, but most people can develop all of these systems over the course of a weekend.
How To Memorize Numbers Encoded With Images In A Memory Palace
First things first, you’ll need to know how to create a Magnetic Memory Palace. Here’s your ticket for that:
Next, start with your first Magnetic Station in the Memory Palace. If you used Dr. Suess, place him on the first Magnetic Station. If you used the sad tragedy mask for 01, place it on the next station.
You can do this in small sets or get more ambitious and work on larger sets. The critical point is that you use Recall Rehearsal to get the images into long-term memory.
For many people, this step will not be necessary because they can deduce like Sherlock Holmes what their images are by relying on the Major System.
For example, I didn’t learn my 00-99 using a Memory Palace. I only needed to think about the Major for each digit and track back to the image I chose.
The Major Mistake I Made When Creating My First Phonetic Mnemonic System
To this day, I keep strengthening them and find many opportunities to do so. For example, I use to have a very generic idea of “fire” for 84.
But I later evolved this image to Chuck Norris in Missing in Action 2 with a flamethrower. I did not have to invent this image because there is a classic scene in the movie where he burns down a bridge with a flamethrower.
And that is the beauty of using the Major System to memorize numbers. By letting its rules set you free, your imagination will come up with many powerful associations. It is also a great way to strengthen your ability to make associations if you need the developmental exercise. (Many people do.)
Another mistake a made was that I didn’t quiz myself enough. But I now know a lot more about number memory tests and how to use them to stimulate my growth.
Although straight up tests of raw digits is important, I also memorize historical dates for testing purposes. That way the information has meaning, which helps with giving context to numbers, a factor studies have shown stimulate better retention.
How To Extend Your 00-99 to A Person Action Object System
So far we’ve talked about giving each digit an image from 00-99.
Many people like to have a triple-whammy effect by having at least three different elements going on for each digit.
To be honest, I have never found this necessary or entirely useful in everyday life. However, in the world of memory competition, it is a must.
That said, my own method of working often includes most of Person Action Object criteria.
For example, the 01 tragedy mask is both a person and an object: It is the tragedy mask (the object) worn by William Shatner (the person). To add an action would be easy: he could be soaping it up with suds.
Although I would be making a leap of the imagination by turning “suds” into a verb, this could work very well.
To take another example, I have Jim Carrey with a lyre (stringed instrument) for 54. I could have him using it to “lure” something or someone to add an action, but I don’t need this specificity for my personal memory practice.
The reason I don’t have a full PAO (sometimes falsely lumped in as a Mnemonic Peg System) for each digit is that I prefer flexibility. In real life, you do not have to beat the clock the same way you do in a memory competition.
You are also using numbers you want to memorize for the long term, like banking info, phone numbers and passwords. These are not random digits heard or read at an event that you’re going to forget minutes after submitting your results.
To that end, I prefer to choose how my Magnetic Images interact with each other on the fly.
Obviously, this approach is different than the Dominic System (or Hotel Dominic) or the system Ben Pridmore uses, etc.
And at the end of the day, that’s the incredible and mind-blowing truth:
The rules will set you free. Especially if you follow his approach to mind mapping.
Each person always uses these techniques individually. And although ultimately you must find your own path, you are free to do so by leaning on the classic techniques and paying attention to the Magnetic Memory Method principles of being specific and concrete. And of course there’s more to learn in How to Memorize Math, Numbers, Simple Arithmetic and Equations.
And now that you know the options available to you, you can easily learn how to remember numbers quickly. Because…
Using Mnemonics to Remember Numbers Is Easy And Fun!
Now that you have these strategies, I suggest you listen to my interview with Brad Zupp. He explains his story and perspective from the realm of competition and practical use of these techniques as a mental passwords manager.
How do these approaches to remembering numbers strike you?
If you have any experiences you’d care to share or have any questions, post them below.
You got this!
How to Become Fluent in a Language: Everything You Need to Know
Aug 13, 2024
If you want to become conversationally fluent, you might wonder how many words and phrases you need to learn.
You probably also want to know how long it’s going to take to tie enough threads of the language together to speak without hesitation.
You also want the certainty that the language will in fact wind up deep down inside you and become part of your being.
On this page, you’ll discover the best way to become fluent in a language — and how to define fluency in the first place.
It’s not exactly what a lot of people think. In fact, when you define “fluency” in the best possible way, you can achieve goals in the languages you want to learn with incredible speed and efficiency.
Why am I saying that becoming fluent is different than you might think?
Well, I used to believe that learning a language would be impossible for a busy person like me. Especially since I was easily distracted and stressed at the time.
But when I started my PhD at York University in Humanities, not having skills in at least one other language wasn’t an option.
Later, when I taught at the University of Saarland in Germany, not knowing German wasn’t an option either.
Then there was the time I needed to pick up Mandarin in a pinch in order to maximize a career opportunity.
It’s on the basis of these successful experiences that I can tell you that fluency isn’t exactly what many people think it is.
And I’m going to share with you each and every career-making tip and tactic I know on this page.
Let’s start our definition by ruling out what fluency isn’t.
Fluency is not:
Being 100% accurate every time you speak
Knowing every single word in a language
Mastering grammar
Think about your own mother tongue.
Do you say things 100% perfectly every time you speak? Of course not. We all stutter sometimes or forget simple words we’ve known our entire lives.
Likewise, any honest person who looks through a dictionary will find hundreds of words they do not know in their mother tongue.
As for grammar, I remember showing off in German to my friend Olly Richards in Berlin several years ago.
When I asked someone I was speaking to if my grammar was correct, the native German speaker shrugged and looked at me as if I was insane for asking such a question.
The point of this story about asking a native German speaker if my grammar was correct?
Very few native speakers actually know much about their mother tongue. And that means in order to become proficient in a language, you don’t have to either.
The 5 Stages of Language Fluency
As you start learning a language, you’re going to go through phases or stages.
These can be broken down into:
1. Zero knowledge of the language.
You literally don’t know a thing. You might not even know what the language is called in the language you’re learning. (For example, German is called Deutsch.)
2. Basics of the language, like the alphabet.
In different languages, you’ll face different demands depending on the character set and any symbols you need to learn. Obviously, Asian languages have bigger demands than Russian with Cyrillic, or you might lose a few letters when learning a language like Italian.
3. Starting to speak.
In this stage, you will perhaps have a few words and phrases you can use. You may be practicing entirely on your own or with a teacher.
4. Reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
In this stage, you’ll ramp up your efforts by using what is called The Levels Of Processing. You need to combine multiple forms of input and output in order to consolidate what you’re learning.
5. Flying solo.
This is when you are able to hold conversations that flow — or at least accomplish goals. You’ll usually find this incredibly pleasurable, but all that matters is that you can understand and be understood pretty much on demand.
You can start understanding interesting aspects of a language at all of these levels. You really don’t have to wait for the fifth stage to understand innuendo, for example. Even just knowing a bit about how certain letters are sounded can give you access to the psychological experience of the language.
You can also work on your accuracy at each stage. In fact, you’ll want to keep coming back to hone the accuracy of each stage over time.
For example, I’ve been studying Sanskrit for three years, and I still learn new things just about the alphabet.
How To Become Fluent In A Language Fast: 8 Powerful Tips
You came here to understand how to learn a language fluently, so let’s get into 8 things you can do to reach fluency fast.
1. Create a Vision Statement and a Learning Plan
Realize that there are good rules of thumb but no one path that suits everyone. It’s important to accept this simple fact.
Your journey will share some common characteristics with other learners, but ultimately it’s your path to follow.
To ensure you have a path to follow, I suggest you write out a Vision Statement and craft a learning plan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFz31HpVkj0&t=2s
For example, you can get a journal to document your journey and start on page one with a statement like this:
I will be fluent enough in German in 90 days from now to hold my first conversation about my interests and future plans.
Can you see how powerful this simple statement is? Instead of saying, “I want to learn German,” (or whatever language you’re learning) you now have a clear and crisp goal. It is concrete and specific.
You can also develop a plan based on this goal thanks to its specificity.
You know that you need to learn words and phrases around interests and plans. And specificity allows you to create highly targeted learning missions.
To make yourself even more focused, I suggest writing out the exact times of day and locations you will study your language.
For example, you can create a calendar in your journal and set mornings from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. for learning.
2. Gather the Best Possible Learning Materials Using Limits
A lot of language learners overwhelm themselves with too many study materials. In today’s world, it’s easy to make this mistake — it seems like every minute there’s a new book or course you can take.
Instead, follow the advice my friend Olly Richards gave me years ago. Pick just:
In the beginning, you might not know which are the best for you, so be willing to experiment. Generally, your research will be worth every minute and there are lots of reviews you can read.
Personally, I think Pimsleur audio programs are decent in the beginning for the course you choose. Audio courses allow you to learn while walking around.
That said, there are benefits to watching video lessons and taking notes.
A book should have a nice vocabulary list and sample conversations with full phrases. And a teacher should be responsive to your vision statement and your learning plan.
Simple, right?
It is, just so long as you don’t fall for “shiny new language resource” syndrome and abandon the resources you’ve already invested in. Be a completionist, limit your resources, focus your time and energy and you’ll be well rewarded.
3. Pick a Memorization Strategy
When you’re just getting started, remembering new words is one of the most difficult challenges. You have to remember sound, meaning, spelling, and in some cases characters or new alphabets.
Mnemonics are your best bet for moving quickly. These include:
To learn each of these in one swift course, please consider completing Memory Palace Mastery:
That’s what Amanda Markham did. Then, in just 10 days, she memorized 200 words in her target language.
You’ll also want to consider combining the Memory Palace technique with self-created flash cards.
For example, these cards have linking associations and are themselves linked to a Memory Palace:
4. Book Sessions With Your Teacher In Advance
As part of planning your personal learning sessions, it’s important to spend time with a native speaker.
There are at least two ways to do this:
With a paid teacher
With a tandem partner
Personally, I recommend you get a paid teacher.
Sometimes you can find good tandem partners, but they always want at least half the time for their language. Plus, language enthusiasts are rarely trained teachers.
That said, paid teachers are not without their pitfalls.
This is why having your vision statement and specific goals laid out for them is a must. Otherwise, they will often take you in directions that will not get you to fluency under any definition.
And the reason to book your sessions in advance is so you have them scheduled. When you have already paid and just need to show up, you’re much more likely to put in the time.
One of the best things you can do is book many sessions with a native speaker and sit with a magazine. Flip through the pages and simply ask, “What is that?” Repeat this question and record everything.
When you get home or after you end the session, go through the recording and capture the words and phrases you want to commit to memory. Then use your favorite memory strategy to learn them permanently.
When you next speak with your partner, make sure to repeat the new words you’ve learned. Don’t expect your teachers or speaking partners to always monitor this perfectly. Take charge to make sure that you are in alignment with your vision and goals.
6. Read Stories
I first read Kafka and Brecht in German while in university, in 2001. I quickly learned the power of stories for picking up new vocabulary and phrases.
Of course, Kafka was too complex. But Brecht plays can be watched on video with English subtitles, and this made audio exposure to the language a delight.
You can also buy DVDs that have subtitles in the language you’re learning. Watching Hamlet with the German words on the screen was hugely beneficial for me.
But don’t ignore old fashioned books. I suggest this Teach Yourself collection of stories for multiple languages as a wonderful source of graded reading material.
Beelingua is an interesting app with multiple stories that you should consider as well.
7. Translate Articles Based On Your Interests
My friend Luca Lampariello got me into the idea of translation for language learning — specifically based around topics you’re interested in and want to be able to talk about.
I’ve done this quite a bit, and picking a book of interviews with my favorite German band was a great way to develop speaking powers with the kinds of Germans I hung around with most: musicians.
Again, if you’re clear about your vision, it’s easier to think up missions like these and plan them out.
To get started, try using Google translate to find some keywords. If you’re into classical music, for example, figure out how that is said in the language you’re learning. Then search Google for articles about that topic using the term you discovered.
To translate, I suggest going word for word with a dictionary. Write out your translation by hand, which is known to help memory much more than typing.
Pro tip: I recommend that you don’t spend too long on any translation effort in one sitting. 10-15 minutes will do. Always take note of especially interesting words and phrases so you can memorize them.
8. Reevaluate Your Vision Statement And Craft New Missions
Thanks to the focus you’ve brought to the task of developing your fluency, you’ll have come a long way much faster than most who dabble in language learning.
As you set new vision statements over the years, think about the kinds of missions and goals you can set that will give you a useful boost immediately. This part of the process is important because the further into the future you set the achievements, the more you invite delay and frustration.
Be willing to break things down into smaller achievements. Even if the rewards are much smaller as a result, you’ll get more of them, more often.
And always be realistic about how native speakers actually use the language you’re learning. Think more about the kinds of people you want to speak with and think about working on missions that reflect goals like:
Improving accuracy in a regional dialect you live in or want to visit.
Developing more vocabulary inside of a specific interest area (like art, science, or philosophy).
Develop personal ways to develop your proficiency.
Consider having your accuracy and proficiency tested by external tests (if relevant to your goals). Use these to craft your missions accordingly.
In sum, we always want to create “Quick Victories” for ourselves.
It’s not really about creating motivation. Rather, it’s about laying the neurochemical basis for learning consistently so we always keep going – almost on autopilot – even when we don’t feel like studying. (Which can and will happen to everyone.)
Finally, add a bit of “Zen” to the process. By this suggestion, I mean let go of the outcome.
A lot of learners chase away success because they cling to unrealistic goals or otherwise make a poorly conceived outcome a must. When you can relax and focus on having fun, learning a language is not only more fun and much easier, it also feels like it’s just happening naturally.
As some people say, no one “learns” languages. They are only acquired. For that to happen, you just have to rig the game so you can. Mnemonics and other visualization strategies related to goal completion aren’t the only tools, but they certainly help.
Becoming Conversationally Fluent Is Easy And Fun
As you can tell, the exact definition of “fluency” is flexible. I suggest you mix things up by crafting your own personal standard and working towards at least one external evaluation.
Whatever you do, please don’t confuse using apps as actual language learning practice.
I haven’t included anything about them in this article because they’re not really how successful language learners operate. At most, they might use Anki or some related SRS program, but I have found in my many years of speaking with polyglots that it’s not the tool.
Instead, it’s the strategic use of the tool in a context that gets you plenty of speaking practice with real humans that matters.
When it comes to making sure you can speak with natives, one of the most powerful tools is the Memory Palace technique. It lets you rapidly pile up your arsenal of words and phrases.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to use it for language learning, register for this free training series now. It will take you through the most effective and efficient way you can learn any language much faster.
In fact, it will help you learn anything new. And all simply by playing a kind of game in your mind as you use a focused set of resources.
It’s also the best tool I know of for rigging the game neurologically in your favor because of how it gives you those “quick victories” practically on demand.
Plus, we have studies that show how powerful these techniques are for experiencing the brain-preserving benefits of bilingualism.
And let me know: Which of these tips helped you the most? What language or languages are you learning at the moment?
Aphantasia: How to Remember More Without Mental Pictures
Aug 12, 2024
Aphantasia.
Sounds like a magic word a magician would say before conjuring a rabbit from his hat, doesn’t it?
But let me ask you this:
Can you visualize the magician pulling out the rabbit by his ears?
For most of us, it will be easy to recall images inside our heads, using our mind’s eye.
However, if you could NOT see any image in your mind’s eye – no colors, no sounds, no smells, no textures, no flavors, nothing at all – you may have a condition called aphantasia or a blind mental eye.
Don’t freak out, though. Many people have aphantasia, even magicians.
Familiar with Penn Jillette (of Penn and Teller fame)?
He is a famous magician and entertainer, and, he is an aphantasic(!). This was according to his own words on his Sunday School podcast, Episode 174.
By his own admission, Penn says he cannot conjure a mental image of a person or a place to save his life.
Back when I was in university, both as a student and later as a professor at 3 different universities, I also couldn’t “see” images in my mind. But after learning what you’re about to discover on this page, everything changed for me.
What Is Aphantasia? A Detailed Definition
The term ‘aphantasia’ comes from the Greek words a, meaning “without”, and phantasia, meaning “a capacity to form mental images”.
The phenomenon was first described by the controversial psychologist Francis Galton – one of the pioneers of eugenics – in 1880.
The interest in the phenomenon was renewed after the publication of a study conducted by a team led by Dr. Adam Zeman, a professor of cognitive and behavioral neurology, at the University of Exeter.
Zeman’s team published a paper in 2015 on what they termed “congenital aphantasia”, now known simply as aphantasia.
For Firefox co-creator Blake Ross it was a surprise revelation that other people could visualize things in the mind’s eye while he couldn’t. “I can’t ‘see’ my father’s face or a bouncing blue ball, my childhood bedroom or the run I went on ten minutes ago,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
According to Craig Venter, the biologist who created the first synthetic organism: “It’s like having a computer store the information, but you don’t have a screen attached to the computer.”
One of the main scientists researching aphantasia is Adam Zeman. He simply calls it living without imagery.
When I was a kid, they told me I had something quite similar. But back then my teachers called it “Imagination Deficit Disorder.”
But are these really the best possible terms and definitions for aphantasia? And what about the mental imagery you experience when you dream?
Can You Dream With Aphantasia?
It depends on what you mean by “dreaming”.
For example, I just told you about Gerrard. He’s never seen Mt. Everest, and yet he’s climbed it. He had to have a dream to do it.
Some people with this condition do report that they dream. Others say they don’t. But even people without this condition also report they don’t recall their dreams.
The only way to really know is take it case by case and visit a dream lab.
Personally, I dream very vividly, but not particularly visually. I never see faces when I dream, for example. Strangely, I tend not to see technology either, such as cellphones or computers.
I know this because I have journaled my dreams for many years. I made them more “visual” over time by placing them in writing so I could cross-index the dreams, chart patterns and observe the workings of this mind at rest.
What About Lucid Dreaming with Aphantasia?
Some people with aphantasia also report that they can lucid dream. I’ve had similar experiences, and the sensations all culminate as physical, rarely visual.
For example, when I go lucid, I often find myself piloting a spacecraft, balancing on a tight wire or even levitating as I write in my dream journal.
And my regular experience of finding myself journaling when I go lucid suggests a trick you can use:
By keeping a journal consistently, you’re likely to start dreaming about it. When it appears in your dreams, you may become aware that you’re dreaming. It’s quite wild!
Also, you can think verbally throughout the day about your dreams. You don’t have to approach them from a visual angle at all in order to explore the wonderful world of dreaming as an aphantasic.
The Role of Daydreaming
Then there’s the question of daydreaming.
I often think conceptually when daydreaming, and have also wondered about my ability to read fast and retain what I’m reading.
Could it be that the kind of reading-assisted “daydreams” I experience while going through novels without visualizing saves mental energy?
One point to consider is raised by Stephen King in On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.
He basically says that he stopped putting much time into visually describing characters because his readers weren’t following his instructions anyway.
I think this point provides a major clue.
Because I couldn’t visualize the characters at all, my brain just skips over those parts of the story. Possibly to save energy, but the larger point is that all kinds of readers engage books on their own terms.
When King learned that about his audience, he himself started focusing differently on the construction of the daydreams he shares through the creation of fiction.
How Common Is Aphantasia?
How many people have aphantasia? While research on the subject is still in its nascent stages, neurologists believe approximately one in 50 people or 2-5% of the population are non-visual-imagers.
Sounds like a big number?
Don’t be surprised. Being an aphantasic is nearly as common as having a food allergy.
Neuroimaging has shown something surprising.
Mental imagery, although strongly associated with the left temporal lobe, requires the use of large networks of brain pathways.
This finding suggests that aphantasia could potentially occur in different ways in different individuals. It also suggests that there is likely an aphantasia cure, or at least a path to developing partial imagery.
The Three Likely Causes Of Aphantasia
However, the exact cause of aphantasia is still unknown. Even an exact definition remains elusive.
Nonetheless, according to Dr. Zeman, heredity and environment both are likely to be relevant causes.
Zeman has also speculated that aphantasia could result from brain lesions as well. Tther suggestions that have been floated around include:
Interestingly, an aphantasic may have strong visual memory. They may be able to describe in detail about how things looked – the cat had blue eyes, the umbrella was pink and matched the skirt – even though they cannot see these visual images in their mind’s eye.
Moreover, many people who cannot form mental images can think in sounds, while others can remember physical sensations.
Penn says, when he dreams, he’s not sure if he sees visual images but has the sensation of knowing that “ideas wash over me”.
How Aphantasia Affects Memory
Our brain stores information in at least two different ways: verbally and visually.
Both these types of storage are independent of one another, and each can be used alone.
Therefore, even people with aphantasia can complete the “tests of visual imagery” without too much difficulty. They can also often (but not always) complete these non-visual sensory memory exercises.
Here’s a quick test:
Count the number of windows in your house.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Quick #memory improvement exercise: Mentally count all the windows in your home.” quote=”Quick #memory improvement exercise: Mentally count all the windows in your home.” theme=”style6″]
Even if you can’t see a “mental” image of your house and locate each window in that image, you would have an awareness of being there and recall from factual information the number of windows in your house.
While aphantasics can remember things from their past, they experience these memories in a different way than someone with strong imagery. They often describe memories as a conceptual list of things that occurred rather than a video playing in their mind.
As Ross says, he can ruminate on the “concept” of a beach, but cannot flash to beaches he has visited.
“I know there’s sand. I know there’s water. I know there’s a sun, maybe a lifeguard. I know facts about beaches. I know a beach when I see it, and I can do verbal gymnastics with the word itself…But I have no visual, audio, emotional or otherwise sensory experience.”
The brain has many unique ways of storing visual information than just as a picture.
Here’s your key takeaway:
Even without mental imagery, you can remember and reason just as effectively by using verbal, spatial, and conceptual cues.
Multiple Ways To Create Visual Imagery In Your Mind
Neuroscientists believe that the brain constructs visual imagery in more than one way. There are separate circuits for things like shape, size, color and spatial relationships, and when these are accessed together, we form an image of a memory.
As AphantasiaMeow and I suggest in these videos, it might have to do with how the brains of some people develop:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA0ZUj7Wtmc&lc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0F9gOgGOqc
There are still a lot of unknowns, that’s for sure. But it’s great that someone is doing such good work to help people create a mind’s eye.
Back to the source of the problem:
Experts think that aphantasics piggyback on neurons involved in controlling physical movements rather than using the visual brain circuitry to “visualize” or recall information.
For instance, you can trace the letter B of the alphabet in your brain to know it has curves or you can use your mind’s eye to see its image.
Does Aphantasia Hamper “Visualization” Memory Techniques?
Not in the least.
Tansel Ali and I talked about your multiple options in a recent interview.
Memory techniques involve more tools than just visualization. You have many options, including not visualizing at all.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Memory techniques involve more tools than just visualization. You have many #mnemonic options.” quote=”Memory techniques involve more tools than just visualization. You have many #mnemonic options.” theme=”style6″]
Here’s an infographic that tells you all about the different ways that your brain perceives information:
Personally, I don’t have aphantasia.
However, I am low on the visual threshold.
As a result, it took me a long time to understand techniques like mind mapping, let alone developing mind map mastery (which is still a work in progress, to be honest).
Most of what I do in the world of memory techniques involves thinking about strange combinations of images in words and sounds, not high-definition imagery. I would call this being audio-conceptual.
So, if you are worried that the inability to see visual images in your mind will stop you from using the Memory Palace technique…
Over the years, I’ve invested in myself so that I can “see” something like visuals in my mind.
But even to this day, the best results I get from memory techniques don’t require constant streaming of high-definition images in my head. I’m not trying to develop eidetic memory, after all. I just want to remember more.
Image streaming is a simple process that enables you to open up your mind’s eye to visuals.
Here’s how it works:
Close your eyes and describe what you see.
If you don’t see anything (which would exactly be the case if you have aphantasia) help your brain start seeing visual images.
Start by gently rubbing your closed eyes like a sleepy child. Then describe the bright sparkly light that you see behind your closed retina.
Or look at a bright light like a candle for a half minute, or a window which has strong light/dark contrast. Then when you close your eyes, you should be able to see after-images, like a blob of light or color, at back of the eye. Describe that blob of light.
You can also describe a memory that you cannot “see” but remember from the past.
The important thing is to use all senses to describe your blob of light or memory: sight (vision), hearing (audition), taste (gustation), smell (olfaction), and touch (somatosensation).
While you are examining and describing your after-images or visual memory events, keep a look out for experiencing some other kinds of image. It could be a momentary face, landscape, or whatever. Notice when this happens, and switch to describing that new image.
Remember to describe all images to an external focus – quickly and loudly. The external focus can be a friend or a dictaphone (voice recorder), anything or anyone you can talk to.
Practice image streaming for only 10-20 minutes a day to enable your mind’s eye to see pictures. Then move on and try these multi-sensory brain exercises.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aphantasia and Memory
I’ve received hundreds of questions about aphantasia over the fifteen years I’ve been publishing books and courses about memory improvement.
Most people don’t practice thinking enough, and for that journaling is key.
Can people with aphantasia still use the Memory Palace technique?
Absolutely.
Memory competitor Lynne Kelly identifies as someone with aphantasia and has established impressive records for herself.
But you should also know that power-users of Memory Palaces like the USA memory champions Nelson Dellis and John Graham have both remarked that they simply don’t have time to visualize during competition.
Yet, they still use Memory Palaces?
The takeaway?
If some of the most accomplished memory champions use Memory Palaces without visualizing them, so can you.
How do artists or writers with aphantasia create visual work?
I love this question because for years I believed I could not draw.
Then I took a Riven Phoenix course where he talks about memorizing the formulas used by Da Vinci.
Although I didn’t take my drawing skills very far, I did improve simply by memorizing the words of the formulas in Phoenix’s course.
I recently did the same by memorizing the opening of Euclid’s Geometry.
Then, while looking at architecture and design, I revisit those words.
These simple activities have helped me write more visually interesting novels, design better thumbnails and even enjoy art that I see with greater pleasure.
A key takeaway is to understand that there are all kinds of visual artists and many of them approach art conceptually first. They never see anything they create until they get the materials for image-making in their hands and start applying formulas they’ve learned verbally.
Can people develop partial imagery over time?
Yes, and this has happened to me.
But ultimately, it’s the changed attitude and definitional relationship to the idea of mental imagery that helped me the most.
As you can see in my tutorial on how to visualize clearly and effectively, I ultimately don’t find that “seeing” images is exactly what’s going on in the brain when we use our imagination.
Indeed, the point of many such meditations is to actually stop thought altogether so you can enjoy perfect stillness. Some of Damo Mitchell’s books are quite good on this point, such as his Comprehensive Guide to Daoist Nei Gong.
Although it might seem like I’m taking a detour to the question by not simply answering, “yes,” that’s because the more complex answer is important.
Often when we achieve a goal, we still wind up feeling empty. And that’s a contradiction at the heart of chasing after the idea of seeing images in the mind:
You’re already experiencing some kind of mental representation and it’s perfect the way that it is. The idea of some people experiencing imagery while others do not leads to games of comparison and dead ends.
Remember: we live in a world where thousands of years of spiritual tradition have tried to get rid of thinking and mental images altogether so that you can enjoy the mental state you do have, just as it is.
So by all means, work on developing mental imagery in part or whole over time. But avoid turning your goal into a trap.
How to Use A Memory Palace With A Blind Mind’s Eye?
Here’s the basic idea behind the Memory Palace Technique, which as I’ve mentioned, you can use without actually seeing anything in your mind:
You associate pieces of information with a location you are familiar with, like placing a new word in a house.
The technique does not require you to visualize your house. You can “know” factually where your bedroom is in your home or where to find the kitchen window or the attic.
Or you can sense it physically or simply navigate the Memory Palace by using logic. In other words, you can verbally think through the stations (first there is the couch, then the coffee table, the TV, etc.).
You then use your knowledge or the layout to imagine a funny or interesting association taking place on a spot in your home.
For example, you could merely think conceptually about having a statue of the magician Penn Jillette weighed down with small silver trees in your living room. Merely considering this concept in a specific part of your home can help you remember that Pennsylvania means “Penn’s small forest.” (Silva means forest in Latin.)
Keeping the full range of the Magnetic Modes in mind, you can apply the Memory Palace principle to any home or location with which you are familiar. You can also explore different ways of navigating your Memory Palaces with these 5 examples.
At the end of the day, the effectiveness of the Memory Palace technique is based on the scientific fact that your brain and spatial memory perceive space as a kind of image.
Check out this lecture for more information about how that works:
https://youtu.be/FkhU7i8hRK4
Want to try aphantasia-friendly memory techniques?
Here’s what I suggest you do next.
Explore my guide on using a Memory Palace without visualization. The very first exercise makes visualization completely unnecessary and you’ll love how my counterintuitive approach immediately helps you start enjoying better memory.
But more than that, memory is the ability to communicate these kinds of information to others and recognize them when they are being communicated to you.
When it comes to how you get information to play with in the first place, there are many ways. Some are faster than others.
Using an effective, dedicated memory strategy system like Magnetic Memory Method, you can easily retrieve those memories faster and with predictable and reliable permanence.
Add to it a balanced diet, meditation, and sleep and you will be able to enhance your memory, concentration and focus in a way that improves your entire life.
Doesn’t that make a pretty picture?
Reflective Thinking: 5 Powerful Strategies For Improving Your Life
Aug 12, 2024
Reflective thinking provides one of the fastest paths to living a better life.
I saw the power of it year after year while serving as a professor at three universities around the world.
No kidding: The students who were reflective thinkers constantly came up with resources that helped them navigate life’s challenges – not just the assignments they faced in school.
People who aren’t reflective thinkers? They remain blind to the resources right in front of their eyes.
Even better, the substantial improvements you can expect when you practice reflective thinking often include:
So if you’d like a reflective thinking model you can add to your life, stick around.
I’ve been practicing reflective thinking since I was a teenager and this post is for you.
What is Reflective Thinking?
I first came across this form of mental exercise when I read Albert Camus’ The Stranger in high school. It was the first time I realized it was possible to lead an interesting life, one much more exciting than the dreadful future I felt I was facing at the time.
Camus was an existentialist, which essentially boils down to using “radical honesty” and accepting the limits imposed upon our lives. To achieve radical honesty, you start by reflecting on the human condition for what it is, not what you want it to be.
As challenging as this form of reflection can be, shortly after I discovered this way of looking at the world, I realized that reflective thinking is a tradition. It goes back much further than the Ancient Greeks, for example. But Socrates remains a famous figure when it comes to this type of thinking. He said three highly memorable things that demonstrate reflective thinking in action:
“Look at how many things there are which I don’t want.”
In each of these examples, Socrates is turning the lens upon his experience of consciousness. He is looking at both the bigger picture of life and demonstrating something even more critical:
He is showing that self-examination by being a reflective thinker gives life more value
He recognizes the limits of his knowledge (like an existentialist)
He divides his quality of mind from external, material objects in the world
By examining these statements and what they mean, we can develop a working definition of reflective thinking.
It is a form of self analysis that creates a more valuable experience of consciousness by revealing what is truly important in life. Its main requirement is radical honesty so that you avoid self deception.
Major Philosophers And Psychologists Who Used Critical Thinking And Reflection
The psychologist Albert Ellis remarked that he never would have discovered the processes that ultimately led to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) if “I had not been strongly influenced by philosophers rather than psychotherapists.”
Ellis’ reflection is an important observation (and example of self-reflection) because philosophers were doing the work of psychologists long before Sigmund Freud arrived on the scene.
Albert Ellis was influenced more by philosophers than his fellow psychologists when working on a form of reflective thinking to help people lead better lives.
In fact, in the Minutes of the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society (the session of 28 October 1908), Freud remarked that he found reading Nietzsche challenging to his sense of self-importance. He observed that Nietzsche had already covered the core ideas of psychoanalysis and could barely get through half a page without encountering insights Freud thought he’d discovered on his own.
There are many examples in Nietzsche to consider, but one of the strongest takes place at the end of Beyond Good and Evil. In the closing passage, he demonstrates reflective thinking by directing radically honest questions at this own career:
Did I seek where the wind bites keenest, learn to live where no one lives, in the desert where only the polar bear lives, unlearn to pray and curse, unlearn man and god, become a ghost flitting across the glaciers?
This passage is highly poetic, but read in context, Nietzsche is essentially asking: Did I try hard enough?
Both Sigmund Freud and Friedrich Nietzsche were hugely influential on the development of reflective thinking.
When applied to both our personal lives and our careers, this is one of the hardest questions we can ask ourselves. Yet, the benefits of taking on the rigors of this form of thinking are clear:
Only by asking such hard questions can we identify our weaknesses and find the path to personal growth.
Other philosophers and psychologists with a particular focus on thinking reflectively include:
Albert Ellis gives one of the finest reflective thinking models around: A.B.C.
A = Adversity
B = Beliefs
C = Consequences
Of course, not everything comes down to problems like adversity. You can think reflectively about positive things too, such as when you enjoy a painting or film.
But usually we find ourselves reflecting when we need to solve problems and gain mental strength. So let’s focus on how we can reduce adversity in our lives by analysing our beliefs and the consequences we create.
One: Identify Specific Thinking Goals For Your Reflective Thinking Sessions
As I just mentioned, reflective thinking doesn’t necessarily entail problem solving. When you want to improve your ability to reflect, start with the end.
When you know what you want out of thinking reflectively, you’ll get more out of the process.
This was essentially John Dewey’s message in his book, How We Think (1910). In it, Dewey points out that, “Each phase [of reflective thinking] is a step from something to something,” and describes the process as a chain of consequences.
Once you have a specific goal in mind, you can “stress-test” it using mind mapping. This activity can help make your thought process more visual and actionable.
Of course, a subset of setting goals for your thinking sessions is to also set aside the time for them. After all, a goal without a schedule is not really a goal at all.
Two: Practice Self Inquiry
We know that Socrates favored the examined life.
But how exactly do you exam life?
The answer is delightfully simple:
Ask yourself questions.
What kind of questions?
Well, it turns out that there is a process known as “self inquiry.” It is thousands of years old and part of philosophical traditions like Advaita Vedanta and Zen.
My two favorite questions are:
How do my thoughts behave?
Are they useful?
Why do these two questions work?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
Such self inquiry questions essentially cause you to pay attention to your experience of consciousness itself.
In other words, you start to reflect on the experience of having a mind.
Other reflective thinking examples you can experience come from related questions in Gary Weber’s Evolving Beyond Thought:
How real are my thoughts?
Do my thoughts have value?
Where does the sense of “real” and “unreal” come from?
Some of these self inquiry questions are very challenging. I have found taking on the challenge incredibly valuable as I become a better thinker.
The best part?
These questions are portable. No matter what situation you’re in, you can ask them and find your way back to a neutral state, often within seconds.
As a person given to mental turbulence, I’ve come to call this neutral state, cruising altitude.
This process is not merely a spiritual or psychological pursuit. As Mekada Julia Graham shows in her book, Reflective Thinking in Social Work, “we are always composing and revising our autobiographies as we go along.”
Without inquiry, we miss the changes as they are taking place, and because many people do not use self-inquiry practices, they wind up wondering how on earth they wound up in their present position in life. Self-inquiry helps you see the broader picture both as it unfolds and as you are experiencing change in the present moment.
These self-inquiry techniques also help you resolve issues like free will and the current revelations in science that there is no such substantial thing as having a “self.”
Although that idea sounds crazy, rest assured, As neuroscientists like Sam Harris have often pointed out, no research has yet discovered where the “self” exists in the brain. Self-inquiry can help confirm that any self you do have is constantly changing, just one more reason why reflective thinking is so powerful.
Three: Focus On The Right Problems
Albert Ellis pointed out that people often focus on their “primary disturbances.”
He suggested focusing on the “secondary disturbances” instead.
For example, many people with PTSD will focus on a scene of trauma. But since they cannot change the past, the real problem is the “secondary disturbance” caused by experiencing the memory.
To solve the problem, they need to focus on “the disturbance of being disturbed.”
This way of thinking about it can feel counterintuitive, but once you start practicing thinking in this way, you’ll find great mental relief a lot faster.
Four: Be A Realist
Psychologist William James pointed out in Radical Empiricism that we often experience humiliation in the pursuit of goals, but not from failure. Instead, we experience disappointment of how the journey for success played out.
This point brings us back to existentialism and radical honesty. A lot of people can use their minds to visualize success clearly. But because they are not realistic about either their goals or the journey they’ll have to take to get there, they suffer.
A realist, on the other hand, reflects deeply about what success really is and what it really takes to get it.
And because hard work is always involved in achieving anything worth having, a realist can let go of the outcome and enjoy the journey.
Thinking well leads to many wins in life.
Working this way creates a win-win because when you reflect back on the time you spend in moving toward your goals, your memories of the pursuit will not be disappointing at all.
So how do you become a realist?
Practice observational learning. You can do this by learning to understand the difference between descriptive thoughts and judgmental thoughts.
One of their powerful suggested exercises involves finding a memory about a dramatic event. Write about the event two times. The first time, talk about how you felt and the second time, describe the event in neutral terms. Focus literally just on the facts.
They give this short example:
Judgmental: The child responded well to questioning.
Descriptive: The child responded correctly to five out of six questions.
As you can see, the descriptive version gives a much more accurate picture of what actually happened in the situation.
Five: Focus Your Reflections On Others
So far, we’ve talked a lot about focusing on yourself as an individual. There’s nothing wrong with that.
However, we’ve also noted William James’ warning that dissatisfaction comes more from the journey toward goals than failing to reach them.
Another key strategy for getting more out of the journey is to make sure that you are focused on others in your thinking.
By doing so, you can potentially experience Abraham Maslow’s concept of self-transcendence. As you may know, Maslow talked about the suffering we experience when we are not able to actualize ourselves. As Maslow says about the experience of someone capable of self-actualization:
“He is more able to fuse with the world, with what was formerly not-self, for example, the lovers come closer to forming a unit rather than two people, the I-Thou monism becomes more possible, the creator becomes one with his work being created, the mother feels one with her child.”
It is possible to establish and maintain a state of flow, like waves in the ocean.
Essentially, Maslow is talking about the state of flow, or the feeling of oneness, rather than separation.
But to really feel fulfilled, we need to transcend the notion that there is a “self” at all. Self inquiry is essentially designed to help you experience that, and it can be tough.
But rest assured, As neuroscientists like Sam Harris have often pointed out, no research has yet discovered where the “self” exists in the brain.
So how do we get into a state of flow that helps us transcend?
A Powerful Reflection Exercise For Creating Flow
Seating on the floor or a chair, close your eyes.
Starting with the first letter of the alphabet, bring a person you know to mind. For A, you might think of Amy.
(If you can’t arrive at someone for any individual letter, just skip ahead. Do the best you can.)
Reflecting on what you can do for others is very freeing.
Think about something you could do for that person. It doesn’t have to be monumental. The point of the exercise is to start reflecting on your ability to give.
By the time you’ve gone through the entire alphabet, you should be able to create a quick plan and then execute on it. Soon, you’ll start to feel amazing as you transcend your notion of the self.
Other Reflective Thinking Examples To Boost Your Progress
As you experience deeper reflective thoughts through the steps outlined above, here are some more activities you can explore.
Take everything one step at a time. Learning better thinking processes is a marathon, not a race.
Study Word Meanings
One problem we see in the world today is a lack of linguistic skills. People understand their own language with less dexterity than ever before. As a result, they fail to benefit from critical thinking that would otherwise benefit their lives.
But when you know what words mean and a little about their history, your thinking power goes way up.
Learning word origins can reduce your suffering by contextualizing it.
We’ve talked a lot about suffering on this page. And it’s a perfect example of how to reflect differently by looking at words.
“Suffer” has the Latin word “ferre” in it, for example. This is the English word for “ferry.”
This suggests to us that our ancestors thought that pain had two aspects to it. The pain itself, and having to carry, or “ferry” that pain from one place to another.
(If you haven’t already, please think back to Ellis and the primary and secondary causes of suffering he identified.)
To give you another example, notice that the word “accept” has the Latin “capere” in it. This means “to take.”
Using our reflective thinking abilities, we can notice that suffering might be part of the world. But our ancestors did not include tolerance or resignation in the word “accept.”
When you see that the word “ferry” is literally in the word “suffer,” you can think differently about it – without necessarily accepting that you have to suffer.
In other words, although we might have to “accept” suffering, we don’t have to be resigned to “ferrying” it everywhere we go. We can seek relief even as we take on the pain. We can respond actively instead.
Accomplishments in your personal and professional life
Your faith or personal philosophy
Cyclical patterns that show up in life
Positive and negative habits you have
Your personal identity and individualism
Your education and knowledge
Technology
Social topics
Your personal wealth
Reason vs passion
Your memory
Basically, if you can find the theme, you can make it the topic of your reflection-based meditations.
You can use the Memory Palace technique to practice thinking.
Memory Palace Activities For Learning
People don’t normally think of the Memory Palace technique as a tool for critical thinking and reflection, but it most certainly is.
For example, we know that Roman orators used this technique to deliver their speeches. And it seems clear that their audiences used the same technique to remember what was said.
This enabled people to think deeply about what was said.
This technique is also a means of understanding information that can be tough to process. Unfortunately, many memory experts say that you should understand information before memorizing it, but I have not found that to be the case at all.
Learn more about how to use this technique now.
Read Biographies Of Reflective Thinkers
Modeling other successful people not only shows you how success happens. It helps you identify steps to avoid.
And this returns us to where we started: Know the goals you have for your thinking activities.
If you want to cope with a problem, such as losing your sight, the reflections you’ll find in The Mind’s Eye by Oliver Sacks is going to be much more useful than a general guide to thinking.
Not only does Sacks share his own thought processes for coping with vision problems. He gives you references to the books he read so he could model success as he learned to cope himself.
To take another example, if you choose to transcend yourself and learn to reflect more deeply on others, you could zoom out from biographers and study great biographers. James Boswell is often considered the first, and Walter Isaacson is a great contemporary example of something digging deep into great thinkers like Leonardo Da Vinci, Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs.
There are many biographies and biographers to choose from, so think about who has the success you want and read about that person. Pay special attention to descriptions of how they thought and how they validated their thoughts through dedicated practice.
The Reflective Thinker Is An Artist, Scientist And Warrior Of The Mind
As you’ve discovered, there’s a lot that goes into practicing self reflection. The practice is thousands of years old and there are different ways to do it.
However, the commonalities amongst all the approaches are easy to spot:
You need to be honest and focus on reality in your thinking
You need to be philosophical and even artistic through techniques like mind mapping
You need to analyze the process like a scientist
You need to go beyond yourself and consider others
Ultimately, this practice involves thinking about thinking itself. And that reminds me of Tony Buzan’s concept of the “Warrior of the Mind.”
In books like Mind Map Mastery, Buzan urged us all to practice what he called “radiant thinking.”
Since we always want to analyze what words mean, focus on this notion of “radiation.”
Each thought we think exudes energy. And in no small way, thoughts are energy. They exist because of the positive and negative electrons flowing their own brains.
When you begin analyzing the experience of thinking from this perspective, you have become like a “warrior,” capable of standing up to any challenge. And all the more so when we continue reading critical thinking books that illuminate the nature of how our thoughts “radiate” and influence the world.
After all, when you reflect on it… where else are challenges experienced, except in your mind?
Once you realize this simple fact, you really can improve everything. Everything you experience is experience in you and you alone.
Hence the ancient Greek phrase: Know thyself.
Truly, you are the only one who can.
Memory Recall and Retrieval: The Definitive Guide
Aug 12, 2024
Memory recall, sometimes incorrectly called retrieval, is the experience of remembering information.
Here’s the catch I’ve noticed after more than a decade serving the public as a memory expert with one of the most watched TEDx Talks on memory issues:
Proper recall can only happen after at least these other levels of memory have succeeded first:
Noticing and recognizing the importance of information (like someone’s name)
Encoding (making an effort to remember)
Decoding (making an effort to recall)
Only after these stages have succeeded do you have memory recall.
And now you know one of the major reasons we forget: Something has interrupted the retrieval and recall process.
In brief, “retrieval” refers to the general process of how your brain interacts with your mind to access information you’ve stored in memory.
Recall, on the other hand, refers to a specific type of retrieval. It often involves:
A conscious request to remember something, such as in a conversation or when completing a test.
The use of cues, such as when something in the environment “triggers” a memory.
Effort, like when you deliberately try to remember an important detail.
Understanding the difference between retrieval as a whole and recall is useful in memory science because it helps with making accurate cognitive assessments.
I find the distinction helpful in my teaching as well because it helps me figure out what kinds of memory problems various people are actually facing. Often people looking for help simply say that they’re having issues in a general way. Thanks to these distinctions, it’s easier and faster to give memory training recommendations that are likely to work.
The distinction has also been useful in court. As this research paper demonstrates, how and when people involved in accidents or criminal cases recall case details can create distortions. Elizabeth Loftus is one of the most important researchers in this area and papers like this provide a great way to learn more about recall and retrieval in real world situations.
The 3 Forms of Memory Retrieval
The challenge of learning about recall is that it’s not just one thing. Memory retrieval happens in several different ways that are related to other stages of memory, but are ultimately different.
These forms are:
Free recall
Cued recall
Serial recall
Free recall allows you to retrieve information in any order. For example, if you watch a movie, you can tell your friend about the middle first, then the end before talking about the beginning. You’ve remembered enough to narrow in on different elements without getting confused or forgetting.
Cued recall, on the other hand, involves triggers. Here’s an easy way to think of this kind of retrieval:
Certain forms or recall can be compared to a chain or set of linking structures.
When I did my memory drills this morning, for example, three of the words were blizzard, tea and piano. Tea and piano were easy to recall because I saw Ozzy Osbourne in a blizzard pouring warm tea on his piano. One image “cued” the recall of the others.
Note: Cued recall itself helped me associate Ozzy with the word “blizzard” because he recorded a 1981 album called Blizzard of Oz. When you create all your associations based on links that already exist in your memory, you can remember things a lot faster.
This kind of recall happens in everyday life too, even if you’re not a memory athlete.
For example, if you’re trying to remember the name of an actor, thinking about movies he’s been in can help trigger the name.
Serial recall involves recalling information in temporal order. It relates to episodic memory in some circumstances. Think of it as when you’re relating a series of events and talking in a “and then this happened” kind of pattern.
Does your mind really use just one of these kinds of recall at a time? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
Recall is definitely not like replaying a movie. It’s more like assembling actors on a stage.
For example, you might have started giving details from the beginning of a story using free recall but realize your friend isn’t following the plot.
Your serial recall kicks in and that’s when you say, “let me start at the beginning.”
As you relate the plot of the movie, cued recall will likely help you add in nuance and detail that you would have forgotten otherwise.
What Is Recall Memory?
One thing that defines memory above all is that it is always dealing with the past. Think about it:
Let’s say that you imagine a future scenario, like taking a trip.
Later, when you want to plan the trip, you are recalling that vision of the future up from the past.
So whether you’re speaking a language to become fluent or sitting for an exam, improving memory recall involves improving how you access the past.
Recall vs Recognition
Of course, you will have differences depending on the circumstances. For example, you might struggle in an exam because you cannot recognize several key terms.
Or, you could have an advantage because your recognition of some terms help trigger cued recall.
Complex stuff, isn’t it? Well, the devil is always in the details, which is why it pays to learn how to study effectively. You don’t have to memorize everything in order for recognition to help you recall the information you need.
The 4 Types of Memory Recall
The plot thickens!
The four kinds of memory recall are useful to know about because the brain encodes information in very specific ways.
Did you know that your emotional state dictates how you encode memories? This is just one reason why certain types of memory training can help relieve conditions like PTSD.
Let’s dig a little deeper into:
Recall
Recognition
Recollection
Relearning
It’s possible to suddenly recall things without a trigger. For example, a memory of hanging out with your friends can arise for no reason.
Recall happens when you remember something without a cue or trigger.
For example, sometimes you just think about a friend out of the blue. The friend isn’t there, and yet somehow the brain has pulled out memories about her.
The Role of Questions In Remembering
Answering questions relates here as well. If you’re at an interview, you can only prepare so much. You’ll get questions you aren’t expecting, and yet you’ll find that you can remember certain facts without needing a trigger.
Recognition is when you know you’ve seen something before. You might not even remember that you’ve seen it before, but you still recognize it. Take the word “tiger,” for example. You probably don’t remember the first time you learned it, but you recognize it for what it is (a word) and the animal it refers to.
The opposite of recognition is sometimes called Jamais vu and can be deeply disturbing. Normally, however, recognition is positive and useful.
Recollection usually involves piecing things together using logic or objective reasoning. When you’re trying to recall information, you can deliberately follow a trail of information by leaping from one association to another.
Relearning is required when we forget things we’ve spent time learning. For example, you might have gone through great efforts to memorize vocabulary, but still can’t remember it.
To establish this form of recall and make learning much more fun, repetition might not be the answer. You might need to try a different approach, such as the Memory Palace technique.
How These Memory Processes Work Together
If your brain is reasonably healthy, I have very good news for you:
Most of what you need for long term memory recall happens in the background.
Like any skill, consistent practice is needed to develop the foundations and improve over time.
As you practice, have a goal.
Generic memory improvement is possible, but you can really accelerate the process by picking specific information to memorize. Here are some suggestions with training tips:
Study your memory and practice the best techniques.
The more you learn about the science of memory, the more it will inform your practice.
And simply accept this simple fact:
Apart from certain situations with disease or brain trauma, retrieval failure is almost always a choice.
But now you are informed and know how to retrieve memory on demand. And if you need more help, just sign up for this free course now:
Which of the practices I suggested on this page are you going to try first?
How To Strengthen Memory In 7 Unusual But Effective Steps
Aug 12, 2024
The classic way to strengthen memory involves cleaning up your act in ways you’ve heard a thousand times before.
Most articles talk about nutrition and memory, sleep and fitness.
Maybe they’ve even got ads for some dodgy memory supplements alongside a few tips they never completely explain.
That’s not what you’re going to find here.
As the author of multiple bestselling books on using memory techniques, I can tell you that diet, sleep and fitness are important.
But that’s not the message that helped me memorize the TEDx Talk that reached millions of people.
No, the truth is that strengthening memory requires actually using it, the same way building muscles involves lifting heavy things.
As in weight training, however, there are optimal ways to put in your reps.
So on this page, I’m going to show you the best ways to give your memory a workout that will actually improve its strength in measurable ways.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
Strengthen Your Memory By Following These 7 Unusual Steps
I’m calling the training on this page “unusual” for a few reasons.
First, I’m going to connect you with a lot of free training from across this blog. You’ll literally need nothing else, unless you want to gather up some of the best Memory Palace books and memory improvement courses I might mention.
Getting into those kinds of advanced memory techniques is well worth the investment.
But in reality, you need to commit first.
And as we all know, commitment is quite rare in our world. In fact, even decision making itself has been shown in this study to already require good memory.
With that in mind, take this list of suggestions as a whole. There’s no particular order of importance. Each and every step matters, especially if you struggle with making commitments and sticking with them.
One: Start Using Mnemonics
No matter how strong your memory is right now, it can be stronger.
And one of the best things you can do is understand that memory science completely validates the effectiveness of using both ancient memory techniques and modern variations.
The exact techniques to start with require a bit of personal exploration. After decades of teaching memory, I suggest you start learning and using them in this order:
Although that might seem like a lot of ground to cover, many of my students in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass pick all of these skills up in a weekend or two.
That way, you can get the best of both worlds: our amazing digital technologies and some memory fitness simply by writing for a few minutes each day. And manually using your mind to recall information instead of always looking things up.
Common sense, right? Using your memory is a clear and obvious way to strengthen it, so please start today.
Three: Read Daily
Confession time:
I love video. I even recently received a Silver Play Button from YouTube for earning over 100,000 subscribers.
But I try to limit how much video I consume in favor of reading.
That’s partly because I honestly just love reading. But I’m ageing and completely aware of longitudinal studies like this which demonstrate that reading prevents cognitive decline.
A subset of reading daily is to take on reading challenges.
To do that, I switch between reading purely for pleasure and going through dense material that takes me time to understand.
I know that a lot of people try to avoid challenges, but such evasion is a surefire way to weaken your memory. It also can ruin your mental dexterity, which is why I created this training for you called How to Think On Your Feet.
In some ways, reading requires a bit of spontaneity in your thinking.
For example, when I come across difficult materials, I don’t toss the book aside in frustration.
Rather, I start to read the challenging passages aloud. As it turns out, this study shows that reading aloud can help you remember more of your reading.
But more than that, reading aloud lets you experience the text in a completely different way. You consider the meaning of the words from a different perspective and can usually unpack more nuance as a result.
Exactly how much should you read in a day? In this post, I answer the question, and ultimately suggest that it’s a goal-oriented amount of time. I personally try to get in at least 2-3 hours, but if I have a research project on-the-go, I’ll often do up to 5 hours or more.
The trick is to find ones that are not only fun and challenging. But also brain games that actually deliver a sufficient amount of workout that leads to stronger memory.
Frankly, it’s difficult to find them, but even just simple games like Solitaire can help improve your retention. Some scientists even use simple games like this to help test for memory issues.
If you want to see some of my favorite memory games, check out this video for a visual example:
When people hear the suggestion that they should learn a new language, they imagine a massive project. Although it is a lot of work, there’s no need to feel overwhelmed.
Many of my best friends are polyglots and they all have one secret memory technique in common: chunking.
That’s the scientific world for breaking things down to their smallest possible component. Rather than trying to learn an entire word, just break it down into individual syllables.
Your rational mind might protest that this will make everything take longer. But in reality, it will strengthen your memory because you’re actually following through.
The most important point here is that you don’t have to take on more than you can handle. In fact, proper deliberate practice requires the opposite. So break things down.
There’s scientific research showing that thinking of time as a kind of space and thinking “backwards” improves your memory.
Not only that, Dr. Aleks Aksentijevic’s work shows that both walking backwards and merely imagining yourself walking backwards can improve your short-term memory. Here’s a video of him discussing the research:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZkPPBlysao
I personally do this a few times a week along with other movement practices. It is powerful.
In fact, you can follow the exact same training I follow by watching this video, which has a nice story to it as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcC8WtK1u64
The Golden Rule Of Memory Strengthening Activities
Now that you’ve seen one of the most unusual memory improvement strategies, just make sure that you only walk backwards in a place that’s safe to do so.
And take action. Often.
That’s because the golden rule of strengthening your memory is that you need to explore and experiment.
There are countless memory techniques to use and activities to try. But that’s the point: they have to be tried.
If you’d like more help along the way, get my free memory improvement course here:
It will take you deeper into the Memory Palace technique and related mnemonics. To do that, you’ll get free video lessons and worksheets.
From there, all you have to do is follow the golden rule.
Your memory is such a precious asset so I wish you great success on your journey.
And if you do wind up buying memory courses, make sure to consider my Consumer Awareness Guide. It will help make sure that any investment you make is the best.
But as I hope to have made clear today, you already have more than enough resources to strengthen your memory starting today.
Make it happen!
Digital Amnesia: 5 Ways To Stop The Internet From Ruining Your Memory
Aug 11, 2024
Annoying, isn’t it?
You say to yourself, “I’ll just search for it.”
Then you fire up your favorite search engine. Get the goods. Move on.
Only problem is …
Next time you need the info …
Thanks to Digital Amnesia …
It’s Gone!
Honestly, this condition called “Digital Amnesia” or what some researchers call “Digital Dementia” … stinks.
Not only do you have a fine brain humming along in your skull … There are also a gazillion good reasons why you should be using it properly.
Yes, properly. Even if you really can just look stuff up online.
Because here’s the VERY good news:
This year is the best year ever to use your memory at the highest possible level.
And this is the year you’re going to make it happen, even if battles with net neutrality are starting to make the Internet we’ve come to love look like an endangered species.
Here’s how:
You Can’t Annihilate A Problem You Haven’t Defined
It’s fun to throw around cool terms like “The Google Effect” and “Digital Dependence.”
But until you’ve spent some time defining the monster, you’ll have a hard time setting it on fire. Or at least using your Magnetic torches to herd it out of the village.
You can watch Dr. Spitzer discuss his years of research into what he prefers to call Digital Dementia in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZG1bPD-otE
To condense the Kaspersky report for you, Digital Amnesia occurs whenever your mind draws a blank on information you’ve stored on a device you trust.
And as the report suggests, this outcome isn’t always a bad thing. For example, do you really need to remember the thousands of website addresses you’ve bookmarked (and never visited again)?
Heavens No!
But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Also included is information like the phone numbers of family members and friends.
And the reality is that by not remembering them anymore, we’re endangering lives as we weaken our brains.
Seriously.
Without knowing the numbers of your loved ones, what would you do in an emergency if your phone wasn’t working? Ask a good Samaritan if he remembers your spouse’s number?
No way, Jose. That’s your job. And you’ve got all the tools you need to get all kinds of simple number strings done when you use the Major Method.
How To Suck The Life Out Of Half Your Brain
Ever heard of “deskilling”? It basically means that you become less capable over time because you’re no longer using certain skills.
And that can only lead to bad outcomes:
* A destroyed brain * Crappy employment * No employment * … and much, much worse, including linguistic deskilling.
When you develop dependence on technology, the areas of your brain responsible for memory start to decay. Just like the muscles in your body would do if you stopped walking.
The Truth About Deskilling Your Brain
No, deskilling the muscles of your memory won’t necessarily happen to you overnight.
But one day you’ll wake up and …
Bam! You Can Barely Remember A Thing!
And it gets worse.
Because memory has a sibling.
Concentration.
And as long as you have the Internet at your fingertips, you don’t even bother using your concentration to try and access things you might actually have in your memory.
How To Put A Barrier Between Need And Action
Instead of instantly searching for information you already know, pause for a second.
Give your memory a bit of space. Ask and you might just receive.
But when you push it away and go straight to the search engines, you’re deskilling your memory every time.
And that means you’re also damaging your concentration.
Yes, I’m talking about destroying digital amnesia by going on an information diet.
But wait! you protest. I don’t want to miss out on –
Miss out on what? More fake news of the impending apocalypse?
Come close, my friend. I’ll show you exactly how to take a powerful, memory-boosting digital detox so you can seriously improve your entire life in the process.
Stop Letting The Internet Push You Around
Here’s a little secret for you:
I have never once “allowed push notifications.”
So far, I don’t think I’ve missed out on anything of any interest. I could be horribly wrong about that, but I recommend you never accept notifications of any kind in your life that you don’t control.
By being in control of when you’re disrupted, you automatically improve your ability to concentrate.
Fight Digital Amnesia Like A Magnetic Jedi
For a real Jedi Mind Trick memory exercise, try setting a notification with a positive message for 12:03 p.m. every day.
Then work on remembering and reminding yourself that the notification comes at that time. It’s tough, but doable. Your mind really can track time and remind itself to remember.
(For more cool Mind Tricks like these, check out my post on brain exercises.)
Put Your Devices In The Dog House
Virginia Woolf famously wrote that writers need their own rooms to create in without disruption.
Well, all humans need their own place to sleep without their machines. Problem is, so many people use their devices as alarm clocks. This sad fact means that they’re checking their notifications and messages before even stepping out of bed.
That’s no way to build a better brain.
Instead, put your laptops and smartphones out in a hallway closet, kitchen or completely other room.
If you need something to wake you up, use an old fashioned analog clock or one of those fancy lamps that slowly turns on over time. That gives you the effect of waking up with the sun and gives you a great dose of light that will contribute great things to your health.
And if you’re worried about not being able to find where you put your device, don’t be. It provides good practice in learning how to remember where you placed things.
Use Airplane Mode Without Fear
It’s no secret that I write almost every episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast on my iPhone.
But people ask me all the time, How on earth do you do it?
There’s actually a long answer coming out in a new training I’m putting out, but the fast and dirty response is: Airplane mode.
I concentrate like there’s no tomorrow when writing because Airplane Mode prevents anything and everything from contacting my iPhone. And since all Push Notifications have been disabled, it’s just me, my words and the music.
Same things go for when I’m using The Big Five Of Language Learning in combination with my Pimsleur Memory Technique:
https://youtu.be/ulEmB1lDjoA
There’s nothing to interrupt me as I exercise my memory. And that means that my concentration muscles grow at the same time.
Remember this simple equation:
Exercising Your Memory = Improving Your Concentration
However, don’t make the mistake in thinking that it works the other way around. Concentration is a tool that helps you remember more based on paying better attention. But it’s not a sure-fire guarantee.
That’s why it pays to learn how to use the best possible memorization technique. (You are subscribed to this blog and have taken my free video course, right? If not, just scroll up and tell me where to send it.)
Cut The Umbilical Cord At Least Once A Week
Don’t worry, it’ll grow back.
I’m serious:
The ultimate way to help your brain is simple:
Take entire blocks of time away from the digital onslaughts to which we subject ourselves.
When you start, start small.
Vow to not check your device and stay off all computers for an hour.
Just one hour.
Doable, right?
You bet it is.
Then see if you can’t extend it to an entire 24 hours.
And listen, you’re not getting this advice from a wanker who doesn’t walk his talk.
Hard as it sometimes, week after week, I perform at least one digital fast. And that’s because science shows clearly that there’s a link between smart phone addiction and depression. I don’t want that, and that’s why I’m quite dogmatic about digital fasting as often as I can.
What To Do During Your Digital Fast
Personally, I like to have options.
But if I were to boil things down to one portrait, here’s one of my fave “digital detox walkabouts.”
First, I pop a blank page notebook into my backpack along with a bunch of colored pens.
Then I pack in my Chinese character book and a deck of playing cards.
Next comes a bottle of water, usually my Soul Bottle.
No podcasts, no music, no communications technology.
And when you do this, it’ll be great because it’ll be …
Nothing But You And Your Memory!
If you’re still with me, let’s play do-as-I-do.
Picture yourself walking from your home to your favorite park or cafe.
Depending on the weather, you go outside some place where you can soak in the sun.
Heck, you might even do some of these exercises just standing on the side of the street:
https://youtu.be/d2E5RlvpmlI
Or, if you’re doing a coffee and memory experiment or it’s unpleasant outside, you head for your favorite cafe.
While walking, you think about all the buildings you’re passing. You enter the odd shop you’ve never been in and consume it into your memory for use as a Memory Palace.
You notice a street you’ve never walked down before and take it.
Then, when you’ve reached your destination, you get out your supplies.
Since you’re the author of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you’ll start with a …
MMBD (Mind Map Brain Dump)
Or you’ll use your blank notebook to do something else memory-related you’re not telling anyone about … yet. 😉
Next, you’ll pull out some cards, shuffle and memorize them. You’ll set the cards aside, let a few minutes pass and write out all the cards you remember on a piece of paper.
Optional method: Carry two decks. Once you’ve memorized the randomized cards in the first deck, you can reconstruct the order using the second deck. Then you can flip each of the cards over one by one, comparing them.
The reason I don’t use this method personally is because I feel that the writing process helps strengthen recall in many ways. I’ll be looking into the claims that “the hand builds the mind” in a more scientific way throughout 2017.
In the meantime, just test different options for yourself as you fend off digital amnesia.
Memorize Something Related To Your Computer-Free Memory Project
Finally, I crack open my Chinese Character book and draw a Memory Palace. Following the Magnetic Memory Method, I correspond everything with The Principle of Alphabetization and get busy.
All of this is done without computers of any kind, including the walk home.
Except this time instead of thinking about and gathering new Memory Palaces, you’re practicing Recall Rehearsal (this is a flexible memory method, not a memory system).
And the last thing you do before you switch the computers back on is test what you’ve memorized at the cafe. Either just the cards or Chinese or both (both is best).
And for bonus points, you never do turn the machines back on. You just hop into bed with a good book and your honey-bunny for some oxytocin-inducing love memories. (Yes, sex helps your memory too while you’re healing from digital amnesia!)
Recognize The Privilege Of Having Memory Abilities You Can Improve
Okay, I’ll admit it. This is a mindset thing.
But the reason I focus on mindset so much is the same reason it applies to dealing with digital amnesia. You’ve got to understand this one thing:
Heck, some people are born without ever having had the ability to use their memory at all.
But Not You!
If you’re reading this post or listening to the podcast version, you can completely skip the rise and impact of digital amnesia on brains around the world.
Why?
Because you have the opportunity to save your brain.
And you have clues and tools for exercising your memory and concentration.
The only thing you have to worry about next is what you’re going to do with all your super powers.
With Great Memory Power Comes Great Memory Responsibility
Yes, it’s time to dust off that old comic book line once again. (In case you don’t recognize the heading above, I’m trying to tap into your episodic memory of Spider-Man and a few other levels to remind you that you’re a superhero.)
But don’t worry. I’m not talking about responsibility for the entire world.
It’s the responsibility to keep using your mind and memory.
Your head isn’t just for hanging hair on. It yearns for brain exercise. Something you can get at any time just by using a few mnemonic devices.
Trust me. If you don’t use it, digital amnesia will take over. You will lose your memory and the overall health of your mind.
So step up to the plate and stop Google from ruining your memory.
You’re the only one who can.
How to Remember Names: Your Quick Start Guide
Aug 10, 2024
Wish you knew how to remember names?
Back before I learned to use mnemonics for memorizing them, I struggled. Within seconds, names would completely disappear from my short-term memory.
Now, with over 12 years of experience as a memory coach and author of over a dozen bestselling memory improvement books, I specialize in helping people enhance their memory skills through scientifically supported techniques – including rapidly remembering names.
Not only have my methods for remember names been featured in Forbes, multiple seminars and workshops, I’ve successfully trained professionals in various industries to improve their name recall abilities. Like Lee Escobar, whose major name memory demonstration we’ll discuss below.
It’s really important to learn how to remember all the names that come up in your daily interactions because…
Forgetting names sucks, especially at events where you’re meeting important new contacts.
Glancing down at business cards is fine and dandy, but it doesn’t exactly scream professionalism.
No.
You want to be looking that new person in the eyes and connecting, not constantly peeking at the sweaty lump of cardboard stuck to your palm.
Instead, you want to hold each person’s name with the certainty that can only come from mastering your memory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71DYmsKGf7Y
3 Key Reasons We All Forget Other Peoples’ Names
The first way you can help yourself stop forgetting names is simple:
Understand why it happens.
First, names are abstract. Unless you’re a philologist, most names will hold zero meaning for you. Though there are some ways that the meaning of names can be manufactured to help your memory, most names disappear from working memory within seconds.
Memory expert Harry Lorayne used to say change starts when you pay attention, but that’s only partly true.
As Lynne Kelly demonstrates in The Memory Code, memorizing even the most abstract names is a skill that has helped the human species survive for thousands of years. We’re here not merely because our ancestors paid attention and used memory techniques.
No, our ancestors kept the use of mnemonics for names in rotation with deliberate practice. Please make sure you use the steps below with some level of practice as well to ensure that you master this skill.
Now we can talk about attention. When we meet people, we might hear names, possibly even registering them in our auditory memory. But we’re either dazzled by their good looks or horrified by the food dangling off their faces. Worse, we’re thinking about what we’re going to say next in the conversation. In other words, our concentration is directed inward instead of outward.
Finally, we forget things like names because we’re bombarded by stimuli. The room is filled with noises, we may be drinking alcohol, suffering jet-lag. or moving around the meeting space. All of these elements distract us and make it very difficult to remember a wide variety of things.
We also distract ourselves.
For example, you hear the name.
But before you’ve taken a second to digest it, you ask where they’re from and what they do.
In combination with all the activity in the room, you’ve just pushed the name away instead of drawing it closer.
Anthony Metivier memorizing and recalling names at a memory demonstration in Brisbane
I never push names away. When I give live demonstrations at business meetings, I follow the steps we’re about to cover, so please read on.
How To Remember Names Quickly: The Super-Simple Mechanics
Let me teaching you the techniques in the form of a story, the same techniques my student Lee Escobar used to remember nearly 200 names. He discusses his triumph in this video testimonial for my Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWgx5W5p0VM
A few years ago, my friend Max Breckbill held one of his great entrepreneur dinners in Berlin. A bunch of people get together to network and just chill out in a relaxed restaurant. His dinners are amazing.
Max always begins the evening with a round of introductions. As each person said their name, I created a crazy image to help me with remembering names.
For example, there was a guy named Lars, so I saw Lars from Metallica playing drums on his head.
The principle here is simple:
Lars brings to mind a famous person named Lars that I already know. The mechanism here is a direct association.
Let me give you another example:
Someone at this event was named Lukas.
For this name, I saw Luke Skywalker using his Light Sabre to carve an S onto Lukas’s chest so I would remember it was Lukas with an S instead of Luke as in Skywalker.
In this case, I’m using a familiar name but using an exaggerated image to highlight an important variation.
A bit later, I imagined one other person named Jeremy in a fistfight with Eddie Vedder with the Pearl Jam song of the same name playing on the soundtrack.
Now, rather than using a Jeremy I know, I’m referring to a song.
This is a useful technique when you’re able to use it.
The same principle of making the association large and vibrant in your mind applies.
There were 20 other names I memorized at that event.
I created a wildly explosive image for each. This did not take long. It was literally just seconds.
I did not connect the names in any particular way with a story, either. That’s an unnecessary step many other memory teachers offer, and I’m not sure why.
The most important part is that your associations must be INSANE.
The good news is that it takes only a bit of practice to assign these images that really pop in your memory.
And I really do mean that these images “pop” because I always have endless images at the tip of my tongue using the pegword method. In brief, you’re able to give an image to each letter of the alphabet and always, instantly, have some kind of association to work with.
The only catch is that you need to do this with all of your images.
How To Practice This Method So You can Remember A Person’s Name
The steps I’m about to share assume that you’ve learned the methods of association I’ve just described.
Step One: Practice in a stress free environment
There are many places on the Internet where you can find lists of names.
Later, work with the more complex names and eventually add last names.
Step Two: Practice privately
Before you start proving yourself as a memory master, start at restaurants or any place where the staff wear name tags.
Then, memorize the names and test yourself.
I suggest using a notebook to write down the names and then confirm your accuracy the next time you see them.
As you practice, consider treating the process like a game. As this study demonstrates, when people use active recall principles in a game-like manner, they remember names better.
Step Three: Ramp It Up
When you feel that you’ve got the hang of it, apply the technique in real time.
It’s okay to start with one person at a time, but set yourself a goal.
For example, at the next meeting, aim for five people. Then ten. Build up until you can memorize an entire room.
You can also deliberately manufacture comfort using invisible techniques at the event such as Pendulum Breathing and Progressive Muscle Relaxation. No one will know you’re doing anything and you’ll be as relaxed as a sleeping YouTube kitten. Nothing will rattle your cage.
But when you’re able to remove stress and maintain a calm and cool state, you have a chance of substantially reducing forgetting from your life.
2. Don’t Drink Or Smoke
If you want to have a strong memory that works on command, cut out alcohol and stop smoking. I used to get away with it when doing memory demonstrations, but alcohol seriously messes with your working memory and nicotine withdrawal makes concentration difficult if not impossible. Better never to have smoked at all.
3. Let Go Of The Outcome
Wanting to succeed trips a lot of beginners up. But when you put all thoughts of success out of your mind, your memory is free to percolate the images you feed it.
Plus, you can play with the names in high spirits. Since you’ll want to go through the names a few times throughout the evening to massage them from working memory into long-term memory, you want the entire process to be fun.
But if you’re racing through the list motivated by the fear of making a mistake, you’ll only damage the results.
Speaking of mistakes …
4. Don’t Get Stressed When You Flub
I struggled with a few names at Max’s event. Hopefully sharing these near-misses with you will help you avoid similar problems.
First, I had my fat lips motoring away at some points. I was talking with other people instead of recalling the names in my mind.
In other words, I was not working against the forgetting curve. I predicted that I would lose 40-60% of my potential for total recall every ten minutes that passed without making a quick pass over the names.
It turns out my numbers were off, though. That’s thanks to these 4 easy ways to learn faster and remember more. I only struggled with 2 of the names later, but didn’t entirely forget them as I’d predicted I might. With a bit of a push, the images popped up and I was able to retrieve them. Annoying, but passable.
However, there was one name I got completely wrong, but that’s only because I misheard it.
The key thing is that I didn’t react to the mistake. That would have only encouraged a memory block. I simply explained that I had misheard the name and discussed the mnemonics I would use for the name once I had heard to properly.
Something similar happened to me at an important business meeting in Sydney. I called someone named Graham by the name William. As soon as I realized I made this mistake in a noisy restaurant, I explained that I would have my mnemonic image of William Shakespeare now eating a Graham cracker. I never forget his name again.
5. Avoid Abstract Mnemonic Associations
“Pascal” was one of the names I struggled with at the event.
Because things were going fast, I picked an ineffective image for him. The philosopher Pascal had famously turned from atheism to religion, so I saw an image of God halfway putting a noose over this person’s face.
Although I did get Pascal’s name back eventually, I had to keep my cool.
The reason for my bad memory in this instance?
First, I don’t know how Pascal the philosopher looked and I’ve never seen God. In retrospect, I could have used Michaelangelo’s God from the Sistine Chapel. But even an association like that doesn’t exactly help get back to “Pascal” at speed either. The best bet is to learn how a real Pascal looks.
Here’s the second problem:
I tried to see two actions instead of just one. I created so many vague elements that I could barely remember the hurdles I’d placed between myself and the target information.
But I didn’t let myself get stressed out about it. I simply noticed the outcome and knew I would use it as a talking point and teaching tool if called upon to give a memory demonstration. I have given demonstrations, I have made errors and I have won respect simply by keeping my cool and sharing what went wrong.
You can too, so I recommend you follow the Always Be Cool principle while taking time to analyze your mistakes. This will help you improve your skills with remembering names.
You Don’t Have To Remember Names In Order Every Time
Let’s say that you’re called upon to give a demonstration and you had trouble remembering names. Instead of giving up or getting frustrated, just move on, the same way you would in practice.
As you’re finishing the other names, you’ll often be pleasantly surprised at how the ones you forgot suddenly spring back. And if not, you wind up with an opportunity to explain what went wrong and demonstrate troubleshooting on the fly.
Whatever you do, don’t let yourself get frustrated. You don’t want to blow your momentum over what amounts to nothing in the long run. Always be cool and your memory will serve you well.
When you master remembering names, you will always be surrounded by friends. And when you also have some great verbatim passages memorized to entertain or teach them, all the better.
What Is Active Recall and Does It Help You Remember?
Aug 10, 2024
Have you heard the hype about active recall, but still feel skeptical?
Or maybe you’ve heard the latest “learning guru” say that this recall method is better than the Memory Palace technique.
If that statement has gotten your hackles up, I can’t blame you. As a memory expert with over a decade of publishing, teaching and experience writing about memory, it raises my hackles too.
After all, the Memory Palace, when used correctly, is active recall and self testing all rolled into one. At least, that’s what I needed to realize in order to have the techniques truly help me finish my complex PhD at York University.
Unfortunately, there’s a lot of confusion out there about this approach to learning, including people saying that using Anki is all you really need.
Well, if that was true, everyone with a smart phone would have a Nobel Prize by now.
So if you want information to “stick” in your memory permanently, you’re in the right spot.
On this page, you’re getting an in-depth understanding of active recall, drawing upon everything I’ve learned in my years of studying memory science in-depth and putting proper active recall principles into action.
Of course, I’ve also made mistakes with this important memory technique. So I’ll take extra care to help make sure you avoid them.
The biggest mistake of all? Not getting into proper active recall principles sooner. So let’s dive in.
Active recall is a personalized recall strategy that involves variety.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um9S6TDVP0Y
In other words, spaced repetition software might help you use active recall. But it can only help you and pales in comparison to what personalization with variety can do for you.
Technically, the “active recall” part happens only during the attempt to recall the information.
However, we know from memory athletes like Boris Konrad, that active recall is a lot easier when you use personal associations to “encode” information. He’s a neuroscientist too, so his views are very valuable.
If you have difficulties with coming up with associations, consider learning how to image stream the Magnetic Memory Method way.
Retrieval Practice
Another way of looking at the recall part is to use the term “retrieval practice.” When I recall the association I made in the Memory Palace for this word, I’m practicing one level of retrieval. Speaking and writing the word are other levels. Pulling up the meaning when hearing the word through listening is yet another level.
The reason retrieval practice at multiple levels helps your brain form memories faster is simple. The more levels of recall you engage, the faster your brain makes multiple connections.
And if you’re doing it, are you doing it in a deep or shallow way?
If you’re using Anki or some other flashcard app and not using elaborative encoding, then that is a passive and shallow way to engage with what you’re learning.
But if you at least make personalized associations for each and every piece of information, your recall rates will soar.
In order for active recall to work, your associations need to be personalized and varied. You are a living being, not a programmable computer, so if you use software, always personalize how you use it.
(Side note: There is a place for passive memory training, and it is shared by Dr. Gary Small. It’s very powerful for its intended purpose.)
Why Active Recall Works In Any Language
One of the key researchers to know about is Dr. Richard Atkinson. He has shown 88% retention rates for those who use elaborative encoding. That’s compared to 28% recall for those who don’t.
Luckily, all of this can be “automated” through habit formation.
Step One: Have Your “Palette” Prepared
The first habit to develop is having enough Memory Palaces and then thinking of them as you learn.
To get started with this, make sure you have enough of them. My free course will help you:
When I’m encoding, it takes just a second to think of the Memory Palace for a word like 态度 (tàidu).
Since its core meaning is “attitude,” I thought about a lecture hall where I’d seen Margaret Atwood give a lecture.
Attitude and Atwood share a core sound. And if you’ve ever seen her speak, you know that she’s definitely a woman with an interesting attitude about many topics.
Step Two: Have Your Encoding Materials Prepared
A word like 态度 (tàidu) can be broken down into pieces: tài and du.
If you use the Magnetic Memory Method, you’ll have associations ready to go based on the alphabet. I just thought about Attwood wearing a tie made of doodoo.
Here’s more on using a “Magnetic Alphabet” to rapidly encode information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caCUFPy7j0I
Step Three: Elaborate All Of Your Associations
Fast associations generally aren’t enough. You need to elaborate on them in a multi-sensory way.
We do this through a process called KAVE COGS. Each of the letters stand for one of the “Magnetic Modes.”
Let me take you through the process with 态度 (tàidu) as an example.
Kinesthetic: Physically feeling the weight of this tie on Atwood’s neck.
Auditory: Hearing the sound of her voice having a bad attitude about the situation.
Visual: Thinking about what the scene looks like.
Emotional: Experiencing her disgust at having a tie made of doodoo.
Conceptual: The fact that Atwood is an author is a concept itself, but I add on the idea that her next book is called “Attitude” and is about someone forced to wear a tie made out of doodoo.
Olfactory: The smell of the tie is all too easy to imagine.
Gustatory: So is the taste – yuck!
Spatial: This is where you spend a second thinking about the sizes of things involved in the association. In my imagination, this tie is rather tiny.
With practice, using KAVE COGS should take only seconds.
For a simple exercise, try to remember that a sound like tai (as in Thai food) and du mean attitude in Mandarin Chinese.
Encoding with highly personal experiences like eating particular kinds of foods makes active recall much easier.
Come up with your own multi sensory associations and then after five minutes, see if you can bring each association back to your mind.
Step Four: Purposefully Bring Back The Association
There’s no cookie cutter answer for how to do this.
When I’m learning history, I pepper the facts into my writing and conversations.
I recall in the shower.
I practice active recall while walking.
I apply the recall method in a journal I use for testing.
I keep using active reading to instil the source material of the information.
I continue listening to relevant audio and visual programs.
Etc.
The important point is that recall happens in multiple formats and locations. It really helps that some of the active recall takes place out on walks, for example.
Step Five: Use Recall Rehearsal
The absolute best way to use active recall is by following patterns that maximize the primacy and recency effects. These are the laws of memory that help us build mental connections faster and ensure that they last.
There are 5 key patterns for using active recall with a Memory Palace. Please make sure you use them all.
To use it, you mentally travel in your Memory Palace using different patterns. On each station of the Memory Palace, you use active recall to decode your associations and bring back the target information.
Here are the patterns:
Beginning to end
End to beginning
Middle to end
Middle to beginning
Skip the stations
If you keep your Memory Palaces small, or at least segment them, you’ll find this process easy and fun to do. And it’s incredibly effective too.
Step Six: Use Questions
When revisiting the Memory Palaces, exactly how to trigger recall can be a silent process. You can simply bring the location to mind and let the association you created replay.
But sometimes things don’t start up so smoothly.
And that’s where I suggest you learn to use a simple “decoding” question.
What was happening there?
If this question doesn’t help you start recalling the information, then you can start self testing using KAVE COGS.
What was the kinesthetic association I made?
What was the auditory association?
What was the visual association?
Etc.
Usually, you won’t have to ask many of these questions. And the questions are a great “cheat detector” that expose when you’ve tried to take shortcuts by not using all of the Magnetic Modes built into KAVE COGS.
When that happens, just add them in. This will probably fix the problem and improve your rate of recall quickly.
Step Seven: Develop More Advanced Approaches
As you develop with these skills, you’ll want to be able to encode while reading.
Usually, I extract the information from books I’m studying onto cards. I taught this process in How to Memorize a Textbook.
But if you want to practice a skill that releases you from this, you can turn each page into a mini-Memory Palace on its own.
Let’s say that you encounter a fact. For example, I’m currently reading Adam Zamoyski’s Napoleon: The Man Behind the Myth.
To remember that Napoleon was born in Corsica, I use 09 because it’s on page 9 that I encounter this fact.
My image for 09 is Brad Zupp driving a Saab. To elaborate this image to recall “Corsica” I imagine him throwing an apple core about the window. I place this image not in a traditional Memory Palace, but at the top of the page.
Later, when I want to remember that Napoleon was born in 1769 and died in Longwood in 1821, I can add these facts to the middle and the bottom of the page.
Using mnemonic devices to help with active recall is great for facts like historical dates, people and locations.
Then, when performing active recall, I have page 9 to easily refer back to as the “palette” where I “painted” the associations.
Although this technique is a bit more advanced, it does not mean you can skip Recall Rehearsal. You just wind up using it a different way as you mentally revisit the pages of the books and your associations in them.
Why Mastering Active Recall Is A Must
As we’ve seen, the Memory Palace technique is a great way to use Active Recall.
To call it an alternative to flash cards and spaced repetition software would be a mistake.
Or better said, it’s the other way around. Leitner boxes, Anki, Quizlet and other programs are the modern alternatives to this ancient technique.
But do they work as well?
They certainly can, provided you engage deeply with the elaborative encoding steps I’ve shared with you today. However, I’m confident you’ll find they work even better if you strengthen your spatial memory using the Memory Palace technique.
In sum, here’s the takeaway to remember:
Active recall studying throughout the day is totally possible. You just need to set up your memory systems.
But it’s technically not to be called “active recall” if you’re not making highly personal associations that help you recall.
And you need to be reading, writing, speaking and listening in ample doses to make sure you’re actively recalling through multiple channels of your mind.
So what do you say? Are you ready to approach active recall and spaced repetition in a new way?
What is Mind Mapping? The Ultimate Guide To This Powerful Tool
Aug 10, 2024
Do you ever wonder, “what is mind mapping” exactly?
Well, imagine you’re listening to a history lecture. Instead of taking notes, your fingers itch to make a mindmap of World War I events as you hear them.
But how do you draw mind maps?
And, can mind maps alone boost your memory, learning power, and creativity?
In this article, you’ll explore a complete guide to mind mapping, how to draw one, including multiple examples of mind maps. We’ll also examine whether mind mapping alone can improve your brainpower and creativity, and what else you can do.
Why am I someone worth listening to when it comes to this visual note-taking and learning activity? Well, I learned it directly from Tony Buzan, for one thing. And he and I mind mapped the vision statement behind the blog you’re reading right now, giving me a plan I’ve stuck with ever since.
Plus, I’m a PhD with over two decades of experience in teaching, instructional design and course creation. I’ve used mind mapping to help me craft and deliver courses at some of the world’s top educational institutions, such as York University, Rutgers University and the University of Saarland.
Even my TEDx Talk with its millions of views started with a mind map.
With all of these experiences to guide us, here’s what I’ll cover on this page:
Mind mapping is a simple, visual way to organize your ideas for better clarity and recall. Mind maps focus on only one central concept or idea and are based on radial hierarchies and tree structures.
What does all that mean? Let’s get into the details.
A Brief History and Definition of Mind Mapping Methods
The practice of drawing radial maps to map information goes back several centuries.
Some people credit the first mind maps to the 3rd-century philosopher Porphyry of Tyros. Ramon Llull, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Isaac Newton also used mind mapping techniques. Much later, in the 1960s, scientists Allan Collins and Ross Quillian developed the semantic network into mind maps.
However, it was psychology consultant Tony Buzan who first popularized the term “mind map.” As a master of the technique, Buzan drew colorful, tree-like structures called radial trees where a central topic branched out to several sub-topics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgG8GuQHHIs
The Tony Buzan Learning Center defines their Mind Map as “a powerful graphic technique which provides a universal key to unlock the potential of the brain. It harnesses the full range of cortical skills – word, image, number, logic, rhythm, color, and spatial awareness – in a single, uniquely powerful manner.”
These pictorial representations introduced by Buzan are now being used by students, teachers, engineers, psychologists, and others in many ways. His Mind Map Mastery is probably the best book he produced on the topic.
Then there’s the work of Phil Chambers on mind mapping, which we discuss on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
So, what does a mind map look like?
Mind Map Examples
To get the most benefit out of mind mapping or any kind of mind-mapping exercise, make sure your mind maps are colorful and engaging. Don’t worry: the results can look analytical and artistic at the same time.
To help you see what I mean, here are some great examples of how fun and engaging mind maps can be. Some of them look messy — but look deeper and you’ll see they are examples of detailed trains of thought.
Source: Tony Buzan Learning CenterSource: MindMapArtSource: MindMapArtSource: BiggerPlate
These fascinating examples are colorful, though in some cases, also quite visually overwhelming.
That’s why I’ve pared down my own style, and am glad I got Tony Buzan’s seal of approval after doing so:
Anthony Metivier with a Buzan-style Mind Map
But you might be asking: aren’t these the same as spider maps, concept maps, and other such visualizations?
No. There are some key differences. For example, this mind map Tony helped me create for business outcomes has a central image and flows based almost purely on images.
Part of the effectiveness comes from what is called mental imagery and how it is personal to me and my goals. And there are further reasons why this particular approach works so well, which we’ll cover in the next section.
Why are Mind Maps Effective?
Nobel prize winner Dr. Roger Sperry’s research helped establish that visual forms of note making are more effective than written methods.
Next, let’s look at why mind mapping can be beneficial.
Benefits of Using a Mind Map
Years of research have gone into testing the effectiveness of mind mapping.
In a 2005 study by G. Cunningham, 80% of the students agreed that mind mapping helped them understand science concepts better.
Paul Farrand proved the efficacy of mind mapping as a study technique and encouraged its use in medical curricula.
Mind maps are known to help you to improve your productivity at work, academic success, and even to manage your life.
Here’s how you could apply it in your day-to-day life:
Note Taking: You can map out notes from a podcast, a project discussion, or a seminar.
Brainstorming: Helps in real-time collaboration with your team members to make informed business decisions.
Studying: You can summarize books.
Presenting information to an audience: Use it to get your team’s buy-in for anything through clear narratives.
Problem-solving: Sometimes, it helps if you map out your current situation and your desired situation separately. This will help you come up with solutions easily.
Increasing creativity: The words, images, and colors you use let you see the information from a very different perspective.
Planning: Plan your holiday or your next sales strategy using mind maps.
Language learning: Use a simple, 12-point mind map to combine 12 vocabulary words with the Major System. Here’s how:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I7h98IKaho
Although mind mapping is not a magic bullet when it comes to learning a new language, it has been tremendously helpful in my journey towards developing fluency in several languages.
Who, When, and How to Make a Mind Map
Now that you have a fair idea of mind maps, let’s understand who should use it, as well as when and how.
Who Should Use Mind Maps?
Mind maps are particularly helpful for those who:
Remember a visual image or a diagram better than written pieces.
(Or need practice becoming more visual.
Deal with lots of information or a project that needs more clarity.
Need to brainstorm for ideas from others to build a bigger project or solution.
Create mind maps when you need to achieve some goal — to understand your course material or project better, or to assess the ideas from brainstorming sessions.
Remember — mind mapping isn’t the end goal by itself.
And don’t spend too much time perfecting it. If it takes too long, it may hamper your creative thinking.
Rather, make many mind maps and explore the principles discussed on this page. Doing so is called deliberate practice and will help you get into flow thanks to how consistent exploration of the technique helps you develop procedural memory and reflective insight.
How to Make a Mind Map
Drawing a mind map is pretty straightforward.
For example, if you want to prepare a meeting agenda take a blank page and follow these basic steps:
Draw a bubble in the middle of the page with the title of your meeting.
Branch out with new bubbles from the central theme, with each branch representing the topics you want to address.
Draw lines to connect each of them to the middle bubble.
Add new ideas starting from the general to the specific.
Repeat this for each subtopic branching out from the topics.
What are the Rules for Mind Mapping?
Mind maps are meant to be hierarchical and show relationships among pieces of the whole.
What are the guidelines you can use?
Tips for Drawing a Mind Map
Here are some mind mapping rules to make your mind map project expressive and compelling.
Use colors, illustrations, and pictures: Some of the most effective mind maps have more doodles and symbols than words.
Keep the topics and sub-topics brief: Stick to a single word each, or just a picture instead of long phrases or sentences.
Keyword for branches: Name your branches or lines using a keyword each.
Use different text sizes and alignment: Provide as many visual cues as you can to emphasize important points.
Use symbols: Draw symbols like arrows and shapes to classify your thoughts.
Space it out: Leave enough negative space between your idea bubbles.
Highlight important stuff: Highlight important branches or bubbles with borders or colors.
Create linear lists: You can create linear hierarchies using bullet points and numbered lists.
Mix up word sizes and fonts: Add in hierarchies of words using different font sizes to highlight their importance.
Use varying cases: Use lower and upper cases to highlight the importance of ideas.
Every little effort you put into your mind map project will engage your brain. And, all these visual aids will make your mind map more memorable and easier to recall.
Now, do you draw mind maps on paper, or is there a diagramming tool to do it?
The answer is: both.
Additional Tools To Explore
You can draw mind maps by hand, just like note-taking during a lecture.
Or you can use websites or mobile phone apps to do it.
Traditional Mind Maps
Nothing is as comforting as putting pen to paper when an idea strikes you. This is, in fact, the simplest way to map your ideas.
It is your personal project — your thoughts, handwriting, and your doodles. You can create it yourself or in groups on a whiteboard during a brainstorming session.
The pen-and-paper method works perfectly most of the time, but it does have limitations:
You may not have enough space on the paper to expand your thoughts.
You can’t make too many corrections.
And, it may not always be presentable enough to share in a formal meeting.
The other option is to use mind mapping software — websites and apps.
Mind Mapping Software
Mind mapping apps and websites help you organize your ideas and store large amounts of data in a single location.
Allow you to create a wide network of ideas, facts, and connections.
Let you make quick changes through automatic spatial organization and hierarchical structuring (particularly useful while brainstorming).
Let you play with fonts and colors, and even drag and drop files into the mind mapping program.
Which are the Best Mind Mapping Software Tools?
Here are three of the best online mind mapping tools available today:
1. MindManager by MindJet: This tool is for business users — a professional mind map maker with MS Office integration. You could even pick a mind map template in the tool to get started.
2. XMind: This mind mapping tool has a simple interface and is mainly for enterprise-level users. It lets you convert your mind maps to a Gantt chart that shows the start and end dates and progress of each task.
You can even use a countdown timer to time your sessions on this mind mapping software (this will keep you focused and will stop you from spending too much time mind mapping and brainstorming).
3. Scapple: This mind mapping tool was built for writers by a writers group called “Literature and Latte.” It is easy to use and comes with great features (minus embedding audio and video).
With this mind mapping application, you’re not limited to starting with a central theme. You can begin with a small idea, then work backward to reach the main idea.
You could also experiment with an open-source free mind mapping tool like FreeMind or Coggle.
The point is this: there are a lot of options. For an example of one teacher who uses software and teaches with a specific focus on personal develop is Joseph Rodrigues. Here’s one of his best:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvDcP-ZrJhQ
Mind Map + Memory Palace = Magnetic Memory
A mind map is an excellent non-linear visual representation of your ideas that mimics the way your brain thinks. You can also use mind mapping for business to help you determine how the market thinks too.
Once you master it (whether you use a notebook or a mind mapping software), you’ll never go back to linear note-taking ever again. But, mind mapping alone may not boost your brainpower as much as when combined with the Magnetic Memory Method. If you need more mind map examples, I have plenty for you.
At the end of the day, I suggest combining mind maps with all kinds of activities, including the Memory Palace technique.
So when you’re reading to use this combination to fire up your memory, creativity, and learning, sign up for my free memory improvement kit:
5 Powerful Visualization Exercises and Techniques [Step-by-Step Walk-Through]
Aug 09, 2024
What comes to mind when you think about visualization exercises?
Does the simple phrase conjure up images of some woo-woo, fluffy mind game offered by a two-bit guru?
Or are you ready for the real deal from a guy who struggled to see pictures in his mind and almost failed, but…
… after hundreds of hours of struggle, finally found a way?
I‘m that guy, by the way. And although not having a “mind’s eye” challenged me for years, especially while studying for my PhD at York University, I finally learned how to visualize properly.
Not only did proper visualization help me get my PhD, especially when it comes to using memory techniques for learning faster and remembering more. It also helped me get a Mercator Grant, which enabled me to teach in Germany.
I’m going to share all the exercises I used to help make these achievements happen in my career on this page.
And there’s even something more profound about visualization I’ve got for you.
Ready to wake up your mind’s eye?
Let’s get started!
Why Visualization Is Not Just About “Seeing Pictures” In Your Mind
I’ve discovered a simple process that suggests everything you thought you knew about “seeing pictures in your mind” is wrong?
Especially when it comes to memory techniques, the Memory Palace and everything related to mnemonics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovmxrHkXcrA
There are at least 8 Magnetic Modes:
Kinesthetic
Auditory
Visual
Emotional
Conceptual
Olfactory
Gustatory
Spatial
And “seeing” is just one of them!
Multiple Modes Of Visualization Doesn’t Mean You Shouldn’t “See” Mentally”…
Now that you know there are so many different ways to visualize, would you give a few alternative visualization techniques a try?
If you said “yes,” or are at least nodding your head in the affirmative, that’s wonderful. Read on.
Did you know that visualization is so much more than meditation, and can actually serve you in your everyday life in a practical way?
Again, it’s more than seeing pictures in your mind.
But don’t get me wrong!
The ability to conjure up mental pictures is a great skill. Some people with aphantasia can’t do it at all.
But let’s not disregard our other senses. Unfortunately, I wasted a lot of time focusing on only the visual.
That’s a shame because visualization techniques are most powerful when embedded in a multi-sensory experience. This is as true in your personal practice as it is in many other endeavours. For example, this study found that nursing students had much better learning outcomes when their teachers included multi-sensory elements.
As the researchers point out, students were not only better able to understand the material they needed to learn. They could also visualize the outcomes of having mastered the knowledge.
To help you get similar results in any field, here are five visualization techniques that show you exactly how.
5 Beginner Visualization Techniques Anyone Can Master
1. The Candle Exercise
Try this:
Take a moment and close your eyes. Imagine that when you open them a candle has appeared in front of you.
Consider:
What size is the candle? Is it a tea candle, long-stem candle, three-wick candle?
How heavy is it?
How much of the candle has burned away? Has it burned down to the base or do you see it still newly lit?
How far away is the candle from you? Within arm’s reach? Across the room?
I’ve practiced this exercise with eyes both open and closed. One of my most profound experiences with it happened in Brisbane while sitting in front of a window overlooking apartments across the street. It was astonishing being able to practically see a candle in front of me thanks to the level of concentration I’ve developed over the years of practicing a variety of visualization approaches.
The Lit Candle Variation
You can also try gazing into a real lit candle and looking at it for awhile before closing your eyes.
What do you see?
If you’re anything like me, you’ll experience an after burn effect.
You can no longer “see” the candle, but can still see its effects.
Using this after burn as a kind of canvas, mentally trace over the shape in front of you.
2. The Apple Visualization Exercise
Gradually you will be able to visualize, in great detail, a candle and flame of your own making.
We can take this simple visualization technique one step further and incorporate our other senses once we have mastered the “visual” aspect.
Try visualizing an apple.
Feel its smooth peel, observe its perfectly ripe sheen, and then imagine yourself taking a bite.
How does it taste?
Imagine its crispness and taste its sweetness.
The Interaction Variation
Take this apple visualization technique further:
Follow the apple through your body as your entire digestive system interacts with it.
Don’t take this visualization technique too seriously or get too granular. Just play with the idea of being able to follow one bite of an apple through your system.
And ask yourself periodically as you go through the process:
How real is that apple to you?
The Negative Space Variation
Once you feel like you can move beyond seeing and feeling a simple, everyday object, try to visualize that object in relation to space in the room.
Imagine the corner of a table.
Where is it in the room? What is the negative space surrounding it?
Think of this visualization technique almost as an optical illusion.
We are all familiar with Rubin’s vase, though we may not know it by name.
This is the optical illusion where one can see either two faces or a singular vase from an image.
The key is being able to toggle between the two.
To be aware of the negative space as well as the image.
This visualization technique is helpful when using mnemonics, a Memory Palace and other memory techniques because we need to “suppress” mental imagery at the same time we manipulate it.
3. The Number Skipping Exercise
Think about this:
How abstract are numbers?
They are representations of concepts, right?
Take the number three, for example.
Three only “exists” when we conceptualize a group, or a set of objects, and call it three due to concept of three things we call “one” placed together.
How is three represented exactly?
Well, lots of ways. The Chinese character differs from the Roman numeral, which differs from the character 3. Three is represented based on a mark society agrees it will call “3.” You can see the 3 your culture uses, or multiples versions used by multiple cultures.
You can also visualize one to 10, to 20, or even to 1,000.
Start with a small goal…
…but the goal is not to reach the highest number!
It’s to stay connected and concentrated in your mind.
If you find this becomes so easy that your mind is wandering, you can build up to higher and higher numbers, eventually going forwards and backwards.
And that’s when the real challenge begins:
Skipping numbers.
I first encountered the idea of skipping numbers in Gary Weber’s Happiness Beyond Thought. This is such a simple idea, but yet it’s such a challenge.
Don’t believe me? Give it a try.
Visualize the number one.
Easy enough, right?
Now try to suppress the urge to visualize the number two.
Next, is three, correct?
Skip, or visualize a blank space in place of the number four.
Keep building, skipping numbers as you go.
Once you reach the highest number you can without losing concentration (say, for example, 10), then go in reverse. Visualize 9, skipping 8, 7, and skip 6, and continue on.
You may be asking “How is this useful? Isn’t this a bit counterintuitive? Am I not supposed to be visualizing? Why are you suddenly telling me to suppress visualization?”
I get you. I do. But hear me out and keep reading…
The Negative Space Variation
Remember, for memory training one of the keys is Recall Rehearsal.
You will find ways to use memory palaces in different orders, and actually need to, and want to, for memory benefits, get the von Restorff Effect working.
You can shut down thoughts so that they do not interfere with other thoughts. This visualization technique will undoubtedly aid you in further memory training.
In other words, the ability to not visualize helps you visualize because you can shut out competing images.
4. The Globe Exercise
How well do you know your geography?
Don’t worry about it. This is an exercise based on what you know.
To start, imagine a giant spinning blue ball.
Next, slow it down. Make it completely still.
Zoom in.
Travel all the way down until you touch the blue.
What is that blue?
Is it water?
The choice is yours, but let’s imagine for this visualization technique that it’s water.
Next, pick the color of your house.
Imagine your hand building up your home on the water. (You might want to spread some imaginary dirt underneath first.)
As you build your home through visualization, pay attention to all the multi-sensory details. I’m talking about the feeling of the stair rails in your hands, the smells in the kitchen and the temperature on a cool morning.
Spend 2-5 minutes just on the home construction.
Next, lay out your street. Try to add as many of the houses and buildings as you can, holding each one in mind as you lay it out on the blue globe.
When you’re ready, zoom out. Allow the buildings you’ve built to get smaller and smaller until they are just a speck.
Any time you like, revisit the neighborhood you are building on the globe. I suggest you keep returning to it until you’ve mentally constructed as much of your city as you’re familiar with now.
And for the future, every time you’re out, pay close attention to how things look in the world. Try to remember as much as you can. Then the next time you practice this visualization, add more details to the imaginary version.
5. The Clock
Next time you’re laying in bed, imagine a giant clock on the wall directly in front of you.
Give it a color, name what it is made from and hear the sounds of it ticking away.
Really go through its dimensions: It’s height, width, the diameter of the clock face. Think deeply into it, imagining all the gears and their intricacies as they wind through time.
Then, give the clock face numbers. Make the even numbers Arabic numerals and the odd numbers Roman numerals. Or, if you know a language like Chinese, use its hanzi for the numbers, mixing it up with other kinds of numerals.
You can also rotate between Arabic and Roman numerals, synchronizing the change as the imaginary tick-tock takes place. This is great training for your visual, auditory and spatial sense.
And this is really just the beginning because I’m not introducing…
The New Visualization Mastery Course in The MMM Masterclass!
If you’re still struggling to visualize when using memory techniques (especially when completing a huge memory project like committing all the presidents to memory)…
Here are a few additional suggestions.
My friend Ben Cardall is called “The Real Life Sherlock Holmes.” His book The Monographs doesn’t have visualization exercises as such, but observation processes that will likely help you mind’s eye develop.
Learn to meditate, specifically through concentration exercises. These can help you keep focused on your visualization practice.
Also, a few years ago I released a powerful course that is already helping Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass students use mnemonics better.
This result happens because the Magnetic Imagery they use in their associations are far stronger than ever before.
Do you want that?
Do you want to “own” any information every time you place it in your brain?
Cool. I can help.
But take caution:
As we’ve discussed today…
It’s not that easy if you’re only using visualization techniques to “see” pictures in your mind.
The solution begins when people take things to the next level and use a multi-sensory visualization approach.
And in this new course, Visualization Mastery…
I didn’t JUST come up with these exercises out of nowhere.
No, I developed these visualization techniques with the help of dozens of memory athletes. I’m talking about memory experts like John Graham, thousands of MMM students and hundreds of hours of my own practice.
In this course, Visualization Mastery, you get the insights, skills, and ability to develop the strongest mental imagery for your Memory Palace efforts ever. They’re even more powerful than these neurobics.
And the calm confidence that tells your brain that you’re serious about memorizing information quickly, efficiently and permanently.
The Bottom Line When It Comes To Visualization Techniques For Memory Improvement
Use these visualization techniques regularly and consistently. Don’t expect results from just one session.
Also, mix and match these exercises. For example, try number skipping with candles or apples, both forward and in reverse.
Or, add a range of simpler and more advanced exercises. Here’s 5 more easy and fun visualization exercises I shot for you in 2022:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BMVeGVUIOk
Really, the sky’s the limit here. The more you play with this visualization technique, the more benefits you will receive and the more ideas for more brain exercises will emerge. Especially when you apply what you learn from these exercises to other aspects of sensory learning.
Above all, keep challenging yourself and your memory for growth. It’s when we stop getting brain exercise that we go downhill. And if you want more practice, these positive visualization exercises, visualization for reading routines and guided visualization tips will help you keep moving forward.
Why Rote Memorization Doesn’t Work (And What to Do Instead)
Aug 08, 2024
Some people swear by rote learning.
Others dislike this approach to learning with a vengeance.
They even get dramatic, calling rote repetition…
“Drill and kill.”
What gives?
And how specifically is learning by this deadly form of repetition defined?
We’ll get into everything on this page so that you can make an informed decision about how to learn based on science, not opinion. I’ve always felt doing so was important, from when I first learned about science and critical thinking as an undergrad to when I taught it as a professor at York, Rutgers and the University of Saarland in Germany.
In addition to thinking scientifically and critically about what makes rote learning so problematic, I’ll share with you an alternative approach to learning that never feels boring.
Sound good?
Let’s get started!
What Is Rote Learning?
Rote learning takes place when you repeatedly expose yourself to information until it enters your long term memory without adding any other creative or strategic element.
Raw repetition like this definitely can work, but it takes a lot of time. And in areas like language learning, studies like this one show that alternatives to rote simply don’t work as well as the memory techniques I feature on this blog.
More broadly, this study demonstrates how rote learning can actually harm your ability to learn, and it’s not the only one showing these effects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL8RhcgP1Fw
So, if rote’s so bad, why do people use it?
Typically, people use rote learning because it’s the main learning technique they’ve been taught. It has applications in music, for example. Rote memorization can also happen on autopilot in a certain way. For example, when you learn to ride a bike, your procedural memory uses the repetition to form deep neural pathways that ensure you’ll remember the skill for life.
Meditations or spiritual practices in which you repeat prayers
I also repeated my TEDx Talk several times for practice giving the speech. This is a great example of when a small amount of rote repetition makes sense.
The Real Reason Behind Why Rote Memorization Is So Terrible
For thousands of years, many people have sought out memory techniques as an alternative to rote learning for a few reasons:
Rote is almost always boring and discouraging
It takes more time than people want to spend
It’s not nearly as effective as alternatives like active recall, a technique that engages all the senses.
If rote memorization is truly this terrible, why do so many people use it instead of mnemonics?
According to Carla Hannaford in Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All In Your Head, part of the success of the drug ritalin is easily explained. It helps students put up with the tedious nature of repeating information without any kind of multi-sensory engagement.
In other words, societies have preferred drugging children instead of tackling the real problem of making learning fun.
But is repetition itself bad?
Absolutely not.
Again, let’s take the music example. It’s really important to repeat songs if you want to commit lyrics to memory. Repetition is also a huge part of ear training, and general instrumentation a form of rehearsal musicians sometimes call “dedicated practice.”
Rote repetition can be good for ear training.
However, even in music, even practice forms of repetition can be quite brutal in how they create boredom, I.C. McManus and Peter Richards call any memory gains they create “incidental learning.”
In each case, there are alternatives. For one thing, you can use interleaving to spice things up, which basically involves switching between topics or skills that you’re studying.
There are many other disadvantages to rote learning, most of which are easily avoided.
First, rote learning usually does not ask you to think about what you’re learning. It’s focused entirely on repetition itself.
This focus on repetition-for-the-sake-of-repetition not only makes the learning process boring. You also lose out on the benefits of thinking you could receive by engaging with the information in a deeper way.
Rote learning also treats the brain as if it were a “linear library.” As a result, you miss the benefits of what I often call the “rhizomatic effect” you experience when using a Memory Palace Network to produce new knowledge based on information you’ve engaged with deeply.
Your mind is not a library. Avoid treating your memory in a linear fashion.
You also lose tons of time that could have been spent enjoying using your mind and imagination.
Finally, rote repetition prevents you from experiencing the benefits of having memorable conversations with others.
What To Do Instead Of Rote Memorization
I suggest you start using mnemonics to help you commit information faster.
One place to begin your journey with memory techniques is the pegword method. To use this mnemonic approach, you simply assign a dynamic shape or figure to each letter of the alphabet. For example, every time you think of the letter C, you also think of a favorite cat.
Having a simple set of associations like this makes learning spelling much more fun and interesting. And it follows the rules of active recall I mentioned above because you have personalized each letter of the alphabet.
You can develop a similar set of personalized images for numbers as well. For this, I suggest you learn the Major System and combine it with rhyming or story and the method of loci to make learning the entire set engaging and immersive.
Is there proof that it works?
Tons.
In language learning, Dr. Richard Atkinson has shown just how poorly rote learning works in comparison to proper mnemonic strategies. Many of my students have shared their incredible results and my podcast has hosted over a dozen of the best memory athletes as quests.
Rote repetition is normally a source of frustration. It doesn’t work well because the lack of multi-sensory engagement with personalized points of reference fails to stimulate enough of the brain.
Here’s something interesting: In experiments that have been successfully repeated by scientists around the world, Atkinson demonstrated that rote learners were successfully able to recall vocabulary from lists at a rate of 28%.
By contrast, those who used techniques like the Memory Palace showed a retention rate of 88% or better. Dr. David Reser and Tyson Yunkaporta recently showed even better results by incorporating some Aboriginal memory techniques into a follow-up experiment.
Lynne Kelly, one of Australia’s leading memory experts and author of The Memory Code recently become a member of the Order of Australia based on her research in memory. That’s a big deal.
So now that you’ve seen some of the evidence, what would you prefer?
Sticking with rote learning and recalling only around 28% of what you learned correctly?
Or do you prefer what more meaningful learning and comprehension techniques offer? If you’d like more resources, get this free course now:
Benefits Of Rote Learning
So far, everything we’ve said makes rote learning look pretty bad.
However, we’ve already seen that rote practice is a must in areas of learning like music, giving speeches and spiritual goals.
When used in the correct context, rote can help learners achieve incredible goals. Playing a musical instrument is one such example.
Although rote learning reduces critical thinking when required of children, there may be some contexts where it can be helpful for certain types of adults.
For example, Po Li Tan’s research has suggested that adults who grew up as rote learners might still benefit from it.
At the end of the day, each individual has to decide what is right for them and cultivate radical honesty. Sometimes engaging in rote learning gives you the benefit that you’re engaged in some kind of activity.
But if the activity of what some people call “over-learning” doesn’t actually lead to accomplishment, then the benefit of doing something for the sake of doing something is an illusion.
Rote Learning Vs. Meaningful Learning
You might be wondering why the scientific success rates I mentioned above matter so much. After all, it sounds like it really only comes down to time spent.
Looking only through the lens of time, you might conclude that if you only get 28% correct, all you have to do is go back and spend more time on the material.
Not so.
You’re also losing out on critical thinking benefits by doubling-down on rote memorization.
Although it’s common for children to learn Chinese characters by rote, this learning practice has been shown to stunt critical thinking abilities.
This is tragic because problem solving requires the ability to “mentally rotate” information through multiple angles.
The absence of rote repetition in other cultures may be one reason why places like parts of Europe and the United States thrive and promote individualism and freedom.
Historically, a learning technique called Ars Combinatoria was much more prevalent. This approach promoted a form of learning sometimes called “inner writing,” a means of “creative repetition” that relied upon deep and meaningful engagement for the learner.
Physical engagement with learning materials (such as through mind mapping)
Social experiences
Combining writing with speaking
Combining listening with speaking, such as through debate
Developing highly personalized learning plans
A Powerful Example Of The Mnemonic Alternative To Rote Learning
Is rote learning effective?
To a certain extent, yes. Especially if you have a lot of time and patience on your hands.
However, for best results, repetition should always involve “creative repetition.”
A simple way to reduce the amount of repetition needed and always ensure that you deeply immerse yourself in what you’re learning is to use KAVE COGS or what we call the Magnetic Modes in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
To take a simple example of how I learned something very quickly with a minimum of repetition, let me refer to my Sanskrit meditation project.
In learning a word pronounced like “tesham,” which means “unto them” or “for those,” I didn’t repeat it over and over again.
No.
Instead I looked at the “tes” part of the word and imagined Nikola Tesla driving a Tesla over a Christmas ham. He did it for those who are always devoted to reality itself, which is the main meaning of the entire line I was learning.
A simple, but engaging mnemonic image like a Tesla driving over ham makes memorizing a word fast, easy and less likely to need rote repetition.
Then, I went through KAVE COGS to drive home the sound and meaning:
Kinesthetic – Feeling myself driving the car as if I were Tesla
Auditory – Hearing the sound of the engine roaring
Visual – Imagining what this scene looked like
Emotional – Experiencing Tesla’s intention to help the devoted
Conceptual – Reflecting on the meaning of the text and who Tesla was
Olfactory – Smelling the ham
Gustatory – Tasting the ham
Spatial – Thinking about the size of the car and the ham
By engaging deeply with the word in this way, I learned it immediately and never forgot it after one pass.
I’ve memorized more Sanskrit phrases than I ever thought possible. And it would not have been possible without using mnemonics. The best part is that the same technique I use for language learning helped me memorize the names of all my students within minutes when I was a professor.
In sum, rote learning is boring. By contrast, memory techniques are scientifically proven and indescribably fun. All you have to do is get started.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to rev the engine of your mind and get some real learning done for a change?
The 10 Main Types Of Thinking (And How To Use Them Better)
Aug 08, 2024
Some people say there are as many types of thinking as there are people to think them.
Actually, no. In fact, such statements demonstrate very poor thinking.
Yet, I heard this claim all the time during the years I taught a fourth year university course in Critical Thinking.
But let’s give these people the benefit of the doubt for a second. It is true that many forms of thinking interact with each other, for example. This “intermingling” of ideas can make the list seem infinite.
However, everything to do with our modes of thought can be broken down into a smaller set of “thinking genres.”
And here’s the game-changer you need to know:
There’s a difference between types of thinking and methods of thinking. It helps to be clear about which ones you want to identify and improve. Find this clarity is what this post is all about, so let’s dig in.
To start off on the right foot, I’ve created a handy infographic for you.
It breaks down the main types we’ll be discussing today and summarizes the key points for each.
I’ve also recorded a video with some additional nuances and experiences I’ve had using various thinking types across my career:
https://youtu.be/XvdPHkjDNz0
The 10 Types of Thinking
As you go through this list of thinking types, you might start wishing you were a master of each and every type.
This is possible.
To help you make it happen, I’ll provide tips for developing your skills with each and everyone as we go.
Just remember that mastering mental sharpness is a marathon, not a race. You don’t have to work on developing all of these types at the same time.
As you read, keep two central questions in mind:
What is thinking and why does each type count?
In what ways am I already thinking like this in my daily life?
How can I get started adopting the approaches that seem most useful to my goals?
One: Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is about assessing information objectively so you can make informed decisions.
It helps you avoid biases and make logical conclusions. One ways it does this is by enabling you to evaluate ideas. You literally give them a value that helps you weigh their validity and compare and contrast their merits.
Critical thinking also helps you divide the content of various ideas from the form they take.
Let’s say someone is angry and yells at you about how they want you to change. Critical thinking would allow you to find the value in the suggestion and not miss out on it just because the form of address was unfriendly.
Critical thinking helps you differentiate form from content, such as when angry arguments contain legitimately valuable information.
In other words, critical thinking allows you to place information in context and reason objectively about it. Being objective lets you keep your calm and continue searching for truth even when things get heated. Here are 11 more benefits of critical thinking to help you improve this type of thinking and continue seeking the best possible answers.
Why is critical thinking so important?
As mentioned, I taught critical thinking for several years at the university level. These experiences gave me a lot of practice in looking at both the shape that a large variety of arguments take.
To give you a more recent example, my YouTube channel has over 170,000 subscribers. As a result of having such a large audience, I regularly field disagreements in the comments. Often, when I respond to claims people make with critical analysis, they come back with a personal attack.
As a critical thinker, I spot this instantly as ad hominem in structure. Such people are trying to attack me instead of my ideas. Thanks to my knowledge of critical thinking and rhetoric, I can keep calm and carry on with reasonable and rational responses.
Once you start exploring critical thinking, you’ll start to see issues like this in your own conversations and in the media. You’ll navigate many debates much better and save yourself a ton of stress.
Two: Analytical Thinking
Whereas critical thinking helps you evaluate value through analysis, analytical thinking is about examining the parts of an argument. It looks much more closely at the thought process.
To examine information as analytically as possible, this thinking type breaks information into smaller parts. It helps with evaluating the bigger picture when you can zoom in and assess components.
That’s why analytical thinking typically involves research. As an analytical thinker, you will not be satisfied by the data at hand. For each part your analysis reveals, you will seek multiple examples and connections so you can compare and contrast the multiple parts with as many other examples and case studies as possible.
To improve in this area, developing your reflective thinking skills will be of tremendous value. We’ll talk more about how do this in the section for the eighth type.
For now, the key to analytical thinking involves enabling yourself to take multiple positions.
This is an important part of analytical thinking because we all have memory biases.
One way I help to reduce my own analytical errors is to host plenty of conversations on my podcast with other memory scientists and memory athletes.
By collaborating with other experts through conversation, multiple levels of analysis take place because they can help break things down and connect ideas to the bigger picture.
Collaborative analytical thinking also encourages thousands of people in the audience to share their thoughts. As a result, we all benefit by having more details, examples and connections to consider.
Three: Creative Thinking
Edward de Bono is widely considered one of the leaders in the field of creative thinking. For him, it was a process of discovering solutions that are not obvious under normal circumstances.
To help people, de Bono developed a number of processes, most famously lateral thinking.
According to Edward de Bono, creative thinking is like digging holes laterally, rather than merely vertically.
You can visualize this form of metacognition by thinking about digging holes. As de Bono points out, most people dig one hole and if they don’t find the answer they’re looking for, they dig another hole in a different location.
Lateral thinking, on the other hand, digs tunnels in sideways and diagonal patterns. Moreover, it does not throw the dirt away as if it were obscuring the solution. It finds new ways to use the dirt.
If you want to improve your creative thinking, de Bono’s practices are useful to look into. However, it’s important to note that “creative” isn’t quite the right word because no one is “creating” anything new.
It’s more about using existing processes in unique ways to generate new ideas that you would not reveal any other way. And, as Leslie Owen Wilson points out, creative thinking usually involves risk taking as you add layers of complexity to those existing processes.
When writing my Memory Detective novels, I use creative thinking often. One of my favorite tools for jogging new ideas is a simple question: “What would happen next if this story was real?”
Like De Bono’s lateral thinking, the creativity this question creates stems not so much from fantasy, but from digging sideways into possibilities that I wouldn’t think through otherwise. I create new avenues of thinking through the inquiry process.
Four: Abstract Thinking
Abstract thinking begins with symbols.
For example, there’s no reason why the shape of the letter ‘A’ should be pronounced as we use it in English. In fact, it’s pronounced quite differently in, say, German.
The ability to understand that fact is a simple example of abstract thinking. Later, the use of ‘A’ as a symbol in logical and math provides a more complex example.
Jean Piaget is a major influence on the description of this technique. As he pointed out in his theory of cognitive development, children start developing basic symbolic thinking abilities between the ages of 2 and 7.
Between 7 and 11 they move on to develop logical reasoning abilities. Basically, everything after that is devoted to abstract thinking, and we do not stop until death.
To improve your abstract thinking abilities, study subject areas like:
Concrete thinking is about taking the world literally – or seeking ways to do so. It’s also called literal thinking.
This kind of thinking leads you to ask for specific examples. If someone makes a claim, you want to know what makes it true, why the evidence actually supports the argument and how exactly it does so.
Concrete thinking requires evidence. The more substantial, the better.
Sometimes people avoid concrete thinking because they don’t want to appear stubborn. However, we need more people to insist on evidence that supports the claims people throw around, well… and insist concretely.
To improve in this area, ask lots of questions of the who, what, when, where and why variety. And follow-up by applying some of the characteristics of analytical thinking, such as performing due diligence with your own research.
If you find it difficult to remember asking questions like that, consider using a memory wheel to help.
I already mentioned critical thinking above, especially when dealing with ad hominem argument structures.
Pointing out the devices people are using and asking them to return their focus to the substance at hand is another example of concrete thinking. You can learn a lot about how to engage others concretely during debates by reading a book called Rhetorica ad Herennium.
Finally, I encourage you to take some time to learn how debate prep works – even if you never plan to debate formally. I make this suggestion because debating involves a lot of concrete thinking processes, such as offering concrete evidence in support of your claims.
Plus, you’ll learn how to point out in a reasonable way when others have neglected to provide and describe concrete evidence of their own.
Six: Convergent Thinking
Convergent thinkers look for examples that expose commonalities and reject the distortion of having all kinds of wild ideas flying around. They do this to find the best possible solutions to problems.
NASA provides many examples of convergent thinking – something that is also basically the same as linear thinking. For example, the Apollo 13 mission faced a critical situation where they needed to get enough energy to safely complete the mission – and save their own lives.
To solve the problem, they had to focus on using only the materials they had on hand. By doing so, they were able to quickly and reasonably converge on the best possible answer.
If you want to improve this form of thinking, solving puzzles where you are limited to only the pieces you have and cannot bring any outside parts provides great practice. Escape Rooms are great for this, as are games like Hunt a Killer where you solve crimes based solely on the evidence provided.
Seven: Divergent Thinking
Let’s stick with that NASA example.
When Apollo 13 was in danger, apparently someone suggested they use a flashlight to create more energy.
Of course, the space shuttle team didn’t have a flashlight, so they had to use convergent thinking instead to reach a solution.
However, that doesn’t mean throwing out a wild idea like “flashlight” is entirely wrong. Sometimes you need to brainstorm using this form of nonlinear thinking to trigger ideas you couldn’t arrive at otherwise.
In some ways, divergent thinking is a lot like lateral thinking. In this case, it’s often best conducted in groups.
To improve, you might consider holding what is called an “Idea Party.” I’ve attended these for entrepreneurs and people who need help kick starting an initiative they’re passionate about.
Holding an Idea Party is a great way to gather divergent ideas from diverse individuals in a short period of time.
Basically, each person gets a few minutes to describe their project.
Then the audience spends 10-15 minutes sharing their best ideas and resources for making the idea happen. It’s a powerful exercise because it gets many different thinking types to respond in many divergent ways in a short period of time.
Eight: Reflective Thinking
Reflective thinking involves examining past experiences and knowledge to gain new insights.
When practiced frequently, it promotes self-awareness. It also helps you learn from mistakes.
I combine reflection with analytical thinking all the time, especially on this blog.
For example, it is an important part of memory science to analyze data, and then reflect on our conclusions about what it means.
We also need to analyze what scientific data doesn’t mean because that will help us from making critical thinking errors.
Reflective thinking is fairly easy to do. You just need to set the time aside for it. Unplug from devices, get out a notebook and jot down what you think, feel and arrive at logically about whatever issues you’re considering.
Nine: Emotional Thinking
A lot of people think that being guided by your emotions is a bad thing.
I disagree, at least to a certain extent.
You can use emotions and intuitions as a springboard for other kinds of thinking. Reflective thinking, for example, draws upon past experiences, which include emotions you’ve experienced.
Drawing regularly upon your emotions can help enhance your empathy, decision-making and how your navigate your relationships.
As these researchers point out, just because we have an emotional component to our thoughts, doesn’t mean that they lack organization.
Scientists aren’t alone in noticing that there’s a structure to our emotions and how they impact thought. One of my favorite philosophers, Robert C. Solomon published The Passions: Emotions and the Meaning of Life back in 1993.
One of this key arguments is that emotions have their own form of logic. I highly recommend studying the logic of emotions in greater detail so you’re better able to consider how they influence the flow or your mind.
Ten: Lateral Thinking
Lateral thinking is a term probably first coined by Edward de Bono.
In a nutshell, it involve tackling problems from different angles and sometimes indirectly.
For example, if a city needs to reduce traffic congestion, often planners will tackle the issue directly by adding more highways. Or they will add toll systems thinking they will manage traffic flow.
Lateral thinking, on the other hand, approaches the problem by thinking about how the city could encourage people to take public transport or ride bikes more often.
Or, it might consider work-from-home incentives so that people aren’t commuting daily nearly as often.
Later thinking often winds up solving more than one problem at the same time. In the traffic example, not only would the lateral thinking findings reduce travel.
Pollution would be decreased as well, potentially leading to fewer problems like brain fog.
How to Find Your Thinking Type: 4 Strategies
At this point, you might be curious to know what kind of thinker you happen to be? Are like one of the people who has the highest IQ? Or are there any signs of genius lurking in your mental life that you have yet to uncover?
To find out, here are some suggested ways to explore how you think, or at least discover which thinking types you lean towards by default.
One: Explore Your Personality Type
Although the whole notion of personality types is not without its controversy, researchers use the concept, often to great effect.
In this study, for example, researchers found that students with a higher amount of openness were better able to explore new kinds of knowledge.
I’ve used the model to examine myself quite a few times over the years. Although I don’t use these exact terms, my popular TEDx Talk shows how I was able to use a mixture of memory and meditation to move from a high level of neuroticism to openness.
I would say that my thinking type is much more open as a result of these experiences. It seems to me that my practices have also helped me better understand the connection between memory and intelligence.
Overall, exploring your own personality type lets you use all of the thinking types we’ve discussed today. OCEAN, for example, is analytical because it breaks personal characteristics down into smaller components.
You can then apply principles from emotional thinking, creative thinking and even lateral thinking to discover more about how you and others tick.
By thinking through how you developed from early childhood into adulthood, you can gain insight into how you’ve developed into particular styles of thought. You can also discover clues that might help you experience change if that’s something you desire.
Three: Discover The Philosophy of Mind
Believe it or not, people disagree about what exactly it means to have a mind.
For example, some people think that the human mind is unique. In Kinds of Minds, however, Daniel Dennett challenges this notion. He suggests that many kinds of sentience exist. Other animals might have a language instinct and, if this is true, our experience of mind might be more similar to animals and even an artificial intelligence.
Asking philosophical questions like these will challenge both how you think as an individual, but also how you think as a member of your species.
But don’t worry. You’ll be in good company. People like St. Augustine went through similar exercises long ago to try and determine what kind of thinker he was.
Four: Discover Your Emotional Intelligence
Sometimes how you think has more to do with how you think about your feelings.
This is one of the core premises of emotional intelligence. As some researchers argue, your emotional intelligence can act as a “rudder” that guides you through life.
The different types of emotional intelligence, or emotion-driven thinking include:
Empathy
Social skills
Ability to motivate yourself
Self-awareness
Examining your own life for your strengths and weaknesses in these categories can help you understand your thinking style better.
How To Improve Your Thinking Skills
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, there’s a difference between types of thinking and methods of thinking.
Some of the methods you’ll want to explore include using all of the above in the form of:
So what do you say? Are you ready to explore new types of thinking? Get out there and enjoy the benefits working with higher quality thoughts will bring you.
And if you’d like more help with remembering these kinds of thinking, please sign up for my FREE Memory Improvement Course:
Using mnemonics will help you think about the entire world in a whole new light.
Let’s turn your dream of being a better thinker into a reality!
Pegword Method: The Ultimate Peg System Guide with 00-99 List
Aug 05, 2024
The pegword method is a simple memory technique for remembering lists of information.
Also commonly know as the peg system, this mnemonic method bridges information you already know with new data you want to master.
I’m talking about a wide variety of learning targets:
Vocabulary
Study keywords
Names (people, countries, foods)
To-do list items
Historical dates
Medical or legal terminology
Computer programming documentation
… and anything that can be organized into a list
I used this turbo-charged technique to help me earn my PhD at York University in Toronto. Then I used it help me learn German so I could lecture in the language while teaching at the University of Saarland.
I later used pegwords to pass level III in Mandarin, and still use it as part of studying a variety of languages and cultural details.
Plus, I was able to make use of it for my TEDx Talk, which has gained millions of views.
How does it work?
Well, there are a few variations to the pegword method, which essentially involves pairing information you don’t know with information that you already hold in memory. We’ll discuss the four most important approaches to using the technique on this page with some in-depth examples.
3) Recalling the information by triggering the system
In the first stage, people learn a standard set of peg words. These “pegs” can be number-rhyme pairs or letters of the alphabet.
The Many Types of Peg System
There are different types of peg systems you can choose from. All of them use the same method: the use of a concrete object to represent each number. What’s different is how you choose the object.
We can divide these approaches into the following categories:
The rhyming method
The meaning method
The alphabet method
The look-alike method
Let’s talk about the rhyming pegs first:
1. The Number Rhyme Peg System
Some people call this approach “the One is a Gun” technique. Many people using this approach have a pre-memorized list like this:
One is a gun
Two is a shoe
Three is a bee
Four is a door
Five is a hive
Six is drum sticks
Seven is Evan
Eight is a gate
Nine is wine
Ten is a hen
Eleven is heaven
As you can see, when using rhyming, you create pegs that rhyme with a number to create a pre-memorized list.
In the next stage, memorizers visualize the information they want to remember and mentally link it with the rhyming word.
A High Precision Tutorial On How To Combine Number Rhyme Pegs with a Memory Palace
Ideally, you will avoid assigning your associations in the void of your mind.
For example, if you have previously committed “two is a shoe” to memory, you can set a rule that every Magnetic Station in a Memory Palace features that shoe.
Then, when you meet a group of people and the second person tells you her name is Rose, you can instantly see a rose growing out of the shoe.
Mnemonic Example of using the pegword method to memorize the name Rose
Of course, Rose gets special treatment in your Memory Palace after you’ve shot Paul McCartney in the chest on the first station of your Memory Palace.
This will help you remember that someone new goes by the name Paul.
On station three, you use the its peg to interact with an image for the next name, and so forth. This scenario is just one example, and very powerful when memorizing names at meetings or other events.
Powerful, isn‘t it?
It gets even better if you’re interested in number systems, but for now, let’s press on.
Case Study: Using the Peg System to Memorize Names at a Meeting
When I meet new people at meetings, I use pegs in combination with a variation of the Memory Palace technique called the method of loci.
Here’s an example of how this works based on a meeting from a few years back.
1 is a gun
Memory Palace station: My bed.
Target name: Kirsten.
Associative-imagery: The gun shoots ridiculous pillows at the curtains where Kirsten is standing.
Notice the similarity between “Kirsten” and “curtains” in terms of sound. This is the Principle of Magnetic Compounding. Use it as much as you can and consult my free Magnetic Memory Method Dictionary of Mnemonics for more tactics like this.
2 is a shoe
Memory Palace station: My desk.
Target name: Amir.
Associative-Imagery: Amir plays a drum kit made of mirrors using shoes instead of drum sticks.
Notice that the “mirror” contains the “mir’ sound of Amir. It is the most striking part of the name, so the image is centered on capturing that for decoding later.
3 is a bee
Memory Palace station: The wall where my guitar rests.
Target name: Phil.
I use multi-sensory aspects of my imagination to experience another person named Phil I know swatting at a bee.
Example of Adding the Principle of Compounding
To use the Principle of Compounding, I imagine him with a philosophy textbook while my new associate Phil puts a filter on his camera lens before shooting the action.
Here’s why this kind of compounding works:
To forget the memory, I am using a friend I already have named Phil, plus a book of philosophy.
I also imagine Phil putting a differently spelled but similar sounding filter on his camera.
To some people, this compounding procedure might sound like overkill.
However, I recommend that you practice getting good at it. It will make the difference between memorizing material effectively just some of the time and all of the time.
The Scientific Term For This Kind Of Mnemonic
Some researchers of memory and learning call the product of linking one word to another a composite image or picture.
In today’s example with Rose, I have brought together the peg, the given name and a part of a Memory Palace.
This process creates a singular, mental image that is easy to recall later – especially because I naturally made the image strange, vibrant and drew upon all the Magnetic Modes while creating it.
To put the process more simply, information like Rose‘s name gets ‘pegged’ to certain images. And as you‘ve seen, my preference is to also “peg” information to a Memory Palace at the same time. Everything is co-created in one fell swoop, as much as possible.
Why There’s No Need To Follow The Order
Here’s a very cool feature of this technique:
It is not dependent on retrieving the items you memorized in sequence.
For example, if you want Rose, you don’t have to start with the first piece of information and work your way through the whole sequence. You can access her name or any item on the list simply by thinking of the number rhyme.
To achieve this flexibility, initially, all you have to do is to prepare a list of peg words that can be easily retrieved and link them with other items.
How To Assign Your Pegs Without Having to “Learn” Them
If you’re using the number-rhyme system, it‘s really quite easy. Rhyming does most of the work.
You might run into some problems with the rhymes I gave you above without thinking about your choices, however.
Although all of the items that rhyme with the numbers make sense, not all of the example words I’ve given you are directly visible.
For example, what does heaven look like? Clouds? Angel wings? Fields of grass as shown in Gladiator as Maximus makes his way to Elysium?
Who can say?
And that lack of specificity can be a problem.
To fix it, take on extra step and image Adam touching God’s finger on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Or an episode from a TV show like Highway to Heaven.
It’s also useful to personalize more concrete associations. For “3 is a bee,” for example, I think of the character voiced by Jerry Seinfeld in The Bee Movie.
Even though the rhyme is not particularly difficult to remember, when using Seinfeld’s bee to make highly memorable associations, it’s much more effective. He’s dynamic and funny, but a generic imagined bee with no particular identity doesn’t lend itself to success nearly as much.
Here’s another example. For one, I don‘t use an abstract gun, but a very specific gun from the movie Videodrome.
A gun from David Cronenberg’s Videodrome. It’s exactly the kind of strange imagery that makes memory techniques work so well.
For two, I don’t use just any old shoe. I use my favorite shoes from when I was a kid. (They had velcro pockets for holding coins.)
My friend Evan
When it comes to my rhyme for seven, I use my friend Evan, based on a specific funny photo I took years ago ago.
It might take you a few minutes, or even a few hours over a weekend to land on the most specific options for each number rhyme. Rest assured, it will be worth the effort!
If you’re still struggling, you can adopt the Mind Mapping examples here for assigning your peg assocations. There’s always a way and now you have another tool in your toolbox.
How To Mix Your Pegs With The Major System
This method is useful for many things beyond remembering names, shopping lists and errands on your to-do list.
To remember a date like 1789, you use would use the Major Method or the Dominic System to create images for these numbers.
Then you would link the images to one of your pegs. If assigned to your sixth peg and you are using drum sticks, you might have Tucker Max (17) pounding on a viper (89) with the drum sticks.
Mnemonic Example with Tucker Max and the Green Day Drummer drumming on Cobra Commander
Because I focus on specificity, it’s not just any drum sticks, but the sticks used by the Green Day drummer. It’s not just any viper, but Cobra Commander from GI Joe.
I‘m giving you my specific mnemonic examples for a simple reason:
Making the images concrete and based on real things that have been interesting or important to me in life is part of what helps the memory techniques work better and faster.
You might never have heard of Green Day or played with GI Joe toys. But surely there is a drummer you find interesting and an appropriate image you can use for each of the digits from 00 to 99.
It’s really not rocket science. The peg word system just takes a small amount of focus and time after completing a memory course.
2. The Meaning Method
In the meaning method, you create pegs that help you recall the sound and meaning of the words you want to recall later.
For example, to remember the word ‘exploration’ with the rhyming pair (one is a gun), you can visualize ex-cops with guns patrolling an area where oil exploration is taking place.
Take the word “quadrangle,” to give you an additional example.
The most immediate and obvious association is a quad bike. Since a quadrangle has four sides and a quad bike has four wheels, it generally works to cover both sound and meaning.
This approach to pegword mnemonics becomes incredibly streamlined the more you practice. It’s great for language learning, medicine, law, philosophy and any learning area rich with semantic meaning. This method is best used with a Memory Palace.
There is another type of widely used peg system. It uses alphabet letters as pegs.
Let’s check it out:
3. The Alphabet Pegword Method
Although this technique is essentially a variation on the Number/Rhyme method, it gives you more pegs. You can use it to remember longer lists of items in a specific order.
True, it takes more time to learn than a number-based technique, but rest assured that some people love this approach so much, they have multiple alphabet lists. And having more than one list is one of the core teachings in M.A. Kohain’s underground memory improvement book, Mnemotechnics: The Art and Science of Memory Techniques.
How to Use the Alphabet Method
In this technique, you will associate objects or people based on each letter of the alphabet. Later, you will link these alphabet associations with information you want to memorize.
Please note how I am applying the rule of specificity to each of these examples:
A – Apple laptop (the one I‘m typing this article on)
B – Batman (Michael Keaton version)
C – Chocolate (My favorite kind)
D – Dracula (As played by Bela Lugosi)
E – Elephant (Edgar, who you may have seen on my YouTube channel)
F – Fish (I use Kami the fish)
Kami the Fish, one-time mascot of Kamloops, B.C., Canada
G – Goat (I think of The Jesus Lizard album by this name)
H – House (The movie by this name and its poster)
I – Igloo (specifically the one Pingu built)
J – Jelly (as in the band, Green Jelly)
K – Kangaroo (Hippety Hopper from the Warner Bros. cartoons)
L – Lantern (from Green Lantern)
M – Mouse (Mickey Mouse)
N – Nose (as seen on Michelangelo‘s David)
O – Orange (A Clockwork Orange)
P – Pan (Peter Pan)
Q – Queen (The rock band)
R – Rat (Splinter from Ninja Turtles)
S – Shore (as in Pauley Shore)
T – Turkey (the country on a map)
U – Umbrella (in the hands of Chauncey Gardiner)
V – Van (the one from A-Team)
W – Wagon (Stagecoach, starring John Wayne)
X – Xylophone (I loved the one I had as a kid)
Y – Yarn (my mom knits)
Z – Zed (from Pulp Fiction)
Once you have associated your images with the letters, you will then peg them to the items you wish to remember. Suppose you have to remember the following list of 10 gift items.
A watch
A DVD of the TV show “Friends”
Camera
A shoulder bag
A scarf
Perfume
A tennis racket
A pen
A tea set
A dress
Next, you will mentally link these items with the images that represent the letters of the alphabet. I suggest you follow the order of letters. For example, the numeric equivalent of the alphabet, a, is 1; b is 2; c is 3, and so on.
Read the list and link them with the images described above, ideally in a Memory Palace. Notice how I am making each example dramatic, dynamic and either exaggerate through action or strange.
10 Mnemonic Examples For The Alphabet System
A – Apple laptop: A watch: Think of Steve Jobs smashing your favorite watch (or a very expensive one) with a laptop.
B – Batman: Imagine this iconic superhero using A DVD of the TV show “Friends” as a replacement weapon to his Batarang.
C – Chocolate: Camera: Human-shaped chocolates are dancing seductively during a photo shoot. The camera nearly melts because it‘s so shy.
D – Dracula: A shoulder bag: Dracula tries to suck blood from a shoulder bag.
E – Elephant: A scarf: An elephant chewing on a scarf as if it were hay.
F – Fish: Perfume: The fish is using the perfume like pepper spray to keep a shark away.
G – Goat: A tennis racket: The Jesus Lizard album “Goat” enters a tennis court and interrupts the game. The tennis racket tries to scare it away by blasting it with music.
H – House: A pen: You use a pen to sign the lease to your dream house… Except it‘s a haunted hose and eats the pen!
I – Igloo: A tea set: You are enjoying a cup of warm tea with your family inside an igloo as Pingu crashes into it.
J – (Green Jelly): A dress: The singer of this band spoils a dress you are about to buy by spreading it with a huge jelly stain.
Recalling the items is easy.
Just bring back the image you associated with each letter. With a bit of practice, you will become a pro.
Remember: You always have multiple chances to recall the target information:
1) You have both image you associated with the letter of the alphabet
2) You have the image for the letter of the alphabet
3) You have the interaction between the two taking place in a Memory Palace
4. The Look-Alike Method
Now, before we conclude, you might be wondering…
Where the heck does this clever memory technique come from?
The Number Shape Peg System (Origins of the Peg Word System?)
Some people attribute the first peg system to Henry Herdson. He wrote instructions on mnemonics and memory back in the mid-1600s.
In Ars Memoriae (1651), Herdson suggested linking each digit from 0-9 with an object that resembles the number. I used this approach to great success to help students learn it in my second Memory Detective novel, Vitamin X.
Here’s a primer on how this incredibly simple, but powerful peg system works.
Examples Of The Number Shape Peg System
For example:
1 = candle
Mnemonic Example of a number shape for 1
2 = duck
3 = moustache
4 = sailboat, and so on.
Herdson’s images don’t sound very specific.
But even if Herdson didn’t use the Magnetic Memory Method, I suggest that you do.
For example, I think of a candle I had burning when I nearly accidentally burned down the house. This specificity makes everything stronger when I use the candle to memorize numbers.
My favorite tool when it comes to the peg word system is using the Major System to create words for all the two digits from 00-99.
There’s a fair amount nuance that goes into developing a system like this, and it’s all covered in the MMM Masterclass.
For your convenience, here are mine (keep in note that I sometimes have several Magnetic Images for each number and often make changes):
00 = Thomas Szasz 01 = Tragedy Mask 02 = Sun 03 = Sam 04 = Sartre 05 = Sal (from a movie) 06 = Sash 07 = Oliver Sacks 08 = Shiva 09 = Brad Zupp 10 = Don’t Tase Me Bro 11 = Toad 12 = Tin Tin 13 = Hoover Dam 14 = Tire (Michelin Man) 15 = Tail 16 = Dish 17 = Tucker Max 18 = TV 19 = Tape 20 = Nose 21 = Nut 22 = Nun 23 = Vietnam vet 24 = Narr (the German word for “fool”) 25 = Neil 26 = John Nash 27 = Nick Nolte 28 = Navy officer 29 = Jack Napier 30 = Mouse (Mickey) 31 = Mad Magazine mascot 32 = Man in black (Johnny Cash) 33 = Mime 34 = Mare 35 = Mailman 36 = Match (boxing match with Mike Tyson) 37 = Mack the Knife 38 = Max Maven 39 = Mop 40 = Rice (Condoleezza) 41 = Rat 42 = Ran (the samurai movie) 43 = Ram (Dodge truck) 44 = Roar (MGM lion) 45 = Rail 46 = Rashomon 47 = Rick 48 = Rover 49 = Rap band 50 = Lasso 51 = Latte 52 = Lion 53 = Lamb 54 = Lyre 55 = Lily 56 = Leash 57 = Loch Ness Monster 58 = Liv 59 = Lopez (Jennifer) 60 = Chucky Cheese 61 = Cheetah 62 = Chin 63 = Jim 64 = Jar 65 = Jail 66 = Josh 67 = Chucky 68 = Jeeves 69 = Jeep 70 = Cassie 71 = Cat 72 = Can 73 = Camera 74 = Car 75 = Cale (John) 76 = Cash 77 = Cake 78 = Cave 79 = Cape 80 = Phaser 81 = Fat 82 = Fan 83 = Farm 84 = Fire 85 = Foil 86 = Fish 87 = Fake (Orson Welles from a movie with this word in the title) 88 = Fife 89 = Viper 90 = Pease 91 = Pat 92 = Peter Pan 93 = Pam 94 = Pear 95 = Pail 96 = Patch 97 = Puck 98 = Pavel 99 = Pope
With each of these selections, I’ve taken time to make them specific rather than generic. For example, I use the generic word “pear” for 94, but push deep into my memory to find a specific pear-related memory. I came up with a memory of some fake fruit (long story).
All that matters is that you use images that are specific as possible, ideally ones connected to the memory of your life.
And if you feel like you don’t remember enough of your life to make each image specific enough, try these autobiographical memory exercises.
3 Ways To Practice The Pegword Method
Now that you know how to create a system of Magnetic Images using pegword mnemonics, you might be wondering how to practice this powerful memory technique.
Here are 3 ways:
1. Create some index cards for yourself.
You could draw shapes on them or do an entire 00-99 PAO. Shuffle the cards and test yourself. If you’re using an alphabet list, you’d need just 26 cards with each letter of the alphabet. Whatever you’re using, soon you’ll know them all by heart.
I usually select “National Standard” and either vocabulary or numbers.
For numbers, I use the 00=99 PAO. For example, if the number string I’m given is 873028348, I will imagine Orson Welles in a fistfight with Mickey Mouse. The sun will leap from his head and burn up in the sun. Orwell’s Animal Farm will then try to escape from the Rover (a technology in The Prisoner TV series).
For words, you can rapidly draw from your alphabet list. For example, if you get a word like “atom,” you instantly have an apple from your list to work from. It can be a bit counterintuitive at first, but the more you practice, you’ll find it’s fun, easy and you’ll rapidly grow your skills. You’ll improve your crystal and fluid intelligence too.
3. Everyday Life
We encounter numbers and words each and every day.
If someone introduces themselves, use your alphabet list to encode their name. If you hear a time or a price, use your 00-99 to draw upon an association that helps you remember the numbers.
It really is that easy and soon it will become a second-nature habit that you love.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Pegword Method (FAQ)
I’ve received many questions over the years and would like to share the most important with you, along with targeted answers as someone who has researched, used and taught memory techniques for decades.
If you don’t see your question addressed here, please feel free to post it below or use my contact page to get in touch.
Is there a difference between the “Peg System” and the “Pegword Method”?
No, these terms are used interchangeably.
And it’s easy to get confused because earlier memory instructors like Bruno Furst used the term “hooks,” which are also the same.
These names all refer to a mnemonic technique that provides a reliable mental structure for associating new data you don’t know with pre-selected mental content you do.
Which is better? The Peg System of the Method of Loci/Memory Palace technique?
Actually, if you think about it, Memory Palaces are a variation of the pegword method.
Years ago, one of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast listeners sent me this email explaining his agreement with this observation:
I had used the peg system for 30 years before I started using the loci system. Once I started using the loci system I began to notice that there are actually two separate associations one makes with the loci system as contrasted with peg system.
One is the interaction with the item stored there at the locus. The other is the visual image of seeing the word one is trying to remember at the locus with no real interaction except visually being there. With the peg system in contrast there is only the interaction between the word one is trying to store in memory and the peg word for the numeral.
So in conclusion I think that loci system involves an extra association with essentially two chances to recall the word or image whereas the peg system only involves the actual interaction between the peg and the word to be recalled.
In sum, it’s not a question of which one is better. As I have tried to show in this tutorial, they can be used in combination to great effect.
Can I reuse the same pegs for different lists?
You can, but there’s a chance that you’ll experience what memory competitors call “ghosting.”
This means that if you memorize one item using your bee for the third item in a list, you might recall that earlier content. This paradoxically is both a mistake and not a mistake. It proves that the memory techniques work, but has led you to blur target information together or miscall it.
To avoid this issue you can:
Wait for information to move into long-term memory or fade away before using the peg again
Develop multiple kinds of pegs based on the variety provided on this page
Place pegs in different Memory Palaces to keep them separat
How many pegs should I memorize?
In the Magnetic Memory Method, I advise that you draw upon information that is already in your memory when forging your pegs.
If you memorize a set from something like Bruno Furst’s Number Dictionary, you’re essentially creating a massive task that will take time.
Instead of memorizing someone else’s list, develop your own based on highly personal information. Even if this takes a bit longer, you’ll find that your pegwords work much better.
Aren’t pegword systems only good for lists?
This is a common objection, but as I cover in my complete tutorial about memorizing lists, everything we commit to memory involves some kind of list.
For example, when I memorized my TEDx Talk, the written version is a list of paragraphs. Each paragraph is a list of sentences. Each sentence is a list of words and each word is a list of letters.
One you realize this, you are free to not worry about the limitation, but see the constraint as highly productive.
However, people might still be concerned about language learning, especially grammar. Here again, you’re really looking at still learning information in order. So I recommend gathering a list of examples for various grammatical principles and memorizing them.
How Will You Use The Pegword Method?
As you can see, there are a lot of ways you can make pegs. You could use your favorite superheroes and then turn their bodies into Memory Palaces.
For example, Batman could be segmented into his head, shoulders, arms and legs.You could even have Batman interact with each and every image from your 00-99.
There’s no end to the pegs you can create. And never forget:
Every peg can be combined with the loci method and another pegword mnemonic for maximum effect.
So what do you say? Are you ready to create some pegs and memorize information?
If not and you’d like more help, please consider getting my free memory improvement course. It will teach you the ultimate pegword storage method, the Memory Palace technique. Here’s where to get started:
Spaced Repetition: Complete Guide to Remembering More Faster
Aug 04, 2024
Spaced repetition learning has a great reputation for one simple reason:
It works.
I know because I immediately leapt into using proper spaced repetition after I learned the skill from one of my grad school professors at York University where I completed my PhD.
This optimal approach later helped me learn German so I could give a lecture in the language while teaching at the University of Saarland.
But there’s a big “if” when using any spaced repetition system.
You really do have to use this form of rehearsal optimally.
And exactly how to do that is what you’re going to learn on this page.
The best part?
There are some unique ways you can apply this scientifically-valid learning approach to many things you might want to learn.
Once you get it right, this memory technique will help you remember large volumes of information quickly. It will be your go-to learning tool for the rest of your life.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
https://youtu.be/2CthE_Napjg
What Is Spaced Repetition?
Spaced repetition simply means repeatedly exposing yourself to information and using active recall on an optimized schedule. In other words, “space” refers to the arrangement of time. As a memory hack, it’s a powerful alternative to cramming.
Scholars aren’t entirely sure, but the ancient poet Horace may have been the first to identify this principle when he reportedly said, “Repetition is the mother of learning.”
Our dislike for meaningless repetition is probably why ancient memory techniques evolved. By using mnemonics in combination with spaced learning, we’ve been able to optimize repetition in learning. This means that as a species, we’ve been able to reduce repetition.
As old as spaced repetition is (I’ve found evidence of it in Aristotle), it wasn’t until Hermann Ebbinghaus released his study Memory: A Contribution to Experimental Psychology that we had a full scientific examination of just how many times you need to repeat information before it sticks.
To figure out how memory works, Ebbinghaus memorized over 2000 nonsense syllables and worked out how much time it took him to forget them. There’s an online program you can use to try and memorize them yourself.
As Ebbinghaus put it, retention has a number, and this number can be increased by defeating what is now called the forgetting curve.
Ebbinghaus first described this effect in 1885 after tracking his rate of forgetting.
As he studied his own recall and how it decayed over time, principles like primacy effect and recency effect emerged. These enabled himself and others to remember information for longer periods of time while at the same time reducing the required amount of exposure needed to retain the information.
Spaced repetition thus entered its infancy. And the research continues growing. You can still read articles from scientists working based on Ebbinghaus’ original invesitation into memory to help us optimize how we repeat information.
Learning to use spaced repetition to defeat the Forgetting Curve started in earnest with the research of Hermann Ebbinghaus.
How Spaced Repetition Learning Turns Your Brain Into a Powerful Memory Device
As Ebbinghaus and many other scientists have shown, looking at information you need to learn coupled with retrieval practice works to form neurochemical connections in the brain.
Scientists think that the majority of the bonds in your brain form while you are sleeping, a process known as memory consolidation. This is why you sometimes get the advice to study before you go to sleep.
Many people have worked out different repetition and retrieval patterns to try and optimize the system. Some people find that randomness works best, while other studies show that regular intervals provide much faster results.
The Leitner spaced repetition system helps you manage your exposure by placing accurate and inaccurate flashcards in boxes.
Ultimately, scientists and memory experts don’t know exactly why spacing out our learning periods works to establish long-term retention. We just know that it does.
Even better, we know how to improve our revision sessions using the approach, which we’ll discuss below in-depth.
How to Use Spaced Repetition to Remember What You Read
If you’re anything like me, you would love to read something once and remember it forever.
Sometimes that does happen, especially if you read within a tightly focused cluster of topics.
Even then, some amount of review based on spaced repetition principles is key in order to ensure true long-term retention.
When I was preparing for my PhD and needed a lot of names, facts, concepts, verbatim quotes and more for my field exams and dissertation defense, the following list shares with you the most effective strategies I used.
One: The Memory Palace Technique
My go to mental tool for conducting spaced repetition in my mind has always been using a Memory Palace network.
A Memory Palace is a mental recreation of a familiar location that you pair with evocative associations.
The Memory Palace journey lets you visit the information in various patterns that leverage the primacy and recency effects Ebbinghaus identified.
You can also watch me demonstrate using spaced repetition principles by reciting Shakespeare out of order in my case study of how Anthony Hopkins memorizes lines as an actor. The demonstration starts at 23:13 in this video:
Each of these techniques works by transferring specific points from books in a condensed manner onto moveable notes.
Here’s an example of one of my index cards using the Zettelkasten technique to show you what I mean:
In this case, I have listed only the key concept I wanted to review, the source of the information and the timestamp of where it appeared in the audio recording. I also summarized the meaning in my own words.
In a collection of related cards like this, it is easy to rapidly fan through the cards and even take out individual cards for additional review, leaving out ones that have already been sufficiently learned.
This ability to move cards around, change their order and cull out ones that have already been learned makes spaced repetition much more efficient than the “locked” nature of linear notes in bound notebooks.
For even more ways to use index cards in combination with spaced repetition, watch this video tutorial I made for you on placing your cards in a Leitner box to help sort them efficiently over time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y63eE3GjWyg
Three: Create Mnemonic Anchors at the Beginning of Each Chapter
If you find that you enjoy using memory techniques, you can apply mnemonic strategies like the Major System or a PAO System to specific chapters so you can mentally review them later.
This approach is a bit advanced, but the simple overview is this:
Each chapter is numbered. Using one of the mnemonic number systems I just mentioned, you apply an association to each chapter that will help you remember its opening point.
If you rhyme two with shoe, and chapter two starts with a fact about a historical figure, you imagine that person doing something strange with a shoe.
Then, if three rhymes with bee, at the beginning of the next chapter you imagine another figure interacting with a bee.
Later, when reviewing each chapter, you have a mnemonic hook that helps you recall those facts.
Again, this is a simple introduction to the technique. You can use every page number using a PAO System to help form hooks like this within chapters.
I’ve used this approach for many years and call it the Magnetic Bookmark. It makes mentally reviewing a number of points in the books I read easier and a lot of fun.
Four: Question Yourself at Regular Intervals
Often learners wait for teachers to provide them with questions to test their memory and comprehension. But historically, memory masters like Ramon Llull, Jacobus Publicius and Giordano Bruno used Memory Wheels to help them ask and answer questions for memory benefits. I talk about that in the video at the top of this page.
To truly speed up your retention in the here and now, you can still use their ancient approach. Either way, it’s important to come up with your own questions and use questioning as a form of scheduled review.
I personally use questioning both in my mind and on paper. I’ve also come up with a series of analytical questions I use regularly while reading and later while reflecting on reading.
You’ll need to come up with your own questions, and once you do, you can commit that list to memory using this tutorial on how to memorize any list.
Questions are also a great way to link the ideas in different books together.
Every time you review, constantly ask, “What other book or concept does this new fact or idea connect to?”
By continually doing this kind of questioning at regular intervals, you will turn your brain into a highly integrated web of knowledge, rather than something that stores random facts with little or no comprehension.
How to Choose the Right Spaced Repetition Schedule for You
The first step is to choose how you’re going to engage in spaced repetition learning. You can do it by:
Manually setting your review times in a physical calendar
Set digital reminders
Use objects in your physical space that help remind you to review
I personally don’t like using digital reminders, so I tend to write out my schedules and have books and mind maps visible in my environment to remind me to review frequently.
No matter what approach you choose, here are some suggested schedules that you can use as a foundation for finding an optimal routine for you.
Schedule #1: Irregular Spacing
When learning and coming back to the material, you can space out your exposure and retrieval in irregular doses. In other words, you can randomly choose to review material on an irregular pattern like:
After one day
After three days
After two days
After seven days
After five days
After one day, etc.
Schedule #2: Regular Spacing
As cited above, some studies find that regular rehearsal patterns work better when you want to memorize something fast.
There’s nothing magic about the number five, however. You could easily change it to two or seven. The point is that the intervals are regular instead of irregular.
I personally modify this approach for many of own learning projects by repeating new information 5 times a day for the first 5 days. I find this incredibly effective, especially for language learning or tough things like Morse Code.
Schedule #3: Blended Spacing
There are many kinds of information where you don’t have to choose irregular or regular spacing. You can combine the two for maximum effect.
Often, the blending will happen naturally. For example, if you’re using graded readers in language learning, you will naturally receive additional exposure.
A similar effect will happen when reading any book with terms you’re memorizing. You can revisit them on a regular pattern and also get random exposure as you study the topic over time. This kind of blended exposure is ideal whenever you can get it.
In other words, the best repetition schedule is really not one or the other, but both.
The Most Effective Way to Use Spaced Repetition
Once you’ve settled on how you’re going to use the spaced repetition method and decided on the scheduling, it’s time to optimize the entire process.
But here’s where many people make a huge mistake:
They simply expose themselves to the information they’re trying to learn. This activity is closer to rote learning, and although it can work, isn’t fun or all that interesting.
Here’s what to do instead.
Step #1: Elaborate While Learning
Never simply read or review the information. Whether it’s terminology or a diagram, always interact with it by using mnemonic imagery.
If you’re skeptical, Dr. David Reser and Tyson Yunkaporta have published research demonstrating that medical students who did this retained far more information than a control group.
In that study, participants used a journey method, which is like the Memory Palace technique. It’s well worth making mnemonic devices like that part of the elaboration process for best results.
And listen, if you can’t quite picture what I mean, here are some powerful Memory Palace examples for you.
Step #2: Let Your Chosen Amount of Time Pass
This part is relatively simple. You really don’t have to do anything other than take some time off from studying. You can go have fun with your friends, play games, listen to music or check out a movie.
It might seem a bit risky to take unstructured breaks, but cramming doesn’t work. Getting rest does because it promotes memory consolidation.
And the whole point of spaced repetition is that you leave “space” or time between reviews to help your brain consolidate your memories.
Meditation is a great way to give your brain a rest so memories can form too.
Step #3: Recall Your Mnemonic Elaborations First
Here are two errors a lot of people make:
They look at the information before trying to recall it during the next rehearsal, or…
They try to recall the information without using their elaborations as part of the process
You can form memories faster by avoiding these two errors.
When it comes time to review your learning material, don’t look at your flashcards or spaced repetition software first. Instead, write out what you remember from memory first.
Even if you make a mistake, you will still benefit. In fact, making mistakes helps you learn faster because it causes you to think about what went wrong and how to fix the issue.
When writing out your answers, make sure it’s on paper. Research has demonstrated you will learn faster by using a notebook than a tablet or computer.
Step #4: Add Other Repetition Opportunities
I learned very fast in university because some of the places I used to study involved groups of my peers. We would talk about what we were learning and listen to each other. This simple act rapidly improved memory formation.
You can also seek out additional books, podcasts and video tutorials related to your topic.
Finally, write summaries as much as you can. You don’t have to build an elaborate blog to do this. You can leave comments on videos you’ve learned from or share in social media posts.
These are highly overlooked forms of spaced repetition that are very powerful. Please make use of them.
Step #5: Take Test Exams
No matter what you’re learning, you can find sample exams or come up with your own. Self-testing is a fantastic form of spaced repetition that gives you rapid feedback.
In fact, you can manually schedule a bunch for yourself and automate reminders so you don’t forget.
Step #6: Visit Your Professor
One of my favorite unconventional memory strategies as a student was regularly taking advantage of office hours.
You might not naturally think of doing this as spaced repetition, but so long as you’re pulling what you’re discussing from memory, that’s what it will be.
And please don’t think this is weird. Teachers and professors regularly have refresher courses and go to conferences precisely because they too need repeated exposure to knowledge. They cannot keep it fresh in memory without themselves regularly visiting the topics of their expertise.
In other words, visit your teachers regularly and discuss the topics you’re learning with them. You’ll get natural spaced repetition this way.
Start Using Spaced Repetition for Memory Recall Today
The truth is that we’re always repeatedly encountering different kinds of information that we already know.
Spaced repetition studying simply optimizes the process.
Please don’t worry about getting your first spaced repetition schedule 100% correct. It’s not a learning practice like that.
What matters is that you bring a decent amount of regularity to the process and that you use the specific steps we discussed above.
People who get poor results from this form of learning usually aren’t elaborating the material with mental imagery. Or they’re not recalling information in the flow you now know to use.
At first, you may find doing things this way a bit counterintuitive.
But don’t worry. Before you know it, you’ll feel like you’ve been doing it forever.
And you can apply it to rapidly learning many things in life. For example, I used it a lot when giving my presentations as a university professor. And it was an essential tactic for memorizing a speech I gave for TEDx in Melbourne.
Wherever there is learning, there is space for highly optimized spaced repetition.
If you’re attracted to this process, check out how the ancient art of memory can help by grabbing your FREE Memory Improvement Kit now:
It will help you master the best spaced repetition system of them all:
The one you use purely in your mind thanks to the Magnetic Memory Palace technique.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to learn faster and remember more with the best that ancient wisdom and the contemporary science of learning has to offer?
Dive in and repeat with highly optimized spatial abandon!
20 Simple Memory Techniques That Work Wonders
Aug 04, 2024
You want memory techniques so you can retain information forever.
But you’re overwhelmed by two things:
The topics you’re learning
The vast amount of information about memory techniques themselves
With so many different terms and unhelpful advice like “use images,” it can be hard to find the best mnemonic techniques for your learning goals.
The problem ends right here and right now.
That’s because on this page I’m going to share every memory technique that exists, all based on my research as a PhD in Humanities with decades of experience reading and writing about memory techniques. Not only that, I use them myself and have even coached successful memory competitors.
And in addition to pouring everything I know into this post, I’ll also show you what kinds of information each of these mnemonic techniques are best suited to help you learn.
That way, you never have to be confused again.
Before you know it, you’ll be a master of your memory.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
https://youtu.be/p-7yr67I5LY
20 Simple Memory Techniques That Work Wonders
As we go through this list of memory strategies, I have not compiled the individual memory techniques in any particular order of importance.
In fact, to get the most of your mind, you can easily plan to learn and use all of them. They’re all important and even if you don’t put all of them into action, it’s useful to know about each and every one.
Just understand that you don’t have to learn all of them overnight. Pick one or two, and bookmark this page so you can easily find it when you’re ready to add on a few more to aid your journey as a holistic learner.
One: Pay Attention
As memory expert Harry Lorayne often pointed out in his books and presentations, the number one reason we forget is simple. We aren’t paying attention to the information as it comes in.
Paying attention is useful for all kinds of information, and one simple way to practice getting better at it is when you meet new people.
Before going to your next party or event, make a point of telling yourself that you will pay attention to the names of the people you meet. This tutorial will help you memorize their names.
You can also practice paying more attention as you read. A simple tip is to do a round of progressive muscle relaxation and breathing before using the memory techniques for studying on this page.
I like to sit in a particular way when reading and pretend that I’m “hunting” for details. It helps me pay more attention to the material and pick up the nuances.
Two: Use Associations
Many memory techniques rely upon connecting one thing with another through association.
These associations can be direct or indirect. They can be extremely broad or granular. Either way, the entire strength of this memory technique relies on one simple principle:
Connect (or associate) information you want to remember with information you already know.
For example, a direct association would be meeting a person named Brad and associating him with the actor Brad Pitt. If you do not know Brad Pitt, obviously he would not be an option. Some other person named Brad that you do know would be the better choice.
An indirect association would be memorizing a word in a foreign language or medicine and coming up with something that sounds close enough.
For example, Oliver Sacks does not sound exactly like the sacral plexus, but if you have him crawling the sounds of “Sacks” and “crawl” will trigger the word “sacral” indirectly.
Or, to stick with needing to remember a name like Brad, an indirect association might be to think about brass knuckles or the obscure Skinny Puppy compilation album Brap. Both the words brass and brap are close enough to at least trigger the target information you want to remember.
Why?
Because these choices are based on the sound-association of br in the association and br in the name of the target information.
Three: Use Multisensory Mnemonics
A lot of training material on the use of memory techniques confuses people because they use terms like mnemonic images. This teaching makes it sound like you’re supposed to think in pictures.
Some people certainly can do that.
However, when making associations, it’s important to add other sensations to the images. This activity is important because of the elaborative encoding principle I’ll share with you in a moment.
For now, here’s a handy acronym to help you remember the main types you can make: KAVE COGS.
Kinesthetic
Auditory
Visual
Emotional
Conceptual
Olfactory
Gustatory
Spatial
For example, if you have to memorize a last name like “Hamilton,” it’s okay to imagine ham. But you’re much more likely to remember it if you think about how a big slab of ham feels in your hands (and make it weigh a ton).
Then, go further. Imagine how it tastes and smells. Think about how big it is. Imagine having an emotional reaction about it, such as feeling sad that you’ve dropped it on the ground. Hear the sound of it falling.
This form of association is not so much an alternative to the so-called chunking technique you’ve probably come across before. It’s an enhancement of the idea that we can organize what we want to learn into units.
In this case, we’re doing that with our associations, making us freer and faster when we encounter sprawls of information and don’t want to spend time on chunking. (Personally, I rarely chunk because the tactics you’re learning now make the arrangement of like information happen naturally.)
You’ll want to use these aspects of multisensory association frequently. Keep KAVE COGS in mind because it’s tremendously useful for many of the other memory improvement techniques below.
Four: Use A Visual Alphabet
People have been using memory techniques for thousands of years. And as Lynne Kelly has shown in Memory Craft, having a visual alphabet has been profoundly useful to many people throughout history.
Using a mnemonic device like this lets you rapidly draw upon associations you’ve created in advance.
That way, if you come across something like “sacral plexus,” you’re not fishing around in your mind for the perfect association. You’ll already have something that is close enough to at least kick off the association process.
There are many kinds of visual alphabets that a wide variety of memory trainers have taught:
The trick to developing your own visual alphabet is to simply write out the alphabet and think of people, objects and actions you’re already familiar with.
To make them really alive in your imagination, apply KAVE COGS to each and every one. Remember: all memory techniques are a lot more powerful when you make your associations multi-sensory.
Five: Word Division
When you start applying your visual alphabet to memorizing information, you’ll sometimes need to memorize long and complicated words.
It’s much easier to apply a visual alphabet to such words by breaking them apart and applying associations one syllable at a time.
For example, the word “triskaidekaphobia” (fear of the number 13) can be broken down in a variety of ways.
Exactly what ways will work best for you requires experimentation. Here’s how I did it:
Trisk (to associate with a trisket)
A backdoor patio (a.k.a. a deck)
Phobia was already known to me, but you could use a phone, Phoebe from Friends, etc.
Notice that the technique is omnidirectional. Sometimes you can be direct, as in using a trisket to represent the trisk sound.
Other times, you have to be indirect, or use an object that has multiple possible terms, such as a patio that can also be called a porch, deck, balcony, etc.
The key is to add in KAVE COGS to make the associations multi-dimensional.
Six: Etymological Association
So far, I have been giving examples that are mostly direct or indirect.
But you can also use the main memory technique of association in an etymological way.
Let’s stick with our triskaidekaphobia example a bit longer.
If you have some skills in this area, you could also notice conceptually that “tri” is in the word “triple.” And that can help you remember that a 3 is involved in the meaning of the word.
The “dek” in triskaidekaphobia may remind you that our word for 10 descends from the Indo-European root dekm-. 10 + 3 is 13, so you think at this level to help remember the 13 part of the target information.
Of course, this tactic assumes that you have some knowledge of how language works.
But several professions rely on some understanding of word origins and you can use a quick analysis of words to help you derive stronger associations. And spending some time studying linguistics is a good thing for everyone to do.
In terms of memorizing this term with the best possible mnemonic, try modeling something like this:
Have a famous person named Tracy riding a tricycle while eating a trisket on a deck.
Next, to make the mnemonic even more effective, imagine this:
Tracy Chapman balancing her tricycle on a skateboard deck instead of a porch deck. She is screaming in fear of the number 13 to help you remember the meaning of the word. This image is weirder and much more memorable as a result.
Seven: Extreme Elaboration
I just mentioned Tracy Chapman balancing a tricycle on a skateboard deck to help memorize a word.
Another memory technique is to exaggerate the image. The scientific term for exaggeration in the art of memory is elaborative encoding.
The stranger you make the image, the more memorable it will be. Adding KAVE COGS is a fast and easy way to elaborate the image and I have some elaborative encoding exercises for you here.
But there’s an element of “know thyself” to this practice. You need to know what’s weird and leaps out to you. Different people experience their imagination with varying degrees of sensitivity, ranging from aphantasia to hyperphantasia and even various types of synesthesia.
The more you explore your imagination, the more you can use it as a highly refined tool. You might not use elaborative encoding to the same extreme as others, but it is important for you to experiment with it so you can discover what will work for you.
Eight: Location-Based Memory Techniques
So far, we’ve discussed various ways to think about associating information we want to learn with ideas, images and objects we already know.
There’s a problem with association on its own, however. When you start making associations, even very strong ones, they wind up floating in the void of your mind.
Sometimes, this presents no problems whatsoever.
More often, however, you wind up facing two issues:
You cannot “find” your associations when trying to remember the target information
You cannot scale the amount of associations you make efficiently
Both of these problems were solved long ago by our ancestors who came up with location-based mnemonics.
This is a meta-level form of association where you associate your strange, weird and multisensory associations with locations in space. Many different terms have arisen for this technique:
And there have been many more names in English and other languages. One of my favorites is “apartments with compartments.”
But overall, I prefer “Memory Palace.”
Two Ways to Use A Memory Palace
The technique is simple. There are at least two ways you can use the technique.
First, let’s say you imagined Tracy Chapman balancing a tricycle on the decks of 13 skateboards. If you have a deck (as in a patio or balcony), you could place this mnemonic in that location.
Then, instead of having to only search for one part of the mnemonic to get you back to triskaidekaphobia and its definition, you have the place plus the location to draw upon.
This is a weaker form of the Memory Palace technique, but I use it some of the time.
The second, much more powerful version is to have a Memory Palace Network. By having a number of Memory Palaces set up in advance, you’re able to save time, scale the amount of associations you can assign and readily find.
Even better, you can use a process called Recall Rehearsal that helps usher the target information into long term memory very quickly.
Indeed, the Magnetic Memory Method has helped many people use both the Memory Palace Network and Recall Rehearsal to remember many things. I’ve compiled many of their experiences with this blend of memory techniques here.
Does This Memory Technique Really Work?
In a word, yes.
Using the Memory Palace technique or any of its variations isn’t for everyone. It requires a bit of setup and some people aren’t willing to put in the time to learn and practice it, even though the benefits have been demonstrated many times by scientists.
Some scientific studies you might want to read include:
Note that two of the scientific articles were co-authored by neuroscientist and memory champion, Boris Konrad. This is interesting because he is able to ask questions based on his own experiences as a mnemonist and polymathic achiever.
Nine: Use Spaced Repetition
The Recall Rehearsal process I just mentioned is an advanced form of spaced repetition that does not use an app. In fact, your mind and your Memory Palaces are the app.
Notice that Mullen is not talking about Anki on its own. That would be rote learning. Spaced repetition works best when you avoid using it to repeatedly show yourself the information and use active recall instead.
Ten: Active Recall
Active recall is related to everything we’ve already discussed, with a few nuances worth paying attention to.
It is a process where you deeply personalize what you’re learning and make sure that you bring variety to the game.
Using mnemonics as we’ve discussed is the fastest and easiest way to personalize the learning journey. And when you use multiple Memory Palaces, you’re getting a ton of variety.
But there’s one more aspect to active recall that matters above all. It’s a process, and here are the steps.
Get a notebook or piece of paper
Bring to mind the memorized information through actively questioning what you learned
I personally use a combination of systems for different purposes. The only ones I don’t use are the Dominic System, the Ben System and the Shadow System.
These feel more complex than needed for my purposes, but some people swear by them, particularly memory athletes.
There’s lots to love about having numbers systems in your toolbox. Let’s look at why next.
Twelve: The Magnetic Bookmark
Once you’ve decided on your number system, you can readily use any page number to memorize some of the content on that page itself. This is an alternative to my main textbook memorization tactic.
Even if you read digital books, you’ll be able to use the location number to use this technique.
Let’s say you find an interesting fact you want to memorize on page 92. If you have images for numbers, maybe you have 92 for Peter Pan (because in the Major System 9 is a p and 2 is an n).
You can now associate that fact with Peter Pan using the memory techniques described above. With this technique, you’ll probably want to limit your use to 3 facts per page.
On the one hand, this doesn’t sound like a lot of information. However, look at this way:
If you can’t memorize 3 things, you won’t be able to memorize 300.
Plus, you can use the technique in real time without having a Memory Palace prepared in advance.
Thirteen: The Pre-Numbered Memory Palace
In many of the Renaissance, Medieval, Roman and Ancient Greek memory instructions, you are taught to place a golden hand on every 5th station.
This simple tactic helps you remember key parts of the journey. And if you’re remembering a list, you can work out what number each item is by doing a bit of simple math.
However, why not use a 00-99 PAO to easily know the number of every station in your Memory Palaces? This technique is especially powerful for memorizing scripture, poetry or philosophical texts where it’s useful to know the line or section numbers.
This pre-numbered Memory Palace example shows you how I prepared to memorize the Atma Bodha in full. I know the text and the number of each verse in this ancient Sanskrit text thanks to this memory technique.
Fourteen: Strategic Copying
Sometimes memory isn’t the problem. Understanding is.
For example, charts and diagrams can often be difficult to remember because you haven’t quite comprehended the data.
In this case, it’s useful to copy out the graph or chart in your own hand. This is a trick I learned from Tony Buzan at one of his ThinkBuzan events.
Using multiple colors can also help you bring diagrams to life in your imagination.
There’s another way to rapidly remember various skills by using copying. Learning expert Scott Young and I discussed this principle in-depth in a recent interview about his book Get Better At Anything.
Although I don’t support plagiarism, I do think Goldsmith is right because I myself typed out pages of Camus when I was a teenager. It helped me remember what good literature is like and developed my procedural memory for writing as an occupation from a very early age.
We also now have opportunities to use software like ChatGPT for activities like language learning. The software involves a tremendous amount of “machine learning” based on a different kind of “copying” or “plagiarism” from which many of us are pulling large benefits.
I’m sure there’s more to say about copying as a kind of memory technique. For now, rest assured that we need copying a lot, especially when learning music and working out how to remember choreography. We need to see how others complete a variety of tasks in order to even begin encoding the skills into our own minds.
I’ve often thought that this decision was premature.
In reality, any mind map serve as a Memory Palace provided you use it strategically. One way to do this is to use a maximum of twelve spots on the mind map, as if it were a clock.
Here’s a clock and several other mind mapping examples. They will give you an idea of the options you have when it comes to remembering more through mind mapping.
Overall, I use mind mapping in a variety of ways, including revisiting old ideas to stimulate recall. I’d suggest thinking of mind mapping as an indirect memory technique, but still one that can and will make a difference when you include it in your learning habit stack.
Sixteen: Interleaving
Interleaving is a fancy word for “switching things up.” Except instead of randomly closing one book and picking up another, you do it strategically.
For example, at the moment I’m studying Qigong, a special topic in music, the history of detective fiction and logic. I read for relatively brief blasts of time in one book before switching to the other.
The breaks in between promote diffuse thinking and give the brain time to percolate the ideas and make connections between topics on its own.
Seventeen: Tell Stories
Anytime you want to remember something better, you can tell yourself the information in the form of a story.
If you’re trying to remember a legal precedent, for example, translate the dry language of the case into a more vibrant scenario in your mind. Imagine the individuals involved in the courtroom and in the situations that led to the case in the first place.
You can also combine the story method with linking and place what you’ve come up with in a Memory Palace.
It can also be helpful to combine details you want to remember with the stories of movies and novels you know well. Or you can import characters from stories you love into the pages of boring textbooks by using the Magnetic Bookmark technique.
Even better, it can help reduce negative thoughts and worries that prevent you from paying attention properly in the first place.
It’s possible that seeing ideas in your own handwriting activates a level of visual memory that aids in both short term and long term recall.
Nineteen: Teach
They say that when you teach something, you learn it twice.
Teaching is a great memory technique for precisely that reason. It gives you a layer of self-testing, which is sometimes called “retrieval practice” and proven in this study to outperform other forms of learning. That’s partly because recalling information with the intention to teach others also deepens your understanding and enhances your sensitivity to the nuances.
Don’t worry. You can keep the teaching step small and simple. By simply explaining to at least one other person something you’ve learned, you’ll remember it better.
And if you can’t find someone to talk with for these purposes, you can also explain it to yourself.
In fact, teaching yourself also connects with the Feynman technique, a means of guiding yourself while learning.
Twenty: Activities That Supplement Memory Techniques
Finally, there are a number of things you can do to make sure that memory techniques work better for you.
These tactics work because your mind and memory is the product of your brain. The healthier your body and brain, the better your memory will work.
All you have to do to get more out of your brain is:
A masterclass in twenty memory techniques you can use to boost your knowledge of any number of topics. In fact, I’ve covered each and every possible information type in this post:
Words
Numbers
Symbols
Images
Although all of these techniques are simple, simple doesn’t mean easy.
Don’t be a dabbler, or someone who burns through a list and says, “that’s nice, but too much work.”
That’s how people miss out on the mastery of their memory.
Be the person who spends some time with each and every technique.
Really understand their ins-and-outs.
Apply them to multiple kinds of information.
Want help learning more? Get my FREE Memory Improvement Course now:
If you were to spend just two weeks with each technique, within a year, you would have learned enough to be an expert in any topic you choose.
You have to realize that your memory is much more than just a sponge.
It’s a launching pad that can help you navigate the rocketship of your mind to realize all of your dreams and fantasies.
And the only person who gets to pilot that rocketship is you.
These techniques can be your rocket fuel.
Make it happen. Your future self is counting on you.
Karpicke, Jeffrey D., and Janell R. Blunt. “Retrieval Practice Produces More Learning than Elaborative Studying with Concept Mapping.” Science, vol. 331, no. 6018, 2011, pp. 772-775.
Reser, D. et al. (2021). Australian Aboriginal techniques for memorization: Translation into a medical and allied health education setting. PLOS ONE, 16(5).
Squire, L. R., et al. (2017). Memory consolidation. Neuron, 96(1), 122-138.
Metivier, Anthony. Full article on the current state of memory as an area of scientific study.
Wagner, I. C., et al. (2021). Durable memories and efficient neural coding through mnemonic training using the method of loci. Science Advances, 7(13).
Deliberate Practice: How to Harness Its Power
Aug 03, 2024
Are you confused by the amount of advice related to deliberate practice?
I don’t blame you. After all, there are lots of different kinds of skills that require different kinds of practice.
For example, I’ve had to follow the deliberate practice steps you’ll discover below during my PhD, especially for language learning. I’ve also been a touring musician and needed to practice in specific ways to be at my best on the stage.
Dedicated practice is the key. But keep in mind as we discuss the topic today that people sometimes use a different term than dedicated practice. You might also see it called intentional practice or dedicated practice.
No matter what you call it, there is an easy way to understand how to practice just about any skill to proficiency. To that end, I’ll give you examples to make everything that goes into proper practice crystal clear.
And if you’re wondering if you need a coach or not in order for deliberate practice to work, we’ll discuss that too.
At the end of the day, deliberate practice will work for you. It’s just a matter of getting the facts straight and learning how to plan.
Since informing yourself correctly is key to practicing well, I’m glad you’re here. Let’s dive in!
What is Deliberate Practice?
The term is used often in sports science and is often defined as practicing according to specific steps or instructions.
Dedicated practice is planned, based on small component parts and improvement is meticulously tracked by capturing data. This data is then used for the individual person engaged in the practice to help them further improve by dialing down even deeper on key areas that require improvement.
For example, I study music and take courses online from Scott’s bass lessons. In one of his programs, Scott identifies 9 key areas of deliberate learning for musicians:
Technique
Fingerboard knowledge
Accompaniment skills
Theory and harmony
Repertoire and performance
Rhythmic development
Chordal skills
Soloing and improv
Sight reading
Obviously, these areas don’t apply to all levels of skill, but the point is to break practice down into granular areas.
When it comes to how to memorize a song, for instance, you might dig even deeper into the theory component and study the modes.
You just have to self-identify where you need improvement the most and then make a plan to fill in the gaps. If you’re not able to spot these areas on your own, this is where a coach can be very impactful.
How to Use Deliberate Practice to Master Anything
Now let’s get into the good stuff: Exactly how to apply deliberate learning to the skills you want to learn.
Although there’s no perfect way to order the exact steps involved, I’ve been practicing presenting information in logical order. But this is where learners sometimes get hung up:
You don’t necessarily have to execute anything in the exact order it’s presented. Once you have the bird’s eye overview, recreate the steps in the manner that makes the most sense for you. And if things don’t work out, come back to the training and start again. As you’re about to discover, reviewing your steps through critical observation is a huge component of your success.
Step One: Know the Key Components of the Skill
Although a skill like archery might look like one swift moment when practiced by a pro, it’s actually the combination of multiple small moves.
In order to practice effectively, you need to identify those small moves and work out ways to practice them as independently as possible. In painting, it might be devising color mixing from outlining shapes. In music, it might be differentiating rhythm studies from learning the exact notes in a scale.
The more you can map the territory into its component parts, the easier it will be to navigate the whole.
To give you another example, in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, I help people focus on the Memory Palace technique first. Then we move into visualization skills related to association before linking them back to the initial technique. In this way, we establish one foundation at a time and then go back and strengthen that initial foundation through a process of review.
Step Two: Plan Based On the Components
Once you’ve identified all the different parts that are involved in a skill, create a plan of attack. As we saw with the critical thinking example, Saltzman spreads her practice across the entire week.
You can also refer back to the method of splitting things up that I shared in the music and language learning examples. Instead of tackling a whole piece, you can look at just parts of things on specific days.
For example, I often teach my serious memory students to prepare what they want to memorize early in the week, practice encoding it during the middle of the week, and then practice decoding the information during the end of the week.
Obviously, this particular suggestion can be modified in different ways. If you don’t want to split the sessions across an entire week, you can split them into morning, afternoon and evening. Experimenting to see what works best for you is the fastest way to settle on a strategy that provides consistent and substantial results.
Step Three: Embrace Discomfort
There’s a reason many experts say that you have to get outside your comfort zone. Taking action not only requires energy and focus, but you also can never be sure that the expenditure will pay off.
That’s why it’s important to let go of the outcome. Perfectionists have an especially difficult time doing this, and they often benefit the most when they’re finally able to let go of control. The reality is that no one can actually control anything that’s going to happen in the future, so the sooner you accept this unsettling fact, the sooner you’ll benefit from practicing without concern for how the session will go.
That said, you still need to monitor your practice. As you do, simply observe any discomfort. Label it, but do not judge it.
If you need help with this step, here are two questions you can ask if and when negative thoughts about your practice results arise.
Step Four: Capture and Analyze
When I taught at Rutgers, my boss Dr. Spellmeyer gave me one of the most useful tips I’ve ever encountered. He said to never make more than three corrections on an essay I was marking.
The reason why is that too much feedback overwhelms students and prevents them from perceiving the value of what you’re offering.
Since that time, I myself have asked my own teachers to limit their feedback to just three corrections, especially in language learning. This area in particular requires a lot of courage, especially when it comes to speaking practice. If you’re interrupted constantly while trying to speak, it can shatter your confidence.
For this reason, I suggest you apply the three-corrections rule to yourself as well. The catch is that in order to find areas for correction, you need to actually capture your practice.
Fortunately, that’s easy these days. Back when I started magic (especially memdeck routines using the Mnemonica stack, I used to record myself with a camcorder, which meant having to hook it up to a TV in order to watch the footage. But these days, it’s easy to use my desktop, laptop or phone to get instant feedback.
For an example of what my own deliberate practice looks like with some of the card memorization I do, check out this demonstration video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56nbsNrRaFw
Likewise, anytime you meet a tutor on Zoom, there’s a one-click process to get the session recorded. It’s easy to review the material multiple times so you can analyze your own errors.
Just don’t overdo it. Try to focus on only three things at a time and you’ll give yourself space to work on the big issues. You’ll have great mental clarity for the granular details on your second pass.
Step Five: Practice Skills in 90-day Blocks
Although I’m sure it’s influenced by all the years I spent attending semester courses at university, I think there’s a lot to be gained by practicing in 90-day blocks on particular skills.
For one thing, a lot of the neuroscience resources I shared above show that 90-days is a kind of sweet-spot for habit formation.
To help portion out these blocks of time, I have found The Freedom Journal useful. The best part about a tool like this is that after using it once or twice, your brain is well-trained to repeat the process without relying on an external device.
When it comes to the deliberate practice of reading at a higher level, the 90-day principle basically recreates the university semester structure. And that provides a key way to remember the things you read: Don’t treat a topic as “one and done.” Embed it in a much larger reading project so you practice comparing multiple thinkers on a topic, developing a historical understanding and really take the time to ferret out all the angles and issues. That way, you’ll know more about what actually needs to be practice.
I’ll give you a concrete example. People often ask me to give them a starting point with philosophy by recommending the “best book for beginners.” That’s tricky because really, philosophy is about more than reading books. It’s about reflecting, writing and having conversations. So you can think of each book as a kind of fuel that helps you “do” philosophy. The gas stations are the various schools of philosophy and the philosophers in them help you decide between the different “grades” of fuel to choose from that guide your reflective practice.
All of this needs to be done deliberately in order to get solid results and that takes time.
Step Six: Rest Like A Pro
As the cliche goes, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
This phrase is instructive because not all of us feel rested by sitting around doing nothing. Some of us get our rest by engaging in alternative activities that help us express our skills in different ways.
Alex Soojung-Kim Pang brings this point out in his book Rest. I took two of his suggestions to heart and combined them:
Take a sabbatical
Apply your skills to something else entirely
I mentioned earlier that my latest book project took 44 days. But I didn’t mention that it was not about memory – at least not directly. I wrote a novel instead.
Although it still took energy and focus, I felt remarkably refreshed at the end of each writing period for the reasons Pang uncovered in his research. The skill of writing is being exercised, but in a completely novel way. This makes the activity as restful, if not moreso, than if I’d done nothing at all.
But whatever you do, it’s important to know what counts as restful for you. And it would be remiss if I didn’t point out that rest itself must be studied and practiced with intention and structure.
Deliberate Practice Examples
We’ve just discussed how a musician might break their practice down into several key areas.
This principle applies across multiple disciplines, so let’s have a look at a few.
Deliberate Practice in Language Learning
One of my favorite ways to apply this form of practice is learning new words and phrases in a foreign language. It works well at any stage, beginner, intermediate or advanced.
There are a few ways to apply deliberate practice theory to language learning.
First, you can make sure you hit the Big 5 skills in meticulously scheduled doses:
For example, let’s say that you’re learning a sentence in German like “Das Blaue vom Himmel versprechen.” It literally means the blue promise from the sky to indicate a promise that cannot be fulfilled.
If you find you get stuck on such phrases, a simple way to practice it more efficiently and ease it into long term memory, involves breaking it into 2-3 parts.
Das blaue vom
Vom Himmel
Himmel versprechen
I tend to prefer starting in the middle and working on just two or three words in a loop. Then I add the end to create a longer loop before going back to include the beginning.
Incidentally, I adopted this approach from music, where it is very common for students to make the mistake of going back to the beginning of a song when they make a mistake. Instead, if you take a single bar and loop it in this exact same manner, you’ll help erase the mistake without having to replay the whole song.
This kind of laser-focused, purposeful practice helps make sure that you’re weeding out problem areas while allowing your brain time to process the whole. And make no mistake, having at least some understanding of how different languages work is important, especially if you want to become polymathic.
Deliberate Practice in Painting And Art
When I taught film studies, we talked a lot about the “deep narrative” of a story, which is why my ears picked up when I read the artist Tanya J. Behrisch on the principle of “deep time” in art.
In brief, time spent in nature or plein aire vastly improves your technique. This is quite different than deep narrative techniques where filmmakers use an economy of means to create sometimes vast universes in your mind in just 2-3 hours.
The theory makes a lot of sense. For example, the more time you spend studying exactly how the light of the sun illuminates a particular shade of green on a specific kind of tree, the more likely you’ll be able to express it in ways that create both recognition and unexpected emotional impact.
How exactly do you practice deep time as an artist?
By actually using your exposure to nature to mix your paints and get them on the canvas. The artist’s sketchbook and consistent studies over time help create an observation loop as they track their progress over time. Artists can also detail the exact nature of their experiments and innovations for future reference.
As the artist Behrisch puts it, deep time is needed to learn what the environment being painted has to say. There is a physical dimension, according to Behrisch, that amounts to allowing the senses to take on the life of the environment in a way that directs the artistic choices of color, stroke, shade, perspective and other aspects of image creation.
SFU Morning by Tanya Behrisch, 2008.
Deliberate Practice in Writing
I’ll never forget when Professor Leps remarked about Roland Barthes that he was a remarkable writer precisely because he wrote masterfully in so many different genres. He wrote theory, philosophy, criticism and addressed multiple disciplines.
Leps said this to a class I took at York University back in 1998 and her observation influenced me to write in as many genres as possible myself. Doing so has helped me improve as a writer for reasons we’ll discuss in a moment.
But in order to gain any level of skill in writing, one needs to develop several levels of understanding. Each needs intentional practice in order to grow one’s skills as a writer. Here are four that have been particularly important to me:
Diction
Genre
Theory
Structure
Practicing diction comes down to style, the specific words you choose to use. This requires the practice of writing itself, but also observation of how you naturally write in comparison with your observation of others.
Genre, on the other hand, requires a study of situations and various kinds of plots. For example, there are at least two kinds of tragedy.
In one, the protagonist fails to recognize his or her errors. In another, the protagonist does have a moment of recognition, but only after it is too late for correction. It takes dedicated study and actual time spent writing within a genre to begin to spot these types. Otherwise, it’s all too easy to take a genre like tragedy for granted.
Theory will help you spot these structures with greater ease. But even understanding theory can take practice. But the more that you combine study with implementation, the deeper your understanding becomes and the better you’re able to practice the craft.
Writing is also a physical art. It requires consistency over long periods of time. The first draft of my latest book project took 44 days with a minimum or 2000 words per day. I did that while continuing to write for this blog, where each article averages out to between 1700 and 2000 words. Given that I’ve written over two dozen books and hundreds of articles, I can tell you that stamina is something you build through consistent practice. No one is gifted with it from on high.
As an example of how I trained my stamina, here’s a practice I still use to this day:
I have trained myself to write for as long as one of my favorite albums takes to play from beginning to end.
For years, most of the posts on this blog were written while listening to just one album. Because I find editing extraordinarily tedious, I typically will use a separate album. A book written while listening to Nevermore may be edited while listening to Lou Reed, for example.
“Entraining” your brain to write by listening to the same music during each session could be a powerful deliberate practice technique for you.
You don’t have to take my word for that training using intentional practice matters. Stephen King says as much in his own words in On Writing and also talks about writing to music. Likewise, I learned about the importance of writing consistently from Susan Swan, under whom I studied writing at York University.
But to be as clear as possible:
I treat writing an entire book very differently than I do writing for my blog. Whereas a blog post can be drafted in an afternoon, a book may take weeks, months or even years.
Furthermore, successful blogging has certain rules and principles in order to reach audiences who typically use search engines to find answers to questions.
Books, on the other hand, go much deeper and can use a variety of structures. For example, most of my books are like manuals. But when I wrote The Victorious Mind, I practiced combining the delivery of raw instruction with scientific journalism and autobiography. I took inspiration from books like Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer and Suzanne Segal’s Collision with the Infinite.
The point is that you need to practice the principles that are related to the genre and the structure you’re creating in while allowing theory to guide your diction.
Critical Thinking and Deliberate Practice
As a final, briefer example, let’s look at critical thinking. This is an important skill that cannot develop without consistent practice.
She shares that she poses one question to herself each day of the week. The question may cover:
Issues at work
Medical decisions
Societal debates
Trending ideas
She goes even deeper by dividing the kinds of questions she practices by day of the week:
Monday = a purpose question (is my purpose properly aligned?)
Tuesday = an information question (what are the best resources I need to look at?)
Wednesday = a question question (what am I failing to ask?)
Thursday = a perspective question (what perspectives am I leaving out?)
Friday = Assumption question (what assumptions have I left out?)
Saturday = Concept question (how can I better clarify one of my ideas?)
Sunday = Conclusion question (how can I find better evidence to support my ideas?)
But practicing critical thinking using this structure, Salztman promises outcomes that I believe are very true:
We will make fewer mistakes and achieve intellectual humility. In other words, this form of practice keeps us open to learning more because we acknowledge that we do not know what we do not know.
One of my favorite ways to apply deliberate practice is in mindfulness and a style of concentration meditation that is a bit more robust than other traditions.
In addition to daily sitting, this approach involves memorizing and reciting Sanskrit from a particular philosophical tradition.
Then, throughout the day, when unwanted thoughts arrive, specific statements “neutralize” them.
When pleasant mental experiences arise, deliberate practice is used to strengthen the positivity. The specific statement I make is “deepen, deepen” while focusing on the pleasant aspect.
According to renowned meditation expert Shinzen Young, this process creates a positive feedback loop. In other words, the more you label the pleasant experiences, the more pleasant experiences you have to label.
In this same discussion with Young, Leigh Brasington called the outcome of this process “Ecstatic Meditation.” He gives instructions on how to practice in his book, Right Concentration.
For more exercises that help you practice meditation intentionally, please also consider reading The Victorious Mind.
Deliberate Practice When Using Memory Techniques
No list of examples would be complete with discussing the practice of memory itself, or remembering memories.
In addition to regularly memorizing playing cards, you can set yourself up with a number of drills. The classic disciplines of information to work with are reflected in the world of memory competitions Josh Foer wrote so nicely about in Moonwalking with Einstein:
You can add your own categories as well and work on memorizing new songs, elements of a foreign language or even concrete images such as maps. Or, you could learn and practice giving a speech from memory, something that required a personal level of dedicated practice when I wrote, memorized and prepared to deliver this popular TEDx Talk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
The key is to pick a discipline and stick with it over time until you no longer feel challenged. Then add another, always leaning into greater and great challenges so you can improve your memory skills over time.
To help track your progress over time, I suggest keeping a journal. Memory athlete Johannes Mallow has shared how he accomplished so much in the memory competition world using journaling as part of his deliberate practice on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Why Deliberate Practice Works
According to Campitelli and Gobet in Deliberate Practice: Necessary But Not Sufficient, the success of deliberate practice may not come down to the amount of hours you spend on a skill. At least not entirely.
Looking at chess, they found that other factors were involved, such as:
The exact season of birth (due to exposure to viruses more or less prevalent during particular parts of the year)
Don’t let these findings discourage you. The researchers focused strictly on chess, after all.
But I mention the research because knowledge can give you mental strength that leads to identifying issues and helping you find solutions. Knowledge is also the key to identifying and overcoming learning plateaus.
Ultimately, the real reason deliberate learning works comes down to the neurochemistry of habit formation.
Some of the best and most accessible resources on the science behind how the brain helps you form positive habits are found in books like:
I’ve already given an example of how I’ve put this science to work in my own life. Whereas I never used to believe that I could write for a living, by simply committing to write 2000 words a day each and everyday, I completely rewired my brain. It’s now very difficult for me not to write at least that much in the same way some people crave exercise… or junk food.
I think you get the picture:
Repetition is what forms habit, good or bad. The trick is to focus on repeating the good things enough times that your brain chemistry takes over and you crave the repetition of the steps that lead to positive outcomes. Even if effort is involved, you will ultimately not have a hard time showing up to do what works.
And on those days when you still struggle, you’ll have metacognitive tools provided by intentional practice itself that will help you “troubleshoot” the issues and neutralize them.
Miss Out on Intentional Practice At Your Own Risk
As I hope you can tell by now, you have every reason to practice with focused intention. There’s literally nothing to lose.
True, practicing in the ways we’ve discussed today requires setup and review. This process must also be repeated as you make your way on the path of mastery.
But isn’t this precisely what mastery is?
When I use the term “memory master” on this blog, what I mean is precisely that: the person who consistently practices their memory with no concern for the outcome.
Yes, there’s the paradox that we need to observe the outcome in order to improve over time. But life is full of contradictions, and learning to accept them is part of how we make progress. You can learn to let go of the outcome and analyze it all the same.
And if you’d like help with this process when it comes to memory improvement, give this FREE Memory Improvement Kit a try:
It will reveal the secrets of how everyone from ancient learners to contemporary memory athletes learn faster and remember more.
You’ll learn exactly what needs to be practiced and how to document your journey so you can improve your results over time.
And let me know in the comments:
What outcomes do you want and how willing are you to put the key characteristics of deliberate practice to work in your learning life on a scale of 1-10?
5 Mnemonic Strategies You Can Use to Remember Anything
Aug 03, 2024
You’d like a bunch of mnemonic strategies that help you learn faster, right?
Whereas nearly every article on the Internet is going to give you a bunch of weak techniques like “keywords,” here’s the thing you need to understand:
Using the keyword method as a mnemonic device is not a strategy. It’s a tool that you use strategically.
And one of those strategies involves how you design your life so that you can use memory techniques – like I did while getting my PhD at York University in Toronto. And later when I lectured at the University of Saarland in Germany.
So if you want proper mnemonic training, buckle up because I’ve going to give you some mnemonic device examples, and in a way that doesn’t muddy the waters. Everything is based on real-life uses that have led to substantial outcomes.
If you want to use flashcards strategically, then you need to add a mnemonic element. For example, instead of showing yourself the same card repeatedly and hoping the information will stick, to use flashcards strategically, you will combine a mnemonic technique like elaborative encoding with active recall based on a spaced repetition pattern.
For example, I’ve used elaborative encoding to make the German word Bereich (area) more memorable:
Mnemonic Example for the German Word Bereich
This approach uses Bender from Futurama as a mnemonic image and is strategic because:
1) I used my hands, colors and a non-digital tool I could easily revisit both physically and mentally.
2) I did not cheat by including the target information anywhere in the mnemonic device. This forces me to at least try to use active recall.
3) This drawing is linked to a Memory Palace that enables mental spaced repetition based on a few principles (Primacy Effect, Recency Effect, and Serial Positioning Effect).
Although I am not a great artist (and you don’t have to be), this approach is so much faster and effective than spaced repetition software. I was inspired to start drawing my mnemonic examples in this way by language learning expert Gabriel Wyner. His book Fluent Forever is incredible.
Why use Bender? Here, the alphabetical strategy is in use because “be” is in both Bender and the German word Bereich.
Strategy Two: Use Memory Palace Locations Strategically
Let’s extend this example to teach you another principle.
Bereich means “area” in German. To help remember both the sound and the meaning, I used a Memory Palace, but imagined that Bender was in Berlin’s Tegel airport (within my Memory Palace).
A memory strategy can involve importing one location into a Memory Palace based on another space.
There are other ways to think about this approach.
For example, when I passed my test for permanent residence in Germany, I need to prove that I knew a lot about the country. So I used the map of Germany itself as a kind of Memory Palace. For more details on maps as Memory Palaces, check out this tutorial.
I’ve also used locations that are appropriate to memorizing poetry to create a meaningful association. For example, I used the Keats-Shelley House in Rome to memorize some Keats. I’ve also memorized scripture using a church, etc. The basic idea here is that you’re using the mnemonic device strategically by linking the content with the location based on themes.
You can take this further by memorizing only words related to cooking in a foreign language using your kitchen as the Memory Palace, etc. I would not overdo this because you should ultimately be able to use just about any location for any learning task. But it certainly can create an advantage for some learning goals and is well worth exploring.
Strategy Three: Use Multisensory Mnemonics
The next next device I’m using is association through imagery.
But it’s not “imagery” in the way we normally mean use that term. I actually don’t “see”a picture of any of this in my mind.
Instead, I’m operating more on the level of observation, sound and kinesthetic experience. As mentioned, “Bender” starts with ‘be” and so does “Bereich.” And if you look at my drawing again, you’ll see there’s a drummer in the image.
That’s Steve Reich, a very important drummer in the history of percussion. Be + Reich = Bereich. And to make the association even more multisensory, I just took a second to imagine what it feels like to hold drumsticks in my hand.
Easy, right! Yes, but most people fiddle around with the “keyword” method, an agonizingly inadequate approach when you’ve got real memory tasks to conquer. Please don’t underestimate this simple activity. Researchers have found that students enjoy learning vocabulary much more by using this kind of approach.
Strategy Four: Add Phrases Or Context To Individual Words
People aren’t wrong to worry about this apparent limitation, but the reality is that every sentence is a list of words. And every paragraph is a list of sentences.
Not only that, everything we speak or consume comes out in a temporal order.
That means that we will always learn and memorize in the form of a list in one manner or another.
So in language learning, my strategy is to start by memorizing 5-10 words and then add phrases to each word. Or, if I’m learning facts, I start by establishing the fact in memory first, then add context.
By building upon established foundations, this strategy allows for expansion in a way that feels fun and rapidly scales.
Strategy Five: The Memory Palace Technique With Recall Rehearsal
Finally, the main device I draw upon is called spaced repetition – but a special kind based on findings in memory science. Basically, the technique involves how you revisit information in your Memory Palaces. I suggest different orders, such as:
1) Revisit the memorized words forward
2) Backwards
3) Out of order
There are more patterns you can deploy and I cover them in Memory Palace Mastery. Why not grab your seat now? I’ll show you exactly how to build a Memory Palace in the most effective way.
It might feel strange and even challenging to follow these patterns in your Memory Palaces at beginning. But it is truly the fastest path to developing an effective mnemonic habit stack.
And focusing on effectiveness is important because it’s the path to ease and efficiency. To help speed up the process, you do want to keep a record of what you’ve memorized, and you do that in a Memory Journal. Then, when testing your memory, you need to use active recall in order to generate the memories.
That means using a fresh piece of paper or a testing Memory Journal where you have no access whatsoever to the target material. (In this way, each of these two Memory Journals are also kinds of mnemonic devices.)
For example, when I have memorized long Sanskrit passages, I do it purely from the books I’m reading that feature texts like you can hear me reciting here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
Later, I write out what I’ve memorized from each session. I do my best and only after I’m finished do I check the record. That’s also how I tested my memory of the TEDx talk itself: I wrote it, memorized it and then wrote it out by hand without the original record anywhere in sight.
The Most Highly Effective Mnemonic Strategies & Techniques
This might surprise you, but it actually doesn’t matter which is the most effective for me or some other memory expert.
The best mnemonic strategies are the ones you’re actually going to use.
And to figure that out, you need to try a few on for size. To do that, here’s what I suggest:
Do your research. The market is filled with all kinds of memory trainers. I suggest you find the one who has accomplished what you want to accomplish.
For example, I’ve learned languages, given speeches and completed a PhD. If you want to do those things, chances are, I’m your guy.
But, I’ve only done moderately well at memory competitions.
Anthony Metivier judging at a memory competition.
Personally, I likememorizing cards, but the idea of memorizing endless digits, words and abstract shapes I’m going to forget immediately after the competition is over… I just have no interest in that.
However, a lot of people love memory competitions and I’ve interviewed a lot of the best memory athletes on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Seek them out. Many have books and courses of their own. Just be realistic about who has done what. There’s a big difference between using these techniques to forget what you’ve memorized after the games are over and the ability to hold on to the information for the long term.
Stick with the program. Too many people get started and then fall off the horse. If that’s you, forgive yourself and then go through my mental strength free training. It will help you keep on track.
How long do you need to study the mnemonic strategies of the memory master you’ve chosen?
I’d suggest at least 90 days. I haven’t plucked that number out of thin air. Many studies show it is the bare minimum for lasting habit formation. Dr. Richard Wiseman has gathered a bunch of them in his book 59 Seconds, and you’ll see similar data repeated in any good book on the science of success.
Have a vision. One reason people can’t practice the mnemonic strategy of their choice is because it isn’t embedded in a clear picture of what realistic accomplishment looks like.
Again, I have zero interest in competition but that doesn’t mean I don’t “compete” against time. For example, I was once invited to teach memory techniques in Guilin, China.
I had less than 3 months to study the language, but I made a very specific vision: That I would have a 300-500 word vocabulary and basic abilities in the language.
Because I was clear (and realistic) about the vision, I was able to study effectively from the very first moment I attempted learning the language. I wound up at the school filled with modest skills and my teachers were blown away! I even wound up meeting a beautiful woman who later became my wife. And then I rapidly memorized a song in Mandarin to sing at our wedding.
Practice frequently.
Listen, I’m not the greatest singer in the world, and I don’t want to torture your ears. But there’s a reason why I recorded this video while washing the dishes. And that reason is to demonstrate how I take every possible opportunity to practice:
A lot of people try to “force” the techniques to work. Sure, that can create success sometimes, but we actually need to create flow around them.
So when I practice, I mentally give myself permission to make mistakes. I don’t try to get it right. I just visit the Memory Palace and allow the imagery to come back.
If I haven’t been specific enough with the associations or the Memory Palace creation was sloppy, I’ll definitely feel it.
But I don’t allow myself to get frustrated. I just note any mistakes or struggles and analyze what’s going on so I can improve it rationally instead of from a place of negative emotion or need.
Once you put these strategies together in one tight package (with frequent practice), you’ll find that the memory mnemonics you use make your mental life a much finer journey to experience.
Savor it and let me know in the comments if there are any strategies I missed.
How to Memorize a Deck of Cards: 8 Incredibly Easy Steps
Aug 02, 2024
Do you have a system for remembering cards?
Whether it’s for bridge, poker, memory competition or just your own personal memory training, it’s fun and rewarding to commit all 52 cards to memory.
I know, because when I competed against Guinness World Record Holder Dave Farrow in Toronto, my mnemonic system for memorizing cards was barely strong enough to hold my own.
That said, I did half as well as he did and made zero mistakes. I’m quite proud of that, but especially proud that Farrow shared with me some of the techniques he used to memorize more cards than I do. Twice as much, in fact.
And now I can remember a newly shuffled deck in two minutes and thirty seconds. And I hold a particular deck in memory for magic tricks (I’ll show you the stack and how I practice recalling it in a video below).
What’s involved in learning card memorization techniques for yourself?
Well, let’s start by looking first at how to memorize playing cards from a bird’s eye view.
Memory techniques work by dressing up information in costumes. In other words, when you look at the Ace of Spades, you’re also looking at a mnemonic image that you’ve added to it.
Sound weird or confusing?
It certainly can be in the beginning.
That’s why on this page, you’ll learn everything you need to know to dress up each card in a mnemonic costume.
That way, you’ll be able to rapidly place playing cards into both short-term and long-term memory quickly.
Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!
How to Memorize a Deck of Cards in 8 Steps
As you go through this training, it will be useful to have a pen and paper and a deck of cards in front of you.
That way, you can start taking action immediately.
Step One: Choose An Encoding Method For Your Mnemonic Costumes
In order to memorize cards, each card needs to have a mnemonic image.
There are a few systems for doing this to choose from. The main ones people use are the Major Method or the Dominic System. I personally use a PAO System these days, but was using the Major when I competed with Farrow.
Other systems include the Ben System and the Shadow, which I talked about in detail on my podcast with memory athlete Braden Adams.
The fact that Braden is so good with applying the Shadow to playing cards is one thing. What I also hope you note is that he memorized nearly 70 decks of cards for charity using it. Here’s our discussion about that incredible feat along with the details you need to know to use this card memorization system.
You can also listen to one of the most impressive card memorizers on my podcast: Alex Mullen. From what I understand, his approach is grounded upon the Major Method.
No matter what mnemonic system for cards you choose, it’s important to understand the rules of association and why such systems help.
As a magician, I’ve always been dismayed by how many teachers talk about rote learning instead of using mnemonics, and that is why you ultimately have to not only pick your system. You also need to pick your teacher. If you happen to be a magician yourself and want to memorize cards for memdeck work, consider checking out my post on the Tamariz stack.
Step Two: Learn Your Encoding Method
Let’s assume that you’re going to use the Major Method (sometimes called the Major System). You’ll first want to learn the following system:
Here’s a video that walks you through the Major so you can learn the pattern you see on the illustration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4KdSva1fH0
Basically, you want to wind up with words for each pair of numbers, ideally words that are related to an image.
For example, I use “toad” for 11, specifically the Warner Brothers toad. He is in turn associated with the Ace of Spades. I’ll show you why next, but for now, please make sure that you understand why we use the Major.
It’s so that each number is associated with an image that is easy to animate in the mind. That way, when you are placing your images for the cards in a Memory Palace, you can interact the two images in evocative ways that are easy to recall. We’ll discuss this point in greater detail below.
Step Three: Assign The Encoding System To The Suites
Once you have a consonant for each digit 0-9, you’ll then assign a number to each suite.
This arrangement goes back to the early days of mentalism, which often uses memorized deck of cards:
Spades = 10
Diamonds = 30
Clubs = 50
Hearts = 80
Now, a lot of people are going to ask, why these numbers? There’s no strict answer, but one reason has to do with the wider availability of words. You also need to run into the next set of ten using this method, so that is only possible if you leave space.
But at the end of the day, you’re trying to reduce the arbitrariness of the choices to the smallest degree.There is always some arbitrary level, but I find that the Major reduces it to the minimum.
For the sake of this tutorial, do your best to place “why” questions aside and just memorize this association. No matter what system you choose, there will be things that don’t immediately make sense – and they don’t have to make sense. They just need to work.
Step Four: Start Remember The Card/Number Associations
You’ll want to assign each card a number without using the number given to the suites themselves. For example, the spades run like this:
Ace of Spades = 11
Two of Spades = 12
Three of Spades = 13
Four of Spades = 14
Five of Spades = 15
Six of Spades = 16
Seven of Spades = 17
Eight of Spades = 18
Nine of Spades = 19
Ten of Spades = 20
Jack of Spades = 21
Queen of Spades = 22
King of Spades = 23
Then, when you move to the Diamonds, you start with the Ace of Diamonds at 31.
Step Five: Assign Your Words For The Cards
You need to make words for each of the numbers. Since 1 = a d or t in the Major, you could make a word like “dot” or “toad.”
I prefer toad because it allows me to pick a specific pop culture reference, namely the Warner Brothers toad:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsROL4Kf8QY
It’s really important that your choices are logical, concrete and ideally bring to mind a specific pop culture reference.
Step Six: Exaggerate Each Image
Once you have a word that you’ve made as concrete as possible, exaggerate the images. If you’ve chosen well, such as in the case of the Warner Brothers toad, the image if already sufficiently exaggerated.
If you need help with the exaggeration step, consider these powerful visualization exercises.
Step Seven: Practice Mentally
Practice without the cards in hand first.
Practicing without your cards in hand is really important, specifically bringing the image to mind before looking at the card to answer whether or not you got it right. Conducting your practice in this way is called Active Recall and will train your brain to think of the card and its image without an external trigger.
Get out a piece of paper and start writing out all of your associations for the cards, beginning with 11. You’ll soon start to see how helpful the Major is as you go because it lets you guess what your image was. If 1 must be a t or d, then the limited possible words will quickly bring back the word and the image you chose.
Step Eight: Practice With The Cards
Now you’re reading to add playing cards and start recalling the order of a stack or shuffle. Here’s an example of me practicing the recall portion of a memorized deck of cards:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56nbsNrRaFw
Shuffle them first, ideally with a combination of overhand shuffles and ladder cuts.
Look at each card, place the image in a Memory Palace and then add the next. Get the images interacting.
For example, my images for Four of Hearts and Eight of Diamonds are the flamethrower used in Mission in Action 2 and the mentalist Max Maven.
(Flamethrowers shoot “fire” which is my word for 84, f+r. Maven is my word for 38, m+v.)
You want to have the images interact with each other in the order of the cards. In this case, I would have the flamethrower igniting Max Maven. Then, Maven would interact with whatever image goes with the next card.
Then, recall the cards, a process that will look like this, as seen in the hands of one of my Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass students:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFZydbjyzEk
Now that you know what to do, let’s talk about the 13 incredible reasons memorizing cards is such a powerful skill to develop.
1. You Experience Overall Memory Improvement
Obviously, memorizing playing cards improves your overall memory. How could such intense memory practice not improve your memory abilities?
After all, the best way to improve your memory is to use it. I normally say that you should always practice your memory by using it to remember information you can use to improve your life in a substantial way, but card memorization is the one exception.
And since there is ALWAYS an exception to every rule, this one is worth your close attention.
The rest of the points I’m about to share explain in detail why card memory is so powerful even if it amounts to memorizing information you cannot and will not use in any immediately practical situation (outside of card magic).
2. Having A System For Remembering Cards Improves Your Memory For Numbers
Not only that, but you wind up with a neat way of remembering a lot of different kinds of numbers.
So long as you don’t let yourself get overwhelmed with excitement by your super memory powers (like I sometimes do), you’ll have the ability to memorize any number after picking up this simple memory technique.
3. You’ll Get Good At Memorizing Long Lists
After all, what is a deck of cards other than a list of job positions in a unique order? Learn to remember the order of 52 cards and you’ll instantly know how to memorize 52 of anything.
And with a few simple expansions and some practice, you can repeat the process or hundreds if not thousands of lists. It’s easy and fun.
4. You’ll Develop Killer Abilities With Memorizing And Managing Abstractions
https://youtu.be/PUC5N9QORhM
People find memorizing concepts amongst the most difficult information types in the world. The symbols on playing cards are downright abstract themselves, so this skill will lighten the load on other abstractions and arbitrary associations you encounter.
One trick is to simply stop convincing yourself that concepts are different than any other kind of information. Training with card memory will teach you how to stop making that mistake because it levels the playing field. Just like a rose is a rose is a rose, so does all information share certain core tendencies.
When we focus on the differences between information and levels of difficulty, we trick ourselves out. When we zone in on the similarities and refuse to privilege information by placing it in hierarchies of difficulty, we win.
5. Remembering Cards Improves Your Imagination
Just about everyone wishes they could be more imaginative. Knowing how to memorize a deck of cards can help your imagination grow on a daily basis. All you have to do is carry a deck of cards in your pocket. Or, if you don’t want your memorize a deck of cards mnemonics linked to a physical deck of cards, you can use a memorize a deck of cards app.
On the matter of imagination, you’ll also discover other memory experts. Harry Lorayne not only wrote a lot of memory books, but was also a card magician, for example. You can learn a lot from him.
Likewise, you can use the shapes on playing cards to make more Memory Palaces and practice visualization. I share some tips with playing cards at the end of this video about geometry-based Memory Palaces:
https://youtu.be/HAPwOf31N7o
6. Memorizing Cards Helps With Language Learning
To be honest, I’ve only used the card memory application to language learning with the tones of Chinese Mandarin.
But darn if this approach to memorizing Chinese tones with the Major Method isn’t a humdinger! Anytime you can put a number or image on how words should be pronounced in any language, you’ll almost certainly find assistance from this skill.
Plus, I’m convinced that regular card practice has developed my speed and agility with coming up with mnemonics for memorizing vocabulary in any language.
7. Card Memorization Improves Your Critical Thinking
Imagine being able to see more angles to different arguments and manipulate information in your mind. It might sound unrelated to card memorization, but I’m confident you’ll find yourself more capable of manipulating ideas once you have this simple skill.
Why?
You experience boosts in critical thinking from using memory techniques in general because you’re combining spatial memory with the manipulation of perspectives and scenarios.
When you’re using Magnetic Bridging Figures, for example, you spend time considering what it’s like to act and react from different perspectives.
Plus, you’re continually diving deep into your imagination which makes it easier to penetrate other topics imaginatively. You should find that you start thinking at a more engaged level by default.
8. Memorizing Cards Is A Cool Party Stunt
This reason isn’t as lame as it sounds. After all, when those other dudes are winning bets by balancing quarters on the edges of their beer mugs, you’ll be demonstrating real miracles.
Seriously. People will start looking for mirrors.
They’ll look at the back of the cards to check if they’re marked or gimmicked. Recalling a deck of shuffled cards in perfect order is such a stunning feat to watch that it’s hard to believe what’s happening, even if it’s the hundredth or thousandth time you’ve seen it.
If you’re not doing card memorization as a memory stunt, you can also learn to false shuffle cards and perform magic tricks that play like miracles. Provided that you can pull off false cuts and shuffles (it’s not that hard), tricks that use a memorized decks are probably the most powerful you can ever learn.
9. Card memory is a legitimate sport
If you aren’t a physical athlete, but have always felt that lust to compete in some area of human performance, card memory is a great option. The memorize a deck of cards world record list is stunning, inspiring and … frustrating. It’s hard to not want to beat it.
And if you ever give it a try, at either a local, national or international level, you’ll meet a lot of cool and interesting people. And if you attend events like the World Memory Championships, you’ll meet absolute masters of the art. Just listen to Tony Buzan talk about that on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
10. Having A System For Remembering Cards Is A Transferable Skill
I’ve already got this point covered, but it deserves its own category. You really can use this technique to remember a large assortment of numbers and experience powerful applications in language learning and more.
Having a set of mnemonics for memorizing a deck of cards gives you improved abilities in all areas of memory. And even if you’re already good at memorizing cards, you can always get better.
Alex Mullen may have shocked the world with how quickly he memorized cards, but someone will eventually shock us even more. It could be you and the transferable skills you’ll build along the way will be invaluable.
11. You’ll Experience Untold Waves Of Accomplishment From Card Memorization
When was the last time you felt proud of yourself?
I mean, really proud?
Be honest and don’t worry if it’s been awhile.
With card memory skills, you can feel proud each and every day of your life.
I know self-pride strikes some people as fickle, but it’s not. The normal need for self-confidence is what extraordinary people use to keep their memory sharp and help fend off “digital dementia.”
I’m in no way claiming that mental exercise medically prevents brain disease, but it’s positively logical to assume there are physical benefits at work.
12. You Become More Mentally Agile When You Practice Card Memory
Not only do you experience physical brain benefits, but you strengthen your memory skills across the board. It’s like getting better at skipping rope can make you better in the boxing ring.
Think about your memory in terms of space. You have warm and cozy places of familiarity and outer regions of cold and darkness you rarely visit.
By taking on a simple new skill, you bring heat to more parts of your memory. That means new civilizations of information can move in, giving you the chance to practice managing diverse data as part of your personal and professional growth. Just imagine being able to juggle facts in your mind, knowing each one in crisp and sharp detail thanks to the well-lit fires in your mind.
In fact, you’ll be like the expert juggler, each piece of information like a burning torch you can expertly spin through the air and effortlessly catch in a display of memory mastery.
Plus, knowing how to memorize a deck of cards teaches you to create a system for remembering cards based on classic memory methods. Even better: the practice you’ll get creating and using the system helps you create other memory systems.
It’s in this ability to create memory systems out of an understanding of universal principles of memory and methods that you develop amazing powers of mental agility. Even better, you’ll stop losing your train of thought, which is perhaps my favorite benefit of all.
13. You Can Excel At Card Games Like Bridge, Poker And Blackjack
Imagine being able to remember every single visible card in play during a card game. Do you think that would give you a competitive edge?
It certainly would, even though most experts agree that it would only amount to a 2% advantage.
ONLY.
If you know your numbers, then you know that a 2% advantage in any game is huge. And if that game involves bets with money, be it pennies or dollars, your earnings could be huge.
I myself don’t gamble, but I can tell you that the pleasure I take in playing no-stakes games using memory to my advantage is a lot of fun. And it’s always amazing exercise as one of the most powerful brain games you’ll ever play.
Of course, you don’t have to use memory techniques for gambling games. The “memorize a deck of cards game” world is full of non-competitive “find ’em” variations that have no stakes involved whatsoever. You just lay out card pairs and practice remembering locations so you can match and remove them during game play.
Should You Use An App For Memorizing Playing Cards?
A lot of people ask me to recommend my favorite memorize a deck of cards app.
I always tell them to simply carry a deck of cards with them. In combination with your brain, a physical deck is the best deck of cards app on the planet. At least, that’s my view, and I think this way because working with a physical deck gets the muscles of your hands, arms and eyes involved in card memorization at a much deeper level.
No, I don’t have any direct research to make claims that you get a memory advantage when using a real deck of cards. In fact, using a memorize a deck of cards app, provided it includes such functionality, has the advantage of tracking your results on autopilot.
By the same token, you get equally great results by tracking your results by hand, including developing the discipline of monitoring results based on a tracking system of your own creation. Ultimately, if you take the art of creating a system for remembering cards seriously, you’ll eventually create your own tracking methods anyway.
If you come to rely on a memorize a deck of cards app, you won’t be able to modify its tracking modifications to your needs. But you’ll likely have become habituated to using it, which means you may be less likely to evolve. Or maybe you’ll be more likely to evolve … it could go either way.
Anyhow, I walk my talk when it comes to this issue. Here’s a pic of one of my card memorization drills in a noisy cafe in Berlin:
I literally just pull out a deck, memorize and then test in the time that I have. I still practice this way a few times a week, even if it’s just a quarter of the deck at a time when I’m not able to practice more than that.
So, if you’re serious about memory improvement, I recommend getting started straight away. Memorizing cards is in my view one of the most powerful memory training routines in the world.
Once you’ve recalled even just 1/4 of a deck of cards, you’ll be convinced of how much potential your memory holds. This simple feat of memory accomplishment will create energy and inspiration that keeps you moving forward. Once you’ve accurately recalled just a few cards you’ll know just how easy it is to learn, remember and recall anything.
It’s a life changing experience and I can’t wait to hear your story of success with developing your own system for remembering cards!
How To Read Faster And Retain More: 16 Science-Backed Tips
Aug 02, 2024
If you want to know how to read faster, you’ve probably tried to stop “subvocalizing” and reduce “backskipping.”
What if I told you such “speed reading” techniques are probably a waste of time?
Especially if you’re a serious learner who wants to retain what you read. And comprehend it so you can achieve the big goals you have for your life?
If you’re the kind of learner who wants to read, remember and understand, you’ll love the tutorial on this page, because…
There are at least three reasons why speed reading won’t help a lot of people.
I’ve taught reading and writing at three universities. And I’ve taken multiple speed reading courses.
Frankly, even if the classic speed reading techniques like controlling your eyes better and silencing your inner voice really did help you read faster… so what?
If you can’t recognize what even a small percentage of words mean and lack familiarity with the topic area, you’re not going to understand any faster. This is the vocabulary part of the issue. People who know more words read faster.
If you’re in that situation, you’d actually do better reading slowly, looking up words and terms, and interrupting your flow to aid understanding by reading outside of the main text.
So with all of these points in mind, let’s reframe the question:
If you’re learning to read faster, what are the fundamental speed reading techniques that will help you zip through multiple books in a single day? All while maximizing retention and comprehension.? These are the exact techniques we’re going to cover on this page.
Who am I to address these topics? I’m a PhD, Mercator Scholar, member of the Australian Psychological Society and someone who blazes through multiple books week in and week out. I practice a set of the active reading strategies I’ve learned over the years, and continue to read the most up to date research on retention and comprehension.
And here’s the best part:
By weeding out the reading tactics that don’t make sense, I can help you read quickly without giving yourself the headaches most speed reading courses induce. So if that sounds good to you, let’s get started.
How to Read Faster (While Retaining Vast Amounts)
People email me all the time saying that they want to remember “everything they read.”
That’s fantastic, but please define “everything.” Overall, you can retain a lot of information, but as a goal, “everything” doesn’t quite make sense. Especially when you consider that most of what we read consists of operational words like “the,” “and,” “if,” “but,” and so forth.
In reality, unless you’re memorizing an entire book, almost no one actually needs or wants to remember everything. As the case of Jill Price’s so-called photographic memory demonstrates, trying to do so can in fact make you ill.
So, rather than be vague and mysterious about what “everything” means, you will do much better by developing a number of “decision metrics” to guide you as you read. You can do this in the form of setting proper learning goals and using a well-formed learning cycle. In other words, set specific goals about how much you want to read and be clear about exactly what you want to retain from the reading. This can take some practice, and I have a full tutorial on how to find the main points in any book you can learn from.
With these holistic learning structures in place, frustrations around your reading speed will soon disappear. You will safely leave behind all the instructions about recording your baseline reading speed and suppressing your inner voice, only to be told by speed reading experts that you’re supposed to make mental images and ask questions as you read.
(Seriously? How are you supposed to reduce your inner voice and increase it at the same time? Speed reading courses that teach this idea should offend anyone with a modicum of common sense in their system.)
So we start by thinking about goals for reading faster and remembering more. And to do that, let’s just expose the white elephant in the room: There is no perfect way to get started.
But if there is something like perfection, just getting started is the key. That’s why I’m sharing the tips you’ll find below, all geared not only to reading faster, but retaining and understanding the material.
Keep in mind however that the tips below are not necessarily “steps” to follow in order. Adding all of them to your reading practice will be useful and my hope is that you’ll rethink what reading is, and what reading can be.
How to Read Faster While Retaining & Comprehending More
Tip #1: Set goals with deadlines within a reading plan
If you want to read faster, you have to practice reading more often.
Why would reading more often help? When it comes to remembering more, you’ll get natural spaced repetition.
Literally, the more you read, the more you’ll come across the big ideas and the granular details. Even without mnemonics, you’ll find yourself remembering more.
And the best way to get yourself reading more frequently can be stimulated by creating a reading plan for yourself. That way you can develop topic mastery based on a combination of vocabulary, specific terminology, history and the perspectives of the main players in the field.
For example, when I was researching my book, The Victorious Mind, I created a 90-day reading plan. That way, when using all the techniques you’ll discover on this page, I was consistently reading in two ways:
According to a specific research schedule that gave me natural spaced repetition
Reading in a “direction” that was leading me to completing a specific research goal
Creating your own reading plan takes some practice, but here are some suggestions. These considerations are important because if you want to read faster in ways that stimulate retention, you need to develop familiarity with the topic. This is important because understanding comes from familiarity.
The follow steps are based on a reading course I used to teach at Rutgers to help students develop topic mastery faster:
Find the definitive textbook or most famous book on the topic. For example, when I started a reading project on consciousness, I quickly found out that Gödel, Escher, Bach is a key text in the field.
Find 2-3 articles about the book and read these. Go beyond the Wikipedia page.
Follow-up with 2-3 of the books mentioned in the definitive textbook
(In massive tomes like Gödel, Escher, Bach you’ll discover endless reading suggestions, so setting a limit is really important!)
How will adding more material to your main book help you read faster?
My friend and fellow memory expert Jonathan Levi calls this tactic, “brute force learning.” You’re literally taking on a bit more than you can handle using this approach.
The answer behind why getting outside of one’s comfort zone helps you read and retain more is simple:
When you start with the fundamentals and develop knowledge of the field, you’ll give yourself the most important reading skill in the world: pattern recognition.
Notice how easily you can name the spiral pattern above, both as a spiral and as a set of stained glass windows. This is because of pattern recognition that comes from repeated exposure to the information. As a consistent reader, reading according to a schedule will give you a similar effect with ideas.
In setting proper reading goals, you’re learning what it means to know your field. The more you know, the more you can know, and that will naturally help your brain:
Recognize big and important ideas faster
Connect them to fundamental concepts in instantly memorable ways
Using multiple mediums like video and audio tap into more representations of your brain and add more perspectives from others who have read the book
Note: I personally expect every beginning to be “front loaded” with more effort and embrace Jonathan’s brute force learning concept. Only after some “pattern recognition” has been developed do I expect to read and understand faster. However, we want to make sure we don’t fall into collector’s fallacy, which is why when I suggest 2-3 other resources, I really mean 2-3. Avoid spending all your time collecting things to read and make sure to be thorough about completing small sets or clusters of material before moving on.
To develop your pattern recognition as quickly as possible as you read for retention, let’s look at the next powerful strategy.
Tip #2: The U.S.S.R. Technique
It would be nice if life were simple enough that we can always read at the same time and the same place – just like we did during our school years.
In fact, with a bit of planning, we still can. And scheduling the time and place for reading is one of the most important strategies for reading faster that I know. This is thanks to the power of rhythm and flow.
Reading when you’re interrupted is really not reading at all. If you want to read faster, remove all disturbances.
U.S.S.R. stands for Uninterrupted, Sustained, Silent Reading.
Instead of doing eye training exercises to expand your peripheral vision, protect your environment from visual interruptions. Read in a quiet place with little or no foot traffic. Put borders around your time.
And if you have family or roommates with schedules that interfere with your own, take responsibility and communicate with them about your needs. It would be nice if other people would remember and respect your schedule and goals, but it’s unrealistic to hold them to that standard. Be firm and protect both your time and space.
That said, I wasn’t always able to read in the same place and at the same times everyday when I was in university. That’s why I’ve shared everything I did to get multiple A+ grades in grad school:
https://youtu.be/si0aTKs_cmQ
These study habits are powerful and that’s because they maximize your personal flexibility.
But note how in the video tutorial I share with you my custom earplugs strategy. It takes a bit of discipline to carry them everywhere, but they really do help put the “silent” in the silent reading formula you’ve just learned.
If you think that noise doesn’t affect how fast you read and retain information, I suggest looking at this study. Basically, it found that noise contributes to low performance outcomes on just about any cognitive task you engage in.
Tip #3: Learn to relax
A lot of people are so stressed out about not reading quickly enough that they tense their bodies. This lack of physical ease puts their posture out of whack, impedes breathing and makes being alive generally uncomfortable. When learning how to read a book fast, you need to be in an optimal physical position.
Rather than give a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approach (that doesn’t exist), I suggest you experiment. You may need to sit in different ways depending on the topic matter, so explore as many positions and places as you can. Either way, please rest assured that good research demonstrates meditation helps with comprehension. This systematic study also shows the positive impact meditation can have on both comprehension and long-term retention.
Meditation has been shown to dramatically improve focus and concentration. These improvements translate directly to reading faster and remembering more.
Meditation is also a key strategy for developing concentration on demand. These 12 concentration meditations should help you out if you want a number of routines to follow. Concentration is another key to being able to read quickly and not get frustrated when you come across confusing or unfamiliar terms.
And here’s another point to keep in mind, related to my strong suggestion that you just start reading more often:
I’ve never understood the emphasis on eliminating “back skipping” or “regression” you see in the speed reading community. Avoiding re-reading strikes me as precisely the way to make sure you forget information, not to mention failing to understand it.
Rather than avoid back skipping, I suggest reviewing frequently and strategically.
For example, I like to hold my finger in the page where the chapter started and go back to it several times. This technique is kind of like inner-book interleaving, which we’ll talk about more later.
(It is not really possible to reproduce this technique when reading digitally, though some software programs allow for multiple bookmarks that make this easier. If the document is numbered and you have a Major System, memorizing page numbers can help with this as well.)
But the main point is that I don’t stress if my mind wanders or I need to go back. Reviewing is a way to keep focus, maintain connection with the book and actively connect the dots for both comprehension and retention while reading.
I’m biased, but I also find that physical books are better for avoiding mind wandering and you get other benefits, as I’ve described in detail here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er-k8Ecgdfo
Here’s a sub-point about re-reading that is worth exploring:
But I’ve also found it helpful to get at understanding faster. For example, when reading difficult science articles or philosophy, I sometimes come across dense sentences. Rather than repeating them silently in my mind, I get my mouth involved and sound them out.
Even better than understanding faster, Colin Macleod and his fellow researchers have found that sounding out words improves retention in memory. They call it the Production Effect.
So even if reading out loud might technically feel slower, it’s actually leading you to better understanding and memory faster in many cases.
Tip #5: Do Not Wreck Your Eyes Based On Bad Science
A lot of speed reading books ask you to follow a pen in an infinity symbol. Or they might ask you to draw dots on your pages to impose three columns, the idea being that if you only perform three eye fixations on each line you’ll read faster.
Scott Young has deeply questioned the research on eye training and reducing subvocalization. Frankly, I think he could have gone a lot further. So many of the claims are based on self reporting by people who probably don’t know enough about testing themselves for us to believe they are being accurate.
What about using a pointer?
Maybe, but think about the bizarre origin story for this technique:
Evelyn Wood says she discovered it when a book fell off a desk and flew past her. As she tried to catch it, she noticed her finger running along a sentence.
I don’t know about you, but I doubt I could ready anything from a book in motion, let alone have my finger help with the process.
This puzzling origin story only gets weirder when you look into fraudulent claims involving JFK himself as perhaps the most famous person to fall for such speed reading fallacies.
We can go deeper:
Why would you put something between yourself and the information, either your finger, pencil or a chopstick? (Yes, I’ve encountered a course that suggested carrying around a chopstick.)
This strategy sounds like the opposite of how you would want to train your eyes – which would be unassisted and definitely unobstructed. Plus, how are you supposed to use a pointer on mobile, when your finger would constantly be clicking links and opening new pages?
As you can see, some of the speed reading teaching on the market falls apart quickly when held to scrutiny.
Tip #6: Consider Interleaving
I’ve already mentioned picking a main, authoritative textbook on a topic and reading a few additional articles. Essentially, you’re giving your brain a break as you weave between different voices and this encourages what is called “diffuse thinking.”
One way to think about how diffuse thinking helps with comprehension and retention is to remember a time you were taking a hot shower and suddenly the flashbulb went on. Having a-ha moments often happen when we’re taking breaks and interleaving encourages them to take place.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U34nJGuFvQ
Interleaving also helps you break up time spent on a dense book with lighter versions of the same information. However, you can also get the benefits of diffuse thinking by reading a few other topics at the same time.
For example, when I go to the library, I purposely “distract” myself by grabbing a few books from other topics that interest me. I’ll get a novel and a few books from completely random categories.
This strategy helps make it easier to take interesting breaks and set little mini-goals.
For example, let’s say you grab one book you need to read and three unrelated books. You can then create a little if-this-then-that reading circuit:
Finish one chapter then…
Peruse an interesting book, then…
Finish another chapter, then…
Pick up the next book… etc.
Don’t underestimate the power of giving yourself a shorter reading goal and then allowing your mind to wander. It’s well-documented that it helps us understand and remember more. In fact, this study shows that interleaving has even helped physics students retain and remember some of the most complex information in all of the sciences.
No, we read precisely because we don’t understand and should acknowledge that we will always not know what we don’t know.
In some ways, understanding is always incomplete. In fact, one of the points of Gödel, Escher, Bach illustrates incompleteness as a normal and healthy part of human consciousness. It’s also woven into the structure of math and a core part of the falsifiability principle in science.
That said, if you don’t understand something and know that you need to grasp the concept for a test or at work, make a note of it. Do more reading around the point. You can also use a modified version of the Feynman technique to help coax yourself along.
In case you’re new to it, the Feynman technique involves describing a topic in writing as if you were teaching it to a child.
Then, when you come across blanks in your knowledge, you fill in the gaps with re-reading or reading outside the core textbook. It is powerful and yet another reason while subvocalization is probably not a great strategy. You want to use the power of asking such questions and teaching yourself while you read.
In all things, be humble enough to realize that your fullest possible understanding is always yet to come. It’s a process forever held in beta, and that is a very exciting thing when you stop to think about it.
Tip #8: Vocalize to get over stumbling blocks
Not to overdo my criticism of subvocalization. I actually think there is a context in which it makes sense.
However, when it comes to reading faster, one of the quickest ways to overcome a hurdle is to read something you don’t understand aloud.
Even the best authors are capable of writing unclear sentences. Heck, they can even produce garbled paragraphs, pages and even entire books.
When you can’t understand something, there is no shame in reading out loud.
In fact, I’ve had times when my concentration was so shot, I recorded myself and listened back to the material to aid in understanding it. If you want to know how to read faster and comprehend from someone who has hit rock bottom and still wound up getting a PhD, that is exactly how I did it.
Now, you should know that there is one study that found reading out loud helped memory, but not comprehension. I find that study contradictory, however. Another study shows that discussion helps children learn faster, and discussion groups in university helped me comprehend many complex ideas, especially thanks to reading out loud passages that confused me to others. It has also been found that participating in debates helps, and often people read quotes aloud during such activities.
Although it’s possible that reading aloud won’t help you, it’s at least worth experimenting with as it clearly does help some of us.
But I have to stress the value of reading in and with a group. As I learned in grad school, there’s far too much to read for one individual to cover it all. By being part of study groups, you wind up exposing yourself to the wisdom of more than one person.
To give you an example of how highly important this is to me as a researcher, I graduated my PhD back in 2009. I still belong to several study groups, ranging from the Australian Psychological Association to a group I belong to for business development and another for philosophy. I always wind up reading much more and faster as a result of being able to vocalize myself and hear others speak their ideas out loud.
Research also shows that having a larger social network helps with memory. Even if the people you socialize with don’t read the exact same things you do, you’ll have opportunities to discuss what you’re reading, leading to greater retention over the years. Please make sure to take these research findings seriously and socialize as much as you can and talk about what you’re reading. It will help promotion retention, as will these additional retention tips.
Tip #9: Priming and Picture Walking
Priming is the best thing from the world of speed reading in my opinion. There are different ways to prime or “pre-read” a book, and here is the general pattern I use, followed by a discussion of the different steps:
Read the front and back cover first, including all verbs
Scan the index and bibliography
Read the conclusion
Read the colophon page
Read the table of contents
Skim through the book looking for illustrations, charts and tables
Read the introduction
Read the most interesting chapters
Read the entire book (where relevant)
Reading the covers and all of the “paratexts” like the colophon page, index and bibliography might seem like a strange activity. But doing so is great for “dropping seeds in the field” of your memory and helping you retain multiple facts about the book as a historical object. It’s like looking at a map and pinning little flags of recognition. You are literally training your brain to better understand both the map and the territory, leading to increased understanding and retention.
For example, whenever I look through a book and see a name like Giordano Bruno or Friedrich Nietzsche in the text, I recognize that this new book includes content “wormholes.” Here’s an example of what I mean:
Recently, I quickly read Daniel Dennet’s Breaking the Spell, and quickly assessed the many ways he makes use of Nietzsche in that book. His multiple references to this one philosopher created multiple “wormholes” for jumping through the text and making more connections before reading further.
It’s not that this strategy necessarily leads to any specific outcome. It just creates context and wakes up parts of your existing memory and competence in the field. It also generates curiosity. When you’re curious, you’re probably having fun, so this aspect of priming is basically like watching a movie trailer to whet your appetite.
When it comes to reading the book out of order, I read the conclusion first primarily to find out if the author actually arrived at a conclusion worth pursuing. Combined with the introduction, these two parts of the book usually mention in which chapters evidence has been given to support certain arguments, and this helps you decide where you need to focus.
Finally, if it seems clear that the book is worth reading, I’ll dive in and use the next strategy.
Tip #10: Cull the information you want to memorize first, use the Memory Palace technique later
I do this myself sometimes. But I never do it when I want to understand and remember a large amount of the book quickly.
This is because I find it’s better to read strategically and limit the amount of interruptions. I do not think interruptions to take notes are bad. But too many gets us into collector’s fallacy, which is why I limit myself to between 3-10 points per chapter.
I’ve been sharing this technique for years and a lot of people think it won’t be enough information. The reality is that if you can memorize the big ideas quickly, a lot of the granular details will tend to fall into place anyway. This is because wherever content is king, context is god. The details typically fill themselves in.
Strategically, when using the Memory Palace technique, you can add more details later, but you’ll have nothing to which you can add those details if you don’t just get started. In brief, I extract the points to index cards, and this works more efficiently than notebooks because index cards are moveable.
Then, when I have the main points I want to memorize, I place them in a Memory Palace purposely chosen for the content in that book. There may be several Memory Palaces for the book, or some of the information may be connected to other existing memories with or without Memory Palaces.
The point is simply that reading and note taking is divided from the process of memorizing and reviewing. This makes everything clear, crisp and focused. I find the same approach makes sense when learning to become fluent in a language as well.
Tip #11: Write Summaries
When Dr. Anderson told me she wanted summaries from each book I read during my last semester of courses during grad school, I swallowed hard. That’s because there were dozens of books on my reading list.
However, I’m grateful she made this assignment a requirement because I’ve been writing summaries ever since. It’s great for learning faster because it taps into the levels of processing effect by causing you to actively recall the information in your own words.
I’ve found that 250-500 words is more than enough to capture a book’s core thesis and its main points.
Tip #12: Discuss (With Anyone or Anything)
It’s important to verbalize what you’re learning. If you can’t join a group on the Internet for live stream discussions, I suggest:
Scheduling a reading discussion with family
Self talk while walking or at the gym
Talking with pets as a last ditch effort
It’s always better if you can talk with other people, but if that’s impossible, at least talk to yourself. This activity is like the Feynman Technique, minus the writing.
You can also imagine having a discussion with the author, or even the authors of other books. As I shared in this Q&A on how to learn effectively, imaginary interviewing is a great way to speed up your path to understanding more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOESIeZfDeM
Tip #13: Expand Your Vocabulary
Brilliant Speed Reading, by Phil Chambers, seems to me one of the best books on speed reading thanks to its emphasis on vocabulary development.
By learning all about prefixes and suffixes, you rapidly reduce the amount of time you have to spend looking up words you don’t understand. Chambers’ book gets you started, and something like Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis is well worth your time if you want every book you read to be super clear and easy to digest.
When it comes to retention, this study shows that the speed of “word decoding” is linked to having a larger vocabulary. It’s also possible that learning new words encourages what neuroscientists call synaptic plasticity. Since part of memory is clearly chemical in nature, it only makes sense that by having a greater command of words in terms of volume will lead to greater retention skills as you read.
Tip #14: Know Your Needs and Wants Using the 80/20 Rule
You’ve probably heard about the hero’s journey. It’s the structure of nearly every fairy tale and popular story in the movies and novels.
In every story, the hero has a driving ambition that comes into conflict with a psychological need.
The same thing happens in reading. You know you “want it all,” but in reality, you only need a certain amount.
Thus, as the hero in your own reading adventure, you need to accept that no one, ever, has memorized everything in a book and had all of that information be useful. It’s just not in the nature of either books or knowledge.
Rather, smart people develop the ability to zero in on the key points and identify the granular details that support those points in valid ways. There’s no best way to develop this “radar” other than to get started culling information in a manner like I’ve suggested above.
Tip #15: Be Patient with Different Writing Styles and Conventions
Authors have their quirks and some genres come backed with tedious conventions. However, there’s a reason they evolved and often, just being patient is the fastest path to mastering a text.
Again, understanding is a process, not a destination. So if you double-down on how much you’re reading, you’ll learn the different conventions of different genres much more quickly and then be able to skim more intelligently and without learning the details.
This kind of reading is especially true when it comes to legal documents and scientific papers. Many of their conventions were designed so that readers could quickly pick up the “gist” of their arguments and know almost at a glance if they relate to the research query. But without spending some time to learn those conventions, you’ll forever be locked out of knowing how to navigate them.
You can apply this same thinking to novels too.
For example, I loved Ready Player One by Ernest Cline so got a copy of Armada. I soon realized I wasn’t as much in love with Armada, so I used my knowledge of convention to skim through it. I quickly found the dilemma, the decision and action, the gathering of allies and a few other features that led me to understand the battle and resolution.
Am I going to write an A+ paper on Armada?
Of course not. But I am satisfied that I got the gist of the tale and wound up enjoying it more because I used speed reading based on conventional knowledge, rather than getting impatient with it because it wasn’t as good as Ready Player One.
Tip #16: Develop Memory Systems And Practice Mnemonic Strategies
One of the coolest tools you can learn to use is a 00-99 PAO. Although I normally separate gathering information from memorizing it, when you’re reading casually and just want to memorize a few points from a book, using a number system as a kind of “Magnetic Bookmark” is a lot of fun.
In brief, the technique lets you create an image for every two digit number. If you find a salient detail on page 75, you instantly have an image for that number. You can then get that image to interact with the ideas on the page.
For example, in Maps of Meaning, Jordan Peterson talks about episodic memory and mnestic memory in the context of Shakespeare and Freud. Since 75 is John Cale in my 00-99, it was easy for me to imagine him interacting with Shakespeare and Freud in a way that helped me remember Peterson’s point about knowledge, memory and competence.
Of course, I didn’t just leave it at that. I followed up by writing a short summary of the book when I was done and that helped consolidate the memory. Now that it’s there, I understand this book much better and am able to speak about it at will.
There are hoards of memory strategies you can learn, including:
If you’re not convinced by the 15 points of strategy I laid out for you above, try some of these alternatives to the paradoxical and contradictory exercises you find in most speed reading courses.
Magnetic Eye Fixations
Instead of trying to reduce your eye movements, spend some time increasing them. Study how your eyes move.
I’ve spent hours doing this kind of reading exercise and find it helps me concentrate.
The origin of Magnetic Eye Fixations comes from headaches I was getting in high school.
My eyes always felt like I had a hard time focusing on the page. As I explained to the doctor, it was like my eyes always slipped off the page, and this annoyed me because I loved reading. As a result of this complaint, I was given glasses.
I don’t think my glasses ever helped, but I wore them from around age 15 to age 20.
Then, while I was in university, I started getting headaches again and went to see an optometrist.
She said the glasses I had were wrecking my eyes and told me the best thing to do would be to strengthen them by reading normally. She actually didn’t let me leave with the glasses I brought in because she was so worried about how they were weakening the muscles in my eyes.
So I went home and within a week my headaches were gone.
At first, I noticed my eyes going back to slipping off the page, and that’s when I started to work at fixating them. To this day, if I ever feel like I can’t concentrate, I take a deep breath in and then pretend like I’m shooting Superman-like lasers at the page. Within a short while, I am focused and reading like normal.
Number-Skipping
A lot of speed reading courses suggest that to reduce subvocalization, you should count backwards while reading (or some other pattern). In reality, we know that subvocalization actually helps with understanding, so here’s what I suggest instead.
When not reading, get into your favorite meditation pose. Then count from 1-10 and back down again. If you can actually do that without your mind wandering, congrats. You’re practically a Zen Master already.
Round Two: This time, try suppressing the even numbers.
In other words, count 1, but just breathe while you should be counting 2 and try to think of nothing. Then allow yourself to count to 3.
This practice increases focus and helps you experience the nature of thought so that if your mind is wandering while you read, you can easily bring it back into focus.
3 Locations
Find three different spots to read. For example:
Park
Cafe
Bedroom
Read 10 pages in each location and make a general note of the time it takes. Pay attention to aspects like your posture, the environment and the nature of the material.
If you find yourself distracted, take a moment to either practice Number Skipping or Magnetic Fixation and see how these techniques differ in different locations.
Also study yourself at different times of day – literally how you feel energetically. Try reading after a cold shower. Make note of when you ate and how processes of digestion might be influencing your focus across the cycle.
This final exercise takes time, but will reward you. Know Thyself, as they say, and you will know more than anyone else ever can about how to improve your reading abilities. The benefits of studying faster are well worth the effort.
How To Read Fast: A Professor’s Final Word
I’ve not only taught the best reading practices for better flow and more substantial comprehension, I’ve been a reader my entire life.
That is the the ultimate secret to how I’ve managed to read so much, so quickly: I read. A lot. And reading more has been proven by Keith Rayner et al. to be a key strategy for improving both speed and comprehension.
But we also need to think about what we read, and think about it critically. And I’ve studied critical thinking to the point of teaching it at the university level.
I mentioned the bankrupt Evelyn Wood origin story before, but there is one part of it that makes sense.
In the fuller narrative, Wood says she observed that her professor read a paper she’d written very quickly and had an intelligent conversation with her about it. Reports like this make sense for one very specific reason based on my personal experience…
Something I went through with with my own doctoral supervisor. He was an expert in my field and had been reading materials related to my topic for decades. If he hadn’t, he would have had no business being my supervisor.
It’s not that these people are “speed reading.” They’re just highly capable of scanning for the main points and connecting it to their existing knowledge.
In other words, they have solid vocabulary skills and pattern recognition. They have earned the shortcuts they take.
The rest is strategy and mindset, so let me leave you with a few personal examples from my own decades of having slogged through many difficult books.
If I don’t like something I have to read, I adjust my attitude.
If I don’t understand something, I go back and pick another comprehension strategy (like reading aloud or the Feynman Technique).
I go in with a stack of index cards and Memory Palaces when they are warranted and am prepared to split the gathering process from the memorization process. That’s because allowing understanding to come later helps us learn faster.
Above all, I assume that I won’t understand a new book because it is new. And as much as possible, I go in with a goal and a schedule.
So as you’ve seen, I personally don’t like the term “speed reading.” I think it preys on gullibility and desperation.
Yet, I know from experience and having seen friends who swear by these techniques that if you already have familiarity in a particular field, blazing fast speeds are possible.
But even then, the best readers I know are always humble. They think critically, scientifically and understand that the ability to comprehend information is a multi-layered process.
This is because language is a shared medium and it never exists in just one brain.
Language is how we “hyperlink” with one another. And that’s why the real way to learn faster and remember more will always be to increase the links.
If it takes a bit longer to create more connections thoroughly and well, then who would you rather be? The tortoise or the hare?
The Memory Palace For Programming: 7 Examples for Coders
Aug 02, 2024
People often ask me about how to use the Memory Palace for programming languages, especially since there’s so much abstract syntax to learn.
Would-be and even established coders worry that ancient memory techniques won’t help, often because they think of mnemonics themselves as inherently abstract.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, you’ll see in a minute that some scholars credit one of history’s greatest mnemonists with creating a mnemonic device that led to programmatic thinking in the first place.
The key is to understand how to use the Memory Palace for coding in the most optimal way.
Just like programming itself, the Memory Palace tradition is worthy of study.
But not hard and complicated study. It’ll take 2-5 hours tops to develop your mnemonic systems for making massive leaps in your programming knowledge.
I can make that promise because I’ve been teaching memory techniques for over a decade and it has helped many students of programming before.
Ready for the Memory Palace technique to help you too?
Let’s dive in!
Why The Memory Palace Technique Is Perfect For Programming
Chances are that you’re reading this page because you already know what the method of loci is and have heard people talk about the Memory Palace for programming.
Briefly, a Memory Palace is a mental version of a familiar location. If you wanted to commit a list of computing and IT abbreviations to memory, all you would do is place an association in your mental recreation of a room that helps you bring back the information.
Let’s start very simply with 1GL as a mnemonic example related to the world of software. As an abbreviation, 1GL is used to describe a first-generation programming language.
This simple, introductory mnemonic example of using a Memory Palace for programming shows the placement of familiar figures in a room to help remember an important computing abbreviation
To remember this abbreviation, you would first bring a corner of a room to mind, or a piece of furniture. Then you might a candle. It looks like a 1 and putting it in the hand of Gillian Anderson from X-Files will remind you of GL. If you imagine her programming with a first generation language on an old computer, you’ll easily recall the information.
The reason this technique relates inherently to programming is that you’re literally “entering” or “programming” a code into your memory. It’s like the binary code that helps produce a display, which in this case is the information you want to get back.
You then later unpack the compressed associations to retrieve the complete data set of terms.
The Memory Palace technique refines how this form of placing and retrieving mnemonic images works. Everyone from Robert Fludd, Giordano Bruno and contemporary computer scientists like the memory athlete Nelson Dellis have “programmed” lots of information into their minds.
The Benefits Of Memory Palaces For Programming
Before we get into some examples of using the Memory Palace technique for learning tasks like protocols and tmux shortcuts, it’s useful to think about the many benefits mastering this memory technique will provide.
When you start to use Memory Palaces, you will:
Enhance your coding skills by increasing efficiency
Reduce the cognitive load involved in understanding concepts
Improve your problem solving skills
Retain more knowledge on the fly
Reduce errors in your coding
Learn various keyboard commands
That’s just for starters. As your programming knowledge grows, you can expect to get better jobs. These include consulting gigs or advising on large projects.
When you really know your stuff, you’ll be a hot commodity. Especially as the world of machine learning keeps ramping up.
The Five Mnemonic Systems Coders Need
In order to memorize using the Memory Palace technique, including “on the fly” memorization at meetings or while reading about programming in transit, you need just five mnemomic systems:
A Memory Palace Network
A Number System (like the Major, Dominic of 00-99 PAO System)
Recall Rehearsal (a special approach to spaced repetition)
As mentioned, most of my students in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass develop all of these within 2-5 hours. From there, it’s mostly a matter of organizing what you need to memorize and working with your Memory Palaces to develop your retention of concepts and specific programming information.
Things Programmers Don’t Have To Memorize
Many people have asked me over the years about memorizing things like javascript libraries.
I think their intuition is interesting, but memorizing libraries like these (or libraries) at all, is neither efficient or practical. Instead, aim to:
Understand core, fundamental principles related to popular libraries
Know when to use libraries for specific needs
Familiarize yourself with common APIs and practice using them
Practice reading documentation without stopping to memorize so you can quickly understand documentation
Understand the role of patterns so you can adapt easily to other libraries
Keep bookmarks, snippets, and notes that will help you succeed
Stay updated with libraries as they evolve
This final point is key because libraries may change at any time. Rather than spend time on surface-level memorization, focus on developing understanding.
So where should you use the Memory Palace technique for helping boost your programming skills? Let’s turn now to some specific use cases with examples.
Let’s say you’ve broken down complex information structuring into a list of words and concepts you need to remember, such as:
Nodes (entities) and edges (relationships)
Graph databases as a type of NoSQL database
Knowledge graphs and their purposes
Node class structure (id, properties, edges)
Edge class structure (source, target, relationship)
This learning goal boils down to memorizing vocabulary and definitions. The exact main points that will help you advance your knowledge are up to you to identify.
For the sake of this example, let’s focus on nodes and edges.
The first step is to have a Memory Palace. Since nodes starts with “n,” I use my friend Nick’s place. This choice harnesses the alphabetical similarity between the information and the Memory Palace.
If you have three points related to nodes that you need to memorize, assign space for them using the journey method.
In the example above, mnemonic images that help trigger the target information have been placed on the walls.
Optimus Prime to recall that nodes are primary in a graph structure
The UN Building to recall that a node has a unique identified
The Edge from U2 to recall that nodes are connected via Edges
You can strengthen your memory of these words and concepts by applying the story method. As you travel the Memory Palace from fact to fact, have the mnemonic images interact. For example, Optimus Prime does something to the UN Building that causes a stone to fall on The Edge during a concert.
Basically all Memory Palace activity works exactly like this. The trick is to have your mnemonic images and Memory Palaces prepared in advance.
Two: Visualizing Algorithm Flow
Understanding and communicating how algorithms work is an important part of programming.
A Memory Palace can help by allowing you to place parts of an application flowchart on a wall.
It’s the same process you see above, each piece laid out in your Memory Palace using mnemonic associations based on where they are in the algorithm.
Whether it’s variables and assignments, data types, logical operators or conditional statements or loops, here’s what I suggest.
Assign a Memory Palace for each, making sure it’s big enough to accomodate the amount of examples you want to commit to memory.
This is where you number and symbol systems will come into play in a big way.
Let’s say you want to memorize a line related to dictionaries or hash tables, such as:
my_dict = {“key1”: value1, “key2”: value2}
This is what that would look like in one of my Memory Palaces:
In this case, the images are laid out in the Memory Palace in a horizontal line. The dictionary represents what is being memorized, the key with the candle represents key1. A swan looks like 2, so it is paired with the second key. Diamonds represent value.
Although this might look like a lot, once you’re using to this kind of combinatorial thinking, you’ll find that it helps you commit programming related information like basic syntax to memory quite quickly.
You’ll also want mnemonic images for symbols like { and =. I didn’t have space for them in the Memory Palace example above, but typically I use bulldozers for any kind of parenthetical mark. I’ll have a figure with two sticks for the equals sign, like Bruce Lee.
Ultimately, you need to work out your own Symbol System. Once you have it, you can use it over and over again. The best part is that as your pattern recognition grows, you’ll likely have to memorize less and less.
Four: Remembering Tasks & Best Practices
Programmers need to perform numerous critical routines.
In a simple, to-do list Memory Palace, you can easily memorize a list of steps for debugging, specific code review processes, testing protocols, refactoring or performance optimization.
That’s just to name a few, and now you know all about how to use your own mnemonic systems to encode the exact steps you need to complete in a Memory Palace. You’ll learn them faster and retain the information quickly using this technique.
Five: Memorize Common Keyboard Commands
One of the first things I look at when approaching a language, are how to get key commands that get used repeatedly.
These might be different depending on the computer you use, but here is a few example of using the Hand Memory Palace concept to a Python Command:
Command+L to perform clear
When you put your left hand out in front of you, the thumb-shape makes an L. To remember that L clears the screen, I can note that L is in the word “clear,” and imagine my thumb waving back and forth like a windshield wiper, clearing away the rain.
Although very simple, you can apply this mnemonic principle to all kinds of commands.
True, this technique does come with the risk of unducing an issue mnemonists sometimes call ghosting. But with solid spaced repetition practice, you should be able to avoid this and memorize as many keyboard commands as you like.
As a result, you’ll be able to spend more time practicing programming in the beginning and less time looking up shortcuts and trying to learn them by rote.
Six: Sing Code Into Memory
No, I’m not joking.
Remembering types, methods and functions from a standard library can be turned into a song.
Although this YouTuber seems to be reading at least some of the programming-related lyrics he’s singing, it’s still a good idea for a few reasons I’ll explain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOdAnA2eP-Q
First, he’s chosen a very popular tune that is easy to remember. This gives both a phonic hook and a rhythmical one. We know from own experience just how well various nursery rhymes are maintained in memory, and anyone can leverage this feature with new information.
Transforming information about the kind of programming information that needs to be instilled creates more options for remembering. Sweet Child turned into Sweet Filepath to remember “Walk” in this way might not work for you, but there are surely other songs you can draw upon to commit sticky information to memory.
Finally, if you’re going to use rote, adding a tune adds a fun factor to the effort that makes brute repetition potentially fun. Or at least tolerable.
Using a song structure also makes using the Memory Palace technique a bit more engaging for some people. Give this approach a try!
Learning experts like Scott Young think that examples are a must when learning new skills. He said as much in his book Ultralearning and shows research supporting this in his latest book, Get Better at Anything, which we recently discussed.
Although I don’t disagree with Scott or the findings, when it comes to mnemonic examples, people asked Beau to pile on more and more examples. Rather than immediately starting to journal their own creation of mnemonics based on the theory, looking at examples quickly becomes a dodge.
This is a problem in my mind due to what we know about axonal plasticity or “sprouting”: related to learning. Ben Cardall is big on this in his book, The Monographs, where he cites such research. To paraphrase his findings, the way you learn to code is that you code. And tracking what you’re doing, whether you’re using mnemonics like Beau or note, is that you make your own journal.
Journaling is common amongst top performers, and it encourages metacognition on top of providing additional memory benefits.
The only problem with journaling is that there are many ways to approach it. When it comes to memory-related and performance based journaling, I suggest Johannes Mallow‘s tips on how to do it well. Although journaling takes a bit of additional time and effort, as a component of deliberate practice, more of us will find it more useful than not. And it will help you get off the example hamster-wheel in this particular realm.
And that’s important. As Joe Reddington, who wrote Advanced Memory Palaces, a Memory Palace book with tips relevent to programmers has said:
Honestly, I think we’re mostly constantly looking up the same eleven SE posts that we always forget.
Combining journaling with Memory Palaces is one of the best ways to prevent yourself from having to do that. The only catch is that exactly how you journal your journey is up to you. Taking the initiative to figure that out is bound to be a good thing for your overall development, so I’d suggest adding journaling to your set of memory strategies sooner rather than later.
Use The Memory Palace Technique For Programming Holistically
Once you’ve picked a primary language to study, you’ll want to master its syntax and practice it consistently by solving coding challenges. Ideally, you’ll do this daily, and the process will continually present you with new information to memorize.
As you go, you’ll start to understand branching, merging and collaboration workflows. You’ll learn principles like object-oriented programming and explore web development like HTML, CSS and Javascript.
Dive into databases as soon as you can. Learn SQL and NoSQL. Work on understanding more about learn testing and computer science as a whole, including operating systems, networking basics and computer architecture.
It’s also important to keep up with industry trends, participate in communities and attend conferences when you can. These will help you with “soft skills,” which might include giving a speech from memory.
Above all, learn progressively. It’s fine to set ambitious goals, but always remember that we all take it one step at a time.
If you’d like more help with the Memory Palace component, get my free course right here:
It will give you four free video lessons and worksheets that will help you “program” your mind with this special learning tool.
As with programming itself, consistent practice in absorbing the concepts needs to be matched with practice.
Although you’ll want 6-12 months of dedicated study and practice in programming as you embark on a lifelong journey with computing, these memory techniques can be learned in just a few hours.
You’ll be glad that you have them on your side.
And pretty soon, you’ll have added layers of depth to your knowledge of programming few others hold or can even hope to understand.
How to Memorize a Textbook: A 10-Step Cheatsheet
Aug 02, 2024
Picture this:
Exams loom on the horizon and you’re staring at a stack of unread textbooks so large it would make any sane student shake in their boots.
Maybe you got behind in your reading over the course of the semester because your professor assigned additional reading at the last moment…
Or maybe you just want to have an encyclopaedic memory that holds all the precious information you need in place.
Whatever the case, you have a ton of information to memorize before your exams roll around, and you’re feeling the pressure.
Well, guess what?
You are not alone! In fact, I struggled during my PhD at York University. It was only when I got fed up with feeling like this as the end of the semesters were approaches that I finally worked out a fantastic approach to textbook memorization. And now I’m going to give that approach to you.
The good news is: memorizing a textbook is not as difficult as it may seem.
At the end of the day, it’s not just about memorizing — that would be an utter waste of time!
Instead, the real goal is to understand the books you read. And more than just understanding the content, you want to use the textbooks you place in memory to create new knowledge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIQRiqQFKQY
In this post, you’ll learn how to:
Correctly set your expectations of what the textbook will contain
Understand why you need to read the book (or if you actually need to!)
In the end, the reason is simple: I decided to write this post and record a podcast to help out one of my audience members.
Here’s what this struggling student wrote:
“Hi Anthony. I want to memorize some physics, chemistry, and math formulas, and also some texts that I have to memorize verbatim, but it needs a lot of Memory Palaces and too much time. Plus, I don’t know how to memorize formulas.
For instance, memorizing sin(A+B)=AcosB+cos.
Do I need just one Loci, and how do I memorize this? Of course, this is a very simple formula, but exams are coming! I need your help.”
Now that we know why this student needs help, let’s quickly talk about the differences between a textbook and other kinds of books.
How to Memorize a Textbook vs a Book
For the purposes of this post, we’ll use the words “book” and “textbook” interchangeably.
When it comes right down to it, the only real difference is that someone has called a textbook a textbook. Other than that, they’re remarkably similar — pages stuck between two covers with a spine.
Very little else differentiates them, except for some signature that has been applied to them by the author or publisher. Mind you, textbooks often come out in multiple editions, and a quick win is to be aware of how recently the edition you’re reading appeared on the market. You can sometimes find a nearly identical (and much cheaper) version from the year before.
But overall, a book is a book, by any other name.
And whether it’s a book or a textbook (even boring books), the first question you should always ask is: do I actually have to memorize this entire textbook verbatim?
Do You Really Need to Memorize a Book Verbatim?
One of the things I always ask people when they come to me with this question is: why?
Why do you need to memorize the textbook verbatim? Are you certain you need to memorize the whole thing – or even long passages – verbatim? What will memorizing the whole textbook get you?
If it’s just speed that you’re after, think again about how to study fast with this guide to high volume learning at speed.
There are certainly ways to memorize long passages of text word-for-word that are 100% effective. There are people who are known to have done it.
But, if you don’t absolutely have to put in the time and effort to memorize verbatim, why would you?
Instead, what if you could learn something deeply enough to be able to discuss it, to connect it, and to frame it in a certain context?
Chances are, memorizing in this way will not only be easier, but also more effective. Memorizing verbatim is rarely necessary and the mind will fill in the blanks if you structure your approach correctly.
So in this post, what I really want to teach you is the power of memorizing select material from a textbook.
Your first step, as with any task that’s worth doing, is to lay a strong foundation.
Set Yourself Up For Success
Now, let’s be honest for a minute. If your exams are coming up tomorrow or the next day, this approach probably isn’t going to work for you.
In an ideal situation, you would take the time to dig your wells before you’re thirsty. What that means in this context is that you want to know what Memory Palaces are, and have yours set up and comfortable before you start to study for your exams.
You could build a ladder to the moon with all the different memorization techniques out there, but I teach a very particular approach called the Magnetic Memory Method. You may have heard of it, especially if you’re a regular reader.
And because I teach this specific approach, I would recommend that you get yourself set up before crunch time — before exams are staring you down, making your palms sweaty and giving you nightmares!
My approach uses location-based memorization strategies, all based around Memory Palaces. You’ll need more than one Memory Palace, and you’ll need to do some self-exploration. But the good news is… it’s super simple to do, and the process is a lot of fun!
The first step in the process is to have a carefully defined Memory Palace.
Before you ever pick up a book, even if it’s scriptural, you’ll determine how much material you want to memorize from it. And then you’ll create a Memory Palace in advance so you can recall that information with ease when you need it.
We’ll talk more about how to use your Memory Palaces later in this post. First, this point matters a great deal:
Second, you will get in the right mindset for studying.
Setting a good mental attitude is key, before you even pick up the book. This allows you to mentally take away the most essential information.
And part of getting into the proper mindset has to do with relaxation. Before diving into any memory technique, I always take a moment to chill out and relax. Chillax, if you prefer. I do this by using traditional meditation techniques.
Now, some people have a very specific vision of meditation and what it means, but for our purposes, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Meditation, in my mind, is as simple as sitting with your back and neck straight, imagining there’s a hook in the top of your head attached to a string that’s pulling you straight up. Then, you just sit there and breathe.
Some people believe that meditation is about emptying your mind — here are two of my favorite metaphors:
You’re sitting on the bank of a river. Your thoughts are the river, and you just watch them go by. Then, any time you find yourself being sucked away by the river you just bring yourself back to the shore and watch the river again.
Imagine an elephant that’s tied to a chain on the ground. The elephant – your mind – is romping around like crazy. You tie it to the ground with a stake, and then a couple of seconds later, you have to go get it and tie it down again. And with enough training, you can get the elephant to sit down and go to sleep.
That second metaphor – the mind as an elephant – is a bit more appropriate for memory techniques.
Alan Watts said that meditation should have no goal whatsoever — it should be sitting just to sit. And in this Tim Ferriss podcast, Sam Harris says, “all you’re doing is paying exquisitely close and non-judgmental attention to whatever you’re experiencing.”
So even if you can’t get your metaphorical elephant to stop running off, still take a moment to sit and breathe. Take the time to chillax before you start memorizing.
This approach allows you to memorize with the right attitude: with inner stillness. You approach every step gently, without fighting for or clamoring after anything. You’re just being you… and absorbing information. You might even think about it like this: you are a being, and the information is also like a being. You get to absorb that other being into you, information as a special entity you can bring into yourself and join with as one!
And if meditation isn’t your thing, you can also do some progressive muscle relaxation exercises or pendulum breathing — this combines physical processes with a particular way of breathing. Or maybe you can listen to some music to get you ready to study.
Now that you’re relaxed and ready to become a metaphorical knowledge sponge, let’s break down the memorization process step by step.
How to Memorize a Textbook (Realistically)
When I was studying for my doctoral exams – and later for my dissertation defense – I needed to read a total of 500 books to be able to sit for the exams and write my dissertation.
500 books. No exaggeration and I’m not kidding.
(In fact, if you read my post about how to memorize a chapter in a textbook, you’ll see photographic evidence of me carrying a stack of 20 or 30 of those books. I carried many, many piles like that from the library stacks to the private office I had access to in the Robarts Library in Toronto.)
The good news for you is that you get to learn from my extensive studying experience — how I operate when I’m conducting research or want to memorize the contents of a book. (You can also use this same method to memorize a novel, if you’re reading between the lines…)
Quick note: looking back at the question from our intrepid reader, you’ll notice that they use the word “loci”. I don’t use that word myself, because the Magnetic Memory Method is much more specific.
There are operational factors in the 10-step method I teach that may not seem to involve memorization. But trust me, each step is essential to the Magnetic Memory Method of textbook memorization.
Remember: before you do anything else, have a carefully defined Memory Palace that involves a location you’re intimately familiar with. I usually chart out at least 10 – but sometimes up to 50 – stations. Sometimes I even use an entire room or spots within a room.
Let’s call that step zero: create your Memory Palace.
A Memory Palace is a mental construct, based on a real location. You use different spots inside the Memory Palace to store information along a very well-constructed journey. Those spots are called “stations” — an entire room is a macro station, and a spot within that room is a micro station (like a bed, desk, or chair). You can leave associative imagery in those locations, so you can then go back along the journey in your mental construct, decode the images, and recall the information you left there.
Now that you have step “zero” behind you, let’s dive in to the 10 steps to help you memorize a textbook.
1. Examine the book
Now we get to the good stuff! Take your textbook, and take a good look at it:
Look at the front cover.
Look at the back cover.
Look over the introduction.
Read the conclusion, and
Be sure to scan through the index, if your book has one.
And read the colophon page — that’s the place where they include information about the book’s publication, like the place of publication, the publisher, and the publication date. If you didn’t know what a colophon page is, look it up. It’s fascinating. I also find the table of contents of a book to be very interesting.
These parts of the book are what Gerard Genette called the “paratext.” This means the text beside the text. This step takes about five minutes and effectively trains your brain to understand the scope and the dimension of the book with respect to the topic.
Not included in that five-minute estimate is the time it takes to read the conclusion, which could be a much longer process. So why should you take the extra time to read the conclusion?
Partially, so you can judge whether or not the author’s conclusion about their subject was profound enough to warrant reading the book in the first place! Sometimes when you read a conclusion, you’ll realize that the author hasn’t arrived at any conclusion that makes it worth reading the process or the argument that substantiates what the author concluded.
Okay. So maybe that’s a little judgmental. It’s certainly not a foolproof way to decide what to read. But, when you have 500 books on your plate it’s worth taking the time to determine whether or not the book warrants all that reading. You only have so many hours before your exam, after all.
The conclusion (and introduction) will also give you clues as to where the information is in the book — or at least the important information. And this location data is often included in the context of the concluding remarks, which can be quite helpful.
For example, the author might say, “In chapter one I do this, in chapter two I talk about this, and in chapter three I cover that.”
This is what the Magnetic Memory Method calls the “principle of predetermination.” It’s not an arbitrary or random decision. Instead, you will consider the length of the book and the purpose of your studying. Is this for an oral exam or an essay?
Using this method creates an understanding of what your goal is, and what the outcome would be. It creates a border or frame of sorts, to keep you focused.
Usually, 3 to 5 pieces of information per chapter is enough. And for today’s post, we’ll use 3 pieces of information per chapter as our number.
Before we move along to the next step, let’s examine two reasons why choosing a specific number is important.
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
It might sound a bit cliché, but it’s true — especially when it comes to structured reading. When you’re reading for a particular purpose, then it’s vital to plan how you’re going to read. Books are filled with details, pages full of information, and you can easily become overwhelmed if you don’t plan appropriately.
You can avoid getting overwhelmed
When you predetermine how to approach a book and structure your reading process, you prevent overwhelm. You end up denying it from existing in the first place, because you know you are only going to memorize three pieces of information from each chapter.
Of course, you can always add information later if necessary, but containing and maintaining the information before you even get to it is a good strategy.
Plus, less is always more. Focusing on just a few key points will allow a lot of the surrounding information to stick to your specifically memorized points. Go ahead and try it!
Next, you’ll take out a stack of index cards and start organizing.
To join in the fun, grab an index card and let’s get started. (And if you want more info on where this technique comes from, check out my posts on the Zettelkasten Method and Leitner Boxes.)
First, write down the name of the author, the title of the book, and the bibliographic information.
Please note: there is certain bibliographical (or paratextual) information that doesn’t need to take up space in your Memory Palace. And if you regularly use memory techniques, you’ll find yourself absorbing that information anyway. But I don’t tend to offer Memory Palace space to it, since index cards are something you can hold onto.
Now you’ll have one index card that has all the bibliographic information of the book. Number this card in the top left corner — number 1. (I always label my index cards in the top left corner.)
Next, you’ll begin to fill out your other index cards.
4. Find the big points and jot them down
Now that you’re all organized and have your plan, it’s time to get down to business.
Because you read the introduction, paratextual materials, and the conclusion, you should already have an idea which chapters you want to read first. You don’t have to start with the first chapter! There’s a high likelihood that your mind already decided how to prioritize your reading efforts.
Remember, for the purposes of this blog post, we’re looking for three primary pieces of information out of each chapter. So, there are 3 pieces of information you’re going to walk away with from whichever chapter you read first.
You have your index cards ready to go, and you’re ready to start writing down the key pieces of information on each card, numbering them the same way (in the top left corner).
You will want to have some sort of indication on each card about where you are in the book. This has to do with what I call the “ownership mindset” for textbook memorization. You’ve already adopted the attitude that you’re going to succeed. You literally want to feel like you own the key information in your textbook.
One way you can take on this mindset is to pretend you’re a talk show host on a popular show or podcast, and later this evening you get to interview the author of the textbook. Millions of people will be watching or listening, so you really need to know your stuff. And you need to be able to read the book fast.
When you use this mindset, it allows you to ask questions while you’re reading. You get really curious about the topic, and instead of passively reading you end up engaging with the text. There’s pressure: time pressure, the fact that you’re going to interview the author. You could even imagine that the author is sitting there with you as you read, and pretend like you can read their mind about the answers to your questions.
Studying is a numbers game. I’ve touched on this, but I want you to categorize everything using a kind of numbers game. So when you come across a gem of a detail, write it down on your index card along with the page number where you found the information, and sometimes the chapter name or number.
This kind of information always goes in the bottom right corner. And if you have secondary ideas, you can use the back of the index card to jot them down. I always do this regardless of whether I’ve copied down a quote from a book or just a note or observation.
Here’s why I diligently complete this step: if I ever need the information again, I’ll know where to find it.
At this point, you’re not doing any kind of memorizing whatsoever. Instead, you’re:
Familiarizing yourself with the material,
Connecting details with already-known information,
That’s it — but memorization is not ready yet. You aren’t memorizing the book as you go along, but rather focusing on the book and marinating yourself in it.
Next, you’ll take the information from your index cards and transfer it into your Memory Palace.
5. Make use of your Memory Palace
Once you’ve finished reading the book and filling out your index cards, it’s time to place the information into the correct spot in your Memory Palace.
Let’s pretend for a moment that our example textbook had ten chapters. Since we wrote down three pieces of information per chapter, we now have 30 index cards. And because we prepared our Memory Palace ahead of time, we have 30 stations ready to go.
Now it’s time to memorize, magnetically.
In the next step, you’ll make your information visually appealing.
6. Create crazy imagery to help you recall the info
Take each index card and think of an image that relates to the information on your card. Make the images bright, zany, and exploding with action.
I’ll walk you through a few examples so you can see this step in action.
Example 1: Imagery based on the author’s appearance
Let’s take Gerard Genette, the author of Paratext, as an example. If I wanted to memorize material from the book Paratext, I would use Gerard as a lexical bridge or Magnetic Bridging Figure, helping me move from station to station.
Genette reminds me of Gillette razor blades. Not exactly a one-to-one correlation, but I can nonetheless see him shaving in that first room, if I needed to memorize that he was the author of Paratext. He would be shaving away a beard with wild ends growing out of his face. For the context of “Paratext” I could picture a pear bouncing up and down on a textbook, or a can or Para Paint splashing over a book.
Example 2: Imagery based on concepts from the index card
In this example, index card 2 says, “A text does not exist outside of the text itself.”
It may sound pretty obvious, but we don’t often think about the fact that until someone comes along and reads the book, it essentially doesn’t do anything. There are millions of books standing unread on bookshelves around the world that only exist when someone is reading them or talking about them.
So our minds are kind of texts, and when we read, the two texts intermingle. The second station will feature the book Paratext itself, and words are trying to escape from the pages. And poor Genette is standing there, trying to beat the words back in — because according to him there is no text outside the text itself.
Example 3: Imagery of the author throughout the Memory Palace
To get some of the other concepts in Genette’s thinking, I might see him giving up the battle and then opening up a lid in his head, which is also filled with words. I could use Genette for each and every station, doing something related to the key phrase on the index card.
I’ve done this with Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics. I’ve done it with Plato’s The Republic. I’ve done it with novels. Done it with all kinds of things. Once you get used to it, it’s very easy.
And when using this approach for Ulysses by James Joyce it’s very easy to see Joyce moving through my Memory Palace, not through Dublin, as he does in the novel.
If I knew Dublin, then I might be able to use Dublin, but I don’t. So I was able to use a Memory Palace based on a familiar location and I see Joyce going from place to place so I can remember the different things that are happening in the plot in order to recall them later.
Now you’ve seen three different examples of how you might use wildly exaggerated information to help you populate your Memory Palace stations. Remember, these images should always be big, bright, colorful, and filled with lots of action.
Next, you’ll assign each crazy image to its own station.
7. Stick each crazy image onto a Memory Palace station for recall
This step is the most straightforward of the ten.
You will begin with card number 1, and memorize the biographical information at station number one in the Memory Palace. Then continue on with index card two and station two, index card three and station three… you get the idea.
If you already know the author and title by heart, you might not need to use that first station for biographical information. Use your judgment, so you don’t waste valuable memory real estate.
Since it only takes a second or two to create a really action-packed image for each station, be sure to take the time to really see them in your mind’s eye.
Next, you’ll test your recall.
8. Test yourself before the teacher does
This is the step many people won’t take: practice recalling the info by going from station to station.
After you’ve gone through and used your Memory Palace to put every bit of information on those 30 cards into the proper station, you can make sure the information sticks. Pretend like you’re testing yourself in a real test situation.
Take the details, facts, concepts, and plot points that you memorized, and write a summary from memory. Your index cards should be somewhere else during this exercise — in a box, on a shelf, or somewhere else you can’t cheat. And you can’t look back and forth the whole time to make sure you get things right as you go along.
Then, check your summary against the index cards. Did you remember all the points from your cards? Did you remember things in the correct order?
Finally, it’s time to let the information grow into something bigger.
9. Let the info grow into knowledge
One of the most important stages of this process is to turn the information you memorized into knowledge that you can use over and over — not just for this single test or exam.
This is one place where the related information that wasn’t on your index cards will come out to shine, as well. You get to see which pieces of information are “magnetic” and stick to your brain. And you can start to apply the things you learned in other situations, perhaps even bringing some of the information into everyday conversations.
Plus, once you make the switch from information and data points into knowledge, you’re much more likely to pass every exam with flying colors!
And speaking of transforming information into knowledge, you can also pull that knowledge out of your brain banks down the line. Let’s take a look at the 10th and final (bonus) step in your memorization process.
10. Bonus! Save your knowledge for later
When you’re done with your index cards, don’t throw them away!
Once you don’t need the information for your exam anymore, you also don’t need to hold the information in your Memory Palace. You can empty out and reuse your Memory Palace for something else, and let the index cards hold the information for a rainy day.
For example, let’s say you memorized the James Joyce novel Ulysses for a literature class. Once you took your exam, you didn’t need the information rattling around in your brain, so you put the index cards in a box and shelved them away for later.
Five years later, you’re asked to give a talk about the novel. You can simply find the box with your index cards, reconstruct your Memory Palace, and save time in putting together and memorizing your talk.
There’s a high likelihood some of the information will still be in your brain, tucked away in a corner somewhere. And maybe it’s there in the form of paleness, or there are some ghosts or fossils of other information you’ve stored in the Memory Palace since then. But anything that’s still in your memory will become doubly magnetic after working with it again.
One of my university supervisors required me to submit summaries to prove I was reading the books on my reading list. This is what got me into the habit of writing out summaries, and I learned very quickly that writing summaries out of Memory Palaces was just golden. This is material that – if you use it – will change your ability to study and your understanding of how to take notes from a textbook.
You can also use your summaries again later. Save them, and you might find a way to use them for essays, pieces of a publication, or even a Ph.D. dissertation. By using your recall abilities, you’re becoming an expert on your subject matter.
You put stuff in your mind, filter it, and then reproduce it — all without the benefit of looking back and forth at your textbooks or index cards. And through the process, you become a master of information.
Now, I know I said you may not need to memorize your textbooks verbatim, but what about the situations where you do actually need to remember things word-for-word? Before we wrap up, let’s take a look at a couple of examples of how to do just that.
Example: How to Memorize From Textbooks Verbatim
We’ll use the first line of Homer’s epic poem The Iliad for this example.
Now imagine this — I used to work (more like play) at Hadey Windey’s school in Burnaby, Vancouver. It was called ELIT or English Language Intensive Training.
She’s got a vibrant, brilliant set of students who come to this after-school program for extra training so they can be superstar students, and I was able to develop a lot of teaching around memory skills for them. I also taught the students other things like interpretative abilities and essay writing skills, all of which are connected to memory.
And I also was able to build, from this place, an amazing Memory Palace. I never really thought of using it as a Memory Palace until I was training Hadey in using mnemonic techniques and Memory Palaces, and she really didn’t believe it was possible.
I just happened to have an old translation of The Iliad in my iPhone as we were sitting in a park. And I was explaining Memory Palaces to her, and drawing a map of ELIT, showing her how she could use a Memory Palace based on the school.
I said, “Here’s the kitchen, and the office that I have, and here is classroom number 3, and the computer room,” and other things, and I showed how you could make a linear mental journey through this area. Starting in the kitchen, I said, “Imagine I’m limping, and I kick a pail from the kitchen to the door where the Statue of Liberty is standing. In response, she digs with her shovel into the ground and throws the dirt at my office door where I’m standing, writing numbers, and then rubbing the numbers away while I’m coughing.”
Well, the first thing I want to point out is that all of these images are laid out along a journey. It starts in the kitchen and then goes to the door of the kitchen. Then an action goes through the hallway to the door of my office. And other parts carry on through classroom number 3 and the computer lab and so forth. But I’m limping, which reminds me of Achilles, because of Achilles’ heel. I kick a pail. Moving on to the pail, Achilles’ father is Peleus. Now, I don’t need to have the whole Peleus, just pail is enough to remind me of Peleus.
So, “Of Peleus’ son, Achilles,” the pail is now kicked at the Statue of Liberty. “Sing, O Muse.” Now that’s personal to me. The Statue of Liberty means muse to me. It’s just because it’s a woman in a gown, I guess — it works for me.
The hardest thing to teach about Memory Palaces and associative imagery is that you need to use what works for you. You need to draw from your own personal pool of images based on other things that you know. You’re creating associations. So it might not make sense to you, but, to me, it makes a great deal of sense.
“Of Peleus’ son, Achilles, sing, O Muse.” Me, limping, kicking a pail at the Statue of Liberty, that brings back “Of Peleus’ son, Achilles, sing, O Muse. The vengeance, deep and deadly” which is the next line — so the Statue of Liberty is really angry about this, but instead of attacking back at me, she digs into the earth with vengeance — “The vengeance, deep and deadly; whence to Greece unnumbered ills arose.”
So she’s throwing this dirt at my office door, and I didn’t really need to think about the fact that the scenario involved Greece. Any time that you don’t need to memorize something, don’t memorize it. You might find this risky, but verbatim is a weird thing. You don’t have to always memorize every word. Logic will help many details come back naturally. So when the context itself has mnemonic properties, don’t create an image for any word or phrase where context will make everything clear. But if you’re worried and do want mnemonics for each and every word, Robert Fludd suggests certain categorical mnemonics you can explore.
Now back to our example:
For the line “Whence to Greece unnumbered ills arose,” here’s what I did with the dirt coming at me. I wrote numbers, and then I wiped them away – literally unnumbering them. And I’m coughing, I’m sick — ills. “Whence to Greece unnumbered ills arose.”
That’s a very simple example. I created a vignette since it’s not really a single image or a set of images. And I did this on and on and on for as much of The Iliad as I wanted to memorize to create this example for Hadey. And she was blown away.
After that, she came back two days later and had memorized 100 words of English vocabulary. (English is not her first language.) She was really skeptical at first, but that’s how I finally convinced her to give this a try. Now she’s part of Toastmasters, and she’s giving speeches left, right, and center, right from her mind, directly from using the Magnetic Memory Method.
Now, it’s important to remember that this example was how to memorize a poem verbatim, and you may not need to memorize your entire textbook word-for-word.
And in additional good news, you can use this method for anything you want to remember — it doesn’t matter whether it’s a formula, poetry, a quote, phrase in a foreign language, or a textbook.
Memorization is memorization, when you get right down to it.
The reality is that you can take a spoon or a bucket — the ocean of information doesn’t care. The memory techniques and your brain treat all information equally well. It’s only the ego that sees a difference, and lack of preparation with the memory tools makes it more difficult.
And finally, since our intrepid reader asked specifically about how to memorize a formula, I’m adding a bonus example to help anyone who needs to memorize them.
Bonus Example: How to Memorize a Formula
Let’s also break down an example of how verbatim memorization works when you need to remember a formula. We’ll use the example our reader asked about:
sin(A+B)=AcosB+cos
As always, we want to start with a well-formed Memory Palace first.
I think of my friend Shannon because her name starts with ‘S’. I was only in her apartment once to watch a James Bond movie. But that’s all I need to get a good Memory Palace rolling. Just one room will do.
Next, I start creating Magnetic Imagery to encode the first part of the formula. Since the devil is the boss of “sin,” I put him on Shannon’s couch (a micro-station). To memorize the character “(“ I make it a bulldozer. It drives over an Apple computer, which draws upon another technique entirely, called the pegword method.
From this A for Apple computer, an arm emerges and tosses a crucifix at Batman. Why? Because a crucifix is a good memory tool for remember, and Batman helps me remember “b.”
Now all I have to do is have Batman raise his shield — thus closing this part of the formula with the “)” symbol. But this shield is special because it has two guns to represent the = sign. Then Al Pacino “accosts” Batman throwing a crucifix at Cookie monster wearing Batman “cosplay.”
I know that this process might sound like a lot if you’re a beginner, but you’ll pick it up quickly. And you should — it’s powerful!
So there you have it. Your 10-step cheat sheet for how to memorize a textbook or formula… or any other book you want to remember.
How to Study a Textbook for Maximum Retention
Remember that scenario at the beginning of the post? The one where exams were on the horizon, and you were feeling woefully unprepared?
Now you know how to determine how much active reading you actually need to do, how much memorization is on your plate, and the best way to memorize your textbooks so you retain as much information as possible.
Most importantly, you understand that memorizing a textbook isn’t as hard as it might seem!
You’re on the right track to ace your exams and create a whole new set of knowledge that you can use now and into the future.
And if you feel like you could use a little bit more of a memory boost before your exams, check out my free memory improvement course now:
I’ve been studying memory and teaching people how to improve it for over a decade.
And the answers couldn’t be clearer.
You do face the mystery of why it’s so hard to change, however.
That’s why in addition to explaining why forgetfulness in your 30s and 40s starts happening with such soul-sucking brutality, I’ll give suggestions for fixing the problem.
Spoiler alert:
A small amount of personal effort will be required to turn things around.
Frankly, it’s the lack of effort a lot of us have been seduced into by the modern world that needs to be addressed, along with a few other lifestyle issues.
Ready to fix your memory problems practically?
And enjoy improvement while setting the path for lifelong maintenance and personal growth?
Let’s get started!
Why You Forget Things: 6 Reasons We All Face
The problems begin when we’re too general about the topic of exactly what we’re forgetting. We often ask, how can I remember things, for example.
In reality, we need to be much more specific. There are several main types of memory, and each needs to be addressed specifically.
By combining these two approaches, you’ll see improvements faster. By progressively changing your lifestyle and applying the right memory techniques to the information you need to remember, lasting memory improvement will result.
You don’t have to take my word for it. I’ve been building the longest wall of testimonials on the Internet and many students are enthusiastic about the results they’ve enjoyed. I’m confident you will be too.
To get you there, let’s explore your lifestyle factors first.
One: Digital Amnesia
Like all of us, you live in an era where ads interrupt just about everything we read online. Digital amnesia is my slightly more optimistic term for what scientists call digital dementia.
In this study, researchers argue that the data is clear. If you spent too much time online, you’re highly likely to develop Alzheimer’s.
The solution?
Read physical books without a smart phone in sight to interrupt you. I personally work to get in at least 2-3 hours on uninterrupted reading every day.
Language learning has been shown to help preserve cognitive skills in later life. Here’s one study of many discussing the benefits.
Or, you might need to tackle our next cause of forgetting.
Three: Poor Nutrition
Not long ago, I noticed I was struggling with more stress in my life. That led to me fumbling for words and forgetting more often than I like.
Turns out that I just needed to get some B1 supplements.
For you, the issues will be personal and I suggest you always consult a doctor.
For general information, it might interest you to know that most foods that improve memory are also healthy. But you should still run any dietary changes you make across a medical professional.
Four: Lack Of Exercise
Everyone knows that fitness and health go together.
Certainly, some people have reasons for why they cannot get regular exercise.
But if you can, we have great research showing that regular exercise boosts cognition and memory.
Five: Allowing Distractions & Overwhelm
One of my best success strategies, both when I was in university, and in my research and writing work now is challenging to set up.
But once you work out how to reduce distractions, it’s so much easier to focus. And where focus goes, memory flows.
Sometimes people see polymathic learners and build illusions in their minds about how they learn so much.
Sure, there are some polymathic personality traits that might help them naturally. But overall, the true talent they have involves breaking complex tasks down into smaller pieces. Then, whenever required, they use deliberate practice, which is a specific learning approach anyone can use.
Six: Substance Consumption
Whether it’s drinking too much or feeling the effects of prescription medication, you could be forgetting things due to what you’re consuming.
Sometimes you can ask a doctor for alternative medication that won’t affect your memory so much. I discussed how I did that in this video about my own pharmaceutical memory issues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbZ3ygFpt84
As always, you need to consult a physician, but the solutions I worked out with my doctor helped and I’ve never gone back.
Added to the fact that I cut drinking, worked on my diet and started getting regular fitness, my holistic approach improved my memory and thinking skills quickly.
5 Practical Things You Can Do About Forgetting At Any Age
In addition to all the lifestyle suggestions above, there are a number of specific memory hacks I suggest.
As we go through each, it will be helpful if you have written down that list I suggested above. The one with the kinds of information you keep forgetting listed on it.
If you haven’t done that, it’s not too late. You’ll get more from these suggestions by getting some clarity first on exactly what you want to remember. Whether it’s remembering names, numbers related to math or computer programming, there are specific mnemonic devices that will help.
One: Get More Social Interaction
Many people suffer memory issues because they don’t speak with enough people often enough.
Scientists have linked what they call “social cognition” to memory and the evidence is clear. People who socialize more tend to have better memory skills.
Personally, I’m a bit isolated where I live at the moment. But I regularly interview people and hold Zoom calls for people in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
I have an even more ambitious project I’m working on for increasing my social activity. More news on that coming soon.
I suggest you also expand your notion of what counts as a “game.” For example, in this tutorial, I show you how you can use movies you’ve watched as a form of fun memory exercise.
Three: Use “Recall Rehearsal” Strategically
It’s well known that people find rote learning tragically boring.
I don’t blame them.
But the fact remains that we need a certain amount of repetition in order to learn things.
You can also recite information by singing, as suggested by Luke Ranieri, a military pilot who became a skilled polyglot and teacher of classical languages.
Four: Self-Test
A main reason you forget things is that you don’t regularly challenge your memory.
Although it is true that frustration causes many people to give up, a little bit of failure is needed in order for memories to form.
Even if you only partially remember the info, write out as much as you can get. If you get nothing, repeat the process.
The point is that you’re challenging your mind.
If you’re not ready for this challenge, as an alternative, Dr. Gary Small has suggested one of my favorite passive memory exercises. It’s a simple brain boosting routine that works like this:
Notice four details of a person you see
Let an hour pass
Practice recalling those four details
The reason this kind of exercise is called “passive” reflects that you’re not using any kind of memory technique. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use mnemonics. Far from it.
Five: Become A Master of Your Memory
Many people benefit from exploring the world of mnemonics. Whether it’s to participate in a memory competition or explore the Memory Palace for language learning, mnemonics can substantially boost your memory.
The trick is to take this field of practice as seriously as you would any sport or profession.
The key mnemonic strategies you’ll want to pick up involve a small list:
All of these techniques are well-evidence in the memory science available to you.
Not only does adopting these mnemonic strategies help your memory. It will increase your visualization skills too. You can also apply them to critical thinking, which itself is an activity that can boost memory.
Now, it’s a fact that learning memory techniques can create a lot of resistance for some people. One way to get yourself to take action anyway is to explore your roadblocks using mind mapping.
In this video, I give you three mind mapping exercises that will help you figure out your path forward:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BracGhyKS4I
Give each one a go and enjoy the mental strength and long-term stamina they help you develop.
You Really Can Stop Forgetting In Its Tracks
As you’ve seen, there are two main answers to the question, “Why do I keep forgetting things?”
Lifestyle changes are important. Adding dedicated memory techniques directed at the kinds of information you want to remember better is also critical.
Just put in a bit of effort and soon your memory skills will rise, potentially higher than ever before.
Crossword Puzzles for Brain Fitness: Fact or Fiction?
Jul 15, 2024
Do you reserve your Saturday afternoons for the brain fitness promised by crossword puzzles?
If not, congratulations. That could be a wise decision.
But for over 50 million people, crossword puzzles are a part of their daily lives.
And they think it’s helping them.
Unfortunately, that’s not necessary true.
In fact, there’s a pernicious myth out there about the benefits of crossword puzzles.
One that is generally assumed by far too many people who hope, wish and pray that doing word puzzles regularly can help keep your brain young and active.
Many people also believe that the health benefits of crossword puzzles can even keep Alzheimer’s or dementia at bay.
The question is…
Why Do People Believe That Crossword Puzzles Are Good For Your Brain?
Here’s one reason:
Many consider crossword puzzles to be the pastime of the intelligent and knowledgeable people – a connection that we are only too happy to have.
The idea that crossword puzzles will develop your memory is true enough.
For some people, at least.
Here’s Who Really Benefits From The Memory And Brain Fitness Benefits Of Crossword Puzzles
Can you guess who gets the most bang for their buck in the crossword universe?
If you’ve been wondering about how crossword puzzles help your brain, the answer is simple:
The people who design crossword puzzles – the cruciverbalists – experience the ultimate benefits. The also get the most mental stimulation.
As dedicated logophiles, crossword puzzle designers love using obscure words whenever and wherever they can.
And because they’re the architects of these games, they’re the ones most likely to remember the words they’ve enjoyed building into them.
To give a parallel example, it’s kind of like how songwriters find it easier than anyone else to remember the lyrics they’ve penned.
When Did We First Get Hooked on Crosswords?: A Fascinating History
The crossword – a standard feature in newspapers across the globe – celebrated its hundredth birthday on December 21, 2013.
And it’s still going strong!
However, when journalist Arthur Wynne invented and printed the first ever “word-cross” puzzle in the New York World newspaper on December 21, 1913, it was hardly met with much fanfare.
An editorial in The New York Times published on November 17, 1924 called crossword puzzles “a primitive sort of mental exercise” and a “sinful waste” of time.
The craze of word puzzles spread after publishing firm of Simon & Schuster launched its career in 1924 with a book of puzzles. This was the same year when the World published its first daily crossword puzzle.
Years later, the puzzle’s success surprised Wynne:
“… all I did was take an old idea as old as language and modernize it by the introduction of black squares,” he said in 1925. “I’m glad to have had a hand in it, and no one is more surprised at its amazing popularity” (Lynn J. Feigenbaum, Crosswords at a Crossroad, The Puzzle Turns 100. What is the clue to its Survival?).”
Wynne was inspired by ancient word squares – where words read the same across and down.
Wynne also took inspiration from another puzzle, the acrostic – in which sets of letters (such as the initial or final letters of the lines) taken in order form a word or phrase or a regular sequence of letters of the alphabet.
Ultimately, the current format with its compact square diagram of white spaces and black bars, with connected across and down words, and numbered clues became popular.
The Addiction Theory Of Why We Love Crossword Puzzles
Word puzzles are not only fun, but immensely satisfying as every crossword problem has that one perfect solution – the feeling of perfection we miss in our everyday lives and seek through art, literature and now the Internet.
There’s also an almost addictive pleasure to finally finishing a puzzle.
Why is that?
Recall that ‘aha’ moment when you finally get that elusive word or phrase solution. Moments like those confirm, even if it’s only to yourself, how knowledgeable, smart and well-informed you are.
There’s also something called the Ovsiankina Effect, an explanation for why we feel compelled to finish what we started. However, as you’re about to learn, it’s not promised that you’ll finish crossword puzzles with enough of a completion rate to receive any benefits.
Think about it this way:
Isn’t it really the case that solving crosswords is the opposite of quest for knowledge?
When you think about it, crossword puzzles are kind of like a quest for confirmation. A journey to confirm that you are knowledgeable in a way that gives your brain that addictive high of accomplishment.
There’s more:
Some people have even called the crossword a sort of geometric Rorschach test, a kind of psychological experience that reflects the human need to solve a mystery.
Want to Know The Real Story?
In reality, crosswords do not make you smarter. At least not necessarily. Rather, they encourage you to give up on things you don’t immediately know. For instance, if you don’t know a particular word linked to a clue …
You don’t know it!
And here’s the kicker…
Even if you did research to find the answer, would you remember it over the long term?
Worse:
The amount of time the average person spends actually challenging their mind is questionable.
Why?
Because we usually know when we don’t know something.
As a result, we stop right there. No effort is made to either find the answer or memorize it.
The instant our lack of knowledge becomes clear…
We’re gone!
Worse:
Crossword puzzles have been proven to stimulate the brain. But that does not mean completing them improves it.
If the original motive to complete a crossword was to develop your brain, stopping the instant you feel challenged is as good as cheating.
Why Is Crossword Cheating Bad For The Brain?
Simple:
When it comes to playing word games, we find an imbalance between frustration and challenge.
The frustration is often too strong. It overrides the fun of challenges that propel you forward throughout the puzzle without creating barriers that make you want to quit.
Or worse, cheat and look up the answer without submitting yourself to much of a challenge in the first place.
The Stimulating Benefits Of Working With Crosswords
All’s not lost though…
While the research results in this area are mixed, some studies have found doing crosswords can actually stimulate the brain.
It was not all good news, however. Check this out:
Once mental decline sets in, the deterioration is usually rapid. However, some findings suggest that word puzzles did help delay the onset of dementia.
For example, researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School and Kings College London analysed data from more than 17,000 healthy people aged 50 and over. They found that the more regularly people did crosswords, the better their brain functioned in later life.
“It is essential that we find out what lifestyle factors really make a difference to helping people maintain healthy brains to stop the soaring rise of the disease (dementia). We can’t yet say that crosswords give you a sharper brain — the next step is to assess whether encouraging people to start playing word games regularly could actually improve their brain function.”
The quote above is from Clive Ballard, Professor of Age-Related Diseases at the University of Exeter Medical School.
Basically what he’s saying is that the results don’t really demonstrate that crossword puzzles help. There are too many competing factors to tell.
To make things even more confusing, check this out:
According to Dr Doug Brown, Director of Research of Alzheimer’s Society:
“This new research does reveal a link between word puzzles, like crosswords, and memory and thinking skills, but we can’t say definitively that regular ‘puzzling’ improves these skills.”
He recommends “keeping physically active, avoiding smoking and eating a healthy balanced diet” to reduce the risk of developing dementia.
What Are We Supposed To Conclude From These Confusing Contradictions?
Well, for one thing, these researchers are trying to have their cake and eat it too. They are saying that “yes, solving puzzles helps” on the one hand, “but it probably really doesn’t” on the other.
Which is it?
The truth:
It’s Not all Fun and Games When it Comes to Helping Your Brain (And It Doesn’t Need To Be)
If only games could help you gain brain power!
While crosswords can be fun and satisfying, after the first dozen or so puzzles, the activity doesn’t offer enough variety or difficulty to engage your whole brain.
And as suggested, the temptation to skip over the challenging parts or cheat is so high that the actual amount of exercise you’re receiving is highly questionable.
And because of this high capacity for cheating and giving up that crossword puzzles invite, many people are actually not experiencing the ingredient that matters.
The Key Rule: What Matters Most for a Healthy Brain
The key to a vibrant, healthy brain includes challenge and novelty. Doing only crosswords will help you get really good at solving crossword puzzles but nothing more.
This is because brain games can primarily improve the specific function that it is being trained for.
A 1999 study found that being more experienced in doing crossword puzzles didn’t offset the effects of aging when it came to mental tests of vocabulary and reasoning.
Moreover, the study revealed that success in solving crossword puzzles largely appeared to be a function of the amount of knowledge the individual already had, with little or no contribution of reasoning ability.
An independent panel set up by the National Institutes of Health also concluded that there is “no evidence of even moderate scientific quality” that exercise, drugs, dietary supplements or increased social engagement, reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
I can’t emphasize this enough.
Research also states that any positive effects of being proficient in crossword solving does not elevate frontal lobe brain functions like decision-making, planning and judgment – functions that allow us to carry out our daily lives.
Moreover, just like physical exercise, when you stop doing the mental workouts, your brain loses the immediate gains.
At best, one study shows that if you’re going to complete crosswords puzzles, the benefits will be better than brain game apps.
The project also found that solving puzzles can also help young people learn to concentrate, develop systematic work habits and build the ability to recognize and deal with various problems.
Moreover, according to the study, puzzles with their natural inference to games, can stimulate children’s interest. As a result, fewer students experience boredom and benefit from interleaving.
A Better Way to Improve Your Brain and Get Smarter
Now:
One quick and easy way to make you smarter is to address people by name every time you see them and dialing frequently from memory rather than using speed dial.
If you are looking for a complete brain workout try this brain fitness method…
Here’s where to get started:
Memory improvement training should always be linked to memorizing information that will immediately improve your life.
And that’s at the core of Magnetic Memory Method.
When you build Memory Palaces the Magnetic Memory Method way it lets you measure your memory improvement activities.
Why Is This Important?
Because tracking your outcomes leads to rapid improvement. Including when playing any kind of memory game.
You not only get to remember the information faster, but also get predictable and reliable permanence that grows in strength each time you use the Magnetic Memory Method. And that’s not to mention a much more rigorous form of brain exercise, which you can also pick up by going through these memory-based brain fitness challenges.
But this never takes place the other way around (For example, you can’t use Memory Palaces inside of the Major Method the way you can use the Major Method inside of Memory Palaces.)
The Real Value Of The Crossword Puzzle
Crossword puzzles do have a value – but these ultimately amount to being little more than recreational in nature.
At the most, if you can solve a puzzle, you know your brain is still pretty much intact. But whether your brain is getting stronger and sharper, the more puzzles you solve, is a matter of opinion.
The undebatable fact remains that using Memory Palaces the Magnetic Memory Method way can help you see some real improvement in your brain’s problem solving faculties.
It not only stimulates your brain, it also helps move information into long term memory faster and with predictable and reliable permanence.
Will Military Pilot & Language Expert Luke Ranieri Successfully Memorize The Iliad… by Singing?
Jul 06, 2024
Usually I would wait until after someone completes a memorization mission they’ve announced to record an episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast. But when Luke Ranieri said he’s memorizing the first 100 lines of The Iliad in Ancient Greek…
I just knew I had to talk to him. As soon as possible.
Why?
Because Luke proved long ago that he has what it takes to commit multiple words and phrases to memory.
Better than that, he speaks multiple languages, demonstrating a whole other level of memory skill that we call “fluency.”
And that’s not to mention his skills as a pilot, author, vlogger and the “ineffable” aspects that go into making a person a great teacher and all around wonderful person.
In this episode, Luke and I talk about the lines from the Iliad that he’s already memorized using the “Kephalos Method.”
And we talk about how he’s going to complete the task, with a power-session on the Memory Palace technique for verbatim.
So if you’re curious about how a word class language learning expert goes about committing 100 lines of ancient Greek poetry to memory, you’re going to love this interview.
Let’s get started!
https://youtu.be/GD2IoQpXi6M
Who Is Luke Ranieri?
As linguistic maestro known for his YouTube channels Polymathy and ScorpioMartianus Luke started tackling the ambitious task of memorizing the first 100 lines of the Iliad for a few reasons.
He already has a background in Classical languages, including Greek
He has an interest in experiencing first hand what the ancient tradition of memorizing Homer is like
These are the simply the kinds of polymathic projects people with certain character traits tend to gravitate towards
Luke also practices singing a lot as part of his teaching of Latin. Making audiobooks for learners of Latin and Greek is a passion of his as well, and you can browse his offerings on his amazing website.
Although I didn’t ask him about his military background, Luke brought it up naturally in our conversation. Without spoiling the surprise too much, he considers good memory as a matter of life and death.
That might sound dramatic, or only linked to piloting helicopters. But Lynne Kelly has shown in The Memory Code just how many times ancient memory techniques have helped humans survive challenging conditions.
So although there might seem to be a disconnect between learning lines quickly from an ancient text and human survival, they’re deeply connected.
People are right to be skeptical when they heard about people memorizing large amounts of content verbatim. These days, digital amnesia runs so rampant, a lot of people struggle just to memorize a few song lyrics.
But memorizing poetry or scripture is not as difficult as it might seem and people in our time still do it successfully. For examples, check out these discussions and demonstrations:
Ashley Strand on memorizing and performing the Book of Mark from memory
Matt Barclay demonstrating his recall of a Psalm (while recovering from cardiac arrest)
Long story short, you can definitely commit large amounts of text to memory if you wish. If you need help seeing how, I suggest learning to write effective learning goals and considering the wide range of what Lynne Kelly calls “memory spaces” available to you.
I hope you find Luke’s experiences and initiative as inspiring and educational as I do!
Further Resources
In this video, Luke discusses the Kaphalos Method in Latin:
I’ve got even more memory strategies if you need them. There’s no shortage of memory techniques from which to choose. Pick the one that makes the most sense to you and make it happen!
How To Increase Memory: 11 Surprising Ways To Learn Faster
Jul 03, 2024
C’mon, admit it. You think that learning how to increase memory skill and ability is going to be a drag.
I thought that myself the first time I read a memory improvement book. It had only two pages of instruction on how to memorize vocabulary. I nearly tossed it across the room because the description was so vague and illogical.
As someone with a PhD and two MAs, perhaps I hold a higher standard to memory training books than most.
But seriously… it can’t be as easy as Harry Lorayne and Jerry Lucas were trying to make it seem in The Memory Book.
Perhaps like me you’ve also seen all those pictures of memory champions with their sound cancelling headphones and dark sunglasses on while memorizing playing cards.
I wouldn’t blame you if you instantly thought that nothing could seem more boring.
After all… You’ve got learning to do!
You want to pass exams, learn languages and never forget the names of the people you meet again.
Here’s the truth:
You really can improve memory ability without going to the lengths of the memory athletes.
On this page, we’ll discuss how. There are several approaches I think you’ll find surprising. Not to mention unexpectedly pleasing.
How to Improve Memory: 11 Science-Backed Strategies
As we go through this list, keep in mind that you don’t have to do them in order. In some cases, you might have the steps covered already.
The key is to work on all of these factors, especially if you have holistic learning as a goal.
And rest assured, these truly are research-based techniques. I’ve studied memory science for many years. Although I have disagreed with memory experts like Harry Lorayne on how he taught vocabulary memorization, Tony Buzan acknowledged my work by awarding me the Warrior of the Mind Emblem for Outstanding Contributions to Global Mental Literacy.
I’m not saying I know everything. But you’re in a good place if you care about memory improvement, and especially memory techniques. I do all I can to continually expand my knowledge and keep this site updated. Here’s why if you don’t know my story.
Ultimately, you need to consult with a doctor and work on your diet throughout your life. For example, I was able to eat mostly keto for a few years and it helped me tremendously.
Eventually, I needed to get some dairy back into my diet for gut health reasons. It has definitely created a bit of brain fog, but I eat it in order to reduce attention-zapping pain.
But because we’re all different and our lives keep changing over time, please consider the dietary factor a lifelong project. As this study shows, food is about a lot more than just providing you with energy and repairing injuries. Certain nutrients directly affect cognition.
Since diet is one of the ongoing learning and memory trends, I suggest giving how you eat maximum focus. You’ll struggle to meet the competition if you don’t as more people wake up to the importance of diet and a clear mind.
Two: Exercise
Physical fitness doesn’t have to be strenuous to boost your memory and thinking ability.
These days, I perform a lot of yoga moves that have been shown to boost memory and concentration.
We’ll talk about mnemonics later, but one great thing about physical fitness is that you can perform mental activities while at the gym. I’m doing that in this pic while performing deadlifts at my favorite gym in Berlin:
Deadlifting helps improve my focused attention and memory. Do you go to the gym?
Three: Brain Training Activities
Although you might think there’s a disconnect between the first two tips and actually getting into brain exercises and brain games, the truth is that the physical quality of your brain needs to be there first.
Some of my favorite brain training activities include neurobics and memorizing playing cards.
The important thing to understand when you choose your activity is that it has some kind of transfer effect. In other words, the game should involve using your brain in a way that applies to improving how your brain needs to operate better while engaged in real-life activities.
This study shows that a video game does that better than a marketing brain training app. Dr. Christine Till shared similar findings when she was on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast to discuss her research with brain training apps.
Four: Increase Memory By Using The Power Of Intention
But intend to do what, exactly? I suggest your start by intending to pay more attention as you go about your life.
This is where memory expert Harry Lorayne and I completely agree. He makes the point again and again in his books:
Memory ability begins and ends with our attention.
After all, you simply cannot remember anything to which you haven’t consciously attended.
Pay attention to the next movie you watch with the intent to remember more and you’ll already give yourself a cutting edge memory increase beyond belief.
Five: Practice Recalling Movies & Reconstructing Stories
You probably haven’t done this since you were a kid:
You watch a movie and then immediately get on the phone and retell the entire story to a friend.
At least, I remember doing this as a kid.
I loved hearing my friends recount what they had seen.
Back then, after all, if you missed a movie at the theatre, it could be six months to a year before it appeared on videocassette.
And even then, there was no guarantee that a video store in your town would carry it for rental.
The exercise here is to watch a movie and retell the story to someone.
If you cannot find someone to relate the narrative to, tell it to a pet.
Speak it into a recording device.
Or even just write it down. Who knows? You could wind up becoming a great film reviewer and critic and memorizing what happens in movies for a living.
For bonus points, do both:
Verbally recount the film and write your description down.
This verbal activity will exercise more parts of your memory and improve recall in a deeper way, especially of you make this a regular affair.
And keep in mind, this description doesn’t have to be super-lengthy.
When I recall the plot points of a movie in writing, for example, I can usually squeeze it all on to a mid-sized index card.
If you’re interested in more about memorizing plot points, you can check out this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast on memorizing plot points.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM4TxD6ez1Y
Six: Practice Memorizing Character Names
As an extension to memorizing plot points in stories, it’s helpful to remember the names of characters too.
In my own practice, a former girlfriend and I used to watch Deadwood and Breaking Bad for hours on end.
In season two of Deadwood, a new character showed up and we both immediately recognized the actress. “What was her name in Breaking Bad?” my girlfriend asked. “Skyler,” I said immediately, “Skyler White.”
How did I remember this character’s name so easily when my girlfriend did not? Even though we had watched the entire series together, episode by episode?
I deliberately paid attention to character names, that’s how. And then I used this technique for remembering names.
The great thing about memorizing character names and other details of series you watch is that you can apply what you’ve memorized to memorizing vocabulary.
I show you what I mean using a Breaking Bad Memory Palace in this video tutorial I created for you:
https://youtu.be/xES-JOf3n20
If you spend just a bit of time memorizing names while enjoying movies, you’ll be better able to instantly memorize other information you come across through mnemonic association.
Seven: Learn to Use the Memory Palace Technique
A Memory Palace is a kind of mnemonic device that lets you think back to a familiar location and place an association you can later retrieve.
That’s the basics, at any rate.
To get more into this technique, you’ll want to study it and learn the method of loci. Many people have taken this tool for increasing memory seriously for thousands of years because it simply works. For example, this study shows how well it helped endocrinology students outperform those who didn’t use it.
Of course, the Memory Palace is only one of several ways you can increase your memory by using mnemonics. Let’s look at some more.
Eight: Association Techniques For Better Memory
A lot of mnemonics boil down to pairing things that are similar. For example, if you want to remember Walter White’s name in Breaking Bad, you might pair him together with Walt Disney.
As a visual memory technique with auditory properties, it’s really all you need to form fast mental connections.
Over the years, people have developed multiple approaches to refine how quickly they can associate. Here are some of the best options:
Sadly, many students “cram.” This is not a very good memory hack.
Instead, consider interleaving. As a study method, it sounds counterintuitive. But all you do is read in short bursts and continue changing between books.
The way I like to use it for memory is usually limited to language learning, something I demonstrate in this video lesson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I7h98IKaho
As you can see, it’s kind of like turning a mind map into a Memory Palace.
Rather than use a building, you limit the mind map to 12 individual stations and use quick drawings to help you establish what you want to remember.
Plus, as this pilot study has shown, mind mapping helps many learners bring boring information to life. That helps with motivating them to learn.
In my own life, I’ve also found that mind mapping helps me remember the many things I need to do in my business. That’s because I have mind mapped the work I do, as discussed in this illustration-packed tutorial.
Not much more needs to be said about the point. But I can share that when I memorized my TEDx Talk, I made sure that I was as well-rested as possible.
That’s because sleep directly affects all of the levels of memory we discussed above. I needed short-term memory to help memorize it in the first place, long-term memory so I could recite it and working memory to solve a problem that arose while delivering it.
Without taking care of my sleep, I would have risked making a major error.
In terms of how I got to sleep during that period, it was quite simple. I made sure there were no mobile phones, computers or televisions in my room. I stayed in bed even if I woke up early and I used concentration meditation routines to give myself additional layers of rest.
Learning Itself Increases Your Memory
One thing I’ve noticed with all of my students that take serious steps with memory improvement is that just learning about memory exercises it.
And today you’ve encountered a number of ideas and techniques you can test out for yourself.
That’s the key:
Actually taking these processes out for a test drive. When it comes to boosting your memory, it’s just not possible to experience boosts without applied effort.
If you’d like more help, get my free memory improvement course:
It will take you through developing and using the Memory Palace technique in simple steps.
Going through the steps will increase your memory, especially if it’s currently rusty from disuse.
A little bit of effort will go along way.
But as I hope to have made clear today, it’s not all about grinding. The next time you sit down to watch your favorite movie or series, you can practice your memory in ways that boost and maintain its many types.
So what do you say?
Get out there and make it happen!
9 Productive Study Habits That Guarantee You’ll Excel In School
Jul 01, 2024
I didn’t learn the most productive study habits overnight.
But I learned just how terribly ineffective cramming can be when I failed an exam during my undergrad.
I swore I would never never fail like that again and committed myself to mastering the skills involved in studying like a pro.
Sure, I normally practiced good study habits.
But I made it my mission to discover and use the best study habits possible.
After earning my BA, two MAs and a PhD, I have built one of the biggest memory improvement websites online.
In order to provide the best possible information week after week, I still need to use the same learning techniques.
Today, I’m going to share them with you.
So if you’re a serious student who wants to use everything from traditional methods to AI as you ace all your exams, get ready for detailed tour of how the top achievers learn.
All I ask is that you leave cramming at the door. It’s too risky and doesn’t lead to long term retention even if you can get away with it once in awhile. You deserve better.
https://youtu.be/si0aTKs_cmQ
9 Productive Study Habits To Excel In Academics
As we go through the most effective study habits I’ve learned over my career as graduate student, university professor and researcher, keep the term “long-term” in mind. I really do stress that long-term habits are what we need to spend our time on. And that means, everything from managing study stress to mastering digital study tools must involve deliberate practice over time.
Why am I mentioning this?
Because the tragedy is that a lot of people try a study technique once or twice and then decide it doesn’t work.
Frankly, sometimes they are right. Not all techniques are for everyone.
But trying something for a day or two isn’t fair or honest. I suggest you commit to the study habits you choose for at least 90-days.
I suggest you keep these in mind and go a bit longer than any study suggests just to be sure. Myself, I love to use The Freedom Journal because it helps guide you through 100 days. It has helped me accomplish many goals and literally rewired my brain to be more productive.
Now, with that success tip in mind, let’s get started with the habits I suggest you explore.
One: Time Blocking
Not having enough time is one of the biggest problems learners face. Fortunately, it’s easy to solve by building consistent study routines.
One of the best ways to start doing that is by examining how top achievers did that in the past.
For example, Benjamin Franklin used time blocking. He literally visualized his day as vertical row of hours.
When I was in university, I blocked time in a similar way. I had various jobs and wrote all of my work hours out. Then I assigned exactly when I was going to study.
I even wrote out what I was going study while commuting and stuck to the schedule. Although it sounds simple, knowing what needs to be done and when to do it is a very effective way of overcoming procrastination when it comes to getting serious study done.
Later, when I taught as a professor at Rutgers, I used the same scheduling system habitually. I was still finishing my PhD and wrote out that I would grade papers on the train in and read specific books on the way home. As a result, I was able to get my dissertation written ahead of schedule and did well on all of my exams.
Two: Study Habitually In Specific Places
Studying while commuting is not ideal. That’s why I also make sure I have specific places I study.
Back when I was doing my degrees in Toronto, I had a network of libraries at both York University and Toronto mapped out. I knew exactly which were the best study places for me, and avoided having to read during times of high noise and human traffic.
As a professional, I still have a list of productive study places. My favorite floors in the best libraries are all worked out and I can selectively show up to study during what I’ve found to be the quietest hours.
It takes a bit of discipline, but is well worth it. Plus, if something’s going on and you can’t get the quiet you need, by having a list of alternative places ready to go, you’ll be able to relocate and stick to your basic schedule.
Now, when it comes to quiet and the places you choose to study, there’s one exception to the rule about noise. That is when you meet with a study group.
Study group dynamics are a big topic, but during all of my years of university, I found that discussing in cafes works great. Your mileage may differ, so when meeting with your study group, pay close attention to how the location influences your ability to focus on your discussions.
Three: Have A Variety Of Note-Taking Methods
Although it would be nice to have a single note-taking strategy for all kinds of different information, that simply isn’t realistic.
I’ve used everything from standard notebooks to recording with a micro-cassette recorder and mind mapping.
Did you know that by switching strategically between topics, you get a memory and retention benefit?
It’s true. There’s a science-backed learning technique called interleaving that explains why and how it works.
Taking a quick walk (or even a long one) can also refresh your mind. What you want to avoid is looking at your phone and falling down an Internet rabbit hole.
I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t ever go online. Rather, the best possible study habit would be to use time blocking so that when you go online is strategically placed during your day. That way, you’ll be able to afford wherever surfing through links takes you.
Five: Use the Pomodoro Technique With Caution
Some learning experts like Barbara Oakley swear by the Pomodoro Technique, which is kind of like technology-assisted time blocking. You use a timer to study in 15-minute intervals.
Certainly, using a timer works for many people. But there are two reasons I’ve used it only as a last attempt method during those rare moments when my mental clarity is challenged for whatever reason.
First, I like to be in flow when I study. If even a shred of my focus is directed at a timer about to chime, I can’t fully get into what I’m studying. If I’m able to get into flow, the timer then startles me at the precise moment I’m finally into my studies. That leads to stress, which can negatively impact memory.
Second, I teach all of my students in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass to train themselves to take natural breaks using interleaving as we’ve discussed above.
That way, you don’t wind up looking at your phone all the time. There are better ways to control how long you study, such as the “pinch technique” I teach in my article about how much to read in any given session.
My friend and exam study expert William Wadsworth has some compelling suggestions for making sure you get time on your side optimally as well, especially as new technologies arise to distract us.
Give our conversation a listen for getting more results out of your notes and your overall study schedule:
In sum, Pomodoro can be good for targeted learning goals. But for bigger projects, it can become a time-wasting habit that not only fails to serve you. It can have the opposite effect and harm your ability to recall information.
Six: Eliminate Distractions
I have a little ritual before I sit down to study anything. It only takes a second and makes all the difference in the world. It goes like this:
Clear the table of anything non-essential
Turn off the Internet and phone
Have only my study materials within reach
Have all my flash cards and writing materials ready to go
I suggest you come up with a similar ritual and make it a habit.
You can also make sure others know your schedule so they are able to avoid being a distraction as well. This kind of “situational control” is much easier than it seems.
True, some researchers have argued that if you concentrate hard enough, you can avoid being distracted. But they also point out that you can wind up exhausted and possibly lead yourself into making mistakes or even becoming more accident prone.
Just one more reason why I strongly recommend taking this point seriously and removing distractions. You’ll also make memory blocks less likely to arise because research has shown that a huge part of memory formation is physical in nature. The more you protect your physical state, the better you’ll be able to study.
Seven: Reduce Multitasking
Getting rid of multitasking entirely is a bit tricky. Many topics are interwoven and sometimes you need to take different kinds of notes at the same time.
Eliminating distractions as discussed above will help make sure you’re not trying to read a book while also looking things up.
But it will be tempting to search for references and even vocabulary you’re not already familiar with, and this is a battle that never goes away. Especially not if you want to be a polymath one day.
That’s why I suggest you keep one notebook you use exclusively for taking note of ideas and vocabulary you don’t recognize later.
I learned this from a professor I had years ago. He called it keeping a “not now folder.” He literally suggested writing every research task on a separate slip of paper and placing it in this folder. Many print journals come with an envelop in the back like this that you can use as part of this strategy. Or you can just keep note of items to look up later in a top-down list in any kind of notebook.
Either way, this approach helps you focus specifically on reading. Later, you then can bring a high quality of focus strictly to research as its own task. This is brilliant advice and circles us back to the principle of time blocking.
Dealing with things you need to look up later rather than multitasking as you try to study will also give you a form of spaced repetition. Let’s discuss that study habit next in more detail.
Eight: Use Spaced Repetition Strategically
Spaced repetition is a science-backed revision process where you revisit information over time. It’s a strong alternative to rote learning.
You can use it in a variety of ways, including one of the most famous digital study tools. It’s called Anki.
If you use it, you just have to be careful that you time block how and when you use this software. If it’s on a phone, it can be difficult to avoid traveling all over the Internet when you’re supposed to be reviewing information you want to learn. Avoiding multitasking during study periods is very important.
Luckily, there are alternatives to software. One of my favorite is the Memory Palace technique. It lets you revisit information purely in your mind.
Even better, it helps you avoid what memory scientists called the forgetting curve. You will remember more over the long term thanks to having a strategic study habit designed to make sure the things you study stick in your mind.
This circles back to one of our other tips: schedule in your rest periods. You’ll thank yourself for it. Rest is one of the best study habits for long-term retention you can include.
4 Common Study Habit Mistakes That Kill Productivity
Over my many years as a student, I learned the hard way what works and what doesn’t.
Let me give you a list of the worst habits I’ve seen, both in myself as a student who used to struggle. And I’ll share some of the habits I’ve seen as a professor.
For each common mistake, I’ll share the best possible solution so you can develop much better habits that lead to academic excellence.
One: Poisoning Your Brain And Body
It’s hard for me to believe this now, but as an undergrad, I often went to a 24 hour grocery store in the middle of the night for ice cream.
That’s after having eaten pizza during the day and barely drinking enough water.
It’s easy to take on more than you can handle. I know because I was once in a hurry to complete my first degree faster. I want up falling apart completely.
Only later did I learn to slow down, and even read slower when I needed to do so for comprehension purposes.
At one point, I even asked Professor Derek Cohen for an alternative assignment just so I could bring a higher quality of attention to the work. He agreed and I wound up passing his course with an A+.
One reason people overwhelm themselves instead of exploring alternatives is that they simply don’t know that schools are usually more flexible than they seem. Make sure to communicate with your instructors when you’re having issues and most will help you adjust.
When you meet a stubborn professor who won’t, you can always contact the department secretary to find out who to speak to for help. Point being: you don’t have to suffer overload.
Three: Leaving Assignments To The Last Minute
Part of the function of going to school is to prove that you’re competitive. Companies want to hire people who can help them succeed in the market. That means they need employees who can help them deliver on time.
For this reason, university is a great place to practice delivering assignments not just on the date they’re due. You can also practice completing your assignments ahead of time.
This strategy will accomplish a few things for you:
You’ll have less stress around deadlines
It frees up more time for study
You can do additional research and revision of written assignments
You’ll have more time for extra-curricular activities
Once I got into getting my assignments done as early as possible, entire new worlds opened up for me. At one point, I even started up a small press with my friend, Rob Read. I also was able to do a bit of work in the film industry, perform at a variety of cultural events and write a couple of books.
None of that would have been possible if I was leaving my assignments for the last minute. I wouldn’t have been able to handle the stress.
Four: Not Understanding The Role of Sleep In Studying
It’s critical that one of your most consistently practiced habits is sleeping.
This study makes it clear that insufficient sleep is one of the main causes why students struggle at school.
It’s tied to the bad habit of using cell phones to look at social media at night. This messes with your dopamine levels, which is also crucial for learning and memory while studying.
Above all, make sure you get a good rest the night before any exam. This study found that students who get enough sleep immediately before exams take place performed better.
How To Create An Effective Study Habit Plan
Creating a plan is fairly easy.
I suggest you start with a vision statement. I’ve created an epic video training showing you exactly how to do this for better learning outcomes. My book, The Victorious Mind, includes an example from one of my readers who used that training to help himself succeed much better as a student.
Once you’ve created your vision for success, you just need to write out:
What you’re going to study
When you’ll study
Where you’ll study
Who you will reach out to if you need help
I also suggest you include all of your exam dates and assignment due dates so you can see them at a glance. This will help you “reverse engineer” how many study sessions you’ll need.
You don’t have to get this perfect the first time you give it a try. I just suggest you get started practicing this approach sooner than later. Creating your own study plan is a habit-based skill unto itself and deserves the effort.
How To Make Technology Your Ally For Studying
These days, it’s easy to ask an Artificial Intelligence for help.
The problem is, even if chatGPT for language learning can be pretty good, it has a lot of accuracy issues. It will also sometimes hide certain perspectives that are essential to know about if you’re going to be a critical thinker.
To get the most out of these technologies, I suggest you include them in your vision statement and study plan. Do you want to be a pro at using Artificial Intelligence for research? Then book the time to figure out how to do it well.
Put it this way: If you’re using these softwares to write for you, you’re doing it wrong. As Julian Peterson, founder of Essay puts it, you need to be able to write for yourself if you want to be competitive in today’s world. It’s about being able to think clearly as much as it is about cranking out original writing.
In terms of other technologies, you can certainly use airplane mode during study hours. But why not just put your phone in a separate room? It’s good to spend time away from your devices anyway. I call the habit of spending time away from my devices so I can get serious reading done “digital fasting.”
Although you might call that kind of habit too “small” to create a profound result, James Clear would disagree. He calls such small efforts that lead to big results “Atomic Habits” and I think he’s right.
As a result, I read much more, remember it and enjoy a much more productive mind.
If you’d like more mental strength yourself, please sign up for my free memory improvement course:
It will help you through free video lessons and worksheets develop your memory skills and reduce lack of concentration issues. As a result, you’ll enjoy an instant boost in how much you remember from your study sessions. You’ll also stop losing your train of thought when sitting for exams.
Plus, you’ll develop your procedural memory and many of these habits will just start happening more automatically.
That’s a beautiful thing because that’s what a habit is: Something you do with minimum effort to enjoy maximum benefits.
So what do you say?
Let’s get studying!
How To Build Virtual Memory Palaces & Use Them For Learning
Jun 21, 2024
So, you want to develop and use a virtual Memory Palace.
It’s possible.
The earliest example I’m aware of comes from Hugh of St. Victor, who lived and taught memory techniques during the medieval period.
These days, we have even more options than he did because we live in a world packed with many kinds of imaginary potential memory spaces.
Although I’m going to share with you several examples and a detailed tutorial, for most of us, using Memory Palaces will be stronger.
The reason why exploring virtual Memory Palaces is to make our skills stronger still.
That’s because the whole point of the Memory Palace technique is to reduce cognitive load rather than increasing it.
This is an especially important issue if you want to memorize long form content, or study a lot of material for complex exams.
However, if you’re going to develop artificial Memory Palaces or use VR, there are ways to minimize the increased demands on your working memory that they inevitably create. I’ll share them with you on this page, along with dedicated research on the matter.
Ready to explore whether or not this mnemonic strategy is the right approach for you?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myN7wCWDWCI
What Is A Virtual Memory Palace?
As I mentioned, there is a long history to the idea of a virtual Memory Palace – or a mnemonic device based on a location you have not seen with your own eyes.
Or, if you’re not able to see (because people without vision also use Memory Palaces), we’re talking about using an area that you haven’t touched with your hands.
Why use the word “virtual”? Well, as the Etymonline definition reminds us, at some point in the 15th century, the word took on these two meanings:
Being something in essence or effect, though not actually or in fact” is from mid-15c., probably via sense of “capable of producing a certain effect” (early 15c.).
The five main kinds of virtual Memory Palace that do not actually exist but create the effect of helping you remember things include:
Mnemonic journeys based on fantasy locations found in books, movies, video games, VR programs and paintings
Memory Palaces based on homes and apartments currently for rent or sale and sourced on real estate websites
Memory Palaces you create from scratch using your own imagination
Again, the key is that you’ve never visited the space before. If you’re using Google Maps to refresh your memory of a place you’re been, that’s not really a virtual Memory Palace, for example.
Historical & Other Examples Of Virtual Memory Palaces
Hugh of St. Victor used Noah’s Ark as a Memory Palace. In fact, he used four versions of it, which you can read in a book called The Mystic Ark.
To give the technique a try, I conducted a case study and created this video walkthrough for you based on my experiment and what I discovered by trying to reproduce the basic concept:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv3WSP1f4y0
Other examples of using imaginary spaces, or places that the Memory Palace user did not visit include:
Possibly Robert Fludd‘s “theatre of the world” technique
For Fludd, I say that’s it’s only “possible” that he meant for his Memory Palace illustrations to be used by his readers.
Fludd says some things in his writing that suggest he meant for you to use a theatre that you were familiar with to place the target information you want to remember. It’s not at all clear to me that he was teaching anything other than the traditional Memory Palace technique.
But he also includes the geometric forms you see in the illustration above. These could be used as portals or wormholes to other places. There’s also the suggestion that pairing certain kinds of words to geometrical forms might help with the memorization of grammar.
It’s difficult to tell, but no matter what Fludd intended, you can use the illustration as a virtual Memory Palace. You can also imagine locations behind the open doors and connect one virtual Memory Palace to another if you wish.
Three Contemporary Virtual Memory Palace Examples
In any case, I think what Fludd is providing is different than the virtual Memory Palace examples you see in Kevin Vost’s books.
As you can in the example above, Vost has not only provided a simple drawing for you to use as a virtual Memory Palace. He’s also included numbers for the individual stations, each linked with an imaginary object:
Door
Carpet
Window
Framed portrait
Etc.
Timothy Moser goes even further in Accelerated Spanish series by providing both a fairground and a bee named Joel who you can follow around while learning Spanish.
There’s also the Dean Vaughn approach, which is called the “Vaughn Cube.”
Basically, you divide up a room according to your particular learning goal. One of this most interesting books discusses how to use this type of virtual Memory Palace to commit music to memory, especially challenging information like the key signatures.
Vaughn’s book came with a DVD that even animated the Vaughn cube for you. My friend John and I talk a bit about related ways to use Memory Palaces in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Two other related examples where authors give you imaginary Memory Palaces are Ed Cooke‘s Remember, Remember and The Memory Palace by Lewis Smile. Young people have really taken to Smile book, as we heard from Alicia Crosby and her father on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast. She even talks about how she uses Minecraft for Memory Palaces.
How to Create a Virtual Memory Palace Step-By-Step
Let’s go through the best practices you’ll want to follow in order to get the most out of the cognitive demands virtual Memory Palaces will likely place on your mind.
As you go through each step, remember that you ultimately need to experiment on your own. You might find your own steps as part of the process. These are the ones that have worked best for myself and students in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
Step One: Screenshot A Visual Image Of The Virtual Memory Palace
Whether you’re using a real estate website or a movie, the key is to work from an image you can see with your eyes.
This is because you’ll need to divide the imaginary space into sections so you can create your journey. Although using virtual Memory Palaces is relatively new, the same rules for proper Memory Palace creation described thousands of years ago in Rhetorica ad Herennium still apply.
In the case of “Cafe Mnemonic,” a virtual Memory Palace I created with the help of an entrepreneur and an artist, I have the Memory Palace drawing on my computer.
As you look at my virtual “Cafe Mnemonic” Memory Palace drawing, notice how it is divided into different sections:
Music
Poetry
Autobiographical matters
Anatomy
Chemistry
Music
The reason I divided this particular virtual Memory Palace in this way has to do with my learning goals. You will want to divide yours according to your own learning cycle to optimize its effectiveness.
I’ve also created virtual Memory Palaces by visiting Wikimedia Commons to scout for locations. Although I no longer have the drawing I made based on a photograph of the Keats-Shelley House in Rome, I’ve reproduced the basic concept for you in the following image so you can better follow while completing step two.
Step Two: Divide The Imaginary Location Into Segments
As you can see from the photograph above, there is a lovely room in the Keats-Shelley house. Using the method of loci, I assigned individual spots or “Magnetic Stations.”
These are the places I used to set or leave the target information I wanted to remember. They provide a backdrop that makes it easier to place mnemonic images.
But notice the relationship here between the numbered structure and the Vaughn Cube. To make it as easy to use as possible and reduce the cognitive load, the mental journey is as simple as possible.
Let’s talk more about creating simple but effective journeys next.
These two virtual Memory Palaces were based on the novels, The Name of the Rose, by Umberto Eco and Misery, by Stephen King.
Step Three: Create a Journey Through The Memory Palace
Normally I draw my Memory Palaces, regardless of whether they are based on real or imaginary locations. As you can see in the Memory Palace drawings above, each Memory Palace is numbered.
In both cases, each of these novels were adapted into films, so I had both novel and movie in mind at the same time while developing these locations for memorizing information.
For more on using novels as Memory Palaces, check out this video tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=483ZaywVigU
In addition to using books and movies, you could use the layout of Homer Simpson’s house (an animation) or indeed the buildings in any sitcom. For a while, I used the living room in Three’s Company and even “invented” what some of the bedrooms looked like to create more space.
For me, that ultimately only increased the cognitive load, reducing the viability of using the technique for any serious amount of learning. If you run into similar issues, pick shows or sources you’ve spent plenty of time looking at or imagining. That way, you’ll already have a solid mental image of the location’s layout.
When I’ve used virtual Memory Palaces based on games, I have preferred simple platform games like Donkey Kong and Pac-Man. Idriz Zogaj has shared more elaborate options that you can use based on things he’s heard from memory athletes.
Here’s why I ultimately prefer the simplest possible games:
A platform games lets you see the entire journey and all of its stations at a single glance. You can also set rules much easier, such as that there will always be three stations per ramp, etc. These kinds of video games also lend themselves to the drawing step, making journey creation fast and easy.
That said, I lean towards this method because I have a weak mind’s eye, if not aphantasia. But a lot of people who come to my teaching have rusty imaginative and visualization skills, so they generally appreciate using drawings to help with assigning rock solid journeys.
No matter what source you choose for your virtual Memory Palaces, you’ll need to experiment.
If you’re keen on first-person shooter games or games that use vast expanses of space and can remember these journeys, just know that you’ll need to spend more time experimenting.
If you want to use a journey from The Lord of the Rings, you’ll probably have to know it quite well to use any of its many locations.
Of course, there’s also Minecraft for building Memory Palaces. Here’s a video showing how that might work for you:
https://youtu.be/bRONEABppBc
That example is especially interesting because some people might love the sound of hearing their feet on the ground as they navigate the virtual Memory Palaces.
If you choose a video game for your Memory Palace, it’s important to be selective of your stations and keep it simple. This is an example of how I’ve used a platform game like Pac-Man:
Notice that I don’t try to use all of the possible spaces. Just the ones that are clear and distinct. Theoretically, every pellet could be used for loci, but that would be cognitively draining.
If you want more space, you could consider using an imaginary chessboard. You’d just have to have basic knowledge of how many squares are on a board and then pick a starting point.
I’ve tried experiments with imaginary chessboards, and except for memorizing numbers, they are quite cramped. Blowing them up in my mind helps a little, but it winds up requiring more mental energy that it is worth.
A slightly easier version is to make up your own platform, like an imaginary treehouse. I’ve found this useful, but only if I limit myself to the rule of threes.
No matter what source you choose, the key is to create the journeys optimally, use them for spaced repetition and spend enough time using the technique in order to really feel it out.
Chances are, you’ll discover features of the approach that are unique to you as you go about things. Especially if you follow memory athlete Johannes Mallow’s journaling advice to track your progress.
Step Five: Use the Virtual Memory Palace With Spaced Repetition
The whole point of the Memory Palace technique is to use it as a tool for spaced repetition.
That’s why I generally recommend people save their time and make much simpler Memory Palaces based on real locations.
It’s easier to just recall a room than have to reconstruct a location and the mnemonic image at the same time.
Either way, you will need to use the Memory Palace with spaced repetition in order to form long-term retention of your target information.
Briefly, you want to:
Fill your virtual Memory Palace with images linked to the target information you want to remember
Revisit each station on a specific pattern to “trigger” the associations and call back the target information
Write the target information down for self-testing purposes
This final point is especially important when using Memory Palaces for studying. You need to put your reps in for long-term retention to occur.
Step Six: Continue Experimenting With Different Options
In my journey with exploring virtual Memory Palaces, I’ve done all kinds of things.
For example, I used the series Breaking Bad to memorize a phrase in Latin. Here’s a tutorial detailing how just referring to that location was useful and enabled me to use this phrase now all the time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xES-JOf3n20
I’ve also developed imaginary trains in which I experimented with memorizing poetry. It worked fairly well, but falls apart a little due to what memory science going back to Ebbinghaus predicts. It’s harder to give primacy and recency to each imaginary station because you have to rebuild it while calling back the target information. The forgetting curve takes hold a lot faster because the frustration is quite high.
But let me share with you two of my favorite approaches you can explore: turning an empty box into a Memory Palace.
In one of my home offices in Berlin, I used to have a Bicycle cards tuck case on my desk. I used the apartment as a Memory Palace, and inside that box was the underground garage in one of the Batman movies. I only memorized a few small things in there, but this simple idea expanded the size of the real Memory Palace.
Likewise, I would sometimes place imaginary bookcases inside of real Memory Palaces.
To make even more space, I would sometimes change the colors of these bookcases to increase the space. I was younger then and not working to combat cognitive decline as I am now. But for a few years, I made this approach work quite well.
That said, because I know (and can teach you) how to find dozens of Memory Palaces on demand, I’m not missing out by relying mostly now on the Magnetic Memory Method variation on the standard technique. In The Art of Memory, Frances Yates called this approach “the Herennium Pattern,” an ancient memory technique that still works to this day.
My preference, more and more, is to cleave to the tradition and help people do the same, especially if they struggle with the additional cognitive drain using imaginary items and virtual Memory Palaces creates.
What About Virtual Reality Memory Palaces?
I remember when one of my students Adolfo Artigas was so excited to use his VR headset and make Memory Palaces out of virtual environments.
It was only a week before he sent me a video of what he was seeing – and a complaint about how “seasick” the experience made him.
Don’t get me wrong:
You can obviously use a VR helmet in conjunction with the Memory Palace technique. In fact, the University of York listed this doctoral position for people interested on researching the relationship between digital environments and memory.
I reached out to the scholar for an interview on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, but he declined. But as Dr. Aidan Horner discusses in this post with more details about the research:
…we still need a clear theoretical account of how spatial structure affects memory. Without this, we lack the ability to build spatial environments that would optimally boost memory.
Jaron Lanier has discussed similar limitations and issues in Dawn of the New Everything, which I believe everyone interested in virtual Memory Palaces should read.
Additionally, this research paper seems to support exactly what I’ve been suggesting all along. Your mind has to track both the invented environment and the target information. In the virtual Memory Palace, the overload is so much higher.
Not only that, but we should take into consideration the response to Apple’s Vision Pro. It was generally not favorable, except perhaps when people change the meaning of the term, “Memory Palace.” Alex Coulombe did this on LinkedIn in a post that only partially reflects this technique and how it works, for example.
The people behind the Marble Mind Palace change its meaning to “anchoring exhibits” in a similar way. In both cases, these people seem to mean that putting various browsers and documents on your virtual walls is the Memory Palace technique.
I’m not convinced that it is, even if it triggers some recall of what you were doing in the past with various documents.
And the Marble Mind Palace video showcasing the software? It shows the same shakiness Adolfo complained about and ultimately made him exclaim that traditional Memory Palaces are better, period. Not just for learning goals.
In any case, I’m not trying to police the world and how people use this term. But I agree with Dr. Horner that a proper thesis about how spatial memory works doesn’t exist yet and there’s a long way to go before VR provides an option that is faster and more reliable for the serious mnemonist.
We also have to account for the problem that scientists admit that they still don’t fully understand why the traditional Memory Palace works. As this article points out, blind people can use the technique, challenging the idea that seeing anything, let alone a visual environment is even necessary. In my personal experience, and in my discussions with memory expert Lynne Kelly who identifies as having aphantasia, seeing your Memory Palaces is simply not required.
Always remember: There’s a difference between activity and accomplishment. What I’ve seen so far from the VR world looks like a lot more Memory Palace renovation and seasickness than actually using the technique to commit information to memory. You can literally take your pick and I suggest you experiment quickly, fail fast and use the technique that actually works for you with a minimum amount of activity and a maximum payoff in terms of the amount of knowledge you can recall reliably.
Should You Use A Virtual Memory Palace?
Absolutely yes.
Despite some of my critical points above, I am devoted to exploration. I also cherish experimentation and open inquiry, so long as it is charitable.
By exploring the different kinds of virtual Memory Palaces we’ve discussed today, I’ve improved my practice with memory techniques tremendously.
It’s stretched my imagination, exercised my computational thinking and taught me a lot about different levels of cognitive load.
Virtual Memory Palaces are also fascinating to discuss. And as you’ve seen, many people have used them. The idea even relates to some other affinity techniques, like the Memory Wheel and mind mapping.
I’ll talk more about those topics soon. Until then, if you want to keep in touch and benefit form the traditional Memory Palace technique, grab my free course here:
It will gift you four video lessons and three worksheets.
You can use them to help yourself craft either traditional or virtual Memory Palaces.
Again, I think it’s worth experimenting with both. I have and I don’t regret it.
All you have to do is take action. Spend enough time to really explore the technique. Soon you’ll enjoy using all kinds of Memory Palaces to help you learn faster and remember more.
Maximum Learning In Minimum Time with Exam Study Expert William Wadsworth
Jun 19, 2024
As a student, you want to unlock your potential.
Whether it’s for an upcoming exam or professional certification, you know that you have to be at your best.
Especially when you have so little time to devote to learning.
Enter William Wadsworth, the visionary founder of Exam Study Expert.
If you’ve been following the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast for any length of time, you know I’m not easily impressed.
But William’s commitment to empowering students to achieve academic excellence based on science-backed practices was not only refreshing.
It’s based on similar principles that I’ve studied for years myself. The memory science is very clear, so when listening to William, you can be sure that you’re getting the real deal when it comes to absorbing maximum information in minimum time.
Mastering Your Memory As A Student
In this episode, William emphasizes the importance of understanding how the brain encodes, stores, and retrieves information.
By leveraging how memory works, anyone can substantially boost their retention of even the most complicated information.
The way William focuses on equipping students with the most robust study skills is needed more than ever before. As we all know, we simply must go beyond rote memorization. That’s why I love the practical strategies William advocates to help students to approach their studies in science-backed ways.
As he makes clear, every technique and strategy he teaches is supported by both research and practical experience.
Make no mistake. You don’t have to be taking exams or certification tests to benefit. The same study techniques are useful for lifelong learning goals too.
For all the details on what William knows to work best for studying successfully, tune in to our full conversation by clicking play above or by running the episode through the YouTube upload below.
https://youtu.be/vDOhTr3yfzw
Who Is William Wadsworth?
Long before founding Exam Study Expert, William had secured a highly coveted seat at Cambridge University.
However, his initial celebrations were short-lived because he soon found himself struggling at the bottom of his class.
The basic study techniques that had served him so well in high school were suddenly no longer effective. Not at all.
Feeling overwhelmed and desperate, William found his salvation by studying psychology.
After equipping himself with a deep understanding of how the brain works, William overhauled his entire approach to learning.
He implemented efficient time management strategies.
He developed effective methods for tackling exams.
He improved his essay writing skills.
All in all, these simple activities led William to graduate in the top 10% of his class with a First Class degree.
The Founding of Exam Study Expert
After enjoying the fruits of his success, William drew upon his personal experiences, academic insights and understanding of memory to found Exam Study Expert. Along with his team, his company is dedicated to helping students achieve academic success.
Among other offerings, their basic services include:
Consulting on Curriculum: William advises educational institutions on creating effective curriculums that cater to different learning styles and maximize student engagement.
Parental Guidance: He helps parents understand their children’s academic needs and provides them with strategies to support their learning at home.
University Interview Preparation: William assists students in preparing for competitive university interviews, such as those for Oxbridge, ensuring they present their best selves and stand out in the selection process.
Through Exam Study Expert, William Wadsworth is committed to empowering students with the tools and techniques they need to excel academically and achieve their full potential.
Frankly, I wish I’d had William’s help when I was going through university! Enjoy this episode and all the wisdom William shares.
How to Remember Things: 19 Proven Memory Techniques
Jun 14, 2024
So … you want to know how to remember things.
Excellent. You’re in the right place.
The memory techniques I’m about to show you are the most effective strategies you can possibly use.
How do I know?
I used them personally to help me pass my Ph.D. in Humanities at York University, part of which involved dealing with Classical languages and hundreds of details about history and philosophy.
Then, after starting to teach memory techniques, I used these skills to help me learn how to run this blog, my Youtube channel and podcast. I’ve come to master a very complicated set of tasks that I would not be able to handle without proper mnemonics.
I’ve also studied hundreds of memory science research articles and was even invited to deliver a memorized TEDx Talk to share some of my many findings over the years.
As a result of both my scholarly and online accomplishments, I’ve helped thousands of my students memorize information to pass certification tests. I’ve also helped people accomplish all kinds of goals related to language learning and personal projects like memorizing scripture or better understanding philosophical concepts.
Further, I read every book on the topic of memory I can find. Personally, I am always looking to improve my own memory skills and learn more about the science of memory.
Quick Answer: How to Remember Things (Top 3 Steps)
In my experience, to remember anything, there are three main things you need to do:
“Encode” the thing you want to remember with meaning using the processes you’ll learn today
Use active recall to test your memory and its accuracy
Time your reviews using spaced repetition
There are dozens more techniques and memory tricks I’ve picked up from all of of my reading and teaching in the memory improvement space.
Let’s take a look at each of the best techniques you can apply to different things you want to commit to memory.
You can either read the article below, enjoy the video version by clicking “play,” or simple browse this table of contents:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpXL7VOQ1qQ
Now, to set the stage properly, let’s start with a very basic fact when it comes to improving your memory:
People with excellent memories and memory championship winners are not too different from you. They just use a combination of techniques to enable their minds to memorize things.
Now, you might find it hard to remember names, facts, equations, lists, tasks you need to take care of, a new language, and so on.
But if you follow the right techniques, you can remember almost anything you want. The techniques you’ll discover on this page will work for you, no matter how bad you think your memory is.
The Top 19 Ways To Boost Your Recall
As we go through this list, rather than try to master each and every strategy overnight, I suggest you explore each approach over time.
Start by picking the one that resonate with you the most.
Then come back and add another.
1. Apply Mnemonics
Mnemonics is a big topic. In brief, the word “mnemonic” refers to any memory technique that helps you form a strong, long-term memory.
Usually when people use the term, we specifically mean the use of mnemonic images and multi-sensory associations.
For example, if you meet a new person named James, mentally associating him with James T. Kirk from Star Trek, or James Hetfield from Metallica will form a mnemonic link in your mind.
By hearing the voice of a James you already know, you add a multi-sensory element that makes the mnemonic even stronger. As this
Of special interest is the role of mnemonics in daily life. As this study shows, when mnemonics are combined with other memory aids like the ones explored on this page, your overall memory can be substantially improved.
2. Memory Palaces
The Memory Palace technique is perhaps the most powerful mnemonic device ever formulated.
It works by using a familiar location to lay out the kinds of mnemonic associations we just discussed.
Here’s a Memory Palace Walkthrough shot in one of my homes using a complex poem I memorized to help explain the technique:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STlYIiF9RzI
If you are a fan of ‘Sherlock’ – the BBC series, you have seen Sherlock Holmes use his ‘mind palace’ to remember practically everything. This memorization method isn’t just used by fictional detectives. Memory champions swear by the memory palace.
As I discussed in the Memory Palace walkthrough video, I suggest you get started by making a quick drawing of a familiar location first, like your home.
The following illustration is a Memory Palace drawing made by my friend and language learning expert, Olly Richards:
Once you have your first Memory Palace drawing, you’re better equipped to understand how the technique works.
That’s because this memorization method begins by visualizing yourself walking through your home and remembering every single detail that you can. It’s also a great mental exercise, but one made much easier when you’re just getting started because looking at your sketch reduces cognitive load.
However, you necessarily do not need to visualize at all. You can physically walk through your home when first learning this technique.
Linking Information with your Memory Palaces
To remember each item you want to remember, you associate it with a specific object or space in your home.
For example, if you are trying to remember a new language, you might want to store all the words related to weather in your wardrobe.
By grouping related words together, they become easier to recall.
You can group them by theme, sound or any other category that makes sense to you.
Associating items within your mind with a real physical space helps your brain ‘file’ important things to remember more easily.
Mind Palaces can be used to remember names, faces, languages, lists, academic material, and pretty much anything under the sun.
It’s easier to remember something that you read yesterday than a paragraph you have read a year back.
Why?
Well, Hermann Ebbinghaus referred to this situation as the “primacy” effect. He used it to help describe what we now call the forgetting curve. His research into the psychology of memory observed that we forget most newly acquired information within a few hours or at the most a couple of days.
However, Ebbinghaus found that when you reinforce what you learn at regular intervals, it’s easier to retain that piece of information in the long-term storage areas of your brain.
You do that by reinforcing a bit of information in your mind just when you are about to forget it.
A simple way of applying this memory technique is to use flashcards. You can organize your flashcards into three batches depending on how easy it is for you to remember.
If you remember something clearly, test yourself with the same flashcard within ten minutes, but if you do remember, test yourself at a longer interval.
There are several tools out there that claim to be spaced repetition software, but which are actually not. If you wish to try out spaced repetition, the best approach is to make your own flashcards.
Ideally, you’ll combine these cards with Memory Palaces. You can also consider bringing in Zettelkasten (an advanced type of flashcard with Leitner boxes to help organize how you revisit them).
For more detail on spaced repetition in daily life, I’ve written extensively on how to stop forgetting things and how these principles apply to never losing your keys again, and more.
4. Use Chunking to Remember
Chunking is the process of breaking information down into smaller units or groups.
For example, when someone recites a phone number, they usually give it to you in clusters of 3 or 4 digits. That’s chunking.
As a memory strategy, you can apply the chunking principle in many different ways.
For example, rather than memorize your grocery list from top to bottom, you can use chunking to arrange the items on the list according to where you normally find them on the store shelves.
As you can see in the illustration above, all the dairy products are chunked away from the produce and grains.
The same principle applies when learning a new language. As mentioned above, when words are related by a strong context, such as breakfast food items, winter clothing, grammatical function and so on, you can place them in specific Memory Palaces.
This approach is helpful for memorizing at scale because the human brain naturally tends to look for patterns. Because chunking allows the brain to store information in easy-to-remember packets, the combination of methods leads to better retention.
Here are 21 more study tips related to chunking, some of which are a bit unconventional. And that’s why they work.
5. “Expression Mnemonics” or Acronyms to Remember Things
You have probably come across this method in school. You create an acronym of the different things that you wish to remember.
If you have taken music lessons, you would remember EGBDF (the treble clef) with the acronym, “Every Good Boy Does Fine.”
Another common expression mnemonic you might remember from your school days is HOMES – for the Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior).
Acronyms are best when they’re difficult to forget. There are similar Expression Mnemonics which involve rhymes, songs, and so on, but sometimes simply coming up with a keyword in which a principle helps trigger your recall of a larger list of information is best.
Anthony Metivier memorizing and recalling names at a memory demonstration in Brisbane
For example, I sometimes write “NAME” on a chalkboard when teaching people how to remember names using the strategy we’ll discuss next. If you look at the image of me above from one of my live memory training sessions, you can see NAME on the whiteboard behind me.
Detailed Walkthrough of Memorizing Names Using the N.A.M.E. Process
The NAME acronym is a process used to remember names. This specific technique for memorizing people’s names quickly is based on an interesting book I read recently – Boost Your Memory by Darren Bridger.
For those of you who are seriously into memorization and mastering how to remember something you forgot, it’s a worthy read. Even if you’re already well established, I suggest reading it for a quick review of the major principles that support remembering things.
Step One: Notice
Notice is the first word in the name acronym. It’s basically the same as memory expert Harry Lorayne’s point that you can’t remember information to which you haven’t paid adequate attention.
In Bridger’s case, the author is not only talking about memorizing things like names by noticing the person’s hair, eye color, and other distinct features of the face. He’s also talking about noticing the sound of the name as part of learning to recall things better.
It sounds silly, but think about the suggestion for a second. Even a seemingly pedestrian name like “Bill” becomes quite interesting if you pause to think about it. You can even pay attention to how your mouth feels as you recite it, giving yourself a level of kinesthetic awareness to create an additional trigger for recall.
You can even go so far as to pretend in your mind that you’ve never heard the word before. Just as we want to pay close attention to the sound of the words we are memorizing using the Magnetic Memory Method, when we learn a person’s name, we want to swirl it around a bit.
It’s almost like tasting wine. That’s kind of a weird way to think about learning someone’s name, but I’ve tried it out many times, and it actually does bring an interesting quality to the memorization process.
Step Two: Ask (And You Shall Remember)
Ask is the second word in this powerful acronym that teaches you how to remember names or even information for a test.
In the case of names, Bridger is suggesting that we ask for the name to be repeated if we haven’t heard it the first time. When it comes to how to memorize things for a test, it’s really the same process.
For example, I’m sure you’ve had this experience:
You hear someone’s name, but don’t quite catch it. Instead of asking for it to be repeated, you let the name issue drop and hope it will come up again … but it almost never does.
And so, as Bridger suggests, there’s no shame in asking for a name to be repeated. Likewise when you study: there’s nothing wrong with going back and repeating the information. And then add the act of asking with this quick tip:
If you want to remember things better, start asking people about their names. Like this:
“That’s an interesting name. Where does it come from?”
These are perfect questions to ask a person. Questions like these will not only increase your rapport with the person but also cause you to pay more attention to the name in the first place.
It’s the same thing with any information, and you can always ask questions about any information using this formula:
What is interesting about this?
Why is it like this?
How did it come to be this way?
What if it was different?
Remember: a great deal of what memorizing things boils down to is noticing and paying attention to the target material. It also comes down to “rotating” the information in your mind by examining it from different angles.
Step Three: Mention the Name to Help Remember Things
The author uses the word “mention” for the purposes of his acronym, but usually, tips on memorizing names tell us to repeat the name we’ve just heard.
Memory experts are actually divided on this point. Yes, it helps the name you want to remember to sink into your memory. And yes, it tells the person that you’ve heard their name and that you care about knowing them. But it can still come off as rather corny.
Still, I spend a lot of time in places where the language is not my native tongue and have found repeating the names of people I meet to be an essential habit.
Pronunciations of names vary widely, and there are often subtle sounds that people will gladly correct for you once they’ve heard you mispronounce their name. It’s only polite to make sure you can pronounce a person’s name right.
Plus, pronunciation is one of the weakest points for me. I’m always working on improving it in my own memory improvement journey – largely due to being 80% deaf in my left ear.
Even though it can be a bit corny to repeat the names of people you’ve just met, just do it. Taking that simple step when it comes to recalling things like names is worth it in the end.
Step Four: Envision
Here Bridger finally shows us how to bring it all together.
Envisioning is simple. It’s the part of the mnemonic process where we take the visual characteristics of a face and associate the name of the person with some distinct feature.
To use Bridger’s teaching, which seems pulled straight out of Harry Lorayne, let’s say I meet someone named Jacob and he has rather bird-like features. All I would need to do is imagine him having the face of a Blue Jay and then imagine him puffing on a corncob pipe.
(Jay + Cob = Jacob). Simple stuff.
The only problem is …
I don’t like doing it this way. Placing images on faces makes me look at the people strangely later as I’m going through the recall process. I prefer seeing the images I create either behind the person, on their shoulder or above their head. That way, when recalling their name, I’m not looking all screwy-eyed at them.
The Missing Memory Step
Plus, there’s a missing step… “Envisioning” is one thing. But having a place to find what you envisioned quite another.
That’s why I’ve had at times dedicated Memory Palaces just for names.
If I meet a person named Jacob and see him as a Blue Jay smoking a corncob pipe. But I don’t want to let the association just float around in the void. I want to Magnetize it somewhere. To do that, I put the Magnetic Imagery in a Memory Palace.
Later, when I want to recall his name, the association will come much faster than it would have otherwise.
Why? Because memory no longer needs to hunt for the association or “envisioned” information. When we associate without placing our associations somewhere, we often have an “uhhhhhhm” moment where we’re searching for the association we know that we’ve created.
Plus, without a Memory Palace, we have no means of performing Recall Rehearsal. We will find the imagery in our Memory Palace later, but still have to reverse-engineer it in order to get the target material.
That’s the key: always locate your material somewhere and then use that Memory Palace to rehearse the information into long-term memory.
6. Use Tactile Mnemonics from Ancestral Memory Approaches
Did you know that people used to carry portable Memory Palaces covered in beads?
They’re called lukasa or memory board. Here’s an example:
Here’s how they work:
Each bead represents a specific fact, name of a person or law
By running your finger over the board, you can recall the information you’ve encoded on the memory board
By combining spatial memory with touch, you create more memory hooks in your brain.
Applying the Lukasa Technique to Everyday Life
When I was first struggling to improve my memory, I used to meet people and squeeze a coin in my pocket when I heard their name.
As I did, I imagined writing their name onto the coin.
Although coins don’t provide much space, it’s a place to start that doesn’t require carrying around a large memory board.
Using Your Hand Itself as a Tactile Memory Space
Another technique that I’ve used a lot is based on the Guidonian Hand memory system.
You’ve probably seen an image of someone with string tied around their finger to help them remember something. Think of the Guidonian Hand as a more elaborate version of that principle.
One of the most common uses of this approach was in music as you can learn in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBq-S_QdU2U
But as I learned from Tyson Yunkporta in his book Sand Talk, the “Hand Memory Palace” technique is useful for remembering points that come up during meetings.
If you apply numbers to each finger, you can also remember when you have various meetings. Even if it’s only for short-term recall, it’s a powerful memory strategy.
And as with most ancient memory techniques, the hand can be used in combination with other strategies.
7. Learn How to Remember Numbers with The Major System
Except for phone numbers where we can use chunking, numbers are very hard to remember.
That’s why our ancestors created techniques people still use today.
One of them is called the Major System, It is also called the Major Method or sometimes referred to as Harry Lorayne’s Number Mnemonics.
It works by associating each number from 0-9 with a consontant sound. Like this:
0 = soft c, s or z
1 = d, t
2 = n
3 = m
4 = r
5 = l
6 = ch, j, soft g, sh
7 = g, k
8 = f, v
9 = b, p
Although this simple formula has to be learned before you can use it, it works because it allows you to form simple words.
For instance, you can insert a vowel in between 22 and imagine a nun (formed by combining n and n). You combine these words to visualize an animated sequence of activities, which makes it difficult for you to forget.
Or for a number like 235 you could imagine an “animal.” For 22235, you could imagine a nun in a martial arts battle with an animal as illustrated in the cartoon below:
The Major System can be used to memorize very long digits, multiplication tables, phone numbers, number-based passwords, and so on.
If you would like a particularly amazing example, check out how Akira Haraguchi used this technique to memorize 100,000 digits of pi.
How To Remember Things Through Lifestyle Changes
Your lifestyle and habits have a significant impact on your memory. These are not memory tricks. However, implementing these lifestyle changes will boost your overall ability to remember things.
8. Getting Adequate Sleep will Help you Remember Things
One of the biggest mistakes that students make is trying to study longer hours by skipping on sleep. What they forget is that sleep deprivation affects several cognitive abilities, including memory.
This should hardly be a surprise. In addition to affecting the mind, lack of sleep is also considered to be a risk factor for heart disease, cancer, diminished immunity, obesity, and several other complications.
Sleep also contributes to reorganizing memories, by forming stronger connections between different memories. Sleep helps the brain to link newly absorbed information with previously acquired information, which spurs creativity (Diekelmann and Born, 2010)
Other studies have indicated that lack of sleep also makes us remember things incorrectly (Diekelmann 2008). Therefore, for several reasons, getting a good night’s sleep can significantly contribute to memory improvement.
9. Taking Naps will Improve Your Memory
What if you are unable to get adequate sleep? Try taking naps.
Dinges also says that working memory “involves focusing attention on one task while holding other tasks in memory … and is a fundamental ability critical to performing complex work.” Another study concluded that a nap as short as six minutes can help boost memory (Lahl et al 2008)
10. Eat Foods that Boost Your Memory
When we talk about diet, the conversation is usually about weight loss, improving immunity, or preventing diseases. However, what we eat also has an effect on memory improvement.
There are several foods that are great for memory such as walnuts, green tea, blueberries, fish, whole grains, olive oil, etc. – often referred to as the Mediterranean diet.
Studies have demonstrated that consumption of green tea leads to enhanced activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex (Schimdt et al 3888). This optimization leads to improved memory and better cognition overall (Feng et al 438).
Fish, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, oysters are all excellent sources of Omega-3s, which lowers the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s by as much as 47% (Schaefer et al 1545).
https://youtu.be/Kbv06gmm8S4
Incidentally, the Mediterranean diet is also recommended for preventing cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc. Therefore, there are plenty of reasons besides memory improvement to include these foods in your diet!
You should also avoid foods that contain too much saturated fats and trans-fats such as red meat, butter, etc. Foods that cause cholesterol leading to heart attack or stroke also lead to memory impairment.
And it’s not just about food. Teas for memory and herbs that help memory are important considerations too.
11. Exercising Leads to Memory Improvement
Exercising is another great way to improve your memory.
It’s well known that exercise leads to increased blood flow to the brain, which has several cognitive benefits, such as alertness, better concentration, more positive mood, and so on.
Exercising also improves memory by releasing cathepsin B. It’s a protein that triggers the growth of neurons and forms new connections in the hippocampus, a section of the brain playing a vital role in memory.
Memory improvement necessarily doesn’t require rigorous exercise. Just 150 minutes of walking every week has been known to improve memory.
11. Socialize for Stronger Memories
Australian researchers conducted a study involving 700 participants over 15 years. The researchers concluded that maintaining close relationships helps in improving memory. Other studies have also indicated that socializing helps prevent memory loss through dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Since better relationships are also linked to happiness and improvement in a number of health parameters, it’s a great reason to invest more in your current relationships as well as get back in touch with people you haven’t spoken to for years.
12. New Stimulating Hobbies Will Improve Your Memory
Columbia University researchers have found that people having more than six hobbies have a 38% lower chance of developing dementia. Researchers at Berkeley, California also found that people who regularly engage in activities that stimulate their brains avoid the formation of a protein that causes Alzheimer’s.
The key is to pick up new hobbies that force you to expand the capabilities of your mind.
For example, you could:
Read a book on a topic that you are completely unfamiliar with
Learning a new musical instrument or a new dance form
Pick up a new form of exercise,
Regularly meet new people
The key here is to engage in activities that lead to the formation of new neurons in the brain as well as new connections between existing neurons. This helps maintain the brain’s cognitive reserve – its ability to avoid memory loss.
13. Learning a New Language Boosts Memory
There are several reasons why learning a new language is great for memory.
The process of remembering vocabulary, phrases, and grammar rules all exercise your brain cells. Mental exercise like this leads to overall memory improvement. Studies have indicated that bilingual people are at less risk of Alzheimer’s.
You also develop renewed curiosity about everything around you, which helps you to focus more on everyday activities and objects. As I have pointed out earlier, focus is another factor that helps us to remember things better.
Remembering is an essential skill that you have to pick up while learning any new language. When you are actively looking for ways to remember, you pick up lots of memorization techniques – which in turn improve your memory.
It’s a cycle that helps you to keep improving continuously. So why not spend a few minutes every day in brushing up your French or Spanish or pick up a completely new language like Mandarin!
14. Do More Challenging Work
We live in an era that constantly sells us on the idea that “less is more.”
However, studies presented by the Alzheimer’s Society in the UK have found that people who do more mentally challenging work are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Deliberately working on things that are mentally taxing keeps your neurons on their toes and prevents them from deteriorating over time.
Some scientists call this principle “desirable difficulty.” Interestingly, this study links the principle to the spaced repetition strategies you’ve learned today.
How can you reasonably take on more desirable difficulties?
You could also ask your boss to give you additional responsibilities every day that place you out of your comfort zone. Something as simple as that will help ensure that your cognitive abilities stay in peak shape.
If you’re already retired, consider volunteering.
Or you can start up a YouTube channel or a podcast and share your knowledge with younger generations. Developing and interacting with an audience is incredibly rewarding and will exercise your mind and memory as you complete a wide variety of challenging tasks.
Try to engage in activities that make you happy. It can be as simple as setting aside 10 minutes a day to revive a hobby that you used to enjoy, such as reading or singing.
Meditation is the most effective way of improving the ability of our mind to pay attention to tasks – which is important for improving retention and converting short-term memory into long-term memory.
Studies have demonstrated that practicing meditation improves our ability to focus on smaller details. (Maclean et al. 2010). Other studies have shown that mindfulness meditation works better as a memory technique than yoga. (Quach et al 2015).
Building a habit of meditating every day isn’t too hard.
What if the thought of sitting still for even a couple of minutes is too painful?
Try walking meditation. Lots of people find this approach far easier than the regular sitting meditation approach, and as effective as calming the mind.
16. Story & Linking
A neat way to remember things is to embed the details in a story.
In fact, our ancestors have used stories to link facts for easier recall for decades. The technique is called the story and linking method.
For example, if you have a list of words, instead of trying to memorize them as isolated elements, you chunk them into units.
If soap and tomatoes are on your shopping list, imagine soap bubbles flying up into the sky and bursting against potato clouds. If celery and corn are next on the list, have celery stalks raining down on a corn field.
This technique may need a bit of practice, but it’s very effective.
17. Rote Rehearsal
Believe it or not, simply repeating things is a legitimate learning strategy. Sure, rote learning can be boring, but I use it music, to take one example.
One way to make rote rehearsal more fun is to use flashcards with lots of colors and drawings on them.
For example, look at this example flash card from my own learning process below:
When I wanted to learn “C’est chouette” in French (for “it’s cool!”), I made a simple drawing of an owl in shoe. That’s because la chouette in French means owl.
It doesn’t necessarily make sense to the English native speaker, but by looking at the card a few times and using active recall as an additional strategy, it only took a few repetitions to memorize the word.
18. Make Information Relevant by Keeping a Memory Journal
Mnemonics, when done well, already make information more personal and relevant.
But there’s an additional step you can take that goes beyond the important kinds of memorization tactics we’ve discussed so far.
Two pages from one of my memory journals
It’s journaling, or at least writing out summaries of what you want to remember, ideally by hand.
As I discuss in my detailed tutorial on journaling for self improvement, there’s a lot of science-backed information on why writing by hand about your own life is so effective.
Journaling is effective for all of us.
One effect that happens when you regularly test what you’ve memorized from memory in writing is that the journal becomes like a secondary Memory Palace. I can think both of the Memory Palace and the page in the journal as I tamp the material down into memory.
It’s hard to explain, but Gary Weber told me he has experienced a similar effect as part of all the Sanskrit he memorized while preparing his books Happiness Beyond Thought and Evolving Beyond Thought.
It’s also helpful to know that memory champions also journal in order to keep their recall abilities functioning at the highest possible level. My friend and fellow memory expert Johannes Mallow shared his journaling method for sharper memory on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Personally, I always have a small notebook with me wherever I go. It’s very useful for making sure I can always remember things that come up in every day life.
Details on the Memory Journals I Use
The journals I currently use are 90x140mm and fit perfectly in a back jeans pocket. My current brand is called Sankou and I used blank pages only, not lined.
Really, the only time I leave home without a journal is when I got to the beach for Qigong. And that’s because I sometimes get splashed with ocean spray and found that this is ruinous to my journals. They wind up moldy and have to be tossed.
19. Explore and Incorporate Other Accelerated Learning Tactics
There are so many more tips to share. Some of my favorite involve acronyms, such as the PQRST method: Preview, Question, Read, Self-Recitation, Test. It’s great to use this when studying, but can also be applied to work and even novels you might want to remember better.
One issue people face, however, involves what I call “topic exhaustion.”
This effect takes place usually when cramming, but you can even get tired of learning from books you love. To combat this problem, I suggest learning to use interleaving. It’s a study method that lets you take quick breaks while switching between books. You’ll naturally remember more by using this specific switching and resting strategy.
But it is a bit unconventional given the recency of chatbot technology. Nonetheless, I’ve found laddering to be one of the most helpful learning and memory-based applications for chatbot technology so far.
Bonus Video Tips:
If you’d like a video overview and a few more tips, here’s an older video I produced going through 21 techniques for Memory Improvement in detail:
https://youtu.be/lHnUPXo-LyU
How Memory Works
By this point, you’re hopefully excited by all the different ways you can improve your memory.
You might feel like you don’t have the time or interest, but I’ve found that understanding memory actually creates new ideas for activities that lead to even more memory improvement.
As I’ve learned over years of study and recently reviewed in an edX course called Learning and Memory in the Brain: A Guide for Teachers, most of what we know about memory doesn’t come from brain scans. It comes from behavioral psychology studies.
Based on what scientists have discovered through both approaches, we think memory breaks down into conscious and unconscious processes. These are called explicit memory and implicit memory. Here’s a simple way to understand the difference between them:
If you repeat a phone number several times, you are consciously focusing on learning it (conscious, explicit memory)
When you notice that someone is just like one of their parents, you’re observing habits that person learned at an early age (unconscious, implicit memory)
Other parts of memory have to do with how we perceive information and how we recall it through a process called retrieval.
The most important fact about memory for me comes from a lesson in the edX course I just mentioned: Memory is just as much about understanding as it is about remembering.
A huge part of understanding comes from the size of your working memory. As the edX instructor Ginny Smith put it, having your working memory optimized is actually more valuable than having a high IQ. In fact, scientists have shown that better working memory is a better explanation for why some children are gifted. And that’s all the more reason to put the techniques we’ve discussed above into action.
Remembering Things Isn’t Hard!
We have covered a wide range of methods that will help you to remember. You don’t need to practice all of them. Just picking up a few of these memorization techniques will make a substantial difference to your memory.
And what if you wanted to learn just one method that will make a huge difference to your memory? I recommend the Memory Palace technique.
Click the course graphic below to learn more about how to effectively create and use one – fast.
Once you’re set up with your first, create and use more Memory Palaces. It’s good for the health and longevity of your brain!
Further Resources
If you’d like more information on how to remember things, here are some of my favorite articles, both on this blog and around the web:
How to Use a Memory Palace for Studying: 7 Simple Tips
Jun 13, 2024
Nothing could be easier than using a Memory Palace for studying.
Once you know how it works, that is. Unfortunately, many learners think they do, but have really only scratched the surface.
What is that surface understanding?
You may have heard that a Memory Palace (also called the method of loci) is a mental map of a familiar location, like your home or your school.
You then assign the information you need to remember to specific locations along a route through your chosen location.
These locations then help cue your mind so that the facts you want to remember come flooding back.
The problem is that this is only part of how the technique works. And even that explanation leads many people to use the technique incorrectly first.
Today we’re going to fix this problem by focusing on how the Memory Palace technique actually works, specifically for studying large amounts of complex information.
If you’re willing to learn the foundational skills first, you’ll be able to apply the technique to memorizing anything.
And I do mean anything. I have yet to see a topic or information category for which the Memory Palace technique cannot provide tremendous learning advantages.
How do I know? Well, I’ve memorized one of the most widely seen TEDx Talks about memory, used multiple Memory Palaces to complete my PhD, pass language exams, earn certifications and give epic demonstrations at meetings where I memorized the names of dozens of people within minutes.
I did that most recently during a real estate licensing certification course. Not only did I pass thanks to my combination of Memory Palaces with other study techniques.
But after seeing me recite the names of every student in the room, the teacher asked me to teach these techniques to the entire class. Which I did.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to do the same with a special focus on building a Memory Palace Network to study faster, remember longer and walk into any exam with confidence.
Ready to learn from my experiences?
Let’s dive in!
https://youtu.be/c4J5ZUzCxZY
Using a Memory Palace for Studying: 7 Tips to Memorize Anything Fast
As we go through these tips, please understand that the tips you’re about to encounter build upon one another.
And the first is non-negotiable because the Memory Palace technique is not a trick. It’s a formal practice that was perfected in the ancient world.
Here’s the Magnetic Memory Method approach to Memory Palaces in a nutshell before we get into the granular details:
Select a familiar location and map out a clear route with distinct stations by drawing out your journey by hand.
Organize the material you want to memorize before doing any encoding so that you’re sure about what you want to memorize.
Assign fully “Magnetic” associations using a multi-sensory approach like the Magnetic Modes (a.k.a. KAVE COGS).
Use Bridging Figures to maximize the alphabetical principle of the Magnetic Memory Method.
Review with Recall Rehearsal, a structured form of active recall and spaced repetition.
Refine your use of the technique through practice.
Whether you just want to remember simple things better or pass a major exam, the steps outlined above are the key to memorizing everything from simple facts to entire course syllabi.
Now let’s dig into the granular details.
One: Use Memory Palaces Correctly
I see so many students either struggling with or failing with mnemonics. Largely, this happens because they treat the Memory Palace technique as if it’s a combination safe or treasure house for “storing” information.
But as you can see in the video tutorial above, that’s not the way the technique works at all. It’s not a “set and forget it” approach to learning at all.
Since knowledge is power, it’s helpful to understand why people get this impression in the first place. Although you might think the idea of storing information in rooms might stem from the Sherlock Holmes approach to memory techniques, the idea of storing information in rooms is much older.
For one thing, that’s basically how St. Augustine described the technique.
And I come to the fields and spacious palaces of my memory, where are the treasures of innumerable images, brought into it from things of all sorts perceived by the senses.
The problem with Augustine’s description is simple:
He makes it seem as if you just file information away as if Memory Palaces are the medieval equivalent of a hard drive.
No, no and a thousand times no.
In order to make the technique work, you want at the very least to add the elements of active recall.
Briefly, you need to do these three things within your Memory Palaces:
Make sure all of your mnemonic imagery is personalized and include as much variety as possible.
Don’t cheat when reviewing. Push your mind a little to call back the information.
It’s essential. You cannot just encode information and expect memories to form.
Rather, you need to recall the information as if you’re “reading” it from the walls of your Memory Palaces, ideally using the different patterns the Memory Palace allows for, including backwards.
And if you think backwards is a stretch that doesn’t apply to you, Matteo Ricci would surely beg to differ.
Make sure you’re using Recall Rehearsal based on your Memory Palaces. It is literally like “reading” from the walls of your mind, with associations instead of words.
Two: Take Care When Assigning Your Memory Palaces
Unfortunately, many people follow the advice of people who don’t actually use Memory Palaces for studying.
Look, the memory competitors are impressive. I’ve interviewed many of them on my podcast, including Tony Buzan who created the initial memory competitions.
The problem is that the vast majority of memory competitors have short term goals.
Those who have taken on larger learning projects for things like medical school and language learning include Alex Mullen, Nelson Dellis and Joshua Foer. They all put a lot of care into how they select and use locations for their Memory Palace efforts. And you should too.
So what are some quick tips to follow? From what I’ve seen, here’s what matters most:
Simple and small journeys work best, even if you wind up needing a lot of Memory Palaces.
Start at the “dead end” instead of at the door. That way you’re leading yourself to an exit and can add more loci later if needed.
Don’t worry about “connecting” one Memory Palace to another. This usually wastes time and can be avoided by using Memory Palaces correctly.
Only worry about reusing Memory Palaces after you can successfully use at least 10-20 with predictable positive results.
Consider using the alphabetical method so you can link Memory Palaces with Bridging Figures. This technique is not always helpful, but you’ll be glad you’ve got it when you need it.
Three: Organize the Information Before You Start Encoding It
The Memory Palace technique is generally quite easy for most people who take it seriously.
But what isn’t always so easy is figuring out what main points you need to memorize.
This process will help you start recognizing what counts as a main point faster. And the more you practice how you’re going to place those points in your Memory Palaces gives you the personalization experience that active recall requires in order for you to master these techniques for memory and studying.
It’s really important not to overlook the organization step. As another great memory master from the past named Thomas Aquinas put it so clearly in his Summa Theologica: “the mind favors organization.”
Just as we organize food on a shelf, we can organize information in a Memory Palace. It takes a moment to work out a well-formed Memory Palace, but it’s worth it.
Four: Get Past the Need For Mnemonic Examples A.S.A.P.
I’m sometimes criticized for not giving people enough mnemonic examples in my books and courses.
First of all, this is not true. If anything, I’ve given way too many. There are well over 300 in The Victorious Mind alone.
Secondly, the legendary Harry Lorayne says the same thing in Ageless Memory. He’s probably the world’s leading memory expert, so if you can’t take my word for it, you can take his. Even Tony Buzan said Lorayne was the best of the best.
The question is… why is my suggestion that you stop seeking so many mnemonic examples essential to your success?
As pointed out in the Rhetorica ad Herennium, even students back in 90 B.C.E. were weakened by receiving too many mnemonic examples.
This is because the only true way to make mnemonics that stick is to come up with your own.
Moreover, it’s helpful to know your goal. Literally say it out loud: “I am studying history and using my history Memory Palace.”
Then, prepare everything you need the night before. That way, when you show up in the morning, you can dive right in.
If you have multiple topics to study, instead of feeling overwhelmed or getting stuck in decision anxiety, here’s a little tip:
Check in with your body. See if you intuitively have a felt preference. Then go with that.
Or you can do an exercise I learned in The Wise Advocate. Ask which study topic makes you feel more expansive and go with that (as opposed to feeling limited or constrained).
Decision metrics like these can help you loosen up and just get moving. You can also add the relaxation and breathing exercises discussed in The Victorious Mind.
It is critical to be relaxed when using memory techniques for studying, especially the Memory Palace. Make sure to spend at least 10-15 minutes each day stretching, breathing and meditating, ideally in nature.
Six: Treat Your Memory Practice like a Profession
To be honest, the idea of memory techniques “for” students really doesn’t make that much sense to me.
I suggest learners of all ages think of themselves as entrepreneurs, or at least investors.
Yes, you’re learning and people who learn are called students. But often we use that image of the student to expect less of ourselves.
If you treat the time you’re spending using memory techniques as an investment, you’ll immediately get a much higher return on that investment.
As always, you don’t have to take my word for it. The mental metaphors we choose have been well-proven in Nir Eyal’s research.
Keep in mind too that the Memory Palace is itself a metaphor for what is better called “location-based mnemonics.”
Seven: Test Yourself Frequently
If you do all of the above, you’ll have gotten a very high percentage of your learning material into long term memory.
This outcome means that you won’t have to waste time “looking” into your Memory Palaces as St. Augustine’s description seems to suggest.
The information will just leap to mind.
But to get to this experience of topic mastery even faster, self-testing is essential.
There are a few ways to self-test:
Use the practice questions in your textbooks.
Seek out practice exams from program secretaries or online.
Visit your teacher for suggestions and to get tips on self-testing.
Students rarely take the opportunity to meet with their teachers. But that’s what they are there for, so make sure to take advantage of their expertise.
If you find that recalling information is difficult, this is when your Memory Palace efforts will come in handy.
The steps are simple:
Mentally ask which Memory Palace the information was most likely encoded into.
Ask what your mnemonic images were doing in that Memory Palace.
Don’t fear pushing yourself a bit, but also let yourself relax. Don’t get in a panic.
If the information doesn’t come, move on to the next question or take a quick break.
When the information arrives, celebrate and write it down.
Later, think about how you can improve your use of the techniques so that particular information doesn’t slip your mind in the future.
Generally, however, if you’ve used Recall Rehearsal properly and self-test thoroughly, you shouldn’t have issues on exam day.
FAQs On Using Memory Palaces For Studying
Want to go deeper on how to use the Memory Palace technique to improve your studies?
Here are the most common questions I’ve received over the fifteen years I’ve taught people around the world. Each answer reflects real world tools, tactics and strategies you can start using immediately.
Why is the Memory Palace technique so effective for studying?
This technique leverages how the human brain works, specifically when it comes to spatial memory.
Like many other animals, humans are amazingly skilled at recalling places. Uniquely, we’re able to imagine variations to locations and use elaborative encoding to amplify information through association so that it comes back to mind when we mentally revisit a location.
The technique has been in play for thousands of years and used by everyone from Aboriginals to ancient Greek poets like Simonides of Ceos.
How do I create a Memory Palace for studying?
Technically, you don’t create a Memory Palace. You assign it.
My preference is to assign them alphabetically, with one for each letter of the alphabet (A-Z).
I recommend you draw them by hand in order to effectively plan your journeys and avoid needing to alter them later.
Here’s an example of a Z Memory Palace I sketched out quickly and use when memorizing Z-related information (something that happens frequently when I study German and Mandarin).
A Memory Palace drawn on an index card to maximize its value as a mnemonic device. This one is based on a bookstore in Zamalek, a part of Cairo.
Once you’ve decided upon your location, assign the individual stations (or loci).
These should be simple and already clear in your memory.
Sometimes people worry that they move furniture around too often, which is no problem. Simply do not make furniture part of the Memory Palace if that concerns you. Use only the immovable walls and corners instead.
Should I use one big Memory Palace for everything I want to study, or lots of small ones?
The great thing about this question is that you have options.
In this video, for example, I talk about ways to link Memory Palaces together so that you possible do wind up with one big “Grand Central Memory Palace.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RzQzqauhhM
Generally, however, I suggest that you work with small Memory Palaces.
Since segmentation will ultimately be needed for effective spaced repetition, it’s best to simply optimize each Memory Palace for this purpose from the beginning. You save yourself a lot of time this way and you can use the alphabetical method for logical grouping.
You’ll also avoid having Memory Palaces interfere with one another and give yourself expansion options if you need them.
How can I make sure I won’t forget information stored in a Memory Palace over the long-term?
As I hope to have expressed earlier, we don’t “store” information in Memory Palaces. We use Memory Palaces to establish information in long-term memory.
The difference is not semantic. If you only encode information into Memory Palaces without practicing decoding (or retrieval), it’s less likely that you’ll recall with any substantial accuracy.
That’s why the key to utilizing this technique is understanding how and why it amplifies spaced repetition. It is essentially a spaced repetition machine you operate with your mind.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when using Memory Palaces for studying?
The main pitfalls include:
Choosing inappropriate locations that are not already in long-term memory.
Not planning your journeys effectively.
Making your Memory Palaces unnecessarily large or complex.
Using dull or generic associations inside your Memory Palaces.
Cramming too much information onto individual stations.
Neglecting review due to poorly understanding how the technique supports spaced repetition.
Not using Memory Palaces in combination with other study techniques, such as Zettelkasten.
Giving up on the technique too soon rather than putting your Memory Palaces through a deliberate practice protocol.
Avoiding these mistakes will ensure you experience much smoother progress from beginner levels to mastery.
Is the Memory Palace technique scientifically proven to improve memory?
Yes, and I detail everything I know in my frequently updated article on memory science.
Amongst many key studies, this one in Neuron demonstrates how using Memory Palaces does more than improve your memory.
It also helps you rewire your brain through a process known as neuroplasticity. As you improve your memory, your confidence, consistency, creativity and focus should also grow in strength.
I’m not visual (or I have aphantasia). Can I still use Memory Palaces?
Yes, you can. As I demonstrate in my full article on aphantasia, there’s no reason why having this condition should stop you.
Not only do I have personal experiences with the condition, but people like the memory competitor and highly accomplished author Lynne Kelly have aphantasia. She’s always learning new things, from the names of birds to new words and phrases in Chinese.
One of the keys to using the technique with aphantasia is to lean more heavily on the logical aspects of the technique. These were detailed long ago by the medieval and Renaissance mnemonists like Giordano Bruno and Robert Fludd.
Although their books can be difficult to read, I’ve done my best to make them as clear as possible. You can also look at Memory Wheels for further clues on how to use thinking alone to get Memory Palaces working for you without having to see anything in your mind.
What makes the Magnetic Memory Method approach to the Memory Palace for studying unique?
In addition to my personal experiences using the techniques to help me earn my PhD during a difficult time, my teaching involves:
Avoiding sloppy Memory Palace activities by helping you focus on well-formed Memory Palaces through proper planning and using much more logical start and end points than those taught by memory competitors.
Using the alphabet for thematic organization and Bridging Figures that help you scale the amounts you can memorize systematically.
Integrated Recall Rehearsal that maximizes everything we know about spaced repetition.
Focus on meaningful learning around the main points, not getting lost in false scarcity because you’re trying to memorize more than is absolutely necessary.
In sum, the Magnetic Memory Method brings together the best of the ancient memory techniques with what I’ve learned from memory competitions and dozens of scientific studies.
Although we have a lot of fun in my community, we’re not here to dabble or treat mnemonics as tricks. My goal is to make the learning journey more enjoyable by helping you get results.
Using A Memory Palace For Studying Simply Could Not Be Easier
Sure, it can seem like using a Memory Palace involves a lot of moving parts in the beginning.
But once you’ve learned the technique, it’s as easy as tying your shoes.
The main difference is that when learning a simple task like tying our shoelaces as youngsters, we had parents to help us learn how to deal with how to navigate those shoelaces.
That’s perfect for the Memory Palace technique, however. It is a technique that works best when learned, developed and used in private study.
Yet, you’re never truly on your own when you’re using proper, mnemonic images. You’ll always have cool friends, family and cultural references to hang out with in your Memory Palaces.
So dive in, enjoy and if you need more help, sign up now for my FREE Memory Improvement Kit.
It will help you take today’s tips further with four free videos and worksheets. It’ll also inspire you to take action when you see just how many wonderful successes other Magnetic Memory Method students have enjoyed.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to start studying with the Memory Palace technique in a much better way?
The Ultimate Guide to Using Mnemonics In Your Everyday Life
Jun 05, 2024
Usually I talk about using mnemonics for highly specific outcomes like learning languages or passing exams.
But there are so many other ways you can use mnemonics in your daily life.
Ranging from recalling your to-do lists to remembering the yoga moves that help reduce stress, there’s no end I’m aware of to the ways mnemonics can be useful.
The trick is to make sure you have the best possible mnemonic strategies on your side.
To help ensure that you do, on this page, I’ll share links to resources and tutorials I’ve created for you over the years.
I’ve put a lot of love into teaching the ancient art of memory.
And thanks to the many people who have visited this site, we have a treasure trove of material.
People have asked many many great questions and shared their feedback after completing the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass. And I’m always reading the latest memory science for new insights.
Ready to discover all of the many options available to you for remembering more information as you go about your daily life?
Let’s dive in!
https://youtu.be/vb-a2-oCo74
Introduction to Everyday Mnemonics
It’s important to understand what we mean by “mnemonics” above all.
Technically, any technique you use to help you remember something is a mnemonic. Yes, that even includes rote learning.
But even when it comes to repeating information in your mind, there are better and worse ways to do establish long-term.
So when we talk about using mnemonic strategies in everyday life, it’s important to make sure we’re using the best possible memory techniques.
That way, the best possible results will flow.
So that you have them all in one place, here are the core techniques mnemonists love to use:
It’s important to know that the Memory Palace receives so much focus because every other technique can be used inside of this special mnemonic device.
Because so many people have used this particular ancient memory technique over thousands of years, it has evolved different names and slightly different uses. You’ll encounter variations as diverse as the:
Some people even like to use the term “Memory Castle.” Although there’s a lot of overlap between these terms, the key point is that the more you know about how all mnemonics work. the more holistic learning you can do.
But today’s post is not so much about learning at the polymathic level. Today we’re talking about everyday uses. Here are a bunch for you.
Mnemonics In Everyday Life: 8 Wonderful Strategies You’ll Love Using On The Go
As we go through this list, think through your own daily life and imagine how much time you’ll save if you use memory techniques in the ways I’m about to describe.
There is nothing fickle about some of the simpler, everyday uses.
Far from it. In fact, when using memory techniques for simple things, you’re getting both neurobic benefits and great brain exercise.
One: Remember Where You Parked
Wandering around parking lots looking for where you parked wastes so much time.
But when you have a simple pegword system and a number system, you can instantly place a mnemonic image on your parking space that will help you remember its name.
As soon as you park, apply simple mnemonics to help you remember the name of your spot and the level. It only takes a second and saves time while reducing stress from your life.
Let’s say that you park in B7 on level 2.
When you have an image for each letter of the alphabet and for each number, you can mentally place those images on the parking space. By doing this, you’re turning the space into an impromptu Memory Palace.
I often use Batman for B and a boomerang for 7. I would place these specific images on the parking spot itself and then near the elevator or staircase place a second image for 2 (a swan). That way it’s easy to remember everything when it’s time to leave the shopping center.
To help and inspire people to learn this special, everyday use of mnemonics, I had Detective Williams use this technique after parking at the Vancouver Public Library where he was investigating a crime. This was in Flyboy, my first “Memory Detective” novel.
Beyond that, I started this list with parking because it’s been a huge problem since people first started driving. Remembering where you’ve put personal items is such a big problem for so many people that Eran Katz named one of his memory improvement books, Where Did Noah Park the Ark?
Now that you know this technique, however, you never have to lose track of your vehicle again.
Two: Remember Your Shopping List
When my wife sends me to the grocery store, I only sometimes write out a list. Usually, I take the opportunity to practice mnemonics.
It’s really simple to memorize a list of items and you don’t need a Memory Palace do it most of the time. You can just use an approach called the linking method.
Let’s say you need to pick up lettuce, salmon, cheese and eggs. To make the list memorable, you just have the items interact or “link” with one another.
For example, can imagine:
A head of lettuce with enormous teeth biting a salmon
The salmon then drops a mountain of cheese onto some eggs, which crack horribly
This mnemonic method is called “linking” because you’re creating associations between the items. By the same token, you’re also creating a mini-story. Using narrative elements can be a bit more advanced if you like, so check out my post on using stories to remember information for a full tutorial.
As a bonus suggestion, I recommend learning your shopping lists in another language. Chances are you can use basic chunking to remember the list in your mother tongue. Why not spice it up a little and get more of a mental workout by going beyond the basic grocery list mnemonics?
Three: Remembering Appointments & Other Future Events
Sure, we have automated calendars. Yet, many of us still forget to show up for appointments. Why is that?
One plausible answer is called digital amnesia. Something about storing information in the intangible space of a computer makes it harder to remember. Or so the theory goes.
No matter the reason, I got sick of forgetting appointments, so worked out a way to use mnemonics in everyday life by building what I call a “Mnemonic Calendar.”
It works very simply by drawing upon the 00-99 PAO System that memory athletes have used for decades. You can apply it to everything from memorizing playing cards to the fretboard of your guitar.
To build a calendar, you need a mnemonic image for each number and an image for each month of the year.
Have a look at the example above.
Pumpkin is the image for October. Nail is the image is the image for 25 using the Major System. (If you don’t want to develop your own images, Bruno Furst included a Number Dictionary in one of his courses.)
Once you have all of your images, it’s easy to imagine a quick image based on the month and numbered day.
Need to remember specific times? No problem. Just add additional mnemonic images, much like you add the number of a floor to the name of a specific spot in a parking garage.
You can use your Mnemonic calendar for all kinds of things beyond appointments. These include:
When certain chores need completing
Car maintenance schedules
Assignment deadlines
When bills are coming due and other aspects of personal or professional financial management
Preparations for specific anniversaries
Sure, this technique requires a bit of setup. But it’s worth it and has broader applications.
Let’s have a look at one of those specific applications next.
Four: Remembering Recipes And Amounts
I’ll never forget when mixologist David Curtis sent me his testimonial about finally being able to memorize some of the more challenging drinks he was required to create in his profession:
We eventually recorded an entire podcast about his experiences.
https://youtu.be/DZexv4lMyu8
As with the examples for remembering your parking spot and assigning a mnemonic image to the days of the calendar, all you need is to have your memory skills amped up with these techniques in advance.
Mixing ingredients applies to drinks, but also all kinds of cooking and other information related to meal plans.
David’s not alone in having success with simple everyday tasks. Read more success stories and watch videos from people who love using mnemonics here.
I also needed to learn some of my body parts in order to work on healing certain injuries. Ignorance is definitely not bliss when you’re trying to release tension in your rhomboids, that’s for sure.
Mnemonics can help you remember all kinds of movements, including choreography. In fact, one of Australia’s memory champions, Anastasia Woolmer, is a professional dancer and her TEDx Talk incorporates dance.
Another aspect of fitness I’ve found is that personal trainers use a ton of acronyms. Mnemonics are perfect for remembering them, and scientists have shown that using acronyms is specifically good for specialized learning tasks.
That’s a very good thing, because acronyms come up all the time. People also regularly invent new ones as time carries on.
Six: Remember Names Of New People
When I say new people, I don’t just mean the names I demonstrated memorizing for you in this tutorial. That was at a business event and not exactly an everday use of mnemonics
Quickly remembering the names of new authors, actors, musicians and politics, etc. is an everyday event, however. And it is tremendously useful to be able to do so.
The main way to remember names most of the time involves thinking of someone you already know of with that name. For example, if you meet a new Adam, you can think of a famous celebrity like Adam Sandler. Then you simply link the two people together.
But what if the name is complicated or unusual?
At the event you see pictured above, one of the attendees was named Mungo Bright.
The solution was to relax and let the memory techniques do their work. I quickly thought of a monk playing Go with a bright light hanging over his head. Then I successfully recited each and every name.
When coming across unusual names while reading, there’s much more time to think through your mnemonic images. The trick is to break the name down into syllables, just like I did with “Mungo.”
The sooner you start practicing, the faster you’ll learn this skill. It’s tremendously useful, especially if you’re a reader who wants to retain names and look up different authors later.
Seven: Remember Emergency Numbers & Passwords
Although it happens less often now, sometimes it pays to know the numbers associated with your loved ones.
Not just phone numbers, but medical insurance numbers in case you find yourself at the hospital and have lost your wallet and phone in an accident.
You can include in this list important passwords, something memory expert Brad Zupp joined us to discuss some years ago on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast. His book on the topic is still worth getting so you can rapidly commit important information like this to memory quickly.
Eight: Daily News Events
Right or wrong, just about everyone’s got an opinion on contemporary events.
If you dislike losing debates due to poor memory, it pays to commit certain details from the news to memory.
Not to pound your opponent into the ground, mind you. But just part of establishing your case as a good debater.
There’s also the personal fulfilment that comes from connecting-the-dots as you think reflectively about the longer stretches of history.
Here’s the key point about this particular everyday use of mnemonics:
All news events are composed of words, names and dates. Since words are really just the names we give to people, actions and objects, you now have all you need to weave just about anything you want about world news into your long-term memory.
Overcoming Obstacles To Success With Mnemonics In Everyday Life
There are three common complaints I would like to address that I’ve received from people who would love to use mnemonics.
Each one is a serious objection that deserves an equally serious answer. For some of them, all the memory improvement exercises in the world won’t change a thing. The individual’s attitude needs to shift.
Here’s what I mean:
I’m not visual person. How am I supposed to use these techniques?
It’s common for people to learn about these techniques and focus entirely on the visual memory techniques at the expense of using mental imagery at large.
As some of my memory competitor friends like Nelson Dellis point out, there’s no time to dream up all kinds of images on the fly.
This is so important, and was never as much a part of the mnemonic tradition until people like Harry Lorayne started insisting that mnemonics are visual. That’s not really true.
So if you’re worried that you can’t see images in your mind or that you have aphantasia, this is not at all an obstacle. Again, as many memory athletes have pointed out, visualization is part of using mnemonics well. But in the heat of using the techniques in real-time, there’s no time.
If you want to know more about why mnemonics have always been primarily logical rather than visual, check out my post on ars combinatoria. Once I figured this aspect of mnemonics out for myself, I was able to memorize much, much faster.
Won’t all these images make my mind cluttered? What if I don’t want so much stuff floating around in my head?
This is a fair concern, especially since some teachers of memory techniques talk about making your mental associations as vivid and lewd as possible. Frances Yates shows in The Art of Memory just how far back in time this practice goes. Tyson Yunkaporta has given some alternative views as well in his book, Sand Talk, that show a bodily sense of how certain debates were settled that I’d rather not repeat.
But for most everyday uses, the mnemonics quickly fade away. Even if you’re memorizing scripture and sometimes use an off-color image, the target information will fade away soon enough. I often counsel people of faith to consider why the creator would make it possible to have such images in the first place if not to memorize using them? St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas asked similar questions and their answers relate to mine.
If my encouragment to just allow the clutter fall away doesn’t work for you, it’s also perfectly okay to not use mnemonics. Rote learning remains an option, including flashcards and software programs like Anki.
This all sounds great, but… what if I don’t have time to learn all of these mnemonic techniques?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here, but I’m not convinced that most of us don’t have time. There’s a difference between interest and desire, after all. And for some people, the desire to pour time into social media, movies or some other distraction is just stronger.
That said, behavioral change is possible. I’ve needed much of that myself in order to keep my scattered mind focused on completing goals.
One tool that has helped me induce lasting neurological rewiring is called The Freedom Journal. I’ve used it to help me complete books and courses I wasn’t keen on slaving over. I also used The Freedom Journal to help me learn Chinese, which I felt merely lukewarm about compared to German.
I also used descriptive journaling to help me see where my time was going. Here’s an image from one of my many journals that uses this strategy:
Proscriptive time tracking in one of my journals
This technique helps you see where your time goes. I personally find it very difficult to track time wasted on social media, so there’s been much less of it during times when I really need to get things done.
And when it comes to enjoying better memory, I highly recommend making sure you have all of these techniques.
Your everyday life will just get better and better when you can remember more of what’s going on around you.
If you’d like more help, get my free memory improvement course:
It gives you four video lessons and some worksheets to complete.
By the end, you’ll have your first Memory Palaces in place.
Remember, all of the techniques we’ve discussed today can be used inside of Memory Palaces.
Or they can be applied to surfaces like a calendar, which is effectively the same thing as turning it into a special kind of Memory Palace.
That’s the magic of using location-based mnemonics. You can turn everything in your life into a mnemonic tool.
Ready to start incorporating mnemonics into your daily life?
Let’s do this thing!
How to Memorize Paragraphs, Sentences, and Passages Fast
May 31, 2024
Want to know how to memorize a paragraph fast?
Tired of the standard advice about using linking and rote repetition?
I hope so, because it’s usually bad advice. Sometimes downright terrible.
Why?
Because techniques like rote, linking and “chunking” often create more overwhelm. That’s because a lot of people don’t learn to use them correctly.
Worse, they often don’t know that there are powerful alternatives, like the technique for memorizing anything verbatim that you’ll read about on this page today.
Why should you take me seriously?
Well, I’ve memorized many paragraphs, both during grad school, as a professor and while preparing for events like delivering my popular TEDx Talk. And on this page will show you how to easily memorize long-form content just like I have done.
And because I’ve memorized entire passages in many different contexts, I’m prepared to give you highly specific examples and a proven demonstration.
You’ll learn the technique progressively and even discover how some of our ancestors used these techniques to memorize entire books.
Back during the Renaissance, for example, society’s top autodidacts and polymaths basically had to carry entire books in their heads because books were rare and expensive back then. That’s why they needed the techniques you’re about to learn.
And those techniques still work today.
So let’s dive in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9aepJcY9II
How To Memorize A Paragraph Quickly
Few things could be easier than memorizing paragraphs verbatim.
Whether it’s part of school exams or a technique you’re using to learn a language through passage study, the key is that you learn and follow a reliable process.
Step One: Familiarize Yourself With The Paragraph’s Length
First, count how many sentences you’re dealing with.
Often, we trick ourselves into thinking that the material is longer than it actually is, leading to feelings of overwhelm.
As Barbara Oakley points out in Mindshift, however, there are neurological reasons why we feel this way. You can reduce any sense of overwhelm easily by taking a moment to familiarize yourself with the exact amount that needs memorization.
Step Two: Get Your Mouth Involved
Read the paragraph aloud and get a sense of its general tone.
Notice any words that leap out at you or that you don’t understand. If you need to look something up, now is the time so that you’re not slowed down later.
This point is important:
If you truly want the best way to memorize a paragraph, you need to remove all obstacles first. Words you don’t understand are one of the first things to tackle so that they aren’t obstacles anymore.
Step Three: Prepare To Place Your Paragraph In A Memory Palace
Once you know how many sentences are in the paragraph, create or identify a Memory Palace. It should have enough space to accommodate the amount you need to memorize.
Ideally, you want your Memory Palace design to have a structure that will accomodate the paragraph you need to memorize. To do this with the many paragraphs in my TEDx Talk, I used the Pillar Technique. I’ve illustrated it for you in this image:
Basically, how it works is that you mentally “paint” each sentence in rooms using columns that run from the top to bottom. In the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, there are several sections that detail more about how to use the Pillar Technique.
With this approach, I’ve been able to memorize up to 17 words on a single Pillar.
Usually, you can get 4-8 sentences in a single room when you’re using the walls and the corners (8 Pillars per room).
How To Memorize Sentences Fast In Your Memory Palaces
Now let’s look deeper at the process of memorizing the individual sentences in your paragraph.
Although this point might seem obvious, it’s worth making:
Before you can memorize an entire sentence, you need to be able to memorize words.
The ancient memory master who wrote Rhetorica ad Herennium circa 90 BCE made this point very clear.
To paraphrase, the author says:
Those who wish to memorize more difficult things must first learn to memorize words.
Learning how to memorize vocabulary is very good advice. It is the path to being able to memorize more than one word at a time.
So how do you do it?
Step Four: Use Associations For Each And Every Word In The Paragraph
In the beginning, you might be be able to memorize only around 1-3 words per station. Don’t stress it: We all start somewhere.
When I started, I needed an association for each and every word.
To apply your associations quickly on a word-by-word basis, you want to develop your skills by learning the pegword method
Let’s say the sentence you want to memorize is from Plato’s apology:
Someone will say: Yes, Socrates, but cannot you hold your tongue, and then you may go into a foreign city, and no one will interfere with you?
Later, you’ll be able to compress “Someone will say” into a single image. But for now, just focus on “Someone.”
If you have your tools ready, maybe a famous actress like Suzanne Somers has already come to mind. Maybe she has a sum of gold in her hand. She may even be under the summer sun.
Step Five: Use Dynamic And Gripping Associations
By making alphabetical-sound associations between like-sounding words that evoke dynamic images, it’s easy to make associations.
I highly recommend you develop parts of your pegword system based on celebrities so that these associations can be richly evocative.
I sometimes refer to this as a “Celebrity List.” You can also build them from:
Politicians
Friends
Family
Teachers
Musicians
Artists
Authors
The point here is this:
It’s easier to imagine a familiar association doing something that triggers back the target words when you’re memorizing sentences.
For example, to add “will say,” you can have Suzanne Somers with a character from the movie Good Will Hunting, or Will Smith. She can be saying something to Will Smith, or even to Tom Sayers.
From there, move on to the next word. And as you go, I highly suggest you place these associations in a Memory Palace. That way they’re not floating in the void of your mind. It will also help with recalling the sentences word-for-word later.
Step Six: Use Proper, Science-Backed Spaced Repetition
Sometime when people hear about the Memory Palace technique for verbatim learning goals, they think about Sherlock Holmes.
However, this technique is real and to use it in reality, we need to draw upon the findings of memory science.
In brief, you need to revisit the images you’ve placed in the Memory Palace on a timed pattern.
There’s no cookie-cutter, one-sized-fits-all number that tells you exactly how many times you need to repeat the memorized passage.
But a good rule of thumb is to go through it at least five times. When you’re really good with Memory Palaces and the kinds of mnemonic images I’m sharing with you on this page, you’ll soon be able to commit paragraphs to memory a lot faster and with fewer repetitions.
The talk was 1506 words divided over 60 paragraphs!
Luckily, I had no problem memorizing it quickly with this as the result:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
Now, there are different Memory Palace examples you can explore. In this case, I used an entire neighborhood. It started in a building, but then moved out over several streets.
All you have to do is start preparing Memory Palaces like these in advance. With a general estimation, you should be able to accommodate any passage of any size in most neighborhoods.
And if you need more space, just add more buildings and neighborhoods.
One of the benefits of using neighborhoods is that you can then walk “through” the passage you’ve memorized.
Walking was one of the tips my speaking mentor Thomas Krafft suggested for instilling how I memorized this long passage of text.
I almost ignored the suggestion, but am glad I gave it a try. It’s not only good exercise, but does seem to deepen the associations and speed up the process.
Getting Sentences, Paragraphs And Passages Into Long Term Memory
So far we’ve talked about making associations. Memory scientists call this elaborative encoding.
However, to make the content we memorize stick, we also need active recall.
In brief, this means making the brain work a little to recall the associations and the target paragraphs.
To do this, you simply call back to mind the Memory Palace, then the association, then the information.
With training, you’ll find that the paragraph comes back to your memory faster than either the Memory Palace or the associations.
There are a few more ins-and-outs when it comes to using active recall for paragraph memorization. I call these my “repetition rules.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nOwZVQosNg
Advanced: How to Memorize Numbered Paragraphs
Let’s say you not only want to memorize a paragraph. You also want to know exactly which sentence is 5th into the paragraph.
Or perhaps you need to know the Bekker numbers of a philosophical text. Scripture memorization often also involves memorizing numbered paragraphs.
In this case, you’ll want to employ an additional mnemonic device called the Major System. You use this to create a full 00-99 PAO. This means that you have an image for each number from 00-99.
That way, you can number every station in a Memory Palace in advance. Each station will have a pre-assigned association that you can trigger any time.
Although ambitious, this advanced approach to memorizing paragraphs is tremendously useful.
For example, it can help you compare two passages in two different books.
You Really Can Conquer Paragraphs Quickly
So long as you’re willing to set yourself up with the needed memory techniques, memorizing any paragraph will be a breeze.
Make sure that you go one step further, however. Effective learning is not just about regurgitating entire sentences, paragraphs or entire passages.
You also need to be able to understand the key points.
Have discussions with others about the facts and concepts
Follow-up with more reading from multiple sources
Seek video and audio supplements to experience similar content in different media
If you’re memorizing the paragraphs for an exam, taking practice tests is highly recommended as well.
The more you include variety, the more opportunities for different levels of active recall you’ll get. And that means more memory benefits.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to get out there and start memorizing some paragraphs? If you have any questions, please just pop them below. I’ll get back to you a.s.a.p.
Or, feel free to complete my free course on comprehensive Memory Improvement:
It gives you four free video lessons and worksheets that makes sure your Memory Palaces are perfectly suited for memorizing paragraphs quickly.
You’ve seen through my personal example with the TEDx Talk that it’s possible.
Now all you need to do is develop your mnemonic tools and start applying them to whatever paragraphs you want to memorize.
Let’s do this thing!
Why Can’t I Retain Information? 14 Ways To Fix Your Memory Fast
May 29, 2024
If you want to know how to retain information quickly, we can boil the process down to one simple term:
Strategic repetition.
Now, I realize you’ve come to this blog about memory techniques to get rid of repetition.
I’m sorry. That’s not how it works.
We always need to repeat what we want to remember. In fact, why remember something at all if you don’t need to repeat it?
The key differences with strategic repetition vs. rote repetition are these. Strategic repetition is always:
Fun
Creative
Skills boosting
Scientifically proven
Even if some repetition will always be necessary for learning, it doesn’t have to be painful. And you often won’t have to repeat nearly as much if you use memory techniques in the optimal way I’ll share with you on this page.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odoiukRwY2Q
So if learning how to retain knowledge in ways that are engaging and stimulating strikes you as a good thing, stick around. We’re taking a deep dive into ways to retain information that you’re going to love.
What Does “Retaining Information” Actually Mean?
Retaining information means you can not only recall something you’ve learned. But you can also put that information to use with confidence. But after decades of memory training, I can tell you it rarely feels the way people imagine.
That’s because truly retained information doesn’t always leap instantly to mind. Sometimes you give it a second and follow a logical path back to it through the associations you made, which is why I treat retention and recall as two different skills that need their own kinds of practice.
I learned this lesson the hard way because I know what it’s like to struggle with memory while learning. During grad school, depression made it difficult to concentrate. As a result, information wasn’t getting into my memory in the first place.
Compare that to a presentation I recently gave in law school, where I scored an A+ because I could deliver names, dates and Latin legal principles in crisp order. Even when I glanced up at the ceiling while retrieving a fact from memory, my professor’s feedback was that I came across as confident throughout.
And that’s what retention actually feels like from the inside: you’re confident, safe and secure. Without feeling like you need to be a flashy show off.
I mention this because many Magnetic Memory Method students start my program thinking that retention means perfect, word-for-word recitation. In some cases, it does, such as verbatim recitation.
But in most contexts, you can paraphrase what you’ve retained in your own words. This matters more than ever now that original, authentic thinking is becoming increasingly precious in the age of AI.
Why Can’t I Retain Information? The Surprising Truth
The reason why most people can’t retain information is that they simply haven’t trained themselves to do it.
That means it’s not IQ.
It’s not genes.
It’s not laziness.
It’s simply learning how to use memory techniques and then practicing them consistently.
When I took up memory training to combat my own issues with retaining information, it wasn’t immediately easy.
In fact, I started training my memory for better memory during some hard times I went through in grad school.
Despite fighting depression and deadlines, I was delighted by how quickly I started remembering the complex details related to my PhD. I was even more delighted when I used the same techniques to help me learn languages and start a career.
Since then, I’ve helped thousands of people and I am confident the retention tips I have to share will help you too.
We can take it a step further:
People who can’t learn quickly and recall information on demand not only fail to use memory techniques. They haven’t trained their procedural memory so that they can use mnemonics almost as if on autopilot.
You cannot “mind read” books. Use proper study and memory improvement techniques instead.
You see, anyone can learn about memory techniques. But without practicing them consistently enough so they become second nature, all that information is just data.
The Memory Science Behind Recalling Information Reliably
The science here is very simple. We’re basically looking at five kinds of brain processes that you just need to link together:
We’ll pick up each of these scientific matters in greater detail as we go along. With each tip I’ll share, you’ll discover simple ways to harness the power of each principle both for your studies and using mnemonics in everyday life.
Unable to Retain Information as an Adult? Why It Feels Harder Now
As I near my fifties, let me tell it to you straight:
Retaining information as an adult is somewhat different.
For example, I used to be able to take shortcuts with my application of memory techniques. But on top of aging, after many years of working very hard, I’m more tired.
As a result, I have to intentionally pay attention in ways my younger self didn’t.
But here’s what a trained memory gives you that an untrained one doesn’t:
When I meet a person or encounter a fact worth keeping, years of applying mnemonics kick in automatically, and that’s exactly why I urge people to start this training as soon as possible.
Aging Can Help Memory Too
Aging even brings advantages. For one thing, my pattern recognition is better than ever.
As a result, I naturally associate ideas across fields, and those associations often create insights all on their own. Plus, we’re wiser as we age and many of us have more discipline.
And I put this to the test constantly: I’m currently learning law as part of my research into polymathy, and building a memory-themed bookshop that requires absorbing entirely new entrepreneurial and investor skills.
So if you think your window has closed, let me tell you about my student who started using the Magnetic Memory Method at 88.
He didn’t like the term “Memory Palace,” so I told him to invent his own. He decided on “apartments with compartments.”
Using this newly minted version of the ancient memory arts, my elderly student memorized over a dozen poems and revived his German fluency so he could re-read letters from a lost lover he’d met during WWII.
And when adults ask me “is it too late?” my answer is: not at all. You can absolutely develop stronger retention if you study and practice the right things in the right ways. Stress, divided attention and fatigue all play a role in why retention feels harder now, but proper memory training helps you push through, and for many of us it’s simply a necessity.
So with that in mind, let’s get into my best suggestions for you.
How to Retain Information Quickly: 14 Proven Study Tips
1: Use Exaggerated Associations
The fancy, scientific term for using exaggerated association is “elaborative encoding.”
But you might be wondering… what is an association?
Good question. It’s one of the most powerful mnemonic devices you can use.
Basically, you’re going to look at the target information and find something you can connect to it.
For example, if you need to memorize someone’s name, you’ll look at the first couple of letters. When I met someone with the complex name Gangador Dianand, I imagined a “gang” first.
Next, I associated that sound with a rap band known to dress as gang members. Then I had them bang on a door.
Using a rap band as a mnemonic device while studying helps you retain information in a fun and engaging way.
That’s the association part. The elaborative encoding part is when you imagine those gang members larger than life and hear the sound of that banging extremely loud. (In your imagination, of course.)
To take another example from one of my students in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, Michael Wild shared how he passed his hazardous materials exam:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uFL4n35pVA
It’s the exact process Michael described in the video above. It’s the exaggerating the association that makes it so memorable. And that’s what helps with the next tip. Because as Michael discusses, it was placing the images in Memory Palaces that made all the difference in the end.
2: Use a Memory Palace
When you want to retain info, you need to revisit it. You can do that using flashcards or Anki, but typically the Memory Palace technique is preferable.
This special mnemonic device is just a mental recreation of a building you’re familiar with and can easily bring to mind. After elaborating information, you place it in this mental device and then revisit it strategically to usher the information into long-term memory efficiently.
Here’s an example:
Let’s say you need to memorize some details on a map. If you use Natalie Portman and Art Spiegelman to memorize that Spain and Portugal share a border, you’ll benefit from how the spelling of their personal names and and these countries match .
First, you exaggerate an interaction between them. Then you place that association in a room.
Later, to practice what memory neuroscientists like Boris Konrad call “active recall,” you revisit that area in the room and simply ask yourself:
What was happening there?
If you’ve made your association exaggerated enough, your two characters should come to mind. The spelling of their names should trigger the target information.
And yes, this strategy is scientifically proven. Studies have shown that when you put down your textbook and practice recalling information you’ve elaborated, you will improve your ability to recall it better.
Memory Palace Case Study For Recalling Information
For a more complete case study of the Memory Palace technique, I encourage you to go through this tutorial on how I memorized my TEDx Talk. Using Google maps, I actually take you onto the exact street in Brisbane I used to commit the speech to memory and retain it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBvKFI7AlLE
Although it’s been years since I gave the talk, I’m confident I could reconstruct most of it right now. I can also recite countless Sanskrit phrases I memorized back in 2017, over two thousand words worth of mantras.
The Memory Palace technique works incredibly well and that’s why it has remained so popular for thousands of years.
3: Test Yourself Strategically
In order to properly benefit from active recall, it’s important that you test yourself.
Unfortunately, a lot of people cheat. They try recalling the information for a second or two, and then give up, exposing themselves to the answer.
That’s called rote repetition. It’s painful, boring and rarely helps with retaining information. You want to use the best possible mnemonic strategies instead.
However, if you have a journal or piece of paper in front of you and the target information is nowhere in sight, cheating is impossible.
Then, when you write out what you memorized using exaggerated association, you get the benefits of active recall.
Even if you make mistakes, you’ll still train your short-term and long-term memory to work better. Over time, you’ll get stronger and stronger.
One case of self-testing I admire very much was sent to me by my student, Matt Barclay.
He didn’t wait for perfection to get in front of an audience and test what he’d memorized. He used the self-testing demonstration as part of the learning process.
Along these lines, please consider self-testing in the context of deliberate practice.
This fancy term indicates a specific way of continually showing up to grow your skills. This form of practice is as important in retaining information for the long-term as it is for any skill. That’s because your memory is a performance-based feature of your mind. If you can’t retain information, it’s just a sign that you need not just more practice, but optimized practice of the kind only self-testing can bring.
4: Interleave
A lot of people “force” themselves to get through one book at a time.
I have a PhD, two MAs and a BA and I can tell you this:
I never do this.
Instead, I take many breaks while reading or taking courses and strategically “interleave” my study material.
This scientific term means that you take breaks often and switch things up. By reading more than one book at a time, you switch from a focused state to the “diffuse mode,” which gives your brain space to remember more.
The research on this goes back at least as far as Karl Duncker who wrote a book about the psychology of productive thinking back in 1935.
More recently, Barbara Oakley has featured contemporary data that substantiates these findings in her famous course, Learning How to Learn.
Make sure you test yourself using the active recall strategy discussed above (without cheating)
6: Improve Your Reading Comprehension Skills
The first way to understand better is to change your definition of comprehension.
Many people toss their hands up in the air the instant something doesn’t make sense—like in the process of learning a new language or a difficult subject.
This is an incorrect approach because we read challenging material so that we might understand better. Without challenge, there is no growth.
Instead, learn the best reading comprehension strategies and practice them consistently. For example, I used to look at charts and graphs and give up on them completely because visual overload frustrated me.
By redrawing charts and graphs, you not only improve memory retention, but also comprehension.
Now, I draw them with my own hand to understand them better. This step is essential because not only do I understand them better. I also remember more about what they were designed to convey.
7: Mind Map
Mind mapping helps you retain information, especially when you revisit your maps strategically.
For example, Phil Chambers has given the excellent suggestion that you revisit each map at least ten times. Leave a Roman Numeral each time you review it so you can remember where you are at in your spaced repetition sequence.
This simple reviewing strategy has been endorsed by Rohan Jotwani, a former Admissions Committee Member at Columbia University. To improve your test taking skills, he advises that you “set up a study schedule that won’t overwhelm you.”
Creating, reviewing and using Chambers’ suggestion to track your review sessions is definitely a great way to reduce overwhelm and doable by anyone studying any topic.
Mind Mapping Case Study For Better Retention And Memory
Let’s say you want to memorize words in a foreign language. A mind map is a great way to do it.
In this case study mind mapping video, you’ll see how I rapidly retained information about cooking in German, for example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I7h98IKaho
Here’s the key point:
Mind mapping works as one of the best ways to retain information if you optimize it for that purpose. So I suggest using the Phil Chambers tip I just shared to make that happen, taking care each time to track each review.
Mind mapping is an incredible way to retain more information quickly.
Here are more mind map examples you can model. You can also check out how I’ve used mind mapping to develop my business. I have to retain all kinds of information in order to succeed on the market, but in business, maintaining the vision and remembering why I got into business in the first place is key.
Frankly, there are so many benefits to mind mapping, I had to write a complete tutorial to list them all out. If you’re not currently mind mapping, I suggest adding it as a learning strategy a.s.a.p.
8: Write Summaries
We know that we need active recall to remember quicker and with greater longevity. But we also need to percolate information and make connections.
Writing summaries is one of the best ways to do that. And it doesn’t have to take long.
I suggest keeping a notebook just for summaries of your reading. Commit at least half a page for each book you read and pour out what you remembered in at least 2-5 sentences.
You can write even shorter summaries too. As I share in this Zettelkasten case study, I often write very minimally on index cards to start the process of ushering information into my memory.
With a small amount of practice, the simple habit of writing summaries will become a portal to remembering a lot more, much faster. And the best part is that creating summaries helps with making connections between different books you read as well.
One of my favorite, but more elaborate ways to retain information for longer is to write a book. Obviously, not everyone wants to write and publish, but it’s worth understanding that writing about what you read is a key strategy for retaining more. That’s why schools give essay assignments, after all.
9: Group Discussion
As with summarization, a great way to practice active recall is to speak with others about what you’re reading.
Frankly, I’m puzzled by why people would read anything they weren’t going to have conversations about. But it happens.
If you’re having trouble remembering what you read, join discussion forums. Go to meetup groups. Or just run past the ideas from what you’re reading with friends.
Frequent discussion is key if you want to absorb more information and maintain it in your memory.
If you really can’t find others to converse with, speak the key points out loud, either to a pet or to yourself in the shower. The point is to verbalize what you’ve read in your own words. This helps you remember much faster and without a ton of repetition.
10: Meditate Your Way To Better Memory
It might seem like meditating is far flung from improving your memory.
However, many studies show just how profound meditation is for concentration and focus. Others show how people of many different ages experience improved recall from just four short meditation sessions per week.
Add yoga to the mix for more scientific proof that these traditions prove the best way to retain information without having to learn a bunch of memory techniques.
11: Study Your Personal Rhythms To Maximize Them
I know a guy who used to beat himself up for not being a morning person.
It turns out that only 15% of the population performs well during the morning.
Finding your best time of day is highly personal. Explore with a spirit of experimentation.
This means that a huge percentage of people would learn better at different times of day, including later in the evening. In fact, some people remember far more when they study before bed.
How do you find out?
Experiment and track your results.
If you’re willing to keep a journal for a few weeks, you can work out your optimal times for learning and choose them.
Of course, there’s a catch. (Isn’t there always?)
Your best times of day can and probably will change as you age or as factors around you evolve.
This means you’ll want to keep testing and journaling while being willing to pivot throughout your life.
12: Create Emotional Connections As You Learn Or Encounter New Information
As you probably already know, we humans remember stories incredibly well. There’s a simple reason why: the movies we watch and the novels we read are loaded with the core human emotions. As Sarah-Jane Murray puts it in this TEDx talk, we are “wired for story.’
When you are learning information, especially when it’s difficult, it’s important to tap into this fundamental feature of how humans learn.
How?
Well, in the world of mnemonics, there’s something called the story method. When I was first learning about a whole realm of non-classical logic called “Dialetheism,” I imagined Princess Diana and Dracula and had her dialling a phone in a panic. I poured as much emotion into the image as I could in order to make the sound of the word stick.
And it worked.
13: Teach Others
They say that teaching involves learning twice.
And explaining what you’ve learned to others is one of the most important things you can do to help your brain remember what you’re learning.
But please don’t get hung up on the strict meaning of the word “teach.” You don’t have to assemble a class.
You can just grab a family member or friend and explain what you’ve been learning. Ideally, you’ll write out the different steps or aspects that characterize the information in advance so you can explain it in a structured way.
You wouldn’t be wrong if you think this tip is a repetition of engaging in group discussion and writing summaries. But it’s not quite the same thing.
If you look at the image above, I’ve just finished giving a memory demonstration at a business meeting in Brisbane. Then I started teaching how to use memory techniques.
Memorizing everyone’s names was one skill. Preparing and delivering a discussion about how the memory techniques work uses a completely different part of the mind and I’ve learned so much about memory precisely because I not only teach the material. I spend time preparing what I explain to others.
I did this as a Film Studies professor and back when I had bass guitar students. Teaching others is a fantastic strategy for increasing how much your brain can contain because you think very differently about the information by imagining how it will be best received by others.
14: Take Care Of Your Health
I probably should have started with the point about managing your physical being.
By the same token, I think most of us know that the human brain and memory cannot operate well if it isn’t in good shape. Countless scientific studies like this one show that physical health is a must.
The big picture health aspects you need to work on to start improving information retention include:
Giving yourself plenty of memory-friendly sleep because that’s when your brain processes and consolidates information
When you take care of each of these aspects, you’ll be able to study smarter almost every time.
But we all go through periods of disruption, so be kind to yourself when you slip. Practice getting back into action. This act of resilience will help you avoid distractions from your health plan in the future.
The Ultimate Tip For Retaining Information
Another word for the willingness to pivot is “flexibility.”
Flexibility is the key to improving memory retention.
When you combine all the tips I’ve shared with you today, your memory is going to be incredibly flexible. And it will always trend towards higher and higher levels of improvement, even as you age.
Since most of us want to be lifelong learners, this should not be an issue.
Keep practicing the approaches I’ve shared on this page. The more you explore, the more you’ll discover even more interesting and powerful ways to make learning easier and fun.
After all, the more you can remember, the more interesting and fun things become. And the more you learn, the more you can learn. That’s thanks to the power of connection, which is truly the most rewarding memory technique we’ve got.
So what do you say? Are you excited to get out there and learn more using enhanced memory abilities?
If so, why not grab this free memory improvement course and learn more about how to improve your ability to recall information over the long term?
3 Memory Games You Can Play With Your Childhood
May 28, 2024
The thought of memory improvement excites you, doesn’t it?
But then you start reading all the books and watching the video courses and within seconds …
Improving your memory suddenly starts to feel like a LOT of hard work!
It’s understandable. Using a Memory Palace, associative-imagery and practicing Recall Rehearsal can be tough.
The practice involves a lot of moving parts.
But don’t give up!
There is a fun and easy way to experience rapid improvement.
To help you out, here are three games and exercises you can play that will help you handle those moving parts without even noticing the effort involved.
They will exercise your memory, move the muscles of your imagination and renew access to parts of yourself you’ve probably long forgotten.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
How to Prepare To Play These Personal Memory Games
Before we get started, you’ll need something to write with. And what you’re about to experience could well change your life forever. (In a good way, of course.)
And when I say write, I mean “write.”
Sure, you can play these memory games by writing in Evernote or whatever. But don’t. You’ll get more from completing the activities I’m about to share by using old-fashioned pencil and paper.
You can also use your mind on its own too. These exercises can be completed while daydreaming on a park bench, during a guided meditation or wherever you find yourself.
But by writing, you’ll enjoy the benefits of sensory learning that only writing can provide. And the pages you fill will prove to you that your mind is a vast place with many recesses. And you’ll enjoy the exercise more when you see what emerges from the depths of your imagination with your own eyes.
Plus, you’ll be able to feel the weight of your memory in the paper on your hands. And that is a sensation you can’t get from any app in the world. (Though a device that gets heavier the more information it contains could be a fun option for those who want to go on a data diet!)
Play These Mental Games Now (If You Want To Improve Your Memory Without Blood, Sweat Or Tears)
I don’t want to sound preachy, but I think you know the drill.
If you don’t actually use the “instruction manuals” for the mental games I’m about to share, nothing will change or improve for you.
So here’s what to do:
Read the descriptions below
Pick one of the games
Schedule time for it
Come back for more
Rinse and repeat
That is the path to success, and yes, as I’ve explained in this discussion about the effectiveness of brain games, these kinds of mental fitness activities do work. You just have to be willing to experiment with them.
1. Make a list of all the places you can remember visiting throughout your life.
Start local and go back as far as you can remember. For example, here are some of the first places that I remember visiting:
Where my dad used to train his duck hunting dogs
The farm at Tranquille where my mom used to work
A chocolate factory we visited on a field trip in Kindergarten
Immerse yourself in your own memories as you complete the exercise. Think about colors, smells, textures. Recall the people you were with and call up as many people as you can.
Then you can start listing other towns and cities. Again, go as deep into the past as you can.
Amplify Your Memory With Guidance From Someone Close To Home
Next, take these early memories and ask someone in your family to give them your version of the events and locations you jotted down.
For example, I remembered flying to Prince Rupert with my dad while playing this game. When I pressed my memory for sensory detail, I remembered nothing of the flight. I do have glimpses of how the city looked, and I can smell beer on my dad’s breath. But beyond that, there’s very little.
So I called him up and asked him what he remembers. He said he was surprised that I wasn’t nervous about flying at all.
Extend Your Timeline In Adulthood
For bonus points, move from the deep past of your childhood memories up until the present. And do your best to establish a linear time line so you have a feeling for the chronology.
True, you’re taking yourself into your adulthood, but that’s fine.
You can also extend the exercise by thinking through different people you’ve met or spoken with only by phone. For example, I’ll never forget speaking with memory expert Harry Lorayne on the phone.
Even more prominent is the memory of shaking Tony Buzan‘s hand after he gave me the Warrior of the Mind emblem for Outstanding Contributions to Global Mental Literacy.
For the purposes of this game, just following the basic historical memories you hold. Move from as early in your childhood as you can and proceed up until as close to the present moment as you care to explore.
Don’t Worry About Exact Dates …
… except for seasons if your sensory memory provides them.
For example, in my first memory of watching my dad train one of the dogs, he’s wearing the white sweater my mom knit for him.
Although there was no snow on the ground on those mountain plains, white clouds were shooshing from the dog’s noise as it ran after the dummy (it feels like a flashbulb memory, to be honest).
And I remember my dad letting me the starter pistol and how cold it felt in my hand. These details make it safe to assume it was Fall.
Once you’ve gotten your sensory details gathered, come back and add dates if you wish for an extra memory massage.
And I do mean massage. When I think through my age and try to work out how old I was during different grades of elementary and high school, it gives my brain a real workout.
If you find some dates that you’d like to commit to memory after going through this exercise, you can commit them to memory. To make adding strong recall of any historical date, please learn and start using the Major Method for memorizing historical dates.
2. Recall the names of every classmate and teacher you can remember.
Again, go as deep into the past as you can.
From preschool, I remember Ryan and Clayton.
Ryan moved away with his family in grade one, but I would know Clayton for many years to come. I believe the last time I saw him was grade nine, and we’ve only had a quick series of exchanges on Facebook since.
For each friend you can remember from this deepest place …
Fill In As Many Sensory And Narrative Details As You Can …
Recall their homes, their parents and your activities together.
With Ryan, I remember a white house at the top of a lawned hill with a backyard with white wood fences on either side and a chicken coup at the back.
We played downstairs, and he once proudly displayed an American dollar. His mom worked for the Buy & Sell newspaper, and I distinctly remember eating tomato soup.
With Clayton, I remember much more. It would take a novella to write it all out, but I find sharp highlights in my memory.
These include building blanket tents, watching Chuck Norris movies during sleepovers, going to the pool, smoking cigarettes for my first time and once getting our bikes taken by weird apple orchard farmers for trespassing.
Later our bad-ass dads, both bikers, spun by on their Harleys and sorted things out. Clayton’s bikes were always cooler than mine, but I was happy nonetheless to get mine back.
The same goes for teachers. At least once a year, I like to write out the names of all the teachers I can remember. Given that I went to three different universities on top of so many high schools, the list is incredibly long.
All the better for working out as many of the memory types the human brain uses as possible. The more you practice, the more of your personal memories you’ll jog.
But the point of all these examples isn’t to share the details of my life. I mean only to show how much amazing information lays dormant in your mind. Do a little spade work and when you hit a pipe, you’ll be amazed by the valuable oil that gushes out.
Not only will your memory get an easy workout. The exercise will expand your sense of place and time. And the more friends and classmates you list, the more you’ll enjoy the wines of those times you haven’t thought of forever.
You’ll also be able to recall other personal memories as well. The more you play, the more you’ll improve your relationship with all kinds of recall skills.
3. Recall the Rules of Childhood Games
First, list all the games you can remember playing:
I can distinctly remember the friends of my parents visiting to play Uno. The sensory parts are easy, but it’s a workout to remember the rules. Plus, it’s inspiring to think about how on earth I could have understood those rules at such a young age.
From there you can list video games and role playing games. I remember Pong as the coolest thing on earth, Chuck Norris and Tron for Coleco, Pacman and Space Invaders for Atari and Contra for Nintendo.
https://youtu.be/DQPodM-NElA
The list goes on and on. The more you press your memory for the details and rules of each game, the more fitness your memory will receive. In this case, you’ll also be exercising what is called your procedural memory, especially if you play some of those games you remember from your childhood.
I recently revived an old game using playing cards and shot some footage of it so you can see one simple example of what I mean:
https://youtu.be/-7Feazpc_ho
Did You Like Learning About These Memory Games?
I hope so.
But don’t save this information for later. Get started today.
Obviously, these are memory games you can come back to again and again. And it took me less than an hour to draft what you’re reading now – something that created great pleasure while giving me some powerful brain exercise.
Just think of what you could accomplish in a cafe some afternoon using nothing more than a pen, pencil and that special thing called memory floating between your ears.
Want to learn more about how to improve your memory?
This resource will help you learn, memorize and recall anything at any time, anywhere and under any circumstances.
4 Types of Observation to Grow Your Memory & Observation Skills
May 27, 2024
How many types of observation do you think you’d need to get to the bottom of things and remember more – like Sherlock Holmes?
Whether you’re a scientist, private researcher or just someone who wants to know more about the process of observation, the benefits are immense.
For example, you can use observation skills to be a better professional. You’ll be the one who gets the raise because you’re the one who notices the nuances that improve the bottom line.
And make no mistake: Observation is a key to remembering more.
For example, actors use textual analysis as part of remembering Shakespeare better when performing his plays on stage or screen.
Although you might not immediately think of textual analysis as a type of observation, that’s exactly what it is.
So whether you want to be the scientist who wins all the grants and awards or the better student who provides stronger examples in your essays and exams, you’ll want to beef up on your observation skills.
Ready to learn everything you need to know to use observation as part of making your memory better and stronger?
Let’s dive in!
First, the Basics: 4 Types of Observation for Better Memory
When I was completing my PhD at York University, subjectivity was given much higher status. I think that’s important, but in all that I’ve learned over my years of teaching memory techniques, subjectivity is stronger for comprehending and remembering when it’s balanced with objective observation skills.
To get there, you want to work on developing an awareness of the assumptions you naturally make – and weeding them out. Or at least categorizing them so you can reflect on their nature. The use of categorization as a memory aid goes back at least as far as Ramon Llull. I’d suggest looking at categorization as a mnemonic aid in Aristotle as well.
If you’re wondering how you’ll go about successfully observing the categories of your objective and subjective observations, the first step I’d suggest is to learn at least a little about how your memory creates biases. That way, you can bring balance to your subjective and objective observations.
As we go into these major types of observation, keep in mind that we all bring subjective ideas and experiences. We don’t want to weed them out.
But to be truly objective, cultural artefacts stuck in your procedural memory, personal beliefs and your personal interests and feelings need to be set aside or at least contextualized. As hard to accept as it can be, even your professional experience can create false interpretations.
When that happens, we wind up memorizing the wrong things, which is why I’m making such a big deal about this point.
Make no mistake:
Creating distance between yourself as a person and what the data you’re observing actually says is one of the hardest parts of science. But that’s why it’s a good thing that no serious scientist works in isolation. The principles of science itself helps ensure true objectivity will emerge over time.
Here are the techniques that make this possible and how they relate to boosting your memory.
One: Controlled Observation
If you’re a “control freak,” you’ll love what comes next.
That’s because controlled experiments involve a level of technical design, surveying and measurement that gets very granular.
The way controlled experiments generally work is that you set up two separate groups. You treat them exactly the same except for one variable.
A simple example is one you’re probably already familiar with:
When testing drugs, one group will get the real chemical. Another group will get a placebo.
For an example of a controlled experiment related directly to memory, check out this Duke University experiment. Researchers had one group enter an art gallery with minimal instruction.
Researchers told a second group to pretend they were art thieves planning a heist. It turns out that those who pretended to be art thieves remembered much more than those who did not.
There are other kinds of controlled experiments in memory science.
They take place outside of memory science too. For example, on a website like this, you can have half the people see a green subscribe button, and the other half see a blue subscribe button. These kinds of controlled experiments are run by Google, YouTube and even small sites like mine all the time.
In the realm of branding, it’s of huge consequence how shapes, colors and specific words ensure that people remember the names of companies and service providers. They literally require observation and memory to connect in order to succeed on the market.
Controlled Experiments In Memory
Speaking of memory science, here’s a recent example with Drs. David Reser and Tyson Yunkaporta. In their case, they make observations about how medical students succeeded when using ancient memory techniques. One test group used Memory Palaces and mnemonic images to learn a set of complicated words and the other group did not.
If you’ve been observing the main thrust of my message so far, you can probably predict that the group using memory techniques did much better. And you’d be right.
Again, the point is to change only one variable between two groups. That way, you can be sure that what you’re observing is as clear and measurable as possible.
But keep in mind that not all controlled experiments succeed.
Some won’t reach statistical relevance, for example. Others will experience issues with study participants not complying with the instructions. An excellent book on the topic that will help you learn more about these issues is called Failing in the Field: What We Can Learn When Field Research Goes Wrong.
This topic matters a great deal because when people observe a lot of errors in science, they often remember the wrong things about it.
Sadly, poor scientific literacy has led to a lot of problems in our society. But you can be part of the solution by learning more about how people remember information and thinking objectively about what controlled experiments really suggest.
One of my favorite examples has to do with memory. In Moonwalking with Einstein, Joshua Foer was hired as a journalist to report on the world of memory competitions.
Joshua Foer started investigating the world of memory competitions as a journalist. He wound up winning top prize and then sharing both his objective and subjective observations in a book called Moonwalking with Einstein.
He did just that, but also wound up observing how memory competitions work through participation. Foer even wound up becoming a USA Memory Champion.
A researcher named Joseph T. Howell basically set the model for this when he wrote Hard Living on Clay Street. Describing the conditions for his study, he identified the following steps:
Establish rapport with a group or community
Immerse yourself in the field or site of activity
Record data and your observations
Analyze, consolidate and share the information
This is basically what Joshua Foer did when reporting on the world of memory. Ben Cardall does something similar when it comes to methods of detection and deduction in his role as a private investigator. He’s a mnemonist who does a great job of highlighting the importance of bringing observation and memory together.
Three: Naturalistic Observation
Of all the types of observation, naturalistic observation is perhaps the toughest to approach objectively. For one thing, we’re all doing it all the time.
Here’s what I mean:
Everyone is observing the natural world around them. And it’s hard to be objective about our personal experiences. Some people say it’s impossible.
That said, qualitative naturalist observation requires you to objectively record what you’re experiencing.
A simple example is one you might have seen about Dian Fossey in the movie, Gorillas in the Mist. She studied mountain gorillas for decades until she was murdered, primarily in Rwanda. Often, she had just herself and a notebook. Sometimes she had a camera.
These days, people have cellphones which lets them capture sound, video and take notes at the same time. You can also get multiple cameras together and create entertaining studies.
Although somewhat questionable, the mentalist Derren Brown has incorporated many elements of naturalistic observation in his television specials.
But his program, The Secret of Luck draws directly from the scientifically valid research of Richard Wiseman. Based on a ten-year study, Wiseman’s findings are available in his excellent book, The Luck Factor.
Four: Indirect Observation
Everything we’ve just discussed involves direct observation. They’re based on experiments that are set up and observed in real time. Or, they use some kind of form of control in a laboratory.
But what about determining the laws of physics by watching leaves blow around or apples fall from trees? For centuries, scientists have correctly arrived at core truths by thinking indirectly.
To this day, scientists and entrepreneurs use indirect thinking to arrive at “first principles” that help them approach problems in new ways. Being able to arrive at solutions indirectly is just one reason why critical thinking and philosophy remain so important to our species.
4 Proven Ways to Improve Your Observation Skills
Now that you know the major types of observation and observational research, let’s talk about improving your chops in all of these areas.
We’ve just talked about improving your critical thinking skills over all, so let’s start by expanding on this point.
Read Widely
Let’s face it. Developing scientific literary is hard. On top of providing so many data points you need to remember, full objectivity involves a lot of tangling with counterintuitive elements.
But that’s part of what makes the journey exciting. Realizing that the world operates independent of your thoughts and opinions will liberate you in a way only scientific thinking can.
As I shared above, I’ve interviewed scientists like David Reser and Tyson Yunkaporta. There are many more I’ve recorded conversations with a variety of memory athletes and memory experts on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
I do this for the benefit of my own memory because any opportunity to practice the different types of observation we’ve been discussing leads to authentic memory exercise.
Long before I had my podcast, I put this general principle into practice.
How?
I made sure to get involved in study groups and talked at length with as many of my professors as I could.
Not only will networking help you observe better, but you’ll be observing people who have dedicated their lives to observation itself. You’ll naturally start to model them and put a variety of observation types into action.
Run Your Own Experiments To Practice Different Kinds Of Observation
It almost goes without saying that in order to understand the process of observation as fully as possible, you have to do some.
You don’t have to wait for a professor to give you an assignment. Take some inspiration from Hermann Ebbinghaus, who discovered spaced repetition. He knew the rules that govern a good scientific study during his time and took the initiative to apply them to his interest in observing what actually makes memory function in the ways it does.
One of his observations led him to discover what is now well known as the forgetting curve:
Learning to use spaced repetition to defeat the Forgetting Curve started in earnest with the research of Hermann Ebbinghaus.
Just like Ebbinghaus, you can set up and run your own experiments to sharpen your observation skills. And when you follow my advice to network with scholars and scientists, you’ll have a sounding board that can help you set up your experiments correctly and analyze them well.
The trick is to experiment based on solid scientific principles. These principles need deliberate practice, and that means time and the support of your network for guidance.
You’ll also need their objective analysis of your experimental data. I’m going through this process myself after having recently submitted a book chapter to a scholarly book on sensation and memory. I can’t wait to observe the feedback from my reviewers and put it into action.
Expand Your Memory
One thing I’ve seen holding so many people back from learning observation skills at the highest possible level is pretty easy to solve.
When you expand your working memory, you’re literally able to process more information in your mind. More information will also enter your long-term memory for objective comparison over time.
If you need help in this area, please grab my FREE Memory Improvement Course (it’s got one of those green buttons I told you I once tested objectively):
Being able to remember more of the information you observe is a pretty obvious win, so please enjoy.
And consider this final point.
Observation Methods for Memory…Do They Really Work?
I believe that simply observing more will itself improve your memory to a certain extent.
I’m not alone in this belief, and I don’t even have to believe it.
See, Dr. Gary Small shared with us the four details exercise, one of many brain exercises which that have been experimentally proven to boost memory. And that’s what makes science great: the data decides, not you or me.
To perform this simple exercise and use it experimentally, here’s what you do. Next time you’re out:
Pick a person you see to observe
Choose four details about them (red hair, blue shirt, black pants, brown shoes, etc)
Write the details down in a notebook
Set a timer and ask your memory to provide those details
On a separate piece of paper, write down the details
Check your memory against the record
Over time, you should find that your memory improves. Even better, the habit of observing others improves. But as always, it’s the data that will tell.
Listen, I’m sharing this exercise because being able to observe is a good unto itself. And the more you practice a variety of observation types, the more your metacognitive learning observation of your own mind will improve.
So it only makes sense to get in as much practice as you can.
With all that in mind, what do you say? Are you ready to go forth and observe the world in a much better way?
How Did Actor Ashley Strand Memorize OVER 10,000 Words & Deliver Them Live On Stage In Record Time?
May 23, 2024
When I heard about how Ashley Strand memorized the entire Book of Mark, I knew I had to interview him.
His performance is incredible, for one thing. You can tell just how deeply he’s memorized this text simply by watching the preview for his one-man show.
As someone who has memorized a fair amount of verbatim text myself, I can tell by speaking with Ashley that he really knows his stuff.
I’m talking about the granular details of “the real work” involved in instilling large amounts of text into your long-term memory.
To help you learn more about what’s involved in a memory project like this, Ashley takes us deep into the process.
And some of the mnemonic methods he uses are surprising.
Or at least they surprised me as we first started talking about them.
The more I listened, the more I realized that there is an aspect of memory I just don’t talk about enough.
More on that at the end of this interview with Ashley.
He holds an MFA from Michael Khan’s Academy for Classical Acting. He’s appeared in several Shakespeare plays and The Duchess of Malfi.
As a performer with comedic leanings, he’s entertained audiences around the world.
His work with writing and performing one-man shows is of special interest to those of us interested in memory techniques.
That’s because delivering long monologues from memory doesn’t come with the same amount of cue lines from other actors. As you’ll discover in our discussion, without having someone to help you during a performance, you won’t have any cue lines at all.
https://youtu.be/0op9LSE3_yQ
King James Live
According to Ashley, “the gospel was written to be heard.”
This is more than a cute slogan. Ashley’s made it his mission to bring scripture to life. So far, he’s fulfilled on this promise by memorizing the Gospel According to Mark.
You can find a DVD of his live performance on his King Jame Live website to enjoy and see the positive audience reactions. There are also links to free streaming versions of the performance.
A performance of this kind involves more than just reciting verbatim content. There are also choreographic considerations to be remembered, tonality and blocking.
Blocking is an interesting aspect of memorization because it merges with the Memory Palace technique, something that we discuss in some detail with an extended example of how Ashley memorized a list.
The Difference Between Memorizing A Bit of Scripture And A Lot
I’ve memorized bits of Shakespeare and smatterings of Biblical scripture. When you need to know a few verses and the verse numbers, this tutorial will help get you there.
My experiences with memorizing Sanskrit phrases relates to what Ashely has done. Whereas I’ve memorized just over 2000 words in Sanskrit, however, he’s done over 10,000. And that’s just taking his work with the Book of Mark into consideration. I don’t know the exact Shakespearian roles he’s played, but few of them are tiny.
For me, the big takeaways from this conversation with Ashley boil down to:
The importance of textual analysis as a mnemonic device we don’t take stock of nearly enough
Finding ways to use Memory Palaces to combine the journey method with logic
Digging deep into the nature of your ego for a variety of reasons
Big projects like memorizing the Book of Mark may not be on your plate, but I believe all of these lessons and more of the details we discuss will be of great use to you.
For more insights into scripture memorization, you might also like hearing about:
Thanks as always for listening and I hope you found this discussion as inspiring and informative as I did!
How to Identify and Remedy Anxiety-Induced Memory Loss Quickly
May 20, 2024
Does anxiety affect memory and even cause memory loss?
In a word, yes.
I know the impact stress has on memory personally because I went through a lot of anxiety during both high school and university.
I’ll tell you more about how I have mostly solved my anxiety in a moment. Even better, I’ll share how I’ve reduced the brain fog caused by anxiety.
You might not have connected brain fog and anxiety, but chances are that you’re facing both. In my research the cognitive neuroscience literature has documented it as a by-product of stress-related dysregulation in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
But first, here’s something about the link between memory lapses that’s a little but counterintuitive:
Anxiety can also increase your memory in certain situations.
This point is important because anxiety can both help and hinder memory, and the difference comes down to attentional control.
For that reason, we’ll focus specifically on the various kinds of anxiety that rob of you of the ability recall the information you need to remember. While helping you improve your focused attention.
As a result, by following a few simple steps, you can expect to see improvements soon.
Even better:
If you’re struggling with anxiety-induced memory loss, you’ll discover that you’re not alone.
Memory experts like myself and a very successful memory athlete I’ll introduce you to in a moment have been through it.
And because we’re memory pros, our solutions are very likely to help you. Not just quickly, but thoroughly.
My friend from the world of memory competition is especially interesting because he actually introduces anxiety to help him practice on purpose.
But until he properly understood the relationship between memory and anxiety, he was a complete train wreck in his personal life.
His fixes are fantastic, so please give this page a thorough read. By following the suggestions he and I have for you, I’m confident you’ll find yourself enjoying much better memory soon.
And you’ll benefit from reduced stress and anxiety as a result.
Can Anxiety Really Cause Memory Loss? Yes…And Here’s How
Anxiety definitely interferes with memory.
In many cases, the damage happens because it’s very difficult to pay attention to incoming information when you’re under duress.
As one study found, anxiety negatively affects what scientists call attentional control.
When I was a teenager and had anxiety attacks, I used to flee the classroom and run to the nearest church.
My anxiety got worse instead of better because I had zero control over my attention. The panic attacks forced me to pay attention only to the pressure on my chest that made me feel like I could not breathe.
Stress-induced memory loss can stem from anxiety causing physical symptoms like breathing problems.
Later, I went through a similarly bad anxiety attack while delivering a lecture at the University of Saarland.
During this episode, it wasn’t merely that I couldn’t remember what I wanted to tell the students as I started sweating and experience dry mouth at the podium.
I failed to focus on my delivery because a sudden lack of attentional control caused me to focus on my physical distress.
Both my high school and professional lecturing episodes are highly specific states of memory loss caused by anxiety.
As Sallie Baxendale points out in Coping With Memory Problems, stress can also lead to the formation of what are called flashbulb memories. Often the stress of shock is involved, such as when someone famous like John F. Kennedy of Princess Diana passes away.
The point is that anxiety and long-term memory losses cut both ways depending on the nature of the stimulus.
How to Identify the Trigger Behind Your Memory Loss
Here’s where things can get tricky.
If you’re in an anxious state, it can be hard to remember the last five or ten minutes to figure out what might have triggered the episode.
That’s where you start: By scanning your body and then breathing into it.
I’ve got more tips to share and recommended steps to follow for you in a moment.
But I wanted to start with John’s personal story because his findings are both useful and inspiring. I’m so glad he found the courage to share what was going on in his life and the solutions he found. As you’ll learn from our discussion, some of his best solutions came from noticing how his body forced his attentional awareness onto physical symptoms.
Only by starting at the level of how his body was triggered was he able to find the path to calming his mind.
https://youtu.be/rdC28SEJaYo
Of course, John likes to add anxiety in the context of memory training prep for competition. He calls it “chaos training.” It helps him prepare for the stress he gladly exposes himself to during the nerve-wracking matches he lives to attend.
So the lesson here is again that anxiety cuts both ways when it comes to how it your ability to retrieve information. It’s important to use it in certain circumstances, and remove it in others.
Now that you know a bit more about the need to identify the triggers that might be causing your anxiety and related memory loss, what follows are some powerful steps you can take.
They’re all based on my own path to reliable solutions and science-backed. I’ve studied this topic for many years as part of solving my issues.
Let’s dive in.
One: Seeing a Doctor is Never Silly
When I found myself in a lecture hall going completely blank as my heart pounded in front of nearly one hundred students, I stopped the lecture. After I regained stability, I went straight to a clinic.
Even though I felt silly about it, I’m a PhD, not a medical doctor. It was worth the time, energy and money to get checked out.
As Richard Shames points out in Thyroid Mind Power, there are many hormone issues that could be causing the anxiety and memory loss. Only a doctor can help you get to the bottom of issues like these if they’re taking place.
Keep this fact in mind too. Even if you’re eating foods that improve memory, most people’s bodies run on a 72 hour digestion cycle.
This means that you could mistakenly think that too much coffee earlier in the morning is the cause of your anxiety. In reality, it could be something you ate two days ago that is “suddenly” causing an issue.
For more on the reasons why our physical condition and digestive processes are related to stress-induced memory problems, check out the following scientific paper on the stress-digestion connection.
Ask Your Doctor About Medication & Cognitive Side Effects
Speaking of digestion, many people take medications that either impair memory directly, or indirectly due to the anxiety they cause or increase.
These might be SSRIs, beta-blockers, benzodiazepines or other chemicals.
So when you visit your doctor, ask them how medications for anxiety can affect memory. And ask them to review your diet and how your daily eating patterns might interact with the foods you eat.
If you’re able to rule out diet and medication as a cause of anxiety-induced memory problems, you can also ask your physician about CBT.
As this study shows, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most promising interventions for both anxiety and memory.
But in just five minutes a day of journaling for self development purposes, you can rapidly spot triggers. I’ll talk more about how I use it further down this page.
For now, I suggest journaling in a print notebook, but this study found that stress-reduction occurred even for those journaling online.
You can also seek out Writing to Heal, which includes exercises you can follow.
They’re all scientifically verified processes that help your body produce chemicals that restore you physically. According to Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, writing can also reduce stress by calming the amygdala.
I’ve found that journaling continually calms me down. It also opens up new insights and avenues for exploration.
We often just cannot fully comprehend the nature of what we’re thinking until we put it in words, so this level of processing is highly recommended.
Three: Plan the Best Possible Interventions
Since each person is different, you’ll need to combine your doctor’s advice with your own findings through journaling.
Over the years of food journaling I discussed in The Victorious Mind, I’ve worked out a variety of diets that help me avoid anxiety issues.
I’ve also learned how to avoid situations that spike my stress levels. It’s not always possible because no one has a crystal ball. But being able to reduce them is very helpful.
That way, if I have an anxiety attack, I’m able to finish the lecture I’m giving without having to abandon it. Knowing what’s happening and having insight into why you’re experiencing mental blocks from stress is tremendously reassuring.
The key is to make sure you combine medical support and personal insight through journaling.
5 Common Symptoms of Anxiety-Induced Memory Loss
Now, I’ve mentioned the feeling of your chest tightening and not being able to focus due to attentional control.
But what are some of the other symptoms of anxiety-induced memory loss?
When I’m stressed, I find that thinking slows down incredibly. For example, things change on the Internet all the time. Decisions have to be made, but it can be hard to make them. Then, when decisions are made, it can be hard to remember them.
And when decisions feel especially difficult to make, it can be useful to simply write down your options. Then roll some dice and pick one. Action helps ease anxiety and creates perspective once you’re moving.
Sensory Perception
One of the major memory problems people with stress and anxiety face is that they don’t notice things in the first place.
For example, your visual memory will be impeded if your attentional control causes you to miss visible information.
The craziest thing is that when anxiety causes you to lose sensory perception, you’re not even aware of it.
This is why we sometimes get in arguments.
“I told you that already,” your partner says in a frustrated voice. The reason you didn’t hear them is simple. Anxiety prevented you from paying attention.
A simple antidote is to simply share the fact that you’re feeling stressed out. You can even ask people to write down what they want to tell you so you’re able to pay better attention to it later.
Alternatively, you can ask permission to record conversations for review. Many people are happy to let you do this, and these days it’s quite common for Zoom meetings to be recorded along with an AI summary.
Losing Track of Important Items
People suffering anxiety and stress often misplace things.
Worse, you may feel even more stressed when you cannot quickly find items you’ve lost.
Conversations are packed with so much important information. We can feel like we’ll remember what we’re told, but then later, it’s nearly impossible to track our way back to the message.
Although this problem is related to sensory perception, it’s also a semantic memory issue. This kind of problem can take place when we think we know what certain works mean, but in fact do not. It can also be the case that the person you’re listening to is misusing the words because they don’t remember their proper meaning.
It’s especially troubling that many people struggling the most often forget what their doctors tell them. So much healing would take place if people could only remember to follow medical directions.
One of the saddest things that happens to people is getting lost.
As Christopher Kemp shows in his book, Dark and Magical Places, not keeping track of directions costs societies around the world in many ways. We lose in terms of productivity, family commitments and personal fulfilment.
As usual, there are solutions. It’s just a matter of getting started with memory techniques that can help you remember details related to where you’re trying to go.
5 Coping Mechanisms for Generalized Anxiety and Memory Loss
In addition to seeing a doctor, monitoring your symptoms through journaling and working on your diet, here are some additional things you can do.
One: Optimize Your Sleep
Lack of sleep causes increased anxiety because it throws off the levels of important chemicals in your body.
You can also learn more about sleep and memory specifically. There are many solutions that will help you get more sleep if your life needs attention in this area.
Two: Learn New Things
Although taking on new learning tasks is not an alternative to getting medical attention, once you have a treatment plan, taking up a new learning project certainly can be.
The positive outcome of experiencing reduced anxiety happens because learning new skills exercises your brain. In many cases, you’ll also meet new people while learning, which scientists have shown promotes your health.
To take a recent personal example, I took a real estate licensing course.
Not because I want to practice as a real estate agent.
No, I just know that from years of studying brain health and learning techniques that learning activates key areas of the brain. And activation keeps mind and memory healthy.
Some of the brain areas that learning activates include the:
Hippocampus
Prefontal cortex
Parietal lobes
Each of these brain areas are especially involved in memory formation.
Even better, the more your learning activities challenge both your mind and some aspect of your body’s physical coordination, the more flexible, resilient and capable of coping with stress you become. You literally can rewire the brain, which we’ll discuss in more detail next.
For now, if you’re not sure where to start with learning something new, consider:
Picking up a new language
Learning to draw or paint
Starting a new instrument or switching musical genres
Join a chess club and study the game intensively
Try out some of the memory techniques I discuss throughout this blog (like the Major System)
Three: Practice Neurobics
When it comes to challenging your physical coordination, neurobics are simple activities that actively challenge your brain. As they do, they stimulate neurogenesis that can help resolve certain stress issues.
Here’s a simple activity:
With your left hand try to draw a circle in the air while trying to draw a square in the right hand.
For more challenge, try to draw a square with the left hand and a triangle with the right hand.
I’ve got a bunch more neurobics for you in this video as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUV4MNo3OZo
I can’t think of a time when using a few of these haven’t reduced my anxiety. Neurobics are so engaging, it’s difficult for them not to help take your mind away from stress.
Using mnemonics has certainly helped me in this regard as well. Nic Castle was courageous enough to share his story on my podcast as well. He was a police officer who suffered PTSD with anxiety and memory blackouts, but these were reduced once he got into memory training.
Exercising your memory is not a magic bullet. But once you’ve seen a doctor and worked on your overall health, it does provide a great supplement to those primary efforts. Memory Science has demonstrated the positive outcomes many times.
This point is very important because coping mechanisms are just that: strategies that help you cope. That’s why this next section is so important, even if it’s also a bit repetitive.
Since these techniques are all so well-proven, they’re well-worth repeating in my view.
Five: Write Down Important Information
Although I specialize in helping people remember information purely in their minds, I use writing a lot.
Memory expert Lynne Kelly has shown in her book, The Memory Code, that using our hands is one of the best ways to remember more.
I journal nearly every day for this reason. Because I run a popular YouTube channel on top of this website and the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast while writing new books and creating new courses, it reduces my stress and anxiety substantially to keep a written record of the many key details involved in managing so many tasks.
It’s not only that the results are better. Using pen and paper is often more pleasurable.
That said, my fellow memory expert and mental athlete Johannes Mallow uses spreadsheets as part of how he tracks his personal progress.
His memory competition performances are amongst the most anxiety-inducing I’ve seen, yet journaling helps him manage the stress very well. And the proof is in the records he’s established.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety and Memory Loss
We’ve covered a lot of ground so far, but let me review some of the key questions with some targeted answers.
Can anxiety really cause memory loss?
Yes and one of the main ways is that anxiety disrupts attention.
As the great memory improvement author Harry Lorayne always reminded us in his books, you can’t remember anything to which you haven’t paid attention.
That’s one level.
Then there’s the quality of our attention.
Chronic anxiety interferes with brain regions like the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. As a result, anxiety reduces the quality of your focus and this makes it hard to store and retrieve information.
Anxiety also makes it harder to use memory techniques so that you can store and retrieve what you want to learn effectively and efficiently. So it’s worth addressing anxiety across the board in order to enjoy better retention.
Is memory loss from anxiety permanent?
You’ll need to ask your doctor about this, but from what I’ve seen over the years of helping thousands of memory students, the answer is no.
Many anxiety-related memory issues are reversible, often the same day that the underlying stress is properly addressed.
It sounds like a big promise, but I’ve experienced it myself after learning a few simple breathing techniques.
That said, long-term damage can take place and it can be compounded by other neurological conditions. Always get your situation checked out by a qualified physician.
Why do I forget things during conversations when I’m anxious?
Typically, this kind of memory loss happens because of reduced attentional control.
Your brain can’t fully process what’s being said, which means that it isn’t being properly encoded into your memory.
Anything that isn’t encoded can’t be recalled later.
Can improving memory reduce anxiety?
Depending on the anxiety, yes.
For example, if your anxiety is not biological and comes strictly from worries about passing a test, developing memory skills will give you confidence that reduces stress.
Improving your memory in situations like this will break the cycle.
What are the best memory techniques for anxiety sufferers?
Ultimately, the best memory techniques are the ones you will actually use.
Most people use a combination of Memory Palaces and encoding systems like the Major System and a pegword system.
One of the issues with memory techniques is that they’re all good to learn. As we’ve seen, learning new things can itself reduce anxiety.
But there are so many books and courses out there that sometimes the wealth of options stress people out.
So here’s my suggestion:
Focus on the Memory Palace technique first. It will engage your spatial memory and give you a place where you can practice all of the other memory techniques.
The Memory Palace technique is also the one most likely to remove (or at least reduce) cognitive load as you apply it to learning new things.
Summing Up the Best Advice for Anxiety and Memory Loss
We all know the Internet is packed with lists of tips and tactics. And that’s great.
But when it comes to advice, unfortunately, many people wind up avoiding proper medical treatment.
If I’ve accomplished nothing else today, I hope you understand that it’s absolutely a must to seek medical input.
Why?
Because you can’t guess at your blood levels. And that’s just to take one example.
As a result, many people mistake their memory loss symptoms with stress and anxiety when in fact something quite different is going on.
But with the right medical opinion, you could be looking at a quick fix, one that lets you get back on track and enjoy better memory faster than you might think. Not everything comes down to memory training in the ways I discuss on this blog, after all.
Plus, a doctor can help you think through whether you have anxiety and short-term memory loss or long term memory issues. It’s astonishing how many people think they have short-term memory issues when they’re actually long-term memory problems, or vice versa.
Either way, once your doctor gives you the green light, consider taking my FREE Memory Improvement course:
It will help ensure that you have a solid path towards improving your memory.
And that’s important because it could be simply having poor memory that is causing your anxiety in the first place.
I know that it used to bother me before I took my first memory improvement course and started to see results.
And, as mentioned, I still deal with anxiety. I just do it a lot better than I used to when I was in high school and university thanks to following the simple steps we discussed today.
So what do you say?
Are you feeling enlightened on the potential issues that might underly your memory loss induced by anxiety?
Please take good care around this issue and feel free to keep me posted on your progress with this critical aspect of enjoying the best possible memory.
What Is Prospective Memory? Everything You Need to Know
May 18, 2024
Prospective memory is fascinating. Your entire future success in life relies on it working well.
Why?
Well, let me ask you this:
How do you know that in the future you will remember to remember?
To test our ability to remember the need to remember in the future, researchers S. L. Penningroth and W.D. Scott asked a bunch of university students the following question:
“Imagine that your friend has asked you to make a call tomorrow morning to provide a personal recommendation for a full-time job. You must wait until morning to call because that is when the potential employer will be in the office.”
As Beatrice G. Kuhlmann discusses with reference to this study in, Prospective Memory, students participating in the study listed different strategies. To remind themselves of this future event, they might remember to make the call by:
Mentally rehearsing the call
Using an app for notification
Leaving a note where they would be sure to see it
Setting a specific time to make the call
These are all examples of metacognition that helps us remember future intentions. Without both intention and metacognition, we are all at risk of some serious prospective memory failure.
That’s why being able to remember to do things and perform actions in the future is so critical. And having a healthy prospective memory is what helps us remember future events successfully.
Let’s look more at this important type of memory and make sure you understand its importance, how to preserve it and even how to make it better. That way you can stop missing so many appointments and forgetting to do the things that matter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXon2RZIJuc
What Is Prospective Memory?
Prospective memory is literally defined by remembering to do things in the future. This means that prospective memory is primarily linked to tasks such as:
Attending a class
Going to an appointment
Completing a task at work on time
Taking medication
Remembering to pack a lunch
The Two Main Prospective Memory Tasks
There are at least two kinds of tasks that prospective memory influences:
Time-based tasks
Event-based tasks
Taking medicine at a particular time of day is a time-based task because it happens at a specific time.
Another example would be baking.
If you warm the oven for 10 minutes before putting the cookies inside, that task is time-based and your prospective memory operates in accordance.
You can also explore these kinds of tasks in relation to procedural memory (the kind of memory that helps you remember how to perform certain tasks, like riding a bike).
By contrast, event-based tasks typically involve some kind of cue in your environment.
Here’s an example of what I mean:
You see a grocery store on your way home.
It reminds you that someone in your family asked you to pick up some apples or tea earlier in the day. In other words, prospective memory does its job when something you see, hear or feel cues you to think about the task.
In this case, it is seeing the grocery store that reminds you of the task someone asked you to remember in the future.
Seeing a grocery store can trigger your memory that you need to do some shopping.
How Do Researchers Study Prospective Memory?
In order to analyze how people engage in prospective memory tasks, researchers create models. They do this by finding volunteers to participate in research studies that involve time-based or event-based tasks.
“I might write the details of an appointment on a piece of paper, which reminds me of where I need to go, but only after I have remembered that I need to go somewhere and consulted this record.”
In other words, making a note about an appointment in the future is no guarantee that you will remember to look at the note. You might even be confused by notes that you left for yourself. Thus, the implication of this study is that:
We often need more than written reminders
We need to be very clear about the written reminders we do leave for ourselves
One thing I’ve needed to learn as I age is to be much clearer in the notes I make for myself.
If my notes about future tasks are too cryptic, I wind up wasting time trying to understand what I needed to do. Taking a second to make sure that future reminders are clear and cue the future task as explicitly as possible is very valuable.
What Does A Model Of Prospective Memory Look Like?
It’s pretty fascinating, actually!
A typical model of prospective memory shows that there’s a process that is divided into three categories. Here’s an example:
A simple model of prospective memory showing three phases with several steps in each. From the book, Prospective Memory (Current Issues In Memory).
Prospective memory, which involves:
Intention formation
Intention retention
Intention retrieval
Monitoring, which involves:
Predictions, “Will I remember this?”
Experiencing working memory blips, “What was it I needed to do?”
Assessing your memory for any reminders you might have left, “Didn’t I write the time down?”
Control, which involves:
Consciously using encoding strategies (like using a Memory Palace)
Consciously reminding yourself about the task (rehearsal)
Correcting for any errors (checking that an appointment was 4 p.m., not 4:30)
Does Prospective Memory Worsen With Age?
The answer depends on the nature of the experiment. Some have shown that older individuals do just as well as younger people. Others show that there can be issues, especially in cases where Alzheimer’s is present.
Here’s an example from Dr. Dawn McBride, take from “What is Prospective Memory?” In the following quote, McBride discusses a study that reveals the difference between younger and older individuals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZj2ZnyJPqY
“In a study we conducted in my lab a few years ago, we compared prospective memory for older adults, people who are 55 or older, and younger adults, college students.
What we asked them to do was a common everyday task. We gave them a postcard and asked them to mail it back to us after a particular period of time had passed. In other words, a time-based task. Some subjects were asked to mail it the next day. Some, two days later. Some, five days later. All the way up to a month later.
We asked the subjects not to use any reminders. Like, not to put it up on their refrigerator to remind them, not to put it in their calendar, not to set an alarm, anything like that. Because we wanted to know how good their prospective memory was without any of these reminders.
We sent the subjects off, asked them to mail back the postcard without these reminders. And then we compared the performance for the older adults, those who are over 55, and the college-age students. And what we found is that, over time, the longer the period of time was before they were supposed to mail it back, the college students’ performance declined.
So if it was the next day, they did pretty well with the task. We got most postcards back on time. But if it was a month later, we got very few of the postcards back for the college students.
The older adults, however, did really well at this task. They in fact, almost all of them, sent the postcard back on time, even if it was a month later.
However, what we found is that, even though we asked them not to use external reminders, the older adults did in fact tend to use external reminders, based on a questionnaire that we sent to them after the study had ended. So in this particular study, we showed that older adults do actually perform prospective memory tasks very well, but they rely a lot on external reminders to do those prospective memory tasks.”
Note: In case you haven’t observed this point for yourself already, the older participants in the study either did not pay attention to the guidelines, or forgot to follow them.
Prospective Memory Examples
Pablo Picasso reportedly said, “What one does is what counts. Not what one had the intention of doing.”
This quote is important because examples of prospective memory are really examples of intentions people have for the future. The key difference is whether or not they successfully remembered to do what they intended.
Why is remembering what you intended to do important?
Simple:
The more goals you complete and the more problems you solve in life, the better your retrospective memory becomes. In other words, you enjoy going through your past so much more because you can be proud of all that you accomplished.
With that point in mind, here’s a list of examples from prospective memory psychology textbooks:
Setting a New Year’s resolution
Joining a pre-scheduled fitness program at the gym
Buying a concert ticket and remembering to attend
Taking out the trash in time for collection
Paying a bill on time
Pre-planning a reaction (if x happens, I will respond with y)
They suggest that it is possible to create plans with an “if-this-then-that” structure broken into two phases:
Planning phase
Execution phase
The planning and execution phases of prospective memory. From the book, Prospective Memory: Remembering to Remember, Remembering to Forget.
Basically, you need to add clarity to what you’re doing to strengthen the link between perception and action. With enough focused attention and repetition, you will be able to practice the habit of being clearer in a way that promotes better prospective memory in the future.
We’ve already seen an example of this above:
Instead of writing cryptic notes to yourself, like “4.p.m.” you want to include as much information as you can: Specific names, dates, locations and the purpose of the reminder.
You can also memorize future events using a “Mnemonic Calendar.”
Memory expert Jim Samuel helps senior citizens remember to take medication by helping them turn their homes into a Memory Palace based on the days of the week. I have found his approach to work very well for simple daily tasks that need to be remembered, especially when they have a tendency to change.
For example, if you have to take a certain medication on Monday for the next three weeks, you can link Monday to your kitchen sink. If you imagine a giant moon in the sink and visualize this moon swallowing the pill you never take, every time you enter the kitchen, you can think about this mnemonic image and it will help you remember:
To learn more about memory techniques that involve using your home ways like this for improving your ability to remember future tasks, check out:
Remember To Do Things: It’s Life Or Death
As you’ve seen, prospective memory is pretty clear once you get into the details. And it’s even across the board, even if you think you might have a different learning style.
Whether you’re an airline pilot or someone enjoying your retirement, you need to be able to remember future events.
All in all, being able to remember what to do and when to do it is what makes us human. And the quality of our lives really do come down to how we’re able to perform both consciously and subconsciously in the now – and in the near and distant future.
Obviously, science is not done studying this form of memory. But it’s pretty clear that intention is the key to improving it and there are some quick wins I’ve shared with you today.
So what do you say? Is your future looking brighter now that you know the ins-and-outs of this form of memory?
13 Powerful Cognitive Activities To Sharpen Your Brain
May 18, 2024
Are you looking for cognitive activities for adults to stimulate your brain?
I sure am.
As I age, it’s getting increasingly clearer that our cognitive abilities and brain health weaken with age.
Illness, caused by genetics or poor habits challenges cognition and memory too.
Here’s the good news:
Cognitive stimulation activities provide a way to defy this deterioration — helping you improve your attention, memory, and overall mental health.
In this article, we’ll take a brief look at cognitive processes. I’ll also show you 13 stimulating activities for cognitive development that will keep your brain fighting-fit, even as you age.
Some of the activities are simple, especially the top ten you can see on this infographic I created for you:
But there are many more “classic activities” that provide incredible workouts for short term memory and other aspects of cognition.
One in particular is featured up front in this recent video tutorial I created for you:
https://youtu.be/-7Feazpc_ho
First, however, I believe it’s useful and important to set the stage by defining what we’re talking about.
By understanding what cognition is, you’ll be better able to decide which activities are most likely to provide you with the greatest fruit along our shared quest for sharper minds and better memory skills.
That’s right. I’m aging myself and sharing the journey with you and regularly studying my own cognition so that I choose only the most optimal cognitive training activities.
While you were binge-watching a streaming series, a burning smell caught your senses.
You dashed to the kitchen to turn off the oven.
As you cleaned up the mess, your brain made a list of ingredients you need to bake that cake again.
You then drove to the grocery store, bought the ingredients, and returned home to bake again.
What a day!
But it was worth every bite of that oozy, chocolatey delight sitting at your kitchen counter.
Now:
Did you realize you used many of your cognitive skills in the above scenario?
In his 1967 book, Ulric Neisser defined cognition as “how sensory inputs are transformed, reduced, elaborated, stored, recovered, and used.”
Let’s go deeper.
What are the Different Cognitive Processes?
Here’s a closer look at the various cognitive skills you use in your daily life. They include attention, memory, logic, reasoning, and visual and auditory processing.
They help you process the world around you.
Attention
Attention allows you to concentrate on a particular activity or stimulus instead of processing everything around you.
Activities such as walking, wearing clothes, and driving require little attention because the repeated practice has made them a part of your routine. But activities like responding to a friend in crisis would require more attention.
Your attention could also be selective to a strong stimulus, letting you focus only on it. For example, you could listen to a podcast on the radio amid noisy traffic or work on your laptop with the TV switched on.
Sensation and Perception
Sensation is the process of receiving information from the environment through your sensory organs — eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin.
Perception is the process by which you interpret this information. Past experiences influence your perception and allow you to make sense of the world around you.
Gestalt psychologists believe that we perceive our reality as a whole rather than the sum of different parts. For example, a dotted line (…………….) will be seen as a line and not as separate dots.
Comprehension
To comprehend means to understand and interpret what you read or hear. Your brain decodes the language of what you’ve read and makes connections with what you already know.
For example, you read, “The train left the station and John’s friend was gone forever.” To process this sentence, you need to understand what is left unsaid: John’s friend was on that train.
Memory
Memory is made up of three processes: acquiring, storing, and retrieving information on ideas, facts, images, habits, or events around you. It is the store of all things you’ve learned and retained from your activities and experiences.
Cognitive reserve is the brain’s ability to find alternate ways of getting things done. You can only improve it by performing new tasks and challenging the brain to learn new skills.
That is where cognitive activities for adults can come to your rescue. Some of them even help people with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Let’s see what they are.
13 Powerful Cognitive Activities for Adults
You’ll find plenty of cognitive stimulation activities for adults, including exercise workbooks and several enticing online brain training games and apps.
I’d suggest you stay away from online apps as they may make you good at completing those tasks, but don’t really stimulate your brain. Another reason to avoid digital sources is that social baseline theory demonstrates that cognitive processes are best exercise within our communities.
With that in mind, here are my top recommendations for cognitively stimulating activities, especially for older people. All of these activities will improve your cognitive skills — attention, comprehension, perception, memory, reasoning, and/or processing speed.
1. Mindful Walking
A recent study on mindfulness established that mindfulness-based exercises help elders with mild cognitive impairment improve their daily life.
When you step out for a morning walk, concentrate on sensations like the wind in your hair, your breathing, or the sounds around you.
While the walk keeps you physically active, this mindfulness will help you build your attention span, filter out distractions, and boost your overall cognitive health.
2. Drawing
Drawing or illustration involves the use of cognitive abilities such as perception and memory. A study also suggests that the process of drawing can help older adults fight memory loss.
Observe a complex drawing with multiple colors or layers, and try to replicate it later. Or take in a scene around you and draw it on paper, bringing out all the minute details.
Keep in mind that “drawing” doesn’t mean you have to be artistic. Just explore creating shapes.
You can even trace over existing shapes, something that many fun adult coloring books make possible. No, coloring is not just for kinds. As someone who has created my own coloring books, it is one of many highly stimulating activities for the mind I highly recommend.
3. Counting Letters
Select a paragraph from any book and count the number of times a particular letter appears. This will help you sustain your attention by focusing on one letter for an extended period of time.
In a study on older people, researchers have used this cognitive stimulation activity to measure everyday attention.
4. Color Arrangement
Take a piece of printed cloth and find out how many shades of a particular color are present in it.
Keep two spoons next to each other on a desk. Then move the second spoon away from the first spoon. Now figure out how many spoons you can fit in between them.
This is a handy exercise that adults can do easily to improve perception and information processing abilities.
6. Card Games
Poker, Solitaire, and other card games for seniors can improve cognitive function — especially logical problem solving and memory retention.
Try this card-matching game:
Pick 8 to 12 pairs of identical cards and lay them face down on the desk. Ensure that the pairs are not together. Pick any two cards at a time and see if they match. See how many pairs you can match in five minutes.
Keep increasing the number of pairs, to improve your memory and attention span gradually. If this description feels vague, scroll up and watch the video at the top of the page. I show you exactly how this brain game for powerful mental stimulation is played.
Personally, I play Solitaire pretty much every day. In addition to helping me maintain mental sharpness, it’s also a great way to unwind while catching up on audiobooks or podcasts.
7. Word Games
Try out crossword puzzles, Scrabble, or any other word game that you enjoy.
Here’s another one — finding unrelated words. Pick a random word and think of words that are not related to it. If you pick ‘sky,’ then words like the moon, sun, night, or birds are not allowed.
This exercise will help you improve your comprehension skills. Elderly adults can play this engaging brain game with their family members or caretakers.
Some people might find this pastime a bit childish.
I don’t find that at all personally because time spent on fun for fun’s sake is something not enough of us get. That said, I also have created a set of meaningful ways to improve cognitive function that you can explore.
It’s about variety at the end of the day.
8. Remembering Sequences
Try to remember words in a particular order. For example, list all the fruits you know. After an hour or so, try to remember the fruits in the same order.
This is a classic memory improvement technique. You could do multiple variations such as unknown words, nonsense words, and increased distractions.
9. Number Games
Calculation exercises and number games like Sudoku will keep your problem-solving skills sharp.
Here’s an interesting twist — a license plate game. When you see license plates on vehicles, you could try to figure out the relationship between those numbers. For example, XP4812 on a license plate could be 4 + 4 = 8 and 8 + 4 = 12. Alternatively, 12 * 4 = 48, hence, 4812.
This is an entertaining game that elderly adults can even play from the comfort of their home balconies to improve their memory and processing speed.
Get some partners to play with and alternate among Checkers, Clue, Monopoly, or any other board game to increase your creativity and cognitive functioning.
11. Reading
Researchers have proven the power of reading in keeping Alzheimer’s disease at bay. Besides keeping you informed and entertained, it will spark your imagination and exercise your brain.
You could read magazines, fiction, or non-fiction books. To make it more effective, retell the gist of what you read to someone.
12. Physical Exercise
A study by Italian researchers proved that regular physical activity “is a strong gene modulator that induces structural and functional changes in the brain”, leading to improved cognitive skills and wellbeing.
The Alzheimer’s Association says that regular exercise may be a beneficial strategy to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia as well.
Choose a workout routine that you enjoy and stick to it — be it aerobic exercise, resistance training, badminton, or swimming.
13. Creating Memory Palaces
Creating Memory Palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method is an incredible memory technique that boosts your long term memory.
To make it simpler on your brain, always draw them out before using them in your mind.
Then, when learning a new language, mentally walk around your home. Use associations to place vocabulary and phrases related to shopping (in that language) on your kitchen counter, or the words related to travel on your sofa.
Your brain transforms the sensations and information around you into signals for you to understand and act on. No matter what learning style you might have (or think you have), sensory learning is key.
That’s how you instinctively drop a hot piece of coal or turn when someone calls your name, or push a person onto the sidewalk when you see a vehicle dangerously veering towards them.
2. Elaborate information:
When you recall information, sometimes your brain fills in the missing pieces.
For instance, while buying groceries, you may remember an item that needs to be restocked but wasn’t on your list. Also, at times when you narrate incidents to your friends, you may add details that weren’t part of the original memory.
3. Remember and recall information:
Your short-term memory stores information, such as the office address for your upcoming interview. And your long-term memory helps you remember your childhood home address or a language you learned at age five.
4. Contextualize information and solve problems:
Cognitive processes link past information to current information and help you make decisions to solve problems. Your attention to your surroundings, memories, understanding of language, biases, and judgments all contribute to how you interact with your environment.
For example, you rush to turn off the oven when there’s a slight burning smell because you know the consequences of what might follow if you don’t.
Now, here’s another important question:
Do Cognitive Processes Decline as You Age?
The answer is – yes – just as much as your physical function weakens with age.
Life experiences that come with age (like your knowledge or vocabulary) remain stable. But your abilities such as riding a bicycle start to decline.
Your childhood memories remain relatively intact, but forming new ones gets difficult. It may get tougher to remember where you kept the house key or spectacles, or the name of the new neighbor you met yesterday.
Paying attention to multiple activities such as watching TV while chopping vegetables might become difficult.
Solving problems and puzzles will take more time than when you were younger.
Progressive neural decay leads to neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
People with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) are considered to be at an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. In their study, researchers Roberts and Knopman proved that 15% to 20% of people aged 65 or older have MCI.
Diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia are incurable, and a healthy cognitive reserve is the only way to combat these diseases. Some people who are diagnosed with mild-to-moderate dementia or Alzheimer’s disease opt for psychological intervention, including Cognitive Stimulation Therapy.
All these brain-stimulating activities, especially the powerful Memory Palace technique and a variety of brain exercises, will help you improve your cognitive performance effectively — even as you go about your day-to-day life and social activities.
If you believe, as I do, that having a sharp mind for life is important, I encourage you to make time for all of the activities listed above.
I know it can sound like a lot. But with a bit of scheduling, it’s easier to fit in than it might seem.
The important thing is to get started and then develop ways to keep yourself going.
The good news is that these activities are all so much fun, they quickly become part of your every day life. The rewards of mental fitness will soon follow, and that makes it irresistible to dive in and do even more.
Autodidactic vs. Polymathic: A Key Difference and How to Be Both
May 17, 2024
Can you be both an autodidact and a polymath?
Is there really a difference between the two?
The short answer is that you have to be autodidactic in order to be polymathic. At least to a certain degree.
If there’s an exception to this rule, I’m unaware of it – and I’ve been studying the fields of learning and memory for decades.
As you learn more about how to become both autodidactic and polymathic, I’ll share some examples that will help you better understand why these categories are tied at the hip.
And you’ll discover how to be both at the same time.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
Autodidactic vs. Polymath: A Detailed Guide On The Only Difference That Matters
What I’m about to say might sound arrogant.
However, please hear me out:
The only real difference between an autodidact and a polymath happens when an autodidact truly believes he or she has learned on their own.
Seriously.
How can anyone learn on their own? We need books written by others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo_u92Trp0A
Those authors needed to learn how to read and write themselves.
This does not mean that you cannot “teach yourself” in a way that resembles the general meaning of autodidacticism.
But the standard definition of “learning without a teacher” simply doesn’t make sense. Someone had to create the learning material. Even if you’re Darwin and discovering the laws of nature behind the theory of evolution, someone else taught him language and the principles of science during his time.
It Comes Down To Personal Volition
If there is something special that autodidacts have that others do not, it’s their drive to take the reins of learning into their own hands.
In my previous posts on potentially improving your IQ and life lessons from people who enjoy higher IQ, we saw that at some level, you have to define your own goals. To a certain extent, you also have to personally define what meaning intelligence has for you.
That’s not to say you get to create your own definitions and categories. But we know from research presented by Nir Eyal and Duke University that making your own definitions and applying them to a crafted self-identity do lead to better memory and learning outcomes.
You just have to choose that you will do so. If you feel like you’re lacking in will, that’s okay. Give these mental strength exercises a try. I’ve personally found them incredibly empowering, and there’s another one for you in my TEDx Talk.
So Then… What Is An Autodidactic Polymath?
An autodidact is essentially someone who takes responsibility for learning in a holistic way from others – without necessarily needing their presence or hands-on guidance.
As it happens, there are some personality traits polymaths exhibit – and they can be adopted. An older way to find examples you can model involves looking up the concept of the Renaissance Man. Obviously, we no longer limit becoming a polymath to men only, but we also have to accept that people used these terms in this way in the past. (Some languages, like German, still use “Mann” to mean all humans, though this may change in the future.)
Some quick examples of autodidact polymaths you can look up now include:
In each of these cases, I’ve selected people who have also mastered memory techniques. In some cases, these people knew how to use visual memory techniques exceptionally. In others, they have aphantasia (lack of a mind’s eye) and approach learning a little bit differently.
Tony Buzan with Anthony Metivier and Phil Chambers
In some of these cases, the autodidactic polymaths focused purely on mastering multiple topics in terms of “book knowledge.” In other cases, they learned to use action-based and analytical skills related to developing and running businesses.
You should also consider people bridging the arts and sciences, such as Christian Bök. His Xenotext project required him to teach himself multiple skills in programming, biology, project management and more.
How To Be An Autodidactic Polymath In Today’s World: 7 Tips You Can Implement Now
I believe everyone can become an autodidactic polymath.
Here are some of the simplest and most direct activities you can start pursuing whenever you’re ready to get started.
One: Commit To A Lifelong Journey
As John Michael Greer (another autodidactic polymath) points out in his excellent Druidry Handbook, “initiation” may mean beginning a learning project within a tradition.
But anything worth starting at this scale is really a lifelong project. In the case of Druidry, he suggests the commitment focus on “reshaping your relationship to the Earth.”
When it comes to becoming a autodidactic polymath, I suggest you commit to reshaping your commitment to the journey of lifelong learning. Be all in.
I know, I know. Saying something like “be all in” might ring like a cliche in some ears. But in my own lifelong study, I often remember Gilles Deleuze’s warning that “the war against cliche is a terrible thing.”
Sometimes we really need these cute little phrases to keep committed, one reason I’ve memorized so many simple cliches. And why I’ve memorized a bunch of Sanskrit phrases. Common or complex, personal mantras are very useful for keeping the mind committed to a life of study.
Two: Ditch The Myth Of Learning Styles
I’ve been teaching memory techniques through the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass for over a decade. People often email to tell me that they are visual learners, auditory learners, kinesthetic learners, etc.
But according to the American Psychological Association, believing in learning styles may be detrimental. I’m convinced that it is worse than detrimental. I’ve seen it hold many people back.
Tesia Marshik’s TEDx Talk goes into further detail if you want to know more about this issue:
I’m not sure there’s a right answer when it comes to institutionalized education. But when it comes to you and I as individual learners, the truth is that we cannot afford to focus on just one learning style.
We need to be aware of the many types of mental imagery we have to draw upon. And when we feel weak in a certain area, we need to find ways to strengthen them. Neuroplasticity studies demonstrate that you really can rewire your brain and anyone seeking polymathic and self-study abilities to the point of autodidacticism needs to embrace the evidence and take action accordingly.
Three: Become An Expert Reader & Researcher
A huge part of my Read with Momentum program helps learners quickly find the best possible information, read it and comprehend it.
I’m so glad I learned these skills in university and put them into action. With so much trash online about “speed reading,” it’s important that everyone know what really works when it comes to reading faster.
The lion’s share of reading at a steady clip boils down to two things:
Choosing the best possible books to read in the first place (research)
Having a vocabulary that supports dealing with the books you want to read
All of this also assumes that you have well-formed goals, which we’ll discuss next.
Four: Define Worthy Goals
A huge reason why many people flounder is that they don’t dream big enough. And when they do, they don’t dream about goals that are actually worth pursuing over the long term.
This is okay and mistakes happen. But the sooner you learn to rule out learning goals that aren’t worth pursuing in advance, the sooner you’ll get more out of the ones you do pursue.
Remember how I said that there’s a mythical aspect to autodidacticism?
It’s the idea that anyone learns on their own.
In reality, we all need each other and participating in groups is essential. It helps in terms of getting rapid feedback and stimulates reflective thinking.
Even if you’re an introvert, being involved with other people is important. I used to be introverted too, but I worked on changing this characteristic.
Although I’m not at all extroverted now, making sure I met and collaborated with others has been essential to my learning journey. I’ve wound up meeting a lot of modern day polymaths as a result of breaking out of my cage.
Please don’t skip this step.
Six: Keep Going – Even When The Going Gets Tough
It’s always been tempting to give up. And it probably always will be.
But people who learn continuously cannot afford the consequences of quitting. They need resilience, the ability to pivot where necessary and what boils down to habits based on systems. These help you keep going even when motivation fails – because it will fail.
If you’re wondering how it’s possible to keep learning without motivation, the answer really comes down to the word “systems.”
Although I later went on to complete a certificate in Chinese, in this particular case, my motivation has never been very strong. So I set up systems to make sure I completed specific goals. True, my performance with this goal has only been “good enough” to my own personal standards, but sometimes that’s all that matters.
I’m sure glad I found out about systems so that I could put motivation aside and keep moving. Because in this case, there were many days I really didn’t feel like studying – but relying on systems helped me keep going anyway.
Six: Journal As If Your Life Depended On It
Although I have no particular special method of journaling to teach, since I started consistently doing it, my learning outcomes have improved.
Journaling helps partially with keeping consistent – it is part of having a system that is “motivation proof.”
And journaling helps make sure you engage in metacognition, which is thinking about how you’re thinking.
When it comes to memory improvement, Johannes Mallow is a great example of a self-taught mental athlete. His journaling tips are priceless. For a broader discussion of how I’ve journaled during my PhD studies and while developing my career as an author, you can also check out my best suggestions for keeping a journal.
Seven: Invest Experimentally In Your Education
Many people share with me their fears that investing in their memory might not be worth it.
I believe this is inherently false – or at least questionable.
Every educational experience is valuable. Even if you wind up not understanding something, or decide not to implement an idea or technique, you deserve kudos for being willing to expose yourself to the information.
So if you feel held back as a would-be autodidact with the intent to become polymathic, I suggest you think like an investor. Risk isn’t going away, but in this particular case, it’s not possible to waste your time. In the rare event that you really don’t find anything useful in a book or course, you’ll at least know that.
Even then, I suggest you keep an open mind. I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve taken a second look at a book or course I originally dismissed.
Sometimes I feel foolish for my shortsightedness. But I quickly get over it because realizing the value that was there all along lets me get back to implementing the information and then learning some more from the next source.
Want To Become An Autodidactic Polymath? This Is The Ultimate Key
I’ve shared my best tips for learning multiple topics as you become an autodidact, while also avoiding the myth that there really is any such thing as going it alone.
For best results, you’ll want to revisit all of these tips often. But if there’s one thing you should focus on above all, it’s improving your memory.
That’s because every skill draws upon your memory.
And once it’s improved, continuing to exercise it as you learn will maintain your mental fitness.
Using the ancient memory techniques I teach is one fantastic way to get started boosting your memory so you can take on larger learning projects. If you’d like help expanding your memory skills, get my free course right here:
Although it’s not required, you might also like to add learning about memory science and the history of memory techniques as part of your journey.
Ultimately, it’s more important that your memory is as good as it can be. And I’m talking about all the types of memory you’re blessed with having.
Sadly, some people prefer to cherry pick and only want to improve one aspect of their memory, such as short term memory.
But not you. You won’t make that mistake because you’re committed to a lifelong adventure of learning based on principles that have been working for people for thousands of years.
Power to you!
Visual Memory Techniques: Use These 4 “Hacks” To Learn Faster
May 09, 2024
Visual memory techniques make learning faster and easier.
Yet, some people find them confusing.
I don’t blame them.
That’s because the word “visual” is not quite right.
Or better said, there’s a missing ingredient that often needs to come first before you mentally picture the mnemonics you’re using as part of learning.
On this page, I’m going to clarify what visual mnemonics are and how to make better use of them.
Quickly.
Easily.
And in ways that are incredibly fun.
Ready for mental adventure while learning?
Let’s dive in!
https://youtu.be/gCanl6I8sjU
What Are Visual Mnemonics?
For thousands of years, most ancient memory techniques have involved linking images through association to information. If I meet a new person named Rick, if I can imagine another person named Rick that I know, I’ve increased the likelihood that I’ll remember the name.
That’s because linking is a form of chunking that makes it easier to learn faster. I have “chunked” or associated one person named Rick with another.
Remembering names is relatively simple. But it’s the same basic process when using visual mnemonics to learn more complicated information. It’s a basic formula:
See something you want to memorize in a book or hear it in a conversation
Think about what you already know that connects with the target information you want to remember
Link them together
Typically, people make these links based on the idea that you can visualize the mnemonic image you choose to assign the link.
The Lukasa memory board functions as both a tactile and visual memory technique. Stonehenge may have helped people recall details in a similar way, but at a much larger scale.
Historically, Lynne Kelly has questioned in books like The Memory Code to what extent Stonehenge might have served as a kind of visual memory technique. One idea is that people found visual patterns in the stones and used them to help remember information about herbal remedies and other information important to survival.
I think there’s good reason to believe that Stonehenge and other physical structures have been used this way. Objects like the lukasa and using the hand as a mnemonic tool operate in a similar way.
These days, people don’t visit Stonehenge or carry around memory boards. They use methods of association almost entirely in their minds, including techniques like:
As fun and easy as making associations can be, there’s a cost to every benefit.
For one thing, not everyone has a strong visual imagination. Mine comes and goes, and for a long time I was pretty sure I had aphantasia – the inability to see mental imagery.
However, as soon as I learned about mnemonics, I knew I had to use them. And so I figured out a way to use them in a multi-sensory way, without getting caught up on the visual part. Over the years, I came up with a bunch of very useful visualization exercises too.
They’ve helped a lot. But at the end of the day, I finally stumbled across memory masters like Giordano Bruno and Robert Fludd.
No one knows just how visual they may have been, but it’s clear that they proposed ways to use visualization differently. In The Art of Memory, Yeats described some of their mnemonic strategies.
Even where she was correct, current memory science, memory competitors and many conversations enabled by the Internet have led to a renaissance in working out how to use visual memory techniques better.
Let’s turn now to these ways. Because the other problem people face, beside not being able to visualize, is time. Get what we’re about to talk about right and you’ll be able to memorize using these techniques much faster.
However, they often use vague and generic examples. If you need to memorize a word like “ramification,” they’ll suggest that you think about a ram, as in the animal.
That might be fine for some people.
But for myself and many others, it just doesn’t “pop” in the imagination.
I use more concrete images, like the fact that my dad used to drive a particular Dodge Ram. Or the semantic fact that there’s a German band called Rammstein.
These mnemonic images are instantly visual because I’ve already seen them with my own eyes.
The catch is that you do need to think a little sometimes. But with practice, you can train your procedural memory to come up with associations that are concrete and specific in a flash. It’ll soon feel like it’s happening to you automatically, faster than the speed of thinking.
Keep in mind that Bruno and Fludd talked about this tactic hundreds of years ago.
But sometimes people miss it because they use examples from their era. I use Dodge Ram trucks and bands from Germany because they are known to me in our time. The strategy is exactly the same, and all you have to do is lean into the principle of specificity more. You will improve as a result.
Two: Use Logic First (Sort Of…)
Success with mnemonics boils down to mental programming.
To do this, we need to quickly come up with the best possible association. The Memory Wheel was one of Bruno’s solutions for rapidly generating the most logical visual associations.
Logical in the sense that when you choose the best possible associations, the result of recalling what you want to remember follows as naturally and as easily as possible.
Ultimately, I don’t think using memory wheels is necessarily the best way to operate these days. But it’s worth understanding both what Memory Wheels are and the ars combinatoria they come from. I’d suggest following those links for more details and spending some time experimenting with memory wheels so you can decide for yourself.
If memory wheels aren’t for you, I would suggest creating simple lists of associations and either placing them in a wheel or just having gone through the exercise so you’re ready to apply the technique.
For example, a few times a year I list out names of celebrities based around the alphabet.
Then, when I have to memorize something, my mental dexterity is ready to apply a specific association. For example, I’ve recently been memorizing Tao Te Ching.
It never takes me long to come up with images for memorizing the Chinese words because I have these lists prepared and ready to go.
But I suggest you not dwell on examples too much. You risk weakening the skill you want to strengthen.
If you don’t understand the theory, just take action on the steps. I’ll offer you a free guide at the bottom of this post that will help you take that action, step-by-step.
Rest assured, I didn’t understand all of this theory in the beginning either. But I followed the recommendations and it works because I followed the steps even without understanding the big picture.
Three: Apply KAVE COGS
Even those with the strongest visualization abilities tell me that what I’m about to teach you next has helped them tremendously. It’s one of the core parts of the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
Rather than just picture associations in the mind, use a variety of associations. Unlike Tony Buzan’s SEM3, I recommend keeping it simple. For me, I follow a simple pattern called KAVE COGS:
Kinesthetic
Auditory
Visual
Emotional
Conceptual
Olfactory
Gustatory
Spatial
Following this specific order, if I had to memorize the word “ramification,” I would first feel the Dodge Ram steering wheel in my hand. Then I would hear the truck’s engine before worrying about picturing it in my mind – a step I sometimes skip altogether.
Why?
Because I already know what it looks like. By basing the visual mnemonic on something visual I’ve already seen, there’s no particular need to recreate it in the mind. Often, that’s just a waste of time.
For emotions, I might feel angry with road rage in my imagination, or like I’m in a hurry. Or I might compound the image by enjoying the sound of Rammstein on the radio.
The conceptual mode is more difficult to explain and I use it only when necessary. It’s just thinking about the category to which the visual mnemonic belongs – such as the fact that Rammstein is a German music group. Or that the Dodge Ram truck was popular amongst mechanics, like my dad.
Olfactory and gustatory just mean taste and smell. I might imagine the cigarette smoke that was always in my dad’s truck or the taste of liquorice I used to buy at the gas station.
Finally, size involves making the truck bigger in my imagination. Often I like this with the kinesthetic mode and feel the size physically, perhaps even imagining what it would feel like if I were the truck.
Four: Practice Other Forms Of Visualization
Often when we learn new skills, we focus heavily on the main technique or strategy.
That can work, but often it winds up hurting us.
In learning, there’s a principle called interleaving. Rather than cram, or spend hours looking for some other singular memory hack, we rotate between practicing different kinds of them. When it comes to mnemonics, there are at least twenty distinct memory techniques.
My point is not to suggest exactly which forms of visualization you should add to your practice. It’s just the suggestion that by adding multiple forms of visualization practice, you’ll get more out of the visual memory techniques you’re using.
One of my personal favorites is to use the Memory Wheel technique in combination with meditation. Because it involves bringing various people to mind, it has made me faster at assigning mnemonic images when learning.
If you’d like more help with these techniques now that you’ve read this post, here’s an invitation to my free memory improvement course:
It will help you learn the most important memory techniques, step-by-step.
And if you feel like you’re not very visual in your imagination, no problem. I’ve got a major solution for you in the program and all you need to bring is a willingness to experiment.
Can you picture yourself doing that?
If so, that’s all you need in addition to a burning passion for accomplishing your learning goals.
Giordano Bruno: 6 Of His Best Mnemonic Strategies For Learning
May 02, 2024
Giordano Bruno wrote many books about memory techniques.
The mnemonic strategies they contain are really good.
But many are notoriously difficult to read.
For one thing, Bruno rarely just gets down to teaching the techniques. They’re often mixed in with all kinds of elaborate astronomy and philosophy.
Was there any method to this madness?
Or was he just a hack?
You’re about to discover the answer to these questions on this page.
And the truth about Giordano Bruno’s approach to using memory techniques for learning will surprise you.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZYpuST0Hao
Who Was Giordano Bruno?
The biography of Giordano Bruno can be difficult to wade through.
His fans adore him for a variety of reasons. They might admire his early understanding of memory science. Or they admire his contributions to early astronomy. Some people even see him as a symbol for freedom of expression and thought.
Others criticize him, especially for refusing to recant when the church accused him of heresy.
Either way, we believe Giordano Bruno was born in 1548 in Nola, a town in southern Italy. He became a Dominican priest in 1572 and earned a doctorate in theology in 1575.
That same year, the authorities investigated him for holding controversial views on the Trinity. Later, in 1600, the Inquisition burned Bruno at the stake for refusing to recant on his views. According to Ingrid Rowland in her study of his life, Bruno denied that Christ was a person. In fact, he denied that anyone was a person, an argument so nuanced, his trial was put on hold for two weeks as the authorities discussed its ins and outs.
Although you could argue that Bruno was merely being stubborn and provocative, current neuroscience, psychology and experts belonging to related fields have confirmed what is now called the Nonself hypothesis.
Bruno’s Philosophy At A Glance
Bruno’s ideas can be hard to follow because he was a polymathic learner. He referred to the words of Plato and Aristotle along with references to Ramon Llull and many other thinkers. His ability to remember the granular details of such a wide variety probably frustrated him, especially when others couldn’t keep up.
One reason Bruno’s mind operated so quickly might have to do with his use of Llull’s memory wheels. To reproduce how Bruno used them, I’ve created this detailed walkthrough video with a few demonstrations:
To pick a starting point, it concerned Bruno that many people focused on Aristotle’s materialism at the expense of the metaphysical ideas of St. Thomas Aquinas. He worried that concentrating on just one form of logic would reduce critical thinking, rather than increase it.
As a result, people remained fixated on an incorrect model of the universe. Bruno’s alternative theory focused on the universe as infinite and indivisible. He believed in one Universal Soul that collaborates with Universal matter to create reality based on an ongoing process of regeneration and decay.
Bruno extended these ideas to his definition of God. And like St. Augustine, extended them to reflect on the nature of memory. Unlike Augustine, however, Bruno found time to teach mnemonic strategies that people still use today.
The Basic Memory Techniques Of Giordano Bruno
Bruno’s memory techniques are not particularly original to him. However, his manner of teaching mnemonics is unique. There is no one quite like him, not even Robert Fludd, who shared similar philosophical ideas.
Bruno’s uniqueness comes through in a few ways. He often taught techniques like the Memory Palace through his commentaries on other teachers. In his Opere lulliane, for example, Bruno gives a far clearer description of how to create a well-formed Memory Palace than in any of his own books that I’ve read:
In the basic system of the classical Art of Memory, also known as the method of loci or Memory Palaces, you must follow a basic set of rules. To remember anything, convert them into images and then distribute those images in a set of places around a building or other structure in a sequenced order.
To retrieve those images, retrace your steps through the sequences of places, viewing and decoding each of the images as you go. The places should be well lit, not too far apart and not crowded together and distinctive from one another. The whole structure should be clearly visualized. The path you take should be obvious, so you will not get lost, and to facilitate retrieval.
There is also advice on how to make the images themselves as memorable as possible. They should be visually striking and emotionally resonant. (They may be terrifying, inspiring, or humorous.) They should be visualized as clearly as possible. The images should not blend into the background of the places. If a thing that is to be remembered, is not easily visualized, then you may choose to encode letters or syllables of the name of the thing into a set of predetermined images.
Bruno copied most of this very clear teaching from Rhetorica ad Herennium. People repeated this basic description of the journey method so often, Frances Yates calls this exact description the “Herennium Pattern” in her book, The Art of Memory.
To give you a taste of his wonderful encoding tools, here are some of my favorite:
Sound Association
Technically, any direct association is a sound association (horse sounds like horse). However, you can also use sounds to “trigger” the target information you want to encode and later recall. For example, equus, the Latin word for “horse,” could be used to memorize the word “equality.”
Word Division
When you need to memorize words, break them up or “divide” them in the most useful ways possible. For example, if you need to memorize the word contemplation, consider using the image of a bank robber for “con” and have him robbing a temple in your Memory Palace for the second part of the word.
Meaning Association
When you know what certain words mean based on roots like Latin or Greek, this knowledge can be leveraged for making powerful associations.
For example, Philip is a relatively popular name that means “lover of horses.” Anthony supposedly meant “leader.” If you meet someone named Anthony, you can imagine yourself or someone else as a leader pointing to the person.
Now, you might be thinking: That’s all find and dandy. But can you apply this kind of mnemonic strategy to memorizing medical terminology?
Absolutely. If you have to memorize the names of insulin medications, for example, insulin glargine is long acting. You can relate the act of glaring for a long time to drinking gin for even longer. Using sound association, you can include actors like Justin Long and Gina Davis.
Often, using relational associations cannot be done in isolation. But adding them to supplement your other mnemonic associations often adds the extra layer of memorability you need.
Conceptual Associations
There are a few ways to understand this form of association. For example, you can use genres. Science Fiction is a Conceptual Mode of storytelling.
Or you can leverage concepts like Mars being the god of war. This is a concept that differs from Mars as a planet or a chocolate bar. It is a conceptual metaphor that has been used throughout history to make all kinds of information memorable.
Now, you might be asking… “How is this different from the sword of justice as a visual metaphor?”
This is a good question. Although you might see a sword in the hand of Mars, the god of war, you don’t have to visualize anything to get the concept. The key to mastering this kind of association is to give yourself the benefit of experience. You’ll soon develop a sense for which kinds of conceptualizatoins are most useful for you.
Congruent Actions
Let’s end this list in a similar spot to where we began. If a direct association would be using a horse to help you remember a horse, in this case we’re using an action to remember an action.
Examples:
A thief does some thieving
A doctor does some doctoring
A preacher does some preaching
The opposite of congruent actions is naturally incongruent actions.
Dr. Anthony Metivier visiting the Giordano Bruno memorial in Rome.
Beyond Bruno
Bruno offers many more types of association, so I encourage you to read his writing yourself. Scott Gosnell has provided several serviceable translations, and shared many wonderful insights about the Renaissance memory master.
In addition to Gosnell’s Bruno series, John Michael Greer recently produced perhaps the best translation of On the Shadows of the Ideas I’ve yet seen in English.
The point Bruno returns to repeatedly is that you need to take action with the techniques. You need to experiment as you explore them. And his stubbornness often comes through in a way that can definitely confuse a lot of readers. For example, he equates not taking action with death in On the Shadows of the Ideas.
Obviously, people do not drop dead if they don’t use memory techniques. I believe that Bruno is being more than a little Zen. He’s trying to wake his readers up so that they pay attention to the details. As Martin Faulks has shown in his demonstrations of Bruno’s techniques, the details do really matter.
So if you’d like to know more about how to use Memory Palaces properly with a special focus on having the most effective associations possible, feel free to register for my free course:
I’ve been a student of Bruno’s for decades and a lot of what you’ll learn is based on a modernization of his most powerful descriptions of the best ancient memory techniques he knew.
Bruno isn’t for everyone, that’s for sure. But I’ve done my best to explain some of his best ideas so that you can put them to use in your personal practice. If you find him too challenging at the present moment, perhaps select a book like Unlimited Memory first and then come back to him later.
Either way, I follow Bruno’s message by suggesting that you focus on mastering the fundamentals no matter from whom you learn these techniques. That way, you’ll be able to learn faster and remember more.
The trick will be to live in such a way that you stay out of hot water. Bruno was convinced of a particular interpretation of truth and he valued it more highly than his own life.
And no doubt. He didn’t believe in our concept of personhood, after all. Perhaps that was what allowed him to explore memory at a deeper level. His critics insist that his ego led him to a premature end.
But from a memory perspective looked at through the lens of contemporary psychology, perhaps Bruno was able to memorize so much because he knew that his ego was not real. He didn’t let his worries and concerns get in the way of taking action. Perhaps he was also enlightened in the same sense many Sanskrit phrases discuss: he experienced himself as part of a larger process that in no way relied on his individual identity.
As he told those who condemned him to death:
Perhaps your fear in passing judgment on me is greater than mine in receiving it.
These words have always struck me as proof that Bruno had managed to see through the illusion of being a separate person.
One way or another, Bruno made a huge impact. People still consider not just one set of his ideas, but several. That’s more than enough evidence to show that whatever he was doing in his mind and memory has so far stood the test of time.
Do Brain Games Work? Here’s A Better Way To Fix Your Memory
Apr 18, 2024
Do brain games work? Yes and no, depending on what you mean when you ask the question.
If you’re looking for a quick fix, brain games are highly unlikely to improve much when it comes to focus, attention and memory.
And scientists are right to discourage people from getting their hopes up. Scientists playing for team human, that is.
I make the distinction because a lot of the science around brain games is suspect at best.
On this page, I’ll share the main points behind why some scientists dismiss many brain games outright. In many cases, it’s because the extravagant claims made by companies and “researchers” who claim their brain games bring benefits are often downright criminal.
But this does not mean that there aren’t any brain games you can play and be repaid for your time and effort.
As you’ll see, enjoying memory boosts come down to your goals and how precisely you integrate playing games in your life.
Full disclosure before we continue:
I’ve created several brain games and memory games over the years, so I might be a bit biased. None of them are for sales on this page, however.
My point today is to address you as someone who knows a fair amount of the research. I belong to major psychological organizations and have access to databases many do not. And as a person with a PhD and over a decade of experience writing about a variety of issues related to memory, I’m capable of not only being objective. I’ve been trained to read, analyze and interpret what such studies mean. And what they don’t mean.
So if you’re ready for a full analysis of when and how brain games stand a chance at improving your memory, let’s dive in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIgNZu4UOjM
Do Brain Games Work? The Science Explained
The briefest answer here is that real science doesn’t offer final “yes” and “no” answers. That’s because science is about running experiments and analyzing data.
Since a wide variety of brain games exist and we have many ways to test their outcomes against many conditions ranging from Alzheimer’s to stroke and amnesia, we have take each study on its own terms.
This is where producers of brain games often bend the truth. They’ll show studies that “prove” their games work. Often, these companies are just cherry-picking from studies that are marginally related to their apps. And that’s assuming they’re related at all.
This behavior was noted by Dr. Christine Till who studied Cogmed’s effects on a particular group of patients. It’s very easy to interpret the data in different ways. Her conclusion was that any benefits from the brain games were coming more from the test group that worked with personal coaches as part of playing the games. This is a very different outcome than experiencing memory improvement from a game itself.
Again, in order to arrive at a balanced view, we need to look at specific studies and think about them in the context of our goals. In some cases, scientific studies won’t really matter because they can’t give final answers anyhow. They can only talk about what the data validates according to specific trials run against specific groups of people.
This puts you in the position of what I call “radical honesty.” You need to play the best possible brain games yourself over a specific period of time and come up with your own benchmarks for improvement.
In other words, you need to be the scientist in the laboratory of your own mind. To that end, we’ll talk more about different kinds of brain games and how to approach them next.
Types of Brain Games And Their Cognitive Targets
Brain games are often designed to target specific memory skills or improve aspects of your conscious experience. These can include exercising faculties like:
Memory
Attention
Focus
Logic
Problem solving
Increase tolerance for cognitive load
Rehabilitation
In one study, researched used a game called “Lost in Migration.” The researchers claim that participants experienced a combination of benefits from problem solving improvements to better cognitive processing and memory.
However, if you read the study carefully, it was conducted at and supported by Lumos labs, which produces a “brain training” app called Lumosity. “Lost in Migration” was part of this software at the time the study was conducted. Why might they be funding research that positively supports their product?
Read the study even more closely and you’ll find that it only involved three participants. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions about just how valid this study actually is, and welcome you to consult the head researcher’s online CV to assess the state of her credentials at the time the study was conducted.
The larger point I want to get across is that this one example cites multiple benefits based on just three people and is funded by the company who created the brain game. If anyone is the target here, it’s not cognition. It’s the consumer.
Brain Games That Actually Offer Cognitive Enhancement
Don’t let this one example discourage you. Although there are many others like it, researchers exist who are working on a fuller understanding of how brain games can help individuals improve their mental abilities.
The key issue to understand is that it might not be possible to benefit from games that you play on your own. For example, some researchers look at brain games from what they call a neureocological perspective. I had this principle in mind, along with intrapersonal memory issues when I created my first Memory Detective and Magnetic Variety games.
(Don’t worry: I’m not promoting them on this page because they are still in the testing phase. But again, I recognize and have written about my own memory and other biases at some length.)
In brief, neuroecological studies suggest that parts of the brain are only switched on and fully exercised when we play games together. Certain brain training apps use points and leaderboards to create the illusion that you’re in a community. They may even include forums. But if you’re not playing with actual human beings, certain brain rewiring effects (neuroplasticity) are unlikely to take place.
In all things, I encourage you to take care when reading any scientific study. When you do, try and stick to studies that come from behavioural psychology and respect the role of the individual as a member of other social groups. As Ginny Smith points out in Overloaded: How Every Aspect of Your Life is Influenced by Your Brain Chemicals, brain scans don’t tell us nearly as much as behavioral psychology does. You need to look at how things change over the long term in your life from playing games much more than what corporate-produced studies say.
With that in mind, here are some games you can play with your others and on your own.
Brain Games You Can Play With Others
The best games that exercise your memory, focus and attention are some of the classics:
Scrabble
Chess
Matching pairs with cards or tiles
The Movie Alphabet Game
Story Stacking (see memory games for how this is played)
When engaging in games by yourself, it’s important to think more closely about your goals. Rather than going after general boosts in memory, focused attention and concentration, I suggest you seek brain exercises designed to produce specific outcomes.
Completing challenging puzzles like this Houdini puzzle exercises spatial memory and is a lot of fun.
Also, take care around the promises made about crossword puzzles. Not everyone agrees that this solitary game is helpful. Many people cheat, for example, which ultimately developed learned helplessness more than it exercises your brain.
With this point in mind, here are some suggestions:
Solitaire games
Puzzles
Join drawing challenges
Become a memory competitor and train on your own (3x USA Memory Champ John Graham has some great solo training tips for you)
Read interactive adventure books like Meanwhile by Jason Shiga
This final suggestion might seem silly. But in my anecdotal experience, I found creating my own games incredibly playful. And given all the moving parts involved, it definitely exercised my brain.
Even better, researchers have shown that even examining games can prove therapeutic, boost your creativity and and inspire you. And that’s coming from scientists who were able to declare proudly that there were no conflicts of interest in how their research was funded.
Beyond Games: Holistic Approaches to Cognitive Enhancement
As we’ve seen, games are a tricky topic. Apps might be effective, but usually not. Any skills they might produce are often only evident when you’re playing the game, a problem called near transfer that many people making claims about improving working memory ignore.
In addition to having specific goals that guide the kinds of games and brain exercises you choose, there are a number of holistic activities you can engage in. These include:
Learning a language (bilingualism has been shown to improve your brain)
Study music
If you find any of these activities boring, you can easily think about ways to gamify them. This tip is important because setting the right frame has been shown to help in a variety of ways. For example, a recent Duke University study found that people who pretended to be art thieves remembered more about items in an art gallery than those who didn’t.
Nir Eyal has shared similar findings in his research related to adopting mental models for positive effects. For example, if you think of yourself as more focused before engaging in some of the cognitive activities we’ve discussed today, you’re much more likely to emerge focused.
Anthony Metivier with Tony Buzan
Tony Buzan seemed to have understood this in the memory training world when he created symbols like the Grandmaster of Memory and Warrior of the Mind. When he awarded me the latter symbol, it certainly shaped my behavior in a more intense way. The effect of having a mental image that guides performance is huge. The olympics use it, the Nobel Prize uses it, the Guinness World Records use it, etc. You can employ images too and enjoy greater mental strength and better memory too.
The Future Of Cognitive Training
As I write, many trends are emerging. Everything from augmented reality and virtual reality to my recent experiment in using chatGPT for language learning has been appearing all over social media.
When it comes to the future of cognitive enhancement, it’s difficult to make accurate predictions. But if we think about evolution and how slowly our brains adapt, chances are those of us who manage to keep up with the rate of change will be the ones who invest in the classic activities used by our ancestors. These include:
Do all these things and your brain will be fit, with or without brain games.
And if you want the ultimate workout, I suggest you learn to use a Memory Palace. I take you through this skill in its entirety in this free course:
This course gives you four video lessons and worksheets.
Although going through this material might not feel like a game, you now know that you can use mental models to change how you engage in anything. With these techniques, even the most boring topics will feel exciting and alive.
So what do you say?
Do you feel more empowered to make use of the brain games that exist and will come onto the market in the future?
As I often like to say, carpe diem (seize the day) but caveat emptor (buyer beware).
Frankly, the best memory and brain games in life were always free and always will be. You just have to make the decision to see them that way.
From Life Crushing Anxiety To PERFECT Calm: USA Memory Champ John Graham’s BEST Stress-Busting Tips
Apr 11, 2024
Wouldn’t it be great if you could instantly access perfect calm?
Or even better, live in such a deep state of relaxation that you don’t need some special strategy to deal with anxiety?
That’s what 3x USA Memory Champion John Graham learned to do.
And it turns out that the core techniques are easy to practice.
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, John shares his experiences with shocking levels of anxiety and how he learned to remove the underlying causes.
From there, things have just been getting better and better.
All thanks to the stress-busting tips you’re about to discover.
https://youtu.be/rdC28SEJaYo
Who Is John Graham?
If you’ve been following the memory improvement world for any amount of time, you’ll probably already know his name. If not, make sure to check out his YouTube channel.
In addition to many competition wins, he has demonstrated incredible feats of memory on a variety of television shows around the world.
That’s why when the topic of developing perfect calm out of life’s many stresses comes up, I pay special attention to what John has to say. Frankly, I don’t know any other competitor who has gone to such lengths. True, memory athletes like Alex Mullen and Johannes Mallow have also done high-stakes television spots…
But I think if you check them all out, there’s something especially nerve-wracking about the challenges John has taken on.
What Is Perfect Calm?
At the end of the day, performance anxiety isn’t what John ultimately wants to help people with. He’s all about helping people establish perfect calm, which basically means feeling at ease and being able to maintain that sensation no matter what’s going on.
Realistically. Practically. Efficiently.
This mission is so important because there’s a deep anxiety that far too many people suffer. They unfortunately don’t know how simple the solutions can be. Nor do they have an idea of what calm can feel like in their lives.
This is a tragic outcome because the techniques for achieving a state that feels comfortable, relaxed and easy to return to if you come across some turbulence in life are so simple.
I know that I found it hard to imagine how my mind was going to turn from chaos to calm back when I needed to address anxiety issues. As a result, it made it nearly impossible for me to focus on what needed to be done to solve the problem.
That’s just one more reason I’m grateful to John for opening up and sharing his experiences. That can’t be easy, but transparency around these issues is the key to helping others.
But John’s the real deal and I hope you take more than inspiration from him. I hope you will take his advice.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it around, visit John’s Release Panic website and thank you for your kind attention.
3 Polymath Personality Traits Masterful People Nurture & Amplify
Mar 28, 2024
Many people who want to master multiple topics wonder about the exact polymath personality traits they’ll need to nurture.
I went through the hard work of figuring them out myself, especially while completing my PhD at York University in Toronto.
During those years, I studied a variety of polymaths to “reverse engineer” how exactly they developed so many skills without simply winding up with dust in their hands due to splitting their focus.
My research took me into many areas, ranging from self-improvement topics to philosophy and the role of friendship.
Luckily, it didn’t take me long to discover many of the traits found in most polymathic people. But there’s something else I discovered that you also need to know about.
All of these things will be covered in-depth on this page.
So if you’re interested in the traits you need to nurture so that you can become truly polymathic, this may be the most important post you ever read.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We0idHm3QlA
What Is A Polymath?
The word polymath comes to us from polymathēs in Greek. It stems from “poly” for many and “manthanein” for “to learn.” That means you can be a polymath without actually having math in your skillset.
Where did the idea that someone can master many topics come from?
Many people say that the idea of mastering several fields arose during the Renaissance and Enlightenment era. There’s certainly truth to this assumption and it’s one reason why the term “Renaissance Man” still circulates.
Frankly, polymathic people have been around for a lot longer than that. Aristotle was a polymath, as was arguably his student, Alexander the Great.
In Ancient China, Shen Kuo mastered multiple topics during his life. Between the years 1031 and 1095 he worked successfully in everything form meteorology and metallurgy to politics and pharmacology.
According to research Michael Araki, it’s not the topics themselves that define polymathy. What matters is:
Breadth
Depth
Integration
In other words, a polymath has a comprehensive understanding of multiple topics, but not in a shallow way. There must be depth, and typically this depth is demonstrated through integration. Since Araki’s terms are open to a lot of interpretation, let’s look first at the traits that must be in place and nurtured in order to fulfil these categories.
Then we’ll look at how to avoid self-delusion. There are a lot of people who claim to have breadth, depth and integration. But we need to know how to test these claims in order to avoid charlatanism.
The 3 Core Traits Of A Modern Polymath
As we go through these traits, keep in mind that none of them need to be inborn or part of your DNA. As intelligence and memory studies have shown, it’s possible to rewire the brain and teach old dogs new tricks. Yes, even those who have never had any experience in mastering a single topic area or skill, let along several.
So if you feel like you’re missing any of these traits, don’t worry. They can all be developed.
One: Curiosity You Can’t Control
Polymathic people are driven by their curiosity.
You might be thinking, how on earth am I going to get curious about boring topics when I only have a mild desire to learn more as it is?
There are several paths you can take. Some of them involve exercises that will grant you greater mental strength. Others might require you to use mind mapping or other forms of positive visualization to start rewiring your current state.
One way or the other, developing your current curiosity and nurturing it is the key.
For example, I was once told by Harry Lorayne to not tell people about memory science. He said that if you’re going to run a successful memory business, you need to avoid heavy topics that scare the “mass market” away from your Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass offers.
This advice made me curious and although I don’t think he was wrong, I made myself lean into it. Soon, I was insatiably curious about memory science.
Sure, some of my least successful YouTube videos cover the science of memory.
But I’m glad that something in my character let me avoid that piece of advice. I’ve been personally rewarded many times over by what I’ve learned, even if he was probably right from a business perspective.
This issue is something all true polymaths will probably have to face at some point in their learning journey. As the old saying goes, “you can be rich or you can be right.”
So far, I’ve followed the mind map I created with Tony Buzan years ago and my curiosity about memory science and the desire to have an accurate understanding about it has won.
Two: Interdisciplinary Skills With Scientific Intent
When I started my PhD in Humanities, the exact nature of the program was unclear. I entered the very first year of its existence and was in fact the first person to graduate. To this day, the exact definition is mostly left up to the individual graduate student, which has pros and cons.
Early on, I decided I would absorb all I could by taking courses in the history of science, classical languages and the history of religion. Science was my favorite of these topics, so when I started studying for my field exams, I decided I would use it as my lens for everything.
As I’ve traveled the world as part of my ongoing research, I’ve continued to use a scientific foundation and this focus has rewarded me many times over.
Although I ultimately wrote my dissertation on friendship and talked a lot about how friendships appear in movies and TV shows to craft a philosophy of friendship, it was scientifically guided. I combined reader-response theory with market analysis to guide my conclusions, tempering some of my wilder philosophical questions with what the data actually said.
The best polymaths have tended to use the scientific tools available during their times. Whether it’s St. Augustine’s theory of memory or Giordano Bruno’s approach to mnemonic imagery, a huge reason that the learning of these individuals has stood the test of time is the empirical thinking they put into their writing. And that means they tested their concepts empirically during the research and reflection stages as well.
Even if I’m wrong about that, it’s important to place a premium on science in your studies in today’s world. Scientific literacy is a basic requirement if you want to be taken seriously. It’s healthy to recognize its limits too, but far too many people claim to be knowledgeable on topics when they clearly aren’t even thinking critically, let alone scientifically.
Three: Adaptability
Because humans have many memory biases and our scientific approaches don’t always pan out, we need to be able to shift. Sometimes quickly.
This is one area where having breadth, depth and integration come in. For example, artificial intelligence is a big field now. All kinds of writers are in trouble. But if they had true breadth and depth in multiple topics, they would find it much easier to integrate the skill of writing and turn it towards AI itself.
That’s just one example, something I explored myself by integrating what I know about language learning with the idea of using chatGPT or other language learning software to help acquire a language through a process called “laddering.”
It’s clear that humans will have to become more and more adaptable over the years to come. To develop this trait, I would suggest getting a solid mix of brain exercises along with physical exercise, eating the best possible foods for memory and completing substantial learning goals.
Make no mistake: completing goals is a key to developing adaptability. If you have established a pattern of dabbling and never completing what you start, it won’t matter how broad your interests are. You’ll be lacking in depth and have nothing to integrate into the flows and intensities of whatever the future might bring.
Overcoming the “Jack of All Trades” Stigma
A while ago, someone commented on one of my videos: “You’re not a polymath.”
Truly, how does some dude on the internet who uses an anonymous screen name know this about me?
I share this criticism because anyone who starts on the road to polymathy is bound to be criticized. You might even be called a Jack of All Trades, Master of None. Or you might literally be a multipotentialite, and be perfectly happy with that status.
To ensure that you rise above the criticism and truly become polymathic, you need to identify the traits important to your specific interests and nurture them. Constantly, because we know from Peter Burke’s book, The Polymath, that some people are polymathic for just certain periods of their life. Without maintenance, the skills that made a person polymathic for a time can fade, removing them from this category of performance.
For most of us, this will be a battle of nature vs. nurture. Personally, I’ve needed to master journaling for self-improvement and for memory in the ways discussed by memory expert, Johannes Mallow. In both cases, everything involved here boils down to:
Crafting a vision of success worth pursuing that includes the variety of topics you want to master
Breaking goals down into achievable milestones
Analyzing your performance
Optimizing how you develop your skills and knowledge over time
After you’ve got this basic protocol in place, it’s just a matter of using accelerated learning techniques properly. Let’s discuss what they are and why you need them next.
How to Be A Polymath: A Practical Guide
Once you’ve identified a worthy vision and are using a journal to track and optimize your progress, you’ll essentially need to hedge against the dangers of multitasking.
Let’s face it: You’re probably not going to master anything if you have dozens of tabs open and spend more time switching between them than actually studying.
Finally, you just need to keep in mind breadth, depth and integration. To ensure that you have all of these covered, you’ll want to decide upon some benchmarks.
One tool I’ve found useful for setting up and tracking benchmarks is The Freedom Journal. I dragged one with me all over Europe on my honeymoon to make sure I got one of my projects done. In this case it was an initiative I felt some resistance around, and having every tool and protocol we’ve discussed on hand helped me finally satisfy the constant urge to work on it despite my resistances and as a result, make space in my mind for other things.
No one can tell you exactly how to measure your accomplishments. But depending on the topic areas you choose, there may be official testing bodies you want to consult. Some of my friends, like Nelson Dellis and Dave Farrow have established Guinness World Records, for example.
For myself, I’m currently drafting a book chapter I’ve had accepted for a scholarly book on memory and the senses. I also test my learning daily on the Internet, everything from my expertise in memory improvement to my copywriting abilities and skills as a presenter. Giving a TEDx Talk that has been seen millions of times was another confirmation of my ability to master both the topic I was addressing and speaking successfully from memory.
Your Role As A Polymath In Future Innovation
At the end of the day, becoming a polymath is about being more successful as a contributor to the human species. In the here and now.
If you’re doing it for your ego, you might succeed. But most people who successfully address complex challenges through interdisciplinary thinking do it because they love being part of reality. It’s almost as life is a game and the more fit you are both physically and mentally, the more you get to enjoy it.
That’s ultimately what the best employers are looking for: highly qualified people who have a breadth and depth and knowledge they can integrate into helping their enterprises grow.
Such people are in demand in every area from artificial intelligence and medicine to education and the arts.
To prepare yourself for success in whatever field you choose to focus on, memory is the foundation you will want to focus on above all things. That’s because memory is like a set of engines that help store and deliver your knowledge and skills.
If you’d like your memory to be better, feel free to sign up for my free memory improvement course:
It will take you through video lessons and worksheets that teach you everything you need to succeed with the mnemonics that have been so essential my success.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to find these polymathic personality traits in your life, nurture and amplify them?
I hope you’re nodding your head “yes,” because I know you’re capable of leading a truly amazing life.
All it takes is a bit of strategy and equipping yourself with the tools that lead to depth, breadth and integration.
Lifelong Learning: The Benefits in Life and in Today’s Job Market
Mar 22, 2024
A lot of people throw around the term lifelong learning.
But what does it really mean?
And how can you adopt its principles to benefit your life in every respect?
I’m talking about more than just being smarter.
I’m talking about using lifelong learning to build the health of your body and brain.
Adopting study skills that build your wealth.
Developing know-how that helps you solve problems fast and stop many problems from arising in the first place.
Ready to discover the benefits of lifelong learning and multiple examples from real lifelong learners you’ve probably never considered before?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b8cvqmTTok
What Does Lifelong Learning Really Mean? (Hint: It’s Not What You Think)
In a word, lifelong learning is an investment.
It’s an investment of time and resources into five key areas:
Books
Courses
Coaching and consulting
Deliberate practice
Taking on new challenges outside your comfort zone
To take my own example as a PhD graduate, I was tasked with reading 500 books and articles for my two field exams. Later, I needed to read even more as part of researching my dissertation.
Although I don’t read quite so much anymore, as a true lifelong learner with polymathic interests, I continue going through books and courses related to my field.
Why? Because as researchers in the field of psychology have shown, self-correction is the key to maintaining expertise. It’s also why I personally keep and recommend a re-reading strategy as you go about your own lifelong learning journey. It’s so important to keep learning because new details and new perspectives are always emerging. We all need to keep ourselves on track.
In terms of getting coaching and consulting, I’ve written many bestselling books and many marketing pieces over the past twelve years. But to this day, I have a writing mentor I meet with every week. I learn new things from him and he helps me keep focused on the fundamentals.
When it comes to deliberate practice, this means you keep a scheduled and modular routine for implementing what you learn. If it’s language learning, you have weekly meetings to practice reading, writing, speaking and listening. For music, you follow a structured program for going through scales and various rhythmical exercises.
If it’s writing, you read the best in your field and you write, ideally every day. In all these fields of practice, you need to balance maintaining fundamental skills while gradually pushing yourself into unknown areas you haven’t mastered yet. So if you’ve been wondering what it means to be a lifelong learner, now you know what it looks like.
The Benefits of Lifelong Learning
It’s impossible to value the benefits of following the model I’ve just shared with you. Although it’s simple, it’s not always easy. But because it’s not always easy, it provides many benefits. The model stretches you and this promotes growth.
Growth, of course, can be quite an abstract thing. That’s why you want to keep a journal of your learning activities and use it to identify specific learning goals. You can structure these goals in terms of learning cycles, which will make it easier for you to see the benefits we’re about to discuss.
That might not seem like much, but Nikolov cites a Cambridge University study showing that losing just three points can make it harder for a person to remember when they need take their medication. This ability is related to prospective memory and procedural memory – two types of memory none of us can afford to lose.
But lifelong learning, especially in areas like bilingualism, has been shown to help fortify the brain against issues like Alzheimer’s.
So if you want a healthy brain and mind when you’re older, the time to follow the lifelong learning model I shared above is now. It works because it’s mentally stimulating on multiple fronts.
Two: Problem-Solving
I often say, the more you know, the more you can know. And it’s true because information is connective in nature. Even when you use a memory strategy like chunking to break complex topics down, you’re actually making the information even more connectable.
But even better is that you’re expanding your ability to recognize patterns. This helps you see problems and solve them in advance.
Sure, you can study critical thinking and problem solving as topics unto themselves. But without embedding them in the lifelong learning model I’ve shared, it’s unlikely that you’ll get quite the same pattern recognition that leads to substantial problem-solving skills.
Christian Fitzharris, for example, used his learning about rare texts like Rhetorica Ad Herennium to create a fun rap song about memory techniques called “Brain Games.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-KoZraMEkg
A huge part of its uniqueness comes from his adoption of the lifelong learning model you’ve discovered today.
It’s also what makes all my favorite books unique and interesting. To take another example, novelist David Morrell has trained in everything from defensive driving to crisis negotiation to bring a deeper level of sophistication to his writing. His lifelong learning has not only been profitable, but led to his character Rambo being one of the most famous movie franchises in history.
I took inspiration from Morrell’s learning habits when preparing to write my “Memory Detective” novel Flyboy. I completed online courses in forensics, the utility belts used by police officers and the basics of detecting crimes. An actual detective read the novel, came to visit in Australia and told me how surprised he was by the accuracy in the book.
That’s high praise indeed, but simply following my lifelong learning model is what earned it.
Four: Tenacity
One of my favorite learning activities involves memorizing Sanskrit phrases. This activity involves a lot of mnemonic images.
Although the Magnetic Memory Method does not involve creating any of those associations, it does require a certain level of discipline.
Because I got started on my lifelong journey early, I have deeper pools of tenacity than others might enjoy. But I’ve seen many people develop stronger reserves even if they spent much of their lives doing little or nothing. Mental training is a fantastic way to start developing the necessary grit. Given that discipline starts to strengthen itself over time, you won’t regret getting started today.
Five: Career Boosts
Whether you want to work for a company, freelance or become an entrepreneur, the more you learn, the more you stand to make.
I’m not just talking about money, though that is an important part of this world.
I’m also talking about the mental peace that comes with knowing that you’re employable in more than one area. By following the lifelong principles you’ll also be adaptable to industry changes and be ready to move upward when positions open up.
As entrepreneurs often say, where preparation meets opportunity, there is no ceiling.
How to Become a Lifelong Learning: 5 Practical Steps
Fortunately, there are simple and actionable strategies that will help you becoming a lifelong learner.
Let’s have a look.
One: Envision Your Future
Years ago, mind map expert and co-founder of the World Memory Championship, Tony Buzan, told me that he wished he had more time to study the greats like Michelangelo. But because being realistic is so important, we can’t wish and hope for more time. We need to strategize and make use of our time.
As he told me during dinner, “The rules will set you free.”
When it comes to lifelong learning, brainstorm about your ideal future as a learner. I did this with Tony, using his approach to mind map my entire business. By creating the vision first, I was able to identify the most important things I needed to learn.
Focus your lens. Then build the learning journey.
Two: Research the Best Resources
In my program for people who want to read faster, we focus on how to find the highest quality resources first. This step can be tricky, but it’s worth every second you spend on it.
That’s because quality books and courses do exist. Ultimately, you do have to take a risk by diving in, but there are so many free materials online, you can invest the time to really quality what you read or what courses you attend.
As you research, one thing to look out for are the stages of learning involved in the topic you want to focus on. Looking for how universities structure their courses and looking at the reading lists included with syllabi is a great tip that I use all the time.
Get your research right and you’ll be ready to make the most of the next step.
Three: Be Thorough
Some so-called “learning experts” say that you should abandon books quickly. Scott Young is one of them and I respect him highly, except on this point.
Sure, I’ve abandoned a book or two in my day, but normally not. It sets a bad pattern and leads to sloppy learning habits.
Instead, I use tools like The Freedom Journal to practice what I’ve come to call Metivier’s Razor:
Less than 90 days of study does not deserve the phrase, “I tried.”
You can take it or leave it, but I impose this rule upon myself. Not just because Tony Buzan said that “the rules will set you free.” But I’ve found so many incredible lessons and substantial wisdom in the harder books.
It’s true that some of the mass market books that are easy to read also contain gems. But they’re the product of someone else having been thorough in their learning journey.
If you want to reap the benefits of lifelong journey, you need to be that person who is thorough. Here’s the best part:
One of the hardest books I was terrified of reading? When I finally committed to spending at least 90 days on Douglas Hofstadter’s legendary Gödel Escher Bach, I was pleasantly surprised that it only took two weeks. But it took an attitude of thoroughness to get me started and keep me going.
Four: Develop a Daily Routine
I’m writing this blog on schedule. That’s because I have established a daily writing routine.
I also do my daily reading on a schedule. At some points in my life, these scheduled reading and writing times have shifted. But they’ve always been scheduled. And that’s how I’ve managed to learn so much, so consistently.
It can seem like an inconsequential thing, but designing your life around your learning is pivotal. Too much time gets wasted when there isn’t a reduction of interruptions and the avoidance of randomness. Set and follow patterns.
Rest assured: Since the focus is on using this scheduled time for learning, the routine will never get boring.
Five: Consider Groups, Platforms, Programs or Coaching
Although not everyone needs them, it can be useful to help you establish your goals by joining a group or focusing on a particular learning platform.
For example, I spent a few years of my life going through dozens of the Great Courses. Back then, it was called The Teaching Company. When I couldn’t afford the courses on cassette that I wanted, I did my best to find them at the libraries in Toronto. I rode my bike for long distances to get some of them so I didn’t have to wait on the interlibrary loan process.
You might apply this thinking to joining a cohort course. These days, many are offered online, such as David Perrel‘s Write of Passage or my Read with Momentum.
Coaching is one of my personal favorite learning strategies. I find both group coaching and one-on-one coaching invaluable. I also sometimes hire consultants or network with specialists to learn more about fields I’m studying.
Make no mistake: It’s not an extravagance. Other people’s knowledge is an asset. You can boost your progress by tapping into it.
Overcoming Common Barriers to Lifelong Learning
These days, it’s all the rage to say that there’s no such thing as free will. I know, because I wrote a whole chapter about in my book, The Victorious Mind and based it on the research fruits of my own learning on this topic.
Robert Sapolsky’s Determined is a recent entry in this field and he’s really put his foot down on the notion that free will isn’t real.
If that’s right, how on earth can you get yourself to change and become a lifelong learner?
Easy.
You’re reading this because something in you has compelled you to search for information about how to do it. Or you followed a link in one of my emails. Lean into that original impulse. Explore it. Use some of the self-inquiry techniques I teach to learn more about the mental strength you clearly have in order to get started learning about it in the first place.
When you have resistances, instead of pushing them way, get curious about them. Is your resistance to boring topics really your own? Or did you just hear from some accelerated learning guru that it’s okay to abandon books?
Find the truth lurking behind the question. Then search out a better truth and follow the recommendations attached to it. Today I’ve argued that abandoning books is a terrible lifelong learning strategy and given you some ways to deal with them, such as Metivier’s Razor and scheduling your time.
If you still can’t get yourself to do what is obviously important for lifelong learning, just keep asking why. Keep a journal, keep working on your vision statement and developing learning cycles. You’ll eventually experience a breakthrough. In fact, it will be difficult not to if you apply Metivier’s Razor.
That said, sometimes you’ve just got to have skin the game. I signed up with my current coach and the one before him precisely because I know how to engineer my absence of free will. Left to myself, I would not work on some fundamentals I know need to be in place in order to succeed. But by investing in some help, I’ve encouraged my mind to want a return on that investment. And this has propelled my attention in ways that just wouldn’t be possible otherwise.
Lifelong Learning In Action: Success Stories
I mentioned Christian Fitzharris above and his rap song “Brain Games.” He’s also been an actor, magician, musician and is working towards becoming a sommelier.
My testimonials page is filled with similar success stories. Here are some of my favorites.
Jeannie memorized scripture with much greater ease thanks to the learning strategies I teach. Her story is also reflected in Matt Barclay’s experience, someone who used memory techniques to help him recover from cognitive issues he experienced following a cardiac arrest.
David S. Matthew is one of several lawyers I’ve helped pass the bar. What makes his success stick out is that he also learned Spanish while preparing for it. As I’m sure you can imagine, being a bilingual lawyer is definitely going to increase his value in the market for the rest of his career.
For quite a few years, James Gerwing would email me with updates after he completed the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
Here’s James in his own words:
“About 5 years ago, I began taking your online course and then went into some memory competitions.
I am the 4 time, current, undefeated (and record holder) of the Alberta memory championships. Even better; I just won the 2019 Canadian Memory Championships (AND the first ever pan-provincial championship).
I had been banging things into the void of my memory for decades. You have revived, and revived in me, the concept that where there is a will, there is a way.
Since signing up for your Masterclass I have taken a Latin course at the University of Alberta and scored above 90% (that is not common territory for me). Thanks for your input.”
Latin is not an easy language. But as a lifelong learner who follows the core principles, James easily managed to become a national memory champion and score highly in this language. He’s a true Renaissance man.
What about you?
Do you have big goals?
Now that you have the lifelong learning strategy many people have followed, the only thing missing is a strong set of memory skills. If you’d like help learning them, grab my free memory improvement course now:
In just four videos and a few simple worksheets, it will help you master your memory.
That way, you’ll not only remember the things you learn.
You’ll remember to follow the simple lifelong learning structure we discussed today.
Remember: lifelong learning is transformative. It will positively impact each and every area of your life and your overall well-being.
And so what if there’s no free will? If you’ve bumped into me and I’ve succeeded in persuading you to take action, that’s what it’s really all about. Lean into the actions you’re taking and it will help you continue taking them.
Reflective thinking is the ultimate open secret that will help open even more doors to learning as much as possible across the span of your life. The better your memory, the better the journey will be.
How To Stop Losing Things: 6 Proven Tips
Mar 15, 2024
If you want to stop losing things, you’re probably tired of the standard advice.
Sure, tips like getting more organized, reducing clutter and always placing things in a designated spot make sense.
But everyday life does not make sense. Sometimes we put things down and can’t remember where we put them. That’s just the way it goes.
So when it comes to handling this problem in a mature manner, what really works?
Well, if you’re sick of constantly losing things, you’re in luck.
On this page, we’ll go through some proven memory techniques you can use. They’ll help you remember where you placed things even when you cannot follow the standard advice.
How to Stop Misplacing Things
First, we need to start getting more specific.
Instead of “things,” we need to start using the actual names for what we want to stop losing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc23Qm7V4B4
As a simple exercise that will help give your memory a workout, jot down the kinds of things you lose. I suggest you use a journal and be as specific as possible. List:
The types of objects you misplace
What times of days you tend to lost things
Where you wind up finding them
Any other behavioral observations
This exercise may feel hard, but please give it a try. It will almost certainly give you a solid foundation for solving this problem.
Now let’s move on to our first major tip. Here are the steps I recommend any time you’ve lost something and need to find it as quickly as possible.
Then, once these steps have helped you locate the missing object, make sure to journal each of the points above. Doing so will help with some neurological rewiring that will then reduce the amount of times you lose your precious belongings.
One: Say Names And Locations Aloud
If you have to set your keys down, say aloud, “keys on the counter.”
This will reinforce the action and help your brain label both the object and the location.
If you tend to forget whether or not you locked the door, saying aloud “locked” will help. It’s so much easier to remember what you’ve said aloud compared to what you’ve done physically.
Rest assured, there’s no shame in this. I’m a memory expert and I say “locked, locked, locked” in my mind almost every time I go out. It eliminates the worry that I might have forgotten to do so.
After I say “locked, locked, locked,” I usually make a point to replay the mental image of using my keys to secure the door. I also mentally repeat the phrase.
I know that forgetting if you locked the door seems like a different issue than misplacing your reading glasses. But leaving your home is a procedural memory and those too can get lost as easily as objects.
Two: Make A Fist
Let’s say you set your glasses down on a table.
Rather than simply walk away, close your fist as if you still have your glasses in your hand.
You can combine this technique with saying the object and the location as you walk away. For example, you can quietly or silently in your mind state, “I have left my glasses down on the table.”
This physical sensation of closing your fist while naming the action will help you carry the location-based memory with you. Later, you can think back to your fist and where you made this gesture. This action will help lead you back to the location where you left your glasses.
I suggest you squeeze vigorously. Don’t make this a passive action. Put some drive into it.
Also, if you’re leaving one room to go find scissors and don’t want to forget before you reach the kitchen, make a fist. By pretending you’ve got the scissors in your hand before leaving the room, you’ll remember what you were seeking.
When we leave one room and forget what we were heading out for, we are essentially losing what is called a prospective memory. But by simply saying the location and the object out loud while making a fist, it’s much easier to hold on to that memory.
Three: Make Multi Sensory Associations
Next time you put your wallet down, imagine hearing a massive explosion – just as if you’d dropped a bomb.
Let your imagination soar by making it as loud as possible.
Include a visual flash of light. Feel the ground rumble. Think to yourself, my wallet just blew up the kitchen counter.
Add some emotions, like shock at the explosion.
Follow these simple steps and misplacing things will be difficult for you from now on.
Four: Use Rhymes
We’ve already talked about using names. But there are more ways we can use language to help us remember objects and their locations.
Let’s say you have difficulties finding important books on your shelves.
Instead of arranging everything alphabetically (which is not a bad idea), you can remember where books are like this:
My important bookie-wookie is next to Stephen King-a-ling.
Silly, right?
That’s exactly the point. It makes it easier to remember where you stuck that book you always keep misplacing.
Five: Learn The Major System And Pegword Method
People ask me all the time, Why do I keep losing things? I even lose my car at the shopping mall!
I would too if I didn’t use memory techniques.
Two of the most powerful for finding your vehicle in parking lots are:
Basically, they help you assign an image to each digit from 0-9 and to every letter of the alphabet.
Then, if you park in B4, you’ll be able to imagine a bee attacking a sailboat. Since “bee” starts with the letter ‘b’ and 4 looks a bit like a sailboat, remembering this location will be a breeze.
Just as imagining your wallet dropping like a bomb needs some multi sensory visualization, you want to enhance this kind of association.
When I use this technique, it’s not the bland idea of a bee attacking a sailboat. It’s a full-scale Hollywood movie with emotions, sounds, intensity and energy.
The trick is to spend a bit of time creating these systems and practicing them. Luckily, they’re easy, fun and provide incredible brain exercise. And when you add the multi sensory aspects, the location of your car leaps instantly to mind.
If you feel a little unusual doing this in the beginning, don’t stress about it. With a small amount of practice, creating associations like this will become second nature.
Six: Turn Your Home Into A Memory Palace
If you can assign a memorable image to a parking spot, you can do the same thing in your home.
Let’s say you’ve developed your skills with the pegword method. You can then assign a letter and object to each room.
Let’s say you call your bedroom “A” and imagine a grouchy apple lives in it. If you take your watch off in your bedroom, you can think about the grouchy apple complaining about it.
By combining the alphabet with the Memory Palace technique, you will never forget where you placed your items again.
Because the apple is your image for the bedroom, you’ll remember the location. After all, it’s memorably absurd for an apple to be grouchy about you leaving your watch on the bedside table.
If you assign ‘b’ to your living room with Batman, there are all kinds of possible ways to have him interact with your glasses, keys, wallet or anything else you want to remember as you set it down.
If you want to learn more about the Memory Palace technique, check out this free course:
These Tips Will Prevent You From Saying, “I Always Lose Things”
You now know how to use associations to remember where you placed important objects. Simply by exploring these techniques consistently, you’ll develop the ability to remember where you put things.
The more you practice these techniques, the stronger your memory will become.
Of course, the standard advice about reducing clutter and creating reminders for yourself still has its place. I personally developed the habit of putting my keys in the same place years ago and have never regretted it.
But because life can get incredibly hectic, your best bet is to become what Tony Buzan called a “Warrior of the Mind,” and make using association a habit. That way, if anything upsets your regular pattern, you’ll have a stronger memory that helps you track your way back to the location of your belongings.
And if I can help you further in any way, just post below and I’ll get back to you a.s.a.p.
Don’t worry – I haven’t missed (or lost) a comment yet! 🙂
Real Life Sherlock Holmes Ben Cardall On What to Memorize
Mar 14, 2024
Ben Cardall’s demonstrations of what Sherlock Holmes would do under real world conditions are legendary.
So too is his book on the key observation and memory techniques you need to pull it all off.
It’s called The Monographs.
To celebrate the upcoming new version of this essential text on deduction, Ben joins me for an expansive conversation. We cover his practice with the Memory Palace technique, critical thinking and other topics.
Then we focus on the most important topic of all: weighing the value of data and deciding what’s worth committing to memory.
Beyond that, we even get into the knotty territory of free will.
For the first time, someone finally gave me a new way to think about this essential philosophical puzzle!
Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less from Ben.
Click play on the video below or the audio player above to enjoy this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method and check out some of the links below for more on Ben and his work.
In terms of his teaching, so many people are excited about his current Kickstarter for The Monographs V2 that it was fulfilled in less than one day. I’ve still only read the first version, but sight unseen am perfectly comfortable recommending it.
Frankly, I fully expect I’ll be adding this new book from Ben to my frequently updated post on the best Memory Palace books.
The Monographs: A Quick Review
When preparing this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I though I would call The Monographs an “underground classic.”
My research uncovered too many positive reviews to call it “underground,” however. So we’ll have to settle for it being a classic of memory, critical thinking and deduction.
I love how Ben weaves these skills together. Sure, you can focus purely on the Memory Palace technique. He gives you one of the most important tips you’ll ever read.
But it’s really the fusion of memory techniques with observation tactics and thinking strategies that you need in order to order see, hear, feel and think at the highest possible level.
When you can do that, you’ll be able to select the main points from the environment much better. Whether they’re in a book or lingering at the scene of a crime, there’s no point memorizing information if you haven’t prequalified it first.
So if you truly want to think like Sherlock Holmes, you absolutely need Ben’s training material. This book contains practical exercises, background info and the steps that will help you apply the techniques to real world environments.
Enjoy our conversation today and check out either version of The Monographs. You’ll be well rewarded!
15 Brain Exercises & Memory Exercises For Rapid Remembering
Mar 04, 2024
Lots of people do brain exercises and memory exercises, often in the form of brain games.
You’ve probably even tried a few, right?
That’s all fine and dandy, but there’s a catch:
Playing mental exercise games on your “smartphone” is not necessarily brain exercise!
It might not even be mentally stimulating.
Not by a long shot. Even if it feels that way on the surface.
Worse, it can be harming your focus and concentration, instead of healing it. You might think that practicing remembering objects are hidden in a game, but often it’s actually harming your memory. And I can prove it.
But don’t worry.
I’m about to reveal some memory exercises and brain exercises that actually work.
That’s because the mental fitness routines you’ll discover on this page really do exercise your brain. I’ll show you how to put them into action and also help you understand why they boost brain health.
Why should you listen to me? As the author of the bestselling book, The Victorious Mind, I’ve been researching memory and brain exercise for over a decade. This work is an extension of my PhD research, which involved looking at the role of language learning in developing the mind.
To help you navigate this post, here’s a preview of what you’re about to discover:
Brain Exercise and Memory Exercise? – What Makes Them Good?
The 15 Best Brain Exercises For Memory Improvement
What Is The Best Brain Activity For You?
How To Stimulate Your Brain To Be Smarter and Faster
How To Improve Concentration And Focus
Brain Exercise And Memory Exercise? – What Makes A Mental Fitness Routine Good?
Any exercise you get is quickly wasted on the ads you’ll be shown and tracking graphs that no robot can accurately help you understand.
Instead of helping you, brain game apps train you to get good at completing tasks within the world of those apps. This is called context dependent memory. Daniel Simons and his research team have found that there is no meaningful evidence supporting that any skills you gain from within an app environment transfer to other skills in life.
In other words, although you might remember where objects are located in a brain training app, there is no evidence showing it will help you better remember where you left your keys.
To give you a quick example of context dependence from the world of language learning, I used to go to a lot of polyglot conventions. I met many people who could win all the shiny coins and medals in language learning apps.
But actually speak the language? They could not. Their skills were “context dependent” on using the app.
So any mental fitness you enjoy from using any software rarely applies to the aspects of your life where you need to be sharp, such as during conversations or on the job.
The Real Definition of Brain Exercise & Memory Exercise
Context dependence means that if you want better focus and clarity, you need to be doing real brain exercises. You need to completing memory exercises that give your memory a real world workout. To do that, any routine you select needs to follow these four rules:
It always involves new learning
It is always reasonably complex (and sometimes unreasonably complex)
It is always varied and interesting
It is always engaged in frequently
Without following these rules, it is unlikely any exercise in an app will improve your memory.
But I promise you the brain exercises and memory exercises below will stimulate and grow both your short-term memory and long-term memory. In case you’re wondering where I’ve drawn my own research from, here’s just a sampling of the research papers I’ve studied to discover what really works to improve your mind and memory. I’ll link other resources as we go through each of the recommended exercises below.
Ready?
Let’s get started!
How to Exercise Your Brain: The 15 Best Brain Exercises For Memory Improvement
As we go through this list of brain exercises, there’s no special order of important. I recommend that you try them all.
In fact, by interleaving them, you’ll get even more benefits.
1. The 4-Details Observation Exercise
Memory expert Dr. Gary Small talks about memorizing four details of people you encounter out in public.
For example, let’s say someone is wearing a black hat, has blonde hair, a triangular ring, and a green sweater.
Illustration of the 4 Details Exercise
The goal is to observe the details first and then recall them later.
No need for ancient memory techniques or anything like that. You just naturally encourage your brain to recall the details you selected earlier in the day.
Some scientists call memory exercises like the 4-details exercise “passive memory training.”
It’s passive because you’re not using any special memory techniques. You’re just asking your mind to do what it was designed to do: to remember.
Why does this matter?
It matters because we don’t ask our minds to practice observation enough.
Because we don’t practice observation, we fail to observe and receive the memory exercise benefits we get from simply asking our brains to recall information.
We also fail to observe things that we aren’t seeing – making it impossible to make mental pictures of them. I teach you all about how to do that with these 3 simple visualization exercises.
If you’d like to be a better observer of the world around you, noting and visualizing details will help far better than brain training software like Cogmed.
It’s also scalable. You can start by observing just one person per day. Once you’ve gotten good at recalling four details of just one person, you can add more information or more people (or both).
You can scale this memory exercise even further by memorizing the details using a Memory Palace.
But focusing on real people is the more potent memory exercise. Being observant of others around you is a great social skill.
2. A Number Exercise That Will Skyrocket Your Concentration
I can’t emphasize the following point enough:
Numeracy is more than just a powerful skill to boost your cognitive abilities. It’s something I work on to boost logical thinking – both with and without memory techniques in play. And scientists have shown that lacking math skills limits the development of your brain.
“Add 3 Minus 7” is a simply way to get started developing your calculation skills while you develop your mental muscles. It’s a fun numerical memory exercise you can try today. To get started, all you do is pick any 3-digit number. Then, add 3 to that digit 3 times. Then minus 7 from the new number 7 times.
Repeat the process at least 5 times and pick a new 3-digit number the next time. You can also take a different route and start with a 4-digit number and use other numbers to challenge your working memory further.
For example, you could start with 1278 and add 12, 12 times and minus 11, 11 times.
It’s up to you and the amount of numbers to dictate the level of challenge. Remember, this brain exercise strengthens your working memory because of the amount of detail you need to hold in mind to complete it.
3. Number Skipping
In a book called Happiness Beyond Thought, Dr. Gary Weber shares a powerful means of experiencing your conscious mind directly.
It sounds deceptively simple, but it’s actually quite a challenge.
To complete the exercise, you count from one to ten. But instead of visualizing each number, you skip the even numbers on the way up.
By “skip,” you don’t count 1, 3, 5, etc.
You actually pause on where the even digits should be. But you actively try to not represent them.
There are a few variations on this technique, so if you want more nuance, give this tutorial a view:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7NPia_lkaE
Important Tip: Don’t make the memory exercise so easy that you get bored with it. We all need challenge from our brain exercises in order to grow.
You can also skip using the alphabet by exploring a Renaissance brain exercise called The Field. We’ll discuss it next.
4. The Field: A Renaissance Era Brain Exercise
We think of brain exercise as a 20th century need due to issues like digital amnesia.
But this is not the case. Aristotle knew his students needed his certain exercises, which is why he talked about mentally manipulating the alphabet. I shared his suggestions for doing this in “Aristotle’s Nuclear Alphabet.”
Over one thousand years later, Giordano Bruno expanded on Aristotle’s exercise and created an exercise called The Field:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRFNXZxjGEU
It can be a bit difficult to understand, which is why I created the video above.
Basically, you create one row of letters in your mind, from A-Z. Then you navigate them forward and backwards.
Later, just as you did with number-skipping, you manipulate the alphabet by traveling the row by the odd-letters first, and then back along the even numbers.
We all know in our hearts that no one is really listening when we speak. And that’s sad.
But here’s the good news:
You don’t have to be another person who is just nodding your head like a puppet while actually thinking about something else.
You can train your brain to focus on what people are telling you and remember everything they say.
It all begins by creating presence in the moment in an easy way:
Follow the words being spoken to you by repeating them in your mind.
For example, imagine that someone is saying the following to you:
“Tomorrow I want to go to a movie called Memory Maverick. It’s about a guy who cannot forget. He’s hired by a group known only as ‘The Agency’ to infiltrate a competitor. But once the hero learns the secrets, he doesn’t want to hand them over. But since he can’t forget, The Agency starts making his life miserable.”
All you would need to do to complete this brain exercise is repeat everything the person is saying silently in your mind. You’ll automatically boost your cognitive function and remember more by doing this.
It works because simply asking your memory to recall information exercises it. The more challenging the information, the more exercise your brain will get.
6. Visualization Exercise Secrets Of A Memory Maverick
To remember even more, you can practise creating pictures in your head.
But go beyond the visual. Also add in multisensory elements.
For example, using the sample conversation above, you might see an image of Mel Gibson as he looked in the movie Maverick trying to remember something. Imagine that you are trying to feel what this is like as if you were Mel Gibson yourself.
Or you might get a picture in your mind of an agency building and scenes of evil men in suits torturing the hero. Feel their clothes on your skin. Smell the air through their nostrils. Hear the world through their ears.
Showing people that you’re interested in them and their lives.
Easing conflicts when they arise because you remember the issues in greater detail.
As people speak, they “translate” their ideas into pictures, feelings, related concepts and even tastes and smells.
Take this training seriously:
You’ll feel better about your connection to people because you’re really with them.
7. The Metronome-Clapping Exercise
Back in grad school, I had a great professor named Matthew Clark. For some reason, he told our class in Classical Literature about a great concentration exercise that I’ve practiced ever since.
It’s simple: You put on a metronome at a slow speed and then practice “covering the click.”
Such neurobic exercises can help us focus on things that our brains have been automated to perform. The increased focus that neurobic exercises develop helps you zero-in on your surroundings to boost your memory skills.
If you’d like a practical example of the metronome exercise on video, please check this out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaiF3DL-ens
To be clear:
I don’t think this memory exercise helps memory in any direct way.
But it is excellent for improving concentration and presence.
Here’s why these mental states matter:
Both concentration and presence are cognitive skills we all need. The more concentration and presence we have, the more we can remember by default.
The better you get at this mind exercise, the longer the amount of time between clicks you should place. Accurately covering the metronome with a minute between clicks would be impressive!
8. Build & Use Your First Memory Palace
The ultimate brain exercise to boost overall cognitive function is also the easiest. It involves nothing more than a simple drawing that follows some simple principles.
What’s a Memory Palace?
It’s a mental recreation of a familiar location. You use it to chart out a simple journey that you can follow with your mind.
Then, using associations, you “place” mental images along this journey that help you remember things.
Why is creating a Memory Palace such a powerful memory exercise?
First, complete my FREE memory improvement course and find out for yourself:
Second, creating a Memory Palace draws upon your spatial and visual memory.
Second, creating a Memory Palace is creating a tool that you can use for life. Once you have one and you’ve mastered using it, you can create dozens more.
This is a great brain exercise for people of any age because it keeps you talking with people.
Regular conversation also helps stimulate the production of healthy chemicals for better mental health. Ideally, you would have conversations about books you’ve read. That way you dig into memory at multiple levels, especially verbal memory.
But if you don’t like to talk, you can also sing. Or do both. For a double-whammy of health and brain benefits, singing has been shown by researchers like Gunter Kreutz to increase cortisol and other chemicals involved in healing.
For this reason, singing in a foreign language you’re learning can increase the impact and effectiveness of this brain exercise.
However, that isn’t all – you get more health benefits.
Researchers conducted a study that found that learning a second language can delay the onset of cognitive impairment like dementia in Alzheimer’s disease by around 4-5 years!
The best part?
Learning anything new is good for your brain!
Whether it’s learning to play a new musical instrument or working with your non-dominant hand, new neural pathways will form – helping you boost your brain power.
10. Mind Mapping For Maximum Brain Health
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Tony Buzan’s approach to mind mapping.
And that’s because I used to mind map in ways that weren’t effective at all.
But after training with Tony and world mind mapping champion Phil Chambers, I discovered a new route and I’m way better at the practice and share it in real-time on my YouTube live streams:
What is mind mapping?
It’s a graphic means of brainstorming and planning. You can even use it for note taking and review.
The question is…
Why is mind mapping great for boosting cognitive function?
One reason Tony Buzan hints at is very compelling. The process reproduces the role of nerve cells on the paper.
Think it through:
Just as a brain cell has a central nucleus with synapses that flow outward like a river, the mind map has a central idea that feeds several streams with mental power. By creating mindmaps, you’re making it easier on your brain – thereby increasing its processing speed. Just like more water increases the flow of a stream.
And not just to workout my muscles and boost my heart rate.
Physical activity is a great place for including a mental workout. And you don’t have to take my word for it. Dr. John Ratey is widely considered one of the most authoritative experts on making sure you include exercise as part of how you develop your brain and memory. He’s also shown how exercise helps us reduce anxiety.
I had his working in mind when I finally started getting serious about physical exercise in order to help me tackle brain fog. In fact, this is me at the gym, where I often combine physical fitness and memory exercise by using a PAO System to memorize my heart rate during certain routines, like deadlifting.
Deadlifting helps improve my focused attention and memory. Do you go to the gym?
If you don’t yet have a robust memory system like the PAO, you can memorize the number of sets and reps you complete using the Major System. That’s where I started.
You can also rehearse the content in your Memory Palaces during and after your workout. I often recite memorized Sanskrit or perform number skipping while actually skipping at the gym.
It’s challenging, but bringing together physical exercise with memory is exercise works to exercise both your memory and your brain because of the challenges they propose.
12. Memory-Based Meditation
Did you know that you can clear out old memories that you’d rather not have?
You can even help reduce symptoms of PTSD and depression.
These outcomes are produced by creating a “Happy Memory Palace.”
For this exercise, you’ll need a Memory Palace and 5-10 happy memories. Then, along the journey, you’ll place each memory in a strategic location.
In my Happy Memory Palace, I used a small office I had when I was a graduate student. On the first corner, I placed a memory of when I graduated with my PhD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs9UHz4pVuM
Then, when I feel down, I revisit this Memory Palace and start feeling better quickly.
The trick is to keep creating these Memory Palaces. When something good happens to you, the brain exercise is to transport the happy memory into a Memory Palace and revisit it often so that the memory sticks.
Also keep in mind that meditation as a good in itself. As the researcher Richard Davidson has shown, meditation is a key method for flourishing in life. I’ve seen greater flourishing happen for many of my students along with a reduction in anxiety. For example, Daniella Lopez wrote one of many testimonials for my teaching to say:
Another benefit I see from this course, and maybe this is a bit outside of your direct realm as a memory teacher, is that it has helped me direct my anxiety better. I am usually a bit of an anxious person – not always suffering, but just someone with a very chatty mind, I’m always thinking, and being able to direct this energy in a productive way is very appealing to me.
You can experience similar results too. Especially if you add this additional memory-based meditation practice.
Dr. Gary Weber teaches this simple routine in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehvokeZnXMM
I’ve practiced Kirtan Kriya for years and it really helps with concentration. Usually I combine it with my walking meditation sessions and find that it also helps me focus more on the present moment.
13. The Painting
Getting out to art galleries is a great way to improve your memory. In fact, there are 17 ways gallery visits boost recall and overall brain fitness.
Once you get home, exercise your memory by recreating one of the paintings you remember in your mind. I’ll walk you through this bonus brain exercise here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJbRKxDEHJE
Not only will you get a great memory workout. Visiting an art galley gives you physical exercise too.
14. Learn Something New
As I age, I keep stacking on new things to learn. Sometimes they are simple things, like the cognitive needs pyramid.
Long term exercises like these keep the brain fit. But sadly, many people don’t see long term learning project for the true mental fitness routines that they are.
Don’t go for quick fixes. Think long term and enjoy the benefits of stacking together a number of learning projects.
15. Neurobics
I used the term “neurobics” above. Let’s look at them in a bit more detail.
They are routines like brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand, unlocking doors with your eyes closed and even pinching your ears while squatting.
This full video gives you more ideas too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MlDePoXWuY
As with all forms of brain exercise, it’s important to be consistent to see results. Plan to practice a stack of routines for 90-days at least.
What Are the Best Brain Exercises for Memory?
At the end of the day, memory exercises are best when they’re linked to the daily problem-solving skills you need to enjoy a better life..
What matters above all is that the best memory exercises are the ones that you actually use. If sudoku is what works, then go for it. If it’s brain teasers – then that’s fine too. Consistency is the key.
Remember, you cannot get the benefits from them without consistent application.
How to Stimulate Your Brain To Be Smarter & Faster With A Powerful Memory Loss Brain Exercise
Interestingly, the study also demonstrated that “purpose in life was also associated with a reduced risk of incident disability and risk of death.”
I spent time speaking with both Tony Buzan and Harry Lorayne – two of the most legendary memory experts of all time. They both aged so well and were sharp up until the end.
Why? I’ll bet that their strong sense of purpose was a huge part of it. Tony had the World Memory Championship he helped found, along with his work in mind mapping and his polymathic personality. For his part, Lorayne wrote and published books and performed card magic almost until the end.
I myself have made teaching as a mnemonist and understanding as much as I can about memory science my purpose. It’s not clear yet that I’ll last as long as they did or make a similar mark.
That doesn’t matter nearly as much to me as enjoying the benefits that doing my best in this field brings. So your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to craft your own vision statement and work on your purpose. From there on in, it’s just a matter of consistent execution.
If you’d like some help with this piece of the puzzle, check out:
Keeping track of what you’ve done and when you’ve done it is a key tactic because you can see your progress over time.
For this, I personally like to use a “Snapshot Journal.”
These are wonderful tools because you can keep your journal on your desk and see it every day. It reminds you of your goals just by being in your physical space.
The Snapshot Journal I’m using
Then, you just fill out your Snapshot journal with what you’ve accomplished during the day. Over a five year period, each day gives you a reminder of how far you’ve come. You can see your progress for up to five years at a glance.
I’ve rarely missed a day and am now in my seventh year of using Snapshot journals. It’s wonderfully fulfilling to see all of the many accomplishments build up over time.
And this form of self-help journaling is like a variation on the passive memory training we talked about above.
Summary Of The Most Potent Brain Exercises
The 4-details mental workout is excellent for “passive memory training.”
Number exercises result in better working memory, an increased attention span and greater numerical memory skills.
Repeat and Recall exercises also increase your concentration and ability to pay attention to others for longer periods of time. You’ll also remember more.
Create images, associations and other related sensations as you listen to people speak. This will create intense brain fitness to reduce the chances of memory impairment.
The Metronome exercise. This simple device can be found at any music store or downloaded as an app. “Covering the click” has many mental benefits and provides a fun challenge as a solo effort or group activity. You can perform such neurobic exercises several times a day.
Create and use Memory Palaces. Both of these activities create a lot of mental exercise.
Learn a language consistently over time. It might not feel like brain workout, but it is and the benefits of being bilingual provide ongoing mental benefits. These include helping with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and cognitive decline associated with brain age.
Mind Map. There are many interesting rules you can follow to maximize the process. Following them is part of what creates the mental benefits of this creative brain game.
Use memory techniques while getting physical fitness. Using your body and mind at the same time maximizes your time and is a win-win for total psychological and physical optimization. Don’t forget to sleep enough, though!
Brain exercises must follow the four rules outlined above in order to qualify.
What are your thoughts about the brain exercise principles discussed in this post? Are these amazing, or what?
Do you think these are activities you will bring into your life? Did you develop better memory? Is there anything I’m missing?
Let me know in the discussion area below and I’ll gladly respond and update this post.
Robert Fludd & Why His Masterful Memory Techniques Still Matter
Mar 03, 2024
Robert Fludd is one of many people who taught memory techniques during the Renaissance.
Although he’s largely forgotten due to some catastrophic errors in his thinking about medicine and science, his understanding of mnemonics is sound.
So if you’re not sure about where to start with Robert Fludd’s contribution to memory, you’re in the right place.
On this page, we’ll looking at his specific contributions to mnemonics for learning faster and remembering more.
Let’s get started!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phaCt8tqyok
Who Was Robert Fludd?
Robert Fludd lived during an era when it was possible to be considered an expert in multiple areas. He was born in 1574 and died 1637, and was the son of Sir Thomas Fludd, who served as Queen Elizabeth’s treasurer at one point.
Overall, his era was a time of explosive intellectual sharing through books and travel. But also one of controversy in which some people were forced into hiding for their ideas and even faced execution.
No stranger to controversy himself, Fludd studied successfully at St John’s College, Oxford, with a focus on medicine. He also traveled widely and other areas he studied and wrote about throughout his colorful life include:
Astrology
Math
Cosmology
Various religious philosophies
For our purposes, it is his role as a mnemonist that interests us the most. This is because one of his major works discussed the art of memory in greater detail than most books involving Memory Palaces of his era.
His key text has a very long title, both in English and Latin:
Utriusque Cosmi, Maioris scilicet et Minoris, metaphysica, physica, atque technica Historia (The metaphysical, physical, and technical history of the two worlds, namely the greater and the lesser)
Recently, just the mnemonic strategy portion of this book has been published by Lewis Masonic as Mnemonic Methods. I highly recommend reading it, especially since it comes with Fludd’s original Latin and illustrations.
Robert Fludd & the Philosophy Behind His Approach To Mnemonics
On the one hand, it’s easy to extract Fludd’s approach to memory techniques without talking about the historical figure at all.
He was largely passing forward what he’d learned from our ancient ancestors, after all. His description of the mnemonics stands the test of time because Fludd offered greater depth and more variety than others.
In my view, Fludd was also much clearer in technical matters (mnemotechnics) than his important Italian contemporaries Giordano Bruno and his student Alexander Dicsone. (Though as far as I’m concerned, Dicsone’s philosophy makes more sense and feels more aligned with truth as an emergent, nondual property in line with what our contemporary physics seems to be revealing.)
All in all, Fludd draws our attention to many technical points well worth focusing on – and he does so in a way that avoids the plagiarism in many other memory books, such as Matteo Ricci’s. And when it comes to what some people call the Roman Room technique, Fludd’s “theatre of the world” approach is well-worth close consideration. Because there’s one big part about it that I think many people have misunderstood that I’ll try to highlight for you below.
With all this in mind, here are some ideas that I feel are well worth highlighting from Fludd’s work. I’m confident they will assist you in your use of mnemonics if these finer points aren’t already on your radar and integrated in your practice.
One: Align Your Mnemonics As Close To The Target As Possible
People new to memory techniques often use vague and abstract mnemonic images.
Although this is not technically incorrect, it’s generally a poor approach. This is because the more vague and generic your images, the less likely they’ll help you recall what you’re trying to memorize.
You could be forgiven for associating his name in a general way with the concept of flooding.
But Fludd would encourage you to go deeper by connecting the name to the flood of the Bible, ideally a specific painting of this scene you might know about.
Were he alive today and aware of the music producer Mark Ellis, who goes by the artistic name “Flood,” Robert Fludd would likely suggest you connect the idea of the Biblical flood using either linking or the story method with a specific painting and a known person who also uses a similar sounding or identical name as your core mnemonic strategy.
Two: Use Real Relationships
Sometimes you can’t find exact or near-exact associations like we’ve just seen in the Fludd/flood example.
In such cases, Fludd suggests that you focus on what he calls “real relationships.” For example, if you’re memorizing scripture, here’s Fludd in his own words:
If the second word is sword, then I can imagine this either by relationship, with Delilah moved to furious wrath breaking in two her husband’s scabbard… or by real action, with Delilah killing herself in despair.
Sounds extreme, right?
That’s Fludd’s point. If you can’t link sword with a sound-related figure like Jimmy Swaggart, then imagining the sword in an action already in your memory, you’ll do much better.
Three: Amplify The “Presence” Of The Imaginary
Fludd uses another term to describe mnemonic images you might find useful: real presence.
This tactic is important because you can’t always use real associations. Sometimes you have to imagine things like giant insects. To make them more present, you want your mental imagery to be as multisensory as possible.
A quick way to apply more sensations to mnemonics both real and imagined is to apply KAVE COGS:
Kinesthetic
Auditory
Visual
Emotion
Conceptual
Olfactory
Gustatory
Spatial
In other words, you’re rotating through a kind of Memory Wheel of possible associations.
But even in this case, Fludd suggests that you don’t stop at making imaginary images similar in sound to the core word. You need to elaborate them. True, some people with aphantasia report difficulties with this, but there are elaborative memory exercises that can help even people with the darkest of mental experiences.
Four: Use The Alphabet
The point comes through perhaps too subtly.
But Fludd does several times stress a point I’ve made many times about using the alphabet to help develop your mnemonic systems.
Fludd gives the example of using Neptune doing nothing to help you remember the concept of nothingness (a key point in his larger theory he shares with Bruno that I sometimes call the Chaos Memory Palace technique).
Fludd’s point is that if you have an “alphabetical sequence of the Gods,” you’ll always have highly specific mnemonic images you can use based on the spelling of the target information you want to learn. You just need to rotate through them, which is another aspect of the Memory Wheel principle.
Fludd gets even more specific by suggesting that when you want to memorize pronouns, you should specifically use monsters. Your milage may vary with heavily constrained mnemonic strategies by category, but you should know that I personally do not go quite so far.
For example, when I memorized the opening of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 59, to memorize “that” in the poem, I used Thor with a hat and switched to Thor pulling on his hair for “there.” I did not need to think specifically of what category Thor belongs to so I could match it with the grammatical function of these words in the sentence. (I was memorizing Shakespeare, after all, not learning grammar!)
But if the idea of hyper-categorizing your mnemonic associations helps you, give it a go and consult Fludd’s ideas on this for further details.
Five: Develop Image-Based Number Systems
Although not his own idea, Fludd was one of the strongest Renaissance promoters of what we now call the Major System. It’s related to the PAO System and there are signs of this more evolved number mnemonic system in his work as well.
The core idea is that you develop images for each digit from 0-9. As much as possible, you follow the principle of the real he has already laid out earlier in Mnemonic Methods.
In other words, using a number-shape approach, his Renaissance-era pegword method suggests linking the number 6 with a snail shell shaped like a 6. I personally use a fishing hook for this, but any idea that works for you on a consistent basis is bound to be good.
In case it doesn’t leap out at you, in the image above, you can see the 00-99 PAO idea in Fludd’s work when he shows a spear with a donkey. The spear represents one and the donkey zero. The implication is that you would have two spears for eleven, a spear and scissors for twelve and so on.
Again, this is not quite the 00-99 system, but it’s a step in that direction and also presages Tony Buzan’s SEM3.
Six: Use Colored Memory Palaces
Fludd also discusses several unique ways to use Memory Palaces.
It’s not entirely clear to me what he means when he talks about colors. However, it is generally a common strategy to reuse Memory Palaces and avoid what memory enthusiasts call “ghosting” by either changing colors or applying substances.
For example, if you have three different versions of one Memory Palace, you would have one version be black, another blue and the final version red. Or, you could make a cloud version of the Memory Palace, followed by a fire version, a stone version, etc. Adding features like this will help make sure the information you store within the different versions of the same Memory Palace doesn’t blur together.
Fludd also suggests using different types of columns and geometrical floor patterns to help maximize the ways you use Memory Palace interiors.
As Fludd is believed to have either drawn his own Memory Palace examples or participated in their creation, I have also drawn my own based on some of his suggestions.
I’ve experimented with these suggestions in a variety of ways. For example, in the drawing from my one of my Memory Journals above, I made a Memory Palace in which some stations were circles and others were squares. I used these as portals to specific kinds of Memory Palaces. (It didn’t accomplish much, but did make for a fascinating experiment.)
Overall, however, Fludd is clear about one thing. To avoid overwhelming yourself with unnecessary problems for most learning goals:
… you should choose real rooms… which are as different from one another as possible.
I have found this to be important in my own work, and here’s an important point. Many people think that Fludd’s theatre illustrations mean that he things you should create theatres out of thin air to use as Memory Palaces.
After reading Yates Theatre of the World for more information about Fludd and his time, I feel that Fludd probably had in mind that you would use real theatres. But more importantly, you would use the real actions and the real relationships as if they were playing out in the theatre of your mind.
Yes, the way he lays it out in his memory instructions is confusing. But I think this is the truth of the matter. Real Memory Palaces based on associations so “theatrically” strong, they cannot help but make you remember the target information. This approach will be much stronger than virtual or invented Memory Palaces for most of us.
Seven: Experiment
Although it can sometimes feel like Fludd overuses the word “should,” he also constantly encourages you to experiment.
In fact, success with the Memory Palace technique requires personal experimentation. Fludd doesn’t quite use these words, but I believe the meaning is the same.
As he puts it:
… memory can be strengthened in one of two ways: Either by the assiduous operation of the imaginative faculty, which inscribes in the memory impressions of actual objects and events through representations of fictitious ones, or through the power of medicines to restore a natural memory that has become unreliable.
He goes on to conclude that utter perfection tends to come through using your imagination. Pretty much the rest of the memory writing he offers focuses on how to experiment with your imagination using the guidelines he’s found most useful.
In many ways, Fludd holds up memory training with the same regard St. Aquinas did in terms of being good at both using the technique and letting it help guide the quality of your actions (prudence).
Should You Apply Fludd’s Memory Improvement Suggestions?
My answer is a resounding yes.
In fact, every idea that is good and true in Fludd’s memory writing is true because it’s true, not because he wrote about them.
Other ideas Fludd discussed haven’t stood the test of time. For example, Carl Shoonover shows in Portraits of the Mind that Fludd perpetrated ideas found in Galen, ostensibly because Fludd’s anatomy skills were lacking.
Fludd himself creates this impression by how he presented the optic nerve in one of his most famous illustrations.
As fantastic and beguiling as this illustration is, it has encouraged people to this day to perpetuate mystical ideas for which little or no evidence has been found.
Although I don’t think it’s a bad thing that copies of the Ars Notoria still circulate, Fludd says in Mnemonic Methods that some cases like angel-assisted learning are real.
Perhaps. And rest assured, I wish learning and life could be that easy.
But as William H. Huffman shows in his Robert Fludd and the End of the Renaissance, Fludd was likely an advocate for such pseudoscientific ideas because he belonged to Neoplatonic associations. He was trying to create a “theory of everything” not from the basis of a scientific standard that might have put more anatomical correctness into his illustration.
Rather, Fludd was more interested in maintaining what he called “my imitation of the Physical and Theo-philosophical Patron St. Luke… Eternal Word of Divine Wisdom.”
I have no doubt that some wisdom is better than others. But it is likely for the precise character of Fludd’s mysticism that his mnemonic contributions have fallen by the wayside compared to Bruno’s. But I still find them well worth going through and am glad Lewis Masonic has made them available in their excellent bilingual edition.
If you’d like to learn more about memory techniques like the Memory Palace in a way that combines the best of the ancient traditions with contemporary science and learnings from the memory competitors, feel free to sign up for my FREE Memory Improvement course now:
It will help clarify the scientifically valid tactics Fludd discussed through worksheets and video lessons.
My own philosophy is simple: Take action. Get results.
In the meantime, I hope these nuances from Robert Fludd’s work help you on your own use of memory techniques. He’s a lot of fun to read and when you take his fantastic illustrations into consideration with the fullest possible context of what his mnemonic instructions imply, they reveal much more than meets the eye.
Some of them can be used as Memory Palaces too, even if Fludd himself would not advise using them when there are so many rich and evocative locations in the world beneath your feet.
Mental Stimulation: Brain Health And Brain Exercise Made Easy
Feb 27, 2024
Did you know that getting mental stimulation causes new brain cells to grow and connect?
It’s true. The process is called neurogenesis and anyone can enjoy multiple brain health benefits by exercising their minds. You can also avoid cognitive decline, or at least reduce it.
But you might lack confidence when it comes to understanding and using brain exercises to give your mind great stimulation.
And I can’t blame you. Tinkering with your brain can feel scary.
But rest assured. I do it all the time, as do millions of others around the planet. In fact, I credit so much of my success with spending so much time stimulating my mind.
It’s safe, healthy and really does boost your brain. Provided you focus on the mostly likely activities to work.
So if you’re ready for a simple explanation of the science behind mental stimulation and a list of fun steps to follow based on my research and my decades of personal experience, let’s get started.
What is Mental Stimulation?
Think about the difference between your brain and your mind.
You’ve probably seen documentaries where surgeons use electrodes to stimulate parts of the brain. Sometimes touching a part of the brain causes the patient’s limbs to move. Other times, the person undergoing the stimulation might think they are smelling toast.
Either way, this is the difference between stimulating the brain’s connection to the body and its connection to mental imagery. Whereas brain stimulation that causes muscle movement is physical, stimulation that triggers a mental experience is mental.
Do the two types of stimulation ever combine?
In a word, yes.
Neuromodulation
One of the scientific terms for the physical aspect of brain stimulation is called “neuromodulation.”
As Clement Hamani and his co-authors show in Neuromodulation in Psychiatry, manipulating physical brain structures has a long, and sometimes troubling history.
For example, gamma knife radiation, normally used to treat lesions and tumors, has been used experimentally to treat obsessive compulsive disorder. Some positive results have been seen in how such patients think and behave.
But there have also been some not so positive outcomes as well.
However, neuromodulation is not what we usually mean by mental stimulation.
Reasoning through problems objectively and subjectively
Spatial reasoning
Playing a musical instrument
Reading frequently
Playing challenging games
The Impact of Mental Stimulation on Brain Health
The benefits of the activities outlined above can increase creativity, memory, productivity, consistency, decision-making and goal completion.
Mental activity is key in each of these areas. As the co-authors of The Wise Advocate show, thinking in particular ways helps improve brain structures. It also helps new neural pathways form, helping people lead themselves and others much better.
Plus, you’ll also feel sharper when you stimulate the brain. Although keeping your mind stimulated is important at all ages, research has shown that such activities are especially important for reducing cognitive decline as we age.
The question is, what kinds of activities do this effectively and efficiently? Let’s have a look at some of the best.
Mental Activities That Can Stimulate Your Brain
As we dive into this list of stimulating activities, please remember the role of exercise and diet. Engaging in many mental exercises is a must. But improving your blood sugar, cholesterol or other aspects of physical health through exercise are all incredibly important.
Keep in mind that some physical exercise is also mentally stimulating. Yoga can improve memory, for example, for a variety of reasons. You can also play outdoor games and find obstacle courses to complete so that both your mind and body are challenged.
When it comes to pure mental stimulation that you can do while sitting at home, it’s important not to take the easy way out.
To make sure you’re getting proper levels of challenge, make sure that the activities you choose to get mentally stimulated involve:
Learning or relearning
Reasonable complexity
Variation and increases to each challenge
Frequent engagement
If you’re missing any of these criteria, make sure to include them in for a good brain workout. Basically, if things start to get easy, you’ll be bored, which is why you need to vary the challenges and increase them over time.
On the other hand, it’s important to avoid challenges that are so hard you wind up frustrated and either cheat or quit.
One: Learn a Language
One of the most proven ways to increase what is called “cognitive reserve” is to study a foreign language.
What is cognitive reserve?
It is robust brain health that people free from Alzheimer’s and Dementia show in old age. It’s well-known that keeping your brain active throughout life, but especially in old age helps increase this aspect of mental fitness.
Some studies I’ve discussed in my post on bilingualism show that learning just one language can provide up to 32 years of cognitive reserve.
It’s also easy to increase and decrease the level of challenge when studying languages. For example, some days I focus on just one word when learning Sanskrit. On other days, I will memorize up to five or more phrases in Chinese. The variation keeps my practice consistent and always challenging.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to learn an instrument. Studies have shown that even just regular singing stimulates the brain so much, people who do it recover better from surgeries than those who don’t.
Plus, you can also stimulate your brain by learning about the history of different musical styles, along with the biographies of great composers and musicians.
I’ve been increasing my knowledge of music theory a lot recently in order to get more mental stimulation. First, I have started learning more complex riffs. You can see me playing one in this recent YouTube Short.
I’ve also started learning new musical concepts, such as “limited hexaphonic transpositions.” Adding more theory to my practice of memorizing music has helped me understand Bach’s music a lot better at a theoretical level. Now, instead of just playing his music, I have deeper insight into what’s going on. Here’s me playing some Bach, by the way:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6iHzX_YH6E
Memorizing his music has been one of the most intense mental challenges I’ve taken on and it feels great every time I play his music.
Three: Long Form Reading
Many people graze in their reading. They dip in and out of books and give up on topics quickly rather than mastering them.
That’s sad because long form reading stimulates your brain much more profoundly when you read:
Multiple books on the same topic
A variety of books by the same author so your mind can build a paracosm
Several books that compare and contrast topics to expand your perspective
There are many other reading strategies, but the three listed above are some of my favorites.
As I just mentioned, I’ve been learning more about complex topics in music. Using the principle of interleaving, I’m able to avoid topic exhaustion and still dive deep into individual topics. This is so important because becoming a true polymath leads to even more stimulation as you connect things in your mind.
Four: Neurobics
If aerobic exercise gets your lungs and heart to change their normal resting pattern, neurobics changes the normal patterns of your brain.
A simple example is changing your route to and from work. It can even be just a simple detour down a street you’ve never explored that awakens your brain.
Or, you can:
Brush your teeth using your non-dominant hand
Unlock your door with your eyes closed
Learn to recite the alphabet backwards
One of my favorite neurobic exercises involves taking different routes. Instead of always walking the same way to the store, for example, I’ll go for a few blocks in the opposite direction. I even sometimes circle around lamp posts and mail boxes. Although this can appear silly, this study found neurobics to be incredibly powerful for memory and mental sharpness.
Interestingly, that same study showed that combining neurobics with memory-friendly herbs helped the study participants even more. I myself take herbs almost daily and have noticed many positive benefits over the years.
Five: Brain Exercise
Brain exercise is controversial. Tons of companies have created apps that claim they will help keep your brain sharp.
However, as I discussed with Dr. Christine Till, there’s little to no evidence that they have any effect.
That said, there are a number of mentally stimulating brain exercises you can engage in that will stretch your figural memory. For example, you can imagine taking different letters of the alphabet apart and visually reorganize them in unique ways.
The key is to make sure that the brain exercises you engage in are varied and actually challenge you. One of the most challenging brain exercises I do involves memdeck routines.
If you’d like to see what one the core exercises looks like, here’s a video of me assembling a deck in memory during one of my personal practice sessions:
https://youtu.be/56nbsNrRaFw
You can literally see my expression change as the rewards of this practice settle in. That’s just one reason I do this form of brain exercise nearly every day.
Six: Puzzles and Games
Solving puzzles is very stimulating.
But I don’t mean crossword puzzles, an activity where the temptation to cheat is strong.
I’m talking about physical puzzles that require you to complete a picture. For the strongest possible challenge, choose densely colored abstract images to work on.
Recently, I ordered a Houdini puzzle to complete. I chose the picture to align with my interests in sleight of hand magic.
I suggest you consider doing the same. The more meaningful you find the puzzles you choose, the more you will enjoy the focus and concentration aspects of the activity.
Seven: Memory-Based Meditation
Many types of meditation are fantastic. But the most stimulating tend to involve chanting and mudras.
To get started, I suggest learning Kirtan Kriya. It’s good for reducing stress while improving concentration and memory.
For greater levels of challenge, memorize chants like the kind I discuss in my book, The Victorious Mind.
At the moment, I’m memorizing the Atma Bodha. It’s the longest text I’ve tackled so far. It’s also the most philosophical, which provides yet another level of intensity for my brain workouts.
Eight: Develop Your Critical Thinking Skills
In a world filled with so much gullibility and strife, it’s easy to stand out just by being a reasonable person.
But how do you get started if you’re currently struggling with falling for bad ideas and disinformation?
As you read, circle the concepts and the images authors use to try and persuade you. For example, in this section, you might circle the word “strife.”
This in itself will help you think more critically. But to take it to the next level, start questioning while reading. Ask questions like:
According to whom?
What’s the evidence?
Who benefits if this claim is true?
This kind of real-time reflective thinking is incredibly stimulating – and beneficial.
Even just thinking about the nature of thinking and how it relates to your experience of mental imagery can help create many positive benefits.
Personally, I like to think critically every day, and use a journal to help. I’m working on a large marketing campaign right now and one simple critical thinking exercise I use to stimulate new ideas is called the W.R.A.P. technique. Each time I’m faced with making a decision, I wrote out the different ways I can:
Widen my options
Reality test
Attain distance
Prepare to fail
In many ways, this simple act of critical thinking is like a modern version of Stoicism. And this circles back to the language learning suggestion because I also memorize Latin phrases that help me think critically. Here’s an example of some Latin I’ve memorized that involves very stimulating critical thinking:
As we’ve seen, this is not really the right question. What we need to do is stimulate our minds.
Or course, there’s a time and a place for stimulating the physical brain, ideally with physical exercise.
But when it comes to stimulating the mind so that it really does get a boost, we need to challenge it.
I’ve shared a bunch of powerful activities on this page, and included several personal examples of myself getting stimulation by playing music, exercising with playing cards and reciting Latin. Although I know this can seem like a lot, especially if you’re struggling, please rest assured that your intelligence is not fixed. I’ve improved my mind precisely because I just got started with these activities.
Frankly, I’m confident you even stand to improve your IQ if you set goals around stimulating your mind in similar ways. I’ve studied those with the highest IQs in the world and they do similar things. That’s why I started doing them too.
For some people, the real challenge is going to be taking on the challenge in the first place.
And no doubt. Modern life is hectic. Many of us are tired. Digital amnesia has frazzled our brain and Johan Hari has gone deep into how and why this has happened in his book Stolen Focus.
But if you’re stuck, there are always options.
One of those options is memory training. It is perhaps the most stimulating option of them all because it gives multiple levels of your memory a great workout.
Get my FREE MEMORY IMPROVEMENT KIT now if you’re interested in some great mental exercise:
The mental stimulation you’ll receive in this course includes stimulation of your:
It truly is up to you. All you have to do is take that first step.
So what do you say?
Are you ready for some authentic mental stimulation? Stimulate yourself now by saying yes and completing some of the activities you’ve discovered today.
Ars Notoria: Matthias Castle on Angelic Magic and the Art of Memory
Feb 26, 2024
Ars Notoria is an important text for all students and practitioners of the art of memory.
The book provides instructions for prayers with memory techniques intended to help the user learn the seven liberal arts and feel more connected to divinity.
Best part? An all new edition of this work has recently appeared. And it’s the best I’ve seen yet.
To discuss his new translation and study of what many people consider the earliest example of angelic magic, Matthias Castle joins me on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
On this page, I’ll also review this beautiful book. I’ll also discuss how I think it might help you in your journey to memory mastery.
It’s definitely well worth having in your collection for many reasons. One of them is written on the cover of the book itself. This edition truly is an in-depth examination of the history surrounding this book. And Castle’s understanding of how memory techniques work is impeccable.
Although I can’t speak much to the angelic magic aspect of this text, I’ll also share a few considerations you might find useful on that front nonetheless.
Ready?
Listen to the interview with Matthias or watch the discussion via the magic of video.
https://youtu.be/lUaDrac4MM4
Who Is Matthias Castle?
As an independent scholar, Matthias Castle focuses on classical studies, the Western esoteric tradition and medieval history.
He’s an incredible researcher and you can learn more by reading his blog. He’s also on Instagram and Twitter.
When reading his examination of the Ars Notoria, you can definitely feel his years of research coming through.
You can get your own copy of this book on the Inner Traditions website. I recommend getting it in print because the book is itself an object of beauty. You will not only avoid the problems of digital amnesia by reading it in print, but enjoy a deeply aesthetic experience.
I then heard about the Matthias Castle edition before it was released from Justin Sledge when we recorded a previous Ars Notoria episode about the text.
If I’m understanding it correctly, the promise of the Ars Notoria is fairly straightforward:
By using ritual magic, you can communicate with angels. They will help you learn faster.
Although I don’t personally believe in angels as such, there are reasons to believe that engaging in visualization exercises involved in the Ars Notoria rituals would create positive benefits.
In Castle’s excellent analysis, you’ll learn more about how people thought about and interacted with this text during its long history.
Some of the highlights for me include:
The goal of living a life of wisdom and virtue
How magic was defined
Details on how the figures in the book likely worked as part of a method of loci
Beliefs about ascending to the divine through this practice (henosis)
The difference between calling upon the spirits and persuading them, versus coercing and attempting to bind them
Another aspect that I appreciated in Castle’s analysis in this book involves how the notae appear.
At first glance, it can all seem a bit random. But as Castle demonstrates, there is a small set of shapes that interact with what appears to be shorthand.
I’m not sure, but I wonder the extent to which some of the notae related to Ramon Llull’s memory wheels and ars combinatoria. I would love to see further scholarship on this question, if not implementation by contemporary practitioners of using angelic magic.
Can The Ars Notoria Still Be Used Today?
Quite possibly, yes. And if you wanted to try, this new edition is a fantastic resource for the attempt.
I thought about giving it a try myself, but with my dietary issues, I don’t think I could handle the fasting. There is also a touch of aphantasia that makes using the notae themselves more challenging than a traditional Memory Palace.
It seems to me that having a learning goal would also be essential. That means it would be very interesting to see if someone could reproduce the promised effects for learning the latest, cutting-edge material in topic categories like chemistry, physics and medicine.
In terms of calling upon angels, my recent Internet friend Richard Webster offers instructions for gaining protection from archangels. There is some crossover in what Webster is suggesting and what you find in the Ars Notoria, and it is worth thinking about how these rituals carry forward in our modern age.
John Michael Greer has suggested in books like The Twilight of Pluto that we are returning to a magical age. It certainly seems that way.
I was surprised, for example, when memory champions John Graham and Nelson Dellis both reached out to tell me about their recent experiences with mysticism and remote viewing.
Understanding What’s Really At Stake
My feeling is that the experimentation matters above all. I certainly have found reciting the language found in the rituals interesting and pleasing. With my many experiences using Sanskrit in meditation, I can easily see how medieval students using the Ars Notoria would have improved their concentration.
In other words, spending time in prayer or ritual and focusing on what you want to occur is generally a good thing. And as the Ars Notoria itself says, you can’t rest on the rituals alone. You also need to use the art of memory itself.
That’s where there’s a bit of a perfect circle involved for one simple reason. People with clear minds are much more likely to be able to use memory techniques. This simple fact has been a major focus of my own teaching for many years, especially in The Victorious Mind. Martin Faulks focuses a lot on this topic as well.
In sum, I think you are missing out if you don’t know this history or spend at least a little time giving this ancient memory technique a try.
Please enjoy this interview and reading Castle’s edition of the Ars Notoria for yourself!
Mind Mapping For Business: 12 Years Of My Best Tips And Tactics
Feb 21, 2024
Mind mapping for business has been one of the biggest drivers of success in my 12-year career.
Yet, when I first heard about it, I nearly laughed the teacher out of the room.
That’s how arrogant I was when taking my first course in business fundamentals.
I’m sure glad I had a change of heart.
Since then, I’ve explored every form of mind mapping I’ve found.
It has made my career so much easier over the past twelves years. It’s also helped make everything much more interesting while regularly helping to improve the bottom line.
Ready for my best mind mapping secrets and case studies?
Let’s dive in!
What Mind Maps Are & How They Help
Mind mapping is a visualization activity that operates like a Swiss Army Knife for the mind. In other words, it helps you accomplish more than one goal.
For starters, this cognitive learning and productivity technique helps you:
Brainstorm
Visualize information in fresh new ways
Connect central themes with subtopics and related concepts through logical branching
Improve memory and comprehension
Think more logically
Plan for success
Avoid unnecessary problems
Reveal hidden opportunities and assets in your current business
As I discuss in What is Mind Mapping, the technique has a long history. Until his demise, Tony Buzan was historically one of the most active teachers in the field. My favorite term from him is found in his book Mind Map Mastery. He says that mind mapping promotes “radiant thinking.” In my experience, this benefit of mind mapping absolutely true because it helps you blow away the clouds of confusion and bask in the light of good ideas you enjoy using and pursuing.
Let’s turn now to different ways you can use mind mapping to make great progress in your business life.
Keep in mind that there are many different ways to mind map. But I personally try to follow Buzan’s main suggestions. These involve:
Always having a central image or keyword
Using multiple colors to keep the activity visually engaging and fun
Connecting ideas through branching
Moving in a clockwise formation
As you explore your options, keep in mind that it’s okay to make mistakes when mind mapping. It’s not an exercise in art. It’s about generating ideas, gaining insight and discovering opportunities as quickly as possible.
Now let’s dive into specific mind mapping examples that will you enjoy all of these outcomes yourself.
One: Product Creation
At the simplest level, anyone can get started in business by simply having a product that serves a particular market.
As you can see in the picture above, I used a mind map to brainstorm a new product. I literally have a section in grey exploring the question, “Who wants this?”
Once I have a product identified and am ready to start building it, I often use mind maps to design the book or course I need to create.
Since this is a linear process with many non-linear aspects to work out during the design stage, I often use arrows to help me work out the best possible flow. Here’s an example mind map for that:
Two: Planning Your Future Business Activities
Buzan talked a lot about planning. In fact, the blog you’re reading now follows a plan I mind mapped with Tony Buzan during one of his ThinkBuzan events. To this day, I follow this mind map, which is almost purely picture-based:
As you can see, I followed Buzan’s rule of using multiple colors and a central image. Here are what some of the images on this mind map for my business mean:
The central flag has lips on it which represents the goal of serving the entire world and multiple languages
The man speaking into the camera represents me doing more video (at the time I did not like being on camera, but now my YouTube Channel is massive thanks to developing courage and following the business plan)
Around the seven o’clock position in purple, the medical symbol with the comedy and tragedy faces represents the goals I had to write The Victorious Mind and help medical students
Although not all of these goals have been as fully realized as others, I still follow the basic plan. It remains powerful and only took fifteen minutes to create.
Three: Developing Courage & Overcoming Obstacles
As I mentioned above, I used to dislike being on camera. In fact, I went out of my way to avoid it, limiting the success of my business by only speaking over slides.
Mind mapping helped me get over my fears about how my skin outbreaks were holding me back. I actually applied three kinds of mind maps to get over it, which I teach in detail in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BracGhyKS4I
They involve using mind maps to identify your FOS:
Fears
Opportunties
Strengths
By visualizing your obstacles on paper, it’s much easier to come up with strategies for eliminating them from you life. That way, you can create your plans and follow them. Without doing that, it’s very difficult to enjoy any kind of success.
Give these three forms of mind mapping a try if you’re facing any kind of mental barriers when it comes to doing the things needed to see success in your business.
For those who do, mind mapping provides a quick way to craft a compelling message.
It’s good for both live presentations and streaming. In this mind map example, you see one of many mind maps I’ve created for live streaming on YouTube:
This example Mind Map was created for one of my live stream presentations. I usually juggle for a few minutes to get my creative juices flowing.
The great thing bout mind mapping in this way is that I don’t have to write out boring slide shows. I can just follow the clock-like structure and unpack at a glance what I wanted to say by “decoding” each part of the mind map. You can also place each image in a Memory Palace if you don’t want to look at your mind map while presenting.
Give this form of presenting a try. You won’t regret it.
Five: Training Your Staff
As we’ve seen, research shows that one reason mind maps are so effective when it comes to business and entrepreneurship is how easy they are to share.
You can either take pics of them like I’ve done to share mine on this page. Or you can create digital mind maps and share files. You can even collaborate on creating mind maps with a team.
When it comes to training purposes, you can put an entire vision statement on a single mind map to help keep your company aligned with your goals. You can also help your team understand certain aspects of your business by using a close alternative called concept mapping.
A mind map can also help with company events. Check out this “World Mind Map Day” example Buzan used to use for both internal purposes and to help market his business:
Created by mind map expert Phil Chambers, it’s a powerful example of using software for mind mapping for helping an organization see everything involved in a company event at a glance.
Six: Reflective Thinking
Entrepreneur and business author Dan Kennedy often points out that many people fail to take time out for reflective thinking. As a result, the slow their progress and don’t enjoy the insights they need.
That’s why I often get out of my office and remove myself from all computers and devices.
I love mind mapping outdoors and combining the practice with journaling for overall self improvement. It has helped me identify key areas that need more attention in my life. I’m talking about sleep, diet and regular meditation.
How to Harness the Powers of Mind Mapping in Your Business
It’s difficult to exaggerate just how powerful mind mapping has been for me. I’m glad I ran into Tony Buzan and started following his advice.
As a result, I wound up being able to mind map with the master himself and many great things have unfolded ever since.
My biggest suggestion is to use the technique to feel more free and get into “flow” in the sense that psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi meant it.
In other words, mind mapping helps you get “into the zone.” This is so important because it helps reduce the many levels of abstraction involved in planning and conducting a variety of business procedures.
Everything from product development to helping your team develop customer service processes will enjoy much greater success just by taking a few moments to develop mind maps.
Keeping your mind maps visible will also help you remember your goals. I often keep my mind maps on my desk until the day the project is done and do not allow myself to move them because I know how easy it is to forget about projects.
If you’d like more ideas on how to remember your business goals, please get my free course now:
It will help you use a variety of memory techniques, all centered around the Magnetic Memory Method, an enterprise that simply would not have grown without mind mapping.
So if you’d also like to beat the statistics that say most businesses fail in fewer than five years, give mind mapping a try.
And if you have any questions where my personal insight might help you and your business, feel free to get in touch.
Just as Buzan helped me personally with my mind map, I’ve enjoyed helping other entrepreneurs work on their over the years.
With these techniques as part of your practice, greater success is not only guaranteed. It’s inevitable.
All you have to do is map it all out.
How I Memorized a Presentation for TEDx (Word Perfect)
Feb 17, 2024
Ever since my TEDx Talk cracked several million views, people from around the world have asked me how to memorize a presentation.
Beyond that presentation from the stage, what qualifies me to offer you advice for memorizing a presentation of any length?
Well, I also spent a decade as a professor at three universities in three different countries. I delivered dozens of lectures during those years. In more than one language.
I’ve also spent over a decade as an online “professor of memory.” My expertise in memory has taken me around the world. I’ve given presentations in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, England, China, Canada, Australia and the USA.
In fact, the feature image for this post shows discussing memory as a part of language learning at a 2016 Polyglot Conference in Berlin. You can also watch hundreds of hours of my presentations on YouTube from several years of live streaming.
And on this page, I’m going to share the best of my experiences with multiple kinds of presentation.
If you want to memorize your presentation verbatim, I’ll show you how.
Or, if you prefer to work from mental bullet points, I’ll help you do that too.
When it comes to memory aids for speakers, this is the real deal from someone who practices these techniques week in and week out.
Ready?
Let’s get started!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SxbHXtx_Ow
So You Need to Memorize a Presentation… Here’s Where to Start
Getting started… this is the tricky bit.
So here’s a story using the Polyglot conference speech I gave to help dimensionalize the starting point I usually use.
Determine Who Your Presentation Is For… And Who It Isn’t For
Before I wrote a single word, I asked myself a very simple set of questions:
Who can I help and who am I unable to help?
And what’s the one thing that will help the listeners above all?
I went through this same process with my TEDx Talk and many other presentations.
Make no mistake, this step can be tricky. It’s a discipline to whittle things down to the biggest and most important point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
But it is possible and often the success of the talks we enjoy most comes down to knowing that the audience you’re addressing is defined as closely as possible.
It was hard for me, but I believe focusing on just one kind of person and one message for that person helped my TEDx Talk reach so many viewers.
Of course, some presentations need more details and more nuance, but even then, the principle is the same. If you think about who each principle is for and how to focus on the biggest and most impactful part, it’s going to be easier to digest. And easier for you to remember successfully.
Script The Presentation
When it comes to helping yourself remember your presentation, writing is key. And you need to make sure that you’re actually delivering on the promise so that your presentation is worth memorizing.
For example, in law school I recently got an A+ for an oral presentation worth 50% of the course grade. I wrote the presentation and then re-read the assignment. I realized I hadn’t fully addressed the requirements, so I rewrote it and simplified my points for clarity.
But if you write a bunch of mush with endless long sentences, you’re setting yourself up for a struggle.
So when you’re putting the presentation together, ask yourself:
Do I want to memorize the presentation verbatim?
Or can I memorize keywords and let my expertise fill in the blanks while speaking?
Both ways work very well. It just comes down to your goal. In the case of my TEDx Talk, I wrote the presentation and memorized it verbatim.
In my Polyglot Conference talk, however, I prepared slides and memorized only the key points, which involved speaking some Chinese based on how I’ve studied that language.
Either way, scripting or preparing slides can help you decide how you’re going to memorize the presentation.
And if you’re preparing a speech rather than a slide-based presentation, please see my guide on how to memorize a speech fast for more details on verbatim memorization.
Review The Presentation
As a final preparation step, it’s great if you can take a moment to review what you’ve prepared. Ideally, you’ll also get at least one other person to review it as well.
For my TEDx Talk, Thomas Krafft reviewed the script itself and a recording of me delivering it from memory. Before presenting the script of my live-action “Memory Detective” game attached to a memory improvement novel I wrote, I had a test audience go through the entire sequence.
Reviewing the speech, slides and related materials with others helps add an extra layer of understanding that helps with the memorization process. I highly recommend making time for review.
How to Memorize a Presentation from Start to Finish in 7 Easy Steps
As Hanna Pishwa points out in Language and Memory, Aristotle was one of the first to intensively describe the rhetorical strategies used for persuasion in speeches.
But we can go a step further: Aristotle also closed his treatise on memory by explaining that we are moved most by people who speak from memory.
This picture was shot the first time I delivered a talk about Film Studies in the German language.
He says reciting from memory is impressive because the person who has memorized their presentation doesn’t have to “hunt” for their ideas. They use a “process” that brings those ideas to them automatically.
A Memory Palace is simply a mental copy of a location you know well, like your home, office, school, church or any place with walls, paths and other environmental features.
This is a graphic representation of the Memory Palace I used to memorize my TEDx Talk:
It’s a neighborhood in Brisbane and the numbers represent individual stations.
When it comes to how to memorize lines for a presentation, you can do this very quickly by tapping into a pegword list.
For example, in a presentation that starts with, “How would you like…?” my pegword list suggests Howie Mandel for “how” and Elijah Wood for “would.”
Those figures are laid out in the Memory Palace at the beginning of its journey.
This leads us to the next step.
Three: Make Your Associations Zany
Let me make a preemptive strike here:
A lot of people have protested to me over the years:
“I’m not creative. I can’t get myself to see Howie Mandel and Elijah Wood kicking a like button on a platform like YouTube.”
Stop right there.
I’m not creative either.
All I’m doing is taking two people who already exist and having them do something strange. There are only so many actions in the world. They could kiss the like button, put it in a rocket ship and send it to the moon, or bury it with thumbs-up shaped shovels.
Seriously. There’s nothing “creative” about this. It’s just borrowing from real possible actions and animating them in the Memory Palace. Please don’t overthink this process and make use of the exercises I’m going to share with you in step four.
If you’re memorizing your presentation verbatim, you’ll need more associations than you would for one delivered based on bullet points.
Either way, the process is the same.
Four: Make Your Associations Multisensory
Once you’ve decided what your characters are going to do with one another, add some multisensory elements. For example, you can hear the voices of your celebrity associations, or imagine that you’re feeling them interacting with the like button in our example.
We do this because scientific research makes it clear that elaboration helps form memories faster.
Five: Use The Memory Palace To Memorize Your Presentation
When the ancient Romans gave presentations, they often would start a persuasive passage with a set of points.
“In the first place,” an orator would say before diving into the point. Then the orator would say, “In the second place,” etc.
Anthony Metivier memorizing and recalling names at a memory demonstration in Brisbane
This convention remains with us today, and those orators were literally using their Memory Palaces in real time to recall each point they wanted to make.
But you can be sure that they had practiced in private before delivering them. We know that Rhetorica Ad Herennium, originally attributed to Cicero, gives many suggestions around how best to practice for both public speaking and reciting poetry.
And you need to practice as well.
You do it by starting at the “first place” of the Memory Palace and then triggering those images to help you recall the words.
Personally, I practice my presentations by following several patterns. For example, instead of always starting at the beginning, I will practice reciting a few lines from the end, then switch to the beginning, then go to a spot in the middle.
This is helpful in ushering the presentation into long-term memory quickly because it harnesses the primacy effect, recency effect and serial-positioning effect.
Six: Practice Delivering The Presentation
Now, this point raises a subtlety that I personally find very important and impactul when memorizing presentations.
I do not go through my Memory Palace while delivering my presentations unless I absolutely have to do so.
See, when you follow the process I’ve described above, the presentation will be in your long-term memory.
However, unexpected things can happen. During my TEDx Talk, people laughed at a spot where I hadn’t placed a joke. It surprised me for a second and I briefly popped into the Memory Palace I’d made to help me get back on track (instead of standing there like a deer caught in headlights).
But ideally, you want to just have the presentation memorized and not have to rely on any mnemonic strategies while in the moment.
In other words, with optimal setup and execution, the memory techniques will have already done their job and you can do what Aristotle described: speak without looking like you’re hunting for the ideas. This point is especially important when delivering a sales presentation from memory.
And that means you can connect with that audience you identified during the preparation stage. The more you connect with them, the more successful you’ll be during and after your presentation because people remember connection.
Seven: Analyze Your Performance
Want to be a pro speaker?
Then you’ll want to spend some time reflecting on your presentation.
This step is important because it gives you the opportunity to identify areas to improve the next time.
And it will help you congratulate yourself where credit is due. Please make sure to do so. Delivering a presentation is a huge accomplishment and you deserve recognition merely for making it happen.
But the real gold is found when you apply some objective and subjective reasoning to the entire process. Reflecting on your experience will also reveal new ideas for other presentations you might not have thought about otherwise.
How to Memorize a Presentation in Another Language
If you’re wondering how these steps apply to presenting in a language other than your mother tongue, I’ve done this myself a few times.
During my Mercator Guest Professorship in Germany, for example, I was asked to present in German on an aspect of Canadian Cinema.
Here’s exactly what I did:
First, I drafted the script myself. After doing my best on my own, I asked my research assistant for help in correcting it. This step matters a great deal when presenting in a second language for at least two reasons:
It’s better for your listeners if your grammar and vocabulary choices are as accurate and sensible as possible
You will help yourself memorize aspects of the language correctly, developing your fluency instead of digging common errors second language learners often make deeper into your memory
To memorize my presentation once it had been corrected, I used the Magnetic Memory Method by following all the steps covered on this page.
But there’s one addition that makes all the difference when memorizing presentations in another language.
The Principle of Word Division
Often in foreign language learning, it can be difficult to find mnemonics for words with multiple syllables.
That’s why I suggest you break words down and give each syllable an individual mnemonic association. Scientifically speaking, this step is called chunking and is well-known to aid memory.
Once you’ve broken a word down, then link individual syllables together with well-formed associations on one or more stations in a Memory Palace.
This approach isn’t exactly something I invented. It’s inspired by the memory guides written by Peter of Ravenna and Jacobus Publicius, both of whom discussed either presentations or language learning.
Their approaches to syllable-level encoding have been so useful to me that I produced my own translations of their works so more people could discover the process.
And if you’ve watched my TEDx Talk, you’ve already seen this technique in action. The memorized Sanskrit I recite in that presentation was encoded the same way, syllable by syllable.
In sum, whether you’re presenting in German, Spanish, Chinese or any other language, the process is the same:
Write the script, get it corrected by a native speaker and memorize the corrected version. When words resist memorization, use the Principle of Word Division to chunk them down and keep moving.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II0jIyqxXAY
How Long Does It Take to Memorize a Presentation? 4 Case Studies
This is one of those questions that requires nuance and discussion of actual circumstances. Because ultimately, I can only speak for myself and how the techniques I’m sharing with you have helped me.
TEDx Case Study
I worked on my TEDx Talk for approximately two weeks before I realized the script was totally wrong. As mentioned, I’d gone through it with my coach and then essentially rewrote the opening and closing of one of my books.
Although I kept revising small parts up to the date of delivery, I memorized most of it verbatim and walked the same journey I used as my Memory Palace several times. I made these practice walks approximately twice with the script in hand, then entirely from memory another two times.
Then, after arriving in Melbourne a few days early, I recited the talk while walking the city a few times before finally delivering the presentation during a dress rehearsal one day before I delivered the final version.
Polyglot Conference Case Study
The slides for this presentation took approximately 90 minutes to prepare and I was instilling the material in memory as I went.
Plus, as a mostly image-based presentation, I could rely on those pictures to help trigger various aspects of the presentation. You could say that the presentation script was somewhat cinematic, rather than keyword-based or verbatim.
German Presentation Case Study
My German lecture took considerably longer than any of the equivalent English presentations I’ve given.
I technically had three months, though I confess I only got started writing the presentation three weeks before showtime.
But if you’re presenting in another language, treat the timeline according to your own comfort and how much practice time you think you’ll need.
Foundational Questions That Will Help You Memorize Your Script In Minimal Time
How familiar are you with the material?
I could prepare my Polyglot talk in 90 minutes because I’d spent years thinking about and teaching its content. But if you’re presenting on something you’re still learning, budget time for understanding first.
Sure, memory techniques help you encode words and their meaning. But they can’t provide it.
How practiced are you with memory techniques?
I’ll be straight with you:
Some people pick up mnemonics and start succeeding almost immediately. Others dabble for years. If this is your first Memory Palace, give yourself extra time rather than judging yourself against my numbers.
How long is the presentation?
A 20-minute talk based on a topic you know deeply can take less time to prepare than a 5-minute verbatim script in a second language. You need to prepare accordingly.
You Never Really Know When You’re Ready (And That’s Okay)
Finally, here’s something few people will tell you: I do not believe there’s ever a moment coming when a presentation is definitively “done.”
You will never feel like there’s enough time and you cannot anticipate what might go wrong during the presentation itself that causes issues or delays.
For example, during my TEDx Talk, people laughed at a spot where I hadn’t placed a joke.
My response? I riffed on it and wove something that wasn’t intended to be funny into a speaking point.
During my German presentation, where riffing wasn’t as easy for me, I simply took my time during the Q&A and asked my assistant for the right word when I needed it.
When delivering my recent oral presentation for law school, the connection kept breaking up. So I just paused, waited for a moment, and when the connection was reestablished, carried on.
My Personal Rule: Start Preparing the Moment You Know
If you take one thing from this section, it should be this:
I start thinking and researching from the moment I know I’m going to give a presentation. Even if I switch topics at the last minute, that background thinking always pays off.
In other words, don’t ask “how long will this take?”
Instead, always ask yourself, “how much runway can I give myself?” Then enable yourself to take as long as it takes.
But what if you don’t have weeks? What if the presentation is tomorrow and you need to move fast? Let’s discuss what I do in cases like that next.
In a Pinch? Here’s How to Memorize a Presentation In One Night (Or Even a Few Hours)
I know that some people don’t have time for all of the steps above. And as I mentioned, I wound up rewriting my recent law school presentation when I realized my original draft hadn’t fully addressed the requirements.
Noting that normally I would give myself a much longer runway, that’s not always possible. So because I realized my mistake the night before the law school presentation needed to be delivered, here’s the technique I used instead of memorizing it verbatim.
The Acronym Method
I’m often invited to speak in the community at the last minute. I literally don’t have time to mindmap more than a few ideas.
But I can take those ideas and arrange them into a keyword.
For example, when I was invited to speak at a “Masters of Marketing” event, I arranged my ideas into the acronym F.R.E.E.
Frequent messaging to a…
Relevant audience…
Entertains, Educates and…
Engages in the direction of a response
I placed that acronym in a simple Memory Palace and talked about what each concept means for two minutes each.
The great thing about the acronym approach is that you don’t have to practice as much, if at all. The logic of the acronym itself guides you through the parts of your presentation because you’re mentally checking them off by spelling the acronym.
Give this presentation technique a try and you will have no problem committing presentations to memory fast.
Memorize Your Presentation in No Time With the Steps Above
Let’s recap:
Presentations are so much easier to remember when you’re clear about who you’re addressing and who you’re not.
Once you’ve decided on whether you’ll be speaking verbatim or working from bullet points, the Memory Palace technique is a tried-and-true technique with thousands of years of success stories.
To make information “stick,” you need a process of elaborating associations. A bit of prep will take you a long way if you complete the exercises I shared on this page.
Finally, it’s worth repeating that reviewing your talk in any way possible is tremendously valuable. Even if you get a last-minute invite to speak, you can probably squeeze in a few minutes to record yourself on your phone and tweak a few things.
Even if you don’t have time to change anything, just seeing yourself once will give you ideas about how to make what you’re about to say in front of an audience better.
Just make sure to avoid perfectionism. Relax and if you make a mistake, just call a spade a spade and find your way back to where you got lost.
And if you want more on the memorization process so you always recover quickly when things happen during live presentations (as they inevitably will), check out my FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
So what do you say?
Are you ready to get out there and give the best presentation of your career?
Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll be happy to share with you more granular details from my long career of presenting around the world.
Implicit vs. Explicit Memory: The Key Differences
Feb 12, 2024
The key to understanding implicit vs. explicit memory involves one simple image.
Sigmund Freud on a bicycle.
Freud, as you probably know, was a major theorist of the unconscious.
Riding a bike is usually an unconscious activity once you’ve picked up the skill, and that’s what implicit memory involves. It’s literally anything that happens on autopilot.
Now imagine Freud consciously remembering a time he saw an explicit movie. It’s the conscious act of remembering with intent that makes this kind of memory explicit.
It really is that simple, and now you have a simple way to remember the difference. Just think of Freud on a bike for implicit memory and him watching a movie intended for mature audiences to help you remember explicit memory.
Remember:
Whereas riding a bike is an implicit skill, consciously using your memory to recall something is an explicit skill.
Of course, there are a few nuances to each of these types of memory.
So in this mini-masterclass on explicit vs implicit memory, let’s dive in and reveal all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXiNlGrRRoU
Implicit vs. Explicit Memory: The Difference
As the authors of The Development of Implicit and Explicit Memory point out, philosophers, psychologists, psychiatrists and other types of scientists have been defining these two types of memory since the late 1800s.
Basically, these terms are concepts tested by different means.
Do you remember the first time you realized how to use a fork and knife? How about picking up a glass to drink? Most people won’t have memories of the first time they used such skills, and yet they do remember how to perform these common operations.
To this day, the conscious element remains the key distinguishing factor. In fact, most people don’t really think about riding a bike and associate this simple procedure with memory. But it is a memory-based skill even if you don’t consciously think about it that way.
And that lack of consciousness around it is precisely the point:
Implicit = unconscious
Explicit = conscious
What Is Implicit Memory?
Another way to think about implicit memory is that it involves indirect tasks.
Riding a bike is a kind of “all-or-none” skill. You can either do it or you can’t. It’s the same thing with swimming.
Implicit memory is automatic and can work without context.
Let me explain:
If you know how to swim, you can mimic many of the movements without being in water. You can also mimic riding a bike without having one around. This is why games involving miming and charades are so fun. You can easily perform the skills even if a pool or a bike are nowhere in sight.
Implicit memory can be described as skills you know how to do, like walking, without really knowing why you know them.
Sure, everyone can ask their parents about how they learned how to walk. But few, if any people actually remember learning how to do it. That’s what makes implicit memory implicit.
What Is Explicit Memory?
By definition, explicit memory is conscious.
Whereas riding a bike is a general skill that morphs with other skills like walking, explicit memory is much more specific.
It involves the concrete recall of semantic facts, like words and numbers.
Explicit memory can also be slower, like when you have to take your time to correctly recall a name or scripture.
Explicit memory is associative.
Remember when we just talked about miming and charades? If you see someone miming swimming, the fact that you can draw the connection comes from the associative character of this kind of memory.
Now, implicit memory could be like this with some skills, such as learning the choreography of one dance helping you learn the moves of another. But if you try to make the connection, you’re doing so consciously and intentionally, which places much more weight on explicit memory.
Speaking of weight, explicit memory is what we use to talk about the function of things. It’s the kind of memory that helps you realize that a bike can be used for riding, but also could be taken apart to use for sculpture.
Finally, explicit memory seems much more time-limited than implicit memory. You can go for years without riding a bike and still have the skill even if you’re a bit wobbly.
But go for the same amount of time without speaking a language you know, including your mother tongue, and you’ll probably struggle. This kind of challenge to explicit memory is called linguistic deskilling.
The Relationship Between Explicit and Implicit Memory (And Why It Matters)
These two forms of memory are interlinked and having a healthy relationship matters a great deal for one simple reason:
Independence.
If you want to be a free member of society, you need to remember simple operations like opening doors and operating different tools. Likewise, you need to remember names, words and numbers.
As the authors of the Handbook of Implicit Learning point out, without both of these memory levels intact, it’s impossible to learn any kind of sequence. For example, any task involving writing requires you to implicitly remember how to move a pencil fluidly. As you do, you need explicit memory to help you recall individual words.
Keeping Your Implicit And Explicit Memory In Good Shape
Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to keep these two levels of memory sharp.
One simple way is to make plans. This exercises your prospective memory. When you make good on your plans, such as meeting with friends, you’ll use your implicit memory while traveling and your explicit memory while chatting with them.
The key is to combine a number of activities throughout life.
If you’d like memory exercise that will help keep your mind sharp, give my Free Memory Improvement Kit a try:
It will help you combine the two skills and keep them well-practiced.
For example, memory champions and mnemonists like myself learn to rapidly use mnemonic images almost as if they’re riding a bike.
It takes a bit of practice, but you really can learn to use memory techniques automatically.
This mental activity is so rewarding because it packs your mind with knowledge and makes recalling it so much easier.
So what do you say?
Is the difference between implicit and explicit memory clear for you now?
If you ever struggle, just think back to Freud on his way to a movie theater.
His implicit memory is what helps him unconsciously ride the bike without thinking about it. And later, when he remembers the movie consciously, that’s his explicit memory.
The difference is that simple, and as you’ve seen, it’s a difference that matters.
The Memory Palace Technique: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Feb 06, 2024
A Memory Palace is a mental map of a physical location (like your home) that helps you recall information with extraordinary accuracy.
It’s a technique used by learners, memory champions and was famously depicted in Sherlock.
Also known as the method of loci, the Memory Palace technique allows you to rapidly memorize names, words, numbers, physics equations, and even images, both concrete and abstract.
Some people even use the Memory Palace technique to help them remember step-based procedures, such as moves in chess.
How does the technique work?
You simply start by:
Choosing a familiar location (like your home)
Mapping out a logical path using fixed furniture as “anchors” or Magnetic Stations
Assign vivid, exaggerated imagery and associations to the information you want to memorize
Lock that image onto a specific Station, such as your desk
This simple process creates a “magnetic” link between the place you know and the new information you want to keep, allowing you to retrace your steps and recall the memory perfectly.
Because I know that simple doesn’t always mean easy, I recorded this Memory Palace walkthrough in one of my homes. In a detailed example using something complex I successfully memorized using this location, I show you exactly how the technique works:
https://youtu.be/STlYIiF9RzI
Now that you’ve taken a tour of a real Memory Palace used for multiple learning goals, let’s get you started with how to use the technique.
Why Use the Memory Palace Technique?
Personally, this technique saved me during my PhD.
During the dark Canadian winter of 2003, I found myself suffering clinical depression, anxiety-induced memory loss and was so overwhelmed, I nearly dropped out of my graduate program.
But thanks to learning use Memory Palaces properly after a brief period of confusion created by reading books written by memory competitors, I passed multiple language exams, both my field exams and my dissertation defense.
I did so well that I not only graduated. I also won a Mercator Guest Professor aware and wound up getting to teach Film Studies in Germany.
I’ve since taught the Memory Palace technique to thousands of people. From students memorizing scripture and speeches to professionals mastering vocabulary and entire books, it’s been a blessing to show others the way.
Not only that, but as I told journalist Rebecca Barry when she interviewed me for the New Zealand Herald’s Viva Magazine, the Memory Palace is far more engaging (and more effective) than rote memorization.
Sure, modern tools and “apps” can store information for you. But they can’t help you recall complex information when it counts. And using technology instead of your imagination can get quite boring.
That’s where the Memory Palace excels. It’s endlessly entertaining in addition to being incredibly effective.
So if you’ve ever blanked on an exam, forgotten a name, or wished your mind were sharper, you’re in the right place.
Let’s look deeper at how to apply this special learning technique to any topic you want to master.
https://youtu.be/c4J5ZUzCxZY
The Complete Guide to the Memory Palace Technique
As you’ve seen, the basic idea behind the Memory Palace is simple. You associate pieces of information with locations that you are very familiar with.
Let’s look at the process in greater detail along with a number of illustrations, examples and case studies based on my personal use and those of my students.
Many people base their first Memory Palace on their home.
But you can also build Memory Palaces based on:
Homes of relatives
Workplaces
Churches
Schools
Art galleries
Cafes and restaurants
Movie theatres
It’s also possible to use parks, highways and other outdoor locations. This outdoor approach is sometimes called the journey method.
Generally, I advise that beginners start with buildings. I make this suggestion because the walls, hallways and other features of buildings give your mind a kind of scaffolding to hang onto. This is especially important for people new to using visual memory techniques.
You might not be used to imagining things, so giving yourself the solidity of an actual building you’re familiar with will reduce the cognitive load involved in using the technique.
You can also approach the Memory Palace in a non-visual way, as shared in this tutorial.
As you’ll discover by going through the steps, variety is the key.
For example, some of my Memory Palaces are based solely on interior locations. Others are exterior.
The Memory Palace I used for my TEDx Talk was built from both interior and exterior locations, all based on the fundamental steps you’re about to learn.
Step One: Select and Imagine a Location You Want to Develop Into a Memory Palace
Try this simple exercise:
Close your eyes and picture a room in your home. Your bedroom or a living room like the one you see pictured below is a great place to start.
To use the Memory Palace technique, you will place the associations on specific “stations” in your Memory Palace. For example, in the image above, the table to the right would be station one, the bookcase station two, etc.
If you’re like most of us, you can probably picture your home with a decent amount of detail. You know where the furniture is found, what colors the walls are, and even where small objects are placed.
Congratulations! You’ve just started the first step of developing your very own Memory Palace. You can start assigning a journey through your first Memory Palace.
To give you a clearer idea of what such a mental journey looks like, here’s a picture of me in a Memory Palace I used to memorize some song lyrics. By following a linear path based on the location of the walls and furniture, it was easy to place associations that helped me recall the words of the song.
A Memory Palace example based on my studio bedroom in Berlin circa 2013.
Step Two: Make A Quick Sketch Of The Location
When just starting out with the Memory Palace technique, I suggest that you draw out a simple journey through the first location you choose by hand.
This simple step will help you quickly decide exactly how you will move through the Memory Palace in order to place associations. It will also reduce the cognitive load that you might experience if you’re new to using techniques like this.
Planning like this also draws upon Abraham Lincoln’s well-known wisdom:
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
This is exactly what I’m suggesting you do: spend a few minutes planning out your Memory Palace in detail by sketching it out and you will save time later when you use it to encode information int your long-term memory.
Finally, drawing or sketching out your Memory Palaces will help you avoid “Memory Palace renovation” later.
So that you know what I’m talking about, here’s an example based on one of my many personal Memory Palaces (here are several more Memory Palaces examples if you like):
Quick Memory Palace Drawing by Anthony Metivier (based on an apartment used to help with studying)
The kind of Memory Palace plan above takes most people only a minute or two to sketch out. Please note that it really is just a sketch. We’re not talking about artistic skill. Just a quick sketch that will save you a lot of time because you won’t have to fix things later if you realize that you’ve accidentally led yourself into a dead end.
Now, over the years, people have emailed and explained that for health reasons, they’re not able to draw Memory Palaces. If that’s the case for you, here’s a detailed tutorial with suggestions on how to build a well-formed Memory Palace if for any reason you can’t or don’t want to draw them out.
Step Three: Keep The Journey Simple & Direct
It’s easy to go overboard when designing a Memory Palace.
To avoid issues, I suggest that you use only the parts of the location that are clear to you. It’s okay to leave out entire sections of a location.
In other words, if you’re murky about how a basement looked, I would suggest leaving that part of the building out of the design. Less is more when using this technique.
To make things even simpler, set up a linear journey that lead from the first station in your Memory Palace to the final station without crossing your own path. Just as you wouldn’t confuse yourself while walking through a real location, you want to follow a logical path in your mental version of the location as well.
Step Four: Number The Stations (Optional)
When crafting my Memory Palaces, I like to number the stations for two reasons:
It focuses my mind on keeping things simple and not overloading the Memory Palace
Sometimes I use an additional 00-99 P.A.O System to assign an image to each Magnetic Station
The final option is an intermediate/advanced memory skill. But there’s no reason you can’t prepare to be able to use it as a beginner starting now.
Here’s another example of a numbered Memory Palace I prepared for one of my long-form Sanskrit memorization goals:
This pre-numbered Memory Palace example shows you how I prepared to memorize the Atma Bodha in full. I know the text and the number of each verse in an ancient Sanskrit text thanks to my favorite memory technique.
Step Five: Mentally Move Through Your Memory Palace A Few Times
Before putting information into your Memory Palace, navigate it a few times.
Exactly how many times is up to you, but I’d suggest at least five times so you’re really familiar with it.
As a best practice, find a quiet area. Close your eyes and start at the first station.
Move in a deliberate way from station to station in the Memory Palace to make sure each station is clear to you.
It’s okay to refer back to your drawing while practicing. That’s yet another reason why I strongly recommend you go through the simple planning phase. The exact journey you decided upon will be there for you to refer to if you need it.
How To Use A Memory Palace: A Simple Example
As you’ve learned, the Memory Palace helps you associate information with specific areas within a familiar location. Laying out your associations is done using mnemonic images.
As you mentally walk through a location you’ve prepared, exactly how you place pieces of information and link them to associations simply involves using your imagination. Later, when you want to recall the information, you revisit your mental route, and the information will be easily accessible.
The technique is made more effective when you add surprising or out-of-the normal features to your associations.
For example, let’s assume you want to memorize this sequence of words:
hero
drill
spacecraft
music
To make the process concrete for you, have a look at this illustration:
There’s a hero on the first station of this Memory Palace.
But there’s a catch. The word “hero” is a bit vague.
And so is the image in this illustration.
In my imagination, it’s actually a specific hero (Superman) and he’s engaged in wiping his boots on the floor.
Enforcing Associations in Your Memory Palaces
To increase your ability to memorize and retain any piece of information, your brain needs to make each association more interesting.
You can do that by making it distinctive or unusual, such as with my example of Superman wiping his boots on the floor.
Memory experts call this simple process of making associations for striking “elaboration” or elaborative encoding. To elaborate any association in your Memory Palace:
Exaggerate how the association moves
Change the size of the image
Distort the image
Amplify its colors
Add sounds, physical sensations and even tastes and smells
For example, you could imagine the hero in your Memory Palace banging his feet on the floor. Really exaggerate the image, so much that you can hear the banging and even smell the wood as the floor breaks apart.
There’s another way to make each association even stronger. This method also helps you remember more than one item at a time.
Memorizing Multiple Items
For a word like hero, you can add Hercules to the association you place in your Memory Palace. Because the sound of Hercules’ name and the word hero are similar, you can easily make the image sillier and more striking.
Let’s extend the example further for the next word on the list.
When you think of the next station in your Memory Palace, imagine that there is suddenly a drill next to the hero.
To increase the power of this mnemonic imagery, use the elaborate technique we just discussed. For example, you could imagine that the drill is turned on and you have to leap over it to avoid being hurt.
If you want to practice, memorize the example words for yourself.
Once you’re done with hero and drill, use your third station to imagine a spacecraft flying around inside your Memory Palace. You can elaborate the association by exaggerating the movement of the spacecraft, or have it do something silly, like leave a trail of glitter.
Here’s a summary of the main steps above with a few additional details:
Draw a floor plan of a familiar location.
Create a journey that does not lead you into a dead end.
Make sure that your journey is linear so that you don’t create confusion by crossing your own path.
Don’t clutter your first Memory Palace by assigning too many stations.
Number each station and create a top-down list to help you mind remember the journey better and prepare for more advanced uses later.
Use your new Memory Palace as soon as possible by filling it with information that will improve your life.
Use the Memory Palace to invoke the Primacy Effect and Recency effect for each Magnetic Station by using the Serial-Positioning Effect and spaced repetition.
Create more Memory Palaces and repeat the process, always taking care to memorize information that makes your life better professionally and personally.
How to Combine the Memory Palace Technique With The Linking Method
In addition to using the Memory Palace journey to help you trigger associations to call back whatever you want to memorize, you can link your associations within the Memory Palace.
In other words, you can have the hero throw the drill at the spaceship.
As I share in my post explaining how I memorize names at events, I use the room we’re in as the Memory Palace. Then I use associations that “link” together to make it faster and easier to recall all the names.
At this event, I created an impromptu Memory Palace from the room to memorize everyone’s name. I used associations for each person and linked some of the associations together. This was effectively using two mnemonic devices at the same time.
These are just a few examples. The trick is to select what you want to memorize and then start to explore how the technique works by coming up with associations and laying them out in your imagination.
It’s okay to make mistakes as you learn the technique. Just get curious about what you could do better and review the basic instructions to see if you’re missing any of the key steps.
Once you have one Memory Palace, you’re ready to create more and even link one Memory Palace to another.
Here’s a tutorial showing how to do that, including some processes that will help you “teleport” or shift from one Memory Palace to another with ease:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RzQzqauhhM
Quick Answers To Common Questions About Successfully Placing Your Memories In Memory Palaces
As we’ve seen, the Memory Palace involves assigning stations in familiar locations.
Then, you take what you want to memorize and elaborate it by combining or pairing each piece of information with an association.
Over the years, many people have asked me questions like:
How many pieces of information can I place in a Memory Palace?
How do I “attach” the information to the stations?
Can I place information in cupboards?
Is it possible to create Memory Palaces spontaneously, or “on the go”?
What if I can’t think of a proper location or am afraid I’ll run out of Memory Palaces?
Here are some rapid fire answers to these common questions.
How Much Information Can You Place In Memory Palaces?
I have some Memory Palaces with hundreds of words. For example, as I discussed in my TEDx Talk, I’ve memorized dozens of Sanskrit phrases as part of my researcher into the connection between memorization and mindfulness.
Generally, I like to let the project itself decide how much information will go inside each Memory Palace. The key is to get started and develop your own “mnemonic style” with using this technique.
How Do You Connect Information To The Memory Palace?
When it comes to “attaching” or “connecting” information to your stations, this is why I draw my Memory Palaces. The Memory Palace is always based on a location that is already in memory. The drawing helps me settle on the exact path I’ll follow. Then, I just have to stick with that path. In other words, the path itself is the connecting factor and the Memory Palace is like a piece of canvas I’m painting on.
Can You Expand Memory Palaces?
To expand or extend any Memory Palace, you certainly can open up drawers or cupboards to place more associations and remember more. Renaissance mnemonists likes Giordano Bruno and Robert Fludd talked about tactics like these.
In my personal experience, I have not found this approach particularly useful for most learning goals. Still, if you think it might be fun and useful to extend your Memory Palaces in this way, I encourage you to experiment with the strategy.
Should My Memory Palace Be Thematically Related To The Content?
You might be wondering if it will help to choose a Memory Palace that relates to the content that you want to memorize.
For example, many people wonder if they will get better results by using a biology classroom for memorizing anatomy? Or would it be any easier to use a church as part of memorizing a prayer? Or would it help to memorize foreign language vocabulary related to cooking using a kitchen?
These are great questions and some research on context-dependent memory does show that you can expect a benefit by pursuing such an approach. I certainly found it helpful to use many of the buildings on York University campus while studying there as the source of my Memory Palaces.
By all means, make use of thematic connections. However, you want to be so good with using the technique itself that you can use any Memory Palace to commit any type of information to memory at any time.
Is It Possible To Make A Memory Palace “On The Go”?
Yes, and I do this quite a bit. It’s especially useful for committing information during conversations.
Because spontaneous Memory Palace generation is a slightly separate skills, I’ve created this tutorial on how to create Memory Palaces on the fly, such as in restaurants while dining. Or while walking through parks. In fact, you’ll see in this video tutorial how I spontaneously create a Memory Palace in a park to memorize the names of seasons in Chinese.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpZHPG3KrhM
What are Some Advanced Applications for the Memory Palace technique?
This is a great question because some people worry that the Memory Palace technique is only good for memorizing lists.
Fortunately, this objection is easily removed when you realized that everything you want to memorize follows time’s arrow. So it’s all list-like in the end.
With that point in mind, here are some advanced application tutorials:
What If I’m Worried About Running Out Of Memory Palaces?
This concern is so common, I created this detailed video tutorial on how to find countless Memory Palace options:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn05eskjIFg
In addition to all the possible options for your Memory Palaces that I listed above, I’m confident you’ll find that you never run out of options for using this wonderful memory technique.
Another option is to learn how to make use of the same Memory Palaces several times over. Let’s discuss this strategy next.
The Definitive Guide To Reusing A Memory Palace
A lot of people ask me about using the same Mind Palace a second or third time.
It is possible, but the precise process can be more than a little finicky. To explain what I mean, please check out this thorough video guide on the topic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umt-innA-u8
As you can see, not even the most skilled memory experts reuse Memory Palaces. If you set yourself up correctly, it’s not really necessary.
That said, doubling up does make for great brain exercise, and that’s usually the way I treat the practice. I think it might have helped me experience a breakthrough with aphantasia, actually.
But what this question has taught me the most over the years is that many students of memory improvement put the cart before the horse. They worry about advanced skills before they’ve mastered the fundamentals – advanced skills that the pros have already determined might be great, but aren’t really worth using.
I recommend that you use at least a dozen, if not two dozen Memory Palaces to get the hang of how they work before worrying about reusing them. Following that principle helped me succeed when I innovated a way to reuse them with greater ease. What follow is a case study to show you what I mean.
The Memory Palace I Re-Used Twice (Personal Case-Study)
Have a look at this Memory Palace example based on a neighborhood called Kelvin Grove in Brisbane, Australia:
Frankly, I did manage to pull this off successfully and am very happy with the results. But if I were to do it again, I would not use the same Memory Palace over and over again. Certainly not for something important as a TEDx Talk.
Other (Potential) Problems With Reusing A Memory Palace
Although the following issue hasn’t happened to me, some people have issues with moving the furniture around in the rooms they base their Memory Palaces on.
In most cases, this shouldn’t be an issue once you have the fundamentals of this memory technique mastered. To do that, please make sure that you devote yourself to the loci method thoroughly and completely. It will serve you well for the rest of your life.
But another option is to simply not use furniture at all. If you look at the Kelvin Grove Memory Palace example above, you can see that most of it involves streets. In the few rooms that I did use, my loci were mostly the walls and corners.
I think of street corners and the architectural foundations of Memory Palaces as “Eternal Stations.” They’re very unlikely to change in the future. Using them makes this mnemonic method much more stable over the long term.
The Memory Palace Technique Is Not Necessarily “Visual”
Some people assume that this technique requires a vivid visual imagination. This is not correct and not the experience of my students or memory champion friends. That said, you can’t blame people for confusing iconic memory with the fantasy of photographic memory.
When done correctly using all of the Magnetic Modes, you can memorize a very large amount of information relatively quickly without necessarily seeing the Memory Palace in your mind.
Here’s an infographic to teach you all about the different ways that your brain perceives information in a multi-sensory way:
Keeping the full range of the Magnetic Modes in mind, you can use any home or location with which you are familiar.
You can even use small areas, such as the inside of a broom closet. You can even use your own body, attaching information to different limbs.
Just keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to see the Memory Palace. You can feel it, hear it, taste it, smell it and even just think about it. I’ve even gone through some of my Memory Palaces and touched the walls I’ll be using to help make them more substantial in my imagination. This simple action has helped me a lot over the years.
For example, when I was asked to memorize some Shakespeare in real time on the Guru Viking Podcast, I used a Memory Palace I have interacted with physically many times. This level of mental processing helped make the memory demonstration successful. In fact, I recalled the lines I was asked to memorize from Julius Caesar perfectly.
If shifting from a visual to a multi-sensory Memory Palace seems odd, let me add a few more details. They will help you understand how seriously well this technique works when you add more levels of sensory elaboration.
The Science Behind the Memory Palace
Many studies have been conducted to analyze the effectiveness of the Memory Palace. It’s all based on the scientific fact that your brain and spatial memory perceive space as a kind of image. Space itself is a kind of sensory experience, so it’s well worth focusing on.
Check out this lecture with memory expert Stephen Kosslyn for more information about how that works:
Many people have asked me over the years to suggest alternatives to the Memory Palace technique.
Of course, you can just use raw mnemonics to create associations and not locate them with reference to a building.
The problem with doing that, however, is that you remove a strong link that will help you think back to the target information.
That said, certain practitioners of the technique, especially in the Renaissance discussed using geometrical shapes as Memory Palaces.
Here’s a full video tutorial on these approaches:
https://youtu.be/HAPwOf31N7o
One thing to observe when using geometrical shapes, is that a triangle is reflected in the letter A. Circles show up in the letters B and C, etc., suggesting that you can turn the alphabet itself into a kind of Memory Palace. In other words, all information is inherently spatial.
In my experience with exploring and experimenting with these alternative approaches to the Memory Palace technique, they help strengthen your understanding of traditional Memory Palaces.
But when it comes to using the technique to passing exams or learning languages, I do not play around with abstract Memory Palace. I stick with the fundamental approach that has served our ancestors for thousands of years. I recommend that you do the same.
No Need For A Huge IQ To Use This Technique!
Over the years, some people have written to me that memory athletes and mnemonists must be smarter or have higher IQs than other people.
I don’t believe memory competitors are smarter or have bigger brains than the rest of us. It’s that they use mnemonics, and specifically the Memory Palace to memorize semantic information.
And they practice deliberately. That is the secret behind their impressive abilities. And because people who practice for a long time learn more about the techniques they’re using, that explains why they become really good (Maguire et al 2002).
This simple observation suggests that anyone with average abilities can use this technique to improve his/her memory. And scientists have shown that it’s well worth taking up the Memory Palace technique as a lifetime practice, especially when you consider the research on memory training with the elderly.
And once you know the drill, it’s really just a matter of spending some time with a few solid Memory Palace training exercises. Like the four I’ve shared in this video tutorial:
https://youtu.be/px1O-j3BIHo
Even if you are not seeking to learn large amounts of information, the Memory Palace still has something to offer. There’s even more evidence that the Memory Palace can help maintain a healthy brain during old age if you’d like to follow-up with the additional scientific references listed below.
As my student Sunil Khatri has shared on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method podcast, the Memory Palace technique helped him master Japanese.
Personally, one of my favorite ways to practice the Memory Palace technique is to memorize playing cards, specifically for performing card magic. Whereas I used to practice the Mnemonica Stack, I’ve recently memorized the Redford Stack and am having a ton of fun with that.
It only takes me 2 minutes and 30 seconds to memorize a deck. And with a little practice based on how memory actually works, I’ll bet you can go even faster.
Ready to get started mastering the Memory Palace technique so you can enjoy learning more based on the spatial and multi-sensory nature of your mind?
Engvig, Andreas, Anders M. Fjell, Lars T. Westlye, Torgeir Moberget, Øyvind Sundseth, Vivi Agnete Larsen, and Kristine B. Walhovd. “Effects of Memory Training on Cortical Thickness in the Elderly.” NeuroImage 52.4 (2010): 1667-676. 1 Oct. 2010. Web. 22 Jan. 2016.
Can St. Augustine’s Memory Philosophy Help You Learn Faster?
Jan 31, 2024
Is St. Augustine’s memory philosophy practical? Or is it just intellectual noodling from yet another philosopher of times past?
If you’re interested in St. Augustine’s comments on memory, but aren’t sure exactly what he was going on about, you can rest assured of one thing.
What he had to say about memory is more than just interesting. And it’s not intellectual noodling. Far from it.
Even where Augustine’s philosophy of memory does not gel with contemporary science, it’s astonishing how close some of this thinking gets to what we now believe is true about memory.
Plus, thinking through his ideas is itself a good memory and critical thinking exercise. It’s worth learning about just for the mental workout.
Straight up: a fit mind will always be able to learn faster than a flabby one.
The best part?
Once you understand St. Augustine on memory better, you’ll make better learning choices too.
Sound good?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OiSI6YRbBI
Who Was St. Augustine?
Augustine of Hippo lived from 354 AD to 430 AD. He is remembered for essentially inventing the autobiography and auto-hagiography by writing his Confessions.
This literary offering is quite unique because, as Andrea Nightingale points out, a substantial part of how and why he was made a saint comes from things he said about himself.
Not only that, but Augustine helped shape how we interpret texts, a process known as exegesis. Because he focused so much on his own memory and memory at large in his works, he has shaped how many cultures have come to interpret the experience of having a self.
We’ll get more into why this contribution is so important in a moment, noting that Augustine also explored many other issues. For example, he discussed the nature of evil, desire and the philosophical ideas of Plato.
He wrote prolifically, and his City of God is not only studied as a book of Christian philosophy. It was a key part of my political science program when I was an undergrad. It is a very good text to compare and contrast with Plato’s Republic, for example.
What Was St. Augustine’s Philosophy of the Mind & Memory?
Augustine has been influential on people who use memory techniques. In fact, it’s possible that the term Memory Palace comes from his oft-quoted line:
And I come to the fields and spacious palaces of my memory, where are the treasures of innumerable images, brought into it from things of all sorts perceived by the senses.
But when it comes to mnemonics, Augustine’s philosophy of memory is useful more in a roundabout way. As I share with you the main points I’ve picked up from reading him, we’ll patch those valuable angles in.
One: Augustine Helps You Meditate On The Nature Of Data
But Augustine isn’t just writing about himself. He’s thinking deeply about the nature of his memory and how it allows him to consider facts about his own experience. To use modern terms, he’s essentially thinking about how the mind collects data and transforms it into a useful form.
We now call data we have gathered for analytical thinking, “information.” The next step he considers is how that information becomes knowledge and ultimately wisdom.
These aren’t merely philosophical questions. They are questions of epistemology – the art and science of how we know something is true or false.
Two: Memory Helps Us Create & Experience Meaning
Augustine notes a few interesting paradoxes as he reflects on the nature of his personal experience of memory.
For example, he observes that he can remember a time when he felt joyful, yet do so in a completely neutral state. It’s really weird if you think about this and experiment with thinking through happy memories in a neutral way yourself.
This mental exercise suggests that there may be a difference between information and sensation.
At some level, he thinks there has to be a difference. This is because in order to trust others, we can’t let ourselves get caught up in superstition. We have to analyze them rationally and sometimes let go of previous bad memories we might have about another person or group.
Here’s another way of making this point:
Part of our memory allows for rational and logical thinking. We can use our memory to sort, sift and screen a variety of sensations (data). We then use our minds to make them meaningful, specifically through the application of categories. I believe Augustine’s reflections on categorical thinking probably influenced Ramon Llull’s development of the Memory Wheel.
To take things one step further, Augustine seems to suggest that we use our memory to make memory itself meaningful to us. As he writes in the Confessions:
The interior sense perceives not only the things referred to it by the five senses, but also the sensations themselves.
Then later:
[Memory] is a faculty of my self and belongs to my nature. In fact, I cannot totally grasp all that I am. The mind is not large enough to contain itself… When I remember memory, my memory is present to itself by itself. Nothing is so much in the memory as memory itself.
What I believe Augustine is suggesting here is that memory is itself a sensation. Only by reflecting on it thoroughly and deeply can memory truly become as fully meaningful as many of the great memory masters throughout history have proclaimed it to be. I’m talking about people like Giordano Bruno, St. Thomas Aquinas, Matteo Ricci, Aristotle, Albertus Magnus and many more.
Three: Coping With Meaninglessness
As a religious thinker, Augustine concludes that there’s an infinite number of data points about God and about ourselves. No matter how much your memory comes to contain in those “spacious palaces” of memory, knowledge will always be incomplete.
But he shares with Bruno the idea that memory is not like a sponge. When you learn something new, you don’t have to forget what you already know. As he puts it, new information “displaces no volume.”
Here’s ultimately where I think Augustine makes the same error we find in Plato. I’m thinking specifically of anamnesis, the idea that learning is not about encoding or programming something into the brain. It’s more like uncovering or discovering something that is already there. Augustine frames it in the form of a question:
How did I recognise [things I did not know] and say, ‘Yes, that is true’? The answer must be that they were already in my memory, but remote and pushed back… as in in most secret caverns.
It’s a feel-good idea. It allows for a philosophy in which humans are made in the image of a creator. Memory becomes a tool that allows the seeker to find God through a process of inquiry into memory:
O lovely light… I shall pass beyond memory to find you: but where will I find you? If I find you beyond my memory, then I shall be without memory of you. And how will I find you if I am without memory of you?
Augustine’s answer is that the “memory” of god is built-into the system. But these days many of us recognize a more Darwinistic impulse towards belief as a survival strategy in the face of a universe in which life is the exception to the rule, with no empirical demonstration of a reason why anything should exist.
For a strong alternative in an another important realm of philosophy to Augustine’s a priori-style of thinking about memory, see Nietzsche’s “rumination” on memory, especially in Human, All Too Human.
Four: Memory For Critical Thinking
I just used the word “rumination.” That’s because Augustine sees memory as something like the series of stomachs you see in cows. It’s not just that memory is “the stomach of the mind,” but that it digests different kinds of thoughts at different rates of speed.
Some of those thoughts relate to categories Augustine picks up from Stoicism. He focuses particularly on these 4 “perturbationes”:
Fear
Desire
Joy
Sadness
These are categories we can think through when trying to understand memories that arise through autobiographical memory processes. Or we can use these specific categories when thinking about prospective memory – such as our memory of what we need to do in the future. This would include thinking through what sometimes holds us back from taking action on those things we need to get done.
Again, I believe Augustine’s thinking here was almost certainly influential on tools developed later like the Memory Wheel and ars combinatoria. You can also think of taking time to focus on your issues by using four simple categories like this as a form of chunking.
Long story short, Augustine seems preternaturally aware that short term memory (or working memory) operates more efficiently when dealing with smaller units of information. Less is truly more.
Five: Memory Is About Ability
Although Augustine goes to great lengths to show that memory is essentially spiritual, he’s ultimately very practical. He sees memory as something that can be astonishingly easy for some things, like remembering the colors and the days of the week. Part of this effect St. Augustine notes is coming from something we call context dependent memory, but also the sheer amount of spaced repetition we get from this kind of quotidian information.
In other cases, memory can be much more difficult, especially when learning complex topics. Although Augustine doesn’t have a very good answer when he suggests that all of this understanding is already in your mind and just needs to be uncovered, here’s his most practical tip:
He says that your ability to remember and understand ultimately shapes your ability to succeed. You have to be able to demonstrate an understanding because you need to judge your own passions to avoid bad behaviours and the negative outcomes they create.
The experience of joy, he tells us, essentially comes from studying and understanding the information that helps you guide your actions towards joy. Doing this will in turn provide you with better mnemonic images as you practice the art of memory. It’s a self-reinforcing system in that regard, and that’s why linking your learning choices and memory abilities wisely will ultimately help you learn faster.
Yes, you can remember physical things like rocks and houses and the names of the foods you like to eat. But to really get ahead, you need to also be able to work with non-existent things. Like numbers and the concepts related to the liberal arts. Or the ideas in the best books about philosophy you come across over your lifespan.
In my view, he places a premium on abstract thinking over concrete thinking. I think this emphasis is as wise now as it surely was then.
This is so important because Augustine understands the nature of information the same way Bruno did, Galileo did and I do. It’s infinite, unfolding in time and as Augustine says of interpreting scripture, “not one line is exhaustible.”
And to deal with it, St. Augustine tells you something every memory expert worth their salt admits. His memory is not perfect. Far from it.
Not only that, Augustine uses mnemonics with passion because he observes that God himself uses them. Just take a look at Genesis 9:13-15 if you don’t believe me:
I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow is seen in the cloud, that I will remember my covenant.
If putting a rainbow against the backdrop of the sky as a reminder isn’t the Memory Palace technique writ large, I don’t know what is. No wonder Eran Katz called his book on mnemonics, Where Did Noah Park the Ark?
Augustine On Memory Is Worth Your Time
Today’s summary is really just scratching the surface. There’s much more you’ll glean from reading St. Augustine on memory yourself.
My goal has been to show you how Augustine’s observations about memory land on many of the features scientists have confirmed and named in our era.
But St. Augustine didn’t need spreadsheets and graphs to know just how valuable using memory itself as a kind of concentration meditation can be.
He knew intuitively and by applying logic that memory really is like a room:
…a spreading limitless room within me.
And if that’s an experience you’d like to enjoy yourself, then follow his advice to focus on learning the skills that lead to joy. Get my FREE Memory Improvement Kit now:
It will take you deep into everything you need to know about the Memory Palace technique.
Before you know it, you will know as Augustine did that memory is where you are most yourself, so long as you can come to truly perceive memory for what it is:
A sensation that senses all the other sensations.
“Who can reach memory’s utmost depth?” Augustine asks.
The answer is you, so take a deep dive inside by learning memory techniques and applying them to the information that matters. Your joy is guaranteed when you do.
Did This Memory Champion Just Use “Remote Viewing” To Read My Mind?
Jan 24, 2024
Nelson Dellis is a highly accomplished memory champion, author, YouTuber and all around great guy.
But please get ready to dive deep into new territory, a topic I never expected to address.
That’s because I never saw Nelson’s interest in the world of remote viewing and other psychic phenomena coming.
Yet here we are discussing experiences that have Nelson thinking that the definition of memory needs to be changed.
These are heady ideas for which there are no easy answers. But I’m confident you’ll enjoy the ideas we unpack in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Here’s what you’ll discover as we search for a logical explanation to some of Nelson’s recent experiences with remote viewing and ponder the possibility that the citizens of the world might be witnessing a cognitive revolution as we speak.
Plus, he always pushes the limits. These include memory adventures around the world and his success with breaking world records. Nelson even involves his family in some of his video lessons.
Enjoy this episode and feel free to follow up with these additional episodes and people who came up during the show:
John Graham on going beyond mnemonics and into enlightenment
How to Memorize Scripture: 7 Proven Approaches
Jan 12, 2024
If you want to know how to memorize scripture quickly and make it stick for the long-term, please understand the following.
There’s no single way to do it.
That said, there also isn’t an infinite number of approaches. You can use either:
A Memory Palace Network
Mnemonic images
Rote Repetition
Flashcards
Spaced-repetition software
Cloze tests
A combination of all the above
On this page, I’ll walk you through each of these options as a PhD who memorized a lot of scripture as part of my studies. I even included some scripture I memorized in my popular TEDx Talk.
As I walk you through each strategy for memorizing scripture, consider focusing especially on the Memory Palace technique.
You’ll get my best tips for all of the other methods listed above, but using Memory Palaces has helped the largest amount of people in the fourteen years I’ve been teaching memory techniques for scripture.
Choose a familiar location, like your home or a neighborhood.
Next, assign a path through that location, strategically following a journey where you will place mnemonic images that help you remember verses and their numbers.
For that reason, it helps to have a numbered Memory Palace, as illustrated in this Kelvin Grove Memory Palace I used for one of my scripture projects:
For best results, I suggest you sketch your Memory Palaces and keep these in a Memory Journal.
Then, as you’re learning to use the technique, you have a self-created visual reference to work with as you place mnemonic associations in the Memory Palace.
For some people, it will be easy to memorize multiple words at the same time. For others, it will be necessary to encode the verses with an image for every word.
When it comes to memorizing the verse numbers specifically, you’ll want a number memory technique like the Major System or the PAO System. I’ll give a detailed example further down showing you how all this works.
Two: Mnemonic Images without a Memory Palace
Some people do not want to use Memory Palaces. They wonder if they can simply create associations to scripture and have them float “in the void of their mind.”
You can contrast his experience with those of Matt Barclay, who joined me to discuss how he memorized and delivered an entire Psalm to his congregation.
The reason most of us prefer to use a Memory Palace is that it helps reduce the cognitive load. Using a familiar location to place images is like having a canvas to paint on. It helps you look back at a reference point and reconstruct the target verses you want to recall.
Three: Rote Repetition
Of course, it’s worth noting that you’re perfectly welcome to simply repeat the verses until they stick. This approach is traditionally called rote learning.
It doesn’t work very well for many of us. In fact, it can be downright destructive because it’s often frustratingly boring.
That said, it’s worth experimenting with in order to see how it compares to using other mnemonic techniques. Often people are pleasantly surprised and come to realize the benefits of the active recall mnemonics provide compared to rote.
Four: Flashcards
I just mentioned “active recall.” One of its most important principles is that you need to personalize the associations you make when memorizing scripture.
Obviously, this is not possible with rote learning. That approach involves literally repeating the same thing over and over again.
For example, I drew this to help me remember the name Zephaniah:
I know. I’m not a great artist.
But the zipper helps me remember that the word starts with ‘Z.’ And Shaniah Twain helps me remember the sound of Zephaniah.
The trick here is that the exact name of the Bible is nowhere on the card. I have to use the way I’ve personalized the mnemonics as a clue that triggers the target information. This is what active recall is all about.
Notice something else: The card is itself a kind of Memory Palace. Even without looking at any individual card, you can simply reflect and ask, “What was happening on that card?”
By thinking of your drawing on the card, you’ll improve your rate of recall substantially.
Five: Spaced-Repetition Software
People often ask me about apps for memorizing the Bible.
Personally, I don’t recommend them.
That said, Anki is an app that follows the scientific principles needed for proper spaced repetition.
What’s spaced repetition?
It’s tactically (not randomly) revisiting the verses you’ve worked on committing to memory over time. If you prefer not using software programs, you can combine spaced repetition with flashcards by using the Leitner System.
Six: Cloze Tests
Some softwares for Bible memorization help you by restricting certain parts of the Bible verses you’re committing to memory. Like this:
I ____ the ____ I have for you,” ________ the Lord, “plans to ______ you and not to ____ you, plans to ____ you ____ and a ______. – ________ 29:11
This kind of memory strategy is called a Cloze Test.
Again, you don’t need a software to do it. You can write out scripture and leave out some of the key words and phrases. Then, when reading back the scripture, mentally fill in the blanks or use a pen and paper.
This approach isn’t for everyone, but it’s well worth experimenting with as you commit scripture to memory.
Seven: Combine Strategies
You’ve learned that active recall works best when personalization is involved. Another aspect of active recall is getting in lots of variety. This principle ties together with interleaving, which shows that we learn faster when we combine multiple approaches.
For this reason, I recommend you that you don’t get stuck in a rut with just one of the strategies I’ve discussed above. Try them all and rotate through them on a regular basis.
It might seem a bit much at first, but as you continue to weave the activities together, you’ll likely find yourself remember scripture with greater ease.
A Detailed Example of Memorizing Scripture & Verse Numbers
Proverbs 18:13 (NIV): “To answer before listening — that is folly and shame.”
First, I suggest that you sort out the keywords. That’s because your mind will typically fill in a lot of smaller words. The keywords I chose when memorizing our example verse were:
Answer
Before
Listening
Folly
Shame
Next, I asked myself…
Who do I know who relates most closely to either the form of the verse or its meaning?
My friend’s sister Andi comes to mind. She served as a mental association.
Then, using a Memory Palace based on Andi’s brother’s home, I imagined her typing out an email while a bee floated around. Something like what you see in this illustration:
To help with memorizing the full verse, I didn’t have Andi memorize just any kind of email?
Rather, I imagined her writing an email in response to an episode of Fawlty Towers she’s just seen on television. She does this before she even heard the end of the sentence that offended her, and as a result, Andi feels ashamed.
Why Fawlty Towers?
Because it has a sound similar to “folly” in it. Note that I thought of and chose Andi as my “Bridging Figure” for this verse because I was focusing on the first word “answer.”
The “an” in Andi and the “an” in answer “magnetically” attract each other. Weave these associations together in a Memory Palace and one will “trigger” the other.
By looking for natural parallels that are already in your memory and imagination, you can often come across just the right set of images. This happens much more quickly than if you try to create abstract associations.
Abstractions in your associations must be avoided as much as possible.
They’re difficult to recall, create weak associations and cause more frustration than they’re worth.
How To Memorize All Those “Little Connecting” Words
Now, you might be thinking that you’re still a beginner. What about “to,” “before,” and “is”?
Before you spend time memorizing them, stop and think it through.
Do you really need to memorize them? Or can you allow your mind to fill in the blanks?
In my experience, most people do fine with letting their mind fill in the blanks, provided they follow the rest of the steps I’m sharing now. As you’ve learned, Cloze tests actually involve getting yourself to fill in missing words from scripture that you want to memorize, so it’s actually a good thing not to have an image for each and every word.
But if you need to come up with associations for all these little words, I suggest you consider creating a “stockpile.”
If you use a tutu for “to,” always use that same association.
If you use a bee driving a forklift for “before,” always use that every time you need this word.
Don’t worry. It’s unlikely that your mind will mind the repetition. The Memory Palace will provide more than enough differentiation.
The important point is that you’re drawing upon information, ideas, people and objects already in your memory.
That’s where the real memory magic happens. And sadly, this is a point that is too often missed by many memory experts who otherwise mean well.
How To Remember Verse Numbers
I mentioned above that you can use either the Major System or a PAO System to memorize verse numbers.
Let me give you an example of this technique. Once you’re set up with these number systems, you’ll find it simple to create little associations to precede the associations you use for the verses themselves. If you feel like you need more help after going through this example, feel free to go through my tutorial on the 3 Most Powerful Memory Techniques For Memorizing Numbers.
For now, have a look at this:
For Proverbs 18:13, for example, I see a large TV set that I actually owned vacuuming J Edgar Hoover using a Hoover vacuum.
Weird and memorizable, right? It is!
But why these images?
Because 18 for me is always represented by a few things, one of which is a TV set.
Not just any TV set, but a particular TV set that has meaning for me.
And when you know the Major Method, you’ll know that there’s a very good reason that it’s a TV and not some other object.
Likewise with J Edgar Hoover with a Hoover vacuum.
It represents 13 because I’m following this simple chart based on the Major:
Sometimes for 13, I see Hoover vacuuming on the Hoover Dam. There’s actually a way to make that dam a Virtual Memory Palace that I’ll talk about in the future. For now, here are 5 Memory Palace Examples you can learn about to enhance your practice.
In any case, having multiple images to draw upon is the Magnetic Memory Method Principle of Compounding. It’s part of the joyful science of creating and using a “Magnetic 00-99 P.A.O.” Learn more in the MMM course on memorizing math, equations and all things related to numbers.
I know that this process might sound complex.
It really isn’t once you get into it. After all, as Jeannie Koh explains in her Magnetic Memory Method Testimonial, using these techniques helped her reach her goals immensely:
And it’s a skill worth having for more than just memorizing verse numbers. It makes committing all numbers fast, easy, effective and fun.
What matters most is that you associate everything with information that already exists in your mind and that is meaningful to you.
Following Up: What To Do After Your Memorize Scripture Verses
Now comes the fun part.
What you want to do is mentally walk through your Memory Palaces one at a time.
Do this as many times as it takes to recall the verses accurately. Be sure to recall them both verbally and in written form. There are a few more tips on this practice below.
How many times exactly is a question no one can answer. At least 5 times the first day and then 1 time per day for a few weeks is a good rule of thumb derived from Dominic O’Brien.
As you develop your skills, you’ll find that different verses enter your memory at different rates and each presents its own form of brain exercise.
The varying levels of challenge is a good thing. It keeps you on your toes, keeps things interesting, and in fact, you don’t want it to be easy. If using memory techniques suddenly became easy, they’d be boring and you would stop using them.
It’s very important to set a time aside for practicing recall to ensure that you do it.
I suggest using a Memory Journal to gather all your Memory Palaces and record your recall.
There’s no perfect journal, but one I recommend is called The Freedom Journal. It has just enough space for an effective Memory Palace drawing and lets you create 10-day “sprints” over the course of 100 days.
How To Recall On A Verse-By-Verse Basis
As you go, “trigger” off the associations you made and let them bring back the information.
For example, I would start with the specific Memory Palace and the specific station.
How does one remember that?
If you’ve correctly planned and organized your memorization activities, then the answer will be known to you without any stress or strain.
Remember:
You create the Memory Palace Network to serve the outcome you want. This process alone will help you remember what is memorized where.
If you’ve properly numbered each Magnetic Station as taught in the free course, then you’ll have even more “autopilot familiarity” with your Memory Palaces.
How the Memory Palace Tells You The Right Word Order
And if you are memorizing verse numbers and memorizing the scriptures in verse order, order itself acts as a clue. It will tell you where in your Memory Palace the information is located.
Next, I would recall Andi and simply ask myself: “What was she associated with?”
Asking questions during recall is important because you’re encouraging your memory to do a bit of work.
Sometimes the entire line will blast back at you, almost like magic. Especially if you complete these powerful visualization exercises.
Other times, you’ll have to piece it together, word for word.
In all cases, if you have a pen or pencil in hand, recall the verse first, then write it down. Say the line out loud as well.
At more advanced levels, you can certainly remove the writing part, but I don’t recommend it. Even when I’m memorizing names of people I’ve met, I almost always write them out in my Memory Journal.
This simple, 1-2 minute practice ensures that anyone will reap the full benefits of instilling the scripture followed by successful recall.
I’ve just mentioned writing out what you’ve memorized and speaking it out loud.
Writing automatically leads to reading, and you’ve already read the verses before, during and after memorizing them.
However, it’s good to also read interpretations by multiple thinkers where possible.
Plus, there are often more comprehensive commentaries available that you can read on various scriptures that will give your mind more context to help create deeper connections in both your imagination and the physical structures of your brain.
A Solo Way To Hear Memorized Verses Out Loud
It’s also important to hear the verses spoken by others, so try to find recordings that you can listen to and recite along with them.
You can also record yourself and listen back to your own voice.
I also suggest making memorization a family or at least a community occasion.
Reciting with others and hearing others share what certain passages mean for them is very useful for creating long term memory impact.
The Biggest Levers You Need For Memorizing Scripture
In brief, you’ve got to commit to creating the time for memorizing scripture.
Logical, isn’t it? If you really want to get something done, you’ll make the time.
How much time do you need?
No one can honestly say just how long it will take for you to reach your goals. But you can start by gathering your memory verses and then assessing how much time you’ll need for each. After that, schedule the time.
Once you’ve started, chances are the question of how long it will take to commit various passages to memory will no longer be very interesting to you.
You’ll be enjoying the process itself too much and become completely satisfied that each new verse gets you closer to the goal. The journey will become so much more important than the destination.
And when those destinations are reached, you’ll be excited and want to create new ones. The benefits for the sharpness of your mind will be very clear to you.
Common Questions And Answers About Memorizing Scripture Quickly
Over the years, I’ve fielded many questions about memorizing scripture.
Here are some answers to the most common questions, including some questions you might not have thought of asking.
What’s the fastest and most reliable way to memorize a verse?
Depending on your current level of skill, pick a small Memory Palace of 10-15 stations.
Then, extract 3-5 keywords per verse and associate those words with vivid mnemonic associations.
Once you’ve layered them in, walk the Memory Palace forward, backward, from the middle to the end and beginning and then skip the stations.
Practice recalling the scripture by calling it mind daily for about a week. Then once a week thereafter for at least five weeks.
Should I memorize references or the text first?
It’s ultimately a personal decision and you should try both ways.
Personally, I start with the verse number only when I’m memorizing individual Bible verses, such as the ones from this list of Bible verses to memorize I created for you.
If you’re following my recommended Bible memorization plan, you likely won’t need to focus on anything other than the verses themselves.
How much scripture should I memorize per day?
Life is busy, so I recommend that people focus on consistency with no pressure to memorize any particular amount.
With my own scripture memorization projects, there have been days when I’ve only found time to memorize one syllable. Other days, I’ve memorized lines as long as twenty words or more.
The key is to keep going consistently. The verses will build up over time and the exact daily amount won’t matter much at all.
If it helps to have a mental metaphor, I often think of the process as stringing beads. The Memory Palace is the string, and each word is a bead.
Some days I’m able to add more beads, other days less.
Another important consideration is that you leave time each day for rehearsing what you’ve already memorized. Although you can get away without reviewing each and every day, it’s still better for long-term retention if you can revisit a passage you’re memorizing daily for at least a week.
What’s the best translation for memorization?
Ultimately, the translation that you love and will continue memorizing over the long term is the best one.
Some prefer the cadences and vocabulary of KJV. Others prefer modern phrasing.
The good news is that you don’t have to limit yourself. It’s possible to memorize multiple versions.
And depending on your study goals, knowing a few different versions of various verses will help deepen your understanding and appreciation.
Does the amount of scripture I want to memorize matter?
Yes and no.
I recommend starting with short verses in the beginning. The sooner you develop the skills needed to quickly and accurately memorize short verses, the sooner you’ll be able to tackle longer verses.
The trick is in seeing that longer verses are usually just shorter verses fit together. In such cases, it can be very helpful to spend more time ensuring that you understand the gist of a long verse before committing it to memory.
All you need is to prepare the Memory Palaces you’ll use so the space is ready ahead of time.
If you try to develop the Memory Palaces as you memorize, you’re giving yourself two tasks to complete at the same time.
For that reason, it’s best to identify the passage you want to memorize, pick the most appropriate Memory Palace for the task, or develop a new one.
If you worry about running out of Memory Palaces, consult my ultimate list of Memory Palaces ideas. You’ll never run out.
How do I keep verses from blurring together?
The first tactic is to make sure you’re using spaced repetition optimally. Once you’ve got the verses in long-term memory, it’s less likely that you’ll confuse any of them.
You can also clearly label your Memory Palaces and use Magnetic Bridging Figures.
For example, when memorizing the Book of John, I draw often upon my friend and memory competitor John Graham. For the Book of Mark, I use the actor Mark Hamill in many of the associative images.
As a result, the verses are distinguished by virtue of how they were encoded in the first place.
What if I forget words or sections while reviewing?
Don’t panic, label or judge yourself.
It’s normal to forget while memorizing something new. And as I talk about in my list of books on learning, a psychological effect called “predictive processing” can cause you to harm your progress by seeing forgetting as negative.
The key is to simple note what you forgot and ask questions.
Ideally, you’ll be using the Magnetic Memory Method, which allows you to ask questions about each of the Magnetic Modes in KAVE COGS. In other words, you can ask:
What kinesthetic association did I hear?
What auditory noise did I involve?
What visual, emotional, or conceptual elements did I involve?
If you remain stuck, resist peeking at the source verses.
Wait for an hour or so, analyze further by revisiting your Memory Palaces and see if the lost material doesn’t come to you. Often it will.
Only after letting yourself fail and analyzing over a period of time should you look at the source verse.
Then, write out the mnemonic associations you used and think about how you can use KAVE COGS to make them even stickier.
How do I memorize verse numbers quickly?
The fastest way for most people is to use a 00-99 PAO System.
If that approach feels too advanced, you can start with the number rhyme system first.
But as soon as you can, having a full set of proper PAO images is best.
Can I memorize scripture without visual imagination (aphantasia)?
You can use sounds, physical gestures, spatial anchors and many other tools.
And you should know that very few memory competitors see images in their minds.
Is singing or chanting effective for Scripture memorization?
It certainly has been for me.
Not just because adding a melody and verbally hearing the meter gets more of your brain involved.
It’s also more interesting and fun. And it helps set the stage when the time comes to recite the scripture to others.
Because you’ll have practice speaking it out loud, you’re less likely to stumble over any of the words.
Does using mnemonic associations disrespect Scripture?
Some people feel this way, and I addressed the issue straight away in the scripture memorization parts of The Victorious Mind.
Personally, I believe that imagination exists for us to use. So it’s a bit contradictory that we would be given such an effective tool only to be forbidden from using it.
I suggest focusing instead on the purity of your intention.
If you remain concerned, work on the more subtle Magnetic Modes, especially those taught by Giordano Bruno. Albeit harder to learn, the conceptual associations are not risky in any way.
Should you use flash cards and sticky notes?
No, I don’t recommend this because it doesn’t create the needed skills of memorization that a Memory Palace and association develops.
These forms don’t create brain exercise either. The only exception to the rule is if you are memorizing individual words or terms and don’t have the answer on the back of the card.
Instead, feature the Magnetic Imagery you created on the opposite side of the flash card or sticky note. In this way, you’ll ask your brain to do a bit of memory work and jog itself into action. The benefits of doing this will be incredibly rewarding.
And as soon as you can, leave the index cards and sticky notes behind.
Why You Shouldn’t Memorize Scripture From Online Sources
Many people want to memorize from online sources such as the Scripture Typer app and Bible Memory Kids.
To be honest, these Bible apps look great on the surface. They’re clean, well-organized and perhaps even fun to use.
If you must source your scripture from a screen, at least write it out in your handwriting and memorize from that. This practice will deepen the importance of the verse to your mind and is a win-win from the get-go.
What Scripture Do You Want To Memorize?
At the risk of being repetitive, knowing why you want to memorize scripture does matter.
For myself, I like to memorize the odd line from the Bible. But overall I prefer scripture from the non-dual tradition, Advaita Vedanta.
In this memory demonstration, you’ll see me recite 32 verses from a text called the Ribhu Gita:
https://youtu.be/CgNQ9bU-nEg
Although I didn’t memorize a verse every single day, I rarely spent more than 5 minutes on any single verse. It just isn’t necessary when you have these skills.
Also, if you’re concerned about age or various conditions with your brain, keep hope. As mentioned above, my student Matt Barclay completed the course and gave a 12-minute recitation from the Psalms in front of his congregation after spending hardly any time memorizing it. You can see the demonstration and our discussion about how he memorized the Psalm here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiY58Z1ApCc
Ultimately, what really matters is that you learn the skills and ground the project on a solid reason why you want to commit the scripture to memory.
Plan, show up consistently, and enjoy the multiple benefits as they increase, one verse at a time.
Thanks so much for reading and if you’d like more help with the memory techniques discussed, please register for my free memory improvement course:
I think you’ll find it just as helpful as have my many students who work on scripture memorization. They’ve experienced much joy and fulfilment as a result of bringing themselves closer to God through verse memorization.
How to Become a Polymath: 6 Steps To Mastering Multiple Topics
Jan 10, 2024
There have never been more polymaths on the planet than right now.
And I compliment you on wanting to become one yourself.
Polymathy is the epitome of intellectual versatility.
Not for showing off.
But for the sheer pleasure of enjoying mental dexterity across multiple disciplines.
Who am I to tell you about becoming a polymath?
I run this website, for one thing, which involves multiple skill sets.
I’ve got a PhD and two MAs to top off my BA. Multiple certificates in different skills. Languages under my belt.
And from my perspective, there are some serious misconceptions about how to define polymathy.
When your definition is wrong, it’s impossible to reach the goal.
So let’s define what a polymath is, look at some examples and make sure you can quickly craft the perfect path to being an autodidact polymath yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgicLXpIHaI
Are There Any Modern-Day Polymaths?
Many people focus on the Renaissance when looking for examples of well-rounded learners. Typically you hear about figures like Da Vinci and Michelangelo as having set the stage for polymathy in our age.
Even in the memory improvement world, we tend to focus on Renaissance figures like Giordano Bruno and Matteo Ricci.
Matteo Ricci was a Renaissance era mnemonist and polymath
So whether it’s Ramon Llull with his memory wheels in the 13th century or an “ultra learner” like Scott Young, the signs of genius you’re looking for aren’t about a historical moment. They’re about how people behave.
And there are many people making themselves polymaths by following simple steps. Not willy-nilly, but consistently.
These are the key behaviours to look for and model yourself:
Intellectual Curiosity
Some people say that curiosity has to be naturally present. I disagree.
Obviously, it helps when you’re inclined toward exploring different topics, but when you understand and exercise the subconscious mind, you can boost your interest in even the most boring topics.
This ability is very important because no skill or interest area is exciting from top to bottom. For example, in language learning, you have to content with all kinds of unexciting words to be able to speak. You need the days of the week, colors, numbers and many pronouns that just aren’t that exciting.
But when you can stimulate your own intellectual curiosity, it’s possible to get excited even by the most quotidian information.
Learning as a Lifestyle
Although there’s always a place for playing brain games for relaxation and fun, polymaths tend to limit the amount of time they spend on such pastimes.
Make learning integral to your daily life and you’ll enjoy greater topic mastery.
A subset of the learning lifestyle is time management. I do this myself primarily through journaling. I also design reading semesters for myself, modeling how the school year works.
In other words, I spend three-six months taking “deep dives” into particular topics. Sometimes I’ll go longer, but the point is that it helps structure how much needs to be read in a day to reach certain learning goals.
Cultivate Critical Thinking Skills
There are several types of thinking you need to practice in order to be a polymath.
When you structure your learning time in the ways I’ve just suggested, you can get through the best critical thinking books I recommend quite quickly.
Once you’re familiar with what critical thinking is, from there you just have to practice this form of thinking and occasionally complete a few critical thinking exercises to keep sharp.
Why It’s Easier Than Ever to Become a Polymath
Thanks to memory techniques, it’s possible to learn quickly and retain more.
But there are other reasons that becoming a modern polymath has never been easier.
Free Information
When I was a university student, people were terrified to study topics like the law because the law library at York University was filled with damaged books. People would tear pages out of legal textbooks to prevent their “competition” from beating them at exams.
These days, so many of those books can be found for free online. That, and many books are available digitally – a format that makes it difficult to damage the information.
But always remember that “free” doesn’t mean you can get away with skimming and scanning. You still have to engage with the information substantively no matter how much it costs or what format it comes in.
Conversational Interconnectivity
Back when I was an undergrad and in grad school, we went out of our way to organize study groups. We always had to show up at a particular time and place. If we couldn’t be there, the best we had was the memory or notes of other students, many of who did not have very effective note-taking strategies.
But now?
These days you can interact with other people on a variety of topics through forums. You can join live tutorials via Zoom. And if you can’t be there live, you can watch the replays.
Even better, many people hosting the live sessions will take questions in advance and cover them during the sessions. That, or they will answer your questions after the fact.
Some Multitasking Does Work
Remember how I said above that a learning lifestyle puts the games aside and focuses on learning?
There’s one exception to this rule, something I do for a few hours a week:
I listen to podcasts while playing some simple games I use for light brain exercise. This allows me to place the priority on my learning goals while still enjoying a bit of downtime.
And let’s face it: Even though I rarely fall asleep while reading, it’s sometimes nice to let my ears do the reading for a change.
Sure, there’s a small amount of technical learning and work involved – but this is precisely the kind of knowledge a true polymath will want to include in their skillset.
From there, you invite on as many guests as you want to learn from and enjoy the flow of information wealth that comes into your life, one interview at a time. It’s basically exchanging coaching and mentorship in exchange for a bit of publicity you give to your guests.
How to Become a Polymath in the Digital Age
Now that you understand how easy it is to become a polymath, let’s look at some specific strategies that will help you remember the information you’re mining.
Always remember: cruising forums and interviewing experts is one thing. But remembering what they say and turning it into crystalized intelligence is another.
You can spend a weekend and get the bird’s eye view on all of these techniques. From there, it’s just practice to keep your skills with each mnemonic device sharp.
Two: Deliberate Practice
Do you want to know the biggest reason people fail to ever pass a polymath test or experience the answer to the question, what is a polymath?
For example, I’ve studied philosophy for years. But I couldn’t just absorb philosophy books and remember their details. I also had to practice asking philosophical questions in a philosophical way.
In other words, it can’t be random or just seem philosophical. It has to literally involve the hallmarks of what philosophy is and how the best philosophers practice it – deliberately.
Whatever skills and topic areas you include your in your polymath journey, you’ll want to make sure that you’re practicing things optimally, not just casually.
As they say in Japanese: Genchi Genbutsu. Go to the real place and do the real thing.
Three: Balance Depth & Breadth
A true polymath is not a jack-of-all-trades. You can’t be a surface-level “expert.”
In order to become and then remain a credible authority, I suggest you set goals that involve some kind of testing measure.
For example, my first MA is in English Literature. Completing the degree is a testing measure, as is my second MA in Media & Communications.
So when I share my views on the Internet, you can rest assured that they’re not just coming from my experiences as someone with a popular blog. They’re also informed by years of study into the nature of what information is and how it functions in different societies and different historical periods.
Likewise in language learning. I don’t just speculate on how the Memory Palace works for studying languages. I complete specific goals, such as when I earned a certificate in Mandarin Chinese. Although in that case I didn’t carry on to a higher level, I still take steps to maintain the level I achieved, which is what balancing depth and breadth is all about.
You’ll need to work out ways to do that too as you develop as a polymath.
Four: Engage With Experts
We use the term “autodidact,” and there’s truth to it. You can teach yourself many things as a solo student.
But it’s also a misnomer because when we learn, we use materials created by others. Learning is always interpersonal and intrapersonal at the same time.
The more you understand this, the more you’ll seek out conversations and collaborations with other experts in each of your fields.
And by constantly expanding your network, you’ll be able to tap into and leverage the resources of other people. Build a polymathic community around yourself and you will constantly enjoy the spark of new ideas and opportunities to exercise your knowledge by helping others. You’ll also be able to observe how people use reasoning in a variety of topic areas and improve your own reasoning skills by asking them question and modeling them.
Five: Nurture A Spirit Of Experimentation
One sticking point for would be polymaths is that they remain stuck on consumption-mode.
But you need to implement on ideas and embark on journeys into the unknown.
An experiment can start with something as simple as a “what if” question. From there, you formulate a theory of how you would answer the question and provide a hypothetical answer. The more you brainstorm on this basis, the better your experiments will be.
But let’s call a spade a spade: The more you experiment, the more you will fail.
Just don’t ever accept the standard definition of “failure.” When you’re a true polymath, each mistake and every less-than-satisfactory outcome is in fact a gift. Downfalls provide opportunities for analytical thinking.
And this is a very special kind of analytical thinking because it’s produced out of your personally designed learning experiments.
For example, I wrote a “Memory Detective” novel as an experiment. As part of launching the book, I designed, tested and released a live-action memory game.
There were many mistakes along the way. But each and every time, I used the unexpected results as an opportunity to analyze and think rationally about what to do next. I learned a lot about games, even more about novels and exercised an area of my “marketing brain” I’d never even knew existed.
But no experiment? No new learning. And no new area of expertise to add to my polymath profile, so to speak.
Six: Follow a Schedule Suited to Developing Polymathic Levels of Learning
There are many ways to structure your time.
In this video, I share my personal morning routine for learning information as quickly as possible, but without cutting corners:
I believe that would be true for anyone, whether you believe you’re an autodidact or a polymath.
Keep in mind that the more topics you juggle, the more disciplined you need to be with planning. Adding more topics will challenge your consistency, so consider tackling information in smaller sets of 3-5 topics, rather than trying to rotate through a higher number.
By the same token, there are no magic numbers. You need to figure out how many topics work for you. 3-5 topics tends to be my best range, but sometimes I will reduce this number if I find myself lagging, or scheduling becomes impossible.
Become A Modern Polymath (Almost) Overnight
I’m confident that you can be a polymath incredibly quickle.
It starts by setting some goals, organizing your time and making sure you build a community that helps encourage and guide your deliberate practice.
Although it can never be just about learning and memorizing facts from a variety of subject areas, memory is a massive lever.
So if you’d like to add memory skills, there’s a lot to explore and I invite you to get started with my FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
It will not only give you new skills, but it will also introduce you to an entire area filled with topics you’re going to love. You’ll explore history, critical thinking, the biography of a variety of mnemonists and more.
In sum, let me revisit one of the points above: by becoming a polymath, you can literally make your own university.
And this reminds me of a personal story.
Back when I was in grad school, my supervisor gave me “the talk” near the end of my degree. I was excited that I’d finished writing my dissertation and only had the final defense to go.
We were walking down Bay Street in Toronto and he told me all about how bad the job market had become over the years. He said that even if I published a dozen academic books, I’d still struggle to get a job on the tenure track at a university.
By that time, I’d already learned how to learn so many different topics, I turned to him with a clear and focused confidence in my voice.
I said, “if it comes down to it, I’ll build my own university to teach at.”
Long story short: That’s exactly what wound up happening. But it was only possible thanks to thinking and acting like a polymath.
I know you can do it too, so put the strategies we’ve discussed today into action and do whatever it takes to become the architect of your creams. Polymathy is the path.
How to Remember What You Study (Almost Without Trying!)
Jan 08, 2024
Want the best way to remember everything you study?
Without all the pain and hassle of boring explanations that are hard to understand?
And come from some faceless corporation who hired a writer who hasn’t studied any topic seriously?
You’re in luck.
I’ve sat for some of the most competitive exams in existence during my eleven years of university.
Despite many personal challenges, I managed to get my Ph.d. and have picked up many other certifications along the way.
I’ve even used what you’re about to discover to help me learn languages and earn certifications for both German and Mandarin.
So whatever you’re studying, I’m qualified to help you get some quick wins.
I’ve also made a lot of mistakes over the years and am sharing what I got wrong. That way, you can avoid some of the problems I’ve created for myself.
Ready for a gold mine of practical tips that will help you achieve your learning and remembering goals?
Let’s dive in!
How to Remember What You Study Fast: 11 Quick-Win Strategies
Later, I’m going to give you a more robust strategy that will take you approximately one weekend to learn.
But we’re going to start with some powerful strategies that you can start applying today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-95LBlPS2pY
One: Use Memory Techniques
The absolute best way to boost your recall involves memory techniques, specifically mnemonics.
These help you remember information by transforming complex information into meaningful images and associations. The more vivid you make them, the more ease and fun you’ll have while studying.
And the better your recall will be.
I’ll give a number of examples below, but the key mnemonics I’ve used throughout my studies and career as a professor include:
You can also explore acronyms, acrostics and number-rhymes.
To be fair, there is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to mastering mnemonics and applying them to your studies. But if you have the right attitude, that’s not a problem.
Let me help you ensure that you do by covering the topic of study attitudes next.
Two: Get Your Mindset Sorted
Negativity is a major reason that so many people fail.
They play a little story repetitively through their minds about how “hard” everything feels.
Instead of focusing on the task at hand, they visualize the stress of the exam and the consequences of failure.
This is not helpful.
The alternative?
Relaxation and deliberately letting go of the outcome.
Simply being willing to fail if that’s what was going to happen was the number one strategy that helped me most before and during the toughest exam of my life.
You cannot expect to succeed by doing this – at least not many of us can.
Personally, I love studying for long periods at a time. But after more than a few years of pushing myself too far, I’ve learned to take plenty of breaks.
Basically, I follow the 25-5 rule: 25 minutes of pure concentration followed by a quick 5 minute break (or longer).
I get up, walk around, drink plenty of water, reflect on what I’ve been studying and enjoy some time away from the computer screen. It’s one of the simplest ways to help you study and remember.
During your breaks, you can also spend time on relaxation, meditation and breathing exercises.
Often, I will switch from reading heavy philosophy or my language learning activities and just read a comic book or novel.
Either way, research like this shows that short breaks helps us learn. You’ll help both your brain and your memory out a great deal by pausing frequently and following the steps illustrated on the infographic above.
Four: Switch Things Up
The special technique I use as part of taking breaks is to read other kinds of books.
They can be either related or unrelated to the topic at hand.
The point is to switch things up so that your brain has time to percolate the ideas you’re learning and make unexpected connections.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U34nJGuFvQ
You don’t have to follow any particular pattern, but an easy way to take action with interleaving is to have three books at all times.
Switch from book one to book two and then book three on a loose pattern.
Don’t “try” to recall different elements or connect them. Just plow forward and enjoy the benefits of what your mind will do for you on autopilot.
This is one simple strategy where the “let go of the outcome” attitude is really important.
You can also use your fingers to learn different ideas.
For example, take an example of abstract thinking you want to learn.
Name the concept out loud
Press your thumb and pointer finger together
Focus on mentally “linking” the idea to the connection between thumb and finger
Take 2-3 deep breaths as you focus
Revisit the connection throughout the day
This simple technique can be used in combination with gestures.
True, it’s hard to imagine how it will scale to help you remember dozens of ideas. But give it a try. If you can make it work for one idea, you can reuse the technique to help you remember dozens.
Six: Draw
I used to struggle to understand charts and graphs. This is because I’m easily overwhelmed by too much information displayed on a page that isn’t text.
Then Tony Buzan gave me the idea of re-drawing those charts and graphs with my own hand.
While taking a few minutes to manually reproduce information charted out visually, I was able to explain to myself their meaning.
I’ve since used this technique to help me remember harder vocabulary in various languages that other memory techniques for some reason could not penetrate.
Seven: Verbalize
When I was struggling to understand various aspects of French philosophy, I read it out loud.
Back then, iPhones were still a daydream. I recorded myself reading into a micro-cassette recorder.
Then, I would listen back to the recording while reading the book.
You might think, “That sounds time-consuming!”
It isn’t.If you’re spending time reading and failing to comprehend the material, that’s 100% consuming time you
cannot get back.
But narrating material and then listening back to it in a way that captivates your mind so information can integrate into memory?
That’s just smart learning.
Eight: Use Spaced Repetition Properly
People love their spaced-repetition apps.
Yet, so many fail to show positive results despite spending hundreds of hours using them.
Worse, they might be able to answer correctly on the app. But in the real world?
To get more out of each and every card or slide in your app, do this:
Add multisensory associations to the information
Never show yourself the answer until you’ve tried to recall the information through association
Be suspicious of the answers you give the app (in other words, be honest)
Recall information even when the app isn’t asking you to learn
For example, let’s say you’ve got a list of medical terms.
Rather than have “edema” on one side of the card and the definition of the other, try this:
Imagine a famous person named Ed and an emu or someone named Emma swelling up with fluid. Hear the sound of them stretching. Feel it physically, as if it were your own body. Imagine the emotions involved and focus on what the situation would look like.
You might even write out this scenario on the card instead of the word or the definition. When you try to recall the word, treating it like a puzzle to solve will help your brain create connections.
A faster and more physical way to do this is by using physical index cards. Learn more by reading my how to memorize a textbook post.
Nine: Study In Multiple Locations
One of the quickest wins of all is to keep moving.
The best part is that moving from spot to spot while you’re studying not only helps your memory. It’s an easy way to incorporate taking breaks and getting a bit of physical fitness.
There are at least three ways to approach this principle:
In your home
On campus
Around town
While at home, pick 2-3 locations you can tackle your study materials. For example, your room, the kitchen table and the back porch. Deliberately switch things up over twenty minutes or so.
On campus, have a few different spots in the library. Move to a cafe and look for empty lecture halls or classrooms you can park in to read a chapter or two.
Now that I have a Ph.d., I don’t have the benefit of a campus anymore. But I still cart my books around with me for my current research projects. I read at the beach, in front of stores while my wife is shopping, on the bus, etc.
What matters above all is that your study areas are optimal.
As I’ve shared in the infographic above, this is easy to achieve. Just make sure that the locations you choose:
Are easy to declutter
Allow you to control the amount of noise
Have proper lighting to avoid eye strain
Let you study in comfort while maintaining good posture
Unfortunately, I went far too long studying in bad physical positions. As a result, I’ve developed shoulder and hip issues that I probably would not be suffering had I taken greater care with my posture during the many hours I’ve studied.
Ten: Use Those Locations as Memory Palaces
Although it’s beneficial to move around, you can get even more bang for your buck by turning those locations into Memory Palaces. If you’re not sure what a Memory Palace is, here’s a powerful set of examples for you.
This technique is more robust and will take at least a weekend to learn thoroughly.
To use it, turn any location into a mental reference tool.
If one of your study spots is the kitchen, use the walls to create associations and hold in place.
For example, instead of placing the “edema” example we used before on a card in SRS software, you can mentally project it onto a wall.
There are a few ins-and-outs to learn, so if you’d like more info, please grab my FREE Memory Improvement Course:
Eleven: Make Studying Feel Like A Game
A lot of learning apps try to “gamify” the learning process.
I think they’re heading in the right direction.
However, I think they’re missing a piece of the puzzle.
It relates to the mindset issue we mentioned at the beginning.
Anything can be a game if you simply decide to make it one.
And the best games we play are the ones we design ourselves.
My personal philosophy around the best designed games is simple:
Only play the games that you are happy and willing to play again and again.
Voluntarily.
At the end of the day, those kinds of games are easy for me to define:
They involve tons of variety and plenty of options for flexibility and personalization.
As for rewards, sure. They can be useful.
But for the best possible results, make playing the game itself a reward. Not even the toughest topics will ever seem boring to you again.
Why can’t I remember anything I study?
If you’re still asking that question, chances are you haven’t turned learning into a game you can win.
So to sum up:
Work on your mindset
Take breaks properly
Use interleaving
Get your hands involved in multiple ways
Copy hard graphs you cannot understand
Verbalize and record
Use spaced-repetition correctly
Change your location frequently
Maximize the locations by using the Memory Palace technique
Make learning a game
Even if you pick just 2-3 of these tips and get started with them, your ability to remember what you study will quickly soar.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to get more out of your study sessions? This set of tips truly is the best way to study and remember fast.
Let me know in the comments and enjoy the blessings of knowledge!
How to Remember Trivia: Win Any Competition & Know Your Facts
Jan 03, 2024
Knowing how to remember trivia questions and answers can make you a lot of money.
But there are other reasons you might want a full arsenal of memorization tricks at your side.
In addition to making bank, being at the ready with lots of interesting tidbits can be:
Personally fulfilling
Professionally useful
An alternative to physical sports for competitive people
A great way to socialize
A source of social capital
Plus, being fascinated with trivia does not make the information “trivial.”
Far from it.
In fact, as you’re about to discover, even if a fact you commit to memory does prove trivial (heaven forbid), you can still use that datapoint as an asset. I’ll show you how I used a random bit of trivia to produce a great outcome earlier today near the end of this post.
As a memory expert, I commit a lot of information to memory, and the exercise itself is useful. None of it is trivial to me in the end.
So if you want to learn how to get better at trivia, this page has all the details that will take you from amateur to pro. And if you wind up winning at trivia night, all the better.
Just rest assured that when you’re using the techniques on this page to give you a competitive edge, you can never lose. The benefits from the brain exercise itself are too valuable to leave you feeling anything but a trivia master.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHB6cRHDsDM
The Strategy Behind Trivia Memorization
When memory athlete Jonas von Essen won a major television trivia competition in 2023, a ton of people asked me my opinion as a memory expert.
How to Remember Trivia: 6 Memorization Tricks to Help You Become a Trivia Master
Now that you’ve got the broad overview and understand how being skilled with trivia can fulfill a variety of cognitive needs, let’s get into the granular details.
More advanced strategies like the Major System and PAO System are also helpful, especially for memorizing numbers.
All of these approaches have mnemonic images and the Memory Palace technique in common. People serious about getting better at trivia will want to get deeply familiar with each of these approaches.
Two: Consume Massive Amounts of Info Like a Pro
Once you’ve got your memory skills boosted, you’ll want to get good at extracting information from a variety of sources.
Basically, you use this technique with physical index cards. Some people call them flash cards, but the strategy is the same. You extract the information onto cards, ideally by hand, and then use Memory Palaces to memorize each fact.
Sure, you can use Anki or some other spaced repetition software, but you’re quite possibly diminishing the amount you can remember when you do.
So whether you’re memorizing information from philosophical books or absorbing medical terminology, the extraction process I just described streamlines everything. It will also give you more time to hold trivia practice rounds.
Three: Chunk While You Read
You don’t always have to use the index card method, however.
For example, I was reading a book about Latin and Greek word origins earlier today. I learned that “sitos” is Greek for “sitting and eating, usually at the side of another.” It’s part of the word parasitos. We get our word for “parasite” from this origin.
To remember this, I didn’t need to do anything other than chunk it together with a quick mental image of Superman sitting beside a guy I know named Perry at a Safeway grocery store.
Superman is a pegword I use a lot for words that start with ‘s.’ And I have many others.
The point is that I’m able to “chunk” the core information quickly together and add it to a Memory Palace. In this case, the Memory Palace starts with ‘s’ as well.
Four: Learn Mental Calculation
A lot of facts involve numbers related to historical dates, how much things weigh, how old things are, distances, etc. I suggest you use the number techniques I’ve already mentioned, or try the number rhyme technique.
You may even have to perform calculations. To get really fast at that, you can:
Not only will these skills help you solve any math-related puzzles that may come up, they also contain interesting tidbits that might come up on a trivia quiz.
Five: Practice in the Right Conditions
I once competed at a memory competition against Dave Farrow.
Fortunately, I didn’t fall flat on my face. But because I had never competed before, I had no context dependent memory developed.
As memory expert and multi-time USA Memory Champ Nelson Dellis coached us when he hosted the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, to win you need to practice competing.
Here are a few ways you can do that in low stress environments before taking it to the big time:
Play trivia games in noisy places where your concentration will be taxed
Practice with friends who understand your goals and support you
Make sure you balance the challenge-frustration curve
Balancing the challenge-frustration curve means that you should watch out for when things get too easy. It can feel good for your ego that you’re doing really well, but it risks not growing your skills.
On the flip side of the coin, if you take on too many challenges, you wind up frustrating yourself. So always be willing to scale back so that you don’t wind up quitting.
As you continue on, you’ll find that that mental strength tactic helps you improve with greater consistency and avoid the temptation to pause or quit.
Six: Keep a Progress Journal
We’ve talked about the role of handwriting as a kind of encryption tool.
And as someone who loves facts large and small, I journal what I memorize frequently.
I’m not particularly tidy about it. I just summarize what I memorized throughout the day to get in a bit of extra practice.
Become an Invaluable Trivia Player & Person of Incredible Knowledge
One thing I love about memorizing trivia is that it makes playing trivia games with others a lot of fun.
Not just because winning is deeply fulfilling. It also provides two special opportunities:
A chance to reflect on when and where you encountered the right information in your past
The opportunity to learn many new things
In this way, you never lose when you play trivia. Each and every question gives you fantastic brain exercise whether you score points or not.
Plus, becoming a personal of greater knowledge is an ongoing benefit.
There’s always so much more to know.
And the great thing about learning more about Latin and Greek as I was just doing today is that I can chunk on more and more facts. That’s because once you establish one thing in memory, it’s easy to add on more.
For example, it’s not at all trivial to know about the etymology of “sitos” when I can use the same image of Superman to add on “supercilious.”
The word means “haughty and arrogant” now, but it literally comes from the words for eyebrow (super means “above” and “cilium” is eyelid). What better eyelid to use than Superman’s?
If you’d like ancient memory techniques like these working for you, please consider getting my free memory improvement course by clicking the image below and signing up:
In it, you’ll learn more about how to create a vast web of associations in your mind.
That way, you’ll win on trivia night and enjoy knowledge that stand the test of time.
How To Renovate A Memory Palace (And When You Shouldn’t)
Dec 27, 2023
Year after year, people ask me “what if” questions about the Memory Palace technique.
For example, what if I need to make changes to my Memory Palace?
It’s a good question with several dimensions.
For one thing, we need to look at what the need to change involves. Is part of the Memory Palace making its use inefficient?
Or do we feel the need to expand the Memory Palace, if not connect it to other Memory Palaces?
Certainly, you can do all of these things if absolutely necessary.
And on this page, I’ll give you some suggestions that will help make the process smooth.
But there are also ways to ever have to avoid renovating any Memory Palace once you’ve set it up.
And when things do change, you’ll be ready to handle the need for transformations in a flash.
Ready to get into the nitty-gritty?
Let’d dive in!
https://youtu.be/X7VKqhoBm7w
The First Thing To Do If You Feel The Need to Change A Memory Palace
Pause.
That’s right.
Before you do anything, pause and ask a simple question:
Is this really necessary? Why do I think the Memory Palace needs to be changed?
Could I start a new Memory Palace as an alternative?
The answer is that yes, you can start new Memory Palaces. But some people don’t have enough of them.
Then, using the principle of compounding, I add entire phrases to the words I’ve memorized.
This technique moves from strength to strength because they only thing it changes is the mnemonic imagery, not any of the Memory Palaces themselves.
Explore Reusing Your Memory Palaces
Frankly, reusing a Memory Palace is usually only worth exploring after you’ve mastered the main Memory Palace technique.
I’ve talked about this several times.
https://youtu.be/3wc544lgS1U
Here’s a follow-up video with more detail:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umt-innA-u8
The key drawback is that reusing a Memory Palace often leads to ghosting or confusion. Ghosting is often referred to in memory science as The Ugly Sister Effect.
How To Renovate a Memory Palace Properly
After exhausting all other options, the first step is to clean the Memory Palace you want to renovate.
According to 3x World Memory Champion Alex Mullen, the key is not to “clean” the Memory Palace. That would involve going through it with an imaginary mop.
Instead, Mullen suggests that you leave the Memory Palace fallow for a certain amount of time. Not using the Memory Palace will fade out anything in it and give you the most solid foundation for changing it if you want to revise the journey.
This point is important because if you make changes too soon, you could lead to the ghosting issues created by reusing Memory Palaces.
One of the simplest ways to renovate or expand a Memory Palace is by creating and adding Virtual Memory Palace elements. These can include imaginary bookshelves other types of invented or imaginary stations. You place these between pre-existing stations and the information memorized at/on/beside/in or under them.
This technique will be most useful for mnemonists who already have some experience using Virtual Memory Palace elements in combination with the Method of Loci.
Personally, I stopped doing this many years ago. Starting a new Memory Palace has proven faster, more direct and ultimately more effective.
Connect Your Memory Palace Network With Mnemonic Images
At intermediate and advanced levels, every mnemonic image can serve as a Memory Palace.
I was working with a coaching client yesterday. She was asking for help with memorizing an aspect of the law. For a term like “Supreme court jurisdiction,” I showed her how Superman connects with the word Supreme.
And it connects via the letter S to my friend Stacey’s home. It also connects to the number 1 using the Major. And the number 1 has a top, middle and a bottom.
These observations mean that you can expand any Memory Palace conceptually. You don’t have to change it. You just notice features of the target information and start to elaborate it with spatial information in mind.
This is just one of the features of the ancient memory techniques that are quite different from how memory athletes memorize.
Multiple Memory Palaces for each letter of the alphabet may have limited appeal. But once you give it a try, you’ll find that it works a charm.
The worst that can happen is that you wind up not using some of the Memory Palaces you create.
But that’s hardly a problem. It will give you a lot of practice in Memory Palace construction and you can always go back and use those Memory Palaces later. You’ll also boost both your memory and intelligence simply by engaging in the experimentation and exploration process.
Your mind loves this kind of exercise and the experimentation involved. It certainly gives your declarative memory a workout, amongst other types of your memory. You just need the mindset, the willingness and the determination to succeed and you’ll find more success than you imagined possible.
Multiple alphabetized Memory Palaces also work wonders when you’re memorizing vocabulary around themes.
For example, if you’re memorizing words based on the theme of restaurants, instead of having one Memory Palace with 50 words, you could have 5 with 10 words each.
In fact, you could think of 5 restaurants that you’ve enjoyed and use these. This will create a nice connection between the theme you’re working on and the actual Memory Palaces you’re using.
Get Out There And Start Experimenting
Ultimately, in my experience with teaching memory techniques over the last decade, I feel strongly that your personal experimentation is the key to success.
Studies in active recall demonstrate the importance of your personal involvement. And one of the only mysteries that remains is why some people jump in and others hesitate.
I hope this post has helped you take action and I invite you to learn more by getting my FREE Memory Improvement Course:
It will help save you time by teaching you how to create Memory Palaces properly from the get-go. That way, you won’t have to worry about renovating them because everything I teach you is based on how your memory actually works.
But if you still want to, now you can. And there’ll be no “what ifs” about it. Because now you know that you need to experiment – and if you run into trouble, you now have powerful alternative approaches to renovating Memory Palaces.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions. And if you want more detailed training, everything you need to learn and memorize anything you want awaits you in the full Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
Memory Alchemy & A “Magnetic” Tarot Reading With Brad Kelly, Author of House of Sleep
Dec 25, 2023
Just about every novel I read has the word “memory” in it.
But few novels serve as meditations on the nature of memory itself.
Enter Brad Kelly’s House of Sleep.
The novel is literary, but not at the expense of having a driving plot.
And the writing is exquisite in how it brings out both the plot and the novel’s central themes.
To discuss the theme of memory in House of Sleep and much more, Brad Kelly joins me on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
In addition to writing, Kelly is also a pro Tarot reader. As a bonus on this episode, he demonstrates his divination skills on this podcast itself.
Cool, or what?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r42HFy_w9l4
Who Is Brad Kelly?
Brad Kelly is a widely published author and former Michener Fellow who focuses on the darkness lurking within creativity.
He is also the co-host of The Art of Darkness Podcast. The discussions revolve around a variety of artists, musicians and writers who transformed their issues in life by channeling it into their cultural productions.
That’s because Kelly’s novel revolves around a number of characters, most specifically:
Lynne
Daniel
The Diving Man
Lynne seeks out a program offered by the Diving Man that uses a drug to help people use dreams to resolve issues. Only, she doesn’t realize that the Diving Man not only has ties to the CIA, but perhaps a number of troubling motives beyond offering therapy.
The homes of Lynne and Daniel, albeit featured only briefly, could be useful to your practice. And the Diving Man’s mansion provides several sub-locations to explore.
The book cover itself could also be useful as a mini-Memory Palace for those of you willing to explore smaller loci.
Brad Kelly On the Tarot
Exploring the Tarot with Kelly is one of my favorite aspects of this interview.
I am asked fairly frequently about how to memorize the cards and have started thinking more about it in recent years, especially in the context of Sacred Geometry.
As memory skeptics loaded up with multiple types of critical thinking, some of us tend to dismiss practices like the Tarot. Although I have been as guilty of brushing off things like the Tarot and the horoscope, I’m glad to have opened to them a bit more.
As Kelly reveals, there’s a practical way to use the tools with an open mind – but a mind not so open that your brain falls out. That is a very good thing indeed.
I’m grateful for Kelly’s reading of the MMM project overall because it did exactly as promised. It provided food for thought that both affirms and negates some of my deeply held memory biases.
The experience also reminding me of another author with the surname Kelly, and my wish to revisit The Memory Code. There is surely much more to explore when it comes to the mnemonic aspects built into the Tarot. Mnemosyne willing, I sure that we shall dive deeper as this project carries on.
So…
Should you read House of Sleep?
I certainly think so and encourage you to check out Brad Kelly’s other projects, both current and forthcoming.
How to Memorize a Speech Fast: 5 Proven Tips for Memorizing Speeches
Dec 18, 2023
Imagine this: you’re standing up in front of an audience and giving an important speech.
Now tell me, how do you feel? Are your hands sweaty or your knees shaky? Is your stomach tied up in knots and feeling a bit queasy?
If you’re anything like me during my undergraduate years, maybe you even have a phobia of public speaking.
Yes, it’s true.
I might be a TEDx speaker now who gives presentations from memory around the world, but I once had a terrible aversion to giving speeches.
But now I use memory techniques and on this page I’ll share with you my best tips.
You’ll discover not only how I memorized my TEDx Talk word-for-word, but also an example from another successful speaker who I taught these techniques to over an hour. His talk did not get as many views as mine, but still did really well!
Since being able to give speeches is a highly marketable skill that also lets you express your personality, it only makes sense to learn how to do it right. Without sounding like a robot.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
The Best Way To Memorize A Speech
The short answer is to use a Memory Palace. This simple memorization technique will help you feel fearless, focused, and give you the ability to track back if you ever do lose your place.
This is because this specific technique enables you to use space in the world to memorize exactly what you want to deliver… in the order you want to deliver it. As you move through your Memory Palace, you’re just ticking off boxes, spatially speaking.
You know when you’ve finished a specific section of your speech, and you know exactly where you are in space. This is why it’s easier to find your place if you momentarily get lost.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBvKFI7AlLE
How To Memorize A Speech: Step-By-Step
As we go through these steps, keep in mind that they are quite linear.
This is the exact process I have followed many times over the years. They are the modern version of an approach that has been around since at least 90 BCE, as described in a book called Rhetorica ad Herennium.
Step One: Write A Great Speech
It sounds kind of obvious, but I want to point it out all the same.
So many speeches fail because they speaker knows that their message isn’t great.
There’s only one fix: Put in the time to boil your message down to just one idea. Craft it and shape it like a wordsmith.
Include examples and quotes, use metaphors and similes, all in the service of addressing just one key theme or thesis.
Also, make sure to choose an opening with short and simple words. One study in particular has found something I think that accounts for the success of my TEDx Talk and my video presentations overall: short and simple words are correlated with trustworthiness.
It’s worth reading your written speech over several times, and ideally having it reviewed by at least one other person.
To get an object take on it yourself, record yourself speaking the speech out loud that you’re sure it sounds right. Often, you’ll be able to weed out unnecessary words a lot better once you’ve heard what they sound like when played back on a recording.
You can also get a speaking mentor like I did. I’ve actually interviewed him on my podcast where we go over further details about how I delivered my TEDx Talk based on his presentation coaching.
You’ll save a lot of time by only memorizing a speech that you don’t need to change after you’ve memorized it.
Next, you’ll begin to create the ultimate tool for memorizing the perfected speech.
Step Two: Create a Memory Palace
A Memory Palace is simply a mental recreation of a location you’re familiar with. First, you draw out a journey and then decide where you will play mnemonic images that remind you of each and every word.
Let’s look at a specific example of how a real person uses this technique based on my help: Jonathan Levi and his TED Talk “What if Schools Taught us How to Learn?“
As I just mentioned, I suggest you draw out your Memory Palace journey. Here’s Jonathan’s:
Jonathan Levi’s Memory Palace for his TEDx, a speech he memorized verbatim.
The trick is to make the Memory Palace big enough to contain your entire talk.
For my own TEDx Talk, I used an entire neighborhood in Kelvin Grove, part of Brisbane:
Here’s the talk as it was delivered in Melbourne, Australia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
Step Three: Use Compression & Keywords To Memorize the Speech
You don’t have to place every single word inside of your Memory Palace.
Certainly, you can, and there are verbatim quotes in my TEDx Talk where I did just that.
However, for most of the talk, I was using one or two images to remind me of entire sentences.
For example, “How would you like to completely silence your mind?” was just the image of Howie Mandel hitting the YouTube like button and creating silence.
If you’re new to memory techniques, it can be challenging to come up with associations for your quotes and keywords. I suggest you learn the pegword method. It will make it simple for you to rapidly assign your associations.
Step Four: Rehearse Using the “Big Five”
Once you’ve memorized your speech using the Memory Palace, it’s time to use the Big Five at least five times.
What does that mean?
Write out what you’ve memorized, from memory.
Speak it out loud, either to yourself or someone else.
Record yourself speaking and then listen to the recording.
Get your recording transcribed and read it over.
And practice, practice, practice!
Practice your speech in front of the camera or in front of friends. Use the relaxation tips I shared earlier in the post. And get as comfortable as you possibly can before you jump up on that stage.
Finally, let’s take a look at a couple of real-life examples, so you can see how this methodology works in practice.
Real-Life Examples of How to Remember a Speech Using Alternative Approaches
In this section, we’ll talk about how to memorize a speech quickly using some of my favorite alternatives to the Memory Palace technique.
There are a couple of speeches I give regularly. Both the NAME and FREE speech are very fluid and packaged, and I do them entirely from memory based on acronyms.
Let’s look at both speeches, starting with…
The NAME Speech
When I give this speech, I talk about how to memorize names.
I follow the acronym “NAME.”
Noticing,
Making Associations,
Using Memory Palaces, and
Managing Expectations.
Within 20 minutes I’m done and everyone in that room can memorize any name they want!
Does working from an acronyme mean my speech is a little bit different every time? Of course, but this method is super simple to follow, very structured, and gives me the chance to just talk about the topic.
Next, let’s look at…
The FREE Speech
The same thing goes for this particular speech. When I give this speech, I run through the acronym:
Frequency,
Relevance,
Edutainment, and
Engagement.
What I find fun about using acronyms to memorize your speech is that you can also use them backward. Sometimes I’ll write out “FREE” on the board, and then proceed to work up from the bottom. It’s a great way to catch the audience’s attention.
Hopefully, by this point, your interest has been piqued. And maybe you even want to learn more about how to give a great speech.
The Ultimate Benefits of Memorizing A Speech
Now that you know how to memorize a speech, I think it’s worth looking at some of the benefits I’ve enjoyed over the years.
Marketability
There are lots of companies that need someone to be able to present the value they offer – their expertise, unique selling proposition, value for the market, etc – and why customers should pick them. It’s the same for you — you want to be known as the person a company wants to hire, the one they want to promote, the one they want to give a raise.
Public speaking displays your expertise
Your ability to speak coherently and clearly is a key indicator to both your employer and clients that you know your stuff. When you can speak from the top of your mind without hemming and hawing or stuttering, it lets your knowledge shine.
Stepping on stage develops courage
Getting comfortable with public speaking takes practice — and getting out there and starting to give speeches (even if it’s just to a friend or two at first) will begin to build your courage muscle. It’s a win-win.
Speaking shows your personality
As you practice giving speeches, you’ll begin to develop your own personal presentation style. And the more comfortable you get, the more your personality will shine.
Giving speeches helps build relationships
Getting out into the community allows you to connect with people in both your personal and business networks. And if you’re still in school, it can help you build connections with your teachers and your fellow students.
Public speaking sets you up as an expert in your field
When you’re the one up on stage, it’s clear to the audience that you know what you’re talking about. You can prepare the road ahead by being known as the expert who has the courage to get up on stage and share their knowledge. Just look at Sunil Khatri’s speech success story. It helps you deliver results to other people.
Right now, your audience doesn’t have a particular set of knowledge. When you get up on stage, you’re able to give them that knowledge — and package it in a way that helps them quickly absorb it. Plus, you can do so in a way that encourages them to take action, because they’ve seen you demonstrate how valuable it is from the stage.
Speaking can help you build your memory as you learn
Learning to memorize a speech will help you build your memory as you go. Even if you do need notes in the beginning, you can still improve your memory as you practice your speech.
So as you can see, learning to commit your talks to memory is not only a valuable skill, but being able to jump up on stage and speak off the top of your mind is actually a lot of fun!
Have Fun Memorizing a Speech
Think back to how giving speeches used to make you feel.
Sweaty. Queasy. Shaking just thinking about stepping up on stage.
Now, think about how confident and powerful you can feel standing up on stage as you deliver your expertise to a rapt audience.
This second scenario isn’t just possible… it’s probable. All you have to do is follow the tips and techniques in this post, and before you know it you’ll be a cool and confident public speaker.
But maybe you’re thinking, “I don’t know how to get started — how can I give my first speech?” I would recommend to everybody, if you haven’t given a speech in your life, make an occasion to go out and give a speech, and give it in different ways.
Give a number of speeches, even if it’s just to a small audience or a close group of friends. This simple practice will help develop both your crystal and fluid intelligence – both needed for developing the skill of speaking. And try different formats: recite from a piece of paper, do partial recall from memory, speak verbatim from memory, or any way you prefer.
And whatever you do, have fun with it! Giving speeches is a great way to play a giant, satisfying brain game — as well as delivering value to others and setting yourself up as an expert in your field.
If you’re still feeling uncertain, there’s a mini-course in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass about memorizing speeches that goes deeper into this topic.
Dive in, enjoy and please let me see you deliver your speech once it’s recorded and up online!
The Chunking Technique Explained: 7 Powerful Techniques
Dec 17, 2023
You’ve probably heard of the chunking technique and thought it sounded pretty boring.
I mean, how is splitting large pieces of information into smaller pieces supposed to help you remember more?
Isn’t that just more work?
Your intuition is correct to ask.
Because if the chunk method is poorly executed, it not only leads to wasted time and energy.
It doesn’t provide the desired results either.
So to fix that, let’s go beyond the standard chunking definition.
And I promise that after you’re read each and every example I have to share on this page, you’ll always get great results whenever you’re chunking information.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqLf5HygEbo
What is Chunking?
David Sousa gives a very simple way to understand chunking in How the Brain Learns.
Look at the word “chunking.”
Do your eyes and your brain see eight individual letters?
Technically, yes. But your mind “chunks” c-h-u-n-k-i-n-g into a single word.
We also tend to chunk numbers, such as the ones we use to call one another by phone. Whereas telephone numbers were initially very short, as the systems grew in popularity, they needed to be longer.
The term “chunking” comes from Dr. George Miller. In a 1956 paper titled The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two, he famously pointed out how grouping numbers into shorter chunks made them much easier to remember.
Many memory athletes and memory experts have used mnemonic devices like the PAO System to completely sidestep the limitations Miller identified and chunk in highly efficient ways. One of my students even memorized 1200 digits of pi and can recite them all in about a minute!
Experts provide another example. Instead of trying to understand vast swaths of disconnected information, they think categorically. They find and refer to patterns. And when necessary, experts create new terms or paradigms that help us understand the connections between aspects of the world.
Finally, some students treat “cramming” as a form of chunking. Although this practice can provide some results, one of my favorite memory hacks is called “The Cram Smasher.” It helps you group blocks of time in a sophisticated way that reduces forgetting and maximizes your free time.
How the Chunking Technique Works
Chunking is not necessarily a natural behavior. It tends to be a skill we learn. For example, when we are young, we are shown how ten dimes make a dollar.
There are many patterns like this that we learn: ten, ten dollar bills make one hundred, etc.
But to turn this into a memory strategy, we want to add a few additional elements. We can look for patterns and then group information deliberately.
Things You Can Remember Better With The Chunking Memory Strategy
Let’s look a bit closer at numbers by using an example like 9289.
In this number, you might notice that your grandfather is 92 and in 1989 he took you to the zoo. By comparing or mentally linking those similarities, you are chunking them together. Instead of looking at 9289 as a random digit, you have chunked it down and encoded smaller parts of the larger digit with personal meaning.
How Memory Competitors Use Chunking
You can also use the PAO System I mentioned above or the Major System. These are the mnemonic systems used by memory competitors to win prizes and break records each and every year going back for over three decades.
The Major System
The Major works by translating each digit from 0-9 into a consonant. You then use those consonants to make words. 9289, for example, could become Peter Pan vaping – a chunk that works because P = 9, N =2 and V = 8. Using these facts about the Major System, you assign words that you find striking and recall numbers a lot easier.
Chunking Using Linking And Stories
Another way to chunk items together involves applying stories and links. For example, let’s say you need to memorize the following list of words:
Kitten
Field
Football
Drink
Hunting
Ocean
To remember these items, you could chunk them together using a story. For example, you can imagine a kitten in a field playing football. After the game, the kitten grabs some beers, puts on a hunting cap and goes to the ocean.
Yes, the story is weird, but it chunks the items in the list together, making them much easier to recall. Scientists have shown that this approach words by specifically expanding your working memory.
But the tactics we’ve covered so far aren’t the only ways to chunk. Let’s have a look at a few more.
7 Powerful Chunking Memory Techniques
As you go through this list, pick at least one and apply it to something you’re learning.
As always, you’ll want to ask before getting started with any particular chunking technique if it’s really appropriate to the learning goal. Sometimes there are more appropriate strategies available, though we never know until we experiment. So above all, have fun.
One: Make An Acronym
I’ve given a lot of speeches in my career. But sometimes I don’t feel like memorizing them word for word.
So I craft an acronym instead. Often, an entire talk comes from one keyword, a strategy I outline in detail in How to Memorize a Speech Fast.
YOLO for “You only live once” chunks the the concept both into a single sentence and then further into a single, unique word.
You can also use acronyms to memorize definitions or phrases. The catch is that it can take a bit of time to think up a good one. It’s still powerful when you hit upon something good, and we use chunking like this all the time for news networks (CNN) and government institutions (FBI, CIA).
A recent popular example is YOLO for “you only live once.” This acronym chunks the concept into a unique word, but the phrase itself is itself chunking because it expresses a much longer sentiment in just a few words.
Even better, scientific research has shown that using acronyms can help you get focused again on certain tasks after an interruption. Acronyms have this effect because they provide your procedural memory a more robust structure to refer back to after an interruption.
Two: Mind Map
Mind mapping doesn’t have to involve chunking, but it certainly can.
Basically, ever image on a mind map chunks together and image with a concept or keyword you want to remember. Have a look at this example from one my students in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass:
Keko used my concept of the “Seashell Mind Map” to place various steps in the memory improvement process in order. Using big words, she can see larger concepts and understand what they are at a glance. In many ways, what Keko has created is a combined mind map and concept map.
Here’s an example of one of my own mind maps:
The central keyword is “retention” and I use tributaries in different colors to isolate different concepts. I’m using as few words as possible so that they are all chunked down to their key ideas on the mind map.
In one case, I included a drawing, which is a great way to include imagistic chunking as a memory strategy. In this final mind map example, I use all images and no words to remind me of the most important activities in my professional life as a memory teacher and researcher:
Each image chunks down an entire world of ideas. For example, in the 3 o’clock position, you see a clock and some letters on a typewriter. These images chunk down the idea that I will spend an hour a day writing. The medical symbol at the 7 o’clock position reminds me of my goal to work on my medical mnemonics podcast, especially on topics related to neuroscience and mental health (hence the unhappy and the happy faces).
In each of these mind map examples, chunking is used slightly differently. But the point remains the same: highly compressed mental connections are laid out on the space of the mind map. They are understood at a glance even though there are very few words on them, and in some cases no words at all.
Three: Compare and Contrast
One of the ways I remember so much as I read comes down to thinking comparatively.
For example, when I come across a main point in a book, I often ask, “What else is like this? What contrasts or opposes this?”
To give a simple example, I recently read Christopher Kemp’s Dark and Magical Places. It’s about how the brain navigates space. When I asked about the opposite of navigation, I thought about certain meditation practices where you sit very still.
When your questioning produces answers, even if they are very simple, you effectively chunk the ideas together. The chunking effect makes all of the involved information easier to remember in the future.
Asking questions also makes it possible to read faster because of how it develops your pattern recognition abilities.
Four: Notice Structures, Categories and Functions
We often just consume entertainment. But if we take some time to pay attention to the form a story takes, we can remember more about it.
I shared some of the narratological structures I used to use as a Film Studies professor in How to Remember a Story.
You can also use certain observations to help remember names.
For example, if you’re at the dentist and you learn that the secretary’s name is Martina, you could imagine your dentist drinking a toothpaste flavored martini with her at the service counter. You’ve literally chunked a dentistry related flavor to her name and put your dentist into the picture so you’ll remember that she’s his secretary.
Speaking of names, yet another way to understand chunking is to consider your last name. It’s one of many ways your identity is chunked to your family. The use of family trees to track lineage is another.
These include rhyming, the Memory Palace technique and some of the number systems we discussed above.
In many ways, the Memory Palace is the ultimate chunking technique because you group the information you want to remember into individual rooms.
If you’d like to learn more about how it works, get my FREE Memory Improvement course for some free lessons and exercises:
Six: Inverse Chunking
So far, we’ve seen that chunking is all about grouping or organizing information in particular ways.
But another way to approach grouping information involves how you organize it in time.
For example, I love to use a reading technique called interleaving. Basically, it involves reading 3-5 books at the same time and switching between them.
Instead of chunking the topics or information in them, it’s about chunking the time down into manageable bits. Then, during the brakes, diffuse thinking helps form more memory connections. You literally learn and remember information about the first topic while paying attention to the second.
Seven: Flash Card Chunking
A lot of people like to use Anki or standard flashcards.
Although both are great and you can certainly chunk information onto cards categorically, it’s also possible to insert questions and connections into them to help you remember things.
In the example above, I used a question to contrast a point. Although this line of questioning might not make sense to you, it instantly reminds me that many spiritual traditions have very different goals than Marxism.
You can use questions like this to also help you compare, contrast and ultimately remember more.
Use the Chunking Technique Widely
As you can see, chunking is powerful.
How and when humans started gathering things together is not entirely clear. But as Dr. Miller pointed out, there’s only so much information the brain can easily contain.
But that’s where the techniques you’ve learned today provide some very good news.
By using the chunk method in its many forms strategically, it’s possible to learn faster and remember more.
So what do you say? Are you ready to get out there and master more information quickly?
Chunk it up!
PAO System: Your Full Guide to Person-Action-Object Mnemonics
Dec 12, 2023
The PAO System is the ultimate mnemonic tool for high-speed memorization.
A lot of people believe this system is used exclusively for memorizing numbers.
But a well-formed PAO System is actually a lot more powerful than that.
As a research professor, memory expert and author of multiple books on memory techniques, I’m going to show you how to use a Person-Action-Object (PAO) system for rapidly learning everything from historical dates, to mathematical formulas and credit card numbers.
You can also remember medical dosages and even complex terminology and foreign language vocabulary with this mnemonic system. The various ways you can use it for the mental compression of all kinds of information is immense.
In this guide, we are diving deep into the mechanics of how to build your first, world class PAO list.
Or, if you’ve already got one, I’m going to show you how to improve and expand it for multiple uses.
Are you excited?
Let’s get started!
https://youtu.be/ogtVQ48VgC4
What Is The PAO System?
PAO memory systems go back a very long time.
They offer you a simple way to create a formal mnemonic linking system for quickly encoding two-digit pairs into memory.
Scientifically, the technique leverages a mnemonic chunking strategy identified by researchers who determined that the most efficient amount of information for learning boils down to 3-4 items at a time. David Dirlam’s “Most efficient chunk sizes” is worth a read if you’re interested in the psychological explanation.
In practice, all you need to do is get out a piece of paper and write down all the digits from 00-99.
Then, using the Major System, apply mnemonic associations to each two digit par. The key is to select associations that can readily interact in memorable ways.
Example Using the Traditional PAO System
Take these two-digit pairs, for example:
21 36 90
Someone using a traditional PAO system would divide the numbers into a set of images specifically ordered according to the PAO pattern, Person-Action-Object.
The images are decided in advance so that you’re always ready to go when you look at numbers.
You then imagine something like Jack Nicholson throwing burning matches at a bus.
Person = Jack Nicholson
Action = Throwing matches
Object = Bus
The exact PAO associations I’ve just listed come from my personal 00-99 PAO list. You can derive your own exact images in different ways, and we’ll talk about how to do that in a moment.
I’ll also share with you the thinking behind how I selected mine.
Briefly, 21 is Jack Nicholson in my PAO System because I’ve built each image based on the Major System.
Here’s what the Major System (sometimes called the Major Method) looks like:
When it comes to associating 21 with the actor Jack Nicholson, bear with me. The exact process can confuse beginners, but I’m going to make it clear for you.
Look at the Major System graphic above. You’ll note that:
2 = N
1 = D or T
Following these rules, I assigned the word “nut” to the two-digit pair 21.
Since Jack Nicholson often plays characters who are completely insane (or “nuts”) he struck me as perfect for that number.
But before we get any further in to the nuances of the PAO System, you might be wondering…
How the heck did people come up with such an interesting way to approach memory?
A Brief History of Person Action Object Systems
The notion of combining or linking information you want to remember to a Person Action Object complex begins much more simply.
The first reference I can find is the Katapayadi system. The oldest available evidence is 683 C.E., but it is almost certainly older than that.
In this alphanumeric system, we see what is probably the first detailed basis for transforming numbers into words.
What kinds of words?
Persons
Actions
Objects
Later, you see this arrangement built out with great sophistication in the works of Giordano Bruno, especially On the Shadows of the Ideas.
I’m not entirely sure, but I think Bruno chose to include Hebrew letters in his memory system because of the gematria. In this system, each Hebrew letter is classified so that it also represents a number. It also probably helped him expand his range of possible associations.
And since almost every Hebrew letter represents an animal, you pretty much have either a person or object in each letter along with the number. This approach is likely also the origin of what used to be called a “bestiary,” and on that Lynne Kelly is really the expert.
A Quick Review of PAO System Basics
Both in the past and now, linking numbers to consonants and then forming words that can be linked to mnemonic associations allows you to compress much more information into Memory Palaces.
As you saw with the Jack Nicholson example, the idea is to rotate between 3 different kinds of images for each two-digit pair.
But you also want each two-digit pair to have three associations.
For example:
01 = Peter Sutton suds soap
In this case, 01 (s + t) creates:
Sutton, the Person
Creating suds (the action)
Soap (the object)
You don’t have to use the technique this way, however. But you do want to set up your system so that you can in order to enjoy full access to its possibilities for a variety of learning goals.
I’ll show you how to simplify your PAO arrangements further down this page so you need only one image per two-digit pair.
But first, let’s look a bit deeper at the mnemonic systems people use to create their PAO Systems.
Dominic O’Brien came up with his variation to compete in memory competitions.
Technically speaking there is no such thing as a Dominic System PAO – at least not to my knowledge. This is because the Dominic System reduces a PAO down to a PA system (Person Action).
The Major, much like the katapayadi, lets you create any number of words from numbers. So in a true PAO system, you can actually have a lot more words:
Person
Action
Object
Emotional state
Smell
Flavor
Favorite snack, etc
One of my favorite students also has a man and a woman for each two-digit pair. In other words, for 12, he has both a man named Don and a woman named Dawn. For 32 he has assigned a man named Manuel and a woman named Mandy.
The point is that the PAO System can be much more flexible than you might have been taught.
What if you don’t like either the Major or the Dominic System?
There are other systems you can explore, such as the Ben System and the Shadow.
(For more on the Shadow, check out my conversations with Braden Adams. But note that most people I’m aware of also base their PAO System on the Major.)
The Shadow is a very powerful and much more robust version of a PAO system, especially for playing cards.
How To Use The PAO System
There are many ways to use a PAO system. You can use it to:
One way that people use the PAO system for numbers is very formal. They will always approach numbers in 3 sets of 2 pairs and then use their person action object in order.
That means that if you have a sequence of numbers like 89 43 21:
89 will be encoded as the person
43 will be encoded as the action
21 will be encoded as the object
Using my system, the images here are:
A viper (Cobra Commander) rams a nun (or Jack Nicholson).
Then, when memorizing the next set of digits, I can have the final object interact with the next set.
In other words, if the sequence is 89 43 21 55, the object that represents 21 can be doing something to the image for 55.
In this way, you can either have short vignettes or much longer narrative sequences.
Getting Started with Your First PAO System
The first step is to choose how you’re going to approach PAO memory systems so that success is guaranteed.
Again, for most people, I suggest learning the Major System first. Grounding your PAO System on the Major helps reduce the arbitrariness of the associations in a way that other systems do not.
Here’s what I mean:
In the Dominic System, you can choose just about any name so long as it starts with a particular letter of the alphabet.
But the Major limits the number of words you can choose from. And that means while learning your first PAO, you can use logic to work your way back to the core words you assigned.
And if you make a few leaps like I’ve done by turning V + P for 89 to turn the word “viper” into Cobra Commander, you can still track back the logic while you’re learning the system.
But you’re also free to simply assign words to your people, objects and actions without any special mnemonic system. If you have synesthesia, you might have some deeply intuitive choices that come to mind based on that aspect of how your mind words.
It might also be helpful to realize that a PAO list is really just one of several variations on the pegword method. I’ve shared the basis for my entire list there if you want to take a look.
Borrowing PAO Words From Others
I do not recommend this, but you certainly can look up various number dictionaries for ideas. Bruno Furst created a really interesting one.
Why do I suggest you not look at the lists created by other people?
Typically, the results you want will really start to flow when you personalize each and every assignment you make for a full 00-99 PAO.
As the science of active recall shows us, it’s the personalization that makes this technique work. So why not start there now that you know how the system works?
From High School Struggles to University Scholarship: A PAO Success Story
One of the biggest hesitations I hear from people is that learning a PAO System is too complicated.
I get that, but check this out.
Adolfo first completed my Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass over a decade ago.
When he saw his son struggling in high school, he decided to share what he learned and help his son develop a PAO so he could go from failing grades to greater success.
Instead of buying an app, Adolfo bought his sun a large dry-erase board and put it in the dining room. Then, together, he walked his son step-by-step through constructing the system. They even sent me this pic of them doing it:
Adolfo’s son in front of the Major System and PAO System dry-erase board that led to a university scholarship
As you can see, the Major System was drawn along the top and the 00-99 PAO items were developed in vertical columns.
The Payoff?
Adolfo’s son went from struggling with his grades to earning straight A’s and then secured a full university scholarship.
I recently re-connected with Adolfo to get permission to share that photo with you and he proudly reported that his son is now completing his thesis.
All thanks to the PAO System and a dry-erase board.
For many years I got along just fine with just the Major System.
But then I competed with Dave Farrow and realized how slow I was using the Major to memorize cards.
Later, memory athlete Florian Delle made me realize that you can actually “compress” each assignment in a way that lets make each one a Person that is both an action and an object.
For example, my 84 used to be “fire.”
But after speaking with him, I upgraded it to a character in a movie who uses a blowtorch. Fire because a person who uses an object to burn things.
To repeat: The person is the object that takes an action.
This made everything so much faster!
Another example:
36 used to be a box of matches for me, based on the Major System.
It’s still “match,” but now it’s Mike Tyson in a boxing match. Tyson is the person, boxing is the action and his gloves are the object.
In this way, when I want to memorize a number like 8436, I just have to imagine the blowtorch character from Missing in Action 2 setting Mike Tyson on fire.
This works the same way when memorizing playing cards that have been assigned numbers or memorizing Chinese tones or verse numbers in scripture.
And the best part?
If you take a moment to number your stations in a Memory Palace, you instantly have an image to interact with in each and every memory space you use.
I don’t use that approach particularly often, but it has come in handy many times as an organizational tool.
Using The PAO System For Memorizing Historical Dates
It’s useful to know when certain things happened. Personally, I like to know when philosophers lived so I can understand the development or overlap of certain philosophical questions across time.
Spinoza lived from 1632 to 1677. Using my images, that would be Johnny Cash (the man in black) and Mr. Koch, who was my grade seven teacher.
I placed Spinoza in a Memory Palace after Giordano Bruno who is thought to have been born in 1548 and who died in 1600. This means that I don’t need an image to place Spinoza in the 1600s. But if I did, I would use Dashiell Hammett doing dishes for 16.
The key thing here is to involve the philosophical figure in the images somehow. Usually, I place the birth date in the left hand of the figure and the date of death in the right hand. I adopted this idea from Bruno’s ancient memory strategy of using the body as a Memory Palace.
Once you have all your figures worked out, get some index cards. Starting with 00-99, fill them all out with a 2-digit pair on each card.
Then, shuffle them up.
If you come across a 42, name out the figure you chose. Or if it’s 72, call out that figure.
Once you’re able to name each of your associations for 00-99 relatively quickly, you can then start shuffling the deck and practicing memorizing the numbers that come out in order.
I would suggest starting small, such as with three, two-digit pairs.
As you develop your memory for larger and larger sequences of numbers, place the associations in a Memory Palace so you have a point of reference.
Having a place to store your associations gives you the ability to think back and work out what your numbers were with much greater ease than if you only think about the images in the void of your mind.
Make The PAO System Your Own
At the end of the day, developing your own PAO System is a highly personal journey.
Although it will undoubtedly share similarities with others, it will still work best when it’s unique to you.
For example, both Ron White and I share William Shatner as an image. But the exact way we use the association differs.
It’s the Major System that causes us to land at the same choice, but after that, you can refer to any particular Star Trek episode or movie, and even several of them, depending on what you’re memorizing.
Again, a rigid PAO approach strikes me as unlimited. I like it to be flexible and give me more options.
Explore The PAO System For Language Learning
When I’ve struggled to come up with associations when learning a language, I always stop. I ask myself what the numbers would be for the word I’m struggling with.
For example, there’s a word in German: faseln. It means to “spout off.”
When I looked at the F and S, I thought of 80. That is an image of… you guessed it:
William Shatner as James T. Kirk with his phaser set to stun. “Eln” would be 52, which is a lion in my PAO system.
I use a “lion” for 52. But instead of relying on the generic concept, I push it further to a specific lion: The MGM lion. For your 00-99 PAO, it might be the cowardly lion from the Wizard of Oz or one of the characters from The Lion King.
But not just any lion. It’s the MGM lion so that the image is vibrant and familiar, not generic.
And imagining Captain Kirk using a phaser on the MGM lion because the lion was “spouting off” a bunch of drivel made it fast, fun and easy to memorize the sound and meaning of that word.
PAO Sytem FAQs
As someone who has written so much about memory techniques and teaches a live memory training bootcamp nearly every month, I’m asked a lot of questions about this particular mnemonic approach.
Here are some rapid fire questions and answers for you:
Is the PAO System Better Than the Major System?
As discussed in the training above, they are not different systems. People base their PAO Systems on some other mnemonic number system, typically either the Major System or the Dominic System.
That, or some people use a hybrid approach. Katie Kermode shares her interesting approach in an article called My Card System if you want to take a look.
How long does it take to build a 00-99 PAO List?
The exact time it will take varies on how prepared you are with an underlying number mnemonic system and how consistently you come at the task of developing it.
Mine took only a few days, but I had used the Major System for many years by the point.
I’ve had some students complete their first version in less than an hour. Others take a few weeks.
A key thing to understand is that your system is always in beta. You can keep developing it over time and most of us do.
Can I use my PAO System for language learning?
Absolutely.
Any time you come across a word you don’t understand, just look at the consonants.
As I showed you with the word faseln above, you just apply your PAO associations based on the fact that is an F or V sound.
Can I use a PAO System for remembering names?
Yes. Although I normally commit names to memory in the way I describe in this tutorial, sometimes I will draw upon my PAO System.
Take my last name, for example, “Metivier.”
M + T = 31. In my PAO System, the core word is “maid.” To bring the association to life, I use the Mad Magazine mascot slinging mud as he tries to measure it.
You don’t have to use the Person-Action-Object structure when memorizing names, however. Just one of the words will typically do.
And you can expand your PAO System over time so that you have multiple choices. For example, sometimes I’ll use Matt Damon for 31, Matt Dillon other times.
Developing the ability to rotate between multiple options is something earlier users of memory techniques did often. They called the technique ars combinatoria, or the art of combination.
What if I’m not creative enough to come up with 100 people with actions and objects?
It’s helpful to realize that this technique is not about being creative in any literal sense.
You’re actually offloading the need to be creative by assigning your associations to people, celebrities, community members and friends you already know.
As a result, it’s easy to put together a world-class PAO System quite quickly.
Likewise when it comes to using it. Because you’re just using common objects in the hands of familiar people, it’s easy to mentally animate them. The objects pretty much tell you what to do from one person to the next, i.e. Mike Tyson throws matches (both 36) at Captain Crunch (79).
Should I preference real people or fictional characters for my PAO list?
It’s a personal decision, but I prefer a mix.
For example, I use both the Cheshire Cat and Johnny Cash without issue.
But in the beginning, you might want to choose people you’ve spent time with as this may reduce your cognitive load during the learning process.
However, I suggest that you keep expanding your PAO System to it includes the widest variety of options over time. It will allow you to use it more ways and at a faster clip.
Can I use a Memory Palace to help me learn my first PAO System?
Yes, and this can be a good idea.
Personally, I used a combination of thinking through the logic of the Major System and writing out my associations from memory in a journal.
If you want to learn more about developing Memory Palaces and all the different ways you can use them in combination with number mnemonics, please grab my free course:
So what do you say?
We’ve covered a lot of territory when it comes to this incredibly powerful mental tool.
Are you ready to develop one of the most powerful versatile mnemonic systems available to you?
Make it happen!
Roman Room: A Solid Memory Palace Strategy
Dec 11, 2023
The Roman Room method is just one term for the most powerful memory technique humanity has ever known.
It helps you memorize information for a few simple reasons we’ll explore on this page.
The best part?
The Roman Room technique helps you memorize information quickly.
What kinds of information?
Everything from foreign language vocabulary to entire speeches.
Ready to learn and master this powerful learning technique?
Here’s a Table of Contents for you of what’s on this page for you:
First off, it’s important to repeat that this term is just one variation of a mental tool that appeared many thousands of years ago, long before Rome was even built. The term “Roman Room” means practically the same thing as:
I’ll never forget one of my first students – he was 88 and didn’t like any of these terms. So I said call the Roman Room technique whatever you like. He chose “apartments with compartments.” Once settled, he went on to revive his German and memorize dozens of poems.
But there’s a reason some people call this technique the “Roman Room.” This is because Roman Orators used their homes, and even the stages they spoke from, to help them memorize and recite their speeches.
In fact, a phrase we still use today is thought to come from the use of rooms as memory devices. When a speaker would say, “In the first place” or “in the second place,” this verbal habit was referring to the information in a mental room used to store the point. It’s entirely possible that the people in the audience also used the technique, and used it along with the speaker to rapidly internalize the information as they heard it.
This use of locations is why the Roman Room technique is sometimes called the Method of Loci. Loci is the plural of locus, a Latin word for a place. You have “loci” when you have strung multiple places together, such as the four corners of a room.
In the Greek tradition, we have the Story of Simonides of Ceos, which I give two powerful versions of in our detailed study of 7 Ancient Memory Palace tips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSn2qjuYjxs
Now, this technique is not just about using buildings or rooms. We also have the notion of space itself, which was incredibly special to the Greeks in many ways. As Thales said, a person widely considered to be both the first philosopher and scientist:
Μέγιστον τόπος άπαντα γαρ χωρεί
Megiston topos hapanta gar chorei
Space is the ultimate thing, as it contains all things.
Pre-historically, we have evidence that ancient people did not use rooms at all to create their memory tools. For example, people have used constellations to help them remember. Lynne Kelly demonstrates in The Memory Code how aboriginals used skyscapes both day and night to help them remember songs. She also shows how they used long stretches of geography and even objects like the lukasa to help them memorize the names and locations of medicinal plants.
I would go so far as to say that humanity has survived precisely because it learned to use external and internal structures as memory aids. Imagine trying to remember what kind of plants are safe to eat during a drought, versus which are poisonous. If you can’t remember, you’re dead.
Roman Rooms or Memory Theatres: Which Is Better For Memory Palace Training?
If you can’t find any terms you like, let’s introduce another option that I’m quite fond of and talk about Robert Fludd’s “memory theatre.” It uses rooms very specifically, or at least, that’s what memory expert Frances Yates believes. She talks a lot about Fludd’s variation on the Roman Room in her seminal book, The Art of Memory.
The idea here is that we can mentally visit locations, and this man is apparently imagining a structure like the Tower of Babel, an obelisk, what appears to be a town square and perhaps an angel introducing a new person to heaven.
On the Oculus Imaginationis diagram, we see different spaces that can be used in combination with other kinds of mental imagery to help us remember words, poems, mathematical formulas and names.
However, there is a difference to notice between ars quadrata and ars rotunda. The first is the art of using squares and the second is the art of using round and dynamic spaces, such as using trees in a forest or other shapes in nature.
As an experiment, I created my own version of The Tower of Babel and used it to memorize these two terms. On locus one, I mentally imposed a big fat circle that is badly overweight. That reminded me of the term ars rotunda. On the second locus, I imposed a square and thought of Q from James Bond bringing the secret agent into a new quadrant for ars quadrata.
Now, Fludd was apparently against using a virtual Memory Palace or any imaginary space. But that didn’t stop him from using spaces of imagination.
Who was Robert Fludd? And why should we care about his memory teaching?
He was a key thinker in the development of both scientific thinking and the use of memory techniques. He had a lively, albeit controversial exchange with Johannes Kepler, and thought deeply about the nature of the mind and memory, providing many illustrations of how he thought our mechanisms of psychology worked.
Again, it seems that Fludd preferred using actual buildings for his spatial memory work, not imaginary spaces. In fact, Yates thinks he may have used Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre for his Roman Rooms. And if you take a look at one of his diagrams, you can see that this theatre space with entrances to multiple rooms is coded in an interesting way:
Notice how the image of this theatre depicts five entrances (three on the ground floor and two on the top floor). Corresponding with these rooms are different shapes. Yates is not sure, and no one can be, but it’s easy to imagine that Fludd may have had actors stand on these shapes and then used them to walk through the rooms behind those doors.
Then, in each corner and possibly on each wall, he had pre-determined “loci” where he would place the information he wanted to memorize. We don’t know, but we can theorize that Fludd would have visited the rooms behind those doors, not imagined them. Assuming that you’re using rooms you’ve seen with your own eyes, now let’s talk about…
How To Prepare To Use A Roman Room
If you want to be a purist, you would first set a specific goal. For example, a goal might be to use this memory technique to memorize a speech, as the Roman orators would have done. But you can use this style of journey system to memorize anything else, from foreign language vocabulary and phrases to mathematical formulas.
For the vast varieties of possible memory goals and the powerful outcomes anyone who becomes a discipline of these techniques can experience, I want to correct a misconception.
It is sometimes said that memory techniques that use space are only useful for memorizing lists or what is sometimes called “unstructured” information.
This claim is not necessarily false, but it is deeply misguided about the nature of the information we want to memorize. For example, information is structured by default, isn’t it? How could it be information if it didn’t have a structure? The word information itself has multiple structures, for example.
The letter ‘I’ that begins the word is a structure, as is each letter in the word. The word has four syllables, each syllable a structure until itself. Analyzing information in this way is one of the great secrets used by memory artists to rapidly create multiple hooks and make concrete associations out of even the most concrete and abstract material.
To the true mnemonist, there is in fact nothing abstract or difficult or obscure when it comes to memorizing information. Every detail comes in the form of perceivable assemblages of multiple structures for which mnemonic associations can always be made. You just need to be trained and well-practiced.
Let’s go a bit deeper on this point:
When memorizing my TEDx Talk, on some of the locus of my Roman Room, I was able to encode 11-17 word phrases in the corner or along the walls.
This approach works because every sentence is a list. It’s just one word coming after another in a particular order. We just happen to call it a “sentence.” And the word “sentence” is just a list of letters, s-e-n-t-e-n-c-e.
It’s the same thing with a string of digits. For example, the 1200 digits of pi memorized and recited publicly by my student Marno Hermann who established himself at the top of the South African memory competition records is technically a list, and yet…
If you use this technique properly, in a way that allows you to both get the info into long term memory and recall it out of order, you can manipulate the linear nature of information.
You can use what I call “Magnetic Compounding” based on ideas from Giordano Bruno that vastly explode the potential of everything memorized inside of a Roman Room.
But that would no longer technically be a Roman Room – it would be a Magnetic Memory Palace. So let’s stick with the plot, shan’t we? Here’s how to get started with your first Roman Room:
Get out a piece of paper.
Think of a room you’re familiar with.
Draw the room using just four lines to represent the room.
Represent the corners of the room with numbers.
Write down the list of the stations.
The reason I ask students to follow these steps is not just because I have loved receiving them by the thousands as symbols of people taking action. I do love that!
But I ask serious students of memory improvement to draw the Roman Room because it helps them tap into more visual and spatial memory power than imagination accomplishes on its own. We also harness the power of something called “the levels of processing effect” by physically creating this memory aid through drawing. It then becomes newly visual to you as a blueprint, which means it’s better remembered. Then, by writing numbers and words, you’re processing it through your numerical and verbal brain – strengthening the journey. The more levels of processing, the better, and this is true no matter how good you get. I find that if I don’t complete this quick step for both simple and elaborate Memory Palaces that I create, the technique just doesn’t work nearly as well.
I think that drawing the memory journey is like the equivalent of a London cabbie driving the streets in preparation for the exam and then taking prep tests to manually write out the routes by hand. Sure, you can probably remember the routes without taking those steps… eventually. But if you really want to succeed, you’re going to do what good students do, and compound your efforts using multiple approaches.
If you’re worried that this simple Roman Room won’t be enough space to memorize much, don’t be. Here are two mindset tips to keep in mind:
If you haven’t developed the skills to memorize just four pieces of information in one room, why worry about thousands of pieces of information?
Any dedicated individual who puts in the time can pull dozens, if not hundreds of rooms from their memory.
Just think about your years in elementary school and high school. Personally, from pre-school to when I graduated with my PhD, I have drawn dozens of these powerful memory tools. And that’s not to mention all the movie theatres, cafes, restaurants, churches, hotels and bookstores I’ve seen (just to name a few possible options you surely have waiting for you in your memory).
Be willing to start small, and if you’re not willing to do that, be willing to scale back after a massive effort at making enormous Memory Palaces poses too much challenge for your spatially unexercised brain. I myself overwhelmed myself like crazy in the beginning, and it seems that some of the best students do need to feel that bit of pain in order to train themselves to simplify. There’s nothing wrong with failing to follow the advice to keep it simple, so long as you learn from the experience.
How to Use Your First Roman Room: A Real-Life Example
One of the best ways to learn the Roman Room technique is to go through a real-life example.
Let’s use my February 2020 TEDx Talk and break it down into steps.
Step One: Write a Great Speech (Or Organize Your Info Well)
This step is kind of obvious, but throughout history, people have failed to do make sure their presenters are receiving the best possible message.
Even back in 90 BCE, the author of the Rhetorica ad Herennium gave instructions on how to use the Roman Room method in combination with a well written speech.
In the case of language learning, the equivalent of this step would be to organize the words and phrases you want to learn. Every minute spent in preparation will save you time later and create a better outcome.
Step Two: Select the Best Possible Roman Room
When thinking about how I was going to memorize my TEDx Talk, the stakes were high. That’s why I chose a clear and distinct location based on a place I see every day.
Then I drew it by hand. The full version, created with the help of a graphic artist, looks like this:
By figuring out each part of the Roman Room first, it is easy to start the encoding process.
Step Three: Place Your Magnetic Associations
The first line of my TEDx Talk is:
How would you like to completely silence your mind?
To memorize this line, I simply started at the first locus and thought of Howie Mandel.
Why this comedian?
Well, besides the fact that we’re both Canadian and I liked him a lot when I was a kid, “how” and “Howie” have the same letters and basic sound. Using sound-links in your choice of mnemonic images is a key part of what makes the technique work. The tighter and more evocative the images, the easier you’ll recall the information.
Step Four: Add as Much Elaboration as Needed
Howie provides just the word “how” from within this Roman Room on the first station.
To get more of the first sentence in place, I next imagined Howie chopping wood (would) while hitting thumbs up on his phone (like). Once this part of the line was encoded, I didn’t need the rest of the line because this was the point of the talk.
Step Five: Keep Moving Forward
The next step is to move to the next locus in your Roman Room.
In my case, I went from locus one in the Roman Room when I was done the first line and encoded the next line on locus two.
Sometimes I needed to encode the sentences word for word, but other times I only encoded keywords. It’s a fairly long talk, but I can often get a lot of words on one locus, so it took the equivalent of 8 Roman Rooms in total.
But again, “Roman Room” is just one of many possible names for this technique, so it’s important to not focus on the terminology. So please understand that the Magnetic Memory Method has fused all of the best techniques together into one smooth and systematic approach.
We’ll discuss some of the other parts involved in using it successfully below. First, we need to touch upon instilling the content you want to remember for the long term.
Practicing the Roman Room Method For Long Term Memory
This is the fun part of using the Roman Room method.
You see, encoding is only half of the task. You also have to practice decoding the speech using spaced repetition. Sometimes I call this process “Recall Rehearsal,” especially when I’m using Roman Rooms to memorize any speech fast.
To do that, I followed a few unusual steps that I recommend to anyone using this technique.
Recall the speech forwards from beginning to end.
Pick segments of the speech to practice in different orders.
Walk the Roman Room while reciting.
Reciting the speech from beginning to end is obvious. That’s how you want to deliver it, after all.
The Secret of Non-Linear Spaced Repetition
But if you want to be absolutely flawless and have no hesitations, each part needs to really stick in your mind. If you only practice starting from the beginning, you will give the beginning what is called Primacy Effect. The end will get what is called Recency Effect.
Learning to use spaced repetition to defeat the Forgetting Curve started in earnest with the research of Hermann Ebbinghaus.
These laws of memory, first identified by Hermann Ebbinghaus in his book, Über das Gedächtnis (about memory) show that we tend to remember best the first and last things we encounter in an information series. We forget information at different rates, creating an effect he called “the forgetting curve.”
You probably have heard a friend who can tell you how a movie begins and ends, but completely botches retelling the middle of the story. This happens precisely because of these effects.
To avoid that problem while standing in front of the audience, I recited my speech out of order so that each part received sufficient doses of primacy and recency. I know that sounds weird, but recalling information out of order is absolutely essential for establishing long-term memories as quickly as possible.
This simple process of recalling the speech out of order gives each part of the speech equal doses of primacy and recency, completely stopping the forgetting curve in its tracks.
In the end, I succeeded and delivered the speech entirely from memory, using no slides or pictures. I successfully recited each and every quote as well, thanks to the fact that each was robustly remembered. Using these patterns to practice recall is the best way to achieve that level of bulletproof delivery and remove all nervousness.
Pegword Lists and the Hook Method
One neat way you can get more out of this technique is to learn how to use the pegword method, which is sometimes called the “hook method.”
In some sense, I’m already doing this in the example I just gave. Howie Mandel became a kind of hook that carried my memory across several words.
However, if you develop a set of images for each letter of the alphabet, you can link your Roman Rooms to each letter. For example, locus one can be the A-locus. Perhaps you have a friend named Alan or Albert who will always be standing there. Then, if you want to memorize a line like the one from my speech, you could see him fistfighting with Howie Mandel (or some other Howard). This additional approach can be useful for beginners because sometimes it can be a struggle when you’re new to think of what images you used.
But if you know what each letter stands for, then it’s easier to remember that it was Alan punching Howie to kick-off a sentence that starts with “how” because you know Alan. Howie is just an actor on a screen who has not been able to activate nearly as much of your brain and memory.
I have a detailed example list of images that I’ve used on my tutorial about the pegword method.
How to Expand Your Roman Rooms
As mentioned, you can easily create more Roman Rooms. Most people have potentially thousands of them in their minds.
But let’s say you want to make one bigger.
Let’s look back at the Robert Fludd theater again.
You can do the exact same thing as Yates imagines Fludd did.
Let’s say that in Roman Room #1 you include 5 doors. Personally, I would encode these alphabetically.
Behind door A would be the entrance to my friend Alan’s home office. (I actually use his entire house, but just one additional room does a lot to expand into more space if you’re not ready for bigger Memory Palaces.)
Behind door B would be my dad’s workshop (his name starts with B). Behind door C, I might use one of my highschool sweetheart’s homes… sigh, Ah Charla, whatever happened to you?
Another way you can expand any Roman Room is to add the walls. Four corners and four walls = 8 loci. You could also add the floor and ceiling, giving 10. This configuration is the so-called Vaughn Cube.
Or, you can change the color or your first Roman Room and reuse it. This is very mentally taxing, which is why I discourage beginners from using the technique in The Definitive Guide to Reusing A Memory Palace.
Finally, you don’t have to stick to the corners and walls. This practice is my personal preference now because I memorize a lot of verbatim lines. But for language learning, I like to add furniture. Sometimes multiple shelves of books can be useful too, but generally the more compressed the space, the more difficult it can be to manage.
How to Modify A Roman Room
As I discussed in my writing on How to Renovate a Memory Palace, I generally discourage making changes after-the-fact. It’s time consuming and reveals that you haven’t really put enough time into planning either your Roman Rooms or your learning goal.
For example, it would have been a huge frustration and a waste of time if the rooms I used for my TEDx needed to be changed along the way.
Not only that, failing to structure the journey correctly from the beginning could have led to completely blowing the talk altogether.
If you really must modify a Roman Room after-the-fact, I suggest that you do it after all the core information has already been entered. Then, see if you can add a wall where you previously only used the corners. Or use the foot of the bed where you previously used only the pillow area.
When you get really good at this technique, you’ll find that you can get extremely detailed in your Memory Palaces. Mary Carruthers tells us in The Medieval Craft of Memory that John of Metz used every stone of the tower he lived in for his loci. He must have practiced a lot to reach that level of skill!
Is the Roman Room Method the Best Memory Technique?
Success with any memory technique you choose depends on your goal. It also depends on your current level of skill and on the nature of the information. This is as true of Roman Room memory solutions as it is of every mnemonic technique you’ll ever find.
At the end of the day, preparation matters. I suggest that beginners start with simple goals, like a handful of vocabulary in a foreign language or song lyrics.
To learn an entire language, you’re going to want to develop at least one Memory Palace Network.
If you want to deal with numbers, you’ll need to add a second technique, either the Major System or the Dominic System – both are essentially pegword methods tailored for numbers. And rest assured that they’re not new. They both descend from the Katapayadi system which we can track back to 683 CE.
There’s so much more to be said about all the memory systems out there. But the best thing to do is pick one, get started and stick with it for at least 90 days. Practice a minimum of 4x a week. No matter what approach you use, it’s consistent study and practice that we each need to become memory masters.
If you’d like more help, please sign up now for my FREE Memory Improvement Kit here:
How to Reset Dopamine Levels: 5 Exercises and the Truth About Dopamine Fasting
Dec 04, 2023
Did you know that visualising success, jumping in a cold river and consuming illegal narcotics can trigger the release of the same pleasurable neurochemical in your brain?
I know, I know…it sounds like a late-night infomercial from the 90’s, but it’s true. It’s science. And this little feel-good chemical is called dopamine.
Dopamine is a well-known but often misunderstood neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in our experience of rewards, motivation, and cravings.
If you have any interest in psychology and personal development, you’ve probably heard of it. Unfortunately, the internet is rife with popular myths about the nature of dopamine, dopamine ‘levels’ and how this all impacts our sense of pleasure, focus and drive.
Broadly speaking there are two types of dopamine levels to be aware of: tonic and phasic.
Tonic dopamine levels are the baseline levels of dopaminergic activity that occur in our brain. If these levels are too high this can be related to impulsivity, hyperactivity and mania, among other symptoms. If they are too low, this may lead to loss of pleasure, depression symptoms and fatigue.
Phasic dopamine levels are the moment-to-moment fluctuations in dopamine that we experience in response to specific stimuli such as food, media, cigarettes and alcohol. If phasic dopamine levels are too high, particularly for a prolonged period of time, this might lead to addiction and associated risky behaviours. If they are too low, this may reduce our ability to experience pleasure.
https://youtu.be/GS8v98zkfNw
What Factors Impact Your Dopamine Levels?
However, it’s important to note that our dopamine systems are impacted by environment, genetics and specific circumstances and their relationship to behaviour is complex. While there may be a correlation between loss of motivation or low mood and low dopamine levels, this doesn’t mean that feeling low or unmotivated is only a result of dopaminergic dysfunction.
So what does we really mean when we say we want to “reset our dopamine levels.”
Well, this would be to return our baseline (tonic) dopamine levels to a normal range. There are generally three ways you can do this and later in this post I’ll offer some specific examples:
Reduce or eliminate the factors that cause dopamine dysregulation
Adopt healthy habits that support dopamine (and other neurotransmitters) balance
Increase your tolerance and capacity to experience pleasure and pain
But first, it’s necessary to consider why we may have low dopamine levels or more low motivation and mood more generally.
5 Reasons Why Your Dopamine Levels Are Low
#1. Chronic Stress
Releasing dopamine can often be a way that we deal with the stress of the present moment. It helps us disengage (go on autopilot), distract (ignore discomfort) and disconnect (numb).
When we’re stressed, our brain releases a hormone called cortisol. Unfortunately, chronic stress leads to persistently elevated cortisol levels and this can disrupt our dopamine balance and contribute to reduced motivation, pleasure and general cognitive function. Stress can also mess with your memory.
Reducing your stress levels may therefore increase your baseline levels of dopamine and increase your dopamine receptor sensitivity and in doing so, reduce the urge to reach for quick dopamine spikes.
#2. Trauma
When we talk about dopamine detoxes, most of the attention is focused on daily habits such as social media, Netflix, and overconsumption of food, caffeine, nicotine or other substances. However, we often overlook the root causes of our reaching for those things in the first place.
While part of this behaviour may be linked to societal abundance and increased access to dopamine-spiking stimuli, this whole system is partly fuelled and maintained by the very common experience of trauma.
Trauma is basically any intense physiological or psychological stressor that the nervous system cannot process in the moment and which results in a defense mechanism that limits our range of future responses to a situation.
Traumatic experiences – particularly during crucial periods of brain development – have long-lasting impacts on the brain’s neurochemistry. That’s not to mention trauma from brain injury, which can also cause issues.
While we’re still learning about the brain, it’s entirely possible (maybe even probable) that “dopamine hits” give us relief from painful emotions and therefore trauma makes us more susceptible to craving and addiction.
For example, trauma impact the functioning of dopamine-related brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex, amygdala and hippocampus, and disrupts dopamine receptors and the Hypothalic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, which helps regulate stress hormones like cortisol. Fortunately, by receiving therapy to heal our trauma we can move towards a state of nervous system regulation and control.
The problem with instant gratification (as opposed to delayed gratification) is that the brain was evolutionarily designed to provide good feelings in response to effort. This means that over time, our dopamine receptors become desensitised and we are dependent on more and more intense forms of pleasure-seeking.
The extreme end of this occurs in substance abuse such as amphetamines or cocaine, whereby the result is chronically low dopamine levels, depression, decreased motivation and cognitive dysfunction. However, overindulging in something like YouTube, Netflix or social media can do the same thing, just on a smaller scale.
In psychology there is something called “the opponent process theory.” This is a general heuristic that is used to describe how the brain seeks to find balance.
In the case of pleasure and pain, if we only seek pleasure, we eventually experience pain, whereas if we intentionally seek out discomfort we will be rewarded with pleasure (such as in the case of intense exercise and endorphin release).
This is known as hormesis – exposing ourselves to mild stressors to improve resilience and well-being in the long term.
#4. Sleep, Diet and Exercise
Another important reason why your dopamine levels may be low (and definitely not one to be overlooked) is because of a generally unhealthy lifestyle. Insufficient quality sleep can get in the way of the brain’s ability to reset dopamine levels, damaging your concentration, motivation and mood regulation.
Similarly, if we don’t get the essential nutrients we need, such as amino acids, vitamins and minerals, our brain is not optimised for dopamine production. Exercise is important for overall brain health as well as the effort-based dopamine release we described earlier, so a sedentary lifestyle can also contribute to low levels of dopamine.
#5. Genetics
The final factor that may relate to low dopamine levels is genetics.
There is a complex relationship between dopamine production, the enzymes involved in dopamine synthesis, dopamine receptor sensitivity and the efficiency of transporters. It’s beyond me and beyond the scope of this article. Importantly, there is currently no test that can accurately tell you if you are genetically predisposed to low tonic dopamine levels.
The most important take-away from this is that you can change how you feel, and we are about to share how!
Dopamine Fasting: Does This New Trend Really Work?
There has been a lot of talk in recent years about dopamine fasting and if it can be helpful. Because the relationship between dopamine and behaviour is still relatively misunderstood, there are conflicting opinions among researchers.
According to Dr. Anna Lembke, psychiatrist and author of Dopamine Nation, and neuroscientist Andrew Huberman, in the case of those with chronic dopamine imbalances, such as recovering addicts, a dopamine fast whereby we intentionally abstain from things that trigger our phasic dopamine levels, while our tonic dopamine levels get back towards normal, can be helpful.
For those with a history of substance abuse, this is best discussed with a psychiatrist before attempting any form of detox, which can be quite challenging and emotionally disruptive.
Why You Need To Avoid Easy Street
However, for most of us, Huberman suggests that it’s more effective to actively reduce (not completely eliminate) things that give us pleasure too easily. For example, I noticed at one point, about a year ago, that I had picked up a couple of small but noticeable immediate gratification habits throughout the extended COVID lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.
Firstly, whenever I ate a meal by myself, I would always consume content, usually an educational podcast or Youtube video. It was easy to justify this as productivity, but the reality was, it was entertainment. Secondly, when exercising I would consume caffeine beforehand and listen to music throughout.
21st Century Abstinence
Both of these activities fell under something that Huberman refers to as “dopamine stacking,” drawing from multiple sources of pleasure at once (food, digital media, caffeine, music, exercise). I took his advice and began to eat meals without any external stimuli and exercise (usually) without any caffeine or music. Initially there was resistance, but after a few weeks I noticed that I was enjoying both eating and my post-work exercise ‘high’ a lot more.
One thing to consider is that you might want to abstain from what you habitually reach for when you’re in distress (such as your phone), and learn to tolerate distress and discomfort, and if possible, go one step further and actively seek out challenges. If you don’t have chronically low dopamine levels, a complete dopamine fast probably won’t have any long-term effects, and the stress of doing so might actually counteract any subtle positive effects of the fast anyway.
The originator of the “dopamine fast” psychiatrist Dr. Cameron Sepah, actually says that his initial focus was not neurochemical (as you can’t fast from a naturally occurring chemical) but it was a cognitive-behavioural therapy method intended to help people reduce impulsive behaviour.
How to Repair Your Dopamine Receptors: 5 Mindfulness-Based Exercises
Based on the factors that cause a reduction or imbalance in our dopamine levels, it’s clear that maintaining a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, having sufficient sleep and reducing your overall stress levels are all important.
However, here are some other ways to reset your dopamine levels.
Exercise #1 – Meditation
There are several forms of meditation and the one that is most likely to improve your baseline dopamine levels (and general brain health) is ultimately the practice that a) makes you feel good b) you are motivated to do most consistently. This will be different based on your unique brain, history, temperament, and natural level of concentration.
For example, focused attention meditation is a great way to stimulate high levels of dopamine release, but many people find it difficult to concentrate for long enough to get into such a state.
Chanting or singing meditation is an amazing way to stimulate the Vagus nerve, reduce physiological stress and release dopamine but some people may be too shy to chant out loud.
Exercise #2 – Cold Exposure
In sticking with the theme of hormesis, progressively introducing yourself to uncomfortable situations, one of the most potent ways to reset dopamine levels is through cold exposure. This is most commonly done with ice baths, swimming in cold water or cold showers.
On top of this, there are other health benefits to consistent cold exposure, such as a reduction in stress levels, improved blood circulation, improved focus and energy, and better sleep, which may indirectly help in balancing out your dopamine levels.
Exercise #3 – Viewing Early Morning Sunlight & Avoiding Screen Time at Night
Human beings spent 99% of our history without electronic lights. As a result, our physiology is highly attuned to natural light, which is influential in regulating our dopamine production. Viewing early morning sunlight (without sunglasses) for 10-30 minutes a day can help release dopamine when done consistently. It goes without saying to make sure you don’t stare directly at the sun!
On the flip side, viewing bright artificial lights between 10pm and 4am has been shown to significantly reduce the amount of dopamine in our system. This is worrying given that a large majority of the world’s population are watching screens late into the night.
Exercise #4. – Do One Thing at a Time
By stacking several sources of dopamine at a time, we may over-spike our phasic dopamine levels which can lead to a crash and reduced motivation in the long term.
For example, if you’re going to exercise, you may be accustomed to having energy drinks, loud music, and social connections all at the same time. If you can reduce one of these (e.g. don’t always listen to music or ingest caffeine), that’s a good start.
Likewise, you may be used to having a beer while watching a thriller movie on television and eating dinner – you may want to try having dinner without the television playing.
When it comes to memory, there is a case of multi-tasking while using spaced repetition techniques. But overall, even when using a memorization technique, it’s generally best to focus on one thing at a time.
Exercise #5. – Control Your Thoughts
It’s quite clear that when we have negative thoughts our nervous system takes this as a stressor, and it reduces our capacity for pleasure.
However, what a lot of people don’t know is that by intentionally having positive thoughts or using positive mental imagery, we can actually release dopamine. Memory palaces, which combine goal-oriented, focused attention with mental imagery can undoubtedly improve our dopamine levels.
The Truth About How To Repair Dopamine Receptors
Ultimately, it’s important to maintain not only a healthy dopamine balance, but also to ensure you get enough of the other “feel-good” neurochemicals such as endorphins, serotonin, and oxytocin. This will ensure that you feel more fulfilled and motivated in general and don’t have as many cravings to reach for dopamine hits.
Making the necessary effort to balance dopamine levels when there are so many easy sources of neurochemical reward available at our fingertips can be a tough task. Like most healthy habits, the best route to long-term success is to start with small steps.
It may be necessary to improve our diet, exercise and meditate, but within this it’s also important to choose things that we enjoy in order to keep us motivated and consistent. Find an exercise routine that you like doing, eat healthy foods that you prefer (you don’t have to eat kale if you hate it!) and experiment with meditation styles till you find a style that you enjoy. Don’t forget to include a Memory Palace exercise routine too.
If you’re concerned that you may have chronically low dopamine levels as a result of substance abuse, or you’ve experienced a prolonged period of low mood, make sure you contact a counsellor or psychotherapist in your area. If that’s something you need, Ben Fishel has been on the MMM Podcast before and I highly recommend him for global telehealth counselling, or if you’re looking for a psychotherapist in the Melbourne area.
How to Become a Mnemonist & Develop Memory Skills
Nov 29, 2023
If you’d like to become a mnemonist, or a person who excels at using memory techniques, it’s actually pretty easy.
Or at least, it can be if you follow the right steps based on the right goals.
What exactly are those goals and what steps do you need to follow in order to become a memory expert capable of demonstrating how memory techniques work?
That’s exactly what we’re going to cover in this post.
I’m a memory expert and mnemonist myself. But I won’t just be using my own examples.
I’ll share with you the stories of many other mnemonists as well.
That way, you can compare and contrast the different mnemonic styles you can pursue.
Along the way, you’ll also discover how to memorize a large amount of information.
Ready?
Let’s get started!
https://youtu.be/1yY3k9fbZyo
What Is A “Mnemonist”?
The term mnemonist is related to the word “mnemonic,” which means “memory technique.”
There’s a bit of a grey area here because sometimes people think that people with superior autobiographical memory, synesthesia are also mnemonists.
For example, there are people like Solomon Shereshevsky or Daniel Tammett where autism may be involved. In each of these cases, it seems clear that these people used mnemonics or something very close to mnemonics when memorizing vast amounts of information.
(Shereshesky’s story is particular interesting, and here’s my full profile if you want to learn more about him.)
Kim Peek does not appear to have used mnemonics, but the mental calculator Sal Piacente has successfully reproduced many of Peek’s talents.
In sum, a mnemonist has developed a skill. Virtually anyone who wants to have this skill can train for it.
How to Become a Mnemonist and Unlock Your Memory’s True Potential
Once you’ve decided to become a mnemonist, your path is mostly straight forward.
Let’s have a look and pick up some specific examples along the way. Note that some of these steps are in a logical order. But others can be started any time, such as making friends in the memory community.
One: Decide To Be All In
When memory expert and mnemonist Harry Lorayne decided to master his memory, it was to escape punishment.
In order to do it, he went to the library and devoted himself to figuring out what mnemonic devices are and how to use them.
There are so many examples like this, and the best part is that most of these people are happy to share their experiences and the specific memory hacks they’ve explored.
Four: Learn More Advanced Mnemonic Techniques
Once you’ve mastered the basic techniques, it’s time to keep developing your skills.
Now, exactly what counts as an “advanced” memory technique is admittedly subjective. But in general, number rhyme systems and alphabet mnemonics are simple compared with tactics like using a 00-99 PAO System based on the Major Method are more advanced.
At this stage, it’s possible to get stuck with decision anxiety because instead of the Major Method, you could choose the Dominic System.
Other times, people cause issues for themselves by using Anki to learn the more advanced systems. But that’s really evading the skill you’re trying to build by confusing mnemonic spaced repetition with rote learning.
Journaling and mindmapping to test if you really want to be a mnemonist can help resolve such issues, and ultimately you want to know about both options, even if you only use one.
Five: Increase The Complexity Of Your Goals
As you continue using memory techniques, you’ll likely find that you plateau. In other words, you get pretty good and then your growth comes to a stand still.
2x USA Memory Champion John Graham has a great suggestion: adding distractions. You can practice memorizing pi with loud heavy metal playing, for example.
One person who gives very interesting memory demonstrations is Nelson Dellis. He’s memorized decks of cards underwater and while climbing Mount Everest!
Six: Know Your Memory History
Most of the “real deal” memory techniques are in the past.
For example, did you know that Aristotle was a memory master? He was one of the first to write about the more advanced memory techniques based on the alphabet.
Perhaps my favorite mnemonists are Matteo Ricci and Giordano Bruno. They both traveled widely during the Renaissance and we still feel their influence.
In fact, it’s a pet theory of mine that in the 20th century, the mnemonist Bruno Furst took that name as a reference to Giordano Bruno.
Seven: Keep Studying Other Mnemonists
Technically, your goal of studying the great mnemonic traditions is never done. And since it’s a living tradition, it only makes sense to take courses and read the books of those currently alive and writing them.
Even if I don’t agree with some of these people, or have criticisms that come to mind with now disappeared courses like Phenomenal Memory, it’s only possible to stretch yourself if you have the widest possible picture of what’s out there. And by understanding how others use memory techniques, you’ll fashion new goals for yourself that you probably wouldn’t have come up with on your own.
Eight: Teach Others
Although this step is optional, it’s almost impossible to understand mnemonic imagery properly without explaining it to others.
How exactly to teach others is its own discussion, but in brief, you can simply give a demonstration and then explain how you were able to accomplish the feat.
A lot of mnemonists I know get frustrated that people often aren’t interested in picking up the skills for themselves.
But I suggest avoiding this conclusion. Teaching of others will certainly benefit from them. But it also helps you. By talking about what you’re learning, you’ll see the gaps in your own knowledge. And that will give you clues regarding how to come back to this list and start again from the beginning.
Because ultimately, that’s what memory training is really all about: the deliberate practice of keeping an open mind and focusing on the fundamentals.
Beyond Memorizing Lists
As I hope you’ve seen, there are different kinds of mnemonists and different goals mnemonists can complete.
If you would like to develop exceptional memory skills and call yourself a mnemonist, I can really only ask one thing:
Seek the truth about memory.
And that means being radically honest.
Nothing is gained by trying to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes. Sadly, there’s quite a bit of cheating in the memory world, and that only harms everyone.
But if you’re willing to talk about the mistakes you’ve made, something I go out of my way to do, you’ll help and inspire others who also want to enjoy superior memory skills.
And if you would like my free course on using the incredibly powerful Memory Palace technique, here’s where to get it:
It will take you through my favorite of all the ancient memory techniques, with exercises and examples.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to master your memory and become a world class mnemonist?
Make it happen!
207 Deep Philosophical Questions for Smart People
Nov 18, 2023
News flash: philosophical questions for smart people must actually be philosophical.
I raise this point because so many people ask general interest questions and call them philosophical.
But that doesn’t mean that they actually are philosophical.
Who am I to know?
As I’ve learned as a scholar with a PhD in Humanities, much of the best philosophy involves investigating of the nature of being – existence itself.
As a memory scientist and author of a book guided by the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, demonstrating the ties between memory and ontological being has been a core aspect of my work for over a decade. This book is called The Victorious Mind.
I’m also working on a new book now, about the philosopher of memory, Giordano Bruno. It dives deep into what I would call the ontology of memory. It asks, what is the philosophical nature of memory’s existence.
Fascinating, right? Or is it too much intellectual noodling?
I don’t think so. When it comes to philosophical questions, I don’t think we can ever dig deep enough.
As Martin Heidegger often put it, asking deep philosophical questions of his own, we all need to question the being of being itself. Now how’s that for a mind bender?
Take things a step further:
How is it that we as beings have come to not only ask questions about the nature of being, but also come to question the nature of what it means to ask questions in the first place?
The way Heidegger puts it, the ultimate philosophical question is to question the nature of questioning itself.
So with that in mind, if you’re ready for more reflection and a massive list of my favorite philosophical questions divided into categories, let’s dive in!
207 Thought-Provoking Philosophical Questions
With these points in mind, here’s a list of questions that will help you experience rich and rewarding conversations with friends and family.
I’ve split the questions up into different categories and will sometimes discuss why the questions are so valuable to discuss.
Ready?
Let’s get started.
Ontology
As Dale Jacquette points out in his book Ontology, we often take the question of what exists for granted. What does it mean for something to exist? How does existence relate to things that are merely coming into being?
Ontological questions focus on Being with a capital B and how it relates to the opposite: non-being or non-existence. However, asking about non-being is tricky. As Plato puts it in The Sophist, the opposite of being cannot be non-being because being is require in order to question this question.
We didn’t have the “mind blown” meme back when I was in graduate school, but having my mind blown was exactly how I felt when I first thought about how non-being could never be the opposite of being. To think about nothing means you have to think about something. Wild!
Along these lines, here are some of the most important questions in the area of ontology:
Why is there something rather than nothing?
What does it mean to exist?
What must be true in order for us to say that something exists or does not exist?
This question is especially interesting because we talk about many things that technically don’t exist, such as unicorns.
Yet, the very notion of unicorn is premised upon other things that do exist, such as horses and animals that have horns. We can also think about horns in relation to seashells. So with this in mind, is it really the case that unicorns do not exist?
What laws govern matter?
When does life begin?
This question applies both to life in terms of when it first appeared in the universe, and when life starts following pregnancy in a human. You can also ask to what extent that the universe itself might be alive. If it is alive, then the question of when it started living is fair game.
That said, you might like to know about Nietzsche. He was a philosopher who definitely thought the universe was not alive. See aphorism 109 of his book The Gay Science for an extraordinary warning against such humanization of being.
What happens to us when we die?
What is the most perfect form of being?
Does a god exist?
If a god exists, why would we need to prove this?
Is change real or only apparent?
What is real?
What is reality?
Is reality one or many?
This question means to investigate not just the nature of one reality as opposed to a multiverse. It is also the question of whether or not everything in the reality is connected, or if there is separation between things.
Is reality material or spiritual?
Is reality permanent, or is it itself always changing?
If the entire universe is always in motion, can any object ever be at “rest”?
Are light and darkness equal?
Does history exist or did humans invent it? If so, does it repeat itself?
Does the past continue to exist after it is gone?
Is the world of tomorrow already here?
These last two questions were raised by Einstein and Gödel. For a full analysis, see A World Without Time.
In essence, it is fascinating to think that even though yesterday is gone, the world of yesterday is still there and potentially accessible.
Epistemology
As Christopher Norris puts it, epistemology boils down to the difference between opinion and verifiable fact. How do we know what we know and by what criteria do we know if that knowledge is valuable?
Knowledge can be about ideas, things, substances or states. Here are a pile of compelling questions you can ask in this area:
What is the nature of knowledge?
Where does knowledge reside? In individuals or in humanity collectively?
Is knowledge in our sense-impressions? In mental perceptions? In our judgements?
What counts as a valid source of knowledge?
What are the different sources of knowledge?
Is knowledge something that we can possess?
What is truth?
How do we test what is true?
What is a question? What is a good question?
Why do some words and phrases translate cleanly between languages while others do not?
Can we think something into existence?
Can we think something into non-existence?
Can we think about things that don’t exist?
What is a substance?
What is a number?
Do “spirits” exist? If so, do they “know” things?
What is a fact?
What is an opinion?
What is a mistake?
What does the fact that mistakes are possible tell us about the nature of reality?
If you know what you’re looking for, why would questions about it arise?
If you don’t know what you’re looking for, how is it possible that you have enough knowledge to know that you want to find it? (This is essentially Meno’s Paradox.)
How much can an individual person know?
Can an individual ever know anything on their own?
This question is very important because language is not owned by any individual. At its core, all knowledge is likely shared by virtue of this fact alone.
Peter Singer is one of the most important philosophers associated with ethics. One of his core concerns involves the duties of individuals with respect to the whole.
Within this field, one must consider the maximization of pleasure and the minimization of pain. It’s very hard to balance these two factors without causing harm to some by minimizing pain for others – and this problem explains a lot of the strife and turmoil we see in the world throughout human history.
These questions will help you think through philosophical questions related to ethics.
By what principles do we judge things right or wrong?
What does it mean when we say that things “ought” to be a certain way?
What are the principles, criteria and standards by which we should decide what to do?
Is justice good because we prefer it, or do we prefer justice because it is good?
What makes a human being moral?
Should you seek to maximize your personal pleasure?
Is it right to take on pain for yourself if it helps maximize the pleasure of others?
What does it mean to be a good friend?
What are my personal responsibilities as a local, national and global citizen?
Is there a scientific basis to ethics?
Sam Harris thinks that the answer to this question is yes. He defends his answer in The Moral Landscape.
What is fairness?
What are rights?
How would I act if I cared for all life on the planet?
How would I act if I considered both the short and long term outcomes of all my actions?
How do we know when an authority should be followed?
How do we know when it’s right to disobey authority?
Is it right to keep a person alive artificially?
Is killing always immoral and/or illegal?
Should people be allowed to worship in any way they please?
Is it right to allow children to determine their own gender?
At what age should people be allowed to marry?
How should we decide who gets to receive organ implants?
How do we determine when death has occured?
Religion
One of the fascinating aspects of religion is that people make truth claims about their chosen faith, yet all chosen faiths are under constant attack. As Mikel Burley has pointed out, this has put all religions on the defensive.
In some ways, this makes religion very similar to philosophy because neither of them are a science. Although philosophy and religion are not the same, they both exist to help us answer the questions that science has yet to address.
And as you’ll see from the following list, it is possible for some religious questions to be philosophical in nature. It basically boils down to looking at the philosophical questions that have come up in both the attacks against religion and the defenses various believers have mounted.
Does god exist?
What are the reasons to believe that god exists?
What is the nature of a god?
Is god the ultimate reality?
What is the relationship between an individual and a god?
If a god does not exist, is there some other form of transcendent reality?
Is it rational to believe in a god?
Do you choose your faith or does it choose you?
Can you be faithful and still experience doubt?
If infinity is real, has god already reached it? If so, how is that possible given the definition of “infinity”?
Does heaven exist?
Does hell exist?
Is it right for a god to create and/or allow harm for any reason?
If god exists, why is there evil in the world?
Is god supernatural, or at one with the universe?
Is religion philosophical?
Does any scientific evidence validate any religion?
Are all religions fundamentally the same?
Why do different religions exist?
How do we evaluate different religions?
Why do so many religions rely upon stories instead of facts?
If religion is real, why do atheists exist?
Is it possible for an atheist to have a religious or spiritual experience?
To what extent do moral positions have religious significance?
Is morality pointless without religion?
Do science and religion conflict with one another?
Anthropological Philosophy
Anthropology has to do with people and their environments and how this relationship leads to the formation of thoughts, beliefs and behaviors. One of the greatest philosophers in this area was Friedrich Nietzsche, who sought to understand how humans create their own values. He was especially puzzled by how humans failed to see that they are the creators of their own values in the first place.
What are human beings?
What is human hope? Desire? Belief?
What is consciousness?
What is a thought?
What is thinking?
How is it possible for the mind to represent the world?
Can we really know anything?
Is human nature inherently good or evil?
Do you humans act out of free will, or are our actions determined?
What is technology?
When is our technology good?
When is our technology bad?
Who is ultimately responsible for the outcomes of using technology? Individuals, or the entire species?
What is enlightenment? Why do some people think they have it?
Does education improve people? If so, why do we seem to make the same mistakes repeatedly?
Why do people limit themselves by giving responsibility to a god?
Does free will exist? If free will doesn’t exist, why do I feel like I am in control?
What is human evolution?
How do humans evolve differently than other life forms?
Why is there ethnic conflict in the world?
Why do the behaviors of people differ based on where they are born?
How do families form?
How do individual identities form?
Why do our personalities change over time?
If your brain were transplanted into another body, would you still be you?
How do social hierarchies form?
Why are there different social classes?
How do people learn languages?
Why do some languages die?
Do minds cause physical events, or does the physical body exclusively cause events in the mind? (Epiphenomenalism)
What is it like to experience something?
Why do humans pretend?
How do I know that other people think and feel in the same ways I do?
How do I know I’m not dreaming?
Happiness
Is happiness the product of chemicals flowing through your brain? Or is it more?
What is the good life?
Can people be happy? Do they actually want to be happy?
Should people pursue happiness?
Can you legitimately achieve happiness without making others unhappy?
Is it selfish to want to be happy?
Is it wrong to not care about being happy?
Do we need goals in order to be happy?
Does life have a meaning?
Can meaning be found or does it have to be invented? (Existentialism)
What is suffering?
Is it rational to donate to charities?
How do you describe happiness
How do you measure happiness?
Some people have thought that you actually can measure happiness. Jeremy Benthem’s felicific calculus is one strategy.
How do you control your own happiness?
For whom is happiness possible?
Is the pursuit of happiness self-defeating? When does seeking happiness make you unhappy?
How do you find happiness with others?
Philosophy of Art
Can art be defined?
Do artists, consumers or institutions like galleries and museums get to define the meaning of art?
What media belongs to art and what doesn’t? (Film, literature, cinema, etc.)
Why do certain artists resemble one another while others couldn’t be more different?
What is it about art that causes a response in humans?
What are the different kinds of responses to art?
Is the value of art in the work or in the mind of the beholder?
Does art have a purpose, or is it an end in itself?
What is an authentic performance of a musical piece?
In Philosophy: The Basics, Nigel Warburton wonders how we could ever experience Bach authentically without a time machine?
Is a high quality forgery still art?
What is an artistic style? How do we know one when we see it?
What do the cinematic arts teach us about the nature of time?
Political Philosophy
Plato believed that societies can be harmonized through political philosophy. He suggested an aristocracy would be best, and had some ideas we might think crazy now. For example, artists and poets would need to be expelled altogether because their representations bent reality.
Ironically, one of Plato’s stories, the Allegory of the Cave (found in The Republic), forms the basis of The Matrix, one of the most popular movies of all time.
When I did my second MA at the European Graduate School, there was no such contradiction. People were allowed to submit novels instead of formal thesis papers. I think it’s fantastic that scholarship has advanced to the point that art itself can be considered as a form of philosophical questioning at universities around the world.
Here are some of the most compelling questions from political philosophy.
What is equality?
What is freedom?
Are equality and freedom reasonable goals?
How can they be achieved?
What can justify the limits on freedom enacted by the state?
Should money be equally distributed?
What does it mean to “deserve” something without having “earned” it?
Why do different people have different needs?
Why does discrimination arise?
Since voters typically cannot become political experts, is their voice really valid?
Is there a right to freedom of speech?
Should people be allowed to lie and/or misrepresent the truth?
How can we protect the innocent from punishment?
Philosophy of Science
As James Ladyman points out, many aspects of life do not change. Most people still work very hard just to survive. Yet, we’ve never had more access to technology than ever before, all thanks to the advancements of science.
It’s not just that science has given us miraculous tools like phones that take high quality photographs. Science has also helped us figure out how to ship them around the world and link them to satellites flying above our heads.
It’s questions like these that have made it all possible.
What is science?
What is an experiment?
How do we know if the results of an experiment are valid?
What are the limits of science?
How far might science actually go given enough time and resources?
Are there any limits to the problem-solving capacity of computers?
Will progress continue on into infinity?
Are there any problems with the empirical method?
What is the nature of information, data and evidence?
How do we know that our tools of detection provide accurate and precise information?
Was math discovered or invented?
Is a final “theory of everything” possible?
If scientists determine that something should be done but people reject it, is it right to impose science upon them?
Are there a finite or infinite number of questions for science to tackle?
How should we understand universal cosmological time?
What is life?
What is the nature of a living system?
What is the difference between a living system and the matter described by physics?
I hope you’ve enjoyed this list, even if it includes some unanswerable philosophical questions. That’s just the way it goes with many intellectual questions, and it’s great brain exercise to at least try and answer them.
One problem people face, however, is that they come across good philosophical questions, only to forget them.
If you’d like to continue enjoying the benefits of deep thinking, learn now to memorize as many philosophical questions as you wish with my FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
Many of the best philosophers and deep thinkers have used the techniques I talk about in this course to reflect on deep philosophical questions about life.
And because of how the techniques work, they remembered their answers too.
How Will Australia’s Best Memory Champ Memorize The ENTIRE Dictionary? Anastasia Woolmer Reveals All
Nov 16, 2023
Anastasia Woolmer is currently the most impressive memory competitor in Australia.
She’s also a whizz when it comes to extending memory techniques to goals with practical meaning.
Not that being a memory athlete is empty in any way.
But she’s keenly aware that most people aren’t going to learn how to memorize thousands of digits.
That’s one reason why she came up with a different project, one that gives her great brain exercise and teaches her practical and interesting information.
Information you can actually use.
What’s on the menu for memorization over the weeks and months to come?
A dictionary.
That’s right.
The entire thing.
Including the page numbers.
https://youtu.be/tNw1oVbYKqk
Can You Really Memorize The Entire Dictionary?
As a matter of fact, yes.
Last time Anastasia Woolmer and I spoke on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, we discussed the memorization of movement.
In case you haven’t seen it, she uses movement as part of her mnemonic strategy, something you can witness yourself in her incredible TEDx Talk.
When it comes to committing an entire dictionary to memory, there is precedent for such a task.
And, as Woolmer readily told me, she’ll need lots of Memory Palaces too.
But according to Woolmer, it’s “holistic memory” that she focuses on the most.
By making sure that she’s physically flexible, taking care of her diet and getting lots of sleep, she has the mental clarity needed to memorize the entire dictionary.
I feel that this is exactly right.
Yes, we need high-powered mnemonic strategies.
But the functioning of mnemonics is reliant upon mental sharpness above all.
Enjoy this interview, and be sure to visit her website for more information about her courses and live training events.
Most of us experience inner talk. And it’s normal to include yourself and your experiences in the topics you think about.
But those who have excellent critical thinking skills know how to contextualize their SRIN.
What is SRIN?
Self-referential Inner Narrative.
Others call this the “blah blah blah” monkey-mind.
No matter what you call it, if you can’t think about contexts larger than your immediate self, it will be impossible to think critically.
Here’s what to do instead:
Notice when you say or think things like, “I don’t personally know anyone this has happened to.”
Stop and think about the larger context at the level of your neighborhood, your city, your region, your country, your continent, your hemisphere and the world. Where relevant, include the entire universe.
Imagine a topic through the eyes of at least one other person. In autobiographical memory studies, this is called shifting from the field perspective to the observer perspective.
Ask about what would be true even if you did not exist.
If you want to remove the obstacles to critical thinking you’re experiencing, some study will be involved.
Critical thinking books abound and it is worth spending time with some of the best. Look for books that include examples and exercises.
You’ll also want to think about a particular goal for critical thinking that you have. For example, do you want to think better as a student preparing for law school? Or do you need thinking skills for being a better contributor to your family or neighborhood?
One that I suffer from quite badly is called “recency bias.” Basically, it’s very tempting for me to judge reality based on the most recent events, rather than looking at the broad scope of history.
I use all of the tips on this page to cope and improve. One of the most helpful benefits of critical thinking is the ability to engage in continual discussions with friends about history. It’s something I continue to read for one simple reason.
The more you know and discuss the past, the more you are automatically reminded of a bias like this.
But it’s one of the biggest critical thinking challenges all the same.
If you don’t stop and think, mistakes are so much easier to make.
One of my favorite tools for making sure I don’t rush into making decisions without thinking about them is called W.R.A.P.
Widen Your Options
Reality Test
Attain Distance
Prepare To Fail
As can see, it has tools in it to help you slow down.
It’s also a superior alternative to “trusting your gut.” In fact, Chip and Dan Heath who came up with it in their book Decisive did a lot of research on it for the book.
They show that relying on gut instinct is often very harmful. (And it’s often a cognitive bias that drives us to rely on it anyway.)
How do you remember to use the W.R.A.P. technique? You need to get thinking about it deep into your procedural memory.
For that, a Memory Palace will help. Grab this free course so you know how to create and use one:
Five: Lack Of Scientific Literacy
Unfortunately, a lot of people leave school not knowing how to evaluate research. They often have limited numeracy skills.
They also barely understand some of the core principles of science, such as:
To remove these barriers from your life, make sure to learn what science is really all about. This is the kind of understanding that can help save your life as you think better. And the best part is developing your scientific literacy will boost your concentration skills, something far too many people lack.
Six: Exhaustion
Of all the most common barriers to critical thinking, not being well rested destroys our decision-making abilities.
Sleep and memory go together, and we need to remember to think critically in the first place. Please be sure to privilege your rest.
Seven: Lack Of Communication Skills
Thinking is more than a two-way street. It’s a complex network of many freeways, highways, streets and cul de sacs.
You need to communicate with many people and you need to do it well.
Some people don’t have a big enough vocabulary, so need to learn how to remember more words.
Others lack writing skills.
Yet others are not yet able to read fast enough so that they can talk and write enough to effectively communicate.
One way to improve in all these areas is to create a 90-day research and communication goal.
For example, I spent 90-days learning about the art of memory in the sixteenth century. To practice building my communication skills, I spoke with many people about it, wrote frequently and read the suggestions I got from others.
To remove your critical thinking barriers, spend the next 90 days reading about it. Find a philosophy discussion group. Start a blog or journal privately about what you’re learning.
It will help you tremendously.
Eight: Fear Of Failure
A lot of people are so afraid to make mistakes that they never take action.
Well, critical thinking is itself an action. If you never get started, you won’t be able to learn from the mistakes you will inevitably make.
This barrier circles us back to the problem of the ego and SRIN. You might be overly protective of yourself because you’re stuck in a self-referential loop.
How to get past this comes down to:
Recognizing the issue
Committing to get past it
Setting a plan for when you’re going to start taking risks
One quick win would be to join a debate club. This will give you meeting deadlines and specific topics for which you need to be prepared. You’ll have removed this common barrier in no time.
One of the reasons people fear failure so much is that they’re just not used to opening their mouths, making mistakes and being able to pivot.
I’ve learned to do this by giving lots of speeches from memory and other kinds of presentations.
And I’ve also learned and memorized a lot about logic and philosophy, in more than just one language.
Spend some time learning a language to break through this barrier. Practicing speaking in a new language will give you verbal dexterity that improves your ability to improvise in your mother tongue.
The Best Time To Remove Your Barriers Was Yesterday
Thanks for reading this post. It takes courage to recognize that your ability to think might be blocked and require attention.
There are obviously more barriers than the ones we’ve gone over today, but as you can see, the nine I’ve listed are massive.
My suggestion?
Get started on just one at a time.
Follow-up with the resources I’ve provided.
Familiarize yourself with cognitive biases and improve your science literacy.
And if you want to get started practicing your writing skills, feel free to post your thoughts in the comments below.
Oh, and if you ever spot me suffering from issues in my thinking, please let me know. I always want to improve!
How To Use Image Streaming To Improve Your Memory
Nov 03, 2023
If you want to improve your ability to visualize, think clearly and remember more, proper image streaming is important.
The best part is that you can learn to do stream images properly even if you do not have a strong “mind’s eye.”
What’s the point of image streaming – and doing so in a better way?
Well, just imagine being able to experience more of your inner genius on demand.
Develop that ability and soon you’ll enjoy reading much more (including complicated books).
Plus, your mind won’t feel so overwhelmed when you can instantly use mental imagery to focus on demand.
In this post, I’ll actually teach you two different kinds of image streaming: passive and active. I used both while studying for my PhD at York University, and it remains one of my favorite practices in my writing and teaching career.
Ready?
Let’s get started.
What Is Image Streaming?
A lot of people attribute the streaming image concept to Win Wenger.
Sure, Wenger wrote about it in a book called The Einstein Factor. Wenger defines the practice like this:
“Image-Streaming consists of describing aloud, in as much detail as possible, to a live listener or an audience, or to a tape recorder as potential audience — while observing the ongoing stream of sensory imagery of all kinds.”
Although there are some great things about Wenger’s book, it’s also packed with pseudoscience. And although it has some merit, I don’t fully agree with this particular definition of image streaming.
Perhaps more alarmingly, there’s a stunning lack of awareness about Einstein.
For one thing, Einstein is not known to have considered himself a genius. He probably had no time for such imprecise terms. If you’ve read The Unexpected Einstein, you’ll be aware of just how humble Einstein was about his discoveries.
As Walter Isaacson shows in Einstein: His Life and Universe, Einstein had every reason to be modest. He’d actually borrowed the imagery he “streamed” from Aaron Bernstein.
This was the influential author who “took his readers on an imaginary journey through space.” He also “asked readers to imagine being on a speeding train” as a bullet was shot through the window.
Was imagine streaming part of how Einstein formulated the equations involved in general relativity?
Absolutely not.
“Image streaming” is a term Wenger apparently invented (if you can call putting two preexisting words together an act of invention). If anything, Einstein was mentally replaying images and concepts from Bernstein.
This does not diminish Einstein’s accomplishments. Rather, it places them in context and allow us to ask a better question:
Did Einstein use an image visualization technique to arrive at his conclusions? Absolutely.
And you can too. We just want to be a bit more historically accurate and scientific about the process so we can get started on the best possible footing.
One way to instantly “stream” better while reading the claims people make, such as the one above, is to use active reading strategies. Although you might not wish to call them streaming, a lot of them will certainly get you into a similar state of flow.
The Deep History Of Image Streaming
I don’t want to go back to the beginning of time, but we know that humans have been visualizing for a very long time.
And if you are visualizing for more than a few seconds, that experience is… “streaming” from one second to the next.
Who has streamed imagery perhaps more than any other group?
Ancient Indian yogis. Buddhist monks. Dominican priests and practitioners of hermeticism. Modern teachers of positive visualization.
For each of these groups, the ability to sit and focus on mental imagery has been key to allowing ideas to arise and for expanding the mind.
For more details on how visualization was used in different periods of history, you can check out texts like:
Pratyabhijñā (see The Recognition Sutras, a translation with commentary by Christopher Wallis and specific exercises that involve image streaming from Shaivism)
The use of Mandalas and visualization sutras in a number of Buddhist schools and some koans in various schools of Zen
Now, you might be thinking… didn’t you just accuse Win Wenger of pseudoscience? Aren’t all of these ancient traditions also linked with woo-woo?
Well, yes and no. For one thing, Wenger says image streaming will increase your IQ.
This claim is highly dubious, and I doubt that any of the traditions listed above have ever claimed image streaming will help in this regard. That said, when combined with active recall, image streaming will certainly help you remember various kinds of information much better.
Second, we have tons of research demonstrating just how powerful practices like deity meditation are for enhancing the efficiency of your visuospatial processing. You’ll also want to check out the summaries of many scientific studies and brain scans in Andrew Newberg and Robert Waldman’s How Enlightenment Changes Your Brain.
Finally, the positive experiences I had with image streaming using the Memory Palace technique have been confirmed many times over.
See for example the exhaustive research conducted by Dr. Tim Dalgleish.
As Wenger describes it, image streaming involves observing and describing mental experiences.
I would rename this process “passive image streaming.”
All you have to do is:
Find a quiet place to practice, either seated or lying down
Use a device to record your voice
Talk about what you’re experiencing in detail, perhaps while performing these visualization exercises
Use as many multi-sensory aspects of experience as possible
Review the recording for any additional ideas it might trigger
I often use image streaming in real time when I can’t concentrate. For example, I will repeat in my own mind what people are saying and really make an effort to mentally experience their references.
In other words, if someone mentions a suspense novel, then I will think about a movie in the genre and an actor like Harrison Ford. The image streaming resulting from this simple practice has been tremendous for feeling more connected in conversations and remembering more about them.
What if you have aphantasia? You might want to try some of the processes I shared with AphantasiaMeow when we talked about using mind mapping as a potential aphantasia cure.
How To Practice Active Image Streaming
At the end of the day, bringing your efforts with streaming imagery together with a specific goal works a lot better.
And as I tell many people who ask me about this kind of visualization, the Memory Palace technique is one of the best ways to combine a goal with image streaming.
Use associations in the Memory Palace to help you memorize the information
Use Recall Rehearsal to “stream” through the Memory Palaces
Use multi-sensory associations as you proceed
If you need a bit of help getting started, please try this image streaming guided meditation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPrLt_sJgr0
As an alternative, you can try Dr. Gary Small’s four details exercise. I use it as a brain exercise a few times a week and it’s very powerful for practicing visualization and exercising memory at the same time.
How To Make Active Image Streaming Multi-Sensory
To enact this tip on multi-sensory image streaming, I like to follow a pattern I call KAVE COGS:
Kinesthetic
Auditory
Visual
Emotional
Conceptual
Olfactory
Gustatory
Spatial
As you go through a Memory Palace or just think through things, always try to touch on each of those sensory experiences.
One of my favorite ways to stream in real time is to recite a long piece of literature, like the Ribhu Gita. I live streamed my recitation as a memory demonstration here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgNQ9bU-nEg
As you can tell, the process is very peaceful and rewarding.
And one reason why is that I am experiencing multiple sensations using KAVE COGS as I go along. You can literally stream those sensations in that order, which is especially useful when trying to remember things you’ve memorized.
However, as this study shows, there’s a catch. Your outcomes from streaming images will be much more successful if they are tied to specific goals, ideally performance based goals.
In other words, it likely won’t help much if you envision yourself as a great philosopher. Rather, you would do better by image streaming yourself showing up to study philosophical books and then actually showing up to do it.
Another way to look at this factor is to think about your willingness to not only stream, but to do. As these researchers of visualization for academic performance concluded, future research on streaming goal-oriented mental imagery will do much better if they involve participants who have shown at least some level of willingness to implement.
If you’d like to learn how to memorize anything, learn how to master the Memory Palace for this kind of image streaming here:
The Real Benefits Of Streaming Image After Image
Some people might think I’ve been a bit sour in this post by pointing out issues in Wenger’s use of the term “image streaming.”
However, I think it’s important, and maintain that skepticism is one of the great keys to remembering better.
I rarely use passive image streaming myself because it happens to us all the time anyway. Our minds wander and we get lost in fantasy. Sure, you can initiative this kind of mind wandering intentionally during a visualization meditation, but typically we want to develop our focus, not weaken it.
So I prefer to switch the strange habit of “mind wandering” into a tool. When I notice I’m drifting during a conversation, I pull myself back by using the conversation itself as a catapult into image streaming.
And as I’ve hoped to show, many traditions stream imagery. They have done so for thousands of years. And as Lynne Kelly has shown in The Memory Code, the use of the Memory Palace is prehistoric. People have been using active image streaming for thousands of years.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to start experimenting with these two kinds of image streaming, passive and active?
The Importance of Philosophy: 7 Life-Changing Reasons
Nov 03, 2023
Why study philosophy?
After all, aren’t philosophers just a bunch of people who use big words in unreadable books?
I mean, think about it…
Half the time it seems like they’re preaching to us about how we should act in the world while they bumble through their personal lives.
Although that assumption can prove true more often than I’d like, the importance of philosophy is not owned by philosophers.
It’s also not necessarily the “love of wisdom” as people often translate it from the ancient Greek, φιλοσοφία.
As Emmanuel Levinas put it, we might do better if we think about philosophy as “the wisdom of love.”
I find Levinas’ formulation useful because it reveals how better thinking can help us discover what’s truly important in life.
And when we focus on allowing the love in wisdom to guide us, we will almost certainly respond to our fellow citizens from an elevated position.
Sure, it might not involve “love” as such in a personal way, but it will certainly involve much higher levels of care.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU2Z9J-MijI
Why is Philosophy Important? 7 Life-Changing Reasons
In What is Philosophy? Deleuze and Guattari suggest that opinion is chaos.
When you look at social media sites like Twitter, you almost feel like they must have had the ability to peer into the future when they wrote this book back in 1991.
But if there’s one reason above all that makes philosophy important, it’s the reduction of random, chaotic influence. The more you develop yourself philosophically, the more you can avoid being yanked around by the chaos of opinion.
With this point as our governing theme, let’s explore a few more reasons philosophy is so important.
One: Systematic Analysis
As different views and opinions flood the news and social media, instead of taking them at face value, you can use philosophical tools to pick them apart.
By practicing this kind of analysis, you’ll also be better at perceiving systems as such. Systems that try and control you are everywhere and being able to spot them can help you avoid so much loss and agony in life.
For example, when I was in university, my doctoral supervisor helped me see the ways in which the university bureaucratic system is a kind of game. After I submitted my dissertation, I took my new knowledge of how it worked and withdrew from the program.
Why? Because the analysis my supervisor helped me with revealed that it could take an entire year for the committee to set a date for my dissertation defense. Once the date was set, I re-enrolled and wound up paying much less tuition than other students who didn’t know about this loophole.
No one was going to tell me that was how the system worked. But when I learned how to analyze it, I saved a lot of money. I also saved a lot of grief later because if I had found out about this option, but not taken it, I would have mourned the lost money.
Thinking philsophically helps you perceive and then remove the barriers that hinder your life.
Two: Know When You’re Being Influenced
Unfortunately, know matter how much we come to know what philosophy is, we all fall prey to gullibility from time to time.
But the more we analyze the world around us, the more we can steep ourselves in positive influences while draining out the bad.
And it’s important to note that even useful sources can sometimes deliver unhelpful ideas. We need to be able to spot influence as such. That way we can properly evaluate it.
For example, I recently had to deal with a lawyer. He used a lot of tricky language to try and influence me. But because I could keep calm and objective as he spoke, I managed to better understand how he was trying to influence me. I ended up with a much better outcome as a result.
These critical thinking books will help you develop the ability to seek top quality influences in your life and weed out the poor performers. These philosophy books will also help.
Three: Interpret & Respond Optimally
Events in the world create all kinds of emotional responses.
But when you’re well-versed in philosophy, you’re equipped with a kind of “science of emotions.” You’re better able to perceive when you’re being irrational and use abstract thinking to pull away from your gut response.
Now, you might be thinking, “Hang on, people keep telling me that I need to listen to my gut response, not ignore it.”
True, there are some cases where you want to listen to your gut. Gavin de Becker’s The Gift of Fear has been personally helpful on that front. For example, when I’ve lived in big cities, I’ve had concerns on certain big holidays and stayed at home based on my instincts. In one case in Berlin, that was a very good thing because something tragic happened in the exact neighborhood I had intended to go.
Following your intuition is great – but only in certain contexts. Thinking philosophically can help make sure you’re using the right tools at the right times.
But in many areas of life, listening to your gut just doesn’t stand to reason. In fact, in Decisive, Dan and Chip Heath share research that strongly demonstrates going with your instincts is all-too-often one of the worst things you can do. Their W.R.A.P. technique is a fantastic little philosophical tool that helps you avoid irrational decisions so you can respond to life optimally.
Four: Evaluate Ideas
A large part of thinking rationally involves knowing the value of various ideas.
For example, take two people, John and Cindy. They both buy the same book.
John says, “It was $20 dollars, but I only got one idea out of it. I went on to buy five other books and ultimately never did anything with that original idea.”
Cindy says, “I only got one idea out of the book, but it was only $20 and even though it was just one idea, I managed to put that idea to work in my business. It increased profitability by thousands of dollars.”
Albeit simplistic, this example shows that Cindy evaluates ideas differently than John. Keeping our principle of philosophy as a form of active thinking in mind, she gives the idea life by using it.
She also makes it valuable by putting it into action.
As you explore philosophy, you’ll find that you can better evaluate many ideas. You’ll also reduce the kind of judgmentalism that causes you to dismiss ideas that could be extraordinarily valuable if you put them into action.
Five: Understand the Law
Many people do not realize that the laws governing them were arrived at based on philosophical thinking. Not only that, but many laws are the result of trying to answer profound philosophical questions about what is right vs. wrong.
The more you learn about philosophy, the more you’ll be able to see how philosophical ideas shape the rules of your society. And this means you’ll be able to participate in how they are crafted in a more integral way.
You can also start to see how governments lead heavily on mimetic behavior, which means shaping your desire based on the desires you see in others. This process is the basis of all propaganda, but it starts with philosophical ideas we can see in some of the earliest philosophers.
For example, Confucius talks a lot about imitating not just what the ancients did, but also to desire what they desired. Likewise, Mozi advised kings to promote certain kinds of behaviors so that others in society would imitate them. See Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy for these references.
Six: Spot and Resolve Contradictions
The human species is incredibly complex.
And our success on the planet is difficult to understand because we contradict ourselves all the time. Despite their differences, both philosophy and religion have a lot to say in this regard, even if both fields contain inner contradictions.
Yet, thanks to the mental tools we’ve developed using philosophy, we’ve managed to thrive.
In many ways, the technological projects we’re engaged in are trying to resolve human contradictions. From memory implants to AI, it often feels like the human species is under attack.
By the same token, we’ve always had this relationship with our technologies. Plato worried about how our technology might be able to copy itself and run rampant. Mary Shelly imagined Frankenstein’s monster taking vengeance on his creator for neglect and there are many other fantasies that philosophize about our inadequate human behaviors. They ask questions like:
Although we clearly no better than to damage ourselves and our entire planet, why don’t we do better?
Although we still rarely find consensus on the answers our philosophizing helps us produce, we’re lucky to have the thinking tools more available than ever before. We can consult all the major philosophers, often for free, just by searching Project Gutenberg and Youtube.
Seven: Understand Your Thinking Style
In Ecce Homo, Nietzsche tells us that Heraclitus was essentially his hero. During what appears to have been a period of great discomfort for the philosopher, Nietzsche seems to have taken great solace in this connection.
As you read philosophy, you’ll encounter multiple styles of thinking and learn more about yourself as you’re drawn to some and have a harder time relating to others.
This does not mean that you reject those who don’t resonate with you as invalid. It just helps you gain perspective on who you are and gives you a basis for reflecting on how and why you came to be that way.
These perspectives will sometimes challenge and even destabilize your self-perception. But as we know from the example of Nietzsche, finding points of comparison can be tremendously stabilizing too.
All the more reason to keep reading a wide variety of philosophers from multiple cultures and time periods. The ability to compare multiple perspectives is personally rewarding and provides great brain exercise.
Why Study Philosophy?
I think the number one reason to study philosophy is that we all practice active thinking each and every day to solve our problems.
Why wouldn’t we want to get better at it?
Philosophy is unique in that it is the one field of human endeavor that still makes sense to read historically.
Here’s what I mean:
It might be a novelty to read the earliest books on chemistry. But it won’t help you use contemporary chemistry very much, if at all.
But when it comes to philosophy, it’s possible to gain tremendous value from going as deep into history as possible. We learn as much from the oldest philosophical books as we do from the new ones.
Indeed, in many cases, we cannot understand many books of philosophy without knowing at least a little about the earliest philosophers.
Sure, you can read Plato and get a great deal out of it. But you get even more out of it if you’ve also read and put some thought into the Pre-Socratics to whom Plato was responding.
And this feature of philosophy means that you stand to receive endless rewards. Especially when you also learn about psychology and how it relates to philosophy for added measure.
The study of philosophy is deeply pleasurable. And all the more so when you can remember the philosophy that you read.
This exclusive program teaches you the Memory Palace technique with key exercises that help you excel in using it.
That way, when you come across the names of philosophers in articles like this one, you’ll be able to remember them. You’ll also be able to remember the names of their books and key concepts too.
As a result, you’ll be able to put their ideas into action. Again, action is essential. Without it, you cannot craft your own personal philosophy. You’ll struggle to increase your personal delight with the quality of your mind each and every day.
So what do you say?
Do you agree that philosophy is one of the most important mental activities in the world?
And are you ready to deepen your relationship with it?
I know I sure am. As a practice with no end in sight.
Binaural Beats And Memory: Can This Crazy Music Make You Smarter?
Nov 02, 2023
It’s a popular perception among many people that listening to binaural beats has a special effect on the brain.
They think binaural beats can help you follow a diet or stop smoking.
Or they think these sounds can amp you up for a competition or calm you down, or even improve memory recall, focus and concentration.
The question is…
Doesn’t listening to any type of relaxing music have a similar effect?
Possibly.
In this post, we’ll find out if listening to specific frequencies can have a better impact on your mental prowess than listening to Mozart for Pink Floyd!
What Are Binaural Beats?
The word binaural means “having or relating to two ears.”
The process works by sending a slightly different sound frequency to each ear. This has to be done simultaneously and through earphones or headphones.
When two different pure tones are presented separately but simultaneously to each ear of a listener, the listener hears the illusion of a third tone.
This third does “appears” in addition to the two pure-tones presented to each ear. And it is this third tone that is called a binaural beat.
Let’s break this down:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni1saxS5zVk
When you play a 350 Hertz (Hz) tone in the left ear and a 360 Hertz tone in the right, it yields a beat with a frequency of 10 Hertz. This third beat is the binaural beat.
The brain then uses a process known as ‘frequency following response’ to follow along at the new frequency (10 Hz). This process produces brainwaves at that rate of Hertz.
However, this outcome (apparently) occurs only if the the difference matches the alpha frequency range that lies between 7-11 Hz.
Music or white noise embedded with binaural beats is very often used along with different meditation techniques and positive affirmations to gain varying results.
In the memory training and memory improvement world, some claim you will experience results ranging from improvement in recall, concentration, focus, creativity and alertness.
There is more:
Listening to these beats is also said to provide relaxation, stress reduction, pain management, and improved sleep quality.
Who Heard Them First? A Brief History of Binaural Beats
Binaural beats were first described in 1839 by Prussian scientist H.W. Dove.
However, it was Gerald Oster’s article in Scientific American in 1973 that brought this process to modern attention.
According to Oster, the tones needed to produce binaural beats had to be relatively low-frequency and the beats themselves were in the range of one to 30 hertz. This is the range the human brainwave frequencies fall in.
What to know the real story?
Humans have the ability to “hear” binaural beats as a result of evolutionary adaptation.
“Many evolved species can detect binaural beats because of their brain structure. The frequencies at which binaural beats can be detected change depending upon the size of the species’ cranium. In the human, binaural beats can be detected when carrier waves are below approximately 1000 Hz.” (Oster, 1973)
The Binaural Process In Real Music
Of course, binaural beats in terms of therapy is quite different than the binaural process found in music. This process was apparently invented by Manfred Shunke who used models of the human head created with the help of computer design software.
As music historian Rob Bowman wrote in the notes for Lou Reed’s Between Thought and Expression: “The detail was as precise as possible down to the size, shape, and bone structure of the ear and ear canal. Microphones were then designed to fit each ear so, theoretically, what they recorded would be exactly what a human sitting in the position the head was placed would actually hear.”
Binaural Beats To Manage Pain: Why The Truth Matters For Your Memory
Chronic pain impacts between 10-50% of the adult population, while costing U.S. businesses over $61 billion annually.
The neuromatrix theory suggests that the brain’s inability to return to a state of equilibrium is at the crux of chronic pain (Melzack, 2001; Melzack, 2005).
Binaural beats has been effective in synchronizing brain waves, also known as entrainment, with an external stimulus (Kennel, Taylor Lyon, & Bourguignon, 2010), and has been associated with a number of positive psychological outcomes (David, Katz, & Naftali, 2010; Lane, Kasian, Owens, & Marsh, 1998).
Research shows that an external audio protocol of theta-binaural beats is effective at reducing perceived change in pain severity.
How does this affect your memory?
The answer is simple:
Pain free people pay better attention to their surroundings.
Freedom from pain means that your levels of focus and concentration are automatically better than when impacted by ongoing or recurrent pain.
Being pain free is especially important for learning, something that requires high levels of concentration.
Kind of like crossword puzzles require high levels of concentration (not that there is much evidence they will improve your memory).
Speaking of which:
Do Gamma Brain Waves Improve Memory & Concentration?
The highest frequency brain waves are apparently called gamma waves. These waves can have a frequency of anywhere between 25 and 100 Hz.
People whose brains produce more gamma waves are said to have greater ability to concentrate, focus and experience higher levels of cognition.
A recent study by Jirakittayakorn and Wongsawat tried to find whether “modulation of the brain activity can lead to manipulation of cognitive functions. The stimulus used in this study was 40-Hz binaural beat because binaural beat induces frequency following response.”
According to the study, listening to 40-Hz binaural beat for 20 minutes enhanced working memory function evaluated by word list recall task.
Does that mean we can change our brainwave patterns by listening to specific sounds?
Maybe…
But also maybe not!
A research project by Richard Davidson, a neuroscientist, found that the brainwaves of trained monks who regularly engaged in meditation produced powerful Gamma waves. Whereas the control group – with non-meditating volunteers – had little to no gamma brain waves.
What does this fact imply?
One way to improve concentration is to go Buddha style and practice long-term or short-term meditation.
Within a week of consistent meditation, you can start to experience improved concentration. So long as you’re not letting binaural beats combined with smartphone addiction get in the way.
Meditation can be used to remember something because better concentration has a direct link to improved memory.
But Can Binaural Beats Help Memory?
Not in theory or practice according to a research article by David Siever in 2009 called Entraining Tones and Binaural Beats.
But before we go any further, just as with other promises like those made about subliminals for memory, the actual claims are important to look at. So let’s take a step back and try understand how binaural beats work.
The proponents of binaural beats claim that it induces brainwave “entrainment.”
This entrainment supposedly influences and drives brainwave activity to a more desired mental state.
More specifically, entrainment is a “synchronization of two or more rhythmic cycles” and the process of brainwave entrainment relies on the natural phenomena of synchronization.
Think of it like this:
When you strike a tuning fork and then place another one next to it, the second tuning fork automatically starts to vibrate at the same frequency.
This is a natural synchronization. Pendulum clocks, metronomes, fireflies are few other examples of natural synchronization.
However, Siever states that entrainment occurs only when a constant and repetitive sound of sufficient strength to “excite” the thalamus is present.
Siever also noted that binaural beats are not very noticeable because the modulation depth (the difference between loud and quiet) is very small at just 3db, a 2 to 1 ratio.
Here’s a longer quote:
“This means that binaural beats are unlikely to produce any significant entrainment because they don’t activate the thalamus. But they do have some hypnotic and relaxing effect by way of dissociation (as does white noise and music).
This outcome may be, in part, due to the Ganzfeld effect. The Ganzfeld effect is the process where the mind quietens as a result of having a monotonous sensory input.
A natural example of the Ganzfeld effect may be experienced while sitting in a large field in the country while staring into the wide, blue sky. While sitting there, imagine listening to the white noise from the fluttering of leaves on the trees – away from the noise and other stimulation of urban life.
In other words, thanks to the Ganzfeld effect, binaural beats, through passive means, may help a person relax.
If, in theory binaural beats do not produce entrainment, do they produce entrainment and drive brainwaves in reality? The simple answer is NO!”
It’s not just Siever!
In another study, Gerald Oster used an EEG oscilloscope to conclude that binaural beats produce very small evoked potentials within the auditory cortex of the brain.
What does this?
It means that binaural beats are of little benefit in producing AE or auditory entrainment. (Oster, G. (1973). Auditory beats in the brain. Scientific American)
“The analysis of variance of the data revealed that there were no significant differences in alpha production either within sessions across conditions or across sessions.
Although alpha production was observed to increase in the binaural-beats condition early in some sessions, a tendency was observed for the subjects to move through alpha into desynchronized theta, indicating light sleep.
Subjective reports of “dozing off” corroborated these observations. These periods of light sleep — almost devoid of alpha — affected the average alpha ratios.”
A More Effective Way To Gain Mental Prowess
The beauty of the human brains is that it needs a goal to improve.
Your memory improvement training should always be linked to memorizing information that will immediately improve your life. 4x Australian memory champion Tansel Ali agrees.
Moreover, the memory improvement activities should always be measurable since tracking your outcomes leads to rapid improvement.
This is where the secret method of building Memory Palaces the Magnetic Memory Method way comes into play.
Using this Method, you not only get to remember the information faster, but also get predictable and reliable permanence that grows in strength each time.
Even better:
All other memory techniques including listening to binaural beats can be used inside of Memory Palaces.
But this never takes place the other way around (For example, you can’t use Memory Palaces inside of the Major Method the way you can use the Major Method inside of Memory Palaces.)
If you are looking for a complete brain workout try this brain fitness method…
The Ultimate Memory Improvement Beats? Listen to Music That Inspires!
Use sound beats or music as a means of relaxation, rejuvenation or inspiration.
When you feel relaxed and inspired you can create effective Magnetic Imagery that will enable you to build better Memory Palaces to improve recall, retention and memory.
Now is that music to your ears, or what?
Beyond Mnemonics: Exploring the Road to Enlightenment With 3x USA Memory Champ John Graham
Oct 31, 2023
Believe it or not, using mnemonics can make you feel so great, it’s almost like your head is going to explode.
On the one hand, it sounds obvious.
When you can remember more, boosts in mood completely make sense.
But what about feelings that are even more intense.
Such as experiencing an “awakening”?
Or even reaching a state of enlightenment?
Not only do I believe it’s possible.
I’ve read many accounts of such experiences in the memory improvement literature.
I’ve even had mystical experiences myself.
That’s why I jumped at the chance to talk with John Graham about it when he asked me about strange occurrences I’ve written and talked about a lot over the past few years.
John is an incredibly accomplished mnemonist. In addition to being a memory athlete and memory expert, he’s extremely knowledgeable about focus and concentration – especially for business professionals who struggle with anxiety.
Free will – and its absence – is one of the key ideas that come up around topics of awakening and enlightenment.
In fact, abandoning the sense of self is a hallmark of how many people talk about these experiences.
We’ve seen it in the memory tradition from people like Ramon Llull and Giordano Bruno. Indeed, in On the Shadows of the Ideas, Bruno says he has light bursting out of his eyes thanks to his experiences with using memory techniques.
Ability to ask questions that clarify the issue at hand
Inference
Open-mindedness
Self-correction and the desire to improve
Ability to defend your decisions
Historically, we can look to thinkers like Confucius and Plato. They looked not only at how individuals think, but tried to balance each self against entire societies.
A true critical thinker is not trapped in his or her own mind, after all. They’re able to see the big picture and realize that individual minds are not merely influenced by other minds. They are constructed by them.
According to Jonathan Haber in Critical Thinking, Aristotle is the first great critical thinker because he categorized and organized his thoughts about the world in the context of what others thought.
In this vein, Aristotle worked on biology, politics, drama, logic, rhetoric and other thought processes. These categories still serve as what Haber calls “the building blocks of education.”
Why Is Critical Thinking Important?
So if you want to know why critical thinking is important, it really boils down to exactly Haber’s point:
Because we have learned to think critically, we have those building blocks. We’re able to educate ourselves and others so that societies around the world can experience progress.
Another way to look at it is like this:
When humans weren’t capable of thinking very well, we suffered a lot more. But as our thinking abilities have grown, our suffering has decreased. Stephen Pinker is one of many thinkers who have demonstrated the validity of this point in books like Enlightenment Now.
But we’re still just scratching the surface. Let’s look at some more reasons:
One: Understanding Probability & Likelihood
A lot of human history has involved guessing. People literally had no way of knowing what the weather would be like tomorrow, let alone making predictions about the stock market that could potentially make them rich.
In today’s world, we learn to think probabilistically from a very young age. It’s a common part of mental strength that helps us avoid leading ourselves into traps.
I’m talking about traps like golden handcuffs, or its alternative, slave’s luck. These are contemporary terms for the old phrase “selling your soul to the devil.”
Because more and more people use critical thinking to see how employers trap them with false incentives and can use research to avoid miserable jobs, the world gets better.
The more people think through the probabilities of future happiness, the better everything gets for everyone.
And it’s not just about the future. Reflective thinking helps you tap into your past for important context.
Context is important for our next point:
Two: Comparison and Contrast
Would you agree that eating a ripe orange is better than eating a rotten one?
If you just said, “yes,” that’s because you know how to compare and contrast two different things.
Critical thinking relies on this all the time for much more consequential issues in life. But this simple example demonstrates the importance of distinguishing between things.
Three: Defining and Using Definitions
In Critical Thinking, Robert Ennis offered the FRISCO model to help define critical thinking:
Focus: identify the focus or central concern
Reason: identify and judge the acceptability of the reasons
Inference: judge the quality of the inference, assuming the reasons to be acceptable
Situation: pay close attention to the situation
Clarity: check to be sure that the language is clear
Overview: step back and look at it everything as a whole
There’s a reason that he starts this problem solving model with identifying the central issue. That’s because we need to be able to define things in order to make effective decisions.
And once we can define things, we need to be able to compare and contrast various definitions.
Remember when I said at the beginning we were going to use critical thinking itself in this post?
We’re going to use it now because I was tempted to raise this point and define it very simply as our ability to think about thinking.
According to Julianna Benson in Metacognition, we have to go beyond “cognition about cognition” as the definition of this term.
Metacognition is definitely that, but it also involves:
Perceiving that thinking is taking place
Monitoring the thinking process without losing perception
This is why critical thinking skills are important. We can’t rely on simplicity to get ahead in life. We need to dig deeper into complexity.
Nothing new about that.
For example, critical thinking practices blended with meditation have been around for a long time. Advaita Vedanta, Chan and Zen use various means of helping you perceive your thoughts and maintain the ability to monitor them without interruption.
Developing these abilities lead to better pattern recognition, which can help you learn a language faster.
It can also help you avoid the “groupthink” issues researchers have proven come from poor learning techniques like rote learning.
One simple technique can use to start practicing metacognition today is covered in Gary Weber’s Evolving Beyond Thought. I discussed its impact on my own life at a TEDx event:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
When You’re A Critical Thinker…
We’ve covered a lot today. And we’re not even scratching the surface of what’s available in these critical thinking books and examples. And that’s not to mention the value of learning how to use abstract thinking.
But you want to know what I feel is the most important and most beneficial reason we all need to be critical thinkers?
It’s this:
When you’re a critical thinker, you’re never alone.
That’s right.
Loneliness disappears completely because you have joined a group of people who care about the truth.
Not only that.
This group of exclusive individuals is also always preparing to take action based on the truth.
That’s fantastic company indeed.
But if you’re still struggling to develop critical thinking skills, it might be a memory issue.
To fix that, please consider grabbing my free memory improvement kit. It will help you remember everything we discussed today, and become a person of action.
At the end of the day, action, and taking the right actions consistently is what success is all about.
The Zettelkasten Method Unleashed: Enjoy Better Note-Taking Fast
Oct 19, 2023
I’ve been using a Zettelkasten system since 2000 when I learned it in grad school.
However, I’ve noticed that many people make the approach way too complicated!
That’s a shame because the Zettelkasten method is about maximizing flexibility and increasing comprehension and recall.
So on this page, I’ll share with you the interesting history of the Zettelkasten note taking approach.
And I’ll share the incredibly simplified version I’ve used ever since it helped me earn my PhD. It’s helped me learn languages, write books and give talks from the top of my head.
Better:
I’ll also show you how you can combine the Zettelkasten approach with the Memory Palace technique.
That way, you’ll enjoy much more high-powered results even faster.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrN0kaE6DkY
What Is the Zettelkasten Note-Taking Method?
Directly described, “Zettel” means note and “kasten” is the plural for box in German. So a Zettelkasten method is a means of gathering small note together in boxes. This is done not only for organizational purposes, but also to optimize a spaced repetition process that helps form memories faster.
There are many benefits of using this approach:
Flexibility and Interconnectivity: Zettelkasten notes are not isolated entities. Instead, you’re actively interacting and interconnecting the building blocks of knowledge. You are literally building a web-like network of ideas in your mind. As a result, you’re much more likely to experience holistic thinking and enjoy new insights.
Enhanced Retrieval: Zettelkasten enables efficient retrieval of information. With interconnected notes and a well-organized structure, you can easily locate specific notes, follow trains of thought, and access related concepts. This promotes effective learning and idea synthesis.
Creative Sparks: The Zettelkasten method nurtures creativity by encouraging the emergence of unexpected connections and patterns. As you interlink different ideas, innovative insights can arise, leading to novel perspectives and unique solutions to problems.
Resilience against Information Overload: The Zettelkasten method helps combat information overload. It provides a structured framework for capturing and processing information, helping you filter, prioritize, and make sense of vast amounts of knowledge.
The History of the Zettelkasten
Usually, people trace the Zettelkasten method back to the early 20th century, particularly to the sociologist and information scientist Niklas Luhmann. Luhmann sought a system that could help him manage and connect a vast amount of knowledge and accomodate random ideas.
However, it’s a misconception that Luhmann came up with the idea out of nowhere. To take just one source, Luhmann was inspired by the note taking method used by the renowned polymath and philosopher, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. Stephen Wolfram has shared some images he took of Leibniz’s notes:
A Pre-Zettelkasten Example from the philosopher and mathematician Leibniz.
Placcius organized the notes he took onto slips for distribution in alphabetized slots in a series of wooden boxes. He was apparently legendary for having a prodigious memory.
And no doubt because using this simple note taking approach lends itself to neuroplastic changes to the brain so that it more closely resembles and operates like a dictionary or encyclopedia.
Luhmann’s Contribution to the Zettelkasten Method
Luhmann’s Zettelkasten consisted of index cards or slips of paper, each representing a distinct idea or concept. He meticulously organized and linked these notes using a unique numbering system and cross-references. This structure allowed Luhmann to explore complex topics, make connections, and more effortlessly navigate his intellectual landscape.
Over the years, Luhmann refined and expanded his Zettelkasten, ultimately creating a colossal knowledge repository that housed over 90,000 notes. The Zettelkasten became an integral part of his research, which was considered prolific. Apparently, this approach lead him to make groundbreaking contributions in sociology, systems theory, and communication studies.
The Mind-Blowing Efficiency of the Zettelkasten Structure
Now, rather describing how others have used this approach, let me share the simplified style I’ve used for two decades. I’ve cut out so much unnecessary meta-note taking and kept only the core idea. This has helped me use the Zettelkasten method faster and combine the approach with the Memory Palace technique much more directly.
But first, what are the meta-note taking structures I’ve cut out?
It’s little markers that identify what kind of note is on the card. For example, making a meta-note that says:
Quote
Idea
Link
Etc.
As you’ll see in the Zettelkasten examples I’ll share, quotes have quotation marks around them, so there’s no need to write out the word “quote.” If I want to note that one idea links to another, I’ll simple put “re” on the card, but not make that card special in any way. I’ve not found it useful to do so.
Alright, now that you know more about what I don’t do, let’s break down the exact steps I follow.
How to Use the Zettelkasten Process to Take & Memorize Your Notes
As we go through these steps, please note that there is always a certain amount of flexibility in my personal process. I’m giving you the way it normally plays out, but sometimes there are variations. For example, I might approach extracting notes from a podcast slightly differently than I would from a book.
With that in mind, everything begins with the most important step of all.
Step One: Make Sure The Source Is Worth Taking Notes From
A lot of people struggle to figure out the main points in the books they read. And no doubt. A lot of books are poorly written, which is one of the main reason it can be challenging to read as fast as you might like.
Now, there’s no perfect way to make sure a book is worth making notes from. But as a general process, I try to hit these steps in this order:
Check out book reviews from qualified scholars
Read reviews from the general public
Read the conclusion of the book first to determine the importance the author gives to their own topic
Read the most interesting or obviously important chapters first
This simple process saves a ton of time because often the conclusion of a book reveals that the author did not discover anything truly epic.
Step Two: Have Your Cards & Other Tools Ready
As I share in my detailed tutorial on how to memorize a textbook, when I read a book, I have a number in mind.
There is no way I’m going to try and extract every single last detail from a book. Why would I? That would involve copying the entire book onto cards.
Instead, I decide that I’m generally going to extract 3-5 big points from each chapter.
And to make sure I’m ready to do that, I bring enough index cards or blank flashcards with me to the library.
Also, I bring a box of sandwich bags.
Weird, right?
Well, when I lived in North America, I used to use elastic bands to gather my cards together per book.
But now that I live in Australia, I’ve found that elastic bands melt and fuse with the cards. Using plastic bags helps keep the cards nice and clean and prevents the rubber from melting into the ink and making my handwriting hard to read.
All the Zettelkasten cards related to this book are behind an initial card with the book author and title information. This bag then goes into a shoebox of alphabetically organized cards gathered by book.
Step Three: Follow A (Mostly) Uniform Note Taking Process
Almost without variation, I start my first card for a book with the information from the colophon page: author name, book title, date of publication and publisher.
Although this information may or may not be “mission critical” to know in the future, it’s all part of knowledge and well worth recording and memorizing. Plus, facts like the publisher location and the publication date can help you rapidly assign mnemonic imagery.
For example, by noting that a book is published in 1999, I can think about Jean Chretien as the Canadian Prime Minister, and Bill Clinton as the US President. When I come across the first thing I want to memorize, I automatically have some associations to work with.
On the subsequent cards, I simply jot out quotes and big ideas. If it’s a quote, I put the quote in quotation marks. If it’s an idea or an observation, I don’t.
The bottom right corner of each card always has the book title and the page number from which I’ve drawn the quote or made the observation.
That’s it. Clear, crisp, simple and uniform.
The alternative is that if I’m taking notes from a podcast or video, there are no pages. In these cases, I’ll write out the time the point was made.
This Zettelkasten example reflects a quote drawn from a podcast. Note the time stamp near the bottom right. The speaker and name of the podcast is below the time stamp, a process I follow uniformly.
Step Four: Organize the Cards Alphabetically by Source
Some people like to get fancy. They buy or make wooden cabinets for their cards.
Apart from not having elastic bands melt into my cards, I’m not that fussy.
Instead, I organize my cards into shoeboxes and alphabetize them by title. So if my notes for a book called Nothing are in a plastic baggie, that will appear ahead of my notes from a book called One.
Now, you could easily organize your cards by author last name. I’ve done that in the past, but for some reason I now prefer to do it by title.
Alternatively, if I’m reading at home and the set of cards is very small, I will either:
Store the cards in the book itself
Not use cards at all, but write my own index on the inside cover
Either way, everything is accessible in the order of the information in the source, either by page number or by time stamp.
And it is very helpful that these cards are storable in a tidy manner. I don’t like to have random cards all over the place, except when I’m using them as part of a memorization or book writing project.
Step Five: Cull and Memorize with a Memory Palace
Let’s say that you’ve now got a bunch of cards that you’ve placed in one of more Zettelkasten. You know that you want to memorize the big details.
Go through the cards and separate out the ideas that seem most worth memorizing.
Then, start to place them in a Memory Palace. I often memorize ten ideas per Memory Palace to keep things direct, simple and as fast as possible. But sometimes I’ll use larger Memory Palaces.
The great thing about having the cards marked by title and page order is that when I’m done, all those ideas now go back with the individual bag of cards to which they belong.
Step Six: Revisit Your Zettelkasten Periodically
As you go about your learning life, you’ll keep adding more cards and memorizing the key points.
But it’s also useful to revisit the cards you’ve collected in the past from time to time.
When it comes to writing, this topic leads me to share with you yet another powerful learning strategy.
Step Seven: Summarize by Writing and Speaking
Although it’s fantastic to have many big ideas distributed across your easy-to-find Zettelkasten, true synthesis comes when you put the information into your own words.
You don’t have to go to elaborate lengths like building a blog.
Just 250-500 words per book will do. This simple process will stretch your recall of what you read and understood. And it will reveal any gaps in your understanding where you might like to fill in the blanks.
In addition to writing summaries, having ample conversations will also help you engage in the active recall that forms memory and understanding faster. You can also practice memorizing what people say in response while conversing them for extra results.
The Most Powerful Zettelkasten Example On The Planet
On this page, I’ve shared my process for using this powerful learning technique.
But do you know what will make for the best Zettelkasten example you’ll ever find?
The cards you create for yourself.
My simplified method may be too simple for you.
If so, there’s lots of information out there about how to make it more complex.
Or, you might want to simplify it even further.
One way or another, taking action is the ultimate way to reveal just how powerful this technique will be for you.
And if you’re interested in going deeper with this method when it comes to using a Memory Palace Network, grab this free course now:
It will give you the full rundown on how to set up properly formed Memory Palaces so you can connect your Zettelkasten cards to them quickly, easily and efficiently.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to explore note taking in a completely new way?
Enjoy the journey and please let me know how it goes!
The Art of Memory, Frances Yates & The Rise of Modern Mnemonics
Oct 11, 2023
The Art of Memory is one of the most successful memory improvement books of all time.
Ironic, given that its author says she never tried to use the memory techniques she discussed in such detail.
Frances A. Yates made a mark nonetheless.
She was a meticulous researcher and The Art of Memory is not her only book to touch on the world of mnemonics.
Are you interested in the art of memory at large, Yates’ contribution to the tradition of using mnemonics through her famous book and some of the best strategies she uncovered?
If so, let’s dig in and explore what Yates discovered about the method of loci. As we go, we’ll look at some of the historical figures who used the techniques to learn faster and remember more too.
https://youtu.be/TG5Fdilr9YI?si=1b9i8aNaXsVcOB-O
The Woman Behind The Art of Memory: Who Was Frances A. Yates?
According to Marjorie Jones in Frances Yates and the Hermetic Tradition, Frances Yates was one of the most important intellectuals in postwar England.
As Jones points out, Yates is also significant for women’s history. We tend to focus on scholars of memory like Aristotle, Ramon Llull, Giordano Bruno and Robert Fludd. But beyond Lynne Kelly, Mary Carruthers and memory athletes who share their mnemonics like Katie Kermode, there don’t seem to be many women in the conversation.
In fact, many people express surprise when I use “she” and “her” to discuss Yates. Many people tend to assume she’s a man – an impression perpetuated by the fact that her picture is not included with any of her books that I’ve seen.
Yates led a scholarly life, and Jones gives some indication that Yates may have treated one of her main topics, the memory master Giordano Bruno as a kind of symbolic father. But Yates died in 1981 before completing a biography she’d started and called the “B Book.”
It would be lovely to know more about Yates’ life, especially the fact that she didn’t use memory techniques. Jones subtlety casts some doubt on this claim Yates makes in The Art of Memory. By many reports, her memory was actually quite good.
That could be a result of context dependent memory, however, not Yates’ understanding of the ancient memory techniques she wrote about in such depth. Authors tend to spend a lot of time preparing and editing drafts, so it would not be surprising for her to have better memory than others for topics relating to memory and intellectual history at large.
The Primary Principles of The Art of Memory
As Yates discusses in The Art of Memory, her primary goal is to better understand Giordano Bruno. She wrote about him at length in another book, and in a work about Llull. Bruno also comes up in some of her work on Fludd.
Contextualising Bruno’s historical moment is fantastic. To do so, Yates takes us all the way back to the ancient world.
Many interesting names come up, and the core mnemonic strategies that go with them are:
Memory wheels, thought to be originated by Ramon Llull
Guilio Camillo’s “Memory Theatre”
Rober Fludd’s “Theatre of the World”
Giordano Bruno’s alphabetical method for rapidly developing mnemonic images
Yates is particularly interested in how Bruno’s mnemonic strategies connect with his cosmological ideas. Not everyone agrees with Yates’ interpretation. For one thing, there have been new discoveries since Yates stopped writing about memory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNrJlDiGIpk
Dilwyn Knox suggests that Yates’ interpretation of Bruno as a hermeticist is forced, and I agree. But as John Michael Greer has suggested, everyone who works on Bruno is bound to invent their own version.
All of Yates’ discussion of memory techniques becomes even more complicated when we add in her claim that she never used the memory techniques under discussion.
Ultimately, I don’t know, but some of the ways she discussed mnemonics does suggest she didn’t understand them through experience.
7 Memory Techniques (Mnemotechnics) From the Art of Memory
In addition the memory techniques listed above, The Art of Memory discusses or at least mentions:
Yates didn’t live to see some of the Aboriginal memory techniques we now know about from people like Tyson Yunkaporta and Lynne Kelly’s Memory Craft.
But that’s okay. Yates finished writing The Art of Memory in 1965 after all. And we probably wouldn’t have the work of countless others without her inspiration.
Frankly, no. Even though I’ve taken dozens of notes on it.
If you want to learn about the history of memory techniques, then Yates’ writing is an absolute must.
But if you want to learn how to improve your memory, then you might walk away confused.
For best results, you’ll also want to read some of the primary texts Yates refers to throughout The Art of Memory. Some of these are easy to find online. For others, you can find them in their own volumes or in Carruthers’ The Medieval Craft of Memory.
At the end of the day, I agree with Jones that Yates was a tremendous scholar.
Although her takes on Bruno are a bit hard to swallow after having read a lot of Bruno myself, Yates’ overall scholarship about memory is profound.
It’s just not a direct path to learning how to use the techniques, even if will inform you about the history of who used them.
If you’d like the fastest path to mastering the most important memory techniques quickly, please grab my Free Memory Improvement Course now:
You’ll discover how to do what Yates did not:
Use the techniques yourself.
But something even more profound:
Use the art of memory as an art, to be sure.
But also as a craft, a science and a martial art of the mind.
And that’s important, because another thing Yates glosses over in The Art of Memory is the role of critical thinking.
Ultimately, that’s what the art of memory at large is really all about. Yes, you need to understand the composition of images as Bruno discussed mnemonic imagery.
But Bruno, Llull and contemporary teachers of memory like myself urge you to take the art of memory into the realm of thinking better thoughts.
The true art of memory is about using your memory to make better decisions and solve problems quickly. To solve them accurately. And to solve them with wisdom each and every step of the way.
How to Write Learning Goals That Work For Mastering Any Topic
Oct 11, 2023
All successful learners set learning goals.
Even if the exact path isn’t clear and there might be some wiggly lines involved, this truth matters above all:
You can’t expect success from self-directed study programs without at least forming some kind of destination.
And the truth is, having a clear destination in mind, isn’t always the best policy. Sometimes you have allow for a little wiggle room. If not a lot.
As someone who has been both student and professor, I can help you from both sides of the coin.
I’ve passed multiple exams based on many courses. But I’ve also gone on to learn on my own to learn new skills and research and write multiple books.
To help you out based on solid scientific research and experienced earned from preparing many outlines for my memory goals, let me give you some examples you can model.
And let me do even better than that:
In this post, I’ll show you how to create a learning goal that actually gets you the outcome you want.
Whether that’s learning a language, mastering a musical instrument or becoming an expert in a difficult topic, this is the blog post for you.
How cool is that?
Very cool, as you’re about to see. So let’s dive in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPfW-pDyrmc
What Are Learning Goals?
Learning goals are like destinations on a map.
You have never been to the location, but you know that it exists.
The reason you know it exists is either because others have been there, or others have tried to reach the destination.
And this is an important point:
A lot of people think that learning goals must be achievable.
Frankly, I think we have every reason to believe this simply is not true.
For example, must it be achievable that we do all we can to learn about space travel?
We don’t know if it’s actually possible or not, but we’re doing it.
To take a more down-to-earth example, I had no idea whether or not I would be able to understand many topics or learn some of the languages I’ve tackled.
And right now, as part of my current learning cycle, I’m studying physics. It’s really hard to understand, but I take heart from a quote I found early on from one of the most renowned physicists, Richard Feynman:
It is my task to convince you not to turn away [from physics] because you don’t understand it. You see, my students don’t understand it either. That’s because I don’t understand it. Nobody does.
Ultimately, this means that the exact definition of learning goals is exactly what I’ve suggested: It’s a destination. And all you need is an inkling that the destination exists just as Richard Feynman and millions of other people make learning goals based on their intuition that physics and math exist.
Examples Of Written Learning Goals
Of course, it’s easy to theorize. Here are some examples of my own written learning goals so you can see the principles in action.
Language Learning Goal
Every time I sit down to study a language, I start off by writing down my intention. I started doing this years ago with German, and here’s what I wrote:
By the end of one month, I will be able to hold conversations on everyday topics like travel, work and my hobbies. To accomplish this, I will memorize vocabulary and phrases in my language learning Memory Palaces daily and speak with a language exchange partner two times a week. I will listen to German radio and watch German movies for twenty minutes per day.
Reading Challenge
I rarely dread reading challenging books. But Gödel Escher Bach is legendary for its complexity and wards off many readers.
But because reading it is essential for understanding memory and consciousness, I helped myself get through it by writing the following goal:
Over the next 6 weeks, I will complete Gödel Escher Bach by reading at least 15 pages per day. I will write summaries as I go to better understand key themes in the book. I will also seek out at least three interviews with the author and take thorough notes from them.
Mastering Philosophical Concepts
A few ago, I decided I needed to understand Zen and related schools like Advaita Vedanta. For whatever reason, their core ideas had always evaded me.
To get that task done, here’s what I wrote:
In the next 6 months, I will thoroughly understand what these philosophical traditions mean by “no mind.” I will dedicate an hour each day to reading and an additional hour to practicing the recommended meditation techniques. I will supplement my understanding by watching lectures related to Zen and Advaita Vedanta.
Did I succeed?
Judging by the millions of views my TEDx Talk reporting on the mission has received, I’d say so.
Why Is It Important To Set Learning Goals For Improvement?
We need learning goals precisely because without a direction to follow, we wind up getting either nowhere, or someone other than we want to be.
Having goals for our learning also helps us identify others who have attempted and succeeded at similar projects.
It’s not just about goals either. Using mental metaphors based on images of other successful people is very helpful. Nir Eyal makes this point in his book Indistractable.
Carol Dweck says something similar in Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Only she puts a bit of a twist on it:
We like to think of our champions and idols as superheroes who were born different from us. We don’t like to think of them as relatively ordinary people who made themselves extraordinary.
In other words, to be successful requires a combination of big dreams and thinking practically about how others have completed them. This process is sometimes called “reverse engineering.”
For example, you might notice where and when people act on their goals. This is a point suggested by Dr. Heidi Grant. We often think about the outcome when we actually need to visualize the process.
How to Write Learning Goals That Work: 4 Strategies for Writing Successful Learning Goals
When it comes to achieving our dreams, whether it’s learning the law or acing med school, one quote has always stuck with me. I heard it from a “business guru” named Dean Jackson:
All wealth comes from writing.
I’ve always found this to be true, so let’s start with some nuance on that tip.
When it comes to goals, I’ve found that it’s really important to write them down.
But not just once.
To really test that I want to go through something, I ask myself to write out the goal several times over a few days, if not weeks.
Why?
Because I’ve found that a goal I’m not willing to write out a few times signals I’m not really interested in completing it.
Plus, writing out a goal several times helps test the “truth” of the goal. Sometimes we just want an outcome for the sake of having it. But we don’t actually need the outcome.
So in the journal, I divide the page into two columns: Want vs. Need. By focusing on what I really need to learn, I wind up having much more free time and enjoyment at the end of the learning goal.
I know this process sounds challenging. But it’s 100% scientific. Angela Duckworth would likely file this kind of exercise under her concept of developing “grit.” I consider it an exercise that helps you establish and maintain mental strength.
Two: Decide Why, Where & When
Once you’ve tested that you really want to learn something, it’s important to keep journaling.
My three questions each morning before I engage in a learning activity always come with:
For example, I’m working on a book and part of my research involves reading Shakespeare to follow-up on someone’s suggestion that the great memory master Giordano Bruno may have influenced Shakespeare’s creation of Hamlet.
Shakespeare’s not exactly light reading, so I remind myself of why I’m doing it. Then I plan where and when I’m going to get the reading done.
This simple metric is useful to go through because it can help you choose times when you have the best possible energy for certain tasks as well.
Three: Give Yourself Space for Focused & Diffuse Modes of Thinking
Here’s one of my favorite learning goals examples:
Study hermeticism
Study the memory systems of Bruno and people like Ramon Llull
Compare with multiple traditions and philosophies
Compare with contemporary memory science and memory athletes like Ed Cooke
Write up the findings in a book
If you want to know how to write a learning goal, that’s basically what the framework looks like. I then tested it as described above. As of this moment, the first draft of this book is now done based on my research and learning.
However, due to the enormity of the project, I couldn’t cover it all overnight. So I remembered lessons I learned from Barbara Oakley in her Learning How to Learn book and course. Some of these ideas area also in her excellent book, Mindshift.
Basically, you get very clear about when you’re going to study. But you used spaced repetition to take plenty of breaks.
This shifting between focus and taking time off for “diffuse thinking” allows the brain to form connections, primarily while you’re resting.
Four: Accelerate Everything Using Memory Techniques
Now, you might be thinking… I can learn while resting?
Yes, and it’s an important part of any learning routine, especially when studying tough subjects.
I suggest always keeping in mind the Feynman quote I shared above.
No one quite understands how to do anything perfectly, or what it means to master a study subject.
We need to keep humble and keep moving.
Action reveals and if you start with the journaling and testing process first, you’ll find that exactly how to accomplish your learning goals will tend to reveal itself to you.
So what do you say?
Dive into these suggestions and I can’t wait to hear about how you feel when you accomplish your learning goals with greater ease and efficiency!
Obsidian & the Memory Palace Technique with Aidan Helfant
Oct 06, 2023
Using memory techniques in combination with software programs like Obsidian is enticing, isn’t it?
The promise is not only that you’ll remember more… faster… but you’ll also be able to make more mental connections.
Although I personally don’t use software much at all in my learning journey, I have helped promote others who have great ideas and a proven track record of success.
For example, years ago we took a deep dive into Evernote when it was still all the rage…
Not that I ever hear anyone talking about that software anymore, however.
These days, all I hear about is Obsidian. Or AI, especially in the positive ways Andrew Mayne has discussed artificial intelligence for better memory.
That’s why when I learned about Aidan Helfant’s results using the software, my ears perked up.
Click play and listen in as we take a deep dive into the use of Obsidian as part of your learning strategy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbGBktY3cmY
Who Is Aidan Helfant?
Aidan is an incredible learner who is creating incredible tutorials that help students enjoy going to college much more. His excellent blog covers a number of very important learning strategies, from mastering the Memory Palace technique to overcoming distractions.
Aidan’s teaching is well worth paying attention to because he focuses on the fundamentals:
In all things, if you want to beat procrastination, create dense mental connections without having to explore mind map mastery, and fill your life with meaningful activities, Aidan’s a great new voice on the scene.
Avoid the soul-sucking tedium of rote learning and actually enjoy studying for a change!
How to Rewire Your Brain and Boost Memory With Neuroplasticity
Sep 20, 2023
If you want to know how to rewire your brain, rest assured:
You absolutely can do this.
But you’ve got to avoid the charlatans.
Far too many people are shilling “tricks” and “tips” for rewiring your neural pathways that just don’t work.
That’s because they don’t follow a simple rule I’ll share with you today.
Of course, simple doesn’t necessarily mean easy.
And that’s the catch the sharks in the water don’t want you to know.
But I will share with you the pros, the cons and some of the ways that make it possible for you to stretch your brain cells, even if it feels challenging.
Because that’s one of the other secrets that’s usually hidden from you:
Neurogenesis, the growth of new brain cells and neuroplasticity, the changing of the brain?
Both require challenge. You literally do have to stretch yourself.
Repeatedly, making sure that the challenges you take on align with positive habits like mindfulness, games and visualization.
And when you take certain challenges on willingly, there’s no ceiling to how much you can improve the quality of your mind and mental abilities.
Ready for what really works?
Let’s get started!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRMHV9ao7wM
Rewiring Neural Pathways: Can You Change Your Brain?
It sounds like science fiction.
But countless neuroscientists and other professionals have shown that you literally can change the physical characteristics of your brain simply by thinking in particular ways.
The title of this book refers to psychologist Donald Hebb’s famous finding that “Neurons that fire together wire together.”
This statement has been validated by scientists countless times and is now known as Hebb’s Law or Hebbian theory.
Sharon Begley has done great work in showing how the ancient sages were right and why meditation literally changes the brain. Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain is a great study that includes research about how to increase neuroplasticity through meditation.
Why It’s Possible to Increase Neuroplasticity After Trauma
According to Dr. Tim Dalgleish, it really comes down to intervention.
For example, he and his research teams have studied using memory-based interventions for depression and PTSD.
I didn’t know about these studies until after my own depression improved after using the same method of loci and Memory Palace interventions they used in their studies.
And my student Nic Castle also reported relief from his PTSD. I was so inspired by the survivor story he shared on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I wrote an entire “Memory Detective” novel that is influenced by it. (Nic was a police officer.)
However, it’s important not to confuse the positive activities you’ll discover below with the idea that the brain somehow reorganizes itself following various physical and psychological traumas. These researchers have presented compelling that this is not the case.
So please always remember that in order for the positive change you seek to take place, you need to willingly take action. That way, you’ll not only improve how your brain operates, but also keep it sharp as you age.
Example Of An Intervention That Created Positive Neuroplasticity
After reading Tim Dalgleish’s research, I followed his suggestion and created a simple Memory Palace with 10 positive memories.
I found this technique so useful, I went one step further by choosing a home from my youth that was packed with bad memories.
But instead of filling it with bad memories, I filled by memorizing positive poetry written in Sanskrit.
Since going through this exercise, it’s now possible for me to think about those experiences without re-traumatizing myself. My brain has been “rewired.”
But it did take an intervention.
And that’s the catch if you want to enjoy a rewired brain.
You need some kind of behavioral interruption.
Good news:
I’ve got a bunch of activities that will give you exactly these kinds of positive interruptions, plus another essential ingredient. Just keep reading.
6 Methods to Rewire Your Brain for Memory Improvement
As we go through this list of ways that you can enjoy the benefits of neuroplastic changes to your brain, keep challenge in mind. Also, repetition and focus.
As all of the books and studies I’ve cited above demonstrate, taking on some kind of mental challenge is the key. Variety matters too so you can rotate between activities and stave off getting bored with any single one of them.
I suggest gathering all of your activities in three broader categories:
Practices that involve mindfulness
Challenging activities that involve games and learning new skills
Routines that require visualization
Rotating between activities in these categories is key because, as performance experts like James Clear, have shown, improvement requires a special ingredient.
This ingredient is called time.
Typically, when we want to experience meaningful change that lasts, we need at least 90-days of practice.
Why?
Well, it takes that long for the brain to form new neural pathways. There are also brain chemicals involved, such as myelin. An excellent and highly readable study that condenses all the science is Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code.
So keep in mind that challenge over time is the special sauce that makes everything I’m about to share with you tick. Without taking on the challenge and giving the challenges the necessarily time to form new neural connections in your brain, it’s unlikely that you will experience the changes you seek.
But use a tool like a simple journal or notebook, and you will succeed and become a whole new version of yourself. Someone with a brain of steel!
One: Neurobics
For most people, the easiest way to get started is a simple set of activities called neurobics.
It’s basically aerobics for your brain.
A simple example is writing with your non-dominant hand. This challenges parts of your brain that you don’t normally use.
Provided you have someone to observe you, you can also practice walking backwards or walking with your eyes closed.
Taking different routes also counts as neurobics. It’s worth taking up these practices to help revivify your brain and form new neuronal connections.
Two: Learn New Skills
We’ve all heard that learning music is great for the brain.
But do you really have to learn new skills that challenging to enjoy neural benefits?
No. You can also build upon abilities you already have.
For example, you probably already know how to bounce a ball and you know how to use a hammer.
Adding challenges based on your current skills is a great way to stimulate your brain.
Make sure to take time to visualize your journey from beginner to competence with each skill frequently. As these researchers have found, taking a moment to imagine success enhances your performance.
Three: Learn A Language
Many studies show that bilingualism changes the brain in positive ways.
This special benefit helps protect your brain from diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. So if you aren’t already learning a language, please get started soon.
(You’ll need to spend more than 90-days for full fluency, but it will be worth it. And even just 90-days will give you many benefits, especially if you use a language learning Memory Palace.)
Four: Play Challenging Games
Most of us know that playing games provides a certain level of cognitive training.
Dr. Christine Till is one scientist who has studied some of the apps that claim to provide benefits through gamification. But like me, she’s skeptical.
Crossword puzzles aren’t necessarily the ticket either, as my research into them has shown.
Ultimately, you need to experiment and keep in mind the exact kind of brain rewiring you’re after. Then it will be easier to find games that suit.
I teach ways to use mnemonics much more broadly for what I call “holistic memory improvement.” This is an important approach because many people want to focus only on their working memory. But for better and faster improvements, you want to include memory training in many areas of your life.
That means using memory techniques as part of meditation, diet, goal-setting, positive visualization practices and everything we’ve talked about above related to skills acquisition and language learning.
If you’d like my FREE course on how to get started, just click the image below:
Please just remember that although it’s free, it will challenge you and I do suggest at least 90-days of practice for best results.
And that’s the key takeaway worth repeating.
You see, there are all kinds of things that can negatively rewire your brain and we have no problem doing them repeatedly for very long periods of time. There are also weird ideas floating around, like accepting a brain implant.
So always remember that to make changes, you need to challenge yourself.
And the first challenge is being willing to make the change. Positive changes might not be easy, but they’re definitely the most rewarding.
That’s what this blog is all about, so what do you say?
Are you ready to rewire your brain and live a better life?
Make it happen!
7 Mental Training Tips To Boost Your Life and Enjoy Total Success
Sep 13, 2023
The world’s a challenging (and sometimes crazy) place, and that’s why everyone needs mental training.
If you’re like me, someone dealing with multiple physical and mental health issues, training your mind regularly is even more important.
That’s because it takes a particular kind of mind to show up to life, even when things are going good.
See, you either want your brain to:
Start doing something
Stop doing something
Resume doing something you started but dropped
Or you have a learning situation where you just can’t get your memory to make something stick.
What will help you make the change?
Mental training. And here’s the very good news:
Many scientists have studied what it takes to keep your mind and memory strong. And I’ve personally run a number of experiments I’ll share with you on this page.
So if you’re a person who wants to enjoy a high-performance mind, you’ll love the tips and strategies you’ll find on this page.
Let’s get started!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3gtp4B56-I
Mental Training: The Superpower That Helps You Master Any Topic Or Skill
Mental training is defined quite simply as anything you do to keep your mind sharp, focused and helping you move towards your goals.
The main trouble with the idea of taking on various exercises is that in order to grow your mental strength, you need to choose specific exercises with a goal in mind.
To help you think of the goal you might want to pursue, here are some of the main experts in the area of mental performance.
Dr. Carol Dweck
Dr. Dweck measures mental strength in terms of mindset. She distinguishes between having a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset.
She suggests that hard work, dedication, and training will train your mind on their own.
However, this suggestion may not suit you. Many things involve several learning stages, and you may need to put some thought into where exactly you start. Diving straight into learning new skills without knowing where to begin can sometimes wind up unnecessarily frustrating you.
Still, her book Mindset does contain some powerful suggestions, such as giving yourself a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy. If you get frustrated, she advises you not to call yourself stupid. Rather, she advocates replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.
I can agree because I used to ridicule myself a lot until I learned to ask the self inquiry questions I shared in this TEDx Talk. Since learning how to stop filling my brain with so much mental noise, my concentration is so much better. You also can boost your concentration quickly if you wish.
Dr. Anders Ericsson
Some people attribute Dr. Ericsson with developing the concept of deliberate practice. Although he may have coined that term, musicians have been using this form of practice for centuries.
Nonetheless, he scientifically demonstrated how focus on specific goals combined with targeted feedback can lead you to mastery in any given field.
And he’s definitely right that you need continuous practice and some form of journaling to provide feedback if you want to achieve peak performance. As memory champion Johannes Mallow has shared, journaling has been a key part of how he trained his mind to improve as a memory athlete over the years.
Dr. Richard Davidson
Dr. Davidson has conducted impressive research on the brain to teach us about how it is affected by meditation and mindfulness practices.
Similar to Dr. Dweck, he has found that simply starting the practice is a good unto itself. Meditation often makes more meditation easy to perform because of how it increases well-being and resilience. After a short while, you don’t have to force yourself to do it. You simply find yourself attracted to doing it.
Dr. Seligman has studied both the bright and dark sides of mental training.
For example, he studied learned helplessness. Before I used mental training to heal my problem with high places, I literally went out of my way to train my friends to help me steer clear of bridges.
It wasn’t until I learned of his work that I was able to use mental training in a better direction. I’ve used concepts he’s talked about like learned optimism to cultivate a more positive attitude and enjoy more resilience in the face of challenges.
Dr. Angela Duckworth
Dr. Duckworth talks about the concept of grit. It’s definitely something we can all use, especially those of us who need perseverance and passion in order to achieve our long-term goals.
Like Dr. Dweck, a theme of developing grit through hard work, resilience, and a growth mindset run throughout her work.
7 Mental Training Exercises to Unlock Your Mind’s Potential
Although I’ve learned a ton from each of the experts listed above, some of the books they’ve written are for the popular market and heavily shaped by traditional publishers.
That means they tend to stick to the easy techniques and use the books as long “sales letters” to expensive training programs or software packages.
How about some more substantial mental training exercises? Ones that won’t cost you a dime?
Before we get started, this point is important:
Please understand that if you don’t put these suggestions into action, no mental training will take place. Each person has to pick up the tools and put them into motion, so if you’re depressed or suffering brain fog, you may need to weed out any foods that harm your brain from your diet first.
Seriously. All the training routines in the world will do very little for your mind if your brain is sick.
With that in mind, here are some of my favorite brain training routines that directly tackle the strength of your mind.
One: Brain Exercise
There are many ways to exercise your brain. For example, you can:
There are many other brain exercises that will provide mental stimulation. But these all go directly to the mind itself.
Two: Memory-Based Meditation
We’ve talked about meditation already, but let’s kick things up a notch.
Memory-based meditation involves memorizing long form content, like personal mantras.
At the moment, I’m personally memorizing the Lojong phrases to create more mental peace. Many of them are also great reminders to keep practicing and how to think about the nature of real practice.
For example, one of the Lojong says, “If you can practice even when distracted, you are well-trained.”
That’s the ideal I strive for, and memory-based meditation is the finest path I know for crafting a mind that remembers to practice for the goal of avoiding distraction.
These practices are also useful for improving negative attitudes, something I certainly needed at one point in my life.
It will also serve as a learning project that helps you develop some of the grit discussed by Dr. Duckworth.
Four: Read Something Challenging For At Least 30 Minutes Daily
A lot of people weaken their minds and create digital amnesia by endlessly scrolling through social media online.
Make no mistake:
Just about everything you see online is designed to be lightweight and not exercise your mind. In fact, it’s a kind of rote learning that has been shown to reduce critical thinking.
But carrying a physical book, whether it’s a novel or a non-fiction study of something you’re interested in, you’ll get much more mental exercise.
Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything. I personally go out of my way to choose books I don’t understand. Challenge is the only way to get the mental fitness I seek, so I go out of my way to find it and you should consider doing so too.
Did you know that yoga can improve your concentration? It gives you memory boosts too, which you can increase by memorizing the terms related to the practice.
Even though it’s technically not dopamine fasting, yoga does provide a great way to give yourself a break from the dopamine spikes created by too much time spent online.
Six: Practice Multiple Mentality
One of the hardest courses I ever completed is Harry Kahne’s Multiple Mentality. I first heard of him from performer and magic historian, Ricky Jay in his book Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women. (How’s that for a strange and intriguing title?)
The basic idea is that you play various games with the alphabet in your mind, such as learning to recite it backward.
It sounds silly, but it’s quite a challenge and provides a lot of focus and clarity.
From there, you can learn to write backward, or develop something like ambidextrousness. For some other exercises related to these powerful challenges, check out neurobics.
Seven: Memory Training
The most direct and powerful mental training involves committing information to memory using memory techniques.
To master this form of memory training, I invite you to check out these Memory Palace examples so you can start training. Next, get my free memory improvement course:
It will teach you the Memory Palace technique and give you several exercise that will train multiple aspects of your mind.
Mental Training Is The Challenge We All Need
Now that you have a bunch of mental training routines you can follow, what do you say?
Are you ready to put them into action?
I hope so. The world needs more people who seek out the path to owning a finer mind.
So I compliment you on joining us and can’t wait to hear how things go for you as you train your brain for total success!
How to Use Kolb’s Learning Cycle to Improve Your Studies
Aug 23, 2023
David Kolb’s learning cycle is based on a simple idea:
We cannot learn effectively or efficiently if we tackle a subject from just one angle.
According to the science of learning?
Kolb is right.
The question is: why do people pick up a book and fantasize that they’re going to master the topic just by reading it?
According to Kolb himself, there are a few reasons.
One of which is that the cycle of learning is not just a process that you clunk through mechanically.
Learning any topic or skill using study cycles is also an art and a craft.
And if you haven’t been taught to think of learning that way by your teachers, then it’s good that you’re here.
Because we’re diving deep into exactly what Kolb suggests. I think he’s right, and I’ll give you some examples and steps you can follow to make learning much easier.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VRTDkZlJEA
What Is Kolb’s Learning Cycle?
David Kolb taught at Stanford University and wrote extensively on the topic of experiential learning.
However, his research quickly found that merely having experiences was not enough. Reflective thinking about those experiences was required in order for proper learning to take place.
He called this approach a “learning cycle” because once you reach the final stage, you’re supposed to return to the top of the list. You can do that either with the same topic or another subject you want to learn.
However, in a chapter he co-wrote in Student Learning Abroad, he said that “the learning cycle is actually a learning spiral.”
He changed the term because:
“When a concrete experience is enriched by reflection, given meaning by thinking and transformed by action, the new experience created becomes richer, broader and deeper.”
Long story short:
If you want to use Kolb’s learning style, just follow the steps. Start by finding opportunities for concrete experiences, observe what’s happening, then reflect on the experience. Finally, abstract some principles using a variety of thinking types and use these to create new experiments that lead to more concrete experiments.
Do You Have To Use Kolb’s 4 Learning Styles (Or Can You Use Your Own)?
You do not have to use Kobl’s approach to learning.
For one thing, what isn’t an experience? If I think abstractly about something, how is that not also an experience of concrete thinking at the same time?
That question might puzzle you, but if you consider how I define and use abstract thinking myself, it’s totally possible to start with abstractions. Or you can start with a hypothesis based on either a deduction or induction. Or you can start with an observation.
Remember:
Kolb was a theorist of how we learn. He was addressing teachers much more than students He wanted to help teachers create better learning environments for students so they could engage in what he called “holistic learning.”
He thought of the student as both the receiver and actor based on the environment and processes provided by their teachers.
The Kolb Learning Cycle adapted for teachers in Student Learning Abroad.
You can adapt a lot from this simple diagram. But you don’t have to follow it exactly.
And as I’ve just suggested, there probably aren’t many circumstances where it makes sense to do so. Everything is an experience, including sitting still to perform a concentration meditation where your goal is to try and experience nothing.
How To Craft The Perfect Learning Cycle For Your Goals
Now, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t adapt from Kolb’s learning styles and turn them into either a cycle or a spiral.
I’m only saying that personally, I’ve got a PhD, two MAs and many other certificates. I’ve also written many books and created nearly 1000 videos for this website. But I’ve never used exactly what Kolb is talking about.
Instead, I’ve always studied using the following steps.
But please understand this:
Although I offer them to you openly, they’re not meant to be a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all model.
I don’t always follow these steps in the same order, either. Generally, they reflect my process and I think you’ll do well to adapt from them with knowledge and inspiration from Kolb.
Step One: Write A Vision Statement
Recently, I decided I was going to learn as much as possible about physics.
It’s a tough topic and in many ways, I don’t have the prerequisite math for it. Still, I’m interested, so I wrote using my journaling process to try and figure out why.
This is kind of like starting with the final step of Kolb’s cycle first: testing.
After that, I wrote out a vision statement. It was very simple:
I will read three of the most important books on physics over the next six months.
I started with two books at the same time using interleaving. And I was pleasantly surprised to find in Sir Roger Penrose’s The Road to Reality that he think the math isn’t that difficult for most people.
If you need more information on crafting a vision statement before you start your next learning cycle, check out this free masterclass:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFz31HpVkj0
Step Two: Gather The Best Possible Materials
One reason people get stuck is failing to research the topics they want to learn. That, or they rely on their teachers.
Remember, Kolb was working hard to help teachers stop failing their students. But you don’t have to suffer if you’ve got a teacher that isn’t exciting you.
Just do some research.
The internet is amazing for that. You can use search phrases like I did: “syllabus physics textbook”.
That’s how I found out about The Road to Reality. It has so many references, it’s easy to just keep building based on the books Penrose mentions once I’m done with his.
I did something similar when I was learning about computer programming. I shared more of this selection and building process in my detailed blog on how to read faster.
Step Three: Take Notes In A Sophisticated Manner
Do you know the opposite of a learning cycle or learning spiral?
It’s a learning nightmare. That’s what you call a situation in which, even if you’ve identified the best time to study, you’re completely scattered and cannot remember the main points, or what books you found them in.
To avoid this problem, I suggest using either flashcards, Anki or a notebook in the highly optimized manner I teach. To this day, my preferred method is taught on this blog about how to memorize a textbook.
I love index cards because they can be stored easily in shoe boxes and alphabetized. It’s also a great learning routine that helps fend off digital amnesia.
There are quite a few types, and the strongest of the bunch is the Memory Palace. It’s an ancient memory technique that helps you deal with large volumes of information.
If you’d like to learn how to master the approach to learning, grab my free course:
It will help you through four free videos and worksheets that help you master your memory.
That way, no matter where you are in a learning cycle, or which adult learning style you have, you’ll be able to recall the information you need to succeed.
This technique also helps you fulfil your cognitive needs while filling the many gaps left by many teachers.
Remember, teachers are only human too.
And that’s why it’s wonderful to be able to discuss different ways of thinking about learning models like Kolb’s learning cycle.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to go out there, experiment with the steps I’ve suggested today or create your own cycle of learning?
No matter what, remember that Kolb stressed one point I agree with above all:
Learning is not just about science. It’s also an art and a craft.
What Is A Paracosm? Plus: 3 Steps To Building A Paracosm Circle
Aug 20, 2023
Are you paracosmic?
I know I sure am.
And it was easy and fun to get there by developing my own paracosm, even if it took a bit of time.
I’m talking about having hundreds of fantasy characters constantly rolling around in my mind. Real people too.
Sadly, some people think this state of having a large mental population is some kind of disease…
Frankly, even if it is a disease, I absolutely love my paracosm symptoms.
I wish I could get more.
And to explain exactly why, on this page, we’ll look into why it’s so beneficial to build and use a paracosm of your own.
What Is A Paracosm?
A paracosm is an invented world, typically populated by many imaginary characters. They could number in the dozens, hundreds or even the thousands.
“Cosm” simply means world or universe.
The Latin prefix “para” can mean many things:
Alongside
Beside
Near
Above
Resembling
Beyond
And it can even mean “abnormal.”
Huh?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZQGBJquR_g
In the Handbook of Dissociation, Barry Cohen talks paracosm in adulthood as something belonging to either abused individuals or artists, if not both.
He defines it in terms of repressed images that go through “revisualization.”
Now, I’m not saying that some people don’t suffer so badly that they create what Cohen calls a posttraumatic paracosm.
But he is walking a thin line and practically reifies having a rich imaginary life as a disease.
For example, she discusses the ways that Ancient Greek poets used to use the gods as their muses. The very idea that those gods exist and influence human affairs is an example of a very productive paracosm.
Then we have more contemporary authors.
For example, take the paracosm created by C.S. Lewis for his Narnia series of books. When I read them as a kid, I actively imagined all of those characters, and even added new ones by writing stories that took place in that world.
Nothing could be healthier when you’re a kid than actively using your imagination. In this sense, having an invented world that lives alongside reality is rarely abnormal.
And as we’ll see, people who use memory techniques have such a world living alongside them all the time.
If Having A Paracosm Is Abnormal, What Are The Symptoms?
In Anti-Oedipus, Deleuze and Guattarri famously argue out that capitalism creates mental illness.
What they mean is that capitalism requires you to justify your existence by participating in an economic system premised upon the notion of production and growth.
People who can’t follow along with this are often deemed mentally ill. You can see this in the Cohen article where you claims that a key symptom of having a paracosm is a lack of “growth.”
Sadly, entire industries have developed in order to sell medicines and other forms of therapy to help people “fit in” and “grow” according to an economic agenda.
So if you find that you or a loved one is lost in a paracosm to the extent that participating in the capitalistic system is impossible, then you might have “symptoms.”
Remember things like important details, names, appointments, etc.
But what if the symptom of having a paracosm could be having a better memory?
This is where developing your own paracosm circle comes in.
3 Steps To Build Your Own Paracosm Circle
I mentioned at the outset that I went out of my way to create my own paracosm and link it to both the standard Memory Palace technique I use and the virtual Memory Palace approach.
Why?
Because I needed to remember a lot of information fast.
At that time, a major depression practically destroyed my ability to focus or concentrate on my PhD studies and dissertation preparation. And a ton of negative memories kept coming up.
Then I discovered memory techniques.
One principle of these techniques is association, often based on fantasy characters.
Memory athletes and memory experts often create what is called a PAO System to organize their characters.
Basically, you create a circle in your mind built from the alphabet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opmb-mU-KPI
Step Two: Link Each Letter in the Paracosm Circle To A Figure
This step is fun. When you think of the letter A, link it to either an existing fantasy character, or one of your own invention. I sometimes use Marvel’s Ant-Man. Other times I use Adam Apple, who is a character I’ve developed for personal use and my forthcoming Memory Detective Jr. series.
I suggest going through the entire alphabet so you have at least one figure for each letter from A-Z.
But it’s also perfectly okay to have a paracosm that uses only part of the alphabet. It really comes down to how much mental training you want to enjoy.
Step Three: Draw Upon The Paracosm Circle With Purpose
There are different reasons to draw upon your world of fun and friendly associations. Primarily I use these images during a learning cycle. For example, when studying a language, instead of focusing on how hard Italian may or may not be, I look upon the letters in the words (or in some cases the characters) I want to learn and then memorize them.
Here’s a demonstration of what I mean specifically for the language learning example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dvdeh-nt-g
You can also draw upon your paracosm when you’re feeling down and want a mental vacation from stress. This technique has helped me a ton over the years.
The best part? It’s something you can do completely in your own mind for a fast and fun distraction. You don’t have to expose yourself to yet another app, which we all know are often the source of the problems we’re trying to eliminate.
Paracosm In Adulthood
As we’ve seen, some people may create paracosms to escape trauma and abuse.
However, when used for memory purposes, researchers like Tim Dalgleish have found that much relief can be found from using the method of loci in positive ways.
(Note: method of loci basically means the same thing as Memory Palace.)
I myself experienced freedom from trauma by using these techniques. I shared the full story at a TEDx event:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
Beyond that, we’ve talked about C.S. Lewis and his Narnia series.
Then there’s author Michael Connelly. As he has discussed, his Bosch series is inspired by the painting The Garden of Earthly Delights.
As Connelly has his detective solve crimes across dozens of novels, he is trying to create a cast of characters that is literally like another world.
Then there’s Mark Rosenfelder, who wrote The Planet Construction Kit for authors. He also wrote the Language Construction Kit so that all the people on your planets will have authentic sounding ways of speaking.
As someone who also writes fiction, I’ve created many worlds and many people myself. (Ask me about Planet Etc. sometime!)
Beyond fiction, my career as an author now stems from the “fantasy” worlds I’ve built to help me use memory techniques better. I’m not the first one. There have been many others throughout history, Giordano Bruno being one of the best.
So in my final analysis, developing and maintaining a paracosm is a perfectly healthy thing to do. It might even help you experience hyperphantasia.
I’m not a therapist, so please take what I’m about to say with a grain of salt. But it appears to me that a lot of paracosm psychology is broken.
I’m not saying that it’s a good thing for people to respond to trauma with escapism.
But to lump the creation of imaginary worlds together with acts of dissociation through fantasy is simply false. If you have an active imagination, that’s one of the greatest gifts in the world in my books. So many people wish they had your gifts.
And if you are suffering from trauma, the memory training offered on this site has been scientifically proven to help people with such issues.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to develop your own paracosm?
Does the Pimsleur Method Really Work? A Little, And Here’s Why
Jul 31, 2023
Paul Pimsleur wanted language learning to be fun, interesting and engaging.
He spent much of his career finding ways to make language learning keep the attention of students without them needing to refer to a dictionary.
To do this, he focused extensively on the specific words and phrases his various programs involved.
He also included a variety of spaced repetition elements within short learning sessions.
We talk about shrinking attention spans now, but even back in 1972, one of his books suggests that students of that era could not focus on a paragraph with more than 200-300 words in it.
Since very little has changed for better or worse, many people still seek out and try the Pimsleur approach.
But what is it exactly?
And how can you know in advance if a Pimsleur language program will work for you?
Good news:
In this Pimsleur review, I’m going to share my experiences with it as a learning and memory expert.
I’ll tell you why parts of his approach work and how to enhance those parts.
That way, if you’re going in cold, you can hit the ground running.
And if you already have a bunch of Pimsleur books or audio recordings kicking around, you’ll now be able to get much more out of them.
Ready?
Let’d dive in.
https://youtu.be/ROCC8iJKxYw
What Is The Pimsleur Method?
The Pimsleur Method accomplishes a few things at the same time:
A relatively weak invitation to voluntarily use active recall
Having read a few of Dr. Paul Pimsleur’s textbooks, I feel that he was a credible educational innovator. There’s some real genius in what he put together, even if it has several weaknesses.
The main weaknesses have to do with a combination of user error and “faults” common to all self-study programs:
The individual has to bring their own personal volition and mental strength to get through the lessons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulEmB1lDjoA
So whether you’re using one of the now dated Pimsleur textbooks (like the ones he made for Spanish and French) or an audio program, here’s the first thing to consider:
These are important considerations because that’s what the Pimsleur approach is:
A technique that involves you studying from a book or an audio program on your own. You listen by yourself and repeat words and phrases based on a kind of mix of spaced repetition and context dependent memory exercise.
This means that you could become quite good at “playing the game” while listening to the recordings and responding. But you won’t necessarily be able to read or speak the language in a real life situation.
And if you’re a learner who needs interaction with others, Pimsleur risks being incredibly boring.
But for what it is, the approach is definitely legitimate. It’s just not something that’s going to help you develop fluency for reasons we’ll discuss in a minute.
How Does the Pimsleur Method Help You Learn a Language?
The answer is that the Pimsleur Method doesn’t help you learn a language at all. And it can’t.
It’s especially weak in some cases because it’s almost purely auditory. Even if you go through the guidebook, it won’t help you learn the hiragana or katakana, for example.
It’s also weak because if you aren’t aware of how to supercharge it with mnemonics, you’ll quickly fall into rote learning.
But don’t give up hope because it can help you develop some basic vocabulary and pattern recognition quickly.
Let me share an episode from when I first started learning Chinese to show how specifically it helped me.
Instead of expecting the Pimsleur program in Mandarin to help make me fluent, I used it for some basic vocabulary and phrases. That realistic mindset is key: I approached it as a tool, not a magic bullet.
While listening, I actively engaged with the audio material by writing down a version of what I was hearing. Then, without resorting to Anki or flashcards, I memorized the material using a Memory Palace.
I next wrote out what I memorized from memory and took the material into lessons with language tutors I found using some of the best language learning software.
And yes, the Pimsleur Method helped me quite a bit as a source for some basic familiarity with Chinese. I previously used it this way for German too.
The Pimsleur Method vs Other Auditory Memory Techniques
This question is easy to answer:
Most Pimsleur programs are dated. They often give you phrases in situations that are much less relevant in the 21st century than when they were recorded.
This isn’t a total deal breaker. But Olly Richards has been doing amazing work by creating audio programs to accompany story-based language learning books that are very up-to-date with contemporary issues.
Benny Lewis has likewise been proactive in making sure his language learning materials include phrases that relate to modern situations.
Frankly, the datedness doesn’t devalue the Pimsleur Method that much. But it does make context a big issue that may discourage you because you’ll often meet native speakers who will tell you, “we don’t say it that way anymore.”
Plus, even for the words and phrases that are good, you’ll still need to use the Big Five of Language Learning no matter which audio source or reading textbook you use.
The Big Five of Language Learning is essential. It gives you a balance of all the activities needed to develop fluency in a language.
This pre-numbered Memory Palace example shows you how I prepared to memorize the Atma Bodha in full. I know the text and the number of each verse in an ancient Sanskrit text thanks to my favorite memory technique.
So what is it and how does it work for learning a language?
Basically, you associate words you’re learning with familiar locations. Instead of passively listening to the Pimsleur material, you mentally translate those words and phrases and “place” them in a bedroom or on a living room couch.
Two: Use Highly Memorable Associations
For example, when I first started learning Chinese, I used Pimsleur in combination with a library in Berlin.
The first sentence was, “Do you speak…?”
I created a mental image, something like Bruce Lee kneeing Hemingway with his shoes.
This translated easily into, “Nǐ huì shuō…”
From there, you just add more images to learn an entire phrase.
Three: Recall Strategically
As mentioned in the video above, I wrote out what I memorized from memory. This exercised my memory through active recall.
Pimsleur certainly prompts you to recall the information, but because it involves no memory training elements, you don’t form memories as quickly as you could.
And again, if you’re recalling only in the presence of a recording, you might do okay in that context. But it’s actually conditioning you to not be able to recall nearly as well in real life situations. You need to also practice recalling what you’re memorized with native speakers.
Four: Dictionary Sourcing
As much as I admire many of Dr. Pimsleur’s innovations, I feel that one of his motivations was patently false.
So many language learning gurus seem to think that students should not be using dictionaries.
I find this incredibly strange because dictionaries are sources of words and meanings. Why would you want to avoid them when you’re learning a language?
Not only that, but when you don’t know what a word means in your mother tongue, the dictionary is precisely where you go. Plus, if you want a variation on a word, you go to a thesaurus.
So the prohibition or deviation from using dictionaries strikes me as utterly false. Using a Memory Palace Network in combination with a dictionary is incredibly useful. I also sometimes use mind mapping in language learning in combination with dictionaries, especially for tough words.
Even though I’ve trained myself to become something like a walking mnemonics dictionary, for whatever reason some words still evade even my many years of practice using the Magnetic Memory Method approach to mental imagery.
The point is ultimately moot no matter which way you look at it. Olly Richards’ books always come with a kind of mini-dictionary with key words in what you’re about to read or listen to.
As I hope you’ve discovered in this article, I think “Does Pimsleur work?” is the wrong question.
Pimsleur can be a useful part of learning any language.
But there’s no such thing as one source when it comes to learning any language. You need to combine a number of approaches.
And if you’re willing to book enough sessions with language learning partners, you could potentially skip it altogether. Frankly, there are so many free sources of words and phrases from so many languages these days, you don’t really need to invest in an old recorded program that this company has transferred to MP3s.
And that’s ultimately its biggest failing.
It has “crystallized” how a handful of native speakers pronounce the language. What you really need is exposure to a variety of speakers, which these days can be accessed easily within your Netflix account.
Plus, you need feedback from native speakers, especially when it comes to sharpening your verbal memory for sounds and meanings.
So although I’ve used the program twice for German and Mandarin, I learned far more by following the Big Five and spending time with native speakers based on memorization.
And if you’d like to know more about using a Memory Palace to commit mounds of vocabulary and phrases to memory quickly, grab this FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
It will help you rapidly commit essential words and phrases to memory from any source.
So what do you think?
Do you like the Pimsleur concept yourself?
Or are you ready to update your approach for the 21st century with the most scientific and direct language learning methods available to you at a very low cost?
How to Use a Memory Palace for Language Learning
Jul 19, 2023
If you’re learning a new foreign language, the Memory Palace technique is one of the most powerful tools you can use.
I know this from experience, not theory.
I’ve used Memory Palaces to learn and retain vocabulary and phrases in multiple languages, from German and Mandarin to Hebrew, Latin and Sanskrit.
But here’s the truth:
A lot of people try the Memory Palace method for language learning and quickly fizzle out.
Why?
Because they unknowingly waste energy on the wrong approaches to using the technique.
That’s completely avoidable.
So on this page, I’ll walk you through exactly how to use Memory Palaces the right way for language learning, drawing upon my decades of experience teaching and using these methods personally.
That way, you can use this incredibly powerful learning technique to supplement your language learning adventure.
By the end, you’ll know how to avoid every common pitfall and walk away with a flexible, fun and fast system for remembering thousands of words and phrases.
Let’s get started.
https://youtu.be/3taeoaGe1es
First, Avoid These Memory Palace Mistakes
If you’ve tried using a Memory Palace to develop your fluency in another language and struggled, this first mistake is important to avoid.
Stop blaming yourself.
A lot of memory training on the Internet lacks nuance. Worse, a lot of it is designed to peak your interest with big promises, but not teach you anything. That’s not happening here.
In reality, the technique works wonderfully for speeding up retention with any information. Beyond not having good sources of information, people struggle because:
One Memory Palace is not enough
The Memory Palaces they do have are poorly designed
They do not use visualization and elaboration optimally
The key to getting your first Memory Palace optimized for language learning involves the following steps. A lot of them come down to proper design, planning and exactly how you place foreign language vocabulary and phrases in your Memory Palaces.
Your top priorities are:
Making sure you’re using a true Memory Palace
Making sure you can navigate it naturally
Making sure you don’t trap or confuse yourself
Making sure it works for Recall Rehearsal (spaced repetition)
Making sure you have multiple Memory Palaces
Making sure you populate the Memory Palaces with truly Magnetic Imagery
Making sure you learn to scale from individual words to entire sentences
Let’s go through each of these steps in order.
One: Use A True Memory Palace
By “true” Memory Palace, I mean basing your Memory Palace on a location you already remember.
Some people don’t mind spending the time to memorize a location in order to use it. Or they are happy to base a Memory Palace on a video game, movie or even a story. All of these are what I call Virtual Memory Palaces.
By all means, experiment with these forms. But if you find yourself spinning your wheels, come back to the principle of basing each Memory Palace for foreign language learning purposes on actual locations. Chances are you’ll be much more successful.
This better outcome happens because you’re reducing the cognitive load by simply laying out associations on a journey you already remember. This principle reduces errors and saves time. Segmenting space you already remember is what distinguishes a Memory Palace from a Memorized Palace.
Two: Navigate Your Palaces Naturally
Many times I receive messages from people who have issues with language learning. When I ask them what they’re doing, they tell me they’re crossing through walls or mentally leaping through space and time.
Each of them involves walking or moving mentally from one station in the Memory Palace to the next exactly as you would in real life.
Again, this procedure has to do with reducing cognitive load. If you choose to magically penetrate a window and fly across town, you’ve given yourself an additional memory task. That takes time and energy away from using the technique to memorize vocabulary and phrases.
But if you move from your bedroom to your balcony exactly as you would in the real world, you can focus much more attention on the content you’re memorizing.
Three: Avoid Traps And Confusion
So many Memory Palace tutorials tell you to start at your front door and move inwards.
Sure, this can work, but personally, it makes me cringe. Every time I do this, I wind up running out of space very quickly.
That’s why I learned to start at the “dead end” and move towards the entrance. That way, I can add more stations if desired by using driveways, mailboxes, etc. This approach allows you to patch in the best parts of the journey method, which involves outdoor locations.
It also helps ensure that you don’t have to renovate any of your Memory Palaces later.
Four: Make Sure The Memory Palace Assists Recall Rehearsal
This study revealed positive results for people with dyslexia using a software variation of the Memory Palace technique. And Lynne Kelly’s Memory Craft provides even more research if you’re interested.
The point is that you need to follow all of these steps I’ve outlined because active recall and review are necessary. But you can’t be fussing around with the Memory Palace itself because that drains you of time, energy and enthusiasm for the technique.
Some people find the setup itself daunting, and I can appreciate that. But I don’t think they’re correct when they say that rote learning would be better for them. Research has shown that rote learning can reduce your critical thinking abilities.
So it’s worth the small amount of pre-loaded learning it takes to master the Memory Palace technique for language learning.
Five: Multiple Memory Palaces
Once you’ve made one Memory Palace and put it into action for approximately 10 words, it’s time to make more.
Why?
A few reasons:
You can gather related words alphabetically or thematically in different Memory Palaces
Rotating between Memory Palaces maximizes the benefits of chunking through interleaving
You learn to use the technique better
It helps you reuse or expand previous Memory Palaces effectively
Some people find creating multiple Memory Palaces daunting. You don’t have to create dozens overnight.
But if you sit down and complete the exercises I teach, the rusty chain in your brain will soon be oiled.
Plus, once you start thinking alphabetically, you’ll see that the entire world is optimized for you to harness this technique.
A simple case in point is that every street in my town has a name. Even if that name is a number, it can still be spelled.
If I used 1st Avenue as a Memory Palace for ‘F’ words, I have a highly optimized mental journey that leans upon a feature in the world. This kind of Memory Palace reduces cognitive load by harnessing what is already known instead of wasting energy on coming up with invented associations.
Six: Use Magnetic Imagery
When people send me their associations, they often involve associations like “a hair stylist” for a German word like Herstellen.
Don’t get me wrong. This is a great start.
But it’s not optimized Magnetic Imagery. Mnemonic Images need more specificity to really pop and help you recall both the sound and the meaning of the words you’re learning.
To improve the example a student sent me, I suggested imagining the German author Hermann Hesse “producing” a hair style for Ellen Degeneres. To be clear, I’ve linked the “Her” in Hermann to the “her” in herstellen, and “Ellen” to “stellen” and had their interaction express the meaning of the world.
This level of specificity follows a variation of the principles I shared above. It relies upon people that are already in memory. They are concrete and specific and easy to animate. “Hair stylist” on the other hand is vague and generic.
Sure, learning to make sure your images are properly “Magnetic” can take a bit of practice. But it’s well worth it and you’ll pick up the habit soon enough. In fact, with consistent practice, the skill will enter your procedural memory and you’ll find yourself doing it on autopilot.
Seven: Scale To Entire Phrases
The best part of this technique is that you don’t have to stop with individual words.
Of course, it only makes sense to start by mastering one word at a time. That’s why I suggest started with approximately 10 words per Memory Palace.
Once you can do this reliably, it’s time to add a useful phrase to each word. (And I do mean memorizing useful phrases. Often people spend time and energy on vocabulary and phrases they don’t actually need.)
There are a few ways to do this depending on how you’re using the technique.
For example, I first get all of the words into memory. Then I pick a couple and add phrases on the same station I originally used.
But other times, I will transport the words to completely different Memory Palaces. I suggest taking everything on a case-by-base basis, even if you have some trusty and reliable routines.
Success obviously looks different for different people. But in general, here’s how I suggest you think about the process:
Have fun.
If you’re not enjoying the process, it really isn’t successful.
But also take responsibility for making it fun.
Memory techniques are like a bike. Everyone needs to adjust the seat and the handle bars, so spend enough time with the technique so that you’ve really settled into what it is and how it works.
Personally, I’m a fanatic of language, including my native tongue. I don’t think I’ll ever be done learning English, so I don’t worry about this question in any language I study.
Rather, I set very specific goals. For example, after CLI heard my language learning podcast episode on The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci, they invited me to China. That meant I had only three months to study Chinese.
Instead of making a massive and impossible goal, I set the achievable goal of developing a 300 word vocabulary and mastering basic conversational phrases. And this worked very well.
Later, I was able to start Level 3 at the Confucius Institute school in Brisbane without taking the first two levels. And I set my goal as simply mastering the course content. I passed with flying colors.
But I expect to never stop learning Chinese, or German, or Sanskrit or any language I take up. Each language is an adventure for life.
How Often Should I Use My Memory Palace?
In the beginning, I would suggest using the technique as often as possible. Daily is best, and you can get great results with just 15 minutes a day, or even less.
The reason to use the technique frequently is to ensure that your procedural memory can develop the skills involved in the technique.
As I discussed in my first book on language learning with memory techniques, memory techniques and your mind are a bit like a bicycle. Once you learn how to get them working, you can take time off and still enjoy smooth sailing.
But without consistent practice, it’s very difficult to build enough brain connections to ride freely.
Is There A “Best” Way To Use Memory Palaces?
Absolutely, yes. You want to use the Memory Palace technique in a way that will get you results.
Returning to the bicycle analogy, you can’t just hop on a bike and expect it to be perfectly comfortable. You usually need to adjust the seat height and the exact angle of the bars.
Memory techniques are like that too. The principles are universal, but some adjustments to personalize them are always required.
Plus, there’s always personal experimentation involved. The need to dive in and get your hands dirty is a common theme in Memory Palace books, and your adventure is unlikely to be any different.
Rather than seek the best way, I suggest you first find the most effective way for your specific language learning goals. Then develop your skills so that you’re more efficient. Finally, experiment with yet other approaches so that you’re able to grow your skills over time.
The best part? You’ll be growing your fluency as you go thanks to developing your own “mnemonic style.”
Now It’s Time to Create Your Own Memory Palace
When you’re ready to start applying the Memory Palace technique to your language learning goals, please grab my free memory improvement kit:
It gives you some powerful exercises and templates that will ensure your Memory Palaces are well-formed and error free.
That way you can dive into crushing your language learning goals immediately.
Enjoy this journey in whatever language you’re learning and I look forward to hearing from you in multiple tongues!
How to Visualize Clearly And Effectively: 7 Proven Tactics
Jul 18, 2023
If you want to know how to visualize clearly and effectively, you probably already have a vision statement written.
You have written out a vision statement by hand, haven’t you?
If the answer is “no,” then I’m here to tell you that your visualization is neither clear nor complete. And that means you’re still struggling to achieve your goals.
If you’re still not living the life you want, study this page carefully.
You’re about to learn how to visualize images in your mind that will make it impossible not to become the architect of your dreams and fantasies.
Better?
You’ll also learn how to be the builder of your success.
Ready to learn how to visualize better? Here are 7 pointers.
1. Don’t Stop At The “Visual”
Far too many people think that “visualization” is about seeing clear pictures in their minds.
Not only is this single-sensory form of dreaming your way to success extremely limited — it also fails to really help you access all levels of your experiential brain.
Instead, you want to tap into every possible sensation you can muster. That’s why I want you to memorize this simple acronym:
KAVE COGS
These are the eight most powerful senses of multi-sensory visualization I know:
Kinesthetic Auditory Visual Emotion
Conceptual Olfactory Gustatory Spatial
Every time you visualize images, make sure you’re also feeling, smelling, tasting, hearing, and emotionally experiencing your goal.
2. Have a Written Vision Statement
A written vision statement is a simple, 2-5 page declaration of what you want to achieve in your own words.
Words are just as “visual” to your brain as images, with each word acting like an interpretable picture at the conceptual level.
Plus, by writing out your vision you symbolically and literally signal to your brain that you value your goals. You “see” yourself taking action and it becomes a lived experience.
Plan to write multiple vision statements. It is a repeatable activity and each time you it will serve you well. So too will these additional 5 visualization exercises.
3. Mind Map Your Vision
A mind map, on the other hand, is more visual in the traditional sense. Here, you will use a combination of words and drawings to let yourself conjure up your goals at a glance.
I was very fortunate to learn mind mapping directly from Tony Buzan. In fact, I mind mapped the Magnetic Memory Method mission under his personal tutelage back in 2016 and still follow the vision you see represented above.
I find this approach very useful because mind maps are big, colorful and you can place them in your work area.
This keeps you focused on the goal — and helps ensure you never forget what you’re working to achieve.
4. Create a Treasure Map
To use this technique, which is similar to mind mapping, open a Word document and search for images that represent your goals.
In the above example, I made it my vision to publish multiple books, travel the world, and play in a band. So I added images that represented these outcomes.
Within a few short months, using a combination of all the techniques you’re reading now, I was out on the road — and I’ve never looked back since.
The trick is to print out a couple of copies and keep them where you can see them.
5. Do a Visualization Meditation
To experience a visualization meditation, sit on the floor, on the side of your bed, or on a chair. Close your eyes and bring your goal to mind using KAVE COGS.
I like to go through each experiential mental image in that exact order because it’s easy to remember the stack.
For example, if you want to master playing a musical instrument and have learned how to memorize a song, start with kinesthetic sensations.
That means you might imagine the feeling of holding your instrument or the stage beneath your feet as you step in front of an audience.
Then hear the music flowing out of you. See the stage next, including the lights, the audience, and your fellow musicians. Let the emotions roll through you and carry on with the rest.
When I was learning how to visualize effectively, journaling was key.
In fact, I still journal a “Perfect Present” vision statement every day. It goes like this:
I wake up healthy and strong. The worth of my being is great. I live in joy and abundance. I meditate, exercise and eat well. My passive income exceeds my lifestyle by 10x. I write and play music every day in joy and abundance.
Again, writing things out makes your action visible to you. And you can run through KAVE COGS as you write out your goal.
I took a snap of this Japanese Proverb outside of a cafe in Vancouver, British Columbia:
Vision without action is daydream. Action without vision is nightmare.
In reality, there’s nothing wrong with daydreaming — so long as you’re willing to accept the suffering that comes from not achieving realistic goals.
That’s why we need to break our goals down into milestones and individual steps or micro-actions we can take. These need to be charted out over time.
As much as possible, these steps should be automated, or optimized, so they take place without the need for willpower or motivation.
For example, every week I release new blog posts, videos, and podcasts. There’s a system behind how everything happens. It’s not exactly flexible, but not rigid either.
It just serves the needs of my vision statement for the Magnetic Memory Method.
And I plan, and replan, as you should too — including the time to meditate and visualize using KAVE COGS.
Visualize Images Based On Existing Competence
One last power tip:
A lot of people visualize goals beyond their abilities.
For example, I am in no way accepting a “limiting belief” when I realize that I am not going to become a world-famous musician.
My musical competence was good enough to play on quite a few stages in quite a few bands and do some recording. But I’m just not going to put in the time and effort to reach that “next level.”
And that’s why when I worked to visualize clearly what I wanted to achieve musically, I placed it within the realm of what I could actually accomplish.
That way, my efforts to join a band and get out on the road were not wasted. I could learn songs quickly and perform them to a decent standard.
But my psoriatic arthritis flared while I was on the road. No amount of visualization was going to make my hands performance-ready for recording on the album with The Outside I’d been preparing to produce with them.
But I could help out with the lyrics and even write a short vocal cameo I had on the album. In other words, I didn’t give up on the vision: I pivoted.
Expand Your Existing Competence
Sometimes you can visualize beyond your competence. For example, I’m a decent writer and it was great that I could get The Victorious Mind to reach #1 in three bestseller categories on Amazon as an independent author.
But I don’t want to be independent forever. So I have to visualize with radical honesty my existing competence and my dream of having a traditional publisher help with a book that will reach a larger audience.
Then, I have to visualize all the skills I need to add in order to reach that next level — and write them out. Next comes the plan with all the milestones and individual micro-actions.
Finally, the 7 visualization steps listed above are needed to make everything as clear and doable as possible. And it’s clear to me that the number one thing I need to expand is reaching out to editors and mastering relationship building with them.
Sure, all of this takes mental strength. But it’s worth pursuing every ounce of grit you can get, and so I ask you:
What can you do to visualize your existing competence related to your bigger goals right now?
Never forget, every moment you aren’t taking action and visualizing based on the strongest possible multi-sensory models, you are leaving so much of life’s precious riches behind.
Hopefully, by now you have more than a few solid ideas that will make your visualizations clearer than ever before. And if I’m missing any, let me know. I’ll visualize them into the mix!
From Cardiac Arrest to Fearless Bible Memory Before the Congregation
Jul 14, 2023
Have you ever wanted to memorize Psalms from the Bible?
Or that matter, any verbatim text?
If so, delve into the extraordinary story and memory tips gifted to us today by Matt Barclay.
I mean, get this:
Matt experienced challenging memory issues following a cardiac arrest.
Yet, using the Magnetic Memory Method, he recited almost an entire Psalm from memory!
In public. Without breaking a sweat.
Matt’s triumph is a true testament to the power of resilience, memory techniques, faith and using the Memory Palace technique to accomplish meaningful goals
Especially inspiring is how Matt rose up from the cognitive challenges created by a cardiac arrest to become a fearless master of Bible memory.
This episode of the Magnetic Memory Method combines heartfelt conversation and strategic analysis of Matt approaches memorizing scripture.
Listen in as Matt shares his profound insights, guiding us through the intricate process of harnessing the mind’s potential to recall and recite scripture with unwavering confidence.
Prepare to be moved and inspired. Matt’s incredible journey exemplifies the unyielding power of the human spirit and the triumph of action over adversity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiY58Z1ApCc
How Matt Barclay Memorized So Much Of The Bible, So Quickly
Even Mike McKinley who felt like he wasn’t using spatial memory still had a component of it in his 66 Psalms memory project.
Ultimately, it helps to have solid reasons why you’re memorizing Scripture. If you need motivation, here are six reasons why memorizing scripture is worthwhile – even if you’re not a believer.
How You Too Can Use The Memory Palace Technique To Memorize & Retain Biblical Scripture
As Matt discovered, the principles I share in my memory courses really matters.
The key principles boil down to:
Create your Memory Palaces in advance
Make sure you don’t lead yourself into dead ends
Don’t burn mental energy on crossing your own path
For scripture, I also suggest you give yourself a lot of space. One of my longest pieces uses the entire neighborhood you see in the illustration above.
It’s not possible to always predict exactly how much space you might need when you start. So it’s a best practice to design your journey so you can always add more Magnetic Stations if you need them.
There’s a lot more to say in terms of the tactics you can easily learn. So if you want to learn more, check out How to Remember the Bible for additional details.
You can also sign up for my free course:
It will help you master the fundamentals of the Memory Palace quickly.
I hope you enjoyed this impressive and incredibly practical demonstration of memorizing scripture and reciting it from memory.
I’m grateful to Matt for sharing this part of his journey and would love to hear from you if you’re also memorizing the Bible or other verbatim texts.
7 Signs of Genius (& How to Work Towards High Intelligence)
Jul 12, 2023
Is it a sign of genius if you sound like a walking encyclopedia during a conversation?
Or are you just annoying?
How about being able to rattle off the names of every political leader in the history of your country? And their key contributions?
Although such abilities might be signs of extreme intelligence, they could indicate something else.
In my view, we need to be careful when throwing around terms like “high intelligence” and “genius.”
Many people tend to have tunnel vision and think of genius as a very narrow repertoire of abilities.
But as you’re about to discover, true signs of a high IQ operate quite differently.
So let’s dive into the most common signs of true genius and pick up some tips on how to improve your intelligence along the way.
What Does It Mean to be a “Genius?”
Ever heard of a “genie in a bottle”? Although the word “genius” is probably not directly related to the Arabic Jinn where this mythical idea comes from, there are similarities between the words.
Our word genius in English descends from the Latin for “guardian deity or spirit which watches over each person from birth.”
It also can mean wit and talent, or even generative power.
And that’s what we usually mean today: a genius has some kind of powerful intelligence or enhanced ability to create something or perform with skill.
Right or wrong, there’s a lot of folk wisdom around what genius means. The term is thrown around fast and loose and a lot of people get duped into thinking they are less intelligent as a result.
But scientists have spent quite a lot of time and energy trying to nail down where exactly the brain produces intelligence. Einstein’s brain was preserved for study, and reportedly even stolen at one point.
Scientists noted a certain thickness to parts of Einstein’s brain, but this probably had more to do with his deliberate practice of music than physics.
In the 80s, Norman Geschwind and Albert Galaburda created a watershed of ways to think about how intelligence develops when they dug into the topic in Cerebral Lateralization. These neurologists demonstrated the different ways the left and right hemispheres of the brain develop and theorize why some people have larger right hemispheres than others.
Often, scientists need to look at brains that have undergone traumatic brain injury to help them draw conclusions about how different areas of the brain related to intelligence.
That, or they study the brain scans of neurodiverse people experiencing autism, savantism or even a condition called hyperthymestic syndrome that creates the illusion of photographic memory.
It’s important to study these alternative cases because we see a lot of new trends emerging recently. There’s also not really such a thing as a “normal” brain.
The most recent studies of chess players, for example, have shown no special transference of their playing skills to intelligence in other realms. But you’d think there would be, especially when using memory techniques for chess. Aren’t grandmasters trained to make critical decisions?
In other words, if you want to increase your IQ, it’s helpful to look at many examples and focus your attention on activities that do transfer. And since the ego is involved when trying to improve your intelligence, you’ll need to overcome many critical thinking barriers.
To help you with that, let’s look closer at the different ways our society thinks of genius and “reverse engineer” how we can improve our own minds.
7 Signs of High Intelligence That Could Indicate Genius
As we go through this list, there’s no order of importance to consider.
However, each of the genius traits I’ll cover have something to tell us about how we can make ourselves smarter.
Let’s dive in!
One: Intense Interest
In a 1992 essay, “Why Children Follow in their Parents’ Career Footsteps,” Laband and Lentz pin everything on how kids observe their parents. Social forces like economic potential by going into other fields plays a much smaller role.
Laband and Lentz even argue that genetics isn’t nearly as powerful in determining a child’s future career. This conclusion is different from Francis Galton’s notion of Hereditary Genius. Galton thought genetics was so important, he argued for eugenics.
Want to be a genius?
Forget about nature vs. nurture. If you have an intense interest in something, that’s a sign you could be a genius in that field. Pursue it.
Part of developing higher intelligence comes down to looking your situation in the face, acknowledging it and following your dreams anyway.
Beethoven, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo, Bruno, Darwin, Tolstoy… all of the great writers, artists, musicians and scientists we hold in high regard hold in common two things:
They had an intense interest in their chosen field
They went against all social obstacles stacked against them to pursue their passion
In other words, genius is not a thing. It’s an action and it lies in the choice to pursue your dreams.
If this bold claim makes sense to you, but you still feel stuck, try these mental strength exercises.
Two: Interrogate the Truth Using Critical Thinking
Whereas some people mindlessly join groups like Mensa without taking a second to look at its history and politics, the comedian Jamie Loftus infiltrated their ranks and exposed what’s really going on.
You don’t have to do this kind of immersion journalism yourself to develop higher intelligence. The point is to poke around. Ask philosophical questions. Don’t take things at face value.
Asking questions is one of the smartest things you can do. Who knows? You might find tremendous value in a self-described “high iq” group like Mensa.
But you might also wonder why, if they’re so intelligent, they need to take down their critics as they did to popular YouTuber, Flammable Maths?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM-pVUvi7a4
Wouldn’t such high IQ people use their intelligence to tackle anything they found uncouth in such social commentary in a more distinguished way?
In reality, there are all kinds of people who want to teach you how to be smarter. A lot of them rely on you to be naive and won’t help you interrogate the truth.
As someone in this business myself, I still find the depths to which certain charlatans will go shocking.
And with AI helping people scan websites and “memory hole” any criticism of their business interests, being willing to interrogate the truth (and admit any wrongs along the way) is one of the biggest signs of genius out there.
Three: Slow Logic, Not “Speed Rationality” is Linked to Genius Thinking
Humans are computing machines. Information comes in, our brains examine the symbols and we spit out a response.
Our ancestors noticed this and early on in history tried to help us slow down. For example, Ramon Llull developed memory wheels for improved critical thinking and enhanced memory.
Instead of rapid fire responses a debater might regret, this book helps you think structurally through how arguments work. When you respond, you use structure to explain and validate your point.
Our world is filled with people who sound smart, but they’re just computing quickly. It’s word salad, not genius.
Look for people who consider their thoughts, speak in measured tones and work on doing so yourself.
Four: Courage For The Unorthodox
I believe we all have some kind of attraction to “weird” and unconventional ideas.
But often we suppress them out of fear that we’ll be judged.
When you use the slow rationality tip I’ve just shared, however, you can be interested in even the strangest things and explain yourself in a way the endears you to the masses.
Look at Stephen King.
Sure, he’s got his detractors. But overall, he’s into some dark and bizarre stuff. And he sells millions of books, millions of people watch movies based on them and his interviews on YouTube rank in the millions of views.
All because he has the courage to lean into strange and unorthodox ideas.
Of course, not everyone is Stephen King. Or into the genres he writes about.
So if you’re interested in a way to combine your interest in learning with a bit of the weird, check out some of the experiments in lucid dreaming and remote viewing covered by the accomplished mnemonist Nelson Dellis in Everyday Genius.
Five: Embrace Mistakes with a Growth Mindset & Reflective Thinking
Learning involves taking on chaos. You find structure and paths along the way by shining light into the darkness.
So many people email me that they’re afraid of making mistakes. Or they display an unrealistic need to understand the Memory Palace technique I teach “correctly” the first time they use it.
Avoiding mistakes is not only impossible. It’s not even desirable. Every learning cycle needs errors.
Geniuses also need to run into learning plateaus. And to overcome them, the best memory athletes we have use reflective thinking and journaling. Memory athletes like Johannes Mallow use journaling in a particular way to identify errors and weak spots in order to fix them.
After studying at three of the most famous universities in the world, Young concluded:
Whoever would arrive at excellence must be self-taught.
Part of Young’s critique of the universities involved the quality of the students. He observed that people seemed to go to school to be motivated by outside factors
But the way you can find your inner genius is to find motivation within yourself.
Once you’ve done that, there’s more information on the Internet than ever before. As Scott Young has demonstrated, it’s possible to get degrees at major universities without attending them. He calls his self-study process, “Ultralearning.”
Seven: Control Your Environment
So many people fail to experience the full potential of the genius they already have because they cram or study in highly distracting environments.
I used to study on the bus all the time myself, but it was never ideal. By doing some self-analysis and structuring my time, I quickly worked out the best places to study.
With a bit of scheduling and clever positioning of your body in front of the most important books, anyone can read faster.
When you’re able to reduce distractions, your focus and concentration will automatically go up. As Harry Lorayne pointed out many times during his career, memory starts with attention. So enable yourself to pay focused attention and your genius will automatically go up.
Examples of geniuses who controlled their environment? Einstein in the sciences, just about every artist and philosopher and most students with an edge.
And it’s not just about learning. People with military and martial arts skills are also highly attuned to their environment, and their skills involve and connect with memory and multiple intelligences too.
In fact, one major skill is the skill of being able to learn new skills quickly. That way, you’re able to take your current level of genius and compound it. You can do this through habit stacking or the kind of study program I suggest in Read with Momentum.
Powerful Ways To Improve Your Memory and Raise Your IQ
Now that you’ve discovered the signs of high intelligence and learned how to model them, let’s get into a few practical tricks of the trade.
Practice each of these and you’ll find your smarts soaring.
To master each, all you need to do is start putting them into practice. And now you know all about controlling your time, environment and shutting out anyone who thinks what you’re doing is unorthodox. (Or at least not letting them shut you down.)
Master Your Memory
It’s essential to improve your memory. There are many techniques you can pursue, and here are some of the best:
The techniques I’ve just listed are used by people keen to use strategic thinking and develop long-term vision. They help formulate big picture overviews and map the territory needed to achieve big goals.
Not only that, but it creates the confidence needed to step into the unknown.
It’s not that geniuses are unafraid. It’s that they temper the fear with robust learning tactics. That way, they can feel nervous and take action anyway.
Nurture Curiosity & Creativity
Someone emailed me recently that he turned one of my many personal mantras into a desktop image on his computer:
Action reveals, Stasis Conceals
I love that this subscriber to my teaching sent this because he has embedded a sign of genius onto a surface he sees every day.
It’s a genius move itself. Memory is a miraculous thing, and well worth training. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t create cues.
In fact, the science of context-dependent memory strongly suggests that we should make wisdom as visible to ourselves as possible.
Using signs that remind us to operate as our highest possible selves is another form of environmental control. Reminders like these help you continue to be curious and take action on your inherent thirst for knowledge.
It will help you continually take action that introduces and re-introduces you to your unique brilliance.
Embrace Your Genius Traits
Tony Buzan used to say that we are all born genius artists and scientists.
Conditioning through observing our parents, teachers and co-workers beats it out of many of us.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
You can spot the signs of genius already within you by making a plan right now to start playing more freely and more scientifically with your interests.
Make an unwavering commitment to excellence, but don’t fall prey to perfectionism. Unlock your extraordinary potential by studying more about what you’ve read here today, but not to the point of information overwhelm.
Also make sure that you take action on the suggestions you’ve just encountered. And if you need help with the memory improvement part, get my free memory course now:
Remember: Action reveals.
And so much of genius and higher intelligence is in the action. If not all of it.
German Phrases: The Ultimate How To Learn German Phrases Guide
Jul 12, 2023
How I Memorized German Phrases Every Day For A Year
Guest post by Richard Gilzean
Note: What follows is a deconstruction of the steps I took (and continue to take) to improve my German. But rest assured, these same steps will work for memorizing phrases in any language.
Sound good?
Regardless of whether you’ve been learning a second or third language for a while, or just starting out, this approach to memorizing foreign languages will help you.
In the beginning was the Word SENTENCE.
You might be wondering: Why learn German phrases and not just individual words?
Good question. The answer is that we all read, write, listen and speak in sentences, or fragments thereof. The sentence is at the core of any language and learning to master the sentence should be considered. Even the most basic language guide book for travelers teach simple German phrases that follow syntax.
Don’t get me wrong. Words are beautiful in their own right. We all should invest in the time to learn what a word means and how to best use it. And this is achieved by working those words into sentences as you work on your bilingualism.
How I Built My “Internal GPS” (And You Can Too)
Before launching into memorizing my first German phrase, I designed the Memory Palace system that would store them. I’ve been interested in the art and craft of memory training and self-improvement for a couple of years. But I only really started to use Memory Palaces for language learning specifically after coming across Anthony’s book How to Learn and Memorize German Vocabulary which, in turn, led me to the Magnetic Memory Method website.
Anthony’s approach to teaching anyone how to learn, memorize and recall vocabulary, names, mathematical formulas and pretty much anything that can be memorized is both well-structured and comprehensive. So I’ll just highlight the essential components as they relate to learning languages and all of you who have been following Anthony’s site will be familiar.
Have a store of real locations to house your sentences.
Imagine real concrete / tangible objects or people that are creative, vivid, colorful and zany. Therefore, not just an elephant, but a pink pygmy elephant with Dumbo-like ears and with a runny trunk.
Schedule time for practice so the sentence can work its way into your long-term memory.
You’ll need to draw from your own personal memory bank a real location in which to store your sentences. It can be a place you know well, like the house you live in, or the place where you grew up that holds its own strong memories. It can be a route you follow regularly, such as a park or your daily commute from home to work.
With a little practice you can come up with more than enough Memory Palaces. While there are some general guidelines about how to make your Memory Palace effective, there is a lot of divergent opinion on how to make best use of your own Memory Palaces because no two thought processes are alike.
Because I knew I would need a large location to hold my expanding sentences, I chose a route that ran from the front door of my house, along the street, through a local park and over to my son’s local primary school – some 400 meters in total.
From AA to ZZ: Where I Keep My Memorized German Phrases
But before you set off on your journey, you’ll need to figure out your memory anchors. Think of the process like mental orienteering where you go for a jog in your mind along a set trail and arrive at control points along the way.
To help, I created an excel spreadsheet with an index of initials for names of famous people, friends and cartoon characters, running all the way from AA to ZZ. This process took a little time to work through and I made some compromises along the way. In particular, I left out the letters Q – X – Y (just too hard to come up with names).
I ended up with a list of 600 names running from Andre Agassi to the bearded rockers from the band ZZ Top. Six hundred names means, in theory, I am able to memorize at least 600 foreign language sentences.
Running alongside my list of names I also have a separate list of 100 what I refer to as my memory tag words. These words use the well-established mnemonic Major Method which is a technique used to aid in memorizing numbers and has been used in memorize shopping lists, the sequence of a shuffled pack of card and memory competitions. The Major Method works by converting numbers into consonant sounds, then into words by adding vowels.
How To Choose Which Phrases To Memorize
Armed with my list of 600 names and 100 Major System tag words, I now have the memory anchors in place to hold my German sentences. I also have the memory route from my house to my son’s primary school. There is a smorgasbord of foreign language sites out there to choose from, but the question is, which phrases should I memorize in order to get the best results for building fluency in German.
I subscribe to the German Flashcards section of a website run by Learn With Oliver for collecting many German phrases. It contains an easy to navigate database of material to assist you in learning several of the most common languages.
The site produces a daily e-letter with a word and phrase of the day, an audio recording of the text plus a whole bunch of other useful resource material.
From this site I have taken almost all of my German phrases. That’s because it’s important to focus on your target language.
Once I have material to work with, my approach is to review the phrases I want to memorize and make sure that I am comfortable with the etymology. I also want to develop an understanding of grammar by memorizing at least the basics. I then copy the sentences and the English translation into a spreadsheet. The spreadsheet is made up of the following columns:
Initials running from AA to ZZ
The English sentence
The German sentence
My mnemonic interpretation (this is explained below)
The full names of my AA – ZZ group
My 100 tag words
Here’s an example:
Here’s how I’ve adapted my practice from memorizing single words to whole German phrases.
As you can see, I’ve front-loaded three of the components into the sentence. They include the initials of a well-known/memorable name (Michelle Obama), the English translation (no problem) and the tag word (hail).
By splicing these three components into the sentence I’ve built an imaginative cross reference for whenever I need to recall the German phrase “Keine Ursache!” the rest of this mnemonic interpretation follows some established mnemonic guidelines.
German sayings like this are powerful to have in memory – just make sure to also include funny German phrases as you learn the language.
Personally, however, I suggest avoid learning German insults – you might wind up blurting them out at inopportune moments! If you’re stuck on finding any material to learn and memorize at all, one tip for finding good German phrases is to search Google for “German phrases PDF.”
Carrying on: For the word “keine” I thought of Keyser Soze, who some of you may recall as the evil dude Kevin Spacey played in the film “The Usual Suspects”.
For the word “Ursache” I broke it down into two images, one for “UR” and one for “SACHE” and came up with Keith URban (well-known country singer) + SACK.
I then imagined Keyser (rhyming with kaiser and which just happens to be an example of German vocabulary) shoving URban into a SACK. Don’t forget to take the time to imagine this scenario with crazy, vivid, memorable images. Gimpy-legged Keyser shoving guitar-wielding URban into a big smelly potato SACK works for me.
If You Can Imagine A Castle, You Can Use Memory Techniques To Boost Your German Fluency
Let’s take these ideas and incorporate them into a more challenging sentence. Is it worth visiting this castle? = Lohnt es sich diese Burg zu besuchen? Jacques Tati is king of a CASTLE in a MoVie starring Lindsay LOHAN playing the role of ESther who is throwing up SICK over DIESEL (a musician I know) after eating a BURGer served by ZUlu armed with a BAZOOKa.
In this case I’m using some mnemonic shorthand. Again, I’ve loaded three of the components at the front of the sentence Jacque Tati / Castle / Movie. Jacque Tati (famous French film actor and director) is my famous name and CASTLE is a single image I want to use represent the entire sentence. It’s a concrete image that is easy to visualize. (Is there anyone who can’t imagine a castle?)
The third component is the word “MOVIE” which is number 38 in my 100 memory tags. For the rest of the exercise you should be able to make the connection between my sentence and the similar sounding words in the German phrase.
How To Make The Most From Mnemonic Shorthand
Regardless of whatever foreign language you want to master, you’ll soon figure out the high frequency words and syllables and will want settle on some shorthand images to help you form your mnemonic sentences.
For example, I’ve settled on the following shorthand for these common German words:
es = it. For this word I use an image of a family member whose name is Esther.
ich = I. Here I just imagine “ItCHy”, the mouse from The Simpson’s cartoons.
der = multiple meanings including:
the (masculine definite article)
(definite article for genitive and dative singular feminine and genitive plural)
who
which
that one, this one
I found some mnemonic shorthand harder to imagine than others. In what is probably an understatement, the German language has many words with the prefix ‘ge’. After much trial and error, I settled on an image of GoethE as my go-to guy for the ‘ge’ words.
But if GoethE doesn’t make sense to your imagination and you encounter an issue Anthony talked about in his Remember Names At Events podcast, you might think that Agent Maxwell Smart from the GEt Smart television series works better for you. Or perhaps someone more contemporary comes to mind.
The important thing is that you learn to link figures with information so that you can recall it at will. This skill comes in handy in many ways, particularly when trying to memorize German genders. For example, in all instances of “der” I use an 80’s television character DERrick from the popular German detective series.
How To Get Ikea To Optimize Your Memory Palace
Now, you may be thinking: Do I really need to be able to recall all of my mnemonic sentences? Answer: No. I’ve found that once a schedule of recall practice is established you’ll be able to rely on the processing power of your mind to summon the sentence.
The next problem I had to solve concerned mental real estate. I now had in place my daily practice of learning and memorizing new German phrases and placing them along my chosen route. But I eventually realized I was running out of stations along my route and I wanted to get more benefit out of the site of this Memory Palace.
My solution was to use a system of alphabetical modular shelving – think Ikea wall units – in which to place my mnemonic imagery.
So when it came time to assign German phrases to my prepared list of EA to EZ letters, instead of using up 23 separate places (remember letters Q, X and Y are out) along the route, I imagined a rather large E-shaped white Ikea wall unit with 23 compartments at the next station along the path.
And in each compartment I would place my mnemonic interpretation of whatever German sentence I was learning that day. Kind of like the dioramas I used to help my son make for his school projects.
Forging The Memory Chain Using Recall And Difference
The main advantage I’ve found with using what I call my double-bind memory link strategy (i.e. initials plus memory tag words) is that if I happen to forget one when practicing my recall I can usually rely on the other one to help me out. Take up this practice and you’ll see quick results too.
Memory Palaces do not have to be photographic / perfect representations – they just need to be consistent with how you recall them in your mind. Once I’ve memorized a batch of 23 sentences to the point where I can mentally recall the sentences forwards, backwards and in some random order, I use a simple spaced repetition system that involves setting a date in my Google calendar with a title like – “LA – LZ 1 week”.
I then mentally run through my recall, check my responses on the spreadsheet and, if I get them correct, will reset the next recall for two weeks, followed by 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months. If I’m not happy with my recall practice I’ll review the mnemonic sentence I’ve constructed and practice again a few days later.
I recommend you rehearse your phrases out loud because you need to hear the sounds your voice makes. Make a practice of writing them out by hand as a way of reinforcing the learning. For extra bonus points you might like to record the sentences and listen to them when you’re out and about.
That pretty well sums up what I’ve achieved in a short period of time. This method takes the key features found on Magnetic Memory Method site and tweaks them to get the best value out of your Memory Palace. Try creating warehouses in your own Memory Palaces using the alphabetical system outlined. My German phrases continues to swell and grow. So far I’ve gone from Andre Agassi to Van Halen. That’s about 500 sentences.
As I mentioned at the start of this post we all write, listen, read and speak in sentences and German phrases. Learning to speak and understand any foreign language with fluency requires application to all four components in equal measure. The method of memorizing vocabulary and entire sentences I’ve described ticks all four boxes.
Of course, you’ll need to get out there and road test your German phrases (or those in the language you’re studying) in real world situations to become comfortable with your newly acquired knowledge. All good language learners say so, including polyglot Luca Lampariello when he describes language as a kind of net.
If you’ve found this training on memorizing German phrases helpful, or you’d like some clarification on the points, please contact me at richard@richardgilzean.com.
Viel Gluck!
Richard Gilzean is a writer and blogger specialising in creating content for small business owners, entrepreneurs and corporate clients. He has thirty years of writing, research and training experience in corporate and government sectors. Whether you want to create great content to boost traffic to your website or you’re looking for a professional writer who can tell your story in your voice, Richard can help. Check out his freelance writing website here.
The Science of Mental Imagery: From Perception to Mnemonics
Jul 06, 2023
Mental imagery describes your brain’s ability to do something amazing:
You can literally recreate sensory experiences without experiencing external stimuli.
In other words, you can “see,” “hear,” “feel” and even experience concepts purely by imagining them.
Or can you?
There’s tons of data about what mental imagery is.
Oodles of opinions. Lots of debates.
And unfortunately, very little consensus.
That’s fine. That’s what science is all about.
But when it comes to memory, both in terms of psychology and using the Magnetic Memory Method to achieve your learning goals, you need a better definition of mental imagery.
And on this page, you’re going to get it.
Not only will you discover everything you need to know about mental imagery’s role in psychological perception.
You’ll also be able to use your newfound understanding to transform abstract data into memorable experiences, making your learning more effective, efficient and fun.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88N_0mQQXo8
What Is Mental Imagery?
In cognitive psychology, the definition of mental imagery is straightforward.
It’s usually defined as “the ability to create and manipulate images in one’s mind without direct sensory input.”
But “images” aren’t just pictures or visual representations. We’re also talking about how the mind produces and manipulates auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory experiences.
Other people think of mental imagery in terms of visualization techniques for success, either in business or sports performance.
That’s perfectly valid too. I often pre-visualize myself giving a speech and used to rehearse entire concerts in my mind before going out on tour with my band, The Outside.
How the Philosophy of Mental Imagery Differs From the Science
In that interesting work, Stephen Kosslyn party treats mental imagery as spatial and suggests there’s a 1:1 correspondence between the location of images in the world and where the brain stores them in memory.
Although the philosophical debates are not without reflective thinking, those dismissing Kosslyn seem to be pleading for their own special definition. I’m all for the pursuit of truth, but sometimes it gets to be a bit much.
Mental Imagery in Other Fields (Like Memory Training)
There’s also the role of mental imagery and mindfulness, not to mention the neuroscience of mental imagery.
But for our purposes in the world of memory training, let’s expand how we approach these mental experiences. That way we can improve our use of mnemonics.
To begin, here’s a core principle I’ve found useful with my memory coaching clients for many years:
Mental imagery is an experience in the mind that resembles how you could potentially interact with real people, places and objects.
This definition assumes that everything imaginary is based on an extension of the real world. And personally, I take the real world to include concepts, something I’ve taught for years as the “conceptual mode,” part of KAVE COGS.
The Conceptual Aspect of Images in the Mind
This might sound a bit far out there, but as William Marx highlights in his 2025 book, Libraries of the Mind, mental imagery has always existed far beyond the merely visual.
In fact, mental imagery is spatial and perhaps even something that operates much like life itself. As he points out, libraries house interconnected networks of knowledge and experiences that influence the future and reshape the “image” of how we perceive the past.
We also are able to experience books that don’t yet exist, drawing future works from mental shelves that can help us understand what we are reading in the present.
Nonetheless, the notion of what counts as a mental image remains controversial. To help find firmer footing, let’s take a look at some of the angles that help substantiate our basic working definition.
Iconic Memory
Iconic memory typically involves brief experiences of mental imagery. These images reside in short term memory and are typically disregarded.
Daydreaming, for example, is often completely forgotten seconds after the fantastic images enter the mind.
Some studies show that this kind of mental imagery helps with human movement through space as well.
There’s also potentially a relationship between these rapid mental images and verbal memory.
For example, the experience of mental images may not have any words involved. But experiencing a quick mental image prompts you to speak. It doesn’t provide the exact words per se, but is a deep generator of the message.
In sum: If you do or say something, this theory suggests that the image comes first, then the action.
Imagination
Did you ever play with an imaginary friend? Or even develop an entire paracosm of them?
If so, you’ve experienced a subjective mental state that no one can observe but you.
Either way, this kind of mental imagery leads to more than just fun. It can help you be creative, use memory techniques better and even solve problems.
The question here that no one has an answer to is this: can you invent anything in your mind? Or does mental imagery always need a starting point or some kind of association?
Personally, I think everything is connected in a wave of relations. Anything that seems original is always born out of something that already existed. As the literary theorist Northrop Frye put it, “all poems come from other poems.”
His point is important, especially when we think of mental imagery in art and creativity at large. As Lynne Kelly has pointed out in The Knowledge Gene, creativity is ultimately about making connections. Why some people do this and others don’t is ultimately a question of motivation more than the state of mental imagery itself.
Mnemonic Images
Using associations in pairs is well-known in the psychology of learning to be essential, particularly in areas like reading. Phonological awareness, for example, has been shown in studies to help with many aspects of literacy.
As my colleague in memory, Richard Ruben, has pointed out, people without phonological awareness struggle to use mnemonics. If they haven’t been taught to sound out the alphabet, they struggle later to make paired associations, for example. In fact, every letter of the alphabet is a paired association of at least a shape and a sound.
In the case of using mnemonics as part of your studies, mental imagery helps extensively in combination with the Memory Palace technique as people imaginatively tie associations to loci.
Medical students, for example, rapidly form memories by using mental imagery. In fact, medical mnemonics is a huge industry, covering everything from anatomy, to pharmaceutical terms and information related to nursing.
Without paired associations made possible by mental imagery, people would have to rely solely on rote learning.
If you struggle to use these techniques and find yourself constantly falling back on rote, try these sensory memory exercises. They should help you feel more confident with the layers of mental imagery available to you.
In fact, if you attend to them closely enough, you could become as fast, if not faster, than a mnemonics dictionary.
For serious Memory Palace users, keep in mind that you can use virtual Memory Palaces. These are typically based on video game environments, but you can make up your own from scratch. All you have to consider is that increasing your cognitive load can make using these techniques to learn more time consuming than they need to be.
Demand Characteristics
Here’s a neat one:
In science, it’s important not to give away too much information. If people predict or intuit what’s going on in a study involving participants, they can skew the results.
This is because participating in a study creates pictures in your mind – think of the icon part of iconic memory.
And it’s not just that you think about what the study might be about. As we’ve seen, iconic memory dictates how we behave physically.
Their tactics include everything from double-blind studies to outright deception.
Dual-Coding Theory
This theory suggests that there’s a division between what you imagine visually and your verbal intelligence.
Essentially, the dual coding effect started with Allan Paivio who published over two hundred articles on this topic.
I find the theory problematic myself because his distinction between analogue codes and symbolic codes seems problematic. The first deals with anything in your visual perception. Symbolic codes deals strictly with words.
But aren’t words perceived too? And in a variety of ways? I can imagine the alphabet visually without tying it to a sound and imagine a sound wave produced by a technology I might not even know by name.
Mental imagery and perception are two crucial processes that shape our understanding of the world. While both involve the representation of sensory information, they exhibit unique characteristics and play distinct roles in our cognitive experiences.
Mental imagery, often described as the ability to create sensory experiences in the absence of external stimuli, allows us to mentally represent and manipulate sensory information.
Of course, there are people without a mind’s eye (aphantasia) who are still able to do exactly this, creating a puzzle about what exactly imagery is in the mind, imagination and various stages of memory.
Similarly, perception involves the interpretation of sensory input from the external environment to form our conscious experience. We need this in order to enjoy the benefits of sensory learning.
Yet, there are people who cannot see, hear or feel with their limbs. They still manage to navigate the world and learn all kinds of things and use the major types of memory to learn and navigate the world.
At the end of the day, I’m convinced that mental imagery and perception are not separate, but joined at the hip in some very special ways.
And when it comes to using mental imagery as a mnemonic learning tool, this study demonstrates just how effective it can be for improving working memory, long-term memory and even fluid intelligence.
Unlimited Imagination?
Perception, with its emphases on access to actual learning material and your physical surroundings, is obviously bound by sensory input and material constraint. Our perception is literally limited by the information available from our senses and the physical properties of the objects and events in the external world.
Some people will argue that mental imagery is more flexible and unconstrained by the same physical limitations. They suggest that we can create vivid mental images that defy the laws of physics or imagine events that surpass the boundaries of our sensory experiences.
Although this may be true, the strength of our ability to do so comes down to reference and practice. By reference, I mean how well you read and how much. In order to imagine flexibly, you need deliberate practice with worthwhile books.
We will always be limited by both perception and mental imagery, but we can expand our limits by constantly learning.
Mental Imagery FAQs
Still got questions?
Here are some quick answers to the most common questions about this form of mental experience.
What is mental imagery?
This term usually refers to the mind’s ability to recreate a variety of sensory experiences without external stimuli.
A short list includes visual, auditory, kinaesthetic (or tactile) olfactory and gustatory sensations.
In the Magnetic Memory Method, we add emotional, conceptual and spatial mental experiences to expand our skills set with mnemonics.
Doing so is useful for achieving ambitious learning goals, like memorizing the key points in a textbook. If you’d like that skill, here’s my full guide on how to extract and memorize textbook material realistically.
What are some other types of mental imagery?
The exact list depends on who you ask. But some interesting examples we haven’t covered today include:
Your sense of number
Distance
Dream imagery
Imagining controlling your body without actually doing it (which is essentially kinaesthetic)
Thinking symbolically, metaphorically, or poetically
How is mental imagery different than visualization?
In a word, you can have mental experiences without seeing them in your mind.
But typically when we talk about visualization, some kind of visual, mental picture is involved.
Can mental imagery be developed or improved?
Yes.
Memory training, brain exercise, neurobics and other activities like learning music, languages and math will help.
Will using AI tools like Chat-GPT weaken my mental imagery?
Although the risk exists, I don’t believe it has to harm your mental abilities at all.
It’s helpful to understand that some of the reason why people experience fear around new technologies is mental imagery itself at work.
We know the old phrase “use it or lose it” is true. Technically, it’s called deskilling.
And that’s going to happen as more and more people cognitively offload a lot of tasks onto artificial intelligence software programs.
But when you look at the bright side, you stand a chance of having way more personal time to paint, learn languages, master a musical instrument and apply memory techniques to those topics you’ve always wanted to learn.
How Memory Training Improves Your Mental Imagery
In order to enjoy much more interesting mental imagery that truly will expand your current limitations, you’ll want to start using memory techniques.
Although that might seem like a lot to explore, you can rapidly learn each approach by starting with the Memory Palace technique.
Get my free course in order to learn how if you’d like more help:
You’ll get four clear, crisp and direct video lessons along with some worksheets that will help you understand mental imagery experientially.
The learning cycle I’ll take you through in this course helps you chunk even the toughest information down into small bits of mental imagery that you won’t soon forget by using the best possible mnemonic devices.
Final Thoughts: Harnessing the Power of Mental Imagery
You now know that mental imagery is about a lot more than visualization.
The term describes your mental ability to recreate sensory experiences without external stimuli.
It’s a pivotal faculty you use every day to learning, problem-solving and creating new things.
The Magnetic Memory Method leverages this ability of the mind to help you combine Memory Palaces with multi-sensory associations.
Personally, I think of mental imagery as a kind of “inner language” that helps you use this mental martial art of the mind.
You don’t have to embrace it this way. And that’s the point.
By cultivating your own skills with mental imagery, you can imagine your own terms. You can unlock more power for achieving your learning goals and improving your cognitive enhancement.
And the more you study and practice the nature of your mind, the better everything about your mental life becomes.
Time, Tech and Memory Palaces with Ronald Johnson of The Craft of Memory
Jul 05, 2023
The Craft of Memory Podcast and Substack are two of the best sources of information about memory techniques to appear on the Internet for a long time.
Ronald Johnson is behind both of them.
Join us on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast as Ronald and I delve into his best tips on using the Memory Palace technique.
We embed his specific experiences and tactics in a larger discussion of history, technology, society and even how streets and roads influence our learning lives.
As you’ll soon hear, Ronald Johnson is an incredibly knowledgeable mnemonist.
He’s also a passionate writer seeking to preserve the joy, beauty, and wonder of natural memory and mnemonics.
Join us now as we embark on a journey through time, technology, and advanced memory palace tactics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N53NPR1q0tg
Time: Unveiling the Ultimate Secret of Memory Mastery
In our captivating discussion, Ronald and I dive deep into the realm of memory, unraveling the mysteries and exploring cutting-edge techniques that will revolutionize the way you remember information.
We start by addressing the crucial topic of time and its impact on memory.
Time, in its essence, is a double-edged sword.
While technology enables us to access vast amounts of information instantly, it also poses the risk of outsourcing our memory to devices. This can lead to digital amnesia.
To help you avoid that problem, or even worse issues (like Alzheimer’s), Ronald emphasize the importance of reclaiming the power of our own minds and uncovering the joy of natural memory.
Focusing too much on time can also make you miss the beauty of reflective thinking.
Although I’m not sure I agree with Ronald on one point he makes, he does provide a compelling way to think about rote learning I haven’t considered before. Given his take on the relationship between memory and time, he might just be on to something.
The True Art of the Memory Palace
One of the most intriguing aspects we delve into are some of Ronald’s advanced Memory Palace tactics.
As you probably already know, Memory Palaces have been utilized for centuries as one of the most potent mnemonic techniques. It allows you to store and retrieve vast amounts of information through the creation of vivid mental landscapes.
Ronald shares his expertise, guiding us through the intricate process of using mnemonic devices effectively. Prepare to be astounded as we unlock the secrets of this ancient art and discover firsthand how Memory Palaces can transform your learning experience.
The Craft of Memory: A Unique Call to Embrace Memory Mastery
Ronald is truly unique in his approach to teaching memory techniques.
His writing awakens in me the joy, beauty, and wonder of memory, providing a refreshing and liberating take on freeing ourselves from the constraints of a forgetful age.
I’m confident that by listening to Ronald’s podcast, and especially reading his Craft of Memory Substack, you’ll find yourself adopting the techniques and insights in new ways.
Ready to revolutionize your memory?
Don’t miss out on Ronald’s transformative insights and the many practical tips provided through his media. Here’s where to find him online:
From Nervousness to Mastering Tough Nursing Knowledge
Jun 28, 2023
Rose Szwed was doing great with some aspects of learning nursing fundamentals, and using mnemonics to help learn some of the more complex material faster.
But some realms of the nursing knowledge she needed to master were much harder to learn.
Especially phlebotomy.
Rather than give up after struggling with one nursing exam in particular, Rose looked for more thorough memory techniques online.
When she found the Magnetic Memory Method, she dove in and did exactly as I suggested:
She modified the high-powered memory techniques I teach to her specific needs.
As a result, Rose took the exam she had previously failed again and scored 98.22%!
The best part?
On this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Rose shares her journey and her incredible success with you.
Even if you’re not studying to be a nurse yourself, I’m sure you’ll find her successes and experience-based insights into how to apply memory techniques to complex study topics useful.
Proper Mnemonics Make Mastering Tough Nursing Knowledge Much Easier
First, you have to know all the names of the veins. Then there are the steps involved. That’s not to mention the equipment names, like the cannula for drawing blood.
Of course, there’s still more to learn after all of that because phlebotomy is not just about drawing blood or knowing the order of the draw inside and out. You also have to know about intravenous therapy. For that, Rose also needed pharmacology knowledge.
That’s why nursing mnemonics are so precious for medical professionals who want to succeed. And just one more reason I knew I needed to record this episode for you.
What’s Wrong With Most Mass-Market Memory Improvement Books?
Like many people who need to pass complicated exams, Rose went through other Memory Palace books before deciding to use the Magnetic Memory Method.
Why did none of the books she went through prove useful?
As I’ve discussed many times, most of them lack depth. Often they are written by memory competitors who have zero idea about what’s really involved in learning a complex topic. They’re especially ignorant when it comes to figuring out how to deal with advanced nursing topics.
My work, on the other hand, is much more informed. My first edition of my book on How to Learn and Memorize Medical Terminology as co-written with a doctor, for example. My full program also includes a guest video lesson with an actual doctor to help explain how he’s used the Memory Palace technique to memorize causes that underly symptoms.
That’s part of why Rose was able to succeed. There’s actual experience with applying mnemonics to learning medicine in my work. And where I haven’t got it myself, I bring in people who do from within my group of students.
The community aspect of my teaching is so important because sometimes students come up with ways to apply memory techniques that others can reproduce. I’ll talk briefly about one angle Rose found in the next section.
I’ve even turned my own body into a Memory Palace to memorize the classical solar system of the Renaissance period in Italy.
But unlike the way Bruno used bodies with references to mythological figures, Rose went with highly memorable bodies from stage and screen.
She used dynamic figures like Columbo, the detective played by Peter Falk. And Clark Cable in one of his most iconic movie roles.
Although this simple solution helped Rose score 98.22% on her test, what happened next is where the truth path of memory mastery begins.
That’s because Rose immediately started teaching others, one of the most important parts of a learning cycle you can complete.
Episode Highlights
Amongst many things that impress me about Rose’s uptake of memory techniques for developing her nursing knowledge, she has also led such an interesting life!
Struggling to remember even the most complicated information is simply not necessary.
How to Overcome Learning Plateaus with Memory Expert Tansel Ali
Jun 22, 2023
Learning is a fascinating journey, but sometimes we find ourselves stuck in a rut.
When this happens, you’re lingering in what we sometimes call a learning plateau.
It’s not fun because you feel like your progress has stagnated. And the enthusiasm that once fueled your learning endeavors seems to fade away.
Don’t you worry.
With the right mindset and strategies, it’s possible to break through these plateaus and continue your educational growth.
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Tansel Ali and I delve into the psychology of learning plateaus.
We explore effective techniques to overcome them and share our personal stories of learning everything from complex ideas in philosophy to getting our hands to perform difficult music.
Along the way, we empower you to reignite your passion for learning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ3g9xEw-t0
Understanding the Psychology of Learning Plateaus
Learning is not merely about acquiring information.
To truly learn involves complex cognitive processes and cognitive training that impact your ability to progress.
When it comes to understanding how memory works as you learn, everything comes down to optimizing how mnemonics and other memory techniques allow us to retain and retrieve information more efficiently than something like rote learning.
Optimizing just that small list will help improve your ability to overcome learning plateaus.
However, if you have a fixed mindset, you will impede your own progress. This kind of thinking is characterized by the belief that intelligence and abilities are fixed traits. The good news is that intelligence is not fixed, so you can change.
All you need is a growth mindset that embraces challenges, views failures as learning opportunities, and believes in the potential for personal development. Reflective thinking helps too, especially with the next step.
Identifying Signs of a Learning Plateau
One common indication is a lack of progress or improvement despite consistent effort.
You may find yourself struggling to grasp new concepts or unable to apply knowledge effectively. Additionally, a diminished interest or enthusiasm for learning can indicate the presence of a plateau. When your passion wanes, it’s crucial to address the underlying causes and reignite your curiosity.
You could also be suffering depression, which suggests you need to see a doctor. Always seek help if you think you might have this kind of issue.
Analyzing the Causes of Learning Plateaus
Usually learning plateaus come from simple issues, however.
Often, you just haven’t challenged yourself enough. Or, you’ve taken on a challenge too big and led yourself into frustration.
In The Victorious Mind, I talk about balancing the Challenge-Frustration curve.
Working on balancing it ensures that your learning journey will never become too routine and predictable. Your mind will never disengage and you will never be hindered while learning new skills.
What else?
Unfortunately, there are many charlatans out there teaching ineffective learning strategies. They think you’re naive, so they teach you pseudoscientific strategies that can impede your progress.
Those ideas can be interesting to look at if you want to read faster. But usually they just lead you into the plateaus you want to escape.
You also want to take into account factors like chaotic learning environments instead of optimized study locations. Insisting on studying in suboptimal areas can also contribute to plateaus.
Overcoming Learning Plateaus: Strategies and Techniques
There are a number of powerful accelerated learning techniques to choose from.
Let’s examine some of my favorite.
Deliberate Practice
Deliberate practice involves setting specific goals, breaking tasks into manageable chunks, seeking feedback, and making adjustments based on that feedback.
By focusing on deliberate practice, you will optimize the learning process and ensure steady progress. Joshua Waitzkin discusses how he mastered by chess and martial arts using this form of learning.
His book, The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance will help you set clear objectives, stay motivated and maintain a sense of direction.
Vary Your Learning Approaches
Monotony contributes to learning plateaus, so it’s essential to diversify what you learn and how you learn it.
Exploring different modalities, such as visual aids, audio materials, or hands-on experiences, stimulates engagement.
(Don’t worry if you have aphantasia. Some people disagree with me, but I’m convinced there’s an aphantasia cure).
When reading, I use interleaving every time. I literally switch between books normally every 15-20 minutes. It keeps my involvement high and it is a scientifically validated way to learn.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset
I cited a number of experts in my mental training post who promote working on a growth mindset. It truly is the foundation for continuous learning and personal growth.
Embracing challenges, setbacks, and failures as opportunities for learning is crucial to overcoming plateaus. By reframing failures as stepping stones toward improvement, you can adopt a resilient attitude and persevere through difficulties.
Nurturing a love for lifelong learning and understanding that abilities can be developed with effort and practice creates a positive environment for growth.
A lot of people don’t want to hear that they have to work on their “grit,” but it really is the case. If you need help, complete these mental strength exercises. Frankly, I don’t know where I’d be without them.
Become a “Metacognitive” Philosopher of Your Own Mind
Metacognition involves thinking about your thinking, reflecting on your learning process, and monitoring and adjusting your strategies accordingly.
By asking philosophical questions, you’ll be practicing metacognitive strategies. The process will make you a much more self-aware learner. Plus, you’ll read many fascinating philosophy books, and their challenges will naturally develop your ability to overcome plateaus.
Seeking Support and Accountability
You don’t have to deal with your learning plateaus alone. You can seek support and get accountability from others.
Your many choices include:
Engaging in peer learning
Collaborating on projects
Hiring a performance coach
Taking a course
Discussing on forums
Starting a group of your own and fulfilling the expectations of your members
Celebrating Progress and Milestones
Recognizing your achievements and providing yourself with rewards along the way is essential for maintaining progress. Celebrate each milestone, no matter how small. Every step signifies progress and growth.
Just be sure to choose your rewards well. Junk food will probably set you back and ruin the effort and dedication you’ve put into your learning journey.
Positive reinforcement with rewards that fuel your interests boosts confidence and propels you forward.
Can You Leave Your Learning Plateaus Behind Forever?
Ultimately, no.
Learning plateaus are a natural part of the learning process.
But as we’ve seen, they don’t have to hinder your progress indefinitely.
By understanding the psychology behind plateaus, identifying the signs, and implementing effective strategies, you can overcome these obstacles and continue your educational growth, just like Tansel and I have done.
And if you need more help embracing your challenges, fostering a growth mindset, and practicing deliberate, varied, and metacognitive learning techniques, get my free course now:
Remember:
It is possible to stay consistent. There’s no shame in seeking support, and celebrating your achievements along the way.
Learning is a lifelong adventure, and plateaus always present opportunities to soar to new heights.
15 Best Memory Palace Books: Expert Guide by Anthony Metivier
May 14, 2023
Looking for the best Memory Palace book to truly sharpen your mind?
You’re in the right spot.
After decades of studying and teaching the Memory Palace technique, I’ve narrowed the field down to books that actually work.
They’ve worked for me personally because I’ve tested their specific instructions based on years of research into what memory is and how it works.
I know good mnemonic strategies when I see them, and am sharing all the details so you can make an informed choice when looking for a robust Memory Palace guide.
In each description, I’ll explain exactly how each title helped me specifically. Many have helped my students in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass too. This means that many of my insights are informed by what has helped them succeed in their journeys too.
Stick around to the end, and I’ll show you how to apply what you learn from these books to truly boost your memory, starting today.
In addition to discovering books that will show you how to improve your memory, I’ve selected books that also show you how to put the technique into practice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqZ8xTtEP04
To make it easier for you to find the right starting point, I’ve organized my recommendations into three levels:
Beginner books with accessible, clear introductions that inspire you about what the technique is and what it can do for you.
Intermediate books that include deeper dives into advanced applications, creative variations and historical examples you might not have encountered before.
Specialized memory works that will challenge you and expand your understanding of the memory arts.
Beginner Memory Palace Books
When you’re just getting started, consider reading these books first.
As a Grandmaster of Memory, Cooke’s also the founder of Memrise.
Plus, Cooke has been immortalized in one of the most famous memory training guides of all time.
That’s because he took the author of our next Memory Palace form novice to champion.
Three: Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything.
First published in 2011, Joshua Foer’s bestseller debuted at No. 3 on the New York Times bestseller list.
Incredibly, it stayed on the list for eight weeks. I’ll never forget how inspired I felt when I read it after it first appeared in bookstores. To this day people email me about how fun and engaging they find it.
Thanks to a combination of lived experience and expert writing style, Foer takes you on a fascinating journey through how the mind of a memory champion works. From that perspective, the book goes in-depth about the mnemonic techniques they use to store memories.
A freelance science journalist, Foer learned the technique of memory training while researching the US Memory Championship. At the contest, Foer observed how people would memorize an entire deck of cards in just a couple of minutes.
Foer’s Call to Adventure
This skill fascinated Foer and got him interested in learning how to memorize a deck of cards himself. Foer discovered that individuals who aced memory contests used special strategies handed down from the ancient Greeks.
These strategies included mnemonic visualization that taps into spatial memory.
The combination of spatial memory and visualization leads to the Memory Palace technique. By visualizing a structure (such as your home), you can use these Memory Palaces to rapidly encode large amounts of information.
After learning about this ancient technique, Foer decided to learn the strategy and test his own memory power. He sought out some of the most iconic figures in the field and trained based on their recommendations.
A year later, Foer won the US Memory Championship against much more experienced ‘mental athletes’ who could memorize the exact order of ten shuffled decks of cards in less than an hour. It was an amazing feat, and also proof of concept that anyone can learn this technique.
Foer’s book draws on thorough research, the history of memory studies, and various tricks of mental champions. But it’s the true story of someone learning the technique from scratch and rising the ranks that makes it so interesting.
I have a personal connection to Moonwalking with Einstein too, an amazing association that never would have formed had I not read this guide all those many years ago.
Warrior of the Mind
Here’s the inside story:
In the opening pages of Moonwalking with Einstein, Joshua Foer discusses a pin worn by my dearly departed friend and mentor Tony Buzan.
Buzan, himself the author of The Memory Book, gave this pin to a select group of people, awarding them a special title to go with it, “Warrior of the Mind Emblem for Outstanding Contributions to Global Mental Literacy.”
One day, Tony Buzan awarded the Warrior of the Mind emblem to me. I’ll never forget the day he pinned the emblem on my lapel.
And because Buzan gave me this award, when you come across the part of Moonwalking with Einstein where Foer describes the pin, you now know what this special ceremonial brain cell looks like. Here’s a picture:
Four: The Art of Memory by Frances Yates
Published in 1966, people still reference The Art of Memory as one of the most influential books to cover the Memory Palace technique to this day.
The author, Frances A. Yates, traces the development of a wide variety of mnemonic systems, from the Simonides of Ceos era through the Renaissance until the 17th century when scientific methods were initiated.
As she describes in detail, the Memory Palace technique is the oldest mnemonic strategy and is also known as the method of loci.
Like many guides, Yates’ book narrates the story of Simonides, who was hired by a nobleman to recite poems from memory during a banquet. After the presentation, Simonides servant called him outside to meet some people who asked for him.
Before Simonides could re-enter the banquet hall after meeting two men who turned out to be Castor and Pollux, it collapsed, killing everyone inside.
The collapse mangled all the bodies beyond recognition. The story goes that Simonides used his memory to recall the faces and names of every victim.
After visiting each person based on where they had sat during the banquest, Simonides realized the importance of recalling facts based on their locations. That’s why the Memory Palace technique is still sometimes called the method of loci. You literally use Simonides’ method of visiting locations to recall information.
Thanks to contemporary memory science, decades of memory competition records and new translations, the techniques documented by Yates are stronger than ever before.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG5Fdilr9YI
For example, if a defense lawyer needs to recall evidence during a trial, he can first create mental images of a place familiar to him – maybe his home – and peg each piece of evidence to a room.
During the trial, he can then recall those pieces of evidence by mentally walking through his house.
But there’s more to it than memory stunts for winning court cases.
In the following video, I talk about some of the problems with the book. They relate to Yates’ hotly contested interpretation of a Renaissance memory master named Giordano Bruno.
Don’t get me wrong: The book is excellent. But my own research has shown that her interpretations of Bruno are misguided. She’s much stronger on Robert Fludd, however. I’ll introduce you to Fludd a little bit later on in this list.
Five: The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci by Jonathan Spence
Like The Art of Memory, Jonathan D. Spence’s The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci gives you the history of memory techniques. Except in this case, you experience the technique through the life of one man.
As a biographical work, this book explores the story of a Jesuit priest named Matteo Ricci who lived during the 16th century, and how he used special mnemonic memory techniques to convert the Chinese to Christianity.
The priest joined the new Catholic order, the Society of Jesus, in 1571, and studied law in Rome.
At that time, the order was quite young and needed to widen its influence. To ensure success, the church sent young priests into the world to convert people to Catholicism.
The story goes that Ricci became a willing member of that mission and sailed to China as a missionary.
For more than three decades, Ricci used his vibrant personality to convert the Chinese to Catholicism.
One fascinating aspect of the book is that Ricci knew a lot about how to memorize speeches. But with a twist.
To show off his skills, Ricci would sometimes recite what he memorized backwards.
Overall, this Jesuit priest believed he could convert more people by impressing them with his learning. That was when he started to use mnemonic devices to memorize huge amounts of information.
One of his key tasks was to convey basic Christian principles to the Chinese people in a manner they could appreciate and learn from. So he turned to memorization techniques for help.
He taught the Chinese people the art of creating Memory Palaces, helping them store several pieces of information in their mind and be able to recall it later. It’s the exact same strategy Foer discusses in Moonwalking with Einstein.
But instead of competing, Ricci tried to help people overseas understand Biblical teachings through their own cultural and spiritual norms. Ricci even learned Classical Chinese so well that he wrote a book about the Memory Palace technique called Xiguo Jifa (Western Technique).
Overall, I found The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci so interesting, I made it a priority to visit Ricci’s grave the first time I visited Beijing.
Here’s a pic of the visit I made from my personal travel collection:
Visiting the Beijing tomb of a great Chinese learner who used memory techniques like Matteo Ricci was a highlight of my life.
In fact, when the Chinese Language Institute in Guilin heard me talk about Spence’s study of Ricci on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, they invited me to give a presentation at their school.
I did exactly that and presenting the art of memory for them was a lot of fun. I almost felt like I was leading a life much like Ricci’s own.
Although you might not wind up having an adventure like I did after reading this book, another thing I love about it is how it gives you insight into Ricci’s approach to memorizing Chinese characters. It did a lot to help me come up with my own.
Six: Unlock Your Amazing Memory: The Fun Guide That Shows Grades 5 to 8 How to Remember Better and Make School Easier by Brad Zupp
If your children are struggling with learning in school, Unlock Your Amazing Memory has plenty of ideas they can quickly read, understand and put to use.
Zupp’s guide outlines powerful strategies that can improve memorization skills while making it a fun activity. The techniques teach young students how to remember what they see, read, and hear. As a result, they can expect better grades and more confidence in classroom settings.
The best part?
Studies shows that these techniques work and have helped thousands of students learning a variety of topics.
That includes students who are forgetful, lack motivation, prefer some subjects over others, feel stressed out or find themselves bored in class.
Teacher Tested Memory Techniques
It’s also important to note that the book is based on Zupp’s show, The Feats of Memory. This is an assembly program Zupp created for both students and teachers.
Teachers who have used his techniques say that it transformed the way their students processed their lessons and made tremendous improvements.
The guide also dives into the main issues that affect attention span, memory and focus. This additional element makes Zupp’s book especially useful for students in grades 5 to 8. Children in grades 3 and 4 can also benefit from it with some help from parents and teachers.
Zupp’s devotion to helping young people has inspired me many times over the years. I almost always recommend this book when parents ask me for suggestions to help their kids learn memory techniques.
When it comes to intermediate books, my exact definition is this:
They go deeper than the introductory material.
That might be in the form of providing more historical context or a personal story with using memory techniques like Tony Judt does in The Memory Chalet.
Or it could be that they contain additional Memory Palace exercises based on the author’s personal expertise or experiences.
This is a very important consideration as you’re growing your skills:
Always try to find intermediate instruction manuals from people who have provided proof of concept in the form of a demonstration. You will avoid spinning your wheels when you’re learning from people who have actually accomplished something substantial with the Memory Palace technique.
Seven: Memory Craft by Lynne Kelly
Perhaps the most important memory improvement author at the moment is Lynne Kelly.
Her book, Memory Craft, offers a unique exploration of the Memory Palace because she embeds it in the full tradition. Her approach is unique in the field because her approach is both scholarly and deeply personal. And as a science writer, she knows a great deal about how memory works.
For example, she uses a lot of neighborhood walks to form her Memory Palaces. And drawing upon the medieval aspects of the memory tradition, she uses animals linked to the alphabet to assign her mnemonic images.
Kelly is also well-versed in the Aboriginal variation of the Memory Palace technique, known as the Songline. She creates memory boards (lukasa) and helps you understand how they work as mini-Memory Palaces with practical examples from her own learning projects.
Overall, Memory Craft is a celebration of the diverse ways humans have committed information to memory and transmitted it. This book will not only educate you, but also provide endless fascination and inspiration as you begin your exploration of the ultimate memory technique.
Eight: How to Remember Anything by Mark Channon
In this book, memory Grandmaster and author Mark Channon focuses on how a radically improved memory can add more value to anyone’s personal and professional life.
It is filled with memorization techniques that teach you how to recall numbers, dates, and facts, as well as ideas on how to remember them by using different processing strategies.
The variety of approaches is just part of what makes Channon’s book one of the most practical ones on the art of memory improvement, however.
Exercise-Based Learning
It also comes with innovative exercises that will build your confidence. These will help you better understand the core strategies that make memories and mental images more ‘magnetic’.
In fact, it’s Channon’s innovative exercises that have helped me the most. I’m confident they will give your memory a fantastic workout.
Here’s another fact to know when considering Channon’s How to Remember Anything:
Mark’s history as an actor brings a unique level of experience to this guide.
Channon also has a book specifically for actors if you want to learn more about how he memorizes lines. Although this one is a bit slim when it comes to Memory Palaces themselves, he does include the technique from the perspective of an actor.
Nine: Mnemonic Methods by Robert Fludd
Like Giordano Bruno, Robert Fludd believed it was possible to know and understand everything.
And in Mnemonic Methods, translator Paul Ferguson has cut out everything from Fludd’s The Metaphysical, Physical, and Technical History of the Two Worlds, the Major as well as the Minor that doesn’t have to do with memory.
This helps us as readers focus only on Fludd’s mnemonic ideas, most of which are innovative and powerful.
These days most of us memorize numbers with the Major Method and build that mnemonic system out to a PAO System. Nonetheless, Fludd’s mnemonic examples are great to go through and can help you arrive at ideas of your own.
What I appreciate about this translation above all is that the publisher has included Fludd’s original Latin. As a student of Latin myself, it is wonderful to be able to practice the language while going through incredible instructions about how to use memory techniques.
Ten: The Victorious Mind: How To Master Memory, Meditation and Mental Well-Being by Anthony Metivier
The Victorious Mind tells the story of how I overcame the mental distress that imprisoned me in a “highly functioning manic-depressive” identity and almost took my life.
This detailed guide describes how I used Memory Palaces in combination with three practices to get myself back on track: self-inquiry meditation, memory training, and “biohacking.”
But more than a story of self-transformation, The Victorious Mind offers detailed guidance on how to apply the techniques even when you’re not feeling well. For example, I used some of the breathing and meditation techniques to help me successfully use Memory Palaces even while dealing with the haze of lithium side-effects..
This book is ideal not just for those struggling with mental illness but for anyone suffering mental malaise – whether it’s digital amnesia and scatterbrain, depression, or “control freakism.”
I share a lot of personal stories in this book.
Opening up about my life was not easy, but I got myself to do it because using memory techniques helped save my life.
Not only that, but sharing the outcomes of combining memory techniques with meditation got the attention of memory expert and 6x USA Memory Champion Nelson Dellis. He reviewed The Victorious Mind and shared some of its best tips in this review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhl1-vgQ1Nk
So even though The Victorious Mind is a deeply personal book, I don’t mind exposing my troubled background.
Time and again I receive letters from people who tell me how much it’s helped them. And the feedback on the TEDx Talk short version of the book I gave a few years ago has been incredible too.
If you’re interested, I’ve published a long extract from the audiobook edition of The Victorious Mind on this episode of my podcast.
Advanced Memory Palace Books
When it comes to reaching the “next level” in your practice, there are books that can be challenging to learn from.
But they’re worth every ounce of attention you pour into them.
The following titles are my top recommendations for after you have developed familiarity with using the technique and gotten some intermediate wins.
If you’re into Zen and like to read from a teacher who inspires you to take action, this book uses a lot of philosophical ideas to help prompt you to take action.
Twelve: Thirty Statues by Giordano Bruno
I mentioned Giordano Bruno above when discussing The Art of Memory, and many people learn about him through Yeats.
Often, they think of On the Shadows of the Ideas as his best book. The John Michael Greer translation is certainly a favorite of mine when it comes to this text.
But the Bruno memory book I find the best is one of the most challenging. It’s called Thirty Statues in Scott Gosnell’s English translation and what makes it unique includes:
A theory of information and how to deal with overwhelm
Although Bruno’s body Memory Palace solution is more complex than the way I’ve ultimately adapted it in my own practice, it’s tremendously useful.
You can literally turn anyone’s body into a quick, impromptu Memory Palace and learn to memorize on the fly.
It’s advanced, but well worth learning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1ucfA3zU5U
Thirteen: The Phoenix by Peter of Ravenna
When it comes to proof of concept, Peter of Ravenna was legendary during his time.
He not only spoke multiple languages. Ravenna could also recite scripture from memory at large volumes and recited matters of law with ease.
In addition to including a Memory Palace game in The Phoenix, he also had an interesting way of using the body and colors in his memory training.
To help revive this underappreciated work and spread his more advanced ideas further, in 2025 I released Phoenix Reborn.
This newly revised guide comes with a commentary and multiple exercises that will help you reach Ravenna’s level of skill.
Fourteen: The Mnemonic Alphabet of Jacobus Publicius
Perhaps the most ambitious book of them all was written by Jacobus Publicius.
One aspect that makes it so unique is its use of a special Memory Wheel designed for combinatory exercises.
At the highest level of technique, you want to have one Memory Palace for each letter of the alphabet and one mnemonic image for each letter.
That way, no matter what information you encounter, you’re able to rapidly place it in a Memory Palace and encode it.
As with The Phoenix, I’ve made my own version of this work by Publicius. It’s called Rules Reborn and helps you understand this key illustration from his book:
Albeit challenging, once you know how to use it, you’ll be delighted by how it makes you faster at memorizing anything.
Of course, you’ll want to make sure that you’re well-versed with other techniques first, so save this one for when you’re conversant with the basics.
I’ve included it in this list because Lingerfelt goes through verbatim memory, but also how to remember symbols, gestures and concepts.
Rather than use the word “loci” to describe the various spots you will identify in your Memory Palaces, he prefers the term “focal points.” This update will help readers who may be new to memory techniques and struggle to use the ancient terms.
The book also includes a number of helpful illustrations, both modern and from the older memory training guides. You’ll see the techniques from multiple angles, dimensionalizing your understanding of how to best put it to use.
What To Do After You Read A Memory Palace Book
All these books on memory are sure to give you a wonderful insight into the art of brain training using mnemonic techniques, including Memory Palaces.
However, let’s face the facts:
Learning something by reading a long book may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Unless you diligently make notes and push yourself to try out the instructions, your chosen Memory Palace book will end up being just a dusty one on your bookshelf.
What could be more achievable is this: Make a few small lifestyle changes, or learn from online videos and courses that you can re-read quickly or listen to any time.
Here are three alternative ways to improve your memory based on lifestyle that could be far easier to implement. Work with these and you almost certainly will be able to read more books, more often and get more out of them.
How to Get the Most From These Books
Reading about Memory Palaces is one thing. Using them consistently is where the real transformation happens.
Here are three ways to go beyond the page and actually boost your memory:
1. Pair Your Practice with Mindfulness
Mindfulness is about listening to your mind and body, being aware of your surroundings, and being completely present in the moment you live in. Mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn calls it “moment to moment non-judgmental awareness”.
Practicing mindfulness meditation for just 10-20 minutes a day can work wonders on your memory. You can also do it while doing your daily chores – just by stopping for a minute to take in the sensation of whatever you’re doing – eating a meal, walking to work, or driving down a busy road.
Mindfulness is known to increase blood flow to the brain. It can strengthen the network of blood vessels in your cerebral cortex and reinforce memory capacity.
A recent study proved that mindfulness improves your working memory. A few participants spent a few weeks learning to focus on breathing and body sensations, being aware of what was happening around them, and redirecting their attention when they were distracted.
After this, they took memory tests that clearly showed an improvement in short-term memory and a slight increase in hippocampus volume.
Detailed Example of Reciting From a Memory Palace
And just so you know that I walk my talk on this one, here you see me recite 32 verses of Sanskrit in front of a live audience while meditating:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgNQ9bU-nEg
It is really fun and so much more powerful when you combine meditation with a Memory Palace strategy!
2. Stimulate Your Brain with Word Puzzles
Word puzzles like crosswords, word association games, and Scrabble can stimulate your brain. They activate parts of the brain that deal with vocabulary and word finding, forcing the brain to stay active. It can delay any cognitive decline due to aging and mental illness.
Research proves that using crossword puzzles to teach a second language is an effective strategy of vocabulary instruction. Paper-based and interactive puzzles are used frequently in language teaching, to make learning interesting for teaching spelling rules, lexical meanings, and synonyms.
Opt for the old-school way of doing it. Here’s what I mean:
Use newspapers or puzzle books you can scribble on, rather than mobile apps that pop up distracting ads or tempt you to switch away to social media.
Remember to vary the type and difficulty of word puzzles frequently. Once you’re an expert at simple crosswords, go for more cryptic ones.
The technique also helps you move information into long-term memory faster in ways the makes it easier to access for years to come.
Building Memory Palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method will provide you with the ultimate organizational system for learning, committing things to long-term memory, and recalling anything.
The trick is to associate information to parts of a location you’re familiar with. This helps your brain file things to remember them easily.
So if you’re learning a new language, peg all words related to travel on your living room sofa, words related to the weather on your dining table, and so on. You could use familiar locations so that you spend your time quickly memorizing a lot more information, and reduce cognitive load.
The more you practice mnemonic methods for learning and recalling vocabulary, routes, names, and so on, the easier the process becomes.
Improve Your Memory Magnetically with These Books on Memory Improvement
The books on memory recommended above will give you a good understanding of the history of memory improvement techniques and ideas on how to build Memory Palaces.
Does Reading Make You Smarter?: 14 Books to Boost Your Brain
May 10, 2023
Does reading make you smarter?
Obviously “yes,” right?
In reality, the answer is more nuanced and quite surprising:
Reading always has an effect on your intelligence. But not always a positive one.
Today, we’re going to focus on the positive ways that reading boosts your intelligence, but one point will help us frame the discussion correctly.
And it’s an important one because history shows that dictators with dark agendas have used reading to make people duller.
For example, George Orwell wrote 1984 to highlight how propaganda worked in Stalinist Russia. Winston Smith works at the “Ministry of Truth” where his job is to remove the truth from newspapers.
As a result, citizens are subjected to rote learning en masse and their intelligence is harmed.
We need to keep Orwell’s allegory in mind when we think about how to improve our intelligence through reading.
With so many people glued to their devices and battling digital amnesia, it can be hard to know whether your reading choices are going to make you smarter or not.
That’s why today we’re going to look at exactly how reading can make you smarter. I’ll share some of the books that are most likely to do it.
And as Keith Stanovich famously showed with his Matthew Effects, children who we start off with strong reading skills develop stronger vocabulary and comprehension skills over time. Those who don’t, may have a hard time catching up. It’s like the old saying, “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer,” but applied to reading. It’s worth reading his original paper on the matter.
But is Stanovich right?
Not necessarily, and that’s because reading isn’t just about young people. And reading to increase your intelligence is never just about reading.
Reading is just one part of a larger project. And it’s one you can start to help become smarter at any age.
Simple: good books that improve your smarts always get you to take action. Even if that action is nothing more than thinking about what you’re reading.
Here’s a list of things that books do to make your smarter and why additional action is always involved.
One: Exercise Your Imagination
I first read Orwell’s 1984 in grade 11. I don’t think my imagination had ever been stretched quite so far.
Imagining the scenarios described in a novel like that can’t help but make you smarter because they involve counterfactual thinking.
Many non-fiction books stretch the imagination too. Gödel Escher Bach, although quite old, still has many relevant things to say about math, self-reference and Artificial Intelligence. It uses images and short stories to help you imagine very difficult concepts and was so successful that it won a Pulitzer Prize.
Two: Increase Your Vocabulary
In my writing on how to read faster, I’ve shown the most likely way to pick up speed and still understand what you’re reading: More vocabulary.
Even if you never talk to another person about what you’re reading, you’re still connected to the author.
But for maximizing the benefits, you’ll have conversations about what you’re reading. This will give your verbal memory a great workout while deepening your relationships.
Not only that, but people will be able to share their reading experiences with you. Often the best book recommendations come from conversations that spark memories and ideas in the minds of other readers.
Even if you don’t have a large circle of friends, there are local bookshop owners and librarians who love speaking about books. Don’t be shy.
Four: Improved Comprehension
Reading improves understanding in a couple of ways.
First, if you work on developing your vocabulary, you’ll recognize more words and the connections between them.
But reading consistently is also a form of spaced repetition that builds pattern recognition.
I mentioned Gödel Escher Bach, for example. When I later started reading The Road to Reality by Sir Roger Penrose, I noted similar ideas emerging. Without having done the previous reading, I probably would have gotten quickly lost.
Now, taking on challenging reading raises a “chicken or the egg” problem: When should you start taking on challenging reading and which are the best books to start reading?
For myself, I push myself a little to take on books I think are too hard for me. If I find myself understanding little or nothing, I then scale back and find a simpler introduction.
But usually, I’m able to keep moving forward, and Penrose thinks so too. He mentions the problem of people talking themselves out of continuing to read in The Road to Reality, and he’s right. At some point, you’ve got to read so that you might understand in order to break free of the chicken vs. egg loop.
Five: Epic Critical Thinking
One major reason people don’t think critically involves passive reading instead of active reading.
But the Renaissance memory master Giordano Bruno taught active reading using questioning – and he suggested we question literally everything. It’s a simple thing, but his ars combinatoria (technique of combinations) included a consistent pattern of asking what you read:
Who
What
Where
When
Why
How
These questions are well known, and they will improve your intelligence – and that’s because intelligence is dynamic, not fixed. But only if you ask them while reading. So not asking questions like these is just one of several critical thinking barriers to avoid. Now that you know to keep asking these simple questions, you’re able to benefit a lot more from your reading.
Keep in mind that critical thinking also needs to be done when you’re not reading. As Bacon said:
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.
Many philosophy books need more digestion, so don’t be afraid to take your time. I’ve had many times when insights suddenly connected years after reading a book.
Six: Boost Concentration
When using the U.S.S.R. model, a key benefit is how reading without interruption improves your focus while reading. There are a number of tactics you can add, such as the “Thor’s Hammer” technique and the “Pinch technique.” I demonstrate both in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAsBOLcSV4I
Another way to boost concentration involves making sure you are skilled as a learner.
If you’ve never looked into learning skills as such, these books on learning will be a treasure trove for you.
Seven: Self Esteem
There are many other benefits to reading. But one of the smartest that makes reading worth your time is how reading can make you feel better about yourself.
As in all things, what you read needs to be considered.
And let’s face it, if something you read makes you feel badly about yourself, you might have dopamine issues or other problems that reading can’t fix.
But generally, a wide variety of reading will help you encounter the many aspects of humanity, good and bad.
The more you extend your field of reference, the more you’ll see yourself in the larger context of humanity. Even just picking up seemingly trivial facts can help you discover new ways of thinking and activities to try and it’s hard for your self esteem not to go up.
With all that in mind, let’s look at some of my favorite reads for increasing intelligence.
14 Books to Read to Increase Your Intelligence
Before we get into this list, it’s important to understand that finding the best books comes down to your goals.
Ask yourself: “What do I want to get smarter about?”
From there, reading on any topic is pretty much a win-win, provided that you’re consistent. You’ll quickly learn who the leading experts are. And even if you read something poor in quality or depth of understanding, you’ll start developing the pattern recognition needed to spot that.
In other words, there are no bad books. Only opportunities for reflective thinking after reading anything on your list.
Okay, enough advice. Here are some books I think anyone will benefit from on the quest to be smarter in a variety of areas.
The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics by Adrian Moore
Creating Great Choices by Jennifer Riel and Roger L. Martin
How Enlightenment Changes Your Brain by Andrew Newberg and Mark Waldman
Inquiry into Existence by James Swartz
The Knowledge Illusion by Steven Sloman and Philip Fernbach
How to Use chatGPT To Get Great Book Recommendations
I could list many more books that have made me smarter, but let me suggest this in the age of chatGPT. Create a template for the topics you want to know more about. Like this:
Please ignore all previous instructions. You are an expert researcher who finds books to help keep the world’s smartest professor keep getting smarter.
I want you to find 20 of the best books on [insert your topic] in the [insert your preferred] language. Please make sure that 10 of the books are less common, but still come from respected sources. In other words, what are the books recommended by the best [insert your topic]? Make sure the recommendations come from experts with substantial credibility and a proven track record of making ideas accessible to the public
Do not self reference. Do not explain what you are doing.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find some books I didn’t know about when using this template for a variety of topics.
Common Questions Answered
Now let’s have a quick Q&A to help us sum up.
How Does Reading Make You Smarter?
Reading specifically makes you smarter when you set goals and seek books that help you fulfil those goals.
It’s really that simple.
After that, it comes down to improving your vocabulary, increasing your pattern recognition and using reading to help you connect with others better.
Reading also helps you set more goals in the future, usually with more focus and specificity thanks to the compound value of continuing to read based on specific goals in a consistent manner.
How Often Do I Have To Read To Get Smarter?
Technically, you can get smarter by not reading at all. For example, we know from deliberate practice studies that you can improve your intelligence about painting simply by painting more in more environments.
Speaking of painting, I watched videos on both Photoshop and AI image generators to collaborate with the Internet itself to make the image at the top of this blog post. Some reading was involved, but the learning cycle needed a lot more in order for me to develop the necessary skills and abilities.
So there’s no “cookie cutter” answer to this question. You either want to read as much as possible with consistency towards a goal (including the goal of pleasure). Or you want to figure out the minimum doses you can take and use a technique like interleaving.
When I use interleaving, I read in blocks of 15-20 minutes before switching to another book or another task altogether.
Other than that, I make sure to read daily. As much as I possibly can.
The problem comes down to your willingness to establish a baseline and then take IQ tests repeatedly.
Is this the best way to test whether or not your reading has improved your intelligence?
I personally could not be bothered because having discussions with others and applying my reading to completing specific goals is a much better testing method.
If I read a book about writing and produce a better book, does it really matter if it increased my IQ? I think not.
What Kinds of Books Make You Smarter?
This again comes down to choosing the right goals to complete a particular goal.
Generally, you want books written by:
Good researchers
Clear communicators
Writers with credibility
Writers with unique perspectives
All of these qualities are fulfilled by a variety of publishers, both on the mass market and amongst independents.
For example, I recently read The Nomads at Large by Monte Dwyer. He’s an Australian journalist who started his own publishing outfit and does what you might call immersion journalism for some of his books. I saw his table in a shopping mall, chatted with him for a few moments, and knew he was a writer I wanted to read.
Just one of his books made me smarter about a specific group of people in Australia, about Australia overall and about his career as an indie author. I’m especially impressed by his ability to write so well and produce such nice looking books on his own – so I also learned through observation how I can do better myself. Heck, I even got smarter about what kinds of companies exist in Australia by reading his colophon page.
All of which is to say that books perfectly suited to make you smarter are everywhere around you. Having goals is always great, but if you keep your eyes open and talk to indie authors, you can find yourself getting smarter about topics you didn’t even know existed.
Why Does Reading Make You Smarter?
At the end of the day, writing makes you smarter for the same reasons it can possibly threaten your intelligence:
Connection.
I used to reject the idea “garbage in, garbage out.”
But there’s truth to it.
Just as your body and mind react poorly to foods that are bad for your brain, if you constantly read poorly researched books filled with poisonous ideas, you might “know” more and remember that kind of content. But you won’t be smarter, even if memory bias makes you feel like you are.
When you read a variety of materials to build your pattern recognition and stretch your critical thinking muscles, you’ll be able to discern what’s good and what’s bad. And just as someone who maintains their diet can tolerate the occasional junk food from time to time – and even enjoy it – you can intelligently enjoy even those books that are filled with toxic ideas.
And if you’d like help remembering more of what you read, please consider getting my free memory improvement course:
These are the tips I use day in and day out to remember more of what I read. That way, I’m able to not only retain the information, but also think about it in a reasoned manner.
Our species still needs to read intelligently (because memory and intelligence are connected), and also listen and view with our best critical capacities switched on. I hope these suggestions help you out and I wish you much more pleasure and positive outcomes as you continue to read in this fascinating world of ours.
How to Focus When Reading: 15 Proven Techniques
May 03, 2023
If you can’t focus on reading, here’s why you should feel hopeful that you can increase your attention quickly.
See, I nearly dropped out of grad school in 2003 because I could barely focus on a sentence.
My looming exams made the stress even worse, leading to a vicious cycle that degraded my concentration further.
But I knew that I just had to solve the problem!
Failure simply wasn’t an option.
Although I didn’t discover all that I’m about to share with you overnight, one concentration tip in particular made all the difference in the world.
I was able to stay in school. Get my PhD. Get a major research grant and travel the world.
All because of the information you’ll read on this page.
But be warned:
A lot of what I have to share puts a different spin on some of the reading comprehension and focus techniques you’ve encountered before.
So if you’re ready to discover how to stay focused while reading from someone who reads a ton and turns the information into knowledge for others each and every day, let’s get started!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAsBOLcSV4I
How to Focus on Reading: The 15 Things You Need to Do
As you go through this list of focus strategies, it’s important to understand that there’s no special order here.
Each and every reading tip is equally useful.
But you don’t have to put them all into use overnight.
And some of them are useful for only certain kinds of books.
Frankly, there is no one-size-fits-all or cookie-cutter method for reading with greater focus.
So if you can’t focus on reading, you’re going to love how easy it is to improve.
Read as many different types of information as you can from many different types of authors.
This tactic is incredibly important.
For one thing, it’s likely that your struggle to focus while reading comes down to weak reading muscles combined with a lack of familiarity with a wide variety of writing styles.
As Michael Shermer from Skeptic often points out when discussing both well-written and poorly-written science books on , many people just aren’t practiced enough at interpreting either kind of writing.
And let’s face it:
Humans were not born to read. Evolution has yet to imprint the alphabet directly into our DNA. (Though Christian Bök’s Xenotext project is starting to challenge this fact in some interesting ways.)
For now, reading is a skill we have to learn and practice continually.
And once we have the basics down, we have to keep the mental muscles involved in reading as strong as possible through consistently taking on both easy and challenging books.
Think of your overall reading life in terms of wiring and rewiring the brain. As we know from studies in neuroplasticity, your brain changes depending on how you train it. This means that you can rewire your mind and memory to read with tighter focus.
But if you go for long stretches without reading, you can literally deskill any focus for reading better you may have developed.
How to Read More Consistently for Focus-Building (A Mini-Tutorial)
The first step is to create a learning goal. By identifying something you want to learn better, you can then select the best possible books to tackle.
Clustering related books together is a powerful strategy because you give yourself a set of texts to plow through. It creates an objective to concentrate on, rather than the vague goal of reading more with higher concentration.
By getting clear about what you want to read and when, your focus will already improve.
From there, use time-blocking to schedule in when you’re going to get the reading done.
I’ve heard from several students in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass that they’re embarrassed that they had to use apps to help prevent them from going online.
Don’t be. Anything that gives you more time to read and helps make sure you show up is a strategy worth exploring.
Two: Be Patient With Authors
People who can’t focus often blame themselves. Sometimes this is valid, such as when your reading goals haven’t been identified and strategized.
However, sometimes it’s the author’s fault. Many books are simply not as well written as they could be.
When I asked for an example of what my student was struggling with, he said he couldn’t concentrate on or remember anything from One Nation Under God by James Moore.
This book, which is about the history of prayer in America, is well-written in terms of clean prose. I found no typos, for example.
But the prose is not particularly clear. Worse, much of the writing is logically inconsistent. No wonder my student couldn’t remember anything he was reading.
To take one example, just examine the opening paragraph I’ve shared in the image above.
It will help you understand my next tip, keeping in mind that we’re going to extend Moore our patience with his writing. It certainly demands that we extend him our grace.
Three: Bring The Engagement
Moore says in this book that “nothing in human experience compares to prayer.”
A sentence like this is hard to comprehend for a few reasons. First, what does the author mean by prayer and human experience? And what exactly does the word “compare” mean in this context?
In reality, prayer “compares” to all kinds of things, such as confession with a priest and the secular equivalent of talking to a psychoanalyst. Using mantras compares to prayer as does wishful thinking and other forms of self-talk.
Then the author uses an empty, cliche phrase like, “by any objective measure.” But nowhere does the author list a single objective measure. This absence means that the reader has nothing to latch onto.
In fact, it’s not until page three of the book that Moore provides his reader with a concrete example to experience (something very important to have during any learning cycle). The buried image Moore finally gives involves an actual event: A number of people getting together in Yankee Stadium to pray after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Don’t Blame Yourself for Unclear Writing
As I explained to my student, the problem wasn’t with the focus skills my student was bringing to the table. It’s with the fact that this particular author writes in vague abstractions. The book would have been a lot better with an introduction like this:
Imagine that you’re in Yankee Stadium with a group of people gathered in prayer. Your heart is flooded with conflicting emotions, ranging from anger, rage, the need for revenge and feelings of patriotism for your country. Prayer helps you navigate these tough emotions, and that is just one reason why prayer holds so much value compared to some of the other ways you could deal with the range of confusing feelings you might experience after such a tragic event as 9/11.
This voluntary re-writing of the text brings the engagement.
But I had to do that as the reader of this book for the author through a kind of real-time translation. I changed the boring and the vague into the concrete and specific. Now, I know this might be easier for me because I have lots of practice in reading multiple kinds of literature daily. I’ve also written lots of books.
Still, in order to maintain focus on confusing writing, this kind of translation is what has helped me the most.
And taking the initiative to translate confusing and abstract writing is what I suggest you do as a reader when books fail to stimulate you or harness your attention.
Read what the author says. And then translate it into something much more engaging.
Here’s another tactic that can help you do that.
Four: Interrogate Your Reading with Suspicion (And Faith)
I’ve just talked about translating vague writing into specific ideas and concepts to make the process more active and interesting.
But there’s a sub-routine going on that deserves its own attention. It’s based on one of the favorite reading tactics I learned in university: the hermeneutics of suspicion.
Now, there’s a lot of political nonsense in that style of reading that I have completely abandoned. But the core idea is that you read with skepticism.
I’ve already demonstrated this by looking at the first sentence of One Nation Under God. This “interrogation” exposed that the author is being more than a little lazy with his wording and meaning.
And reading this way allowed me to dig deeper and think about what he really means once the generalizations are cleared away.
To do this, it’s important to balance the suspicious part with faith. I always read in the faith that the author has good intentions and wants to communicate key points.
This circles back to being patient with the author – which in the case of this book required a lot of patience.
Five: “Concept Walk” the Index
One of the reasons we lose focus comes from authors drowning us in references. This problem lessens the more you read because you’ll catch the references and have ready-to-go images and ideas in your mind.
But until that starts to happen for you, you’ll want to get in the habit of regularly checking the index.
For example, if an author mentions a philosopher, check the index and look at all the pages this person is mentioned on. If they seem like they’re going to be important, make time to read up about this individual from external sources.
That way, when you reach those passages again later, you won’t lose focus. You’ll have a cognitive map to help you make a connection and extend your knowledge through comparison.
Yes, stopping to read other texts is kind of like interrupting yourself. But done well, this kind of self-distraction can be a tactic called interleaving. This deliberate form of rotational reading is a key strategy when you want to remember what you’re studying.
It’s the external distractions we need to worry about. There are a few key ways you can do that.
Six: Delete Distractions
There’s nothing worse than having external forces interrupt your reading.
Today, for example, I was at one of my favorite reading spots when it started to rain. Suddenly, a bunch of people were huddling with me under the umbrella over the picnic table!
No problem. I just left. I have nearly a dozen other places already charted out where I can read.
But how often do we try to push through distractions instead of turning them off?
There are many simple ways to eliminate distractions while you’re reading:
Schedule your reading time
Alert others that you’re not to be disturbed during this time
Turn off the phone or all notifications if reading on a device
Close all tabs (or open a new browser window and make it full screen)
Take notes with pen and paper so you don’t have to close tabs or screens
Use notes to look up things later if you prefer to keep your reading flow going
Choose quiet places in low traffic areas
Have a plan for where else you can go if something changes
Have targets for how much you’re going to read
Let’s talk more about the idea of having targets and how they can help you focus.
Using Audiobooks to Delete Distractions
As a person with a very busy mind, when I really can’t read, I will combine listening to an audiobook performance while reading the physical book.
I did this countless times will dealing with depression during grad school
In fact, I listened to the entirety of James Joyce’s Ulysses while reading along with the physical book. I shouted “I know Modernism!” in triumph when I was done because the novel was the hardest text I’d encountered. Each and every page challenged my focus until I found an audiobook version on cassette through an interlibrary loan during the early days of the Internet.
These days, it’s usually easy to find audiobook versions of everything. Reading the physical version of the book along with an audio narration asserts focus on demand.
Even better, you can use the pause button and take notes using Zettelkasten or any other method you prefer.
Seven: Setting Daily Reading Targets And Using The Pinch Technique
I read a ton each year. But it’s rarely random. As I mentioned above, it’s helpful to craft learning goals, and I do exactly this myself. As a result, I wind up reading more because I pick specific targets and fulfill them.
For example, I’m currently engaged in a long-term study project around how to become polymathic. The project helps me select all of the available scholarly books on the topic and detailed case studies of individual polymaths.
Give it a try. When you’re interested in a particular topic, pick 3-5 books in that area and plan to have them read within 4-6 weeks. This is a huge focus strategy for people who want to read faster.
Personally, I try to cover at least three chapters, if not more.
Since all of our minds are fried from the Internet, specifically thanks to digital amnesia, I have found something strange. Chapters that used to seem very short now seem incredibly long. Even my attention span and focus have been shortened.
To combat this, I started to count the exact number of pages in a chapter and then pinch the entire chapter while I’m reading.
That way, the feeling of making progress keeps me focused more than if I have to keep thinking about how many more pages are left in the chapter or section.
I save the Pinch Technique for when I really can’t focus on reading. It helps!
Sure, I know this strategy sounds kind of silly.
But I’ve been doing it for years and it helps me maintain my focus a ton.
I believe one reason it works is that it gives you a tactile and visual sense of progress as you read. There’s no vague mystery of how many more pages you have to go. You can see and feel them.
Eight: Take a Picture Walk
Barbara Oakley from Learning How to Learn talks about the picture walk technique in the book version of that world famous course.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAg7eN2SatI
Taking a picture walk is a bit like the Pinch Technique, but in this case, you’re going through each chapter in advance to note any pictures, charts or graphs.
By having a quick look for these, you’re priming your mind with something to look forward to. And you’re giving your mind clues about what the information in the chapter might be about.
What if the book doesn’t have any illustrations or diagrams?
Well, that’s useful to know in advance too. It helps you brace for impact from the walls of text so you can better focus your mind on the task to be done.
Nine: Timeless Pomodoro
One thing that I’ve never understood is the Pomodoro Technique. If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s a form of timeboxing where you set a timer and intend to focus on reading for a specific period of time.
The reason I don’t like this technique is simple:
You are asking to be distracted from your reading.
What I prefer to do is intend to read for, say 40 minutes, and then use the pinch technique.
Usually, I’ll get the chapter done and feel like 40 minutes has gone by, only to find that it’s more like 14 minutes.
Then I stand up, do a bit of stretching and read some more.
Using your mind to gauge and experiment with time will likely be much for fruitful for your focus than relegating time to machines in both the short and long term.
Ten: Read Out Of Order
One of the easiest ways to lose focus while reading is to insist on moving from the beginning to the end of books.
Except for novels, I rarely do this. It’s simply not helpful.
When reading non-fiction books, it’s often helpful to read the conclusion first. That way you get a summary of the key points and why the author thinks the thesis of the book was valuable and correct.
Of course, not all books have conclusions, but reading out of order is a generally valuable principle for increasing engagement.
Eleven: Mission Statements For Motivation
Often we lose focus because we forget why we’re reading in the first place.
For that reason, it’s useful to craft a vision statement, write it down and keep it somewhere you can see it.
At one point when writing my PhD dissertation got really difficult, I hand wrote and posted this message on my computer monitor:
None of us work nearly as hard as we think we do.
Every time I found myself slacking off, it was hard for me to ignore this message. So I opened one of the many research PDFs I needed to plow through and got back to reading.
Twelve: Give Yourself A Reward
I never grind without some kind of reward in mind. It’s basic Pavlovian psychology.
Each person needs to figure out a reward structure for themselves, but simple rewards can involve:
Watching a movie
Going to a favorite restaurant
Vegging out for an afternoon
Getting an item you’ve been wanting (I usually get more books!)
Giving yourself a reward for completing a reading goal can help you settle and concentrate better on your reading.
Care needs to be taken around this strategy because it’s tempting to go all in on the rewards without putting in the work.
But with some exploration, you’ll find that optimal reward structures hone your focus while reading.
Thirteen: The Thor Technique
Using mnemonic images is a key memory strategy we’ll talk about in a moment.
But imagery can be useful to help reassert your focus while reading in a flash.
When I catch my mind wandering while reading, I look for the word “the” on the page. Then I imagine Thor smashing his hammer down on the page.
This mental experience is so loud and dynamic – and funny – that it brings my attention back to the reading.
Using the pegword method, you can have an image for each and every letter of the alphabet. This tactic helps you instantly look at anything you’re reading and engage with it much deeper, completely on demand.
You can use this strategy to memorize vocabulary and even entire passages of verbatim text.
Spend just a little time practicing this technique and it will increase your focus for scanning text.
If you’d like to see an example of me reciting long from text – literally reading from the walls inside my mind – here are two demonstrations you can check out:
Carrying a notebook with you is also a key strategy.
As you go about your day, get in the habit of asking yourself about what you’ve been reading. Then write down quick summaries of the key ideas.
This simple habit will help improve your reading because you’ll literally be doing two things.
First, you’ll be translating the reading material into your own words.
Second, you’ll be reading the concepts in your own words.
This simple transition from how others describe information to how you’ve processed it through your own thinking increases the engagement and comprehension you’ll experience tremendously.
The Final Word On How To Concentrate When Reading
When you follow the strategies above, you’ll be tapping into the best aspects of memory science.
You’ll be chunking and using active recall. And that’s just to give you two of the science-based principles my best memory hacks stem from.
At the end of the day, concentration is something that is built.
And the best tip of them all is to increase the amount that you’re reading.
And it’s worth repeating that you need to bring patience to the game.
So many books that are well worth reading…
They’re simply poorly written.
That’s not your fault!
But it is your responsibility to milk them for all they’re worth anyway.
And now you have some of my best reading strategies so that you can get through even the toughest texts.
If you need more help and want to learn how to remember what you read, grab this FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
It will take everything you’ve learned to the next level in 4 clear, crisp and fun lessons.
And there’s a PDF that summarizes the course too – a powerful resource that gives you what we all need most:
More good things to read!
So what do you say?
Which of these focus techniques do you appreciate the most?
And are you ready to dive in and get started focusing on your reading better than ever before?
Make it happen!
Secrets of the Massively Distributed Memory Palace with Richard Rubin
Apr 28, 2023
Imagine memorizing seven decks of playing cards.
Now imagine knowing the location of each card in each deck by number. In other words, if someone names the 2 of clubs, you know how far down in the deck it is, such as the 27th card from the top.
Now, you might be thinking…
How the heck is that going to help me pass an exam, get a raise or learn a language?
Magnetic Friends, I believe that memorizing cards will help you in multiple ways that directly relates to each of these goals.
In fact, it’s one path towards what Richard Rubin calls the Massively Distributed Memory Palace.
And that’s exactly what we talk about in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, amongst other topics of interest:
He also creates incredible and fun memory demonstrations, often based around magic and mentalism:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8onVcbXusE
I think his ideas are fantastic and his insights into memory improvement profound, so I suggest following him on YouTube. And check back here for a link to his forthcoming website when it’s ready.
The Massively Distributed Memory Palace
I’m going to let Richard explain this himself, so please enjoy the conversation.
What I love so much about this conversation, is that Bruno himself once said that those who think enough about mnemonics will reach similar, if not the same conclusions. It’s a lot like how magicians independently arrive at various moves and wind up calling essentially the same thing a different name.
This point is important because the more teachers we have, the more people will discover the fundamental logic that supports all learning assisted by elaborative rehearsal, properly optimized spaced repetition and tactics like chunking.
My belief is that the Mnemonics Renaissance given full steam by Tony Buzan with the memory competitions and massively supported by books like Moonwalking with Einstein is only going to continue growing.
So my hat is off to Richard and I hope you’ll support him along with all the other great memory athletes and teachers who are out there doing great things to inspire and encourage others.
How to Read a Book and Remember Everything
Apr 19, 2023
If you’re wondering how to read a book and remember everything, this is one of the most helpful tips I can give:
Sit down, open a book and read.
So many people dismiss this simple principle. They’re looking for hacks, when research shows that most good readers always cover the fundamentals.
Of course, I have more reading strategies to share than just that. Six incredible steps in total.
But isn’t common sense powerful?
It is.
And common sense is getting even more powerful as modern life get’s more distracting. Your competition on the professional market will always read more thoroughly, after all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze7qsdw7u-M
The Basics Of Reading & Remembering
In just a moment, we’ll talk about different types of reading, like elementary, inspectional, analytical, and syntopical reading.
These are terms introduced by Mortimer J. Adler in his famous guide, How to Read a Book.
But these terms are useless if you don’t:
Schedule time to read
Read according to demands of the genre
Read based on clearly established goals
Show up prepared with the appropriate tools for interpretation and analysis
Be willing to read books slowly and completely as much as possible
In sum, here’s what matters if you want to know the best way to read: You need to explore multiple ways of reading.
That’s because there are multiple kinds of books.
And when you have a toolbox of strategies at your fingertips, you’ll be able to read faster, remember more and even better:
You’ll understand what you’re reading and become a person of knowledge and wisdom.
You’ll make connections on the fly and experience multiple a-ha moments of revelation.
Sound good?
Let’s get started!
The 4 Main Types of Reading (And Which Is the Best Way to Read a Book)
Before we get started, ask yourself a simple question:
What’s the point of reading?
A lot of people try to imitate how others read. But they wind copying strategies that do not align with their goals.
So reading more thoroughly and choosing a strategy always begins with thinking through your goals.
In fact, there are 9 critical thinking strategies all people need, but if you only have elementary reading skills, you cannot develop them.
And no, you can’t expect so-called microlearning to help fill in the gaps if you’re an elementary reader.
Will inspectional reading get you there?
Let’s see.
Two: Inspectional Reading
For Adler, inspectional reading is what most people now call skim reading.
Adler seems to confuse it with scanning, which is substantially different.
Don’t get me wrong.
There’s nothing wrong with inspectional reading. As the authors of Reading as a Perceptual Process have shown, words can be skipped while scanning a book without the reader necessarily losing comprehension.
However, the most interesting finding in the book is that how much you can still understand while inspecting a book may be linked to handwriting.
For example, they analyse “target scanning,” which is stronger in those with decent handwriting skills.
This means that if you never write by hand and are finding it difficult to grasp the meaning of books you’re skimming through using “speed reading” techniques, you might improve by practicing your longhand writing instead of typing.
Whether or not doing a lot of typing helps your “target scanning” for any kind of reading on screens is yet unknown.
But there are also aren’t a lot of people who have talked about inspectional reading from devices because digital books aren’t quite so easy to scan.
Either way you look at it, I’ve chosen to read from print instead of digital. The benefits are too profound, especially when you’re using memory techniques.
Three: Analytical Reading
A lot of people worry that reading without understanding wastes time.
I disagree.
Rather, I read so that I might understand.
After all, if I already know what a book is going to cover… why bother reading it?
Well, Adler had an answer for that. He called it “superficial reading.” It’s technically part of inspectional reading, and not exactly the opposite of analytical reading.
For example, you might be perfectly justified to read superficially if you’re just looking a book over to see if it covers anything new or surprising.
But if you really want to dig deep into a book, you need tools of analytical thinking. Even if you’re familiar with the topic and the book is repetitive, you still need to perform what can also be called a “close reading.”
What’s involved?
A lot, frankly.
Genre
First of all, you want to understand the book’s genre or category.
Why is this important?
Because it will help you connect the book to other texts that directly relate to it or hold an important connection. Knowing the various fields of knowledge speeds up your pattern recognition.
Classifying texts by their type is so important, I created an entire course about it called Genre Frameworks.
Composition
You also need to understand how the book is put together.
This is called the form/content paradigm.
In other words, how a book is written forms part of its ultimate meaning.
For example, Plato’s Republic is a dialog. This formal aspect influences the meaning of the philosophical ideas in the text. They are discursive and combine objective and subjective reasoning in ways that only the dialog form can.
Aristotle’s philosophy, on the other hand, is presented in direct prose. It is argumentative and designed to convince you that his points are valid.
Paraphrase and Summary
Analytical reading isn’t just about reading.
Adler wants you to be able to restate the points in a book in your own words.
Developing generally involves writing about what you’ve read.
This is critical because A+ students get those grades by producing variations of assigned readings.
Think of it like music. If you know a scale, you can play it forwards and backwards. But you can also perform the scale in your own style.
I use the music metaphor because writing about what you’ve read should be combined with talking about it too.
When you’ve properly analyzed a book, performing what you know is what you’ll be able to do. Whether it’s while sitting for an exam, giving a speech or just discussing between friends, your descriptions of how what you’re reading connects to the larger field and how its style impacts the meaning of the book will be a great achievement.
What exactly should you compare between books using this type of reading?
Publication dates
Author backgrounds
Why their books were written
Their research approaches and resources
Any ideological agendas or biases the authors hold
Key passages
Key vocabulary
You also want to use this face to distinguish fact from opinion. When comparing and contrasting different authors on the same topic, you’ll find that some stick to science and evidence from their research. Others waffle on about ideas without providing substantial references.
As the reader, you don’t necessarily want to discount opinion or even anecdotal experience. But you do need to place it in the context of other writers and how they approach the same topic. You could find that some anecdotal books that seem quite outlandish on the surface actually are backed up by science, even if the author of that book is unaware of it.
How to Read a Book Properly in 6 Steps
The points from Adler we’ve just gone through are solid.
But he lived in a different time. The very definition of what a book is has changed.
For example, when Adler wrote his book in the 40s and updated it in the 70s, contacting an author would involve writing to the publisher.
These days, you can follow authors on Twitter, watch countless interviews with them, and often even get an email response to your questions.
So with our era in mind, let’s talk about some other ways to read a book. I’m confident you’ll find them empowering.
Step One: Schedule Reading
I started this post with the notion that reading is as simple as sitting down with a book and starting to read.
This is true.
So rather than talk in greater detail about skimming, reducing subvocalization or all the other topics I’ve addressed in how to read faster, let’s focus on the importance of scheduling.
There are many ways to schedule, but the easiest I find is to set simple rules.
For example, when I’m not doing major research projects, I often use this rule:
One hour of reading in the morning
One hour of reading at night
If I can squeeze in more reading during the afternoon, I certainly will.
In the past, I have tracked my exact activities, which I find a lot more useful than writing to-do lists. I can memorize my schedule, after all.
But each person needs to explore many kinds of scheduling to find what works best. But if one thing is common to us all, it’s that having some kind of rule will set you free to follow it.
Without a rule, you are a prisoner of inconsistency.
Step Two: Pace Your Reading
For my research and personal development reading, I like to work in 90-day blocks.
For example, when I first started studying Advaita Vedanta, I made it a rule to read only about this topic for ninety days.
I wound up reading about it for longer than that, but this only proves the power of setting rules. They are productive.
Plus, anything less than 90-days is unlikely to help your brain build enough connections to compare and contrast anything of substance.
This science-based principle is the origin of what is now called Metivier’s Razor:
Less than 90 days of study and practice of (almost any) accelerated learning technique does not deserve the phrase, “I tried.”
In sum, pick a topic, identify ten to fifteen books that deal with it, and then for the next 90-days, plow through those books.
For bonus points, follow-up with another 90-days on a related topic. For example, I followed my Advaita Vedanta research project with 90-days on hermeticism, then 90-days on Zen.
This allowed me to not only compare multiple books within each topic area. I was also able to compare and contrast the topic areas as a whole.
Give this style a try. You are effectively creating your own semesters that resemble what a course of graduate study at university would be like.
Step Three: Interleave Reading
Rarely do I read books from beginning to end without pause. The only exception would be novels.
When it comes to reading non-fiction, there’s a very powerful strategy called interleaving. You will learn faster and remember more by reading 3-5 books at the same time.
To interleave, you keep shifting between them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U34nJGuFvQ
There’s no exact pattern you need to follow. Generally, I read between 1-3 chapters of a book before switching to the next.
The books that are being interleaved are read until they are done.
This is one of those rare speed reading techniques that actually works. Give it a try!
Step Four: Capture & Organize Reading
I don’t know about you, but when I come across ideas in books that resonate, I want to remember them.
We’ll talk about memorizing key points in a moment, but I personally prefer to separate the process.
I’m very glad I did all these things, especially during my university years.
During my dissertation defense, to take one example, one of the examiners claimed that I had hardly written about Nietzsche. “Where’s the Nietzsche?” she demanded.
Calmly, I said “Page 72.” Without looking at the page myself, I recited Nietzsche from memory. In German.
Needless to say, I walked out of that room with my Ph.D. in hand.
How did I memorize both the page number and the quote in a foreign language?
I used a Memory Palace. Learn this technique yourself with this free course:
In the beginning, many people will still get stuck on exactly what to memorize from the books they read.
“Sure,” they’ll say, “remember key terms and historical dates. But how do I know which ones are important?”
There are two ways to think about this issue:
The more you read, the more you’ll develop an intuition for these things
Research
I think the point about reading more is clear. If you practice extracting information and performing it in your own words as we’ve been discussing, practice itself will hone your radar for the points that matter. It will also help ensure that you stop feeling like a lot of the material you’re tasked with is boring. Chances are, it isn’t.
When it comes to doing more research, a lot has to do with your context and deploying some admittedly unusual measures to expand your context.
For example, when I was a student, I used to visit the department secretary and ask for exams from the previous years. That’s the kind of research that can help you figure out what’s going to be important on a test. You can use that knowledge to read to identify those terms and ideas in the textbook.
You can also closely analyze the books themselves. Often there are feature boxes, summaries, introductions and conclusions that use bullets or other formatting to highlight key ideas.
Extract them from the book and memorize them.
And if you memorize something that turns out to not be important?
No big deal. You never know when it might be useful. And if it’s never useful, you’ve gotten in some valuable practice using memory techniques.
Step Six: Expand Reading
The final step is to expand upon what you’ve read.
We already know that the fourth and most powerful kind of reading involves reading multiple books on the same topic. You can’t compare and contrast without doing so.
That’s an easy way to expand your reading. You simply visit Amazon or your local library and find more books on that topic by keyword.
But there’s another way to expand your reading that is a bit more subtle. It’s also more powerful.
I call this the 2-10% Rule. When I’m reading in one of my 90-day blocks, I build it out by trying to read 2-10% of the books mentioned in the core textbooks I’m reading.
Note: If a book is loaded with too many references for even 2% to make sense, I’ll pull that number down to just 2 other books.
Also, we don’t always have to apply this rule strictly to books. Your 2% can also include journal articles or even material from popular magazines. But ideally you want to draw from trusted sources.
That said, I’ve studied topics like the Mandela Effect. To understand this subject and the naive people who believe in it, I had to read many pseudo scientific articles. I point this out because depending on the topic, your exact reading strategy may take you into questionable realms.
So long as you’re a trained skeptic, that’s okay, and it’s important to have as many critical thinking benefits at your disposal as possible.
By reading in the strategic ways we’ve been talking about, you’ll come to learn more about the author’s context. And your mental web of connections grows.
Sometimes, you’ll find that the books you choose turn out to be quite incidental to the key point you’re studying.
That’s okay. Knowledge is not a puzzle that will ever turn into one complete picture. Not all the pieces have to fit.
The important thing is to have a strategy for expansion.
And another key strategy is to strategically reread a percentage of books you go through. I try to shoot for at least one a month.
This not only refreshes your memory about what you’ve read, but also lets you use the 2-10% rule again, this time with fresh eyes.
Of course, this next point should go without saying, but I’ll make it clear anyway.
After you’ve identified your 2-10% you’re going to read next, schedule that reading too. Then follow all the steps we’ve discussed before repeating them with the next round.
Reading A Book Like A Pro
As you can see, it’s fun and easy to read a book in a sophisticated manner.
Sure, it might seem like there’s a lot of moving parts if you’re new to reading in this way.
But give it 90-days and I’m confident you’ll see the logic in it. We’re talking about being a reading pro so that you can reach expertise in multiple topics, after all.
Frankly, I cannot imagine how horrible my life would be now if I hadn’t started reading this way myself back when I was in high school.
I can’t stress the importance of reading highly enough.
With thanks for reading me today, let me know if I missed any steps in the comments. And tell me, what are you reading right now?
What would you like to read about over the next 90-days?
How to Improve Memory for Studying (9 Powerful Tips)
Apr 13, 2023
Do you want to know how to improve your memory for studying?
Who doesn’t?
After all, it’s the 21st century and there’s so much to learn!
Seriously:
There’s too much to study in too little time – especially before an exam.
But it’s not just a time issue.
It’s not just an issue of volume when it comes to so many books and videos to consume.
The core of the problem isn’t any of those things.
The core of the problem is memory…
The things that your brain just can’t memorize no matter how many times you repeat them.
Why?
Because you don’t have a strategy for managing your learning and memory.
But don’t worry!
In this article, I will show you 9 powerful techniques to help you remember what you study. You’ll learn everything far more easily – facts, dates, formulae, equations, whatever.
These techniques will make it far easier for you to ace your next exam.
How do I know? I used them all while completing my PhD at York University in Toronto. Then I used them again while preparing for the lectures I gave at several universities over the years.
So if you’re ready for my best tips, let’s dive in.
How to Improve Study Skills and Memory: 9 Powerful Tips
As we go through these suggestions, there’s no particular order of importance. They all matter.
But don’t overwhelm yourself.
Pick one or two study tactics at first. Then add more as you go.
This memory technique was developed in Ancient Greece. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘Method of Loci’ or ‘Cicero Method.’ You might also hear it called the ‘Roman Room’ or the ‘Journey Method’.
Memory champions and experts all agree that it’s the most effective method to remember anything at all. In fact, one expert used the technique to memorize the value of Pi till nearly 112,000 digits.
My own student, Marno Hermann memorized Pi to 1200 digits using a Memory Palace. He recites them all for you in just over 10 minutes and in two different languages (!) on the MMM Podcast.
Although there are many variations, here’s the core of how it works:
Choose a familiar location
Place your information along a mental journey through the location
Exaggerate the information by associating it with weird and wonderful mental imagery
Take a mental walk to review each piece of information along the journey
With the Memory Palace technique, you associate each piece of information you want to memorize with parts of a location that you are very familiar with – such as your house or your school campus.
2. Acronyms to Improve Memory for Studying
Acronyms are the most commonly used memory technique and are great for remembering short lists or sequences.
You have probably learned ‘PEMDAS’ in school – a sequence for solving equations. It stands for Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition and Subtraction.
Another common acronym to help you remember a geographical list of names is HOMES, which is used to remember the Great Lakes – Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.
Here’s a simple tip to create your own acronyms for remembering what you study.
According to the Cambridge dictionary, acronyms are constructed with the first letter of each constituent word and they actually sound like words. That’s what makes them easy to remember.
We also use acronyms in the Magnetic Memory Method training, such us: D.O.C.
Doing is the Origin of Consistency
Doing is the Origin of Creativity
Doing is the Origin of Courage
Doing is the Origin of Clarity
Doing is the Origin of Control
To get into the “doing” of memory techniques that ultimately leads to control over your memory, all you have to do is S.I.P.:
Study memory techniques
Implement memory techniques
Practice memory techniques with information that improves your life
Then we have KAVE COGS to help us remember all the Magnetic Modes:
Kinesthetic
Auditory
Visual
Emotional
Conceptual
Olfactory
Gustatory
Spatial
Now, you might be wondering…
What do you do with these memorization techniques if the first letters don’t form a ‘word,’ because of a lack of vowels in the middle or any other reason?
Try changing the word sequence or using the second or the last letter instead of the first. If there is no vowel, pick up a second letter from a word. A common example is AWOL (Absent Without Leave.)
If you like acronyms, try combining them with the Memory Palace technique – and consider these different navigation techniques too. Since each acronym is a word, it’s easy to associate them with a specific object or location in your house. You can also use the pegword method. In combination with Memory Palaces, it will make any information you put into an acronym easier to remember.
3. Spaced Repetition for Memory Improvement
Here’s a well-known fact about memory – the more you reinforce something, the easier it becomes for your brain to recall it.
However, to improve memory for studying, when you reinforce something is far more important than how often you reinforce it. Sisti, Glass and Shors called this phenomenon the ‘spacing effect.’
Repeat with other topics, including information you read just for fun.
Although you can find many software programs on the market, I suggest you use flashcards when you study.
While going through your flashcards, experiment with dividing them into three bundles. If you remember something clearly, those cards go into the ‘Easy’ pile. You don’t have to study those flashcards again for a week or two.
If you only moderately remember something, keep it in the ‘Medium’ pile and revisit it after a few hours or a day. And if you cannot remember something at all, place it in ‘Hard’ and study it again within the next 10 minutes.
In brief: Anytime you have words that are ‘Medium’ or ‘Hard’, include them in a Memory Palace.
Then, use all of the Magnetic Modes to create Magnetic Imagery that helps you remember the target information. That will make the information on your cards far easier to recall.
4. The Major System for Memory Improvement
Want an effortless way to remember numbers for studying – in history, maths, physics, etc.?
Use the Major Method, also called the Major System or Harry Lorayne’s Number Mnemonics. Geeks also call it the phonetic mnemonic system and digit-consonant system.
Quite a mouthful! So, let’s just stick with the ‘ Major System’ to keep things simple.
Here’s how it works.
In the Major Method, you associate each number with a sound, typically, a consonant. Here’s the system most people follow:
0 = soft c, s or z
1 = d, t
2 = n
3 = m
4 = r
5 = l
6 = ch, j or sh
7 = k
8 = f or v
9 = b or p
The first step is to memorize these associations between numbers and letters. Then use these associations to form words from numbers.
For instance, 22 could be “nun” (n+n)
54 could be “liar” (l+r). Personally, I think of Jim Carrey in the movie “Liar Liar” playing a lyre to help make this number even more memorable.
To remember longer sequences of numbers, you need to combine the sounds you have made. If you want to remember the number 2254, you could visualize a nun punching Jim Carrey for lying!
Make the image as animated and ridiculous as possible, and it will stick in your mind!
If you can, create a fixed image for every number from 0 to 99. That will make it easier to combine them to remember longer sequences of numbers used in mathematics, physics, chemistry or engineering.
If that sounds like a lot to you, just associate a fixed object for each number from 0-9.
Texts, app notifications, YouTube, Netflix or just a noisy room – students face dozens of distractions and interruptions every single hour.
These factors make it close to impossible for you to reach a high level of concentration – which is terrible news if you are trying to improve memory for studying.
Researchers from MIT have found that it’s easier to form a long-term memory when your mind pays close attention to a task. You will have to minimize distractions from devices or people around you if you wish to remember things better.
Here are a few ways:
Mute all notifications when you study. If you have an iPhone, just activating the ‘Do not disturb’ mode will do the trick.
Try to isolate yourself from people you know while studying. Go to a library or a café where you won’t be disturbed.
Use app blockers like to block distracting websites while studying.
Work on one topic at a time and avoid multitasking and switching tasks.
The flip side of removing interruptions is to invite scheduled breaks.
There’s actually scientifically proven process called interleaving that helps you strategically take breaks in ways that typically helps your brain form memories faster.
6. Lifestyle Changes to Improve Cognitive Function
Your lifestyle – your food, sleep and activity levels have a significant impact on your memory.
Sleep
Most students try to gain more time to study by skipping out on adequate sleep. It just makes things worse because lack of sleep affects memory as well as several other cognitive abilities.
Several studies by Diekelmann and Born have shown that sleep helps in procedural memory formation, learning and creativity. In fact, sleep deprivation can even make you remember things incorrectly.
Eight hours is ideal, but at least make sure you get seven hours of sleep every night.
And don’t fall for the idea that binaural beats will help you improve your memory while sleeping. Chances are that will just make you tired and forgetful.
Video course and Ebook in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass
Food
Foods abundant in saturated fats and trans fats such as red meat, butter, etc. are quite damaging to learning and memory. Students also tend to eat a lot of junk food (especially during exam time) which are worse for your brain.
Numerous studies have shown that these foods can even lead to Alzheimer’s disease in the long-term and other conditions that damage brain health and cause memory loss.
Instead, to improve your memory power for learning, try to have more of fish, olive oil, whole grains, walnuts, blueberries. There are also other foods that fall in the ‘Mediterranean diet’ that are excellent for your brain.
Exercise
Exercise is well known to improve cognitive performance in several ways such as improved mood, better concentration, more alertness, etc.
So, it’s naturally very effective for improving memory. Exercise also causes the release of a protein called cathepsin B in the brain. This stimulates the growth of neurons (brain cells) and forms additional connections in the hippocampus – an area of the brain vital to learning and long-term memory.
7. Recall Before Writing
Teachers encourage us to write things down to remember things better. Adding a couple of steps to this process can make a vast difference to your ability to learn and memorize things quickly – especially before an exam.
First, recall and mentally repeat what you have to write down rather than just copy it mechanically. You can even use movies and TV series as I discuss in how to improve memory using these tools
This process isn’t difficult to do because the information will stay in your short-term memory for around 10-20 seconds if you have paid attention. And mentally recalling it right then gives you an excellent way of transferring the knowledge from your working memory (short-term memory) to your long-term memory.
Next, take a few seconds to store that piece of information in your Memory Palace. That will consolidate that memory even further.
8. Warm Up Your Brain
I used to make a major mistake.
When it was time to study, I would dive into my textbooks cold.
These can be as simple as focusing on the breath, going for a walk and practicing mindfulness as you observe the environment.
Or you can do quick critical thinking or creativity exercises. Partly, I got the idea from this scientific study which shows a connection between creativity and better learning outcomes.
I also noticed that it was easier for me to remember various facts from my studies if I spent a few moments memorizing playing cards.
It’s also useful to spend a few minutes visualizing. If you’re using the Memory Palace technique for studying in the way we’ve been discussing, you’ll already be doing this activity frequently.
On the other end of studying, I’ve found it helpful to cool down as well by meditating for a few moments. I’ll do that either at home or while out for a walk.
9. Study With Your Peers
Far too many people make studying an isolated activity. It can be hard, especially if you’re taking a degree online, as I’ve discussed when sharing my recent experiences sitting for my first open book exam.
That’s good for some people.
But I’ve found so much growth and better memory from discussing what I’m studying with lots of other people.
When I was an undergrad, I met almost every week with my fellow students. I even became the president of the English Undergraduate Student Association so I could regularly meet with other learners.
Later, in grad school, there was so much to read. I got into a study group where we took turns presenting books and articles with each other.
We still had to read each text on our own, but hearing quick presentations from one another primed the mind. It made challenging material much easier to read and remember from later.
Are You Inspired To Try These Memory Techniques To Remember What You Study?
Out of all these techniques, the Memory Palace happens to be the most effective and versatile method. You can easily combine it with other techniques to build an excellent memory. To learn the Magnetic Memory Method at no charge, get started by enrolling in “Memory Palace Mastery in 8 Steps”:
And let me know in the comments below:
Which of these ways to improve memory for studying are you going to try today?
The 4 Stages of Learning & How To Speed The Important Ones Up
Mar 28, 2023
Whenever I think of the stages of learning I am reminded of how Shakespeare talked about how human life is a lot like theatre.
For example, in As You Like It, the second stage involves going to school, whether the child likes it or not. I studied Shakespeare at university quite a bit and gave some presentations on the lessons he gave about staged learning as a professor.
But what are the four levels of learning we use today?
I’m talking about stages like:
Concrete experience
Reflective thinking
Abstract thinking
Personal experimentation
That’s one model given by Kolb in Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development.
Is this really the best way to describe the stages of the learning process?
Or should we look to other models that describe the various levels of learning we go through? Ones that include the notion of “unconscious competence”?
On this page, we’re taking a deep dive into the topic.
Ready?
Let’s go!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7EpyRpWTvs
What Are The Four Stages Of Learning?
As mentioned above, Kolb presents a version of the four levels that involve processing at concrete, abstract and reflective levels of thinking.
Usually, however, people are looking for the four levels of competence. These originally come from Martin M. Broadwell who intended them for teachers in need of a model for their students.
As a learner, you can also use these levels of learning to help navigate your way through complex topics. Following this model can also help ensure you meet your cognitive needs in a structured manner as you go about your learning.
Let’s have a look at each level in detail.
Unconscious Incompetence
Have you ever started learning something you’re basically familiar with only to realize how little you know about the topic?
I’ve had this with music. Although I’ve played in bands for decades and toured the world, when I hang out with much better musicians, I realize how little I know. My skills lead to all kinds of incorrect intuitions as I play simply because I don’t know the key signatures as well as some of the trained jazz musicians I know.
Memory expert Anthony Metivier performing at a concert in Germany.
Still, I sometimes find myself trying to play in ways I don’t understand, only to hit notes that don’t sound great. It doesn’t happen to me anymore, but when it did, it was like I was suffering the musical version of the Dunning-Kruger Effect.
This point is important to understand. You don’t have to be completely unfamiliar with a topic to experience unconscious incompetence.
Captain Edward J. Smith provides one of the most famous examples. As the captain of the Titanic, he certainly knew a thing or two about sailing boats.
But that didn’t stop Captain Smith from following the wrong intuitions. Although he received multiple warnings about the dangers ahead, he still failed to take action and the Titanic wound up sinking.
Conscious Incompetence
I’ve become much more modest over the years in music, and am now much more conscious of my incompetence with certain genres of music.
To become more competent, I study the specific areas where I’m weak and patch in deliberate practice to turn incompetence into skill.
A more famous example of conscious incompetence is someone like Elon Musk using first principles to figure out what he doesn’t know. Then, by adding knowledge and competence, he was able to purchase various companies and improve them.
Of course, the court is still out on whether or not his conscious incompetence about Twitter will improve.
Conscious Competence
At this level of knowledge, you’re in the sweet spot. You can clearly visualize the skills you’re familiar with even when not doing them.
To give you a concrete example of someone who has passed this stage of learning, think about Stevie Wonder. Many people think he’s a musical genius – including me.
Although blind from birth, he learned not only how to play piano and sing, he also learned how to compose and perform.
You might think of these as one task, but they’re actually different things.
For example, I’m consciously competent when it comes to playing concerts with bands in my preferred genre. I can also compose relatively well and even sing to a certain degree.
But I’ve never developed conscious competence as a studio musician.
This is not uncommon. Many of your favorite bands aren’t actually playing on the albums you buy. Their record companies have hired consciously competent musicians, leaving them to do what they do best: perform.
Then there are musicians who don’t even write their own songs, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Many creative industries rely on detailed knowledge of conscious competence. That way, each person can focus on just their part and shine.
Unconscious Competence
At this level of competence, the individual barely has to think about what they’re doing.
Shakespeare, for example, was thought to be able to run circles around other playwrights when it came to writing incredibly powerful plots and individual lines of dialogue.
Or you can think about virtuoso musicians. They don’t even need to see a score or rehearse. They just hop on stage with musicians they’ve never met and produce pure musical magic.
Or, they have memorized the information to such a high degree, they can simply recite it, such as I did after memorizing the speech I delivered at a 2019 TEDx event in Melbourne.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
I knew the speech inside and out, so well that when the audience laughed at a part I did not intend to be funny, I quickly overcame my distraction and got back on track.
People who are fluent in another language provide another example of having reached this learning stage. Even if they forget how to say something using a particular set of words, they can find another set that lets the communicate the core ideas without having to think for long.
In all of these examples, it’s not just stages of learning that have been completed. Various stages of memory have been well exercised and made capable of providing competence outside of conscious awareness.
Why You Might Have Trouble Learning New Information Quickly
The answer is simple:
Many people put the cart ahead of the horse.
I once heard musician Joe Satriani answer a guitar student’s objection that they did not know what to learn next to overcome a plateau. They were trying to do advance soloing but kept getting stuck.
Satriani asked if they knew the name of every note on the fretboard. The person did not.
“Then you do know what you need to learn next,” Satriani insisted.
He wasn’t particularly patient in his response and it was partly because the student clearly had Dunning-Kruger Effect. (This happens when people are unaware of how little they know about something, but nonetheless suffer memory biases that make them think they do.)
So what’s the solution:
Always analyze what you want to learn, chunk it down, and start with beginner’s mind.
Being humble, developing foundational knowledge and not being afraid to repeat certain levels of knowledge is almost always the key.
How to Remember the Stages of Knowledge
As we’ve seen, there’s more than one “four levels of learning” model out there.
So if you want to be able to whip out the stages of learning process from any source you’ve found interesting or useful, here’s what I suggest:
Master Maslow’s Hierarchy By Fulfilling All Of His Cognitive Needs
Mar 22, 2023
Did you know that nearly every discussion of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is missing an essential piece of the pyramid?
It’s true, and today we’re going to restore that piece.
On top of that, we’re going to dive deep into how you can fulfill each tier in your life.
Even better, I’m going to help you remember each of the needs.
That way, as you work on improving your life and the lives of others, you’ll be able to rapidly access a mental database packed with examples of psychological needs.
And you’ll be able to fulfill your full potential.
Perhaps you’ll even be able to go beyond that because there’s one need in particular that Maslow wasn’t able to publish before he died.
I’ll share what it is, show you how to experience it and give you tips on maintaining this missing piece of the pyramids of needs once you’ve got it in place.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
https://youtu.be/H9Wi_hvKeRc
What Are Cognitive Needs? The Forgotten Tier In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
As the term “cognitive needs” suggests, we have cognitive awareness of things we want and need from life.
We’re not the only species that has such awareness, but our cognitive abilities are so developed that we seem to be especially sensitive to things we don’t have.
Abraham Maslow got very interested in humanity’s special sensitivity to a set of human requirements that led to him developing the hierarchy of needs.
Often, you see Maslow’s needs placed within a pyramid.
The wider needs are basic and as you move up the pyramid, you get psychological and fulfilment needs. All together, the needs in the basic pyramid of needs are:
Physiological needs (food, water, warmth, rest)
Safety needs (security, safety, predictability)
Belongingness and love (intimate relationships and friends)
Esteem needs (prestige, sense of accomplishment)
Self-actualization (creativity, fulfilling your potential)
Solving the “First Glance” Problem With The Pyramid of Needs
One mistake that people sometimes make is thinking that you can move up the pyramid and leave earlier needs behind.
But this isn’t the case. You always need to balance the needs, which is why an alternative, dynamic visualization can help understand Maslow’s hierarchy as something that plays out over time:
Others have interpreted the hierarchy of needs in terms of a circle.
For example, my friend Arthur Worsley used the “Wheel of Life” format in his “Faster to Master” Tracktion Planner:
In this case, the “needs” are modernized to include cognitive needs examples like:
Health and vitality
Thoughts and emotions
Family and friends
Love and partnerships
Productivity and performance
Growth and learning
Business and career
As you can probably see, “productivity and performance” are basically the same as Maslow’s original esteem needs.
In truth, there’s no perfect way to visualize the hierarchy. The best thing is to find a model that works for you so you can bring balance to all of the needs in your life.
The Missing Cognitive Need
As great as Maslow’s original hierarchy can be, he ultimately wasn’t happy with it.
In this book, he described a very special cognitive need he called self-transcendence.
Basically, it’s like the “karma yoga” concept we talked about in my post on mental strength. The idea is that you ultimately put your own needs aside as much as possible, if not entirely.
Many people who have sought to master their memory share this concept. For example, Giordano Bruno described a kind of nondual experience where you would experience a kind of oneness with the entire universe.
Sound weird and raise your skeptical hackles that a psychologist like Maslow would suggest such things?
Well, here’s Maslow in his own words from The Farther Reaches of Human Nature:
Transcendence refers to the very highest and most inclusive or holistic levels of human consciousness, behaving and relating, as ends rather than means, to oneself, to significant others, to human beings in general, to other species, to nature, and to the cosmos.
I myself have suggested something similar in my book The Victorious Mind. Fulfilling the cognitive need to give to others without expectation of return is hard, make no mistake. But this “karma yoga” is indeed far more fulfilling than I ever imagined possible.
In fact, fitting it into your life is highly recommended.
Why It’s Important to Fulfill Your Cognitive Needs
We’re all on this planet together.
That’s the ultimate reason why you really should spend time every week working on your personal hierarchy or “wheel of life.”
The more people who self-transcend, the better it will be for everyone. Eckhart Tolle makes an excellent argument for increasing the number of transcended people in his book, A New Earth.
A similar point is made by John Danaher who focuses on the positive outcomes technologically is likely to bring when it comes to freeing humanity from work.
Let’s take another example. The reason you want to make sure you’ve fulfilled every example of physiological needs specifically comes down to your ability to learn faster, focus and remember things.
The same goes for your career, study needs, family and personal rituals around sleep, meditation and the quality of your memory.
The good thing is that if you start working with your memory first, you’ll be able to better remember to focus on all the other parts of the hierarchy.
With that in mind, let’s talk about a powerful memory technique that will help you do just that.
How to Use a Memory Palace to Satisfy Your Cognitive Needs
Along my personal journey, I found it useful to go beyond merely reading about Maslow’s hierarchy.
I also memorized it while completing journaling exercises that use the Wheel of Life.
The best technique for getting all of the cognitive needs into memory? The Memory Palace technique.
Let’s say you memorize Maslow’s original hierarchy.
All you have to do to memorize it is mentally layer it on a wall in a room of your house, your school or where you work. Like this:
By placing the pyramid in a familiar space, you give your mind an anchor point it can refer back to when you want to recall each tier.
If you need more “stickiness” you can add a memory technique like the number rhyme or other forms of mnemonic imagery.
With practice, you can memorize information like this often within minutes.
Once in memory, it will be much easier for you to remember to focus on each tier as you go about your life.
Memorize The Pyramid Of Needs And Succeed
I’m so glad I took time to really understand Marlow’s formula. And not just the original form, but the enhanced format he wasn’t able to fully promote before he died.
Luckily, people have expanded the concept since his time with alternative versions like the Wheel of Life.
But as I hope to have made clear, it’s important for you to experiment with multiple versions. Even if you find one that feels “right,” I suggest you continue to study and experiment.
Many cultures have interesting variations and the more you can consider them both through study and application, the more you’ll benefit.
And who knows?
Perhaps one day you’ll transcend and become so selfless that you’ll enjoy a life of giving.
That’s certainly my goal, and to paraphrase the playwright Howard Baker put it, “because it is hard, I feel honored.”
Not everyone agrees that humans need to take on challenging projects to feel fulfilled, but it’s certainly worked for me.
One of those projects is to give this free course away to as many people as possible:
Is it really free?
Yes, but it does “cost” your time, attention, focus and energy.
However, complete the exercises and you will emerge with a memory system that allows you to learn faster and remember more.
And you’ll have practice fulfilling one of the biggest cognitive needs of them all:
The esteem need to feel a sense of accomplishment.
I enjoy that sense every time I memorize something new and know that you will too once you have some Memory Palaces set up and in use.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to get out there and make the cognitive needs your own by committing them to heart and practicing fulfilling each and every one (including the lost tier)?
I wish you a great journey and hope to meet you some time and place along the way!
How to Learn Faster: 10 Proven Ways to Master Any Subject Fast
Mar 14, 2023
Yes, you can learn faster. All it takes is applying a small variety of techniques I’ve compiled for you below in the form of a specific toolkit traditional schooling often overlooks.
These strategies blend memory techniques rooted in the ancient traditions that built the Renaissance with modern approaches.
I didn’t learn them the easy way, but you can by reading this post and avoiding my mistakes.
But before I share a personal note to explain just how powerful what you’re about to learn will be, here’s a table of contents of all the learning techniques for you:
Why These Techniques Matter (A Personal Note From This Professor)
Now, in case you’re wondering why I’m so passionate about all of these accelerated learning techniques and sharing them for free, the answer is simple.
These techniques saved my life.
See, during the first year of my PhD, I could barely read a paragraph.
Taking antidepressants to try healing my depression unfortunately dulled my mind.
Collapsed my focus.
And made me almost believe I wasn’t cut out for serious learning anymore.
But everything changed when I accidentally stumbled across the techniques I’m going to share with you today.
They didn’t help me just retain more.
They pulled me out of my cognitive fog, rewired my focus and gave me the confidence to keep going.
Since then, I’m taught at major universities.
I’ve studied languages like Biblical Hebrew, German and Chinese. And for my personal progress and one of my most popular books, I also memorized over 100 verses of Sanskrit to learn an ancient philosophy.
But the most powerful learning technique I discovered?
I’ll share it near the end.
It will help you remove obstacles so you can learn faster than ever before.
Ready?
Let’s dive in.
10 Proven Ways to Learn Faster (Backed by Memory Science and Ancient Techniques)
As we get into these learning processes, it might surprise you to know that in many cases, picking up new topics and skills faster isn’t about more effort.
It’s often about alignment.
And the techniques you’re about to discover reduce unnecessary effort because they’re grounded in how your memory actually functions, as I’ve shared in my full guide to how memory works.
Some of what you’re about to learn comes from ancient traditions.
Other techniques have been identified by modern memory science and research into education at large.
To get the most out of this list, here’s what I suggest:
Try at least one of the techniques immediately
Reflect on how it feels using pen and paper
Stack on more techniques over the weeks and months to come
There’s no need to tackle all of them at once.
But when you and and apply each one consistently over time, you’ll experience faster recall, deeper understanding and more joy in learning than ever before.
One: Start Every Learning Session With These Three Brain-Activating Questions
Instead of diving into a book and scanning or skimming for facts, pause first next time.
And ask these three questions used regularly by the fastest learners I know:
Why exactly am I learning this?
How specifically will I use this knowledge in the next 24 hours?
When will I practice recalling it to ensure long-term retention takes place?
Although this might seem too simple to create an effect, it’s a highly strategic learning accelerator.
That’s because when you start the learning process with a clear understanding of purpose, your brain knows how to filter for the main points.
Two: Consistently Deploy the SQR3 Method
Top-tier learners don’t just read. They constantly extract information using the in-depth tactics covered in my guide to effective note-taking combined with a powerful process called SQR3.
In case you’re new to SQR3, it means:
Survey
Question
Read
Recite
Review
To apply it during your next study session, glance through the book’s index and table of contents. This quick activity gives you a broad overview of the book.
Start formulating 2-3 questions you want the material to answer.
If you don’t know what kinds of questions to ask, look for a practice exam or do some research. Identifying what you’ll have to know in advance is a major key to enjoying life as a top performer.
During the reading step, truly read the book. Put aside distractions and give yourself room to concentrate. If the book is a real brain buster, check out my additional tips on dealing with especially hard books.
Then recite. Repeat what you’ve read in your own words, both in writing and out loud.
Finally, review the chapter to test your understanding and check the accuracy of your written summary.
If you’re skeptical about this simple approach, I understand. But this study shows positive results that I’ve experienced many times.
Not only will you learn faster when using SQR3. You’ll also become a better self-regulator.
That benefit in itself will provide you with some powerful knock-on effects as you continue to grow as a lifelong learner.
The person complained about how I’d included material on relaxation before sitting down to study this challenging language.
The truth?
The fastest learners in the world aren’t frantic. And they do not cram at the last minute.
They’re calm, deliberate, and tuned in.
Because they know this fundamental truth about memory:
Information flees from tension.
But it’s “magnetically” attracted to relaxation.
When your brain is overloaded, stressed, or anxious, your cognitive bandwidth shrivels up.
Worse, your working memory can’t hold what it needs to process, and long-term encoding gets blocked.
But when you relax using an intentional process, your brain will absorb more information.
My Magnetic Relaxation Protocol (3 Steps Before You Study)
1. Stretch Your Body
Just spend a few moments reaching for the sky.
Then touch your toes.
Roll your shoulders, open your chest.
Shake out your hands.
Open and close your jaw.
These simple and gentle movements signal safety to your nervous system and help prime your focus.
2. Breathe With Intent
Close your eyes and breathe in for 4, hold for 4, out for 6. Do this 6 times.
Add a soft mental mantra like, “I’m here. I’m learning. This matters.”
This simple process will shift you from a sympathetic fight or flight state into parasympathetic calm.
3. Prime Your Focus With Movement or Mapping
Take a 5-minute walk while reflecting on what you’re about to learn.
Create a quick mind map to externalize your thoughts (more on how to do this below).
This clears the noise and organizes your intent.
Relaxation isn’t about zoning out. It’s about entering the zone.
Use this simple three-step protocol before each study session and you’ll enjoy:
Faster recall
Less internal resistance
More enjoyment while learning
To help yourself stop forcing your memory to learn and start flowing with it at an even deeper level, check out my guide on yoga for memory. Then follow up with my guide on dopamine resetting.
Check out this video tutorial for all the details and 10 steps to follow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIQRiqQFKQY
As you read, restrict the notes you take to only the information that answers your guiding questions. Some people will freeze up at this suggestion because they think they’re leaving too many details behind.
This feeling is normal, but it’s not correct. It’s a feeling of scarcity caused by a variety of memory biases.
Let them arise, but keep focusing. Your brain will fill in the details, especially during the final part of the SQR4 method discussed above.
And that step is to recite the answers in your own words, both in writing and out loud.
As a minimalist approach, it works because it:
Forces you to identify only the most important concepts
Saves you time because you’re no longer copying out long passages
Creates stronger mental links
Enables active recall principles as you review
It might help you to think of learning like pruning a tree.
When you cut away all the clutter, the healthiest branches grow stronger and the roots grow deeper.
I often use the term “rhizomatic learning” to describe this process of “less is more.”
Rhizomes make connections through their systems of tendrils without even touching each other.
And that’s how the brain works too through your synapses. What matters is that the connections are solid.
To grow them, you have to select and plant the best possible seeds. Less truly is more when you want to study faster.
Five: Use Summary Writing to Reveal (and Fill) Your Knowledge Gaps
“You don’t know what you don’t know… until you try and recall it.”
In other words, if you want to learn faster, you need to shine a light on your own ignorance.
And the best way to do that is to write.
Now, you might be thinking:
Hang on… how can I write about something I don’t understand?
The answer is to combine writing summaries with the Feynman technique. Scott Young, author of Ultralearning, talks about it often, and I find it useful in my own learning projects.
Except I’ve modified it. Here are the steps:
Without looking at your notes or the source material, write a quick summary after each study session in your own words.
Write down your questions about aspects you remember, but don’t quite understand to process in your own words exactly what you think you’re failing to comprehend.
Make a plan to fill in the gaps in writing.
Ask questions to help guide yourself:
Where can I look to get the answers I need?
Who can I ask to get help?
This simple technique not only reinforces what you’re learning.
It sharpens your selective attention and builds what scientists call active recall.
You’re also developing a positive feedback loop that develops continual improvement.
And the best part is that it only takes a few minutes to use the technique.
Six: Use Active Reading to Lock Information Into Long-Term Memory
Ever have that feeling that all you’ve done is moved your eyes across the pages of a book while your mind drifted in the void?
You can solve this issue by using a variety of active strategies beyond asking questions while reading in the kind of flow state we discussed above.
One of the many benefits of mind mapping comes from how they engage more parts of your brain during the learning process. They literally help you process information faster because more of your brain is invovled.
Part of the increased engagement comes from how the technique gets you creating a visual summary, rather than using prose.
And organizing information in space using a clocklike circle engages your focus in a completely different way than keeping linear notes.
That’s why I often incorporate a bit of mind mapping as part of the interleaving process.
You don’t have to make mind mapping just about comprehension for learning either.
Look at the mind map pictured above.
I was trying to “comprehend” what would make the best possible YouTube video about retention.
So I used the mind map process to speed up the process, triggering many associations in my mind.
The Core Principles of Effective Mind Mapping
To use the technique yourself:
Start with a central image or keyword
Use branches that extend from the central image to develop related ideas
Use color generously
Add additional images throughout
I sometimes also mind map after reading to recreate what I’ve learned in as non-verbal a manner as possible. As you can see in this mind map, there are no words at all:
As with active reading strategies, mind mapping as you learn gets your body involved.
And it utilizes more of your mind, leading to deeper absorption and longer recall.
Eight: Optimize Your Schedule for Maximum Learning Retention
Even if you could create more hours in the day using AI tools, you don’t need them.
You need to use the best hours of your day better.
Rather than study whenever you can squeeze it in, make time for it.
For example, I’m studying Neigong and Neidan at the moment. When I merely jam in a bit of learning here and there, my results aren’t very good.
But when I stick to a defined morning and evening session based on my best study time guide, I enjoy more understanding and very powerful outcomes.
Those are the times that work best for me. But you will need to work out your own schedule. Here’s how:
Observe When Your Brain is Naturally Sharp
Over the next few weeks, deliberately read at different times of the day.
In a journal, jot down when your summaries were the most accurate.
And make a note of when you actually enjoyed the process most.
As you keep track of your best times of day, you’ll learn to avoid:
Studying during energy dips
Cramming when you should be sleeping
Soon, you’ll find that you’re getting a lot more value from the time you spend learning.
Take care too about using digital journaling tools.
Although it can take a week or two to learn them all, each of the guides I’ve linked you to above will help you take advantage of your mind and memory at much higher levels.
The Memory Palace Pre-Flight Protocol
A lot of students already know about the Memory Palace technique. But they often just dive in and start cramming.
To get better results from the technique, before you open any book or video course, take a moment to first mentally walk through your Memory Palace.
Think of this as “pre-heating” the Memory Palace so it’s warm and receptive to the information you’re about to encode.
This only takes a few minutes, but is well worth the effort.
For more insider tips on using Memory Palaces to speed up your learning, check out my full tutorial on the Memory Palace technique for studying.
Ten: Turn This Key So Your Brain Learns What It Expects To Learn
Did you know that your brain does more than simply react to the world all the time?
It actually predicts the future quite a bit. And then it makes its predictions come true.
That’s the core of what Andy Clark discusses in The Experience Machine, one of my all-time favorite books on learning.
I’m telling you about it because many people learn less than they’re capable of because they tell their brains that learning will be hard.
And that’s exactly what the brain delivers to you.
According to Clark, this process is called predictive processing.
In the video below, I explain everything about how this feature of the brain can either harm or help you:
https://youtu.be/T9oNgt1MY70
To make predictive processing help you learn faster, do this before your next study session:
Decide on the positive outcome you want and then form an image of yourself achieving it.
Imagine yourself remembering what you’re about to learn, and continually practice building this identity.
Stop yourself every time you catch yourself thinking about learning slowly or otherwise negatively about learning.
Replace the negative thought with a positive one.
This isn’t fluffy self-help nonsense. It’s neuroscience and we know that the brain can be rewired.
In simple terms, I’m saying that having a positive attitude towards learning, including learning boring topics, will make every study session easier.
There’s definitely a trick to it, and it does take a bit of effort. But I’ve devoted my life to turning this key ever since I discovered its benefits.
I even gave this TEDx Talk about it that discusses the power of predictive processing even before I learned the term from Clark’s book.
Myself, I like to use interleaving so that I can study for long hours, but avoid topic exhaustion.
A lot of people ask me about using timers and the pomodoro technique, but I avoid setting alarms for one simple reason:
I don’t want to condition my brain to expect interruptions.
Remember predictive processing. It’s much better to carve out time and space for studying without interruption.
That way, whether you study in short blasts or prefer longer sessions, you’ll maintain high levels of motivation and focus.
How can I stay motivated to learn when the going gets tough?
One thing is to simply acknowledge that things are tough and then choose a better mental framework.
To help make this possible, always:
Set clear goals
Track your progress
Reward real accomplishments
I use the term “real accomplishments” because sometimes people confuse activity with accomplishment.
For example, they’ll say they read a chapter and then reward themselves with an hour of playing video games.
But reading is the activity.
The accomplishment is accurately writing in your own words the information you studied. Reward that and your motivation will grow.
Are digital tools effective for learning?
Yes, but they need to be used wisely. And sometimes you have to be especially strategic, as I’ve learned working towards an online degree. I even have open book exams to complete, which is why I wrote this guide.
Apps that support spaced repetition can help, but I suggest you optimize how you use them.
To that end, please check out my guide on using Anki from the perspective of a memory expert.
How can I overcome procrastination when studying?
Tim Ferriss used to talk a lot about “planned procrastination.”
In other words, he means using procrastination as a reward.
I think that’s useful, but also would suggest making sure that you’re breaking your study tasks down into the smallest steps possible.
If you have to read an entire book, focus on just one chapter.
When you set up and follow a study schedule, you’ll already know how much time you have. And when you’ve optimized that schedule so you’re studying during your best hours of the day, you’ll know that you’re going to have an easier time.
This point returns us to predictive processing. So many people find study difficult and slow because they aren’t optimizing all the elements that allow you to feel excited.
Simply making learning a more positive experience will make future study sessions positive and fun as well.
Can I improve my learning speed as an older adult?
Absolutely.
The brain adapts throughout life and engaging continuously with learning helps prevent deskilling.
The key to adopting effective learning strategies is to put concerns about age aside.
Focus on goals, systems, strategies and techniques.
They work for everyone who wants to learn quickly.
Ready to Learn Faster for the Rest of Your Life?
Now you have a powerful set of techniques and my “call to adventure” for you to start using all of the techniques we discussed on this page.
But reading about them isn’t enough.
To truly transform your memory and teach yourself anything, you need memory techniques above all.
That’s why I created this free course you can register for now:
Inside, you’ll learn:
How to develop and use a Memory Palace for learning step-by-step.
The key principles of lasting memory formation.
Simple daily practices that make forgetting difficult to do.
Join tens of thousands of others who have used these techniques to learn and check out some of their Memory Palace examples in this course.
Your brain is ready.
Now it’s time to make it “magnetic” so everything you want to learn simply sticks.
The 3 Best Teas for Memory, Focus, Concentration & Brain Health
Feb 21, 2023
Every morning I have one cup of a special kind of tea I’ll tell you about below. And almost every afternoon, I drink one cup of matcha tea for its well-proven memory benefits.
In fact, some studies show that this concentrated form of green tea is the gold standard when it comes to an easy to make tea. It’s also highly enjoyable and directly beneficial.
Apart from green tea, black and oolong teas have been shown to work, but on this page, I’ll share with you a few other options.
The question is, will drinking any of the most highly recommended teas also improve your memory?
Maybe.
But you have to be careful.
That’s because a lot of people throw out scientific studies.
You read them and think: “That’s the tea for me.”
But those studies don’t show you all the nuances you need to drink tea safely.
See, various teas for concentration, memory or focus interact with other supplements you might be taking. As a result, you can wind up making things worse. Various teas can also interact with your diet overall creating unwanted effects.
So in this post, we’re going to look at the truth about tea for better memory and brain health.
It’s easy to understand and the information I’ve researched and tested personally will help you make better choices overall.
The Best Tea for Memory, Studying, Focus, and More
Let’s start by approaching the topic counterintuitively:
What’s better?
A tea you add to your daily routine that stimulates focus?
Or a tea that helps remove distractions so that you can focus?
The answer to this question is ultimately something only you can determine. And you arrive at the best possible answer through experimentation.
As I have explained in my book, The Victorious Mind, the easiest way to arrive at an answer is by rotating through various substances while journaling.
By noting down the effects you feel, you can start to track patterns.
Why Do Some Teas Help Memory, Focus and Concentration?
In other words, L-theanine reduces the feeling of unrest. This clears the way for more focus and concentration, and the leads to better memory because you’re able to pay attention.
In fact, Murray Carpenter reported in his book Caffeinated that Starbucks added L-theanine to its coffee to prevent people from getting too buzzed, which in some contexts means too focused and concentrated.
It’s also possible that the caffeine in some teas can improve your memory because they reverse the effects of sleep deprivation. At least in male mice and in the context of social memory, as this study shows.
Anecdotally, this makes sense to me as I do tend to feel that my memory is much sharper after drinking either tea of coffee.
But how various teas makes you feel is not necessarily the same as being able to focus or concentrate in a way that helps you learn faster and remember more.
Only taking specific actions do that. And that’s again why I suggest you learn about tea for memory through experimentation and thinking about what you add vs. what you take away.
Because the truth is that you can often increase your focus by not drinking any teas at all. Just making sure you’re hydrated by regularly drinking water in combination with proper diet and lots of exercise is also a powerful strategy for better memory.
That said, I love my two daily cups of tea and I’ll explain why they have personally been the most effective for me. Let’s get started.
One: Personalized Chinese Herbal Tea
As I mentioned in my study of herbs for memory and focus, everything comes down to removing pain and discomfort.
Since I have chronic pain that leads to brain fog when left untreated, I go to a Chinese Medicine practitioner almost every week.
The specific tea I’m given is personalized based on where my health stands on a week-to-week basis. And my practitioner and I always check that the tea I’m drinking works in conjunction with my diet overall. That way, there are no problematic interactions.
I’ve had interaction issues in the past, such as when two supplements created confusion, so I’m glad I now get help in order to reduce chronic pain issues.
You need to take these things in consideration for yourself as well. And it’s key to check based on every tea you try. Every tea will potentially interact with everything else you eat and drink throughout your day.
Two: Why Matcha Could Be the Best Green Tea for Memory Overall
Many people have cited straight up green tea as a memory booster.
However, I’ve found better results anecdotally from matcha. And although longest term studies have only been done on mice, they prove the basic point that other dietary considerations matter. In brief, the mice showed better memory only when the matcha was combined with other foods in their overall diet.
But why else might matcha be better than green tea for memory?
That said, one study has shown that your working memory could potentially benefit from green tea extract on its own. I tried taking green tea extract for a few months to conduct an n=1 test, but I did not experience any positive results with my memory.
But I did suffer bad skin issues as a result of taking green tea extract.
Nonetheless, green tea supplements might work for you without side effects. You’ll just have to experiment and keep track of the results.
I’m very glad I can tolerate green tea in its matcha from because there’a another reason to have some kind of green tea in your daily diet. As this study has shown, amongst many others, green tea reduces inflammation and oxidative stress.
Timing is Key
One thing I’ve found over the years is that I cannot drink matcha after two p.m. Otherwise, I find it difficult to sleep.
I have experimented with drinking it in the morning, but I prefer the benefits of coffee at that time, especially since I usually memorize poetry early in the day.
Then, provided I don’t drink it too late in the day, the cup of matcha provides a focus boost after launch along with a peaceful attentiveness until the workday is through.
Your timing needs may differ, but it’s important to make sure you keep when you ingest tea in mind in the same way you consider possible food interactions.
Is matcha the best green tea for your brain?
There’s one more question you need to consider as you experiment with it.
What About Matcha Late?
Personally, I do not add milk to any teas that I drink.
That’s partly because I don’t digest milk will, and partly because quite a bit of research shows that milk reduces the effectiveness of tea for memory improvement outcomes.
For example, this study found that adding milk prevents some of the protective effects tea provides.
Another study found that milk does not affect other benefits, however.
All the more reason to take into consideration my core suggestion that you need to track your results in order to determine what outcomes your preferred teas provide.
Personally, I do have some dairy each day in the form of yogurt. But I time out when I eat it, waiting usually 2-3 hours after drinking tea in order to give my daily matcha the highest possible opportunity for my body to absorb it.
And it many even help prevent negative memories from distracting you while you’re trying to focus your mind. Although more research needs to be done, this study shows that one reason why people report feeling calmer has to do with the multiple physical benefits this tea provides.
In other words, it all comes back to the principle that anything that clears your mind up so you can pay attention will almost certainly help you remember more. This is a point memory expert Harry Lorayne made repeatedly throughout his career.
And drinking it while working with Jonathan is undoubtedly while I felt so focused while collaborating with Jonathan on a very intense project and a personal health improvement mission for weeks on end.
At the risk of repetition, this point matters: You here again you see a key principle at play:
It’s not so much about what these teas for focus add. It’s about what they take away.
Tea For Brain Health
When it comes to your personal development, you really do have to experiment.
All of the teas I’ve mentioned on this page have been tested by myself personally. And my outcomes match with the research, including one of the biggest studies showing improvements in cognitive function from regular tea consumption.
As mentioned, the biggest consideration I would suggest you make regards interactions between the teas you drink and other substances.
How To Experiment And Find The Best Tea For Concentration And Energy
As I mentioned above, I do a lot of journaling to work out the effects of various teas as I experiment with them. Here’s more detail on how I do it.
As part of how I journal for overall self-improvement, I keep track of what teas I drink and when. That means noting the date and the exact time of day with a final review in the evening.
At the end of the week, I look for patterns in how I’m feeling.
A lot of this is guess work, but I get my blood tested regularly, and as mentioned, see my Chinese Medicine practitioner almost every week. I share my journal with her to get another point of view.
Even if you don’t check in with a health professional frequently, developing pattern recognition around what you’re eating and drinking is key.
Finally, always take timing into account. Humans have a 72 hour digestion cycle, if not longer. Journaling helps with tracking back to what may have been consumed a few days ago, something very helpful for people who have memory issues.
Speaking of memory issues, if you’d like to experience better memory, sign up for my FREE memory improvement course:
It will help you remember details like we discussed today.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to think about teas for memory a bit more critically and make better choices?
Thanks for reading and happy sipping!
Advanced Memory Palace Problems & Solutions With Don Michael Vickers
Feb 15, 2023
You’ve got advanced Memory Palace problems and Don Michael Vickers has got solutions.
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, we’re diving deep into his impressive memory competition experience.
Not having a community with people who share your interest in memory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O7M2TZT8rA
Suggestions From Don Michael Vickers
One thing I love about how Don shares his approach to using memory techniques is that he documents the journey.
You can check out a lot of what he’s doing on his YouTube channel and other media.
But that’s just one level or layer of journaling.
He also journals privately so he can see what’s working and what isn’t.
This is a solid tactic for one big reason:
It’s only through what scientists sometimes call “metacognitive learning recognition” that we can learn as fast as possible. It’s been demonstrated to help us see variables and define new strategies.
Journaling also helps us because it enables deeper levels of reflection than if we were to merely think about our memory improvement activities without writing them down.
How Specifically Does This Help You Solve Advanced Memory Palace Problems?
The answer is easy:
As your perspective widens, you’re able to run new “experiments.”
In other words, every time you use a Memory Palace to memorize anything, you’re experimenting.
If you take the time to observe your results, you can always ask:
What went right? And how can it go better?
What went wrong? And what needs to improve?
What other Memory Palace variations can I try, such as the Massively Distributed Memory Palace described by Richard Rubin
These are the kind of questions that only you can solve and you need to be the scientist in the laboratory of your own mind to do it.
But there’s one more ingredient that I think really shines in this conversation.
Let’s talk about that next:
The Power of Community
You can also see in how Don talks about his interactions with fellow memory competitors like Katie Kermode that hanging out with others who love mnemonic strategies is key.
Communication is yet another level of reflection.
But there’s also the competition aspect.
As Don puts it, memory competitors are a lot friendlier than hockey players. Yet, you still get the chance to really throw down the gloves and test your skills.
I hope you enjoy this discussion with Don and please do follow him on his YouTube channel and social media for more exciting demonstrations and news from his activities in the world of memory competition.
During this episode, Don and I figured that I probably hadn’t understood the Shadow correctly.
But Ron Johnson from the excellent Craft of Memory Podcast posted this on YouTube below the video version of the interview:
This is an excellent example of the power of community, so if you aren’t yet part of ours, here’s what I suggest.
I have a free course you can download and get notifications about new podcasts like these.
If you’d like to register, please click the image below:
That way, you won’t miss a thing when new interviews like this come out.
And you’ll get some world class memory training too.
It’s a win-win!
How to Study for Finals: 11 Tips No One But A Professor Can Share
Jan 25, 2023
If you want to know how to study for finals, here’s what I did while completing my BA, my MA and later my PhD.
I still do this as a researcher and language learner as well. The same strategy that helped me at university has helped me in many walks of life, and it is this:
Start studying for finals is as early as possible – and always with accelerated learning strategies.
And yes, the common advice that you need to take care of your sleep, diet and fitness in order to study well still stands.
It also helps to keep organized and make the most out of your classes and review sessions.
But if you have a nagging feeling that there must be better study tips for finals, then you’ll want to pay attention to the strategies I just mentioned.
This is the knowledge that you can only get from a PhD like me.
And because you’re the kind of person who wants more than just a passing grade, you’re going to love the tips on this page.
Because you’re the kind of learner who wants to enjoy an epic career, you’re going to need them.
Once you have them, you’ll be the student with all the advantages.
You’ll be the student who aces the finals.
And you’ll be the student who enjoys an epic career in any field you want because you’re the one who finally learned how to really learn.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
https://youtu.be/r0NXI5o9CMo
How To Study For Finals: 11 Tips That Actually Work
As we go through this list, I’ll be sharing with you more than tips.
You’ll discover detailed examples of why and how these study principles and strategies work so well. I’ll also give you scientific references and other research resources so you know that everything I’m suggesting is valid.
But here’s something really important to understand:
Apart from the rule I always applied starting as an undergrad (start studying as soon as possible), there is no cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all study method.
You need to get involved in the process and tailor some of these strategies for yourself. And I’ll start with a powerful way you can do this in my first tip, one of many of the best study tips for finals you’ll find on this page.
One: Learn How To Create A Study Schedule For Finals
Yes, you absolutely want to get a head start when studying for finals. But even more importantly than starting early, it’s important to understand as much as possible before the semester begins.
When I was an undergrad, I used to contact the professors the day I registered in their courses. I asked them for the course syllabi so I could do three things in advance:
Enter all the assignment due dates into my calendar
Enter all the exam dates into my calendar
Start gathering and studying the reading list immediately
This process was critical for me because I worked sometimes up to three jobs when I was an undergrad. But getting this overview of the semester on a course-by-course basis will help even those who have student loans or grants and don’t have to work.
Indeed, later when I had grants of my own and didn’t need to hold so many jobs, I still used this approach.
As a result, I was always able to get my assignments done with time enough to revise them at least once. And I was also able to read beyond the assigned book list.
It takes 10-15 minutes to reach out to all of your teachers and arrange to get the syllabi in advance. If you can’t get in touch with them, contacting the department secretary also works. You can often swing by the departmental office to get an advance copy as well.
Two: Clear Your Mind Before Studying Using This Simple Process
It’s normal to be nervous when studying for exams. The mind kicks up all kinds of fears and we resist common sense thanks to all kinds of biases.
That’s why it’s important to always start the process of preparing for exams on the basis of mental strength, not weakness.
So to begin, start with this simple exercise:
Start a study journal
“Mind dump” all of your anxieties about the exam onto paper (kind of like brainstorming)
Analyze your fears and question why you have them
Once this is done, you can use the same journal to complete some of the steps discussed below.
If you prefer mindmapping, you can do that as an alternative to keeping a journal. I give a detailed example of how this exercise works on a mind map in this video.
This step works because when we have a bunch of worries on our mind, they keep arising until we deal with them. The Zeigarnik Effect describes why and how our minds become cluttered with unattended worries. And research shows that addressing those worries in a journal helps us eliminate them.
This ability is especially important when you’re dealing with boring topics, which every student does at some point in their learning career.
Three: Communicate Loudly And Clearly With Your Community
Do you know that most interruptions are a choice?
You choose them when you don’t communicate your priorities to others.
Once you’ve received your syllabi and blocked off the entire semester in your calendar, you can give your friends and family a copy. Let them know how seriously you’re taking your studies and ask them to avoid interrupting you. Most people will be more than happy to support you.
Likewise, you want to make sure your employer knows well in advance of times when you’ll be dealing with assignments and exams. Since they’re only human and often dealing with multiple employees and a variety of seasonal projections, the earlier you let them know your scheduling needs, the more they’ll be able to treat you flexibly.
I did this all the time during university. All of my employers appreciated it very much and I wound up getting more overtime during the summers than anyone else at one of my jobs because I communicated so well. This scheduling boon meant that during the times I worked less so I could study more I wasn’t suddenly struggling financially.
Finally, you should always communicate with your teachers. For example, I’ve had jobs where there were opportunities to work more due to seasonal shifts. If there was an assignment conflict, I let my professors know and arranged for different dates.
I’ve even arranged alternative assignments and exams with professors that enabled me to miss many classes without harming my grade at all.
Four: Read Your Textbooks Right The First Time
There’s a so-called “speed reading” expert named Howard Berg who proves that the Guinness World Records people have a sense of humor.
In fact, his record reads that Berg:
…has convinced a number of TV hosts that he comprehends and remembers what he scanned, perhaps not the details, but the concepts, with the details left for a later, slower reading.
If you want to learn the method in full, check out my blog post on memorizing textbooks. It allows you to read deeply, extract all the main points and rapidly commit them to memory.
That way, you will rarely have to go back to review a book again. Frankly, that takes too much time and simply shouldn’t be necessary.
If you’re a slow reader, that might actually be a good thing as you’re learning how to study for finals.
That’s because too many students cram instead of using memory hacks and memory techniques. These techniques are very important because they give you more time to reflect.
Likewise, studies show you will understand difficult and confusing concepts better by reflecting on them. Physicist Richard Feynman was such an enthusiastic proponent of this study technique, they named it as a method after him.
Since then, many studies have shown that when you stop and take time to think without making it a formal study session, you’re using active recall. This process of using your mind helps you form memories quicker, memories that have lasting power that will serve you long after the finals are over.
The other part of slowing down to think is the importance of taking breaks while studying. The learning process isn’t completely about studying. It’s also about reflecting and letting your mind process information unconsciously.
When you take time to rest and think, you’ll also reduce, if not eliminate, the memory blocks other students face. Well-rested and well-considered students simply think faster on their feet.
Six: Write Summaries
Remember that journal I suggested you keep?
It will help you reflect in the ways I just mentioned. And writing is also a great way to help you remember what you’ve learned faster.
Scientists know that writing summaries helps you learn and remember faster, but some think they are hard to write.
In reality, summaries can be simple. In order to get the job done quickly and experience the benefits, I used to summarize entire books on index cards.
By limiting my notes to two sides of one card, I kept my focus on the biggest and most important ideas. Or, if I’m using a journal, I summarize using a maximum of two pages.
By doing this, I made sure that I wasn’t re-writing every detail of the book. I was just getting down the big picture, and by doing so, crystalized many of the granular details as well. Often, I would jot these out on the card as well in the form of bullet points.
So when I suggest that you prepare for finals by writing summaries, I’m not talking about writing epic essays. Just a few sentences will be tremendously helpful. Although even just 2-3 sentences might feel like it’s slowing you down, when it comes to remembering more and understanding the material, it’s a proven way to study faster without losing comprehension.
Finally, writing summaries is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for essay-based exams. If you don’t take time to practice writing extensively before the exam starts, you’ll struggle to put meaningful sentences together once the test begins.
Seven: Choose Study Groups Carefully
Make no mistake:
Study groups can be absolutely fantastic.
But they can also be a giant time suck.
I’ve experienced both versions, and it often takes only one apple to ruin a bunch.
So I learned to have all the members of my study groups sign an oath of commitment.
Sure, this sounds stiff and formal, but it was tremendously beneficial.
On the same document, I codified how the study groups were to run and that way everyone had the plan in mind and knew what to expect.
The best part?
Because we were all disciplined and spent our time wisely as we covered the big points and the granular ideas we were responsible for on the finals, we enjoyed our free and informal time after the study sessions much more.
Eight: Avoid Topic Exhaustion
Learning fatigue is real, especially if you’re cramming.
What doesn’t work, however, is switching from reading to social media or watching movies. That has the opposite effect.
So I suggest you pile up a bunch of books while in the library, and rotate through them. This is what I look like when I’m interleaving to avoid topic exhaustion:
Nine: Choose The Most Effective Study Spots For Focus
To get started finding them, read my article on the best study locations and then experiment with a bunch.
You can also come up with a “relocation schedule.”
To this day, I still like to move from location to location while reading and writing. I call it “roadwork” and as Alex Pang points out in Rest, rotating locations has been the key to the successes of many smart and accomplished people.
Ten: Use Active Recall Strategies With Passive Review
I mentioned active recall above. Let’s dig a bit deeper.
In order to get your mind and memory as engaged as possible so you can recall everything you need during your finals, make sure that you:
Ask yourself plenty of questions about what you’re studying
Complete practice quizzes
Write from memory
When it comes to passive review, the following processes challenge your brain a bit less, but are just as important:
Reread various passages
Listen to lectures or watch videos that relate to your exam topic
Visit your professors office to discuss the basic concepts
Although passive review won’t help you quite as much as active recall, it’s important to balance the two activities for the best result. I’m sure glad I always did while I was in university and continue to do so as I study for my current career.
Eleven: Use Ancient Memory Techniques
Long before books existed, our ancestors needed to carry voluminous amounts of information in their minds. Many of the learning techniques they used are still helpful today.
You basically create a map of locations in your mind and then associate information with familiar rooms using mnemonic images.
If you need help learning this powerful technique, please grab my Free Memory Improvement Kit:
You’ll rapidly master it and enjoy an encyclopaedic memory as you sit for all your finals.
When To Start Studying For Finals
As I shared with you, I used to start studying for finals before the semester even began.
But the truth is that you ultimately have to answer that question for yourself.
The trick is to avoid making errors that cost you time and money because you have to retake exams or repeat entire semesters.
And to do that, look at your calendar as soon as possible.
Try to make the most reasonable projection and block out as much study time as possible.
Keep in mind that topic exhaustion is real and use the many techniques I shared today to compensate.
Although I’m pointing out that you’re ultimately on your own to make these decisions, you’re never alone.
For example, when you join my community, you’ll always have people to discuss study strategies with, people who look beyond the finals.
And that’s what I encourage you to do each and every day.
To avoid the biggest errors of all, look beyond your final exams and see life as a constant series of tests and quizzes.
Invest in your mind and memory a.s.a.p. And learn the foundational memory techniques I share with the world so that you are a mental master who just happens to be a learner.
That way you will study using energy-creating power, and not the power-draining “force” of cramming so many other learners choose.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to prepare for your finals starting today?
Thanks for reading and enjoy the process of becoming a lean and mean learning machine!
Focus First/Memory Second For Business and Lifestyle Success? 2x USA Memory Champ Shares His Secrets
Jan 11, 2023
John Graham surprised me twice on the same day!
And if you know me, you know I’m not easily surprised.
So, what exactly made my jaw hit the floor?
First, I found out that John had won the USA Memory Championship… again.
I mean… who has the time for all that memory practice? Especially during times like these?
Then John tells me that focus is so much more useful than memory… and more lucrative too.
And to make matters even more confusing… John keeps telling people not to meditate in the morning?
Huh?
As a practitioner of meditation for decades, I really had to get to the bottom of all these incredible (and sometimes shocking) things John was saying.
And so I did in this EPIC discussion of how John really succeeds.
Not only to win memory competitions, but to experience an abundance of time freedom supported by a fantastic business.
And you’ll be surprised to discover that memory improvement training doesn’t even get second fiddle. Not when it comes to the tactics you really need.
After hearing what he has to say and giving it some consideration, I think it all makes sense.
And I think it will help you too.
So dive in for an epic discussion packed with takeaways, and…
Don’t worry!
I ask John to share some feedback on a little memory issue with mnemonic images I was having. So there are some next level memory secrets in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast too.
But as John points out in today’s episode, memory isn’t so much the core of his success. It’s the ability to focus his mind that matters.
And the tactics and strategies that explain his ability to win also support his entrepreneurial success.
2x USA Memory Champion John Graham with competition founder Tony Dottino
If you’re an entrepreneur and would like to speak with John about your own focus, check out his Optimize My Mind page where you can book a time.
Obviously, John is very serious about helping entrepreneurs, and I know you’ll respect his wish to focus on your concentration, not your memory.
Because John’s right:
There’s an enormous amount of information about memory techniques out there. So if you still haven’t nailed memory techniques so you can use them in your business, it’s focus and concentration that are at stake.
Get that nailed, and so many other things will fall in place.
I second his argument completely because the same thing has been true for me.
And it always will be:
Focus first!
Can A Person With No Sense Of Direction Stop Getting Lost? A Conversation With Christopher Kemp
Jan 05, 2023
Ever found yourself turning down an unfamiliar street, only to struggle to retrace your steps?
Why does that happen?
How about back before GPS, when you would pull over to the side of the road and struggle with a map?
If you’ve experienced situations like these, there’s hope.
That’s because there’s one author in particular who has no sense of direction to speak of. And that feature of his mind makes him the perfect science writer to explore what direction is and how we might optimize our experience of it.
Even better, in Dark and Magical Places, Christopher Kemp explores how the brain produces your sense of direction.
You’ll also learn why some of us might struggle to keep on track or lose our way in space.
We delve into some of the common mistakes people make and get into some of the “metaphysics” behind space itself.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or someone struggling to get around your hometown, you’ll find this discussion useful.
I highly recommend reading Dark and Magical places and hope you enjoy this interview with Christopher Kemp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcGWE5gQlUk
Dark And Magical Places Is An Excellent Read
There are many things I love about this book.
It’s well written and researched, for one thing.
But it also takes you into highly consequential situations, some of which you’ll have experienced yourself.
And if you ever find yourself lost in a dark place where the stakes are life and death, you’ll find key strategies that will help you keep yourself alive.
But above all, I love how the author makes learning about the science of navigation and the brain incredibly fun.
More Resources On Memory, Directions & Locations
A few years ago, I shared this quick video on applying memory techniques to memorizing any address:
If you’d like to improve your navigation skills and enjoy stronger cognitive mapping of the world, I can’t make any big promises. But it’s well-worth experimenting with techniques like these. Ancient people used them all the time, including a really cool “magical place” skill called the Songline.
And of course, these techniques will work even better when you’ve read Dark and Magical Places.
Check it out!
Short Term vs Long Term Memory: What You Need to Know
Dec 07, 2022
Few things could be simpler to understand than the difference between short term and long term memory.
Check out this simple explanation:
Short term memory holds a small amount of information, often for as little as twenty seconds. That information either enters long term memory or it doesn’t.
Long term memory holds larger blocks of information indefinitely. And unlike short term memory, long term memory seems to have an unlimited capacity.
That’s the brief answer, and let me frame it for you a slightly different way with some quick examples:
Short term memory involves a very small amount of information remembered for a short period of time. Like when you remember a passcode only for as long as you need it.
Long term memory involves much larger sets of information for longer periods of time. Knowing the names of dozens of states in your country even if you haven’t thought about them for decades is a simple example.
Of course, there’s more to long term vs short term memory, so let’s dig in and discover more.
Short Term vs Long Term Memory: An Overview
Both short term and long term memory are about relationships in your mind.
These relationships involve the intersection between:
Larry Squire is also an important figure in long term memory research.
Overall, many scientists have contributed to our understanding of these two memory types. But because science is always changing, it’s best to combine a solid understanding of the history of memory science with the latest research articles.
Studies in Long Term Memory and New Research on Short-Term Memory are decent introductions on the fundamentals of these two types of memory. For the latest studies, setting up Google alerts for “memory science” has helped me keep abreast of the latest findings, along with continually talking to memory scientists on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
The Differences Between Long Term and Short Term Memory
Major short term vs long term memory differences boil down to:
Time spent with the information
The amount of information
Duration in memory
The mental and physical condition of the individual
Let’s look at each of these in depth.
Time Spent With Information
In short term memory formation, you will typically have only a few seconds to perceive the information.
Any time someone gives you their phone number or a passcode, your short term memory is engaged. A simple way to improve your working memory is to play games that require you to hold onto to small amounts of information for short periods of time. There are many memory games that help with this goal.
For long term memory, language learning is a key example of spending a lot of time with information. Bilingualism is known to provide many benefits because of how it exercises long term memory.
The Amount Of Information
Short term memory involves small amounts of information, typically about as long as a password or phone number.
However, memory athletes have pushed the limits. For example, three time world memory champion Alex Mullen has broken records by memorizing an entire deck of cards in under twenty seconds.
Memory athlete Alex Mullen
Long term memory involves much more information. If you’ve ever seen someone recite an entire story from memory, you’ve seen it at work. Likewise, people who memorize speeches are displaying how long term memory relates to large amounts of information.
Duration In Memory
Sometimes the clarity of your recall is astonishingly long. But even more surprising is when you remember selectively. In other words, you leave out certain parts only to have them suddenly flash into your mind after the fact.
For example, sometimes you tell someone a story and miss a few details. A few seconds later, you say, “Oh, I forgot to tell you this important part.”
No one knows exactly why an entire memory doesn’t come back properly the first time, but context does trigger more of our memories once we start recalling them. It’s a way of experiencing memory durability from a different angle.
And recently, research conducted by Paul M. Garrett has suggested that even “fuzzy memories” have a much longer duration than previously supposed.
As he discusses in this article on The Conversation, memories leave a trace that could help you in decision making and when completing other tasks you mistake for a gut-feeling. This research suggests that the difference between short and long-term memory might not be as clean as we think.
Mental And Physical Condition
So much of what we know about memory comes not from studying healthy people. Often we learn about memory by studying the memory of people with a variety of issues.
Baddeley’s theories of amnesia, for example, reveal many interesting things about normal human memory.
As reported in Studies in Long Term Memory, he found that amnesiacs struggle in particular with new material related to verbal memory. This is because the entrance of information into long term memory suffers from more interference.
Incidents of interference possibly increases because the capacity of short-term memory is already limited in healthy individuals. No matter how mentally sharp you are, your short term memory is already easy to distract. When you get disrupted, the amount of time you spend with the information you want to remember is lessened and the quality of that time will not be as good.
This fact means that even though your long term memory seems limitless and is generally more stable and enduring, the benefit of spending time with information does not matter if you cannot get it into either your short or long term memory.
Another characteristic of long term memory we need to consider is repetition. Even the most robust information will require use in order to remain consolidated in your brain. So let’s look at the role of repetition next.
Short Term Vs Long Term Memory: The Ultimate Truth
Ultimately, short term memory lets you juggle small sets of information for a short period of time. You can hold a telephone number for a short while without having to repeat it over and over again.
In fact, if you use rote repetition with a phone number, you’ll probably wind up placing it in long term memory.
That’s really short term memory in a nutshell.
The problem with long term memory is that no one knows exactly how many times you have to repeat something in order to recall it over time. But we do know that we can avoid rote and repeat information in ways that are much more engaging.
For example, if you use memory techniques, you can reduce the amount of needed repetition. And the repetition you do perform will be much more interesting thanks to how the techniques work.
You can also increase your expertise by reading multiple books on a topic in depth. Simply reading more will increase the elaborative rehearsal needed for strong and enduring memories.
Using the information you’re reading will also strengthen its place in your long term information. You can do this through writing or discussing the information, which are natural forms of repetition that can be quite fun and engaging.
But the exact amount of time you need to repeat something is simply not known. We only know it goes down relative to the depth of your experience with a specific kind of information.
For this reason, learning experts never recommend cramming. They recommend legitimate memory hacks instead.
Is Working Memory Short Term Memory?
In a word, no.
But even though they are distinct concepts, they are related.
Working memory is like your mental workspace – kind of like the desktop on your computer. It allows you to temporarily store and manipulate information.
Long term memory is like the folders you use to later clear up your desktop and access the information you decided to keep later on.
Ultimately, it’s easy to be confused by these different terms. But as a general rule of thumb, scientists use different terms to distinguish them. They’re not the same and these terms help us talk about the specific differences, even though they all ultimately fall under the rubric of “memory” at the end of the day.
For this reason, it doesn’t make sense to think of working memory vs short term memory. They work together.
How to Improve Your Short Term and Long Term Memory At The Same Time
There are many ways to improve your memory.
The best ways always involve some kind of goal.
My recommendation is to learn a variety of memory techniques, including:
These are all modern variations on ancient memory techniques. They exercise your short term and long term memory at the same time for all the reasons discussed above.
You get exercise with both small amounts of information in short periods of time and larger amounts of information over extended periods.
The simplest activity is to memorize names. When I give demonstrations in the community, I get the short term exercise. When I later run into those same people, I draw upon my long term memory.
As 2018 and 2022 USA Memory Champion John Graham has shown in his TV spots, it’s easy to add numbers to any name you’ve memorized as well.
You can also practice memorizing future events. This will exercise your prospective memory both immediately and over time. Because numbers like the exact day and hour on a calendar are involved, you have a small set of information that needs to be recalled in the future.
This kind of exercise provides the best of all possible worlds – and you’ll be on time too.
Beyond Short Term And Long Term Memory
Now that you’ve discovered the critical differences between these two forms of memory, you might be wondering what to do next.
How about becoming a memory master yourself?
I introduced you to a few people like Alex Mullen and John Graham. You can develop memory skills just as profound.
If you’d like that, please grab my FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
It will help you remember everything on this page, and much more.
Even better, it will exercise all the levels of your memory in ways that are easy, fun, effective and efficient.
The ultimate trick to memory improvement is to treat your practice sessions like going to the gym. The more you use your muscles, the stronger they’ll get and the longer they’ll last.
I don’t know about you, but I want both my short term and long term memory skills to be strong for the rest of my life.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to dig deeper into these topics and experience incredible short and long term memory skills yourself?
What Is Verbal Memory (And Can You Improve It)?
Dec 01, 2022
Verbal memory is simple to understand when you keep one thing in mind.
And when you understand this one thing, endless ways to improve your verbal working memory emerge.
Ways that are easy and fun.
So here’s the biggest and most important thing to understand before I take you into some examples of verbal memory. Then I’ll share some proven exercises to help you improve it.
Verbal memory is about learning, specifically learning tasks that involve language.
I’m talking about:
Letters of the alphabet
Numbers
Words
Sequences of words
Sequences of numbers
Passwords
The names of symbols
Directions
Instructions
Learning a language
We need to be able to track, understand and act on verbal information from each of these categories.
And often we have to use our verbal memory for multiple things at the same time. For example, having someone spell a word out loud so you can pronounce it properly involves chunking a few auditory elements at the same time.
So with this big picture in mind, let me introduce you to the granular details and show some ways to improve this very important part of your memory.
What Is Verbal Memory?
Verbal memory is a term scientists use to analyse and discuss how the brain receives auditory stimulus and responds to it.
Psychologists interested in this level of memory usually take echoic memory into account, another sensory type of memory.
According to Donald Kausler in the Psychology of Verbal Learning and Memory, it’s possible that the brain tags certain auditory information for “rightness” and “wrongness.”
If true, this process suggests that verbal memory has to be constantly on guard because there are many homophones like “prey” and “pray” that don’t sound different at all. Yet something about our brain understands the difference, and if we are reading and find a typo with words like these, it is likely because the auditory part of our memory has fired off a “wrongness” tag.
Interesting, isn’t it?
Testing Verbal Memory
The first serious tests of verbal memory probably started with Hermann Ebbinghaus. He made up a list of over 2000 invented words he called “sinnlosen Silben” (senseless syllables).
Ebbinghaus memorized these words and tracked how many repetitions he needed to remember them. He also tracked their rate of decay, which lead to the discovery of the now famous forgetting curve.
Unfortunately, many software developers have misunderstood his findings and created a plethora of “spaced repetition apps” that promise to help you learn faster. Some people swear by Anki, but as Postman and Greenbloom remind us is Verbal Learning and memory, Ebbinghaus was not testing repeated exposure to information and memory. He was testing deliberate practice of memorized information using what we now call active recall.
Beyond that, verbal memory is often tested by scientists who use Bayesian prediction models. Such testing helps scientists know more about how young people learn and comprehend compared to older people, for example.
Examples of Verbal Memory
There are many examples of verbal memory. Each example breaks down to:
Decoding (how quickly you can recall verbally related information)
Here are some examples of where verbal memory plays a strong role.
One: Conference Interpreting
Conference interpreters listen long and hard to what people are saying. They not only understand and remember what people say in real time. They also translate the information.
Why does your brain know how to respond by saying, “I love you too”?
Because as soon as your visual memory and iconic memory interpret the symbol, the words come to your mind. Often they are out of your mouth before you even have a chance to think about it.
Three: Obeying Commands
You do this while operating vehicles and machinery as well. Procedural memory comes into play very quickly when you find yourself squeezing the brake on your bike as soon as you hear someone yell, “Stop!”
Four: Playing Games
Recently, the Magnetic Memory Method community played Memory Detective, a memory improvement game I created for people interested in learning and using memory techniques.
Although the game involved several pictures, I often asked questions and gave verbal clues.
Not only did the people playing Memory Detective have a lot of fun. They told me they also learned a lot about how mnemonic devices work.
There are many other memory games that will help exercise your verbal memory, so keep an eye out for the ones that involve a lot of listening and speaking.
Five: Language Learning
Few other things exercise your verbal recognition than learning a new language. This is because becoming fluent practices stimulus and response frequently.
Sure, you can get pretty far learning a language with Netflix, but realistically, you need 2-5 hours speaking practice with a native in order to truly flex your verbal memory enough to get substantial results.
Six: Pi Day
Here’s one of my favorite verbal learning examples of all time.
For Pi Day, my student Marno Hermann memorized 1200 digits of pi. As a result, he established a new record in South Africa, the same country Unlimited Memory comes from.
Many people memorize numbers directly from an auditory source. Brad Zupp, Nelson Dellis, Alex Mullen and many more are memory competitors.
During these competitions, someone reads numbers out and the memory competitors memorize them. Moonwalking with Einstein was written by a journalist who reported on such competitions and wound up winning himself.
The best part is that anyone can learn these techniques and get similar results. Even if you don’t become a memory athlete, you’ll get a brain brain workout.
How to Improve Your Verbal Memory
In a word, improving verbal memory comes down to practice.
What kinds of practice? At least these kinds:
Serial learning
Extended serial learning
Paired-association learning
Free recall learning
In all of the verbal memory examples I gave above, we’ve already seen these practice activities at play.
But let’s look deeper at some specific activities you can do.
Memorize Vocabulary
You can readily get in some serious serial learning practice by memorizing vocabulary lists.
Personally, I like to practice with a foreign language dictionary rather than a software. But there are certainly tons of programs that will pump out lists for you.
If you want to replicate the Ebbinghaus nonsense syllable activity, you can use this one from Uni Saarland in Germany where I used to teach.
Memorize And Sing Lyrics
If serial learning involves memorizing a list of words, extended learning is the same thing extended to sentences.
And one of the most fun and easy ways to exercise your verbal memory in an extended way involves memorizing songs. Here’s a tutorial on how to do it, including information related to the notes themselves.
Remember: It’s extended practice because it involves both entire sentences, and entire verses.
Play Word Games
Of all the brain exercises out there, the simplest for improving verbal memory involve word pairs.
Get a friend and just start listing out words, asking them to supply either the opposite or whatever comes to mind.
So if someone says “sky,” the other person says “earth.” Or if you say, “banana,” your partner can pair with the category. In this case, that would be “fruit.”
Not only will this game exercise your verbal memory, it’s also silly and fun.
List Games
Free-recall involves listing out as many things as you can with no specific order.
For example, you can list out all the states in the USA that start with the letter A. The order doesn’t matter, just that you name as many as you can.
Of all the ways to improve your verbal memory, I think learning how to memorize a speech and delivering it is the best.
Not only does it give your mouth a real workout. It also gives you feedback from the audience that helps you improve your next one.
Remember:
Verbal memory is all about reception and response. What finer way to exercise it than to talk to others and hear what they have to say?
Verbal Memory Mastery
So what do you say?
You now have a clear explanation of what verbal memory is, a detailed set of examples and multiple ways to improve it.
Are you ready to get out there and make the most out of this incredible aspect of your mind?
I know I sure am, and if you’re curious about my own skills in this area, check out my TEDx Talk. It gives you proof of concept, in more than one language too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
How to Avoid Falling Asleep While Reading & Fully Recall Any Book
Nov 23, 2022
If you want to know how to not fall asleep while reading, here’s what you don’t need:
You don’t need another post telling you not to read in bed.
The fact of the matter is that I read in bed often. I love it and have some strategies to share that will allow you to do the same.
Without feeling guilty about it.
That said, reading in bed is not always an ideal strategy.
In reality, any time you rely on just one strategy, reading and understanding will always evade you.
To stop feeling sleepy while reading, you need to combine a small number of reading techniques.
These techniques are easy to learn and match with the specific type of reading you’re doing.
I learned to combine strategies over eleven years as a university student and ten years as a professor.
As an independent researcher I continue to read massive amounts of material to this day.
And sleepiness simply isn’t an issue.
So if you’re ready for my best reading and comprehension tactics that literally push sleepiness away on autopilot, let’s dive in.
“Why Does Reading Make Me Sleepy?” – The Surprising Answer
A lot of people think there’s something wrong with them when they fall asleep while reading.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Let me spell this out loud and clear:
Reading is not natural.
It is a learned skill based on artificial technologies of alphabets and books created by humans.
This simple fact means…
No one is born with a brain adapted to reading books. Not only that, but what we call a “book” is not a fixed thing. It’s always changing and you can see that change in this brief history of books.
Moreover, the human eye is optimized for scanning environments and faces, not words on paper or screens. This is why we can hang out at the beach all day without eye strain, but quickly get tired while reading on the beach.
Other Reasons You Get Sleepy While Reading
Of course, there are other reasons you might get sleepy while reading. You could be:
Hungover
Lacking focused goals
Suffering the effects of poor diet and low fitness
Overworking while reading due to poor vocabulary (which is easy to increase)
Or it could be a mixture of these factors. I remember when I was in university I suffered depression, poor diet, chronic pain and poor fitness at the same time.
Not only would I fall into hibernations that lasted entire days during this time, but I could barely bring the pages I was looking at into visual focus. It was only until I started applying the tactics you’re about to discover that I started to see improvement.
One of the first things I needed to do, however, was to categorize the different types of reading I was doing.
In sum, reading is a set of trained activities and we need to do it in different ways depending on the kind of book and the exact goal of our reading.
So if you keep asking, “Why do I fall asleep while reading?” you can put the mystery to rest. Reading tires your eyes out no matter how much practice you get. All the more so if you have some of the issues we just discussed.
But even if you have some of those issues (I still have chronic pain, for example), there are strategies that can keep you awake. So let me start sharing them with you now.
How to NOT Fall Asleep While Reading (And Also Actually Remember What You Read)
As we go through these strategies, there’s no particular order of importance.
Each and every one is useful, and it’s up to you to explore them.
Also, always consider context. Sometimes it’s cool to use reading to help you fall asleep, for example. But generally, we want to keep Mikulecky’s larger point in mind:
Reading, even reading for pleasure, is a trained skill.
The sooner you start training yourself, the sooner you’ll find ways to keep yourself awake while reading in a way that creates excitement and energy.
These tips have helped me for a very long time and I hope they help you too.
One: Don’t Read. Hunt.
As I mentioned, we are born with brains evolved to track the environment and scan faces.
So why don’t we apply those natural and inherent abilities to our reading?
Have a look at this image:
All of those books belong to a specific category.
I “hunted” for them and took them from the shelf. Not a bunch of random books, but content specific books. Then, just as if I was scanning for the most nourishing food, I plowed through these books intentionally with the mental attitude of a hunter.
This involves adopting a particular posture. Have a look at this image:
Notice how I keep my pile of books to the side, but am sitting up and looking down at just one book.
There’s really no way to fall asleep while sitting like this.
Without education on these matters, you could wind up always being tired while reading. But now you have a massive clue that will help you reduce the issue.
Three: The Pinch Technique
If you’re a serious learner like I am, you need to get through some heavy and daunting books.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by so much reading, I chunk it down by physically feeling how many pages I have left to go in a particular chapter.
This works when reading in bed or anywhere.
I know it seems silly, but it helps me tremendously, especially when I cannot avoid reading while tired.
Four: Be Patient with Boring Books
What makes a book boring anyway?
Usually it’s one of or a combination of a few things:
It’s badly written
You don’t have the background prerequisites to follow the book’s message or theoretical basis
You may have vocabulary issues, which I also come across sometimes (and that’s why I’m always improving my vocabulary)
In addition to vocabulary at the level of individual words, there’s also what you might call “terminological vocabulary” or nomenclature. You might also come across challenging charts and diagrams like this:
For example, one of my big learning projects right now as I prepare to write another installment in my Memory Detective series of novels is learning all about linguistics and constructed languages.
I keep coming across terms like functional load, syllable weight, and experiential liminality. Yikes!
I know what each of the words in those phrases means, but I don’t know yet much about what the phrases themselves mean.
But learning them and committing them to memory is like investing in future energy. Through pattern recognition while reading, I feel awake and alive when I see them in the future.
I believe you will too, and it really just takes a bit of patience with boring books. And a bit of patience with yourself too.
Five: Read Aloud
I was required to read James Joyce’s Ulysses for my first field exam in 2004. It’s one of the biggest and most boring books I’ve ever read.
It was a dark Canadian winter, my clinical depression was heavy to the point I was worried I would not survive, and I was not in good health at all.
But I was devoted to passing this first important exam in my PhD, something that was just not going to be possible without knowledge of that book and many others related to Modernism.
So to help my tired mind and body, I listened to Ulysses on cassette with the book in my hands. There was no other way because back then, YouTube wasn’t even a thing, let alone the treasure trove of audiobooks we have online now.
There were many other books where I could not find even on cassette. So I read them aloud myself and often used a micro-cassette recorder so I could listen back to key passages, especially the tricky ones.
I read tricky passages aloud to this day. It not only helps with concentration and comprehension, but it’s a sure-fire way to keep myself awake. I’m confident it will work for you too.
The trick is to make sure that the associations you are using are truly multisensory, which is why I recommend the exercises in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
Does this tactic require a bit of setup and practice?
Sure, but I’ve seen many people pick up the skills in a weekend or less, and you can check out their stories for yourself.
Seven: Ask Questions
Constant questioning can certainly feel tiring, but it can also generate more energy and enthusiasm when asking philosophical questions.
Do your questions have to be philosophical as you read?
No, but I do recommend that you question just about everything. Not only will this process of questioning help keep you away.
It will also help you understand a lot more of what is going on.
Some standard questions I use include:
What else does this point connect to?
Who else says something like this?
If this point is correct, who benefits?
What is the author missing here?
Why is this point valid?
What could make this point stronger?
The more you question, the more unique and interesting questions will arise.
Eight: Sleep Without Guilt
Sometimes we should stop trying to figure how to not fall asleep while reading.
Depending on your age, you will likely remember a lot more if you get plenty of sleep after reading.
And it bears noting that when you’re well-rested, you’re much less likely to fall asleep.
Nine: Build a “Magnetic Index” While Reading
Many “speed reading” courses (like this one) talk about using a pointer.
Personally, I don’t and would rather train my eyes to follow a line without a pencil getting between my eyes and the page.
However, there are some key ways I use a pencil while reading.
One of them is to take quick notes. I use this technique a lot while reading in bed, where I do not keep notes using devices or even my beloved journals.
The technique also helps me stay awake, and it’s part of the “hunting” mindset we discussed before.
One way I ensure I do not fall asleep while reading is to build what I call a “Magnetic Index.”
I call my approach the “Magnetic Index” technique. It’s a clean and efficient way to keep engaged while also avoiding marking up beautiful books with all kinds of underlining and highlighting.
All you do is put the page number and some keywords related to the key ideas. Later, you can find them. This fast process helps with recalling all of the key details from any book. And it will help you brain make connections that bring up even more details you haven’t made note of.
People like Scott Young talk about abandoning books early and often.
Although I don’t disagree outright, I think it’s horrible advice in a lot of contexts.
I don’t know what kind of reader you want to be, but I want to be as thorough and complete as possible.
I do skim through books and read them out of order, but overall, I push through big and challenging books precisely because I want to be the kind of person who enjoys foundational knowledge.
That way, it’s possible to see things no one else sees and make connections no one else makes.
The question is:
How can developing stick-to-it-ness help you keep awake while reading?
This technique, when used fully and completely, helps you established webs of knowledge in your mind that increase your engagement. This happens because the more you know, the more you can know.
I realize this statement sounds abstract, but you’ll experience it soon enough. And it will help you determine with a greater degree of accuracy when it makes sense to abandon books and when it doesn’t.
If you’d like to learn this technique, please grab my FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
It will help you develop this skill.
And stronger memory will automatically translate to more alertness, focused attention and understanding that is free from memory biases that hold so many learners back.
Make no mistake, we all have cognitive biases, so to rid yourself of them, I’d suggest staying up late to learn all about them soon.
Stop Falling Asleep While Reading
As we’ve seen, the goal is a bit more nuanced than simply stopping the issue from happening.
In reality, you can read in bed, provided you set yourself up for success. I’ve got a PhD and two MAs and read in bed all the time.
I hope my tips have helped you discover not only how to keep alert while reading, but also to remember and understand more.
And I hope you now understand that feeling sleepy while reading isn’t your fault. It’s normal. And provided you structure your time and environment appropriately, it’s actually okay to fall asleep while reading.
Sleeping isn’t the issue. It’s timing, structure and a personal commitment to exploring better tactics over time.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to get out there and read with greater alertness?
Memory Bias: 6 Ways To Stop Your Mind From Deceiving You
Nov 16, 2022
Suffering from memory bias is very common.
As is suffering from cognitive biases overall.
Many critical thinkers, psychologists and philosophers have pointed out that the key to living a happier life is to reduce every negative cognitive bias that you possibly can.
Is doing so a difficult mission?
Potentially.
But when you understand the variety of memory biases out there, nothing could be easier.
And on this page, I’m sharing descriptions, examples and resources that will help you reduce their impact in your life.
Can I share something weird with you before we get started, though?
Here it is:
Not all cognitive biases are bad.
Our brains simply must take shortcuts in order to survive.
Yet, we can develop an awareness of what these shortcuts are and why the brain is taking them.
With that level of “meta consciousness” established, we can lead better lives.
So if you’re ready to understand what these biases are and benefit from the useful ones while reducing the impact of the damaging memory biases, let’s dive in.
What Is A Memory Bias?
Put simply, a memory bias is a mental operation that usually takes place unconsciously.
It’s like a shortcut, often called a “heuristic” by psychologists like Daniel Khaneman in landmark books like Thinking, Fast and Slow.
There are many kinds of biases, and it’s important to note that psychologists give them names by way of bringing clarity to what the human mind is and how it works. It’s like implicit and explicit memory, two terms that help us see the difference between memories we draw upon consciously and those we draw upon unconsciously.
Many memory biases are unconscious, which may be part of why we sometimes use the phrase “asleep at the wheel” to describe how people take mental shortcuts that lead to less than ideal outcomes.
And that’s important to understand. Most of our memory biases are unconscious. They’re difficult to detect as a result.
Yet, they can powerfully force you to associative negativity to neutral aspects of life.
For example, you may have heard someone say they’re a “burnt child.”
I just said this myself. Earlier today I met a marketing agent representative and she asked me if I had any hesitations about working with her agency.
“Yes,” I explained. “I have a history of working with companies and individuals that made huge promises but failed to deliver.”
My leaning toward the negative experiences shines poorly on this new company who wants my business. That’s because my memory is delivering up a bias towards being let down.
Counterintuitively, this company could be the best possible agency to help me, and I might never know if my memory bias wins and I decide to decline their offer.
On the positive side, you can think of companies you’ve used for years and would never change. That is the positive side of a memory bias, and it can keep you in good stead.
Unless this positivity bias prevents you from leaving a company because you’re stuck with previous memories of good service. Your mind could be “tricking” you into holding on longer than you should because it tells you things will get better.
So the question is:
How do we spot these biases and reduce or eliminate the bad ones from our lives? The first step is to get more familiar with what they are and how they work.
5 Types of Memory Bias You Need To Master
As we go through this list, I’ll share with you references and examples.
If you want to learn them all and remember the details, I suggest learning how to use a Memory Palace. This ancient technique is one of the most reliable ways to counteract the biases we’re about to discuss, because it replaces passive, error-prone recall with deliberate, structured encoding.
Also, note that the following memory biases are in no particular order of importance. In reality, they’re all important and they all influence each and every person in different ways.
Memory is more like a process than a photograph, yet we are biased to think of our memories as picture perfect.
Memory is like neither a movie or a photograph. It’s a process that is always changing.
Dr. Gary Small likens our memory to a neighborhood filled with traffic and people moving around from house to house. Our memories literally travel around the brain over time, just as humans move around the world. And just as we change when we travel, our memories change as they move around the brain.
Yet, we have a bias towards thinking of our memories as static and unchanging. This simple is not true, expect perhaps when it comes to semantic facts, and that’s assuming we remember information about words and numbers correctly.
Using memory techniques frequently is a great way to help keep your facts straight, but we all need to be open to the fact that we could be wrong. And when we are, we need to use those same techniques to help us update the information.
Two: Bad Habits Don’t Necessarily Fade
I’ll never forget the day I realized that I am my father’s son.
I’d been meditating for a number of years and finally gained enough to detachment to observe myself dispassionately much of the time.
I noticed that I would freak out a lot like he did. Especially when I followed in his footsteps of drinking too much, which gave me a beergut.
Extinction bias happens when you commit to quitting a habit. It can force you to return to it even stronger than before.
I’m not talking about throwing a tantrum, necessarily. It’s more about finding it very difficult to handle things not going smoothly.
Then I would commit to not being like my dad, only to find myself… being just like my dad when I failed at this commitment.
Why does this happen?
Psychologists call this phenomenon an “extinction burst.” One way of looking at it has to do with how the values of our parents rub off on us. Dr. Nick Bendit has related how this transference of parental behaviors to us in relation to implicit memory in his research.
I personally respond a lot to his research findings because even though I’ve found great peace over the years (as reported in The Victorious Mind), trying to avoid these habits engrained deeply from birth remains incredibly tricky.
As an exercise, you can journal for self improvement outcomes to help discover where you might have habits that seem to get even stronger after you commit to removing them.
And don’t worry. As reported on Psychology Today, even if the solution to these bad habits might involve “giving in,” it doesn’t mean giving up. And you can really can improve by applying self reflection exercises and simply understanding that this memory bias exists.
In my case, it’s not all bad. Far from it.
When I explored more of my father’s character in me, I also found more inner strength to draw upon. He’s a survivor, after all, and tremendously skilled and creative person. His accomplishments are astonishing and journaling about it helped me realize that and let bygones be bygones.
Three: Recency Bias
If you’ve ever heard that some people have a memory bias toward items at the end of a list, this notion is often true.
Recency bias causes some of us to take into account more recent events. It can be so strong that the brain practically wipes out years of data, not just the details at the beginning of a list.
I have this bias quite badly myself. Often when I look at how my business is doing, my brain takes into account only the past three weeks. It’s like it erases the entire history of my work and I start to freak out.
The best solution for this one is to know what it is and feed yourself with the larger context. It will help unlock your memory from its focus on just the past few weeks. Keeping a memory journal is a key strategy that will give you rapid access to more information, something Johaness Mallow and I discussed recently on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
You can also reexamine your goals. For example, if you find yourself only focusing on your most recent results on an academic exam, you may benefit by looking at the larger picture.
Once, while I was a graduate student, my dissertation supervisor told me that the job situation looked bleak. Although I was frustrated by his statement and could not deny the evidence, I looked at the big picture.
By realizing that things were indeed in decline recently, I decided not to abandon my doctoral studied. Although I no longer work as a university professor, deciding to finish was very important for my mental well-being and gave me valuable skills and credentials that have served many times since.
But had I let his recency bias influence me to quit, I would have missed out on so many positive experience.
Four: Hindsight Bias
“I told you so.”
Have you ever said that to someone?
Chances are, your memory is playing tricks on you. This is because hindsight bias causes us to believe we knew something all along, when in reality, the result has distorted our memory of the bigger picture.
Hindsight bias is negative when people say “I told you so.” They often don’t realize that their memory changed their perception of reality. This bias can have positive aspects, however.
In my life, I’ve experienced this in a somewhat positive way. True, this example somewhat strokes my ego, but check it out and tell me what you think.
When I finally decided to write for a living, once I started seeing success, I had the feeling that if I had only started sooner, I would have been able to enjoy this career sooner.
Now, this feeling is probably a distortion. The more likely scenario is that I probably wasn’t mature enough to make it as a professional writer. But my hindsight bias that I was always “destined” to write for my living actually helps drive me forward and continue doing it.
Overall, however, this bias is not great. To fix hindsight bias, you can think through “counterfactuals.” This means considering how things could have been different, as I did in the example above. Scientists have validated that this approach helps avoid this bias, or at least have clarity around it.
You see it whenever someone tells you, “None of my friends have this problem.”
Or, you might hear about a crime in a neighborhood you want to move into. Because you’ve found one example, the availability bias digs the impression deep into your mind that this particular place is dangerous.
A major time this happened to me took place shortly before I moved to Brisbane. I read in the news that a year before we made the move, someone had set a bus driver on fire.
It’s a really hard bias to deal with because instantly my mind decided that Brisbane must be a very dangerous place.
But because I knew about this bias, I knew that this one case was no way to make such a decision. And as it turns out, Brisbane is actually great.
There’s an old story about Socrates meeting two visitors to Athens that illustrates this bias in a different way.
As the story goes, one traveler asked Socrates what Athens was like. Before answering, Socrates asked, “What’s it like where you come from?”
The traveler said, “Oh, it’s noisy, people are rude and always in a hurry.” Socrates replied: “Yes, it’s like that here too.”
When another traveler approached Socrates with a question about Athens, Socrates also asked his question before answering. In this case, the traveler said, “Where I come from, the people are friendly, help each other and do all they can to lead great lives.’
“Yes,” Socrates said, “it’s like that here too.”
Six: False Memory Bias (Why Thousands of People Remember Things That Never Happened)
Have you ever been completely certain you remembered something correctly, only to discover you were wrong. And not just you. Thousands of other people seem to be experiencing the same thing too?
There’s a name for this.
It’s called the Mandela Effect, and it’s one of the most dramatic examples of memory bias in action. I cover the topic in depth in this video to explore how easy it is for your memory to play tricks on you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBRnKl7h0hw
The term originally comes from the widespread false memory that Nelson Mandela died in prison in the 1980s. In reality, he was released in 1990 and went on to serve as President of South Africa.
I know these facts because I went and bought his book, The Long Walk to Freedom, and read it as part of walking my talk when it comes to checking my own memory biases.
Another famous example? The Berenstain Bears. If you Google the name, one of the first “people also ask” questions is: “Why did they change the name of the Berenstain Bears?”
They didn’t. It was always “Berenstain.”
But because that’s an unusual spelling, the brain quietly “corrects” it to the more familiar pattern of “Berenstein.” Your mind would rather make the information fit than admit it doesn’t know.
This is false memory bias at work, and it goes deeper than spelling errors and pop culture trivia.
False memories occur when a person recalls something that did not happen. Or things that happened differently than they recall.
Psychologists have identified several mechanisms that drive this, including suggestibility, source misattribution, and the incorporation of misinformation after the fact.
Your brain also has a persistent drive toward what researchers call “effort after meaning to describe how it fills gaps and transforms unfamiliar details to make them more understandable.
This is closely related to confabulation, where your brain patches holes in your recall so the story feels complete. The result feels like a real memory. It just isn’t one.
The unreliability of eyewitness reports is a well-documented example, largely due to the work of Elizabeth Loftus. Simply changing a single word in a question can change what a witness reports seeing. Priming before an event and information learned afterward can both reshape what someone genuinely believes they experienced.
And here’s what makes false memory bias especially tricky: it doesn’t feel like a bias. The other biases on this list might make you lean in a certain direction, but false memory bias rewrites the record entirely. You don’t just prefer a wrong answer. You’d swear on it.
This is one of the strongest reasons I recommend building a deliberate memory practice using techniques like the Memory Palace.
When you encode information through structured, active recall rather than relying on passive memory, you create reliable reference points that resist the kind of distortion false memory bias thrives on.
Does It Matter That We All Suffer From Memory Bias?
As the story with Socrates illustrates, we’re all biased and more than one thing can be true at the same time without contradiction.
But it really helps when we can become aware of these biases and reduce their negative impact in our lives. And philosophy is another important tool that can help us in addition to generally learning about these psychological quirks we all share.
Our biases can be beneficial too, such as when journaling creates self awareness and change. And if you want to see how these principles apply to practical memorization, explore how to memorize a speech or how to retain information. These are both performance areas where understanding your biases gives you a real edge.
And it is always good when we know what’s going on in our minds and can self-reflexively correct our behaviors.
So we all have every reason to study multiple biases, commit them to memory and work to minimize their impact in our lives, while utilizing them when they’re useful.
If you need help with the memory part, please sign up for my FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
It will help you learn all of the biases we talked about today much faster.
And when your memory starts bringing them to mind as you navigate the world, you’ll enjoy a much better life than you probably ever imagined possible.
The best part?
Your memory biases won’t distort or exaggerate a thing!
The 11 Best Places to Study (And How to Study at Each One)
Nov 10, 2022
So you’re looking for a public place to study.
Tricky challenge, isn’t it?
I went to university for eleven years before I finally got my PhD. That means I’ve faced every issue you can imagine when it comes to discovering the best and quietest study locations.
I’ve overcome every obstacle and barrier under the sun.
And later, when I was a professor myself, my skills at focusing in a variety of places paid off big time. I still use these skills as an author to this day.
I’ll share a bit about my current study habits with you too. Because, quite frankly, I wish I’d known what I found out as a professional much earlier.
But more on those points later.
Let’s talk about finding learning locations that you can rely on. I’ll pile on some of my best learning tips as we go.
The 11 Best Places to Study (and How to Actually Study There)
As we go through this list, there’s no particular order of importance.
But I’ll stress one point:
Any place you can study is the best place.
Variety is the key at the end of the day, as is training yourself to focus your mind at will.
One: The Biggest Library You Can Find
Libraries aren’t necessarily quiet places to study. That’s why the bigger they are the better. You will have multiple options to choose from if the part you’re in starts getting noisy.
Multi-floor libraries are especially good, as is moving regularly. Not only can you get the scientifically proven benefits of moving around. You’ll also have a chance to practice interleaving.This process can be as simple as flipping through a few other books so that your brain absorbs the main topic with greater depth and speed.
Finally, large libraries tend to have better trained staff.
Make no mistake:
A good librarian can help you solve many problems. I’ve not only drawn upon the help of librarians around the world. I’ve worked in three libraries myself, once as an assistant for the head research librarian at York University.
Librarians are smart people and they can point out resources you’d never find on your own, which makes your research easier and much more fun.
Two: Clubs & Associations
While at York University, I became the president of the English Undergraduate Student Association for one simple reason:
It came with an office. I also had access to multiple parts of the campus that regular students did not.
When you’re part of a university club or association, you may be able to do the same.
Please don’t laugh this suggestion off. If you suffer from low concentration like I did during university, having access to an office will be a boon.
The trick is to tie the club or group activities into the topic you’re studying as much as possible. For example, every guest I invited during my presidency was related to an area of study or assignment I was working on. That way, I was always technically studying while working on my duties for the association.
And make no mistake: When you can shift the activities of the organization you choose to participate in, you’re getting more than good places to study. You’re getting fantastic experiences for your resume and reference letters for the future.
Three: Parks With Statues & Buildings
Whenever it’s warm outside, I like to study in parks. Back in Toronto, I loved studying in the Allan Gardens because I could use one of its buildings and a statue as a Memory Palace.
It works simple:
You chart out a journey on the statue or use an ancient memory technique taught by Giordano Bruno. I did this with the Robbie Burns statue by creating 30 stations:
By selecting only the parts of the body that come in pairs, you get 30 stations in total. You can also use the pedestal if you like, but in this case I did not.
Once you have the statue mocked out with stations, you just need to apply some mnemonic imagery to each of the stations. That way, the information has a place it can stick.
The only downsides to studying in parks is that the weather can change in a flash. Traffic noise can pick up during certain times a day and you never know when a demonstration might arise.
Other than that, they are by far my favorite places to study. I still study out doors, often for weeks at a time without missing a day.
Four: Buses & Trains
Sure, they can be noisy. But I used to play in bands and always had ear plugs with me.
They’re cheap and you can find them at just about any drugstore or pharmacy.
The main downside is that you have to keep an eye on the destination, but I often set a timer so I could feel my phone buzz in my pocket in good time to gather my stuff in time to depart. Or I would tell the driver that I would be wearing ear plugs and ask for a reminder. Many drivers are perfectly happy to help you out and you can sit close to them. That makes it easier for them to alert you.
Later, when I taught at Rutgers, I found myself living in Manhattan. I had to commute all the way from Washington Heights to New Brunswick in New Jersey.
I would study for my dissertation on the way in and grade student assignments on the way back. More often than not, I got all of my grading done before reaching Penn Station.
Five: Rooftops
When I lived in Vancouver, the “secret garden” on top of the Vancouver Public Library was one of my favorite study places. I also use to hang out and study with my friend Jen on her rooftop to read books and discuss what we were studying.
There are all kinds of little places like these around and all you have to do is ask about them or search the Internet.
Six: Grad Lounges
One of the reasons I learned so much at university is because I hung out in the grad lounge. Back at York, it was called the Seventh Floor Grad Lounge. Now it’s on the ground floor.
Places like these are great for studying at certain times of day. You’ll often hear graduate advisors helping their students and get inspiring ideas from overhearing their meetings.
Or you’ll talk to some of the star faculty yourself. I sat with Robin Wood many times, a highly regarded film scholar during his time.
Frankly, between him and the man who eventually became my own graduate supervisor, I probably learned more talking with these guys than from all of my courses combined.
The only problem with these locations is they can get noisy in the mid-afternoon and stay noisy until late at night. Budget your time for this happening.
Seven: Cafe Circuits
Just as you want big libraries so you can move around, having a “circuit” of cafes is tremendously useful. In Toronto during my university years and later in Berlin while writing and studying German, I charted out a robust map of cafes.
Rather than study in just one, I would spend approximately forty minutes to an hour. Then I would move on to the next.
The routine gave my brain plenty of focus time and an opportunity for mind wandering. If you’re concerned that you’ll be losing time while walking between cafes, Rest, Mindwandering and Stolen Focus are three science-packed books that beg to differ.
The main thing you have to watch out for is not burning out your adrenals. Coffee can boost focus and attention, but too much of it has a negative effect.
Eight: Some Bookstores
There are so many great bookstores. But not all of them are suited for studying.
It can take some hunting, but some of them have cafes in them. Or they have open spaces with nice chairs and tables.
Used bookstores in particular can be especially useful. They have older books that you probably wouldn’t stumble across otherwise. If you know how to read faster, you’ll readily get a lot out of them.
Nine: Closets
Okay, this is going to sound kind of weird.
But during part of my studies, I suffered bad clinical depression.
Noises used to drive me bonkers, as did too much light. “Where can I go to study?” I would fret.
Then, suddenly a memory dawned on me and I returned to something I used to love doing as a kid.
See, we had a hard curfew when I was young. So I would sneak one of my dad’s flashlights into my room. To hide the light, I would crawl into my closet and read until three a.m. or later.
I remembered this when I was struggling during university. Tossing a bunch of pillows and blankets into the closet and propping up the biggest flashlight I could find provided me with maximum comfort and focus while reading.
Ten: Study Groups
Many libraries have rooms for study groups. You just need to book them in advance.
You can often get them just for yourself, but it’s great if you can get a few people together who are focused on a similar topic.
Obviously, you’ll also need private and quiet study time. And you can get a ton more out of studying with others if you’re slightly prepped.
My favorite study group in grad school was hosted by my Hebrew tutor and reach of us read a different article in advance. Then we’d present what we’d read. This mean getting exposure to a much larger pool of knowledge than any of us could have on our own.
Eleven: Places Where You Can Trust Others
“Hell is other people,” or so the philosopher Sartre said.
Although that’s a bit of an extreme way to look at things, let’s call a spade a spade:
One of the biggest problems learners face is getting people to keep quiet and eliminate distractions.
To do that, you sometimes have to draw upon a kind of “commander-in-chief” aspect of your personality.
How?
Make it clear to people that you’re not to be disturbed and they will tend to respect your request. And realize that there is a hidden, yet massive benefit to alerting people that you mean business.
And that’s another sub-tip: When you’re a student, you’re investing in your future. You have to schedule your own time in order to schedule the “no interruptions” periods that other people in your life need to recognize.
When you explain to them that you’re a serious investor in your education and want the best possible return on that investment, people are much more likely to respond in a helpful way.
You should also block off certain spaces.
I learned a lot from my friend’s mom. She was a professor and had a simple sign on her home office door. It said, “writing.”
And when that word was facing you, no knocking or talking was allowed.
Simple, yet effective. All it took was communicating with other people and blocking off both time and space for study.
The Best Public Place To Study
The absolute best public place to study is the one you:
Practice studying in
Get the best results in
Test and experiment with over time
This set of conditions means that many places can be the “best.”
And my philosophy has always been to do whatever it takes to get the job done. That’s why I often moved around and continue doing so.
Even when revising my books, which is a kind of study, I will get them printed and read them in different locations. It’s so key to observing a maximum amount of details, rather than the minimum.
As I shared, ear plugs are key, but here’s one step better.
In 2012, I invested in custom ear plugs. These are the kind you can put filters in.
They’re so comfortable and you can still hear your surroundings. The noise just interferes with you less.
It takes a bit of time to get them fitted and they’re not exactly cheap. But they last for years, travel small and make it possible to study just about anywhere without any distractions.
So there you have it. My best tips for finding incredible study spots.
Why not get out there and start experimenting so you can find yours?
Moonwalking with Einstein Review: Will It Change Your Life?
Oct 05, 2022
Moonwalking with Einstein is an incredible book for many reasons.
But will reading it improve your memory?
Even more importantly, will reading Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer improve your life?
Sorry to give you a cliche answer, but rest assured you’ll get more nuance as we go.
The answer is:
It depends.
In this review, you’ll learn who this book is for, who it’s most likely to help and whether or not you’re the kind of person who will benefit from reading it.
And in case you’re wondering why I would know, that’s a very good question.
I have a few insights because I’ve interviewed and spent time with many people in the book.
One of them gave me the Warrior of the Mind emblem for Outstanding Contributions to Global Mental Literacy. You’ll read about that pendant in the early parts of Moonwalking with Einstein.
But above all, I’ve benefited from reading this book myself, albeit in a quirky way.
All will be revealed, so if you’re ready to take a deep dive into this fascinating book, let’s get started!
Who Is Joshua Foer?
Joshua Foer was a science journalist when he wrote Moonwalking with Einstein and published it in 2011.
These days, he owns a company called Atlas Obscura that serves as a guide to the world’s hidden treasures.
According to the book itself, he won the 2006 USA Memory Championship and later ranked 13th at the World Memory Championship event.
Foer told Nelson Dellis in a 2022 interview that although he still uses memory techniques once in a while, it is usually for numbers. But he no longer pushes himself to the level of being a viable memory athlete.
Of the greatest interest for language learners, Foer successfully learned Lingala to a decent degree. He attributes memory techniques to his success based on an older version of Memrise, which included a lot of mnemonic examples at the time.
If you’re wondering if Joshua Foer is legit, the answer is definitely yes. He’s gone beyond using memory techniques for competition and applied them to developing knowledge. That’s exactly what we want in a memory expert.
Moonwalking with Einstein Review: What You Need to Know
The first thing you need to know about Moonwalking with Einstein is that it’s not a memory training book. There’s little in it that could be described as a “lesson.”
That said, the title itself is a lesson in mnemonic imagery. And the best kind because it’s a highly specific mnemonic example.
And if you follow along as you read, you’ll come to know how memory techniques work and gain insight in how to use them. The main problem is that, except for the chapter on how to memorize a poem, you’ll primarily discover how to use mnemonics for competitive outcomes.
More importantly, Moonwalking with Einstein is a book based around some classic themes that are very inspiring. These themes are:
The Value of Experimentation
Throughout the book, you discover how many different people learned about memory techniques and made them their own.
This theme is so critical because a lot of people expect someone to hand them a memory system.
Although there are some memory systems that many memory athletes share (like the PAO System, Dominic System and Major System), each person needs to do a number of things:
Learn the systems
Understand how and why they work
Modify them so they’re personalized (part of active recall in memory science)
Absorb them through practice
Observe and track how they perform
Make improvements over time
The Value of Community
Memory competition requires community by its very nature. You cannot compare your memory skills against others on your own.
A huge theme of the book revolves around the friendships Foer made and the mentors who guided his progress with the memory techniques.
I share one of those mentors with Foer in our dearly departed Tony Buzan.
In one of the book’s early sections, a section that proves Foer’s skills as a writer, Foer notices “a neuron shaped pin adorned [Buzan’s] lapel.” That pin is the Warrior of the Mind Emblem, something Buzan gave me at an event, making me part of a community of memory teachers. For someone who talks for a living, I was speechless!
As Foer describes the scene, Buzan acts like Merlin by making a great call to adventure. Just as Buzan once took me aside, he took Foer aside and had him imagine becoming the USA Memory Champion.
This call to adventure is what leads Foer to travel and meet many memory athletes, memory experts and ultimately enjoy membership in KL7, a secret society of memorizers headed by the Grandmaster of Memory, Ed Cooke.
The Value of Practice & Having Goals
Although the stories of meeting various people are wildly entertaining, the book’s most important theme revolves around practice.
In this regard, the book could be about many competitive sports, though perhaps chess is the closest comparison.
As Foer learns, commitment is rare. And if the book ends on a bittersweet note, it is that Foer learns how easy it is to slip back into easy mode and stop using memory techniques.
But is the backsliding Foer ultimately describes really about a retreat to easy street?
I’m not sure. Given that we know Foer later used memory techniques to help himself learn a language and memorize 1100 words from a Lingala dictionary, I think a major theme of the book is quite simple to express.
Have a goal.
Having meaningful goals is just as rare as commitment in today’s world.
And in some ways, Moonwalking with Einstein is not just about one science journalist winning a memory competition.
It’s about the nature of how American society practices and sets goals compared to other countries.
I recommend readers think about the differences between nations that Foer outlines in order to get maximum value from the book.
Should You Read Moonwalking With Einstein?
In a word, yes.
However, I think many people who are just starting with memory techniques will need at least one other book to help them fully understand the techniques.
You will learn the Memory Palace technique (especially in the chapter on memorizing poetry).
But I’ve read so many people complaining that Moonwalking with Einstein confused them or didn’t help them learn how to improve their memory.
On the other hand, Braden Adams told me that he read the book once and ran with it. He’s now an impressive memory competitor.
And that’s ultimately the book’s strength and weakness. The subtitle says that it’s about “the art and science of remembering everything.”
But as we saw in Where Did Noah Park the Ark? trying to address everything can lead to many people doing nothing.
This statement is not a criticism of any memory book that casts its net wide. But people who don’t suddenly wake up understanding how memory techniques work should not blame Moonwalking with Einstein. It’s mostly about what memory is, how it works, and specifically how to harness those characteristics to win a memory championship.
So if you’re looking for a stimulating read that might give you insights you need as a competitor, Moonwalking with Einstein is pure gold.
But it’s also gold if you want to get inspired and learn more about the value of practice and commitment to a goal.
It’s incredibly well-written too and very exciting.
In my view, you simply cannot go wrong by reading it, but now you know what some of its limitations might be for you.
And if you liked this review and think you might want to learn my approach to using memory techniques, go ahead and grab my FREE Memory Improvement Kit now:
This course is not targeted at competition at all (though my own competition experience is described in The Victorious Mind).
Instead, my course focuses on how ancient people used memory techniques to carry massive amounts of information in their minds when they could not carry books on their backs.
At the end of the day, if you really want to help improve the world, the more books you read and the more courses you take, the merrier we will all be.
So what do you say? Are you reading to start “moonwalking” with Einstein?
Ars Notoria: Rapid Learning or Mindfulness Guide? With Dr. Justin Sledge from Esoterica
Sep 22, 2022
What if there was a book that helped you learn at a rapid pace by chanting the names of angels while looking at interesting images?
There’s more to the Ars Notoria than that, of course.
But the interesting thing is that this book may actually have provided a beneficial effect.
For one thing, the text likely created a meditative state.
And it’s been well-demonstrated that meditation improves memory.
It also improves focus, attention and your overall awareness.
To help us learn more about the Ars Notoria and the people who used it, we’re joined in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast by Dr. Justin Sledge from Esoterica.
https://youtu.be/SIEWtw8B-j4
What Is The Ars Notoria?
The Ars Notoria is hard to describe.
But generally, it probably belongs to a genre called grimoire. This word probably relates to “grammar” and refers to texts proclaiming to teach the art of invoking angels and/or demons.
In the case of the Ars Notoria, the idea seems to be that you “inspect” certain “notes,” ostensibly while chanting the names of angels you’ve memorized.
Why?
Because the book promises that you’ll rapidly acquire the trivium and quadrivium at an epic speed, provided you still attend lecture and do all the assigned reading.
The “notes” you’re supposed to stare at, one assumes, the images included in the book. But it’s possible that you also created your own when using the pecia system to copy books you could not afford to own.
If you want to check out the text for yourself, this is the version of the Ars Notoria I read. It appears that a new version is coming out soon as well.
To understand the medieval practice of this form of magic, I recommend Claire Fanger’s Invoking Angels.
And of course, there is Dr. Sledge’s excellent video analysis of the text:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv0plm9SVIo
How Would You Use The Ars Notoria?
Based on my reading so far, here’s what I would probably do:
Memorize the recommended names and words using a Memory Palace
Recite the content while considering the images
Repeat daily while studying the material using other memory techniques
Although not quite so elaborate, I have done something similar already with Sanskrit. I memorized a substantial part of the Ribhu Gita, for example.
As Dr. Sledge and I speculate, it’s highly likely that using the Ars Notoria provided students and other individuals some benefit. If it didn’t, why else would manuscripts of the text have flourished?
Some people will certainly learn faster and remember more based on the benefits of concentration meditation alone.
But my thinking aligns with Claire Fanger’s suggestion that working with the names of angels probably helped people improve their use of mnemonics.
This intuition makes total sense to me because the more strange names and words you know, the more connections you can make while using mnemonics.
In other words, this could have served as a kind of practice akin to what we do now with things like the pegword method, the Major System and the PAO System.
Ultimately, the only way to know whether or not this approach will work for you is to give it a try.
Stay tuned to this page for updates as more resources and materials emerge.
When the new version comes out, and if it fills in the gaps in the current versions we have, I might just give this technique a try.
And if I do, I’ll document everything for you. Watch this space and if you’d like to improve your memory between now and then, grab my FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
This course provides you with contemporary and scientifically proven boosts to your memory.
And you don’t have to pray to anyone or anything in order for it to work!
7 Memory Hacks That Simply Work
Sep 14, 2022
If you want to learn really fast, these are the memory hacks you want to use. They are by far the most exciting, next level memory tips you’ve ever discovered.
And I promise you that if you read this article all the way through, you will be able to absolutely crush any exam, learn any language faster and never forget a name again.
These tactics helped me during a time when I was so frustrated by what so many “memory experts” were offering.
See, a lot of them are memory competitors.
They use memory techniques to win competitions. Then they instantly forget the numbers, vocabulary and names they memorized.
Not useful for lifelong learning!
Then there are the scientists (or journalists pretending to write scientifically).
Let’s face it:
Memory tips like “take a nap” and “use repetition” aren’t actually “hacks.”
Sure, those things do work. A little.
But if you’re struggling with small memory problems…
Or even big ones…
The standard advice simply won’t do.
The memory hacks you need will be science-based and help you delve into the vast miracle that is the human mind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXinnhU-zTY
But they’re not going to be helpful if they’re written by people who don’t use memory techniques for long term retention.
I do.
So are you ready for a memory hack “manifesto” loaded with techniques that will actually get you results?
Great! Let’s dive in!
7 Memory Hacks That Actually Work
As you go through this list, please understand that there is no special order here.
Each and every one of the memory improvement tactics you’re about to discover is useful.
And you can use some of them in combination for maximum results.
One: Don’t Cram (Not Ever)
When you have to learn something in a rush, the worst thing you can do is sit there and try and force it into your head.
Although some rote repetition can be a good thing, this is better:
But merely by creating them, ideally with multiple colors, you give yourself a shot at experiencing the benefits of active recall.
Using multiple colors on your mind maps will increase your focus and make their content more memorable.
This means that you’ll remember what you’ve mind mapped better because you personalized the information. And you’ve engaged with it in a way that involves novelty and variety.
Both of those things are so powerful, they deserve a discussion on their own.
Four: Inject Novelty and Variety
One of my most used memory hacks during university was studying in multiple locations.
I literally went out of my way to study in as many of Toronto’s libraries as I could. Just as often, I would visit new cafes or even study in parks I’d never seen before. I would ride my bike from place to place, which also had the benefit of giving me breaks.
(It’s really hard to cram when you’re on the road, but very easy to reflect on what you’ve studied. Thinking about the material forms memories quicker.)
Why does including a variety of new locations for learning help with memory formation?
Sometimes people think I’m all about the Memory Palace technique and totally against things like Anki and flashcards.
Such statements couldn’t be further from the truth.
Although I don’t use spaced repetition software often, when I do, I enhance it by using the principles we’ve already discussed:
Personalization and variety.
It’s very simple to draw your own flashcards and photograph them, for example. You can also align your cards with your Memory Palaces using the technique I teach in how to memorize a textbook.
As for Anki, I limit my exposure to all apps as part of avoiding digital amnesia.
Six: Memorize Stories
One problem a lot of people struggling with memory face comes down to articulation. Their tongues get tied or they lose their train of thought.
If you like what you’ve read so far, let me encourage you to go deeper.
The biggest memory hack of them all is this:
Decide to become a master of your memory.
What do I mean by that?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k7hotyHROk
Basically, it means get into memory training and stick with it.Because the truth is there is no short term memory hack that’s going to last forever.
Think of it like this:
You can’t go to the gym once in a while and expect your biceps to grow.
Memory is like a muscle like that.
It needs ongoing attention.
And if you’d like to learn the most powerful technique for making your memory not only improve, but flourish so you can learn languages, concentrate better and stop forgetting things, grab my FREE Memory Improvement Kit now:
It will help you start the path to memory mastery that lasts.
That way, you won’t need hacks any more.
You’ll be the one everyone goes to for help.
Memory Techniques For Chinese with Mandarin Blueprint
Sep 07, 2022
One of the biggest problems when it comes to mnemonics for Mandarin Chinese has recently been solved.
To explain more about the issue and the solution, Phil Crimmins from Mandarin Blueprint joins me on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Now, Phil’s credentials and experiences with Chinese are exceptional.
He’s an accomplished entrepreneur, sure. He’s also very chill thanks to meditation, mindfulness and a great understanding of how to manage his mind.
And he’s a great lifelong learner who has focused on learning Chinese with incredible speed and accuracy.
But it wasn’t always simple. And some mistakes were made along the way.
You can learn from those mistakes.
And take inspiration from how Phil went on to complete a degree at Sichuan University.
Even better, he was awarded an “Outstanding Thesis Award” for his dissertation.
What was this dissertation all about?
“Chinese Acquisition Methods from the Perspective of a Mandarin Learner.”
This means that Phil is not only great at speaking Mandarin, but writing it too!
https://youtu.be/xJOuWDnhpRc
Want To Make Reading And Writing Mandarin Easier?
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method podcast, you’ll learn how Mandarin Blueprint has been helping thousands of people around the world rapidly acquire Chinese language skills.
Let me tell you:
Phil and his partner Luke Neale really know their stuff.
Mandarin Blueprint is an online course, but it’s also something more.
It’s an experience.
See, Phil and Luke understand the brain’s need for a combination of variety, simple challenges and careful progression into more challenging aspects of the language.
Scientifically, they’re keenly aware of active recall and how to help you maximize its benefits.
It’s not just videos on a screen, either. You get quizzes, powerful downloads and activities to complete. There’s also a unique flashcard system that is built for people who use memory techniques to learn Chinese.
It’s in both of these areas that Mandarin Blueprint really shines.
As good as Phil and Luke’s pronunciation is, you also get a native speaker. It not only proves how well they speak, but gives you that all-important variety of voices that stimulates faster learning.
Memory Techniques For Chinese
So what exactly are these special mnemonics in the Mandarin Blueprint program?
That’s exactly what Phil and I discuss today, but as a bit of a preview…
Mnemonics for Chinese go back at least as far as Matteo Ricci in the 16th century. He traveled to China from Italy and even wrote a book about how he learned the language using the art of memory.
Then it’s mostly radio silence until the James Heisig books appeared with titles like, Remembering the Hanzi.
Mandarin Blueprint has taken the best ideas from the memory tradition and improved them, including some ideas from the Marilyn Method. They give interesting ways to connect your associations to both their unique flashcard system and Memory Palaces.
And these ways work, all the more so because they take pronunciation into consideration. In my experience, the Mandarin Blueprint approach is totally unique.
You should definitely try it.
What if you’re not learning Chinese?
Two things:
Why not?
You can still learn a ton about memory techniques by listening to Phil’s experiences using them.
After all, Mandarin is neither easy or difficult. Those matters are just a state of mind.
But there’s definitely a level of involvement with Mandarin that requires more robustness in the memory techniques you use.
And that’s what makes this conversation so valuable. Those robust approaches will transfer over to anything you want to learn!
Can I Use Video Games As Memory Palaces?
Aug 25, 2022
Many people ask me about using a video game as a Memory Palace. Here’s how such questions are often worded:
Hey, could locations in video games work for my Memory Palace? I’m talking about games such as Grand Theft Auto, Minecraft or the games favored by Pewdiepie? What about the Metaverse?
Before we get to the answer, a quick thought experiment in the form of a question:
Do you know the location of the Memory Palace Police Headquarters?
I’ll give you the address later, but think about it as we dive into the topic of using a video game as a Memory Palace.
I have only a passing familiarity with the games indicated by the question, but the quick and dirty answer is:
Yes.Of course. Why not?
A Memory Palace is a reference to space. This space is used either as a surface we paint mnemonic imagery onto, a surface we place it upon.
Or we might hover the associations above the loci. We can even stash them under or inside of locations inside of Memory Palaces, such as by using cupboards or even the pockets of our Magnetic Bridging Figures.
So long as you understand what the Memory Palace technique is and practice it, you can use video games. Or even movies. Heck, you can even make Memory Palaces from the individual pages of books to help you use elaborative encoding as you use both simple and advanced memory techniques.
The Truth About Using Memory Palaces Based On Video Games
In truth, it doesn’t matter what I think. The real answer is up to you.
And here’s a potentially MASSIVE time saving tip:
When it comes to memory training, any “can I” or “could I” question almost always has the same answer:
Dive in and give it a try! If it doesn’t work…
Come back to the Magnetic Memory Method for foundational training.
But always understand two things:
Using memory techniques like the Memory Palace is always experimental in nature
Memory Palaces are always already virtual
Why Memory Palaces Are Always Experimental
What do I mean?
Every time I personally set out to use a Memory Palace, it’s an experiment. The Memory Palace is like a mental laboratory. If I’m memorizing anything using it, it’s a test of my skills. And I always learn something new.
Why Memory Palaces Are Always Virtual
This point gets into the philosophy of memory, and it may or may not be useful to you.
In brief, the world is represented to your mind by your brain. That means that it is a recreation of what is “out there,” not an accurate depiction of reality.
Therefore, when you use a memory of your childhood home, you are tapping into your brain chemistry. The same brain chemistry that you’re tapping into when you think about a video game you want to use as a Memory Palace.
How is accessing one of these potential Memory Palace sources more “real” than the other?
The answer, in my not-so-humble, but always Magnetic opinion is that they are both equally virtual.
But what matters at the end of the day isn’t the intellectual debate.
It’s how well one option works compared to the other.
There are also issues of recursion to consider, as I did in this video about using a paracosm vs. the Metaverse.
Familiarity = Speed
I choose Memory Palaces that are based on “real” locations I’ve visited because I noticed one simple thing early on in my practice:
It’s faster and easier to set them up when they are based on real buildings. The amount of decisions that has to be made is drastically reduced.
But that might not be a concern for you.
If you are so familiar with that location in the video game that you can create a journey through it and don’t have to spend a millisecond thinking of what comes next, then I think that is great.
I’m being a bit dramatic with the “millisecond” thing, so don’t take that as law. The point is that speed is very important when learning, as is the principle called speed of implementation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=386LzJmXWHE
The idea here is that the faster you can get something into action, the faster you’ll be able to use it. And that means the faster you’ll get results.
For this reason, I would suggest applying the same guidelines for preparation and predetermination I teach you to apply to “real” spaces to imagined spaces as well.
All the details about this are covered in my free course:
The Real Reason People Want Video Game Memory Palaces
I think it’s worth thinking about the intention behind this memory improvement question.
In many cases, people want to create a video game Memory Palace Network simply because they never get out enough.
Is that a healthy reason?
I ask because so many issues with brain fog and depression that harm our memory come from social isolation and lack of exercise.
And we know that playing games can increase hand-eye coordination (not the same as ambidextrousness, but still cool to develop).
In any case, if you’re using a video game to avoid getting out into the world, you’re probably shooting yourself in the foot.
Creating a Memory Palace Network by visiting more of your city is a great memory exercise. And as I mentioned, it’s healthy too.
What About Reusing Memory Palaces?
This is a very personal thing, but I would predict that people who do not have enough Memory Palaces based on real locations are going to have issues reusing imaginary Memory Palaces.
Even if both actual and imagined locations are equally “virtual” in my view, it comes down to simplicity and speed of implementation.
The Memory Palace you can use thoroughly and well is going to be easier to reuse thoroughly and well.
But as I’ve talked about many times before, reusing Memory Palaces is rarely necessary. Nor is it always recommended:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umt-innA-u8
That said, I have discovered some interesting alternative ways to reuse Memory Palaces that I’ve never seen discussed before. These are covered in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
Again, this is not necessarily recommended. But like I said, memory techniques are best when you treat everything like an experiment.
The Ultimate Truth About Video Game Memory Palaces
I think I said it best in this quick video, then we’ll follow up with the nitty-gritty:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BpwRp5Jxwo
If you’re going to use Memory Palaces based on games…
Platform Games Have Worked Best For Me
Here’s why:
When I’ve used video games for my memory and learning goals, I prefer Donkey Kong as the Memory Palace.
This is because the entire game plays out on a single screen, not an endlessly changing landscape.
Platform games are also like how I imagine each room in a Memory Palace.
Each station is “fixed.” I move mentally from corner to corner, and for that reason, it’s better if the space doesn’t rotate around without your head having been in it.
See my post on Memory Palace Science for more knowledge on why this spatial element is so important when it come to thinking through the topic if you aren’t good at mentally navigating space.
Here’s another point that makes me like platform games a lot better:
The screens used for game play in platform games can be easily divided into quadrants without thinking too much about the layout. In this way, platform games are a lot like chess.
And chessboards seems to me a more likely solution for quick and easy to use Memory Palaces than a highly dynamic game with multiple environments that have to be memorized in order to be useful.
That leads to using Memorized Palaces instead of Memory Palaces. And that is ultimately a deviation from what the Magnetic Memory Method is all about.
Using Donkey Kong As A Memory Palace Example
If we take Donkey Kong as an example, the journey could start at the bottom left of the screen. That corner would be station number one.
Looking at the screen, you might see a number of platforms. Without Googling to see just how many platforms there are on level one, you can mentally decide that there are five and Donkey Kong stands at the very left of the top platform.
You can then assign the rule that each platform gets three stations (left, center, right) and another rule that you would move across each platform in a zipper formation (left to right, right to left, left to right, etc).
It’s completely up to you whether or not you “see” a figure moving in the Memory Palace or not. I don’t really have much of a mind’s eye (aphantasia), so that’s perhaps one reason I prefer to make mental calculations and keep things super-simple.
But simple doesn’t mean limiting.
Just do the math on this example:
This particular configuration with a few simple operating principles based on one screen of Donkey Kong gives me 15 Memory Palace stations total!
That’s a ton of new information that can be memorized at the drop of a hat!
Of course, I don’t know the game involved in the original question. Perhaps you can set up Skyrim with a similar grid. Isolating a single screen when beginning with a game like this for a Memory Palace might help you more than trying to create an entire journey.
If you do, please let me know which game you used and a little bit of the journey you created. 🙂
On the matter of using “virtual spaces” for Memory Palace memorization, this topic is discussed in detail here:
In sum, if you’re using the Memory Palace technique for learning, you want the technique that works best for you.
I don’t have the final word. You do.
And when it comes to knowing how to study fast, it’s always an individual journey.
My suggestion?
Try both versions of the Memory Palace technique. Use your past often, including your childhood and other aspects of your autobiographical memory.
Then you’ll know.
And if nothing else, you’ll have the benefit of some great brain exercise better than most of the brain games out there.
Where Are The Memory Palace Police?
Ultimately, there is no final word on this topic. There’s so much more to explore when it comes to the Memory Palace technique, and using memory spaces in general.
But the Headquarters of the Memory Palace Police?
https://youtu.be/6ODk_lsqXSM
It is nowhere. It doesn’t exist.
At least, not yet, except perhaps in one of my future novels. And that’s a very good thing.
Because at the end of the day, the Magnetic Memory Method is about helping you discover the methods you can use to create your own memory systems.
It’s about encouraging you to think for yourself.
And so for just about every “Can I”? question related to using memory techniques out there, the answer is very simple:
Yes, you can. Just treat it like an experiment.
And if your experiments don’t pan out, journal about them, like I discussed with Johannes Mallow and elsewhere in my teaching.
Don’t wait for the confidence to experiment to fall from the sky.
Build it by taking action, and use the speed of implementation rule to help urge you forward.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to become the architect of your mind and experience better living through better memory?
Give me a hell-yeah in the comments if so!
The Memory Journal For Competition and Developing Mnemonic Systems For Learning With Johannes Mallow
Aug 17, 2022
Have you ever set your mind on accomplishing something big?
Johannes Mallow did.
After seeing memory techniques demonstrated on German television, he decided he would do more than merely learn how to use mnemonics.
He committed to conquering them so well that he could win the most challenging memory competitions on the planet.
Despite all the odds, including battling against a physical condition…
Mallow made it happen.
And today he uses his status as a world renowned memory athlete and memory expert to help others.
He’s an incredible promotor of memory sports and has helped many people experience the power of their minds.
In this exclusive interview, Mallow shares some of the lesser-known secrets of how to develop the memory systems needed to succeed.
The Role Of The Memory Journal In Memory Sports And Long Term Learning
One of the most important tools you can use when learning memory techniques is the memory journal.
Listen in as Johannes Mallow shares tips and tricks around getting one started and using it to optimize your memory skills over time.
https://youtu.be/3dbGaCvj9yU
These are tips you’ll wish you’d had years ago!
Johannes Mallow On Practical Memory Techniques
One thing I appreciate highly in Johannes’ approach to teaching memory skills is clarity.
See, a lot of memory athletes make it seem like how they use mnemonics for competition translates to long term learning gains.
Make no mistake:
The techniques are definitely related.
But you need a bit more in order to form long-term memories, such as active recall.
This is so refreshing to hear! Especially since the points Johannes brings from his years of studying memory science in addition to practicing as a mental athlete are so key when it comes to learning new things thoroughly.
No, journaling is a specific skill that you can learn to do well. Which is all the more reason I’m grateful for Johannes and the tips and experiences he shared in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Enjoy!
Further Resources From Johannes Mallow And Resources Mentioned In This Episode
Memorizing the planets is one of the coolest things you can do.
But finding the best planet mnemonic can be tricky.
That’s because the best planet mnemonic for someone else might not be the best approach for you.
That’s why I’m going to share an alternative to acronyms and acrostic mnemonics for the planets on this page.
And you’ll probably find the hermetic mnemonic for planets especially useful.
It’s definitely my favorite and works fast!
The Simple and Effective Planet Mnemonic
Let’s get one thing clear:
Simple doesn’t necessarily mean easy.
But when you use an effective planet mnemonic and have fun with it, you will enjoy efficiency with learning as much of the solar system as you wish.
As you rapidly absorb the knowledge using these techniques, you can add details about each planet to your memory with ease.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iadUSC0yMw4
For learning the planets, I recommend using a Memory Palace. Even if you use an acrostic inside of a Memory Palace, I think you’ll find using your spatial memory as part of the process much more powerful.
What is a Memory Palace? It’s a mental image based on a familiar location. You simply place the names of the planets along a journey in this location and use funny or weird associations to trigger the target information.
To get started, pick any room. Then assign a spot for each of the planets you want to memorize.
Let’s say you’re going for a comprehensive solar system mnemonic that includes:
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Ceres
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Haumea
Makemake
Eris
This means you need 13 stations in your Memory Palace.
As you can see in the illustration above, it’s easy to assign stations in any room for this amount of information.
Next, you simply place a mnemonic image that helps you remember the name of each planet in order.
For example, on station one, you can place something that reminds you of Mercury.
You could choose the mythical god Mercury. Or a car, like a Mercury Grand Marquis.
Or you could combine the mythical god and the car in an unusual way to help you remember that you mentally placed Mercury in that part of the room. This is the kind of approach that makes memorizing planets so much fun.
You then simply repeat the process, using simple pegword associations throughout the room you chose.
The Hermetic Memory Palace For the Classic Solar System
Recently, I wanted to memorize the solar system as it was used in the Italic Hermetic Tradition.
Or better said, I adapted it in a particular way for one of my applied memory experiments.
(See David Pantano’s The Magic Door for the source of my inspiration.)
To do this, I memorized the seven classical planets using my body as the Memory Palace.
The Body Memory Palace for Memorizing the Classical Solar System
Using the human body as a mnemonic device for the planets and information about the solar system is easy.
In this case, I needed only seven stations.
Saturn (the space above my head)
Jupiter (the top of my head)
Mars (mouth)
Sun (chest)
Moon (belly)
Mercury (hip joint)
Venus (thigh)
To add more planets, you would simply create more stations.
You can also link each of these stations to numbers using the Major Method. I talked about this style of Memory Palace with memory expert Ron White in this detailed interview.
To add details about the planets is easy once they’re in place. For example, the hermeticists considered Mars an image of willpower. So near my mouth, I imagined this planet clamping my mouth closed to help me hold my tongue as an act of willpower.
Acrostic For The Planets
Typically, you’ll find examples of planet mnemonics in the form of acrostics.
This type of memory technique involves assigning a word to each letter in an attempt to create a memorable phrase.
Common examples for different amounts of planets include:
My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas
Men Very Easily Make Jugs Serve Useful Needs, Perhaps
Mary’s violet eyes make Johnnie stay up nights pondering
Personally, I find all of these mnemonic examples vague, abstract and hard to memorize.
They’re not adaptable either. You can’t easily expand them to include more space for more planets and information as we discover it.
But with a Memory Palace you can.
If you use your body, you can even duplicate yourself inside of a Memory Palace to create more space.
You can reproduce this solar system mnemonic multiple times to help you remember more information about the planets.
In brief, I think the best mnemonic strategy for the planets is the Memory Palace technique.
If you still like using planet acrostics, you can help yourself remember them better by stringing them out in a Memory Palace. Or you can explore the story and linking method.
In all things, experimentation with a wide variety of mnemonic strategies is important. On the matter of experimentation, keep in mind that you can also use each and every planet you memorize itself as a Memory Palace. Here’s an example of how that works using the moon:
https://youtu.be/9QF4AihKmbo
And if you’d like to learn more about these techniques, please consider signing up for my FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
It will help you create the perfect system of associations for mastering knowledge of the planets. Both what we know currently and what people thought about the planets in the past.
After all, that’s what true astronomy is all about: the past, the present and what we imagine we’ll discover in the future.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to deeply absorb information about our galaxy?
To infinity!
Everest Memory Masterclass: Is Nelson Dellis’s Course Good?
Jul 20, 2022
Put simply, Nelson Dellis is a legend in the memory competitor world.
He’s won the USA Memory Championship a bunch of times, and ranks very high globally.
Nelson’s also well-known as a mountaineer. Just about every year, he’s got cool posts of traveling to Everest and other mountains on his Instagram.
But what you probably don’t know about him is that he’s a skilled university lecturer too.
And when memory expertise, the mindset of an athlete and raw teaching ability combine, you get an amazing memory improvement course.
Although I know a fair amount of memory techniques, I learned new things. I had a lot of fun too.
Even better, an aspect of my memory improved.
And just so you know, I didn’t get this course for free. Even though I’ve known Nelson for many years and probably could have asked for a comp, I bought it as a regular person.
To me, that’s important for a few reasons, ranging from instilling the desire to go through the course and feeling free to speak my mind about the experience as a legit course participant.
So if you’re ready, let’s dive into a bit more about Nelson himself, and then the course.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMyIdE0ql1M
Who is Nelson Dellis?
Nelson’s memory competition record is impressive. There’s a full rundown on his Wikipedia profile, including the records he’s broken.
How did it all start?
In response to seeing his grandmother’s memory decline due to Alzheimer’s disease.
I find his charitable and educational efforts especially impressive. I’ve interviewed him several times on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast and he’s always dreaming up new ways to inspire people to use mnemonics.
Everest Memory Masterclass Review: What You Need to Know
There are many things to love about this course. If I were to sum it all up in a simple statement, it’s this:
Nelson’s very upfront about the fact that each of us need to develop our own skills.
Literally, no one else is going to do it for you. The same way that no one could ever climb a mountain on Nelson’s behalf.
In other words, there are aspects to the art of memory that can only be learned by doing.
With this learning requirement in mind, Nelson equips you with materials that will help in just about every possible regard. He gives you the ropes, the boots, the helmet, flashlight, etc.
You just need to bring yourself and your willingness to take action.
The course includes:
Clear and crisp descriptions of the core memory techniques
Weekly assignments
“Memorize with Me” timed sessions
Sitdown sessions
Live streams during the cohort (with replays)
Discussion group
Additional resources
Instructions on tracking your progress
Progress tests
Detailed lessons on how to beat Nelson at a memory competition
Interviews with renowned memory experts
The progress tracking techniques are probably my favorite part of the Everest Memory Masterclass. Nelson shows you how to set specific benchmarks based on your baseline.
When I took the course, I created my own Google Drive folder as Nelson recommends and started tracking my progress with memorizing words using the International Association of Memory software.
Normally, I memorize directly from print books. So it’s quite something that Nelson’s course encouraged me to tackle something I not only dislike, but dread: memorizing from screens.
Incredible Progress Tracking Lessons
As an example, he gets you to answer some questions and set up folders to track your progress based on the different information categories he teaches.
To take you inside just one of my folders, you can see the progress using Nelson’s approach created for me at a glance.
In just one day I went from having a ton of errors to having much fewer errors in the same allotment of time for memorizing vocabulary.
Frankly, I still find it challenging to memorize from screens.
But the proof is in the pudding.
If you track your results, a certain kind of magic as profound as the memory techniques themselves takes place.
And I’m now much better at this particular kind of memorization.
In sum, measuring our own progress is itself a skill. And Nelson’s approach to getting yourself serious gains in this area is fantastic.
The Memory Teaching
Nelson is an incredible teacher. He gives you multiple ways to think about the techniques and “for instance” examples of how you might use them.
He’s also great at helping you develop the mindset needed to get out there and use them without worrying about making mistakes. He also gives useful tips on getting out of your own way and removing unhelpful self-criticism.
Speaking of criticism, you might be wondering if I have any…
Not really.
But let me gesture at something I think about a fair amount when it comes to online education:
My favorite parts of the course are the longer videos. I find the shorter videos anywhere fairly annoying. I’m totally biased in this regard, and it could have more to do with my demographic than with digital amnesia.
See, I’m in my mid-forties and grew up with detailed introductions to just about everything. The university lectures I attended and gave were usually 90 minutes with (maybe) one break. And my favorite online cases tend to be long.
(I mean, really long and I find that quite helpful compared to short lessons.)
But you know what?
This kind of criticism doesn’t matter much because Nelson’s course has plenty of variety.
Although I couldn’t attend any of the live sessions due to my time zone, I was able to ask him a few questions in the discussion group. And reading the comments and questions of others raised quite a few interesting points I hadn’t thought of before.
And the replays are there if you want them in all their lengthy glory.
The Truth About Succeeding With Any Memory Improvement Course
Frankly, no matter how you cut up a course, the true student goes through it all. The true student develops patience for the many different kinds of content and presentation styles out there.
And when it comes to memory, your results will only partially come from consuming “content.”
The lion’s share of developing your memory will come from taking action. When it comes to memory techniques, there are at least three kinds of action:
Developing your systems of association
Applying them while learning in real time
Using some form of recall practice to instill information in long term memory
I’m very impressed by what Nelson has put together, especially the detailed walkthroughs. You join him as he explains exactly how you can achieve his same memory feats in detail.
And if you find it hard to settle down and focus on your own, the timed focus sessions will be a boon for you. You’ll have a focused set of sessions to sit down with and get the implementation aspects of the course done.
Yes, You Should Take Everest Memory Masterclass
In sum, this is a great course and you should take it.
Frankly, if you go through everything and take action, your memory will improve.
In my experience, the hardest thing for most people is setting goals for what to memorize.
Nelson has pretty much solved that.
No, you might not want to memorize random vocabulary or digits.
But the fact of the matter is that the world is filled with them.
And if you can’t remember them as they come in randomly, you’re probably not going to be able to memorize them when they’re packed into meaningful units.
So in this program, you get the best of all possible worlds.
It’s just up to you to take the steps. Or place your hands on the mountain face, as the case may be.
And on that note:
I’ll never forget something Nelson told me during one of our many conversations.
He said that when you’re climbing a mountain, you don’t have to worry about the peak.
It’s there. And you can reach it.
Really, all you have to think about is where you’re going to place your hands and feet next.
When you’re willing to do that, you can summit the biggest mountain of them all:
Your mind.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to experience epic memory skills?
I can’t recommend Everest Memory Masterclass highly enough!
How to Improve Memory After a Stroke: 4 Proven Methods
Jul 06, 2022
Many people come to me with memory loss after a stroke.
They’re confused.
Struggling to pay attention.
Frustrated that they can’t remember details that used to come to mind so easily before suffering their stroke.
Equally troubling are the spouses who email me about their loved ones.
They ask me about brain exercises for stroke recovery.
And they’re generally worried about the future, because we all want to lead rich and fulfilling lives in our old age.
Which won’t be easy or particularly fun without enjoying significant recovery.
Good news.
Life can be rich and fulfilling, even after a stroke.
On this page, you’ll learn all about why memory loss happens after a stroke.
And what can be done to get your precious memory abilities back.
Not only that, you’ve got a chance of having your memory operate even better than before.
Ready?
Let’s dive in.
Does a Stroke Cause Memory Loss? What You Need to Know
Strokes cause memory for a few reasons.
Brain cells die as a result of the stroke
Neuronal connections may be severed
Vascular dementia may develop
Comorbidity or other health issues may exacerbate the previous reasons
There are other factors that might contribute. For example, researchers have found that previous educational experiences might contribute either positively or negatively.
In other words, if you have a strong education background, you may fare better than someone who has not. Likewise, if you’re bilingual, you may have developed “cognitive reserve” that will work to protect your brain.
To be clear: learning a language or completing a degree might not prevent you from having a stroke. But it can help protect your brain from damage, or bounce back much faster.
Of course, a lot depends on exactly where the stroke has hit the brain. For example, a stroke that affects the prefrontal cortex can diminish your ability to pay attention. This cognitive ability affects memory differently than other types of memory.
This means that both the stroke victim and family and community members may be affected.
But the good news is that there is a lot you can do to improve.
Let’s check them out!
How to Improve Memory After a Stroke: 4 Scientifically Proven Methods
The following list is in no particular order of importance.
All of them are good.
And all of them can be done after a stroke to enjoy memory recovery.
But they also can be done beforehand to prevent having problems in the first place. You’ll enjoy fewer memory blocks and greater brain health overall.
One: Movement
Researchers have noted significant memory improvements when stroke patients engage in the 8 brocades of Qigong.
I practice these myself and notice great memory boosts. I recommend Mimi Kuo-Deemer’s Qi Gong and the Tai Chi Axis. It contains easy to understand instructions for each of the movements tested in the brocade study.
Movement also improves sleep, which automatically leads to improved memory.
In their studies, singing as part of a choir. This outcomes makes sense because being with others also promotes better health.
But it’s how singing and chanting “vibrate” the brain that most strongly correlates with the findings from studies in transcranial current stimulation.
Three: Brain Exercises
There are all kinds of apps selling “brain exercise” subscriptions. According to Dr. Christine Till and many others, the claims they make are mostly dubious.
So what counts as simple routines that do work?
First, you need brain exercises that follow the mental workout rules shared here. These include new learning, which as we saw above, helps people avoid memory loss from strokes in the first place.
Second, if you want to clear brain fog after a stroke, you need a brain exercise that is designed for such outcomes. Neurobic exercises provide excellent routines for that.
I’ll give you a few specific brain exercises a little further down this page. But first, let’s talk more specifically about what you can do to recover your memory moving forward.
Four: Memory Exercises
Memory exercises differ from brain exercises. Whereas brain exercises train our focus and attention, memory exercises are all about improving recall.
One of the best things you can do is deliberately remember information. You can engage in activities like:
To make all of these activities much more fun and easy, I suggest you learn how to use a Memory Palace. It’s a simple mental tool that uses association to help you learn new things faster.
These Brain Exercises for Stroke Recovery Will Help You Restore Your Memory
Now that you know of the key activities you can explore for better memory, let me share a few quick brain exercises with you.
Give each a try and journal your results along the way.
Writing out your experiences and keeping a recovery diary is the best way to note what works. That way, you know what to do more of and what you can replace.
Number Skipping
When it comes to improving the ability to pay attention that so that you can remember incoming information, this exercise is key.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7NPia_lkaE
To get started, get from one to ten, but not exactly.
Skip representing the even numbers.
In other words, count “one” out loud, but when you get to the “space” you would normally count “two,” suppress it.
For many people, this will be hard. It’s like saying to someone, “Don’t think of a red cat.” Your mind has to do it in order to obey the command.
But with practice, you can assign space in your mind for numbers without representing them.
I know this exercise is abstract, so please watch the video version so you can learn it as thoroughly as possible.
Kirtan Kriya
You can reduce stress at the same time you boost memory and comprehension.
This simple brain exercise involves reciting simple syllables as you work with your fingers.
Here’s an excellent video tutorial on the practice from Dr. Gary Weber:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehvokeZnXMM
If you want a more advanced version of this exercise, try combining it with number skipping.
People who trained with this form of association showed better abilities to navigate life. This included their ability to reason effectively. In other words, by memorizing something each day, the kept their critical thinking skills intact.
This is likely due to the benefits of haptic memory exercise, literally the mental exercise you get from using your hands. It could have to do with combining the visual and physical experience of assembling a picture in a way that engages Weber’s law.
One study implies that it would be very good if we all continue to complete physical puzzles as kids, rather than playing too much on devices that create digital amnesia. Basically, the study suggests that you’ll do even better with these kinds of activities if you have prior experience with them.
But anyone can benefit, so get yourself a puzzle and start solving it.
Become An Expert And Maintain Your Expertise
As we’ve seen, it pays to be prepared in the event of a stroke.
But even if you’re recovering, you can work on developing expertise in a topic and then benefit from maintaining your knowledge.
As Timothy Salthouse has found, there is truth to the “Use It or Lose It” hypothesis.
It’s never too late to develop even just a small amount of expertise in areas like:
Chess
Music
The arts
Law
History
Literature
Politics
Philosophy
In all cases, the trick is to get sufficient amounts of deliberate practice.
Can Strokes Affect Memory?
In a word, yes.
But so can many other things, both positively or negatively.
So whether you’re working on your recovery now, helping someone who is, or hoping to avoid issues altogether, the time to get started with the activities on this page is now.
The best part is that all of the brain exercises and accelerated learning techniques you’ve discovered today are easy and fun.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to give your stroke the boot and enjoy amplifying your memory?
If so, why not give my FREE Memory Improvement Kit a try?
It will help you develop those Memory Palaces I was telling you about above.
And they’re useful for working on the vocabulary memorization exercises that have been scientifically shown to help people live fulfilling lives, even after experiencing a stroke.
If you have any questions, just let me know and I’ll get back to you a.s.a.p.
The Number Rhyme System (What It Is & How to Use It)
Jun 29, 2022
Remembering lists is tough, right? Not with a proper mnemonic number rhyme system.
Whether it’s items you need from the grocery store or an index of medical terms you need to pass an exam.
Enter the real magic of the number rhyme system.
This simple trick is used by students around the world in multiple fields.
Mentalists use it to create astonishing illusions.
And you can use it too. Simply take a few minutes to learn it and practice this unique mnemonic tool with information you want to remember.
The best part?
It’s fun, fast and one of the best memory techniques for both kids and adults alike.
Ready?
Let’s get started.
What Is the Number Rhyme System?
Number rhymes or counting rhymes are a variation on the pegword method.
That is, they allow us to follow a series of established associations, sometimes called mnemonic images.
But the key difference here is that all of the mnemonic images rhyme. And we know from studies like this one that kids absolutely remember far better when they rhyme words.
Another study has shown that there’s a memory advantage from involving a sense of rhythm, and that works for all ages.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW5OUO7kD9Y
Typically, this kind of pegword works by rhyming each number to with an object or some other reference. Like the following examples I’ve used personally for years:
Zero is a superhero
One is a gun
Two is a shoe
Three is a bee
Four is a door
Five is a hive
Six is sticks
Seven is heaven
Eight is a gate
Nine is wine
Ten is a hen
If you like any of these images, feel free to use them. Or come up with your own.
For example, some people use a “bun” instead of a gun because they don’t like weapons.
For myself, I switched “heaven” for my friend Evan. He’s much more memorable than that rather vague concept.
That said, if you like heaven, a trick is to make it more concrete, perhaps by thinking about the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
I do that for most of these. For example, 3 is a bee is generic. But I make the mnemonic rhyme specific by using Jerry Seinfeld as a bee from The Bee Movie.
How to Use the Number Rhyme System
The purpose of this mnemonic system is to “attach” or “associate” information you don’t know what simple mental images.
Then, by elaborating something like a story between the target information and the number rhyme, you’ll find it easier to remember the list of what you want to remember.
For example, let’s say you need to remember that you want to research architecture.
You would then go to your number rhyme system and imagine a famous piece of architecture wrapped up in a bun.
Then, if your second research project is to research steel, you could have steel bars filling up a shoe.
These associations help trigger your memory because of the combination of rhyming the numbers and associating them with the target information.
The cool thing is that if someone tests you: “What was item 5 on your list?” You’ll be able to instantly tell them what that item was.
When it comes to practicing this system, there are a number of things you can do. We’ve already looked at remembering research topics you want to look up in the future.
And this mnemonic strategy will work for just about anything that involves simple items or ideas that don’t involve a lot of words. I wouldn’t suggest using this approach to memorize a poem, however, though you certainly could give it a try.
The number rhyme system probably won’t help you memorize a poem, at least not with any ease. But it would make for a fascinating and challenging experiment to try.
The hardest thing for many people is putting the time together to create lists of information to memorize. Here are some suggestions:
For vocabulary, use the dictionary
For names, use something like the Internet Movie Database
For place names, open up Google Maps and memorize street names
For book titles, use your bookshelves or Ebook catalog
Usually, once people have a taste for the power of using number rhymes to memorize lists, they want more.
One of the next levels of skill to explore involves the Major System. It lets you memorize numbers in a highly refined way. Instead of using rhymes, you associate the digits 0-9 with consonants. You then turn these consonants into memorable words.
The Major can be evolved even further by creating a PAO System. Instead of having words to help you memorize numbers, you also use people, actions and objects in a strategic manner.
Finally, the technique that governs them all: The Memory Palace. It allows you to store information in your mind by placing things like rhymes in an imaginary way throughout a building.
To help your kids remember that 2×2=4, you can use the number rhyme system in combination with a Memory Palace.
If you learn to use the Memory Palace technique strategically, it’s easy to place the entire multiplication table along a simple journey in one or two buildings.
Learn More Memory Systems Now
What you’ve discovered today is really just the beginning of an incredible adventure you can enjoy using memory techniques to learn and remember more.
It will show you exactly how to develop a robust Memory Palace Network that scales. You never have to forget important information again.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to master your memory using number rhymes?
Although it’s a simple start to a much larger universe of memory techniques, it will remain useful and powerful for the rest of your life.
Mnemonic Images: What They Are & How They Help
Jun 08, 2022
Mnemonic images are powerful tools you can use to speed up the learning and remembering process.
You can use mnemonic pictures for nearly everything:
Language learning
Info from textbooks
Chemistry
Math
Names
Facts
Historical dates
Lists
Verbatim tasks like quotes and speeches
The trick is to assign your mnemonic images correctly.
Miss just one step, and the process can be slow, boring and not worth the time.
But learn to use mnemonic images well, and you’ll learn at a much faster pace.
Ready for the real deal when it comes to this powerful learning strategy?
Let’s dive in!
What Are Mnemonic Images?
Mnemonic images are associations. Learners use them to pass exams, and they are increasingly used in cognitive training as discussed in this scientific study.
For example, if I want to remember a name like “Bruce,” I might think of Bruce Wayne from Batman lore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM1sQJshXE4
You attach a simple image like either of them to information you want to learn.
They can be simple and direct like Bruce Wayne, or more complex as needed. For larger learning projects, we typically place our associations in a Memory Palace.
You can also draw them out, which I often do to speed up the learning process. It works because of how drawing and imagination both exercise your visual memory.
Here’s an example of how I’ve used drawing in combination with a superhero image from one of my language learning missions:
This kind of visual mnemonic works because the answer isn’t on the card.
I’ve also left a blank area with no mnemonic image at all to tickle my memory and imagination in a growth-oriented way.
That way, the entire mnemonic image presents a puzzle to be solved.
And solving it makes memories form faster.
The Truth About Mnemonics
Frankly, there’s a bit of a problem in how we use this term “mnemonic image.”
You see, the idea of an image mnemonic makes it seem like the associations have to be visual.
But visual mnemonics are actually just one category of associations you can assign.
In the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, I teach you all the major categories of association through KAVE COGS:
Kinaesthetic mnemonics
Auditory mnemonics
Visual mnemonics
Emotional mnemonics
Conceptual mnemonics
Olfactory mnemonics
Gustatory mnemonics
Spatial mnemonics
Those are the major eight categories most of us draw upon the most often. But there are twenty more that I teach, and knowledge of the entire set can be useful from time to time. You can also discover and develop each one by completing various sensory memory exercises, all of which I recommend.
The point is this:
True Mnemonic Images Are Multisensory
Good mnemonic images are always multisensory. They don’t just rely on the visual mode.
So if you want to learn faster and remember more, visual mnemonics are okay. But you’ll do a lot better if you add in more mental imagery based on other sensations. In the Magnetic Memory Method world, we call the range of sensations we use the “Magnetic Modes.”
Why?
Because we know from personal experience and a variety of sources that multisensory association is the key to associative learning.
First, we have thirty years of memory competition records, and I’ve interviewed dozens of memory athletes like Nelson Dellis, Braden Adams, Lynne Kelly, Katie Kermode and John Graham to name just a few. I’ve also interviewed the creator of the World Memory Championships, Tony Buzan.
We know from studies that mnemonic processing works a lot better when it is multisensory. Studies have shown that multi sensory mnemonics can beat flash cards, for example. (I’ll show you a way you can combine mnemonic images with flash cards in a moment.)
Overall, multisensory association is a kind of “guided learning,” and this has been shown to be very healthy for adults. And you don’t have to be a memory competitor to benefit. People like myself, Scott Gosnell and John Michael Greer all produce materials for adult learners to help teach themselves this “martial art of the mind.”
Finally, this study shows that it is best for the images to be as strange and bizarre as possible. In the past, I used to call this process Mindshock, as discussed in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast:
With all of the evidence and that podcast in tow, let me now give you a few steps and some examples that will help you quickly master using mnemonic images as you learn.
How to Use Visual Mnemonics to Remember Things
Keeping in mind that what we’re talking about is visualizing a wide range of sensations when assigning associations, here’s what to do and how to do it.
I know this step sounds obvious to some learners. But here’s the sad truth. Many people don’t spend any time at all thinking about what they want to memorize. And that means they don’t arrange their target information in order to optimize how they’ll approach memorizing it.
This neglect causes issues later because mnemonic images are associations and they can blur into each other if they aren’t separated and arranged in optimal ways.
For example, when you’re memorizing a speech, you may want to memorize the quotes you use first. That’s how I approached my TEDx Talk. Sure, it’s out of order, but the decision paid off.
Let’s take another example:
When you’re memorizing foreign language vocabulary, you might want to organize the words by theme or even alphabetically. By arranging the German vocabulary I needed to learn in order to lecture at the University of Saarland alphabetically, I learned a lot more words and phrases faster than I could have done otherwise.
What’s the best way to organize what you want to memorize using mnemonic images?
First, follow my process for taking notes from your textbooks. Next, you’ll want to follow the next step to avoid issues that emerge from poor information organization.
A Memory Palace is a mnemonic image. And it’s a powerful one because it allows you to use every other memory technique within it.
Any building you are basically familiar with can be used as a Memory Palace for storing your mnemonic imagery.
You also can use the Memory Palace to review your mnemonic images. Without this spatial memory foundation, it’s difficult to manage a bunch of associations floating around in the void of your mind.
Step Three: Select Your Mnemonic Images Skillfully
When learning, a lot of people make weak mnemonic images.
For example, if they are memorizing scripture, they might do something like this for Proverbs 18:13, “To answer before listening, that is folly and shame.”
They might use a mnemonic image of a tutu answering a bee-shaped telephone to get started.
That’s okay, but as a mnemonic, it’s also generic and vague.
To use the Magnetic Memory Method, you choose much more specific references. I would certainly stick with the tutu, but I would add Desmond Tutu.
Desmond Tutu wearing a tutu is a lot stronger than just the piece of clothing floating around on its own.
Then, with this image secured in a Memory Palace, I would add KAVE COGS. I would literally pretend to be Desmond Tutu and feel the tutu against my skin. I would hear him dancing around like a ballerina on his way to answer the bee-shaped phone.
And it would not be just any bee-shaped phone. It would be the character from The Bee Movie, voiced by Jerry Seinfeld.
Instead of using a generic mnemonic image, take things one step further. Find a specific version of that visual image. This reduces cognitive load when using the association to remember information.
These specific references make it easy to pack in sounds, emotions, physical sensations and elements of size, smells and tastes. It’s so much more powerful than visual mnemonics on their own.
Mnemonic Images For Language Learning Example
When I learned the Japanese hiragana, I applied all of the principles I’m teaching you on this page.
To keep things highly specific and easy to animate in the mind, I chose Ezra Pound as a mnemonic image that helped me both “see” and “hear” the following hiragana:
あ (a) Ezra Pound standing in Jesus Christ pose with a Christian fish symbol attacking his legs. He shouts Ah!
い (i) Pound with two eels in his mouth, squirming, one long like an upside down seven, one short. They are squealing eee eee eee.
う (u) Pound leaning on a stick with a beret cooing ooh as the weight is relieved by the stick.
To help you better experience how I linked these mnemonic images to the hiragana, I’ve asked an illustrator to supply the following pictures:
This process works great thanks to applying a much fuller understanding of mental imagery than is normally taught. Simply by “leaning” on Ezra Pound throughout the encoding process, I was able to memorize fifteen hiragana in fifteen minutes.
But it’s not just about Japanese or language learning. You can check out many testimonials from people who went from using mnemonics how others teach them, to the Magnetic Memory Method approach.
So long as you choose your mnemonic images well, you will have a much easier time recalling your target information. That’s because how you’re using these mnemonic devices has been properly optimized.
Step Four: Review Your Mnemonic Images Strategically
With a Memory Palace in play, you’re able to gather together dozens, if not hundreds of mnemonic images. My TEDx Talk involved over 300, to give you a simple example.
(Though, please keep in mind that it’s not a numbers game. And there are different ways to count how many images are involved depending on your exact approach).
In my experience, the best way to review the associations is to follow the Memory Palace journey using dedicated patterns:
Review them forwards
Backwards
From the middle of the Memory Palace to the end
From the middle of the Memory Palace to the beginning
Out of order
Randomly pop in
This approach gives equal doses of Primacy and Recency to each mnemonic image in the Memory Palace.
Step Five: Experiment
I mentioned above that there’s a way to integrate flash cards. You can also use digital flash cards using an app like Anki.
The same rules apply.
When you create your card, either on paper or on a digital screen, make sure to use KAVE COGS.
And practice memorizing many different types of information. The images you use to memorize words will ultimately be linked to what you use for words. But knowing how, when and why to shift your mnemonic strategy is the key to long term success across the learning landscape.
Step Six: Develop
As you continue learning using mnemonic images, develop other systems.
There are three key systems that give you literally dozens of images you can draw from on demand.
Within 2-5 hours of developmental work, the piles of mnemonic images these systems give you will be ready to use in a flash.
For example, if I have to memorize an unfamiliar name like Gangador Dianand, I don’t have to create a mnemonic image from scratch. I just consult my pegword list for ideas.
If I have to memorize a number like 33924345, all I need is my 00-99 PAO, which has three images perfectly suited for those numbers. It’s ready to go, and all I had to do was develop it based on the Major System.
That’s all you’ll have to do too.
Beyond Mnemonic Pictures
Without a doubt, mnemonic images are fun and easy to develop and use.
The trick is to not treat them like “pictures” or limit them to the visual mode.
The more you broaden them into the multi-sensory capacities of your mind, the great memory power they will have.
And you can apply the KAVE COGS formula to your Memory palaces too.
Remember: Every Memory Palace is also a mnemonic image.
And it’s the best kind of mnemonic image because it is the one that lets you store all the rest.
If you need help building your first Memory Palace and want an entire network of them, register for this free course now:
It will help you develop them in an optimal way to house all of your mnemonic images from here on in. That way, you’ll remember a lot more, a lot faster.
12 Brain Warm Up Exercises That Actually Work
Jun 01, 2022
Good brain warm up exercises are hard to find, but you’ve just discovered an in-depth list of the best.
What makes a mental warm up routine good?
For one thing, it has to challenge your mind.
In order to create an effect, each warm up routine needs to produce at least a bit of friction.
By taking on the quick and creative challenges I’ve gathered for you on this page, you’ll experience exactly that:
Positive friction that produces mental dexterity, new ideas and personal growth.
Sound good?
Great! Let’s dive in!
12 Brain Warm Up Exercises That Wake Your Brain Up
This list of warm ups for your brain is a cornucopia of ideas.
They’re all good, so don’t feel that the numbers are an indicator of value.
But if you want my personal opinion?
I saved the best and most scientifically-tested exercises to wake up your brain for the end of the list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re81N5KlouY
One: List 10 Alternative Uses For An Object
You’ve probably heard of the one where you list 10 alternative uses for an object before.
Like if I show you a paperclip, you might suggest stringing enough of them together to create a ladder from here to the moon as your first alternative use.
It’s a great exercise that creates rapid benefits, and it works with any object.
But I’d suggest you go a step further. For example, if you’re going to create a ladder to the moon using paperclips, why not also imagine a version of the moon composed entirely of paperclips.
This is the alternative substance exercise that in some sense already exists. For years people have been saying the moon is made of cheese, but paperclips… how about socks? Or arts? Or noodles?
Then go a step further yet.
What possible things could you use a moon made out of noodles for? Would you campaign the rich to donate spaceships and space suits so they could bring those noodles back to earth to feed the poor?
Whatever use you find your random objects, figure out what links you’ve made between things, then change the substance of the thing being linked to into the original object and find at least a few alternative uses for that.
If you can’t think of ten, don’t sweat it. But keep coming back to it throughout the day for some mini-creative exercise.
It’s a great exercise that creates rapid benefits, and it works with any object.
So grab an eraser, sock, book or any object you can find and jot down at least ten alternative ways it could be used.
If you can’t think of ten, don’t sweat it. But keep coming back to it throughout the day for some mini-creative exercise.
Two: Question Your Dreams
I don’t know about you, but I dream often.
But instead of letting them drift away, I use my dreams to engage in one of the strongest morning brain exercises I know.
Write down the dream or dream fragment you remember
Ask what it reminds you of (situation, person or place)
Journal briefly on any emotions or concepts that arise
You can also do exercises throughout the day with your daydreams. This is an activity Robert Langs discusses in full in his excellent Daydream Workbook.
In brief, when you notice yourself daydreaming, make a note of the nature of the dream. And ask yourself similar questions about what memories come to mind surrounding it? What emotions, longings or fulfillments does the dray dream suggest?
There doesn’t have to be any particular outcome from this exercise. You’re just going for the brain warm up and using your dreams and day dreams to do it.
Three: Give Emotions to Colors
Take ROY G BIV, the acronym for red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
Then list as quickly as you can the first emotion that comes to mind for each color. For example:
Red = anger
Orange = shame
Yellow = happy
To take the exercise to the next level, find 3-5 alternative words for each emotion. In other words, mentally transform happiness into contentedness, comfort, mirth, cheer, elatedness, etc.
Try and do it on your own before reaching for a thesaurus.
Four: Play the Alphabet Game
Either in your mind or using paper and pen, think of a name for each letter.
For example:
A = Anthony
B = Bonnie
C = Connie etc.
Now, they don’t have to rhyme, as I’ve done, but that in itself provides interesting exercise that will stretch your mind even further.
You can also go through the alphabet and name only objects:
A = apple
B = ball
C = car etc.
If you want to take this to the next level, have a person you name interact with an object by the same letter. Have the action also start with the same letter, like this:
Al Pacino accepts an apple
Batman bounces a ball
Cookie monster cooks a car, etc.
Sure, things might get weird, but that’s why this exercise works so well to wake up your brain.
Let’s say you’re doing the color/emotion exercise I shared above. You’ve discovered a word in the thesaurus and you want to remember to use it more often.
Take the word and think about an image that comes to mind that can help you remember it.
For elatedness, you could seize upon the el and think about someone named Elaine arriving late.
To take another example, for mirth, you could think about frankincense and myrrh, as mentioned in the Bible.
Go back as far as you can in your life. For example, grade one or two.
Think of a book that you loved during that year. Or at least a book you can remember reading.
For me, I remember a book in kindergarten or grade one that involved teddy bears falling off of the book shelf they lived on. They fell onto a map spread on the floor and had to find their way back to the bookshelf from disparate lands.
The next book I distinctly remember is Where the Red Fern Grows. All I really remember about it is that there was a dog and quite a bit about hunting racoons.
Don’t worry if you have to skip entire grades or if you aren’t sure about accuracy. Just try your best to proceed on a year-by-year basis.
You can also just go year-by-year if you haven’t been in school for a very long time. The point of the warm up exercise is to stick with the yearly progression.
As an alternative, you can also use movies and try to match the year or grade you were in when you saw them.
Seven: The Movie Name Game
Take a movie that you know. Then, take the last letter in the name of the movie. Use it to name another movie.
For example, if you think of Aliens, then your next movie should start with S, such as Superman. Then you would think of one that starts with N.
This exercise can get challenging fast, and challenge the relationship between your memory and intelligence because of how it requires you to mentally rotate the alphabet while engaging your semantic memory. But push through and see how far you get. Try to name at least 10 titles before you stop.
As an alternative, you can use book titles, names of people you know or celebrities.
Eight: Mentally Combine Objects
Unlike the exercise where you name as many possible uses for an object as you can think of, here the goal is to think of mixing two objects together.
For example, imagine mixing cherry juice with mustard. Or attaching a chain saw to a car. How about an airplane that shoots spiderwebs?
See if you can get 10 combinations together.
You can also take this to the next level by getting actual objects together on a table and trying to combine them. For example, you can play around with combining:
Fork
String
Coins
Salt shaker
Etc.
To take a simple example, you could tie the string around the coin and use it as a swinging mallet to make a dinner bell out of the salt shaker.
Nine: Combine Stories
Imagine Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.
But instead of having a dog named Toto, imagine that her pet is Scooby Doo. Then imagine how Scooby Doo would fit into the basket on Dorothy’s bike. And think about how he would react when meeting the Wicked Witch for the first time?
To continue this creative warm up exercise, have a number of movie and story titles on slips of paper. Mix them around and mishmash a few together. Then think of scenarios and what they would be like with the character swaps in place.
For more examples, imagine:
James Bond in a battle against Kermit the Frog
Rambo taking on the Death Star in Star Wars
Sherlock Holmes in The Firm instead of Tom Cruise
Keeping physical books in the area where you complete your morning brain exercises is a great way to do this. Just grab a few novels or comic books and think of mix-and-match ways to create new and unusual combinations.
You could also combine philosophical concepts for an additional layer of challenge if you read it regularly. It will challenge your reasoning skills and enable you to ask new and interesting philosophical questions.
Use it to memorize something (like a simple mantra)
Enter your Memory Palace first thing in the morning
Recite the mantra
Exit the Memory Palace feeling warmed up
If you really get into this practice, you can also memorize playing cards as a quick warm up. I sometimes do this before applying memory techniques to language learning.
Eleven: Learn and Use a Speed Calculation System
Imagine being able to solve mathematical equations within seconds?
All you have to do is learn a simple system. I recommend the Trachtenberg method.
Although learning it might not itself serve as a brain warm up, using it certainly well.
It’s a lot of fun and you can learn to use it for addition, multiplication, division and even squaring and algebraic manipulation.
Getting an A instead of a B+ just by writing about how you feel.
Researchers also found that if the participants focused on their breathing while journaling, they did even better.
The catch with this study is that it was useful for students with anxiety. Having dealt with anxiety myself and used journaling, I’ve found this approach excellent in my own life for getting my brain warmed up.
I don’t see why it wouldn’t help anyone, even if they don’t have anxiety themselves.
Give it a try!
Exercises to Wake Up Your Brain
As you can see, there are many routines you can follow.
In fact, we’re just scratching the surface.
If you find that you like these brain warm up routines, there are so many more things you can do.
And if you found the Memory Palace technique intriguing, why not learn the skill in earnest?
I’ve got a whole FREE course you can register for right now:
It will take you through how to develop this simple tool so you can use it throughout the day to keep your brain sharp.
The best part?
It will help you remember the different brain warm up routines we discussed today.
So give it a try and just shout out if you have any questions along the way. I’ll get back to you a.s.a.p.
Memory and Intelligence: Are They Connected?
May 25, 2022
Are memory and intelligence connected?
Of course they are.
After all, how could you ever display your intelligence without using your memory to speak?
But let’s dig deeper.
Working memory and intelligence are connected in some interesting ways.
And when you understand these, you can use your natural memory to boost your own intelligence quickly.
Even better:
You can help others do the same.
Ready?
Let’s get started!
The Link Between Memory and Intelligence Explained
Intelligence comes down to drawing upon remembered experiences to plan and make decisions.
Indeed, it is a sign of high intelligence when individuals take time to plan before making snap decisions.
Of course, as neuroscientist David Eagleman points out in The Brain: The Story of You, we don’t always have time to plan out our decisions.
To help us see how the intelligence centers of the brain light up when faced with logical problems that need to be decided quickly, neuroscientists study people’s brains as they consider the trolley problem.
But here’s something interesting:
In these scenarios, it is typically not intelligence, but emotions that guide how people make decisions.
Emotional Intelligence and Memory
According to researchers, emotional memory always involves physiological responses. These can range from happiness to anger whenever our episodic memory brings up something from the past.
But the idea that emotions are not part of our intelligence is suspect at best. Of course we draw upon past emotional experiences to help us make decisions.
Not only that, but there are many subconscious mind exercises that seek to extract past emotions so that intelligent decisions can be made. Without using your emotional memory, it’s hard to elicit positive emotions required for motivation.
Music also involves both emotional intelligence and memory. To be able to memorize song lyrics and perform with gusto draws upon both.
Plus, actors often draw upon emotions and memory that utilize many aspects of intelligence. They do this to memorize their lines and perform them.
Can You Have a High IQ and be Forgetful?
You can have a high IQ and suffer from low working memory. Or, you can experience the reverse.
This is because many factors can cause working memory issues. You might be tired, distracted or simply not paying attention. You might also be experiencing a serotonin or dopamine issue.
The truth is that everyone forgets, even if an individual has done a lot of work to improve their IQ. No matter how smart you might be on an average day, things can get in the way of both your memory and your intelligence. Even the best memory champions forget things.
Also keep in mind that IQ typically involves tests that rely upon abstract thinking and reasoning in response to symbols.
My Best Memory Resources
If you really want to experience better intelligence, it’s pretty simple. Set specific learning goals and use memory techniques to boost your understanding and recall.
Here’s a list of my best resources for learning these skills quickly:
By combining memory and reading techniques with critical thinking, you’ll automatically boost both your recall abilities and intelligence.
The reason this mix works is because we often cannot understand certain things until we get them into memory.
Yet, so many people persist in putting things aside and giving up. That’s simply not necessary. If you would just spend a bit of time committing things to memory, soon you’ll start to understand.
It’s like this in language learning as well. Many polyglots agree that you’re better off committing vocabulary and phrases to memory so that you can understand grammar more quickly. It seems like studying grammar is the thing to do, but it’s far from the smartest path.
Memory Vs Intelligence
At the end of the day, we need multiple levels of memory in order for our intelligence to work.
These levels go beyond the episodic memory we talked about above. We also can include:
And of course, there are even more categories to explore.
The more you know about memory, the more intelligent you can be about setting goals to improve it, write about it or simply enjoy thinking about it.
So what do you say?
If you’d like the ultimate guide to memory improvement, grab this FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
It will help you rapidly learn the best techniques I know for improving your intelligence so that you have wonderful things worth remembering.
15 Of The Best Critical Thinking Books That Come Packed With Examples
May 18, 2022
Critical thinking books are a dime a dozen.
However, few of them come packed with examples.
Even fewer come with exercises.
Examples and exercises are important because critical thinking is not just something you learn.
It’s something you develop through observation followed by practical application.
Here’s another problem that might be frustrating you if you’re looking for the best critical thinking books:
A lot of them are either irrelevant, “dumbed-down” for the mass market, or already abandoned by their authors.
For example, the famous Thinking, Fast and Slow on just about every list has big problems.
Its author, Daniel Khaneman has agreed that several entire chapters need to be removed in a future edition.
Why?
The reproducibility problem. Many of the studies he refers to weren’t scientifically valid.
But critical thinking is based on reproducible models.
So on this page, let’s dig into a comprehensive list of critical thinking books that won’t go out of date.
The 15 Best Critical Thinking Books Packed With Examples For Improving Your Mind
As you go through these examples, consider your specific goals.
As you’ll see, each of these examples are related, but each has different strengths.
You’ll want to beef up on each of these areas, but as you gather your collection, I suggest you start with where you currently feel you need the most help.
How to develop creative analogies so you can see the “shape” and dynamics of larger topics.
Threshold concepts, which are “the central, defining truths in a given discipline, the ideas that open a gateway to deeper understanding.”
Why some ideas are obvious to certain people but take others a long time to learn.
As an example of how this book and its critical thinking strategies helped me personally, when I was working on my Art of Memory project, this guide reminded me to read both the historical summary and also the specific books about memory during that period. This is what Hamilton means by knowing the “shape” of a topic.
Other great aspects of this book include its points on:
How beliefs can distort facts
Who really benefits and who suffered from environmental damage in the world
The concept of opportunity cost
How to assess critical thinking
It gives examples of each and concludes strong with its best tip:
Study real problems and how they were solved, and then recall these frequently to test your memory for accuracy about the details.
There are many reasons many of us fail to be persuasive. Worse, we are unaware of the reasons we are so easily persuaded.
But in this excellent book, Toulmin shows you:
What it means to make a valid argument
How to lay out valid arguments
The difference between working logic and idealised logic
How that validity must be intra-field, not inter-field (so that you approach critical thinking comparatively)
It boils down to this:
Arguments have patterns and we can learn to perceive those patterns.
One pro tip in this book is to find ways to see logic and critical thinking as historical.
When you know how logic has changed over time, you’re able to note the patterns that shape how we communicate and use them better.
That’s just one benefit. Here are 11 more benefits of critical thinking you can expect after reading the books on this page.
Four: Validity In Your Thinking
I’ll never forget hearing The Amazing Kreskin discuss hypnosis. He said:
“Hypnosis is nothing more than the acceptance of a suggestion.”
In other words, it’s just persuasion. And since we’re persuaded all the time, there’s a strong suggestion that our behavior is being shaped outside of our awareness more often than we think.
If you don’t have much time to learn how this is happening to you, I suggest Critical Thinking : A Concise Guide by Tracy Bowell and Gary Kemp.
This book’s strength is how it helps you determine whether an argument is valid.
To do so, the authors teach you the connection between critical thinking and symbolic logic, informal logic and formal logic.
You also learn how to determine which parts of an argument are relevant. You get real world examples with detailed commentary on each.
A v Hoare is one of my favorite examples. In it, you learn about how the amount of detail shapes our perceptions. You also learn how to determine what information is valuable to properly assess the context and shape of an argument.
Five: How To Stop Thinking Against Yourself
I used to think very darkly.
Little did I know that I was using my thoughts against myself, practically making it impossible to see opportunities.
This book not only goes through numerous examples of how people use cynical thinking against themselves. It also gives powerful exercises that help your critical thinking skills see opportunities your own thinking patterns might be hiding from you.
Six: Understanding Your Personality
Few books in this field approach the topic with personality types in mind.
Looking at your personal dispositions can help you avoid many of the problems created by emotions and cognitive biases.
You may even want to go further by looking into the OCEAN model to help better understand how your personality might help or hinder your thinking abilities.
Either way, Hanscomb’s book is great. Pay extra attention to the final chapter. It’s pack with additional examples of fallacies you’ll want to avoid.
My favorite book on the topic is also one of the most hotly contested.
But it’s the examples in Free Will by Sam Harris that really bring it all together.
And although Daniel Dennet strongly disagrees with its thesis, going through the for and against will give your thinking abilities a stretch.
Without a doubt, contending with the issue of free will is one of the best ways you can practice critical thinking. It will also give you a better understanding of human consciousness too.
Nine: The Humpty Dumpty Of Thought
Thinking from A to Z by Nigel Warburton is a fantastic encyclopedia of terms and concepts you’ll want to be familiar with.
As the cohost of Philosophy Bites, a fantastic philosophy podcast, Warburton has packed this book with excellent critical thinking tools to up your game.
Some of my favorites include:
Weasel Words
“Advertisers who declare the food they are selling to be a ‘healthier alternative’ need to specify precisely what the food is healthier than and why. If they cannot do this, then the weasel words ‘healthier alternative’ are meaningless – mere rhetoric”
Humptydumptying
Giving private meanings to words in common use
‘When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty answers, in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’
This book exposes the many poor thinking habits we have. Here are just a few the book covers and then repairs:
Being in a hurry
Missing a deadline
Faulty cost analyses
Failing to ask for help
I’ve personally found this book helpful, especially when dealing with customers and personal coaching clients. It’s great to be able to ascertain what errors people are making and help guide them to more logical conclusions.
Anyone can do this for themselves too. Read this book.
Thirteen: Know Your Science
The lack of scientific literacy in society is a huge problem.
In this book by Marianna Barr and Gershon Ben-Shakhar, you get detailed chapters that use critical thinking to debunk:
Cold reading
Astrology
Graphology
Mysticism
Another thing that makes this critical thinking book unique is that it includes:
Correspondence with Houdini
Good movie and literature examples
Excellent lists of books to follow-up on with for further information about each pseudoscientific topic
I also like how the book discusses the reasons why people need to believe – or at least think they do.
Fourteen: An Ancient Critical Thinking Book
Of all the schools of philosophy, I personally find Advaita Vedanta the most interesting.
Basically, this term translates to a statement like: “the culmination of the Vedas is ‘not two’”.
In other words, the philosophy works to demonstrate a “oneness” in human consciousness.
One of the most interesting books uses critical thinking to demonstrate this principle. It is called Panchadasi.
My favorite commentary on this text, which includes a translation, is Inquiry Into Existence, by James Swartz.
This philosophy will probably stretch your mind.
The trick is not to mistake its conclusions for solipsism, which is arguably nonsense. This book is really just a way of thinking through the situation we all find ourselves in as the bearers of consciousness.
And challenge is really good for helping you see certain cherished beliefs or long-held assumptions in new ways. I’m glad I read it and return to it often to take on further challenges to my thinking.
Fifteen: Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models
A friend turned me on to Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models after it helped him solve a problem he’d struggled to solve for a few years.
What makes this book great isn’t just the sheer number of examples it includes.
It’s fast-paced, fun and built around relatable examples that we all face in the real world.
You’ll go through case studies and scenarios, including business situations, issues that arrive in your personal life and even your studies.
If you’ve ever wondered by your mind operates the way it does and how to make the change to more effective modes of thought, the mental models in this book will intrigue you.
Crafting A Library Of Critical Thinking Books
I hope you enjoyed checking out this list of books on critical thinking. Please let me know which ones you check out and how you helpful you found them.
There are many more out there, and keep in mind that you can find texts that will help you improve many types of thinking.
The important thing is to have a library that you continually build and read thoroughly.
And to get it all in, I recommend that you check out how to read faster next.
Need help with remembering what you read from these books? Check out my free memory improvement course:
Learn New Skills Fast With These 12 Proven & Efficient Tips
May 11, 2022
If you want to learn new skills quickly, the process can be easy and fun.
But let’s call a spade a spade:
What might challenge you are the steps involved.
This point is important for one simple reason I’ve observed many times over my years as a professor and author who helps people with skills development:
Far too many people miss out on learning the most effective process for rapidly acquiring a new skill. Often, they chase after efficiency first.
In fact, learning how to learn effectively is where everyone should start when it comes to just about every skill you can learn.
There’s another problem we’re going to eliminate today:
We live in a world where all kinds of gurus keep telling you what to do and how to do it based on their journeys.
Sure, sometimes you can follow their tips.
But let’s get one huge problem out of the way from the get go:
You should not try to reproduce anyone else’s journey.
Why should you take me seriously – apart from the fact that I just gave you the most powerful advice for learning any new skill upfront?
Well, for one thing, I have rapidly learned skills that helped me become a person of accomplishment. I’m not asking you to follow my journey, but you should know that I’ve been in the trenches of developing multiple skills. I have:
Despite all those experiences, I’ll be the first to tell you that I still have a lot to learn. And that’s the next best tip I can give you upfront:
Keep humble. It helps you learn faster no matter how good you get.
So are you ready for the best nitty-gritty learning tactics I know?
Let’s get started.
How to Learn and Master New Skills Quickly
The first thing I would point out is that technically there’s no such thing as a “new skill.”
Now, this might be getting a bit philosophical, but I think the point is important.
Just because it’s “new to you,” doesn’t make it new. In fact, it wouldn’t even be called a “skill” if someone else hadn’t learned it first.
That’s why this first tip is so important. As Michael Hyatt once put it, “you always have all the resources you need.”
When it comes to learning skills, this statement has never been more true. Most of us can access blogs, videos and social media to learn more than ever before.
One: Get Clarity Using “Dual-Coding”
Often, the people who have mastered skills completely define them very differently than those who want to learn it.
Combining reading with looking at illustrations is called “dual-coding.” It’s been scientifically tested and in this study, researchers found that it helps learners enjoy both concrete and abstract thinking at the same time.
But when you’re looking for books and courses, you have to watch out for sandtraps.
Many publishing companies hire people to write books and create courses teaching skills the instructors don’t actually possess, after all. It’s a tragedy, but you can learn to avoid it by doing your research.
It’s not that such learning programs are always bad.
You just want to make sure that you’re getting a variety of learning inputs, with ample materials coming directly from the source.
I use the Bruce Lee example because he shares more than just the technical processes and photographs. In books like Striking Thoughts, Lee gives you critical thinking strategies as well so you get the benefits of dual-coding.
Access to multiple channels of information is so important because combining theory and practice will help you learn skills faster in almost every case.
Two: Seek Experiences Wherever Possible
As part of going to the source and beefing up on theory, try to find ways to learn the skills through lived experience.
I’m talking about supplementing the skill you want to learn with:
Workshops
Seminars
Apprenticeships
Field trips
Long term coaching
Working with a mentor
Even skills that are solitary, like reading and writing, benefit from working in groups. You can take breaks and talk with others, rapidly accelerating how you learn.
Three: Remove Limiting Beliefs
A lot of people think they have a particular learning style.
Whereas you might respond better to different kinds of visualization related to reading, there’s no reason to believe that anything holds you back.
As Tesia Marshik has shown in her research, learning outcomes don’t budge at all when educational material is presented in ways that cater to different learning styles. Check out her TEDx Talk for a quick overview of her work in this area.
Four: Make Your Own Metaphor
One of the reasons people blame “learning styles” for their failure to master skills is having a low-self image.
You can also craft a personal metaphor. As Nir Eyal has shown in his research, many addicts have recovered thoroughly and completely after adopting a new persona.
The science behind this strategy is solid, but it’s also not new. Many philosophers, ranging from Plato to Nietzsche and beyond have suggested this strategy.
In my own case, I have often adopted personal metaphors like:
My memory flourishes like a garden
I am a Discipline Engine
My life is floating along with calm and enjoyable cruising altitude
Practice creating and using your own metaphors and I’m confident you’ll find yourself learning new skills much faster.
Five: Embrace Mistakes
Fear of failure spreads like a disease.
It’s a particularly savage blight on the learning community because few things can be learned without making mistakes.
Many times when I want to learn a new skill, I know in advance that I’ll be making tons of mistakes.
When you accept and embrace this fact, you’ll enjoy more fulfilling success.
It’s an essential tool because it helps you keep track of your progress.
And when failure happens – as it inevitably will – keeping a journal helps you reflect on the exact nature of what went wrong. As this study found, students learning pharmacology not only learned faster. They also managed to reduce their stress and enjoy better mental health overall.
This works because of the reflective thinking journaling promotes. Without using journaling to analyze your progress, it’s difficult to make corrections and avoid repeating mistakes.
It also makes deliberate practice nearly impossible if you starve yourself of the metacognition journaling provides.
Seven: Break Things Down As Your Practice
Too many people approach a new skill as one giant object. It’s important to eat the elephant one bite at a time.
I’m not necessarily talking about chunking things down, but rather seeing the component parts of the skill you’re trying to learn. Then examine how those parts can be divided into even smaller components.
For example, when I learned the very difficult skill of writing books, I didn’t just dive into 100,000 word tomes.
I started with small articles.
Even to this day, I write books one chapter at a time. And these are written one page at a time. My general practice is to focus on just 2000 words a day, but always with an eye to appreciating each word as part of the whole.
Likewise, when learning to market my books, I didn’t try to advertise on dozens of platforms all at once. I picked just one, learned its ropes and grew from there.
Let me give you another example from when I learned this complex riff on guitar:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_HHChKwNkVU
I didn’t try to learn the whole passage in one go. That’s a mistake a lot of people new to the skill or learning music make.
Instead, I broke the passage down into individual sections. Then I focused on practicing just those sections before weaving them together. Using mnemonics for music helps with naturally breaking things down, but you can also do this when learning music without any memory techniques.
Here’s the point:
Break things down to the smallest possible component. Then practice that isolated aspect of the skill.
If you struggle with breaking things down, this is where adopting a personal metaphor can help. You can say, for example, “I am a master at breaking skills down.”
Eight: Balance the Challenge-Frustration Curve
Largely due to fear of failure, many people avoid challenges.
The problem is, if you don’t take on challenges, you cannot grow.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, many people rush into things so quickly that they wind up frustrated. That leads them to give up prematurely.
With this in mind, the best thing to do is balance what I think of as the Challenge-Frustration Curve.
There’s no chart or diagram that will show you how to do this. You simply have to maintain an awareness that you cannot grow without taking on challenges. And if things get too tough, you need to explore ways to reduce the frustration that will inevitably occur when you’re not skilled enough to continue – yet.
Nine: Avoid Unanswerable Questions When Setting Your Goals & Milestones
How long does it take to learn a new skill?
Well, let me ask you this:
If you really want the skill, does it really matter how long it takes?
Personally, I focus on acquiring new skills that I want to enjoy maintaining for life. I don’t want my mind cluttered with worrying about when I’ll finally master a skill.
Instead, I want to enjoy each and every step of the way.
In other words, mastery is ongoing practice. And the best way to pick up new skills is to act as if you will be learning them forever. This is another kind of mental metaphor that helps keep your focus where it belongs.
That said, if you really need to know how long something takes, do some research.
Find three people who have mastered the skill and found out how long each of them took.
Make an average of the times they took. Probably that number will resemble how long you’ll need to master the skill.
Ten: Space Your Learning Out & Enjoy Breaks Strategically
Did you know that there’s a highly scientific way to take breaks while learning? A tactic for getting rest that will help you learn new skills faster?
It’s called interleaving. You literally focus on learning one skill for 15-20 minutes, then switch to something else.
The best part about it is that you can pick up multiple skills at the same time while accelerating your progress.
My fellow memory expert Dave Farrow has talked about how it helped him learn robotics quickly.
I find interleaving especially useful when reading, especially dense and technical books about philosophy.
I also use it a lot when learning music.
For example, I tend to spend a maximum of ten minutes on a challenging piece of music. Then I switch to playing something easier before coming back to the harder piece of music.
My fitness trainer led me through a similar process for learning the Turkish getup with kettlebells. I was especially difficult for me at the time because I was not strong at the time, nor flexible.
We broke it down and after working on just part, we switched to something else before coming back to working further on the Turkish getup.
Rotating through different parts of different skills isn’t new. If you think about it, schools have operated this way for a long time, interleaving topics like math, science, social studies and language arts throughout the weeks of each semester.
As adults, we don’t have schools to design rotational learning like this for us. But now that you’re aware of the principle, you can do so for yourself.
To take one example, from Adolfo Artigas you get the stern warning not to skip around the program or “cherrypick.”
I find this important in every course I take myself.
And the only reason I can see why more and more people are missing out on crucial details is that digital amnesia is ruining their ability to focus for more than a few moments at a time.
The reason completing books and programs from beginning to end is so important has to do with your brain chemistry is that thorough learning requires tonic dopamine. In other words, you need a stable level of the brain chemical across time.
But when you flip between screens and tabs on your computer, you’re blasting yourself with phasic dopamine. It ruins your attention span.
Now, there are ways to skim and scan through books that let you study faster with wrecking your focus, but they’re not a replacement for being a completionist most of the time. That’s why it’s important to study in ways that actually ensure you will remember what you study.
Another part of proper completionism involves learning from experts efficiently.
As this scientific research paper outlines, part of the puzzle here is learning how to distinguish real experts from novices who are pretending to know more than they actually do.
One tip that comes out of the research is that real experts tend to much better organized and live well-integrated lives. So when you’re deciding who to learn from, perform due diligence. Match what they say with what they actually do and have their claims independently verified.
Twelve: Get Help If You Need It
Many people are too proud to get a coach or mentor.
That’s a shame because often times, personal guidance is the only thing that will help them move forward.
I’ve had many coaches and mentors and the only downside is that you sometimes have to experiment with a couple of them until you find a fit.
But that’s the same thing with trying on shoes, so it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker.
If you’re journaling as I suggested above, you should be able to find the right fit for you a lot sooner.
And when you’re practicing the mental metaphor technique I shared with you today, you’ll soon be able to add your mentor’s style to your mind.
You can literally save yourself a coaching hour by asking yourself, “What would my coach tell me to do about learning this skill?”
Learning New Skills Could Not Be Easier
Now that you’re equipped with some of my best tips, I hope you agree that learning any new skill is a lot easier than it seems.
The trick is to adopt a personal policy of complete and “radical” honesty.
Don’t let yourself or anyone else pull the wool over your eyes. There’s nothing to be gained from self-deception.
And one of the best skills of all to learn involves amping up your memory. That way, you won’t forget the tips you learned today.
If you’re interested, grab my FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
In it, you’ll learn to use a Memory Palace. This is a skill that gives you a mental toolbox for storing lessons like the ones you learned today.
And if you have any questions, just pop them in the comments.
Visual Memory: What It Is & How to Improve It
May 04, 2022
Some people say that visual memory boils down to recalling what things look like.
That’s part of the picture, sure.
But if you really want to understand visual memory thoroughly, you need to dig deeper.
And that’s exactly what we’re going to get into on this page.
As a memory expert, I personally needed to figure out the definition of this aspect of memory for a few reasons. The main one is that many of my students and coaching clients memorize highly visual information at memory competitions or on the job.
For example, some of my clients are police officers or work for the fire department. They need to remember things like license plates and building layouts. And they need to do so in a flash.
It’s especially useful to understand the visual aspect of how memory works because visual memory ranges from the concrete to the incredibly abstract. Having health visual memory is therefore essential for navigating the world and you can improve it.
So if you’re ready to “see” deeper into what visual recall is really all about, including different ways to make yours sharper, let’s get started.
What Is Visual Memory?
Visual memory is not merely the ability to recall what you see. This kind of “visual recall” includes how you remember features of reality like:
Visual memory is not to be mistaken with visual memory techniques that people use to learn faster in combination with mnemonic images. But you do use visual memory during both learning and recall.
When exactly does visual memory come into play? To take just a few examples, a healthy visual memory helps you:
Thus, visual memory is technically any kind of memory formed by information that enters your mind through a visual system.
This foundational principle is where things get really interesting. For example, there are types of synesthesia where some individuals might experience sounds in highly visual ways.
And if you think about it, most of our experience in watching a movie is built not from what we see. The brain builds 70% of the experience (or more) from what we hear.
We often think of movies as a visual medium, but studies have shown that our brains build pictures largely from what we hear.
With that in mind, Steven J. Luck and Andrew Hollingworth define this term in their book Visual Memory like this:
“The memory must retain properties of the original perceptual states generated when the memory was encoded.”
This definition of visual memorization means that you could feel something but if your brain translates it into a visual concept at any time, it will count as a visual memory.
Let me give you an example:
In choreography, many people close their eyes to help them remember moves. Later, they will picture themselves or others going through these movements. In some cases, there are granular details you can visually focus on in your imagination without ever having “seen” them.
For example, in martial arts, it’s possible to imagine combat scenarios and how you would move in response without ever having to go through such a situation. This is how powerful our visual senses are, and we draw directly on visual memory in order for our minds to animate or bring to life these hypothetical events.
As Susanna Siegel points out in The Contents of Visual Experience, there are a number of ways information (content) enters our minds:
We have beliefs about what we see before it is seen (which can cause us to mistake what we’re seeing)
What we see guides our physical actions in concrete ways (like when you open your hand to a particular size to accommodate a door handle)
We introspect about what something might look like (as in the choreography example above)
You also have to think about situations where the autonomic nervous system’s sympathetic branch has been stimulated – such as when your pupils dilate. Optical illusions often draw upon these automatic responses to trick our minds.
Some of these points might seem abstract, but everything comes down to one word: context. Keep context in mind when defining visual memory and you will enjoy greater accuracy when describing it.
How Does Visual Memory Work?
As we’ve just discovered, the exact context in which visual memory comes into play matters.
For example, if we’re talking about memorizing the content of scenes or events, we need to take into account how our eyes move relative to this kind of sensory input.
As John Henderson demonstrates, eye movements are very important to understanding how we remember various scenes and events. These directly impact on how the brain makes a “composite” mental image of what we’ve experienced.
As Paul M. Garrett has discussed, visual memory also has a kind of “bottleneck” that limits what you can process to 3-4 items.
This means that visual memory is not really experienced or built. It is composed after the fact in collaboration with our working memory.
If we’re talking about short term memory as it relates to visual and spatial memory concerns (visuo-spatial), Mitchell R. Riley and Christos Constantinidis urge us to look at neurons in the prefrontal cortex. They conclude that focused attention is the main role the brain performs before visual memories can form.
According to Greg D. Reynolds and Alexandra C. Romano, the real place to get an understanding of visual memory is to look at early development. In an article called “The Development of Attention Systems and Working Memory in Infancy,” they show that eye fixation is involuntary.
This means that something in our brains drives us to look at things and fix on them until our “posterior orienting system” develops voluntary abilities. In other words, our visual memory trains us to “remember” how to control our eyes by controlling them for us!
If you’re looking for visual memory examples, it’s useful to look at each stage of life, rather than a blanket approach. How visual memory works when you’re an infant is very different from when you’re age one or ninety one.
How to Improve Visual Memory: 13 Visual Memory Exercises and Activities
Now we come to the question of improving visual memory.
Yes, you can.
Keep context in mind as you go through these twelve approaches, however. Your exact definition of visual memory in a specific context matters if you want to reach your goal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht7Kj0p887k
Exercise One: Describe Objects Without Using Certain Words
Can you tell me what color an orange is without using the word “orange”?
This is an incredible visual memory exercise and perhaps the most challenging.
For more challenges, try to describe these objects without referring to them by name:
Have you ever heard of this memory technique for memorizing lists?
If you had to memorize the word orange as the first listed word, you could associate it with a gun.
That’s because one rhymes with “gun.” You would imagine the gun shooting the orange and the resultant explosion.
If you had to memorize “map” as the second word, you could have it rolled up and inserted into a shoe. Shoe is the image for two because the two words rhyme.
Come up with your rhymes or learn this pegword method and then memorize ten items in order by causing your rhymed words to interact with the list.
Exercise Three: Visualize Acronyms In Space
You know what “FBI” stands for, right?
But have you ever tried visualizing the letters floating over your head?
When you’re lying in bed tonight, try to recall as much as you can of the day. Make sure you see what’s happening from the minute you wake up and sustain continuous recall as long as you can.
If you have aphantasia and can’t see images in your mind, focus on other representations. You can also try my hyperphantasia guided meditation.
Exercise Five: Recall Your Dreams
Keeping a dream journal is a powerful way to exercise your visual memory.
For many years now, I’ve hardly skipped a morning without remembering my dreams. You can learn more about how to remember dreams if you’d like an established procedure to follow.
Exercise Six: Visual Meditation
There are many ways to meditate. Many will improve your visual memory in a general way.
The trick with visual meditation is to pick interesting and engaging material to work with.
And you can increase the challenge over time.
For example, start with a simple candle flame. Bring an imaginary flame to mind and animate it.
Then meditate while thinking about a memorized poem or song lyrics. Try to see the lyrics coming out with correct spelling as your favorite singer performs the song.
Can you tell just how much more challenging this second exercise will be? It’s this additional level of challenge that makes it so powerful for your growth.
Exercise Seven: Scan Pictures
Get out a magazine and look for the main details on your first pass. Name them out loud.
Then, take a second pass. Look for things that you missed the first time around, including shadows.
Consider visual aspects like the height and width of objects. Also mentally measure the distances between things in the image.
Finally, try to figure out the vanishing point and the negative space. These are skills that artists develop, and they are good for your visual memory. It also counts as a powerful cognitive activity that is especially good for adults.
Exercise Eight: Verbalize Pictures
A simple way to improve your visual memory is to talk about what you see when looking at art.
Take this medieval art, for example:
It’s challenging to describe, isn’t it?
That’s why giving it a go will help your visual memory grow.
As you describe what you see, work in different directions. For example, you can start with the birds at the top and work your way down.
Then, on your second pass, you can start with the man on the left and move to the right (or vice versa).
As you proceed, monitor yourself. Try to make sure that you’re using unique words as much as possible.
Instead of always saying “man,” add some variety with words like “monk,” “penitent,” etc.
Exercise Nine: Draw A Story From A Book
Stephen King says in On Writing that readers rarely imagine characters as he visually describes them. That’s why there aren’t a lot of details about clothing and the like.
One excellent way to exercise a number of visual memory aspects is to draw what you imagine with your own hands.
If you struggle to visualize characters at all, you can start with ones that you have seen. For example, here’s a drawing of Bender from Futurama I did to create a mnemonic device for myself.
You don’t have to be an artist to benefit from the visual memory exercise of drawing characters you know from books, movies or TV programs.
Exercise Ten: Draw A Story From Your Life
We all have many interesting experiences.
But few of us take time to visualize them in a meaningful way.
One theme I’ve noticed in my life is the ongoing lack of a stable, permanent home.
When I completed this visual memory exercise, I expressed the pain by using fire.
Then, I colored a stylized letter “I” in a cooling color. Finally, I added an acronym-poem to help feel okay about this lack of stability in my life.
Of all the visual memory strategies I know, this has been the most rewarding. It also plugs deeply into sensory memory and gives it a good exercise.
If you like this kind of activity, also consider giving mind mapping a try.
Exercise Eleven: Teach Something
This approach can take a bit of patience, but it works for a clear and obvious reason.
When you teach someone else a skill, you access at least two parts of your visual mind:
Your mental image of how you do it
A new mental image of how the learner sees an alien task
As a bonus variation, try to remember learning to tie your own shoes. You might have a memory of someone explaining it to you as well.
Moving between first and third person points of view on a teaching and learning experience is a great way to stretch your visual skills.
Exercise Twelve: Study Resemblances And Patterns
Do owners really look like their pets?
I don’t know, but the more interesting point is to work out why your brain thinks so.
Study the picture above. Can you spot the exact characteristics that make you think that there’s a relationship between these two?
Write out your answer to verbalize what you’re seeing. Feel free to get your hand out and trace certain features, or even draw them out.
You’ll learn a lot in the process.
Exercise Thirteen: Use A Memory Palace
One of the most effective visual memory exercises involves the Memory Palace technique.
It’s a fun way to take locations you see with your own eyes everyday and turn them into a tool that helps you remember things better.
To get started, you’ll want to draw your first Memory Palace and then select a few things you want to remember – like words from a language you’ve always wanted to learn.
Then, you mentally navigate your way through the rooms you’ve selected, literally using your mind’s eye to help you “see” a journey.
I can’t think of a better workout for the visual aspects of your memory than this ancient technique. To learn more about how it can help you exercise your brain and help you remember anything, enrol here:
Short Term Visual Memory Vs. Holistic Hyperphantasia
Over the years, thousands of people have told me that they want to improve their short term memory.
Although that’s fine, really what we all need to be focused on is holistic memory improvement that includes visual improvements.
For that, you might benefit from developing hyperphantasia (the opposite of aphantasia). Here’s a guided meditation for that:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAz3_pkqXqc
By extending your practice into the multi sensory aspects of your brain, you’ve got a much better chance of eliminating any visual memory deficits currently holding you back.
And now you have a ton of exercises you can run through to experience rapid improvement.
So what do you say?
Which exercise are you going to add to your memory workout first?
What Is Intrapersonal Intelligence? (And How to Improve Yours)
Apr 27, 2022
Intrapersonal intelligence is one of the most powerful psychological assets you can develop.
Why?
Because it’s the key to studying independently.
This is because intrapersonal intelligence allows you to imagine what other people think and the thought processes they use to accomplish their goals.
In other words, if you want to succeed like Einstein, you need to be able to create a mental image like he did.
Fortunately, this is easier to do than most people think.
And as you’ll discover, intrapersonal intelligence can not only be developed readily by anyone.
It is the key to improving how you learn a wide variety of topics, from math to languages, philosophy to acquiring new skills.
Ready to improve this aspect of your intelligence?
Let’s dive in!
What is Intrapersonal Intelligence?
“Intrapersonal” literally means within a person. It is a form of insight typically arrived at through reflective thinking.
Another way of thinking about it involves realizing that you are not one fixed personality. Rather, your personality is built from multiple parts.
Sometimes these parts compete with one another. For example, research has shown that young people choosing vocations might not yet have enough insight about the different parts of their personalities to make solid career decisions.
Yet, when these students are given insight into the theory of multiple intelligences, they feel less confused and more confident in the choices they make, even at a younger age.
“Intrapersonal intelligence is the ability to understand oneself and act on that understanding which includes awareness of moods, intentions, motivations, temperaments, desires, self-discipline and self-respecting abilities.”
In other words, it’s not just about understanding the different parts of your psychological experience. It’s about using that insight to act in particular ways to produce positive outcomes.
Origins and Research
Much of the research into intrapersonal intelligence stems from Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences.
Although many people have criticized Gardner’s approach, it has led to many positive changes to education. In particular, many teachers now know how to help young people cultivate metacognitive thinking skills.
Helping students improve their intrapersonal intelligence has even been shown to improve math scores. They experience better outcomes because of their increased analytical thinking abilities as such.
Similar research has shown improvements in other skills, such as artistic ability and the medical sciences. Indeed, as we learned from Dr. David Reser on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, medical students who learned memory techniques as a group by tapping into aspects of their personalities that often go unexercised.
Intrapersonal Intelligence Examples
To sum up, intrapersonal involves finding the different aspects of your personality and then utilizing them as resources.
Many incredible example are available, so let’s get started with some of the most impactful.
One: Image Streaming
Einstein wasn’t just smart. He was imaginative.
And he took every opportunity to visualize the problems in physics he was trying to solve.
Not only does the technique (as I teach it), walk you through multiple aspects of your personality. It helps you experience the fullest range of sensory visualization modalities. Once you start experiencing these different resources within yourself, you’ll be able to take action on them.
Not only that, but if you’ve ever worried that your intelligence is fixed, image streaming helps prove that it isn’t.
Two: Masterminding
Although it would be a stretch to call Napoleon Hill scientific, many accomplished people have used a technique he called “masterminding” in his book, Think and Grow Rich.
In brief, you call up people you’ve read about (like Einstein) and ask them to help you solve various problems.
It sounds ridiculous on its face. But in a letter to Lucy Donnelly, the highly influential philosopher Bertrand Russell wrote:
“And another thing I greatly value is the kind of communion with past and future discoverers. I often have imaginary conversations with Leibniz, in which I tell him how fruitful his ideas have proved, and how much more beautiful the result is than he could have foreseen; and in moments of self-confidence, I imagine students hereafter having similar thoughts about me. There is a ‘communion of philosophers’…”
I often hold conversations with philosophers myself and it is a tremendous tool for solving problems.
Rest assured, I have no belief that I’m actually talking to my favorite philosophers. But provided I know their writing well, it’s a perfectly reasonable way of accessing my intrapersonal intelligence and taking action on what comes out. It’s also another reason why philosophy is so important.
Three: Battling Monkey Mind
Many people struggle with thoughts gone wild.
But recent psychological therapies like Internal Family Systems therapy have been helping people tap into their intrapersonal intelligence to deal with psychological problems. In No Bad Parts, Dr. Richard Schwartz helps people identify and tap into their many “sub-minds.”
Likewise, I have worked with a metacognitive and memory-based meditation technique that helps you experience the multiple parts of the mind.
As I shared in my TEDx Talk, this approach works by using questions that help you identify the different parts of your mind and then neutralize them.
Four: Bringing Science to Your Intuitions
Has anyone ever told you to “follow your gut”? So you did, and yet you still wound up failing badly?
Chip and Dan Heath explain why our intuitions often fail in their book Decisive.
It’s not that you shouldn’t rely on your intuitions forevermore, but rather, they should be tested. They suggest using their W.R.A.P. technique, which essentially draws upon different aspects of your personality:
Widen your options (patience and due diligence)
Reality test (analytical thinking)
Attain distance (giving yourself space for reflection)
Prepare to fail (maturity and discernment)
They also recommend talking with experts as much as possible, something that builds your own inner expertise as you learn new skills.
Another tool you can use is taught in The Wise Advocate. One of my favorite exercises from the book has you asking yourself if you feel limited or expansive when faced with a decision.
By consulting those feelings within yourself, you’ll be sure to make better decisions because you’re using structure to test them. That’s not only what scientific living is all about. It’s also a reliable way to improve your IQ.
Five: Mental Strength
Often called “resilience,” this intrapersonal strategy involves finding inner resources to help you overcome obstacles.
But at an even higher level, you want to set the stage so that you don’t have to call upon resilience in the first place.
To help yourself with that, give my mental strength exercises a try.
6 Intrapersonal Intelligence Activities That Can Increase Your Skills
Now that we’ve seen some examples of how intrapersonal intelligence plays out, let’s dive into some activities.
Please don’t feel that you have to try them all. Pick the ones that make most sense to you.
Journal About Your “Selves”
Using a journal is an excellent means of self-expression. But we often lock it into the myth of our identity as some kind of unified whole.
For the purpose of this exercise, explore different aspects of your many selves.
As a strategy for maximizing my time as a solopreneur, I keep multiple journals. One is for my “Inner CEO.” Others are for my content creator, my marketer and my researcher.
By journaling for each of these aspects of my personality, I’m able to nurture them all and keep this project growing without burning out.
Use Memory-Based Meditation
There are many kinds of meditation. For example, here’s a number of concentration meditation techniques to explore.
But by memory-based meditation, I mean more specifically learning and reciting specific material from memory.
The material I have found most successful comes from the work of Gary Weber in books like Happiness Beyond Thought and Evolving Beyond Thought.
I’ve summarized the material and teach you how to memorize it in a book called The Victorious Mind.
Read Multiple Biographies
Once while being interviewed, I told the host that my hardest lesson in life has been remembering that other people do not think the same way I do.
As soon as I heard myself say it, I realized that I needed to read more biographies and autobiographies. I was literally starved for perspective!
So what’s the trick?
Compare and contrast your way of thinking with the thought processes of the people you’re reading – as many other people as possible. And pay extra-special attention to their problem-solving models.
Practice Taking Action On Discoveries
As you now know, the definition of intrapersonal intelligence is not just insight about your inner workings. It’s about taking action on those insights.
How?
Try this simple exercise:
When you observe an aspect of your personality, create a vision statement around it.
If you follow the specific guidelines I give for crafting such a statement, you’ll thoroughly vet the actions you want to take. They’ll be focused towards positive outcomes that will reveal even more about your many inner resources.
Write Fiction
Even if you have no plans to storm the world with bestselling novels, taking some time to write simple stories will help you explore different aspects of your own personality.
When you make up characters or base them on people you know, you’ll be exercising that inner reflection so central to this psychological skill.
Plus, because writing is action, you’ll have the full definition covered as you flex your imagination and take action by writing.
But it creates great internal exercise as you explore different aspects of language as it flows through your mind.
It also gives you the opportunity to use a Memory Palace. This learning strategy involves using multiple people and locations in combination to help you absorb vocabulary and phrases faster.
As you do, you’ll utilize and improve multiple levels of your personality.
Improve Your Intrapersonal Intelligence
As you can tell, all it really takes to boost this aspect of your life is a bit of self-reflection and consistent action.
You now have a bunch of activities to explore and scientific studies to read.
And if you’d like the ultimate learning experience that will help you remember everything you encountered today, consider signing up for my FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
It comes with four videos and a number of worksheets you can fill out as you improve your memory.
The more you explore your memory, the more you’ll exercise your intrapersonal intelligence.
After all, what are we other than the quality of our memory abilities? And where else is our intelligence stored?
So what do you say?
Are you feeling equipped with knowledge about intrapersonal intelligence and how to improve it?
Just shout out if you have any thoughts or questions. I appreciate you visiting the site today and hope to hear about your experiences with this form of personal development soon!
Linear Thinking: What It Is and How It Can Help You
Apr 13, 2022
Have you been told that you’re a linear thinker?
You might have received it as a compliment or a criticism.
Either way, people use the term in so many different ways, it can be hard to figure out what exactly linear thinking is supposed to be.
Well, if you want to become a better thinker, you’re in the right place.
We’re about to think linearly about linear thinking together.
And we’re going to think about it in some alinear ways too.
The best part?
By the time you finish reading this page, you’ll be equipped to think in a variety of ways, in any direction you wish.
Perhaps even in an “impossible” direction that follows no line at all because it is completely free from having a point of view.
Intrigued?
Let’s get started!
What is Linear Thinking?
Before defining linear thinking, let’s take a step back. Ideally in a “straight” line.
When trying to define any kind of thinking, we’re assuming that there are multiple kinds of thinking or thinking styles.
This means that we have to sort out the relationships between these thinking styles. But more importantly, we have to think about who is creating their definitions.
Their assumption is that linear thinking is characterized by logical and analytical thinking. Nonlinear thinking, they claim, is defined by intuition, insight and creativity.
In a follow-up study, they proposed that entrepreneurs would think more linearly than actors. As a subset of this, they predicted that entrepreneurs would also think more linearly than accountants and managers.
Is it really true that thinking styles exist? And what did they find out?
The answer is complicated because entrepreneurs are often visionary in nature. They respond in off-the-wall ways to unseen market demands only they can perceive.
Creativity Can Be Linear
The notion of “creativity” when it comes to acting is also problematic.
For one thing, there are many different kinds of actors. Method actors, for example, might need to be incredibly logical in order to play the role of a certain character, but use creativity and intuition in order to create the illusion that they are such a person. In other words, actors often “reverse engineer” characters they did not create and base them on studies of people who actually exist. This approach often involves just as much mathematical precision as it does going with gut instinct. Even a highly responsive comic like Robin Williams knows the structural rules that govern how a joke works.
Thus, Vance et al’s study ends with the call for more research, noting that educational background experiences might hold the ultimate key to why some people wind up thinking in the ways that they do.
If we were to think in a “straight line” about these findings, we would want to note that these researchers are using their own definition of linear thinking. And they’re using their tool for testing their hypothesis. I’d humbly suggest that the entire study is suspect at best, a case of inventing solutions for invented problems without carefully demonstrating that thinking styles exist in the first place.
Linear Thinking In Philosophy
Now, I’m not saying that thinking styles don’t exist. But as Tesia Marshik has shown in her TEDx Talk and other research about learning styles, such notions are complicated.
When it comes to linear thinking in philosophy, Patrick Finn sees linear thinking as a negative aspect of critical thinking. In Critical Condition, he indicts “regulated systems of education” as using “a muscular, linear form of thought” to “control information and training citizens to think in a particular way.”
He sees this as a problem in politics, science and especially education. As he points out, universities are no longer related to the meaning of the word:
Universitas: the whole. The word for university came from this Latin root. To be educated at the university was to engage with the whole – the whole being, the whole body of knowledge, and the whole of society.
Although I don’t disagree with Finn’s discussion of the meaning of this word, it’s not clear to me that knowledge is a “body.” But if it is, it probably doesn’t have any straight lines, and his point is taken.
The notion of knowledge as being rounded, rather than straight, is a point made by Deleuze and Guattari in A Thousand Plateaus and other co-author works. They think of knowledge, not as a top-down structure, or a tree as Renaissance scholars like Petrus Ramus described it.
Linear Thinking As Escape or Destination?
Rather, Deleuze and Guattari think of knowledge as rhizomatic, a lattice-like structure that travels in multiple directions at the same time. In another book called What is Philosophy?, they claim that “to think is always to follow the witch’s flight.”
I’m not sure, but I think they are referring to the Wicked Witch in Wizard of Oz, who sometimes chases after Dorothy in a straight line. But other times, she flees in frustration from Dorothy, as if trying to escape.
This means that thinking is not always directed at arriving somewhere. Sometimes we do it just to flee the present conditions, commonly known as escapism.
The witch also disappears in a puff of smoke after she’s killed. Perhaps Deleuze and Guattari are referring to their notion of deterritorialization as the thoughts of an individual ultimately disappear after they die.
Or they might be thinking about philosophy’s ability to neutralize unwanted thoughts, which was the subject of my TEDx Talk. In it, I discuss the highly linear use of good thoughts to remove unhealthy and unpleasant thought patterns – as if they were disappearing into a puff of smoke.
Linear Thinking And Time
Friedrich Nietzsche wrote a lot about what he called the Eternal Recurrence of the Same. He challenges us to think about how we would live today as perfectly as possible so that we could make full use of it should a “curse” cause it to repeat again and again. In other words, he’s anticipating the movie Groundhog Day by over 100 years.
But his concept is a bit more complex than that. As Heidegger explores this idea in his second commentary on Nietzsche, Heidegger suggests that all of the past appears in the present.
In other words, all thinking is both linear and alinear. If time is traveling in a straight line, then all thought unfolds as having a beginning, middle and end. Yet, if the entirety of the past is contained in each present moment, then any thought you have in the present moment has perhaps transcended any and all notions of the straight line as we understand it.
Linear Thinking In Art
Art is either representative or abstract. Representative art is often called pictorial, but art that seeks to explore the representation of representation itself is often called an example of linear thinking.
That said, M. C. Escher often used linear thinking in pictorial ways. He frequently drew upon the impossible cube as a reference in many of the rooms he created featuring people navigating impossible staircases, or waterfalls that fed themselves after flowing upwards.
Linear Thinking in the Movies
Many movies start at the beginning and conclude at the end. Or at least, movies typically start when a character encounters a problem they need to solve and then end when the solution is found.
But not all movies work this way. There’s a great western called The Searchers. Like a Greek tragedy, it begins in medias res, or in the middle of things. A lot of subtle clues in the dialog and how the character Ethan dresses fill you in on what his past was like. You need to think in a nonlinear way to properly understand the complexity of his motivations.
David Lynch makes movies that mess with time in very intense ways. Both Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive employ a fugue narrative, or what is sometimes called a Möbius strip applied to a story.
It’s difficult to explain, but if you read the plot of Lost Highway, you’ll get a sense for how two things are happening at the same time. But you can only really think it through when you see the movie for the second time.
More recently, Christopher Nolan has made films that employ similar nonlinear plot devices, such as Inception and Tenet. In fact, Nolan’s The Prestige is adopted from a Christopher Priest novel. Priest has been playing with such nonlinear narrative structures since at least writing his novel The Affirmation.
All of these movie and novel examples give you the opportunity to experience nonlinear thinking, noting that it all takes place or unfolds in linear time in your mind. David Lynch uses words like “melt” to describe the effect he’s trying to create, as in story, time and your mind fusing into something else as you experience recursion.
By “recursion” I mean the term in the sense of programming where you define a problem in terms of itself, usually a simpler version of the problem. Storytellers using this kind of narrative form ultimately construct an experience of consciousness itself by creating a simpler version of what we imagine consciousness to be in story form.
An excellent book that will help you understand this aspect of self-referential thinking further is Douglas Hofstadter’s Gödel Escher Bach.
Linear Thinking in Magic
In a book called The Illusionist Brain, Jordi Cami and Luis M. Martinez detail how magicians take advantage of how people think.
Magicians are incredibly linear thinkers, even if they appear quite creative. This only highlights the problem of trying to divide linear and nonlinear thinking.
Magic is an example where logical and linear thinking is used to establish astonishing feats of creativity.
There are many books in the world of magic that demonstrate just how logical and linear true creative thinking needs to be. A few quick suggestions include:
Designing Miracles by Darwin Ortiz
Shattering Illusions by Jamie Ian Swiss
In sum, magicians often describe an illusion they want to create and then call it a “problem” they need to solve. There are often many possible solutions, and magicians use linear thinking to find the best possible strategies for creating the illusions, both as individuals and as communities.
The community aspect is part of what can make their linear thinking seem alinear. Different magicians sometimes arrive at various solutions independently and only work out later how to attribute “credit” for the solution to an illusion. This process sometimes creates controversy in the magic community, but they typically use logical reasoning to sort things out charitably in the end.
Understanding the Linear Thought Process
With all these definitions in mind, let’s look at linear reasoning as a process.
Typically, we use reasoning to solve problems. One of the best ways to start is by gathering as many possible solutions as possible.
This stage of the process is called divergent thinking. You’re literally focusing on quantity over quality.
During the convergent thinking process, you filter those ideas, combine and refine them.
Linear Thought Process Example
I do this week after week on my blog, podcast and YouTube channel using mind mapping.
Mind mapping using linear and nonlinear thinking at the same time in order to help create multimedia content.
Using the topic as a central keyword, I move outward in clockwise formation. Each tributary is an idea that helps explain the central concept.
Once a set of divergent ideas have been collected, I let them sit for a while. And I often come back and add a few more ideas, stimulated by having the mind map in my environment.
Then, I converge the ideas into a linear outline. Finally, I write the article and record the audio visual component.
Ultimately, this is a linear thinking example even though it contains some alinear elements. Using a circle instead of top-down structure in the beginning makes it easy to incorporate arrows that show connections at a glance. If it were created in a document, it would wind up “locking” material onto individual pages.
Either way, the process unfolds over time and is much more linear as a result. And even if people consume my content “out of order,” they still take in the snippets according to the flow of time.
Linear Analysis
Of course, creating diverging ideas and synthesizing them through convergence is not enough.
Once you’ve arrived at the final product, you need to put it out there and analyze the response.
Depending on your field, there may be just a few diagnostic tools you use. Or you might need to combine dozens in order to get a picture of what the data is telling you.
When it comes to a mental performance activity like memory training, the metrics for analysis are usually quite simple. You have very few gray areas because you’ve either remembered something or you haven’t.
But you can test how much of a Memory Palace worked vs. how much gave you issues. And you can look at how many of the Magnetic Modes you used and chart out a path for improvement by making sure you also include more.
In the case of the mind mapping I use before creating content on this blog, I analyze multiple metrics, including:
How many people visit the content
How long they interact with it
Have they interacted with other content before and what kinds
What part of the world they’re from
What time of day they visited
Did they leave comments or not
Did they share or not
Because I have thousands of multimedia articles I’ve produced over the years and they are all live and online at the same time, the data pool is intense.
To help think through everything as thoroughly as possible, my team and I visualize the data by transforming the raw numbers into charts and graphs.
A linear reasoning example using a graph to help make decisions about content creation.
Using linear reasoning, it’s useful to think about what kinds of content to create more of and what to deemphasize.
Although this kind of data science sometimes leads to brutal decision making that temporarily feels like it’s squashing your creativity, that’s not really the case. True creativity comes back to solving problems like a magician in order to achieve your goals.
Expect in this case, there are no illusions and the success is real.
Linear Thinking vs. Nonlinear Thinking
As we’ve seen, some scientists approach the definition of these two kinds of thinking quite simply. They divide logic and rationality from creativity and intuition.
But as I’ve shown, there are many creative arts that involve strict linearity in order to create innovations.
Ultimately, I’m not convinced that “nonlinear” thinking exists, if only because the stuff of thought unfolds in time. We not only think forwards, but also consume and interpret information following time’s arrow.
Plus, just because we might be consciously aware of having followed our intuitions, this does not mean that the unconscious mind that gives birth to intuition isn’t linear.
Although controversial, this was the great contribution of psychoanalysis, which boils down to the idea that a hidden part of our mind makes calculations on our behalf. One thinker, Jacques Lacan, argued that the unconscious is in fact structured like a language.
Symbolic Thinking
Instead of approaching it as the difference between linear and nonlinear thinking, he thought it was more a matter of deep structures and surface structures – but not quite.
Imagine that you have three different kinds of minds at the same time. One is tracking the real world, one is creating the world as it needs to be in order to avoid overwhelm, and the third is constantly tapping into a mind that symbolizes the entire species.
Lacan called these three kinds of simultaneous thinking:
Symbolic
Real
Imaginary
Many cultures, philosophies, and thinkers have presented similar ways of describing thinking.
What makes Lacan’s interesting is how he discussed the impossibility of speaking the truth for human beings. We cannot represent the real in human language because, as he put it, there are simply too many words. We always have to choose a certain set of words at the expense of not using others.
Let’s face it:
Reality is not made of words, or at least it doesn’t seem to be. And no one has time to speak or listen to an attempt at arriving at the truth through words. It would take too long and there are too many potential words a person could use.
Yet, the brain uses imagination to help us approximate the experience of truth at a metaphorical level.
And the symbolic thinking level, sometimes called the “Big Other,” is a mental representation of the human species at large. If it exists, this “Big Other” helps us behave properly, according to this theory, because it creates the sense it monitors our every move. It helps us feel guilty when we transgress social codes and encourages us to follow the moral compass our cultural upbringing has helped us imagine.
In this way, we can say that there is a lot of nonlinear thinking going on, insofar as Lacan and similar thinkers are correct. Jung’s collective unconscious is another, similar model from the 20th century, and you can look to schools like Zen and Advaita Vedanta for earlier examples from different parts of the world. They all share the linguistic character of Lacan’s approach.
Paraconsistencies
Another example of nonlinear thinking comes from the world of Dialetheism, a branch of logic. This term descends from the ancient Greek word for truth, and “di” means “two.”
In other words, we’re talking about two seemingly contradictory things being true at the same time without contradiction. A simple example is trying to quit caffeine for health reasons. You can both want and not want caffeine at the same time. Both states are true without any contradiction.
Where nonlinear thinking comes in is how you’re going to find strategies for one of those truths to win. If you want to avoid drinking coffee, for example, you have to think ahead of yourself to build strategies that prevent you from letting one truth out-truth the other.
Now let’s circle back to where we started:
It’s perfectly possible for linear thinkers to be creative and follow their intuitions in linear ways. You can analyze creativity in a linear fashion and reproduce the creativity of others by unfolding specific steps with the exact timing they used.
This kind of analysis is possible in just about every field of performance, from martial arts to chess, music, philosophy or learning a language.
Thinking from No Point Of View
A.W. Moore is a highly accomplished philosopher who thinks it is possible to think from no point of view at all.
This is the subject of his excellent book, Points of View.
One issue more raises involves the fact that some knowledge cannot be put into words. He talks about physics and how it uses symbols to represent truths about how the universe works.
But there is more. We have knowledge about our own experience and what it is like to be alive. Yet, this experience is “ineffable” and impossible to describe. Jacques Lacan would say that there are too many possible words for any individual to even get started explaining the experience of life.
The paradox Moore is gunning for is that we know what life is, yet when we try to describe it, either nonsense comes out or we can only get at part of the description. Although Moore does not use the terms Dialetheism or paraconsistency, much of what he’s talking about gets at the same point. The only way to think linearly about complex issues like the nature of being is to allow for and even embrace contradictions.
And in order to do that, you need to change your point of view and turn toward the concept of infinity so you can at least try and experience what it would be like for all possible combinations to play out. As another philosopher named Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz put it, “Everything possible has an urge to exist.” When we think about this from the perspective of infinity, which is from no perspective at all, it is possible for us to think in all possible directions at once.
You Are A Linear Thinker
As a result, I feel we can all rest assured that each and every person is a linear thinker.
Certainly, you can go with the uncomplicated science story that divides the two. But the research we looked at above is ultimately inconclusive and seems to contradict itself. At best, it reveals a paradox, which we have used linear thinking to identify as a paraconsistency.
If nothing else, I hope you walk away from this article with a new way of thinking about thinking itself.
I realize that some of these ideas are complex, so if you’d like to understand them better, here’s why I suggest.
Learn to improve your memory. The more memory power you have, the more you can rotate these ideas around in your mind and experience deep knowledge.
For that, I have a free memory improvement kit you can sign up for here:
Give it a try and just take it one step at a time.
The more you think about memory itself in a linear fashion, the more you’ll be able to experience and use your mind in both linear and nonlinear ways.
Even better, you stand a chance to go quite beyond this world of name and form as you experience the unfolding plane of thinking itself.
After all, thinking is what we use to solve problems. And what bigger problem do we have than solving, like a magician, the mystery of why anything exists at all?
If just one of us can do that, perhaps all of us can be free.
How to Stop Forgetting Things Once and For All
Apr 06, 2022
Want to know how to stop forgetting things?
Well, you’re in the right place if you’re tired of asking yourself, “Why do I keep forgetting things?”
I’m an internationally acclaimed memory expert and I promise you this:
The answer is actually very simple. So simple it will probably surprise you.
But even better than shock and amaze you, I’m confident the answer will help you tremendously.
You see, there are some incredibly simple techniques that will help you remember just about anything you want.
And when you do forget, your annoyance with losing track of information will completely disappear.
Follow the steps further down this page, and you may wind up never being bothered by forgetfulness again.
Ready?
Let’s dig in!
Why Do I Keep Forgetting Things? The Answer
Forgetting plays an important role in human experience.
And yet, some people have doubted that forgetting actually exists. For example, Friedrich Nietzsche wrote:
The existence of forgetting has never been proved: we only know that some things do not come to our mind when we want them to.
Nietzsche clues us in on something very important with this quote:
In order for things to come to mind, they need to have entered the mind in the first place.
My point?
It’s this:
One: Not Paying Attention in the First Place
A major reason we think we’ve forgotten things isn’t a reason at all. If we haven’t paid proper attention to a detail, then it never entered long term memory in the first place.
It can be humbling to admit that we haven’t been attentive. But it’s one of the keys to experiencing improvement, as we’ll discuss in a moment.
Two: Storage Failure
Let’s say that you did pay attention, however.
It’s possible that a memory was formed, but it was nonetheless not stored correctly.
This can happen because incoming information often has to compete with other stimuli. For example, when you’re meeting new people, you might also be given details about where they live and their occupation.
Another term for this is cue overload. As a result, the flow of multiple data points somehow corrupts how the main detail you wanted got stored.
John Wixted outlines a few different kinds of interference. In addition to competing stimuli, you might also experience storage failure from:
Proactive interference
Retroactive interference
The first happens when something you’ve learned before messes with the learning of something new. For example, if you learned something that was incorrect in the past and discover a correct version of that fact, the primacy effect might maintain the storage of the inaccurate data despite new learning. Your brain thus fails to store the truth.
The second kind of interference happens when something about the way you’re learning a new detail interferes. You might experience this kind of storage failure when ineffectively using a software like Anki or even old-fashioned flashcards.
Three: Retrieval Failure
Let’s assume that your brain has recorded everything absolutely correctly.
You might still forget something if something interferes with the retrieval process. These kinds of interferences can literally cause information you know very well to evaporate.
Scientists have found this kind of forgetting interesting, but don’t yet know exactly why it happens. Endel Tulving linked it to cue-dependent forgetting. The research basically suggests that if words are grouped in categories, you might remember more of them better. But when randomness is introduced, forgetting goes up.
Part of the issue relates to how memory works, particularly spatial memory. And that’s why when someone prompts you or gives you a trigger that relates thematically or categorically, you can sometimes get back the information that you forgot or felt lingering on the tip of your tongue.
Four: The Influence of Time
Did you know that it’s possible to forget your mother tongue without suffering a brain injury or symptoms of a disease?
The problem is called linguistic deskilling. I experienced it myself while living in Germany and speaking hardly any English.
Basically, this kind of forgetting follows the “use it or lose it,” principle. Or, more scientifically, we can think about the forgetting curve, which helps predict how time will degrade the ability to remember things if they aren’t recalled regularly.
Five: Repression
Sigmund Freud is a controversial figure. But many people forget the value of his goals.
To help heal people from their ailments, psychoanalysis explores ways to uncover repressed memories. The theory goes that because these memories are still lingering in the unconscious mind, they are trying to “return” so that you’ll attend to them. This is the so-called “return of the repressed” that has been so influential on the horror genre in novels and film.
More sophisticated psychoanalytical research has extended the notion of repression to a kind of filtering. Dr. Robert Langs, for example, influenced many practitioners with his suggestion that the unconscious prevents certain “threats” from getting noticed by the conscious mind.
If true, his theory explains why we are sometimes told by our partners and loved ones critical details. We not only can’t remember the details. We can’t even remember being told. For whatever reason, the unconscious mind has perceived it as a threat and completely filtered it out.
Six: Adaptation
Another reason people forget is that some information is simply deprecated.
For example, there’s zero reason for me to remember the phone number my family had when I was 7 years old. I can remember our area code, but that’s because the information is still useful. The actual phone number, which hasn’t been used in decades, is not.
I also can’t remember the exact number of the house, though I can still remember the street name. Again, this kind of forgetting happens because specific details are no longer useful. I still refer to that street and the entire neighborhood when using a Memory Palace, but the exact house number has no particular function.
How to Stop Forgetting Things Once and For All: 7 Tips
Now that we’ve looked at the many reasons why we forget, let’s remove the problem altogether.
I said that the solution might surprise you, and I’m confident it will.
When you operate in this way, I think you’ll soon be completely unbothered by forgetting, even if it still happens from time to time.
Tip One: Pause, Label, Carry On
I give many presentations. Even though I’m a memory expert who exercises my mind regularly, I still forget things. I probably forget things more than the average person because I present off-the-cuff so often.
Over the years, I’ve learned that the best thing to do is to simply call a spade a spade. Specifically, I do this:
Pause to give myself a second to see if I’ll remember the detail
If I don’t, I label it as “yet to come” and state, “it’ll probably come to me in a second”
Carry on with the presentation or conversation
I don’t have an exact percentage, but much more often than not, the information I was looking for will suddenly pop into my mind.
Tip Two: Run the Alphabet
An alternative strategy I’ll use when I really want to remember a detail is to start reciting the alphabet.
This strategy isn’t as foolproof as the first tip, but can still be effective. It’s also great mental exercise.
The reason I think it works is that it tackles the Ugly Sister Effect head on. Instead of getting overwhelmed by many possible names of actors or whatever you’re searching for, you actually cause your brain to run through a list in a structured manner.
As an example, let’s say I’m trying to remember an actor’s name like Tom Cruise. If it doesn’t come to mind, I’ll start silently naming actors I can remember by starting at A. (Adam West… Bill Murray… Christian Bale…) etc.
Give it a try the next time you forget something.
Tip Three: Memorize a Wide Variety Of Information Types
Although I do still forget things – usually temporarily – one thing I believe helps reduce this from happening is memorizing multiple types of information.
In your personal memory practice, I recommend you balance your time by practicing memorizing:
Figural elements like the shapes and colors in paintings
Tip Four: Use a Memory Palace Network
Simply the best tool for exercising your memory is a technique called the Memory Palace.
Basically, you bring rooms that you’re familiar with to mind and then imaginatively layer associations on the walls and furniture. These associations help you recall things in turn.
It’s fast, fun and like a video game you play in your mind.
If you’d like to learn it, give this free course a try:
Make sure to use your Memory Palaces in combination with Recall Rehearsal for best results.
Tip Five: Creative Repetition
Another major reason people forget things is that they use rote learning.
Not only does rote learning suck the life out of engaging with information. It’s been shown to harm your ability to think critically.
The alternative is creative repetition, which involves elaborative encoding and following the rules of active recall.
As a quick example, to help remember that ALF is an acronym for “accelerated long term forgetting,” I will:
Imagine Alf from the show about an alien
Hear his voice in my mind
Compound in an image of Alfred, Batman’s butler
Layer in the feeling of holding a butler’s tray in my hand and forgetting it’s there
Feel Alf’s emotional reaction to the horror at forgetting such an object
Imaginatively taste and smell the coffee on the tray
Then, when mentally recalling all of these details, I’ll trigger those different creative sensations. Operating this way encodes memories so much faster and more thoroughly for the long term.
Tip Six: Focus On Laser Specific Learning Goals
Some people are so focused on having it all that they can’t think analytically about how the universe really works.
In reality, we only have so much time and no one has to remember everything about any single topic.
Instead of trying to have it all, focus on well-selected and carefully formed learning goals. There’s an art and science to how to select and create such projects, so you might want to check out Read with Momentum for information about how to do that.
Specificity is itself a memory aid. The goal is to create a strong network of references. These help you trigger off the information you want to remember because the knowledge web is tight by design.
There’s another reason specificity is so important.
You’re here because you searched for how to stop forgetting things. The problem is that this term could mean anything whatsoever.
A sure fire to forget more is to learn and live in unstructured ways. But when we focus our memory training on dedicated outcomes, our results are astonishing.
Tip Seven: Value Forgetting
As you’ve discovered, we forget for a variety of reasons. Some of them are normal and healthy, such as information that will never be used again.
If we couldn’t forget, we’d probably experience torture. Jill Price’s experience should be a wakeup call to anyone who fantasizes about having photographic memory, for example.
There’s another reason I value forgetting:
If I didn’t forget from time to time, I wouldn’t have discovered the tips you’ve learned today. And I wouldn’t have been able to find ways to improve my personal use of memory techniques.
As a result, it would be fair to say that forgetting has been more valuable than remembering in many ways.
So, what do you say?
Was Nietzsche right? Has forgetting never been proven to exist?
Or does it have a healthy place in our lives?
Although I take Nietzsche’s point and find it useful as a philosophical question, it’s clear to me personally that forgetting is a powerful asset.
And whenever we want to remember? We can. We just need to use the tools and strategies that work.
How to Overcome a Memory Block (Guide From a Memory Expert)
Mar 23, 2022
My worst mental block happened back in 2008 while giving a lecture.
I was standing behind the podium when a huge panic attack burst inside my chest.
Although I’m usually very good at remembering what I want to say, when I want to say it… during that moment, I found myself speechless.
I had no idea what I had just been talking about and couldn’t find the thread needed to get myself back on track.
Embarrassed beyond belief, I dismissed the class and retreated home. I decided I would never be caught cold like that again.
Fast-forward to February 2020. I made a small error while delivering a TEDx speech.
Using the techniques you’re about to discover, I rapidly recovered because I not only had the thread firmly in my hands. But overcoming mental blocks under pressure has become my speciality.
Are you ready for all my best tips?
Great! Let’s get started!
What is a Mental Block?
Mental blocks can be defined in a few different ways. But Tobore Onojighofia Tobore gives the best definition I’ve seen:
Tobore gives us an important way to think about this problem because mental blocks can happen to anyone, no matter how skilled or experienced you might be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpjjATXXRq8
There are also levels of mental blocks a person can experience.
For example, think of the difference between writer’s block, when the person can’t write at all, and writing a bad book.
An experienced author should know better than to produce second-rate work, yet even Stephen King has admitted in On Writing that he’s capable of producing a dud. He may not have been blocked from writing altogether, but something in his brain failed to remember what makes a story great.
Likewise, a student can show up to an exam and often remember enough to answer the questions. But they might struggle to recall the nuances that make the difference between a C+ and an A.
Tobore thinks that it boils down to the strength of your neuronal connections and their resistance to disruption.
The 5 Main Mental Block Causes
If Tobore is correct (and I think he is), this means that the typical explanations for why we experience mental blocks are incorrect.
Typically, we’re told that we experience them when we’re:
Overwhelmed
Tired
Stressed
Unrested
Although these states certainly can contribute to poor focus and an inability to access memory (stress in particular), they are not strong explanations.
We know this because many people who play Jeopardy, act on stage or give speeches face all of these factors and yet still perform well. Athletes also have to access procedural memory under grueling conditions, so it just doesn’t make sense that these oft-cited factors are to blame.
I know from personal experience that they aren’t to blame because I often perform perfectly well despite suffering all of the above issues, including chronic pain.
So if we can’t point the finger at those issues, what factors do reliably explain our mental blocks when we have them?
One: Lack of Preparation
Most people experience blocks because they simply haven’t prepared themselves thoroughly enough.
They may have skimmed or scanned books instead of reading them thoroughly. Sloppy reading prevents the brain from forming enough connections to frame a complete enough picture. Instead of a study foundation, you wind up with mental sand that easily blows away in the wind.
When I had my panic attack in front of the lecture hall, I was still a rookie. A huge part of my problem was that I hadn’t put a lot of thought into how I was going to end the lecture. I was okay up until the close and thought I could wing it. But I was wrong and that led to me experiencing a massive mental block.
Two: Lack of Practice
As a professor, I’ve marked hundreds of exams and essays.
It’s easy to spot the work of students who have put in the practice and those who have not.
When I myself had field exams and a dissertation defense to pass before getting my Phd, I practiced each and every one. It was as simple as getting friends to test me and following the rules around what is called dedicated pactice.
Performance-wise, when I gave my TEDx Talk, I wasn’t feeling all that well. But it didn’t matter because I’d practiced reciting the talk multiple times. I’d even memorized it and written it out by hand three times to make sure I knew it inside and out.
That way, no matter how tired, overwhelmed or stressed I felt, I knew I could rely on memory consolidation alone both in terms of the procedural memory of delivering the talk and semantic memory of the words and phrases.
Three: Communication Challenges
Some people have congenital issues or brain disease. For example, some people might suffer from aphasia and need to be trained to rely on formulaic speech patterns. But because the flows of normal speech are not necessarily tidy, people with these issues can quickly find themselves blocked.
Although you could interpret such situations as “overwhelm,” it is a very specific kind of overwhelm based on the fact that parts of the brain have been impaired.
Looking back at the panic attack I had in the lecture hall, it happened during a time when I did a lot of drinking. This left my brain dehydrated and because I privileged alcohol over nutritious food, it’s little wonder I couldn’t even innovate a conclusion to my talk that day.
Four: Focusing On The Block
It’s easy to get caught like a deer in headlights when a mental block arises. Instead of easing your way out of it, you wind up doubling down on the symptoms. This happens because your brain focuses on the problem instead of possible solutions.
Options include:
Taking a few deep breaths
Getting a drink of water and/or a snack
Taking a walk or stretching
If you’re in an exam, you might be pleasantly surprised by how generous your examiner might be if you need to take a break. But if you hyper-focus on the problem, you might not even think about asking.
In the case of my lecture, I could have easily excused myself for a moment and used a few breathwork routines I knew to bring myself back to center. I was too involved in the panic attack itself to even think about pursuing this possible solution.
You might doubt that taking a few deep breaths will help. However, studies have shown that there’s a relationship between breathing and memory formation.
Five: Negative Patterns
Related to focusing on the mental block itself, it’s easy to repeat negative thoughts that make the problem worse.
For example, students often tell themselves during exams, “I don’t know this!” They repeat the statement like a mantra instead of moving on to the next question and coming back to where they’re blocked.
Even as a person experienced at speaking and taking multiple exams, that day in the lecture hall, I found myself repeating, “I’m freaking out!”
Although it can be good to acknowledge whatever state you’re in, you need to label it as fear, not participate in the fear. This is an important finding of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which reveals that people are often more afraid of the fear itself compared to the fear of failing or looking silly because they forget what they were going to say.
Research in this area is relatively new, but some researchers have found that practicing giving public talks in a virtual reality environment can help people with public speaking anxiety learn not to get into such mental downward spirals just as well as CBT. Such findings substantiate Tobere’s argument that mental blocks ultimately come down to the strength of memory consolidation at the cellular level because strong neural connections help prevent falling into the spiral in the first place.
How to Overcome A Memory Block in 9 Steps
Now that you know what really causes mental blocks, let’s look at removing them on demand. These suggestions will work no matter how overwhelmed or stressed you might find yourself.
Do they require extra effort?
Sure.
But at the end of the day, it’s usually the absence of effort that leads to the problem in the first palace.
And since you’re here, you obviously want to be a top performer. Let me share my best solutions, earned from the trenches of having suffered myself from mental blocks.
If some of my solutions seem quirky, it’s because things like getting enough sleep or chatting with friends just weren’t options for me.
One: Plan Ahead and Finish Early
I suffered anxiety for many decades, not just during my first years as a university professor.
As an undergrad, one of my go-to strategies for making sure I got top grades involved discovering what would be required of me as far ahead as possible.
To do this, the moment I knew what courses I would be taking, I would email my professor and ask for the course syllabi. They weren’t always willing to give them ahead of the class start day, but often enough they would.
Then, I would get the exam and assignment dates on my calendar and start reading. In courses where I had to wait for the start to get this information, I would immediately add those dates.
Because I usually worked at least one, but sometimes two or more jobs while studying, I reduced my stress and overwhelm by starting the essay assignments early. When professors were receptive to it, I would hand them in early as well and try to get advance feedback. That way I could improve them before the due date and get even better grades.
This might seem over the top, but the top grades I earned helped in earning scholarships that kept my student debt as low as possible. As a result, I had much less stress.
Two: Customize the Questions
In my last year as an undergrad, I was required to complete a fourth year level course in Romantic literature.
I loved the topic, but for some reason, the professor was hard on me. When I asked for an alternative assignment to giving an oral presentation because I was still getting used to shaking from lithium I had to take, he made me spend my precious study time getting a letter to prove that I had the issue. And he wouldn’t accept the letter from my doctor. He wanted it from a counselor at the university’s Behavioral Sciences department.
When I finally got the alternative assignment, he made me read Goethe novels that were 3x longer than the material I would have read for the oral assignment. This meant that I had less study time for the final exam in the course.
During the final exam, I was unprepared for an entire question on a play called Cain by Lord Byron. Rather than leave the question blank and accept a zero for such a huge portion of the exam, I scratched out the question. In its place, I wrote, “Explain the difference between Coleridge and Wordsworth’s approaches to Romanticism.”
I’d relied on this tactic a few times before and thought for sure that this particular professor would still give me a zero. But as things turned out, I passed the course with an A.
Three: Learn and Practice Depth Relaxation
I have been interested in meditation since high school. But it wasn’t until my PhD years that I really got into practicing it seriously. And as part of my research into friendship, I took a course to become a certified hypnotherapist, largely to explore the role of persuasion in friendship.
In the hypnotherapy program, I learned to relax myself deeply on demand. The guided visualizations I learned to create for myself were golden. I still struggled with panic attacks from time to time, largely because I still drank and would sometimes show up unprepared, but overall, I enjoyed a much more relaxed life.
One thing that I’ve found tremendously helpful is to relax while studying. Like Pavlovian conditioning, it seems to help bring the feeling of relaxation back when drawing upon the material. Although not entirely scientific, the advantage this brings possibly relates to what is called context dependent memory.
Four: Expand Your Context
One reason we experience memory blocks that we can’t get out of is that we simply don’t have a wide enough frame of reference.
But by expanding what we know through effective reading strategies, we’re less likely to get blocked in the first place. Our minds will find related topics to discuss or near-substitutes.
All people get mentally blocked, but if you watch enough smart people give talks or interviews, you’ll notice that they are expert at finding detours when the perfect answer doesn’t immediately come to mind.
And the best speakers of all will use rhetorical devices. For example, they’ll say, “I’ll get back to this in a moment, but let me first talk about _____.” Often, when an expert uses a phrase like this, it’s because they’re buying time.
Five: Place the Focus Elsewhere
Although I’m a memory expert, I sometimes can’t find the word or reference I’m looking for. When this happens, I simply call a spade a spade and say, “It will come back to me.”
Usually, simply by being willing to admit what’s going on in my mind and focus for a moment on something else, the original thought I was looking for pops up on its own.
Six: Consult the Alphabet
Sometimes when I can’t find the names of people I’m looking for, I choose a simple strategy instead of getting frustated.
It happened to me today, for example. I was thinking about Dan Harlan, and for some reason, his last name just wouldn’t come to me.
Why?
Well, I was tired. Hungry. And frankly, I had no particular big reason why I needed his name at that moment.
Nonetheless, I’m a person who works on my memory, so I wanted to remember it.
One of my favorite tactics to nudge such information out of memory is to simply run through the alphabet. Like this:
Dan A…?
Dan B…?
Dan C…?
Etc.
I actually went past H without getting it, but it wasn’t much further before his last name popped into my mind.
The next step is to use memory techniques, which we’ll discuss next.
Seven: Use Memory Techniques
That said, if you use the Memory Palace technique effectively, such mental blocks will happen to you much less frequently.
The trick is to use the technique properly. It’s a real skill and like other skills, can only serve you to the extent that you master it. If you need help learning to use it, register for this free course:
In it, I’ll guide you through a number of simple exercises and steps to follow so that you have multiple Memory Palaces.
Here’s a simple use case:
To make the name Dan Harlan stronger so I get it more immediately the next time, he is placed in a Memory Palace. In this case, it’s a building I’m aware of in Harlem, New York.
I imagine him standing out side of this location with a giant harpoon. I choose this image because harpoon has the Harlan sound in it.
Then I have him harpooning a LAN Internet device with a Lando sticker on it (the character from Star Wars) in that location. After visiting this association a few times, Dan Harlan’s name should come back with much greater ease in the future.
Eight: Use Other Accelerated Learning Techniques
There’s a vast world of tactics you can use in addition to memory techniques. You can learn to read faster and mind map, to take just a few examples.
However, don’t be a dabbler. None of these techniques will help much if you don’t pay them their due. And that’s why the next point is so important.
Nine: Practice Thoroughly
As I mentioned above, I’ve spent a lot of time practicing for exams and presentations.
When it comes to practice, the amount of time you practice usually isn’t as important as what you practice during the time you have.
Plus, you have to think deeply about the exact area you need practice in. How you practice for taking tests will be different from practicing to give a speech or to perform a magic trick.
Know what the masters in your field practice and model them so that you know you’re maximizing the time you have at your disposal.
By getting out there and taking the exams or giving speeches from memory, you’ll give yourself important frames of reference. If you don’t make mistakes, it’s hard to see what to improve.
These help you stop mental blocks and get back on track. They include:
Avoiding limiting descriptions of yourself, (i.e. I’m a failure)
Find the source of the problem
Evaluate the situation from a broad perspective
Don’t let one failure derail you completely
Expect future success
Each of these points have helped me tremendously. Whereas I used to repeat negative phrases about myself compulsively, now I recite positive Sanskrit phrases I’ve memorized instead. Instead of thinking the smallest failure is the end of the world, I zoom out and think of all human and cosmological history and how my life is merely a speck in the grand scheme of things.
And regular readers of this blog might find this surprising, but I not only expect future success. I expect and embrace future failure too.
I know that mental blocks are coming, but I keep moving forward anyway. Case in point:
At the very end of my Read with Momentum program, I was tired after seven hours of live streaming. I probably shouldn’t have tried a memory demonstration, but I believe in taking my best shot anyway.
Names had come up, and to help answer some questions for Robert, I pulled up a software used by some memory competitors.
Now, I actually didn’t do that bad when I typed out the names, but I made a critical error. I was so hyper-focused on encoding the names that I didn’t pay attention to the faces on the screen. But instead of getting blocked by this obvious failure, I opened a new tab and typed out what I remembered anyway.
I fully expect that if I’m going to continue this work, I’ll wind up making “errors” like this in the future. It’s just part of what’s involved in memory as an art, craft and science.
But if you have the right attitude and expectations, you’ll always learn from whatever happens. And in the future, you can use those past experiences as “firelighters,” as Miller calls them.
Say GoodBye To Memory Blocks
We’ve talked about a lot of circumstances in which you can experience a mental block or temporary memory loss.
A subtheme throughout today’s tutorial is that life itself is a kind of exam.
When you treat it that way, and always show up prepared to do your best, you’ll do so much better.
As a final thought, I would suggest that you be willing to let go of the outcome. As I often tell my memory students in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, you have to be like a samurai. You have to be prepared to execute one final perfect move, even with your head cut off.
In the memory demonstration that failed, I did my best to squeeze in one more name than I thought I could.
Although I wasn’t able to place the names next to the faces, the names I did recall were mostly correct. And I had one syllable for one last name that I hadn’t even mentioned during the demonstration.
True, the demonstration was far from perfect. But the one last move, the one I made while admitting my head had been cut off, produced an audible gasp.
But it was only possible for me to have the guts to make such a mistake in front of so many people because I am willing to let go of the outcome.
And if you want to stop mental blocks from holding you back, I suggest you cultivate this skill too. When you do, you’ll develop the reinforced mental representations Tobore’s research has discovered. In other words, the more you practice being your best possible self, the easier it will be for that person to emerge, fully knowledgeable and perfectly capable, even when the chips are down.
So what do you say? Are you ready to treat life itself like an exam and show up with your best possible attitude?
The 15 Main Thought Processes and How to Improve Them
Feb 23, 2022
Welcome to the ultimate list of thought processes.
A definitive resource you can bookmark and refer to whenever you want to sharpen your thinking.
I created this list because I taught an advanced critical thinking course for years at a university.
And I personally practice many types of thought as I continue to absorb many philosophical traditions from around the globe.
So if you want multiple thought process examples that will help you improve your mind, today you’re going to get them.
Even better:
I’ve included several sure fire ways you can rapidly improve your thinking.
Ready? Let’s dig in!
What Are Thought Processes?
According to researchers, a thought process can be both conscious and unconscious. In fact, your mind can be processing more than one thought at the same time.
For this reason, the exact definition of a thought process is simple:
It is being engaged with the stuff of thought.
What’s is this “stuff” exactly?
It’s a combination of semantic facts you hold in your memory and physical things you know how to do that are held in your procedural memory.
Then, you have the material that is held in your subconscious and your unconscious mind. This is important to understand.
That’s because the fact that so many of your thoughts are outside of your awareness means you don’t have free will quite the way you think you do. Although many positive types of thought process stimulate our creativity and problem-solving capacities, Daniel Kahneman’s work has shown us to be at the mercy of many cognitive biases.
Cognitive bias is any of a wide number of thought processes that cause us to take shortcuts. We distort reality and make irrational decisions as a result.
For this reason, it’s a very good idea to become familiar with as many thought processes as possible.
Types of Thought Processes (with Examples)
As an exercise, don’t just read the following list passively. Try to think of a time you’ve either thought these ways yourself, or observed others involved in these thinking processes.
For best results, write your personal examples and observations down.
Also, reflect on whether or not each thought process is positive, negative, neutral or more than one of these options at the same time.
One: Associative Thinking
Being able to see how one thing connects to another is an important skill. In healthy children, the ability to think in terms of association begins early. Most of us get better at it as we age because more life experiences creates pattern recognition.
For example, we often relate things we see in life to mythological patterns. You might associate someone with King Midas if they’re greedy, or say that a Pandora’s box has been opened. These are kinds of associative thinking stimulated by pattern recognition.
It doesn’t have to be Greek myths either. Since 1999, it’s been very common for people to respond to certain events in the age of the Internet by saying, “It’s just like in The Matrix.”
Freud famously asked his patients to engaging in free association, leading to many new psychological therapies and procedures, such as the Rorshach test.
And association is widely used. Creative people frequently allow themselves to follow random trains of thought in order to come up with interesting and unique ideas. Students use mind mapping and association is a key mnemonic strategy.
Two: Abductive Thinking
This form of thinking involves drawing conclusions based on observations. It is also called inferential reasoning and Sherlock Holmes provides the most well-known examples. Real life detectives use it as well.
A simple way to think about this thought process is that you’re arriving at a conclusion without having the full picture. If you arrive at a crime scene and find a knife covered in blood, you can reasonably conclude that it is the murder weapon. But you don’t actually know – you’re inducing the conclusion.
Note that many people mistake this kind of reasoning with deductive thinking. So let’s look at that next.
Three: Deductive Thinking
Deductive thinking is often formulaic. It usually involves an “if this then that” structure. For example, you can deduce that if you don’t get on the freeway before rush hour, it will take you longer to get home.
Unlike induction where you are drawing a conclusion from an incomplete picture, you do have a complete picture of how traffic works on the highway.
Deductive reasoning is typically easier to test when there is an abundance of evidence. There are three main types to master:
Humans share a variety of languages, and when you think about it, none of the words or phrases belong to any individual. Rather, we collaborate on the continuous evolution of this communication tool.
We’re increasingly using the Internet to communicate using our languages as well. Students use it to study together, which means thinking together to help one another achieve goals.
We can also think about transpersonal thinking in this regard. When we realize that the role of the individual isn’t all that it’s made out to be, we’re able to transcend the ego and resolve ourselves into the great river of life.
Sound abstract? Never fear. We’ll be tackling that kind of thinking next.
Five: Abstract Thinking
To think abstractly is to literally pull away from an idea or concept.
We just did that by thinking about how language is not owned by any individual person, even if it is experienced in personal ways.
This is an “abstract” thought precisely because we’re pulling back from the individual and looking at the entire species.
This is a nuanced thought process, so you can read more about abstract thinking with other examples if you’re interested.
Six: Concrete Thinking
Concrete thinking involves ideas that are directly related to material reality. For example, you might think about how things feel and make comparisons and contrasts in your mind.
An orange and an apple feel more similar to one another than an orange and the handle of a shovel, for example.
Talking about rain “pounding” is another example.
Seven: Analogical Thinking
Analogical thinking involves making comparisons and assuming that when something is true for one thing, it is also true for the other.
We can use them well, such as when we say that an argument is going in circles. If the same points keep coming up again and again, they really do feel like they are on a loop.
But analogies often fall apart because things are rarely as similar as they seem. Watch out anytime you hear someone saying, “it’s like x.” Although the comparison they are about to make sense on the surface, all too often the connection winds up being facile.
Eight: Analytical Thinking
Analysis literally involves taking things apart.
For example, when a Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass participant comes to me with a problem they’re trying to solve, I analyze what they’re saying by looking for the individual components.
That’s not to say I don’t also take the problem as a “whole.” Rather, analytical thinking takes as a basic premise that everything is built from parts.
In philosophy, the notion of deconstruction is an analytical process that reveals how many of our most cherished truths were built over time. It is an innovation on what Nietzsche called genealogical thinking.
Linear thinking is all about structure and following a particular process.
But that doesn’t make it boring.
In fact, Triz is one of the most interesting collection of tools for linear thinking on the planet. It’s also incredibly inventive.
Nonlinear thinkers are sometimes thought to use fewer structures, or purposefully introduce randomness.
For example, the German band Einstürzende Neubauten create new songs by drawing ideas and roles from a hat. Although the singer might not be a world class drummer, if he selects a slip that requires him to play percussion while composing a new song, he will.
Although this form of creativity looks like it is nonlinear and “outside the box,” it’s also procedural and linear in its own way. If we “deconstruct” the notion of linear thinking by using analytical thinking, we might find that there really is no such thing as nonlinear thinking at the end of the day.
Ten: Reflective Thinking
Making time to contemplate is incredibly important.
It’s simple and easy to practice and there are many powerful reflective thinkers you can draw inspiration from.
Simply put, find a place to sit, pour your thoughts out onto paper and use analytical thinking to sort, sift and screen through the material of your mind.
It’s perfect for helping yourself make better decisions and expand your mind.
Eleven: Counterfactual Thinking
We often think of alternative histories as the stuff of fiction. Philip K. Dick’s The Man in the High Castle is a common example.
However, it’s very useful to think about what could have happened in our everyday lives.
For example, sometimes when I’m feeling down, I create a “counterfactual” image of what my life would be like if I’d never completed my Ph.d.
I happen to know a few people who didn’t finish. The thought of working at an ice cream parlor like one failed PhD I know makes me grateful for everything in my life – especially because the accomplishment led to me writing this blog.
Let’s look at the opposite of this kind of thinking next. It’s also very useful.
Twelve: Speculative Thinking
If counterfactual thinking involves imagining alternative scenarios in the past, speculative thinking involves running through two or more possible future outcomes.
One simple exercise for thinking through your future is Dan Sullivan’s “dangers, opportunities, strengths” routine.
By asking yourself questions around these three core areas, you can imagine a practical path forward for your future.
You can also use the journaling exercise I share in this video about how to think correctly about the path to mastering your memory:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k7hotyHROk
Thirteen: Decisive Thinking
When it comes to the future, you’ll never get there without being able to make decisions.
One of my favorite problem solving models is found in Decisive by Dan and Chip Heath. It’s called the W.R.A.P. technique:
Widen your options
Reality test
Attain distance
Prepare to fail
Using step-by-step decision processes like this can always be considered “heuristic thinking,” because you’re making using the tool a rule of thumb.
I’ve connected this technique with a much older tool called ars combinatoria that you might want to become acquainted with on your quest to master multiple thought processes.
Fourteen: Metacognition
Ever heard of Zen?
It’s a fairly radical philosophy that helps you realize that the present moment is all we really have – and since it’s slipping by so quickly, the notion that we have it at all is an illusion.
In order to realize this fact and hold onto the realization so that you can experience lasting mental peace, the great masters of meditation use metacognition.
To become a master yourself, you just need to cultivate an awareness of the operation of your own thoughts and a meta-level awareness of how the thoughts about your thoughts operate too.
I’m a big fan of this form of thinking and wrote about a powerful process in my book, The Victorious Mind.
You could also call this form of thinking, “mindfulness thinking.”
Fifteen: Skeptical Thinking
I’ve saved the most important form of thinking for the end. And I want you to use it on everything I’ve just said.
But above all, you want to set aside time for studying great thinkers and time for practicing thinking.
It just takes commitment and consistency.
And the best part?
You now have new ways to think about how you might increase your commitment and consistency by using tools like analytical thinking and speculative thinking to become the architect of your future.
Even better, you can memorize all of the above thought processes by grabbing my free memory improvement kit:
It will help you not only remember these types of thought, but also help you remember to engage in the activities need to improve each of them.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to enjoy multiple types of thought?
Dive in!
Memory Spaces: What They Are and Why They’re Important
Feb 09, 2022
People who use memory techniques enjoy a diversity of terms.
“Memory Palace” is my favorite, but more and more I’m leaning towards adapting Lynne Kelly’s use of the term “memory spaces.”
I like it because that’s essentially what a Memory Palace is: a space for storing information.
Of course, we’re usually using an imaginary version of that space.
However, there are times when we can use these memory storage areas in much more direct ways.
On this page, I share some of my favorite approaches.
Why should you care?
Because when you’re able to rapidly learn and remember information using these techniques, your quality of life goes way up. You can:
Pass any exam
Learn languages faster
Remember everyone’s name
Absorb entire books
Master mathematics
And that’s just for starters.
Ready to learn more?
Let’s dive in.
What Are Memory Spaces?
A memory space is literally any location you use as a foundation, canvas or platform for encoding information with associations.
Let’s say you want to remember the name Luke. You can place Luke Skywalker on his shoulder.
His shoulder becomes a “memory space.”
In the method of loci, this specific spot would be called a “locus.”
Generally, though, I would just call this a station in a Memory Palace, particularly because I usually remember names at events. Luke would be just one of many I would memorize.
But these are all typical approaches. Let’s look at a few more.
The Lukasa
Now, there’s a sneaky reason I used the name “Luke” in the example above. That’s because my first example of an alternative memory space was going to be the lukasa.
Also sometimes called a “memory board,” the word means “long hand” or “claw.”
Typically made of wood, they often come shaped in a way that might remind you of an hourglass.
People would cover them in colored beads to help them remember histories, plant locations and names of medicines. Folk wisdom, military matters and other information would also be encoded.
These devices also helped people remember how their societies were organized and give them a common point of focus for discussing the law.
As far as I understand, they would run their fingers along the surfaces. Each bead would help them recall a story or piece of information.
The relationship to how encoding in a Memory Palace is clear. It involves all of the principles related to the linking and story method.
Related to the lukasa are many other items. You can learn about them from Aboriginal and indigineous memory expert Tyson Yunkaporta.
The Guidonian Hand
Can you imagine holding 75 hours of music in your mind?
Anna Berger suggests that people regularly memorized and retained this amount in her book, Medieval Music and the Art of Memory. She quotes Kenneth Levy who estimates that their knowledge “would correspond to the selection of Beethoven’s instrumental works plus the full Wagnerian canon.”
That’s a lot of information!
How did they do it?
Many scholars, including Berger, have shown that a lot of the memorization was done by the medieval monks using their hands.
Basically, they would turn their fingertips and the joints into memory spaces. Each spot would be marked with a name that corresponds to the musical staff they were using at the time. The approach gets its name from Guido of Arezzo.
In contemporary terms, you could use your hand to memorize the clef notes quite quickly. For example, if you take the notes of the bass clef that appear between the lines, you could align them like this on your pointer finger:
The hand doesn’t just have to be used for music, however. Tyson Yunkporta gives a great example of using your hand to remember knowledge in his book, Sand Talk.
I’ve also used my hands to remember and practice Sanskrit verses that I’ve memorized. The important thing is to figure out the grid you’re going to mentally layer onto your hand and then stick with that configuration. Otherwise, you risk confusing yourself.
Buttons
I once read that Napoleon might have used the buttons on his shirt to help him remember simple things.
I don’t know if that’s true or not, but it totally makes sense. And when we think about military people, all of those medals, badges and other insignia are literally spaces we use to help us remember rank and other important information about people.
To use the buttons on your shirt as a kind of mini-Memory Palace, start by counting them up. Don’t forget to include the buttons on your cuffs.
Then, when you want to remember something, link it with the buttons. If you already have a PAO System, you can use those images as a pre-loaded hook on a button-by-button basis.
In case it isn’t obvious to you, by using buttons like this, you’re essentially turning any relevant item in your wardrobe into a kind of lukasa!
Coins
Sure, they’re small. But that’s no reason why you can’t use the coins in your pocket in a pinch.
Before I started using shoulders as my memory spaces for names, I would meet one or two people and place their names on a coin. It was a reference that worked great.
All you do is divide the coin into two surfaces. Apply one name to the heads side and another to the tails.
How to Use Sites of Memory to Remember More
I’ve mentioned the Memory Palace above, and I still believe it is the ultimate mnemonic device.
But when it comes to giving our memory spaces extra meaning, we can make some deliberate choices.
For example, if you’ve ever visited an old cathedral, even if you don’t practice any given faith, its atmosphere can give the things you choose to memorize using it an extra boost.
Likewise, you can choose locations like:
Museums
Libraries
Historical sites
University campuses
Or any personal option that has special meaning for you.
You can also transform places that don’t have positive memories into calm and soothing points of reference.
For example, I had a troubled youth. One home in particular used to be packed with disturbing memories.
One day, I decided I would stare this collection of bad memories in the face and encode it with positivity.
To do this, I started in the worst part of the home and started using it to memorize the Nirvana Shatakam.
A few days later, I had completely forgiven the past and now have an incredible meditation poem to reflect on, one that creates even more peace and love.
To get started with the Memory Palace technique yourself, give my FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
It will help ensure that you’re able to achieve any learning goal quickly and deepen your memory skills in meaningful ways that create lasting fulfillment.
Memory Sites Are Everywhere
The important takeaway is that anything physical occupies space – and that means we can use those objects to help us remember information. We can use people, tables, memory boards of our own creation or even the coins in our pockets.
The trick for many people is to commit to working out the order of the individual memory spaces they’re going to use on their objects or landscapes.
Then, you need to develop your association skills. Typically this is done by working out a highly personalized pegword method. This should only take an hour or so, perhaps a bit more over a few afternoons if your imagination has gotten rusty.
It’s well worth the effort, though. Once you have the foundational techniques in place, you can apply them to learning just about anything better.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to start examining the objects in your life a bit differently?
The world is full of resources just waiting to help you experience rapid recall of the knowledge you need to succeed.
Long-Term Memory Explained In Plain English
Jan 26, 2022
It’s hard to find good info on long-term memory, isn’t it?
You get drowned in difficult terminology, when all you want is to understand what it is and learn how to improve it.
On this page, you’re going to discover the different types of long-term memory in plain English.
We’ll also look at the sub-systems of long-term memory before turning to the most important topics of all. These are how to:
Maintain your current long-term memory abilities
Improve your long-term memory
Protect all aspects of your memory for the rest of your life
So if you’re ready to increase your long-term memory capacity as you understand its many ins-and-outs, let’s dive in.
What Is Long Term Memory?
Long-term memory is ultimately about stability.
Do you remember your first day at school?
If you can get even just a small sense of where and when that event took place, that memory is relatively stable.
Likewise, if you can access visuals of the school, how you felt and the names of any teachers or friends you had at the time, this long-term memory is even more robust.
How about the meaning of a word like “justice”? If you can give a reasonable definition, then your memory of the term is a demonstration of persistence.
As before, if you can give examples of when you learned the term and how your understanding of it has changed over time, the stability of this knowledge exists on a scale.
The Categorical Nature of Long-Term Memory
But here’s what’s super-interesting about the duration of long-term memory:
It’s ultimately about categories.
For example, if you think about your visual memory (or iconic memory), you’d be tempted to think of visual memory as a whole.
But according to researchers, our long-term visual memory relies upon categories. Your brain seems to literally “tag” different visuals as if by name and then draw upon those tags later.
For example, researchers at MIT and Harvard found that the brain’s pattern recognition draws heavily upon categories like ocean, field and even more specific terms like golf course and amusement park.
When asked to remember images shown from over 160 image categories, people remembered scenes better than objects. They believe that the categorization itself explains these higher levels of recall because categories are more prominent in long-term memory.
It suggests that how memory works so fast relies upon how surfaces and icons are embedded in contexts.
The same thing is true when it comes to reading faster. Scientists have thoroughly debunked most claims about so-called “speed reading.”
But one thing the science agrees on is that you can read faster if you improve your vocabulary.
Just as people were better able to remember scenes that draw upon information in long-term memory, people with larger vocabularies read faster. Their brains draw upon long-term memory with greater efficiency because they have greater speed of pattern recognition.
Long-Term Memory Examples
Since long-term memory involves everything that persists in a stable way that you can access on demand.
As mentioned, not all long-term memories will be equally robust. But as long as you can recall something about the information you’re looking for, the memory has indeed persisted in your long-term memory.
In terms of where these memories are “stored” in the brain, scientists still disagree. Whereas some believe long-term memory and short-term or working memory follow a “single store” model, other researchers think that the location of remembered information or “mental imagery” changes over time.
With those points in mind, let’s look at some examples of long-term memory.
Procedural Memory
Probably the easiest type of long-term memory to understand is procedural memory.
Anytime you ride a bike, use chopsticks, type an email or play a musical instrument, you’re drawing upon skills that are deep in your long-term memory.
The visual pattern recognition we discussed above is highly-related here. When we look at a painting, we can determine practically on autopilot whether we’re looking at an object, portrait of a person or a landscape. There’s a procedural quality to how we understand the visual world around us.
Episodic Memory
Episodic memory is all about time. It’s personal and related to you. Anything you remember about specific events and periods of your life belong to this category:
Getting married
Trips
Birthdays
Job interviews
Although it’s different than semantic memory, there are a few relationships between the two types. For example, knowing the name of the place you got married is semantic in nature, and also carries with it episodic memories.
Semantic Memory
Everyone knows multiple facts about the world, and that’s thanks to semantic memory.
Whereas memories of different events in your life such as the recall of an anniversary belong to episodic memory, knowing the name of the country, city and street where the anniversary took place belongs to semantic memory. They are rigid facts, not episodes, which are much more fluid.
Other facts that exist in long-term memory include information like numbered addresses, years and months.
The 2 Types of Long-Term Memory
The examples of long-term memory we’ve looked at are organized into different types and sub-systems.
Briefly, explicit memory is information you have to work at remembering, such as a formula for solving an equation. Implicit memory comes back to you at random, such as suddenly thinking about a concert you attended with a friend.
Ultimately, it’s important to understand that the science of memory is still emerging. More types of long-term memory emerge.
Or, as some scientists have proposed, the term “memory” may need to be updated, if not replaced. The larger context of cognitive ability is an important area of study to consider as you think through the definition of long-term memory.
How Long Does Long-Term Memory Last?
All good things come to an end. This means that anything that enters memory will exit it.
At least insofar as human life has an expiration date.
Homer’s Odyssey was written down circa 480 BCE. The stories that were originally held in long-term memory by ancient people have survived for thousands of years. They’ll likely go on to survive for many thousands of years more.
Plus, human knowledge involves many categories. Things fold together and repeat in many different ways, meaning that we can rapidly refresh knowledge and learn new things simply by improving our pattern recognition abilities.
My personal answer then? As long as humans are here to record and activate information by reading books, watching videos and holding discussions, our memories will last.
Practically speaking, however, information lasts for as long as you maintain the knowledge through use. You also have to think about what exactly you’re trying to remember.
If you stop riding bicycles, you might still remember how to do it decades later. But if you stop speaking a language, linguistic deskilling can take place very quickly. For example, when I lived in Germany, my English skills took a nose-dive. Now that I live in an English-speaking country again, it’s my German that I have to maintain.
So as they say, use it or lose it. Anything you want to remember long-term should be kept in circulation.
How to Improve Your Long-Term Memory (and Prevent Memory Loss)
There are many ways to improve your long-term memory. These include:
Make no mistake. These are by far the best memory strategies to consider. They will also teach you a great deal about the power of deliberate practice.
When it comes to preventing the loss of memory skills you already have, practice is the key, but also things like:
Struggling with terminology and even basic vocabulary
Getting lost
We know from many studies that bilingualism is one way to fend off such problems. But not everyone is going to invest the time into learning another language.
So let’s look at some activities you can do that will exercise your long-term memory, grow its strength where needed and keep it sharp for life.
When it comes to tracking your memory activities, it’s also an incredibly powerful activity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BracGhyKS4I
You can keep your Memory Palaces gathered in one spot, set goals and reflect on your progress. And as you continue jotting down aspects of your life, you’ll get the benefits of remembering more of your life because you’ve increased your observation skills with daily practice.
The reason it works is probably because the more information you practice with that is inherently long-term in nature, the more your long-term memory gets exercise.
Two: Memorize Mantras
Although this technique won’t be for everyone, it’s a great way to give your long-term memory a workout.
I’ll share my approach to this, a practice I started in 2017.
Using Memory Palaces, I started committing long form texts in Sanskrit to memory. Like beading a necklace, I keep adding line after line, after reciting the entirety of what I’ve memorized.
Because there’s an intellectual component to the material that involves understanding a fairly simple, yet robust philosophy, memory improves as critical thinking skills also enjoy a boost.
Three: Expand Your Thinking Skills
A lot of people turn to games to give their memory a workout. The problem is that a lot of those games only make you better at playing the game. The skills don’t transfer to other aspects of life.
But when you complete critical thinking exercises regularly, you’re doing something similar to working with mantras. You’re rehearsing what you’ve placed in long-term memory while also adding new knowledge.
Four: Exercise Your Episodic & Semantic Memory Together
Remember how I said that there’s a difference between remembering a birthday party and remembering the city and street name where the party took place?
Well, a great way to exercise your memory is to think about different episodes of your life, then write down as many semantic pieces of information as you can.
In your Memory Journal, write out a list of all the birthday parties you can remember – both your own and those of family and friends. Write out some of the details you remember in terms of what happened.
Next, give your semantic memory a workout. List the year, the location and any other facts that come to mind. What shows were on television at that time? Popular movies? Music that you liked?
As an example, I remember a birthday party where we stayed up all night and had ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. That’s the episodic part.
For the semantic part, I list out the names of the friends who attended and facts like the year being 1987 and that Kiss’ Crazy Nights came out.
Five: Live a good life
This tip is easier said than done, but could anything be more true?
Lying, cheating, stealing and other crimes are destructive because they make remembering hard to bear.
But focusing on being a truthful person who contributes to your community produces countless rewards.
Note that it doesn’t have to be epic amounts of contribution. Just doing what you can to be a force of good promotes long-term memory benefits because you’re giving yourself plenty of material worth remembering.
Six: Take On Large Learning Projects
Studying information in-depth helps your brain create more connections.
I suggest you pick a topic you’re passionate about and read 3-5 books on the topic. Even if some of the material might feel repetitive, you learn a lot by seeing how different people approach the same topics. Plus, you get some natural repetition that helps reinforce key ideas.
Also, spend some time reading topics that are outside of your comfort zone. For example, I was quite nervous about reading into computation. I didn’t think I’d be able to wrap my mind around it.
But I persisted by simply reading and letting understanding arrive gradually. Soon, my brain started making connections and now I have a new point of reference that will build even more connections as I continue to cross-reference new information with this growing knowledge-set.
When it comes to long-term memory, the more you know, the more you can know.
Seven: Learn Hands-Based Skills Like Arts & Music
Our brains benefit so much by developing procedural memory skills. Drawing, painting and playing musical instruments are incredibly useful. It’s delightful to draw upon the skills you’ve developed over the long-term and you can always improve them. There is literally no ceiling.
The beautiful thing about these skills is that you can combine study and practice. For example, I’m taking a jazz bass course at the moment. In addition to getting the instrument in my hands and learning more about chord tones and arpeggios, I am also reading books about the history of the genre.
If you were learning to draw, it would be easy to also add on a few books about the lives of various artists to embed the procedural memory skill in knowledge that develops both your episodic and semantic memory.
Build Your Own Long-Term Memory Systems
Now that you know what long-term memory is and how it works, take a hands-on approach to developing it.
One of the best things you can do is dedicate yourself to practicing the ancient art of memory. Developed when people needed to carry entire books in their minds because they couldn’t carry them on their backs, it is designed to address long-term memory development.
If you’re interested in learning how to use it, register for this free Memory Improvement Course:
It will give you worksheets and four videos that give you a foundational course in these techniques.
And since the skills are so fun to use and instantly rewarding, you’ll wind up using them for life.
So what do you say? Are you ready to take the future of your memory into your own hands?
Enjoy the journey and just shout out if you have any questions along the way!
How Memory Works: A Guide Anyone Can Understand
Jan 13, 2022
Memory works like breathing and blinking. Here’s why:
You can control your brain function to a certain extent and it operates entirely on autopilot, whether you’re paying attention to it or not.
How do we know?
Think about your home.
Did you have to work hard to learn the layout?
Probably not. You probably learned it automatically.
The alphabet, on the other hand, required exercises and repetition over weeks. Your teachers guided the process.
As an adult, you need to guide the memory process yourself when you want to learn new information.
Given that memory is both an automatic process and a tool we can use deliberately, how exactly does it work?
The answer is fascinating and comes with many clues that will help you improve it.
Let’s dig in, starting with this handy infographic that lets you see and understand the three main memory processes at a glance:
How Does Human Memory Work? The 3 Main Processes
Scientists think that memory is built from processes that work together. These processes involve multiple neural pathways and include:
Encoding
Storing
Retrieving, or decoding
Encoding
Encoding takes place during and after information enters your brain through the senses. It starts with the initial impression and interpretation of information.
Take the example of learning your home layout. In Human Spatial Memory: Remembering Where, the authors present a number of theories of how encoding begins and produces a memory trace that leads to consolidation.
One of their theories suggests that our brains remember spatial layouts by determining which objects are on top of other objects.
In other words, you remember the location of the kitchen because the countertops and the stop stand on top of its floor. The tub is on top of the bathroom floor, etc. The brain then uses what is called its “coordinate system” to encode the information.
One theory of memory says that our brains track surfaces and what objects or on top of other objects in order to remember our environments.
When it comes to learning information like a language, we can deeply integrate with the process by using one of several forms of active recall.
How are Memories Stored In The Brain?
In terms of storage, scientists think our spatial information may reside in the parietal lobe. They’ve reached this conclusion because damage to this area of the brain disturbs our spatial awareness. The hippocampus also plays a key role, specifically in consolidation and transferring information from short-term to long-term storage.
Storage is a big topic because it’s not clear that information ever really stays put in the brain.
On the contrary, scientists have shown that information we’ve memorized moves around over time. Memory expert Dr. Gary Small likens this movement to how families travel from homes around the world to gather in one specific building for Thanksgiving dinner once a year.
Retrieval (Decoding)
Dr. Small’s analogy suggests that our memories are actually split apart and keep moving around in the brain. Then, when we retrieve the memories, they move to a single location so we can perceive them as something that feels whole.
And when our recall does not feel whole and complete, that’s because some parts of the memories did not make it to the party.
Here’s more detail on recall and retrieval with more details on where memories are stored.
How Are Memories Formed?
People tend to think that long-term memories take time to form.
Either way, the direct answer to how memories form is neurochemical. It is literally the collaboration of existing brain structures working together to “connect” in order to facilitate retention and recollection of multiple details.
You can even see the process take place with your own eyes as neurons and synapses find one another and connect:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0rHZ_RDdyQ
As memories connect, myelin wraps around the connections. The strength of any given memory appears related to the robustness of the connection itself, the strength of the myelin sheath and the length of the dendritic spines on the neurons.
Although the exact process of how memories are formed and stored is still not well-understood, scientist and memory expert David Eagleman claims in The Brain that every healthy brain has room for a zettabyte of information.
Where Are Memories Stored?
As mentioned, the brain stores memory throughout its structures. And the exact location of individual memories can and does change.
This means that the most direct answer to the question is that our memories are stored in our synapses. They are literally stored in connections.
But there’s another way to think about the question.
Memories aren’t just stored in your brain.
They are stored in the brains of other people.
In books.
Movies.
Recorded music.
Library archives.
Our species has devised alphabets, words and grammars to help us encode knowledge in a variety of mediums. To focus only on the brain is missing the point.
But what remains the same is the focus on our memories being stored in the connections themselves.
As you read this post, you are connecting your brain to mine. My remembered knowledge about memory is flowing into your brain through your ability to recognize the words and infographics I’ve prepared for you.
The best part?
Once you decide to engage with it deeply, this knowledge will become part of your knowledge-set.
If you don’t, the fact of your individual forgetting does not mean the information isn’t stored somewhere. It will still be right here on this page, located in the memory of multiple computers across the Internet.
The information will also be in the minds of all the other people who have learned this knowledge. As Andy Clark has suggested in books like The Experience Machine, memory is never in just one person’s mind.
Even more interesting, a recent study has found that our memories might not be stored exclusively in the brain at all. Some memories may be distributed throughout other cells in the body.
We tend to think that memory is stored in our minds. In reality, it is stored in multiple locations and devices, if not in the connections between things themselves.
These findings and ideas present examples of abstract thinking about memory. They might challenge how we normally think about memory. But I’m confident that when you reflect on these more recent findings by scientists, you’ll agree that memory is stored in a kind of network that flows between us and other parts of our body.
Here’s another point from the frontiers of memory research. Some scientists have suggested that synapses do not store memories at all. Rather, DNA and RNA store our memories.
This new and emerging research is worth keeping an eye on. The animal testing will likely reproduce in future human trials.
What do you think? Would you participate in a study that helps researchers better understand how human memory works?
The Main Types of Memory
Confused by all the types of memory you find people from the field of memory science talking about?
To place the foundations of these memory improvement skills in your hands, grab this FREE Memory Improvement course:
The best part?
Once you have superior memory skills, it’s easy to remember all the different kinds of memory we discussed today.
It’s a real win-win for you and the world. The more we understand about how memory functions and what exactly it is, the more people can better navigate reality and lead more fulfilling lives.
So what do you say? Are you ready to live a life more connected to the information storage and retrieval device alive and well in your head?
Why Questioning Everything Is the Smartest Thing You Can Do
Dec 22, 2021
Do you want to know why questioning everything is the best policy in life?
It’s because humans are prone to error, including the smartest amongst us.
In fact, there’s a principle called “the curse of knowledge” that highlights this problem.
A popular example of how this plays out in life is in the exchanges between Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes.
Holmes often points out how Watson doesn’t see the simplest things simply because he doesn’t question the details enough.
It’s not that Watson isn’t a smart guy. He’s a doctor, after all. But because questioning things is such a small part of his mental activity, he misses both the big picture and the granular details.
As a result, Holmes shines as an incredibly bright individual and Watson seems rather dim, despite his credentials.
If you’d like to learn how to question things with greater frequency so you can observe the world in-depth, stick around.
In this post, we’re diving deep into why you should always question everything and different ways to do it well. Much of my suggestions are based on courses in critical thinking I used to teach during my previous career as a university professor.
Let’s begin with this infographic covering the benefits:
Why Questioning Everything Is Critical to Great Thinking
As you’ve seen on the infographic, questioning promotes understanding, drives innovation and helps you build confidence.
Even if you never get into debating others in a formal setting, you simply cannot put a price on being able to explain why you think in particular ways and substantiating your views with evidence.
But there’s also a long history to rational questioning that you’ll find helpful to know.
For example, the ancient Greeks knew that asking questions was their best bet when it came to critical thinking.
A lot of people associate questioning as a tool introduced by Plato through the Socratic dialogues.
Although it’s true that Plato used the character of Socrates to highlight the use of questions to sharpen our thoughts, inquiry is much older.
The Pre-Socratics, for example, devised what is called Eleatic Philosophy.
Here’s the most important point about these philosophers:
They preferred to use logic instead of their direct senses.
And this meant using language in particular ways.
In fact, a lot of their wording boils down to a kind of math though the use of syllogisms that help with thinking logically.
Here’s an example of a typical syllogism:
“All mammals are animals. All elephants are mammals. Therefore, all elephants are animals.”
To test the validity of this statement, the philosophers would use questions that remove their senses.
It might sound silly to us today, but put yourself in their shoes for a moment.
If you were to use purely your sense of touch to assess an elephant, you could conclude that this animal is a reptile based on its leathery skin.
So, before the Greeks developed classification systems, many of which we still use today, they needed to question everything in order to rule out errors that could mislead them.
Another way to look at the questioning process is to understand the difference between abstract thinking and concrete thinking. In each of these types of thinking, you use different kinds of questions to arrive at the truth.
Finally, we need to be able to question our own most cherished ideas. I’ve done that myself often.
Fortunately, the science supports my teaching. But I would have missed out on learning a lot of the science if I hadn’t had the courage to ask the question.
The Dialectic Approach
Sticking with the ancient Greeks, let’s look at Plato a little further.
One of Plato’s main contributions is called dialectical thinking.
Through the use of questions, it allows you to reason effectively by producing multiple ways of looking at just about any issue or problem.
It works because you use questions to examine your thoughts and the thoughts of others before, during and after arriving at conclusions.
In other words, the process of questioning never really ends.
This process is the core of the scientific method, in which nothing is ever “proved.” Instead, we use our scientific questions to help us produce evidence that either validates or invalidates our assumptions about the world and reality.
Without being able to ask and answer questions as an ongoing process, truth fizzles up quickly. And this is why Plato’s recording of the dialogues of Socrates is such an astonishing document.
Whether Socrates is right or wrong, what matters is the freedom to debate and keep questioning things.
Other Traditions Based on Questioning Everything
Although the ancient Greek philosophers are very important, they weren’t alone in urging us to question.
The urge to question everything why as a repetitive practice is found in other ancient texts like the Upanishads.
These texts were influential in forming contemplative traditions like Advaita Vedanta.
In Advaita Vedanta, there is a process called “self enquiry” (Atma vichara).
In it, you use questions to explore reality as it appears to you.
For example, you can ask, “To whom is this experience happening?”
When you try to find the “inner I” or what some psychologists call the “ego” within the frame of your experience, you will probably struggle.
That’s because things like “I” and the notion of having an identity is fundamentally an illusion. It is one we maintain by failing to ask questions. Instead, we simply go with the flow.
Or we avoid questions out of fear, which is one of the messages you find in some religious traditions. For example, in the Book of Job, asking god to explain why suffering exists is strongly frowned upon.
The popularity of such restrictions is a bit puzzling, but a lot of psychoanalysis helps explain why they arise.
And psychoanalysis itself uses a process of questioning to help people relieve the suffering that not asking questions creates.
Psychoanalysis is an important area to explore fully because there’s a whole area called “motivated forgetting.” People sometimes forget to ask critical questions due to trauma. I cover the issue fully in my post on causes of forgetting.
The 4 Most Important Types of Questions
Before we talk about developing the habit of questioning everything, let’s quickly go through what I find to be the most powerful types of questions.
Open-ended questions
Challenging questions
Clarifying questions
Reflective questions
As you can see in the infographic above, there are example questions for each type.
The important personal characteristics you’ll want to add is:
A personal commitment to remaining open and curious
Having the courage to challenge norms, including your own memory biases
By continually asking the four main question types, you’ll naturally start to develop these characteristics and become a better person as a result.
How To Start Always Questioning Everything
If you want to commit to a life of enquiry, bravo. I’m confident you’ll find it very rewarding.
In order to get started, consider the following steps:
One: Decide To Go All In And Plan
One of the biggest problems people face when they take on a new goal is that they’re not fully committed.
That’s just not going to work when it comes to committing everything. And the reason why should be clear:
We’re talking about everything.
So if you want to question just some things, some of the time, reconsider whether or not dialectical thinking is really something for you. It’s not about dabbling.
And because it’s not about dabbling, you’ll want to plan.
For that, let’s move on to the next step.
Two: Study Inquisitive People And Their Traditions
One of the best ways to learn how to enquire deeply is to study those who have gone before you.
And a reading plan of the classic texts that are based around questioning everything is key. I’ve already mentioned a bunch from the Greek tradition, but here are some other suggestions.
Merely by reading the books and resources on this list, you should find yourself starting to question everything almost on autopilot as your brain starts mimicking the process. Reading this list in particular will make you smarter:
There are many other books to recommend, but these are some of the ones I’ve found most useful for training my mind to ask questions that pack a punch.
And questions that help reveal answers of the highest possible value.
You can apply the study of inquisitive people to any area. It doesn’t all have to be about philosophy.
For example, I’ve found reading the questions asked by investors like Warren Buffet to be incredibly rewarding.
I’ve also made sure in the realm of investing to speak with consultants who ask me questions. One person in particular helped me think through my investing personality-type, and the questions he asked helped me make better decisions.
Long story short, he said that if I went against my psychological profile, I would have a hard time sleeping at night. I’m sure glad his questions helped me realize certain things about myself, because the relationship between sleep and memory is immense. And I need all the sleep I can get.
Three: Put Your Questions In Writing
We often resort to questioning things mentally. The burden falls completely on the mind.
However, getting our hands involved is a best practice due to the benefits of haptic memory. This form of memory involves physical touch and belongs broadly to sensory memory, which is readily exercised.
To practice questioning in writing, consider keeping a journal dedicated to this purpose.
Also, note that writing out answers to questions is part of the artistic process.
In The Successful Novelist, David Morrell shares how he has used a process of questioning to help him derive the plots of very successful novels. He uses writing to flesh out answers to specific questions that draw out realistic plot points his readers love.
As a sub-point that I think you’ll love, Morrell gets out into the field to ask his questions. Not only does researching how pilots fly by actually learning from them in their environment help him study faster.
He’s able to ask a completely different set of questions because he’s with the people he’s researching. You see things that aren’t apparent otherwise when you get out into the real world environments you’re interested in learning about.
Four: Verbalize Your Questions With Others
Just as we benefit from processing our ideas physically through writing with our hands, processing questions with our mouths is a godsend.
Think about it:
Speech science reveals that at least 100 muscles are involved in speaking aloud.
Now, not everyone has interested parties to speak with, so get this:
You can still exercise all those muscles by asking yourself questions out loud.
I do this often and feel no shame in it. It’s a purposeful verbalization of my questions that not only generates better answers, but sometimes helps me improve the questions themselves.
This happens because I hear how sometimes I limit my wording, or miss the point. I cannot imagine perceiving these deficiencies in any other way.
Five: Review Everything
Re-reading books (especially philosophy books) or re-taking courses is one of my favorite strategies for asking better questions.
In fact, at the time I’m writing this post, one of my projects involves trying to re-read as much of my university syllabi as possible from my first year to 2009 when I completed my Ph.d.
It’s a massive project, and I don’t pretend that I’ll be able to cover everything.
However, I’ve already noticed with the books that I’ve re-read so far that the quality of my questions have improved. They’ve done so by virtue of a kind of guiding meta-question:
Who was I when I first read these books?
What did I feel when I was reading them?
Where was I? (Both physically, emotionally and in terms of my street smarts?)
What did I conclude after reading them?
These questions now have a powerful pair:
Who am I now as I read them again?
What do I feel now?
Where am I?
What do I conclude now?
What are the notable differences between then and now?
Although you might not take your re-reading strategy to the same lengths I am, the benefits of comparing and contrasting your experiences based on these questions is huge. I personally feel that this is one of the most strategic ways to enquire into many aspects of reality at the same time, so hope you’ll give it a try.
Question Everything Within Reason
Although I’ve presented questioning everything as a beneficial practice, moderation and discernment are required.
I imagine that you, like me, ultimately want freedom in life. This means that we can’t become a slave to needing to question everything all the time. Frankly, I doubt anyone could, even if they tried, certainly not without making themselves sick.
Rather, enquiry is best deployed as a constant practice. This means that you work on it consistently, a mental strength initiative no different than the physical strength programs we apply to our bodies.
This means that some planning will be useful, and self-monitoring to make sure we aren’t going overboard.
And the best way to do that?
Using questions about how we’re going about questioning things, of course!
If you’d like a simple course that will help you remember to keep questioning yourself within reason, give this Free Memory Improvement Kit a try:
And let me know:
What questions are you going to ask yourself next?
Am I Naive? How to Tell (And Fix It)
Dec 08, 2021
We are all naive sometimes.
And make no mistake:
That can be a very good thing in the right context.
Why?
Because the core of scientific, philosophical and personal progress requires the ability to see the world with fresh eyes.
By the same token, being naive can also be incredibly destructive.
It can force you to miss out on so many of life’s pleasures because it can make you:
Irrational when rationality is needed
Skeptical when active participation is required
Emotionally destructive when only reason can save the day
But here’s the very good news:
When it comes to learning how to be less naive, the improvement process could not be simpler.
And this post covers how to increase your wisdom in precise terms.
Ready?
Let’s get S.M.A.R.T.E.R together!
(I’ll tell you what the acronym means later. I promise!)
Am I Naive? The Top Seven Signs of a Naive Person
Scientists have shown that being naive is essential to our cognitive development as kids. We literally cannot tell the differences between things without allowing curiosity to help us distinguish the difference between things.
For example, as kids we scientifically test the world. We learn to avoid hot surfaces by being naive about what they are and how they harm us.
This means that the number one way to know if someone is being naive is pretty simple.
One: Lack of Experience
If you want to know how to stop being naive, ask this simple question every time an opinion floats to your mind:
Do I actually have the experience required to make my opinion valid?
Questioning everything in this way will instantly make you a smarter person. You’ll certainly stick your foot in your mouth much less often.
This is true because intelligent people ask questions – or at least acknowledge that a topic is in question – before making final statements about it.
But naive people?
Not so much. You can often tell by the speed of their answers that they simply lack the background knowledge required to give an intelligent response.
This takes place when a person is not smart enough to know that they aren’t educated in a particular topic area. It’s very destructive, and one need only look at the comments on various social media sites to see how rampant this problem is.
Three: Poor Vocabulary
Did you know that scientists have warned that the vocabulary of our young people is rapidly shrinking?
This connects to our first point about how experience helps us differentiate different things in the world.
We rarely do this through experience alone. Our language helps us process the experience and deepen it through communication with others.
But if we don’t know the words for objects and experiences, our ability to understand and connect them with other aspects of reality shrinks.
Four: Gullibility
Having a larger vocabulary has been shown to help you read faster, which helps you avoid being easily cheated or deceived. The more you know, the more you can know.
Yet, there are people out there who talk for hours about things like the Mandela Effect with zero evidence that it exists.
Watch out for people who misuse scientific-sounding terminology to take advantage of the gullible.
They don’t realize that other people exploit their lack of scientific literacy.
They do this by showing them ads to sell them products packed with other sensational material. Entire industries direct themselves at consumers with limited mental processing power.
Five: Lack of Critical Thinking Skills
Now, I don’t mean to put only a few people on the spot. Incredibly smart people also display gullibility from time to time.
Desperate health situations, lack of time to think and other situations can cause even people with very high IQ scores to blunder.
However, people with critical thinking abilities often realize their mistakes much quicker. Often, they’re able to reverse course before any significant damage has been done.
They can do this because they’ve had some training in critical thinking, like the kind you can get on this blog. Here are some resources if you’d like to beef up your brain so you can think through important issues faster and make fewer mistakes:
They say that the only constant is change. But one of the top signs of a naive person is inflexibility.
Nietzsche put it best when he said that asking someone else to change is like asking the entire universe to change. But isn’t that often what naive people do?
As I suggested in my TEDx Talk, which centered on a naive passage of my own life, we know that we can’t change others:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
But we can change ourselves.
So if you want to stop being so naive, make sure to check out the various ways that you can change yourself in the section below.
Seven: You Do Not Put Time Aside For Thinking
Believe it or not, thinking is not a natural activity. We descend from animals and our autopilot instincts are geared for survival.
This means that thinking not only has to be learned, but in order to keep it sharp, it also has to be practiced.
A sure sign of a person being naive is when they say that they made a “snap decision.” Some people will even brag that they are “impulsive” or like to “rely on intuition.”
True, life sometimes forces us to make choices on the fly. We may have to listen to our gut.
But it’s never ideal and it’s naive to think so. As Chip and Dan Heath point out in their book, Decisive, much research shows that not taking a time to think things through harms us much more than we think.
Yet, societies around the world are so collectively gullible that we valorize impulsive celebrities and spend hours following the trainwrecks of their lives.
Luckily, you can avoid belonging to the herd, so let’s turn our attention to simple ways to get more experience, become more intelligent and enjoy reality at an increasingly mature level.
How to Stop Being Naive in Eight Steps
Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce gullibility and become an accurate thinker on a quest for constant improvement.
Let’s have a look at some of the best.
Step One: Take Time To Analyze Things Thoroughly
Snap decisions are deadly. And once you’re in the habit of making them, it can be hard to change.
However, it actually doesn’t take that long to make intelligent decisions. But you do need to take the time it requires to think things through.
One model I love is the W.R.A.P. technique in Decisive. This approach applies to many situations where you will benefit from thinking things through. It works like this:
Before you take this expert at his or her word and plunk down your hard earned cash on their training, you can widen your options by looking up what credible scientists say about this issue.
Then, you can reality test the person’s claims by seeing what they’ve accomplished in life with their approach.
Finally, you can take a break to get some distance between yourself and the topic and let your brain ruminate on autopilot through a process called diffuse thinking.
If you decide to go ahead and invest in the idea after taking time to deliberate, be willing to fail.
By the same token, you should accept that in some areas of self-education, it pays to fail. If you don’t go through a course or two created by charlatans, you risk not sharpening your BS-detection skills, which also requires you to prepare for failure.
In sum, taking time to think in a structured manner is a great way to suffer less from being naive in life.
Step Two: Take Personal Responsibility
Gullible people often avoid seeing how they steered themselves into harm’s way. But that’s an avoidance strategy and one that prevents you from growing.
Even worse, you can wind up trapped in learned helplessness. As researcher Martin Seligman has shown, it’s easy for humans to accept and even come to love the things that hold them back. But it’s also readily possible for anyone to learn to reject the limiting factors in our lives. Studies have shown that feel good dopamine increases when you take actions that increase your mental strength.
In order to become more resilient and learn from your naivety, you need to acknowledge its presence in your life, accept it and then plan to do better.
Getting some time on the calendar to study critical thinking or improve your memory through a program like the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass is a great way to do that.
Step Three: Reduce Screen Time & Mindless Consumption
There was a time when people thought that intelligence was fixed. But research that identified what has come to be known as the Flynn Effect showed that in the 20th century, people were in fact getting smarter and smarter in each and every generation.
This trend continued until recently, but now some researchers think that intelligence may be spiralling downwards. They even call this a reversal of the Flynn Effect in some areas of human knowledge and skill.
One explanation for why this downward trend is taking place is digital amnesia. As the Internet moves closer and closer to creating zero latency online environments, people become increasingly hooked to their devices. Indeed, the CEO of Netflix once said that their only competitor is sleep.
By spending more time reading books, even if you’re a slow reader, you’ll give your mind for reflective thinking that fast-paced online environments usually train your brain to avoid. They are designed to keep you clicking without thinking, whereas reading offline is all about connecting with the thoughts of others in a sustained way.
Step Four: Improve Your Vocabulary In More Than One Language
A lot of people will tell you to travel to give you more life experience. But let’s face it: the beaches and areas of historical interest around the world are packed with as many naive people as your hometown.
A better way to gain world perspective is through language learning. This is because working with languages is what James Hordern calls knowledgeable practice.
The best part is that memorizing vocabulary is fast, easy and fun. I regularly review my copy of Word Power Made Easy to keep my English sharp and read in other languages at least 3-5 times per week.
Step Five: Design Your Own Long Term Learning Projects
A lot of people randomly pile books into their Amazon shopping cart, or collect suggestions on Goodreads.
But savvy lifelong learners are curators of their knowledge. They may read broadly, but usually within highly concentrated areas of interest for dedicated periods of time.
I took so many courses at university, my brain has been trained to think in terms of semesters.
To this day, I search the Internet not for lists of the best books on a certain topic, but for university syllabi put together by experts. I try to find the biggest and most authoritative textbook on a topic that I can, and then read at least 2-3 of the books it discusses within.
This style of learning allows me to lean on the curation process of experts as I develop my own expertise. Then, when I throw in wildcard discoveries along the way, I automatically read them at a higher level and avoid falling into gullibility because a critical foundation for understanding the topic has already been established.
For any topic I’m studying, I seek to include books from at least these categories:
History of the topic
Theory of the topic
Practical applications of the topic
Critical biographies related to the topic
If you seek the best possible books from each of these categories and spend 3-6 months focused on them and supplementary materials, you won’t be naive about that topic for long.
And stick with your reading plan. Remember: Variety definitely is the spice of life, but the truth in the cliche won’t help if you keep changing disciplines. You can dive deep into topics and connect them a lot better if you spend periods of focused time on fewer topics in more detailed ways.
The best part is that your focus will compound in value because you’ll have learned the meta skills of how to learn and see many more connections thanks to your depth of study.
Step Six: Carry A Notebook Everywhere
I can think of few things that have helped me more than carrying a notebook 99.9% of the time.
Although it’s true I use memory techniques, there’s nothing better than working thoughts out on paper and planning with my hands. Plus, having a journal is very helpful for quickly creating Memory Palaces (a powerful tool for remembering things quickly).
Besides planning and keeping track of ideas that emerge, notebooks are great for self-assessment, gratitude journaling and generally expanding your mind.
Step Seven: Practice Objectivity
One of the hardest things for chronically naive people is to realize that reality exists independent of their thoughts and opinions.
This mistake happens because they are primarily subjective when they would benefit from being objective thinkers.
No doubt about it, being objective is hard.
Fixing this issue starts by understanding that your brain practically forces you to be emotionally invested in everything you see and do. We are driven to navigate the world by the laws and forces of evolution in the same way that gravity holds us fast to the earth.
To become more objective despite having the chips stacked against you, you can make objectivity one of your first learning projects. Study the sciences of psychology, decision making and game theory. Make a concerted effort to become a philosopher.
As part of this project, build a network of people around you who can help stress test your ideas. I suggest joining paid groups rather than free ones. Whereas many of the free ones are filled with low quality posts that will trap you in naive thinking, a solid investment in a discussion group based around deep dives into challenging content will serve you very well.
If you’d like to be part of one of my upcoming groups, consider letting me know!
Step Eight: Know Your Personality Type
One of my own experiences of being gullible revealed a lot to me about an area I’d never thought about in the context of investing.
For years, I’d been so focused on academic matters and later developing this blog, I had spent almost no time thinking about or studying the different ways I might retire one day.
Because I practice what I preach, I followed a lot of the steps I’ve discussed above. For example, I looked for the foundational books on investing and spent months focused on reading them thoroughly.
I also took courses and spent time with a topic expert to go over my plans.
He said something very interesting to me:
“If you invest in a way that goes against your personality type, you’ll always be miserable.”
I listened deeply to what this expert had to say about personality types when it comes to investing. I journaled about it in my notebook, talked with yet other people and these processes helped me make the right decisions. I know now that I avoided being gullible around a lot of decisions that so-called experts in the field call wise investing, but what actually amounts to uneducated greed.
This particular topic is not very interesting to me, but I’m glad I planned time for it and spoke directly with the experts themselves to help formulate my plans. To make sure you avoid the traps of naivety, I suggest you do the same.
You Don’t Have To Stop Being Naive 100%
As I mentioned in the introduction, we benefit from keeping an open mind and cultivating curiosity.
By the same token, we don’t want to keep our minds so open that our brains fall out.
Instead, we want to strive to be what I call S.M.A.R.T.E.R or serious, mature and ready to embrace reality.
This is important because the wisest people amongst us know one thing to be true above all:
None of us know what we don’t know.
In fact, the most intelligent person alive is still shrouded by monumental ignorance. That person must be because the future is not and cannot be known. Plus, so much of the past was never recorded, and mountains of human knowledge that was preserved at one point has since been lost.
And it helps to be able to remember the steps that we’ve discussed today. If you’d like help with that, please register for my FREE Memory Improvement Kit.
It will help you rapidly create and use the tools memory experts employ to help them learn faster and remember more.
And when you can do that, you can kiss being destructively naive goodbye. For good.
Concrete Thinking: What You Need to Know (and How it Differs From Abstract)
Nov 03, 2021
Want to know why concrete thinking is so difficult to define?
It’s because people use the term in many different ways. I observed this for years while teaching critical thinking as a professor.
To this day, I observe multiple uses as people regularly ask me for help in making their minds more practical and their memory skills sharper.
Here’s something else a bit strange that I’ve encountered as a memory expert: People will ask me to help them remember “abstract” concepts, thinking that abstract thinking is somehow the opposite of concrete thinking.
But is that really the case?
Not always.
You actually can experience some incredibly concrete abstractions. Flags, for example, represent entire countries at an abstract level. Yet flags are also incredibly concrete.
So what gives?
If you’re confused, don’t worry. We’re going to get to the bottom of things on this page.
That way, when people say things to you like “concrete thinking is literal thinking,” you’ll be able to respond…
“Yes, it is that, but also so much more.”
Are you ready?
Let’s dive in!
What Is Concrete Thinking?
The first thing we need to understand is that thinking is always about representing knowledge.
The world is a very complex place, but for the sake of simplicity, we can boil our experience of it down to three kinds information:
Material
Conceptual
Experiential
When it comes to the experience part, many people cite Jean Piaget as an expert in concrete thinking. However, I believe this is a false attribution.
Here’s why:
Piaget was really talking about something called concrete experience.
In the first of his four stages of development, he discusses Sensorimotor development, which takes place between birth and the age of two. There is not necessarily anything related to thinking as we normally mean it going on during this period of life.
Rather, the goal of the child during this stage is to establish what is called “object permanence.” In other words, the child “remembers” that objects exist even when they are outside of awareness.
Concrete experience with objects is needed for this to take place.
It’s only during stage 2 that symbolic thought, which involves abstract thinking begins to emerge. Later, logical thinking and then scientific reasoning develop at different levels depending on the individual’s context.
So with Piaget out of the way, let’s look at what really defines concrete thinking.
“Simply put, the concrete state of mind relates to reality in terms of sensory perception and sensory experience, defining reality in terms of what the peripheral senses convey. More specifically it is a state of mind in which metaphor and symbolic thought are not available.”
Researchers have generally agreed. In this study, for example, the researchers found that you have to bring a “concretizing mindset” in order to help define what you’re experiencing.
To better understand the need to literally work at making your thoughts about an experience concrete, try this exercise:
Place an orange in your hand. Think about how it feels in your hand and how it will taste.
Those are concrete thoughts. Although an abstract thought about how much the orange weighs or what country it comes from might arise, thoughts about feelings and taste are based on your concrete experience of stimuli in your immediate environment.
3 Concrete Thinking Examples
Other lists of examples claim that “concrete thinkers” don’t understand phrases like “it’s raining cats and dogs.”
Frankly, I’m not sure if that’s true. If some people can’t understand or relate to popular idioms, other issues may be involved, such as literacy levels, reading comprehension and sufficient practice with self-expression.
So with the immediacy of your physical senses in mind, let’s look at some more examples. These will help better illuminate the concrete thinking process.
One: Visible Thinking
Although Visible Thinking is a book for mathematics teachers, I believe its key points apply to all kinds of thinking.
The authors basically point out that even the most abstract and conceptual concepts can be made concrete by:
Speaking them out loud
Hearing others discuss them
Drawing them on a chalkboard
Writing about them in a journal
Memory expert Tony Buzan was a huge proponent of visual thinking. His style of mind mapping has helped thousands of people turn complex ideas and processes into immediately graspable form. Using a mind map is one of the best ways to feel and see anything you find abstract in a concrete manner.
One example is how Tony taught the rules that govern memory by having all of his students draw what he called The Most Important Graph in the World.
It’s a simple concept, but has a lot of moving parts that can be difficult to understand when conveyed in writing alone. I never fully understood it myself until Tony had me draw it out in my own handwriting. Now this knowledge is very concrete in my mind because something about how visual memory works was amplified by the drawing process.
You might think that my experience is an isolated example, but that’s not the case. Researchers have found that creative drawing does indeed assist memory and comprehension. Other researchers are working on ways to have this kind of concretizing learning strategy spread more widely so more learners can benefit.
Two: Relationships (In Life And In Art)
Ever found yourself attracted to a person but you don’t know why?
The philosopher Immanuel Kant called this die Verwandtschaft in German. It means “affinity,” “relatedness” or “kinship.”
The German poet and novelist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe even wrote a novel about this concept, Die Wahlverwandtschaften or Elective Affinities. In this novel, Goethe used principles of chemistry to explore whether or not human relationships like marriage follow certain concrete, biological rules.
No matter where you stand on such divisive topics, you’ve probably felt your heart race when you’ve been attracted to someone. You’ve probably experienced the instinct to protect a sibling or close friend.
The thoughts that occur during such situations are immediate, primal and perfect examples of what we really mean by concrete thinking.
We know that Goethe had the concrete in mind because he wrote Elective Affinities using a style of literature called Weimar Classicism. Although abstraction is part of this form, through the principle of Stoff, writers using this style worked assiduously to make sure even the highest concepts were firmly attached to immediate aspects of concrete reality.
Three: Concrete Contemplation
The goal of Zen and many other contemplative traditions is to live in the here and now.
In Zen, the practitioner typically focuses on a koan. It is a question or statement that helps you experience doubt about the authenticity of your mental world. As you reflect on the koan, you become deeply embedded in the physical nature of the present moment.
One of my favorites comes from the Blue Cliff Record and you can immediately see how concrete it is:
Student: What is an example of an enlightened person?
Teacher: Two eyes in a skull.
I have personally benefited a great deal from this kind of koan-based concentration meditation. In this case, you have to think a little about what the koan is saying, and there’s more than one possible interpretation. For me, it basically means that all people are enlightened. They just don’t necessarily see it yet.
How specifically is concrete contemplation like this helpful?
Personally, my mind used to be so undisciplined that I hardly noticed what was going on around me at all. The “object permanence” of my own body was so lost to me that I would forget to eat for hours on end, not to mention other forms of neglect.
Researchers have discussed why meditation might create this effect. In this study, for example, it boils down to how meditation improves our ability to pay attention. Nothing is more concrete than being present to what’s going on around you, it seems.
And it makes sense too. You can’t use analytical thinking at all to help reach concrete conclusions you aren’t paying attention. This is a point memory expert Harry Lorayne made countless times throughout his long and successful career.
Concrete vs Abstract Thinking: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between concrete and abstract thinking is scale.
Whereas concrete thinking is firmly located in the immediate here and now, based on the senses, abstract thinking goes much wider.
For example, if you are a concrete thinker reflecting on environmental issues, you might focus only on yourself and your family. An abstract thinker will extend to think about entire communities, possibly the entire world population and even compare macro and micro scales at the same time.
An abstract thinker will likely also think about different historical periods and compare environmental data and predict future outcomes. This is obviously very different from the concrete thinker who focuses solely on the next few days or weeks ahead.
Of course, it’s entirely possible to think at both levels of scale. In fact, we must if we want to survive.
Exercises to Help You Improve Your Concrete Thinking
Now that we’ve established what concrete thinking is and what it isn’t, let’s look at some ways to improve how you use this most important of all the main types of thinking.
Forgive the pun, but this is where we will pour the foundations and cement them into place.
Reproduce A Painting In Your Mind
What could be more immediate and material than mentally recreating a painting that you’re familiar with?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJbRKxDEHJE
The steps are simple:
Close your eyes
Bring the painting to mind
Imagine painting it with your own hand
Focus on all the individual colors
Verbally describe different contours
Imagine moving into the painting and towards the vanishing point
Repeat this exercise often with other paintings.
And for bonus points, explore art galleries and art books so that you have even more references to use.
Hilbert’s Hotel
David Hilbert thought a lot about infinity. It’s one of the most abstract concepts we know.
The Hilbert’s Hotel exercise asks you to imagine infinity as an endless series of hotel rooms, each one occupied.
However, you need to make room for one more guest. To do so, imagine each guest moving one room down, leaving the first room in the hotel empty.
As you play around with this:
Explore how you imagine this hotel (one floor, many floors?)
Physically feel the movement of the guests as they move to the next room
Hear the sounds in your ears
Experience any emotions (like being disgruntled when you have to move)
For bonus points, try to “double” infinity. In this version of the exercise, you have the guests move two rooms instead of one.
The Wealth Exercise
In a famous story called The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas, Ursula K. Le Guin describes a world in which one child suffers terribly so that others might thrive.
Read that story and then to complete this exercise, imagine that you are the richest person in the world.
Explore the moral dimension of how that feels.
What responsibility do you have to help others? What does that responsibility feel like?
What responsibility do you feel that others have to care for themselves?
Once you’ve explored these ideas, write a 200-250 word essay response to the classic Wayne Dyer statement that all the money in the world will never solve poverty.
Is he right or wrong? Defend your answer.
The Separate-Less Exercise
Greg Goode provides many great concrete sensation exercises in his books.
For example, he describes an exercise with an orange where he asks you to find yourself as the observer while examining a piece of fruit.
Although this might seem counterintuitive and abstract, it’s very hands one. What Goode is essentially asking you to do is realize that your experience is the most concrete thing any of us has access to.
To complete the exercise:
Put an orange on a table or in your hand
Describe exactly what you are actually seeing in terms of colors and shapes
Ask what is it that differentiates the table from the orange
Notice that there is nothing in the visual display that says “table” or “orange”
Ask yourself, why do you know these terms?
As you go through this process of inquiry, different memories might arise about how you have been effectively trained through education to think in particular ways.
Don’t be alarmed. You’re using concrete thinking to encounter just how cemented into social conventions your life has been all along.
Concrete Thinking Is Consciousness
If there’s one major takeaway I hope you’ll get, it’s that you are experiencing the present moment in a concrete way each and every second that passes.
However, most of us are lost in a very abstract set of thinking processes that pull our attention away from the concreteness of the present.
Or are we?
If you take the orange exercise one step further, is it really true that our absent-minded thoughts are somehow the opposite of concrete thinking?
Just because we get lost in thought doesn’t mean we’re somehow not experiencing lost-in-thoughtness itself in a non-concrete way.
In other words, it’s still a conscious experience in the same way dreaming is an immediate and real experience.
When you take this realization into your everyday life and use memory techniques like the Memory Palace, life will feel much more immediate and satisfying. It was more concrete than you realized all along.
And if you need more help in making abstract ideas concrete, I suggest you sign up for this free course:
So what do you say?
Are you ready to start experiencing the world of your mind in a new and more concrete way?
Bring it on!
Abstract Thinking: What It Is and How to Improve It
Oct 27, 2021
Abstract thinking is the ability to step away from concrete facts and juggle ideas, symbols and possibilities in your mind.
If you’ve ever connected unrelated concepts, predicted how a story might end or spotted a pattern in a spreadsheet no one else noticed, you were thinking abstractly.
Still, a lot of people struggle to understand abstract thinking.
I know a lot of my students did when I taught critical thinking at university. Also when I taught Film Studies and would show them movies by directors like David Lynch.
When I would tell them that many of Lynch’s films still involved the hero’s journey, they would struggle to think about how his plots had anything to do with mainstream cinema.
Well, if you want to not only understand abstract thinking better, but also excel at practicing it, this article hands you the playbook.
Read on you’ll discover:
A full definition of abstract thinking
Examples that train your brain to see various types of abstraction
How to train your brain to move between concrete ideas and see the big picture on demand
By the time you finish the last line, you’ll be on the path to greater mental versatility and be able to tackle even the most intangible problem when it appears.
Ready to upgrade your mind and think more abstractly?
Let’s get started!
What Is Abstract Thinking?
We typically hear that abstract thinking originates with the Greeks.
Plato, for example, talked about how our material world is a shadowy “copy” of a pure and perfect world of ideals.
In this sense, our world is an “abstraction” of the perfect world because “ab” as a prefix means “away from” or “removed.”
“Traction,” on the other hand, means to pull away.
Thus, an easy way to think about abstract thinking is to realize that it is the act of pulling away and removing yourself from a concrete process or idea. This is very different than how the other types of thinking work.
To make this distinction as clear as possible, here’s an example from Plato’s shadowy-world-as-copy concept.
A Simple Example of Abstract Thinking
Take the word “human.”
In a concrete way, we use this term to indicate a person.
But when we “pull away” from the concrete meaning as part of the thinking process, we can also see that human means:
Mammal
Homo sapien
A collection of biological cells
Stardust
This list gets more and more abstract as we move from matters of genus and species to the cosmological origins of life.
With this example in mind, you can also think of abstract thinking as existing purely in the mind.
Nowhere in nature will you find a sign that says, “this is a biological cell that belongs to a mammal.” Humans have created such concepts and they exist only in our mental lives.
“Hold on,” you might be thinking. “What about books and videos?”
True, and congratulations on holding critical thinking to be important when people write about topics like this. And you’re right: We have indeed created methods for storing our ideas using words that are imprinted on paper or saved in electronic formats.
But how are those recorded ideas brought to life? They only have meaning when a human interacts with them, using a mind trained in abstraction to “translate” the stored words into something meaningful and useful.
One of those ways involves committing concepts to memory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBYBu-Qystc
A Broader History of Abstraction
Now, I mentioned that typically we think of the origin of being able to abstract ideas as coming from the Greeks.
No doubt they made a huge impact.
After Plato, Aristotle did a lot of work that helped create many of the classification systems we still use to this day for gathering and organizing knowledge.
However, as the scholars of memory Tyson Yunkaporta and Lynne Kelly have shown, indiginous cultures dealt with plenty of abstraction long before the Greeks.
Their memory techniques in particular provide great evidence of how prehistoric people “abstracted” ideas from the world and placed them in memory by associating them with objects like the lukasa. They also used processes like Songlines and body parts to help them remember abstract cultural processes.
As more and more scholars learn about the past, we find another definition of the term abstract thinking.
Whereas we used to think the Greeks were the first to use serious critical thinking strategies in a lot of areas of life, more data helps us think “abstractly” about other cultures and timelines.
We are literally removing and pulling away from a territorialized form of thinking and including more history to form a new and more nuanced picture of human development.
The more information we need to consider, the more abstract things become.
Especially when it comes to matters of consciousness, as you can see play out in this excellent debate hosted by Skeptic Magazine and Michael Shermer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alz3SD_G-KI
More Abstract Thinking Examples
As you can already tell, abstract thinking is more than just one thing.
Here are more examples that I think you’ll find helpful. Each one shows the different contexts in which abstract thinking is useful.
One: Orders of Magnitude
Humans find it difficult to think in large numbers. As this study shows, such abstract thinking requires the full development of certain brain parts, and if they don’t emerge correctly, it can be difficult to think abstractly about numbers altogether.
“Human emotions take place within an analogous brain. The human brain cannot release enough neurotransmitters to feel emotion a 1000 times as strong as the grief of one funeral.
A prospective risk going from 10, 000, 000 deaths to 100, 000, 000 deaths does not multiply by ten the strength of our determination to stop it. It adds one more zero on paper for our eyes to glaze over, an effect so small that one must usually jump several orders of magnitude to detect the difference experimentally.”
This leads us to a problem called scope neglect. We make many poor decisions because we don’t spend enough time thinking about how our problems relate to the big picture.
Abstract thinking helps us take more aspects into consideration by understanding what an order of magnitude is and factoring this form of abstract reasoning into the decision process.
Two: Symbolism
We use abstract thinking every time we see a flag.
The Canadian flag is a particularly good example.
It shows a Maple Leaf while at the same time representing a country. It refers to both an abstract concept and a concrete object at the same time.
Everything from traffic lights to literary devices in novels serve as prompts for abstract thinking.
To take one classic example of an abstract symbol, think of when Neo accepts the cookie from the Oracle in The Matrix.
Because Neo’s “online” in this scene, the cookie is a nice gesture on one level.
But at the abstract level, Neo is being “cookied” in the sense of how your device is tagged with identification code that tells advertisers information about your behaviors online.
Three: Metacognition
Metacognition basically means thinking about thinking.
It’s a very important form of abstract thinking. It is literally pulling away from being immersed in your own thoughts so that you can analyze the process of thought itself.
Doing so helps you gain perspective from within and create more space for bringing in the perspectives of others.
It’s a key tool that has been in use for a very long time, and really got rolling with the introduction of ars combinatoria.
As Timothy Perfect and Bennett Schwartz show in Applied Metacognition, metacognition and memory go hand-in-hand.
For example, think of a time when you’ve remembered something about your personal life and asked, “Did that really happen?”
Reflecting in this way draws upon your autobiographical memory. Asking, “is this memory true?” is stepping away to think abstractly about the nature of the truth and reality of your mind.
Metacognition need not be a strictly personal process.
As the authors of Social Metacognition show, thinking about the thoughts of others can help you avoid scope neglect.
How to Improve Abstract Thinking: 3 Abstract Thinking Exercises
Because there are different kinds of abstract thinking, when looking to become a better abstract thinker, it’s important to match the exercises to the goal.
For example, if you want to avoid common human errors that involve thinking, you need to look into cognitive biases.
Or if you want to improve your mathematical imagination for large numbers, you might want to look into Hilbert’s hotel and various exercises teachers have created for expanding your mind using this paradox.
As much as I like learning about those matters to improve my own abstract thinking, here are my personal favorite exercises:
The NIMBY Exercise
If it’s new to you, NIMBY means “not in my backyard.” It’s used when people of a certain class lobby for environmentally destructive processes, so long as they are built far from home.
This abstract thinking exercise involves you writing a simple letter to a community.
Here’s the assignment:
Think of the richest neighborhood you know or can imagine.
Then write a letter you will place in the mailboxes of the wealthiest people convincing them to build a maximum security prison in their own backyards.
This exercise will stretch your abstract thinking because it’s very hard on two levels. First, you’ll need to convince them why maximum security prisons are good and why it would be good for them to be located so close to the homes of the wealthy.
Good luck!
Rules For The Entire World Exercise
Imagine that you are the boss of the entire planet.
You have all the power.
However, in order to maintain this power, you have to create the perfect set of rules that everyone must follow.
The rules must be flawless and treat everyone equally.
In 500-1000 words, craft a document that lays out the perfect set of regulations that everyone will be able to follow in perfect cheer.
This exercise will stretch your thinking because you have to consider the many different personality types and the many ways our personal interests clash with one another.
Have fun!
The Wordless Exercise
We talked about metacognition above. One of the best ways to start thinking about thinking is to try and quiet your mind.
To practice, start by sitting on the floor or on a chair in a quiet place.
Allow yourself to notice all of the words and images floating through your mind.
Practice telling the difference. What’s happening in language and what is pure imagery. Is there any difference? Or do they feel the same?
When you start to get a sense for the difference – or lack of difference – see if you can stop your mental content from flowing.
One way to help yourself in this task is to imagine every image and word that flows on your mind being written as it appears on a large chalkboard.
As soon as they appear, wipe them away.
To practice abstraction, go further than imagining that they have been wiped from this imaginary chalkboard.
Imagine that your mental content has been removed completely from the world.
Keep practicing until all that remains is the “background” of your consciousness itself.
To complete the exercise, imagine that you have no past.
This is a lot like the Zen exercise of trying to imagine what your face looked like before you were born.
(Note: This is just an exercise. You won’t actually be erasing anything precious from your past.)
Abstract Thought Is A Tool For Life
Please don’t make these exercises a one time affair.
To really expand your abilities with abstraction, you want to revisit this area of mental ability many times throughout your life.
If you’d like further help, check out the list of better thinking posts on this blog. You’ll find many critical thinking exercises and resources that will keep you engaged for a long time.
And as you’ve seen with the flag example, we think abstractly each and every day. Every icon on your laptop and smartphone involves some level of visual abstraction.
The more you think about the various visual symbols you encounter each and every day, the more you’ll be prompted to that metacognitive level that is so precious for achieving life’s most profound offerings.
And to help you remember to pay attention to the surrounding world, I’d suggest signing up for my FREE memory improvement kit:
It will help you “abstract” your environment and use it as a tool called a Memory Palace. It’s very helpful for remembering all the new things you’ll notice as you improve this level of your mind!
Marek Kasperski on Tony Buzan’s Legacy And Mind Map Mastery
Oct 20, 2021
Ever heard of a note taking technique that involves vibrant colors and keywords and asked yourself…
What on earth is this mindmapping stuff all about?
I used to ask myself that question too.
Then, one day I started to dig into the topic seriously.
I soon discovered that Tony Buzan had developed a number of laws for mapping the mind well.
So well in fact that he claimed it could to “radiant” thinking.
Sadly, Tony Buzan has left fans of accelerated learning for the great Memory Palace in the sky.
But we’re very fortunate that Marek Kasperski has picked up the mantle.
Thanks to his valiant efforts, we have an incredibly talented instructor who will be taking Tony Buzan’s unique views on mind mapping as a learning, creativity and memory tool into the future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q11rI8A39NA
About Marek Kasperski
Marek Kasperski is Vice President of the Tony Buzan Company.
He’s committed to helping you achieve your highest ideals through memory techniques, mind maps and a wide variety of mental techniques that have been proven time and time again to work.
All you have to do?
Show up and work with the techniques.
Marek is also the Global Chief Arbiter and president of G.O.M.S.A. (Guild of Mind Sports Arbiters) where you can learn more about one of the incredible competitions you can take part in and how to qualify to compete.
Visit Tonybuzan.com for more information about this unique set of skills and learning techniques like the Memory Palace.
You won’t regret it!
Is Intelligence Fixed? The Surprising Answer
Oct 07, 2021
Is intelligence fixed? Of course not.
Think about artificial intelligence. It’s been improving each and every year.
And so has human intelligence.
As you’ll see, the rise in human intelligence is easily demonstrated by looking at the improvement of IQ scores over the years.
However, there is a catch. Lately, IQ levels are showing signs of slipping.
Nonetheless, the evidence shows that not only can your intelligence change. There are also guaranteed ways you can improve it.
You just need to be willing to set specific learning goals and then show up to complete them.
Because if you don’t, your intelligence will almost certainly degrade.
So if you’ve been hoping to get smarter, stick around.
On the page we’re taking a deep dive into malleable intelligence and putting the power of change directly into your hands.
In other words, intelligence cannot be fixed because it is the tests that define it, not some intrinsic quality of the brain.
And since tests are changing all the time, this means that the definition of intelligence also changes.
Updated definitions are normal in science. Even the definitions of crystal and fluid intelligence have changed over time as new ways of looking at the topic have evolved.
What Exactly Does “Intelligence” Mean?
Of course, the word “intelligence” needs more definition. According to James Flynn in What Is Intelligence?, we need to look at a bare minimum of six categories:
Mental acuity (dealing with problems you’ve never seen before)
Mental habits (ability to learn new things and apply them, like memorizing new vocabulary and using it in context)
Mental attitudes (the willingness to apply oneself to developing mental habits)
Knowledge accumulation (the more you know, the more you can know)
Assimilation speed (as you develop pattern recognition, you’ll learn faster)
Memory (ability to access information)
Taking on new challenges and learning new things automatically changes your intelligence. The more you take on over time, the more flexible your intelligence can become.
In each of the definitions of intelligence Flynn lists, change is a given. Even by virtue of seeing a problem you’ve never encountered before, your intelligence undergoes change.
How could it not?
So, when we’re asking questions like, is IQ genetic or learned?
In other words, the structures of our brain change the brain as they grow.
Since “malleable” means “changeable,” then the meaning of malleable intelligence is changing intelligence.
Because we know that the brain physically changes, so too must the content of the brain transform. And it’s only because the brain is malleable (changeable) that we’re able to learn anything at all.
“IQ scores can change significantly in a short period of time but, more importantly… targeted interventions can improve performance on the cognitive processes assessed in intelligence measures, contradicting the belief that our intelligence is fixed.”
Echoing Flynn, the authors of this handbook talk a lot about the importance of mindset. If you want to change your attitude you can.
The Attitude Of Parents Is Critical
Researchers have shown that how parents think about the malleability of intelligence deeply influences their children. Parents who express to their children that their intelligence can be shaped help actualize positive transformation.
Similar studies have shown that teachers and professors have the same effect on their students. If the instructor believes that your intelligence is fixed, then they might influence you into behaving as if it is.
However, if they know that intelligence is malleable, they are much more likely to help you improve your level of intelligence.
A Sad Personal Example Of A Negative Professor
It was my third year as a teaching assistant during my PhD. I was teaching under the main professor of a course called The Networked Imagination. It was all about the history of the Internet.
On the first day, the professor I was assisting stood in front of over 500 students in the lecture hall. She said that 90% of them
would fail. 50% of them wouldn’t even pass the first exam.
Crazy, right?
It is, but it happens in schools all the time.
And it needs to stop.
Is There Hope?
The scientific finding that we influence each other’s ability to improve our intelligence means one thing:
Parents and teachers in particular must be educated about intelligence and also think critically about the role it plays in the daily lives of their families.
“There will never be a time when everyone wants to think critically.”
This is especially sad given the free availability of some of the best critical thinking strategies for everyone.
How to Increase Your IQ (Starting Today)
I agree with Flynn that critical thinking is the key to improving your intelligence. Even if your IQ does change with age, you’ll still benefit from being able to question the role of intelligence in your life.
How do you develop solid critical thinking skills? You can start by educating yourself about:
If you do that, isn’t the question of whether or not intelligence is fixed easy and obvious to answer?
Before you know the planets or the presidents in order, you always had the potential to do so. After you’ve learned just one new planet or name, you have changed your intelligence.
And if you’d like to get started with a slightly more ambitious memory improvement program, give this free course a try:
If The Real Problem Is Mental Attitude…
Now that we know fixed intelligence is a myth, what about attitudes? After all, a lot of people certainly seem to be stubborn and beyond change.
Fortunately, there are a few things we can do.
One thing we can do is simply work on expanding the mind. Changing the terminology from “changing” to “expanding” could be just the trick a stubborn person needs.
You can also work on improving your concentration. As I discussed in The Victorious Mind, one reason so many people can’t learn memory techniques is that they can’t focus long enough to complete a memory goal.
It’s not their fault. The Internet is literally using the fact that our brains are malleable to ruin our attention spans. The problem has been well-studied and is called digital amnesia.
Ultimately, attitude change brings us back to the role of influence from parents and teachers.
However, they also note “success breeds complacency.” This finding lends some credibility to some of the criticisms that we’re now living in an age of decadence.
Originally, Flynn’s research didn’t jive with the idea that society is decaying. IQ scores just kept going up and up.
Recently, however, they’ve started going down again. And this could well be as a result of bad attitudes and the kind of bickering we’ve seen on social media platforms constantly eroding the critical thinking we talked about above.
My suggestion?
Recognize that intelligence never was fixed and never will be. We lived through an incredible information revolution since the birth of the Internet, and it does not have to sour.
Have the courage to stand up for the malleability of intelligence and let everyone know that improvement is possible.
But so is decay, and therein lies the risk.
Since it’s proven that intelligence can change for both the better and the worse, which side of the battle are you going to serve?
Scott Gosnell on Bruno and The Shadows of Ideas
Sep 30, 2021
Scott Gosnell’s translations of the memory improvement books of Giordano Bruno are legendary.
They have enabled English readers around the world to access some of the richest ideas for using the Memory Palace technique around.
Now, Scott is launching a revised and updated edition of his first translation:
On the Shadows of Ideas.
Frankly, this is the most important Kickstarter campaign I’ve ever seen.
Why support it?
A few reasons.
First, this incredible book will help you understand the classic method of loci in a deeper way.
If you want to explore the Renaissance approach and learn more about using a memory wheel, On the Shadows of Ideas is essential reading.
Even better:
You’ll discover an incredible way to apply it to reflecting on life’s many challenges.
It’s an epic book, and the best part is that supporters of the current Kickstarter campaign can also sign up to get all of Scott’s Bruno translations.
You can also get access to a course that Scott is putting together – a learning experience I’m tremendously excited about!
In this interview, Scott and I dive deeper into the ideas in this book and the implications for your practice with mnemonics.
We also discuss the production of this kind of educational material from Bruno’s era to our own, its challenges and the wide open potentialities.
Enjoy this episode and I look forward to seeing you with your copy of this new edition!
The Memory Palace Of Hannibal Lecter – Legit or Pure Fantasy?
Sep 22, 2021
Normally when we think about the Memory Palace technique, it’s for virtuous outcomes.
For example, medical students use it to learn the skills that help them save lives.
Hannibal Lecter?
Not so much.
In fact, this fictional doctor has such a horrible memory problem, the ways he uses the technique almost puts it to shame.
Good thing then that it truly is the stuff of fiction.
The question is…
How exactly is memory and the Memory Palace technique presented in the vast number of stories that have sprung from the original Thomas Harris novels?
Let’s have a look and think through some ways you could turn a bad relationship with your memory into a force for good.
An Overview of Hannibal’s Memory Palace
The first interesting thing about Hannibal Lecter is not so much memory, but language learning. For example, Lecter is said throughout the stories to be have studied:
Lithuanian
English
Italian
Latin
Japanese
I raise the point partly because it lets me make a scientifically valid pun: bilingualism is proven to be good for your brain, especially if you become a polyglot.
I also point it out because it’s part of Hannibal’s character as a well-studied individual, particularly one who murders many of his victims to teach lessons.
“Lecter” connects to words like “lecture” and “lector” which means reader in Latin.
But the name is also close to lēctūrus, which has meanings related to choosing, gathering and even stealing – the exact behaviors of serial killers.
The Memorable Buildings In Lecter’s Life
The next thing we should focus on are the buildings Lecter might have used for his Memory Palaces. Theoretically, these might include:
As far as I can tell, few of these buildings would be like the Norman Chapel, which is a very different way of approaching the Memory Palace technique.
By his own definition, Lecter’s Memory Palaces aren’t about storing information related to learning faster.
Instead, he primarily uses his “Memory Palaces” to mentally revisit the places being imprisoned prevents him from seeing.
Since he seems to know a lot about architecture, it’s little surprise he uses old churches. In fact, the most famous Hannibal Lecter Memory quote is:
“My palace is vast, even by medieval standards.”
This quote proves that he’s not really using memory techniques.
Few, if any memory masters would have only one Memory Palace. My friend Nelson Dellis, for example, has over 300!
The best part? Memory Palace examples are in abundance for anyone to take inspiration from.
The Major Memory Themes Associated With Lecter
I feel that the series of books, movies and serial episodes aren’t so much about what Hannibal Lecter likes to remember, but what he has repressed.
Instead, the dramatic focus is always on the negative aspects of his relationship to memory.
For example, there’s a symmetry between him being an astute language learner only to spend quite a long time without speaking to anyone.
He’s also said to have repressed memories of his sister.
Lecter’s self-induced forgetting later has a symmetrical relationship in the novel Hannibal. We see this when Lecter hypnotically induces Clarice Starling into serving as a proxy for his murdered sister.
It is ultimately repressing memories that turned Lecter into a killer, and there’s nothing I’ve seen in the series about using the techniques to remember information.
Rather, as Jessica Balanzategui has pointed out, memory serves throughout the stories as a symbol for repression and desire.
To be clear, the series does talk about him using this technique as a “mental system.” But it never shows him using it – certainly not for any positive outcomes like language learning or passing med school exams.
It is primarily depicted as a tool used to escape the punishment he deserves.
Resources For Creating Your Own Memory Palace
When we focus on the positive, Thomas Harris talks about what is usually called the Roman Room technique.
Harris attributes it to Cicero, who is often mistakenly credited as the author of a book from 90 BCE that contains Memory Palace instructions called Rhetorica ad Herennium.
For the best possible success with this ancient memory technique, pleasure consider giving my free course a try:
Don’t Wind Up Like Hannibal Lecter!
Listen, I’m a fan of crime fiction.
I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade.
I’m grateful for anything that draws attention to any mnemonic devices.
But mental health issues are real. People who do not deal with bad memories in appropriate ways can wind up leading criminal lives.
That’s why a lot of my recent work has involved teaching people how to use the Memory Palace technique to deal with harms created by issues like PTSD and depression.
If that’s you, consider going through this guided meditation:
The Memory Palace is a powerful technique, so what do you say?
Are you ready to use it as a force for good?
How to Increase IQ: 7 Actionable Activities
Sep 08, 2021
If you want to know how to increase IQ, the answer is simple.
Create and complete goals.
Sounds like a sweeping statement, doesn’t it?
I’ll explain why it’s true on this page.
And rest assured, the main reason why intelligence goes stagnant in the first place is also simple to explain.
It comes from the absence of goals, or the bad habit of not completing the ones you set for yourself.
Think of it this way:
Failing to continually fuel yourself with goals leads to feelings of worthlessness and shame on a downward spiral to rock bottom.
But once you understand that intelligence requires goals in order to grow, there are endless self-directed missions you can create that are scientifically proven to make you smarter.
And to help you even more, I’ll give you a list of suggested activities that improve cognitive function quickly.
Ready to boost your IQ in ways that are easy and fun?
Let’s get started.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXl_s6wnmak
How To Increase Intelligence: 7 IQ Boosting Activities
Now that you know how to separate your wants from your needs, let’s look at additional activities you can start practicing today.
One: Boost Your Cardio
I try to get to the gym at least once a week. The benefits to intelligence are too large to miss.
As published in the journal Neuroscience, regular cardio exercise is incredibly important from cognition.
One study in particular found that exercise improves “synaptic plasticity and neuronal excitability.” In other words, your brain is like a garden and exercise makes your brain wake up like flowers opening to the sun.
As reported in Psychological Science, people prone to distraction are especially helped by even just a simple meditation practice.
One reason meditation works so well is because meditation increases memory capacity. Because meditation trains you to continually bring your awareness back to a basic level of consciousness, your procedural memory improves.
In other words, coming back to a state of focus becomes an autopilot procedure. That way you can learn a lot more, faster. Your intelligence will increase naturally as a result.
People get interested in topics, but then give up too easily.
But the trick to increasing your knowledge and ability to learn intelligently is persistence.
Rather than getting interested in reading just one book on a topic, you want to read several. That way you develop what is called “pattern recognition.”
So why 90-days of reading on a particular topic?
Well, a lot of numbers around positive habit formation get tossed around: 21 days, 66 days, etc.
But as Richard Wiseman reports based on research in his book 59 Seconds, 90 days is the closest number.
And if you commit yourself to 90-day reading missions, you’ll not only learn enough about a topic to legitimately know a decent amount about it. You’ll instill the habit of reading for depth.
As a result, you’ll develop more pattern recognition, spot more patterns and connect the dots in the future with much greater ease.
Four: Learn a Musical Instrument
Musicians enjoy many benefits.
For one thing, it’s been proven that they can pull details out of conversations better in noisy crowds. This finding probably relates to the pattern recognition benefits you’ll get from mission-oriented reading.
Music also helps with language acquisition because musicians become expert at handling a variety of sonic input sources. It’s like they can juggle sounds with their minds.
The best part? Musicians are able to speak a language of their own with other instrumentalists. That’s why I have always kept up my own musical abilities, and often take on 90-day music memorization challenges.
Five: Create New Things
I’ll never forget when my fellow memory expert Mark Channon told me about how his son created a game.
He went through everything from initial planning to product design.
Not only did this set the stage for learning about game design, but also enabled him to learn better during the second iteration.
Likewise when I write new books. Because the new goals I set are based on the existing competence I already have, I’m able to quickly discover industry practices, learn them and put them to use.
As reported by Science Daily, the brain literally changes itself as we create. The existing neural networks become stronger and new ones form.
Note: creating new things should not become a game of perfectionism. After all, perfectionists aren’t even perfect at being perfect.
Instead, like Mark’s son, understand that just about everything related to your memory and intelligence is permanently in beta. That means you can always improve on the second iteration. Basic intelligence involves allowing yourself to make mistakes or miss critical details so that you can improve later.
Six: Explore Historical IQ-Boosting Practices
A lot of people think IQ began with Alfred Binet in the early 1900s. Although he might have designed the first IQ test, he was hardly the first person to think about how intelligence could be boosted.
For example, many people practiced Pythagoreanism and actively promoted intelligence-boosting activities. Although many of their practices were based around math, they debated, meditated and trained their memories.
Simonides of Ceos, another Greek, is considered one of the first teachers of memory techniques.
But it was Ramon Llull with his ars combinatoria that many people attribute to the early origins of formal logic. Llull’s influence on Leibniz, for example, is well known.
Later, in the 1600s, Giordano Bruno would revise ars combinatoria in a big way, and you can use a memory wheel in a simple way to think better:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cYDmaBXvJg
There are many more thinking tools like this that will increase your intelligence if you explore them. What makes them stand out in my mind is that these tools help you think categorically and see the world as organized by genres of information.
By doing so, you rapidly help yourself reduce complexity and see the connections between things. You’re also able to mentally organize them in much more structured ways.
Seven: Get Proper Brain Exercise
By proper brain exercise, I mean activities that you conduct in your brain, not with an app.
Or if you’re going to use an app, follow Dr. Christine Till’s research. As she found, people get barely any results from playing brain games unless they follow-up with a personal trainer.
It must be reasonably complex with increasing challenges
It must be varied and interesting
It must be engaged in frequently
Here’s one such brain exercise you can try:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJbRKxDEHJE
Can You Increase Your IQ?
In a word, yes.
The only catch is that there are multiple kinds of intelligence.
Now, I’m not asking you to understand the difference between crystal and fluid intelligence. But if you want to increase your understanding of psychology and memory, you should learn about such matters.
You should also look into the science of IQ testing, which remains divided.
That division is a good thing because testing and retesting our assumptions is what science is all about. Richard Haeir is one of the more progressive scientists working on intelligence, and in this interview suggests that treatments to help people improve their IQ scores may be coming in the near future.
For now, I see every reason to believe you can increase your intelligence and it comes down to how you definite it. I also see no reason to limit the understanding of your “intelligence quotient” to a test that may not reflect the kinds of problems you tackle in your everyday life.
So how should the lifelong learner craft a personal definition of intelligence that can be worked on scientifically as an individual? Here’s an attempt:
Intelligence is the ability to learn new information.
And since there are many kinds of information, it’s important that you are specific. That’s where proper goal-setting comes in.
As you’ll discover today, you can pick individual kinds of information to focus on and get incredible boosts as a result.
Think of choosing specific goals like riding in a single lane. Instead of weaving around, you stick within the chosen framework. This fixity itself creates more focus, leading to boosts in intelligence.
How To Increase Intelligence: An Important Nuance You Need To Know
Of course, some readers might be thinking:
“That’s my problem! I can’t learn new things!”
If that’s the case, don’t worry. Learning how to learn is the first goal you’ll want to set.
You can do that quite readily by learning related skills that will increase your meta-learning intelligence.
The point is to be goal-oriented. Pick one goal at a time. Master it thoroughly.
This nuance really matters because when people fail to complete a learning project, their intelligence about how to learn is lacking.
People who do not learn how to learn always remain frustrated with their inability to increase their intelligence.
But when you bolster up on how to learn, your intelligence can grow predictably.
What Increases IQ?
The big picture for some quick wins boils down to common sense, something you can see in the lives of many people with some of the highest IQs ever recorded.
For example:
Regular exercise has been shown to boost your intelligence
Meditation increases your attention span so you can learn more
Sleep the appropriate number of hours
Proper nutrition removes inflammation that creates brain fog
But the big kicker when it comes to how to improve your IQ is this:
Base your learning projects and goals on existing competence.
This is an idea I picked up from Jordan Peterson’s Maps of Meaning which has an excellent section on how Freud’s “existing competence” enabled him to spot psychological trends in literature like Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
When you base your goals on what you are already capable of achieving, you can more readily move to the next level of difficulty. Let’s explore this point in greater detail.
Why Goals Based On Existing Competence Boost Intelligence
A lot of people want to shoot straight to the top. They want the Mensa membership without having to play the games and complete the puzzles.
Or they want the millions in sales commissions without learning how to make a dollar.
I’m sorry, but that’s not intelligence. That’s human vanity interfering with the smarts you need to succeed.
When you visualize clearly, however, you’ll look at the current situation and what your intelligence is like now.
Next, you’ll set a goal based on what your current intelligence can actually achieve.
Rest assured, everyone is smart enough right now to do this. Here’s a simple exercise that will help.
The Want Vs. Need Exercise
As we’ve already seen, it’s possible to increase your IQ because intelligence is simply defined as the ability to learn new things.
But that means we all need to continually improve how we learn.
In other words, we “want” better intelligence, but we need to improve how we learn.
Do this:
On a sheet of paper, create two columns: The Want Column and the Need Column.
Next, write out all the things you want in life. For example, if you want to become a doctor, write that down under “want.”
Then, list what you need to do in order to achieve that goal. For example, you might list:
Research medical schools
Book an information interview with my doctor to ask about this career
Watch videos about the learning journey
Take qualifying example tests online
This exercise is a very simple way to calibrate your attention on exactly how to increase your intelligence in a specific field.
How to Improve Cognitive Function Over the Long Haul
The most important thing to realize is that keeping mentally sharp is a marathon, not a race.
It’s one you must be intimately involved in. No one can improve your intelligence for you.
And as I hope to have demonstrated, all you have to do is start by improving your ability to learn new things.
Everyone can work on this. In fact, doing so is the hallmark of intelligence.
This is the reason why people flock to know what intelligent people are reading. Reading is one of the major ways to develop and maintain your ability to learn.
As is persistence and taking steps to develop the mental strength we all need to be consistent. By focusing on both creating and completing goals, you will rapidly become smarter.
As I often like to say, S.M.A.R.T.E.R. = Serious, mature and ready to embrace reality. And the reality is, the world needs as many reality-embracing people as possible.
If you’d like help with the memory improvement portion of doing that, feel free to grab my free course:
So what do you say?
Are you ready to increase your intelligence and join the ranks of those working to improve the world?
How to Remember Conversations (4 Secret Tricks)
Sep 01, 2021
Do you wish you knew how to remember everything you hear?
If so, you might feel like you’re a poor listener because you forget so many details.
Worse, you wind up losing out on so many opportunities to participate in the present and take action in the future.
For example, let’s say someone mentions a book.
You know you just have to read it because it’s going to help you conquer an important goal.
But after you leave your meeting, you not only forget what the book is called. You even forget that anyone mentioned the perfect path existed for you in the first place.
Good news:
There’s a way to eliminate this problem from your life forever.
On this page, I’ll show you how to remember all the important details in any conversation from now on.
You’re about to become a “Warrior of the Mind” who never forgets important details again.
Let’s get started.
How to Remember Conversations Better In 4 Steps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Iuqfmpo8CI
The steps you’re about to learn begin with a meta-step. You need to do this first in order to see any improvement in your memory for remembering everything you hear.
Commit.
I know, I know.
Some people are already clicking the “back” button because some crazy teacher on the Internet is trying to hold you accountable to your goals.
But we all know it’s true.
Those who succeed at anything are committed to learning skills and practicing.
And that’s all that I ask in the conversation we’re having now:
Remember the need to commit so that you can improve in life.
With that in mind, here’s what I want you to commit to first:
One: The Spatial Memory Hack That Makes Every Bad Listener Good
The first thing you need to do is start becoming more aware of the details as they fly past your ears.Then you need to grab ho
ld of them and pin them into place.
To do this, you’ll want to learn a special technique called the Memory Palace.
There are a few ways to use this technique for conversations and we’ll get into them.
The first thing to understand is that you can use rooms to “place” ideas that you want to memorize.
For example, let’s say the friends Janet and Tina are hanging out in a cafe.
Janet tells Tina about a book that will help her improve her memory. The book is called The Victorious Mind, by Anthony Metivier.
To use a Memory Palace, Tina takes the difficult new title and connects it with information she already knows. She then mentally places this familiar association in the corner of the cafe.
By focusing on a location in a room and placing an association, you have a reference point you can return to later.
Let’s say Tina’s a fan of the show Victor Frankenstein. The book is by Anthony Metivier, so she imagines Victor handing his mind to an ant after a battle. He’s feeling victorious when he does it.
Now, this association is not a one-to-one correspondence. But later when Tina searches for the book on Google, she’s going to think back to the corner of that cafe and remember the key words: Victorious, mind and Anthony based on the associative-imagery.
These are the basics of the Memory Palace technique.
Instead of just having Victor Frankenstein hand his mind to an ant, imagine his mind exploding like a bomb.
Make sure to make your associations multi sensory. That way, they’ll be even easier to remember later.
Hearing the sound of the explosion and feeling its force in your imagination will make the memory much stickier when you think back to that corner in the cafe.
This kind of elaborative encoding can feel difficult when you’re new to using these techniques.
The trick is to have a system for adding the exaggerations. I use the KAVE COGS formula:
Kinesthetic
Auditory
Visual
Emotional
Conceptual
Olfactory
Gustatory
Spatial
One way to practice running through each of these is to run through them all while developing your first pegword method.
Three: Practice Scaling
By this point, you’re probably thinking…
“Great.
I know how to memorize just one detail.
What about the thousands of details I encounter in conversations every week?”
Well, we all start somewhere. If you can’t memorize one detail, there’s no point in worrying about how to memorize thousands of them, right?
Scaling up to multiple details is easy, but you need the basics mastered first.
Then, to scale is easy, provided you follow this simple recommendation:
Know how to turn any room into a Memory Palace with at least 8 Magnetic Stations in it.
Using a simple number system, you can turn any room into a Memory Palace that will help you recall every important detail in any conversation.
This is what we call a “Magnetic Square” in the MMM Masterclass. It’s one of several different ways to use the Memory Palace technique.
I like this for cafe meetings because it makes it easy to turn any room into a powerful memory tool.
You can also learn how to expand it into a “Magnetic Cube,” and if you’d like all the details on more variations, this free course should do the trick:
The point is to build your skills gradually. Learn to memorize a few details from conversations first. Then scale.
And remember:
You don’t actually have to be in the room you’re using to remember the details of any given conversation. You can think about any building or location around the world. You just need to prepare the Memory Palaces you want to use first.
When listening to remember, using the news and podcasts makes for great practice. One is visual and audio where the other is purely auditory.
When watching news, you can use the screen as a Memory Palace to encode details as they emerge.
Practice memorizing conversations in real time by turning your TV into a small Memory Palace.
This small space might allow you to memorize only four details, but it keeps you focused on the practice. If you get really good, you can also learn ways to reuse Memory Palaces.
You can also use the body of the reporter to capture and pin details:
Practice turning the body into a Memory Palace by using news anchors. Then use the bodies of your friends or people at meetings to remember what they say during conversations.
Then, when you’re used to doing this with people on TV, you can transfer linking details to the bodies of people with whom you hold conversations.
When it comes to podcasts, you can use your smartphone, or even try using objects, like I talk about in this video about my memory practice habits:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyUsLTPHbTk
How To Retain Information When Listening
So far, you’ve learned how to use rooms, objects like TVs and human bodies to encode information you hear during conversations.
When it comes to retention, you’ll want to do a small amount of repetition that fires off the KAVE COGS we talked about previously.
For example, I recently met with a private coaching client named Michael.
Within the first few minutes of speaking, Michael told me about a friend named Kerry, a math teacher named Igor and talked about Naples, Harvard, studying chemistry for a Regents exam and Upstate New York.
Using the association technique you learned above, I placed all of these details around the screen of my computer as we Skyped. But I also quickly revisited each and went through the KAVE COGS.
To take just one example, when he mentioned he had a friend named Kerry, I used KAVE COGS to associate that name with Kerry King, the guitarist in Slayer.
I felt Kerry’s guitar as if I was holding it myself, heard a Slayer song, felt emotions associated with it, and so on.
Hearing music, feeling the sensation of a guitar and feeling emotions help memories stick very quickly.
You might think it’s a lot of heavy lifting to go through 8 “Magnetic Modes” so quickly, but with a small amount of practice, it’s more than easy. It’s incredibly fun.
Remembering For The Long Term
If you want to hang onto the information from conversations for the long haul, please make sure to use the Recall Rehearsal patterns taught in the MMM Masterclass.
You’ll also do very well to:
Write down what you heard later
Speak about the key details to verbalize the info in your own words
Do any follow up reading
Listen to any podcasts or videos that will deepen the information
Also, understand that there’s nothing wrong with taking notes during conversations.
Although I can memorize in real time, I still sometimes jot things down. In fact, it’s hard to test if you were correct about certain details if you don’t write the info down.
For example, a friend of mine suggested that I visit Mt. Nebo.
Memorizing the name of this location was easy.
But I wanted to make sure what I memorized was accurate later, and we were in a noisy cafe and I wasn’t sure if I’d heard the correct pronunciation.
That’s why I wrote it down.
It’s perfectly okay to take notes during conversations. Sometimes you need to in order to make sure you have pronunciations correct.
Remembering Things You Want Or Need To Do In The Future
Sometimes people tell you things that involve the future, like something you want to look up or visit.
To remember future things, you have at least two options:
Mnemonic Calendar
Spatial labelling
Using a Mnemonic Calendar involves learning the Major System. This lets you create images for every number.
For example, when I wanted to remember that my friend Nick’s birthday is October 25th, I imagined a nail going through a pumpkin. Nail is the image for 25 and pumpkin is the image for October.
When it comes to spatial labelling, I’ll give you an example.
As I discussed in this TEDx Talk, my friend Ben told me the title of a book I absolutely needed to read.
I usually don’t carry the Internet with me (to protect my memory). I remembered to order it when I got back home by placing an associative image of Happiness Beyond Thought at my desk.
Then, when I got home, I literally walked into a Memory Palace and was reminded to look the book up and order it.
You can do this with all kinds of things you need to remember, from groceries for a recipe, making a dentist appointment or memorizing your credit card so you don’t have to pull it out every time you shop online.
Remember Everything You Hear?
Frankly, I’m not sure anyone needs to remember everything.
The trick is being able to remember the information that matters.
Knowing exactly what that information might be is its own skill, and it involves developing pattern recognition and discernment.
Being able to memorize will naturally guide you to developing these meta-skills.
And that means that the best time to get started was yesterday.
The second best time is now.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to remember more from the conversations you hold?
Get some Memory Palaces created, learn to associate and please keep me posted on your progress updates along the way!
How to Memorize 70 Decks of Playing Cards For Charity: A Memory Training Convo with Braden Adams
Aug 12, 2021
Imagine memorizing 70 decks of playing cards to raise money for Alzheimer’s.
Not just to fund research into curing the disease, but also to support front line workers who help care for the victims of this cruel disease.
Well, that’s the goal memory athlete Braden Adams set for himself.
Think about this for a second: That’s 70 times 52…
3640 cards, all shuffled up.
That’s a lot of Memory Palace prep and Braden and I dig into that topic, including the “Shadow” technique used for encoding the cards – a powerful way of applying mnemonic tacts you’re not going to miss.
But it’s the meaning of Braden’s mission I want to focus on above all.
It is incredible.
Why?
Because memorizing cards is a perfectly aligned symbol for the battle against conditions like Alzheimer’s.
After all, the disease mixes up your thoughts and memories, but when you have the kind of memory skills Braden has developed for yourself, no matter how shuffled those cards get, you can still lay everything out in perfect order.
I wanted to learn more about this training journey and help spread the word about his mission.
His tips on creating a proper Memory Palace are golden.
And as we speak, people have already been donating to the cause!
If you’d like to toss in a few Magnetic clams, as I’ve done myself, you’ll find the donation link in the description or can simply type this handy link I’ve created for the cause.
But you can also consider donating to any Alzheimer’s charity near you during this drive.
You can also watch Braden memorize and recall the decks live on August 28th on his stream by visiting his Twitch page.
Until the event takes place, if you like digging deep into the nitty gritty about how memory techniques work and how you can use them to complete MASSIVE memory projects like memorizing 70 decks of cards, I think you’re going to love this discussion.
Black Belt Memory Review: Is Ron White’s Course Good?
Jul 28, 2021
If you’ve spent any amount of time looking into memory improvement courses, you’ve come across the name Ron White.
But you might be wondering…
Is his Black Belt Memory course any good?
In a word:
Yes.
And if you’ve struggled with other memory improvement books and courses, his approach might just be the ticket.
One reason why is because the course makes you earn your future lessons. You don’t just get to the next level by skimming and skipping around.
You have to actually complete tests in order to progress.
And in case you’re wondering, I know this from experience. I’ve completed the course myself. Here’s my Black Belt certificate:
Receiving my Black Belt in memory after taking Ron White’s training was a great feeling!
Although I already know a fair amount about memory techniques, I still learned new things.
The best part?
I had a lot of fun going through the program too.
And on this page, I’ll tell you more about what I learned and what you can expect.
But first, let’s talk about the man who created the course before digging into a full Black Belt Memory Review.
Who Is Ron White?
Ron White is an author, speaker, seminar leader, course creator and talented YouTube personality.
He has also served as a soldier and won several national memory competitions.
For example, he won the USA Memory Championship twice, in 2009 and 2010.
When it comes to the World Memory Championships, his records are also impressive.
He’s also completed incredible memory demonstrations, such as the 7000 pieces of information involved in the Afghanistan Memory Wall project.
I wanted to learn more about these experiences, which is why I’m so glad Ron sat down with me for a long form conversation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1JcM1znKOc
I hope by now it’s obvious to you that Ron White’s memory training course is more than legit.
And the man is not only a memorizing machine when it comes to using mnemonic strategies.
He’s a great teacher and provides tons of inspiration.
Ron also knows his history, so it was fun talking with him about some of the old memory books that contain powerful tips and tactics you won’t want to miss.
Black Belt Memory Review: What You Need To Know
As I mentioned before, this course is unique in that it requires you to earn your progress.
To be honest, I initially thought this was a little annoying. I really just wanted to check things out.
But that’s the problem isn’t it?
We get courses, skip around and then throw our hands up in the air and say… “Nothing new here.”
That’s wrong in nearly every case, and when you go through this program as Ron has designed it, there’s a lot new to learn.
Keep in mind too that “new” means a few different things:
It can be completely new to you because you’ve never heard of something like the Memory Palace or the Major System
It can be new because you’ve not thought about classic techniques through the lens of someone else’s experience
It can be new because you’ve never deployed a classic technique in quite the same way as Ron has
So when Ron gets you to go through the training sequentially, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a complete beginner or an old master. You’re going to learn something new from the program.
The Filing System
Ron approaches the arrangement and encoding of information through what he calls files.
These can be used in different ways.
For example, you can have files that serve as numbers and images at the same time.
It’s kind of like the pegword method, but with more possible uses. You can use the filing approach to easily make any Memory Palace much more robust, for example.
Unique Approaches to the Major System
As Ron shared in the conversation we recorded, he combines the body Memory Palace with the Major System in a way that stems from Mega Memory.
I think it’s a brilliant adaptation. I wish I would have thought about it myself!
The coolest thing about it is that you can apply it to other bodies and use those bodies as files distributed throughout a Memory Palace.
In this way, any figure you place can instantly have ten individual stations instead of just one.
Review Tips
Ron’s Black Belt Memory is one of those rare memory training courses that goes through what matters most in memory: review.
You see, so many people treat techniques like the method of loci as if it were meant to be some kind of “eternal” treasure chest.
But that’s not the way it works.
Rather, these tools give us a solid means for reviewing information in a way that triggers what memory scientists call active recall.
If you aren’t following these patterns in an optimal way, your brain simply won’t form memories reliably.
And since reliable memory is what we want, Ron makes sure you know about it.
Holistic Memory Health
As if all that weren’t enough, Ron makes sure you know about diet, hydration and fitness.
Face it:
We’re all getting older by the minute and we need to keep both our bodies and our brains as fit as possible.
The program doesn’t go as deep into this topic as it could, but I’m glad the basics are touched upon.
Memory Expert Ron White with Dr. Oz
And there’s even a cameo with Dr. Oz!
Will You Earn A Blackbelt For Your Memory?
As I hope you can tell, I definitely think you should take this course.
When I taught philosophy as a professor, I never once said, “Only read Plato. Forget all about Aristotle.”
That would be foolish.
The reality is that you only get a full understanding by going through as many programs as you can.
Of course, there are some out there you can definitely skip.
But I’m very glad that I went through Black Belt Memory and grateful Ron took some time to have a detailed chat.
So if you want more benefits from his experience and some of the “next level” ways you can improve your memory, give Black Belt Memory a try.
I think you’ll be glad you did!
How to Learn Something New in 6 Easy Steps
Jun 30, 2021
Let me compliment you on wanting to learn something new.
In a world of indifference, so few people take action, let alone search for how to take action.
Then there’s the question of what to learn. This can itself be quite challenging because there are so many options out there.
Well, on this page we’ll simplify everything by talking about how to learn a variety of things. Not all skills are learned the same way, after all.
And to start eliminating the confusion about how to learn, let’s boil things down to a simple formula:
S.I.P.
Study
Implement
Practice
Once you pick what you want to learn, you study to find out the steps involved. Then you implement those steps, followed by practice to improve your execution.
With this process in mind, let’s get started.
Why You Should Learn Something New
One word:
Longevity.
Learning things literally promotes cellular growth in your brain. It also strengthens the neural connections you already have.
If you go the language learning route, some studies in bilingualism report up to 32 years in brain fortification. This benefit means that your brain gets protected from diseases like Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Other reasons you’re right to say, “I want to learn something” include:
If you want to continue learning for the rest of your life, always learning something new is the best way to keep your mind and memory short.
And the more you know, the more you can know.
How to Learn Something New: A Proven 6-Step Process
Now, we’ve seen that to learn we need to take it one S.I.P. at a time.
But what are the exact steps?
There will always be nuances for different things you want to learn. But generally, here’s what you need:
Step One: A Vision
Before planning anything or buying books, it’s useful to sit down and imagine the desired outcome.
For example, if you want to learn how to improve your memory, you can craft a memory improvement vision statement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFz31HpVkj0
The reason it’s important to do this is that it helps you know your “why.” That way, when certain parts of the journey get tough, you’re able to keep pushing through.
And never give up when you’re challenged. No doubt, obstacles can create resistance. But it’s when we push through challenges that growth occurs. This cannot happen if you quit.
Crafting a vision statement also helps you test through your conviction. There’s often a difference between what we want and what we’re actually willing to do.
When spending some time on your vision, you can dodge a lot of speeding bullets. You can also think through various alternatives.
Pro tip: If you don’t like linear prose, one great way to craft your vision statement is through mind mapping.
Step Two: Plan Wisely
After testing your conviction by crafting a vision statement, it’s time to plan.
In this step, you’ll set aside time to research what you want to learn.
During this phase, you’ll identify books, courses and key experts who can help you achieve your vision or desired learning outcome.
Then, you’ll chart out when you’re going to go through those materials or meet with the expert trainers who can help you.
Pro tip: If you struggle to plan and schedule your time, getting help from a coach can be a game changer. There’s no shame in lacking discipline and knowledge in this area.
So if you have a vision but struggle to plan and implement, find someone who can help you make it happen. Life Coach Spotter has a great guide that can help you find the perfect person.
Step Three: Define The Project
I’ve already talked about spending some time identifying your books and courses.
This should help you define the scope of the project.
To do this, state how much time you’re going to spend and how much material you want to get through.
For example, when I started my Art of Memory learning project, I devoted six months to it. I committed to reading one book on the topic per week and at least two articles.
By giving your learning commitments definition in terms of both scope and duration, it’s so much easier to achieve specific goals.
You can even create certain milestones. For example, if you’re learning about a topic that has multiple authors writing about it, pick one author. Read just their major works as a milestone before moving on to the next author.
Step Four: Plan To Fail
Sounds weird right?
Not at all.
As I mentioned, there will be challenges when learning anything. And that’s why we need to have a plan for what to do when those challenges arise.
The choices you make can be quite simple. For example, when I reach a point of frustration, I almost always take a walk. “Go for a walk,” is my auto-pilot mantra and it helps refresh the mind.
I also like to have “attitude adjusters.” Many of my journals come with motivational quotes printed on each page. I follow lots of positive quote Twitter and Instagram accounts and motivational speakers. Constantly fueling positivity helps so much.
Step Five: Take Effective Notes And Keep A Learning Journal
There are so many approaches to note taking. It can be frustrating trying to find the best option.
At the end of the day, I suggest you experiment with a few different styles. Combine what you find works best with the Memory Palace technique for best results.
Keeping a journal is important too. Here’s why:
Learning is a lot like art.
And artists always sketch in journals.
They do this not just to practice. They do it so they can look back and see just how far they’ve come.
Instead of always filling your journal with notes about what you’re learning, try this instead:
Fill your journal with the questions you have along the way. Then work at answering them.
When you look back, you’ll find that you’ve grown incredible, and the Q&A process with yourself will have paid many dividends.
By the way, this process of asking yourself questions and working to answer them is called The Feynman Technique. It’s just one of 28 ways I’ve compiled in How to Study Effectively.
Step Six: The Big Five Of Learning
Finally, it’s important to integrate everything. For that, we pull all the big guns together:
Reading
Writing
Listening
Speaking
Memorization
Basically, this process means that you deeply integrate what you’re learning through ample discussion and follow-up in multiple ways.
For example, to integrate what you’re learning, a discussion group helps you reflect on your own thoughts while appreciating the varying viewpoints of others.
Writing, as we’ve seen through journaling, helps you identify and answer any questions you have.
And memorizing makes sure that everything you learn remains for the long term.
What New Things Should You Learn?
If you’re not sure what to learn, here’s a master list of suggestions. It’s possible to pick up skills in each of these in a single lifetime.
But as always, it helps to focus on just one skill at a time. Keep the lesson above about scope and definition in mind when choosing what you want to learn.
Typing
“All wealth comes from writing.”
That’s a quote I heard a long time ago, and I believe it’s true.
Whether it’s writing books and articles or just an effective networking email, it helps if you can do it quickly.
If you don’t know how to type, I’d suggest starting with this foundational skill.
Languages
I’m a big believer that everyone should speak at least one other language. It’s not only good for your brain, but hugely beneficial for your wallet.
Understanding exactly how money makes the world go round is hugely beneficial.
It not only helps you earn and save more. It helps you avoid mistakes and reduces your stress about market changes.
Marginal Revolution is a leading blog that aggregates links from around the net relating to economics. You can learn a ton just from following its links and book recommendations.
Numeracy
If you’ve ever wanted to start a business, you’ll need to know at least something about math.
Knowing your numbers is also useful for:
Accounting
Investing
Statistics
Programming
And that’s just to name a few areas.
One fun and easy way to make math fun and exciting is to learn Chisanbop.
Music
What can be more pleasing than being able to pick up an instrument and accompany yourself as you sing a song?
There’s another benefit:
When you know how to memorize a song, singing produces healing chemicals in your body. Playing an instrument exercises your brain, which means that bringing them together is even more beneficial.
Drawing
I used to hold the limiting belief that I could not draw.
But I wanted to and within a year was stunned by the progress I’d made.
Learning how and why your mind operates helps you enjoy life a lot more.
There are many mental models to discover, not to mention sorting out your cognitive biases.
Knowing about psychology also boosts your ability to think in a reflective way. Mulling over topics is fine, but doing so with knowledge of how your mind functions boosts the entire process.
Survival Skills And Bushcraft
Sure, few of us will wind up lost in a forest or stranded in the desert.
But you never know, do you?
If you’re casting about for something to learn, these skills will keep you prepared for even the most unlikeliest of events.
Podcasting And Video Course Creation
Everyone has to run errands and most of those people are listening to either music or podcasts while doing them.
Why aren’t you the one in their ears?
Simple:
You haven’t learned podcasting yet.
I’ve been running a podcast since 2014 and have hardly missed a week. If you want to learn from me about how to do it, check out my course, Branding You. It’s been a bestseller on Udemy since it was released in 2015.
SEO And Blogging
Learning how to rank posts on page one of Google is an art, craft and science.
You can turn it into a career or just do it for fun.
But the name of the game either way is to have an audience.
And that’s where learning to write for both humans and the search engines come in. It’s a great learning project and one I highly recommend.
Here’s why:
It makes you a better writer overall. When you can learn to reach people through both search engines and peaking their interest once they’ve found you, those skills apply to:
Books
Speeches
Podcast episodes
YouTube video scripts
Online course content
Give this skill a try!
Public Speaking
When I wrote this TEDx Talk, I had no idea it would reach over one million people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
But it did, and having taken a course on public speaking helped.
I’m not the greatest speaker, but I’m glad I spent the time learning how to present.
If you’re worried you’ll forget your presentation, please don’t be. Here’s how to memorize a speech (and deliver it without sounding like a robot).
The Law
The vast majority of people can’t read the law that governs them. That means they can’t participate in shaping the rules they follow.
But even just a little knowledge of the law can go a long way. It helps you communicate with your representatives better, for one thing. And you can keep them more accountable in the first place, something obviously not enough people do.
It sounds cliche, but we all need to be the change we want to see in the world. Remember: Gandhi was a lawyer first. This background was a key part of his civil rights activism.
Logic
If you do start learning the law, you’re going to get logic as part of the package.
But you can also learn it as a topic and skill on its own.
Learning logic is a major intellectual achievement
You’ll spot fallacies fast and avoid devastating problems
You’ll become clear and precise in many areas of your life
The media becomes easier to interpret, freeing you from irrational beliefs
And that’s just for starters. I highly recommend learning all that you can about logic. Here are some critical thinking exercises to help you get started.
Networking
Of course, all of the above suggestions will be of limited use if you don’t have anyone to share your skills with.
That’s why learning to become a well-connected person is an important skill to learn.
Of course, “networking” isn’t necessarily the right word for it. Often people associate it with business-types trying to find new clients.
As Jennie Gorman puts it, “netweaving” is the alternative. In this approach, you’re there to give to others, not to figure out how you can benefit.
And when you’ve learned something new, being in a position to give is exactly where you’ll be.
Best Websites to Visit to Learn Something New
Now that you have some ideas in mind, here are a few suggested websites for learning new skills.
Obviously, there are thousands of choices out there. To help narrow it all down, don’t forget to craft your vision, define your plan and take some notes on which resources you want to investigate further.
This Free Masterclass Can Help You Learn New Things Fast
At the end of the day, every learning goal places huge demands on your memory.
But that doesn’t mean you have to struggle.
In fact, there’s a special way to approach learning using an ancient tool. We’ve already mentioned it above.
If you’d like a free course that takes you through the fundamentals, learning to master your memory first is a great idea.
To get started, just let me know where to send you Memory Palace Mastery. It’s four free videos with three worksheets in the form of a Memory Improvement Kit:
So now, what do you say?
Are you ready to go out there and learn something new?
I hope you feel more empowered and focused now than just casting about to learn stuff.
I hope you have the tools to bring laser focus to the learning topics you choose so that you can truly soar.
Aboriginal Philosophy And Indigenous Memory Techniques with Tyson Yunkaporta
Jun 17, 2021
Are you curious about the memory techniques used in the ancient world?
For example, it’s possible to learn about all sorts of indigenous tools for learning and retaining information used by people around the world.
If this sounds interesting to you, you’re in luck.
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I sat down with Tyson Yunkaporta, an author and educator who has shared these techniques with many groups of people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_–IAZz410
Aboriginal Philosophy and Memory Techniques
Tyson’s a huge fan of both the Aboriginal memory techniques and the Memory Palace, so I think you’re going to love how we discuss all the techniques we go over in this discussion.
We talk about a number of mnemonic devices in this interview, so please be prepared to write them down. Songlines are part of a larger set that people used who had a ton of knowledge they needed in order to survive.
Make sure you supplement your own survival by digging as deeply as you can into the wide range of techniques history around the world has to offer. And apply the information you acquire to helping the world become a better place.
Thanks for being part of the memory world at large and talk soon!
10 Types of Synesthesia (Examples, Causes, and Symptoms)
Jun 09, 2021
With so many types of synesthesia out there, it can be hard to understand exactly what it is.
That’s why it’s important to look at the word itself first:
It shares a root with anesthesia. This word means “no sensation.”
“Syn” means that something is joined or coupled together. Thus, synesthesia means the joining or coupling of two or more sensations.
And because many different kinds of sensations can be joined, that’s why there are so many synesthesia types.
On this page, we’ll go through the definitions of each one. You’ll discover specific examples and interesting tidbits from scientific research.
That way, you can leave with the fullest possible understanding of this condition. You might even be able to invoke it too using a resource I’ll share below.
Let’s get started.
The 10 Types of Synesthesia (with Examples, Causes, and Symptoms)
In his book on the topic, neurologist Richard E. Cytowic states that approximately 4% of the population experience some form of synesthesia.
Exactly how long people experience their synesthesia is unknown, but many seem to drift in and out of it.
The condition also tends to be unidirectional. As they point out, a person might experience the letter J as blue. However, seeing blue does not cause them to think about the letter J or experience “J-ness.”
Most forms of synesthesia belong roughly to what some people call “Projection Synesthesia.” That is, something in the brain causes their minds to project senses that aren’t there for the rest of us. Often they tend to involve colors.
So with these aspects in mind, let’s dig into as many types of synesthesia as we can.
One: Colored Days of the Week
Here’s how Daniel Tammet discusses his birthday:
“I was born on January 31, 1979 — a Wednesday. I know it was a Wednesday, because the date is blue in my mind and Wednesdays are always blue.”
This lack of specificity for some days of the week should remind us of the consistency issue raised by Cytowic. Or it’s possible that some days have substances for Tamet rather than colors.
Is this the same as associating numbers with colors. Not necessarily. For that we need to learn more about our next type.
Two: Grapheme Color Synesthesia
When you see or think about the letter “A,” does it have a color? For some people it does. Likewise with numbers.
Some people will read letters and numbers and see them as colors. Others with grapheme color synesthesia will see letters and numbers as black marks on white paper but think about them as colors.
It is interesting that different people experience these letters in different ways. This suggests just as much nurture in the development of this form of synesthesia as nature.
Three: Chromesthesia
Chromesthesia, or colored hearing, means that the individual experiences colors connected with sounds.
Researchers have found that sounds can trigger more than colors as well. A person with this condition might hear music and experience shapes, landscapes or textures.
Composers who may have drawn upon this type of synesthesia include Franz Liszt and Jean Sibelius.
Four: Ordinal Linguistic Personification
In this manifestation of synesthesia, the individual will experience numbers, days, months and multiple kinds of words and things as if they were people.
For example, the word “camping” might be experienced as having a gender and a tendency towards grumpiness. A stick on the street might seem to the individual as a happy young man.
In many ways, this synesthesia condition is a lot like how kids play with objects to keep themselves entertained.
Five: Mirror Touch
Imagine you see two people across the street shaking hands. But you don’t just see it. You feel it as if you were the one shaking hands. That’s what is meant by Mirror Touch synesthesia.
In a two-year study by Charlotte A. Chun and Jean-Michel Hupé, these researchers found that many kinds of people with synesthesia experience this form. There was no way to predict which kinds of people might have this kind, but they did see some indication that French people were more likely to experience grapheme color synesthesia.
Six: Spatial Sequence Synesthesia
There are at least two parts to Spatial Sequence Synesthesia, sometimes called “Number Form” synesthesia.
First, the person experiences numbers units as having distinct locations. For example, take an organizational unit like a calendar. Instead of thinking of February conceptually as a group of days, the person will experience it bound up with a location, or as if it had the qualities of a location.
Second, this unit will be experienced with references to other numbers, themselves located in space.
Jamie Ward asked a test participant to draw how she was experiencing Spatial Sequence Synesthesia.
As you can see, the participant not only has the numbers represented where they appear in space. She has indicated how she can rotate her point of view around their location.
Another point:
Part of experiencing this form of the condition might mean that people experience numbers “floating in space at a fixed distance from their body.”
Seven: Auditory-Tactile Synesthesia
Also called “Sound-Touch Synesthesia,” this form of the condition means that common sounds create physical sensations in the listener. These are typically described as “tingling” and may be intense enough to deeply disturb the individual.
Studies in people with thalamic lesions have shown that this part of the brain might be responsible for both physical and sound sensations. This area of knowledge is one place where knowing how to remember the cranial nerves could also be helpful because they contribute to some of our ability to perceive physical and auditory sensations.
Eight: Lexical-Gustatory Synesthesia
Imagine tasting the words of this article as you read it.
That’s exactly what would be happening to you now if you had lexical-gustatory synesthesia.
Researchers have found that amongst the few people who experience this condition, the experience is very intense but lacking in quality. Brain scans show that the parts of the brain involved in emotions light up, which may explain the magnitude of these experiences.
Sound-gustatory is much the same. However, in this case, the sense of taste is triggered by noises and auditory modulations in the person’s environment.
We’ve talked about taste. What about smelling colors?
This too is something that happens to people with synesthesia, but seems much less common than some of the other types.
Although subjective feelings are involved in each of these, it’s hard to say if any of them amount to emotional synesthesia as a type on its own. More research needs to be done, some of which is being uncovered by those investigating our next type.
Nine: Misophonia Synesthesia
People with misophonia can be triggered to rage by everyday sounds.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, ASMR has been all the rage over the past few years. Videos featuring all kinds of mundane sounds of racked up millions, if not billions of views on YouTube hoping to induce “auto sensory meridian response.”
These are pleasant tingling sensations that come from listening to sounds like whispering voices, tapping, blowing bubbles or chewing gum.
Ten: Ideaesthesia
Of these two images, which would you name Booba and which Kiki?
Most native English speakers will name the image on the left Kiki and the image on the right Booba.
Why?
Because hard-K sounds are conceived as being similar to sharp angles. Softer B-sounds are generally perceived as more like the rounded drawing to the right. According to Derren Bridger, marketers have long known about this tendency and used it to help dream up product names.
Much more research needs to be done on this branch of synesthesia. It’s not yet clear if colors are also involved in how people might experience these conceptual approaches to linking sounds with shapes in a conceptual way.
Can You Give Yourself Synesthesia?
I don’t think so. And I hope you never harm your brain or develop a lesion that might come with unwanted effects just to experience synesthesia.
However, you certainly can increase your ability to experience the world in a multi sensory way.
To give this a try for yourself, go through this hyperphantasia guided meditation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAz3_pkqXqc
In the meantime, I hope this rundown of the many different types of synesthesia helped you out.
If there are any I missed, please pop them into the discussion area so we can all learn about them. And if you’d like to be able to memorize all of these different terms we discussed today, check out my FREE Memory Improvement Kit today:
Better Than The Memory Palace? A Discussion With Dr. David Reser
Jun 03, 2021
Tell me if this sounds like clickbait?
“Ancient Australian Aboriginal Memory Tool Superior to ‘Memory Palace’ Learning”
I mean, I thought so too.
Must be click bait.
I grew even more concerned when Dominic O’Brien tweeted a Neuroscience article and added this statement:
“In short, Link or Story Method combined with Journey Method provide the optimum learning strategy.”
With all due respect to Dominic and acknowledgement of his great accomplishments and wonderful books, this is not precisely what the Neuroscience article says.
Nor is it what the full study says.
Neither the media report or the study even contain the word “Journey.”
An Opportunity For The “Pause” Button
Now, because I’m human too, I decided not to battle about this on Twitter. As you know, Angry Birds just ain’t my schtick.
In fact, I simply retweeted Dominic’s statement with a link to the original study.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkDgT6_sNJQ
And with sincere humility, let me offer this:
For a memory expert to… shall we say… shape what a study says by promoting it with a quasi-branded term like “Journey Method” should be a wake up call to the human and humanness in us all.
Because as educators, it’s normal to get excited by anything in the world of science that validates what we’ve been saying all along. I’m sure in haste I’ve done something like that too, and in this fast paced world, probably will again.
All the more reason that we must be on our guard and seek to go beyond the headlines and the tweets.
To temper ourselves so that we can truly learn from the research, and hopefully improve how we teach and learn, while avoiding getting territorial in ways that risk placing borders on the wonder.
Territorialism Over Terminology
Because frankly, I noted a small tremor of territorialism in myself at the idea that something could be better than the Memory Palace.
And that happened to me even though I often remind you that this term is just a word for location-based mnemonics, and nothing more.
Knowing that there must be more to this study than anyone could hope to convey in a tweet, I read the full paper myself. And to get even more detail, I reached out to Dr. David Reser at Monash university.
As a neuroscientist with interests in attention, consciousness and many aspects of education, Dr. Reser is the head author on the study that several dozen people have emailed me about since the story broke.
What Does The Study Actually Say?
First off, it’s important that you read it yourself.
It turns out, the medical and health education setting matter a great deal. And there are several more nuances that make this study very, very interesting.
For example:
A particular story was important to the study
Student preparedness and preexisting learning experiences may be key to learning faster
Having a teacher in the learning space with the students was important
The Aboriginal approach is shown to have helped the individuals remember the order better
More research on long term comparisons with the Method of Loci and the Aboriginal technique are required
These are just my tentative bullet points for the time being.
Frankly, Dr. Reser is so good at explaining the science, I really hope you’ll dive into the full conversation.
This Actually Could Be “Better” Than The Memory Palace Technique
For now, I’m happy to say this:
If all of us educators and students can get on the same page, share these findings around and collaborate with those members in the Aboriginal community who hold knowledge we should be very excited about…
Why then, there might just be something many magnitudes of better, better than whatever you want to call the memory techniques you currently use.
But we do have to pay the price of attending to accuracy.
With care and accuracy in mind, I’m grateful Dr. Reser spent this time with us to discuss the study, the nature of its implications and what we all can do to learn, explore.
Links To Dr. Reser
Please spend some time on the reading, share your thoughts in the comments.
And if you’re new to the Magnetic Memory Method blog, please get subscribed because I’m hoping to record a follow-up interview with Tyson Yunkaporta soon.
If you, like me, care about the memory tradition and our quest for the truth about what really works, you’re not going to want to miss a thing.
Anterograde vs Retrograde Amnesia: A Simple Guide
May 12, 2021
Amnesia is a tricky term to understand because it is used in so many ways.
For example, it has become popular to talk about “political amnesia” to explain the “crisis of memory” in various parties. Movies and streaming series also often feature characters suffering some form of memory loss and calling it “amnesia.”
But using the term amnesia in these ways muddies the waters of an already complicated topic.
So let’s bring some light to the field of forgetting as we explore retrograde vs anterograde amnesia in full, including some specific case studies from scientific literature.
Anterograde vs Retrograde Amnesia: What’s the Difference?
The difference is found in the prefixes.
Something that is anterior is situated in front of another object or event.
“Retro” as many of us know, refers to the past.
Therefore, anterograde amnesia refers to having difficulties forming memories after amnesia sets in.
Retrograde amnesia, on the other hand, refers to experiencing issues with accessing memories before the onset of amnesia.
Let’s dig a bit deeper and look at some specific examples. That way you can truly learn the difference between retrograde and anterograde amnesia.
What Is Anterograde Amnesia?
Christopher Nolan’s Memento, released in the year 2000.
“The film documents the difficulties faced by Leonard, who develops a severe anterograde amnesia after an attack in which his wife is killed. Unlike in most films in this genre, this amnesic character retains his identity, has little retrograde amnesia, and shows several of the severe everyday memory difficulties associated with the disorder. The fragmented, almost mosaic quality to the sequence of scenes in the film also cleverly reflects the ‘perpetual present’ nature of the syndrome.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vS0E9bBSL0
“Perpetual present” is a key term here because people suffering anterograde amnesia cannot lay down new memories.
“During consolidation, new fragile memories become increasingly resistant to disruptions.”
Dr. Dewar’s research at Heriot Watt University’s Memory Lab suggest that more rest can help people suffering from anterograde amnesia.
Research findings from Dr. Dewar’s Memory Lab project on distinguishing retrograde and anterograde amnesia.
Exactly what it is that interrupts consolidation remains unclear. Dewar suggestions it could be:
A general malfunction in the automatic consolidation of new memories
A lack of intention by the patient to voluntarily rehearse new memories
Situations where the patient faces overwhelming amounts of sensory input
Other, as yet unknown interruptions between encoding and retrieval of memories
A Specific Case of Anterograde Amnesia
Dewar herself reports the specific case of a patient with severe anterograde amnesia caused by limbic encephalitis. For privacy purposes, the patient in question is referred to as PB.
“The severity of his anterograde amnesia is perhaps best illustrated by a couple of anecdotes: when we first met, PB’s wife reported that a close family friend from abroad had recently been staying with them for several days. However, within minutes of the friend’s departure, PB had no recollection of the friend’s visit.
More strikingly, after an hour of interviews and neuropsychological assessments, I left the room for a couple of seconds and then re-entered to examine informally PB’s ability to remember me after a brief delay. When I returned, PB had no recollection of ever having met me before.”
Dewar found after working with PB that rest improved his ability to remember certain kinds of information.
“I was both excited and perplexed by these findings! How was it possible for people with severe anterograde amnesia to be able to retain so much new information over periods of up to one hour?”
Is There A Cure For Anterograde Amnesia?
Dewar’s best answer as of 2020 has been rest, something which seems to have enabled PB to recall certain kinds of information even when his attention was diverted to other topics.
As Dr. Ansari has explained in a video for Sage, you can ask a person with anterograde amnesia for facts about France. They’ll be able to answer them correctly (semantic memory), but not be able to tell you what happened to them personally last week (episodic memory).
Can An Actor With Anterograde Amnesia Still Perform?
Further along in Cases of Amnesia, researchers Michael D. Kopelman and John Morton discuss the case of an actor with severe autobiographical memory issues. This case is especially interesting because many actors use their personal memories as the basis for forming their roles.
The autobiographical memory issues harmed this patient’s anterograde memory:
“His anterograde memory deficit was evident at the first learning trial, where he consistently performed worse than controls but, thereafter, he was able to learn and retain (for
use at subsequent learning trials) longer and much more complex material (in terms of syntax and semantics) than has been demonstrated previously.”
The research is very interesting because they challenged him with contemporary theater acting tasks and older texts, like Shakespeare.
Regardless of the text, the actor still did well in recalling his lines. However, he still could not remember much about his life:
“He said that he practised for approximately an hour to an hour and a half each day. He did not commit all the lines to memory, and did not carry out word-by-word learning. Instead, he said that he ‘thinks about the performance . . . how it will work best. . . . By reading aloud, I work on it.’ “
Despite this accomplishment, AB still had a severe amnesia in everyday life.
“For example, he could not recall at all a therapist whom he had met on approximately 12 occasions previously, and he had only vague recollection about another therapist, whom he had met on more than 20 occasions.”
As sad as this case of anterograde memory is for the actor’s personal memory, it is fascinating that he could still learn enough complicated material to perform in a play. This shows the importance of rehearsal in forming new memories.
“Any loss of memory for events that occurred before the insult that caused the amnesia, and it may be induced in individuals through various neurologic or psychologic pathologies.”
In other words, with this form of amnesia, you can forget large amounts of your past, but still be able to learn and remember new information.
This form of amnesia can be caused by:
Damage to brain structures from collisions
Harm to the brain from substances like toxins
Medicinal side effects
Hippocampal damage from tumors
Brain damage from conditions like encephalitis and meningitis
Oxygen deprivation
Psychological harms, such as trauma or even insults
In this form of amnesia, patients may suffer different effects. For example, they may forget:
Many things or everything from before the onset of amnesia
Material from a few hours before the onset
Longer periods of time
To help distinguish these kinds of retrograde amnesia, scientists use the terms “recent” and “remote.” The patient might suffer full or reduced forgetting.
Retrograde amnesia can be distinguished as being recent and remote. Both categories can have full memory loss or some level of memory loss that many not be complete.
“A woman of 34 began to show disturbances of behaviour while on a cycling holiday with her husband. She lost her way on familiar routes, would stop and wander off the road for no reason, and on two occasions temporarily lost her bicycle.
However, it was not until three weeks later that she developed headache, slight fever and a gross confusional state, at one time with hallucinations.
On examination at this time, she had some swelling of her optic discs and a marked lymphocytic pleocytosis in her cerebrospinal fluid, but no localized signs in the central nervous system.
As the general confusion and hallucinations subsided, mental examination showed a gross fixation amnesia with florid confabulation.
She recovered slowly, but it was over two months before she was fit to resume her household duties.
When seen nine months after her illness, she had a permanent retrograde amnesia which involved some six weeks of her stay in hospital and the preceding three weeks, with a sharp end-point at one particular incident of her cycling holiday.
Her memorizing was also persistently defective. She would lose things easily, forget household details and had difficulty in remembering acquaintances.
However, these defects were minor ones and she was able to lead a normal life and look after her home satisfactorily. She died some two years later of an unrelated condition.
At autopsy the brain was macroscopically normal. Histological examination showed evidence of localized perivascular cuffing in the floor of the third ventricle and extending a little into the periaqueductal region. No other abnormalities were found.”
Attempts To Understand And Cure Retrograde Amnesia
You can think of memory consolidation as involving at least three “buckets.” The more effectively information is transferred from one bucket to the other, the more you’ll remember. Many researchers think that amnesia interferes most with the consolidation period between buckets two and three.
You can think of memory consolidation as laying bricks. First you have a foundation, then you put down some cement. Into this cement, you align bricks and allow the cement to set.
Memory consolidation is the setting process. The more it functions in a stable way, the more you’ll be able to retrieve each individual brick in your “wall of memory.”
But when retrograde memory takes place, it’s not entirely clear what goes wrong, especially since some people are able to recover from it.
For example, in the book Amnesia cited above, people with retrograde amnesia from meningitis have recovered their memories when the illness was resolved. And as we’ve seen, they can still lay down new memories even while suffering from retrograde amnesia.
Other Causes Of Memory Loss
Sigmund Freud talks a lot about forgetting in his 1901 book, The Psychopathology of Everyday Life. In brief, he suggests:
Social forces cause us to repress things we wish to express
Forgetting is one of the mind’s ways to prevent us from expression
Forgetting may be “incomplete” leading to other problems, like resentment
Was Freud correct about these things?
Although he has fallen out of favor, many people can probably relate to efforts they’ve made to “forget” things that have irritated them. We have all gone out of our way to avoid launching our various criticisms for fear of “rocking the boat.”
But when you think about it, the Internet has made it possible for people to air any number of complaints, particularly through social media.
This form of collective activity has caused many people to wonder if we haven’t seriously reduced our collective attention span. In fact, it’s led to one German researcher coining the term “Digital Amnesia.”
Does using a computer cause “Digital Amnesia”?
There is definitely something to these factors and how our technologies have changed human memory. And there may well be a political price to pay.
Part of the problem Vibeke Tjalve finds in the conclusion to this book is that we have externalized or offloaded so much human memory to machines that history has been “re-shaped, and re-circulated to an extent that ultimately threatens to render history itself without meaning.”
This is a serious criticism worthy of criticism. But is it really amnesia?
Let’s Stop Confusing Amnesia With Cultural Issues
At the end of the day, amnesia is a condition that harms individuals. It prevents you from either accessing your personal past or laying down new personal memories.
This condition must be devastating for the people who experience it. And all the more so when it becomes increasingly difficult to find clear definitions and extended examples.
Although I appreciate that there probably is such a thing as “cultural amnesia,” history is a big place. The Internet really hasn’t been around long enough for us to start calling its few historical disruptions by the name of what is effectively a serious disease.
I hope this article has helped you understand the differences between retrograde and anterograde amnesia. I also hope the examples have given you deeper insight into the nuances of each.
As we move into the future, let’s work together to use terms like “amnesia” very carefully. Real people with real issues need the best possible help they can get and definitions matter.
What Is Autobiographical Memory: A Simple Guide
May 05, 2021
The term “autobiographical memory” sounds straightforward enough, doesn’t it?
In reality, this aspect of human memory is quite complex.
And the way scientists write about it can be hard to penetrate.
I’ve been studying all kinds of memory for decades, so let me help you understand it with some examples and infographics.
To do that, let’s take a step back and get a working definition of autobiographical memory and some examples that are easy to understand.
Once you understand the different levels of autobiographical memory, you’ll be able to understand yourself and others better.
And those psychology exams? Consider them aced when this unique and nuanced term comes up.
Let’s get started.
What Is Autobiographical Memory?
In a word, this type of memory is a “system.”
Better than that, autobiographical memory is a system that draws upon other systems so that you can rapidly draw upon emotions and facts that help you make decisions.
What are these systems? And where are they found in the brain?
Memories are in fact spread all over the brain. Or as memory expert Dr. Gary Small describes it, memories are distributed into what you can think of as “neighborhoods.”
This means that when your brain serves up autobiographical memories about your life, it might be drawing upon:
If you think about these different aspects of memory as cousins and uncles who live in different neighborhoods throughout your brain, then experiencing an autobiographical memory is like an event.
In other words, if you’re trying to remember something about yourself, you will gather all those different kinds of memories into one “room,” the same way you gather your family members for Thanksgiving dinner.
And because autobiographical memory is something you can deliberately call upon and experience consciously, it belongs to a larger level called explicit memory. This is different than implicit memory, which involves unconscious processes.
Do Some People Have Superior Autobiographical Memory?
Yes, and the scientific term for superior autobiographical memory is hyperthymesia.
Superior autobiographical memory or hyperthymesia isn’t understood well by scientists. In fact, some scientists think that there might be OCD or obsessive levels of self-reflective repetition involved. If this finding proves correct, then it would be elaborative encoding that explains the high levels of recall these people experience.
Jill Price is one such notable case where people have noticed that obsessive levels of journaling have featured across her life. But whether or not repetitive journaling explains this level of recall or not, here’s the easiest way to think about it:
Researchers have noticed that some people with superior autobiographical memory tend to journal much more than the average person.
People with hyperthymesia are simply more efficient at calling all those different types of memory into the same “room” to help produce the experience of personal memories.
In fast, it is very telling that superior autobiographical memory is really the only kind of memory that has shown this feature. As the personal suffering seen in the Price case shows, there might be such a thing as too much reflective thinking.
The 3 Levels of Autobiographical Memory
There are three levels and four “types” of autobiographical memory. It’s useful to distinguish them because they involve different kinds of autobiographical information.
Type One: Lifetime Periods
This literally means the memories you have to distinguish childhood from your adolescence, early adulthood, middle age and senior year. Jean Piaget described these periods in great detail in his theory of cognitive development.
Some scientists include other categories in this type of autobiographical memory. For example, they would include how your memory divides:
Elementary school
High school
College
Type Two: General Events
General events are much less fluid and don’t have distinct borders like “grade seven,” which has a beginning, middle and end.
A time-based event like the fact that you attended grade seven at school is a general autobiographical memory.
This level of autobiographical memory refers to those kinds of memories when you basically remember a set of days, weeks or perhaps entire seasons gathered around a theme.
For example, when you tell someone a story about a fascination you had, you might say, “I studied that topic for a good couple of weeks. I couldn’t get enough.”
But whereas lifetime periods have more specific beginnings and endings, you would not be able to say when exactly those weeks of a general event took place.
Type Three: Event Specific
When experiencing this level of autobiographical memory, you can literally remember things that happened down to the second. This might be a memory of the first time you saw the person you married, or a flashbulb memory of a tragic event.
The 4 Types of Autobiographical Memory
There’s some crossover between “types” and “levels” of memory, but it’s still useful to separate the two so you have the fullest possible picture.
Level One: Personal Information
Examples of autobiographical memory here include:
Your name and the names of your parents
Where you were born
Where you went to school
Remembering where you went to school is an example of autobiographical memory.
To help you dig up more of this kind of memory you might not have experienced for a while, there’s a podcast on this page with 3 Memory Games You Can Play With Your Childhood. You’ll find other memory improving games in that article too.
Level Two: Copies and Reconstructions
Remember when I talked about superior autobiographical memory being poorly understood?
One reason why is that just because the person thinks they remember their lives exceptionally well, doesn’t mean that they really do. Studies have shown that we all reconstruct our memories, and autobiographical memories are often highly inaccurate.
Why?
Think back to Dr. Gary Small’s neighborhood analogy.
Each time a memory is recalled, it changes location in the brain. Anything that moves is transformed, so by the time you’ve recalled the memory, it is now:
Located somewhere else in the brain
Chemically different than it used to be
This doesn’t mean that we’re all liars. But it’s just a fact that memories change over time and by recalling them, we are literally “reconstructing” them.
To make things more complicated, copies can be incredibly vivid and deliberately amplifying them can increase their accuracy.
The act of vivifying your memories so you can recall them with greater accuracy is greatly assisted by using a Memory Palace.
Level Three: Generic Vs. Specific
This level is basically the same as the second and third type described above.
The difference here comes down to the conscious effort to “relive” the memories.
For example, we can often call up generic memories about our lives without thinking too much about them.
“Oh yeah, I remember doing that,” is easy to say about the time you went for ice cream on a date. But you don’t actually have to relive it because going for ice cream is a generic event.
However, if someone asks you to remember a specific time you went for ice cream when something special happened, you might have to press them for more specific details.
For example, they might need to give you the street name or general neighborhood to help you remember the exact ice cream excursion they have in mind.
Sometimes researchers think of this level differently in terms of the remembering vs. knowing dynamic, but the topic is far from decided upon.
Level Four: Perspective
This level of autobiographical memory is especially interesting.
For example, you can remember going for ice cream from your first person point of view. This is called the “field” perspective.
But you can also think of the same event from either a second or third person perspective. For example, you can imagine looking down at yourself having ice cream from the sky. Or you can see yourself through the eyes of the person you were with. This is called the “observer” perspective.
Autobiographical Memory Examples
Memory expert David Berglas gave the ultimate autobiographical memory example in his book, A Question of Memory.
He calls it “The Kennedy Effect.” During his era, people used to ask each other all the time: “Where were you when John F. Kennedy died?”
These days, people ask “Where were you when 9/11 happened?” much more often, but the principle is the same.
If you observe people when asking this question, you will see how most people will frame their explanation from the field level of autobiographical memory. If you want a fun exercise, pick a major historical event like this and try to see yourself while it is happening through the eyes of others.
As you think about doing that, here are some other autobiographical memory examples:
Your wedding day
Getting your driver’s license
Taking a trip to a foreign country
Having a child
Graduating high school
Receiving an award
Retirement day
Of course, autobiographical memories aren’t always positive. Here are some negative autobiographical memory examples some of us might experience:
A traffic accident
Court dates
Losing a loved one
A home invasion
War
Struggling with a challenge
The good news is that studies have shown that people tend to recover from such events quite readily.
Best Books To Read On Autobiographical Memory
I find this branch of memory so fascinating, that I thought you might like to know some of the books I’ve read on the topic over the years.
First up is The Organization and Structure of Autobiographical Memory by John Mace. This book brings together over 30 years of empirical findings from multiple researchers. Its strongest point is how it shows the cultural influence on how autobiographical memories form. For example, some cultures remember more about their personal lives than others based on their political leanings.
Everyday Memory, edited by Svein Magnussen and Tore Helstrup is a great book I want to mention specifically for one chapter. It’s the chapter called “Memory Sensitivity in Autobiographical Memory,” co-authored by Cesare Cornoldi, Rossana De Beni and Tore Helstrup.
In this chapter, the authors point out how rewarding engaging with the memories of your life can be. As they suggest, it can readily become a self-reinforcing practice that serves you many times over in life:
“Having experienced positive and rewarding effects of searching one’s past, one is more likely to engage in new attempts. Reminiscing develops into a cognitive style that can be backed up by knowledge about different pathways to one’s own episodic memories.”
Autobiographical Memory and Your Cognitive Style
Personally, my cognitive style used to be horrible. In fact, I used to find thinking about my past a horrifying experience.
But as I shared in this TEDx Talk, I found that thinking addressing the experience of memories in a slightly different way “defanged” them and made all memories much more positive in the ways that Cornoldi, De Beni and Helstrup suggest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
As you’ve already seen, this post is packed with resources to follow-up on.
And for more exercises that can improve how you access your personal history through memory, give these visualization exercises a try next. The fourth exercise in particular brings your personal memories together with the places you used to live.
Speaking of exercises, if you’d like to strengthen all aspects of your memory, grab my free memory improvement course here:
Now that you know all about autobiographical memory, what do you say? Are you ready to explore the aspect of your memory more as a means of enhancing your experience of life?
Memorize All 66 Bible Books with the Memory Palace Method
Apr 21, 2021
Most people struggle to memorize the books of the Bible because they’re using songs, flashcards or rote repetition.
Sure, those approaches can work. I’ll even show you a way to get much better results from flashcards further down on this page.
But what is there was a memory method for the books of the Bible that is faster, more flexible and sets the stage for you to easily remember many others things?
There is and it’s called the Memory Palace technique.
In this guide, you’ll learn it.
Memory Palaces are time-tested, scientifically valid and the most mentally efficient memory system you’ll likely every find.
It makes memorizing a list of 66 items a breeze.
And like I said, once you know how to use the technique properly, you’ll be able to recall individual verses, entire chapters or a list of Biblical themes whenever you want.
Ready to unlock your Biblical memory for all the books for life?
Let’s get started!
The Fastest Way to Memorize all 66 Books of the Bible? A Memory Palace
As mentioned, most modern Bibles contain 66 books. You can find them in order based on the Old Testament and the New Testament using this handy list.
Some of the names will be familiar to you already, but memorizing even the most well-known names in order can still be a challenge. Often, this is because your memory is not trained to deal with large volumes of unusual names in a linear order.
Other names will be difficult because of how they sound and how they’re spelled. But I’ll also show you how to deal with harder names of books like Zephaniah. Soon, they will all be very easy to remember.
But let’s focus on memorizing the order first. For that, it’s important to have a technique that makes it simple and easy to think back to each book in its exact order within the Bible.
One: Learn The Memory Palace Technique
Learning to use a Memory Palace is essential for all learning tasks that involve large amounts of information. But this ancient tool is especially useful when it comes to memorizing Biblical verses.
I do have one student who memorized 66 Psalms in a way he felt was without a Memory Palace. However, as we spoke, it was clear that the same basic use of spatial memory was still in place. Logically speaking there’s no getting around the method of loci for this kind of goal.
To use this technique, you will create a journey throughout a familiar location. This journey will have space for 66 units of information, one spot for each book of the Bible.
Depending on the room you choose, you can fit this journey into one room by using four walls something like this:
This is one example of how you can start structuring a Memory Palace for memorizing the name of every book in the Bible.
If you’re just beginning with this technique, this amount of information crammed into a single room might be too cramped.
That’s okay. Just make the Memory Palace journey more spaced out. You’ll need more rooms, but that’s okay. This memory skill is a marathon, not a race.
Also, I would suggest you consider having two Memory Palaces. One for the Old Testament and one for the New Testament. In this way, you can work on memorizing their books as two separate learning projects. It will make this learning project more manageable.
Two: Learn to Place Memorable Associations
The next step is to use your imagination to “pair” an association with a location in your Memory Palace.
For example, you would place an image or association that reminds you of the word “Genesis” in position one of the Memory Palace. It could be a Sega Genesis, or perhaps you remember the Genesis Device and Genesis cave from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
If those references don’t work, you could even think of someone you know named “Gene,” such as Gene Simmons, the bassist for the rock band Kiss. Even better, you can combine all three of these associations for striking effect when you revisit the Memory Palace journey.
By placing a few words that sound like “Genesis” or are spelled in a similar way in a Memory Palace, it’s easy to remember all the books of the Bible.
Coming up with associations really just means looking at the letters of the words you need to memorize and thinking about similarities.
Numbers brings to mind the numbness you feel after a trip to the dentist
Deuteronomy brings to mind Doctor Dolittle, etc.
To start thinking up associations like this rapidly, have a look at the pegword method.
Three: Elaborate Your Associations
It’s not enough to assign associations. You also need to make them strange and striking using a process memory scientists call elaborative encoding.
So let’s say that you use the example of a dentist numbing your gums to help you remember that the book of Numbers is at position four in your Memory Palace. (This association works because “numb” sounds similar to Numbers.)
To elaborate it, you want to imagine:
Feeling that numbness as a physical sensation
Hearing your voice trying to speak through numbed lips
Imagine what it looks like to have a syringe injecting “Numbers” into your gums
Experience the emotions involved
Include any tastes or smells
Think about the size of the needle and make it exaggeratedly huge
Using everyday life experiences like the “numbing” effect you experience at the dentist helps you remember the Book of Numbers.
These exaggerations only take a second per each book of the Bible. They will help you remember the name of each book with greater ease when you think back to where you stored them in the Memory Palace.
However, they do not like the idea of filling their minds with strange images and ideas.
As I discussed in Where Did Noah Park the Ark?, the Bible has lots of interesting images. It’s possible to draw upon them instead.
Plus, as actor Ashley Strand shared on my podcast when discussing how he memorized the Book of Mark in its entirety for a performance, analytical thinking is also helpful.
At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong answer. You need to follow what’s right for you.
I personally fall on the side of the great religious memory masters like Augustine and Aquinas. They both considered imagination and memory to be gifts from God. Since God himself placed a rainbow in the sky as a reminder following quite a visually dramatic incident (flooding the world), we’re quite alright to use a bit of weird imagery to remember his Word.
Although less famed than Augustine and Aquinas, Peter of Ravenna was a famed mnemonist who also memorized a lot of Scripture. He openly admits that he used all kinds of lewd information to do it and suggests in The Phoenix that people sometimes overthink these things.
Four: Link Your Associations
How do you know the Book of Deuteronomy follows Numbers?
Often, the Memory Palace journey is more than enough. You just mentally move from station to station.
One way you could help yourself memorize the order of the books of the Old Testament is to have the associations act upon each other.
In other words, it’s not just that you have Gene Simmons using a Sega Genesis controller to start the Genesis Device from Star Trek II.
You have this image interacting with the Exxon image. For example, you can have Gene Simmons firing the Genesis device at an Exxon station.
This mnemonic example shows you have you can use the linking method in a Memory Palace to memorize the books of the Bible.
Likewise, you can have someone named Lev or Lee or any “Le” image that makes sense to you fleeing from the Exxon station. By linking the associations from station to station throughout the Memory Palace, you give yourself an extra layer of “recall power.”
Five: Review For Long Term Retention
Once you have all 66 books assigned with associations, you want to revisit the entire journey a few times to get all of them into long term memory.
We need to do this because memory and learning always require some level of repetition. The Memory Palace helps us manage the repetition and reduce the amount we need.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nOwZVQosNg
Basically, you want to follow these patterns:
Forward through the Memory Palace
Backward through the Memory Palace
Skipping the stations
These patterns will give primacy effect and recency effect to each station in your Memory Palace through a process memory scientists call serial positioning. It’s basically the same thing as using spaced repetition software, but much more powerful.
What makes it more effective than software are flashcards is what is called “active recall.” When we put a little bit of “pressure” on our memory to recall facts we’ve learned, our memories develop much faster.
Six: Follow Up With More Than Memory
Learning how to memorize scripture at any level is fun and easy. If you have any doubts that you can do it, check out my student Matt Barclay’s incredible demonstration video. He recites one of the psalms in front of his congregation, something he memorized while recovering from cardiac arrest.
And to really go the distance like Matt and get the material deep into memory, you want to learn it in context.
To make that process riveting:
Read as much as you can about the Bible and also memorize facts about each book
Write summaries of each book and your thoughts about their meaning
Discuss individual Books of the Bible with others as often as possible
Listen to lectures about each book in order
During this stage, you can also add facts to the names of the books you’ve already memorized. For example, if you want to remember that Zephaniah is prophetic literature, you can add an image of a prophet profiting to the core image in the Memory Palace.
Seven: A Bonus Step For Those Who Prefer Flash Cards
If the Memory Palace technique is not an option for you, here’s the best possible way to use flash cards.
Instead of feeding yourself the answer on the back of the card, have a drawing that triggers your memory of the word.
A mnemonic example to help you remember a book of the Bible called Zephaniah
For example, you could draw a zipper to help you remember Zephaniah. You could even cut out a picture of Shania Twain or write her name beside the Zipper.
In the mnemonic example above, I have drawn a zipper and a few lines to suggest the letter “Z.” I’m no artist, but I’ve drawn a singer and given myself a clue by adding some of the lyrics from a very famous Shania Twain song.
Then, when looking at the card, the guessing process helps me form memories because it gives my brain a bit of a workout.
In other words, this form of “memory triggering” creates a brain game that promotes learning instead of cheating you out of it.
But chances are you can learn to love the Memory Palace technique, and this free course shows you how:
But given the amount of time and hassle it saves in the end, I’m confident you’ll find the front-loaded effort was well worth it.
The important thing is to embrace the setup. It takes different people different amounts of time, but anyone can do it. And the best part is that each and every bit of information you memorize brings you one step closer to God.
Do you feel equipped to memorize the books of the Bible in order? Let me know in the discussion or feel free to enter any questions you have. I’ll chime in a.s.a.p.
How to Think Logically (And Permanently Solve Serious Problems)
Apr 07, 2021
If you want to solve life’s problems with greater ease, you should learn how to think logically, right?
Yes, but not so fast.
You want to make sure you’re using the right kinds of logic for the problems at hand.
For example, you might need a non-classical logic instead of classical logic to approach a particular problem.
You see, logical thinkers do what I’m doing now:
They put the brakes on when they encounter problems and start to spin those problems around.
Why? Because logic itself often involves digging deeper and analyzing different perspectives.
For example, one of the forms of logical thinking you’re about to discover would have you instantly ask…
Is there more than one kind of logic for solving life’s problems quickly? Or can I explore alternatives outside of logic?
A logical thinker might do the same thing to the very idea of a “problem” itself.
This is done by “mentally rotating” the topic at hand and seeing how it might in fact not be a problem at all.
It might be a path to a solution.
How to Think Logically: 9 Ways to Improve Your Logical Thinking Skills
At the end of the day, using the right form of logic is more about the best possible solution than the problem, but we do need to make sure we understand the problem first.
If you’ve listened to Elon Musk talk about first principles thinking, that’s a form of logic he’s using to help humans thrive on distant planets after earth dies. And communicate better here on our precious planet while we still can.
Those are real problems, and the right forms of logic are needed.
The best part?
There are a whole lot more ways to think logically to solve global and personal problems alike, so let’s get started
One: Take A Deep Dive Into Logical Thinking
Improving logical reasoning begins by knowing the types of logic at your disposal.
Exploring the history of logic is well worth your time because it will help you see how humans discovered these principles and refined them over time through practice.
As you’ll soon discover, many cultures have identified and used logical forms such as:
Related to this, you have the difference between what philosopher Elijah Millgram calls theoretical reasoning vs. practical reasoning. The first involves figuring out the facts, the second is the process of determining what courses of action to take based on what is ideally a set of accurate facts.
Now, usually what people who want to think more logically are actually after is the first category, or philosophical logic. This is also called “reasoning” and includes the skills of:
Deduction
Induction
Causal inference
Analogy
Deductive reasoning is what we think of when we think of Sherlock Holmes, who builds his cases by arguing from general principles. He uses these to describe a specific series of events and solve various mysteries.
Inductive reasoning is essentially the reverse of this process. Instead of using general principles to arrive at specifics, you use specific details to generalize. For example, you might notice that I post on this blog almost every week, and use inductive reasoning to logically determine that I am a consistent blogger.
Causal inference helps you understand the scientific reason why and how things change. For example, why are you reading this article? I can logically infer that it is because you want to experience change and become a better thinker.
Analogy or analogical reasoning involves making comparisons based on established examples or models.
For example, we know that nearly every memory champion openly admits that they have normal memory that doesn’t work especially well without using mnemonic devices. By analogy, we can infer that any person with average memory abilities can become a memory champion.
How long should you study logic? I’d suggest at least 90 days so you can get the bird’s eye overview and enough of the granular details.
Logical thinkers always make sure they have a bird’s eye view and the granular details at the same time.
Plus, as you’ll soon discover on this page, there are other fields you can read from to improve your logical thinking.
Two: Understand the Problems You’re Trying to Solve Deeply
Ever taken a quiz and realized you answered before thinking about the question? You could have gotten it correctly, but your impulses took over and you lost precious points.
It’s not that you were being illogical. You just didn’t take the time to fully understand the question, and the reason why you failed to do so might have been logical. For example, from one perspective, in some contexts it might be perfectly logical to rush through an exam if you’re running out of time.
But generally, we want to be sure that we deeply understand the problems we face. That is why Abraham Lincoln famously said:
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
Lincoln is using an analogy here, one in which the “axe” stands in as an analogy. It speaks to spending the time needed to make sure you’re using the right tools for the job. Moreover, you make sure they are in top shape before you use them.
All the more reason to learn more about the different forms of logic. It will put more tools in your tool box and enable you to keep them sharp.
A lot of people struggle to think logically because they don’t understand enough about what words mean.
Logical thinking involves nuance, so the more you know about words and their meanings, the greater mental precision in decision-making you’ll enjoy.
To improve, here’s how to memorize vocabulary. It will help you add more meanings to words and add more definitions to those you already know. Learning word origins and how prefixes and suffixes work will help you too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWz80vWvMU4
On top of learning more about words and their meanings, learning about language and logic will help, such as studying syllogisms and logical fallacies.
Bonus tip:
Go deep and learn as much as you can about fallacies so you really know your stuff. It’s easy to fall into thinking traps if you don’t.
For example, some people like to accuse others of slippery slope fallacy, without realizing that there are actually six kinds of this fallacy.
If you want to think logically, it pays to be thorough. That’s why we’ll focus on thoroughness next.
Four: Read Quickly Without Sacrificing Thoroughness
Improving vocabulary is huge for improving logical thinking, and it will help you read faster.
But to improve your logical skills over time, you need to read thoroughly.
I suggest you read bigger books and more of them, starting with the key textbooks in your field of interest.
By going for the biggest and most authoritative books, you’ll be reading more logically.
Establishing foundations in your mind by reading authoritative textbooks will help you develop pattern recognition. This skill leads to faster use of the logical forms of inference we discussed in the first part of this article.
Five: Listen To Long Form Content
Short form content is causing people to make snap judgments and interrupt people before they’ve heard the full story. Logical thinkers protect themselves by practicing listening for long periods of time.
Not only is it helpful to read longer books, but you’ll learn to think much more logically when you listen to logical people think out loud.
Debates are a great way to do this and the Internet makes it possible to find many of them.
It’s important to pay attention to both sides of the argument, however.
As you listen, practice thinking yourself by mentally rehearsing the evidence you would provide in support of your views. Also think about how you would respond.
Another tip:
Notice the holes in the arguments proposed by the debaters and list out the ways you would fill in the gaps.
And if you want to remember more of what goes on during debates, Memory Palace Mastery is here to help.
Six: Expand Your Competence Using Multiple Media
I’ve just suggested that you experience “thinking out loud” and model it yourself.
But you’ll want to go beyond completing logical exercises in your mind. You should also:
Speak
Write
Analyze
To practice speaking logically, engage in as many discussions as you can about real problems. Sure, there’s a place for talking about movies and sports. But if you want to know how to think more logically, you’ve got to practice it yourself in real time.
Writing is always key for developing logical thinking, so I suggest you keep a journal. This simple practice will help you see your own thinking process and improve it over time.
Combined, you will have many opportunities for self-analysis. If you can record your conversations and look at transcripts of them, all the better.
Seven: Ask Better Questions
A lot of us ask the typical W5 questions and let it rest at that:
Who
What
Where
When
Why
How
But to practice thinking logically, you want to go beyond these questions. Ask in addition to these questions:
According to whom?
According to what precedent?
Where isn’t this true?
When hasn’t this been the case?
Why now?
There are many variations on these questions you can ask, and I cover more along these lines in our community’s post on how to think faster.
Eight: Learn Game Theory
One of the lesser known ways to learn logical thinking is to study games and metagames.
In brief, game theory studies areas of competition where people regularly make decisions. These decisions are influenced by other people in the area and in turn influence others.
By modeling the ways people interact in competitive contexts, you can learn to think more logically and avoid cognitive biases that harm your performance in life.
You’ll enjoy avoiding many problems because game theory helps train your mind to anticipate the possible outcomes of various decisions. By thinking through consequences in advance, you save yourself a lot of trouble.
Note: You can perform game theory on the past as well by thinking through what would have happened had people acted differently. This philosophical approach is called working through the counterfactuals of a historical situation and can be used on your personal life and large groups.
Some people think that game theory has limited value for everyday life, but I don’t think they’re being… logical about that. We all find ourselves in situations where we are influenced to act in certain ways and understanding these pressures will help you respond in much better ways.
Logical exercises like The Monty Hall Problem help you think through what to do when you face choices in life.
Some people squabble over whether it is in fact logical to use this problem in life, but I can attest to its value.
For example, when I see an opportunity to do something different and feel like I want to default to my previous choices, I bring this game theoretical example to mind and remind myself to travel the “path less travelled.”
Is the math on my side?
I think so, because I’ve gone on many adventures that logic dictates could not have happened had I chosen to stick with the same thing.
I didn’t use to like rules. In some ways I still don’t.
But one day I was enjoying dinner with Tony Buzan, memory expert, mind map innovator and co-founder of the World Memory Championships.
I told him about how I sometimes would switch memory systems while under time trials for numbers and playing cards.
He said, “The rules will set you free.”
Tony Buzan with Anthony Metivier and Phil Chambers
This is important because life, as in memory training, often gives us the opportunity to use multiple techniques.
For example, when remembering numbers, we could choose the Dominic System or the Major System, though as I discovered, it doesn’t pay off to switch from one to the other during a time trial.
But by willing to limit ourselves and stick to the “rules” of just one system, we can improve our performance.
This is true in life too, where you can learn certain rules of thumb and stick to them.
In fact, it’s so helpful, it is “illogical” to forget not to use it when making decisions. That’s why I memorized it using a special memory technique called ars combinatoria, something that was very important in the history of how logical thinking developed.
What rules of thumb that help you “limit” yourself to a productive form of thinking and decision making can you adopt?
Thinking Logically Is A Rewarding Process To Enjoy For Life
Have you enjoyed learning these nine ways to improve your logical thinking?
I hope so and hope you will make practicing some of these approaches a personal hobby.
You can easily practice logical thinking while meditating or working with an alternative to logic like Zen.
As a final tip, it would only be logical for me to recommend the opposite of logic.
You see, there are practices like Zen which evolved to help us see and experience the limits of logic. Zen turns language against itself to help us experience mental relief from the problems we think so hard about.
One of the best critical thinking books that situates the topic in the larger realm of computational thinking for both humans and machines is Gödel Escher Bach. For a collection of koans to explore, The Gateless Gate by Mumon is an interesting source.
I mention the opposite of logic not only because it is logical to do so. To fully experience the rewards of logical thinking, you need to be able to step outside of thinking altogether.
Questioning deeply is not enough. We need to question the process of questioning itself as a lifelong learning habit.
So on that note, let the questioning begin. Let me know which of these ways to improve your thinking you’re going to try out and what questions about logic do you still have?
15 Secrets To Expanding Your Mind And Accessing More of Your Brain
Mar 31, 2021
Want to expand your mind?
I sure have enjoying increasing my mental skills and pushing the limits of how much the human brain can learn.
Being the owner of an expanded brain comes with so many benefits too. For example, you can:
You don’t have to be so open-minded that your brains fall out.
After all, there are a lot of sharks out there teaching woo-woo “techniques” directed at the gullible.
But you can learn how to expand your mind based on scientifically valid processes that work quickly.
Let’s dive in.
How To Expand Your Mind: 15 Activities And Tips
The following practices are in no particular order of importance.
Usually they can be mixed and matched for maximum impact (such as juggling while reciting the alphabet backwards.)
One: Juggling With Added Challenges
Hang on, you might be thinking.
Juggling?
Well, yes. It expands your mind for quite a few reasons.
Research shows that it:
Increase connections between the neurons in your brain
Improves vision
Improves memory
Improves oxygen and blood flow or improvement cognition
To get all the research in one highly readable account, check out The Hand: How Its Use Shapes the Brain, Language, and Human Culture by neurologist Frank R. Wilson.
To take your juggling to the next level, include other skills, such as reciting from memory. I share how I learned to do this here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yTiX0JOuNU
To get started, get yourself some suitable balls and make it simple. Add one level of complexity at a time.
When you’re ready to supplement juggling with memorized material, I suggest you start with a song you already know.
Then increase the challenge by reciting new content you’ve only recently memorized. You can also juggle while completing many of these powerful brain exercises.
Practice at least four times a week for best results.
Two: Seek Out Incredible Thinkers
If you want to know how to use more of your brain, you really can just let it rub off on you.
We know that people learn by modeling others, so one of the easiest and fastest activities for stimulating mental expansion is simply to be around great thinkers.
Now, do you really have to be in the same room?
Yes and no. Obviously, listening to podcasts and watching videos of great debates can play a role.
But I’m pretty confident you’ll pick up more thinking skills when you’re together with people who regularly use more of their minds.
To do this, I suggest you create a vision statement. What is it that you want to accomplish or experience in life?
Next, do some research and identify 1-3 key texts on that topic.
For example, when I wanted to learn about consciousness, I quickly came across a book called Gödel Escher Bach.
To find more related books, I simply looked at the list of works cited and picked a couple. This process quickly led me to reading both Spinoza and Hume.
Of course, you’ll find that not every lead proves worth the time in the end. But learning how to separate the wheat from the chaff cannot take place if you don’t encounter a few bad apples along the way.
In other words, bad books also expand your awareness of what doesn’t work too. It’s win-win no matter how you look at it from this perspective.
But to enjoy an expanded mind, reading is not enough.
You have to do philosophy.
There are a few ways to do this.
For one thing, Gilles Deleuze thought that doing philosophy involves the creation of new concepts.
Now, “new” doesn’t necessarily mean “unique” or “original.” There’s also the power of concepts that are “new to you.”
For example, I often come up with my own pet phrases for concepts that have certainly existed before. But because I craft them by interacting with them, they take on a special emphasis.
Nir Eyal presents research from science on how and why this kind of interaction helps people focus and gain traction in life. Ramon Llull, Nietzsche and many other people have promoted this form of self-invention throughout history too.
Seven: Learn Ars Combinatoria (The Art of Combination)
Ars combinatoria is a big topic, but here are the broad strokes:
Basically, you create a Memory Wheel. On this wheel, you place individual letters. These letters represent larger concepts.
For example, if you want to remember how to act in certain situations, you would place letters on your Memory Wheel to remember those actions.
Instead of arguing, for example, you might choose to:
S: Say nothing
T: Take a deep breath
O: Open the dialog with a new question after suggesting a quick
P: Pause
Now, you might be thinking…
Hang on! Learning acronyms sounds like limiting the mind, not expanding it.
I understand the objection, but in this case, nothing could be further from the truth.
Sometimes by limiting ourselves to pre-memorized options, we wind up increasing our options. Then we’re able to learn more and enjoy the benefits of objective reasoning as a result.
It’s a big topic and there are more ways to use this technique for expanding your mind. Learn more about ars combinatoria today.
Eight: Learn Multiple Languages
If you really want to use more of your brain, learning just one other language won’t do.
Teach you the history of how languages evolved historically
Stimulate critical thinking skills thanks to exposure to multiple points of comparison
You’ll also meet many more people you can chat with, and some of them will be the “next level” thinkers we discussed above.
Nine: Learn New Manual Skills
We’ve already talked about juggling. But there’s also:
Musical instruments
Typing
Fencing (swords and yes, building picket fences)
Drawing
Knitting, etc.
You might laugh at knitting, but one of my best friends is an avid knitter. He’s really brilliant and very successful and attributes some of his ability to concentrate and remember conversations to his knitting habit.
I’ve certainly noticed he pays more attention when we speak even though he’s clacking away at a new sweater or scarf.
Ten: Practice Multisensory Visualization
A lot of people visualize, but they make a weird mistake:
They limit visualization to seeing mental pictures.
This habit prevents them from expanding their minds effectively.
Instead, make sure you touch on at least eight of the major multisensory modes. We call them the “Magnetic Modes” in our community.
It can take a while to understand the idea of asking yourself questions. It certainly took me a while.
But it’s very powerful and can help you experience consciousness in a whole new way.
Basically, the tradition is very old and appears in everything from Advaita Vedanta and Zen to hermeticism and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I believe it has stood the test of time because it is an incredibly powerful cognitive activity.
My favorite questions are:
How do my thoughts behave?
Are my thoughts useful?
What value do my thoughts have?
Who is having this thought?
Where is this thought taking place in my mind?
There are many more and the core idea is that they offer a “pattern interrupt.” Instead of being constantly lost in thought, you manage to experience the consciousness that your thoughts arise in.
This leads to experiences of tremendous mental freedom, as I shared in this TEDx Talk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
Twelve: Macro and Micro Travel
The more places you see, the more references you’ll have to locations, people and experiences.
This is true at multiple levels of travel:
Other countries
Other cities and states or provinces
Other parts of your city
No matter what’s going on, you can always take a walk to a part of the area you live in to expand your mental model of the world.
Thirteen: Journal
Keeping a journal has been proven to improve memory and expand your experience of time. (See Richard Wiseman’s 59 Seconds for the research data.)
You can journal in a number of ways at the same time, including:
The more you practice different styles of journaling, the more you’ll find the space in your mind expanding.
Fourteen: Practice Empathy
Next time you’re meditating, try this simple exercise:
As you recite the alphabet from A-Z, think of people you know and embrace them with love in your heart.
For example:
A – Adam
B – Bonnie
C – Carl
Etc.
Within just a few moments, you will have created positive emotions for multiple people.
Here’s another exercise:
The next time someone annoys you at the grocery store or when you’re backed up in traffic, catch yourself. Hold the person who has irritated you in your heart and forgive them.
You’ll have more space in your mind for better quality thoughts this way.
Fifteen: Explore Your Dislikes
For awhile, klezmer was not exactly the kind of music I liked.
However, to improve the quality of my mind, I took it upon myself to dive deep into several genres of music I normally avoided.
I’m still not a huge fan, but as with embracing those we don’t like in our environment, spending some time with material you normally dismiss gives you more perspective.
The best part?
It makes you appreciate the things you do like a lot more.
How To Use More Of Your Brain Habitually
There are many more activities you’ll come up with along your personal journey of mental improvement. And I hope you’ll share your updates along the way.
To make sure that these strategies become habitual, schedule the activities in a calendar and show up.
Plan to explore each for at least 90 days at a rate of at least four times per week. If you can get more sessions in, all the better.
This approach works because your brain forms neuronal connections through repetition.
So what do you say? Are you ready to expand your brain’s capacity?
Dive in and keep us posted on your progress. I’ll be right there with you!
Positive Visualization: 7 Substantial Techniques For Lasting Success
Mar 10, 2021
If you want to experience incredible transformations leading to substantial accomplishments, positive visualization can help.
You just have to make sure you make them multi-sensory and based on one simple quirk no one else talks about.
The best part is that this form of visualization is really simple and fun to do.
Are you ready?
Dive in and please enjoy this actionable list of easy steps and positive visualization exercises.
What Is Positive Visualization?
During the weeks leading up to my dissertation defense, instead of feeling my palms sweat and my knees shake, I visualized.
To make sure the practice was positive, I built in the proper outcomes based on a secret ingredient you’ll learn today. That ingredient is called multi-sensory visualization and it is very powerful.
I added breathing and muscle relaxation to ensure I was really present.
How?
Getting really tuned in with my body.
That means consciously feeling my feet on the floor. It means following the passage of air in and out of my lungs. And it means mentally noticing that the experience of having thoughts is itself physical.
All the worry and the strain could be dispelled simply by acknowledging it was there and directing oxygen at dispelling it.
Then, while going through the grueling rigors of the exam, I kept focused on my body. And as I answered questions, I positively imagined getting my degree.
I didn’t just “see” this happening in my mind.
No, I made it multi-sensory by hearing the sounds of clapping from the audience attending my exam.
I felt the handshakes.
I experienced an imaginary version of the emotions that come from success.
I even tasted and smelled the celebration sushi dinner we planned for after the exam.
To give a simple formula:
Body + multi-sensory imagery + a focus on positive outcomes = Mindcrafting.
Here’s the best part:
When you have a positive experience, you can craft it as a tool for use later.
For example, I have revisited the experience of successfully earning my PhD on that day many times.
To do so, I put it in a Memory Palace. That way it has continued to grow in effectiveness over the years whenever I need positivity on demand.
In case you’re wondering, this positive visualization practice is scientifically valid. Here’s just one of many excellent studies by Dr. Tim Dalgleish on using a Memory Palace for positive visualization.
Positive Visualization: A Working Definition
You now know that this form of visualization is powerful and can be reused many times. It is also defined as:
A pleasant alternative to “monkey mind” thinking that wears you down with stress
A multi-sensory experience
A mental experience that incorporates the entire body
An imaginary event that is used before, during and after a goal
A process-based resource that you can benefit from on demand
7 Positive Visualization Techniques And Exercises
As you can guess by the fact that I’m sharing this information, I successfully passed my final exam and was awarded my PhD.
Here is a list of the different visualization meditation routines I use personally. They are all science-based and will serve as a starting point for you to build your own “stack” of visualization tools.
Again, please understand that the core technique I have been using improves mood and has been successful in helping people with mood disorders, PTSD and more.
That core technique is called the Memory Palace and is well worth learning. But before we dig into it, let’s start with some fundamentals of visualization so you can make sure you do it in a way that is actually positive in nature. This aspect can be a bit counterintuitive, so the granular details really matter.
One: Focus Your Visualization Exercises On Practical Outcomes
As Richard Wiseman notes in 59 Seconds, many people who visualize slow or ruin their progress.
How?
They set impossible goals.
You can definitely visualize yourself getting fit, but there are more appropriate parts of the process to focus on. And you want to make sure that the outcome is actually achievable in your personal context.
For example, a person with a particular skeletal shape might never be built like Schwarzenegger.
Yet, some will persist in creating such impossible visualizations instead of focusing on seeing themselves getting their shoes on and going out for a run.
Likewise, a person who has not made a dollar in their life as a business person is spinning their wheels visualizing themselves as a billionaire, let alone a millionaire.
It’s much more practical and therefore useful to direct visualization at learning how to make that first sale instead. That you can visualize the next most logical step in the process of reaching your goal.
Here’s another way to look at it, and this is the secret ingredient that matters most:
You want to base your visualization practice on your existing competence.
As psychologist Jordan Peterson lays out in Maps of Meaning, your path to learning and experiencing more success is secured if you take what you’re already good at and focus on the next step forward.
Basing your visualizations on existing competence is critical to ensuring you can take the next steps forward with success.
This point is important because you have in memory the skills that it took to get where you are now. You visualize what they are and then you imagine just the next step.
Of course, that next step can be optimized, so let’s talk about how next.
Two: Visualize Milestones Supported By Systems
Now that you know what not to visualize (impossible goals), let’s make sure that when you break down what you’re going to visualize, you have the support you need.
Few goals involve any kind of direct path. Most things worth achieving require you to successfully bring together multiple moving parts.
To visualize in ways that help you keep the big picture and the granular details in mind at the same time, it’s important to break goals down into milestones.
For example, when I wrote my dissertation, 100,000 words was an overwhelming number. Visualizing a printout the size of a phonebook did not help me.
Positive visualization is helpful even for massive projects like writing a book.
However, what did help was visualizing myself organizing my outline, then writing 1000 words a day.
I also visualized myself following a simple writing system. If I put my computer to sleep, I would have the document I was working on open so the next time I logged on, it would be the first thing I saw.
Then I started following that system. (By writing this post, I’m following it now too.)
To help myself even further with that massive document, I recorded a simple guided visualization for myself. This quick recording focused on the feeling of accomplishment of both doing the writing and having finished the project.
Whatever goals you are trying to visualize, break it down into smaller parts. And focus on creating and then following simple systems. That way you don’t need to wait for motivation.
Instead, you just follow the steps involved in the system. And you’ll know those steps very well thanks to the power of visualization.
Three: Make Sure Your Visualization Experience Is Multi-sensory
It’s a quirk of the English language that we say “visualization.” What we really mean is multi-sensory imagination.
It can take some practice, but multisensory visualization is important for creating lasting transformation.
For example, when I visualize myself writing the millions of words I’ve produced across my career, “seeing” the action in my mind is barely part of the process. There are even people with aphantasia who can’t see images at all.
Instead, I focus on the feeling of the keys as I type. I hear how it all sounds and enjoy the taste of my favorite teas.
The deeper into all of your sensations you can go, the more you’ll get out of the experience. It is truly inspiring and helps you notice more of the nuances involved in so many pleasures we usually dismiss.
Four: Make Sure Your Positive Visualizations Are Actually Positive
A big problem a lot of people have is they disguise negativity in their visualization efforts.
For example, some people will follow a visualization script that says, “I get a raise and the promotion I finally deserve.”
It’s important to test your visualizations because it’s easy to think you’re being positive when you’re actually still stuck in negativity.
This kind of visualization encodes negativity because it implies entitlement. You might well “deserve” it, but nothing in this example visualization follows the rules we’ve laid out above.
An alternative would be a multisensory visualization that focuses on existing competence and systems that lead toward getting a raise. For example:
I feel great as I prepare my notes for the meeting with my boss. I enjoy listing the positive boosts in revenue I’ve generated for the company and specifically connecting them to the evidence of my contributions. I remember to explain my plans for improving myself further by mentioning the new professional certification courses I’ve joined and am completing in my free time.
Notice how the goal of getting the raise remains, but the emphasis is on the performance in the meeting. The focus is on the positive demonstration of why the raise makes sense, not why the visualizer is entitled to it.
Five: Script Your Visualizations
The best way to make sure your visualizations are in fact positive is to write them out.
Sure, it would be nice if someone knew you well enough to tailor-make a visualization for you.
But that’s not realistic, and you gain so much by doing it yourself.
Just as you’ll want to visit a tailor for clothes that truly fit properly, it’s important to script your visualization routines so they work for your unique circumstances.
For one thing, writing your own visualizations is itself an immersive positive visualization exercise. By putting what you want to create into writing, you externalize it, which gives it more dimensions as it grows in your imagination.
And the writing process helps you “stress test” that what you want is actually true and as positive as it should be.
Six: Choose The Right Time And Settings
When it comes time to practice the visualization itself, make sure you’re comfortable and won’t be disturbed.
I suggest a variety of locations, both in your home and in outdoor environments.
Why?
It’s important to have fresh air, greenery and a bit of exercise to stimulate what is called “diffuse thinking.” This is what leads to those eureka moments where even more dots connect.
People often give up too soon. Please don’t fall into that trap.
Seven: Visualize Frequently Enough To Make A Difference
The main problem I see with people who aren’t getting results from visualization is that they give up too soon.
Or they don’t practice frequently enough to really learn the nuances you’ve discovered today.
After all, we know that reading is not enough. You have to practice the right visualization exercises and you need to do so consistently.
The question is… how do you rig the game and expand your mind sufficiently enough that you cannot fail?
There’s no cookie cutter answer here, but I do have some tips:
Have a big enough “reason why” and test that reason (writing your visualization of the reason is a good place to start)
That might seem like a lot of practice, but in the grand scheme of things, it is nothing. You’re going to live those 90 days anyway, and the neurochemistry of habit formation shows how repetition is key.
Habit formation is really just a process of mindcrafting the neurons in your brain. Once this is done, you’ll find you just show up to the practice of positive visualization automatically.
Without getting too deep into the science of neurons and dopamine, I “visualize” it like gardening:
You have cellular connections in your brain that are like vines. (Vines are positive habits.)
The strength of those vines comes down to your consistency in showing up to water them and clear away the weeds.
More weeds are always coming and water, if not fertilizer will always be needed.
Be consistent with your visualization activities and you will improve how you’re doing it and experience more successful outcomes.
The Ultimate Truth About Positive Visualization Exercises
In a phrase:
They work, if you do the work.
The good news is that this “work” is easy and fun.
But if you struggle, you now have powerful guidelines that can get you over the hurdle.
And if you find it hard to remember when and how to visualize, or you want to recite potentially dozens of positive visualization routines from memory, here is my FREE memory training course:
So what do you say?
Are you ready to dive in and visualize with renewed success? Which of these tips are you going to explore first?
Harry Kahne’s Multiple Mentality Course: An In-Depth Review
Mar 03, 2021
How would your life improve if you could perform six mental operations at the same time?
Do you think it would help you tap into more of your brain power?
Harry Kahne certainly did.
And he proved it many times, often by writing out quotes from books in both hands while talking to his audience about other topics.
The strangest part?
He claimed his mind was perfectly average. He told thousands of people around the world that anyone could perform multiple operations at the same time.
I agree, and here is why:
I’ve been practicing exercises from Harry Kahne’s Multiple Mentality Course for years. Although I can’t perform many of his impressive students, here are a few benefits I’ve experienced along the way:
Sharper thinking
More free time
Improved numeracy
Better memory
Useful mental connections
Enhanced abilities with memory techniques.
Of course, I’m not practicing these techniques to deliver stunt performances… the odd time I might recite the alphabet backwards while juggling:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGEuP-ls5hA
The real reason I perform demonstrations is to aid my research into how to use memory techniques better. I’m also constantly crafting new brain exercises so others can experience mental sharpness that lasts.
Why?
For one thing, there’s a lot of warnings out there against multitasking out there – most of them very good.
Normally, we’re told to avoid multitasking. But is this always a good thing?
But when it comes to using mnemonic devices to memorize, say, all the names in a packed room, we definitely need to multitask in our minds.
Directing multiple mentality at our use of memory techniques seems to me the finest possible use.
So let’s dive deeper into who Harry Kahne was and what multiple mentality is all about.
Who Was Harry Kahne?
Harry Kahne proved that multitasking is indeed possible.
He demonstrated this by performing demonstrations where he would write upside down with one hand, backwards with the other, all while reciting poetry.
Harry Kahne solving a crossword puzzle upside down and backwards while reciting memorized information.
Or, he might solve complex calculations with his feet while speaking to his audience as his hands wrote out newspaper headlines from memory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ2S6dExuHA
Born in 1894, Kahne said that he started practicing multiple mentality during school. His teachers kept catching him daydreaming, so he devised a way to read his school books and daydream at the same time.
Clever!
Derren Brown
By the time the 1920s rolled around, Kahne was touring as The Incomparable Mentalist.
I don’t know if Harry Loryane ever saw Kahne demonstrate his skills, but certainly these kinds of performances were common on the vaudeville circuit at that time. These days, Kahne’s work looks more like what we see from mentalist Derren Brown.
To help other people learn how to perform several operations at once, he explained how others can practice the same “mental gymnastics” he used to develop his skills.
Multiple Mentality Course Review
Hopping into a time machine to attend a live lecture with Kahne is sadly not possible (yet).
But we can find a PDF or webpage version of his teaching, and it is incredibly helpful.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
One: Why People Fail To Exercise Their Minds
Kahne feels that schools focus more on socializing individuals than it teaches them to think. He also points to modern comforts as a source of weakening the mind, citing earlier survival requirements as being essential to better thinking.
Although I think Kahne is right that needing to hunt, farm, build shelter and raise a family without the luxuries of contemporary medicine required more thinking, I don’t quite agree.
For one thing, those skills have very little to do with writing poetry in reverse with your hands while verbally solving math problems.
Also, we have the problem that the very reason we have so many luxuries comes from masses of people who have developed improved thinking skills. Kahne’s historical fallacy in this regard suggests that his objective reasoning might not have been as improved by multiple mentality as he claims.
Nonetheless, Kahne is correct that all of us need “warming up” when it comes to using our mental abilities better. In fact, this point shows up in creativity studies.
Just like your body needs warming up before exercising, your brain needs it too.
For example, Dr. Robert Epstein is a leading authority on creativity. In numerous articles, many gathered in his book, Cognition, Creativity, and Behavior, Epstein shows how a quick warmup improves creativity, focus and attention while engaged in more complex tasks.
This is why I like to quickly memorize a deck of cards or juggle while reciting the alphabet backwards before sitting down to do any writing or language learning.
Two: Alphabet Exercises
Kahne explains that these are the most important aspects of his training. Having practiced them myself, I can see why.
First, he asks you to write out the alphabet backwards… from memory. Unfortunately, he doesn’t teach you how to memorize it in reverse order, and gives the bad advice that you should write it out 50 times to learn it.
That’s too much work! So to reduce all of that unnecessary repetition, I teach you how to memorize it backwards in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
In addition to working with the alphabet in reverse order, Kahne asks you to:
Pair the alphabet’s extreme ends by mentally reciting them, i.e. A-Z, B-Y, C-X, etc.
Start at the center of the alphabet and pair them in reverse order
I would also suggest that you learn the number of each alphabet letter. You can rapidly do this by using the pegword method and a Memory Palace.
Three: Writing and Verbal Exercises
Starting with 3-letter words, Kahne asks you to write one word while spelling another out loud.
For example, as you write S-K-Y to spell “sky,” you would spell pen, i.e. P-E-N.
It’s actually trickier than it seems – give it a try!
Next, work on writing one word forwards while verbally spelling it backwards. Then, write a different word backwards while verbally spelling it forward.
From there, move on to 4-letter words and beyond.
There are many ways to increase the challenge of Kahne’s multiple mentality exercises. For example, you can visualize other things while performing them.
For an additional challenge, try visualizing something completely different. For example, as you’re spelling “tree” and writing “cart,” imagine a tent.
Four: Write Words From Memory
Kahne asks you to find forty words and write them on paper.
Then he asks you to crumple the paper up and write all those words again on a fresh piece of paper.
I think he’s quite misguided in asking you to repeat this 25 times or more. You could just learn how to memorize vocabulary and get the list correct the first time.
For a great word generator, I suggest the IAM memory training website. It generates words, numbers and other memory competition-related material for you. It also lets you test your results.
Or you can just grab a deck of cards and memorize those.
Memorizing playing cards is a powerful form of brain exercise that uses multiple parts of your mind.
Five: Recite Poetry While Writing Your Name And Address
Now we’re talking!
Although Kahne gives no instructions on how to memorize poetry, this is a great exercise.
As Kahne points out, however, your address is going to be rather easy.
To increase the difficulty, recite a poem while writing out the address of a friend.
Six: Word Recombination
Next, Kahne suggests that you take the 4-letter words you memorized and start recombining them.
For example, if you memorized fish and cart, you would spell something like “fictrash.”
Or, if you intermingle them in order, it would be one letter from each word interleaved:
F-C-I-A-S-R-H-T
It’s actually REALLY hard to do correctly, and typing presents a different kind of challenge. You can think of it as the mental version of preparing your fishing line.
This particular brain exercise is kind of like preparing fishing line in your mind.
Kahne suggests you spend 20 minutes daily on intermingling the letters of words.
The only change to this exercise I would suggest is that you quickly do this after memorizing vocabulary from the IAM lists. And I’m not convinced you need to spend quite so much time on the exercise. Probably 5 minutes will do.
Seven: Intermingle Entire Texts
There are many more exercises in the Multiple Mentality Course. I’d be robbing you of the opportunity to discover them for yourself when you read it.
But to skip to the kingpin of them all, imagine memorizing three verbatim texts, say a poem, a speech and a list of 3-digit numbers.
As you recite the memorized speech, you write the poem with your left hand and the digits with your right hand.
How will you get there?
Practice with just writing first.
For example, write the first word of the speech, then the first word of the poem, then the first string of digits. Carry on from there, alternating as you go through all three pieces of information, unit by unit.
Will Multiple Mentality Really Help You?
Ultimately, I cannot say.
But practicing these skills has been noticeably beneficial to me because I suffer from brain fog if I don’t get enough mental exercise.
Plus, I have so much chronic pain to deal with, I need the mental strength these activities bring in order to cope.
And all the more so, given that I myself have to memorize speeches and deliver them well.
Even if some of the ways I use these exercises are not as elaborate as Harry Kahne’s demonstrations, given all the challenges I face, I need all the mental robustness I can get. And these activities deliver.
Taking on challenges is key to mental growth throughout life.
The real reason I think these exercises work is simple:
They promote cognitive switching, which is known to help people establish mental flexibility
They improve memory because you are exercising it
They expand hand-eye coordination because you are writing in challenging ways
They exercise verbal memory because you are reciting information in a novel format
Beyond that, they get you working with information in ways we’re not used to doing. This simple “out of your comfort zone” stretching provides mental dexterity we wouldn’t have otherwise.
And if you think about it, the other ways of developing such skills of the mind are very similar:
Reading a lot, drawing from your memory frequently, combining ideas in different ways.
Those things are draining, however.
That’s why using Kahne’s exercises as warmups has helped me do all the things I do, both in memory and running this site. Think about how many years I’ve been juggling the MMM Podcast, Blog, YouTube channel and the courses – talk about multitasking!
All that said, here are my main concerns:
Kahne’s social criticisms are obviously not correct. It’s also strange to me that Kahne doesn’t teach mnemonics.
But that’s okay. It gives me the opportunity to fill in the gap through a free course I invite you to sign up for now.
When you add memory techniques to the exercises we’ve talked about today, I’m sure you’ll find all of Kahne’s exercises beneficial.
In fact, I’m not sure I would have been able to use ars combinatoria without having practiced them first. And that skill has been very beneficial to me indeed.
What other mental exercises do you know that exercise multiple mentality?
11 Benefits of Critical Thinking That Rapidly Improve Your Life
Feb 24, 2021
Can you guess how many benefits of critical thinking you’ll enjoy along your journey of mental mastery?
The number is huge and here’s why:
The value of learning to think critically compounds over time.
In fact, the more you practice, the more positive outcomes you’ll experience.
So let’s dive into these benefits and point out some tips that you probably haven’t applied before.
I asked a question to demonstrate the first major benefit.
Asking and knowing why something matters helps you:
Place it in context
Learn about its history
Unpack and analyze its parts
For example, we know that human civilization only really starts going when people started to think.
And that probably only became possible because our ancestors discovered how to irrigate land for farming.
Although human history is obviously more complex than that, it’s also pretty simple: If you don’t have to spend all your time hunting and foraging for food, you can rest and think more.
The more you can rest and think, the more you can think about maximizing your free time, which is ultimately what gave rise to the Internet we’re using to communicate with each other now.
This means that more free time and better communication between people make critical thinking so important.
Why?
Because the better you get at thinking critically, the more free time and better communication you will enjoy.
I expand more on the reasons why critical thinking is so valuable and has been personally useful for me in this video tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS7BZgAXSBc
11 Incredible Benefits Of Critical Thinking
The following list of the benefits you can expect from thinking more critically are in no particular order of importance.
But that doesn’t mean they can’t be ordered. You can benefit a great deal by thinking through which of these benefits you feel are the most important. Use ordering as a means of practicing your objective reasoning skills.
One: Critical Thinking Gives You Practice In Multiple Disciplines
Want to be able to think faster?
Use “mental rotation.”
When I was in university, and even to this day, I used this critical thinking skill.
Here’s how it works:
Let’s say you are given a problem to solve, such as inner city poverty.
It’s a huge benefit when you can look at the problem from several perspectives, rather than just one. For example, you can mentally rotate through:
Political perspectives
Psychological perspectives
Biological perspectives
Ethnographic perspectives
Historical perspectives
Economic perspectives
Ethical perspectives
Etc.
The critical thinking benefits of “rotating” through these perspectives happen because they exercise your thinking skills. As your perspective grows, you can spot more possible options for the next benefit.
Think of “mental rotation” like a moving windmill of possible mental models you can move through while enjoying the benefits of critical thinking.
Two: Avoid Unnecessary Problems
The more perspectives you have, the more models you can mentally navigate. These models (like the ones listed above) help you imagine different outcomes.
Essentially, you enable yourself to create multiple versions of the W.R.A.P. technique taught in the training on ars combinatoria, an early critical thinking tool you might want to explore. It’s just one of several critical thinking strategies you’ll want to learn.
Of course, not all problems are avoidable, and it would not be appropriate to think critical thinking will create some kind of friction free paradise.
But although some decisions will always create new issues, you can seriously reduce the negative impact of those decisions in advance simply by thinking things through with the widest variety of mental tools you can find.
Three: Brain Exercise
You get brain exercise from critical thinking for a few reasons.
When you shift through multiple perspectives, you’ll be promoting cognitive switching. Research shows that this mental movement is the healthy equivalent of walking for your heart and lungs. Only in this case, the benefits are directed at your brain.
In this case, you’ll be getting even more benefits thanks to how critical thinking gets used in conversations. For example, a fit brain is much more likely to use objective reasoning and avoid the traps of subjective reasoning.
Now, we’ve talked about how critical thinking was used to help entire societies expand their free time. This works at the individual level too.
For example, if you run an online business and want more free time, nothing will help you faster than applying critical thinking skills to how you can release yourself from certain tasks.
If you’re a student, you can learn techniques like interleaving, just one way of several authentic ways to read faster.
But, if you don’t have critical thinking skills to help cut through the rubbish and pseudoscience out there, you could wind up losing time instead of gaining it.
Five: Communication And Your Use Of Language Improves
Conversations become so much more beneficial when you can use multiple forms of critical thinking in real time.
New words directly lead to improved language abilities.
Plus, you’ll gain a sense of which kinds of words and phrases to use in which contexts.
Linking thinking with better use of language has always been part of the memory tradition we discuss on this blog. It goes back at least as far as 90 BCE where it was codified in Rhetorica ad Herennium.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3rtsx8mvYU
Six: Scientific Living Improves Health
When you use your mind well, you’ll be able to make much better decisions related to your health.
For one thing, instead of always taking your doctor’s word for it, you’ll learn to understand the math behind their decisions and decide just how much it applies to you.
This relates to the use of language as well. For example, how many people know that “doctor” is the Latin word for “teacher.”
Using critical thinking can help you correctly assess the roles of people in your life, such as knowing that “doctor” means “teacher.”
If you start to think about your own medical professionals in this light and treat them as the starting point for educating yourself, you’ll probably make much better health decisions.
Plus, when you know word origins like this, an important skill for critical thinkers, you’re able to think faster on your feet.
That is very beneficial for our text major set of benefits:
Seven: Catch Yourself In Conversations
How many times have you found yourself in a loop of self punishment after saying something you regretted?
According to psychoanalysts like Robert Langs and Robert Haskell, we “encode” unconscious ideas in how we speak.
Now, some critics think these thinkers were reaching after hidden meanings that aren’t there. Although it is true that some of the evidence presented by both is questionable, at least in Langs’ case, he was protecting the identities of his clients.
I feel that Langs has compelling ideas and one of the issues he faces is simply that his theory attempts to account for criticisms leveled at it. As a result, there is a history of people going on the attack rather than having a decent conversation about the topic.
And that’s said because if Langs is even remotely correct, we could all stand to reduce a lot of unnecessary problems from our lives by holding our tongues in advance, rather than feeling badly about the innuendo encoded in our speech later.
Eight: Intellectual Honesty Increases
I give the Langs example because the contemporary world is filled with bad actors willing to criticize theories or ideas they haven’t fully explored or tried.
That leads to intellectual dishonesty and it harms many people.
But if you’re willing to admit that you haven’t looked at something enough to think critically about it, you do everyone a favor. You also save yourself a huge amount of time and energy because you don’t have to backtrack, watch your back or have part of your brain monitoring the environment for threats created by a lack of integrity.
Nine: Critical Thinking Promotes Independence
People who fail to acquire the advantages of critical thinking never experience as much independence as they could.
Obviously, we always want to consult others. That need is never going to go out of fashion.
But there are many situations in life where we simply don’t have the luxury of getting a second opinion. And when that happens, we want to be able to rely upon ourselves.
The problem is… what if you can’t remember how to use the tools of critical thinking?
Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. Or at least, I’ll do my best as you complete this free course:
Once you can remember the critical thinking tools and perspectives you’d added to your mental toolkit, you can use the same Memory Palace technique to train yourself to use them almost on autopilot.
Ten: Better Career
Who enjoys the best jobs on the market?
The people who can think on their feet and consistently make great decisions.
Not only that, but they’re able to accomplish other lifestyle goals a lot faster because they have great careers.
Think about it. When you have a great job, you’ll enjoy:
Better salary
Gold standard health insurance
Retirement packages
Company perks like travel expenses and a car
Nicer offices to work in
Closer access to higher level colleagues
The pleasures of contributing more, etc.
Eleven: Everyone Becomes A Better Citizen Of Planet Earth
Of course, you don’t have to be (or even want to be) a top level employee or executive manager.
Improved critical thinking benefits everyone. Think of our entire planet as “Team Together” and make sure you bring your best game.
You can enjoy the benefits of contributing to your fellow humans no matter what roles you choose in life.
Merely by learning the importance of critical thinking and applying it in daily life, you will be helping other people.
As someone who taught critical thinking as a professor for several years, here are my best suggestions:
Ask Questions Relentlessly
Merely by asking questions, you will exercise your critical thinking faculties.
I actually use a simple model I teach in this tutorial on using a Memory Wheel. It’s based on a questioning model introduced by the philosopher and memory expert Giordano Bruno during the Renaissance.
You literally string the most important questions up on a wheel you create in your mind and rotate through them. It’s a lot of fun and will help you think through things critically in a structured manner.
You can also practice Socratic questioning, which is used to help you explore the logic underlying how other people think and make decisions.
Whatever method you choose, question everything. It’s one of the best critical thinking strategies I know.
Stay Curious At All Costs
Did you know that researchers have found that curiosity tends to go down as we age? This study suggests that curiosity shrinks as we age because we tend to need to conserve our energy compared to when we’re younger.
Although that might be a natural process, it doesn’t mean you can’t manually cause yourself to continue being curious.
I’ve had to attend to this issue myself. First, I worked on my mental strength using these strategies. That way, I became less likely to cave into pre-judging things instead of approaching them with maximum curiosity.
And because critical thinking is so important, I completed various learning projects that were somewhat against my inclination. For example, as I shared in my TEDx Talk, I used to be a militant atheist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
To make good on the mental strength tactics that helped me remain open to various other forms of thinking, I memorized some scripture and even a bunch of Sanskrit phrases.
I really can’t exaggerate the value of having opened my mind in this way. My only wish is that I’d gotten started sooner. I’m confident that will be your wish too when you work on improving your openness and curiosity.
Get Familiar With Your Biases
Unfortunately, all humans are biased. In fact, there are memory biases that can contribute to being close-minded and lacking in curiosity.
To combat these, everything starts with educating yourself about bias. Then, commit to change, or at least keep an eye out for how they might be shaping your behavior. If you can spot them, you can think critically about them.
Practice Active Listening
In our world of shattered attention, it’s easy to engage in conversations without actually listening to what people are saying.
That’s a shame, because this study shows how easily people perceive when you’re not listening to them. That will condition the kinds of answers they give you during conversations.
To improve in this area myself, I started repeating what people are saying in my mind. This simple action kept me focused without mind wandering. I’ve had much more to think about critically as a result – and much better outcomes from my discussions.
Often we avoid debating one another. However, I believe this is a mistake – it’s not like you have to engage in debate prep to improve your critical thinking while discussing with others.
The key is make sure you keep it friendly. I personally practice letting go of the outcome, which means not wanting or needing to win.
That way, I can enjoy breaking issues down and simply practicing the various angles involved as my friends challenge my assumptions.
Debates are a fantastic way to practice problem-solving too. You just need to pick unsolved problems to debate over so you can think through various ways you might attempt to solve important issues.
How Many More Benefits Of Critical Thinking Do You Want?
As you can probably tell, there’s a fair amount of crossover between these benefits.
And that means you can expect a lot more than eleven benefits as you practice critical thinking in your daily life.
I know because I taught a fourth year Critical Thinking course for several years as a professor.
I saw many students experience all of the benefits on this page and more.
If I were to sum it up in one word, it would be that they flourished.
This means that they were more than happy. They enjoyed an abundance of positive rewards, and all because they took a bit of time to learn how to think better.
So what do you say? Are you ready to start practicing your thinking skills? Let me know in the comments section and together we can contribute so much to the world.
Objective vs. Subjective Reasoning: Everything You Need to Know
Feb 17, 2021
Have you ever made a decision, only to realize you could have been more objective and less emotional?
It happens to people all the time, and that’s usually because they don’t have decision parameters.
In other words, they don’t have systems of thought that help them use objective reasoning.
That’s important, because it’s definitely not something that happens on autopilot.
This point is also important:
It’s not that subjective reasoning or emotional reasoning is bad. Objective reasoning is not some kind of superhero force of good battling the dark forces of subjectivity.
But without placing our subjective experiences and ideas within the context of as much pure objectivity as possible, we rob ourselves of important opportunity.
What opportunity?
The opportunity to harness the power of context. Moreover, we want to enjoy the fullest possible field of context so that we can successfully weigh all of our options before making critical decisions.
What Is Objective Reason? A Working Definition
Objective reason goes beyond decision-making and your overall critical thinking strategy skill stack. Being able to reason objectively also helps you understand history, psychology and many other topics much better.
And when you can reason through any topic using multiple layers of reasoning, you’ll remember more as you understand the contexts at play much better.
When defining objectivity, we need to look at standards of thinking. In other words, we want our definition to include:
Logic
Impartiality and balance
Practical matters
Theoretical matters
Time for deliberation
Psychological biases that interfere with objectivity
Objective reasoning involves a balancing act of several elements, including logic, data and awareness of many cognitive biases.
In a phrase, objective reason is a mental thought process that requires logical consideration of a situation or topic that is informed of the possibility for distortion from subjective bias.
For example, people using objective reasoning will be:
Highly self-aware of their minds
Aware of a variety of tools for analysis
Informed about the role of science and data in making good decisions
Willing to take time for research and deliberation
What Is Subjective Reasoning?
People using subjective reasoning tend to either avoid or not know about the importance of objective tools, theories and the need for scientific data.
Data is a key part of learning to reach reasonable conclusions.
Instead, they rely upon their personal opinions, experiences and tastes. If they think outside of their personal context, they will tend to refer only to other people they know.
For example, they will say, “I don’t know anyone who has had this experience,” and allow that small, personal data set influence their decisions.
By contrast, an objective reasoner will say, “Although I don’t know anyone who has this experience, I’ll do some research to find out what scientific studies exist so I can expand my awareness.”
This form of reasoning is objective because it looks to the external world for information rather than relying solely on the individual’s first-person experience and ideas.
Is Objectivity Even Possible?
Good question.
The answer is yes.
However, we need to realize that the tools of science and data appear in the human brain’s of individuals. This creates the fact that each and every person experiences everything subjectively.
This fact does not mean that we as individuals cannot use objective reasoning to access facts that are true regardless of our subjective opinions and experiences.
We just need to be aware of the fact that we all experience cognitive biases. In fact, we need them to survive.
For example, humans are biased for evolutionary reasons critical to our survival. But in the modern world, researchers like Daniel Khaneman have shown many ways we can avoid some of the traps of subjective reasoning and become objective where it is useful to do so.
Now that we have a working definition of objective reasoning, let’s dive into some tips that will help you use objectivity to make better decisions.
I’ll share even more of my favorite books along the way.
One: Keep Learning About The Differences Between Objective and Subjective Reasoning
Now that you’re here, the journey has just begun. And it’s very important you keep studying this topic.
Here’s why:
It’s nice to learn about things, but that doesn’t mean you will completely understand them, let alone remember the key points.
To really benefit from developing objectivity in ways that will benefit you for life, find books that will teach you:
The history of reasoning
Cultural/geographical differences that influence reasoning (like proxemics)
Philosophical issues
Psychological issues
Decision making books related to specific topics (business, family, health, etc)
It’s a great journey and the more you learn about this topic, the more you can learn about it as your brain makes deeper connections over time.
Two: Practice Objective Reasoning Frequently
On top of educating yourself, the key to making objective decisions well is practice.
The great thing about many objective reasoning tools is how they can be deployed almost anywhere.
Practice involves a few components:
The decision to start
Ongoing analysis of your thought processes
Learning to identify and separate your subjective reasoning impulses
Creating distance and delay between your subjective ideas before making decisions
Analyzing your own subjectivity
Performing needed deliberation and/or research
Stress-testing your conclusions by imagining various outcomes
Making the decision and following up with “postmortem” analysis
I realize this sounds like a lot of steps, but in many situations, it takes just a short while to go through the process.
In fact, during earlier periods of history, people frequently used a mental tool called ars combinatoria to help them with critical decision making.
Three: Use Writing
Writing is a key tool of reasoning.
They say that the pen is mightier than the sword. It seems to help us think better too.
There are a number of ways to use writing to help you make objective decisions. For example, you can:
List the pros/cons of a decision
Create a to-do list for people you can consult
Brainstorm some research resources to search through
Mind map a series of possible outcomes after making a decision
Email yourself a written version of your thought-processes
Four: Discuss Frequently With A Variety Of People
Many people say that you are the average of your five closest friends.
I’m sure there’s some truth to this statement, but I wouldn’t rely on it.
Instead, try to have conversations with as many people as you can, of all ages and all stations of life.
Frequent discussion with people from all walks of life stimulates more reasoning abilities.
This is important because you’ll build your pool of perspectives based on lived experience.
And because there will be a large number of positive and negative experiences, you’ll have a stronger “radar” for what might be better for you. Plus, you’ll have a better sense of what kinds of decisions to avoid.
Remember O.T.E. as one of the most powerful resources you can have: Other People’s Experience.
Five: Talk To Yourself
Eckhart Tolle does a great job of pointing out how we drive ourselves insane with inner dialogue in The Power of Now.
However, that doesn’t mean all dialogue is bad.
Just as writing and speaking with others helps you gain an objective set of perspectives, you can also benefit a great deal by using your inner monologue.
Asking yourself targeted questions leads to better decisions.
I personally like to ask a lot of “if?” questions. For example:
If I make this decision, what will be gained?
If I don’t make this decision, what will be lost?
You can also ask questions that help determine how you are behaving around a situation. For example:
Am I making this decision in order to win?
Am I making this decision in order to avoid a loss?
Sometimes when you frame things in this way, you’ll notice that you may well be trying to avoid a loss, only to notice that the loss is quite small compared to what you could gain.
But without asking yourself such questions, you’ll never know.
Six: Schedule Critical Thinking Sessions
Scheduling time for thinking is key to developing your reasoning skills.
If you want to get sharp at using objective reasoning to make better decisions, you need to practice.
Why wait until you’re forced to make a decision to use your skills?
Every day, you have the opportunity to set aside some time to journal and go over the decisions you face now and in the future.
For example, I like to journal frequently during morning walks. I find a bench and spend 20-30 minutes going over the decisions I’ve either already made or need to make in writing.
Using a journal to contextualize my subjective reasoning and arrive at objective conclusions has helped me make many better decisions in life.
There are many ways to journal during these sessions. You can:
Use pros vs cons lists
Describe possible outcomes
Create to-do lists for completing research and due diligence projects
Mind map
Brainstorm
Test motivations and rationales
The important thing is to create the time and space for deep reflection.
Seven: Create Clarity Around Your Motives and Intentions
We’ve all heard the advice that you need to “know your why.”
However, this statement is a bit misleading and will potentially weaken you.
Is “knowing your why” as important as people make it out to be?
Here’s what I mean:
Is just one “why” really enough?
If you’re making any kind of serious decision, you probably want to have at least five reasons why you’re doing something.
Not only that, but try this alternative reasoning exercise:
List out at least as many reasons “why not.” By completing this step, you create a set of counterarguments that can help you avoid decisions that may prove destructive.
Another way to get great clarity around decisions in an objective way is to use the W.R.A.P. model taught in Decisive by Chip and Dan Heath:
Widen Your Options
Reality test
Attain distance
Prepare to fail
The W.R.A.P. formula is easily remembered and incredibly powerful for elevated decision-making.
This easily remembered formula is very useful for avoiding errors and generating reliable ideas and possible paths to solutions you likely wouldn’t find in any other way.
Eight: Create Benchmarks
Once you have your “why” in order and have applied W.R.A.P. it’s important to set benchmarks.
These are specific milestones on the way towards your goal. They matter because many goals take a long time to reach and need to be broken down into smaller tasks.
Benchmarks also help you make decisions along the way, so it’s useful to schedule in regular periods of review so you can pivot or augment a certain process when and where needed.
Nine: Create Metrics For Measurement
As you make decisions and execute on them, you’ll want to have a means of knowing whether or not you were successful.
It’s often said that you can’t manage what you don’t measure, but I think we need to go a step further.
It’s important to measure results in order to reveal clues for attaining more progress in the future.
We need to become aware of the benefits and potential cons of measurement. For example, we can wind up getting so involved in gathering and analyzing data that we wind up in collector’s fallacy.
So as useful as metrics certainly are for testing the validity of the decisions we’ve made, it’s important to cultivate and maintain an awareness of the potential traps in data. This is one of the core points of The Tyranny of Metrics, which anyone interested in objective thinking would do well to read.
Ten: Explore Other Kinds Of Objective Thinking
In addition to the W.R.A.P. formula, referring to other thinking models is one of my favorite things to do.
For example, the Triz principles have many useful processes that can get you thinking in multiple ways.
Although something like Triz applies to design and engineering, it will still be beneficial. Thinking through such principles, you expand your perspective and can look at your area of expertise with greater objectivity through another lens.
Eleven: Revisit Your Assumptions Frequently
Again, objectivity is something that you experience from within your subjective mind.
This means that no matter how objective you may think you’ve become, your objectivity can still go stale or become corrupted.
One great way to ensure you keep sharp is to develop a regular rereading strategy.
We also change as we age, so it only makes sense to revisit our thinking, ideally by going through the same sources that formed our thought processes in the first place..
Plus, the world is always transforming too.
How To Remember The Steps Involved In Objective Reasoning
Now, you might have noticed the nuance involved in developing reasoning skills that will last for life.
But the good news is that you can remember everything quickly.
To do that, I recommend learning the Memory Palace technique.
With it, you can take something like the W.R.A.P. model and rapidly remember everything.
You can also create a mnemonic calendar to help you remember to show up and practice the skills we’ve talked about today, like journaling.
Anyone Can Develop, Maintain And Improve Their Objective Thinking
It’s just important to understand that the task is never done.
To be truly objective, you not only need to make sure you nurture yourself with multiple viewpoints and learn to be a solid researcher.
You need to continually revisit the process in order to compensate for change.
Your subjectivity won’t go away either, so it’s important to develop the ability to contextualize it amongst the multiple factors that go into being an individual with a sense of self.
Above all, practice making decisions with these tools frequently. Analyze the results of the decisions and allow the data to help guide future choices you make.
None of this should be a chore. Quite the opposite!
Once you have the steps involved honed into habits, it’s all fun, rewarding and helps you live as a better citizen of planet earth.
It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
How to Think Faster & Fix Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making
Feb 02, 2021
If you want to think faster without tripping over sloppy conclusions, here’s the inconvenient truth:
The fastest path to boosting your thinking speed isn’t caffeine, hacks, or watching endless clips.
It’s practicing your memory so that you can recall lots of details on command.
Think about it:
When you can surface the right facts, names, and examples instantly, your brain feels like it’s running at full bandwidth.
I’ve experienced the benefits of thinking at top speeds firsthand.
Before becoming known worldwide as a memory expert and accelerated learning instructor, I spent years teaching critical thinking and Film Studies at the university level.
Later, I took the internet by storm with methods that showed people how to think better – not just faster.
My key discovery?
Thinking speed is a by-product of memory strength and having decision frameworks deeply embedded in your mind.
Using tools like Memory Palaces, priming, and the W.R.A.P. model, you can train your mind to respond quickly and accurately in conversations, exams, and high-stakes decisions.
The good news?
I’m about to share all of those tactics with you today. Let’s dive in.
Ready to learn how to think faster? Let’s get started.
Why Do You Want to Think Faster?
Before we dive into the techniques I’ve got for you today, ask yourself:
Why do I want the ability to think at faster speeds?
Knowing your “why” is important, as is knowing your “why not.”
Seriously.
Before you read any further, pause for 30 seconds and ask yourself:
Do I want to think faster mainly to look clever in front of others?
Or do I need it for performance under pressure (exams, meetings, sports, decision-making)?
When I freeze or feel slow, is it because I lack facts to recall, a framework to lean on, or simply practice time?
If your answers lean toward vanity, you’ll be tempted by shortcuts that backfire.
If your answers lean toward performance, you’re ready for the strategies that follow.
Why?
Because they’re optimized to train you for accuracy and speed as you solve problems and learn new things.
WRAP Your Way to Faster Thinking
Personally, I’ve managed to think faster in an ironic way.
For example, I use thinking models that help me slow down and think more thoroughly.
One of these models is the W.R.A.P. technique.
It “speeds things up” unto itself, but also buys time because fewer errors get made.
I learned about this technique in a book called Decisive. In it, Chip and Dan Heath talk about how to make better decisions, faster and more accurately. In their model, W.R.A.P. stands for:
Widen your options
Reality test
Attain distance
Prepare to fail
Ever since I read the book, I’ve been using the W.R.A.P. formula for many of the things I do in my life.
Now that you have an initial thinking model under your belt, let’s look at some of the factors that might be holding you back. In each case, you can use the W.R.A.P. technique to remove the following factors that might be slowing you down.
9 Factors That Slow Thinking
You’ve decided you want to think faster and more accurately. But what if hidden factors are standing in your way?
Let’s break down nine things that might hold you back from quick thinking.
1. Lack of Preparation
One of the factors that slows down thinking is not understanding how to prime.
But what is priming? In a nutshell, it’s a phenomenon where you respond differently to a stimulus based on how you experienced that stimulus previously. The stimuli are often at least conceptually related.
I listened to a presentation by Damien Patterson when he talked about this amazing way he used to pass exams in school. Then he went on to immediately denigrate his approach by saying, “this isn’t the most scholarly way of doing things.”
I went up to him during a break in his presentation and had a quick conversation with him. I told him he should congratulate himself for doing what speed reading experts call priming.
I made him aware that it was a major industry that teaches people how to read faster — and that’s why he got top grades instead of the more diligent students.
Those other students were fumbling around and not using proper learning skills. They didn’t have the thoroughness of accelerated learning techniques to get their studying done right the first time.
When people don’t prepare properly and invest in accelerated learning techniques (like priming), it slows down their ability to learn. And even for the people who do, another factor that slows their thinking – and the value they get out of the material – is that they aren’t thorough about taking the course.
2. An Overflowing Calendar
How many people do you know who schedule time just to think?
The answer is probably none (or not many). But this is one of the essential factors that will help you think faster.
Let me ask another question: have you had your thinking time today?
This is not a hypothetical question. Have you literally checked off the box on your to-do list that says, “Yes, I did my thinking time.”?
If not, this is a problem. If you want to speed up your thinking – really accelerate it – schedule some thinking time.
At the end of the day, if you’re not making time to think, you’re not going to be able to practice it.
3. Substance Abuse
Much like the engine of a vehicle, the human body is not made to run on junk.
Smoking, drinking, and other types of substance use and abuse will severely slow your thinking. By keeping your body clean and efficient, it’s able to use the fuel you give it.
For example, if you drink, you make the liver work harder to process out the alcohol. And if you smoke, it’s like clogging up the air filters in your car’s engine.
Instead, keep your machine running clean.
4. Mental and Physical Injuries
Similarly, other kinds of injuries also impact your ability to think faster.
Back at the beginning of 2020, I hurt my shoulder. It took me a while to get back to the gym, and while I was working through the injury it impacted my thinking speed.
Harvard Health shared findings showing that “moderate-intensity exercise can help improve your thinking and memory in just six months.” There are both direct and indirect impacts: physiological changes as well as indirect action on the brain itself.
Both physical injury and brain injury can slow thinking. When I developed bursitis in my shoulder, I noticed a dramatic reduction in my memory capacity. I did a podcast interview and made a mistake in one of my memory demonstrations.
Now, this might not seem like a big deal to some of you, but I very rarely make mistakes when it comes to memory. I’m sure it came from the injury because I was very slow and foggy at the time.
Once I could get through physical therapy and get back to the gym, I felt so much sharper. It was like night and day.
5. Behavioral Health Issues
Depression is also a significant contributor to delayed thinking.
Many people who suffer from depression report symptoms of “brain fog” as part of their experience. This cognitive dysfunction can mess with your thinking speed and your reaction time, memory, and executive functioning.
But it’s not just depression that can be an issue. Medications can also slow your thinking, as can normal aging.
6. Poor Nutrition
Think back to the car analogy we used earlier. Proper nutrition is like giving your vehicle the right type of fuel so it can run smoothly.
When you consume too much sugar, dairy, wheat, and other allergens, it’s terrible for your brain and your speed of thinking.
No one diet will work for everyone, so part of your research into how to think faster will involve trying out elimination diets, rotation diets, and just generally experimenting to see what type of foods make you feel (and perform) your best.
I personally cleaned up my dietary act. I got rid of the booze, wheat, sugar, dairy… and my life changed. My brain got so much sharper. So much faster. And my memory improved, too.
I know we can’t make everyone do the same, but I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to convince you why it’s so important.
7. A Lacking Lexicon
This one might surprise you: many people can’t think faster because they don’t have a large enough vocabulary.
When I interviewed Jesse Villalobos – a Magnetic Memory student – on my podcast, he basically said he loves that I use big words because it helps with his thinking.
Coming back to the idea of speed reading, there’s new research debunking it. Studies show that the only way to read faster is to have a more extensive vocabulary and significant knowledge of the field.
But what does M.E.A.T. mean? Here’s how it breaks down:
Meaningless
Edutainment
Absurdly
Thriving
It seems to be thriving a lot more on the internet. Instead of aiming to deepen their knowledge on a subject, people think, “Oh, I just want to look for short videos that are all cut up and spread across a couple of hours, so I don’t have to focus or concentrate or engage with the knowledge.”
Don’t be one of those people.
9. Digital Amnesia
I think the kingpin of all of these factors is digital amnesia.
I can’t tell you how often viewers will tell me they wish I made shorter YouTube videos. But if they took a second to look around, there are plenty of shorter videos on the Magnetic Memory Method YouTube channel.
They’re already showing signs of digital amnesia because if they can’t find short videos from me, then there’s something going on with their field of perception. They’re looking on devices that hide half the content.
And this is not how intelligent people go about studying things. You need the largest possible screen so you have the biggest field of perception possible — this is how to eliminate digital amnesia.
The smaller your field of perception, the less room you have for the seeds of detail that grow into knowledge.
My advice? Get away from the influence of this small device as much as you can. The convenience is killing so many people and ruining their brains. It’s also destroying their ability to see information in context.
It’s Drama Theory 101.
The shorter the content you consume, the more often you have to “turn on the engine.” If you constantly stop and start the engine of content, you end up with cognitive drain.
But what can you do instead? Train yourself to sit and pay attention! Grab your pen and paper, and go through our notetaking training:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U64awMHJkAU
One of the biggest challenges we face in our quest to think faster is the accumulation of the nine factors above.
So instead of letting them slow down your thinking, let’s look at what you can do instead.
Think Fast! 4 Ways to Improve Your Speed
We’ll get more into how to incorporate the W.R.A.P. approach to faster thinking, but first, let’s tackle an important way to make sure everything you’re learning sticks.
1. Implement Immediately
The first thing to do as you’re learning how to think quicker is to speed up your implementation.
One easy way to do this? Immediately after you read this post, put all of the recommended books into your online cart at your favorite book retailer and hit submit.
Why? Because you’ll follow the speed of implementation rule — every minute that goes by where you don’t take action, it gets less and less likely you ever will.
This will guarantee you never think as fast as you want because you’ll never get to the next stage. Instead, speed of implementation is a principle for thinking faster because it helps you make decisions as quickly as you can.
And my strong recommendation is to only read in physical form, especially books that contain any kind of information of substance.
For example, if you see a recommendation from a reliable source telling you what to do to fix a problem, don’t overthink it. Get your priorities straight, and then follow the advice within 5 minutes of getting it.
Then, when the book arrives, read the whole thing right away.
2. Get S.M.A.R.T.E.R.
Earlier in this post, I mentioned my friend Damien Patterson. He believes in L.U.C.K. — which comes from one of his books.
Learn
Using
Correct
Knowledge
And by using this correct knowledge, we get S.M.A.R.T.E.R.
Serious
Mature
Absolutely
Ready
To
Embrace
Reality
The reality is, 6-minute video clips are not going to help you think faster. Instead, they train you to think within a small field — and you cannot expect to think faster if you reduce the field in which thinking happens.
You have to expose yourself to longer forms of content to see “thinking out loud” demonstrated and think along with it.
I get frustrated with so-called education “experts” who praise the “snippetization” of content because it gets more people through to the end of courses. But who cares how much content you get through if it’s eroding your ability to think coherently and consistently across time?
In the real world, you need to demonstrate and capitalize on your ability to focus and concentrate.
If not, reality will smack you, and you’ll hit the ground so hard you don’t know what hit you.
Your brain is rotting every minute. We’re all dying. It’s just a fact of being alive, and recognizing that fact is part of having good critical thinking strategies. And you can accelerate the death of your brain by constantly exposing it to snippets of content.
Or you can increase your attention span by giving your brain longer content to focus on. If you need more ideas than the ones I’m offering in this tutorial, check out my favorite concentration meditations.
3. Exercise Your Brain
To accomplish this increased attention span, you need brain exercise.
One way to get brain exercise is by thinking as correctly as possible — to do the best you can in the moment. Do it regularly, frequently, and in a way that my mentor Tony Buzan would.
He says, “follow the rules and the rules will set you free.”
To me, what it means to be free is to study Frequently with Relevant information that improves your life in a spirit of Experimentation and Entertainment.
That’s where memory techniques come in. Practice frequently with relevant information that isn’t compressed and squished into 6-minute snippets. Find longer content that allows you to think out loud — all in the spirit of implementation (and in an entertaining way).
4. Set Aside “Thinking Time”
No matter what condition you face – be it trauma to the brain or body – thinking must be practiced.
But we all know how busy life can be. How do you set aside time to think, with all the other things you have going on?
Let’s take a look at a few different approaches.
Digital Fasting
You have to actually set time aside, not just think about it or promise to do it. And one great approach for setting aside time to think is to do a digital fast.
There are two kinds of digital fasting:
1. Walkabout Digital Fasting
For this walkabout, you will leave your house with no device whatsoever. Maybe you take a small journal to write in. But the most important thing is to physically separate yourself from technology.
You might go to a cafe or your favorite park. Choose somewhere that you can do nothing but think. You can also choose to bring along a physical book to read during your fast.
You might consider what to think about on your digital fast, or you can allow yourself time to think about other things as well.
The most important thing is to set aside time for U.S.S.R., or Uninterrupted Silent Sustained Reflection.
2. Creating Digital Borders
I used to avoid Instagram completely. But I finally figured out a way to enjoy the platform without getting trapped in it. Here’s how. (You can learn more about this approach in Nir Eyal’s book Indistractable.)
I open Instagram one time per day, or less often. I have a time limit set (there are apps and phone settings that will limit the amount of time you can spend, and I recommend using them) and don’t go beyond it.
I curate my feed so I only see posts about language learning, philosophy from the stoics, and other knowledge-based content.
I go in, I fart around, post what I want to post, and then leave for the day. And the dopamine spike I get from using the platform is more significant than if I was always in there refreshing.
It’s a bigger payoff because I’ve earned it.
This is a weaker form of digital fasting than totally avoiding digital content, but it can help ease you in.
Journaling
I love journaling because it’s a fun way to digital fast.
I really like Yanik Silver’s Cosmic Journal. It’s a beautiful art object that involves randomness exercises within a structure.
Rather than getting your dose of randomness from digital sources, you can get it in a way that’s compelling and directs your thoughts in different ways.
And even if you don’t choose a specific guided journaling practice, just spending time with your thoughts and writing them down is also excellent.
Mind Mapping
Another technique I highly recommend is Tony Buzan’s Radiant Thinking.
I’m still a student of mind mapping myself, but radiant thinking looks like this:
It radiates out of a central image and also radiates internally — and arrows point around from different topics.
Mind mapping is a way to train yourself to think faster, but you need to set time aside to do it. That’s why mind mapping is such a great way to get in your digital fasting time. It’s a win-win.
This past year, I’ve done so much mind mapping that people might think I’m a little weird. I go out with these giant pieces of paper and a big stack of colored pencils. But I don’t care what people think.
Instead, I’m focused on the outcome, not confusing activity with accomplishment. The key is to focus purely on how activity leads to accomplishment, and making sure those activities truly lead to your desired outcomes.
Feynman Technique
Another way to think faster is to learn the Feynman Technique.
This video shows how to apply an advanced version of the technique:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_JJcF1ZVo4
You need to craft the best possible approach that makes sure your activity leads to accomplishment while avoiding the confusion of activity-as-achievement.
Now that you have these four ideas in your head let’s look at how you can create a system that helps you ask better questions.
Questions to Ask for Faster Thinking
As you get deeper into your quest for learning how to process information faster, you’ll want some heavy-duty techniques.
The following will help you create a little system in your head that enables you to ask better contextual questions.
Contextual Awareness
From the time we are young, we’re taught to ask the 5 Ws (and 1 H):
Who
What
Where
When
Why
How
As you learn how to think faster, you should always have these contextual questions in your mind. There’s a little bit more finesse with the “who” part, but some of the others are relatively simple.
Let’s break down two examples, using “what” and “when.”
What?
Ask the following questions:
What is it?
When was it created?
What is its size?
What are its dimensions?
What are its parameters?
What function does it have?
Where was it created?
When?
We don’t just want to ask “When?” but we want to ask “When” in terms of “What is the actual history by which our understanding of it was built?”
So you don’t want just to say, “Well, they built this particular device in 1812.” Instead, you want to go much deeper — you want to think about the story that tells how we know that history.
For example, let’s take the Industrial Revolution.
First, we need to know when it was generally said to come into existence. But we also need to know what the prevailing tendencies were before its inception that enabled it to thrive? What’s the genealogy?
This would also include the key players. If you want to examine the development of schools, you need to look at education for the previous 100 years.
By incorporating the 5 Ws (and 1 H) as you read, as you have discussions, and as you build up your ability to think faster, the questions will help you finesse out what matters.
This will help you ask the best possible questions to think better and faster. It’s not about the conclusion. It’s about the quality of the questions.
Next, let’s examine the other kind of awareness you want to practice.
Benefit Awareness
This type of awareness is like “Who?” plus.
When you’re talking about who created something or who said something, ask yourself, “To what benefit?”
Who gets the benefit? Whom does this serve?
As Michel Foucault stated, the definition of power is the ability to conduct the conduct of others. Or, similarly, William S. Burroughs said, very brilliantly, that control seeks to control control.
When you seek the truth, take a moment to check if someone fought long and hard to make that thing true for their benefit. This is a problem amongst scientists because they sometimes base conclusions upon who benefits — but it’s not a problem with science itself.
That’s because science is a tool. It’s the collection of evidence that either confirms or denies a hypothesis. And it helps us make better hypotheses so we can better confirm or deny our ideas about things.
You always want to understand that many people can’t embrace reality because they’re not smart enough yet. This is why it’s vitally important to be S.M.A.R.T.E.R. (Serious Mature and Ready To Embrace Reality).
Benefit awareness will help you cut through the noise and think faster.
And with enough awareness, you can have the best of both worlds. You can have useful philosophical thinking tools and avoid your own cognitive biases.
If you’re stuck with worry about how people perceive you, then it will be more challenging. But if you’ve got this problem in check, you’re already ahead of the game.
If you need more help, I put together a special audio presentation called “How to Think” that you should enjoy.
Finally, let’s look at nine different recommendations that will help you with quick thinking.
9 Tips to Help You Think Faster
Before we dive in, a word to the wise: using just one of these tips will help you learn how to be a quick thinker, but you’ll get even more out of this post if you start to combine them.
Which one(s) will you choose?
1. Start a long-term thinking project
The first tip is to have both a long-term project and a memory vision statement. Not sure how that vision statement should look? Here’s a video that will help:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFz31HpVkj0
My current long-term project is to understand Hermeticism and memory tradition. I’ve been reading many books as part of the project, including Frances Yates’ book Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition.
For your long-term project, I recommend no fewer than 10 or 15 books on a particular subject.
These learning projects help with thinking faster because the bigger your field of vision and understanding is, the more the seeds of knowledge have room to grow.
To take action on this tip, watch the video above, and create your own learning vision statement.
2. Join a discussion group
The next tip helps you both think out loud and experience thought in action.
Online discussion groups are okay (especially right now), but when it’s safe again, go and meet other people in the real world. You’ll see thinking out loud demonstrated to you and observe your own thinking out loud in the context of the people hearing you.
Coming back to the idea of the short 6-minute videos, you’ll get a small portion of the organic action (where soundwaves manipulate the physical structures of your inner ear) but it’s just not the same as being together with people.
Sitting together and discussing, picking up interrupted conversations, it’s all part of the extended thinking that you must practice to think faster.
I try to be a part of a discussion group once a week, and I notice that my thinking is sharper and my mind is more vivid when I do. It has a lot to do with the chemicals created when our brains are with other brains.
To take action on this tip, find an in-person or online discussion group around your topic of choice.
3. Meditate every day
Meditation is a great way to think faster, especially if you memorize a text and make it part of your meditation. What text you choose is up to you.
I also meditate in silence, but my preference is to meditate by reciting texts (especially verses in Sanskrit).
This is very powerful because your meditation allows you to concentrate for an extended time and in a way that produces semantic and echoic material. The muscle memory in your mouth is now linked together with the production of thought.
Instead of fighting against ideas, allow them. I spent a decade fighting my thoughts, and then I learned how to sit just to sit — it’s so much better to let the ideas that come up just flow.
I’ll often meditate with a journal or a piece of paper. That way, when a thought arises, I can write it down and then let it go.
And I also find that you get much more focus at the beginning of meditating on a particular text. After a while, a text’s focus power tends to wear out a bit.
To combat this, you can either pick up new material or recite the text in a different order each time. When you rotate your texts, everything gets primacy and recency in the serial positioning and helps them not wear out as fast.
To take action on this tip, choose a single short text to recite during daily meditation.
4. Track your dreams
You want to track your dreams. But why?
You’ll focus on whether you can trigger greater awareness of the present moment by remembering your dreams. When you remember your dreams with more accuracy, depth, and volume, it exercises your memory.
You want to be able to 1) remember your dreams, and then 2) increase the depth, duration, and volume of recall, which triggers lucid wakefulness.
As you begin to practice recalling your dreams in a dedicated manner, you’ll start to realize that the distinction between lucid dreaming and dream recall may be suspect. And you may begin to become more aware of when you’re daydreaming.
Being in a fantasy is being in a fantasy, whether you’re awake or asleep.
But is there a difference between sleep dreaming and wakeful dreaming? The distinction is that our wake-time fantasies tend to be a lot more about the past we think happened, an alternate version of the present, or something about the future.
If you start to track your dreams and associate them with your dreams scientifically, you’ll want to learn proper associative thinking with dreaming. You can also begin to examine your dreams to see if and how anxieties may manifest in your dreams.
To take action on this tip, keep a journal beside your bed and make it a point to write down every dream you remember as soon as you wake up.
5. Incorporate diffusion
Another great way to think faster is just to let things go or let them percolate.
Here are some of my favorite approaches to practicing diffusion:
Go for a walk
Practice digital fasting
Take cold and hot showers
Apply your skills in other areas
Take a philosophy course
Write fiction
Cold showers are a great tool to increase your discipline. And by switching over to using your skills differently, you can give your brain a break. If you write a lot about non-fiction topics, take a break by switching over to fiction. Change up your mode.
In all these cases, thinking speeds up because you’re practicing thinking in different ways.
I highly recommend reading Alex Pang’s book Rest, where some of these ideas came from.
To take action on this tip, pick one of the tasks above and practice diffusion independently.
6. Cultivate body awareness
Another tip for thinking faster is to be aware of your body. Charisma on Command has a great YouTube video about how to think 10x faster under pressure that I suggest you watch.
That video includes one great tip about how to send a signal to your body so things slow down and calm down so you can think.
When a lot of people get stressed, they start to clamp up. But this just causes your brain to get paralyzed — if you can relax instead, it will help you think faster (and better).
To take action on this tip, pay attention the next time you get stressed. Do you get tense? If so, take a deep breath and see if you can relax instead.
7. Avoid analysis paralysis
This post has been a fun way to learn how to think better… think, think, think, think. But there’s a trap we need to learn how to avoid.
You don’t want to get into analysis paralysis. That’s what happens when you overthink something and mentally rotate it one thousand ways and never take action.
So how do you get out of analysis paralysis? The first step is to acknowledge the issue, revisit W.R.A.P., and then segment your decisions.
Have you widened your options too much? Have you reality tested for too long? Have you attained too much distance? Do you need to get closer?
And if you find yourself overthinking your Memory Palaces, here’s a video about how to fix it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RJZxn3K1VA
To take action on this tip, give yourself a deadline to make whatever decision is in front of you.
8. Just get started
This tip is sometimes easier said than done. But you have more time than you think — because many people treat time incorrectly. They make it a problem when it could be the solution.
You accrete value over time when you practice thinking (and carve out the time to do so). The value comes when you’re consistent.
To take action on this tip, think F.R.E.E. (frequent practice, relevant thoughts, with experimentation and entertainment).
9. Create the Rhizomatic Effect
Finally, use memory techniques to create what’s called the “Rhizomatic Effect.”
Rhizomes are the roots that run deep and interconnect plants of a similar species. Ideas and memories can be thought of in the same way: interconnected and self-replicating.
When you use everything you learned here today, you will end up with aha moments that just happen. “Aha! This connects with that. And that connects with that.”
Do you think you could think faster if you could connect things in your memory? You bet! You want your thinking to be decentralized so it can spontaneously come up with great ideas all the time, from all over the place.
That’s what a good memory palace network can do for you if you use one and fill it with good stuff.
To take action on this tip, start to practice all the information included in this post. There’s no instant formula for success, but with consistent practice, you’ll begin to have those aha moments.
As Magnetic Memory Method readers know (especially our strategically slow readers), no comprehensive post would be complete without a list of some of my favorite books on the topic.
Book Recommendations
I’ve mentioned each of the books below in this post. Here’s a bit more about each one and why I recommend them as you learn how to think faster.
Decisive — Chip & Dan Heath
I mentioned earlier that this book is where I learned the W.R.A.P. model (Widen your options, Reality test, Attain distance, and Prepare to fail).
This book will help you make better, faster, and more accurate decisions. Remember, it’s a model I’ve used ever since I read the book.
As the authors say, “Decisive offers fresh strategies and practical tools enabling us to make better choices. Because the right decision, at the right moment, can make all the difference.”
If you would like to know more about controlling your attention and choosing the things that are going on in your life, get yourself a copy of this book.
It’s a quick and fun read, as well as being science-based. It even has a cool device in the back that I highly recommend.
The author asks, “In an age of ever-increasing demands on our attention, how do we get the best from technology without letting it get the best of us?”
I also interviewed Nir for the podcast, where we discussed how to create an indistractable life (and techno-panic-free focus). The interview is a masterclass in how to remove distractions.
I spent a lot of time with the author of this book and read a substantial percentage of the books he wrote.
This book talks about dream interpretation in a way that’s not commonly discussed. Rather than a giant index of “what it means when you dream about falling off a cliff,” it gives you a means of testing why you respond to your dreams in the way you do.
This book teaches that, “Dreams — once you learn how to interpret them — are actually an extraordinarily reliable commentary on the way you live your life… you can make sense of the inner truth concealed in your dreams.”
I would be remiss not to mention my book that covers how to stay focused. The Victorious Mind helps you learn to free your mind and master your memory.
The book blends detailed step-by-step instructions with scientifically proven practices, including how to craft and use your own Memory Palace to help you think quicker.
If you want to learn how to think faster and dig deeper into what we covered today, this book will set you along your way.
With the information you learned today, you can avoid many mental traps and think fast (and accurately). Rather than flailing around and using flashy tricks to get yourself out of trouble, you can think on your feet and do what’s best for you and your memory.
You know why you want to think faster, how to avoid the nine factors that slow down your thinking, four ways to improve your thinking speed, as well as the nine tips we just covered.
So what’s next?
Now it’s time to put what you learned into action. You can’t do everything at once, but practice the speed of implementation rule and put at least one thing into use right now.
And if you want to learn more about how to think faster, pick up your copy of The Victorious Mind and permanently kick mental traps to the curb.
What Is Ars Combinatoria? A Detailed Memory Wheel Example
Jan 28, 2021
Ars combinatoria is a mental technique that helps with both memory and decision making. The term means the art or technique of combination and is very powerful.
Sometimes called a “thinking machine,” here’s briefly how it works:
You compress larger ideas down into individual letters. These letters are then either referred to purely mentally. Or, as you’ll see, they can be placed on a “memory wheel.”
For example, the letter B might help you compress the word and concept of beneficence.
There may be other letters related to B that unpack other large ideas. If that’s the case, the user may need to follow a logical order or use multiple Memory Wheels. Everything depends on the users goals.
To make this technique as clear as possible, including its uses for decision-making, I’ll share a very simple example on this page using a contemporary thought strategy known as W.R.A.P.
And further down this page, I’ll show you a new way I’ve been using Ars Combinatoria.
I’m not sure why it didn’t occur to me earlier as a specific critical thinking strategy, but now that I’ve got it running, it’s a very rewarding application of the technique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cYDmaBXvJg
Ars Combinatoria: A Short History
The technique likely originates with Ramon Llull, a philosopher who lived between 1232 and 1316.
Ramon Llull
Its influence is strongly felt and most usefully expounded by the Renaissance memory master, Giordano Bruno.
Note: Sometimes people mistake Bruno’s astronomical diagrams for memory wheels. It’s important to understand that his attempt to help us visualize an infinite universe based on finite solar systems does not necessarily relate to his theories of knowledge and memory.
Although using this critical thinking strategy may involve a “memory wheel,” using one is not strictly necessary. You could also use a traditional Memory Palace.
The point of using such a technique?
Ars combinatoria provides rapid mental access to pre-existing mental content you can use to either follow a process or arrive at optimized conclusions.
Two example memory wheels that use ars combinatoria.
How to Apply The Ars Combinatoria to Your Learning Journey
The first step is to have a goal for using ars combinatoria.
For example, when Ramon Llull devised the technique, he wanted instant access to information needed to persuade people to adopt Christianity. Since books were heavy and difficult to transport and people are skeptical, it was important to deliver reasonable arguments based on deep familiarity with doctrine.
And Llull didn’t just want this rapid access for himself. He wanted a specific pattern of reasoning to flourish in the minds of many evangelists. That way, his convictions stood a stronger chance of spreading far and wide.
In Giordano Bruno’s case, Bruno adopts some of the ideas from Llullian ars combinatoria, but applies them more to what we might now call “self help” concepts.
Perhaps the best book to read for clarity on this matter is Bruno’s The Seal of Seals.
Other Teaching Traditions
Arguably, the arrangement of information into mental memory wheels influenced the development of the textbook. This is a point brought forward by Walter Ong in his study of Petrus Ramus.
You will often see such compressions of information down into different letters in other spiritual and philosophical traditions, such as Advaita Vedanta.
For example, Swami Chinmayanada uses the BMI chart (Body Mind Intellect) to teach how certain mental impressions (vasanas) hold us back from lasting self-realization.
Swami Chinmayanada and the BMI chart show a similar compression of large ideas compressed into a spatial arrangement.
If you watch him teach it, you’ll see that he clearly has it all memorized.
But as Llull imagined people might do, this chart is being used to instruct others towards adopting a particular outcome. The chart allows him to “combine” multiple ideas by extracting meaning from the individual letters as he goes.
Why Ars Combinatoria Is NOT Really A Memory Palace
Although this technique shares characteristics with the Memory Palace technique, it is ultimately very different.
The main reason is simple:
Anything you would place in a Memory Wheel for “combining” or “recombining” would have already been memorized by the user. This is quite a different application of using spatial memory when compared to something like memorizing the planets, a much more common learning task during the Renaissance than now.
If you’d like to see how to use a Memory Wheel for language learning, I’ve created on and give a full walkthrough with a demonstration in this video tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmbvbbwX1cU
A Memory Palace, on the other hand, is used to memorized the information placed in the wheel. You then use the wheel to access the information in different ways, such as recalling details from important philosophy books.
We know this is the case because Giordano Bruno teaches the techniques separately and the “Combinator” is designated as a seal, not as a Memory Palace.
That said, I have found a few ways you can use Memory Wheels for spaced repetition. That’s a main reason why they are well worth looking into as mnemonic tools.
A Modern Example Of Ars Combinatoria Using A Memory Wheel
Let’s make a very simple memory wheel based on a decision making tool Chip and Dan Heath share in their book, Decisive.
We’ll call this memory wheel our Decision Palace. I’ve used what you’re about to learn often, and I hope you’ll consider building one like this for yourself.
Here’s exactly how I built and configured mine to help me make decisions better and rapidly identify the best possible solutions, almost purely from memory.
Imagine a circle broken into fourths. Place the letter W at the top, R to the right, A at the bottom and P to the left.
Unlike the Bruno memory wheels, this WRAP outer ring is simplistic.
However, based on what Bruno describes in Thirty Seals, The Seal of Seals and other works I’ve read, the functioning I’m sharing here is accurate in tone, tenor and outcome when it comes to using a self inquiry to reach decisions based on memorized decision metrics.
W means widen your options
R means reality test assumptions
A means attain distance
P means prepare to fail
To learn more about this decision tool, please check out Decisive, by Dan and Chip Heath.
An Example Memory Wheel
My particular wheel is not merely a mental construct. It is a Memory Palace based on the Anzac Square Memorial in Brisbane.
I could have easily used the circle-like structure of the Bergeron Centre at York University, or “squared this circle” in any number of standard rooms around the world.
Does the memory wheel have to be based on a real location?
Not necessarily, but since spatial memory practice is so beneficial, why not?
If you want multiple memory wheels that feature clear and distinct wormholes or portals to other memory wheels in the manner Bruno suggests, it’s probably beyond most of us to get there without some kind of Memory Palace strategy. But it’s your journey and it’s entirely up to you.
A Modern Scenario
Now, for a practical example of how the outer ring of our WRAP Decision Palace works, let’s introduce a contemporary scenario. Let’s say our robot overlords have made changes to the internet and we have to update our websites.
The new requirements mean a decision must be made to keep things humming, it has to be the best possible decision. Due to all kinds of psychological biases, our brains pressure us to fall back on previous decisions, a problem we’re aware of and know can cause great harm.
That’s why we consistently train our memory to remember to use the Decision Palace. In other words, consistent memory training heightens the self-awareness.
Not only that, but constant practice helps us remember that we don’t know what we don’t know. So to avoid potential bad decisions and make sure we have the best possible ideas to consider, we enter our Decision Palace and proceed to W. This letter opens up and reminds us to widen our options.
The Next Circle
Now, before proceeding to the next step, we go from the outer circle to an inner circle which contains 5 more Ws and an H. Who, what, where, when, why and how. Depending on the exact situation, we’ll want to go through each.
Let’s say we better determine what needs to be done, but still haven’t widened are options enough.
So we ask “who” can help. To do this, we step one circle deeper into the Decision Palace, where we find every letter of the alphabet.
Start with A and think of every Internet person we know. We recall Andy, who owns one of the world’s largest yoga websites. He might have some ideas.
B… No one is coming to mind but I think Jonathan mentioned an internet wiz named Bonnie once upon a time.
C… and so on. The deeper into the alphabet you go, the more you’ve widened your options.
Using Ars Combinatoria For Critical Thinking… With Help From The Best Philosophers
Most of us have probably heard that phrase, “What would Jesus do?”
And it’s not uncommon to “mastermind” with different authors by thinking about how they would respond to certain topics. Bertrand Russell talked in a private letter about how that he did this frequently. He also often fantasized about how his own students and readers might commune with him in his absence.
Try this:
Make two Memory Wheels, each with the alphabet from A-Z (or the letters in your preferred language).
For each letter, or as many as you wish, link a mnemonic image of a philosopher whose name starts with that letter, i.e. A for Aristotle, B for Bataille, C for Cixous, etc.
Then, when you find yourself considering an idea, you can rotate through the wheel and think about what each philosopher would think about that topic.
By moving down to the secondary wheel, you can put your primary philosopher in dialogue with another philosopher by spinning your philosopher memory wheel. For example, you can get Aristotle in dialogue with Zizek within seconds.
The Benefits Of Using Ars Combinatoria
When it comes to critical thinking and the contemporary example I’ve shared on this page, the answer is simple:
You no longer need to be worried about limited resources or fall into a scarcity mindset. Your mind already has dozens of ideas for people to ask or even just study their sites to see what they’re up to at the moment and gather ideas.
Then, when we get to R, which in some circumstances could be weeks later, we’ll use either the same 5WH circle, or perhaps another will appear to assist in this stage of the game.
As a word of warning: You could potentially have endless circles inside of circles, so strategy and placing reasonable limits on things will be your friend as you practice.
Of course, neither Llull nor Bruno had any such Internet needs in their time. But I believe everything they placed in their memory wheels were just as practical in the same way that Ars Notoria was probably a legitimately effective mindfulness routine during the medieval period.
What do you think? Does ars combinatoria seem like a mental technique that might be useful for you?
7 Active Reading Strategies That Help You Remember More
Jan 13, 2021
You’ve probably heard that you need active reading strategies in order to understand and remember more.
The question is… what exactly are these strategies and how can you use them effectively?
On this page, we’re going to cover what I consider to be the best active reading techniques.
According to whom?
First, scientific research.
Second, I’ll share techniques I learned as part of my journey towards getting two MAs, a PhD and working for decades as a research and writer.
So if you like the best of both proven research and lived experience, you’re in the right spot to learn how to read better and faster.
Let’s get started.
What Is Active Reading?
Active reading is distinguished from passive reading, an activity where you read just to read.
By contrast, the active reading process involves strategies. These strategies may include:
Mindset
Mental heuristics
Specific steps followed in a particular order
Advanced note taking techniques
Using memory techniques like the Memory Palace during or shortly after reading
The most important aspect is that you have a specific goal in mind. For example, as I teach in How to Memorize a Textbook, a goal might be to extract and remember three points per chapter.
Here’s another example:
Whereas passive reading might involve just picking up the latest book to hit the market, active reading involves researching books that belong to a specific example.
I have written a lot about many unusual note taking techniques. Two of my favorite include using index cards in different ways.
The first way involves capturing individual ideas on individual cards. I usually decide on how many notes I will take from each chapter to keep things simple and follow the “less is more” principle.
Next, I will make the first card have the title and name of the book. Each card thereafter will feature a quote, key point or my own observations. I always add the page number in case I need to find my way back to the place in the book for context.
The second style involves cramming everything on to just 1-2 index cards per book.
For example, when going through certain books, like some novels I’ve read for a research project on consciousness, there’s no need for multiple index cards. I use just one index card as I read and jot down first the page number and then the quote or idea.
Using the index card while reading helps me remember the goal of paying attention to the theme of consciousness – the core reason I’m reading the book in the first place.
Two: Question Everything While Reading
One thing that puzzles me about people who practice speed reading is their contradictions.
For example, they’ll tell you how to stop subvocalizing, yet at the same time instruct that you should ask questions while reading.
How exactly is this possible? I’m not sure, but I can tell you that I ask questions all the time and vocalize on purpose.
In fact, to make reading extra-active, you can adopt the voice of particular people in your mind. For example, you can pretend that you are Einstein and ask questions in a German accent.
Now that’s what I call active and engaging. And the best part is how it all helps with retaining new information for the long term.
What questions should you ask? The obvious ones, of course:
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
How?
But you will make your reading even more active by asking other questions.
A first level of additional activity would be to add “else” to each question above:
What other evidence exists that they did not include?
There are potentially hundreds of questions. The more you practice asking both simple and more complex questions, the more powerful questions will come to mind.
Three: Use Multisensory Visualization
A lot of people tell you to visualize while reading.
That’s great advice, but what if you have aphantasia (lack of a mind’s eye)?
The answer, whether you have this condition or not, is to widen your options.
In the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, you’ll learn to visualize using multiple senses that we remember through the KAVE COGS formula:
Kinesthetic
Auditory
Visual
Emotional
Conceptual
Olfactory
Gustatory
Spatial
The Magnetic Modes can be practiced to the point that they work like high-precision cogs in a clock.
Here are some examples of active reading using a few such devices:
You read a book about the presidents and want to memorize one or more names. When you come across “Grover Cleveland,” you think about the kinesthetic sensation of stroking the blue fur of Grover from Sesame Street. You hear the sound of traffic in Cleveland in the United States and visualize the waves by the lighthouse in Cleveland, Australia.
You read an equation like 5 ( x – 3 ) = 35. You imagine holding a seahorse in your hand (which looks similar to the number 5). It drives a bulldozer with a scoop shaped like a parenthetical mark. You hear it pushing against a cross in the ground that shoots a bullet at a moustache lying on its side. You estimate that it is about 35 metres high.
You read a difficult concept like the halting problem. You imagine Alan Turing “halting” a computer program as it is about to run a speed light. You “hear” their argument in your mind. (Yes, it’s okay to subvocalize while reading.)
There’s no doubt that many people will struggle with some of these active reading activities in the beginning. We often haven’t used any of them since early childhood, and even then, they were neither strategic or as sophisticated as they could have been.
The trick is to just get started. Study more accelerated learning techniques like these as you go. Practice more often and regularly analyze your results.
Four: Pause On New Or Difficult Vocabulary
Amongst the many bad pieces of advice given in the speed reading community, reading without stopping is amongst the worst.
In reality, the path to reading faster is to increase your vocabulary. That way, you won’t be slowed down in the future. You’ll just know what more words mean.
Here’s a simple routine you can follow when you don’t recognize a word while reading:
Pause and guess at its meaning. What is the work likely to mean?
Try to think of alternate words that might fit in the sentence and still make sense.
Write the word down on an index card for vocabulary or in a notebook. Jot down the page number and come back to reread the passage later.
I suggest that you do not stop to look words up as you go, at least not in an online dictionary.
Doing so interrupts the routine I just shared and also opens you to all kinds of distractions. It’s perfectly fine to save the material for later and doing so improves your memory while fending off digital amnesia.
Five: Draw Difficult To Understand Charts And Diagrams
Sadly, I used to skip charts and graphs. This bad reading habit slowed my path to understanding and weakened my visual interpretation abilities.
Eventually, I learned that it is worth a bit of time – and is highly engaging – to contend with graphs and charts. And the best tactic for doing so was taught to me by my mentor Tony Buzan.
As you can see, I’ve redrawn what Tony Buzan called “The Most Important Graph In The World.”
He’s right, by the way. And the graph pictured above explains the science of how to establish long term memory of information in the shortest amount of time. It’s called spaced repetition.
If you want a highly active means to understand visual information better, I highly recommend not only drawing graphs and charts. Discuss them verbally with yourself while drawing and later with others. When you teach, you learn the lesson twice.
Six: Revisit Your Reading Strategically
The index card method I’ve shared on this page allows you to revisit only the most important information from books in a compact format.
However, sometimes you need to go back and read more. I would suggest that you turn “sometimes” into “almost always.” (Obviously, there are some books where this is not necessary. But even then, it’s worth revisiting them for better memory.)
Unfortunately, there’s no magic number for how many times you should revisit a book to keep your familiarity active. You need to decide the revision frequency based on your current memory ability and your needs for the information.
But here’s a fun idea:
Place your books on your bookshelf in three categories:
Just read
Read six months ago
Read one year ago
Experiment with different patterns.
For example, you can look through books you’ve read in the “Just read” area five times a week for the first month and then move them down one shelf.
When the book is in the “6 months” area, look at your material once monthly for six months before moving it to the yearly area. Once there, you can look once a year, or start again by putting it at the top.
This powerful variation on the Zettelkasten method helped me a lot during graduate school. Thanks to having index cards in the books, I used Roman numerals to manage the amount of reviews I’d done.
Of course, you’re probably wondering… what if I only read digital books? Audiobooks? Or what if I can only access the books I read at a library?
Good questions. Here’s where using physical index cards will come in handy. You can store these and arrange them according to the needed review patterns in shoe boxes.
This is how I’ve always done it. And I’m not the only one.
In fact, here’s a picture from one many Magnetic Memory Method course participants who do the same. (You can find Mike McCollum’s full success story on our community’s testimonials page.)
If you want to learn more about techniques like this, consider adding the Memory Palace technique. It’s a fun and easy process and it only takes a short amount of time to learn how:
Seven: Summarize Using Multisensory Routines
Reading doesn’t end when you close the book. I learned this during graduate school when Dr. Katie Anderson supervised a directing reading course.
In case you’re not familiar with the term, it’s a course where you agree on a reading list with a professor. In lieu of attending a class with others, you meet with the professor and submit papers, usually for publication at the end of the course.
Dr. Anderson wanted more than just a paper from me. She wanted weekly meetings based on full book summaries I’d written.
In the beginning, the process of writing about every book and article I read for the course was a pain. But as my memory of everything I read was incredibly sharp thanks to the exercise, I soon came to love.
The best part? When you’re actively keeping those index cards and using the Magnetic Modes I shared above, writing a summary only takes a few minutes.
To get started:
Read a book
Gather notes and any interesting or unfamiliar terms
Apply the Magnetic Modes
Create a document on your computer
Write the title and author of the book at the top
Summarize all the big ideas in the book and any important details and impressions
Store in a meaningful file system for organization
Print out the summary and wrap it around your index cards for physical storage in a box or something similar
Of course, some people are thinking… we’re in the 21st century! Why print this summary out?
Well, when I was in grad school, I remember the very sad story of the grad student who kept everything on his computer. When his machine died, so did all of his research, including the full draft of his thesis.
He ultimately dropped out, because the pain of doing all that work over again was too much.
Sure, you can back things up in the cloud or on a backup drive, but everything digital is subject to decay and disorganization. It’s entirely up to you, but as far as I’m concerned, backing up your summaries in print is itself an active reading strategy worth putting into practice.
Conclusion: The Active Reading Process Pays Off
If you want to remember more of what you read and develop deep and lasting comprehension, these active reading strategies reap many rewards.
The best part?
The more you read strategically, the more strategies you’ll discover. Each person develops their own style, relative to how consistently they practice reading.
And when you do, I hope you’ll come back to this page and share them in the comments.
In the meantime, please let me know:
Which of these strategies appeals to you the most?
Skimming vs. Scanning: Which Helps You Remember More?
Jan 06, 2021
If you’re as skeptical about speed reading claims as I am, you’ve probably wondered about skimming vs. scanning.
Do either reading strategies really help you remember more by reading less of some books?
That’s what we’re going to talk about on this page based on my years of graduate school study and teaching as a professor in different countries. I’ve skimmed and scanned in multiple languages, which gives me a unique perspective.
And on that basis, I can tell you that the biggest problem you face isn’t that you need to read faster.
It’s that you need to read in a way that doesn’t sacrifice reading comprehension.
Here’s the very good news:
When I skim and scan, I do it properly.
What I’m going to teach you today avoids the highly questionable eye-training and subvocalization nonsense taught in speed reading books and courses. The way I managed to read several books a week also works without sacrificing comprehension.
Now, I don’t say this to come across as arrogant, but I hold academic credentials and publishing credits that demonstrate my thorough reading skills.
So stick around because on this page, I’ll share my best tips on several skim and scan reading strategies. I’ll do so with a particular focus on remembering more. I can only recommend that you don’t skip around (at least for now) – and we’ll talk about why in a second.
That way we can dive in by looking at these techniques from a higher level first.
Skimming vs. Scanning: What’s the Difference?
At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be much that distinguishes these two reading techniques. As you’ll soon see, there are key differences, and their value to you stems from what you’re trying to get out of the reading material in question.Therein lies the ultimate difference:
Reading techniques matter, but they matter most when deployed in context. You need to use the right techniques that work to produce the desired outcome. And, scientists have shown that skimming on screens reduces comprehension.
That’s why in many cases, neither skimming or scanning will work. In fact, this study shows that even when proper skimming and scanning techniques are taught, it is “difficult to get students to skim and scan because of negative attitudinal biases of both students and teachers.”
Well, sometimes we should feel negative towards techniques that are hard to learn to do well and only work in certain contexts – such as only when reading physical books.
It’s also important to understand the role of context in reading. If you have no familiarity with the topic area, these techniques won’t help because your brain doesn’t have enough connections to the material.
Even though I feel I have a big vocabulary, I still continue to work on expanding it in my mother tongue. I recommend consistent vocabulary acquisition to everyone wishing to improve skimming and scanning.
Also, you might not have enough vocabulary to use either of these techniques effectively. This issue usually means that without some preexisting knowledge of a subject area, the differences between these two techniques doesn’t really matter. You will want to start with my free power-training on how to read faster instead.
With this higher level points derived from both scientific research and critical thinking in mind, let’s get into some definitions that show how and why these techniques differ.
Skimming Defined
If we look at the origin of this word, it literally means to scoop a substance from a surface.
That means when we’re trying to differentiate skimming from scanning, we already know that skimming can never serve as a depth reading technique. It’s all about the shallow elements of a book or other text.
However, shallow does not necessarily mean superficial.
As scholar and narratologist Gerard Genette discussed in his epic book, Paratexts, the “surfaces” of what we read often contain tremendous amounts of detail.
For example, Genette points out the power of reading the colophon page for all kinds of important clues, including:
Date and location of publication
Translation information
Edition number
Author’s biographical data and rights
Now, you might be thinking:
This stuff has nothing to do with the meaning of the book!
That may or may not be true, but it is always a best practice to at least glance at the colophon page. As I discuss in this video, you can pick up a very powerful memory tool:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er-k8Ecgdfo
Other parts of the books you can skim intelligently include:
“Brute force learning” in my office while completing my PhD. I often skimmed and scanned through this many books in a day.
Scanning Defined
In Brilliant Speed Reading, Phil Chambers says that scanning differs from skimming because it is “less pre-directed.”
I’m not so sure about that. As we’ve seen, how we define our terms should really come down to your desired outcomes.
In my view and experience, scanning includes the skimming we just talked about. Scanning might include skimming, but doesn’t necessarily need to include the other strategy.
If you want to skim or scan as fast as the Flash runs, you’ll want to define your terms carefully so you can practice them well.
Scanning definitely involves going deeper. Rather than just familiarizing yourself with the “surface” features, you would go deeper, including:
I included some dedicated reading in scanning because scan reading is useless without giving you something to base a decision on.
What decision?
Whether or not you’re going to continue and read the entire book.
This decision is one of the best reasons to use both of these techniques because it can save you a ton of time on either:
Skipping books unlikely to serve your goals
Saving books for later that you don’t need to read right now
How To Skim Read
When learning how to skim a book, I suggest you start with the back cover. Try to mentally notice at least three (or more) details or observations that come to mind as you read.
For example, on the back cover of The Victorious Mind: How to Master Memory, Meditation and Mental-Well Being, you might notice a few things like:
The author is a film scholar
Terms like “self-inquiry” and “control-freakism” are used
It talks about the importance of experimentation
The works of Gary Weber are mentioned
An image of a “magnet” accompanies the name of the publishing imprint
I always try to mentally highlight at least three points or key ideas from the “paratext” on book covers.
By reading the back cover, a “field” of awareness is already developing in your mind.
These observations will compound as you dive into the colophon page, the index, bibliography and other “paratextual” elements of the book.
The most important aspect of this kind of strategy to remember is that you’re reading to develop context. You’re not even sure you’re going to read the entire book yet, but you’re taking every opportunity to make sure you remember more by consciously observing its “surface” details from the beginning.
The Top 10 Scanning Techniques
To scan effectively, you will want to first decide a few things based on what you’ve learned from the skimming exercise.
The main question to ask is this:
Does the book warrant reading further?
If the answer is “yes,” then I suggest you:
Get out an index card.
Write down the name of the book and the author (include publishing date)
Count the number of chapters and then page through the entire book
Note any keywords or key ideas that leap out at you
When you find interesting points, add them to new index cards and include the page number
Note any key graphs or images (you may want to redraw some of them if you find them hard to understand)
Ask questions as you scan
Jot down a summary of what you understood about the book from scanning
Index or flash cards are one of the best ways to “speed read.” They also map into Memory Palaces very well.
When asking questions, you can include the stock questions common to most people who use critical thinking strategies:
Who
What
Where
When
Why
How
But you can also go further. You can ask questions like:
How and why is this author an authority on the book’s topic?
How does the author demonstrate the validity of the research references in the book?
How does the author share the views of those who contradict the book’s established position?
What is the book’s big idea in my own words?
What are a few of the sub-ideas in my own words?
Do I need to read this book in full?
Do I need to start at the beginning or can I select certain chapters?
One of my favorite questions is:
So what?
To put it another way, “if this claim is true, what changes? If it isn’t true, what changes?”
If you find that the answer is… “nothing changes,” then the stakes presented by the book simply aren’t that high. It might be worth skipping the book altogether.
In sum, the quality of the answers you get from these questions will depend on your skills as a skimmer and your general familiarity with the field before you started the skimming and scanning exercises.
Now, if using index cards is not something you care to do, you can use these mind mapping examples to consider some alternatives.
Should You Skim Or Scan?
As you can tell by now, my answer is both. One reading strategy is almost valueless without the other.
Plus, you really need to perform some self-analysis before getting started. If you’re not already familiar with the area, neither of these techniques will be particularly helpful. In fact, they could damage your enthusiasm for learning the topic at all.
Everyday Applications For Using The Skimming And Scanning Technique
If you’re in a bookstore, that’s definitely the time to simply scan a book. As a nearly universal rule, when I have found a book that passes the “scan test,” I get it. Too much time is wasted wishing I would have just got something and little is lost by having another reading resource around.
When working in libraries, it definitely makes through to go through both skimming and scanning. To keep my index cards gathered together in a compact manner, I usually put them in ziplock bags.
I know: this process is kind of weird. However, I’ve been practicing it since 2000. The organizational power alone has been invaluable over the years. Plus, I simply remember a lot more along the way about books I’ve seen, even if I haven’t read them all.
For online applications, you can do something similar, taking care to write the web address and the date you accessed the article online. Some people will want to use Evernote, and there are tactics you can learn to optimize all kinds of software programs of this kind.
How To Skim A Book For Use With The Memory Palace Technique
There are a lot of ways to remember more of what you read even if you’re skimming and scanning.
Of course, this assumes that you know how to use a Memory Palace. If you don’t have this skill yet, grab me free course and start developing it now:
Once you know how to use a Memory Palace, you have options. For example, you can:
Rapidly memorize the publication date, title and author name of any book
Quickly create images based on page numbers using a 00-99
Use individual pages as simple Memory Palaces
Ultimately, you’ll want to save these techniques for a full read of the books you encounter. And for that I suggest you learn how to memorize a textbook in greater detail next.
How To Choose Your Reading Wisely And Contextually
At the end of the day, the techniques you choose for your reading are less important than what you read and why you’re reading it.
I read this book in three different ways. I skimmed and scanned it, and then read it thoroughly. I took it with me everywhere so I can keep consistent pace and finish it quickly.
Unfortunately, no one can tell anyone else exactly what to read. That’s why I recommend you deploy these techniques within the context of a vision statement.
For example, I have a long term reading project about NASA and space travel, one that is nested inside a learning project about the relationship between memory techniques and early developments in science and astronomy.
When I found Dr. Richard Wiseman’s Shoot for the Moon in a bookstore, I skimmed it and instantly saw how it fits my reading project. Later I scanned it to maximize my field of understanding and finally read it thoroughly from cover to cover for best results.
When you use skimming and scanning techniques in this way, you’ll go beyond the energy-draining tactics that lead to highly suspicious ideas like “photoreading.”
Instead, you’ll have energy-creating strategies that keep your enthusiasm high.
You’ll enjoy this result because you’re legitimately extracting maximum value from each and every book you read. Without context, all the skim tips in the world won’t help you learn how to read faster.
So let me know, what do you think of these definitions of skimming vs. scanning? And what vision do you have for your reading goals?
How to Stop Subvocalizing: My Surprising Solution
Dec 31, 2020
Wondering how to stop subvocalizing?
Well, let me ask you this:
What if this rather strange term from the world of speed reading is fraudulent? Or what if reducing subvocalization is tactically a false goal for any serious lifelong learner?
Here’s an even better question:
What if there exist strategic ways to use your “inner voice” to read faster?
You’re in luck.
You see, the Magnetic Memory Method stresses the importance of avoiding energy-draining “tactics” so you can focus on enthusiasm-producing strategies that actually help you learn faster and better.
That’s why on this page, we’re going to explore:
How this strange term “subvocalization” has been defined and used historically.
The psychological pain used to exploit people who are desperate to learn (this is probably what allows for the perpetuation of pseudo-scientific fraud in this area).
And hey, if after you discover the truth subvocalization you still want to reduce it, I’ve got something for you. I’ll mention a simple trick from the world of meditation that is more likely to get you there.
It’s perfectly a reasonable exercise. And the best part is that it relates scientifically to the nature of consciousness and studies in other aspects of learning where the eyes are involved.
Let’s get started.
What Is Subvocalization?
First of all, there’s a long history to this term, and “subvocalization” isn’t the only word people have used. As Donald L. Cleland and William C. Davies show in “Silent Speech – History and Current Status,” the term also appears as:
Silent speech
Implicit speech
Innervocalization
Lip reading
Vocalization
The first recorded observation of people “speaking silently” to themselves occurred in 1868. Two psychologists focused on human physiology created a device like a telegraph key activated by the tongues of their test subjects. Everything they discovered is premised on the idea that parts of your mouth and throat move while you are reading.
Somehow… for reasons no one seems to know… these movements came to be negatively portrayed as a (gasp!) habit.
What we do know is that people who cite the same research clearly haven’t interpreted it as I have. They clearly missed Ake Edelfelt’s conclusion that subvocalization should not be stopped (more on his research-based assessment below).
Frankly, if my interpretation is correct, and the “speed reader” who says the research calls it a bad habit is correct, then one of us is a horrible reader. Given that no one writing on that site uses a full name or lists any academic credentials… I don’t wish to come across as arrogant, but the bad reader probably isn’t me.
Carrying on…
The Historical Devices That Proved Subvocalization Is Normal
Later devices used to study subvocalization included connecting a pneumograph to a kymograph.
Some of these studies may have been mixed up with research into stuttering, which also involved using a pneumograph.
If you read John Madison’s An Experimental Study of Stuttering, for example, he finds that stutters suffer brain fog and poor concentration. But he also finds that the use of a telegraph key for gathering data related to vocalization is highly suspect.
Obviously, early 20th century science was not as sophisticated as what we have today. A lot of different people entered fields of study without necessarily having direct or even indirect credentials.
It is thought, for example, that Rune Elmqvist, inventor of the first pacemaker, may have contributed an early electronically activated writing machine to initial experiments.
It is not that he shouldn’t have, but when you see so many people with so many devices studying phenomena like this, here’s a suggestion. Start thinking “Wild West of Knowledge.” That will be more effective than expecting anything like clear and focused scientific analysis from this historical period.
Indeed, when the first serious publication finally arises in 1960, Ake Edelfelt completely dismisses subvocalizing as a problem:
“Silent speech is universal during silent reading; efforts to eliminate it should be discontinued.”
Jump ahead to the present day and nothing amongst serious scientists has changed. According to research compiled by Scott Young, if you want to read well, you need to subvocalize.
How To Stop Subvocalizing: Seven Weird, Unproven Tips That Probably Won’t Work
The first thing you need to understand is that it’s more than fraudulent to claim that subvocalization should be stopped. It’s contradicted by almost every speed reading program and book I’ve seen.
For example, in a course called “Kwik Reading” by Jim Kwik, you are given ways to reduce subvocalization.
A few videos later, you are told to ask questions while reading.
Well… which is it? Hear your inner voice or don’t hear your inner voice? How are you supposed to ask questions mentally if you’re trying to be silent?
The lack of clarity and the utterly impossible to ignore contradiction in terms should instantly remind you of Ake Edelfelt’s finding: stop trying to do this.
To persist in forcing yourself to be silence is nonsense. In fact, my research has yet to show exactly how something as normal and natural as subvocalizing came to be called a “habit.” It’s even less clear how the speed reading crowd started heaping so many negative connotations on your natural reading voice.
But wait. There’s more, because the advice only gets worse. For example:
One: Keep Reading
A lot of speed reading training books and programs tell you to stop “backreading” or “regressing.”
This “tactic” is utter nonsense for many reasons.
For example, have you ever read Nietzsche? He causes you to reread things he’s said frequently.
Owing to three Errors. Science has been furthered during recent centuries, partly because it was hoped that God’s goodness and wisdom would be best understood therewith and thereby – the principal motive in the soul of great Englishmen (like Newton); partly because the absolute utility of knowledge was believed in, and especially the most intimate connection of morality, knowledge, and happiness – the principal motive in the soul of great Frenchmen (like Voltaire); and partly because it was thought that in science there was something unselfish, harmless, self-sufficing, lovable, and truly innocent to be had, in which the evil human impulses did not at all participate – the principal motive in the soul of Spinoza, who felt himself divine, as a knowing being: – it is consequently owing to three errors that science has been furthered.
Nietzsche says he’s going to talk about three errors at the beginning of the passage. He then doesn’t use the word “error” again until the last sentence. To understand what the errors are, you literally have to go back and reread the passage.
Different ways of referring back to points within entire books or even individual paragraphs is a strategy that good writers use all the time. It’s like a P.S. inside of prose, or a callback to a salient point mentioned earlier in the text. If an author says, “As I mentioned back in chapter one,” there is zero reason why you would not go back to reread the passage if you can’t remember it.
Sure, you might “read” faster by not going back to refresh points an author reiterates, but you’re not guaranteed to understand more just by plowing forward. If anything, your path to meaningful comprehension will be slowed, if not destroyed.
Pro tip: Although I strongly disagree that you should avoid “regressing” backwards by rereading information (in fact, one of my most popular posts teaches a rereading strategy), there is a subtle point to be drawn here.
When you can’t understand something and repeating an idea isn’t making it any clearer, moving forward can be helpful. There are many difficult topics I’ve read where I needed to not only keep reading, but also read outside of the text by using supplement guides and other resources.
If running a finger, pencil, chopstick or broken antenna from a transistor radio helps you read better, that’s great. You’ll get no argument from me.
But I think you deserve to know the origin of this tactic, which may have hypnotized people around the world into thinking it has an effect it might not.
Once upon a time, Evelyn Wood dropped a book. As it was flying through the air, she reached to grab it and noticed she could read a sentence faster as her finger paced beneath it.
Let me ask you this:
How do you read a moving sentence on a small object like a book, even with a finger between your eyes and, say 21 words, flying through the air?
The answer is that this story sounds like nonsense.
Again, I’m not saying that some kind of aid can’t help.
But before you invest a ton of time in it, consider how these tactics come into being in the first place. You could save yourself a lot of time and energy as you use the rule strategies needed for reading faster.
Pro Tip: The rare time I can’t focus, I will use a blank index card to cover up parts of the page I’m not reading. I find this approach useful because it removes the stimulation of all the other words.
It also does it in a way that doesn’t add a meaty finger between my eyes and the text. You can move the index card slowly down without even having your fingers appear near the page.
Three: Count From 10 to 1 While Reading
Counting while reading is another tip from Jim Kwik.
Huh? Vocalize one type of content in the hopes that it will blot out another? I’m not sure how this makes sense.
However, there is a technique related to this that is worth using in the context of meditation. It appears in Gary Weber’s Happiness Beyond Thought.
This techniques stems from the Zen tradition.
To perform the exercise, count from one to ten and try to suppress the even numbers. It’s kind of like playing a game of, “Don’t think of a red cat,” but I’ve found that I actually can do it (even though it took over a year of trying).
Has this exercise helped me concentrate more while reading while also picking up speed and comprehending more?
Yes, but that’s because many meditative activities have been shown to improve memory and concentration for reading. That’s why I practice this technique while meditating, not while reading.
Four: Listen To Music While Reading
Some people can listen to music while reading. When I was younger, I was able to do it all the time. I used to write a lot while listening to music (and sometimes still do).
However, I don’t see how doing this can help reduce your inner voice. This article provides no research to back up the claim and says that “Classical usually music works best.”
Really? Which Classical music? What does “usually” mean?
I don’t know about you, but when I listen to Bach and Beethoven, those masters grab my ears by the throat and don’t let go.
Good music commands our attention, so although I know from personal experience that it’s not impossible, these dubious claims with zero substantial research evidence or even anecdotes make no sense. They only raise questions.
Five: Force Yourself To Read Faster Than Normal
Although there is merit in pushing ourselves for better performance, there’s a potentially huge problem in this suggestion.
For one thing, if you’re pushing yourself to read faster how are you doing it?
Chances are… you’re doing it in thoughts. And that means you’re almost certainly “subvocalizing.”
Plus, speed reading books and courses always advocate defining your “normal” reading speed. They talk about spending a lot of time testing how fast you’re reading and recording the numbers.
I find this practice odd for a few reasons:
As with the command to read faster, you’re creating mental content that almost certainly places a filter or lens between you and the content you should be focused on.
Being aware of having a timer on and needing to count words also creates more mental content to think about (and vocalize while reading).
How many people are actually skilled enough with the numeracy needed to:
Create and gather accurate data?
Analyze the data they produce accurately?
Reasonably and reliably crossindex the speed data against the behaviors of their throats while reading?
By all means, experiment with placing such filters on the reading experience.
As John Graham has shared, adding “obstructions” during memory training helped him win the 2018 USA Memory Competition. But keep in mind that those training efforts were directed at a competition outcome, and there is nothing in particular any memory competitor needs to understand.
When it comes to speed reading competitions, where timing is definitely an issue, I couldn’t find any sample questions to get a sense of how in-depth the comprehension questions go.
That would be interesting to know, as would the specific criteria that apparently satisfied a “group of [unnamed] reporters” that Anne Jones read the final Harry Potter novel in 47 minutes.
I’m seriously suspicious of the intellectual credibility of the questions she was asked, especially when her summary of a novel that was not read in anything like test conditions is that it was “very, very interesting.”
Again, even if we had access to the standard used to question Jones’ comprehension, the larger point is this:
Competition and speed reading demonstration outcomes do not necessarily reflect anything related to the reading comprehension strategies that actually help people get ahead in their lives.
It’s also easy to fake knowledge of fiction, especially pop culture fare, because they are grounded upon well-known principles of narratology, such as the hero’s journey archetype. I’d love to see someone read Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs in the same period of time. That book too is something anyone could call “very, very interesting.”
Six: Train Your Eyes
I’m not sure how running an infinity sign in front of your eyes with your finger is supposed to stop you from reading in your head.
It’s also not clear how any number of arm movements are supposed to help in this regard, though many speed reading books and courses insert what appears to be elements from Qigong and so-called Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) like “tapping.”
Personally, running my eyes around in circles only gives me a headache. I highly recommend you check with a doctor first before engaging in any eye movement exercises. And take other body movement instructions with a grain of salt. There’s no doubt some physical movement can help you read better, but what it has to do with learning how to read without subvocalizing remains a mystery.
Seven: Train with Software
The Internet is awash with software programs purporting to help with different speed reading skills. Most of these softwares show you one word at a time, kind of like certain movie previews flash words on the screen for dramatic effect.
I’m not sure how being shown individual words is going to help, but clearly part of the idea is that you will experience the words so quickly, you won’t have time to sound out the words. I’m not sure if it’s true, but when looking at these softwares, I quickly feel nauseous.
To be fair, I once submitted myself to reading an entire chapter of a Dostoevsky novel using one of these software programs. Sure, it does feel like you’re following along.
But there’s a catch. I can’t remember which novel it was, I don’t remember anything about the chapter, and who knows… maybe it wasn’t even by Dostoevsky.
Worse, the reading experience was far from pleasurable. In fact, the experience was downright painful, and the only time I ever looked at such software again was while preparing this article.
The Real Way To Stop Subvocalizing
I’ve gone through many tough times due to bipolar disorder. During university, my mind sometimes got so loud during episodes where I could not afford to stop studying that I frequently went to the hospital for help.
Do you want to know what helped?
Increasing the sounds of words, not decreasing them.
Back then, books on tape were still quite rare, and even rarer on CD. But whenever possible, I got them and would listen to the books narrated by professional actors while following along with the text in hand.
And listening to the incomparable George Guidall narrate Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment is not something I think I’ll ever forget.
When I couldn’t find a book on tape or CD, which was often the case with the dense philosophy I needed to cover… I narrated the books myself. I often used a micro-cassette recorder so I could review the material at 2x speed. It made me sound like Mickey Mouse, but that was okay because it let me use a powerful technique for memorizing textbooks.
When you’re immersed in the reading experience, you know exactly how to eliminate subvocalization. You do it by merging with the text and loving the reading experience, something that can require a bit of mental strength if you don’t know how to deal with boring topics.
Frankly, I can say that I never read in my head. I always strive to “fuse” with the author so I can assemble with their ideas and share as much as possible of their realm of human consciousness.
What Reading In Your Head Really Means
Because here’s the truth:
Humans never read in their own heads.
No individual owns language. And each brain is an information storage and retrieval “device” that relies on trafficking in words that are shared.
Words aren’t really all that important at the end of the day. It’s the ideas words point to that matters. And when the hucksters get away with shilling their garbage about “subvocalization,” it’s because they’re preying on the pain some people feel when they are locked out of the conversation.
So if you want to be included in great conversations, your best bet is to:
Increase your vocabulary
Create detailed study missions
Read more good books, much more often
And to help you with learning more vocabulary so you can read faster as the path to remembering more, make sure you grab my free memory improvement kit. It will give you access to the universal Memory Palace technique every single person can and should learn.
Until next time, never forget:
We read to interact with the “voices” of others. Vocalize or do whatever you need to do to get at the meaning contained by the words and you cannot help but read better and faster.
9 Critical Thinking Strategies That Lifelong Learners Need To Know
Dec 19, 2020
If you’re looking for critical thinking strategies to help yourself or others, congratulations.
Learning to think better is one of the best ways to help ourselves improve the world.
I’m talking about using thinking to be a better student, employee or employer.
As a student, I used critical thinking strategies to get better grades. As a professor in three different countries, I strategically thought my way into getting better results for my students. And as an employer myself, I always think using the strategies on this page to enjoy a great business.
And on the basis of all my real world experiences and study of the world’s best critical thinking books, I’m going to treat you to an epic lesson in critical thinking techniques that can:
Improve your performance at school or work
Help you make better decisions
Assist in avoiding mistakes that crush others
Improve profits as an entrepreneur
Using creative thinking and critical processes of understanding that improve your memory
This final benefit is especially important if you find yourself forgetting information. And on this page you’ll even learn more about how to remember the steps involved in thinking more critically.
9 Types Of Critical Thinking That Help Learners Outperform Their Competition
That means that critical thinking cannot stand on its own. It has to also include analytical thinking and creative thinking.
That’s why we have to go beyond the typical stuff you read online about asking:
Who
What
Where
When
Why
How
Don’t get me wrong. Those are important questions to ask. But let’s dive in and understand four of the biggest and best categories of critical thinking:
1. First Principles Thinking
This kind of thinking breaks a problem down to its basic parts and uses them to explore new paths. It tends to keep a goal in mind at each step.
To use this kind of thinking, you also want to:
Identify core assumptions
Break the problem down into parts
Create new processes towards a clearly defined goal
Example: We know that memory requires at least some level of repetition. But how can we reduce that amount?
Looking at our core assumptions, we can break the problem down into parts and notice that primacy and recency effect allow us to create a tool.
The new process is the Memory Palace technique, something that every memory competitor and many students use and refine year after year, usually by repeating this same critical thinking strategy.
2. Blank Slate Thinking
This technique starts with first principles, but you go further. You ask: What would this look like completely from scratch?
Example: Imagine you’re trying to solve poverty in an inner city. Even though it won’t be possible to start the city over, by thinking about what the area looked like before it was inhabited, you can imagine a new history and try to figure out how greater fairness might have been achieved.
3. Synergistic Thinking
Synergy is about combining things together that don’t normally go together.
As a way of stimulating more critical thinking, you would get a bunch of items together and keep asking, Why don’t these items go together? Then dream up ways they could be combined as a critical thinking exercise.
Example: Imagine scissors and a banana or a kite and vase. Ask: Why don’t these items go together?
Your answers might be something like, because bananas don’t need to be cut and vases don’t need to fly. Try to come up with at least 5 reasons why the items you’ve paired don’t go together.
Then try to come up with at least 5 ways they could. Even if the solutions you come up with are silly, they will exercise your mind. For example, maybe banana skins can oil rusty scissors or kites could deliver flowers to people in hospitals where the elevators are broken.
4. Adaptation
A lot of innovations come from people transferring a feature from one area to another.
Example: Book of the month club business models have become everything from vinyl record clubs to monthly underwear subscriptions.
Another way to think about adaptation as a critical thinking strategy is ars combinatoria.
This ancient technique let you adapt a Memory Wheel based on “contracting” larger ideas down into individual letters.
Then, if you had a problem you needed to solve, you would expand the letters and adapt the ideas within them. It’s hard to explain, so here’s a video that describes the technique in-depth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cYDmaBXvJg
5. Magnification and Minimization
We often get stuck in our thinking because we’re looking at things in their actual scale. But when we change their size and dimension, we can gain new insights.
Example: If you’re trying to solve a problem involving thousands of people, scale down to thinking about how to solve it for just ten people, or even one.
Or, if you’ve having a hard time imagining something small like the operations of a biological cell, draw it as big as possible so you can zoom in on individual parts with greater ease.
Have you ever wondered why magicians disappear in a puff of smoke instead of appearing in them? Or what about donut holes? Where do they go?
Take problems and play them in reverse in your mind.
Example: In the hard problem of consciousness, experiences like headaches are said to be impossible to measure. (This is because pain is typically based on perception.)
To invert the problem, you might consider pleasure and how smiling is inherently visible. To reverse it, you might imagine tears flowing back into your eyes and try to trace them back to where in your brain the process of crying begins.
7. Assume Different Points of View
We often make the mistake of seeing problems only through our own eyes. But it’s very useful to try to “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes” whenever you can.
Example: Some criminals have broken into your local grocery store and broken all the windows. This obviously raises safety issues and the criminals should be punished. But can you spend 5-10 minutes thinking through the life situations that may have led these people to act criminally in this way? Did they have as much free will in it as you assume?
Next, think through the perspective of the store manager. Think through the experiences of one or two of the employees. Then think through the perspective of some of your neighbors.
Apply this kind of critical thinking strategy to many situations and you will gain a much greater perspective on human life and reality.
8. Mastermind Thinking
I never met Einstein, and chances are, neither did you. But that doesn’t mean you can’t imagine having a conversation with him.
You can also have imaginary conversations with Steve Jobs, Buddha and Joan of Arc. Although these won’t necessarily be accurate, the more you know about these people, the more you can ask, What would Jimi Hendrix do and get a reasonable answer.
Example: Let’s say you want to 10x your revenue over the next two years. You can read the biographies of 3-5 entrepreneurs who have been successful in your field and then mentally assemble them for a council meeting in your mind. Ask them what they would do and let your understanding of their accomplishments guide your answers.
9. Last Principles Thinking
Science Fiction is very good at asking, “What’s next?”
Example: In SevenEves, Niel Stephenson imagines the moon blowing up and ultimately wiping out all life on planet earth. The entire novel answers the question: what’s next?
To use this in your thinking, ask “If this situation is true, what happens next?”
Although it’s usually impossible to know, by running the thought process, you will be practicing one of the finest strategies for critical thinking we’ve got. You don’t even have to avoid reductio ad absurdum issues, so long as you work to come up with several solutions.
A Brief History Of Critical Thinking Strategies
Before we discuss how to make critical thinking a habit you engage in automatically for life, we would not be thinking critically ourselves without looking at the history of thinking strategically.
Indeed, every culture has developed tools for thinking better. Let’s list just a few classic examples:
Asia: Tao Te Ching and The Art of War
India: Panchadasi and the Advaita Vedanta tradition
Greek: Plato and the Socratic Method
Russia: Triz
Britain: Analytic philosophy
France and Germany: Continental philosophy and Nietzsche’s “genealogy”
Critical thinking is always evolving and some of the newest applications are involved in everything from new political initiatives to quantum computing and innovations in space travel.
How To Make Critical Thinking A Daily Habit
You might have just read the strategies above and be thinking, “That’s all fine and dandy. I can see why these critical thinking examples are so useful. But how am I supposed to remember how to use them?”
Here are some ideas:
Use A Memory Palace
This technique can help you readily memorize everything we’ve just discussed. Here’s how, which involves nothing more than registering for my free memory improvement course:
Keep A Journal
If memorizing critical thinking strategies isn’t right for you, you can always copy them into the first page of a journal. Then, when you need to solve a problem, you can write out your responses to each thinking process.
Read About Other Impactful Critical Thinkers & Decision Makers
Chances are that if there’s a biography about a successful person, they’ve been successful at critical thinking. Whether it’s an actor, entrepreneur, lawyer or president, success leaves clues and advanced thinking skills will be involved in every extraordinary achievement.
Discuss Critical Thinking Strategies With Others Often
A lot of people don’t think critically with any level of skill because they don’t engage in enough conversation.
Is it strictly necessary? What if you’re an introvert?
Those are good questions, but I’d use critical thinking itself to flip things around a bit. I would ask instead:
What happens if I continue the way I’m going without enough conversation with others?
Anytime you hit a stumbling block, such as an idea or belief about yourself that would prevent you from getting a benefit, it’s more valuable to ask about the price you’ll pay by not voluntarily embracing an obvious solution.
In sum, discussion works and everyone who wants to be a better thinker should engage in as many of them as possible, with as many people as possible.
I’ve found that Lunchclub is a great tool for meeting a large variety of people who come from all kinds of different perspectives.
By speaking with others, you’re also placing yourself in creative and supportive environments that lead to even more ideas worth having.
Read Books Regularly To Stimulate Critical Thought
There are many big ideas and lessons that you’ll never encounter if you keep your head stuck in the sand of your own interests and preferred entertainment.
For example, I find economics pretty boring. But by being willing to stretch, I’ve learned a ton, experienced many surprise insights and wound up using many directly useful ideas that improved my life.
Go through these books that normally wouldn’t attract you slowly and with as much interest as you can muster. And if you need help, my article on dealing with boring topics is a must.
A Bonus Critical Thinking Strategy Everyone Can Use
So, what do you say? Can you imagine yourself using any of these critical thinking strategies?
Or perhaps I should ask, What do you imagine the consequences will be if you don’t?
Whether you’re using these approaches yourself or teaching them to someone else, here’s one last suggestion.
Whenever you’re looking at a problem, new or old, ask yourself:
What’s the real problem that needs solving?
Far too often, people work on coming up with solutions for the wrong problem. Everything you’ve learned today should help in avoiding that sad outcome, but I just wanted to throw it in as a bonus. Just in case.
And get this: It was thinking critically about this article using the very tools on this page helped me realize it needed to be here. (Last principles thinking)
Cool how it all works, isn’t it?
Concentration Meditation: 12 Focus Exercises To Get You ‘In The Zone’
Dec 09, 2020
Do you have a hard time focusing and wonder if concentration meditation will help?
Right now, times are tough. There are hundreds of news stories, social media posts, and other distractions all vying for your attention — all screaming (loudly) about how important they are.
Even before the world turned upside down, you already had a hard time concentrating. Then along came a pandemic and ruined any chance of being able to sit down and concentrate on anything important.
But what if I told you your concentration is already 10 times better than you think it is?
Chances are, you just haven’t learned how to pay attention to what concentration really is. So in today’s post, I’m going to break it all down — and I’ll teach you a number of exercises you can use to boost your focus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4PvLkzDB0o
You’ll learn how to use concentration meditation, the benefits, and what shortcuts do (and don’t) work.
First, I’ll let you in on a little secret: I could not live without concentration, and neither could you. Here’s why exercises like these have been so important and helpful for me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
And get this:
Memory will improve meditation — and meditation will improve memory.
So let’s begin with a definition.
What is Concentration, Exactly?
When you think about the word concentration, what comes to mind?
It probably brings up images of someone super focused. Maybe they’re reading a long and complex novel, studying for a big exam, or doing a task that involves being really careful. Or maybe you think about visualization meditation as the ultimate way to sharpen your concentration.
Let’s look at four aspects of concentration you might not have considered.
Focus All Your Attention
The dictionary says concentration is the action or power of focusing all one’s attention. The two most important words in that definition are “all” and “attention.”
So what does it mean to have the action or power of all one’s attention in concentration?
Let’s start thinking about concentration by thinking about it as circles. Why? Because the word “concentration” comes from “concentric.” That means having a common center. And this is why you’re probably more concentrated than you think.
It’s a matter of which circle or sphere of concentration you’re currently in.
The meditation for focus and concentration you’ll learn later in this post is part of a tactical strategy guide. You’ll learn how to go out and try different things. And you’ll see (as I mentioned in the opening) how you’re already much further ahead than you think you are.
If we dive even deeper into this idea of concentration, it can also be a careful mental application of your awareness itself — not just attention. When you’re aware, you’re already concentrated.
How aware are you of your awareness? If you were to give it a number out of 100, what would it be? 80 percent aware? 20 percent aware?
Do you even know if you’re aware of your awareness… or not?
The reason I ask you to think about this is, arguably, all we are is awareness. Therefore, we’re always 100% concentrated. We’re already there.
If you’re feeling a little confused or like this concept is a bit far out there, I’d encourage you to read a book called Standing as Awareness: The Direct Path by Greg Goode. The book can help you wrap your mind around this concept — it’s eye-opening when you start to understand what awareness is, and how it ties into concentration and focus.
Moreover, my research has revealed that memory training has been about realizing total presence since at least the 1500s. I talk about this in-depth in a mindfulness YouTube series I’m developing called The New Art of Memory.
A close mental application of concentration, paired with the meditations we’ll do later, require a shift in understanding.
Because concentration is only as good as your awareness of awareness itself.
And awareness of consciousness is not just that, but it’s awareness of consciousness plus something – which is everything in it. Everything that is consciousness right now.
And you can zero in and focus, or you can zoom out and be much wider, and you can think about things as a kind of oneness.
In some sense, this is what you want to get to. You want to live in the zone. You want to be so focused, so hyper-aware, that you’re just blissful every single moment — because you have this oneness with the present moment.
As a tactic for creating laser focus that stands the test of time – and hopefully also improves and grows in intensity over time – you have to understand it as awareness.
And if you want to learn even more, Greg Goode also wrote a book called The Direct Path, which has even more activities. These will really help you exercise your focus and concentration muscles.
Don’t Lose Yourself in the World
When I think about how to define concentration and attention, I think of a line from Eckhart Tolle’s book Stillness Speaks:
“When you lose touch with inner stillness, you lose touch with yourself. When you lose touch with yourself, you lose yourself in the world. Your innermost sense of self, of who you are, is inseparable from stillness. This is the ‘I am’ that is deeper than name and form.”
This is what we’re after when we want to increase our concentration. We want to not lose ourselves in the world. We want to be that observer of all that is in the world.
Stillness is being the witness to all that is in our awareness as we are standing as awareness. Eckhart Tolle says that “Stillness is your essential nature,” and you can get there with a bit of time and practice.
There are all the kinds of things you will achieve when you understand that concentration is stillness — and when you are, as Greg puts it, standing as awareness.
All focus. All concentration, in that moment, on a singular action, a singular movement. This is what you already are. You just have forgotten it.
Next, let’s look at the benefits of meditation for concentration and focus.
Benefits of Concentration Meditation
Concentration is stillness. It allows you to take a drifting mind and bring it back to center, to your essential nature.
This means you don’t really have to do much to get yourself back there, but it’s still helpful to understand how you can “stand as awareness.” When you get knocked down, to know how to come back to center so you can work around irrelevant thoughts.
Neutralize Your Thoughts
You can’t totally eliminate distracting thoughts… but you can turn them off.
When you’re able to change the form of their energy, you can – as the Atma Bodha says – change thoughts through practice:
“Constant practice of self-knowledge neutralizes ignorance as a base neutralizes an acid, purifying the individual self.”
In this case, ignorance is not being in stillness. Not being able to find your way back to center because you’re not practicing self-knowledge.
One of the things to focus on here is a Zen principle: finding the starting point is always the practice. You just have to find the start — because always being at the starting point is the goal.
The wave of our focus and our concentration is always changing. So how can we be constantly in search of the starting point?
Make Motivation Irrelevant
When you understand that concentration is stillness, you eliminate the need for motivation.
A lot of people say they’re “not motivated” — they’re constantly waiting for inspiration or motivation to strike. But motivation isn’t real. It isn’t a strategy.
And motivation is never going to just randomly show up on a Tuesday.
What would better serve you is to get past motivation. And the way you do that is to realize you are already what you seek.
“The nature of mind in its purity is like a stainless crystal ball. Its essence is emptiness, its nature is clarity, and its responsiveness is a continuum. In no way, whatsoever, is the nature of mind affected by samsara’s negativity. From the first, it is Buddha, ‘Trust in this.'”
Only a Buddha knows a Buddha — you are already awareness. You are perfect stillness. But ignorance of this quiet moment, the stillness inside you, throws you off seeing what’s right in front of your eyes.
Instead, you clamor for motivation and get attached to the idea of needing to be motivated in order to accomplish anything.
Get Centered
When you get to the point where you realize that concentration is stillness, your memory will improve.
No matter what’s going on in your life, you are able to find stillness. Whether you have family in a COVID-19 outbreak area who can’t find masks or you have a garden-variety bad day, practicing concentration meditation helps you focus.
You don’t need to be motivated — because motivation is irrelevant when you have true concentration. And then your memory improves. You find your way back when you lose your place. You find your way back to the starting point we just talked about.
It’s no longer an intellectual thing. Instead, it’s something you live. You live it because it’s the only thing that exists. Because you’re so concentrated on it.
Stop Forgetting
When you start to live this type of awareness, you have access to a broad range of techniques that help you get back to center.
You stop forgetting what you need to do next. Have you ever had that experience where you have so many things you need to do, but you don’t remember what it was that you need to do next? That goes away.
We can talk about oneness, but in the oneness there are many techniques. One is the most dangerous number — and that’s why there are 12 different techniques included in this post for you to explore.
Destroy Boredom
So many people say they’re struggling with boredom. But boredom simply isn’t necessary — it’s a choice.
If you want a simple way to get rid of boredom, I would suggest picking up some “bring gratitude” cards — they have a number of exercises to help you understand how blessed you are.
If you have internet access, you have no right to be bored. Instead, get yourself some gratitude for your life and kick boredom to the curb.
Next, let’s look at some direct benefits of concentration meditation.
Short- and Long-Term Memory Boosts
We’ve covered a number of the benefits so far, but I want to talk about a few that will help you as you build focus and concentration.
There are both short- and long-term memory benefits that come along with regular concentration meditation practice. You’ll also discover the nature of your focus — and what breaks or impedes it.
Restore Your Focus
As you continue to meditate consistently, over time you’ll start to notice your awareness is segmented.
It’s like the concentric circles we talked about at the beginning of this post. You’ll be able to get back to certain circles in your awareness, see what breaks your concentration, and then – much like a Zen archer – shoot an arrow through the thing interrupting you.
And even if you get impeded, you’ll be held up for less time — and less often. The circle continues, and you’ll grow your gratitude and be able to take more risks.
Tame the Monkey Mind
So many people have issues with monkey mind. I’ve had years of suffering from it, and know it’s no fun. Mindfulness meditation teachers often describe the mind as a scorpion-bitten, drunk monkey — it’s that hard to control it without dedicated practice.
When you do shoot those Zen-arrows, you want them aimed in the right direction, and at the time of your decision.
In an ideal world, you can tame the monkey mind and think what you want to think when you want to think it.
Make Better Decisions
When you are able to re-perceive, it helps lead to better decisions.
Over the last years, there has been an increased interest in the relationship between mindfulness and metacognition… The relevance of metacognition to mindfulness can be illustrated by the fact that heightened attention and an open orientation to one’s own mental events, which are characteristic of mindful states, both require that the person monitors and controls aspects of their ongoing cognitive activity, which are the two core functional mechanisms of metacognition…
[One of the referenced studies] specifically linked mindfulness to metacognition, arguing that the process of mindfully attending with openness and nonjudgementalness leads to what is referred to as reperceiving. This involves a shift in perspective, where thoughts, feelings, and sensations that were previously “subject” now become “object,” in the sense that they are experienced more independently of one’s expectations, experience, or attitudes. This involves a more flexible attitude to one’s experiences. The contrasting state of mind would be mindlessness, during which the individual is highly context-dependent, ignorant to novel aspects of their environment, and over reliant on learned schemas and scripts.
When you are able to shift your perspective, you can experience life away from the structure of your likes and dislikes, your experience, and any assumptions that might lead to poor choices.
Improve Willpower
I don’t want to get lost in the weeds of free will — but I do want you to understand that when you understand the difference between choice and selection, you will have a greater ability to have acts of will.
Choice is an illusion. There’s no power to choose. You are born, you don’t choose your parents, and then karma takes over. Then you constantly face the pressures of the laws of reality — you have to eat, you have to breathe. There’s no choice involved.
Choice creates great misery.
At the same time, you’ll have many selections to make. The quality of the selections you make has a lot to do with the field of your awareness — how big it is, how well-practiced, and how cultivated through constant study and implementation.
So you get to select from a field of potential things, not choose. And you need to select better, to use acts of will in order to select.
The important benefit comes when you can see the distinction and accept the things you can’t change. This allows you to focus instead on using your acts of will to select better in life, rather than reacting when things appear in your field.
Cultivate Patience
I always think about the story in Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now where he talks about how to react when you’re waiting and someone doesn’t show up on time. Instead of being angry they’re late, you could just say, “Oh, I wasn’t waiting for you. I was just enjoying being here. Just being.”
Concentration meditation will help you achieve that attitude. By paying more attention to the current moment rather than getting upset about someone else’s behavior, you get to enjoy whatever is happening in the moment.
There are a bunch of brain chemicals that switch on when you meditate — in a podcast episode with Daniel Kahneman, Sam Harris calls it “heroin-level meditation.” I don’t know if that’s the best analogy for it, but it certainly feels great.
There is some research indicating the chemicals produced when you meditate consistently are similar to the effects of taking Psilocybin mushrooms or Peyote.
And having taken a bunch of hallucinatory drugs in my day, I can tell you there’s definitely a relationship. But my recommendation – if you want to be high all the time – do this instead. Do these concentration exercises regularly and you don’t need to take drugs.
Mental Minimalism
You might know what minimalism means in terms of the amount of stuff you own, but what does mental minimalism mean?
It comes from removing thoughts that do not serve, and having the courage to remove objects.
One of the reasons people have so much junk in their minds is because they have so much junk in the environment around them. It’s very hard for some people to get rid of clutter, and the two go together.
But if you have the courage to remove clutter from your life, you will likely also have fewer thoughts and much more freedom.
Higher-Order Focus
The last benefit of concentration meditation we’ll discuss today is you’ll probably spend much more time on higher-order projects.
Instead of spending your life in death-by-1000-papercuts mode, you can spend time and mental energy creating a vision for your life. Then, once you have your life vision in place, you can set objectives and organize your time such that you actually achieve those goals.
The more you meditate, the more likely you’ll see these higher-order topics, spend more time on them, and actually gain traction in your life.
Next, let’s look at a few examples of what concentration might look like in the real world.
Examples of Concentration
Let’s take a quick peek at a few examples.
In the Zone
From time to time, everyone feels like they’re “in the zone.” This means being in the task-positive network of the brain, as opposed to the default mode network.
The default mode network is characterized by “me” in the future or past. Instead, the task-positive network means being fully present in the moment — you’re absolutely in the here-and-now and loving every minute of what’s happening.
For me, this happens when I’m up on stage playing music. I was in the zone every night, because as soon as you count off there’s no stopping until the song is over. We were there with the audience, seeing their reactions, and waiting for the next song to start.
Check Your Strings
In the tennis world, this happens when a player makes a mistake or misses a shot and then wanders off and checks the strings on their racquet.
What might seem funny to an outsider is that they have the most expensive racquets in the world and yet they still check to make sure there’s nothing wrong with their equipment. What you might not know is it’s a way for the player to remove their mind from the thing that just happened.
It’s another example of concentration where you correct yourself to get back on course. When you get knocked out of the zone, how can you get back into it quickly? Instead of beating yourself up and thinking, “Oh, I always make this mistake. I’m so stupid!” you get the chance to stand up, dust yourself off, and get back in the zone.
If you think about being in the zone as the middle point in a circle, how do you get knocked out of the zone? You don’t. Instead, you get knocked one concentric circle back — you’re not totally out of the circle. It’s an opportunity to collect yourself and your concentration and get back to center.
You’re never not concentrated. If you make a mistake and your focus shifts to your reaction to the mistake, you’re still 100% concentrated. Your awareness is now totally focused on the mistake.
The metacognitive skill becomes how to bounce back to the center of the circle.
Vicarious Experiences
A great illustration of a vicarious experience is when you’re so engrossed in watching a movie it’s like you’re right there with the main characters.
For example, if you were watching The Matrix and you identify so strongly with Neo you feel it when he gets punched. Or when Trinity is in a tricky situation where she needs to run away and can’t — and your psycho-motor responses react with sweaty palms or a pounding heart.
In real life, we can (and often do) construct this kind of galvanic response in our bodies. When you get caught up in a mistake and can’t stop thinking about it, that’s a vicarious experience of the past.
Mindfulness Meditation
Just showing up to meditate is already an example of concentration. It’s like the old Woody Allen line, “eighty percent of success is just showing up.”
You don’t have to do it perfectly. Just show up. Even if you try just one of the exercises included in this post you’ll learn so much about yourself.
And if you haven’t read it already, take a read through my post called How to Improve Concentration and Memory Buddha-Style. There’s a ton of science about the benefits of meditation and some practical advice about how to get started.
Now let’s talk about some concentration shortcuts, and why they don’t work.
Concentration Shortcuts (That Don’t Work)
Sorry, but there’s no shortcut to concentration and focus!
The exercises later in the post are not shortcuts — this is something where you need to be all in. My dad used to say, “[censored] or get off the pot.” And that’s how this is going to work. If you want progress, you have to do the work.
Let’s take a look at the claims some people make about ways to shortcut your way to concentration.
Supplements
One of the so-called shortcuts to gain focus is to take a bunch of supplements. In a post entitled 9 Nootropics to Unlock Your True Brain, Dave Asprey contradicts himself quite a bit, but he nails it by the end.
The first mistake in the post is that there’s such a thing as a “true brain.” I know it’s just semantics, but the brain is a living breathing thing. It changes with every breath we take and every pump of our hearts. So a “true brain” doesn’t exist, insofar as your brain is flexible in the moment.
If you’re supplementing your brain, at some point it will need to be supplemented again. I think this is an issue, because – as Dave points out – supplements can lead to depression and changes in character. Add in the purity and quality issues inherent with supplements, and you could end up killing yourself.
And so he gives the solution: fix your diet first. A lot of people wouldn’t need supplements at all if their diets were right. In many cases, a healthy and complete diet will give you the vitamins and minerals your brain needs.
You should also aim for a sattvic diet – one that keeps you in a headspace of clarity and contentment – and avoid rajasic and tamasic foods. Rajasic foods irritate you, and tamasic foods make you lazy and slow.
The key thing to remember is: there’s no shortcut to the perfect diet. No one person has the answer for you. It’s up to you to try things out, test how they work for you, and test some more. It took me six months of this kind of testing to figure out my current diet.
A lot of people ask why there’s no Magnetic Memory Method memory supplement. The main reason is I haven’t found any type of supplement that helps more than drinking a glass of water. Seriously! Research shows you can improve your verbal memory by drinking water.
Doing Nothing
Unfortunately, doing nothing is a shortcut many people try. And, as you might imagine, it doesn’t work.
But why do people do nothing? Because it’s the easy path. And when it comes to memory, concentration, and focus many people are happy to just get by.
Doing nothing, changing nothing, has just as many wear-and-tear issues on your body as anything else. Your posture can be destroyed by staring at your cell phone, in kyphosis, all day long — or by laying on the couch all day.
But some people will still take this path.
Inconsistent Practice
Consistency is key if you want to maintain sustained focus for long periods of time and achieve flow.
Half the battle here is making sure you have habits intact. At the end of the day, there are lots of ways to get your habits going, flowing, and growing. I would suggest you forget about other people’s opinions and just do what works for you.
Here’s a list of my favorite habit-formation resources.
Form Habits Like the Pros
Let’s take a look at three of my favorite books on the topic.
Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential — by Barbara Oakley
This book is great because it not only teaches you about how to get habits going, but also teaches why habits are so hard to start in the first place. (It all has to do with the insular cortex in your brain.)
There’s also an in-depth review of the book here on Magnetic Memory Method if you want to learn more.
The Talent Code: Greatness Isn’t Born, It’s Grown — by Daniel Coyle
This is one of my favorite books. It was one of the first places I read about dopamine, myelin, and all of the opioid receptors.
There’s a way to grow your greatness and Daniel spells it out clearly. Your brain is a garden and it’s as simple as growing it.
Atomic Habits — by James Clear
James is an author I interviewed for the podcast a couple of years ago. In the interview, you’ll hear a discussion about how to write a book in a habitual way — and it’s the book I’m currently getting into audiobook format.
Now let’s look at a few ways you can get “in the zone.”
How to Get into a Flow State
Remember, a flow state is the level of focus and concentration where time seems to disappear and you get so absorbed in your work nothing else exists.
The scientific term for this state is called an autotelic experience.
Autotelic Flow
Ideally, doing something becomes its own reward. We want to be switched on. We don’t want to think about it — we just want to show up and have flow happen.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi says:
“An autotelic person needs few material possessions and little entertainment, little comfort, or power, or fame because so much of what he or she does is already rewarding. Because such persons experience flow in work, in family life, when interacting with people, when eating, even alone, with nothing to do, they depend less on external rewards that keep others motivated to go on with a life of routines. They’re more autonomous and independent because they cannot be as easily manipulated with treats or rewards from the outside. At the same time, they are more involved with everything around them because they are fully immersed in the current of life.”
I believe every single one of us can become either an autotelic person or get better at it. But what if you have a really hard time getting into flow?
How Do You Induce a Flow State?
We talked earlier about vision statements, creating actual milestones, and scheduling your time. That’s part of it — build it so you can get to work and focus on those things. Concentration meditation will also help you get into a flow state.
As you’re working to get there, you might also consider self-hypnosis.
There’s a long story in my past about not wanting to write my Ph.D. dissertation — it involves getting really drunk and busting my head open on a kettlebell (resulting in an ER trip and stitches) and led to me getting into self-hypnosis to get my dissertation written.
I already had my National Guild of Hypnotism (NGH) certification, so I sat down and made a recording to help myself get the dissertation done. And while I won’t get into the ins and outs of how to hypnotize yourself, it is a type of concentration meditation.
If you go and get hypnotized by somebody else (if they know what they’re doing and are any good at it) it’s also a kind of concentration meditation. We just use different words.
The difference is – as the Amazing Kreskin says – “it’s persuasion.” Persuasion is nothing more than the acceptance of a suggestion. Similarly, hypnosis is nothing more than acceptance of a suggestion.
We’re going to do a lot more about meditation for concentration and focus moving forward. I created a Facebook page about the topic, and I’d love for you to join us there.
Next, we’ll look at the different types of concentration meditation. Grab a piece of paper or your favorite note-taking system and let’s get learning!
Types of Concentration Meditation
Everyone needs to explore a range of meditations and ideally have more than one kind in their “meditation stack” for the best results.
A 2017 article explores some interesting gender considerations to keep in mind. And since there’s no single meditation that works for everyone, we’ll learn about 12 different approaches you can take.
Some of these examples are not really meditations but rather exercises to help you concentrate.
If you want to see examples of these meditations in action, you can check out this YouTube Livestream.
We could get really nerdy about what an object actually is — because pretty much everything that appears in your awareness is an object. And because it appears to you, you are not it.
A higher-order “focus on objects” meditation would be to focus on the object of perception as it appears to you. The Waking Up app from Sam Harris has a lot more like this.
But we can also keep this meditation really simple. Here’s an example:
Hold a cup in your hand, look at it, and then ask…
“Where in my consciousness, where in my awareness, where in my concentration, is this cup?”
You can then do the same thing with your eyes closed, or with the cup sitting somewhere else in front of you. You can also get different cups and compare them. Ask yourself where the color on the cup is, what the color is, and what divides the color from the space around the cup.
As you focus on the cup, you may also become aware of how there’s so much color around you. The objects are not the color — but they’re also not not the color.
As you start to see the distinctions and notice your mind has this great filter, you may begin to see how your concentration is a thing that’s always on.
And whether it’s a cup, a playing card, a coin, or some other object, when you focus on an object in your environment you can make endless inquiries about it.
Where does the sensation of the object and your hand begin and end?
Where does my awareness of the object begin?
Where is the object?
What does it feel like against my skin?
What does my skin feel like?
How did this object come into my possession?
Are there any stories associated with this object?
You might decide to journal your observations about the object, allowing yourself to follow the thread of observations as you think about its many layers.
If you’ve taken the free course at MagneticMemoryMethod.com you know there are a number of approaches like the candle exercise, the apple exercise, the corner exercise, and the negative space exercise you can use for this type of meditation.
2. Word Focus Meditation
Another type of concentration meditation is to focus on words or word parts.
This is the great memory tradition of the West, to understand the role of words as the core of how we can memorize things quickly. In this way, we can concentrate and meditate on the nature of language.
We’re essentially back to object meditation but more fluid and with a different focus. This type of meditation has a strange characteristic of being constantly moving — because words printed on a page may move around in your mind in a way they don’t move around on the page.
One guy I find really fascinating is Harry Kahne, who had the interesting idea of “multiple mentality.” He would write with both hands and his mouth and feet, all at the same time. He would solve equations with one hand while writing a poem with the other, all while spelling the alphabet backward with one of his feet.
His Multiple Mentality Course is the origin of my playing around with memorizing the alphabet backward. You might also choose to memorize the alphabet forwards and skip letters — or A, Z, B, Y, C, X, D, W, etc.
This type of concentration meditation will help you see the object of the alphabet in your awareness and perceive your awareness of information in the space of you as you stand in awareness.
The direct improvements you’ll see from this kind of work is to improve the mental organization of information in the space of your awareness.
3. Moving Meditation
Adding movement to your meditation might be just the ticket if you have a hard time with seated meditation.
This could be a traditional walking meditation, but can also include things like learning how to juggle. As you might imagine, the second you lose focus you’re likely to drop the ball. Anything that involves you being 100% present is a great meditation.
If you want an additional challenge once you’ve gotten regular juggling down, you can add more juggling balls or even sing or recite from memory while juggling. You could even recite the alphabet backward or sing in a foreign language.
I learned a lot of things in Systema — patterns like linking your walking with your breath. One of the patterns you could try is to take one step with each breath.
You can then keep your walking pace the same and do two steps per breath, three steps per breath, four steps per breath, etc. See how high you can go (without passing out), and then scale back to one.
It should go without saying, but consult with your doctor before taking on any new exercise program.
This type of concentration meditation is great because it involves linking your breath and movement, as well as changing your attentional awareness to include how much oxygen you need.
4. Breathing Meditation
Breath meditations are some of my favorites. As well as linking breath and movement, there are specific breathing exercises you can do as part of your meditation practice.
One of my favorites is alternate psychic nostril breathing — different from standard alternate nostril breathing in that you don’t actually touch your face. (This makes it great for our current times and the admonitions to stop touching your face!)
You might also choose to use pendulum breathing, where you “swing” the breath like a pendulum. The short version: inhale, pause, and inhale again. Exhale, pause, and exhale again. Then, repeat the cycle.
I also enjoy box breathing, which I taught in a recent post about how to memorize a speech. It’s similar to pendulum breathing, but involves a breath cycle where you inhale, pause, exhale, pause, and then repeat.
5. Number Skipping Meditation
Gary Weber talks about number skipping in Happiness Beyond Thought. It’s a very challenging – and very powerful – concentration meditation. We’ll start with a simple version of this mindfulness meditation, but I would encourage you to read the book to go deeper.
Begin by counting 10 breaths in and out. One breath in and out is one. In and out, 2. In and out, 3. All the way up to ten.
Then you’ll move on to the skipping: in and out, 1. In and out, with “nothing” represented in the mind. In and out, 3. In and out, nothing. In and out, 5. In and out, nothing. You’ll actively count the odd numbers in your mind, while the even numbers are just space.
And because this is kind of like, “Don’t think of a red car” it can be difficult to do. Suppressing the even numbers is hard because you’re telling yourself not to think of those numbers. You’ll represent the even numbers by giving yourself the command not to represent them. Easy, right? 😉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpJp7HttnvY
I didn’t believe this to be possible, but with time and effort, I discovered it was doable. This is the path to removing symbolism in your mind and having Persistent Non-Symbolic Experience (PNSE). It can lead to experiences of absolute bliss and perfect stillness during your meditation.
6. Chanting Mantras
Another type of concentration meditation is to chant (sing) mantras — these can be either short- or long-form.
You might be wondering about this word: mantra. What does it mean?
Man = to think Tra = instrumental
The word mantra may feel really spiritual or “woo” and I even avoided it for years. But then a friend of mine pointed out that it’s the same thing Gary Weber talks about.
I don’t think that statement proved true, but Gary does talk about needing and wanting a secular tradition, extracting a secular nature out of things. It’s about science instead and therefore doesn’t require belief.
And lo and behold, it turned out that “mantra” was just a Sanskrit word which means “the instrument of thinking.”
If you’re not familiar with chanting, you can simply open up a text and follow along by reading the text. Or, you might put on a video where the text is displayed and sing along with it. You might think of this version as singing along with a hymn in church.
However, it’s even more beneficial if you memorize the chants.
I started simply with something called kirtan kriya, which is just 4 syllables. In Sanskrit, it’s “Sa Ta Na Ma.”
You might decide to start with something simple like that and then move on to the Ribhu Gita from Evolving Through Thought. The first 2 lines of the passage boil down to two questions: are my thoughts useful, and how do they behave?
What a beautiful mantra to concentrate on, that reveals the true nature of your thoughts and neutralizes them instantly!
I feel like the Ribhu Gita is important to memorize in the original Sanskrit. It gives an extra layer of lenses that allows you to distance yourself even more so you can see things as they really are.
If you want some help memorizing the Ribhu Gita, I would recommend picking up your free copy of my memory training kit (or taking the masterclass to learn how to memorize).
You could also focus on a chant with some kind of semantic content or lesson. I like the Nirvana Shatakam, sometimes called the Atma Shatakam, which translates to, “I am not my mind. I am not my memory. I am not my nose or my ears.”
This helps you pay attention to the fact that the very idea of your mind and memory appear in you — but they are not you. Instead, you are the witness to those things. Memorizing the Nirvana Shatakam can be a good way to really feel into this idea. And the good news is it’s not that easy to memorize and it’s fun to sing.
7. Biographical Thought Control Exercise
This is something I’ve been playing around with for years, and I recently came into possession of a book that reminds me of the exercise.
Franz Bardon’s Initiation into Hermetics is the first of three volumes about self-realization. In my opinion, the book itself hasn’t stood the test of time but it does have some interesting exercises in it.
One of the things he talks about is the difference between your biography of now and the biography of what’s to come. The book discusses how to make sure your vision for the future is true — which bridges into a lot of what I’ve been talking about here at Magnetic Memory Method for quite a while.
To do a biographical thought control exercise of your own, relax, and then revisit a memory. This could be any memory, from a day ago or years ago. Build up that memory in your mind and then release it.
To make the exercise much more rigorous, structure your thoughts about your biography with numbers. For example:
Try to remember what year it was when you were in grade one and also how old you were.
Relax, and then draw a mental square of the room that grade one took place in.
Move ahead through the years; perhaps even skip a few years, to grade five, grade eight, grade twelve. Pick a pattern and concentrate.
Next, ask where you were during those years.
Think about who your friends were during those years, their names, and the name of your teacher.
You might also try the alphabet. For example:
Take the letter “A” and think of a family member or friend whose name starts with that letter. What memories do you have of them?
Think about any locations associated with that person.
Move on to the letter “B” and repeat the process.
Once you have a clear picture of that time period or people, totally release it.
8. Movie House Exercise
For this concentration meditation, you’ll remember as much as you can about a movie.
For example:
Think of a movie title that starts with the letter A.
Sit down or lay down in meditation.
Enter a movie theater in your mind (your choice which one).
Find your favorite spot to sit.
Begin to play the movie in your mind.
Try to remember the opening scene, including the music.
Continue to follow the chain of associations if you can’t remember a particular detail.
Work your way through and try to remember the entire movie, in as much detail as possible. It’s okay if you skip around and remember scenes out of order.
This is similar to the movie exercise above, but with your favorite music album instead. You’ll recreate the album in your mind.
For example:
Step into an imaginary listening booth and put on your headphones.
Try to remember the title of the first song on the album.
Then work your way through each song on the album.
Next, go back to the first song and start to play it in your mind. Replay as much of it as you can and study your perception of listening to the album.
See how long you can hold your concentration before it drops.
If you don’t have musical memory, then ask yourself, “what happens in the absence of music?”
And if you want to challenge yourself, start with albums where you can’t for the life of you remember one song on the album — watch what happens in the mind when you try to remember something so far gone.
10. Neti Neti Exercise
Coming back to our Sanskrit exercises, if you are chanting and get distracted what do you do? What’s your strategy?
One thing you can do is think, “not this. Not this.” (That’s what neti neti means in Sanskrit.)
So any time you get distracted from whatever topic or exercise you’re concentrating on, you can think, “Not this. Not this.” “Neti, neti.” Then bring your focus back. You can do this over and over, as the mind will inevitably wander.
It’s a good way to avoid frustration, judgment, and emotion around your concentration meditation. It helps you keep things simple.
11. Flight of the Garuda Exercise
Let’s come back to the line I shared early on in this post from the Flight of the Garuda — when we were discussing motivation as it relates to concentration memory.
It translates to this:
“Where is the mind now? Is it in the upper or lower part of your body? In your sense organs, in your lungs, or your heart?”
The book is wonderful and maps the Advaita Vedanta beautifully. I wouldn’t say it’s accurate that all paths lead to the same place or achieve the same thing for the person following the path. But I will say, the more you know of the paths the more enabled you are to follow the best possible path.
The thing I love the most in the Flight of the Garuda is the emphasis on “the starting point is the goal.” It’s great to always have a beginner’s mind in these matters.
12. Memory Palace Recall Exercise
This exercise requires you to have a developed Memory Palace. If you’re not there yet, come back to this section when you’ve completed the free training.
Wandering around your Memory Palace is a meditative exercise on its own. For this exercise, you could use the following:
When you’ve decided what to review, start your concentration meditation by asking yourself, “where are these locations?” in your mind.
You might also consider drawing your Memory Palaces as though they were mandalas — and then fixate and focus on the movement as a simple meditation.
One thing to notice is how many meditations – as they’re taught – already involve Memory Palace mechanisms.
For example, Michael Roach has a great exercise in one of his audio programs where he talks about how you can use the temple he taught in to help you remember it.
As I remember it, the first part of the meditation was to imagine crossing a bridge. There’s the corner, you’re crossing a bridge, and people are always firing arrows at you. The arrows are on fire — and the bridge is made of wood. And the bridge is catching on fire.
The notion of this meditation is to concentrate your awareness on the fact that there will always be enemies who are trying to undercut you. The next part of the meditation is a party, where you get to remember you always have friends to celebrate with you when you cross the burning bridge. And it goes on a few more steps.
But no matter which of these meditations or exercises you choose to do, it comes back to these three questions:
“What are we doing here?”
“Who’s doing it?”
“Do you accept the suggestion that these things work by how you think about it yourself and by how others have helped you think about it that way?”
Finally, let’s look at how your approach can boost the benefits of your meditation.
Meditation and the Framing Effect
Remember, a Memory Palace is – at some level – already a concentration meditation. And there’s something called frame effect and an interesting study that was done with a group of hotel workers.
They divided the workers into two groups — Group A and Group B. Group A participants were told to stop taking the elevator and given no explanation why.
The participants in Group B were given some understanding of how many calories they burned as they vacuumed, washed windows, folded sheets, and went about their daily tasks. The study provided this group with calorie-burning charts that showed data like how many more calories they would burn by taking the stairs versus the elevator, and were told their work was equivalent to going to the gym.
The study found Group B burned more calories and got more fit, because of the framing effect.
Where this ties in with Memory Palaces and memorization is this: if you apply the framing effect to yourself – thinking that you’re meditating while you’re memorizing – you will see similar boosts in your results.
Because memory techniques like Memory Palaces are already like a meditation, you can hit the ground running. You can use your Memory Palace to get in the zone, to use concentration meditation to hit your flow state.
Finally, let’s answer some of the questions I hear most often about concentration meditation.
Concentration Meditation FAQs
Is drifting bad while performing any of these meditations?
The mind drifting while you meditate is not necessarily a bad thing.
The question is: do you stop and ask yourself, “Where is the mind in which this drifting is happening?” or “What is this drifting, and to whom is the drifting happening?”
In the end, drifting cannot be a good or bad thing — because “good” and “bad” are just ideas that exist. There’s only bad if you allow yourself to get frustrated or emotional about what’s happening.
Instead, think of drifting as diffuse thinking. I love to go for walks or take a shower and let my mind drift away. When I become aware I’ve drifted off I simply go right back to where I was. Make drifting part of the exercise, something to observe.
What is the role of discomfort in meditation?
Is discomfort or comfort better for meditation? This is another good vs bad situation where the answer is “it depends.”
If you’re uncomfortable while trying to meditate and you end up judging yourself or your body, then it could be defined as “bad.” But if you work with pain or discomfort in the body and find a way to integrate it and deal with it while you’re working to improve it… then it is what it is. Neither good nor bad.
One of the things to talk about in the context of comfort and discomfort is that it doesn’t really matter if you sit in a “meditation pose” while you do it.
As James Swartz points out, the only reason people in the early Vedic tradition sat in meditation is because they didn’t have chairs. (I don’t know if that’s historically true, but it would make a lot of sense.)
So if you want to sit in a chair while doing these meditations and exercises, go ahead. You can get the same benefits seated on the floor, sitting in a chair, laying down, or walking around. But you have to figure out what works best for you.
If you’re sitting around and making yourself uncomfortable because you’ve made sitting a requirement, then I think you’re missing the point. The point is knowledge — knowledge of your concentration, your awareness, and knowledge of what it means to stand as awareness. To be awareness itself.
You don’t need to be in discomfort. But if you are in discomfort then you need to make it part of the exercise. As Tim Ferriss commented while interviewing Wim Hof, so much comfort is killing us.
Can concentration in meditation be measured?
There are a few ways you can test your concentration and focus.
There’s something called Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) that measures a subject’s attention and focus based on the integrity of their brain signals. An event will occur on the screen (a shape will change color, for example) and the subject has to repeatedly give a response (press a button).
There’s a simple exercise in Happiness Beyond Thought you can try: draw a line, and every time your thoughts change, change direction with the line. It’s an easy way to test how long and uninterrupted (or short and all over the place) your concentration is.
You could also Mind Map to see how long you can map your way through something.
Or, put on a timer and see how long you can stay aware of what you’re doing — stopping the timer whenever you notice your concentration waning. Keep track of your sessions in a journal and see if your times improve as you continue the practice.
Whatever way you test your concentration, be sure to come up with your own metric and work to improve it from your baseline.
Where can I concentrate in meditation?
The goal of focus in meditation is everywhere at any time.
Have a continuous ritual in one place that you use continuously. This place can become a mental image you revisit in any circumstances — somewhere you can go to find clarity and calm.
When you memorize long-form mantras, you also have a kind of place or set of places. The Australian Aboriginals called their Memory Palaces “songlines.” In my experience, I can drop in on any number of spots along the geography of one of my Memory Palaces to find calm.
For example, the Ribhu Gita passages deal with the mind, body, and matters of spirit. Visiting any one of these meditative passages helps “neutralize” particular issues that might arise.
Because each phrase is in a Memory Palace, both the meaning of the self-inquiry mantra and the location itself provide calm, stability and help reassert concentration on demand.
How can I keep my mind from wandering off during meditation?
If you’ve tried meditation before and you only made it a minute or two before you were totally distracted again, you are not alone. Everyone starts somewhere, and for someone just getting started, two minutes of focus is a great achievement.
Don’t give up. Instead, remember that recentering and coming back to the present moment, again and again, is all part of the practice. Being able to focus for a couple of minutes means you’re on the verge of something massive. So stick with it. You’ll be glad you did.
Should I use music to improve my concentration?
This is another question where the answer is, “it depends.”
When we’re talking about music for concentration or concentration meditation music, you want to first identify what you want to concentrate on. Context matters.
If you want to focus on writing something – whether a blog post or a book chapter – certain types of music will not be conducive to your focus. But there might be other types of music that are perfect for helping you concentrate.
For example, I’ve trained myself to use particular music that helps me sit down and write — and I have other types of music I use specifically for when I need to edit my writing.
I don’t really listen to “music” when I meditate… except that I kind of do. I don’t really think of mantra meditation or chanting as music, but it is musical.
One way to discover whether music helps you concentrate during meditation is to explore 10 different pieces of concentration music. Listen to each, test out whether they are helpful or not. Try each piece of music multiple times. And write down your results.
What I believe will work better is focusing on memorizing specific pieces of music — do the Music Album Exercise above and try to recreate specific albums.
In the end, it’s about being with the music. Studying the music. Concentrating on the music.
Finally, let’s wrap up our deep dive into concentration meditation.
Meditation for Concentration and Focus
In the end, everything is memory. And the quality of your memory is the quality of your life.
The quality of this moment is the quality of you having a strategy to deal with whatever comes. When those arrows are flying and your bridge is burning, what does your memory help you remember to do?
The exercises and meditations you learned today will help you improve the quality of your memory. Be sure to bookmark this post and come back to it as you want to learn a new concentration meditation.
And remember: it’s a marathon, not a race. A journey, not a destination.
Always study multiple teachers of multiple practices, but not at the expense of following through with a single kind. I would recommend focusing on one type at a time for at least 90 days to explore their nuances and implications.
Arthur Worsley On Getting Traction And Discovering Your Why
Dec 03, 2020
It is no secret that we are all constantly in a state of self-examination.
While some people may be more “self-aware” than others, no matter where you are on the spectrum, there is a constant need, a persistent desire to “Know Thyself.”
The greatest task in that knowing, above all else, may be the biggest question, and, more complicated therefore, to answer, the question of “Why?”
Today, more than ever perhaps, we are being challenged to slow down, to examine our priorities, to reflect on who we are and what motivates us.
Whether that is an intentional choice, or the current state of the world has given you the gift of more time in the form of working from home and eliminating your commute, or governmental measures have encouraged a “safer at home” mindset, now is no better time for working towards that answer.
My guest today is Arthur Worsley. He is the man behind The Art of Living blog, the author of the TRACKTION Planner, and the Moments app. He is an entrepreneur, graduate of Oxford where he studied psychology, philosophy, and physiology.
Thumbs up for the Tracktion Planner!
We discuss his mission of guiding others to find their motivation, through practical, executable, analog tools.
Arthur provides a real, honest look at a difficult situation that became his catalyst for self-discovery, and, through coaching, and his own journey, the roadblocks that others faced that were similar, and how they, and you, in turn, can also overcome them.
He even shares his own experience with answering that big question of “Why?” as he applied for Oxford. In his words, it was “terrifying” to see one’s future residing in such an empty space. The question of why was intentional, providing a blank canvas, open to interpretation.
He learned how to navigate and fill that space for himself, and with the tools and methods he has created, you can also learn to answer that all-important question of “Why?”
If you’re struggling to find your motivation for your everyday….
Or maybe the bigger challenge of your life’s purpose…
Just take note of where you’re starting from.
As you begin to answer that question, and, unavoidably, the others that arise, know you are enough.
That self-doubt? It can serve you. That questioning is good. That questioning means growth.
And why then wouldn’t we take that opportunity as we ask that very thing of ourselves?
Press play now above to listen in as Arthur shares:
How physiology, psychology, and philosophy can not only live in harmony as disciplines, but how they actually, in fact, intersect and can help you improve your focus
The evolution of the Pyramid of Needs for modern day society – what’s missing, and why
The gap that exists between effort (what you do) and motivation (why you do it)
What loss of religion means practically, and the problem that “lack of faith” can create
The reason behind the current resurgence of Stoicism, and what questions that philosophy can answer.
Why meaning must be found in purpose, and not purpose within meaning
The relationship (that’s necessary) between decision making and data collection
The pros and cons to the novelty effect
The most common reasons planners fail, and how you can overcome them with just a few simple tools
The problem with perfectionism and its relationship to procrastination (often related to not having a feedback loop)
Why reading isn’t always beneficial – and how you may need to tweak your reading style (were you aware you had one?)
How problem solving can be addictive, and what mindset is required to achieve cyclical solutions
Why connection is such a critical why – even for an introvert
And even more!
Further Resources on the web, this podcast, and the MMM Blog:
Dr. Bruno Furst’s You Can Remember: Does It Work?
Dec 02, 2020
Dr. Bruno Furst created a number of memory improvement courses and You Can Remember! is one of the most famous.
He was a German lawyer and his full name was Johann Franz Bruno Fürst.
People familiar with the long tradition of memory techniques will probably think he chose to go by “Bruno” to attract the attention of people already familiar with memory techniques.
It’s impossible to know, but I personally find it hard not to think about one of the most famous memory teachers, Giordano Bruno. Since “der Fürst” can mean “prince” or “ruler” in German, I have often wondered if the entire name is invented to say something about Giordano Bruno’s constant influence.
Given that this Bruno Furst fled Germany after Hitler came to power, this idea that he may have changed his name is plausible. Very little is known about him. The only Wikipedia page about him is in French and the New Yorker has their article about him locked in an archive. But the fact that he has a profile in that magazine gives us a clue to his prominence during his era.
The question is… does his memory training work?
The answer depends on you, your goals and your willingness to go on what Furst calls, “Adventures in Memory and Concentration.”
This printed pamphlet is an advertising piece designed to increase your desire to become a memory master. Notice the many dated professions and conventions of the era Furst was addressing.
This pairing of memory with concentration is important because you really can’t have one without the other.
The good news is that improving one naturally improves the other. So with that in mind, let’s take a deep dive into this flagship memory training from Dr. Bruno Furst. I hope you enjoy this You Can Remember review.
You Can Remember!: Everything You Need to Know
First, it’s important to realize that Dr. Furst recycled his material often. That means you might be disappointed if you already have these books:
Stop Forgetting: How to Develop Your Memory And Put It To Practical Use
The Practical Way To A Better Memory: A Simple, Easy-To-Use Method of Training Your Memory
I love collecting memory books and courses. You Can Remember! by Dr. Bruno Furst is quite unique.
Although these books do have some differences in them, what makes You Can Remember! unique is a method of segmenting the different skills into ten sessions.
These sessions are split up into ten small booklets of about 30 pages each. The package comes with four separate envelopes, each packed with “examinations” or “model answers.” The exams typically ask you to spend 20 minutes reading a magazine. You then quiz yourself and self-assess your accuracy.
Inside, you’ll find simple questions on typewritten sheets.
Finally, the box comes with the “Number Dictionary.” This small booklet is packed with words that fit the Major System from 00-1000.
Overview of the 10 Sessions
Bruno Furst faces the same challenge all memory experts run up against: There is no perfect place to start learning memory techniques.
But I feel that Dr. Furst made the best possible choice by starting where I also introduce students to the art of memory, with the Memory Palace technique.
Session 1:
In his work, Dr. Furst uses the terminology of his era: The Memory Checkroom. Instead of calling each stop in the Memory Palace a “Magnetic Station,” he talks about coat hooks, each with a number.
So that you can remember the numbers of each “hook,” you learn the Major System.
The session concludes with a test of how you interact your different hooks with daily chores.
Session 2:
Furst extends the Major System in this session and helps you extend it to three digits. He shows how you can use it to memorize “telephone numbers, price lists, addresses, formulas of every kind – in short, everything connected with numbers in practical life.”
The session ends with showing how flexible this number system is by sharing various mnemonic devices you can apply to different kinds of information.
A historic image of Dr. Furst shows that he likely taught even more advanced uses for numbers in his live training sessions. You see him with specially printed playing cards that include 3-digit numbers, for example, but I don’t know exactly what he had in mind for these. Encoding past 00-99 is not covered in any of his material I’ve read.
Session 3:
This session goes further with extending your Major System and explains how to remember prices.
Session 4:
Here Dr. Furst discusses applying the techniques to memorizing information from newspapers and short stories. You are given a number of still photographs to work with. You also go through scenarios where you might want to remember an anecdote and how your mnemonic devices can help trigger the memories.
Session 5:
Dr. Furst explains the different types of memories and then extends the techniques to memorizing faces and then names. He explains how to apply the techniques at parties.
Dr. Bruno Furst discussing how to memorize faces.
Session 6:
Here, you learn the “chain method,” which is essentially the same as the link and story method. He touches on how to use this method to memorize a speech.
Session 7:
In this session, Furst covers memorizing historical dates, geography and memorizing contest winners and information related to the tax code. This is probably one of the most dated parts of the Bruno Furst memory program, especially since there have been many advancements in how to use memory techniques in the past decade alone.
Session 8:
Dr. Furst starts ramping things up in this section by discussing adding facts to people. He discusses remembering names when you don’t actually know the person (such as artists, authors, historical figures, etc). You also learn how to tackle memorizing scripture and the US States.
Session 9:
By this point, Dr. Furst figures you are ready for some of the next-level techniques. Here, he introduces using classification systems to improve your memory. For example, if you need to memorize a bunch of items on a tray, you would isolate all the musical instruments into a category.
When exactly anyone would need to do this outside of working for airport security is unclear, but this technique does relate to what we call the Conceptual Mode in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass. His introduction to using this kind of “mental division” is worth practicing even if the examples he gives don’t relate to many real world applications.
One approach that still is potentially useful involves his discussion of using the Dewey Decimal system. This strategy is compelling and with a more robust approach to the Memory Palace, it’s quite easy to see how one could “nest” a number of them together using this categorical system.
This session is one of the most important and it’s curious that more of this material doesn’t appear in the introduction. Furst waits until nearly the end to stress the importance of goal setting, planning and exposes the truth about creativity. (The truth is that real creativity in memory training involves bringing together preexisting elements, not “inventing” new imagery and associations.)
Session 10:
You learn how to memorize a deck of cards in this session and a few routines you can use to stun your friends. The course ends with Furst stressing the need for ongoing practice in order to maintain the skills you’ve gained.
Can Bruno Furst Help You with Memory Improvement?
If you’ve been following this blog for any period of time, you know that I feel more is better than less. “One,” as I often say, “is the most dangerous number” when you’re learning any skill. You want multiple teachers.
But whether it’s Mega Memory, Pmemory or something by one of our contemporary memory competitors (like Nelson Dellis), you should think about a few things before deciding.
Historical recency. Furst refers to dated newspaper formats, hairstyles that are no longer in fashion and checkrooms that one rarely sees anymore. If you’re a certain age, these examples won’t bother you. But there’s nothing about dealing with the Internet or information overwhelm. Dr. Furst couldn’t have even imagined what students of today deal with and this book shows it. (That said, the amount of techniques he covers is impressive and they’re all still relevant to today’s era.)
The examples are incredibly vague and generic. We know so much more about multisensory, concrete associations these days. You will likely struggle if you use examples that may have worked for a few people in his era.
Bad advice. Furst talks about not using rhymes for a reason that doesn’t really make sense and tells you to repeat names in conversations, which is not strictly necessary when memorizing them. He also seems to assume that everyone is an extrovert.
He breaks learning a 00-99 PAO over 10 sessions instead of just focusing on this particular skill. He may have had the learning technique called “interleaving” in mind, but I doubt it. This strategy might reduce the cognitive load of developing your Major System, but you wind up switching topics many times and he never quite develops a solid use case as he might have by gathering this mnemonic strategy in one place.
The History Of Memory Techniques
Personally, I picked up these books and the You Can Remember! course to better understand the history of this beautiful tradition.
Like Kevin Trudeau and Harry Lorayne, Bruno Furst was more than a memory teacher. He was a great marketer. The course I ordered came packed with the original advertising and it’s clear that Furst knew just how much convincing many people need in order to give these techniques a try.
Testimonials for Bruno Furst came with You Can Remember! to help remind new students of the value in the program.
The use of testimonials and what he calls “proof again” testimonials and offers for free training shows that he was devoted to “education-based advertising.” Although nothing in his marketing offers the kinds of “results in advance” we focus on in the Magnetic Memory Method world, it is inspiring to see the effort that went into these “listicles via mail.” There is also an “advertorial” in Maclean’s where he teaches the Major System in passing.
It is not known whether Dr. Furst wrote these advertising materials himself, but they strike me as coming from the same author. I get this feeling because the memory training itself is written to encourage you take action, and this is common across all memory training programs. If you want, as Dr. Furst puts it, to “make more friends, and acquire greater popularity at social gatherings,” you have to take action.
As I have done for years, he urges the learner not to be content with the examples he gives. The imperative to “try the system immediately in your daily life,” comes up as a mantra, and I agree that it needs to be repeated often. He correctly stresses that “every human activity rests in some way on memory” and shows how improving memory leads to great efficiency and pleasure in life.
Finally, it is worth noting how Dr. Furst brings memory training together with general self help. When talking about classification, he talks about applying this mnemonic strategy to your goals. He suggests breaking your five year plan into categories like your business or work, social life and family recreation.
Practical, But Dated Memory Training
As I mentioned at the beginning, there is no perfect way to start your memory training journal. But if you want to split things across ten learning sessions and can get hold of You Can Remember!, I have no problem recommending it.
Even where there are certainly aspects to the program I could complain about it, Furst knows his stuff and his own goals are in the right place. As he says, “Every advance in civilization and every step in cultural progress rests in the last analysis upon memory.” This fact remains true and those of us who love memory techniques owe a debt of gratitude for his work, whether we go through his material or not.
Focus Your Mind: 3 Powerful Concentration Secrets
Nov 18, 2020
Do you need to focus your mind?
And while you’re at it, would you like to increase your concentration power?
If so, I have 3 simple tips for you that are more powerful than a fistful of focus vitamins or a scientifically questionable brain training app.
And I’ll even reveal what happened when I was attacked personally in an examination and needed these tips in order to keep focused so I could get my Ph.D.!
Want to know the focus secrets that will help you perform even under the most hectic of situations?
Did you know that you can’t effectively work on your mind without also working on your body?
It’s critical to start here because a lot of people think their mind is somehow different than their body. In fact, your mind is produced by your brain, a clump of physical cells located in your skull.
The quality and health of these cells directly shows up in your ability to focus and concentrate.
To start improving, learn to relax your body every time you sit down to study. You can do this by performing muscle relaxation exercises, breathing exercises, and daily meditations.
Let’s look at how to combine all three in a quick morning ritual:
Get a foam roller or lacrosse balls to help relieve shoulder pain
(Be sure to check with your doctor or a physical therapist before taking on any new exercise or physical program.)
I have been using rollers like these for years, and they really set the stage for much greater mental focus than I thought possible.
We all hold far too much tension in our bodies, and this is a simple way to help release a TON of it.
Perform these exercises every day for five minutes before you read or study, and you will undoubtedly note a huge difference.
And if you are a student attending lectures on campus, consider getting a therapy massage cane — you can easily put it in your backpack along with your lacrosse balls for use before lectures.
If you can’t carry such items with you, a simple body scan and deliberate squeezing of your major muscles is another possibility.
For example, before I sat for my dissertation defense – arguably the biggest exam of my life – I moved from my feet all the way up to my forehead, squeezing and releasing my muscles. No one noticed at all, and I waltzed into the room completely relaxed.
In addition to muscle relaxation, I had two other secret weapons that enabled me to focus in the heat of battle where I was attacked personally and managed to do better than survive. Thanks to relaxation and memory techniques, I recited quotes and page numbers and pulled all kinds of abstract knowledge from my head.
In fact, even after I was grilled intensively and even aggressively by one person on the committee, the head examiner said, “Anthony, the only guy cooler than you is Miles Davis.”
What was my second secret weapon?
2. Focus Your Mind on the Breath
My second secret for how to focus right now is breathing.
My favorite breathing exercise is called Alternate Psychic Nostril Breathing.
It’s called “psychic” because you imagine in your mind that you’re inhaling through just one nostril — unlike Alternate Nostril Breathing, where you actually use your hand.
But I didn’t have the concentration and focus skills for that level of kinesthetic visualization in the beginning. So I just started with the regular version.
When you’re ready to switch over to the “psychic” version, just pretend that the nostrils are blocked as you go back and forth. With practice, you’ll find that you can do it all day.
And even if you don’t, you can drop back into it during a moment of tension or stress.
For example, when I was told during my doctoral dissertation that an entire chapter I’d written on Nietzsche had no Nietzsche in it, I didn’t get stressed or choked or panicked.
I just squeezed the muscles in my hands and feet and imagined I was inhaling only through my right nostril and out through my left. By that point, I’d been practicing the technique for a while, which is why it took such immediate effect.
Don’t expect to try it once and suddenly be as calm as a Shaolin Monk!
After this examiner made this accusation and I’d quickly centered myself, I calmly remembered the page number my Nietzsche chapter started on and asked everyone to turn to that page.
Then I quoted Nietzsche in German, one of the most important passages he wrote about friendship, which I’d written about in my dissertation. That quote helped me establish the theoretical grounding I’d laid out, not just in that chapter, but throughout the massive document everyone was now focused on.
But I didn’t have to look because I knew exactly what I’d written and exactly where in the document the passage was located.
One thing I was reminded of that day: people attack each other for a reason, and one of them is because they know how easy it is to break your focus and cause you to make mistakes.
But I don’t care. All that matters is that I was prepared by practicing these focus and concentration techniques.
One key to my success with these focus strategies is to be F.R.E.E. That is, literally:
Frequent practice in a state of… Relaxation and a spirit of… Experimentation and always letting these focus and concentration rituals keep you… Entertained
These two strategies I’ve shared so far using the F.R.E.E. model – when practiced in advance – will help ensure that you’re not so quickly shaken. You might not be “as cool as Miles Davis,” but at least you’ll be moving in the direction of calm focus, cool clarity, and modesty too.
Anyone who has the first world problem of focus and concentration issues while attending university (or reading books they bought off Amazon) can also bring in a bit of gratitude as a strategy too.
Most of us just don’t realize how blessed we are. And that’s because we lack observation skills. This leads us to the third strategy for greater focus…
3. Focus Your Mind… on the Mind?
Let me cut to the chase:
There are lots of kinds of meditation, and tons of confusion out there. I won’t pretend to know the best kind of meditation for you, because it’s not as simple as systematically relaxing your muscles.
But we do know that scientists have found that four times a week minimum is required for greater focus and concentration effects to take place. These don’t have to be hour-long marathons, either. Just ten to fifteen minutes of meditation will do.
I suggest that you do some muscle relaxation and breathing first, and then just set a timer. Tim Ferriss advises that you should set your timer for two minutes less than you think you can sit for.
For example, if you think you can sit for 10 minutes to just watch your thoughts, set it for eight.
And that’s really all you need to do in the beginning. Turn off all the apps and other distractions. Sit just to sit.
One of my favorites on Gary Weber’s channel is his Kirtan Kriya practice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehvokeZnXMM
This simple meditation has been shown to help with memory, focus, and concentration. Kirtan Kriya also enables you to bring in a small amount of movement and sound. It’s also a step in the direction of longer meditations where you work with self-inquiry questions.
And be flexible with yourself. I have bad shoulder impingement issues and bursitis and sadly can’t sit for long meditations at the moment. I have to lay down instead or do them while walking.
But thanks to muscle relaxation, breathing, and meditation, the pain is just something that appears in consciousness. And it’s a heck of a lot less painful than having a bratty professor in the room who just wants you to fail.
And like that professor, both those attacks and this shoulder pain are something frequent meditation helps me simply observe, without getting emotionally tied up in them.
Things in the world are just like waves of the ocean, rolling in and rolling out. They really don’t disturb the shore, which gets stronger and stronger the more you practice these three techniques.
Before we wrap up, I have one more suggestion to help you focus your mind.
How Do You Mentally Focus?
If you’re having a hard time getting little rituals like these into action, here’s the solution that works best for me:
Do all of these three exercises for better focus before you turn on the computer in the morning or look at your phone.
Sometimes I’m not successful at doing that every single morning, but usually I am. If you’re new, even just a 20% success rate across a few weeks is a start.
You can put your phone in a cupboard and make sure your computer is completely turned off. Designate a room in your home or spot where you can focus just on rolling out your muscles, practicing your breathing, and meditating.
Anchor this place in your home with a mental image like the Buddha or Alan Watts, Gary Weber, or something you find peaceful like a tree or flower. Then go to that spot and practice.
Later you can open the great avalanche of the connected world, and you’ll enjoy it with much more focus, concentration, and gratitude because you’ve completed these simple exercises.
Ready to remember the planets in order? Let’s get started.
Eight Planets, Or Nine?
Back in 2006, Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet.
You might not think something as simple as a planet at the very edge of our solar system could be a source of outrage, but the reclassification ruffled feathers around the globe.
So let’s just say – whatever your opinions, thoughts, beliefs, or fantasies about what a planet is or isn’t – that Pluto isn’t a planet. We’ll leave NASA in charge of the classification and leave the Pluto question out of today’s discussion!
The good news is, the techniques in today’s post can extend to any and all astral bodies.
And if you want to go even further, you can combine the power of the Major Method and using Memory Palaces to memorize vocabulary to memorize anything in our sky.
These techniques will work for you whether you want to memorize:
The order of the planets in our solar system,
Stars, moons, and dwarf planets,
Spacecraft, astronauts, and astronomers, or
Celestial bodies in galaxies far away.
And if you want to learn more about our solar system, I highly recommend The Planets — a companion book to the BBC series. According to the publisher, “Andrew Cohen and Professor Brian Cox take readers on a voyage of discovery, from the fiery heart of our Solar System to its mysterious outer reaches.”
Now let’s look at one of the first ways people usually learn the planets in order.
Or, you could use an acronym to remember the planets… but MVEMJSUN isn’t a very sensible one, right?
Instead, what if you used an acrostic? An acrostic is a poem or composition that uses certain letters in each line to form a word. So for our planets, we might see acrostics like:
My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles.
A fun brain exercise is to think of as many different acrostics as you can using the first letters of each planet.
Quite frankly, I think acronyms and acrostics are not good ways to remember the planets. It just doesn’t make a lot of sense, in my view. And I believe we can do better!
I think that we can do it in a way that allows us to turn what we do to memorize the order of the planets into a memory palace.
In fact, it’s not just the planets you can use to create a memory palace — let’s look at your other options.
What Else Can You Use As a Memory Palace?
In the image below, we supposedly see Giordano Bruno looking out beyond the known solar system to imagine all the stars that lay beyond.
I particularly enjoy the work and writing of Bruno, and have incorporated him into a series about the Art of Memory on YouTube.
His book De Umbris Idearum and Ars Memoriae: On the Shadows of Ideas & the Art of Memory (as well as other works) talk a lot about the stars and the constellations, and how to use them as memory palaces.
If you go on to read The Hermetic Art of Memory by Bruno’s student Alexander Dicsone, you’ll discover a means of using the mansions of the moon as Memory Palaces.
In part two of the Art of Memory playlist, I show you the quote where Bruno essentially tells us (here I’m paraphrasing), “My solutions are just examples. Go your own way. Make your own mnemonic examples. You don’t have to memorize what I have memorized or use my tools…”
And if you really want to understand The Art of Memory you do need to understand something about the stars, what Bruno may have done with them, and what this practice is all about.
Our takeaway from him is that we can use whatever symbols or objects we want in order to create a memory palace — so why not include the solar system as a memory palace to remember the planets in order?
As we’re preparing to use the solar system to create a memory palace, we also need to discuss mnemonic devices for the planets. And this requires a little bit of discussion of Ars Combinatoria.
But what’s that? Let’s see.
Ways to Remember the Planets with Ars Combinatoria
Ars Combinatoria translates to the “art of combination.” If you do a bit of research about it, you’ll find this definition on Wikipedia:
“All concepts are nothing but combinations of a relatively small number of simple concepts, just as words are combinations of letters. All truths may be expressed as appropriate combinations of concepts, which can in turn be decomposed into simple ideas, rendering the analysis much easier. Therefore, this alphabet would provide a logic of invention, opposed to that of demonstration which was known so far.”
We won’t dive too deep into Ars Combinatoria today, because it’s what I would call hidden-lost.
Bruno was fascinated with the Catalan philosopher and theologian Ramon Llull (c.1232–1316) and some of the apparent contradictions around Ars Combinatoria. But without a time machine to go back and talk to these great philosophers, we get to reconstruct how they came about their discoveries.
Instead, let’s look at something called the “coach effect” as an example.
You can see this in lots of realms — sports, screenwriting, etc. The coach effect is that sometimes people are experts at getting performance out of other people, but can’t do it themselves.
For example, when I was a story consultant it always amazed me how the best story consultants could get paid a million dollars to tell you what to fix about your screenplay… but they couldn’t write a screenplay to save their lives.
They’re story mechanics who understand the topic so deeply but can’t operate on the other side of the pen.
There is probably no other way for anybody to achieve the highest possible level except through Ars Combinatoria. If you’re feeling a bit lost with these concepts, be sure to sign up for the free memory masterclass to get the base knowledge necessary to be successful.
Next, let’s work on the first step of our solar system memory palace: mnemonics.
Solar System Mnemonics
In our efforts to learn the planets in order (and make a memory palace out of them) let’s start with the planet closest to the sun and work our way out into the solar system.
Mercury
The closest planet to the sun is also the smallest. And the sunlight there would be up to seven times brighter than we’re used to here on earth!
Buildings of the Campus Pierre & Marie Curie, Paris, France
So how can we use Ars Combinatoria to help us turn Mercury into the first station of our memory palace? What magnetic imagery can we use to help us remember?
One way is to think of Madame Curie.
Maybe they’re working on a cure. MerCURy.
Venus
Have you heard the current debate about whether scientists have discovered signs of life on Venus… or if it’s just a weird chemical reaction? Whichever side of the debate you’re on, let’s look at our mnemonic example.
“I’m your Venus. I’m your fire. At your desire.”
The song by Dutch Rock band Shocking Blue can help you remember the second planet from the sun.
When you want to remember our home planet Earth, how about visualizing an ear?
Who has ears? Turns out, most living things “hear” in some way or another. But one sticky way to remember an ear is to think about our friends with giant ears — the rabbit.
Mars
Here on Earth, we have earthquakes. But did you know that Mars also has seismic activity? They’re called – not surprisingly – Marsquakes.
One of the first things that comes to mind when I think about the Red Planet is Martians. And one of the most famous Martians is… Marvin the Martian. If you can hear his voice in your mind, even better!
Let’s switch primary colors, from red to blue, and think about juniper berries.
Juniper is obviously not Jupiter, but it’s aurally similar. Plus, if you know Amphitryon (an early Latin play by Plautus) then you know that Jupiter comes down to impregnate Alcmena, and Alcmena’s child is Heracles — and this is the story of the virgin birth many, many years previous to the story of the other virgin birth.
But even if you’re not familiar with ancient Roman theater, it’s still easy to remember juniper = Jupiter, right?
Saturn
Titan is Saturn’s largest moon — large enough, in fact, to have its own atmosphere. The writers at Astronomy.com even went so far as to pose a thought experiment: since an airtight spacesuit is not a necessity on the satellite, what would Titan smell like?
Turns out, “a bouquet of musky sweetness, bitter almonds, gasoline, and decomposing fish would likely fill the air.” Yum.
The Arch of Titus, Rome, Italy
For our purposes, let’s turn to something closer to our home planet. In Titus Andronicus (a Shakespearian tragedy) there’s a character named Saturninus who is Son of the late Emperor of Rome. Saturninus is a gloomy, saturnine character, very full of “Saturn” visual imagery.
And if you haven’t read or seen Titus Andronicus, I highly recommend it. It’s wonderful for a mnemonist — full of dramatic imagery you can use for your memory palaces.
I know a lot of people might make jokes about Uranus… but for the purposes of our memory palace, we’ll think about Israeli-British illusionist Uri Geller and his spoon-bending illusion.
He’s a great example of mnemonic imagery because he’s larger than life and filled with conflicting emotions. You can have cognitive dissonance with people like him, which makes him perfect for your memory work.
Neptune
Our eighth and final planet (sorry, Pluto) is Neptune, which has one large moon. Triton appears to be an object captured out of the Kuiper belt — and it almost destroyed the entire Neptunian system in the process of getting captured.
While there are a few conceptual abstractions you could use to remember the final planet, let’s keep it simpler.
Remember the Nebuchadnezzar, the hovership Morpheus captains in The Matrix? You can use the Nebuchadnezzar (nicknamed the Neb) to help you remember Neptune — maybe the scene where the Sentinels are attacking the ship.
Now you have all your solar system mnemonics in place, let’s look at how to turn them into a memory palace.
Make a Memory Palace With the Planets in Order
You could make a memory palace with the planets in a number of different ways, but today we’ll put them into a two-room memory palace to keep things simple.
You can even turn each of the planets into what’s called an “eternal station” so that any time you need assistance to help you remember something, you have imagery ready to go.
In the Magnetic Memory Masterclass, I give you better ways to think about this and there are also some drills in the Card Memorization course based on this thinking. Although card memorization seems like an unrelated skill, it actually helps you develop a number of abilities that are useful across the board.
For example, it helps you deal with repetitive words and ideas, as well as information types that have several units of meaning gathered together.
In the image above, you can see each of the planets in their own corner of the memory palace. The whole point of the Art of Combination and memory techniques is your ability to get something going because you’re prepared in advance.
It’s a very fun and simple way you can learn how to remember the planets. When you have a memory palace (or two) you can keep your eternal memory palace open so you can work with it for the rest of your life. Whenever you want to memorize more things, you have images you can work with and tie together.
So where do we go from here?
What Are the Best Ways to Remember the Planets?
In the end, the best way to remember the order of the planets is to use the method that will work best for you — and the one you’ll stick with!
You might decide to use a memory palace or learn how to memorize playing cards. Maybe an acrostic will work best for you. It’s up to you to experiment and find out.
And if you want to learn more about how to create and use a memory palace, be sure to check out my free memory improvement kit. With the memory palace technique, you can memorize pretty much anything you want!
How to Remember the Amendments in 3 Easy Steps
Oct 28, 2020
If you need to memorize the 27 Amendments to the American Constitution, you’re probably thinking it’s going to be a lot of work.
Instead of indulging in overwhelm, consider the following fact:
For thousands of years, people have been using memory techniques to commit far more than 27 pieces of information to memory.
In fact, there are people alive today who have committed entire books to memory — including the Constitution itself!
So if you’d like an easy way to memorize the amendments, today’s your lucky day. There are at least three ways to do it, and I’ll reveal all on this page by covering:
1. How to Memorize the Amendments Using a Number Rhyme System
Number Rhymes are very basic and visual, which is why they work so well. Basically, you will associate each number with an object or person.
For example:
1 is a bun 2 is a shoe 3 is a bee 4 is a door 5 is a hive
The trick is to make sure you make each rhyme and image much more specific than an abstract old bun.
For example, I think of the buns you used to get with Kentucky Fried Chicken when I was a kid. (I don’t eat fast food anymore and haven’t for over a decade to protect my memory. I eat these foods that improve memory instead.)
To create a number-rhyme system, get out a piece of paper and make a rhyme for each digit. Make sure you think about specific shoes and bees that you have a special connection with.
Then, when you think of the first amendment, which discusses “Freedom of Religion, Assembly, Petition, Press, Opinion, and Speech,” imagine that specific bun you’re thinking of with a gag on it while it’s trying to give its opinion.
If “one is a bun” doesn’t work for you, try RhymeZone for ideas. You might choose the sun, or combine a bun with the sun. For example, you can imagine your opinionated bun having his rights burned up in the sun.
Let’s try the second amendment: “The freedom to bear arms.” You have to admit that it’s pretty unforgettable to imagine your favorite pair of shoes signing its application forms to purchase a new handgun.
What about something a bit more abstract, such as the third amendment: “No military in your home except in wartime”? Provided you have some specific bee or bees in mind, this should be no problem.
For example, I think of The Bee Movie, starring Jerry Seinfield. I have him and a swarm of bees dressed as soldiers trying to enter my home. I meet them at the door with the third amendment to remind them they’re not allowed here.
Is this method the best?
It certainly is effective because it tells you the number of the amendment, but it’s also a bit random. It’s also relying solely on the strength of two levels of association: a rhyme and an object or cartoon character.
But what if you have to memorize the exact amendment word for word?
We’ll get to that with the Memory Palace technique, but first, let’s consider a similar alternative to the number-rhyme approach.
2. How to Remember the Amendments with a Pegword System
Pegwords are very similar to number-rhymes. It’s just that there’s no rhyme and people tend to use the alphabet.
For example, let’s say you’re memorizing the fourth amendment, “No unreasonable searches or seizures.”
Let’s use the letter D and assume that we’ve covered the first three amendments with A, B, and C. With this approach, you assign a person or object to each letter.
For example:
A = Al Pacino (insisting he has the right to speak freely) B = Ben Kingsley (registering for a firearm) C = Cookie Monster (refusing the military entrance into his home.
For the fourth amendment, you might assign Dracula to the letter D and imagine him explaining to a cop that he has the right to be free from search and seizure without good reason.
If we assign E and Ernie from Sesame Street to the fifth amendment, you could have him almost incriminating himself and then catching himself just in time.
Can you spot the weakness with this technique? It has all the same problems as the number-rhyme approach — but in this case, you have to know the number of each letter of the alphabet.
That said, you could combine the two. In fact, if you did, you would quickly learn the number of each letter of the alphabet.
For example, if you decide that six is drumsticks, you could have a philosopher like Michel Foucault for the letter F in your association. He could be pounding away on drums and chanting that he has “the right to a speedy and public trial.”
If you would like lists of all my images for number-rhymes and the alphabet, please see my post on using the pegword method.
3. Using The Memory Palace Technique to Remember the Amendments
A Memory Palace is probably your best bet. It will allow for a few things:
It helps you have a “canvas” for leaving your images so you can find them later
You can remember the number of each station by using a number-rhyme
You can use Recall Rehearsal to harness the serial-position, primacy, and recency effect to get all of the amendments into long term memory rapidly
To create a Memory Palace, draw a home or office where you have space for more than 27 different items. This is important in case you need more space.
For example, if you want to memorize the amendments verbatim, you’ll notice that some are much longer than others.
Personally, I would probably link together two or more Memory Palaces for this task, as I have done in this illustration of one of my favorites.
This Memory Palace has more than enough room for all the amendments. I actually think of it as three separate Memory Palaces that just happen to be linked. Magnetic Stations 1-9 are one Memory Palace, 10-20 another, and 21-33 the final MP.
I know all of this can be a bit overwhelming to learn in one goal, so please consider getting my training program. It’s free!
Let’s take a look at a few more examples.
Memory Palace Example for the Amendments
We’ve already covered the first six in this tutorial, so let’s imagine that we’ve got them covered and start with the seventh amendment on station seven.
Station seven is the elevator in a building. It says that Americans have “the right to a trial by jury in civil matters of $20 and over.”
In this elevator, I would imagine Oliver Sacks handing a twenty-dollar bill to a jury of my peers.
Why Oliver Sacks? Because he’s my symbol for 07 using a 00-99 PAO (Person Action Object) system. It’s a bit more advanced than number-rhyme and alphabet memory systems.
It’s built from something called the Major System or Major Method. Basically, you pair every digit from 0-9 with a consonant. Then when you put two digits together, you make a word.
Here’s a handy chart that lays out the system:
Since 0 = s and 7 = k, I chose the word “sack.” Since that’s a bit limp and lame without an actual reference, I landed upon Oliver Sacks to make the association more concrete.
Then, when I needed to memorize the eighth amendment, I would simply proceed to the next station in the Memory Palace and use the symbol for 08 to memorize “The right to fair fines and bail. No cruel and unusual punishment.”
(08 = Shiva in my system but there are many other options.)
But what if you need ways to remember the amendments line for line?
How to Memorize The Amendments Verbatim
So far, I’ve described ways to memorize the amendments that will give you the gist of each one. But what if you need an easy way to remember the amendments all word-for-word?
No problem!
In fact, it’s with verbatim memorization that the Memory Palace technique really shines. Because you have a lot of space, you can make an image for each and every word.
For example, my image for 09 is memory expert Brad Zupp. The ninth amendment is “Individual Rights. Rights that are not in the constitution are still rights delegated to citizens.”
I might imagine that Brad is a Star Wars character who feels “individual” about his rights. To remember specifically that the next sentence starts with “rights,” I would imagine the Wright brothers from NoMeansNo playing on a knot instead of a stage to remember, “Rights not…”
Then I would have the Dell computer logo crashing down on a poster for the movie, Citizen Kane.
Listen, these images might make zero sense to you. Your mind is probably filled with a completely unique set of popular culture images.
But the principles behind these techniques are the same: You make a word-by-word association and lay out the mental imagery on a wall or along some kind of journey.
How to Remember The 27 Amendments For the Long-Term
Now you might be thinking, “Hang on, memory man! All that associating… it’s going to take forever!”
Actually, it won’t.
Studies have shown that using flashcards will get you about a 44% retention rate, whereas using the elaborative encoding process I’ve just shared should get you a rate of 85%.
That rate will go up or down depending on your willingness to experiment with the techniques.
But it’s not just about making these funny associations. You also need to actively recall each of the amendments. For that, the Memory Palace helps you do this in a highly refined way.
First, I suggest you encode only 5-10 at a time. Then, visit each one in a strategic pattern:
Forward and backward
Start at the end and move to the beginning
Start in the middle and move to the end
Start in the middle and move to the beginning
Skip the stations (i.e. recall 1, 3, 5, 7, then 8, 6, 4, 2, etc)
Why go to all this trouble? Because this harnesses the power of serial positioning, the primacy effect and the recency effect. Without it, you’re likely to only remember the first and last amendments you place in the Memory Palace.
FAQ: What About Flash Cards and Spaced Repetition Software?
You certainly can use these, but I would recommend you still have a Memory Palace and the association process in the mix.
One way or the other, the brain needs active recall to learn and it’s so much easier when you have a Memory Palace and associative imagery in the mix. You don’t have to take my word for it either. Memory expert, neuroscientist, and memory athlete Boris Konrad will offer you similar setup steps.
Now, we know from his autobiography that Benjamin Franklin sought out better forms of memory. And we also know that he was a staunch defender of the freedom to speak your mind.
And he also wrote this about how he committed certain styles of writing to memory:
“I took some of the papers, and, making short hints of the sentiment in each sentence, laid them by a few days, and then, without looking at the book, try’d to compleat the papers again, by expressing each hinted sentiment at length, and as fully as it had been expressed before, in any suitable words that should come to hand.”
This is an important clue to our final lesson:
If you really want to get all 27 amendments locked permanently in your memory, write them down from memory. Literally test yourself and use active recall.
First, call the Memory Palace back to mind.
Then call back the association you made.
Finally, allow the association to bring back the target information.
Then write it down.
You don’t have to recall it in order. If you can’t think of one immediately, simply move on to the next that you can and troubleshoot later.
Troubleshooting All The Ways To Memorize the Amendments
It’s very unlikely you’ll get through the process without making a mistake.
The trick is to learn from our mistakes.
If you miss a word, or an entire amendment, calmly assess the situation.
For example, if you use heaven for seven, ask yourself: Is “heaven” really a concrete image in your mind? Can you use characters from Highway to Heaven to make it more immediate? Or do you know a friend or celebrity named Evan you can use?
Likewise when it comes to a Memory Palace. If you can’t remember which spot comes next, you need to remove the self-criticism and dispassionately assess the situation.
Have you spent enough time creating a proper Memory Palace? Have you completed the free course offered on this site to help you through it?
Is Any Of This Really Quick And Easy?
Yes!
I’ve seen people memorize far more than this amount of information in just days. It just comes down to a willingness to learn the techniques in a spirit of experimentation.
Of course, some people get the knack for it faster than others. But anyone with skills enough to read this page can also memorize as much information if they want. And they can even learn to use memorization techniques to go much faster.
But even if it takes a bit longer, so what? It’s the amendments we’re talking about — well worth it!
In sum, it’s an incredible journey to memorize a list so central to the freedoms promised by one of the greatest nations on earth. My hat’s off to you for committing yourself to it and if you have any questions, just post them below.
Kevin Trudeau’s Mega Memory: A Complete Review
Oct 26, 2020
If you’re looking for a review of the Mega Memory program, you probably just want to know: Does it work?
The answer is yes and no.
If you’re a beginner, this book will almost certainly help you understand the basics of association and develop a peg system.
If you’re an intermediate user of memory techniques, it might give you a few insights.
If you’re an expert mnemonist, it probably won’t add much to your skillset. But you might find it useful and interesting for historical purposes. You can also consider it a chance to review core concepts and potentially think about the memory techniques from another angle.
But will it “work”?
No.
And that’s because memory techniques are not things that do anything. It’s people who put the techniques into use.
Just as no machine or dumbbell at the gym builds any muscle until the owner of the muscle puts the weight into motion, no memory technique does anything unless you put it to work.
When you put anymemory training to work, you can almost certainly expect:
But it’s you who does the work to learn the techniques and put in the practice. (How could it be otherwise?)
With this core principle in mind (one that is true of all memory courses on the planet), let’s take a deep dive into what Mega Memory is and think about whether or not it’s worth your time.
Mega Memory by Kevin Trudeau: Everything You Need to Know
First, we’ll clarify what exactly Mega Memory is (and is not).
What is Mega Memory?
It’s important to know that there are multiple versions of this memory training. These include:
Multiple print editions
Multiple audio editions (Mega Memory and Advanced Mega Memory)
Some of the audio editions may or may not include:
A workbook
A pocket guide
In this review, I’ll be referring to the print and audio editions.
For all intents and purposes, they are essentially the same. The audio program has the benefit of the speaker’s enthusiasm and asides, though some listeners may find these aspects tedious and even grating.
The book opens with a very important list of acknowledgments and thank yous.
I point this out because the creator, Kevin Trudeau, never claims to have invented or even innovated any of the techniques taught in the book. Instead, he places himself in the position of the learner, which is what all of us should strive to be for the course of our learning lives.
Unfortunately, many reviewers often state that there is “nothing new here.” Such assessments are problematic for two reasons:
If you don’t know these techniques, they are definitely new to you.
There are innovations to the memory techniques all the time. Individual readers might not be able to spot them due to a lack of context.
It’s dangerous to pay attention to such reviews because you simply don’t know what you don’t know.
This raises the question: What can you expect to know about memory after you go through Mega Memory?
What Mega Memory Covers
The program opens with tips on how to make the most out of the learning experience. You are given ground rules, which are generally good to follow for many courses of study.
These pointers include:
Go through the lessons in order
Study in short blasts
Take breaks
Schedule your practice
Remove distractions
Do not eat before reading or practicing
Trudeau also asks you to self-test your “teachability.” This is important because some people just aren’t willing to do what it takes to get results from memory improvement courses.
This point links to an insight given by David Berglas in A Question of Memory. In this book, Berglas describes memory not as a “unitary mechanism” or thing — instead, memory is a behavior. It is something we do and how we do memory matters a great deal.
Next, you’ll learn:
How to make associations
How to chain associations together (sometimes called linking)
You also get lists of words for stimulating what amounts to your own 00-99 object list based on the Major System.
You also get an extensive “name guide” to practice with — something that might be useful for even the advanced practitioner who wants to practice in a park without the distractions of a smartphone or other device that goes online.
Who is Kevin Trudeau?
Unfortunately, many people missed the opportunity to learn from this book due to a few colliding issues:
According to Wikipedia, the FTC required Trudeau to stop marketing Mega Memory using infomercials. He made claims about photographic memory that are obviously false because photographic memory isn’t real. (Many uninformed members of the public have learned a false definition of eidetic memory as well, compounding the problems of gullibility in the market.)
Trudeau was sent to prison for a variety of reasons, including contempt of court.
Many people make the ad hominem fallacy that because of these troubles, the memory training Trudeau produced must be suspect or in some way inferior.
As mentioned above, Trudeau hasn’t created any of these techniques or introduced anything “new.” It’s impossible for his behaviors to reduce the value of the techniques because they were never his in the first place.
Will Kevin Trudeau enter the memory market again when he gets out of prison? It’s hard to say, but a recent report tells us that he’s been in touch with a judge to try and figure out how he’ll survive once he’s a free man again.
Mega Memory Review: Can It Help You With Memory Improvement?
The beginner who reads the book or completes the audio program thoroughly should walk away with a solid set of memory skills to practice.
If you follow the program and bring your own information you need to memorize, the book should deliver what it claims. But if you struggle, that’s no reason to panic. The next book or program will help fill in any gaps you still have — as will practice.
When you’re ready for more, I’d suggest some of these Memory Palace books. Frankly, I don’t think anyone should hang their success on just one book or course.
In philosophy, you wouldn’t expect to understand Aristotle after reading just one book, and it’s not reasonable for most people to expect to understand everything after completing Mega Memory.
In fact, as you’ve seen, Trudeau himself lists several teachers he’s benefited from.
The fact of the matter is this:
Who you choose as your teacher does make an impact. You need to connect with their voice (written or spoken) and the level of detail they bring needs to connect with where you currently stand with your skills.
Whereas some aspects may be too pedestrian for you, others may be too challenging. This is normal.
Some people will interpret Trudeau’s enthusiasm on the audio version as “hype.” A more charitable interpretation is to recognize that these techniques do take some effort and many people lack initiative, energy, and even the courage to take action.
As one reviewer on Goodreads named Philip puts it, Trudeau “could charm a bird into paying for flying lessons. It is great to experience as rhetoric alone.”
This comment is apt because memory techniques have historically been connected to the art of persuasion. I demonstrate this with reference to the marketing of memory in detail in my analysis of Rhetorica Ad Herennium:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3rtsx8mvYU
Fortunately, memory is not as tough a sell as it used to be, given the success of the World Memory Championships, Moonwalking with Einstein, and various specials like Memory Games on Netflix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gve0Y8cYAoo
But even with all of these wonderful and encouraging demonstrations of the absolute validity of memory techniques for each and every one of us, many still need the tools of persuasion to get started and keep going with the practice.
At the end of the day, Mega Memory is probably best considered as a product for beginners. But there’s no guarantee you’ll put in the effort needed to get the results. This means that the decision is not whether it “works” or not.
There’s an abundance of evidence going back thousands of years that memory techniques are effective. This means that the real question is whether YOU are going to learn and practice the techniques.
As I often like to say, carpe diem but caveat emptor. If you can get your hands on Mega Memory, I’d say you’ll do just fine and be able to spot patterns with how other memory training products can help you out.
Perceiving the patterns could itself be the boost you need to start applying the techniques consistently.
So what do you say? Is this a training you want to try? Or have you already gone through it and put its presentation of the techniques into action?
How to Use Guided Visualization to Diminish Anxiety
Oct 14, 2020
It’s hard to find a decent guided visualization specifically to reduce anxiety, isn’t it?
That’s because too many people focus on the “visual” part, when really good guided meditations always include multisensory experiences. You really need to dig deep into all the senses to root out anxiety issues, after all.
In fact, without integrating the visual with the kinesthetic, auditory, emotional, conceptual and senses of space, taste, and smell, using your mind’s eye on its own can never be as powerful as what I imagine you want to achieve.
So let’s look into how to point guided visualizations toward tackling anxiety in depth.
Then I’ll give you a guided visualization with tips on how to build your own multisensory experience for tackling anxiety with even better results.
I used my own self-crafted visualizations during my PhD. They helped a ton specifically because I created them on my own.
What is Guided Visualization Specifically For Stress Reduction?
Humans have been guiding each other’s mental states since the dawn of language. Plato’s Dialogues are filled with stories like the Allegory of the Cave and the Tao Te Ching uses many metaphors to teach us how to live better in the world.
Although these texts are typically read (or heard as audiobooks), they rely upon similar techniques in order to guide us to certain conclusions.
Perhaps Franz Mesmer (1734-1815) is the person who really started working with guided visualizations. Mesmerism evolved from “animal magnetism” and the use of magnets on the body to a practice that involved the “mesmerist” staring, waving hands, and using language to try and induce healing for the sick.
We now classify mesmerism along with other pseudosciences like phrenology and alchemy.
According to Sabine Arnaud in On Hysteria: The Invention of a Medical Category between 1670 and 1820, it is possible that Mesmer’s greatest influence was on other practitioners, not patients. He was known to tell people, “Go forth, touch, cure.” This suggestion directly influenced the development of hypnotism.
Although discredited, to this day people still use pseudoscientific techniques that resemble Mesmer’s strategy, including bracelets, crystals, and forms of touch they believe to have an effect on the “animal magnetism” of the human body.
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) later developed the hypnotism spawned by Mesmer and used mental imagery in psychoanalysis.
Inspired by his teacher, Jean-Martin Charcot, Freudian concepts of “free association” encouraged patients to generate and describe their own mental imagery.
They were typically guided by the analyst’s encouragement to speak “whatever comes to mind,” and overcome their inner objections or “resistances” to sharing their thoughts and fantasies.
Guided visualization really hit its stride with figures like John Grinder and Richard Bandler, who arrived in the world of hypnosis around the same time the mass production of audio and video distribution became possible.
As these men worked on developing neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), they drew heavily upon the ideas and therapeutic work of Milton H. Erickson.
One of Erickson’s main observations was that not all people respond to the direct commands of hypnosis. For example, direct commands will involve statements like, “When I end the count of three, you will close your eyes. One… two… three…”
As an alternative to this kind of command structure, Erickson developed a number of “passive” or “indirect” statements that led individuals to follow commands as if it was their own idea.
“Whenever it feels right, you may like to close your eyes, if you feel your lids growing heavier along with the sound of my voice.” These statements not only make you feel as if it is your choice to follow along, but they are multi-sensory.
Although some of the people I just mentioned have been controversial, we know from more conventional studies like this one, that significant reductions in anxiety are possible when you find or create guided visualization experiences that work for you.
Now you have a brief history, let’s look at the benefits you’ll get.
The 3 Key Benefits of Guided Visualization
Given the questionable history of these techniques when it comes to real results, are there any benefits to practicing any kind of visualization?
Yes!
There’s a catch, however. There always is. Perhaps a personal story will help explain the benefits and encourage you to experiment with an open mind — but not one so open that your brains fall out.
1. Defining Outcomes and Creating Action in the Absence of Motivation
When I was completing my Ph.D., I absolutely did not want to write my dissertation. I spent a few years gathering research, but my graduate supervisor told me something that completely deflated my ambition.
Whereas I had big plans to become a professor who would teach my heart out and write many books, Jamie felt called to give me a wake-up call.
We were walking along Bay Street in Toronto on our way to a cafe. He told me that academic jobs were drying up, and even if I published dozens of articles, it was going to be nearly impossible for me to get a tenure-track job.
At that moment, I puffed out my chest and swore that I would build my own university if that’s what it took. Now, it turned out I sort of have built my own university on the Magnetic Memory Method website, but shortly after his talk, I fell into a slump.
Fortunately, I’d studied hypnosis and even gotten certified by the National Guild of Hypnotists through the Ontario Hypnosis Centre. (I didn’t take the course to become a hypnotherapist, but rather as part of my dissertation research on friendship.)
Thanks to the training, instead of moping around and doing nothing back in my Manhattan apartment, I recorded a guided visualization for myself.
My script included multi-sensory ideas, images, and feelings that helped me mentally experience the accomplishment of finishing my Ph.D. and visualization taking the specific steps that still needed to be done.
2. Increase Positive Thoughts
Day after day I listened to my own voice guiding myself through a visualization each morning before sitting down at the computer.
I no longer have the exact script, but it was written in the present-tense and went something like this:
As I sit at the keyboard, I feel the ideas and words flowing effortlessly through my fingers. With each keystroke, I can see my degree materializing in a frame on the wall. The sound of typing inspires electric energy as I look forward to submitting the finished document. The more I focus on the task at hand, the more my interest and energy grow and the taste of success fills my mouth. I enjoy the smell of victory as I continue to organize and refine my ideas, making sure to pay attention to the journey and cherish every moment.
This form of guided visualization helped me center myself, focus, and just get the job done. It also helped root out some anxiety-induced memory loss I’d been suffering.
I believe this process works so well because it follows the immersive, multi-sensory KAVE COGS formula:
Kinesthetic – words like flow, feel, energy Auditory – words like sound, typing Visual – imagining the degree itself, phrases like “look forward” Emotional – words like victory, cherish
Conceptual – reference to the ideas I was working on Olfactory – phrases like “the smell of victory” Gustatory – references to taste Spatial – sitting at the keyboard, the act of organization
Would I have written my dissertation without all of this “self-hypnosis”?
Perhaps, but I doubt it. And if I had, it would have been a much more miserable experience than it was. But because I had a guided visualization to get myself started, I was able to immerse myself in the task with a positive outlook despite my supervisor’s grim outlook.
3. Reduce Stress & Anxiety
In reality, my supervisor was both right and wrong. I never did get a formal academic position, despite having many publications.
However, I did wind up winning a Mercator research grant that kept me very busy teaching Film Studies in Germany.
And that was not only on the strength of my dissertation and the fact that I got my doctorate done. It was also because I knew how to be calm, cool, and collected when applying for such grants.
In fact, I used a very similar guided visualization before going to defend my dissertation and before getting each and every teaching job I’ve had in the years since. It’s a very simple visualization meditation that involves a bench, a lake, and a bike.
Entrepreneurs use business plans to help create vision statements for their companies.
Students use mental images of their future careers to help keep them moving forward.
The trick is that you need to visualize accomplishments that are within your current range of skills.
For example, if you have no skills in developing websites, you can visualize yourself as a millionaire enjoying the beach until you’re blue in the face. But it’s very unlikely to happen.
However, if you create a visualization that helps inspire you to complete a web development course, this simple and realistic practice can provide what amounts to a simple ego boost.
Exactly the kind I needed to shut up my monkey mind and its objections and keep my focus on the tasks at hand. I still use such visualizations to this day!
But please note that I also always catch myself when visualizing — I make sure that I have the competence to actually accomplish what I’m visualizing. If I don’t, I correct the vision so it’s within the realm of my current abilities.
Or, I make sure the goal involves taking a course or completing a practice regime that will get me the competence I need for the next milestone along the way to the goal.
3 Guided Visualization Exercises That Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Another form of visualization I’ve benefited from involves guided meditations that tackle discomfort arising from stress and anxiety. Unfortunately, I’ve had my fair share of both, particularly during high school and university.
For the purposes of this tutorial, the guided visualizations I’ll share with you involve a mixture of:
Direct suggestions (or commands)
Indirect suggestions (or passive commands)
Multi-sensory images and feelings (like feelings, the images of eyelids growing heavier and references to sound)
Important Disclaimers:
Never use guided meditations while driving or operating any kind of machinery.
Use of the following exercises is not to be considered medical advice or as an alternative to seeking professional medical help. Even if you don’t think you need it, leaving stress and anxiety unchecked is not advised.
I personally have always sought proper, medical help even when I’ve explored alternative therapies.
To make the most out of these guided meditation examples, I suggest you:
Rewrite each script in your own words
Include as many KAVE COG elements as possible
Use the present tense
Add in your own goals
Record each script you create in your own voice
Listen to your guided visualizations while seated or lying down
Experiment with having your eyes open and closed
Here are 3 of my favorite guided meditations.
1. The Field and the Sky
As I breathe deeply, in and out, I center my mind on an expansive image of a field. I walk lightly along a path through its center, my hands brushing the soft tips of wheat. I feel each and every one, relaxing deeper and deeper as I move towards an opening in the field beside a tree.
I sit beneath the tree and feel a comfortable breeze. I lay on my back and stare into the wide-open blue sky. With each breath, I feel more and more connected with the earth, the wind, and the colors of the sky. I pull the cool blue into my body, and circulate the sky itself through my body. The air flows through my body, and as it does I clench my fists, hold and release them. Each time I clench my fists, my body relaxes and I feel more and more connected with the earth and the sky.
2. The Volume Adjuster
With each and every breath, I allow my ears to tune deeply into the sounds around me. I connect with each sound as a physical sensation. I notice the volume and feel the sound as sensations deep in my ears. Each sound and feeling relaxes me, flowing in synchronicity with my breath.
As I breathe and listen, I imagine a music recording studio form around me. On a monitor, I see a graphic readout of the sounds in the world around me. On a control station, I reach out and feel a volume dial beneath my fingers. I control each and every sound, and as I make the sounds around me louder and quieter, I feel more and more deeply relaxed.
3. The Mirror
In a room, I breathe deeply and walk towards a full mirror. As I look at my feet, they become deeply relaxed. With each breath I take, my eyes travel up my body. My calves, thighs, hips all become deeply relaxed. I realize that my body and the body in the mirror are becoming relaxed in uniform, and this realization relaxes me even more deeply. My belly, chest, hands, arms, and shoulders all relax deeply, just by looking at them in the mirror, twice as relaxed as I share the relaxation with my image.
The muscles in my face all relax as I allow the tension in my jaw and cheeks to release. All tension around my temples and forehead completely falls away, each breath melting the tension and stress out of my body. When the moment is right, I breathe deeply and step into the mirror, doubling my comfort and relaxation yet again as I fuse with the perfect realization of myself as a deeply and completely relaxed person, feeling whole and complete in every regard.
4. BONUS: The Infinity Visualization
As I breathe in and out, I become aware of my awareness. I notice my consciousness as a substance flowing through time. To become more intimate with it, I ask the following questions without expecting any specific answers. I accept anything that arises, including ‘I don’t know.’
When did my consciousness arrive? Where exactly is my consciousness? Can I find the easternmost point of my conscious awareness? The westernmost point? The southernmost? The northernmost?
As I breathe and relax, I imagine an infinite line projecting out into space in front of me. I imagine another projecting behind me, more to the left and the right and directly upwards from my head. Although I accept that infinity is impossible to imagine, I feel each of these lines extending outward without end.
On the line projecting in front of me, I place a hotel. In this hotel are infinite rooms, each filled with a relaxed version of myself. The more I think of each version of myself extending into infinity, the more relaxed I become. When I am ready, I make room for myself in the hotel by asking every other version of myself to move one room down. All of infinity moves to make space for me, and as I move into the room, a new me emerges from the infinite line behind me to take my place, making me deeper and deeper relaxed.
Note: The hotel part of this exercise is inspired by David Hilbert’s Grand Hotel Paradox.
Other Forms of Guided Visualization You Can Try
Not everyone finds guided imagery easy. Although I’ve always allowed myself to “go along” with visual suggestions, I don’t actually see images in my mind. Many people with “aphantasia” don’t.
But that has never stopped me. I’ve used recordings from others and watched videos. But ultimately, writing and recording my own has worked by far the best.
If you don’t feel confident about making your own recordings and want to buy programs from others, many will do. It’s just important that you align your goals with reality and take everything with a grain of salt.
There are a lot of sharks out there — and, as with my dissertation, all the visualization in the world wasn’t going to get it written. I still had to show up and turn my research into sensible sentences and paragraphs that fulfilled the requirements of my degree.
Other kinds of visualization you can try involve mind mapping. For example, set a goal for relaxation. Then, start by drawing a central image of what that state is like for you. From there, draw a number of branches and free-associate. The process itself is deeply relaxing – especially if you find task-oriented projects like language learning anxiety-inducing.
You can also seek out adult coloring books. I even created one for you called the Creativity Kickstarter. It’s a fun and easy way to throw on an episode of your favorite podcast and relax through a kind of visualization that is guided in a completely different way.
I highly recommend coloring while listening to any positive audio programming that relates to goals you want to achieve.
Just remember: Everything you visualize should always start from the basis of your ability to achieve the goal in question. That way, you simply cannot fail.
And if you’d like a visualization experience that also improves your memory, consider getting my free course here:
5 Memorization Techniques That Help You Learn Faster
Oct 12, 2020
Are you looking for the perfect set of memorization techniques?
Yet, you keep getting frustrated?
Well, don’t blame yourself. Because it is frustrating, isn’t it?
I mean… everywhere you go people are using different terminology.
You’re going to come across a lot of different terms.
That’s just the way the world of memory improvement ticks (and other professions that rely on terminology). Things have been this way since humans started developing memorization techniques to help them survive.
And it’s only getting more complex!
But in reality, a lot of those techniques are essentially the same.
Each and every one has a location-based element in one way or another.
That means that all memorization techniques are spatial.
And as Thales, the first person in the West to be considered a philosopher and scientist in the same body, said:
Megiston topos hapanta gar chorei
(Space is ultimate for it contains all things)
That’s the very cool thing about the discoveries here at the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Once you understand this and practice with memorization techniques from this basis, your results will accelerate.
And the complexity eases down, even if there will still be ins and outs to consider.
And if you’re interested in more about the history of where mnemonics come from to help humans deal with complexity and how they used space to do it, please check out Lynne Kelly’s The Memory Code.
Just as we do here on this blog nearly every week, Lynne’s book will show you exactly how learning these techniques will help you deal with extreme complexity in modern life.
My course which you can subscribe to at the bottom of this post will take you through everything too. It’s free.
For now, let’s persist and do our best to get past all the confusing terminology.
Let’s talk instead about the…
5 Memorization Techniques You Can Use To Learn Anything Faster
1. The Memory Palace Technique
Ultimately, the memorization technique that will help most people the fastest is the Magnetic Memory Palace.
You’ll hear this technique called by different names, such as the “method of loci” or the Roman Room.
All you’re doing with this mnemonic device is turning a familiar location into a mental “journey.” You then place associative images along this journey so you can revisit them later according to a specific pattern.
This pattern is known as “Recall Rehearsal.” It lets you get information into long term memory quickly and with a high level of accuracy. This outcome happens because the Memory Palace technique lets you harness the power of:
Imagine walking into an exam that you know you will pass with 100% certainty.
It’s totally possible if you have the right memory techniques on your side. Like the Memory Palace technique.
(In this episode about Giordano Bruno, Scott Gosnell talks about how you can create a Memory Palace out of the examination room itself.)
But in order to use the Memory Palace well, you have to know how to place the best possible associations inside of them.
To do that, you need to look at the spellings and sounds of words and then creating links or stories in your Memory Palace.
This website is packed with mnemonic examples showing you how association works inside of a Memory Palace. Have a look at these details tutorials for a number of visual examples:
To benefit from it, you want to memorize vocabulary and phrases using the memorization techniques outlined above, and also:
Read
Write
Speak
Listen
From memory and into memory
Without using all of these levels, you won’t be getting enough of what scientists call “active recall.” It’s absolutely essential to making sure the techniques you choose work flawlessly.
From there, you’ll want to add the ability to memorize numbers too.
The Major System is fun and easy to learn. It lets you turn any number into a word. Start by committing this simple system to memory:
Then practice turning two-digit numbers into words. For example 22 could be nun and 35 could be mail. It’s ideal to come up with a few words per two-digit combination.
After that, it’s just practice.
Next, add the pegword method. This memorization technique will let you have an association for each letter of the alphabet. You can also use the number of each letter of the alphabet for some “next level” learning at speed.
How To Benefit From The Abundance Of Memorization Techniques
Yes, there are a lot of terms out there as more and more people teach their favorite memorization technique.
But now you don’t have to get lost in the terminology.
Just find memory training and memory improvement courses you resonate with and trust.
Give those memory experts your attention.
Follow the instructions and recommendations.
Experiment.
You’ll be amazed by the memory improvement you experience.
Better:
You’ll be thrilled by the additional benefits using memory techniques brings.
Are you ready to be thrilled? Let me know in the discussion area below and then grab the Magnetic Memory Method Improvement Kit to get started today!
Scott Gosnell On Giordano Bruno And The Composition Of Images
Oct 07, 2020
Giordano Bruno wrote many fine books about the art of memory. Sadly, most of them were unavailable in English for the longest time.
Things are different now.
My guest today, Scott Gosnell, is the man to thank.
He’s spent the better part of a decade translating Bruno’s books for modern English readers. The latest release in a very fine series is Song of Circe and On the Composition of Images.
Scott is also the CEO of Windcastle Venture Consulting, a public speaker, part-time college lecturer and the author of Startup Geometry.
In our conversation today, we talk about Bruno’s enduring importance for students of mnemonics. We draw out the core ideas of balance and how you can craft a relationship between imagination and memory and get the most out of Bruno’s theory of confabulation.
We also discuss Bruno’s techniques for the Memory Palace and just how advanced his approach was for his time. Thanks to Scott’s work, these “next level” approaches are even more relatable for the here and now.
So if memory techniques have you intrigued, but you want more, this episode is for you.
Or if you’re having trouble fitting into the mold of how you “should” be committing complex information to memory, you’re about to find encouragement.
Or if you’re seeking a fresh start along your career path and you’re overwhelmed by a lot of material to learn…
Why not give the advice of a “heretic” a try?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbAUo5OHLTE
Want to know more? Just press play above and to learn more about:
The dual-role of student and teacher in academia…and the need for both
The reason learning language out of necessity, not desire, can be of greatest motivation
How variants of singular truth and dual, or even multiple, modalities can exist in harmony, and what this means for committing that “truth” to memory
Bruno’s philosophy of a three-level universe (and how it’s even more relevant today)
Why organization is subjective, and how you can make it work for you, even if to someone else it looks like a “jumble sale”
The differences between copying and composition, and the reason the latter can be both more beneficial and easier
Why memorization is not always a perfect recollection, but instead a simplified reimagination (and why it’s perfectly natural!)
Why memory benefits both judgement and decision making
How we simply break down Bruno’s ideas of subject, abject, and intention, to easily incorporate them into memory work
The proven method for describing philosophical ideas – where, if we’re honest, we all can get stuck trying to memorize them
Nelson Dellis On Developing Your Memory Superpowers
Sep 30, 2020
My biggest mistake as a kid was asking for cliche abilities like x-ray vision instead of the memory superpowers I really needed.
And if you made mistakes like that too, it probably isn’t your fault. After all, we’re taught to daydream about easy solutions far more than to enjoy deep training.
The question is…
Why is it that our global societies don’t prioritize learning to use our memories better at a younger age?
To help answer that, and help all of us correct course for the future, I sat down today with Nelson Dellis.
Nelson is a four-time US Memory Champion and Grandmaster of Memory. He is an author, world memory record holder, co-founder of the Memory League competition, and founder of the Alzheimer’s awareness charity Climb For Memory.
This excellent follow-up to Remember It! is geared towards helping younger students enhance their memorization skills.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF_vOuyIx2A
In our conversation, we delve into the benefits memory training creates. These include:
Thinking freely through the lens of memory
Discarding the self-imposed filters we utilize in our daily lives to truly revolutionize our work
The joy of letting our imagination run wild and boundless
It’s been said that parents learn as much from their children as the child does from their parent along the journey of growing up and growing older…perhaps even those who aren’t parents can embrace those same lessons, viewing the world through the eyes of a child once again.
So if you’re searching for an out of the box way to grow your memory practice…
If you’re tired of the rules and the “shoulds” of how things should be done…
If you’re a student and think memory work is something only grownups with “bad memories” do…
Get this book, go through the interview and become the teacher of your children you need to be so you can learn from them a.s.a.p.
Ready to dive in? All you have to do is press play above and listen in as we explore:
The concept of “active” reading, and the more fitting title for anyone who turns the pages of a book
The importance of engagement and immersion in learning
How dialogue is an effective training method
Why creativity is crucial in memory work (and how anyone can be creative…yes, you!)
Perspective for memory training – because “easy and fun” is not always realistic
The usefulness of simplicity (back to basics using the alphabet) …and in contrast the case for the “complicated” modern video games as memory palace inspiration
Thomas Krafft On How To Deliver World Class Presentations
Sep 23, 2020
Do you want to give a presentation that everyone in the room remembers?
I know I sure do.
That’s why I did one thing first after getting the invitation to give a TEDx Talk:
I picked up the phone and called Thomas Krafft.
I’d seen Thomas give a presentation about a year earlier and knew he was good himself.
I also knew about his Presentation Boss company and the help it offers people around the world through the Presentation Boss Podcast. I even wound up appearing on this episode of the show to talk about memorizing speeches.
Although Thomas has now recast Presentation Boss as Blue Box Data Storytelling, I learned a ton as a result of working with Thomas when he was still coaching speakers.
Plus, the proof is in the pudding. My TEDx Talk hit it out the park with over four million views, setting the stage for even better talks to come.
Now… if you’re a regular here, you might be thinking…
Hang on, Anthony! You’ve been speaking for years! What do you need a speaking coach for?
Good question. Here’s the low-down:
Although I’d been writing and delivering lectures at universities around the world for nearly ten years, not to mention using the best techniques to memorize my speeches without notes in oodles of videos and live streams, I was humble enough to realize that this particular stage was new to me.
It’s also a huge opportunity and I didn’t want to “wing it” as I’ve done so many times before.
Thanks to the help I got from Thomas in his role as a presentation skills coach, it’s been a tremendous success, though ultimately you have to be the judge of just how successful…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
It’s NEVER To Soon To Learn How To Present Better
Frankly, I could have used help to become a better speaker much earlier.
Speaking actually isn’t that difficult for me, and neither is writing talks or presenting based on notes.
What is difficult for nearly everyone is being your own critic and seeing things from an outside perspective.
For me, seeing my own weaknesses is excruciatingly difficult… and all the more so as my meditation projects reduce the amount of thoughts in my head.
In other words, without the external feedback of an expert… just because you might be able to crank out lots of writing, memorize it and speak easily in front of a crowd doesn’t mean it’s going to be good.
In fact, without expert help, you can pretty much guarantee it’s going to be far from world class. And that’s what you want, right? To be understood, and above all, remembered.
A Good Presentation Changes Lives
You also probably want to know that you’ve touched lives too. You probably want to receive feedback like this:
Dr. Metivier,
I wanted to thank you for helping me release an immense amount of tension and negative thoughts in a manner of seconds. I was sitting on my couch two days ago with a heating pad on a massive knot in my neck. I don’t generally have physical manifestations of stress, and this was new. This knot came from stress related to the death of Ruth Bader Ginsberg and what that will mean for the US and the upcoming election.
My Youtube recommendations are mostly cooking or travel related and the very rare Ted talk mostly related to topics i can use in my classroom. Self-help is not a topic that I think of much or watch videos related to, ever.
So I watched it, then watched it again. Then I tried it.
My stress and negativity released almost immediately. And then the tears started. a middle aged man, with a heating pad on his neck, bawling on the couch. It was glorious. It was so easy. Thank you for that. Thank you so much for giving me this small tool, these questions and this mindset.
Stay Well and Stay Safe.
Chris Drake San Diego, CA USA
Do You Want Your Next Speech To Create An Impact Like That?
The important points in Chris’s email, and in many of the comments on the presentation video are these:
If you want to discover these simple rules, let me introduce you to my new “secret weapon” for giving world class presentations that reach and help positively transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of people:
About Thomas Krafft
Thomas Krafft is the co-founder of Presentation Boss (now Blue Box Data Storytelling), Australia’s premiere communications consulting firm.
Across his career, Thomas has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and businesses refine their communication, specifically presentations.
Uniquely, Thomas helps presenters focus on the visual tools used in their communications. Not only to help them share their messages effectively, but also to help make them unforgettable.
As Thomas and I cover such a wide range of areas related to TEDx Talk preparation and the art of public speaking more broadly, our conversation moves swiftly.
At the same time, it’s casual enough as a listen-anywhere, anytime topic. Thomas is a wealth of information, and in our time spent together the insight he delivered was both a challenge, and encouragement – the best of both worlds.
Having delivered hundreds of talks to thousands, with audiences big and small, he has mastered the art of balance, both in preparation (believe it or not you can be overprepared), and presentation (knowing how to truly cater to your listeners for maximum impact).
Whether you have an upcoming presentation that you’re struggling to prepare for, racing to make a deadline for that first draft of notes.
Or you want to freshen up your presentation style because your last talk didn’t go as planned.
Maybe you just want to be a more effective communicator in your everyday life with your peers.
Whatever the motivation, Thomas can help.
So press play above and listen in as we discuss:
The secret to taking what’s inside your head, and with clarity and confidence, deliver that to an audience (very high level, I know, but it’s true!)
How speeches are really judged and evaluated – and it may not be as subjective as you think
The questions you must ask about your audience before even putting a pen to paper
The real purpose of any presentation you deliver, bridging a gap, and how exactly to construct that bridge
Where people “fall down the most,” in speaking
How to handle “blind dates” for your audience – without context – and how to avoid them.
Why you need to incorporate Aristotle’s Pillars of Rhetoric into every presentation you give, and why the right mix of the three elements is crucial
Rethinking the idea of audience participation and engagement – it can take many different forms
The reason using tools, or not using them for arbitrary reasons, can be your biggest downfall
The pros and cons of verbatim vs. topic based speaking styles (you might be surprised here!)
The keys to making good communication skills translatable to any medium
How comforting a reality check can be – understanding the process that skills are learned (bring on the learning curve as it’s perfectly natural)
Why being terrified of public speaking is okay, but the real reason overcoming it is necessary…and possible. For anyone.
Enjoy this episode and make sure to give Thomas a call before you give your next presentation!
The ancient art of giving persuasive speeches from memory is also covered in the Rhetorica Ad Herennium:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3rtsx8mvYU
How to Concentrate on Studies: 11 Proven Tactics from a Professor
Sep 10, 2020
If you’re in a rush to improve your concentration while studying, here’s the research-backed criteria I used to survive university and eventually earn my PhD.
You need to start:
Using spatial anchors via a technique called the Memory Palace
Study in a variety of locations, not just one
Remove yourself from your phone as much as possible while studying
Use box breathing for mentally resetting your focus on demand
Stop trying to memorize everything
If you want more detail than that, today’s your lucky day.
Although I did eventually graduate, the tips I share on this page transformed my frazzled attention span quickly. Before I learned these tactics, I nearly had to drop out of grad school before I learned what you’re about to discover.
But in a very short time, I turned my concentration around and you can too.
Easily.
So if you’re ready to start stacking the chips in your favor, let’s get started.
Do not seek accountability from mentors, peers, or themselves
Have no tracking systems in place
Rely on smartphones and apps instead traditional and tangible study tools like physical notebooks and flashcards
Include no dietary and physical exercises regimes in their daily routines
Do not meditate or have knowledge of breathing exercises that can create a state of presence
Can you relate to any of the focus leaks above? I certainly could when I was in university, especially since I did almost nothing to take care of my health or train my attention span specifically for studying as fast as possible.
To sum all of this up based on research, failing to attend to each of these points keeps you trapped in endless loops of mind wandering. According to scientists in the journal NeuroImage, too many learners have no strategies to help them focus on tasks.
It’s not just that people have multiple tabs open on their browsers and allow themselves to be endlessly distracted by notifications on their phones.
They cannot enter what is commonly called “flow” (governed by the Task Positive Network of the brain) because of all the factors listed above. As this study about the Task Positive Network Shows, keeping it in good shape helps people deal with the heavy cognitive load and other mental demands of studying.
The good news is that optimizing this aspect of your brain is simple. Even the simple act of breathing strategically can calm your nerves within seconds.
In fact, it can work so thoroughly that you can get through far worse than lack of concentration while studying. You can potentially even land a plane suffering mechanical failure!
How to Focus on Studying: 11 Proven Strategies
Let’s look at each of the eleven strategies in detail.
1. Create Clear and Achievable Goals (The 80/20 Rule of Active Recall)
Have you ever caught yourself saying something like, “I’m going to read 11 articles by the end of the day and remember everything!”
If so, I’ve been there. And guess what? It never works.
Instead, I’ve learned to create goals I can actually achieve. Long before James Clear wrote his international hit Atomic Habits, I got so sick and frustrated with my fanciful overreaching that I knew I had to change.
I took a long hard look at how I was reading and using memory techniques and realized I was trying to have it all instead of focusing on only the most relevant information.
I started to think of it as the Faust Syndrome. (Faust is a fictional character who sold his soul to the devil in order to enjoy universal knowledge of everything. But he ultimately realized knowing everything in exchange for eternal torment really wasn’t worth anything compared to the satisfaction of functional knowledge.)
Although it would be many years before I heard about the 80/20 principle, I was aware of something called “the rule of redundancy.”
Basically, it means most of the words in a book have nothing to do with its core points. Rather, they’re needed for context and innuendo.
So instead of trying to memorize the entire book, as I wanted to do (essentially selling my soul to the devil for nothing in return), I learned to set a simple goal:
I extracted and memorized just 3 points from each chapter in a book and nothing more.
Here’s how the technique works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIQRiqQFKQY
Over the years, some people have smirked at the system I came up with, but I just ignore their criticism.
And I’m glad I did because I wound up picking up a second MA in Media and Communications while completing my PhD! This was possible because I learned to set realistic goals and only extract the most important information from books.
2. Keep A Rigorous Study Schedule Using This “Flow State” Pomodoro Alternative
If you’re anything like me, you don’t always feel like studying.
But let’s face the facts:
Time is flowing by whether we like it or not. And exam dates aren’t going to be changed just because we don’t feel ready.
During my PhD, I sat for two field exams and a dissertation defense. Because I had to travel from either New York or Berlin to Toronto to attend them, not only could I not easily extend the dates — it would have incurred a great cost if I did.
That’s why I always scheduled time in the morning, afternoons, and evenings for reading. Three reading sessions a day still feels right for me years later, too. (I completed my doctorate in 2009.)
Three reading sessions a day might be too much or too little for you, but the exact amount is less important than the consistency.
As Graham Allcott points out in his excellent book How to be a Knowledge Ninja, “it’s only your routine that matters.” And he really means YOUR routine.
As Allcott explains, too many people are ruled by their “lizard brain.” They’re scanning the environment and comparing themselves to others. But he suggests you develop your own checklists and explore your own personality to help design it.
He’s right, and from my experience I can tell you this:
Expect your schedule preferences to change.
For example, for many years I used to love reading in the morning. Now I prefer the evening. But I still read in the morning anyway, even if it’s just a few sentences. Usually I find that once I get a couple of words down the hatch, the rest flows in a lot easier.
And if you make it an iron-clad rule with no exceptions that you’ll read at least once sentence at the scheduled time, I think you’ll be delighted by how easy it is to keep reading.
3. Use Spatial Anchors (The Memory Palace Method)
Nearly every morning I study in one of three places. It’s really important I have variety, and I’ll explain why.
At the moment, I’m researching for a book that includes references to both Advaita Vedanta and the hermetic art of memory.
Frankly, some of the books are boring. But I can’t write a good book without references to them. I also won’t remember much if I don’t go through what is called “diffuse thinking” after taking notes from my reading.
Now, I just said that mind wandering is a bad thing and can be stopped by getting yourself in the zone. This remains true. However, there is a time when it works wonders. And that is before and after reading.
Learning expert Barbara Oakley explains this well in her popular Learning How to Learn course. Basically, your brain percolates the information at the neurochemical level while you’re taking a break — something walking between locations accelerates for reasons covered by Alex Pang in Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less.
In fact, Pang suggests that the effects of diffuse thinking are so profound, you’re best served by carrying a notebook with you. He points out that both Tchaikovsky and Beethoven walked with journals, not to mention the film directors Billy Wilder and David Lean.
Moreover:
“Thomas Hobbes walked with a cane that had an inkwell built into the handle and would write on a piece of paper attached to a board. The great German mathematician David Hilbert wrote down ideas as he walked… Walking doesn’t look like an intellectual activity, and there are plenty of times when it’s purely utilitarian or recreational, but we can learn to use it to help us think better.” (an excerpt from Pang’s Rest)
The second reason having fixed locations is so powerful is called “matching conditions.” As Bruce Goldstein explains in his textbook Cognitive Psychology, he once needed to remember to bring a movie to a lecture.
As part of triggering his recall, he thought of his office first:
“The key to remembering the DVD was that I retrieved the thought ‘Bring the DVD’ by returning to the place where I had originally encoded that thought. This example illustrates the following basic principle: Retrieval can be increased by matching the conditions at retrieval to the conditions that existed at encoding.”
The success of the Memory Palace technique is based on the fact that our minds “match” information with space.
When I was sitting in those field exams and answered the questions that determined my ability to earn the PhD, I often thought back to the locations where I’d read the books I was responsible for knowing. And I use the exact same “matching conditions” to remember what I want to write about in my books.
Finally, when it comes to rotating the exact locations where I read, I do this because novelty has been shown to improve memory. I have a few places I read in parks, a few favorite cafes, and I routinely visit new cafes. Even if I suspect that they will not have coffee, I give it a try anyway.
The research I’ve read always proves true: I remember more of what I read simply by making a point of combining walking to and from anchored and new places to study.
Give it a try!
4. Eliminate Distractions Using This Digital Fasting Protocol
Actually, what I consider the easy way might strike you as incredibly hard. That’s because those “study walks” I just mentioned usually take place without my smartphone.
That’s right. I kiss my wife goodbye and tell her I’ll be back when I get back. Then, I go out with nothing more than my study materials and note books. (Sometimes I bring a camera to grab a pic for social media, but not always. Even the thought of documenting my studies can be distracting!)
Whether or not you go to these extremes, the point is the same: If you don’t have anything that rings, pings, or buzzes near you, it can’t distract you. The sounds of traffic, cafe chatter, and birds in the trees can actually help you focus if it’s in the background.
But some people think that part of our minds scan the environment for distractions from our phones. It’s sometimes called “anticipation addiction” and is related strongly to gambling.
Reading from physical books instead of a device is also very useful. Not everyone agrees with me, but I rarely read from digital anymore, preferring print for a few reasons:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er-k8Ecgdfo
First, print has no multiple tabs. It won’t vibrate or spike your dopamine with a notification.
Second, you can use the pages of books as mini-Memory Palaces. This feature is tremendously useful.
Third, your brain can track the space of physical books in a way that is impossible with digital books. I suggest you read The Case for Mental Imagery if you’re interested in more scientific research on just how important space is for learning and memory.
5. Train Your Attention Span (Brain Training Beyond Apps)
A lot of people think that brain training apps will improve their attention span.
Maybe.
But since we want to focus on information and be able to recall it under test conditions where we’re not allowed to access any kind of computer, does that approach really make sense?
Instead, seek out brain exercises that are not reliant on devices.
One of the best I know involves nothing more than memory techniques and a deck of playing cards.
You have to learn something called the Major System so you can give each card a unique image. Then, using a Memory Palace, you simply shuffle them up and memorize the unique order by making the images interact.
This simple exercise not only increases your attention span — it also helps you learn how to memorize information that is similar without any bleedthrough or what I think of as “borderblur.”
Learning to play an instrument or memorizing lyrics is also a great way to increase your attention span because performing music requires extended focus.
I practice what I preach in this regard, and even memorize songs in other languages just for the attention span benefits it brings. As a result, I never say “I can’t concentrate on studying.”
6. Prioritize Long-Term Outcomes Using This “Vision First” Framework
Instead of worrying about grades, focus on your vision.
Sure, I have quite a few A+ grades on my transcript. But guess what? No one cares, including me.
Instead, I completed all my degrees because I wanted to fulfill the vision of being a writer and teacher. If I had focused only on grades in the short term, I would have endlessly frustrated myself and felt empty later.
That’s why I’m so glad I just did the best I could and made sure I enjoyed the journey along the way. In addition to working on my degrees, I also worked on my writing. I did not enjoy writing academic papers one bit, but loved every moment working on poetry and novels.
And I supplemented many of the dry and boring film theory textbooks I needed to read by working at the legendary Queen Video and promoting cool events.
These supplementary experiments taught me how to run a small publishing enterprise and organize events — key skills I have drawn upon far more than my knowledge of Shakespeare.
Sure, I got an A+ in “Shakespeare and his Contemporaries” in a third year English course at York University, but my career success in no way relies on that grade.
It never will either, but I draw upon the sum of all the experiences I added along the way to practice the comprehensive professionalism that has enabled me to run the Magnetic Memory Method Mission for nearly a decade.
What’s your vision? Focus on that and the grades will surely follow.
7. Automate Accountability (Social Engineering for Students)
There are at least three levels of accountability:
Accountability to yourself
Accountability to another person
Accountability to a group
Sadly, some people don’t even practice one of these layers. And no doubt: effort will be involved and that will scare some people away.
But what if there was an easy way to “set and forget” accountability?
There is!
If you’re going to be accountable to yourself, I recommend The Freedom Journal. Other journals will do, but this one helps you create achievable study goals — and it’s hard to ignore the physical copy when you anchor it to space in your environment.
The way to get yourself motivated using another person can be summed up in three words: hire a coach.
As for groups, this approach can take a little more work, but it’s worth it.
Throughout my university years, I participated in study groups. We made it simple on ourselves: We met immediately after our classes. The best part? We walked from the classroom to the campus pub, giving our brains a bit of time for diffuse thinking before piling back into our books.
In grad school, my study groups were a bit more sophisticated. Since there was always more reading than anyone could expect to cover thoroughly, we would assign presentations to ourselves.
That way, if you had to cover five books or articles, you could scan four of them and focus deeply on just one of them. Then, your fellow study group participants let you know the most important points of the book they focused on.
Upon review, your brain had been primed to perceive those big points and all the minutia stuck better thanks to having your radar switched on.
To make sure it happened on autopilot, we scheduled each date throughout the semester in advance.
Sure, sometimes things happened and people couldn’t attend. But overall, by selecting serious students in advance, things went smoothly and we all were able to cover far more territory as a group than would have been possible as students on our own.
In sum, it doesn’t have to be lonely along the extra mile.
8. Track Your Progress Using Data-Driven Metacognition
Too many students fail to concentrate because their responsibilities aren’t mentally manageable.
They’ve got syllabi scattered across multiple folders in their computers, or worse, they’ve done little more than bookmark pages on their university website. That’s a recipe for disaster.
Instead:
Translate all of your reading obligations onto a physical calendar, including the titles of all the books and articles.
Print out your syllabi as well and paste them into individual notebooks for each course.
Then, schedule your reading and check off or cross out each book after you’ve completed it. You might even want to use multiple colors, such as blue for the first read, green for the second and red for the third.
As part of tracking your progress, put rewards in place. You can assign a movie night, museum visit or anything healthy and fun you love to do for after you complete a set of study tasks.
When it comes to your writing assignments, I used to keep track of the number of words I wrote on a daily basis. I also went out of my way to complete reading early so I could get writing started early.
That allowed me to consult with my teachers in advance to see if I was on the right track or if they had any additional reading they thought might supplement my research.
Without tracking my progress, I wouldn’t have created the spare time for seeking out their advice, and if I hadn’t gotten to them early enough in the semester, they wouldn’t have had time to give it.
9. Use Tangible Study Tools For Physical Spaced Repetition (Not Just Mental or Software-Driven)
Far too many students dump everything in Evernote, Notion or some other app and then wonder why they can’t find anything.
So if you’re struggling to remember your notes, give physical notebooks and flashcard or index cards a try.
I never suggest people throw out technology and am a huge fan of computers myself. But if you’re struggling, digital fasting and working with physical tools like pen and paper could be a huge boon for you.
Mind Mapping is one technique I highly recommend you explore. It’s not a magic bullet, but when it comes to focusing on big picture ideas and digging deeper into the minutiae, it’s really powerful.
It can also help you remember to study and work on assignments, which is one reason why I keep my Memory Journals where I can see them — and often carry them with me to those cafes I mentioned.
Frankly, it’s darn hard to forget your study commitments when your tools are too big to ignore!
10. Keep Your Body Fit With Movement That Stimulates Neuronal Growth
The Internet is loaded with dietary and exercise advice. This should be non-controversial in every way — endless scientific studies show that movement increases blood flow to the brain, for example.
I don’t think we have to dwell on these points. It’s just obvious that you need to care for your body if you want the ability to focus on studying with any success.
11. Breathe and Meditate to Maintain a Flow State
I was lucky to learn how to meditate at a young age. But it wasn’t really until I was in my PhD years that I started a consistent, daily practice. Around the same time, I learned a number of breathing exercises.
Concentration meditation is a great way to assist the self-observation needed to monitor your breath.
Here’s a simple exercise:
When you’re reading a book, focus on your nostrils and imagine that you’re inhaling the words up from the page. Then, when writing your notes, imagine you are exhaling them onto the page — or assisting your hand as it writes with your breath.
This action can take a bit of practice, but it is worth it. One of my favorites sources of breathing exercises is Let Every Breath by Vladimir Vasiliev.
How to Concentrate On Studies The Easy Way
I know I’ve shared a TON of information in this post.
But there is an easy way to get started: Pick just one of the tips I’ve shared above. Put it into action. Then add another.
Soon, you’ll have a nice “habit stack” that will create what I call “cruising altitude.” What I mean by that is exactly what pilots talk about when flying aircraft — that wonderful sense of peace as you fly through the air.
Sure, there’s going to be turbulence as you study. Life happens and sometimes you have to make changes when you least expect something to come up.
But the more of these study survival techniques you have, the sooner and easier you’ll be able to get yourself back on course.
That’s how I managed to be so stable during my doctoral studies that I had time and attention span to pick up a second Masters degree while writing my dissertation.
How I pulled it off isn’t rocket science. It’s just normal science, and I hope you find the research materials I shared with you today useful supplementary reading.
Let me know if there’s anything I’m missing — and what do you say?
If you’re ready to concentrate on studies in a whole new way and want to learn how to use Memory Palaces to help you focus on studying, sign up for my free training today.
5 Proven Visualization Reading Strategies For Comprehension And Memory
Aug 10, 2020
The reason why nearly every visualization reading strategy fails is simply this:
Visualization is not about seeing pictures in your mind.
It’s about multisensory visualization based on a strategic process with a well-defined outcome — better comprehension and memory.
If you’re tired of Googling “reading strategies visualization” and finding the same ineffective talk about creating “pictures in your head,” get ready for the real deal.
Visualizing text while reading is just what it sounds like: mentally picturing images and ideas as you read. Simple, right?
Not so fast!
For example, how do you “see” the concept of visuality itself? Chances are, so many possible answers emerge that the visualization of visualization quickly falls apart.
Then there are those with aphantasia — these are people who are said to not have a “mind’s eye.” Yet other people actually see text versions of the words they hear. It’s called ticker tape synesthesia (and is very rare).
The fact of the matter is that there are many kinds of mental imagination, and to reduce visualization down to “pictures” is simply false.
Instead, it can be any of these imaginative processes:
Kinesthetic: imagine the feel and weight of binoculars and how they feel when you put them to your eyes.
Auditory: hear the sound of an electronic microscope zooming in on a subject.
Visual: specifically imagine the color of a camera’s metal and plastic parts, or how the light bounces off its surfaces.
Emotional: imagine how it feels to see a loved one again after a long time apart.
Conceptual: think about the concept of something being visual, perhaps by imagining the word itself appearing on a screen.
Olfactory: imagine the smell of rain after you’ve heard distant thunder and seen a lightning clap.
Gustatory: imagine the taste of that same rain.
Spatial: think about the size of your vision in terms of how far you can see or how big objects are relative to one another.
To remember all of these options, think of the words “KAVE COGS.” Then, whenever you read, move through each step strategically in order to make sure you’re using multisensory visualization.
The next step is relational, which makes any word instantly multi-sensory by creating associations.
Let’s take a well-known example:
“Life changes fast. Life changes in the instant. You sit down to dinner and life as you know it ends. The question of self-pity.”
— The Year Of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion
The first thing to do here is focus on the first word and think about images that relate to it.
For example: life cereal – life magazine – the tree of life.
Think of as many as you can in the beginning and run them each through KAVE COGS.
Then think about change. You might bring to mind a handful of coins or magicians you’ve seen who quickly change their uniforms. Again, run your choices through KAVE COGS.
“Fast” offers many options — and to give you an example of the conceptual mode from KAVE COGS, you can think about the practice of fasting.
Keep going until you’ve completed each word of the Didion example (or an example of your choice).
With practice, you’ll be able to select keywords from sentences, find associations for each, and run them through the multi-sensory tool I’ve shared.
Next, let’s examine the positive impacts of doing this.
3 POWERFUL Benefits of Visualizing While Reading With KAVE COGS
With a visualizing comprehension strategy like KAVE COGS in place, you’ll soon experience the following benefits:
1. Greater Focus
Having the ability to seize upon every word simply by creating an association and running it through KAVE COGS means you always have a way to keep concentrated on a text you’re reading.
If you find you want even more granular “hooks” while reading, you can create associations at the level of the letter using the pegword method.
As learning expert Dr. Erica Warren demonstrates, this kind of visualization has been cited as useful for focus as far back as Aristotle circa 384 BCE.
2. Greater Memory
When you tap into all of your sensations as part of how you visualize text, you’ll remember more.
For example, “Life changes fast” leaps instantly to mind because I can taste the cereal, feel what it’s like to change clothes quickly, and have the taste of that first morsel of food following a period of fasting.
The tactics on this page are just one reason scholars Bob Algozzine and Patricia Douville urged teachers to use mental imagery across the curriculum. But you don’t have to be a student — anyone can benefit.
3. Greater Comprehension
When you have a reading comprehension strategy like multisensory visualization in place, you’re going to understand more.
This will happen because when your focus goes unbroken and you can remember through association, your brain percolates information better. The better your memory and concentration, the more you can compare and contrast ideas.
Pro tip: Make sure to set aside time just for reflection. A lot of people simply consume information through reading, but without active recall efforts, you’re less likely to understand the material. I suggest writing summaries of everything you read to promote better understanding.
Why does this work?
Largely because we’re tapping into what the memory scientists Lockheart and Craik called “the levels of processing effect.” They basically showed that approaching information from multiple angles led to deep processing instead of the typical shallow processing that holds so many learners back.
Now that you know why it’s beneficial, let’s look at a few ways you can implement a visualizing comprehension strategy.
5 Easy to Implement Visualization Reading Strategies
Now that you know the basics, here are some suggestions for how to put it into practice:
1. Use a Bookmark
Write KAVE COGS down on an index card and use it as a bookmark. It will help remind you to use the strategy while reading.
Or if you read from ebooks, put the card on your wall or anywhere you’re likely to see it.
You can also use a Memory Palace to memorize the formula. Here’s how you can learn more:
And once you’re comfortable using Memory Palaces, you can move on to the next step.
2. Start Small
Now, you might be thinking… “Start small?… How is that a strategy?”
Given that so many people overwhelm themselves by taking on everything all at once, being selective and breaking things down really is strategic.
To do this, start with just one sentence. To ease your way in, count the words and then get an image of the number in your mind. Then think of something else that has that number.
For example: if you count four words, you could think of The Beatles, a music group of four members.
Then continue with the first multi-sensory mode: Kinesthetic. Really explore it before moving on to the next.
Mind mapping is a fun and easy way to keep notes visually. As you capture each idea on the page, run it through the KAVE COGS formula. You might want to assign a color to each so you’re able to spot the precise visualization at a glance.
For example:
Kinesthetic = Kiwi green Auditory = Apple red Visual = Violet Emotion = Eggplant purple, etc.
The use of colors might seem like an additional step that isn’t worth the time. However, as reported in Prospects for Scientific Visualization as an Educational Technology by Douglas N. Gordin and Roy D. Pea, adding colors helped learners perceive and understand information far better than black and white readouts.
For more help with mind mapping, please check out this detailed video playlist:
Spending 5-15 minutes writing out everything you remember from your reading by drawing upon your multi-sensory visualizations is one of the best strategies.
To start, sit with a blank sheet of paper and your pen or pencil. Write down the title of the reading. Then let the first thing that comes to mind arise — do this without writing first. Then write out the details.
You don’t have to lay out the information in any particular order of importance. The exercise is just to call back to mind what you remember and lay it out in your own words.
You can also revise or rewrite your summaries.
For example, I wrote many summaries on large index cards when researching my Ph.D. dissertation. Later, I rewrote many of them into my dissertation itself. Because my reading strategies visualization tactics were solid, I automatically remembered more and understood everything with greater depth.
And the best part is that you’ll find you understand things with greater humility too.
When you find that you can’t remember details, you can go back and fill them in. Or, you will benefit from bumping into the limits of what you don’t know and carry on with other books you need to read.
The Ultimate Visualization in Reading Tactic
At the end of the day, if you put just 10% of KAVE COGS to practice in your reading over the next 90 days, your visualizations skills are going to dramatically increase. I personally read a ton of information that most people would consider “dry and boring.”
But the truth is that when you can dig into each letter of every word and find a ticket to your very own “Mental Disneyland,” there will never again be such a thing as dry or boring in your reading life.
And remember, the Memory Palace is the by far the best of all possible strategies, especially when combined with visualization meditation. When you get really good at it, you can use each page as a Memory Palace.
To do that, you want to not only create associations for each word, but also each number. This is a fairly advanced tactic, so I suggest everyone start with the ideas I’ve shared here first.
So when you’re ready for more, dive into the Magnetic Memory Method world — starting with the free memory training.
How to Improve Concentration: 15 Proven Tactics
Aug 05, 2020
If you want to concentrate better, you probably think it’s going to take a lot of work.
After all, your brain probably feels as limp as lettuce.
Mine used to be pretty soggy too. But after I learned what I’m about to teach you on this page, it has become laser sharp.
Even with chronic pain and mental health issues, I’ve improved my concentration enough to participate in memory competitions, learn languages and even give a TEDx Talk.
The best part?
You can easily practice every concentration exercise I’m about to share.
Your brain actually operates in at least two different “zones” of focus:
Default Mode Network
Task Positive Network
The DMN is slow, plodding, and constantly tricks you into thinking about your past and future. Worse, it keeps you daydreaming about an alternative future that does not and cannot exist. What a waste of time!
That’s why I’m so glad I learned how to get into the Task Positive Network on demand. Basically, this is the part of your brain that creates those dynamic experiences of flow.
You know the kind:
When time passes without you noticing and you feel amazing. You’re completely focused on the present moment and enjoying everything – like when you’re on a first date, riding your bike through a fun park, or playing a stimulating game.
If you want to instantly fall into this incredible feeling of focus, keep your eyes glued to this page. I have science that backs up everything I’m about to share with you.
And the best part is that all of these focus exercises are fun and easy to complete.
How To Improve Your Focus: 15 Easy And Fun Strategies
Let’s break down all 15 strategies in detail.
1. Assess Where You Are
One of the problems people face is that they haven’t got a concrete description of the problem. As physicist and science educator Paul Black has shown, self-assessment is a major key to experiencing any kind of development.
To keep things simple and fun, get out a piece of paper and rate your daily concentration on a scale of 1-10. (If you don’t like that range, change it to 1-100 or whatever you like).
For example, I would rate myself a 9 most days. If I haven’t slept well, it might be a 7 or 8. The point is just to get a sense of where you’re at — then you can journal a plan for how to increase focus immediately.
I’m not alone in pointing out such science. Nir Eyal talks about similar research in Indistractable (highly recommended).
2. Stop Asking Search Engines (At Least Not Immediately)
Some friends visited me in Brisbane a while back. We were talking about music and Richard Marx came up. I started to guess the year and immediately everyone but me reached for their phones to check the year of one of his most popular songs.
“Stop!” I urged them. “Let’s try to figure it out and exercise our brains a bit.”
We did and we came very close to nailing the exact year. I was actually right the first time, but second-guessed myself by one year.
Constantly looking things up has led to something called “learned helplessness.” Martin Seligman and Steven Maier are two of the first scientists to study the problem.
It’s really insidious because the more you train yourself to look up answers, the more likely you are to:
Continue looking up answers you probably could find in your memory if you spent a bit of time practicing active recall
Blaming your need to look things up on bad memory
The truth is, your memory probably isn’t as bad as you think. It’s just lacking exercise.
The next tip will help you catch yourself looking things up and start using your brain more often. The benefits will astound you.
3. Meditation and Mindfulness
Meditation is essentially a practice and mindfulness is the result. You’ll be more aware of your environment and the thoughts rolling around in your head.
In other words, you’ll spend less time in the Default Mode Network and more time in the Task Positive Network.
This is useful because you start to realize that you are not your thoughts. You are more like the conscious witness to your thoughts.
Or to put it another way, your thoughts are like clouds in the sky. They need each other to exist, but the sky serves as the field clouds move across. It’s still the sky, even when there are no clouds in sight.
When your conscious experience becomes as clear as the sky, you’ll notice those clouds of thoughts a lot more. As a result, you’ll catch yourself reaching for your phone for quick answers. Then you can stop and at least try to bring the answer to mind. For example, with the Richard Marx song, I guessed what grade I would have been in when it came out, figured out my age, and deduced the year from there.
This simple activity provides tremendous brain exercise that will help you focus better. And now you know how to be more aware of opportunities to practice it.
4. Memorize Information
Frankly, it breaks my heart when I see people claiming that memorization isn’t necessary anymore in the age of the smartphone.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
If you want to improve your focus, you need to commit information to memory. Doing so also provides the path to understanding information better.
If you need help with memorization, just give the following a try:
Register for the free training yet? Good! Let’s keep going.
5. Choose Long-Form Content
Every day people ask me to make shorter videos and podcasts.
The answer is firm no.
Look, there’s a time and place for short videos and thin books. I engage with them too.
But the tough love reality is that the more you snippetize information, the more you’re cutting off your concentration and focus skills.
Do you doubt what I’m saying?
Check out What Reading Does For The Mind by Anne Cunningham and Keith Stanovich. They have shown that reading TONS helps everyone of all ages. An early start really matters, so get started today…
Make it a habit to read long books, watch long videos, and go for long walks to listen to two- or three-hour-long podcast conversations. If you know how to memorize information on the fly, you can memorize the key points as you go using the surrounding environment.
6. Invest In Ad-Free Content
Do you like Spotify? YouTube?
Me too.
But those ads they keep shoving into the music and educational content you’re trying to enjoy?
It’s disastrous for your concentration, and studies have shown it can take up to 25 minutes to get back to your original train of thought after an interruption. Some scientists have called the problem “infomania.”
The worst part is that ads can be so frustrating that they cause you to click away. Then you wind up spending even more time floating all over the Internet, far from the original long-form experience you were trying to have.
The solution? Invest in the subscriptions that eliminate ads from your favorite streaming platforms. Try it for 90 days and I’m sure you’ll agree your concentration abilities have increased.
Plus, research shows that people hate ads. Why on earth would you invite hatred into your life when you can spend a few bucks to eliminate it?
7. Play Games That Improve Concentration
If that’s computer games, by all means, have at it. However, many of us are going to need to get offline to benefit.
To help you out, I’ve gathered a ton of the best brain games for adults for you (online choices included for those who aren’t ready to make a change yet).
8. Practice Sleep Exercises
A lot of people know about robotic sleep routines. You know the kind: have a sleep ritual, brush your teeth at the same time every night, etc.
But does anyone really live like that?
Try this instead:
Have a solid computer curfew. It can be general. Read for 1-2 hours before bed, meditate, and then lay down on your back.
Breathe in and out in a relaxed manner and do not move for as long as you can. This is a yoga posture called Shavasana and it is powerful for people who lack concentration.
For me, the trick is to not “try” and fall asleep. I’m just laying for the sake of practicing not moving. Usually, I’m fast asleep and awake again after a fit 6-8 hours of sleep.
I then repeat the computer curfew by not turning any devices on until I’ve meditated again and read for an hour or so.
The best part about Shavasana is that it’s a great way to practice concentration while you’re resting. It’s kind of like reverse psychology too, as you focus on not moving instead of falling asleep. It’s an awfully tiring thing to do!
9. Get Into Nature
Did you know that the color green makes you more creative? When I learned about this, I instantly realized that I had no plants in my writing space and experimented with adding a few.
To be honest, I’m not sure it made an impact, but I do make a point of getting out into nature a few times a week, ideally once a day. Fortunately, there is a ton of green in my neighborhood, as well as water.
Isn’t it just common sense that fresh air and the calm of natural environments can help improve your concentration? Get outdoors more and enjoy aspects of the world that aren’t filled with news alerts and cars whizzing by.
10. Coffee and Dark Chocolate
People like to argue endlessly over the latest scientific report. One day coffee and chocolate are unhealthy, the next day they’re both manna sent from heaven.
Health particulars aside, both of them are known to improve concentration. And if you get really good dark chocolate that hasn’t had the active ingredients baked out of it, the antioxidants in cacao have been shown to help students improve their test scores by as much as 25%.
My friend and fellow memory expert Tony Buzan worked hard throughout his career to promote what he called “Mental Literacy.”
Mind Mapping was one of the most important tools he recommended for making sure you had enough imaginative and creative space in your mind to be truly “literate.”
Of course, there are many different ways to mind map, but I like his version the best for a few reasons. For one thing, he offered ten laws, all of which lend themselves to the diffuse thinking benefits we’ve already discussed.
Second, you’re using multiple colors on large sheets of paper. This aspect of size and materiality not only exercises your spatial memory in a way that apps cannot — it also helps build your figural memory and allow you to compare and contrast ideas at a glance.
Finally, mind mapping can be used for multiple outcomes, ranging from business planning to language learning. It’s an incredible tool and I suggest you spend a good 90 days learning and practicing this skill. Your concentration will improve.
12. Let Go Of Outcomes
A lot of people want to know they will be successful before getting started on developing new skills.
The problem is… no one gets to know the future. According to the Growing Block Universe hypothesis, the future doesn’t even exist yet — and learning about it will definitely stretch your concentration!)
Not everyone gets hung up on the need for certainty, but those who do will benefit from spending some time on weeding it out. It’s not that it’s harming their concentration. It’s that waiting for the certainty you will succeed amounts to focusing on the wrong things.
You might need to work on a personality trait psychologists call “openness” or openness to experience. I’ve had to work on my own lack of openness a lot in my life — and I’m glad I did.
It was meditation and mindfulness that ultimately helped me see how closed I was to different exercises that were highly likely to help me the most, so the tactics I teach in The Victorious Mind might be your way into greater openness too.
For one thing, conversation challenges our memory and critical thinking skills. Such activities preserve “memory reserve” or “cognitive research.”
To explain how, I interviewed scientist Christine Till. Her research has shown that it is not online brain games that help improve concentration and memory, but the follow-up with personal coaches for those who incorporate those aspects of brain training.
Theoretically, you can get the same brain benefits from playing bridge, Monopoly, or just having a good philosophical conversation with a friend. Add in a long walk and a few cafes for even better results.
14. Have A Vision And Long-Term Missions
No one can be an expert in everything. In fact, it’s hard enough to be an expert in just one thing, and really accomplished individuals will usually be so humble, they hide their expertise.
That’s a good thing in the end because none of us know what we don’t know and real scientific living always delays final judgment on the status of all facts.
However, you can instantly improve your concentration by choosing and setting up long term learning goals based on the kinds of research that will lead to personal expertise.
Michael Nielson talks about the importance of integrating research into your life proactively and with vision. As he points out:
A vision is not something you develop overnight. You need to work at it, putting time aside for the process, and learning to integrate it into your everyday life. It’s a challenging process, but over the long run it’s also extremely rewarding. History shows that great actions usually are the outcome of great purpose, even if the action that resulted was not the original purpose.
I know it can be hard to figure out what you should research, but to give you some examples from my own life, I spent six years researching friendship for my dissertation. I’ve spent three years just researching Advaita Vedanta (the philosophy, which is not to be mistaken with the spiritual tradition). I am now hard at work researching Hermeticism and its relationship to memory.
Memory itself is now a nearly twenty-year research mission I’ve been engaged in.
Am I an expert in any of these areas? Hardly — and that’s not false modesty. I’m researching these areas as missions to support a vision for many different reasons. One of them is simply the self-serving outcome that focusing on large research projects improves concentration.
Examples other than the philosophical research projects I personally choose include:
Well, limiting your zone of focus does not mean you’re necessarily excluding other topics. In reality, there is so much overlap between ideas. The problem is that if you never verse yourself well enough in one area of interest, you simply won’t see the connections when you explore the next area.
That’s why spending longer periods of time as a specialist is essential to becoming any kind of generalist. You need a wide enough contextual field in individual areas to have a field of understanding “concentrated” enough to reveal insights in other areas.
So pick a field of human knowledge and study it over the long haul. You’ll be delighted by just how complex one topic can be.
15. Seek Complexity and Question Simplicity
Have you ever heard someone think they’re clever by quoting Einstein? For example, many people quote him as saying something along the lines of, “if you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it.” Another version of the quote is “everything should be as simple as it can be, but not simpler.”
The problem is… no one I’ve asked can ever show me where exactly Einstein said any variation of this quote. According to QuoteInvestigator, the quote has a long history and simply cannot be directly attributed to Einstein.
I raise the issue because the world is really freakin’ complicated and Einstein above all knew this fact really well. When people distribute this quote around and attribute it to Einstein, they are often trying to pass off what amounts to ignorance as a form of genius.
It isn’t. The world is complicated and few things are simple. In fact, Mario Bunge has gone to great length to show just how complicated the notion of simplicity actually is. He separates ontological simplicity from semiotic simplicity, to give you just one example.
Frankly, I used to struggle to read heavy information, but as we learned from the science which demonstrates long form content helps all people, just getting started is what matters most.
I am currently reading Einstein myself, and have read Gödel. I don’t pretend to understand it all, but the point is that understanding is built by diving in, not dodging hard things. And if you ever read Einstein, I’m confident you’ll soon see that he did not make complex things simple. If anything, he jumped in, embraced complexity with passion, and refined his knowledge and thinking over time through analogy and visualization.
Do the same and the journey itself will improve your concentration.
Your brain and critical thinking abilities need challenges in order to grow. And you can get started by improving your concentration right now by scanning the environment for meaningless quotes people attribute to famous people.
Just ask yourself, “Is it really true that this person said that?” Chances are, they didn’t. And if they did, there’s probably very useful context you’ll need in order to form a more accurate picture of what they really meant.
Challenge Your Concentration Daily For Best Results
And remember, “simple’ can also mean simple in terms of your intellect. Often, that’s precisely what people prefer because they’re trying to dodge taking steps to improve their lives. They’re seeking the path of least resistance.
For example, when you realize that someone named “Roger Sessions” is perhaps the first person behind the misattribution of the “simple” quote to Einstein, instead of letting the fact pass you by, memorize that person’s name.
When you have memory techniques on your side, it’s easy to improve your concentration by practicing multiple times throughout the day. Every word is built out of letters, and we who use memory techniques seriously have an image for every letter of the alphabet.
That means we can look at facts and focus on them in ways people who do not have these techniques cannot.
So in some, I urge you to say, “Yes! I will do what it takes to engage in every concentration challenge I can find!” Embracing the challenge and showing up consistently is key because here’s the most important fact of all:
If you’re willing to spend a few months practicing the skills on this page most people won’t, you’ll be able to enjoy concentration skills that most can’t.
Is that statement “simple” enough for you?
How To Increase Focus: 7 Ultra-Fast And Science-Backed Tips
Jul 31, 2020
Zoning out sucks, doesn’t it? You’re sitting there, wishing you can concentrate, wishing you knew how to increase focus on demand … and yet … your mind is just dancing all over the darn place.
Well, if you want to know how to improve focus and concentration so you can finally get those important things in your life done, the step-by-step process is quite simple: Get started by optimizing your environment, work on your body and start understanding how memory is involved in shaping your focus.
There are nuances to those three steps that I’ve learned over the years as a PhD and full time memory researcher, so please make sure to read the entire post for all the details so you can enjoy rapid progress.
Everything You Need To Know To Increase Your Focus
If you want to skyrocket your focus we need to start with the fundamentals first.
Buckling down so you can get things done is not just about this mysterious thing we call “focus. It’s also about developing rock-solid mental skills that allow you to learn, memorize and recall anything.
The process truly centers on memory because getting into focus draws upon a part of your psychological makeup called procedural memory.
This means that in order to increase your focuse, you have to take action and start rewiring the brain consistently so that future focus-boosting actions start to take place almost automatically.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-zTkA8MW2k
Here’s the deal, especially for people who regularly read this memory improvement blog:
Yes, you can always force-open a lock. But it’s easier and smoother and faster with a key, don’t you think?
As with increasing memory, far too many people get this point about focus wrong. They think it has to do with willpower. But willpower has been proven not to work:
https://youtu.be/phhMItNvOac
The Fastest Way To Improve Your Focus
Meditation is great – and it’s probably where you think all of this is going.
Don’t get me wrong. Its benefits are multiple and well proven. It helps improve concentration, mental and physical health. Even better, meditation keeps you young and happy.
There is a downside to meditation though. It can take time to see the benefits. Plus, you need to commit to at least 4, 15-minute sessions per week. Well worth it, but not necessarily the path to instantaneous results.
You have more pressing questions:
What about that neuroanatomy revision for the exam tomorrow? Or the German phrases you need to memorize for your trip next week?
Meditation is great and you should continue practicing it if you’re already doing it, but for all those moments when you need a quick focus fix, here’s my best tip:
How To Increase Focus With These 3 Quick Environmental Hacks
As great as meditation can be for increasing your focus, it’s not everything.
So what else works?
Making changes to my environment has been one of the quickest way to make an impact and offered the most bang for my buck.
When it comes to making space work best for you, here are some of my best tips.
1. Create A Comfortable Workspace
First, to focus on work better, improve the ergonomics of where you want to boost your concentration. Make sure your desk and chair are at a comfortable height so you don’t strain your back. Often a simple thing such as a small cushion or a rolled-up towel to support your lower back is enough to fend off that back soreness interrupting your workflow.
Adjust the position of your computer and any other work tools you use. The optimal set-up for your desk space includes your monitor being at arm’s lengths away from your eyes and your wrists and hands on the keyboard straight at or below elbow level.
These little tweaks will help your body stay comfortable at work. Check out this Mayo Clinic article for more info on office ergonomics.
Eliminating or minimizing noise in your environment can reap immediate benefits for your focus and memory.
You don’t need complete silence, but at least try to minimize/eliminate conversations and anything that resembles conversations around you. These are real focus killers, because our brain is wired to tune in to conversations (in case there are some survival benefits to it).
Conversations and fragments of conversations come from many sources, For example:
Colleagues
Friends
Family
Passers-by
Radio
Whether these tidbits of gossip and other verbal diarrhea float in through the window, an open door or thin walls, they will keep your brain busy trying to make sense of the fragments. As a result, your focus and memory powers will be affected.
Music needs special attention, because music evokes emotions, and emotions, positive or negative, affects the learning process. That’s why many people find music helpful in the learning process.
If you have found music that helps you memorize better, good for you. If you’re still looking for the right music, be mindful that evoking emotionally powerful memories can hurt your learning process, too. And if you like to listen to music with lyrics – just mind that conversation effect: don’t add any more work to what your brain is already doing by trying to tune into the lyrics and understand what they mean.
If you don’t have your own office/study room, don’t despair. There are a number of simple devices that can help. The easiest thing is to get a pair of noise cancelling headphones or earmuffs.
White noise may also provide a solution, albeit not a permanent one, as white noise can be tiring in the long run, too. I’m writing this post in our dining room (I don’t have an office at home) while my husband is watching Hunger Games in the living room next door. I’m generally sensitive to noise and get distracted and tried by it, but the fact that the dehumidifier is on and it’s loud really saves the day for me.
Before I finish talking about your environment, let me mention one more powerful trick to improve your focus immediately.
3. Manage Technology So That It Doesn’t Manage You
Turn technology off.
Yes, technology can be helpful when it comes to learning and work productivity, but if you don’t manage technology, it will manage you.
I’m not telling you to go ‘off the grid’ completely, but you can boost your concentration and ability to memorize by simply turning off all the notifications. Or, as I suggest in my post about Learning Mandarin Chinese , I don’t even turn any computers on until you’ve got your most important memory goals completed.
How To Increase Focus By Concentrating On Your Body: 4 Simple Tips
Now that I’ve told you about fixing your environment, it’s time to talk about fixing your brain, right?
Nope.
I’m sure you’ve heard about all sorts of exercise to improve your brain powers.
But did you know that one of the best strategies for a sharp mind has nothing to do with those ‘mental workouts’?
I can’t emphasize this enough:
Two years ago, I was struggling with focus. My memory was shockingly bad and I was constantly fighting tiredness.
At that time I was doing research for one of my online courses and discovered a book by John Medina called Brain Rules. This is an excellent book, well written and full of useful, evidence-based stuff.
1. Get Good Sleep
Among many other strategies, Medina emphasises the immense mental benefits of sleep.
It’s well known that sleep improves our memory, and it bears repeating that sleep deprivation affects also your ability to concentrate.
Worse, if you’re not sleeping well, you’re eroding your ability to think, problem-solve and succeed at many other tasks. One sleepless night impairs your performance as much as having 0.1% alcohol in your blood (which is above legal driving limits even in the most liberal countries).
This is what happens when you don’t get enough quality sleep before your exams.
So if you want your mind to be sharp, your wit quick and your thinking top-notch, don’t skimp on your zzzz …
And if you happened to sleep badly last night and you can feel the effects of it – take a power nap. Power naps are 15-20 minutes long naps aimed at ‘resetting your brain’.
You may need to find your own sweet spot, but generally it is recommended not to exceed 30 minutes, so you don’t enter the deep sleep phase as this can make you feel groggy and sluggish. Set the alarm, sleep in a quiet, dark room or use an eye mask, make sure you warm and comfortable.
2. Exercise
On top of keeping you physically well and happy, exercise can also improve your mental performance. And it happens in two ways:
By increasing the flow of oxygen into your brain.
By boosting the creation, survival and resistance of your brain cells.
In a nutshell, exercise is the cheapest and easiest mental enhancer available.
And I experienced it myself. Those 2 years ago, having read about the benefits of exercise, I decided to get back into regular running.
And once I started running, my concentration, memory and thinking powers improved quickly.
The takeaway:
If you’re still hesitating if you should go for a walk or work out tonight – just get on with it. Do it for the health and happiness of your precious mind and memory.
3. Destroy Procrastination
Procrastination is a massive killer of productivity. From bills unpaid on time, to Christmas gifts bought at the last minute, to time spent on playing games, or watching stupid programs/videos instead of preparing for tomorrow’s exam or that crucial presentation.
We all procrastinate. But do you know, what your favorite procrastination monster is?
I don’t mean what you do when you procrastinate, but why you procrastinate in the first place?
If you don’t, I recommend next time you procrastinate, explore the underlying issue.
Once you understand that, you can apply a targeted solution..
I’m going to make it easy for you. Here are the 7 most common reasons why people procrastinate:
Fear of failure or success
Perfectionism (which is usually p.1 in disguise)
Feeling overwhelmed by the task
Lack of /insufficient interest or motivation to do the task
Skill or knowledge gap
Disorganisation
Internal (thoughts or emotional state)
Explore your underlying reasons for procrastination by asking yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing instead of working on what you should be doing. Keep asking why (usually 5 times is enough) until you get to the bottom of the problem – or until you reach one of the reasons listed above.
Why should you investigate the roots of your procrastination?
Because, the better you understand your problem, the more targeted solution you can put in place to address it.
And this is the point many people miss:
Jumping from one ineffective/partially effective anti-procrastination strategy to another. Don’t waste your time and energy on strategies that are unlikely to address your problem. Diagnose your problem and apply the right strategy.
4. Discover Your Inner Drive
Remember what I said at the beginning? Motivation is flimsy. Get over it and get on with your life.
Now, you might be thinking:
These tricks sound clever. But surely, we need something more substantial to carry us through all those days, weeks and months filled with stuff to do? If not motivation, what should I rely on then?
Well, let me get this motivation bit straight.
If you want to get somewhere where you want to get – not to a random anywhere, you need motivation.
But since you’re reading this, you already have motivation. Motivation to improve your memory, your mental performance and probably – also your life.
Because these are all self-improvement goals. And that’s awesome.
You know what you need, you’ve done some research to identify what may help, you’re reading, digesting it and maybe even implementing.
That’s a lot, actually.
So in my books, this means you’re motivated.
And even if you haven’t started implementing any of the advice on this page – it still doesn’t mean you need to ‘motivate yourself’ to get there.
No.
We’re all driven by some type of motivation, whether extrinsic, like money, praise or avoidance of punishment, or intrinsic – autonomy, mastery or purpose.
Most of us have a mix of things that make us tick, but often there is a dominant one – one motivational driver that lights your fire.
I suggest you find out what it is. Because, honestly, if you know what lights your fire, you’ll be always able to put the right fuel into your motivational tank and get where you want to get without having to ‘motivate yourself’ again and again.
It’s awesome to always feel motivated to do what you need to do, but sooner or later you’ll end up feeling like you’d rather play your favorite game, watch silly cat videos, or clear your desk.
The best way to prevent it from happening is to create a system that runs on autopilot.
This is the way I get my writing done – my book(s), guest posts, emails, etc. Even this podcast was written using my system – a system that makes me do what I need to do even when I don’t feel like it.
Systems are reliable, repeatable and run on autopilot.
They require some time and effort investment upfront, but once set up, they run automatically, without fuss and extra cost.
I can talk for hours about building productivity and habit systems, but let me give you a few juicy tips.
Want To Put These Instant Focus-Boosting Strategies To Work In Your Life?
You now know why you want your focus to be laser-sharp. This insight will fast-track your journey to your memory goals and help you become a powerful learner. Whatever the dreams you’re pursuing, laser-sharp focus will make it easier and faster to achieve.
It may seem like focus is a skill that takes a long time to develop and a lot of effort to perfect – and yes, traditional approaches, like meditation and motivational strategies indeed take time and practice before you can reap the rewards.
But with a bunch of smart tricks that truly improve two levels of intelligence, you can quickly turn your overwhelmed by distractions and defeated by procrastinations mind into a powerful machine that you can turn on with a flick of a button.
You’ve experienced obstacles in your visualization meditation practice, right?
I sure have, but I persisted and eventually found ways to break through all my blocks. But without any practical guidance, my progress took far longer than necessary.
That’s why on this page, I’m going to share my best tips for visual meditation.
The exact way to make substantial progress may surprise you.
We usually think visualization is about mental pictures.
It is, but that’s just scraping the surface. And stopping at the visual level is why so many people get stuck.
For example, did you know there’s something called aphantasia? It means not having a mind’s eye.
I’ve been in this world, and yet I could still visualize while meditating.
How?
By using a full range of “Magnetic Modes” to experience multisensory visualization.
We’ll talk about these visualization modes below. But for now, it’s important to consider what we get from going past pictures to multisensory visuals.
5 Incredible Benefits of Visualization
There are a handful of important benefits a visual meditation practice brings.
1. Digital Fasting Boosts Memory
Time away from devices creates mental focus, boosts concentration and extends attention span
A lot of people look for visualization apps. In many cases, that’s going to be counterproductive. Instead, you get more benefits from leaving all the devices behind. I call this Digital Fasting.
I try to get in at least one per day. Personally, I go to the local campus, sit on a bench, close my eyes, and visualize.
By spending time visualizing with full knowledge that nothing will interrupt you, you’ll not only improve your mental imagery skills. You’ll also expand your attention span.
Plus, the walking back and forth from your chosen meditation area gives you exercise and encourages diffuse thinking.
As Alex Pang notes in his book Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less, many of the most productive authors and inventors visualized while walking. It was the walking itself that helped them come up with so many great ideas.
2. Creative Problem Solving
When you visualize in a multi-sensory way, you practice what you can think of as “mental rotation.” You literally spin a problem around in your mind so you can see it from multiple angles.
In the 13th century, Ramon Llull created a process called ars combinatoria that used visualization as a kind of mental machine. Not much is known about it, but one aspect seems to have involved thinking through a series of metrics.
For example, you would think about how much something weighed, its length, width, color, and other aspects. Merely running through these characteristics helps the mind consider problems in a way that is not possible without multi-dimensional visualization.
The 40 Triz Principles are a related, modern manifestation of this approach to visualization. You might look at something like this and ask, “What the heck does this have to do with meditation?”
Please revisit point one and think of all the problems that people solved when they went back to first principles about certain problems and took a walk to “rotate” the various dimensions in their minds.
3. Encourages Deep Relaxation
So long as you don’t place pressure on yourself, the benefits of visualization will shine clear on their own.
But if you find yourself unable to ease into it without expecting a particular outcome, you can start by visualizing yourself as relaxed. You can imagine your own body using multi-sensory tools and then imagine each part relaxing.
For example, you can visualize a warm blanket easing all the muscles in your feet, then your calves, thighs, lower back, etc.
And by using a visualization of relaxing yourself, you get to meditate and practice meditative visualization at the same time!
4. Visualization Combats Negativity
As I shared in my TEDx Talk, I think of negative thoughts in terms of the “like/dislike monster.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
Sure, that ancient image is a bit silly. But that’s the point. Visualizing attachments as a kind of dragon-like monster instantly helps me neutralize unwanted thoughts.
When you practice visualization consistently, you have mental images you can revisit on demand. The more you practice, the more tangible they will be for you, leading to great mental strength.
For example, when I went to defend my Ph.D. dissertation, I relaxed by mentally visiting my favorite bench near Lake Ontario.
Although I was sitting outside the examination room in the Vanier College building of York University and should have been shaking in my boots, I wasn’t.
Instead, I had my bike on its kickstand and was laying on the bench beneath a warm summer sun. I could hear the water lapping at the shore and felt a light breeze.
It was bliss in the midst of a nervous moment and I took that emotional stability with me into the examination room. After the committee grilled me for two hours, the head examiner told me, “The only guy cooler than you is Miles Davis!”
I told him that I really owe it all to the guided visualization meditation that I created for myself. And you can learn how to do it yourself quickly and easily.
Here’s how.
4 Steps to Visualizing Through Meditation
There are 4 steps to take on your journey to guided visualization.
1. Learn About Multi-Sensory Visualization
Remember this code: KAVE COGS.
I use this simple to remember acronym to help me go through my visualizations in a structured way.
Kinesthetic
Auditory
Visual
Emotional
Conceptual
Olfactory
Gustatory
Spatial
It’s a lot like ars combinatoria applied to meditation. For example, I gave you a sense of it with my Lake Ontario meditation.
I feel the physical sensation in my imagination of the wind and warmth from the sun. I hear the waves. I don’t see much in my imagination, but I still get something like a mental picture of the sun and the blue sky. Then I make sure to remember calm and peaceful emotions visiting the lake in Toronto always made me feel in my heart and mind.
Using concepts is a bit trickier to explain, but one of the simplest is the fact that it’s Lake Ontario, not some other body of water. It’s also in Toronto, a place where I have lots of history.
Next, I think of the taste of water from the water bottle I used to always have bolted to my bike. I smell the water and finally think of the spatial elements. I’m talking about the length of the bench. How thick the wood was and how heavy it must have been.
It might sound silly, but it’s actually the path to deepening the experience of the visualization meditation.
Finally, I sometimes add spatial factors like how long it took to ride my bike to the lake and how far away the CN Tower appears in the distance.
All of these factors combined really pay off when you practice them consistently and as a package.
2. Have a Regular Meditation Spot and Time of Day
I’ve already mentioned my current favorite meditation area. There’s good reason to believe that visiting the same places to meditate “anchors” your practice.
By this, I mean it’s a lot easier to settle in quickly by conditioning your mind to fall into the practice when you ritualize the location.
Ultimately, you want to be able to meditate anywhere, but it’s an ability you’ll sooner develop in bulletproof fashion by keeping a regular time and place than if you constantly randomize everything.
As they say, failure to plan is planning to fail. There’s great wisdom in that when it comes to getting the most out of relaxation visualization in particular.
In my own practice, I don’t get out of bed in the morning without visualizing first. That makes it less critical when exactly I go outside to walk and meditate. But I still try to make sure it’s before noon to keep a regular pattern.
3. Pick an Object or Text
Franz Bardon describes a powerful object-based meditation in Initiation Into Hermetics. Basically, you picture a clock on a wall.
The goal is to hold that clock in your mind as sharply as possible for as long as you can, working up to 20 minutes or more.
Personally, I don’t think it’s strictly necessary to go that long. Even 2-5 minutes will do. It doesn’t have to be a clock either — especially since such an object involves movement and sound (if it ticks). You can imagine a vase, bookcase, or a toy you had as a child.
Or, my favorite is to use passage meditation. I’ve memorized long-form texts and simply start at the beginning and don’t stop mentally reciting them until I’m done. Currently, I recite four pieces and it takes about forty minutes.
Sometimes I recite them out loud, but usually I just do it in silence. I use a Memory Palace, which provides the ultimate visualization meditation because I revisit each and every part of the mental journey where I laid out the words.
Here’s the Memory Palace journey for one of them:
There’s a powerful and streamlined process anyone can follow to get a Memory Palace working for long-form passage meditation.
Another option is to memorize something like the planets and reflect on their position in space for visualization meditations. Alexander Dicsone advocated this practice, something Martin Faulks has recently revived in The Hermetic Art of Memory.
Of course, you don’t have to tie your visualization practice to esoteric matters.
Even creating an image of Einstein writing E=MC2 on a chalkboard can provide a powerful meditation that offers all of the benefits of above. After all, I’m a scientist myself and don’t for a second want to live without mental imagery that helps create emotional stability and adds stamina to my focus.
4. Journal Your Experience
I find that keeping a journal is one of the best ways to learn more about meditation and how to deepen it.
Although you certainly can memorize everything about your experiences, I feel it’s best to leave memory free for language learning, names, and other knowledge-based projects.
Just the other day, I was meditating in the morning and suddenly a vibrant experience of snow sledding with my dad and brother came up. I made sure to write it down in my 5-year snapshot journal.
That way, I’ll not only remember it, but it will come back to me in my handwriting a year later on autopilot. And all without needing an app to remind me.
Meditation and Visualization, Simplified
After all, isn’t that the goal of a proper visual meditation practice? To have your mind work well without getting ensnared in the world of notifications?
I don’t know about you, but I usually find that apps and notifications break my mental imagery, not build it up. Proper guided visualization is something you engineer for yourself.
So what do you say? Do you have any steps or resources to add? Or are you just ready to dive in and start visualizing while you meditate?
Lack of Concentration: 3 Scientifically Proven Remedies
Jul 28, 2020
If you can’t stand your current lack of concentration, don’t worry. There are concrete steps you can take. They will reduce, and potentially eliminate, your problems with focusing.
Fair warning:
What you’re about to read is unlike anything else you’ll find on the Internet. You see, I once completed a Ph.D. during a time when I swallowed concentration-destroying antidepressants with beer.
Yet… I had powerful strategies. Instead of experiencing difficulty concentrating, I was able to laser-focus on large amounts of information I needed to remember for my exams. Then, when I sat for those exams, I was able to recall that information with ease – even though I did not feel very well.
In sum, pay close attention to the tactics I’m about to share. I learned them from real-world experience.
Yes, you need to commit to becoming a dedicated student of focus and concentration.
When I first realized that I was having concentration issues, that’s exactly what I did. In my case, I was used to committing to large learning projects. I’d completed a BA and an MA in English literature. Despite all the odds as a student with mental illness, I’d also managed to get into a Ph.D. program.
Here’s a quick exercise:
Get out a piece of paper and list 2-3 times you’ve accomplished a goal before. It could be completing high school, learning a language, getting a job after submitting multiple applications, or anything that has meaning for you.
What you’re looking for is proof that you’re capable of completing learning goals. If you can do it once, you can do it again.
Proven Remedies For a Lack of Concentration
The second step is to find resources that will help you develop focus and remove your inability to focus.
These resources are bound to be different for different people.
1. Meditation
One of the most likely sources for most people is going to be meditation.
However, you need to understand that there is more than one kind of meditation. Plus, your gender might play a role in which kind might be the right kind for you.
That said, you should avoid thinking about meditation as a singular thing. In truth, you want to create a “meditation habit stack.” Literally erase the idea of mediation as a singular thing and start to think about meditations.
For example, my meditation habit stack looks like this almost every morning (sometimes I do it in the afternoon or evening depending on my schedule):
There are many other sources you can pursue. I would suggest books by:
Gary Weber (Happiness Beyond Thought)
Shinzen Young (The Science of Enlightenment)
Eckhart Tolle (The Power of Now)
Greg Goode (Standing as Awareness)
Richard Wiseman (59 Seconds)
Finally, here are 12 concentration meditations that will put you in the zone. Practice these for the next 90 days and you’ll be amazed by how much your focus has improved.
2. Diet
As part of your commitment to removing your concentration problems, you’ll want to do a thorough analysis of your diet.
There’s no magic bullet when it comes to optimizing your eating habits for focus. However, it’s common knowledge that the foods we eat create our states of mind. Going back to the ancient world, people have known that there are at least three kinds of foods:
Foods that make us feel lazy or tired
Foods that make us feel energetic or agitated
Foods that make us feel peaceful
Everyone is going to be different. To find out how you respond to different foods, keep a food diary for the next 90 days.
It’s not about right or wrong. You just want to look for patterns. For example, I find that I cannot concentrate well after eating rice. Does this mean that I don’t eat rice? No. It just means that if I need to read or write after a meal, I eat something else instead, like salmon with carrots and celery. For me, those foods keep my mind clear and focused.
I only know these things because I’ve completed:
Food elimination diets
Rotation diets
Low FODMAP diets
LEAP assessments
Food tolerance tests
These are well worth exploring, even if there is a lot of conflicting information about the ins-and-outs of these different styles of eating.
Basically, the more you experiment and document, the more observations you’ll have that will help you sort out the foods that help you focus and the foods that lead to a lack of focus.
3. Exercise
Also on the level of common sense, it’s well-known that you need to keep your body well-oiled with movement if you want your brain to function well.
Walking and reading in Denmark
Personally, I make sure to get in at least one walk a day, but usually three, one after each meal. Yes, this is a pain sometimes, but it helps with digestion and circulation.
Basically, when you do something as simple as walking and remove your focus from what you’re trying to focus on, your brain will automatically start to make connections in the background. Give exercise a try.
Exercise also helps get rid of stress, which is another major source of poor concentration. It can come from poor diet, lack of exercise, bad sleep habits or constantly exposing yourself to negative people or situations.
Look back at the meditation habit stack I shared above. Each and every one of those activities has been scientifically demonstrated to help reduce stress.
You can also add lighting a candle, using some aromatherapy, laughing, singing (here’s how to memorize a song), and spending more time with family and friends.
Obviously, these changes aren’t going to take place overnight, but it’s the extended journey towards improvement that will matter in the end. Take it one step at a time.
For book recommendations I’ve found useful, please try:
Next, let’s look at some of the reasons you might have trouble focusing.
3 More Common Causes Behind Your Difficulty Focusing
1. Not having a vision statement for your life.
Do you have a plan for where you’re going to live and what you want to be doing when you’re 95? How about when you’re 150?
I’m not kidding. As Dan Sullivan has pointed out, when people are asked when they think they’ll die, they usually list a number between the range that matches the widely published life expectancy statistics.
Maybe that’s why so many people are stressed. How about this alternative? Get out a journal and write down your vision for each coming decade of your life. For example:
When I’m 80, I plan to take every opportunity to visit the gym. I will be thoroughly knowledgeable of recent medical advancements and taking advantage of every possible means of delaying the onset of disease from natural aging.
You can relieve a lot of worrisome thoughts that break your focus by repeating this exercise with your family goals, financial goals, and travel desires. This is your life, so dare to dream big!
2. Not having a plan.
Having a vision is one thing, but then you need to plan.
Rest assured, no matter how much planning you perform, life will throw curveballs.
However, the act of planning accomplishes (at least) two things:
You have documented plans. Without plans, you put stress on your memory and stumble through life blindly.
You develop the skills of planning. When things change, you can rapidly chart out a new plan.
One useful planning skill you can learn is mind mapping. I suggest Mind Map Mastery as a great resource for learning how to do it well.
In sum, when you have plans and the skill of making plans, you’ll reduce a ton of focus-destroying stress that come in the form of unwanted thoughts.
3. Short Form Content Addiction
Let me rant a little here.
Those 5-minute videos you’re watching?
They’re killing your attention span. Especially when you’re watching them on your so-called “smartphone.” (You can learn how to combat smartphone addiction here.)
If you really want to master the skill of mental focusing, you need to go on a short content diet.
Next time you’re searching for information on a topic you want to learn, choose the longest and most in-depth content you can find.
Get out a pen and paper. (No devices with their focus-stealing tabs and apps and widgets.)
Sit with the content for the long haul. Engage with it thoroughly. And remember diffuse thinking – if you get bored, doodle on the paper instead of taking your attention away. That’s just one of 5 unconventional note-taking tips I have for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U64awMHJkAU
The more you engage with long-form content, the more you’ll start to heal your flighty attention span.
Rest assured: I’m as tempted as the next guy to hop around multiple pieces of short content.
But it’s not a realistic strategy if you really want to learn. If anything, you want to not only watch long videos and read long books, but you also want a rereading strategy that takes you through the content twice.
3 More Strategies for Destroying Your Lack of Concentration
1. Form study and/or discussion groups based around a single topic.
When I was in university, I always belonged to study groups. Not only was I president of the English Undergraduate Student Association, a position that allowed me to create groups and invite interesting speakers. I also sought out and belonged to poetry discussion groups, philosophy groups, and film studies gatherings.
Look, there are problems with groups, such as timing them, having someone capable of leadership, and the fact that not everyone will complete the agreed-upon readings, etc. But that’s no reason not to go and flex your skills at being the leader and the reader. These are precisely the activities that will stretch your concentration skills.
2. Learn a language.
A lot of people start learning a language and then give up. They don’t have the attention span for it, or they come up with a whole list of excuses about it being “hard.”
The fact is that without challenge, we cannot grow. And taking up a long term learning project like picking up a foreign language has been scientifically proven to increase your “cognitive reserve.” That basically means that your memory improves, as does your ability to find the words you want to use quickly.
3. Volunteer.
So many people are aimless these days. They don’t have any vision or purpose for their own lives, and they certainly don’t lend their time and energy to causes larger than themselves.
I recognized this as a problem in my own life, which is why I started teaching freely on the Internet and became part of the Pollination Project for a few years. I found that by being part of a mission with positive consequences for other people around the world, nearly all of whom I would never meet, a lot of my thoughts became very focused.
I think you’ll find this is true for you too, and there are a lot of compelling studies showing that giving, not receiving is the true path to lasting happiness.
However, you need to watch out for what is called volunteer’s folly. For example, if you’re an amateur at building shelter, your volunteer hours won’t be nearly as powerful as donating money to hire expert builders. Not only are you creating unprofessional housing that will need many costly repairs or outright replacement. You’re also failing to hire a local company that could use the revenue. (Rolf Dobelli points this problem out in The Art of Thinking Clearly and it is very easy to avoid.)
Conclusion: Concentrate On Creating Memories Worth Having
One last tip based on research by Tim Dalgleish that I discovered years after feeling the effects of it myself.
Remember when I told you about my depression and bad habits while completing my Ph.D.?
Well, on top of becoming a student of focus techniques like meditation, I also started using an ancient device called a “Memory Palace.” (Sometimes called the Roman Room Method or the Method of Loci.)
This ancient device lets you use buildings like your home and workplace to remember information quickly.
Here’s what to do in order to experience the results of his research:
Create a Memory Palace. My free memory improvement kit walks you through everything:
Populate your Memory Palace with 5-10 happy memories. For example, in one of my Memory Palaces, I placed a scene from the party after my dissertation defense in one corner of a room. In another corner, I placed the memory of my first book arriving after it was printed, and so on.
Use the Memory Palace to revisit your happy memories – especially during moments when you can’t focus.
I use this technique to this day. It is powerful.
You can combine it with other elements from your meditation habit stack, such as wandering your Memory Palace of happy memories mentally while you walk your neighborhood for exercise.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to become a serious student of improving your concentration?
What Causes Memory Disorders And How To Overcome Them?
Jul 20, 2020
I’ve you’ve misplaced your car keys and worry that its because of one or more memory disorders, you might also be experiencing symptoms like the ones we’re about to discuss.
Forgetting a new acquaintance’s name, for example.
Or feeling confused about what day of the week it is right now.
Now, this kind of mental confusion could be a sign of a memory disorder.
But these are also all common occurrences. They even happen to memory athletes who excel at recalling all kinds of information with high rates of accuracy.
To help you decide to what extent you may or many not be facing a memory issue, I’ll walk you through 5 common memory disorders and their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment on this page.
I’ll also introduce you to a powerful technique to supercharge your brain power and help prevent simple memory loss.
Who am I to talk about such problems?
As a PhD and Mercator Scholar, I’ve been studying memory and teaching it for fourteen years.
I’ve also had a family member suffer from early onset dementia.
So it’s on the basis of more than a decade of research and personal experience that I’ll cover the following for you:
Forgetting your house keys, or losing other common items is an example of basic forgetfulness. There are some fairly easy and direct ways to stop losing things, and they are well worth learning.
As discussed in this tutorial on how to stop losing things, for example, struggling to remember things in a cluttered home is not a symptom of memory problems. It’s a clutter issue that can be strategically improved very quickly.
But when memory impairment starts to interfere with your daily tasks, social activities, and work, then you might have a memory disorder.
Memory disorders are problems associated with communication, decision making, recollection, reasoning, and cognitive skills. A memory problem could also occur due to neurological damage to your brain structure.
Besides causing immense psychological stress, they also affect your ability to create, store, and recall memories.
Memory impairment could occur due to:
A side effect of medication
Brain impairment
Trauma to the head
Substance abuse
Vitamin deficiencies
An untreated metabolic disease or infection
Cardiovascular disease
Heredity
Aging
It’s tough to pinpoint the actual reason for memory disorders. And this is what makes their diagnosis challenging.
Plus, scientists continually identify new memory disorders. As this recent study shows, new ways of imaging the brain have led to knew theories of how and why the brain degenerates. It’s a constantly shifting field, so it’s important to keep yourself updated as much as possible.
With that point in mind, I hope your curious to know if your memory problem is a memory disorder.
Let’s find out.
Do Age-Related Memory Problems Always Mean Memory Disorders?
Cognitive decline usually develops with age. Older adults with no memory disorder problems may pause to remember directions, but they do not get lost in familiar places.
Forgetting where you kept your reading glasses is just a sign of normal aging. In this normal aging process, your judgment remains intact, and the memory problem doesn’t affect your routines.
However, if an older adult starts forgettingwhat reading glasses are and how they are used, it could point to a memory disorder.
Research indicates that the amount of hippocampal neurofibrillary tangles or protein deposits in the cortex help differentiate between normal aging and a memory disorder.
Are all memory disorders alike?
Short answer: No.
Different memory disorders have different progress rates and involve different brain structures.
Some memory disorders like Alzheimer’s are progressive, and it may take years before the symptoms appear. Others like frontotemporal dementia are also progressive and cause reduced brain function in the frontal and temporal lobes.
Damage to brain function caused by traumatic brain injury like a car crash has an immediate effect.
Some of these cognitive disorders can be treated, while others like anterograde amnesia don’t have a cure yet. However, there are many scientific solutions to assist patients to go about their daily lives.
Early clinical assessment can help determine the future course of action. Behavioral neurologists can assess the patient to understand the extent of cognitive impairment.
Patients can take remedial steps by attending a memory disorders program to manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.
5 Memory Disorders: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Alzheimer’s Disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who reported “a peculiar severe disease progress of the cerebral cortex” in 1906 in Tubingen to the 37th Meeting of South-West German Psychiatrists.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is most common in people above the age of 65. This is called late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The other two types are early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, which typically occurs in people of the 40-50 age group, and Familial Alzheimer’s disease which is linked to genes.
Alzheimer’s symptoms develop gradually, worsen over time, and eventually affect all everyday tasks.
The typical symptoms of people with Alzheimer’s disease are:
Memory loss that worsens gradually
Changes in mood and behavior
Disorientation
Trouble communicating with others
Confusion about time, place and events
Depression
Difficulty walking, swallowing food, and speaking
How Does Alzheimer’s Disease Affect the Brain?
Alzheimer’s disease AD damages nerves, degenerates brain tissue, and leads to the accumulation of an abnormal protein called beta-amyloid and the development of neurofibrillary tangles.
It affects the hippocampus first, which is why memory loss is often the first symptom in a person with Alzheimer’s disease. Microglia cells then create inflammation to start the immune response, which further damages the brain. Eventually, it affects the entire brain.
Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Treatment
There is no single Alzheimer’s disease and memory test or any particular cognitive test to detect Alzheimer’s disease.
Because of this, an Alzheimer’s disease center will use a combination of factors and tests such as:
Detailed medical history
Assessment of Alzheimer’s disease memory, problem-solving, and other mental abilities
Standard blood and urine tests
Brain imaging, such as CT, MRI, or PET scans
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, yet.
Take any Alzheimer’s disease research center, and you’ll find several ongoing clinical trials that attempt to slow down the progress of the disease.
People in the early stages can enhance their cognitive function and manage the signs of Alzheimer’s disease with medication. They can also use behavioral treatments like speech therapy, and technological solutions like smart wearable devices along with medication.
Patients can also seek help from health organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association or any Alzheimer’s disease center for care and support.
2. Dementia
Dementia is a neurological disorder that makes it harder for individuals to remember, communicate, and reason with others. It is caused by constant damage to the brain cells.
There are different types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementias. (The Lewy body disease is associated with abnormal deposits of the alpha-synuclein protein in the brain.)
Trouble with language — understanding and expression (like in Parkinson’s disease)
Problems with judgment
Personality changes
How Does Dementia Change the Brain?
Most changes that occur in the brain due to dementia are permanent and get worse over time. It interferes with the ability of brain nerve cells to communicate with each other. Different types of dementia affect different brain regions first.
Diagnosis of Dementia
Dementia can be diagnosed using:
Neuropsychological tests where a neuropsychologist assesses mental functioning
Analysis of bodily fluids such as blood, urine, and saliva
Brain scans to identify changes in the brain structure
Psychiatric evaluation
Treatment for Dementia
A disease like dementia is incurable. Medicines and therapy can only make dementia patients feel better temporarily.
The good news is, people with dementia can live comfortably by routinely exercising and engaging in some form of activity.
Assistive technology can help dementia patients stay independent and safe as long as possible. For example, Google calendar to help them remember things to do, and video calling apps to help them connect with their loved ones.
Routine health checkups are also a vital part of a dementia patient’s life.
3. Mild Cognitive Impairment
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional state between dementia and normal memory and thinking (cognitive abilities). It is a slight yet noticeable cognitive decline.
Individuals with mild cognitive impairment have more difficulty with memory, language, and thinking than others their age. They also have a high risk factor of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s.
However, some mild cognitive impairment patients remain at a stable state or regain their normal cognitive abilities over time.
Symptoms of Mild Cognitive Impairment
There are two types of mild cognitive impairment — Amnestic MCI and NonAmnestic MCI. Amnestic MCI deals primarily with memory loss, and NonAmnestic MIC deals mostly with a decline in thinking skills.
Here are some symptoms of Mild Cognitive Impairment:
Impulsive behavior
Getting overwhelmed while doing simple tasks
Forgetting appointments and other social engagements
Feeling lost and confused
How Does Mild Cognitive Impairment Impact the Brain?
The changes in the brain are similar to Alzheimer’s dementia but less intense.
Mild Cognitive Impairment results in:
Shrinkage of the hippocampus
Enlargement of ventricles
Reduced use of glucose
Abnormal clumps and tangles of nerve cells
Reduced blood flow through brain blood vessels
Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment
For the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, the doctor looks into:
A complete medical history
Inputs from a family member or a close friend about daily activities
Psychiatric evaluation to trace signs of depression
Brain imaging
Behavioral neurology examination
These evaluations have to be done every six months as patients with mild cognitive impairment are at increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Treatment for Mild Cognitive Impairment
The treatment mostly focuses on managing or easing symptoms. Medications are used only in cases of significant memory changes or for someone who is also exhibiting symptoms of Parkinson’s.
Those experiencing depression often benefit from psychotherapy. Treating other underlying conditions such as cholesterol and hypothyroidism is also a good idea.
Lifestyle changes and maintaining cognitive health can allow patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment to stabilize their condition without making it worse. Researchers like Dr. Gary Small also recommend various cognitive training activities like the 4-Details exercise.
I practice this exercise in particular a few times a week. It has not only sharpened my memory, but also improves observation skills.
4. Autoimmune Encephalitis
Autoimmune Encephalitis is a rare disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks healthy brain cells and causes inflammation.
This disease is caused by viruses, including rabies, herpes simplex virus, toxoplasmosis, and the West Nile virus.
Symptoms of Autoimmune Encephalitis
Initially, some patients may exhibit neurological or psychiatric symptoms, and that makes this disease tricky to diagnose.
The symptoms could be:
Tremors (like in people with Parkinson’s disease dementia)
Seizures
Involuntary movements
Loss of inhibition
Paranoia
Severe insomnia
Depression
Loss of balance
How Does Autoimmune Encephalitis Affect the Brain?
The body’s immune system attacks healthy brain cells, leading to inflammation in the brain.
Diagnosis of Autoimmune Encephalitis
This disease is challenging to diagnose, as the symptoms appear at different times with different intensity levels.
Rapid progression of working memory deficits, altered memory status, or psychiatric symptoms.
And one of these criteria should be met:
New focal CNS findings
Unexplained seizures
Increased white blood cell count
MRI suggests encephalitis
Treatment of Autoimmune Encephalitis
Early detection and quick treatment are necessary for the treatment of this disorder. Patients should be hospitalized immediately. The treatment is focused on preventing complications, reducing swelling, and controlling seizures and fevers.
5. Vascular Cognitive Impairment
Vascular Cognitive Impairment is a common form of dementia in older adults. It is caused by decreased blood flow to the brain, which eventually damages the brain tissue.
There are many types of vascular dementia, including:
Mixed dementia, where symptoms of both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease exist.
Multi-infarct dementia where the blood flow affects a specific part of the brain.
Movement troubles (like people with Parkinson’s disease)
Tremors
Urinary problems
Depression
How Does Vascular Cognitive Impairment Affect the Brain?
The effect of vascular cognitive impairment depends on the location and size of the affected area in the brain. It occurs due to blood clots, ruptured blood vessels due to atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and infection.
Diagnosis of Vascular Cognitive Impairment
Doctors conduct the following tests in addition to taking a detailed medical history and physical examination:
Brain scans such as CT, PET, and MRI
Electroencephalogram (EEG) of the brain
Neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric tests
Treatment of Vascular Cognitive Impairment
Vascular Cognitive Impairment cannot be cured. Any treatment will only manage the associated conditions.
Doctors could advise:
Medicines to control blood pressure, diabetes, and blood clotting
Procedures like angioplasty to improve blood flow to the brain
Lifestyle changes, including exercises for cognitive stimulation and cognitive rehabilitation.
With so many complications associated with memory disorders, it is imperative to diagnose them early.
Here are a few more reasons why it’s essential to do so.
Why Must Memory Disorders Be Diagnosed Early?
Being diagnosed with a memory disorder can be disorienting for the patient and their caregivers.
Give you access to treatments to slow down the disease
You could find a place in a clinical trial for a miracle drug
Give you time to prepare for the future, both emotionally and financially
Help you to preserve your cognitive skills and abilities
There is a cultural aspect to it as well.
In many societies, there is a stigma against those who suffer from mental illness. There have been several cases of patients being denied jobs, denied places to stay, and having false criminal charges levied against them.
Keeping all these factors in mind, prevention is definitely better than a cure.
You may be able to delay or prevent the onset of memory loss by merely exercising your brain regularly!
A regular brain workout will be extremely helpful even if you’re only struggling with minor memory loss.
How do you do that?
Build Memory Palaces And Give Your Brain a Workout
Using a Memory Palace is the ultimate brain exercise to boost your cognitive abilities.
So, if you forget what day of the week it is, try this out:
When you wake up in the morning, imagine you’re looking at a gift box with seven boxes within.
In each box, place an image. For example, in the first box (Monday) place a man. In the Tuesday box, place a truck. On Wednesday, a walrus, and so on.
These mnemonics will help you remember the day when you wake up.
Remember to mentally cross out the day’s symbol and keep the day’s box aside before you hit the bed.
This way, you will think of what happened yesterday when you wake up and instantly remember the day.
You can remember pretty much anything using a Memory Palace — names, faces, grocery items, a new language, academic material… the list is nearly endless.
Attaching physical locations to memories helps you access them with ease.
Building Memory Palaces is a technique you can use for life. Once you build one and master using it, you can create plenty more with ease.
And, if you can do that – like Sherlock Holmes – you can do great things with your memory.
You can also explore activities like memory games for these kinds of issues. As this study shows, however, you have to be willing to increase the difficult at regular intervals to get a result.
My recommendation for keeping the challenge flowing is to at least explore the Memory Palace technique and treat it like a kind of game.
So, if you’re ready to supercharge your memory and keep cognitive disorders at bay… Pick up your copy of my free memory improvement kit, and get started today!
How to Memorize the Periodic Table: A Proven Process
Jul 14, 2020
If you want to know how to memorize the periodic table, chances are you’ve heard the following advice:
Some trainings even suggest that you combine all of the above in order to speed up the process.
If such vague suggestions make you want to pull your hair out, let’s talk about the truth so you have a real shot at getting what you want:
The only way anyone can memorize the periodic table quickly is to already be good with memory techniques, ideally the Memory Palace technique. In fact, you’ll probably want several Memory Palaces in the manner I’ll show you in this guide.
But don’t put the cart ahead of the horse.
And don’t fall for the clickbait nonsense about memorizing the massive amount of information on the periodic table “fast.” Rest assured, there’s no question that it can be done. You just need to have the real secrets of how to do it already working for you.
So if you’re ready for the real deal and really want to know how to learn the periodic table, let’s get started.
The Right Way to Memorize the Periodic Table
As I’ve just revealed, this process is only going to be fast if you already know your way around memory strategies like the Memory Palace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sahjk-OENKc
But even knowing how to memorize the elements of the periodic table will not necessarily mean that you’ll actually do it. And it also doesn’t mean that you’ll understand the information encoded by the table.
So the first step you need to cover has nothing to do with memory techniques.
You have to know your reason why. Seriously: Why do you want to memorize this information? If you don’t already keep a Memory Journal, get one. Then, on a fresh page, write out at least 5 reasons why you want to memorize this particular information.
Is it to show off?
To pass an exam?
To become a great chemist?
If you cannot find five distinct reasons why, then it’s time to face the facts: You’re probably going to give up because the sheer mental strength needed without a reason why is just too much for most mere mortals to pull through such a goal.
What Do You Need To Memorize From The Periodic Table?
Next, think about exactly what you need to know. Do you need to know the names? The abbreviations? The atomic numbers? Do you have to recall each element in order? Do you have to be able to visualize the table in your mind?
These possibilities are important to know, because this information will shift how thoroughly you approach the task.
Next, I want you to make sure you perform a bit of “brute force learning.” This means knowing:
Who created the Periodic Table
When it was created
Why it was created
What changes have been made to it over time
What problems it solves
How it solves those problems
As you go through its Wikipedia and associated information, you’ll be laying the groundwork for some of the next-level memory tools that will help you truly learn it, not just memorize its information. You’ll see just how important this will be for your success soon.
How to Memorize the Periodic Table: A Proven Process
Now that we’ve abandoned the fantasy that this task can be done quickly without pro memory skills first, and covered having a good reason why, here’s the next step most memory experts and memory athletes would use:
Have a number of Memory Palaces ready.
I think of these clusters as “Memory Palace Networks.”
To create them quickly, go back to that Memory Journal.
How long should it take to create each Memory Palace?
The answer depends on your current level of skill. But for most people who complete my training, each one should take no more than 2-5 minutes. I suggest you draw them and there are at least three reasons why:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtbecR_HgaE
Now, there are many different ways you can configure your Memory Palaces. I’m going to take you through an intermediate-level suggestion that will hopefully get you excited so that improving your skills with memory techniques is a no brainer.
But always remember this:
How you choose to proceed will depend on your exact goal, something only you can identify.
Let’s continue with the steps you need to consider.
I suggest you print it out and paste a copy in your Memory Journal. Put a second one on your office wall, or somewhere you’ll see it every day. That’s not to help you remember any of the information. It’s to help you remember your commitment to the goal of memorizing everything on it.
Spend some time just looking at the information. Observe it closely.
Here’s what I observe as a mnemonist who works on memorizing large bodies of information:
The periodic table has two blocks. Whereas one is irregularly shaped and large, the other is small and uniform.
On the top block, you have columns that have either seven or four blocks each. The final four horizontal columns contain eighteen units of information. (In fact, each block contains three or four distinct pieces of information, but we’ll get to that later.)
Let’s keep focused on the top block and think about some of the ways we can use the Memory Palace technique to memorize the information.
My first instinct is to create seven Memory Palaces to cover the large block on the top.
For example, Hydrogen and Helium would be in Memory Palace one. Using the Method of Loci, this Memory Palace would have just two stations.
The second Memory Palace would then have eight stations to cover Lithium to Neon.
Once complete, I would take a break before adding two more Memory Palaces of fourteen stations each for the second, regular-shaped block. Let’s have a look at how this would play out from a purely spatial perspective using the second horizontal column.
This column contains eight elements. To rapidly memorize them, I would then want eight Magnetic Stations in a well-formed Memory Palace.
In my studio bedroom in Berlin. One of my favorite Memory Palace sources.
These Magnetic Stations follow all the Magnetic Memory Method principles and are:
Bookcase (barely visible in the photo, but it’s there)
I wanted an easy way to memorize the periodic table! And now you’re placing the information from right to left, instead of left to right!
Trust me, this is not only incredibly easy once you have the skills. It’s also a lot of fun. And the reason that I am laying out the information in what appears to be the opposite direction will take an entire course to explain. Why not pull up a seat in my course and learn all about it now?
Once you’re in, let the fun begin based on the real knowledge of how the ancients memorized mountains of facts like the Periodic Table.
How to Remember Each Element
Let’s recap:
You want to have enough Memory Palaces to memorize all of the elements. For that, you need to create a Memory Palace Network. You could potentially memorize every single element in just one, but I think that’s putting too much pressure on most minds. I certainly would not approach the task that way.
You also need to decide how you want the information to fall in the Memory Palaces. I’ve chosen a horizontal method. However, you could just as easily choose a vertical method. This approach would require at least eighteen Memory Palaces, but you could do it with less if you’re skilled and work out your strategy.
Now we need to figure out how we’re going to place the information in these Memory Palaces. We do this through a process called elaborative encoding. It’s a scientific term for taking information we already know and associating it with information we don’t know. Or, in the case of a word like Lithium, which pretty much everyone knows, we just want to know where it falls on the table and additional information related to it.
If you’re familiar with one of the ways to use the pegword method, you might draw upon those skills.
Here’s where your “why” and exactly what you need to memorize is going to be important.
Let’s take Lithium, for example:
On this version of its Periodic Table listing you have:
Atomic number (3)
Element symbol (Li)
Full name (Lithium)
Atomic mass (6.938)
Let’s say we want to account for all of this information. The best approach will probably be to memorize from the top-down, starting with the atomic number. In this case, we’ll need to use the Memory Palace accordingly. Like this:
This mnemonic example shows the placement of periodic table information in a Memory Palace.
Let me explain these images:
Atomic number = moustache. Using a number-shape system, 3 looks a lot like a moustache on its side. As an alternative, you could use macaroni or the McDonald’s logo.
Element symbol = Link from The Legend of Zelda. I actually think about his LinkedIn profile (i.e. Li.)
Full name = It’s not reflected in the mnemonic example above, but I imagine that Link is listening to the Nirvana song “Lithium.”
Atomic Mass. In this case, I am drawing upon a 00-99 PAO (Person Action Object) system. It’s built on the Major Method.
For reasons you’ll discover by learning any of the main techniques for memorizing numbers, Jeep is my personal image for 69 and Max Maven is my image for 38. There are many different images you can choose from, and mine have evolved over time.
Your next memory trick is to get these images interacting in a multi-sensory way. Here’s How to Build A Memory Palace which includes details on making this happen in a memorable way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5-YrZhudPU
The basic idea is to create a kind of chain reaction with special properties you can train yourself to automatically tap into with these sensory memory exercises.
In this case, the moustache which represents three crashes down on Link who uses his wooden sword to pop a tire on the Jeep, causing a bolt to fly at Max Maven, who stops it using magical powers. The bolt represents the decimal in 6.938. As this entire image unfolds, I hear the Nirvana song Lithium as if I were Link listening to it. How To Make Sure Each Element Gets Into Long-Term Memory
I suggest you start small and work one column at a time. If you choose the horizontal columns method, you’ll have them all memorized in numerical order by their Atomic Number.
In each Memory Palace, I suggest that you use a process called Active Recall. It means that you deliberately ask your memory to bring back the information you placed in the Memory Palace.
In my case, I would think about the bookcase. Then, I would relax and ask myself… “What was happening there?”
Because I have practiced these techniques for many years, I’ll probably think about the moustache, guided by the fact I decided upon how much of the information I wanted to know from the beginning. (Remember, you have to know your goal intimately first.)
If you only wanted to remember the world “lithium,” then obviously you would want to call back the imagery you created and placed in your Memory Palace just for that target information.
Next, I’ll assume that you’ve memorized all eight of the Elements that appear in this horizontal column.
You’ll want to call them to mind first, then write them out by hand in your Memory Journal. (Make sure you don’t cheat, however. Genuinely test yourself first and check the answers only later.)
Later, when you’re certain that your Magnetic Imagery is working, recall each Element you memorized in the following patterns:
Forward (Magnetic Stations 1-8)
Backward (Magnetic Stations 8-1)
From the middle to the beginning (Magnetic Stations 4-1)
From the middle to the end (Magnetic Stations 5-8)
Station skipping (Magnetic Stations 1,3,5,7,8,6,4,2)
Why follow these patterns?
Because you will be harnessing the best of:
The Primacy Effect
The Recency Effect
The Serial Positioning Effect
Sure, you can get Anki or some other spaced-repetition software to present the information to you based on similar patterns.
The Problem With Software For Learning The Elements
But the problem is that these softwares don’t get you bringing together the forces of creative repetition and active learning. Your brain needs a bit of challenge to learn.
And when you use the techniques I shared with you today, you’ll get real results. And then you can apply your memory to even more challenging goals.
Everything begins when you’re sure about your why and you’re clear about what exactly needs to be memorized. Once you’ve got that covered, you truly can learn so fast, it’ll make you head spin – in a good way, of course.
The 3 Stages of Memory: An In-Depth Guide (with Examples!)
Jul 06, 2020
You wonder…
How does your memory work?
And why do you remember worthless trivia but draw a blank on more significant information?
At parties, guests are impressed by your ability to recite obscure movie quotes. But, you can’t remember the name of your boss’s spouse five minutes after being introduced! Frustrating!
Memory refers to our ability to store and recall information, which in turn helps us later in life. In other words, our memory gives us the ability to remember something that we experienced or learned in the past, like how to tie shoelaces or the capitals of South American countries.
As we’ll soon see, our senses and short-term memory have roles in how we retain information. But when we talk about remembering something, we’re generally referring to its retrieval from our long-term memory.
At times, it seems effortless to process and later recall new information. Other times, learning new information and remembering it can be challenging. What causes these challenges?
To understand how memories are formed and saved, it’s helpful to consider the models proposed by those who study human memory. When you research memory science, you’ll notice that different experts talk about very similar concepts using different terms. These differences and similarities of terminology are normal in all sciences.
For example, Simply Psychology explains the full cycle learning and memory model of “Encoding, Storage and Retrieval” as the three stages of memory.
However, memory enthusiasts typically focus on the Atkinson-Shiffrin three-stage model of memory: “Sensory Memory, Short-term Memory, and Long-term Memory”.
For our purposes, the Atkinson-Shiffrin model makes the most sense to draw upon because Richard C. Atkinson performed studies related to learning vocabulary, one of the core focuses of the Magnetic Memory Method website.
Let’s dive deeper into these three stages of memory.
A stored memory starts as a sensory memory, moves to short-term memory and then transfers into long-term memory.
However, some experiences and information do not progress through each stage and are abandoned without being stored in short- or long-term memory.
We’ll discover that the amount and quality of attention we exert to process or encode a memory greatly influences the ease of its accessibility from long term storage.
But, we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
From their inception, our memories are developed and processed for storage through a systematic network, starting with sensations that we receive from our five senses.
Stage 1: What is Sensory Memory?
Sensory memory receives information from all of our senses. Every sight, sound, smell, taste, or touch that we experience is processed for only a few seconds (or less) in our sensory Memory. Sensory memory responses are automatic and we don’t have control over how we process information from our senses.
The sensory register is another name for sensory memory, where sensory perceptions are retained in each of the five distinct sensory memory stores. Each sensory memory type holds information based on our distinct sensory experiences, each of which you can improve by completing sensory memory exercises.
What Are 5 Types of Sensory Memory?
The Types of Sensory Memory (Sensory Memory Modalities) are relative to the sensory experiences they store:
Iconic memory stores interpretations of visual experiences
Echoic memory stores the interpretations of sounds
Haptic memory stores the interpretations related to tactile experiences
Olfactory memory stores information related to the sense of smell
Gustatory memory stores information related to the sense of taste.
The duration of information retained in sensory memory ranges from approximately 200 milliseconds in iconic memory to approximately 3-4 seconds in echoic memory.
What Are Some Examples of Sensory Memory?
We don’t have control over our sensory memory, so we nonconsciously process the information we receive.
Here are a few examples that demonstrate our sensory memory at work:
Visual Afterimages
Consider the light trails that we see when we swing a bright light in the dark (like a sparkler). Our iconic (visual) memory lasts up to a half-second and the sparkler moves faster than the rate we can process the movement of the light.
The impression of light along the sparkler’s path remains in our iconic memory creating the illusion of a trail of light behind the sparkler.
Speech and Communication
Echoic (sound) memory lasts for about 3 to 4 seconds and is important in speech and communication. Initially, when we hear a sound, we “replay” the sound briefly in sensory memory which helps us determine what the sounds (or words) are.
Getting a Grip
Haptic (touch) memory is responsible for our initial assessment of the fine motor skills we need (power grip vs. precision grip) to grasp an object, based on its visual size.
Sensory Memory: An Important First Step
As documented by cognitive psychologist George Sperling, our sensory memory has an extremely limited capacity and duration. It’s understandable that most sensory impressions are ignored and dropped from further memory encoding.
But, as the first step in storing information for a longer term, sensory memory allows us to selectively perceive and process sensory information to initiate the memory encoding process in short-term memory.
Stage 2: What is Short-Term Memory?
Short-Term Memory is the second stage of the Atkinson-Shiffrin model, where active thoughts are held.
As the name implies, this stage of memory lasts for a short amount of time, generally less than a minute (between 15 and 30 seconds). But the duration of the information held here is not the only distinction of short term memory.
The storage capacity of short-term memory is small, as suggested by George Miller in his 1956 article, “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information.”
Miller’s studies led him to the idea that humans have 5 to 9 “slots” to store information in short term memory.
So, with only 15 to 30 seconds and a limited capacity for holding data, how do we remember anything at all?
How We Enhance Short-Term Memory Capacity and Duration
To help process information in short-term memory, we use inherent retention techniques such as “chunking” and “rehearsal” prior to encoding it into long-term memory. (Other learned memory-enhancing techniques are helpful too!)
Chunking
Miller’s Law states that short-term memory is limited to about 7 “slots” of information, but expanded the idea to suggest that “chunking” information in those slots enhances our ability to retain more information in short term memory. This explains our ability to quickly learn a 10-digit phone number when we organize the number in segments of 3-digits, 3-digits and 4-digits.
Rehearsal
The extremely limited duration of short-term memory explains how new information continually displaces older information. But we deliberately extend the “life” of the information by repeating or rehearsing the information, which resets our so-called short-term memory “timer.” Attentive rehearsal helps process or encode information for long-term storage and guard against interference that may disrupt the encoding process.
How Does Short-Term (or Working) Memory Work?
Short-Term Memory, sometimes referred to as “Working Memory”, is the temporary storage and processing stage in which most of the effort for retaining memory happens.
Our brain processes what we experience through sensory memory and passes it along to our short-term memory, where sensory information is interpreted and encoded into memory. This encoding requires attention and rapid comparison of the new information presented to information we already have in our long-term memory.
This semantic encoding happens when we apply meaning or context to a sensory experience and process it enough to embed it into our long-term memory.
Atkinson and Shiffrin contended that information moves automatically from short-term into long-term memory, but the amount of time and attention spent encoding in the short-term memory store enhances the strength of the memory in long-term storage.
Stage 3: What is Long-Term Memory?
Long-Term Memory is responsible for the storage of information in the brain for longer periods of time, limited only by the length of life. And remarkably, it seems that human long-term memory storage capacity is limitless.
Types of Long-Term Memories
Long-term memories can be categorized into two different types:
Implicit memories (procedural memories) are habitual in nature, like knowing how to push a lawnmower, operate a computer mouse, or sing the alphabet song. Implicit memories are the ability to recall familiar things or easily execute common motor skills.
Most of the curricula that are presented to us in schools are intended for storage and later retrieval from our explicit semantic memory. When you compute your average monthly gas mileage, you use your explicit memory to recall how to make the calculation.
Memory Recall & Retrieval
We recall and retrieve memories by accessing information that has been encoded and stored in our long-term storage.
The two main methods of memory access are recognition and recall:
Recognition is the ability to compare a current event or object with something that previously experienced. (For example, noticing that a squirrel is in your garden.)
Recall is the ability to remember a concept about something that isn’t physically present. (Knowing your dog’s birthday.)
Memory recall is quite efficient. Most of human memory is retrieved directly, meaning that our brain doesn’t sort sequentially through the volumes of stored information before finding the correct information. Hierarchical inferences, such as groups or subsets of information, also help the efficiency of memory recall.
Although our memory recall is efficient, it’s not precise. Contrary to the precision of a sports video “instant replay”, our brains recreate and reconstruct the pieces of memory from different storage locations, following nerve pathways that were formed when the memory was encoded.
A Personal Example of Memory Recall & Retrieval
Here’s what reconstruction looks like in real life based on an event I witnessed.
Back when I still lived in Berlin, I riding my bike on a quiet Sunday and stopped at a traffic light when two men ran into the street in front of a car. The men approached a group of people and asked, “This one?” The group said yes.
The two men next opened both doors of the car.
There was yelling and the passenger froze. Then, in a Russian accent, one of the men said, “Give it to me!” and ripped a wallet from the passenger’s hand and slammed the door. As the door slammed shut, the colliding air sent a puff of ash from the ashtray. The light turned green and the car sped off.
Now, to better understand the nature of recall and retrieval, notice what I remember:
The Russian accent
The exact words spoken
The puff of ash
The basic sequence of events
My sensory memory captured a flood of raw input, including visual, auditory and spatial information.
Because the shock of the moment commanded my attention, some of that input made it into short-term processing and was encoded into long-term storage.
But notice what I don’t remember:
The color of the car (blue, maybe?)
The make or model
Whether the car had two doors or four
The color of the wallet
The clothes anyone was wearing
The names of the exact streets
The hair color of either man
Why don’t I recall any of these details?
I wasn’t expecting a crime to happen. I had no intention of memorizing details so did not engage any particular memory technique.
My encoding was entirely incidental, and largely driven by shock and novelty rather than deliberate attention.
Here’s the part that matters for your own memory training:
Every time I’ve retold this story, it has changed slightly. I emphasize different details depending on context.
New information layers onto the original memory. I’m not playing back a recording. Rather, memory science shows us that I’m reconstructing the scene from fragments stored across different areas of my brain.
This is why simply experiencing something is never enough to remember it reliably. Deliberate encoding, which is the kind you build by using mnemonic methods like the kind I’ve included in my comprehensive list of memory techniques, is what separates trained recall from the fuzzy, gap-filled reconstructions most people mistake for accurate recall.
How We’re Making Memory Better
In the past 50 years, results of cognitive psychology studies have proposed several slight variations of this theoretical model. Human memory research continues to be helpful in understanding how the human brain works while suggesting innovative ways to enhance learning and memory, such as these 13 cognitive activities adults can use to sharpen their brains.
Small adjustments like improving your concentration and repeating new information in your short-term memory can help improve your memory recall.
Plus, memory competitors sometimes provide their skills to researchers, helping evidence the kind of tips I share in my guides like how to study fast. A recent example is currently in pre-print under the title Brain Organization of a Memory Champion. You can already look at the brain scans and see for yourself what memory training provides if you engage in it consistently.
The following FAQs provide some additional information, specifically about how memory is organized and highlights more techniques and methods that’ll enhance our ability to learn and remember with ease.
FAQs About the 3 Stages of Memory
How are memories physically created in our brains?
Encoding a memory in the human brain is a biological chain of events that gathers information from our senses through the primary sensory cortex (primary visual cortex, primary auditory cortex, etc.), then blends them in the brain’s hippocampus. The hippocampus then “categorizes” this new information by comparing it to what’s already stored in memory.
In popular psychology theory, information is processed in the hippocampus and other parts of the brain and stored in long-term memory as an engram. Still not completely understood, an engram is a hypothetical physical or biochemical change that happens to neurons in the brain.
Physically, short-term memory occurs in the frontal lobe and the parietal lobe whereas long-term memory creation initiates at the hippocampus but is stored through various locations of the brain.
How is long term memory organized?
It’s not known exactly how our long-term memory is organized, but scientists recognize that the information in our brains must be stored in a very efficient network or system. They have four common theories of long-term memory organization:
Memory Organizational Theory #1: Hierarchies
The hierarchical theory claims that information is stored in memory at varying degrees of specificity or complexity within a group or class.
Memory Organizational Theory #2: Semantic Networks
Similar to hierarchies, semantic networks have less structure and have multiple links to other groups or classes. Connections to other groups, classes or types of memory are unique and based on personal experience. When new information is added to the semantic network, it’s linked to an existing piece of information already in the network.
Memory Organizational Theory #3: Schemas
Schemas are concepts that are developed based on life experiences that help a person anticipate outcomes of certain scenarios. A role schema helps to predict the behavior of a person who fits a particular role.
For example, on the first day of 5th grade, you expected your new teacher to act a certain way based on your experience with teachers in previous grades.
Memory Organizational Theory #4: Connectionist Network
The Connectionism theory or Parallel Distributed Processing theory claims that information in memory is stored in small, multi-connected units throughout the brain. Each unit is a collection of nodes that represents a concept. Activated multi-layer nodes activate other connected multi-layer nodes and “learn” other associations based on personal exposure to certain concepts.
What is Elaborative Encoding?
Most human memories are consolidated information learned by associating new information with something already learned. This elaborative encoding enhances the quality of long-term memory when we link a new experience to something we already have in memory.
We remember and are more likely to recall information that is made familiar or personally more meaningful to us. Conversely, information that’s not relatable or easy to understand tends to be misremembered or not remembered at all due to the lack of meaningful connections.
Mnemonic memory aids are elaborative encoding techniques that use words, acronyms or phrases to help us remember things. Some examples are:
The word “HOMES” to learn the names of the Great Lakes
The poem to help remember spelling words with i’s and e’s: “I before E except after or when sounded as ‘A’ as in neighbor or weigh.”
The acronym “Roy G. Biv” to help remember the colors of the spectrum
“Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey” to remember which way to turn to tighten or loosen a screw.
What Are Additional Memory Techniques I Can Learn?
Brain exercises, memory aids, and training tools are great ways to improve your concentration and memory!
Subscribe to receive Anthony Metivier’s Free Magnetic Memory Method Video Series to learn a powerful tool that’ll help you learn and recall information with ease in just a few days!
How to Memorize a Monologue Fast In Just 10 Easy Steps
Jul 02, 2020
Want to know how to memorize a monologue fast?
I don’t blame you if your mind is bogged down with questions. When I was preparing to memorize my TEDx Talk, I wasn’t entirely sure how to best approach the task either.
Strange, I know, especially given that I was invited to give the talk as a memory expert.
All the same, I had the same questions that many people face when approaching a task that involves reciting a lot of text from memory… without any cue lines from other actors to help you out.
These questions include:
Should you memorize the monologue word for word?
Or is there a form of “compression” that allows you to memorize any monologue without having to create a mnemonic association for each and every word?
The answer is yes. There is an approach that makes memorizing texts easier and faster.
And once you have this technique under your belt, all that stress and anxiety around your auditions will permanently melt away.
So if you’re ready to impress every casting agent in the industry for the rest of your career, all you have to do is read this post. Then turn the knowledge and experience I’m about to share into action.
Let’s get started.
How to Memorize a Monologue Quickly in 10 Steps
Most trainings on monologue memorization talk about breaking the piece down and emotionally connecting with the piece.
That’s all fine and dandy.
But the real magic happens when you have a robust mnemonic strategy that goes beyond your standard memory techniques.
The ultimate of these strategies is called a Memory Palace. When using it, you’ll automatically break the monologue down into manageable parts.
But to use the technique, you need to actually have a Memory Palace. But developing and using one is not necessarily the first step.
I’ll walk you through the Memory Palace technique and give you some examples. First, however, please make sure to consider zooming out for one of the most important memory aids of them all.
Step One: Read And Analyze The Entire Piece The Monologue Comes From
So much of acting is actually understanding.
You need to understand the motivations and the reason characters wind up having them in the first place.
Sometimes it’s perfectly okay to read the piece in isolation. Other times, you will benefit from additional research. Your character might live in a different era or area of the world, for example.
Or your character might embody a belief system that is different than your own. It can be useful to know more about what the character you’ll be performing holds dear.
Textual analysis will also be useful, but not necessarily by reading all kinds of commentary. You’ll want to think reflectively for yourself about what the text means. That will help you adopt the role and let the character (or your message) inhabit your mind more completely.
Step Two: Choose A Suitable Memory Palace
In case you’re new to the Memory Palace technique, it’s simple to grasp. All you do is select a familiar location, create a mental journey through it and then lay breadcrumbs that help you recall what you want to remember.
For example, to remember my TEDx Talk, I chose the apartment I was living in and used the surrounding neighborhood. It was the perfect size for just over thirteen minutes of material.
To rapidly create a Memory Palace without turning it into an epic task, I suggest you draw a floor plan based on the location you choose. Keep in mind the amount of material you need to memorize.
For a four page monologue, I needed one apartment and the sidewalk space along a couple of short streets.
If it helps your imagination, you can pick a location that is thematically related to the topic of your monologue. For example, if it’s about health, you could choose a hospital or a spa. If you’re reciting the speech of a criminal, you could choose the area around a police station, etc.
Then, you want to break your text down into individual lines. Rather than try to tackle a “wall of text” in the form of long paragraphs, separate the text into 1-2 lines maximum. That will make it easier for you to focus on matching the lines to the various areas in your Memory Palace.
Here’s the Memory Palace I used for the monologue I delivered for the TEDx audience. It’s based on a Brisbane neighborhood I used to live in.
The red line indicates the journey I followed. Each of the tritons indicates the “stations” where I assigned the associations that helped me memorize each and every word of the monologue.
I’ll explain how you can do this yourself next.
Step Three: Assign “Magnetic” Associations
When using a Memory Palace, we want to use as few associations as possible for the maximum amount of words without sacrificing accuracy.
To show you how this is done, let’s take an example from Shakespeare. This is the opening of Hamlet’s famous monologue:
To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them. To die—to sleep,
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to: ’tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish’d.
In the pictured example, a swan and a bumblebee are placed on the walls of a standard living room.
Why a swan?
Using the pegword method, each number from 0-9 can be given a simple image. For words like “to” a swan is perfect because it looks a bit like the number 2.
As for the “bee,” when we want to remember “to be or not to be,” this insect sounds identical to “be.” To get the rest of the phrase, you can imagine the swan tying the bee up in knots, which would give you the word “not.”
Carrying on, move to the next station in the Memory Palace and place an association that helps you remember the words.
In this next example, I’ve taken the character Quincy and imposed a giant question mark on the Memory Palace station. Quincy is not only a character who is inquisitive, but his name starts with a Q to drive home the words in this line of the monologue.
The goal is to have your images match the sounds of the words as closely as possible.
Step Four: Focus On Keywords
In the beginning, some people will need an association for each and every word in their monologue (the, but, and, if, etc.)
That’s okay, but you want to move away from this reliance as quickly as possible.
Take an example from Shakespeare:
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
What would you say are the keywords in this phrase? For me, they are:
Using your imagination, imagine a story told in graffiti on the wall of a Memory Palace. Your heart breaks, spilling Thousand Island salad dressing all over a horse. The horse goes “neigh” is response and shoots lightning bolts from his hooves, shocking some “flesh” on the barbeque.
This story encodes the keywords in the entire line, and connects with a keyword in the following line.
It may take a bit of practice, but once you’ve got the hang of things, this technique is incredibly fast.
Step Five: Recall Rehearsal
Think of your Memory Palaces as theatre stages and your associations as actors. You’re the director.
In order to get the best out of your players, you need them to rehearse their lines. Memory techniques are the same way when it comes to establishing long term recall.
The beauty is that with these techniques, we can minimize the amount of repetition required and avoid the perils of rote repetition.
To perform effective Recall Rehearsal, go over all of your associations in a linear manner by decoding the images you laid out in the Memory Palace.
For bonus points, run them backwards as well. This will help you improve your recall and reduce the amount of repetition required.
This process words because you’re using active recall, which essentially causes your brain to make stronger connections, faster.
As I discuss in this video, I also like to recall my memorized monologues in different orders to make the memorization process go even faster:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBvKFI7AlLE
Step Six: The Power of Writing
Even before you feel fully confident in hour associations, I recommend you start writing your monologue out from memory by hand.
In fact, the actor Ashley Strand told me on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, that you should also write out your interpretation. He’s committed the entire Book of Mark to memory and performed it as a one-man show, so he really knows his stuff.
Yes, you can type what you’ve memorized if you’re a computer fan, but I don’t think that you’ll get the same benefits. Writing by hand is organic, uses more muscles and more of your eyes due to the hand-eye coordination that is not necessarily engaged by typing.
In fact, my feelings on the matter are backed by scientific studies. These researchers used MRI analysis to demonstrate that people who wrote notes by hand remembered more.
The reason? Writing activates more of the brain.
How many times should you write out your memorized monologue from memory?
Ultimately, the answer will come down to personal preference. I wrote my TEDx Talk by hand three times for good measure. I even wrote it out backwards one of those times to make sure it was extra committed to memory.
The next question that arises is how often do you need to recite the monologue in order to keep it in memory? My preference is to follow the science of spaced repetition. Again, the exact answer will come down to some personalization.
But as a general guideline, aim to recite the monologue once a day for each day leading up to the delivery. Once you have delivered the monologue, you can experiment with a retention pattern like this:
Once a week for five weeks
One a month for five months
Once a year for five years
Then, if you need to perform the monologue again in a live setting, go back to once a day for at least five days before you need to perform. That’s what I would do if I was asked to deliver my TEDx Talk again at another venue. Even though I’d be able to revive it quickly, I’d still want to write it out daily for at least five days before delivering it again.
Step Seven: Speak Your Monologue
I’m a believer in memorizing the text of a monologue simply as text. I don’t worry too much about its meaning or the emotions involved because all of that can be considered from within memory later.
In fact, it’s when speaking the material from memory that you really start to observe what your monologue is really all about.
As you practice speaking it, try different kinds of presentation:
By yourself in front of a mirror
Audio recording
Video recording
While walking around
I did all of these things for my TEDx Talk. Walking around was especially powerful, and these days people talk with earbuds in everywhere you go. No one notices what you’re doing.
As you practice reciting your monologue, layer in the emotions and gestures you want to come through in your recitation.
Step Eight: Rest and Reflect
It’s very important to not overwork yourself. There’s a process called diffuse thinking that helps consolidate our memories, and it only works when we stop applying effort to the learning task.
You can get enough rest by going to bed early, hanging out with friends, reading something unrelated, or even using memory techniques for a different outcome. For example, you might want to memorize the lines of a play you’re just interested in, but not responsible for performing.
As you turn your attention away from the goal of memorizing the monologue, you’ll probably find that ideas about it flash into your mind.
Keep a notebook handy so that you can capture these ideas. Many will be useful for enhancing your performance.
Step Nine: Deep Relaxation
Many actors are already well-versed in relaxing themselves and entering the performance space with total confidence.
For those who aren’t, I highly recommend the following:
As an added bonus, using the memory techniques for long form monologue memorization will itself create a meditative effect. Passage memorization is deeply rewarding.
Step Ten: Study Other Actors
I mentioned Ashley Strand above, the actor who memorized and turned the Book of Mark into a one-man show. You can learn a lot from a thespian like that.
My friend and fellow memory expert Mark Channon was an actor too before he won the World Memory Competition. He’s written a book specifically for actors who need memory help.
Although I’m not an actor myself, I have performed many times as a card magician. My shows involved more than a little acting. I’ve long gotten memory tips from actors for both inspiration and insight.
Finally, it’s worth constantly studying as many memory strategies as you can. You never know when you might stumble upon a mnemonic technique that you never considered before. It could be just the thing that opens up new insights and paths to speedier retention for you.
As all actors know, when it comes to memorizing monologues, speed of retention is a major asset.
Memorizing Monologues Is Fast And Easy
As you can see, it’s fun to create Memory Palaces and populate them with associations.
You don’t have to stress over each and every word, but if you find that you want to in the beginning, you now have the pegword method to help you come up with associations.
The final step is to get to your auditions, earn the roles and wow audiences around the world.
And if you need more help, get my FREE Memory Improvement Kit:
You’ll learn more about the Memory Palace technique and how to create powerful associations that propel the target lines from your monologue into your mind.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to get out there and start memorizing your monologue?
Let me know in the comments what you’re working on and happy memorizing!
Joseph Rodrigues On Mind Mapping For Accelerated Learning And Flow
Jun 18, 2020
When I first reached out to Joseph Rodrigues, I wanted to ask him about how he mind maps books.
After all, I think you’ll be very curious too after you see the dozens of books he’s mind mapped on his YouTube channel.
All of these map examples are dedicated to showing you the nature of your mind and how to deeply integrate your learning.
Joseph is an entrepreneur, YouTube content creator, IT industry veteran, host of the podcast Insights & Perspectives, and management consultant. In addition, he develops courses in personal development and teaches entrepreneurship techniques to professionals of any age at Online Training for Entrepreneurs.
Joseph’s journey, covered on his bio, is fueled by curiosity, a constant need to know, and in our conversation we explore the concept of knowledge and its unbreakable bond to questioning.
Not only questioning “Why?” but, more broadly, “What –“ “How –“ and “What if?”
All of this questioning leads, not necessarily to answers, but a skillful way of thinking called “discernment.” For example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9JmZxqsslE
Mind Mapping Helps Us Ask Better Questions
Using mind mapping and this powerful method of asking questions, Joseph explains on today’s episode how this process adds fuel to the accelerated learning techniques our community uses.
We not only explore the concept of mind mapping and questioning for personalized, accelerated learning, but how to integrate these techniques into our lives to create and nurture flow. This makes for easier choices in life as we combat chaos. Not only during the workday, but every day.
So if you’re looking to get rid of that feeling that you need “just a few” more hours to focus on work…
If you’re frustrated and have a feeling that life is just out of your control…
If the restrictive box of being told how you “should” be learning just isn’t working for you…
This podcast is for you!
Stay questioning, stay curious and press play to tune in as we share ideas about:
Comparing two popular methods for achieving mind map mastery and the pros and cons of each
The many reasons knowledge is valuable (not just personally, but sharing what you learn with others!)
The true definition of accelerated learning (Hint: It’s more than just speedreading!)
Defining quadrant/format-based learning styles for effectiveness
Why context is so important (and without it why you’re actually working against your learning goals)
How Memory Palaces and mind maps improve retention (from a non-memory worker’s perspective)
The truth and practical application of the 80/20 rule
What M.E.A.T. really is (and why its opposition is more than something just vegans can get behind!)
The two-fold secret to combatting information overwhelm
Why staying “in flow” is so beneficial to life in multiple areas and the reason it’s a “universal language”
What stagnation really means (it’s more than just “standing still”)
Further Resources on the web, this podcast, and the MMM Blog:
How To Memorize The Presidents Using a Memory Palace
Jun 10, 2020
Want a quick and easy way to memorize the presidents of the United States?
On this page, I’ll show you how based on the ancient art of memory.
Even better, I’ll show you an intermediate-level memory skill using some seriously high-powered mnemonis that will let you add the dates in office for each president.
And if you want to go full-blown expert-level, you can add more presidential details too.
The more you explore memory techniques for powerful learning goals like committing American historical figures to your memory, the more you’ll be up to the demands of even the most rigorous memory tasks.
And when it comes to the historical importance of America as a shining light of democracy, it just makes sense to commit to memory as much about the presidents as you possibly can. Excited to master the entire list?
How to Memorize the Presidents: An Ancient and Proven Method
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uokCF1viizk
First, you need to build a Memory Palace that is suited to the task of memorizing the presidents.
What’s a Memory Palace?
A Memory Palace is a well-formed mental journey that you create in advance. Typically, it is based on a familiar building or route.
You assign exactly the amount of “stations” or stops that you need for each president.
Some people prefer indoor journeys. Others like a mix of indoor and outdoor locations. And some people only use the outdoors. Yet others use fantasy locations like the homes in TV series or the landscapes of videos games.
How do you choose which approach to use?
The answer is easy:
Start simply and keep in mind that you need quite a bit of space for all of the presidents. So let’s do the math as of 2020.
The current list involves 47 names. (Okay, Trump is repeated twice, but you’ll still want to distinguish which numbers he takes in the historical order.)
That means your Memory Palace needs to have 45 different “loci.” That’s the Ancient Greek term used when talking about the Method of Loci. This has also been called the Roman Room method.
To make things more contemporary, I now call these “loci,” “Magnetic Stations.” You’ll see why when we get to the more advanced techniques. Once set up correctly, you can use them to literally stick more information in place, just like a magnetic can hold a calendar to the surface of a fridge – and allow you to slip in receipts, concert ticks and more.
Getting Started Tips:
To create 47 stations, I suggest you draw them on paper and make a journey that is linear and logical. It should not be something you have to memorize. It should be a journey that is already in your memory. That will save you time and energy.
For example, I will use this apartment and the surrounding neighborhood:
A Memory Palace Example for memorizing the presidents based on my local neighborhood
To identify 47 stations, I will start in the most logical spot that allows me to move slowly and in a linear journey. This is important because you want to move without confusing yourself as you proceed from one place to the next.
Numbering the stations is easy and might look like this:
Although this numbered Memory Palace won’t have all the presidents, it’s easy to “teleport” to a second one to finish the list.
Of course, you don’t need to hire a fancy artist to represent your Memory Palace for the presidents. You just need to get out a piece of paper and draw it. Like this:
Start small. You don’t have to memorize all of the presidents in the same Memory Palace. You also don’t have to memorize all of them at once.
What you will need, however, is a strategy, and the Memory Palace technique is the best for reasons we’re about to explore.
A Proven 3-Step Process for Memorizing the Presidents with a Memory Palace
1. At this point, we’ve got the first step covered: Have one or more Memory Palaces prepared in advance.
This step is really important because you will slow yourself down if you create the Memory Palace as you go. This creates mental issues like worrying that you’ll run out of space or lead yourself into a dead end.
2. Step two is to begin with the first president and the first Magnetic Station of your Memory Palace.
You need to bring them both to mind at the same time. Let’s start small with the first four presidents and just one room of a Memory Palace. This one is made from an apartment I used to rent in Berlin, Germany:
In your imagination, place the first president in the first corner of the Memory Palace you create. If you’re not visual, a quick sketch will help.
As I think about that first corner, I’m also going to think about George Washington.
Then, using a process called Elaborative Encoding, I’m going to allow my mind to bring up an association.
WARNING: There are some incredibly sophisticated techniques you can learn that help with the association process.
Some beginners go down the rabbit hole and try to learn these before they’ve mastered the fundamentals. Please don’t put the cart before the horse. Start simply and add tools like the pegword method to your skillset later.
For now, the easiest and most direct thing to do is think of another person named George. I think about George Duke, a musician who played with Frank Zappa.
I think about George Duke “washing” Frank Zappa’s hair on the first station of the Berlin apartment. This “encoding’ links the name George with the act of washing and that space in the Memory Palace, which makes it easier to “reverse engineer” later the name George Washington.
This process is like building a mathematical equation out of words, images, concepts and spaces in the world. The real trick is in making sure that it all makes sense to YOU personally.
For example, right now you might be scratching your head wondering who the heck George Duke and Frank Zappa are and how you’re going to find such rich imagery to use.
If that’s the case, the answer is simple: practice.
I used to be slow and rusty, just like everyone else who wants to memorize lists like the names of the presidents. But with practice, I got much faster. You’ll get faster too.
All you have to do at any level of practice is mentally move from the first to the second station of your Memory Palace. As you’re thinking about that location, start to mentally “weave” together a new name with some imagery.
In this case, we’re looking at John Adams.
If you know these pop culture icons, you could have John Wayne in a shootout with a character from the Addams Family.
Or you could be a bit more abstract and think of the famous advertising writer David Ogilvy in a fight with John Hurt. John is a one-to-one name correspondence, but in the case of Ogilvy, your mind is making a leap between his name and the profession of advertising.
As you grow with these skills, you’ll discover many more ways to make associations. The more you learn about memory techniques and practice them, the faster your association skills will grow.
Now then, there’s one more step before we get to the advanced options like adding dates.
3. Step three is Active Recall. In order to get the information into long term memory, you really do have to “reverse engineer” the imagery you place in your Memory Palace.
As neuroscientist, memory athlete and memory expert Boris Konrad told us on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, no reliable memories can form without it.
Different people engage in Active Recall in different ways. Dominic O’Brien has suggested that you need to recall the information using his Rule of Five.
Personally, I’ve needed to be a bit more rigorous than that for much of the information I’ve memorized – but other times it can be less. It all depends on the nature of the information and your strategy.
For the presidents, I would suggest you work in small sets of 2-10 names. Keep a Memory Journal that includes your Memory Palace drawings. Then test yourself in writing about 5 times the first day – or more often. There is no magic number, which is why I created this video on the problem of learning to create your own “repetition rules.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nOwZVQosNg
The magic of memory techniques is that sometimes you’ll get the name back automatically without needing to think of the images you used.
Other times, you’ll get the images back first and then reverse engineer the name. Ultimately, you want to get the target information into your memory as quickly as possible. The better you get with the technique, the more you’ll develop a sense for how much repetition is needed.
Intermediate: The Best Way To Memorize The Presidents
Remember when I suggested not putting the cart ahead of the horse?
This suggestion still remains true. But the fact of the matter is that if you really want the best list of presidential info in your memory, you’re going to want to add the dates. Here’s how:
You’ll need to learn a system that lets you memorize numbers rapidly. Things get a bit complicated because there are a few to choose from. My analysis of the Dominic System ultimately argues that the Major Method (sometimes called the Major System) is easier and better for most people, but it’s ultimately a personal preference.
The important factor is that you decide to be a person who improves your memory and make this a journey for life. You can add multiple techniques to your memory toolbox over time.
For the purposes of this tutorial, let’s assume you choose the Major. You just need to memorize this simple system:
Then, when you see dates you want to memorize, you’ll combine the consonants to create words.
To memorize his name, I would think of a friend Thomas I know arguing with George Jefferson from the TV show, The Jeffersons. Then, using the Major System, I would make words for 1801-1809, which are his dates in office.
Since 18 is t+v in the Major, I’m actually already covered by my association for Thomas Jefferson. The Jeffersons is a TV show, after all. I just need to recognize that, link it to the Major and we’re good to go.
By adding another technique like the Major System, mental imagery will help you remember the dates each president spent in office.
But, if using mnemonics for important dates is too much of a leap for you in the beginning, you could imagine Jefferson on the third station of your Memory Palace smashing a TV (18) set down on the head of George Jefferson.
For 01, you could have a “sad” tragedy mask , which is the image I use for that number. Since zero can be represented by an S and one by a D, then “sad” is a perfect choice. The tragedy mask makes it more than a word by turning the concept of sadness into a tangible object.
(Pro tip: I go further than just using a non-specific mask. I think about the tragic mask worn by William Shatner in his performance of Oedipus Rex. This incredibly specific image based on a story I love makes the mnemonic imagery even more concrete to my imagination and thereby much easier to recall.)
For 1809, you can probably skip having the TV image twice. I used to use a Subaru driven by a friend of mine, but now have added memory expert Brad Zupp. If you’re following the formulas of the Major, you’ll note that both words work before:
Zero can be an S or Z and nine can be a B or P. S + B = Subaru or Z + P = Zupp.
(Pro tip: Many people will wonder about the additional letters in a word like Subaru and ask: Won’t that make you think you need to recall the number 094 because R can represent four? It’s a great question, but I’m sure that you’ll find in your own practice that your brain can sort it out. Memory techniques are filled with all kinds of little knacky things like this, so it’s really important not to overthink these things techniques. Once you have the fundamentals down, you’ll find that your brain is supple enough to manage what appears to be conflicts or contradictions.) Now, what I’ve shared with you is a process of association that progresses toward having a number of images that combine a number of pieces of information. As you develop these images yourself, you can refine or change them. And you should, because the more you streamline them, the better your skills will grow.
In sum, imagine the third Magnetic Station of a Memory Palace. On it, your friend Thomas (or another Thomas you know) has a TV balanced on his left hand. It’s playing The Jeffersons and involves someone doing something crazy with a tragedy mask. On his right hand, memory expert Brad Zupp is stomping on a Subaru.
When you revisit this part of your Memory Palace later, you’ll be able to work it all out, ideally with pen and paper using your Memory Journal. You want this form of active recall in order to encourage the rapid flow of the information into long term memory.
Advanced: Adding More Information to the Presidents
At this point, I’m going to assume that you’ve gone through all of the presidents and at least have their names.
After that goal has been reached, the first round of additional information to add I’ve suggested is their dates in office. You could also explore adding a second round by adding their birthdates and dates of demise (where relevant).
But there are also interesting facts about them you can add. To accomplish that goal, here’s what I would suggest.
James Madison was the fourth president of the United States from 1809-1817. On my fourth Memory Palace station, I would see James Hetfield of Metallica getting mad at his son. To make it more concrete, his son would be the Seventh Son of a Seventh Son Iron Maiden sung about on the iconic album of that title. You could also use the actual sun in the sky, or the sun from the movie poster for Sunshine. The options are endless.
For the dates, making a new association for 1809 is not necessary in this case. You only need something for 17, in which case you could use a tack or someone like the political commentator Tucker Carlson. Or perhaps you could have a tack piercing Carlson (which I’m sure some people would like to do). Just that one additional image gives you the dates you need for this president.
Let’s say you wanted to also remember that Madison was Princeton University’s first graduate. You could add a prince’s crown to James Hetfield’s head. Or, you could tuck a copy of The Prince by Machiavelli under his arm (or have both images). Let’s say you wanted to remember that Madison initially opposed the Bill of Rights. In this case, you could have him burning a document up, or scratching out what it says with a quill.
Use your imagination. The images you can add are endless. And if you run out of space, all you need to do is add a Memory Palace just for James Madison.
Common Questions About Memorizing The Presidents
How long will it take?
Some people manage to memorize all of them in under an hour. Others will need more time. I suggest the following: Instead of wondering how long it will take, have a strong reason why you’re memorizing the president. Then, if it takes a little longer, who cares? You’ll have fulfilled the reason and be able to soar past any bumps in the road.
How will I remember which president belongs to which number?
If you want to always remember that James K. Polk was the 11th president of the United States, you have a few options.
First, you can make all of your Memory Palaces the same. If each Memory Palace has 10 stations, for example, you can just do some simple math. Since Polk will be the first station in your second Memory Palace, he must be the eleventh president. This gives you an additional calculation to make, but it’s going to be great brain exercise for you.
Second, using the Major Method, you can develop an image for every digits from 00-99. This set of pre-designed images is fantastic and well worth developing – provided you develop the foundational skills first. Then, every station can automatically have an image that reminds you of its number without needing every Memory Palace to have a certain number of stations in order to provide a calculation.
Adding all of these additional images sounds messy! Won’t I get confused?
You might get confused if you haven’t developed the foundational skills. But in reality, most people who dedicate themselves to these techniques not only avoid confusion. They discover many wonderful options for scaling their skills over time. Typically, we find that all confusion is very welcome because it teaches us how to pivot our approach and improve over time.
Are there any songs I can use as an alternative?
Yes, and this is one of them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDqCP5kQIbo
However, learning this song does not diminish the need to learn a means of memorizing the song itself. If you prefer to go this route, here’s how to memorize a song.
Other people teach the Memory Palace differently? What makes this approach better?
It’s not a question of better or worse. It’s a question of the student’s willingness to focus on one teacher at a time. I recommend you have a strong why behind all of your learning projects. Then, when seeking memory improvement training, stick with one teacher at a time for at least a 90 day period. Do what they suggest and then add another teacher’s material, repeating the 90 day study principle.
Within a year, you’ll be a memory master and very grateful you focused on seriously learning these techniques instead of hopping all over the internet for the next “shiny new technique.” The reality is that all of the training out there is very similar, and your real goal is to become the kind of learner who studies and practices these techniques thoroughly.
After all, it’s (usually) only through serious study and practice in at least one profession that anyone gets to be president in the first place, right?
The Victorious Mind Audiobook: New Memory Improvement Book Sampler
May 21, 2020
Is it really possible to stop mental torment?
Can the human mind actually completely stop thinking?
These were the questions on my mind when I started combining my use of memory techniques with meditation practices.
I had no idea what I was in for.
But after experiencing incredible outcomes, I knew I had to share what I’d experienced with others.
So I started writing a lot about the connection between memory and meditation.
These writings quickly culminated in The Victorious Mind: How to Master Memory, Meditation and Mental Well-Being.
In today’s episode of The Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I’m sharing the opening of the audiobook with you. And I hope you will enjoy it.
First however, I have to offer you a…
Trigger Warning:
The opening of The Victorious Mind is gritty.
But for those unfortunate enough to suffer from scattered thinking and endless torrents of negative thoughts, I’m confident you’ll relate to my story.
And having heard from hundreds of readers about the impact it has made over the years, I have every reason to believe that The Victorious Mind will help you make a positive change.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
About The Victorious Mind
The Victorious Mind tells the story of how one man – film scholar and creator of the Magnetic Memory Method Anthony Metivier – overcame the mental distress that imprisoned him in a “highly functioning manic-depressive” identity, and almost took his life, using three practices: self-inquiry meditation, memory training, and “biohacking.”
But more than a story of self-transformation, the book offers detailed guidance through the techniques Anthony used to release himself from the haze of lithium along with the illusion of self. Both entertaining and erudite, brain-science informed and stripped of BS, The Victorious Mind takes us along on a journey through cities of the world and Memory Palaces of the mind, where there are bad acid trips along the way but also Buddha Smiles.
The Victorious Mind is peopled with a surprising range of figures, from members of his Magnetic Memory Method community and Ancient Greek mnemonists, to secular-spiritual teachers of today such as Gary Weber, whose translations of ancient Sanskrit self-inquiry texts play a central role in Anthony’s self-transformation.
This book is ideal not just for those struggling with mental illness but for anyone suffering mental malaise – whether it’s digital amnesia and scatterbrain, depression or “control freakism.” What sets this book apart is also what defines its key message: there’s no one technique, no one path to freedom and quality of mental and physical life, and there’s no one teacher.
Rather, it’s the act of assembling the insights and practices of others with experimentation in one’s own body and mind that will enable us to be our own teachers, bring peace of mind and focus, and free ourselves from negative thinking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox4AyqQm_T4
Praise for The Victorious Mind
If only The Victorious Mind had been written ten years ago… It would have saved me a lot of frustration and self-blame in failing to keep up my regular meditation practice. Now I not only know why I struggled so much, but what to do instead.
In The Victorious Mind, Anthony Metivier brings his terrifying experience of mental illness together with his depth of knowledge of memory systems to show how using mnemonics systematically can ease a troubled mind and replace terror with joy. This is a unique book from an author who speaks from a lifetime of experience beyond anything I could have imagined.
– Lynne Kelly, author of The Memory Code and Memory Craft
Anthony Metivier has a compelling personal story and a remarkable, practical methodology of helping us move beyond our stories and into the living truth. With one foot planted firmly in the relative and the other rooted in the Absolute, Anthony has hit the sweet spot that combines the two – which is authentic nonduality.
– Fred Davis, author of Awaken Now and The Book of Undoing
With so many memory books out there, this is really the first I’ve ever seen that heavily intertwines the ideas of meditation and memory. I’ve always felt the two go hand in hand and Anthony really does an amazing job at showing that! I highly recommend this book!
– Nelson Dellis, 4x USA Memory Champion and author of Remember It!
The Victorious Mind is a masterful book written by a master of the field. Anthony Metivier has written an invaluable resource to anyone who wants to learn to fully utilize their cognitive capabilities to build a sharper mind and a better life.
– Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Hooked and Indistractable
At last, someone has remembered the true purpose and potential of the Art of Memory. In times past, it was seen as a path of self development. Using its methods you could bring health, harmony and excellence into your mind and thus your life. Sadly, this beautiful, beneficial art has been all but forgotten, until now. In this dynamic book, Anthony Metivier teaches you this ancient wisdom with a modern slant. Written from his own experience this is a book that will show you how to develop a “magnetic” memory that holds the information you wish but also attracts the influences you want into your life.
– Martin Faulks, author of Enlightened Living
Anthony Metivier is a Warrior of the Mind!
– Tony Buzan, author of Mind Map Mastery and Co-Founder of the World Memory Championships
Dr. Metivier is a master of his craft and experienced teacher of the bridge between memory and meditation. In The Victorious Mind, you’re learning from the best!
– Jonathan Levi, author of The Only Skill that Matters and creator of SuperLearner
I now remember whole chunks of passages in another language. I’m learning with such ease that I often think it can’t be this easy. The real “work” has been to calm my anxieties, and in this, Anthony is a very wise and effective guide and teacher. I am very grateful to him.
– Jeannie Koh
I am usually a bit of an anxious person – not always suffering, but just someone with a very chatty mind, I’m always thinking, and being able to direct this energy in a productive way is very appealing to me. You have helped me direct my anxiety better.
– Daniella Lopez
I have made a lot of progress using this meditation technique to improve my spatial awareness and to see things clearer!
– Jeff Jansson
Anthony’s writing always triggers major moments of insight. The Victorious Mind goes deep and far beyond your typical “3 step method.” Highly recommended.
– Jimmy Naraine, motivational speaker
I’ve witnessed first-hand Anthony’s ability to channel his mind into overcoming challenges that would destroy most people. Extraordinary and inspiring.
– Olly Richards, iwillteachyoualanguage.com
The Victorious Mind is unlike any book I’ve ever read about memory and the human mind. Anthony shares his personal experiences with mental health, advanced memory practices and various types of meditation. He uses engaging personal transformation stories that stayed with me long after I read the book. It’s meticulously researched and contains many practices I’d never tried. I’m already working on my vision statement.
– Bryan Collins, Becomeawritertoday.com
Anthony has spent a lifetime bringing useful information to light on the subject of memory. In his latest work, The Victorious Mind, he opens an amazing door into the world of the human mind, blending ancient memory techniques with captivating meditative experiences. If you want a personal adventure into peace of mind, this is the read for you.
– Jim Samuels, author of Re-mind Yourself: Better Memory, Lower Stress
In one word… Wow! In this highly engaging and worthwhile book, Anthony shares his personal story… sometimes some very raw and vulnerable moments. I have completed masters studies in neuroscience and thought I knew a fair bit about memory. I even believed my memory capacity was reasonably good. I wasn’t even close! After reading The Victorious Mind, I realised there is so much more to embedding and remembering information successfully, which makes our lives more fulfilling.
– Josie Thomson, MCC and author of The Wise Advocate: The Inner Voice of Strategic Leadership (with Jeffrey M. Schwartz and Art Kleiner)
I’ve never read a memory book so visceral, yet so practical. Anthony holds nothing back in The Victorious Mind as he tells of his life-long struggle with mental illness in a manner both touching and humorous. I even learned things that I look forward to applying in my own memory training! I can’t recommend this book enough for anyone out there looking to improve their mental fitness.
– Braden Adams, 2x Canadian Mind Sports Association National Memory Champion
I consider Anthony Metivier a personal mentor. If there is someone who thinks about and uses memory techniques as often as he does, I haven’t found that person. He connects the dots better than anyone I know and will teach you how to use mnemonics to enhance the quality of your life.
– John Graham, 2018 USA Memory Champion
As a neuroscientist, I study the underlying mechanism of memory techniques and I am very interested in their widespread application. Because Anthony is such an expert in this field, having him uncover the use of mnemonics for mental health is fantastic and will help many readers!
– Boris Konrad, Guinness Record Holder and Memory Competitor, Award-Winning Speaker, and Neuroscientist
As a life long student of the art memory, I’ve read my fair share of rehashed How to memory books; this is not one of them. As someone who has dealt with depression and anxiety since leaving the military, this book really hit home. Dr. Metivier takes you through a guided tour of his early life, the demons he faced, his process of overcoming them, and his journey in becoming the modern-day Giordano Bruno.
I can not thank him enough for his part in my metamorphosis from a mentally beat up U.S. Vet to a top student in University.
– Adolfo Artigas
I bought this book in hopes for some memory techniques and a good read. Instead, I was surprised to behold a Swiss Army knife of meditation, breathing, and memory skills wrapped in the warm blanket of human experience and fascinating autobiography.
The writing is concise and to the point. Necessary for the teaching of time honored techniques and exercises, put here to a new focus. Memory and well being. Anthony reveals great vulnerability in telling his story through the sufferings and mishaps that plagued his past, but there is no , “poor me” syndrome in the tone of his writing. He writes sincerely, with an open heart, to help others avoid the detrimental mental states that limited his potential during his obvious suffering.
He encourages you, step by step, leading you in exercises to avoid/alleviate the pitfalls he encountered. Inspired by the traditions of Zen Buddhism, Mindfulness, and the works of Gary Weber and Alan Watts, Anthony Metivier brings you lifetimes of meditation practices without you having to sit under a tree for eternity or stare at a wall for millennia.
Where he really shines is in the memory exercises which are his expertise! Whether you have been using Memory Palaces for decades or are following along building your very first palace, he guides you thoughtfully into the powerful techniques which can transform your life. I found his candid tales through dangerous mental states inspiring and egoless. He did not make this book to huff and puff about highfalutin memory techniques. He draws you through his suffering and allows you to experience the grace of success within the handling of his own mental state with the exercises he bequeaths to you in this charming book. Come for the techniques, stay for the drama! You will not be disappointed.
John Fotheringham On Crafting Better Mental Tools For Language Mastery
May 14, 2020
Ever really stopped and thought about how language learning occurs?
When you’re a child the majority of the way learning occurs is listening and speaking, right? But what about when you progress in school and you are taught a second language as part of your curriculum? Is it the same process?
Or is the focus more on reading and writing?
Listening and speaking are innate, they’re organic, and it seems like they just happen “naturally” after much “natural” coaxing from parents and other people in the environment.
Or are they…?
Normally, we might say that reading and writing are human technology, an invention that differs from language itself.
But learning these tools of representation language visually also involves a lot of coaxing and they are not any more or less invented than language.
And when it comes to writing, it’s just a fact that some people go to school for decades, earn PhDs and still can’t write their way out of a cardboard box.
I know this from personal experience because I’m still struggling to de-academize my own writing after all those years of indoctrination! 😉
But guess what?
Mastering your target language doesn’t have to be hard. It doesn’t have to be a struggle if only you make a shift in how you think about and approach the task of learning a language.
Don’t think it’s possible for learning a foreign language to get easier? Think again and prepare to welcome the ease and flow that “just happened” with your native tongue.
How?
My guest today is John Fotheringham, the man behind AnywhereImmersion.com (formerly Language Mastery).
He’s also the author of Master Japanese and Master Mandarin. He is self-taught in these languages and and now teaches others his techniques through courses and his podcast, The Language Mastery Show.
John and I go deep into the “why” behind language learning.
Sure, technique is high priority, but we dive into the reasoning and the psychology that drives (or can hinder) one’s learning journey, and the change necessary in institutions to truly revolutionize the learning process.
We even go, as John says, “off the rails” a bit and veer into questions of free will, mortality, and their place in self-taught education. So even if you’re not currently on a journey to master a second or third language there’s something here for you as well.
Finally, we explore the idea of depression, its role in learning, and how a modified framework through the lens of your personality type can help you achieve your learning goals.
This conversation with John is broad, enlightened, and, above all, encouraging. If you’re struggling with not fitting into the box of how you “should” be learning John reminds us that, indeed, there is no “one size fits all.”
Remember:
You are not the problem. The problem is the box.
You are not broken. The system is.
Encouraged? Intrigued? Press play now and discover:
Why mastery and fluency are very subjective, and why they should be defined loosely
The importance of pronunciation in language learning, and why more emphasis should be placed on it
The reason why learning should be shifted in focus to listening and speaking versus the more traditional reading and writing emphasis
Why courage is important in language learning and the psychology behind it is just as important as technique or motivation
The secret to avoiding “fossilized errors” with pronunciation with hyper focused minimal pairs
How best to utilize your time when choosing material to practice reading in your target language
Why curiosity should motivate learning, especially language learning
Why morality and biology should be separated to avoid the guilt with undesirable tendencies, or even just “beating yourself up” for not obtaining language mastery as fast as you believe you should
Breaking the stigma of language learning and its ease for children (pro-tip: the key may not be in the age of the learner, but relies on the “audience”)
Why ego has no place in language mastery
Why you can feel a sense of empowerment, even with depression, to achieve your learning goals
The reason learning should be tailored to who you are (and how to do it)
Further Resources on the web, this podcast, and the MMM Blog:
How to Memorize a Song: Lyrics, Chords, Solos, Melody & Theory
Apr 04, 2020
If you want to know how to memorize a song, the process can be much easier.
Yes, even if you need to memorize chords and lyrics at the same time.
You can even speed up how you memorize solos on the guitar, keyboard or any instrument you play.
How do I know?
As a touring musician who also happens to be a memory expert, I’ve done more than merely explore various memory strategies for remembering all kinds of music. I’ve performed on stages around the world.
I can also remember the first time I sang in front of an audience.
Sure, I was just a little kid in grade two, and I didn’t have a guitar at the time. But it was still quite the experience.
I remember that I used rote learning at the time, a process that was more difficult than it needed to be.
These days I know better, and on this page, I’ll show you how to make the process a lot easier. I’ll help you memorize songs thoroughly — know the lyrics, the notes, and how to do individual runs or riffs.
Ready to flex your music memorization muscles? Let’s get started!
Memorizing Songs With Mnemonic Devices Vs. Without
To begin, we need to discuss the elephant in the room:
I teach and use mnemonics to rapidly remember pieces of relatively complicated music like this:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_HHChKwNkVU
However, many people prefer to teach rote learning. Here’s what their advice typically looks like:
Listen to the song repeatedly to familiarize yourself with the melody and lyrics.
Much of that advice is great. And it can work especially well if you’re already well-versed in music theory.
However, I couldn’t use all of those tips when I was called to go on tour. I just didn’t have the time.
For example, in the image below you see me playing in Berlin after being called in to learn ten complex songs for a tour with The Outside:
In order to learn all of the songs in less than two weeks, I used a variety of mnemonic devices.
These were important because as you can tell from a song like Empire, I had to remember notes, rhythms and understand chord structure for my limited, but vitally expressive bass runs.
Here’s what’s involved.
Memorizing Songs With Mnemonic Devices
As we go through these mnemonic devices, please don’t feel overwhelmed. They can all be learned within a weekend.
Once you have them, you’ll be able to apply them to all aspects of music. Music mnemonics come with a bit of a “catch,” however. Music is inherently mnemonic. As scientists have put it, music provides a kind of mental scaffolding, so the more you understand about your instrument and things like the circle of fifths, the less often you’ll need mnemonics.
Keep in mind too that performing from memory is not always desirable. As Jennifer Mishra’s research has shown, during certain historical periods, audiences did not like how performing from memory led to alterations of the music.
In my experiences, it totally made sense to read from sheet music while performing in an orchestra. But it never made sense while playing in a four-piece band. The key differentiator is style of performance based on audience expectation.
With that in mind, let’s look at memory techniques for complex songs where you absolutely need to perform from memory without sheet music.
One: Visual Associations For The Main Notes & Chords
The basic strategy is simple. Rather than thinking abstractly about the notes by letter, give each one an image.
Here’s how I do it for A through G using the pegword method:
A = Al Pacino
B = Bert from Sesame Street
C = Cookie Monster
D = Dracula
E = Ernie
F = Foucault
G = Grover
This simple foundation means that if a simple chord sequence moves A-G-D, then the story method helps me remember that Al Pacino is doing something weird to Grover who then does something strange to Dracula.
Two: Add Mnemonic Images For Sharps, Flats & Naturals
What you’ve just learned is the basic logic of how mnemonic images work. Using alphabetical association, you pair something highly familiar with something abstract.
To know whether a note is sharp or flat, you can place objects in the hands of your famous figures. For example, take F#/Gb:
Here, I’ve given Foucault a Swiss Army Knife because knives are “sharp.” If I needed to remember the note as Gb, I would give him a hammer and have him doing something outrageous like flattening the sun.
Three: Use Number Systems For Theory & Application
If you’re just learning either guitar or piano, you can apply number mnemonics like rhymes or a 00-99 PAO System based on the Major System to remember note positions.
You can also apply this approach to learning theory, such as the modes. In Lydian, for example, the fourth note is sharp. Since my image for four is a sail boat, I imagined a knife cutting the sail, permanently installing this musical fact into memory.
Finally, when I memorize Bach pieces like the one you see me performing here, I apply this approach for some of the trickier runs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6iHzX_YH6E
All I’ve done is to think of my fretboard as a kind of Memory Palace. By placing my images on the fretboard in an order that creates a story, I can look at the sheet music and memorize all kinds of instrumental parts very quickly. You’ll be able to do the same once you develop your own mnemonic tools.
Four: Use Proper Spaced Repetition
One reason you might struggle to recall music is that you’re not using spaced repetition to maximize the learning process.
I used to make this mistake all the time: repeating the song like a machine with no breaks or interleaving the piece with other learning activities.
I’d repeat the same tricky passage repeatedly by starting the song over again from the beginning.
That’s problematic for a few reasons related to the forgetting curve discovered by Hermann Ebbinghaus.
Learning to use spaced repetition to defeat the Forgetting Curve started in earnest with the research of Hermann Ebbinghaus.
Although he studied it based on words, the same thing applies to notes in music.
Make sure that you take plenty of breaks and come back to practice the song at the most optimal intervals of time.
How do you figure out what practice intervals are best for you? I suggest you keep a memory journal the way the top mental athletes do. You can learn how by watching or listening to this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Five: Apply Deliberate Practice Like A Pro
Another mistake I use to make strikes me now as just plain silly.
When I came across a tricky part of a song I wasn’t memorizing effectively, I would return to the start of the song.
But beginning all over again rarely helped me remember the tricky parts.
Eventually I learned to loop just the tricky bar over and over until I got it. Then I would add the subsequent bar and loop that. Finally, add in the prior bar and loop all three.
After getting just this section fluid, go back to the beginning of the song. By the time you reach the problem area, you will have it both in semantic memory and procedural memory and pull it off much, much better.
Although he uses different words to say the same thing, Dweezil Zappa recently shared his experiences following just this process in an interview with Rick Beato:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eZbuCtXNE0
I was pleasantly surprised to hear him confirm this very important approach, especially given his pedigree.
How to Memorize Song Lyrics
Now that we’ve covered the main visualization techniques for song memorization through the use of mnemonics, let’s add in the lyric component.
This is great for rapidly memorizing songs for auditions when you want the gig and will only get it if you can interpret the songs in your unique voice and style.
Of all the common mistakes when memorizing songs out there, that’s the biggest one. Copying instead of interpreting.
With that in mind, let me share the lyric process with you.
1. Poetic Analysis
You don’t have to have a full understanding of the lyrics in order to memorize them, but it’s helpful to understand at least the basics.
But watch out: don’t sit there and wait until you understand the lyrics before you start to memorize! One of the things you’ll discover, through the process of memorizing music, is your understanding compounds value.
In academia, the accretion of value means that “the sediments of meaning build up.” The more you work with little bits of sand and stone (in this case, lyrics and music), the more settle and get baked in, the more and more meaning builds up over time.
There’s always more understanding yet to come — and that’s a beautiful thing.
2. Emotional Analysis
This is the simplest thing to do, something stressed by the actor Ashley Strand. Ask yourself:
Is it a happy song?
Is it a sad song?
Are there multiple emotions?
What emotions is the artist trying to get across to the audience?
Do your best to interpret what’s going on with the song so you can perform it with feeling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx0T6wOTlto
3. Use A Memory Palace
A Memory Palace is an excellent technique to help you learn how to memorize song lyrics (which is basically the same as mnemonics for memorizing poetry). By using the method of loci, it provides a powerful way of laying out your text word by word, in the order it appears (and the order it needs to be recalled). Then you can quickly transfer that information into your long-term memory.
It’s easier to explain how all of this works via video, so please give this section of a longer tutorial on memorizing lyrics I made for you a watch:
Once you are using Memory Palaces, you just associative imagery of the kind we discussed above for each note and chord.
The only difference is that in this case, you’re applying the memory techniques to words instead of notes.
In case you’re wondering how to memorize lyrics in a foreign language, the process is also the same. But for detailed discussion, check out how I memorized the Sanskrit phrases I spoke-sung in my TEDx Talk.
My friend and I also used this approach to memorize the rap lyrics in our “Brain Games” song to promote the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-KoZraMEkg
The Ultimate Trick To These Techniques For Memorizing Songs
Simply put:
Everything in music and memory is theory until you start to apply the ideas.
Whether it’s memorizing harmonies and vocal parts or working to absorb the intricacies of orchestral sheet music, these techniques are laser-targeted for getting long songs and short songs into memory fast.
But notice too that part of the targeting involves analysis of songs by breaking them down into smaller parts.
Far too many people overwhelm themselves by trying to take each piece of music as a whole.
That’s just not realistic because even in performance, it all comes out one note or chord at a time. In order to get into flow, you need to combine knowledge of the song with practice performing it.
If you need more help with developing your song knowledge, grab my free memory improvement course:
It gives you four video tutorials and worksheets to help with the Memory Palace part.
These simple activities will expand your spatial memory, which directly applies to how effectively you can handle your musical instruments.
Now that you know the essential mnemonics used to rapidly absorb music, get out there and start learning the most captivating music you can find.
Your audiences will respond with the most enthusiastic applause you’ve ever heard!
Boris Konrad On The Benefits Of Scientific Memory Training
Apr 02, 2020
Control.
In everyday life, or for the layman control is defined as a power to influence or direct others.
If you’re out of control you’re said to be “off the rails,” or too wild to handle. Unpredictable.
But there’s another definition of control.
Control, as defined by science is “a subject or group in an experiment where the factor being tested is not applied, hence serves as a standard for comparison against another group where the factor is applied.”
When it comes to science, control is used to make the data we’re measuring immune to influence. Simple enough, right?
My guest today is Boris Konrad, International Grandmaster of Memory. He is a four time Guinness World Record holder, and lecturer on and teacher of memory.
Professionally, Boris works as a neuroscientist and researcher at Donders Institute in The Netherlands. He is also an award winning keynote speaker of the prestigious German title of “5-Sterne-Rednerpreis.”
In his years of research, Boris has taken the idea of examining the element of control far beyond the constraints of the scientific method.
As a record-setting memory champion he has incorporated a scientific approach to memory improvement, treating his own regimen as an experiment, marrying his experiences in neuroscience to stretching the limits of memory work personally.
In our conversation, Boris shares his story of overlapping profession and self-improvement and how you, too, can serve as your own control, stepping into the role of scientist in the laboratory of your mind, no neuroscience degree necessary.
We talk about all these matters, and so much more that will benefit your memory training. All you have to do is press play above and discover:
What parameters should truly define science as a whole, and what distinguishes scientific guidelines
How neuroscience research began with the work of a single scientist and has evolved into many areas of study
Why retention time is influenced by the method by which information is encoded
How memorizing for competition differs from memorization for the purpose of learning
The tradeoff (and benefits) of investing time into experimenting with new memory techniques in your Memory Palace training routine
What constitutes a real feat of memory (and it may not be what you think!)
How mixing and matching memory techniques can be the most powerful tool for improvement
The reason intelligent spaced repetition works (and why robots aren’t all that bad)
How reusing Memory Palaces is possible without falling prey to the ghosting effect, no modifications required
The cause of spatial memory and how exactly science has recently proven this hypothesis of organization
Why the brain fills in gaps of what it fails to remember
The benefits of solo memory training and using yourself as a control, rather than comparison to others for measured improvement
Further Resources on the Web, this podcast, and the MMM Blog:
Selective Attention: 5 Quick Ways to Boost Focus And Memory
Mar 24, 2020
As you sit down to read…
Your Messenger beeps.
An email alert shows up next.
A child wails outside.
And your neighbor decides to practice his Conga drums (very loudly) on this bright, sunny morning!
You need to turn on your selective attention.
Now, where’s the remote to that thing?
Spoiler alert: Getting your selective attention to work impeccably is not as simple as pressing a button. But if you are willing to put in the effort, I have some quick and easy ways to help you master the art of concentration.
In this post, I’ll explain how selective attention works and how you can use it to improve your attention abilities.
Before you can learn how to improve your selective attention, it’s important to understand just what it is.
What Is Selective Attention?
Selective attention is the process of concentrating on certain stimuli in the environment and not on others, according to the American Psychological Association.
This allows you to push all incidental or unnecessary stimuli into the background or to the periphery of your perception, without actually removing the interferences.
So, what is attention, you ask?
In cognitive science, attention is the ability to focus on a particular stimulus, sustaining it and shifting it at will.
There are four types of attention:
1. Divided Attention: Doing more than one task simultaneously.
2. Alternating Attention: Also known as attention switching — where you switch attention between two things.
3. Sustained Attention: Focusing on one thing or activity for a long time.
4. Selective Attention: What if you were able to direct your attention only on your presentation deck – or your novel or your driving – despite all the distractions around you?
That is selective attention.
The amount of selective attention you apply will depend on your capacity to concentrate and the interruptions around you. It can be a conscious or unconscious effort.
“Focalization, concentration, of consciousness, is of its essence. It implies withdrawal from some things in order to deal effectively with others and is a condition which has a real opposite in the confused, dazed, scatter-brained state which in French is called distraction, and Zerstreutheit in German.”
Where Do You Use Selective Attention?
Here are some examples of the usage of selective attention ability in everyday life:
Hearing the cry of your baby even if you are completely engrossed on your laptop.
Hearing the ambulance siren, and making way for it, even if your attention is on the radio.
How Does Selective Attention Work?
Selective attention in young and older adults is a great example of contextual modulation by the brain and the visual cortex when it faces a cluttered scene (visual, or relating to any of the senses).
Let’s try to understand the neural functions behind selective attention.
Experiments by Basilis Zikopoulos and Helen Barbas of Boston University revealed a pathway from the amygdala to the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). The amygdala assesses the physical characteristics and importance of stimuli and relays it to other parts of the brain. TRN is a hub for attentional processing.
Scientist Francis Crick called the TRN an “attentional searchlight” due to its orientation as the primary inhibitor of the sensory thalamus.
More recently, a team of neuroscientists at McGill University led by Julio Martinez-Trujillo also got evidence of a neuron network in the lateral prefrontal cortex of the brain being responsible for visual processing and filtering visual features.
They implanted a multielectrode-array implant (red square) in the lateral prefrontal cortex area (8A) of two macaques. This is where the active neuron network filters visual information and allocates attention, and is resilient to interference.
Now that you understand the what, where, and how… let’s look at a few of the models behind selective attention.
A Walk Down History: Selective Attention And Its Theories
Selective attention has been a focus area in the study of experimental psychology. To fully grasp why and how your attention span works, it is important to go through the various theories.
These theories help pinpoint how individuals prioritize and process sensory inputs:
This was one of the seminal theories on selective attention proposed by cognitive scientist Colin Cherry in 1953. Here, a partygoer listens intently only to his friend in a noisy room filled with conversation and music.
Broadbent’s Filter Model
In his 1958 Filter Model, Donald Broadbent said that a filter (or bottleneck) buffers only the necessary information and blocks or ignores the rest.
In 1960, Treisman addressed the fact that unselected information also gets processed by the human brain, but with a lower intensity (a process called attenuation).
These two were bottleneck models. They were also known as early-selection theories.
Late-selection theories of attention entirely dropped the idea of an attentional filter or attenuator.
The subjects in their studies analyzed inputs pre-attentively. You pay attention to any information depending on its meaning to your task.
Kahneman’s model
Through his experiments and findings, Kahneman showed that attention is a single mental resource that gets distributed among each task in varying amounts. So at a cocktail party, all your attention would be on friends, but you would respond immediately if someone else called your name.
Next came a few variants to the capacity theories:
Michael Posner’s Spotlight metaphor of attention
During a magician’s performance on stage, all eyes are on him because of the spotlight. You don’t normally look at the rest of the stage (fringe) and the area outside it (margin).
Zoom-Lens metaphor by other scientists
Even if a spotlight weren’t there on the stage, you would still look at the magician, sometimes increasing your visual field to what his support crew is doing.
If you’re interested in learning more about these theories, I recommend tools like Google Scholar to find scholarly literature related to your search.
Next, let’s look at the 4 potential types of selective attention.
Are There Different Types of Selective Attention?
Selective attention can be divided broadly into:
1. Selective Visual Attention: The “spotlight” and “zoom-lens” models of attention describe the idea of selective visual attention, and
2. Selective Auditory Attention: Simply put, this is selective hearing. You focus on a particular sound of your interest despite several other sound stimuli around you.
Nill Lavie and others proposed two other mechanisms of selective attention in their load theory of attention:
1. Perpetual Selection Mechanisms: This happens in a passive or involuntary way when you exclude irrelevant interruptions when there is too much information around you — because your attention capacity is limited.
For example, you’re disinterested in the overload of information in your advanced calculus class and end up doodling in your textbook.
2. Active Attention Control: Here your attentional control rejects interruptions even when you perceive them.
For example, when you work on more than one class assignment at a time, or when you take an open-book advanced calculus test in a noisy school campus.
Is Selective Attention Same As Inattentional Blindness?
Absolutely not!
In inattentional blindness or change blindness, you focus so intently on just one thing you don’t notice anything new that comes into your visual search field.
This can have dangerous effects — especially if it happens while driving a vehicle.
Dichotic listening is a similar aspect of selective attention where you listen to and process different things presented to the two ears.
How Is Selective Attention Related To Arousal?
Selective attention is governed by our arousal level.
Norman CC and others elaborated on Deutsch and Deutsch’s theory that the selection of stimuli depends on the relevance of the sensory input and its strength.
The strength of the input occurs due to the stimulation of any of the sensory systems: visual, auditory, olfactory, or tactile, and is accompanied by arousal.
The connection between selective attention and arousal is circular. An optimum level of arousal causes selective attention based on various aspects of our cognitive capacities and our experiences.
At the same time, our experiences and perceptions of the stimuli also influence our arousal. These stimuli may then increase or decrease arousal, and the cycle continues.
As Nir Eyal points out in Indistractable, you can stop that cycle, however, merely by being more selective about your choices.
The Link Between Selective Attention And Memory
The filter of selective attention saves the human brain from getting overwhelmed with information overload.
It prioritizes what is important for the moment and filters out what is not. It prepares our cognitive processes and actions for each everyday task and in survival.
Selective attention is also closely linked to learning and recall. As is other memory issues, which can be confusing, so make sure to read up on everything you need to erase the confusion around things like explicit memory.
Impact Of Selective Attention On Learning and Memory
Although your cognitive brain gets affected by all your experiences, only a small portion of those experiences are remembered.
Studies have shown that what you encoded using selective attention makes for the strongest memories. This means that you have to first pay attention in order to store what is important to you in your short-term memory and working memory.
Music is tied to your associative memory reminding you of things that you had associated the track with. This diverts your attention, making it less likely that you encode what you study.
In effect, the music prevents information from moving from your short-term memory or working memory into your long-term memory.
Why You Must Strengthen Your Selective Attention
If your selective attention is weak, impaired or damaged, you can easily get distracted from your tasks.
If this happens persistently, it can adversely affect your personal, school, or professional life.
Selective attention is often impaired in disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
A specific neural network in the brain is responsible for selective attention. Manipulating the neuronal activity can alter a person’s ability to focus.
This can be used to treat individuals or older adults who get distracted easily or suffer from ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia.
So how can you improve your selective attention?
5 Magnetic Ways to Boost Your Focus & Memory
You can easily strengthen your everyday selective attention – and thereby your focus and recall – using these five magnetic methods.
1. Exercise
Coordinative exercises (those that need coordinated movement of large muscles or muscle-groups) help improve selective attention by pre-activating your cognitive related neuronal networks.
High-Intensity Interval Exercise (HIIE) has been proven to improve selective attention, especially in university students.
They strengthen your body and sharpen your cognitive control at the same time.
When you improve your fitness, your fatigue decreases and your attention span lengthens naturally.
If exercise isn’t in your routine yet, how about adding it in now?
Set aside at least 30 minutes for working out in the morning or evening.
Vary your workouts with running, aerobic exercises, cycling, or any other physical sport that you are interested in. You can also include mind-body exercises like yoga and tai-chi into your routine.
2. Use Focused Attention
In their trials on a few participants, Eduardo Massad and others found that participants were physiologically aroused while doing a Monty Hall Problem (a brain teaser).
This was because the intense decision-making process needed a higher attentional load by the participants.
Paying deliberate attention to your task will let you do it with far more efficiency. Such focused attention on one exercise at a time will lead to better-formed memories and better recall.
Whenever you find the time, participate in activities that demand concentrated attention.
For example, pick the day’s newspaper and engross yourself in sudoku, finding the odd one out, or a crossword puzzle. Or engage in games such as chess, and obstacle courses.
Sleep and selective attention seem to be polar opposites. But they regulate your awareness by filtering information from your conscious awareness.
In fact, they regulate each other. Sleep is important for you to maintain optimal attention levels. And your need for sleep increases after tasks that engage selective attention.
Sleep also helps in memory consolidation and in reorganizing memories.
Mental fatigue and sleep deprivation can affect your capacity to pay attention, process, and remember information. Sleepless nights can severely impair selective attention.
So snooze for a good 6 to 7 hours every day to wake up sharp and attentive. You will also be more present with whatever you do.
4. Don’t Pay Attention!
Did you read that right?
Yes.
Interestingly, Atsunori Ariga and Alejandro Lleras from the University of Illinois found that repetitive tasks needing prolonged selective attention lead to constant stimulation of the brain.
If it happens continuously, you register it as unimportant and eventually erase it. To prevent this, take short breaks from whatever you are focusing on – including studying for exams – and your attention will last a lot longer.
Here you peg all the information you want to remember in different parts of a familiar place — your home, for instance.
So if you want to remember a history lesson, associate the events of one year to your coffee table, another year to your sofa, and so on. To recall the events in the right order, you simply have to do a mental walk through your home.
In the process, you are forced to pay close attention to each historical event rather than just rehearsing it as it gets etched in your memory.
Practice creating Memory Palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method. Use it to commit everything that’s important to your memory, not allowing any diversions to affect the process.
Paying Attention Matters
Selective attention is needed to perform almost every daily task.
Training yourself to concentrate only on the information you need while averting a sensory overload is an important life skill.
When you combine the power of selective attention with Memory Palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method, you can retain and recall information faster and with superior permanence.
Can You Trust Memory Vitamins To Boost Your Brain?
Mar 18, 2020
Can you really supercharge your memory with memory vitamins?
There is a multi-billion-dollar industry touting “advanced nutrition” to “upgrade your intelligence” with a “proprietary blend” of magic nutrients.
Let’s find out if these ginkgo and ginseng pills can improve your cognitive faculties or cure absent-mindedness and dementia, as their labels claim.
In this post, I’ll dive into numerous memory supplements available today, and the truth behind them. I’ll also show you three natural, effective ways that guarantee improved concentration and a razor-sharp memory.
Help in Alzheimer’s prevention and in curing other neurodegenerative diseases.
Prevent oxidative stress in the brain.
Lower the damaging effects of free radicals and brain inflammation, and more.
How true are these claims?
We need to delve deeper.
Can Vitamins and Other Nutrients Really Help You Improve Memory?
There are plenty of single-vitamin supplements or proprietary blends available today.
They could be vitamins and minerals (vitamin B, C, D, E, K), herbal extracts (Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, Curcumin, Bacopa), natural molecules (Acetyl-L-Carnitine amino acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Huperzine A, Magnesium l-threonate) or synthetic compounds (Choline bitartrate).
To understand whether they help, it is important to look at the clinical trials linking them to memory improvement.
Vitamin B:
Vitamins B12, B3, B6, and folic acid slow down cognitive decline, lower high homocysteine levels, and are used in Alzheimer’s treatment. Homocysteine is an amino acid. It is also believed that folate might prevent Parkinson’s disease.
Studies show that these vitamins slow the atrophy of brain regions that are involved in Alzheimer’s disease. However, vitamin B12 and folate supplementation may not always reduce memory problems.
Vitamin E:
This antioxidant lowers oxidative stress in your brain cells.
A study proved that adults with high levels of vitamin E are less likely to suffer from memory disorders including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Alpha-tocopherol (a form of vitamin E) slows down functional decline in people with moderate symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Vitamin D:
This vitamin protects against cognitive decline and dementia, and reduces the risk of heart disease. However, patients suffering from heart disease may not benefit from higher doses of this vitamin.
Older adults who had severe vitamin D deficiency were found to be more likely to develop cognitive disease like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Apart from cutting your colds short, vitamin C helps improve brain health with its antioxidant properties. It also crosses the blood-brain barrier to remove heavy metals like lead.
Researchers found higher vitamin C levels in those who were cognitively intact versus those who were cognitively impaired.
But it’s not clear how much of it is needed to support cognitive function. Also, your intake may not always translate into enough of the vitamin in your blood. Check out this Chief Life article for more on the benefits of Vitamin C.
Elders with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease were observed to have a deficiency of this vitamin.
High doses can worsen clotting problems in those who have severe liver ailments.
Ginkgo biloba:
Bottled ginkgo biloba contains ginkgo leaf extracts. It is said to prevent mild cognitive impairment and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients. It is also considered to be beneficial in treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
Ginseng is a slow-growing, short plant with fleshy roots.
While American ginseng improves working memory performance, Asian ginseng improves brain performance and lowers mental fatigue. It is also effective in counteracting the aging effects of free radicals.
Curcumin:
Curcumin or turmeric root is proven to reverse memory problems in people with mild, age-related memory loss.
It is less effective when taken as a supplement due to its poor absorption and rapid metabolism. It is more effective when consumed with food, or with agents like piperine.
Cocoa Flavanols:
Cacao is the dried and fermented bean from the cocoa tree used to make chocolates. It’s not to be mistaken with coconut oil, which this study shows might also help memory, especially episodic memory and semantic memory.
Long term consumption of cocoa flavanols could improve attention, working memory, and verbal fluency in the early stages of memory loss.
Bacopa Monnieri:
Bacopa (Brahmi) is an Ayurvedic herb that boosts memory and attention in healthy people, by improving inter-neuronal communications in the brain.
This natural supplement is derived from the Chinese club moss plant.
Research shows that taking this for 12 weeks may boost memory in adults with mild brain impairment.
However, its effectiveness in preventing cognitive decline has not been confirmed. Its short-term use is proven to be safe, but the long-term use is not.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil):
Fish oil improves mild cognitive impairment (MCI). It contains two types of omega-3 fatty acids: Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA). DHA alone or with EPA is known to improve episodic memory in adults with mild memory problems.
There is no proof that fatty acids can improve cognitive function in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Check your doctor to see if fish oil supplementation might be useful for repairing mild memory impairment.
Having enough of these vitamins and minerals in your body will lead to improved memory and disease prevention due to their inherent benefits.
But no research or clinical trial has proven that additional intake will lead to any significant improvement in memory or brainpower.
The Truth behind Memory Supplements
There are some caveats and unpleasant truths around these attractive brain vitamins you should be aware of.
A team of neurologists in the US has critiqued the “pseudomedicine” practice where qualified healthcare professionals over-prescribe dietary supplements that have no insurance cover and need cash payments, for their own financial gain.
And unlike medications, vitamins for memory are not strictly regulated by authorities like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — although the FDA has announced efforts to modernize regulation and oversight of supplements.
And, you should be wary of any tall claims in advertisements. Because – unlike prescription drugs – brain supplements may not be thoroughly tested.
Given these facts, what should you do when you set out to buy these supplements?
Things to Remember When You Buy Memory Vitamins
Think about it: when you visit a store or order online, there will be hundreds of brain supplements that come in thousands of ingredient combinations.
Picking the right one for your specific requirements can be your biggest challenge. Remember that success in using memory vitamins varies from person to person — and there is no definitive verdict on any of them.
And what you choose should really depend on your own genetics, health, diet, and cognitive abilities.
Not only that, how can you differentiate between high-quality supplements and cheap knockoffs?
Here are some tips:
Do your own research — read product reviews, and ask for detailed opinions from people who have used them.
Check if the product was packed, refrigerated, and maintained under the optimum conditions as mentioned on the pack.
Read the labels carefully to understand the following:
Ingredients,
Dosages,
Directions for use,
Claims of efficacy and/or safety,
Cautions or warnings,
Possible side effects, and
A seal of approval from a certifying authority like ConsumerLab.com.
Now, let’s examine whether there could be other ways to improve your brainpower and memory.
Do Your Lifestyle Choices Affect Memory?
Your lifestyle choices can affect your body, mind, and your memory too. Taking fancy vitamin pills won’t help if you have an unbalanced lifestyle.
The main culprits that can impair your memory and brain are:
Food habits: An unbalanced diet with too many food additives and sugar, and little water can impair your nervous system and leave you feeling tired and disoriented.
Sedentary lifestyle: An inactive lifestyle can lead to dullness and cognitive decline.
Alcohol, smoking, and caffeine: Too much of these will affect your ability to store new information and lead to short-term memory loss.
Lack of sleep: Inadequate sleep can lead to a higher risk of cognitive impairment.
But surely, there must be ways to sharpen your memory in natural, non-intrusive, and possibly more effective ways!
3 Effective Alternative Ways to Boost Your Memory
It should be clear by now that popping pills isn’t the best way to keep your brain sharp. Decades of research have gone by, but their benefits are yet to be demonstrated.
You not only get to remember the information faster, but also get predictable and reliable permanence that grows in strength each time you use the Magnetic Memory Method.
The best part is that you can use any other memory technique like chaining, linking, or the Major System (or Dominic System) inside the Memory Palace. Sadly, it rarely works the other way around, though there are possibilities.
The key to a Memory Palace is to associate pieces of information with a location you are very familiar with, like your home.
For example, if you want to remember a history lesson, walk through your house and peg all the events of one year on your dining table, the next years’ on your living room console, and so on.
When you want to recall the information, you retrace that mental route and the information will be easily accessible.
2. Mindful Eating
Eating well and drinking plenty of water are as crucial to your brain as they are to your body. Mindful eating is all about eating healthy, and acknowledging and managing your cravings and the experience of eating.
As for a healthy diet, you can get almost all the useful vitamins above through your daily diet.
For instance:
Vitamin B from beans, peas, dairy, eggs, fish, meat, green leafy vegetables, and some cereals.
Vitamin E from nuts, seeds, blueberries, avocados, blackberries, spinach, and bell peppers.
Vitamin D from salmon, tuna, mushrooms, and eggs, or simply by spending a safe amount of time under the sun.
Water: Staying hydrated with at least 6-8 glasses of water a day helps improve concentration and cognition.
Simply by paying attention to what you eat and how you eat, your body can avoid any vitamin deficiency, without risking the long-term brain-boosting effects of bottled supplements. Here are some more foods that improve memory you can add to your diet.
3. Exercise
Physical exercise activates your brain and improves memory and cognitive function over the long term.
A 2018 study found that 10 minutes of mild exertion improved mental ability in healthy young adults. There was increased activity in the hippocampus and surrounding areas, and better connectivity between the hippocampus and cortical areas that are responsible for memory processing.
Deadlifting helps improve my focused attention and memory. Do you go to the gym?
When we exercise, blood flow increases everywhere in the body, including the brain — this helps the brain to perform better.
So set aside 30 minutes for working out your body — walking, swimming, climbing stairs, tennis, squash, or dancing, or just daily household activities.
If you don’t have the discipline to do it on your own every day, join a class or identify an accountability partner to work out with. And track your progress periodically — this will encourage you to reach a goal. Otherwise, get a personal trainer to motivate you to exercise.
Skip the Vitamins!
Dietary supplements are quite tempting to try, but they come with too many risky ifs and buts. Even if you do try them, it is very important to seek medical guidance.
Instead, try the alternative techniques in this post to improve your memory — especially building Memory Palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method. The long-term effects of using them to remember and recall information is definitely stronger, and it is the best way to sharpen your brainpower.
If you’re new to Memory Palaces or want to learn more about how they can help boost your memory, sign up for my free memory improvement kit.
Anastasia Woolmer on Memorizing Movement and Mastering Recall
Feb 26, 2020
No one has demonstrated the multi-sensory nature of memory techniques with as much grace as Anastasia Woolmer.
In fact, Anastasia has literally married memory training with physical activity.
This means that she’s released the Memory Palace journey and associated memory techniques from the mind.
One of those ways is through dance.
This is wonderful, because I’m asked frequently about how to memorize movement.
Although I’ve played around with it, finally our community has access to the processes by someone who has spent a great deal of time with this memory-movement skill.
It turns out there’s a lot to it – and some standards that already exist in dance.
To supplement the audio, you can check out a demonstration for yourself by watching Anastasia’s TEDx presentation. Then, dig into this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method and learn the “mnemonic logic” behind the movement.
Indeed, the best memory strategies always encompass all our senses. The most solid and beneficial techniques incorporate all these senses into a unique and powerful tool that is universally accessible.
The Path Of A WorldClass Memory Expert and Memory Athlete
On top of being a self-taught, two-time Australian Memory Champion, Anastasia is a public speaker, memory coach, former professional dancer and contestant on Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders.
As the Australian Memory Champion, she was the first female to hold the title in the country. Anastasia set the record for the most binary digits remembered in five minutes at 360, the most numbers remembered in 15 minutes, 304, and the most consecutive spoken digits without an error, at a remarkable 86.
Anastasia and I discuss her path, and transformation, from a widely-held (and untrue) belief that her memory was fixed and could not be improved, into a history-making Australian memory champion. As we proceed, you’ll learn more about how she married ancient memory techniques to modern dance to create a method that truly worked for her.
And this podcast and her wisdom is not just for aspiring dancers or choreographers.
As Anastasia demonstrates during our chat, you don’t have to settle for rigid and inflexible learning techniques. You don’t have to be frustrated with attaining your learning goals. You are not tied down to any “right way” to do things.
In the world of dance, I believe this is called free-styling. You’re not bound by the choreography of what moves you should make. Listen to your body, all your senses, and make the journey, and the dance, your own!
Press play now and discover:
The two components necessary to be a “fit” human
How economics relates to memory improvement
The best way to deal with the “initial panic” of an influx of new information to be committed to memory
The benefit of memory exercise in a variety of environments, and why noisy surroundings can actually be great for memory training
The “trick” to multitasked focus, and a simple activity that anyone can do to strengthen that skill
The best method for recovering from memory mishaps, even in a public speaking setting
The similarities between writing a story and creating a Memory Palace journey
When you shouldn’t memorize anything verbatim (even if it seems like a good idea and you want to strive for perfection – hint: you shouldn’t!)
How learning more, more information, more skills, and taking on more hobbies, is an endless cycle, and why you want to be on it!
The secret dancers naturally utilize that you will want to always employ in learning new information
Why the best methods to memory improvement are multifaceted, multi-sensory, and completely inclusive and customizable, and why individuality is the most important facet of incorporating memory training into your life
Further Resources on the Web, this podcast, and the MMM Blog:
Explicit memory or declarative memory is part of your long-term memory. You use it throughout the day. When you recall the time of your dentist appointment or recollect your 16th birthday party, you are using your explicit memory.
Explicit memory needs conscious awareness. The cognitive processes of forming explicit memory are also often associative — you link different specific memories to form one consolidated human memory.
While implicit memory or procedural memory are skills that you pick up unconsciously and unintentionally, explicit memory is everything you actively work on remembering.
Some examples of explicit memory include trying to remember the name of people you meet or trying to cram into your human memory that the capital of Iceland is Reykjavík.
Although implicit and explicit are subtypes of long-term memory, when you think of memory function in “general,” you are referring to the explicit segment.
What’s more? Implicit and explicit types of memory get affected differently with Alzheimer’s disease. While explicit memory is damaged in Alzheimer’s disease, implicit memory remains intact.
Both implicit and explicit memory systems work together in healthy individuals.
Fun fact: there are two other memory processes – short-term memory (also called working memory) and sensory memory (it retains sensory information like those from sounds in the form of echoic memory). A memory must move through these before a lasting long-term memory can be formed.
Are There Different Types of Explicit Memory?
We can categorize explicit memory into episodic memory and semantic memory.
In 1972, Canadian experimental psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist Endel Tulving found a few differences between episodic and semantic memories and proposed the distinction between these two types of explicit memory.
Curious?
Let’s take a quick look:
What is Episodic Memory?
Episodic memory, like the name implies, is a memory of a previous experience, past event, or activity.
Memories of specific events like your first kiss, that fantastic trip to Greenland, or your first prom are all episodic memories. Some episodic memories are also autobiographical, like remembering your date of birth or the street name where you grew up.
You can consciously recollect these past personal experiences.
You’re usually able to associate how you felt during these specific memories. That’s because your emotions are essential when it comes to memory consolidation.
Your brain’s hippocampus is in charge of processing and storing your episodic memories while your cerebellum is involved in retrieval.
If you can recall the excitement of your first day at university or the stress of moving to another home, you can very clearly remember everything that happened on that day based on how that episode made you feel.
That’s the main difference between this type of memory and semantic memory.
What is Semantic Memory?
Semantic memory is usually based on knowledge that you picked up throughout your life and your capacity to recollect this knowledge at will. These aren’t based on personal episodes in your life.
Semantic memory usually refers to general knowledge. Things like how WWI started in 1914 or how the White House looks are examples of semantic memory.
However, it’s not just limited to general knowledge. For example, you know that the sky is blue, what an elephant is, and how to ride a bike.
You probably started learning all of these when you were a kid, as you were starting to experiment and interact with the world around you. You don’t remember how you learned them and yet they’re still consolidated in your mind.
These specific forms of memories aren’t tied to a feeling or to any personal experience.
Implicit and Explicit Memory — How Do They Differ?
As you’ve probably noticed, explicit memory involves conscious recollection.
Whether you remember it based on how you felt that time or based on how hard you studied for that exam, you consciously worked to remember it.
This is not the case with implicit memory.
Implicit memories (often called non-declarative) are those you never consciously tried to remember.
They are a form of memory that you use to interact with the world around you every day. These include your vocabulary, your spatial memory, and your motor skills.
You learned them and then don’t have to relearn again and again to perform them. You usually can’t even remember learning that skill and yet you can do it almost automatically.
An example of implicit memory can be a simple task like how to use a fork, how to boil an egg or even the chorus of ‘Single Ladies’. All of these are unconscious memories that you may not even know you had!
Just reading ‘Single Ladies’ may probably be enough to get that song stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Sorry about that!
How Do You Form an Explicit Memory?
The processes used to form explicit memories are encoding and retrieval.
First, you record or encode information by absorbing it when you read, hear something, or interact with someone. During recording, memories are stored in the hippocampus, which is located in the brain’s temporal lobe.
The hippocampus is the one involved in creating neural connections in different regions. When you’re rehearsing a memory, the memory passes through your hippocampus multiple times.
You have both short-term memory and long-term memory. Anything you remember is first kept in your short-term memory. From there, your hippocampus has the task of deciding if that temporal memory is going to become a long-term memory or simply be forgotten.
If a memory is important, it’s moved to your long-term memory throughout your cerebral cortex. Its exact location will depend on the type of memory.
Physical damage to the cortex (as seen in a magnetic resonance) has been shown to affect your cognitive processes related to memory directly.
Your brain labels most of the memories you make as unimportant and it discards them, so they never make it to long-term memory.
Since explicit memories are part of your long-term memory, these would be facts, figures, experiences, and episodes that your brain consciously moved from short-term to long-term parts of your memory.
For example:
Do you remember the trousers you wore to work two weeks ago?
No, right? That’s because your hippocampus didn’t consider that information relevant enough to retain for longer than a few seconds.
That’s when repetition comes in. The more you retrieve a memory, the easier it’ll be to retrieve it again because you’re telling your hippocampus that it’s important.
Now:
If a young lady happened to notice your trousers and complimented you about them, you would want to tell all your friends about it (as many times as possible, presumably).
At every instance possible, you would repeat the story of how you were just sauntering down the road when this amazingly beautiful girl smiled at you and complimented your trousers.
The more you repeat that story, the more you reinforce that memory and the recording becomes permanent.
You will never forget those trousers. Maybe they even become your lucky trousers!
Once a memory becomes a story, you don’t just remember facts; you remember how those facts made you feel. Your amygdala connects your memories to specific emotions. And you can recall such memories at will.
Is Sleep Important to Form Better Explicit Memories?
There’s a reason why when you’re jet-lagged, or you simply haven’t slept well, you keep forgetting things.
That’s because sleep plays a crucial role in memory formation.
When you sleep, you perform the most crucial part of making new memories: consolidation.
When you’re awake, you acquire the memory or learn a new fact or skill. But it’s only during night time when you sleep that your brain files the memory in a place you can retrieve it later.
And sleeping doesn’t just help you consolidate the memories you’ve gained that day.
When your brain is organizing new memories, it can associate them with older memories as well. This not only helps you remember things better, but also helps you in your creative process by finding links to your memories you didn’t have before.
When you don’t sleep well, your brain simply lacks the time for filing, organizing, and processing new memories, leading to bad recall later. Believe me – I’ve been there!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY_b168fWTM
If you want to remember what you learned here, you better get your 8 hours of beauty sleep tonight.
How Does Your Brain Retrieve an Explicit Memory?
Memories are usually retrieved by association.
When a teacher asks you a question about Independence Day, you’ll probably try to remember the lecture he gave a week before.
Memory isn’t perfect, though.
If you think back to that lecture, you’ll probably remember what the teacher said but not the shoes he was wearing.
That’s because once the explicit memory is consolidated, it is stored by a group of neurons that react in the same pattern created by the original experience. You won’t remember the shoes because they didn’t create an impact on your original experience, so the memory was lost after being a short-term memory.
These patterns are recorded several times over to create redundancy. That way, if there’s damage to the original, you’ll still be able to retrieve the memory.
Can Memories Get Corrupted?
However, this also means memories can become corrupted with time.
Since you can’t notice everything at once – and your mind doesn’t like to have holes – it fills up the gaps between your memories from other similar memories.
If you try to retrieve details from a memory that wasn’t there, your mind may fill that detail with information from a different memory. Then every time you retrieve that memory, you’ll reinforce that false detail into the experience.
That’s why you may be sure you remembered the right thing for a test only to find out you were wrong when getting the result.
Explicit memories don’t have to be retrieved on purpose. Sometimes simple stimuli can act as a trigger. Have you ever smelled some spice or perfume and felt as if you were teleported to another place?
Explicit memories are remembered by an association that your brain makes, in a conscious or unconscious manner.
However you make them, it’s essential to keep up on the state of your memories. One study compared over one thousand Alzheimer’s patients and found that patients who are aware of memory loss are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Why Do You Lose Memory?
Do you keep forgetting things? Don’t get an MRI just yet!
Forgetting things you used to remember is a normal part of the learning and memory process, especially as you age, and it rarely signals memory impairment.
Memories are a use-it-or-lose-it kind of thing. If you don’t remember a particular memory for long enough, your brain’s response is typically to forget it to make space for new ones.
And that’s great! In a healthy brain, time heals all wounds.
However, some people don’t get that luxury.
The findings of different studies that compared the memory process of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder show that PTSD directly impaired the creation of explicit memories in their subjects by affecting brain activity in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
This also affected facial emotion recognition since you rely on these areas to remember and recognize those signals.
However, the tormenting effect that other memories typical of PTSD causes are hard to forget.
For experimental psychology, getting better at forgetting is just as big of a challenge as getting better at remembering.
3 Fun Ways to Boost Your Explicit Memory
Since explicit memories are memories you put effort into recording, you can create those at will.
The problem arises when you’re trying to record information that doesn’t seem particularly relevant to your brain.
Imagine you’re at a party and get introduced to five people. By the time you get to the third person, you probably already forgot the name of the first one.
Why? Because your brain wasn’t thinking about it. You were probably more worried about creating a good impression, giving a good handshake, or trying to look friendly.
All that was very important to your brain, so listening to their names was pushed to the side.
How can we solve it?
Here are three fun ways to strengthen your memory performance:
1. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
Repeating information is an excellent way for temporal memories to become permanent ones. If you make an effort to repeat someone’s name when you get introduced to them, you’re more likely to remember that name for a long time.
Although repetition is usually associated with implicit memories (like riding a bike), it can also help you form explicit memories.
Repeating answers for a test, passwords, and even phone numbers is a simple but proven way to consolidate a memory.
It’s even better when you use elaborative encoding (exercises) because that reduces the amount of repetition while increasing the impact of each.
2. Use Bizarre Association
A great way to remember information is to associate it with things you already know. Try to think about how things make you feel or tie the memory to another strong memory you have. The stronger the connection, the easier it’ll be to remember.
Even the most forgetful person will probably remember another person who shares their moniker.
You can use this technique when you go grocery shopping. What most people do is try to memorize a list of words of what they’re going to buy. Then you associate your grocery list with a number.
A more effective way is to associate it with a more memorable thing, like a recipe.
Why?
Because your brain finds the task of processing and recording visual memories far easier than a list. This is exactly what a study that compared participants involved in a supermarket scenario found: people are more likely to remember the image of their groceries than the simple words.
And, if you’re using a recipe, it doesn’t even have to be a real one!
For example, say you need to buy eggs, milk, tomatoes, toilet paper, and batteries. You can associate all of them by imagining making scrambled eggs with a bit of milk and tomatoes, mixed with batteries and garnished with little bits of toilet paper.
Make it as realistic in your head as you possibly can. Imagine the colors, the smell, the texture, and even the taste.
The more ridiculous your association is, the more memorable it’ll be!
And when you use the Magnetic Memory Method to become a mnemonics dictionary, all the better.
3. Build Memory Palaces
The last two techniques work better combined.
The Memory Palace technique is an ancient way of remembering things. Traced back to the Greeks, it has been used by geniuses like Hannibal Lecter and Sherlock Holmes to remember everything.
Memory Palaces, however, aren’t fiction.
A Memory Palace consists of associating memories to a location you’re familiar with. You visualize that place in your head and you associate memories to parts of that place.
If, for instance, you were to associate the room you’re in with memories, you’d store the information in the corner, the drawers, the ceiling, etc.
That way, whenever you need to remember something, all you need is to go to your mind palace and look it up.
Neat, right?
Make Better Memories
When you build Memory Palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method, you unlock the powers of:
Reading Comprehension Strategies: 13 Ways To Eliminate “Rewinding”
Feb 11, 2020
We’ve all been there. Drudging through a book that’s hard to grasp without any decent reading comprehension strategies.
What started out with such enthusiasm soon becomes a joyless task.
‘’What does that mean?’’ you cry out.
And just as soon as you start getting into a reading flow… you’re rewinding again. It’s a killjoy. It sucks the pleasure out of reading.
It’s enough to make you quit.
And the scary thing is you miss out on so much when your reading becomes stagnated.
But reading comprehension strategies are not just for teachers or struggling students. Mature learners need to keep pace with the younger generations and test their comprehension, too.
Maybe you’re a teacher and want to help your students with reading comprehension. Or you’re simply trying to uncover reading comprehension strategies for adults. Whatever the case, you realize it’s not just the topic you need to master first, but the correct tools for learning.
‘’Although we often succeed in teaching our pupils ‘subjects,’ we fail lamentably on the whole in teaching them how to think: they learn everything, except the art of learning.”
Since reading uses the information you already know, better memorization leads to clearer reading comprehension. The result? You can understand and remember more of what you read. The cumulative effect is powerful.
2. Be Purposeful For Pleasure’s Sake
Being purposeful about your reading goals and the reading techniques you use aids comprehension in and of itself. Drill down into your intentions and ask, ‘’what’s in it for me?’’
Why are you reading anyway? If reading isn’t meaningful it can become an empty pursuit. It’s another reason people quit in the second round.
On the other hand, when your reading is aligned with a clear aim, enjoyment follows. Not only that, it aids your memory as time marches on because:
Pleasure is instantly easier to remember!
If you’re still uncertain, start with steps that feel more basic.
For example, start practicing regular reading with less challenging novels — this will blend enjoyment and momentum. Then when you decide to tackle tougher books your comprehension skills are already well-honed.
3. Physical Books — One Antidote to Digital Amnesia
While digital books have many excellent benefits (cost, search ease, mobility, sustainability, sharing) it’s worth remembering the trusty paper book.
But why would you choose physical books over digital or eBooks?
For one thing, your precious memory plays a vital role in reading comprehension.
Digital amnesia affects our cognitive ability to remember – and learn more – faster. Since your aim is to become a better reader through magnetic memory, paper books help to:
Index the material better in your mind
Reference and re-reference while reading
Keep the books visible
Use reading to practice Digital Fasting
Remember page numbers and details
Assimilate reading into your life, and…
Demonstrate the values and virtues of reading from real books and remembering as much as possible from them
In a world of devices, wi-fi, hotspots, and tabs… your physical book can become a spiritual retreat.
4. Evaluate and Expand Competence
Let’s face it: some textbooks are long and (frankly) scary. Every reader can struggle with how these books are presented — with lengthy paragraphs and sentences, and challenging vocabulary.
A good place to start is to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. The trick is to gauge your level of competence and gradually expand it (E.E.C. = Expand Existing Competence).
Do you start daydreaming after 30mins as your energy drains?
If so, try to push 10 minutes beyond. You might use a Pomodoro timer to take a break after 30 minutes.
It helps to understand your levels of processing effect in the Big Five of Learning:
In other words, your ability to read, write, speak, and listen comes from memory. When you read, write, speak, and listen you put comprehension into memory in the first place.
5. Monitor Understanding To Leap Ahead and Recalibrate
Monitoring is about realizing what you know, what’s unclear, and any gaps in your understanding. The method helps you find the blockers to comprehension. By defining issues with comprehension you can tackle them head-on.
Einstein said:
“If I had an hour to solve a problem I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about solutions.”
When you write, listen, and speak about a text you reflect on its meaning.
It’s a chance to move from vagueness to better clarity. The offshoot is, you can zone in and identify blockers and get misconceptions out of the way.
Also, ask for help.
By sharing your thoughts with a study partner you can get valuable feedback too. This feedback loop can enhance your understanding and uncover any confusing passages. Monitoring comprehension can help you to read more books and supercharge your subject knowledge. This is all part of developing mental strength.
6. Recognizing Story Structure and Maps
Mature learners can benefit from recognizing a story’s structure.
It highlights the branches an author uses to structure the text. The contents, headings, and bibliography sections are obvious places to start. By further delving into the order of the subheadings, the setting, events, and characters begin to unfold.
It’s only right that grown-ups should take a more proactive stance to learning. And there really are no silly questions when it comes to your reading goals. Let’s face it, who’s listening? Because this is more like self-reflection behind closed doors.
The mental process of elaboration involves repeatedly asking the classical questions: “who, what, where, when, why, and how?” By questioning and eliciting answers, guesses or theories, you can boost your understanding of a text.
Rather than just reading and being a reactive passenger, you’re driving to understand the context. You engage more with what’s going on through questions. And instead of a mundane reading challenge, you turn the pages with a new curiosity.
Depending on your reading genre you can create unique questions to aid memory and faster learning.
8. Make Inferences (and Predictions) Along The Way
Research by Robert Marzano (2010) states that inference is a foundational 21st-century skill for higher-order thinking.
So how do you make inferences in a book you’re reading?
Four words — ‘’read between the lines’. Inference involves drawing conclusions from what’s implied rather than stated directly. Put simply, you use what’s known to make a creative guess about what you don’t know.
Inference as a reading skill is about searching for clues in the text to figure out what’s being said from the context.
Then through your exemplary best judgment, you can land on what’s being suggested.
Whether your inferences turn out to be wrong or right, you start to glean value and construct meaning.
That just means you have to adjust your thinking as you read.
For example:
What’s not being said?
Based on these clues I think….?
Because of the way these characters act it means….
Spiral of knowledge (Source: Adapted from Nonaka and Takeuchi, 1997)
9. Seeing With Graphic Organizers
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” It’s true — many words can be conveyed in a single image. A graphic image has the power to distill big ideas into a bite-size visual. Like rote learning, graphic organizers can boost your reading understanding. Graphic images are often more suitable for expository or information type books.
It’s no surprise that presenting concepts and connections graphically helps you remember them. It helps draw your attention visually to various features in your book. With a little imagination, mind maps and tables work well because they help you understand, memorize, and learn faster.
Here are a few examples of graphic organizers:
Tree diagrams – categories and hierarchies
Tables – compare and contrast data
Time and cycle diagrams – order of events (biology, life, water cycle)
Flowcharts – steps of a process
The hierarchy of knowledge is another reading comprehension idea to consider. It’s about the relationship between data, information, knowledge, and wisdom. This becomes more important when you need to make a graphic organizer.
Prior to summarizing it’s helpful to do intelligent highlighting while reading. Decide beforehand how many key points you plan to memorize in the chapter. There’s rarely any need to do a total recall and try to memorize everything. That’s why proper goal setting helps you make a scope limit — it forces you to zoom in on the main ideas. Scott Young’s Ultralearning is great for more tips on this aspect of improving your reading missions.
Rereading can help to uncover any summary information that you mysteriously can’t remember. Like retelling, the process of summarizing condenses the main points into your own words. It’s like panning for gold. Once you’ve found some nuggets, you disregard the sand. Afterward, you can feel satisfied with a summarization mini-chapter.
Periodically, stop reading to contemplate on the main ideas in the text. This forces you to combine the key points into a clear outline. You could use new vocabulary as mental triggers when summarizing.
A good summary should paint an honest account of the big picture. The offshoot is that long passages appear less daunting.
‘’The more you share knowledge the more you memorize it. Share it, save it.’’
The process of sharing isn’t confined to your latest book. Try to practice making summaries of podcasts you listen to, informative videos you watch, or interesting conversations you have.
11. Memory Palace a Stairway To Heaven
The memory palace technique is a classical tool used in the ancient world. (Check out The Memory Code for the fullest possible depth of history.) It can boost understanding of books, since remembering information is a big part of why we read.
Begin with association. You associate each piece of information you want to memorize with parts of a location you’re very familiar with; usually, your house is a good start.
Since you know this location very well, you place items you wish to memorize along a linear route through your house.
These are mental constructs you build in your imagination.
When you want to recall the information, you go through your mental route, and the information will be easily accessible.
When you add surprise characters and features to your memory palace, it helps make your Memory Palace even more effective.
12. The Major Method — Where Numbers and Letters Collide
The Major Method is named after Major Beniowski. The earlier Major System (another term for it) was developed by Aimé Paris. He was world-renowned for his work in memorizing numbers. And thank goodness. His contributions have helped many thousands of people connect what we already know with what we don’t know.
Even with aphantasia, working with these techniques leads us to one incredible equation:
Exercising Your Memory = Improving Your Concentration = Better Reading Comprehension
The Major Method works by creating associations between numbers with sounds. Usually, a number is linked with a corresponding consonant like in this pattern below:
0 = soft c, s or z 1 = d, t 2 = n 3 = m 4 = r 5 = l 6 = ch, j or sh 7 = g, k 8 = f or v 9 = b or p
For example: to memorize the number 22 could be ‘nun’. Adult learners can use this sound-word association to memorize many numbers. All of this will come in super-handy when you know how to memorize a textbook.
Combined with a Memory Palace, you can use the Major to link numbers with other concepts you want to remember, like this:
A Memory Palace example showing the Major System combined with other mnemonic examples for remembering information.
13. Input-Output Lifestyle Choices
Lifestyle choices like taking care of diet, sleep, exercise, and meditation are often overlooked factors in reading (and learning in general).
Exercise: With people leading more sedentary lifestyles, health has never been as important. Regular physical exercise plays a big part in academic performance. A fertile mind enhances your creative energy.
Digital fasting: Mature learners are probably more adept at blocking out digital distractions. The aptly named smartphone is dumbing down our memory. Simply stepping away from devices can boost your focus and concentration powers. As a part-antidote to digital amnesia, reading leads to better brain health.
Diet: Our mind and body is a highly sophisticated organism. Yet some people live off processed artificial food and drink, and wonder why they’re ill so often. Eating more natural whole foods and avoiding refined sugars can help you become a higher performer.
Sleep: There is a good reason why airline pilots must get eight hours of uninterrupted sleep before flying. It leads to peak concentration and better overall performance.
Meditation: Meditation helps keep you on track with your vision. You can gain inner relaxation to keep you centered on what’s important. Whether it’s reading comprehension or memorizing numbers, meditation helps you to stay focused while everyone else falls by the wayside. It helps with visualization while reading too.
Remember that frustrating feeling when you couldn’t grasp that new book? Having to ‘rewind’ through pages and paragraphs to eke out some understanding? Instead of a dampened mood because you know you’re missing out on the valuable insight you need, reading comprehension strategies can help you race through the books you’ve always wanted to read.
It’s a fundamental skill that will serve as a tool to unlock any subject matter. You can truly leverage reading comprehension to achieve any goal like starting a business, passing exams, growing smarter, and contributing to brain health and concentration.
But you won’t make progress or increase your crystal and fluid intelligence without taking action. Pick one of the reading comprehension strategies in this post today, and start with full-on 20/20 vision to supercharge your reading comprehension skills.
And if your memory could use a boost along with your reading comprehension, register for my FREE Memory Improvement Kit and training videos:
Mental Strength Strategies: 16 Ways to Boost Resilience
Feb 05, 2020
Do you ever feel helpless? Like your brain is fuzzy and you just want to pull the covers over your head and leave life’s challenges for another day?
Or maybe you just want someone else to come along and tell you what to do, say, think, and feel.
If so, you’re not alone.
In fact, my mind used to be pathetic and weak. I endured so much suffering, with a mind that had no power, no individualism, and no ability to rise up to life’s challenges.
I constantly sought others to pick me up and guide me along. During this time period, I was in deep and profoundly painful “learned helplessness.”
I had no mental strength — because I had no mental strength strategies.
But there’s a happy ending to this story.
With hard work and determination, I pulled myself out of this helpless state. I created strategies that worked for me. And today, I’m sharing everything I learned so you can do the same.
Ready to build your mental stamina and become strong and resilient?
Let’s get started.
What Does Mental Strength Mean?
Before you can build mental strength, you have to understand what it is.
Mental strength is a state of uninterrupted focus you can use to get the best quality from the effort that you put into a task.
Basically, knowing how to build mental toughness begins with having a strategy in place. It means having a plan for when things don’t go the way you expected — and the resilience to bounce back in the face of challenges.
Let’s look at a few other ways you might have heard the term.
Other Terms for Mental Strength
Resilience — if you look into psychology studies you’ll find the term “resilience” comes from engineering. It means the ability to spring back into shape.
If you have a baseline level of performance and your focus gets interrupted, how quickly can you spring back into focus?
These interruptions can be of several different types:
• Food interruption. You’re hungry and wander into the kitchen looking for a snack. • Noise interruption. The phone rings or the neighbors are playing loud music again. • Shiny object interruption. Something new and much more fun grabs your attention.
I use the acronym U.S.S.R. to assess my focus. In this case, resilience means being able to get interrupted and “spring back into the shape” of Uninterrupted Silent Sustained Reading.
Mental Stamina — stamina is both a duration and a qualitative notion. It’s not just that your focus lasts for a certain amount of time, but also maintains a certain shape and level.
It’s essentially grit, a kind of toughness. And sticking with something over time and with a certain maintenance of a level.
You might need to start with shorter periods of time (for example, focusing for 15 minutes instead of an hour) and then extend the time frame as you get more comfortable.
Discernment and Decisiveness — how easy is it for you to make decisions? I use the acronym W.R.A.P. (from Decisive, by Dan and Chip Heath) as a tool to help me make decisions.
Widen your options
Reality test
Attain distance
Prepare to fail
Now you know what mental strength is, how do you get it?
Mental Toughness Training
You may wonder: can mental toughness be taught?
The answer is… of course, yes. But also no.
In the end, it’s up to you to teach yourself how to be mentally tough.
The Feynman Technique – a method that allows you to learn complex concepts easily by explaining them in simple language – can be used to develop self-resilience as well as how to study more effectively.
Mental fortitude can be learned, by learning how to teach yourself. Seek teachers who teach by abandonment — they will have either limited availability or the skill of asking you questions that cause self-reflection and self-analysis.
These teachers will help you fly on your own and rely on yourself.
For example, I always like James Swartz, who talks about how he approaches enabling students like this:
“Let’s get you in the door, and back out again, as soon as possible, because you’ve got it, you learned it, you’re ready to go.”
That’s the best possible kind of teaching.
Next, you will develop a testing mentality and be a scientist in the laboratory of life.
You’ll gather evidence that confirms or denies your hypotheses or propositions. You’ll test them through your own personal experience. And you’ll validate (or invalidate) them.
The more actively engaged you are as a scientist and the more you get feedback from what some call your inner, “wise advocate“, the more progress you can make toward building your mental resilience.
Now you know that mental strength can be taught… but what does mental toughness have to do with memorization?
Mental Toughness and Memorization
As well as mental toughness being “taught” it can also be “caught.”
You’ll memorize relevant information for extended reflection. It’s not so much about teaching or being taught, it’s about you then reflecting on what you’ve been taught.
A major strategy for how to build mental toughness is to set aside time to reflect — to journal, mind map, take notes, and sit with the information you’ve memorized. This allows you to take the journey from internal (in your head) to external (into the world for reflection).
You can reflect until you’re blue in the face, but that’s no way to succeed. You have to dive right in, even if you’re scared or worried. You have to let go of the outcome and take action.
But you can’t take action if you don’t have a plan. Now you’ll take the results of your extended reflection – that journaling and mind mapping – to create an action plan.
You might even try an unconventional means of doing this, such as using The Cosmic Journal.
However you arrive at creating one, follow your plan. Take the steps, test out your hypotheses, and see what works.
As you’re taking your scientific approach to building your mind muscles, is there a way to test your mental toughness?
How to Test Your Mental Strength
Are you ready to unlock your best mental energy?
This is a very powerful mental strength test that will help you analyze yourself using a series of questions.
Get out a piece of paper or a text document, and answer the following 8 questions. Then give yourself a score on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being your strongest, most confident answer.
And be honest with your answers, because that’s the only way to come out of this with a plan and a path toward positive change.
1. Do you have a strategy for the next 3-5 years?
If not, you probably don’t have the mental strength to get where you need to go.
For example, if you were to lose your job (or your main source of revenue) do you have a strategy to pivot and compensate? Rather than going into panic mode, do you know how you would proceed?
You don’t need to make a “Plan B” — instead, you need a strategy that already encompasses situations that are not in favor of your goals.
2. Can you relax during moments of tension?
This is what mental strength is all about. Relax, relax, relax, relax. You need to relax. I’ll say it again: you need to relax.
For example, when I did my field exams for my Ph.D. and my dissertation defense, these were moments of extreme tension. They were pass or fail — moments of decision that would reflect on the rest of my life. I spent years getting to those tests and if I didn’t pass them, those years would be for nothing.
The good news is, I had relaxation strategies that allowed me to relax even during these incredibly important moments.
The day I passed my dissertation defense, I’ll never forget Victor Vitanza (one of the external academics on my dissertation committee) telling me, “The only guy cooler than you is Miles Davis.” That’s how relaxed I was, even though one member of the committee kept trying to fail me.
And despite this level of tension, I was able to remain calm and relaxed throughout the entire process.
3. Does failure cause you to quit, or work harder?
There are certain mental escape hatches – reasonable, rational times to throw in the towel – but most people quit when they should just reassess and figure out how to work harder or do things differently.
Don’t quit when things get tough — because things will get tough.
You can fail and still win. A test of your resilience is the ability to show up anyway and try something different.
For example, there was a point at which I was very tempted to give up on my Ph.D. Instead, I pressed on by creating an effective mental model that allowed me to keep going.
I didn’t want to be “that guy” who gave up. I knew enough people who had ABD (all but dissertation), and I didn’t want that outcome.
Instead, I created this mental image of my personal Mount Everest. It was the sort of thing where you start to climb the mountain and you’ll either know what it’s like to get to the top, or not. I decided I’d prefer to see the view from the top and plant my flag there.
4. Are you in control of your emotions, or do they control you?
This doesn’t mean things like laughing until your sides hurt, or being swept up in joyful moments. In this case, what you’re looking at is being controlled by destructive emotions that cause you to break things — whether physical objects or relationships.
You might also consider those times when you’re too in control of your emotions. You might not be able to let your hair down, or laugh with joy, or tell someone you’re happy for them. Instead, you’re so clamped down and in scarcity mode, you can’t express anything.
So for this question, think about “control” in both ways. Are you not in control? Too controlling? Or somewhere in the middle?
5. Do you believe in yourself?
Do you believe you can make it, and that things will work out fine in the end?
You also need to cross-index this with a strategy, so it’s not a completely meaningless statement. The “self” should be a series of strategies you can believe in.
You might also ask, “Is there something in me that is worthy of belief?” And then do this test in a scientific way, by running experiments, setting goals, and seeing if you are able to accomplish them.
Another exercise you can do to help you determine your beliefs is to write out 10 things you believe in or about yourself, and another 10 things that you’re not sure of or you don’t believe.
6. Do you have a strategy for handling self-doubt?
Self-doubt is normal. The insular cortex of the brain guarantees you will have self-doubt, and you’ve got to have strategies for it.
So when you find yourself in a situation where you don’t believe in yourself, what do you do?
If you don’t have a strategy for handling self-doubt, there’s a high likelihood you won’t take action — and when you don’t take action, you don’t get the results you want.
One of my favorite strategies for handling self-doubt is self-inquiry. Another is having a community where I can poll other people about the things I’m unsure of. Most people have more resources than they realize but never tap into asking questions of others.
7. Can you stay focused during complicated situations?
To help you answer this question, do a mental inventory or memory test. Try to write down ten complicated situations you were in and how focused you were during those situations.
You might consider the different ways situations get complicated — look at different genres of situations, and what focus means in those particular situations.
What kinds of focus might you need in those different situations? And what kind of focus did you have in those situations?
8. Are you equipped with decision-making tools?
Finally, when you’re faced with a decision do you just make it, or do you go through a process first?
For example, if you were trying to listen to a podcast or training, or read a blog post, and people in the room were speaking loudly, what would you do? Do you have some decision-making tools that would make it possible for you to listen or read somewhere else — where there aren’t interruptions?
Or how about choosing a topic to focus on? Ultralearning has some great tools that will help you decide, and then stick with it along the extra mile.
Next, you’ll figure out your score.
Score Your Mental Strength Test
Go back through each of your answers and give yourself a score of 1 to 10, if you haven’t already.
1 = not really, I don’t do this 10 = yes absolutely, I always do this
Then, add up each of those scores and tabulate your total:
Wherever you land on the scale of mental strength mastery, let’s look at how to build mental toughness — to get you set up with strategies and a path forward.
How to Be Mentally Tough
One of the biggest keys to mental stamina is to take action!
The good news is, you’re already on the right track. By taking the mental strength test, you took a micro-step. That tiny action is important, because most people make big plans for change and their first step is so monumental they never get started.
The micro-step you just took is the first of many. The first step leads to the second, and the more steps you take the more you begin to transform and change the neurochemicals in your brain.
This leads to more action, and those small incremental changes lead to massive change in the long run.
And as part of your mental toughness training here today, you need to know your values and create a vision for success. So let’s get started.
Part of that vision requires strategies for being S.M.A.R.T.E.R. which means Serious, Mature, And Ready To Embrace Reality.
To get “smarter” you need a vision and a guiding star — you need to have some practical idea of how you’ll get where you want to go.
Let’s look at 16 powerful ways to cultivate mental resilience.
1. Know and Evaluate Your Values
Beyond just knowing your values, it’s important to evaluate and test them.
You also need to test that you actually want to get to that place… because many people create destinations and destinies they realize they don’t really want once they get there.
Maybe their parents or spouses (or even an earlier version of themselves) want it. And because of Primacy Effect in the mind or in their memories, they end up caught in a prison of previous desires that are no longer true.
But how do you create a vision statement to get you where you actually want to go?
Your vision statement can be as simple as saying, “in the next X number of years [whether it’s 2 or 3 or 10] my vision is to accomplish Y.”
But I would recommend digging a little bit deeper, so I created this video to help you do just that:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFz31HpVkj0
In that video, I share my vision statement for Magnetic Memory Method and for my own projects, as well as a few other examples to help you craft your own.
2. Seek Greatness
As you evaluate your values, create your definitions of greatness in a way that’s possible for you to achieve them.
When we think about “greatness” it’s often tempting to exaggerate and create a vision that’s outside our reach — because we think it has to be epic.
Instead, true greatness is achieving something because you set a goal based on your existing competence.
For example, what things have you achieved already, and how can you build on an existing strength? And then, how can you set the path for another level that’s possible for you to attain because you’ve based it on your existing strengths?
On the other hand, if you don’t currently have the competence necessary to achieve your goal (crystal and fluid intelligence), greatness would be achieving the competence that moves you toward that larger goal.
And do it based on your values — in this case, my value is actual accomplishment. Not deluding yourself that activity is somehow accomplishment, but actual accomplishment. And that’s much greater than constantly taking actions that lead nowhere.
3. Water, Weed, Repeat
When you think about your strategies, remember the body and mind work in cycles. For whatever reason, the mind gets tired and the weeds grow back.
It’s a cycle: you water your mental garden, pull out the weeds as they grow, and then do it all over again.
Some of the weeds might be negative thinking (or black-and-white thinking) — I find that no matter how much I practice, sometimes I still get negative thoughts. So you practice weeding them out, and while you’re weeding, water the really good thoughts and repeat, repeat, and repeat.
Another type of weed might be draining thoughts. What thoughts do you have that drain you of energy? It’s important to have tools and strategies to get rid of them as they show up, or to at least be able to chip away at them until they disappear.
One self-inquiry tool you can use to help your thought weeding is to ask, “How are these thoughts behaving?” This might be:
Out of scarcity,
Out of irrational fear, or
Out of tiredness or hunger.
In fact, you’re stronger than you think. It’s just that so many of your memory and mind muscles are being burned out by faulty application of your strength. So if you can get rid of that you’ll be much better off.
Finally, you want to identify and weed out comfort zone thinking. A lot of people stay in their comfort zones, and have a whole bunch of strategies for staying there.
But if you can step out of your comfort zone, even in small ways or a little at a time, you’ll have much more energy and focus for moving toward achieving your vision and goals.
4. Track Your Progress
Instead of just remembering all the things you did or didn’t do in any given time period, make a visual record that’s right in front of you. This gives you a tangible through-line.
I love to use a journal to track my progress. This journal can be simple, where you record what happened every day — like a Five Year Snapshot Journal. You might even mind map your days, to track where your time goes.
One powerful memory exercise is to take this journal and go back to last year’s pages. Cover up a specific day’s entry and say, “What do I think happened a year ago?” — whether you get it right or wrong doesn’t matter. Just doing the exercise is a great mental stretch.
What I’ve really enjoyed about The Mastery Journal is it really breaks down and has space for tracking multiple habits and daily missions. You have a place to write out your morning routine and check off that you did it. You can score yourself every day, and at the end of the week it helps you chart out your progress.
This manual charting integrates your muscles and gets more of your brain involved.
But please note: assistance can help, but it might also hinder your progress. The reality is, you want to use assisted tracking long enough for it to become a habit, and then you no longer need to use it.
This is because of procedural memory. You develop strong habits and your brain changes — it develops chemicals like dopamine, myelin, norepinephrine, and other opioid receptors. It creates a physical memory that causes you to take action, almost like going on autopilot.
I highly recommend using my tutorial for The Freedom Journalfirst and then moving on to The Mastery Journal. By the time you finish both of them, you’ll have the necessary skills on autopilot so you can move forward without any kind of assisted tracking. For even more on journaling, check out James Clear on developing “Atomic Habits.”
5. Accept Mistakes
A lot of people get hung up thinking they don’t ever want to make a mistake.
In fact, you do want to make mistakes. You want to make as many as possible — because if you don’t, then you can’t learn from them.
You can also mine your memory for past mistakes to learn from. A great memory exercise is to reflect on errors you felt you made in the past: why you think you made it, and the lessons you can learn from it.
Going back and learning from past mistakes also helps you gradually explore discomfort. Many people don’t want to feel uncomfortable, but that’s where growth occurs. That’s where we make progress. That’s where we stretch, when we’re outside our comfort zones.
Of course, if you have any mental health issues, please be sure to talk to your doctor about the best way to revisit those memories, and have a strategy in place for how to do this safely.
And Memory Palaces can be a tool to help with depression. Tim Dalgleish has done tons of research on this topic (and on PTSD), and has shown that if you have a memory palace filled with positive memories, you can get great peace from dissolving them.
So if you have good memories on hand you can neutralize bad ones. You can also neutralize the bad situations in everyday life when you’re distressed.
To deal with everyday life, it’s helpful to have a strategy that helps you embrace mistakes, and to have good memories in place to help you counteract any mood dips or frustrations.
6. Embrace Discomfort
You need a strategy to push forward into challenge and discomfort in a way that’s not reckless — one based on real science and discernment.
The science of living is quite simple: to have the mental strength to get rid of self-delusion, and to filter out anything that’s not true so your data is good and true and solid. You also have multiple lenses through which to view your experience, and you know when to change the lens to get a new perspective.
This way of looking at your life allows you to use your data in a multi-faceted way so it gives you the highest possible amount of knowledge.
One of the techniques I absolutely love for embracing discomfort is taking cold showers.
I’ve found that taking a cold shower every day helped break down a lot of habits I had around discomfort — because getting into a cold shower requires something really powerful, which is developing your mental toughness.
It’s also a transferable skill that helps your clothed body get things done. It helps you just get things over with because you’re so good at embracing discomfort.
One of the key things you learn when you regularly take cold showers is the pain of the cold is an illusion created in your mind. It feels cold, much colder than it really is. And no matter how many times you expose yourself, it never gets any warmer.
But when you take cold showers, you get acquainted with your resistance and develop strategies to get over that resistance.
The other thing I like about cold showers is the clarity in thinking it creates. It sharpens the edges, and you feel more alert and capable.
There are other ways to embrace discomfort if you don’t want to get into an icy cold shower:
If you don’t like giving talks, arrange a speaking engagement.
If you’re painfully shy, decide to go out and meet someone new.
If your daily schedule is stuck in a rut, make it a point to do something different tomorrow.
Whatever your method, switch things up and challenge yourself.
7. Build Character
There are a number of different ways you can build character, and avenues through which to make the change.
Physical — Engage in sports and fitness. Commit to a schedule for going to the gym, and stick to it. Join a recreational sports team. Or pick a sport like table tennis or billiards and spend a certain number of hours per week playing.
Social — Travel and engage in cross-cultural experiences. Get yourself invited to a dinner with people from many different cultures. Travel to a new country. Immerse yourself in new experiences to expand your field of reference.
Work and Volunteer — Volunteer your time to help a cause or an organization you believe in. Start a business, and learn the ins and outs of running a company (even something as simple as taking care of yards in your neighborhood).
Politics — Tackle a topic you dislike. There are a lot of people who are on one side of the political spectrum who could build a lot of character by learning more about the other side. And then, if you really want to build more character, learn about the center. Really understand the political spectrum, and get out of your comfort zone.
Teach — The more you teach, the more you learn what you already know. You also build character by seeing how others perceive information, and how the display of information affects others. You also learn to pivot and do things differently, in real-time.
8. Craft Your Moral Compass
Don’t just think about your morals — also write them down, dig into them, and read about what you think you believe.
I highly recommend reading something like Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. There are many ethics texts you can read, but I think about this one, in particular, because it has a wonderful chapter on friendship. I think all of us could stand to be better friends to other people, and develop deeper friendships.
Often the reason why we don’t behave correctly around other people is because we never have thought about it in terms of our moral compass — and we don’t have strategies for dealing with other people.
Sartre had that famous line that “Hell is other people,” and certainly, if you’re lacking a moral compass, they will be. But if you have a proper moral compass then you have strategies for dealing with whatever challenges other people bring into your life.
Having a strong moral compass that keeps you responsible for your behavior without blaming others is part of having mental strength.
9. Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is something you can easily express in your daily journaling — there’s a lot of scientific research about why gratitude is good for you, and the neurochemicals involved.
Make sure to put what you’re thankful for down in writing, ideally every day (more than once a day, if you can). Actively get it out, whether through journaling or mind mapping.
But also be grateful in person. Tell other people you’re grateful for them, and teach your children to do the same.
Every day be grateful for others and be grateful for what you have. Be grateful that you are you. Gratitude is very important.
10. Remind Yourself of Your Responsibility
No one else is responsible for your results in life. When things go wrong, look in the mirror. When things go right… look in the mirror.
Other people will usually be involved as well, but you have to remind yourself that you have ultimate responsibility.
Having a vision statement is a huge part of reminding yourself that you (and you alone) are responsible for making things happen. So revisit your vision statement.
You also want to have a treasure map. You can check that out in that vision statement replay, where I share one of mine.
11. Follow Through
When you start an online course, finish the whole thing. When you want to learn something in a real and meaningful way, invest in a course or a teacher.
So many people tell me, “Oh, I’d never take your course on your site because I can’t imagine there’s anything there that isn’t on the free channel.” This is so far from the case.
Deep learning requires curation. You need courses that are designed and built from beginning to end, and you need to complete them from beginning to end. So many people try to learn by watching videos, and go down the rabbit hole of suggested video, suggested video, scan, scan, suggested video…
When you do this, you get chewed up by the machine, shown ads all the time, and don’t really learn anything in a meaningful (and sticky) way.
Believe me, I would love to just sit there and watch whatever recommended videos all day long because it’s pleasing — it’s a dopamine spike.
Instead, be thorough and complete courses in full, from beginning to end. When there are exercises, complete those exercises. If you need assistance with this, I created a resource to give you simple guidelines for completing and benefiting from any memory course you take.
Instead of just grazing on information and videos, getting stuck in hunter-gatherer learning syndrome, commit to fully engaging. Be thorough and complete things.
12. Regulate Your Emotions
Neediness is the opposite of mental strength.
Pure and true mental strength comes when you’re detached from the need for a particular outcome. When things don’t work out the way you wanted, you find stillness, calm, and focus.
Whether the label is good, bad, right, or wrong, up, down, left, right… your response can be, “Huh, that’s very interesting,” and just be peaceful about it, because all of the things that are happening appear in awareness, but they are not you.
There’s the mental way to do it, which is the spirit of experimentation we talked about — being a real scientist who doesn’t get emotionally involved in the outcomes of things, but instead you become analytic of them.
You need strategies to prevent yourself from getting emotionally tied up in things, strategies for “managed emotions.” This is past tense because you want a strategy to manage emotions as quickly as possible. In the past means behind you as soon as you can.
Instead, be the boat in the ocean, the captain of the boat. Because “If you don’t become the ocean,” as Leonard Cohen said, “you will be seasick every day.”
13. Take Care of Your Physical Health
Your body plays an incredibly important part in keeping your mind strong.
There are a number of different ways you can keep your body healthy, but for today we’ll focus on a few of the most important.
Nutrition — Make sure your diet is proper, and go deep and granular. A huge part of the emotional problems people encounter are related to toxins in their diet. And no matter what some of the nutrition gurus out there might tell you, you are the only one who can teach yourself to weed them out.
If your diet is proper for you you’ll be much more mentally flexible. You’ll be much more relaxed because your body isn’t fighting to get rid of toxins. You’re not wasting strength on things that are unhealthy for you.
Sleep and Meditation — If you’ve been around the Magnetic Memory Method community for any time at all, you’ll know how important I believe meditation and relaxation are for the body and mind.
Focusing on all three of these aspects of mental strength is important for helping you regulate your emotions.
14. Be Flexible
Mental flexibility is one of the key indicators of your mental strength.
One of the best ways to exercise your brain flexibility is through self-inquiry. Ask yourself, “How do my thoughts behave? Are they useful?” And when thoughts come to mind or emotions arise, ask, “To whom is this emotion happening?”
When you ask these questions, you begin to realize the difference between the physical body and your awareness of what’s happening to the physical body.
And the more you cultivate this awareness, the more mental strength you have to discern what’s happening in the physical body as opposed to happening to you.
This is sort of a Bruce Lee “Be water, my friend,” strategy where you want to be like the grass that can bend.
For example: wind can destroy brick walls. Wind can take a tree and cause the tree to crash into a brick wall. But if you’re grass and you just bend, maybe that tree will land on you for a while, but when you push the tree away the grass will spring up. Or, the wind will blow the grass very hard, but after the wind is gone the grass will spring up.
So be water, my friend. Be flexible and you’ll definitely be much better off.
15. “Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway”
Whether it’s the book by this title, written by Dr. Susan Jeffers, or just a statement to help you jumpstart your path to mental resilience, let’s look at what working through fear means.
First, ask yourself, “how will I be able to ___ without ___?” Fill in the blanks with whatever part of your vision statement you want to achieve and the fears that arise around accomplishing that goal or vision.
Look at the emotion that arises, and then do it anyway. See what happens. Just try it.
And if you’re feeling particularly fearful about the outcome, you might try a digital fast. People often find a tremendous detachment and a lot of peace when they purposefully disconnect from the digital world and from social media.
16. Practice, Practice, Practice
Finally, constant practice neutralizes ignorance as an acid neutralizes a base, which purifies you to be constantly focused on the now.
This practice helps you gain mental strength and guarantees that you continue to actively participate in your mental fortitude training.
It’s very important, if you’re going to get anywhere, to have that constant self-inventory and to keep practicing.
Next, let’s look at the books I recommend for building mental stamina. To remember more from them, please make sure you know how to memorize a textbook.
How to Be Mentally Tough: Book Recommendations
Along with investing in online courses, you can also pick up a number of great books about how to build mental toughness.
Here are some of my favorites.
Decisive — Dan & Chip Heath
A lot of what I’ve learned about mental strength has come from this book.
I highly recommend this book because it gives you tools for mental resilience by giving you a simple formula for making better decisions. I have gotten quite a bit of benefit from using the W.R.A.P. technique (included above).
Out of this entire list, this is one of my favorites. It’s all about escaping self-delusion and developing mental tools that free you from it.
This book gives you a lot of cognitive biases, and helps you think through why we come to the false conclusions we do (and why our brain forces us to). Humans often waste energy because we think in particular ways that simply do not reflect the way reality is.
For example, if you often think people are judging you or monitoring you, the reality is that most people have forgotten what we did within moments. So instead of worrying about what other people think, you’re free to move on with your life.
You Are Not So Smart is full of strategies and tips to help you overcome this type of thinking.
Happiness Beyond Thought & Evolving Beyond Thought — Gary Weber
Gary Weber wrote two books I would recommend for building mental strength.
Happiness Beyond Thought will teach you self-inquiry, as well as tools to help you separate your monkey mind from your physical body — and showing you where in space your mind actually takes place.
I made it my project to memorize everything Gary says to memorize in the book, and it truly did lead to a place of having no thoughts, which is exquisite. I never thought it was possible, but I made it happen.
And the follow-up book is Evolving Beyond Thought. This book is also very powerful. And I recommend his YouTube channel as well, as a supplement to the two books.
This book teaches you how to be in the now — you need tools and strategies for being in the now. I would recommend reading this book once a year, to remind yourself of the power of being present.
And there’s only one criticism I’ve ever had of this book, and it’s not even worth mentioning. Other than that, this is gold. Pure gold. So make sure you’ve read this book, and read it frequently.
This book may be a challenge for a lot of people, but challenge is good. It helps us grow.
The Direct Path is filled with exercises that will really stretch your brain and give you strategies for dealing with stress in life. You’ll be able to frame challenges and stress in a different light and recognize the problems that occur.
Pay attention to each and every law of mind mapping that Tony writes about in this book. This is a very good book. It’s no nonsense.
Reading it absolutely changed everything for me — and I learned mind mapping from Tony Buzan directly shortly before this book came out so I could fortify all of his suggestions.
There are a lot of colorful example memory places in it. It’s an absolutely beautiful book. I’m so sad that we lost Tony Buzan, but I’m doing all I can to help promote his stuff even after the fact.
And he touched me very deeply, as you can imagine, and you probably heard the story about this, especially if you’ve read Joshua Foer’s Moonwalking with Einstein.
Rest, Why You Get More Done When You Work Less — Alex Soojun-Kim Pang
This is my favorite book of 2018 and 2019. The book is fantastic for developing mental strength strategies — some of them are counterintuitive. One of the main ones I like is taking a walk in silence as a daily strategy. No apps, no podcasts, no music. Just walking.
Sometimes I will walk and listen to audiobooks, which is good – there’s nothing wrong with that – but it is very, very powerful to switch off diffuse thinking. Don’t try to think about anything. You’re walking just to walk. And you’ll be amazed by the problems you solve and the aha moments you have.
And there are other ideas I found really powerful here, such as allowing yourself to use your skills in a different context as a form of rest. For example, I write a lot of nonfiction, but spending time writing fiction is rest, because I’m still using my skills, but I’m using them in a different context.
I recommend this book because it gives you some tools for developing mental resilience and strength strategies — continuing to show up, not getting caught in the outcomes, and having a deep understanding of the larger game (the game inside the game). To treat life as an art.
This was my favorite podcast of 2019. Nir really gave a masterclass, and I hope that you’ll get his book and listen to that episode on the podcast, because I was amazed how much he was able to share in such a short period of time.
This book is an absolutely incredible read. And I want you to consider getting the print version. The back of the physical book includes a physical device that enables you to be “indistractable.”
It also has great strategies for being able to find an appropriate balance with digital technology. The book gave me ideas for how to integrate things like Instagram into my existence without being distracted by it.
And anybody who’s followed the Magnetic Memory Method project for any amount of time knows that even though I am very concerned about digital amnesia and I digital fast, the book taught me ways to get a lot out of short amounts of time on digital platforms.
For example, in the Chinese learning community, there’s a lot of fun there to be had. But I limit myself to small doses once a day. I’ve been able to enjoy something and to build a bit of a community there, without negative consequences at all.
This book can help you with all kinds of distractions in life in a very reasonable way. So please consider reading the book and listening to the interview.
A Question of Memory — David Berglas & Guy Lyon Playfair
This is probably my favorite memory book of all time. It’s out of print so it can be hard to find a copy, but it’s worth the effort. You might try places like Vanishing Magic or eBay.
This book is all about turning memory into a mental strength. It’s a very practical and reasonable approach.
I would recommend that you understand the value of definitions and how he defines memory as not a unitary mechanism but a behavior. And then asks, “What is that behavior? How are you going to execute it? and What should be your science around it, really?”
This is a very powerful book full of mental strategies and some cool exercises that can help you learn the memory techniques from an acknowledged master of memory, who used them in some very difficult situations, which is the realm of performing mentalism and magic.
Now you know how to be mentally strong, but what are some specific ways to put these ideas into practice?
Mental Toughness Workouts
Ultimately, what you need to do is perform some mental toughness workouts.
If you really want to grow your mental strength, you need strategies that grow with you over time. So let’s look at 4 different mental toughness workouts you can incorporate into your mental training.
Life Purpose and Self Esteem Vision Statements
Our first workout is to develop vision statements for control over your life purpose and to grow your self-esteem.
What could grow your self-esteem more than being a person who has a vision for your life (that you regularly revisit)?
It’s an instant self-esteem booster to have a vision and to be able to share your vision with others. You might even help other people to develop their own life visions.
Then your self-esteem grows (again) because you shared the importance of having a vision, and you shared your vision and the things you’re doing around it, and then you grow others as you grow yourself.
Meditate and Take Cold Showers
Meditation and cold showers are great mental workouts to help you commit to crushing simple daily goals.
Both cold showers and meditation are micro-actions that help keep your mental muscles strong. Cold showers in particular help show you how your mind can stop you from doing a very simple thing (that’s non-threatening in every way yet feels super threatening).
The more you dive into the practice, you find that your mind is your worst enemy — and it’s an obstacle you can develop resilient tools to help you push through.
And having a daily meditation practice is a workout in much the same way: showing up every day, whether or not your brain “wants” to sit and be quiet and focused. I would recommend meditating with tools in some of the books listed above (for example, Weber’s Happiness Beyond Thought and Evolving Beyond Thought).
Fitness for Percolation and Diffuse Thinking
Fitness training is another great workout as you’re building your mental muscles. Having a strong physical body helps the mind to be strong.
So go for walks every day. Go to the gym three days a week, or find a way to work out that doesn’t involve the gym.
Get moving and allow your mind to just run. You’ll be amazed by how your thoughts just sort of dispel and how all the tension of thinking and overthinking breaks apart, and then these beautiful new ideas emerge.
Memory Training
And finally, the ultimate mental toughness workout is memory training.
Train for challenge and that will help make you more driven. It will help make you more adaptable when you can remember things in real-time, and it’ll help make you more capable of remembering your commitments.
You build your mental strength over time when you show up consistently. And by maintaining this consistent practice you’re able to maintain that mental strength.
Everything in the brain is like a garden — the more you water it the more robust it is. But you have to remember to water it regularly.
Memory can be hard work… or it can be simple, by using the tools and techniques in this post (like journaling, revisiting your skills, and getting to the point where your memory work is on autopilot).
So are you ready to take your mental toughness training to the next level?
Become a Mental Strength Master
Remember that weak, untrained brain at the beginning of the post? The one that just wanted to pull the covers up and ignore life? The one that just wanted someone else to make all the decisions?
It’s time to kick that brain to the curb, and build your mental muscles.
Take the mental strength test, pick one of the strategies in this post, and get started. Remember, nothing good happens without action. Then once you’ve mastered that single strategy come back and pick a new one. Rinse and repeat!
And if you want to start your mental strength training with memory training, you can pick up my free Memory Improvement Kit. Being able to focus on and memorize any information on the fly is the true mark of mental toughness.
How to Improve Crystallized Intelligence: 10 Simple Steps
Jan 15, 2020
If you want to know how to improve crystallized intelligence, you definitely can do that.
In fact, I’m going to share five simple steps to walk you through giving this specific type of intelligence a boost.
But it’s important to first make sure you understand what crystallized intelligence is and how it interacts with fluid intelligence.
To get started on understanding the tricky nature of the difference, imagine the following dialogue:
Jane: “Did you hear Jonas’ speech? He spoke so well! Expressive and kept the audience enthralled. Very intelligent!”
Amanda: “Yeah, he was great! Creative, definitely! But intelligent?”
Jane: “It’s the same. You don’t need to be a mathematician or scientist to be intelligent.”
Is Jane right?
And what does she mean by intelligence? Is she talking about fluid intelligence, crystal intelligence, or both?
Let’s delve into these two types of intelligence (Fluid Intelligence and Crystallized Intelligence). Once you know how they work together, you’ll learn how to improve your crystallized intelligence in just 5 steps.
And later I’ll give you an additional 5 steps so you can also boost your fluid intelligence at the same time.
With all of this is mind, here’s what you’ll discover on this page:
Many of the world’s most ‘intelligent’ scientists, researchers, and psychologists have been debating ad infinitum over a standard definition of intelligence.
For our understanding, intelligence is your ability to learn new information and use that knowledge to identify and solve problems.
You are deemed intelligent (read: smart) if you can use logic, reasoning, quick thinking, and planning to conduct daily activities effectively.
Yes. Intelligence is subdivided into two distinct types — fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence. They also go by the nicknames of gf and gc, where “g” stands for general intelligence.
The theory of fluid and crystal intelligence was first proposed by psychologist Raymond Cattell in 1963. He referred to the ability to reason as fluid intelligence, and the capacity to acquire knowledge as crystallized intelligence.
The concept was further developed by his student, John L. Horn, in the 1970s and 1980s. Their findings came to be known as the Cattell-Horn Theory of Intelligence.
The natural intelligence displayed by humans is very different from artificial intelligence (AI), which is intelligence demonstrated by machines. Our intelligence also differs in its cognitive capabilities from that demonstrated by open-source intelligence, which uses information collected from publicly available data sources. That’s not to mention our intelligence for developing concentration and memory through meditation.
A Fun Definition of Fluid Intelligence
Once, at a Paris hotel, my shower wasn’t working. I had checked in late at night, so there was no possibility of calling the plumber.
But I did manage to take a quick bath.
I used the Indian bucket bath method: where instead of a bucket and jug, I filled the drinking glass with water from the tap to pour over my body.
Genius, or what?
It was my fluid intelligence hard at work to come up with a novel solution to a unique problem.
Fluid intelligence is your ability to analyze, reason, and think out-of-the-box to find original solutions to new problems.
Your fluid intelligence uses logic in new situations or tasks, recognizes patterns, and incorporates abstract reasoning towards problem-solving.
Often, fluid intelligence is used when you solve math problems or jigsaw puzzles. You also use fluid intelligence when you start plucking on a guitar without prior training.
Your fluid intelligence does not depend on previously acquired knowledge. A person who is ‘street smart’ uses his fluid intelligence very effectively.
Fluid intelligence depends on your working memory, which is stored in the prefrontal cortex of your brain. It is governed by the anterior cingulate cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex — regions of the brain responsible for attention and short-term memory.
Develop strategies or a game plan to solve problems,
Think outside the box when solving problems, or
Eliminate unwanted information when you conduct research.
There is bad news, though.
Fluid intelligence starts to decline with age, sometimes even as early as your 20s or young adulthood. Therefore, cognitive functions in elderly people may be reduced.
However, there are ways to keep it sharper and stronger even as you age. (We’ll come to that soon!)
Next, let’s look at crystal intelligence.
How to Improve Crystallized Intelligence
First things first, let’s define this term:
Crystal intelligence or crystallized intelligence is your ability to use knowledge and information previously learned over the years.
This type of intelligence is what you acquire through education and experience. Crystal intelligence gets cemented in the hippocampus, neocortex, and amygdala — parts of the brain that store and use long-term memories.
You use crystal intelligence when you do long division, or learn a new language. These tasks also require focused attention.
Ultimately, these terms are measurable. You can literally test and measure it through your grasp of vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and your competence in quizzes and game shows.
Both internal and external factors impact the development of crystallized intelligence.
Internal factors include your innate curiosity and motivation to learn new things. External factors are the surroundings that you grew up in — your family, educational institutions, and society in general.
Examples of Crystallized Intelligence
Crystal intellect is at work when you:
Answer questions related to history or geography in a quiz. (For example, when did Columbus first arrive in America?)
Learn and speak different languages.
Know the exact ingredients used to prepare your favorite dishes.
Remember the demographic statistics of a country you’re reading about.
The good news is: since crystal intelligence relies on the accumulation of knowledge, it is usually maintained with age. It peaks and declines much later in life as compared to fluid intelligence.
Interestingly, research shows that elderly people are valuable as workers as they make up for a decline in fluid intelligence with crystallized intelligence.
Cautionary note: While stronger intelligence may give you a head start in life, it may not prevent you from being affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Now let’s look at seven specific ways you can improve crystallized intelligence.
One: Engage in Constant Learning
One reason people fail to develop any kind of intelligence is that they fall into stasis.
That’s why for years I’ve tried to inspire people by sharing one of my favorite personal mantras: “Stop stopping.”
In addition to getting rusty if you don’t practice continual learning, this scientific study shows that crystallized intelligence is higher for older adults, especially those who continually learn new things.
You might even consider practicing polymathy. That’s what I’ve done for decades and it has helped me continually learn new things to positive effect.
Two: Specialize in Particular Topics
Although you want to rotate through as many learning projects as possible, focus is also important.
As this study shows, people who specialize ultimately become much more knowledgable in multiple domains.
I have a PhD in Humanities, which means that I did a lot of interdisciplinary study. But not at the expense of specializing in what the “Humanities” are at their core.
Three: Practice What You Learn
One problem many people face when developing their intelligence is what I think of as a “hunter/gatherer” issue.
The Internet has turned seeking and gathering information into a kind of sport. But far too often, this happens at the expense of actually implementing the ideas and knowledge people discover.
As we’ve seen before with continual learning, these scientists have discovered that the earlier you start practicing what you’ve discovered, the more likely your intelligence will develop in these areas.
I can share a personal anecdote around this: When I was in grade four, computers were quite new in Canadian classrooms.
Back then, I had behavorial problems, so the teacher would put me in front of the only computer in the classroom. I learned to type and wrote many stories.
I’ve practiced writing ever since, and this skill has become my career. It was central to my PhD and many millions of people have read this blog, or watched my YouTube videos, most of which are written first.
As a result, if I’m asked to write an article for another publication, I’m able to produce quality writing quickly.
That’s the power of practice.
Four: Enrich Your Cultural Knowledge
We all know that it’s valuable to speak at least one other language. But as this study shows, bilingualism also improves your ability to correct yourself when you make mistakes.
Another study shows that self-control increases in individuals who speak more than one tongue.
And it probably goes without saying that reading will make you smarter, especially if you can immerse yourself in at least one other culture through their language.
So, if you want to outperform yourself and others, learn another language and read books from the culture of that language. Your future self will thank you for it.
In order to exercise this type of memory, it is essential to speak with other people frequently. As this study shows, your ability to perceive everything from time and complexity in the world stem from the exercise your brain gets while socializing.
I remember Tony Buzan mentioning something similar to me when he discussed how he was influenced by the theory of multiple intelligences.
In fact, he hints at what you can do if you’re not able to socialize: Read widely and mind map about the content.
These days, on social media, you can easily post your mind maps. Although this kind of socializing isn’t quite the same, it’s better than nothing.
Now that you have all these tips under your belt, you might be wondering: Do crystal and fluid intelligence work together in any specific way?
Can Fluid and Crystallized Intelligence Work Together?
Turns out, fluid and crystallized intelligence are great team players.
For example, when you DIY a table, you use the woodworking skills your dad taught you years ago. This is your crystal intelligence. You figure out which raw materials to use, which tools to use, and how to follow a detailed design.
You also use fluid intelligence to reason and find solutions to any hurdles you face — for example, maybe a certain tool is not available and you need to find a substitute.
This solution is then transferred to long-term memory and becomes part of your crystal intelligence. If you face the same problem in the distant future, the solution would be retrieved from your long term crystal memory.
Use of Fluid and Crystal Intelligence When Cooking
Here’s another example of the interwovenness of fluid and crystallized intelligence:
When you cook a meal, which actually provides a decent brain workout), you utilize your crystallized intelligence to understand and follow the recipe. However, if you modify the spices or find substitutes for some ingredients according to your tastes and dietary requirements, you are utilizing your fluid intelligence.
These forms of intelligence seem quite different, but is one more important than the other?
Is Fluid Intelligence More Important Than Crystallized?
Not at all.
Both types of intelligence are equally important to function well in everyday life.
As I discussed earlier, fluid intelligence is directly related to being creative and innovative (i.e., your street smarts). Crystal intelligence, on the other hand, relies on being book smart.
However, today’s education system and our dependence on technology may deprive our brain of developing its natural aptitude for creative problem-solving.
Educational institutes even resort to the Wechsler Intelligence Test or other IQ tests to determine the cognitive skills in students based only on crystal intelligence. Many cognitive training tasks also give more importance to developing crystallized intelligence.
However, I believe the goal should be to strengthen your overall intelligence — be it crystal or fluid.
Crystal intelligence is closely linked to long-term memories. Fluid intelligence is, however, associated with short-term memory or working memory.
Research says that if working memory is deficient, the ability to acquire knowledge and related skills will be limited. A study by Susan Gathercole and Tracy Alloway showed that “working memory functions as a bottleneck for learning in individual learning episodes required to improve knowledge.”
But what does that mean?
In simple terms: you need to develop your fluid intelligence to enable your crystal intelligence to work well!
Let’s look at how you can do just that.
5 More Ways to Sharpen Your Fluid and Crystallized Intelligence
Here are five great ways to improve both types of intelligence.
Six: Create Memory Palaces
When you build memory palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method, you are using both fluid and crystal intelligence in ways that enable you to improve them.
The Magnetic Memory Method Memory Palace is a powerful way to train the brain regions that govern your fluid and crystal intelligence.
Plus, any time you can combine intelligence and memory strengthening, you get holistic improvement of all levels of memory. You can move short-term memory into long-term memory faster (and permanently) with a minimum amount of practice.
Seven: Get Creative
It is believed that to be creative, you don’t have to come up with original ideas all the time. You’re creative just by finding new connections between existing ideas.
This could be as simple as finding a new route to go to work, starting new eating habits, or adding new ingredients to a pasta recipe you’ve stuck to for years.
Or, if you’re an artist, simply abandon your tools for a while and wander outside or travel to a new place. Inspiration for your next masterpiece may strike you from unexpected places.
And sometimes constraints fuel creativity, so set yourself time and space limits to complete a project.
Eight: Challenge Your Brain
Technology has made everyday life so easy for all of us — so switching off is a great way to challenge your brain.
Remember the saying “use it or lose it” and unplug from your devices every once in a while. For instance, navigate to a new landmark in your city without a GPS.
Seeking new experiences, learning new skills, and staying busy with hobbies and people are great ways to keep your fluid and crystal intelligence sharp.
You might also learn a new language, watch a new genre of movies, play memory games, read on a topic that is alien to you, or just try using your non-dominant hand for a few everyday activities.
Nine: Meditate Regularly
Mindfulness meditation is a way to engage new neural pathways in your brain. Research has proven that this neurostimulation can transform your body and brain positively.
This form of active brain training can improve your focused attention, long term retention and recall, and your working memory capacity, which are all important aspects of your fluid and crystallized intelligence.
10: Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Want to get a sharper memory? Get more sleep.
As counterintuitive as this may sound, sleep can sharpen your intellect. In fact, sleep is one of nature’s most ignored memory-boosters.
If you’re well-rested, you stay alert and attentive throughout the day. Being well-rested positively affects your ability to retain more and learn new things like riding a car or learning a new language.
Memory science is important and worth reading, but you are the ultimate scientist in the laboratory of your own memory and intelligence.
Why not get cracking at a new intelligence-boosting experiment with me today? Register for my free course, and I’ll send you my free memory improvement worksheets and videos:
Simon Luisi On Expanding The Major System In Your Memory Castle
Jan 09, 2020
Simon Luisi is a memory enthusiast who has helped organize memory competitions in Canada.
There are the type of events where memory athletes work at completing seemingly impossible feats like memorizing 130 random words in a minute.
Or how about 1170 binary digits memorized in five minutes?
It seems impossible.
Yet, most memory competitors will tell you that they have completely normal minds.
Often, they’ll also admit that they have terrible memory skills.
Except when they’re using memory techniques.
I have been reporting on the world of memory competitions for over fourteen years now.
I’m also a student of memory science and a practitioner of memory techniques myself.
That’s why it was a delight to sit down with Simon for this detailed discussion of memory techniques and how memory competitions encourage more and more people around the world to explore the world of mnemonics.
Who Is Simon Luisi?
Simon does a lot more than jsut serve as the chairperson of the Canadian Memory Championships. He is aalso a keynote speaker on memory and inventor of the directional memory method for card memorization.
As if that weren’t enough, he is also a Gold Award winner for Toastmasters and a chess enthusiast.
Pictured above, you’ll see James Gerwing who won the 2019 competition. Simon is behind him to the right. (James took the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass and you can hear us discussing his win on this episode.)
Simon and I discuss the skills necessary for memory competition, how they can improve your day-to-day as a lifelong learner, and why a personal memory training routine is necessary for any kind of personal development in memory arts.
If you know that a one-size-fits-all practice isn’t for you…if you’ve tried other techniques and failed because they were too rigid…or you just didn’t know where to begin…
If you want to break into the world of memory competitions, but believed those athletes to be “way out of your league”…
Or you just want to understand the hype and what the Major Method’s all about…
This podcast is for you.
All you have to do is press play down below to listen in on:
Why Simon prefers the term Memory Castle to Memory Palace, what’s the difference, and which one you should use
What’s required (or not) to participate in memory competitions (it’s easier than you may have been led to believe!)
Which memory disciplines to devote daily practice to to become a champion of memory…even if you don’t ever compete
How memory competitions can be revamped in order to give a real challenge
Simon’s tweak to the Major System that revolutionized his practice (and it can do the same for you and might be interesting, even if you’re using the Dominic System!)
Why customization and self-leadership in memory systems is important
In brief, they are mental representations or images of the layout of one’s physical environment. That spatial representation can include the exact specifics of a location and the general area of a location.
As we interact with our surroundings, we interpret and encode them into mental maps or nodes of knowledge. We then use these mental maps or spatial information to travel to our favourite restaurant, nearest hospital or just get to the office.
Edward Tolman coined the term “cognitive maps” in 1948.
Coined in the 1940s by American psychologist Edward Tolman, cognitive maps are an internal spatial representation or mental model of the landscape in which we travel.
The term and the concept were introduced by Tolman in an article in the journal Psychological Review in 1948.
Cognitive maps are also known as mental maps, mind maps, schemata, and frames of reference. They are a small part of a person’s spatial cognition.
The branch of cognitive psychology that studies how you gain and utilize knowledge about your environment to identify where you are, how to obtain resources, and how to find your way home is known as spatial cognition.
“The cognitive (or mental) map includes knowledge of landmarks, route connections, and distance and direction relations; nonspatial attributes and emotional associations are stored as well.
However, in many ways, the cognitive map is not like a cartographic ‘map in the head.’ It is not a unitary integrated representation, but consists of stored discrete pieces including landmarks, route segments, and regions. The separate pieces are partially linked or associated frequently so as to represent hierarchies such as the location of a place inside of a larger region.”
Importance of Cognitive Maps
Cognitive mapping has a definite function. It is an essential skill for many living organisms, and it is the reason we do not get lost in places we have been in before.
Tolman believed cognitive mapping to be a type of latent learning where individuals acquire large numbers of signals or cues from the environment and use these to build a mental image of their environment or a cognitive map.
The fun part?
When you drive or walk the same route every day, you learn the locations of various objects and buildings and build mental models of these routes. The cognitive processes take place automatically. You are usually not cognizant of this latent learning.
Now when you need to find a building or object on that particular route, your cognitive mapping of that route comes into play. Your cognitive processes use existing knowledge of the environment to generate new knowledge or pathways to find the building or object.
You usually do not have a problem locating a familiar place, even if you have access to a wide range of mental models.
Cognitive Maps & Mazes
Edward Tolman’s experiments involving rats and mazes was how he was able to visualize the importance of cognitive mapping in the human brain.
Tolman placed a rat in a cross-shaped maze and allowed it to explore the maze.
After the rat had explored the maze for a bit, it was placed at one arm of the cross, and food was kept at the next arm to the immediate right.
Since the rat was familiar with the layout, it learned to turn right at the intersection to get to the food.
Next, the rat was placed at a different arm of the cross maze. Tolman was interested to see if there was a change in behavior.
Did it get lost?
No, the rat was still able to move in the direction of the food no matter where in the maze it was placed. Differences in the position of the rat did not matter. Tolman stated that this was because of the initial cognitive map it had created of the maze.
Tolman’s experiments with rats ingrained the idea of the cognitive map in cognitive psychology.
How do Cognitive Maps Work?
What is the process to design cognitive maps in your brain?
Your brain creates a cognitive map using a number of sources. It uses visual stimulus and other cues like olfaction and hearing to deduce your location within an environment as you move through it.
Using these cues, a vector is created that represents your position and direction within an environment. The vector is then passed to the hippocampal place cells where it is interpreted, and the brain gets more information about the environment and your relative locations within the context of the cognitive map.
The entire activity may seem complex, but it happens almost automatically.
In The Hippocampus as a Cognitive Map (1978), neuroscientist John O’Keefe and neuropsychologist Lynn Nadel, say that neurons in the hippocampus form a memory of the animal’s environment. Then when the animal goes to that particular place, these neurons are reminded of that place, as if they were reading from a map.
The book provided a more allocentric interpretation of the cognitive map.
Other studies by Torkel Hafting and Marianne Fyhn – part of a team headed by Edvard and May-Britt Moser at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology – discovered the existence of grid cells in the brain. They used techniques mastered by O’Keefe to study inputs to the hippocampus.
The researchers found a new type of spatial cells in the entorhinal cortex. The entorhinal cortex is the part of the brain that sends more information to the hippocampus than almost anywhere else. Surprisingly, the researchers found that these cells fired only when the rat went into specific places in the environment and that they fired in many places.
More interesting still, these cells formed a hexagonal pattern in which each firing place was the same distance from all its neighbouring ones.
The study led researchers to the discovery that metric information is inherent in the brain, wired into the grid cells, regardless of its prior experience.
The discovery proved to be both surprising and dramatic discovery. Scientists drew an important inference. They now understood that the hippocampus is both a map and a memory system.
Does Cognitive Mapping Use Memory?
Cognitive mapping uses spatial memory, but it is more than that.
Spatial memory records information about one’s environment and spatial orientation.
Now, here’s the most important point to understand:
The fact that you can retain the sequence of streets in the directions to your house is spatial memory.
However, when you see these streets in your “mind’s eye” as you give directions – that is cognitive mapping.
Are Cognitive Maps Accurate?
Cognitive maps are not completely accurate.
When you create a cognitive map, your brain will omit information that is irrelevant to the task at hand.
For example, you and your colleague, who lives in the same apartment block, take the same route to drive home daily. However, while you are in the driving seat, your colleague has a driver.
So, while you may be able to describe the route from the office to home accurately, your colleague may have a more basic idea of the road and objects en route.
Why?
Because he does not have to concentrate on the road during the drive, whereas you must.
Therefore, both of you sketch maps of the same route differently. The example also shows that travel modes can impact cognitive mapping.
The way people travel has a huge impact on your cognitive mapping – especially if they regularly use neurobics.
Understanding how the brain processes and sketches cognitive maps has important implications for transportation planners and accessibility planning in cities.
What this also means is that a cognitive map can be different from the actual environment that a person is mapping due to the relationships of an individual with the environmental stimuli.
Furthermore, the way spatial knowledge is represented in your mind leads to certain patterns of distortions. Spatial knowledge in the human brain is not as well modeled as the Euclidean geometry of high school math. For example, people often think the distance to go from A to B is different than from B to A.
Moreover, cognitive maps generally get distorted by simplifying assumptions, beliefs and preconceptions. For instance, in your cognitive maps, all roads may join at right angles or straight lines even if they do not do so in the real-world.
Are Cognitive Maps Different From a Mind Map?
When it comes to the real of ideas, mind maps do relate. You can think of them as the most simplistic and straightforward type of cognitive maps.
They are quick to create and have a clear hierarchy and structure. A mind map is akin to a tree with branches, where the bark represents a central topic, and the branches denote the subtopics.
A quick Mind Map for learning German vocabulary related to cooking (hence the fish).
Mind map “links” are usually “dynamically passive” – they don’t represent anything more than connectivity used for creativity and enhanced memory. To get really good, I suggest you check out Tony Buzan’s Mind Map Mastery.
In cognitive mapping, a model of the world is created using links as well as concepts. Moreover, cognitive mapping also uses links more actively than mind mapping. But the larger point involves strategy, which is what we’ll cover next.
How to Build Memory Palaces with Cognitive Maps?
Can these special maps in your brain enable you to find and build memory palaces?
Absolutely!
Here’s how:
As you form new cognitive maps of places you visit or recall your childhood home, college dormitory, a beloved first apartment, or your current residence, try to use them as multiple Memory Palaces.
Seen a new movie or read a new novel?
Use the layout of the fictional character’s home or environment to create your own mind palace.
Think the tiny home of Frodo Baggins from Lord of the Rings or Monica’s iconic New York apartment on Friends.
In sum:
Just use your natural ability to form mental maps to build strong memory palaces and you can remember anything that you want.
Ready to get started? If not, let me know your questions and let’s get you more clarity so you can!
Memory Athlete Braden Adams On The Benefits Of Memory Competition
Nov 27, 2019
Memory competition is one way to train your brain and keep your mind sharp.
And who best to talk about how the benefits you can expect from joining a competition than one of the most disciplined students and trainees of memory?
My guest today is fellow Canadian Braden Adams from Chilliwack, BC.
Braden is the cofounder and board member of the Canadian Mind Sports Association on top of being an accomplished memory athlete himself.
He is a multi-time Memory Champion including wins like the 2018 CMSA’s National Memory Champion and the 2018 IAM Canadian Memory Champion.
On this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Braden shares his personal memory journey, beginning purely by chance, and evolving into an absolute passion for mental athleticism.
Braden shares his tips and secrets to his success that just may have you interested in going toe to toe with one of the world’s premiere memory athletes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqazyPfDHYw
Just press play now and you’ll learn all about:
The (perhaps unintended) introduction to memory techniques that (probably) 80 to 90 percent of memory athletes in the last decade share
Which book may be the most polarizing in the memory world
Focused Attention: 5 Fun Ways To Experience It And Boost Your Memory
Nov 21, 2019
Focused attention is…look a squirrel!
Aren’t they the cutest?
Gotta get to the laundry.
Now, wait a minute…where was I?
Right! I was writing about focused attention.
It is usually the squirrel’s fault, but often deliberate use of focused attention is needed to do the task at hand or to know what’s happening around you.
Focused attention is the ability of your brain to concentrate on one activity for a specified period of time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tSbVxdwww0
When you use focused attention, your brain allocates cognitive processing resources that allow you to choose and concentrate on one task at a time.
It is an essential skill that enables you to carry out different tasks in your daily lives with a high level of efficiency.
However, you need to understand that to pay attention to one stimulus or action, your brain, by default, ignores all other stimuli.
If every stimulus had to be perceived, we would go crazy.
For example, you are at a loud, crowded party, looking for your friend. You look for her blue sequined dress, and you concentrate on hearing her voice over the music. Your brain is continuously, moment by moment, ignoring the voices of other people to focus its attention on finding the voice of your friend.
And there she is! Calling out your name, which your mind was able to hear over the general uproar due to its use of focused attention.
A Few Risky Examples of Focused Attention
Imagine watching TV while cooking.
You are doing two things, but if your focus wanders away from the pot, you may burn your sauce or over boil the pasta.
On the other hand, when you are concentrating on cooking, you may miss the next Kardashian scandal.
In effect:
Your brain uses focused attention to do one task at a time.
Hanging out in a coffee shop after an intense learning session in Brisbane
However, there is something called selective attention that you use when working from a noisy environment like a coffee shop.
How does that work?
A coffee shop is not a quiet place. There are customers ordering lattes, people exchanging gossip or speaking loudly on the phone. However, these levels of background noise are low enough for the mind to concentrate on the work at hand.
You use focused attention every single day, from when you clean up the table after dinner to when you pick up something that fell off the desk.
Before we move on, let’s take a brief deep dive into other types of attention.
What Are the Different Types of Attention?
The American philosopher and psychologist William James defines attention as “the taking possession by the mind, in clear and vivid form, of one out of what seem several simultaneously possible objects or trains of thought. Focalization, concentration, of consciousness are of its essence. It implies withdrawal from some things in order to deal effectively with others…” (The Principles of Psychology, 1890).
Attention is not a simple process. It is the beginning of other cognitive functions. You need to pay attention before you can comprehend something.
The Sohlberg and Mateer Hierarchical Model breaks attention into five sub-components.
The model was initially used to test the recovery and development of attentional function in long-term coma patients (after they were awake, of course). However, it was soon found to be useful in determining attentional skills in other people – including students, making this a popular model for the study of “attention”.
The sub-components of the Sohlberg and Mateer Hierarchical Model are:
Focalized (Focused) Attention: This refers to your ability to focus attention on one stimulus. For example, when you are writing an exam and need to concentrate entirely on your answers.
Sustained Attention: This is your ability to attend to an activity or stimulus over prolonged periods of time. For instance, when you are playing a video game.
Selective Attention: This refers to your ability to focus on a specific stimulus in the presence of other distracting stimuli. For example, in a classroom, this would be a student’s ability to maintain focus on the lesson while his peers chatter or pass notes.
Alternating Attention: Commonly known as multitasking. This is your ability to change focus attention between stimuli that need different cognitive functions. For example, reading a recipe while preparing a meal.
Divided Attention: This refers to your brain’s ability to attend to different stimuli at the same time. For example, when you are driving a car while talking to a passenger.
Even thinking and listening at the same time can divide our attention.
As the cognitive science of attention evolved, it emerged that your ability to pay attention depends on various factors:
It is easier to process a task correctly when you’re motivated and alert than sad or tired, or if the stimulus is monotonous. Anxiety also affects your ability to focus on a job.
If a task is complex, your brain finds it more difficult to sustain focused attention on that particular task. It can get distracted easily.
Your brain takes less effort to complete a routine task, but if the work is new or unfamiliar more effort is required.
Your cognitive abilities are affected by your levels of mindfulness when doing a task.
Knowledge of the cognitive science of attention improves our learning of the nuances that affect “attention”. It enables us to understand what processes are needed to function efficiently in our everyday environments and how to eliminate distractions that damage our attention capacities.
What Happens if Your Focused Attention is Damaged?
Getting distracted is common.
And losing focus or awareness of your surroundings when you are distracted is also usual.
However, if you get easily distracted or have trouble paying attention when conducting everyday tasks like reading a book, listening, writing, or even watching TV, it may be cause for concern.
Your focused attention can get damaged due to disease, disorder, or damage to some parts of the brain.
Hemispatial neglect or heminegligence is a common disorder that can cause loss of focused attention. Hemispatial neglect is a neuropsychological condition caused by damage to one hemisphere of the brain due to stroke or injury.
ADD Vs. ADHD And How They Degrade Attention
Another known disorder is Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which majorly affects the attention of the individual, making it difficult for them to detect the target stimuli.
Usually, a continuous performance test (CPT) detects Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). However, researchers are now conducting studies to validate the usefulness of a continuous performance test in diagnosing ADHD in children.
Some kids with autism spectrum disorders (including Asperger’s syndrome) also show symptoms which are similar to learning and attention disorders. However, these two conditions are different and need different treatment.
Other disorders that affect focused attention include dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia. But the good news is that memory training helps, such as one of students found when suffering yet another issue: PTSD.
The Link Between Focused Attention and Stronger Memory
Have you ever noticed how, when something is interesting, your focused attention is absolute?
For example, you can focus better when watching the World Cup as opposed to when you have to compile the 10-page sales report.
However, if your boss is waiting for the 10-page sales report, you would work on it despite all distractions to get it ready on time.
So you see, your attention span or focus can change depending on whether the stimulus is exciting (football match) or if the stakes are high (work deadline).
Which also brings to focus the fact that you can train yourself to do everyday tasks with a higher level of focused attention.
Focused attention is essential to well-formed memories and useful recall of information. A lack of attention, on the other hand, leads to difficulty remembering crucial pieces of information.
By becoming more deliberate and paying attention to the task at hand, you can do it with far more efficiency.
What’s even better?
Everything you do to improve your focus will also improve your memory and awareness of your environment.
How can you improve your focused attention?
Let’s find out.
5 Ways to Strengthen Your Focused Attention
Focus is to memory, what a key is to a lock.
While you can force a lock, if you don’t have the key, it is always easier to open the door with the right set of keys.
By making a few simple changes in the way you work, you can dramatically improve your levels of focus and thereby your ability to remember information fast.
Here are five ways you can strengthen your focused attention:
1. Create Memory Palaces Regularly
Creating Memory Palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method way can quickly improve your attention span.
The Magnetic Memory Method Memory Palace approach teaches you how to pay focused attention when you come across new information.
When combined with Magnetic Recall Rehearsal, this holistic process lets you move information from your working memory into your long-term memory faster and with better permanence.
Memory Palaces also enhance your mindfulness and awareness, which are essential in improving focus.
This video gives you some great hacks to extend your attention span quickly.
It is a powerful and scientifically proven method.
What’s more?
Meditation can be practiced anywhere without the need for fancy equipment or extensive training.
Walking meditation works too!
Moreover, you don’t need to meditate for many months before you can start noticing the benefits of your practice. Within a week of consistent mindfulness meditation, you can experience improved concentration.
Need more motivation?
Meditation doesn’t just improve focused attention. It also improves your memory, including semantic memory. I memorize lots of Sanskrit in my personal practice to help ensure that.
In an age of endless distractions and heightened stress, incorporating meditation to improve concentration, eliminate emotional problems, and refocus your mind is crucial.
Meditation has at least three categories: focused attention meditation, concentration meditation and open monitoring meditation.
During focused attention meditation, you pay attention to a single object like a mantra, a candle, or your breathing.
When you practice open monitoring meditation, your attention is open. You remain aware of everything that is happening, including your thoughts, feelings, emotions, sounds, and bodily sensations.
Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide you can use every day to meditate.
Choose a time. Morning, noon, evening, it doesn’t matter.
Select a place to meditate. It could be your backyard garden or bedroom floor.
Set a timer (This is optional). Initially, set the timer for five minutes and when it rings, turn it off and then sit a little longer.
Sit and do nothing else. Focus on a specific emotion or general thoughts and feelings. You can even concentrate on your breathing.
When you finally arrive, enjoy, and observe.
Practice this simple form of mindfulness meditation for just five minutes a day, four times a week, and you’ll see improvements in many aspects of your life, including memory and focus.
Apart from improving your happiness quotient and keeping you fit, regular exercise can boost your levels of attention and concentration.
Deadlifting helps improve my focused attention and memory. Do you go to the gym?
One study observed that the attention spans of Dutch school pupils improved when 20-minute bouts of aerobics-style exercise interspersed their lessons.
In another study, a large randomized controlled trial in the US looked at the effects of daily after-school sports activities on the fitness levels of children. Predictably, the study found that the students got healthier.
Silicon Valley futurist Alex Soojung-Kim Pang in his book Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less, says successful people throughout history who displayed high levels of focus and concentration took a lot of “deliberate rest”.
From Charles Darwin to Ernest Hemingway to Stephen King, every one of these creative and highly accomplished people took “brain breaks” for extended periods of time to relax and rejuvenate. When our brain is in resting mode, it switches to the highly active Default Mode Network (DMN). When you focus attention on the outside world, you suppress this default mode of neural processing.
These brain breaks allow you to update information and gain access to deeper aspects of yourselves, thereby enhancing your resilience, creativity, and decision-making capabilities.
Once you are back from your rest, you can focus better on the tasks at hand.
5. Practice Single-tasking
Focusing on one task at a time is your brain’s natural way of doing things.
When you avoid multitasking, you make fewer errors. Fewer errors also mean less stress, and that can enable you to concentrate better.
Single-tasking also helps to stabilize your mood and improve your memory since you pay more attention to one singular activity.
Give Tasks the Attention They Need
When driving, focus on the road. When eating breakfast, focus on your cereal or avocado-toast. When writing a report, focus on the specific task, and you’ll see how fast and efficiently you’ll get it done.
Giving each task the attention it needs improves your overall efficiency while enabling your mind to transfer information into your working memory.
Deliberate attention, in turn, improves retention and recall.
Lev Goldentouch On The Ultimate Key To Study Results Without Strain
Nov 14, 2019
How many books have you read this year?
What about time spent reading news articles, magazines, or journals?
The numbers are shockingly low.
24 percent of adults surveyed hadn’t even read part of a book last year.
Even more surprising, in 2017, people in the U.S. over age 15 only spent, on average, 16.8 minutes a day reading for pleasure, or not required for work or school.
It seems a bit surreal doesn’t it?
Before television, radio, and, most recently, the smartphone, reading was one’s primary source of both entertainment and a source of news.
If you wanted to stay up to date on current events you picked up a newspaper. If you were looking for a way to escape the day to day humdrum of life you picked up you searched out your favorite author’s newest work of fiction.
It’s astounding to me that reading as a whole has declined so much. It’s no secret that reading is a great method of mental stimulation, stress reducer, and obvious knowledge booster and vocabulary expander.
The benefits to reading expand far beyond these named few and even boast a benefit that may surprise you…the simple act of reading can improve your memory.
Well, don’t fret. Because…
Lev Goldentouch Has The “Key To Study” That Helps People Read More… Faster!
My guest today is Lev Goldentouch.
He is an author, machine learning and information expert, as well as a lifehacker and technology guru. Through his blog, Key to Study, Lev teaches eager students his methods for improving their reading speed, retention, and therefore, their memory.
I know his skills in a more personal way too. We even share a cafe Memory Palace!
Dr. Lev Goldentouch and Dr. Anthony Metivier in Tel Aviv
So here’s why this interview is so important for you to hear:
If you want to remember more of what you read with less effort…
If you’ve tried other methods to improve your memory, relying too much on apps programs, and are looking for a change…
If you have a desire to transform your life by picking up a good book…
You’ve come to the right place. This podcast is a real page turner.
It’s as simple as clicking the play button above to discover:
The difference between a memory expert, a speed reading expert, and a machine learning expert
The overlooked way that people can forget things they would have liked to have remembered (Note: developing some dual-handedness skills can help too)
How to compare and contrast the different kinds of reading
Why actually having an interest in a subject is an important prerequisite to reading
The secret to becoming both more creative and spontaneous (it may surprise you)
Why your goals should meet certain criteria in order for you to be able to achieve them
The reason to copy a teacher and not a god or fictional character
The power of dancing to improve your memory
How it is possible to shape your future and to overcome bad fortune
What style of teaching makes a teacher the most effective
I hope you enjoy this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast and please consider investing in Lev’s complete training course. If you struggle with getting through learning materials, here’s how to complete a memory course rapidly.
Further Resources on the Web, this podcast, and the MMM Blog:
2019 Canadian Memory Champion Reveals His Memory Secrets
Oct 29, 2019
Want to become a memory champion?
Great!
Competition can encourage you to function at your absolute highest level.
Even if…
You’re retired.
Yes, I said retired.
You see, age need not reduce your ability to enjoy strong memory.
In fact, people with more years to their credit can use memory techniques better.
Why?
Because mnemonics are based on the principle of:
Spatial association
People association
Object association
Sound association
This means that the older you are, the more references you’re able to make. You have a distinct advantage over younger people, who might not be able to come up with nearly so many mnemonic devices.
To help you understand exactly why and how anyone in their later years can success with memory skills, today’s guest is 2019 Canadian Memory Champion, James Gerwing.
I’ve known James for many years. In fact, I’ll never forget when he wrote after a long gap to tell me this:
Anthony, Jim Gerwing, here.
About 5 years ago, I began taking your online course and then went into some memory competitions. I am the 4 time, current, undefeated (and record holder) of the Alberta memory championships.
Even better: I just won the 2019 Canadian Memory Championships (AND the first ever pan-provincial championship). Thanks for your input.
As you’re about to learn, I had no solid idea just what he meant by “input”!
But I wasn’t entirely clueless either…
As you can see from my State of Your Memory Address from 2016, he’d already broken a few memory competition records back then.
You just have to love what emerges from consistent practice and exploration of these powerful techniques!
And that’s why I just had to get James on the show to talk about how exactly the Magnetic Memory Method served along the way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAOzUFMXr7U
About Memory Champion James Gerwing
James is the 2019 Canadian Memory Champion.
He’s also the winner of the 2019 and 2017 Alberta Memory Championships, and earned the bronze medal at the 2018 Canadian Memory Championships in Toronto.
He’s obviously a memory expert too, and has even created his own “Mind Sharp” course.
In this Magnetic Memory Method Podcast interview, James shares his personal journey of memory improvement, and eventually, entry into the world of memory competitions.
Now retired from an impressive career as an educator, James plans to continue competing. I’m confident he will continue to win!
Do You Have To Become A Memory Champion To Learn These Techniques?
No, but some experience with competition helps.
For example, my own memory skills accelerated in unexpected ways after I sat to compete for charity with Dave Farrow.
The rationale of why memory techniques are not utilized in everyday life…and why they should be
How a memory champion really prepares for competition
A practical example of the use of the Major Method, and a welcome hack for “odd numbers out”
A proven way to relate cards, numbers, Magnetic Stations, and a PAO list
Why Memory Palace journeys don’t always have to be linear
When your memory associations are better off left unsaid
The reason memory competitions aren’t actually an external competition, but a solo performance
Plus much, much more, because…
… a second part to this interview is exclusive to the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass. It’s already available in the card course James used to learn the skills that helped him win!
Further Resources on the Web, this podcast, and the MMM Blog:
And if you need help, learn how to create an UNSHAKEABLE Memory Palace Training Routine, so you stand a chance of winning too. Both in learning, competition and life overall.
Iconic Memory Defined: What It Is and How It Affects Your Recall
Oct 17, 2019
She disappeared in a flash, but when I closed my eyes, I could see her beautiful face looking pleadingly in my direction.
Reads like romantic fiction, doesn’t it?
It’s actually your iconic memory recalling a visual stimulus in its technicolor glory.
In this post, you’ll learn all about iconic memory, why it’s important and how to improve it to enable better memory and recall. I’ll also break a few myths about picture-perfect memories.
Here’s what I’ll cover in this post:
What Is An Iconic Memory?
Why Iconic Memory is Not The Same as a Photographic Memory
How is Iconic Memory formed?
George Sperling & Other Experiments
How Does Iconic Memory Move to Long-Term Memory?
What Function Does Iconic Memory Serve?
How Can You strengthen your Iconic Memory?
What Is An Iconic Memory?
Iconic memory is one type of sensory memory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qU2zhO_UiE
It is a short-term visual memory and lasts only a few seconds before getting discarded.
Your brain uses iconic memory to remember (for a brief time) an image you have seen around you.
Your sensory memory stores all information that you experience through your five major senses – touch, taste, sight, hearing, and smell. Check out these sensory memory exercises for a wild, mental adventure.
Such storage of all stimuli is an automatic response by your brain. If sufficient attention is given to this stimulus, the information may then pass into your short-term memory, and from there, it can get encoded into your long-term memory.
However, in most cases, sensory information is thrown out within a few seconds.
This Puts The “Icon” In Iconic
When some kind of sensory input enters your visual system, it goes into your iconic memory. The visual system includes the iconic memory, visual short-term memory and long-term memory.
Iconic memory is simply your brain’s way of processing visual information. The brain sees this information as distinct flashes or ‘icons,’ hence the name iconic.
For instance, imagine you are driving through the countryside and a lovely cottage with a red front door flashes past. You continue to drive, but can still see the “image” in your mind’s eye.
This after-image of the cottage in your mind’s eye even after it ceases to exist in your visual plain is the working of your iconic memory.
Here are some other examples of iconic memory:
Your friend is reading a book, and you ask her which books is it. Your friend shows you the cover of the book for just a brief moment before hiding it, leaving you with only the impression, or iconic memory, of what the book’s cover looked like.
You come home one evening and as you turn on the living room light the bulb burns out, leaving you in darkness. But your mind’s eye can still visualize (albeit briefly) what the room looked like in the luminance of the bulb.
In other words, your brain takes a snapshot of every image it “sees” and stores that as an after-image only for a few seconds in your iconic memory. Apparently, this happens in your brain, even if you have aphantasia.
The question is… how is it like a camera taking a picture?
Is it the same as a photographic memory?
Iconic Memory is Not The Same as a Photographic Memory
The phenomenon where you have instantaneous recall of any and all events by uniting your visual, spatial, audio, and verbal memories is not possible by humans.
You may have heard that Teddy Roosevelt could repeat aloud entire newspaper pages as if he was reading from it, or of artists like Arturo Toscanini, who was able to conduct the opera from memory after his eyesight became too poor to read the music.
Many world champions and memory experts like Nelson Dellis can memorize and recall many digits of Pi, but there is no verified case which shows memory working like a camera with total and complete recall.
But what if you can remember your experience in great detail – right down to the color of the car that you took to go to Disneyland when you were five years old? Does that mean you have a photographic memory?
Simple answer: No.
What you can have is an eidetic memory – a memory that is very vivid and has great potential for recall.
However, to clarify – eidetic memory is not photographic memory. It simply means you can remember many things in great detail, but not all the details.
Some researchers found that a mutated fruit fly could potentially possess a form of photographic memory.
Over the course of their brief lives, a fruit fly with a boosted CREB gene could have a form of photographic memory. While humans also share DNA with fruit flies, the potential for a similar boost in humans is yet to be researched.
So, if iconic memory isn’t photographic, why do we even need it?
It seems unimportant, right?
Maybe not. You’ll know in a minute.
Let’s first understand how iconic memories are made.
How Is Iconic Memory Formed?
The occipital lobe is the central part of the brain involved in iconic memory. This lobe is responsible for processing and regulating visual information.
When you “see” something, the visual information is received by the photoreceptor cells in the eyes and sent to the occipital lobe. Here it is stored for a few milliseconds before being it is forgotten or transferred to the temporal lobe.
This visual memory or visual persistence is then converted from visual short-term memory to long-term memory by the hippocampus, which is located inside the temporal lobe.
There may be psychological visual persistence of a visual stimulus for some time after its physical offset. There are three senses where it can persist.
The Three Persistences
The first is neural persistence which occurs when neural activity continues after the stimuli are gone.
The second is visible persistence – when you continue to see an image even though it is gone, such as with a flash of bright light.
The third is informational persistence – when an observer continues to retain information about a visual stimulus for some time after the stimulus is gone.
His study also suggests that any physical stimulus must be temporarily attached to a representation in semantic memory. However, episodic memory is not involved in this process. This temporary storage of information is what constitutes iconic memory.
Iconic memory capacity is also extremely brief. Usually, the duration of iconic memory is less than one second, and this duration is fixed irrespective of how long visual stimulus is displayed.
Iconic vs Echoic Memory
The iconic memory and echoic (auditory) memory are the two most extensively studied sensory memories.
The other main types of sensory memory include touch or haptic memory, taste or gustatory memory, and smell or olfactory memory.
One big difference between iconic memory and echoic memory is regarding the duration and capacity.
While echoic memory lasts up to 3-4 seconds, iconic memory or short-term visual memory lasts only up to one second. However, while iconic memory can preserve 8-9 items, the capacity of the echoic memory is 4-5 items.
George Sperling & Other Experiments With Iconic Memory
American cognitive psychologist George Sperling documented the existence of iconic memory.
Cognitive psychology is the study of mental processes such as memory, perception, problem-solving, attention, language use, etc.
Through several experiments, Sperling showed that humans store a perfect image of the visual world for a brief moment – as icons – before it is discarded from memory.
However, it was psychologist Ulric Neisser who in 1967 labeled this form of quickly fading visual memory as iconic memory.
Sperling’s initial experiment used a matrix with three rows of three letters. The participants were asked to look at a visual display of letters, for a short period, and then recall them immediately. Under this technique, subjects were able to, on average, recall 4-5 letters of the 9 they were given.
The results helped Sperling conclude that our short-term visual memory can hold the information even if it is exposed to it for a few seconds.
He reasoned that the reason the subjects were not able to recall all of the letters was that this memory disappeared in less than a second.
Sperling didn’t stop there. Next, he tried a variation to this experiment, known as the partial report method.
In this partial report method, after the visual display of letters, Sperling sounded a high, medium, or low tone. The tone was a cue for the participants. Depending on which tone was sounded, the participant read the high, medium, or low row of letters.
This time around, when the participants had a cue they were able to recall more letters. The partial-report experiments determined that even though we see all the visual image of letters, we cannot recall them all because the memory is fleeting.
While Sperling’s experiments with memory tasks mainly tested the information related to a stimulus, others such as Coltheart performed directs tests of visual persistence.
Coltheart also questioned the relation between visual persistence and iconic memory.
In his report, Iconic memory and visible persistence. Perception and Psychophysics, (27, 183-228), Coltheart says “Iconic memory and visible persistence are often treated as the same. However, whether these two phenomenon are the same is an empirical question.
“The earlier review established that two properties of visible persistence are 1) an inverse relationship with stimulus duration and 2) an inverse relationship with stimulus luminance, or intensity. Iconic memory must exhibit these two properties before it can be equated with visible persistence.
“There is no evidence that the duration of iconic memory and luminance are inversely related. Furthermore, although there is some evidence that increasing stimulus duration has an effect on iconic memory persistence, this effect is direct rather than inverse. Thus, visible persistence—which is very sensitive to physical display features—and iconic memory seem to behave differently.”
Nearly two decades after Sperling’s original experiments, visual persistence and informational persistence emerged as two distinct components of visual sensory memory.
How Does Iconic Memory Move to Long-Term Memory?
A lot of focused attention is needed to move information from iconic memory to durable storage – which is your short-term memory and subsequently, your long-term memory.
The human memory system works on encoding, storage, and retrieval of information. In 1968, Atkinson and Shiffrin suggested this model for human memory. It includes three components – sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
The Human Memory System Simplified
Here’s a simplistic explanation on how your memory system works:
In the first stage, any incoming sensory or perceptual information is held in the sensory memory. The information gathered through the senses is an exact copy of what you perceive. This information is stored in your sensory memory for a very short duration.
For instance, as soon as you get a visual stimulus – you see an apple – it is processed by your eyes and moved into the occipital lobe. Next, recognition occurs, and this information is then placed into iconic memory. All this takes place very quickly.
From the iconic memory, only a limited amount of information that you consciously pay attention to moves into the visual working memory – this is your short-term memory for visual stimuli. Everything else is discarded.
This short-term memory does not have unlimited capacity. It can only store a limited amount of information.
Conscious perception makes a significant difference in the memory process.
The information can remain in the working memory for several minutes before being discarded or stored in long term memory.
Over time, memories get etched in long-term storage. For this, you need rehearsal and petition to practice your recall of information which enables you to move information from short-term to long-term memory.
What Function Does Iconic Memory Serve?
If iconic memory lasts only for a few microseconds, is it at all important?
Absolutely!
The role of iconic memory in creating new memory is significant.
This form of sensory memory provides a steady stream of visual information to the brain, which can then be processed by your short-term memory into more stable and long-term forms of memory.
Scientists are also using iconic memory to make revolutionary discoveries. One of them is the role of this memory in change blindness or our inability to detect significant changes in our visual field.
In certain experiments, they discovered that we tend to have trouble with change detection from one scene to another if we face brief intervals between them.
According to researchers, that happens because that delay or interruption wipes out the iconic memory of the scene, which makes detecting differences all the more difficult if not downright impossible.
Since iconic memory is one type of sensory memory, improving your overall sensory perceptions will result in better retention of visual information.
Attention also plays a vital role in not only transferring information from iconic to working memory but also when the iconic memory is formed.
According to this study, the formation of iconic memory is disrupted when attention is diverted even if that happens for a brief period of time.
The human mind is capable of faultless information processing, just like a computer. It takes in information, organizes and stores it to be retrieved at a later time.
However, for this information processing to be accurate, you need to be aware and deliberate in your learning.
Be Intentional To Have Better Memory
When you are intentional, you perceive things better.
Why is that?
Because you are paying attention to everything around you – all your senses are sharper and focused on absorbing the information around you.
Greater attention means better perception, which results in good memory.
Memory exercises can be used to strengthen your attention which in turn will improve retention and recall.
However, your memory improvement training should always be linked to memorizing information that will immediately improve your life. It should always be measurable since tracking your outcomes leads to rapid improvement.
Sure, there are a lot of apps and learning systems that promise big results.
In reality, most fall flat as tools and memory aids. But there is something potentially revolutionary in the memory software world that I want you, the Magnetic Memory Method Community, to know about.
Today’s guest, Matthew Snow is the creator of the app, MemoryFiler.
A former Army serviceman, Matthew initially became interested in memory techniques as a way to better himself personally.
Using mnemonics eventually grew to Matthew’s desire to help others attain their memorization goals through using his fascinating Memory Palace Software. Here’s a demo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQXyLd94LmQ
Matthew’s Memory Palace Software is highly personal, and isn’t a hack or a shortcut.
Far from it:
You’re still putting in the work, but it actually aids you in remembering your Magnetic Imagery. You do the encoding, and you make the associations. However, with this memory software, your images are at-the-ready for Recall Rehearsal as you work on committing them to memory to use in your work.
The Difference Between This Memory Palace Software And The Rest
That’s the difference between MemoryFiler and the flooded market. It takes your best efforts, your commitment, your encoding, and your imagery, and gives you a little boost, so that you can work smarter, not harder.
So if you’re looking for a way to maximize your imagery, and if you’re searching for a more high tech way to record that imagery instead of putting pen to paper – if flashcards simply aren’t a tool in your personal toolbox, listen up.
Simply press play using the audioplayer at the top of this page to discover:
How Matthew’s military experience was helped by the Memory Palace technique, and what servicemen and women really need to know for a promotion
The secret to getting “unstuck” with visual imagery used in memory techniques
What traits are necessary for success in entrepreneurship (and how consistency and routine relates to memory training routines)
Strengths and weakness of kinesthetic and visual learning styles
The benefit to reducing cognitive load through the use of apps, and why you shouldn’t “beat yourself up” over using them
Why social media is really asocial media, and why this is a metaphor for other “memory games” on the market
The need for analog and digital to work in tandem, and why we can’t “throw the baby out with the bathwater” when it comes to choosing one over the other
The reality of the generational gap between Generation X and Generation Z, and the influence the digital age has had on these groups
An explanation of dual-path readership and its development in modern culture
Why you should be concerned with media sovereignty
Martin Faulks On The Memory Palace In The Masonic Tradition
Oct 01, 2019
Have you ever thought about how improving your memory can improve your life? Not just surface level, daily routine improvements, but really transform who you are as a person?
Did you even realize that memory training makes personal improvement possible?
Or do you limit memory improvement in your mind as merely a tool for remembering dentist appointments and names?
Well, here’s great news:
The art of memory goes far beyond showing up on time and not having to look down at name tags and desk plaques.
With practice, thorough memory training based on a scientifically sound application of the Memory Palace technique will radically transform you.
Not just your outward life and the things you do from day to day.
It will expand the limited notion of what you think your “self” to be.
This outcome isn’t just what the ancient gurus promised, but also the same kind of results respected neuroscientists like Sam Harris are actively promoting in our time.
How is this possible, you ask?
My guest today is memory expert Martin Faulks. He’s also an expert in the field of meditation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdAdxSp84bA
Complimenting his mediation and memory training experiences, Martin’s a martial artist, yoga teacher, and author of over half a dozen books on subjects such as enlightened living and tai chi. His newest book, A Mosaic Palace: Freemasonry and the Art of Memory explores the link between the ancient tradition of memory techniques and the secretive fraternal organization, the Freemasons.
As you can see, you really can incorporate fun activities with personal self-development.
To that end, Martin and I explore memory as an internal transformative art that can change the very core of our being. Martin argues that while in antiquity inner transformation through memory was a common practice, too much of this tradition it has been lost in our modern age. The secret then to restoring this idea lies in your approach to committing to the techniques themselves with carefully chosen goals.
The best part?
It’s possible to have that transformation with a bit of guidance because the keys are already within you. What you seek is attainable, and it is within your means to take control of your own life.
Whether you suffer from anxiety, unhealthy coping mechanisms, constantly feel a sense of failure when it comes to interpersonal relationships, or you find yourself sabotaging your own success you can benefit from the advice Martin so freely gives in our conversation.
All you have to do is click play to learn about:
Memory training and the potential for learning leading to inner transformation (and how what you put into your consciousness can change who you are).
How the Renaissance caused the art of memory to become a path of cultivation of virtue instead of simply utilitarian
The impact of adaptive strategies on our personality and coping and life skills
The hidden ways your mind is trying to help you
The method in which you learn something affects how easy it is for you to reference it
Why the church banned texts like the Ars Notoria as a “sorcery version of memory”
How the memory method of corporeal similitudes is the most powerful way to create associations for memory
The debate about whether Sherlock Holmes is a figure to look up to (otherwise known as a hero of an extra level of functioning) to when it comes to memory goals
Comparing and contrasting memory and sorcery, and memory palaces and magic circles
Why Giordano Bruno was a memory master and “terrible” teacher (yes, we question everything about him in this episode)
The differences in the definition of a memory master according to various cultures
You can also watch Martin demonstrate Bruno’s memory techniques in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_ZWco1uLDA
After listening to this interview, you might be wondering…
Should You Read A Mosaic Palace By Martin Faulks?
In my view, absolutely.
Anyone serious about the memory improvement tradition owes it to themselves to read as much about mnemonics as they can.
It’s not just about you, as you’ll discover today. It’s about everyone’s role in preserving knowledge for the good of the whole.
The number of ideas you discover when you focus on continuous study will impact your practice.
Few memory books combine history, philosophy and technique directed at self-realization. In a world cluttered by competition-based books, A Mosaic Palace is a breath of fresh air.
How Mike McKinley Memorized 66 Psalms WITHOUT A Memory Palace
Sep 19, 2019
Do you struggle with the Memory Palace technique to complete large learning goals?
For example, have you always wanted to memorize a substantial body of scripture, but…
Kept putting it off?
I know, I know…
We all have something in our life that continuously gets pushed to the bottom of our never-ending to-do list…
We all say “I’ll eventually get around to it”…
We’re all guilty of never making moves to cross that item off our list.
And yet…
My guest for this podcast, Mike McKinley, has managed to AVOID that mistake when it came to making steps toward completing one MASSIVE goal.
Mike is an alumni of the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass. He is also an electrical engineer and specialist in the area of radio frequencies.
https://youtu.be/s5HEffOd27Q
On top of those duties, Mike is a husband, father, seminary graduate, and full-time employee. Using the memory techniques he’s learned from the MMM Masterclass, he completed a three-year seminary course and memorized 66 chapters of the Psalms (and counting)!
So if you’re intimidated by the idea of undertaking an entire course to improve your memory…
If you feel as though you don’t have the time to commit in an already packed schedule…
Or you think, “How could I ever memorize something so lengthy?”…
Just click play on the button above now and learn from Mike all about:
Why information is easier to remember in story form
The reason early Christians memorized the scriptures
Why recitation is an important memory improvement exercise
How actors and memory students are one and the same
The way manufacturing “spoiled us” with uniformity
The importance of small memorization goals and practicing the loci method when taking on large learning projects
How to Improve Semantic Memory: Boost Your Factual Recall Fast
Sep 12, 2019
Did you have toast and eggs for breakfast while reading the newspaper? If you can’t remember those specific words, then it is time to learn how to improve your semantic memory.
What’s semantic memory? Check this out:
The fact that you know and recognize objects like toast, eggs, and newspaper (without being told each time) is thanks to semantic memory.
However, here’s what semantic memory is not:
Recalling that you had toast and eggs for breakfast yesterday is part of what memory scientists call episodic memory (more about that later).
In this post, I’ll explain what is semantic memory.
Better, you’ll learn why it’s so important, how your brain forms these particular kinds of memories and how can you improve your semantic memory for words and facts specifically.
Here’s exactly what I’ll cover:
How to Improve Semantic Memory?
Here are 3 simple techniques to improve your semantic memory:
1. Use The Magnetic Memory Method
The easiest and most powerful way to improve your semantic memory, as well as episodic memory, is by learning how to build Memory Palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method.
It is an incredible combination of intelligence and memory strengthening tool. Combined with Recall Rehearsal, this holistic process lets you move information from short-term memory into long-term memory faster and with reliable permanence.
What’s more?
You can use all other memory methods inside of Memory Palace, however, you cannot use a Memory Palace inside other memory techniques. This unique approach maximizes the power of the loci method and combines nicely with the pegword method.
Memory impairment or memory loss in older adults is common. However, there is a strong relationship between brain exercises and improved cognition and retrieval in older adults.
Numerous tools and exercises can help you to assess your memory and enhance it through games and training exercises. It is a known fact that the more you utilize your neural circuit, the stronger it will get.
This fact can also be applied to numerous neural networks associated with contextual memory, auditory memory, visual memory, short-term memory, working memory, naming, and more.
You can improve your skill of identifying the right word to use for a concept or an object by training the neural network in your brain accordingly.
Here’s a video that will inspire you to use memory techniques and treat them as the ultimate brain exercise.
3. Learn a New Language
When you learn a new language, it requires you to learn and expand new sentence structures, grammar rules, and vocabulary.
Such activities ensure that your semantic memory is continuously being utilized and strengthened as you make progress with the new language.
Here’s a video that helps you learn and memorize the vocabulary of any language.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/G1VNjzx31BI
What is Semantic Memory?
Semantic memory is independent of the context of learning and personal experiences like how we felt at the time the event was experienced or situational properties like time and place of gaining the knowledge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrWFkmjOeCI
The level of consciousness associated with semantic memory is noetic because it is independent of context encoding and personal relevance. This was the finding of Endel Tulving in 1985.
For instance, you “know” that Mr. Darcy is a famous character from Pride and Prejudice, which is written by Jane Austen.
You may have read the book, seen the movie or someone may have told you about this character and the author. How you acquired the knowledge and in which context is not essential. What is important is that your semantic memory stored that bit of information as general knowledge.
You can now recall this bit of general knowledge whenever necessary independent of personal experience and of the space or time context in which it was acquired. That is the beauty of your semantic memory.
Usually, the recall semantic memory is automatic when particular information is prompted. However, there might be cases where you have to really think hard about certain facts stored in your semantic memory.
Semantic Memory Definition
Semantic memory is the structured record of facts, ideas, meanings, and concepts about the world that we accumulate throughout our lives and our capacity to recollect this knowledge at will. It is part of your long-term memory.
The breadth of information stored in the semantic memory can range from historical and scientific facts, details of public events, and mathematical equations to the knowledge that allows us to identify objects and understand the meaning of words.
For instance, understanding what the word “memory” means is part of your semantic memory.
Semantic Memory Examples
Memory competitors show their skills with strengthened semantic memory frequently.
She also memorized 102 historical dates in 5 minutes, which is an incredible display of recalling semantic information.
Another example is Nigel Richards.
As Scott Young discusses in Ultralearning, Richards is said to have memorized the entire French dictionary in just 9 weeks.
Finally, you use your semantic memory every day.
For example, when you send a text message and add an emoji, the fact that you remember a colon and a parenthesis together means “I’m smiling” draws upon the complexities of semantic memory.
When we draw from the alphabet and a myriad of symbols in everyday reading and communicating online, we are deeply engaging our semantic memory.
The fact that this is a statue of Bruno in Rome is a semantic memory. My personal recollection of visiting it is an episodic memory.
Here are a few final examples of semantic memory:
Naming the state and capital city of your country correctly.
Knowing that trees give oxygen or fish swim in water.
Remembering your favorite drink or food or color.
Being able to understand what the other person is saying.
Knowing what the words you read mean.
Next, let’s look back to the past.
History of Semantic Memory
Canadian experimental psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist Endel Tulving introduced the idea of semantic memory as a distinct memory system in 1972.
Memory Expert Endel Tulving
Before Tulving, there had not been many in-depth studies or research in the area of human memory.
Tulving outlines these memory types in his book Elements of Episodic Memory. He notes that semantic and episodic differ in how they operate and the types of information they process.
Here’s Tulving’s definition:
Semantic memory is the memory necessary for the use of language. It is a mental thesaurus, organized knowledge a person possesses about words and other verbal symbols…
(Episodic and semantic memory, Tulving E & Donaldson W, Organization of Memory, 1972, New York: Academic Press)
After Tulving, two other experiments noting the differences between episodic and semantic memories were conducted by Kihlstrom (1980) and Jacoby/Dallas (1981).
The study by Jacoby and Dallas was the first to note that implicit memory does not rely on depth of processing as explicit memory does. (Jacoby LL, Dallas M. On the relationship between autobiographical memory and perceptual learning. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. 1981)
J.F. Kihlstrom’s study showed that a suggestion for posthypnotic amnesia produced impairments on episodic but not semantic memory tasks. (Kihlstrom, J. F. (1980). Posthypnotic amnesia for recently learned material: Interactions with “episodic” and “semantic” memory. Cognitive Psychology, 12(2), 227-251.)
These experiments paved the way for further investigation into semantic memory.
However, it is only in the last 15 years where interest in semantic memory has greatly increased.
One of the reasons for this newfound interest is an improvement in neuroimaging methods like functional magnetic resonance imaging. These neuroimaging methods reveal that the brain does not have one specific region dedicated to semantic information. Semantic memory is organized throughout the brain. It is now also known that semantic memory can be divided into separate visual categories such as size, color, and motion. Since specific parts of the brain are responsible for the retrieval of specific semantic memories, semantic memory can be divided into several categories beyond just the visual.
For instance, the parietal cortex retrieves semantic memories of size while the temporal cortex retrieves memories of color. (Explorable.com, Feb 2, 2011, Semantic Memory). There may also be brain areas to consider when it comes to semantic memory on language acquisition.
Is it Different from Episodic Memory?
Absolutely.
Both semantic and episodic memories are part of your long-term memory and are known as declarative memory or explicit memory (memories that can be explained and declared).
However, while an episodic memory involves the conscious recollection of specific events and experiences; semantic memory refers to the mere recollection of nuggets of factual knowledge collected since childhood.
Confused?
Let me simplify it for you.
Episodic memory allows us to consciously recollect past experiences (Tulving, 2002), while semantic memories are devoid of information about personal experience.
For example, to be able to recall what happened during the last football game that you attended is an episodic memory. However, “knowing” that football is a sport without ever watching a game is a semantic memory.
Here’s another example:
When you say “summers in India are hot,” you are drawing that knowledge from your semantic memory.
But when you remember walking down the streets of Delhi on a summer afternoon, licking ice cream, you are drawing on episodic memory.
A Brief Deep Dive Into Types of Memory
We cannot comprehend the entire concept of semantic memory without knowing a bit about the brain and different types of memory.
Your brain has three major components: the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brain stem. The cerebrum – responsible for our memory, speech, the senses, and emotional response – is covered by the cerebral cortex (a sheet of neural tissue).
About 90% of our brain’s neurons are located in the cerebral cortex. This cortex is divided into four main regions or lobes – frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe.
Now, the part of the frontal lobe that plays an integral part in processing short-term memories and retaining long-term memories is known as the prefrontal cortex.
When we generally talk of “memory,” it is long-term memory.
However, there are two other memory processes – short-term memory (also called working memory) and sensory memory (it retains sensory information after the original stimuli have ended). These must be worked through before a lasting long-term memory can form.
This model of memory works as a sequence of three stages from sensory to short-term to long-term memory and is known as the Atkinson-Shiffrin model after Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin who developed it in 1968. It is the most popular model for studying memory systems.
Now long-term memory can be further divided into explicit (or declarative) memory and implicit (or procedural) memory.
Declarative memory or explicit memory takes a different definition. It refers to memories that you recall consciously or deliberately. Procedural memory or implicit memory, on the other hand, describes the type of memory that deals with how to do things – like riding a bike or playing the piano.
Here’s a fascinating fact:
The hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and perirhinal cortex encode declarative memories. These are then consolidated and stored in the temporal cortex and other brain regions. Procedural memories, on the other hand, are encoded and stored in specific brain regions – cerebellum, putamen, caudate nucleus, and the motor cortex.
Declarative memory is further subdivided into semantic and episodic memories (now you know the context of our brief deep dive into types of memory).
Another category of declarative memory known as the autobiographical memory, is similar to episodic memory in that both are personal memories from the past. However, while autobiographical memory is more general, for example, when you recall the street name of a house growing up, episodic memory is more specific to time.
Why Is Semantic Memory So Important?
We all need semantic memory to function smoothly in our daily lives. We use it every day to learn, retain, and retrieve new information. It is part of our cognition.
Children and teenagers use it to retain new information that they learn at home or in school, while adults need it to know the sequence of tasks necessary to do their job.
Without semantic memory, you wouldn’t know that the sky is blue or that birds can fly. Your concepts about time and space or meanings of emotions like love and hate are incorporated in your semantic memory.
If your semantic memory is damaged due to any type of disease such as Alzheimer’s disease, you may not be able to identify or name everyday objects, understand the concepts of liberty or know what the word “coffee” means.
A stronger semantic memory would result in improved long-term memory in students – enabling them to do better in studies.
More importantly, strengthening your semantic memory would enable you to perform better in all aspects of your life without taking vitamins for memory.
How are Semantic Memories Formed?
We all learn new facts, tasks, or concepts from our personal experiences. So, in general, a semantic type of memory is derived from the episodic type of memory.
For example, when you learn a new piece of information, your short-term memory relays it to episodic memory. Initially, you remember the exact time or place where you gathered the information.
However, over time a gradual transition from episodic to semantic memory takes place, where your association of a particular memory to a particular event or stimuli is reduced so that the information is then generalized in your working memory as semantic memory.
When it comes to the encoding process, both semantic and episodic memories have a similar process.
However, semantic memory mainly activates the frontal cortex and temporal cortex, whereas episodic memory activity is concentrated in the hippocampus (amongst many other differences). The other areas of the brain involved in semantic memory use are the left inferior prefrontal cortex and the left posterior temporal area.
Visual, acoustic, and meaning are the three main types of encoding used to commit information to semantic memory.
Individuals may encode information to semantic memory through pictures or reading words and numbers, by repeatedly hearing the information, or by connecting the information to something else that has meaning in the memory.
Different people have different learning styles. One person may do very well with visual aids. Another type of person may encode semantic memory through meaning or repetition.
At the end of the day, there is no single route to semantic memory formation. But you can study better using mnemonics. Just make sure you don’t get into some of the issues we’ll discuss next.
What Affects Semantic Memory?
Some diseases and disorders may cause memory impairments in older adults.
For instance, in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, there may be impairments or deficits in your short-term memory or working memory.
Kasper Bormans demonstrating what happens to a brain suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Notice the Memory Palace allusion.
However, as the disease progresses, patients experience more long-term memory loss and deficits, including erosion of episodic and semantic memory.
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease may have difficulty identifying objects or finding words to describe something. They may also suffer from impairments in their ability to recall significant events, such as weddings.
Other types of dementia can also affect short-term memory and long-term memory. For instance, a person with dementia of Alzheimer’s type can find it difficult to store information in the long-term memory, and also can have challenges with retrieval.
Any damage to the medial temporal lobe that plays a critical role in acquiring and retrieving both semantic and episodic memories can also affect your semantic memory.
Studies have also been done on different effects that semantic dementia and herpes simplex virus encephalitis has on semantic memory (Lambon, Lowe, & Rogers, 2007). The study revealed that semantic dementia has a more generalized semantic impairment.
Moreover, amnesic patients also have great difficulty in retaining episodic and semantic information.
A neuropsychological evaluation can reveal how your brain functions. Neuropsychologists use neuropsychological tests to characterize behavioral and cognitive changes resulting from disorders of the central nervous system or injury, like Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders.
While you may not be able to protect your memory from all types of diseases, there are ways to improve your memory so that it doesn’t fall victim to age-related memory loss or dementia.
But don’t worry. As Nic Castle found, it’s possible to recover, even from ailments like PTSD.
Higher Attentiveness = Improved Memory
Your relationship with the world around you is dependent on your ability to learn and recall factual knowledge accurately.
Being mindful of the things around you and paying attention when you come across new information is essential to creating long-term memories that can be recalled when necessary.
When you practice mindfulness in everyday activities, you are more attentive. Attentiveness, in turn, helps you encode information better in semantic memory.
Moreover, when you combine attentiveness with the Memory Palace method, your ability to retain and recall factual knowledge is stronger and faster.
If you are interested in the Memory Palace method, please don’t hesitate to get started. I want to help!
Now then, time for a quick test of your semantic memory:
Can you recall the name of the character in the novel I mentioned near the start of this article?
You could, if only you devoted yourself to more memory training. Ready to get started?
Scott Young On “Ultralearning” In Your Self-Directed Education Journey
Aug 16, 2019
You’ve probably spent time in your educational career feeling frustrated, right?
You know the routine:
It’s the night before a test, and instead of resting…
No, it’s not sitting and listening to a professor, reading or copying from a textbook, conversing with a language learning partner, or mindlessly practicing yet another skill suggested by a learning “guru”.
To help explain what really works, my guest today on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast is Scott Young, author of the new book, Ultralearning.
In this book, Scott shares the stories of people like language learner Benny Lewis, Eric Barone, World Championships of Public Speaking finalist Tristan De Montebello, and the French Scrabble world champion Nigel Richards.
These are people just like you. The only difference is they’ve discovered a better way to learn, through “aggressive,” self-directed learning.
Today’s conversation with Scott not only explores the concept of “ultralearning,” but Scott shares his own efforts to learn more, better, and faster.
To be frank, a lot of involves simply directing your energy towards what works. Isn’t that better than spending years trying to fit into a traditional learning model that may not work for you?
If you’ve sat in a classroom only watching a professor demonstrate a chemistry experiment and not been able to “get it” because you lacked hands on experience…
If you’ve used trial and error to make the perfect recipe and still ended up with a soupy mess for pancakes or an overly salty roasted chicken…
Ultralearning can be the breakthrough you’re looking for to finally discover what really works for you to achieve you learning goals.
Press play now and learn all about:
The definition of ultralearning and the origin of the term
The difference between autodidacticism and ultralearning
Why self-education is not always the best choice for effective and efficient learning
The importance of being a skeptic while being a reader
Why we really don’t know what we’re truly capable of…we’re actually shortchanging ourselves
How ultralearning can be masochistic, yet beneficial
Why you should actually care about the act of learning
Why self-testing and feedback are necessary, even with self-directed learning
The role of free will in education
What meaningful progress looks like in achieving your learning goals
Contrasting the traditional work model and entrepreneurship (pros and cons of each)
When it comes to consistency in scheduling, Scott is also tremendously generous in sharing how he schedules his time. Check this out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_BctXU7HWE
So you see?
It’s really not so hard.
Does Ultralearning Get My Thumbs Up?
You bet!
I’ve actually been reading Scott’s emails for a long time and even sought out his okay to hold this live stream walkthrough of a piece on his blog about critical thinking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NxJab-JrvU
I hope he and I will have a chat to discuss the role of critical thinking in learning more in the future. But for now…
Don’t miss this book and make sure you follow Scott Young!
Further Resources on the Web, this podcast, and the MMM Blog:
Memory Craft: Lynne Kelly On The Potent Power Of Ancient Mnemonics
Aug 08, 2019
It only took three pages for Memory Craft to become my favorite book on the art of memory.
Why?
The answer is simple:
Lynne Kelly, the author of Memory Craft, is devoted to helping people memorize information that matters.
And in a world cramped with endless memory improvement books devoted to directing memory skills at insignificant trivia, Memory Craft is a breath of fresh air.
Here’s why:
Memory Craft concentrates on learning facts, languages and processes real people can use in every day life (like using the multiplication table directly from memory). She also addresses memory science and how these techniques can be used by young people.
Now, you may remember Lynne Kelly from a previous interview where we discussed her fantastic book, The Memory Code.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jim_csNGV1Q
I’m thrilled to have her return to The Magnetic Memory Method Podcast to talk about her newest release. The full title is: Memory Craft: Improve Your Memory Using the Most Powerful Methods From Around the World.
For those of you not familiar with Lynne, here’s the lowdown:
Not only is Lynne Kelly the author of several books on memory, but she is a highly skilled researcher, science educator, author and memory competitor.
Most known for her theory about Stonehenge’s purpose, she has also contributed to work in popular science and is a promoter of skepticism. She’s even reported on the connection between learning and genetics to great acclaim.
Lynne’s critical thinking and contributions to such a wide range of science subjects has led to awards from the Royal Zoological Society of South Wales among others.
As a memory expert with a special focus on ancient memory techniques, Lynne Kelly is that rare practitioner who takes on large learning projects and shares the journey in addition to attending memory sport activities.
And that’s what makes today’s conversation with Lynne so special. Lynne helps us explore our need as a species to treat our minds as “muscles” that deserve ongoing development, ideally through a combination of learning and play.
Using tested memory techniques for completing fun and engaging memorization tasks, Lynne traces the timeline of the important role these skills have placed from ancient times to today’s memory competitors.
If you want to learn a foreign language, you need to memorize and deliver a speech, or you’re a student preparing for an exam Lynne has a solution for your memory dilemma. The best part?
Lynne’s suggestions for incorporating mental exercise into your daily routines work even if you only have 5 minutes a day.
Intrigued? Press play above and you’ll discover:
* The real reason why stores play such upbeat, catchy music.
* Why outdoor Memory Palaces can be so helpful for memory retention.
* The benefits of “setting aside” time for memory training versus incorporating practice into everyday life.
* How vivid, violent, or vulgar imagery can bring abstract concepts to life.
* Why “rapscallions” are useful memory tools and not just mischievous little creatures.
* How art can help you remember more in a Memory Palace.
9 Awesome Accelerated Learning Techniques [Beyond Mnemonics]
Aug 01, 2019
Do accelerated learning techniques really speed up learning?
Well, if you’re looking for ways to maximize your study sessions and get the most “bang for your buck,” here’s the real deal:
Most of the shortcuts people associate with “speed learning” and “speed reading” actually make things longer and harder.
That’s right:
Speed reading is not a shortcut!
(This is because most people can neither comprehend nor remember when they’re skimming like a maniac.)
But if you want a collection of techniques that will truly accelerate your learning process and help you master your discipline in a shorter amount of time, then it really does need to be just that:
A collection.
And to be clear:
Learning “faster” isn’t always about efficiency. Especially not when you’re studying massive topics of knowledge, as I share with you in this post about how I’m using memory techniques in law school.
In fact, the fantasy of efficiency throws up one of the biggest barriers around. People waste time trying to master shortcuts that are never going to work.
Why?
Because they haven’t mastered the fundamentals that allow the learner to even understand the shortcuts, let alone effectively use them.
And that’s why we’re going to start this training by busting some of the myths around learning techniques that some self-proclaimed learning gurus (strangely) vilify:
Highlighting
Re-reading
Keyword notes
We’ll cover when and why these 3 techniques can actually be great, and then explore 6 of the classic accelerated learning techniques everyone should know.
What Makes A Learning Technique “Accelerated”
I don’t know about you, but I’ve personally found highlighting and re-reading to be very helpful.
But there is definitely a right and a wrong way to perform these strategies.
In fact, they are deeply problematic if you don’t take into account what matters:
Whenever evaluating a learning technique, ask yourself important questions like, “What context am I in?” and “Does this apply to what I’m learning?”
Take into account your desired outcome and the application of strategy in context.
Use A Mind Map And Vision Statement To Help
Literally map out what you want to achieve and see how relevant a learning strategy is to that goal. I suggest you use Tony Buzan’s Mind Map Mastery to help.
I also suggest you create a vision statement. Here’s how:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFz31HpVkj0
Then, analyze your results with the technique you implement into your study sessions. It literally requires some trial and error before you pass final judgment on what works in different contexts.
Finally, you must be willing to conduct experimentation to improve your results. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes while searching for what works best for you. There is no end all, be all when it comes to study techniques.
It doesn’t matter what others say. Highlighting can be useful in context, and I’ll explain why. Re-reading can be a great strategy for learning. Keyword notes can be extremely beneficial to achieve your desired outcome.
My advice? Don’t listen to the critics who dismiss these techniques so easily…instead let’s explore them a bit more in depth.
3 Bad Learning Techniques Made Good (In The Right Contexts)
Sensible Highlighting
Highlighting can be useful for names, dates, key terms, and definitions.
Why is it a useful technique?
Certainly not because it helps you concentrate better while reading a text. After all, no matter how much you refine the approach, you’re still stopping and starting the reading process.
Nonetheless, the benefit of highlighting’s usefulness is rooted in delayed benefits.
For example, when you return to the text you can rapidly flip through the pages and say:
Used in a sparse and targeted manner, highlighting is a great alternative to having to search for specific kinds of information.
What kinds of information? When I was in university, I used highlighting for creating “beacons” that helped me rapidly gather:
Names of people
Dates
Key terms and definitions
I identified them on the first read, and then circled back to pick them up for memorization later.
Color Coded Highlights?
Should you experiment with color coding your highlighting?
If it helps you rapidly distinguish names from dates, why not? I’ve personally never found pausing to change colors worth the time, but you might.
For me, I limit this technique to specific “seek and find” tasks. Highlighting in just one color – sparingly – is the best strategy when I don’t mind marking up my books.
Alternatives to Highlighting
There are alternatives to highlighting as well. These are tidier and a bit easier on the eyes than a sea of neon in your text.
For example, try something I’ve coined the Marginalia Dot, a simple dot in the margins.
You can also use squares, circles, stars, or some other shape. These are much easier to scan and I find they work a lot better than brackets or underlining in a text. Their non-intrusive nature preserve the aesthetic value and readability of the book too.
Even better, this technique introduces an element of memory exercise. Instead of “feeding” yourself the information you wanted to remember, the Marginalia Dot prompts you to remember.
The book’s content helps remind you, of course, but you’re not taking the simple way out. You’re forcing yourself to grow.
What do I do after laying out all these tiny dots? I use this textbook memorization technique with index cards.
In all cases, develop your own system so you can discover what works best for you. Only you can, so dive in!
Re-Reading
I’m no stranger to re-reading a text, as you know.
Personally, I feel that re-reading is always a good idea after pre-reading and priming as well as after reading a book, and even after note gathering and memorization.
Now, I know that one of the reasons why re-reading is frowned upon is not because of the effectiveness of the technique itself.
It’s user error.
People have just not thought to budget and schedule the time for re-reading. The key is to set aside the time, instead of blaming time for being what it is.
Keyword Notes
While the precise definition of “keyword notes” varies from person to person, it generally just means boiling bigger ideas down into individual words that help us unlock the larger concept.
For example, on this mind map, I boiled down an entire concept related to practice down to just that keyword, even though multiple ideas were involved.
Not madness like this early mind map I created (though this approach was not entirely for nothing):
A problem that many learners face is that they just don’t know what keywords they should use to unlock the larger concepts.
The best way to gain clarity? Ask.
Ask your professor, ask other students, or even the department secretary. Ask for copies of previous exams, or explore related texts by using indexes, bibliographies and online search tools suggested by librarians.
You must become a bit of a self-directed detective. Learn to ask the “right” questions by just getting started with asking them.
Also, here’s a next-level mindset tip: Let go of the idea that you could ever know everything there is to know. We are all constantly learning. We are lifetime learners, constantly searching out “keywords.” Accept this fact and enjoy the ride.
What Makes The “Good Accelerated Learning Techniques” Coming Up So Good?…
If highlighting, re-reading, and keyword notes are bad, what makes an accelerated learning technique good?
The same things that make the bad, bad! (Mind-blowing, I know.)
Remember, it’s not so much about the techniques, as it is the strategic deployment of the right technique in the right context.
When it comes to the classic accelerated learning techniques, let’s explore more of the details that will help you choose based on the learning situations you find yourself in.
Self-Explanation
There are many ways to practice self-explanation, such as the Feynman technique:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_JJcF1ZVo4
Another method is to perform regular progress checks. Here’s how:
Record and analyze your progress. You don’t have to be hard on yourself if you don’t see a rapid improvement or something you believe is measurable, but really invest the time to explore where you are at with your learning journey.
Whether they be in textbooks, online, or are previous tests from your department of study, there are practice tests widely available for you to utilize if you seek them out.
Once you take the time to find “where you’re at,” and know what needs improvement in your knowledge base, fill in the gaps with some “brute force learning.”
Although this accelerated learning term sounds like cramming, it isn’t.
Instead, putting on a timer and gobbling up as much related information as you can helps foster better understanding. It’s a powerful alternative to saying “I don’t understand.”
Instead, you tell yourself “I’m going to understand this. This is not something that I get right now, but I’m going to write out what it is I don’t get, and then I’m going to craft a plan that helps me seal the gaps.”
In this way, you are taking charge of your education through self-explanation and a little tough love. So the next time you get hung up on something, journal the nature of the problem and then write out the most likely way to solve it.
Like this:
“I don’t understand this concept about nuclear fission. My book defines it as ______________. What I don’t understand specifically is _____________. To help myself understand, I’m going to search the key terms on Wikipedia, YouTube and try to find a few blog posts from experts on Google.” Isn’t a small bit of time spent in self-explanation better than giving up?
Elaboration
Elaboration is a mental process where you repeatedly ask yourself the classic questions of “Who, what, where, when, why, and how?”
Instead of just reading a text, this approach allows you to dig into it contextually. It’s essentially a means of manually injecting curiosity into your learning process.
For example, when dealing with mathematical formulas (for example) you can ask:
Who came up with this?
What were they doing with it?
When did they come up with it?
Where were they when they came up with it?
Why did they come up with it?
How exactly did they come up with it?
Really engage in the mental process of doing more than reading, but exploring, through questioning, the context.
Historical context can be very important!
The more you look at historical contexts, the more you’re able to compound a variety of levels of information. This act is itself a memory aid because you create more mental connections while doing it.
You’ll also want to use tools of comparison and contrast. Compare things historically, geographically, and geo-historically.
The possibilities are infinite. Use the power of combining multiple levels with these simple questions to your advantage.
The Power Of Consequences
Finally, take into consideration consequences of things which are always important to know.
For example, you can ask: “For those who understand the consequences of this knowledge, what happens for them as a result?”
Albeit conceptual, this is yet another layer of information that can deeply bolster your understanding and instantly make things more memorable.
At the end of the day it all comes down to getting granular with the text and diving deeper than a surface level of engagement so common amongst those who read passively.
Proper Goal Setting
You must have a purpose and a why to what you’re doing. Too many times young people are pushed into making major life decisions at a very early age. Even if these people do become successful, they often wind up wearing golden handcuffs.
What exactly are golden handcuffs?
Golden handcuffs chain your life when you’re successful in completing goals, but you wind up miserable because you’ve led yourself into a career that is very different from what you wanted to do.
For example, how many highly successful doctors or lawyers had childhood dreams of becoming artists or musicians? What about the corporate executive who really wanted to be an author when he or she grew up?
At surface level they have it all figured out and should be happy. But we all know how it goes. In reality, so many people who seem successful are actually unfulfilled. And sometimes, accelerated learning techniques helped lead them into the maze that traps them.
How can this be avoided?
Easy: Proper goal setting.
Set goals that:
You can actually accomplish
You actually want the outcome of,
Help you grow
Give you options beyond the outcome so that you’re able to go in different directions after you’ve accomplished a certain level of goal.
Many people set goals that require smaller goals on the way to a larger goal, like stepping stones.
The smaller goals build up larger and larger until the ultimate goal is accomplished, one leading to the next.
Understand that even the smallest goal has to start somewhere. This should be based upon your existing competence. Proper goal setting takes into account an already established knowledge base, no matter how small.
Proper goal setting also is conscious of the Challenge-Frustration curve. You may find yourself bored as things get easier, as your goals are achieved, and, admittedly, that is a tortuous thing.
Experiment and find the balance of giving yourself sufficient challenge, but not so much that you are constantly frustrated and become burnt out.
Finally, take into consideration the 80/20 rule when goal setting.
Remove or Manage Distractions
Easier said than done right?
After all, distractions can be internal or external. Oddly enough, it’s the internal distractions that are bigger, meaner, and nastier than anything from the outside world.
Internal Distractions
Internal distractions are largely mental. The stories we tell ourselves, and the way we convince ourselves we’re not good enough, smart enough, or capable is grossly unfair.
Although such rotten mental content has no place in an intelligent mind, nonetheless, it’s there.
More crazy:
We reason and justify negativity so that we believe it’s logical and our truth. It’s a constant inner battle.
In my experience, meditation and taking care of diet and sleep are the best cure.
External Distractions
Distractions can also be external.
Take into consideration your learning environment. Is it too crowded? Too noisy? How is the lighting? Find out if a steady hum of people and bright lights is beneficial to your or a distraction.
Also, do you work better in a more dimly lit space with silence? Experiment with your study space to find what works best for you. Take steps to remove or reduce those environmental distractions to multiply your efforts.
Multi-Sensory Learning
We’ve talked in great detail about the Big Five of Learning – reading, writing, listening, and speaking and their benefits to memorization and learning. By creating a multi-sensory experience, far more physical and mental connections are made.
When you use multi-sensory learning across multiple disciplines, the material becomes more naturally etched in your mind.
In addition to the Big Five explore the idea of distributed practice. Experiment with studying in short sessions, learning broken up into smaller bursts, over a long period of time.
Learn Faster By Changing Spots
Finally, try changing contexts or locations. The novelty of a new learning environment may be exactly what you need for retention.
Once you’ve found your ideal learning environment explore places with the same aesthetic.
Rotate between several cafes or area libraries. If you find yourself hitting a wall at a location, move to the next. You can even take the opportunity to walk between the places as a Memory Palace journey. Here’s how:
Yes, taking a break to walk between locations really can help you learn faster. It’s great for writing too (most of the articles on this blog were written while walking between cafes, as it happens.)
Tony Buzan with Anthony Metivier and Phil Chambers
Coaches and Mentors
Coaches and mentors are huge for accelerating your learning.
If you don’t have one, you should figure out how to get one.
Not only do you have the actual expertise of the person who’s gotten where you want to get, but they can see what you’re doing with a granular level of detail that someone who is not at that place that you want to get can never see.
We know there are benefits to a study group and discussion among peers, but a coach or a mentor is next level engagement. They can pick up the details of what you’re doing wrong, and what you’re doing right and give you advice, from personal experience, on how to improve.
If your discipline is so niche or you are unable, for any reason, to find a mentor, consider Tim Ferriss’s idea of DiSSS.
D stands for deconstructing.
Look at top level experts or performers in your field. Analyze what they are doing right, or what works for them. What techniques have led to their success? What strategies have they utilized to excel at their craft?
Find and use the great ideas, but also use your critical thinking skills. What failures and setbacks have they had along their journey? Knowing their weaknesses and making note of their failures and missteps can help you to avoid those same mistakes.
(I has no representation. It is simply a placeholder vowel so the acronym can be spoken, therefore easily remembered.)
S is selection from similarity.
Selection involves meta learning or knowing how to learn. For example, if you have a goal of learning multiple languages, start with the second language where you started with the first.
If you are learning vocabulary and you began with household objects for your first language – bed, table, door, chair, etc., – begin with this same vocabulary for the next language. Craft a modus operandi.
S stands for study. You have to put in the work. There’s no shortcut there. Studying is focused time and effort.
The final S represents stakes. Simply put, we’re talking about having skin in the game. Invest in yourself. Make sure you have the best possible training that you can get. If coaching and mentorship is an option for you (and even if it isn’t), make it happen.
Is Simplicity Actually Worth It?
There’s a trend out there these days that involves learning gurus urging people to seek out simplicity. After all, we naturally shy away from complication, and the sharks know how confirmation bias works. They’re singing exactly the tune most people want to hear.
Instead, I suggest that you ask yourself this difficult question:
“Should I simplify or look complexity in the eye?”
If you really want to experience accelerated learning, I challenge you to avoid the easy route. Stop simplifying things for simplification’s sake.
Learning doesn’t need to be simple, and the best science we have shows beyond a doubt that learning must be challenging in order for growth to take place.
Instead of simplifying information, make it manageable. Not easy, but manageable. In other words, deconstruct the steps involved, just as Tim Ferriss suggests.
Above all, remember to keep flexible. You may need to rework your plans, examine your goals for practicality’s sake, or raise the stakes. For many people, they’re goals actually aren’t lofty enough.
And just get started!
Once in motion, you’ll soon see that everything that once seemed tough looks very different on the other side.
I’m talking about the side of acceleration that you’ll be proud of.
Why?
Because it is real, earned and entirely your own through authentic experience.
How to Create An UNSHAKABLE Memory Palace Training Routine
Jul 18, 2019
If you want to create an unshakable Memory Palace training routine, here’s the most important point:
Your memory exercise routine needs to be immovable from your schedule.
Like a mountain.
Think for a second about what mountains represent:
Mountains symbolize strength, and they dominate the landscape. Mountains endure extreme weather, erosion, and yet remain sturdy.
Now, you may not think of your mind as being as sturdy and consistent as a mountain.
But when it comes to establishing memory ability and the mental power consistent memory training can create in your life, this level of sturdiness is possible.
All it takes is self-discipline, the application of the right techniques, and an established routine you love to maintain.
But you might be thinking…
That’s easy for you to say, memory man!
I don’t even know how to get started!
How To Get Started?
The first step is to realize that you probably have mountain-sized obstacles in your path.
For example, you might have these three BAD habits:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAXBf61Q7Eg
Now, it might take some time to get rid of those habits, but I’m confident you can do it.
It wan’t exactly easy for me, but I was able to make progress.
And the fruits of progress are very profound indeed.
So let me me ask you:
Mine are.
And I’m so glad that I can say “yes!”
But how do I really know they are rock sturdy?
For one thing, I’ve recited the same passages from memory for nearly two and a half years (Ribhu Gita and Upadesa Saram).
I talked about this project at a TEDx event, a talk I also memorized:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
Then there’s my personal productivity.
For nearly ten years as of today, I’ve released podcasts, blog posts and videos with (almost) weekly consistency.
Let me be clear:
Only a regular memory practice and personal discipline makes accomplishing such goals possible.
Along the way, I’ve interviewed and made friends with many of the best memory athletes and memory experts on the planet. They’ve inspired me on my mission to spread knowledge about memory techniques as far and wide as possible, and to keep up with memory training each and every day.
So, to help you, on this page, I’ll talk about what I’ve learned about Memory Palace training routines along the way.
How To Topple The Biggest Barriers To Consistent Memory Training
Instead of focusing on the pain, flip the script. Ask instead:
“What if I actually had a fully functional Memory Palace Network and could memorize information quickly? AND not only memorize it, but have it at my fingertips, when I need it?”
Replace focus on the pain with a serious grasp on the outcomes, the benefits, and the goals needed to help you create your first Memory Palace Network. Then create the simple systems that will help you achieve those goals.
Want proof that the Memory Palace technique works? This memory science makes it undeniable! All you need to bring is the practice. The tips below will help. Keep reading!
Fight Vs. Flight: How to Raise The Fists Of Your Memory And Keep Punching
Are “fight” or “flight” behaviors typical for you?
If you’re not sure, think about the last time you faced a really big challenge.
Did you dive in, or did you sit still and further cement your status as a “couch potato?” through more inactivity? (Let me know in the comments below if you wish.)
Now think about creating that Memory Palace Network (here are some varying examples of this memory technique to help you).
Do you see it as a challenge you can rise to or something to run from?
If you’re running from it, see if you can’t craft a different story for yourself. See yourself diving into battle without fear, for example.
Such a simple shift in mindset really can enable you to make it happen instead of throwing your hands up in the air, admitting defeat and hiding your head in the sand.
You really can harness those runaway, unhealthy, defeatist thoughts. You just need to step back from your ego a bit and objectively view the nature of your thoughts. Or use this simple tip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW8tHFiTVNY
Contrary to popular belief, this form of self-inquiry like this does not lead to paralysis analysis.
Instead, an honest analysis of how your mind creates fears and endless self-doubt really can help you take action. You really can start to understand that the barriers you face are really just thoughts in your mind. Walking meditation can help if you don’t like asking and answering these kinds of questions while sitting still.
In all cases, you must take action in order to fully understand how memory techniques work.
Put it this way:
How would you know that you can’t lift Thor’s hammer until that you’ve actually had the handle in your grip?
This is where having a proper mindset separates the wheat from the chaff.
You must have an “all-in” attitude. You’ve got to go for it with laser-focused intent.
The only question is… how do you develop the mindset that allows you to leave your fear and overwhelm about such a “big task” behind?
Use The World’s Most Powerful Cliché And Find Your “Why”
“Know your why” is a cliché, to be sure.
But it works for a reason, and not just because it’s identifiable and relatable.
Thinking about your why causes you to take a long, hard look at your reason behind doing anything, much deeper than surface level reasons like looking smarter or getting a raise.
For this reason, every time we think about our Memory Palace training routines, we will do very well to revisit our why.
How To Dig Into Your Why
Ask yourself “What do I really need these techniques for?”
It is to become a memory champion? To pass exams? To learn languages?
Is it that you want to be able to deal with a large volume of information, or are you more concerned with the speed at which you’re learning and retaining information?
Next, dig deeper.
I recommend that you look for at least five levels of why.
These reasons do not necessarily have to be in a hierarchy of importance. It’s just important that you have enough fuel to draw upon when times get tough or other priorities start to compete with your memory training schedule.
Example of Five Levels Of Why
For example, here are my five levels:
To grow the garden of my knowledge through multiple layers of connection
To deepen my understanding of how world history and philosophy connect
To correct errors where they exist and increase factual accuracy
To increase cultural understanding and communication through ongoing language learning
To maintain brain health through continual brain exercise
You might struggle at first to reach five reasons. Keep practicing and you’ll get there.
The Bucket List Technique
Another way to find your why involves creating a “bucket list.”
If you can’t figure out five reasons, or five whys, why you want to do a thing… what are you even bothering wanting to do it for? Do you really want it after all?
This high level “why” will help you not to waste time on training for things you don’t actually want to do, because your training will fall apart if you don’t actually want the goal you set out for.
Do you have to stop at five?
Of course not.
But when you have at least five, you’ll discover it’s easy to complete the next, crucial step: Crafting a Vision Statement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFz31HpVkj0
And as you can see from Joe’s email and extract from his Memory Journal after he watched the video above, this technique really works:
Vision Statement from Joe’s Memory Journal
“Hey professor 🙂
I just wanted to say thank you again for putting that vision statement video out. If you want to see what I ended up with for a vision statement, I attached it to this email. There’s 18 pages of work I had to go through to get it boiled down to this. It was exactly what I needed at the time I needed it.”
Thanks for sharing this part of your journey, Joe!
Now all you have to do is…
Link Your “Why” To Missions That Use Simple Systems
Wait a minute? Isn’t having a fully developed why enough?
In a word:
No.
A why is only as good as the action-based systems to which you link it.
Put it this way:
The biggest problem I’ve found is that a lot of people create goals that are forced. They proceed toward creating outcomes they’re not entirely passionate about.
For example, their parents have the vision of them becoming a doctor or lawyer, when they’d rather write children’s books or become touring musicians.
No wonder they don’t have a why they can create systems and missions for! You really can’t get a clear understanding of your why when… it isn’t yours. I know this from my own experience, when I once tried completing a mission with no truth to it whatsoever (long story).
Condensed Memory Training System Example
Here’s an example of a daily system I currently use:
Wake up, drink water, stretch
Recite memorized Ribhu Gita, Upadesa Saram and Bhagavad Gita verses in Sanskrit
Gratitude journal and then recall the memorized cards
Memorize more verses in Sanskrit
How is this linked to my five levels of why?
Very simple:
I spent years getting a PhD that involved understanding Western history and philosophy. As great as this mission was, I learned next to nothing about the Eastern traditions.
By studying a language and philosophical world of an Eastern tradition I grow connections between schools of thought in the garden of my mind. I deepen my understanding and develop greater factual accuracy. My cultural understanding develops and it all happens while fortifying my brain health through the combination of multiple memory exercises.
And in case you’re wondering about the playing cards, it is well known that a simple creative memory exercise helps prime the mind before taking on a harder task.
Obviously memory training takes place over time. It is a process and if you want the full benefits of what memory training can do for you, your practice sessions will take place over a period of time.
Don’t say you’ll get to it when you “find the time.” Time isn’t something you stumble across. Time is something you structure. Structuring time is itself something you must practice, so the good news is that memory training lets you kill two birds with one stone.
How to get started?
It depends on your goal. For example, if you don’t yet have a Memory Palace Network, that should likely be your first goal so that you can practice effectively.
Here’s how:
Set aside the time to create one Memory Palace per day.
That’s it. That’s not that difficult is it?
It’s a goal that’s easily attainable for anyone, even someone just starting out. Squash those thoughts of overwhelm right off the bat using the tools discussed above.
Commit to a routine and this will happen:
In less than a month you’ll have the minimum recommendation of Memory Palaces in place to serve you (and they will last for the rest of your life while helping you memorize faster).
Two to five hours is all the Memory Palace Network takes for most people. You can knock it out over a weekend.
Once you have your Memory Palace Network in place, your mini-missions can evolve. You can incorporate card memorization, section off time to work on a larger project (like learning a foreign language), and practice encoding and Recall Rehearsal daily.
For these larger goals, I suggest encoding five to ten pieces of information in each Memory Palace per day.
You can structure your time mentally, of course, but I would encourage you to save the mental space and journal.
I use tools like the Freedom Journal, Mastery Journal, and Snapshot Journal. They help with keeping track of time spent and progress towards goals. When you look back over your days, weeks and months, you can make comparisons to see just how far you’ve come by utilizing “captured” time in your journals.
How To Track Your Memory Palace Training Results
The same methods for structuring time can also be used to help you track your results.
But first you might be wondering…
What does tracking results actually accomplish?
In a nutshell, tracking helps you:
Self-monitor and recognize when you’ve fallen off the wagon
Spot trends (both positive and negative)
Correct or improve negative trends (you’ll spot what isn’t working)
Harness the value of positive trends (you’ll spot what is working and improve it)
Produce solutions to training problems
Create positive feedback at a glance that keeps your morale high
When you’re properly tracking your progress, you’ll never frustrate yourself when mistakes take place or you have a down day.
Instead of saying “Oh, this just isn’t working,” negative assessments will be replaced with, “That’s curious. What is it that I can do to improve this? What could I do to make a little change and experiment tomorrow?”
Then, track the adjustments you make, note your progress, and you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come. This will create an endless supply of enthusiasm, and therefore motivation to keep that daily practice as priority.
How To Troubleshoot Memory Palace Training Problems
What about when mistakes happen, or you fall off the wagon?
There’s a continuing huge trend in the field of life coaching, and for good reason. Perhaps you’re surrounded by “yes men” in your everyday life, or just people who needlessly enable you.
Invest in someone who not only will listen to your B.S., but who will point out the nature of it. Seeing things through an objective lens will help you move forward, and move forward consistently.
It doesn’t have to be a memory expert. Just establish some accountability through real communication, not just surface level, but real, honest, communication.
What if You Miss Just One Day?
We all know life happens and we should, at this point, expect the unexpected, right? We can’t predict the when of when life will throw us a curveball, but we know, at some point, it’s coming. That’s no surprise. We can’t control it…
But what we can control is our reaction to the unexpected, when our daily routine is thrown off course, when we miss a day of practice. What happens then?
First we must accept it. Just accept that you missed a day and don’t beat yourself up over it. Don’t give up when a minor setback occurs.
Nicholas Castle used memory techniques to help him overcome PTSD. His story demonstrates how anyone can overcome setbacks of any kind.
Revisit your why and review your mission often. If you get off track revise your mini-missions.
Most importantly, get back on the horse. It may be a real struggle at first, but if you train yourself you’ll develop that skill of resilience. Starting over again is itself something to practice.
It leads to resilience, which leads to strength.
How To Remove/Manage Distractions
I can’t believe how many people make light of their procrastination and how easily they get distracted.
It’s no joking matter.
You need to identify the aspects holding you back and them eliminate them. Like we talked about at the top of this post.
You can also model others. Here are some notes about my personal habits, for example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyUsLTPHbTk
Here are some more questions and avenues for exploration:
Are your internal distractions more physical than mental?
If they are internal and psychological, look at your diet. Is it helping or causing harm?
How restful is a night’s sleep for you? Are you getting enough sleep?
Take a long look at how you are treating your physical body because it correlates directly to the results you can achieve mentally.
What about external distractions? Is your scheduled time really protected?
Take into consideration your learning area and the environment you need for you to learn best in. Also:
All of these external factors can have a great impact on optimization of your scheduled time, for better or worse.
At the end of the day, you might just need to make your memory training activities more visible. For example, with your card memorization practice, keep a deck of cards in a prominent place. You’ll find it difficult to forget your commitment to memorizing them.
You don’t have to memorize a full deck, or make a huge time commitment of it.
Just stop on the way to the kitchen, or your way out the door to encode just five cards, one word, or whatever it is you’re memorizing. Make stopping and practicing a habit simply by repeating the behavior because it’s inescapable.
How To Master the Must-Have Mnemonic Devices
Think about Batman, Iron Man or any of the great comic book heroes that aren’t aliens, mutants or otherwise supernatural in some way.
What is the greatest weapon in their arsenal?
Their tech, right?
They have no superhuman abilities, no unusual strength, rapid healing, or anything like that.
Yet, they are known for their tools. In fact, they’d be nothing without them!
You must also have the right tools in place.
This fact means you must have a Memory Palace Network and Magnetic Imagery.
Know these techniques in depth and practice them.
Next, take the time and create your own 00-99 P.A.O. using either the Major System or the Dominic System. I also highly recommend an alphabet list using the pegword method.
But above all these mnemonic devices, here’s the most important tool in your tool belt of all:
You Must Maintain A Lifelong Beginner’s Mindset
Ditch the holier than thou, “been there, done that,” know it all attitude.
Can we ever really know it all? It’s impossible. There’s always more to learn, always ways to improve.
After all, we don’t even know what it is that we don’t know.
To counter this eternal problem, we develop routines, we show up consistently, day after day, to continuously improve our skills and ourselves.
Face it:
You will never reach the finish line on this journey of memory, because there is always more to know. If you approach your training with this mindset the possibilities for your transformation are infinite.
The Most Important Memory Palace Disciplines to Train
If you’re wondering what memory discipline to start with, here’s what I suggest:
Names are the core foundation of memory training because everything is a name, right? Everything in this world has a name attached to it, whether that be the number 44, or Dave, who you just met at a networking event.
Verbatim. This includes quotes, speeches, poetry, scripture and any important text that has to be memorized word for word.
Numbers. Although we don’t dial from memory anymore, historical dates, prices, passwords and computer code all still have them.
Sometimes people ask about how many words or numbers they should memorize. You can either set benchmarks for yourself, or just roll the dice.
I’ve discussed rolling the dice as a strategy here in one the earliest episodes of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast:
With or without dice, before you memorize anything, I suggest starting with a brain warmup. Just a few moments with some mental stretching will help make your practice sessions flow and lead to better results.
Summary And Your Next Steps
Now that you have your why, you have the tools in place, and your daily system is established, now what?
Journal your why. Really understand what it is that you’re doing and what you’re training for. What is the outcome that you want and why do you want it?
Identify your mission. If you’re thinking “Well, isn’t my mission identifying my why?”…
Not necessarily.
If you want to learn a language, there’s multiple layers to that. Is your goal A1 or A2 mastery? Establish that specific mission inside the mission to get your outcome.
Then break even that mission down into even more precise mini-missions.
For example, with learning language, you could say “Today I’m going to study the colors,” or “Today I’ll focus on words that begin with the letter A.” Break everything down into manageable tasks day by day.
Finally, get the tools in place if you don’t have them already and schedule your practice.
That is all, and it really isn’t too much to ask. Not if you want a truly unshakeable Memory Palace training routine.
Elaborative encoding isn’t the sexiest term memory science has come up with, is it?
No, but it sure is fantastic when it plays out in real life.
After all, use this memory technique well, and you can memorize a dozen names (or more) at any meeting or party.
Not to mention several dozen details about:
Occupations
Hobbies
Relationship statuses
Locations
Educational and professional backgrounds
… and much, much more!
Imagine being able to remember so much about all the people you meet… within seconds of hearing the details.
Wouldn’t that be a great skill to have?
(If you don’t think so, I’d love to hear why not in the comment section below!)
The best part (when you have these skills)?
You’ll have it all perfectly organized and reachable in your mind. These details will have literally gone from short term memory to long term memory within seconds.
Don’t Fear Memory Science!
Now, I realize that a lot of people hear the scientific terms for how memory techniques work and are immediately turned off.
And even though a term like “elaborative encoding” sounds complicated, it is actually:
Simpler than you might think
Something you’re doing already …
And always beneficial to practice so you get better over time
To help you out, I’ve designed three memory-boosting elaborative encoding exercises.
But first, you’ll be best served by understanding exactly what elaborative encoding is.
Effective elaborative encoding is like having a vibrant, multi-connected ecosystem of connections in your mind
What is “Elaborative Encoding”?
Defining elaborative encoding is elementary! Yes, really!
And it’s not so much a thing, as it is a thing you do when using memory techniques.
This simple mental task starts with linking information that you want to remember with existing knowledge.
For example:
There’s a guy named Hunter at Burger Project (in Brisbane) where I go to get grass fed beef burgers (no bun).
I memorized his name almost automatically because I linked the information, Hunter’s name, with information I already know about hunters.
And I put several layers of that information together within seconds of hearing his name. I linked him to a camouflage-clad man with a gun, and not a generic one. Rather, I used my favorite Looney Tunes hunter, Elmer Fudd.
Elmer Fudd with the old Nintendo gun for Duck Hunt worked great as my Magnetic Image for “Hunter”
At the same time, I put that old plastic gun from the Nintendo game Duck Hunt in Hunter’s hand. (Not in reality, but in my imagination.)
By taking his name and associating it with Elmer Fudd and then going one step further and adding Duck Hunt, I was elaborating my mental imagery. In addition to thinking about what all of this looked like, I also:
Heard the sound of a duck-hunting gun and Elmer Fudd’s voice
Felt the Nintendo gun in my hand
Imagined the smell of gun smoke
Imagined the taste of roasted duck
In each case, I made the image weird, larger than life and filled it with vibrant action. Hunter literally shot Elmer Fudd before I started eating him as if he were a duck.
All combined, these layers of elaboration made the name Hunter even more memorable. This process only took a few seconds, and I’ve never forgotten his name since.
What Else Can This Style of Mnemonic Elaboration Be Used For?
Not, you may think that this all sounds fine and dandy for names. But here’s the thing:
Elaborative encoding can be applied to any knowledge.
If you can take that knowledge, make associations and manipulate size, color, speed, duration, distance, mood, emotion, and space… you can memorize anything.
When can elaborative encoding be used?
Any time.
But in the beginning, just focus on the keywords related to the information you want added to your knowledgebase.
From there, you can branch out to more challenging memory tasks, like memorizing scripture.
Otherwise, you’re creating more work for yourself before you have the needed skill set. Why put the cart ahead of the horse?
Semantic encoding has to do with the structure, and oftentimes, meaning of information.
For example, in learning the letters of the alphabet, you probably didn’t start with the letter Q.
Instead, you learned your A, B, Cs through song, in alphabetical order (a structure).
You concentrated on each letter individually as you learned the sound each letter makes.
Later, you learned how to recognize them when written, and how to write them yourself.
The Magisterial Role Of Mental “Free” Association
To take another example, if I say the word “red,” you might picture a stop sign, firetruck, or big, juicy apple. You associate red with its meaning, with examples of that color in the world. This is an element of elaborative encoding.
But that’s not all …
Elaborative encoding can also be echoic, or relating to sound.
It can be the literal interpretation or imitation of sounds, such as onomatopoeia:
A frog croaks, bees buzz, cats meow, and horses neigh.
These sounds are familiar and engrained, so that when we hear a “woof,” we instantly picture a dog.
All of these connections are already in your brain. That’s what makes it so easy to use them along with the classic memory techniques.
Sound like “free” creativity?
It is. The only cost is being human.
What Else Can You Elaborate? …
You don’t have to stop with elaborating your mental imagery. You can also…
Elaborate organization itself.
Look:
Memory Palaces are the go-to tool of most mnemonists. They are in essence the palette upon which we “paint” our elaborative encoding.
These organizational tools, powerful on their own, can be multiplied by using them in combination with each other. Think of them as elaboration inside of elaboration.
I help you further here:
Elaborate your state.
Think of the state that you’re in. What is it that you’re doing? Are you relaxed, present, and aware, or just simply floating through your day? Make use of relaxation and meditation techniques, even breathing exercises, to elaborate your personal state.
For example, in the beginning, you’ll want to beware of noise. It can distract you as you try to memorize. Later, as memory expert John Graham shares, yo should practice Memory Palaces in both noisy and quiet environments for mental simulation.
Elaborate your memory consolidation.
It is no secret that sleep is very important for memory consolidation, but it is not as widely known that is dependent on your age, meaning memory elaboration decreases with age.
It’s therefore a “no brainer” that we should try to squeeze every ounce of benefit to our memory by practicing good sleep habits, as well as tending to our overall health in general.
This means a proper diet, socialization (face-to-face interactions with others, and a consistent, daily routine, including a morning ritual to start your day off in the best possible way.
So how do we put all these ideas into practice so that our memory improvement efforts flow? With three simple exercises (check this out for more advanced Memory Palace training exercises):
#1: The Abstract Concepts Elaboration Exercise
The goal of this exercise is to practice the elaborative encoding of concepts.
To begin, select a list of non-visual concepts, or words.
Nothing fancy!
Seriously. There’s no need to run to a dictionary of philosophy (though you can if you want).
Just start with concept words you already know. These are words that contain basic concepts and ideas like:
Justice
Truth
Economy
Try to come up with a list of 10 such conceptual words that are already familiar to you.
If 10 is too much, you can always scale back. Challenge yourself appropriately, while avoiding piling on so many concepts that you just wind up frustrated.
Once you have your list established, use a Memory Palace with an appropriate number of Magnetic Stations, and make associations that let you memorize the words on your list.
For example, if you’re a metalhead, Metallica’s …And Justice for All probably comes to mind when you hear the term justice.
In this case, you could use James Hetfield to represent justice. Or maybe an icon of justice has stolen his guitar, and he wants it back.
Are you more of a comic book fan?
No problem! Think about Superman and his infamous tagline, “Truth, justice, and the American way.”
Encode your entire list, making associations with your memory palace, elaborating these associations – maybe Superman is tossing tea on James Hetfield’s guitar, causing Hetfield to seek justice. By bringing the two together…
You’reelaborating elaboration! That is a very powerful way to boost your memory, indeed.
Finally, test the strength of your abstract elaborations. Use Recall Rehearsal as you write out your list into your Memory Journal.
For more practice, add more conceptual words. Now might be the time to get out that dictionary of philosophy!
#2: The Name Elaboration Exercise
Next, put together a list of names.
What kind of names? How about ones that relate to your field of interest?
Are you a budding scientist? List pioneers in your field.
If you’re an aspiring artist, who are your influences?
Are you a talented home cook? Who are some of your favorite professional chefs?
To take another example, memory science is obviously important to me, both personally and professionally. Two innovators in the field are Fergus Craik and Robert Lockheart.
I can remember Fergus Craik by recalling my aunt’s mother who used to live in Fergus, Ontario.
Craik sounds similar to kraken, a mythological sea creature. So, perhaps my aunt’s mother is battling a kraken.
With Robert Lockheart, I remember this same aunt’s brother was named Robert.
While her mom is battling the kraken, Robert is having his heart ripped out by the Loch Ness monster.
Quite an image, right?
Not until it has all of the Magnetic Modes, it isn’t.
I need to add sound, some sense of feeling, and everything taught in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass to make sure the images really pop out in my Memory Palaces.
With your list of names, always seek to push the limits. The more “out there,” the more poignant it will be in your mind.
Encode your list, just as you did with concepts, using names, practice Recall Rehearsal, and test yourself.
#3: The Vocabulary Elaboration Exercise
For this exercise, choose vocabulary in your mother tongue.
Push forward and make sure you’re not just settling with good enough in your practice. Good enough will not sharpen your skills when it counts. You need to be challenged.
Your Next Steps Along The Never Ending Memory Adventure…
It’s easy really.
Step beyond the exercises and into the realm of use.
And as many kinds of use as you can.
For example, use these memory exercises in your daily learning practice across multiple disciplines. The more connections you make along your daily learning journey, the faster and more intuitively elaborations will come to your mind.
Also, mix and match these powerful brain exercises. Use vocabulary paired with names and concepts.
Constantly evolve your practice by adding challenges. Scale back if frustration occurs, and then add more challenge before you’re ready so you keep growing.
Then, the next time you’re at an event and you meet new people, you’ll have no problems whatsoever coming up with the perfect Magnetic Image for each and every person you meet.
Bonus Memory Training Content:
Check out the replay of this training with a live audience in the house. And make sure you’re subscribed if you want to join us for future sessions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGUGkBeyM2c
Delayed Gratification Tips For Memory Training With Matt Dobschuetz
Jun 19, 2019
All self improvement requires delayed gratification, especially memory training.
Now, I’m going to take you on an 180 degree spin, into the heart of a storm many millions of people face. Particularly men.
You see, I get a lot of private questions from people about memory.
And one of them involves online addiction, particularly around porn.
And that leads to compulsive behaviors, one of them being masturbation, more colorfully known as “fapping.”
Guess what?
Too much of it, especially when you’re wired for hours in front of a screen, definitely robs your memory of energy that could be used for memory training.
Worse:
There’s no denying that more of this behavior is happening now than ever before.
The good news is that people have become incredibly frank about the problem.
In fact, I often receive this question in my inbox:
“Should I try a no-fap challenge to help me improve my memory?”
To date, I’ve never addressed the question formally.
An instead of taking the stance and saying, “If porn and masturbation is a distraction from your memory training, eliminate it and see what happens,” I decided to call in an expert.
So let me introduce you to my friend Matt Dobschuetz.
Matt’s the man behind Porn Free Radio and RecoveredMan.com. He is a podcast show host, author and recovery coach for men dealing with addictions to pornography with one on one and group coaching through REV Group Coaching, which he founded.
On this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Matt and I discuss the problems porn addiction creates for your memory training progress.
Memory Vs. Porn Addiction (And How You Can Win)
We cover methods to overcome these memory-robbing impulses, and the science behind why that dependency develops in the first place.
Matt shares his own journey with overcoming porn addiction and we discuss how it relates to memory, and how using memory techniques can help to eliminate porn dependency.
If you struggle with true intimacy with a partner…
If you find yourself gravitating towards masturbation for stress relief …
If your sexual confidence is so low it’s almost nonexistent …
And if you habitually watch pornography and don’t even know why …
This podcast is for you.
Press play now and learn more about:
The rise in pornography accessibility with broadband internet and smartphones
How erectile dysfunction relates to porn dependency
Lack of focus as the result of a pornography habit
The true reason behind lack of confidence in the bedroom
How the experience of failure with overcoming porn addiction can bleed into everyday areas of life (school, work, and even simple conversations with the potential partners)
How to recognize patterns that create opportunities for eliminating porn use and change those destructive patterns to positive growth habits
Relating the Challenge-Frustration Curve to breaking the porn addiction cycle
How to use memory techniques and exercises to overcome porn dependency and porn habit behaviors
What triggers porn addictive behaviors (it’s less automatic than you think)
How to deal with triggers and threats when they occur in real-life situations, both head on and through elimination techniques
Using self-identification as a means to combat porn habit behaviors
Being present and connected as powerful tools for recovery
My biggest takeaway from our interview?
I feel like the issues boils down to an inability to delay gratification. If you’d rather watch this episode of the podcast to discover tips for better strategies, just click play below:
3 Blazing Fast Ways To Increase Memory Retention
Jun 06, 2019
Memory retention… what the heck is it? Is it worth worrying about? If so, can it be improved?
On this page, I’m going to cover memory retention from my perspective as a leading memory expert with multiple books on the topic under my belt.
I’ll also give you three blazing fast ways you can increase your ability to retain information. These memory techniques are based on how myself and thousands of my students have approached learning languages, memorizing speeches and passing exams.
Ready?
Let’s start by defining our terms correctly so you can proceed in the best possible manner.
That way you can improve your brain’s ability to retain the information you need to succeed much faster and with great integrity.
After all, you want true memory retention that stand the test of time.
That’s definitely the kind of recall I’ve personally practiced to develop as a mnemonist – and it has provided many wonderful outcomes I know you’re going to love too once the best possible memory techniques have been added to your daily routines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJk7tumRzM4
The Simplest Definition Of Memory Retention
Overall, this term from the world of memory science is simply defined:
It is the ability to keep any information for different periods of time for the purpose of using it in the future.
But retain information for what exactly?
According to memory experts like Endel Tulving, it comes down to pattern recognition based on:
Same thing if you can’t recognize the name in the first place, or have forgotten that you’ve heard it before. Such widespread instances suggest that recognition and recall are tied at the hip.
Now, if you really want to keep abreast of contemporary trends in this area of science, you need to be reading the Journal of Learning & Memory.
What you’ll discover is that exactly why we retain some things and not others remains a mystery. The final definition of “memory retention” is still being worked on.
Nonetheless, you might be wondering about the differences between short term memory and long term memory when it comes to memory retention.
You might even be wondering about how working memory plays into the mix when it comes to learning faster and remembering more.
What Kind Of Retention Do You Mean?
For now, it appears that we need to get more granular on exactly what the brain is trying to retain.
Take physical learning, for example. Even if the brain functions aren’t well understood, it is clear that exercise that impacts motor function increases the learning of physical skills.
What about learning new information based in words and numbers? That’s semantic memory, and much has been understood about how we retain information through a process called active recall.
Now, another question people ask is…
Why Is Memory Retention Important?
In addition to practical matters like remembering names, passing exams and learning new languages, memory retention helps you connect with yourself.
Think about it:
Every time you can’t recall information about your own life… it feels kind of weird, if not outright painful.
Self-punishment ensues and usually that only exacerbates the memory problems you might be facing.
Plus, we need memory to learn languages, music, the names of people we meet, instructions at work and speeches we want to give, etc. Spiritual progress relies upon remembering the principles of your tradition, and the same factors play in learning about philosophy, history, psychology and every other topic.
So with an eye to helping you feel more connected with yourself, let’s dive into three rapid ways you can increase retention.
How to Increase Memory Retention in 3 Steps
1. Take Better Care Of Your Body And Your Brain
Look, I know everyone wants memory techniques that are easy and fun to use.
However, it only makes sense to care for the engine that makes memory possible in the first place.
For example, many people who complain of brain fog don’t need memory techniques on their own. They simply aren’t eating well.
Of course, it’s better not to lead yourself into pain in the first place. But if you do find yourself suffering in a way that interrupts your learning abilities, it’s good to know you have options.
Sleep Secrets for Better Memory Few People Consider
Next, we have sleep.
Although you might not normally think of it this way, not having enough sleep also creates pain the interrupts the ability to pay attention.
Being groggy and irritated, for example, is a kind of pain.
Plus, the brain simply cannot perform as well unrested as it can when you’re getting enough sleep.
What are the secrets?
Computer curfew
Journaling by hand, including gratitude journaling
Planning the next day’s activities
Bedtime rituals
Morning memory fitness activities, such as dream recall
Just by attending to diet and sleep (and stopping smoking), you can improve your retention, and it will happen faster than you might think.
2. Get Regular Memory Exercise
One of the easiest ways to improve memory retention is to regularly use your memory.
There are at least two kinds of memory exercise:
Active and passive.
I’ve got a wide variety of brain exercises you can play with, and here’s a condensed version of my favorite from the passive category.
It’s called The Four Details Exercise. All you do is notice 4 details about a person.
It’s not a right or wrong retention test. It’s just a quick jog to make sure that you’re giving your memory regular exercise.
Active memory exercises for increasing retention might include using memory techniques. Here’s where “right and wrong” comes into play, and that’s all part of the fun.
For example, you can memorize a deck of cards and work on increasing either your speed of encoding, or the volume you can encode. Test yourself for accuracy of retention over different stretches of time (5 minutes, 5 hours, 5 days, etc).
You can increase speed and volume with names, vocabulary, abstract shapes, numbers and even verbatim texts like song lyrics or poems.
Likewise, you can actively memorize vocabulary, historical dates, or the names of everyone in a company you want to work for (or already do).
3. Have A Long Term Learning Project
Okay, I know this doesn’t sound like a “blazing fast” tactic. But in reality, it is.
Here’s why:
Learning a language or memorizing large texts that you focus on over the long term produces incredible short term benefits when it comes to retention.
Improvements will happen for you because, as you use memory techniques consistently, you’ll build up something called “memory reserve.”
This term means that the more you know, the more you can know.
Why You Should Learn A Language To Increase Your Ability To Retain Information
As soon as you know about 850 words, you have all the building blocks you need to snap on more and more vocabulary and phrases.
Each new word and phrase you add builds up your memory reserve.
And this memory reserve helps explain why many people find it easier to pick up their next language. They’ve become good at the skill of building their memory reserve.
When it comes to memorizing large texts, I’ve been doing this with some scriptures written in Sanskrit.
The more I memorize, the easier it becomes to memorize even more due to this effect of memory reserve.
For example, the pool of Magnetic Imagery grows. Having more to draw upon means fewer Magnetic Images are fired off with less effort.
You’ll find this is also true when memorizing texts in your mother tongue. The more you do it, the greater ease with which you can move through words, expressions, ideas and more.
And again, you don’t have to wait forever for the retention benefits to kick in.
How To Start Investing In Your Brain (And Keep Consistent)
Just get started.
I know that sounds simplistic, but how else would you do it?
Next, be consistent. That means showing up at least a little.
Ideally, you’ll train your brain every day, but four times a week is a bare minimum.
Before you know it, you’ll feel like you have a completely revived brain that can conquer the world of information overwhelm with ease.
Again, we’ll talk in the future more about things like short term, long term and working memory, but the reality is that all these aspects of memory work together.
By following the 3 simple tips in the following video companion to this post, you’ll be working them comprehensively, holistically, and, dare I say, Magnetically.
Bilingualism Advantages That Fortify Your Brain With Bartosz Czekala
May 30, 2019
Are you struggling to understand all of the bilingualism advantages people keep talking about?
Are you jealous of people already learning their third (or even fourth) language? Does bilingualism seem like something that’s simply out of reach? Do you feel as if you’re being held back by some invisible force to meet your goals in language learning?
As a result, people blindly believe they’re just not smart enough.
Worse, they think that mass marketed learning methods “won’t,” or “don’t” work. That’s a big problem, especially if we’ve hit a wall with our learning journey. We tend to blame the techniques without looking at our strategies for using them.
The Biggest Problems Language Learners Face
We may falsely believe we just don’t have the time to dedicate to learning a language, “It’s too late to start,” or we know we’ll never have the opportunity for immersion learning, so we simply give up.
My guest today on Magnetic Memory Method Podcast is Bartosz Czekala from Universe of Memory.
As a multi-linguist, language teacher, and someone with a background in computer science, econometrics, and legal translation, Bartosz is also strikes me as world class mnemonist. With Polish as his native language, he learned Swedish in only four months, and speaks seven additional languages.
The Ultimate Bilingualism Advantages Await
To share his knowledge, Bartosz’ website pairs memory techniques with learning systems to help you master language learning in fun and creative ways.
Today we run the gamut of the journey of learning another language, from common barrier to success to the methods for guaranteed results and the pros and cons of various learning techniques. We explore the relationship of memory to language studies and the science behind it all.
If you’re looking for a real, unfiltered conversation about language learning, struggling to come to terms with “Is it for me?” this is the podcast for you.
In sum: it is possible to learn a foreign language. You just need to equip yourself with the right tools.
Just press play now to learn about:
The effect of diet and sleep on memory, specifically fasting and sleep deprivation
The correlation between focus and concentration and eating habits
The impact of the sun on overall mental health
How results are possible with every memory method, but not always optimal
The impracticality of apps for language learning
The biggest issues with textbooks and word frequency
The argument for spaced repetition and its usage for learning another language
The importance of being a “scientist” in your own mind
The benefits of context and meaning to learning foreign language vocabulary
Passive exposure versus active learning
How knowing multiple languages fortifies the health of your brain’s neural networks, lessen the forgetting curve, and maybe even give you an incredible career
Pros and cons of immersion and proxemics for language learning
The differences in language learning in adolescence versus adulthood
Further Resources on the Web, This Podcast, and the MMM Blog:
Surviving PTSD With The Help of Memory Techniques Featuring Nicholas Castle
May 23, 2019
Have you ever experienced trauma in your life that created mental blocks, or worse, PTSD?
Or do everyday situations remind you of terrible experiences from your past?
I know I am not alone when I say that there are painful memories that can be haunting.
From the death of a loved one, to near-death experiences and childhood trauma, we all have that “thing” that pops up from time to time and haunts us …
If we let it.
But here’s the powerful truth:
We don’t have to live our lives in a constant state of fear that these memories will be triggered.
Although we can’t prevent memories from flooding back at inopportune times, we can change how we respond to our triggers.
A Powerful PTSD Survival Story
To help those suffering from any kind of unwanted memories flooding their awareness, here’s what I’ve done:
On this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I sit down with the founder of Bushcraft for Kids, Nicholas Castle.
His organization teaches children survival and outdoors skills to increase their self-motivation, life skills, and confidence through adventure.
Using these same memory techniques he teaches to his students, he explains his journey from being a young boy struggling with dyslexia to a former law enforcement officer living with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The thing that struck me most about our conversation was how versatile Memory Palaces became for Nicholas.
Not only was spatial memory and mnemonics essential to his success in his educational career, but also throughout his time in law enforcement. This role included public speaking, a healthy, but still stressful situation he had to deal with on top of his PTSD.
And you know what?
Nicholas enjoying a forest that also serves as a Memory Palace
Memory techniques saved the day yet again. A bit of time out in nature helping other people seems to have contributed to Nicholas’ success too.
If you want to know how Memory Palaces can help to transform every facet of your life, especially if you are dealing with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, like Nicholas, this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast is for you.
Press play above and discover:
How creating memory palaces can improve confusion from dyslexia (a condition that didn’t stop Dominic O’Brien from creating the Dominic System)
An important point about the logic behind creating Memory Palaces (including prompts for and how to create them)
The relationship between magic and memory through association
How to Improve Short Term Memory: 7 Easy Steps
May 09, 2019
Even if it feels like trying to capture the entire cosmos in a jar, it’s actually pretty easy to improve short term memory.
Would you like that?
If so, I’ll show you exactly what it takes to improve every level of your memory on this page.
As a memory expert and instructor with over a decade of experience, I’m going to share the facts with you. And provide some simple memory exercises that will help you improve your overall memory quickly.
But first, we need to establish the nature of this unique memory problem.
What exactly do short-term memory issues look like?
A Shocking Portrait Of Short-Term Memory Loss
Imagine the following scenario, inspired by the true-to-life novel about early onset dementia, Still Alice:
You’re in the kitchen, preheating the oven to make a batch of your world-famous brownies. You’ve assembled your ingredients on the counter to prepare your batter… and then the unthinkable happens. You only have one egg left in the carton and the recipe calls for two.
At least… that’s how you remember it.
Frustrated, you grab your keys and head to the store. You remember you’re low on paper towels and need batteries for the TV remote, so you put those in your cart as you navigate the aisles.
You pay for your items, load up the car, and drive home. You walk back into the kitchen and feel happy when you see that the oven’s temperature ready for your brownies. And then you realize you forgot the eggs you went to the store for in the first place!
It happens to the best of us. Our short-term memory can be seriously lacking at times. Stress, depression, lifestyle habits like sleep, diet, and exercise, even medications, can cause short-term memory difficulties.
So what do we do? Do we resign ourselves to list-making and app dependency to remember daily bits of information? Are we glued to the smartphone or pen and paper as our lifeline against forgetfulness?
And that’s why I’ve assembled the step-by-step guide on this page. I want to help you improve your short-term memory so your next learning (or baking) session goes off without a hitch.
Keep reading to discover an actual means of improving short-term memory and examples of short-term memory at work.
A Brief Definition Of Short Term Memory
While we could dive straight into the techniques of improving memory so as to not risk getting bogged down by terminology, it’s important to first define what short-term memory actually is.
And the list of ways memory can be impaired is long. As this study shows, everything from diet, alcohol consumption, age and disease can harm your memory.
While long term and working memory and its functioning are complex, short-term memory is simpler, but just as delicate.
You really need to take care of it because you short term memory is:
An ability to understand sentences, spoken and written. It is, at its most basic, tied closely to comprehending the critical information you use to navigate daily life.
The ability to remember small sequences of numbers, such as telephone numbers.
Short-term memory is the type of memory that helps you understand what you are reading.
Without it, you‘d be constantly confused when studying, saying “What did I just read?”
It is also the type of memory that when you see an infomercial on television lets you remember the telephone number to call and order your Flex-Seal or airbrush makeup kit for only three easy payments of $19.95.
The Zen of Improving Short Term Memory
Because memory is so central to our overall brain function, to improve it, we must improve all of our types of memory.
The name of the game is comprehensive improvement. Isn’t that what we really desire anyway?
If not, we should.
Why?
Because when we focus on a complete enhancement of all aspects of our memory we will do more than improve our short-term function. We will also transcend the textbook definitions of memory and its main stages.
And it feels like “Zen” because, once you’re into the rhythm of working on your memory, you’ll wonder why you never did it before. It’s so much fun!
How Anyone Can Hold Far More Than 5-8 Digits In Memory With Ease
We need to look no further than memory competitors who blur the lines of what short-term memory is defined as. The textbook definition suggests one can only keep five to eight digits in memory at once.
Yet, using a simple number system, World Memory Champions like Alex Mullen can memorize a deck of cards in seconds. Although he doesn’t use the Dominic System, I imagine Alex learned a lot from that approach, as can we all.
Memory athlete Alex Mullen
Now, you might be looking at the photo above and thinking… Alex is so young!
You’re right, but check out Lynne Kelly who wrote The Memory Code. She’s one of many mature members of our society who do very well in memory competition.
Lynne Kelly, author of The Memory Code
Plus, please understand this important point:
This practice is not just about playing cards and numbers.
When I‘ve given memory demonstrations, I have memorized 20 to 30 names in only the amount of time it took to hear them.
Thus, the boundaries of what short-term memory is called in textbooks is not so strict, so rigid or so limited.
Now that you know that these memory feats come from specific kinds of brain training, it‘s worth repeating this simple fact:
You need a holistic, comprehensive memory training program, ideally one that leads to long-term memory benefits that offer you predictable recall.
How Comprehensive Memory Training Helps (Quickly)
In order to give you long term, predictable recall, the first step is to exercise your spatial memory.
This is where the Magnetic Memory Method and using a robust Memory Palace Network comes into play:
Next, we have elaborative encoding, which I call Magnetic Imagery (sometimes called mnemonic imagery). This mnemonic skill must be sharpened.
How do we become great at creating associations so we can remember more?
There’s no shortcut or quick-fix here. Daily, creative repetition is the key to building a strong foundation on which to build your short-term memory comprehensively.
If you take the time to create your Memory Palaces, then encode them with real and relevant information that is important to your life, you will be far ahead of the game.
Next, practice decoding, or Recall Rehearsal. Used inside a Memory Palace for a meaningful learning project, your short-term memory will be sharpened, improved and ready for use at the drop of a hat.
Step One: Eliminate The Digital Brain Games
Can apps help improve your memory?
The short answer:
It‘s unlikely.
The longer answer:
Relegating your memory improvement to a device is only marginally beneficial. One of the former leading memory improvement software companies, Cogmed, promised big results with completion of problem-solving and training tasks.
Although some improvement occurred, there was no evidence these results were lasting. In this digital age there is still the need for real, human interaction. In other words, personal, one-on-one training, not artificial intelligence or a simulation, for real, durable results. Technology and short-term memory simply don’t seem to play well together.
This problem holds true for language learning as well. Sure, you may find that you can remember a list of vocabulary or read fluently in a second language with learning software, but true results and comprehensive fluency include conversation. This cannot be accomplished with software alone.
The general rule is to get off apps, not more into them. We are almost glued to our smartphones, immersed in virtual reality, out of touch with the real world. Why add one more notification or thing to be tended to for the computer in our pocket?
Turn off the TV and write a story. Don’t see yourself as an author? Just try. Put pen to paper and don’t be afraid to write poorly. It’s the exercise that matters, and this activity can literally rewire your brain back to a healthy state in terms of what scientists call tonic dopamine.
By simply writing a short narrative, you will manage character names, locations and other details in your short-term memory. It’s very powerful.
Step Two: Keep A Snapshot Journal
Do you remember the rant from Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl?
“Musicians should go to a yard sale and buy an old … drum set and get in their garage and… just suck. And get their friends to come in and they’ll suck, too. And then they’ll …. start playing and they’ll have the best times they’ve ever had in their lives and then all of a sudden they’ll become Nirvana.”
Great advice, but get this:
You don’t have to be a virtuoso to be a musician and benefit from mnemonics for music.
Likewise, you don’t have to be an author to write. When it comes to memory, all you have to do is record the things you enjoy about your life.
The Snapshot Journal I’m using
I’ve recently taken up using a Snapshot Journal, which lets you compare five years in the same diary on a single page.
Since writing is known to improve memory and I love the simple passive memory exercise of remembering a few things from the day before, I snapped one up and have used it daily ever since. It makes a difference.
As a tip, keep your Snapshot Journal open and in a high traffic part of your home. I keep mine by my desk and use it to list movies I‘ve seen, the livestreams I‘ve held and my accuracy with memorizing cards.
Flip back through the pages regularly and see if you can think of things to add.
Again, this is comprehensive memory training. It might not see to relate to short term memory, but by focusing in the present moment deep into your past memory, you are practicing the practice of linking focus and concentration together.
Like writing a bit of fiction, writing about your own life is one of the best and fastest ways to start remembering more in the short term. It improves this aspect of your memory for a simple reason:
Because it’s using it.
Step Three: Read Daily From Print For Better Memory
Speaking of writing, reading is a great memory exercise.
Walking and reading in Denmark
You retain your focus to comprehend what you’re reading. If you lose the details of what you just read, or you’re constantly having to go back and reread a few paragraphs, don’t fret or turn it into a problem. Simply read again with more purpose and intention. Over time, you can improve your short-term memory by focusing in this way.
And when you find your mind wandering, go with it! Instead of beating yourself up about it, go for a walk and pay attention to the world, untethered from all devices. Simply notice the world and the details of nature.
If you don‘t like to think of walking as a positive mind wandering generator, incorporate Recall Rehearsal into the journey. Take advantage of being unplugged to journey through your Memory Palaces as you walk.
Understand that real short-term memory is focused attention and meditation plus mindfulness and memory is true short term memory power.
And to get that focus going, you need to read on an old fashioned device that won’t interrupt you. It’s called a physical book.
If you don’t believe that reading on your phone or from Kindle is ruining your memory, read the facts from this piece on Digital Amnesia.
Step Four:
The Ultimate Exercise to Improve Short-Term Memory
Memorizing names is hugely powerful for three reasons.
1. You start consciously paying more attention to names.
This will improve your social skills and create a better first impression on others. (I’d say that’s a pretty great side effect.)
2. Everything you memorize is a name. Every foreign language word or number is effectively a name for an object or concept. If you can memorize names, you can memorize anything.
3. The rapid encoding of names is useful in translating your short-term efforts into long-term results. If you need some exercises, this short list will help you get the elaborative encoding you need right.
4. You can use the Memory Palace, sometimes called the Loci Method.
Why You Should Memorize Names In Private First
Start this as a private exercise before you attempt this rapid encoding and recall in public.
Go to Wikipedia and press the “random” button until you have a list of 10 names assembled. Or scroll through IMDB and review cast and crew lists of movies.
Or work with the names you already have in your memory. Try to recall lists of past Presidents, or famous composers or poets. The sky’s the limit, so get creative.
Once you’re feeling confident in your work in private, go semi-public. When you see workers with name-tags at the store, or office workers’ desk plaques, make a note of these names in your memory journal and test yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71DYmsKGf7Y&t=9s
Approached this way, you’re not stressing yourself out. There’s no stakes and you can always win.
When you quiz yourself and you remember a name, give yourself a pat on the back (or post on our memory improvement forum so our community can).
Or, if you’re having trouble with name recall and make a mistake, just treat it for what it really is: An opportunity for improvement. Seeing opportunity is what makes any perceived failure a win.
As you build this skill you’ll be able to eventually take this along as a fun little party trick (that’s also beneficial to your memory).
Anthony Metivier memorizing and recalling names at a memory demonstration in Brisbane
As you meet people, commit their names to memory, then when goodbyes are being said you can announce:
“I memorized everybody’s name here. Would you like to see a fun demonstration?” then recall all the partygoers to everyone’s amazement.
Don’t limit yourself to just names though. You can use this same rapid encoding practice with memorizing prices at the store, playing cards, and, of course, your 00-99 configuration. Take the same principles of recall and use them across the board, as they are truly universal.
Step Five:
The Best and Most Practical Way to Practice Improving STM
Without question, the best and most practical way to improve short-term memory is memorizing names in real time, in public. There are endless opportunities for you to give yourself this kind of short term memory loss treatment:
Meetup.com (joining Meetup groups with like-minded people who share your interests in memory)
First day of school (memorize your classmates names)
Film credits in movies (test as soon as you get home with your date)
Discussions (memorize your “opponent’s” points during arguments so you can refer back to what they said and how they said it.)
As you engage in this exercise in real time you’re not only improving your memory, but human connection as well. You’re honoring the person you’re speaking with by truly paying attention, instead of having a distracted interaction.
Step Six:
Extended Exercises for Long-Term Memory Stretching
Translate this focused attention to the long term by shifting your focus. Instead of small pieces of information, like names, think of large projects that need your attention.
Try learning a foreign language. Use mnemonics to help you memorize both vocabulary and phrases.
Try “mixing and matching” this information for even greater benefits.
For example, your goal may be to become fluent in Spanish. Along with your learning of Spanish vocabulary you may memorize works from Spanish poets like Pablo Medina or Martin Espada. When you’re feeling burnout with memorizing poetry, work with your vocabulary and vice versa.
You can also learn to memorize numbers, and go on to number your Memory Palace Network. Anytime you want to increase the challenge, you can.
We often overlook the obvious when it comes to memory wellness, which is tending to our overall wellbeing. I cannot underestimate the benefits of physical health to brain health. There have been numerous studies linking mind and body wellness, and therefore, when exercising our memory, we must remember to care for our bodies as well.
Sleep
This means getting an adequate amount of sleep. Try sleeping without electronic devices in your bedroom and hold yourself to a “computer curfew.” You may be surprised at how much more restful your sleep truly is.
Diet
Evaluate your diet. Eat memory friendly foods and avoid those that destroy memory. If we’re truly honest with ourselves none of us eat as healthily as we should.
Blueberries are just one of several memory boosting foods
Our busy lives often lend themselves to convenience foods or fast foods, rather than true, whole foods that are nourishing to our bodies (and therefore our minds).
Socialize
Also, socialize. Take opportunities to be with other people and often.
Speak with them.
Pay attention to them and what they’re saying, not only for the short-term memory benefits we discussed, but for yourself. If you’re truly engaged with others, that investment feels good. We crave that interaction as social creatures, so make it count.
When I meditate, I recite a lot of material, as well as focus on breathing and a few other exercises.
It is powerful because of the self-observation skills it creates. When you’re in the world, engaging with people and information overwhelm, that extra bit of awareness gives you an edge and you capture more information.
If you’re not a meditator yet, I suggest you give it a try a.s.a.p. and give it at least 4x a week over 3 months before you assess the results.
Conclusion: “Forget” Short-Term Memory
I hope you’ve enjoyed these short term memory strategies for adults. Most of them will work for kids too, and all without any risky supplements.
In sum, if you want to improve short-term memory, you need to practicemultiple levels of memory.
The best way to do that is to use comprehensive memory techniques daily. The Memory Palace technique is especially great because it helps you combine all the levels of memory in a streamlined manner. You might even start to experience something like flashbulb memory.
Remember not to get too hung up on the terminology of memory training. Learn it as you go.
Finding the balance between encoding and decoding makes it all simple.
And who knows, maybe your next batch of brownies won’t call for two trips to the corner market. If you want to remember when you take that next trip, please sign up for this free course:
It will help you improve all aspects of your memory quickly through video lessons, worksheets and training you cannot get anywhere else.
Katie Kermode On Memory Competition and Casual, Everyday Mnemonics
Apr 26, 2019
Do you ever wonder how memory competitors get so good at their craft?
Do they have some secret method that the Average Joe can’t begin to comprehend?
Is there a memory secret society that’s only available to those who participate in the competition world that you and I would never be able to access?
Good news:
Memory competitors are just like you. They have their strengths, weakness, and, believe it or not, have the time to have a life outside of memory training!
On today’s episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I sit down with Katie Kermode, a memory champion and competitor from the United Kingdom, to discuss her memory journey.
Competing for over two decades, Katie is ranked 16th place in the world for memory competitors and is a four time memory world record holder.
She is also a professional translator and proofreader, memory coach, and is the creator of memorization and recall software used at the IAM World Memory Championships in 2018.
If you are struggling with finding the time to devote to memory training…
If names or dates elude you in information memorization…
Or if you think the end all, be all to strengthening your memory is a memory system just out of reach for the everyday memory improvement enthusiast…
This podcast is for you.
Click play above now and discover:
The “right” age to begin memory techniques with children and how to motivate them to use these techniques from a young age
How to make the most of limited time for memory training
World Record in Memory League Words (50 in 51.31 seconds)
MSO Memory Champion 2018
MSO Memory Champion 2017
UK Memory League Champion 2016
UK Memory Champion 2012
About Katie’s Software:
This memory training software features these competition formats:
National Standard
International Standard
World Championship Standard
Includes free memory training across these memory disciplines:
numbers
names
5 minute words
dates
cards
images
binary
Flashbulb Memory: When, Why And How Vivid Recall Happens
Apr 18, 2019
If you want to know where or not you have a “flashbulb memory,” here’s a simple memory test:
Do you remember where you were and what you were doing during the 9/11 attacks?
If so, in how much detail… exactly?
After all, 9/11 was one of the most mentally impacting world events millions of people not only remember. They remember it vividly.
What does vivid mean in this context?
For example, you might recall exactly what activity you were performing when you learned about the attack. Myself, I was in Stong College on the York University campus, just before a class.
It’s an irrelevant detail in the overall scope of my life, but the fact that I remember so much minutia is precisely the point.
For example, I was in the cafeteria reading that morning. My phone rang and my friend Andrew said, “Find a TV.”
I remember it vividly, down to the fact that my eyes traced the sky through the window and instantly fell upon an airplane.
But here’s the problem:
This memory I have about seeing an airplane through the window might not be accurate.
In fact, chances are that it’s a flashbulb memory. Just like the time I spent with Tony Buzan, which we’ll talk about in a minute.
But before we define this concept and talk about some powerful memory exercises, let’s look at the history of this term:
Flashbulb Memory Defined
The term flashbulb memory refers to a long lasting vivid memory of the circumstance around the time of receiving a shocking or surprising piece of news or event.
Coined as a metaphor in the 1970s, it refers to the feeling of mentally capturing a complete scene in a single moment.
But more than just feeling like you‘ve taken a mental snapshot, the idea is that your mental image includes a ton of information. I‘m talking about everything from the most crucial details to the most mundane ones.
Even more:
It’s the feeling that the memory will last indefinitely, almost as if it were a photograph.
These memories have intrigued memory researchers for decades. Some consider flashbulb memory as a kind of autobiographical memory, which is the recollection of events you have personally experienced.
Typically, individuals involved as subjects in memory studies feel extremely confident about their recollections of events like 9/11.
However, in reality, researchers find that flashbulb memories are mostly haphazard and incomplete.
Why? Because many factors affect your memory. These may include:
Shock
The personal importance you place on the event
Emotional states
Surrounding objects
People in the environment
Locations
Activities at the time
These factors and more condition the subsequent ways you might experience flashbulb memories.
Why People Encode Memories “In A Flash”
When your brain experiences something traumatic, it often establishes a sharp mental image of that particular event.
Keep in mind that “mental imagery” is not necessarily visual. Yet, many people do describe being able to re-envision detailed information. It’s almost as if their memory of an event is like photograph.
When you consider the kinds of things that become flashbulb memories, our brains usually base them on traumatic events.
More often than not, they are public events.
This tendency means that people around also us experienced the events. As a result, they wind up being discussed often.
You not only experience such events via television or on the Internet, but you re-experience them multiple times while talking about them in multiple places with multiple people.
Of course, not all such memories involve tragedy.
Some other examples of flashbulb memories might include the birth of your child, college graduation, or getting your first job. These events might stand out as monumental events or milestones in your life.
For example, meeting Tony Buzan is a personal example from the world of memory training.
The reason why is that I was so overwhelmed by many emotions, especially given the personal attention he paid to me.
But that doesn’t mean my memories of the time we spent together are accurate. Far from it!
A Quick and Simple Memory Exercise
Have you ever met someone famous who touched your life?
Go ahead and think it through.
Even if you just saw them from a distance, take note of the memory and describe it.
Then think more about the memory. Think about all the times you told the story to others. You’ll probably have experienced it multiple times.
When it comes to celebrity encounters and historical events, you almost always discuss them multiple times with different people in a variety of locations.
I have another flashbulb memory from working with celebrities Dominic Purcell, Edward Furlong and director Uwe Boll
The conclusion is therefore simple:
If flashbulb memories like these have the tendency to last for life, it is because our sharing behaviors ingrain them in our minds.
The Truth About Flashbulb Memory
Aside from being referred as a type of autobiographical memory, many researchers now believe these memories are prone to many fallacies and errors.
Why?
As mentioned, our feelings, emotions, and multiple repetitions change the actual accounts of the events in memory.
As much as we would like to think that our memories regarding numerous events are accurate and foolproof, multiple studies show the opposite. We now know that flashbulb memories alter with time as we go through more life experiences.
As memory expert Stephen Kosslyn has shown in The Case for Mental Imagery, the locations of or memories also change location in the brain.
Therefore, recollections that might appear certain, vivid and clear have almost certainly been “tainted” by external occurrences and factors.
Don’t worry. As we’ll see, this fact is not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to memory improvement training.
Researchers asked 54 undergraduate students to record their memory regarding the 9/11 attacks.
They asked how and where participants learned about the attack, what were they doing and if they were with someone when they heard the news.
This is not the “eidetic memory” image most people have of 9/11. What’s yours?
The scientists also asked about how clearly participants could envision their memories. They wanted to know just how certain people were about their recollections being accurate.
Next, they asked the participants the same questions about other memorable events.
Time Changes Your Memory!
Finally, the researchers compared how ordinary memories and flashbulb memories change over time.
To do this, they asked the same questions after one week, one month and then following seven months.
The researchers concluded that, while the ordinary memory and flashbulb memory were consistent for a week, the passing of time significantly reduced consistency.
Strangely, participants believed that their flashbulb memory was more accurate as compared to their ordinary memory.
In fact, some people even believed that they were experiencing eidetic memory (often called photographic memory).
Eidetic memory refers to an individual’s ability to vividly recall information from memory with minimal exposure and without using any mnemonic devices.
Whereas some people use the terms photographic memory and eidetic memory interchangeably, they can be distinguished.
Eidetic memory is the ability to view an image for a few minutes and then recall it with detailed precision. Photographic memory on the other hand, is the mythical ability to recall text or numbers in great detail.
Moreover, while flashbulb memories are often inaccurate, some studies have found that eidetic memories can be accurate.
Can You Really Enhance Your Eidetic Memory?
Even though eidetic memory is rare among individuals, you can try to enhance it, or at least boost your overall memory through various memory improvement exercises. Here are the three main techniques that might help in enhancing your memory:
The Memory Palace
The Memory Palace is a mental recreation of a familiar building or place. The main aim of the Memory Palace is to assist your ability to retain important information by placing symbols in a sequence in that imaginary building. I call these symbols “Magnetic Imagery” and each image is built from the “Magnetic Modes.” There are many terms for the Memory Palace technique, ranging from:
…and many more that essentially describe “location-based mnemonics.” Overall, there are more similarities than differences, so please don‘t get hung up on the terminology.
For instance, you will use familiar rooms or objects you can easily link to the target information. The technique works because it transforms semantic information into a sequence of images, primarily by tapping into your episodic memory.
All of this happens while you also associate both the target information and the mental imagery to a physical location. In other words, you are tapping into spatial memory as well.
There are numerous Memory Palace exercises that can help you in boosting your memory. I suggest you experiment with as many as you can.
The Memory Peg
The Memory Peg technique is like the Memory Palace. This technique includes a two-stage method.
The first stage involves learning a standard set of pegwords that are typically 10 number-rhyme pairs.
The second stage includes visualizing the information you want to remember and linking it with the rhyming word. Memory expert Bruno Furst was a major proponent of this technique.
Memory Boosting Brain Exercise
These exercises can potentially help in improving your eidetic memory. Or you can try following these steps:
Closing your eyes and imagine that you are looking at a famous painting. It might be the Mona Lisa or Girl with the Pearl Earring.
Focus on what happens in your mind when you imagine this painting.
Ask yourself: Do you really need to picture every small detail to get a clear impression? In most of the memory training exercises, visualization is actually not necessary.
Now shift gears. Focus on the last conversation you held with someone.
Start filling in the details of that conversation in your mind. Think of the phrases you used, the words, the features of that person, as well as the location and any other details you can bring to mind. (This activity will itself help you remember more from conversations.)
You will soon realize that the whole notion of eidetic memory really doesn’t matter. Nor should attaining an eidetic memory definition be your goal.
What matters most is that you exercise your recall abilities and explore what “vivid memory” means to you. You don’t need eidetic memory or anything else if you just focus on exercising your memory as you experience it.
Memory expert Gary Small has even more memory tips that will help you prove it for yourself. Or you can just get this free memory course:
Context Is The Key
In sum, flashbulb memories are usually tied to monumental events and historical milestones. But these aren’t what create them. They are generally created when events come loaded with a certain emotional or personal link that leads to multiple exposures over time.
This combination of events plus repetition in multiple contexts makes them stand out from the mundane features of everyday life. Flashbulb memory has as much to do with your perception of the world and your social setting following events as it does with memory.
For example, if I had met Tony Buzan, but had no interest in memory or people to speak about memory week after week, it is quite likely that I would not experience a flashbulb memory every time I hear his name.
The depth of memory comes from multiple contexts that naturally involve repetition. And the emotional nature of the meeting must be kept in mind when thinking about how accurate I remember it. Luckily, I kept in touch with Tony via and was honored to review his book, Mind Map Mastery.
If you want to keep accurate details of the major events and milestones of your life, try this:
Instead of focusing on forming eidetic memory or photographic memory, take up the memory exercises we teach on the Magnetic Memory Method blog, vlog and podcast.
Doing so will increase the likelihood of enjoying a more accurate memory that helps you easily recall more information throughout your life. All without worrying when your memory has altered with passing of time.
It will, and that’s not a bad thing at all.
The Dominic System: What It Is And Why People Love It
Apr 11, 2019
Dominic O’Brien suffered from ADD and dyslexia.
But that didn’t stop him from winning the World Memory Championships… not once but eight times.
Memory accomplishments like these are not very common!
Even less common is going on to develop a memory system that changesthe entire world.
Where does this ingenious system come from?
O’Brien developed the Dominic System after getting inspired by watching Creighton Carvello memorize a card deck on television.
O’Brien’s innovative mnemonic system has since become popular because of how it allows people to utilize their minds for accomplishing outstanding feats.
As a result, O’Brien is considered one of the world’s foremost memory experts. He has been reaching individuals, and helping them utilize their memories through his various books and training programs, for decades.
What is the Dominic System?
A mnemonic system, the Dominic System is utilized for remembering sequences of numbers that are similar to the mnemonic major system.
O’Brien built his approach on a core arrangement we usually call the Major System. You’ll learn more about that in a minute.
All such systems work by helping people associate numbers with something else. And a core innovation Dominic O’Brien brought to the game was focusing on individuals in place of objects. He changed this focus because individuals are much easier to remember than objects.
In this system, sometimes called “Hotel Dominic,” the mnemonist (i.e. you) converts numbers into letters. These letters are utilized to create people’s initials. Each individual’s name is then linked to an action.
How is it Different from the Major System?
The Major System is usually ideal for basing words on numbers linked to consonants. Like this:
For instance, the number 12 might be ‘tin’, which is harder to remember than ‘Al Bundy’. The number 84 could be ‘fire’ which means the sequence 1284 would mean ‘a tin on fire’.
Of course, one perceived weakness of the Major is that it only lets you encode two-digit numbers.
This is actually not a problem. For example, you can combine the Major with a number shape system, as I’ve done here with 358:
A Major System Mnemonic Example for the number 358
In this example, a famous mailman is shoving the mail into a snowman. (In the Major, 35 suggests the word “mail” and 8 looks like a snowman.)
Notice that I am using a very specific mailman. (Let me know in the comments if you recognize him.)
Why?
Because the brain is much more likely to react to the increased level of specificity. That’s why I suggest you always selecting characters to link with a number on the basis of familiarity no matter what system you use.
Is It Worth The Time?
True, covering 00–99 with familiar characters and names will require effort and time.
But it will be worth it! Having any kind of system will help you save the struggle and time in the future when you want to remember a sequence of numbers. Numbers like:
Bank accounts
Credit card numbers
Insurance numbers
Birthdates of family members
Emergency numbers
Numbers involved in programming
Historical dates
Applications in memorizing music
Tools for learning numbers in foreign languages with greater ease
Simply put, it only makes sense to learn a number system.
But it’s worth repeating:
Be specific.
The mnemonic imagery of many beginners can be bland and abstract.
Avoid this mistake.
Boring imagery makes it too complex to exaggerate. That’s the major reason people struggle.
For instance “a pen fights with a bottle” will never be as memorable as “Thor fights with George Bush.”
Mnemonic Example of the Dominic System with Thor and George Bush
When utilizing specific individuals, your brain has the ability to visualize them in a more effective way. You can further enhance your ability of getting a mental image with the memory systems by performing visualization exercises.
The emphasis O’Brien placed on being specific when selecting the character has helped many people. memorize longer sequences of numbers.
However, this point is important:
O’Brien Teaches A P.A. System, Not A P.A.O. (Person Action Object) System
The Dominic System is a Person-Action system. If you want to learn a full P.A.O. System please watch this video about creating your first P.A.O. list:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XTFYICzIbY
How Does The Dominic System Work?
In the Dominic system, you have to break long numbers into two digits. Each pair of digits represents an individual doing a certain action. The numbers are converted into letters for number by utilizing the rules mentioned below for easy remembrance:
The digit 0 is O
Initial five digits (1 – 5) become the initial five alphabets (A –E)
The digit 6 is S due to similar sounds
The digits 7 and 8 becomes G and H
The digit 9 becomes N due to similar sounds
With a little effort, you will be able to learn these substitutions, making it easier to learn this system. Here it is visualized
When you memorize this table, go on to learn the next step.
Determining Names for Digit Pairs
Start by noting down the numbers from 0 all the way to 99. Review all these numbers and mentally translate them into Dominic letters. Notice if any initials are suggesting anything. For instance, the digits 20 become BO. It might suggest a Buddhist meditating under a Bo tree. It might suggest something else to you.
Typically, the pairs have no associations or meetings. However, there are some exceptions.
For example, 07 can be associated with James Bond, 13 can be associated with bad luck, 100 can be associated with a century, 16 can be associated with sweet sixteenth birthday, and so on.
Always utilize whatever the first link is formed in your mind when you look at the pairs as this will be the most effective way to continue this system. Then, make sure you complete plenty of number memory tests to examine how well your use of this mnemonic tool is performing for you.
Assigning Actions to Names
The character you select must also have an associated action, which is unique throughout your list of 100 names. Therefore, if you have utilized Serena Williams for 60 then avoiding using Andre Agassi for 11. Since for both you will associate playing tennis as an action.
The Dominic system distinguishes actions from characters in order to remember longer numbers. Therefore, the action you select must be “performable” by other selected characters. Therefore, select the actions that are obvious and distinctive for an individual.
How Do You Make This Memory System Work?
In order to make this system work for you, it is best to create the list of names with a mixture of celebrities, your friends and family members.
There would be certain letters that will give obvious solutions. For instance “Ho” suggests Santa Claus riding his sleigh.
If you get stuck thinking of characters and associated actions, you can look at sample lists for ideas.
However, keep in mind that it is better to create your own names and associations. Copying someone else’s list would be difficult for you to remember, unless the list includes famous characters and associated actions that you are pretty familiar with.
Here is a list of possible characters you could create using this technique:
00 (Olive Oyl) – going on a date with Popeye
22 (Bugs Bunny) – stealing a carrot
86 (Hans Solo) – on his spacecraft
You can assign names to each digit and then associate a relatable action to help you remember.
So, if you want to remember the house number of your friend which is 86, all you have to do is imagine Hans Solo piloting his spacecraft to your friend’s apartment’s roof. It crashes on the roof or laser cannons are being shot to save the people from an alien invasion. This will make it rather easy for you to remember the house number.
Memorizing Three Digits
You can easily memorize three digits by linking the image you have created for the initial two digits with the shape or rhyme of the third digit. For instance, 244 could be something like Bugs Bunny stealing a carrot.
For the action, Bug could be running away using two “dingy” style boats (one under each foot). Just imagine the glee on Bugs Bunny’s face as he successfully sails his boat with a carrot in his mouth.
Memorizing Four Digits
You can memorize four digits by simply splitting the numbers in pairs. Utilize the image of the character you have assigned to the first digit with the associated action for the second digit. For instance, if you want to memorize the sequence 8042 (Santa Clause) and (David Beckham), you can picture Santa Clause trying to help David Beckham score the winning goal!
Memorizing Longer Numbers
Memorizing longer numbers is easy too since you can simply break them down into pairs and a single digit, if any is left over. You can utilize a sequence of a character, associated action, character action, and then form a story through these images in mind.
For instance, you want to remember a café’s phone number 68221656.
Depending on how you interpret the Dominic System, you could have something like the following example. (Please note that I don’t actually use the Dominic, so it’s best to study his examples if you’re interested in this particular approach.)
68 as Sherlock Holmes using 22 a carrot in a crazy way. 16 could be Arnold Schwarzenegger, and 56 (action) with Edward Scissorhands (cutting bushes).
You can form any number of stories using these images to memorize the phone number of the café – or any number in your life
For the Major System version, an approach I do use, you might have:
John Cheever in a fight with a nun. She’s throwing dishes at a leash (made of licorice).
This works by making words based out of the consonants associated with the numbers 0-9. For example, 6 can be a ch sound and 8 a v sound. You just throw in a vowel and select a word that makes sense to you. (I’ve read John Cheever and seen pictures of him, so he’s very prevalent in my mind.)
Notice how this approach eliminates the need for a strict Person-Action or Person-Action-Object structure.
16, for example is both “dishes” and the writer Dashiell Hammett in how I use the Major. The ability to have each figure your create from 00-99 change depending on the story you want to create is very powerful in every day life.
And when it comes to writers fighting nuns who throw dishes at licorice…
Who wouldn’t remember such a story?
Pitfalls You Must Avoid
Believe it or not, people search the internet for a Dominic system generator.
But that’s not the real skill here.
The skill is to use the system to match what you already have in your memory with a phonetic number system that allows you to translate numbers into letters.
Put in the work and you will receive the benefits. Otherwise, you risk deskilling your creativity and locking yourself outside of the very same skill you’re trying to develop.
Dominic O’Brien about to memorize a deck of playing cards
Memorizing a Deck of Cards
While the Dominic system is utilized to memorize longer numbers, you can also use it for remembering other sequences like deck of cards.
This works by systematically associating numbers with cards.
For instance, if you associate the nine of clubs with 39 then you can associate Chuck Norris (3+9) in a story where he is using 9♣ in an active way.
This is definitely a powerful memory technique that you can use to your advantage if you have any of these 13 reasons to memorize cards.
But of course, you will have to invest a good deal of time and effort to prepare the sequence beforehand to fully benefit from the Dominic system.
That number would be your character based on the alphanumeric system.
For example, on Magnetic Station 22 in a Memory Palace, you could place Bugs Bunny, or perhaps B.B. King. He would be another great example of a figure you could use with this system:
Mnemonic Example of B. B. King for 22 in Hotel Dominic
As you can see, it’s a simple matter to place any figure on any numbered station in a Memory Palace.
Why set up a Memory Palace in this way?
Although it might not always be worth the effort, it essentially combines linking with space, creating a double-whammy when you need to memorize a list.
Don’t know how to create a Memory Palace? Let me help you out:
Obviously, adding characters based on numbers to each Magnetic Station in a Memory Palace is an intermediate-advanced memory skill.
But why not start building up to that level of proficiency now?
Should You Use The Dominic System or The Major System?
Now that you know the difference, you have more insight that will help you choose.
But, at the end of the day, it’s entirely up to you.
I personally find the Major a more direct method of creating relationships between numbers and letters that leads to more solid word and image creation.
Yet, I’ve heard from many people who absolutely love the Dominic System. Some people are even able to use O’Brien’s images without creating any of their own. David Thomas is one example I’ve heard from. He broke the Guinness World Record for memorizing Pi in 1998 (22,500 digits) using “Hotel Dominic” virtually unchanged.
My own student Marno Hermann also broke a record for memorizing pi and you can hear how he did it in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast. Then there’s Akira Haraguchi who has memorized even more digits.
These memory feats are not only utterly amazing.
They also demonstrate just how powerful O’Brien’s contribution to the art, craft and science of memory improvement this number memorization system has been. He has influenced so many people to memorize, from memory athletes to students that my hat is off to him for an amazing career as a memory educator.
For another system you might find useful, check out the Pegword Method. It lets you do something similar with the alphabet and I teach you a few different ways to use it. This tutorial also includes a of suggests for completing a full 00-99 system based on the Major.
Enjoy!
Recommended Readings
O’Brien, Dominic. (1994). How to Develop a Perfect Memory. Trafalgar Square
O’Brien, Dominic. (2000). Learn to Remember : Practical Techniques and Exercises to Improve Your Memory. Chronicle Books
O’Brien, Dominic. (2003). How to pass exams. England: Duncan Baird Publishers.
O’Brien, Dominic. (2014). How to Develop a Brilliant Memory Week by Week: 50 Proven Ways to Enhance Your Memory Skills. Watkins Publishing
O’Brien, Dominic. (2016). You Can Have an Amazing Memory: Learn Life-Changing Techniques and Tips from the Memory Maestro. Watkins Publishing
How to Rapidly Complete A Memory Course: Tips And Guidelines
Apr 04, 2019
Ever signed up for a memory course or read a memory improvement book and thrown your hands up in the air?
If so, that frustration ends today. You’re about to learn some simple guidelines for completing and benefiting from any memory training course you take.
I’ll show you how to cross any barriers or obstacles you encounter along the way too.
What kind of barriers?
How about the ugly situation where someone takes many classes and loses their notes on a computer?
I’ll share that story with you in a moment.
Better:
I’ll show you how to never lose your precious notes from the courses you take again – a hard learned lesson I hope no one ever has to suffer!
Why should you pay attention to me?
Well, in addition having run the world’s foremost memory improvement blog for over a decade, I have put memory techniques into action to help me learn languages, finish my PhD and teach at universities around the world.
I’m not sharing these details to brag. It’s only to communicate the extraordinary value I’ve seen from completing memory courses myself in a prompt and thorough manner.
But enough about me. That’s because…
You Deserve A Big Compliment!
Let me pay you a compliment and congratulate your for your interest in completing a memory improvement course.
In fact, I’d like to pay you that compliment in person with this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p_IgGzEnBU
Why the compliment?
Simple:
Not everyone is so considerate to the long-term health of their brain, nor the short-term benefits that come from learning how to train your memory.
These benefits include more than just remembering information and having more “memory power,” after all.
Keep in mind that this isn’t merely my opinion, or a result of my bias as a memory improvement instructor myself. Scientists have shown in studies like this and this that memory training not only helps you enjoy better memory.
First, let’s understand the key reasons people do not complete courses.
It’s rarely a lack of discipline or a problem with the courses.
In fact, the first problem usually comes from the fact that people want to instantly have the skills they hope to acquire.
And when they see that there’s still some distance to go between wanting the memory skills and having them, the brain can feel overwhelmed.
The Brain Pain Secret Behind Failing To Complete Courses
According to learning and memory expert Barbara Oakley in Mindshift, the insular cortex of the brain fires off a pain signal.
It’s possible the brain creates a pain response to the sight of anything that requires effort to cause you to preserve energy.
We don’t know exactly why our brains do this, but the Savanna Hypothesis would suggest that we are evolutionarily designed to preserve energy for when we need to quickly move for survival.
This would explain why pain is usually only a motivator when we’re suffering so much we have no choice but to take action.
But when the pain subsides by doing nothing, we’re instantly satisfied with the return to a state of no pain.
How to Deal With Overwhelm
Now, it might be hard to understand why what I’ve just said can help you complete a memory training course.
But here’s the thing:
Knowledge truly is power.
And the reason I include relaxation training in all of my memory courses is because I once felt that pain too.
Fortunately, I knew about the body’s propensity to create pain and the Savanna Hypothesis.
This insight into why the brain makes things that should be so simple seem so difficult has helped me immensely in many areas of life.
So the first thing you should do is learn to first recognize when a learning task has triggered overwhelm.
How the Internet Has Corroded Our Ability To Learn
Second, it’s important to understand that schools don’t teach mnemonics as thoroughly as they could. The Internet has also changed how we look at information.
Whereas we once appreciated the structure of books that a variety of thinkers innovated over hundreds of years, now we scroll and swipe through content.
These behaviors have changed how we perceive content and created something called “dual path readership.”
This term means that we’re often grazing through content. That’s absolutely no way to help us improve our focus and concentration whatsoever!
The Internet has created many genius innovations that help us quickly perceive what an article is about, but at the cost of making it difficult for our eyes to focus on what used to be normal paragraphs. Now we call them “walls of text.”
Likewise with videos.
Anything over ten minutes seems like an eternity.
Worse, we’ve often trained ourselves to watch videos at 2x speed while we have 32 other tabs open and are engaged in other activities, often on other devices.
It’s not uncommon for people to also have a smart phone or tablet beside their laptop while both of them chime and draw our attention away from the training that will help us the most.
Why The “Hunter-Gatherer” Impulse Is Ruining Our Brains
Finally, it’s important to realize that the Internet has switched on our the gatherer part of our “hunter-gatherer” nature. We scour the net and bookmark information or download PDFs we’ll read later.
All too often, later never comes because we’re already off gathering a bunch of resources for the next subject we want to learn about. The promises of hypertext that are still truly rewarding and powerful have also become the enemy.
So, given this “new normal,” what do we as learners of memory courses do?
We’re going to protect our schedule, shield ourselves from interruptions of all kinds and use a bit of ancient technology to help guide our path.
And as soon as you know how to do these things, I want you to register for this:
How To Protect Your Schedule When Completing A Memory Course
Let’s talk about protecting your schedule first.
This practice is quite easy.
Count the time
If you enter a video course, first count all the videos. You can either estimate or count the minutes required for all the videos and add them up.
You now have a picture of how much time you need to go through the content.
For example, if the video course amounts to an hour, get out your calendar and plan out 4, 15 minute viewing sessions.
If it’s 6 hours, figure out how you can get through the content over a week in short blasts of time that are right for you.
Scale back
As a pro tip, whatever you think you can handle, scale back by five minutes or so. If you think you can sit and watch a video without interruption for 20 minutes, scale back to fifteen minutes.
I make this suggestion because many people overestimate their discipline.
They often underestimate it too, and I personally find that this technique makes sure I’m more or less in the middle of what is the true amount of time I can sit through a video course.
Being realistic is one of your best weapons when it comes to organizing your time.
After that, it only makes sense to go through a course from beginning to end without skipping around. We’ll talk more about how to do this in just a bit.
How To Shield Yourself From Distractions
Next, you’ve got to shield yourself from distractions.
First, you have the environmental distractions of where you watch your memory training courses.
If there are people moving around and making noise, you won’t be able to concentrate.
Perhaps you can get away with watching video courses in a cafe, but I’ve always preferred a quiet corner of a library.
The human traffic is minimal and it makes it easy to take quick breaks by looking at interesting books or just gazing out the window for a while.
Why You Must Turn Off The Competing Devices
Second, you have the distractions of your devices.
Personally, I like to leave my smart phone at home.
I can’t always do it depending on how I might need to connect with my wife, but usually she’ll know where to find me and those sessions without being tethered to technology are pure bliss.
Not only will no one be able to interrupt me via the phone. I won’t be able to interrupt myself because there is no device to look at.
Browser tabs are a bit trickier when watching an online memory course.
But you can still close all of your tabs and have just the one needed for your course open.
I love a Chrome extension called OneTab for rapidly funneling all of my tabs into a single tab for opening again later when a project requires me to have a bunch of them open.
How to Guide Your Own Path Through An Online Memory Course
Third, you need to guide your path through the course.
I use an ancient device called a “notebook” for note-taking.
And it’s very simple to open up to a fresh page and write down the words “video one.”
Underneath that heading, jot down the notes pertaining to that video before moving on to “video two.”
I know this is painfully obvious and complete common sense. But I’m making the suggestion precisely because common sense just isn’t that common.
My Top Secret Video Course Index Card Method
The great thing about this note taking strategy is that it helps you keep track of where you are in the course in a linear format and look back through your notes in the order of the videos you watched.
I don’t always use this technique, however. Sometimes I will use index cards.
For the notes pertaining to video one, I will place “V1” in the bottom right corner. Then for all the cards pertaining to video 2, I’ll put “V2” and so on.
Like this:
This course-taking technique is useful for two purposes.
First, if I want to memorize anything from the course, it’s easy to flip quickly through the cards and pull out just the ones with information I want to memorize.
The index cards can then be placed in a logical order or order of preference for any number of reasons and corresponded with Magnetic Stations in a Memory Palace.
Secondly, if I later want to write an article, I can likewise pull out whichever cards I might like to refer to in the article.
In both cases, it’s an easy matter to reassemble the cards according to the video they belong to because they’ve all been marked.
And if you’re worried that you’ve lost the exact order in which you took the notes, don’t be.
You can always add another digit, such as “V1.1” to indicate that a card belongs to video one and is the first note you took from that video.
Likewise, “V2.7” would indicate the seventh note you took from the second video.
The Amazing Re-Assembled Note-Taking Trick
In this way, you’ll easily be able to reassemble your notes. And in case you’re wondering, yes I do this and it is in fact exactly how I researched my dissertation, multiple scholarly articles and many of my books.
And to keep the individual books and video courses I took notes on cards together, I stored them in individual ziplock baggies and then arranged these inside of shoe boxes.
Super low tech and kind of nerdy, I know.
But back when I wrote my dissertation, backing up your computer wasn’t so easy and there was no such thing as “cloud computing” (at least not to my knowledge).
The Horrible Grad Student Story You Don’t Want To Experience
More than once, I saw my fellow graduate students lose hundreds of hours of work because they had pumped their notes into computers they didn’t back up on floppy disks and they had to start again.
One person I recall even dropped out of the doctoral program altogether because the devastation of starting over again was just too much to handle.
That tragic story aside, the point here is to give your mind something to do while focusing on the memory course and have a powerful means of revisiting your notes.
Plus, by handwriting your notes, you’ll get several additional learning benefits.
As Gary Dean Underwood, one of our cherished MMM Mastermind members recently noted:
The same principle applies to any memory course you take, and indeed any training you might invest time, money and energy into completing.
Focus Is The Key
So what do you say?
Do you think these simple recommendations might help you dive into a course, start practicing with mnemonic devices and complete a major memorizatoin task over a few days or less?
Myself, I had to learn these tactics and strategies through a ton of trial and error. Like everyone else, I love shortcuts and anything that lets me skip to the head of the line.
But I learned long ago when watching how my fellow university students struggled with their books that the shortcut is often just buckling down and getting the reading done.
It never takes nearly as long as one thinks, and it’s really the bouncing around from one thing to the next that takes up most of the time.
Focus, my friends, and understand how and why focus falls apart. Knowledge truly is power, but only when it’s applied.
You really cannot afford to not finish the courses you start, so let me know if this helped you and keep the conversation going below.
Aphantasia Cure: How Alec Figueroa Helps Clear The Self-Diagnosis Confusion
Mar 21, 2019
If you’ve been looking for an aphantasia cure, you’re in luck.
Here’s why:
Alec Figueroa of AphantasiaMeow has been developing an objective aphantasia test while working with real people.
As a result of his research and helping create change with clients, Alec has uncovered some of the most likely paths you might need to find a lasting solution.
Not Sure If You Need The Aphantasia Cure?
Try this quick test:
Imagine you are on a beach at sunset.
Can you hear the waves crashing against the shore?
Do you feel a gentle breeze against your skin and the sand between your toes?
Can you taste the faint saltiness of the ocean? Can you picture the fiery hues as the sun meets the water on the horizon?
When you close your eyes and picture this scene is it vivid?
Is it an experience as if you are really there? Can your sensory memory pick out a variety of sensations?
Or is your experience lost in fog… dull, distorted, and distant?
Or… is there nothing, only blackness?
If you see nothing in your mind…
Listen To Someone Who Cares About Curing Aphantasia
On today’s Magnetic Memory Method podcast I speak with imagination and aphantasia expert, Alec Figueroa.
Also known as “AphantasiaMeow,” Alec has been helping many people remove aphantasia from their lives.
We discuss his work with those who struggle with the idea that they do not have a “mind’s eye.”
And those who may not have been able to picture that beautiful beach at sunset have experienced tremendous relief.
Although this phenomenon was first introduced in 1880, it wasn’t until the mid-2000s that the idea of mental blindness began to be explored.
With studies still in the early stages as compared to other mental health fields Alec is on the forefront of bettering the lives of those whose imaginations are not as vivid as they would like.
Why People Seek Help When They Can’t Visualize
You may be skeptical of this idea of aphantasia, finding it hard to believe that someone couldn’t close their eyes and picture a juicy red apple, a shiny new bicycle, or freshly fallen snow on command.
But I feel empathy, because I don’t really see pictures in my mind either. And if curiosity is driving you, read on and click play on the episode to hear Alec’s approach to removing the problem.
You may have come here searching for answers because (depending on the source) you are the 4-5% of the population, or the 1 in 50, who is affected by aphantasia.
You may have heard of Alec’s work and wondered “Can he help me?” or, better still, “Can he help me help myself?”
Whatever the case, you are here now. And there really does seem like Alec’s aphantasia cure will help you.
And it seems to me that part of the reason Alec’s approach works is because many people seek help due to FOMO (fear of missing out).
That means they might be forgetting to focus on the glorious experiences they do have (such as we’ve seen from Penn Jillette).
But if you’re on this page, you’re either on a self-help journey for yourself, a loved one, or simply seeking to expand your knowledge on cutting edge brain health discoveries.
Interview Highlights
By listening to this interview today, you’ve taken the first step and congratulations are in order…we’ll be imagining ourselves sipping memory friendly drinks from coconuts sooner than you think!
All you need to do is press play and you will discover:
How to define the concepts of aphantasic, hyperphantasic, and prophantasic
Aphantasia versus a disorder (you don’t have to feel at a disadvantage to others)
The confusion surrounding aphantasic self-diagnosis techniques
Why a visual imagination may not be present
How to develop the mind’s eye through mental exercise
In sum, there are many brain training exercises out there. But if you have aphantasia, what Alec offers is most likely the best. Follow up with him and let him help you!
Further Resources on the Web, This Podcast, and the MMM Blog:
Aphantasia Meow. This is Alec’s official website. It includes the VIVIQ (Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire). This test was originally developed at the University of Exeter and is still under development.
Alec interviews me about my experience of SUDDENLY becoming visual:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0F9gOgGOqc
As I mentioned above, Alec is doing hands on work with people and creating positive transformation. Book a time with him if you need help!
5 Sensory Memory Exercises For Better Memory Palace Success
Mar 08, 2019
As someone who is not very visual, I’m glad I learned how to tap into various aspects of my sensory memory to help me use memory techniques better.
At first, I resisted sense memory exercises related to visual experience. I preferred any other sensory modes other than trying to work with visual images.
In hindsight, that was silly. But it was really hard coming to grips with the fact that I don’t see pictures in my mind.
After all, how is a “Memory Palace” and other mnemonic techniques supposed to improve retention and recall if you can’t “see” images in your imagination?
Well, whether you’re low on the visual scale, like me, or experience full-blown aphantasia, there are solutions.
And to help you explore them, I’ve got 5 simple sense memory exercises.
Each will help extend your abilities with memory techniques thanks to the full range of sensory practice they provide.
You’ll get visual memory practice too when you dive right into the video guide I’ve created for you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rUi7LNPHSA
To extend your understanding and give you more context before providing the exercises in written form below, let’s talk about how and why these sensory memory activities are useful.
How to Improve Sensory Memory Using These Exercises
To improve sensory memory, you need to practice deliberately recalling specific sensations from real experiences. This means thinking back to sounds, textures, aromas, even the “feel” of certain logical connections.
That way, you can use these sensory memories while practicing memory techniques like the Memory Palace.
In other words, sensory memory training and mnemonics aren’t separate activities. You improve both by doing both together.
Does this approach hold up under pressure?
Yes. I’ve tested it in public more times than I can count: a TEDx talk, demonstrations reciting thousands of words of Sanskrit across dozens of mantras, univocalic poetry that’s difficult by design.
And most recently, I delivered an oral law school examination and passed with an A+.
The protocol is simple: work through the five exercises below deliberately, alongside your regular Memory Palace practice. Not one or the other. Both.
Sensory Memory Techniques Defined
Our ancestors noted that we tend to remember better when tapping into our senses. Aristotle discusses the role of mental imagery in De Memoria and later mnemonists like Peter of Ravenna and Jacobus Plublicius turned this approach into exercises.
Ravenna, for example, describes a specific memory improvement game in The Phoenix. To win it, you need to follow his instructions for memorizing information better than other players by adding imagined sensations. It’s based on the same processes he used to excel as a jurist, learn languages and recite memorized scripture.
And that’s the technique: Adding as many imaginary layers of sensation as you can while using mnemonics.
Now let’s get started with the first exercise.
#1: The Auditory Sensory Memory Palace Trick
Think about a familiar place and recall what it sounded like. Or connect some aspect of the location with sound.
Take your school, for example.
When I think purely about sound in combination with one of the high schools I attended, I hear the voice of Mr. Andrews:
“Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s”.
He used to say this every time we were supposed to hand in our homework.
I still have an idea of what the classroom looked like and where it was in the school.
And since Mr. Andrews was a big fellow, I have a general sense of his physical presence. But it’s his voice that really stands out.
Likewise, I think of my various band teachers and can even place where different sections of the orchestra were in the different rooms without needing to render a visual picture.
Zero Visualization Needed
There is a way to turn this into a picture that requires zero visualization, but we’ll get to that soon.
For now, is this a cool memory trick or what?
The more you focus just on sounds, the more you’ll explore powerful dimensions of your memory.
Let’s go for something soft with this next exercise.
When I first completed this routine, I thought of my stuffed Cheshire cat.
I’ve had two in my life – one from when I visited Disneyland around age 10 and one my mom sent me just a few years ago to replace it.
(I had to get rid of the old one during one of my epic moves around the globe. Thanks for getting me a new one, mom!)
In terms of the Memory Palace this plush animal brings to mind, it’s not Disneyland.
Although I have used this famous theme park as a source of Memory Palaces before, in this case, I thought of the plane ride home from visiting Anaheim, California.
Now, you might think that an airplane is not great Memory Palace material.
Au contraire. Airplanes can be quite fantastic. They’re simple and can be divided in multiple ways.
Anyhow, I have this vague memory of being a 10 year old hugging the Cheshire cat.
He joins me here in this video summary of today’s exercises:
To make this feeling-based brain exercise work, I really dig into what hugging my toy felt like in my memory.
Then I dig further.
If you’re new to this kind of exercise, it can feel like a stretch at first.
But keep exploring.
If you follow along with me and find a plane trip of your own to explore, you can indeed find other physical sensations related to flying that come to mind.
Try accessing these different levels of sensation-based memory for yourself:
The softness (or hardness) of the seat beneath you
The temperature of the glass when you touch the window
The feeling of anticipation as the plane accelerates down the runway
Suddenly, all kinds of sensations emerge when you complete this simple memory exercise.
When I completed this exercise, all kinds of flights I’d forgotten emerged.
Write the ideas that come up into a Memory Journal and include all the sensations you can think of.
Think of it as a kind of personal, private sensory memory test.
Bang presto!
When I completed this exercise, I found myself with oodles of airplane and airport Memory Palaces to work with along with a wide variety of sensations.
Memory exercises like these are the closest thing to real magic that exists, don’t you think? Especially when used in the context of these additional recovered memory exercises.
Give them all a try!
#3: The Concepts Are King Exercise
In a nutshell, this exercise helps you explore what you think and remember conceptually.
Now, this one is a bit of a stretch, I’ll admit. But stretching is good.
Start with one of the most basic concepts: Truth.
What comes to mind when you think of the truth?
I think of libraries.
And when I think of libraries, a ton of them come to mind. In fact, I’ve worked in three of them, and studied in dozens more. Each library makes for a great Memory Palace.
Next, think of a concept like justice.
It’s true:
During high school I once wound up in the drunk tank. It sucked back then, but makes for an interesting Memory Palace now.
I took law in high school and observed a few court cases too. I had a friend who was a lawyer before he went to the great Memory Palace in the sky and he comes to mind too – all from thinking about the concept of justice.
The concepts of math, chemistry, weather all bring multiple associations – and not a single one of them can be seen visually, strictly speaking.
They’re just concepts.
And thinking about Einstein for math, Breaking Bad for chemistry and a meteorologist I know named Dave don’t require me to make mental images either.
Anthony Metivier during a rare cheat in a Beijing dumpling restaurant
#4: The Delicious Aroma Exercise
I’ll bet at least one person in your family has some kind of secret recipe.
And even if it isn’t secret, there’s a dish they make really well that you adore. Maybe even something based around foods that improve memory.
Now, although I can’t eat a large number of things I used to love, my mom’s zucchini bread comes to mind.
My dad also makes a mean spaghetti. And since we moved around a lot, quite a few kitchens come to mind for use as Memory Palaces.
Then I think of a few romantic meals I’ve had over the years. These took place in buildings ranging from the CN Tower in Toronto to the Pizzeria Monte Carlo in Rome.
Even as someone who isn’t a foodie, there are oodles of tastes and aromas that come to mind all over the world.
Fruit juices and dates in Cairo, Lingonberry jam in Sweden, dumplings in Beijing… all wonderful Memory Palaces just waiting to be unlocked from memory.
I’ll bet you have dozens of options.
An “Un-visualized” Berlin Memory Palace
#5. The “Un-Visualization” Memory Palace Exercise
What? How can you “un-visualize” something?
Let me answer that question for you:
All you have to do is draw your Memory Palaces. On paper.
Instead of trying to juggle space in your mind, make it simple.
Rather than trying to imagine the rooms and hallways and garages and driveways and all kinds of things that you might not be able to see clearly in your mind, break it down into simple squares.
Now, sometimes people email me with the concern that they aren’t able to draw. If that’s you, please watch this tutorial for alternatives:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP2B5CMmIdk
Regardless of whether I draw my Memory Palaces or think about them purely in my mind, here’s an important consideration:
When I first encountered memory techniques and the Memory Palace, I couldn’t fathom how on earth I was supposed to see myself moving through a building I wasn’t in.
And that’s a very good thing, because the strange explanations I was reading prompted me to solve this issue for myself through experimentation.
It also got me interested in studying far more than the books written by memory competitors. As a result, I wound up going deep into the history of these techniques, far deeper than Yates’ The Art of Memory, that’s for sure.
And reading between the lines of texts like the Rhetorica ad Herennium, I discovered that they weren’t really talking about visualizing their Memory Palaces.
And the notion of making them tactile and strategizing them before using them gave me the idea to make them tactile in the simplest and easiest way you can:
With pencil and paper.
And as soon as I got results from doing this, I couldn’t stop exploring!
I am still amazed by just how many buildings I can visit in my mind. Making them visual simply by drawing squares on paper makes memory training so much easier.
So, whether you can sketch or not, this final exercise will help you find more Memory Palaces and use them. It’s powerful.
How Memory Athletes Experience Sensory Memory When Using Mnemonics
As mentioned, I don’t see pictures in my mind.
Although I can’t say that I see “nothing” at all, I find the murky visual sensations I experience to be useless, if not distracting.
When I tell my memory athlete friends about my experience, they either:
Know exactly what I mean
Use some of the same processes I’m about to share
Rarely describe how they are purely “visual” in some sense I have yet to understand…
I say “some sense,” because even with our current technology, it’s not possible to peer into anyone else’s imagination, let alone understand the various types of memory involved in someone else’s process.
Anyhow, if you’ve followed the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard some of these conversations before.
If not, I recommend you listen to some of the interviews with memory athletes I’ve recorded over the years. I’ve learned a ton that have improved my practice and even re-listening to some of them will help your practice too.
Here are some of my favorite episodes that touch upon sensory memory and the true nature of mnemonic images as the real pros use them:
Of course, you need to listen to these episodes with yourself in mind.
Why?
Because at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what other people do in their minds. Each of us experiences only one mind. And that’s the mind we’ve been blessed with.
Plus, we each have our own experience of visual memory.
And what a blessing that there are so many differences when it comes to sensory learning.
But don’t get me wrong:
I do understand that some people currently have miserable experiences, and not being able to use the main memory techniques must be very miserable indeed.
But that doesn’t have to be you.
No More Excuses Along Your Memory Training Journey
Let’s face it:
People with no hands can draw Memory Palaces with their teeth, their feet or even ask for others to help.
I know this for a fact because I’ve had correspondence from people who can’t move anything but their mouths.
Yet, each have created and used Memory Palaces by drawing them nonetheless. Or by following some of the suggestions in the video above about what to do if you can’t develop your use of the method of loci through simple sketches.
In sum:
There really are no excuses.
Of course, if you don’t want to join the great memory tradition, no problem. I don’t want to learn how to pack a parachute and jump out of a plane. Some things just aren’t for everyone.
But if you do and you’ve ever struggled with the visual element, here’s a bold promise:
You really can rest assured that you can use memory techniques and they will work for you even without seeing pictures in your mind.
Here’s the best way I can show you how:
In fact, due to an interesting turn of events, I wound up competing once at a competition with mental athlete and memory expert Dave Farrow.
Based on that experience, I can tell you that there’s really no time to create pictures in your mind when the cameras are rolling and the clock is on.
The mnemonics I created in that short competition were almost purely conceptual and I was pleasantly surprised by just how well I did…
Especially as someone completely unprepared and with zero competition practice, history or particular interest in throwing down the gloves.
So even if you are hyper-visual, you’ll want to consider the advantages of adding these other senses to your memory practice.
What do you say?
Can you imagine yourself moving from a purely visual approach to using memory techniques to a multi-sensory approach?
3 Memory Palace Training Exercises [Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced]
Feb 15, 2019
Are you searching for Memory Palace training exercises and an easy way to create your first (or second) Memory Palace Network?
And do you find yourself frustrated by:
Memory training apps that fail to deliver?
Endless how-to posts on the Internet that “guarantee” results?
Memory improvement books that leave you entertained but you still find yourself no closer to using the tools that will help you build your memory?
You know what?
I know it can seem like an endless loop of information when it comes to memory training on the Internet.
It’s almost as if you’re on a hamster wheel, getting no closer to your destination. You may feel discouraged, or worse, ready to give up…
But before you throw your hands up in the air and admit defeat, know this:
The problem isn’t you.
The problem is the “quick fix” methods full of empty promises.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px1O-j3BIHo
3 Powerful Memory Palace Training Exercises
Before we get into these memory training routines specifically designed for using Memory Palaces, here’s the very good news:.
I have developed these simple Memory Palace training exercises with beginners, intermediate users and expert mnemonists in mind.
And I know these exercises will help you to build an effective Memory Palace Network, even if you’ve never created one before or used a shred of mnemonic imagery in your life. (Scroll down for proof.)
No, the exercises on this page are not a quick fix, hack, or shortcut.
But what you’re about to discover is a simple and proven method that will help you create and implement Memory Palaces so you can:
Learn the language you always wanted
Pass your exams with flying colors
Improve your life by improving your brain heath.
Are you ready?
If so…
Brace yourself for these three, mind-blowingly simple Memory Palace training routines.
1. The Alphabet Memory Palace Exercise
Before we get started, a quick question:
Do you have a Memory Journal?
Keeping a journal is a fun way to help you remember more about your life and can even help your daily productivity.
And let’s be honest, we all need a boost sometimes to be more productive.
I can dedicate (and have) an entire blog post to the benefits of memory journaling, but let’s assume you are keeping a dedicated Memory Journal (and if not, you should).
For the Memory Palace creation exercise, here’s how to get started.
Take your Memory Journal and begin on a fresh page.
Start with the letter A. Ask yourself “Who do I know that has a home whose name starts with an A?”
Remember not to limit yourself here.
Your choice doesn’t have to be a home.
It can be the names of movie theaters, bookstores, or other places that have significant meaning to you.
Be flexible, and let your mind wander.
Progressively move through the alphabet, one letter at a time.
I recommend you continue until you have advanced through all 26 letters, jotting down names and places as you go. The alphabet will help you “walk” spatially through the associations one letter at a time.
Do you have to complete all 26-letters?
No, of course not, at least not in one go.
But I find that most people who complete this exercise need between 1-5 hours to complete it.
At the end, they have a vibrant and robust Memory Palace Network and approaches like the story method suddenly becomes much easier for them. Here are just a few Magnetic Memory Method Testimonials to tell the stories of success in their own words.
Still not convinced you can do this, or should? If so, then check out the incredible science that backs up how and why the Memory Palace technique works.
Example for the Letter A
For example, say your elementary school best friend’s name is Allen.
You can remember Allen’s home fondly, with sleepovers, and Mario Kart tournaments.
And that’s one Memory Palace you can create.
This initial memory produced by thinking of the letter “A” could lead to other memories with Allen:
Birthday parties at the local skating rink…
Trips to the local movie theater to see the latest Ninja Turtles film together…
Rock concerts, etc.
Simple Memory Palace drawing “recovered” by completing this simple Memory Palace training exercise
You can also see how Kevin Richardson used multiple Memory Palaces for Japanese. He’s not alone either: Sunil Khatri achieved great results when learning Japanese as well, all thanks to exercises like the ones you’re discovering now.
And you know what?
I use these exercises myself.
In this simple example with Allen, for example, I uncovered three new Memory Palaces! All from familiar places I wouldn’t have thought of at all without having completed this exercise.
Summing Up The Alphabet Exercise
Multiple Memory Palaces are available and can be unlocked with each letter of the alphabet. Use your Memory Journal to record these places, then build your networks from there.
As a bonus you’ll exercise your brain with the physical act of writing, engaging over 150 muscles in the process, and your penmanship will improve. Win win.
And if you want to turn this alphabet exercise into a 100-day Memory Challenge, consider using The Freedom Journal.
2. The Teleportation Memory Palace Exercise
Any chance you’re a Douglas Adams fan?
If so, you might be a bit wary of teleportation, as it’s “not quite as fun as a good solid kick to the head.”
Perhaps you prefer teleportation in the style of Doctor Who via transmat. Or maybe it‘s Star Trek’s transporter you prefer.
How about the the good “old fashioned” superior ability of teleportation of the X-Men’s Nightcrawler (my personal favorite)?
In all cases, the concept of teleportation in pop culture is familiar…
(And not just for Sci-Fi fans. Remember Dorothy Gale’s ruby slippers?)
You can harness that same power of teleportation in a practical way. Yes, it’s true.
But first you will need multiple Memory Palaces. This is where the first exercise, and Memory Journaling will be to your benefit.
Teleportation, in this sense, means that when you reach the end of a Memory Palace journey, you will make a logical leap to the next one.
Seek And You Will Find Natural Memory Palace “Bridges”
Just like the adventures with Allen we talked about above, you can find a natural “bridge” between two Memory Palaces.
For example, when I think about yet another Allen I know, he has a niece named Sophie.
Sophie and I were in a class with (yet) another Alan in high school. Now that classroom can “bridge” naturally with the original Allen’s home. It’s a simple matter to “teleport” between them.
Then, the more I think about this Alan and his character, the more my episodic memory gets valuable exercise. Autobiographical memory gets a boost as well. Yours will too.
If you can’t find a simple way for two Memory Palaces to relate, once again, move in a linear fashion through the alphabet.
But for practice and the benefit of this activity (which is also great brain exercise,) list in your “teleportation associations” in your Memory Journal.
Chances are, you’ll be able to come up with dozens in a very short period of time.
Remember:
Be flexible. Allow your mind to flow from one Memory Palace to the next. It’s easier than you think.
3. The “Heavy Metal” Exercise
Even though we’re talking about easy memory exercises, this is important:
Challenge yourself.
Why?
Think of memory training in the context of physical exercise.
Then think of elite level bodybuilders.
Are they able to “bulk up” without adding more weight to their routines?
Of course not.
They cannot build strength or mass without increasing the challenge of weight or number of reps.
With that in mind, think of your memory training as exactly what it is: training.
You cannot expect to improve your mental elasticity without constantly challenging yourself.
You just need to make sure you’re pushing your limits in a healthy way.
To do this, add barriers to your memory training.
Anthony Metivier with Sergio Klein during a performance in Berlin with The Outside in 2013
Example of the Heavy Metal Exercise
Here’s how:
Go to a noisy café or listen to loud music. Or combine the two by listening to loud music in a cafe.
Actively allow yourself to be in an environment full of distractions as you travel through your Memory Palaces or encode information into them.
Naturally, when you return to an ideal environment for studying, you will find you can:
I was practicing this way just by coincidence on trains throughout Europe while listening to metal before I sat to compete with Dave Farrow. It helped!
To make the exercise happen:
Crank up that heavy metal in your headphones, or immerse yourself in a public place with people walking by and conversations surrounding you.
Next, encode the information you want to memorize into one of your Memory Palaces.
Decode it immediately to test the integrity of your Magnetic Imagery.
Finally, practice decoding in the most distracting circumstances possible. For example, put on loud music while in a busy cafe looking out over a street streaming with traffic.
To add yet another additional level of difficulty, add this dice-based memory drill to help dictate exactly where in the Memory Palace you’ll recall information.
You can also just practice some of these visualization exercises when you’re in the eye of the storm.
Just like a round of pushups becomes easier when you remove a weighed backpack, you will find your mind unlocked and strengthened by this challenge.
Give these three simple exercises a try along with this free memory improvement course:
Seriously:
Incorporate these techniques into your memory training exercise and you will get results.
No smoke and mirrors and no cheesy guarantee. With a little bit of intelligent work, and a little patience, you will reach your goals. You just need an unshakeable Memory Palace training routine.
Tips that will turn the average imagination into a fast-acting mnemonics dictionary.
Need A “Hand Up” With Memory Palace Creation
While I still believe you learn the most by doing it yourself by creating your own Memory Palaces and “00-99 P.A.O.” from “scratch,” I understand that people sometimes need a “hand up” to get started.
In fact, I’ve learned over the years that for some people, personal guidance is a key element. That’s why I created the MMM Memory Dojo. It’s a weekly option for MMM Masterclass members who need additional help with priming their minds for committing information to memory using memory techniques.
And since this option only has the value its members bring, I’m delighted to have some of the best and brightest thinkers about memory techniques participating in the Memory Dojo week after week.
On today’s episode of the Magnetic Memory Method podcast, my long-time student, Sunil Khatri, shares his experiences of progressing from a beginner memory pupil with a desire to learn Korean and Japanese, to a visionary app-builder, seeking to help students more easily develop and visualize spatial memory.
Just check out his concept for a Memory Palace memory training app that will help you memorize the Periodic Table of Elements:
https://youtu.be/qLXqzcqG7N4
Now, you may remember Sunil’s name, as he has guest-hosted the podcast before, detailing his Speech Success Story.
And if you are searching for an inspirational success story to motivate you to start creating your own victories in memory improvement, or perhaps need a bit of guidance, Sunil’s experience is brimming with answers.
Idriz Zogaj On The Truth About Memory Training Apps
Jan 17, 2019
Ever wondered if you can just invent a Memory Palace… or have a memory improvement app invent one for you?
Turns out, the answers to these questions are more than just interesting…
They could be the answers that turn you from a person struggling to improve your memory to a leading memory athlete.
After all, Idriz Zogaj has done just that.
And chances are, you know the name.
After all, he’s the man behind what is probably the world’s most viewed memory improvement TedTalk.
In addition to being a world class memory athlete and memory coach, he’s also an entrepreneur.
And when I heard about his initiative to launch a memory game and app called Memotopia, I reached out to learn more.
Best part?
We recorded our call just for you!
Key Points About Memory Training Apps
The highlight of the episode for me involved two key points:
Idriz has figured out a way to create a memory training app that lets you train solo and with others. And it’s all focused on getting you to use the skills in your mind, not on the screen. To learn all about it, please watch the Memotopia video on this page for the project.
In his previous experience with memory apps, Idriz has shown how people of even very young ages can use technology to learn the basics of association.
Why is this demonstration with younger people so profound?
Because association is the core skill of using memory techniques.
And the best part is this:
Anyone can learn to associate.
You don’t have to take my word for it. Just check out Idriz’s explanation of how easy improving your memory is in this epic memory training video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ebJlcZMx3c
You’ll hear Idriz talk about the history of his apps for memory training on the podcast, and can check out the earlier Zogaj Gym here on the Apple Store and here for Android.
The Truth About Virtual Memory Palace Creation And Use
My second favorite part of the episode involves our discussion of creating and using a Virtual Memory Palace (or even dozens of them).
The Wise Advocate: Become A Better Leader Of Your Memory
Jan 03, 2019
The Wise Advocate wants to help you avoid the terrible habits that keep you locked into habitual thinking…
Thinking that is deeply connected to your memory.
Yet, after reading a new book on the topic, I was puzzled…
Why in the 21st century are we sophisticated humans still being yanked around by our lizard brain?
Especially in the midst of so much knowledge about how the brain and memory works?
I’m talking about impulsive thoughts, terrible decision making and paying too much attention to horrible mental content that arises in memory.
To find out, I asked co-authors of The Wise Advocate: The Inner Voice of Strategic Leadership to explain.
In this incredible new book, Jeffrey Schwartz, Josie Thomson and Art Kleiner provide simple ways to overcome impulsive thinking and create greater leadership in your life and for others.
About the Authors of The Wise Advocate
Jeffrey Schwartz is a research psychiatrist at UCLA and a leader expert in neuroplasticity. He is the author of You Are Not Your Brain and books on overcoming obsessive-compulsive disorder amongst other topics.
Josie Thomson is an award-winning executive coach, speaker, author, and two-time cancer survivor.
Art Kleiner is the Editor-in-Chief of strategy+business and author of The Age of Heretics and Who Really Matters: The Core Group Theory of Power, Privilege and Success.
Show Notes And Stand Out Topics
Since my passion for memory can get the best of me in matters of business, I was very interested in the discussion of creating more distance and rationality in decision making.
Plus, I learned a lot from the discussion on group think, or tribe mentality, and how to overcome some of the knee-jerk reaction to appease others we see happening more and more on the Internet.
As a solution, Jeffrey suggested a kind of self-inquiry in place of visceral reactions:
“You become more aware of who you’re trying to please, why you’re trying to please that group, that person. [Thinking instead] ‘What are the implications of what you’re doing?’ You start planning and thinking more long-term.”
Finding Your Wise Advocate Is A Trainable Skill
When we train ourselves to contemplate questions like, “Why do they (others) want that?” we open ourselves up to being an impartial spectator of the world.
This impartiality leads us into a higher level of thinking to overcome this “lizard brain.”
If you want to know how your decision making can drastically improve with a shift in focus, or a directed, conscious effort to revamp your mindset in order to be a better leader, or even just lifelong learner, this podcast is for you.
You will unlock the secrets to active mindfulness through simple practice and awareness to be a quality, individualistic, strategic decision maker.
All you need to do is press play above and you’ll learn:
What exactly mindfulness is and how it can help you clarify your own goals, objectives, and ways of approaching everything in life
How to be transparent in your own thinking to achieve your long-term goals and plans
How memory can set you free with decision parameters that you make every day
The inner narrative of “gut impulses” versus the big picture of decision making
Identifying the difference between emotional reasoning and rationalizing
How obsessive-compulsive disorder relates to brain structure and value judgements
Understanding how you arrive at decisions gives you wiser choice options
The idea that habits are largely unconscious
The concept of mentalizing (not “What do others want?” but “What are they thinking and why?”)
How the desire for “fitting in” influences our decision making
How community-oriented perspectives achieve win-wins in business relationships
Rewiring the brain to a “wise advocate” frame of mind to inform decision making (for students who want to know how to study fast, this one will be key)
Applying the understanding of human behavior to goal-oriented activities
Deceptive brain messaging in the role of executive thinking
Self-directed neuroplasticity as an influencer of thought and attention of focus
Balancing non-judgmental thinking with assessment in your thought processes
How memory practice and working memory is important in taming impulsive behavior
The four steps to correct the cognitive distortions you might be making every single day
Although The Wise Advocate is directed at people in leadership roles, I highly recommend this book to all memory improvement fans.
After all, you are the leader of your memory. It needs you to be performing at your best!
Further Resources on the Web, This Podcast, and the MMM Blog:
How to Study Fast: A Guide To High Volume Learning At Speed
Dec 13, 2018
If you’re serious about learning how to study fast, get ready to say goodbye to those horrible emotions of anxiety and fear.
That’s right.
Instead of wringing your hands in terror every time you’re facing an exam or professional certification…
You can simply sit back and congratulate yourself on a job well done.
How can you trust me?
Great question. Here’s the answer:
I’ve got a Ph.D., two Masters, a BA and several certifications.
And I’m here to tell you that you really can study quickly and effectively without all the stress others go through.
Let’s get started.
How To Plan For Speed Studying Using Effective Scheduling
First things first, please understand this:
You should always schedule a planning session for how you’re going to get enough studying done.
Now I know you may be thinking that this seems contradictory. After all, you want to study quickly, and planning feels like it takes more time than it’s worth.
But think of it like this.
You’re throwing a backyard barbecue for your friends and family. It’s late summer and still quite hot outside.
What’s the number one thing your guests will need?
A cold drink!
You wouldn’t be prepared for the party if you just relied on your three measly ice trays in the freezer to chill everyone’s drinks would you?
Certainly not!
You’d stock up on bagged ice from the store along with all your other BBQ essentials. You could only be prepared for your guests if you planned ahead.
The same goes for your study sessions.
Just like making a list of all your barbecue supplies saved time and stress of filling up all those ice cube trays last minute, having a plan in place for studying is a real time saver.
How To Craft Your Studying “Plan Of Attack”
Planning can be as simple as writing down your plan of attack on paper.
Like this:
“I will commit X number of hours,” (or even minutes) “per day to studying.”
If you’re attending university and you have a syllabus, refer to that to plan your study sessions. It will tell you WHAT you need to study, then use your calendar to plan WHEN you will study, and even where you will study.
This fact is true because this memory technique unlocks your spatial memory and spatial mapping.
Just ask my friend and fellow memory expert Nelson Dellis.
The more you create and use Memory Palaces, the more they unlock multiple levels and layers of memory that you can use in order to learn faster.Which levels of memory exactly?
Benjamin Franklin famously said “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
Nothing could serve as a better, literal reminder for you to schedule those study sessions along with breaks and ideas for what you’ll do when things suddenly change gears.
Final Exam Study Tips That Will Simplify Your Life
The most important tip I can give you in terms of simplifying your learning life is this:
“Don’t cram.”
Seriously.
Cramming makes you feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and keeps you asking questions you cannot answer under pressure.
I’m thinking of questions like:
“Where do I start? How do I do this?” and “Where do I even begin?”
Now, overwhelm and frustration is totally normal.
But the kind of frustration that comes from cramming- it’s totally avoidable!
The Best Study Shortcuts Provided By The Big Five Of Learning
Aside from the obvious “Don’t cram,” I highly encourage you to truly understand the “Big Five” of learning, which are:
And you want to put the Big Five of Learning into action as frequently as possible.
This process will help you truly process and retain what you’ve read and make deep connections in your brain.
Here are some suggestions as to how you can make the Big Five easy and fun:
Listen to podcasts on the topic, or even a loosely related topic.
Write summaries of what you’ve read.
Join a study group (either online or offline – ideally both) to discuss the information you need to know. Discussion helps especially if you’re stumped on grasping a certain concept, or have a mental block about a subject.
All of these approaches help you gain a fresh perspective, especially if student with those in different disciplines that compliment yours).
When Push Comes To Shove: How to Study in One Night
But what if the unthinkable happens and the night before the exam you’re faced with the prospect of having to pull an all-nighter?
In the immortal words of Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy, “Don’t Panic.”
First, break the study material down.
For example, if you had an exam solely based on one book and you procrastinated all semester and didn’t do the assigned reading.
Ask yourself “Okay, so how many chapters does this book have?”
Then ask, “How many pieces of information am I actually likely to remember tomorrow?”
Break this down further and say “There are 10 chapters in the book. The maximum I can memorize is three things per chapter,” then read for those three big ideas in each chapter.
This technique will help you remember where those pieces of “need to know” information are located in the book as you read because it helps you memorize the page numbers.
This helps you easily go back to those pages and commit them to memory.
Here’s where the Memory Palace, again, is key.
Why? Because a Memory Palace lets you commit a room or station to each of these pieces of information.
Can’t Keep Up? Find Syllabi And Example Exams From The Past
Secondly, find example exams if you can from past semesters.
If your school won’t provide them, contact other schools. In the Internet age where virtually everything is available online, use that limitless database to your advantage.
Can’t find example exams on your own?
Network. Consult with others even at the last minute.
If you can work together to capture the big ideas, the “need to know information,” this will go a long way if you find yourself cramming the night before an exam.
The Most Effective Study Techniques For World Class Learning At Speed
Many students’ number one go-to strategy for studying is re-reading assignments and notes.
This learning technique, however, is simply not as effective as we believe.
Mark McDaniel, a Washington University psychologist said:
“On your first reading of something, you extract a lot of understanding. But when you do the second reading, you read with a sense of ‘I know this, I know this.’ So basically you’re not processing it deeply, or picking more out of it. Often, the re-reading is cursory – and it’s insidious, because this gives you the illusion that you know the material very well, when in fact there are gaps.”
Instead of the somewhat flawed, yet popular, re-reading, I suggest pre-reading instead.
“The process of skimming a text to locate key ideas before carefully reading a text (or a chapter of a text) from start to finish.
Prereading is essentially an overview that “can increase reading speed and efficiency. [It] typically involves looking at (and thinking about) titles, chapter introductions, summaries, heading, subheadings, study questions, and conclusions.”
Another technique for active learning and effective studying is Magnetic note taking.
I’m not talking about the boring rote note taking that you’re likely used to.
I’m not suggesting you copy information down on an index card.
Do you remember PEMDAS? Many learn this acronym in school for parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, subtraction.
Why does this information stick with people for 20 years or more? It’s because the simple, if odd word that the acronym creates makes the information more engaging and real to the mind.
More Memorization Tricks That Make You An A+ Learner (At Any Age)
Email yourself. Remember those summaries I suggested writing? Take a few seconds and email them to yourself. You can read back over them with fresh eyes.
Just the act of doing more with the information is helpful. That small, extra step can work to your benefit.
Next, find and visit the examination room. This can be very helpful, not only to remove the pre-exam jitters, but to turn the room itself into a memory palace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptq8hFSyTCc
And now for the elephant in the room, the distraction of the Internet. Be cautious of the time you spend on Facebook.
Although Messenger can be great for communicating with the study groups you formed and Facebook groups can help you organize those study sessions, you can lose focus with the temptation to constantly scroll through your newsfeed.
Block those apps that cause distraction during your study sessions (I use Kill News Feed).
Your concentration can be interrupted merely by the thought of those apps. If possible, go offline for your study.
Read from physical books instead of digital screens.
Remove the physical temptation for “just a quick check-in.”
Technology doesn’t have to be a distraction.
If you’re going to go online, why not have your notifications filled with useful information? A handy tool for this is Google Alerts. Use that study preparation time to subscribe to alerts relevant to your material.
You’ll receive emails at your chosen frequency about new books, blog posts, news articles, and podcasts that can further help you incorporate the Big Five into your studies.
Reinforce the information you need to know by any avenue you can.
Concentration Tips For Learners That Eliminate Brain Fog
If you are in a high stress state of mind, your concentration will be shot.
A simple walking meditation can “take the edge off” so you can make the most of your time.
If you want to go deeper into meditation I recommend Happiness Beyond Thought: A Practical Guide to Awakening by Gary Weber. He’s my go-to teacher for everything related to meditation that helps you learn more faster.
Become a Master of Real Speed Learning By Playing The Long Game
All these techniques and additional tips are geared towards helping you learn more, faster.
But to be a true master of speed learning, you’ve got to play the long game. Yes, even if you’re dealing with boring topics.
Remember the tortoise and the hare? Who ended up being the winner of the race?
Be the tortoise who wins the race. Be in this for life.
Don’t think about the short-term exam. Think about how that this is all going to wrap up to your future.
Set your goals, both long and short term.
Use those all-important planning sessions to put a plan in place to reach those goals. Then don’t just “set it and forget it,” but go back to your plan again and again to make sure that you’re online, and in line, with your goals.
By approaching your learning in this way, you’re going to be able to play the long game at a much higher level that serves for a very long time.
Always remember: The quality of your memory is directly related to the quality of your life. The more you invest in it, the greater it will be.
So what do you say? Are you ready to study faster and learn more?
If you haven’t already, deepen your understanding of memory techniques by grabbing my free course next:
It will help you through video lessons, worksheets and more suggestions like these so you can learn faster and remember more.
Memory Training Secrets with 3x Memory Champion John Graham
Nov 16, 2018
Want memory training secrets from a bona fide memory champion?
When you click play on the recording above and watch my video discussion with John…
You’ll also learn the mindset, strategies and habits needed to train your memory…
Under pressure.
And the ability to perform under pressure matters for everyone, whether you’re recalling information on TV…
Names at a meeting…
Or information during an exam at school.
Why I’m So Impressed With John Graham’s Memory Training Know-how
As a memory enthusiast and blogger specializing in memory techniques, John’s skills and the information he offers through his memoryjohn website and email newsletter are top notch.
And as you’ll hear today…
John originally didn’t think he could use memory techniques!
(Anastasia Woolmer, another memory champion, was exactly the same. If you can relate, you could also be the next major memory competitor on the scene.)
Just by listening to the right memory training mentors.
After all, John has not only won 3 USA Memory Championship events. He even won out against the best of the best, Nelson Dellis… possibly because he listened to Nelson’s episode on How to Win the USA Memory Championship.
Why You Need To Train Your Memory For The Long Term
John is indeed one of the best because he helps you see both the short and the long term benefits of memory training…
All while making sure that you find ways to stay with it for the long term.
Why does that matter?
Because life’s rewards go straight into your memory… nowhere else.
Think about it:
Cars… houses… money…
They all change, get lost, lose value.
But memory?
The more you can hold onto, the greater its value increases the longer you can call it your own.
And if you can’t remember the great things you learn, then you risk losing life’s treasures forever.
So follow John’s lead and overcome whatever mental rubbish might be holding you back from success with memory techniques by following his lead.
And if you want to see John working his memory magic with your own eyes, just click play on this incredible video:
The Next Level Memory Ideas I Enjoyed Learning The Most
Personally, I benefitted the most from hearing John talk about:
Crafting the mindset needed to develop memory competitor-level skills
Deliberately using additional difficulty to increase your memory chops quickly
The correct use of memory training apps and software to avoid falling into the traps of Digital Amnesia
How to incorporate consistent training into a busy travel schedule
Adding more challenges, many of which surely strengthen your iconic memory
All of these points will help you in your memory practice just as they helped me.
Even better:
After listening, you can leave us a comment below with your questions and comments so you too can experience “next level” memory skills!
More Magnetic Memory Method Podcast Episodes with John Graham
As John’s journey with memory competitions continued, it turns out that he develop panic attacks.
How did he deal with his memory-crushing anxiety and still win his second USA Memory Championship title? Here’s our discussion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdC28SEJaYo
John carried on to win a third title, and that’s when some really interesting things started happening in John’s life.
Here’s our follow-up discussion about that:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcObjZbneMI
As you can tell, John takes memory incredibly seriously.
And he’s my favorite kind of mnemonist because he also takes memory training outside the world of competition.
He takes it to places that can and should inspire us all.
Just as he continues to do so, as you can explore in our latest, May 2026 episode all about what John calls living embodiment.
Enjoy John’s wisdom and power to your use of memory techniques to achieve your goals. I look forward to heaving about what you accomplish in your learning life soon.
How To Practice Memory Techniques For Studying Tough Subjects
Oct 31, 2018
Looking for the best memory techniques for studying?
Great!
You’re in the right spot.
But here’s what most people won’t tell you…
Using memory techniques properly requires practice.
It’s the catch that stops many people cold in their tracks:
Because people also know adding another skill will require…
Time.
Worse, a lot of people overthink the beginning process. In fact…
But what if there was a way for memory techniques to save you time instead of costing you time?
A way that lets you cut like a laser through even the toughest subjects and most challenging languages?
And a way that creates more energy instead of making you feel burned out all the time?
In this post, I’ll share with you exactly how you can make that happen.
But first, please understand this:
My Memory Techniques For Students Started With A HUGE Dream
Let me ask you something:
When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
An astronaut, firefighter, veterinarian, princess, or cowboy?
Perhaps it was something more … heroic.
Me?
Well, long before I wanted to be an author and a professor…
I wanted to be Batman.
Yes, the caped crusader and defender of Gotham himself, Batman.
Of course, I eventually grew up.
As we grow older, our ambitions change and we tend to choose professions that are more practical.
Or we select careers that will make us financially secure, which is usually not the same thing as following those childhood dreams.
But because I learned how to integrate memory techniques into my every day life through proper practice with them, I actually did follow my childhood dream and grew up to be something like a “Mnemonic Batman.”
Why The Right Memory Techniques Will Make You A Real Life Superhero
Wait a minute!
How is that possible?
After all, I’m certainly not the billionaire playboy, Bruce Wayne.
But that doesn’t matter.
You see, the thing that makes Batman, Batman is not superhuman strength, intelligence, or any number the of supernatural powers possessed by our favorite comic book heroes.
If those are all the techniques you need to practice…
Why am I going on about Batman?
Well, for anyone who knows the full Batman story, anyone who practices the right things can wear the Batman mask for a few simple reasons:
1) Batman is a trained scientist who practices science
2) Batman creates the tools he needs to get the job done (and practices creating them)
3) Batman trains with the tools needed to get the job done (including training his body, which is also a key part of memory improvement along with eating foods that improve memory)
Other than that, Batman is just a normal guy with a utility belt loaded with knowledge and tools earned through practice.
The Most Important Memory Improvement Tool Of All
I’ve equipped my tool belt over the years with many memory techniques.
But at the end the day, the most important tool of all is discipline.
Is discipline itself a memory technique?
Yes. When you train yourself to remember to practice, your ability to implement becomes stronger.
Your ability to experiment (like a Batman-level scientist) with new memory techniques also becomes stronger. You learn to have courage through disciplined practice.
And you understand that all memory training you undertake is worth the time you risk because memory practice causes you to stretch and grow.
The best part is that you already possess two things:
1) A vast ability to develop the discipline of practice with memory techniques
2) A massive depository of mental imagery in your episodic memory to practice with
But at this point, you may be wondering…
What Are The Right Memory Techniques For Studying Tough Topics And Complex Languages?
The answer is…
It depends.
We’ll talk more about the options, in this post, but for now, here’s a roundup of the best:
The Memory Palace is foundational across the board. You need to know this technique because every other technique can be used inside of a Memory Palace.
Some people call this technique the Method of Loci, but I think that term is flawed. To learn more about why, check this out:
Let me help you avoid a big mistake:
A lot of people try to make things work with just one Memory Palace.
That can be helpful.
But in reality, Memory Palaces work best in a network.
That’s what allows you to expand your spatial memory and get the most use from your Magnetic Bridging Figures.
You may also need the Major System (a.k.a the Major Method I mentioned above).
But you might not need some of the additional mnemonic strategies right now. It’s always fine to start with just one and add the others later.
But what you absolutely need is something called Recall Rehearsal. This process is something I teach in the MMM Masterclass. It’s what lets you load the information you memorize into long term memory.
But These Three Major Memory Techniques Sound Like A Lot Of Effort!
Yes, and no.
Please don’t let yourself get overwhelmed.
If anything, you should consider overwhelming yourself on purpose, if only for a short while.
How?
Dive in and practice what my friend and fellow memory expert Jonathan Levi calls “brute force learning.”
That means instead of trying to cover every last detail, you rush in and get the broadest possible overview as quickly as possible.
Only after that has been accomplished, do you zero in on the fine details.
And only then can you discover what memory techniques are really all about without getting caught up in the Sherlock Holmes mythology that traps many students who wish they could use memory techniques as well as they want.
The point is:
You need to bring a sense of adventure and a sense of play.
To help you discover this sense of fun and adventure…
Think Back … (A Quick Memory and Brain Exercise)
Think back again to your childhood. Whether you begrudgingly took piano lessons, played Little League baseball, or had a starring role in the school play, the one key to your success was practice.
With practice you could play scales from memory, throw a faster pitch, or recite your lines flawlessly (while your peers still had their noses in their scripts).
If this idea worked for us as children, why have we abandoned it as adults? Its importance is clearly evident, especially in the world of memory improvement.
Take the professional musician. Practice is something that is a part of their everyday lives, especially “dedicated practice.”
Musicians learn and repeatedly perform physical actions. The play the notes on written sheet music or their own composition with “specific sounds and visual patterns (musical notation) while receiving continuous multi-sensory feedback.”
It is believed this “association learning” or training of the neural network can lead to brain plasticity, actually changing the structure of the brain,
In short, with practice, the brain’s ability to modify itself (i.e. rewire its connections) over time is strengthened.
You may ask “Why is that important? Why would my brain need to change if it is the control center of my body? Isn’t it kind of static?”
Your Brain Has An Extraordinary Knack For Learning Memory Techniques
It’s just practicing using them where most people fail.
Now, you might not feel that they are easy in the beginning, but your brain is actually perfectly suited to learn memory improvement tips and tricks.
And the only reason why people struggle in the beginning is because they haven’t used their memory muscles in quite this way before.
But once they get started, a very exciting fact kicks in that isn’t just for musicians:
Every Brain Has The Ability To Modify Itself Through Practice!
Not only during childhood (when the majority of formal learning takes place), but especially during adulthood, perhaps even most crucially in one’s senior years.
“But isn’t this practice with the techniques just doing something over and over?”
Stop.
Thoughts like that instantly take you back to those hours behind a piano. Or reciting lines from your third grade play script until they were committed to memory when you would have rather been playing video games or splashing in a mud puddle after a good rainstorm.
But practicing with memory techniques is not like that at all, once you get used to them. Once you have focused attention skills on your side.
An Unusual Source of Inspiration For Practicing Memory Techniques For Your Studies
Right now, I’m studying a lot of Sanskrit for a large learning project about Advaita Vedanta.
In his book, Happiness Beyond Thought, author Gary Weber explores this idea of the importance of practice, serving as a practical guide to awakening.
Gary Weber might not be a memory expert, but he’s memorized a ton of Sanskrit and has some skills. Recently, I’ve been following suit by memorizing his selections from the Ribhu Gita:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihhq0v07DB0
Back to Happiness Beyond Thought and what it teaches us about practice:
Basically, the book is about bringing yourself to a state where you are no longer troubled by worry, concern, or thoughts that impeded your conscious state.
Even better:
You essentially escape the traps of the ego, of the self, and you experience this wonderful state of “happiness beyond thought.” I’ve certainly been having a good taste of it.
Now, “happiness is a complicated word.” I often think of eudaimonia which is ancient Greek for happiness, though it is said to be better translated by experts as meaning “flourishing.”
But then, you might be thinking … How can having a still mind be flourishing?
Especially when you’re filling it with Memory Palaces and Magnetic Imagery!
I know, I know. It does seem contradictory.
How Memory Practice Positively Changes The Structure Of Your Brain
And when you’re training to memorize information that is good for your brain, your brain cannot help but change in positive ways.
The more you practice, the more you create flow and a level of ease that can come only as a result of practice.
From this state you will develop a stillness. An inner peace.
But only if you show up and put in the work can the discipline of practice grow and fortify those neural pathways and strengthen existing connections in your brain.
Why Smart Phones Are Destroying Your Ability To Practice Memory Techniques
In this age of smartphone addiction where we essentially have a computer in our pocket, long division is a thing that seems straight out of the Stone Age.
But again, think back to when you were learning long division in elementary school.
Do you remember how frustrated you were with the first couple problems you tried? Your little pencil eraser probably got quite a workout!
But, with practice, how were those same problems by the end of the year? You could fly through them with ease, without a second thought. You developed those connections and were able to solve 936 divided by 2 almost automatically.
And if you had to learn it all over again, those rules of math are still true. You would just need to put the cell phone aside for long enough to learn how to make the calculations again either on paper or in your mind.
This is why I teach people about Digital Amnesia and the importance of “digital fasting.” If you don’t take time away from the devices to exercise your memory, you will lose the ability to use it altogether.
How To Choose Your Memory Improvement Habits Wisely
So how does one develop good practice habits to help us in memory practice? First, start small. Not to say you don’t want to “dream big,” but think about your goals. Really think about them.
You can have different kinds of goals.
You can have very big, huge, hairy, snarly, real over the top goals, where you must build a long-term path to achieve that goal, or smaller goals, for the more short term.
James Clear says in his book, Atomic Habits, “If you choose a habit that’s very small and it accumulates with a bunch of other small changes to form a larger system then you can end up with a very remarkable result, or an immensely powerful outcome.”
And so the practices that you will do need to have some focus on what it is you want to achieve
How To Make A Practice Plan For Using Memory Techniques In Your Studies
Create a “Memory Journal.”
Personalize your Memory Journal so that you feel more connected with it (draw on the cover, add stickers, etc.)
Set a specific and measurable learning goal.
Use this Memory Journal to gather together the floor plans of your Memory Palace Network.
Use the Memory Journal to describe your Magnetic Imagery and guide the encoding process.
Practice The Right Kind Of Memorizing Based On Your Desired Outcome
If it’s speed, if it’s length of retention, if it’s volume of information or if it’s a combination of all those things, then a combination of all those things for what, specifically?
Is it for memorizing playing cards? Is it for foreign language vocabulary? What is it for?
These questions really matter!
Next, build the practice routines that will help you achieve those outcomes and those goals.
More importantly, pick the right techniques that are going to get there.
Why Is The Memory Palace Always The Right Technique?
In a word, it’s because all memory techniques are spatial in nature.
If you are using acronyms, each letter exists in relation to the next (either to the left or right of the preceding letter).
And since all information is laid out in a linear and temporal order, you might as well start with the foundational technique. Master the Memory Palace, and then use all the other memory techniques inside of Memory Palaces to harness the power of sequentialization.
And to do this well, to tailor your practice with making information linear so you can memorize it, you must have a plan.
“A goal without a plan is just a wish” – Atoine de Saint-Exupery
Whether you’re a culinary wizard or a novice baker who struggles to make box brownies for their child’s school bake sale fundraiser, one thing you know if you’ve ever been in a kitchen (and who can live on take-out alone these days, right?) is you must have a plan.
Think about it:
You cannot go into the kitchen to make beef bourguignon with only 30 minutes to get dinner on the table, and you wouldn’t dream of trying to craft the perfect macaron without eggs or sugar.
You must have a plan…or in the culinary world, a recipe to achieve your end result, and a good plan takes organization. Kind of like my wife and I had a plan when we made these memory-friendly pancakes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbv06gmm8S4
This level of organization is what we teach in the Magnetic Memory Method, to organize your mind with a Memory Palace, so that when you sit down to memorize you can do it in an organized manner.
Remember the musicians we talked about earlier?
They wouldn’t simply sit down behind a music stand with a piece out of order and attempt to play it.
No, in order to practice effectively, to make the most of their time, they would make sure their sheet music was in the right order.
They would make sure they were warmed up properly, and their instrument was at its peak playability (i.e. they were in tune, all valves were clear, and they had a fresh reed or strings, given their instrument of choice).
Your Next Step With Memory Techniques For Studying Well
In a word, you need commitment.
There are more components to practice than simply setting a goal and getting organized. There is the greatest element of practice of all:
Your habits.
This is where the idea of improvement comes into play, and the idea of flow that we discussed up above.
In order to improve, to achieve that state of stillness, of awakening, and of peace as skillful individuals, we must show up and put in the work, consistently.
Yes, you must be committed to mastering your habit to see results. In that way our outcomes are linked to practice and our practice to our outcomes.
Again, the greatest thing we can do to achieve our goals is show up, and show up consistently.
For example, every morning before my wife wakes up I practice my memory training. Today my goal after working some Sanskrit into memory was to memorize a selection from a deck of cards.
As I mentioned the morning I recorded this live stream, I got through memorizing only four cards:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoGlc5ZgqZU
Granted, that’s a low number for me in my practice, but my time was limited.
Even so, l made the time to practice. I exercised the discipline needed to sharpen my skills, and you can do the same, even if it amounts to only minutes a day.
But I “Can’t…” The Ultimate Memory Training Excuse And How To Eliminate It
You may feel like you don’t have the time, the energy, or the willpower…
You might be frustrated because you feel like your memory work has stalled.
You may be comparing yourself to those that have achieved the goals you aspire to, or who simply seem to “get it” more easily.
Stop. Just stop and breathe.
And then consider learning to mind map and explore how you can commit to practicing to improve your memory for large learning goals.
Finding commitment is important because the most empowering key to Gary Weber’s idea of practice is finding resources inside yourself.
Weber writes:
“Insisting that you follow precisely the path that worked for your teacher is guaranteed to be inadequate in some way. Any student, no matter how diligent and well-prepared, is going to be different from the teacher in conditioning, experience, age, genetics, family history, bodily and mental capability, etc. How could something as complex and comprehensive as awakening not be a personally tailored process?”
That’s a solid point, and it’s why I’ve always talked about the Magnetic Memory Method as a “method,” not a system, because I already know this truth:
You cannot simply adopt someone else’s system. Rather, you need to create your own, because everyone’s needs are different. My goals are not your goals. My learning style is not your style.
Notice also the word “precisely” in this quote from Gary Weber.
Weber doesn’t mean that you don’t follow the path of your teacher at all.
Instead, you must avoid the fantasy, the hoping, wishing, and praying, that anything will play out exactly as it did for your teacher.
To try and recreate anything “precisely” is the trap of expectation. And expectation always leads to suffering.
But rest assured that you really can follow in the footsteps of teachers.
Gary Weber talks about how he has done this himself and there’s truth to that old phrase about standing on the shoulders of giants, which is even older than Isaac Newton. In many cases, it’s the only way we get to see beyond ourselves.
And using the teachings of Giordano Bruno and many others as my own guide, please use the Magnetic Memory Method as it was intended to be. Speaking of Bruno, The Art of Memory is a series I think you’ll want to follow:
Understand that this art of memory is more than a technique. It is a series of tools for your utility belt.
Each tool needs practice if you are going to reach your memory goals. And as someone who used this utility belt to earn my Ph.D. and learned languages, I crafted the approach I now share with thousands of people around the world with studying for such learning projects in mind. Just like the ancients.
With practice, you can achieve any learning goal. Along the way, you can also achieve the inner stillness that comes with mastery or your mind and memory.
It just takes practice, discipline and the right teacher.
Get all that together and you too can be a “Mnemonic Batman.”
Small Habits, Big Gains: James Clear Shares His Atomic Habits
Oct 25, 2018
If you’re sick of struggling to reach your memory improvement goals, you need what James Clear calls “atomic habits.”
Why?
Because success is not about willpower. It’s about systems.
As someone who has completed a PhD, built multiple businesses and toured as a musician, I’ve known this for a fact for decades.
That’s one reason I was delighted when I saw the title of James Clear’s now classic book, Atomic Habits.
The title says it all:
Set up your systems optimally and your results will indeed be atomic.
Here’s one of my favorite quotes:
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
In this classic episode of the Magnetic Memory Method, originally recorded in 2018, James breaks down the life-changing power of the systems used by top performers.
Whether you’re developing your first Memory Palace Network or just looking to put some general memory improvement strategies to work in your life, this conversation will give you tools to build smarter and more sustainable habits for mental performance.
Who Is James Clear And What Are Atomic Habits?
In case James Clear is new to you, he’s an author, entrepreneur and travel photographer.
Although we recorded this episode before Atomic Habits hit the market, the book went on to become a #1 New York Times Bestseller.
As an expert in habit formation, James shares powerful tips on more than just introducing good habits. He also shows you how to break bad ones.
Even back in 2018, people were struggling with Digital Amnesia due to extended exposure to the Internet.
Since then, it’s gotten so bad that IQs are plummeting, a phenomenon called the Reverse Flynn Effect.
Combatting this problem is just one more reason Clear’s science-grounded tips are more important than ever before.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What the term “Atomic Habits” really means, and why it matters for memory
How to design your environment to make learning automatic
James’ simple formula for starting and sustaining great habits
What it means to be “system-focused” rather than “goal-obsessed”
How to bounce back from failure with your memory goals
The difference between amateurs and professionals—and how it applies to learners
Why tiny improvements are the fastest route to mastery
How Atomic Habits Changed My Memory Practice (And Life)
Since recording this conversation with James Clear in 2018, his insights have only grown more valuable, and more personal to me.
At the time, I already understood the power of systems.
But I looked at them with fresh eyes after reading Atomic Habits and refined how I use deliberate practice across my various activities as a practicing polymath.
Using ideas in this book helped shape the biggest wins of my life and business.
Thanks to applying these ideas relentlessly, I’ve since:
Passed a Mandarin language test by memorizing 300+ characters with just 15 minutes of focused practice a day
Completed my first Memory Detective novel
Created two memory improvement games from scratch
Grown my YouTube channel to over 152,000 subscribers
Optimizing Evernote And Other Productivity Software For Better Memory
Oct 09, 2018
Evernote for better memory?
I was skeptical too.
Until I met Charles Byrd.
As a 15 year Silicon Valley veteran with an extensive background in technology and software, Charles needed Evernote to work better. His success demanded it.
But although Charles has some great things to teach us about optimizing Evernote for better memory, he’s also part of the larger memory improvement community. Just wait until you hear how he still uses lesson from Dominic O’Brien he learned a long time ago.
As a public speaker, trainer, and life long learner, Charles has combined his understanding of mnemonics with technology and productivity and become a recognized expert in the field.
He is also the founder of the company Byrd Word, LLC – specializing in productivity training, marketing, and technology to expand his reach. He specializes in the tools and workflows that will organize your team, reduce your anxiety, and x2 your business, school progress and personal improvement journey.
To learn more about how Charles can help you use Evernote in ways that improve your memory and productivity, I recommend his Kill the Chaos presentation.
Evernote For Memory Vs. Mind Mapping
After recording the interview with Charles, one of the first questions I had was how technologies like Evernote compare with Mind Mapping.
As you know, Mind Map Mastery is a worthy skill every lifelong learner should develop.
After you listen to this interview, I think you’ll have ideas on exactly how you can apply Charles’ core process to your mind map strategy.
Although how you would apply these techniques differ in time, what I love about the information Charles shares in this interview is that you can apply the “decision parameters” to all kinds of media.
This also includes how you use The Freedom Journal and other note-taking devices and approaches for organizing life in our current ocean of information overwhelm.
In many ways, I’ve been applying a similar process for years, but Charles has streamlined everything into a kind of ars combinatoria that any mnemonist can quickly link to their hand for use with any information you encounter in life.
Wouldn’t Evernote Cause More Digital Amnesia?
It’s a great question.
The answer is…
It depends.
Digital Amnesia is a real issue, one that all mature learners in the 21st century face.
But as Charles demonstrates beyond all doubt, it’s more about our habits around technology than anything else.
In other words, we need to avoid the traps of technological determinism. We cannot blame the technology for how we behave. But we can use the technology to help ensure we operate in better ways.
Can Evernote Provide Brain Exercise?
Although we didn’t talk about this question on the interview, I’ve been thinking about it ever since.
As a question of application, I think this software certainly can be used for brain exercise.
As a quick example, imagine using Evernote to capture all of the 00-99 images you create based on the Major Method for your PAO.
Likewise, you could enter a number of mnemonic examples of Magnetic Imagery you’ve drawn and placed in a Magnetic Memory Palace for review in Evernote:
Then, simply schedule in a review period that exposes you to your drawings without revealing the answers. This is a fantastic way to keep learning and give your brain an extra workout throughout the day.
This process also provides a simple and direct way for you to challenge your brain without feeding it the information, all within a simple app.
The trick is in making sure you have some “desirable difficulty” as part of the process so that you’re challenged. Sans Forgetica has been working in this area recently around reading, and using obstacles to move your memory forward is what personally applied Memory Palace science is ultimately all about.
But if you’re looking for the best memory improvement exercises, just make sure that you match the desired outcome with the processes and the information that will get you there.
Further Memory Improvement Software Discussion & Resources
There are many other learning opportunities related to technology and memory on the Magnetic Memory Method site.
In all cases, the danger I see above all in discussions like these is the human element. Whether its “organic” memory techniques like the Memory Palace or a software, we always risk too much self-involvement with the information.
So after listening to this podcast with Charles Byrd, I encourage you to think about how all of these strategies apply to you getting more out of your human relationships.
To that end:
I’d love to hear your thoughts and more about your memory improvement journey in the comments below.
How To Train Your Memory By Phil Chambers [Memory Improvement Book Review]
Oct 04, 2018
If you want to know how to train your memory, the journey to greatness begins with recognizing something odd about that brain between your ears:
You sometimes forget enormous things!
That’s how Phil Chambers begins his fantastic book, How to Train Your Memory.
When you start your memory improvement journey by acknowledging just how easy it is to forget where you parked your car, you start from practical realities we all face.
After all, vehicles are the biggest things we own apart from our homes.
Yet, the location of a car can still easily disappear from memory!
Acknowledging this fact gives us a sense of just how strange and mysterious an entity you’re dealing with.
Of course, there’s something even bigger than cars and houses we forget that How To Train Your Memory helped me recognize, but we’ll get to that in just a bit.
First, let’s talk about:
Why You Should Learn How To Improve Memory Recall From Memory Expert Phil Chambers
More than being a leading memory expert, he’s the Chief Arbiter of the World Memory Championships. We talked a few years ago about what this role involves in the interview called Phil Chambers and the Outer Limits of Memory.
Phil is also one of the few memory trainers who has thought deeply about combining Memory Palaces with Mind Maps. He is a World Mind Mapping Champion, after all, and author of the incredible guide, 101 Top Tips For Better Mind Maps.
Having them both in the same room is a blessing you won’t want to miss!
Why Memory Training Is The Best Way To Improve Memory And Concentration
I remember taking courses with the filmmakers Atom Egoyan and Peter Greenaway while studying at the European Graduate School.
Both of them have encyclopedia knowledge of Film History.
But because I know how to convert semantic memory into episodic memory, I listened to those lectures differently than my fellow students.
Sure, I took notes using my approach to note taking.
But using the same tools Phil talks about in How to Train Your Memory, I remembered tons of names and details simply because I was actively connecting imagery with the information as the professors spoke.
And I was able to do so even though I was star struck to be in the same seminar rooms with these legends of cinema.
Kind of like how I was star struck to be in a room with Phill and Tony!
In other words, using memory techniques help you zone in on details by using association that pushes away distractions.
Phil explains why and how association works. He also gives additional tips and examples that will help you. One skill in particular that you’ll get better at after reading this book is the one that matters the most:
The ability to convert abstract information into concrete images better and faster.
How does Phil’s book help you develop this skill?
Each chapter gives you exercises to complete.
And you really should complete them.
In fact, getting a physical copy of How To Train Your Memory will help make sure you complete the exercises. I talk about why I’ve been reading only from physical books for memory training here:
https://youtu.be/er-k8Ecgdfo
(Oh, and physical books make it easier to use the Major System to memorize page numbers so you can easily find good passages you want read again.)
When Acronyms For Learning Help Your Memory Excel & When They Lead To Failure
One of my favorite parts of How to Train Your Memory is when Phil Chambers lays out the pros and cons on using acronyms for memory training.
Basically, it comes down to calculating the margin for error.
The same thing goes for using rhyming as a memory technique. Sure, it can work, but when using mnemonic devices, too many things can go wrong.
Why?
It comes back to the science of memory:
If you don’t convert semantic information into episodic memory through the use of mental imagery, you will find it harder to reproduce.
But there is one acronym that Phil gives us that demonstrates when this technique is super powerful, and I’d like to demonstrate how and why.
The acronym is SEAHORSE.
You’ll need to read the book to learn the memory training lessons packed into that single word, but when you get it right, you’ll have the keys to the memory improvement kingdom permanently locked into your mind.
The reason why this acronym works so well is that:
1. The mnemonic acronym SEAHORSE creates an image. You can picture the creature in your mind.
2. SEAHORSE creates an image that looks like a part of the brain that plays a huge role in memory.
This is the hippocampus, which is names in Greek after its resemblance to the animal. (Hippo = horse and kampos = sea monster).
3. You can connect the SEAHORSE acronym to the author himself when you realize that the name Phillip (i.e. Phil Chambers) relates to the word hippocampus.
How To Use A Mnemonic Acronym In A Memory Palace
As I’ve already shared, I’ve met Phil Chambers in a room. In fact, Phil and our group turned that room and its surrounding area into a Memory Palace.
Now I can use it again and see where Phil sat in the room. I can place the image of a Seahorse over his head to remember the acronym.
I can also place as a hippopotamus with a horse’s mane over his left shoulder and a camping tent over his right shoulder.
These images remind me of the Greek word origin of hippocampus. I am encoding both the sound and meanings of these words by converting facts into images.
These images automatically receive episodic memory characteristics.
This “transfer” happens because:
There is a story behind why I was in that room.
The stories I know about Phil
The “image-story” of why a hippo would have a horse’s mane in the first place (it’s because the seahorse in his brain is driving him insane…)
This image-story takes just a few seconds to generate.
And yes, my brain is aided by the fact that I’ve met Phil and I’m drawing upon neurochemical changes.
Then, by charting out 8 Magnetic Stations throughout the room, I can then layer on some Magnetic Imagery for the parts of the acronym itself.
For example, the first word of SEAHORSE is “Senses.” In the corner of the seminar room, I can see Superman. He is tasting his hearing aid while blind and suffering from a belly ache.
Why? Because a blind Superman tasting a hearing aid while in pain reminds me of most of the senses. I can even change his name to Super-Sense-Man to tap into the cognitive mode of the mind and memory and seal the deal.
All that needs to happen next is to move to the next station and create a memorable image for the acronym word that starts with “E.”
The Fullest History Of The Major System In The World
I’m a huge fan of the Major System and use it every day in the memory training I use based on memory training techniques from around the world. Even if it feels invisible, the Major (or Major Method) is actually behind the 00-99 I use for phone numbers, playing cards, birthdates and everything based on digits.
I learned a lot from reading Phil’s take on both the history of the Major and how he mixes it with the number-shape technique.
Why is the history of our tradition so important?
Easy:
Knowing the story of the memory tools you use gives you even more mental connections and imagery!
In terms of the actual technique, Phil points out something that I try to make sure everyone understands:
The techniques you use for competition are not necessarily the same as the ones you would use in every day life or for large learning projects.
Before I continue, let’s review the Major Method. There are some variations and different approaches to the Major System, but this arrangement is quite common:
Now, for many people learning how to memorize numbers, this approach will be more than enough for daily life. Except…
How do you deal with 3 digit numbers without creating a 000-999?
Phil demonstrates exactly how to do it in ways that I do all the time. For example, 358 would be the mail man based on the Major and a snowman based on the number-shape technique.
For me, 35 is the mail man Mr. McFeely from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. So I just see him shoving envelopes into Frosty the Snowman.
However, here’s the problem:
In a competition setting, the context might tempt you to mix and match the Major with the number-shape technique and impoverish your results.
And that’s exactly what happened to me when Phil gave us a number memory test. I was half-using the Major and half-using the number-shape approach.
In real life, when you have time to review your images and re-shape them when needed, no big deal. But when the heat is on during a competition, there simply isn’t time. You are working at the level of practical strategy.
Both involve what Phil describes as “creative innovation.”
But in the case of competition, you need your mnemonic systems set up and well-practiced in advance for competition purposes. Learning life is usually – though not always – more forgiving.
Mind Maps For Memory Training & Memory Improvement?
One of my favorite parts of How to Train Your Memory involves the limitations mind mapping has for memory improvement.
Phil explains the ins-and-outs clearly and continues giving incredible tips.
And the best part is this:
The book includes a number of his own mind maps that explain the memory techniques taught in the book. It’s also a great supplement to Tony Buzan’s Mind Map Mastery.
More and more, I’ve been thinking about what I’ve learned from him about mind mapping and often impose a “mnemonic clock” on the page built from the Major so that each position has a ready made image.
For example, 12 is Tin Tin, 13 (one-o-clock) is J. Edgar Hoover vacuuming the Hoover Damn with a Hoover vacuum, etc.
Although this approach is a bit rigid, as Tony Buzan said while I trained with this Dynamic Duo of memory improvement, “The Rules Will Set You Free.”
And as Phil makes clear, the context in which you choose the rules you will follow matters the most above all.
On the other hand, there’s always more to learn and top performers in every field constantly revisit old ideas and scour the world for new angles.
Plus, we simply don’t know what we don’t know.
That’s why I’ve was delighted to re-experience some familiar concepts through a new lens in How To Train Your Memory and learn things I didn’t know before.
I highly recommend you do the same.
Oh, and about that issue with people forgetting things bigger than their car or their house.
It’s this:
People forget to pursue their passions.
That’s even stranger than forgetting where you parked.
And if your passion involves the need for better memory (how could it not?), make sure you read How To Train Your Memory by Phil Chambers.
Nelson Dellis On Remember It! And Visual Memory Techniques
Sep 27, 2018
Wondering if Remember It! is the memory improvement book you should read?
Take it from me, the answer is yes.
For one thing, the book excels at making what memory techniques are and how they work truly visual.
No kidding:
Remember It! is the most visual memory improvement book I have ever seen.
Even better, Nelson shares his unique way of using the Memory Palace technique to get the best results for both competition and learning.
You’ll also appreciate the visual memory techniques in Nelson’s new book for the way it will help you avoid getting lost in the technical details involved in memory techniques.
That doesn’t mean the book skimps on details, however. In many ways, Remember It! is like an illustrated mnemonics dictionary.
Remember It! Book Review At a Glance
Author: Nelson Dellis
Primary Goal: Teach you the best memory techniques for learning anything.
Best For: Students, adult learners, anyone seeking memory improvement.
My Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5). This is a powerful memory improvement guide everyone should read.
Pros: The illustrations make even the most robust memory techniques simple to understand.
Cons: It might not include examples for how to apply the techniques to what you want to learn.
Now that you know the book is great, you might be asking yourself…
Who is This Nelson Dellis Anyway? Some Kind Of Memory Champion?
You see? Nelson’s even inspired me to up my game and get more visual too. Hence this infographic summary. Thanks Nelson!
More Reasons I Find Nelson Dellis Inspiring And Influential For The Life-Long Study Of Mnemonics
Nelson Dellis is a 6x USA Memory Champion, memory athlete, memory consultant, published author and highly sought-after keynote speaker.
Nelson is also the Founder & CEO of Climb For Memory, a non-profit charity that aims to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease research. He does this through mountain climbs all around the world.
Nelson approaches memory techniques scientifically and as part of living a good and healthy life.
If you’d like to learn more of the memory techniques Nelson has crafted for himself and how imagination can play a big role in your memory improvement, download this podcast now.
Tips on quick memorization for when you just have to Remember It!
If you want to see inside Remember It and just how visual it is, check out this video:
https://youtu.be/B1pyM4r1Ev0
3 Reasons Nelson’s Visual Memory Techniques Are The Best You’ll Encounter
Let’s face it:
1. There are thousands of books and programs on memory improvement.
But never before has anyone gone to any great length to make their mnemonic examples leap from the page.
Nelson does.
And this is very powerful because you sense through your eyes what needs to be happening in your mind.
2. Even if you have aphantasia, Nelson’s book will help.
This is because Nelson makes it clear that memory techniques are always visual for all people, and all people are visual. Yes, no matter what.
But he also makes it clear that you need to make your approach multi-sensory.
And he gives you great ways to dive in and experience memory techniques. The visual prompts make it difficult not to want to give them a try.
3. Nelson is aware of the real value of memorization techniques.
It’s not just about winning prizes, learning languages or conquering your exams at school.
It’s about conquering life itself.
And to do that, you’ve got to bring the body and the mind together.
Should You Buy Remember It?
In a word, “yes!”
Remember It will become your go-to book for ideas, inspiration, guidance and strategic know-how.
You’ll discover the best mix of scientifically proven visual memory techniques with practical application in both memory competition and in life.
Grab it from your favorite local or online bookseller now and then reach out and let Nelson know loud and clear that you appreciate with a review on Amazon and a follow across his presence on the web.
Teach Yourself Using The Best Language Learning Books By Olly Richards
Sep 20, 2018
Looking to teach yourself a foreign language and need the best language learning books? Let me introduce you to my friend Olly Richards.
Well, they’re aren’t necessarily.
Unless they’re built by someone who deeply understands the needs of language learners.
Enter Olly:
He’s the man behind the new Teach Yourself Short Stories For Beginners series.
He’s also the man behind the hit blog and podcast, I Will Teach You A Language.
But still I hear you asking…
Why are his short story books the best language learning books?
Well, here’s just one reason that Olly mentions in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast:
“A book that is on your lap, and is exciting and contains lots of stories that makeyou want to read, is a an unbeatable source of continuous learning in the language.”
How does a book make you want to read?
That is exactly what you’re about to find out.
Even better:
In this episode, Olly Richards gives us interesting tips and techniques about language learning through his great new Short Stories for Beginners language learning books.
Discover The Best Language Learning Books From A Master Polyglot And Learning Expert
Olly Richards is the founder of I Will Teach You A Language and speaks 8 languages. He started learning his first foreign language at age 19 when he bought a one-way ticket to Paris.
And now you can discover the keys to quickly and easily learn any language with Olly by selecting the most effective language learning books.
It was also a great honor to be invited to read from Short Stories in German during Olly’s Festival of Reading:
https://youtu.be/y50t1Fu_SQc
It’s been awhile since I’ve had a chance to speak in German, but it seems like my memory for this beautiful language is holding up. So grateful to have some cool stories to read auf Deutsch – thanks Olly!
Mind Map Mastery: 10 Tony Buzan Mind Mapping Laws You Should Follow
Sep 13, 2018
A lot of people search the Internet for Mind Map software. And that’s great… provided they’re getting it from Tony Buzan. Most especially when you’ve read his book, Mind Map Mastery.
Why read this book?
First of all:
No one else alive has thought so thoroughly through this incredible technique for externalizing the brain and interacting with it quite like Tony Buzan.
Even better, no one else has shown so thoroughly how:
* How a proper Mind Map can serve as a Memory Palace
* Bonus: How to fuse a Tony Buzan Mind Map with the Major System!
If all that sounds good to you, please read every word on this page. I promise I will earn your agreement that Mind Map Mastery by Tony Buzan is the most important book in the world!
The Future Of Mind Mapping Begins With The Past
Tony Buzan begins Mind Map Mastery with a short history.
And in case you’re wondering, yes, “history” is the right word.
Buzan taught the skills and benefits of mind mapping for a very long time before writing Mind Map Mastery. Just check out this video from 1974:
https://youtu.be/LnYVJKxyRPM
This video is from the same year Use Your Head appeared. This is what one of its many book covers looked like:
As he explains in Mind Map Mastery (released 44 years after Use Your Head!), the Mind Map emerged from an understanding of the brain as a spatial arrangement of neurons.
But That Realization Didn’t Happen Overnight!
And Buzan drew upon other influences to arrive at this powerful conclusion. For example:
Buzan’s understanding of the method of loci was integrated into mind mapping.
Buzan also encountered the Major System from day one of university.
Look, there’s nothing wrong with using such visualizations, but to call them Mind Maps can never mirror the human brain cell.
Think about it:
What does a spider have to do with mind mapping? With human thought? With human memory?
Spiders are fantastic, but if we know one thing about human memory and learning going back to Ad Herrenium, it’s that metaphors matter.
For that, I’m glad Tony Buzan wrote Mind Map Mastery to help correct the record.
He reminds us of the Laws of Mind Mapping. He refocuses our attention on why they mirror the neuron, the central location of thought.
The Natural Reason Why Mind Maps Must Have A Central Image
Like a brain cell, a Mind Map must have a center. Without a central image, your Mind Map has no focus.
Without color, the Mind Map lacks power. Imagine going on a walk through nature in black and white.
A Fishbone Diagram built from straight-lines has nothing to do with the curves of human thought.
Concept Maps are usually overloaded with words (I am often guilty of this). As a result, they quickly become unwieldy, awkward and collapse.
Without care for balance and distribution, a Pyramid Diagram places your focus on concentrated areas. These do not help your brain create new solutions or remember more.
Would You Like An Abundance Of Mind Mapping Examples?
Tony Buzan demonstrates the validity of his claims with nearly two dozen examples.
The images in Mind Map Mastery are just as they should be:
Clear
Balanced
Colorful
Keyword focused
Evocative
Understandable at a glance
Compelling
Easy to emulate as you create your own
How Mind Map Mastery Helped Me Improve My Practice
To be honest, I’m like a lot of learners.
I get a few tips and put them haphazardly into play.
This is NOT a problem.
If anything, it is a blessing.
But no serious, mature learner can stop there.
You’ve got to return to the well of knowledge and refine your practice.
Here’s a Mind Map example from 2015 shortly after I met Tony Buzan at a ThinkBuzan training.
* Launch the course successfully with Jonathan Levi.
(This Mind Map is the first brainstorm of what became a course called Conquering Content that we placed in our online program, Branding You Academy.)
Yet, for all that success, there are quite a few problems with my mind map.
The Whole Mind Map Is Overloaded (For One Thing)
Yes, there are colors, but…
I had attended the ThinkBuzan training to learn about memory.
We did a bit of Mind Mapping, but I was so focused on the memory aspect (and not embarrassing myself) that not all the lessons got through.
And I’m just one of those learners who need to go back to the well and refine my practice through repeat exposure. For this reason, I still reread one book per month.
But… I had yet to go back to THE ultimate book on mind mapping I’d read as a kid. This lapse happened mainly because I was revisiting Buzan’s books on memory.
And I hadn’t quite learned enough Chinese to read him in Mandarin, even if he was suddenly following me everywhere!
My lack of attention to the Laws of Mind Mapping was tragic. It meant that I wasn’t getting nearly the results that I could have been.
So even though my mind mapping was successful, it was still dampened.
Then came the incredible announcement of Mind Map Mastery. I ordered it immediately.
The wait inspired me to revisit Mind Mapping in earnest.
Perhaps pretentiously, I released this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DjtAAZcw6k
But what I’m talking about wasn’t advanced at all!
Though there is one virtue evident in every word I speak in the video.
Here’s why:
I was advancing my skills and practice by taking it one S.I.P. at a time (study, implement, practice).
Then, when Mind Map Mastery finally arrived, I started reading it.
I applied what it said, and before you know it, my Mind Maps improved!
Here’s a Mind Map example from one of the best YouTube Livestreams I’ve ever held:
(If you want to watch this replay and join future live streams, here’s the memory improvement books ultimate list hangout replay for you. Click subscribe and choose to be notified so you can join us next time we go live.)
What made this mind map better than any I’d created before?
The answer is simple. I just followed…
How to Mind Map Using The 10 Laws Of Mind Mapping
One: Blank paper in the landscape orientation.
Why is blank paper so important?
I believe it’s because the chemical makeup of the brain is more closely related to paper than, say, computer.
Also, the inner landscape of the mind is unlined. If you use lined paper, you are placing a barrier between your thoughts and the laws of mind mapping.
Landscape orientation is critical as well because we see the world horizontally more than vertically. Peripheral vision is freer left-right than it is up and down.
I also believe landscape orientation allows for greater mirroring of another essential structure:
The clock. It is the clock formation that lets us instantly turn any Mind Map into a Memory Palace at a glance.
Two: Draw a central image in the center.
Tony Buzan says that the central image should feature at least three colors.
It’s a subtle point and one that I’ve missed many times. I look forward to putting it into practice many times in the future and observing the improvements.
The image should express your core concern with the Mind Map.
Three: Different images should appear throughout the Mind Map.
You should also use dimensions, such as drawing some of your keywords in 3D.
Four: Keywords should be capitalized.
For some reason, this is one of the toughest laws for me to follow. Maybe I read too much e..e. cummings when I was in high school. 😉
I’m not sure why Buzan thinks this should be the case, but certainly capitalization communicates importance to the brain.
And of course, we have to consider that not all mind maps have words at all. For example, I mind mapped my business with Tony and there no words on it whatsoever, yet it’s been incredibly effective:
For that reason, I suggest you take this rule under consideration, but not necessarily to the point of following it blindly.
Five: Each Keyword should have its own “branch.”
This Law helped me squeeze far more from my Mind Maps.
It’s counterintuitive for a wordy sound-conceptual person like myself.
But the constraint works because it creates pressure on the keyword and your mind.
Think of it this way:
When you look at a clump of sentences and start reading, you’re assisting your memory in a way that turns it off.
Why should you remember what your Mind Map encoded when you can just read what you said?
But when you have a keyword, you give your brain a creative memory workout. This minimally assisted response to keywords is brain exercise par excellence.
Six: Your Branches Should Flow And Taper
If you look at an image of your brain’s neural networks, you’ll see precisely the tapering Buzan wants you to benefit from when creating your Mind Maps.
This law isn’t dogma. This correspondence to nature isn’t the totalitarianism of a control freak.
It’s the firm insistence that Mind Mapping mirrors your brain on the page. The closer you bring your mind and the Mind Map together in structure and flow, the more your creativity and memory perform.
Seven: Balance The Length Of Your Branches
The point about balance is another recommendation that needs more of my attention. But I think by following the other suggestions, adherence to this one happens naturally.
Eight: Use A Ton Of Colors
When I got back into Mind Mapping, I struggled with this as well.
After all, choosing colors can create a bit of decision anxiety. Questions like these might arise:
Which color should I use?
Is green really appropriate for this idea?
What if I make a mistake?
Sure, there’s a reason the brain pumps out these concerns. Barbara Oakley explains it well in Mindshift.
But if you dive in and start to practice the Mind Map technique, you’ll find you automatically make the right decisions.
Nine: Emphasize Points With Arrows And Lines
Connecting the different branches with arrows is one of my favorite parts.
For me, it’s like a “meta” Mind Map and corresponds with the Rhizomatic nature of the Magnetic Memory Method.
These measures, when combined, kick De Bono’s lateral thinking up a serious notch.
Ten: Maximize The Clarity Of Blank Space/White Space
Perhaps the most compelling Law involves the use of blank space for clarity.
In other words, you need to let your Mind Maps breathe. I never used to do this, which slowed me down.
Now, when mind mapping my YouTube videos and blog posts, like this one, you can see that I’ve made much more use of white space. It lead me to much better results thanks to doing so.
How To Continually Improve Your Mind Mapping Practice
To improve, I just started creating more Mind Maps.
As with the Magnetic Memory Palace Network, you benefit more (and faster) by working with multiples.
This approach gives Mind Maps and Memory Palaces more space for your brain to fill-in-the-gaps.
This pointer also circles back to Buzan’s point that the Mind Map should be useful at a glance. If there is no breathing room and no blank space, you stifle your success.
But when you leave enough space between your branches:
“Your brain negotiates these gaps to understand where you are and where you are going. “
How To Bring The Mind Map, Major System and Memory Palace Together
First of all, don’t even get started unless you are on the path with well-formed Mind Maps.
Yes, I have some discoveries to share. And yes, they will work without precision.
But if I could turn back the hands of time and start all over again, I would have my Mind Mapping strategy in order first. Especially in the context of these sensory memory exercises.
That cautionary note aside, here’s what you can do if you know the Major Method:
Once you have that committed to memory and are fluent in using the Major:
Imagine that your blank page is a clock. Limit yourself to twelve branches or less.
Create your central image and radiate your twelve branches from the center starting at 12 o’clock.
Since the Major System tells most of us that 1 is D or T and 2 is N, mentally impose or draw that symbol at the 12 o’clock. Do this after you’ve created the branch.
Not: Personally, I never draw my Tin Tin image. That’s where the Keyword goes.
After you complete the branch, think about how your Keyword can interact with your Major System image.
For example, if my keyword is “Ancient Greece” and my sub-branches involve Thales and Simonides, I will think of them all in a fistfight with Tin Tin.
But more than think of them, I will use all the Magnetic Modes to “Magnetize” them into my memory. To make the relationship between the Mind Map and the Memory Palace “Magnetic,” I will touch upon the Magnetic Memory Method Principle of CAV KOG(S) and the Magnetic Modes:
Conceptual Magnetic Mode
Auditory Magnetic Mode
Visual Magnetic Mode
Kinesthetic Magnetic Mode
Olfactory Magnetic Mode
Gustatory Magnetic Mode
The Spatial Magnetic Mode, i.e. the Memory Palace, which in this case is the Mind Map itself!
As you can see, bringing the Mind Map together with the Major System and the Memory Palace helps learning.
Even better:
The Empowering Truth Of Mind Maps For Kids
This point about the use of Mind Maps for teaching is essential.
Many people email me with questions about how to teach techniques like these to kids.
My belief?
Learn them for yourself. Develop your own Mind Mapping and Mnemonic Style.
Demonstrate the skills you’d like young people to learn.
Involve them in the process.
Make Mind Mapping a family activity. Like I did, when I went to meet the man himself:
Tony Buzan with Anthony Metivier and Phil Chambers
Sadly, Tony died in 2019. Here’s the tribute live stream we held in his honor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_USteuyeco
Despite the sad passing of this hero of mental literacy, he lived a good life and demonstrated incredible brain health and mental literacy until the end.
And no doubt. There’s good reason to believe that Mind Mapping can help stave off problems like dementia and Alzheimer’s after all.
And once you’ve read and started using the ideas in Mind Map Mastery, add more from the Tony Buzan library to your expertise. The knowledge he created is evergreen and will be useful to you forever.
Other Tony Buzan Books You’ll Find Useful
Here are some of the other books by Tony Buzan I highly recommend in addition to Mind Map Mastery:
The more you read on the topic of mind mapping, the better your mind maps will serve your memory, thinking, creative and professional goals.
Have I Made My Mind Maps Perfect Using Tony Buzan Mind Mapping?
No, of course not.
We are playing a game of progression, not perfection. As I mentioned above, that is something I learned by using Buzan’s tips to mind map my business.
And as Buzan points out many times, when you follow the Mind Mapping Laws, you’ll develop your own style.
This point is important because “style” is precisely the outcome of the application of rules.
Think about fashion. You only have a fashion style when you know the foundational techniques of combining color with texture.
Think about music. You only have a style of music when you pick the right mode and use the right scales.
Think about movies. Directors and actors only properly create a genre or style when they understand the underlying principles and structures of the Western, Science Fiction or Action movie.
Likewise with Mind Mapping. And the more I practice following the rules, the more my style emerges.
Even better:
The more you allow your style to emerge based on the laws, the more useful the Mind Maps you create will become.
Why The Ultimate Map Map Software Is Always At Your Fingertips
Mind Mapping works because it helps you mimic the creative brain on the page.
Sure you can waste your time searching for how to make a Mind Map in Word.
You can ponder until you’re blue in the voice whether or not Evernote can function as a Mind map.
But speculation and limited Mind Map “tools” that deviate from the Mind Mapping Laws will only get you measly results.
And as Buzan once said during dinner to me, “The Rules will set you free.”
Shakespeare knew this to be true when he submitted himself to iambic pentameter.
Painters follow the laws of color day in and day out.
Musicians cheerfully lock themselves inside of scales without complaint. All of them must have known these visualization exercises.
So why not let the Laws of Mind Mapping set your free?
Which Mind Map Software Is the Best?
You are!
Seriously. You are the best software on the planet for improving your creativity and memory skills.
After all, if we take the computer-brain metaphor to its extreme conclusion, both involve information chemically encoded in space.
In order for your computer to pump out a near-infinity of possible outcomes, it needs to follow rules.
And as I hope I’ve demonstrated today, the only Mind Map worth making is the one that follows the rules.
And Tony Buzan has accomplished the miraculous with his now deprecated iMind Map Software.
When you read the book, you’ll see just how authentically Buzan has made this work. And just how wonderfully he’s going to evolve it as information technology evolves.
Mind Mapping as a Form of Digital Fasting
But if you want my not-so-humble, but always Magnetic two-cents, I’m sticking with colored pens and paper.
And to be fair, the Primacy Effect keeps me preferring the original Tony Buzan Mind Mapping principles that I keep coming back to so I can learn more and enjoy higher levels of person productivity.
Not only that, but I like taking long breaks from the computer.
And I predict that Digital Fasting is going to continue being the ultimate cure for Digital Amnesia.
If you think about it, the Tony Buzan methods of the past never had to talk about taking breaks from computer screens. We didn’t have such problems back then.
But now we do and Mind Map Mastery gives you fantastic ways to develop cognitive organization and mental clarity while completing fun activities while offline.
I suggest you remember Caveat Emptor in the wild world of online memory training.
But here’s the very good news:
If you want to know about a memory method that really will help you improve memory, you’re in the right place.
After all, memory isn’t really at the core of Sherlock Holmes.
Here’s the real deal:
It was medical deduction for the diagnosis of disease that influenced Arthur Conan Doyle, not detective work. And it’s this kind of medical detective the books and movies really base themselves on.
All that aside, here’s what we’ll be doing in this Sherlock Holmes continuation post:
I’m going to provide you with an 11-Point checklist that will make sure you’re on the right track.
Are you ready to get started?
You are?
Great!
Let’s go!
The Ultimate 11 Point Improve Memory Checklist
So with all that ground covered, let’s get started with the ultimate checklist for improving your memory.
Do all these things and you’re guaranteed to have a memory sharper than you ever dreamed possible!
1. Learn the Memory Palace technique first.
Why?
A few reasons.
First, there are a lot of terms out there for the different memorization techniques you can learn.
But the Memory Palace is the only one that taps into the most significant memory power:
Spatial memory.
Second, the Memory Palace enables you to use the other memory techniques you’ll learn about inside them.
According to Brookhiser, Congress made Washington Commander in Chief of the military in 1775. This post lasted until 1783.
I instantly memorized these dates by placing some Magnetic Imagery in a Memory Palace.
The mnemonic examples I used?
First, I used my image of George Washington himself. I’ve seen paintings and stone carvings of the dude, so I have a relatively decent idea of how he looks.
How To Mix Major System P.A.O. Mnemonics For Historical Dates
Second, I needed to remember that 17 is involved because these dates took place in the 1700s.
To do that, I have George Washington equipped with some very sharp tacks.
In the Major Method, 1 = d or t and 7 = k.
Put those two together to form a word like “tack.”
Next, to this image of George Washington with tacks, I have him shoving these into John Cale.
Yeah, that hurts, and that’s why it’s memorable (Sorry John Cale!)
Now, you might not know John Cale or his loose relationship to the history of binaural beats via Lou Reed, which is why you need to get into real memory training. It will help you instantly create these associations when you need them.
The point is that Cale (pronounced “kale”) starts with a hard “k” sound and ends with an “l.”
That’s perfect because all I need to do is think of George Washington putting tacks into Cale in my Memory Palace and then I can recall 1775 in a snap.
Just Get Started And The Rules of The Major System Will Set You Free
You can do this too if you dive into these techniques and start creating your associations from 00-99. Don’t overthink it. As my mentor, Tony Buzan says, “the rules will set you free.”
Briefly, I know this period for Washington ended in 1783 (according to Brookheiser) because, in the same Memory Palace, I can sense George Washington interacting strangely with George Orwell.
George Orwell wrote “Animal Farm” and he is spraying “foam” at the cast of “fame” in this image.
Why?
Because F = 8 in the Major System and 3 = M. “Farm,” “foam” and “Fame” all compound together to make the association bulletproof.
Brookheiser tells us that the actual Washington presidency took place between 1789 and 1797, two numbers I now know by heart.
Why? Well, as strange as it is:
I see Cobra Commander with his viper symbol bashing Peter Parker with a puck.
Viper = 89 Parker/puck = 97
It’s that simple. Every 2-digit number has an image like this. All that needs to happen in your mind is this:
Get them interacting in weird and unusual ways in a Memory Palace. With a small amount of practice, you’ll learn to remember vast amounts of information.
Ever hear Sherlock Holmes talk about doing stuff like this in his “Mind Palace?”
I find it’s a waste of time without Magnetic Imagery involved.
Plus, Recall Rehearsal puts the Magnetic in the Magnetic Memory Method by making it easy, fun and effective.
And it’s the only way to develop a mnemonics dictionary in your mind for instant and rapid use of memory techniques.
Dominic O’Brien And The Rule Of Five
With practice, you can reduce the number of repetitions needed to a shockingly low level, though of course, Dominic O’Brien’s Rule of Five is worth your attention, but…
Don’t go wishing and praying for a magic number.
Learn these skills for yourself and the principles that make them work.
That’s the fast and easy path to real memory magic. And it’s better than even the best improve memory games on the market.
But some other guy’s “memory system” or spaced-repetition number will never be as robust as your own. Earn the success you want through experience. It’s a beautiful thing.
More on How To Improve Memory Recall Better Than Sherlock Holmes
Now that you know the truth about using a Memory Palace and use it to place information into long-term memory, here are some additional tips that will help.
Pay attention to each of these because they are essential to your success. These tips are critical to the long-term health of your brain and memory.
Walnuts, blueberries, green tea – these have all been shown to give your memory a boost better than any improve memory supplements on the market.
5. Exercise.
I go to the gym three days a week. It keeps my body fit, as well as my brain.
The best part?
I’m able to perform Recall Rehearsal while pumping iron and hitting the treadmill.
I also walk frequently and do pushups and yoga at home.
Every bit of fitness helps protect your brain and memory.
6. Reduce Multitasking
(Except when using the particular form of multitasking in a Memory Place we’ve been talking about today.)
Seriously. People who want to learn faster are damaging their chances of success by holding multiple open tabs and reading from devices enabled with notification options.
Speaking of which…
7. Sleep Without Devices In Your Room
If you want to improve your memory, improve your sleep.
It seems unrealistic these days, but it’s getting more important every day:
We need to unplug from the Internet.
We need time away from the machines that use algorithms to shape what we see and how we think.
Personally, every time I stray from my computer curfew…
I regret it.
Not only does my memory suffer…
I make bad decisions.
I get a bit paranoid.
I feel less well.
By protecting the bedroom and using my re-reading strategy with real books, I create a buffer zone around my sleep that works very well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er-k8Ecgdfo
Oh, and I use a sleeping mask too. Highly recommended.
8. Use app-free brain exercises
Brain exercises are important. And the best evidence shows that when you use apps to get it…
You’re getting horrible results.
The only ones ever shown to work in any impressive way set you up with one-on-one coaching on the other end. In other words, it’s not the app alone getting you the mental fitness results.
But if you’re willing to learn some of these brain exercises, you’ll quickly find boosts in focus, attention and memory.
The obvious suggestion here is music. Pick up the guitar, piano and French Horn.
But it could also be painting where you learn about shapes, lighting and the color wheel.
Or you could learn to juggle, code a website or learn a language. There are many things you can do. The important thing is to take action and get results.
10. Know the difference between mild forgetfulness and full-blown memory loss
Every person must take full responsibility for the state of their memory.
Just as we monitor our heart rate and respiration, we need to put thought into the functioning of the mind.
To understand this critical difference, I’d start with listening to this memory loss with Jennie Gorman. She was able to recover her memory quickly with just one simple tweak. It’s the kind of solution many people would never think to investigate.
It is really difficult coming up with a clear answer when you read the research about general brain fitness and memory in the scientific literature.
Here’s the great news:
On this episode of Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you’ll hear from Dr. Christina Till.
Dr. Till is an Associate Professor in the Clinical Developmental Area in the Faculty of Health at York University.
As she shared her scientific research on memory, multiple sclerosis (MS), Huntington’s disease and other areas of mental cognition, this point leapt out at me:
“My dream study [would] combine the benefits of physical activity with cognitive training. To maximize brain growth, we should be doing both.”
If you’d like to peer behind the scenes of how memory research is conducted with softwares like Cogmed in the mix and what the conclusions really mean when it comes to improving memory , download this podcast episode now.
And get ready to dive deep because there’s a ton of substantial information you will learn from Dr. Till’s research and work and how scientists develop their studies and draw their conclusions.
Press play now and you’ll discover:
How Christine came to be interested in memory.
What “environmental enrichment” means and how it can help you improve your memory.
What Huntington’s disease is and how it degenerates the brain over time.
The early manifestations of the Huntington’s disease.
The conditions or immune triggers that have been implicated in increasing the risk of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
The metaphor goal suggestion with “machinery” when it comes to the brain and memory.
How the cognitive network of the brain gets injured. (This may or may not relate to memory issues from other forms of brain trauma.)
Why some people’s cognitive performance can remain stable at early stages of disease.
What the term “memory reserve” means and how it can be measured.
The BIG Problem With The Memory Systems Of The Memory Improvement Gurus
There’s nothing wrong about checking out mnemonic examples from memory experts you admire. Except this:
Anytime anyone tells you that their “memory system” will work for you…
Run away screaming!
Why?
Because memory systems don’t work!
Instead, you work the systems. And you’ll do that a lot better if you create the systems yourself (with a little authentic help from your Magnetic Memory Method friends).
It’s kind of like singing and playing the guitar. Bringing the two together is a lot easier when you wrote the song.
And the results are much more powerful.
Why A “Magnetic” Memory Method Always Outperforms The Other Guy’s Memory System
So here’s what’s up:
On this page, I’m going to explain exactly why what you really need is a memory method (not some other dude’s system).
And not just any old method with memory exercises and memorization techniques.
What you need is a “Magnetic” Memory Method that lets you combine all of the memory techniques available into a streamlined approach.
You don’t need all kinds of confusing terms and mnemonic examples. You need to execute your moves in one swift blow each and every time you encounter information.
When you have this approach, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much your memory skills can grow.
Which means that the pain and frustration of forgetting information within seconds disappears.
If you’re ready, let’s dive into the 8 reasons having a memory method is the only approach that makes sense.
Reason #1: Each Person’s Memory Is Unique And Needs A Unique Memory Method
Flexibility is what makes the teaching on this memory improvement blog unique.
Anyone can use the memory techniques I teach because you learn about yourself as you discover the methods so that everything fits into place quickly.
Why is figuring out how you stand so important?
A few reasons.
First, memory techniques rely upon association.
You’re taking information you don’t know and Magnetically weaving it together with things you already know.
For example, when learning some Chinese poetry, I wove the corner of a building together with some weird imagery that made it easy to recall the sound and the meaning of the phrase.
The images involved Lee jeans, a kite, E.T. (The Extraterrestrial), a burning cup of yen, Emil Zola, Che Guevara and sheep.
I Know That Sounds Like A Mouthful Of Mnemonic Examples!
But here’s the thing:
All of these images came to me freely and quickly because I have a memory method. It’s trained to be flexible, and that’s why it works so fast.
What exactly have I trained?
Speedy access to the same kinds of information each person has available to them now:
A Proper Memory Method Digs Deep Into Your Personal history
By using a flexible memory method, you can easily access a host of friends, family members, teachers, preachers and other members of your community.
A Proper Memory Method Exploits Your Personal Culture
You also have your culture.
I often draw upon Canadian politicians. These are names that an international audience might not recognize, but that are deeply impressed upon in my memory. But I’m Canadian and so memorizing the Canadian Prime Ministers makes a lot of sense (maybe, lol).
Even if you’re not into politics, I’ll bet you have at least a couple local and regional figures you can bring to mind and use to make simple associations. Having them ready will help you improve your memory for studying a great deal.
Why Everything You Already Know Is Dying To Become A Memory Tool
Then there are musicians, actors and artists. These are all part of your culture. Only a flexible memory method will help you unpack them all.
How The Internet Creates Damaging Learned Helplessness
He shared some examples to get people started and serious students of memory improvement worked out the rest on their own.
Enter the Internet.
Next thing you know you’ve got thousands of people begging for his list, Ben Pridmore’s list, my lists, etc.
They want the fish, instead of learning how to fish for themselves.
Maybe I’m just jaded, but here’s the problem with giving too many mnemonic examples:
You can never create enough to solve the fundamental question of understanding the why and how we use these images based on our unique qualities and experiences.
Understanding how to tap into that rich pool of references in each person’s life (see point one above) is the ONLY thing that’s ever going to authentically help.
Use A Memory Method To Create Your Own Memory System Or Go H.O.M.E.
Otherwise, as longtime supporter Alex of this site (J.A. on YouTube) says, “Go H.O.M.E.”
It’s funny pun and paradox that mixes the acronym technique with an important message:
Huge Outcomes Means Exercising.
And to get the outcomes memory training can create for you, please exercise your mind with a proper memory method.
Create a Magnetic Bridging Figure for each two digit number from 00-99.
Start small at first. Work from 01-10. Then 11-20 and so on. You don’t have to create them all in a single day.
Use pen and paper. As Sharon did:
Notice that Sharon didn’t try to get it perfect the first time. Sharon just took action after taking my card memorization course in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass. (Like you should too if you want to experience incredible memory improvement fast).
Taking action is essential because:
Reason #3: A Proper Memory Method Goes Beyond Method of Loci Training By Creating Connection, Comprehension & Understanding
And then I connect the Magnetic Memory Method to more and then more and then more.
Why did I do this?
Because there’s so much untapped knowledge about creating the best memory method on earth to be found in writings about memory from the past.
In fact, the more I read the tradition, the more my memory improves. And that’s important because it translates directly into the help I can give students of the Magnetic Memory Method.
And it’s not just Aristotle. Here are some other figures from history whom you may not have known used memory methods:
Simonides of Ceos
The unknown author of Ad Herrenium
St. Augustine
Matteo Ricci
Giordano Bruno
And that’s to mention some interesting contemporary figures. I’ve already mentioned Dominic O’Brien and Tony Buzan, but there’s also:
Doctor Yip
Florian Delle
Nelson Dellis
Jonathan Levi
Alex Mullen
… plus, all the exciting things going on with technology with people like Gabriel Wyner for memory and language learning through the Fluent Forever app.
The list goes on and on, and the direct benefit is that this tradition provides an endless wealth of inspiration and new ideas.
Reason #5: Memorization Techniques Based On Methods Create Learning Flexibility
“Be water, my friend.”
Wise words from Bruce Lee.
This principle matters for your memory improvement journey with memory techniques because information is like the wind.
And your brain is often like a brick wall.
Ever seen how the wind can pick up a tree and toss it against a building?
Suddenly that big and tough brick wall doesn’t look so tough anymore, does it?
But if it had been water, it could move out of the way and possibly even used both the tree and the wind as a tool for its own purposes.
So when you’re looking for the right memory method to help you learn and remember the information that will pass the exam or scratch that language off your bucket list, make sure it’s flexible.
No difficult information ever has to break your mind again.
Reason #6: Brain Health Starts As An Idea You Need To Remember
A lot of people are worried about Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
For good reason:
Memory loss is a severe and life-destroying pain in the butt.
It doesn’t have to be a serious disease or brain trauma that drags you life down either.
Lack of focus and concentration sucks too.
And when you’re worried about these problems and the memory loss from stress they cause at work, your sleep suffers.
How To Avoid The Punishing Hell Of Poor Memory
You probably don’t focus nearly as much attention to your diet, and physical fitness as you should. As a result, things spiral further down into the hell of poor memory.
Luckily, having the right memory method can help. Not only will you perform better in your studies and at work.
You’ll also remember your to-do lists. You’ll remember which foods that improve memory you should be eating. You’ll remember the exercises you should be doing at the gym.
When you can keep your focus on all of these matters and consistently follow through, your memory will naturally experience a boost.
Reason #7: The Right Memory Method Creates Belonging
Did you know there are entire communities of people who use memory techniques?
They have a special lingo. You’ve read some of the terms on this page already.
You Can Easily Memorize The Truthful Information That Genuinely Improves Your Life
Later, I applied my ability to learn and remember my goals of optimizing my health (big thanks to Jonathan Levi for mentoring me on the specifics. Also on bitcoin and generally what I need to learn and remember about finances.)
And eventually, I started to use the memory techniques I’ve been honing for my personal practice and teaching to memorize Sanksrit.
There still exist ancient tomes of philosophy that contain special formulas for scrubbing the mind clean of fear, worry, doubt, and stress.
Sure, I still fall prey to these things once in awhile.
But thanks to memorizing lines from the Ribhu Gita provided by Gary Weber in Evolving Beyond Thought, I feel more aligned with reality than ever before.
The tradition is sometimes called Vedanta, or Advaita Vedanta. It’s deeply related to memory because to use the mind-cleansing tools well, you’ve got to memorize them.
I won’t go into what this philosophy helps one achieve just now.
But maybe you can relate to wanting to hold sacred knowledge in memory.
If You Can Remember More Things That Are True, You Can Live A Better Life
The best part of having a reliable memory method boils down to holding the truth in mind.
Holding it close.
And using the truth to live a better life.
The truth will also help you scrub out the false illusions that bind you down and keep you in ignorance.
So what do you say?
Do you think you could use a better memory method to help you reach your goals in life?
If the answer is a resounding yes, let me know in the discussion below and post your questions about making these extraordinary memory techniques work for you.
How Jessie Villalobos Got A Promotion – Magnetic Memory Method Review
Jun 21, 2018
This is perhaps the best Magnetic Memory Method Review online so far:
“The more you try it, the better you do. Every attempt is incrementally better than the last time.”
-Jesse Villalobos
Since constant improvement is what the memory method taught on this website is all about, I was delighted to hear these words from one of our course participants.
Even better:
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you can hear them directly from Jesse Villalobos too.
Scroll up and click play. Listen in we talk about:
How Jesse based his PAO system on the Major Method for remembering numbers…
Jesse’s Magnetic Journey using the PAO system (Person Action Object)…
How Jesse used this approach to get a raise and a promotion at his job!
Of the many tips you’ll discover, here’s one of the most important points:
Jesse keeps listening to the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast for motivation week after week. Yes, even though he completed the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
This point is important. Jesse’s approach combines a solid study ethic and continually feeding himself with ideas and inspiration.
And when Jesse started, he was serious about getting results. He wanted to get really good at memorizing numbers.
His success secret?
Taking action!
It’s not just about learning about memory techniques. It’s about applying them in meaningful ways one S.I.P. at a time:
S.I.P.
Study memory techniques
Implement memory techniques
Practice memory techniques with information that improves your life
It’s this approach that helped Jesse get the mastery over the Person Action Object (P.A.O.) and Major Method that he wanted. These are the techniques that lead to total success with memorizing any number.
Aside from remembering numbers, Jesse also learned how to remember names and faces. This skill provided other unexpected benefits from memory training that Jesse hadn’t even anticipated!
If you’ve been looking for an extra bit of insight about how the Magnetic Memory Method can help you, try Jessie’s advice:
Just dive into learning and using memory techniques.
Download this episode and learn from Jesse’s experiences and insights. You’ll learn exactly how improving his memory has helped his personal confidence and well-being.
Press play now and you’ll discover:
How memory techniques help Jesse in his work. It involves remembering a lot of numbers.
Why using memory techniques is an “out of body experience.”
Jesse’s feeling about how he gains more energy than he burns using memory strategies.
Mnemonic examples of a well-functioning Person-Action-Object system to memorize numbers based on the Major Method.
The process of how Jesse created his Magnetic Memory Palace Network and how it all works in detail.
How Jesse discovered the Magnetic Memory Method and what it has brought to him both personally and professionally.
How Jesse got a raise and promotion. By demonstrating competence, his co-workers started perceiving him as an expert thanks to Magnetic Memory Palaces and memory techniques.
A family-related memory issue that encourages Jessie to keep his mind active.
The positive influence of listening to Magnetic Memory Method Podcast over time.
Jesse’s perspective on avoiding perfectionism and still getting the most out of his sensory memory.
Other memory improvement books and courses that really impacted Jesse.
Do you have questions about how the Magnetic Memory Method can help you perform better at your work?
Do you want more answers to your questions about mnemonics?
If so, please dive into the episode and learn more about how you can get on a call with me. If you want me to help you transform into a walking, talking mnemonics dictionary, I’d like to help.
3 Effective Brain Training Exercises for Mental Illness Sufferers
May 23, 2018
Would you like some brain training exercises to keep you sharp and on top of your game all the time?
I hope the answer is a resounding, “Yes!”
Here’s why:
Conditions such as mental illness and aging contribute to mental decay.
All the more so if you’re already suffering from mental illness, not to mention the medicinal side effects of psychiatric medicine. These medicines, even when useful, can cause your memory a lot of harm.
Here’s the good news:
Losing control over your cognitive functions can be hard, but it doesn’t need to happen. There is a way to avoid cognitive decline, and all it involves is training your mind.
In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about brain training exercises to help keep your memory healthy.
Like the brain exercise training favored by the Edwardians, Pelmanism is a product of Great Britain, and became very popular during the first half of the 20th century.
Get this:
More than 500,000 people reportedly used these brain training exercises. One of them was the Prime Minister of the country himself!
Why was it so popular?
First, the system revolutionized brain training because it targeted the same mental functions we focus on optimizing to this day:
The Pelman Scientific Mind Training Program focused on each of these to help people exercise their minds. Participants were mailed monthly booklets with games and exercises designed specifically to stimulate one or more of these functions.
All of which goes to show that brain training and the memory exercises that go with it aren’t new. And of course, Anthony is always coming up with different brain exercises you can explore. Check these out:
We have even more scientific evidence than ever to guide us these days. Modern neuroscience has managed to prove beyond any shred of doubt that our brains are in fact malleable like plastic.
In fact, we all have to ability to modify the structure and functions of our brains.
Of course, a lot depends on the internal and external factors of our lives, such as other bodily processes or environmental changes. But overall, every single person can intervene and create a better mental life.
Nevertheless, slowing down the aging of our brain through training is a prospect that fills us with hope. And research shows that it’s completely achievable.
However, if having a sharper memory is something you aim for, you need to know right now that it takes work.
In order to remain in a constant state of connectedness regardless of whether you’re 30, 50 or 80 years old, you need to push your mind to learn something new each day. There is nothing more stimulating for your synapses than being put at work.
In turn, this leads to tangible improvement in more than one aspect.
For example, according to Dr. Jee Hyun Kim of the Florey Institute, focus diminishes with age.
Due to this deterioration of focus, stimulating your attention regularly can be crucial. By activating the frontal cortex and the hippocampus, you are not working only on this function, but on your memory and thought as well.
How Brain Training Can Increase Focus And Attention
Similarly, reading new books, especially with a re-reading strategy, or solving math and logic problems puts all the areas of your brain to work and boosts cognition in the process.
Then there’s meditation. You can do a walking meditation or sit just to sit Buddha-style for improved memory and concentration.
And recent studies that will be discussed shortly suggest that it might even help treat mental illness.
Treating Mental Illness With Brain Training Exercises
Let me give you some context:
I have spent the last couple of years researching alternative treatments for mental conditions that affect memory and cognition.
Why did I choose this path?
Well, three years ago, someone I care about deeply was diagnosed with schizophrenia. I have spent all my days since trying to educate myself on the topic as much as possible.
In my journey, I have found that many specialists believe that brain training can help prevent degenerative neural diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.
And that’s not all. In fact, such practices can help with instances of mental illness as well. This comes as great news for the vast community of patients struggling with such afflictions.
Recent medical science-related endeavors back up this seemingly bold claim. A study conducted at McLean hospital in 2017 has uncovered the potentially beneficial results of brain training in the treatment of mental illness, namely bipolar disorder in particular.
According to Lewandowski, BPD affects the memory, processing speed and executive function of most of the patients who suffer from it. This impacts their daily existence and overall quality of life quite negatively.
Therefore, working on improving cognitive dysfunctions is crucial for symptom relief in this case. And what better way to achieve that than through brain training exercises? Lewandowski’s research found that the participants who used techniques pertaining to this area exhibited visible betterment that was maintained for at least six months afterward, if not more.
She got the idea after noticing how effective this approach was in keeping the symptoms of even more serious conditions such as schizophrenia under wraps.
People going through the four stages of schizophrenia have exhibited visible improvement in their symptoms after cognitive therapy.
In fact, previous trials conducted under the supervision of professor Barbara Sahakian of the Department of Psychiatry at Cambridge have shown that something as simple as playing brain-stimulating mobile games improves cognition among schizophrenia patients. And it helps in areas where drugs have previously failed, which is even more important to keep in mind.
Just imagine how beneficial the effects could be if this would be tried in the long run. Lewandowski and her colleagues support the importance of acknowledging brain training as a viable treatment for mental illness. Modern psychiatry should recognize its merits and integrate it into the roster of available therapies.
But until that happens, you can also try doing at home. To tap into the healing properties of this approach, you don’t need to download a mobile app or buy fancy books and puzzles to keep your mind sharp. There are plenty of mental techniques that you can try at home and see how they work out for you. Here are the best three.
The Best Brain Exercise Techniques
1. Memory Palace
If you’re looking to train your memory specifically, Anthony Metivier’s approach to the ‘Memory Palace’ technique is one of the best to get the job done.
Famous historical and fictional figures alike, such as Hannibal Lecter from the renowned Silence of the Lambs book and film series are perfect examples of how this works.
Association is the key to creating your own memory palace to walk around in whenever you need to retrieve certain pieces of information.
When these have been assimilated long ago, you need to correlate each of them with a specific part of a location. A good starting point is your own house because it is familiar territory. For best results, draw out the floor plan of your first Memory Palace by hand. Like this:
But before you start drawing, walk around your house first.
Then, once your’e done, assign various memories to various rooms.
To take it one step further, do the same thing but using objects within the same space. Fill your memory palace with everything you think is worth remembering, but make sure that you build a strong mental route in the process.
How To Use The Memory Palace Technique
When the time to remember the information comes, simply retrace your steps along that path. It will take some getting used to, and you will surely fumble at first. Nobody is born an expert, and when you’re dealing with cognition-impairing mental illness, it might be even harder. But practice makes perfect, and proper brain training exercises keeps your mind sharp too.
Of course, things might not be as simple or straightforward. Sometimes, direct associations simply aren’t possible. This is where your imagination and the ability to create allegories comes in.
For example, let’s imagine you want to remember something that has to do with a dandelion, a hose, and a Calico cat.
You are standing in your living room and there is a dandelion on the table. You go up the stairs, towards your bedroom. A hose is hanging on the door.
You enter, and the most adorable Calico cat is sleeping on your bed, purring. You have now memorized this sequence by simply making associations between its elements and actual, palpable places in your house.
2. Mind Mapping
The concept of mind mapping is a slightly similar one, but it is far more schematic and two-dimensional. In fact, it consists of a visual outline that starts with one core concept and then branches out into information that relates to it.
Some people prefer to do this on paper because they find it stimulates their assimilation of the notions even better.
Such a diagram can represent anything, from words and concepts to more specialized information such as tasks that need accomplishing.
And if you’re not a fan of writing it all out, you’ll be happy to find out that it can be used in combination with the Memory Palace technique. The two have a very strong meeting point between them.
Chambers, a world mind mapping expert, mind maps serve even more complex purposes. A mind map follows all the principles of memory, but it also helps you think. But memory palaces are better for actually remembering information, while mind maps are more suitable for processing and understanding it.
The two are sometimes useless when not together.
For this reason, finding a middle ground that includes mind maps into your memory palace can be a great way to stay sharp and on top of your game.
Furthermore, together they stimulate more essential areas of the brain, thus preventing premature decay.
3. Dominic System
The Dominic mnemonic system is one of the most famous brain training techniques in the world. It was designed by famous British mnemonist Dominic O’Brien, who also happens to be an eight-time World Memory champion. Most brain athletes use it nowadays to memorize long strings of digits for competitions. So, why is it so effective?
Just like the Major system associates numbers with sounds, the Dominic system notoriously does a similar thing by assigning them the initials of a person’s name. It’s a highly effective person-action system that can be combined with the memory palace technique, thus creating the Hotel Dominic, as many experts lovingly call it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEATw9J-ppE
But O’Brien’s contribution to the world of brain training doesn’t stop here. He also famously established that the strategical recalling of information following a five-step pattern is the best way to cement said information in your brain. This should happen in the following order:
• The first review takes place immediately; • The second review follows it 24 hours later; • The third review then happens one week later; • One month later comes the fourth review; • And finally, the fifth review occurs a total of three months later.
Thus, in the span of roughly four to five months, you will be able to remember anything.
By sticking to this routine, you will be able to fight the cognitive decay that many mental illnesses bring, too. When your schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are playing tricks on your mind, relying on a strict pattern to memorize relevant information can be a true lifesaver.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, it must be noted that medical science is just now starting to look more into the beneficial effects of brain training. Cognitive dysfunction can be caused by many things. These range from something as naturally occurring as old age to more complex issues such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Fortunately, practicing one or more of the brain training exercises discussed above can be beneficial. It is something that can help you refocus and even excel when it comes to memory and thought patterns. As a short recap, these are:
• The Memory Palace.
This famous approach is based on making associations between physical locations and various pieces of information. The best way to build the memory palace is by correlating them with specific spots around your home. The familiarity of the territory is prolific for this purpose.
• Mind mapping.
It consists of a series of diagrams that represent two-dimensional connections between concepts. Creating mental maps works best when used in combination with the memory palace. This activates more areas of the brain than the two would alone, thus preventing decay and enhancing performance.
• The Dominic system.
Focused on numbers, the Dominic system heavily relies on the connection between these and letters. These usually are the initials of someone’s name. When used together with the memory palace technique, it is known as the Hotel Dominic. That’s a cool name, but at the end of the day, it’s best taken in the context of the many pegword method options you have to choose from.
These three techniques are equally efficient standalone as they are when combined. In order to choose what suits your needs, you will need to try them. Presentations and explanations can only do so much.
Nevertheless, having this knowledge is essential for the future. If you or someone you love, as it happened in my case, are slipping down the slope of mental illness, take action now. Explore the possibilities given by brain training and build a better tomorrow.
Bilingualism: Why Language Learning Makes For a Healthier Brain
May 02, 2018
Are you a polyglot looking for more information on why bilingualism is so good for the brain?
No, I don’t mean a ghost that walks around the attic making loud noises and moving objects. That’s a poltergeist!
Then there are the hyperpolyglots – those who actively learn and master six or more languages, like Emil Krebs, a 19th-century German diplomat who had mastered around 65 languages by the time of his death.
Being bilingual (or multilingual) is said to enhance your better problem-solving abilities, and improve your concentration and focus.
These are valuable resources in everyone’s life, something I’ve enjoyed as grad student, professor and avid language learner myself.
So, if you are geared to pick up a new language or just want to get better in your mother tongue, use these five amazing hacks in addition to understanding everything about bilingualism we’re about to cover on this page:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyIHcBLHYxE
And while you practice your German or French, ask yourself this:
Why Bilingualism Gives You A Healthier Brain
Seriously:
There is a ton of research backing claims that being fluent in more than one language is good for your brain.
More importantly:
Unlike other areas of science and memory, few articles evoke grave doubts on the advantages of being bilingual.
Konnikova says the bilingual advantage seems to have more of a protective effect on the aging brain than it does anything to enhance executive-control functions of healthy individuals.
While Konnikova’s arguments are persuasive, I am sure of one thing:
And since your brain is a muscle, it needs regular workouts to remain strong, supple and stable!
The Inside Story: Why Bilingualism Is Not Just About Speaking Two (Or More) Languages
Contrary to general perception, bilingualism is not just about the ability to speak two languages fluently.
There are a lot of little nitty-gritty aspects involved.
For instance:
You could be a “simultaneous bilingual” who learns two languages from birth.
Or, you could be an “early sequential bilingual.”
Let’s break these terms down:
“Early sequential bilingual” is a fancy term for those kids who speak one language at home but learn to speak the community language at school. There is also the “late sequential bilingual” – someone who grew up with one language and then moved to a country that speaks another.
Why are these terms important?
The differences in how and when you learned your second language often leads to different levels of proficiency and fluency. This, in turn, affects your level of being bilingual.
For instance, if you were fluent in French (along with English) in high school but have been using only English ever since, your bilingualism and its related advantages may have deteriorated.
A recent study by Yeh-Zu Tzou shows how working memory is important but language proficiency in the native language (L1) and second language (L2) assumes a more critical role in a person’s ability to process and store information simultaneously.
Another study shows bilingualism is not a categorical variable (that is you are either bilingual or not) but rather the “bilingual experience is composed of multiple related dimensions that will need to be considered in assessments of the consequences of bilingualism.”
The Trouble With Knowing Two Languages: Each Fight For Supreme Control
As a bilingual, when you use one language, the other is also active at the same time.
This creates a persistent linguistic competition which can result in language difficulties.
Some mnemonists and memory champions also term it as “ghosting.” I refer to it as “Magnetic fossilization.”
Either way, if you have ever been in a position where someone’s name is right on the tip of your tongue but you can’t get your brain to say it out loud, remember that the word is in competition with some other information or similar sounding words in your brain.
But there is good news:
The bilingual brain relies on control mechanisms such as attention and inhibition, every time she or he speaks or listens to maintain the balance between the competing languages. Due to this constant practice, these control mechanisms are strengthened with changes occurring in the associated brain regions.
Could there be other benefits to this constant brain workout?
Bilingualism And Its Connection With a Better Brain
As I said earlier, being bilingual provides constant brain exercise.
Since bilinguals are used to switching between two languages, they are also excellent at switching between tasks, even if these tasks have nothing to do with language.
In the study, participants were asked to perform language comprehension tasks where they had to hear a word and then recognize its corresponding photo.
For example, volunteers would hear the word “candy” and then they would see four pictures, including a picture of candy and a picture of a similar-sounding word, such as “candle.” The experiment aimed to see how well the participants were able to recognize the correct word and ignore the similar-sounding competing word.
The results showed that bilinguals performed better than their monolingual counterparts at ignoring the competing words.
These results exist because people who speak more than one language are already used to controlling two languages and suppressing irrelevant words they don’t need.
The ability to tune out irrelevant information is a strong indicator of mental abilities. And being able to instantly break unwanted mental patterns can help bilingual individuals concentrate better by blocking outside noise in a busy classroom or office space.
Why Bilingual People “Monitor” Their Minds Better
Another advantage of speaking two languages – you have more efficient monitoring systems.
Add consistent memory training to that healthy mix and you’re golden.
But if you leave aside the health benefits, the simple act of learning a new language in itself is a fun proposition.
It enables you to interact with interesting people and exposes you to new cultures and practices.
Any new challenge and novelty help to keep the brain active and vibrant. Like doing crosswords, for instance, stimulates the brain and makes for a fun workout…
So long as you don’t let them frustrate you!
And of course, being multilingual can be extremely useful when trying to impress a date. Just don’t say something cringe like, “How do you like my bilingualism?”
But the coolest, most fun way to quickly master a new language while maintaining a superior brain is to build Memory Palaces the Magnetic Memory Method way.
This incredible combination of intelligence and memory strengthening is very powerful because, combined with Recall Rehearsal, the holistic process lets you move information from short-term memory into long-term memory faster.
If you are keen on this memory training technique…
Click on the image below to get started:
How Memorizing Vocabulary Makes Bilingualism Achievable
Most polyglots use some kind of mnemonics to memorize vocabulary.
Some of them use them across the board. Others save the memory techniques covered on this blog for what they call “the Stubborn Quintile.” These are the toughest words amongst the most important words you need to know in order to be fluent.
Whether you’re using mnemonics for every word or just a percentage, language learning expert Benny Lewis gives a great example of how he uses them in his excellent language learning book, Fluent in 3 Months.
Plus, I cover exactly how to memorize vocabulary in detail myself. The process creates greater brain health because you’re using what memory scientists called “elaborative encoding.”
This process is better than rote learning because you use your imagination to interact with the vocabulary you want to learn.
Once you’ve mastered memorizing individual words, you can move on to phrases. And before you know it, you’ll be speaking quite well.
Knowing many languages has the power to help you express yourself fluently. And language learning is tremendously useful when you are trying to improve memory, clarity, and focus.
With the Magnetic Memory Method, you gain the ability to not only remember information faster. You’ll also enjoy predictable and reliable permanence. This grows in strength each time you create Memory Palaces using this method to create bilingual advantages.
Ready to add this memory improvement method to the lexicon of your life? Let me know in the comments below or feel free to post your questions.
Can Stress Cause Memory Loss And Confusion?
Apr 19, 2018
Can stress cause memory loss and confusion?
Not if you’ve got a gun in your face.
Like Ben Thomas.
Ben was walking through an L.A. neighborhood when he was robbed at gunpoint.
Next day, when the detective asked him to identify the perpetrator, Ben was able to do it very easily.
Over time, however, the author who experienced this violent incident, reported that he “remembered fewer images and more facts: the colors of the thief’s hoodie and pants, the words he’d said, even the exact time displayed on my iPod (12:36) at the moment I’d handed it over to him”.
Why would Ben remember more facts than images?
It’s because some memories formed under highly stressful situations get so strongly encoded in our brains that we never forget them.
But does that mean you should put yourself under stress to memorize your sales presentation?
Can Stress Cause Memory Loss? The Answer Is A Big NO!
Because, in general, stress impairs memory, makes you forget things or even remember things differently.
Ben, for instance, could recall the thief’s face vividly for a day or two but after a few weeks, he couldn’t picture the guy’s face at all.
And keep in mind that Ben’s no dummy.
He’s not only an author, but also someone who happens to be an independent researcher who studies consciousness and the brain.
High IQ or not…
When we’re stressed, some memories stick like super glue while others get warped or lost.
For that reason, please understand this:
It’s never a good idea to induce stress when trying to memorize a book, your lessons or your campaign presentation.
You never know what essential information your brain will skip remembering!
Instead, increase focus and concentration from the ground up using a WRAP technique:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxWLhAeIYOU
When Are You Under Stress? A Scientific Definition
This quote is worth reading twice:
“When an organism faces emotional distress or is physically challenged the autonomic nervous system, a subdivision of the sympathetic nervous system, is automatically activated. Once activated, a cascade of physiological changes occurs that better enables an organism to confront (i.e. fight, freeze) or escape (i.e. flee) danger. The term “stress” applies to the condition under which the autonomic nervous system is activated and stress hormones are released.” (Impairing and Enhancing Effects of Psychosocial Stress on Episodic Memory and Eyewitness Report, Siobhan Marie Hoscheidt, 2011)
And guess what?
When you’re frozen, or busy running away, learning gets really tough.
Worse, there’s a part of the brain that controls stress that can really wreak havoc on your focus and concentration.
When you undergo a stressful event, the amygdala – a part of the brain that enables emotional processing – sends a distress call to the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is like a command center that communicates with the rest of your body through the nervous system so that you have the energy to fight or flee.
Does Stress Make You Forget Things? Yes… Even If You’re a Memory Champion
If that doesn’t put the spotlights on just how bad stress can be for even the best memory athlete, I don’t know what does.
Even as a memory expert, Jonas felt on the spot and stress was part of his embarrassing flub on TV.
But is it really a fail?
The answer is a bit more complex, so let’s have a look.
How Does Stress Affect Your Memory: The Inside Story
When under stress, brain freeze like what Jonas encountered happens mostly because your thinking is preoccupied with the stress-inducing stimuli – am I looking cool on TV – blocking out other thoughts.
A study by Marloes J. A. G. Henckens and team demonstrated how “acute stress is accompanied by a shift into a hypervigilant mode of sensory processing in combination with increased allocation of neural resources to noise reduction. This reduction of task-irrelevant ambient noise, in combination with a stress-hormone-induced optimal state for neural plasticity, may explain why stressful events attain a privileged position in memory”.
What Does This Stress Memory Loss Chemical Connection Mean?
In simple words, when you are anxious, your brain will put you on red alert and increase your focus and concentration on that stressful event by eliminating any other distracting information. This can aid in encoding some information into your long-term memory better.
However, there’s more to this story.
Chronic stress, like constant worry about losing your job, can have devastating effects on memory.
Here’s another one of those quotes worth reading twice:
“The effects of stress on memory are not always facilitatory. Several studies have demonstrated that while memory for emotional information is enhanced when encoded under stress, memory for neutral information can be impaired (Payne et al., 2006; 2007).” (Impairing and Enhancing Effects of Psychosocial Stress on Episodic Memory and Eyewitness Report, Siobhan Marie Hoscheidt, 2011)
Here’s another:
“Schilling et al. examined the effect of varying levels cortisol (a common measure of stress) on recall performance. The results provide evidence that stress and memory performance have an inverted U-shaped relationship, where too much stress has a deleterious effect on memory performance.” (Psychosocial Stress Increases Activity-but not Event-Based Prospective Memory, Mollie McGuire, 2016)
What does all this mean?
Simple:
When under stress, your body activates a part of the adrenal gland that dumps cortisol – also known as the stress hormone – into the bloodstream.
Can Stress Cause Confusion? The Truth About Memory, Stress And Cortisol
In the short term, cortisol may be beneficial (basically because it mobilizes white blood cells and enhances the immune system).
However, cortisol binds to cells in that area of the brain that converts new experiences into memory. This binding disrupts the memory-forming process, ultimately making memory impairment permanent.
Researchers at the University of Iowa also found a connection between cortisol and short-term memory loss in older rats.
Another study by Cheryl D.Conrad found that chronic stress reduces spatial memory: the memory that helps you recall locations and relate objects. “Chronic stress clearly impacts nearly every brain region.”
Precisely the reason you sometimes forget where you kept your car keys when you are about to rush to the office for an important (read stressful) meeting.
High stress also activates the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream. Adrenaline increases your attentiveness which is important to support your defense mechanism of “fight or flight” when put in a stressful situation.
However, adrenaline and memory do not mix well.
While the increased attentiveness may have a fleeting beneficial effect on memory; the anxiety and distress – that causes adrenaline production – is likely to lead to brain fog and forgetfulness.
A Non-Stressful, No Brainer Memory Booster
It’s actually counterproductive if you worry about not remembering important details.
The more you worry about losing your mind, the more your brain gets stressed and the more you forget!
In reality, your ability to remember is related to the level of concentration and focus you used when trying to memorize facts than anything else.
Focus and concentration are key to memory recall. They are necessary for creating complete memories without any added stress.
One way to improve your concentration and focus is through meditation.
This mental exercise which involves sitting comfortably, focusing on your breathing, and then bringing your mind’s attention to the present is also beneficial in calming the mind and reducing effects of stress and anxiety.
Another thing to remember is that a ton of stress comes from poor diet. Specific types of food can have beneficial – or detrimental – effects on memory. Moreover, it is possible to change your diet to maintain, and achieve better levels of memory.
But if you want just one thing that is not only the ultimate stress reducer, but also an effective memory enhancer, build Memory Palaces the Magnetic Memory Method way.
This powerful memorization method was even adored by the ancient Greeks. I’ve added lots of additional tools, including relaxation techniques that enable you to get more from your memory – without the hassle of stress.
This enables you to move information into long-term memory faster and with reliable permanence.
Building a Memory Palace is a simple technique. You start by associating information with specific areas of a familiar location.
Then you walk through that location (in your mind) and place pieces of information that you wish to memorize in specific areas. When you want to recall that information, you go through that mental path and access that information easily.
If you are interested in this memory method, click on the image below:
You can use more than just visual imagery to remember information through association!
Truly magnetic imagery involves a combination of these six Magnetic Modes:
Conceptual (Ideas)
Olfactory (Smell)
Gustatory (Taste)
Kinaesthetic (Touch)
Auditory (Sound)
Visual (Sight)
A quick memory tip:
If you are struggling to remember these Magnetic Modes, rearrange them to make the acronym COG KAV. Next, create the image of a giant machine in a cave. Simple? Now, you will never forget your Magnetic Modes. Here’s an infographic to help make this strategy clearer:
Lead A Balanced Life
Dealing with constant stress and worry is not a great way to lead your life. Neither is it a reliable memory enhancement strategy.
The good news is that leading a balanced life is simple.
It involves a good night’s sleep, nourishing diet, meditation, and an effective, dedicated memory strategy (like the Magnetic Memory Method).
Combined, these simple activities will enable you to create strong memories that you can enjoy without worry.
Now how does that sound?
Stoic Secrets For Using Memory Techniques With Language Learning
Apr 12, 2018
Stoic philosophy has helped thousands of people live better lives.
But can it help you use memory techniques to learn a language better?
Turns out…
The answer is a resounding Yes!
And to show you exactly how, Christopher Huff joins us on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Click play and you’ll learn:
* The secrets of rhythm you can use to help you remember words.
* How Christopher used the American presidents to better remember Chinese tones. (This approach is kind of like a hyper-focused PAO without a Major System supporting it.)
* How to memorize the prepositions in English in alphabetical order using a simple song.
* The powerful lesson Christopher learned from his first interaction with mnemonics.
Smartphone addiction not only turns you into a social pariah…
It Can Also Be Fatal!
In 2015, distracted driving (due to texting or talking on the cellphone) killed 3,477 people and injured another 391,000.
And there’s more bad news…
According to the National Safety Council, using cell phones while driving can make you more accident prone than even drunk driving…
No wonder people are concerned over how cell phones are affecting their lives!
In January this year, two of Apple’s biggest shareholders wrote an open letter to the company requesting it to provide “more choices and tools” so that parents could restrict their children’s smartphone usage time.
“U.S. teenagers who spend 3 hours a day or more on electronic devices are 35 percent more likely, and those who spend 5 hours or more are 71 percent more likely, to have a risk factor for suicide than those who spend less than 1 hour.”
Smartphone addiction is a serious issue and may need some creative problem solving using the C.R.E.A.T.E. formula:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOKi8pe7C8M
But here’s the real question:
What about YOU?
Are you displaying cell phone addiction symptoms?
Let’s find out:
Are You A Nomophobic?
I know you will never admit it, but when you are unable to find your phone for even 30 seconds, it causes a minor anxiety attack.
How do I know this?
Because it happens to people every single second of the day.
And there’s a name for is disease:
Nomophobia or ‘NO MObile PHOne phoBIA’ is the fear of not being able to use your cell phone or have access to your device.
Want to know if you’re truly addicted? Take this online quiz to find out.
Nomophobia is real, but the medical community is not ready to declare overuse of cell phones as a clinical addiction.
Ignoring The Data?
They neglect to do so in the face of some shocking data.
As the Joker suggests (I misquote), “whatever doesn’t kill us, only makes us stranger”…
Nearly one in ten people admitted to using their smartphones during sex, in the shower, on a movie date, in church or other place of worship, as per the 2013 Mobile Consumer Habits.
What’s more, nearly three-quarters of the respondents said that they were always within five feet of their smartphones.
Although doctors do agree that if you can’t stop using your phone, even when it’s harming your life, you may be “addicted.”
“Only a small percentage of people qualify as addicted. But many people overuse their smartphones.”
This quote comes from Dr. David Greenfield, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Connecticut and founder of the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction.
Smartphone addiction is not listed as an official mental disorder listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. However, psychologists are debating about whether that should change.
Some researchers also say that the development of smartphone addiction is similar to that of a gambling disorder (or gambling addiction), which is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
How does addiction work?
With gambling, the reward of winning once in a while is what hooks people to the habit.
Smartphone addiction works on a similar principle. Most of the time, a phone notification will be insignificant.
However, every once in a while…
Something Meaningful Happens!
Like a phone call from an old friend, or a Facebook notification that someone has tagged you in a photo. Researchers say this type of messages are irresistible and can lead to overuse or addiction to your device.
There’s more…
Device addiction can extend far beyond just the smartphone.
Recently, the World Health Organization announced that video game addiction will now be classified as an official mental health condition in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases.
According to the WHO, gaming disorder is “characterized by a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior manifested by:
1) impaired control over gaming (e.g., onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination, context);
2) increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities;
3) continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.”
“The behavior pattern is of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning,” WHO adds.
Whether it is to play video games or check your Facebook notifications, here’s the truth:
Spending too much time with your smartphone will slowly but surely harm your mind.
Ultimately, smartphone addiction can impair your ability to interact in the real world to the detriment of your personal and professional relationships.
It’s Not Just Brain Damage
Smartphone addiction does more than alter your brain chemicals. Your posture also gets affected when you use your phone all the time.
And according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, posture affects mood, behavior and memory.
Therefore, frequent slouching to look at your device screen can make you depressed.
What’s more, Researchers at the University of Michigan state that the tucking your chin (or chins) and hanging your head to look at the smartphone is also causing empathy levels to fall and narcissism to rise among individuals.
A Reliable, Easy & Fun Way To Learn Things (Without Googling It On Your Smartphone)
We have all done it:
Reached for our smartphones the instant we want to verify a fact, learn a new bit of information, watch a video or read an ebook.
But there are other approaches.
One simple way to undo the damage done by mobile phone overuse is to switch off the phone and go back to a real book for information or entertainment.
Need more incentive?
Re-read of a book from the past. This way you’ll not only defeat Digital Amnesia, you’ll also enhance your attention as you give your brain the opportunity to revisit information from the past offline. Re-reading (and reading in general) also promote delayed gratification. You have to get through a lot of pages in order to see the entire story. The reason this works to preserve your brain has to do with what scientists sometimes call desirable difficulty.
You can also Mind Map, and I’ve recently shared one of my own to demonstrate just how powerful this approach can be for memory, focus and concentration:
https://youtu.be/7DjtAAZcw6k
Digital Fasting… The Cure For Smartphone Slavery?
But the ultimate technique is called “Digital Fasting.”
It’s easy:
Just leave your smartphone at home or sit in a cafe with no WiFi so that you are not distracted by your device and can dedicate mental space to the book at hand.
But no memory improvement training will work to the highest possible degree if its not linked to memorizing information that will immediately improve your life.
Because when you create Memory Palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method it lets you measure your memory improvement activities.
And tracking your outcomes leads to rapid improvement in the way information gets stored in your long term memory.
Even better:
All other memory techniques including playing crossword puzzles can be used inside of Memory Palaces.
But this never takes place the other way around (For example, you can’t use Memory Palaces inside of the Major Method the way you can use the Major Method inside of Memory Palaces.)
Building Memory Palaces is also great for dealing with a diminishing attention span.
If you are looking for a complete brain rehab try this method…
Click on the link below to get started:
Get More Out Of Your Existence
You want to live a full, vibrant, exciting life?
You don’t want a zombie-like existence where a handheld device controls your emotions, moods, experiences and even what information your brain can or should store? Focused attention is what you want instead.
If “hell yeah” is your response then we are on the right track!
But don’t worry if you don’t have it all mapped out when trying to get rid of the smartphone addiction habit. You don’t have to.
Better still, use the magic of Memory Palaces to unlock your brain’s true potential and lead the magnetic life you deserve.
Come on, say it loud (just not into your smartphone) – hell yeah! 🙂
Tansel Ali On How Gratitude Can Help You Remember Almost Anything
Mar 08, 2018
Tansel Ali is possibly the most positive memory champion on the planet.
Turns out there’s a solid reason why.
A few reasons, actually.
And in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I speak with 4x Australian Memory Champion Tansel Ali talks about memory improvement and positive thinking.
This may well be the most valuable hour you spend listening to a podcast about memory improvement.
Why?
For starters…
In addition to discussing the role of gratitude in coming up with effective visualizations when using mnemonics, Tansel discusses the importance of reading, memorizing cards with music on and focusing on the right things to maximize performance in your memory and life.
Plus, when you scroll up and click play above, you’ll soon discover…
* Why Tansel was originally skeptical about memory improvement and thought all TV memory trainers were fake.
* The factors responsible for making people suspicious of memory techniques because they seem like magic “tricks.”
* How Tansel wound up at his first memory competition and took second place.
* The other rewards memory improvement brings you, including mindset, job performance and fun.
* Tansel’s transition from memory competition to enhancing his own life and the lives of others through teaching memory.
* Why you need to continue challenging your memory almost like the physical training of the body to keep the mind in top shape.
* Exactly how participating in memory competitions help you develop preparation and developing positive self-talk.
* Why Tansel sometimes FORCES himself NOT to use memory techniques in order to challenge his brain. This is a very powerful study tip.
* Tansel’s definition of consistency and the development of successful habits that you can use to challenge yourself.
* Why you should go without fear of making mistakes for the health of your brain and the development of effective discipline.
Tansel Ali book signing of The Yellow Elephant on Kindle for me in person.
* Tansel’s personal training regime and how he makes it count.
* How Tansel thinks about visualization as a kind of muscle and how he trains it for competition.
* A quick comparison of Alex Mullen’s training regime and Tansel’s focus on efficiency to improve the right skills and maximize performance.
* A discussion of aphantasia and why you don’t actually have to see pictures in your mind to use memory techniques.
* How Tansel uses feelings and thinking in words to create mnemonic imagery – and why feeling creates more impact.
* How to give the mnemonic imagery you create greater value through personalization.
* Practical reasons you should memorize cards. For one thing, they set you up to make creative decisions that goes beyond just remembering information. And here are 13 more reasons you should have a system for remembering cards.
* Tansel’s thoughts on music and memory and how he memorizes cards with music playing.
* The benefits of training your memory and where to start (also discussed in this video):
https://youtu.be/4hHtkIOy36E
* The importance of making memory training fun and interesting, rather than a chore.
* Why we both approach shows like Breaking Bad with caution in order to maintain a positive mindset. Not that Breaking Bad can’t be useful for memory improvement, as you can see here:
https://youtu.be/xES-JOf3n20
* The role of gratitude in increasing the value of your imagination by focusing on specifics.
* Why “the law of attraction” is useless without taking action – and how you can use mindset to create the excitement needed to make sure you achieve your goals.
* Why Tansel wishes he had read more as a young person.
* Some of Tansel’s favorite memory books and why they changed his life, including books by Tony Buzan and Dominic O’Brien.
* Tansel’s take on Digital Amnesia and why he chooses to see the positive side of the debate about the so-called Google Effect.
I want to thank Tansel for being on the show and thank you for listening. Please be sure to grab his books, visit his site and get connected on his various online platforms using the links below.
Some people translate it as happiness, but it actually refers to “flourishing.”
Already, that sounds better.
Concrete.
Something you can feel, see, embrace.
But even then, you cannot give flourishing to another human being.
The best you can do is reach out and try to connect.
Share with them some of what you know and the story of how you came to understand it.
Yes, there is “hard teaching.”
There is the do-this, do-that of the Memory Palace. Anyone can repeat the process, even if they’re a skeptic at first. (Especially if they’re skeptical.)
But sooner or later, both will be off again on their individual journeys into the unknown.
And that’s a beautiful thing.
But when you try to tether ships together…
All too often, the ship bows start to knock.
And no two sails interpret the wind quite the same.
How could they?
Same wind.
Different sails.
If something you’ve taught them about sailing helps them correct course to wherever it is they’re trying to navigate, that’s great.
But they ultimately accomplished the task of navigation. From the deck of their own ship.
And there are lots of possible destinations.
We can’t all wind up on the same islands together.
Nor should we.
Anyhow, I’ve wasted a lot of time and energy trying to redirect some of the wind filling my sails to help others.
It never works.
Here’s What Guides You To Success Better
What does work is this:
Sharing the miracle of what one has learned about harnessing the wind’s power.
And respecting what the wind can do.
It sometimes makes sense to help a friend patch up one of their moth-bitten sails.
But you’ve got to make sure you don’t get stranded on their ship. Especially during a storm.
Keep yourself tied to your own mast.
That way you’ll always have a way back to your own ship.
And you reduce the danger that you may be the reason why the ship of your friend has started to go down.
Because the cruel reality is that help can be a hindrance.
Keep your awareness high of that potential problem and you’ll be better off and help save yourself and others from drowning under the weight of wisdom they may neither want nor need.
But rest assured that the stories lurking behind these images are memories I could do without.
And I think that even without concrete examples, they could help you avoid many disasters too.
2. You Always Have All The Resources You Need (Even If You Sometimes Fall For The Scarcity Illusion)
Actually, I don’t have any unusual nightmares lurking behind this life principle.
But I’ve seen many people not take action because they believed in scarcity, rather than abundance.
They didn’t have enough money.
They didn’t have enough energy.
They didn’t have enough time.
In every case, I could easily spot why these claims weren’t valid.
And when I opened my mouth about why I thought so… well… see point one above.
It’s very hard to make abundance visible to people convinced that they don’t have enough.
In fact, it may be impossible.
It seems like a universal rule that they have to figure it out for themselves.
I hate cliches – especially when they’re right – but I too have been the horse you could not force to drink.
Not often, but I get it.
I’ve just been blessed not to be duped by the lie of scarcity all that often in my short life.
But I’m aware of its potential for evil.
And the scarcity-mindset truly is evil.
The “Else” Exercise That Erases Scarcity From Your Brain
If you suffer from it, here’s a simple tip Jonathan and I talk about in Branding You Academy:
“Else.”
When you’re asking any of the famous “W” questions (What, Where, When, Who, Why) always add an “else.”
Like this:
What else?
Where else?
When else?
Who else?
Why else?
And of course:
How else?
Get out a big fat sheet of paper and let it all out.
Brain dump.
Mindmap.
C.R.E.A.T.E. the way I talk about in this YouTube Live:
https://youtu.be/LOKi8pe7C8M
Do whatever it takes to squeeze out every possible option.
Whatever it is you want to accomplish, you can find a way.
At the very least, you can find a way to get started.
And there will be magic in the movement.
Action is a special energy.
Without the woo-woo of “the Secret” or “the Law of Attraction,” I can explain why you will start to attract all the resources you will need if you just start moving – and keep moving:
The Amazing Self-Help Secret Buried In A Fragment From Kafka
I also think of that story from Kafka.
You know the one (I’ll add a bit of my own flair, if you don’t mind):
The man who always takes the train to the next town for work misses his train.
So he borrows a bike.
When he gets to the next town, he asks an old man to watch over the bike as he goes to work.
Before he leaves, he tells the old man:
“I can’t believe how many more things I noticed about the landscape while riding the bike.”
The old man replies: “Just think how much more you’ll notice if you walk.”
Exactly the same thing will happen to you if you take action.
Instead of sitting on a speeding train of inactivity with your eyes blind to all your options, take another route.
And take that route another way.
You’ll start to notice a whole new world of detail – and possible avenues of action.
And you’ll talk to people you never noticed before.
People who will open you to even more perspectives.
Before you know it, you’ll be walking everywhere – the world will seem too abundant not to take your time and bask in everything it offers.
3. There Is No Such Thing As Free
The Internet is pretty cool. But I’ve been burned by it many times.
It’s like jacking the Gutenberg press directly into a vein.
The only problem is…
No one can consume all that content.
And even if any of us could…
They’d never be able to take action on even a small percentage of that knowledge.
And that’s a real problem.
Thanks to our genetic heritage, we are hunter-gatherers.
And the Internet triggers that ancient need to hunt and gather things that seem valuable to us.
We stock ‘em up and store them for the great famine.
Works great with berries and meat – if you know how to preserve them.
But with knowledge?
It’s horrible.
We’ve got a world full of people with all the knowledge they’ll ever need at their fingertips.
There’s NOTHING you cannot hoard into your coffers on the Internet for free.
And that’s a real problem for reasons that go far beyond file-sharing and lost revenue for content creators.
It’s a problem for all of humanity because discipline is slipping.
Completion rates are plummeting.
And those who escape the grip of Digital Amnesia and don’t fall prey to the attention span myth are getting fewer and fewer.
The consequence appears to be a growing elite of action-takers.
This elite wins more and more as an ever-increasing majority of people fall into the munching gears of the machines and algorithms that have turned human attention into a commodity.
People struggle to pay attention on digital devices.
And they’re not processing information the same way.
For this reason, information now costs far more than ever before.
Learning costs you more time and mental energy.
Why?
Because it takes longer to consume content when you’re endlessly flipping between 100 tabs and interrupted by dozens of notifications per minute.
And then you have to go over it again because the information is far too quickly – and easily – forgotten.
We’re still learning the lessons we need to learn, but the solution won’t change:
Invest in offline education at least as much as online education.
How To Complete The Quest For Balance Between Online And Offline Knowledge
Find a balance between the two.
Get and read at least as many print books as digital books.
Attend at least as many live training events as the video courses you complete (assuming you can finish them in a world of digital distractions).
Invest in others by being with others.
That will help you invest in the future.
Sure, it’s grassroots.
Not always as International as the Internet seduces us into wanting.
But we know from basic brain chemistry that we need the chemicals that only being around others create.
And so much of the confidence and self-esteem issues, not to mention the vapid tribalism that seems to be getting worse and worse, is quite obviously tied to how much time we’re spending in online tribes instead of local ones.
That said…
4. There Is No Such Thing As Failure
The truth about failure is a hard and contradictory lesson to learn.
Especially when living at the top of your game technically requires you to fail a fair amount.
Or at least…
That’s the way it’s usually framed.
Here’s the truth, however:
No one likes failure and they’re right to try and avoid it.
Failure is painful!
And the typical way people advise us to “hack” failure is, to be frank, totally obnoxious:
“Fail fast. Fail often.”
Uhmmmmmm… No. And A Thousand Times No
I say this with certainty because the best antidote to failure is simple:
It’s success!
Now, I realize that I waxed messianic at the beginning of this post about the serious role mistakes play in our success. I have not forgotten that little speech.
But mistakes aren’t failures.
They’re sign posts that something needs to be changed. Like you sometimes need to change the ways you approach learning faster and remembering more.
Dive in because taking action leaves clues regarding what to change and often reveal precisely how to change things.lan
Especially if you use the “else” exercise I shared above.
But there’s also something else that leaves clues and shows us how to correct things that have gone wrong.
Again, it’s success.
So instead of failing and failing often, how about succeeding and succeeding often for a change.
And to do that, maybe you do have to put yourself in situations where you will “fail” from time to time.
But often enough, with just a bit of research and self-understanding, you can put yourself in contexts bound to give you more “quick victories” more often.
For example, if you know about your sensory preferences and the personal learning hierarchy I teach you how to discover in The Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, you can “engineer” learning situations in which you’d actually have to try hard to fail.
In brief, we all have at least 6+1 Magnetic Modes. The main 6 look like this:
You Learning Hierarchy is based on knowing whether you are more visual, auditory or kinesthetic concerning a particular topic.
Oh yes, your Learning Hierarchy can change! (It’s sneaky that way!)
But self-understanding is the way you stack the chips in your favor.
Sadly, most people are stacking those chips against themselves.
I’ve done it to myself far too many times.
But here’s the cool thing about getting older and having been fortunate enough to stumble into the art and craft of self-observation:
I feel I’ve managed to get out of the major life ruts we humans tend to fall into…
… just in time to set the stage for a much more enjoyable passage into the next stage of life.
Speaking of self-observation, here’s what I really wish I’d discovered sooner:
4.1 Not Learning To Meditate Sooner Created Years Of Unnecessary Suffering
Frankly, every minute spent in meditation is the best investment of time and energy in the world.
And I wish I’d taken it more seriously sooner.
I first learned about it in Grade 12 English.
Our teacher took us through a guided meditation out of the blue.
I’m not sure why he didn’t do it at the beginning of every class.
But it made sense to me then and although it would be many years yet before I got into it seriously, the practice made a mark.
However, I’m a skeptic at heart. And I need science that makes sense before I take action on certain things.
And I just didn’t know that a lot of science supports a number of the meditative practices I had dismissed. Like these reports on how to improve concentration and memory Buddha-style.
To be fair, a significant amount of the science I needed to discover wasn’t out there yet.
And the Internet, as dangerous as it can be for taking action, wasn’t around to make it discoverable.
Plus, I was in that deadly hunter-gatherer mode that leads us to “save data for later” in the form of books marks and other dangerous tools that create forgetting.
Why There Truly Is Happiness Beyond Thought
And it wasn’t until a friend told me about Happiness Beyond Thought by Gary Weber that I ordered a print copy of the book and gobbled it down in a way that never happens online.
I guess you could say I had what some people call a “Dark Night Of The Soul.”
It lasted for almost a year.
Across this period of time, I mainly experienced the oneness that the non-dualist Advaita Vedanta-types talk about.
And frankly… I didn’t like it.
For awhile, I couldn’t even understand the point of being alive at all given the conclusions this experience raised in me.
But then…
With consistent, persistent practice…
The warm soft glow Gary Weber talks about started to emerge.
It wasn’t like other stories where it just suddenly happens.
It was a soft glowing ember.
I have to keep blowing on it.
But it gets warmer and warmer.
And the more I explore the techniques and add kindling to the ember, the warmer this glow grows.
I almost can’t believe how amazing it all is…
I never want it to end.
And I want the whole world to have this feeling.
So to conclude this long 41st birthday blog post, here’s basically what I’ve been doing to grow this ember.
I have a feeling it will work for you too, even if it takes a while.
How You Can Meditate For Focus, Concentration, Memory & An Incredible Sense Of Well-Being In Just 15 Minutes A Day
1. I start the day with some simple stretching and movement.
I learned a lot of these moves years ago from Scott Sonnen and later in Systema.
2. I do some journaling.
Often I use The Freedom Journal. But I also use a number of different journals at the same time. It helps keep thoughts organized.
The point is to reserve some of your journaling for gratitude and another part for describing what I call the “Perfect Present.”
Basically, you just write out the way you want things to be.
And test your description for honesty by doing it multiple times.
3. I do three kinds of stretches I discovered in Happiness Beyond Thought.
The first just involves touching your toes.
The second is a kind of cow-tow thingy.
The third is like a sun dog yoga stretch
4. Breathing routines
I usually start by breathing in for a count of five, holding for a count of five and then exhaling for a count of five.
I do this until I feel centered.
Then I do this:
https://youtu.be/ehvokeZnXMM
Next, I do breath withholding.
This involves breathing in for a count of 5, holding for a count of 16 (or four rounds of Sa Ta Na Ma), then breathing out for a count of eight.
I usually do this twice.
Finally, I will do the same count as before, but this time hold for sixteen with the lungs empty.
Weird, I know, but it helps to step all kinds of problems, including self punishment.
5. Number-Skipping with breathing
Next, I practice number-skipping.
I will inhale to the count of one, then breath in but suppress the thought of two, followed by counting the third breath.
This practice amounts in some ways to the “don’t think of a red cat” game. The very question practically forces you to think of a red cat.
And yet… strangely enough, it is possible to “skip” counting numbers by replacing them with the awareness that you are deliberately not counting the number.
So the number is there and it isn’t there.
This exercise is excellent for developing focus, concentrate and presence.
That’s not the reason I do it, but I believe that spending at least a little bit of time every on language learning using memory techniques is part of the sense of well-being I experience.
It’s effortless to do. I talk a lot about it in this live discussion of using The Freedom Journal in combination with the Magnetic Memory Method:
I don’t practice juggling every day, but I find the benefits incredible for developing focus and a feeling of well-being.
And check back here soon. I’m collecting footage for a little documentary about learning to juggle and recite the alphabet backwards. It’s kind of like juggling balls and thoughts at the same time.
And anyone can do it.
Anyone Can Experience Bliss
Well, that’s basically what I’ve done each and every day of my fortieth year.
It’s basically what I plan to do each and every day of my forty-first year too.
I wish I’d been doing it all along.
And I’m not going to fall prey to all of that “no regrets” nonsense.
No, I don’t really regret it…
But by the same token, I really do.
The past really could have been a lot better had I known to do these things sooner.
And if any of these suggestions make sense to you, I suggest taking action on them.
The sooner the better so that you can see what works and dismiss what doesn’t.
Failure to take action and try things is not to know.
Ignorance is most certainly not bliss.
Avoid it like the devil.
The Freedom Journal For Language Learning: The Ultimate 10-Step Guide
Feb 23, 2018
The Freedom Journal… sounds ambitious right?
Well, what if I told you that I’ve discovered profound memory benefits from journaling for language learning, including boosts in physical and emotional wellbeing?
Benefits that definitely deserve the word “freedom.”
That’s what I am going to tell you about.
And it’s all happening right now in this step-by-step guide. This page will show you how to use The Freedom Journal to experience multiple levels of mental freedom while using it to learn a language with consistency and confidence.
The best part?
You don’t have to journal blindly.
You don’t have to start from scratch or wonder exactly how you’re going to chart your path towards improved fluency.
You just have to:
Click play on the podcast above. John Lee Dumas himself is on this episode of the MMM Podcast to help explain how this amazing tool came into existence.
Grab yourself your very own Freedom Journal. ideally in print for the fullest brain benefits. Note: It’s now called the 100-Day Goal Journal.
Then, have the language you want to learn…
A couple of Memory Palaces…
5-10 minutes in the morning, another 5-10 in the evening…
And you’re ready to experience brain benefits and fluency like never before.
Ready?
Let’s go!
A (Very) Brief History Of Journaling
You know what journaling is, right?
Your words. About you. On paper.
Or written inside a digital document. Take your pick.
More carefully defined:
A journal (or diary) is a place you store entries on a daily or near-daily basis.
It is voluntary, helps you put problems to rest and keep yourself moving forward.
Or, like the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote in Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν (To Myself), you can journal purely to capture your thoughts.
These days, “To Myself’ is known as Meditations. Aurelius wrote it in the second half of the 2nd century AD and, even though this book started as his journal, it is still a bestseller today.
Here’s the important point:
Journaling is powerful and the practice has stood the test of time.
Therapeutic Journaling And How It Can Help You Learn A Language
Did you know that in the 1980s, James Pennabaker’s expressive writing paradigm opened scientists onto a whole new world of understanding what makes journaling so good for your health?
He started by looking at journaling as a tool for helping people deal with trauma.
But soon after that, dozens and soon hundreds of studies started to appear showing similar effects.
Wiseman is one of the best science writers of our era and if you want the hard data on why journaling, ideally by hand on paper, works so much magic, you’ll want to read 59 Seconds.
Here’s why all this matters:
Journaling Makes You Feel Better And Remember More
Feeling better literally helps you remember more because the absence of pain is an incredible way to increase your focus and concentration.
I booked every single session with my tutor in advance, another little trick I learned from Olly to “brute force” your way into showing up consistently.
Using the Magnetic Memory Method Vocabulary Builder in combination with The Freedom Journal, we charted out a course for the next 100 days with 2-3 speaking sessions per week.
Using the Freedom Journal, I broke the 100 day mission into 10-day sprints.
For language learning, that process looks like this:
The Freedom Journal is so valuable because on a time budget of just two pages a day, you get all the emotional benefits and psychological benefits discussed in the scientific research that supports the benefits of journaling.
You also get the art sketchbook effect where you can see your progress over time and comfortably predict the future.
And by the end of the 100 days, you’ll have 100 words and anywhere from 50-80 phrases in long term memory.
A Detailed Anatomy Of The Freedom Journal For Language Learning
Part One: Conquer the Morning, Conquer the Day
Step-by-step, here’s how a typical morning using The Freedom Journal works:
1. A Powerful and Inspiring Quote
First, you get what I’ve come to think of as a “Mindset Adjuster.”
Again, 59 Seconds is great reading for the proof, but you can also check out Dr. Erin Olivo.
The way she describes journaling really resonates with me:
Journaling has been demonstrated beyond doubt to create greater levels of happiness. Thus, happiness is a choice.
Bonus tip: Over deliver on gratitude by pushing for as much as you can. When you realize how lucky you are to have things like food and water, it’s gets pretty difficult to focus on the wee bit of effort learning a language takes.
After all, you could be wandering through the desert under the weight of two barely functioning buckets instead of reading this post on a mobile phone on the bus or in a Starbucks, right?
3. Break The Steps Down
Yes, The Freedom Journal asks you to do this every day.
For really long projects like the one I completed, I’ll be honest with you…
It got a little tedious.
But I practice what I preach, so I’m going to put my Nikes on before I climb the soap box:
Just. Do. It.
The cumulative effects of reminding yourself of what needs to be done are powerful.
4. Action Plan
On the day you see pictured here, I’d already done most of my language learning activities. You likely won’t fill it out at the exact same time every day either.
But that’s the beauty of it all:
By checking in with The Freedom Journal daily, you develop the habit of translating your journaling into action. So keep journaling and filling these parts out even after they become second nature to reinforce them.
Come already prepared with the vocabulary and/or phrases you want to memorize ready to go with your Memory Palace for the day already drawn in The Freedom Journal. See Part Two for more.
5. Morning Mind Relief
We know from many creativity studies that a quick switch to something else helps keep you sharp.
And so part of the genius of The Freedom Journal is that it gives you something else to think about for your creative projects by suggesting a resource each and every day.
Even if you already use the tool under recommendation, it triggers ideas. And that’s good for your brain.
Part Two: Conquer the Evening, Conquer the Morning
6. Record Your Wins & Your Memory Palaces
At the end of the day, I love listing two quick wins as structured by The Freedom Journal.
And by luck, fate or some other level of synchronicity, there’s just enough room in the corner to sketch out most Memory Palaces.
But any time I needed more space, no problem. I would just use one of my Memory Journals or Mind Mapping journals, like the kind you see in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOKi8pe7C8M
7. Acknowledge Any Struggles
We all have blind spots.
And that means we keep bumping into obstacles.
Or maybe it’s physical pain, like I was struggling with at the time.
But reflecting on what we might not be seeing can be huge for opening up even the most bruised and blackened eyes.
And as they sometimes say, in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.
Or in the case of chronic pain, acknowledging it and owning it is the best way to get over it and move forward.
So if you want to finally rule over your obstacles and issues, this part of The Freedom Journal will help.
8. Prime The Future For Success
If it’s true that conquering the morning will help you conquer the day, then this is also true:
Conquer the morning before you hit the sheets.
The Mastery Journal, which is the “sequel” to The Freedom Journal has additional tools for making every tomorrow successful.
But if you’ve been thinking Freedom Journal vs Mastery Journal, my suggestion is to start with The Freedom Journal and graduate upwards from there.
Seriously, even just this little “tomorrow priming” section can make a huge difference. You can use it to pump yourself up or even make a quick action plan for the following day.
9. More Musing
Please don’t dismiss this step:
There’s tons of science that demonstrates just how good mind wandering really is for the human brain.
You can literally allow yourself to just write anything.
And if you need extra discipline, then The Freedom Journal in combination with the process you’ve just learned is a way to get it.
Seriously.
Just dive in. The map is definitely not the territory here. But The Freedom Journal is excellent for helping you create the map as you navigate the territory. One day a time.
Plus…
The Freedom Journal Gives You A Pat On The Back From The People Who Matter Most
Can you guess who the first person is?
That’s right:
It’s you.
You’re the one gets to enjoy a massive boost in fluency.
You’re the one who gets to relax into better conversations and reading experiences.
And you can do it all while completing more than one project.
The other people are your family.
Your friends.
Your tribe.
The ones who notice and appreciate your success.
Because the pat on the back I needed?
Well, I’ve always like that phrase, “too cool for school.”
And even though it still breaks my heart a little that I don’t have a traditional university to call home…
Using The Freedom Journal, I not only reached my goal with Chinese and set the foundation for speaking the language with my new family…
The Most Portable Language Learning Tool In The World
I also got that dang video course off my back. (Without breaking my back either.)
And with that massive project finally done, I now have the means to grow a completely new tribe with whom I get to talk about things other than memory.
And in 100 days, I completely edited each and every lecture, which included getting the book version manuscript nearly print-ready. (It’s called Genre Frameworks: How To Understand The Structure, Story And Symbolism In Any Movie)
In that same 100 days, April helped me shoot each and every video for the online course version.
And we still managed to take a trip around Europe too, The Freedom Journal forever close at hand:
In sum:
The Magnetic Memory Method snaps together very nicely with The Freedom Journal.
You can get The Freedom Journal and then click the graphic below to get my free Memory Improvement Kit to learn how to create and use Memory Palaces:
So what do you say?
Do you think that The Freedom Journal could help you learn a language?
I’m confident it will and can’t wait to hear your success story.
And you still have doubts, here’s a replay of a live version of this post to show you how I use The Freedom Journal in practice and answer any questions you may have:
https://youtu.be/VzLRVoU1UMc
And now you know how to use The Freedom Journal, let me ask you this:
If you’re struggling to learn a language, wouldn’t even one word a day feel incredible?
No matter where you’re at now, this incredible journaling tool can help.
Episodic Memory And How To Improve It: A Step-By-Step Training Guide
Feb 08, 2018
Does your episodic memory help you remember your first prom?
You wore a lovely turquoise gown, your mom couldn’t stop smiling, and your dad was delighted to meet your date. It was a fantastic evening, right?
Well…
Let’s just say, that’s how you remember it.
If you ask your mom, on the other hand, she would say:
“It was a frantic evening. You couldn’t decide what to wear and were almost in tears when the hair-rollers wouldn’t set in. More annoyingly, your dad was upset about your date and was being difficult”.
Each person remembers a specific event in his or her unique way – this is called your episodic memory.
As a Film Studies professor in my previous career, I was always fascinated by this form of memory because I used a lot of audience analysis to study how people remembered the movies they watched.
Now, as a memory expert, I’m even more fascinated by how this form of memory functions, and how we can improve it in a variety of ways you’re about to discover.
What Is Episodic Memory
A proper episodic memory definition must include a few features:
Episodic memory is related to periods of time.
It is unique and personal to you.
It relies on semantic memory.
It is not autobiographical memory.
Your experience of episodic memory may include aspects about yourself, like your first dentist visit. They tend to be memories that you can easily relate to others verbally, and observe how your recall may differ from that of other people.
In sum, episodic memory involves the recollection of specific events, situations, and experiences.
Episodic Memory Examples Are Easy To Find
More examples of episodic memory would include your memory of your first day of school or your first kiss.
Apart from your overall recall of the event itself, episodic memories also involve your memory of the location and time that the event occurred. And it is important to notice that these memories are time bound. They have a beginning, middle and an end.
For another powerful episodic memory example, please watch this video. It also includes some powerful exercises that will help you improve your episodic memory:
https://youtu.be/1DnV1pGYxqI
Someone else’s recollection of that same event or experience would be different (maybe not as dramatically different as your prom night, but different nevertheless).
If you want to remember past events in its full technicolor details, you must strengthen your episodic memory.
Are Episodic Memories And Autobiographical Memories The Same?
Not exactly!
Autobiographical and episodic memories are personal memories from the past.
However, autobiographical memory is more general, for example, when you recall the street name of a house growing up.
On the other hand, episodic memory is more specific to time.
It’s like remembering your 13th birthday party that took place on a particular street. (Electromagnetic Differences in the Brain during Memory Retrieval, Warren Scott Merrifield, 2007)
Although autobiographical memory involves episodic memory, it also relies on semantic memory.
For instance, you can remember the city you were born in and the date, but you wouldn’t have any specific memories of being born. For more information, here’s a full article on the differences between semantic and episodic memory.
A Fascinating Way to Understand Episodic Memory From an Oscar-Winning Actor
When it comes to episodic memory, the most relevant part of the autobiography relates to his candid sharing around his past struggles with alcoholism.
Hopkins noted that years after working on a movie, he would sometimes have conversations with other actors who were as drunk as he’d been on set. None of them could remember the time they’d spent together performing their roles.
As strange as that is given how expert actors are when it comes to remembering there lines, here’s the astonishing part:
Hopkins and the other actors always knew their lines while they were on set.
So how can someone be intoxicated… remember Shakespeare perfectly… but not remember anything about the day of filming itself?
Well, basically it comes down to this:
Alcohol disrupts the hippocampus and impairs the formation of new episodic memories. This is the “what happened” timeline.
In other words, the deeply drilled material, such as semantic words remains available to explicit memory despite the drunkenness.
Likewise, proceduralized ways of delivering the lines remains accessible while a completely different level of memory completely fails to record the, episodic information about the performances themselves.
For more nuance on the memory-related aspects of Hopkins’ autobiography, feel free to check out my full video discussion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhjIkGu32CA
Here’s Another Fascinating Fact:
Research into links between various types of memory and handedness suggest that ambidextrous people (who can perform some tasks with one hand and some with the other) tend to show better autobiographical memory than people who perform almost all tasks with either one hand or the other.
In contrast to autobiographical and episodic memories, semantic memory refers to the understanding of factual knowledge. This aspect is important:
It means that information is not connected to any specific time and place. For example, consider your understanding that the sky is blue. You don’t have to think about any particular section of sky, or any particular time of day. For this reason, semantic memory is similar to looking an item up in the dictionary.
Often an individual has no specific recollection, or thoughts of re-experiencing, the event in which the semantic information was acquired; therefore, semantic memories are thought to be “known” rather than “remembered” (McKoon, Ratcliff, & Dell, 1986).
Of course, as this study shows, things can change as you age – including where in the brain your episodic memories get stored.
But before a memory is cemented into long-term memory as episodic memory, it must pass through the semantic memory, noted Endel Tulving of the University of Toronto in his book, Elements of Episodic Memory.
Tulving and colleagues (Habib, Nyberg, & Tulving, 2003) reviewed a large body of neuroimaging research to develop the Hemispheric Encoding and Retrieval Model (HERA).
According to HERA, the left prefrontal cortex (PFC) is more involved than right PFC in episodic memory encoding while the right PFC is more involved than left PFC in episodic memory retrieval.
Lost & Found: The Incredible Sense Of Episodic Memory
In the 1913 novel In Search of Lost Time, Marcel Proust describes an interesting scene.
The protagonist of the novel, upon tasting a Madeleine cake for the first time in many years, is overcome with a sudden change in his thoughts, emotions, and overall internal mental state.
Initially, he struggles to define the change that has occurred. Soon, and with conscious mental effort, he is able to identify what change has overcome him: he has retrieved an episodic memory.
And it’s a memory that involves all the senses, just like we talk about with the Magnetic Modes:
How Are Episodic Memories Formed?
Forming episodic memories is not an easy recipe. Several individual steps are involved, each of which requires activating distinct regions of the brain.
The first step is called encoding, a process that your brain follows each time you form a new episodic memory.
The next step is consolidation, where the information moves from your short-term memory to your long-term memory. This enables the memory to become strongly ingrained so that it is not lost even if the brain suffers any impairment.
During this stage, your memory retrieves information about a specific incident. Sometimes recollection from long-term memory is effortless, while other times it may need a trigger – such as a word, an image or even a smell.
Other times, you might be lucky enough to experience a flashbulb memory event.
Why You Need To Improve Your Episodic Memory
Even if that’s not the case, here’s the thing:
In everyday life, episodic memories come to our rescue all the time. These memories are essential to:
Episodic memories also enable you to recall and reminisce personal experiences that are an important part of your life.
Can you imagine not being able to do that with other people who were part of those events? That would be sad.
Especially since such memories create a sense of personal history as well as a shared history with other individuals in your life.
More importantly, episodic memories allow you to “travel back in time” (Tulving, 2002) and be consciously aware of a re-experience of important life experiences.
Is There An Episodic Memory Advantage For People With ADHD?
Recent research by Jeffrey S. Skowronek revealed that children with ADHD showed deficits in working memory but showed equal or enhanced performance on long-term episodic tasks.
“When discussing a special-event in their life, children with ADHD provided lengthier and more descriptive narratives. This ability to recall very specific details results in a successful and impressive account of the event, rich both in event-specific details as well as semantically related knowledge”. (Long-term Episodic Memory in Children With Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Jeffrey S. Skowronek, 2005)
Then there’s Jonathan Levi’s frank discussion of ADD, which I’m confident you will find a compelling listen when it comes to how he uses his episodic memory to deal with this issue.
Why Is This So Important?
Put it this way:
If you could strengthen your episodic memory, you would be able to remember better details about past experiences and events.
A stronger episodic memory would also result in improved long-term memory in students – enabling them to do better in studies.
More importantly, strengthening your episodic memory would also enable you to perform better in all aspects of your life starting today. It’s certainly better than taking vitamins for memory (here’s proof).
The older you get, the more events you witness and the more experiences you acquire. If you could retain and recall all those memories in detail, imagine how rich a repertoire of knowledge and experience you would have to pass on to the next generation.
You may not be able to control aging, but there are ways to ensure your brain stays young and healthy even as the years pile on. And of course you can learn memory techniques any time to help improve your memory for studying.
To get tangible results, your brain exercises must be targeted towards specific goals.
Playing brain exercise games on your “smartphone” is not necessarily brain exercise. Nor will doing crossword puzzles keep your brain young and active.
Instead of improving your brain in its entirety, playing crossword puzzles or brain games on a handset will only improve your abilities for those games.
You don’t have to take my word for it. Just check out all the people on this live call who agreed:
The next time you watch a movie, give it your entire attention with the intent to remember more.
That’s the first step.
According to Harry Lorayne, (who always tells great stories)memory ability begins and ends with our attention.
If you do an activity like watching a TV series or a movie with the intention of remembering more details, you’ll have already given yourself a memory boost.
4 Step-By-Step Strategies To Improve Memory And Retention Using Movies
1. Watch the movie and try to remember the beginning, middle, and end of the plot with some details about the characters: names, clothes, objects they handled, houses they lived in, street names, maybe even dialogues.
2. Next, retell the entire story to a friend or your partner. (Just make sure it’s not a movie they have been waiting to watch themselves. It can be extremely hazardous to reveal plot spoilers!)
3. For added benefits, verbally recount the movie and then write down a description. This will exercise more parts of your memory and deeply improve recall.
4. Another related method is to listen to your friend retell the latest episode of your favorite show. Commit to memory at least three major pieces of information from that story as your friend tells it to you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV_Z9hdlCfU
This Memory Strategy Works Amazing For Adults
Next time you meet someone, memorize four details about that person – like what they are wearing or how they order their coffee.
This simple method of observation with intent and then detailed recall will strengthen your episodic memory and enable you to become a better observer of the world around you.
Add A Memory Palace
There’s more:
If you want a guaranteed method that will improve your episodic and semantic memory as well as autobiographical memory, build Memory Palaces the Magnetic Memory Method way.
Unlike mind mapping, which unlocks multiple intelligences, a Magnetic Memory Method Memory Palace approach does that and more.
This incredible combination of intelligence and memory strengthening is very powerful. This is true because, combined with Magnetic Recall Rehearsal, this holistic process lets you move information from short-term memory into long-term memory faster.
All you have to do is add the details from movies, or from people you meet in the streets to your Memory Palace.
The best part?
You can use The Freedom Journal to help you organize your Memory Palace Network and write about your life every day.
Just be mindful of the things around you and repeat the stories that surround them to exercise your episodic memory.
Being mindful and paying attention to everyday events is essential to creating complete memories and useful recall of information.
Mindfulness Of Episodes In Life = Memory Improvement
The more mindful you are throughout the day, the more attention you’ll pay.
The more attention you pay, the more naturally and effortlessly you’ll store events and facts you experience into your episodic memory.
And remember, it all happens in time, with a beginning, middle and an end.
And when you combine mindfulness with the magic of Memory Palaces and these sensory memory exercises, you can move information into long-term memory faster and with predictable and reliable permanence.
Now… if only you could remember what you got Uncle Alan for his last birthday, you can save yourself the embarrassment of sending him the ‘crazy uncle’ mug for the fifth time!
Ambidextrousness And Memory: Can Dual Handedness Boost Your Brain?
Jan 18, 2018
Can you write legibly with both your left and right hands?
Midway through a gig, can you swing the guitar to your left arm and continue strumming the ballad?
If you can, you are part of that 1% of the population who do not have a dominant hand and experience ambidextrousness.
And as you’re about to discover, ambidextrousness truly is an experience!
If you are ambidextrous, you’re in good company too. Or at least, interesting company.
Other members of this ‘exclusive’ group include Benjamin Franklin, Kobe Bryant, and even Nikola Tesla, just one of many reasons I featured him on the cover of The Memory Connection:
Many people believe training oneself to use both your hands equally unleashes hidden creativity and even improves memory.
The idea that becoming ambidextrous boosts brain function has existed for over a century.
Moreover, it is also claimed that if you harness this ‘power’ you can improve your academic performance, decision making skills and grasp difficult concepts quickly.
Can ‘learning’ to become ambidextrous really have all these advantages?
Let’s find out.
Ambidextrousness: A Dual Handed Benefit?
There is a bit of confusion regarding the actual definition of ambidextrousness.
You are ambidextrous, if you can perform any task equally with either hand, for instance, write legibly using either of your hands.
However, if you do some tasks with your right hand and others with your left, experts will term it as being mixed-handed.
Jimi Hendrix is a good example of mixed-handedness. He used his left hand to throw and comb his hair, but he wrote, ate and held the telephone with his right hand.
How To Become Ambidextrous? (Because Few Are Born This Way)
In the 1800s Paul Broca and Carl Wernicke discovered that different hemispheres of the brain handled different functions such as speech, language and even motor functions.
But it was only in 2009 that scientists researched around 25,000 families and found certain genes were responsible for ambidextrousness in people.
If you want to develop these skills, multi-sensory neurobics exercises are your best bet. This is because they amp up your ability to use both hands. For example, you can learn to write backwards with your dominant hand first and then do so with your non-dominant before switching from left to right.
Yes, it’s a mind bending brain exercise. But that’s precisely the point. Without stretching yourself, you cannot experience growth. Part of what it takes to become a creative genius is willfully exposing yourself to challenges.
Creative Geniuses, Or: The Celebrities Of Ambidextrousness
Nearly 60 years after his death, neurosurgeons studying Einstein’s brain discovered that his brain hemispheres were extremely well-connected. The ability to use the right hemispheres creativity and the left hemispheres logic gave the Father of Relativity a significant advantage from his peers.
Despite a lack of evidence proving Einstein’s ambidextrousness, the study confirmed Einstein’s non right-handedness.
Another historical figure who belonged to the ambidextrous club was Leonardo Da Vinci. The famous artist (and scientist of art) could easily write with both hands.
When Da Vinci wrote an ordinary letter, he used his right hand.
However, he wrote his secret diaries in mirror writing using his left hand which made it difficult for others to read. I’ll bet he used some of these visualization exercises too.
Are All Ambidextrous Individuals Creative Geniuses?
Not really!
Left-handed tennis player Evgenia Kulikovskaya can switch her racket hand mid game to keep hitting forehands when her left hand gets tired. She doesn’t have a backhand!
Take a look at this video:
https://youtu.be/EEuTjl1Wiao
The Controversial History Of Ambidextrous Training: John Jackson
Though many modern studies link ambidextrousness with increased brain function in both hemispheres of the brain, this idea was not well received at first.
In 1905, English educational reformer, John Jackson established the Ambidextral Culture Society. He believed that a two handed, two brained society encouraged superior learning as it engaged the entire brain.
He also expected a lot from his disciples. Whether it was playing the piano with one hand or writing a letter with the other, he required his disciples to execute them flawlessly.
Was he successful in his mission?
Not quite.
His society was a laughing stock of the scientific community at the time.
Leading British neurologist, James Crichton-Browne criticized the society and even warned Jackson against going the evolutionary process.
John Jackson’s movement died out in the 1920s.
However, his ideas did not. They continued to fuel misconceptions regarding the power of ambidextrousness.
Can Being Ambidextrous Make You More Creative? A Few Myths Busted
Jackson’s theories were not random ideas. They were derived from Paul Broca’s studies of brain lateralization that states that some cognitive brain activity is dominant in one hemisphere, and that each hemisphere was linked to the opposite hand.
No wonder people believed that using your less dominant hand would help activate both hemispheres of the brain leading to higher mental abilities.
That’s just the beginning…
In her book, The Power of Your Other Hand, Lucia Capacchione claims that writing and drawing with the non-dominant hand gives greater access to the right hemispheric functions like feeling, intuition, creativity and even spiritual wisdom.
These claims are based on the fact that the function of the right hemisphere is responsible for creativity.
Is there any truth to these claims?
“Although there are recurrent claims of increased creativity in left-handers, there is very little to support the idea in the scientific literature.”
The Truth About Learning To Be Ambidextrous And Getting A Sharper Brain
While there is no hard data to prove that training your non-dominant hand can improve your mental prowess, there is now evidence to state that if you are born ambidextrous, you may have some mental health issues.
After 8 years of research, German psychologist, JB Sattler discovered that children who switched from their dominant left hand to a non-dominant right or the reverse did not see “a change in cerebral dominance but rather a multifaceted cerebral disturbance or damage”.
The psychologist noted that ambidextrous children even had decreased memory for all three areas of information processing – encoding, store and recall.
Sattler said: “Ambidexterity is therefore neither a goal to aspire to nor is it a gift from God. Instead, it is first and foremost the mark of brain damage.”
It May Sound Crazy, But It’s True!
A study published in the 1998 edition of Neuropsychologia confirms Dr. Sattler’s research.
In this study around 12,770 children were tested for their verbal, non-verbal, and mathematical ability and reading comprehension skills. They found that ambidextrous children had lower test scores as compared to those who were left-handed or right-handed.
Need more proof?
Another independent study led by Alina Rodriguez from Imperial College London showed that ambidextrous children exhibit higher symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Ambidextrousness may also have a lasting effect on adults as well.
In the creatively titled paper “Handedness and intellectual achievement: an even-handed look”, Michael Corballis reveals that ambidextrous adults perform more poorly on IQ tests (arithmetic, memory, and reasoning).
Ambidextrousness May Actually Harm Your Brain
Here’s why:
For right-handed or left handed people most of their brain activity is localized in the opposite part of the brain. So your brain can easily access information through the majority of one hemisphere.
For ambidextrous people information has to flow back and forth between both hemispheres of the brain through the Corpus Callosum.
This method won’t be painful and labour intensive as using your non dominant hand. (Of course, you can use both hands to draw them for the extra boost if you wish!)
Okay here it is:
Creating Memory Palaces the Magnetic Memory Method way.
Memory Palace drawing by Olly Richards
Memory Palaces have the unique characteristic that all other memory techniques can be used inside of them (not the other way around).
So if you need to store a massive amount of information, Memory Palaces engage both hemispheres of the brain.
How do they do this?
Memory Palaces require a great deal of creative visualization, therefore it helps to activate your right hemisphere associated with creativity.
You need more than one Memory Palace and as many as possible. That way you can revisit the technique to recall tons of information.
If you want to know more – here’s some vital information about Memory Palace Science.
If you want a complete brain workout try this brain fitness method…
Click on the link below to get started:
A Direct method To Improve Your Memory
Learning to use your non-dominant hand to improve your memory can be a bit wasteful. You would have to spend days and weeks practicing to write with your other hand instead of focusing on what you need to learn.
While this may be fun, it’s not useful.
Memory improvement training should always be linked to memorizing information that will immediately improve your life.
Using the Magnetic Memory Method is great because, once you’re rolling, good memory abilities get you more time.
More time means you can practice memory enhancing techniques more often.
Ambidextrousness might be fun to develop if you take caution.
But, as we’ve seen, developing your memory is far more valuable!
So, what are you waiting for?
Please make sure you’ve claimed my free Memory Improvement Kit and use it to start experiencing better memory now.
7 Mental Exercises For The Brain From Around The World
Jan 11, 2018
Do you have enough mental exercises to genuinely help you experience real and lasting memory improvement?
Whether it’s for learning a language, or even just remembering directions while traveling the world.
Be honest about your answer.
No one here is to judge.
Quite the opposite.
This blog post (and the podcast – hit play above!) is about about helping you better understand how to judge your memory as it is now and take the right steps toward improving it.
And I just hopped on a live video session to demonstrate just how powerful memory techniques can be in everyday life for memorizing the information in life that matters:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTrP3FBrH4o
This week, I’ve got 7 more mental exercises you can use to experience true memory improvement.
Are memory techniques for everyone?
Yes and no. But you can’t decide for yourself without the fullest possible range of perspectives.
And let’s make this point as clear as possible:
Memory techniques give you the best mental exercise on the planet. Study them well, everywhere they appear around the glob.
With that point in mind, let’s get rolling with…
1. USA: Moonwalking With Einstein (And Elaborative Encoding) For Total Recall
Sadly, Foer also documents the decline of mental exercises for memorizing in modern life.
By the same token, with partial thanks to his book and the internet, the techniques that people need to adopt to restore the art of remembering have never been more popular.
The memory trick that Foer explains in his book involves a process known as “elaborative encoding.” This involves converting information, such as your grocery list, into a series of “engrossing visual images.”
For instance, if you want to remember a list of objects like gherkins, cottage cheese, etc. all you need to do is visualise them in an unforgettable manner.
Memory expert Ed Cooke – who helped Foer develop his techniques – suggests remembering an item on a shopping list by imagining something like “Claudia Schiffer swimming in [a] tub of cottage cheese.”
Of course, why someone would waste time on memorizing shopping lists in the best memory improvement books is beyond me.
But feel free to memorize anything you like. Whatever works. So long as it really works to give you the memory improvement outcomes you seek!
To ensure that, be sure to deposit these images you’ve created using elaborative encoding in a specific order in your Memory Palace. With practice, a mnemonist can trace a certain path around these memory rooms to recover thousands of images – and with them, thousands of memories.
Nelson Dellis, repeat champion of the USA Memory competition, also uses a combination of vivid imagery linked with placing those images in your Memory Palace to remember a list of words.
2. Germany: Memorizing Names Through Association
German memory champion Simon Reinhard is one of the top memory athletes in the world. He holds two records for memorizing a 52-card pack of playing cards in just over 21 seconds.
Reinhard uses the “association” method to memorize names and faces.
When Reinhard hears a name for the first time, he imagines someone else (a familiar figure) with the same name and then try to find similarities between the two or associate it with a feeling.
“Sometimes the names fit perfectly, for example a bald headed white Thomas could be the middle age monk Thomas von Aquinas. But if that doesn’t work and I don’t find an immediate connection, I try to search a bit more thoroughly what this name could tell me.
For example the name reminds me of a feeling of anger and then I either try finding some angry expression in the face or the exact opposite, if the person is laughing. It is kind of a multi-faceted approach that doesn’t work automatically but comes easily when I look at the name with an open mind. This is my basic, natural approach.”
This quote comes from an interview that Reinhard gave to Memory-Sports. (That site seems to have disappeared, but the Way Back Machine still has the interview.)
3. Japan: Kioku-Jutsu Or The Ninja Mnemonic Method
Ninjas were highly trained Japanese spies who were expected to gather and remember crucial information without having to resort to any written text.
In order to sharpen their memory skills, Ninjas used the method of “association” to remember complex numbers.
They would associate numbers with body parts or food – something that you will definitely recall.
They used another extreme method.
Please Do Not Try This Mental Exercise At Home!
If the information was extremely crucial, Ninjas would cut a body part – the arm or leg – when trying to memorize that information. Crazy, I know, but apparently this action helped them associate that memory with a scar or the pain of injury, making it unforgettable.
These methods of “association” are similar to the Peg System. It is also based on the principles of the Memory Palace technique – where you visualising a room and then associate each object in the room to each piece of information you want to memorize.
Memory expert Tony Buzan equates the Ninja Kioku-Jutsu technique to hanging a coat on a hook. You can always remember where to find your coat (which is a new information) if you hang it on an immovable hook (a number or a word you can remember easily).
4. Australia: Can You Ever Forget The Obvious Elephant In The Room?
Tansel Ali is a 4 x Australian Memory Champion, most famously known for memorizing two Yellow Pages phone books in only 24 days. He is also the author of The Yellow Elephant and How To Learn Almost Anything In 48 Hours, and a celebrity memory coach.
Ali advocates using the Major System along with the Memory Palace (which he terms as the Journey System) to memorize playing cards.
I also recommend checking out Florian Dellé’s Major System recommendations. He will take your ideas on what you can do using this wonderful memory tool to the next level.
5. UK: A Person-Action System To Call Numbers To Mind
British mnemonist Dominic O’Brien is the eight time World Memory Champion.
Accomplishments like these are no small feat!
A master of memory, O’Brien is a major innovator in the field of memory techniques. His Dominic mnemonic system is a brilliant memory training system that he invented to remember long strings of digits.
It is somewhat similar to the mnemonic major system and is widely used by brain athletes in memory competitions.
While the Major System associates sounds with numbers, the Dominic System is designed as a person-action system where the letters comprise the initials of someone’s name.
“Like the mnemonic major system, the Dominic system can be combined with a memory palace, thereby creating the Hotel Dominic.” (Ron Hale-Evans, Mind Performance Hacks: Tips & Tools for Overclocking Your Brain)
Another of O’Brien’s big contributions to the world of memory is his Rule of Five. It states that we should recall information strategically by using the following pattern:
First review: Immediately
Second review: 24 hours later
Third review: One week later
Fourth review: One month later
Fifth review: Three months later
Also notable from the British world of mnemonics is Mark Channon. Mark brings great insights from the worlds of acting and setting highly effective goals. He also gave a wonderful presentation at Magnetic Memory Live in London in 2015.
6. India: The Katapayadi Shankya To Remember Numbers
Ancient Indians used various mnemonic techniques to remember complex texts and numbers, the most talked about being the Vedic Memory Method.
First, let’s look into the ancient Indian numerical notation – Katapayadi system – that assigns letters to numbers so that the numbers may be easily remembered as meaningful words or verses.
Under this system, several letters can be assigned the same number, however every letter is not allotted a number.
Have a look at this chart:
Ancient Indians used this system to encrypt mathematical formulas into their devotional hymns to Lord Krishna and also recorded historical data in the codified lyrics.
Take for instance, this verse written in praise of Lord Krishna:
Gopibhagya madhuvrata srngisodadhisandhiga|
Khalajivitakhatava galahalarasandhara||
When translated it means:
Oh Krishna, the fortune of the Gopis, the destroyer of the demon Madhu,
Protector of cattle, the one who ventured the ocean-depths, destroyer of evildoers, one with plough on the shoulder and the bearer of nectar, may (you) protect (us)!
Have a listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7mSt7A6dmk
How is the mental exercises involved in memorizing this text relevant?
The answer might astonish you:
Using the Katapayadi system when you replace the letters of the verse with its corresponding numbers, like this – ‘go’ by 3, ‘pi’ by 1, ‘bha’ by 4, ‘ya by 1’ and so on, you get the following result:
31415926535897932384626433832792
Why is this number important?
This is the decimal representation of pi up to 32 decimal places.
Look like memorizing a long digit like that requires magic?
Far from it.
All it takes is a dedicated mnemonic technique! If you like, listen to Brad Zupp talk about how he memorized way more of Pi than you see here. Brad also shares his thoughts on using your memory in place of a passwords manager.
Vedic Memory Techniques: Ancient Science Or Just A Fad?
Vedic memory techniques were systems put in place to memorize ancient texts known as the Vedas, which were composed and handed down orally over a period of about 10 centuries, from about the 15th to the 5th century BCE.
There are four Vedas, the Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva with over 100,000 plus verses.
So how did the ancient Indians ensure no errors crept into the original texts?
“The oral tradition of vedic learning has preserved the entire vedic texts by purely human memory for several generations…This has been made possible by a diligently devised systematic scheme of chanting the vedic corpus.”
This quote is from Krishna Prasad Miyapuram in Divide and Link: Robust Memory Techniques from Vedic Learning.
“The first (technique) is Samhita, the simplest form of recitation that approaches the mantra as it is, for example, ‘the sky is blue’ (abcd). Next is Padha, where each word is broken down, as in, ‘the/sky/is/blue’ (a/b/c/d). Krama, the third technique, adds the first real level of difficulty into the recitation through a pattern of ‘the sky/sky is/is blue’ (ab/bc/cd). Jatapatha, the first of the more challenging, alternates between a repetitious interposing and transposing of words to create a pattern of ‘the sky sky the the sky/sky is is sky sky is/is blue blue is is blue’ (abbaab/bccbbc/cddccd).
“Between Jatapata and the last technique are six other techniques (called Mala, Shikha, Rekha, Dvaja, Danda and Ratha) that again are built-in combinations and permutations that have ensured that the order and words of the Vedas remain unchanged. The ultimate and most complex technique is called Ghanam. It’s mind-boggling backwards and forwards pattern is, ‘the sky sky the the sky is is sky the the sky is/sky is is sky sky is blue blue is sky is blue’ (abbaabccbaabc/bccbbcddcbbcd).”
This quote is from Suhag A. Shukla, Esq in Peeling Back the Layers of Sanskrit and Vedic Chanting.
The Vedic way of dissemination of knowledge was mainly through Shruti or the oral tradition of seers and knowledge used to flow through the teacher-student lineage.
Moreover, all these memory techniques were not operated in isolation. Learning was considered a lifelong process and a way of life during the Vedic times.
Retaining information accurately is an essential part of any good memory training system and that has been demonstrated very clearly in the vedic memory science.
You might be wondering…
If The Vedic Memory Technique Was So Awesome…
… why did it disappear?
One simple reason is that since the techniques were closely linked to a particular way of life. Students would live in an Ashram (sort of a boarding school without summer breaks) to get education.
But once that way of living changed, we lost this ancient science of super memory training. It might also be due to the rise of people who lack a mind’s eye. But don’t worry if you have that condition. Here’s Aphantasia: Develop Your Memory Even If You Cannot See Mental Images.
As you can see, all is not lost. Far from it!
And if you are skeptical about whether memory techniques work at all, you might be in for a treat!
As the co-founder of the World Memory Championships, Buzan actively promotes memory skills along with mind mapping in a wide range of books and software programs.
It is a powerful graphic technique that harnesses the full range of cortical skills – word, image, number, logic, rhythm, colour and spatial awareness – to unlock the potential of the brain.
You can use a Mind Map in every aspect of your life to improve your learning ability or induce clearer thinking.
The question is…
Can You Bring Mind Mapping And The Memory Palace Together?
But of course!
Reigning World Mind Mapping champion Phil Chambers can help you with that question in this podcast where he talks about Mind Mapping and how to bring this creativity, memory and learning tool together with a Memory Palace.
So, now that you know about so many memory athlete techniques, you might be wondering…
What’s the best memory training course?
One Sure Way To Coach Your Brain To Remember Everything
If you read through this post carefully, you would have noticed how many of the world’s top memory athletes used some form of Memory Palace Method to sharpen their brain power.
How can you use a Memory Palace yourself?
By building Memory Palaces the Magnetic Memory Way. Here’s how to take my free course to learn all the details so you can get the benefits of this mental exercise:
Creating Memory Palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method allows you to develop and use spatial memory.
We talked a lot about how to do that in part one of this two-part series about memory techniques around the world, so please be sure to link back to the first one for more information about the Magnetic Modes.
But That’s Not All…
When you build Memory Palaces with the Magnetic Memory Method, you learn to measure your memory improvement activities.
Here’s why that makes everything better:
Tracking your outcomes leads to rapid improvement which means you could be playing with the big guns at the next memory competition!
Or if you’re not into competing, you can simply enjoy using the memory techniques to help you learn a language, pass an exam, or get better at your job so that everything becomes easier and more fun.
If you choose this memory training technique…
You Will Unlock The Most Powerful Aspects Of Your Brain!
Think about it:
Being able to recall 1000 of names, phone numbers, decks of cards or flight information is a super power!
And as we’ve seen, anyone can train themselves using the techniques that memory champions do to improve recall and retention.
The only question is how fast will a method start showing results.
With the Magnetic Memory Method, you can move information from short term memory into long term memory faster. When combined with Recall Rehearsal you will be able to retrieve that information at the snap of a finger.
Memory Championships aside…
Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could remember every word to every song you ever loved?
Plan to woo your date with a ballad? And succeed?
Use the right memory techniques for the job and you got this!
The Perfect Learn Japanese App With Kevin Richardson
Dec 14, 2017
Have you been looking for the perfect learn Japanese app…
Or maybe just wondering how to learn Japanese on your own with memory techniques?
Are you still at the level where you’re searching Google with “learn Japanese alphabet,” unaware of its unique character sets?
Or how about that wish to know how to speak Japanese fast?
Well, in today’s guest post and featured podcast guest host, Kevin Richardson share his experiences using the best app to learn to speak Japanese in the world:
Scroll up and click play to hear my interview with Kevin and read his separate assessment below. Take it away Kevin!
The Man Who Almost Gave Up On Learning Japanese
Without Magnetic Memory, I would have packed up my bags and given up on ever learning the readings of Japanese kanji.
Now, I have no doubts that I’m going to complete my mission. I want to be fully literate in Japanese … and I want to be able to handwrite kanji too.
In for a penny, in for a pound!
This is actually my second attempt at using the Magnetic Memory Method.
I won’t lie to you, the first time I tried making a Memory Palace wasn’t a great success.
So take heart, don’t give up if you don’t get everything right the first time. Treat it as a learning experience. I promise you, you’ll get better quickly.
I’m still only a fledgling Memory Palace maker, yet now I’m able to remember up to thirty kanji readings in a single day!
Best of all – I know they’re there forever!
Before employing the Magnetic Memory technique, I’d used Heisig’s “Remembering the Kanji” volume 1 to memorize over two thousand kanji meanings in six months.
I wasn’t setting the world on fire, but for someone who can’t even remember why I’ve gone to the convenience store, I was still pretty pleased with myself.
Maybe The Memory Palace Stuff Wasn’t For Me…
In hindsight, I wish I’d known more about Memory Palaces when I set about using Heisig’s method, but my first attempt wasn’t very successful and I resigned myself to thinking maybe this Memory Palace stuff wasn’t for me.
By happy coincidence, I was just starting to think about the daunting task of learning thousands of readings for the kanji characters. I knew that if I could get the hang of it, this would be make or break.
After all, Japanese people take about ten years to accomplish the same task; so for me, any technique that’s going to supercharge my memory was worth a punt.
My first Memory Palace was a modest affair. I drew a sketch map of my apartment in Japan, numbered my memory stations in a logical route from bed to genkan (the place you leave your shoes).
The first kanji vocabulary word I added to the bottom of my bed – 主に (omoni – ‘mainly’). The story, “oh money is mainly found at the bottom of my bed”. Next, 大気 (taiki – ‘atmosphere’) …
That utter tyke, Russ Abbot singing “Oh what atmosphere, I love a party with an atmosphere” in the cupboard next to my bed. And as the tour went around my apartment, the story developed into a bizarre journey that I couldn’t forget.
Do you remember the Hana Barbera cartoon of Godzilla? I always hated the baby Godzilla, “Godzuki”, yet when I came to the bathroom, I have to think about that dinosaur, Gojira (as the Japanese say) … I’m a big fan of Godzilla … (dai no gojira zuki desu).
My Mind Couldn’t Help But Fill In The Gaps
I took Anthony’s advice and walked through my Memory Palace ten times that first day. That made a big difference; I think by walking through the same linear path through my apartment, visualizing the story ten times, the story in my mind became like a sequence of video clips.
My mind couldn’t help but fill in the gaps, so I’d see myself mainly getting my omoni from the bottom of my bed, so that I could throw some spare yen at Russ Abbot busking “atmosphere” in my cupboard etc etc.
The next day, I walked through it in my mind a couple more times during breaks at work. I loved the fact that I didn’t need any technology, no batteries and could simply walk through my Memory Palace whenever I had some downtime.
I decided that I’d start making one Memory Palace a week from that moment onwards. I’m now on my fifth Memory Palace and have gone from making twelve Magnetic Stations to now making over thirty Magnetic Stations in each Memory Palace.
(* Note: During the making of this Memory Palace, a mosquito collided violently with my notebook … to honor it’s death, I shall always remember “Yuu HAVE made a mess here”)
I’m not rushing anything. Like I say, I’m still a fledgling at this technique, but in the course of a month, my Memory Palaces are becoming richer, stranger, surreal and most importantly … unforgettable.
I now draw my map and number my Magnetic Stations. Then I think of a mnemonic to connect the kanji with it’s reading.
Then I write the whole story out as a walkthrough. Read it to myself and my mind can’t help but connect one station to another.
My favorite on this page has to be Hulk Hogan speaking in his “hougen dialect”!)
Now, I remember Olly and Anthony talking about the effort of making Memory Palaces being “top loaded.”
Certainly seems to be true for me at the moment – I spend far more time constructing my Memory Palace and creating a walkthrough story.
The Time I Save
BUT … it works … and if it means I don’t forget anything, that’s time I save in the long run.
In time, I can see myself not needing to write out my walkthrough story … and in time, I’ll eventually be able to take forty or fifty kanji readings, plot them out in my head, walkthrough the Memory Palace without having to write everything down.
I can see how that will give me the ability to remember hundreds of readings a week … but small steps grasshopper … I’m happy enough that I’ve gone from having a sketchy memory of maybe six readings a week, to now remembering fifty or so kanji readings a week.
That’s already a massive improvement … it’s certainly given me a huge boost in confidence that this heady goal of remembering thousands of kanji readings is much more achievable than I’d ever thought possible.
Want To Hear From Another Student Who Has Turned His Mind Into Something Better Than A Japanese Learning App?
Brad Zupp is a memory expert who has also learned a lot of Japanese. Listen as we discuss his adventures with this language.
Finally, John Fotheringham is an incredible teacher of learning techniques for Japanese. It was an honor to have him on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Enjoy!
How to Memorize Anatomy for Med School (Without Flashcards)
Oct 19, 2017
When you have to memorize the names of hundreds of bones and muscles, usually in complex Latin terms, you don’t want to spend hours fiddling with boring and ineffective flashcards. You just want to know how to memorize anatomy in a way that works.
And you want to learn without rote repetition burning you out.
When you learn the dedicated Memory Palace strategy I’ll teach you on this page, you’ll soon discover that the learning process doesn’t have to be hard.
In fact, you’ll see me absorbing anatomy quickly in the same way I’ve used and taught thousands of students who have used the process to pass their medical exams.
I’ll also help you skip the problems others run into when they aren’t taught the Memory Palace technique correctly.
Ready to skip the stress of forgetting anatomy with detailed examples?
Let’s dive in.
What Is A Memory Palace & How Does It Apply To Anatomy?
The Memory Palace technique allows you to “offload” difficult information onto locations by creating journeys. You can use a familiar location like your home, school, a church, museum or any building on a university campus.
If you’ve heard of the technique before, you might have worried that you don’t have enough places for the massive amounts of information involved in learning anatomy.
Please put this worry aside. I’ve got countless Memory Palace ideas you can use.
In some cases, you can even use your body. For example, watch me memorize the carpal bones using my wrist as a Memory Palace in this video tutorial:
You don’t have to take my word for how helpful these techniques can be when you’re studying all aspects of medicine.
In addition to interviewing successful nursing students, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Alex Mullen on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
In addition to winning the World Memory Championship three times, he successfully completed his medical training and now practices medicine.
Although Mullen has told me he incorporate some flashcard practice and used Anki to a certain extent, strategic Memory Palace use was important to his success.
And the key for my own students in med school is to use Memory Palaces in combination with other anatomy mnemonics and a principle called spaced repetition.
4 Steps to Creating Your First Memory Palace For Anatomy
Once you’ve decided on a location or area of your body, here’s what to do next:
One: Create a Linear Journey
As you can see in my carpal bone tutorial video above, I didn’t randomly memorize the carpal bones. I deliberately used the journey method to follow a logical path.
This won’t always work when using the body Memory Palace technique, which is why you want to make sure your anatomy Memory Palaces are well-formed.
As a general rule, start at the dead end of the location and move yourself towards an exit. Like this:
Because this Memory Palace example starts in the corner of a master bedroom and moves through the apartment to the doorway and ultimately the landing, there’s no confusion while using the Memory Palace.
Two: Associate Each Anatomical Term with A Highly “Magnetic” Association
The next step involves assigning what I call Magnetic Imagery.
What is Magnetic Imagery? It’s my preferred term for mnemonic image.
It’s incredibly easy, so let me show you how how it works.
How to Memorize the Auditory Ossicles (Case Study)
Let’s say you needed to memorize the “malleus” for the hammer bone in the ear.
In one corner of a room you’ve prepared as a Memory Palace, you can begin to imagine the actor Malcolm McDowell wrestling with an eel while smashing the Toys R Us logo into the eel using a plastic toy “hammer”…
Like I’ve illustrated for you in this image:
Here’s why this form of association works:
Malcolm + eel + hammer + Toys R Us logo = Malleus and hammer.
How do you rapidly come up with sound and spelling-based associations like this?
I suggest you go through my tutorial on the pegword method. You’ll complete a simple exercise where you write down a famous figure for each letter of the alphabet.
Please make sure you actually write them down. This will start to train your procedural memory so you can look at any term and connect it with a dynamic figure.
Three: Exaggerate Your Associations
Associations work well, but in order to make them truly “sticky” in your Memory Palaces for anatomy, you need to do what scientists call elaborative encoding.
Basically, you take each association and mentally make them:
Bright
Vibrant
Dynamic
Big
Colorful
Crazy
Strange
Emotional
Physical
Animated
Forceful
Loud
Rhyming
Punning
Four: Use Recall Rehearsal
Recall Rehearsal is an advanced form of spaced repetition based on principles taught by Aristotle and later codified in memory science by Hermann Ebbinghaus. He’s the guy who identified the forgetting curve.
To beat forgetting anatomical terms after establishing them in your Memory Palaces, revisit them using patterns that maximize the primacy and recency effect.
As I teach my students in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, these patterns involve traveling your Memory Palaces and triggering your associations:
Forward
Backward
From the middle to the end
From the middle to the beginning
Skipping the stations
This process will give recency and primacy to each station.
If you’ve done a good job of elaborating your associations, the Von Restorff Effect will make them seem to leap out at you. I sometimes call this the “rubberneck effect” because you cannot help but start decoding the associations.
How To Know How Many Memory Palaces You Need
One problem learners face is working out just how many Memory Palaces they will need.
If you have the entire alphabet worked out, you’ll always have at least one Memory Palace to draw upon.
From there, you just need to understand something suggested to me by Tony Buzan, legendary author of The Memory Book:
“The rules will set you free.”
Today, I’ve suggested a number of rules, and when you follow them, you’ll have an easier time getting anatomical terms and their locations into long-term memory.
It’s really easy and thanks to following these simple rules, you’ll enjoy the process each and every time you sit down to study.
And, if you’d like a free course that takes you deeper into the Memory Palace technique, grab my free course:
It gives you four video lessons and three worksheets with even more examples.
As you can probably tell, I’m passionate about helping medical students. If you’d like more information on just how successful you can become, check out some of my student testimonials. This one from Dr. Joe Riffe is one of my favorites:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4eZcFNc9sU
If you’d like results like that, the specific memory techniques you’ve discovered today will help, whether it’s for the tarsal bones or any other aspect of medical terminology.
I’m here to help!
The Magnetic Memory Method Dictionary of Mnemonics
Oct 12, 2017
Memory training is an ancient discipline loaded with fascinating terminology. There’s so much vocabulary specific to memory techniques that we need a mnemonics dictionary to combine and define them all.
That’s what you’re getting on this page.
Why create a dictionary devoted to mnemonic methods?
For one thing, using mnemonics is mostly an internal art.
In other words, nearly everything we do when using memory techniques takes place entirely within the “black box” of the mind.
This means that it’s impossible to observe what others are doing when using memory techniques to perform deep encoding.
And because practicing the memory arts relies on abstract cognitive processes, everything from visualization to conceptual association, and spatial navigation, shared definitions are the only bridge we have between instruction and execution.
Without a standardized lexicon, a student attempts to build complex mental structures with vague blueprints, leading to fragile systems that collapse under the pressure of recall.
But having a dictionary of mnemonics will serve you as a foundational guide for learning to use this mental architecture. That way, when you come across someone talking about a “hook,” “station,” or “image,” you have a place to look up what these terms mean.
With precision. And accuracy. The kind that only someone who cares deeply about the ancient and modern aspects of memory training can create.
How this Massive Mnemonics Dictionary Will Help You
Why is the need for terminological precision so high?
A few reasons.
For one thing, we all need clarity when distinguishing between closely related techniques, such as the Journey Method and the Memory Palace. Is there really a difference? Today you’ll find out.
And by reading this mnemonics dictionary, you will move from being caught in the trap of use these terms causually and interchangeably to being able to spot and make use of multiple critical distinctions.
Another reason is that I want to honor the rich historical lineage of the “Ars Memoriae” tradition. There are many nuances to be explored between the ancient tradition and modern adaptations of it.
When you’re able to understand whether a technique originates from the slow, meditative practices of the Renaissance or the high-speed processes innovated by modern memory athlete, you can better select the right tools for your specific goal.
Ultimately, I want this online dictionary of mnemonics to elevate the study of memory.
Although there is definitely a place for parlor tricks and study tips, many of us benefit from a more rigorous investigation of why how these techniques work according to science.
Think of of it like this:
Just as a musician must know the difference between a major and minor third to compose a good symphony, a mnemonist must understand the subtle gradations between an acrostic and an acronym, or the Major System and the Ben System.
By establishing accurate, agreed-upon definitions, we as a community empower each other to stop guessing at the mechanics of these techniques and start using them with great focus and intent.
Addressing Modern Threats to Mnemonic Accuracy
Finally, we also have the rising problem of people, particularly on forums, flooding the Internet with AI slop.
It’s not that AI-generated information is a problem as such.
But as I mentioned at the end of a recent conversation with Andrew Mayne, there are bad actors out there creating problems when there are none.
For example, several, nearly identical posts about Memory Palaces supposedly having downsides have appeared. Each one that I’ve examined bears the hallmarks of someone prompting an AI to help them poke holes in a flawless technique just to get some search traffic.
The reason I can tell you with certainty that this kind of disappointing behaviour is so dangerous is because poking holes in the Memory Palace technique is like complaining that hammers come with downsides because they are designed to hammer nails. Although hammers might not be appropriate for all tasks in carpentry, needing to use a saw to cut wood does not mean that hammers have any kind of defect.
So with all this context in mind, let’s dive into this collection of terms. Let it be your toolkit for mastering all of the mnemonic devices humans have developed over thousands of years.
The Official Magnetic Memory Method Mnemonics Dictionary
Naturally, I’ve arranged this dictionary alphabetically.
I’ve also kept the definitions as slim as possible, sharing links to resources throughout.
If you have suggestions for missing entries, please post a comment or get in touch.
A
Acronym:
A word formed from the initial letters of a phrase or series of words (e.g., FBI, CIA, NASA or HOMES).
Acronyms are one of the most common mnemonic strategies and are used around the world.
Acrostic:
A sentence where the first letter of each word acts as a cue that brings the target information back to memory.
Unlike an acronym, acrostics typically result is a phrase, not a single word (e.g., “Every Good Boy Deserves Fruit” for musical notes).
Alphabet Peg System:
One of several mnemonic systems that belong to the broader realm of pegword methods. In this case, alphabetical peg systems use the 26 letters of the alphabet.
Each letter is associated with a permanent image (e.g., A = Apple, B = Bear), allowing the user to memorize lists of up to 26 items in order.
Alphabetical pegs can be used within Memory Palaces, or as conceptual Memory Palaces unto themselves.
Ars Combinatoria (The Art of Combination):
A logical and mnemonic framework that treats human thought and memory as a calculation.
Instead of memorizing infinite individual facts, the practitioner memorizes a small, finite set of fundamental “root” concepts or images. By combining these roots in different permutations, you can theoretically generate infinite unique mnemonic images or logical propositions.
This technique is rooted in the Lullian Art of Ramon Llull (13th century) and was later developed by Leibniz. Llull originally designed Ars Combinatoria as a “logic machine” to help discover theological or philosophical truths by mechanically combining divine attributes (e.g., Goodness + Greatness).
It also helped his evangelists remember concepts, which was especially helpful when traveling to meet people in regions where it was difficult to carry books.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cYDmaBXvJg
Giordano Bruno revolutionized ars combinatoria by applying the mental mechanism to the imagination and expanding how it could be used for memory.
Bruno realized that the rotating wheels (called volvelles when made from paper) could be used as “image factories.” By compressing archetypal figures on an outer wheel through abbreviation, actions on a second, and objects on a third, spinning the wheels would automatically generate bizarre, vivid scenes (e.g., Zeus riding a camel while eating liquorice could easily help you remember the German word zimperlich).
In this way, ars combinatoria served as an early, mechanized version of a PAO (Person-Action-Object) System. It solved the problem of running out of mnemonic associations by allowing the mnemonist to instantly create a unique, pre-fabricated “memory hook” for any piece of data by simply rotating the mental dials to a new combination.
For more about this technique and its relation to mnemonics, see my full article on Ars Combinatoria.
Ars Quadrata vs. Ars Rotunda:
Two distinct but complementary approaches to the Art of Memory, most famously juxtaposed by the English Paracelsian physician and mystic Robert Fludd in his massive encyclopedic work Utriusque Cosmi Historia.
Ars Quadrata, or the Square Art refers to the traditional, artificial Method of Loci utilizing human-made architecture. It is “square” because it relies on the geometry of rooms, walls, and corners. Fludd viewed this as an ideal method for storing specific, mundane, or static facts.
Ars Rotunda or the Round Art. This refers to “natural” or celestial memory systems utilizing the heavens. It relies on the circular movements of the Zodiac, the planets, and the celestial spheres.
Fludd considered Ars Rotunda as “divine.” Instead of imagining a house, the mnemonist places images into the 12 houses of the Zodiac or upon concentric, rotating rings (similar to a Memory Wheel). It is dynamic and linked to the “macrocosm.”
Ultimately, Fludd argued that the perfect mnemonic strategy was to combine both Ars Quadrata and Ars Rotunda.
His famous “Theatre of Memory” engraving is a visual attempt to merge the round (the heavens/zodiac above) with the square and other geometric shapes in the illustration above.
Although it can be difficult to understand his precise meaning, it seems that Fludd believed you can anchor terrestrial images (Square) to celestial powers (Round). This process could make memories became “enchanted” and indestructible, mirroring the connection between the body and the soul.
Association:
The fundamental cognitive process connecting a new piece of information to a stable, existing memory. It is the “glue” of all mnemonic systems.
For example, one of the simplest mnemonic forms of association is used when remembering names. If you meet a new person named Brad and you’re familiar with the actor Brad Pitt, all you need to do is mentally associate the two.
B
Ben System:
A complex phonetic system created by memory champion Ben Pridmore. You can watch him explain it in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X8NbzIqQzY
It basically maps three binary digits to a single syllable, allowing for the memorization of massive amounts of binary data or cards at high speed.
Body Peg System:
A technique that uses parts of the human body (toes, knees, thighs, hips, etc.) as “loci” or storage locations.
This approach allows a user to carry a Memory Palace with them at all times without needing to visualize an architectural structure.
Bestiary:
Historically, a Bestiary was a medieval compendium of animals (both real and mythical).
Imagines of these creatures were often accompanied by moral or allegorical interpretations.
These volumes essentially offer people pre-fabricated visual alphabets, giving the practitioner one animal per letter.
Lynne Kelly is a major advocate of using a bestiary, as outlined in her popular book, Memory Craft.
Developing a bestiary capitalizes on the brain’s preference for animate, emotional imagery. Since bestiaries were often filled with violent, strange, or distinct behaviors, such as the Pelican piercing its own breast to feed its young with blood, or a horned animal exuding flames from its backside, you get “corporeal similitudes” as recommended in the Rhetorica ad Herennium.
In other words, the images usually involve the body, often in rude ways.
In modern practice, the Bestiary is sometimes called an “Animal Peg List” (e.g., A = Alligator, B = Bear, C = Cat). Ancient or modern, this technique provides the mnemonist with a “Noah’s Ark” of distinct associations ready to be placed into Memory Palaces and highly capable of interacting with the target information to be memorized.
Bridging Figure:
A specialized mnemonic device used by Magnetic Memory Method students to maintain continuity and flow between stations in a Memory Palace.
Each Bridging Figure is a dedicated character, ideally based on a:
Celebrity
Friend
Family member
Familiar figure in the community (dentist, teacher, pastor, politician)
As mnemonic images, Bridging Figures are distinct from other mnemonic devices because they travel from station to station in Memory Palaces.
There are several ways to use them. One of the key ways they can be useful is when learning a new language.
As the illustration above shows, Abraham Lincoln is interacting with the Mona Lisa in a rude way. This association helped me memorize the German word “abartig” quickly.
Using Lincoln as a Bridging Figure, I had him move from a hallway into a kitchen where I imagined him biting into a bottle to memorize the word “abbeizmittel” (paint thinner).
Statues represent a specific class of “archetypal” mnemonic images described by Giordano Bruno, particularly in his books Lampas triginta statuarum and De Umbris Idearum. In English these books are usually called Thirty Statues and On the Shadows of the Ideas.
Unlike standard memory images, which are often arbitrary and personal (e.g., “imagining your aunt to represent the letter A”), Bruno’s statues are typically generative and deeply rooted in mythological syntax.
Bruno viewed the universe as a complex machine of moving parts. To model this in the mind, he used Statues. These were typically build from complex, pre-fabricated figures drawn from classical mythology (e.g., Apollo, Saturn, Zeus, etc).
But Bruno did not treat them as static pictures. We should think of them more like “internalized talismans” or “magnetic centers” of intense mental activity.
In this way, a single Statue served Bruno as a “root” or “topic” for an entire cluster of knowledge.
For example, a Statue of Mars is not just a picture of a warrior. It exemplifies war and can be transformed in many ways. By modifying the statue’s “adjects” (what it holds, what it rides, what it wears), the mnemonist can encode infinite variations of “Martial” knowledge (war, iron, conflict, energy) without needing to create a new image from scratch.
Bruno taught that by animating these statues, you can make them interact, mutate, or combine. They are essentially a kind of Ars Combinatoria with the properties of Memory Palaces. You can place multiple stations on each Statue, and Bruno recommended thirty.
However, the mnemonist can “scale” their Memory Palaces infinitely. First, a single statue can unfold into a narrative, generating a “Chaos Palace” where the images are alive and constantly reorganizing themselves to fit new data.
Or you can give your statue a pocket and place other statues within it, or other kinds of Memory Palace Networks.
C
Chaining:
Also known as the Link System or linking, chaining is a method of connecting item A to item B, item B to item C, and so on, typically through a narrative story.
Many people use this technique reliant purely on the interaction between items rather than a background location.
However, linking is not something you have to divide from the Memory Palace technique. Memory Palaces themselves are a series of links in a chain.
Chunking:
Chunking is a process of breaking large strings of data into smaller, manageable units.
For example, remembering a 10-digit phone number as three distinct groups of numbers is specifically a chunking memory strategy.
D
Dicsone’s Lunar Palaces (The Mansions of the Moon):
A celestial memory system developed by the Scottish mnemonist and Bruno disciple Alexander Dicsone. In his work De Umbra Rationis (“On the Shadow of Reason”), Dicsone rejects the use of common terrestrial buildings in favor of an astrological architecture.
Dicsone utilizes the 28 Mansions of the Moon (the stations of the lunar orbit) as his primary loci. This creates a “Memory Palace” that is not a static building, but a cyclical path through the heavens.
As a fierce defender of Giordano Bruno against the attacks of the English Puritan Ramists, Dicsone’s system is a prime example of the “Hermetic” tradition, where the memory system is not just a notepad.
It’s a way to internalize the divine order of the cosmos. It possibly represents the height of the “occult” memory tradition before the scientific revolution replaced it with purely secular methods.
Dominic System:
A system invented by Dominic O’Brien that converts numbers into pairs of letters.
These letters represent specific people (a kind of initial-based mnemonic system).
For example, the number 15 might become A.E. (Albert Einstein).
This person is then used as an actor in a mental story.
An advanced variation of the Peg System designed to optimize a standard Mnemonic Alphabet.
It allows you to store longer lists without reusing images, memorizers employ a “doubling” strategy.
Originally popularized by Renaissance mnemonists like Peter of Ravenna, there are a few ways of developing a double alphabet.
In Ravenna’s teaching, the first A–Z sequence was represented entirely by Men (A = Adam, B = Blacksmith). The second A–Z sequence was represented entirely by Women (A = Abigail, B = Bride).
Ravenna famously (and somewhat controversially) suggested using “fair maidens” for one alphabet to utilize the memory’s natural attraction to beauty.
A more modern approach involves creating a list of mnemonic associations on a first and last name basis. This gives you lists of associations like:
AA = Andre Agassiz
AB = Anthony Bourdain
AC = Andy Clark
Etc.
My preferred, high-resolution variation of the Double Alphabet uses a distinct image for the first two letters of the target word. You can think of it as a kind of bigram.
As you saw above, for the German word Abartig (abnormal), AB was Abraham Lincoln. This approach creates a much tighter cognitive grip on the traget word. When retrieving the image of Lincoln, the user immediately knows the word starts with “Ab-“, eliminating the guesswork involved with generic single-letter pegs.
Dual Coding:
Dual coding is a theory of cognition which suggests that memory is enhanced by processing information through two separate channels, usually verbal (text/audio) and visual (images).
People using mnemonics can leverage this concept by converting or mentally transforming verbal data into visual keys.
E
Elaborative Encoding:
This is the process of adding meaning, sensory detail, and emotion to a piece of information to make it easier to store.
This is nearly the opposite of rote memorization. I say “nearly” because elaborative encoding does involve some repetition.
The key difference is that elaborative encoding engages creativity, multi-sensory experiences in the imagination and often critical thinking.
F
Face-Name Method:
A specific application of the Association technique used to remember names. It involves three steps:
Identify a distinctive feature on the person’s face (e.g., bushy eyebrows)
Convert the person’s name into a concrete image (e.g., “Bernie” = “Burning”)
Visually link the image to the distinctive feature (imagining the eyebrows on burning fire)
Harry Lorayne was a major advocate of this particular method when meeting new people.
Feature-Linking:
A variation of the Face-Name method where, instead of using a stand-alone image, the memorizer links the person’s name to a physical characteristic that sounds like the name.
For example, noticing that a man named “Mark” has a “dark” complexion (rhyming), or a woman named “Rose” has a “rosy” nose.
Field System:
A distinct branch of spatial mnemonics that organizes information upon a two-dimensional plane, grid, or “substrate,” rather than along a linear three-dimensional path (like a standard Journey Method).
Whereas the Method of Loci simulates a walk through a building, the Field System simulates looking at a page, a chessboard, or a landscape, allowing for “random access” to data based on coordinates or elemental groupings.
There have been many field systems throughout the mnemonic literature. In my view, Aristotle was the theoretical founder of the field system. I discuss this theory at length in this video tutorial called Aristotle’s Nuclear Alphabet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3N2i73LKt0
Hugh of St. Victor fully realized the field approach in The Three Best Memory Aids for Learning History. In this work, Hugh instructs students to construct a mental “Ark” or grid in a few different ways.
Hugh’s approach effectively gives you a mental spreadsheet or a rectangular field divided by columns and rows.
In the 15th century, Jacobus Publicius literalized the field concept in his Ars Memorativa by using a diagram of a chessboard.
This provided a pre-made field where the squares served as loci. It is a perfect example of a “finite field” system, viewable at a single glance. You can even use an actual chessboard as a kind of Lukasa to assist your learning goals.
Although Bruno utilized architectural building, he also introduced “Fields” that moved beyond buildings. Bruno’s fields included forests, skies, and open landscapes, allowing the “nuclear” elements to be placed in organic, “open-world” environments.
His approach suggests that a “Field” can be more than a storage bin. It can also serve as a semantic environment where the type of background (e.g., a stormy sky vs. a calm forest) adds meaning to the image stored within it.
First-Letter Mnemonic:
This technique uses the initial letters of a list of words to cue recall.
The image below shows the technique at work:
The letters ITBNNBTWIHBB unpack the opening of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 59:
“If there be nothing new but that which is hath been before, how are our brains beguiled.”
As astonishingly effective as this technique can be, my fellow mnemonist Nelson Dellis told me he would not use this technique to help him memorize a speech.
Neither would I. That’s why I prepared this complete guide on how to memorize a speech with a much more reliable method.
Fixed System:
Another term for a Peg System.
It refers to any method where your mnemonic “hooks” are pre-memorized and unchangeable (like the numbers 1–100), as opposed to a Journey Method or Story Method where the structure can be fluid or improvised.
G
Ghosting:
A common interference phenomenon in both memory sports and learning where a faint trace of a previous mnemonic image lingers in a specific locus, confusing the memorizer during either a new round of encoding or recall.
This problem typically occurs when a memory athlete reuses a Memory Palace too quickly without allowing enough time for the old associations to fade.
For example, if a “burning monkey” was placed on a sofa in the morning, and a “frozen frying pan” is placed there in the afternoon, the athlete might recall a “frozen monkey” due to the residual memory (the ghost) of the first image.
There are many ways to prevent ghosting, such as employing multiple Memory Palaces or using imaginative “cleansing” techniques to mentally scrub a location blank before reuse.
H
Hand Mnemonic Systems:
Because the hand provides a fixed structure (five fingers, multiple joints, palm creases, and two distinct sides) and is always visible to the memorizer, hands have been used for millennia to store everything from musical theory to complex kinship systems. Unlike architectural palaces, which rely solely on visualization, hand mnemonics add the power of proprioception (touch and body position) to the learning process.
Major historical and cultural variations include:
The Guidonian Hand: A medieval musical mnemonic attributed to Guido of Arezzo (11th century). It assisted singers in learning sight-singing by mapping specific notes of the hexachord system (the gamut) onto the joints and tips of the left hand. The teacher would point to a specific joint on their own hand, and the students would sing the corresponding note.
Indigenous Hand: As detailed by author Tyson Yunkaporta in Sand Talk, Indigenous knowledge systems (particularly in Australia) utilize the hand as a complex cognitive map.
Far more than a simple list-holder, the hand represents a web of relationships. Yunkaporta describes using the fingers to encode the five perspectives required for critical thinking (kinship, land, dreaming, etc.) and using the spiraling segments of the fingers to store vast encyclopedias of data, effectively carrying a library in one’s palm.
Calendar Mnemonics: The pervasive “Knuckle Method” used to determine the number of days in a month. By making a fist and counting months across the “mountains” (knuckles) and “valleys” (spaces between), the memorizer can physically feel that “Mountain” months have 31 days and “Valley” months have 30 (or 28/29).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w11Hu5L-2co
The “Proverbial” String Around the Finger: A folk mnemonic that functions as a “prospective memory” aid.
Unlike a palace which stores content (data), the string serves only as a cue (trigger). It creates a sensation of mild physical discomfort or visual anomaly that interrupts the person’s autopilot, prompting them to ask, “Why is this here?” and thereby recalling the intended task. It is a physical manifestation of a “mental hook.”
This practice bears comparison with lucid dreaming and other dream recall strategies that involve writing or marking the hand to remind a person to perform a “reality test” by way of determining whether or not they are dreaming or not.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZkMCNhmEgY
Hook:
Hook is a term probably popularized by the mnemonist Bruno Furst.
Hooks are essentially Peg Systems. Each “hook” is a pre-memorized item (like rhyming one with a bun) that catches the new information.
J
Journey Method:
A specific variation of the Method of Loci.
Instead of using a building as a Memory Palace, the user visualizes or imagines a linear path or route (e.g., a walk through a park or a commute to work). The order of information is preserved by placing it along a sequence of landmarks on the path.
The journey method can be tricky due to the indistinct nature of outdoor locations. That’s why you should go through my full guide to getting the most out of the journey method.
K
Katapayadi System:
An ancient Indian alphanumerical code used to map letters to numbers. It is the direct conceptual ancestor of the modern Major System, predating the European version by centuries.
The name “Katapayadi” comes from the first letters of the consonants that represent 1: Ka, Ta, Pa, and Ya. (e.g., Ka = 1, Kha = 2, Ga = 3…).
Ancient mathematicians and astronomers used it to encode complex constants (like Pi or lunar cycles) into devotional hymns or poetry.
For example, a hymn praising Lord Krishna might simultaneously contain the mathematical formula for the radius of a circle, hidden in the consonance of the lyrics.
Keyword Method:
A linguistic mnemonic used primarily to learn foreign vocabulary.
The user finds a word in their native language that sounds like the foreign word, then creates an image linking the two meanings (e.g., Spanish “Pato” = Pot + Duck).
L
Leitner System:
This interesting method combines physical flashcards and spaced repetition.
Cards are moved into different Leitner boxes or areas of a single box based on how well the user knows them.
Known cards are reviewed less frequently, while unknown cards are reviewed more often.
The most basic mnemonic technique, involving the creation of a story that links items together in a list. It is often the first technique taught to beginners.
The linking method can be potentially infinite in length but fragile. If one link in the chain breaks (you forget item five), typically the rest of the chain is lost.
That’s why is linking is usually best used for short lists or within a specific room of a Memory Palace.
Effectively the same as “the method of loci,” it’s an umbrella term for all spatial memory techniques (Memory Palace, Roman Room, Journey).
Loci is the plural of locus and means location.
Used as a memory technique, it involves placing mental images in specific physical locations and retrieving them by mentally walking back through the space.
It’s a sophisticated tactile mnemonic device used by the Luba people of Central Africa (modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo) to record and retrieve complex historical, political, and genealogical information. It serves as a powerful counter-argument to the idea that pre-literate societies lacked rigorous archiving systems.
Each lukasa is typically a handheld wooden board, shaped like an hourglass, studded with beads, shells, and carved geometric markings.
It functions similarly to a Field System or a portable Memory Palace. The arrangement of beads (size, color, and position) serves as a syntax. A “Man of Memory” (bana balute) runs their thumb across the board, using the tactile sensation of the beads to trigger the recitation of oral history, king lists, or migration routes.
Much like Aristotle’s concept or Bruno’s fields, the board provides a fixed structure (the wood and static geography), while the interpretation of the beads allows for fluid storytelling.
The user does not just “read” the board. You perform it, using the physical object to navigate the “field” of tribal history.
M
Magnetic Memory Method:
A modern systematization of the Memory Palace technique developed by my, Dr. Anthony Metivier.
Taught through the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, this approach emphasizes the use of alphabetical and non-linear palaces to memorize vocabulary and foreign languages.
Unlike standard approaches that often treat the Memory Palace (Method of Loci) as a simple list-storage tool, the Magnetic Memory Method focuses on five specific mnemonic systems.
“Memory Palace Network” systems based on known locations. These can be organized alphabetically or thematically rather than just sequentially.
Alphabet systems.
Number systems.
Symbol systems.
Recall Rehearsal systems.
My “Magnetic” approach is particularly noted for its application to language learning. Instead of placing words randomly along a path, a user might utilize 26 distinct palaces (one for each letter of the alphabet), allowing them to file and retrieve vocabulary with the precision of a dictionary.
Key components of the method include:
Magnetic Imagery: The creation of associations that are not only vivid but functionally “magnetic”—meaning they stick firmly to the station and magnetically “pull” the memorizer to the next item in the sequence.
The Bridging Figure: The use of a consistent character (or agent) to guide the memorizer through the palace, ensuring narrative flow.
Recall Rehearsal: A systematic review process designed to move information into long-term memory, distinct from standard rote repetition.
Holistic Philosophy: I regularly frame the method within the wider context of the Ars Combinatoria and the Brunian tradition. And as discussed in The Victorious Mind, I generally teach memory training as a means to improve focus, creativity, and mental health, rather than just a utility for data storage.
Major System:
Sometimes called the Major Method, the Major System is a phonetic number system that converts digits (0-9) into consonant sounds (e.g., 1=T/D, 2=N, 3=M).
Users add vowels to these consonants to form concrete nouns. It is the industry standard for memorizing numbers.
Magnetic Modes:
The Magnetic Memory Method teaches 28 modes of mnemonic association, starting with KAVE COGS:
Kinesthetic
Auditory
Visual
Emotional
Conceptual
Olfactory
Gustatory
Spatial
The additional twenty use various forms of logical association.
Memdeck (Memorized Deck):
Short for “Memorized Deck,” memdeck is a term used primarily in the world of close-up magic and card mentalism to describe a deck of playing cards that has been arranged in a specific, pre-determined order which the performer has committed to permanent memory.
Memory Palace:
A constructed mental building (real or imaginary) used to store information.
While often used interchangeably with the Method of Loci or Loci Method, a Memory Palace implies a complex structure that usually contains multiple rooms or levels.
A Memory Palace can also span entire neighborhoods, such as this Kelvin Grove Memory Palace I used for my TEDx Talk and dozens of Sanskrit phrases:
A Memory Palace Example based on a Brisbane neighborhood I used to live in
Method of Loci is the same as “loci method. It’s an umbrella term for any mnemonic strategy that relies on spatial relationships to store information. It is the original classical technique described in the Rhetorica ad Herennium, where the memorizer places mental images into specific physical locations (loci) within a familiar environment.
Memory Wheel:
A mnemonic device consisting of stacked, concentric paper or parchment disks (volvelles) that can be rotated independently to align different symbols, letters, or images.
Or it can be used purely in the mind, usually with great difficulty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opmb-mU-KPI
Unlike a Memory Palace, which is usually a static container for storing fixed data, a Memory Wheel is a dynamic tool designed to generate new ideas, explore relationships, and model complex systems through combinatorics.
Because they process finite variables into massive amounts of combinations, Memory Wheels are often cited as early analog ancestors to modern computing.
Mind Mapping:
Most closely associated with Tony Buzan, mind mapping is a technique he popularized in the 1970s.
While non-linear note-taking existed before him, Buzan codified the specific rules for using it as a mnemonic tool:
Using curved lines (to mimic neurons), radiant structure (center-out), and single keywords per branch to trigger associations.
Buzan argued that mind mapping mirrors the brain’s associative nature better than linear lists. Used properly it would lead the user to experience “radiant thinking” in addition to improved recall.
Interestingly, memory maps can be combined with Memory Palaces and number systems. This video tutorial I created a few years ago shows you how:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I7h98IKaho
N
Number-Rhyme System:
Number rhymes give you a simple peg system by linking numbers to rhyming words (One-Bun, Two-Shoe, Three-Tree).
Setting up these rhymes gives you a set of 10-20 mnemonics useful for rapidly committing short lists to memory.
Number-Shape System:
A simple peg system linking numbers to their visual shape (1-Candle, 2-Swan, 3-Handcuffs).
The pedagogical “Memory Detective” novel Vitamin X is based around a simple number-shape system used by the detective to help remember events over a week.
P
PAO System (Person-Action-Object):
Sometimes called a 00-99 PAO System, this is an advanced number system where every 2-digit number is usually assigned three distinct values: a Person, an Action, and an Object.
By combining these distinct types of association, a user can memorize 6 digits (or 3 playing cards) in a single complex image.
The Magnetic PAO variation helps you “collapse” all three of these into one unitary image, i.e. for 84 the core word is “fire.”
In my system, I have a Chuck Norris from Mission Impossible 2 with a flamethrower. This choice effectively compresses the person, action and object into one mnemonic image that can be used in a variety of ways with greater flexibility.
Using Bruno’s statue concept, you can also place numbered statues along streets based on their address.
For example, you can have a ten-station statue of Chuck Norris standing in from of a building address 84 along multiple streets. This is one of many means to defeat ghosting, or otherwise render the issue irrelevant.
Peg System:
Any system that uses a pre-memorized list of items (pegs) to which new information is “hooked.”
The Alphabet, Number-Rhyme, and Major systems are all types of Peg Systems.
R
Rote Learning (Rote Memory):
As the most basic and universally practiced memory technique, rote learning is characterized by pure repetition without the use of association, visualization, or semantic understanding.
Often referred to as “learning by heart” or “brute force,” it is tragically boring.
Rote is also highly susceptible to interference. If the repetition is interrupted even for a moment, focus breaks and the data is often lost instantly.
As this study shows, learning also suffers from a very steep forgetting curve. I’ve also suggested in this video that rote learning can damage your critical thinking abilities:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL8RhcgP1Fw
Roman Room:
The classic, contained version of the Method of Loci.
The Roman Room typically involves using a single room with strictly defined “stations” (corners, walls, ceiling, floor) to store information, rather than a long journey.
Beyond that, it’s essentially just one of many terms that people have used to describe the same basic process over the years.
SEM3 (Self-Enhancing Master Memory Matrix):
A massive matrix system developed by Tony Buzan.
His SEM3 is not unlike a conceptual field. It involves multiplying Major System images (100 x 100) to create a mental filing cabinet of 10,000 pre-memorized pegs.
The most interesting aspect of SEM3 is how the various techniques for conditioning the associations resembles methods for reusing Memory Palaces.
Shadow System:
The Shadow is an advanced “Two-Card” mnemonic system that encodes two playing cards into a single distinct image, allowing a memory athlete to memorize a deck of 52 cards using only 26 distinct visualizations.
It is widely considered one of the most sophisticated modern alternatives to the “Ben System” or the Major System for playing cards.
While a standard Two-Card System theoretically requires 2,704 distinct images, the Shadow System is famous for its elegant compression. It requires the user to pre-learn only 1,352 images, while still functioning as a unique identifier for every possible pair.
This efficiency is achieved through “shadowing,” a technique where specific suit combinations trigger the same image but with a systematic variation (such as a different interaction or color palette), or by using the phonetics to cover reverse pairs.
The system was developed and popularized by the memory athlete Lance Tschirhart.
Songlines (Dreaming Tracks):
Perhaps the oldest of all ancient memory techniques, songlines are a foundational knowledge system of Indigenous Australians.
In addition to likely being the oldest mnemonic system, songlines are also the most geographically extensive application of the Method of Loci in human history.
The work as navigational tracks that crisscrosses the landscape, typically following the journey of a creator-ancestor during the Dreaming.
Instead of placing images in an imaginary building, the practictioner places information physically into the landscape (mountains, waterholes, trees). To retrieve the memory, one must walk the land (or visualize walking it) while singing the specific song associated with that path.
Unlike a static Memory Palace, Songlines are dynamic and interconnect across the entire continent. A single songline can span thousands of kilometers, serving as both a GPS and a portable university.
Spaced Repetition:
Spaced repetition incorporates increasing intervals of time between subsequent reviews of previously learned material.
It is designed to exploit what scientists sometimes call the “spacing effect.”
In reality, the technique is very old. Aristotle describes a version of it, as I discuss in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CthE_Napjg
Story Method:
Weaving a list of unrelated items into a cohesive, often bizarre, narrative story.
Unlike a Link System, the story method involves narrative arcs rather than random chains of associations.
To a certain extent, organizing what you want to remember and adding Bridging Figures provides you with an amplified version of the story method.
Stanislavski System (Sense Memory):
Named after the theater practitioner Konstantin Stanislavski.
While technically an acting technique, it is frequently cited in memory training for its focus on Affective Memory (or Sense Memory).
Anthony Hopkins discusses its relationship to learning his lines in his autobiography and shows how it helps train the practitioner to recall physical sensations and emotions from the past (e.g., the specific heat of a coffee cup or the grief of a funeral) to trigger a realistic performance.
Mnemonists use a similar approach to make their visualizations “sticky” by adding texture, smell, and emotion.
T
Theatrum Memoriae (Memory Theater):
A legendary wooden structure designed by the 16th-century philosopher Giulio Camillo. It was intended to be a physical realization of the Memory Palace. The structure reversed the model of a standard theater: the “spectator” (the user) stood on the stage, while the “audience” consisted of seven tiers of images and drawers representing the sum of human knowledge, organized by planetary influences.
Camillo believed that by standing inside and gazing at these images, a person could instantly access the “eternal truth” of the universe. Though never fully completed, it remains one of the most ambitious attempts in history to externalize the human mind into architecture.
Tip-of-the-Tongue (TOT):
The subjective feeling that a memory is available and imminent, but currently inaccessible. Known clinically as lethologica or presque vu (French for “almost seen”), it often occurs when retrieval cues are partial or weak.
In memory training, this state is usually caused by a “weak link” in an association chain. The memorizer can see the location (Locus) but cannot quite decode the image placed there.
U
Ugly Sister Effect:
The Ugly Sister Effect is a specific type of retrieval failure where a related but incorrect piece of information repeatedly intrudes into consciousness, aggressively blocking access to the correct memory (the target).
As discussed in Mnemonology, the term was coined by Reason & Lucas. The name refers to the Cinderella fairy tale where loud, dominant “ugly sisters” crowd the scene, preventing the Prince (the retrieval process) from finding Cinderella (the target memory).
It’s important to not confuse the Ugly Sister Effect with ghosting.
Ghosting is a Memory Palace issue. It occurs when a mnemonist reuses a Memory Palace too quickly, and the “residue” of an old image (from a previous memorization session) bleeds through and confuses the new image. It is a failure of “clearing” the slate or not having enough distinct locations arranged as Memory Palaces.
The Ugly Sister Effect is a different issue altogheter. It occurs when the brain’s internal network offers up a “bully” association that is conceptually related to the answer. It is not about an old image remaining. It is about a loud, wrong answer shouting down the quiet, right answer.
V
Vaughn Cube:
Developed by Dean Vaughn as part of his Total Memory System, the Vaughn cube is specific type of “Artificial” or Virtual Memory Palace meant to solve the problem of running out of real-world locations.
Instead of using a real house, you visualize a generic, three-dimensional cubic room. This room is divided into a fixed set of numbered locations.
The technique is essentially a variation on the various field techniques discussed above, but streamlined for modern users.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt_bvS5HPmo
It is similar to many other approachs, but Vaugh has successfully adapted the approach to specific learning outcomes, from music to medical applications.
Visualization:
Falsely assumed to be the core skill of almost all mnemonics.
Although the ability to create a vivid, multi-sensory mental picture does help many people, many people with aphantasia or the lack of a mind’s eye use mnemonics perfectly well.
You can also try some of my multi-sensory visualization exercises. They will help you understand mental imagery in a much broader way.
Von Restorff Effect:
Also known as the Isolation Effect, the Von Restorff effect highlights the psychological principle that unique, bizarre, or outstanding items are more likely to be remembered than common ones.
Mnemonic images often try to be “violent” or “sexual” or “absurd” to utilize this effect.
This study shows some interesting outcomes that highlight the importance of using a Memory Palace and some of the other strategies on this page.
W
Winter Count (Waniyetu Wowapi):
This term refers to the calendrical mnemonic system used by various Plains Indigenous peoples of North America (most notably the Lakota and Blackfoot) to record chronological history.
It functions as a high-level Peg System for time, typically using images drawn on a buffalo or elk hide. The technique organizes time not by numbers (e.g., “1833”), but by significant events. The “Keeper of the Count” selects one defining event for each year (from first snowfall to first snowfall) to serve as the marker for that entire period.
As with the Guidonian hand technique, when the Keeper points to a symbol on the hide, it triggers the recall of the full oral history and narratives associated with that year.
Y
Year Mnemonic:
A specialized application of the Major System or Dominic System used specifically for memorizing history dates or what Numberphile has called, “the calendar trick.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2x3SSBVGJU
Dominic O’Brien has discussed at length how to memorize the formula involved.
X
The Xenotext:
The Xenotext is a “living archive” technique pioneered by the Canadian experimental poet Christian Bök.
It represents the theoretical endpoint of mnemonic storage: moving beyond neural pathways (brain) and external media (paper/silicon) to encode memory into genes, bacterium and potentially many other cells.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwQiW1XDAvI
What makes The Xenotext a mnemonic masterpiece is the constraint. Bök did not just store data; he designed the input poem (“Orpheus”) so that when the bacterium’s cellular machinery reads the DNA to produce a protein, the resulting amino acid sequence decodes back into a second, intelligible poem (“Eurydice”).
This incredible result creates an isomorphism between the biological function of the cell and the semantic structure of the poem. The organism does not just “carry” the memory. It “recites” it biologically to stay alive.
Z
Zettlekasten:
This German term means “slip box.”
Over the years, the zettelkasten technique has flourished as a personal knowledge management system (PKM).
Popularized by the sociologist Niklas Luhmann, he used it to author over 70 books and 400 articles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrN0kaE6DkY
The method relies on creating a special kind of note. These are brief, self-contained summaries of single ideas you store on index cards.
Crucially, each note is assigned some kind of unique alphanumeric identifier (e.g., 1/1a). This simple addition allows you to link cards in a variety of ways, regardless of when they were created.
Zettelkasten are not primarily used to store information in the “PKM” community, but to facilitate a dialogue with it, generating new insights through the unexpected networking of ideas.
Personally, I use this technique in combination with the Memory Palace technique and spaced repetition. This combination enhances the power of all the many individual mnemonic methods involved in learning at faster speeds.
The Ultimate Definition: From Passive Learning to Active Memorization
You now possess a lexicon of complete memory mastery.
Together we have traversed the landscape of human memory from the ancient Songlines of indigenous elders to the celestial Statues of Giordano Bruno, and finally to the biological frontiers of the Xenotext. You know the difference between the Ars Quadrata of the earth and the Ars Rotunda of the heavens.
But a dictionary, by its nature, is a static thing. It is a map, not the territory.
Knowing the definition of a Memory Palace Network will not help you remember a single name, language, or equation. Only developing one will do that.
The terms listed above are not just vocabulary. Each technique and definition you just discovered is an invitation.
And each is a tool waiting for you to pick it up and put it to work.
If you are ready to stop reading about these techniques and start living them, the next step is simple.
Join my Free Magnetic Memory Method Improvement Course:
In this course, we move beyond definitions.
I walk you through the practical, step-by-step construction of your first Memory Palace. You will weld all of the memory techniques you just discovered into a tangible mental engine that you can use immediately to learn faster, retain more, and unlock the true potential of your mind.
Don’t let these words remain ink on a page (or pixels on a screen).
Make them Magnetic.
How To Stop Punishing Yourself When You Say Stupid Things
Oct 04, 2017
It happens. We all have verbal diarrhea from time to time.
Sometimes we say something we think is funny. Other times we’re just being rude.
Heck, sometimes we don’t even know why we get the feeling we’ve said something wrong or offensive.
For whatever reason, often within seconds…
Ours words suddenly rub us the wrong way.
Worse:
The bad feeling that won’t go away starts to itch…
It may even burn, sometimes leading us to say even more ludicrous things that make us feel even worse.
Once those words are out there … they’re out there.
The worst thing of all:
This Problem Chews Up Your Mental Space And Memory Resources!
Make no mistake:
The things we say can be damaging.
Very damaging, especially regarding how others perceive us and how we perceive ourselves.
But it’s probably our self-perception that takes the hardest hit, especially if we have OCD tendencies and repeat words and phrases in our minds.
It could be that our bodies and minds are trying to build up energy to deal with the pain. But we do it in a childish way.
Ludwig Wittgenstein has been credited with originating the story of the child who made his way into a cocktail party.
While there, the child banged his knee on a table and started crying loudly.
“There, there” said all the adults when they saw his bloodied knee.
And the adults continued cooing at the child to comfort him as they applied rubbing alcohol and a bandaid to the wound.
Now imagine the same cocktail party.
This time, instead of a child, a grown man bangs his knee.
He feels the exact same pain and his wound produces the same amount of blood.
But the difference is that the man does not bawl in public.
Instead, the grownup observes silently that he has banged his knee and excuses himself to the washroom.
There, he finds the rubbing alcohol on his own and administers a bandaid.
Do You Scream In Silence?
Why does the man do all of this in silence instead of crying his heart out?
Simple:
Social conditioning over the years has not changed the nature of the pain or the work needed to care for the wound.
But social conditioning has changed the nature of what makes for an appropriate response to the pain.
According to some self-punishment theories, even the maturest of adults have minds that still need conditioning so that they respond in mature ways to mental pain.
Since a lot of conditioning comes from words, we can use words to “recondition.” Here’s one simple and easy to remember trick before we continue with a host of holistic strategies:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvtYjdriSpM
Exactly How To Mature Your Mind And Stop Mentally Punishing Yourself
I don’t know about you, but in my past, I’ve called myself an idiot for the verbal mistakes I’ve made at least a thousand times.
In fact…
I’ve said many things worse than that to myself. And no, I’m not going to repeat them.
But I’ve come to understand that they were just the signs and symptoms of an untrained mind. There was nothing wrong with that mind. It just hadn’t been matured.
And although this self-punishment still happens once in awhile, I’ve learned to settle the self-abuse down.
The cure mostly comes down to a combination of relaxation, mindset and huge respect for memory and the practice of memory improvement and maintenance over many years.
Here are four ways I’ve dealt with the self-punishment so that it no longer chews up memory power, no longer bashes self-esteem and no longer has the power to reduce life satisfaction:
Tip #1: Learn The Scary Truth About Social Inattention
Here’s a power reality:
A HUGE percentage of the things we say to others tend to be forgotten.
In fact, thanks to something called inattentional blindness, most people barely perceive what you’re saying at all.
Why?
Because the people you’re talking to are barely paying attention.
Even if they were, human memory is flawed in your favor.
If the minds of other people are barely tracking a tenth of what you’re saying, they are encoding far less than that into memory.
The Ultimate Proof That Few People Remember What You Say
Want proof?
Go ahead and study yourself when listening to others and I think you’ll find that it’s true.
You’re not focused like a laser on what they’re saying.
You’re not enjoying photographic memory, nor recording everything like a video camera.
Quite the opposite.
The truth?
Your Mind Is All Over The Place!
More than half the time, you’re thinking about what you’re going to say next. You’re probably even obsessively repeating what you want to say in your mind so you won’t forget.
The rest of your conscious mind is either thinking about the past, the future or fantasizing about some alternate present.
This significant amount of brain activity means that you’ll miss entire details completely.
All this happens despite the fact that you’ll be experiencing reality as an unbroken continuity.
Scary, but true.
What this all means is that when you say inappropriate things, you shouldn’t get too worried about it and start flagellating yourself.
You also shouldn’t start self-punishing yourself for having the attention span of a goldfish (you don’t).
But if you get all hot and bothered about something you said, the best trick I know is to confront the feeling head-on.
Just ask the person point blank:
“Did what I said about x a little earlier offend you? Because I apologize if it did.”
Chances are you’re the only one bothered by what you said, and it’s probably already been forgotten – assuming it was registered in the first place.
If you punish yourself at all for things you’ve said, please take up this practice of publicly confronting this feeling.
You will feel tremendous relief when you do.
Tip #2: Take Responsibility For Your Verbal Oil Spills
As I’ve just suggested, one great solution to managing your anxiety about verbal diarrhea is to confront it directly. If you’ve said something that bothers you, don’t be afraid to draw attention to it.
And go in prepared to do so.
Decide to be a conscientious conversationalist and own up to every faux pas you make.
In other words:
If you say something that either is insulting or you feel could be interpreted as insulting, be the one to call yourself out on it.
What’s the worst that can happen?
The answer is simple:
The worst that can happen is that people think you’re weird…
Not such a bad thing, is it?
In all likelihood, they’ll probably appreciate you more and admire you.
Why?
Because you take ownership over your mouth – even if they never noticed the thing you said in the first place.
Unfortunately, even with the strict dietary controls I place on my diet, it’s impossible to know the location of every farm and every nibble eaten by every chicken.
So yes, some things send me into a conniption that can last far too long. But overall, I’m generally a calm and cool guy.
I owe that stability to a few things.
The first is regular meditation. I practice multiple kinds, mostly structured around the sit-just-to-sit variety I learned from an Alan Watts recording.
I’ll also practice Savasana, breath-withholding and walking meditations that incorporate a bit of both. (Yes, you can lay down in parks during walks.)
Use Memory Techniques Everyday For Mental Relief
Second, I use memory techniques everyday. For reasons that go beyond learning.
Make no mistake:
A lot of people use memory techniques as a means to an end, which is great.
Why Memory Techniques Are Better Than Psychoanalysis
But there’s also tremendous therapy to be had from memory techniques. They make you feel confident, composed and relaxed.
These outcomes are especially important when you’re a guy like myself who is always fighting for stability and hoping to stay off medication to do it.
If you want the background to that story, here’s a video from quite some time ago when I declared I was going on the psychopharmaceutical sauce for good:
https://youtu.be/mbZ3ygFpt84
As brave as I sound in that video, it was actually one of the scariest things I’ve done in my life.
But everything worked out.
Why?
The answer is simple:
Memory Techniques + Meditation = The Perfect Time Machine
When you practice meditation and memory, you’re always more in the moment.
In other words, you’ve got a “time machine” that keeps you focused on the present.
Why is being present so cool?
Because true presence means that you’re paying attention to what you’re saying BEFORE you say it.
And that’s the ultimate solution to self-punishment:
Pre-awareness that prevents you from making the kinds of errors you punish yourself for in the first place.
Tip #4: Learn To Listen To Yourself And Others
This one is going to require a bit of self-analysis and the study of others. It might also be considered half-lunacy, as Freud himself noted in his General Introduction to Psychoanalysis lectures.
Beyond that, the premise is that we all unconsciously encode messages in the things we say that seek to communicate what we’re really thinking.
We typically tend to send these messages in the form of the stories we tell or off-handed remarks. They can be attempts at manipulation, retaliation or simply telling truths too dangerous for our conscious mind to handle.
I learned to spot the tendency to encode information unconsciously in myself and others from Robert Langs.
Langs was a controversial figure with whom I underwent Communicative Psychotherapy in New York. His style of therapy is based almost entirely on dream interpretation in a situation in which death anxiety is deliberately invoked by the therapist.
Langs died recently and I’m still stunned by his passing.
He seemed like one of those timeless figures who would always be around, particularly because his ideas were so impactful and larger than life.
Although I only spent six months in weekly sessions with him, in addition to reading his books, my time with Langs completely changed my way of living and communicating.
How To Get The Best Psychotherapy In The World At Very Little Cost
The best way to learn how to spot your unconscious communications without the help of a therapist is to journal your dreams. You’re not going to try and interpret them as such, but just get a feeling for the kinds of narratives that come up.
In a session with Langs, he would ask you to narrate one or more dreams. He would then have you free associate to it and recite whatever came to your mind.
This task always brought up a lot of irrational resistance in me. There was never any reason not to tell Langs the things that came to my mind, but yet it would often seem threatening to do so. Sometimes the resistance would bring the session to a complete shutdown.
Gradually I learned to open up and reveal the connections that would come up in my mind. I couldn’t always do it, but Langs would always ask what the dream and how I related it had to do with him.
It was always a perplexing question, but I’ll never forget the day I finally drummed up the courage to start answering it.
Because the truth is that when we tell stories to others, there does always seem to be some comment we’re making on the present situation and the person to whom we’re speaking.
So if you can find someone to whom you can tell your dreams and who can hear what you’re REALLY saying, this is a great way to practice the awareness of what you’re saying in any conversation.
And you can learn to listen to others better too. That doesn’t mean judging them or necessarily telling them what you’ve perceived. But it will help you form better ideas about the real messages you’re receiving and shape how you respond in more sensitive ways.
Ready To Stop The Self-Punishment?
Although it won’t necessarily happen overnight and may still recur from time to time, you can get a handle on punishing yourself for saying stupid things.
Just use the tips above and you’ll start to see a difference immediately.
And if you’re interested in learning more about how self-directed dream therapy can help, I recommend getting my video course with its bonuses, How To Remember Your Dreams.
In this course, you’ll learn more about hearing your true voice by unlocking an aspect of memory improvement that you’ve likely never considered before.
Use Coupon Code “DREAM” and take $50 off your tuition in this exclusive memory improvement course. Alternatively, you can get How to Remember Your Dreams as part of the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
The choice is up to you and I’d love to hear you in the conversation below. What are your thoughts on defeating self-punishment for the stupid things we sometimes say and do?
The Fluent Forever App: Eliminating The Busy Work From Language Learning With Gabriel Wyner
Sep 10, 2017
Would you like to eliminate the ‘busy-work’ from your language learning activities?
And on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, scroll up, press play and you’ll learn:
Why pronunciation is one of the first barriers language learners face and why lack of familiarity with sounds frustrates most people.
Why Gabriel talked about memory scientist Hermann Ebbinghaus as a masochist, and how he’s helping eliminate masochism from the language learning process.
The role of learning a language without translations to cause your brain to make associations you wouldn’t discover any other way.
How to create useful language connections using Google images and create fill-in-the-blank-sentences.
Why Gabriel is working so hard to replace one of the most commonly used SRS software for language learning.
Why you need to make your own flash cards and the decisions you can make to take a more active role in your language education experience.
What makes SRS and search-based websites such a huge burden and Gabriel’s hard won experiences learning to use them with “two-handed mouse and keyboard maneuvers.”
The difference between “busy-work” related to language learning and actually learning the language.
The role of choice in language learning and why it pays off big time in language study and your journey towards bilingualism.
Why you need differentiation when looking at variation sentences for your memory to benefit from the Von Restorff Effect and related memory effects.
The value of looking at words both in context and out of context.
How engineering influenced Gabriel’s quest to create a language-focused SRS app better than any other in existence.
How Gabriel has tested and optimized the user experience in order to create an easier learning process with real people.
The hidden connection between desperation, motivation and the unexplainable sources of inspiration that lead to the “joy-fueled” energy that propels learners towards fluency.
Fascinating ideas on how to use recordings to help you remember gendered nouns – an incredible idea that you’re not going to want to miss!
Oh, and Gabriel’s a great singer too. Check this out:
https://youtu.be/Bz7QmlXHbAs
So, what do you say? Are you excited?
I know I am, so make sure to check out Gabriel’s Language Blog on the Fluent Forever website so you can learn more about his upcoming app and how to get involved.
Additional Resources for Gabriel Wyner And Fluent Forever
7 Reasons Having A Memory Implant Would Really Suck
Aug 16, 2017
Let’s face it. Everyone has fantasized about having a memory implant.
You know the kind:
A small, unobtrusive thing, patched directly into your brain …
… capable of letting you learn and remember at miraculous speeds.
Heck, maybe this neural implant or brain prosthesis (whatever you want to call it), doesn’t even need to break the skin.
It may even be possible that your memory could be manipulated by radio waves or some other external signal.
But until that time, unless you’ve already decided you’re going to be the first in line …
Here are 7 reasons why memory implants are probably going to suck.
#1. Memory Implants Won’t Eliminate Practice
I conduct a lot of surveys here at the Magnetic Memory Method headquarters.
And that scene from The Matrix …
https://youtu.be/6vMO3XmNXe4
… comes up a lot.
The problem is:
People don’t watch the movie for what it’s really saying and the true metaphor about the value of training and journeying we can extract from the tale:
Downloading IS NOT Learning!
Not only does Neo have to get into the dojo and spar with Morpheus as a form of “accelerated practice” …
… Morpheus next cajoles Neo into jumping off a building, part of a chain of events that causes the “real” Neo to bleed.
Morpheus then tricks Neo with the woman in the red dress, proving again that downloading isn’t enough.
Far From It!
The mind still needs to be trained.
The mind still needs practice.
And let me ask you something:
What is Neo’s ultimate showdown with Agent Smith other than another training exercise? An exercise that actually requires Neo to die before he experiences an awakening …
… That leads to two sequels where he needs to practice being Neo even more until he can surrender his life to the war between humans and machines and finally die.
And even then, some people reckon that Neo’s not really the one:
https://youtu.be/VkMU1mKdwPI
The point is this:
When people fantasize that a memory chip implanted in their brains is going to give them knowledge …
They’re just plain wrong about the definition of knowledge.
Knowledge may well involve things you can store and retrieve …
But at its core …
Knowledge Is The Ongoing Practice Of Knowledge
And that knowledge/practice coupling should ideally become better practice over time. But it can only be earned through consistent acts of practice, consistently applied.
The level of learning most people want will never be instant. It will always require practice over time. And it will always involve an interesting combination of weaving and navigation as you create the paths you travel.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Do you fear the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, or the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times?” quote=”I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times. – Bruce Lee” theme=”style6″]
Understanding takes time. Even understanding must be practiced through consistent contemplation.
Yes, Yes, But I Still Want To Know … Is There A Shortcut?
As a matter of fact, yes there is. A short cut even better than the shortcut many people seek.
The only (and best) shortcut to contemplation is memory techniques. Learn them a.s.a.p.!
Why? So you can STOP dithering around with the consumption process and get on with processing information.
No computer can do that for you. Ever. That’s entirely on you.
#2: If You Think Advertising Is Bad Now …
A lot of people whine and complain about advertising. Sadly, this kvetching often comes from the same people who sacrifice hours of their time to social media and mindless television.
To tell you the truth, it kind of makes me miss the PBS days …
https://youtu.be/Cz9iP3iZcEU
What people who complain about advertising don’t realize is that this big media platforms are chewing up your attention span by selling ads …
… and THEN telling content creators how to make their content in ways that serve ads better and more frequently.
Serve ads better – not necessarily you.
And you had better believe that the first thing they’re going to do if implants succeed is erect billboards in your head.
At least now we can fend off Digital Amnesia by digital fasting.
But once the branded devices are fused with your brain, you’ll be the walking receptacle of advertising you can’t switch off.
#3. The Nightmares Of Hardware Maintenance … In The Flesh!
Taking care of our human bodies is hard enough. People do a better job with their pets and vehicles a lot of the time.
And since we know the implant market will follow the trends of manufacturing processes, there will be an ongoing attempt to make the hardware as cheap as possible to maximize profits …
Think about that.
Do you really want a brain prosthesis built in a sweatshop constantly breaking down and rotting in your head?
When you could simply learn memory techniques and have way more than you ever need?
Plus, bad people will be constantly trying to hack into your implant.
And the first place they’ll go is your passwords manager, while also working to put your entire brain on the fritz.
#4. Medical Maintenance Monstrosities
And that’s just the tech side of the equation.
Imagine a hacker being able to cause electrical shocks or worse, simply by writing a line of code and “email thinking” it at you? Someone writing a “Brain Aneurysm” virus is almost a certainty.
And it would be so medically disgusting. Or disgustingly erotic, as David Cronenberg envisioned the human-computer interface in eXistenZ:
https://youtu.be/lfBNxmPt5u8
#5: It Could Become Very Expensive (Even Deadly) NOT To Have A Memory Implant
Don’t have an implant?
Too bad, kemosabe. You’ll have to go live in the camps.
Assuming the scientist can solve all the biotech problems I’ve just predicted, I foresee even worse problems.
For example, what will it matter if you have all the currency in the world, if you don’t have the brain implant by which it is traded?
Just as we are all now forced to have email accounts to do just about anything, social trends may wind up forcing a majority to adopt a thoroughly unhealthy implant just to keep up with the joneses.
This Problem May Lead To All Kinds Of Terrifying New Governance
We already see how slowly sovereign powers around the world have risen to deal with the Internet.
And we see more and more control over this precious tool that will lead to greater control over the inside of our minds and memory if we allow wired neuralinking and the government lurking behind it to penetrate our skulls.
Pause:
In case you missed it, we were jamming on related topics with reference to everything from Jacques Ellul to the Unabomber to Videodrome on this Magnetic Memory Method YouTube Live. Feel free to enjoy the replay:
https://youtu.be/WFN4SbcB20w
#6: Memories Are Generated, Not Recorded
Okay, enough Sci-fi …
Another big reason brain prosthetics will suck is that our brains don’t record memories. They encode them, breaking them apart for reconstruction later.
It’s a chemical process that can be guided by thought (itself produced out of the chemical brain).
But if an implant “records” a memory for you, then it is not encoded.
This will atrophy those beautiful parts of your brain, mind and willpower that need the fitness.
Those parts of your brain need fitness as badly as the muscles in your arms and legs need pushups and squats.
https://youtu.be/5kngspqvHa0
Just walk around: Couldn’t more people use more physical fitness?
Just talk to people: Aren’t most conversations a series of statements like, “I’ll have to look that up and send it to you”?
Well, having an implant in your brain might make it possible to perform a quick search and send a thought email …
… And heck, why not thought-Tweet it to everyone in the world at the same time? …
That Will Only Create More Noise
Worse, we’ll suffer even fewer instances of meaningful information consumption.
More twitchy people who are less and less interesting to talk to.
Because now instead of constantly monitoring their phones in the middle of conversations, they’re zoning out from inside their heads.
#7: Non-Wired People Already Struggle With The Failure To Disconnect
What will they do when it becomes impossible to unplug?
Download and scan Orwell through their minds, and in a Neo-esque moment of triumph, proclaim, “I know 1984?”
Not likely.
Is There An Upshot?
Sure.
Through neural implanting, blind people have been able to experience sight. Valuable triumphs like these have been going on for a very long time.
Perhaps there is even hope for brain lesions, curing Alzheimer’s and other problems that plague humanity.
But as science discovers more ways of fusing technology with the brain through neuralinking, neural implants and the like, let’s understand this:
The brain is not now and never will be technology. Even if a strong enough neuralink is established, people who fantasize that machines will learn on their behalf completely misunderstand what memory and learning mean and how practical, everyday life will define it.
And nothing will ever replace the amazing feeling of being accomplished in several areas of interest, skill and aspects of human and scientific knowledge.
Don’t Want Those Things? No Problem. (Or Is It The Biggest Problem In The World?)
Keep playing with your apps and fantasizing that spaced repetition software is the path to a truly powerful memory.
Go ahead and be the first in line when the chopshops open up to perform neural implant surgery. Let the surveillance parameters of both computer hacker criminals and government and the marketers they barely control have at it.
I’ll point out in conclusion that humans are very poor at predicting the future, including me.
But whatever direction this project of neural implanting takes us, just don’t call it memory. The great tradition of memory techniques and the current Mnemonics Renaissance only holds meaning through our own acts of preservation through practice and practice as preservation.
Memory Loss Story And Memory Recovery Tips With Jennie Gorman
Jul 28, 2017
The experience of memory loss creates the kind of story you normally only see in the movies.
Yet, for Jennie Gorman, the experience of memory loss was all too real.
Although we all experience the occasional mild loss of memory, it’s difficult to imagine what it must be like dealing with a disorienting and painful experience like this:
Luckily, Jennie found incredible resources within herself that drove her to find a solution.
And that solution could well help you too.
If not now, possibly in the future.
So buckle in, click play, and discover the root cause of Jennie’s memory loss and how she solved it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9wY6JabdtM
The Nasty Substances Creating Your Current Or Eventual Memory Loss Story
We all put things into our body that don’t serve us.
For some of us, it’s a bad habit like smoking (here’s the Magnetic Memory Method way to stop smoking if you need help).
That means, you’ve got to dig deep to find the problem.
Like Kasper Bormans is trying to do:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMcduh1HEHA
The Truth About Memory Loss And The Dark Of Night
The quantity and quality of your sleep influence your memory in many ways.
That means you can get a ton of sleep, but if it isn’t good sleep, you’ll still suffer memory problems.
Likewise, you can get quality sleep, but still not enough of it to make an impact.
In all cases, sleep deprivation is a memory killer. Avoid it at all costs.
Protect Your Brain
That brain of yours is like an egg in a shell. Brain trauma can happen anytime, so please exert caution when riding your bike, driving or engaging in sports.
The sad thing about injuries to your head is that the symptoms and problems might not show up for decades. That’s why we must all exercise maximum vigilance at all times.
Entrepreneurial Memory Secrets
One of the most intriguing elements of Jennie’s story involves her success as an entrepreneur.
As the incredible leader of Connexions Unlimited, Jennie is a master networker. The ability to recall names and faces is very important when you’re in business and her memory loss threatened this skill in an immediate way.
Luckily, Jennie recovered her memory and eliminated a ton of stress-induced memory loss. This was a boon, given her work with other entrepreneurs.
The level of care she brings to helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses extends far beyond their names. It involves helping them manage their business vision, mission and a number of goals and milestones.
Apart from memory techniques … what’s the secret to keeping your memory fresh and alive when you’re in business?
Seriously. Keeping social and avoiding isolation helps your brain coat itself in healthy chemicals that will preserve your memory.
Unfortunately, far too many entrepreneurs lock themselves away. But that too can create brain trauma of an even more pernicious kind …
The Pen Is Mightier Than Memory Loss
But if you’re going to isolate yourself, a great way to fend off memory loss is regular writing.
As the author of Awesome Authenticity: Mastering Business Relationships, Jennie continues writing new books and on her blog and social media pages.
Writing is an unknown memory preserver because of how it stimulates your brain.
It doesn’t really matter if you write or type, but you do want to consider the advantages of handwriting for your memory, especially if you’re a student.
Even if you’re not going to write books and articles, just 5-10 minutes of daily journaling can give your brain and memory huge benefits.
(Side note: Can you believe that’s way back to Episode 9 of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast! Thanks to your support, you can click the audio above to listen to this post as episode 180!)
Here’s The Bloody Truth No One Else Will Tell You
Although you do need memory systems of a sort, YOU need to learn how to create them.
And then you need to follow through and actually create them.
That’s right. YOU.
And if you do it right, you’ll discover that you, like me, will also think about the word “system” very differently.
And here’s the very good news:
Right Thinking About Memory Systems Will Solve All Your Memory Problems And Pains – FAST!
And once you’ve come to share my admittedly biased (but always Magnetic) opinion that the only memory systems that matter are the ones you create yourself …
You’ll be a master of your memory.
The only question is …
What are these memory systems that you need so badly?
I’m glad you asked.
There are just 4.
They’re simple to understand, fast to get in place for yourself and super-easy to use.
It all begins with …
#1: A Location-based Mnemonic System
Not such a sexy term, is it?
Well, don’t fret. It has many other names.
Looked at from the top, there are oodles of mnemonics out there, ranging from rhyming to creating crazy images that you let float in the void of your mind.
Along the way, you learn to become a great master of those systems.
And because you’re the one who built them, you own them.
That means all the profit of knowledge, fluency in languages and time-saved because you know all your passwords and bank account numbers goes directly to you.
The Boss. Of Your Own Head.
What do you think?
Could you possibly learn to create and maintain 4 simple systems?
To put it another way … If I were the Morpheus of Memory …
Could you be the One?
https://youtu.be/RhlXqYiTz2Q
MyQuest For YOUR Memory Improvement With Edan Kertis
Jun 29, 2017
What would you give if you could have the world’s best mentor accessible at any time?
I’m talking about catering to your every need …
So you can accomplish a specific goal
… and in a way that fits that mentor inside your pocket?
To be honest with you, at first I didn’t believe it was possible.
But guess what?
I’ve got …
Good News For Students & Educators!
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, let me introduce you to the incredible thought leader and digital innovator, Edan Kertis.
But first … here’s a limited time opportunity:
If you’d like to shape the creation of the first Magnetic Memory Method memory coaching app (it will be in the form of a MyQuest!), please fill out this MMM App Survey (the link will open in a new tab).
Edan and I thank you for taking the time to letting us know how we can help you and your memory further by guiding the creation of this memory improvement app.
Now then, you might be asking yourself …
Hold up, there! What is a “MyQuest?”
As the co-founder and CEO of MyQuest, Edan is helping educators create “Quests” for learners.
That means no more boring video courses that forget about you after you register.
No more books that don’t even know you exist.
No more teachers who can’t provide you the accountability you need to succeed.
When it comes to MyQuest’s powerful platform, Edan and his team have made it possible for mentors to create educational journeys that help students learn through gamified, step-by-step missions and levels.
The best part?
MyQuest allows educators to lead a community towards a common goal while still addressing the needs of the individual learner.
How On Earth Is This Possible?
As a software engineer, Edan has helped surgeons plan surgeries better. It’s clear how his experiences with Brainlab have paved the way for even bigger accomplishments when it comes to learning how to learn.
And in this exclusive interview (scroll up and hit ‘play’ to listen), you’ll learn all about how Edan came up with the idea for MyQuest, including:
⇒ Edan’s personal “Quest for Enlightenment” to expand his mind and experience self-development.
⇒ The “butterfly effect” and how small actions can influence others all around the world.
⇒ Why happiness is really all about what you remember.
⇒ Why everything with MyQuest is action-based with missions instead of lessons
⇒ Why you need to manage the level of challenge so that you’re always stretching, but never overextended so far that frustration holds you back.
⇒ Why how we frame our educational experiences with story and metaphor matters.
⇒ Why you need to spend time enjoying random thoughts and “doing nothing” in order to increase your productivity.
⇒ The power of “digital fasting” for completing any learning goal.
⇒ The importance of reporting on your progress with peers for accountability.
⇒ The dual role of push notifications in order to ensure your teachers don’t forget about you and you don’t forget about them.
⇒ How you can easily create your own app as a mentor and help thousands of people achieve their goals.
⇒ Why traveling is like meditation.
⇒ How to find what feels right inside – despite anything society might be telling you about what counts as “normal.”
… and much, much more! 🙂
What’s Your Quest?
As a Magnetic Memory Method Podcast listener, please let me know what you’d like to learn the most. What skill would make the biggest difference in your life? What habits do you think you’ll need to master in order to achieve the outcomes you seek?
Let’s face it:
Like is like a game. And the best way to play the game is to play the kind of games that you want to be invited to play again.
But There Will Be Obstacles!
What would a game be if there weren’t obstacles to overcome and puzzles to solve?
I’m excited that Edan and MyQuest are doing so much to create learning innovations that help educators create structured, yet responsive learning experiences that help learners accomplish their goals.
Let’s all help MyQuest accomplish their quest by sharing this post and engaging in the discussion. Look forward to hearing from you!
For more information about MyQuest, creating your own app using their educational technology and Edan Kertis, please visit:
Mental Passwords Manager? Memory And Cyber Security With Brad Zupp
Jun 20, 2017
What if I told you that turning your brain into a passwords manager is the easiest thing on the planet?
Yes, even massively complex and (seemingly) meaningless passwords like …
HHTDFY66^&dd766g^^%7*d
… can be memorized without breaking a sweat.
And you’ll even have some fun!
To get this done …
So that you can easily learn and remember so much garbled and meaningless data quickly …
1) All you need is a strategy.
2) You need a bit of practice with the strategy.
3) You need a solid reason why.
Why Memorizing Your Passwords Is The Ultimate Only Path To Cyber-Security
To discuss the reasons why you need to learn, memorize and develop the ability to recall your passwords without storing them anywhere other than your memory, I’m delighted to be joined by memory expert, record setter and incredible memory educator, Brad Zupp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7O9VtKBpgk
If you haven’t already, scroll up and click the “play” button to listen in on our discussion.
In it, you’ll learn:
* The shocking truth behind why Brad decided it was time to create a system for memorizing his passwords and the horrifying realities behind why he’s sharing that system with the world.
* Brad’s incredible experiences with face memory and how it factors in with remembering names.
* Brad’s take on what to do if you have aphantasia or otherwise are in need of developing your mind’s eye.
Would You Like The Ability To Make Your Memory A Passwords Manager That Works Safer Than Any Computer?
Let me recommend Brad’s brand new book, The Hack-Proof Password System. (Note: The link will take you to the Amazon store nearest you. 🙂 )
I’ve read this book cover-to-cover and highly recommend you do the same. You’ll learn everything you need to know about protecting yourself online by developing an amazing memory skill.
It’s easy, fast, effective and fun.
And the best part is that making your memory the ultimate passwords manager is great brain exercise too.
For More Of Brad Zupp’s World Class Memory Expertise …
You may recall my “book report” of Brad’s excellent book, Unlock Your Amazing Memory: The Fun Guide That Shows Grades 5 To 8 How To Remember Better And Make School Easier.
If not, you can read all about it and listen to the podcast review here:
And if that wasn’t enough, if you want to pop your questions, experiences and comments in the discussion area below, I’ll make sure Brad sees your contributions to the Mnemonics Renaissance a.s.a.p.
In the meantime …
Thanks as ever for helping us help you and talk soon! 🙂
The Memory Code: Ancient Memory Techniques Anyone Can Use
Jun 15, 2017
When Lynne Kelly released The Memory Code, it immediately changed how we understand human memory.
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Lynne joins me to reveal how ancient oral cultures used a variety of memory techniques to store vast amounts of knowledge.
These methods include:
Songlines
Storytelling
Objects like lukasa
A variety of other spatial memory systems
There’s something for everyone in this fantastic book.
And as I update this podcast description in 2025, I can see the delight in my face from the video I shot upon its arrival:
https://youtu.be/u2Z3SW8s0dg
But being a fanboy of memory science and the history of ancient memory techniques isn’t the only reason I could barely contain my excitement about Lynne’s book.
I’m also a fan of the present moment and how memory interacts with it.
So getting to speak with the author of The Memory Code as a fellow mnemonist was a real treat.
That’s because Lynne doesn’t just study ancient memory traditions. She always uses them.
What You’ll Learn in This Conversation About The Memory Code
Scroll up and hit play as Lynne and I explore The Memory Code. You’ll want to listen to this episode a few times to fully grasp how her discoveries rewire what we think we know about human memory.
Discussion points include:
* How a skeptical science writer became a memory practitioner by replicating memory techniques used by ancient cultures.
* How humans once regularly memorized 1600 plant names and locations (while thriving on less than a third of them).
* The role of rituals and Songlines in long term memory encoding and retention and specifically how Lynne uses these techniques in her daily life.
* Why Lynne’s associations with her Memory Palace Songlines have become so strong, she cannot relocate from her environment. This point will help you avoid Memory Palace Agoraphobia.
* The potential relationship between social inertia and a cure for Dementia (or at least a serious reduction in the number of cases and their severity).
* Why your brain is a set of “chemical locations” and how these can integrate with other locations in the world to help you remember. Jesse figured this out in a big way as you’ll learn in his Magnetic Memory Method Review and Testimonial.
* What we’ve lost in schools and what Lynne is doing to bring formal memory education back into the curriculum.
* What Nobel prize winners have shown us about how and why the brain associates information with locations naturally.
* Why the continuous culture of Australia is so beneficial to the study of memory.
* The economic history of memory training and why the going rate for one memory song could be exchanged at a very high rate.
* Why knowledge is so essential to human survival.
* Why vivid imagery in stories and dancing is far more memorable than straight, unencoded information.
* The 3 kinds of “Memory Spaces” anyone can use to remember information and get it right – very important in everyday education and matters of life and death.
* Why some information was restricted in early societies to avoid the so-called “Chinese Whispers Effect.”
* Why ancient groups of people were not naive or living in clouds of ignorance. Learn how science is helping us discover their incredibly sophisticated ways of knowledge – far from primitive!
* The power of multi-sensory mnemonic methods for helping you make fast associations.
* The secret skill all children have (one of the barriers that far too many adults unnecessarily let themselves get in their way).
* The possible role writing might have in decreasing our visual imagination abilities.
* Why you need to memorize based on a firm foundation upon which layers can be built.
* Examples of how kids are using mnemonics to memorize physics equations using location-based mnemonics.
* How children are learning about art using Memory Palaces and other memory techniques that enable the teachers to help young learners achieve better grades.
Memory Techniques For People Of All Ages
Helping young people is essential, but Lynne talks about how all the same techniques apply across the board to people of every age. No matter how time crushed you may be.
As you continue listening, you’ll learn:
* Why memory techniques will save you time, not consume it.
* Why memory techniques should be taught within the curriculum of schools, not as a separate subject.
* Why memory techniques have inspired students to BEG for testing, not run shrieking from their exams.
* The role of cold in creativity and memory with respect to cold showers and the vagus nerve.
Additional Links & Resources
This conversation with Lynne Kelly remains one of the most profound explorations of memory I’ve recorded on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
We’ve since recorded conversations about her books Memory Craft and The Knowledge Gene. But this one will always hold a special place in my own memory.
Do yourself a favor and read this book. You won’t regret it.
Mindshift: 3 “Time Travel” Secrets From People Learning How To Learn
Jun 01, 2017
Don’t you love a teacher who can tell a good joke?
You know the kind:
Each class begins on a funny note.
You hang on every word, no matter how difficult.
In fact … it pains you when the lectures end.
You can hardly believe it, but as tough as the information flowing from your teacher might get, you simply cannot get enough.
When that happens …
Don’t Despair!
And understand this:
According to Barbara Oakley in her new book, Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles And Discover Your Hidden Potential, successful teachers have a strange ability …
… the ability to wrap candy around the crusted salt of difficult ideas.
In other words, great teachers make challenging concepts easier for your brain to absorb and remember.
How On Earth Do They Accomplish That?
To accomplish this difficult feat, many great teachers use humor.
Humor? Is that all it takes?
Well …
In many cases, yes.
https://youtu.be/AizStjbSg0w
Humor, it turns out, (which can be verbal or situational as Zizek makes clear in the video above) is a core ingredient in the magic spells these soothing muses of hardcore information use to slide information into your mind without you noticing.
That’s right. You really can learn almost on autopilot.
An Aspirin For The Aches And Pains Of Education?
Humor, and those humorous teachers who deploy it, use their special talent with jokes to manipulate your brain’s “opioid reward system.”
Rest assured:
This painkiller for information is super-important for the future of humanity.
Why am I being so dramatic?
I’m glad you asked.
As Oakley explains, merely thinking about learning something difficult activates one of the pain centers in your brain.
Nothing like Christian Bök’s pleasant flurry of “motorized razors” (another professor who uses humor to great effect):
https://youtu.be/jrNpI0r7fa8
But you get the idea.
Your brain anticipates the pain and tries to run away shrieking.
That part of the brain so opposed to learning?
It’s called the insular cortex. Even this biological term itself sounds scary, doesn’t it?
Well …
This Term Should Sound Scary!
But here’s the thing:
Oakley has good news for you and your insular cortex on every page of Mindshift. And the best part is that you don’t need every teacher to be a comic to learn even the most difficult topics without fear and suffering.
Mindshift is designed to help you figure out what you want to learn and how to get yourself take the steps needed to succeed. Using stories, activities and factual data about how your brain works, you’ll walk away from reading Mindshift equipped to anticipate and remove all obstacles you could possibly face on your way.
All you need to do is understand a few key “time travel” secrets …
Time Travel Secret #1: Your Past Is A Treasure Trove Of Transformation
One of the most exciting aspects of Mindshift is the lesson that nothing in your past is a waste.
In fact, much of your potential for future success as a learner and eventual leader in a field of your choosing lies in what you’ve already done. You need only know how to tap into it.
As Oakley demonstrates throughout the book, traditional ideas about expertise are outmoded. But here’s the beautiful news:
We are all unusually equipped for the requirements of the 21st century where several areas of “deep knowledge” separate the cream from the crop.
And if you’re a scholar, a lot of what you know can help you escape the Ivory Tower and have an impacting career beyond the university. Here’s Barbara helping you make that mindshift:
https://youtu.be/sDqUifVGAJg
You Can Be The Cream Floating Gracefully Up To The Top
The trick in getting there lies in understanding your passions and being able to identify your current skills (more on “current” affairs in your time traveling in a second).
But this is important:
Don’t get caught up on this word “skills.”
It has a lot of meanings and if you’re reading this page, you’ve got a done of them. Without a doubt, you’re already beaming brightly from within the paradise of your multiple intelligences.
But There’s A Catch!
If you haven’t sat down with some paper to make your skills and mental assets visible to yourself, so many vibrant resources in your life could be entirely lost to you like some kind of undetected natural gas resource waiting to be tapped.
And that means you might find yourself living a life lost to digital amnesia.
In addition to making your past resources discoverable, Mindshift shows you how to install the needed desire for lifelong learning if you haven’t already got it.
Time Travel Secret#2: The Power Of Now For Your Learning
That’s right. You really can “time travel” the present moment.
As one learner interviewed in Mindshift puts it, you accomplish this feat by shifting your thinking about where you are now. Instead of worrying about having a safety net, use everything you’ve got and your circumstances as a springboard. You need only learn how to see the opportunities.
Two of the most useful concepts from Mindshift are also the most understated. The first is balancing modesty vs. hubris and the power of solving other people’s problems.
Just as we have brain chemicals that send out pain signals into our consciousness when learning something hard appears before us, we also have the hard truth that learning makes us better people.
And that means having more power.
The Comic Book Reality Of Life Long Learning
Of course, life is rarely as simple as a comic book, but the old line couldn’t be truer when it comes to learning:
https://youtu.be/-o308cW0hKI
Great power demands responsibility for you as much as it does for Spider-Man!
Sadly, not everyone uses their power wisely or accepts the responsibility power brings.
In so many of the stories in Mindshift …
… we read about abuses of power from teachers and other community leaders.
These are people who should have known better.
Yet, as lacking in fun and humor as this genre of story in Mindshift is, the lesson and the reasons why the author includes them is clear:
Each “Mindshifter” in Dr. Oakley’s case studies clearly wanted to learn in a way that de-toxified earlier educational experiences and ensured they never happened again.
Now if that isn’t taking control over the present moment and accepting responsibility for the power that action itself brings, I don’t know what is.
Time Travel Secret #3: The Best Tense For Directing Your Focus
Not just in any wild direction, mind you.
The key seems to be focusing outward.
Kind of like how Benny Lewis teaches how you need to speak the new language from day one. Out into the world, and out into the future.
https://youtu.be/bal5sJhAuN8
So it’s never the question, “What do I want to learn?” that puts such extraordinary wind into the sails of the successful learners featured in Mindshift.
It’s the question of “What am I going to do with what I learn?” Having at least an initial answer to that question in a way that directs energy towards the future seems to make the hugest difference.
After all, it’s by asking and answering questions – high quality questions – that we can best shape the future we want to experience.
And in almost every case, those who take the beloved MOOCs that Oakley describes in perhaps the funniest portrait I’ve yet to read, future planning for the application of the knowledge you discover is a huge driver of success.
(Note: If you don’t know about Dr. Oakley’s own ultra-popular MOOC, Learning How to Learn, click that link three words back for an interview she gave the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast with her diving deep into everything about it and how it can help you.)
The Power Of Personal Change Relies On Chronologies You Control
Whether you’re a learner with no aspirations to teach or a teacher looking to expand, Mindshift is the book for you.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. Listen to what the author has to say for herself in this engaging discussion:
https://youtu.be/CeMwi1Kwcl8
Above all, Mindshift is one of those rarest things all learners love to find:
A vessel that takes you on a journey and comes packed with the tools for maintenance and repair as you travel. You also get the resources for adding an entire fleet of ships to bay of your learning life as you go. With stories, interactive exercises, science and inspiration offered in Mindshift, you’ll know what to do and how to do it as you learn your way into the unknown.
And that’s no joke.
As Oakley promises, things are just getting started for students and instructors alike as video technology gets easier to use, metrics reveal more about what works and online classroom experiences get “stickier, funnier, and overall ‘learnier.'”
Learnier? Okay, now you can laugh. All the way to whatever future you’ve always wanted after you read Mindshift.
Major System Secrets And The Future Of Your Memory With Florian Dellé
May 25, 2017
Would you like to pick the mind of the greatest living Major System masters?
If so, click play above and dive into the incredible mnemonic talent of Florian Dellé.
In this exclusive interview with Florian on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you’ll discover:
♣ The key factors that make memory competition more exciting to participate in and watch as a spectator …
♥ The number one need every student of memory techniques must fulfill to experience their true capabilities …
♠ The connection between using your memory and motivation. Master this and you’ll create a state of excitement that helps you overcome all kinds of learning obstacles and barriers!
♦ Why you shouldn’t waste any more time on boring and frustrating learning techniques …
♣ Why everything we do with memory techniques always builds on the work of others …
♥ How to use forms and shapes to help you memorize keywords and the names of cells, golf statistics or anything you want to memorize …
♠ How to use chain stories, image clusters and other ideas locked up in Esel’s Welt …
♦ How to create a second or even thirdMajor Method/Major System list to create multiple memory advantages and more variety in your mnemonic tool box …
♣ The “annoying” truth about reusing your mnemonic images and Memory Palaces …
♥ Why these techniques are never just about having a “code system”
♠ Florian’s PAO system with 1000 people and 1000 objects and how specifically he works with them in sets of 100 in order to generate a workable memory system. Understand the thinking behind his strategy and you’ll be well-equipped to evolving your own approach for achieving any learning goal.
♦ Florian’s amazing Pyramid Memory System …
♣ How to open your image sets for any purpose without getting bogged down by dogmatic rules.
♥ The limits of the Major System and why Florian decided to expand and create his own.
♠ Why some people FEAR the Major System and how to overcome this hurdle so that you can feel the fun while experiencing its many benefits …
https://youtu.be/R0nJj0-E-g4
♦ Why Florian likes movement and even abstract images, as opposed to stationary objects like street lamps in his memory practice …
♣ Why boredom should be avoided at all costs when learning to use memory techniques …
♥ Why Florian created ThinkKniht and developed an alternative to the Major System …
♠ How to find your “feeling” for the Major System associations so that you’re happy with it and using it to maximum effect from the beginning …
♦ The difference between a “native society” and a “civilized society” and the role of apps for the future of your memory …
♣ The difference between learning, training and coaching software yet to come. Understanding how all these softwares can be relevant for your learning will blow your mind with all the possibilities …
♥ Why trial and error might eventually be eliminated from the learning process. The only question is … will that be a good thing or bad?
♠ Why you should never be intimidated by the lingo and “systems” of memory techniques and how to quickly get yourself into the practice of using your memory … even if you initially doubt the efficiency of the initial training period …
♦ … and much, much more!
(Note for puzzle-fans: Can you see the special mnemonic I’ve hidden in the special-characters?)
I’m grateful for this discussion with Florian and look forward to hearing your response. Be sure to follow Florian on Twitter and support his mission in bringing mnemonics and the real magic of memory to everyone around the world.
Resources Mentioned In The Podcast & Other Great Links To Explore
11 Reasons You Should Reread At Least One Book Every Month
Apr 24, 2017
Have you ever heard the phrase, “writing is re-writing”?
It’s an important principle for people learning to write – one that I shared with my students at universities like York, Rutgers and the University of Saarland.
Why?
Because there’s a destructive fantasy going around in the minds of so many people who want to write for a living (which means essentially reading for a living).
I’m talking about the fantasy that your first draft is good enough.
Or that your first read-through a book is sufficient.
The truth:
The First Draft & First Read Of A Book Usually Stinks!
Writing needs revision. Often lots of it.
And it’s the same thing with reading books. You need to re-read them.
Sure, you can use the Magnetic Memory Method to memorize a textbook, literally picking out only the key points. It’s an incredible skill to have and can help you read faster without sacrificing comprehension..
But more often than not … one read just doesn’t cut it.
And there are many reasons why. Here are 11 of them.
#1: Content May Be King, But Context Is God
Get this:
Once upon a time, I could only afford to take one course at university at a time. I had to work three jobs just to afford the tuition!
Looked at ironically, I was actually lucky I could afford to take just one course.
Why?
Because all those jobs left me with time enough to complete the reading requirements of only the one course!
All joking aside, I read Plato’s Republic that year while walking up and down the hill to the university. It was all the time I had for reading. And the only reason why I was walking up and down the hill to the UNBC campus where I was studying political science as an undergrad was because even with three jobs…
After paying tuition, I still couldn’t afford the bus if I wanted to also pay rent.
Reading Plato’s Republic while walking was fitting, though. Many of the dialogues that make up The Republic seem to take place outdoors. And although it’s Aristotle who belongs more closely to the Peripatetic School of philosophy, walking around is … walking around.
And because I’m a diligent reader who enjoys the slower process of MMM Bibliomancy as taught in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, I let the books I need to read absorb me based on the context of reading.
The second time I read The Republic was as a professor living in Saarbrücken, Germany. This time I read The Republic as an audiobook, also while walking up and down a hill.
But even though the mechanical operation of walking from place to place was the same, I was reading The Republic the second time around as an educator, not a student.
And instead of reading The Republic in the context of other philosophers (like St. Augustine and Hobbes), I was re-reading Plato during a period when I was dialed deep into Eckhart Tolle and Wayne Dyer.
Context changes everything and that means the same book was actually very different.
The result?
Context unlocked thoughts about its contents and “unhid” more interesting details to remember.
Alethia for unhiding is a fancy ancient Greek word you’re going to want to add to your collection, by the way. Keep it and context in mind as your go-to rereading strategy. You’ll be delighted by what happens!
#2: The Organic Source Of New Ideas Re-generates Itself
You know that many of your cells regenerate, right?
Not all of them, but enough that you can make the claim that we have a chronological age and a cellular age.
And if you wait long enough to re-read a book, you’re technically not the same the person as the first time you read the book. Sure, your heart, brain and bones are pretty much the same, but the rest?
A whole new you.
And that means completely new arms, hands and eyes that deliver the book to your brain.
Plus, thanks to how the brain rewires itself, you’ll have entirely new experiences, viewpoints and perspectives to bring to your re-reading.
Isn’t that exciting to think about?
#3: Why Something Most People Dread Is Really The Icing On The Cake
Most people regret getting older.
I’ve never understood why, but I guess it’s because they don’t value the power of re-reading books.
Plus, your pool of imagery and mnemonic images to use within a Memory Palace gets larger year after year.
And as you work with your memory, you discover so many resources set in stone that you never discover unless you’re re-reading books.
Put simply, age is a currency. It is traded on the strength of connections. The older you are, the more connections you make on autopilot and can engineer deliberately.
Better be doing some brain exercises, though. You’re always in danger of losing what you’re not using, after all …
#4: How Location, Location, Location Will Save The Life Of Your Memory
Think about this:
When you re-read a book, you can enter a multi-dimensional time-zone portal.
For example, I’m about the re-read The Republic for the third time.
This upcoming re-read is inspired by a conversation I had on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast with Brad Zupp. We got deep into the weeds on matters of memory and philosophy in that one!
And as I re-read Plato yet again, I can use Memory Palaces related to the university where I studied when I read The Republic for the first time.
Likewise, I can use Memory Palaces related to the university where I taught when I read it the second time with this rereading strategy. That will save me a ton of memory loss from stress.
And oh yes, you’d better believe I’ll be using Memory Palaces right here on the campus of QUT in Brisbane where I live to lock and load details I want to remember from my third read.
But without re-reading this monumental book from my past, all that “Location, Location, Location” juice goes untapped.
That would be tragic, sad and a complete waste of the constantly renewing cellular matter throughout my body.
With all of this in mind, let me ask you this:
What are you doing with your past, present and future untapped Memory Palace potential?
#5: Why You’re A Rookie If You Don’t Have Reason Itself Working In Your Favor
I’m talking not just the force of reason as used by skeptics of memory, but also multiple reasons. Clearly defined reasons.
Back when I first read The Republic, the reason was simple:
I’d ponied up for a course in Political Science. In order to pass the course, I needed to read the book.
More than that, I wanted a degree. And I wanted knowledge and all the power and accomplishment it brings.
The second time around, I wanted a few more things.
First, I wanted the initial buzz of pleasure back.
I also needed confirmation that the book said the things I remembered it saying.
Plus, I had placed The Matrix on the syllabus of one of my Film Studies courses. I needed to at least re-read Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” … so why not check in with the whole book?
And now, I want to revisit that earlier conversation with Brad Zupp and think more deeply about how The Republic relates to memory and accelerated learning overall. After all my research and teaching in the field, I’m excited to see the book from a whole new perspective.
Plus, there’s the whole notion of Virtual Memory Palaces and making Memory Palaces based on movie locations and series. And it occurs to me that the Allegory of the Cave might be one of the best fantasy Memory Palaces one could borrow.
So I’ve got my reasons for re-reading intact. As I teach in the Masterplan, strategy is everything when it comes to improving your memory.
What could you re-read that revives old reasons and harnesses the power of new ones?
#7: What Wikipedia Can’t Tell You About Sequels, Second Editions And New Translations
Yes, yes, I know you can blitz your way through books you’ve read before by checking out the summaries on Wikipedia.
And you know what?
There’s a place for that. I do it too and it’s a great enhancement of information.
In fact, I’ve already make my own little Wiki-adventure through and around a lot of The Republic and its many topics to set the stage for my re-reading.
But Wikipedia is not the territory. It’s not reading a new translation with a new introduction by a scholar with a different perspective.
And it’s not re-reading the book with all the benefits of new context, a new body and new reasons.
Only re-reading the book itself counts as re-reading the book.
Until you dive in, you’ll never know the value. And if you’re satisfied with skimming … well, you’ll just have to see if you enjoy paying the price of not re-reading important books. Only time can tell.
#8: Old Books Often Have Better Answers Than The New
We simply don’t know which of those books hitting the shelves this week will stand the test of time.
Sadly though … we can make some solid predictions that most will be forgotten within a fortnight or sooner.
That’s why it’s worth not only reading the classics, but also re-reading them. There are reasons why some books just won’t go away and one read often isn’t enough to squeeze out all the value.
Plus, without romanticizing the past, we can say with certainty that life throughout history often offered challenges far harder than what most of us face.
Can we learn about how to better thrive in the face of our “First World Problems” by looking at how people dealt with war, plague and famine in the past?
You bet.
And a lot of those survivors were great literary stylists too. Many are worth re-reading just to dip back into the soul of their wit.
#9: How To Experience A Gold Rush Of OMG! Moments Every Day Using A Rereading Strategy
Well, re-reading books that you’re familiar with in the language you’re studying is a brilliant experience.
First, re-reading a book you already know in a foreign language helps reduce some cognitive load. You can settle back a bit more because you know in advance where things are going.
Second, with a rereading strategy, you can zero in on features like dialog, descriptions and whatever area of the language you’d like to improve. And you can do it with some feeling of familiarity to guide how you focus your lens.
Finally, you get to “spy” on the thinking of that culture. Ezra Pound called this feature of a language its logopoeia. It’s the logical element of processing the world that is different than sound and imagery.
And in re-reading you get to experience the logopoeia of your mother tongue and the language you’re studying at the same time.
What an incredible treat to give your exercise-starved brain!
#10: Defeat The Shocking Ways That Digital Amnesia Is Destroying Your Brain
A lot of people just accept it. Google and the other Kings and Queens of the Internet are slowly eroding your brain.
Not only does this term describe how many people are forgetting what they read online. They’re also failing to use basic observation skills consistently. As a result, they’re not thoroughly questioning as much as necessary to ensure sophisticated thinking about the world.
Scary, right?
Don’t worry. There’s a simple way to defeat this problem.
It’s called a book.
A real book.
Paper. Ink. You and your body somewhere offline.
And if you make that book a re-read of a book from the past, you’re defeating Digital Amnesia because you’re giving your brain the opportunity to revisit information from the past offline.
And if you’ve read a book on your Kindle device or some other digital reader and feel like you forgot more than you’d like, then re-reading a physical copy is the perfect cure for that problem.
Anyhow, I don’t mean to sound preachy, but there are also special memory techniques you can only use with physical books. To show you more of what I mean, I recorded this video with a physical book for you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er-k8Ecgdfo
One of the techniques I share in that video is the PAO system. It lets you create mnemonics for pages in your books based on their page numbers. True, it’s an intermediate mnemonic technique, but well worth learning because it helps you turn individual pages into mini-Memory Palaces.
#11: How Simple Memory Improvement Helps You Invent The Perfect Future
The last reason that re-reading books is so good for you is simple:
Since you first stumbled across this blog and the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, your memory is already better.
As a result, every book you re-read enters your head blessed with greater potential for being remembered.
All you have to do is use the techniques.
Good thing they’re so fun and easy.
And because you know how to connect information with locations and things you’re already familiar with, each and every day of life has the potential to improve your memory even more.
And re-reading books fuels the engine of memory by accessing the familiar in a new way and from a new angle.
You get to actively direct the future by harnessing the power of the past.
Best part:
It’s never too late to get started re-reading books that you enjoyed in the past!
How To Create Your Personal Rereading Strategy And Plan
There’s lots of advice about how to plan out there, so let me just give the broad strokes in the form of a memory exercise:
Using the alphabet, try to list all of the books you can remember reading. For example:
All’s Well that Ends Well or A Farewell to Arms for ‘A’
The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins for ‘B’
Cancer Ward by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn for ‘C’
Etc
If you can’t find something for each and every letter, just move forward and get as many as you can. You can also use the Wikipedia books by title page to help. Or you can go alphabetically by author name, which itself provides great memory exercise.
Next, cull out the books that you actually want to reread. If you wind up with 100 books, pick just 12, one per month.
Then, make sure you have access to all 12 choices. Order them on Amazon right away.
Have a calendar and a Memory Journal and show up to get them each read, one per month. By the end of the year, you will have reached your goal.
So Let Me Ask You Something Personal …
What book are you most excited about re-reading next?
And would you like to remember more of what you read?
If you would like to absorb and recall more information, grab my free memory improvement course:
It will help you learn the basic memory techniques I use while reading.
And it will provide you with a bridge to the more complex techniques that make re-reading such a pleasure.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to get out there and start re-reading books strategically?
3 Reasons Why Skeptics Succeed With Memory Techniques Better Than Anyone Else
Apr 20, 2017
Go ahead and admit it.
You’re skeptical that memory techniques will work for you.
You might even be skeptical that memory techniques work at all.
I mean … those memory champions could be using mirrors or some kind of technology, right?
They’re absolutely not, but …
Who hasn’t given such tricks a thought when you hear the incredible results of memory improvement training?
Hundreds of words!
Thousands of digits!
Countless decks of playing cards!
All under the pressure of time, cameras and competition.
Here’s the thing:
As scientifically proven as the memory techniques are …
Your Skepticism Is Good!
In fact …
It turns out that the more skeptical you are about memory techniques, the better they work!
And over the years, I’ve discovered 3 reasons why skeptics succeed with memory techniques better than anyone else.
Buckle in because if you’ve been sitting on the fence when it comes to using memory techniques …
… or if you’ve been suffering less than stellar results every time you give them a try …
The problem could be that you’re just not skeptical enough.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S04U79rNKKw
#1 Skeptics Are Ethical
Kind of a weird place to start, right?
But it’s true.
Because skeptics tend to follow, in one way or another, the laws of a universal rule:
The responsibility for demonstrating the validity of a claim falls on the person making the claim. I believe the Flynn Effect helps explain why more and more people have assumed this responsibility over the past 100 years or so.
But that’s external skepticism about memory facts and statistics that I should be able to independently confirm.
There’s also the internal skepticism that many people new to mnemonics encounter. And they sometimes say very mean and nasty things to themselves.
In other words:
If YOU say something outlandish like, “Memory techniques won’t work for me” …
… AND you’re an ethical person …
YOU Will Do Something To Prove That You’re Right!
And that’s where the fun begins.
Why?
Because it’s almost impossible NOT to succeed with memory techniques if you’re ethical and willing to apply your reasoning skills. Beyond that, if you fail, you must be seriously getting in your own way to make failure even a remote possibility.
Or, you can take a chance and get results. You might even wind up proving your skills to a big crowd that cheers you on. Paul Deery took my training and did just that:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4f-JXhvY5c
#2 Skepticism Comes Packed With Determination
People anxious to prove that they can’t use memory techniques bring truckloads of determination.
So much so that they’re able to quickly overcome the objections that people with only a passing interest in training their memory allow to disrupt them.
What are these objections?
I’m not creative …
I’m not visual …
I don’t have the energy …
It’s too hard …
… and a slew of other negative self-talk that no true skeptic would ever let stand in their way.
No, skeptics want to get at the truth – badly. So they tackle the training with all the due diligence it deserves.
Aren’t you starting to wish that you were a skeptic too? 😉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2zz110cTr0
#3 Skepticism Creates Multiple Levels Of Energy
Think about it this way:
The fact that the skeptic motors in with all guns blazing to prove that they can’t do it is one level of energy.
But then when they begin to see that they’re absolutely wrong …
A new energy appears.
The energy of total surprise and excitement from getting results! Because lo and behold, these skeptics discover … the memory techniques do perform with ease after all!
And when that second level of energy doubles back to the memory of their skepticism … it grows even bigger!
Why?
Because they’ve returned to their ethical core and accomplished something profound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4eZcFNc9sU
They didn’t sit around whining and crying about their doubt.
They went out and investigated.
They picked the purportedly miraculous skill apart and learned it in the process.
And, of course, to really learn memory techniques, you’ve got to also use them.
And when that happens …
You’re Hooked For Life!
Isn’t that exciting?
You bet it is.
Just like it was for Tom, who attended one of the live Magnetic Memory Method trainings I give around the world.
On this particular occasion … Guilin, China.
At the end of the second session, Tom came to me and exclaimed, “You changed my life!”
With Tom in Guilin showing off the quick Memory Palace he drew to memorize 20 Chinese idioms overnight.
To be honest, that bold claim made me a bit skeptical!
So we chatted a bit and I understood he was sincere.
But it wasn’t until the third day that he told me just how skeptical he’d been.
Listening to me talk …
… even before he took action …
… the clarity that the Magnetic Memory Method brings to authentic memory improvement wasn’t opening his mind or melting his heart …
It was creating a plan of attack!
And even in the planning, Tom could see that …
He Would Fail To Prove That Memory Techniques Don’t Work!
Although … here’s the ugly truth.
It’s easy to repeat the good news that “memory techniques work.”
But that’s semantics.
The truth is that memory techniques don’t work.
Oh no.
Not at all.
It’s YOU who work the techniques. Never the other way around.
You don’t ask a skipping rope to fly in circles in the air, do you?
No! You pick it up and twirl it around your body as you jump up and down.
It’s not magic – it’s exercise!
And the benefits of doing so?
Immense!
But for some reason, many people expect to buy a memory improvement book or course and have some kind of otherworldly, spellbinding transformation.
Well … that’s not so far off the mark. If you work the memory techniques, you absolutely can experience an entrancing metamorphosis of memory ability most people only dream of!
But you’ve got to understand that all memory improvement begins and ends with picking up the tool and using it. And if you need help, coaching is available.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWgx5W5p0VM
And That’s Why Tom Couldn’t Prove That Memory Techniques Don’t Work!
He was too determined to pick up the tool and use it to prove that the memory techniques don’t work.
But to do that …
He had to work the techniques!
And so the third day he returned to me and said again, “You changed my life!”
But this time it wasn’t just with the claim that I’d changed his life.
It was with a Magnetic Memory Method Memory Journal in tow.
All the instructions followed to the letter.
And let me tell you …
His first Memory Palace Looked Beautiful!
And on the page beside it, two columns of Chinese idioms.
And What Happened Next Didn’t Surprise Me In The Least!
You see, I’ve encountered many times before.
Not that it doesn’t give me a thrill each and every time.
Quite the opposite. As I listened to Tom recite 20 Chinese idioms off the top of his head, my heart exploded with pride, excitement and the absolute edification that comes with seeing yet another skeptic move over to the Magnetic side of the Force.
I’ve felt the same edification when using the Magnetic Memory Method to memorize Chinese poems.
But oh how Tom doubted!
And oh how he let his skepticism be his prime motivator.
Which leaves us now with possibly …
The Most Important Memory Improvement Question In The Known And Unknown Universe!
If you’re not already a skeptic, but you’d like to have the energy of a skeptic so that you can finally get some results, how do you bring the power of positive skepticism into your life?
I’m so glad you asked because I’m unusually equipped to help you answer the question.
After all, back during my professor days, I taught a fourth year course in Critical Thinking for a couple semesters.
And now you can enjoy the broad strokes of that course in just a few minutes.
But be cautious:
What You’re About To Learn Will Improve Your Entire Life
Skepticism begins simply.
It begins by inspecting information more closely than before.
Instead of glossing over everything all the time, peer between the lines.
Ask questions.
And think.
And ask you think and ask questions …
Ask more questions.
And go in with a particular attitude when you do:
Expect Specific Answers That Make Sense And Must Be True
So in the case of memory improvement, if a claim doesn’t seem quite right (which is often the case in information about memory supplements), go to the source and ask pointed questions.
Expect real answers and don’t be satisfied until you get them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKxDbIfkz-4
But please understand that when it comes to memory improvement training, it’s something you learn by doing. So you need to know the difference between inbound questions and outbound questions.
And it’s usually more appropriate in this case questions like:
Have I learned to create a well-formed Memory Palace?
Have I used a Memory Palace that I created according to the best guidance I can find?
Have I used information that will make my life instantly better (like 20 Chinese idioms) instead of practicing with a useless shopping list?
Questions like these cut to the core of the matter and what you’ll find is that the most powerful skepticism for our purposes today are skepticism not of the techniques. We’re talking about skepticism of what you’re doing with the techniques.
And when you get to this point, test the facts against your own experience.
Frequently.
And keep track of the results.
A Memory Journal is one of the best ways to do this and you will deserve massive congratulations.
Why?
Not merely because you’re now using memory techniques.
But because you’ve finally accomplished something truly special.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFZydbjyzEk
You’re now living a science-based life.
Because here’s what a skeptic really is (courtesy one of my favorite blogs, Science Based Life):
A skeptic is a person who withholds judgment on beliefs, claims, and topics, until the relevant evidence is examined, regardless of previous beliefs etc. Only under a verification of said evidence will a claim etc. be considered valid.
And notice that it is “withholding” judgment, not refusing to examine evidence.
And in this case, all the evidence you need is in the scientific journals.
It’s in the anecdotal descriptions and historical records going back thousands of years.
It’s in the annals of the World Memory Championships which recently celebrated 25 years. And there are many, many more competitions out there who also verify incredible feats under test conditions and track everything.
But there’s no place you need evidence more than inside your own head.
The Most Important Difference Between Memory Loss And Forgetfulness In The World
Mar 23, 2017
Hey, it happens.
We’ve all forgotten a name.
Where we left our keys.
Whether or not we locked the front door.
But there’s a difference between mild forgetfulness and more serious memory problems like memory loss.
And mild forgetfulness is particularly vicious because it can creep up on you. In fact, it could be biting up parts of your brain as we speak.
But it’s not the same as memory loss, which is what we really need to focus on curing.
https://youtu.be/Rvwnx-w-5OY
And to help you out, here are five signs of serious memory loss problems you need to take seriously:
1. Asking The Same Questions Over And Over Again
This is a big warning sign that you have memory loss problems. You might even be suffering from one of the big memory loss diseases like Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
It’s not just that you’ve forgotten the answers to the questions.
You’ve even forgotten that you asked the question before.
If this happens to you or someone points out that you’ve been asking the same question multiple times, please get it checked out.
No shame in having the problem. Just something that needs attention.
2. Getting Lost In Well-Known Places
This problem can occur at any age. It’s not necessarily a sign of Alzheimer’s or dementia, either. It could be a sign of fatigue, dietary problems or thyroid issues.
But if you find yourself getting lost in places you’ve been in many times before (including your home), you know that it’s more than well-warranted to get yourself to the doctor.
3. Inability To Follow Directions
No, I’m not talking about rebellion.
I’m talking about literally not being able to understand and execute.
We all have this from time to time. Sometimes, the instructions are to blame.
But other times, it’s a sign of serious memory loss.
4. Experiencing Confusion About Time
It’s normal to forget the day of the week every once in awhile.
But if it becomes a common occurrence, you need to do something about it.
Not only that, but you can use a Memory Palace to help ensure that you always know what day of the week it is. Here’s how:
Look at the wall nearest your bed.
Imagine it has seven quadrants.
In each quadrant, place an image. For example:
Monday = the moon
Tuesday = a can of Tuna
Wednesday = a weathervane
Etc …
Having a mnemonic calendar like this will make the days of the week more memorable for you as such. But to know for sure, you can imagine crossing out a huge X over the can of tuna before going to bed on a Tuesday.
Or you can do something even more imaginative, like seeing it smashed by the weathervane that represents Wednesday.
In this way, when you wake up, you can think of what happened before you went to sleep on your mnemonic calendar. That will instantly remind you of the current day. And this works just as well for young people as it does for people coping with age related memory loss.
Having a mnemonic calendar is also one of many great brain exercises that will help you keep sharp.
5. Not Taking Care Of Yourself
Seriously. Some people forget to eat, bathe and otherwise take care of themselves.
I know this problem well from the periods when depression has crushed my memory so heavily my hygiene went down the drain.
It sucks and if it happens to you, get it checked out.
8 Simple Cures For Memory Loss And Forgetfulness
The good news is that people are winning the battle against memory loss and forgetfulness. Here are 8 things you can do starting today that will give you the upper edge in the battle against these critical memory problems.
1. Learn A New Skill
Seriously.
Juggling, piano, simple sketching. Anything you can find will help. I’m currently learning more about video production and photography while learning Chinese. The improvements to my memory are noticeable on a daily basis.
2. Volunteer
It could be at a school, community service office or church. It really doesn’t matter what, so long as it’s with other people and you genuinely feel happy about helping others. These kinds of experiences create powerful new memories that will last a lifetime while exercising your brain.
3. Spend More Time With Friends & Family
Be honest. You’re not getting enough face time with the people that matter. And it’s killing your memory.
Get out your calendar and cell phone now. Make the call. Book a time. Your memory will thank you for it.
4. Put Your Wallet, Keys & Glasses In The Same Place Every Time
Look, I can teach you how to remember where you put objects in the house. But sometimes it’s good to give your memory some relief.
That’s why instead of imagining explosions every time you set your keys down, you can take the pressure off your memory by dedicating a spot for these easily lost items.
5. Get More Sleep
Easier said than done, to be sure, except …
It is easy if you set a computer curfew.
Seriously:
[clickToTweet tweet=”Shut the machine down at the same time every day. Read a book. Play a game. Get in bed. Rest your #memory.” quote=”Shut the machine down at the same time every day. Read a book. Play a game. Get in bed. Rest your #memory.” theme=”style5″]
I like to spend about 5 minutes wandering a Memory Palace and sometimes exposing myself to something new before turning out the lights.
However, I read a study recently that older people get less memory consolidation than younger people during sleep. Nonetheless, the additional exposure to information can’t hurt – AND those studies are still relatively new.
Point being:
Get off the computer and get more sleep. It’s good for your brain and memory.
6. Exercise, Hydrate & Eat Well
There’s nothing that helps improve memory better than having a healthy brain sitting in a healthy body. There’s no doubt that walking, pushups and other forms of fitness provide great memory benefits.
And it’s a no-brainer that eating foods that improve memory like salmon, blueberries and walnuts are far better for your memory than pizza, chocolate bars and foods bursting with bizarre preservatives. Get rid of the junk and enjoy memory friendly foods.
Drink tons of water too. Studies show that just a touch of dehydration shrinks your brain and harms your memory.
Who wants that?
7. Ditch The Booze
I haven’t touched alcohol for over a year now (except for a bit that touched my tongue by accident at a party).
I used to drink a fair amount, but in the last year, the benefits for my memory are really just the beginning.
Not drinking has contributed to losing a lot of weight and feeling better all around.
8. Get Help If You Feel Depressed
Not a lot of people know this, but even a mild depression can cause memory problems.
For that reason, don’t be shy or embarrassed to reach out for some help.
In fact, doing all of the above almost guarantees that you’ll never get depressed.
But wait! There are more cures for memory loss and forgetfulness. Introducing …
Why Do Memory Loss Problems Take Place To Begin With
Now, before we get started, you might be asking yourself …
Why do these memory loss problems take place in the first place?
Lots of reasons. It could be that you’re reacting to a new medicine – or an old one that has started compounding elements in your body.
Seasonal or contextual depression might be in play.
You might be lacking certain vitamins and minerals in your diet.
Perhaps you’ve had too much alcohol.
Blood clots or tumors might be growing in your brain from a health issue or injury.
Or other parts of your body might be affected.
The Ultimate Cure For Memory Loss & Forgetfulness
For most of us, we’re fit enough that we don’t have to worry that our health is affecting our memory.
We don’t suffer from Alzheimer’s.
There are no vascular issues causing dementia.
We’re not boozing or vitamin deficient.
So why then do we struggle with our memory abilities?
The Answer Is Simple
Lack of memory exercise.
Yes, it is a must to see a doctor if you have any of the memory problems I’ve listed above.
But if it’s just general lack of memory ability we’re talking about, then I’ve got just what the doctor ordered.
The Magnetic Memory Method doctor, that is.
I do hold a Ph.D., after all. Although I am making no medical recommendations of any kind, I can tell you this:
Nothing has boosted my mood more than using memory techniques and experiencing the raw power of recall.
Seriously.
This morning my wife woke me up with a simple request:
To sing a Chinese poem she’d taught me.
Which one? I asked.
https://youtu.be/dCyPV6qfKkI
Yes, I’ve memorized more than one.
Quickly.
Efficiently.
In ways that make me happy. Boost my confidence. Are ridiculously fun.
In fact …
It’s Impossible To Be Depressed When Using Your Memory!
So if you’d like to experience the cure for memory loss and forgetfulness yourself, I urge you to scroll up and enroll in my free memory improvement course.
You’ll learn the best way to use create and use a Memory Palace. Having one of these easy to make memory tools will let you learn, remember and recall anything.
And it’s the ultimate memory improvement exercise, especially since I teach you exactly how to make sure that you’re memorizing the information that matters in your life.
Then again, you probably already know exactly what would make a huge difference if you could remember it now, don’t you?
11 Empowering Things About Memory You Probably Do Not Know
Mar 15, 2017
Ever hear that crazy phrase, “knowledge is power”?
Sounds kind of cool, right? But have you ever asked yourself …
What The Heck Does That Silly Cliche Mean?
Well, “power,” it turns out, is an interesting concept. Especially when it comes to memory and memory improvement.
To begin, understand this:
People have defined it thousands of different ways throughout history.
Ever since I discovered it in university, I’ve always liked Michel Foucault’s definition. He’s a philosopher who you should check out sometime.
Don’t worry if you think philosophy is boring. Foucault didn’t dally around. He gets right down to defining it in many books. For Foucault, power amounts to “the ability to conduct the conduct of others.”
Now, let’s be honest:
Who In Their Right Mind Wouldn’t Want A Taste Of That?
And let’s be clear:
When it comes to memory improvement and using memory techniques as a way of life, that’s what we going for:
Power. Exactly as Michel Foucault defined.
Why?
Because if you’re using memory techniques to help you learn a language, guess what?
Speaking a language “controls” what others think. Just like my words are controlling what you think now.
Controlling what you’re thinking, feeling, deciding to do next.
And more than that …
Power Is Productive
It produces the next action in line.
When it comes to the power that using memory techniques creates, think of it this way:
If you’re using memory techniques for numbers so that you can quote SKU numbers at work or cite aspects of the law, you’re instantly better at controlling how your colleagues work with you.
Pretty neat, huh?
Well, hold on now, because it gets even better.
Because there are a lot of things about memory you probably don’t know.
And all of them will give you more power.
Which equals more control.
Particularly over the most important person in your life you need better control over.
You.
So with all that in mind, let’s get started:
1. Memory Loss Starts At A Much Younger Age Than Most People Think
Sad, but true.
We have this image that memory loss starts when you’re forty or older. Worse, we project the idea that struggles with memory belong to the elderly or people with Alzheimer’s.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Long before the age of digital amnesia, scientists knew that memory struggles begin already in our mid-20s, if not earlier.
And the more people relegate their memory activities to smartphones and computers, the more younger people start experiencing memory problems.
We’re exposing young people to information they don’t care about.
Want to help the young person in your life learn how to discover exactly what they care about to help guide their studies? Make sure you listen to the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast for the link to the listener only audiobook, The Ultimate Memory Improvement Secret.
I promise. That book will help.
And then giddy up on improving your memory. No matter how young and spry you think you are now, memory loss is always around the corner.
2. You Change Your Memories Every Time You Remember Them
You know this, right? Your mind is produced by your brain: soft, squishy material made up of all kinds of nutrients and acids.
The kind of stuff that aliens probably love to eat. 😉
And in that pool of chemical substances, sit your memories. Your memories are part of that stuff, not different from it.
Every time you access one of them, it’s like putting bread into a toaster.
Chemical change.
And, as you know, bread that has been toasted ain’t never going back to being bread again. It’s different now, and different it shall remain.
3. Your Memory Is More Like A Neighborhood Than A Computer
Not only are your memories made of physical material, they are also dispersed like multiple spheres in a pinball machine.
Think of it the way Gary Small suggested when I interviewed him on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
He explains that the computer metaphor for the human brain and memory is false.
Instead, your brain is like a series of neighborhoods, bigger and more complex than the biggest cities of the world.
And every time new information enters your “memory city,” it doesn’t book a room in a hotel someplace and wait patiently to be called for a business meeting when you need it.
Instead, the information is broken up and sent into many different homes in many different neighborhoods.
The Businessmen Your Memory Slices And Dices Everyday
Think of it like this:
Say that you learn a German phrase like, “Ich möchte mir etwas kaufen, aber ich weiß nicht was.” (I want to buy myself something, but I don’t know what.)
If that phrase was a businessman, your memory wouldn’t store him altogether in the same place.
Instead, it would take his hat and put it in one home in one neighborhood of your memory.
Then, in an entirely different neighborhood, your memory would deposit his briefcase. And that neighborhood might be just around the bend, or it might be hundreds of thousands of miles away.
And the division keeps going, taking each arm of the businessman to a unique location. It might even be the case that each individual toe goes to its own home in a variety of different neighborhoods.
Sounds Complex, Doesn’t It?
Well, that’s the miracle and challenge of memory. Next time you struggle to recall something because you’re missing a part (like a last name when you have the first name), understand that this is why:
Your memory stored the first and last name, just not necessarily in the same neighborhood of your “memory city.”
When you use a Memory Palace, and particularly the Magnetic Memory Method, you’re rigging the game in your favor.
You are literally requesting that your mind store the information in a more compact way. You are creating connections that put you in control of information storage in ways that no computer can beat.
I’m sorry. Get used to it. Nothing could be more important for your memory.
I’ve experienced a lot of sleep deficit over the past few years due to traveling the world in search of new Memory Palaces. I can tell you one thing:
Nothing hurts your memory more than exhaustion.
Why?
Because even with the most powerful memory techniques in the world, memory “consolidates” during sleep.
It seems to be related to the same way that we experience muscle growth during sleep. Work out all you want in the gym, but if you’re not putting in the snooze time, you’ll never see anything like the results you want.
Does Memory Consolidation Work If You’re Old?
Recent research shows that sleep consolidation might not be nearly as important for memory as an adult as it is for a younger person.
But in my own experiences as someone now in his forties, I can tell you that I still feel a huge difference. I’ve also done experiments with changing when I memorize Chinese vocabulary, and I do seem to have much stronger recall when I use the Magnetic Memory Method at night, rather than the morning.
5. Technology Can Augment Human Memory, But Also Harm It
Some of my friends think I’m a Luddite.
After all, I didn’t update my iPhone 4s until 2017. And even then I never used it as a phone anyway. It’s a computer for reading and writing.
All things told, all my devices are good for memory in certain contexts and I appreciate having them.
But we’re killing our memory abilities in so many ways. I talk about this a lot on my post about digital amnesia, so I’ll step off my soapbox for now.
Just please understand that we need balance in our life and that’s why vinyl records are so popular, not to mention physical journals (I recommend The Freedom Journal).
6. Repetition Can Be Fun
Most people don’t know this, but rote learning does have a fun button written into its code.
No, that’s a lie. Rote learning is always a crime against humanity.
If you have to repeat anything a zillion times or you’re bombing through flash cards without at least the assistance of some mnemonics, you’re doing it wrong.
No exposure to information should be without excitement. And every memory activity you engage in should CREATE energy, not CONSUME it.
Think of that the next time you repeat something mindlessly with the hope and the wish and the prayer that it will stick in your memory.
Remember: power is productive.
If rote learning and spaced-repetition software give you your jollies, rock on.
But if you’re sick of hammering your brain with same information and having it drain you of enthusiasm, get out into the real world and use a Memory Palace and the rest of the Magnetic Memory Method instead.
7. Human Memory (Probably) Has No Limits
People often think that their memory is like a sponge. If they bring in new information, they ask, won’t it squeeze the old stuff out?
The answer is no.
Memory is nothing like a sponge and there is no metaphor of “storage” or “absorption” that fits the bill.
It’s also important to understand that when we use the word “memory” we are mushing together all kinds of different memory?
There’s no way we can use them all up. And if you have a good Memory Palace technique by your side, here’s the thing:
You can ALWAYS find a building you’ve never been in before.
Get out your Memory Journal, make a quick sketch. Chart out your Magnetic Stations. And then use them to memorize some information.
Bang Presto.
It’s easy, fun and you don’t have to be a world traveler to do it. I’ll bet there are at least ten cafes and restaurants you haven’t been to in your city or town that would make glorious Memory Palaces.
You don’t even have to spend money in them to create your Memory Palaces. You could just go during off hours and tell them what you’re doing. Most will be okay with that.
If Not, Just Move On …
And if you don’t like restaurants or cafes, go to movie theaters. Go to libraries. Museums. Churches. Even well-structured parks can serve if you’re into outdoor Memory Palaces.
The point is to not trick yourself into thinking that you’re running out of Memory Palaces.
That can’t and won’t happen.
That’s called “Memory Palace Scarcity, ” and sadly it stops many people cold in their tracks.
Don’t let it happen to you.
8. You Probably Remember Less From Ebooks Than Physical Books
Why is this? Well, you can check out the research for yourself, but I have a pet theory.
And the theory is more than the obvious points that information is “located” inside of books in a way that it cannot be inside a computer.
In other words, it is probably useful to your memory that you know on a conscious or subconscious level that a piece of information was 1/4 or 3/4 of the way into a book. The location of the information within the physical space of the book is a kind of memory hook.
You don’t get that feeling in an Ebook, even though devices like Kindle will show you a percentage to give you a sense of progress.
I also don’t think it’s just about the physical differences between holding a book and holding a digital reader. Those elements are important too, but far more critical it seems to me is this:
Your Brain Is Chemical
Your brain is chemical. Books are chemical. And computers are chemical too …
And yet somehow … I don’t know how to explain it. And I’m happy to be dead wrong, but I just think we are at a strange remove from “digital ink” that doesn’t exist when you’ve got a book in your hand.
It may have to do with presence. The best way I can think of to explain it is to relate books to vinyl records. Check out this cool video from Vinyl Eyezz to expand your thinking on the matter. Then go buy something physical.
https://youtu.be/qkdA5sG6rDg
9. Memories Can Be Manufactured
Just as each memory transforms every time you recall it, you can be compelled to create memories that never happened.
There are a lot of angles to this problem, some of which fall under the title of false memory syndrome.
But I think it’s more complex than that – and quite possibly sinister. For example, look at this seemingly innocent manufacturing of memory regarding a hot air balloon experience:
https://youtu.be/zcjYB1hLzLg
Then imagine that the cops have accused you of committing a murder.
Scary stuff, right?
Well, now that you know about this problem, you can fend off any threats that might emerge around it in your life.
And the best thing for it is to train your memory so that you’re starting off strong in the first place if trouble ever arises.
10. The First Memory Palace Probably Comes From The Buddha, Not Ancient Greece
I love the story of Simonides of Ceos. It not only demonstrates just how easy it is to remember stories, but the story itself contains all the traits of what makes a story memorable.
But here’s the thing:
The idea of “location-based mnemonics,” (the sexier, but more accurate term for the Memory Palace technique) predates Simonides by a long time.
For example, many yogic and Buddhist rituals involved using parts of temples to recall passages of rituals. You might imagine a bridge in one corner of the temple, for example, and a black dog in another.
Then, during your meditation, you would mentally “visit” these Magnetic stations in the temple Memory Palace and decode them as part of completing the meditation.
Sure, they didn’t call it a Memory Palace and probably didn’t think of it as a memory technique.
But that’s what’s going on beyond a doubt. And the best part is that when you understand this relationship between space and memory, the role of churches of all stripes throughout history becomes much clearer.
Stations of the Cross, anyone?
11. Stories Filled With Emotion Are The Easiest Information To Remember
Yesterday I ate a sandwich. It was good.
… not very memorable, is it?
Of course not.
But what if I told you that yesterday at 11:49 p.m., I was so ravenously hungry that a furious rage overtook me.
I hopped into a tank I stole from the local military and drove it through the wall of the nearest McDonald’s.
Then, with a wave of my magic wand, I made my mouth so big that I could fit all the food in the restaurant into my mouth.
I’m talking EVERYTHING. I vacuumed it in like I was the Hoover Vacuum King of Fast Food.
Then I burped a strawberry vanilla-scented wind that put the police in a relaxed state so that they turned around and went to the nearest Buddhist temple to meditate about bridges and dogs.
Stupid story, I know, but it’s a heck of a lot more memorable.
Why? Because it’s got emotions in it:
The NEED of hunger.
The ANGER of irrational aggression.
The EXCITEMENT of magic.
The WEIRDNESS of dream logic.
And all those elements mixed together make bland information much more memorable.
Go ahead and try it.
Pump a reminder into your phone for later today: What was Anthony’s story at the end of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast?
Take a moment to jot it down.
Then come back and compare notes.
I’ll bet your 85-99% accurate in your recall.
Here’s What’s Even Better:
You can apply that same, emotion-based zaniness to even the most deadly boring information in the world.
And so long as you know how to create a Memory Palace and use Magnetic Imagery to encode and decode the information through the Recall Rehearsal process …
Power! Sheer power!
And power in the positive senses we’ve been talking about.
So listen …
There’s no need to struggle with bad memory anymore. In fact, no one has a bad memory. People who suffer from forgetfulness just don’t know enough about the miracle of memory.
But now you do and the future is wide open and bright for more discovery about your memory and your mind.
Get out there and have fun and until next time … Keep yourself Magnetic! 🙂
Effortless Conference Interpreting: 7 Career-Making Memory Tips
Mar 09, 2017
Have you ever wished you had the ability to memorize information in real time?
Believe it or not, you can. Interpreters do it all the time. They listen, understand, memorize, translate and speak – all at the same time.
Impressive, right?
Conference interpreting is certainly not for the faint-hearted.
In fact, research shows that conference interpreting is one of the most stressful jobs in the world. One study put the stress levels experienced during interpreting on about the same level as those of an air traffic controller! Go figure.
How To Succeed In Conference Interpreting Without All The Stress
However, people who wind up with great conference interpreting jobs were not born with these skills: they developed their abilities by learning and practicing specific techniques. If you’d like to do the same, pay attention because I’m about to show you exactly how it works.
1. How One Simple Test Will Strengthen Your Memory And Boost Your Fluency
Here’s the single most important thing you can learn from conference interpreters:
They focus a lot on flexibility.
You see, no matter how good your memory is or how many words you know, sometimes you’re going to forget something or wind up stuck looking for words. It even happens in your mother tongue!
Interpreters know that if you want to boost your fluency, you need the flexibility to retrieve at least something to say from your memory in every situation.
The good news: this ability to remember is something that can be trained! Even better, if you’re already a conference interpreter, you can continue learning and potential boost your conference interpreting salary!
How To Hear The Future As A Conference Interpreter Before It Happens
One way interpreters go about this is by making it a habit to guess what a speaker is going to say next. That buys them time to think of a good translation. Now you know why your interpreter friends are always finishing your sentences!
As annoying as that habit might be, exercises in which you anticipate words might be the key to increasing your flexibility.
The most important exercise used by interpreters to train this skill is the cloze test. This exercise is fantastic, and I use it all the time.
How To Close In On The Cloze Test For Maximum Memory Results
So how does the cloze test work? You get a sentence with certain words blanked out. It’s your job to fill in the blanks with an appropriate word (or word group). That word can be anything, as long as the sentence makes sense and is grammatically correct. An example:
David wants to ____ a table for 5 tonight.
Answers:
David wants to book a table for 5 tonight.
David wants to reserve a table for 5 tonight.
David wants to make a reservation for a table for 5 tonight.
David wants to make a call to the restaurant for a table for 5 tonight.
David wants to ask if you’ve booked a table for 5 tonight.
… and so on …
You get the point.
Try to come up with as many appropriate answers as possible. The more you can find, the more flexible you are in speaking a language!
The Truth About What Really Improves Your Fluency
Here’s another reason I really like this exercise:
It builds flexibility by teaching you how to take advantage of context. In this regard, it relies a lot on your association powers. The better certain language patterns and structures are ingrained in your brain, the easier words to fill in will come to mind. That translates to improved fluency. And that’s wonderful given how much we now know about the benefits of bilingualism.
However, there’s more. What really makes the cloze test stand out for me is that it shows how context can be a mnemonic for learning words or expressions!
Context: The Ultimate Conference Interpreting Equipment That Sits In Your Awareness (Priceless!)
To give you a basic example: whenever someone says “Thank you” to me, I’ll immediately, without even thinking about it, respond “You’re welcome!” Just hearing these words triggers my memory and gives me the appropriate response.
The association between those two phrases became so strong that they act as a mnemonic for each other.
If you’d like to take advantage of the cloze test to memorize vocabulary and use context as a mnemonic, I found that the easiest way to do that is by making flashcards (physically, or use an app like Anki (link)). Here are the steps:
1. Make a flashcard with sentences in the language you’re learning. 2. Blank out the words you want to memorize and add them at the back of the flashcard. 3. Review your flashcards and try to guess which word would fit in the sentence. Try to experience the situation described in the sentence as vividly as possible! Read it out loud, visualize it, feel it. 4. Every time you review the flashcard, the connection between the context and the word you’re learning will become stronger!
My experience is that learning vocabulary this way works wonders. Incorporate this in your language learning routine, and you’ll start seeing the benefits in no time.
2. Flexibility 2.0: How These 4 Improvisation Techniques Help Conference Interpreters Remember Translations
Ever started a sentence in a language you’re learning and gotten completely stuck because you couldn’t think of a certain word? You go blank, start stuttering. Maybe you even decide it’d be better to just shut up until you become more fluent.
Interpreters feel your pain. They’ll often hear words in a speech that they understand, but for which they don’t have a translation readily available. Shutting up because of a cognitive overload is no option, though: your audience is counting on you for an accurate translation!
Experienced interpreters have learned how to work around this and always remember a suitable translation. How? You guessed it: by working on their flexibility.
In this case, to increase flexibility, interpreters rely on improvisation. Let’s go through some of the tricks they use, that might come in handy for you as well!
• First of all, if you don’t know a word, just try to find a description with words you do know. For example, a ‘civil servant’ could be described as ‘someone who works for a state’s administration’.
• Second, you could also just use something opposite. Instead of a ‘civil servant’, you could say ‘someone who doesn’t work in the private sector’. Most of the time people will understand what you mean soon enough.
• Third, use a more general or more specific word. For example, if you can’t think of the word ‘car’ you could say ‘means of transport’ or ‘vehicle’. Or you could go more specific and say the brand of the car (‘Ferrari’).
• If nothing else works, assess how important the word really is to your story. If you want to say: ‘Yesterday, I went to the cinema by car. It was a great movie’, is ‘by car’ really important? If not, leave it out so you can continue the conversation.
There you go: 4 techniques to make sure you always remember an appropriate translation. Use them to never get stuck while speaking a foreign language!
Interpreter Memory Booster Bonus:
These techniques are extremely useful while learning vocabulary as well. Whenever you see a word, apply the techniques mentioned above. You’ll instantly make associations with synonyms, opposite words and examples which will make the words stick so much faster!
3. How Interpreters Use Their Memory to Understand Words They’ve Never Even Heard Of Before
The previous point showed you how you could use improvisation if you understand the meaning a word but can’t remember the translation. Sometimes, though, you won’t even understand the word and have absolutely no clue about what it could mean.
So how do you react when you don’t understand a word during a conversation in a foreign language? Do you panic? Do you start looking so hard for the right translation that the rest of the conversation becomes background noise?
This isn’t an option when you’re interpreting. Your audience expects you to understand and remember everything about a conversation so you can make them understand as well!
So what do you do? A good interpreter will stay calm, keep listening and try to make sense of the word. How? By using two things: context, and their memory.
But wait, that doesn’t make sense, right? How can your memory help you understand a word you’ve never even heard before?
It’s possible, if you’ve already built a strong memory connection in your mother tongue between the meaning of this word and some other words in the sentence.
Tap The Mind Of A Panic-Free Conference Interpreter
Let me explain by telling a story.
I once had to interpret a German speech that dealt with the salt concentration in the Adriatic Sea. The speaker kept talking about the cycle of ‘kondensieren’ and ‘verdunsten’. Now, kondensieren (condensate) is self-explanatory, but I’d never heard from ‘verdunsten’ before. The pressure was high: after a few minutes I had to interpret the speech and I had never heard from one of the keywords of the speech!
However, I stayed calm and relied on the memory connections I’d already made with the word ‘condensation’. In high school, I’d learned (in my mother tongue) about the cycle of condensation and … evaporation, of course! That was indeed the meaning of the word verdunsten. I was saved!
What’s the moral of the story here? Your brain is smart and capable of making connections, if you don’t panic, keep listening and try to understand the context.
Rely on the memory connections you’ve already made in your mother tongue. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t understand every single word in a speech or conversation. Just dive in and try to understand the bigger picture. More often than not, the meaning of that one word you don’t understand will become clear automatically!
4. Why Conference Interpreters Memorize Everything They Read or Hear, And How That Makes Them More Fluent
First of all, a word of warning: students of interpretation are usually rather skeptical about this in the beginning. I was, and you might be too.
Please hear me out! It’s more logical than you think!
Ask any professor of interpretation what makes a good interpreter, and most of them will give you the same answer. I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not amazing memory skills!
It’s not even perfect fluency in a foreign language.
The Most Important Thing About Conference Interpreting In The World
There’s something more important: a broad general knowledge.
A good interpreter needs to be an excellent public speaker, in his mother tongue. Granted, he or she needs to understand a foreign language, but most of all he has to be able to explain things in his mother tongue in a coherent way, without making mistakes. For that, you need to have general knowledge and know a lot of words.
There are hundreds of thousands of words in the English language, and you can’t know them all. You don’t need to, either. Yet, working on your mother tongue and on your general knowledge will bring you so many benefits, not in the least when learning foreign languages.
We’re coming back to context here: the more knowledge of the world you have, the more you’ll understand in other languages as well. If you know a thing or two about a topic, you’ll only need to understand a couple of words from a conversation in a foreign language to know what it’s about.
I’ll give you an example: I’m in Italy right now and the country has just held a referendum on a constitutional change. It’s quite a big thing: everyone seems to be talking about it. I’m not a lawyer, but I read some articles on the referendum (in my mother tongue; my Italian isn’t that good yet) and memorized the basic facts.
Now, every time I hear an Italian say the word ‘referendum,’ I know what he’s talking about. There will be many words I don’t understand, but everything will make much more sense because I can rely on the information I’ve memorized before.
Interpreters are masters at this. They need to be versatile and ‘know a little about a lot’ because you’ll never know what the people you’re interpreting for will talk about. That’s why interpreters always keep learning to improve comprehension in any language. You should do so, too.
Oh, and if you feel like your general knowledge is lacking and you can’t remember basic facts, I’m sure Anthony has a cure for that 😉
5. How Conference Interpreters Mimic Others to Improve Their Memory And Get An Amazing Accent
Interpretation puts enormous stress on the brain’s working capacity, something revealed by a lot of memory statistics put together by researchers. After all, you’re listening to what a speaker has to say in a foreign language, trying to understand, translating and speaking in your mother tongue – all at the same time. Most new interpreting students – and most people in general – are not trained to do so many things simultaneously. The obvious result is a cognitive overload, and, quite often, miserable failure.
So how do you cope with that? Interpreters use a technique to learn how to listen and speak at the same time. If you’re into geeky language learning techniques, you might have heard of it already. It’s called shadowing.
What’s this all about? You listen to someone speaking and you immediately – with a couple of seconds of delay, that is – repeat what’s been said in the same language.
Doesn’t seem too difficult, does it? Well, give it a try: it’ll surprise you how even such an easy task can confuse you. Once you get the hang of it, though, you can start reaping the benefits.
How To Use Shadowing To Become A Better Conference Interpreter
Second, you can also use shadowing to familiarize yourself with a foreign language. In fact, this is the first exercise I use myself when I start learning a language. It gives me a huge advantage when it comes to pronunciation and listening skills.
If you want to try this exercise yourself, here are the steps:
1. Find a speech, podcast or other media in the language you’re learning. Take a slow one if you’re not that proficient yet! You could also slow down the video a bit with an app like Audacity.
2. Use headphones, but only in one ear: you want to hear yourself talk!
3. Play the audio and repeat immediately what’s being said. If you want to focus on pronunciation, stay as close to the speaker as possible. If you want to train your memory, you increase the delay to a couple of seconds.
4. That’s it! You’re listening and speaking at the same time. Now marvel at your brain’s capacities and see your memory and pronunciation improve.
Start with slow conversations or speeches (find language learning podcasts for example, or Youtube videos), and slowly work up your way toward materials at normal speed.
Then amaze native speakers with your flawless accent and listening comprehension.
One last piece of advice: do the exercise with audio only, so without reading a transcript at the same time. Using a transcript might be temping, but you really want to focus on memory and sounds only.
6. How Interpreters Use Memory Palaces And Mnemonics to Memorize Speeches on The Spot
Nowadays, conferences mainly use simultaneous interpretation (with the interpreters sitting in a booth and instantly translating), and even consecutive interpretation (with the interpreter standing next to the speaker, translating after the speaker has finished) is usually only done in 5-10 minute chunks.
https://youtu.be/mMLXYXOEHk0
Back in the early days of the profession, though, the world’s best interpreters were interpreting speeches of 30-60 minutes long in one go.
Yes! Conference interpreters memorised speeches of more than 30 minutes, in one listening. Now those are some impressive memory skills!
Of course, these geniuses were no stranger to nifty memory techniques, including our beloved Memory Palace.
One of the founding fathers of conference interpreting, Kaminker, reportedly said the following about his memorization strategies:
Kaminker assigned each speech to a district of Antwerp that he could recall, in his mind’s eye, in all its topographical detail. He assigned each idea of the speech to a shop and thus by walking down the streets of his childhood he was able to recreate the speech. Check out the book ‘Naissance d’une profession’ for more info.
Using Memory Palaces to learn a speech by heart is nothing new, of course. Even the famous Roman orator Cicero did it. Anthony and many others have talked about it as well.
Still, for, me, how interpreters do it is an inspiring showcase of the power of the Memory Palace. Mind you, these interpreters heard a speech only once, and that was enough to place it firmly in a Memory Palace and reproduce the full speech in another language immediately.
What About The Crazy Names Of People And Conference Interpreting?
The same goes for remembering names, numbers and dates. If you struggle with those, imagine how much worse it would be in a foreign language, when instead of a John Johnson, a German name like Gerhard Düsediekerbäumer might show up. Or you interpret for a speaker that mentions a date in every other sentence.
Impossible? Of course not. Interpreters usually try to jot names, numbers and dates down during a speech, but you don’t always have the time. Moreover, many interpreter students seem to have difficulties with writing down figures, dates or percentages. And it’s not only forgetting: I even noticed that, even though I remembered the figures, I often remembered (and even wrote down) wrong ones!
One of the ways interpreters deal with this is just leaving out unimportant numbers. But hey, that’s not really professional, is it? A much better way to deal with this is using some basic memory techniques. After I started using mnemonics and the Major Method, I noticed a dramatic improvement in how well I remembered dates and figures.
I’ve connected each number to an image, and whenever I hear a number or date I just instantly connect the images. That way, when I’m interpreting after the speech, I will have the images in mind and will always remember the correct numbers!
The same goes for names: by using imagery (read and listen to Anthony’s teaching on remembering names at events here). it became much easier to remember difficult names.
7. How Interpreters Achieve Laser-Like Focus & Instant Memorization by Listening The Right Way
I’ve saved this one for last, as it’s a bit more abstract than the other tips. Let me explain.
In the previous points, I’ve shown you how interpreters take advantage of improvisation, context, shadowing techniques, Memory Palaces and mnemnoics. These skills will improve your concentration, but to achieve laser-like focus, you need more.
I, for one, often have difficulties paying full attention when someone speaks for longer than 5 minutes. I’m sure I’m not alone. When I’m interpreting, though, something changes. I think athletes would call it being ‘in the zone’. The beautiful thing? It’s actually possible to achieve this state, just by changing the way you listen.
The Core Secrets Of Analytic Listening For Raw Conference Interpreting Power
First of all, you’ll need to learn to listen for ideas and for structure. In every sentence or paragraph, grasp the main idea (sometimes just one word) and you’ll be fine. Then go after the structure.
One of the first things you learn as an interpreter is to pay extreme attention to conjunctions (like AND, BUT, ALTHOUGH, HOWEVER,…). These mark events and twists in a text and are important for structure and for following the story.
Interpreters call this ‘analytic listening’. Write these structure words down along with one keyword per idea, and you’ll be amazed how much you remember after listening.
The Secrets Of Using Strong Imagery To Make Even The Dullest Information Impossible To Forget
Second, you must make an extreme effort to imagine the speech you hear as vividly as possible. For me that includes mainly visualisation, others swear by auditory experiences or feelings. The more senses you use the better.
Anthony and other memory experts have been saying it for years:
To make ideas more memorable, exaggerate them to make them so absurd that you just can’t un-see them anymore.
Now, for interpreting, I find this a bit dangerous. After all, no matter the improvisation tricks you used to translate everything, you still need to convey the right message as the original speaker. When you start exaggerating or changing things in your mind, chances are you’re going to screw up and say things that are just wrong.
There’s another way, though. When I’m going to interpret a speech, I try to wonder all the time what’s going to happen, and I try to be genuinely surprised by the important facts. Yes, also if they’re super boring. Belgium’s GDP has increased by 0.2% last year?
Incredible! There was a local chess tournament yesterday, with 6 participants? What, chess, and 6 participants? I can’t believe it!
This works because you’re artificially adding emotion to what you’re hearing.
Good stories often use suspense and surprise to suck you in, right? And because you were so curious about what was going to happen next, you’re super focused and your brain absorbs everything you hear.
That’s why almost everyone can recount a fairytale like little red riding hood after hearing it only once.
This emotional connection is what you’re trying to emulate here. Getting in this state of curiosity makes your mind much more receptive and completely sucks you into a speech. When you’re in this state, you’ll get laser-like focus and memory so even the most boring facts will stick.
So there you have it. 7 techniques that will give you conference interpreter superpowers and are all very applicable in everyday situations. Just try to incorporate some of the tips while learning languages, memorizing a speech or whenever you hear something you want to remember. You’ll never want to go back to a forgetful life again. Good luck, and let me know in the comments if these techniques were helpful to you!
Oh, and no matter where you’re at with your language learning journey, discover more about how I help language learners enjoy effortless conversations now. I’ll show you how to set up or improve your language learning routine. You’ll also discover how to track your progress based on a clear overview of your goal language learning goals.
Thanks for reading and hope to see you soon!
Why They Don’t Teach Learning And Memory Techniques In Schools
Mar 02, 2017
No question about learning and memory enters my inbox more often than than “why aren’t these memory techniques taught in schools?”
The question reeks of conspiracy.
It creates pictures of entire nations hoping to keep their children in ignorance so they will become mindless slaves working for the state.
But worse than all of that paranoia …
The question is …
Completely Irrelevant!
First off, memory techniques are taught in schools.
I recognize this simple fact even if once upon a time I dropped out without a high school degree (part one of this three-part series) and mercifully figured out what to go back to school for (part two).
How are memory techniques already used in schools?
How about the song we teach children to help them remember the alphabet? Its melody is a memory technique, loud and clear.
Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge for music is a memory technique.
We have simple mnemonics for astronomy, art, math, biology, geography and chemistry.
Heck, just search Wikipedia for “list of mnemonics” and you’ll find more than you can shake a stick at.
But Are Simple Mnemonics Enough?
That’s the real question at hand.
Because the problem is that a lot of the images and word play you’ll find on that Wikipedia page are useless.
Worse than useless, they create a ton of overwhelm.
Why?
Because they don’t come with any understanding. They’re not loaded with strategy …
They Have No Method …
And that’s why the Magnetic Memory Method is such a roaring success.
No, not for everyone. Not everyone wants to learn how to think about memory. Many people want formulas, gimmicks and “systems.”
I’m sorry, but that’s not reality.
And it’s not what we do in the Magnetic Memory Method Family.
Far from it. Instead of pretending that there’s some kind of fix all system that will magically improve your memory for all things forever and ever amen …
We Break Memory Techniques Down To The Basics
And once that’s done, we understand the how, the why and the what.
So that it doesn’t hurt so much to learn. Here’s why you feel pain with learning, by the way (thanks to Miklós in the SuperLearner community for bringing it to our attention):
https://youtu.be/UBVV8pch1dM
It’s even easier to stop the pain than the video suggests.
How so?
By making sure that you understand how to really get results from the techniques by aligning them with your real reasons for learning, remembering and recalling information.
It’s often not what it seems.
Because here’s the deal …
At the Magnetic Memory Method Headquarters, I strive to achieve just one thing:
Above all, it’s not going to happen without consistency of effort (which your Wise Advocate can help you with).
And that’s what’s so cool about the Magnetic Memory Method.
If you’ve been following the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you’ve heard the stories of success. Just one for today:
https://youtu.be/Y4eZcFNc9sU
These success stories with learning and memory techniques all boil down to one thing:
Learning the techniques.
Using the techniques.
Analyzing your results and then improving your abilities using them.
The best part?
I’ve had the chance to teach the Magnetic Memory Method to some of the finest students on the planet.
And guess what?
Success Leaves Clues
All of the most successful students share one thing in common.
They don’t wait around waiting for success to happen!
They invest in themselves.
They study the material they’ve invested in.
They take action.
They experiment, explore and when they’re done, they experiment and explore some more.
USA memory champion and memory expert John Graham can help in this area with his ideas about challenge-stacking too.
Having The Humility To Learn Is A Skill
What I’ve learned from all of the Magnetic Memory Method success stories is that everything begins with a decision.
It’s a decision to set aside time to learn.
To really learn.
I’ve done it myself. After years of success with my own memory and as a memory trainer, I went to learn from one of the best on the planet.
Not just to collect data and “spy” on the competition.
To Truly Learn
As a result, I’m better for it. In fact, I still buy books and courses from people. Some are from authors who help only a fraction of the audience the Magnetic Memory Method has gathered. Some are from towering figures who practically rule the memory world.
I’m talking about taking some courses that cost 4x the amount of the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass and Mastermind combined.
Yes! Memory improvement courses that expensive really do exist!
The Best Always Invest In Themselves
Here’s the thing:
Even when you get to the top – which is incredibly rare – you still have to keep learning. And let’s not beat around the bush:
The ones who sail past the obstacles in life are the ones who are in motion to begin with.
Wouldn’t you like to be in motion?
Of course you would. You just need to get started with learning and memory techniques.
And the best part about them is that learning can be fun. Especially with these 21 study tips under your belt.
Seriously.
Learning how to learn doesn’t have to be the horrid and depressing playground of the school system where everyone winds up asking, “Why don’t they teach the most important skills in the world in school?”
Again, that isn’t the real question.
Let’s Ask The Really Important Questions About Learning And Memory
The really important questions have to do with the quality of the memory techniques you study and the quality of the action YOU take.
And let’s face it:
The quality of your action comes down to the quality of the philosophy behind the education.
And my philosophy of learning and memory is that you need someone to teach you how to fish, not someone to do the fishing for you.
5 Memory Improvement Exercises That Don’t Require Another Annoying App
Feb 01, 2017
It’s annoying when the memory improvement exercises on your smartphone don’t help, isn’t it?
Your smartphone is supposed to be smart after all.
But instead, it’s packed full of junk you never use or apps you never get results from.
And if you’re like most people, you’ve downloaded a few brain trainers, some of which include memory improvement exercises.
Enter frustration when they don’t actually provide any results.
Don’t worry. I’ve been there. And the good news is …
Real Memory Improvement Exercises Make Everything Better
It’s true. When you engage in memory exercises that actually produce results, you will be able to remember better.
And it’s not just about improving your memory. It’s also about bringing a higher level of fitness to your mind.
https://youtu.be/5HK0hnHv2uk
Who am I to make these claims?
I’m not the one making them. Many scientific studies have shown that apps for exercising your memory either don’t work, or at best provide near-transfer results.
This Harvard study asks an even better question: If device-based brain games work… why aren’t there studies showing their results?
Dr. Christine Till has asked a similar questions and when I interviewed her about some of the claims made by the creators of memory exercise apps, her answer made sense. The studies that do exist show results that do not favor the technologies that have emerged so far.
Stop wasting your time on memory improvement apps.
Mind you …
I have discovered one that I think is worth your time and I might be talking about it more if I continue to experience benefits from it. I’m talking about using chatGPT to help with language learning. So far, I’ve actually been pleasantly surprised by how it helps.
But for now, I still claim that you never need memory improvement apps in order to enjoy substantial memory boosts. You just need to complete the best memory improvement exercises in the world.
Let’s dive in to my Top 5 faves.
1. The Gary Small Memory Improvement Exercise
It’s been awhile since I interviewed Dr. Gary Small, author of the excellent book, 2 Weeks To A Younger Brain.
My favorite exercise from the book involves a simple exercise that will amaze you. You not only feel your memory improving over time, but you get a clarity boost too.
All you have to do is pay attention to people in the world.
Pick one of them.
Notice four details.
Then, later in the day, recall that person and the four details you noticed.
For example, the other day I chose a man I saw on the way to the gym. He wore a red scarf, black jacket, held his key in his hands and had scuffed brown shoes.
Don’t Try To Memorize!
This is important: I didn’t try to memorize these details.
Instead, I just noticed them and asked my brain to pay attention. This is Dr. Small’s recommendation in order for the passive memory exercise to take place.
So how are you supposed to recall the details?
You just do the best you can and it doesn’t matter if you’re accurate or not. It’s the testing of your memory that matters, a principle scientists call active recall.
That’s why on my way home from the gym and once again later in the day, I recalled the four details I noticed.
It’s such a simple exercise and more than enough to challenge memory in a positive way. Better than all the memory improvement vitamins in the world.
And it feels so good.
I’ve played a lot of memory improvement games and not a single one of them created nearly as much pleasure.
Best part:
You don’t have to stop with just one person. You can do this memory exercise all day long and really stretch yourself.
For example, when I got to the gym, I made it a point to notice another four things about the woman at the desk who took my card and gave me my wristband.
I noticed the grooming of her eyebrows and the colors of her sweater, jogging pants and shoes.
Paying attention to these details not only exercised my working memory. It also made me more present.
Something we all need to be practicing. We know that meditation is good for the brain, and this exercise, although not a form of meditation, relates to the practice because of how it keeps you aware of your surroundings. Instead of being lost in thought, you’re actively paying attention to the world and the things you encounter in it.
2. Memorize Information From A Book
But not just any information.
Information that matters. Information that enhances the experience or even helps you make the world a better place.
For example, some of us are sloppy readers. Because character names are repeated so often, we never bother to memorize them. That, or the authors focus our attention on the meaning of names in order to ensure that we instantly remember them.
But what if we made it our goal to actively practice our memory by making some memory improvement exercises from the characters?
For example, you can modify the Gary Small memory improvement game. Even if the author doesn’t provide visual details for you to practice remembering …
You Can Simply Make Them Up!
I do this all the time when reading. For example, the novel I’m reading now has a character named Stone Luckman. For obvious reasons, that name is instantly memorizable, especially since you can see the character getting stones thrown at him.
(Congrats to the novelist Matt Eaton of Blank for building an amazing mnemonic into this character’s name!)
But I add details. Like that he’s bald, has a scar on his cheek, wears a vest and knee-high military boots.
Disrespectful to the author?
Perhaps, but as Stephen King points out in On Writing, he tends to scrimp on physical details in his writing because he knows readers go ahead and paint their own portraits of the characters anyway.
The only question is …
Do Readers Remember Those Details?
Probably most don’t. But you most certainly can.
To let this exercise show you how to improve concentration and memory, give yourself a simple test with the next character you encounter in the novel you’re reading.
You are reading a novel, aren’t you? If not, no worries – the same exercise applies to non-fiction as well.
For example, I just finished reading No Limit: The Rise And Fall Of Bob Stupak And Las Vegas’ Stratosphere by John L. Smith. (Nothing like a book about buildings that can be used as Memory Palaces, right? 😉 )
In this case, I looked up pictures of the people mentioned in the book and commanded my mind to remember details about them. Then, I ask my mind later in the day to recall those details.
You improve your imagination and knowledge of the world through reading and by adding one simple feature, improve your memory too.
Oh, and discipline helps too. Here’s how to get some:
https://youtu.be/wCKuMAKezyY
If you want to take things to the next level, you can also check out How To Memorize A Textbook. Go ahead and download that episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast and the infographic. I know you want to!
3. Create More Than One Memory Palace On A Single Day
If you’ve been following the Magnetic Memory Method for any length of time now, you now the phrase:
“One is the most dangerous number in memory improvement.”
People want just one book.
Just one memory technique.
Just one memory improvement guru.
Just one Memory Palace.
And no fantasies, like the belief that binaural beats can improve your memory.
Sure, some people can get away with that. Memory competition history holds some legendary tales about people who scanned through a single book and went on to win in a short period of time.
Anyhow, creating a Memory Palace is great brain exercise – better than any app can ever hope to offer.
But Those Cases Are Rare!
And the truth is that one is never enough, especially when it comes to the power and the glory of the Memory Palace.
If you have only created and used one Memory Palace, that’s like enjoying pizza at just one restaurant.
Sure, you’ve had pizza. But do you really know what pizza’s all about?
Didn’t think so.
The reality is that the full experience of pizza is always yet to come. You can always learn more about what defines a truly great pizza by eating another one.
(Pizza’s a really bad example, by the way, but like the Memory Palace, it has stronger ties to Ancient Greece. Even then, that’s still not the beginning of the story. Eat these foods that improve memory instead.)
Creating a Memory Palace the right way is really simple. Make sure you have the Magnetic Memory Method Worksheets and free video series so that you’re good to go.
And then make it one of your favorite memory improvement exercises to simply sit down and create at least one new Memory Palace each week. It’s easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy.
4. Use A Memory Palace Every Day
You knew this one was coming, right?
Well, the truth is that I’ve gotten a lot of people to make Memory Palaces. I’ve got folders on my computer full of pics and scans from people all around the world. Here are some Memory Palace examples to look at, including some of my own.
And making them is great memory exercise. It’s great memory activity for kids and one of the most powerful memory exercises for seniors.
But there’s a difference between creating a Memory Palace and using one.
And you can certainly benefit by creating Memory Palaces and not using them. I do this all the time.
But the real magic and the real way to blast far and beyond what the memory improvement apps can do for you is to actually use them.
What Are Memory Palaces Good For?
They’re good for encoding and decoding information you want to memorize. That’s a fancy way of saying that we use a Memory Palace to place information into long term memory so you can remember it any time you want.
… and much, much more, all with near or total accuracy!
I suggest that you pick whichever of these categories interest you the most and get good at just that area. You can learn more on the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass product page if this training might suit you the best.
Then add another.
Before you know it, you’ll have skills that enable you to use a Memory Palace to learn and remember anything you want!
The point is that we should always use memory improvement exercises that involve Memory Palaces to remember information that improves our lives.
Which leads to …
5. Remember And Recall Information About The Ones You Love
You wanna know why families fall apart?
The following is a bit of speculation on my part, but I honestly think it’s true.
And I’ll bet a recent experience proves it.
Let me set the scene:
I got married recently. It was awesome. April and I went all over the map on our honeymoon.
And yes, I can tell you the name of the judge who married us.
How Memory Improvement Exercises Can Create The True Ties That Bind
I don’t say that to brag, but I see stuff like that as a kind of cement that binds two people together.
And when April and I finally got our butts to Beijing for the family party …
I went out of my way to ask for and memorize the name of every single person I met.
Why?
Because the old cliche is true (and I don’t care if people send hate mail after reading this):
A happy wife = a happy life.
And what could make a person happier than a spouse who cares?
A spouse who can talk about different family members by name?
Heck, a spouse who can actually look someone in the eye while shaking their hand and say, “Hey, Steve, thanks for coming. We appreciate it.”
And then do that again and again and again.
Now in my case, there really was a Steve at my wedding party. And because he’s Chinese, I had to do double-duty in some cases.
In others, I just went with one name.
The Curious Reason Memory Improvement Exercises Are The Most Powerful Investment You’ll Ever Make
But the point is that I was not just practicing my memory.
I was investing in my wife.
And my challenge to you is that you learn to be a good partner to your loved one too.
Even if you’re single, equip yourself with this skill.
I’m not just saying this because Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.
I’m saying it because it’s true:
Love = Happiness
At least … most of the time.
And one of the best ways to express love is to actually care about the names of the people in your family.
And what about your partner’s friends?
Their childhood pets?
And all the other names we all throw around in our day to day lives?
Why let that information pass you by when you can capture it all, pop it into a simple-to-create Memory Palace and remember it forever? Use it to help improve your episodic memory?
I’ll tell you why.
I’ll tell you the major objection.
Stop Leaving Your Success In Life To Chance
It’s because people leave their lives to chance.
They prefer it that way.
Rather than lifting a finger to make life awesome now and prepare for a great future, they open themselves up for that divorce request that comes out of the blue a years down the road.
Except that request ain’t out of the blue.
It was set into the wall of the life you’re building right now.
Because whether you like it or not, you are building your life.
And if you want to know what real love is all about, you’re going to want to make sure that memory improvement exercises are a part of your life.
It Really Is That Simple
So what do you say?
Are you ready to get out there and do some simple memory improvement exercises?
If the answer is yes, then you already have more than you need to get started here on the Magnetic Memory Method blog and podcast.
Have fun! 🙂
The Real Meaning Of Names And Your Memory: Why You Find It Hard To Remember Proper Names
Jan 26, 2017
Annoying, isn’t it?
You’re an attentive person and you care about people.
But no matter what, the names you encounter completely slip your mind.
And it happens in a flash. In one ear and out the other. Zap!
It’s not just the names of people either.
We’re talking about the names of:
Pets
People
Places
Months
Days
Holidays
Historical periods
Wars
Books
Vehicles
Events
Institutions
… and even adjectives derived from proper names.
The List Goes On And On!
The question is …
Why is information like this so darned difficult to remember?
Well, you’re in luck. Although some of the reasons may shock you, today you’re going to learn everything you need to know about exactly why proper names of all kinds of thing challenge your memory.
Why The Meaning Of Names Fuels The Fire In Your Brain
At the most basic level, some names are easier to remember simply because they mean something as opposed to meaning nothing.
For example, The Great Wall of China and the Berlin Wall are less challenging to remember than Ostkreuz and Shun Yi for most people because the names themselves come soaked in meaning.
But if you hit a name cold with no base line of familiarity … It slides out of your grip like sand.
Certain names also enter your memory at a younger age than others. Bugs Bunny, Marvin the Martian and Donald Duck all hold special favor in my memory because I’ve been encountering them for years.
But in the John Grisham novel I’m reading right now, I needed to deliberately go out of my way to remember the names of the characters. Names like Troy and Nate are so bland, there’s little for the mind to grab onto. Mnemonics to the rescue.
Speaking of guys named John, I was blown away by John Graham’s incredible skills with memorizing names. Listen to him talk about his skills and see if you can’t up your game based on his inspiration.
How Authors Trick Your Brain Into Remembering Characters
Other novelists are good at making remember character names easy, however. I’m also reading Blank at the moment.
Author Matt Eaton uses names like Luckman. This naming strategy deliberately attaches meaning to the hero by reducing abstraction to a concrete signal that says this man has a relationship to luck. It tells your brain to look out for signs that confirm or disprove this, making the name instantly more memorable.
On the other hand, the meaning of names spikes in value when Maxine is subtly shifted to Max. This technique asks the reader to think about her name as an object and wonder if she abbreviates it because she’s fun and funky or to give her a masculine edge.
The Name-Letter Effect And Your Brain’s Endless Name Meaning Search
The truth is that names usually have no meaning. And in the real world, there is no author in the sky using literary tricks to help you remember names or find meaning in them.
But that doesn’t stop your brain from seeking the meaning of names when you encounter them.
For example, Jozef Nuttin has demonstrated your brain finds the alphabet letters in your name more attractive than others. Now called the Name-Letter Effect, Nuttin’s discovery sheds light on why some people do better in school, gravitate towards certain cities and remember some names better than others.
In the main study, Nuttin presented students ranging from elementary school to university with letter pairs. Some were given random letters. Other subjects were given lists that more closely matched the letters in their names.
In either case, when asked to select the letters they preferred, all subjects showed a preference for letters that were in their own names. Although memory studies don’t all agree, it is possible that the Name-Letter Effect also explains why we remember some names better than others.
And It Seems To Appear In Just About Any Language!
Note that this effect does not appear to be language-specific. It has been tested in Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish. Other experimenters have tried it with other alphabets like cyrillic and done experiments to see if the effect persists into adulthood when people learn a foreign language that uses a different alphabet or character-set.
Also note that the Name Letter Effect might apply to numbers as well. Although I use the Major Method, I tend to find 2 and 7 easier than other numbers, and that advantage may reflect the fact that my birthday is overloaded with both of them.
Sound Has Its Own Sex And Success Appeal
There’s no doubt about it. Some names sound nicer than others.
And that appears to have a psychological effect. For example, if your name “sounds” like it belongs to a successful person, you may be motivated to fulfill the prophecy.
So one cool trick for remembering names a lot better you can explore is to always associate new information with successful people. This is why the Magnetic Memory Method teaches you to create lists of celebrities.
When you do this, you’re not just equipped with a “crib” of associations ready to go. You also have the success effect working in your favor.
How To Cut Through The Noise And Remember Names Properly
One huge barrier to remembering names is noise. Sound can be crippling when it comes to remembering names. If you can’t hear it, you can’t guess how it’s spelled or properly pronounce it. And that means your brain can’t create proper pathways in the brain for remembering it.
In order to hear names better, you need to practice listening. You also need to monitor yourself for laziness and shyness.
For example, I have often made the fatal mistake of remembering names I didn’t hear correctly and then using memory techniques.
In combination with the Recency Effect, the Magnetic Memory Method is so powerful that the mistake can be impossible to shake. You wind up calling that person by the wrong name for the rest of the night.
The solution?
Ask people if you’ve got the pronunciation right. And then use your correct pronunciation to remember the name.
There’s no shame in asking and it buys you time to overcome some of the other things that make remembering names difficult.
But the ultimate barrier we all face is the lack of inherent meaning in most names.
Why Your Brain Always Drops The Ball Like A Bad Juggler
When you meet a new person, you’re not just meeting a name. You have the room around you, a face and all kinds body language and unconscious communication.
Plus, names rarely tell you what a person does. Someone being named “Baker,” for example, does not mean that they work as a baker. And if someone says they are named “Glirkzifal Mershkevork” and work as an architect, your brain is going to seize upon what it understands and skip over the information it has never encountered before.
Plus, your brain needs to store the name in a different area than it does the information about the Glirkzifal being an architect. The filtering happens due to something called “plausible phonology.” Even though you likely have never heard the name Mershkevork, your brain accomodates the idea that such a name exists.
(On the other hand, if someone says that they’re a mershkeverker, your brain will do a backflip trying to figure out if such an occupation exists.)
Given the split-processes and the fact that most names have no meaning, you’re in trouble. Unless you’re using memory techniques, you’re bound to drop the ball on the harder to remember information.
3 Language Features That Make Names Easier To Remember
Luckily, there are some features and conventions of names and naming that make the meaning of names irrelevant. Understanding these will make a huge difference for your success.
1. Names are both acoustic and physiological.
In almost all cases, you have the opportunity to experience names both in your ears and using the muscles of your mouth. You can also see many names represented in writing on paper.
By simply taking time to notice the different perceptions you go through when encountering names, you’ll improve how you remember them.
2. Some names have “logogens.”
For example, I might say the name Jon.
As a listener of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you might immediately think that I’m talking about Jonathan Levi. (His SuperLearner Academy free trial is still running, if you’re interested.)
The reason his name would come to mind is because Jon is a logogen within a context you understand.
But I could have said “John” and meant “John Wayne.”
The point is that most names have some kind of logogen in them. To take our friend “Glirkzifal Mershkevork” again, “ifal” and “kevork” are deliberately implanted logogens for real names like Percival and Kevorkian.
No matter what names you encounter, and no matter how difficult they may seem, you can always look for the logogens within them to help you make memorable associations.
3. Phonetic Symbolism.
The meaning of names is often found in sound. For example, approximately half of words that begin with “gl” words are visual in nature: glance, glitter, gleam, glow, glower, glimpse.
Likewise, many “fl” words are associated with light, such as flash, flare and flicker.
In fact, a 1929 study by Edward Sapir showed that there is some relationship between vowels and the meaning of words related to size, speed, brightness, pleasantness and disgust.
For example, listen to how the vowel /u/ helps convey meaning in these words: dull, blunder, clumsy, mucky, muddled, bunged up and bungled.
Many authors have noted the relationship between meaning and sound in naming characters, particularly Charles Dickens and the marketing departments of many companies.
And, of course, any time you meet a person, you can use memory techniques to inject your own meaning into any sound. You just need to pay attention to how names sound in the first place.
And keep in mind that all phonetics can be represented visually. That means iconic memory plays a role in how you remember not only the sounds of names, but how they look when printed.
Never Be Satisfied With Your Memory
The takeaways from all this doom and gloom about your memory?
You have options, even if the meaning of names is never apparent to you.
One of the biggest option is to simply start paying more attention to language, both sound and physiology. Take time to expose yourself to interesting names and words. You might also want to think about physical movement, not only in your mouth, but your entire body.
Be disciplined about this practice and extend it to looking at visual representations of names. There are entire branches of art devoted to representing words. For example, check out the Visual Poetry section at Ubu. You’ll find amazing pieces like this by b.p. nichol:
But It’s Always Okay To Make Mistakes
Even though we should never be satisfied with our memory, it’s important to understand that you never make errors with your memory. You only learn lessons about how it works and how to make it better.
But you need to take risks. And when you forget things, simply explain to people that you’re working on your memory. And tell them that’s it’s not just about your memory.
It’s about the health of your brain.
And that means it’s also about the quality of your life.
You do want a good life, don’t you?
The 5 Biggest Reasons Entrepreneurs Need Memory Techniques
Jan 12, 2017
Entrepreneurs need a ton of skills to achieve their goals.
And let’s face it:
The amount of material entrepreneurs need to learn can be downright discouraging. Just to stand a chance of “making it” requires so much know-how that a lot of people give up.
Here’s the good news:
You don’t have to give up on your entrepreneurial dreams.
But as they say in the entrepreneurial world, a lot of success comes from first knowing your “why.” That’s why in this post I’m going to talk about the 5 biggest reasons entrepreneurs need memory techniques.
Don’t Discount Any Of These!
Each is important, and you’ll find that the Magnetic Memory Method covers each.
https://youtu.be/AG0h6OI50Ig
If you haven’t already taken the free course I’ve got for you, grab the memory kit by subscribing above and get ready for an amazing memory boost that will impressive the pants off you and everyone you know.
1. Not Being Able To Remember Numbers May Be Causing More Lost Revenue Than You Can Imagine
Numbers overload the average life lived in business:
Conversion rates
Tax percentages
Statistical formulas
Phone numbers
Identification codes
Dates and times
… and many, many more.
A huge part of the success of any entrepreneurial enterprise links directly with how well you can manage numbers like these. You can’t wring more profit out of numbers you haven’t remembered, after all. And you can’t even begin to understand math concepts you haven’t committed to memory.
To get better at memorizing numbers, it’s important that you learn the Major Method (sometimes called The Major System).
What Is The Major Method?
It’s a way of quickly memorizing numbers by turning them into images.
There are different ways of using the Major Method, but to get started, associate each number from 0-9 with a sound. Here’s what I use based on a standard approach popular around the world:
0 = soft c, s, z 1 = d or t 2 = n 3 = m 4 = r 5 = l 6 = ch, j, sh 7 = g, k 8 = f, v 9 = b, p
But right now, you’re probably wondering …
How On Earth Am I Supposed To Remember All Of That?!?
It’s pretty easy – if you’re willing to experiment. I won’t give you an example for each number, but to get you started:
For zero, you could see a giant snake hissing as it eats its own tail. The shape of a snake in a circle resembles the digit 0. The sound of hissing reminds you of the ’s’ and soft ‘c’ sound options.
For nine, look closely: From one perspective, it’s like a ‘b’ standing on its head. From another perspective, it’s a golf club facing the wrong direction and driven down into the ground.
Check out five. If you hold out your left hand and stick out your thumb, you’ll notice that you have five digits. The pointer finger and thumb make an L-shape.
Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!
Let’s put it all together.
If you wanted to remember a number like 905, the Major Method gives you several options with these letter-sounds. You’d just need to pop in a few vowels so you can make a word.
For example, 905 could be:
Basel (the herb) or Brazil (the country on a map or the Terry Gilliam movie).
509 could be an image of yourself speaking with a lisp.
590 could be Jennifer Lopez. Make her leaping to compound the 5 and 9 and it’ll be even easier to remember.
This Is Just The Beginning Of Remembering Numbers With Ease
And it’s fun to give your friends challenges, like Jonathan Levi and I have done. Even just a short run of numbers like the serial numbers on a dollar bill makes for great memory exercise in a restaurant.
Just make sure that you’re not totally exhausted – and even then the techniques can still work wonders. Here’s the full story:
https://youtu.be/SY_b168fWTM
I can’t stress how important the ability to remember numbers is for an entrepreneur so please get busy and let me know how you fare.
2. A Simple Way To Remember Names That Works Even In The Noisiest Convention Halls And Business Meetings
As an entrepreneur, you meet a lot of people.
And there’s nothing worse than forgetting someone’s name.
It’s embarrassing. It’s crude. It’s unnecessary.
To learn how to remember names, check out this Magnetic Memory Method Podcast and the accompanying illustrations. You’ll find it useful.
In brief, all you need for getting started with remembering names is the ability to make associations. You can create your Magnetic associations in advance or on the fly.
Let’s look at both options. I will ultimately suggest that you learn both … you’ll need them!
The Magnetic Memory Method Name Crib
Some people who use memory techniques create databanks of celebrities in their minds. That way, whenever they meet someone new, they can make instant associations.
For example, I have Tom Cruise as my instant go-to name when I meet a new person named Tom. When I meet someone named Lars, I whip out Lars Ulrich, the drummer from Metallica. New people I meet named Sarah are instantly paired with Linda Hamilton, who played Sarah Connor in The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
The great thing about having predetermined celebrities and fictional characters is that the associations require zero thought. You meet the new person and then – BAM! – you can instantly see your new pal Tom in a fistfight with Tom Cruise.
The Martial Art Of Remembering Names Method
But what happens when you meet someone with a name from another culture? It’s not that the name “Gangador Dianand” is unusual – it’s just not one you’d expect to come across every day.
In this case, you need to be able to chop the name into pieces and use Magnetic Memory Method Word Division. This mnemonic tool helps with associating images to just the “gang” part of “Gangador” and another image with the “ador” part.
Also super-easy. All you need is to see something like a gang bursting through a door. If the gang “adores” the door they’re banging through, all the better. Just think about how you can make that “adoration” visual in your mind’s eye.
What about “Dianand”?
Also not a problem.
Remember Princess Diana? I sure do. And I also know what an ampersand is.
All that’s needed after that is a way of getting Diana and the ampersand interacting in a strange way.
And when you put it all together, you can make a little story:
A gang who adores a door bust through and catch Princess Diana smooching with an ampersand.
But Wait! I’m Not That Creative!
I hear this excuse often.
Here’s the thing:
You don’t have to be creative to get started.
As Benny Lewis points out in Fluent in 3 Months, using these techniques makes you more creative. And the more you practice creating associations, the easier and faster it gets.
Just give it a try. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how practicing memory techniques rewires your mind and memory for entrepreneurial success at many levels.
3. Join The Elite Crew Of Entrepreneurs Who Can Quote The Facts Right Every Time
There’s nothing more impressive than an entrepreneur who has a handle on the facts.
Let’s face it. Consumers are more skeptical than ever. If you haven’t got your details in order and wind up stumbling all over the place to communicate your business knowledge, you have no reason to expect anyone will take you seriously.
The only question is … how do you remember facts?
You’ve got options, but the number one technique to learn is how to create and use a Memory Palace.
Remember how we were just talking about Jennifer Lopez and 590?
Well, the way a Memory Palace works is that you would place an image of her leaping all over the place on the desk in your study. Or you would have her leaping in the clothes washer.
You can place images like Jennifer Lopez anywhere you like, but it’s best to have a strategic way of creating your Memory Palace so that you’re not just placing her any old place and hoping and praying you’ll find your way back to her. Make sure you’ve taken my free course to ensure that you know the best ways to create a Memory Palace and avoid all problems.
You can model this approach for any facts that you’d like to memorize. It’s easy, fun and will rapidly increase your expertise.
4. The Ability To Remember Quotes That Will Get Everyone Talking About You
If there’s one thing that binds entrepreneurs together, it’s the love of quotes.
You’ve probably heard this famous line from Zig Ziglar, to take one example:
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”
As cool as Ziglar’s quote is, it really means nothing if you can’t remember and pull it out at the right time. Entrepreneurs equipped with memory techniques have no problems, however. They can simply use the tools of the Magnetic Memory Method and zip any motivational quote they want into memory and recall it with ease.
The Memory Palace is also the go-to technique in this case. Once you know how to use it, you just need to prepare and organize the quotes you want to memorize. When you hear a good one, you can also memorize it on the fly with ease so long as you have a solid understanding of how to use the ground beneath your feet as a Memory Palace.
Wisdom Is Just One Vertical (Or Horizontal) Pillar Away
When memorizing poetry using a Memory Palace, the temptation is to work horizontally.
Nothing wrong with that. It works gangbusters.
But for shorter pieces of information, like quotes, the entrepreneur can also try memorizing the words in vertical pillars.
I recommend starting from the top corner of a room and then working your way down.
For example, if you want to memorize the Ziglar quote, you can try seeing Pippi Longstocking in the ceiling corner attacking a jury with a vicious motive. “Pippi” basically sounds like “people” and her having a motive for the attack will help recall the notion of “motivation.”
Beneath that, you can see her bathing in a huge bathtub full of calendars. That will help you remember the core idea of bathing and the calendars will help you remembering that bathing, like motivation, is something entrepreneurs require daily.
Heck, everybody could use a dose of both daily hygiene and continually renewing impetus … don’t you think?
5. The Ability To Conceive Of And See Large Systems Full Of Moving Parts
At the meta-level, perhaps the most powerful reason entrepreneurs would do well to use memory techniques is how they get you working with macroscopic and microscopic pieces of information at the same time.
Think about it:
If you’re going to be an entrepreneur, you’ve got to have a handle on multiple processes all at the same time. And you’ve got to be able to see them in your mind at a glance.
What better way to prepare the mind for this need than working with a system of Memory Palaces and information that will make you a better entrepreneur?
Memory techniques not only help you with the skill of seeing the big picture and the granular details at the same time. Having a strong memory distinguishes you as a professional.
If you aren’t already using memory techniques, I strongly encourage you to get on board with them. They will not only change your life, but help you do much bigger things for the people you serve in your business.
That’s the desire that drives you every day and the next level is right around the corner. All you need to get started is a bit of training. Subscribe for my free Magnetic Memory Method training using the “Start Here” registration form above.
How To Combine Mind Mapping And Memory Palaces With Phil Chambers
Dec 08, 2016
You’ve heard about Mind Mapping and Memory Palaces, right?
Well, if you’re anything like the hundreds of people who have emailed me about it, you’ve probably wondered …
“Can I bring Mind Mapping and the Memory Palace together?”
To help me answer the question, I asked the reigning World Mind Mapping champion Phil Chambers to talk about Mind Mapping and how to bring this creativity, memory and learning tool together with a Memory Palace.
Turns out that we had a lot more than just that to talk about. Tune in to this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast and learn all about.
How To Combine Mind Mapping And Memory Palaces With Phil Chambers
⊕ The techniques Phil uses in his personal daily memory practice.
⊕ How to capture and store ideas using memory techniques – even when you’re driving.
⊕ The number-rhyme technique to take action on to-do list items. (Not to be mistaken for the Major Method/Major System.)
⊕ Why there are always new things to explore in the world of memory techniques. Once you start using them, you will never cap out on new angles to explore and increase your skills.
⊕ The reasons why memory competition skills translate directly into every day memory needs we all face.
⊕ Why the principles behind Mind Mapping never changes, but Mind Mapping software continues bring new enhancements to the art and craft of this thinking, learning and planning tool.
⊕ Details on how to bring Mind Mapping together with the Memory Palace technique.
⊕ Why and how Mind Mapping uses all of the classic memory techniques.
⊕ The major criticism about memory techniques as regurgitation of knowledge and not learning – and why it’s misguided.
⊕ Why Phil’s title as a World Mind Mapping champion is up for grabs and exactly how to take his title.
⊕ The exact criteria by which world class Mind Mapping is judged.
⊕ Why you should never worry about your artistic ability when creating Mind Maps.
⊕ Phil’s Mind Mapping examples of how to schedule your week and get more done.
⊕ How Mind Mapping your daily schedule gives you many more details than a to-do list. Not only that, but you’ll often be able to double your efforts in ways you wouldn’t have otherwise seen on a page with linear notes.
Joanna’s back with a new book called Hack Your Habits and in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, we’ve got her here to talk about it.
As always, I’ve got the interview transcript for you below and would love to hear your comments and questions in the discussion area below. Enjoy!
Why You Don’t Have To Have It All Mapped Out To Get A Handle On Your Habits
Anthony: You go into your personal story in the introduction. Why do you think you faced so many challenges and what was the turning point?
Joanna Jast: It’s interesting you’re asking me this question. I actually thought about it the other day on my way to work. And – I don’t really have the answer. I suppose it’s the combination of many factors: my temperament – which is like emotional and behavioural building blocks for personality and to large extend is hardwired, inborn, so my temperament, my upbringing, the environment I grew up in, the challenges I faced in life and the solutions to those challenges I chose to follow etc.
I haven’t got it all ‘mapped out’, but I think the key reasons why I’ve faced so many difficulties is my low threshold for boredom, poor ability to delay gratification, my self-compassion, which drives many of my willpower failures with: ‘But you deserve it, Joanna… you’ve had such a bad day’.
The turning points? There have been quite a few. But if I was to choose the key turning points that led me to create my own system for building better habits, it would be the following three:
The first one the day when my study routine was born. It was actually accidental – I wrote about it in my book Laser-Sharp Focus. It was the moment when I decided to stop trying to study in the evening, sitting on the sofa or on the bed and start doing it in the morning, at my desk.
To cut a long story short, I suddenly realised not only how much more productive and effective my study sessions became, but also how much happier I became – with better grades, more energy and time to do other things in life.
Now, 20 years later, looking back at what happened, I realise that back then I created a study routine, which over the years became my productivity and now writing routine that has transformed my life. My study routine happened to be one on those keystone habits – habits that create a ripple effect throughout our life, creating space and energy for more healthy habits to emerge and grow stronger, ultimately transforming our lives.
How The Secrets Of Behavioral Economics Can Improve Your Life
The second turning point was the day when I heard about Behavioural Economics for the first time. It was during a lecture on marketing. I went home, did more research, read books, articles, did a course and… fall in love with the approach. I thought this could be something that would work for me. So I started experimenting with various behavioural economics strategies. Initially, I applied them to sort out my finances – so paid off my debts and started saving money. Then, I started experimenting with my exercise routine and eating habits.
And the third pivotal point was, when I refined my exercise routine, my running routine to incorporate all the lessons I’d learnt about human nature and my own difficulties in forming habits, and particularly – my previous failures in establishing a reliable exercise routine. I used many of the behavioural economics strategies I’d learn about when doing it. And now I’ve got a running routine, where I run 3 times per week, whether I feel motivated or not (and at least once a week I don’t feel motivated at all), whether is raining, or 100% humidity, or my foot is sore. I just do it.
The Truth About Your Age And Your Habits
Anthony: Is the problem of habits age specific? Does it apply to all ages equally?
Joanna Jast: I don’t know, really. I think this is a problem of our times though – so this modern age. We become more aware of the role and the impact of habits, good and bad, on our health, happiness, success, on our lives, and also we realise that motivation and willpower have limits. And that’s why we think about our habits more, we become interested in strategies for improving them.
You can say that ‘habits are in fashion these days’. And it’s nothing negative – on the contrary. I’m very happy to see that many people are turning away from relying on unreliable motivational strategies towards using more practical approaches to transforming their lives.
So it’s not only scientists, or health and fitness fanatics who are exploring habits. Many people, of all ages, are seeking better understanding of habits, and their own habits in particular, to improve their health, happiness, wealth, relationships and many other aspects of their personal and professional lives.
Anthony: Talk about putting systems on autopilot. It sounds too good to be true. What does “autopilot” mean and how can a person get started?
Joanna Jast: Putting a system on autopilot is about creating a system that makes you perform certain behaviour, or a sequence of behaviours without thinking much about it, without putting much energy into it. It’s like getting up in the morning and washing your face or brushing your teeth.
Most of us do it automatically, without thinking: Oh, geeesh, first, I need to wash my face, then, I need to brush my teeth, and then – I comb my hair. These are things that most healthy adults would do automatically every morning. These are habitual behaviours – well engrained in our brains, within the neural pathways.
For me putting a system, say an exercise routine, on autopilot is about creating a system that kicks in as if with a push of a button, and makes you go out and run three times per week, rain or shine, whatever your motivation level, or the mood of the day.
How To Harvest The Power Of Your Desired Outcome
Anthony: How can you get started?
Joanna Jast: I suggest you start with the end result in mind. Start with what you want to achieve. You need to understand what problem you are trying to solve, but more importantly, what you are trying to achieve.
I like the concept of Desired Outcome, which I’ve borrowed from user experience design field. Desired Outcome is what we really want. Not what we think we want. Not what other people are telling us we should want. But what we’re really really want.
In my new book, Hack Your Habits, I write about my own struggle to cut down on my carbohydrate intake. I’ve got a sweet tooth and sadly, also use sweets as a reward and a way to boost my ‘motivation’ or willpower to carry on with tasks I don’t really want to do, tasks that are too difficult, too complex, etc. There was a time I was eating a lot of sweets. I was going through a stressful time personally and professionally, and this was my way of dealing with stress. So I wanted to cut down on my carbs.
So initially, I thought about this task as a cutting on my carbs task, a diet-changing task. I was all motivated to do that, and all. But it didn’t work.
So I looked at the whole issue again and really wanted to zoom in on what I cared about. And don’t get me wrong, I do care about my health, but the instant gratification monkey that lives in my brain always tells me that I can start again tomorrow, and now – I can have that biscuit.
So I had to start with the Desired Outcome. Yes, I wanted to eat less carbs, but what I really wanted out of it was to be able to resist sweets and toast with jam.
So I reframed my goal, taking into consideration my personality, my temperament, my weaknesses and strengths. I’ve got a competitive streak, I’m an achievement junkie, and I get excited with new ideas and testing them. So this ended up as an exercise in self-control and I did really well.
2 Of The Most Powerful Questions You’ll Ever Ask Yourself
So the Desired Outcome is where you need to start. What do you want out of it? Do you really care about it? And it has to be something you really care about, you care about. If you don’t care about it truly and deeply, it won’t really happen.
Anthony: You talk about getting the diagnosis right when tackling a problem. What does this mean and how does one get started?
Joanna Jast: I really like this quote from Albert Einstein:
’If I were given one hour to save the planet, I would spend 59 minutes defining the problem and one minute solving it’.
And I would do the same.
If you’re trying and trying and trying to solve a problem, say of your unhealthy diet, or an unproductive study routine, and you’re constantly failing, it may be that you’re using an ineffective strategy, but it may also be that you’re trying to solve the wrong problem.
In medicine, getting the diagnosis right is crucial to an effective treatment plan. And getting it wrong can really result in people dying. This is not as serious as that with habits, but in the end, if you don’t understand, if you don’t define your problem correctly, you can waste a lot of time, energy, and even money on trying to fix something that is not the reason for your struggles.
Let me reiterate it: the better you understand what’s wrong, what’s not working, the more targeted your solutions, your treatment will be.
How to go about diagnosing your problem? Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as doing an X-ray or a blood test, but it is doable.
For me there are two major components to understand any problem you have: you – how you operate, your personality, motivation, strengths and weaknesses and your context.
The context is the external environment, your internal environment and your social environment. And they all come with their own limitations – what’s possible and constraints – what’s appropriate.
Why It’s Never Mind Over Matter
And it’s important to include that context -your physical environment, and your social environment as well. The power of those external systems that force us into behaving in certain ways is really undermined by many people. We think it’s all mind over matter – but if your physical environment or social context, is not conducing to exercising, or a healthier diet – it makes the change much, much more difficult. So don’t underestimate that.
And once you’ve got a good understanding how you and your problem or your habits goals sit within you and your context, you are in a good position to start tackling it.
So self-reflection if used with a healthy dose of honesty, is a great tool for discovering, diagnosing your problem. You can ask other people for their opinion what they think is not working for you. But then, they will be biased and what’s more important – they may not have access to some of your hidden motivations, or aspects of your personality or life you don’t share with others.
How To Get Started Fixing Persistent Problems
To get a really good grip on what’s wrong when fixing persisting problems, I ask myself two questions:
The first question is: What is this for? What is this doing for me? What purpose does it serve? What need does it meet? And this works really well with habits, because every habit serves a purpose. And most bad habits, such as overeating, procrastination, or shouting at your kids usually either helps either deal with boredom or with stress.
And the other questions I ask myself is: why have I failed at addressing it so far?
And once you’ve got it figured out, it will fall into those categories I’ve just talked about – you and your context. It should give you a better understanding of what it is and why you’re struggling to address it. And from this point, finding the best solution is quite straightforward really.
Exactly When You Should Run From S.M.A.R.T. Goals Kicking And Screaming
Anthony: Talk about SMART goals. What’s your major concern with this popular approach to goal setting?
Joanna Jast: The SMART goal setting framework is very popular, and it does work for most things, but in my opinion it does not work for habit goals, and for a number of reasons.
First of all, let’s look at the last letter of this acronym: T – time-bound. Setting a habit-based goal with a deadline for achieving it is not a good strategy. Why? Because habits take as much time as they take to develop. Some of it is in your control, but let’s not forget we’re talking about creating or rearranging neural pathways in your brain. That takes time to shift.
Studies shows that habit formation depends on many factors, and most importantly on the person working on it – their motivation, personality, their context, as well as on the complexity of the habit itself. A simple habit can take a few days to develop, a more complex one, such as exercise – up to several months.
So if you give yourself a deadline for your habit goal, you may be bitterly disappointed if you don’t achieve it before it. That’s just setting yourself up to fail. So when setting habit based goals, don’t give yourself a deadline, but rather create a schedule for your new routine.
Then, there is the matter of measurability , so the letter M- how do you measure your success in a achieving your habit. In my opinion, it’s important to look at it carefully and measure what you want to achieve. And my advice is to link it with your desired outcome.
So if you, like me, testing your ability to resist marshmallows, you measure your ability to resist marshmallows, not the side effect, the healthy eating side effect of it, or weight loss. When I’m building a new habit, I’m not interested in performance measures – I don’t care how far or how fast I run (I try not to at least), but I’m focused on getting it done every time I’m supposed to do it. So practice is more important than performance when working on developing a new habit, and we should measure accordingly.
Why You Need To Be Realistic With Your Habits
And there are two more aspects of the SMART framework I have an issue with it’s the A and R – achievable and realistic.
Call me cynical, call me a party pooper but I am not a big fan of being aspirational when setting your habit goals. It’s great to feel inspired and motivated to achieve greater things in life, but in the end the reality of my life is what It is, and no matter how hard I try to refrain from eating sweets by the sheer power of my willpower and my desire to be slim and beautiful, it’s going to collapse on day 3 or 4. That’s what the 30 years of my experience in doing it tells me.
So being realistic and setting habit goals that are achievable again refer to you and your context – your personality, your motivation, your inner world, your physical environment, your social environment and all these things that affect us with all their limitations and constraints.
Anthony: You mentioned two kinds of environment, internal and external. What are these and why is understanding the difference important?
Joanna Jast: The difference isn’t really that important. I just like having things organised in my head. I also like to make that distinction because it makes it easier to you look for solutions later on. And that’s how I look at difficulties in addressing habit problems. It’s again the same thing: the better you understand where your challenges come from, the easier it will be to find a solution to your problem. So we’re back to the importance of correctly diagnosing the problem.
Your external environment is what surrounds you – your physical environment, your house, workplace, the gym you go to, the supermarket where you shop; your financial situation, even the weather.
Your internal environment is the environment you create for yourself – your thoughts, your emotions, your motivation, your values, what happens with your body.
How To Use Cues To Hack Your Habits
Anthony: What are some of the “cues” you talk about? Which is the most important in your opinion?
Joanna Jast: Cues are very important. Cues remind us that we need to do something. They prompt us, trigger us to do what we’re suppose to do. They whole idea of a habit as a repetitive action in response to a cue, really relies on the cue being enough of a trigger.
So if you want to have an effective trigger, effective cue, find one that stands out in your environment. There is little point in putting your cue on a sticky note, and pinning it up on a corkboard full of similar sticky notes. You won’t see it.
I say: choose something that disrupts the fabric of your reality. Just like the sound of a notification ‘time to go for a run’ popping up on your screen. And it disrupts what you’re doing, right? But that may be not enough. If then instead of going for the run, you just snooze or close the notification, it’s just doesn’t work, does it?
So once again, it’s very important that the cue you choose stands out in your environment and is hard to ignore. The best cues are those that have a cost of ignoring involved.
The Cost Of Ignoring Your Cues
I’ll give you an example of what I mean by having the cost of ignoring the cue. So I run three times per week. And my cue is seeing my greasy hair in the mirror in the morning – I run on days when I need to wash my hair. This is how I know it’s my running day.
And the cost of ignoring this cue is that I’d have to go to work with my hair unwashed. That’s unacceptable. Or that I have to jump in the shower and wash my hair. I don’t like washing my hair in the morning. So if I wanted to back off and don’t go for a run – there is a cost involved. And it’s just so much easier to just go for a run.
Anthony: Talk about checklists. What’s the most important thing people need to know about them when building habits?
Joanna Jast: Checklists are fantastic tools. Checklists help saving lives, prevent infections and industrial accidents. Checklists are simple, effective, they lower your cognitive load, they have high reliability. Research shows that if you follow a checklist, you’re 75% less likely to miss any of the steps required – and reduce the likelihood of failure to carry out your desired behaviour from 23% to 6% .
I use checklists particularly early in the process of establishing new habit, when I’m still learning what to do, when, in what sequence. I can’t rely on my memory anymore and I don’t want to add any more cognitive load to it.
The best way of creating a checklist is to:
Focus on critical steps and use as few steps as possible (the more steps you have, the more intimidating the checklist looks and the less likely you are to follow the steps – that’s just human nature
Ideally, you want it to fit on one page (my checklists need to fit on a standard size post-it note – no room for writing novels!)
Make sure the sequence of steps fits the flow of your behaviour (e.g. Don’t turn your fitness tracked on before you put your running shoes on)
Use simple sentences and basic language
Have it visible and ideally where you will be carrying out your new habit. So if you’re trying to create a productivity or a focus routine – have your checklist somewhere in your workspace; highly visible to you of course. If you have a checklist for working out – keep it either with your workout gear, on your phone if you use your phone for tracking your workouts, or maybe even in the pocket of your running jacket.
How To Make Your Habits Perpetuate Themselves
Anthony: What is a habit loop?
Habit loop is the secret formula for creating and remodelling habits. It’s a three-element self-perpetuating cycle that is behind any automatic behaviour. It consists of three key elements:
Cue (also called reminder or trigger) – which we’ve just talked about
Routine (sometimes called Behaviour, Action)
Reward
Every habit rests on these three pillars: Cue that prompts you to carry out the Behaviour, which is then reinforced by the Reward. The more of those habit cycles you go through, the more often the behaviour gets reinforced, the stronger the habit is ingrained in your brain, and the stronger the neural pathway that is created in your brain.
What To Do If You Fall Off The Wagon
Anthony: What should someone do if they miss a day on their habits? How about a week? A month? A year? Is there a difference when it comes to getting back on the wagon?
Joanna Jast: There are habit building strategies that rely on performing your action every day – for example ‘don’t break the chain’ but actually, research shows that missing on a day in your habit routine does not make a difference to our habit formation process, but psychologically it may.
I wouldn’t worry too much about missing a day. I do it sometimes, not very often and only for very good reasons. Because life does get in the way of best-laid plans, so I just accept that. Sometimes you will be just too busy or too tired, or maybe sick, or you may have something super-important to do. Don’t beat yourself up about not ‘turning up’ one day. But get back on track as soon as possible. Don’t let the not turning up become a pattern, because this is when it becomes a problem.
When it becomes a pattern? You may have your own individual ‘definition’ of pattern, for me it goes like that: once can happenstance, twice is a coincidence, three is a pattern.
The more days you miss, the harder it will be to return to your routine.
If you notice that you miss your routine are more and more often, you need to look at your system again. Because it means your system is not working as well as it could or should.
And for me, it’s going back to the beginning – maybe not necessarily to the desired outcome, but at least going over all those limitations and constraints that come from within me, or from my environment. Because it my system is not delivering as well as it used to, it means that something has changed.
And sometimes those changes are temporary. For example you are on holidays and working away and you’re struggling to keep your exercise routine up because your environment is different. And sometimes the change may be more permanent. For example if you just had a baby your productivity or sleep routine may be affected in a way you’ve never experienced before.
Things like that will happen, because that’s part of life. For me, it’s always about being mindful that your habit system will also be affected. So it is crucial that you recognise when it happens and adjust your system to cater for your changed needs, or changed life circumstances.
The key thing is to realise when a temporary change has become more permanent, and make appropriate adjustments in your system. Or redesign it completely.
Why Your Willpower Resources Are Limited
Anthony: You talk about how willpower needs to replenish itself. What’s this all about?
Joanna Jast: This is about the concept of willpower or ego depletion – the theory that the amount if willpower we have is limited. We have like a willpower tank, where only so much willpower can be stored. And every time you use some of that willpower from your tank, there is less left for later. The amount of willpower will not increase, until you are able to replenish it. And that goes back to the studies done by Roy Baumeister, who is a social psychologist and one of the key researches in the field of self-control and willpower.
However, newer research challenges this belief about willpower depletion, suggesting that we have as much willpower as we perceive it. So again, it’s all in the mind.
Personally, it’s not a scientific argument, I know, but personally I experience those willpower outages quite often, and I’m aware of typical situations that are likely to cause it.
I’m also very conscious that I don’t have much willpower and need to be careful in how I use it. I make sure that I’m able to recover safely before I make any silly decision when my willpower tank is on zero.
What helps with the process of replenishing willpower is rest, and sadly, something sugary, or at least of a sweet taste in your mouth.
How To Experience A Miracle Every Morning
Anthony: What is scribing?
Joanna Jast: Scribing is one of life SAVERs, as Hal Elrod calls them. One of the key elements of the morning routine he recommends in his bestselling book the Miracle Morning. (Silence, Affirmations, Visualisation, Scribing, reading, Exercise)
In a nutshell scribing is about taking a minute out of your time, in the morning, to write down what you’re grateful for, what you’re proud of, and the results you’re committed to creating for that day. Doing so, you put yourself in an empowered, inspired, and confident state of mind.
It’s scribing is journaling that encompasses gratitude – one of the key factors in creating the sense of happiness and fulfilment in life, positive affirmations, stock-taking, reminding yourself of your goals.
It’s an excellent to start your day.
One Of The Most Powerful Principles You Can Ever Live By
Anthony: You have a bonus section in the book. What habits did you use to get in contact with all those high-profile authors and convince them to contribute to the book?
Joanna Jast: It’s not really about me or my habits. The people who contributed to my book, Steve SJ Scott, Hal Elrod, Stephen Guise and Martin Meadows – they are amazing people, who are very generous, humble, and have fantastic knowledge and experience to share and they desire to use it to help other people. And that’s really what it is about – collaborating in helping people become happier, live more fulfilling lives.
But from the practical point of view, what helped me in reaching out to them, it’s not a habit, but more a principle I live by – it’s about building relationships with people; it takes time and you need to invest upfront.
Anthony: What’s coming up next for you and where can people get in touch?
Joanna Jast: At the moment I’m very excited with the launch of my new book: Hack Your Habits. 9-steps to finally break bad habits and start thriving. I’ve been also getting a lot of emails and messages form people asking me to help them transform their habits, speed up the learning and adaptation curve. I’m not providing individual support at the moment, but I’ve been thinking about it. So watch this space.
Early next year, my previous book Laser-Sharp Focus will be published as an audiobook and I’m really excited about it, too. I’m also thinking about translating the into other languages, as people have been asking me about it.
For now, if you want to stay in touch – visit my website www.shapeshiftersclub.com and subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date and get some insider tips on habit hacking, focus sharpening and faster learning. You can also try to catch me on Twitter and on Quora – which is the only site I allow myself to browse when procrastinating.
But for some reason, when times get tough, without knowing a thing about the Prime Ministers of Canada, people around the world throw up their hands and say, “It’s time to head to the Great White North.”
Here’s the thing:
You’ll find some beautiful terrain and plenty of peace-loving citizens. But as a nation, we do not lack our own host of colorful characters.
So if you’re coming over for a permanent BBQ in response to US election results or some dictator who’s been giving you the squeeze, it’s time to learn how to memorize the Prime Ministers of Canada. It’s important to know what you’re getting into, after all. 😉
Beginner’s Guide To Memorizing Any List
The first thing to understand when memorizing the names of the Canadian Prime Ministers is that you’re dealing with a list. We’re talking about discrete units of information. Like, Sir John A. Macdonald (1815-1891).
The best way to rapidly memorize any list is to create a Memory Palace.
All Memory Palace creation takes is a simple drawing and a list of your Magnetic Stations charted out in a strategic way. Creating an effective Memory Palacereduces your cognitive load to a bare minimum. That reduction forms a huge part of the secret behind how memory techniques like a Memory Palace work:
You use a location you already know to place information you’ll Magnetically encode with imagery you already know onto a station so you can retrieve and decode what you want to know later.
Curious about correct Memory Palace creation? Here’s a Memory Palace walkthrough based on a Memory Palace submitted by a Magnetic Memory Method student:
In this case, we have just 23 names for the Prime Ministers of Canada. When it comes to memorizing them, you have options.
1. You can create one Memory Palace with 23 Magnetic Stations exclusively for remembering them.
2. You can create two Memory Palaces with 12 Magnetic Stations each.
In either case, you ‘ll ideally use Memory Palaces with more Magnetic Stations than you need so that you can use more than one station per name if needed.
Or, if you’re already experienced with memory techniques, you can experiment with the Magnetic Memory Method “passing the baton” technique, which allows you to memorize more than one name per station. That’s for advanced memorizers, however, and even then, it’s good once in awhile to stick with the basics.
And that’s ultimately what I recommend so that you can add the dates of the Prime Ministers later using the Magnetic Chaining memory technique.
The Art Of Embarrassing Politicians
Let’s assume you’ve got a Memory Palace with a bit more than 23 Magnetic Stations to give you wiggle room.
Next, you need your list of information. The Wikipedia Prime Ministers of Canada page is as good as any. Whip that little darling open and look at the first name.
The trick to memorizing anything is association, also called encoding. It’s easy, fun and with a bit of practice using special exercises I’ve created for you, unbelievably fast.
John A. Macdonald, for example, brings to mind a picture of my friend and fellow mnemonist, John McPhedrine to mind. You’ve heard him on the show talking about memorizing German and music before.
I see John at the first station of the Memory Palace I’ve created with a giant letter ‘A’ in his hands. He’s using this to smash my MACbook Pro, which is playing a video of Donald Trump singing “Old Macdonald Had A Farm.”
Plus, as an advanced memorizer, I’ve got Trump’s hair as the tail of a dog swatting at a bat.
Why?
Because that additional imagery helps me remember the dates of this Canadian Prime Minister.
How does that work? It sounds complex, but it’s actually simple:
Using a special memory technique for memorizing numbers, 15 is “tail” and 91 is “bat.” I’ve got an entire course in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass about all the ways you can remember numbers, or you can just check out this post on the Major Method. It’s a great way to instantly memorize any number, and not just short ones like historical dates.
The Prime Minister Who Built Walls You Can Be Proud Of
Once, while touring Fort Henry as prime minister, he asked the soldier accompanying him if he knew the thickness of the wall beside them. The embarrassed escort confessed that he didn’t and Mackenzie replied, “I do. It is five feet, ten inches. I know, because I built it myself!”
Little anecdotes like this can be fun to remember when memorizing a name. Plus, it’s interesting that Mackenzie was three times offered knighthood, but refused each time.
To encode all of this into memory, it’s a simple matter of seeing Alex from A Clockwork Orange taking … certain liberties with a former high school girlfriend of mine by the last name of Mackenzie against a section of the Berlin Wall now fixed on station two of my Prime Ministers of Canada Memory Palace. (Phew … that was a mouthful.)
But the Mackenzie I used to kiss so gently in high school fights back by trying to knight him with a giant camera that he beats away with a pamphlet printout of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave.
Why a camera and this bizarre retaliation with an ancient allegory? You’ve probably already guessed it by now. It’s our old friend the Major Method, which tells me that “cam” decodes to 73 and “cave” to 78, the same years Alexander Mackenzie served as one of the Prime Ministers of Canada.
Isn’t That Just Too Simple?
It really is, and that fun simplicity explains why so many people who get into memory techniques email and ask me …
Isn’t this … cheating?
Absolutely not. And here’s why:
It’s one thing to create the Memory Palaces and have fun dreaming up weird images and vignettes.
Long Term Memory Requires Recall Rehearsal
But you’ve also got to replay these stories and decode them in your mind over time. Skip this step and the information might still get into long term memory, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
Luckily, setting up a Magnetic Memory Method Recall Rehearsal routine is easy. Just go over the information you’ve memorized about 5 times before the day is through. Make one of those times right before bed to help consolidation.
But here’s a warning:
Some recent research evidence suggests that older people don’t get the same memory consolidation benefits as younger people do. It’s good to keep that evidence in mind, but also be your own scientist. As you can see in this video on making boring information more interesting, I got away with a high recall rate after far fewer Recall Rehearsal sessions. But I would have done better if I’d repeated the poem more often.
The Rule Of Five
That’s what World Memory Champion Dominic O’Brien calls it and The Rule Of Five holds great power.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or wondering where you’re going to find the time, don’t stress it. The important thing is just to get started. Memory techniques are a skill you’ll want to use for life and the Prime Ministers of Canada is just the beginning. Later, they’ll help you focus on your work in some very impressive and powerful ways. That’s why we want to use them after all, right?
I hope you’ve seen how you can not only memorize a long list of names, but also add historical dates and facts. When I look at station two of my Memory Palace of Canadian Prime Ministers, it’s easy to see a movie character and person from my past interacting with a few select symbols that help recall an interesting scenario and numbers.
Wrapping It All Up With A Magnetic Little Bow
Here’s a summary of all you have to do to experience great success:
1. Create a Memory Palace for the Prime Ministers of Canada.
Remember to pad out your Memory Palace so that you have a few extra stations in case you need them.
2. Have the names prepared.
You can do it directly from a Wikipedia page, but you’re better off printing the list out and encoding the names to your Magnetic Stations somewhere you won’t be bothered by notifications.
Being tempted to skip around on your browser isn’t helpful either. Like I said last time about boring information … Instead of taking it in small doses, make it exciting for yourself. It’s not that hard!
3. Practice Recall Rehearsal diligently.
The Rule of Five is great, but take it on principle, not as dogma. Always test and never hope that five repetitions is enough. It might become more than necessary once you get good with mnemonics, but it will never be too much. Every time you enter a Memory Palace and practice the beautiful art of memory, you get better and better with the best asset you’ve got:
5 Ways To Get More Interested In Boring Topics You Have To Study
Nov 09, 2016
Studying about boring topics you don’t give a hoot about sucks, right?
Especially when you’re in a rush.
And especially when all you want is the grade, the certification, the knowledge.
Well, I can’t make any promises, but there might be a way to help make any topic much more interesting to you. At the very least, we can remove the sting of boredom. At best, we can make any topic we want 100% Magnetic.
1. Warning Signs That Your Mindset Is Off
I know, I know. You’re tired of hearing about mindset.
But let’s face it. We have minds. Every day we wake up with more or less the same world outside the window. Just like we have to make our beds so that the sheets won’t be sprawled all over the place, we have to set up our minds for success.
But that’s the problem, isn’t it?
Lots of people are happy to leave their beds messy all day long and then crawl into the unkempt mess at night. It’s cold because the mattress has been exposed and probably a bunch of insects have settled into the dune-like patterns. Sure, you might fall asleep okay, but there’s nothing like slipping into a made bed.
You know it’s true.
It’s The Same Thing With Your Mind!
Sure thing, you can get through life without setting up your mind for success, but it will be cold and exposed to the elements. The bugs will crawl in and lay their eggs, and you’ll never get the warmth you deserve.
But take just a few moments to tidy up and you’ll reduce the suffering that comes from studying things you don’t like.
Because that’s just the thing: A lack of mindset is probably the thing that got you into a position where you’re studying things you’re not passionate about in the first place. You’re probably studying material that produces no great excitement because you’re chasing after hopes and beliefs and dreams and wishes – not what you really want.
How To Set A Powerful Mindset For Learning
Whether you’re trapped or not, the process works the same. The best way to get your mindset in order is to set it each and every morning. As I talked about in the Mandarin Chinese Mnemonics And Morning Memory Secrets episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, having morning rituals is a killer way to conquer the day.
When it comes to creating a mindset for making the material you’re studying vibrant and exciting, all you have to do is write down in a journal how exciting it is to be studying and how grateful you are to have the opportunity.
And it’s true: Not everyone has the learning opportunities you do. A massive percentage of people in the world don’t have access to the Internet, schools, books or anything even remotely related to helping them develop their knowledge.
But you …
You’ve Got Everything You Need
So take a moment every day to recognize what an amazing opportunity you have. If that isn’t a recipe for injecting excitement into a boring topic … I don’t know what is.
If all else fails, here’s what to do if you or someone you love is considering not completing their high school diploma. They may have already left school, but it’s not too late to go back. I dropped out of high school myself for awhile, but I’m so glad I returned.
Best decision of my life.
2. Be An Info-Completionist
Okay, so now that you’re plump with self-hypnosis induced excitement for the privilege of study, you still have to sit down and learn the stuff.
Get a book. Find a place to sit. Read the book. Repeat until you’re done.
I don’t say that to be flippant, but it’s the truth. If you’re trying to read in a place filled with distractions or on a device that encourages you to skip from tab to tab and answer notifications …
Stop Trying To Read Like That!
Seriously. It’s not a recipe for success.
Plus, you want to read in a way that helps you isolate the information you want to memorize. I have two posts with podcasts and videos that show you how to realistically memorize a textbook. Just check out the video for now:
True, my approach to realistically memorizing textbooks involves a bit of setup, but people who give it a try usually find that the process makes reading and remembering the key points of even the most difficult books much easier.
The best part:
By having a dedicated strategy for reading books, you make it a lot more fun. Like having a mindset, having a process you can follow without having to think about it makes everything more fun and interesting. Having operating principles and guidelines reduces cognitive load, and like Tony Buzan said when I studied with him, the rules set you free.
3. Look For The Parts That Do Interest You
One thing that you’ll learn from my training on (reasonable) textbook memorization is how to skip the parts that don’t interest you.
No, you can’t always do this. There are times when you have to slog through boring stuff you don’t care about. Yes, even learning in the age of artificial intelligence requires some exposure to difficult material. Often more so.
But here’s the thing: by knowing what you do care about, you get more interested in things that connect with it. It happens automatically.
And when interest doesn’t spontaneously erupt, you at least get a clearer picture of why those other elements are necessary. The more you know about a topic changes the nature of what you don’t know. It makes it more attractive, more Magnetic.
And that which becomes more Magnetic is easier to attach to memory because you’re simply more interested in it.
4. Invite Information Into Your Memory
In other words, use memory techniques.
You knew this was coming, didn’t you?
Let’s face it:
The best way to make dry and boring information more interesting is to make it part of your memory improvement lifestyle. That means organizing the information so that you can rapidly absorb it into a Memory Palace.
To do that, you get to invite the information into a place you’ve created in your mind. I don’t want to sound woo-woo, but there’s something ritualistic about this. It’s like anointing information, blessing it or touching its shoulder with the edge of your sword as if you were knighting it.
Once anointed, you start looking at the information through mnemonic eyes. You’re looking for how you can attach it to associative-imagery and place these images on your Memory Palace stations. You’re already getting excited about revisiting your Magnetic Stations and decoding the imagery to ease it into long-term memory.
And before you know it … The information isn’t boring any more.
Far from it! That information has become …
The Most Interesting Information In The World!
This is without a doubt the finest thing you can do for the life of your memory and overall intelligence. When you privilege information and stop demonizing it by framing it in negative ways, it will want to enter your mind.
Even better: If you’ve invited the information in just the right way, it will want to stay.
5. Bore Others To Death With Your Boring Topic
Just kidding.
By the time you’ve made the information interesting to yourself, you’ll be excited to talk about it and to do that, you should have something already in place:
Community.
Remember how I told you should be grateful for having the opportunity to learn in the first place? And how you can use your gratitude as a tool for generating excitement in even the most boring topic?
Well, you also have the Internet and thousands of groups people have created for discussing topics that they either find really exciting, challenging or want to kvetch about.
You can find these groups meeting on forums, on Facebook, or just by shooting the breeze in YouTube comments. Maybe there will be some interesting discussion on this video I put together to accompany this post, for example:
https://youtu.be/_cOQLRloZpU
Let’s say you’re studying cognitive therapy, something I’ve recently gotten interested in studying.
The first thing is to show some gratitude for having the time and opportunity even to do so. Write that down in your daily gratitude journal.
Don’t overwhelm yourself with this. Just pick one or two that looks like it has enough members for finding a decent amount of discussion in process.
Introduce yourself once you’ve been admitted. Tell them a bit about who you are and why you’re interested in the topic.
Make friends with the group admins and shoot them a note to thank them for taking time to put the group together. Probably no one else is doing that so you’ll be on their radar and recognize your name later.
Why would that matter?
Easy. Because when you get bored or stuck somewhere in your reading, you have a place to go and post where at least a few people are going to know your name.
Knowing that you have a place to go and share ideas in advance is a great way of making sure a topic never becomes boring to you.
Of course, the dark side of this technique is that you’ll get swept away doing a thousand other things online, but we all need to learn how to balance these things. I’m writing this post now in a library where getting online is too much of a pain – deliberately so that I have no distractions.
Because here’s the core of the matter:
If You Really Want To Get Ahead, You Will Find A Way
And with that monster of a headline, we’ve circled back to mindset, something you can get started crafting or refining right now.
Exciting, isn’t it?
Now get out there and tackle some uninteresting information you using these tools. I dare you to be bored!
17 Reasons Going To Art Galleries Will Improve Your Memory
Nov 03, 2016
Want to improve your ability to use memory techniques almost overnight?
I promise it’s super-easy.
All you need is the willingness to support your nearest art gallery and your awareness of the following 17 reasons going to an art gallery is good for your memory.
1. Art Inspires Your Visual Imagination
When you’re using memory techniques, you draw upon visual imagination. Even if you’re only using words in your mind when developing mnemonics, you’re using visual words.
The more visual iconography you’ve seen in your life, the more potency the visual words you use will hold. Exposure equals experience. Experience leads to substance. When you use the words “run,” “hit” or any other verb, the more art you’ve seen, the great depth of meaning these words will have.
2. Art Depicts Words Used In Visual Ways
If you’ve been to an art gallery lately, you’ve undoubtedly seen how modern artists use words. Pop artists use comic strips. Futurists made a big deal out of typefaces. You don’t even have to enter an art gallery to see words used in graffiti on nearly every street in your city.
Looking at art and paying attention to how artists use words is especially great for inspiring how you can use your visual imagination to memorize foreign language vocabulary and phrases. Next time you’re in an art gallery, pay particular attention to how words appear in the exhibits.
3. Art Helps You Make Mental Connections Between Space And Material Objects
Looking at art is never just about “looking.” As your eyes meet the graphic displays, ideas emerge. In fact, “art” happens the moment that you start thinking about what you’re looking at or noticing your emotional responses.
You can become conscious of what you’re thinking and feeling and use your awareness to become more visual. Reflect on how the visual experience has triggered your thoughts and responses.
Also, journal what you’ve thought while at the gallery. By writing down your responses, you access your memory. Accessing your memory exercises your mind, which helps keep it fit.
4. Visiting Art Galleries Makes You Aware Of World Geography
It’s not just that art often depicts different parts of the world. Art galleries also exhibit art by international artists.
Pay attention to the international names and locations of where the art originates. This will exercise your geographical imagination and give you more facts to remember. It’s also great memory exercise to remember the names of the artists you see and include their home countries.
For bonus points, you can also use the Major Method to add the dates of their lives and when they created the pieces you’re admiring. The more experienced you become with memory techniques, the more information you can memorize at a single go.
Plus, the location of the art itself within the gallery amounts to a Memory Palace station. Using the location gives you great practice at using your spatial memory in addition to all the other tools mnemonics draw upon, such as association, semantic memory, episodic memory and the like.
5. Art Galleries Are Depositories Of History
Yes, you can memorize the raw data of dates when going to an art gallery. But you also expose your memory to information about historical periods.
Artists love to reference other eras and historical events. Some artists have even made careers out of referencing history. Fluency in art equals fluency in history, which is always good for your memory.
6. Art Galleries Exercise Your Ability To Create Meaning
Let’s face it: A lot of art doesn’t make much sense.
At least, that’s until you give it some thought and learn about how to interpret art. Believe me. Interpretation matters.
After all, a huge part of art interpretation is creating meaning. To have created meaning, you have to remember the meaning you created. Ergo, going to art galleries and interpreting what you see is good for your memory.
And if you’re practicing memory techniques, handling abstract ideas your mind is perfect for practicing the art of remembering challenging and abstract ideas. Art history is loaded with them.
7. Art Galleries Give You The Experience Of Puzzlement
Being puzzled by something is different than having to create meaning. To be puzzled, after all, you must have already understood something. Two (or more) things are separated and you know they go together …
You just have to figure out how. Visiting art galleries gives you that experience and to fit the pieces together, you need to hold them in memory.
The benefits of being puzzled are massive because it always exercises your memory as you work things out. Even if you give up before you’re satisfied, your memory abilities will have grown.
8. Art Galleries Create Enigmas That Carry On Throughout Life
Looking at art not only forces you to create meaning and solve puzzles. It also creates unsolvable mysteries that you will carry throughout your life.
Take “The Persistence of Meaning” by Salvador Dali. What exactly does it mean? No matter how many times you see this painting, it still mystifies. The enigma of surrealism persists precisely because it resists meaning.
And yet, we can continuously connect to the enigma and try puzzling out new meanings even if we know we’ll never come to a conclusion. In Critical Theory, this is called “indeterminacy” and it is a powerful tool in art, cinema, theatre and literature.
Try This Simple Memory Exercise
For a cool memory exercise, take a painting like “The Persistence of Meaning” and try to remember the first time you saw it.
Even if you’re wrong, right down your earliest memory. For me, my earliest memory is in Collier’s Encyclopedia. I believe it was in black and white.
My next memory is seeing it in a book in high school. After that, I remember buying an art book, cutting it out and hanging it on my wall.
Although I surely saw it countless times after that, my next memory is seeing the painting itself in Manhattan.
My most recent memory is in seeing watch sculptures in Zürich-based on the melting timepiece in the painting. And that triggers my memory of hearing Alejandro Jodorowsky tell me about the time he met Dali as a boy and the story of finding a watch in the desert.
You don’t have to use “The Persistence of Time” when you do the exercise, but give it a try. List as many exposures to the artwork as you can and then free associate. You’ll find that your memory expands the more you use it, and all the more so as you engage in memory games of this sort.
9. Looking At Art In Galleries Creates Conflicting Opinions
Even if you go to art galleries alone, you’ll often find yourself in disagreement. Many artists go out of the way to polarize audiences, and using tools like “indeterminacy,” they often pull your heartstrings in opposing directions.
Conflicts like these are perfect for memory because you’ll remember how you felt looking at the painting at a deeper level. You’ll have more interesting inner dialogs which also encodes longer term memories.
If you want to help yourself remember more, keep a journal of the conflicting opinions you experience while looking at art just before you sleep after visiting a gallery. The reason to do this before you go to sleep is that memories consolidate during the night. Some studies have shown that the closer to sleep that you review information, the more likely your brain is to consolidate it into long term memory.
10. Art Gallery Gift Shops Have Memory-Inducing Books
After you’ve looked at the art in the gallery, you wind up seeing a lot of it over again in the bookstore.
Don’t get annoyed at the upselling. It’s good for your memory.
Plus, there are often cool books you can buy and read to learn more about the art you’ve encountered. Interview books with the artists themselves appeal because you find out more about their personal stories, theories and opinions at the same time. It’s a very cool way to make sometimes difficult information more concrete.
One of the reasons interviews with artists makes the ideas easier to remember is because you get stories and examples, but also the questions of the interviewers. Interviewers bring particular perspectives. If you pay attention to them and absorb their character, their attitudes instantly make the ideas under discussion more memorable.
11. Art Galleries Make You Look At The Outside World Differently
Often artists use everyday objects within the art gallery to change our perspective of the outside world. But when you deliberately remember more of what you’ve seen inside the gallery, you will find that you also see the outside world differently.
For example, I just saw “Michael Jackson and Bubbles” by Jeff Koons for the first time in Oslo. You often read about the effect that it has in art criticism, but it’s not until you’ve seen it with your own eyes that the kitschy art in stories takes on the intended effect.
12. Visiting Art Galleries Inspires New Ideas
Art galleries are idea-generating machines. After all, every piece of art started with an idea – even if it was just the idea to throw paint at the wall.
The more ideas you encounter and the more you play with those ideas in your mind, the more likely you are to come up with ideas of your own. Kind of like one of my favorite students does when creating brain games like these.
Plus, you might walk away with the idea of actually creating some art.
If you do follow through, that might be the best idea of all.
No matter what happens to the art you create, you learn so much just by taking action.
13. Visiting Art Galleries Gives You More To Talk About
Be honest: You wish you were a more interesting person.
I know I do, and the secret is in always feeding yourself new and exciting things to discuss.
“Hey, did you see the new exhibit at our local gallery?” is a powerful conversation starter, for example.
Plus, you’ll be supporting art in your community by inspiring others to see art and helping them experience a better memory in the process.
14. You Can Make A Memory Palace From Each Art Gallery You Visit
Art galleries don’t always make the best Memory Palaces, but you can still use them for the exercise.
Plus, as I mentioned, each piece of art automatically provides its own station.
As with historical sites you encounter while on vacation, I recommend that you make your art gallery Memory Palaces as simple as possible. Use the entrance, one or two simple rooms and the exit only.
You don’t want to overwhelm yourself with multiple floors, stairways and those weird nooks and crannies. Unless they’re crucial to your success, skip the complicated parts of art galleries and focus on the parts that are dead simple to remember.
15. You Can Take A Guided Tour And Develop Your Concentration
All of us struggle with not having enough FOCUS. So if the art gallery you visit offers a guided tour – take it.
One of the best ways to extend your concentration is to focus on lectures filled with data. I like to repeat the information I’m hearing in my own voice to help extend my focus.
It’s perfectly fine if your attention wanders. Just gently bring it back and enjoy how with practice you can extend the amount of time you hold focus during the tours you take.
For another kind of memory exercise, you can record the audio presentation and later use the How To Memorize A Textbook training to get the key points rapidly into long-term memory.
You might even want to give tours or your own by taking friends to see the art gallery later. You can practice your memory in a substantial way by telling others what you’ve learned and sharing your conflicting opinions.
Listening to their responses is another great way of practicing focus and developing your memory. You cannot lose by taking and giving art gallery tours.
16. You Might Even Meet Artists
During a recent art gallery visit in Helsinki, I met an interesting landscape artist. She gave me a personal tour of her works in the gallery, explaining her thoughts about color and telling me where exactly she was when creating the art.
Not only did this make the visit to the gallery more memorable to me, but I had the chance to ask her about her own memory. She said that she can paint from memory, but prefers to compose in the environment so that she can respond to the present moment.
Fascinating ideas like these make living a life devoted to memory even more interesting.
17. You Can Experience Fear In Art Galleries And Still Be Safe
At the Astrup Fearnley Museum in Oslo, I almost crapped my pants when I saw Zhou Tao’s “”Chicken speak to duck, pig speak to dog.”
It’s a video installation with a weird dude yelling and squealing while up in a tree.
https://youtu.be/MeT3MpCjnI4
I had a hard time figuring out what it was all about until I read the title and description, but the combination of emotion, enigma and solving the riddle by reading the information consolidated the experience in memory.
Even better, I’m practicing what I preach right now by writing about the experience as my last job before going to bed, all of which will help consolidate the memory of this experience.
For Memory’s Sake, Visit An Art Gallery Soon
There are loads more reasons why going to art galleries can improve your memory. You see so much art in so many different mediums that it gives you an incredible amount of exposure to vibrant information that you’ll want to remember.
Are some of the pieces you’ll see meaningless fluff?
Perhaps.
But it’s all part of experiencing the world of art and expanding as a visual person.
And the more visual you become, the easier it is to use memory techniques.
Give yourself the gift of visual exposure and plan to visit an art gallery today.
Seriously. In most cities, it doesn’t have to cost a dime. Usually, art galleries open their doors once a week for free.
Plus, your city might have local galleries featuring independent artists. Restaurants often feature works by local artists.
You can even arrange viewings of private collections in the homes of collectors with a simple Google search.
Trust me. It’s worth it and will make your life more memorable.
How to Create An Impromptu Memory Palace With Ease
Oct 13, 2016
Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could create a Memory Palace on the go?
This goal is quite different from traditional Memory Palace development – the kind where you build Memory Palaces for learning languages, passing exams or beefing up on your historical knowledge.
When it comes to spontaneously developing this ancient mnemonic tool…
I’m talking about rapidly developing a responsive mnemonic tool that lets you hear a word or phrase and instantly learn, remember and then recall it forever just by thinking of that place.
Here’s the good news:
Making a Memory Palace “on the go” is fun and easy to do.
You just need to know the principles of the Magnetic Memory Method.
If that sounds good to you, let me take you on the road with me. On this page, I’ll show you exactly how I create impromptu Memory Palaces on the go in a variety of locations and situations.
How to Create An Impromptu Memory Palace In A Restaurant Or At An Event (A Case Study)
You can build a Memory Palace in a restaurant, just as I discussed in this video shot in Berlin:
https://youtu.be/LVdurlibnhs
Step One: Quickly Assess The Plan Of The Location
When creating a Memory Palace on the fly, you can’t afford to make the kind of Memory Palace drawing I normally advise. These Memory Palace examples show you what I mean in detail, in case you’ve never used the Memory Palace drawing approach before.
To do this, I suggest you simple glance quickly around the location. Then, formulate a plan for how you’re going to use the space based on linear logic.
In locations like restaurants, I suggest you pay close attention to the walls and corners only. Establish these as you loci and design a linear journey that you will follow strictly.
When I was in this particular restaurant, as my wife threw out new words at me to memorize, I simply placed associations in the simplest and clearest possible stations in the spontaneously created Memory Palace.
Step Two: Lay Out Associations On A Station-By-Station Basis
There’s no time to be creative. You also can’t spend time on making complicated decisions in an impromptu Memory Palace.
For example, I used to frequently give memory demonstrations in office meeting rooms like this:
Having never seen the room until I stepped into it to demonstrate how easy it is to remember names, the stations I assigned simply follow where the people at the meeting were sitting.
For example:
Haley is station one
Allen is station two
Sharon is station three
Edward is staton four
Nick is station five
Etc.
In this case, where the people were sitting aligned perfectly with the walls. So it was easy to assign mnemonic images to each person based on their location in the room.
For Haley, the associative image was Halley’s comet. For Allen, I thought of an Allen Key, and so on.
In this particular case, I also used the linking method at the same time as the Memory Palace technique. It’s not just that Halley’s comet helps me remember the name of the person at the first station of the Memory Palace. I have this idea interact with the Allen Key.
To a certain extent, the story method is involved here as well. The difference between using stories and linking is kind of splitting hairs in my view, but here’s the important point:
Whether you call it linking or the story method, you’re using the techniques inside of a Memory Palace. And any location can serve as a Memory Palace within seconds. Just follow the linear nature of the location for best results.
Step Three: Be Flexible When Challenges Arise
Sometimes you need to create a spontaneous Memory Palace when there are no buildings in sight.
Using forests or parks as Memory Palaces is definitely more challenging than using a restaurant or meeting room. This is because the space is not as clearly defined.
However, I’ve used outdoor options often enough to learn a few tricks, so here are some basic tactics for your consideration.
I use 秋天 qiūtiān (Mandarin Chinese for “autumn”) in the following video tutorial as an example.
https://youtu.be/XpZHPG3KrhM
Although I struggled with the pronunciation at the beginning of this video (and even experienced a few rare seconds of frustration), the core memory technique set the stage for success. I still remember all of the seasons in Mandarin to this day.
Step Four: Look For Solid Loci Even In Unstable Locations
As you’ve seen, walking through a Berlin park with April, 秋天 came up. My eyes instantly searched for a place to create and secure a mnemonic image.
But not just any place. The most solid places possible within the park.
If you’re familiar with the method of loci, then you know just how essential this principle is for the serious memorizer.
That means you also know that not all Memory Palace stations are created equal. For example, stations in obscure and hard to measure places really don’t serve as well as stations with fixed features.
For this reason, if you’re in a park, look for corners and edges that create boundaries on a location. They often serve as bulletproof stations even in less distinct locations because they’re fixed. You can instantly zoom to them in your mind.
For this reason, avoid “loosey-goosey” stations. Don’t eyeball locations like, “halfway between those clumps of trees.” That will increase your cognitive load when you’re trying to find your way back to the target information.
Step Five: Relax And Let Your Mnemonic Images Arise
In the video example above, I initially had no idea what image I would create for 秋天. But I let a sense of relaxation overcome me and trusted the process to do its work. It’s all part of knowing how to memorize vocabulary.
And, of course, the Magnetic Memory Method delivered (as it always does).
Step Six: Finish Developing The Impromptu Memory Palace Later
The cool thing about a small impromptu Memory Palace like the one I created for 秋天 qiūtiān is that there are 3 more terms needed to complete my knowledge of the words for the seasons in Chinese.
冬天 dōngtiān for Winter
春天 chūntiān for Spring
夏天 xiàtiān for Summer
To memorize these addition words, I used four trees in the park. To each tree, I attached an association by using the standard Memory Palace technique after the fact. I thought back to the trees in the park and transformed them into standard stations, one of each season of the year.
冬天 dōngtiān. I won’t tell you what was going on with this image, but let’s just say I was not using a ding dong in combination with a snowy tree.
春天 chūntiān. For this I imagined Chewbacca chewing on a twenty dollar bill before spitting it out as rusty springs into the tea cup with burning yen.
夏天 xiàtiān. The t-sh-ya sound made it harder to get a clear image in play, but I imagined the band Twisted Sister playing Yahtzee with miniature, yet blazing hot suns.
In each case, the goal is to use the mnemonic imagery to bring back the sound and meaning of the words in the same stroke.
So although you can definitely accomplish a lot “on the go,” it’s best to combine spontaneous Memory Palace creation with follow up later.
When it comes to the names I memorize at events, I often follow up with spaced repetition after the demonstration. That way, when I run into the attendees on the street (which often happened while living in Brisbane), their names were in long-term memory.
Believe me: It feels great to be able to remember the names of people you have only met once and not seen for months on end. I tell the story of how this happened with my speaking coach Thomas Krafft on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Impromptu Memory Palaces Are Not For Everything
At the end of the day, you need to pick your battles. Impromptu Memory Palaces serve small sets of information like the seasons or days of the week well. But for anything larger than ten pieces of information, you might struggle.
Why?
Because the problem with Impromptu Memory Palaces is that you have to recreate them in your mind at the same time you’re recreating the images. That’s a lot of unnecessary pressure on your brain!
But if you use Memory Palaces based on real locations, you reduce the mental load. If you’re really good with Memory Palaces, you eliminate the load altogether.
If you don’t already know how to create the perfect Memory Palace, please consider completing this free Memory Kit. It will help you get the most out of the process.
But here’s the most important aspect to consider:
Success cannot take place for you without taking action. Please be sure to give this technique a try so you can feel for yourself just how well it works.
Post any questions you have below, and understand that the best questions come from experience and struggling a little bit with the process.
But this point is important:
Please do not overthink mnemonics. The answers come from taking action and using the techniques.
Overall, most of us need standard Memory Palaces, especially when it comes to learning tough subject where exactly how to practice memory techniques is of the utmost importance.
But anytime you need to memorize something on the fly, you now know exactly how to do it.
Learning How To Learn: On Altruism and Memory With Barbara Oakley
Oct 04, 2016
Are you interested in learning how to learn at a higher level? I’m talking about mastering math, sailing through high-pressure exams and making the most of your study time. Every time you sit down to learn.
If knowing how to do that sparks your interest, in this special interview, bestselling author and world famous video professor Barbara Oakley shares her best study and memory tips.
Plus, as the author of some interesting works on human nature, you’ll discover some of Barbara’s most powerful insights about altruism and memory that you won’t soon forget.
You can read the transcript in full below. Plus, please be sure register for the next free session of Barbara’s popular course, Learning How To Learn and make sure to follow her on Amazon for the latest news about her incredible books.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAg7eN2SatI
How A Former Math Flunky Changed Her Brain And Created A Mind For Numbers
Anthony: Barbara, thank you so much for being on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast. One of the things that I wanted to begin with was your first memory of being interested in learning as a topic, as a subject, even at a meta level where you’re aware of this as being a concern, an issue, and something that you can optimize.
Barbara: Oh, it’s funny because I think there are two kinds of people who are teachers. There are people who are teachers because they really love teaching. There are people who are teachers who really hate teaching. They’re very shy about getting in front of a bunch of people, and they only do it because they feel it’s so important to communicate what they’re trying to communicate.
I fall more or less into the latter category. I never envisioned myself becoming a teacher or learning about learning or anything of that nature at all. It wasn’t until I was probably, well, about five years ago, four years ago, something like that, one of my students asked me. He found out that I had been a formal math flunky. I had flunked my way through elementary, middle and high school math and science. Which is really kind of ironic since I’m now a professor of engineering.
He asked me, “How did you do it? How did you change your brain?” I wrote him a little a page of information about how I had been a linguist in the Army. I’ve always loved languages and that’s all I thought I could ever do. How did I gradually shift? Well, not so gradually but with a lot of work, to being able to assimilate and master math and science. I wrote him this email, and then I thought well, you know, how did I really do that? That’s a very good question.
I started looking more deeply into it. A Mind for Numbers grew out of that. I thought, oh you know that’s a very straightforward thing, I’ll just kind of put together some of the good insightful research and talk a little bit about that. Of course, it was far more intensive than I ever might have dreamed.
The Biggest And Best Permission You Can Give Yourself As A Learner
I think it was just such an interesting experience to realize that I’d never really thought about learning even though I remember when I was growing up. I was like man, you know, isn’t there an easier way to learn these things because I do these stupid things like reread a page over and over and over again. Then finally I would flip the page and there the answer would be. If I had just turned the page earlier, I would have kind of figured it out.
https://youtu.be/O96fE1E-rf8
Anyway, I backed into it I think. But, I do notice that when I’m in front of my classes. I think because I’m very empathetic, I’m always looking at them and going you know they didn’t get that. I know they didn’t get that even though I explained it very clearly. A lot of learning is just growing out of wondering about how other people learn.
Anthony: That’s very interesting. I think so many people they wind up getting into teaching as an art itself by having that experience of being asked how did you learn that and coming from a space where they weren’t masters of something first, or that not even close to mastery, but actually flunking in that area.
I wonder what lessons you might give to someone in sort of number one thing you have to realize if you’re failing right now in something like math, that someone struggling with could see that turn around perhaps in the future.
Barbara: Probably the biggest thing that if I had known back in the day when I was trying to retool my brain and actually learn math and science, and even before when I was just plain flunking it, the biggest thing that I could have done was to realize that it is quite all right to not understand something the first time you see it. I always thought I must be an idiot because these other people are all understanding what’s going on and clearly I’m not. I’m just really slow.
[clickToTweet tweet=”It is quite all right to not understand something the first time you see it.” quote=”It is quite all right to not understand something the first time you see it.” theme=”style6″]
If anything, the only reason I persevered was I would just kind of say well I don’t care even if I’m really slow and it takes me more time than everybody else, I’ll just try to hide that and I’ll still learn it anyway. Of course, to other people it just looked like I was really doing well. But behind it was a lot of work because I’m not one of those naturally gifted, really bright learners.
But in the same sense I think because of the that, when I learn something I really learn it at a very deep level. I think it’s that way for many people. They think they are not very bright, but actually the way they have to learn it because their brains may not be like swift moving, that they can actually learn it much more deeply.
The Magic Of Concentrated Effort For Creating Impetus
Anthony: I read somewhere someone made a mathematical proposition that something like 98 percent of people just give up after the first resistance that they come across. I wonder how did you develop in yourself this stamina or what would you call it this ability to give yourself that permission to have it okay that you didn’t get it the first time.
Barbara: I think what worked for me is to be successful in something that did require some learning, some concentrated effort in other words. Whether that something is learning how to play a musical instrument, or learning to sing, or learning to play soccer, or learning any number of different kinds of things, if you learn one thing so you are successful at it, then that gives you the impetus to think you know maybe if I just stick with this next thing I can be more successful.
I think that’s probably the thing. For me, I joined the Army and learned Russian. I just learned step by step how do you practice and really learn a language well. In doing that it sort of taught me meta skills about learning and that has served me in good stead in math and science.
The Special Meta Skill That Links Math And Language
Anthony: As a linguist, do you see a relationship between math and language?
Barbara: Oh, very much so. There’s a sort of an expert on experts. His name is Anders Ericsson, who works out of Florida and just wrote a great book called Peak on becoming an expert in virtually any topic. Often what you’re doing when you’re learning a language is you’re not just memorizing a bunch of vocabulary words although that actually is an important part of learning a language. You are learning to think in a different way and to be able to process that information in a very different way so you cannot just spew out a bunch of vocabulary words, but you can bring out the grammatical structure and do it quickly.
That is a big part of what’s going on in math and science. You’re bringing out a new numerical structure, and you have to be able to do it fluently. If you haven’t practiced enough, you have nothing, no patterns to pull into your working memory to make things easier. You’re just doing everything de novo in your working memory and it’s too hard to do.
I think there are great similarities and I think part of the reason may be, in this country, many engineers are from other countries besides the U.S. Part of that is that there is a big need for engineers and there’s not enough engineers in this country. I think part of it too is that those coming from outside the U.S. they know how do we learn because they’ve often had to learn English. That has, I think, been a meta skill that has transferred to their ability to also do well in math and science and engineering sorts of topics.
Anthony: That’s a fascinating point. I think one thing that I observed when I was studying German is that the Russian learners, particularly the Russian learners, seemed to get German articles a lot easier.
That seemed to have something to do with the fact, this is just my conjecture, but it seemed to have something to do with the fact that they didn’t have to deal with articles. When they came across articles, they got them the first time because it was just the sort of new sort of thing.
For an English speaker, where we do have articles just not of the gendered kind, the brain wants to get lazy and sort of ignore that. We’re not really thinking of it in quite the same way as people who don’t have articles. If that if that makes sense as a kind of observation of how learning another language can then give you a skill that can transfer over to it to something else like math.
How To Learn A Language – Even If You Have Limited Working Memory (Hint: Almost All Of Us Do)
Barbara: I think that’s a very interesting point. Well, let’s say you learn –I’m studying Spanish now. I am a slow learner, but I’m going to be using your techniques to help speed things up.
When you’re learning those kinds of things, you’re working away at it and cognitively I have a very limited working memory. What that means is that things fall out of my working memory very easily. But because some things fall out, other things come in and that is correlated with perhaps why I might be considered more creative.
When people say, “Oh man, I have to work so hard to keep these things in mind. What’s going on?” They often think, “Oh I must be so kind of dumb because I don’t have a steel trap mind like some people.” They are often more creative people and so it’s actually a talent that they have. I try to remind myself of that when I’m when I don’t have a steel trap mind in memorizing vocabulary and so forth.
Barbara’s Take On The Ancient Art Of Memory
Anthony: What you say is your number one technique that you go to when you really need to remember something?
Barbara: Trying to equate something with something extremely off color. If something happens to come to mind that is either just really wacky or else something that’s not repeatable in the public forum, it will stick. I mean whether I like it or not it’ll probably stick very well.
Indeed, the old memory experts from ancient Greece often said the same thing that if you use unrepeatable sorts of things to help you remember things that can be helpful. But just wacky images sometimes.
My challenge, and if I can turn the question around to you, my challenge is I’m really slow. Let’s say I’m trying to remember a Spanish phrase. How can I put that in my mind other than repeat it a whole bunch of times and hear it? It is hard for me to come up with some kind of wacky sort of mnemonic that would help me more easily place it in my memory.
Anthony: Well there’s a lot of ways to skin that cat. Phrases are an interesting thing because I always try to work from a word and then add a phrase to a word. If you had a key there like token, for example, and you had a Memory Palace location where that token was, and then you already knew conjunctions for nosotros,then you could encode an entire phrase around that mnemonic for token.
You could think of a number of ones and use that Memory Palace where you had that word to make a number of phrases with the word token for example or we and token. There’s that option. I like to bulk things up so it’s never just about like one phrase but multiple phrases for a single word. If that makes sense.
The Energizing Way To Learn Pronunciation Using Memory Techniques
That’s kind of related to the theory of substitution in language learning. Right now, I’m learning Chinese and my biggest problem with Chinese is not memorizing vocabulary but actually reciting the tones. I learned, let’s see if i can get this right, and people will listen to this and correct me I’m sure if i didn’t. Winter, and now i feel on the spot so I am going to try and get this, but I member it is, oh how did this go.
There’s a tree with a number nine and a yoyo that is smashing a teacup with yen that’s burning inside of it. That’s not winter that’s fall. Sorry, winter is a different, that’s autumn right but I’m getting that mixed up because right beside that is another tree that represents winter. Then I have spring and summer. They all end with 天 tiān.
Now, I have to remember that almost all of these are words that have the first tone. One of them has the fourth tone and the first tone. Now, I have a frog there because I’m using the major method to remember the tones. I have the number nine because number nine is 九 jiǔ or something pronounced like that. It’s like a lot of confusing stuff. This is my challenge as a teacher which is one reason why it’s very interesting to speak with you because I’m always trying to think of how can I teach this stuff better.
Because mnemonics are insane. You are saying well there’s a frog and then there’s a teacup with yen burning inside of it to remind me of 天 tiān. I don’t know the best way to teach these crazy images to people in a way that really makes sense, when it makes sense to me. I have a basis now to recall that again and again without any flashcards.
I just have to remember that it’s something like 天 tiān. Then, when it comes to substitution, I would say to my speaking partner 我喜欢秋天 which means, “I like autumn.” Then I want to be able to say, tomorrow I will also like autumn, or next week it will be winter and I will like winter. Start changing the phrase so that it is today I like autumn. Tomorrow I will like autumn. Next week I will still like autumn, or I will like winter, or it will be autumn after winter. This is sort of like the substitution thing.
If you just have that one word, then you can play with the phrases around it. I have a park that has the four seasons. It’s just a matter of practicing those pronunciations. I go in my mind. I see the tree. I see the images. I know some basics of phrases, and I just start drilling different phrases around that.
How To Deal With Learning In Little Snippets
Barbara: That makes a lot of sense. I’m going to incorporate that into my Spanish practice. It also relates in a way to the concept of interleaving. This is something that is frequently spoken of in the context of math and science learning.
I teach statistics and probability. I have my textbook and it goes through chapters one by one of the various aspects and it kind of builds up. Often what is in chapter four is rather unrelated to chapter six and unrelated to chapter eight. You learn everything in these little snippets.
You learn chapter four and you can do the techniques of chapter four. Then chapter eight and you learn those techniques and so forth. But the only time you ever see them all at one time is during the final examination. People sometimes say ‘oh I just don’t know how to do this stuff’ because they haven’t learned how to pick out one thing as a one technique as opposed to a different technique because they’re taught in different chapters.
What you’re doing is you are using a commonality, a word or a concept, but then you’re saying oh but you can use it this way. Then there’s another way to use it. You are kind of interleaving at the same time that you’re bringing everything together with a single word. I think that’s really cool. It’s a great approach to learning.
Anthony: I certainly have a lot of fun with it and one of the questions that I’d prepared to ask you relates to this. You talk about index cards, how to optimize the index cards process and how that revisiting information absolutely is critical. I’m the kind of student, and I always have been, with language study in particular, I’m not the kind of person who’s going to ever use them. I’m not going to use spaced repetition software.
I think that is what has appealed to people about my books. They are often attractive to people who are also not ever going to use that. But knowing that they are effective and knowing that spaced repetition that is assisted by software is also effective for creating a long-term memory, I wonder what other alternatives you might suggest to people who also aren’t going to go that route but do need to be revisiting information.
The Power of Learning In Spare Moments
Because the example that I just gave you, the reason why that I can remember it today, noting that my pronunciation isn’t perfect yet, is because I’ve repeated it in my mind several times. I just haven’t done it with index cards in front of me.
Barbara: There’s several different ways that you can approach it. Maybe a good way is to just use those spare moments to recall what you can of whatever you’re trying to work on. That effort to recall will actually do a good job. Whatever you can recall, that’s going to imprint that ever more deeply on your mind.
We do want to let our minds wander some. We don’t want to use every spare second. “Oh, I’m going to the bathroom now. I’ll conjugate my verbs.” There are lots of spare moments. When I go for a walk, sometimes I’ll practice to become more fluid at certain phrases. I’ll be walking along, and of course my husband is like what are you doing. I’ll just be doing something perhaps in my mind or saying it out loud.
The Great Thing About Sticky Notes And The Annoying Thing About Flashcards
Using those kinds of moments. If it’s really important, it can’t hurt to take a sticky note and stick it on your mirror with whatever that phrase or whatever is going on. I often will tell my students in my face-to-face classes, see this point right here, see this equation. This is such an important equation that you should put it on a sticky note on your mirror and memorize it.
[clickToTweet tweet=”It can’t hurt to take a sticky note and stick it on your mirror with whatever that phrase or whatever is going on. ” quote=”It can’t hurt to take a sticky note and stick it on your mirror with whatever that phrase or whatever is going on. ” theme=”style6″]
Whenever you go in front of that mirror, see if you can remember it and then check and make sure you got it right. That’s a good technique. What I find annoying about flashcards is you get it in your mind faster than you can flip the flashcards. It’s like is this sticking? It’s like you know where you are going already and you just want to go right through them.
Of course, it would be quicker to have something like Anki or something like that. A lot of the time I don’t want to take the time to type it all in manually. I will do some by handwriting. I often like to have sheets of paper where I just write on one side. I’ll write the words that I’m trying to remember in English and on the other side in Spanish or Russian or what have you. When I kind of get familiar with the page, I’ll put the page aside. I have a big collection of pages. That makes it really quick to go through.
Often the kinds of things that you’re trying to remember are related to one another and you want to see the patterns for how they change. It’s hard to do that with flashcards. If you write them on pages, you can see the relationships between different tenses say or that kind of thing.
It doesn’t seem to me to matter so much that I’m able to mix them up with flashcards, that’s the one advantage of flashcards, but they’re so much faster to quickly review something. Even the act of writing it out, of course, is helpful.
The Amazing Genesis Of Learning How To Learn
Anthony: Thank you for those great thoughts on memory that’s very useful. I wanted to talk as well about a great course that you have on Coursera called Learning How to Learn. This is something people can find on Coursera and it’s a free course. I just wonder, what’s the evolution of that course? How did it come into being? What does it mean to learn how to learn?
Barbara: I sort of backed into doing the course. It’s kind of funny, my husband and I were down in the basement filming the course. We were just kind of going, gosh, is anybody ever even going to watch this? Why are we doing this?
It was like we have to do this. We just have to do this because it has a lot of helpful information and we feel it’s really important. Now it’s the most popular course in the world. It’s about 1.6 million enrolled students so far. People just really love the course. They find a lot of value. It’s people from all walks of life.
Five percent of the learners have their Ph.D.’s. I got an email from a fifth grader about 12 years old who says oh I took a course with my mother. You know I never realized that professors could be so witty.
I was like well if you knew how long I worked to try to be witty. Then our older daughter was at that time in med school. She was sitting in her class in med school and being taught by a preeminent specialist in southeast Michigan. He suddenly, there’s seventy medical school students, and he suddenly stops the class, points right at her and says you. You’re the girl in the MOOC, the massive open online course.
Here’s this preeminent specialist taking this course of on learning so that he can be a better specialist at what he’s doing. But I think what can happen just willy-nilly in any discipline is that it grows this the sort of structure that is sort of haphazard. It’s a cruise through history.
What You Really Need To Learn When Learning How To Learn
For example, people now will say, oh man anybody who did a course on learning that’s what a no brainer it’s going to be the most popular course in the world. But I would beg to differ. I would venture to guess that if let’s say that you happen to go to a school of education and you said you know I want you to do a course on learning. They would have immediately said great. You know teachers really need a course like that. Then you no, no, no, that’s not what I want. I want a course on learning for people in general.
What you would have gotten was an online course that would have had two or three weeks on the history of education. Two or three more weeks on educational theories and then how babies learn and then maybe a little bit on the end about how people might learn a little effectively with maybe a lecture or two on neuroscience. But that’s it because it’s really tough and we can’t go there.
If you can see that kind of structure, which is a very natural structure, it would have grown because there are all sorts of different groups in education. They all have their approaches and their desires. I teach the history of education. You have to cover my material in your MOOC and so forth.
My co-instructor in the course Learning How to Learn is Terry Sejnowski. He’s the Francis Crick Professor at the Salk Institute. He’s one of only ten living human beings who is simultaneously a member of all three national academies.
The approach that we took was just to upend everything. To say now wait a minute. Let’s start from what do we really need to know about how our brain works, I mean truly from a neuroscientific perspective in order to leverage that to learn more effectively.
We don’t have to start with here’s a neuron. Here’s how a neuron works. We can take the fundamental key ideas and bring those forth and explain them using metaphor so that people can easily grasp some key approaches about how their brain works. The we can use that to build on all sorts of different aspects of what cognitive psychology and neuroscience are revealing about how you learn effectively not just in the humanities and social sciences.
As important as those are, but also in the sciences which I think a lot of those who teach about how to learn don’t have a solid high caliber professional expertise in a mathematical or engineering or technical type of discipline. It is sort of like what they’re teaching actually doesn’t really apply to how you learn effectively and learn science, technology, engineering and math.
The way we’re teaching is in a way that is meant to be encompassing of all disciplines. Of not just more of the soft sciences side of things, but everything. I think when you look at meta learning in that fashion you can really enhance people’s understanding of their brains and their limitations and how those limitations can also simultaneously be strengths.
Anthony: Is there a sense that by learning something, at least on the surface seems more difficult, like engineering and science than a liberal arts topic, is there a sense that greater rigor makes it easier to learn in the humanities if you have learning experience and meta learning understanding from something like engineering to transfer over? The reason why I ask that is because I have a liberal arts background and I can juggle continental philosophy quite well.
The Truth About Learning As A Transferable Skill
But when I look at something like engineering, and I’m now actively learning math with the help of your book, because I’ve been one of those people who sucked it algebra. But I still look at all that stuff, and I don’t feel like I have those tools. I talk to a lot of engineering and mathematical people and they’re like oh that’s easy. They just sort of get it but that stuff that I had to be trained to get. You know what I’m sort of saying? Is there a transferable skill from the technical sciences to liberal arts that isn’t transferable the other way?
Barbara: I believe so, but I also believe that there is important and, in fact, vital value to the social sciences and humanities they can be lost if you use solely focus on a technically mathematical. There are many things that can be grasped more easily if you do have an engineering or science kind of background, a mathematical background.
But at the same time, you have to be really careful because you don’t want to say well yeah, I can do anything because I’ve got this great science background. No, you can’t! You also want to be keeping your feet in both worlds I believe.
I learned math and science. I started learning it when I was 26. Because I started learning it at an older age, I feel as if I speak it with a bit of an accent. I’m not as fluent as somebody who was a whiz when they were kids and they always studied it and so they became a professor of engineering. They are just naturally good at the numbers and so forth.
I can be very good at them, but it’s not like it flows quite so easily. By the same token, I think that I often think more creatively about things because I am much more aware of the structure because I had to learn it as an adult. I guess the best thing I could say is yes I do think math and science gives you a transferable skill that can make some things in the humanities and social sciences easier to learn. But, you can get those transferable skills in math and science at any age.
Why You Need To Learn An Entirely New Way Of Thinking
It’s just that it is kind of like learning a language in that you’re not just memorizing vocabulary. You’re learning a new way of thinking and it’s that new way of thinking that is what provides for some of the transferable skills.
Anthony: I think of it in particular because I was trying to go back to school and I wanted to go into an M.A. program, and I have a Ph.D., M.A. in science here in Berlin and they said oh no you’ll have to go back and get a B.A. in science. But, looking into it you know it is I just don’t have that grounding even though I have some understanding of the concepts and so forth. But they simply won’t let me in without having done that groundwork first which makes sense given what you’re saying.
Barbara: I can add a sort of a side point. There are some programs where you can take tests and test into master’s programs without having to have the bachelor’s degrees and some people are using MOOCs, massive open online courses to train themselves, and then they’re taking these tests and going directly. They are getting that undergraduate degree equivalence without having to pay enormous sums of money, and, also giving up big parts of their life. Then just leaping right into the master’s programs.
The Darkside Of Altruism And Its Connection To Your Memory
Anthony: I want to shift gears a little bit, because one of the things that I get to do in my job as in interviewer people about learning and memory is also talk about some of their other interests that connect maybe in a different way to memory and a shared interest that we have is altruism. As I shared with you, I did my Ph.D. in humanities, and I wrote about friendship and had something related to something you’ve talked about in a book called Cold Blooded Kindness. You edited a collection that is called Pathological Altruism.
I have since had some similar ideas about how that altruism has a dark edge to it. I wanted to ask you a few questions about that especially in the age of online education and so forth where there seem to be so many people doing things altruistically. First of all, what is altruism and then we’ll go from there.
Barbara: Well, that’s an open-ended question. I wrote a book many years ago with the intentionally ironic title of Evil Genes: Why Rome Fell, Hitler Rose, Enron Failed, and My Sister Stole My Mother’s Boyfriend. It was about why do nasty people do what they do. It got great critical acclaim. I was really surprised. It did very well. Steven Pinker wrote a really nice blurb for it.
What came out of that was I begin to realize certain people will come up to me and they’d say well Hitler, he may have been evil, but all Germans weren’t evil. How come they all climbed on board with him. I mean that was a very good question.
I thought a lot about that and began to realize that the best way to get people on board with things is to claim you’re doing something to help others. That’s really how Hitler came to power was he’d say it’s when I appeal to their best traits, that’s when I’ve got them.
Whatever political persuasion you might have, you’re immediately thinking no it’s that other one. That’s the one. They’re doing that. They’re appealing to people. But each side is actually saying the same thing.
I think it’s important as critical thinkers to also step back and look at both sides, be able to do that and not look at the other side through the lens of the things that people on your side say about them.
Because she was like I know all about them. I heard it. I read these articles. But they are articles framed by people on your side. Critical thinking means you actually go in and look at it from other people’s perspectives, from the perspective of the people of that side.
The Counterintuitive Reasons Why Altruism Can Be So Dangerous
You could look at all the definitions of altruism, but when I really begin studying altruism, what I finally discovered is altruism is whatever you want it to be. It varies by culture. It varies by what your intentions are. It varies. If you’re a rather narcissistic individual, you will believe that whatever you’re doing is altruistic. It’s by definition. If it’s good for you, it’s good for everybody even if it kills millions.
Altruism is the most dangerous – it’s the best trait and also the worst trait of humanity because it can be so easily used to seduce us into doing really bad things. Look at all the terrorism going on now. It comes out of people who are, at least superficially and I think in large part, actually very much willing to give their lives, because they think that they’re helping some in group of theirs.
Altruism is a very dangerous thing and it’s a touchy thing to talk about because among many deeply well intentioned people it’s practically a religion. You never question altruism. It’s like it’s like questioning the most fundamental tenet of your sacred approach to life. People really get upset about that kind of thing.
I’m always just a bit wary in talking about pathological altruism because the most pathologically altruistic of people are the ones who get really touchy about you ever questioning their altruism.
Anthony: I think people are touchy. I mean I wrote about friendship as being potentially pathological. I just called it hypothetical consent which was I actually got the term from a philosopher, David Benatar. It’s not in my dissertation. If people ever look that up and they’re searching for hypothetical consent it is not there, but it’s what I came to call after my dissertation was written.
It’s the idea that in friendships we assume hypothetically that we can do certain things because that person is our friend. Because they are our friend we can do certain things. There’s like a tautology there. That’s one of the things that got me very fascinated about what you were talking about with pathological altruism. A little bit different, but it is sort of this kind of thing that as you said a person will tend to think that whatever they’re doing is altruistic because they see themselves as altruistic. They assume hypothetically the consent to act in particular ways.
I wanted to ask you if you see a connection there to memory. Because I see a connection to memory that is a bit vague, but it seems to me that so many people become memorable to us because of the altruistic things that they do. That seems to be a way that we encode ourselves on other people’s minds.
I just wonder if you have any thoughts about that in response how that your idea of pathological altruism touches memory, just memory as such as a cultural phenomenon, a biological phenomenon, a thing that happens to us and that we can do to ourselves and have done to us by others.
The Fascinating Truth About Bill Clinton’s Memory And Altruism
Barbara: You bring up so many interesting ideas with that. People will often say Bill Clinton is just an extraordinary person. He’s such a people person. You immediately get this feel that he cares about you as an individual when you meet him.
I’ve known a number of people who have met or have known him. One of the things he does that’s quite remarkable is that he remembers you. For example, I met a friend at the Clinton library who five years before had met Bill Clinton, and her husband had been sick that day, he wasn’t able to come, but she’d met him.
Just recently, right before I met her, she had met him again. He remembered her by name, remembered her husband had been sick, asked if he was doing better. I mean there’s this utter charm when you can remember someone’s name that it breaks through everything.
People are charmed, I think, by Bill Clinton. Part of it is, he’ll walk into a room and he hasn’t seen people for a year, and he’ll go around and greet each person by name and shake their hand and so forth. There is this sort of wow. If you look at great leaders through history, part of a common thread is that they had extraordinary memories.
They could remember. People like Hitler had an amazing memory. He could remember all the armaments, all the names from different divisions and so forth. Franklin Delano Roosevelt same thing. Jimmy Carter same thing. Ronald Reagan same thing.
Why People Like It When You Remember Their Name
Having a powerful memory is a great tool to help you get to leadership positions. In part, because people, I think, they really like it when you can remember their names. Of course, it has many other added values sorts of things as well.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Having a powerful memory is a great tool to help you get to leadership positions.” quote=”Having a powerful memory is a great tool to help you get to leadership positions.” theme=”style6″]
I do think even though the simple act of remembering a person’s name is a like a kindness. I think for Bill Clinton, it’s easy. There’s some research on memory and some people just plain have incredible memories. I think Bill Clinton is one of them. I don’t think he has to use any kinds of things more ordinary people like me often use.
It’s kind of an amazing thing how memory can be such a powerful tool, but part of it is people like you because of that. But also, I do think that’s the kindness of remembering their names. But like when I’m teaching a class, I take great care to memorize all my students’ names. Very quickly the class becomes like a family. I think it’s because I took the care to memorize the names.
That’s an act of kindness, but I think other acts of kindness can also help people stick in your memory in a good way. Is that pathologically altruistic? I guess it could be. It sort of depends on what your intentions are.
Altruism And Education In The 21st Century
Anthony: Another angle that I wanted to go through quickly with the pathological altruism is online education especially outside of the traditional university relies so much on giving away something for free, building an audience, and then essentially pitching somebody on a product. That seems to be a working model that works very well.
But I wonder are our educators in the twenty first century online being in any way pathological in their altruism as you have gone through it in your studies and other authors that you’ve read on it. Is there a problem in online education that you see emerging as an online educator yourself? Is it more or less a safe sort of thing to do? Do people need to be worried about navigating online education in the future because of this way that altruism can have a pathological aspect to it?
Barbara: The reality is that online education – well let’s put it this way. In the 1950s people started playing basketball better. I mean they just did. They start playing basketball. Why did people suddenly start playing basketball better? It’s because there was television.
Suddenly people could see for themselves what the moves were that some of the top basketball teams were making. If you’re some kid at home, you can try it out. If you are a basketball coach at a high school, you can encourage your students to try it out. Television actually provided this new way of learning about a sport that really improved the sport altogether.
I think that online learning is going to do the same thing. What it does is it showcases a lot of different people. Some of whom do it for free. Some of whom do it because they get they get might get some remuneration. Some because their arms are twisted by their universities to make this course because otherwise you won’t get tenure or something like that.
There’s all sorts of reasons people do it. Basically, what that is doing is getting out into people’s eyes all sorts of different ways about how you can teach effectively. I mean nobody’s going to watch a television show, or not a lot of people are going to watch a television show about in-depth physics, or how to do electronic circuits, or something like. There’s just not a big enough market to make big television shows.
What Makes A MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) Succeed
They are kind of like not the same as a classroom. But a MOOC, a massive open online course, it shows a teacher. It gives active learning sorts of exercises similar to that in the classroom. You can watch some of the world’s greatest teachers, not all of them. It’s sort of a little bit of a random funnel. Just because you might be at Princeton or Harvard or Yale teaching doesn’t mean you’re the best teacher for that topic.
But even so you get all these great courses. The really good ones sort of stand out. They get great reviews. What that means is for us as teachers, we can go and look at these courses. We can improve our own teaching as a result.
I think online teaching is whether or not sometimes it might be just somebody doing it because they just feel an urge to do it. I mean that’s why I did the course in the first place, Learning How to Learn, I just thought I just have to do this. I didn’t think there ever be any royalties or anything. I thought it was all just all for free.
Later on, I found out there are there are small royalties that do accrue for certificates. At the same time though, anybody who wants to you can take the complete course for free. Only if you’d like to get a certificate for the course,is it paid. You can take everything for free.
It’s the best of all possible worlds. I can give this material completely for free to anybody who wants it. Some people because it is kind of on the collect the certificates. I know because I collect some of the certificates. It’s like yes, I learned that subject.
If I’m reading something really dry at night, I will fall asleep. if I’m watching a MOOC, it somehow it’s like a got a teacher. They are making it more exciting. It’s really more cool. I really like it. Taking MOOCs is a lot of fun.
How To Find The Perfect Learning Environment
Anthony: Speaking of your own way of taking courses, and it’s exciting to hear that you also take MOOCs which is interesting, one of the things I was curious about is where do you learn best? Both when you’re taking an online course and when you are learning in a more paper, book-bound way or for your Spanish learning or when you learned Russian, what were some of the environments that you learned best in? What characterizes them that people might be able to reproduce so they also can learn better?
Barbara: This actually relates to my next book, which is going to be coming out in spring. It’s going to be one of the lead titles on Penguin Random House. It’s called Mindshift. I’m really excited about it. They even asked me to do the audiobook. I’m going to read the audiobook. I told him I said you need to get somebody really good. They said we are going to. They didn’t tell me it was me.
One thing that people often don’t understand is when you’re when you’re memorizing, it’s often very good to have a very quiet environment. I mean like if you’re really doing something totally need focus for, then a very quiet environment can be helpful. Although, if you want to have a little music, it kind of depends on you. Whatever you want. If you like having music, you can find research that says music is beneficial. If you don’t like music you can find research that says it’s not.
If you’re learning how to learn something that involves concepts, say you’re trying to learn how the structure of how the heart works, how it pumps and all the different motions and movements that are going on with the heart, that’s not something you can just memorize. You actually have to think about how the parts all connect.
Why Memory Techniques Don’t Apply Equally To All Topics
It’s interesting. Sometimes people in med school, they are like ace memorizers. They can wait until a few days before the exam, a day before the exam, memorize all these anatomical terms, and boom they do great. These same students do terribly when it comes time for the cardiology exam.
It’s because the same techniques just don’t apply. You can’t just sit there and memorize parts of the heart and answer questions about how the heart actually functions. To do that kind of learning, it can often be helpful to go to an environment like a coffee shop or something where there’s like a little bit of disruption here and there. Because that little bit of sound disruption actually puts you into a different mode of thinking momentarily.
It forces you just step out and step back, use more default mode momentarily. That puts you into broader connections neurologically speaking. That can help you see the bigger picture of what you’re working on. You’re going back and forth between a past positive focus mode work and then then stepping back into more diffuse networks and alternating between that can help you when you’re learning kind of difficult and more abstract kinds of learning.
Anthony: That’s fascinating to think that one could have permission to study in a slightly distracting environment and still be able to learn effectively. That’s a good tip. Now here’s a test of my memory. I wanted to ask you what’s coming up next for you and I believe you said the upcoming title of your new book is Mindshift.
Barbara: Yes.
The Global Scope Of Learning How To Learn And Experiencing Your Own Powerful Mindshift
Anthony: My working memory is intact and that’s very exciting. Is there a release date that people can look forward to?
Barbara: Actually, you can go to Amazon and you can preorder it, which my publisher always likes. The actual publication date is April 18, 2017. It’s doing really well. It is going to be translated into simplified Chinese. It’s already going into translation.
Because of Learning How to Learn, I was able to travel all around the world, talk to learners and kind of get insights from many different perspectives about the best aspects of learning in different parts of the world and kind of bring them together. Even at the same time that I’m talking about the science of learning and things like going to a coffee shop for certain types of learning, it was just marvelous fun to work on the book. In some sense it’s sort of a sequel to A Mind for Numbers and Learning How to Learn.
I’m thinking that that if it goes much bigger in scope. It’s worldwide in scope. I think it’s not very often you find a sort of a combination of travel log with science book with just insights about the human psyche. I am hoping that people might find it of interest in their own lives.
Anthony: I’m glad it’s already available for preorder. I will definitely go and check that out. Just a tip for people, you can go on an Amazon authors page and be notified when new books from them come out. I just learned this myself the other day. That’s something people should definitely do is go and find Barbara Oakley on Amazon and make sure you click that so you know when new books are coming out and check out Mindshift. Add it to your collection so it just gets zipped into your Kindle device when it’s available. I’m going to go over after this interview to do that myself.
Barbara: I have to laugh, because I just followed you on Amazon.
Anthony: Excellent. That’s how I found out about it. Someone else said that they had followed me and so a new thing that I just sort of put out on a whim there. I also want people to check out your other books about Pathological Altruism and the material that you have there. I personally find it super fascinating. Like I said, I sort of had an ulterior motive because I’ve written in my dissertation on a similar topic. I hope one day to turn that dissertation into a book as well. I wanted to get a chance to speak with someone who has been in similar territory. I didn’t mean to cut that short but also get back to the subject of learning. I think I could talk certainly more about that at a different occasion and hopefully have you again maybe some months after Mindshift is available and people have read it to do an interview specifically about that book after I have had a chance to read it.
Barbara: I’d be absolutely delighted. In the meantime, I can hardly wait. I’m going to be ordering a lot of your books. What a treat to meet.
Thanks for reading and listening!
Are You Ready To Take Your Memory To The Next Level?
9 Signs You Need Memory Training And Which Techniques Work
Sep 07, 2016
A lack of memory training plagues every nation. It’s true.
And as far as I know, only Tibet has ever included dedicated memory training in its educational programming.
The consequence of this lack of attention to providing young people with memory techniques that will improve their lives?
We all experience unnecessary pain and frustration thanks to forgetting precious information.
But That’s Not The Biggest Problem For Seekers Of Real Memory Training!
The biggest problem is that we don’t always recognize the signs related to our memory problems.
Without that critical insight, we can’t make proper decisions about undertaking memory training.
(Worse, you might wind up wasting time on memory training software that you really don’t need if you have a solid understanding of mnemonics and other memory techniques.)
Here’s the good news: I know the signs that you need memory training. And I have the solutions, none of which involve wasting time on tedious memory training games or the fraud of photographic memory training.
Interested?
Let’s go through each of the 9 signs you need memory training in detail so you have a better grip and know exactly what to do. You’ll find a tip included with each sign that will help ease each problem. Work on improving just one issue per month and well within a year, you will be the owner of a superior memory you’re proud to call home.
Sign You Need Memory Training #1: You Can’t Remember Names
You know the scene:
Two seconds after hearing someone’s name and shaking hands, you’re looking into the eyes of a stranger. And now instead of paying attention to the conversation, you’re paddling around the pond of your mind …
“Was his name Ross … or Roger … or Tom?”
The feeling is tiring and exasperating. Most of us have grown so accustomed to it that we laugh off our forgetfulness instead of getting memory training to take care of the problem.
A simple mnemonic image – or “Magnetic Image” – I used to memorize the name Lars at a business event. You can do something like this with every piece of information you encounter.
The fix is simple: Learn and practice the simple art of association using mnemonic images.
When you meet someone named Lars, instantly see Lars Ulrich from Metallica drumming on the top of their head with drumsticks made of “lar”d. If you meet a Betty, see Betty Crocker pouring flour into her ear while midgets “bet” on how Betty is going to react.
The associations don’t have to be celebrities. One John you already know can help you remember the name of another.
Associations are just the beginning of memory training for how to remember names, a quick tip that will serve you well.
There are other memory techniques you can use to memorize names for which you have no immediate association. Here’s a simple process:
Quick Memory Training Steps For Memorizing Names (N.A.M.E.):
Notice the name
Associate a mental image or total match with the name
Express the name by mentally and verbally repeating
But the number one memory technique you need to memorize names?
Train yourself to pay attention.
That way, when you hear people announce their names, you’ll actually capture the information.
Sign You Need Memory Training #2: Your Mind Goes Blank During Exams
Stress and pressure cause havoc on memory. The higher the stakes, the more we quake in our boots, especially after weeks of diligent study during which we’ve dreamed of a great post-exam future.
In addition to taking basic memory training based on the principle of association, you can add relaxation to your memory exercise. A lot of people skip this step in memory training (assuming it was included at all), but relaxation is one of the most critical tools in remembering.
Meditation before studying, including progressive muscle relaxation, can be repeated before sitting for your exam. Reproducing the same calm physical state will help your memory in exams a great deal because you will have reduced fight-or-flight syndrome.
In some cases, you can also get access to the examination room and study in it. That way you’ll be entering a familiar environment.
Put relaxation and a Memory Palace together as part of your memory training profile and you’ll never need to sweat through an exam again. And here’s more info on avoiding 17 other student fails related to your memory. I got you covered.
Ultimately, the memory training students need requires a solid understanding of spaced repetition. With that in tow, you’ll use flashcards and software like Anki in much better ways.
Sign You Need Memory Training #3: Your Memory Gets You In Trouble At Work
There’s nothing worse than having your boss mad at you because you still can’t remember simple data points or you need your password reset for the umpteenth time.
But countless are the ways having reliable memory skills at work can keep your boss off your back. A good memory based on solid memory training can make you the boss.
Your work undoubtedly involves a lot of numbers, so you’ll want to learn the Major Method. It lets you quickly associate images with numbers so that they’re easy to recall. With a bit of practice, you’ll be rattling off not only budgetary figures but also the complex formulas used to manage them in no time.
And if you need more help, these tips will help you focus on your work as you learn to use memory techniques over time.
Sign You Need Memory Training #4: You Struggle With Dates, Appointments, Birthdays & Anniversaries
When you think about it, putting together the day, month, year and hour of the day is a lot of information. Sometimes we get it all together right away, but usually … not.
You now have a link to the Major Method, but you’ll also benefit from having a Mnemonic Calendar in your mind.
To get started with this aspect of memory training, associate an image with each day of the week.
For example, for Friday, see a giant frying pan, an opera-singing satellite for Saturday and a massive Ice Cream Sundae for Sunday.
Once you know the Major Method, you can interact any combination of hours and minutes with any day of the week. You just need to create vignettes or stories using your imagery.
Sign You Need Memory Training #5: You Start And Give Up On Language Learning Goals Due To Poor Memory
People around the world dream of learning a second language, but so few ever do. There are a lot of moving parts involved in language learning, and that means multiple bumps on the road.
But the biggest barrier to entry is memory. You can’t practice a new language without a growing profile of information stored in memory and available for access. And contrary to popular belief, repetition a.k.a. rote learning is not enough on its own.
Rather, you need a dedicated means of creating memories and actively helping your brain access those memories. To do that, this memory training video about The Big 5 Of Language Learning is highly recommended viewing:
https://youtu.be/bR15aAXv-F0
Sign You Need Memory Training #6: You Find It Hard To Concentrate
Concentration might not immediately seem like a memory training issue. But in reality, it’s the crux of memory because remembering and recalling information requires focus.
The beautiful thing is that developing your memory automaticallyincreases concentration and focus. Plus, the better you get at one, the better you get at the other.
One great and very light concentration exercise was suggested by Dr. Gary Small. He talks about noticing four aspects of a person you see on the street and then recalling those details a few hours later.
That’s great as a memory training exercise, but as a concentration exercise, practice noticing four details of everyone you see. You’ll find it difficult at first, but soon you’ll find that you’re much more observant of the world around you.
Even better, your increased concentration will spill over into other areas of your life, including paying attention to the details of conversations.
Sign You Need Memory Training #7: You Suffer From “Senior Moments”
There’s nothing worse than walking into a room and then forgetting why you went in there.
The reason this happens seems to involve an overwhelm of new stimulation. When you move from one room to the next, for example, you’re suddenly bombarded by new:
* air quality * light levels * sounds * textures
… and potentially people and a whole host of other variables that hold zero connection to the reason you entered the room in the first place.
To combat senior moments like these, try closing one fist tightly while repeating the reason you’re leaving the room. Do this with emphasis as you cross the threshold of the door when you’re first facing a rush of new information.
You can also get your body involved during study by using these note taking tips.
I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how quickly senior moments disappear from your life once you start using this unique memory training technique.
Sign You Need Memory Training #8: You’re Constantly Afraid Of Alzheimer’s & Dementia
You have every reason to be worried about brain diseases that rob you of your memory. Alzheimer’s is one of the biggest threats besides brain trauma and no one in their right mind wants either.
Although there’s no hard and fast proof that memory training prevents such conditions, it’s a worthy investment because you live in the here and now. Plus, it’s more likely that people serious about their overall brain health will also eat foods that improve memory. That’s an even surer path to protecting your brain as you age.
Once you’ve felt the power of memory improvement, you’ll be inspired to play higher order brain games and do all kinds of things that not only ward off Alzheimer’s and Dementia. The memory training activities help you experience an incredible life so that even if you do face those conditions in the future, you’ll have enjoyed an amazing mental life until that time.
Always remember this: Memory is the now. Always, and yours can be the greatest.
Sign You Need Memory Training #9: You Kick Yourself For Not Doing The Exercises In That Memory Training You Bought
You know you need memory help when you’ve started taking memory training, but never follow through.
However, you have indeed started investing in memory training and that’s a great sign that you can pull through. You just need to create a plan of action based on those memory training books and courses.
Then, commit to reading the entire book from cover to cover or watching all the videos. A lot of people want interactivity and learning by doing is super-important when it comes to memory training exercises.
By the same token, it helps many others to have a global overview. The art of memory has some technical aspects and it really helps to go through everything before getting started.
Either way, complete the exercises.
All. Of. Them.
The reason memory training resources come with exercises is so that you can see the techniques in action and get results. But if you don’t do them, you won’t fully understand the techniques and your skill set can’t build.
It’s as simple as that. So crack open that memory training book on your shelf. Read it from cover to cover and then do everything it says. Yes, it requires a bit of sacrifice, but it will be the best time, energy and money you’ll ever spend.
Heck, this doesn’t even have to cost you a dime. Libraries still exist, you’ve got my Free Memory Improvement Kit and the Internet is filled with information.
No excuses. Take action and you’ll be rewarded.
We All Need Memory Training
Believe it or not, even the most accomplished memory champions need help with their memory. Even of the most impressive winners are no better than anyone else without memory training.
And we all need to make memory training, memory exercises, memory techniques and mnemonics an ongoing part of our lives. And just as with any aspect of physical fitness, we need to maintain our gains.
Luckily, just like going to the gym, memory training is fun. It makes you feel great and you can experience a rush of accomplishment whenever you want simply by using the tools your memory training has given you.
In sum, effective memory training involves your diligent attention to each of these steps:
Learn to remember names. Every word is a name that points to either a person, action, object, concept or other important feature of life. This skill is the most important of all.
Learn what to do when your mind goes blank. Memory training that involves meditation and relaxation is important to achieving skills in this area quickly.
Learn how to memorize numbers. Creating a 00-99 PAO based on the Major System is also great brain exercise.
Use your ability to memorize numbers to also remember dates and historical facts. You have many opportunities to train your memory in this way every single day.
Learn a language using memory techniques and be consistent. Without consistency, it is difficult to experience the full benefits of memory training.
Explore memory training practices that improve concentration and focus. Using memory techniques to recall information while meditating is a great means of experiencing consistent results.
Combat “senior moments” by involving your body in the process of remembering information and the things you want to do.
Tackle your fears of Alzheimer’s and Dementia by taking action with consistent memory training and tracking your progress in a memory journal.
Be kind to yourself when you procrastinate. Review your goals, set a date on the calendar and get back on the horse. You’ll be glad you did.
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Brad Zupp On Memory Techniques And Memory Improvement For All Ages
Aug 24, 2016
Can You Improve Your Memory At Any Age?
The answer is a resounding “Yes!” and Brad Zupp’s story proves it!
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Brad Zupp joins us to talk about everything from language learning and memory techniques to the philosophy of education.
Brad Zupp is a wealth of information about memory, so after downloading the MP3 and reading or downloading the transcript, be sure to check out the fascinating memory improvement articles on his blog. One of the things that makes Brad so unique in the memory field is his candid revelations about using memory techniques as he ages.
As you start opening multiple tabs and start absorbing all of this memory-boosting information, you can also follow Brad Zupp on Twitter and follow his author page on Amazon to be notified when the new books he mentioned on this interview appear. I’m all hooked up and as a serious student of memory improvement, you should be too.
Enjoy this episode with the stellar memory athlete and educator Brad Zupp and be sure to say hello in the comments below! 🙂
Anthony: For people who aren’t familiar with Unlock Your Amazing Memory yet, tell us a little bit about your story. Maybe, what’s your first memory about being interested in memory?
Brad: The first memory about being interested in memory was when I was myself in about the fourth or fifth grade I was horrible at numbers and names. Names were not helped in that we moved a lot. My dad was an executive in a company. He was he was a fixer. He was someone that they’d say well that division or that office branch is having trouble. We need someone to go fix it, so my dad would get tapped for that. So we moved a lot.
I remember third grade I guess was the first time it really came to me that memory is important. It was the end of the school year, and I gone to that school for the first time in the fall. The third grade, it was at the end of the school year though the teacher asked me to hand out papers on Friday. We must have written some type of paper or book report or something.
The One Memory Problem That “Freezes” Just About Everyone
She said, “Okay, Brad, you can hand out papers this week.” I just froze because I knew I didn’t know everybody’s names in class. Now as adults, we introduce each other to each other or introduce ourselves to each other. Kids don’t do that. Kids will come up and say, “Hi, my name is Sally.” So part of it was I had never met people.
But I had a horrible memory with names and with numbers. I was up at the front of the class and I had the papers. I was going, “Oh, Sally you got a B. Way to go.” You know, kind of looking up with my eyes to see who of the girls in the class was going, “Oh, I got a B,” Because that’s how I knew it was Sally. I didn’t know people’s names.
That continued all my life. Numbers, I was always bad at math in large part because I couldn’t remember numbers. I could do the calculations. But if it any of it involved storing a number in my head to add it or anything, I couldn’t retain that number long enough to do the second step of the calculation. If I could write the first part down or use my fingers, I was fine. The calculations weren’t the problem. It was remembering numbers was the problem.
There was no solution for me back then. That’s in part one of the reasons I wrote the book I did first instead of writing a book for adults first is that there’s a lot of kids like that. They can’t remember something. Maybe they’re good with math, but they can’t remember the spelling of their vocabulary words, or they’re great with spelling but they, for whatever reason, cannot remember numbers like me. That’s why I wrote the book. That’s my first memory.
How Do Kids Deal With Memory Problems?
Anthony: This is fascinating. I wonder how do you think that kids enunciate their frustration with their memory, because you know you were aware of it and that’s quite an early memory, but to what extent do you observe that young kids are aware of that as being a memory problem and how do they express it?
Brad: Back when I was experiencing that, there wasn’t really a way to express it. I mean I didn’t go home to my parents and say, “I can’t remember names. Let’s get a book and help me or let’s look on the Internet.” We didn’t have any of that back then. I think it was kind of suffer in silence. It wasn’t something that traumatized me, but I remember it very clearly to this day being up in front of class and the embarrassment of the end of the school year not knowing my classmates names. That was just horrible.
These days, kids with the Internet, more libraries, more books available on Amazon and other online availability of books, kids know that they can find solutions online. One of the things I do when I go into schools for presentations, I say something like, who thinks they have a bad memory? Who has studied for a test, been very confident, then you sit down in your classroom, the teacher hands out the test, you look at the first couple questions and go what? Am I in the right class? Am I in the right school? Because you cannot for the life of you remember these things.
Kids as young as seven, eight, nine years old are experiencing that. They’re confident, they’ve worked hard and then they blank out. So they know, I think kids these days are more aware about things like money. They’re more aware of this is it working for me, and I can get help with this.
So I think kids these days are willing to tell their parents, teachers or a visiting presenter like me, “Yeah, that’s me. I have that problem. Fix it! I want to get better grades.” That’s one of the joys I have is going into schools and helping kids realize the memory, as you tell people, young and old, memory isn’t something we’re stuck with. We can improve it.
Why Memory Improvement Is Easy And Fun To Do
It can be easy and fun to do. It doesn’t have to be boring, because I think that’s where a lot of the kids, as they get a little bit older, is that they catch on remembering, or they give up they say remembering is hard, studying is hard. I hate school. This is boring. The teacher says, “Oh, you can’t remember it? That’s okay, just read it again.”
If you don’t read well, or you don’t enjoy what you’re reading, which is pretty common I think across the ages, anybody going to school, there’s always a few subjects you like why am I learning this. If the teacher says well read it again, you read it the second time you’re even more bored than you were the first time, and the teacher says you still don’t have it. Read it a couple more times. At some point, you just go no. I’m just not good at this. I’m just going to give up. It’s great that people like you and me and a lot of other people are out there saying there’s a different way.
Anthony: Right and I think that’s one of the things I admire so much as you’re out there and you’re bringing this message. That leads me to a question that I think everybody who works in memory education encounters all the time. I certainly get it at least once a week, which is why aren’t they teaching these techniques in school? You are actively actually going out and teaching it in schools. How did you get into proactively making sure that memory techniques are taught in schools?
Brad: I was a financial planner for a while. I got really tired of sitting in an office and not being able to use my creative side. Sometimes I struggled as a financial planner with memory, with remembering some of my clients’ names. I remembered my top several clients’ names. But, if someone just did something with me once, it was sometimes hard to remember their name. So I was already struggling with that. Of course, the number problem continued to haunt me, which is pretty important for a financial planner. But I also just hated it in the office.
One day I told my wife I should get out of this, and I should go back to doing something fun. I had been a professional juggler for a number of years before getting into real estate and then finance. I told my wife I should go back to doing something fun like juggling, but I wanted to do something important. So maybe I should combine them and do a fun show about money for kids. I said it just kind of as a joke to make her laugh, but she paused and said that’s a really good idea.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized it was a good idea. I eventually found other financial planners for my clients. I gave my notice. I sat down and wrote a school assembly show about personal finance. I did that successfully for a few years. Then I was thinking, what’s another show? Money is so important for kids.
But what’s something else that’s so important for kids? If I were back in third, fourth, fifth grade, and I could have any type of presenter come, whom would I have come? I wish I could say my first thought was yeah, someone to explain money, which is what I was already doing. But it wasn’t. It was someone to help me remember better –math, science and names.
https://youtu.be/Vo2O2ZB-hDs
I thought if I had that problem, maybe other kids are having that problem. I did some market research by calling a bunch of my friends that had kids anywhere from seven to seventeen years old. I said, “Do your kids have this problem?” The universal response was, “Oh my gosh, yes. They can’t remember anything from schoolwork to bringing home the parent signature that they have to have the paper signed for their field trip, to pick up their clothes. I tell them hey we’re going to do this on Saturday. Then an hour later, they’ll come back and say, hey what are we doing Saturday because they were completely forgotten.”
So I thought well I might have something here. I just sketched out a few of the things that wanted to do with the show. I realized the way to present this is to make it fun. I can’t just go in and lecture kids, because kids don’t want to be lectured. I’ve got to make it fun.
Why The Fun Is In The Pudding (With The Proof)
To make it fun, I really have to demonstrate that I know what I’m doing. I have to be able to do kind of some phenomenal feats of memory. That means that I need to improve my memory, because I don’t like just to preach. I want to walk the talk.
How Brad Zupp Went From Bad To Great In Record Time
I said, “I need to make sure this works.” It coincided with me turning forty, and my already bad memory in some areas getting worse. I thought okay this is great. I’ve got this idea for a school show. My memory is getting horrible as I turn forty. I still can’t remember numbers. I still can’t remember. Let me make sure this works.
I don’t want to be going into schools and telling kids yeah do this and then have a horrible memory. I want to have an outstanding memory. I want to go from bad to great and say it worked for me. Here’s how I did it. It can work for you.
So I threw myself into memory training. Shortly after I kind of started with this stuff, I remembered reading an article about a memory competition. So I on a lark signed up for that, went and did relatively well for someone with no training. That kind of started my love affair with memory competitions as well, which we can talk about if you want.
Eventually, I got good enough at the memory feats where I felt I could present it in a school, impress the kids and show them that I’m not just some guy talking. I’m some guy who knows what he’s talking about and can do it.
I continued writing the show. I started practicing the show in little bits and pieces. I started memorizing the names of students when I would go into schools for my personal finance show. Gradually over a couple years got better at it and good enough at it where I could actually do the show. It took off from there.
Anthony: So a large part of this was learning to teach.
Secret Memory Improvement Ingredient: Be Driven By The Passion To Help Others
Brad: Yes, I mean, as you’ve shown, we have to be able to do this. There are a lot of memory people out there. I would say almost all of them, maybe a few aren’t keeping up with it, but almost all are really passionate about not just helping others, but also making sure their minds stay sharp as they get older.
Finding the deficiencies where were they struggle and saying, “Well I’m a memory guy. I should be able to fix this. What would I do if I had a coaching client that said I’m having trouble with this? Well, I’d tell them to do this. I’m going to do that. Look, it’s fixed. It does work.” The next time we have a coaching client, or someone asks us for advice, we can say yeah that happened to me and I fixed it. Here’s how you can to.
Anthony: Right and I think that’s a great way of going about it. I would say that’s almost a scientific way of going about it. You are analyzing the issue, trying something out, checking the results and then improving from there or just going with what works. Would that be sort of a fair assessment?
You Don’t Have To Be A Scientist To Benefit From Performing Memory Experiments On Yourself
Brad: I think so. I don’t usually think of myself as a scientist, but I certainly experimented on myself through this whole process. Because for me, it’s not enough to read the scientists say this, or the scientists say that, or another memory guy I once read said this or said that, I really have to prove it for myself.
If someone says well this works, well I’ll try it. The things I’ve continue to show others are the things that have worked for me. I do keep in the back of my mind, as I think you’ve said with a couple things in your podcast, this this may not work for you. This is how it works for me, but here are some other ways that don’t work for me that might work for you. It’s important whether it’s a yoga class or a dance class or whatever to say, okay if you’re having trouble with this part, do it this way. Oh yeah, that works for me.
It’s important to know what works for other people as well. But for me, it really has to work for me or I can see how it could work for me if my situation were little bit different before I’m on to share it with someone else.
https://youtu.be/gMFxltIxZhk
Anthony: I think we’re having a great shift in education due to the Internet. So we’ve had an authoritative education system where people really needed someone to say this is how you do it, these are the steps and now follow them one, two, three. Where we’re now online and we’re getting a much more demonstrative education system or education networks that are people really living out what they want to learn and then just showing their journey and opening doors into many possible avenues.
That seems to me to have a lot of pros but it also has the cons of no real authoritative guidance. As someone who teaches young people, what do you think is, if there is, the ultimate point of entry to memory techniques? Specifically, for young people and if it’s universal to everybody, what would that be or what would be a better point of entry for adults to memory techniques?
How To Understand Need Versus Desire When Seeking Memory Improvement
Brad: Well that’s a good question. For me, in my life with anything there has always been both a need and desire. So I might desire to learn to speak French because I’m going to go to Paris for a week’s vacation. But if I don’t really need to learn how to speak French, well I always have my phone, I can I was type something in the phone, it will give me a translation and they’ll speak English anyway, then there’s no learning.
If I have a need, like I really need to learn some minutiae about computer programming or something, but I don’t really want to, I could probably hire someone to do it instead. Yeah, I’m going to do that. If there’s a need but no real desire, I don’t learn either.
So for me it’s need and desire. I think it’s a typical bell curve. Usually, at least in my experience at schools, there’s a group that knows they need it because their grades are suffering, and they want to have better grades. So they’re receptive.
Then there’s a bunch that their grades are suffering and they don’t really care. Maybe their home life isn’t supportive of getting better grades or they just don’t see the benefit of it. They’re really not motivated to learn.
There’s another group that they already get good grades. They’ve somehow stumbled upon either our techniques or a way that they have done it themselves and it just works. They don’t think about how to remember they just read a couple times and for some reason they got lucky and it sticks. So they don’t really see a need.
So I think need and desire when they combine. If someone is out of shape physically and their doctor tells them well you know you should probably lose ten or fifteen pounds is that often enough. Not usually in my experience, but when the doctor says that and you know the kids say that and they have a heart attack scare, then it’s usually time to make a change in our lives.
Does a Healthy Body = A Healthy Memory?
So I equate a lot with the same question about physical health improvement. What’s the point of entry for that? Because we see are we see our bodies in the mirror every day, and for the last sixty years or so, fifty, sixty years since the mid-sixties, early seventies we’ve been told eat better, exercise, do this, do that, floss, brush your teeth, see the doctor, all these things. There are still people who don’t take care of themselves physically.
I think it’s an even harder uphill battle to say let’s take care of ourselves mentally, because we can get away with faking it, outsourcing our memories to our phones and going oh yeah I remember your face better forgotten your name. Oh, I have a horrible memory and everybody goes along with that. We do that for years until all the sudden we’re much too early being faced with memory being a real problem.
At that point, it’s even harder to kind of pick up the pieces and start learning these techniques. They still work. It’s just at that point, it’s kind of like instead of being twenty pounds overweight, it’s being two hundred pounds overweight and now it’s time to start exercising. It’s just a lot harder to get there.
Memory Techniques 101 With Brad Zupp
Anthony: There’s so much in what you just said that I want to unpack, but the thing I really want to leap on first is that you use the phrase “our memory techniques,” which to me is a beautiful way of phrasing that. But how would you describe our memory techniques more specifically.
Brad: I think to me the techniques come down to what many of us talk about and what you talk about, and then we all put our specific spin on them. Basically, converting the information into a picture, associating it with something you already know so you can then reclaim it easily and reviewing it on occasion to it to tell your mind basically hey this this part’s important let’s transfer this into long term-memory. Then we put our particular spin on it.
My little spin is making sure people identify where they’re going wrong first, because back to the physical. If you want to look like more physically fit with your upper body, it’s important to do a full body workout but do you really want to be doing squats for hours on end if you want to have larger biceps. No. You want to do arm exercises if you want to have larger biceps. You may do squats occasionally to stay kind of whole body healthy.
The Need For Specific Memory Training Arises When …
But if you want something specific, you need to do a specific type of training. So if you’re having trouble, you think you have a bad memory, you need to identify the problem. Is my problem getting the information? Am I not focusing well enough? Am I multitasking? Am I not pay attention to what my kids say and that’s why I can’t remember what they told me yesterday?
Am I getting the information? I pay really close attention but my mind is so disorganized that it goes in there and there’s really no system for holding onto that. It’s just kind of just everything gets piled up in there. It’s kind of like piling everything up in a closet.
Yeah, you can get it out of there, but if you need to get something quickly and you don’t know if that the top of the pile or the bottle pile or the middle pile you’re throwing things around trying to find it, you’re not going to get it. If your problem is that, you really need to focus on finding a method to organize your mind and your storage.
You’re concentrating well. You’re getting the information. You’ve stored it well, but when you’re put on the spot, you blank out and you can’t recall the information. But soon as the person walks away, you go, “Oh, his name is Anthony!” and it’s too late. If that’s your problem, you need to work on that.
Find Out Where You’re Going Wrong
My particular take on it is identifying where things are going wrong, helping people figure that out and directing them toward that. But I think our memory techniques pretty much go back thousands of years to placing interesting, crazy, memorable pictures in a certain order or location using Memory Palace technique, linking them together or just associating the question with the answer. You know going back to students. I know you work a lot with students and vocabulary words for foreign languages.
You know you don’t necessarily need a Memory Palace for that, though that can work in certain circumstances, but if you can just associate the English word with the German word. If you can picture the two them together and create an outlandish image, you’ll have that. You will have that bridge to long-term memory.
Anthony: This raises an interesting question because for me the number Memory Palace is essential to memorizing vocabulary. Just as a quick example. I was in Tel Aviv and recently got back. Just as you mentioned that, I just thought of phrase that I learned there which is “Where’s the washroom?”
When I learned that, I used the spot that I was in right there as a Memory Palace. I placed that image right there which gives me an additional chance to find that image in my mind. That’s one of the major powers of the Memory Palace and why I advocate and use it so much myself. Because now it’s almost ten days since that I first learnt that and I can still recall it just by having revisited a few times.
Brad Zupp’s Harry Loryane/Japanese Connection
I raise the point or I jump on the point also because I want to go out on a limb. In additional research that I was doing with you, and not having taken any notes, if I remember correctly you have some history with Japanese.
Brad: Yes.
Anthony: Something was connected with Harry Lorayne there.
Brad: Yes, that’s true.
Anthony: I would love if you would tell that story a little bit and talk about any language learning experience that you have with memory techniques and if you tried a Memory Palace and how you would see building out a vocabulary memorization approach on master phrases or what’s your language learning story with mnemonics?
Brad: My language-learning story with mnemonics is exactly what you correctly recalled, very well done. After my struggles as a student, really the next time I delved into memory improvement was when I was working in Japan. I was there seven different times over the course of five and a half years, seven different trips for a total of about three years living there. The first trip was ten days or so. Then a month or two went by and I was going back. I was going back for six months.
I’m a big proponent of if you’re going somewhere we should make the effort at least to learn some of the language, as much as we can. That was daunting at the time. I said, well I need help with this. It was Japanese. Everybody perceives as a very hard language to learn.
“It’s Just Pure Memorization” …
I went to the college bookstore and I got a book, a basic how to speak Japanese book and learn Japanese. I also found a book at a bookstore by Harry Lorayne about memory improvement in general. It really piqued my interest because there was a there’s a whole chapter on memorizing foreign languages. I’m like that’s great.
I don’t have time to do this now, but I’m going to be there for six months. When I get there, I’ll have lots of spare time. I will take these two books and I will learn as much as I can. A week or so into it I got out both the books. Reading just the Japanese book here’s how you say this and here’s how you say this. It was a pronunciation guide with some simple vocabulary. This is just like any language, there’s really no sense, especially if it’s not a Roman type language, there’s really no sense to it.
It’s like why does that equal that. It doesn’t sound alike. It doesn’t start with the right letter. There’s no rhyme or reason. This is just pure memorization. Well thank goodness I brought this book. I read Harry Lorayne’s book.
It said you want to do this, if you want to learn this, do this. So I started basically picturing a word in English and then finding that word in Japanese, translating it as you suggest a lot in your training, and we have that in common. I think you take it to a better level of breaking the word down into things that I can picture, syllable by syllable if necessary.
It’s better if I can do a bigger chunk, but if I have to picture more that’s fine. If I have to take it two letters at a time, whatever, I can make a picture out of that. So I started picturing and connecting them together. I think it was kind of bad. I don’t even think I read the rest of the Harry Lorayne book. I just read that section.
Hold The Presses: You Might Not Even Need A Memory Palace!
I didn’t learn about Memory Palaces. It wasn’t even in my vocabulary at the time. I just said I’m going to picture this word in English. I am going to picture of these syllables in Japanese. I am going to create a funny picture together and go.
I have these cute little things in Japan. I don’t know if you have seen them. You will see them in your travels. They are like a little key ring and a tiny little flash card not even the size of like half of my finger. You write down on one side the one word, on the other side the other word and it’s a little key ring you get like fifty or a hundred of these at a time.
I just got a bunch of them and I started filling one of these up a day. In between writing out the Japanese word and the English word, picturing the crazy combination, and then reviewing them and testing myself at the end of the day, I was learning fifty to a hundred vocabulary words a day. Language experts I’ve read often say that to be conversationally fluent you need about two thousand words. If you learn a hundred words a day, it doesn’t take that long to get conversationally fluent.
People were spellbound, the Japanese people I was working for, and the English-speaking people I was working with. At the end of the first week when I had four or five hundred vocabulary words, they are going how are you learning to speak Japanese. How are you doing that?
Why Memory Techniques Are Easy – Even For Japanese
They were saying you’re a genius. I’m like no, I’m not a genius, trust me. I’m like here. Let me let me show you. See with this word I pictured this, and then I pictured this. They were like oh, that’s pretty easy. I would teach them five or ten words and they learn them.
That’s where it comes back to earlier discussion about the need and desire. They didn’t really have the need because we had interpreters, nor did they really have the desire. The technique was there, the concept was there, but they never bothered to pursue it because it wasn’t important to them.
But for me, I am a vegetarian. I’ve been a vegetarian since shortly before I went to Japan. This was essential. I needed to know how to say fish, how to say meat. How to say I can’t eat this. I can’t eat this. Does this have fish broth in it? Is this pork? I needed to know all that stuff as quickly as possible. The translators and interpreters didn’t go out for dinner with us. I needed to be able to say please bring me this type of thing.
So there was a real need and a desire there. That’s how I picked it up. After the first month or so, I was answering the phone in our office room in Japanese. The Japanese people that were calling would say, “Is so and so there?” I was like no she left. Okay, will you give her the message when she comes back? Here’s the message and thinking I was a Japanese person.
I’d take down the message and the Japanese person would come back in. I would say so and so called (all in Japanese) and this is what they said to tell you. The first time that happened, she picked up the phone and called. It was one of our higher-level bosses and he was confused. He said well whom did I talk to? She said well you talked to Brad.
He said, she related it to me later, she said Brad the American, well not the American, the foreigner. She said yeah. She said no you’re wrong. I spoke to a Japanese person. No, you spoke with Brad. Really! They were just amazed. Especially, back at that time in the late 1990s, that an American, a foreigner could learn to speak their language that well that quickly.
I’m not a genius. I totally attribute it to Harry Lorayne’s teaching and the Japanese textbook I got and just needing and desire to get it done.
The True Definition Of Genius
Anthony: I think there is genius in actually taking action and following through. Just to share a little bit of my own story. I’ve never been mistaken for being a Chinese speaker, but in two and a half months, I went to China. I was able to say to my future father-in-law that I liked his daughter very much and asked his permission to marry her in Chinese. He knew what I was saying. It’s just desire, as you’re saying, and action. But I think the genius is in actually following through, taking action and then having techniques that get you the result you want. I myself would call you a genius for doing that.
Brad: For that part, but not for the other parts. You could ask my wife if I’m a genius. But see, you get into a good point there. We were talking about the educational system earlier. That’s the really tricky part, because here in America we have common core, and the last, even before common core the last several years if not the last decade or two there’s been a real discussion about whether memorizing is important. When I went to school, we had to memorize certain speeches. We had to memorize poems.
I go to some schools still to this day where they make memorizing an important part. Where in fifth grade usually in the early spring, March or April, they have to do – in in higher education we call it thesis – but it’s not that in depth but basically, an in depth book report about a topic. Then they have to get up in front of their class, just their class, not the whole school, just their class of twenty to thirty other students, and talk for five to ten minutes about their topic and what they’ve learned. Not just off the cuff, but they have to give a speech.
The Two Things That Terrify People Most About Giving Speeches
That terrifies people because they can’t remember their speech, (a) because of the pressure, and (b) because they don’t memorize. A lot of students and from what I hear, the parents push back and say memorization isn’t important. We have computers. We have our phones. We can Google anything we want. Facts aren’t essential. This is stupid. We don’t need to teach kids to do memorization.
That’s kind of something I get once in a while when someone will call about my school show. They will say well I really want it because my kid struggles with remembering, but you got to help me sell this to the other parents in the parent teacher organization or to the principal because we don’t ask kids to memorize things anymore.
Memorizing facts, memorizing formulas isn’t important. Knowing how to use the formula is important, but we don’t say memorize this formula and use it on the test. We say here’s the formula. Do you understand the math concept behind it enough to get the correct answer? Show us your work.
I think both are valid, but for me the essential part is that while we may not need to memorize facts the way we used. Well any fact, because it’s relatively easy, my phone I can just enter “what’s the population of Denmark?” How many whatever is in whatever? I don’t need to know that. So there’s an argument to be made for that.
Why Memory Is About So Much More Than Facts
But memory is about so much more than facts. I know I’m preaching to the choir here with you because as you know this as well. But for others who may have considered that, memory is the feel of the air as summer turns to fall, remembering that. Remembering to look not just in the rearview mirror as you change lanes, but to turn your head and look as well. It’s the smile of a friend or a loved one. It’s the directions on how to get home if your phone battery dies.
We use our GPS on our phone to get to where we’re going. What if the battery dies or the connection is gone. Can we find our way back? It’s not just here’s a bunch of facts. Memorize this. Oh, those memory technique techniques might be important. We can use a Memory Palace or visualizing something we need to remember, not just with facts but also with anything in life.
I think all of life is a comedy. I do to some comedy in my act, and I like to consider myself somewhat funny when I’m not talking very seriously. The basis of comedy is being able to associate things and come up with a twist. You take thing A and you take thing B because in your mind, you’ve connected them and it’s a funny connection. Then you share that and you get a laugh because people have not connected A and B.
The Most Important Part Of Memory Training
So you have to be able to have both A and B somewhere in your memory to then bring your sense of humor to bear and make that connection and share it. If you can’t keep things in your mind, you can’t make those connections. I think that’s the essential part of any memory training.
Yeah, we can learn foreign languages. We can learn all these things, but just being able to keep things in mind whatever they are, whether they are facts that you that you can easily look up on Google or whether there are things that you need to keep in mind just because they’re valuable to you. The exercising of the mind is the important part.
Anthony: Absolutely. And again, there’s so much in what you just said, and I want to pre-book you for the next interview because there’s just so much to cover if you’re willing.
Brad: Definitely, this is my passion. I love talking about it. To people my age, I think were of a certain age, once you’re over forty, and I get people coming up to me going oh I could never do what you do. That’s amazing. My memory is horrible. As you and I have proven individually and with the many, many thousands of people we’ve helped, as well as other memory coaches have helped, it’s totally possible. This can be done. We don’t have to accept the natural decline as we get older.
The Ultimate Decision Is In Your Hands
But it does take effort. I’m not even sure it takes all that much effort. I think it mostly takes just a decision to try.
Anthony: I think the most exciting thing for me in helping people is that they’re memorizing stuff anyway no matter what. It’s just how are you going to do it. How are you going to pay attention to how you’re already doing it and then make some slight modifications and shifts based on an education about how you’re remembering things already anyway?
Brad: Definitely, but I do see, maybe this is getting a little bit off track, but I know you like to think about these things as well. I do see a lot of people leaning away from wanting to learn anything in general. I stumbled upon a group, and I’ve gotten really connected with a group of late twenty somethings, early thirty somethings.
How many of them, they are five to ten years out of college, brag about thank goodness I’m out of school. I never have to read another book, which to me is alarming.
Okay, say you don’t want to read a nonfiction book. Really? You don’t want to read a fiction book? But especially the number of people I talk to who are passionate about reading, you say, oh no, I only read science fiction, or I only read romance, or I only read thrillers. I can’t wait for the next Tom Clancy or the John Grisham book. But no, I don’t want to read nonfiction. Why would I want to do that? I’m not in school anymore.
The True Path To An Educated Life
To me just the idea of underlying the memory, taking it back a step further is the willingness to experience more of the world, and one aspect of that are books. Another is travel. I know you are a big traveler. I live in upstate New York. I live about three and a half to four hours outside of New York City. It’s a semi-rural area. There are probably a million people surrounding Albany, which is the state capital of New York. But out here, I’m about an hour outside of Albany itself.
I can’t tell you the number of people who when I tell him oh I’m going here for a memory competition or I’m going to go down to New York City for this or that. Oh really, I’ve never been. Oh where? You’ve never been to China. Oh no, New York City. Well you’re three and a half hours away and you’ve never been to New York City? Oh no. Well where were you been? Well nowhere really.
I think for some people that is fine. But I think that disturbs me in many ways because I don’t think that person is going to be open and receptive to expanding their mind with memory techniques of any sort. Whether it’s the simplest here’s how you pay more attention so your natural memory takes over, to maybe the next step up of here create a few simple Memory Palaces.
When you’re driving down the road you hear a new song and you want to remember the artist, you know picture the name of the artist in the passenger seat of your car and when you get home you can you know look her up because you will remember her name. I think people who are closed off about things like travel or reading, I think that excuse is going to extend to being closed off with learning simple, very simple techniques that can help them remember better.
The Unkown Future Of Memory
Anthony: I’m actually really glad that you went in that direction, because as unanticipated as it was it connects with some things that are in the air that I’d love quickly to tell you about.
Brad: Yes please.
Anthony: The first is that I interviewed Tony Buzan last week. He was talking about similar things of this nature. So people listening to this they will have had the chance to hear that about a week or two weeks before that they hear this interview they’re hearing now. I think you personally are going to be fascinated with what he has to say. It’s near the end of the interview we get into some kind of dark territory. I was quite surprised but with a big hopeful bang at the end, no hopeful whimpering but just amazing Tony Buzan sized bang.
The other thing is when I was in Tel Aviv with Jonathan Levi, which is where I interviewed Buzan from although he was in the UK, I was sitting with some friends and we were talking about you know the coming explosion of singularity and all of this jazz. They were saying you know machines are going to create our art for us, and the machines are going to do this and that for us.
I said, “Yeah and are they going to gamble for us too?” I was kind of being sarcastic in that moment. But for me, the reason that I work so hard at teaching these memory techniques is because I think that we are moving into a place where the human mind is going to become so soft. Those of us who have trained our brains and our minds are going to be the ones who have at least that last hold on owning the machines that may or may not create the art for us.
Because we’re going to be the ones who not only can still create our own art, but we’re going to own something, and we’re going to be influential on the things that are influential on us rather than just being a consumer. I was just wondering in a loose jazzy kind of way, what you think about all that connecting with what you’ve been saying.
Brad: I agree. I don’t know if you’ve seen the movie Wall-E?
https://youtu.be/h1BQPV-iCkU
Anthony: Yes.
Brad: In the movie Wall-E, it’s a great movie, humanity has escaped earth, which has suffered and is uninhabitable. They’re in a starship and everything is done for them by machines. So they have nice comfy chairs they recline in. A machine brings them or a robot brings them their soda drink, their food, their entertainment and they’re glued to their screens, which is not that far from current reality.
Obviously, they are pictured being physically soft. What’s not as well pictured in that movie is the mental softness. I fear us going there. I fear us getting to the place where we don’t really need to put that much effort into thinking. We have in America, we probably don’t need to get into, but we have a lot of people talk about having a warrior class because there are many wonderful people dedicated to defending our country.
Some of them have expressed to me that they feel under-appreciated because the rest of society moves on and the small group of people who are dedicated to serving their country have become their own their own caste. It is often passed down from generation to generation where father is in the military, the daughter goes into the military and then her daughter goes in the military. That’s kind of a distinct area now where those people are very dedicated to that. I’m grateful for them.
Will You Belong To The Intellectual Caste?
It just got me thinking along the lines of are we getting to an intellectual caste where there’s a small but very dedicated group of people who are really focused on thinking basically and learning, and absolving the rest of us from having to do too much of that. Kind of like there’s, I think less so, but even an athletic caste where there’s a lot of people who are really truly dedicated to physical fitness like the Olympics.
How many of us watch the Olympics, which are wonderful, and use it for inspiration to get out in the next couple days and go do something physical ourselves? How many of us watch the Olympics and sit for four, five, six, seven hours at night and never use that as a motivational tool to do something ourselves.
So I think these are philosophical questions more so than memory questions, but they’re interesting to think about, and I like thinking about this. I like reading for a variety of different approaches and topics and viewpoints. I don’t think there’s one right answer but it’s certainly something to keep in mind and decide individually. Who do I want to be?
I, in particular, don’t need to be the smartest person. I could probably do more nonfiction reading, but I try to lead read at least one nonfiction book a month and think. I like to listen to books on tape, especially nonfiction books on tape when I’m driving to and from my presentations. That’s not for everybody and more power to them.
The Power Of Focus
But I think it really shows what we’ve put our focus on grows. If we’re very focused on physical fitness, our physical fitness gets better. If we’re focused on creating art, our artwork tends to get better. If we are focused on creating more connection amongst other people, deeper relationships, bringing people together that grows. So I think that maybe being a little bit of all things is better than being just a memory person or just a physical person.
Anthony: All amazing thoughts and you remind me of my idea that I really need to get back and read Republic again. I don’t know if you’ve read it, Plato’s Republic.
https://youtu.be/CqGsg01ycpk
Brad: I have not.
Anthony: It touches on these ideas of caste like the bronze people and the silver people and the gold people, and there’s a lot in there about who is going to rule and why, and the Philosopher King idea. If I recall it correctly, it’s been since 2001 or even earlier, maybe 1999, since I read it.
The Republic has a lot to do with the difference between being able to juggle information in your mind because you’ve memorized poetry and you understand poetry. You’ve learned poetry or philosophical texts because they want to get rid of the poets in the Republic. It’s kind of a mixed bag that book, because it’s not even clear what they’re saying about whether poets should be allowed to write or not.
But nonetheless there is something in there that if you have internalized poetry and the lessons in poetry or literature and so forth, then you are much more suited to being one of the ruling class people, or the gold people. I am really exposing my memory loss on that book. But it’s in that direction and I want to reread it. Maybe that’s something fun we could do is to book a time to both read it, and then have a discussion about it through the lens of memory because it’s well worth your time to read the Republic.
Why Memory Techniques Are A Means To An End
Brad: Definitely, I really like how you said that. It brought to mind is the connections. With me, the memory techniques are not necessarily an end to themselves. They are a means to an end. The end is having a very active mind both now and in the future, as I get older. In staying physically fit, which I work on in a variety of ways, but also mentally fit.
The same way we have kids hopefully getting recess, gym or physical fitness class as they get into the later grades. That gets less time devoted to it. Here in America we have a lot of TV ads that encourage kids to get out and exercise or play physically for an hour a day at least. We’re encouraging that because we all know the benefits that come into a physically healthy body.
I think reading and just thinking about these things and going oh, Plato didn’t know what he was talking about, that’s complete bunk, hated the book. But in reading it, whether we love the book or hate it, just you know putting something else in our brain to think about creates more connections.
We go okay that kind of reminded me of what my friend in high school said. Then, you know that reminds me of what my boss mentioned the other day. I don’t know how this relates but oh you know they’re kind of somehow makes me think of this. We get all these connections. We have a physically active mind that’s thinking and it’s not doing the Wall-E movie where we’re just kicking back in our chair not thinking.
Because I notice, as I get older, that it’s harder to want to focus on things. It’s harder to want to exercise my mind. I mean it’s my job. I really need to do this and even for me for the last year or so as I get closer to fifty, I see that I’m less inclined really to want to buckle down and focus.
How It Feels To Have An Aged Memory
Talking with my in-laws who are both in their late eighties, they’ve told me about as they’ve aged what their minds have been like. So it’s been wonderful to kind of ask them, well how do you feel? How do you think now? What are you thinking? What are you remembering?
They are very much interested in big picture, and they do have their passions, gardening and some politics and they will learn some detail. But overall, they are kind of big picture people and they need don’t drill down, buckle down and truly focus.
I think it’s really interesting how that happens. I’m cognizant of what’s going on in my own mind and willing to look at that and see what’s going on.
Anthony: That’s one thing that I have certainly loved about what you do and in interviews that I’ve heard with you elsewhere talking about your inner process, your inner experience. That forms part of how you get it out or why that you get out into competitions and I do want to get into that. But I think we should save that for another interview.
But to sort of bridge, what I would love to ask to kind of round off a lot of the things that we’ve been talking about, particularly the issue you raised about the pedagogical concern between is memorizing learning? Part of competition is memorizing a deck of cards. I have competed once myself. I surprised myself by both how well and poorly I did.
But there was something that happened when I did it that made me understand what it is to memorize a deck of cards. So I would like to know, given what we have mentioned about this pedagogical concern of is memorizing information, understanding and is it learning, I would like to wrap this particular interview up as a bridge to talking about competition in at the beginning of our next to our chat. What have you understood by memorizing cards?
The Truth About Memorizing A Deck Of Cards
Brad: I take cards and the other disciplines that I’ve worked on, as basically, to go back to the physical analogy, they are weights. They are barbells. They are dumbbells. They are Nautilus and other brand machines.
Memorizing a deck cards is similar to bench pressing. It’s a way for me to increase my ability to remember other things that are actually important to me. Again, whether it’s something my wife said that oh, there’s a new song out she loves. Okay, you know I am want to listen to that. I am going to go online. I’m going to find the video and I’m going to listen to that and see the video or hear it because if it’s important to her it’s important to me.
I am not the best competitor in the world because I don’t see it as the end. It’s, again, another means to the end of being able to exercise my mind. So is memorizing learning? I think it can be, but I think just because I know the steps to do something because I’ve memorized them, doesn’t mean I understand it well or could even do it. So I think memorizing is learning and memorizing is not learning.
I think memorizing can help us and certainly knowing more allows us to do more of the connections in our minds. Like I have mentioned before, you can’t you can’t on Friday talk to a child about the realities of World War II if on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday they don’t remember who you told them fought in World War II. So there has to be the foundation before the higher-level discussions.
I think having a base of knowledge of reading books and meeting people and remembering how the sun changes over the course of the year because you’re outside a lot. Oh yeah, it’s grayer and darker in the winter. I remember that, having that base that allows us to form higher-level thoughts and have higher-level discussions. Without that base, it’s not as much fun.
I mean talk to a child or a young person who hasn’t traveled or hasn’t learned. It’s not as much fun as having a conversation with someone who’s traveled the world at whatever age and learned a lot of stuff, because it creates a depth of mind, a depth of thought that is for me personally a lot more fun to talk about and talk to.
Brad Zupp Leaves Us With The Feeling That With Memory Improvement Anything Is Possible!
Anthony: Absolutely, and to bring this full circle you do have a foundation for people who are dealing with younger students and that’s Unlock Your Amazing Memory: The Fun Guide That Shows Grades 5 To 8 How To Remember Better And Make School Easier. I want to encourage everybody to pick that up. I have a full review of this book by Brad Zupp on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast if you have any doubts about rushing to Amazon or your favorite book dealer to grab that.
Brad: It’s much less deep than what we’ve gotten into today. It’s a very lighthearted, fun, simple book without a lot of jargon or technical things. It just very clearly and simply states how memory works and how we can improve it especially for the young people. I get a lot of people that I present to who are adults who claim they bought it for their child or their grandkid, but I read it first and I loved it. I had to get another copy for them because I’m keeping mine.
We got into a lot of really deep stuff today and just to assure any listeners there’s very little philosophy or anything like that. It’s just a really fun helpful book.
Anthony: Absolutely. As Tim Ferriss often says on his podcast when he gets into these conversations, he says we got deep into the weeds. That is perfectly fine and wonderful, but what’s coming up next for you. I understand that there are some books for a more adult audience. Is there going to be jargon in that or is it also going to be clear and easy to understand for us adults?
Brad: I pride myself on being jargon free. I’m not a scientist. There are neuroscientists who have written some many wonderful books about how the brain actually does things. What I’m good at is saying this is how my brain did it, and how when I helped other people what happened with them and what seems to work best. Give it a shot. If that doesn’t work, try this. If that doesn’t work, try this because one of these things is really going to help you improve your memory.
So there are two books coming out. I won’t get too into them, but one is going to be for a specific career, type of career, and another one is going to be a more general type of book. That will not be too jargon filled. In fact, it will be a fun book similar to my kids’ book but fun for adults.
I have a memory competition coming up in November. I’m going to be doing some teaching at a university in September as a as a guest lecturer, I guess at the end of September or October. In September, depending on when people are listening to this, I’m going to be attempting a world record, which I don’t want to say more about now. But hopefully by the time your listeners hear this, or September comes along, I’ll have set a new world record on memory.
Anthony: Well I want to catch up on that then in November or December and hear everything about it. Just on a personal note to you, I really admire your writing style. I loved Unlock Your Amazing Memory. It helped me in several ways just because every book that I read on memory techniques, particularly the well done ones, I always pick up something new. But in your case in particular, because you write so well, so clearly and with such great direction, it inspired me to pick up my own game.
I’m always working to be a better writer, because in reality I’m not a particularly good one especially when it comes to explaining difficult things. So it is inspired me to pick up my game as a writer. I really appreciate it on that account as well because there’s obviously a lot of care and craft in how that you present these ideas. I know, as a writer, it is not easy to be jargon free. The clarity that you bring is incredible. Again, Unlock Your Amazing Memory is great.
I can’t wait to hear more about the record that you’re going to break and the new books and catch up on everything that we’ve talked about. I have a list of questions that we haven’t even looked at because we just hit the ground running. I know people are going to love this.
So we both, I think, agree that we encourage you to read. So that will be there for you to check out. I really want to thank you for being on the show. Any last words of wisdom from your perspective for people who are suffering with forgetfulness and want to get that out of their life.
Brad:Whether it’s my book, your course, Anthony, or anybody else’s, I just encourage people to look around and take advantage of Anthony’s free videos. Check out my book or anything, even just a Google search on the Internet, because as both you and I Anthony have discovered, shown and taught, memory can be improved and it can be easy and even fun to do so.
Anthony: Absolutely. Those are excellent words. Thank you again, and I look forward to speaking next time.
Brad: Thank you so much Anthony.
Tony Buzan On The Paradise Of Multiple Intelligences
Aug 17, 2016
If You Don’t Know Tony Buzan And His Mind Map Technique, Here’s How To Learn Faster and Remember Everything!
Actually, it’s unlikely that you haven’t heard of Tony Buzan before.
But even if you’ve never heard of Tony Buzan, this fact is almost certainly true:
Your life has been touched by someone whose creativity and intelligence was revived by the ideas, processes and incredible inspiration found only in the Buzan troposphere, stratosphere and infinite universe of imagination and inventiveness beyond.
Either way, today’s your lucky day, because you’re about to learn:
How Tony Buzan transformed himself from thinking he was stupid to knowing he is extraordinary. (You’ll be modeling this simple tactic before you know it.)
How to create an imagination so valuable that you would never sell it – not even for a trillion dollars!
How to use your mind to deal with the dark times. No matter how deep the valleys go, with Tony Buzan’s approach, they still can be fascinating and even fun.
… and much, much more.
In this interview, Tony Buzan also reveals one of his personal heroes and gives clues on how to maximize the power of your own. We talk about threats to the future and exactly how you are already equipped to deal with anything and everything that could ever come your way.
2019 update: Tony has since released a new book called Mind Map Mastery. I’ve reviewed this incredible mind mapping book in full on both the blog and podcast.
For now, be sure to download the MP3 of this interview with Tony to your desktop and revisit this episode often.
You can also download a PDF of the transcript and go over it using the same speed reading skills you’ve learned from the master himself. I recommend that you print out a copy and share it with your friends.
Plus, don’t forget World Mind Mapping Day. Here’s a beautiful and amazing mind map about it created by Phil Chambers:
Tony Buzan On The Paradise Of Multiple Intelligences
Anthony: Tony, thank you so much for being on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast. It’s been in the making for a while. I’m really excited, actually, that we have done it after I had a chance to meet you and attend one of your trainings, which was so pivotal for me even after some time in the world of memory training. It was just a delight and an honor to learn from you directly. So thank you for being here.
Tony: Well, thank you for being on my course, and thank you for having read so many of my books. Thank you for being such a good beacon really for other people who need to follow the development of their own mental literacy and the empowerment of their memories, their mind mapping skills, their reading, speed reading, their study skills, and their mind-body coordination. You are a lovely example.
Anthony: Well thank you very saying that. It kind of circles back to you, because I remember in high school first just being fascinated by your name and the covers of your book, and they’re really adventures to get into once you’re in there. They are so unique because of that. I know that there are ideas behind how you even design your books to make them feel that way. It’s just amazing how the world works and how fate puts you in certain places.
“I trained myself very cleverly to become stupid, and I was very successful.”
Tony: It does doesn’t it. It’s almost odd that when I was in school I didn’t like schoolwork. I didn’t like homework. I didn’t like taking notes. I didn’t like studying. So you would think that the person who has written books on studying and thinking would have loved it, but he didn’t. That is actually the beginning of my journey, because I had begun to realize that the way that I was being taught in my school, like in many other hundreds of thousands of schools, I was being taught in a way that turned me off my brain, tuned my brain out. I tuned it out very well. I trained myself very cleverly to become stupid, and I was very successful.
Anthony: Talk about that. What do you define as stupid and how did that feel?
Tony: I think probably stupid, which is a word that ideally should not need to be used anywhere, means being unable to use the natural skills and intelligences with which the brain is gifted. We are, i.e., we humans are astonishingly brilliant, beautifully multiply intelligent.
When the brain is given misinformation, because it learns so fast and when it believes people who tell it what it is, when they are told things that are wrong and they believe them, then they train themselves to become less intelligent. I did that brilliantly.
The Only Stupid Thought Tony Buzan Has Ever Had
It was aggravating because I had dreamt of being bright. I had dreamt of being successful. I wanted to be. Yet I would do poorly on certain exams. I couldn’t remember the dates in history. I couldn’t remember the formulas in chemistry and physics. I began to think I was stupid. That perhaps was the only stupid thought I had.
We are all basically naturally brilliant and it started me on the journey. When I began slowly to realize I am actually brighter than I think I am, that my studying methodology was not only not helpful, it was the opposite of being successful. It helped me get worse and worse.
Anthony: What was the tipping point that enabled you to have a change of mind and set you on the path to thinking more positively and starting to learn in a more optimal way and then design optimal learning strategies?
Tony: There were a number of tipping points. One was my best friend. We were seven years old and my best friend and I only loved nature. That was our main hobby. My best friend could identify the flight patterns of any butterflies or birds. He could identify them with machine gun like accuracy. That’s a sparrow. That’s a cabbage white butterfly.
But, in school, he was called stupid because he was illiterate, he was innumerate, he was dyslexic. But I didn’t know those terms existed. He was just my brilliant friend. I began to think, hold on. How can they possibly be calling this best friend of mine stupid, and sometimes calling me quite bright when I knew that he knew more than I knew about nature? So that was turning point one.
Where Not To Look For Your Brain’s Operating Manual
Another major tipping point was the fact that when I was at university I went into the library, because I was panicking about exams. I thought I’d go find out how to use my brain. I walked in the library, and I said to the librarian, “I need a book on how to use my brain.” She pointed to the medical section and said the medical section is over there. I thought what? I don’t want to take my brain out. I don’t want to operate on it. I want to know how to operate it. She said there are no books on that. That made me think … what?
https://youtu.be/6TFpslcaHSg
Whatever I buy, whether it’s a pack of aspirins, or a little radio, or a washing machine, or a car, what am going to get? I am going to get an operations manual. But for this delightful extraordinary gift of a brain, I get no operations manual. That’s when I began to write.
Thank you for your kind words about the covers on the books, because once I wrote one book, people were asking for another book. My first book, Use Your Head, which really was the operations manual, was really written for my brother, my friends and me. It included chapters on memory, chapters on creativity, on reading, on speedreading, on studying, on note taking, and on the origination of mind maps.
How One Book Become One Hundred And Forty-Two Others
Another tipping point:
People said Tony don’t write that book because as soon as you’ve written it, everybody will copy it, will learn from it and you won’t have any more books to write. It was exactly the opposite. I wrote that book, Use Your Head, and as soon as people and publishers had read it, they would point to me and say, “You’ve got a chapter here on memory. Why don’t you do a full book on memory?” I’d say yeah, okay.
Sure enough within a few months people were saying, that chapter in Use Your Head on mind maps, why don’t you have a book on mind maps? So I thought, yeah, okay. Then when I’d written the mind map book, which was the child of Use Your Head, people read the mind map book and said have you done a book for children on mind maps?
I said no, you know some of it is in the book. They said no, no, a full book just for kids. So I said okay. Publisher came up and said could you do three mind map books for kids. One on mind maps the introduction. One on mind maps memory. One on mind maps for studying. Every book gave birth to more books.
As you and I are speaking right now, I am now on book No. 142. I’m sitting in my garden, and for this afternoon I’ve been working on two books, and in the next hour I’m going to be meeting with a designer, co-designer and co-editor this evening to work on another book.
Anthony: Wow, this is incredible and it reminds me and connects me to some other things that I wanted to ask you. You’ve written about multiple intelligences. You were a huge figure in developing that field. I think that not enough people really recognize how, or at least in the material I’ve read, how that you actually are a demonstration of all these multiple intelligences, because it’s not just about books, right?
You have written books but you’ve been responsive to the audience that wanted more books. But not just through books, you’ve gone into various parts of media such as television, and then you’ve produced software for people and are using the Internet in creative ways, and the mind map itself, the things you’ve done is art and you’ve also been a proponent of art itself.
How To Find Your First Multiple Intelligence
You brought beautiful art to the training that I attended. It’s just incredible. Then you turn people into artists. Just how do you explain your interest in all of this and the energy that keeps you going and enables you to do it? I know it is multiple intelligences and I know that it comes down to things that you’ve classified – creativity, personality, the social, the spiritual, the physical and so forth. But a lot of people just see this from a person like yourself and they’re like, where’s the alpha here? Where do we begin?
Tony: That’s a lovely question because it is a question worth me thinking about. Because when I was a 7‑year-old, 10‑year-old, 12‑year-old boy, I was a kind of good above-average kid, but I was poor in sports. I was virtually hope less with art. Socially I was fairly good but not fully aware of how to get on with other people.
I gradually began to realize, for example with my first intelligence, I began to become very attracted to young girls. The spark in my eyes started when I was about 5. But I didn’t know anything about that.
By the time I was 12, most of my other male friends became interested in girls and so did I. I began to think well I want to get a good girlfriend so I better get strong. So I then went into the gym and I learned how to run. I learned how to swim. I learned how to build my muscles because I wanted to be a good guy on the beach that girls would find attractive because of my good built-up body, my biceps and my six-pack.
The Real Secret Of Verbal Intelligence
I was at a party and I developed my verbal intelligence. So I was pretty good at that stage of talking, fairly good at writing and I was getting strong. So I thought the girls would immediately gravitate towards me.
I noticed that some kids who were not doing well in school, not doing well in sports, but they were funny. They were telling good jokes. They were making people laugh and girls would go more for them than they went for me. And I thought how can they be possibly more interested in an unfit kid doing badly in school when I’m doing now well in school and I’m strong.
It quickly dawned on me that being humorous having a sense of humor was a massive creative and social intelligence. I thought well I better build up the package. I better learn how to tell some jokes, learn how to be funny, learn how to make a fool of myself. Not try to be so clever, so good and so always top.
Over the years, and it was years, I began to realize about multiple intelligences. Then my hero in my early teens, throughout the teens and the rest of my life was Leonardo Da Vinci. Who would I really like to be? Sometimes people teach us in saying who would you like to be. I was thinking who would I like to be.
When and Why Being A Copycat Is Good For You
Would I like to be a fabulous artist? Yes, I would. Would I like to be a physically fit man? Yes, I would. Would I like to be an architect? Yes, I would. Would I like to be an astronomer? Yes, I would. Would I like to be a sculptor? Yes, I would. Would I like to be a top scientist? Yes, I would. Of course, they were all wrapped into Leonardo Da Vinci. So he became my hero and I began to study him. As any kid does, try to copy my hero.
So that was part of my journey into multiple intelligences and some of the tipping points in my life that led me to where I am. I now know, it’s not even just think, I know that nearly every kid on the planet can develop into this multiply intelligent wonderful human being.
Anthony: It seems like there is a bit of a code that can be extracted from what you’ve said which is essentially becoming an observer of your desires, observing the observation and then figuring out a way to take action. Would that be fair to say?
Tony: That would be a good beginning summary. In fact, Leonardo said something dead on that. He said, I’ll put this into different words, but basically what Leonard was saying was, look guys, don’t keep calling me an artist. I’m not just an artist. I am more than that. The word artist means a surface level somebody with paintbrushes who paints.
He said but I am a student of nature, and what I do is I notice that people don’t look and don’t see. We need to look and see. So he said I am simply a student of nature. I, Leonardo, am a student of nature and I observe her. When I observe her, I study her, I analyze her, I remember her, I copy her and then I add to whatever she’s given me and that is action. That’s what he did.
He would go into the woods, into the fields and he would observe flowers or animals, and he would observe them. He would then study them. He would analyze them and then he’d measure them. He would then copy them. When he had copied them that helped him remember them, and when he copied and copied say this kind of flower or this kind of face, then he would begin to change it in his own mind’s way. Those were his actions, a total genius. If anybody wants to learn to draw, copy Leonardo because he said copy nature. So go out there and learn how to copy. It’s wonderful.
How To Be A Real Teacher And Touch The Lives Of Millions
Anthony: I think a common idea that we come up with, and it certainly is in the air already, is something about the way that we are put into schools interrupts this process that you were just talking about which is so elegant and simply has certainly helped you lead an incredible life that has changed so many lives.
Sometimes one wants to point the finger at the Victorian sort of nature of the school education system that has somehow made it’s made its way into the 21st century, but where do you see things now. What do we do to help people regardless of why? If it is the school, or they are not eating properly, or however things are playing in their lives, how do we help people participate in this procedure that you described so beautifully, into what you have called, actually to quote you, a mentally literate planet? At the core of things, how do we get this to more people?
Tony: Good question and an immediate answer is what you are doing now. You’ve got a podcast. You are contacting tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands to millions of people. You are spreading global mental literacy. That’s one wonderful way to do it. Another is to be a teacher, but a real teacher, a teacher who is a beacon to a child. A teacher who is someone who launches the child on the exploration of their internal universe. A teacher is a harvester of questions so being a teacher is a wonderful most important profession. Mind mapping is another way.
Let me give you the hot off the presses two bits of information. We are now approaching the beginning of August. August 19 is the day. It’s a global mental literacy day and on that day, two things are going to happen.
No. 1, I have just been nominated and going to be given the Toastmaster Award. The Toastmaster organization has 15,000 members in 135 countries. Their simple goal for each individual Toastmaster is to learn how to present and to learn how to become confident. As soon as someone learns how to speak publicly, and obviously mind maps are a wonderful way to do that, and as soon as they do that, they then become more confident. When they get to that stage, all they have to do is to help another person do the same. So it’s like a wonderful positive brush fire, a positive viral.
The Toastmasters are going to give me the Golden Gavel Award in Washington, D.C. on August 19 this year. I will be speaking to 2,000 people from 135 countries and all of them know about mind mapping. They are anointing me as like a new leader for them to help the planet learn how to communicate and how to give birth to more leaders. Because people who can communicate, are confident and know how to think can help the world.
So on that day, the 19th, I’m going to be given that award and will be connected to 15,000 people who believe in human beings and believe in helping them to help each other, how to communicate, how to learn and how to become a leader that’s an ultimate global goal. So, please come to Washington and be with me there.
Announcing The First Ever World Mind Map Day!
On that same day, that day is now also going to be announced as the World Mind Map Day because there are global days for football and global days for golf and global days for politics or whatever. But this is the World Mind Map Day on August 19, 2016. On that day, the goal is for every mind mapper on this planet and there are already well over 300 million mind mappers, the goal is to have every mind mapper get as many mind maps out in as many ways as possible.
For example, if you’re an individual who mind maps, you don’t do an enormous number of big things, but you could get mind maps on your Skype, on your Twitter, on your Facebook, you could put mind maps on your car, when you go into a restaurant you could give them a fabulous mind map to stick on the window. You could put mind maps on billboards. You could give them to schools, give them copies, and/or send them virtually.
https://youtu.be/MlabrWv25qQ
If you’ve got a little database of a thousand or ten thousand people, send mind maps to every one of them saying welcome to the World Mind Map Day. On my Twitter, my Twitter home page is @tony_buzan. The World Mind Map mind map is there so you can retweet that.
It is going to be like a super nova. It is going to explode mental literacy around the world, and I am really happy with that because in this modern age, despite the fact that the information age has given us a lot of information overload, it can do wondrous things. One of the things it can do is to spread good news to every brain, igniting every brain to become a flame with a beauty, the magnificence of the human mind.
Anthony: This is absolutely true and I’m glad that you raised the topic of people just getting their own podcast or getting out there and Tweeting at whatever level that they can to help spread the good news about these techniques and about the people who are really expert at explaining them.
The Power Of Lineage In The World Of Memory, Multiple Intelligence And Creativity
Tony: The power of podcasts is a good phrase. You could use that, the power of podcasts because it’s very powerful. You know, if you, for example, Anthony influence one person on one interview you have, and that person transforms the world, it might have been a little Thomas Edison, it might have been a little Maria Montessori, it might have been a little Mandela, it could have been any child who you influenced and ignited. Then one podcast with one person changed and evolving it would be wonderful.
Anthony: I just wanted to tell you, to make a concrete example for people and I should really give a shout out to someone special. I’m here in Tel Aviv, and I have this podcast and maybe we came into connection because you were in British Columbia where I grew up. So maybe there was something in the air about that. Having grown up with your influence and then learning all this time and I’m in Tel Aviv.
I just let people know on my podcast and through my email that I’m here and a guy named Eldon Clem emails me.
He’s in Jerusalem and we haven’t managed to connect yet, but I really want to meet him because he’s taken my training that he found out because that I spread the word about these things, and I’m almost choking up here because he emailed and he said that what I’ve done has changed how he teaches Semitic languages.
I’ve talked to him over a year ago and he told me that he memorized a thousand words in six weeks of ancient Ethiopic and this is a very difficult language where the words have three letters. He said it was no problem even without an online language learning course. I just went on to read a thousand words and then I just started incorporating your stuff into my classes and now I heard that he’s even using the Memory Palace as a technique to give quizzes.
So this is how the lineage works. From me seeing your books as a kid in British Columbia to ultimately getting to meet you and already having had the podcast in action and then somebody gets involved in my stuff and then they start passing it on to students. He said they are getting great success because it enables them in the testing period. So I just want to take this opportunity to give a concrete example that’s happening right now and I hope to meet him and let him know that I spoke with you. It’s amazing what can happen.
Why You Should Come To The 2016 World Memory Championships
Tony: Wonderful. I mean your story links in with the World Memory Championships, because that was just an idea that I had many decades ago. Why are there tidily winks championships? Why are there chess championships? High jumping championships, long jumping championships, weight lifting championships, you name it there’s a championship and nothing on memory. I thought we’ve got to have a World Memory Championship. I discussed that and people said Buzan you must be crazy. What’s the point of having a memory competition? Nobody will be interested in that.
This year is the 25th World Memory Championships. It is the Jubilee year, No. 25, and there are tens of thousands of competitors and there are multiple grand masters of memory spreading around the world. All the people in the World Memory Championships, like you Anthony, are busting all the barriers that are placed around the human brain.
It’s like balustrades, pickets that are staked around the human brain and it is fenced in like a trapped animal, when in fact when the brain knows how to think, knows how to remember, knows how to learn, knows how to be intelligent, it will break all those barriers. I’m sure you’re going to be at the World Memory Championships this year, which are now going to be in Singapore this year December 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18, World Memory Championships. Please, both you and me, invite everybody from your podcast group, team to come to Singapore.
Anthony: Let’s do it! Maybe you can help make it concrete for people. What is the No. 1, or by all means add more than one if it comes to mind, but what would you say is the top benefit of participating in the World Memory Championships for someone who is already feeling that sense of resistance? Like I could never go what’s the tipping point for them to get in there and just give it a try.
Tony: One of the great events in your life, when you compete you will naturally meet all the greatest memorizers in the world. You’ll meet every Grandmaster. You’ll meet Dominic O’Brien, eight-time World Memory Champion ad creator of the Dominic System.
This is someone, who as a kid in school, was told he would never succeed. You can’t remember. You can’t concentrate. You are useless. Get out of this school. He became the eight-time World Memory Champion because he suddenly realized, oh, they say I’m stupid but I’m not.
If you went to the World Memory Championships, you would meet all the people. You would meet me because I will be there. You would meet Anthony Metivier. I mean what a wonderful opportunity. You would be meeting people who would charge something like £1,000.00 or £2,000.00 an hour for their time and you would be meeting them as new friends.
It would be like going into the United Nations where all the presidents of the countries were coming together and you’d just be with them. Same in the memory championships and as soon as you competed, you would learn that your memory, no matter how poor, weak and bad you think it is, it’s powerful and all you need is the correct formulas for unlocking the doors of your genius.
How To Create A Trillion Dollar Brain
I’ve asked people sometimes how much would I have to pay you to promise that you’d obliterate your memory of the World Memory Championships. You just wipe out your memory of it. If you met all the world champions, the national champions, all the best memorizers and they taught you how to remember.
If you met all the top competitors in the world, you met Tony Buzan, Anthony Metivier, Grandmaster Raymond Keene, the ultimate chess, mind sports, Times journalist and writer, how much would I have to pay you if you promised to forget all of it?
People said, no matter how much you pay me I would choose to remember it all. It’s changed my life. It would destroy me if I forgot all that I now know about memory and my new friend Dominic O’Brien. People have said if you offer my £100,000.00, I would still say no. It’s priceless. That’s how important it is.
Anthony: I feel the same way about having attended your training. You couldn’t pay its way out of my memory. It’s just too valuable.
Tony: Thank you for saying that, because if you and all the people on the podcast here said listen Buzan we’ll give you a trillion pounds if you promise that you’ll never use a mind map again, you will never use anything in your books, you wouldn’t use your speed reading, you won’t use your studying skills, you won’t use your creativity, you won’t use your multiple intelligences, but we’ll give you a trillion pounds. I would say you must be mad! What’s the point of wiping my brain out for a trillion pounds? My brain is infinitely valuable and that’s how important it is.
Anthony: Absolutely. One of the things that I want to point out is that I went to the training that I went to as someone who already used the techniques, and I’m just so devoted to learning as much as I possibly can. I was blown away not only by how little that I know but how little that I knew about what I know. Let me put it that way.
Tony: There is that kind of a common saying in most cultures including the Arabic culture, Japanese, Chinese, European cultures. The common saying is the more you know the less you know.
The Truth About What You Know About What You Know About What You Know About …
That is a complete misinterpretation of what actually everybody meant. The real saying is, the more you know the more you know, and the more you know the more you know that there is even more to know than you thought you would have to know.
Anthony: That is a much more empowering and profound and useful way of using that phrase.
Tony: So I now know that I know a lot more than I ever knew before, and I know that now that I know all that, I know now know there that there are an infinite number of infinite number of infinite number of other things I don’t yet know and would love to know.
Many people are saying about old age, people are saying I don’t want to be old. I don’t want to be over 80. It would be terrible. My brain would rot and I don’t want to learn anymore. My brain is stuffed which is sadly tragic. Because the fact is, the human brain can learn an infinite number of things.
Why Tony Buzan Wants To Live Forever
Therefore I want to live forever because would like to be a concert level violinist? Yes, I would. Would I like to be a concert level pianist? Of course, I would. Would I like to be a brilliant gymnast? Of course, I would. Would I like to be an Olympic level swimmer? Of course, I would.
Would I like to be a bestselling novelist of detective stories like Sherlock Holmes? Of course, I would. Would I like to be a top children’s author with 100 books? Of course, I would. Would I like to go to every country? Of course, I would. Would I like to spend years in each country, in different cities?
Would I like to spend 10 years in Paris learning French, learning French cuisine, learning French philosophy, French poetry, French literature, and French music? Of course, I would. How many years is that going take me? Trillions of years. I would love to live forever.
Every day of my life is wonderful even when I’m in pain or sad or depressed or melancholic, or contemplating suicidal thoughts, I’d far rather be alive than not.
How To Deal With The Darkness Without Pills Or Psychiatrists
Anthony: Let’s go in this direction a little bit. How do you deal with those challenges that you’ve just mentioned, the dark times? We give this impression always these super incredible intellects they just have it all and live in paradise. But, it’s not the case. So what do you do? How do you use your multiple intelligences to deal with the down sides?
Tony: When I’m down, I explore the bad. You know for example, if I give you a simple example about having nightmares, and let’s say things are going pretty awfully and friends are dying, personal situations are difficult, sickness or illness causes nightmares, and people wake up screaming in the middle of the night with monsters howling or whatever.
Rather than waking up screaming and trying to block out the nightmares, I now think, because I used to try to stop them, but then I began to think hold on a minute, among the most popular movies on the planet are horror movies. Horror movies and how much do they cost to make? It costs $250 million to make one horror movie.
What is my nightmare like? It’s a lot better than that one $250 million movie. It’s fabulous. It’s got monsters in it that I’ve never even imagined before. It has unbelievable pain. It has all the horrors. So I now think, wow, what a great story that is, wat a great poem that will be. You know like the American author Edgar Allen Poe. His horror stories, he got those from his nightmares. Wonderful.
I recently had a big molar wisdom tooth taken out, which was infected, broken, so it was literally a bloody mess. I was asked to take paracetamol or any other painkiller to prevent the pain because for two days it would be really painful after the numbness disappeared from the eight needles I had to have.
I said no, I’m not going to take any painkiller because pain is information. It’s a friend of mine. My mouth is telling my brain I’m in agony. I am bleeding. I am ripped apart. I am in asunder. I am still bleeding and I’m trying to tell you Tony, please look after me. You know rinse me, listen to me, hear me, and so I had all night conversations with pain.
What was fascinating was that the pain in my mouth was a giant pulse – roomph, roomph, roomph. Why? Because the blood was pumping and it was all open and damaged, and it was roomph, roomph. The more I got into it the more it was like a wonderful music, roomph, roomph, and sure enough after five hours of listening to that, I went to sleep. I was sent to sleep by my pain.
The Magic Of Rowing
When I went sculling, you know, rowing sculling in the morning, I was told do not do any big exercise for two days because it will break open all the sealing. But on the third day, I went sculling and every time I put my oars in the water, where I took all the strain, roomph. Every time I took a stroke my mouth, my crater went roomph, roomph, roomph. So it was telling me exactly the moment that I put all my effort into rowing. Stroke, stroke, row, row, and it was in my mouth. I mean it was phenomenal.
Anthony: Rowing has been a fascination of yours and something you’ve been deeply involved in for a long time. Where did that begin and how has it been that it fascinated you so deeply that you still do it to this day? You did it even the morning before you came into the training that I attended.
Tony: I fell in love with it because I saw a superb male athlete sculling in a single boat. In your life, you suddenly see things, and it’s pretty well the same for everybody. Everybody sees something and wow, I want to be like that. I just saw this athlete sculling and it was the most beautiful sport I have ever seen.
I just thought I want to do that. I want to be able to skim across the water like one of those fabulous insects that skims across the water. I wanted to do that with all my gymnastic muscles rippling but not going solid but more flowing. It was wonderful. I did it this morning. This morning I rowed 4,000 meters on the River Thames.
Anthony: I remember you telling us that your doctor said you were definitely in prime territory to keep going for a long, long, long time to come.
Tony: I would invite all the podcast people. Put in your diaries guys June 2, 2042. Second of June, 2042, that’s my 100th birthday. Make sure you come.
Anthony: Absolutely, I can’t wait for the 100th birthday of Tony Buzan!
Tony: What I would love to do is do another podcast with you.
The Greatest Challenges To Planet Earth And Humanity
Anthony: I would love that as well, and the time has gone so fast and I really appreciate that you’ve been able to be here. If I could ask one last question before we go, what in your future do you feel is your biggest challenge and as a person with so many tools to tackle them, what is your No. 1 tool for tackling that challenge?
Tony: That’s another book of a question. The greatest challenge to this planet is the destruction of intelligence. It can be destroyed in a number of ways. It can be destroyed in schools where like I taught myself to be stupid and I was very successful. Children have to be taught to learn how to learn and then they will think intelligently and they will deal with all the future problems and they will find solutions. That’s one.
Another threat is technology used in the wrong way. So for example, when technology is used, consumes all the hours of a day that has people become couch potatoes, diabetic, fat, nonathletic, that’s the negative side of technology. Technology when used well, like you can use mind maps with technology to your advantage. That’s another wonderful threat and opportunity.
We must learn how to use technology intelligently. So we have to use information intelligently. We have to use agriculture intelligently. We have to use knowledge intelligently, and we have to use intelligence intelligently because the threat is that if we don’t use intelligence intelligently, we lose intelligence. If we lose intelligence, we die. It’s as simple as that. Think intelligently or die.
Anthony: Absolutely.
How To Eliminate The Manipulation Of Thinking
Tony: Another big threat is the manipulation of thinking. So for example, in politics all the arguments are spun. Truth is manipulated. When truth is distorted, being destroyed, intelligence becomes destroyed.
So in politics for example, if there is some wonderful evidence that when people eat a lot of junk food, all the statistics show that the brains in the wombs of pregnant women, the brain in the embryo get destroyed or damaged. There are masses of incontrovertible information, studies done on hundreds of thousands of pregnant moms, and we know that if someone keeps on stuffing themselves with dangerous food, the body bloats and basically explodes.
There are many people when they are given information like that, they say yeah, yeah, yeah that’s what those statistics say, but statistics always lie. I know and I believe that eating all the food that I eat is good for me. I know it. I believe in it. You’ve got to believe in it. I mean I am still alive. I may weigh 400 pounds, but so what? I enjoy that food and those statistics must be wrong. I believe in what I believe.
That is intelligence hypnotized, mesmerized and destroyed and it goes blind. So blinding intelligence is another hyper-dangerous threat. All we have to do is ignite the intelligence and get it working, the intelligence working well and the world will be fine. We have to work hard to do that.
The Path To Becoming A Warrior Of The Mind Begins With This …
What we’re doing today, what you’ve been doing, more and more tens of thousands people, millions of people are beginning to think about thinking intelligently which is wonderful. What I’ve just said wouldn’t be true if you did not have a thousand podcast people because people wouldn’t be interested. But I’ve never met anybody who isn’t interested in intelligence as long as it is explained properly.
Anthony: I do hope that you will write a book on the topic and since you called me a Warrior Of The Mind, I’ve been thinking that that would be an amazing title for a book. So, I don’t know if that will trigger anything, but I think it’s certainly in line with the solution is for people to become a warrior of the mind. I am going to do everything that I can to get the people listening now and the people that will find my website in the future also linked up with what you do.
Tony: Wonderful.
Anthony: I’m so delighted that you gave me the opportunity to do it with an interview between the two of us, a discussion, and that you have already proposed the next one. So let’s definitely get together to talk about that and what more we can do together.
Tony: Let’s do that after the Mind Map Day.
Anthony: Great.
Tony: By then we can talk about the results and the Mind Map Day, the World Mind Map Day will extend into the Mind Map Week, the Mind Map Month and the Mind Map Year.
Anthony: Excellent.
Tony: It’s going to go on until the end of December.
Anthony: Just to let you know, and the listeners know, since I was there, you guys were teaching memory. I was watching you use mind maps and you talked about mind map as well as a bonus. Since then I’ve created at least nineteen and designed more outlines for books than I have time to write over the next ten years, but just the exercise of being able to use that to plan out ideas and books and so forth is just so empowering and I really want as many people as possible to have this skill.
Tony: Welcome to my world Anthony.
https://youtu.be/nMZCghZ1hB4
Anthony: It’s a wonderful place to be, and you asked if I could hear birds at the beginning and that moment I couldn’t but throughout the interview, birds have been audible and they are going to be in the interview. I hope everybody enjoys that as well. We talked about nightmares and I said it’s not always paradise but quite frankly, it sounds like it is always paradise where you are.
Tony: We do live in paradise.
Serotonin: The Truth You Need For Memory Improvement
Aug 03, 2016
You’ve heard people throw the word serotonin around, right?
But do you know what serotonin is and how it connects with the quality of your memory?
Well, if you want to experience a better life, it’s time to pay attention.
Serotonin is not only essential to having healthy memory abilities. It also helps you feel good, sleep better and works magic on your mood when you’re feeling down.
In fact, as a neurotransmitter derived from tryptophan …
Serotonin May Be The Most Important Anti-Depressant In The World!
Actually, there’s a lot of controversy about whether or not serotonin levels create depression. It’s only known that many people with depression show low levels of this chemical.
But here’s the real question:
How can you actually use the information you’re about to read?
Easy: If you can get your serotonin in order, you’ll not only feel better, but you might not need SSRIs and whatever other pills you’ve been taking to regulate your mood.
I’ve taken a lot of those pills myself, and although none of what you’ll read in this post should be taken as medical advice …
I can’t emphasize this enough:
Healthy Serotonin Levels = Better Learning And Memory
Why?
Because there are seven distinct receptors with different densities. When things get messed up with your serotonin, you’re much more likely to experience the aging of your memory and fall into risk for Alzheimer’s and other issues.
In order to understand exactly how serotonin is connected with how memory works, we need to look at how it interacts with other neurotransmitters. These include:
Acetylcholine
Dopamine
Glutamate
y-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Basically, all of these elements hang together and require precious balancing in order for you to be able to learn and remember.
When it comes to serotonin, scientists have found that by using serotonin reuptake inhibitors like alaproclate and oxotremorine, they can improve memory retrieval.
Moreover, scientists believe that with more research, we’ll be able to use related chemicals to suppress the retrieval of addiction-primed memories.
Sounds Like A Mouthful, Right?
It’s actually easy to understand:
When it becomes possible to treat addiction-associated memories, the hope is that drug addicts will experience decreased cravings. That means fewer destructive behaviors to themselves and others in society.
The reason serotonin plays such a huge role in this area of memory is that its connection to different receptors involve reward-based learning, something that can be helpful, so long as negative drugs like tobacco aren’t involved. (By the way, stop smoking.)
But it’s not just all about addiction memory. Serotonin is also involved in:
Boosting Spatial Memory
If your serotonin levels are in check, you have much better chances of remembering locations and the relative distance between objects. Experiencing this kind of boost means that you can use a new place you visit as a Memory Palace with greater ease.
You’ll likely also be more receptive to possible locations you can use because research shows that reasonable doses of sunlight boost serotonin. Read Sunlight Brightens Learning and Memory for all the details.
I find this point especially important because many people tell me they can’t think of enough Memory Palaces to get success with memory techniques.
However, as I’ve shown in my training on how to get rid of brain fog, merely getting outside makes you more attentive. That’s thanks in part to increased serotonin, which will help you put my mega-list of Memory Palace ideas to work in your learning life.
Mastering Emotional Memory
It’s well known that we tend to remember things with greater accuracy and vividness when emotions are involved. But if you’re low on serotonin, you might not be experiencing emotions properly.
Lower emotional capacity also means that you may not be paying attention properly. You cannot encode information into memory that you haven’t registered either in part or whole.
This explains why depression and other mental illnesses are so devastating for memory, especially since emotions are often so short-lived.
Luckily, however, we can generate emotions at will. By using mnemonics, we can supercharge every piece of information we meet so that it is more memorable. But it sure helps if we have healthy serotonin levels.
You Can Forget About Fearful Memory
Fear can either create new memories or inhibit their formation. Either way, if your serotonin is out of whack, your brain can’t properly manage fear to any advantage.
Having your serotonin out of balance leads to memory errors and contributes to the fearful part of depression.
With certain mental illness, for example, you can learn to be afraid when there’s nothing fearful in the environment. Proper serotonin levels can correct this problem.
But … What Exactly Does Serotonin Do?
Research shows that serotonin influences memory by increasing the ability of different neurons to get excited by various kinds of stimulation. Too little response to stimuli and you’re depressed. Too much and you might go manic.
Either way, without the maintenance of serotonin, it’s difficult to pay attention, form new memories and learn. Memory expert Harry Lorayne stressed the importance of paying attention in order to kick off the remembering process.
And he’s right. But it’s not just that you need serotonin to pay attention so your memory and intelligence can work together in the moment.
If you let your serotonin levels drop too low, the imbalance will interfere with memory consolidation. In case that term is new to you, consolidation is a term in memory science that describes the shift from short-term memory to long-term memory.
Not being able to consolidate memories can lead to forgetting names, new information you’ve struggled to learn and even entire years of your life. As this study shows, low serotonin is directly linked to this kind of memory loss thanks to impaired memory consolidation.
All the more reason to make sure your get yours in balance. It will help ensure you have the focused attention many memory experts advise is necessary for establishing strong memory skill.
What Interferes With Your Serotonin Levels?
Unfortunately, scientists and doctors don’t always know. It can be that brain lesions create issues, along with some of the mysteries that create Alzheimer’s Disease.
What is known with relative certainty is that serotonin levels are linked to the quality of your sleep, diet and fitness.
The problem with the hypothesis that serotonin levels are connected to diet is that serotonin isn’t found in foods.
It is, however, synthesized from tryptophan. This is an amino acid found in many foods, some of which help create a healthy brain and memory.
Salmon is a big one, and it’s hard to go wrong with eating this fish.
Other ways to get more serotonin include exercise, sunlight and creating positivity in your life. Memory friendly activities such as meditation have been shown to help.
Although there is no clear cut route to boosting serotonin, the important thing is to try without the use of pharmaceuticals.
One reason is that taking drugs to feel better might have this positive effect. But it can also make you feel worse.
After all, you now need a crutch to function, something that can crush your self-esteem. It shouldn’t, but the stigma has harmed me in the past.
Plus, now that I’m living free from lamotrigine, I feel better and going solo has prompted me to live a healthier lifestyle overall.
It was a hard decision, but thanks to my doctor’s supervision and help from a personal trainer, it all worked out. I shared my decision in this video if you’re interested:
https://youtu.be/mbZ3ygFpt84
When it comes to light exposure, here’s the best quick fix I’ve found.
It’s simple, cheap and fun.
Spend More Time Outdoors
People used to spend 30-40 hours outside a week. Nowadays, that’s the number of hours people spend inside at work.
Quite frankly, spending that amount of time inside is insane, especially given the screen time involves. The health of our culture and rise in digital amnesia shows just how bad it is.
Although not everyone will be able to take the following suggestion, I’m going to make it anyway:
Becoming an entrepreneur with a strong brand is one of the ways to escape the fate of sitting in an office. Instead of making someone else rich, by working for yourself you can get healthier and wealthier at the same time.
My Story of Getting More Sun, Serotonin and Developing A Business
As I talk about in my Self-Improvement Supercharger program, I like to walk from cafe to cafe to do my writing. This simple habit gives me not only more light, but more air, more exposure to people and much more fitness than I would get sitting at my desk.
I believe it’s the combination that matters:
For example, just walking around and getting more light and fitness is helpful. But I don’t think it would be nearly as good without going up to people and asking them for help with German phrases I’m learning.
I also go to my friend Max Breckbill’s co-working groups as often as I can to get more exposure to other people for the brain chemical benefits it creates.
And heck, some of them even wind up using memory techniques too after I talk about them.
In sum, people have put a lot of time, money and energy into researching serotonin. Although the link serotonin shares with tryptophan can make it difficult to study, countless experiments have shown that mice and humans alike cope better in life with regulated serotonin levels. They experience less stress, recover from depression with greater speed and remember more with greater accuracy.
Of course, further research is necessary, but my belief is that you are the ultimate scientist. If you’d like to experience better memory, organic brain games might be just what you need.
And when you use these mnemonic devices, you enjoy a stronger basis for tracking your results.
You don’t have to have your DNA extracted in scientific experiments or undergo the horrors of serotonin depletion in order to experience better memory.
Get more exercise, eat properly, sleep well and use memory techniques. Track your results using some of the tools linked to in this post and you’ll notice an impact.
With that in mind, let me summarize my suggestions for a simple schedule you can follow.
Your Daily Serotonin & Memory Activation Routine
To naturally improve your serotonin levels to boost your memory daily, try this simple structure.
Morning Sunlight Combined with Movement
As soon as you can after waking, get 15-20 minutes of direct sunlight.
Then walk or stretch and review one piece of information (or more) that you learned the day before.
Then, take 5-10 minutes to practice visualizing or complete one of these concentration meditation routines linked to memory improvement.
Evening Reflection & Wind Down
Grab a journal and spend 5-10 minutes writing out what you want to remember from the day.
Then, meditate before bed and reduce exposure to devices in order to help your brain sleep better and consolidate your memories for long-term retention.
Bottom line:
Your serotonin levels are important and almost guaranteed to go up if you’ll just take care of these few areas. That means more memory and a better life.
Sounds good to me.
How about you?
Jonathan Levi On Reducing Your Resistance To Learning
Jul 28, 2016
Do You Know Your Learning Duties And Obligations?
Put some thought into that question. It could well change our entire life.
Because, yes. YOU are obliged to learn.
And even though learning takes time, energy and can even cost a bundle of bones you’ll never see again …
You Cannot Lose When You Learn The Right Ways
https://youtu.be/8RnfK-DqAhc
Download the MP3 of this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast and have a blast reading the transcript below. And if you’ve got something to say, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Anthony: This is Anthony Metivier. You’re listening to the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, coming to you live from Tel Aviv with my good friend Jonathan Levi. Jonathan has been on the show many, many times before. You know him from SuperLearner.
This is a universe where you can learn how to learn faster with greater comprehension, greater memory of what it is that you want to learn. Every time that we speak, he’s been on the Magnetic Memory Podcast so many times, it’s just absolutely incredible what I learn. It is incredible what you can learn from Jonathan Levi. We’re going to freewheel it a little bit. We’ve got some background noise and so on.
But it would be a lost opportunity if we didn’t just jump on the fact that we’re together hanging out in Tel Aviv and have a talk about how you can learn and memorize more information, do so in a way that feels great, is a load of fun, reduces stress from your life and just makes everything better so that you can make the world better, which is what this is all about really. What would you say to that?
Jonathan: Yeah, I would say that I really like – I was actually editing a video today from the last time that you were in Tel Aviv and it resonated. You said something that I often say, and I think a lot of people in our very fortunate position to help people and educate people for a living often say.
I think Tony Robbins says it a lot as well. He says you have a unique gift and it is your duty and obligation (we say it in Branding You), it is your duty and obligation to figure out what that gift is a soon as possible and then arm yourself with the tools that allow you to deliver that gift. I think the sooner you do that the more quickly you realize your potential in life then you realize your purpose. I mean it ties all the way back to Viktor Frankl. Like all you need in life to be happy is a purpose, a worthwhile purpose, and then that just sets your trajectory in life of what you’re going to do, skills you’re going to acquire, the things are going to learn about, the people you’re going to be with, it all comes from that purpose.
Anthony: So then riddle me this, if I can quote the old Batman movie. Why is it that some of us know our purpose and some don’t? For those of us that do, what’s like an example from your own life that got you to know your purpose, and how did you take that knowledge of knowing your purpose and turn it essentially into a self-sustaining engine that just drives you towards doing what you’ve accomplished? It’s the fire that burns itself, or you know the burning bush. We’re here in the land the burning bush.
Jonathan: We are in the land of the burning bush.
Anthony: How does that work?
Why You Need To Seek If You Want To Find
Jonathan: That’s a tough question. Why do some people know and some people not know? I think the first question is why do some people seek and some people do not seek? I think a lot of people go through their lives not seeking more. I call it the prefix approach when what you really want is the a la carte approach to life.
I think in order to really be seeking and searching for your purpose, your mission in life, you have to take the approach that my life is a la carte in the sense that I can pick and choose from certain things. I can pick and choose if I want to have kids. I can pick and choose if I want to work in an office. I can pick and choose and so on. I think that’s a big component of why people struggle to find their purpose.
Why The Cost Of Stability May Be Killing You
But I think the other thing is we somehow along the way through the industrial era have kind of all settled on this stability over excitement mentality. A lot of parents raise their kids go get an education, get a good stable job, and that’s wonderful. Stability is great especially if you’re raising a family, but I think we need to get over this mentality that stability comes at the expense of excitement. You can have both. I know a lot of people who have super stable jobs, who are working at a very stable corporate job, and they’re doing their life’s purpose. They’re really excited about what they’re doing. So I reject the idea that you have to give up on a purpose and just go to a 9:00 to 5:00 that you hate.
Anthony: Right. Now let’s make this even more localized to a particular memory subject because a lot of people that say they want to learn a new language right. They think well I work from 9:00 to 5:00. I am with my kids until whatever time late night, I have six hours to sleep, then I get up, and then I go to shave and shower and go to get in the car, and so on and so forth. They have endless reasons why that they can’t not only just spend time learning language, but use the memory techniques that I teach and that you teach in order to be able to get the components of language into memory. Like where do they just begin, given what you said? Like where’s the entry point to getting started and then keeping going so that you have a different mindset for it and actually execution of learning given the situation they’re in?
Jonathan: Learning anything, well learning kind of in the direction of your purpose you mean?
Anthony: Yeah I mean if your purpose is to say you know you need to learn a language in order to fulfill a particular purpose.
The Best Way To Know When Something Isn’t Right For You
Jonathan: Sure. So a few different thoughts there. One is I find when you work on things, when you find that right thing, the resistance goes away right. Like you can drag your feet on projects for years, and you and I know we’ve dragged our feet individually on projects. That’s a pretty good indication if you have to like force yourself to do something, it’s a pretty good indication that’s not you’re calling and not your purpose. I think you need to listen and be true to yourself and ask yourself what your motives are to do certain things. With that said, I mean there are pragmatic considerations and concerns around generating time which you know I talk about a lot in my productivity course.
Exactly How To Make More Time Magically Appear In Your Life
How do you make time? I think for most people the psychological boundary of busyness and how much time they actually have is much more significant than the actual pragmatic realistic constraints on their time. How many of us waste that twenty minutes waiting for the bus? How many of us waste that time sitting on the bus? How many of us, while our kids are brushing their teeth for school, are sitting there like flipping through Facebook instead of reviewing whatever it is. In your case, memorizing a deck of cards because that’s part of your purpose is empowering people with memory. I think we need to be realistic actually about how busy we are and actually how well we’re using our time. I’m well known for tracking everything I do, and I can tell you on any given day how productive I am in percentages because I track how my time is being spent on my computer.
Once you start doing these things, you start looking at yourself and your life through an optimization mindset. What you discover is quite surprising. Like those five-minute breaks that you spend on Facebook amount to an hour and a half of time, and unless and until you track you have no insight into that. That would be my advice is like be honest with yourself. How busy are you really? The first thing where I was trying to get is like why is it that you’re not making time for these things, because that’s also a good indication. When I decided I want to learn piano, which is part of my mission, right. I want to inspire people to learn anything. I can’t do that if I don’t play musical instruments.
It’s amazing how much time I make Anthony. It’s amazing. Like I put off breakfast some mornings, because I’m just like you know, I’ll have like a quick breakfast and a smoothie, so that I can use my hands to like play piano while I wait for my first call in the morning because I love it, and I’m so passionate about it. And the first thing I wanted to talk to you when you came to Tel Aviv was like dude how are you memorizing this? How can I figure out these chord structures? The night you came, we talked for two and a half hours on the beach about mnemonic techniques for music. That’s a pretty good sign that that’s like serving my purpose and my mission even though I’m not a musician. I’m pretty damn excited about teaching other people and empowering other people to lean learn musical instruments, or whatever.
Anthony: All right, well let’s talk about that because I’d been talking about it on the podcast with John McPhedrine a few weeks ago who has just brilliant ideas about it of his own accord so forth, and I thought you know I am not done with these ideas. I haven’t fully gone through it and everything, but I’m going to get this off my chest because I’m so excited about it. I’m going to do it partially as like a tribute to you, a gift to you.
Jonathan: Thank you.
Anthony: And with deep acknowledgement to John for his contributions to music mnemonics, and also just to get something out that I’ve been thinking about working with and so forth. By the same token, you were yes I get it. You understand exactly where I’m coming from. But at the same time, you are deeply unsatisfied by it, and you said you know, I think it the there has to be a better way kind of thing. So take us through two things. First, you know what is it from a SuperLearner perspective that you’ve been doing, like the top two to three things that have gotten you where you are with music. I sat and watched you play which is amazing. Then what is it you know, either with specific or just general references to what I told you that night, that sort of deeply unsatisfied you, and what you found maybe interesting about it or whatever. I mean just jam on it.
Jonathan: So first, I have to say, I’ve spent so much time with you in the last few days in person, I haven’t listen to the podcast episode. But I feel like I got a pretty good idea based on what you explained to me. There were a few things that I thought were absolutely brilliant like using the major method for notes and stuff like that I think is really clever. Like on the fretboard, I think it’s really clever. It’s a lot of work but then memorizing all the notes on the fretboard is going to be a lot of work. I’ll first say my difficulty, and then I’ll say what I’m doing.
The Raw Truth About Methods Versus Systems
My difficulty is, and this is at the core of how you and I teach differently, I like systems because I’d rather be 80 percent to 100 percent of the people, and you like methods because you’d rather be 100 percent flexible to 80 percent of the people. I think I cater to an audience who wants to know precisely. Students ask me all the time how often should I pause in making markers or visual symbols, we call markers. How often should I pause? Every paragraph, every two paragraphs, they want exact specific numbers.
The truth is it depends. It depends on you. It depends on your working memory capacity. It depends on what you’re reading obviously. It depends on how long the paragraphs are. But my students seem to want systems, and they want things nailed down very, very specifically. I’m of the belief that you need to know the rules really well before you break them. Like for example, a non-native English speaker could never start a sentence with and, but for Gary Halbert and Anthony Metivier, who have a perfect command of copyrighting an English speaking can, and know how, even though that’s wrong technically.
It’s like you need to know the Magnetic Memory Method really well to break the rules. But I would believe that your approach is make your own rules. It’s a method, not a system. I think that was my difficulty. I mean you’ve seen how I run my business as well. Like everything is a system. We know exactly how many characters are allowed to go into this title, and we know exactly what settings to use on every single blog post we do. We have the exact processes that are never deviated from. I think that would drive some people crazy, but that’s kind of how I operate. It’s the German passport, what can I say.
Here’s what I’ve been doing to accelerate the learning of music. First things first, I needed to do was memorize each of the keys as in the physical keys on the piano. I needed to know what each one of them were. So I came up with a nice little mnemonic technique where each one looks like a certain thing. For example, the “D” is in between two other white keys, which face inward towards it. So that, to me, as someone who speaks Spanish, was “dentro.”
“Dentro: in between, and the one next to it to the right was “E” which for me is it’s facing backwards into the cluster, “espalda” which literally means back as in physical. You’re back, not backwards and so on and so forth. You know the “F” key is facing forward into a cluster. So that’s “F”, and that’s how I did that, and within you know two or three minutes I could look at any one and know exactly what it was. I mean that’s easy stuff.
I’m using essentially a very similar way that you are to memorize the songs essentially. I’ve been using that with guitar for some time. I’m still trying to figure out a lot of other stuff. I’m doing a lot of like brute force learning. Not just reading music, but also figuring it out on my own, and just understanding like what different intervals sound like. So one of the things we teach in our courses is this idea like brute force learning. A lot of people will just go to a piano tutor, and then just do the piano tutor’s homework. I’m like watching YouTube videos, memorizing songs that I would never be able to read in sheet music to get familiar with the finger movement. I’m writing out sheet music as I hear it. I’m doing all different kinds of multifaceted approaches so that it’s not just me, the book and the piano tutor. It’s a holistic approach to learning.
Anthony: Now how are you doing that systematically though?
Jonathan: That’s a big problem for me I haven’t really conquered. I’m doing it kind of as I feel, and really what I’m doing is I’m using it as a frustration avoidance mechanism. Like when I get really sick of playing Jingle Bells, which is something I can actually read because it’s very easy. Then I go to a really hard song that I know is going to take me about ten seconds to figure out each chord as it’s written, because I haven’t even started learning chords.
That kind of breaks my frustration and creates a new frustration. When I get tired of that, you know maybe in the next session what I’ll do is I’ll just sound something out, or I’ll watch a YouTube video, which just shows me which keys to press. Then later I’ll reverse engineer it by looking at the music. Ironically, it’s not a system. It’s a method, and my method is go until I get frustrated, but if I still want to keep playing, jump from thing to thing to thing to thing to thing so that I am still getting hours, because I get really frustrated super fast playing Jingle Bells a hundred times.
Anthony: Well, the reason why I asked that and it wasn’t meant to be to be a nasty thing to do. One of the things that I think makes us interesting people to follow and listen to is we’re one hundred percent transparent about the things that we do. We’re out there. We’ve got our heart on our sleeves, and one of the things that I always say, when I talk about it being a method and so forth, is I also always say one is the most dangerous number in the world. You need multiple teachers. You need multiple exposure to how people do things in multiple ways. You don’t teach how to learn music yet. But I’m really fascinated about how you think that you could turn what you’re doing, exploring, your mixing system with method and so forth, how you could turn that into a systematic approach that matches what you already teach systematically in SuperLearning.
Jonathan: Well I think the closest thing to a system that I’ve seen is your use of Major Method. Then I really like the idea, I know you’re not huge on PAO (person, action object), but I really like this idea of you know much music is either three fourths time or four fourths common time, so I like this idea of having PAO for three fourths time and PAAO (person, action adjective, object).
How To Make Metaphors Part Of Memorizing Music
For example, C D G E, I would have C as PAAO. So C could always be Charles Manson chewing on crunchy capers. If C is the first piece in that, then it would be a Charles Manson. Then the next one is D, which would be David Bowie diving into deep dragons or something like that. Then I would use the diving. Charles Manson diving so on and so forth. Then you just create a visual symbol, which I’m sure your audience knows all about and then you put it into Memory Palaces. Now here’s where you and I differ. Up until that point you and I somewhat agree. You believe that you should vary every single time the P, the A, the O. I say like let me just learn C, D, E, you know A through G, have one PAAO thing.
That’s a system versus a method. So for me it’s always Charles Manson chewing on crunchy capers. So there is your system, and then again, where you and I would differ is I would want to system that says the first verse is always in this corner, and then the chorus is always in a corner of the room, and so on and so forth. The choruses are always, the refrain is always in the bathroom. I’d want something like that, so that if I ever just want to jump in at a certain point in the song, I think that would drive you nuts if I’m not mistaken.
Anthony: Actually, I think that this is a good a good discussion point because I think people misunderstand what I mean by system versus method. Because the kinds of systematic things that you’re talking about, and you know PAO, and I don’t like PAO and all that sort of stuff. It’s not so much that I don’t like PAO, it’s just that like when you’re using major method, major method actually is not a system. It is a method right.
Jonathan: Fair, yes.
Anthony: So when you’re doing something like what you’re talking about, what I think is so exciting, and what my mind leaps on, and I would instantly adopt systematically, is you mentioned Charles Manson and David Bowie. Both of those guys have strong ties to the world of music. So what I would do in a systematic way is say to myself as I’m developing memorizing music, every character comes from the world of music.
Now that’s now you’re getting into semantics whether that’s methodological or systematic. But if you said that it must be someone from the world of music, then you are giving yourself an aid to recall because if you’re searching for something, you instantly already have a hook. It must be someone from the world of music. So who could it be? Well it’s there’s only so many notes in the scale. So there are a lot of systematic things in the Magnetic Memory Method. But why I insist on the methodological thing is because a lot of the training out there comes from people who develop the techniques for competition. The material that you memorize in competition lends itself to systematicity.
Jonathan: Right, it’s always the same competition, the same events and stuff like that.
Anthony: But foreign language learning does not lend itself to systematicity. Especially not when you learn languages online.
Jonathan: That’s fair.
Anthony: There are, as far as I know, no real substantial language learning competitions and that’s because the margin for cheating would be so high because one could pose as not knowing languages.
Jonathan: That and it’s so hard to test actual fluency. You know I mean. It’s hard to define fluency much less test it.
Anthony: I’m glad these things came up because I think that again it just sort of reinforces my pedagogical philosophy that one is the most dangerous number that you will ever know, and you need multiple teachers. That’s why I like to go and study from you, for example, and be around you and study you because you challenge my assumptions and my presuppositions. I grow and I think and I apply and I implement and so forth, and I’ve gotten faster at certain things that I do.
Also, you’ve broken down certain walls of stubbornness against all odds because I’m a cranky professor sometimes. I surprise myself. So I really encourage people who are listening to this you don’t know Jonathan or you know you have come across him, but haven’t dived in and just gotten into the SuperLearner way of doing things, to go and do that. My only caveat being that you implement. Because it doesn’t matter how many people that you study from, if you’re not taking action on what they’re teaching you, then it’s not going to go anywhere. Who is someone that you’ve recently learned something from where you went from this is a concept or an idea or a process and you leapt on it, and then you got a result. What comes to mind?
Jonathan: Wow!
Anthony: I mean maybe there are multiple things.
Jonathan: You put me on the spot there. Let’s think. Someone that I have immediately put something into practice and it is just worked. I am going to give a shout out to our head of marketing, Mr. Steven Pratley because I wrote out this whole webinar thing. I wanted to host a webinar or for my audience to educate them.
Basically, my goal is to reach a million people if your audience doesn’t know. I want to teach a million people how to learn more effectively. One of the best ways to do that and still be able to pay your bills is do a free one hour webinar which teaches them you know a lot of the basics and gets them up and running. I can get that in front of a million people and then at the end you offer them to join your premium training so I can also afford to advertise and send that out to a million people. I’d written like these slides. Steven was like look, this is good, but let me show you this webinar that, I think it was like Frank Kern did, one of the folks that you admire so much.
He sends me this thing, and I just read through it I’m like whoa. This goes through, you as a story consultant will love, the whole story. Why this works this way and how this works this way and it’s not you know that the hero’s journey. It’s brilliant. I put it in a place. The next day I just wrote out all the slides and boom, boom, boom, and I think we’re going to be delivering a similar version of that to your audience very shortly here. Boy, did it work. People were in the chat. They were going nuts and they really appreciated it so much more than they would have if it were just my boring presentation. Like here are the top three tips that you could – so it worked really well. We were very fortunate to have a few people join also our premium training and they’ve been enjoying it really well because they’ve had this nice primer to get into it. That I think would be the example.
How To Put A Knife In The Heart Of A Memory Expert
Anthony: I’m glad that you raise that because one thing that I’m always itching and burning to talk about, and it’s a very uncomfortable subject or at least it’s often received very poorly, and it can lead to something that I find so extraordinarily paradoxical that I can’t quite understand it. It’s this. We are rewarded handsomely for the work that we do. When we do promotions, we do our best to help people understand the value that we offer and to compel them to take action so that they can get the kind of results to lead the lives that they want to lead.
But to lead the lives that they want to lead, how that they want to learn at a higher level and be able to remember more, and do it in ways that are fun and so forth, the strangest things happen. I get multi-paragraph emails of people who say, “You know man, I was just so skeptical of your stuff and it’s there’s certain things about your marketing that just kind of you know rub the wrong way and so forth but I took a chance on this and it’s just unbelievable what happened. You know, in six weeks I memorized a thousand words. I just finally am able to learn in a way that’s fun, and I’m remembering stuff. It’s just changed my life.” On the other hand, emails come in from people, and I’m not going to quote this person, but you know someone swore at me. They basically said in a couple sentences that I’m completely out of my mind. That they hate me they wish that I would go to hell.
Jonathan: That’s pretty offensive language.
Anthony: I don’t want to give that person who may or may not be listening right now some feeling that they have power or whatever, but it puts a knife in my heart. The reason why is because that person obviously needs the same help that the person who succeeded needed. Why is it that some people that come to these webinars that we do, which have different levels of free training based on where you may be at, why is it that instead of turning the channel when it’s not for them, they feel that they have to throw a stone, be filled with hatred and try to destroy as opposed to just turning the channel? Or, taking action and giving something a try. We give these extraordinary guarantees. What’s going on here?
Jonathan: That’s interesting. You know what’s funny is, I often have to be given the advice that I give. I’m going to give you the advice that you give which is great, that’s awesome, because I think it’s Gary Halbert who says, and you introduced me to Gary Halbert, who says if you’re not pissing a couple people off then you’re not being provocative enough. I would love for everyone to love me. I would love to never get an email that says hey you kind of look like a sleaze bag in this video.
But the vast majority of people are getting impacted because it is out there, because I’m telling crazy outrageous stories and stuff like that. I mean also, you can learn so much from those folks I think because it just allows you to tighten up your game. Eventually, you take enough feedback, and the reason we have a master class is because I took enough feedback from people saying this is unclear, this was boring the way you recorded this and that’s constructive feedback I guess. More constructive than like you know you look like a blank and blank in a blank and you probably blank your blank. But you take enough of that feedback, and you become airtight which is pretty cool.
The Moral Obligation To Teach Memory Skills Once You’ve Learned Them
Anthony: Another reason why I wanted to raise this topic is because I think, and I talk about it all the time, is that if you learn memory techniques and you use them you are morally obligated to teach them to other people.
Jonathan: Agreed.
Anthony: I think that a lot of people would like to be able actually to make a living out of a passion that they have. One thing that Dave Farrow pointed out when he was a guest on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, there are a lot of people out there who teach memory techniques who actually aren’t qualified to be teaching them because they haven’t gone out and actually accomplished anything from those memory techniques. I’m not a memory competitor, but I wonder if you would talk a little bit about what you’re feeling is about that. How do you get to a point where you are satisfied that you could teach something that you’ve learned? You should become a SuperLearner to the extent that now it’s time for you to become a super teacher.
Jonathan: Sure. I struggle with this myself because I don’t use a lot of the memory techniques that we teach. I mean I use them but I’m not going up to people and memorizing their credit card numbers and stuff like that, and I don’t even memorize, to be honest, my own credit card numbers because I change credit cards every time there’s like a new offer and it’s just proven to be useless to me. But at the same time, I do memorize. Someone sold me a lock at the store the other day, and he was joking with because he asked what I do. I was like I teach memory.
He’s like okay, I’m taking out of the package. I’m not giving you the manual with the code. He like just flashed it to me, and I still remember it. I’m not going to say it now in case someone steals my bike again. I still remember it because I just created a Major Method system for it. I use the techniques but not maybe as much as I’d like to. I think my approach to that is why not. I should start using them just for giggles to learn music. That’s why I’ve started piano.
To learn languages, I do actually use them quite extensively, but I don’t memorize cards. I think I should. I think I should because I talk about it and I don’t use PAO as much. I think I should because I talk about it. But to answer your question, just to finish on that a little bit actually, but I do speed read quite a bit. I do learn quite aggressively. I do take on learning projects. I’m learning three instruments and two languages right now as we speak. I struggle with the parts of the course that I needed to put in there to be complete. Do I use them enough really to proselytize them?
With that said, I believe in them. I know that they work, and when I do use them, they work extraordinarily well. So even though I don’t have a Memory Palace for every single book I read, I do use spaced repetition and I do highlight in a certain way, which is kind of a SuperLearner way of doing things. When are you good enough to teach these methods? I think actually, and this touches on the brute force learning thing, something taught is something twice learned. One of my best techniques, do you remember what I was reading when we were in Berlin together?
Anthony: I don’t even remember observing what you were reading.
Jonathan: We didn’t have much time for reading, but I was talking your ear off about this book, Sex At Dawn. Well, I’m not even talking someone else’s ear off, but whatever book I’m reading at the time, I’m usually talking people’s ear off about it. I was recently talking to you about Stephen Hawking and like how you mind blowing all this stuff was. I think the same is true of learning memory techniques. Like you not only have an obligation, but you’re highly incentivized to share everything you learn.
I try to talk with you as much as I can about different things that I’m learning. I try to talk with all my friends. We talked about mnemonics for music as I mentioned. The thing is you learn something, you go out that night and you happen to be chatting with friends, share that knowledge with them.
First off, it is way more interesting than talking about Donald Trump or political gossip or whatever. It is way more uplifting than talking about whatever godawful event happened you know across the world in some terrible attack. You’re spreading knowledge, you’re spreading wisdom and you’re reinforcing your own learning.
I would hope that anyone who’s taken my courses or your courses is going around and when people say, “Oh sorry. I forgot your name. I have a terrible memory,” they stop and say, “You don’t have a terrible memory. You don’t know these powerful things called mnemonic techniques.” Then explain because that’s a way more interesting first conversation with someone than what do you do, and where do you live and all that junk that we’re also tired of answering.
Anthony: I’ve certainly had many of those interesting conversations. Without going a long spiel, but give the people listening to this podcast your assessment of what you’ve seen as me being someone who does practice these techniques and an honest one, given you see me make mistakes, you see me correct myself.
Jonathan: Perfectly done. I will give you a glittering testimonial that you really do use this stuff.
Anthony: But I want you to do like also give a portrait of the reality of what you saw.
Jonathan: Yeah.
Anthony: With like the self-correction and how I actually –
Jonathan: Absolutely, you use the techniques. You use them in a different way than I would use them, which is you like to go back and correct and clean up because that provides – I mean there’s merit in doing it both ways. You have these kinds of memorable, almost like slightly awkward situations where mispronounce a vowel and stuff like that, and then after that was memorable right. Once you have this like red face moment, it’s memorable. With certain words, we’ve been like correcting the vowel pronunciations because we don’t have an “A” sound in Hebrew.
I think one thing that I’ve learned from you that’s really great is knowingly or unknowingly you take really good advantage of social pressure in the sense that people ask can you tell them what you do and then you encourage them to challenge you. Tim Ferriss talks about this all the time like setting good stakes. I should probably advertise more often, and I try not to it because I don’t like to be put on the spot too much.
Then you’re walking down the street and six months later you see someone who frankly just didn’t impress you that much or wasn’t that memorable to you, and oh you’re the memory guy. But with that said, maybe I should be taking more advantage of that and I should be because it pushes you to use the techniques and social pressure is kind of a social accountability are kind really powerful things that I could use to improve my practice of memory.
Anthony: I think you do have social pressure working in your favor and in other respects. My observation is, and it’s absolutely incredible to me how that you can with we’re talking about this or that subject, and the detail with which you go through the points that you want to make with names, dates, percentages. You have this laser-like accuracy in the things that you want to talk about, that I don’t have like a mobile Internet thing where I can like check your accuracy or whatever. But it’s so obvious to me that what you’re reciting comes from something not that you’ve just memorized, but you’ve learned it so deeply that you’ve made it part of your knowledge base and that you’re able to report on findings and inform other people from your mind unassisted. This is to me the demonstration that you l walk the walk and you talk that talk.
Jonathan: Thank you, sir. I appreciate that very much.
Anthony: I’m constantly impressed by it. Also just what you do in recorded settings on having your broadcast and so forth, because you refer to the people that you’ve interviewed on your podcast in ways that show me you’ve learned from what you’ve done using your own learning approach.
Jonathan: You know what the craziest thing about it is? I think you can probably testify to this as well or attest to this as well, after a while you become so confident in your memory and your mind becomes so interconnected, I often don’t need to use visual mnemonics anymore.
I often don’t even need to, because my brain is just like a hyper connected network and so like Ben Greenfield tells me something on the show, and I just connected it. I mean I guess maybe deep down intrinsically I do have a specific image that I remember from when he told me why he doesn’t use gyms and he likes to work out of doors. I do have an image for that, but it’s not like I’m sitting there and imagining it. I’m in conversations. I’m generating images as second nature and they’re all just interconnecting to everything that I know.
Ironically, we talked about this the last time we sat down with Jimmy and we recorded. I really want to figure out a way to get my brain tested because I have a theory that just everything has become so interconnected. Now one of the things that I want to talk about it that I want your audience to know is people are always like oh I well I learned Spanish and it pushed the Russian out of my mind. That is so not true. It’s actually the more you use it, the more you have. The more I learn, the more I’m able to learn because I just have so many more connection points. Especially when you’re learning about peripherally related things.
The Ultimate Secret Weapon According To Jonathan Levi
For example, when I started learning about hormonal balance, I knew more about weightlifting than I did about supplementation, but I was able to fill out clusters of neural networks because the more you learn the more you’re able to learn, and the more you have as a basis. I would attribute I read a ton, I read a proper ton. I talk to a lot of people and I have a lot of conversations. I learn from many different sources, and I think that’s like the secret weapon.
https://youtu.be/blTvbM85ON4
Anthony: Well I know a way to test your brain. I’m going to create a hypothetical, and I want you to answer a question that I know is on a lot of people’s minds. What do I do to get started on a particular thing? Like what’s the first step that I need to take to learning a subject. What I’m going to do in this hypothetical is there’s now something called the Magnetic Memory Method Memory Championships. That memory championship requires that you be able to memorize a deck of cards, and recall the order of that deck of cards that has been randomly shuffled in under twenty seconds. You have six months in order to develop the skill. The prize is $7 billion. I want to know what you’re going to do as the first step in order to enable yourself to win that prize, knowing that you have six months to do it.
Jonathan: Is the prize determined by speed or accuracy or what? Or it is just my ability to do it.
Anthony: Just to keep it simple, anybody who can come and memorize a deck of cards. Now, let me condition this though, because the way it typically works is that they count the time that you spent memorizing. But I want it to be that within twenty seconds you can memorize it and recall it. I know that’s totally hypothetical and totally impossible. Because it does take longer to do the active recall than it does to do the act of memorization, but just imagine that it is possible. That you could just go through a deck in ten seconds and then in another ten seconds you could say the order of what you saw. What is Hour 1 of what a SuperLearner is going to do to tackle this problem in order to win this prize?
Jonathan: I think most people, especially if they read like some of Tim Ferriss’ stuff would be like deconstruct the skill and understand. That would be probably in the first hour of work. The, first, first thing I would do is set goals. I need to know what my goal is, what do I need to be able to do. Then I would try to get in touch with my motivations, because adult learners as Malcolm Knowles taught us in 1955, there you go setting statistics, said that there are five adult learning requirements, and one of them is pressing need. One of them is a good learning environment.
One of them is connection to prior knowledge, but another one is an understanding of why they’re learning what they’re learning. So I would connect with this $7 billion prize and ask is that why I’m doing it, am I doing it for pride or my doing it for whatever. Then I also need to know what do I need to be able to do? What are my deliverables? I would set goals. I would break those goals down into steps. They would be S.M.A.R.T. goals, specific, measurable, actionable, reasonable, timely goals:
By this month, I’ll be doing it one minute. By this month, I’ll be doing it in thirty seconds, so and so forth. Then I get into all the accelerated learning stuff that people know me for. I would talk to you. I would talk to my buddy Nelson Dellis. I would read probably a couple hundred pages of different books on people who’ve done it. I’d read anything Ben Pridmore has come out with. I would not take this approach that many people do of like no, no I’m learning it this way not this way. I would learn it every possible way that I could, and then I would just build a training schedule around my a S.M.A.R.T. goals, and I would just get it done.
Anthony: What would be a compelling reason to do something like that?
Jonathan: For me? It comes down to like authenticity. The reason that I want to start playing around with memorizing cards is like I want to walk the walk to talk the talk. I speed read. So I’m cool teaching speedreading. I use memory techniques. So I’m cool teaching memory techniques, but I’ve taught PAO and I don’t really use it that much. So I want to start using it more, even though I think it’s important to give my audience like the full spectrum.
On my show, I host people who talk about nutritarian eating and not eating too many animal products, and I don’t really believe in that, but I think it’s important to share the spectrum, expose people and let them create their own learning journey. This is something else that that Knowles tells us. You need self-directed learning. It’s important. Kids will just do the homework because the teacher said, but adults will need to kind of feel that they have ownership and agency in the learning process. That’s what I said when I said like an ideal respectful learning environment, a learning environment that respects their autonomous process. I’m starting to melt here.
Anthony: We’re going to hot and we’re going to put this episode to rest, but I really appreciate everything that you’ve said. I think that it’s always empowering to hear your perspective on things. I really appreciate that we could cover so much in this talk. I really hope that you will put time into memorizing cards because I’d love to pow-wow with you on it. I think that if we can walk away on one thing is that the power of your friendships with people has a lot to do with shared terrain and territory. The more you know, the more you can know and that means more people you can know and more people you can connect with, and you are a great connector. I really hope that people will find ways to connect with you by taking up your training as a first point of entry for sure, and getting on your podcast and mailing list and all the things that you do so that they’re learning more and more from you. How can they do that?
Jonathan: We’ll put a link in the show notes, which you know Anthony is part of our ecosystem and stuff like that. If you guys want to support the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast then use his link, and you can check me out. My personal website is www.jle.vi. You can also check me out at Becoming A Superhuman if you want to download some free podcast episodes. Check out the show notes. I’m sure Anthony will have some resources for you guys.
Anthony: We’re going to have a transcript of this. I don’t know if it’s going to be available immediately upon publishing because we’re going to hopefully get this out this week so that is in sync with what I said at the beginning, but thank you for tolerating the background noise. One of the things that I would point out is that we have and enjoy the success that we do because we jump on opportunity and when preparation meets opportunity, there is no ceiling. So until the time that we speak again, keep that in mind, keep it in memory, and keep yourself Magnetic.
Music Mnemonics For Guitar And Piano [Amazing Music Memory Method]
Jul 20, 2016
Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could look at a piece of music once, instantly memorize the notes and then immediately start drilling it into muscle memory? The time you’d save using music mnemonics would be immense, and you’d experience much more pleasure learning music as a result.
Here’s the thing:
You Absolutely Can Memorize Music!
But there’s a catch.
What I’m about to share is largely untested. I’ve completed some promising experiments, but haven’t completed the full Memory Palace for any single instrument. That means I haven’t used the approach I’ll describe for you to its fullest potential.
UPDATE: Since originally writing this post, I have made great strides. Here’s a run down of where things currently stand with how to memorize notes on a guitar:
I will continue exploring every nook and cranny of using mnemonics to remember music.
And when I’m satisfied, I’ll make a course about how you can use the method too.
In the meantime, the concepts are far too exciting not to share. They’re also so logical, coherent and mnemonically beautiful. It will be impossible for you not to grow in memory and mind if you choose to tinker with them.
And who knows? You might come up with a cool variation that winds up in the forthcoming book and video course.
For now, here are the most important things to consider if you want to learn music using memory techniques.
Music Mnemonics: The Ground Rules
First off, we need to establish some ground rules and guiding principles for music mnemonics. When talking about memorizing music, we need to be specific about what kind of music and for what instrument.
Or, we need to focus on particular parts of music theory. To just throw around the term “music mnemonics” risks confusing everyone.
If we’re talking about musical terminology, that’s easy. Just treat the terms like you would any professional material, like you would using the second edition of How to Learn and Memorize Legal Terminology. Since numbers might be involved, go in prepared with the Major Method.
If you want to memorize notes on the staff, there are already well-established mnemonics for that. I don’t have much to add when it comes to Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge for the treble stave and FACE for the notes between the lines. You can find lots more mnemonics for music like these all over the net, but in truth …
You’re Always Better Coming Up With Your Own Music Mnemonics
Why does this matter?
Because you’re on the Magnetic Memory Method website to master music mnemonics and other memory techniques. Not goof around with yet another crutch of limited, short-term value. You’re here to learn skills that will serve you for life and that means learning to make music mnemonics of your own.
Here’s how a thorough reading and re-reading of this material will help:
What I’m going to cover in this post is the memorization of the notes on the fretboard of stringed instruments like the guitar and the keys of a piano. This material is a demonstration of what is possible if you combine a number of Magnetic Memory Method elements and see your instrument as its own kind of Memory Palace.
To accomplish this, we need to know how to use instruments like guitars and pianos in terms of what note falls on which spatial position. I’ll make a few suggestions about chords, but beyond that, I cannot currently say much. There are a lot of aspects to music and what I’ve got for you is just a piece of the puzzle.
But Oh What A Piece!
Let’s look at guitar first. For some much earlier writing I put out on the topic, you might want to start with Memorize Bach On Bass. Or, just dive in.
https://youtu.be/N6iHzX_YH6E
The fretboard of the guitar is a field that can be expressed using coordinates. In this way, the fretboard shares characteristics with the chess board (something I believe this approach will also help with when it comes to memorizing chess moves).
For example, E appears several times in the fretboard.
A string, 7th fret
D string, 2nd fret
E string, 12th fret
There are several more appearances, including the open string noted and 12th fret positions on the E strings themselves. If we say that each open note is represented by 0, as it is in guitar tablature, then we can agree that each note has a numerically expressible geographical coordinates.
This May Be The Simplest Unused Technique In All Of Music Learning
For example, I play primarily 5-string bass, so my strings all have an associated character:
B = Bob (Played by Bill Murray in What About Bob?)
E = Ernie from Sesame Street
A = Al Pacino
D = Dracula (As played by Bela Lugosi)
G = Grover from Sesame Street
Coming up with these figures took approximately 2 minutes. Probably less, but I didn’t have a timer running. If you play any stringed instrument, be it a 4-stringed violin or a 21-string sitar, I recommend you name each string. It makes for great mental exercise.
Next, since you’re a clever fan of the Magnetic Memory Method, you already know the Major Method. You’re set to get started.
You’d Be Crazy Not To Have This Math Memory Weapon In Your Arsenal
In case you don’t know the Major Method, here’s a simplified primer:
The idea is to link consonants with numbers. Like this:
0 = soft c or s 1 = d or t 2 = n 3 = m 4 = r 5 = l 6 = ch, g, j, sh 7 = k 8 = f or v 9 = b or p
From this point, you can make words when you pair two numbers together by inserting a vowel. The vowel you use is largely arbitrary, but the trick is to find a word that represents a concrete person or object that exists in the world.
For example, we know that E appears in the 7th fret of the A string. Since 7 is a solo number, let’s call it 07. That gives us “s” and “k” using the Major Method.
The first thing that came to mind for me is the word “sack.”
Since the A string itself is represented by Al Pacino, having him do something with a sack tells us instantly that our target information is located on the 7th fret of the A string.
All we need now is a sign to tell us that the note on that fret is E.
Since we’ve already established that open E is Ernie, we can use him in the image. Therefore, the image of Al Pacino placing a bag over Ernie’s head to strangle him let’s us instantly decode the following information:
The 7th fret in the A string is E.
To take another quick example, E on the 12th fret of the E string itself could have the image of Ernie getting a “tan” from a “ton” of “tuna.” It’s bizarre and makes no sense, but is easy to remember. I’m compounding 3 words that have “t” and “n” to create words that mean 12 in the Major Method.
E on the 2nd fret of the D string is 02, which lets us imagine Dracula pushing the “sun” into Ernie’s face, again using the corresponding number-sound associations from the Major Method to create this word.
In sum, where E appears on the fretboard, we can instantly know where it is by having a predetermined system that links:
A string Bridging Figure with a note Bridging Figure to a sound-number spatial co-ordinate.
If for some reason you needed to play E in these three positions and wanted to instantly remember that order, all you’d need to do is experience either visually or conceptually a story in your mind:
Al Pacino pops a sack over Ernie’s head, but he escaped to get tanned by a ton of tuna before Dracula shoves the sun in his face.
It’s A Mouthful To Explain … But This Technique Sure Packs A Punch!
Just imagine:
If you had a character for each note, a character for each string and the Major Method, you could memorize the sequence of any riff, solo, scale or notes in a chord.
But There’s A Problem!
What if your instrument isn’t tuned in E or you change tunings often?
I’ll admit that I don’t have a solution for this, but I’m working on it. If you’re set in C, B, or any other note, then you can create this system using the core principles you’ve just learned.
When it comes to changing tunings ranging from a single string to placing them all in different tunings (in The Outside we played in C#), you at least have fixed relations to rely upon.
https://youtu.be/OOXg3T0xNVU
For example, if your E string is in C#, the first fret on that string will be D. You can name your string Bridging Figures and still use the Major Method and your objects or actions accordingly relative to the position of the notes in the tuning environment.
Column Theory
Another music mnemonics idea I’m developing involves the frets as columns.
For example, we’ve seen the 7th fret involve a sack, the 12th tanning and tuna by the ton, and the 2nd the sun.
What if these fret Bridging Figures represented those frets for each string? The 2nd fret A note on the G string also involves the sun (Grover pulling the sun out of Al Pacino’s nose.) The D on the 7th fret of the G also includes a sack (Grover putting a sack over Dracula’s head).
By operating in this way, you drastically cut down on the number of images and actions you would need to create music mnemonics for the entire fretboard. You also create a lot of repetition that could initially create confusion, however. You just need to dive in, experiment and see what works best for you.
How To Apply The Major Method To Memorizing Piano
In a similar vein, to get a similar spatial representation on the piano keyboard, you need only give each key a number. To make a word for each, simply assign a zero to each single digit, giving you nine words that start with s. Mine are:
01 = Sad tragedy face 02 = Sun 03 = Sammich (White trash pronunciation of “sandwich”) 04 = Sartre (the French existentialist philosopher) 05 = Sal (character from Dog Day Afternoon) 06 = Sash 07 = Sack 08 = Savi (friend from university) 09 = Saab car covered in Maple Syrup
I haven’t done all the keys on the piano keyboard, but assuming I owned an 88 hammer Grand Piano, the 88th key might be the singer of Voivod or a Volvo. In each case, there’s an extra consonant, but this would never lead to confusion because the piano I own would never have more than 88 keys.
The cool thing here is that you’ll always know not just where Middle C is, but also its number. And you’ll be able to create a story to memorize any chord, which can also be used to help remember scales and useful for many other applications.
The One Step With Music Mnemonics Nearly Everyone Forgets
The tools you’ve just learned are exciting and will be game-changing for any musician who wants to learn them. You just need to sit down and do the preparatory assigning of the notes and numbers.
However, in order to get the fullest possible benefit, you need to also rehearse the assignments you make in your mind with the instrument in hand. Then, when you look at sheet music and make up a story, you can quickly “translate” that story into practice.
Following these steps will get the notes into long-term memory the fastest. In fact, you should not expect to or even desire to play music from the Memory Palace you’ve made of your instrument.
It’s a tool. You can use it for drilling the scales, music theory material and song passages into long-term memory for performance.
It’s a tool for making any piece of music part of you in ways that go beyond just recall and music muscle memory.
This should be your goal for language learning too, which I mention because language learning and music learning share many similarities. That’s true even if you use something like Gabriel Wyner’s Fluent Forever App.
When it comes to spoken fluency, the number one mistake people make: is thinking that they need to go into their Memory Palaces to find imagery and decode words on the fly during conversations.
This is not the case at all!
Rather, you use the Magnetic Memory Method learning process for Recall Rehearsal.
Recall Rehearsal means mentally revisiting the information a sufficient number of times to get the information into long-term memory.
So whether it’s foreign language words in a sentence or notes and chords in a musical phrase, use the mnemonics to drill the sequences into the muscle memory of your tongue or fingers. Even speed card memory pros take a long time reading the sequences they’ve memorized in their mind, far longer than it took to memorize the cards themselves.
When it comes to music, you’ve got to play it in real-time according to an established construct of time. The tools you’ve just learned will help, but must be used in the service of placing the music so it ultimately comes from your body an soul with minimal involvement of your memory and your mind.
Moving forward, I’ve ordered Dean Vaughn’s Vaughn Cube for Music Theory.
I’m a fan of Vaughn’s book, How to Remember Anything: The Proven Total Memory Retention System. However, after using his fixed, 10-station Memory Palace approach a few dozen times, I don’t find it as clean or practical as his work suggests and continue to prefer the flexibility of the Magnetic Memory Method. It’s possible, however, that his approach to music mnemonics will give me insight into:
* Better incorporating sharps and flats in the current method I’m developing. At the moment, I don’t see this as a pressing need because I already know a sufficient amount about music. But it would be helpful for others to have music mnemonics and other strategies for memorizing which notes take sharps and flats and where they reside on the fret and keyboards.
* Memorizing relative and minor keys quickly and permanently.
* Recall triads in major, minor, diminished and augmented forms for any note at will.
* Handle chord permutations with ease.
* Complete mastery of all the scales in every key.
* And much, much more! In the meantime, are you ready to give the current state of this exciting new branch of the Magnetic Memory Method a whirl?
If so – Awesome! I’m excited to hear what you think about this approach to music mnemonics and look forward to your feedback on this preliminary description.
Sincerely,
Anthony Metivier
P.S. Gracious acknowledgment is due to John McPhedrine with whom I’ve had many discussions about this approach to remembering different aspects of music using music mnemonics.
16 Heavy Metal Memory Methods For German And Music
Jun 09, 2016
Tired Of Struggling To Learn Memory Techniques For Language Learning On Your Own?
Sometimes all it takes is a powwow with a good friend.
I know, I know …
Your friends think you’re weird when you talk about your favorite Memory Palace and the crazy images that you use to memorize information like German phrases or other parts of language learning.
That’s why I was so excited when John McPhedran and I started hanging out to talk about our shared passions:
Heavy Metal …
Movies …
… & Mnemonics!
You Don’t Have To Memorize Vocabulary And Phrases Alone!
At least two cool things happen when you share your adventures in memory:
1) You learn how to use the techniques better yourself.
All of those things happened when John and I started hanging out, and so I’m excited to share with you our wide-ranging conversation about memorizing German, music and even a bit of Mandarin. (It’s funny to listen back to this interview because since then, my approach to Chinese and how much Chinese I now know has thoroughly grown!)
Here’s the full transcript of our discussion. To make it concrete for you, I’ve extracted 16 principles from the discussion you can start using right away. We’re confident that you’ll learn a lot and urge you to find a person to chat about your memory projects with. For starters, you can join the Magnetic Memory Method Facebook Group after downloading and listening to this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Method Number One: Invest In Memory Training
Anthony: This is Anthony Metivier. You’re listening to the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast and today we have a real special treat John McPhedran. Did I pronounce that right?
John: Yeah.
Anthony: It’s pronounced just the way it’s spelled which is awesome. Well John, how do we know each other?
John: It’s quite a funny story. About just over a year ago, I’ll tell the whole story.
Anthony: Yeah, tell it all from the beginning.
John: Just over a year ago, I’m from New Zealand, and I have married a lovely German woman. I was in Germany last year, so this is my third time now, but I was here last year and I was about to fly home to New Zealand. Me and my wife, we were in a hotel in Prague, and I was just looking on my Kindle for stuff to buy on Amazon. I was always looking at German language books, things to learn German and better ways to do it, and I came across the Magnetic Memory Method mnemonics system for learning vocab.
I bought that and started reading. It just sounded really cool. It wasn’t something I dove into straight away. I knew that it would take a while before I got around to doing it because I had some other priorities, but I always kept it on the back of my mind. Six months after that, I came back to Germany to live, and I knew that I had to sharpen up my German skills, so I looked further into the Magnetic Memory Method and ended up buying the product on Udemy. Through the message system there, I just start typing Anthony just questions that I had.
From reading his books, I knew he lived in Berlin, which is where I’ve moved to, and I knew that he also was a heavy metal bass player. So I thought it would be cool if I just put it out there just to you know just poke the fire I guess you could say. Just to see if he was close to where I was and just make the first step into maybe meeting because he seemed like an interesting guy. We just started talking back and forth and I kind of dropped that I was a heavy metal guitarist. That kind of sparked Anthony’s interest. Basically, from there we just kind of messaged back and forth and ended up jamming together.
Then the real funny part of the story I guess was that we ended up living a fifteen minute walk apart from each other. So coming from the other end of the world, from New Zealand to Berlin, to actually live fifteen minutes apart from this dude that I was learning all this cool stuff from was you know pretty awesome. So we’ve kind of just been friends since and have been recording music together and just talking about memory stuff. I’ve kind of come out with some memory things that sparked Anthony’s interest. So it’s why I’m here today doing this.
Anthony: Yeah, and not any kind of memory stuff, but grammar and music which is, well, some very rich and detailed things to be memorizing. I’m really glad that you did email me and now you’re coming to my birthday party. So things are getting real serious.
John: Yeah, I’m looking forward to that.
Anthony: So that’s the end of the week. But in any case, one thing that I really admire is that you’re actually taking these approaches and doing what I have suggested, and we’re trading notes. We’ve both got Excel files open or documents, and we were looking at our process. It’s so exciting to see and hear what you’re doing, and how you explain your mnemonic images just put so many pictures in my mind, which I can tell why they’re so memorable for you. So maybe we start with German. Do you remember the first word that you actively memorized using mnemonics?
John: Well I first got into mnemonics and it wasn’t through using Memory Palaces. Like I knew the technique of using mnemonics. I learned quite a lot of vocab before coming to the Magnetic Memory system. The first word, I can’t remember the very first word, but maybe one of them that was within the set of words that I learned using mnemonics, not German in general, but mnemonics was der Balkon, which is balcony, and you know you don’t really need a mnemonic for that.
The first one that was really to help me learn something kind of hard was die Behandlung, which is like treatment. I imagine a woman with a big puffy hand because she’s being stung by a bee, just the bee and she needed treatment for a sting in the hand, Behandlung. I can’t remember where the lung came into it, but a lot of mnemonics are like that. Not every single detail is there.
It’s really just a thing to kind of instantly click your mind. That’s what it was. I mean I’m still like that with my mnemonics. I don’t even really necessarily go into all the details when I’m imagining them. I kind of create them, and I drill them for a bit, and then after while it is just something that really triggers your mind. Ah, that’s what it was and I’m able to know what the word is.
Anthony: Before we go further, you said now twice “the Magnetic Memory system.” Is it really a system to you? The reason I ask is because I’m always very clear about saying this is the method. You’ve got to adopt it for yourself. Systems are, I mean not to correct you, if you find it so systematic, but –
John: No, and I’ve heard you say that. No, well it’s a method if that’s how you describe it as a method. It really is. You have really got to try and make your own thing out it. It’s the only way it will really work. It all depends on how you process things.
I feel personally that I’m kind of lucky. In your book you said, you’ve got a decent imagination I guess or imagery in your mind if you can imagine water flowing. Do you remember writing that?
Anthony: Yeah.
John: So I thought, yeah, I can actually imagine a river and water flowing. Cool, I might be able to do this. I mean the first questions that I asked you were about the crossing your path. Because I want to try to have everything perfect. I am quite a perfectionist like that. So I was asking you those kinds of questions because I didn’t really want to leave any stone unturned. Then just the way you replied to me, I was like yeah, I have just got to try to make this my own to see what works.
I find that, in particular, the crossing the path doesn’t really even matter to me necessarily because I can just be anywhere in my palace and you know I can look behind. You know what I mean, like my spacial, I don’t know, spacial recognition or I don’t know what that kind of word is. I should put it in a palace and learn it. But you know what I mean, I can kind of just instantly be in the center of a building and just imagine in my mind where all these places are around the things. The crossing my path doesn’t even really matter.
Method Number Two: Make The Memory Methods Your Own
I kind of felt that you know I’ll just make this my own. So it’s not a system if you describe a system being rigid because it definitely is not rigid. You’ve got to have a bit of creativity to it. It does take effort, as far as coming up with the mnemonics. The thing is it does take effort to come up with those things and you are using your creativity to try and create these scenarios that actually represent some kind of abstract information you’re trying to learn.
But, on the backend the amount of time you save not having to repeat over and over and over and forget stuff, you are saving all that time at the backend. That’s why I love it so much for that. You write these mnemonics and then you go back through the palace again, or what I like to do is just put them in Anki.
Method Number Three: Ditch Boring Learning Methods
Like you, I hate using Anki to rote memorize stuff. It frustrates you. As you say, once you start getting frustrated, it makes it harder to learn and that’s when you’re just like, man, am I ever gonna be able to do this. To me, using Anki just for the testing, to actually just give you these words and instantly be able to go to my palace. It doesn’t always work that I instantly know it. Sometimes I’ll write a mnemonic that was from a couple of days before and I’ve never revisited it and I’ll get this word, but you kind of remember where it was supposed to be in the house, and it takes a little bit. Sometimes I do have to bring out my sheet again just to remember what I wrote down. But I mean, that’s about as much as I have to do. After that, you know the word.
Anthony: Just to clarify for people, you’re essentially doing the memory work first, then importing or creating Anki slides and using those, what do you call them? Slides or index?
John: Cards.
Anthony: Cards, digital index cards to look at the German word in German?
John: Yeah.
Anthony: And then you go into the Memory Palace to look at the imagery to help you decode the sound and meaning?
John: Yeah, I guess that’s what’s happening behind the scenes, but as I said, if it is something really new – like one word that I learned recently that kind of gave me a little bit of trouble was das Aufputschmittel like stimulant, and I could remember my bridging character for auf is Alf, and I had the little fluffy alien. I had him putting stuff in the middle of a plant stem and the stem represented STIMulant but that’s the only information for word stimulant. That’s quite often what I’ll do. It will just be some little bit of information that triggers the rest. I remembered the word Aufputschmittel but I couldn’t remember what the meaning was. That was one that when I got the word, I knew where it was in the palace but I couldn’t remember the word. So I had to go back and open my Excel file. But I only do it once.
If you forget it, which is five percent of the time, most of the time you don’t forget it and you do it and you drill it and you’ve got it. Then, honestly, after a few times doing it, two or three times of going through these cards – you don’t even have to decode the information. You know you get it. I actually think I read it in English. I don’t read them in German for this. I read them in English for this. The word and I translate the word from English to German.
Because I find when I’m trying to speak German if I don’t know a word, you search for the word you want in English first anyway, and then if you’re really stuck for words, if you don’t know a word to use, and you know English, you’ve got to try to find the word in English and then translate it from there.
Anthony: Right.
John: So yeah, I’ll do the English word first.
Anthony: I would challenge you though to start doing it with the German word first because you want to train your mind to not go to English first.
John: Yeah.
Anthony: So that’s why I always do the native language first. Because everything is so heavily linked on the sound of the word, using the mnemonic imagery to recall the sound and the meaning of the word in the same blow, then what I basically want to be able to do is have my mother tongue as a kind of ghost that is banished by the instant recall of the sound and the meaning of a word.
Of course, I don’t really use cards. So when I started with Chinese and 对 不 起 which is part of “Excuse me, may I ask” all I just see is in the Memory Palace is Mark Twain kneeing a Chi master in the face. I don’t even really have anything to indicate “Excuse me, may I ask” because that’s just so rude of him to do that in that context. I don’t know why I don’t need it. But if I were to have some sort of indicator of “Excuse me, may I ask,” that to me, that trips me up from going in my mind directly to the actual Chinese. Now that may not be your experience. So I’m not suggesting that you do anything other than as you please, but that’s my rationale for that.
John: Yeah. Oh, it’s the same with me. If I’m not drilling with the cards, if I’m just going through the Memory Palace they are like a unit like that.
Anthony: Okay, I see.
John: I don’t have an English word sitting there. It’s just an image that you just remember, oh that’s what it is. And then when I’m trying to talk German, like I’m definitely well aware that you don’t want to try and translate first. You do start getting better at just talking. We had a little conversation before, it was a basic conversation but I didn’t translate. Unless it gets hard and I can’t think of what I’m actually trying to say. If I can’t kind of go further than what I just know without thinking of English then I’ll have to resort to some kind of English word to actually think of the nest step. But it’s really just to kick start the next step. I’m really trying not to think in English when I’m talking.
Anthony: Right. Well, let’s move this to grammar. You were telling me something really fascinating about working with the tenses.
John: Most of my German I learned the hard way. When I first started learning it was in 2012. I had moved to Erlangen, my wife was studying there and I lived there for a year, and I spoke nothing of German or any other language. I knew nein and scheiße which most people do, maybe ja, das ist Gut. That kind of stereotypical stuff.
My teacher was lovely. She was a real nice woman. I started learning quite good at the start. She was obviously a native German speaker and we started with the normal things. Like du, ich, sie, er, those kind of nominative cases of all the pronouns and basic conjugation of the verbs and it started quite good with those real basic sentences. Then within a little while, it just went from 0 to 100.
I never knew anything about English. I knew how to speak it or I know how to speak it. I knew what a verb was. I knew what a noun was. But I didn’t know what a subject was of a sentence. I didn’t know what the direct object or the indirect object was. It was only through learning German that I’ve actually learned all these things and they actually relate a lot to English.
So the teacher had started laying all this grammar on me and I got this big list of irregular verbs. She gave me this list and she goes you’ve got to remember this. And I’d only just come across the whole case system just a few weeks before which if you’re an English speaker just throws you out because you’ve only one way to say “the.” So I got all these lists of stuff to learn. I’m just like how do I learn this. It’s one thing to say I have to but how do I do it? She was like I don’t know. You just have to. I was like that’s not an answer.
It put me in a kind of bad mood with it. To be honest, it wasn’t a priority of mine. I never thought that I would actually come and live here. At the time, music and playing guitar was what I really wanted to do. I had all my music that I wanted to create and had these other things.
German was turning into just rote memorization. I remember my wife made this curriculum up for me for studying. It was just rote memorization of all these words that I just had to try to remember from scratch and just all these grammar concepts and I though how am I going to learn this? I didn’t have a good attitude. It wasn’t until after, when I got back to New Zealand after a year. I was just really disappointed in myself that I hadn’t gone harder at learning.
Method Number Four: Learn How To Learn
That’s when I started on just how to learn. You know, how to learn German. That’s when I first came across mnemonics for the first time. I learned a lot of words. It worked really well but I was using other people’s mnemonics. One thing I’ve found is that it doesn’t work as well as your own. Because you remember your own creations a lot easier.
The things that tripped me up most in German other than not knowing the right words to use is prepositions because they don’t always translate directly as you would use them in English, and I find there is no real set rules to use them. That comes through just being exposed a lot. Like the word zu Fuß, to go by foot. In English it is “to foot.” The other thing was verb tenses. I used to try and talk to my wife when we would sit down and try and practice and I would try and say these things.
Because when you start you’re always in the indicative active present tense. Like ich gehe and that’s how you start. Then you’ll move on to the indicative active. In conversation you’re going to go to the present perfect tense. You get quite good at using those tenses. Then if you want to express something like “when I’m here I would have done this.”
Anthony: Right.
John: That’s when the tenses get quite complicated in German, because what I was explaining before, the verbs work differently. When you are using the passive voice like the future perfect Ich werde gehört worden sein. I will have been heard. I thought that was the thing I always got tripped up on. I was trying to say something or try and express these things and my girlfriend would say no. It’s expressed like this this. I realized that I just didn’t know enough. I don’t know if it is spacial. Just the whole timeframe of things like when you’re talking about future and past.
So that’s where I devised this one here. It’s exactly using the same system that you give. I have basically, its’ just an upstairs office block that has offices. Again, it depends on what people want to do to make it their own. I just found I knew this place that had three rooms down one side, three rooms down the other. Down the left-hand side is all the active voice tenses and moods. Down the other side was all the passive voices. The two offices up the front, they are opposite each other.
At No. 1 that was all the indicative mood. The next set of offices down which was two opposite each other. That was Subjunctive 1. Then the next ones down were Subjunctive 2.
So that covered all the moods and all the voices. Then within each of those palaces, there were little mini palaces inside one kind of hallway which is its own palace. In each of them I just have each tense. Some of them are really simple.
I’ve got in this office here, this is the indicative mood for the active voice. So the present tense. It’s my mom’s office. I have my mom unwrapping a present. The present just represents present tense. I didn’t need a mnemonic to tell me the conjugation of verbs in the present tense.
Anthony: Right.
John: And the same, simple past is not as hard. I’ve got me, that was my desk sitting in old clothes. I just imagine like any old clothes you want. I kind of imagine like old blazers or something, old English kind of styles, sipping a cup of tea. Because the tea represents like ich spielte. Like “I played” and that’s what the tea represented there.
Then the storage room was the future tense –
Anthony: But just for people. Why does the tea help you remember spielte?
John: Because you add a “T”.
Anthony: Ah, you add a “T”.
John: In the simple past you usually add the “T” to regular verbs.
Anthony: Ah, perfect.
John: But I didn’t need it. I already knew that. But I just wanted to be thorough and have something representing each kind of station here not really just miss anything.
Method Number Five: Be Illicit In Your Imagination
Here we get probably a bit illicit. But in the future tense werden is the verb to represent something happening in the future. So I’ve got Leigh who was our receptionist. She is in space clothes. Space clothes all I mean it represents future to me. I just imagine just silver. So it’s not like astronaut suits. Just something silver and shiny because it just seems a bit futuristic to me. It’s easy. She passes a joint; weed represents werden to me.
When you you’re trying to come up with mnemonics, you go with the first thing that means something. That’s what came up with me. This is probably a bit illegal but she’s passing a joint to an infant. To me, an infant represents the infinitive verb. Ich werde spielen.
Then moving on. Once I get to the perfect tenses, you know present perfect, past perfect, future perfect, I imagine a prefect. I did a year in a boys’ school where prefects, they had the flash blazers and that. I just think of the prefect. A “prefect watches over Hamlet” represents sein. And Habibi. I was trying to think of a name that was like haben. Habibi represents haben. I imagine them playing with old game parts. The old game part, I just imagine a box of old chess pieces and I thought of parts = past participle, that’s where the parts comes in and the game, I put the game in there for ge, because unless it has a prefix that is inseparable, we have the ge. So that’s for that.
Then again with the future perfect, I have the same thing but because in future perfect you have werden again because you have got to represent the future in this. I’ve got a prefect wearing space clothes while smoking weed hands out old game parts to Hamlet and Habibi. Sort of like ich werde gespielt haben or ich werde gegangen sein.
Anthony: Oh yeah, because you’ve got to have it in “to be.”
John: When it’s a verb using sein. So that’s why I have Hamlet and Habibi. The helping verb will either be sein or haben. Then, obviously, the passive voices you only have sein.
So the most complicated one, I’ll give an example of because they are all just repeating after that, they kind of have a similar concept. So this is the future perfect in the indicative passive voice. A prefect in space clothes and smoking weed. So “prefect” represents future perfect, “smoking weed” is the werden, old game parts to a traffic warden who then gives it an infant Hamlet. So it means that sein will be at the end. Ich werde gehört worden sein. I will have been heard.
Anthony: A lot of people ask me, don’t you get confused if you’re repeating stuff. So you’ve got Hamlet several times. You’ve a prefect several times. You’ve got an infant in different contexts. Do you find that this is difficult to manage or –
John: Yeah. If I just left it and didn’t come back to it, I would never remember it. This one was kind of quite hard in that respect, because sometimes you forget what’s happening at certain stations, but that’s just where the drilling comes in. Then after a while, once you get into especially the subjunctive, it just repeats themselves.
Anthony: How much time would you say that you spent on putting this together and then how much time in the actual review of the mnemonics before it gets into your long-term memory and what would you say is the payoff, the value of it compared to another approach.
Method Number Six: Stop Fooling Yourself That You Don’t Have Time – You Do!
John: The time it took, when I do any of this stuff, I really don’t spend that much time on it. Like I can’t sit down and just come with heaps of mnemonics. I mean maybe if I forced myself to I could.
I come up with these goals. Here’s my spreadsheet. I know that if I have all these little things that I want to do, if I just plan them instead of thinking I’ve got one massive task. It’s that whole eat an elephant thing. I’ve got this one massive task. Instead of thinking I’m just going to sit down and do it, I kind of think well if I just do a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow and I plan out tiny little chunks, I know that by this time it’s going to be done. It’s not going to feel like too much effort.
To be honest, when it comes to writing these mnemonics, maybe ten minutes a day. So maybe it took me ten minutes to come up with this one indicative mood active voice, just that one station with all those tenses may have been ten minutes. Then I would have just put it away for the day. So you’re looking at six days, seven days.
Anthony: Right, and then in terms of actually reinforcing it using mnemonics.
John: Well at the moment, I’m doing it now.
Anthony: So this is a work in progress.
John: Yeah, so I’ve got these mnemonics down. So now, basically, I have just phrases that I’ve got in my Anki that I just translate using the correct tense and knowing what mnemonic I’m using with.
Anthony: So you were saying before that these particular memory palaces, they just worked out perfectly. Did you seek them out or they were very convenient let’s say, did you seek them out intentionally to use for this purpose or they just came to mind.
John: Not for this purpose. It was just when I was doing the Magnetic Memory Method, coming up with a big list of like palaces. Where’s my vocab one? Again for those that are listening I’m just going through my sheet. So it was when I came up with all my A, B, C, D, I kind of had a stockpile of leftovers. I had some leftover that I didn’t use for any houses.
Method Number Seven: Think And You Will Find The Solution
I don’t know why I used that one in particular. It just kind of made sense. It took thinking. I just thought of trying to think in my mind how am I gonna come up with some way, because I knew that with the tenses in particular, I knew that this was one block. I knew the indicative mood active voice was one block that had present, simple past, future, present perfect, past perfect, future perfect. I knew that that was one block and that was one block. So I was just thinking of the building in my mind and then the imperative at the end which you don’t really need a palace for that.
I was just kind of thinking for something in my mind that would be contained enough but have separate compartments in it that would separate these different things. Each building is right next to each other and across the hall. It was just really convenient for that.
Anthony: Well, I’m really excited to be sitting here watching this because you’ve got it nailed. I mean you made your Memory Palace key which is a list of memory palaces organized alphabetically and so forth. I get lots and lots of email all the time and some people just say this is crazy. This is overwhelming. I look at some of the reviews of my books and there is one person who said this book came from the twilight zone. I recognize that it seems like it’s over the top and just a crazy amount of work to do this, but –
John: It doesn’t all happen in a day. I mean just listening to your podcasts and like throughout the course like people who have trouble coming up with places. Pine Hill is my Memory Palace for “F.” Forgive me for swearing but the reason I put it beside “F” was because that house was fucking cold. That’s why I associate it with “F.”
Anthony: Right.
John: Prenzlauer, that’s my place I live in now. That’s Z, there’re not many streets with Z but Prenz has a Z in it so I put it Z. Here like Jacob, my cousin Jacob, he had a house in Hunter Crescent and just up the road there was a big empty lot of land that had this old car in it that we managed to play around in one day when we were young. It was a real funny day and the car represents that house to me. So that’s what C is. So the first name of your house doesn’t have to match up but just has to spark. It’s not until you start doing it that you remember what these houses are.
It’s not like you have to write this key out and then instantly commit to memory what all these houses are. You have the spreadsheet. You have the record. If it is recorded, you’re less likely to forget. It is through just returning to it that you remember that. Once you start putting the mnemonics in the houses, you don’t forget them then because the mnemonics, the words you’re learning, they start with the letter. So like when I’m doing A, I put the German word starting with A in the A house. I don’t put the English word starting with A. So it’s German orientated.
Method Number Eight: Use Technology Intelligently
Anthony: Well it’s very cool. And you’re just using Excel file with multiple tabs?
John: Yeah. If you look here, I mean I have a vocab load sheet. Stations – so I have a separate sheet for stations. A is the A-framed house on Plantation Road, then I have 1, 2, 3 all the way to 17 at the moment because that’s the amount of words I have in there. I kind of went for the micro.
Anthony:Micro stations.
John: Yeah, kind of straight away. I started off with macro stations but then I just kind of felt that I had a good memory of these places and I felt that I could easily put multiple words in a room. Again, with the room, you don’t have to remember it exactly. My brother’s room in this house. I know where it is. I have a memory of it but I can’t remember what he had in there. So I’ve got like by the door, I’ve got a corner in the left. Then I just put a chest of drawers there. I don’t know if he had one there. I just put a chest of drawers there. And then the other corner. The corner and then a bed, corner and then by the door again. And for most times that’s all I have in a room. Unless it was my room, or unless I’m really intimate with all the little things in a room, most rooms are going to have a chest of drawers and a bed. Maybe a TV or something. It’s not hard to add that stuff in if you can do it.
Anthony: So you don’t have any trouble juggling say like a virtual element that you’ve just invented.
John: No, because you drill it. Again, if you were to write these out and never come back to it, it’s not going to stick in your mind. You drill it, and then as you drill it you remember it.
One thing I did, I took a bunch of words out like the verbs that use dative, that take dative and the verbs that use sein like ‘ist gefahren’ that use sein instead of haben for the helping verb when using the past and the perfect tenses. So I ended up taking all those words out of my palaces and putting them in a separate one because I thought it would be more helpful just to have those particular categories of verbs in their own thing. Because when I was talking to Sina and she would always correct me that I used haben instead of sein or something like that. So I decided to put these verbs on their own. So when you’re talking and same with dative, like when you call someone dich when they should have been dir because the verb is dative.
Anthony: Right.
John: But other than that, I take these verbs out and then it’s not that hard. I just put another one in there and then with drilling you forget that other one was even there. The new ones are in there now.
Method Number Nine: Just. Do. It.
Anthony: Well, that’s amazing to hear. Because you are answering so many questions that I get all the time. People say well can I reuse Memory Palaces. What happens if I need to renovate something? It sounds for you pretty nontheatrical or nondramatic. You just do it.
John: Just do it and it really is just the drilling. I can’t emphasize that enough. You just walk through them. You have got to revisit them, walk through them and, if you want to, drill them on Anki. Because being able to do it like that, you get a word and you’ve got to instantly got to try, without tracing steps, to instantly know where something is sitting in a certain Memory Palace. It gets to the point you don’t need the mnemonic. It happens kind of quickly.
Anthony: That is one thing that people either criticize or don’t want to do. They say I’m going to set up all this stuff just to not even need it anymore. I wonder if you have thoughts on that. Do you feel like, okay now I’ve got it and I spent all that time just to get these words? Is there remorse or any kind of issue around that?
John: Remorse? Because I did it?
Anthony: I’m just speaking the voice of what I’ve read from people and their feedback is they just think this is so much work to create mnemonics that they are ultimately not going to use.
John: But it’s not work. If you’ve tried to learn stuff by rote you are putting all that – I always think I’m a really lazy person. I don’t really feel like I’m a full of energy person that really wants to do heaps of stuff all the time. I’m probably disciplined more than anything.
So when it came to this, I watched your course, I went through it and it was effort to just have to sit down and start because it’s creative. You’ve got to think. I think when you’re drilling – you can get on Anki and you can get all other people’s flash cards and it probably seems easy because you’re not putting any work in to do this. This is sweet. But the amount of mental energy and the time it takes to learn the stuff by rote, and then just to forget it anyway – there’s a good chance. I mean it’s not always the case.
I learned quite a lot of words through rote memorization, but I hated it. I couldn’t stand it. It was boring and made me not want to do it. It wasn’t exciting.
So, yeah there is the work up front, but again it’s the eat an elephant. Maybe you would sit down and you would come up with all your houses. I think I might of come up with all my houses in a day. I didn’t really think that was too hard. It is effort. I kind of went above and beyond. I’ve categorized all my stuff. Especially in like the nouns and stuff. I put all the extra information like plural information and like if a verb is strong and uses sein or whatever. So I kind of went above what you talk about for my own personal thing.
Method Number Ten: Know Where Your Time Is Really Saved
To me it’s the amount of time you save on the backend. That’s where the time is saved. I’ve learned thousands of words using mnemonics and drilling with spaced repetition. Just to drill, not to learn, but honestly I think – is it a horse and cart metaphor or chicken and egg. What comes first? It is a bit of effort and coming up with mnemonics takes effort but it’s not that hard. Like ten minutes a day. If you want to learn thousands and thousands of words really quickly, then of course you’re not going to learn that through osmosis or through flash cards. You are going to have to put in a lot of effort to learn that anyway. Just do it every day. You have ten minutes. You have fifteen minutes. If you don’t have fifteen minutes, then something is wrong.
Anthony:Well I think so yeah. I mean I was just talking about my Mandarin Chinese Mnemonics And Morning Memory Secrets because I’ve recorded it and I don’t know if it is going to come out before this one or after. I think it will come out this week about how for myself I make sure that I get this stuff done. If you go in my room right now, you’ll see that there’s a book on how to write Chinese characters. There’s all my little colored pens there and so forth. The computer doesn’t go on. The smart phone or stupid phone or whatever phone I have doesn’t get looked at until that book is in my hands and I write down, I practice writing eight characters, and I practice writing eight characters eight times each. Now this where I get into systematic thinking. It is eight characters eight times each and then I go and I do my memorialization stuff working with Pimsleur.
John: That was in your email.
Anthony: Yeah and I just do an entire page. That’s just the rule and that’s a systematic sort of thing. What I’m trying to get at is that this is first thing in the morning and it’s a very small investment of time but it compounds so hugely.
John: Yeah. It compounds. Definitely, it builds up. I think that’s the problem with learning in society in this day and age. People want the magic pill and who doesn’t? Wouldn’t you like to be fluent in a language like that? You know it doesn’t work like that. I always thought anything worthwhile is gonna take effort. You can’t get around having to put in effort.
Maybe this isn’t for everyone. Maybe some people are real awesome at rote learning. Rote learning wasn’t my thing and I wanted a better way of doing it. First it was mnemonics and then once I coupled mnemonics with the palaces, it was just was like bang. Having mnemonics floating around in space, it was good, but I’ve forgotten a lot of them now too. Whereas having them in a palace, it is just boom, boom having them there. It is really awesome.
Anthony: Somewhere in my slush pile of research there is an article that I read that they did some studies with polyglots. And they said that in their research that polyglots are actually very, very good at rote learning because they spend sometimes decades doing it. But I think it is the discipline. It is the consistency of consistent effort applied. Even polyglots have what is often called in that world the stubborn quintile. That is the 20 percent or whatever number percent of words that no matter what they won’t stick. That’s when mnemonics are a go-to method because there is really no other way. There is another way, which is just to not learn them. It is really exciting. If we can switch gears.
John: Well put it this way. If you want to learn heaps of vocabulary and you think you haven’t made a start at all on this and you think I’ve got up with all these houses and then I’ve got to come up with all these stations after that, then don’t think of it like that. I’m a big fan of writing my goals down. I put them into chunks and put them on a calendar and I know if I spend 20 minutes today doing that and it’s going to be done and I cross it off and go through all that.
But if you’re coming at this thinking this is a lot of work. Well yeah, it kind of is. You’re learning a language! It is a lot of work but don’t think that. Say today I’m going to write from A to J. I’m going to come out with those houses. It doesn’t take very long. Then you do the rest. Then you do the same with the stations. You just go through.
Method Number Eleven: Ditch Overwhelm
You even say don’t overwhelm yourself. Just go through and put your first ten stations in and then do that with all your things. Once you have the houses, the palaces and once you have a few stations, and you have it set up kind of like this, it is really quick. If you put it in perspective to learn one word, and not all words need mnemonics. I don’t need to put that in the palace. It is valuable real estate as well. When you’re putting these things in there. Some words you are just like I don’t need to put that in there. I can remember that, and if I forget it, I mean I’m going to come across it again. I’ll know what it is. To learn one word, to come up with a mnemonic shouldn’t take more than two minutes.
Anthony: I’m glad to hear you say that because I’m always trying to communicate exactly that.
John: They don’t have to be awesome. I think this probably where people trip up because it is creative. You’re using something inside yourself to create something. It’s just a tiny little piece of an image and that’s exercising parts of your brain that feels like work. It shouldn’t take more than two minutes.
Then to actually really drill that and to know it, it shouldn’t take more than going back to it. On a hard word, I don’t think more than five times. I think to go back to a word five times would be a really hard word. You are looking at learning one word maybe five minutes. Whereas to learn a word through rote memorization is it going to take longer than five minutes? Probably. If you keep forgetting it. When you break it down, I reckon maximum one word from start to being right in your memory would take five minutes from start to finish.
Anthony: People are going to think that I’m paying you to say this.
John: No.
Anthony: That’s basically what my experience is. I was talking with this girl on Skype, and she basically was I think making a kind of suggestion that I learn how to say husband and wife in Chinese if you know what I mean.
So I said all right teach what they are. It is 老公 lǎo gōng for husband and 老婆 lǎopó and my tones may not be correct there. I kind of hope that she was suggesting something there. I just said okay, you know how I’m going to do this. I’ll tell you Laozi who is like a famous figure in the history of philosophy and so forth. He is hitting a gong. He’s right here at this corner of this room and then he’s kissing a girl on the butt for 老婆 lǎopó. You may not know this yet, but “po” is German slang for butt. So he’s just kissing her on the “po – poa.” And know there’s a kangaroo there who is punching because that’s my mnemonic for the rising tone.
Then I just visited it a couple times. She said I’m going to ask you a month later if you still remember that. I’m just like no problem. I just memorize it a few times. I take every opportunity that I can to tell people what husband and wife is in Chinese to reinforce it. With my speaking partner I put it in sentences. She totally butchered me and it was like no that is not how you would say it in a sentence. Here is how you say it in a sentence.
The point being is that I have established that probably for the rest of my life those words are never going to go away because of visiting it maybe five or six times, I don’t remember, but then making an actual effort to go and say it and to try to put it in a sentence and make it part of your life and then you’ve got it.
John: To me, I’m finding the tenses harder because there’s more moving parts. You’re putting them in structural format. But again that’s just drilling. If you can take one word, like one verb and go through all those tenses with one verb, then you’re going to know that verb. To learn just words on their own, the lifespan of starting it to having it in your memory I reckon five minutes.
Anthony: Yeah, I agree. There are certainly some words that are a bit more challenging. What I find, and you’ve already touched upon it, is to limit the amount of time. Like when I’m going through Pimsleur, sometimes I’ll hit a point where they’re bridging from one set of words to another set of words. If I happen to hit that change over in the middle of a session, then it will get a bit overwhelming. Because now all of a sudden you are shifting gears and so the words for “let’s have dinner at your place” then you start going to the words for money and amounts, then you have to scale back and take the amounts and the numbers on a different day altogether. That, I find for me, can get a bit too much.
It is just amazing to me how much you can do in such a little period of time. Then you reinforce it with speaking.
How do you find it speaking in German? You’ve already touched upon it, but do people help you out, correct you?
Method Number Twelve: Practice What You’ve Memorized Out In The World
What I find is that there is no such thing as German. I’ll get in a taxi in this neighborhood and the guy will speak to me completely different than if I’m in a taxi that I get in in Schöneberg. You just start to develop a skill for decoding what that must mean. This new pronunciation and this new slang and this new keitzdeutsch and this new regional dialect whatever the case may be.
John: I’m in no way real fluent in German. I start the integration course on Monday starting at B1. I’ll be doing five hours a day, five days a week.
Anthony: Mine was four hours.
John: Four hours a day, 1:00 to 5:00, four hours a day, five days a week for about three months. I’m really looking forward to pushing a bit more and really talking every day like that.
Going around and out and about asking for stuff, I usually do, especially in the East as well, because obviously back in the day people weren’t brought up learning English like they probably were in West Berlin. I find when I have to do things, like I had to get my driver’s license and the people don’t speak English, or I had to go to the hospital one day and you quite often find that people aren’t speaking English. They might know real basic English, but they won’t speak English to you. In that sense, I can get around. I have to ask them to speak to me slower. Mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut, können Sie mir langsam sprechen. They will speak slow and dumb it down a bit and I’m like yeah, yeah. I can understand. I can talk back.
As I said, busting into the middle of a real technical conversation, I’m not going to be doing that at all, but just getting around is sweet. The other thing as well is trying to decode what people are telling you. A prime example. I’ll always use German when I go out. I won’t resort to using English because I want to do it German because I’m in Germany. I asked if there was any pizzas or something like the frozen pizzas. Honestly what came back to me was just (incomprehensible) but I heard Vorne and Kasse. Those two words. I was like sweet.
Anthony: They’re up the front by the cash register.
John: Yeah, that’s really how most of it works is that you pick up. When you’re learning, I guess when you start learning through a teacher and if you start reading, like when you’re reading books, you come across so much of the common vocabulary that once you build enough of that up, you can pick up those when people are talking to you. They are kind of like the anchor points of a sentence you know that when people say that you’re like yeah.
I’m definitely not at the stage where I can translate like boom and instantly narrow down to the fine point of what they’ve told me but I’ll hear enough words and be able to decode it quick enough to actually know what they’ve told me. Sometimes you know, I’ll walk in the wrong direction. And they’re like no, no.
Anthony: I should say though, for people who don’t know the course system. You’re being a bit modest because starting at B1 is actually quite something. So that you’ve developed this on your own to start at B1. Because I didn’t get in that B1. I had to start at A1. So there’s A1 and A2 and then B1. I did half of B1 before my program was over. I got into it relatively quickly but nonetheless the fact that you’re starting at B1, and what I’ve heard when we’ve talked German it’s pretty impressive.
John: Thanks.
Anthony: I just wanted to let people know because I don’t think that they use that in North America and the audience is primarily North American for this podcast. Just what B2 means as opposed to A1. Basically there is three levels, A, B and C and you’re just under halfway there. Once you’re done B1 you’re under half way there. That’s interesting and good and great. You are also a musician.
John: Yes.
Method Number Thirteen: Apply The Techniques To More Than One Area Of Interest (Like Music)
Anthony: And this to me is absolutely fascinating because today you told me something that I think cracks the code that I have been trying to figure out and so maybe say a little bit about that. Because we have talked about how you are a systemic thinker and you showed this chart that you made to help you be able to do rhythms.
John: The sequencer.
Anthony: Later you had something also for notes that was a similar chart that had to do with scales.
John: I just came up with those charts. That’s too hard to explain on this if you’re not a musician. Just from sequencing drums and using a sequencer. I’m a guitarist first and foremost. I don’t produce electronic music. I play heavy metal. In order to get drums because I pretty much haven’t got a band or anything, I’ve had to learn how to create drum beats from using a sequencer program and programing them.
I’m not someone who learned to read music. I wanted to come up with a way that I could write music without having a computer or without having my guitar with me. I came up with different charts. I’ve got one for like arrangements where I can write about what I’m feeling. Because a lot of it comes through like either a beat or some kind of feeling you’re wanting. Is it going to be fast and slamming or is it going to be a bit more subtle. Because it is tension and release. You can kind of write notes.
I’ve got a chart where I can write in English about certain aspects of the song. I’ve got a chart for writing drum beats. It’s just kick, snare, hi-hat where I can just like on a computer where I would put in a kick. I can just write it out with a marker and I will know the beat in my head. I can basically write out a beat and play it. There’s a song there. You can start writing a song.
Then the sequencer thing, I just went overboard. I had access to a laminator. I have them all so I can write on them with wipe off markers so I can keep reusing them. Instead of having a staff where you would write notes on, I thought well I’m more used to seeing a sequence window where you have the piano roll up the side. It’s keeping with the same divisions of the beat. Like the drum thing is that I showed you so I just basically wrote a grid where I can write melodies out using this. If I was to write it out I could go and then put it straight into the sequencer and hopefully it would sound like what I had in my head. I use the drumbeat thing quite a bit and try and come up with beats and then just play them on my hands and knees to try and get the feel. Other than that, that was just something I did and haven’t really touched back on that. When I start writing my next batch of songs I will probably go into doing that a bit more.
Anthony: About memorizing music, one of the things we had talked about is I was just telling you what I would consider a quick fix when I’m studying music which is just use the major method, and I think it’s relatively manageable for quick fixes and with four strings on the bass. I never have bothered doing this with the fifth string. I play five strings but in any case that approach was major method. Each fret has a number and then creating a word for each number. The E string is Ernie, A string is Al Pacino, D string is Dracula and the G string is Grover. If I needed to remember something on the 12th fret of the G string then it would be Grover getting a tan. Because in major method 1 is T or D, 2 is N so tan. It could be a ton of bricks was falling on his or whatever. Just so it has that TN sound. What you’ve done is going the distance as you’ve shown that you do. But explain that a little bit and you’re thinking behind it.
John: With the notes?
Anthony: Yeah.
John: With the fretboard. I’m kind of going back I think memorizing music. I kind of sidestepped up there because this is kind of memorizing the notes on a fretboard. Not necessarily remembering music per se. I found when I first started playing guitar, the way I memorized, I’m definitely not a savant or those dudes who can imagine the music really clearly in their head. I can imagine certain things in my head but I definitely couldn’t write it down. I don’t have that real good ability to instantly play what I hear. But as far as like basic rhythms and things like that, I can imagine songs in my head.
When I first started, probably even before I even started playing the thing that really helped me was learning the lyrics to songs. This obviously only works with songs that have lyrics. It wasn’t something I thought about. I would listen to music when you used to buy CDs and then used to sit there and you’d listen to it and you would just read along and I’d just learn lyrics to songs that I really liked. What I’d do I would just run through my head. Smells Like Team Spirit was the big one. I’d already know the lyrics so I would sing these in my head and then instead of just doing bits and pieces and I would just try and do the whole song. Again, I’m only talking from my own experience. I don’t know how easy that is for other people or if it’s simple or if it’s really hard. This is something I did and used to do whenever I was bored.
Method Number Fourteen: Practice The Art Of Concentration
One time we went on this school trip. We were camping when I was 15, and I was really tired and just trying to put my mind somewhere else and I imagined the whole Never Mind album from start to finish. From Smells Like Team Spirit to Something in the Way. I played the whole thing in my head because I knew all the lyrics. I guess it’s just concentration. I used to do it with Jimmy Hendrix. I remember like Purple Haze. It is how I used to put myself to sleep. I would imagine the songs in my head. Once the lyrics kick in you kind of just imagine singing them out. I found that real invaluable. I think that was a real good skill that helped me a lot with learning structures of songs and I just think that was a really valuable thing to do.
As far as what we’re doing here, the notes on the fretboard. There is so much stuff in music that is rote memorization especially once you start getting into theory and stuff like that. Again, I’ve just learned so much of it through rote memorization. One thing, and it’s probably a divided line between guitarists. You don’t need to know the notes on the fretboard but I’m sure the virtuoso players probably beg to differ. I want to be able to play really well. I’ve tried to learn the notes on the fretboard and it’s hard.
Just like rote drilling and even doing things like playing the scales and trying to learn them through playing scales and stuff. I thought there must be some way to learn music with mnemonics. Like this kind of stuff. Again, just after meeting you and talking about it, it kind of fires up those things and you start thinking. I thought well if I can at least understand the fretboard.
A little backstory. If you are a musician you might understand that, pianists learn to sight read and the reason it’s good for pianists is because there’s only one way to play a note on a piano. You might get like E at different times on a keyboard, but they are different pitches. They vibrate slower. On a guitar you can have that same E like three times, that exact same pitch three times on the fretboard. So it’s like a more three-dimensional instrument.
Because of this, guitarists seem to be very visual and a lot of time it comes from playing patterns of these things. But, you can’t escape it. The guitar is a visual thing. What happens is you end up with all these different scales. On a piano, a scale has a certain sequence of notes to it but it’s that same kind of sequence: tone, tone, semitone, tone if you are playing the major scale.
Whereas guitar can work like that if you’re playing along one string. But once you start going across the fretboard, across the strings, it’s still if you’re playing the scale one note after the other, it’s still that, but if you’re playing three notes per string, every three notes your breaking that pattern and you have to have it on the next string. I kind of started with that before I got onto learning the notes.
I thought everything is based from learning the notes. I thought if I could learn the notes of the fretboard using mnemonics, the next thing would be, and I’ve already started thinking about it, I haven’t put anything to paper yet, the next thing would be learning the scales, the different three note per string scale patterns. Once you know them, if you know what I’m talking about, it is kind of like you can go up, down and across. Once you learn them. They all kind of fit into each other really nicely. I’ve kind of started on an idea for using that.
Then on top of that, I thought well if you can go there, then you can start learning the triads. Which is the next set of kind of like shapes that would sit on top of all of that. I think if you can do those three things using mnemonics, you would have a very good visual representation of the fretboard that you can imagine really well in your head instead of just being arbitrary dots on a fretboard.
My first thing was well the foundation would be learning the notes. It is going to be hard to learn all these other things if you don’t actually have the map of the fretboard and at the very basic the map is the notes of the fretboard. It really is just an extension of the Magnetic Memory Method. I’ve used one whole building. From the nut of the guitar to the 11th fret, so it is twelve different stations in this one big building.
If you can’t think of a big building, I think you could probably cut it after the 5th fret. You could go from the nut to 5 and then 6 to 11 you could probably have two palaces that could take up those parts and then if you really can’t find buildings that’re big enough for that, you’d probably be able to do it into fours. Like from the nut to the 2rd fret. From the 3th fret to the 4th fret. Kind of that.
But I basically chose one big building because it was big enough and I had a good enough memory of it. It was an old tavern we used to own, my family. For anyone, that doesn’t know the guitar, once you get to the 12th fret, it’s just the same. It’s the same as from the nut to the 11th fret. So I don’t really worry about that. All I’ve done is I’ve basically created twelve different stations inside this one palace and they represent each fret on a guitar.
So at the nut, I’ll just read it out. It’s the bottle store that is downstairs in this tavern. I’ve got the corner window by the spirits. The beer chiller, the shop counter, the front office and the wine area. I’ve got some kind of mnemonics in here that probably aren’t real appropriate for a podcast.
Anthony: You already forced me to put the explicit sign on this one.
John: I’ll try my best. This is at 5th fret. And my mnemonics are – this is the dining area next to the kitchen. I have the salad bar, the toilets, the window overlooking the car park, the table overlooking Caltex, and the cutlery station. What these are, at the salad bar that’s the bottom E string. So at the 5th fret at the bottom E string, at the toilets string five. The window looking at the car park is string four. The table is string three and the cutlery station is string two, and on a guitar the first string and the sixth string are the same. So I don’t bother putting a sixth micro station in there.
Anthony: Right.
John: By the salad bar I’ve Ace Ventura just dishing up some salad. So that’s A. By the toilets I’ve Donald Duck walking in. These are basic mnemonics because I’m not trying to remember any information in them. It’s just to represent a note. I’ve Ace Ventura. Then I’ve got Donald Duck. Then I’ve got Gandolf overlooking the car park. I’ve Captain America sitting at the table with his shield eating food. Then I’ve got Elvis Presley by the cutlery station getting some forks. So with that you’ve got A, D, G, C, E and then A again. So that’s all your notes at the 5th fret on the guitar.
Anthony: Just so it’s clear for people, Captain America is C because of Captain.
John: That’s pretty basic. The only thing with music is that you have what are called enharmonic notes. What that means is it’s like the alphabet you have A to G: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, but in between those notes you can go A, A sharp. However, A sharp can also be B flat. That one pitch can represent either an A sharp or a B flat, then C sharp/D flat, and then between E and F it just goes E, F. Then F sharp/G flat, G sharp/A flat, A sharp/B flat, B, C, C sharp/D flat.
For the enharmonic things, I have two people or two characters usually battling each other. One example is at the second string of the 2nd fret C sharp/D flat and my mnemonic there is I have Cat Woman for C but I don’t have the Penguin, I have Danny DeVito as the Penguin in Batman Returns, and it’s by a freezer. So it’s interacting with the freezer there. He’s basically taking fish out, slipped up on the fish and the Cat Woman is trying to scratch him so he’s D flat and she’s C sharp. She’s got the sharp claws. She is in the dominate position trying to scratch him who is the sub-dominate position. I don’t know. Because he’s going down.
I have others. Like for example I’ve got for A sharp/B flat I’ve got Axl Rose with a switchblade for A sharp trying to slash up Bret Michaels from Poison. So it’s A sharp/B flat.
Anthony: Okay. So on A string you have C sharp/D flat like at the 4th fret if I’m correct.
John: Yeah.
Anthony: On the A string. Do you use the same characters on the E string where that appears?
John: No, every single note has its own character. Like at the 4th fret, I haven’t drilled this so like it takes me a little bit to fully remember. But if I remember right, C sharp/D flat I’ve got Dave Navarro going down on Carmen Electra.
Anthony: Now I’m never going to forget that.
John: C sharp, so C Carman Electra. Dave Navarro going down, D flat.
Anthony: Oh, so you even incorporate that.
John: Yeah.
Anthony: Nice, nice. Well, you know, it might be explicit but it’s not entirely unpleasant. Actually I don’t know. We’ll have to ask Dave Navarro what he thinks about that. Now let me see, Dave Navarro was the guy from Jane’s Addiction. I was just thinking about that. I was looking here at my roommate.
John: He was in Chili Peppers
Anthony: He was in Chili Peppers. But not that album. It was –
John: One Hot Minute.
Anthony: One Hot Minute. Man that was good. I really like his guitar playing. Anyway, I’m not going to forget that very soon. But that’s it. Right? What do you think about this whole topic of, because it’s one thing that scares a lot people off is that I don’t want my head filled with sex and violence.
John: You’re already thinking about it anyway. I mean the world is full of it man. You put on the news. This is not real violence. So what, Axl Rose is switch blading up Bret Michaels. It’s not that violent. They probably do it in real life.
Anthony: Well yeah, if you watch their You Tube videos where they are snipping at each other. They’re definitely not kind in real life at all.
John: No. It’s not real violence and it’s not stuff you wish upon people. But it does help you remember stuff.
Anthony: So take it into practice. Let’s say that you manage to use mnemonics to accomplish all these three levels that you talked about, how do you think that that’s going to translate into playing ability in the short and long term?
John: It’s hard to really know at the moment. I know it’s really important to understand. Like I don’t really use notes so much. I don’t sit there going this A. If I’m coming up with a solo or even trying to improvise on something you have your go to patterns. It is really pattern based. You try and use your ear as much as possible.
My forte really is writing music. I can improvise somewhat over like backing and stuff and kind of like jam over stuff. But there’s so many layers involved. It’s like mnemonics aren’t probably the be all or end all. I think the best things mnemonics would work for when trying to memorize music would be trying to memorize the theory. Like if you’re trying to memorize all the key signatures and stuff like that. Obviously trying the memorize the notes on the fretboard.
I’ve still got to drill that. I basically have just written this out and haven’t really come back to it. But knowing the scales. In particular I’m talking about three-note per string scales. There is already the cage system which if you’re a guitarist you might know what that is. Playing pentatonic scales like in those box positions I kind of find it all right but for the kind of stuff that I like to do, that metal kind of lead playing, I like three-note per string a lot better because you can go across the neck and then across the strings.
Method Number Fifteen: Combine Acronyms With Imagery
It’s really hard to explain over just audio but they are like Lego pieces that really fit nicely together. I’ve already started thinking about mnemonics. With that stuff you’re just dealing with the diatonic system like you’re dealing with seven – well there’s six different patterns, two of them repeat. But you’re dealing with kind of like seven patterns that all lock together. For one pattern, people call them by the modes. They’ll call this one pattern maybe like the Phrygian mode where the one and the second note are like right next each other. You’ve got that flattend second while technically the context will define what mode it is, but as far as recognizing these patterns people will name them like Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Mixolydian, Locrian.
There’s another thing I’ve made a mnemonic for IDPLMAL. That was my mnemonic for remembering the order of the modes. So basically the Phrygian shape, know Phrygian is context not necessarily the shape. It’s not a shape at all but it’s a musical context, but that particular shape with the one before it, to me I’m kind of thinking the Phrygian one kind of looks like a snake. So I already know there’s going to be a snake for that pattern and then the one before that kind of like to me I imagine kind of like Bruce Lee doing a big kick like that with a straight leg. That big kind of flying kick. I kind of imagine him kicking the snake. That’s the first one I’ve only ever really thought about it.
The visualization thing is really important. If you’re memorizing pieces of music, you don’t necessarily need to know the scales you can really just go over where your fingers go. But if you’re trying to improvise then you really need to know these patterns and being able to connect your ear to them is even better. Being able to know and anticipate what is coming up.
I think if you can lay these scale patterns out and have a really good mental visualization in your head, you’re going to be able to go to them a lot quicker. Sure there’s different elements. You’re going to have to have good technique which is a physical thing that you have to practice. Mnemonics aren’t going to help there. But to be able to just go to these patterns really well through mnemonics it will be a lot better I think being able to remember mnemonics than just shapes.
Then on top of that the triads. I’ve always thought all the different versions and inversions of triads, I always thought that would be a really important thing to be able to visualize really well and even Joe Satriani even says it himself. He says a lot of people learn arpeggio shapes all over the guitar. He says it’s probably better to learn where all the three-note triads are because the arpeggios are all based around those anyway.
Anthony: Right.
John: And so I think application wise if you can have a real instant grasp. If you can say you’ve got the scales and you’ve got the arpeggios down, you can just instantly in your head memorize and visualize where you’ve got to go and what shape you’re playing, that’s when knowing the notes will come in because that’s when you go I’ve got to play an A minor arpeggio in second inversion here. That’s when you’ll probably be able to holistically use all those three things together.
But I mean this is not tested or anything. As I said, I’ve only started with the notes and the next things will follow. I feel confident with it. I’ve always thought those three things together as far as good fretboard visualization to have a fully rounded visual comprehension of the guitar I’ve always thought those three things together would be very important. They are something that you can definitely do with and make it easier with mnemonics. You’ve just got to sit down and do it.
Anthony: Well that’s really what it comes down to. It is sitting down and doing it. I really want to thank you for all your insights and sharing your experience because it’s fantastic. Also for just leaping on the microphone with me to record an episode of the podcast.
John: Interrupting the drum session.
Anthony: Is it cool with you we’ll end this episode with one of your songs?
John: Yeah.
Anthony: The one that I was learning with you. Is that cool?
John: Yeah. Objective Decimation.
Anthony: It’s really great.
John: It’s brutal.
Anthony: It’s brutal. Actually it’s kind of funny we ended up doing a different project because I don’t want to have to memorize this song because it is so intense and detailed.
John: It’s a lot to learn.
Anthony: Not because I didn’t want to learn it. Actually what I wanted is for you to just tab it out for me.
John: I will once I finish recording the songs, I will tab my music out.
Method Number Sixteen: Publicly Admit When You’re Just Being Lazy 😉
Anthony: Yeah, that’s really what my laziness was. Also I’m a bit tone deaf. So when I have to try and learn by ear. If it’s in standard E I can do it okay. Are you in C sharp or B.
John: Well it’s a transposed instrument I guess because my guitar is tuned half a step down. So I’m a half step from standard tuning. But I’m playing in – so it would be A flat minor but it switches. This is where the modal stuff comes in. If you go a fifth up from A you get E. It switches between A minor and E Phrygian dominant which is basically the same scale. If you play the A harmonic minor where you hit the raised 7th, and E Phrygian dominate you’re using exactly the same notes. It’s exactly the same. It’s just instead of A being your home base E becomes your home base. When it cranks into the chorus that’s when it switches.
A minor becomes the key, the home base for the key then. So it sounds a bit different, but it’s really E flat and A flat because I’m tuned half a step down.
Anthony: Well any case, down tuned makes it more of a challenge for my ear to pick out the differences. I always had that problem with The Outside. I was like come on, just tab it for me.
https://youtu.be/OOXg3T0xNVU
John: I will tab them. Once I finish. All my songs are written and I’ve got to re-record the guitars and do some work on the bass and then do the final mixing and kind of mastering of it. And then I’ll have them for my website. I’ll probably sort out something final for that. I’m still contemplating whether to charge or not. If I do it won’t be much. It took a lot of effort to do them but I kind of want to cross-pollinate with the Fretfury Guitar Tuition thing. Kind of like niche myself in that whole guitar tuition thing. Kind of niched in that hard rock metal kind of genre and then the music is the credibility to get people in and then I can kind of do all the other teaching based around that and so I will tab the songs out because I want to be able to put them on You Tube; my video is teaching people how to play my stuff. Then who knows. If they want to learn more then there might be some kind of membership deal. The idea is that I’d give all those songs away. Not the fully finished recorded songs, but backing tracks and have all the tabs and have all the stuff there and then the videos on You Tube so people can actually learn how to play all those things. That is the ultimate goal. They will be tabbed.
Anthony: I’m really looking forward to that on multiple levels. What’s your website? I’ll link to it.
John: Yeah the one if people want to go listen to music is https://firstincharge.com/
Anthony: We’ll link to that.
John: I’ve got another one. But there’s nothing really on it just yet.
Anthony: And you also have videos that walk people through some of your production techniques.
https://youtu.be/EHhvPqajbOU
John: Yeah, First In Charge are some basic videos of just how I did the drums. How I did the bass. It’s all home recording and with technology these days you can get pretty good results from doing it. I just wanted to show that you can do it on a real tight budget. Everything is done on the cheap but at the moment I’m pretty happy with the results. I still have to re-record guitars but other than that, just very brief overviews. I don’t go in depth how to program drums because then you have got to learn how to play drums a little bit to understand the concept behind them. But just a walkthrough of the drums, bass guitars and vocals at the moment.
Anthony: Well it might be homemade but when I first heard it, it just sounds like totally in a studio so we’re gonna roll Objective Decimation. For everybody out there, and even you don’t like metal listen to it anyway because you’re about hear some super talented from John McPhedran and so thanks again for being on the show. Listen to this episode a couple times. Because this is just action packed with all kinds of stuff that you can get using no matter what language you’re listening to or what instrument you’re playing and tell us how that you did and until next time, keep magnetic.
This video features music John and I recorded together in Berlin based on my song, “Goin’ Down.”
https://youtu.be/tWjd3wCZSpU
5 Ways Albertus Magnus’s Tips Will Improve Your Memory Palaces
Apr 21, 2016
Did you know that your ability to be a moral person directly connects to the quality of your memory? At least, that’s an argument made by Albertus Magnus. and I think he’s right.
Why?
A few reasons.
First off, forgetfulness is an unnecessary evil. Let it run your life and you’re automatically living on the Dark Side.
Second, you learn, memorize and recall less than you’re capable of. That’s not only an act of self-cruelty. It’s a crime against humanity.
Finally, if you’re not on top of your ability to memorize the information you need to achieve maximum success in life, you’re not able to pass the skills on. It doesn’t get any more immoral than that.
But Albertus Magnus has a lot more to teach us about using our memory than that.
He shares a few points that anyone using the Memory Palace technique and other mnemonic strategies should consider.
So if you’d like to learn more about Magnus’ incredible worldview and powerful memory improvement tips, you’re in the right place.
Let’s dive in!
Memory Is The Sensitive Part Of The Soul
Born sometime around 1200 in the Duchy of Bavaria, Albertus Magnus spent a fair shake of time writing about memory skills before dying in the year 1280. He was influenced by Aristotle, who also wrote about memory, and left his mark on Thomas Aquinas, who also filled a few pages on the art of memory.
For his part, Magnus was fixated on ethics and what exactly makes good things good.
For example, he nailed down four cardinal virtues:
Fortitude
Temperance
Justice
Prudence
Memory, or memoria, belongs to prudence for Magnus, along with intelligence and providence. This isn’t to say that workign on these matters will improve your iq. Rather, Magnus breaks prudence down even further by saying it has a rational part and an emotional part. We should be using memory to live usefully based on both of these aspects because balancing them improves our critical thinking skills.
As Magnus writes:
“Memory can be a moral habit when it is used to remember past things with a view to prudent conduct in the present looking forward to the future.”
Calling up positive things from the past to guide your behavior in the future is fine and dandy. But what about mnemonics?
Guess what?
Using Memory Techniques Is Also A Virtuous Habit
Magnus called mnemonics “artificial memory” after the conventions of the time. We know better now, however. Using the power of your imagination to make Memory Palaces is the most natural activity on earth, especially compared with spaced-repetition software. That’s the hammer of memory that deserves the term “artificial” more than anything else.
5 “Magnus Rules” For Creating Top-Notch Memory Palaces
Plus, Magnus was a lot like me. He wasn’t into using virtual Memory Palaces. He advises using only real locations and especially recommends churches because of how they can move the soul.
It’s an interesting suggestion because often the more meaningful the building, the more powerful the Memory Palace will be. Keep that in mind when creating your next Memory Palace and avoid basing any on buildings that may suck your enthusiasm.
With this point established, Magnus offers five rules.
1. Use Quiet Locations
Makes sense, right?
Maybe.
I can understand wanting to base your Memory Palaces on locations prone to silence. It kind of makes sense for them to mimic the intense concentration needed for creating powerful associative-imagery inside the Memory Palace.
However, if you’re using a bustling cafe, you don’t need to do the memory work inside the cafe. And when you are using the Memory Palace after studying in the cafe, you can make sure you’re in a quiet study space. In fact, no matter where in the world the building you’ve sourced for your Memory Palace happens to be, it’s always a good idea to learn, memorize and practice Recall Rehearsal in quiet places.
But if you want to use the stage and stadium of a memorable Kiss concert, do it. If for any reason your memories of the excitement do get in the way, simply move on to another place.
2. Your Memory Palaces Should Neither Be Too Large Nor Too Small
Many beginners get excited by the possibilities of making massive Memory Palaces. They draw diagrams of shopping malls, airports and try to use each and every floor of New York skyscrapers.
There’s no doubt that with practice you can use enormous Memory Palace structures. But Mangnus is right. You want to find a comfortable size the works for you.
In my case, I max out at 50-60 stations per Memory Palace. In many cases, I stick with a mere 10, using proper Magnetic Memory Method form to get the into long term memory so any given Memory Palace can be put out of rotation for a while and then reused.
That said, it’s good to stretch once in awhile, so keep working progressively to extend your abilities. The trick is to make sure that you’re getting your desired outcome. Sure, creating a Memory Palace with 5000 stations would be cool – but can you get measurable results from it?
Probably not.
3. Avoid Using Overly Similar Memory Palaces
Here’s another rule where it really depends. But in principle, you sure can confuse the heck out of yourself if you can’t distinguish one Memory Palace from another.
In my experience, this isn’t such a big deal. Here’s why:
It’s the difference in information that matters.
For example, I like to use the Ross Building on the campus of York University. I start on the seventh floor where the Grad Pub used to be and work my way down.
The levels are nearly identical, as are the journeys through them. The key difference is how the information itself “tags” each floor.
For example, the seventh floor has been reserved for words that start with “se” spellings or sounds. Likewise, the sixth floor for “si” sounds. The rest of the similarities in the Memory Palace divisions don’t matter because the information itself marks the territory.
As ever, your personal experimentation will make the difference. If it’s too much for you, scale back. When you’re ready to expand, add gradual challenges that will help you grow your memory and memorization management skills.
4. Not Too Bright And Not Too Dark
I don’t know what was up with medieval dudes like Magnus. Even up to Giordano Bruno, mnemonists were bonkers about the level of light in their Memory Palaces.
The issue may stem from the lack of electric lighting. Just as they wanted to use quiet places to maximize concentration, they figured it might be useful to see the Memory Palaces.
Of course, we know now that you don’t really need to “see” anything in your mind. You need only a conceptual approximation.
I think another reason the light issue crops up throughout the history of mnemonics is that so many people built upon the Ad Herrenium. In Magnus’s case, Francis Yates figures he probably had a corrupt copy.
All the same, the dogma about light strikes me as just that. You really need to explore this issue for yourself and see what happens. I predict you’ll do just fine, even if you’re a bat.
In fact, probably especially if you’re a bat, since echolocation is a powerful metaphor for how you can navigate a Memory Palace efficiently without seeing a single thing in your mind.
5. Leave 30 Feet Between Stations
Now here’s a contradiction in terms if ever there was one. If your Memory Palaces aren’t supposed to be too big, how does one leave this much space between stops along the path?
Hansel and Gretal would have been in big trouble if they’d done that with their crumbs, and so, I reckon, would you. I know this has created issues for me. For example, in one of my Aristotle Memory Palaces for my dissertation on friendship, I had some waaaaaaay too far distances between stations.
The reason long distances creates problems is because your mind spends time and energy scanning the territory. Whether you see the Memory Palace or merely conceive it like stars in a constellation, you’re still using spatial memory.
To reduce drag, try keeping your stations as close together as possible without creating issues for yourself. Cramming is the inverse problem and without breathing room, your associative-imagery might not correctly consolidate. Learn and practice these techniques and you will be able to remember even the toughest books.
Just keep in mind that excellent results from memory techniques always comes down to your personal experimentation. In this case, you’ll need to work on a case to case basis since, with the rare exception of places like the Ross Building I just mentioned, there are no uniform Memory Palaces.
Magnus’ Memory Palaces Are As Physical As A Brick Wall
One of the coolest ideas Magnus brings to the table involves the notion that both the memorizer and the Memory Palaces are physical bodies. In fact, the entire world is physical and so anything you imprint on your mind essentially resembles tattooing.
Magnus’s concept here is complex, and I’m still pondering it, but he seems to be pre-envisioning the world we live in today. For example, you can think of information as ethereal stuff that has no physical form.
But that would be incorrect. Not only does all information require physical storage in order to be receivable, your brain either uses or creates new chemicals and structures to perceive it.
When you read a book, for example, the information has been physically stored using ink on paper. Read the same book on a computer and the information is stored both in the physical chips and wires, but also in the electricity itself.
This info then enters the physical bodies of your eyes before entering the gazillion roller coaster rails of your brain.
Anyhow, Magnus’s point appears to be that by focusing our concentration on the physical reality of both the locations and the information, we can create much more powerful sense impressions. Magnus also considers questioning everything you study as an additional memory aid.
And if all of these points from Magnus don’t make your memory more poignant, perhaps a previous or future episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast will. Until that time, by moral by using your memory and always, always keep Magnetic.
13 Reasons You Should Take ThinkBuzan Memory Training
Apr 14, 2016
You probably think you can get all the memory training you need from books, right?
Maybe. Ben Pridmore certainly did (reportedly just one) and worked miracles at the World Memory Championships.
But Those Kind Of Results Don’t Happen To Everyone
The truth is that most of us (including me) need more than one memory training resource.
In fact, as I mentioned in The Story Of How To Learn And Memorize German Vocabulary, I studied dozens of memory improvement books, audio programs and video courses. The Magnetic Memory Method simply wouldn’t exist without years of relentless research, experimentation, documentation, reconfiguration and teaching.
But that doesn’t mean the research is ever done.
Far from it!
The Art Of Memory Is A Way Of Life Defined By Multiple (Super-Exciting!) Duties
To this day, I still study. To develop as a mnemonist, a journalist of memory and a lifelong devotee to teaching the art of memory, I consume all the wisdom about memory improvement I can.
That’s why I recently attended the ThinkBuzan Memory Training at the Henley Business School in Henley-On-Thames taught by Phil Chambers and world leading memory expert Tony Buzan himself.
I was so happy to join this course because my mission is simple:
To keep getting better as both a student and teacher of mnemonics.
We all should so that we can contribute to the world at a higher level by being the solution to the many problems created by forgetting.
Because as Tony Buzan always made clear, there is a solution to forgetfulness. And if you apply yourself …
You Never Have To Forget Information That Matters Ever Again!
Seriously. If you’ve read more than one book or taken more than one course and still aren’t getting results, there are probably only two reasons:
1) You’re not studying the right stuff.
2) You’re not taking the right actions.
And even if you’re already equipped and running memory circles around your friends, here are 13 reasons you still really ought to get trained at the Summit of Memory.
1. You Learn More About The History Of Memory
I’ve encountered the story of Simonides of Ceos countless times. However, never have I encountered it so thoroughly and elegantly expressed as when Phil Chambers took us through it.
The best part of the story is that it contains all the elements of good mnemonics: strange events and colorful characters. Massive, visual action. A Memory Palace in ruins that, albeit utterly destroyed, still stands in the minds of millions nearly two thousand years later.
2. You Learn About The Science Of Memory
There’s history behind memory research too, so getting both the past, present and future of memory science makes ThinkBuzan memory training a tremendous asset.
MIG, also known as The Most Important Graph In The World, shows you the most cutting edge elements of memory science. It is a Masterplan for engineering any information into your memory forever.
You learn The Most Important Graph in the world effectively too. It’s presented in stages so that you understand each part. The ThinkBuzan teaching approach also uses the science underlying the graph to get it into your long term memory.
Speaking of which …
3. You Learn How To Teach Memory Skills Right Away
You’ve heard me talk about the importance of educating others about memory skills before. I always talk about how and why you must do it immediately in order to get the best results from what you’ve learned and memorized.
For example, in Language Learning For Introverts, I suggest that you explain to anyone who will listen the Memory Palace and mnemonic imagery you use to memorize new words and phrases. It’s partly self-serving for how it drills the information into your memory, but more importantly …
Teaching Others Creates Enthusiasm For The REAL Magic Of Memory
Not only that, but by demonstrating what’s possible with your memory through teaching the core skills, you’re also getting better at using your memory. You’re practicing what you preach and getting better every time you do.
4. You Create A Group Memory Palace On The Spot
Nothing enthused me more about the ThinkBuzan memory than creating a Memory Palace together as a group. Phil Chambers had us memorize all the member countries of the European Union in alphabetical order.
But even better, Phil tricked us into doing it outside of our awareness. I won’t tell you exactly how, but it’s similar to how I teach people to memorize the alphabet backwards.
To really let you have your cake and eat it too, Phil then shows you how to compound the countries with the capitals of each.I learned a great deal that day about exactly why he’s a master at teaching you how to train your memory.
This quick exercise means memorizing 40 pieces of information inside of 20 minutes. Using The Most Important Graph In The World (and with a bit of stretching, maybe even without), this is information you can get into long-term memory for the rest of your life.
Again, you get all this amazing memorization in less than 20 minutes, plus sufficient review over a week or two. At most, that will total another 20 minutes, likely much less.
Plus, while you’re completing the live memory exercise …
5. You Create Lifelong Friendships With Other Memorizers
ThinkBuzan makes sure that you get to know your classmates from the moment their memory training starts. But the real time group Memory Palace exercise deepens the relationships beyond belief.
This bonding occurs not only because you share the amazement of instantly recalling the information learned throughout the exercise. It’s also because you travel together throughout the Memory Palace as you create it.
As the dating gurus often point out, if you want to create the feeling that someone knows you better, have them share time with you in multiple locations as quickly as possible. Do this while deliberately creating a Memory Palace together, and those locations become infinitely stronger.
And who knows? You might just develop a romance out of it or deepen a current one. A married couple took the training I attended and I watched as the memory training experience strengthened their bond before my very eyes.
And although my girlfriend (now wife) wasn’t there, watching this couple convinced me to finally propose. So the magic of taking a memory training really does go beyond the skills of recall. It touches and makes all areas of your life more exciting.
6. You Get To Challenge Yourself And Confront Your Memory Fears
I did not go to this ThinkBuzan memory training as an initiate. I’ve been a mnemonist now for more than fourteen years.
However, there’s a massive divide between what I can do privately and publicly. Sure, I took a hard loss when I competed against Dave Farrow half on a whim and only then in support of my favored charity.
By the same token, I’m proud of my results given the circumstances (jet-lagged, suffering arthritic joint pain, unkempt, unrested and moronically hungover from the last time I ever touched alcohol).
I’m also proud of my results given that I’d never memorized and recalled information with cameras in my face and a countdown clock running.
On top of that, as a memory trainer myself, I had a reputation to uphold, and I think I did given the circumstances. But …
Not so during the tests at the ThinkBuzan training. But here’s the thing about making mistakes:
7. Sometimes Falling Flat On Your Face Is The Best Thing In The World
Why?
A few reasons.
First, I got a taste of embarrassment that I did so poorly. I should have scored 100%.
Second, I learned SO much about what happens to me when someone turns on the clock. I start thinking about what strategy I’m going to use and then switch them up mid-stride. By the time I’ve finally settled on my approach, the clock has run out.
Third, but far from least, I learned that …
8. Transparency About Your Memory Produces Pearls Of Wisdom!
I could have avoided the issue and said nothing, or kept my internal reflections private.
Instead, I took a lesson from Nelson Dellis and his advice about winning the USA Memory Championship.
I swallowed my pride and the throat-constricting desire to bury my head in the suffocating sands of Phil’s official World Memory Championships digital hourglass.
That’s right, I sat in front of the entire group and Tony Buzan himself and fessed up.
Here’s what I learned in return for my honest revelation:
9. Discover The Surprising Reason Why ”Time Management” Is The Deadliest Circus Stunt In The World
We exhaust ourselves silly trying to control time. But this essence, this substance, this engine that has driven the world since, well … the beginning of time, needs no management and cannot be managed.
No, the clock isn’t a venomous snake. It’s not going to bark, bite or explode. The world’s not going to end when it rings.
Regardless, when there’s a deadline, the muscles in your mind cramp. The pace or your breathing collapses in on itself and your palms bleed sweat.
The problem? You’re trying to manage time.
Can’t be done. Casting Yoda a bit differently on the issue of time, there really is no try.
10. We Can Only Manage Ourselves And Our Memory Abilities In Time By Understanding And Using The Clock
As Tony describes time, our perception of its speed changes based on our psychological states. It can feel like it’s burning like a lit wick races to a bomb. Or it can move like a slow, placid wave when you’ve got nothing going on.
I’ve been practicing this approach to thinking about time ever since. I plan on going back for more training and fully expect I’ll get 100% next time if I can just settle on a strategy first and get my thinking about time unwarped and humming.
After I’ve served at least once as an arbiter, I may even compete at a future WMC myself.
That said, I also learned that …
11. Not Wanting To Compete In The World Memory Championships Is Totally Okay
Maybe you’ve had this feeling too. You learn about mnemonics and soon discover memory competitions exist around the world. That makes you feel like no matter what you use the tools of recall for in your private life, it won’t amount to much if you cannot win a prize.
The truth, I learned, is that most competitors aren’t after the medals. They attend the World Memory Championships to compete against themselves. They’re stretching their abilities.
Plus, they’re making friends with other mnemonists and talking shop about the art of memory. They’re doing what we discussed before in an international setting: learning AND teaching in one fell swoop.
But if none of this interests you, no problem. You can be a perfectly amazing memorizer and teacher without ever throwing down the gloves.
And if your results are nothing to brag about, that’s no problem either. We all know the coaching phenomena. People have led sports teams to glory without ever touching the ball themselves.
As a story consultant, like others in the movie plot improvement industry, I’ve improved screenplays and seen them made into films. To this day, I’ve never completed one myself, let alone had a movie from my imagination made. Maybe I never will.
When it comes to memory, I’ve memorized thousands of words and bits of ultra-valuable information. But more importantly I’ve helped thousands of people memorize many thousands more. Just check out this email I for the other day:
“Here I am seated below my arbiters after memorizing 29 and then 34 shuffled cards at five minutes each. The first try beat the existing provincial record; the second try bested that.
Would not have done it without your impetus. I am registered to compete in the Canadian Championships in Montreal, July 2.
Thanks, Anthony!”
And get this:
Tony Buzan, co-founder of the Wold Memory Championships has never himself competed in them. But he’s still helped millions of people get more from their memories and their minds overall.
And when you attend one of his trainings …
12. You Might Even Get To Meet The Man Himself
To tell you the truth, I didn’t even know Tony Buzan was going to be at the training. The ticket named Phil Chambers as the instructor and I went more than content with enjoying his memory expertise.
But sometimes Tony does attend these memory trainings and I was so delighted that he turned up at this one!
And I don’t know how to tell you this without stepping outside my usual Canadian-bred modesty, but I’m going to lay it out because it may inspire you and it doesn’t feel right to keep something so monumental a secret amongst only a few.
You Might Be Knighted A Warrior Of The Mind
Tony and I had shared some Tweets a few years ago. There was instant resonance, maybe because we’re both named Anthony, perhaps because we’ve both spent loads of time under the stars of Vancouver, British Columbia.
For whatever reason, the resonance continued, and when the event was over, I offered to help breakdown the classroom. I was asked to carry some paintings to the main building for safekeeping as Tony prepared to leave.
These were by Lorraine Gill, the woman who inspired to include images in Mind Maps in the first place. And now we have Mind Map Mastery, which is one of the best books on mind mapping I’ve ever read!
Once we had the paintings safely stowed away in a back office, we chatted a bit with the secretarial staff and …
Then IT Happened
Tony pulled me aside and said, “Anthony, you are a Warrior of the Mind.”
Next, THE Tony Buzan removed a pin from his lapel. Yes, THE famous pin Joshua Foer mentions in Moonwalking With Einstein.
Tony stepped forward and reached for my collar. The next thing I knew, I was wearing the beautifully executed rendering and holding back tears. Tony gives the pin, I learned, for Outstanding Contributions to Global Mental Literacy.
It is a tremendous honor to hold the title “Warrior of the Mind.” Above all, to own and proudly wear this symbol, given by the hand of a man I first read in high school from books that first truly taught me the boundless power of the human mind and how to release the floodgates on its potential.
Frankly, if I didn’t talk so much for a living, I’d be utterly speechless. 😉
13. Learn, Memorize And Recall Anything
In sum, if you want to continue your education in memory and feel the rapture of memory improvement as can only be offered by the best on the planet, booking your seat at the next training is a must.
In addition to all the magic I’ve been yappin’ about, you’ll learn how to efficiently and expertly memorize:
Plus, even though the course isn’t about mind mapping as such, you’ll practice this revolutionary technique and get a massive preview of this powerful art or organizing your mind the way it works on the page.
And you know, people often ask me about how Memory Palaces and mind mapping could work in tandem. I’m not yet 100% equipped with an answer, but I’m now well on the way and I’ll be attending the ThinkBuzan mind mapping course as soon as possible.
How about you? You’re convinced by now, right?
Of course you are! So …
Here’s How To Get Royal Treatment When You Take Any ThinkBuzan Training
Simply mention my name when registering for your seat at any training and you’ll get an incredible percentage of the tuition lopped off.
Listen, even if you forget to mention my name and claim this generous discount so you too can become a world class practitioner and teacher of memory techniques, you’ll never regret making this choice. Do it now and let me know all about what you learn.
Seriously. Teaching others what you’ve learned – including me – is the best way to learn. And the more you learn, the more you CAN learn.
That’s my wish and hope and dream for you because we are nothing more than our memories and their quality shapes everything. Make the world a better place a.s.a.p. and you’ll see for yourself just how profound learning and memory can be.
Insights to Remember Before Starting Over
Mar 31, 2016
Have you ever gone through a phase that forced you into starting over from scratch?
Don’t worry. It happens to everyone.
Luckily, we can learn from those who have gone before us. In this guest post from Jeffrey Pickett, you’ll learn how to minimize the suffering that comes from rebooting your life and how to get back on your feet in the best possible manner.
Three Reasons Why Starting Over Is So Painful
Starting over can be painful. You’d love to blame others, but after close analysis, you realize it all points back to the person looking at you in the mirror.
Our careers, like cars, were meant to go forward most if not all of the time. No one likes to go in reverse. It takes more attention, more focus and more detail. Starting over means you need to back up before you can go forward.
Finally, starting over sucks because self-doubts creep in the back door, playing with your mind. The sky is no longer blue, the chirping birds are dead, and someone pulled the chain, diminishing the once bright sunlight.
Take heart, my friends, because it just so happens I am the self-proclaimed big deal in the world of starting over. Allow me to prove it to you…
Why You Should Forgive But Don’t Forget
In a previous relationship, well perhaps several, the occasion to try and make things work occurred a few times too many. The bottom eventually fell out and I beat myself up for letting things go on as long as I did.
That guy on the street with the “The End is Near” sign was right all along. I just wouldn’t listen.
When you make mistakes, learn from the event, forgive yourself and move on. Looking in the rearview mirror only serves to cause pain. Learn the lesson and move forward.
Forgive while you’re at it. Holding anger or resentment towards another only sets you up for failure. Let go of the attachment to anger.
Wouldn’t It Be Cool If You Could Be Superman?
I think I’d ditch the cape myself, but having superpowers and flying around would be awesome, right?
Well, back in reality-world, that doesn’t work. You can only be yourself.
That’s not totally correct.
Humans have this unique ability to recognize who they are and change. We can go back to school, join a gym or even seek therapy if necessary.
With effort, we can become a better version of ourselves.
An important facet to starting over means you have to be willing to change any aspect of your life that no longer works. Ultimately, you can only change yourself; you have no power to change anyone else.
That common definition of insanity (dare I repeat it?) is accurate – to avoid more mistakes, change that which is in you versus what you have no control over.
What To Do When The World Turns Upside Down
Whenever your world upside down, forcing you to start over, a vital lesson should be at the forefront of your brain.
The way we see things may not be the best perspective.
You can’t mold the world to your point of view, but you can shift your perspective.
Recently I went hiking with my wife. Just when the trail appeared to dead-end, I’d take one more step, and my perspective changed.
The opening was there all along; I just needed a few more steps.
How To Get More Done With Less Effort
I love running. I used to train five to six days a week, running up to 15 miles on some days. But I could never improve my race times.
One day, a friend of mine introduced me to running sprints instead of running long distances. I did as he suggested and my race times came down even though I ran shorter training distances.
Another example involves my garage that needed some fix-up. A friend offered to help, someone with a lot more experience than I. But my pride got the best of me. I thought I’d do it myself.
You can guess what happened.
I ripped up most of my work, I cut my thumb open, and my kids learned a new curse word from my repeated frustrations. If only I would have invited the help and pushed away my pride…
See the difference? I just needed to change my approach.
I Lied – You CAN Be Superman!
You just have to do one thing before you begin starting over.
You have to learn a new skill. Maybe you need a better memorization technique…
A potential reason you are in need of starting over is that as hard as it may sound, you may lack the resources to get the job done. Before starting over, research your topic of interest or situation, gain the extra knowledge and get back into the fight.
The Real Reason It’s Better to Give And Not Deceive
The world operates differently these days. You used to be able to ask for favors. But now it’s all about, “What Have You Done For Me Lately?”
That’s not all bad.
Instead of looking out for good ol’ #1, start over with an effort to provide value. Do things for others. Show the world you want to add versus subtract. Don’t provide something with the apparent reason you just want something in return.
Give with the intention of helping. If you’re lucky (and genuine), then the gifts will come back. Give your work away.
Giving is good for the soul. It’s good for your health, too.
Speaking of giving, I have a self-titled website where I give as much of my experiences as I can write down. I’m focusing on health these days, so if you’d like to improve your health and lose some weight in the process, check out my free guide.
Well, now you know of my experiences in starting over. I’d love to hear yours. I’ll bet they are the type of stories Jimmy Fallon/Kimmel would feature! Share what happened and what you did to get over it and I’ll see you in the comments.
Fooling Houdini And Memory Secrets With Magician Alex Stone
Mar 26, 2016
Alex Stone Shows You How Magic And Memory Can Heighten Your Sense Of Reality
Go on, admit it. The idea of being a magician has haunted you since childhood. Who hasn’t at some point wished they could perform miracles and win the admiration of the masses?
The truth is, anyone can, but not everyone has the time, energy or discipline.
But the good news is that in Fooling Houdini, magician and outstanding author Alex Stone takes you into the world of Magicians, Mentalists, Math Geeks, and the Hidden Powers of the Mind. And the best part is that you learn about using your memory better too.
So tune in to this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast and enjoy the full transcript below. 🙂
https://youtu.be/mKnFv3XP30c
Anthony: Alex thank you so much for being on the podcast today. It’s a real honor and exciting because I myself have a relationship to magic and the whole world. So I hope to touch on that a little bit. The book Fooling Houdini is an absolute marvel I think. Not just because of my interest in magic, but it’s about learning as such.
One of the themes, and you can correct me if I’m wrong about this, seems to be self-acceptance as being kind of the best thing we can do for ourselves, and that going through the process of self-acceptance is kind of like “fooling” around with yourself a little bit as if life is kind of a game. Would that be a fair assessment?
Alex: I think that’s a wonderfully nice way of saying it, yes.
Anthony: With all that said, what’s your first memory of being interested in magic?
Alex: It was definitely when I was 5 years old and my father went on a trip to New York for an academic conference of some sort. He was a professor and he bought me a magic kit at that famous store FAO Schwartz. It’s like a famous toy store, which closed, I believe, recently.
It was just like one of these little kids kits, but he brought me back, and I was 5 years old in just remember like being enchanted by it. I couldn’t stop playing with it, and I learned all the tricks and went around just showing them to everyone every time. We had guests over and to my friends.
Honestly from there on, I was interested in it and it became like a thing that my father and I kind of bonded over and did together. But that was very vivid memory. Gosh, come to think of it, it probably is up there with some of my earliest memories actually. Because I was only 5.
Can Kids Be Fooled?
Anthony: One group of people that tend to be very difficult to fool is young people because they don’t know the cues of Mr. Action so to speak. So it’s kind of a fascinating age. What experience do you have doing magic for kids?
Alex: You are absolutely right. I learned that at my first show when I was 6. It was my own birthday party. I performed for my friends and it was a disaster. They were trying to touch everything and yelling at me and heckling me. I remember crying and going to my room and being really upset.
But you know, it’s a fact that children are very difficult to perform for. I mean not just because, I mean obviously they have a hard time sitting still and they can be rambunctious. It’s hard to do anything with kids because of that, but they’re also, I talk about this a bit in the book, psychologically I think quite good at figuring out magic tricks. You know there could be a lot of reasons behind that, but I think part of it is that they don’t have quite so many assumptions going in.
They have a way of thinking about things where they’re kind of testing out new ideas, and on some level, they’re better at figuring out tricks than adults are. I’ve seen this time and again. If you talk to magicians, they’ll say the same thing that kids can be remarkably difficult to fool. They often figure out tricks that fool some of the smartest adults.
Anthony: It’s always interesting performing for kids. I wonder, you started at a young age with that interest. How did you manage to combine throughout your life and particularly once you got into university and so forth, physics and magic and journalism. Is there a common thread between all those three things that the more you see a connection or is it just happenstance?
Alex: Well the short answer is yes. I absolutely think there’s a nice connection. I was very fortunate because I had these three interests of writing, journalism, magic, which I’ve been into since I was 5, and physics and science, which I’d also been into for years and was studying. It was this wonderful moment of realization when I sort of saw that, well first of all as a writer, this world, these concepts and ideas hadn’t really been written about.
Secondly, that there were all these beautiful connections between magic and science. Especially psychology and neuroscience, but also mathematics and physics. To see that there was this science to the magic and that a lot of the literature in psychology were essentially applied to magic tricks and to see all these connections, that’s what really kept me fascinated and took me along this kind of quest, if you will, to understand magic.
That’s the basis of the book. It is exploring, not just this great world with amazing characters and amazing stories, which as a writer was you know just a wonderful gift to be able to share this world with other people that I’d already been immersed in. But then to also be able to incorporate my love of science, my interest in in scientific mysteries and to see all the overlap and to see all the magicians who are interested in science and all the scientists who are interested in magic, that to me was just this blessed confluence of all my geeky interests. It was just like a nerd trifecta.
Anthony: I think one of the things that I also really loved about your book is that it, kind of for me, is the magician version of Joshua Foer’s Moonwalking with Einstein, where he takes you deep into the world of memory competitions and memory techniques. You’re doing that with the magical community. I wonder, for people who aren’t familiar with magic and this world of circles, brotherhoods, personal mentorships and the lineages, how would you describe the magical community?
Alex: Well, first of all thanks for that comparison. A great book Moonwalking with Einstein and a wonderful story. I’ve always loved those kinds of books where it takes you and pulls aside the curtain and takes you behind the scenes.
Magic, I think like a lot of subcultures, is filled with brilliant obsessives. People that really are single-mindedly devoted to this craft. I think magic in particular because it’s so wrapped up in secrecy, by definition you’re not supposed to tell how it’s done, etc. It lends itself to an even more extreme version of this kind of hermetic community of people.
You have these societies with these initiation rituals and these codes of secrecy. You have a very curious form of information exchange. Whereas, like with the memory book Foer wrote, he went into this fascinating subculture, and I think it was probably easier to learn these techniques than it might be if you are a newcomer to the world of magic where not everyone wants to share. You have to become much more imbedded to then benefit from this exchange of ideas and information. So that’s part of it too.
Magic Is Weird …
Then I think it’s just a very weird place. Magic is weird. A lot of people who do magic are kind of nerdy and bizarre and wonderfully so. But it’s honestly like the kind of thing it is almost hard to believe that it’s real in some cases when you meet some of these people and some of these characters. Then the fact that magic also has all these sort of hubs, or whatever, that connect to the science, but also there are connections to crime and scams. Then you have branches mentalism which ties into psychics. You have all of these overlaps with other kind of allied groups and that is something pretty incredible.
In many ways it’s a fairly narrow thing because it’s just magic, but just in the way that I imagine that the memory community ties into mathematics and public speaking or whatever various other pursuits, so does magic and it’s intersections are fascinating. You are able to kind of go between these different worlds. It grants you access to all these other kind of worlds or communities. It is just incredibly rich and it’s filled with wonderfully interesting and often very brilliant people. Like nothing else I’ve ever encountered.
Anthony: Absolutely. There is a bridge with memory and magic as well on multiple levels I can think of such as memorizing tricks, like the actual routines, memorizing the scripts, memorizing the moves in performance and then remembering to execute certain moves while you’re performing. So I wonder if you have any thoughts on how those things are part of magic as you have had in performance, in studying with a mentor and in actually competing as part of your career as a magician.
Alex: Yeah, I mean that’s a great question. So you’re absolutely right. There is quite a bit of overlap. In fact, there are magicians in the past who have used the mind power, the memory power as a kind of magic or as a kind of performance technique. More specifically, there are a lot of magic tricks that rely on memory techniques and memory and memorizing decks. I mean some of my favorite tricks, honestly, are tricks that require you to memorize an entire deck of cards.
If I can just make a little tangent. If I can just rewind for a second. Probably the most famous or one of the most famous magicians who was also kind of a memory expert was Harry Lorayne. He was a magician but he did these memory shows and these mind power shows. He was the kind of the embodiment of this this connection between magic and memory. He was a memory training specialist, he wrote books on it. He would perform on the Johnny Carson Show and do these remarkable mnemonic demonstrations. You know he’d go to parties and memorize everyone’s names. He was also a magician who pioneered some wonderful tricks and sleight of hand and whatnot. So that’s kind of the embodiment of this connection.
But more broadly, they intersect throughout magic, and just know, you’re not the first memory person I’ve talked to. Actually, through this book I’ve met a lot of people in this community. In terms of my own practice, I would say that some of the most beautiful tricks out there, card tricks especially rely on being able to memorize strings of cards and numbers. Juan Tamariz –
The Most Important Book On Card Magic Published In Decades
Alex:Mnemonica is, I believe, probably the greatest, most important book on card magic published in in decades. It’s absolutely revolutionary. I mean my favorite tricks are from that book. Honestly, that stuff is incredibly powerful. You know, you combine memory techniques with a few other basic magic techniques like false shuffles, card controls, and double lifts, it’s almost like you can do anything.
I’ve also created another trick that relies on also memorizing a deck that’s organized in a very special sequence that is basically a binary code that allows you to determine what order of the cards, where you are in the deck based on the color configuration of like a group of six cards. It’s a little bit hard to explain. That also required me to memorize the entire deck. In particular for that one, because I had to learn to map a six-card configuration of red and black to a number that corresponded to the first card in that sequence, I had to use the Memory Palace, the method of loci – is it loci or loci?
Anthony: I’ve just replaced it entirely with “station.” A station in a Memory Palace.
Alex: A station in a Memory Palace, that’s better. So anyway for this trick, which is one of my favorite tricks of all time, it was really first developed, the idea was first developed by Persi Diaconis, a guy at Stanford, for that I use the Memory Palace technique. Like Joshua Foer actually kind of explained to me. I also use that technique where you assign letters to numbers. What is it called again?
Alex: The Major Method. That’s right the major system, right. So for this trick what I do is I have six people take cards. I figure out what the red black configuration is, that’s a binary number, which I can turn into a digit, a regular base ten number. I use the major system to turn that into a word, that word corresponds to a station, an image in my Memory Palace, which in turn corresponds to the first card in that sequence. Because I memorized the deck, I then just walk through my Memory Palace, and I see all the cards so I know where I am.
It sounds very complicated but using the memory techniques it was actually fairly easy because I was able to memorize the deck quickly and it’s so robust that it just sticks in your head for a long time. All you to do is revisit it once in a while and it’s there.
I was really shocked when I did this. I’d never done this kind of technique before and I was so impressed by how powerful it is. There’s not, when you’re kind of a grown up, there aren’t too many times when you continue to amaze yourself at what your mind is capable of. You have kind of seen it all at that point. This was one of those rare instances which I was like wow I didn’t know that I could do that. That’s pretty cool I think.
Memory Techniques Are Real Magic
Anthony: I think it’s one of those things that really borders on, if not entirely, is real magic. If I can put real beside magic, because there’s lots of things that are real magic, but this is almost alchemy in some sense in terms of creating knowledge and reliably so
Alex: Yeah I agree. I think that’s why people like Harry Lorayne you know he used it in his shows because it really felt like, wow, this guy has superpowers.
Anthony: I’m really glad that you mentioned Lorayne and Juan Tamariz. There’s a Penguin Live lecture where Darwin Ortiz talks about how he worked for Harry Lorayne, teaching in one of Lorayne’s schools or programs that he had. I guess it would have been in New York.
Alex: I didn’t know that.
Anthony: I’m not sure if he’s done more than one Penguin lecture, but if he’s just done the one then that’s it where he talks about it. He talks about the importance of like memorizing the names of your participants that you use in routines. He tells quite an amusing story of working for the Harry Lorayne. Lorayne is not really well known as a magician, but he was a huge contributor in terms of literature. Publishing other magicians apparently giving them work has memory trainers. It is kind of fascinating. About Tamariz, did you ever try his suggestions for memorizing the deck?
https://youtu.be/RftMhhLFAYQ
Alex: Yeah, I did. In fact, when I memorized Mnemonica the first time around, I used the technique that he recommends in the book, which is to basically draw faces on the cards if I recall. At that time, I didn’t know the Memory Palace technique so I used his technique.
For the other trick since then, whenever I’ve had to memorize a deck, I’ve used the Memory Palace technique. I thought about going back and making the Mnemonica into a Memory Palace, but I have it now and I use it so often that I’ve got it. Also, his technique is nice because it’s really easy, it’s very bidirectional. It’s very easy to remember the card and then say oh that’s number fourteen, or if you hear fourteen oh that’s this card. Whereas the way I had memorized this other deck, I didn’t index it.
But yes, so I used his method up front, which was, again, I mean really based on the same concept right? Which is to turn it into an image to make it visual. Each card you draw some image of something fanciful and it links it to the number in an interesting way, in a visual way. So what you’re basically doing is you’re linking the card and the number in an image. I didn’t install it the Memory Palace at the time because I didn’t know that. But it seems to me like it’s kind of the same idea, right? It’s turning numerical or verbal memory into visual memory which we know is far more powerful.
Anthony: I think too, if you don’t mind me inserting this, for anyone who’s listening to this and they don’t know Tamariz, they should not just think of him necessarily as a guy who can teach you to memorize a deck of cards and do all kinds of routines with them, but he’s also a very good person to read for things you should be remembering about how to be a memorable performer. Five Points in Magicis one of his great books.
Alex: That’s a great book. He’s a wonderful mentor and also he’s talks about so much more than magic. How to become kind of a complete performer and a complete person. He’s got so much insight and wisdom.
Anthony: You have a really interesting discussion of shuffling which you sort of have mentioned just now. It’s one of the, I think, most fascinating parts of the book and you make the math very clear. But could you say a few words about the mysteries of shuffling, and what it means to shuffle a deck of cards from a mathematical sense?
Alex: Yeah sure. I mean shuffling stuff is pretty cool I have to say. There’s two basic ideas that I talk about. The first is the question of how much you have to shuffle a deck for it to become truly mixed. So what does it mean when you shuffle a deck? You basically, and I’m talking here about a riffle shuffle, you basically split the deck roughly in half, then you sort of riffle them together and the cards mix.
So there’s the question of how many times do you have to do that before the decks are truly random. Meaning you can’t really recognize the original order. The more formal definition, actually, would be – well let’s just leave it at that – to where they’re perfectly random.
So anyway this question was posed in a formal way by Dave Bayer and Persi Diaconis. Dave Bayer is a professor of mathematics at Columbia and Persi Diaconis is now at Stanford though at the time I believe he was at Harvard. Persi was also a magician who trained under Dai Vernon, the great master of sleight of hand. The man who fooled Houdini. Persi was interested because he’d read about a trick that would been published in a magazine or journal in an obscure place and suggested that someone could shuffle and then find a card even after it’s been shuffled.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxJubaijQbI
Anyway, a long story short they did an analysis. They found it takes about seven shuffles to completely mix the deck, to fully randomize it. Which is surprising in a way because it’s a lot or it seems like a lot. More interesting was that it’s not a very linear process. It doesn’t really happen incrementally. You don’t really get much randomness out of the first four or five shuffles, and then right around six and seven is what you could call a phase change. So it very rapidly becomes random. Basically it’s an exponential decay, which is pretty cool.
So that’s an interesting result, and it had implications for casinos and whatnot stuff like that. It also means you could do some pretty cool tricks where you have someone pick a card and put it back in, shuffle and still you can find their card because there’s still patterns that are recognizable sequences.
Now that’s a shuffle that randomizes the deck. The reason why shuffling works is because it’s sloppy. When you shuffle you don’t cut the cards precisely in half. You riffle the cards together but it’s not one after another you know you get groups of two and three and four. That’s what introduces the randomness. It turns out that if you shuffle perfectly, and by perfectly I mean you cut the deck precisely in half and then you interleave the cards so they thought they mesh exactly one, one, one, one, one, that isn’t random at all and after eight of those shuffles, they’re called pharaoh shuffles, the deck returns to its original order.
What’s perhaps even cooler is that this is true for any number of cards. Only the number of shuffles required is different depending on how many you have. There’s a simple mathematical formula that tells you given N number of cards how many shuffles you need to do in order to get the deck to reset itself.
This is tied to something in mathematics known as group theory which is essentially is a language for symmetry. Group theory underlies the standard model of physics. Granted those are very different types of groups, but it’s a similar mathematical structure. To me that relationship, that connection is very beautiful. Something very beautiful and rich. Also, when applied, can create some of the coolest magic tricks you’ve ever seen.
Anthony: It’s quite incredible to think about, and, again, I highly recommend reading your book because of that entire passage. Actually, it’s more than a passage. It’s quite an adventure. It’s one of the show pieces of the book I would say, the discussion of shuffling. You mentioned practicing remembering names. Persi Diaconis was it?
Alex: Yeah that’s right.
Anthony: That he was a student of Dai Vernon. I have never know – sometimes it’s Dai and sometimes it Dai Vernon. I know he was a Canadian which, of course, gives me lots of pride being a Canadian myself. For people who don’t know the story, who is Dai Vernon and how did he fool Houdini.
Alex: Dai Vernon is widely considered one of the greatest sleight of hand magicians of all time. His influence is a towering influence on magic. He was a Canadian. That’s exactly right. Although he came to the states and cut his teeth in Chicago. He rose to become this master of close up magic and sleight of hand. He eventually became sort of the dean, sort of the patriarch of the Magic Castle, lived there for a long time and died in his ninety’s. He was this legendary figure who fooled Houdini.
https://youtu.be/De2tyFK8WA0
The story behind that, it’s a true story. It’s kind of grown into almost mythology. But the gist of that was that he was – well Houdini had this very famous bet. He said no magician could fool him three times with the same trick. Because in magic you’re famously not supposed to repeat a trick. The saying is once it’s a trick, twice is a lesson. Because magic relies on surprise, right. If we’re watching it again you know you might notice certain things.
Anyway, apparently as the story goes Houdini his bet or his boast was out there for a while and no one had beat him. Finally, one night at a dinner, I believe it was in Chicago, in Houdini’s honor, it was at the Society of American Magicians dinner, which Houdini was president for a while, Dai Vernon does a version of the ambitious card, which is this classic trick where you put a card into the deck it rises to the top over and over again.
Vernon did a version of it for Houdini, and as the story goes, he did it seven or eight times and Houdini was totally stumped. As a side note, he was actually using a gimmick that was invented by Hofzinser, an Austrian magician. That sealed his fame as the man who fooled Houdini and the ambitious card, or this version of it, as the trick that fooled Houdini.
But even if it weren’t for that, Dai Vernon deserves his station because he was a great master who invented dozens and dozens and dozens of moves, and not only that, pioneered this philosophy of magic that emphasizes naturalness above showmanship. Dai Vernon grew up on reading Erdnase, and because of that, because of his connection to the gambling rooms and to the card tables, for him it was all about being understated and not revealing a great technique or flourishes, but really just being natural and making it look like nothing is being done. That magic is really just coming out of nowhere. So anyway, that’s the long winded version of the story.
Anthony: Well it’s a very good one. For anyone listening to you have got to check, if you’re interested in magic, check out Dai Vernon on YouTube. There’s some great footage of him performing that is exactly as you describe very natural, and he’s quite a character. Speaking of repeating things seven or eight times, one of the tragic comedies in your book is something that I’ve certainly experienced, which is going to lead into a question, which is why do girlfriends hate our magic so much after the first trick or two?
https://youtu.be/OeIBCLw4p8o
Alex: Yeah, right. Well I think, that’s a good question. Man, I wish I had a good answer. That would have saved me a lot of heartache. I think the thing is this. Like anything if you’re obsessed with it, well let me say one thing. First of all the thing with magic is you can have to practice it on people. I mean you can practice a trick on your own a million times and you have to, but eventually the only way to practice magic is on someone else.
Unfortunately, those closest to us are the ones that are hit the hardest by that. So I think often, whether it’s your family or friends, in my case it was definitely my friends and my girlfriend, were at first you know this is great. Some magic tricks and then after a while it was like wow there’s a lot of magic tricks, and then eventually for the love of god no more magic tricks. I think it’s partly that.
I also think, you know let’s face it, magic is kind of geeky. I mean that in the greatest way possible. You know nerd power, but it is a little nerdy. Maybe if you’re not into that that, that could also maybe get old for some people. I think magicians are obsessive people often. Very much so in the way that anyone, whether it’s music or magic or whatever, standup comedy, you know you have to practice it. Doing the same thing over and over again and become very obsessive about it. That might not be the easiest thing to live with all the time.
Also once you figure out how it’s done, it’s not always this fun for ten more times. At this point my girlfriend knows pretty much how everything is done, and she now thinks like a magician. So it’s very hard to fool her. I really have to figure out something, because she knows all about horses and double – like she knows all the techniques. So even if I do a new trick and it’s based in techniques that she understands and she can figure it out, reverse engineer it. So I really have to try hard to fool her. That’s actually fun to do, but you know I think that might also be part of it.
Anthony: In my experience if I could fool a girlfriend that I’ve had for a year and a half, then I think I’m on to something.
Alex: That’s right. No, it’s absolutely true. It’s kind of, in some ways, the best audience.
Anthony: One thing that I find really interesting is the nature of competition. I was watching an older lecture from Shawn Farquhar. He said that he’s met some of his best friends at magic competitions. I was just wondering what your experience has been like that when it comes to friendship and competition, and also in the context of mentorship because another big part of the book is your relationship with a mentor and how that develops.
https://youtu.be/CRpz0zuAGVs
Alex: Yeah that’s a good question. I mean I was amazed when I first discovered that there were all these magic competitions, national ones, local ones and then there’s international ones like FISM. The world championships also known as the Magic Olympics every three years, which Shawn Farquhar won. He’s probably one of the great living competitive magicians. He’s won at everything basically.
When you go to these competitions you definitely see the same faces over and over again. In terms of mentorship, a lot of the magicians who compete have mentors. In some cases, not so much in the in the US, but in like Korea, for instance, there are coaches really at magic schools. So the mentorship relationship there is very strong. But it’s true everywhere. In Spain too, there is a kind of a legacy of students and teachers. So that’s very big and competing for your country is very big in these places.
I mean the end of the day, magic is still a fairly small community. It’s not like musicians you know. It’s magicians. I mean it’s maybe bigger than you would expect and that it’s everywhere. It’s in every city, there are these magic societies and they have hundreds and hundreds of local assemblies, but it’s still the kind of place where after a while everybody kind of knows everybody. Which is one of the things that I think makes it so charming.
At these competitions you definitely see, I mean I probably have been to a dozen of them or so, the same people over and over again in the audience and also on the stage. I think it lends itself even to these very friendly rivalries were people know each other. They also worked in the same industry from a more business standpoint. Everybody knows the challenges of that. So I think there is this camaraderie in the business itself. Yeah, you definitely see people who are just lifelong friends in the art. I think that’s pretty cool
Anthony: I’m wondering given your interests in physics and journalism and in magic, I wonder, just as some rapid fire questions, what would you say is the most important thing to remember about each of those fields about journalism, about writing as such, about magic and about physics and math?
Alex: If I were going to try to make a generalized statement, and again, this is only as true as it is general. It’s only as true is that a very general statement can never be. That’s what I really meant to say. To me there’s this underlying mystery to it all.
What attracts me to all of them is this thrilling sense of mystery. What I mean by that is in physics you’re dealing with the most fundamental mysteries in science. Really you’re looking at the irreducible bits of matter. You’re looking at the nature of space and time, the origins of the universe, the end of the universe. These to me are, I’m not a religious person, but they are almost spiritual questions.
They’re so profound that I don’t know what’s deeper than those. It’s so mysterious when you start to study physics, and obviously when you get into quantum physics and relativity, when you realize how far from common sense and from what we’re used to nature behaves in this incredibly magical mysterious way. I think Einstein said the most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it’s comprehensible. So I love the mystery of that. That just blew my mind from the moment I learned about it.
Obviously, magic is the same way. I’m not going to suggest that doing a card trick is this lofty is studying the big bang, but when you see a magic trick and you don’t know how it’s done there’s this wonderful beautiful sense of mystery. The kind of mysteries that you have experienced all the time when you were a kid, and you were seeing the world for the first time.
That is a pleasure to me. It’s something that the never gets old. Even when you know how it’s done, there is this mystery to how the mind works and why we’re able to be fooled by these things. That taps into the mysteries of the brain and these foibles that we succumb to that are really innate. The way our brain works and what makes us human and what makes us so adept. That’s beautiful so it gets into the mysteries of the mind.
Then writing too. Writing is a way to search for meaning and to find meaning and to essentially capture meaning and put it down on the page and to communicate. Writing is such a mysterious process because so much of the time you really don’t know where it’s going. It’s just digging and you’re really just feeling around in the dark. The creative source is just ineffable. You hope it’s going to come.
You work really hard at all of these things. It’s work, work, work, work, work. You sit down and you do the work. Then you hope that the mystery and the inspiration comes to you. But in the end there’s just this unknown. It’s just these very bizarre and mysterious things that underlie them. I guess that to me is what’s the most exciting. Maybe that a little cheesy but that’s sort of how I think of it.
Anthony: The book ends with you finally getting a bit of a smile from the from one of your assessors after you complete your journey and it’s a great ending to the book. But I wonder, outside of competition, is there one magician living today, maybe other than Penn and Teller, who you would be over the moon if you could fool that particular magician. Who would that be?
Alex: This is probably the cheesiest answer I could probably give. But I would love to fool David Blaine. I’m sorry. I know that’s terrible.
Anthony: I don’t think that’s cheesy at all. Say more.
https://youtu.be/rB0wzy-xbwM
Alex: I think we maybe could. I don’t know. I mean he knows a lot about magic. He does. Sometimes he gets a bad rap, but he’s actually an expert. He knows a ton. So I think fooling him would be tough but fun. His street magic, his earlier stuff was inspiring to a whole generation of magicians. I really appreciate that about him. So I think that’s cool. I guess if I had to pick another person it would probably be Tamariz just because I think of all the magicians in the world he’s the one I find to be the most inspiring. If I could fool him that would be like epic.
Anthony: That would be amazing. I’ve never understood the, whatever you want to call it, the Blaine bashing because I think he’s really quite a character and very good at what he does.
Alex: Yeah is he really is.
Anthony: Well so Fooling Houdini is an excellent book and thank you again for being on the show and for writing such a such a great exposé of your experience in that world and tying it together with math and all these other elements of the of the human psyche and your own personal journey.
Alex: Thanks, Anthony. I appreciate it. It was a pleasure.
Not only can you imagine it. You absolutely know in advance just how deeply that ability will fill the wide open gap in your soul.
I’ve been there. I longed to learn another language for years before I started developing my German to the point that I could lecture in it while working at the University of Saarland.
Before that, my monolingualism hurts so bad, it practically kept me up at night.
But since cracking the code, I’ve learned several languages, if only in some cases to engage in small talk.
Whether you go for full fluency or just master the basics of another tongue, in this post you’ll discover 15 reasons to learn a new language starting today. That way, you’ll stop missing the personal fulfilment and multiple career opportunities about to come your way.
Let’s explore each of these and see how each can inspire you to get started learning a language today. There’ll be some powerful tips and action steps for you at the end so you can get started today.
15 Reasons To Learn A New Language
As we go through all of these incredible reasons, keep in mind that there’s no particular order of importance.
Each reason matters, and each one should give you more than enough reason to get started today.
One: Language Learning Exercises & Extends The Life Of Your Brain
Do you ever feel like your mind has gone a bit soft?
Chances are it does feel a little doughy. The good news is that learning a language is one of the best long-term workouts you can get. Working with new words and grammar rules gets multiple areas of the brain working together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPM-gNX4AAM
And because you get to think familiar thoughts from a completely new angle, your perspective stretches more profoundly than looking at an M.C Escher painting ever will.
The science about language learning and protecting the brain makes it very clear. The principle is called cognitive reserve and this study calls bilingualism the “pathway” to protecting your brain against figure disorders.
One of the reasons I took up Latin again recently has to do with giving myself the greater challenge of grammar precisely for the brain benefits.
Learning Latin in particular also helped me fend off the linguistic deskilling I noticed after years of living in Germany and barely speaking any English. Moving to Australia and speaking English again helped. But I still wanted the extra challenge for the brain benefits and wrangling with Latin Grammar gives my brain a tangible and noticeable workout.
Two: Language Learning Develops Your Personal Discipline
Languages are fun, but also require consistency of exposure and effort. Luckily, access to languages has never been easier thanks to the Internet.
However, you do have to click over to the right websites and invest your time optimally. Sites like Duolingo and Memrise offer some help, but you’ll also want to find resources that capture all of the “Big Five Musts” of language learning:
Memorizing
Reading
Listening
Speaking
Writing
https://youtu.be/bR15aAXv-F0
The good news is that you can get each of these done in the first half hour of your day with an additional one hour or less in speaking practice with a tutor per week.
Covering The Big Five Of Language Learning is especially easy if you develop the discipline of consistently getting your language learning in before you even switch on the computer. There’s more information about making sure you get all of these done within the first 15-30 minutes of your day in my case study Mandarin Chinese Mnemonics And Morning Memory Secrets.
After you’ve covered your daily language learning activities first thing in the morning, you’ll never never suffer the dreaded Zeigarnik Effect which creates intrusive thoughts when we’re not focusing on things we need to get done.
For the rest of your day, you can check in on your language periodically by stocking up on podcasts, watching some Youtube videos in your target language and by using the technique taught at the end of this article.
Finally, work on understanding motivation in the context of language learning. Master your motivation and you’ll make steady strides toward fluency in no time.
Three: Language Study Deepens Your Appreciation & Understanding Of Your Mother Tongue
You rarely ponder it and yet it’s in front of your eyes and on your mind all day long. It even dominates your dreams. Yes, your mother tongue is that prevalent.
But just imagine understanding the ins and outs of your mother tongue at a higher level. The benefits are wide reaching and knowledge of how and why we speak as we do will enrich many aspects of your life.
Your mother tongue is also downright amusing when you realize how many weird things we say. And as I suggest in this video…
https://youtu.be/hyIHcBLHYxE
You won’t get this level of silent education and amusement while walking down the street in any other way, so pay attention to the odd nature and quality of the phrases we speak. Ezra Pound called this element the logopoeia of language and it is profound.
Four: New Languages Exercise The Muscles Of Your Mouth & Ears
There are spots on your tongue that you didn’t know you have. Lots of them.
And that’s not to mention the backs of your teeth and the terrain of your palette. When learning a new language, these places suddenly become a vast world ready for exploration.
Your ears develop exciting new abilities too. You’ll automatically start picking up on variations in sound and your attentiveness to detail will improve. All languages are musical and syncing your ears with your mouth makes you both the player and the instrument. Prepare to bloom.
Five: Your Cultural Knowledge And Understanding Expands
Want to know why some people tick as they do? Learn about their culture from the inside looking out instead of trying to peer in.
Whether it’s history, politics, cinema, literature, theater or music, the ability to study and experience these aspects of a culture from within its language is inspiring. Even sculpture and painting take on new dimensions when you can read the plaques in your target language.
The best part is that your interest in the culture will expand. When you start learning the language of a new culture you’re interested in, prepare for your curiosity to increase twelve-fold (or more).
Six: Numbers And Math Concepts Will Grow Your Logical & Conceptual Abilities
Learning to count and perform basic math operations in another language can feel a bit like learning to tie your shoelaces all over again.
Different languages express numbers and the time of day in unique ways that can be puzzling to the point of frustration.
But push through and you’ll be delighted by your ability to think backward, sideways, upside down and in some cases completely opposite to your norms. Win in this department and you’ll enjoy one of the highest forms of mental triumph you can experience.
To help you with the extra effort that learning numbers in a new language requires, check out this tutorial about using Memory Palaces for math. I found it especially helpful when learning the counting systems in German, French and Mandarin.
Seven: Learning Languages Boosts Self-Esteem And Confidence
[clickToTweet tweet=”The great thing about the long game of learning languages is that there are countless victories along the way.” quote=”The great thing about the long game of learning languages is that there are countless victories along the way.” theme=”style6″]
Small achievements build up you can feel proud of yourself again and again with greater intensity as your accomplishments grow.
You’ve seen the word “baker” thousands of times. But how about “Bäcker”? You recognize it in principle, but it looks weird with that extra letter and the umlaut, right?
It sure does, though no more or less than “baker” looks to a German-speaker who can also probably figure out what the word means in English thanks to the similarity in spelling.
It’s a beautiful thing when you’re able to see connections between languages, but it takes training. And you’ll often do a Homer Simpson-forehead smack when you figure out similarities that should have been more obvious. That’s just part of growing, especially when it comes to mastering pattern recognition like this.
Then there’s the matter of completely new character sets. Few languages will challenge your ability to recognize patterns and associate sounds with symbols than Japanese or Chinese.
Yet, once you’ve got your foot in the door, you’ll grow by leaps and bounds and get to explore yet another dimension of logical arrangements you previously could not understand.
To help myself get started and continue studying with momentum in languages with character sets, I use the flashcard method you see above. It was partly inspired by Gabriel Wyner, the genius behind the Fluent Forever app.
Nine: One Or More Extra Languages Widens Your Job Prospects
Even if that job you’re dreaming of doesn’t require proficiency in another language, what boss or hiring committee won’t recognize your discipline and enhanced thinking abilities as an advantage?
You can position yourself better and even open a company up to new opportunities that were previously closed to them when they hire you.
If you’re a freelancer, your pool of possibilities is also broader, as is your potential for networking.
Ten: New Languages = New Friends Lots Of Them
It’s not that people who speak only your mother tongue bore you. But you are a curious person with multiple interests and you don’t want to get tapped out or caught in the hamster wheel of friendships that cannot grow.
That’s why meeting new people you can speak to from within their culture can be so profound. You get the benefit of learning about their world and expressing details about yours. You can then bring new things back to your old friendship circles. This sharing breathes new life into everything and creates a perfect circle between the old and new.
And when you meet people in different cultures who also want to benefit from what you’ve achieved, use my post on how to learn a new language to help them join you on the adventure to greater fluency.
Eleven: Location. Location. Location.
What better way to enjoy what you’ll learn from your new friends than to visit their homeland?
As a successful language learner, you’ll be able to hold conversations with the locals, order in restaurants with confidence and even complain in hotels about the water temperature if you wish.
I’ve met so many people this way, leading to trips to Rome, Paris, Athens and Beijing to name just a few destinations.
Anthony Metivier with polyglot Luca Lampariello in Rome
Twelve: Language Learning Slows You Down
This feature of learning language might sound like a minus, but hear me out. In our sped-up world, nothing could be healthier than taking the time to learn deeply at a slower pace.
Just like you don’t want to abandon the training wheels on a bike too soon, learning a language requires you to master a number of fundamentals. Gain traction with these and you can tackle the next level (and the level after that) with consistency, clarity and the certainty that you’re getting it right.
Thirteen: Learning A Language Teaches You A Ton About How To Learn
Learning languages requires strategies that apply to learning anything. You can bring outside tactics to help you as you explore a new language, but more importantly, you’ll take a lot of new approaches away for other kinds of learning.
For example, you’ll learn how to assess what you don’t yet know how to say and find resources to fill in the gaps. You can transfer this ability to any communication-based activity. You’ll spot missing words and note the need for clarity when writing or editing. Conference interpreters in particular need these skills.
Fourteen: Learning Vocabulary And Phrases Exercises Your Memory
[clickToTweet tweet=”When learning a language, you are playing an extended game of memory.” quote=”When learning a language, you are playing an extended game of memory.” theme=”style6″]
Retention and recall advance you through the levels, and even in your mother tongue, it’s impossible to plateau. There are always more words to learn and memorize.
Fifteen: Memorizing Vocabulary In Any Language Speeds Up
The great thing about consciously using your memory while learning vocabulary and phrases is that you don’t have to rely on painful rote learning. Although index cards and spaced-repetition software certainly have their place, the ancient art of memory, or mnemonics, offers powerful techniques for boosting your vocabulary in record time.
For example, a Memory Palace is an imaginary replica of a place you know, ideally a building like your home, school or workplace.
If you can imagine the journey from your bedroom to the kitchen, then you’re already well on your way to creating your first Memory Palace. If you need more help, you can follow the Magnetic Memory Method Masterplan.
To do it right, draw out a floor plan of your chosen building. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just recognizable enough for you to recognize a distinct route. Try to move from the inside out and avoid crossing your path.
How To Use The Magnetic Memory Method For Learning Your Foreign Language
Once you’ve decided upon a location for your first Memory Palace, choose a number of “Magnetic Stations” along the route you’ve created. Attempt to have at least ten in your first Memory Palace, using spots like the corner of each room, tables, chairs and doorways.
Next, gather the vocabulary you want to memorize. It can be random words or a list based on themes like travel. You can also memorize lists of verbs, nouns, adjectives or all of the prepositions.
Finally, you create a “Magnetic Bridging Figure.” Base your Magnetic Bridging Figure on a real person or an actor for best results.
Cartoon characters also work well. The easier it is for you to see this character interacting with different objects the better. And if you can associate the figure with the sounds of the words, you will be memorizing at the highest possible level.
For example, let’s say you’ve got a short list of German adjectives:
Bockig
Dunkel
Weich
To get started with memorizing German vocabulary, you could imagine James Bond in your bedroom. “Bockig” means “stubborn,” so you could see Bond stubbornly whipping a block of ice with licorice. If you take a few seconds to exaggerate this weird image, you’ll find that it’s hard to shake from your mind.
Plus, when you revisit the image in your bedroom later, it will remind you that the word you’re looking for starts with “bo” thanks to James Bond.
The “ck” sound in “block” will help you recall the “ck” sound in the target word and the liquorice in the image will help you recall the final “ish” sound. The more “stubborn” Bond looks in your image and the more exaggerated you make the action and colors, the better you’ll be able you recall the sound and meaning of the word.
The description you’ve just read may sound complicated, but that’s because you’re reading a mnemonic create by someone else. Once you start using this technique on your own, it will soon become second nature to you. And if you need more help, you can always register for How to Learn and Memorize The Vocabulary Of Any Language.
How To Use James Bond For Language Learning In A Memory Palace
Here’s another example:
Let’s say that James Bond is now in your kitchen. You’ve got a basketball net in there and you see Bond slam “dunk” the letter “l” through the hoop. If you see the hoop as a dark black hole, then it will be simple to recall that dunk + l = dunkel, which means dark.
To give a final example, “weich” means soft in German. By the door leading out of your home, you could see James Bond squeezing a viper between the jaws a soft and furry vice. Make it exaggerated and funny so that the imagery leaps out at you and the details make it easy to decode both the sound and meaning of the word.
Again, these examples only demonstrate the guidelines of how mnemonics work. You’ll need to experiment and create your own images based on the words you want to learn and memorize.
In whatever language you’re using, avoid getting stalled by looking for one-to-one correspondences between the images and words. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how easily your mind brings it all together based on near-associations.
You can speed up the memorization process further by writing sentences using the words and speaking those sentences in a conversation. Casually mentioning to people what you’ve memorized and how you did it using mnemonics is also a great way to solidify new vocabulary and phrases.
Finally, you can follow these steps for every letter of the alphabet. For example, here are some Hindi Alphabet Memory Palace secrets from a Magnetic Memory Method student.
There Are No Magic Bullets In Language Learning (And That Is A Beautiful Thing)
It’s normal and natural to look for shortcuts. But when it comes to language learning, there aren’t any. In fact, shortcuts, like SMART goals, aren’t necessarily desirable.
Why? Because you benefit so much from the learning process. You develop patience, stamina and the ability to juggle many moving parts. In today’s age when computers are bearing so much cognitive load on our behalf, more than ever we need to have this kind of mental activity to keep our brains fit and our mental lives stimulating.
Above all, by not seeking shortcuts and just getting down to learning, you learn to deal with imperfect communication. This process teaches you to come at problems from different angles until you’ve made things clear.
And not seeking shortcuts is easy… So long as you’re in the G.A.P.:
https://youtu.be/qGwUaMesh1k
In a world with over 7000 languages, getting in the language learning G.A.P. and staying there is a skill worth having. In every tongue.
It gives you four video tutorials and worksheets that will help you learn your chosen language much faster.
So what do you say?
Ready to become fluent?
Make it happen!
How To Teach Your Kids Memory Techniques
Mar 09, 2016
You want your children to remember what they learn, right? You’ve probably even hoped that they’d learn enough to succeed in life.
Maybe even change the world.
It’s a great aspiration. And an important one.
There’s also a reason I’m talking about it as an author of many books about memory improvement.
It connects with my years of study, concluding with my PhD in Humanities at York. Something that almost never happened because I was not encouraged as much as I could have been while younger.
It’s on this basis that I want to share with you today what I think are the most important ways to talk about memory with young people that I know.
How To Teach Your Kids Memory Techniques
As far as I can tell, one of the biggest reasons young people struggle in school comes down to one word:
Memory.
I mean, think about it. Every test your child will ever take relies on memory. Every gatekeeper your child will ever pass on the way to fulfilling their dreams on the job market hinges on the ability to recall details. Thoroughly and accurately.
That includes entrepreneurship too, where strong working memory is a huge asset.
And since we know that the ability to succeed has everything to do with what you know (and who you remember that you know), the question is …
How do you get your children started towards a superior memory so that they can succeed?
I’m glad you asked because you’re about to find out.
A Simple Way To Help Your Kids Recall Anything
The best memory techniques I’m aware of center on the Memory Palace technique.
It’s a fun way to use a location you know to place associations that help you remember facts and all kinds of information.
Why use fixed locations? Because the human mind has the unusual ability to remember the layout out buildings. For this reason, location-based mnemonics has lasted thousands of years.
Go ahead and try it. Have everyone in your family draw a map of your home. You’ll be amazed by the accuracy each of you brings to the game.
Here’s an image of a simple drawing from a young person who did precisely this activity to give you ideas and inspire you. She took the layout of her home from the drawing stage to rebuilding this floor plan in her mind so she could memorize a poem.
How To Use The Memory Palace to Learn, Memorize And Recall Anything
Anyone of any age can build one and use this technique to memorize anything.
But please don’t use Memory Palaces to memorize random stuff, unless you’re preparing for a memory competition.
The trick is to use these wonderful mental structures for memorizing important information.
I’m talking about the kind of information that makes a direct impact on the quality of your child’s life. In the present and the future.
So location is the first power of memory. The second power of memory is association. The third is applying the techniques to important information like language learning, math, facts, historical dates and the like.
Once these fundamentals are in place, the steps are easy:
Here’s a quick walkthrough of what I mean, based on the number rhyme technique combined with a Memory Palace.
Case Study Of The Memory Palace Technique In Action
Imagine that your house has five rooms. Kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom and playroom. You’ve already drawn them out and can walk in your imagination from room to room. And your child can do this too.
Next, use the following rhymes to place an imaginary object in each room.
1 is a bun 2 is a shoe 3 is a bee 4 is a door 5 is a hive
You don’t have to use these rhymes. It’s great fun to come up with your own as a family activity. But these are standard and you can find a full list of these mnemonic examples and a full explanation of this mnemonic peg system here.
But keep in mind that we’re going to take things one step further than rhyming. We’re going to combine this technique with a familiar building like your home.
Now pretend that your son or daughter needs to learn the names of the first five vertical entries on the Periodic Table of Elements. The following suggestions are examples only. The method will work best when young people come up with the images on their own.
Hydrogen goes in the first room. They see a bun saying “Hi” to a drone reading Genesis.
In the second room, they see a shoe with a huge L on it. It’s drinking tea and saying “um.” Lithium,
The third room has a bee. He’s also saying “um” while drinking soda. Sodium.
The fourth room has an enormous potato with a door from which donkeys are entering the room with small potatoes in their mouths. Potassium.
In the fifth room, we have rubidium. Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz is knocking on the hive.
You can help everyone in your family use this location and rhyme-based memory technique to learn and memorize anything. From facts and mathematical figures to foreign language vocabulary and artifacts from Ancient Egypt. Being able to recall these in a snap make a huge difference for kids in school. And bilingualism is very health for young brains.
The Minimalist Guide To Making Memory Improvement A Family Event
If your young person is struggling to learn, retain and reproduce information, here’s how you can help. If you’ve already used your home as a Memory Palace, visit a relative or friend. Make a Memory Palace based on their home. You can literally walk the journey between the actual rooms with them, encouraging them to come up with the memorable images on their own.
You can also use a walk through a simple park, a movie theater, a church or a library. But please do start with simple structures before introducing anything more complex. Mastering simple buildings makes mastering multi-detailed environments much easier.
Teach Your Kids How To Paint Like Picasso In Their Minds
If your child struggles with creating images to associate information with, help them to become more visual by looking at art together. If you can visit art galleries, all the better. These buildings can become Memory Palaces too.
You can also help your children become more visual by encouraging drawing more than just Memory Palaces. Characters from movies they’ve enjoyed and especially representations of people from books they’ve read about but never seen work well. They will get the visual imagination flowing.
It’s also useful to look at an image and then have your child “remake” the image in their imagination. Seeing in the mind is a skill you can develop over time and you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Mentally “copying” the great masters is perfectly fine. Great and original artists do it all the time.
Use World Class Examples To Inspire Your Child To Memorize
One way to make these memory skills more interesting to young people is to tell them the story of their origin in Ancient Greece. Simonides of Ceos was giving a speech at a banquet when the building collapsed. Because he had memorized where everyone was using the location principle, he could help families identify their loved ones.
The Simonides story also perfectly demonstrates the principles of exaggerated imagery along with location. The vibrant image of a building collapsing is just of the reasons the story has lasted the centuries. The image is as hard to forget as is the promise of near-miraculous memory ability.
Your kids will also find Matteo Ricci‘s life as an international mnemonist inspiring. He sailed from Italy to China and could memorize books forwards and backward. His life included a great deal of drama and even tragedy.
You can also share with them the stories of how ordinary people have learned memory techniques and used them to accomplish extraordinary feats. Read Joshua Foer’s Moonwalking with Einstein for a particularly compelling story to pass on.
You can also listen to the Magnetic Memory Method interviews with Dave Farrow, Mark Channon and Alex Mullen for many inspiring stories of ordinary people learning memory techniques and accomplishing great things for themselves and others. Nelson Dellis, for example, has done a lot for Alzheimer’s research and you can contribute to it by taking his Extreme Memory Challenge. He’s also written a memory training manual specifically for kids called Memory Superpowers.
Show All Children The True Path To Memory Mastery With One Simple Tool
We double what we’ve learned every time we teach. Teaching is the simplest tool for learning something better ever invented. All you need to do is learn something and then share what you’ve learned. Merely by doing this you will have learned it better yourself. It’s also great memory exercise.
Encourage your child to share what they’ve learned with others so that they absorb the skills with greater depth. Teaching others also follows the principle of contribution. Your child feels like she or he has given something great and also made the world a better place. Reciprocity will be a natural result.
You can also ask your child to teach you what they’ve learned directly from their memory. Ask them to “decode” the images they’ve created without revealing them. Focus on the core information first and then share the weird images if you wish.
At the end of the day, these images are nothing more than training wheels on a bike. They prompt or trigger the target information. But it’s the memorized information they should reproduce first.
Having your child repeat what they’ve memorized at home also gives them practice in a low-stress environment. (Your home is low-stress, isn’t it?)
That way, when the time to take a test arrives, they can access those comfortable feelings about memory created at home. This certainty will help them cope with the pressure of performance at school. Imagination and memory abilities soar much higher when we’re relaxed.
Are Memory Techniques The Ultimate Learning Solution?
Yes and no. Memory techniques are a supplement to how schools teach, not a replacement. Some kids take to it more than others and for some, taking pleasure in the technique is necessary. But if the images are sufficiently funny and fascinating, it’s hard to imagine the Magnetic Memory Method as boring.
As a final tip, avoid perfection. Just have fun with the art of memory and let go of the outcome. At its core, all we’re doing is looking at information that needs to be learned and retained in a new and likely more interesting way.
But it’s important not to associate this technique with the same pain and frustration given to rote learning. Your child will always be learning the information, but if something truly won’t stick, move on and come back to it. You increase the pleasure and chances of success by not forcing it.
And if you as a parent would like more information about using Memory Palaces to learn and memorize information that can make a positive difference in your life, I’ve got a Free Memory Improvement kit for you.
Harry Lorayne Memory Improvement And The Magic Of Mnemonics
Mar 02, 2016
Was Harry Lorayne The GODFATHER Of Memory Techniques For The 20th & 21st Century?
(He must have been. The dude had memory courses on vinyl, after all.)
Although memory training has been around for millennia, it’s largely thanks to Lorayne that it has seen a huge resurgence in modern times.
Largely thanks to his influence, there are now countless books and materials about memory improvement, not to mention video courses, audio programs and, yes, resources like the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
First, Lorayne wrote voluminously and gave countless presentations, often on hugely popular TV shows. Plus, he worked with world class advertisers. As a result, Lorayne spawned and popularized the modern industry of memory training.
Some of Lorayne’s success came down to how he kept his memory improvement books direct and simple.
But not too simple. Tony Buzan, for example, told me that when he got into mnemonics, Lorayne was the first person he sought out for consulting on what to do and how to do it.
So correct me if I’m wrong, but in terms of sheer visibility and quality, I think it’s safe to say that the answer to my opening question is a resounding, “yes.”
Harry Lorayne was the Mnemonic Godfather of modern memory training. Having passed away in 2023, thanks to his mastery of the written word and giving dynamic presentations, we have every reason to believe his influence will live on.
How Lorayne Survived A Terrible Childhood And Create A Memorable Career
The future didn’t always look so promising for Lorayne. Judging from his childhood conditions during the depression-era, it seemed that the odds were firmly stacked against him.
https://youtu.be/kaPMuWHZ1lU
“I had an awful childhood. I’m a depression kid.” Lorayne shares in his 2012 interview with Michael Senoff. “I remember having a potato for dinner.”
He was also affected with dyslexia, which he only identified as such years later. This learning disability caused him to struggle and fail while in grade school.
But Harry Lorayne’s life took a different course when he discovered books on memory improvement.
As he told me in the exclusive interview he gave for Masterclass members, Lorayne discovered memory techniques in a dramatic way. We’ll talk about that in a moment.
For now, let’s be grateful that Lorayne did a lot more than just learn these memory methods so he could drastically improve his grades at school. He started teaching his classmates on how they too could become memory masters and massively improve their grades too. And once he started teaching, he never stopped.
https://youtu.be/Xo3RDIVWs08
From there, Harry Lorayne progressively became more and more successful. Lorayne has managed to emerge as one of the most famous and published magicians and memory experts of the century. Even into his 80s and 90s, Lorayne continued publishing books and teaching the world about memory, success and perseverance.
The Secret Ingredient That Made Harry Lorayne And His Memory Techniques Go “Viral”
Harry Lorayne was born of Jewish parents in 1926 in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, right near the East River.
Having come to the world only 3 short years before the Great Depression, Lorayne’s childhood was spent in impoverished and difficult circumstances. Most everyone was poor, and Lorayne was amongst the poorest of the poor.
Poverty colored all aspects of Harry Lorayne’s childhood, including his play. He recalls how with his childhood friends he would play in a garbage dump near where he lived. Lorayne recounts:
“The garbage became a petrified hill. They were long, petrified mountains of garbage, and that was our playgrounds. That’s what my friends and I played on when I was a little boy.”
School also proved to be difficult Lorayne. Due to his undiagnosed dyslexia, Lorayne received failing grades as a young boy. To make matters worse, his father had a heavy-handed way of dealing with his son’s school performance.
“I got the paper [test] home to my father to sign, and he would look at the failing grade, and he would punch me,” remembers Lorayne “I was scared. Not of getting failing grades, but of getting hit by my father.”
How Fear Created A Memory Solution That Would Help Millions Of People Improve Their Memory
Pushed to find a solution, a stroke of insight struck Lorayne one day on his walk to school.
“I just realized that at that point in my life, all you had to do was remember the darn answers to the questions, and then you’ll get a passing grade. And then, more importantly, your father won’t punch you.”
In other words, Lorayne understood that school was more about a test of how well you could memorize than a test of ‘intelligence’. As he says repeatedly in many of his interviews “There is no learning without memory.”
Lorayne soon headed to the library where he asked the librarian to show him where the books on “how to memorize” were kept.
There, he immersed himself for hours in how-to books on memorization. These included books from the 17th and 18th century, and works from modern memory trainers, such as David Roth.
Much of the material was not comprehensible for him at his young age. However, he understood enough to teach himself how to memorize things quickly and effectively using mnemonics techniques.
From that point on, he aced his tests at school, surprising his teachers and sparing him from his aggressive father.
His classmates took notice, and started to ask Lorayne how he managed to have improved his memorization so drastically. That marked the start of his career teaching others on how to memorize effectively.
Later, Lorayne would even have other people teaching his techniques for him. For example, the magician Darwin Ortiz talks about teaching for Lorayne in his Penguin Magic Live Lecture.
But long before being a teacher and helping others become teachers of memory techniques, Lorayne became a dropout during his first year of high school.
To make an income, Lorayne started performing memory tricks for small to medium sized audiences. He would impress crowds by memorizing magazine pages, decks of cards or large lists of names.
His original intention in doing these shows was to attract students to hire him for memory training. He found little success in doing so, but his shows led him to be noticed by an agent.
The agent started Lorayne on a path of presenting to larger and larger audiences. By 1958, Lorayne was presenting on national television, including shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Merv Griffin Show and Good Morning America. Lorayne performed on the The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson no less than 24 times.
As if that wasn’t enough, Lorayne also entertained as a magician and wrote many books about sleight of hand. He also published other magicians in a regular publication called Apocalypse.
https://youtu.be/DuER_efoMe4
One of his most famous memory feats include memorizing each of the names of crowds of up to 1500 people. As much as 20 minutes later, he would be able to name each of the audience’s names when prompted. He is also known for having memorized an entire phone book.
But Lorayne didn’t make his name off of entertaining others with memory tricks alone. Instead, he became famous by teaching others how to use these techniques and improve their own memories.
This Memory Improvement Solution Could End Your Memory Troubles Forever
Harry Lorayne has sold millions of copies of his many books teach people around the world on how to replicate his memorization ability. Many actors and other public figures have publicly acknowledged using Lorayne’s methods. These include New York city mayor Michael Bloomberg, Secretary of State Colin Powell and actor Alan Alda.
Harry Lorayne’s method is based on image associations. This is where the memorizer associates an image with the piece of information that they’d like to remember.
Lorayne’s methods are based on the idea that all memory can be broken down into associations of two entities. As Lorayne puts it:
“That’s what I teach, how to make one thing remind you of another.”
This is similar to how fellow memory expert Nelson Dellis explains it, but with a multi-sensory twist. These are the same association techniques Magnetic Memory Method student Marno Hermann used to memorize 1200 digits of Pi.
Lorayne’s method also extends the technique to non-physical and non-visual concepts, such as numbers. His teachings guide students on how to visualize numbers physically so as to remember them.
He does this by teaching students to associate numbers 1 through 9 with specific letters (a technique known widely as either the Major Method or Major System).
With this technique, any number can be connected with at least one word. By associating numbers with a physical word, numbers are given a physical quality. As compared to the abstract concepts that are numbers, physical qualities can more easily be used as mnemonics.
Lorayne also underlines the importance of paying attention. His method includes teachings on how to concentrate and focus on the information students are trying to memorize. “We are all born with the same capacity for memory,” he says. “It’s a question of having a trained memory, or an untrained memory”
One thing that many note about Lorayne’s work, however, is that his teaching seems not to cover the Memory Palace Method technique.
No one is quite sure why, but my feeling is that in some integral manner, memorizing the names of each person in a large crowd must use location in one way or another.
Unless the individuals change location, a mnemonist performing a feat like this most certainly taps into the power of a repeated location, if only unconsciously. There is a link between the where the information was memorized and where the mnemonist goes to recall it.
What Will Harry Lorayne’s Contribution To Helping You Create Instant Memories Will Bring To Your Future?
The answer is: Success.
In addition to his immense contribution to memorization training, Harry Lorayne has made significant contributions to the field of magic.
As I mentioned, he’s written over 30 books on card tricks.
As a world recognized magician, Lorayne has invented and refined techniques which are now widely used by current-day amateur and professional magicians. And many magicians have consulted his memory books for help with their memdeck work, like memorizign the Tamariz stack.
Lorayne’s life and career shows us how even barriers which many would consider insurmountable can be overcome.
His landmark contributions to memory training is an essential tome in the library of memorization techniques. Even now that Harry Lorayne has passed away, I’m sure his legacy will live on.
He was a living legend of memory mastery, proving what Winston Churchill said: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts”
Is there Anything Missing From Lorayne’s Memory Training?
Yes, as a matter of fact.
Much to the puzzlement of many memory training students, Lorayne does not like the Memory Palace technique. His suggestions for mnemonic images are often vague and generic too, though they are better in his final book, Ageless Memory.
I think it’s his best book, but what’s really missing is not some intellectual noodling over Memory Palaces.
What’s missing for so many people is what Lorayne was good at: getting you to pay attention to the teaching and apply mnemonics to your everyday life.
He’s inspired me to do that too, so if you’d like to learn more about how I’ve evolved some of the techniques I learned directly from Harry, you’re very welcome to get my free course here:
I hope you enjoyed this profile of Harry Lorayne and will take the time to enjoy his many wonderful contributions to the art of memory.
Because Harry was right. Memory is ageless. And only you can make it that way.
Alex Mullen On Mnemonic Speed, Mandarin And Medical Terminology
Feb 19, 2016
Have you ever wondered how the world’s top performers manage to pull off their tremendous feats?
I’ll bet you have. I’ll bet you’ve even felt jealous, and all the more so when it comes to memory champions.
But as Alex Mullen reveals in this exclusive Magnetic Memory Method interview, you can build your memory skills to epic levels with a shockingly small budget of time.
You can win a Guinness World Record for memorizing the most digits in under an hour – Alex clocks in at 3029!
And the best part is that you use the powers of memory you develop to sail through your studies. As a John Hopkins University grad with degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Alex is living proof that you really can squeeze it all in and have an excellent memory too.
Currently a medical student at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Alex is not only a two-times World Memory Champion. He currently holds the record for scoring the most points since the competitions began 24 years ago.
So what are you waiting for? Tune into this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast. Download the audio and transcript to your desktop and follow through on the suggestions in this action-packed session with one of the world’s greatest living mnemonists.
https://youtu.be/IxGPEmiUoG8
Episode Transcript
Anthony: Alex, it is really great to have you on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, and actually a real honor because you have achieved so much and really at a young age. Maybe tell people what age you are here in 2016 and a little bit about your first memory of being interested in memory.
Alex: Sure, well let me say first of all, I am happy to be here. It’s nice to be talking you. I got interested in memory back in March 2013. That was sort of the first time, at least that I can think of, that I was introduced to the techniques.
At that point, I think I was either a sophomore or junior in college. Up to that point, I had done things like using acronyms and some basic mnemonic stuff, but I really didn’t know about Memory Palaces. I didn’t know about any visual mnemonic strategies, anything more advanced than that.
How To Get Your Foot In The Door With Mnemonics
My first exposure was this TED talk by Joshua Foer called Feats of Memory Anyone Can Do. It was a short TED talk but that just really got me hooked. I was blown away about what he talked about in that talk. I ended up reading his book. He had this TED talk and then he wrote this book, a pretty famous one called Moonwalking with Einstein where he goes into his journey as memory athlete, learning the techniques, competing at the USA Memory Championship. That was really what got me interested.
https://youtu.be/U6PoUg7jXsA
I tell you, in terms of what was going on in my own life, like I mentioned, I was a student at the time and I probably, and it’s hard to remember ironically, but I’m pretty sure I probably felt like I was struggling with my own memory in school. Not really feeling like I was learning in the most efficient way, forgetting things all the time. Seeing these techniques, obviously as many people do, it struck me as something that I could use to improve my academic life. That was really the original motivator for me using memory techniques. I didn’t really think about competitions. I didn’t really think about memorizing numbers and cards. I really just wanted to use it for school, and that was my initial sort of entry into the world.
Then, once I read his book I got interested, and I figured why not make a system for numbers, make a system for cards, and then at least even if I don’t compete, I can use those to practice memory techniques and get comfortable with them. That’s what I did. I ended up reading a few more books: Dominic O’Brien‘s Quantum Memory Power, Ron White‘s Memory in a Month. I got through those and just made my systems. I started making a PAO system for numbers, a PAO system for cards. Then I just kind of started practicing and doing the events at the competitions and then trained for about a year. My first competition was the 2014 USA Memory Championship.
The Minimalist Guide To the PAO (Person Action Object) System And Beyond
Anthony: There is so much to talk about with what you just said but maybe if we just jump into the bolts and the mechanics and so forth. When you’re talking about systems and PAO, what are you referring to? I think one thing that is supper important in what you’re saying is you’re talking about creating systems. A lot of people look for a system in someone else’s mnemonic strategy, but you’re talking about creating your own. Why is that important? What do you mean by system? What does it mean to create your own?
Alex: Right, well, when I say I created a PAO system, I was just looking to, as most memory athletes do, create a system that translates numbers or cards into a predetermined image. PAO stands for “person, action, object,” and that means, for instance, for numbers you take every 2-digit number and associate it with a person, an action and an object. When you memorize numbers, you take like say 6 digits at a time, you look at the first 2 digits and you would say who is the person associated with those 2 digits. You move to the second 2 digits and you would say what is the action associated with those 2 digits. Then finally the object for the last 2 digits and then you would string them into this story of this person doing this action or an object. Then that would represent a 6-digit string.
That’s not something I invented. That’s a technique that was around since something like the 2000s or something like that of people the using in competitions. When I say I created my own system, I didn’t invent the system. What I did do is choose which people, which actions, which objects I was going to use in my systems. That’s something every memory athlete or person who wants to use systems to memorize numbers or cards or whatever has to make themselves, because they need those associations to be personal and strong for them.
Like I said, I didn’t I didn’t invent the system but I had to make these images, and I had to choose things that will be personally strong for me. Just talking about systems in general I think is a pretty interesting thing. One thing I do think that I’ve sort of learned, through memory sports, competitions, etc., is that systems can be somewhat complicated to begin with. Then, once you put enough work into them, they really sort of pay off in the end.
I’ve since moved on from the PAO system. Now I use a 3-digit system to memorize numbers where every 3 digits becomes some sort of image. If you think about that, having to think of an image for every single 3-digit combination, that’s a thousand images, you know that sounds really complicated. I would not advise that many people to do that unless they want to compete, but it’s something that, with enough practice, works really, really well for me. I think it’s an interesting lesson that if you put in enough work up front, it can really sort of payoff down the line even if it seems complicated up front.
Anthony: Yes, I think that’s an important distinction that there is a lot of self-creation even if you’re adopting preexisting models or whatnot. What I wonder is, I mean this is certainly the case for me, I have certain characters that are relatively fixed for cards, for example, but there are times when actually I need to switch between two symbols that I have for the same card. So I use major method for cards. In other words, the queen of clubs can be either a chain or it can be like the queen of clubs literally with a chain, or it can be Fat Bastard from the Austin Powers movies because of all his double chins, or it can be, you know there’s a couple other variations. Are you really fixed, or do you have some wiggle room in case it just doesn’t work a particular thing that you’ve created for three digits or cards or whatever the case may be?
How To Reduce Luke Skywalker To The Basics And Remember Anything
Alex: That’s a good question. I’d say it’s relatively fixed. I don’t think I personally really do anything that similar to what you said where you have kind of two separate actual things. I mean the furthest I would go I think is, let me think of an example, for me 570 is Luke Skywalker from Star Wars obviously. Like for him for instance, that pops up you know sometimes I might picture Luke Skywalker using his blue lightsaber and you know doing something with it. If it works better, occasionally I’ll just use the lightsaber itself, and he won’t even be part of it.
https://youtu.be/au5cv96Rrjc
I do make sort of adjustments in the moment like that just depending on how it fits into the story, but it’s not quite what you’re talking about I think. That said though, when I am using memory techniques/Memory Palaces for learning things in school, I’m a medical student right now, and I will sort of have sometimes occasionally, I try not to do this too much, but I have two different images for certain things. Like sometimes, I am trying to think of an example, sometimes I’ll represent like a white blood cell, this is kind of a weird example, but a white blood cell could be Luke Skywalker actually, and then sometimes depending on just, I guess it’s sort of hard to explain, but sometimes if it’s a little better I’ll use Stephen Colbert, and he also would represent a white blood cell, but I do kind of use one or the other sometimes just depending on what which fits better to the story.
?Anthony: What interests you in medicine and what brought you to that particular field as opposed to any other course of study?
Alex: I’ve been interested in medicine for a long time since high school really. Part of the reason was pretty simple. I just like science. I was kind of a science nerd. I like the kind of problem solving aspect of it. I didn’t like the fact that it was sort of more practical and you could sort of directly influence people rather than being like an inventor. How do people use what you invent but not really having that personal connection.
I mean, yeah, those main things were sort of what got me interested, and then when I was in college, you know I did some shadowing. I followed some doctors around. I did some other things too. I tried to do research, things like that and medicine was just sort of, you know, being a physician was sort of just what struck me as most interesting.
Why Memory Techniques Are Something Everyone Should Learn
Anthony: Intuitively we know there’s so many ways that memory techniques can help physicians. I wonder if in the future you think that there may be a possibility at some point that in a program like medicine, or any program in law school or whatever the case may be, there might be a place for mnemonics as a course of study or an elective that people could take while there while they’re studying a big subject like that?
Alex: Yes, I mean I think, obviously I’m a little biased here, but maybe we both are. You know I think that memory techniques is something that everybody should learn. You know medicine, medicine or not, but medicine especially just because there really is just so much information that you know you have to memorize. I mean obviously the best way I think most people would argue to learn information is to really understand what’s going on. If you have a really deep understanding, you will remember it.
Unfortunately, that’s just not the case in medicine. There’s so much information that you can’t possibly try to find some sort of root understanding in everything. There’s just not enough time in a day. You have to memorize things, if that makes sense. I think memory techniques are something that really can make students learn more efficiently to be able to retain the information longer.
Do You Make The Mistake Of Cramming?
You know just like cramming and forgetting is such a huge thing for the average med student’s life. They cram for tests. They forget it in two weeks, that kind of sucks you know. It’s not a very good model. I think that memory techniques can definitely help with that. I’m certainly trying my best to use them in my own career to do that, to learn, to keep things more long term. Yeah, I do think that medical students should learn about memory techniques.
Actually, there are already programs out there. There are web sites or courses for instance that incorporate mnemonics that a lot of medical students use that are actually already very popular. For instance, there’s this program called SketchyMicro [now called Sketchy Medical] that uses sketches. So like drawings of places and then they will images, you know medical mnemonic images into things to teach you about different bugs in microbiology. It is visual learning and it does incorporate pieces of Memory Palace ideas even though you aren’t really using your own personal Memory Palaces per se.
Those have already become quite popular in just a few years for learning medical terminology. You know I think it is starting to take a little bit of a foothold already. It’ll be very interesting to see where that goes.
Anthony: Cool. I wasn’t aware of that program but I’m always kind of amazed at the requests that people have for ready-made mnemonics as such. You know images that are created by someone else. I wonder what your genuine take on that is. Is that a is that a winning long-term strategy?
Alex: That’s a good question.
The Question That Plagues All Teachers Of Mnemonics (Solved)
Anthony: Is it a point of entry that is legitimate someone could take so long as they develop the ability to create their own images or are you better off, you know, from your own pedagogical opinion, are you just better off just learning the nuts and bolts of making images right from the get go?
Alex: You know that’s a question that I really struggle with a lot. I’m not sure what the answer is. There have been many people that I’ve you know tried to teach memory techniques to for learning specifically, and you know it’s just sort of a fact that a lot of people will try it, probably hit a few road blocks and then just sort of give up. I mean, obviously, myself I’m a “memory athlete” and so it was a little easier for me to just be able to do it, and then also to kind of kick myself in the rear enough to keep trying it to make sure it works.
How To Memorize Medical Terminology Fast
In that sense, my point is that maybe it is better to give people these pre-made mnemonics. That’s what SketchyMicro [Sketchy Medical] does. That’s what these other programs like Picmonic do. People really seem to respond to those because they are very low barrier to entry type things.
You can still get a lot of benefits of mnemonics, maybe not all of them, but a lot of them without really doing much upfront work yourself. It doesn’t have to be a very active process. You just watch these videos and they sort of come to you.
That said, like you said, obviously there are benefits to making your own palaces. There are benefits to making your own images. The personal connections are stronger. You can use memories from your own life which make things more memorable.
Even myself, I sort of do a combination of both actually. I personally use SketchyMicro to learn microbiology. Then I use my own images and palaces for the other courses that I’m taking right now like pathology or pharmacology. Then I also do certain things to still take what is happening in the SketchyMicro world and incorporate into my own personal palaces. SketchyMicro has videos for all these different say bacteria or a video for this type of bacteria or this type of virus or whatever. Then I use my own Memory Palaces. I take the images from those videos and put them in like sort of an organizational palace.
I use my own palace and say okay here are all the gram-positive rod bacteria. Here are all of these. I can sort of see the whole structure using my own Memory Palace. I guess my point is that I’m sort of using a hybrid of my own images and their images. This is my roundabout way of saying that I think there are benefits to both. I think definitely it helps in a sense to get people through the door, so to speak, to give them pre-made images like SketchyMicro, because it is, in my experience at least, it can be difficult to get people to use the techniques because it is a very off the wall, sort of unintuitive – you know it’s intuitive when you’re using it, but it’s an off the wall thing and people struggle. People run into roadblocks. Hopefully that answers the question.
Anthony: Yeah, I mean it’s something I struggle with just how to teach it, how to actually make it palpable for people because so often it sounds like you’re giving the instructions for how to build a jet engine.
Alex: Right.
Anthony: But I think that you and I both know and other mnemonists know that it is so elegant once you know what you’re doing. There’s like an artistry to it, hence art of memory, but it’s kind of ballet. It is just sort of like a kid with a remote control who is up, down, left, right, right, whatever that was – A, B, B, A on the old Nintendo Select Start routine – and there’s just a kind of fluidity to it once that you get rolling and so I think that one of the hallmarks and one of the things that I admire about you is that you’re not just using these, you’re actually teaching them and you have videos now.
Alex: I’m trying to yeah.
Anthony: Well they are excellent and one video in particular, if it’s cool with you, to put it on the page for this interview.
https://youtu.be/yg5K-K1o8DI
Alex: Sure, yeah.
Can’t Keep Up With Language Learning? Get Hold Of These Crazy Memory Secrets (That Go Way Beyond A PAO System)…
Anthony: You talk about one of the biggest things that people struggle with in memory in general, apart from medical school, which is foreign language vocabulary acquisition. You can watch that video, but what’s your key strategy there?
Alex: I just use sort of the same Memory Palace (a.k.a. Mind Palace) technique that I use for medicine or whatever. Generally, I should probably look into more of some of your stuff. I don’t think I have palaces organized quite the way you do. I just sort of do it haphazardly. What I do is I’ll start in a Memory Palace, choose one and then for vocabulary I’ll just choose locations along the way. I just sort of do the standard mnemonic thing. Create an image for the foreign language word. Create an image for the definition in English, and then have them interact in some way on that locus. That’s really it.
Personally I used mnemonics to learn Spanish and also to learn Chinese. Every language obviously presents with its own unique set of challenges. Chinese is obviously much different than Spanish. I do a couple of different tweaks and nuances to learn the Chinese things. It’s still all pretty much the general idea of palace images, same idea.
Anthony: Are you doing Mandarin or Cantonese?
Alex: It’s Mandarin.
Anthony: All right, we can trade notes because I’m doing Mandarin now too. It’s really fascinating.
Alex: It’s challenging.
Anthony: There is this absolute relationship between what you can do with Spanish and what you can do with Mandarin, but one thing, and maybe you can add your insight, that I find so fascinating, is I actually find Spanish harder with mnemonics than I do Mandarin because there’s so many cognates and I want to get lazy with the cognates and there’s an overwhelming amount of them.
Alex: Yeah, that’s true.
Anthony: And then there’s the 11 cognate rules and it’s just like, “Oh my goodness, do I really have to go through all this?” Whereas there is something so fresh about Mandarin and the tone challenges and so forth that just almost makes it like putting a knife through warm butter. It’s not as resistant because it’s so different.
Alex: Let me ask you this. So for Mandarin are you learning the characters also?
Anthony: Yes.
Alex: Okay. I’m curious how you would do that. When you do the pronunciation and the character do you sort of have it all in a similar location?
How To Invent The Solutions To Your Language Learning Problems
Anthony: Well I’m sort of “inventing” the process as I go along. One of the first things that I did, and I actually started this with Japanese and then I switched to Chinese, but I memorized the radicals in the Hanzi. That was four Memory Palaces to put together. I’ve got some repairs to do because it’s actually quite a challenge, but I didn’t do any sounds associated with any of them whatsoever, but this practice allows you to see the actual Hanzi characters in a very different way. There are sometimes often logical relationships. Like words that have to do with cooking that will have for example the fire radical in it, often you can even tell how that word is supposed to be pronounced, or you can make really educated guesses.
Alex: I definitely found that to be the case with Chinese (learning the characters, building the radicals) a lot of it makes logical sense.
Anthony: It’s weird. It’s like learning how to see more than it is learning how to read in some way. So there’s different levels of procedure. So there’s that, and then I never thought I would do this, but for the characters in and of themselves it’s really useful, just hard rote with, with memorize. I haven’t quite figured out how to add a mnemonic component because I just ignore the mnemonics that other people use. I just really don’t connect with them.
I just sort of, partly as an experiment, I just resist using them to see what happens and the character recognition builds really nicely. Then for the actual mnemonic strategy, what I’m doing, and I don’t know why I never thought of this before, but I got Pimsleur for Mandarin Chinese 1, 2 and 3 (much better than Pimsleur Spanish), and so I went to a cafe and I started to write out by hand my own homophonic transliteration as I call it, which is just to spell it the way I want to spell it, and made lots of mistakes. I was saying like tway-bo-chi when it’s supposed to be more like dway sound with like a “D.” But who cares about that initial error. You can’t correct yourself if you don’t have it in memory. You need it to be in memory to even make proper mistakes.
So then I would just would write a Memory Palace beside that in an Excel file. I’ve got columns. I’ve got a column for the English. I’ve got a column for my homophonic translation. I don’t bother writing down the meaning and then I make a little Memory Palace. I draw the Memory Palace. One case it was the city library here in Berlin or the Stabi as it’s called, the Staatsbibliothek and just go from there.
Then, listening to those repetitions in the dialog from Pimsleur is not using rote learning to pound stuff into your brain. It’s atually, like I press pause after each sentence, I produce the information from the imagery, I decode the imagery, so I’m actually practicing the art of memory as opposed to using it for rote learning. I’ve memorized now 11 dialogs and it’s really fast and it’s cool.
Alex: That’s great.
Anthony: It’s Pimsleur-speak but it’s something. I know this is your interview, but just sharing with you.
Alex: That’s okay I’m thrilled.
Anthony: The next thing that I do is I have two different speaking partners and I record the calls and they write the characters. One of them just writes characters. One writes Pinyin numbered and so I have those and I watch them typing this on the screen and it’s recorded and I go back. Then I just make Memory Palaces and memorize the vocabulary that came up. Like we did the months which is never on Pimsleur and we did things like, “I’m going to the park” and “I’m going to this with a friend” and then we do substitutions. “I read Shakespeare.” “Every day I read Shakespeare.” “I love to read Shakespeare.” These kinds of things work and it really builds quite quickly and then the next speaking session we go through what we did the last time and I produce it from memory and then get the corrections in pronunciation and it’s beautiful.
But I have to apologize! I completely skipped off what we were talking about. What are you doing with Mandarin?
How Alex Mullen Ethically “Steals” Memory Techniques
Alex: Yeah, so I wrote like a blog a while ago about it. I’m sort of ripping off this technique from a guy I found online. That’s just sort of what I do. I rip off people’s techniques. It was an interesting strategy and I didn’t really think too hard about it.
It sort of appealed to me at the time. I originally saw it a few years ago and I didn’t really put it into practice until sort of recently. The technique is different from the Spanish for me in a sense because when I do Spanish I sort of just look at the words and then I sort of just think of the first thing that comes to my head.
Like for instance, and this is an example I gave in some of my videos, if the Spanish word for apple is manzana, I sort of look at that. Maybe I would break it down and it kind of sounds like “man sand.” I might think of a man with a bag, like a big sand bag or something like that. That’s what I do for Spanish. I just look at the word and think of something that will remind me of the Spanish sound.
But for Chinese, I found that to be, at least personally, difficult. Because it’s very dissimilar to English and a lot of the sounds will trigger English words, but then I’ll very easily forget the nuance of the Chinese word. There’s just sort of all these like these different sounds that are very distinct in Chinese obviously, but sort of when I try to translate them to English words, it doesn’t really work quite as well. At least, that was my personal problem.
To get to what I’m actually doing, the technique takes advantage of the fact that Chinese words are monosyllabic and there’s sort of this finite set of beginnings and endings to words. What the technique does is it takes a person and there’s a predetermined person to represent every possible beginning. So for instance, one beginning sound is a ja sound and so for me that’s George Costanza from Seinfeld. Another one is the ba sound and that’s James Bond for me.
Then there’s endings, like for instance “a” or “i”, so then you can put the “ba” and the “i” and get “bi.” The endings I represent with places.
Then the way I do the tones is I sort of pick four different areas in those places. To be more specific there are 12, assuming I got this technique right, there are 12 different endings and so I have 12 different palaces for each of those endings and then within each of the 12 palaces there are four regions. The first region within Palace 1 will represent that ending and it will be the first tone for the first region if a person is in that region.
For instance, let me see if I can think of a good example. Okay, let me see if I can get this right, for instance so “bank” in Chinese is (loosely transliterated) “yinhang” I think, if I’m remembering it right. For the “yin” part the first sound is a “yi” sound and so for me that’s my grandmother. I call her Grandmother Eddie and so the “ed” kind of sounds like “yi” in Pinyin so that “yi” and then the ending is sort of an “n” ending. So it’s “in” and that “n” ending for me is the Old Miss campus which is in the town where I grew up. The second tone, because it is “yinhang,” is this sort of sports complex area. So I have my Grandmother Eddie for “yi” in this sports complex and that’s the “n” ending with the second tone and then she’ll be doing some sort of bank related thing in there.
This kind of goes back to what I’m was saying about systems. Because this sounds very complicated, it took a little while to set up, but I find that I’m able to do that relatively quickly. I can the “yi” think of my Grandmother Eddie and, see the “n,” think of the place, think of the region for the tone and it works pretty well. That’s one example, but hopefully that makes sense. That’s sort of the technique that I use.
Anthony: That’s cool. I’m going to get tons of emails asking me for the link to that blog post or that site that you are referring to. Let’s make sure to link to that (see the resources section below).
Alex: Yeah, I’ll send it to you.
Anthony: That would be cool.
Exactly How To Know When You’ve Got The Best Memory Technique
Alex: I don’t know if it’s the best technique. I don’t know if it’s the best technique for me. It seems to work so far. Yeah, I just wanted to add that qualifier.
Anthony: I always tell people that it’s the best technique relative to the outcome that it gets you.
Alex: Right.
Anthony: Is medicine a foreign language would you say?
Alex: In a way, yeah. I mean there’s certainly lots of terms to know. One thing I always try to be careful about is, and this is something I’m guessing other people struggle with and I certainly struggle with it myself. When you’re using a lot of mnemonics, you just need to be little careful, a little wary about not, I guess, losing the forest for the trees in terms of focusing too much on the memorization and sort of maybe missing out on some of the underlying concepts going on.
I don’t think that’s too big of a problem. I think it’s relatively easily combated just by forcing yourself to actively think about it. For instance, whenever I’m trying to recall something from a palace, I will always try to prompt myself by asking, “Okay, what’s going in real life?” Not in the palace, like visualize what’s happening in the body for instance and then just sort of always trying to ask myself why is this happening, what’s going on, how can I explain this in terms of cause and effect, I guess.
I think that to me is sort of the difference. I mean, obviously, there are concepts and grammar and things to learn for foreign language, but I found myself needing to be more careful about the understanding in terms of learning medicine.
Anthony: This leads me to something interesting that we haven’t talked about yet which is you mentioned being a memory athlete. The reality is that you are more than a memory athlete. You’ve won the World Memory Championship. Right? (Update: Since this interview was recorded, Alex became the 2x World Memory Champion!)
Alex: Right.
Anthony: We all appreciate modesty and that’s fantastic but I mean that’s the World Memory Championship and we’re talking about a deck of cards in 17 seconds. What does that feel like first of all?
Alex: Yeah, it feels good. It’s hard to say. I’ve been a memory competitor for a long time, about 3 years going back to the time March 2013. I had progressed a lot, obviously, and I felt good about where I was at, but even going into the competition last December, I didn’t feel like I was going to win by any stretch of the imagination. I knew that I could kind of compete for the sort of top couple spots if I really did my absolute best in everything, but I didn’t that was going to happen. It sort of was what happened, luckily for me. Definitely, the whole thing was surreal experience and it just felt like things kind of were going my way the entire time.
When it actually ended up happening, and I ended up winning on the last event, I didn’t even really know how to react because I hadn’t really mentally prepared for it. It feels great and I love the fact that hopefully it gives me a little bit of credibility in terms of being able to spread the techniques. I love competing but that’s really where my passion is at I think. I want to help people use the techniques especially for learning applications and for students or people in daily life as well to learn languages, etc. I personally like to focus on students, because there are so many inefficiencies with the way learning is done today, and I just think it needs to be done.
What A Card Memory Master Can Teach Us About Our Fitting Memory Fitness In
In terms of cards, cards is my favorite event. I love them because I like the sort of manual feel of the cards. It’s kind of random but that’s really one of the reasons I like it. Just being able to sort of speed through the deck by using your hands very quickly. I just like how it’s a fast event. That speed cards event, just memorizing one deck of cards as quickly as you can, has really kind of been like a big part of me doing memory sports. Because it’s very easy to just pick up a pack of cards and just go through it quickly, take a pack of cards with you on the train, the bus or in the car or wherever. I really like that event. Hopefully that answered the question.
Anthony: Yeah, it’s amazing. I’ve gotten just over the 3-minute mark myself and to me that’s really, really amazing.
Alex: Yeah, it is.
Anthony: The most I’ve done in competition, and I only ever competed once, but that was I did 14 cards in 2 minutes. So 52 in 17 seconds! But in my particular case, having never competed before, I didn’t even know we were going to play rock-paper-scissors and then alternate the cards. It just totally blew my brain that I had to sort of compensate for what the other person was doing and track whether they made a mistake or not. It was really kind of juggling. The recall was on the clock also. Very fascinating experience and so I can only imagine what that must of been like to be able to pace through a deck that fast. Take us through how you prepared for that. What’s an average training day like?
Alex: I try to keep my training sessions pretty short. Being in med school obviously I don’t have a whole lot of time to train a lot. I do my best to make each session as efficient as I can. I try to train sort of throughout the day. I mentioned maybe bringing a pack of cards while you’re going somewhere or doing it in sort of these transitional periods. That’s how I try to get some training in to not really add the extra time to my day.
How To Create Your Own Schedule For Memory Improvement And Mastery
On a daily basis I would say I train somewhere between 0 and 60 minutes a day. It tends to be in that range. Then I like to do a lot of speed drills. I will take a deck of cards and sort of go through it and see my images, like visualize my images but not actually put it in a palace and try to recall it. I just sort of see it and try to go as fast as I can. To get to something like 20 or 17 seconds, you need to be able to see the cards and translate the images pretty much instantly. That’s really the essential skill in terms of getting fast. That’s personally what I train a lot of.
I try to keep it pretty short on a day-to-day basis and that I think helps because I don’t feel like I’m spending a whole lot of extra time training. I don’t really feel like I’m getting tired of training. It doesn’t ever feel like a slough, because every day it’s kind of little burst of training I can do and it’s always very exciting for me.
Alex: I do. I have sort of a weekly schedule that I try to adhere to, trying to get through all the events in these competitions out of the way. It would be something like cards every couple of days, numbers every couple of days, names and faces, words every couple of days, just something like that. I sort of spend some of the time each day doing speed drills, just going through cards or going through numbers and just try to see my images. Then part of it is just doing the actual events in the competitions, spending 5 minutes memorizing numbers and then another 10 or 15 minutes recalling it. I try to stick to that schedule.
Anthony: I think scheduling is really powerful even just for memorizing like knowledge, for example, for studies and so on to have a sift and sort pattern so to speak. You offer coaching on your site. What would a person expect if they came to you for coaching as ground zero or Session 1?
How To Know That You’re Doing It Right
Alex: You always are sort of wondering, “Am I doing this right?” Like okay, is there something or is there one little thing that I’m sort of missing that’s going to be the difference between getting it to be really successful versus not. I think just being able to talk to somebody else, hopefully somebody more experienced than you about it, is very helpful. But in terms of the ground zero student, I would just start with the basics. Try to go through Memory Palaces, the basic ideas of creating images and how doing certain things can really do a lot to make those images stick better in your palaces. Going through the importance of review schedules or like using spaced repetition. I think that’s very important obviously in terms of learning. I just sort of try to cater to whatever the student’s needs are. If they’re interested in competitions, if they’re interested in learning, I would started with those basics and sort of move forward depending on what their questions are.
Anthony: I would imagine that by going to these competitions, you get coaching by default because you’re around all these great people who have this similar interest or is it completely the opposite? The reason why I’m thinking that is I was watching a lecture by a magician the other day, and he said that going to like FISM (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques), which is a magic organization with a competition, is one of the best things that he ever did because all his best friends he met at the competition, and they actually help each other get better at magic. I’m just kind of curious about that.
Alex: Yeah, I definitely think that’s the case for memory. Most people, for sure, are willing to talk about the techniques they use, discuss their strategies, their ideas for what works and what doesn’t. I’ve definitely found going to competitions to be very helpful to learn personally. Also, just the memory competition sort of community in general has been very helpful, because you meet some of these people at competitions or you just meet them online and you can communicate online very easily and I do that a with different people. That’s always very helpful.
Anthony: You know one thing that I think that is really key, and I’m sure you have insight about this, is that a lot of people get this. They understand it. They don’t feel like they’ve had a jet engine described to them. It just snaps. They are like okay make a Memory Palace, location dependent mnemonic, we put this image here, we go back, we recall it, and decode it. This is not rocket science to them whatsoever.
Alex: Yeah.
Anthony: However, they find it really boring. They’re not in love with it so to speak. Is there a way to fall in love with mnemonics? Is there a way to become so passionate about it that even if they don’t want to go compete, they are able to apply it to the information that makes a difference in their life, or just something that creates pleasure, which also makes a difference to your life?
How To Crush Boredom And Make Memory Development The Most Interesting Activity In The World
Alex: Yeah, I think so. I think that’s the case. I think the great thing about mnemonics is you can really make them as personal as you want to. So whatever you’re interested in, you can sort of adapt your images or your stories to sort of match that.
I think one thing that’s important, for myself and for others, is to really try to focus on making something that’s interesting to you. Sometimes I’ll get a little bored at memorizing numbers or whatever, and then I always try to take it back and force myself to think about, “What can I do to make these stories more interesting?” I always sort of see two images together on one locus when I memorize numbers. I always really try to do my best to make it seem interesting and doing that and just sort of focusing on making something funny or interesting in that way is enough to kind of keep me interested even if I’m having a bad or a boring day.
My advice really is to think about what you find interesting and really try to capitalize on that when you’re using mnemonics.
Anthony: Now to take this from the other angle, what about somebody who really is interested in this, but they don’t get it all? They are just hearing all this stuff about Memory Palaces, crazy images, PAO, numbers, three digits per, –
Alex: Yeah it’s a lot to process.
Anthony: You mentioned Dominic O’Brien’s book and Ron White’s book and so forth, what would be your go to manual besides your website which I actually highly recommend to everybody to go check it out. It really is awesome and the videos that you put together are very clear and distinct. Let me ask this a different way. Who is your hero in the world of memory?
Alex: I really admire a lot of different people. I guess one of them would Nelson Dellis from the U.S. He’s done just a huge amount just to promote the techniques here, and he’s obviously a very talented memory competitor. In terms of the world, I guess if you ask me in terms from a memory competitor standpoint it would have to be the German guy Johannes Mallow because he’s the No. 1 ranked memory athlete in the world right now. The way I created a lot of the systems that I use now for cards and numbers, I sort of stole from him and adapted to my own benefit. In that sense, he’s definitely my idol because I really tried my best to copy him and emulate him.
Anthony: I really want to thank you for being on the podcast today. It has been incredibly inspiring.
Alex: Thanks for having me. I appreciate it.
Anthony: It’s been insightful and I hope to speak again. So you’ve got your website and a lot of great trainings there. What else is coming up next for you and how can people connect both on your site and perhaps elsewhere with social media and the like.
Alex: One thing I guess I wanted to mention was you talked about how for some people having the experience of it being something like putting a jet engine together. Talking about my site also, the way I’ve sort of found is the best way to combat the problem is to sort of just have them do it themselves. Just go through one example and have them do it and see what it’s actually like to do it. On my website I have something I came out with called the 20-word challenge, that’s I call it. It’s just memorizing a list of 20 random words. What I do, it’s a video, and I’m in this place that we’ll use as the Memory Palace and then I go through 20 different locations in that palace and memorize a list of 20 words.
That’s something I like to do with people who struggle initially just to show them that they really can do it and it gives them some confidence and also just an idea of what the techniques are actually like. I just wanted to bring that up real quick.
In terms of contacting me, a lot of the content that I put out is on my site, on the tutorials. A lot of what I focus on is trying to explain the basics but then also give people some examples of how to actually use techniques of learning. That’s something that I sort of couldn’t really find when I was trying to learn these techniques and use them in my life. I wasn’t really able to find a lot of learning examples or people explaining how to use them in medicine effectively for instance.
If people want to go to my site, that would be great. There’s a contact page on my site. They can always contact me and ask any questions that they have. I’m also on Facebook or Twitter at Mullen Memory, you can contact me there as well. All those places are good places to get in contact with me.
Anthony: Very cool. Well thank you so much and thank you for being a leader in the field of memory techniques.
Alex: You as well.
Anthony: One last question. Are you going to compete again and can you beat 17 seconds?
Alex: I would love to compete again. I’m still training right now. I took a little bit of a break after the competition but I’m back in it again. I couldn’t put it down for too long. I want to keep competing as much as I can. I haven’t beaten it yet, but I would love to break 17.
Anthony: That’s awesome. Nelson has been on the show twice and he told me one of the best things that you’ll ever do is go to a competition. I didn’t believe him but almost by accident I wound up at one, and it really was the greatest way to learn so much.
Alex: Yeah, it’s a good experience.
Anthony: Thank you again for being inspiring on that account and I hope that people listening will go and check out Alex’s website and really take the time to study your approach and learn from you and listen to this interview again because it is just filled with great information.
Alex: Thank you. I appreciate it.
Further Resources, People and Items Mentioned in the Podcast
Olly Richards On Crazy Language Learning Goals And Mastering Motivation
Feb 11, 2016
Amazing Language Learner Olly Richards Pulls Back The Curtain On Exactly How He Learned 8 Languages In Record Time – With More Than A Full-Time Job Crowding His To Do List … Tune In To Learn How You Can Do It Too!
This call is pre-recorded, so you can register anytime. I’m on the call as both moderator and student advocate, so you won’t want to miss a moment of this call. We go deep into what it takes to learn a language and you’ll take away a lot of actionable tips.
After registering for the call, come back and listen to each and every word of this special podcast and you’ll learn:
* How to find words and phrases that you ACTUALLY want to speak when learning a language.
* The power of setting a “crazy goal” for motivating yourself to take action and make targeted strides, even if the language you’ve chosen is difficult.
* How to elevate your thinking about the art of language learning so you get maximum results in minimum time.
* The best ways to “wrangle” your speaking partners and tutors into shape so they help you study what you need to study instead of wasting time on willy-nilly activities that won’t get you anywhere.
* The essential questions you should prepare yourself to answer when studying your dream language.
* How to develop a list of topics that you’re likely to talk about so that you’re not chained to the next page of your textbook.
* Why memorizing is just one part of language learning and how to identify and isolate the other parts to boost your success.
* The one thing that keeps Olly up at night when learning a language. Solve this one worry for yourself and you will never run out of steam.
* The scheduling secret Olly uses to “oblige” himself to attend lessons. You can uses this approach too – even if you’ve got a zillion things to do. Heck, the dude even shipped himself to Thailand when he wanted to learn to speak Thai.
* The absolute best time of day to study your target language so that you always feel like you’ve made progress and build your sense of accomplishment.
* How to avoid letting the great get in the way of the good so that you can start from a place where speaking practice is always good not matter how unprepared you might be. Use this approach and you can literally get prepared on the fly.
* The ultimate motivation secret for getting yourself through multiple lessons and find language teachers you will genuinely love learning from.
* The untapped power of hypothetical questions and role play in your language learning practice that you’re not using – but should be!
* Olly’s take on using mnemonics for individual words and when you should be focusing on them instead of entire phrases. In fact, you should be encountering them inside entire stories. Here’s an example from Olly from his Spanish Short Story collection:
https://youtu.be/DYOUX6XYMtU
* Textbook tactics for shopping and getting the most out of every resource you buy.
* How to avoid tourist-speak so that you aren’t limited to ordering food and asking directions to the hospital for your cat (yes, you will be led into these dead ends if you don’t take Olly’s advice).
* Exactly how to deal with introversion so that no matter how shy you might be, you can eliminate random social unknowns and learn in a safe and practical environment.
* … and much, much more.
This is the kind of episode you’re going to want to save and keep returning to again and again. And if you interested in memorizing the key points, How To Memorize A Textbook will help you master this simple skill and put you in a position to memorize vocabulary and phrases at a higher level thanks to your practice of the art of memory.
The picture above is from the May 2015 Polyglot Gathering in Berlin. From left to right you see myself, Olly, Richard Simcott, Kris Broholm, Brian Kwon and Jan van der Aa.
From the same event, Benny Lewis, myself and Olly. Somehow they manage to just look crazy. I took first prize for psychotic.
Mark Channon discusses memory techniques and the good habits needed to make massive strides with them at Magnetic Memory Live in London 2015.
Olly’s Memory Palace based on his apartment in Cairo. Top notch work and it was very cool that I could see the place with my own eyes more than a year after he sent me this drawing.
In Egypt, Olly introduced me to the Nile in style. A sushi bar.
My last day in Cairo, we played with hiragana and katakana and Olly drew a diagram of exactly how languages get learned at the highest possible level. I won’t mentioned the memory-unfriendly Guinness we were swilling – because we truly weren’t. 😉
Quick Summary Of Things Olly Taught Me
At the 2015 Polyglot Gathering in Berlin, Olly noticed the benefits, but more importantly, the deficits of my flirting around with multiple languages. Talking about this issues, we were talking along a street in Prenzlauerberg when he gave me the excellent idea of directing the Magnetic Memory Method back at just one language.
First, I immediately hopped on italki and found a German speaking partner. I’ve had a few since then, and each has been a blessing. Olly’s guidelines for getting the most out of a speaking partner are golden, and he talks about them in detail in the episode of the podcast you can download at the top of this page.
To maximize the value of the sessions, I always ask my speaking partners to use a Google spreadsheet for each lesson. This lets me isolate the new vocabulary, arrange it and even drop in a scan of the Memory Palaces I use to rapidly learn and memorize the sound and meaning of each word I’m encountering, often for the first time.
Then, I write sentences around the words after pulling them from my memory – away from the source of the spreadsheet. Only later, do I check them against the record and troubleshoot when necessary.
A second trick I learned from Olly is to record all my sessions. That way I can go back and hear exactly how the speaker pronounced the words. I can also hear my own pronunciations. This process is super-painful, but it helps immensely.
Third, I follow Olly’s advice to forbid (as much as possible) the speaking partner from using any English. This practice can be frustrating, but stick to it and you’ll be amazed by how quickly you outpace yourself.
Caution, however. This is advice Olly gives for when you’re at an intermediate level with a language. At the beginning stages, it can be very useful to have your instructor explain certain features of a language to you in your mother tongue. Just don’t let that be an excuse for not diving in to the language. You also shouldn’t get in the habit of using it as a crutch. Learn how to say, “I don’t understand” and “please say that in other words” a.s.a.p.
Fourth, I begin each new speaking session with a review of everything I memorized from the last one. But I don’t cheat. The original spreadsheet is on another tab and I honestly work from memory. This allows me to benefit from any mistakes I make. And again, this is recorded so that I’ll be reviewing the process again later.
You might be thinking that hearing mistakes made grounded on false moves with the Memory Palaces would just lead to confusion, but it’s quite the opposite. The entire process only gets stronger.
Finally,here’s a fun – but rigorous – technique I added on my own:
As part of my reading practice, I choose three new words from each page. Never more and only less when I don’t find a max of three new words on a page. Then I memorize them using the room I’m in as the Memory Palace and follow up by writing sentences around them. A book with an average of 300 pages read over the period of 6 – 8 weeks = 900 new words inside of two months. With an 80% retention rate, the results are impressive.
The only problem I’ve found in the past is that I wind up learning a ton of words that no one uses. However, that’s an interesting problem to have, fun for my philological yearnings and thanks to the practice I’ve found an interesting solution that puts a bit more bang behind this unusual outcome:
I read books written only in first person and in one of the Berliner dialects. This choice increases the chances that I’ll learn words that people use around me and teaches me a lot more about one of my favorite cities in the world and the people who call it home.
Thanks again to Olly for the solid lessons and for being on the show – see you soon!
How Sleep Affects Memory Improvement
Feb 04, 2016
If you’re wondering how sleep affects memory, here’s a curious thing:
Human beings, and most other animal species, are driven to regular periods of inactivity and unconsciousness. And it’s during those periods of sleep that our brains place a lot of information into long-term memory.
What could be less evolutionarily beneficial than a stretch of eight hours during which you can’t hunt, defend yourself, or reproduce? Not to mention working on your memory improvement.
All jokes aside, the fact that we are driven to sleep is an indication that sleep has an important purpose in our biology.
And yet, the precise mechanisms of sleep remain largely mysterious. The exact reasons why we require sleep, and what happens during sleep, are areas of current research. I researched sleep and memory myself while I was in graduate school because I was struggling to remember critical information.
As you can tell by the fact that I’ve written this article, I managed to graduate and later became a professor with a Mercator Grant, amongst many other accomplishments.
If there’s one thing I learned for certain, it is this: lack of sleep leads to an array of social, financial, and health-related costs. Indeed, the fatality rate of sleepiness-related car crashes is similar to that of driving under the influence (Goel et al 2009). What’s more is that prolonged sleep deprivation leads to death for many studied species (and presumably humans) (Cirelli et al. 2008).
Despite these realities, a full 20% of adults are not getting enough sleep (Goel et al 2009). It’s a common practice in our culture to praise those who can work the most and sleep the least.
However, research indicates that this attitude is probably misguided. Lack of sleep has important negative implications for cognition.
After this article, you may be convinced that a nap is in order.
What Exactly Is Sleep?
Over 85 years, an average person will sleep 250,000 hours, which is equal to 10,000 full days (Scullin et al 2015).
But what is sleep, really?
It is commonly believed that sleep is a continuous period of a complete loss of awareness. But in actuality, sleeping is not one continuous state and a sleeping person does not lose total awareness. Instead, they alternate between reduced awareness of the external world and a complete loss of consciousness (Gudberg et al 2015).
From here, sleep is typically classified into two categories. The first is non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep and the second is rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep (Bryant et al 2004).
NREM sleep happens during the early moments of falling asleep. As the name suggests, there is little to no eye movement during NREM sleep. Dreams are rare during this stage, your body is not paralyzed as in REM sleep, and mental activity is still “thought-like” (Bryant et al 2004). This is the stage during which some people will sleep-walk.
The role of NREM sleep is to conserve energy, cool the body and brain, and promote immune function.
Following NREM sleep, a person will fall into REM sleep, where rapid eye movements can be observed.
This is where the majority and the most vivid dreams occur. Your body is paralyzed, which is an adaptation to prevent you from acting out your dreams. You will periodically wake up – which some researchers feel serves as a way to survey the environment (Bryant et al 2004). These mini-awakenings are typically not remembered.
The Devastating Consequences Of Sleep Deprivation On Memory Revealed
As you sleep, you will cycle between NREM and REM sleep four to five times during the night.
By understanding our sleep patterns, it becomes evident that there is much more that happens during sleep than simply being unconscious. The broad overview given here just scratches the surface of the complex world of sleep.
For all of its complexity, sleep serves essential functions. For example, a sleep-deprived person suffers from many ailments, including:
A weakened immune system (Bryant et al 2004).
Reduced wakefulness – microsleeps during wakeful hours after sleep deprivation (Cirelli et al. 2008).
Compromised cognition.
The compromised cognition experienced during sleep is all too familiar for many of us. We all know that after a poor night’s sleep, we are groggy and we tend to think more slowly.
When it comes to memory, the essential role that sleep plays is more pervasive than most realize.
Sleep Plays a Key Role When it Comes to Your Memory
According to Robert Stickgold of Harvard Medical School in a recent interview with Robinson Erhardt, “I don’t know of any memory type of memory that isn’t enhanced by sleep.”
The first is called acquisition or encoding. This is the process of collecting the information or processes that you’d like to memorize. An example could be re-reading the dates and prominent figures in a history book. This is called “declarative” memory, and is the memory of facts and information. Another example of memory is procedural memory. This is memory of how to do something. This could be anything from learning how to ride a bike or learning how to play the piano.
The second step is consolidation, where the information you’ve absorbed become stable in your mind. It is at this stage that memories are formed in your mind.
Finally, you must be able to recall memories for them to be useful. Thus, the final stage in memory is remembering something during your waking hours.
Numerous studies have indicated the importance of sleep for the second stage, memory consolidation. A good night’s sleep can help you recall facts and information, as well as solidify skills that you’re trying to learn.
Under the current scientific understanding, sleep is absolutely essential to memory. We require sleep to file information collected during our waking moments, in our minds. In doing so, we are able to recall newly acquired information (Ellenbogen et al. 2006).
For example, learning the guitar requires that you memorize hand movements as well as notes. This is called procedural memory. Long term sleep has been specifically found to help with procedural memory formation (Diekelmann and Born, 2010).
Sleep Shifts Info Around In Your Brain
Sleep also serves to reorganize new memories. During sleep, the brain will access new information and make links with previously absorbed information.
This helps segment and associate relevant parts of a complex memory to previous memories. While solidifying new information in your mind, this aids in the creativity process. This is because the brain will sometimes associate new information with old information in unexpected ways, thereby leading to novel insights (Diekelmann and Born, 2010).
Scientists also believe that we “replay” our previously learned information and skills during our sleep. Experiments have been conducted on animals and humans after they have been trained on a particular task. During sleep, the same parts of the brain that were active during the training exercises, were active while sleeping as well. This is because the brain will repeat the actions during your sleep (Diekelmann 2014).
Sleep is essential to memory. One study not only found poor memory recall in sleep deprived individuals, but also found that they recalled false memories. That’s right, you are more likely to remember untrue information following sleep deprivation (Diekelmann 2008).
In other studies, those that slept, recalled more and performed better on cognitive tests than those who stayed up. Looks like those all-nighters weren’t the best idea after all. Here are more tips on studying for tests in addition to getting a good rest.
This is what happens when you don’t get enough quality sleep before your exams.
How to Use Sleep For Memory Enhancement
Getting a good eight hour sleep has been shown to benefit memory (Diekelmann and Born, 2010). But what about sleep that occurs outside of your regular nightly routine, such as power naps?
Good news for nappers: Research has also pointed to memory improvement even for shorter naps.
In a study of 29 undergraduate students, one hour naps were found to benefit factual recall. However, the memory of procedures, that is, memory of how to perform actions, was not improved. The study concluded that more complete periods of rest were necessary for the proper learning of memory (Tucker et al 2006).
It’s also important that your sleep periods coordinate well with the times you choose to study. That’s because even very short naps seem to have a positive effect on memory of facts and information. A study compared different nap durations, as well as staying awake. They found that even a micro-nap of six minutes enhanced memory recall. The study concluded that although longer naps improved recall more than very short naps, very short naps still have significant benefits (Lahl et al 2008).
Ultimately, it seems that if you’re looking to improve your memory of facts and information, naps are in fact helpful. However, if you are trying to learn the keyboard, a longer sleep time is what you really need.
In terms of the optimal or minimum amount of sleep that you’d need, that is still unclear. More research is needed.
However, if for whatever reason you can’t afford a full-night’s rest, a nap might help to keep you going.
How to Get a Good’s Night Sleep
Now that we know the importance of sleep, you may be wondering how you can get the absolute best sleep possible. After all, most of us do not have the benefit of being able to sleep and take naps whenever we’d like. That’s why it’s important to learn how to get the highest quality sleep during the time you have available.
Here are some tips to improve your sleep and help you get to sleep faster:
Only use your bed for sleeping and sex. Try to avoid using electronics, watching TV or eating in bed. This might associate these activities with being in a bed and prevent you from being able to fall asleep.
Avoid long naps during the day. Although I’ve mentioned that naps can enhance memory, it’s important to restrict napping because they can also prevent sleep. Take no more than a 25 minute nap during the day, or avoid them altogether.
Remove all lights and sounds from your bedroom. Buy light-blocking curtains if necessary. Use a regular alarm clock instead of your cell phone.
Do not drink or consume caffeine for at least six hours before bed. Be careful, coffee isn’t the only substance that contains caffeine. Tea, soda, and even chocolate contain caffeine that you should avoid before trying to fall asleep.
Consider removing any foods or memory supplements that might cause issues such as digestive distress at night.
Memory enhancement is a tricky business and there are a myriad of ways you can do it. Whether it be food, meditation, or drugs, everyone has a preferred method.
Regardless, everyone needs to sleep. Since sleep plays such a key role in memory retention and recall, you might as well make the best of it. Make sleep a priority in your daily life.
Contrary to popular belief, sleep isn’t for the weak. Sleep is for those with great memory improvement goals.
So too is the Memory Palace technique. If you’d like to learn it, grab my free course here:
It will help make sure that what you’re learning during the day gets consolidated even more firmly as you sleep. The course accomplishes that for you by providing four free video lessons and three powerful worksheets.
As I mentioned, I’m a PhD who did some research at York University around remembering dreams, I’ve been to a sleep lab. I’ve seen first hand how sleep deprivation puts pressure on your entire cognitive apparatus, and negatively affects your memory.
Because I don’t want anyone to have the same struggles I had around sleep and memory, I’m giving the course away for free. All you have to do is complete it.
That way, you can rest easy knowing that your memory is working for you, not against you.
Do Memory Supplements Work? The Surprising Answer
Jan 26, 2016
Do memory supplements work?
Well, in my research into memory, we know this for sure: Supplements, both legal and illegal, have been used for centuries to enhance cognitive performance.
For example, Sigmund Freud used cocaine to prevent fatigue. In fact, he is reputed to have written some of his most popular psychoanalytic works while under the influence.
Entrepreneur and author Tim Ferriss is also known for his experiments into so-called “smart drugs”.
Today, caffeine is a popular choice, used as a cognitive stimulant and is often consumed in very high doses. The widely consumed regular size Starbucks coffee contains five times the amount of caffeine of a normal coffee (Mehlman 2004).
Yet another common cognitive enhancer is nicotine, most commonly ingested through inhalation. It’s been found that nicotine has the ability to improve cognition in areas such as attention, memory and motor skills (Heishman et al 2010).
The reality is that most of us are not open to experimenting with unhealthy or illegal drugs to enhance our cognition.
But with the aging population and increase in age-related memory deterioration, many are turning to out-of-the-box solutions (Mehlman 2004). Discovering a quick-fix pill that protects and even enhances memory would be both beneficial and exciting.
Do Memory Supplements Work? The Most Honest Answer
In a phrase, it depends. I’ll share the exact research both for and against memory supplementation below.
What we know for sure is that there’s a big market looking for an easy memory improvement solution. As a result, suppliers have quickly filled that need with an astonishing number of drugs claiming to have amazing brain-boosting potential.
Known as Nootropic supplements, these cognition-enhancing drugs make bold claims about their ability to increase their user’s memory.
In comes science to cut through the marketing hype and give us real answers about whether these pills really work.
Before we continue, here’s an important disclaimer:
By offering this information in written form and by including videos of various people explaining or supporting the uses of supplements for memory, I in no way intend to validate, support or recommend the use of memory supplements. Please see your doctor before taking any substance and always, alwaysuse mnemonics. 😉
That said, if you’re ready to learn more about the world memory supplements, let’s get started.
1. Huperzine A
As people start to live longer, the potential for memory loss grows higher. In fact, 11% of people over the age of 65 live with Alzheimer’s. As current treatments have limited effectiveness and come with severe side-effects, scientists are scrambling to find better treatments (Guoyan 2013).
In their quest, a supplement called Huperzine A has been tested for potential benefits.
https://youtu.be/kfAGDFSWlAc
Huperzine A is a dietary supplement. This supplement is made from an extract of a plant called “toothed firmoss”, also known as Huperzia serrata. Toothed firmoss is native to India and Southeast Asia. In traditional eastern medical practices, it has been used to treat bruises, muscle strains, colds and to improve blood circulation.
As with most cognition-enhancing supplements, firm conclusions about whether Huperzine A can enhance memory cannot be made. There are not many studies completed on the supplement, and those that have been conducted only included a small sample size (Yang et al. 2013).
Nonetheless, the findings thus far seem promising.
A recent 2013 research paper reviewed all available evidence on the efficacy of Huperzine A to improve or correct memory deterioration. The paper found that Huperzine A demonstrated positive effects on memory recall for those with memory issues. In some studies, Huperzine A even out-performed traditional treatments for Alzheimer’s (Yang et al. 2013).
But what are the effects for younger people without formal memory impairment?
A study looked at treating self-reported memory problems in otherwise healthy adolescent students. In total, 68 students were given either a placebo or Huperzine A.
After four weeks, the student who took Huperzine A showed signs of significant memory improvement, with no side effects reported (Sun et al 1999).
As data on Huperzine A is still too scant, you won’t find a doctor commonly prescribing this drug just yet. What’s more, the evidence is pointing primarily to Huperzine A’s usefulness for short-term memory improvements (Yang et al. 2013).
But don’t go running to the drugstore to pick up these supplements quite yet. As with any drug, it’s best to consult with your pharmacist or doctor before taking the supplement. Although Huperzine A appears to be well-tolerated in short durations, side-effects such as nauseous, epilepsy and slow heart rate have been reported. You might also find your sleep gets disrupted, and poor sleep means bad results for your memory. Currently, no studies have been conducted on the long-term side effects of Huperzine A.
2. Acetyl-L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) is naturally produced in the body. Unlike many supplements and compounds, it is able to cross the brain-blood and directly affect the brain. It’s function in the body includes improving neuron cell health and preventing excessive brain cell death. For this reason, scientists have considered its potential for improving cognition and memory. However, marketers have skipped a step and have gone directly to selling the supplement as a cognitive enhancer.
But does the evidence support the marketing?
Not so much.
https://youtu.be/TYIjxbtk-sw
A major review of the use of ALC on improving cognition in Alzheimer’s patients was performed by Cochrane Journal in 2003. It reviewed all of the studies which had investigated the effects of ALC on declining memory.
The results were sobering.
Many measures of cognition were tested and the review only found a slight improvement on a single measure of cognition. This measure was not directly related to memory. What’s more, the review cautioned that even this small positive effect may be due to chance (Hudson, Sheila and Naji 2003).
This review casts serious doubt on ALC’s ability to improve memory, despite marketing claims.
Since 2003, more studies have explored the effects of ALC on memory and cognition improvement. For example, a 2011 study analyzed ALC’s effects on those with severe hepatic encephalopathy, a disease that impacts brain function. For those assessed, the study did show some improvements in cognition including memory (Malaguarnera 2011).
However, this evidence is preliminary and did not directly mirror the effect of ALC on memory.
Overall, the evidence for ALC is weak. More information is needed before the cognitive benefits claimed by ALC manufacturers can actually be proven. You might want to learn about these natural memory enhancers first.
3. Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a naturally-occurring compound that is consumed as part of a normal diet. It can be purchased as an over-the-counter supplement in many grocery stores and pharmacies.
PS is a supplement with a long history. Initially, there was great interest and many scientific studies were conducted on PS derived from cow brains. After fears of mad cow disease became more prevalent, this supplement fell out of favor (Zchut et al. 2013).
https://youtu.be/ZcPFpx-WrPQ
In the mid-1990s, soybean-derived PS became available. This safer alternative once again garnered attention from the scientific community (Zchut et al. 2013).
So far, findings from both the cow-derived and soybean-derived PS have shown promise for improving memory.
For example, in a study of over 388 cognitively-impaired older adults, PS was effective in improving word-list recall.
What’s more is that positive effects have been observed for normally-aging adults. In a study of 149 normally aging adults, PS was compared against a placebo in a variety of memory tests. This study found that the PS-taking adults were better able to coordinate face recognition tests as compared to the placebo group. However, their results were comparable to the placebo-taking participants for various memory recall tests (Villardita et al 1987).
Despite the appearance of a few well-designed studies demonstrating positive results, the overall picture seems less exciting. A review produced in 2003 found that the effects of PS on memory were inconsistent and modest, at best (McDaniel, Maier and Einstein 2003). In the same review however, scientists did underline that the results were positive enough to warrant further research.
As a result, since 2003 more studies have been conducted.
Most recently, a study published in 2014 investigated the efficacy of a omega 3/PS combo supplement on memory enhancement. They recruited 122 healthy seniors who voiced complaints about their memory (but not memory deterioration, such as dementia).
After 15 weeks on the drug, the study found a significant improvement in the memory of its members. This memory improvement was identified by participants and was measured objectively through a memory test (Vakhapova 2014).
A definite bonus for PS is that it seems to be a safe supplement. In the same 2003 review cited earlier, no adverse effects were reported (McDaniel, Maier and Einstein 2003). As always however, it’s best to consult with a pharmacist or physician, especially if you consume other medications or substances.
4. Bacopa
Bacopa is also known as Brahmi and is a natural herb in India. It is a small plant with oblong leaves and light purple flowers. It has a long history of use in Indian medicine. Traditionally, it has been used in the treatment of disorders including anxiety, intellect and poor memory.
Bacopa is currently marketed in Western countries as a memory enhancing supplement. Until recently, the only published studies on the effects of Bacopa had been tested on animals. Since the early 2000s, more studies on humans have been conducted.
https://youtu.be/8m-FO7_92N0
One of the earlier human studies included 84 volunteers, who took either a placebo or Bacopa. These volunteers were healthy and between the ages of 40 to 65 (Roodenrys et al. 2002).
The participants were given three months worth of Bacopa supplements (or placebo, depending on their group). They were tested on multiple occasions during these months for various tests of memory (Roodenrys et al. 2002).
It was found that Bacopa-taking volunteers did not show any improvement over their placebo-taking partners on most memory tests. However, those who took Bacopa did experience a significant improvement in their ability to retain new information (Roodenrys et al. 2002).
This study has been followed up by more research exhibiting positive results. For instance, a study conducted in 2008 compared the effects of Bacopa versus a placebo over 90 days. Included were 62 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 to 60.
When compared to the placebo group, takers of the Bacopa supplement saw significant improvements in their working memory performance. Much like PS, the drug was also well tolerated without many real side effects (Stough et al. 2008)
With positive evidence mounting, a systematic review of Bacopa studies was published in 2012. The review pursued all randomized controlled trials on the cognitive effects of Bacopa. This meant that they only included trials with a placebo, which neither the researchers nor the patient knew about (Pase et al 2012).
The results showed that Bacopa was beneficial for improving cognitive function related to attention, and especially, speed of attention. The paper suggests that Bacopa can reduce the time needed to complete a task by around 18 ms (Pase et al 2012).
The researchers were hesitant to say that the evidence strongly favored Bacopa for memory improvement. Although individually, studies do show improvements in different aspects of memory, the overall significance of those effects were unclear.
However, since Bacopa seems to lack any severe side-effects, it might be worth a try – with your doctor’s approval of course.
Ever see a periwinkle flower? It’s that cute flower with that dazzling blue hue. You might be surprised to hear it’s also the plant from which another commonly marketed brain-booster is derived.
Vinpocetine was developed in Hungary, and is currently used in mainstream medicine. However, it’s use in medicine is not directly related to memory. Instead, it has been scientifically proven to increase blood flow to the brain (McDaniel, Maier and Einstein 2003).
But can it increase the memory juice flowing through your mind?
https://youtu.be/TIuPgY_Hkkk
What seems to be certain is that the improved blood flow to the brain does have positive effects on overall cognition. For example, in a study conducted on dementia patients, 87% of vinpocetine patients improved – as compared to only 11% of placebo patients (Manconi et al. 1987)
You also want to consider brain exercise apps for memory improvement. The truth may shock you.
Overall, experiments on the effects of vinpocetine directly on memory are lacking. In one of the only studies looking at the effects vinpocetine on Alzheimer’s, no benefit was observed (Thal et al. 1989). Therefore, the jury is still out inasmuch as the benefits of vinpocetine are concerned.
However, vinpocetine seems to have minimal risks associated with it as well.
You Always Have Memory Enhancement Alternatives
As you can see, definitive research into the link between supplements and memory enhancements is still in its infancy. Despite bold claims made by these supplement marketers, this article demonstrates that overall evidence is far from complete and decisive.
The number one thing that people can do to enhance and protect memory is to follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Most memory vitamins can be found by making sure you’re eating good food.
As amply repeated in this article, it is very important to seek medical guidance when trying new supplements. Although most of these supplements have not shown severe side-effects, they may react with other medications.
What’s more, none of these supplements have been studied for their long term effects. For all we know, these may actually lead to memory degradation with years of use. Any use of these supplements should be restricted to no more than three months at a time.
At the very least, these supplements offer a fruitful field of research. There is at least enough evidence to show that these brain-boosting supplements deserve more research. As does the question of whether or not you can really improve memory like Sherlock Holmes.
It’s up to you to decide if you’d like to take part in the experiment.
Further Resources on Memory Supplements
https://youtu.be/aNSHZG9blQQ
Chan A, Remington R, Kotyla E, Lepore A, Zemianek J, Shea T “A vitamin/nutriceutical Formulation Improves Memory and Cognitive Performance in Community-Dwelling Adults without Dementia.” The journal of nutrition, health & aging 14.3 (2010): 224-30. Web. 4 Jan. 2016
Hudson, Sheila A, and Naji Tabet. “Acetyl-l-carnitine for Dementia.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Reviews (2003). Web. 4 Jan. 2016.
Heishman, Stephen J., Bethea A. Kleykamp, and Edward G. Singleton. “Meta-Analysis of the Acute Effects of Nicotine and Smoking on Human Performance.” Psychopharmacology 210.4 (2010): 453–469. PMC. Web. 1 Jan. 2016.
J.K. Blusztajn, U.I. Richardson, M. Liscovitch, C. Mauron, R.J. Wurtman. “Phospholipids in cellular survival and growth” I. Hanin, G.B. Ansel (Eds.), Lecithin: technological, biological, and therapeutic aspects, Plenum Press, New York (1987), p. 85 Web. 4 Jan. 2016.
Mcdaniel, Mark A., Steven F. Maier, and Gilles O. Einstein. ““Brain-specific” Nutrients: A Memory Cure?” Nutrition (2003): 957-75. Web. 5 Jan. 2016.
Malaguarnera, Michele, Marco Vacante, Massimo Motta, Maria Giordano, Giulia Malaguarnera, Rita Bella, Giuseppe Nunnari, Liborio Rampello, and Giovanni Pennisi. “Acetyl-L-carnitine Improves Cognitive Functions in Severe Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trial.” Metabolic Brain Disease Metab Brain Dis (2011): 281-89. Web. 4 Jan. 2016
Mehlman, Maxwell J. “Cognition-Enhancing Drugs.” The Milbank Quarterly 82.3 (2004): 483–506. PMC. Web. 1 Jan. 2016.
Pase MP, Kean J, Sarris J, Neale C, Scholey AB, Stough C. The cognitive-enhancing effects of Bacopa monnieri: a systematic review of randomized, controlled human clinical trials. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2012; 18(7): 647-652. [PubMed]
Sun Qing-Qi, Xu Si-Sun, Pan Jian-Liang, Guo He-Ming, Cao Wang-Qi. “Huperzine-A capsules enhance memory and learning performance in 34 pairs of matched adolescent students” Acta. Pharmocol. Sun. (1999) 601-603. Web. 4 Jan. 2016.
Vakhapova V, Cohen T, Richter Y, Herzog Y, Kam Y, Korczyn A, D, Phosphatidylserine Containing Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Improve Memory Abilities in Nondemented Elderly Individuals with Memory Complaints: Results from an Open-Label Extension Study. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2014;38:39-45
Villardita C, Grioli S, Salmeri J, Nicoletti F, Pennisi G “Multi-centre clinical trial of brain phosphatidylserine in elderly patients with intellectual deterioration” Clin Trials J, 24 (1987), p. 84. Web. 4 Jan. 2016
Yang, Guoyan, Yuyi Wang, Jinzhou Tian, and Jian-Ping Liu. “Huperzine A for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.” PLoS ONE (2013). PLOS ONE. Web. 4 Jan. 2016.
Zchut, Sigalit, Yael Richter, and Yael Herzog. “The Effect of Soybean-derived Phosphatidylserine on Cognitive Performance in Elderly with Subjective Memory Complaints: A Pilot Study.” CIA Clinical Interventions in Aging (2013): 557. Web. 5 Jan. 2016.
3 Things To Remember About Alzheimer’s And Memory
Jan 21, 2016
Auguste Deter was only in her late 40s when she started showing signs of dementia. Her husband Karl, cared for her as long as he possibly could.
Eventually, he could not cope with her hallucinations and forgetfulness that often kept him up all night. When Auguste was 51, Karl placed his wife into a psychiatric institute.
There, Auguste spent the rest of her short life, eventually dying at the age of 55.
Auguste Deter is now acknowledged to be one of the most well known patients in medical history (Muller et al. 2012).
The doctor who examined her, Dr. Aloysius Alzheimer, named the disease for which she is acknowledged as the first identified patient. At that time, he called it “presenile dementia,” but later his colleague Emil Kraepelin gave the condition the name by which we know it now.
It’s been over 100 years since Alzheimer’s disease was first described, and yet, no cure has, as of yet, been found. However, with an increasingly aging population, it has become more pressing than ever to find effective treatments (Giacobini and Becker, 2007).
In the absence of a definitive cure, this post and podcast will provide important information about Alzheimer’s. The disease can be all-consuming for those afflicted, as well as their caregivers. Understanding how it works and how to care for that person may help to relieve stress for those trying to cope.
Who Does Alzheimer’s Affect?
Alzheimer’s is a disease of old age, and generally, affects those over the age of 65. However, a rare variation of the disease, early-onset Alzheimer’s, will affect those as young as 35. The prevalence is higher in females than males, although females do tend to live longer, which may explain this trend (Keene, Montine and Kuller 2015).
It’s important to realize that although Alzheimer’s affects older adults, it is not part of normal aging.
Right now, the overall prevalence of Alzheimer’s is between five to seven percent throughout the population (Keene, Montine and Kuller 2015). As we age, the likelihood that we will be affected by Alzheimer’s nearly doubles every decade. That is, by the ages of 95-99, your chances of having developed Alzheimer’s increases by 50%.
What Causes Alzheimer’s?
The cause of Alzheimer’s is, as of yet, not completely understood (Ginter et al. 2015). We do know that genetics plays a role in early-onset Alzheimer’s. This form of the disease is rare, and affects people under the age of 65. What genetics fails to fully explain is the prevalence of Alzheimer’s in aging adults (Keene, Montine and Kuller 2015).
The links between risk factors and Alzheimer’s have not fully been proven. However, in studies the following has show to possibly increase our risk of Alzheimer’s:
If you have a family history of dementia and Alzheimer’s, the chances of developing it yourself is much higher. People with a first-degree relative (parents or siblings) who developed dementia after 65, but before 85, have a higher risk factor. In fact, they are 10 to 30 times more likely to develop dementia themselves (Keene, Montine and Kuller 2015).
Alzheimer’s and Memory
Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, which is a degeneration of cognitive function (thinks like fluid and crystal intelligence. One of the earliest and most distinctive aspects of Alzheimer’s is its affect on memory, specifically long-term memory loss.
The first warning signs a doctor and other caregivers will look for is memory impairment (Wolk and Dickerson 2015). The patient will typically go through selective losses in short-term memory.
For example, a person suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer’s may find themselves getting lost on familiar paths. They may forget recent events and repeatedly ask for the same information.
It’s important to keep in mind that normal aging does accompany some memory deterioration. However, unlike normal aging, the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s comes in the way of normal daily activities.
The table below compares normal memory loss associated with aging to memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s (Leifer 2006).
Family members may notice these types of memory declines and others, such as repeatedly asking for the same piece of information.
As the disease progresses, memory becomes severely affected. Memories of the person’s life are impacted. A patient will forget important life events, occurring at a particular time and place early on in their disease (Wolk and Dickerson 2015).
Moreover, factual memory, such as the words used for objects and concepts, deteriorates as time goes on.
A doctor may test memory by asking patients to learn and recall a series of words or objects. Recall is asked for both immediately and at a delay of five to ten minutes. They may also ask them about important historical events or artifacts in popular culture (Wolk and Dickerson 2015).
The brain of a normally aging person will compensate for the memory loss due to normal aging, especially if they meditate for memory and concentration. The cognitive decline of a normally aging brain will not be severe enough to affect their ability to complete everyday tasks. Nor will the cognitive decline affect a person’s ability to live independently (Wolk and Dickerson 2015).
However, a brain with Alzheimer’s will decline quickly. This can vary, but the average survival rate after diagnosis is between eight and ten years. Some survive for as long as 20 years after the diagnosis (Wolk and Dickerson 2015).
What Alzheimer’s Looks Like
As Alzheimer’s progresses, the afflicted person will become more and more disoriented. Alzheimer’s patients will increasingly be unable to:
Speak or write coherently. They will have trouble finding the right words for the right situation.
Make logical choices or decisions. For example, dressing in a outfit with oddly matched colors and patterns.
As the disease progresses into later stages, the person will start to exhibit more personality and emotional changes. These can be particularly stressful. They may include:
Increased hostility or increased passivity.
Hallucinations or delusions.
Disorientation.
Incontinence.
These changes might be due to chemical imbalances in the brain. They may also be due to the individual’s increasing fear and confusion because they do not understand their own surroundings.
Eventually, an Alzheimer’s patient will literally forget the more fundamental tasks, such as how to move. They will become immobilized and require assistance for bathing, eating and dressing.
Treatment options
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s. Current drug treatments only slow the disease in the short-term, for no longer than a year. However, for patients with early stages of the disease, medications can improve their cognitive function. These benefits may need to be weighed against the medication’s side-effects as the disease progresses.
In addition to medication, there are behavioral treatments available. For example, speech therapy can be combined with medication to help patients with troubles in this domain.
Caring for an Alzheimer’s Patient
Caring for people afflicted with Alzheimer’s is a very cumbersome task, and difficulties range from financial to emotional stress. In a study carried out in the UK, nearly two-thirds of people caring for Alzheimer’s patients were family members (Beinart et al. 2012). Sadly, the stress of this work can give caregivers memory disorders of their own.
That’s why, when dealing with Alzeheimer’s, it’s important to seek support from extended family members, friends and your community.
Many changes will need to occur in an afflicted person’s home and life due Alzheimer’s. They will likely be unable to drive, and will need monitoring and help with basic tasks. These include things such as cooking and taking medications (Alexander and Larson, 2015).
Other tips for helping people with Alzheimer’s include:
Simplifying choices, such as wardrobe choices, to reduce their indecisiveness and confusion.
Having familiar objects or photos may help with a patient’s disorientation with time and space.
Keep distractions and noise to a minimal so as not to agitate the patient.
Speak clearly, with short and concise sentences to increases your chances of being understood.
Encourage daily exercise, such as daily walk, to maintain physical health and tire the patient out. This will help prevent them from wandering and getting lost.
Try to be patient when waiting for responses and actions to be performed.
Employ safety measures in the home, such as locking medicine cabinets, removing electrical appliances from the bathroom, installing grab bars in the bathroom, and setting the water heater below 120ºF
Install locks on the outside of the doors, so the patient cannot unlock and leave the house.
To prevent the person from getting lost, employ the use of a “safe return program” provided by the Alzheimer’s Association. They offer 24-hr assistance.
Try to implement a daily routine, but remain flexible.
However, in the mid-to-late stages of the disease, it may become impossible to care for the person at home, let along play games. They may require skilled health care attention and placing the patient in a nursing home may be the best option.
Most importantly, remember that as a caregiver, you require care as well. Using respite services, such as adult day care and hiring home aides when possible is a great way to recharge. Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s is a marathon, not a sprint. You need to ensure that your mental and physical health is tended to.
Emotionally and mentally, it’s important to try to focus on the positive. Try to enjoy the remaining qualities and activities with your relative instead of only remembering what you’ve lost. Remind yourself that you are doing your best in moments when you feel overwhelming guilt or fatigue.
Future Hope for Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a tragic sickness, and poses an enormous financial burden on society at large. Paying to care for patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s is predicted to cost 1.2 trillion dollars by 2050.
The good news is that there is increasing evidence that Alzheimer’s may be more of a lifestyle disease than previously acknowledged.
Except for rare cases of early-onset Alzheimer’s, which have a strong genetic component, lifestyle may determine your likelihood of developing it. That is, maintaining a healthy diet and doing regular exercise can decrease your chances of developing Alzheimer’s. Due to the strong link between blood-sugar levels, some scientists have even started calling Alzheimer’s “Type 3 Diabetes” (De la Monte and Wands, 2008).
Not everything in life is within our control. However, living a healthy and balanced life are ways to counteract the effects on cognitive function, especially as we age.
For our purposes, the question is …
Can Mnemonics And Memory Palaces Help?
It’s too soon to tell, but I highly recommend watching this TEDTalk with Kasper Bormans for an introduction to what might be possible using Memory Palace science to solve the issue:
https://youtu.be/BMcduh1HEHA
Further Resources and Reading
Nelson Dellis spoke on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast about his experiences with Alzheimer’s and his efforts to combat the condition. Check out Extreme Memory Improvement to learn more.
These memory tips from Dr. Gary Small may not be the ultimate prevention against Alzheimer’s, but they are going to serve you well. Give it a listen.
And for more information, follow-up on the following articles:
Alexander, M., Larson, E. B., Patient information: Dementia (including Alzheimer disease) (Beyond the Basics) Up To Date (2015). Online.
Beinart, N. Weinman, J., Wade, D., & Brady, R. “Caregiver Burden and Psychoeducational Interventions in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review.” Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders EXTRA 2.1 (2012): 638–648. PMC. Web. 15 Jan. 2016.
De la Monte, Suzanne M., and Jack R. Wands. “Alzheimer’s Disease Is Type 3 Diabetes–Evidence Reviewed.” Journal of diabetes science and technology (Online) 2.6 (2008): 1101–1113. Print.
Keene, C. D., Montine, T. J., Kuller, L., H. “Epidemiology, pathology, and pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease” Up To Date (2015). Online.
Müller, Ulrich, Pia Winter, and Manuel B Graeber. “A Presenilin 1 Mutation in the First Case of Alzheimer’s Disease.” The Lancet Neurology (2012): 129-30. The Lancet. The Lancet. Web. 13 Jan. 2016.
Leifer, B. P. “Alzheimer’s disease: Seeing the signs early.” Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners(2009) 21: 588–595 Web. 13 Jan 2016
Ginter, E., V. Simko, D. Weinrebova, and Z. Ladecka. “Novel Potential for the Management of Alzheimer Disease.” Bratislava Medical Journal BLL (2015): 580-81. Online.
Giacobini, E and Becker, RE. One hundred years after the discovery of Alzheimer’s disease. A turning point for therapy? J Alzheimers Dis (2015): 12, 37-52
Wolk, D. A., Dickerson, B. C. “Clinical features and diagnosis of Alzheimer disease” Up To Date (2015). Online.
How To Live An Interesting Life
Jan 14, 2016
If you want to know how to live an interesting life, stop missing the big and important details.
You might well develop the ability to quit your job and do whatever you like for the rest of your career.
But that’s not necessarily going to make your life more fulfilling.
No, not because some researchers have concluded that money can’t make you happier. It most certainly can.
The point is that being happy isn’t necessarily interesting.
And to be more interesting means feeling excited and alive.
I’ve been on this quest myself. I temporarily dropped out of high school when I was younger precisely because it wasn’t interesting to me.
Later, I went to York University where I completed my PhD. Then I won a Mercator grant and taught in Germany for several years.
The difference was making sure I knew how to make my life interesting, even when certain aspects of it were a slog – such as making myself return to highschool.
On the basis of all these experiences, here are my best tips as someone who has thought a lot about life and its relationship to keeping mind and memory sharp and interesting.
How To Live An Interesting Life In 6 Steps
As we begin, I suggest taking some notes and answering in writing one simple question:
What is my impossible dream?
If it’s learning a language, write that down.
Or if it’s traveling the world, starting a business or something personal like memorizing lots of poetry, write that down.
No matter how impossible your dream might seem, you’ll make your life much more interesting simply by capturing it on paper.
Do that first, and then let’s begin.
1. Be The Driver Of Your Education
The problem I faced in high schoool is that someone else was in control of my education.
That’s why I dropped out. I wanted to direct my own interests so that I could feel excited about the things I was so curious about.
So, without dropping out of high school, I suggest that you explore ways to take the reins of your own education.
But what does that even mean?
To keep things simple, let’s consider two main forms of education:
External Driven
Self Driven
The first is the kind of education where you show up when you’re told and sit where you’re told. You even eat when you’re told during recesses built into a schedule that repeats daily.
Sounds kind of like prison, doesn’t it?
Prison? It Might Even Be Worse!
Not only do you have all kinds of pressures on your time when the education you undergo is externally driven. You’ve got people telling you what to learn.
Think about that:
What. To. Learn.
Oh no, no, no.
No and a thousand times no. That’s not the path to an interesting life.
Worse, there are two kinds of externally driven education:
Minimal guidance
Maximum guidance
Minimal guidance is actually not too bad. It gives you more space for deliberate practice, a key part of thinking for yourself and developing a wide variety of skills.
Maximum guidance, on the other hand, involves constant attention, checking in and a lot of “do as I do,” instead of getting the benefit of working out a lot of what needs to be learned on your own.
For some people that approach will surely work. But for must of us, probably you want instead is to be the manager of your own intelligence.
With that point in mind, let me tell you the more complete story of how and why I dropped out of high school in Grade 12.
There’s a lot of detail surrounding this decision and some of it ain’t pretty.
But sticking to the facts (and just the facts), I thought school was such a drag that I decided to stay home and read Collier’s Encyclopedia.
Each morning I would leave home. But instead of getting the battered yellow school bus into town, I would hike up into the mountains. For months I experienced the Fall transform into Winter and then Spring from up above the highway where I would wait for my mom’s car to pass by.
It sounds like something out of Hitchcock’s Psycho, I know, but as I was watching the highway waiting for mom to go to work, I was listening and learning.
No, not listening to Heavy Metal. Not pop. Not even soft rock.
Instead, I was listening to the CBC on my fat yellow Walkman. At that time, Peter Gzowski, a.k.a. Mr. Canada, was the host of Morningside.
Over the course of the year, I got virtually a Ph.D. in Canadian culture, history, politics, literature and the arts. I also heard interviews with important people from around the world. Without a doubt, all of that listening also helped me hone the focus skills so necessary to success across the many stages of life I had yet to encounter.
https://youtu.be/luzMAz4F7mw
True, a bear might have mauled me while I was up wandering around in the mountains. I did have a few close encounters with moose and deer and even saw a bobcat that put the fear of God into me. But the danger of exploring nature on my own while learning through the magic of radio was worth it.
And after a few hours of Morningside, I would head down the mountain and make myself some hot chocolate. With a steaming cup beside me on the coffee table, I would then sit in the same rocking chair I was nursed in and read the Encyclopaedia.
It was like being nursed all over again, this time by the knowledge my parents had invested in when they ordered the Encyclopaedia for our family, one volume at a time.
These days we have Wikipedia. But back then, if you wanted to know about the world, it cost a lot of money. I remember my mom talking about saving for the Encyclopaedia year after year. She cut dozens of coupons from the newspaper so she could save more and complete the set.
It took about three years and after that, she kept up with the yearly updates for at least another three.
And this was all before I was old enough to read anything more complicated than Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. (Come to think of it, that story is rather complex …)
It was a lot of fun reading through Collier’s Encyclopedia.
And educational.
When I finally did return to complete high school, I knew so much about the world that …
School Was EVEN MORE Boring!
But that was fine. Because I knew about all kinds of books I wanted to read.
So whenever I could, I would still skip school and take out a notebook I’d kept and look for all the books I’d learned about in Collier’s.
I would go to the Kamloops Public Library and check them out. While everyone else was spending weeks struggling through A Separate Peace by John Knowles, I was reading:
The point of all this is that I was practicing, without even realizing it, the art of self-driven education.
Of course, I’m not suggesting that anyone quit school, skip school or do anything like that …
But I am suggesting that you won’t get nearly as intelligent as you deserve to be if you learn only what you’re told.
So What Can You Do?
If you’re told to read a Shakespeare play, read the play and follow it up by reading another.
Or look up a book about Shakespeare and read a play by one of his contemporaries (I recommend the zany John Webster). You can also use some of the tips for combining textual analysis with mnemonics shared by Ashley Strand on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
If you find math difficult and boring, find a book on mathematics that combines words with straight-up formulas. And see if you can tackle the idea of math from another angle, such as reading biographies of mathematicians. Khan Academy has math courses you can take, or you can follow inspiring math teachers like Robert Adhoot of Yaymath.
And when you find an author or an online teacher you like, stick with them. You can learn a lot by seeing how people develop over time.
You’ll also learn a lot about how successful people tick when you follow them over longer periods of time. This point brings us to my second suggestion.
2. Reverse-Engineer People You Admire (Just So Long As They Aren’t Creepy Weirdos)
The world is filled with people who have either lived or are living exciting lives.
That doesn’t mean they led easy lives. There’s no such thing and living without challenges would probably be even more tedious than high school.
What you want to look for when studying the biographies of other lives are:
* How they explained their desires, goals and wishes
* What actions they took to do great things
* How they coped with suffering
* What they did to keep themselves expanding
* How they dealt with their historical circumstances
* Who they knew and what they did with their friendships and relationships
There’s so much more to pay attention to, but these are a good start.
Why Do This?
Because life starts to get serious when you act and think about who you are and what you want to do.
And to truly develop a unique profile and create the space needed in your mind to become whoever it is you’re going to become, here’s what I suggest:
Develop the ability to think and feel as others have done so you can better imagine your preferred version of the world. That way, you’ll stand a greater chance of realizing your personal vision.
When you study others, you’ll experience a diversity of ideas that will train you to pay attention to what everyone around you is doing.
It will also help you get past the negative habit so many have of rejecting differences.
Remember, there are no differences as such. Everything is part of the world. And as long as that is true, everything in the world is part of you. And that means everything and everyone applies to you and your life.
If you don’t like reading or care to develop a re-reading strategy, you can also watch biographies. For a super-interesting learning exercise, you can pick a single actor and watch as many films starring that person as possible in chronological order.
You can choose actors who are good at portraying different characteristics and actors who just seem to be playing themselves over and over.
Either way, you’ll notice patterns of consistency and difference. And like a wine expert, you’ll start experiencing all kinds of different shades of flavor you never noticed before.
Next, move from hanging out with books and movies to taking a memory course that helps you remember everything you discover at a deeper level. Here are some online memory courses that I think are worth your consideration.
3. Toss Social Inertia From Your Life Forever
Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, it’s easy to fall into the trap of seeing the same people all the time.
That’s no way to revolutionize your life and keep it revolutionizing.
So as you’re finding interesting biographies and adapting ideas to your life, hunt for advanced people with whom you can share an environment. (But not in a creepy way …)
Find the people who have the characteristics you want and enter their circles. Don’t be creepy about it. Just identify someone and ask if you can have 20 minutes of their time to ask some questions. Then ask them who else you should talk to continue your education.
Do this and you’ll have an unending stream of new contacts and interesting people around you. As a result, you’ll experience so much more in your life. And you’ll always have interesting things to say to the new people you continue to meet.
Plus, if you visit these people in their homes, you instantly have more Memory Palaces. You can also meet them in cafes or restaurants you’ve never visited to increase your awareness of your city and its offerings.
All this will help you develop …
4. The Most Important Skill In The World
In a world, the most important skill is communication.
There’s no point in being more interesting if you’re no good at speaking. Or at least writing. But even writing is best when it starts in written form.
Either way, at some point, you’ve got to learn to control how words come out of your mouth. You get that practice by … (gasp!) speaking with people.
You can also attend Toastmasters meetings to get good at giving presentations, start a podcast, speak your mind on YouTube and develop yourself further as a writer. In my experience, there’s a perfect circle you can experience. The more you write, the better you’ll get at speaking which in turn makes you a better writer.
To get good at writing, start with the high school newspaper, writing letters to the editor, regularly updating a blog or just by posting on Facebook to explore your ideas. I’ll never forget when I saw my name in print as a teenager. Writing a letter to the editor of our local newspaper was all it took, and even in our online era, it’s still possible to practice writing and presenting your ideas in this way.
By studying all those successful people and learning to communicate with them, you’ll also be orienting on success.
This will help ensure that your life isn’t controlled by external circumstances. You won’t fall prey to the strange idea that certain times are good and particular periods of history are bad.
Here’s the only thing about time you need to now:
Times Change …
Your job is to adjust.
To be flexible.
To be adaptive.
To be agile, and if necessary, defensive.
Above all, you want to develop awareness of everything around you that you possibly can.
Because at the end of the day …
The way you succeed has little to do with the ways of the world. It has to do with how you react to the way the world changes.
And you always want to ask …
What advantage can I take of the present state of change?
It’s a compelling question and the best way to prepare for the times when you’ll need to ask it is to …
5. Live Like A Scientist
Scientific living means being measurable, a point made by my friend and fellow memory expert, Jonathan Levi.
You can measure everything down to what you do to be productive and make good use of your time, to measuring your testosterone levels. You can even measure and optimize the two different kinds of dopamine that are useful to have in balance for learning and remembering more.
Measuring your activities will help you see where you’re strong and where you need to improve. The best part is that, because you’re studying so many other people, you’ll see how you can do more of what works, and how you can do things differently.
Track everything in a journal, diary, Google Spreadsheet, in Evernote or whatever you prefer. Use whatever tool makes it easy for you to see where you are, where you’ve been and where you’re going. For more on journaling for better memory, you’ll love what memory athlete Johannes Mallow does.
By living more scientifically, you can develop processes and systems that enhance your life, across your life.
For example, I have systems that tick along no matter what happens on CNN:
* Writing every day
* Putting out a weekly podcast
* Replying to Magnetic Memory Method members 1-2 hours a day
* Theatre group once a week (when in season)
* Other regular courses
* Monday and Friday mornings at the gym
And the best part of all this activity and tracking is that …
It’s Easy To See The Holes In The System
For example, my activities are all fine and dandy, but looking them over, it’s clear to me that I’m missing out on music. Now I know that I’ve got to schedule more time for my memorize Bach on bass habit. Popping Bach into my memory used to be a huge part of my week, and now it’s faded almost to nil.
The important point here is that you want to develop “sticktoitiveness.”
The ability to stick to it is pure gold. So many of us (including me) get so distracted by the next bright shiny object that we need systems to keep ourselves on track.
Sticking with the program is important because without consistency, we never wind up doing anything long enough to see results.
And at the end of the day …
It’s All About The Results
That’s why it’s so important to stop and check in with yourself and your stats.
And stop searching for the easy path. That’s one of the quickest ways to fail. In reality, finishing a course you’ve started or completing a project from beginning to end IS the easiest way to get from point A-Z.
Success happens when you bring precise implementation to the game. I’m talking about dedicated practice, which is as true to memory development as it is to any task.
Stick with whatever you’re doing. Experiment with it. Study every angle and explore every corner.
Do that and you won’t need memory techniques. The stones will be set and the things you’ve learned will be impossible to forget.
Finally, there is one point that rules supreme:
6. Have Confidence In Yourself
Not only do you need to have confidence in yourself. You need to have confidence in the things you’re doing. This is why, for example, completing courses and finishing books you’ve started is so critical.
We live in memory. We thrive or fail by what we’ve done in the past. The more good things we’ve done, the more positive experiences we have to build upon.
That said, if you have weaknesses in your past, perhaps even terrible experiences …
Cut Out The Woo-Woo
One of the fastest ways to undercut your own confidence is to follow nonsense beliefs.
I was very fortunate to have read Why People Believe Weird Things early in my undergraduate university career. This incredible book by Michael Shermer helps you cut through the nonsense and develop critical thinking skills.
What are some of the pseudoscientific nonsense beliefs I had to cut out of my life? The so-called “Law of Attraction,” for starters, and the “creative visualization” it teaches.
To be fair, this line of belief comes with a few ideas worth exploring. But those good ideas are found in more scientifically valid literature too. We discussed some of those sources recently:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOnIrZddpec
As I mentioned in this presentation, the “Law of Action” creates attraction naturally. No beliefs needed.
There Is No Reason To Let The Darkness Control Your Future
If you just make the shifts needed to put yourself in alignment with others, your unique desires and the habits and patterns needed to achieve success, all the pieces will fall together.
You’ll see the patterns you noted in the lives of others emerge in your own life. You won’t let yourself get bullied out of accomplishing your dreams. You’ll be a transformer. An influencer. A true human being who cannot help but live an interesting life.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to get out there and living with more authenticity, integrity and focus on the things that matter?
Make it happen!
How to Meditate for Concentration and Focus: A Simple Guide
Jan 07, 2016
If you’re looking for how to meditate for concentration and memory, this may be the most important blog post you ever read.
Why?
Because there are few things more frustrating than not knowing how to improve concentration!
Well, okay, there’s also the frustration of forgetting important details. Especially when you’re in the middle of something as important as recalling a person’s name, an important fact, or even a hilarious joke.
Or worse:
When you’ve prepared the perfect anecdote, yet, you can’t retrieve the single most important part from your memory.
Here’s where the real frustration sets in:
You can remember the newspaper where you read the information. You can even remember the look of the page where the information was found, including images and other small details.
And yet, in your mind’s eye …
That One Piece Of Information Is Painfully Out Of Reach!
Don’t worry.
You’re not losing your memory.
Your inability to remember is likely related to the level of concentration you used at the time you read the passage.
This is because concentration is key to memory recall. (In case you want to look it up on Wikipedia, concentration is also known by the slightly less sexy term, “attentional control.”)
And how to meditate for focus is exactly what you’ll learn in this post.
But first, a demonstration of just how easy it is to sit and meditate:
https://youtu.be/mBRZZEbX4w8
And now, an important question:
What Exactly Is Concentration?
Good question, especially when it comes to memory.
Why?
Because concentration is necessary for creating complete memories.
Although having excellent concentration may not necessarily lead to better memory, concentration is essential to well-formed and useful recall of information.
But in a time with so much valuable information at our fingertips, there are more barriers for our concentration than ever. The notification-saturated world of the the internet constantly attacks our focus. (Good news, though: There is a way to become Indistractable.)
This reality has led some teachers to worry that students are growing up with decreased attention spans.
Thankfully, there is a powerful and scientifically proven method to improving concentration using meditation for concentration and memory. What’s more, this method has been practiced for thousands of years.
Best of all, it’s a simple practice anyone can take up, at no cost, with no fancy equipment, and no extensive training.
This 3,500 Year Concentration Meditation Technique Will Improve Your Concentration And Memory
The mind is a powerful thing.
Perhaps no other group of minds demonstrates this more strongly than experienced Buddhist monks.
These monks dedicate their lives to following the Buddhist 8-fold path to enlightenment. The path involves doing good, serving others, and extensive meditation.
Enlightenment is the ultimate state of mind. When enlightened, a meditator finally achieves a complete stillness of the mind and inner peace.
A Short History Of The Research Into How To Improve Concentration And Memory With Meditation
Although meditation has existed for over 3,500 years, the scientific community has only been studying meditation for over 50 years (Thomas and Cohen, 2013).
Everyday people have studied meditation too and discovered a lot about how it helps memory:
For both scientists and lay people, meditation has demonstrated impressive memory improvement and even helped stunning feats of long term retention and recall.
In one mind-defying example, Buddhist monks have been recorded controlling their body temperatures through a meditative practice called “g-tummo”. In controlled scientific tests, experienced monks were able to dry cold and moist sheets (Kozhevnikov et al. 2013).
These sheets were placed around each monk’s body, and were dried within an hour.
This meditation process was made possible through body heat produced by the monks while in their meditative state of “g-tummo”. Some witnesses of similar experiments report seeing steam emerge from the sheets while they dried (Kozhevnikov et al. 2013).
Researchers also measured the monks’ body temperatures, which rose by as much as 17 degrees Celsius.
How Is This possible?
No one quite understands the biological mechanisms behind meditation just yet.
But study after study demonstrates that meditation has far-reaching benefits – including for concentration and memory.
Indeed, meditation is perhaps the only mental exercise with so much evidence of its ability to improve cognition and focus.
And you don’t even have to be a monk to start using this tool to better your own mind, body, and soul.
The Long way To Better Concentration
As with everything, there’s an easy way and a hard way. Science doesn’t skip over the hard way and investigates everything (crazy right?).
Looking for links between meditation and cognition, researchers from the University of California, Davis, recruited 60 people for a study. Half were assigned to a meditation retreat to practice mindfulness meditation for an average of five hours a day for three months.
These participants were committed. Not only did they volunteer three months of their time. They also paid $5,300 to attend the retreat.
The other 30 were used as a control group and placed on a waiting list. This was to rule out that the passage of time alone was not to blame for any differences between the groups.
Both groups were asked to watch a series of lines flash on a screen. Participants were to click a mouse when they saw a line that was shorter than the others.
This detail-oriented test forced participants to focus intently. Researchers found that those who meditated were significantly more likely to see increasingly small differences in the lines (Maclean et al. 2010).
In other words, the meditation group were better able to focus in on small details through their improved concentration (Maclean et al. 2010).
But not everyone has the time to undergo a three month meditation retreat. So, where’s the shortcut for the majority of us who want the benefits without the commitment?
Science has a solution.
The Easy Way To Better Concentration
As benefits to cognition had been observed for longer-term meditation, researchers were curious to see whether less effort could be effective (Zeidan et al. 2010).
In a study conducted at the University of North Carolina, a group of 49 students volunteered for a meditation study. None of them had prior experience meditating.
24 participants were randomly assigned to meditation, while 25 were assigned to listening to an audiobook. Each group performed their activity for 20 minutes, four times a week, for one week under laboratory supervision.
At the end of the one week experiment, the meditation group experienced significant improvements in concentration compared to their audiobook counterparts (Zeidan et al. 2010).
Are There Any Limits To Meditation And Improvement To Concentration And Memory?
It’s important to note that this research has a few limitations. These results were seen in college students and may not extend to older adults. Also, there is no indication that this is as effective as longer-term and longer-duration mediation (Zeidan et al. 2010).
However, it is encouraging that immediate benefits to practicing short-term meditation were observed. This means that you don’t have to wait a few months before you can start benefiting from your practice. Within a week of consistent meditation, you can start to experience improved concentration.
But Will Concentration Meditation Really Improve Your Memory?
If the meditation-to-concentration-to-memory link seems shaky to you, don’t abandon meditation just yet. The link is more direct: meditation has also been shown to improve memory power and concentration.
A randomized controlled test studied the effects of meditation on the working memory capacity in adolescents.
Around 200 teenagers were recruited and assigned to either a mindfulness meditation practice, yoga, or were waitlisted as a control group. The groups meditated or practiced yoga once a day for 15-30 minutes. These were accompanied by two formal teaching sessions twice a week.
By the end of the study, teenagers participating in the meditation group had significantly better outcomes than their yoga counterparts. Particularly in terms of their working memory capacity (Quach et al 2015).
But Meditation Doesn’t Just Improve Memory And Focus For The Young!
Another study looked at the effects of mindfulness training in adult-aged college students studying for their GRE tests. Sure enough, the meditating participants experienced less mind-wandering and increase working memory capacity. This result was achieved with only two weeks of meditating ten minutes per day (Mrazek et al 2013).
By now, you must be getting excited about meditation’s potential to super-charge your cognition. Calm your mind for now and read on about how to get started on your practice.
How To Meditate For Concentration And Focus
There are as many ways to meditate as there are Buddhist monks.
By stripping away the religious practices, a secular, simple, and one-size-fits-all solution to meditation is available.
To start meditating, just follow these steps:
Find a quiet spot, empty of distractions.
Set a timer for the amount of time you want to meditate. Start with five minutes and move up from there.
Sit on a chair or on the floor, whichever is more comfortable.
Close your eyes and focus on your breath; on where it feels the strongest. When thoughts enter your mind, don’t reject them. Simply acknowledge them and gently return your attention to your breath.
If meditating in silence is too difficult, you can try a large variety of guided meditations. These include phone apps, such as Headspace and Breathe.
No research has been done showing any benefit to meditation less than four times a week. To get the most out of it, aim to meditate as consistently as you can, at least a few times per week.
Advanced Meditation Techniques For Concentration And Memory
If you’re already well-skilled with meditation, you probably want a few more rigorous techniques you can try.
That’s great, and I’m happy to supply some.
Kirtan Kriya
This simple meditation has been show to increase memory, concentration and reduce stress. I learned about it from Dr. Gary Weber:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehvokeZnXMM
Getting started with Kirtan Kriya is simple.
Learn four syllables. I think any will do. You could even just count 1-4.
With each count, press one finger against one thumb.
If you want to memorize the syllables Weber discusses, or the Chinese version, which sounds like ah, may, toe, fo-ah, you can use mnemonics, which is great memory and brain exercise.
I suggest doing this exercise at least 4x a week, but daily is best for maximizing your results.
In it, he talks about counting from 1-10 while focusing on your breath. This is a standard meditation technique.
But what happens when you try to suppress the even numbers?
Your focus and concentration goes up!
To get started, find a place to sit and breath in. Count one.
Then, breath out and as you breath in, work on preventing yourself from representing the number two.
This is very challenging.
Happiness Beyond Thought by Gary Weber
But what ends of happening is that the stress-release nature of the exercises teaches you a lot about how the brain symbolizes thoughts. You grow in mental strength as you work with this technique and start to experience more knowledge and insight into the nature of concentration and memory.
You can also “skip” the syllables of Kirtan Kriya, and this is an easier way to get started with this technique, especially if you struggle to count your breath from 1-10. (Many people will, and there’s not shame in it. Just practice.)
Memorize Mantras
As I continued working with Dr. Weber’s books and videos, I learned how to memorize and chant some Sanskrit mantras.
At first, I didn’t think it was going to be worth it, but it has made my memory and concentration so much sharper.
Use Recall Rehearsal, or something like Dominic O’Brien’s The Rule of Five to get the mantras into long term memory quickly.
Practice daily if you can. 4x a week is the bare minimum.
Make sure to use the hand “mudras” from Kirtan Kriya to assist your concentration.
One of the beautiful outcomes of this practice, especially when you learn the meaning of the suggested mantras, is that you’ll develop your crystal and fluid intelligence in addition to your memory and focus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61ZVu9dSb18
I have also found that this practice has helped serve as a reading comprehension booster. And if you want to know how to improve memory power naturally, there is nothing more organic than these three advanced techniques I’ve shared.
Ultimately, these are really challenging. But don’t give up. Treat these exercises to improve memory and concentration like a game and they will serve you faster and better than any brain exercise app on the market.
Enough Reflection, It’s Time For Action
Improving your concentration is a step towards improving your memory. Meditation is a powerful tool for improving concentration and bettering your cognition.
The best part is that meditation can help you use a Memory Palace.
Especially in an age of endless distractions and heightened stress, incorporating practices to re-focus your mind is important.
For some, daily meditation might seem like an impractical use of time.
However, think about the time you waste, lost in thought, unfocused, and scatter-brained. Don’t you owe it to yourself to improve?
With that in mind, it’s easy to understand how meditation yields impressive dividends for a relatively small investment in time.
Results are not instantaneous, but they do come quickly and you can be sure that they’re scientifically backed.
Personally, I’m glad that I learned how to focus my mind using these techniques. At first, I was reluctant to memorize Sanskrit, but eventually I learned that it too is scientific and completely secular. It’s just that strange people have sometimes made it more than the actual text says.
Give the benefits of better concentration and the ability to remember even more information, I’m glad I buckled down and learned how to memorize scripture so it could be part of my meditation practice.
You don’t have to go that far if you don’t wish, but here’s what I suggest:
Carve out ten minutes today for your first meditation session. No matter which technique you start with, your mind and memory will thank you.
Further Resources On Meditation For Concentration and Focus
Kozhevnikov, Maria, James Elliott, Jennifer Shephard, and Klaus Gramann. “Neurocognitive and Somatic Components of Temperature Increases during G-Tummo Meditation: Legend and Reality.” PLoS ONE (2013). Pubmed. Web. 28 Dec. 2015. <pubmed.com>.
Maclean, K. A., E. Ferrer, S. R. Aichele, D. A. Bridwell, A. P. Zanesco, T. L. Jacobs, B. G. King, E. L. Rosenberg, B. K. Sahdra, P. R. Shaver, B. A. Wallace, G. R. Mangun, and C. D. Saron. “Intensive Meditation Training Improves Perceptual Discrimination and Sustained Attention.” Psychological Science (2010): 829-39. Upaya. Web. 29 Dec. 2015.
Mrazek, M. D., M. S. Franklin, D. T. Phillips, B. Baird, and J. W. Schooler. “Mindfulness Training Improves Working Memory Capacity and GRE Performance While Reducing Mind Wandering.” Psychological Science (2013): 776-81. Sage Pub. Psychological Science. Web. 29 Dec. 2015.
Quach, Dianna, Kristen E. Jastrowski Mano, and Kristi Alexander. “A Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Effect Of Mindfulness Meditation on Working Memory Capacity In Adolescents.” Journal of Adolescent Health. Science Direct. Elsevier. Web. 29 Dec. 2015.
Thomas, John W., and Marc Cohen. “A Methodological Review of Meditation Research.” Frontiers in Psychiatry Front. Psychiatry (2014). PMC. PMC. Web. 29 Dec. 2015.
Zeidan, Fadel, Susan K. Johnson, Bruce J. Diamond, Zhanna David, and Paula Goolkasian. “Mindfulness Meditation Improves Cognition: Evidence of Brief Mental Training.” Consciousness and Cognition (2010): 597-605. Print.
The Story Of How To Learn And Memorize German Vocabulary
Jan 01, 2016
I’ll never forget the day I made the most important discovery of my life. A discovery that would also prove important for thousands of language learners and students of various topics around the world.
Here’s what happened:
I was on my porch down in Zehlendorf. (It’s really too bad about Zehlendorf …)
I really miss that part of Berlin. I used to walk to the nearby lake Krumme Lanke and through a wooded area leading to the stores and the M48 bus I often took to Potsdamer Platz.
I went there so I could watch movies for my work.
Yes, watch movies. I was a Film Studies professor back then. Greatest job in the world – if you can get it.
And If You Can Keep It!
Anyhow, I was on the porch studying German and nearly tearing out my hair with frustration. No matter what I did, the German vocabulary wouldn’t stick in my mind.
Worse, the flashcard software I’d been using bored me to tears. I’ve never found anything more painful than banging foreign language vocabulary repetitively against my eyes in the vain hope that I would somehow magically remember the abstract and mysterious words.
In all fairness, some people can tolerate rote learning. In fact, there’s research suggesting that polyglots get great value from hard repetition. This happens primarily because they’ve trained themselves to be really good at it.
But Let’s Be Real
Most people do not want to be polyglots. Most people would be happy just to get halfway decent in one language, not several.
In fact, most people would be overjoyed just to get a couple of hundred words in their long term memory.
And most people would be ecstatic if they could turn those words into basic conversational fluency. All you need is about 800-1200 for that, plus a touch of understanding the grammar.
Still my favorite German dictionary after all these years.
So there I was with a fat dictionary pumping words into the spaced-repetition software I loathed like the plague.
I sure loved that dictionary, though. What a glorious thing, all thick and yellow.
Heavy too, almost as heavy as a brick. But that didn’t stop me from carrying this German-only (or monolingual) dictionary everywhere.
And That’s When It Hit Me!
With a bit of summer wind on my face, I asked myself a fundamental question:
Why on earth wasn’t I using memory techniques to help me learn German?
Seriously. They sometimes say that Ph.D. stands for “piled higher and deeper,” but Mann O Mann (as the Germans say), was I ever mystified.
You see, following a terrible and nearly suicidal depression that almost forced me out of grad school, I discovered memory techniques almost by accident. I was avoiding the looming field exams and dissertation defense by learning magic tricks.
Of course, procrastinating on my studies only made my depression worse …
But it’s at least a good thing that I was doing something constructive. I thought of my magic practice as developing a kind of “emergency paycheck,” because I was certain at that time I was going to wind up on the streets with nothing more to do than entertain people and pass around my hat.
And I suppose that would have been fun for awhile. Studying card magic was certainly better than jumping off a bridge, which the mounting pressure and the teeth of my depression were forcing me to consider.
Worse, if you’ve ever experienced the horrors of manic-depression in full swing, you know the impulses involved. They are sick and sweet and jump out at you from nowhere. It’s terrible too because once the urges pounce, they can keep trouncing on you for days and days on end.
The most sinister part of the situation was that I couldn’t concentrate or read. It always felt like my eyes were slipping off the page. And when I could read for brief periods of time, I always wound up forgetting everything.
And that made me frustrated and even angry. Magic was my only relief.
And it was easy to study too because you can buy a lot of training in card and coin magic on DVD. I didn’t have a whole lot of money at the time, but it sure was worth it.
Especially when I came across the process that would save my life. I’m talking about the “Holy Grail” of all card tricks: The Memorized Deck.
There’s a ton of effects you can create with a memorized deck. The only difference is …
They Aren’t Effects! They’re Based On Real Magic …
… Or at least, the closest thing to real magic that exists. The ability to go through 52 cards, looking at each only once and being able to recall the entire order backward and forward …
This ability is a complete miracle.
So I bought a book on the topic and an audio program that included a section on card memorization. It would be years before I read the book, but my hungry ears gobbled up the audio like peasants on bread during a famine.
And what I heard nearly made my brain explode.
It’s true. I understood the procedures immediately. It’s shocking how simple it is, and yet …
… I was skeptical. How on earth was I going to put these techniques into action when I could barely concentrate on a book?
Not only that, but playing cards are essentially a kind of book, only they are made up of totally abstract and fragmented sentences and chapters. And the pages can be endlessly recombined.
But even so, I gave the technique a try.
What happened totally blew me away.
Why?
Because 15 minutes after learning the technique, I had memorized my first deck of shuffled cards.
I couldn’t believe it.
In fact, to this day I’m still in awe. And the reason I work so hard to promote memory techniques to people around the world is precisely because that awe remains.
And it grows and grows the more I hear from people who have read one of my books or taken one of my video courses.
They All Have One Special Characteristic In Common …
They, like me, learned the methods and took action. They experimented. They memorized vocabulary using the tools of the Magnetic Memory Method and they got results.
And then they repeated what they learned and got even more results. And those results led to even higher payoffs because things just keep getting better and better the more you use mnemonics as part of your learning.
Anyhow, as soon as I realized what I had done with the playing cards, I instantly saw how I could apply these techniques to learning and memorizing the 250+ books I needed to cover for my field exams. (500 when you add on dissertation research…)
These exams are mean and nasty affairs. Seven professors sit around a table and drill you with questions for nearly two hours. They’re very protective of the university Ivory Tower, so they do everything they can to keep you out.
The hostility makes the process of sitting for those exams frightening an stressful in every possible way.
And frankly, most people never make it. I don’t know what the figures are now, but back then, the graduation rate from Ph.D. programs in Canada was a mere 13%.
In other words, out of every 100 people who enter grad school, 87 walk away without a degree.
But I wasn’t one of those who left the hallowed halls empty-handed. And it’s all because I took action and used the memory techniques I’d learned on that magical day during the depths of my nearly suicidal depression.
Of course, it’s not as if my studies were suddenly free from challenges.
Far From It
The memory techniques boosted my confidence and this gave me increased clarity. But I still struggled to read with the amount of focus needed to even discover and isolate the information I wanted to memorize. I also didn’t have Atomic Habits like the kind I’ve since learned from James Clear.
So what I wound up doing was to read the books out loud. Unlike the memory audio program I had no problem following, the philosophy and history books I was reading had no audio editions.
Worse, they were so dense and so obscure … It was often like pulling teeth just to get through them.
But by reading out loud to maintain my concentration and then listening to my narrations, I could finally concentrate.
And then I would write down the key points and facts from the books on index cards.
Next, I would order the index cards in particular ways to aid the memorization of them into the Memory Palaces I’d created.
Following that, I memorized the information on the cards. Kind of like memorizing a deck of playing cards, only in this case you’re not entertaining audiences but rather earning a degree.
You see, the techniques I had learned were actually kind of pedestrian. They weren’t made for higher levels of learning. And they certainly weren’t designed for language study.
So what I did was to develop completely new approaches to the memory techniques. I was still learning and memorizing information very well, but I knew I could do better.
Above all, I knew that my Memory Palaces could be much more precise. So I found better ways to begin the journeys through them. I discovered principles that reduced the errors many people make with mnemonics and massively reduced the cognitive load extensive learning places on the mind.
And the more I worked at it, the more streamlined the techniques became. Before I knew it, I had zoomed through most of the books and was ready to sit for my exams. (These days, I also use mind mapping based on this Tony Buzan methodology.)
I had also finally landed on a feasible dissertation topic. And even though I still felt physically terrible and the mental illness remains to this day …
I Was Sitting On Top Of The World
I marched into those exams brimming with confidence and aced them.
In fact, when my final dissertation defense concluded and I was called “Dr. Metivier” for the very first time, the top examiner who had come up to Canada from the United States told me something I’ll never forget.
“Most people freeze up,” he said. “Some of them even break into tears. But you …
… the only person cooler than you is Miles Davis.”
I guess what he meant is that I was calm, collected and cool in the sense of being unshakable. And trust me, each and every one of the professors surrounding me at that table on the second floor of the Vanier building on the campus of York University in Toronto did all they could to shake me up.
But none of them could, not even the one hellbent on failing me.
And when they awarded my degree, they even added a special comment on the form that I had presented my knowledge with originality and audacity.
I take that to mean that I did it all with nerves of steel, total confidence and the ability to create new knowledge, not just parrot what I’d memorized.
And that’s what the Magnetic Memory Method is all about: Creating knowledge while also being able to repeat information verbatim. Or in the case of memorizing vocabulary, being able to create unique and meaningful sentences.
But don’t get me wrong.
In some cases, being a parrot isn’t a bad thing.
Not A Bad Thing At All
But let’s flash forward a couple of years.
There I was on the porch. Stupidly I’d sat through six months of a German language course after landing a research and teaching grant at a university there.
Looking back, I still can’t believe it. But in all fairness, I had already used my memory to get my Ph.D. But researching and teaching didn’t require them in quite the same way. I used mnemonics only to memorize the names of my students and the basic architecture of my lectures.
But on that porch, I realized that I could have been using memory techniques all along to memorize German vocabulary. The only question now was …
How?
When I thought back to what I’d done during my graduate years, it all fell into place.
You see, when organizing the knowledge I needed to know in order to memorize the works of philosophers and literary or film theorists great and small, I had created at least one Memory Palace for each, sometimes up to five.
In many cases, the Memory Palaces weren’t so much centered on the career of a philosopher, but on a single book. For example, for Aristotle I concentrated only on memorizing the major details of The Nicomachean Ethics. But as for the rest of his cannon, I’m a sitting duck in water.
Michel Foucault, on the other hand, had five Memory Palaces, four for individual books he’d written and one for facts about his life and how it intersected with important moments in his Zeitgeist.
Regardless of having one Memory Palace or five per philosopher, in each I got some kind of picture in my mind of what that person looks like. In the case of Aristotle, I had only paintings to work with. With Foucault, I could look at oodles of photographs.
Then, using a well-formed Memory Palace that obeys the principles of what would eventually become the Magnetic Memory Method, I followed these philosophers along carefully constructed journeys. At one point, for example, Aristotle fistfights with the notorious serial killer John Wayne Gacy. Foucault, known for his sexual escapades, got into some situations rather X-rated to at present mention.
I would eventually come to call these Magnetic little puppets of mine, “Bridging Figures.”
Why?
Because by following them around in my imagination, they “bridged the gap” between Memory Palace stations and engaged in behaviors that quickly and efficiently reminded me of the key points I needed to know. After that, it was just a matter of rehearsing the show a few times and writing out what I’d learned in summary format to ease the information into long-term memory.
As one commentator on a Magnetic Memory Method YouTube video puts it regarding my approach to memory techniques and mnemonics overall, it’s all …
Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy
Lemon squeezy, indeed. It also works for heavier material, like memorizing concepts too:
https://youtu.be/PUC5N9QORhM
Thinking about that practice and its tremendous power, I clearly saw that the same approach readily applied to German vocabulary. Abraham Lincoln helped me connect “ab” words in an “A” Memory Palace.
To give another example, Einstein took over the show in an imaginary reconstruction of my brother’s home.
Even more interesting, real people proved useful too.
For example, my ex-wife’s good friend Vera war sehr verantwortlich when it came to stuffing “ver” words into a very special Memory Palace that happened to be her home in Brooklyn. I had only visited the place once, but due to the mind’s uncanny ability to absorb the details of a building on autopilot, I used its rooms and hallways to great effect before moving to my old girlfriend Vicki’s home and on and on and on.
Nifty, Isn’t It?
You bet it is. And before I knew it, the fruitless hours spent on index cards and writing words out by hand became a thing if the past. I deleted every trace of the spaced-repetition software clogging my laptop and honored instead the unparalleled abilities of a well-trained memory.
Thousands of books and over a dozen video courses and public appearances later, the ancient art of memory finally had an innovation for one of its toughest opponents: language learning.
There had been other attempts. Harry Lorayne and Jerry Lucas devote three pages to memorizing vocabulary in The Memory Book. In Memo, Oddbjorn By talks about organizing a city into three parts to help organize gendered nouns, an idea he may have found in Host Von Romberch, who was a contemporary of the great mnemonist Matteo Ricci.
But none of these approaches had the rigor needed to memorize vocabulary en masse. Harry Lorayne is no fan of Memory Palaces and mnemonists like Dave Farrow use them sparingly.
Nothing Wrong With That
But for so many people like myself, pegs and linking do little or nothing. Without a track upon which to lay the associative-imagery, the choo-choo train of the mind has to grasp after ghostly images popped willy-nilly into the void, connected only by abstract relationships between silly images.
But a Bridging Figure moving along a Memory Palace journey matches two extremely concrete elements that are easy to follow. The Memory Palace serves as the rails, beautifully fixed in place. The Bridging Figure is the train conductor who stops at the stations and lets you decode the associative-imagery.
It’s simple, elegant and fun.
So Much Fun
Of course, it would be years later before I told anyone about this revelation. When I finally did release How to Learn and Memorize German Vocabulary following a mysterious and strange set of tumultuous adventures ranging from divorce to the biggest dental nightmare of my life, many people instantly got it. They went on to collectively memorize thousand of words and experience unheard of boosts in fluency.
But others didn’t get it. They cursed at my book and the books to come, calling the Magnetic Memory Method impractical, impossible and insane.
Others called me a scammer and compared me to Kevin Trudeau, a memory trainer who had broken the law by making dietary claims. What his health niche crimes have to do with his memory training, I’ll never know, but one thing will remain eternally clear: haters gonna hate.
The critics and naysayers aside, I focused all of my attention on helping the dozens of people who emailed me their questions. I spent hours clarifying the technique on an individual basis. And to be perfectly honest, I loved each and every minute.
But it soon became impractical to spend the better part of each day sharing clarifications to one person at a time. It’s the Information era after all. So I started gathering email addresses and emailed the answers to every one interested enough to subscribe.
Soon, ever more questions started rolling in. And new subscribers asked me how they could get their hands on all the emails they’d missed.
More than a hundred requests later, I created the Magnetic Memory Method Newsletter. At the end of each month, I gathered the emails I was sending once a day into a Kindle book and put them up on Amazon. Although these never became Bestseller like my other books, they have become the stuff of legend. Not a day passes when someone doesn’t ask to be subscribed to the MMM Newsletter or get the entire collection.
I’ve put ten of them together so far, totaling over 1000 pages of the deepest investigations into the art of memory on the planet. Some people have called me the Simonides of the 21st century. Others think I’m the reincarnation of Giordano Bruno (probably because of my Heavy Metal/Stoner Rock look and sometimes stubborn and insistent ways).
But to quote the late, great master of copywriting Gary Halbert:
To elaborate on that point, one day I will have to put together the mounds of other correspondence with readers that I’ve never published. I expect that this eventual set of documents will amount to 10,000 or more pages of material, writing that some people will undoubtedly gobble up and put to immediate use in their personal memory practice.
But for now, my focus is on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast and video channel, and developing projects like this analysis of The Art of Memory:
As I develop this project devoted to mental literacy for all people, I’ll keep creating second editions of the existing vocabulary books. After all, I now know so much about why people struggle with the MMM that it behooved me to incorporate it all into the first editions.
And now I’m excited to release the second edition of How to Learn and Memorize German Vocabulary. This new and revised edition includes:
* New illustrations of how to create a well-constructed Memory Palace so that you can see the principles right before your very eyes and model them.
* Drawings of a few pieces of associative-imagery so that you really understand how you can instantly memorize the sound and meaning of a word in just a minute or two.
* A lengthy list of suggested German words you will want to learn so that you aren’t stumbling around blind wondering what you should memorize.
* Notes on memorizing grammar principles and phrases so that you can speak sentences instead of just words. (Though the emphasis is on words because you can’t form sentences without them.)
* An expended discussion of Recall Rehearsal so that you know exactly how to get the words and phrases into long-term memory.
* A mega-conclusion that covers every possible question you may have so that no stone is left unturned, and you know exactly what to do to memorize hundreds of vocabulary words a week.
And make no mistake …
This Stuff Works
I heard a few months back from one person that he learned 1000 words in 6 weeks.
Just imagine what having that ability could do for you.
And even if you’re not learning German, the principles apply to any language.
So if this book is something for you, grab it here in its Enhanced Ebook form.
Let me know that you saw this page and I’ll send you a bonus recording with memory expert Jonathan Levi of SuperLearner.
In this training, we go into detail about the misconceptions and problems people have with creating Memory Palaces. It’s all in the book, of course.
But sometimes having a “student advocate” ask me questions live can make all the difference in the world. Plus, Jonathan is a force unto himself when it comes to accelerated learning techniques for languages.
At the present moment, this interview is available only in his SuperLearner Masterclass. It’s an experience that costs several hundred dollars to access. And honestly, if you’re willing to take action, 45 minutes listening to me talk in detail about the MMM is priceless.
I’ll send you a link where you can download this exclusive interview.
It’s just as simple as that. So here’s what to do next:
– Grab the book now.
– Click forward on the email receipt you receive.
– Enter my email address (anthony/at/magneticmemorymethod/dot/com).
That’s a great question and so I can only urge you to stick around and see just what this grizzly old “Wizard of Memory” has up his sleeve.
The future is a big place and if you want to learn a language, never forget a name or recite poetry or speeches, or pass even the most complicated math exam, the Magnetic Memory Method is here to help.
But Don’t Delay
Each and every day that you aren’t using the natural abilities of your imagination to integrate with the art of memory, you’re missing out on the massive power of flawless recall. You’re surrendering to the demon of forgetfulness when you could be eliminating its terrorist attacks on your life once and for all.
Grab your copy of How to Learn and Memorize German Vocabulary now and make this the most amazing year of your language learning life.
Your friend in memory,
Anthony Metivier
Additional Resources
https://youtu.be/bR15aAXv-F0
Foods That Improve Memory You CAN Pig Out On
Dec 24, 2015
If you’re lucky enough, eating foods that improve memory is something you do every day. If you’re like most of us lucky ones, it might be something you do too often every day.
But for something you do so often, are you getting the most out of your eating, for both your body and mind?
Doctors, nutritionists, fitness instructors, and your mom are constantly preaching:
“You are what you eat.”
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
“Eat your fruits and veggies.”
As a memory expert with a PhD who has faced lifelong struggles with food sensitivities, I can tell that these statements aren’t always true for all people.
Certainly not when it comes to memory. For example, when I have an outbreak after eating something to which I’m allergic, it can diminish my health and negatively impact my focus and memory.
Sometimes for days on end.
So what to do?
On this page, I’ll share the science of foods that positively boost memory. While also explaining how to make sure that you’re getting the best possible results without any negative side effects.
Foods That Improve Memory & How To Test That They Work For You
As we know, diet is consistently cited as one of the more important aspect to weight loss, mood and overall good health. What you eat can make you healthy, happy, and well-functioning, or throw you into a death-spiral of obesity, disease, and disability.
It should come as no surprise that diet also affects mental health. In fact, there is mounting evidence that specific types and classes of food can have beneficial (or detrimental) effects on memory.
Recently, for example, coconut oil has come into question, but that doesn’t mean it works for me. As I share in this video, there are many very healthy foods I simply cannot eat without a negative reaction, including brain fog:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bobKqgCXge0
I shared my story in the video above because science is a process of questioning, especially when so many healthy foods can lead you to lack focus and concentration.
So the question is…
Is it possible to change your diet to maintain, and even achieve new and better levels of memory and information retention?
We are all salivating for a definitive answer, but for the most part, the jury is still out.
Much of the research surrounding food and memory are in preliminary stages and tested on animal subjects. Not to dismiss the abilities of a lab rat, but making the connection between a rat and a human is dubious.
However, we aren’t entirely left in the dark. In fact, there is exciting new research pointing to real and impressive associations between food and memory.
This post (don’t forget to listen to the podcast version too) will dive into this salad bowl of findings and scoop out foods to help with memory conservation and retention.
All you’re left with is the easy – and delicious – part of figuring out how to incorporate these foods into your meals.
So, let’s dig in.
One: The Ugly Nut That Should Get More Attention
They look like brains, are hard to crack, and have a slight bitter flavor. Walnuts taste as unique as they look, and cracking them open has been a strength test for bodybuilders everywhere.
Beyond their use as a party trick, these funny-looking nuts have some evidence pointing to their ability to improve memory.
It’s not due to their pretty appearance. Walnuts contain the highest source of antioxidants among their nut brothers and sisters (Vinson and Cai 134). Perhaps due to their impressive antioxidant profile, walnuts have garnered research specifically on their abilities to improve memory.
A recently published, cross-sectional American study was conducted analyzing the association of walnuts to several forms of cognitive function (Arab and Ang 284). The study included participants from a variety of ethnicities, age groups, and genders. It surveyed over 20,000 people about their dietary habits and had them take various cognitive tests. These tests included reaction time, numerical processing, and recall.
This is perhaps the largest walnut to cognitive function study ever done on the US population, and boasts impressive results.
The study showed strong associations between higher walnut consumption and progressively better scores on each cognitive test, including the memory recall test (Arab and Ang 284).
In other words, the more walnuts they ate per day, the better their memory became. These results applied to all of the age groups studied, ranging between the ages of 25-59.
The study concludes with an (albeit serious and scientific) ode to walnuts.
“These significant, positive associations between walnut consumption and cognitive functions among all adults [. . .] suggest that daily walnut intake may be a simple beneficial dietary behavior.”(Arab and Ang 284)
This study does not stand alone when it comes to nuts and seeds for cognitive health.
What all these studies are really trying to say is, “Walnuts. Get on that”. Raw or roasted, add them to salads, to your oatmeal or even to the your green smoothies in the morning. If the statistics are correct, you should be getting smarter and remembering more details than ever.
Two: How Green Tea Can Super-Charge Your Memory
Green tea is a favourite around the world – I drink it myself almost every day. It’s found in a variety of drinks outside of its standard tea form, including lattes, soft drinks, and even ice cream. Green tea has been in the limelight for a while compared to other memory boosting teas for its purported ability to aid in treating nearly any ailment.
In a study conducted on Japanese residents over age 60, higher green tea consumption was associated with lower incidence of dementia (Noguchi-Shinohara et al). Dementia is a common cognitive and memory decline associated with growing older.
The study suggests that green tea consumption could be beneficial for reducing our risk of memory decline.
But what about improving our memory here and now?
A very interesting, albeit small, study on college students, sought an answer to this question (Schimdt et al 3888). The study examined the effects of green tea extracts on brain activity in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. 12 healthy volunteers were given green tea infused drinks and asked to perform a working memory task while in an MRI.
During the task, the prefrontal cortex showed increased activity and the volunteers performance was heightened (Schimdt et al 3888).
A larger study looked at the effects of tea consumption on the cognitive abilities of middle-aged adults in community living in Singapore. This study didn’t test green tea exclusively, but it found protective and enhancing affects of green tea on cognition, including memory (Feng et al 438).
The evidence suggests that drinking green tea daily will protect from future memory decline and may even provide a memory boost. This result as certainly been my experience, and it certainly feels great having it in my system while playing my favorite memory games.
Keep in mind that there’s another reason why drinking green tea is so good. Hydration and brain function go together. That’s why I drink green tea every day, but also follow up with plenty of water.
Three: The Small Berry That Packs A Punch You’ll Remember
Blueberries aren’t just for toddlers and vanilla ice cream anymore. Blueberries are showing some promise in the protection of your memory. In fact, they’re probably amongst the best fruits for brain health that you can eat.
In a study of nine older adults with memory decline, consuming blueberry juice over 12 weeks resulted in improved memory function. Each day this group of five men and four women drank blueberry juice. After 12 weeks of drinking blueberry juice, these nine test subjects showed improvements in recall and general cognitive functioning (Krikorian et al 4000).
Although small and preliminary, the research offers an interesting benefit to an already very health food. If you aren’t already eating blueberries, these findings should be the kick you needed to start adding them to your smoothies.
Personally, I used to eat blueberries frequently, but had to stop due to my food issues. But I remember how effective they were when I could eat them.
Luckily, I can still eat the next food we’re going to discuss, and do so at least two times a week.
Four: There’s Nothing Fishy About This Brain Food
If you’ve been on the internet at any point in the last ten years, you’ve probably heard about “Omega-3s”.
You may not know exactly what they do or what they are, but you know you need more of them.
The purported benefits of Omega-3s is the reason fatty fish have been promoted as a necessary addition to your weekly meals. Fatty fish, such as salmon, contain some of the highest levels of Omega-3s.
Similarly to green tea, Omega-3s have been touted as having a wide variety of health benefits. These include things like reducing pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, ensuring the healthy development of babies, and aiding against dementia.
Setting the former two claims aside, it does seem that Omega-3s, as consumed through fish, have a protective effect against memory deterioration.
A large study followed 889 older adult men and women over nine years. It was hoping to understand whether differences in fatty fish intake impacted the prevalence of dementia by the ninth year (Schaefer et al 1545).
Researchers found that subjects with the highest intake of Omega-3 fatty acids had a lower risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s. Their subjects consumed a mean of three servings of fatty fish per week and the risk reduction was impressive. Subjects that consumed the most fish saw their risk of memory impairment decline by 47% (Schaefer et al 1545).
Another study followed a group of 281 people aged 65 to investigate the correlation between fish intake and brain deterioration. This study found that higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in the blood, predicted reduced deterioration for its test subjects (Samieri et al 642).
In another very large study of over 1,200 people, Omega-3 fatty acid, along with various other micronutrient levels, were analyzed. The results were compared to the prevalence of an important biomarker for dementia, a compound in the blood that predicts Alzheimer’s. Sure enough, those with high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids had a lower amount of the threatening biomarker (Gu et al 1832).
What’s really interesting is that these results were not replicated through supplementation.
In a huge study, supplementation Omega-3 fatty acids were given to 4,203 subjects to determine whether memory function improved. The study followed subjects for five years, during which they tested various cognitive functions, including memory. The results showed that supplementation did not have a significant effect on cognitive function (Chew et al 791).
Moral of the story? There seems to be real memory benefits and protective effects to eating foods high in Omega-3 acids, such as in fish. Moreover, supplements have not proven effective. You’re much better off saving your money for a nice salmon filet once a week.
The Simple Diet That Brings It All Together
It might get tiring eating walnuts, berries, green tea, and fish all the time. But you’re in luck! As it turns out, there is an entire diet which has been shown to be protective against memory degeneration. The diet, called the MIND diet, reduces the risk of cognitive decline and memory by 35%. And that’s just for people who followed the diet moderately well (Morris et al 1022).
For those who stuck to the diet closely, the study measured an impressive reduction of 53%.
This diet has not, as of yet, been shown to enhance memory for healthy adults. There are no super-memory foods in the MIND diet.
Nonetheless, the MIND diet and study has shown impressive results in its potential to protect you from memory deterioration.
The MIND diet is a combination of two very well-studied diets: Mediterranean and DASH. Unlike these two diet, it places a special emphasis on the consumption of berries, strawberries, and blueberries in particular (remember them?).
In addition to choose whole grains for better cognition and foods like leafy greens for brainpower, the MIND diet also calls for limiting or eliminating unhealthy foods, especially butter, cheese, and fast or fried food.
In a time when many countries are facing ageing populations and increasing rates of Alzheimer’s, the MIND diet offers hope. As of yet, there is no effective cure for Alzheimer’s. Every step to a more definitive prevention of Alzheimer’s is a step in the right direction.
Of course, you can’t rely on the MIND diet on its own. Make sure you also get ample exercise, memory-friendly sleep and lots of socialization.
Don’t Be Tricked By Ginkgo
Apart from being a lovely decorative tree across North America, Ginkgo Biloba is an ancient species of trees. In fact, they are known to be the oldest tree species in the world, remaining unchanged for over 200 million years. That’s right, this tree has been around since the dinosaurs. Unlike the dinosaurs, they did not go extinct.
Not just a pretty tree, Ginkgo Biloba has also been used in east asian culinary. For example, Ginkgo seeds are added to a traditional vegetarian dish called “Buddha’s Delight”.
Otherwise, Ginkgo Biloba has earned a shining memory-boosting reputation in both alternative medicine circles and the mainstream population. According to the New York Times, it is widely marketed as a preventative treatment to Alzheimer’s disease. What’s more, it is America’s best-selling herbal cognitive enhancement.
But is there substance behind these claims?
Unlike many food claims, definitive answers are possible because Ginkgo is one of the most commonly studied herbs in the world.
Ginkgo has not shown evidence for preventing memory-loss diseases in later life, including dementia. In 2015, a study reviewing many previous studies available on Ginkgo showed no effect on memory loss prevention (Charemboon and Jaisin 508).
But can it help enhance memory for healthy adults?
Again, the evidence is lacking. A similarly large review conducted in 2012 found nothing to prove that Ginkgo Biloba enhances memory, despite the marketing (Laws et al.).
All that glitters is not gold, especially when it comes to claims made by herbal supplement manufacturers. Save your money on Ginkgo supplements and move on to other, better evidenced memory-supporting foods.
Antioxidants And Cognitive Function
It’s difficult to isolate specific components in foods that make them effective. It’s been found that blueberries, walnuts, and green tea have amongst the highest levels of antioxidants among their respective food groups.
Antioxidants are thought to protect against cell damage from free radicals, which occur naturally in the body due to normal metabolism.
However, many studies analyzing the effects of antioxidant supplements have failed to show significant effects. It seems that you must take the food with the antioxidant, possibly with other vitamins too.
Start On Your Memory-Boosting Journey (Without Supplements)
Although there may be a time and place for supplementation, uprooting memory supporting foods you can tolerate from their place in your diet is a poor strategy.
In any case, the variety and availability of these delicious foods leaves no reason not to incorporate them into your diet. Memory-boosting foods and diets are surprisingly commonplace.
Above and beyond improving memory, eating a healthy diet will leave you feeling energetic and, most importantly, disease-free. It’s a fair statement to say that living a long and healthy life is a prerequisite to excellent memory. After all, you need to be living a long life to have something to remember.
No research needed to back that up. But if you do want to remember all of the facts covered in this post, please feel free to grab my free course right here:
It will help you not only remember what foods help you most but also remember how to prepare your favorite dishes once you start choosing foods that serve your memory better.
Further Resources And Works Cited
Arab, L., and A. Ang. “A Cross Sectional Study of the Association between Walnut Consumption and Cognitive Function among Adult Us Populations Represented in NHANES.” J Nutr Health Aging The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging (2014): 284-90. Pubmed. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
Chew, Emily Y., Traci E. Clemons, Elvira Agrón, Lenore J. Launer, Francine Grodstein, and Paul S. Bernstein. “Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Lutein/Zeaxanthin, or Other Nutrient Supplementation on Cognitive Function.” JAMA (2015): 791. UpToDate. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
Feng, Lei, X. Gwee, E. -H. Kua, and T. -P. Ng. “Cognitive Function and Tea Consumption in Community Dwelling Older Chinese in Singapore.” J Nutr Health Aging The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging (2010): 433-38. Pubmed. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
Gu, Y., N. Schupf, S. A. Cosentino, J. A. Luchsinger, and N. Scarmeas. “Nutrient Intake and Plasma -amyloid.” Neurology (2012): 1832-840. UpToDate. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
Krikorian, Robert, Marcelle D. Shidler, Tiffany A. Nash, Wilhelmina Kalt, Melinda R. Vinqvist-Tymchuk, Barbara Shukitt-Hale, and James A. Joseph. “Blueberry Supplementation Improves Memory in Older Adults.” J. Agric. Food Chem. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2010): 3996-4000. Pubmed. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
Laws, Keith R., Hilary Sweetnam, and Tejinder K. Kondel. “Is Ginkgo Biloba a Cognitive Enhancer in Healthy Individuals? A Meta-analysis.” Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental Hum. Psychopharmacol Clin Exp (2012): 527-33. Print.
Morris, Martha Clare, Christy C. Tangney, Yamin Wang, Frank M. Sacks, Lisa L. Barnes, David A. Bennett, and Neelum T. Aggarwal. “MIND Diet Slows Cognitive Decline with Aging.” Alzheimer’s & Dementia (2015): 1015-022. Elsevier. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
Noguchi-Shinohara, Moeko, Sohshi Yuki, Chiaki Dohmoto, Yoshihisa Ikeda, Miharu Samuraki, Kazuo Iwasa, Masami Yokogawa, Kimiko Asai, Kiyonobu Komai, Hiroyuki Nakamura, and Masahito Yamada. “Consumption of Green Tea, but Not Black Tea or Coffee, Is Associated with Reduced Risk of Cognitive Decline.” PLoS ONE (2014). NCBI. PLOS ONE. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
Samieri, Cécilia, Pauline Maillard, Fabrice Crivello, Evelyne Peuchant, Catherine Helmer, Michèle Allard, Jean-Francois Dartigues, Stephen Cunnane, Bernard Mazoyer, and Pascale Barberger-Gateau. “Plasma Long-chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Medial Temporal Lobe Atrophy: A Longitudinal MRI Study.” Alzheimer’s & Dementia (2012). UpToDate. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
Schaefer, Ernst J., Vanina Bongard, Alexa S. Beiser, Stefania Lamon-Fava, Sander J. Robins, Rhoda Au, Katherine L. Tucker, David J. Kyle, Peter W. F. Wilson, and Philip A. Wolf. “Plasma Phosphatidylcholine Docosahexaenoic Acid Content and Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer Disease.” Arch Neurol Archives of Neurology (2006): 1545. UpToDate. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
Schmidt, André, Felix Hammann, Bettina Wölnerhanssen, Anne Christin Meyer-Gerspach, Jürgen Drewe, Christoph Beglinger, and Stefan Borgwardt. “Green Tea Extract Enhances Parieto-frontal Connectivity during Working Memory Processing.” Psychopharmacology (2014): 3879-888. Pubmed. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
Valls-Pedret, Cinta, Rosa Maria Lamuela-Ravent’os, Alexander Medina-Rem’on, Melibea Quintana, Dolores Corella, Xavier Pinto, Miguel Angel Martınez-Gonzalez, Ramon Estruch, and Emilio Ros. “Polyphenol-Rich Foods in the Mediterranean Diet Are Associated with Better Cognitive Function in Elderly Subjects at High Cardiovascular Risk.” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 29 (2012): 773-82. IOS Press. IOS Press. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
Vinson, Joe A., and Yuxing Cai. “Nuts, Especially Walnuts, Have Both Antioxidant Quantity and Efficacy and Exhibit Significant Potential Health Benefits.” Food Funct. (2011): 134-40. Royal Society of Chemistry. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
Weinmann, Stefan, Stephanie Roll, Christoph Schwarzbach, Christoph Vauth, and Stefan N Willich. “Effects of Ginkgo Biloba in Dementia: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” BMC Geriatr BMC Geriatrics (2015): 14. Print.
Dave Farrow Talks About Focus, Fatigue And Memory Expertise
Dec 17, 2015
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Guinness World Record Holder Dave Farrow talks about developing focus, overcoming study fatigue and how advanced memory abilities can make you an expert in anything.
As a long term researcher into many aspects of memory science, it was an honor to move from using the techniques personally while studying them to trying my hand in a competition with one of the best.
Farrow was incredibly generous to record this episode, something in his character I noticed at the competition itself.
Putting together memory competitions is not easy, after all.
And on top of that, he’s put in the practice to establish his legendary status as a memory champion.
Press play above and in this episode, you’ll learn:
* Why the Ancient Greeks are not the only source of powerful memory techniques.
* An amazing focus method for people with A.D.D. that’ll also work for anyone!
* How to beat any world memory record and maintain the information over long periods of time.
* The important of accuracy in memory and how to develop it fast.
* How Dave memorized 59 decks of cards, totally 3068 cards.
* The important difference between a memory championship and memory competition.
* The secrets of bring longevity to memory without having to cram or spend tons of time reviewing.
* A stunning and colorful alternative to the Major Method, especially for people with dementia using an arrangement like this (you can create your own version):
1 = red 2 = orange 3 = yellow 4 = green 5 = blue 6 = purple 7 = brown 8 = silver 9 = gold 0 = black
* Exactly how to memorize the Major Method (sometimes called the Major System) using “mnemonics for mnemonics.”
* How to use memory techniques to “fill in the gaps” of anything you missed from a lecture.
* How to deal with being accused of cheating when you use memory techniques to ace every test.
* How to rebalance your brain after intense periods of learning so that you can maximize every minute you invest in your studies.
* Why you need to avoid memory techniques taught by people unqualified to explain them.
* How to find out your primary way of making imaginative connections so that mnemonics work for you at the highest possible level.
* The power of irony, oddity and personification as alternatives to action and imagery in your approach to memorizing information.
* How Dave used memory techniques to become expert in everything needed to build the animatronic “FarrowBOT” with fully articulated hands. It truly is the robot that memory built.
* The secret keys to developing motivation and passion so that you can make maximum gains with your memory over the long haul.
* … and much, much more!
Photos From Dave Farrow’s 2015 Canadian Memory Seminar And Tournament
The 2015 Seminar and Memory Tournament took place on October 17th in Toronto, Canada at the Ontario Science Center.
Please feel free to read the full Tournament Rules. You can also grab the World Memory Tournament Manual Dave put together with Chester Santos for more information about being a memory competitor or putting together your own competition.
At the competition, anyone can take turns being either a competitor or a judge. It’s amazing how quickly complete beginners pick up the mnemonics and get stunning results just minutes after receiving instructions in how to memorize vocabulary, numbers and playing cards. Even the most skeptical utterly surprised themselves!
As you can see, I was having the time of my life overseeing some of the matches. It was actually a challenging experience because judges have to make some tough close calls. If one competitor makes a mistake, the other competitor can claim the point and then go on to rack up even more until they’ve exhausted the amount of vocabulary, numbers or playing cards they were able to memorize.
These competitors are memorizing lists of vocabulary that they are seeing for the first time. A camera captures everything and detailed records of the results are recorded by the judge.
At the end, everyone walks away as a winner just for taking up the challenge of exercising their imagination and memory abilities and it is a thrill to get a photo with the “Farrow” of Memory himself, Dave Farrow.
Further Resources And Information Mentioned During The Interview
Dave’s TEDTalk On Why Forgetting May Save Humanity:
If you had the cure for cancer, to what lengths would you go to get it into the hands of the people?
I’m guessing you would not rest until you could see the world freed from the disease in all its manifestations.
Matteo Ricci did not have the cure for cancer, but as we learn in The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci by Jonathan D. Spence he did have the next best thing: A simple recipe for eliminating forgetfulness.
Yes, you reallycan memorize how to understand and sound those crazy characters, and even memorize the stroke order.
The Freakish Willpower Of A Memory Wizard
As an Italian Jesuit priest and missionary, Ricci’s memory techniques were so powerful that some of the people in China who heard him recite their books forward and backward thought he was a wizard. In some cases, people saw him as a religious threat because Ricci also believed he had the ultimate salve for the human condition: Christianity.
Indeed, as Jonathan D. Spence suggests in The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci, “by impressing the Chinese with his memory skills, Ricci hoped to interest them in his culture; through interesting them in his culture he hoped to draw them to an interest in God.”
Talk About Ambition!
Although Ricci’s proselytization had only middling results in China, he was a friend of memory techniques, and we can learn a lot from him about how to use mnemonics at a much higher level.
He wrote about his approach to memory and quoted the scholars from whom he learned the Memory Palace technique in a book called Xiguo Jifa. It took me forever and a day to find a copy of it, but finally I did and made sure to pack it up and take it with me during a recent move:
https://youtu.be/4F0DL0vLkaY
Speaking of books, Ricci was said to have the ability to memorize them cover to cover – and recite them forward and backwards.
But is this a useful skill? You be the judge.
https://youtu.be/X-zB_mGT0Zc
But memorizing entire books aside, as with all interesting lives, Ricci’s was filled with drama. Along with his many thrills, chills and spills, this “wizard” of the dark mnemonic arts we can learn …
The Many Dangers Of Using Memory Techniques
The first danger with using memory techniques is that as your memory grows stronger, so do your powers. You may even find that special new powers grow, abilities that you did not anticipate.
And, as all fans of Spider-Man know …
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
This is certainly true, but those of us living today can probably ignore the idea that using mnemonics fuses your brain with the cosmos. But it was a common concern in the sixteenth century, the flames of which Giordano Bruno had no problem fanning.
But for Ricci’s contemporaries, the threat was real. Being accused of magical powers regularly led to imprisonment, disfiguring torture and public execution. Often all three.
We can also probably dismiss the idea that rosemary helps with memory improvement, something promised by Ophelia in Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance, pray you, love, remember.”
Other than that, the rest is golden. Drawing on Spence’s book about Ricci, we can now turn to …
Matteo Ricci’s 5 Memory Palace Tips For Total Memory Mastery
1. Cultivate eloquence by using familiar buildings.
Ricci grew up during a time when fortresses were taking on more prestige than cathedrals in European cities. This historical circumstance meant that Ricci could use the best of both worlds.
The great thing about many civic buildings is that they’re well-planned. You can also usually find a floor plan on one of the walls. If not, a guard or other official will probably know where it is and let you take a photograph for later reference.
Get Freakishly Insane Results With This DIY Memory Palace Strategy
Or, for very good practice, you can sketch out a floor plan of the building yourself. This activity translates your immediate impressions through your muscles and other representation systems directly into your memory, and if you can start memorizing information before you leave the site, all the better.
For more ideas about the kinds of buildings that make great Memory Palaces, check out the How To Find Memory Palaces episode of the Magnetic Memory Method podcast.
The most important point Ricci draws out is that familiarity breeds eloquence when it comes to creating top-notch Memory Palaces. As he noted in his letters, even the biggest and most chaotic cities he visited during his travels became small and manageable in his mind through familiarity.
For us, this means spending more time visiting the homes of our friends and maximizing the value of all the Real Estate surrounding us. Even the most sprawling metropolis can provide you a tightly organized system of Memory Palaces if you take it just one corner cafe at a time.
This “Best Friend” Secret May Be The Best Way To Get Ahead With Memory Techniques Ever
2. You Don’t Have To Use Memory Palaces On Your Own
Memory improvement takes places in your mind and your mind alone …
Or does it?
Not for Ricci.
As Spence unearths, Ricci and his friend Lelio Passionei created Memory Palace systems together while studying in Rome. Twenty years later, Ricci still reflected on these Memory Palaces. No doubt they were even more memorable to him than others because he did not create them alone.
If you’re creating Memory Palaces all alone, you could be limiting your success. Check out this post on how to play memory games using your childhood with a friend to maximize the potential of your memory and the Memory Palaces you want to use.
3. Flexibility is king
All memory techniques involve encoding information, storing it, consolidating it and then decoding it when you want access to it later.
But many people think that using a Memory Palace and visual memory techniques requires creating perfect images. They sweat and labor and fight with their minds to come up with 100% accuracy.
The Best Way To Prevent Failure Is To Stab Perfection In The Heart And Leave It For Dead
Not only is 100% accuracy not necessary. It also rarely works. There is rarely a one-to-one correspondence between what you want to memorize and the images you use to memorize that info.
What you need instead of verisimilitude is flexibility and trust. Don’t let yourself get caught up in the rabbit hole of perfectionism.
Ricci, as Spence tells us in The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci, often made adjustments, getting things just right enough to trigger the right memories at the right time.
It’s almost like getting a car engine running just well enough to get it on the road until it can either repair itself or coast based on that initial momentum. When it comes to mnemonics, that’s usually all you need.
Do The Right Work
Ricci did this not only in his mind but in his religious teachings as well. Indeed, to communicate the larger ideas of Christianity, Ricci often adjusted the Gospels so that the visual pictures he had fashioned could do, as Spence puts it, “the right work.”
Our takeaway as memory enthusiasts is that it really all comes down to flexibility and letting your mind fill in the blanks once you’ve got mnemonic imagery that is good enough to do the right work.
4. Information Can Be Broken And Put Together Again
Ricci had the mind of a strategist. Instead of trying to memorize Chinese ideographs as a whole, he would allow them to be as complex as he found them, but cut them into pieces so he could better create images for them.
By doing this, he had an easier time compounding multiple meanings onto the same ideograph.
Spence gives the example of “yao,” which may mean to want, to need, shall and fundamental. To fit all of these possible meanings into the single mnemonic image he placed in his Memory Palace, Ricci saw a Muslim tribeswoman from the Xixia territories. She has fundamental beliefs that oblige her to do certain things. In other words, her fundamental beliefs require that she wants, that she needs and that she shall.
Once created, Ricci places this image of the woman in his Memory Palace so “she will stay there, in the quiet light that suffuses the Memory Palace, calm and unmoving, for as long as he chooses to leave her.”
How Do You Stack Up When It Comes To Breaking Things Down?
The point being that most, if not all pieces of information can be broken down into multiple components. Even the smallest words, in a language like Chinese Mandarin, can be separated to learn better and memorize tone structures.
The Magnetic Memory Method for language learning takes this approach a step further by using Bridging Figures that we can apply to numerous similar word pieces and the various combinations they make with other sounds to form complete words.
Using the MMM, you can also trigger both the sound and the meaning of the word using the actions and interactions of the Bridging Figure in your Memory Palace.
Cool Stuff Or What?
5. Study As Many Memory Masters As You Can
It was common during Ricci’s time to quote from a number of different sources. We still do this in many books today, but in the world of memory, you’d be hard-pressed to find too many references to books written by other memory trainers. Many want you to think that they’ve got the best “system” and no one else exists.
That’s fine and dandy for branding and marketing purposes (though it’s ultimately destructive in the age of the Internet). Luckily, Ricci had no such concerns, nor did Spence. Here are just a few of the many names who come up:
Spence thinks Ricci first learned about Memory Palaces in this book. Cypriano connects the structured placement of images to help recall information to the eloquence of the thesaurus (thesaurus eloquentae), which he calls the “root of all eloquence.”
Ricci may have met Panigarola personally, a man said to have used one hundred thousand stations in a very large number of Memory Palaces. He apparently used a lot of puns to make his images memorable. These images tended to reference current political disputes and wars between nations.
Tip: Since wars involve a lot of historical figures and over-the-top activities, the history of war is a ripe source for exaggerated imagery and intensely memorable personalities.
We can also see that many of the mnemonists of Ricci’s era tended to use mnemonic imagery appropriate to their times. We, on the other hand, can use the Internet to examine swaths of history and come up with images as old as cave drawings and as new as Banksy. We’re in the finest moment of all times to be fully and completely visual. We are rich.
The Weirdest Way To Use Emotions To Make Information Memorable
Gratarolo’s key tip is that the images we create should be so powerful that they “move one to laughter, compassion or admiration.” We could add to this disgust, fear and even anger. As people who need to remember, we need all the help from our emotions we can get.
Gratarolo also appears to have been the first to use something akin to what we now call the Person Action Object technique (PAO).
“After designing a memory location on conventional lines, he then positioned in each an object – a chamber pot, a box of salve, a bowl of plaster were his first three examples – and then had separate figures, each based on individuals he knew well and each carefully named, jolt the scene into mnemonic action. Thus in rapid sequence Grataroli presented his friend Peter as picking up the chamber pot full of urine and pouring it over James, Martin putting his finger in the ointment box and wiping it over Henry’s anus, and Andrew taking some plaster from the bowl and smearing it over Francis’s face. If one could link these vignettes by pun, analogy, or association of ideas to given concepts, one could be guaranteed never to forget them.”
Loyala stressed that Jesuits be mentally present at Christ’s death. “No violent detail is to be avoided,” he wrote, quoting Ludolfus of Saxony.
By focusing on the extremities, the priests would not only better remember the Gospels. They would strengthen their overall abilities with memory techniques.
Romberch described entire memory cities to be divided by categories such as shops, libraries, slaughter yards and schools. How specifically this kind of division should work is not clear.
Nor is his suggestion to use “memory alphabets.” These were to be based on the logical combination of humans, plants, animals and objects.
Of all Ricci’s contemporaries, Romberch seems to have been most closely aligned with the Magnetic Memory Method. The ability to use general methods to create specific systems for specific memory purposes is perhaps the most profound approach we have.
Hater’s Gonna Hate …
Not everyone in Ricci’s time held memory techniques and mnemonics in high esteem.
In Of the Vanitie and Uncertainties of Arts and Sciences, Cornelius Agrippe said that the “monstrous images” required by mnemonics dulled the mind. He even went so far as to suggest that mnemonics “caused madness and frenzy instead of profound and sure memory.”
Erasmus and Melancthon agreed and Rabelais went out of his way to mock memory techniques. In Gargantua, the title character learns to memorize bizarre books of grammar and the commentaries written on them by Bangbreeze, Scallywag and Claptrap.
The Worst Thing You’ll Smell All Day
Although Gargantua can recite these books backward and forwards, Rabelais does not present the skill in a virtuous light. Instead, Gargantua “became as wise as any man baked in an oven” and when speaking to him about his memorized knowledge, “it was no more possible to draw a word from him than a fart from a dead donkey.”
Those who mocked memory techniques and the ability to use a Memory Palace really missed out.
But Their Loss Is Our Gain …
… and their mockery contributed to the preservation of these extraordinary techniques for learning, memorizing and recalling anything.
The Enduring Tragedy Of The Memory Palace Of Matteo Ricci
Sadly, Ricci spent so much time in China, but apparently wasn’t aware of the countless Chinese mnemonists capable of memory feats that made his abilities pale in comparison. So although we get a wealth of information in his writing about the Western mnemonic tradition, Ricci could not expose us to the untold treasures of the Chinese memory wizards as part of his extraordinary career.
For this reason, I’ve been inspired to start learning Mandarin Chinese. Two weeks deep into the language, my results using several Memory Palaces to memorize Pimsleur dialogs has been even more successful than anticipated.
I’ll be talking more about exactly what I’m doing, so stay tuned and be sure that you’ve got my free Magnetic Memory Method Memory Improvement Kit so that you’re subscribed for notifications and can learn the techniques to use along with me.
And like Ricci …
Use Knowledge To Change The Entire World For The Better
Until next time, keep busy learning and practicing the art of memory. And as always, keep yourself Magnetic! 🙂
Jonathan Levi On ADD, Education And His TEDTalk Memory Palace
Nov 26, 2015
Jonathan Levi is an insanely smart guy.
Long before he founded SuperLearner, he had started and sold busineses.
He had also learned multiple languages and traveled the world.
Since Jonathan and I recorded this episode, he’s sold SuperLearner and moved on to other interests.
But the information he shares in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method podcast remain valuable.
Plus, if have a personal reason for keeping this episode available.
Even though Jonathan knows a ton about memory techniques, he still came to me for help when preparing to memorize his TEDx Talk.
Of course, that chuffs my ego.
But it also helps you know that when it comes to memorizing speeches, the Magnetic Memory Method is where even my fellow memory experts and mnemonists turn.
Here’s Jonathan’s TEDx Talk, which is well worth watching:
https://youtu.be/vtQzuwnyW6E
Next, click play on the interview using the player above so you can learn:
7 Minimalist Ways To Boost Success In The Face Of Soul-Crushing Overwhelm
Nov 19, 2015
Let’s face it – you’re burned out.
Work is killing you. Your Kindle app is bursting with unread books. Your credit card is melting from the heat of buying stuff you want but do not need.
Worse, you’re constantly aware of how it all circles back to the job or entrepreneurial pursuits you need to keep the devil’s plates spinning.
Here’s the good news:
There are specific habits that can get you off of this endless wheel of unhappiness. They are all easy and mostly inexpensive to do. They give you insight into your situation and can spring you from the prison of burnout faster than you can imagine.
The best part is that these seven techniques are also minimalistic. There’s almost nothing to them. And the “zen of almost nothing” is a great way to get started dealing with overwhelm.
The only catch is that taking time for this simple practice can be difficult to remember. And that’s somewhat strange, given how good it can make you feel, even after only five minutes of practice.
One way to make meditation a regular practice you won’t forget is to place a mat beside your bed. When you wake up, sit for even just a moment to connect with your surroundings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBRZZEbX4w8
You don’t have a spend a penny on your mat either. Just fold up a blanket, and for extra comfort, place a pillow on top of that. In this way, you can keep your ankles off of the hard floor and give some balance to your spine.
Many people think meditation is difficult. But it’s easy to do and gets even easier when you approach it without a lofty goal, like enlightenment. As Alan Watts said, the best way to approach meditation is “sitting just to sit.”
If you can make this simple approach to meditation a regular practice, even with thunder and lightning jolting through your soul, you have a chance at developing better balance in your life within a week or less.
2. How Taking A Simple Walk Can Protect Your From Harm
Many hold walking as a form of meditation. But walking also releases regulatory chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals not only create pleasure, but can also help reduce any physical pain you might be suffering.
And you can make walking even more soothing for yourself. Take some MP3s of calming music that you resonate with and focus on immersing yourself in the sound and rhythm as you walk.
Match your movements to the music and pay attention to the feeling of the world around you. It’s only important that the music you choose reduces overwhelm – not increase it.
And if you are interested in meditation, take a break and sit on a bench in a park. Just to sit.
3. How To Practice Vegging Out (In A Positive Way)
Well, not exactly “vegging out” in the traditional sense.
Practicing Shavasana has a funny catch to it. You will always lose the game. No matter how good you get at the stillness, your body will eventually force you to move.
But in this game, losing is a good thing. As you experience the relaxing feelings of stillness, you’re also studying your impulses and your need to react to the same thoughts and desires that lead to overwhelm in other areas of your life.
As you practice Shavasana over the coming weeks and months, try extending the periods of stillness longer each time. You’ll find that by extending your reactions in Shavasana, you’ll also be able to slow how you react to overwhelming elements of life too.
4. Do This With A Pen And Paper Every Day
When life hands you a car crash, we tend to react to the overwhelm by piling on worry, concern and more stress.
The way around this is to buttress yourself in good thoughts before tough things happen. That way, you’ll have a reference guide to which you can refer.
To complete this simple exercise, get a notebook or dedicated journal and focus on writing down things you genuinely appreciate. Be specific. If you’re grateful to have a computer, list it. If you enjoyed the smile of a stranger on your walk, make a note of it.
And commit to doing this every single day for at least three months. Add these 5 Brain Exercises for bonus points, if you like.
Please don’t think this daily writing habit is silly or will itself contribute to your overwhelm. In 59 Seconds, a book by Richard Wiseman, the author gives scientific studies that demonstrate the validity of journaling gratitude.
But you don’t take the word of science for it.
Give it a try and you’ll find out on your own. Within as short a period as one or two days, you may find that you’re already feeling happier about your life and this new recognition of how things are for you will buttress you against future troubles that really can be overwhelming without a daily defense practice in place.
5. Have Two-Tiered Positive Goals You Can Achieve Now And Later
You’ve probably heard of SMART goals. They are goals that are:
* Specific * Measurable * Achievable * Realistic * Time-related
These are all great guidelines to keep in mind when making your goals, and they are designed to reduce overwhelm.
As a bonus to the SMART concept, my friend Daniel Welsch in Spain adds on two other components that work well. He notes two kinds of things he wants to achieve:
* Goals that cost nothing (like spending more time with a loved one) * Goals that cost $1000
The former can be scheduled immediately. The latter can be worked towards and earned. It doesn’t have to be $1000, but the benefits of having a monetary goal in mind are huge.
After all, you’re going to work one way or another and saving up for a specific goal that costs money not only engages you in your work in a more meaningful way. It also lets you give yourself a gift for all that you do.
The trick is to make sure that your goals in and of themselves reduce overwhelm while leading to even greater states of calm and freedom in the future.
6. How To Make Your Favorite Poison A Cure
It was often said in Ancient Greece that the cure is always a poison, and the poison is always a cure. In fact, the word “pharmacy” partially descends from this concept (Pharmakia).
Computers are like that too. At the same time you can use them to achieve miracles, you can also let them run you into the ground.
Set specific limits. For example, no matter what, hit the off-switch at 10 p.m. and stick to it. Then go for a walk, sit on that bench and practice positive visualization based on your journaling or other ideas.
Of course, everybody knows that setting limits is tough, but the benefits of doing so reduce overwhelm and open you up to receiving so many good things in life that cannot be achieved when you and your brain are chained to a machine designed to bombard all your senses.
7. How To Reduce Overwhelm While Chilling Out With Friends
Social media has many positive aspects. But it’s not a substitute for real life contact. It doesn’t cause your brain to create any of the healthy and helpful chemicals that social interactions bring. And in fact, keeping up with all those posts and liking all those likeable links can bake your brain.
You also don’t get the challenges your brain needs while using social media. These include being asked questions and asking questions in return, complete with the body language and innuendo that only real life contact can offer.
That said, like meditation, social contact needn’t have a lofty self-improvement goal. It can be valuable in and of itself just as something to do.
But if you do want something specific to do with your friends, tell them about your minimalist plans to bring more balance into your life. After all, they’re helpful for everyone else too.
And teaching something helps you organize information in your brain, leading to streamlined thoughts and crystal clarity that also help reduce overwhelm in your mind.
So what do you say? Are you ready to get out of the soul-crushing loop that you’re in and bring in some new habits that will help you reduce overwhelm and boost your success? I hope so, because the truth is that you can free yourself from the suffering of burnout, one small positive habit at a time.
How Motivation Affects Your Memory When Learning A Language
Nov 11, 2015
Check out this guest post by Camilla Hallstrom. She teaches you how to use powerful psychological tools to make finally crossing that language off your bucket list simple and fun. Take it away, Camilla!
Have you ever started learning a language only to find yourself still no better than a beginner years later?
If so, you’re certainly not alone.
Learning a language is often considered extremely daunting and takes a long time.
After all, you’ll have to cram all this information into your brain. For example, you’ll have to memorize new vocabulary, including regional variations, slang, cultural concepts, grammar rules, and numbers. If you’re not some sort of a memory prodigy, you’re in it for the long term – and who has time and energy for that?
But here’s the thing:
The conventional wisdom that learning a language is a long and arduous path is…
Just Plain Silly
As a native speaker of two languages, Swedish and Finnish, and fluent speaker of three more languages, English, French, and German, I can communicate in two other languages, Norwegian and Danish, and I’m a beginner in an eighth language, Italian.
Am I a language prodigy? No way.
Do I have superhuman memory skills? Not really.
Is it in my genes? Nope. No one in my family speaks as many languages with the same fluency.
The key to every language that I’ve learned is that I have learned how to motivate myself to keep on learning and memorizing.
Being motivated to learn a language might sound intuitive, but still, this is one of the most basic things language learners struggle with.
Motivation also applies to learning in general and learning memorization methods that can be applied to other things.
For example, you know from Anthony’s Magnetic Memory Method that there are structured frameworks that can be applied to language memorization.
And if you’ve used the Magnetic Memory Method, you know it works.
Yet, it’s easy to fall back on the same old excuses – you don’t have time to create those Memory Palaces right now, you don’t have time to learn the techniques, etcetera.
Read on to learn exactly how you do this – once you’ve mastered motivation, there are no limitations to your learning.
(Note: I’ve put together an eBook at the end of this post that will give you 19 actionable ways get motivated and achieve your goal.)
What Does Motivation Do to Your Memory?
Years ago, back in high school, I wasn’t very diligent. German was one of my least favorite subjects. Yet, I had to undertake a rigorous and important exam at the end of my senior year. Everything that I had ever learned in my German classes throughout school was going to be tested.
I didn’t have very much time to revise. Also, I had to take three other exams at the same time. I pretty much gave up at the starting line.
Instead of trying to frenetically revise grammar books and dictionaries a month before my test, I decided to do something unconventional.
Quite simply, I watched my favorite movies, read my favorite books, and watched the news – all in German. I did this for a month and I enjoyed doing it.
At the end of that month, the result for my exam took me by surprise – I scored nationally in the top 20% and was one of the best in my class.
This success happened despite the fact that I had been one of the poorest performing students just a few months earlier. How come?
Don’t Overlook This Little Known Secret: It Supports All Successful Language Learning
The fact that I enjoyed the way in which I was revising for my test meant that I was motivated to do the tasks I did.
And as it turns out, motivation can affect cognition. In fact, many of those who achieve success in learning a language are highly motivated.
Working memory. Your working memory is what enables you to both temporarily store and process information. Working memory is crucial for our language learning because it enables us to understand and communicate in our target language.
Associative memory. Your associative memory helps you remember associations between unrelated items, such as the name of someone you just met and it helps you connect old and new information. For example, when learning a language, your associative memory can help you build links between words in your native language and your target language.
Howstrong your mechanisms are for implicit learning. Implicit learning is what you learn without realizing that you’re learning. For language learning, implicit learning means that you unintentionally learn complex and subtle regularities in a language. Implicit learning is common for children, but for adults it can be more challenging.
However, you’d think that my classmates were also motivated. Some of them had been much more successful language learners throughout school – why, then, did I perform better?
What was it that set me apart from other students – those who were diligently reading the textbooks set out in our curriculum?
To answer this, we need first to understand how motivation works.
Here’s Exactly What Motivation Is And How It Works
Have personal meaning to you. Intrinsic motivation builds on our internal motivation. Subsequently, your goal should build on something that’s important to you and not caused by external motivators. In other words, know your why.
Are attainable. Self-esteem is tightly linked with motivation. If you don’t believe that you have the capacity to do something, it’s hard to muster the motivation for it. Subsequently, if you don’t gain momentum, you lose self-esteem for that particular task or goal and as a result, you lose interest in your goal. You need to find the sweet-spot between attainable goals and too easy or unachievable goals.
Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is external. It refers to incentives that come from outside of the individual. Such incentives could be a good grade or monetary compensation.
What Motivates You To Learn A Language?
Intrinsic motivation is key both to mnemonic processes and specifically, language learning. Consequently, intrinsic motivation has a huge impact on how you use the Magnetic Memory Method or any set of memory techniques. Extrinsic motivation, again, has shown not to be as effective as intrinsic motivation when it comes to learning a language.
Some people are naturally intrinsically motivated to learn a language. For example, intrinsic motivators for learning a language are:
Learning a language for a trip to a country.
Learning a language to communicate with friends and family.
Learning a language to be able to read a certain book in its original language, watch a certain movie, and so forth.
Learning a language when moving to a country.
Learning a language as a hobby.
Learning a language to better understand a culture.
Learning a language because it appeals to you, e.g., because it sounds beautiful.
Now that we know what motivation is, we can return to why I performed better than my classmates in my exam despite not having performed as well in the past.
I was intrinsically motivated to watch movies and read books as these things are things that I would have done even if I hadn’t had to prepare for my exam. I was preparing for the exam because of an extrinsic reason, but I was able to turn it into something that I liked doing. This gave me intrinsic motivation.
My classmates, on the other hand, were – at least for the most part – extrinsically motivated. They took the tests to get good grades. This, again, isn’t as effective as intrinsic motivation.
What Can You Do When Your Motivation Fizzles?
It’s worth noticing that motivation is not static.
It changes according to circumstances, like your mood and your goals.
For example, if you have a particular task – like I had in my example – you might experience a sudden burst of motivation. The risk is that you lose that motivation once you’ve completed your task.
This, again, can lead to a serious problem – procrastination.
What Is Procrastination Anyway And …
What Makes It So Bad?
Motivation fluctuates. As we’ve discussed, intrinsic motivation has a big impact on your mnemonic processes. The risk is that once you become unmotivated, you don’t take the actions you should.
However, while there are times when you’re not motivated to do something, there are ways in which you can ensure that you continue to work towards your goal. In this case, it’s learning a language and therefore, continuing to create Memory Palaces.
So how do you keep up working on memorizing your target language even when you don’t feel like doing so?
First, it’s key to understand why you procrastinate when you lose your motivation.
You procrastinate because your decisions are processed in two different parts of your brain.
Take the limbic system. It’s a primitive part of the brain. It assesses the instant rewards of any decision. It’s also the part of your brain that makes you procrastinate.
For example, you might decide not to build a Memory Palace, which has long-term rewards, and instead log in on Facebook, which has instant, but useless rewards. By swapping Facebook for memory methods, you immediately do what you want to and not what you should for long-term gain, which is learning a language.
The prefrontal cortex, on the other hand, evaluates long-term gain and processes decisions accordingly. To keep from procrastinating, you should always consider what consequences your action holds for you in the long run.
Of course, isolating these consequences is much easier said than done. However, there are ways in which you can optimize that you’ll make a decision based on these consequences.
Never Settle For Multitasking
For example, you should focus on few goals at the same time, and never settle for multitasking. This way, it’s easier to keep your goal on the top of your mind at all times and consequently, make decisions based on it.
You should also make a plan for how you will achieve your goal. This way, you always keep up with what your next step is. Also, when you’re tired or hungry, your decisions are processed in your limbic system. Sleeping enough hours and eating regularly helps you identify what consequences your actions have in the long run.
Now that you know why you lose motivation and procrastinate, we’ll look at what remedies there are for this in relation to language learning and memorization.
How Habits Help You Achieve Your Goals …
Even When You Lack Motivation
#1. Seinfeld’s productivity secret as a habit-building method
First, by establishing habits, you ensure that you continue to build your memory palaces and learn your target language.
Habits are behavior patterns that are constantly repeated and ultimately become almost inevitable.
For example, you brush your teeth and shower almost by automation.
Even if you feel like not brushing your teeth, you do it – it’s more difficult not to do it than to do it. In this case, you don’t even make a decision, and therefore, you don’t need to worry about the limbic part of your brain interfering with your action. Consequently, you don’t have to determine the long-term reward of your action, which means that it’s hard to procrastinate on your task.
Habits can naturally be applied to your memory goals.
By building Memory Palaces and using them as part of your language learning activities every day and making the process a habit, you keep up the practice.
To hold yourself accountable and make the habit-keeping process easier, I suggest that you make use of Seinfeld’s productivity secret.
Seinfeld’s productivity secret is a habit-building system.
It’s quite simple: get a wall calendar and a red marker. Now, decide the habit you want to build – right now, that habit is building and using Memory Palaces. For each day that you complete the task (more like a game, really), mark that day with a big, red X.
Soon, you’ll have a chain that grows longer and longer. Your task is not to break the chain. That’s the only task – keep the chain growing.
After a while, you have a habit that sticks.
#2. Tiny habits as a habit-building method
Another habit-building technique is building tiny habits. According to Mark Channon, tiny habits are easy, digestible habits that take you closer to your goal – small steps you take to approach your goal.
For example, if brushing your teeth isn’t already a habit, the smallest step you could take is to place your toothbrush so that it’s right in front of you when you wake up. The next step would be to brush one tooth, then another, and so forth.
Take the smallest step you can and program your mind to repeat it at a set time. Let’s say you want learn vocabulary in your target language every day. Your tiny habit might be to put paper and a pen on the table.
By making the habit small and specific, you significantly lower the threshold to getting started and in the end, your habit becomes automatic.
If you memorize just one word a day using just one Memory Palace and make this a habit you can build upon, your language learning will skyrocket. And once you’ve done just one, it will be hard for you not to do another.
To Skyrocket Your Language Learning – Find Your Intrinsic Motivation
As already discussed, I used movies and books to learn a language, because I like doing these activities.
Even if I was learning German for an extrinsic reason (getting a good grade in my exam), I was intrinsically motivated to read books and watch movies. Subsequently, I used methods for my language learning that I was intrinsically motivated to do.
In the same sense, when you feel unmotivated to use memory methods and learn a language, you can do activities that you’re intrinsically motivated to do, and that help you reach your goal.
The action itself is already an immediate reward and therefore, you don’t procrastinate on it.
And how do you decide whether the activity in question is worth acting on?
In her celebrated TEDx talk, relationship and career expert Mel Robbins gives a good rule of thumb for these situations.
https://youtu.be/Lp7E973zozc
If you come to think of something and don’t act on it within five seconds – kill the idea.
To take action on an idea or activity, you could make a note of the first step you should take, Google if you can find a certain book, check if the movie you’re looking for is available on Netflix, or check if you can find a language partner online.
As to specific activities you can undertake to learn a language, you could watch a relevant travel program in your target language, read a book on fishing if you’re interested in fishing, keep a journal in your target language if you like writing or play a memory game in that language.
However, to properly use this method, there are a few things to note.
First, you don’t want to overwhelm yourself with a difficult movie that’s impossible to follow in the language you try to learn. This kind of choice will only lead to procrastination.
Instead, you should choose movies and books that:
Are easy to understand.
A movie or book you’ve already seen or read in your native language (or any other language you fully comprehend).
Don’t have subtitles in your native language.
In best case scenario, you’ll read a book in your target language and then watch a movie based on it to fully understand the plot.
Actively apply the Magnetic Memory Method and the use of mnemonics to get the most out of your language learning.
For example, you can pick one of the locations in the movie (or book) – the location that is most appealing to you – and reconstruct it in your brain. Now, build a Memory Palace using words from the movie. Maybe there are characters and other details that help you construct your Memory Palace?
I’ll give a specific example to help you out.
In the movie The Intouchables (Les Intouchables), one of the main characters (a street kid), gets to live in a fancy room in a mansion. I could reconstruct that room in my Memory Palace (or use it as a Memory Palace itself) and then name its different objects in French.
I could add other associations, both from the movie and outside of it. In the room, there’s a painting of a man – now, I’ll remember that “painting” is masculine in French (“un tableau”). And voilà – I’d have a new Memory Palace full of French words.
How To Pump Up Your Motivation And Learn a Language
Now you know exactly how motivation affects your memory and language learning and what you can do to prevent procrastination.
You also know what to do when you lack motivation. The key is to either be intrinsically motivated to learn a language and if not, then build lasting habits or do activities you’re intrinsically motivated to do.
There’s just one thing left…
Implementation.
This is what I want you to do. Go ahead. Get something to write with. I promise, it will help you.
List the language you are trying to learn and why you’re trying to learn it. Are you already intrinsically motivated to learn that language? Are there parts of the learning process that you’re not so motivated to complete?
If you need to find intrinsic motivation to learn your target language, you should list 5 things you love doing in your spare time. These should be things that you could do anytime and that are effortless to you.
Now, determine how you can use these five things to help you get your memory exercises done and consequently, move towards learning your target language.
Let’s say you love watching Keeping Up With The Kardashians (Don’t worry, I’m not judging you!)
This TV-series is probably dubbed at least in the most commonly spoken languages. You can use that TV-series to your advantage and build memory palaces out of it with your target language (I can also imagine that you could have great fun doing so).
Remember, this method works even if you’re not naturally intrinsically motivated to learn the language, as long as you’re intrinsically motivated to do the specific activity in question.
So that’s it – that’s the secret to how I’ve successfully learned so many languages.
And I know you can do it, too.
Want 19 more tips on how you can achieve any goal through motivation? I’ve put together a free eBook that helps you with just that.
Kevin Rogers And The Truth About Comedy, Memory And Marketing
Nov 05, 2015
Have you ever thought about getting into marketing?
Or perhaps you’ve just wondered … what on earth makes the people who write all those ads tick?
If so, then today’s your lucky day, because on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, the remarkable comic turned copywriter, Kevin Rogers of Copy Chief, holds the truth about …
How To Be Memorable On The Stage And On The Page
So go ahead click on the play button above, download the transcript for this interview or read Kevin’s many words of wisdom right here below.
Anthony: Kevin, I’m really excited to have you on the podcast today. There are a number of reasons why I wanted to speak with you in particular. Maybe you could tell everybody listening to this a little bit about who you are and what you do.
Kevin: Sure, thanks Anthony for having me. I’m really glad to be here. An interesting, I guess, resume, I am now a freelance direct response copywriter, which means I write the ads that force people to make a decision. Essentially, direct response compared to more sort or traditional advertising means that there’s always a call to action at the end of it. An extreme version would be an infomercial – buy now, buy now and you’ll get an extra set of knives and all that good stuff. We certainly have much more subtle ways to do all that, but that would be the one big distinction between what we do and other types of marketing.
My story is that I was a stand-up comedian. I actually left high school a little early because I was restless and after doing some labor jobs that I didn’t feel were a perfect fit, I was dared by friends to do an open mic night at local comedy club. It turned out that was a better fit for me. I was fortunate to excel pretty quickly at that and actually won a contest to take over as the house MC at this club here in Clearwater, Florida. It was a really great opportunity because it meant that I was doing eight shows a week and stage time is everything to a comic.
For instance, in New York City, there are so many comics there, and they will club hop. They might be taking cabs from club to club from 5:00 in the afternoon to 2:00 in the morning just trying to get on everywhere. It was a big deal to get that much stage time at a popular club here in town. Then I went on the road at about 19 and stayed on the road for almost 7 years as a comic. That was an incredible adventure.
How To Turn Your Hair Into A Calling Card
I knew at some point that I didn’t have any control over whether I succeeded or not in that business. Show business is one of those things where it takes a little bit of luck and some knowing the right people. For me, I had no business sense whatsoever. I do know a few comics who had marketing backgrounds and certainly used that to their advantage, Carrot Top being one really good example. Carrot Top was having stickers made of his image when he was still just a road comic. He really understood that his shock of orange hair was his calling card. I had none of that. I had no business sense.
https://youtu.be/UQKpF_8hdN8
I just kind of knew that at some point I would need to make a decision that if I wasn’t getting signs from the business that this was going to pay off for me, somewhere around the age of 30 maybe, I did not want to risk becoming some of the older very bitter comics that I worked with. Because they were amazingly funny and talented, and, they were also really tortured. It was clear to me, and to them, that they had no alternatives. When you spend most of your life as an entertainer and that does not manifest into a big win, then what do you do? It’s a really sad state of affairs for a lot of people I have a lot of respect for.
Anthony: We know the image of the tortured comic, or many of us do anyway because we see it again and again. What do you think it is that tortures them? Is it something that links to memories that they’re trying to deal with? What would it be maybe from your own experience?
Kevin: Yeah, it’s absolutely that. I think there is an incredibly thin line between pleasure and pain when it comes to how we express ourselves. You know funny comes from pain, period. We laugh as a healing device. Comics – I can’t tell you about a stable person I’ve ever met who is like gut-busting funny. It just doesn’t equate. Not everybody grew up in some terrible condition, although that’s often the case.
A very true statement is comedy is therapy for the comic. Very often, these people would be in dire straits mentally without that outlet. It’s funny because hanging out with them or being around them offstage is very often not what you would expect. People just assume a comedian is funny all the time and loving life and it’s nothing but laughter. There are parts of that which are true. For the most part, it’s a bit of – I don’t want to call it miserable – but….
How To Hold The Most Depressing Dinner Party In The World
I’ll never forget a story a screenwriting teacher told about his wife wanting to liven up a dinner party so she invited comedy writers. It turned out to be the most morose dinner party she had ever thrown. It made perfect sense to me.
Anthony: I’m curious, how do you remember sets and when you’re doing eight sets like that back to back, are you doing the same thing? Are you embedding it into memory as you go along? What is the artistry there in terms of your own delivery and the role of how you prepared and how you performed?
Kevin: That’s a great question. I think what I did, and what I saw, is very typical among comics. There wasn’t a lot of strategy to it other than you always wanted to be coming up with new material.
We would start with what we call a premise. A comic would say to another comic, “Do me a favor and watch my set because I’m trying out a new premise.” They wouldn’t really say I’m trying out a joke. Sometimes jokes come to you just done out of the aether. The first thing you do when that happens is you call four other comics, and you go have you heard this before? Because you are afraid that your memory is playing tricks on you and telling you it’s got something new when it’s actually something you heard somewhere else. The worst think you can encounter as a comic is being labeled a thief. We are all very careful that we’re not accidentally repeating someone else’s bit.
You bring up the premise, you have some idea of what the punchline will be and you work it into a place in your set where it feels safe because you’ve got momentum and then you know that you’ve got some great jokes after that. You slide it into sort of a safe place in your set and you just work it out.
I think most comics prefer to have the magic happen live. It’s almost more about how you introduce the premise than how you execute the punchline when you’re developing a joke. Because at its best, the process is letting the audience sort of dictate live which way the joke should go. Very often things happen in the moment that you couldn’t sit with a pad and pencil and create.
Notebooks … The 51st Shade Of Grey?
As far as memory, people would say all the time, “How do you memorize all that?” I guess it just starts with five minutes. You memorize it enough to –
The first time I went on stage that was my biggest challenge. I got on stage. And it felt nothing like I could have imagined. I was very nervous. I couldn’t see. I didn’t expect that. I’ve got these lights in my face. I was just trying to remember the jokes and listen for something that sounded like good news coming back from the crowd. Then you just remember that and then you add on bit after bit, and guys could have hours of material.
George Carlin famously would do a new HBO special every year. He would build up new material for that year, and then he would throw it away after the special was recorded. That was done. That was part of the magic of George Carlin. He was dedicated to the craft and to developing and evolving new material. He would take about the best 10 percent of the previous special, use that as the foundation, sort of the safety net to give audiences their money’s worth.
Other than that, he’d bring up a notebook and basically just be working out new material in front of a crowd of hundreds or thousands sometimes.
Anthony: I was going to ask you about that. Because there are some comics that have trademarks like Carrot Head. There are very few comics that have actually made a bit of a trademark of actually having lines written on a notepad or whatever that they bring up. I wonder if you ever did that too, or had any sort of visible triggers, notes written on your hand or anything like that to prompt yourself?
Kevin: It’s a good question. There was like a phase – a thing in the 1990s all of a sudden called alternative comedy. It was the early days of Patton Oswalt and Marc Maron and these San Francisco comics. Janeane Garofalo was a big alternative comic.
They would all bring their notebooks up. That was their thing. It was like we are so cool we are not pretending to perform. We don’t care. There is no formality here. Honestly, it was a bit like torture a lot of times. It was just very self-indulgent. It’s not that there should be some hard rule that you can’t bring up a notebook and refer to it if you’re working out new stuff. No problem with that, but it almost became a cliche. You know, like this is all so fresh that I have to look at my notebook to even remember it. With some people, it was BS. They knew the bits. They were just using the notebook as a prop.
For me personally, I did later start recording my sets. To be honest, I don’t know how often I actually listened back to them. If I was trying to work out a new joke, I would record and at least listen to that part. Then I might go I forgot the funniest line I had or whatever. It would have benefited me to formalize that a little bit more. For the most part, again like I said, for me and a lot of comics it was about creating a moment.
Believe me, when you do create a moment with a new premise and it hits, you will not forget what made it work. It just becomes a part of you because that’s your lifeblood. It wasn’t too formal.
How To Build An Empire Without Wearing Any Pants
Anthony: As a way of seguing from comedy into copywriting and Copy Chief, there is a real funny and compelling marketing video that you put out at one point recently for the Copy Chief community. You were apparently wearing no pants. Maybe by way of saying a little bit about how you went from comedy into marketing you could also talk about, “What is it about comedy that helps persuade people to buy?” and, “Have you ever really left comedy?”
Kevin: Great question. So I’ll try to really give the condensed version of this. I did leave comedy and that was a painful exit for a couple of reasons. One, I was really done with touring clubs. That part wasn’t hard. My heart I knew would always be in it and there would be potential jealousy to see friends make it when I had kind of thrown in the towel. I had convictions about it, and I knew it was the thing to do.
The other part that was difficult was logistically trying to go get work. That same problem I talked about wanting to avoid. The good news was I was only about 30 so I had plenty of energy and some time.
I knew I liked to write and so I would take classes at the local university, University of South Florida here in St. Pete after moved to Florida from Chicago, my wife and I. I would just take all the writing courses I could before I had to actually choose a major and go to real college.
Writing was always there for me, and I just had no idea there was this thing called copywriting. I always said I wanted to be a writer. I had no idea outside of comedy writing, which I had decided probably wasn’t for me just because of what I had seen of it in Hollywood and how it worked. It really turned me off. I was doing like these no resume jobs. I bellman, I was a bartender and then I just got really lucky and got into a situation where I met a guy who was a direct response marketing junkie and he introduced me to copywriting. He knew I liked to write and he said I think you’d be a good copywriter. You should check it out.
Here’s Why Comedians Might One Day Rule The World
I slowly became indoctrinated and learned and was able to make a career of it. What is interesting is in trying to sort of transition and “go legit” from an entertainer to a guy who you should hire to push people’s luggage around at your hotel, I realized that bringing up comedy was bad news. People don’t want to hire somebody who wants to talk about how great it was to be a comic. They assume that’s still what you want to do.
I was finding other things to put on my resume and really kind of burying that story. When I got into copywriting, I still had that mindset. It just wasn’t on my radar anymore at that point. It was my friend and mentor John Carlton, the legendary copywriter, who, when we began in the early moments of our friendship, said to me – that was sort of what bonded us. He was really fascinated by the idea of standup comedy and that I had actually made a career of this. He had a lot of questions about it.
Then he said to me at one point, “Why aren’t you talking about this?” He said right now you are just another copywriter but if you were the standup comic turned copywriter, that’s a much more interesting conversation. He said, “Do you realize how few people in the world have had the experience you’ve had and how many would love to?” I didn’t. I just knew most of the people I knew were comics. It was normal to me. That was a huge revelation to me. It still took years.
Then what I began doing was teaching copywriting through the lens of comedy. Then I wrote the book The 60 Second Sales Hook where I took a joke formula and I showed people how to just change the last part of it and it becomes a perfect condensed marketing story. That was very popular.
To Be Memorable, You Gotta Make A Commitment
It wasn’t until recently, Anthony, where I realized it was kind of my duty to strive to be funny again with marketing. Part of it was me just getting comfortable enough in the market to feel like it wouldn’t hurt me to do that. Then it became about, “Well how do I do it? What approach do I take?” I started to just post up videos on Facebook and sometimes they would just be tactical giving copy tips and other times it would just be me doing something stupid like lip sinking to Sympathy For The Devil in my car. It’s funny because I never stop. I commit to the entire song, right. I realize that it’s not funny if I show 20 seconds of it, but the fact that I did the entire song and never broke character for a second. That resonated with people.
I slowly started learning what’s funny. How do I merge into now this new technology, this new ability to reach people? That’s when I started having fun with video. It’s interesting that you bring up the no pants video, because that is the result of me spending two days in this very office that I’m talking to you from right now with a camera set up, the lights just right and trying to do a straight pitch for my copywriting course. I was feeling incredibly frustrated and it just not feeling right. I finally got just annoyed enough to go, “You know what dude, just like relax. Go sit at the desk and just look into the camera even if it is babble for a minute.”
You know what it was? It was like just going right back to that idea of just take the premise and go with it and see what happens. I literally sat down, turned on the camera, and for whatever reason, I guess because I was sitting at a desk, that’s the line that came out of my mouth. I said, “Hi, I’m Kevin Rogers, the founder of Copy Chief, and I may or may not be wearing pants right now.” Then I kind of ran through some stuff.
I literally wrote that video which is about four minutes long in a minute. I jotted down. I came up with the premise of I want to teach something. To me that is the most important thing we can do to brand ourselves is to deliver value. Always be teaching is my motto.
I thought, “What can I teach?” Well, I will teach the difference between good copy and bad copy. I just wrote down real quick good copy means this and bad copy means that. I went into these characters. Then I realized at some point well I have to at least tape the part where I don’t have pants. The punch line has to be here that I’m actually not wearing pants. So I sat there pantless in my office making this video and then of course the joke was that I cut away for a second and then I stand up and I’m not wearing pants. I actually didn’t know which part I would actually show. It just seemed obvious to me that it’s not nearly as funny if I don’t end up pantless.
So that’s kind of how that evolved. It is interested you ask that because I did leave comedy. It wasn’t until smarter people than me made it painfully obvious that I needed to be using that and then putting in action and effort. If that’s my brand, if I’m the former standup comic turned copywriter, I’ve got to deliver some funny once in a while.
Anthony: I mean it stuck in my mind in such a way that I came back to it and it was an interesting moment for me as someone who is interested in copywriting and in marketing as such because I had first encountered as a voice only on the Gary Halbert All-Stars Audio.
Kevin: Oh, interesting.
Anthony: I had always noted a sense of irony in your voice. I’ve listened to that thing probably four times, the Part 1 and Part 2. There is always this kind of flavor of irony especially because of a particular part that you narrate. Getting to actually then see you and know you through video made it, I guess, exceptionally interesting, but what I really am wondering is, is there something about the comedy that you find that persuades people to ultimately buy?
Kevin: That’s a good question. I don’t know. I don’t know about buy, but I do know about that “know, like and trust” are major factors in why we buy from one person over another. I do know that if you can get a laugh from somebody, and, in particular a couple of laughs in one sitting – two or three laughs – that is a real bond. People did share that video quite a bit.
I had one woman tell me she loved it so much and thought so much of it that when she shared it outside of the marketing community on her personal Facebook wall and nobody liked it, she was angry. She felt like you people don’t get it. That was really interesting to me.
I don’t know if that makes somebody a “buyer.” It’s interesting because I’m in direct response. Like I said, our job is to get a reaction whether it is sign up, give us your email and let us give you more value and let’s have a conversation and ultimately of course you would like that to lead to that person being a customer or it is buy right now.
“Look Like You’re Having A Good Time Being Yourself”
It may not be an immediate thing but yeah, if you can show some personality and really look like you’re having a good time being yourself people find value in that. They go I want more of that. I’d love to be that comfortable in my skin. I’d love to wake up happy to be me, and be able to turn on my iPhone and make people laugh or share these bizarre thoughts I have.
I think it does make people buy, but not immediately and certainly not in every market. When you’re talking about healthcare or health supplements or things like that, outside of male enhancement products that have been able to use humor occasionally, there’s not a lot of funny going on in those subjects. If you’re marketing and you’re teaching people how to do what is ultimately at least a 50 percent creative endeavor, which is like write better sales copy, guys like me, Frank Kern and others have a pretty good license to let loose and have some fun.
Anthony: I’m really glad you made this distinction between buying and knowing and liking and trusting and then deepening a relationship towards having a financial transaction because this to me has a lot to do with making yourself memorable with many touches over the long haul and in a way that hopefully to basically quote Frank Kern that’s “always cool,” but still moving towards the sale.
You know, so many people complain about sleazy marketers and all the sales tactics that assault us thousands of times a day. There certainly are those kinds of people in that world. How do we make that many touches that are sometimes necessary to move towards the financial traction of the “know, like and trust?” Knowing that we cannot 100 percent not insult some people or offend some people or annoy some people, but what is the fine line there so that we’re remembered but not rejected so that when that moment comes when the person is readily to buy that they think of you.
Do You Know What You Stand For?
Kevin: Another great question. I think part of it is what you just said in that we can’t please everybody. Some people are going to reject us. I would take that further and say decide up front who you would want to be rejected by. Because if you are, as the great Gary Bencivenga said, (I don’t know if it was his quote but he emphasized the quote), “If you are not against something, what are you for?” I am actually totally screwing that up. I don’t remember how he said it. Basically, you have to have a rally cry.
You have to let people know this is the enemy. This is who this is not for. You look at a copywriting colleague of mine, Colin Theriot, who has a thing called the Cult of Copy, 14,000 members in a closed group. Now not all loyal followers but 14,000 people requesting to join a group about copywriting. Pretty amazing feat, right?
Anthony: Right.
Kevin: Colin is constantly reminding people who that group is not for. It’s not for the timid. There’s going to be a lot of language and there’s going to be things that make people uncomfortable, and if it’s not for you, no problem but never, never tell me not to do these things, because you just don’t get it. So he’s against are the people who don’t get it or feel so righteous and indignant that they need to scold him or recommend to him that he should tone it down or these things. Those are the opportunities he sees to attack. It only strengthens his bond with his followers.
That’s probably an extreme case of a guy who like honestly not only doesn’t care if you are not interested but goes after people who raise their hand that explain why they’re not. That doesn’t work in every market, but if you just allow yourself the freedom to be yourself and not hold back, and that doesn’t mean you have to swear.
Why Are Some Words Offensive?
I don’t swear much. I don’t know why, Anthony, I as I mature, because I’ll be honest with you, around the house I swear a lot. I’m sure I’m looser with language with my children than most other parents would be, but to me, I take sort of the George Carlin approach because we talk about why are some words dirty. Why are some words offensive? We don’t get it. At the same time, something in me, there is a filter like in my podcasts, one of guests on podcasts my default is to not swear for whatever reason. I don’t know why, but I point that out to say that it doesn’t mean that you have to swear or go out of your way to be edgy or annoying.
Take a minute, I would say to anybody with a product, anybody who wants to build a following, take a minute and open up a notebook and say who am I for and who am I for not. Who does not qualify to be in this group, this tribe I’m building and go out of your way to point those people out? Not in a judgmental way, but in a way that the people who do belong will feel strengthened to identify that with you.
Anthony: It’s a good life principal for sure in in many areas. I wonder, you know, speaking about I think what is sometimes called repulsion marketing so that you’re attracting the people that you want, I want to mention your podcast, The Truth About Marketing so people can look it up and it seems like a good example. There is an episode that you recorded with Ben Settle who sort of has that kind of down pat, you know, defining who is with him and who isn’t with him.
Kevin: Yes, a big part of his marketing. Almost every email has some shade of that. It’s very strong to him.
Anthony: So I just mention that to people listening that your podcast is called the Truth About Marketing and that would be a great example of that to listen to and remember some principals from.
Speaking of podcasts, you’re also involved with in Psych Insights with John Carlton who you already mentioned. There is one particular episode on that podcast called How to be a Damned Good Road Dog & Sneak Into “Insider” Status and it connects to something that you’ve talked about on The Truth About Marketing when you were discussing how to impress Michael Jordan.
What I like about all these episodes combined, and that really switches certain things on in my mind, is that you’re teaching through examples about getting it wrong when you’re trying to connect with influencers and that is the opposite of repulsion marketing.
That’s where you’re repulsing people with, you know, not being consciously aware of mistakes that you are making, or just being kind of awkward. I know I’m often an awkward person. I wonder, first, what do you think if you could define them or list them some of the wrong ways that rookies try to get the attention of a influencer and wind up making themselves forgettable by that person or disregarded and maybe not forgotten but put on the “black list.”
How To Be Socially Awkward And An Epic Failure … Guaranteed!
Kevin: Wow, I’m loving these questions man. I have a great example of this. What is interesting is this is sitting on my desk now for months because I’ve been waiting to teach this. One classic way of doing a poor job of getting the attention of an influencer is to kick the door in. I always coach people to be confident and sort of take the reigns of their business and all that and not wait for permission to go forth and be an expert, because there is always somebody who needs to learn what they know.
Being cocky – John Carlton has told this story a few times on our podcast. It is a great example. When Gary Halbert was his mentor and they were very close friends and when they would do live events they would have a lot of fun with each other and they would bust each other’s balls and do a lot of that from the stage.
He said, “Once an event there would be that guy who thought the way to come bond with them would be to walk up to them and the bust Gary’s balls.” It was an epic fail every time. That’s a sure sign of showing that you just don’t get the joke. You don’t recognize and appreciate that that’s a bond that only happens after a certain comfort level between two people has been achieved. That’s a classic.
Then I received a letter from somebody in three different ways: it was emailed to me, it was hard mailed to my house, and it was hard mailed to my office. This is somebody who clearly believes that they’ve figured it out, they’ve really nailed it, and all they need to do is get this in front of me. I’ve never responded to this person because of the first line of the letter.
It says, “Dear Kevin, I need our help. Now I know that sounds selfish so I’m going to offer to help you.” Now that’s probably supposed to be what Frank Kern would call a pattern interrupt because maybe he would think most people who would write to me would start by gloating or trying to flatter me or something.
It doesn’t work for a few reasons. Of course, it did get me to read it. If somebody sends you a letter, you know, that is usually enough to get you to read it. He was just so cocksure in how he was offering to help me, and he made so many different assumptions about whether that would actually be valuable to me or not without ever asking, “Hey, would this be valuable to you?” It made me instantly discount him as somebody I would ever want to invest time in or reply to. I think the worst thing you can do is (a) ever make assumptions, or (b) try to open with the joke that can only exist after you’ve been friends for a while.
I’ll tell you another great story based on this. Do you know who Mark Ford is? He’s one of the great copywriters. He doesn’t get credit for it. He’s also known as Michael Masterson and he wrote a course called the Accelerated Guide to Six-Figure Copywriting and when I started it was the only course out there really on copywriting. The guy is amazingly brilliant. He runs a thing now called the Palm Beach Letter and he was a big player in Agora Publishing.
Anyway, the first time I met Mark Ford it was outside of a conference and every time the guy would stop and talk to one person a group would quickly form around him because he’s a very magnetic person. In such a group, a guy came up to him and he said, “Mr. Ford, I have a question if you don’t mind.”
He said, “Sure, what’s up?”
The guy said, “You know, I’ve always heard that the best way to connect with an influencer is to offer to help them, but I’ve been walking up to some of the influencers and saying hi, I’m Larry, how can I help you, and they just look at me funny and it doesn’t go anywhere. It feels awkward.”
Mark said, “Well, what is it you do and how could you help somebody like Clayton Makepeace that you’ve just had this encounter with?”
He goes, “Yeah, that’s the thing. I’m not really sure. I’m just starting out in the business. In fact, that’s what he asked me and I didn’t have a good answer for him.”
Mark said, “Well that’s the problem. You don’t even know what you do yet.”
The point of going up and offering to help somebody is to know that (a) you really can help them and (b) first make sure that it’s something they need or have interest in. I always remember that story and I thought it was really funny that people just take the really core meaning of the device and then go out and try to implement it and are shocked when it doesn’t work.
How To Really Get The Attention Of An Influencer
I will give you just as an alternative what I think is a great way to get in front of an influencer and what I teach the freelancers that I coach. I say, “Look, if you have somebody who is an active marketer, just do a case study on a piece of their advertising and teach other people what you see going on in the piece. Show what you know. Showcase your own expertise through the lens of what you admire about their copy and make sure that gets in front of them.”
When they see that, it’s kind of like hearing your name – you can’t not listen. If somebody says, “Hey, you know, this copywriter did a breakdown of one of your ads.” Of course, they are going to go look at it and if they’re impressed, they’re going to call you. I promise you because they are always looking for copywriters.
That’s a really great way to get results in advance and display only your value and sort of generously give to somebody. Even though they never asked, but you also never asked them for anything. You don’t send it to them and go, “Hey I did this breakdown of one your ads. Hopefully you’ll learn something from it! You idiot. You were missing these four key factors that I call dah, dah, dah.”
Just teach generously to other people using their stuff and they’ll think wow this person is cool man. All they want to do is teach and I happen to agree with what they’re teaching so why I don’t I get on the phone with this person. Suddenly you’re equals instead of some guy hanging out by their doorstep.
Anthony: With this alternative example that you gave, what is an example whether you either have personally or through the mechanisms of the Internet created results in advance for people as part of making yourself memorable and moving forward towards goals that you have for yourself?
Kevin: Probably the best example would be the book, The 60 Second Sales Hook. Because the whole point of the book, like I mentioned earlier, is I took a joke formula which is relevant to my story. Then I show people in a very short (it’s only a 50-page book that sort of gets right to the point and talks about story) and I give them the device to write their story and use this formula to make it really effective.
That was a big turning point in my career because anyone who read that book and did the exercise was instantly compelled to share it with me sort of as a thank you and because it really did create a special moment for them. A lot of times, it was the first time anybody ever wrote anything that actually looked like copy and worked like copy. People who just thought they couldn’t write their own copy. They would of course naturally also want my feed back and see if – or maybe they would be stuck and say here’s what I’ve got but I feel like it’s missing something. I was giving them results in advance but I was also opening the door for them to want more from me.
I found that was a great opportunity because with that opportunity I could kind of do whatever I wanted. I did everything from offer 20-minute what I would call sales hook perfection sessions for like $350.00. I realized that was unscalable and then that evolved into what is now Copy Chief because it was the simple premise of I’m teaching the same things over and over to people one-on-one, what if I could just let a bunch of other people watch that lesson and learn from it and implement it in their own stuff. It would very often solve their problem for a lot less money and deliver similar value. That is how Copy Chief was born and that’s sort of the premise of any effective membership community I think.
Anthony: Would you think it’s fair to say that an effectively memorable marketing campaign essentially creates a kind of ecosystem?
Always Be Teaching
Kevin: Yeah, that’s a good way to put it. I guess so, yeah. I’d say that’s a fair thing to say, if the campaign is teaching along the way. This is why I say, “always be teaching.” Teaching is everything. If one of your top priorities for your marketing campaign is to deliver actionable value to anybody who comes into the funnel, the campaign, then you absolutely are creating an ecosystem because especially on Facebook and anywhere if you have a site dedicated to it, people are naturally going to share something cool that they’re value from.
Anthony: Well, one thing that I wanted to talk to you a little about is the actual use of words. We’ve already been touching upon it with comedy and it’s come up a few times the idea of having structures and formulas and sort of setting something up so that it almost falls into place later when you come to the punch line. People listening to this may not be familiar with copywriting but we know that there are some particular structures like AIDA and related acronyms. How could you describe those kind of structures even if it is just one or two of them and how a person absorbs them into their memory so they can sort of use it on autopilot or using a crib sheet or something like that but still have an authentic ability to write according to structure?
Kevin: I sure you can educate me a lot more on this in regards to how memory works, but I think the best way to do it is not to just recognize a formula but to immerse yourself in the formula. Sort of like what I mentioned about the book being so effective for people because it gives them a very simple formula and then they’re inclined to do it, to use it. It’s sort of fun to use and everybody has a story so they are instantly qualified to use this. They don’t need to go do research or anything like that first. Then they immerse in it.
The Insider’s Guide To Sales Hooks
Part of why that took off for me was that people began to take ownership of the formula. It’s the ISDR (identity, struggle, discovery, result). People would call it that ISDR or the KLT formula (know, like, and trust formula). Because they immersed in it, they knew it and they took ownership of it.
What else was cool, what I never would have expected, was people started to recognize it out in the wild. They would be watching a TV commercial and they would go that was The 60 Second Sales Hook. They would send me a clip of the TV commercial or they would take a photo of an ad in a magazine and they go look at this. It’s The 60 Second Sales Hook. It was super cool. I think if it had not been for the fact that it was so easy to immerse yourself in that formula that never would have happened because like most things people would have nodded at it and said that makes sense and then just moved on to the next shiny object.
Anthony: I mean it is such a fascinating world and there is so much depth to it all. You mentioned Gary Halbert before, and speaking of depth, he had this idea of neurological imprinting which is something you could perhaps explain better in terms of actually writing out either headlines again and again or entire sales letters. Is that something that you’ve ever done or what do you think is the logic behind that.
Kevin: Yeah, it is something I did early on. It was one of the exercises in that course I mentioned, the Michael Masterson course. I found it useful but I also personally kind of got bored with it quick. Other people I know it’s actually become a bit of a cottage industry. There’s a service that does only that. I don’t know if there’s a fee for it or not. But essentially they send out a letter, a sales letter every day and then your job is to write it out by hand. They have kind of built a community around it. It’s a very popular thing to do. Occasionally, I question if that becomes for people, you know, they feel like okay I did my copywriting today but all they’re really doing is copying other people’s copy and I think there is value in that but it also could be a trap.
What I recommend to people and it was recommended to me as rote learning. As I understand it, it sort goes back to like a Greek philosophy of how to learn just by doing something over and over and over and does sort of imprint it on your brain and become an instinct. Famously other writers have done this. Hunter S. Thompson handwrote Hemingway he said just because he didn’t want to write like Hemingway. He just wanted to feel viscerally what it was it like to write on that level. I think there’s definitely value in that.
Again, I mention Gary Bencivenga, who is pretty commonly regarded as the best ever direct response copywriter. He gives a great piece of advice about a similar thing. His advice is to read a great ad every day, and not just read it, but as you are reading it, ask yourself, “Okay, what’s one thing I would change about this ad that I think would make it convert even better than it did?” To me that’s the real power. So I recommend to people if you’re going to hand copy great sales letters, headlines, stuff and bullets, add that to it. Every time you write a headline, go, “Is there a word I could change here? Is there a line I could add to this that I think would actually make it better?” You’ll begin to recognize that some things are super perfect the way they are.
The #1 Question You Need To Ask Your DNA
John Carlton famously wrote long headlines but you could not replace a single word in them. That’s something to study. I think it is very effective. I don’t know the exact science as to why it works. I guess, again, immersing in something that is quality, it forces you to recognize what is good about it. I think the real power is in asking yourself, “How can I, personally, me with my unique DNA, what would I change about this that I think might make it even better.”
Anthony: I think that’s a great way of approaching it. Maybe if I can offer something to you to take back to Copy Chief. There’s a real interesting guy named Kenneth Goldsmith and he runs something called “Uncreativity Courses.” There’s actually a YouTube video, I can send you a link later and maybe you can share it around where he talks about how he gets his students to pick something to rewrite, to retype essentially. He says the surprise assignment behind the assignment is for them to write an essay about why they chose that particular thing to torture themselves to type through. That’s where the insight is. It is in the reflection of the repetitive action. That’s kind of the connection to Greek philosophy that you were mentioning. How do we derive insight from what it is that we chose to repeat? The same thing with Zen archery and so forth, it’s not so much the repetition as such, but the reflection on the repetition.
Kevin: Wow, love that. That’s great. What’s the name?
https://youtu.be/nqHaKniXkF8
Anthony: Kenneth Goldsmith. He gave a speech in the White House. It is the most hilarious thing in the world when you hear him saying to Ms. Obama that I think students should be retyping famous pieces of literature and in fact that’s what they do and the look on their faces is completely, like all these old biddies that are in the White House for poetry day. I will send you a link.
Kevin: I’ll definitely share that. I love it. That’s great. Thank you.
Anthony: It’s awesome. This has been really great. I wondered if I could pick your brain with a question for the people listening to this who aren’t going to become copywriters, but they aspire to get great jobs and have amazing careers and they need to write compelling resumes. As someone who relies to a large extent on the written word, what advice would you give to someone sending out applications for jobs that strictly require their details in print. How can they not kick down the door but get remembered and ideally called in for an interview so that door is opened?
Kevin: I’ve got to be one of the least qualified person ever to talk about how to write a resume. I’m like proudly unhireable. I will say, and I’ve heard that it’s basically computers scanning resumes for certain keywords and that’s how you ever make the pile. The only place I could offer advice is on a cover letter perhaps. The advice I would give for that is speak to the reader like the human being they are.
Cover letters that I’ve seen are either desperately boring because they are just trying so hard to sound professional. It’s like mission statements. Companies’ mission statements are typically – you are literally asleep by the fourth word.
Compare that to something like Dollar Shave Club. That famous video, eight million views on an ad. Why? Because the guy just kept it real and made it funny and told you everything you needed to know in a very transparent and entertaining way.
https://youtu.be/ZUG9qYTJMsI
Humor doesn’t belong everywhere. I wouldn’t try to be funny, but if you could be real. You have got to figure these people are just scanning these cover letters over and over and over, and if you can be the one that makes them slow down their reading and go, “Huh, oh, that’s interesting,” and sound like somebody they can relate to or a niece or a nephew or a friend or someone they care about.
The Human Elements You Should Never Forget
There’s a reason C-level executives go to lunch with the people they go to lunch with by choice on Friday or whatever. It’s not always business. People are drawn to other people. We’re all human. I think that’s one of the biggest mistakes we make saying like B2B copywriting, which essentially this is kind of what this would be. We are so bent on sounding professional, intelligent and qualified that we forget to be human. I would say that would be your one shining example. Take a chance and be human. If you can make a connection that way, I bet you’ll get an interview and if you do get an interview, it’s going to be the one they look forward to that day because you’ve already raised their eyebrow with how you connected with them.
Anthony: I like that. That’s powerful.
What is coming up next for you and how can people get in touch if they want to learn more about you, learn about Copy Chief and what you teach in terms of enabling people to write better and essentially make a career for themselves as a writer if they wanted to go down that route. How do people find you?
Kevin: Yeah, Copy Chief is pretty much where you’ll find everything. A copy chief in our business is the person who oversees the ad campaign, the copywriting and my premise for the community is that we all need chiefs. We all chief each other and help each other write better and more effectively. There is a membership community with a monthly fee but there’s also tons of great helpful stuff you can get for free at Copy Chief. You’ll see the blog. You’ll see The Truth About Marketing Podcast and lots of fun little formulas.
You can also download The 60 Second Sales Hook book. I would love for anybody – I think anybody no matter what their goal is would find a lot of value in that book if nothing else. I would certainly love to have anybody take advantage of that.
Anthony: Well to end on the note of “the truth about marketing,” if – heaven forbid – some nuclear disaster were to wipe away your entire memory, what would be the one truth about marketing that you would want to hold in your mind and never forget?
Kevin: Wow, that’s a big question. The one thing? That when all else fails, just be honest. When every other framework feels insufficient, try bold honesty. If there’s a flaw, point it out. If there ares people who something is not for, point them out. Help them identify themselves. Again, by doing so you’ll strengthen the bond with people who it is for. I guess that would be the big one. Know who you’re talking to and speak to them like you would a friend.
How To Win The USA Memory Championship
Oct 21, 2015
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, USA Memory Champ Nelson Dellis teaches you how to win the USA Memory Championship.
As a 5-time USA Memory Champion, it’s a delight to have Nelson’s take on excelling at your next national or international memory match.
And he’s a great writer too. Since since he’s the author of several books, including the fantastic Remember It! and Memory Superpowers, I asked Nelson to share a written version of the lessons he shared on the podcast for those of you who want to win memory competitions.
You can read each and every word below.
Take it away, Nelson!
So you’ve read a bunch of books on memory skills. You may have even listened to all the podcasts on this site.
But although many of them have helped your memory tremendously, there might be some of you out there who want to use your techniques to compete in (and possibly win) the USA Memory Championship.
As a 4x USA memory champ (and before you think I’m cocky, also a 3x USA Memory Championship loser), I know the ins and out to winning this competition.
Surprisingly, becoming a memory champion is not necessarily all about memory. There are a lot of other subtle things that go into making it to the end and winning the USA Memory Championship.
And I’m going to explain to you exactly how.
Here we go.
Step 1 – Sign Up
This first point is dumb and obvious, but I’ve met a lot of people who talk about the competition as if it’s this Holy Grail that awaits them …
… once they are truly prepared.
To them I say, f*ck it.
Just sign up and compete. There is nothing better than getting the experience of a full competition under your belt than actually competing.
I hate to say this but, no one (well except for the very first winner, Tatiana Cooley) has won this thing on the first try. You could argue that Joshua Foer won on his first go, but technically he was there the year before as a journalist.
Sure, he didn’t compete that first time, but he dug himself deep into the competition for his article. Scott Hagwood, Ram Kolli, Ron White, Chester Santos and myself, we all lost before we won.
Even this year when I took first place, I honestly believe I won based on competition experience. There were some competitors with better-trained memories than me, but less competition knowledge and experience.
So, bottom line, it’s about getting competitive experience. If you want that edge, just sign up and compete. It’s worth gold. Go for it!
Step 2 – Make It To The Second Round
The USAMC is split into two parts. The morning events:
Names & Faces
Speed Numbers
Speed Cards
Poetry
The afternoon playoff events:
Spoken Words
Tea Party
Double Deck O’ Cards
Making it to this afternoon second round has a lot of parts, because you need to score well in each event to make it into the advancing top 8. Not as well as you might think, but decent enough.
The scoring works like this: With each discipline you get a score based on how much you memorize correctly according to the rules.
Then, that score is turned into a championship score, which is a weighted score based on a curve. The best score is 100 pts and then everyone scores comparatively.
Statistically over the years, you need about 200-250 out of 400 pts to make the cut. But standards change over time and it is harder to get a score that high than ever before.
But the nice thing is that even if there are a couple people hitting some awesome scores, there are a lot of people with mediocre scores. Until everyone in the USA is amazing at memorizing (which they’re not … yet), this fact will be your savior.
The mediocre scores are there because it often ends up that there are one or two, at most three front runners who are in another league compared to everyone else in the top 8. The rest are good, and still better than the remainder, but not that impressive comparatively to the top.
So the bottom line is that you need to score consistently mediocre (or better) across the board to make the top 8. You used to be able to pass to the second round by being amazing at just 2 of the events. But agian, that’s getting harder to do. And if you are great at only one event but none of the others, you’re chances are nearly zilch.
In other words, sorry to say, but there is no real shortcut here. You gotta be “good” at all four disciplines: names, numbers, cards, and poetry. But the good news is, you don’t have to be that good.
Step 3 – Play Strategically Through The Playoff Rounds
Okay, you’ve made into the top-8. Maybe not top ranked, but you’re in there. The nice thing about the afternoon playoffs is that it is all strategy. The chances for anyone to win at this point are all pretty much even. You could be the worst of the 8 (i.e. Ram Kolli in 2013) and still end up beating 1st place (me) and become the champ.
SPOKEN WORDS
They take you backstage to memorize 200 words (or as many as you can of those 200) in 15 minutes. Then, recall takes place back on stage, in order of the list, alternating between competitors.
One slip-up and …
… you’re out.
The round ends when three people have made a mistake. To me, this is the most difficult and nerve-wracking event. What you want to be able to do is memorize just enough not to run out of words before those three competitors get eliminated.
This means that the real trick is in figuring out how many words to memorize. It makes for a delicate balance between what you are capable of and what you think others can achieve.
Mind Explosion!
There have been years that the word count went up to 88, and others where it only went up to 35.
Everything depends on circumstance. People trip up on the most unpredictable things.
For example, favorite Johnny Briones recited “architecture” instead of “architect” in 2014. Top 5 finalist, Brad Zupp swapped the very two first words “aorta” and “office” in 2012. And many others have just blanked when they new up to 100 or so words. You just don’t know who’s going to trip up, so make sure you know YOUR words.
Typically I go for what I think is a safe minimum, around 100 words. Make sure you can do those 100 words, and do them perfectly. What’s tricky in recall is that you aren’t by yourself reciting. You have to be mentally prepared to say every 7th word or even less if someone gets knocked out before you. This can be a bit tricky and throw you off if you haven’t practiced.
Don’t bother listening to the people. Just listen for the name, memorize it, then put your head down, ignore them, and just study the sheet (the same information they speak is given to you in print). They talk way too fast to memorize it on the fly, so just read it instead.
Plus, you get an extra 7-9 minutes to review the packet info after the audience members are done speaking. On top of that, you get three strikes (not single elimination like SPOKEN WORDS).
I find this event the easiest because it’s so lenient. Typically it goes until two people are eliminated, but in recent years, no one has made three mistakes, so all five competitors qualify for the next round. Look for them to add a few more bits of info next year to make it harder.
At this point, it’s most likely there are three competitors left (but it could be up to five). The goal is to memorize more than your opponents.
There was a time when memorizing around a deck and a half was championship winning, but not anymore. Last year four out of the five finalists memorized (or claimed to) both decks in their entirety. So then it comes down to accuracy.
How reliably can you recite those two decks perfectly? You won’t have to say all the cards, since you’ll be alternating between competitors, but as with the words, you need to be flexible and say any card when it comes to you. A few competitors have failed to do this over the years (me included) despite being clear favorites to win the title. It’s tricky, but can be overcome with practice.
Step 4 – Fly Under The Radar
Here’s an “inner game” tip to take with you for the whole competition:
Don’t talk hype. Just show up to the competition and kick some quiet ass.
For one, you’ll be no one’s focus. You can freely chill out in the back of the room hitting the scores that you practiced with zero attention coming your way.
But if people know about you or you’ve been around a few competitions and done well, you’ll get more attention. More attention means more stress and possibly more cameras in your face.
What I wouldn’t give to do my 2010 competition again. No one knew me, and I came out of the gates shocking everyone, quietly and confidently. The top guys didn’t know anything about me, and it made them nervous while I was in there just cruising.
Obviously there is still a lot of work you’ll have to do if you want to do well in all the events. But there is an endless amount of literature on just how to train your memory for competition. You can start at Art of Memory where you’ll find loads of resources created by other memory competitors.
Put all those things together and with enough luck and skill, you might just find yourself standing up on stage as the 2016 USA Memory Champ.
Why Goal-Setting For Memory Improvement Should Be Your Number One Priority
Oct 08, 2015
This is Andrew Barr and today I’m sitting in for Anthony in this guest post.
I’m from realfastspanish.com and over there I help Spanish students get a conversational level of Spanish using specific tactics and strategies to improve their effectiveness as language students.
And in this post I’m going to teach you how you can apply some of these strategies to significantly improve your effectiveness when it comes to your memorisation challenges using the principles of the Magnetic Memory Method.
Whether you are just starting out with memory palaces or you are a seasoned professional, today you will learn three ways you can improve your effectiveness with memory palaces in order to achieve your goals with less effort and in less time.
If you are already using Memory Palaces and mnemonics you are well ahead of the curve. You already know that using memory techniques improves the efficiency of learning. But, it is still possible to get even more out of your approach to memorisation.
It doesn’t matter whether you are using the Magnetic Memory Method for language learning, acing exams in school, vying for a memory championship title or trying to impress friends at a party. There are three steps you need to consider if you want to have even more success with your memory challenges.
Memory Palaces Are a Means, But …
What is the Goal?
“If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question; I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.” — Albert Einstein.
“Begin with the end in mind” — Stephen Covey.
Before you can start to maximise the potential of your memory palace training you need a clear vision of what you are a trying to achieve. A memory palace is a tool that you can use to achieve any number of outcomes with incredible efficiency. But the real power comes when your outcome is sharply defined.
The problem is that, often, we don’t clearly define where we want to end up, which makes the path to get there a lot harder than it needs to be.
Recently, I met a guy who works for an oil company and was telling me about his vision to become rich. He said he had his whole plan mapped out. His plan was to buy property after property and then subdivide and develop. He told me he wanted to have a few million in property, a few million in stocks and a few million in cash for those “just in case” moments.
After mapping the whole plan out, I looked at him and said “Why? What is all this money for? If money is a means to an end, what is your end goal?”
He said “I want to work with children”.
I Couldn’t Believe It
I said “why don’t you become a teacher?” He said “I want to work with disadvantaged children”. He then told me that he didn’t need the money to pay for programs for the children, he needed it so he could live without needing to work to free up his time. I told him he didn’t need millions of dollars to do that.
I told him about a good friend of mine—a high school teacher who quit her job to work with disadvantaged children. She left her job here in Australia and moved to the Solomon Islands where she is working and living on a small allowance to cover her board and her food. She is working with the local teachers to develop a new curriculum in the school. As well as helping and teaching the children that live in the local area.
She didn’t need millions of dollars, she was clear about what she wanted to do and she went and did it.
After telling him the story, he just stared at me blankly.
He offered a few excuses but it was obvious there was a disconnect between the goal and the means for getting there.
Without a clear vision in mind, it is possible he will spend years trying to achieve a poorly defined goal. What if it takes him 30 years to meet his goal? Will it be worth it if he gets there in his 60s? Or worse, if he doesn’t get there at all?
Don’t Get Caught With A Poorly Defined Goal
He is not the only one, though, who got caught with a poorly defined goal. I too have found myself without a clear vision at times.
Seven years ago I decided I wanted to be fluent in Spanish. I did some online research and found some resources for beginners. I printed everything off and got to work. I practiced for quite some time learning whatever I could about the Spanish language.
Within two years, I organised my first trip to Spain. Before I got there I was so excited for the fun and adventure I was going to have with my new language skills. I was going to make local friends, I was going to go to interesting places only the locals knew about and I was going to experience Spain the way a typical tourist couldn’t.
Does Language Learning Overwhelm, Confuse And Frustrate You?
When I got there, the reality was a completely different thing. I was overwhelmed, confused and frustrated.
My Spanish was hopeless. It was miles from what I thought it was. I couldn’t understand what the locals were saying. I couldn’t remember what I had learnt. And when I did remember how to say something, I translated literally from English and got a lot of strange looks.
When I returned to Australia I was deflated. I thought my abilities in language learning were worthless and I should move on to other pursuits.
Shortly after my return, I met up with a few friends in bar. They brought along a friend from France. Her English was good but not amazing—it was good enough to communicate, better than my Spanish at least. I told her about my experience in Spain and for the next few hours we shared language learning war stories. She told me about her struggles with English. I asked her “despite what you are saying, I understand you perfectly, you can communicate. How did you get to this level?”
She then told me something about language learning that changed everything for me. She said “you can just keep learning forever, and that’s it!” I asked her what she meant.
She told me that, if I wanted to, I could spend every day for the rest of my life learning something about the Spanish language. But, if I wasn’t clear about what I actually wanted to do with the language I would be lost learning for learning’s sake.
What do I mean?
In the English language there are over 250,000 words yet only 20,000 are used in regular day-to-day communication.
Sure, You Can Memorize A Gazillion Spanish Words … But Why?
For Spanish, these numbers are even better—there are a total of 100,000 words in the language yet the top 1000 most frequent words make up 87% of spoken communication. It is really quite amazing, you only 1% of the total number of Spanish words in existence for almost 90% of the conversation language.
What I discovered after talking to the French girl in the bar was that I could spend the rest of my life learning about 99,000 words in Spanish, but if I couldn’t use the most common 1000 words properly I would never have a chance to meet the locals and experience parts of the culture I had always wanted to experience.
So the question is — how well have you defined your goals? How well do you know and understand the outcome you truly want from the use of your memory palaces? And is there actually a disconnect between the information you are placing into your memory palace and what you actually need to know?
Anthony has mentioned that one of his most popular podcasts was How To Memorize A Textbook. It is possible to memorise a whole textbook using memory palaces. But as Anthony mentioned, and I reiterate here, before you start filling your memory palaces, you should start by eliminating components of the textbook that you aren’t actually going to need.
If you are preparing for an upcoming exam, are there components of the course that you won’t be tested for?
For example, imagine you have an upcoming chemistry test. The teacher tells you that the test will be on the periodic table. The question is—do you have to memorise all 118 elements? Maybe some quick research uncovers from the previous exam tests or maybe the teacher tells you that they will only test your memory for the first 50 elements. Now you only need 50 memory stations instead 118. Through defining a clearer goal you have made the path easier.
If you are studying a language, are there low frequency words that you are unlikely to ever use? Or are there words that you can eliminate because you can easily say them in another way?
The 3 Person Test
If we use language learning as an example, one word that I don’t particularly like is the word fluency. I encourage all of my students at Real Fast Spanish to stop using this particular word when trying to set goals in language learning.
For example, I mentioned that there are 100,000 words in the Spanish language. If you wanted to be “fluent” in Spanish (or Spanish and French, for that matter), how many of those 100,000 words should you put in a memory palace?
It is unclear, right? But …
What Does Fluency Mean?
Instead see if you can define a better goal for yourself. How? By using the 3 person test.
Start by coming up with an appropriate goal to help you move you from where you are now to where you want to be. Then ask 3 people if they clearly understand your goal. If they do, it is a good goal, if they don’t, you need to go back to the drawing board.
What you ultimately want from the 3 person test is a consensus from your panel of 3 when you have achieved your goal.
Let’s look at a few examples.
Imagine your goal is to count to 10 in Chinese. If you could do it, then the panel would all agree. Yes you have achieved your goal.
Now imagine your goal is to be fluent in German. When you ask three people if they think you are fluent then it is very possible you could get three different answers, when you think you are. One person might say ”yes”, one might say “maybe” and one might answer the question with another question. In this case your goal would fail the 3 person test.
Knowing and having a sharply defined outcome is the first step to maximising your effectiveness with your memory challenges. A clear end game allows you to carefully select the right information to place into your memory palace which will save you time and effort later.
Let’s look at the second step.
How to Overcome Resistance
“Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work” — Steven Pressfield.
Once you are clear about what you actually need to put into your network of memory palaces and you have eliminated all unnecessary memorisation, you simply need to create the associated images and locate them where you know you can to find them later.
But, this is easier said than done right?
In order to fill your memory palace, you need to actually do the work. You need to overcome resistance.
Resistance, unfortunately, is a part of nature. It’s everywhere.
In the physical world, resistance is called inertia. Have you ever tried to move a large boulder? Or have you ever tried to push a car when the engine isn’t running? If you want to move large objects in the physical world you need to apply a lot of energy. You need to find a few friends or get the help of a large machine to apply enough force to start moving the object.
In the biological world, resistance is called homeostasis. In the human body there are hundreds of processes all working to maintain the status quo. There are buffers in the blood to maintain pH. Insulin is used to maintain sugar levels. Our bodies also use metabolic and perspiration processes to maintain a constant internal body temperature.
If you want to change your internal body temperature—which is not recommended—you need to go into a freezing cold place or an extremely hot place and stay there for enough time to break down the body’s internal regulation systems. In other words, a lot of thermal energy is required to overcome biological resistance.
In the psychological world resistance is called procrastination. Let me ask you this question—have you ever procrastinated?
Why Do We Procrastinate?
It’s because procrastination is similar to inertia and homeostasis. And here’s the thing—it’s not your fault! If you have ever procrastinated it’s because resistance is everywhere in nature. Nature loves to resist change.
So if you want to overcome procrastination, like the large boulder or the internal body temperature, you need to apply enough energy to overcome the resistance. If you want to successfully populate your memory palace with all of the carefully selected data you have chosen in step 1, you need to overcome your psychological resistance to change. How? If you want to overcome resistance you need to apply enough energy. For psychological resistance …
You Need To Apply Emotional Energy
What does that mean?
Have you ever had a big exam, assignment or report due for work that you left to the very last minute? Maybe you left it until the night before or the morning of. Let me ask you this question—in the end, were you able to pull an all nighter or some other feat of poor health in order to get the assignment done? If so, what changed?
In the lead up to the assignment, you were resisting it—naturally. Then when the deadline came close, you started to worry about failing or getting in trouble at work. At a certain point the resistance to doing the work was overcome by the emotional energy that came out of the fear of failure or getting into trouble.
Knowing this, if you want to successfully fill your memory palace, you need to develop enough emotional energy to overcome the naturally occurring psychological resistance.
The Test of the Five Whys
One idea that you can use to build emotional energy is the test of the “the five whys”. This idea originally came from industrial manufacturing as a strategy to pinpoint the cause of potential breakdowns in the production chain. They needed the test because human beings aren’t particularly good at getting to the heart of an issue.
If you want to truly understand why you should do something you need to ask “why?” five times. The true answer is rarely obvious from the first why.
If you want to unearth a limitless source of emotional energy for overcoming resistance, you need to get to the heart of your motivation.
Let’s see an example. I will give an example for learning Spanish because it’s what I’m used to. But you can apply the test to whatever memory outcome you are striving for.
Imagine you have a well defined small task to place 10 new Spanish words into a memory palace.
The five “whys” test would go as follows:
Why do I have to learn these Spanish words? Because they are important for Spanish. Why is knowing Spanish important? Because I want to be able to speak another language. Why do I want to speak another language? Because I want to experience a new culture. Why do I want to experience a new culture? Because it will enrich my life. Why do I want to enrich my life? Because it is the best way to live!
As you can see, by using the five ”whys” test I have connected the trivial task of placing 10 words in a memory palace with a higher life purpose. By asking the question “why” five times you can access a deep well of emotional energy and use that energy to overcome procrastination and resistance.
Once you have a sharply defined goal and you have overcome resistance at a task level, the final step is to create a routine that will allow maximum effectiveness with the Magnetic Memory Method.
Creating a Routine Allows You to Create
“Discipline allows magic. To be a writer is to be the very best of assassins. You do not sit down and write every day to force the Muse to show up. You get into the habit of writing every day so that when she shows up, you have the maximum chance of catching her.” ― Lili St. Crow.
“You try to sit down at approximately the same time every day. This is how you train your unconscious to kick in for you creatively.” ― Anne Lamott.
One important aspect of memory palaces is the creation of associated imagery. If you want to fill a memory palace you need to create and be creative. You need to take an abstract word, sentence or formula and create an associated image that you can use to recall the idea later.
Said in another way, if you want to be more effective with memory palaces you need to improve your creative muscle.
How To Be More Creative
How then can you be more creative?
If I said the key to creativity is routine there would be artists all over that would cringe at the suggestion. Creativity is about spontaneity. It’s about moments of inspiration that can’t be bottled. And these types of moments come when we least expect them, right? At least that what I used to think.
What do Steve Jobs, Barack Obama, Albert Einstein and Mark Zuckerberg all have in common? They all wore the same clothes every day. Steve Jobs is famous for his black turtle neck and blue jeans. Barack Obama has said that he simply either wears a grey suit or a blue suit. Zuckerberg rocks a black hoodie. And Einstein was known for wearing a similar grey suit every single day.
Why do they limit their wardrobes? They all choose to wear the same clothes everyday because of a concept called decision fatigue.
The idea behind decision fatigue is simple—every time you make a decision a future decision will be slightly compromised. In other words, every time you make a decision you are more likely to make a worse decision later.
For President Obama, decision making is a crucial part of his job. He can’t afford to make bad decisions. Therefore he limits simple decisions like what to wear or what to eat to someone else. What this does is leave him more decision making power for the important decisions—the types of decisions that could affect the future of the country.
Have you ever had the feeling at the end of a long day at work or college and when it came time to do something as simple as choosing what to have for dinner, the decision of what to cook was overwhelming? This is due to decision fatigue.
So what does decision fatigue have to do with creativity?
There Is A Trade-Off Between Every Decision You Make And Your Highest Order Thinking
Creative types like Steve Jobs and Anne Lamott know that they need to reserve their best thinking for creation. In order to do this they cut down decision making in their lives to an absolute minimum. They did this through routine. Either by wearing the same clothes or sitting down at a desk to write at the same time every day.
The evidence of other artists that used routine for creation is overwhelming. In Mason Currey’s book “Daily Rituals: How Artists Work”, Currey lays out the daily routines and habits of 161 of the world’s greatest artists such as Woody Allen, Agatha Christie, Leo Tolstoy, Pablo Picasso, Benjamin Franklin and Jane Austen.
Why does routine work so well for creation?
Charles Duhigg, the author of the power of habit, says that the brain starts working less and less as we start to form regular habits. The brain can almost completely shut down and this is a huge advantage because it means you now have free mental space that you can dedicate to something else.
This is how the world’s greatest artists work and you can test it for yourself.
How To Easily Assign “Pre-Commitments”
If you want to harness the power of routine and minimise decision fatigue, start by creating pre-commitments.
A pre-commitment is a decision that you make a head of time. And ideally a decision you make only once.
There are so many decisions you may be making on a daily basis—decisions that may seem inconsequential but add up quickly to fatigue of your highest order thinking.
What you want to avoid is having to make hundred of decisions in any typical day:
– What should I eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner? – What should I wear? – What should I buy from the supermarket on the way home? – Do we need extra supplies for the coming week? – Should I buy that new jacket or those shoes?
Then after all those decisions:
– When should I sit down to work on my memory palace? – Should I work on the memory palace in the morning, evening, on my lunch break, or after dinner? – Should I work on my memory palace for 20 minutes or an hour? – What parts of my memory palace should I be focusing on today?
But There Are So Many Decisions … It’s Overwhelming!
Start by taking stock of all of these daily decisions and start making pre-commitments. Try to make decisions ahead of time. For example, you could decide on a Sunday evening everything you are going to wear for the week and eat for every meal.
Here is a powerful strategy: can you work on your memory palace at the same time for the same amount of time every single day? Can you remove the decision of when or whether to work on your memory palace completely?
If you don’t have to make a decision of whether to work on your memory palace, you can save your best thinking for the first, second or third location based image you have to place in your memory palace.
Can you avoid decision fatigue? Can you use pre-commitments and routine to minimise as many decisions in your life as possible?
If you can, you will leave your mind maximum freedom to create and be creative. A freedom that will allow you to create amazing things, crazy and vivid imagery that will infinitely improve the power of your associated images and the effectiveness of the Magnetic Memory Method.
What Wikipedia Won’t Tell You About The Real Path To Overcoming Procrastination And Learning At The Deepest Possible Level
Memory devices and mnemonics improve learning efficiency. The Magnetic Memory Method is a wonderful framework for putting the use of memory devices in a usable process. Put simply—it works!
If you want to take the Magnetic Memory Method to the next level and be a more effective memoriser you should start with a clear vision of the outcome you want to achieve from the use of your memory palaces.
A clear vision allows you to save time by first removing information you don’t actually need to memorise. This in turn means you can focus more intensely on the information that truly matters.
Once you are clear about your destination, you then need to overcome psychological resistance to change. You can do this by connecting deeply with your underlying motivation in order to build the emotional energy you need to overcome procrastination.
And finally you can maximise the effectiveness of the Magnetic Memory Method by minimising decision fatigue and incorporating routines into your daily life. If you can reduce the daily mental load of simple inconsequential decisions, you can release your creative potential for a vivid world of associated imagery.
Brain Training: 3 Unconventional Techniques Guaranteed To Help You Conjure Your Best-Ever Ideas
Sep 30, 2015
Do you get overwhelmed and frustrated every time you need to come up with new ideas when using memory techniques as part of your brain training? Especially when learning a foreign language?
You know what it’s like struggling to come up with mnemonics. It can feel a bit like pulling nails out of dead wood with a pair of rusted tweezers.
And what really makes the pain so bad is that you know that your brain is teeming with ideas.
Great ideas …
If only you could catch them.
Here’s the good news. In this unconventional brain training post I’m going to teach you how …
You Can Catch More Great Ideas Than The Most Successful Fishing Fleet In The World (Catches Fish)!
Just pick and choose from these super simple brain training activities and start with the most appealing. We’re going to go deep into each one so that you’ll have the fullest possible understanding.
Add one or more per month over a year’s time and you’ll enjoy an overflow of ideas so powerful it will take ten lifetimes and thousands of employees to handle them.
Just Kidding – Most Will Be …
Crap.
Seriously.
As awesome as having boatloads of ideas can be, the real power comes from the refinement brain training brings.
How to get effective brain training? Here are 9 brain exercises that are fun, fast and easy to complete.
We’ll talk about that too a bit further on so your ideas will always come out shining.
But here’s the important thing for now: You can’t refine what you don’t have.
And you can’t get more ideas to refine if you aren’t already producing a lot of ideas in the first place.
That’s why you need an unending flow of ideas that you can turn on at will and focus into form with laser intensity whenever you choose.
Here are 3 unconventional ways how brain training can make that happen.
1. Milk Your Mind For Ideas Each And Every Morning
Most people flush their most vibrant ideas down the toilet as soon as their feet hit the floor.
It’s true.
By the time you hit the head, you’ve forgotten most, if not all, of a valuable stream (pun intended) of ideas you’ll never get back.
I’m talking about your dreams.
Of course, most of what we dream makes little sense, at least not without practicing the art of dream recall. Even then, dreams remain fundamentally surreal and devoid of fixed meaning.
But just because they may be meaningless, doesn’t mean your dreams can’t help you create meaning.
Au Contraire!
Since the early beginnings of literature, for example, Daniel in the Bible, making dreams meaningful has been a practice powerful enough to direct the choices of kings.
And with The Interpretation Of Dreams, Freud created an entire industry by empowering people to interpret their dreams and generate ideas about what to do and how to live in the world.
You don’t have to use the dreams you remember to influence world leaders or deal with childhood trauma. You can simply jot down what you remember and then free-associate to the images and vignettes.
Here’s a quick way to get started with this form of brain training:
1. Get a dream journal and pen/pencil. Make it exclusive to your dream capture practice.
2. Place the journal where it’s impossible to miss near your bed. You can even date it before you go to sleep and leave it open at the page you’ll write on.
3. Make the commitment to remembering your dreams. Just say your personal version of, “I remember my dreams. I write them down.” That mantra in itself will serve as powerful brain training.
4. Free-associate to one or more of your dreams. It helps if you get relaxed first. Let ideas come to mind and jot them down. Don’t think about it or try to guide them. Let them breathe.
If you recall no dreams …
No. Big. Deal.
Write down, “no dreams” and perhaps a few notes about how you slept. Before you know it, you will start remembering your dreams with depth and intensity. And when you practice associating with these dreams, you’ll always be able to come up with new ideas.
The best part is that you’re journaling your dreams. This brain training practice means that you don’t have to associate only with recent dreams for new ideas.
You can go back through those pages for as long as you’ve been journaling. You’ll have a treasure trove of images, narrative snippets, and longer sequences as often as you please and always find some new angle on the material.
To give you an example, years ago I dreamed about the pyramids. I saw them filled with a scented lava that poured down the sides, creating a river.
When I finally got to visit Egypt, for some reason, I remembered the dream and started to explore it for ideas. I was there to research ancient Egyptian culture for its relationship to memory and reincarnation, past lives, etc.
That was all fine and dandy and I learned some great stuff in some of the museums I’ll be telling you about soon.
But the fact that I remembered this dream and the lava was scented led me to think about aromas, and I wound up wondering if there is a relationship between scent and memory.
It turns out there is. I have found a wealth of research material on the matter, much of which centers on the use of oils in mummification – one of the most memory-centered activities in all of history.
Would I have thought to connect scent and memory without this dream that helped product it?
Maybe yes.
Maybe no.
But the point is that without the practice of dream journaling as a form of brain training, I probably never would have thought about scent and memory in the context of mummification and essential oils in Ancient Egypt.
Deliberately remembering your dreams is a way of engineering happy accidents and generating new ideas that come power packed with resonating value.
It’s easy, fun, quick and easy to do. It creates long term value and can change your life in many other ways too.
2. Brain Training Pulls Ideas Out Of Thin Air Like Pushups Pack Muscles On Your Arms
If dream recall doesn’t appeal, there’s always brute force.
And that’s the way the following approach may feel at first.
But once you get into it, things get faster, easier and more interesting.
You just have to be willing to train your brain.
Here’s how it works, as adapted from the original exercise taught by James Altucher in Choose Yourself:
Write down ten ideas every day.
The benefits of completing this exercise will become plain. Just like doing consistent sets of even just ten pushups on a daily basis cannot help but strengthen your muscles …
Writing Out Just Ten Ideas A Day Will Pump Up Your Thinking Pipes
Will the ideas be any good?
Many times no.
But that’s not the point. And often enough, the ideas will be good. Or they will become catalysts for betters ideas, or at least be amusing. As with pushups, so long as you keep good form, you can’t go wrong.
Interested?
Good. Here are more specific instructions.
1. Get a special notebook and pen exclusively for this brain training exercise.
2. Write 1-10 along the side of the page.
3. Don’t overthink the process. Start with the first blank space and write something down.
4. Write another idea down and keep going until you’ve reached 10.
As with nearly every exercise you’re learning now, coming with a relaxed body and mind will make a huge difference. By meditating first, or running in place, or even after performing some real pushups, your brain will be bursting with oxygen.
In this state …
You Can Experience Monumental Levels Of Creativity
More importantly, the volume of your critical voice will go down, if not disappear altogether.
You know the voice I mean.
It’s the voice that says, “I can’t. This is stupid, pointless and useless. Why bother?”
That Voice Is A Brain Training Killer!
When it comes to listening to this voice, why bother, indeed? Didn’t this voice already batter you with these same enthusiasm-destroying sentences yesterday?
For bonus points, you can use the same notebook you use for dream journaling. Just imagine compounding the value of the ideas nature gave you during sleep with your Altucher-style brute force ideas.
Quite frankly, the value of combining the two is awesome.
What’s that? You want an example?
Well … okay …
Here are three of my ten ideas from earlier this morning. Remember, I don’t judge these or even think about them too much. Just as with pushups, I’m concerned only with executing the moves with good form. In this case, good form means nothing more than …
Doing. It.
1. Construct a highway from the earth to the moon out of Levi jeans. People will travel to the moon in vehicles made out of zippers and buttons. The speed bumps will be made from pockets and stitches, and all traffic lights will be made from the red Levi’s tag. But they will never mean stop, only, “go faster.”
2. Professors who shoot pancakes from maple syrup guns get arrested by the Spatula Police and taken to a prison made from sticks of butter.
3. All the American presidents in history suddenly appear in the present and start tattoo parlors that specialize in squeezing the Declaration of Independence onto the surface of any body part you wish.
Silly stuff, right?
Of course it is.
But as goofy as these ideas may be, they came lightning fast and in multilayered formations. Speed and depth come from nothing more than making idea generation a daily brain training practice. It’s both an art and a habit. There are no true Eureka! Moments in creativity, only ongoing processes.
The longer, the better.
And so whether you want to have more ideas for working with mnemonics, your work or building a better future, all you have to do is start by writing down nothing more than ten ideas.
You can get started with this form of brain training today.
3. Copy, Amplify, Transform, Delete Or Downright Mutilate And Abuse The Ideas Of Others
If for any reason you can’t come up with any ideas at all or hit a dry spell, no stress. The world is filled with ideas already put out there. Sure, they’ve poured their heart and soul into creating them, but that’s no reason not to …
… Mess With Them!
Think of Banksy. He’s a master at monkeying with logos, brands, royalty and all manner of preexisting images. He copies, transforms and sometimes deletes parts of images to create new effects that lead to new feelings and ideas.
Let’s go through each of these approaches and see how you can make them work for you and your brain.
Talent Borrows, Genius Steals, Creatives Copy
Have you ever studied music? If so, then you’ve probably played compositions written by someone else.
If you’re an artist, or tried to be one, then you’ve probably copied at some point the works of a pro.
But if you’re a writer …
Copying the works of others is the last thing you’ve ever wanted to do.
Enter Kenneth Goldsmith. In this video, he talks about “uncreativity” and why you should copy, word for word, the works of other writers the way musicians and artists so all the time. (I’ve fast-forwarded the video to the interesting part.)
https://youtu.be/nqHaKniXkF8?t=2m20s
Notice that Goldsmith isn’t talking merely about copying the works of others.
He’s talking about training your brain by analyzing your choices. You get an education from writing about what you copied and how the exercise made you feel while at the same time imprinting your mind with the rhythms and metaphors of writers you admire.
In other words, by studying your choices, you get ideas.
Incidentally, Goldsmith’s “uncreativity” exercises may sound controversial in the world of literature. Copying the writing of others to write at a higher level and produce stunning writing without hesitation has been on the radar of marketers and copywriters for decades.
You can read about Gary Halbert’s “neurological imprinting” and how to dig the writing of others even deeper into your mind here.
But as with Goldsmith, the point of such exercises is not to clone. It’s to train your brain to find connections and spontaneously produce new ideas of great wealth.
What makes Walsh’s work so brilliant is the consistent comedy gold he mines from a preexisting comic strip simply by removing its famous namesake. You get a completely different reading experience, and your perception of John completely shifts.
To take another example, try and find The Matrix DeZionized.
Some people wanted to like The Matrix sequels but found the representation of Zion to be a deal-breaker. So instead of griping about it, they put all three movies together and removed Zion entirely.
I don’t know about you, but for me, that creates new ideas about The Matrix series that I couldn’t have had otherwise. Just watching it serves as a kind of brain training.
https://youtu.be/YQ5yvBRUi94
How do you use this technique to create an endless stream of your own ideas on demand?
Easy.
Pick your favorite novel or movie and then think about what it would be like without the lead character or some other critical element.
What would Superman be like without Lois Lane? How would Anne of Green Gables play out if the Cuthberts hadn’t adopted her? How would Columbo endlessly introduce himself back into the lives of his suspects if he couldn’t say, “Just one more thing”?
https://youtu.be/biW9BbWJtQU
In some ways, this exercise relates to the “how many uses can you find for a paperclip?” game. But instead of adding ideas, you’re deleting them.
And when you delete, you can transform through replacement.
Imagine, for example, if the “creator” of Garfield — had replaced the cat with Conan the Barbarian. Or James Bond? Or Julia Roberts?
Okay, So Brain Training Made You Creative …
Now What?
By now, you’ve got a wealth of procedures, games and activities you can use to make your mind a machine of perpetual ideas. And you’ve done it all without playing any time-wasting brain games.
Rest assured, the powerful effects of exercises like these don’t stop here. These creativity drills infuse with everything else you do throughout the day. You will notice constant creative energy as new ideas show up left, right and center.
Of course …
With Great Ideas Comes Great Responsibility!
After all, these ideas are like your children. It would be criminal to neglect them.
That said, you do need to get rid of every idea that doesn’t scale.
Or rather, reshape it somehow.
Instead of thinking of the culling process as tossing your children out into the cold, just imagine that you’re trimming their hair.
That’s all it is. Shaving wool from a flock of sheep, weeding out the dud strands and using the rest to knit …
A Wearable, Warm And Wonderful Idea Sweater
The question is … How?
Actually, this form of brain training is quite easy …
Assign each idea with a value.
To keep things easy, create three categories. 1, 2, 3. Green for “go,” yellow for “caution,” red for “forget it.”
Or you can use a gold coin, silver coin and a copper coin. I like this model in particular because ideas are currency. Whether it’s a scratched up penny or a hundred dollar bill, you can spend all your ideas somewhere, sometime, somehow.
So here’s an experiment adapted from something Dean Jackson talks about in his amazing 50-minute Focus Finder video:
https://youtu.be/5onClAZJgdY
Using the idea generation techniques you’ve just learned, get out three envelopes and three coins.
Next, stick those envelopes to the back of the door in your workspace or on a wall or any place you’ll regularly see them. Stick one coin on each envelope to indicate their value.
Then, using index cards or slips of paper, sort your ideas into the envelopes based on how much value you’ve attached to them.
You’ll have to decide on your own valuation system, but …
Keep It Loose And Flexible
Flexibility means that you allow your ideas to appreciate. What starts off as a copper coin could easily wind up becoming silver or even leaping straight up to gold.
Christian Fitzharris talk about the importance of keeping it loose and fun in our discussion about brain games. Don’t miss it!
Likewise, ideas that may have seemed gold, may downgrade over time. But no matter how things evolve on the Stock Exchange of your ideas, all of them can stay in trade and hold potential.
And anytime you feel like you’re lacking in ideas, you’ll have three heavy bank accounts from which you can draw.
You know that you can become more creative right now … right?
Good. Then go out there, gather some ideas as part of your brain training and make something special for the world.
Do it now. 🙂
What If I Wanted To Memorize A Chapter In A Textbook So I Could Ace A Test On That Subject?
Sep 29, 2015
Here’s a great question about how to memorize textbooks I received from a Magnetic Memory Method fan:
What if I wanted to memorize a chapter in a textbook so I could ace a test on that subject?
That would be cool, wouldn’t it?
Good news: It’s 100% possible.
No Joke
When I was studying for my doctoral examinations and later for my dissertation defense (rigorous 2 hr. + grilling sessions in front of a committee of 4-7 accomplished professors), I read a total of over 500 books and articles.
I’m not kidding. I almost broke my back at the library on several occasions!
Here’s exactly how I used to operate – and still do when I’m conducting research or just want to memorize the contents of a book using memory techniques. It’s an ongoing memory improvement project to continue learning from textbooks and it all begins with this important step every time:
Leave Your Fear At The Door: These Details Will Show You How To Memorize Textbooks
Unfortunately, a lot of people get hung up on the details when learning how to memorize textbooks.
For good reason:
There are some operational factors in what I’m about to describe that might not seem to involve memorization.
Trust me: Each step is essential as you learn how to memorize textbooks. If it weren’t, I wouldn’t have included it.
Before I take any of the steps that I’m about to describe, I always begin with a carefully defined Memory Palace. As I talk about in all of my trainings, I always make sure that each Memory Palace involves a location that I’m intimately familiar with.
If you’re having a hard time finding good Memory Palaces, check out the MMM Podcast episode: How to Find Memory Palaces. It will help.
Plus, make sure that you have the free Memory Improvement Kit so you can use the worksheets and videos as a guide.
Create Limited Set Memory Palaces Based On The Textbooks You Want To Memorize
I always chart out between 4-10 stations within each room of that Memory Palace. In the past, I usually made more (like 50 or so, often with between 30-50 stations within a single room). These days, I’m more focused on small sets of information.
Why?
Because I find that leads to more meaningful quantity over time with my current Mandarin Chinese learning project.
For more information on how to create a Memory Palace, get my free memory improvement kit:
Next…
Create The Right Mindset
This is important:
Decide to work with the correct mental attitude. For example, when sitting with a textbook or journal article, I need to have the attitude that I will walk away with the most essential information firmly magnetized into my mind.
You should do this too.
Then Chillax
Seriously.
Take a moment to relax.
I recommend that you adopt a traditional meditation pose on the floor, or lay down for awhile and do some progressive relaxation. Either way, I spend time practicing a bit of pendulum breathing and maybe even the Human Charger.
With those operating procedures covered regarding how to memorize textbooks, let’s get into further detail.
1. Look At The Book And Read The Conclusion First
When approaching a new book, carefully examine the front cover and the back cover.
Next, read:
the colophon page
the table of contents
the introduction
the conclusion
Finally, scan through the index (if available).
The scholar Gerrard Genette calls these parts of a book the “paratext,” (the text beside the text). This step takes about five minutes and effectively trains your brain to understand the scope and dimension of the book with respect to its topic.
Why read the conclusion first? Part of the reason is to judge whether or not the author’s conclusion about his or her own subject was profound enough to warrant reading all of the steps needed to arrive at it.
The introduction and conclusion also give clues regarding which chapters of the book might be the most important to focus on.
2. Manage Index Card Mania
It’s important to decide how much information you want to take away from a textbook in advance. That way, you don’t overwhelm yourself.
And you can start in a structure manner. Like this:
Take out an index card and write down the name of the author, the title of the book and all of the bibliographic information.
Number this card “1” in the top left corner. Before starting with a book, I tend to decide in advance exactly how many pieces of information I want to retain from it.
This is the principle of “predetermination” that I discuss throughout the Magnetic Memory Method training.
Often, I default to three facts or details per chapter, but always keep enough index cards on hand in case I want more.
The reason for deciding these matters in advance is because
a) failing to plan is generally planning to fail (especially when it comes to structured reading), and
b) predetermination prevents overwhelm.
Remember:
Less is more. When you use the Magnetic Memory Method for something like foreign language learning or studying, you’ll find that by focusing on just a few key points, a lot of the surrounding information will automatically “stick” to the memorized material.
The beauty of having operating principles is that you never sit around wondering how to get started. You just dive in.
So after reading the introduction and conclusion, you should now have in mind which chapters you want to read first. Just get started with one of them.
If you’re having decision anxiety, just go in the order they appear in the book from beginning to end. Don’t let thinking get in the way of forward progress.
4.Think In Threes
Here’s the deal:
At this point, you know that there are three pieces of information you’re going to walk with away from each chapter. You’ve got your index cards ready to go and can start gathering the information.
It doesn’t have to be a limit of three. You might want to go for five or ten. The important point is to pick a structured operating principle and go with it.
5. The Ownership Mindset
Since you’ve already adopted the attitude that you’re going to succeed and literally “own” the key information in the book, it’s time to play a game totally unlike other brain games I teach. This game works especially well if the book is boring or completely outside your interest.
Pretend that you’re the talk show host of a program and later that evening and you’ve got to interview the author. Millions of people will be watching, so you really need to the book. And you need to read it fast.
What this mindset allows is for you to ask questions while you’re reading. You’ll get really curious, and instead of reading passively, you’ll actively engage with the writing. In fact, you can read more strategically using these processes.
Part of reading more acitively involves asking “else” questions. This means that instead of stopping after a round of:
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
How?
… you add “else” to each one:
Who else?
What else?
Where else?
When else?
Why else?
How else?
This technique will help you create new knowledge as you learn.
Try it. You’ll love it.
6. Categorize Every Gem (Studying Is A Numbers Game)
When you come across a gem of a detail, write it down on the index card. Write down the page number where you found the information on the bottom right corner.
Do this regardless of whether or not you’ve jotted down a quote. Should you ever need to find that information again, you’ll know where to go. If you have any secondary ideas, use the back of the index card to capture them.
At this point, don’t do any kind of memorization. You’re familiarizing yourself, learning, connecting the details with information you already know and gathering new facts and details. That’s it.
So let’s assume now that you’ve read a book that has ten chapters and you’ve got three index cards for each.
Each card is numbered, meaning that you now have 30 index cards. All you need now is to be prepared with 30 station in 1-3 Memory Palaces that you’ve hopefully already assigned to the book.
7. Start Memorizing (Magnetically)
Your next step is to simply start with card #1. You want to remember the title of the book and the name of its author. That information is memorized at station #1.
If you happen to know the title of the book already by heart, then you don’t need to use the first station in this way, but it can still be useful to do so, and here’s why:
8. Use The Author As A Visual Element
You can use the author as a “lexical bridge” or “Bridging Figure” to move from station to station as you learn how to memorize textbooks.
See if you can find a picture of the author online. Let’s say that you are reading the book Paratexts, by Gerrard Genette.
I’ve Googled him up and Genette looks like this. Gerrard Genette reminds me of Gillette razor blades, and so I see him shaving in that first room. To remember that it’s Genette and not Gillette, I see him shaving away a beard of Ns growing crazily out of his face. For “Paratexts,” I could ease either a pear bouncing up and down on a textbook, or a can of Para Paint splashing over a book – there are always options.
Here’s another option you can try for finding memorable characters to use as you learn how to memorize textbooks:
https://youtu.be/Ms5jgXYwb8M
9. Exaggerate Everything
Now let’s say that card #2 says: “A text does not exist outside of the text itself.”
That sounds pretty obvious, doesn’t it?
Maybe, but we don’t often think about the fact that until someone comes along and reads a book, the book essentially doesn’t do anything. There are billions of books standing unread on shelves around the world that only “exist” when someone is reading them or talking about them. This is what Genette means when he says that “a text does n0t exist outside of the text itself.” Our minds are a kind of text, so when we are reading, two texts are intermingling.
To remember all of this, my second station will feature the book Paratexts itself. I imagine it as an object in the Memory Palace I’m using.
On that specific station in that specific Memory Palace, words are trying to escape from the book, and there’s poor Genette trying to beat them back in because, according to him, there is no text outside of the text itself. He needs to get all of that text back in!
As always, the images are big, bright, colorful and filled with exaggerated action.
To get some of the other concepts in Genette’s thinking that I’ve just described, I might see Genette giving up the battle, and then opening up a lid in his head, which is also filled with words, and allowing the words from Paratexts to mingle with the words in his mind.
From there, on to the next index card.
Now that you know how to memorize textbooks, you can model this process to remember any point, historical date, or formula in a book!
10. Test Yourself Before The Teacher Does
The final step when learning how to memorize textbooks is to test your memorization of the details, facts and concepts you have memorized from the textbook.
I recommend writing a summary from your mind and then checking it against the index cards. One of my supervisors required me to submit summaries to prove that I was reading the books on my list, so I got into that habit and have always been grateful for it.
If you’re a student, I highly recommend that you take this step now that you know how to memorize textbooks.
It will not only deeply immerse you in your topic area. It will also provide you with material that you’ve already written when it comes to composing essays, pieces for publication and even your dissertation further on down the road if you decide to complete a PhD.
Also, be sure to revisit the information in your mind following a procedure like the Rule of 5 or the more rigorous Recall Rehearsal procedures of the Magnetic Memory Method. It’s by rehearsing the information into long term memory that you really make it your own.
The best part is that the more you read, the more connections you naturally make, reinforcing what you’ve already learned. Now that you know how to memorize textbooks, you’re going to be a Magnetic powerhouse of information!
Learning How To Memorize Textbooks Is Fun!
What happened during my doctoral examinations? Instead of being stressful as they are for nearly everyone else …
They were fun!
I had been in a relaxed state while reading and memorizing the material, and complimented this by spending a bit of time relaxing before attending the exams. I literally threw myself into a state of self-hypnosis in the corridor outside of the examination rooms.
When I was asked a question, my mind zoomed to where the material was stored in one of my Memory Palaces. Once I found the information, I was able to talk at length about, whether it was Gerrard Genette’s idea about “paratexts” or Aristotle’s philosophy of friendship in The Nichomeachean Ethics.
In case you’re wondering what I did with all those index cards:
I used to wrap them with an elastic band, one per book, and then store them in a shoe box. Somehow, index cards and shoes boxes were made for one another. But all those index cards are gone now and so I enjoy having nothing to do but go through the Memory Palaces in my mind. And thanks to the memory techniques and ongoing memory improvement work I do, that step is often unnecessary.
But it’s fun. And I’m confident it will be just as much fun for you.
Further Resources
Check out this infographic from How to Memorize A Textbook, a similar episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Extreme Memory Improvement With Memory Champion Nelson Dellis
Sep 24, 2015
This Man Shows You How To Unlock The Extreme Power Of Your Memory
https://youtu.be/ESGEW_uK1Jg
Interested?
I thought you might be.
The man in question is Nelson Dellis. He climbs mountains,memorizes playing cards underwater and works to solve Alzheimer’s by collecting data through the Extreme Memory Challenge. Take it now.
https://youtu.be/cLER4epHBlM
Not only does Nelson use his memory talents to create good in the world, he’s also on a mission to help and inspire you to do the same.
Because the fact of the matter is, when you have improved memory skills, you won’t be able to stop yourself from contributing to the world at a higher level.
Just remember …
With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility
Please enjoy this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast by downloading the MP3 and listening to it. You’ll find the full transcript down below with some links throughout to help continue your education into the world of Extreme Memory Improvement.
Anthony: Nelson, it’s great to be able to speak with you. I’ve been following some of the things you’ve been doing for quite some time. Maybe, just for people who don’t know you, give a brief overview of what got you interested in memory and how you came to achieve what you’ve done and take it to the level of basically bringing social good out of the achievements you’ve had with memory.
Nelson: Yeah, you know this all started back when my grandmother was struggling with Alzheimer’s as she lived in Europe. I wouldn’t see her all the time but I think that made a bigger impression on me because I would go visit every six months to a year and she had drastically changed, deteriorated immensely. That made a big imprint on me. Then she passed away the summer of 2009.
At that point, I had kind of dabbled in memory. I decided to take what I had read about and really drive it home and see if I could, at a young build a strong memory, a healthy brain, and I set the goal of myself winning the memory championship. That seemed like a good milestone to try to get to and to judge, test, and base all of my training scores on. I did, and I got very good at it and all motivated by my progress and eventually I ended up winning the U.S. Memory Championship four times. That’s now what I do. I teach people how to unlock their memories.
Anthony: That’s very cool and you know one of the things that is so extraordinary is that you also turn it into social good, which we’ll talk about. Talk a little bit about the book that you’re working on and who it is for and why developing memory abilities is so important for the audience that you’re creating it for.
What If Memorizing Could Be The Most Exciting Activity In The World?
Nelson: You know I still get a lot of people who approach me and talk about their father, their mother, or grandmother has early onset or has Alzheimer’s, and they ask me if it’s something that I can train their parents to improve their memory. Unfortunately, I don’t know much about that. In my opinion, I think learning these memory techniques is a habit thing. You’ve got to learn it, I think, at an early age. That is something that just sticks with you.
When you go into your higher education, you already know how to memorize. It is a skill that you were given in school. Right now, obviously, you see if you have a class or a teacher who gives you tips on how to improve your memory you just do it. Memorize this song. You go home. You struggle with it. You repeat it over and over and then you come back and you’re excited and it’s the most frustrating process.
What if you lived in an age where your teachers actually had a class or spent some time teaching you memory techniques at a young age? When it would come to that poem or med school textbook that you’ve got memorize, you would have some toolbox in your brain to figure that out faster and more efficiently. I’ve been working on a book. I actually wrote a book, it’s not published yet for normal people of normal age.
The one I’m really excited about is this one I’ve been working on for kids which is teaching them memory techniques at a very young age. It’s geared towards a first grader in a picture book style. Because I feel like if you can get that in the head of a kid who already has a fantastic imagination and memory, that those things could stick with them and help them be successful throughout life.
Anthony: I think that’s fundamental because often adults feel that they have lost their creativity somehow. It’s pounded out of them through work or whatever the case may be. How do you think the people could resuscitate creativity if they felt that they have lost it?
The Truth About Memory Techniques And Creativity
Nelson: I know that feeling. I have felt it myself over the years. A lot of people tell me creativity is hard for me. It is hard for me to do these techniques, for example, which take a lot of creativity and imagination, but I honestly believe that anybody can do this. If you’re not good at, or if you think you’re not good at being creative, I think it’s one of those things it is practice.
I was always pretty good. I was very artistic, but I would still say I’m not the most creative person. I knew a lot of people who were a lot more creative than me. When I first heard about these techniques, a little bit skeptical and maybe thought okay this might not be up my alley or something that I might be good at, but with all the practice I’ve done, yeah, I’m practicing memory techniques, but for sure I’m also practicing creativity techniques. My mind is, I feel now, way more creative than it was six or seven years ago when I started this.
Anthony: I’m curious about your process if we can talk shop a little bit. One of those issues really is being creative. I’ve always thought that, and I encountered this in Harry Lorayne is you’re just doing associations. At so many levels, creativity really isn’t the issue. It’s more of being able to pool associations together so like famous actors or politicians or football players or whatever. I’m just curious to what extent you rely on information that you already know like pop culture images, or whatever the case may be, as opposed to things you invent on the fly or fantasy images that are not really reality so to speak.
Nelson: Well, when I train for these memory competitions there’s a few events. One of them is the deck of cards. How fast can you memorize them? They give you a massive number and you’ve got five minutes to memorize as much of it as you can. For things like that, I have systems where they are already set out. I sat down one day and decided to give each three-digit number 000 to 999 a specific person.
When I came up with that list and when I use it, it’s all celebrities, fictional cartoon characters from books, shows, people, friends that I know. They’re all associations to things that I already know. There are other events where you have to kind of make stuff up on the fly, for example, a list of words or names. Most of that is where you have to be very creative because you don’t know what you’re going to get.
You’ve got to come up with the pictures, but what I do is I’ll look at a pair of words or a name and a last name, and I’ll come up with that association to something I know but on the fly. If I can’t, then I break it down into something smaller that is recognizable. That’s always the process is to break it into something I know. It’s still a creative process whether you already have associations to things or not because you still have to interweave those images with, for example, a Memory Palace or some narrative that is totally make believe.
Why You Should Go Climb A Mountain If You Want To Find More Memory Palaces
Anthony: To what extent do you prefer Memory Palaces based on real locations you’ve actually visited to just made up Memory Palaces, or even based on places that exist but you’ve never been to.
Nelson: Right. I know some people who do all those that you mentioned. I’m more of the real places that I’ve been to and had a memorable experience there. To me, I love going to these places. I climbed Everest a few years ago, and I have a Memory Palace where I’m on the mountain going through base camp and the higher camps and all that. I love the fact that when I train I get to go to that place. I think that’s very important at least for me to make my memories, when I memorize stuff, that much more memorable. I do know some people who use video game settings or even fictional rooms. They maybe design them on their computer or draw it or whatever. It is not a real place but it works.
Anthony: One question a lot of people have is can you reuse a Memory Palace and what’s your experience with that?
Nelson: When I’m training, I do multiple decks a day so I’ve got to have a large collection of Memory Palaces. If I were to have just one and I use it over and over and over again, I’m going to get some echoes and some confusion. I’m sure if you practice, you could probably eliminate some of that. I like to have fresh Memory Palaces come competition time. I’ll use a few and then leave those alone for a few days while I use other ones and then cycle back to them so that they empty themselves out.
That being said, if I have something that I want to memorize forever so this is what I’m talking about for training is temporary. I’m memorize a deck of cards, I recite it and then I don’t really care to keep that particular deck of cards any longer. It’s meaningless almost. That’s why I cycle through them. If it is some trivia set or something for school or something really important that I want to keep forever, then I typically take or design or find a Memory Palace specifically for that information and I use it only for that. I would never tape over it. I’ll just use it as this hard drive, external hard drive, if you will, to store that piece of information.
Anthony: How often do you feel you need to revisit or rehearse that information or to keep it fresh and overcome the forgetting curve?
Nelson: You know, probably when you start out review is essential frequently, but over time it’s something I – maybe every six months I’ll go back and check it out. If there are gaps in it, I can go back and kind of relearn it just to solidify it.
Why The Real Magic Of Memory Is In Keeping It Real
Anthony: Do you ever experiment with adding a condition to a Memory Palace so you can reuse it? I’m sure you are familiar with the procedure of taking an original Memory Palace and then having a version made out of ice, a version made out of wood, grass, or maybe there would be a blue version, a red version and a yellow version. You ever mess around with that stuff?
Nelson: Yeah, I’ve heard of that. More like you make it big or you imagine yourself miniature inside of it or something. I’ve heard of that. I’ve never actually tried it. I don’t know. I just like to do it as real as the place is.
Anthony: Right, that’s exactly how I like to work as well. One thing too, just if we can be nerdy about this a little bit more, I’m curious do you see yourself walking through the Memory Palace? Do you have a first person viewpoint or is it like a bird’s eye view of a blueprint? How is it working for you, or do you do all three in different situations?
Nelson: I’m not there. I guess its first person but looking at a location in this Memory Palace and something is happening there. It’s not like it’s me seeing it. It’s just like a security camera.
Anthony: Yeah, that’s cool. I mean that is just one question that I get again and again is how that people are supposed to navigate it and how they’re supposed to see it. I often try to encourage them to not see it at all but rather think of it as a star in a constellation that you’ve carefully crafted and reduce the reconstruction of the Memory Palace to the bare minimum so you can focus on those weird and crazy images that you’ve put there.
Nelson: Yeah, it’s an interesting thing. I don’t really think about whether I see it or who is seeing it or what angle it is. It’s just I just think of that slot, I create the image, and I move along.
How To Snag Anything You Want To Memorize By Associating It With Feelings
Anthony: That must be important for speed since you’re often engaging in speed drills.
Nelson: Yeah, when you first start out you linger and you make sure you have it in your head, but as you try to cut down your times to get faster at this process you really have to, like you said, cut these images down to their bare minimum where it’s almost just a fleeting part of that image. We were talking about it last week. There was a UK Championship and some of us were saying that it’s almost a feeling. When you get fast at it, and that’s honestly, we go really fast and sometimes we forget things.
When you have a really good run through say a deck of cards and it’s fast, what you’ll find is like the images that you were picturing were just all feeling. There’s my dad at this location. It’s not him per se at this point. It’s the essence of him or I guess how he makes me feel when he’s in my presence. Whatever, but he’s there. Which is interesting because when I first tell somebody how to do this technique, I tell them to sit there, close their eyes, really imagine your dad, if that’s what you’re picturing, his hair, how he smells, how he talks, all these little details to make that image memorable. Once you get faster at it, you’ve got to cut some of that out and really just cling on to the things that are what make it stick.
Anthony: One of the things that I think pushes people away from these extraordinary techniques is the element of let’s call it rigorous cartoon violence. To what extent do you find that’s necessary or are you able to use softer, gentler imagery to trigger the target information.
How To Safely Use Your Taboos For Extreme Memory Boosts
Nelson: Yeah, it’s funny. I did a talk once, and I feel like a lot of my images are violent/sexual. I’m not a violent person by nature but my images they tend to be. I was leading an audience through an example and one woman just couldn’t get it, and she was like I just can’t picture gruesome things. I just can’t do it. What she did from then on, she was a very spiritual person, she kind of related it all back to religion and that seemed to work for her.
What I pull from that is that everybody’s minds are different. I often encourage that you should go for pictures that are bizarre and silly, over the top and if you can, sexual or gruesome, grotesque in nature just because those stick because of them being so out there and loud. For me, I think that’s an important part. For numbers and cards, I have actions that are violent or sexual for sure.
Anthony: But you still manage to be a good citizen of the planet?
Nelson: Yeah, I’ve heard people say I don’t want to do that because I feel like it will take over my mind and I’m going to become a bad person, but that never happens.
Is Every School In The World Evil For Not Teaching Memory Techniques To Children?
Anthony: Going back to the book for young people and the issue of getting them young to at least have exposure to these techniques, a lot of people ask me and have probably asked you. It’s one of the biggest questions. Why aren’t these memory techniques taught in school? It’s really easy to fall back on the idea, and there’s probably a truth to the idea, that we are stuck in a Victorian education system that was designed to create obedient factory workers and so forth. What’s you’re take on it?
Nelson: It’s interesting because on the flip side every time I go up to a school or university and I demonstrate or I talk to someone who has seen what I can do and they want me to come talk about it at the school, there’s always an excitement for it. They can’t believe it’s not in their school, that kids don’t know about.
But then what happens is, we get down the road, conversations, I do a few little talks and there’s times maybe working together involving these techniques into the curriculum and then it falls flat. I don’t understand it. It recurs a lot.
It’s just a funny thing. I guess memory because it’s so abstract I guess in a way and it’s not as tangible as say math. You can write your solutions on the board and then the work can stepped out. Whereas memory is very – everybody like I was talking about before is very different. You can’t really see how another student is memorizing. You guide them and hope that they’re following along.
I don’t know if that’s the reason why it still hasn’t caught on. I’ve been at this for a number of years and I’ve had so many people interested and promises and ideas and they just – some have gone through of course but not as many as I would like.
You know at first I did this just because it was a personal thing. I wanted to improve my memory and my brain health. Then I realized it’s a bit hard to train when you don’t have kind of the end goal. With memory improvement, if I want to have a competition what am I really training for? Yeah to improve my mind, fine, but I’m a very quantities person so how do you measure that. When is it good enough? To be honest, I don’t know actually have the answer. But at least with the memory championships I knew numbers and times that I had to achieve in order to be competitive for the title. That kept me very motivated in terms of driving me to compete.
Why Advanced Memory Skills Are The Best Addiction You’ll Never Want To Kick
The thing is this stuff is so addicting. Once you realize you have this power to memorize more than you ever thought you could, and then you train and get even faster it, it’s a hard thing to let go of and then when you see other people in your circle, your memory circle improving you want to stay up with them especially when you are already at the top. That’s my problem right now. I won it four times, and I keep saying I’m going to stop because I don’t want to end up losing. I always wrestled with that problem. Do I keep training? And if I do, I’ve got to train harder because the competitive levels keep rising versus just calling it quits. I’m just doing it for myself.
Anthony: Have you ever plateued?
Nelson: Oh yeah, I’m at a pretty big plateau or I have been this past two years. I think a lot of it has to do with difference in motivation from previous years. Whereas before I never won, I wanted to win, and then I won. I wanted to win again and then I lost the next year so I wanted to come and win that time. Now it’s like okay four is a good number. Why would five be any better? Do I really have to train that hard anymore? When you have that feeling that’s when you plateau. You’re not really trying to find new avenues to get better because where you’re at has been good enough. I don’t know how I won the U.S. Championship this year because – well I did very well in the names, but something I used to be the best at which is numbers and cards I was okay. Lance Tschirhart, another American, he broke the U.S. record 29 seconds in cards which is crazy. I’ve done that once in training. Then 360 digits, I’ve done that in training but never in competition. I need to push forward to break this plateau. I’m kind of where I was around 300, around 30 seconds for cards. I need to change some things, which I’ve started to do and I’m seeing improvements now. It’s been a lot of work to break this particular plateau.
Anthony: What does a typical training session look like? Is there a fixed daily routine or how do you drill yourself to reach something like the 30-second area for 52 cards?
The Best Memory Routine Advice You’ll Ever Get
Nelson: It depends on where I am in terms of what’s coming up. Is there a memory competition down the road or is it off-season so to speak. I used to just train always. Like four to five hours a day, I’d do sets of numbers, cards, names, words, just every day. Then I pulled back a bit. I think after I won in 2014 it was the first time I took break and I didn’t touch anything for like six months, which made it really had to get back into.
Now that I’m training for The World Memory Championships, which has more different or varying disciplines, I have a lot more to train. I’ll kind of split up my weeks by Monday/Wednesday, Tuesday/Thursday and then Friday and one of the weekend days I kind of leave for experimenting and working on systems. All the days I will usually do speed numbers and speed cards, just memorizing cards and numbers.
Then on the Tuesdays and Thursdays, I’ll work on the longer disciplines. In the World Championships, they test you for an hour on how many numbers you can memorize and how many packs of cards you can memorize. I work on that. It just ends up being, when I’m really down to it, a five-hour training day.
Anthony: Wow! That sounds intense. Given that amount of investment, do you think memory competitions should be included in the Olympics, or do you have any ideas why it isn’t already in the Olympics?
Nelson: Yeah, I think so. I think the reason why it’s not though is because it’s horribly boring to watch. That’s not to say that you can’t make it exciting. I’m working on that, but the World Championships is extremely boring to watch. I love to compete in it of course, but compared to staring at someone for three days straight for eight hours a day watching them stare at a piece of paper taking tests.
How To Make Dudes And Dudettes Memorizing Stuff Look Sexy, Stimulating And Exciting As All Hell
That’s not the most exciting sport to watch but there’s a memory tournament that I created two years ago called the Extreme Memory Tournament and we try to make it somewhat of a spectator sport. I think we’re doing a good job so far.
The XMT, as we call it, is a two-day competition and everything is digital first of all. It’s all one-on-one matches. Everybody who is competing is split up into groups kind of like the World Cup. On Day 1, you play everybody in your group in each of the disciplines. There are cards, numbers, words, names and pictures. They are all short disciplines like one-minute memorization.
The cool thing is – so I’m going up against you for example. Let’s say we’re memorizing a deck of cards. Here we are on our laptops racing through this deck of cards as fast as possible and on the screen it’s broadcasted to the audience so people can see exactly how fast I’m going through my deck of cards versus you. Who finishes first and then during recall while constructing those decks, trying to remember their correct order, it’s who can get the most right. If we both got it right, who did it faster? It makes it very visual. It’s short. It’s exciting. It’s this battle. It’s not so much test taking anymore versus there’s a little bit of strategy involved and it’s a lot more exciting that way.
Anthony: That sounds like it would be very exciting. Like speed chess basically.
Nelson: Yeah.
Anthony: Cool, well speaking of the word extreme, and your predilection for names talk about the Extreme Memory Challenge and the research that’s going on that you’re involved in.
Are There Genetically Superior Memorizers Roaming The Planet?
Nelson: Going back to this tournament, we started it because this company called Dart Neuroscience, they’re in San Diego. They were doing some research with Washington University in St. Louis, and I was part of that study amongst other memory experts. What they’re trying to do is to try to find and create a drug that improves memory and brain health and cognition. Not an easy task, but they have a lot of their funds going into a lot of universities for research and they’re doing their own research as well. I’ve worked with them obviously to help put together the tournament.
They were the key sponsor those two years we ran it. They are also working, and I’m helping them with this because I totally want it to succeed, is they developed a memory test. It is long-term memory test, and they’re just trying to get a million at least, honestly as many people to take the test as possible. The idea being we’re trying to locate or identify people who have naturally good long-term memories. That’s a very rare thing to find. Maybe not even somebody who we’ll find, but you will only know if you get enough people. Once we find those people, we’ll be able to do a lot of DNA testing to figure out what separates these people from the norm. That’s the idea.
It’s called Extreme Memory Challenge. It’s a pretty easy fun test. It doesn’t hurt. It’s easy. You’re helping research and if anybody is listening to this, I would love for you to just take the test and share it. The more people that take it the better and you can actually see how you compare to me. I’ve taken the test as well.
Anthony: We know that there are people who are extraordinarily good with mnemonics, mnemonists, and are you split testing them so that you have results from people who aren’t using mnemonics compared to those who are to take the test.
Nelson: At this point, we’re just honestly getting as many people to take the test. Once we have people who have scored highly, we’ll be more careful in how we weed those people out. That’s when we’ll investigate further whether they were using memory techniques or not. The goal is to find the people who were not using memory techniques. Right now, we’re just trying to get people to do well on the test.
Anthony: What do you think about the claims and the studies that say technology is now doing so much of our memory work that we’re going in the opposite direction where our memories are degrading? Have you found that for yourself and had that observation?
The Most Outrageously Powerful Definition About Memory Is Just One Word Long
Nelson: Definitely. The one thing I’ve learned about memory through this whole journey is that it’s attention. That’s all it is. When you talk about techniques, Memory Palaces and number systems all you’re doing at the very basis of it all is paying a lot of attention to something. You’re building this elaborate system for one specific thing. You’re sitting there thinking about it really hard. That’s paying attention to something and that’s what memory is. If you’re not paying attention to something, somebody says something that you should remember you’re not going to remember it.
This era is all distractions. Just think of when you’re out having a conversation with a friend. You usually have your phone out, whether it’s on the table or in your hand or in your pocket. It’s going off, it’s lighting up. Maybe theirs is lighting up to, versus when you would actually go out with someone back in the day, and you maybe didn’t have text messages awhile back. You’d have to say we’ll meet here at this time. You did and then actually paid attention to that person. That exchange was probably more memorable or easier to remember than ones you have these days because of that technology. I definitely believe that this day and age it is so hard to pay attention to things.
We’re constantly being bombarded. It’s just making memory that much more difficult. We don’t have to use it as much as well, so all that together just kind of makes our memories so along this journey as well I try to figure out a way to give back and to educate people on all the things I have kind of figured out.
As we talked about before, it’s shocking that this stuff isn’t in schools and that people don’t know about it. We all can do it. It’s all latent within us, the skill. I tried to figure out a way. How can I share this with people? I thought okay maybe I can create a blog/website where I post all these kind of tips and talk about memory and how do I make it a little more exciting. I tied it to another passion of mine which mountain climbing.
How To Memorize Safely – With Almost No Oxygen In Your Brain!
That’s where Climb for Memory came from. I started climbing mountains and updating my blogs about my trips and photos. I was trying to get people to be drawn to the site. Climbing Mt. Everest, things like that, things that people are kind of fascinated by and don’t always get the opportunity to learn about. It’s kind of a diversion. It’s like hey look here, but what you’re really looking at is this cause I’m climbing for, which I also happen to know a great deal about it. Here’s how you memorize this and that and keep your brain healthy. It was an effort to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s and also funds as well.
Anthony: If I understand correctly, you’re also doing some experiments and as you climb with different altitudes and how your memory responds or is that something you’re starting in the future.
Nelson: Yeah, I’ve done that on some of my higher altitude climbs. Since I train all the time. I kept doing it on these long expeditions. For example, Mt. Everest, not many people know but it’s a two-month expedition, so you’re at high altitude, 17,000 feet or higher for about six weeks there. Your body goes through some serious changes and near the top of the mountain, you’re getting a third of the oxygen you would at sea level. You need oxygen. Your body needs oxygen to function properly and to think straight.
If you ever see these videos online of pilots, they simulate oxygen just dropping. They test them and they just become idiots within seconds. It’s crazy. They can’t put a square peg through a square hole. They put it through the triangle you know something like that. They can’t do basic arithmetic.
https://youtu.be/_hlnLIwuSEw
For climbers, we spend a lot of time acclimatizing so that when we do get to the top we’re not like that. That’s not to say we’re not stupid but we can think a little better. I’ve have been testing that with memory. What’s surprising to me is I’ve actually done as good or better as I went up in altitude. I have no idea why, but I just love to test that kind of stuff to see how these techniques fair with the elements.
Anthony: They say that norepinephrine is produced in novel situations, which is thought to be an aid to memory, that chemical in the brain.
Nelson: Yeah, I’ve had some thoughts about it, and that’s the one that’s come up. It’s the most extraordinary experience being up there. You put yourself in some really memorable hairy, scary situations constantly for six to eight weeks. You walk away with an experience that is super memorable because of how novel it is, and I’m sure that plays into all your thoughts while you’re up there including when I would do my memory training.
How Big Is Your Memory?
Anthony: Now you know personally the size and the dimension of Mt. Everest, do you have a sense or a feeling of the size of your memory?
Nelson: No, I don’t think so. Obviously, it’s contained to that thing that’s inside my head which has a finite size. But in terms of how many Memory Palaces I can have and how many bits of information I can store there, I have no idea.
I mean there can always be some way that I can press information into bigger chunks and Memory Palaces that, like you said, you know you alter things in your Memory Palace and you can memorize something totally new inside of it. Where is the limit?
These memory competitions are a great example because when they first started in the early 1990s the records there were, at the time, very impressive, but now they are a joke. At the time, you thought okay you can’t really go that much faster with a deck of cards and then somebody broke a minute. Now people are getting under 30 seconds like it’s the easiest thing in the world and people are approaching the 20second, people even in training getting 19, 18 seconds.
Breaking The Speed Limit Of Memory One Card At A Time
Now you’re like, okay I don’t think you can get much faster than that. Who knows, at some point somebody is going to come up with something that allows you memorize a deck of cards in 10 seconds, which is crazy. When does it end? Obviously, you’ve got to look at the cards so there is a limit to that, but in terms of how much you can store and how limitless the memory is, it’s crazy to think about.
Anthony: I have an interview on the podcast with Phil Chambers who is chief arbiter of the World Memory Championships …
Nelson: Sure, yeah.
Anthony: He said that they’re working on an app (I guess it would be) that’s going to be able to show the cards faster than the human hands can move, which it sounds like you already have some version of that if you’re doing a digital read of the cards in your competitions.
Nelson: Yeah, I mean that’s what that would be, right. It’s a digital version that you could just click through. There another couple of training sites online that people use, and when we talk about personal bests, who has been able to do this a lot of them are doing faster times on the digital format because you don’t have to like thumb through the deck. You’re just moving an arrow, clicking an arrow to go to the right and you can go a lot faster.
Anthony: I think what he was talking about is that they would set a speed so you would not have any manual control over when or for how long the cards were displayed. Do you think you would be able to handle someone else controlling or an automatic process controlling the duration of the exposure?
It’s All A Matter Of Training
Nelson: It’s all a matter of training. If you tell me you’re going to show me a deck of cards, one every quarter second, okay, I’m going to train that. Maybe I can’t do it immediately. Maybe I’ll train with – well I can do it in about 30 seconds, so maybe that’s approaching a half second per card. I would start there and cut it down.
When you put these boundaries and these limitations is when people suddenly improve. You see somebody run the 4minute mile for the first time and then suddenly you can do it as well because it’s possible or it’s a barrier and now people have something to work towards. I don’t think it’s too hard unless you just don’t practice.
That’s it. I do a lot of cross training and some of these guys that end up winning, there’s a guy named Rich who won four times in a row. I mean these guys just work day in and day out lifting, working out crazy. I love watching videos of him just how he trains and his mentality through it. I think that’s the only way to get better is practice with anything, honestly and that’s the biggest thing with memory.
People think it’s a natural thing or I have some talent for it naturally. Honestly, I don’t think so. I think it’s training. Yeah, maybe some people need less training to get to where I am or to get even better than me. If you train and you are gung ho and so motivated to do a certain thing, you can do anything.
Anthony: Do you have a favorite quote?
Nelson: Favorite quote? Yeah, I think every year before the memory championship I always Tweet and stuff. Let me see if I can say it right. It’s dumb, it’s so dumb, but it’s from, what movie is that? It’s one of those movies that came out in the 1990s. It’s a spoof.
Anyways, this guy is going out on the football field and he’s kind of down on himself. He doesn’t believe in himself, whatever. He sits on the bench and Mr. T comes up to him who is this high school janitor and he says before he goes out, he like “Believe in the ball and throw yourself.” Which you hear it and it’s like he’s just saying it backwards.
https://youtu.be/af_J2e4r328
The guy looks at him kind of confused, but I always loved that because it’s kind of true. I think usually you’re supposed to say believe in yourself and throw the ball, or whatever it is, and that’s how you succeed. I think when you want to succeed you’ve got to train a lot. You’ve got to practice properly. You’ve got to really make this your life if you really want to achieve it.
When it comes down to performing in a competition, it’s not about believing in yourself, it’s believing in the thing that you know instinctively. You just believe in the ball and you just throw yourself into it. That’s what I was saying before. When I memorize and I get a really good time, it’s when I thought or memorized the least. It’s like I didn’t even feel like I was memorizing. It was just so natural. That’s what you strive for through your training. That you’ve done it so many times that it’s just a matter of throwing yourself out there and doing what you know.
Anthony: Something really interesting came up when you were searching in your mind for the quote and even the movie that it came from, and I was interviewed myself last night and there’s slips of the mind that come. Well, it some book I read at some time at some point, but people seem to expect that people using mnemonics wouldn’t have these same lapses.
There’s No Such Thing As A Bullet Proof Memory Champ
Do you ever prepare yourself for social situations? Like I presented about language learning and memory techniques at the polyglot conference in Berlin, and I went there prepared because I knew people were going to come up to me and give me some crazy phrase and I would be put on the spot. Of course, I want to demonstrate the validity of these techniques so I was really on the ball. It was successful the whole weekend, but there’s this pressure of performance. Do you ever have that or people throw you curve balls to see where you’re at? They somehow like in an example where you can’t quite recall the name of movie they say come on. What’s your experience with that kind of stuff?
Nelson: Yeah, over the years I’ve been caught off guard and kind of made a fool of. I’m not a tape recorder. A lot of these things and you can attest to this, is you’ve got to turn it off. It’s to me a memorizing machine. You’ve got to be actively doing it. Sometimes I just don’t want to do it. I’m tired and don’t want to focus and pay attention. I just want to veg out. When I have these talks I have to be on because I want to practice what I preach and I have little tricks that help me.
You know people catch me off guard. Most of all it’s just I turn it off. I really focus on being on point. If somebody comes up where they’re like hey what was your favorite movie and I’m like oh the one with the memory and I can’t remember. It’s just I feel like a situation like that kinds of make me seem human and normal which is what people want to see as well. It’s nice to see someone who seems superhuman, but on some level if there’s too much of that then you almost feel like I can’t do that. I think that’s actually maybe good to motivate someone. It’s like okay. I can do that. It doesn’t seem like he’s 100 percent but it’s still very impressive.
Anthony: Speaking about that, a lot of people they doubt themselves, they doubt that it’s possible for them. What do you think is just one little thing that a person could do that would give them a quick victory so they have a taste of what’s possible?
Two Ways To Turn Your Memory On And Keep It Humming
Nelson: I’ll give you two things. The first one is pay attention. It’s the most elementary thing of course but if I’m telling you that most of memory is paying attention, and you go out and say you have a meeting or a party you’re going to, and you tell yourself I’m going to pay attention and remember ten people’s names.
That’s my goal. Make it a game or something. You will. You will just from the fact that you’re telling yourself to do that. You’re wired, you’re turning it on to complete that particular task. You will perform 100 times better than if you just hoped to remember people’s names and you didn’t really think about it.
The second thing is the Memory Palace. Think of your house. It’s a quick thing. Think of your house. Start at your front door and whenever you want to memorize a list of things just picture each item along a path of your house. Then when you want to recall it, you just imagine yourself through that house and like you said, you can’t forget how to get from your front door to your bedroom or whatever. You will remember what was there. It’s surprisingly simple and surprisingly powerful as well.
Anthony: What’s the one question you wish that someone would ask you about memory that no one ever seems to narrow in on?
Nelson: Oh, that’s good. Another question that people should stop asking me and that’s do you play in Vegas? I don’t. I don’t think it would be much of a help to have a good memory there. What’s the one that I hope they would ask me is when can we start training?
Anthony: Very good. This has been a wonderful experience getting to speak with you and I know the people who listen to this podcast are going to love it and find it very inspiring. How can people who want to learn more about you, about Climb for Memory, about the Extreme Memory Challenge and your upcoming book, how can they find you online and get in touch with you and maybe there will be some people who love to ask you about hiring your help as a personal trainer.
Nelson: Yeah, the easiest way is to Climb for Memory. You can contact me through there. There’s a lot of information on there about memory and my climbs and stuff like that. Then I have my YouTube channel where there are a lot of videos of my climbs and little snippets of memory talks that I’ve done. There’s a lot if you just Google memory. You can throw my name in there too if you want to look at something specifically for me. Otherwise, there’s a lot of memory resources out there these days, there’s no shortage of it.
The Five-Fold Path To Memory Improvement
Sep 03, 2015
Wouldn’t it be great if you could experience memory improvement …
… almost on auto-pilot?
Here’s the good news:
Even if you don’t use elaborate memory techniques and mnemonics, the following 5 ways will help you improve your memory almost without effort.
They’re all based on the techniques and strategies I used to help completely my PhD at York University in Toronto, pass language exams, teach around the world and learn all about memory.
Ready for some of my best strategies for improving your memory on that basis?
Let’s dive in!
1. When Darkness Falls …
Go to sleep with the sun.
Seriously. What have you got to do after dark anyway?
Netflix? How boring.
Drinking in bars? How destructive to your memory!
(I know because I’ve learned some hard lessons around that. Learn more about how perspective memory helped me remove alcohol from my life.)
Playing Scrabble? Well … okay. That’s at least halfway good for your brain.
But the reality is that we’re killing our memory by stating up late and waking up early.
And when you kill your memory, you murder something else too: Your intelligence
As with all acts of murder, you will get caught and you will be sentenced to life in the prison of stupidity and forgetfulness.
Mark my word.
Next to getting more sleep, it’s essential to …
2. Keep Your Brain Moist As The Soil Of A Mighty Rain Forest
That’s a fancy way of saying, drink lots of water.
All too often we forget to imbibe the world’s mightiest drink.
Oddly enough, some people don’t even like it. This strange, but true fact is responsible for forgetfulness around the world.
But it doesn’t have to be you.
And if for any reason you struggle to remember to drink deep from the tap in your kitchen, the solution is simple enough.
You can create a visual mnemonic by placing a big fat bottle of water on your desk. Or you can print out a picture of a bottle of water and stick it on the wall or window directly behind your computer. This is a great way to start establishing a memory that leads to positive habit change.
In addition to this …
Use Every Bit Of Technology You’ve Got To Remind You
Smart phones …
Dumb phones …
Computer calendars …
All of these of these come equipped with programmable alerts. Most of them can be set to repeat every hour on autopilot.
It’s easy enough to ignore these alerts, however, so it helps to get theatrical. Instead of “drink water,” program in something like:
Drink Water Or Else All The Cats On YouTube Will Suffer One Thousand And Seven Deaths!
If that doesn’t get your attention, I’m not sure what else will!
3. Funnel Words Into Your Mind Like The Wind Shapes The Desert
One of the beautiful things about living in Berlin is that they still have bookstores all over the place. Not only that, but you still see people reading books too.
Reading in general helps improve your memory because you hold the details of a story in your memory over an extended period of time. You also retain and maintain details about characters, objects and locations.
But you can also deliberately memorize elements of the books read by using memory techniques. For example, instead of relying on bookmarks or dog-earing pages, you can memorize the number of the last page you read before pausing. This provides you with delightful memory exercise.
Speaking of which …
4. Get Your Butt Into Gear
Exercise is one of the best ways to improve your memory. It sends oxygen rich blood to your brain and brings fitness to your entire body.
Awesome, right?
You can also use your exercise time to reminisce over the books you’ve been reading. If you’re not a reader, you can play movies you’ve seen beginning to end in your mind (link to breaking bad movie post).
And if you use Memory Palaces (you do use Memory Palaces, don’t you?), then what better time to practice Recall Rehearsal than when you’re out and about, huffing and puffing and sweating up a storm?
Exercise also improves your mood, and when you use memory techniques, your mood improves even more. Nothing feels better than combining jogger’s high (wiki link) with the edification of recalling foreign language vocabulary. Or mathematical equations, song lyrics, professional terminology, or whatever else wets your whistle.
5. Stop Rolling Like A Stone And Gather A Bit Of Moss For Once In Your Life
Meditation makes everything in life better, including your memory.
The problem is … most people have been misled by weird definitions.
For example, many people think that they’re supposed to sit like a stone. And like a stone, they’re not supposed to have thoughts.
No, dear Memorizers. No, no and a thousand times no.
Don’t “try” to do anything. Just sit there on the floor. Let your mind wander. Be mindless as you sit and float around in fantasies about the future, alternate versions of the present and strange wishes about an alternate version of the past.
Maybe not the first time, but eventually you’ll wake up from the mindless fantasies that have your mind the vice of your grip. It’ll go something like this. When you’re sitting there, all of a sudden you’ll say …
Holy Moley! I’ve Been Sitting Here On The Floor Lost In Thought And Didn’t Even Realize It!
Nothing will prepare you for the enlightenment that follows. It might not last for long, but the edification you feel will stay with you and bring a completely new shape to the contours of your day.
Not only that, but the experience will be hard to forget. And then the more you meditate, the more you’ll remember that you’re seated on the floor, sitting just to sit. Your periods of mindfulness will lengthen and you’ll take these levels of awareness deeper and longer into your days.
And the more mindful you are throughout the day, the more you’ll pay attention. And the more attention you pay, the more naturally and effortlessly you’ll remember the events and facts you experience as you go through life.
How To Be A Memory Scientist In The Laboratory Of Your Mind
You’ve now had just a taste of some of the ways you can increase your memory by barely lifting anything heavier than a book or a bottle of water. In the case of sleeping more and practicing meditation, you don’t have to lift anything at all.
Go ahead and give these few simple techniques a try. Rest assured, they’re all validated in the memory science.
In addition, keep a memory journal as you experiment so you can analyze the results. By measuring what you’re doing and when you’re doing it, you can create a picture of your daily life and how your memory serves you throughout.
And analyze every Memory Palace you create. By taking time to go through them, you’ll deepen your familiarity with each and every one. Memory Palace work, even without memorizing anything, is great mental exercise. This practice will help you focus your mind tremendously.
But …
The Easiest Way To Experience Massive Memory Improvement Is …
… do daily memory drills. An easy and compact way to do this involves a tiny set of objects known as playing cards. All you need to do is mix them up and use the Magnetic Memory Method to memorize them in ever knew arrays of random order.
And if you want to learn how to do that, then I invite you to join the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass. But start by grabbing my Free Memory Improvement Kit in order to make sure that the Masterclass really is something for you.
If the Masterclass is something for you, then I want you to join it.
If the Masterclass isn’t something for you, then I don’t want you to join it.
Nothing could be simpler than that, dear Memorizer.
And so until we touch base again, never forget to keep yourself well-rested, well-hydrated, well-read, fit and fully meditated. Oh, and of course, always …
Always …
Always keep yourself Magnetic.
Beginner’s Guide To Overcoming The Ugly Sister Effect
Aug 28, 2015
The ugly sister effect explains so many things when it comes to the memory blocks we all face.
True, the scientists who came up with the term probably regret it now.
After all, it can sound a bit insensitive if you don’t know why they chose the term or what memory problem goes with it.
Unfortunately, there’s no brief and direct way to describe this effect, which is why I’ve written up a complete explanation on this page.
I believe it’s worth a read, especially if you want to either speak more fluidly or become a memory athlete. I’m sure glad I knew about this problem and had handled it when lecturing at university and giving my TEDx Talk.
So, are you ready for a deep dive into how to remove memory blocks and stop competing thoughts from messing you up while speaking?
Let’s dive in!
What Is The Ugly Sister Effect?
The Ugly Sister Effect gets its name from the Cinderella fairy tale. In many versions of the story, every time Prince Charming tries to get hold of Cinderella for a smooching session (and perhaps a little more), her ugly sisters crowd in front of her.
Not very cool of those ugly sisters, is it?
Well, when you’re trying to remember something, competing thoughts sometimes crowd into your mind. It’s like many other memories are competing for attention – like the ugly sisters in Cindarella.
Some people use a different name for this effect: tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon. However, I don’t believe that’s quite correct.
The retrieval of target information can be blocked by the related information—a situation referred to as an “ugly sister effect.”
This definition is the key: the memory blocks occur due to the relatedness of the information.
In other words, ugly sisters or unwanted information come to mind when you’re trying to remember a specific piece of information.
It’s not at all the case that the right answer is really on the tip of your tongue (unless you’re experiencing what scientists call a “mind pop“). It’s that many other answers are competing for your attention.
I experience this sometimes when searching for the name of an actor or musician. All kinds of people come to mind, just not the one I want.
How To Handle The Ugly Sister Effect
The first thing is to realize that experiencing this effect is perfectly normal. You could certainly get checked out by a doctor to rule out any issues, but chances are you’ll experience it many times in your life.
To the best of my knowledge, the effect was named by Reason and Lucas in a 1984 contribution related to journaling. The named it in an essay called “Using cognitive diaries to investigate naturally occurring memory blocks.” You can find it in a book called Everyday memory errors, actions, and absentmindedness.
When it comes to a method for dealing with it, here are some steps I recommend that you follow.
One: Don’t Make A Big Deal Out Of It
When I get blocked, I immediately relax.
I’ve found that by turning my attention to my breath and physical state, it helps the memory I’m searching for arise on its own.
A simple technique you can try comes from the world of concentration meditation. Put your thumb and forefinger together as you breath and bring your awareness to your entire body from your head to toes.
Two: Run The Alphabet
More often than not, changing the focus to your body for a few seconds, will pop the information into your mind.
When that doesn’t work, I start by reciting the alphabet from A-Z.
Although this technique is not bullet-proof, I’d say it works about 50% of the time.
The problem is that, unlike turning your attention away from seeking the target information, in this case, you’re chasing after it.
But if you’ve relaxed yourself first and aren’t needy, you’ll probably be okay.
In case you’re wondering why running through the alphabet makes sense scientifically, it’s because you’re trying to find and trigger context-dependent cues. If the word or name you’re looking for starts with C, there’s a good chance that thinking of this letter will help you remember the information.
Three: Avoid Re-Using Memory Palaces
Sometimes mnemonists bring problems like the Ugly Sister Effect onto themselves.
The problem is that reusing Memory Palaces creates what some memory champions call “ghosting.” I prefer to call it “Magnetic fossilization,” but the point remains the same. You run into Ugly Sisters that compete with the information you’re trying to recall because the ground has been laid for them to do so.
Don’t get me wrong. It is possible to re-use any Memory Palace. Especially when you use the tips covered in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umt-innA-u8
My point is simply that you can eliminate the issue altogether by simply not reusing Memory Palaces.
Four: Use Memory Strategies From Day One
Although nothing is perfect, you can recall information much more fluidly if you memorize it optimally in the first place.
And many other strategies to keep my memory well-exercised. The important point here is to use not only a variety of techniques. But to use them consistently.
Five: Clean Up Your Memories
In some versions of the Cinderella story, the heroine gets down on her hands and knees to scrub the floor.
We can take a cue from that image to help keep our memories straight.
The same way you can use your imagination to create Memory Palaces based on real or imagined locations, you can imagine yourself with Pine-Sol or Mr. Clean and a mop. See yourself doing the work of getting your Memory Palaces fresh and clean for new uses.
Even the best memory athlete in the world still needs to practice. Even Harry Kahne, the multiple mentalist practiced frequently.
There’s no turnkey, set-and-forget engine that keeps running once you learn and use memory techniques as part of your daily life.
No. What you’re doing is learning to play your memory like a musical instrument.
If you’d like help practicing your memory in the best possible way, get my free course:
It gives you four video tutorials and three PDF worksheets.
The more you work with the techniques, the better you’ll be at avoiding memory blocks.
Rest assured, everything I teach has been validated in the memory science.
And now that you know what the Ugly Sister Effect is, you’re in a position to avoid it.
As a result, you’ll remember many more things correctly and enjoy greater professionalism and confidence as a result.
Now that’s what I call a win-win!
How To Develop Superhuman Memory Skills Quickly
Aug 13, 2015
To celebrate the release of a course I put together with Jonathan Levi called, Branding You™: How To Build A Multimedia Internet Empire, we’re re-releasing an interview I gave on his Becoming a Superhuman podcast. So when you’re ready, hit play and learn …
How To Outsmart Forgetfulness Forever With Superhuman Memory Skills!
Jonathan: Hello Ladies and Gentleman, and welcome to the Becoming Superhuman Podcast. I am your host Jonathan Levi. For those of you who don’t know, I teach a course on a web platform called Udemy, which is one of the world’s largest online course platforms. It is through that platform and through that platform and through being an instructor that I met my guest today.
Dr. Anthony Metivier is an experienced author, consultant and an expert in the field of memory and learning. Dr. Anthony is a fellow instructor on Udemy and he’s been a friend of mine since I originally appeared on his highly rated podcast, the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
Anthony’s innovations in the field of mnemonics helped him teach people all over the world to exceed in academics, learning languages, memorizing poetry and a whole host of other amazing skills.
This podcast goes into a lot of different topics and Anthony and I cover a lot of ground from different mnemonics and memorialization techniques all the way to meditation. So now I am very excited to introduce you to Dr. Anthony Metivier.
So Anthony, good evening, welcome to the show. Thank you so much for making the time. I had so much fun with you on your podcast, the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast. It was one of the things that actually inspired me to do this show, and I want to thank you for that, and I thought it would be really fun to have you as one of our first guests. So welcome.
Anthony: Well thank you for having and I know my audience of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast really responded well to your interview, and I know it sent some people to your course so it was fantastic.
Jonathan: It did and thank you for that. It was such a blast and I think the audience picked up on that. You and I kind of having this mind meld, and we had a really good time and I’m sure we’re going to have a great time on this podcast as well.
Anthony: Yeah, absolutely. I think people really respond to it too because it’s not really coming from MENSA or championship stuff, and nothing wrong with that, but it is more down to earth and real application to our studies and so forth from people who use it for those purposes.
Jonathan: Definitely. Actually you have been involved in memory and accelerated learning for a long time. Before I was and also before it became kind of a really trendy topic. Maybe share with our audience the story of how you got into this field.
Anthony: Well it was just happenstance and a very lucky one because I had been in graduate school in Toronto at York University and these hard Toronto winters and something wrong with my biology sent me into a real bad depression. I couldn’t think and I couldn’t concentrate. I had the weight of all these exams on my shoulders for my doctoral exams. For people who aren’t in a PhD program now or have been, then they would know that there is these committees you have to go and sit in front of and they grill you over hundreds and hundreds of books that you are supposed to have covered, and I could hardly get out of bed. So it was just a crazy time.
To avoid life, to avoid facing all of this and to avoid the horrid pain of cracking another book of obscure French philosophy with terms like architectonic tautology and just things that rattle your brain, I was starting to play with cards and magic tricks. I could focus on that. I could watch these videos. I didn’t have to read a book or anything like that. You don’t get far in the world card magic without coming across one of the holy grails which is a memorized deck and most people to some kind of trick. It’s not really memorized but there is another class of people who actually memorize the deck. There is a whole bunch of different techniques.
I thought no way this is crazy I thought I would never be able to do this because I can’t even read. I couldn’t even read Harry Potter which is one of the books I had to read for a course where I was a teacher’s assistant and barely able to get out of bed for that. I apologize to all of those students that I misdirected with showing up to class unprepared for Harry Potter. In any case, I tried it and it was incredible. It is like a light saber through all that fog and all the inability to concentrate.
That is what really hooked me on memory techniques. It is irrelevant how bad you feel. It is irrelevant how tight you are. It is irrelevant how hungry you are. You can actually just go to this place in your mind and these images that you have created and they are bulletproof so long as you’ve created them correctly. That was real miraculous for me.
I kept using them and studying and I have done hundreds of hours of research, thousands of hours really of application and figuring out the best ways that work. Then through a series of mysterious and unusual circumstances I wound up teaching them at a school and I wrote them down for the students. That wound up becoming a series of books and video courses. That is how I got there.
Jonathan: Amazing, and I assume things kind of turned around in the PhD program once you kind of learned how to use and learn how to process all of that material.
Anthony: Yes, it got kind of ridiculous because then I was saying things like, “Oh, and by the way that’s on page 19.”
I think for everybody who gets into this stuff there is always a little bit of a showing off period. Nonetheless, it was incredible because I would go to these things and just be able to recall all this information and really crazy stuff. It is a funny story, but when I finally got to my dissertation defense, they call in a person from outside the University and outside the country if possible and he is called the external-external or she is called the external-external which means they are external to the program and external to the university.
Anyway he came and they were grilling me really hard and they asked some tough questions and there was someone who even wanted to fail me and I knew she wanted to fail me really badly. At the end he said, “You know, you are cooler then Miles Davis. You hardly blinked during this whole thing and all the stress that these people were putting on you.” I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t even really know that much about Miles Davis, but I just thought, “It was memory, man, that’s all it is.” There’s nothing to be nervous about it all.
Jonathan: Amazing, and actually your Magnetic Memory Method rubbed off on me quite a bit. You were one of the people who convinced me to start using these kind of techniques, the spatial awareness techniques to put it into my course and to use it in my own daily life, but maybe our listeners don’t know about the Magnetic Memory Method. They might not be familiar with mnemonics and you and I are telling these awesome stories about them. Maybe we can explain what the Magnetic Memory Method is and explain a little bit about how it works.
Anthony: There is a lot to it and I don’t want anybody to feel cheated if I kind of gloss over certain things but it brings together a whole bunch of elements. The core of it is to actually use locations religiously and make the Memory Palace the foundation of all this.
Because there are so many memory techniques is there are stairs to heaven (in the Led Zeppelin song) there is just so many. A lot of them just involve just making mental associations and pictures and they are just floating around in the void of your mind. That never worked for me very well.
What always worked very well was combining the basics of memory techniques which are creating exaggerated images and then locating them somewhere so that they could be found and you essentially increase your chances the more that you combine location with these exaggerated images.
But then I started to go farther. I thought what if we study this information in a particular way and break it down into components so that you could link sounds with parts of words and create images that are very, very integrally linked to those images and those actions that the images make. Then they are in those locations and make it more and more powerful and it got to like Jedi levels of thinking about this and actually implementing it and applying it.
It is a bit involved to learn and it sounds almost insane, but for the people who use it, they get such amazing results. It is incredible and I have just been super pleased that it wasn’t just something in my head but something that other people could use. But there is definitely a formula to it and there is a recipe to it.
I specifically call it a method rather than a system because there is a need for people to adapt it to their own learning style in their own ways of going about things in their own homes in their own buildings that they are familiar with. So there is universal principles that structure it, but there is a methodology that you need to adapt.
It is kind of like the difference between kung fu or karate and wrestling. You have forms in karate and you have certain if-then, this-that kind of interactions with your enemy. But wrestling is more flexible and wrapping yourself around and innovating on the fly and there is not as many rules as such but there is universal principles. Just so that you could flop around like a fish when you need to and get the job done.
Jonathan: Definitely. I am actually dying of curiosity. How many Memory Palaces do you have? Can you quantify them are you in the hundreds or?
Anthony: Yes there is now 183 actually. Last June was 175 and I added to that since then for some various experiments but there is a go to amount as well. I mean I build some that actually never get used but the actual building of Memory Palaces is an important activity in and of itself even if you don’t use them because it just strengthens every other one you have. It strengthens your understanding of how they work and what you can do with them and it’s just a great way of preparing yourself. It’s like having extra bullets in your gun belt.
Jonathan: Of course. So you are kind of walking around your city or cities that you visit and exploring buildings with that purpose?
Anthony: Yes, a lot of people ask me, you have this idea that we should be having dozens of Memory Palaces. Where are we going to find them all? I always just think, on my street there are still places that I haven’t explored. There is like a clinic I could go into that I’ve never gone into. So if push came to shove there is one, and that’s not to mention the dozens of buildings on the streets around me that I have never really gotten exploited. Every time I travel and make special note of the hotels that I stay in because they are all perfect for their own little tiny Memory Palaces admittedly but they can be quite useful. There is another good reason to use Memory Palaces that you build from travel and that is because when we’re in novel locations or new locations we’ve never been to the brain secrete something called norepinephrine that makes things a lot more memorable when we have this chemical rolling around in our brain which tends to happen when we are traveling. Those can become super powerful Memory Palaces if you choose to focus on them in that way.
Jonathan: Incredible, plus the benefit of remembering more of your vacation and that’s a huge benefit.
Anthony: Yes, it kind of goes along with that feeling where you feel that you can really remember your first time in the city when you first arrived there. Those first couple of days can be very impactful and that has a lot to do with that chemical.
Jonathan: Incredible. On of the important steps for me when I kind of became what I call a SuperLearner was to understand the differences between working memory, short-term memory and long-term memory. Now that we understand a little bit about how your method works can you give us an idea of how you managed to create memories that stick not just in your short-term memory, a month or two until you deliver your thesis, but also for years and years and years?
Anthony: That is really quite simple. There is different theories and all kinds of things and one of the guys who had theories that are half-correct and half-tested and debunked and still very interesting one way or another is a guy named Hermann Ebbinghaus.
Ebbinghaus had these ideas like the forgetting curve and he basically suggested there is something called the primacy effect which is that if you were giving a list of words he would remember the first second and third words very well and then maybe the last three and four words very well but in the middle there would be this decay.
I thought about that a lot and tested it and it seems pretty well correct, but I thought there has got to be a way to hack this. So if you had a Memory Palace for example and there were 15 stations you would experience that primacy effect. The way to hack it is to actually go forward through the Memory Palace, go back through the Memory Palace, start in the middle of the Memory Palace go back to the front, and start the middle and go to the end, and the leapfrog over all the stations. You do this about 5 times a day or for a few days.
I mean it sounds kind of weird to be doing this, but how many times you go to the washroom and you could do this with a list of really important information. I mean that is just to be bulletproof. You can do a lot less but that’s just kind the bulletproof thing if it really counts that you have this information.
It is kind of like being a spaced repetition software machine organically and not relying on external technology to do the repetition for you, but deciding what your list is or what kinds of information you are memorizing and actually visiting it intentionally and that is what is going to get it into long-term memory.
Dominic O’Brien has a rule of five but I think the rule of five is not enough. It should be a little more rigorous like five times a day for five days and then after that, once a week for maybe five weeks and something like that and then you are really going to get it into long-term memory.
Jonathan: Wow. So I know you have some very successful book for learning languages and poetry and again, you have been providing me mentorship and guidance in publishing my own book, but what are some other applications that your students use the Magnetic Memory Method for with success?
Anthony: Oh there is so much. For instance, programming languages. I know that is basically language, but the application is quite different in the sense that those are pretty obscure codes and whatnot. Then there is mathematical formulas and just practical things with numbers.
A lot of people couldn’t tell you what their credit card number is for example and that is an incredibly useful thing to know actually. The amount of time you can spend looking for your wallet and digging it out and going back to the computer and typing it out and getting it wrong, you know you can really change your life just by having your credit card number and the amount of time you spend. Yes, there is all kinds of things.
There are people who have used some of the techniques that I teach in my Names and Faces course to memorize or get a better sense of locations that they had visited so that they can actually go and paint them. That is been an interesting thing that I hadn’t heard of before.
Then there is just the general boost in the critical and creative thinking that. People experience because of how the this opens them up to different ways of using their mind and their creative intelligence. So it spills out all over the place.
Jonathan: Definitely. Actually, that raises another question especially talking about creativity and I know some people think creativity is innate. Others understand that it is very largely trained, but my question would be can anyone do this? You know I have some strong opinions on it considering I also teach accelerated learning, but I’m curious to hear whether you have seen a difference in some sort of innate ability and all the students you have worked with or do some people just generally have a better memory out-of-the-box?
Anthony: I don’t know if anybody has a better memory out-of-the-box, but there seems to be that phenomenon, there seems to be that feeling. I find that when you ask people who just have a “natural memory” they usually describe the process that is very close to what happens in mnemonics. They sort of do it anyway without having to train.
It isn’t really the case that anybody has some special edge on other people. Because, the people who win all the memory championships, they are as dull as doorknobs without those techniques. They are all great people but they will always be the first person to admit that I couldn’t do this without those techniques I’m just a plumber or whatever they may be.
There is nothing particularly innate, but there is one kind of criteria I believe and that is actually wanting to achieve the outcome, and it seems being interested in doing the work and getting a kind of kick out of it. Because if you’re not having fun, then I don’t think all of the cheerleading in the world is going to get you over the hump of doing something that makes you miserable. I don’t understand why it would make anyone miserable, but some people just don’t have fun with it, and I have to accept that. I’ve done all kinds of clowning around and jokes and fun and games and there are still people who don’t enjoy doing it. I think that that’s really the great divide is having fun are not having fun. That applies to just about anything.
Jonathan: Definitely. One of the things that we added to our course was an explanation of Malcolm Knowles’ work. This guy in the 1950s basically figured out that there are six requirements for information to get in and stay in for an adult learner and one of them is do they enjoy the material and do they have a practical application. Which is to say, you know kids, a lot of kids at a younger age will learn because they are told they have to. With adults it just doesn’t work that way. You need to know why you are learning it. You need to feel respected. You need to be able to tie to your day-to-day life and understand how you are going to use it or it’s just not going to happen.
https://youtu.be/U4iMFu4CnLQ
Anthony: I think that there is two real things that this reminds me of with adults and not having fun with the memory techniques is because they don’t always completely understand why thinking about crazy monkeys cutting cheese off of the Statute of Liberty is going to help them remember something. They also often feel very compressed and restricted, and they don’t allow their imaginations to produce that kind of imagery. So they can be quite conservative and that is another sort of issue, but if they allow themselves to relax and have fun, then I think that they will find that their imaginations are much more equipped to create the kind of zany images that become memorable that allow you to encode information in order to have this kind of fun.
Jonathan: Right.
Anthony: It’s not that they aren’t fun it is just that there are a lot of barriers to finding them is fun.
Jonathan: I think, honestly, your method added a lot of fun. You and I talked about it a little bit when I was a guest on your podcast and it kind of influenced me. Since then, first off, I have a lot more fun. I am personally learning Russian right now which can be to put it lightly not very fun. But I’m having a lot of fun and I can learn usually about 20 new words in a 20 or 30-minute session. I use is really fun outrageous visual markers that you gave me.
For instance the Russian word for open is открытый. I think about myself with a migraine standing in front of a closed pharmacy just shaking my head in this absolute pain, or I can picture myself with a bullet wound, heaven forbid, and thinking the pharmacy ought to be open because it’s critical, right. So with открытый and that’s been really helpful. My question and I have a little bit of a personal motive on this, what about learning grammar? I am struggling quite a bit with Russian grammar, and I’m sure you’ve overcome this in the many languages you teach for your books.
Anthony: With the exception of English I haven’t produced anything specifically about memorizing grammar, but the principles are more or less the same. So basically if you had a Memory Palace you wanted to focus on some grammar, the first thing to do would be to figure out what grammar you want to focus on. So instead of being overwhelmed by the giant engines of grammar you just pick one. So for instance declensions of verbs or whatever, and then you start in one corner and you and you think about how that is declined for that particular piece of language and you follow that linearly.
In Spanish, for example, you have yo for I, and then you have tú for you, and then you have el or ella for he or she and you have all of these things. You put those in corners and then you add the next thing. You know what I’m saying? Like you add what the next word part is. So if you get to ellos which is the last of that list in Spanish then you would see a big sun. So that would be ellos sun. Or tú aires you would see a big statue of Aires in that location doing something really crazy.
Jonathan: How interesting.
Anthony: You know things like that. I am just going to my own Memory Palaces for that and then you go to the next set of principles and you go to the next set of principles and you just lay them out. In essence you make images to create the examples and you create kind of a crib sheet. Then what you do is go out ASAP once you got the stuff in your memory and you start writing sentences. You start speaking. You start listening to the language every day and to add that memorized material to a flow of other encounters. Because the more you include the memory techniques and the memorization process with reading, writing, speaking and listening then you create an ecosystem and things can get very fast after that.
Jonathan: Right, I definitely need to do that. I hadn’t thought of actually breaking down the connecting words and stuff like that. In Russian you have I think it is 18 different ways to say “this” which can be very challenging. So I need to start creating these visual images for each one of those different variants it sounds like.
Anthony: Yeah, I mean that’s what I would do and I would have them patterned out against Memory Palace and then do that exact thing, forwards and backwards, from the middle to the front, from the middle to the back and then a bit of leapfrogging from station to station like one, three, five, seven, or two, four, six, eight and you will really get a lot of speed and quickly wrap it into midterm and long-term memory acquisition, and, then again, reading, writing, speaking and listening. You can use all the memory techniques in the world but it is not going to lead to fluency without those other big four activities.
Why that I came up with this is because I am pretty good at those for other four activities. The only problem is I can’t remember anything. So it’s really been the magic bullet so to speak. I mean it is a magic bullet that takes effort to take it out of your gun belt and put it into the gun enroll the chamber and point it at the target and shoot the gun. That’s all effort and so forth, but once that bullet is spinning, I mean that’s as magical as it gets.
Jonathan: Right. I had kind of a little bit, kind of not argument but disagreement with my partners when we were building our course because I’m of the belief that people need to understand how it works and people should understand just a little bit of the neuroscience behind mnemonics and how do they work and why does your brain respond to this stuff. Do you think that that’s the case or do you think that it is something like with a good technology product where the confusion and the technicality should be hidden from the end-user?
Anthony: What I had the great honor to interview Harry Lorraine who people probably know that name. He’s really one of the kings of the memory-training world, and I asked him the same question. I said you talk in your books all the time about how people don’t care about the science they just want to know how it works. I tend to fall on that myself. Although I have had criticism from a podcast listener who said that I have deeply undercut my credibility because of how I dismiss science and the science of memory, but that is not technically true and it is also because I do kind of fall in that camp that if you’re interested in the science by all means go and study it, but it in and of itself is not the recipe to get results.
I mean there is no right answer to it but I know for myself when I am reading books and I start getting into memory books and they start explaining to me about why it all works and how it all works in the brain I just skip over it because one thing that is very important actually for people to know is that science is a process. It is in process everything that you read about science is going to be improved upon, it’s going to be changed but what is not going to be changed are the fundamental techniques of how memory skills work. They are ancient.
There are innovations that come now and again when somebody comes up with some things that other people can copy and use for themselves, they are pretty rare but they happen. In principle but universal techniques are not going to change. So again, I don’t mean to undercut science but I still fall in that camp that if you’re interested in it, there are loads of books about it, but if you want to get the results from memory techniques, the science isn’t going to change the fundamental techniques and they are not really going to give you some deep insight about how they work.
What is going to give you insight about how they work is learning them in using them and you are going to learn more from using them then you are about reading them. There is more to movement than meditation and reading about the science is a form of meditation rather than taking action.
Jonathan: Interesting. You mentioned that there are innovations every year in these techniques and I think that that is one of the interesting things. Also you mentioned that these are thousand-year-old techniques and both of those are topics that come up in Joshua Foer’s recent book, Moonwalking with Einstein. I think that is an interesting book because it has really brought to the mass public the techniques that you have been teaching for years or you know that the Greeks were using 2000 years ago. What do you think about the recent popularity of guys like Joshua Foer or Ed Cooke, some of these memory athletes who are winning champions and stuff like that?
Anthony: Well I think it’s fantastic. There is absolutely nothing to criticize although with Moonwalking with Einstein, if you go and read the reviews a lot of people are disappointed that he doesn’t actually teach the techniques. He sort of glosses over them but it is really a book of cultural history and this phenomenon of what is sort of an underworld. Not that many people know about memory championships and so forth. It is a really interesting book and it has brought a lot of attention to these ancient techniques.
Jonathan: They end up in the woods as that podcast often does, but it is really enjoyable how Ed kind of walks through and he tricks Tim into memorizing this list of really ridiculous stuff.
Anthony: That gets back to the thing about having fun. You’ve really got to trick yourself into doing it then you see how much fun it is and you get hooked and things really change for you. I think that really what it comes down to, a lot of these people, not Foer or Cooke in particular, but the whole world that has been around for a long time and is just growing and growing, is a lot of people use the word system and there are no systems. There are just methods that allow you to create your own system. I think things would be a lot easier for people if more of these big names in memory would make that clear. So that is really important.
I mean it has just been this kind of idea of it being a system since Giordano Bruno did his stuff in the 16th century. I don’t know if people are aware of him, but he had these really complicated books that he wrote for royalty, or at least so that they would fund the printing of the books, they are always dedicated to royalty, and he just created these massive systems but he just says use these instead of here’s the principles behind how I have used these for you can map your own learning style and your own interests in your own homes on top of them. So that is what a lot of these books have been about. They have been about how the other person used them but not extracting the methodology behind it and making that is clear as possible.
Jonathan: I think you are absolutely right. I think the actual nuts and bolts are much more obscure. I mean down to like the nitty-gritty things like what kind of loci or locations or anchor points are better than others? Am I supposed to be storing my memories on a bookshelf or can I put a couple of memories on the bed? It’s like to really nitty-gritty details of okay great, I have built my Memory Palace, how do I actually use this thing and what do I put in it and where?
Anthony: Basically that has been the core of my success because I go into all of that stuff in detail. I have written more than 1000 pages just with those specifics about can you use a bed, can you use under your bed, can you go underneath the sheets. I mean every possibility I’ve gone through one way or the other and yet at the same time hardly a month goes by when someone doesn’t email me with some new application that they are using that I never thought of before.
Jonathan: It’s interesting.
Anthony: It’s pretty crazy.
Jonathan: I’d actually be very fascinated, I assume our audience would be as well, can you walk me through may be one of the first sentences you learned in another language and tell me what words are where out of curiosity?
Anthony: Sentences in another language. Okay. That’s interesting because I actually don’t normally memorize sentences, just vocabulary, then because I know the grammar it’s not that I really memorize phrase. I’m focusing more on vocabulary so nothing leaps to mind, but I can give something in English because memorizing poetry is more where I would use that. I will explain exactly how it works.
There is a famous little book called the Iliad by some guy named Homer. This is a particular translation, this is Dryden’s translation, there are others that you will come across is what I’m about to say doesn’t quite match what you come across. It says, “Of Peleus’ son, Achilles, sing, O muse, / The vengeance, deep and deadly; whence to Greece / Unnumbered ills arose.” It’s not even the first sentence, but it’s the first major statement.
To do this I created a Memory Palace and actually I was memorizing it to demonstrate to a coaching client I had exactly how this could be done and I used her school, because she had the school, she still has school. I used the coffee room where coffee is made and then decide that there is a wall that has a painting and then there is an office that I sometimes worked in myself and then there was a classroom and that’s all that was needed for this particular thing. You want me to go through that and unpack that and how that works?
Jonathan: Sure, if you don’t mind. I find it very fascinating.
Anthony: Here is where I have to actually, because you don’t really need the training wheels after a while, but basically what I saw was Brad Pitt who played Achilles in the movie Troy, and he is kicking a pail. So “Of Peleus’ son, Achilles, sing, O muse.” He’s kicking the pail at the Statue of Liberty who is singing and she gets hit in the head by this pail which makes her feel vengeance, and she’s also at the same time digging in the dirt, “The vengeance, deep and deadly;” and throwing it at a map of Greece that has replaced this painting that’s on the wall in this school. So “whence to Greece” and then I’m standing at this office door wiping away numbers on the chalkboard. “Whence to Greece unnumbered ills arose.”
You might notice that I’m not accounting for every single word in that line but just enough. That’s an important question that a lot of people have. Do I have to have an image for every single word? And the answer is no. You just had need to have enough that you want to honor your mind and let it fill in the blanks. You say potato. I say potato. You can fill in the blanks and your mind has that kind of ability so you give it space. As beginners you might want to do word for word but it’s really just a simple image. Brad Pitt kicking a pail of Statue of Liberty who is digging in the earth throwing the dirt at a map and I’m wiping away numbers.
Jonathan: I noticed you compressed those symbols. We talk about this a little about this in my course create linkages between them. So it’s not a statue of Brad Pitt and then a statue of a pale but rather Brad Pitt kicking the pail and that’s in one location in your Memory Palace.
Anthony: The real secret to it is it is a vignette that is strung along a journey and it has space in it. A lot of people will try to do that same thing inside of a single room or inside of a single image as you are suggesting, but I think that the fluidity comes from giving it space and obviously the entire Iliad would require a lot more space than this one school would offer, but that’s just how it works and if you wanted to, then you could find all that space to do the entire Iliad and people do. It is not unusual actually. When you look into it there’s all kinds of people walking around with entire books in their head.
Jonathan: Well I think it’s interesting that you said “and people do” about the Iliad because people did and one of the things I found so fascinating about Foer’s book is he talks about some researchers who figured out that most of Homer’s works were written and reproduced for so many years with Memory Palaces. Just by the structure of the text they were able to figure out that you wouldn’t really write it this way unless someone was trying to convert it to a visual symbol, and the story would kind of double back on itself if it wasn’t being somewhere along the way someone crossed their own memory journey. I think it is so fascinating because these books are known for being huge volumes, very long works that were actually committed for thousands of years to memory.
Anthony: Well sure, there was only eating, drinking, going to war and memorizing. That’s all they had or reciting what they memorized.
Jonathan: It’s amazing as a species what we did before we had these tools that in a lot of ways help us but in a lot of ways, who even knows any of their friends phone numbers anymore much less credit card numbers or anything like that. When I was a kid I knew all of my friends’ phone numbers and then cell phones came out. So slowly but surely we have completely obliterated the skill of memory as a species and as a culture which is just a shame.
Anthony: Well, but at same time, what is so interesting to me is that it is at the same moment that we appear to be eradicating our memory through technology, that memory techniques have basically come into a Renaissance. It is almost like a tidal wave has built the ship that will save you from the storm.
Jonathan: Well also in Homer’s time, someone was very lucky to come across one, or two or three or ten such stories, the entirety of mythology and stuff like that was just about everything they were learning, whereas today I try to read two books a month and I try to read ten blog posts and articles a day. We don’t digest and redigest and reprocess the material. We are really going for breadth more than depth.
Anthony: That’s true. There was always a saying when I was a student that you are better off mastering one book than knowing 1000. To the extent, and that is a bit exaggerated, but there is that question that I often think about when I read certain things is so much of what I am reading is either ignorant of or grounded in things that I already know from having a more traditional training. That does come from knowing a few books really well rather than 1000 not so well at all, if you know what I mean.
Jonathan: Actually that raises another question, if I can kind of dig a little deeper into the Magnetic Memory Method. I think there is two ways to organize. Let’s say I do a lot of reading about programming and technology in general. I can organize it by here is a book that I read and every single book gets its own palace or I could be grouping, right. So any blog post that I read goes into a palace about Ruby on Rails if it happens to touch on that, just a just as an example. Do you group information book by book in its own palace or do you kind of take subjects and put them into their own palaces and many sources can feed one palace?
Anthony: Well it depends what is going on. When I was studying for my dissertation defense for example, I made Memory Palaces per philosopher. It wasn’t as if Jacques Derrida would mention ____ or vice versa that I would somehow have to have this big confusion of what I was going to do. It is they just independent based on who they were and that person.
Incidentally those Memory Palaces had what I call a bridging figure and is bridging figures would be those would be those philosophers and just sort of follow them around through their adventures and to be able to recall the stuff. But in terms of like branching out and having tunnels between this and that, I don’t deliberately build that because it builds itself anyway.
It becomes what I call rhizomatic which a lot of knowledge and education is taught in a top-down tree structure, so you go from the branches down to the truck and into the roots, but a rhizome is something that is more beneath the earth and spreads out laterally and can even pop up new bulbs in ways that don’t even seem connected to the original plant.
It can go up/down, left/right and center, diagonal and all kinds of different kinds of permutations can just pop out at anywhere, but I think that that is best produced by having kind of a grid that you don’t deliberately try to interweave too much other than you interweave it based on your understanding of the world around you using those buildings that you know to deliberately create well structured journeys and memorize stuff there and the actual connections will happen on their own.
Jonathan: That is super interesting. Have you ever made a list on pen and paper or on the computer of your hundred and 83 Memory Palaces and what they contain or is that complete blasphemy?
Anthony: Again, that depends on what the project is and it is not blasphemy it is insurance. It is actually the best thing to do because you are getting multiple modalities going at the same time. Basically, you asked me before about midterm and long-term memory and this is basically one really great way to use paper and pen or your computer in combination with these techniques.
Let’s say you’ve got a list of 50 words that you want to memorize and you have a 50-station Memory Palace and you actually have that Memory Palace in your mind and you have it as an Excel file. So 1 to 50 and it lists the station and it lists the words that you memorized and another column lists the meaning of the word (or one or two meanings, you don’t want to overburden it at first, you can go back and add later). Then the next column has the record of the image you created.
As you are going along making your associative imagery, you make a record of it you can do it with a pen on paper or you can do it with an Excel file and then you are going to go and remove yourself from that source material. No books, no dictionaries, no computer, nothing. Just you, a piece of paper and a writing device, pen or pencil. Then you reproduce everything from your mind and you go and check it against the record.
Jonathan: Wow!
Anthony: That’s the full-bore method. Again, you can do this the forward and back and from the middle to the end and all those different ways that I was talking about but do it on paper completely from your mind and you are achieving multiple things at the same time. You are deepening your knowledge of your Memory Palaces and your memory techniques. You are deepening your knowledge of what it is that you are studying.
You are deepening your ability to use imagination, imagery and actions and you are deepening your discipline to actually sit and be able to reproduce information from your mind and then you are rewarding yourself going back to that list and seeing, oh my goodness, this is 90 percent correct, 98 percent correct, 88 percent correct and it gives you the basis to make corrections and go back and say, well that man hitting a cat with toast is really not working. I have got to make that cat battle tighter or whatever and you can make corrections and that again makes you more imaginative and it gives you more exposure to what it is that you are trying to memorize. So it is just a completely different way of approaching information and working with information that is fun and exciting and more interesting than just trying to hammer it into your head with pure raw repetition.
Jonathan: I think you have inspired me. I’ve been working on Russian with the tips you gave me last time but I think I’m going to try to commit it to actual physical locations in a Memory Palace. The only issue is Pushkin, who the Russians love to admire, and they have this saying that “Pushkin is our everything.” Their language is what they are most proud of in their culture. The guy knew 50,000 words, which is why there is a lot rumors about him similar to there were about Shakespeare that there could not have been one person writing this work. So I am going to need to really start accumulating quite a bit of Memory Palaces. Maybe one for words that start with O and one for words that start with P and so on and so forth.
Anthony: A lot of people think I’m pretty crazy for suggesting that. But the benefit of doing that is you don’t have to learn 50,000 words because when you are using an alphabetized Memory Palace system you are actually studying how those language works in a much more detailed way to the point that you can just start guessing what words mean. You are not going to be right all the time but your familiarity with the structure of the words and how they are patterned out develops really in this rhizomatic that I was suggesting.
So you can read quite easily and you know we do it in our own mother tongue anyway. We read and go, “Oh, what does that word mean again or I never heard that word,” but you get the context and you just keep going or you make note of it and check it out later. I mean 50,000 words in Russian would be absolutely fantastic but whether it is a requirement to understand Pushkin I don’t know.
Jonathan: I would be happy with 10,000 words at this point. The words, like I said, are only a very small part of the challenge of such a complex language. You mentioned in the beginning of the podcast memorizing cards and I happen to pick up as I was doing my research for this podcast, you actually just released a new course on Udemy on memorizing cards. Tell me about that. I’ve never actually had the motivation to do it myself. I know how it’s done and some of the latest techniques in compressing but explain why someone would want to learn that skill, and why it might appeal.
Anthony: There are lots of reasons why. It is one of those things, again, where it just sounds absolutely crazy. Why would anybody want to do this?
Jonathan: Unless they are going to Vegas, in which case you know if you can memorize four decks of cards in order you might be in pretty good shape.
Anthony: You would certainly give yourself a small advantage, you know like maybe a 1 to 2 percent advantage but especially if you can do number calculation system as well like with blackjack. I just gave that example from the Iliad and I talked about having space in between things. One thing that makes my card memory a method rather than a system is unique is it teaches you to create that space between things.
It is not necessarily the fastest way to memorize cards and I don’t teach it as a speed drill as such, although you will get faster. I teach it as a creativity drill and getting better at using locations in combination with images. So if you are interested in memory techniques, that is one thing that it will help you do. You can apply these card drills to everything else you want to memorize and it is something you can do for 5 minutes before you memorize foreign language vocabulary just to get the mind warm.
There is other benefits also just in terms of being something you can carry around with you to practice and you can get apps for it as well. You are just studying how your mind is working. You are thinking about your creative imagination. . You are applying your creative imagination and there is also so something to the repetitiveness of it. So it is kind of like running where you get to a jogger’s high. You train yourself to feel that and you can apply that feeling to other things.
Jonathan: Fascinating. So it’s a very good way to practice the entire methodology in a standardized way. Every deck of cards, you know, standardized deck of cards looks the same, has the same characters and so people all over the world I guess are practicing the skill and it is a great way to develop subsets of that skill that can then be applied to memorizing credit cards and phone numbers. Is that what kind of what you’re saying?
Anthony: Yes and the other thing that is neat about it is it is a real nice combination of concrete and abstract things. That is a really great thing to have mastery of especially if you’re going to learn foreign language vocabulary and grammar principles. You recognize it, you know what letters are, you know what sounds are, those are the concrete parts and yet what their meaning is completely abstract. So what is the meaning of seven of diamonds, nothing. But you learn to apply meaning to it because you create it through a process into an image and by taking things that are largely abstract and applying imagery to them you get very good very fast at applying that to anything else.
Jonathan: Right and any new piece of knowledge, especially with foreign languages for example, you start out with something like the 7 of hearts that means nothing right now and needs to soon mean something very real and tangible and memorable to you. So I can definitely see how learning to apply that would have huge repercussions, positive repercussions for anything you want to learn.
Anthony: The way I teach it is actually quite different than most people teach it. So definitely explore other things and if you do listen to that Ed Cooke interview and see some of his videos on YouTube he has a completely different way of doing it and mine is less arbitrary. So if you are into that kind of way that he approaches or the Dominic method of approaching it, that’s totally fine but there is a way that is much less arbitrary and based more snuggly on principles they can reduce some of that arbitrariness.
Jonathan: very cool. So I really enjoyed it. Actually the last time I listen to your podcast it happened to be in an episode where you shared a message that you had from a student who was really impacted by your methods and I found that (a) to be a really great thing to include in a podcast, but (B) super inspirational. Do you have any recent stories that you have gotten our recent messages that you might want to share about some student’s success?
Anthony: I mean almost every day something comes but there was a student who was really stressed out about the exams that he had coming up and it was actually really nice he had never even really bought anything yet but just sort of cobbled everything together from my podcasts and he thanked me and he said, “I got 98 percent on this test and it was just unbelievable.” Then he bought my Master Class (www.MagneticMemoryMethod.com) which is not on Udemy but its own separate thing and it was just kind of like this big thank you because of the results that he got from the Magnetic Memory Method.
Yes, there is people all around the world. I heard from a guy in Italy who is just super happy that he is making so much progress with the dictionary that he got. I suggested that he look at a particular kind of dictionary that he was able to find. It is just incredible. I heard from a law student today who is working on Latin and in order to get a better understanding of the law and he is doing really great. He is even teaching this approach at school now and the dean has invited him to give a presentation about it.
It is really just spreading like wildfire, this particular approach which is great. I am very happy that if it’s just even gets interest in memory techniques in and of itself. Because to me that is really the most important thing is that people just start to see the magic and the power of this and just do something because there is so much suffering in the world that has to do with memory and there is so much opportunity that is lost because people cannot achieve their goals without it, and that suffering is simply just not necessary.
Jonathan: Definitely. I also struggled a great deal through high school. To a larger extent, you know when a lot of the memory stuff was happening with when I was a lot younger. I just suffered and suffered through history class and through math class largely because of memory. There is no real teaching of this in academia which I just find mind-boggling. Nobody ever stopped and explained to me that I needed to create visual memories not until after college. I was lucky to run into someone like yourself who is an expert, and I tell the whole story kind of in my courses, but I just think what if I had never encountered this and I went through my entire life thinking that there was this huge barrier to learning. Today I am learning how to podcast, and I’m learning how to blog, and I’m learning all this different kind of stuff that it doesn’t faze me at all to approach a new language in my free time because learning has become this fun, friction-free process, and I just think what a shame that people think they have to suffer to learn.
Anthony: There are all kinds of theories about why schools exist in the first place. I don’t necessarily want to get into that. For anybody who is suffering with school, know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and you can start using these things now to make your school experience a whole lot more enjoyable if you are still somewhere in the middle of the road.
Jonathan: Definitely. I have also heard from a number of my students, if you are dealing in and at traditional academic setting where concessions are made for the fact that learning is very hard for people who do it wrong to be kind of not politically correct. Once you start using these kind of techniques, the kind that you and I both teach, it becomes like fishing with dynamite. At least 98 percent test results are pretty common among people who know how to apply the proper methods and I just think that is so much fun that you probably have students all over the world who are setting the curve and really angering their classmates and it is simple stuff that is accessible online and takes a little bit of training.
Anthony: I think that thing about angering their fellow classmates, one thing that I always try to do in just about every message that I send if you have learned something from this is pass it on because two things happen. You get better at them, because something taught is something learned twice and you also get to help those other people. There is no competition in the world. People who are tied up in competition are really just hurting themselves.
But fishing with dynamite is a great metaphor and I think that also raises the important thing that you and I as teachers, and if you do take up these skills, becoming a teacher of them is that we really need people who know how to fish and are not waiting for fish to land in their boat. That has really been my great passion in and how I approach teaching in terms of showing how it is done rather than getting a lot of examples on how to do it.
Jonathan: Definitely and that is without a doubt one of the most rewarding if not the most rewarding part of teaching is forget the ego boost, forget all of that stuff is when you get an email from a kid who has been seeing a psychiatrist for years and years about severe ADD and stuff like that and all of a sudden gets to stop seeing that psychiatrist. The psychiatrist cuts him back to once every 2-month meetings because hey, you are getting 90 percent on all of your exams and you are not having suicidal thoughts before every exam. That is a really impactful thing. So what is next for you if you do not mind sharing, what are you working on?
Anthony: I am about to release a book on sleeping.
Jonathan: Really? That is actually another topic that you and I share a lot of interest in. Do tell.
Anthony: Well it is probably one of the more unique books on sleeping that is out there. I’ve certainly never encountered anything like this and I have been using it for years. The book, and it will eventually be a video course, is called The Ultimate Sleep Remedy, How To Fall Asleep Anytime And Anyplace With Ease, The Life-Changing No-Nonsense Rapid Results Guide To Getting A Better Rest And More Sanity In Your Waking Life which is one of these great long titles.
Jonathan: I was going to say do you have a Memory Palace to remember the title when people ask you at cocktail parties?
Anthony: Well you have to when you write titles that long. Basically, one of the things about a lot of sleep remedy books and training and stuff like that is if they tell you shouldn’t stay in bed if you can’t sleep and go out of bed until you feel tired and then go back to bed. That is something that I have found that is true to a certain extent, but there is a better way. I talk about that.
The other thing is that there are all kinds of sleep rituals. Like brush your teeth at the same time and go to the bathroom 2 hours before you sleep or whatever. We are not robots. Nobody is going to brush their teeth at the same time every night. What we need is the ability to lay down in bed and fall asleep.
So what I teach is being comfortable lying in bed no matter how painful it is to sit there and not be able to sleep and learn to be comfortable in that situation. That is the true path to sleeping at will basically. Is just to think about sleep completely differently and think about lying in bed differently. I wrote a whole book about it.
Jonathan: Amazing! I have two questions on that. The first is do you think you can teach to fall asleep sitting up because I’m one of these guys if I am not lying on either my stomach or my side it’s not going to happen which makes long haul flights absolutely miserable.
Anthony: Well yes, I think this would work for sitting up and I have sort of used it that way in terms of just being generally relaxed but not as a sleep remedy but I am sure that it will address that need as well.
Jonathan: My second question, and you’ve already sold me, my second question is are you a believer in in biphasic or polyphasic sleep?
Anthony: I don’t know that much about it and I’ve done some reading about and experiments and so forth. But again, it’s kind of one of these things where I’m personally not such a person that has such rhythms and to even try to get on the surfboard and let alone ride the wave is just going to be not something that I would gladly happily do and just the rhythms of my day don’t respond it. It would just be a losing battle to do that kind of like hacking.
Jonathan: I have found, specifically in grad school, I found that the nap worked really well but anything above that, you know getting into the two, three, four naps a day just completely wreaked havoc on my lifestyle. So I thought I would ask if you similarly had experimented with it.
Anthony: Well I certainly have used napping but there is a moment in napping where your brain will start to secrete chemicals that put you into the position of longer-term sleeping so that is why you often feel hung over and worse off than when you went to sleep. I think that meditation has always worked better for me.
Jonathan: You read my mind.
Anthony: But again, it is not like with the clock, ding-ding time to meditate or anything like that. I think that the real power with meditation is actually to meditate all the time. It’s like nonstop shopping. You just develop a kind of awareness and of course that awareness is broken but you can get it longer and longer and longer and become more conscious and aware for greater lengths of time and then combine that was sitting. I always loved Alan Watts’ idea of sitting just to sit and as being the ultimate meditation.
Jonathan: When you say sit, I mean a lot of meditation enthusiasts use the term “sit” and they actually mean sit meditation. I get the sense that you mean just sit quietly eyes open kind of thing?
Anthony: Yes, because basically what happens if you sit just to sit, then you are going to fall into those other sorts of techniques and strategies anyway. You are going to sit there and you are going to be aware eventually that you are just sitting there and you will start to laugh or whatever and you will come into basically “enlightenment” and the enlightenment is only 5 minutes away. It is just sitting just to sit and just wait for something to happen. Don’t move until something happens and you will know enlightenment very quickly. At least that is my feeling and I have developed it to a certain thing but I just love these moments were I am just walking around the streets and I went shopping or whatever and I suddenly catch myself not present at all and I just start to laugh because it is just the most hilarious thing to be mindless.
Jonathan: Yes and it is the most common thing on the planet as well. I think in a vast majority of people just by the way we live our lives we spend a lot of our time even once we are aware of presence and mindfulness, we spend the vast majority of our time caught up in a lot of minutia that pulls us out of kind of our present state.
Anthony: There is no one who is free from it but there are varying degrees of freedom and it is definitely worth cultivating because it can really change your life in some very powerful ways.
Jonathan: And your brain, which I think is really interesting and they are starting to do a lot more research. I have my ticklers that send me whenever there is new research about this but they are really starting to understand the neurological changes caused by meditation and presence and even stuff like positive affirmations are literally changing the mechanical structure of your brain. I think that for anyone who is taking anti depression medication or attention deficit medication that is a really exciting prospect like I can sit for 20 minutes a day and I can change my neurochemistry for free. That has got to be one of the most exciting things happening in science to me.
Anthony: It is actually pretty amazing because you can get free opium and all you have to do is sit for 20 minutes to get it or even shorter periods of time.
Jonathan: Right, without the withdrawal
Anthony: In fact it is totally without the withdrawal. It has the opposite effect. It is give me more withdrawal whatever.
Jonathan: You sit, and when I say sit I mean meditate, eyes closed, focus on breathing kind of thing. Do you sit every day?
Anthony: I do all kinds of things. So I will sit. One of the most powerful medications that I ever learned was the corner exercise which is just to find the corner of something and look at it and then start to be able to look at the space around it and see that air is really a kind of Jell-O that is pushing against everything and that object is pushing against the Jell-O and it is just kind of a neat way to blend yourself into presence in the room and think about that air pressing upon you as kind of like really a Jell-O. Air is an object and in and of itself an object filled with many objects. So I will do that and I also do certain kinds of breathing when I feel like it or I don’t and I really like something called psychic nostril breathing which is without using your finger to hold down a nostril, you just imagine the air is coming up your left nostril and out your right nostril and then up your right nostril and out the left nostril and you just sort of cycle that.
Then you can combine that with something called Pendulum Breathing. Pendulum Breathing is breeding in and then breathing in again and breathing out and breathing out again and you swing your breath that way and you combine those two things together, it’s a little bit like syncopated drumming, but once you get used to it is just an incredible thing in and of itself and you don’t do it for any kind of end goal. You do it just to do it while you are sitting just to sit in the most incredible things happen.
Jonathan: Right. I think that is really cool because a lot of beginners, myself included, start with a very common meditation practice and you are supposed to sit there just focus on your breathing and inevitably your breathing is not very interesting. So I like the idea of making it a little more interesting. Sometimes my breathing won’t captivate my attention so I will listen to our feel my heart rate but I will definitely try that out, in twice and then out twice.
Anthony: What do you think about combining meditation with technology?
Jonathan: You know I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand you have this very pure beautiful practice that is estimated to be about 5000 years old. In a lot of ways it shares that characteristic with the Memory Palace. You don’t need a technological innovation to use a Memory Palace. It is something that we as humans have kind of inherited down from ancestry and I think there is beauty in that. On the other hand, I think it is an amazing way to connect to millions of people and if you look at an app like Headspace or Calm, these apps are all over the news and they are raising awareness and they are creating what some people call the mindfulness revolution. I think that is great. I personally got into meditation because someone told me to try out Headspace and I tried their 10-day trial, at which point I decided that, no matter how lovely Dr. Andy’s accent was, I’d probably be better off with just some noise isolating headphones.
But I will tell you one piece of technology that I’ve been very excited and very disappointed by is kind of home ECG. So I have this had been sitting here that is supposed to measure my brain waves and tell me how I am doing and help me understand the changes in my brain. How are my alpha waves changing? How my delta waves changing over time? I think that is really motivating and really exciting. The technology is definitely not there yet and I’m looking forward to a time when that will be there. But I don’t know what you think about it?
Anthony: I am not that big of a fan either but there is some benefit to it sometimes. I really like an app called Stillpoint, which plays three different kinds of sounds and you can mix them. So you have like a baseline, not a bass guitar line, but a baseline sound and then you can add like some sort of heartbeat or something like that and then you can add a periodic ohm are periodic tootle-lou or whatever. You’ve got different options and when my mind is really sped up, sometimes I will go to that because it is just really pleasant to listen to and really does provide a point of focus that I may not be able to give for myself.
Jonathan: Interesting. Is it a little bit like binaural beats?
Anthony: Yes, except for without the binaural stuff. I mean I don’t know, to tell you the truth, I didn’t memorize the packaging when I got it but it really struck me as being quite interesting because it wasn’t really in that sort of fringe of science and I’m not that studied in what research they have done but it was just kind of like this is just sounds that you can put together to help you focus and no real claims above that were beyond it.
But you reminded me of something when you mentioned 4000 years of meditation and a lot of people think the Memory Palace technique came from ancient Greece but the reality is that it did, except for that it also came from the ancient East and a lot of the Buddhist meditations used location-based memorization.
Jonathan: Really!
Anthony: For example, I learned a meditation one time and I thought man this is a Memory Palace. I mean it is one of those specific meditations where you are not just sitting to sit but you are actually doing stuff. The teacher said imagine that you are in this temple and at this particular location there is a bridge and as you walk across the bridge you see all these people at the bottom of the bridge and they are throwing stones at you trying to make you fall down. At the other end of the bridge you are at a party and everybody is cheering you on and offering you food and wine.
Then over at this corner of the temple imagine this big black dog and that dog is always chasing you and that is the representation of death, and then it went on and on. I remember this because I am going through my mind right now thinking of all these things. This is 10 years ago that I had done this meditation and so all of these things represent stuff. Like the people throwing rocks at you are reminding you to remember all of the people you dislike or that you consider his enemies and forgive them. The people at the party are also your friends but you forget them they are trying to poison you with all the good stuff or whatever. And the dog is death literally always behind you and you practice the meditation realizing that death is coming. It is a Memory Palace basically.
Jonathan: Fascinating!
Anthony: And that meditation is thousands of years old.
Jonathan: Amazing! So Anthony I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I know you are quite a prolific man and you have very much lived up to your Miles Davis nickname from your PhD dissertation. I know you are doing books. You are doing podcasts, Udemy courses. You also have a Master Course that apparently I really need to check out. If listeners want to learn more about you or maybe start training in the Magnetic Memory Method, where did they start finding all this different material?
Anthony: Well, what I would really like to do is give listeners to your podcast some worksheets and a free video series which you can find here.
Jonathan: Awesome, that would be perfect. I know that there is so much different stuff that you have put out there and you know thousands of pages on whether or not I should be storing Brad Pitt in my bed that I would love to speed read through so I’m actually going to check that link out myself.
Anthony: Yeah you’ve just got to decide above the sheets, below the sheets or
Jonathan: I think it depends if it is a female listener or a male listener.
Anthony: Yeah, but for people who are listening to this and who are really interested there are worksheets and there are videos that will make it a lot more concrete and you can see what is going on.
Jonathan: Awesome and we are going to put up notes to all the different resources, some of which I’m going to research myself, different links we talked about, books, stuff like that, it will all be up on our website.
Anthony: Cool.
Jonathan: Awesome. Anthony thanks so much for your time it has been a real pleasure as always chatting with you.
Anthony: Well thank you and keep up all the good work and I can’t wait for the next time.
It’s not only fun and rewarding. It can also make you more productive on top of providing psychological, emotional and cognitive benefits.
This might seem like I’m promising the moon, but researchers have validated these benefits. In this study, journaling the events of your life was shown to improve the immune system.
It’s not just the scientists that have proven the benefits either. James Clear talks about it a lot in Atomic Habits – a book for which he has even released engraved pens to help encourage and inspire people to journal more.
How to Keep A Memory Journal
Now that you know the benefits, how exactly do you journal – specifically for memory?
These are the steps I’ve followed for years.
One: The Exact Journal Probably Doesn’t Matter
Some people say that if you choose a quality journal, you’ll take the daily task of writing down your thoughts more seriosly.
I belief there’s truth to this kind of framing effect. And when it comes to the “snapshot journals” I keep, I do use high quality journals.
The Snapshot Journal I’m using
But not always.
In my experience, it’s the act of journaling itself that matters.
Most especially that the journaling is done consistently.
Don’t worry if that sounds hard. If you can get yourself over an initial period of daily journaling, you’ll develop procedural memory around the task. This means that you’ll find yourself journaling automatically, as a matter of habit.
Two: Set Your Memory Journaling Goals
Although I’m a firm believer in keeping my own memory journal every day, that might not be the right goal for you.
I’m actually quite successful at it, but nothing is 100%. I would say that perhaps 5-10 days a year, I’m just not able to make it.
For yourself, once a week might be best. In fact, there’s an argument to be made that less is more.
If you think about memory journaling in terms of autobiographical memory, for example, you stand a chance to get more episodic memory exercise by challenging yourself to cover 3-5 days at a time.
Again, it’s ultimately up to you. For best results, pick a goal, explore it for awhile and then try another. As experienced memory athlete Tansel Ali has pointed out, varying how you test your memory provides much stronger results.
Three: Decide What You Will (And Will Not) Include
Sometimes I wince when I read old journals. I wonder, “Why on earth did I ever want to remind myself of that?”
Over time, I’ve learned to be more selective. In my case, rather than recording my emotional reactions, I stick more and more to the facts.
You might be different and wish to remember more of your specific emotions. That’s okay too.
My point is to decide in advance the kinds of details you actually want to remember better and encounter later when reviewing your journals.
Four: Structure Your Memory Journal
Do you really have to journal from the beginning to the end?
Not me.
I’ve get many of my journals back-to-front. One reason is that I’ve practiced dual-handedness to see if I can become fully ambidextrous as a form of memory exercise.
Other times, I use different sections of a journal to test my memory. For example, when memorizing poetry, I find it useful to test in my journal. To avoid cramming these tests into my daily flow, I put them in a separate section of the journal I carry with me.
Five: Protect Your Privacy
Did you know that people used to write their journals in code to prevent authorities from finding out what thoughts they were keeping? There’s even a medieval guide called the Stenographia which includes instructions on how to code your thoughts to keep them private.
These days, you probably don’t have to go that far. If you’re journaling digitally, you can password protect the file.
Or, you can lock your journal in a safe. Perhaps you can find a private place to hide it.
I suppose you could write it using invisible ink too. But perhaps one of the best ways to hide what you’re doing is to simply not tell people that you keep a memory journal. Chances are no one will look for it if they don’t know your journal exists.
Anthony Metivier with a Cosmic Journal learning that “play is re-creation” in a Brisbane park
Six: Maintain Consistency With These Tips
I’ve talked about how to keep consistent. Let’s look now at ways you can make that happen.
But even without such a tool, all you have to do is:
Set a weekly goal
Gather the words and phrases you want to memorize
Show up daily
Review using a specific process we teach here on the site
Rinse and repeat
It’s a lot of fun, and helps you see your progress in your own handwriting. This simple artifact leads to more accomplishment while creating pride and confidence in your skills and abilities.
Are you down with one of these daily journaling techniques?
If so, just get started. I guarantee that you’ll remember more about your life and, yes, be more productive.
And if all that weren’t enough, I invite you to learn how to improve your memory even more by completing this free course:
The best reading technique is not necessarily one that gets you reading faster.
It’s not even necessarily a single technique.
Often, the best way to achieve your goals is to combine a number of active reading techniques.
Particularly the kind that we’ll discuss on this page.
I’ve used them all while studying for my PhD and as a bestselling author.
The reading strategies we’ll discuss have also made the site you’re on now one of the most read memory improvement blogs in the world.
Not to mention the reading and research I do for my YouTube channel, which has over 100,000 subscribers.
I don’t tell you these things to brag. Only to underscore the importance of having a wide variety of reading techniques and strategies. The results this brings can be life-changing for you.
Why Having Multiple Reading Techniques Matters
Simply put, you need to have multiple reading techniques because there’s more than one kind of book.
In fact, any given book can contain multiple types of content. For example, when I read Sir Roger Penrose’s ideas about memory related to his theory of consciousness, I encounter complex terms, physics equations and concepts. Each of these require a different reading strategy to handle.
Then there’s the “depth reading” that can happen only when you memorize the details, skills I share with you in my post on How To Memorize A Textbook.
With all this in mind, let’s now discuss the variety of reading techniques I recommend from my experiences as a grad student, professor and author working in the Internet age.
5 Reading Techniques For Every Kind Of Book
As we go through these reading techniques, keep in mind that there’s no particular order of importance. They all matter.
Just keep in mind that they don’t all apply to each and every kind of book.
You’re about to become a Swiss Army Knife of reading skills. Let’s dive in!
One: Priming
Many people overwhelm themselves by starting new books at the beginning. They wade through long introductions, often tiring themselves out with the least important parts.
Don’t get me wrong. Introductions can be very important. But they’re not necessarily the first part of the book to read.
When I read books at university, I read books out of order, typically like this:
Back cover
Index
Works Cited
Conclusion
Colophon page
Table of Contents
The most interesting chapters
Introduction
Now, if you’re wondering why I would read the conclusion before reading the introduction, that’s a good question.
Part of reading faster, especially as a busy grad student, requires knowing two things:
What big ideas does the author conclude on?
Are those ideas worth the time it will take to read the entire book?
Frankly, if the author’s conclusions are not intriguing or monumental, often the book can be set aside. That in itself saves a lot of time.
Please note that “priming” is a term I learned from the world of speed reading. It’s not to be confused with previewing, which scientists disagree about in studies like this and this.
Barbara Oakley, who co-created Learning How to Learn talks about a version of priming she calls the “picture walk.” It’s discussed in some detail in this video review of her excellent work:
https://youtu.be/vAg7eN2SatI
Two: Interrogate Everything You Read
Many people struggle to read and remember because they read passively instead of using active reading principles.
I suggest you question everything as you read. The exact questions you ask will depend on your memory and comprehension goals.
Some valid approaches you can pursue include SQ3R:
The problem is that these techniques typically only work when you’re already basically familiar with a topic.
These are definitely techniques you can use, but make sure to deploy them only when you already enjoy basic comprehension of a topic.
For developing that first, I suggest finding the most authoritative books you can find and read those materials thoroughly. We’ll talk about how next.
Four: Supplement The Superheroes
Sometimes you just have to read introductory textbooks in order to grasp a technique.
But let’s face it. Sometimes even the most basic book can still be challenging.
That’s why I suggest persisting with the challenging book, but also reading around it.
As you read, take breaks to:
Look up summaries and commentaries
Find podcast discussions
Watch video tutorials
How you read a book does not have to be linear. We already talked about this principle with priming, but reading out of order also comes into play when it comes to supplementary texts.
You might worry that switching around might just wind up confusing you. As counterintuitive as it might be, the principle of interleaving shows otherwise in many studies. Scott Young’s well-received books like Get Better At Anything and Ultralearning also present evidence supporting the benefits of skipping around.
Five: Visualize Along Multiple Channels
As this researcher shows, scientists are divided when it comes to the exact definition of mental imagery and its effectiveness as a reading technique.
Dr. Timothy Shanahan says that visualization definitely works, but is usually best saved for when you’re already able to read. In other words, he has found that kids struggle to “see pictures” in their minds.
We know that many adults do as well, some of whom have aphantasia. For years, I myself struggled with seeing images in my mind’s eye.
But then I completed some visualization exercises focused on multisensory imagination. These made it possible for me to read using all of my senses, a strategy taught for decades by people like Tony Buzan and Harry Lorayne.
In fact, the idea of using all your senses while reading was also popular during the Renaissance. Robert Fludd has wonderful training on that.
Basically, you begin by identifying different multisensory visualization experiences and putting them into practice.
As I read, I deploy what I call KAVE COGS:
Kinesthetic
Auditory
Visual
Emotional
Conceptual
Olfactory
Gustatory
Spatial
Here’s an example:
When reading about Penrose’s theory of “orchestrated objective reduction,” I struggled at first to remember the term. By applying a kinesthetic sensation of what it feels like to play in an orchestra, followed by hearing the sound of someone singing the word “object,” I easily placed the term in long-term memory.
True, this reading technique takes a bit of practice. But it is well worth it. This kind of multisensory visualization is at the core of most memory techniques as well.
The Ultimate Reading Technique
I once heard that someone asked the legendary mentalist Max Maven how to get better as a performer.
“Read,” Maven said.
“Yes, but read what?”
“Everything.”
Maven’s point was that reading widely is the best strategy of them all. It’s not just that variety is the spice of life, or anything cliche like that.
Better said, you can save those advanced mnemonic strategies for tough or evasive terms, like “orchestrated objective reduction.”
I would add a second step to Maven’s wonderful advice.
Read widely and also read consistently.
How much time should you spend reading a day? That really comes down to your goals. But even if you had an exact answer, it’s the consistency that will help you most in the end.
So too with using your memory in a targeted (and consistent) way that includes lots of variety. If you’d like help with that, feel free to grab my free course:
It gives you four video lessons and three worksheets that will help you boost your memory quickly.
Taking the time to improve your memory is itself a reading strategy. That way, you can remember a lot more so that connections do fall into place much more often and with much greater ease.
So what do you say?
Are you ready to put these reading techniques to use?
Happy reading!
How Psychics Abuse Your Working Memory To Rip You Off
Jul 08, 2015
You’d like to have psychic powers, wouldn’t you?
Go on. Admit it. Life would be easier if you could read the mind of your friends and lovers. And you could be rich overnight by divining the insights of the best stock pickers alive.
But the reality is that psychic powers do not exist. Or at least, there’s no meaningful evidence to suggest that they do.
Yet the question is, why do so many people believe in psychic powers? Why are tarot readings and crystal divinations and all kinds of claptrap so attractive to so many people.
Perhaps some of the answer to these questions involves working memory. So in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, let’s talk about how.
What is working memory?
Working memory is the system that is responsible for holding and processing new and already stored information – for a short time.
Having working memory is important for reasoning, comprehension, learning and memory updating.
As a term, working memory is generally used synonymously with short term memory. Yet, the two concepts are distinct and should be distinguished from one another.
Whereas working memory is a theoretical framework that refers to structures and processes used for temporarily storing and manipulating information, short-term memory refers to the short-term storage of information, and does not entail the manipulation or organization of material held in memory.
Given these facts about working memory, it seems clear that it plays a roll in why people believe the psychics and their readings.
Here’s why …
First off, psychics overwhelm their clients with questions. By asking them to access so much about their past (sometimes including their past lives), it can be difficult, if not impossible to remember the questions the psychic asked.
As a result, the person sitting for the psychic reading will only remember the hits and not the misses. “Hits,” just to define this term, is the word used to describe any time a psychic gets something right. “Misses” refers to any time the psychic gets something wrong.
As we’ll see, talented psychics use language as a tool for increasing the recall of hits and obliterating our memory of the misses.
Magicians know how to use this effect as well. For example, they use what is commonly called misdirection. But in reality, they use …
Focused Attention
Houdini, of course, noticed this and worked to debunk how psychics work. He was especially concerned because by using your focused attention, you are not misdirected as such. Rather, your attention is directed to the wrong things. The audience then remembers only the big moves the magician makes, and should they have spotted the small moves in which the dirty work is done, the cognitive overload of the big moves erases the memory of anything else.
In fact, the most rewarding compliment a magician can hear is, “but he didn’t do anything.” In these cases, the big moves have been so natural or ordinary that they have no meaning for working memory to grasp onto.
But “misdirection” isn’t the best word for this technique. A better term would be focused attention. To “misdirect” is to draw attention away from something. But sleight of hand works best when concentration is so focused on innocent movements that it cannot pay attention to the dirty ones.
Psychics use the exact same process, but in this case, instead of calling it sleight of hand, we should call it …
Sleight Of Mouth
https://youtu.be/qKy8kCLPYR0
Psychics often hide their moves by asking questions that for most people will generate “yes” answers.
Drawing from Ian Rowland’s excellent The Full Facts Book of Cold Reading, here are some of those questions. Follow along and think about how many of these questions would generate a yes from you.
Have you recently come across some old photographs, some in albums, some that still need to be properly arranged?
Have you recently thrown out some medical supplies that had gone out of date or expired?
Have you recently thrown out or donated some old books, toys or clothing?
Is there a note on your fridge or by the phone that is no longer relevant but you haven’t yet thrown away?
Are there any stuck drawers or drawers that don’t slide properly in your home?
Do you have keys that you cannot remember what locks they belong to?
Do you own a broken watch or clock you’ve been meaning to get fixed?
Have you ever had an accident or near-accident involving water?
Is the number 2 in your address or does someone significant in your life have the number 2?
Do you have a scar on your elbow or knee?
Is there a blue car or truck parked across the street from your home or work?
Do you carry photos of a loved one in your wallet or purse?
Is there a set of earrings that you’ve lost one half of? (For a man, the psychic can ask the same question about the jewelry collection of a girlfriend or wife.)
And so on.
Chances are that you probably answers yes to a significant number of these questions. All of them rely on accessing your long term temporal memory and often your spatial memory.
Whether you say yes or no, the psychic will quickly overload your short term working memory by saying “yes and” or “no but,” a tactic identified by the great magician and mentalist Kenton Knepper.
To illustrate how this works …
Imagine the following psychic reading …
Psychic: Have you or someone in you family recently experienced an illness?
Client: Yes …
Psychic: Yes and they needed to take some medicine for that?
Client: No …
Psychic: No, but they did eventually get well on their own.
By stringing together a long series of questions linked by “yes and” plus “no but” statements, the psychic creates the illusion of always being right. In reality, the psychic is right about general aspects of life that almost certainly must be true.
They can heighten this effect by gauging the age of the client. For example, if the client is young, the psychic might not ask them about illness in the family. But the older the client is, the more likely they or a family member has experienced an illness.
By asking questions that cause the client to access the general past and then helping the client link their answers to “yes and”/”no but” statements, the psychic completely overloads and distorts the client’s working memory.
The client will not only think that the psychic knew an overwhelming amount of info about them. The client will distort the experience and remember things that never happened during the psychic reading.
Magicians also create this distortion effect. I’ve seen it many times. For example, years later people will ask me to repeat magic tricks I once performed for them. But the trick they describe bears little resemblance to the trick I actually performed. Due to the powers of focused attention and the words I used during the trick, working memory becomes the enemy of reality and long term memory is tricked into remembering miracles better than even the best magicians are capable of creating.
Psychics do not have super powers.
Rather, they are masters of memory (just not in the way we would normally use that term). Psychics overwhelm working memory by distorting the present with leading questions and tricky language that creates paths toward their desired results.
They use our memory against us to exploit our desire for certainty in life and create false impressions that encourage us to take out our wallets again and again for more of the same.
How to Defeat Psychics At Their Own Game
The way to test a psychic is to use the very same tools against them and overwhelm their working memory.
For example, if a psychic gets a hit, you can answer with “yes and” or “no but.” Like this:
Psychic: Have you experienced an accident involving water, either in the recent past or when you were younger?
Client: No, but I did fall off my bike and scarred my knee in the center of the city with no water around. Didn’t you know that?
Or:
Psychic: Am I sensing it right that you or someone close to you had the number 1 or 3 in you address?
You: Yes, we both do, and I also have 4 and 6 in my postal code as does everyone in my neighborhood. Why don’t you know that?
By using the “yes and” and “no but” principle to your advantage, you will overload the psychics own working memory with tracking their own errors. They will start to seem like a bad lawyer who can’t track any of the details going on in the courtroom and soon lose the case.
And so, now you know how your working memory can be used against you and how you can use working memory against them in your defense.
So get out there and have a blast and see how you can’t extend your new knowledge to other areas of life where advertisements, politicians and teachers are also using working memory against you to distort your perceptions and even control entire aspects of your life.
Laugh And Cry Your Way To Memory Improvement
Jul 02, 2015
How To Use Your Emotions To Memorize More Instead Of Letting Them Take Over Your Life And Make A Big Fat Mess Of Everything
You’re an emotional person, aren’t you?
Those uncontrollable feelings well up from time to time, perhaps even taking over the show. In other words, emotions replace the you that you know with someone quite different.
At least, that’s one way of looking at it. Emotions are different versions of ourselves. The self that becomes overwhelmed by laughter is different than the self who drowns in sorrow and misery.
But then eventually you find your way back. You become you once again.
The Only Problem Is That You Don’t Become You!
Strong emotional states change you, and I’ll bet you remember at least a couple of times that you’ve been changed so strongly by an emotional state that you’ve had no means of going back. You’re as chemically changed as toast is to bread.
The question is, to what extent is this change due to memory? Has the experience of emotion changed you as such, or does it impact your memory so much that you literally remember to be a different person.
Certainly, post traumatic stress disorder provides some examples of people affected by memories so strongly that constant recall of the traumatic event causes that new version of the person to hold fast.
But that state does have to be renewed. Even if the person feels that the memories are coming back of their own accord, they must at some level be participating in the reconstruction.
And such events don’t mean that trauma has improved memory in that instant so much so that the person remembers everything in sparkling detail. Traumatic memory in no way ensures accuracy and it can also lead to the repression of memory.
The Return Of The Repressed
Repression and suppression of memory is really intense because it is essentially an attempt to obliterate memories from the mind. But as Sigmund Freud made himself famous for saying, what we repress returns, usually in the form of a monster.
Post-Freud, we have some interesting research about the suppression of memory. For example, test subjects asked to repress feelings of disgust while watching a horror movie remembered far less about the story and with much less accuracy than those not asked to repress their feelings.
And plane crash survivors who remain calm have been said to remember more than people overwhelmed by hysterics.
I’ve experienced this memory effect myself following a near miss trying to land in Toronto. I was going there from New York to sit for a field exam when the plane suddenly pulled up and circled over the city. We late learned that another plane had still been on the runway ahead of us, and thank goodness the pilot pulled us out of there in time enough to avoid a fiery collision.
Although I didn’t go crazy in terms of screaming or crying out, my inner life went nuts, something that affected my memory for days and days after. While sitting for the exam, for the first time I felt a real disruption in accessing my Memory Palaces and mnemonics. All the more so because one person on the committee was in the warpath and doing her best to see me fail.
But luckily, I had relaxation on my side and calmed myself. I reminded myself of the combined power of memory and relaxation and without suppressing or repressing the feelings of terror I remembered from the previous days’s adventure in the sky, I managed to handle that remembered stress and the current stress at the same time.
And this is interesting because I could have broken down into tears or hysterics in that examination room because I was so fragile. But according to some theories, memories and the emotions tied to them don’t force us to act in particular ways. But these emotional memories do influence our actions.
And that’s good news because with the exception of hungry lions and tigers and bears (like during that examination), most everything that influences us, we can influence back.
Control:
The One Advantage You Can Use When Your Emotions Get Really Crazy
Emotions and memories share one major characteristic: they are both highly manipulable.
Think of emotions and memory like blinking and breathing. Both blinking and breathing happen on autopilot. We don’t have to think about them in the least in order for them to happen.
But we can think about them and control them – at least for a while. You can choose to have a staring contest, you can keep you eyes closed even though you are not sleeping or you can flutter your eye lids at anyone you fancy. You can do this entirely at will.
Likewise, you can influence your breathing. You can hold your breath, cause yourself to gasp and deliberately sync inhalations with exhalations as you walk or jog.
And so it is with memory. You can deliberately call up memories of your childhood. You can say, “I want to think about grade one” and deliberately call up – or try to call up – the name of your teacher.
Along with this deliberate action, emotions might also arise. And it makes for a good memory exercise.
Think of every teacher you can remember and explore at least one emotion associated with them.
When I did this, I was amazed by how many teachers I can recall by name. From grades one to twelve, the names of only three teachers evade me, not counting substitute teachers, of course.
And for each teacher I can remember an emotion. In some cases, the emotions are similar: frustration at being told what to do. In other cases, it is fondness, or the feeling of being liked by the teacher. And in yet other cases, yes, I can remember even the emotion of lust, even at a young age.
It’s a fascinating exercise, one that will teach you much about the depth and breadth of your memory. Even if you bump up against limitations, that’s okay. Explore them. Feel the borders. Give them a gentle push without trying to force them to extend.
Massage the name out if the woodwork, so to speak, by seeing yourself in the classroom, bringing up all the nuances and details of the atmosphere. Bask in what you can recall and more is much more likely to come then if you give up in frustration.
And If You Come Up Totally Blank …
…give it a rest. Come back to it. Maybe something will percolate.
And if the memory of bad emotions come up, massage them too. Explore how you can use your imagination to eliminate their power. You can change their shape, remove their color, turn them into a funny cartoon. You can manipulate those feelings in any way you want.
And because the negative feelings you’ll drum up from high school are probably tame, you’ll get good practice manipulating the really dramatic emotions that life will throw at you later. Because the only thing we know emotional states is that they will come. We cannot predict what they will or why they’ll happen. But even so, we can be prepared for them.
So take notes and remember to do these exercises to help you develop emotional control, starting with remembering all the teachers you can and at least one emotion you associate with each.
Then manipulate that emotion. Practice working it out and not so much eliminating it or trying to force it out of memory, but transforming it the way you can turn bread into toast, in a way that it can never return to its original negative state.
Practice this deliberately and you’ll soon be able to work with any emotion that comes up in real time with ease. That will help you remember more because you’re not repressing the unpredictable but letting it be.
Improving Memory Just Doesn’t Get Any Easier Than This
Jun 03, 2015
And this list is just for starters. Pilots, teachers, restaurant staff, police officers and a whole host of other people need memory techniques to make them better professionals.
The more specific you are about the problem you need to solve, the more dedicated you can be about shaping memory techniques as your go-to solution.
2. Find similar problems.
You might think it’s crazy to leap from your problem to other problems that only tangentially relate, but trust me. This second step is critical for developing your visual imagination. We’ll explore this point more completely in the next section.
3. Explore the analogy.
Once you’ve picked an example, dive in and start charting out the territory.
For example, doctors need to memorize a lot of terminology relating to the body, diseases, medicines and the instruments of their trade. Precisely how to get that large variety of terms and definitions into long term memory can be hard to visualize.
A similar problem that might come to mind could involve computer programmers. They need to teach computers to store terminology and make it accessible to users with intuitive ease.
You could then create a picture in your imagination of a doctor programming his mind as if it were a computer. Maybe he’s opened his skull and attached some wiring to his brain. And maybe the wires run into a keyboard so he can type the words and definitions, sending them exactly where they need to go.
Every Cell In Your Brain Has The Power To Help You Create Powerful Memories
By finding an analogy, you help yourself create an image. It’s great exercise and simply achieved.
To take another example, you could think of a painter who needs to place shapes and colors in just the right places. For example, you could see a doctor painting terminology onto a patient.
Or you could think about how novelists observe people in cafes to create portraits of them in prose. How could you use the needs of a doctor to create a visual analogy for comparison with the observation process of a novelist?
Whatever you choose for this part of the exercise, see the computer programmer-doctor or the painter-doctor or the writer-doctor in your mind. Focus intensely on creating that visual image.
If you can’t see a picture using your mind’s eye, take a few seconds to write out a description in words. Or access your other senses. What would it feel like to paint terminology on to a canvas, for example?
Whatever you do, don’t overthink the exercise. Just get started. You’ll learn by doing.
4. Repeat the process and prime yourself for better results
Now that you’ve found and explored an analogy, it’s time to start all over. Do it again. Just do it again.
And up the ante. Here’s how:
Keep giving your mind material that will make you more creative. To become more visual, use the material as a kind of “paint” to spread on the canvas of your mind. Or, if you don’t feel particularly visual, combine mind mapping with the method of loci so you can experience the process visually using pen and paper.
In sum, you need to feed your mind the materials that make up paint.
The good news is that filling your paint factory with raw materials is easy and fun. You can:
The Springtime Of Your Imagination Is Just Waiting To Explode With Insane Growth
Because when you feed your mind with images, you’re giving yourself more material to process than you consciously realize.
Think of your unconscious mind as a kind of Grand Central Station. Except in this station, only one train comes and goes.
The doors to this Grand Central Station are your eyes, ears, sense of touch, smell, etc.
Every piece of information you encounter enters Grand Central Station. If the individual bits of information were people, they would be bustling around and bumping shoulders.
Some of them would be pregnant, some may even be giving birth. Some would have already had children and be pushing baby carriages. Some would be flirting and some would be pickpockets.
Yet other people would be police. Perhaps there are some Secret Service agents lurking around in your Grand Central Station too.
The Agents Of Forgetfulness Are Even More Evil Than You Think!
These are the agents of judgment and disapproval. They try to stop babies from being born. They prevent babies growing up, and worse, from getting on the train at any age.
If there is an upside, it’s that they sometimes stop the pickpockets from thieving booty from unsuspecting passengers.
But it’s mostly downside. These agents will stop at nothing to prevent certain people from getting on the train of your conscious mind. Usually, they hinder the most important people that you need to be the most creative at the most important times.
But even with all these agents around, every once in a while, the train of your unconscious mind pulls into the station. Sometimes it stays for awhile. Other times it’s just a short stop. Sometimes it picks up a ton of passengers. Sometimes very few, perhaps even none.
And when it rolls in, there may be few thoughts and perceptions still on the train. But many have left, getting off at various stations along the tracks of your life. This emptiness means that your train is usually in desperate need of new passengers if it’s going to travel anywhere.
Thus, the more information you get into your Grand Central Station, the more of that information can get onto the train of your conscious mind and then step out exactly where you need it in life.
Never Let A Good Idea Stand Alone
And the more information you’ve got milling around, the more the people in the Grand Central Station can work together to overcome the police and secret agents so they can board the train in the first place.
And the more people on the train – yes, even the pickpockets – the more these people can interact with another and arrive at the right places when you need them. And the more interactions you have on the train, the more these people will be able to spot the pickpockets and shake out their plunder.
And should a police officer or Secret Agent ever make it onto the train, the others will have no problem exposing them and turning them out with the thieves.
In sum, to be more visually creative, you’ve got to feed your mind visual information so that you can create more analogies.
And if you don’t believe me, just think about what I’ve just done. The picture I’ve given you of the unconscious mind as a train station and the conscious mind as a train is an analogy.
It’s a powerful one too.
Like King Lear Said:
Nothing Can Come Of Nothing
But it didn’t come out of nowhere, even though it felt like it had as I was writing it just now.
As I sit and write out this part of the podcast, I become aware of the movies and series I’ve been watching over the past few days.
In an episode of Prison Break, for example, Michael Scofield and his brother are in a train station. A fellow escapee – an expert pickpocket – has recently died. There are cops everywhere and secret agents are chasing them.
Plus, I’ve been reading a John Grisham novel. It features a bus station in it. And I had recently watched Jackie Brown, which involves crowds milling in an airport and a shopping mall.
It’s clear to me now that these viewing experiences have influenced what seemed to be a spontaneously produced analogy. But it wasn’t spontaneously produced. It’s the result of the mixture churning in my unconscious mind, tapping into a certain amount of implicit memory, and then getting pumped out into my conscious mind.
And it every element has filtered through my studies of Freud from years ago. Freud, who talked about the “police” who stand between the conscious and unconscious mind. The repressive gatekeepers who prevent our powers of creativity from helping us create the lives we want.
So there are reasons why my unconscious mind is brimming with info. I feed it every day. I read novels, I look at art, I watch movies, I play music and sing.
Like Wyndham Lewis said:
If You’re Going To Be An Island, Might As Well Be A Volcanic Island!
And when I need analogies to help me teach or memorize new information, I never have to stretch. The volcano of raw material raging within never fails to spurt out material that I shape and form into rock hard analogies that do the trick.
And the force of the blast is so hot and so strong, no police officer or Secret Agent standing between my unconscious mind can survive the heat of the blast, let alone prevent it. Not even the strongest declarative memory powers could stop it.
And the good news is that you can develop these superpowers of creativity too.
You now have the keys to unlocking your visual memory. You now know how to use direct analogies to become more visually imaginative. You now know how to fuel your Grand Central Station. You know how to fill up that train with all the best ideas. You know how to deliver whatever you need at any time, any place and under any conditions.
But let’s not stop with direct analogies.
Keep reading so you can remember even more using personal analogies. And if you like, sign up for my FREE Memory Improvement Course:
Memory Improvement Tips From Dr. Gary Small
Apr 30, 2015
Have you ever wanted simple memory improvement tips that you can use straight out of the box?
If so, then you’re in full a real treat. On this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Dr. Gary Small offers you some of the best ideas from his book, 2 Weeks to a Younger Brain.
It was such a pleasure speaking with memory training and brain health fitness expert Dr. Small that I’ve had the interview transcribed. You can read it below or download a PDF version of the interview using the link at the bottom of the transcription.
Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsfg3nNW53g
Why Even The Young Can’t Avoid Memory Loss
Anthony: Dr. Small, what is your first memory of being interested in the subject of memory?
Dr. Small: Well, I think I got interested in it when I started studying Alzheimer’s disease and geriatrics. When I got into the field of gerontology, I realized that one of the biggest problems we face is cognitive decline as we age. (Here are some cognitive activities that can help.) Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of that decline. It turns out, before people get Alzheimer’s disease, they have milder memory complaints. There is just so much worry and concern among millions of people about these age-related memory slips and what we can do about them. That’s really how I got started.
Anthony: You mentioned in the book that memory can start decaying or getting worse even younger than we think. What is one of the typical ages that memory loss can start to occur?
Dr. Small: Usually people begin to notice it in their 40s and studies of neuropsychological testing, pencil and paper tests done on many, many research subjects, has found that for the average 40‑year-old a decline in memory performance can be detected. However, we have done some recent studies, collaborating with Gallop Poll, where we find that people even in their early 20s begin to start complaining about their memory. Now, their complaints are probably different from those of somebody who is in their 70s, but still the methods we’ve developed for the book apply to people of all ages.
Anthony: Given this wide age range, is there a common so to speak anti-memory activity that people are engaging in every day and if so what are those things and how can they be treated or how can people go about their daily activities differently so that they are honoring their memories and their brains?
Dr. Small: That is really what the book is about and it takes the latest science of the brain and explains it in a way that people can understand. It then translates that science into practical strategies that people can begin using.
In the 2-week program, we introduce them to these exercises, strategies and they gradually build up their mental strength, and memory power over that 2-week period and it is just long enough for those exercises to become habit-forming. It involves physical exercise, it involves mental stimulation, stress management, nutrition and learning techniques to compensate for any age-related memory challenges people are experiencing.
Can We Really Trust Memory Exercises To Ward Off Alzheimer’s?
Anthony: You mentioned a lot of different memory exercises in the book. I am wondering if you have a personal favorite out of them all that addresses some of the prevention of Alzheimer’s and just longevity in general that you enjoy the most that you do yourself?
Dr. Small: Let me just clarify. I do not know that the memory exercises will prevent Alzheimer’s, but I think that physical exercise very well may delay the onset of symptoms as will general mental stimulation and proper diet. What the memory exercises will do is to compensate for the decline so people can have a stronger memory longer even as their brains age.
If you look at all of these different exercises, it really boils down to two methods that we now call focus and frame. We need to focus our attention because the biggest reason people do not remember is they are simply not paying attention, they are not getting the information into their brains.
Frame is shorthand for trying to frame the information, providing a framework so that it has meaning. If something is meaningful, it will become memorable and we do that by using visual images. Our brains are hardwired to remember visually very effectively.
We can take a very common memory complaint like names and faces, forgetting names and faces, and teach people how to create visual images to link the name to the face. Therefore, if you meet Mr. Foreman, you might notice that he has a prominent forehead. You notice that distinguishing figure and that links it up with the name in a visual way.
The Shocking Truth About Visual Skills And Memory
Anthony: Many of the memory exercises do involve some sort of visual imagination, and one thing I hear from a lot of people is that they are just not visual. They are maybe more auditory or kinesthetic or conceptual. Is there any advice you would have who would feel they do not have the visual capacities that many of these exercises seem to call for?
Dr. Small: That gets down to a common principle that we want to train and not strain our brains and try to cross-train the brain. Everybody has innate strengths and weaknesses. In areas that are weak, it may be visual skills. Those can be built up gradually. In areas that are strong, we can leverage those strengths to help us compensate better. People who are better with auditory skills can say the name or word to themselves or think up a musical jingle that might help them remember something better.
The Minimalist Guide To Einstein’s Brain
Anthony: You mentioned in 2 Weeks to a Younger Brain a few times Einstein’s brain and maybe you can describe that a little bit. Why does not everyone have a brain automatically like Einstein’s brain?
Dr. Small: I think, to a certain degree, it is genetics. Let us face it some people are Einstein’s at birth and others are not. When they looked at Einstein’s brain remarkably, it looked very much like the average person’s brain except for this area called the corpus callosum, which is the connecting point between the right brain and the left brain. What we might theorize is that Professor Einstein was better able to process information quickly compared to the average person.
Another point we make in the book is that genetics is only part of the story. In fact, the MacArthur study on successful aging taught us for the average person nongenetic factors are more important to keeping your brain young. That is why we emphasize all the simple things that people can do every day to get their brains to function better and their memory to be sharper.
What Video Games Can Teach You About Strengthening Or Harming Your Brain
Anthony: One of the interesting stories in the book is you talk about chiding your son for playing video games and there is a bit of a surprising twist at the end of the story. What is going on with video games and memory?
Dr. Small: It is complicated, but we do devote a whole chapter to brain games and what people can do to use them effectively. That was an incident where I was annoyed by my son playing some kind of a violent videogame. Knowing that this kind of repetitive videogame playing may not be great for his developing brain, I shouted to him, “Harry, get off of that video game and come downstairs and watch television with me.”
Of course, I thought how ridiculous that sounded, but in my mind, I was thinking we are watching a public television program, it is educational, we will have a conversation, but what I did not realize was that my son was playing the videogame with his friends. There was a conversation going on. It was a social interaction.
I think our relationship with this new technology is very complex. In some ways, it can cause wear and tear on our brains when we are spending too much time doing email or searching online doing repetitive tasks. On the other hand, the technology actually augments our biological memory.
We could pick and choose what we try to remember like names and faces and socially that is very important, but we do not need to remember birthdates and appointments. We can use programs for that and we can look at a lot of stuff up. In addition, there are new video games that actually train our brains. They can boost IQ or improve multitasking skills. I am very excited about the technology we use it wisely and do not overuse it.
How Classy Is The Neighborhood Of Your Brain?
Anthony: Speaking of technology, there is something really interesting that you talk about. The brain has kind of a relationship to memory and information where the age of a memory somehow determines where it is located in the brain, and that memories travel from one lobe to the next. I have this picture of sorting files through my computer and they move according to date and rearrange themselves. What is happening in this idea that memories age and then that determines where they are found in the brain?
Dr. Small: The brain is very complex organ and there is a lot of neuroscience research understanding how memories are consolidated. We describe how there are very fleeting momentary memories we call sensory memories that we all experience from moment to moment and we do not notice them. If we pay attention, or if there is an emotional component to the memory, it is more likely to be consolidated in an area that is called the hippocampus underneath the temples.
Once that happens, it is like an information highway as the memory becomes stronger as it becomes more long-term it moves towards the front part of the brain very gradually. They also reside throughout the brain depending on the type of memory. If it is a visual memory, it will be in the back of the brain because that is where the visual cortex is.
It is quite an interesting phenomenon. These memories, in a sense, live in neighborhoods, which explain why it is often difficult to remember some information, but when you are reminded of a neighboring memory, then the memory you are looking for comes back to you.
Is There A Way To End Your Struggle With “Senior Moments”?
Anthony: That is a very interesting metaphor. Given this neighborhood image where do memories go when people are having “senior moments?”
Dr. Small: Senior Moments are not going anywhere. Memory is very much like a filing cabinet. You have to file the information in the proper place and know where to look to pull it out. When we cannot find those memories, we are distracted by other memories so we are a little bit mixed up in our filing system, and we need some help in how to locate those files, which many of the memory techniques we teach help us do.
Anthony: Well heaven forbid that you were to lose your memory, but if that were to happen, is there one memory in particular that you would never want to lose if all else was to disappear?
Dr. Small: Those are such tough questions, and I think to me the memory I would not want to lose is the memory of the emotion of love because I think that is so important to all of us. It is such a strong compelling feeling. It really draws people together and it defines who we are as a species. Humans are very social animals and those positive emotions that we experience really make life so worthwhile.
Anthony: Speaking of love I really loved 2 Weeks to a Younger Brain. I am grateful and honored that you gave us the time to speak about your book for the audience of this podcast. What is coming up for you next?
Dr. Small: In the short term, I am doing a public lecture on the book this afternoon. I am continuing my research on memory and brain aging. My wife and I are continuing to work on a monthly newsletter, Dr. Gary Small’s Mind Health Report. We are putting our heads together for the next book. We have not quite decided what we are going to do but it will probably be in the general area where our interests lie and we are looking forward to continuing our work together.
Anthony: Great. Well again thank you so much and 2 Weeks to a Younger Brain is such an excellent book. I hope everybody listening goes out and gets it.
How To Enhance Memory And Pass Any Test Or Exam
Mar 26, 2015
Ever Felt That Skull Melting Stress When Preparing For An Exam?
If so, this may be the most important information you ever hear and read. Download the episode and keep reading this post all the way to the end so that you never struggle with passing an exam again.
And if your schools days are over and you’re the parent of a student, be their hero and pass this information onto them.
These techniques work for everything you need to learn, even difficult topics like memorizing human anatomy.
How The Regeneration Of Your Cells Can Set The Stage For Making Your Memory Razor Sharp
Wanna know why you forget so much of the information you read?
It’s because we miss so much detail when we only listen or read a book once.
Not only that, but you’re a different person the second time around.
I learned this from my Uncle Walter. Unfortunately, he died in a train wreck, but he told me something I’ve never forgotten:
Read the most important books you’ve encountered at least once every seven years.
Every cell in your body will have been replaced, and you’ll be coming to it as a completely new human being.
Of course, if you’re re-reading memory improvement books, be careful. Even the best memory improvement books are sometimes wrong. No amount of rereading will fix that.
In any case, I’ve taken Walter’s advice to heart, but when it comes to podcasts and audiobooks and learning how to enhance memory, it’s possible to revisit them much sooner.
And I love using Audiobook Builder by Splasm in conjunction with my iPhone so that I can get in all that info super-fast without affecting the sound quality.
And today’s Q&A gives us the opportunity to talk about how to use this software in combination with the regeneration of your cells to learn and memorize everything you need to pass any exam:
Schoolwork Can Be A Ball
———-
Dear Anthony,
When memorizing textbooks, is there a good general guideline as to what key points to place in memory palaces? Only focusing on the most relevant information is a great way to save time when studying, and I am curious if you have a strategy as to what information is placed in a memory palace using your index card method. Are these key ideas derived from what is taught in lectures, or are they based on what is most interesting to you?
I have downloaded your video course Memory Secrets of an A+ student as well as read many books on memory, and your methods make learning and memorizing more fun and effective. I discovered that schoolwork can be a ball no matter what the subject is, all thanks to me stumbling upon you website.
———-
This question is great.
And there are a lot of ways to answer it. For example, How To Memorize A Textbook remains the most popular episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast.
But for now, the first thing I would say is that …
A Good Lecturer Will Make It Clear To You What Key Ideas Are Coming
For example, I used to write down all the “keywords” on the side of the chalkboard in a column. Students could literally “read” what I was saying and match them against the keywords. It seemed really effective because when the final quiz arrived, hardly anyone had trouble getting 98% or higher.
Not all lecturers do things like this, or even present structured talks. Sometimes I don’t follow a plan myself because I like to use tangents and ask questions in the middle of a lecture. In cases like these, it’s a matter of listening for what jumps out at you.
I also recommend some people take few notes and recording the lecture instead so they can pay attention to the speaker. Some professors will even allow you to place your recording device on the podium.
If not, you can still get a decent recording if you sit in the first row.
And what are you going to do instead of taking notes?
Harness The Secret Power Of Doodling
Seriously. Give it a try.
Your mind will “scan” what’s being heard, and when something strikes you as a key point, write down one or two words in the middle of your doodle.
You can mindmap too if you want, but I like doodling.
Or sketching.
I find that I can listen more intently when doing this, especially since my learning goals are very clear to me.
In fact, I’d hazard a guess that I’m paying far more attention than anyone else in the room precisely because I’ve got more than one representation center of my brain operating.
At least, that’s my speculation. And that speculation is a key part of learning how to enhance memory in many respects.
However, please note that a recent research study found that doodling does not help many students. Doodling has helped me and I believe it’s worth experimenting with if traditional note taking doesn’t work for you. This is especially important because the connection between stress and memory is real.
In fact, reducing stress is why I needed to stop traditional note taking and explore using recordings to review later. I found that doings so removed my worry about losing the important details.
Here’s What To Do Next
Go home and listen to the lecture again with a Memory Palace prepared, and a stack of index cards as described in the How to Memorize a Textbook episode of the podcast.
And that way, the not so interesting stuff will stick with greater ease because you’ll be using the power of familiar locations and well-constructed Memory Palace principles.
And you’ll be connecting it to what interests you. But of course …
A Lot Depends On What The Instructor Is Looking For
So if you want to be a cutting edge student, here’s what you’ve got to do:
Go to the instructor.
Make an appointment if you have to.
Then ask the instructor to make the evaluation criteria clear to you. He or she may have a specific rubric.
And if you can – record this talk!
Why?
Because when you hand in your work or answer questions on an exam that don’t give you the results you were expecting, you have a record of this conversation.
Of course, you don’t want your teachers to feel like they’re under observation in a totalitarian state, but the fact of the matter is that you (or your parents) are paying their wages.
You deserve to have the requirements made available to you in crisp, clear and sparkling detail.
And That’s How You Know What To Focus On In Your Studies
It doesn’t get any simpler than that.
To review:
1) Pay attention to the things that jump out at you. If you’re interested in these details, they’ll be much more Magnetic. You’ll be memorizing them more for detail and ordered recall than anything else. They’ll also be a great “connecting” device for incorporating the information that you don’t find so interesting.
2) Know what the instructor wants and make sure you’ve memorized that information. When learning how to enhance memory for your studies, it only makes sense to focus on the information they want you to know. The rest is icing on the cake.
3) Come prepared with a well-formed Memory Palace. If you don’t know how, scroll up to the top of the page and register for my free Memory Palace Mastery course.
4) Perform proper Recall Rehearsal
5) Listen to this podcast with Scott Gosnell. He talks about a very special way to build a Memory Palace for prepping for exams.
I hope this guidance helps you out. Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Further Resources
https://youtu.be/kbB2iN6gX1k
Note: The program mentioned at the end of this presentation is no longer available. A modified version of Memory Secrets of an A+ Student (now called The Masterplan) can be found in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass. If you’re interested in taking that memory training, here’s where to go next:
How To Escape The Prison Of Memory And Create The Future You Desire
Mar 19, 2015
Have you ever found yourself caged in the prison of memory?
I know I sure have …
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I’m not talking about being trapped in a Memory Palace or anything about memory techniques.
I’m talking about how memory can hold you back and keep you down. Like when it leads to avoiding doing new things because someone you know frowned upon it.
Or you hold on to an unwanted behaviour because you can’t shake the memories surrounding how you learned it.
A myriad of consequences result. These include avoiding new experiences. Treating others poorly because your parents burned certain responses in your mind. Repeating destructive behaviors. Yes, memory can be a terrible jailor.
The Good News Is That There Are Ways To Break Free
In case you’re foggy on what I’m getting at, let me tell you a story about a friend of mine. Sadly, he died a few years ago from cancer.
And I miss him. He had a fierce personality, incredible intelligence and acidic wit that that burned impressions into your mind.
Although the cancer killed him, these aspects of his personality went untouched until almost the end. The disease got into his brain and then the friend I had known for so long was suddenly no more. It is a strange thing to wait for a body to die after the person him or herself is already gone.
“The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero
But that’s the power of memory.
Because even though my friend was gone, one thing stuck with me. It shaped my behavior, and although “prison” is perhaps too strong a word, these remembered things helped me act as my own jailor.
During my friend’s long and valiant period of chemotherapy, I had finished a research and teaching grant in Film Studies. I had moved back to Canada from Germany and had no idea and struggled with finding a new teaching gig.
I had three promising interviews at universities, and was almost hired at one of them. But when that didn’t pan out, I was lost. I didn’t know what to do.
Even through all his pain and suffering, my friend held fast to his conviction that I was a teacher. We’d gotten our BA degrees together. I had watched him go through law school and start a practice as he watched me soar to the heights of a PhD and major research grant.
And although I couldn’t offer a solution for his cancer, he tried to help me during his darkest days. Together, we came up together with the idea of getting a teaching certificate for high school. I rejected it the second I said it, but he encouraged it.
More than encourage it, it sometimes seemed that he lived through my experiences. We talked so much and had been so close for so many years that it was often as if I was not acting alone. So as I accepted the idea and made preparations for going back to school, it became more about him than me.
If You Have To Lower Your Standards, You’re In The Wrong Place
Eating on the remaining funds from my research grant while housesitting to get by, I volunteered in local high schools.
Not because I wanted to volunteer, but because you need to teach under observation on a voluntary basis in a high school to apply for a teaching certificate in Canada.
Even though I had taught at universities for years, I still needed to get the proper letters of recommendation from high school level teachers. Otherwise, I could not apply for the education program at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. These were strange experiences because I was expected to treat the young students far below their obvious abilities… just one of many reasons why teachers fail. They have so many hoops to jump through that have nothing to do with teaching!
Whereas I had been used to challenging university students to stretch beyond their comfort zones, I was now expected to spoon feed Victorian era education to young people living in the age of the Internet. It was a false portrait of how I understand the world, but I still worked at painting myself into it.
In case you’ve never been, it’s at the top of a large hill, surrounded by the beautiful mountains of British Columbia where I’m from. The buses huff and puff to reach the top and every trip feels like a cross-country adventure.
And it was a painful place to visit. I had no office, no classroom to teach in and no classroom to learn in.
“Many are stubborn in pursuit of the path they have chosen, few in pursuit of the goal.”
– Friedrich Nietzsche
I made the journey many times to submit registration papers and pay registration fees. I often spoke with my friend on the phone during these trips. Each time our discussions reinforced the importance of me being a teacher come hell or high water. The more voluntary teaching while eating rice and tuna and being stressed out over every dime wore me down, the weaker my conviction grew.
And because money was running out, I started seeking a job. Any job. Because I had worked as a store detective as one of my ways to pay for university the first time around, that’s the route I went. But I couldn’t get anything better than a uniformed security guard position.
There’s nothing wrong with being a security guard. But having stood at the podiums of major universities to lecture in front of hundreds of students, monitoring the behaviors of thousands of shoppers in Metrotown mall …
“Through pride we are ever deceiving ourselves. But deep down below the surface of the average conscience a still, small voice says to us, something is out of tune.” – Carl Jung
Even with Jung’s wisdom in tow, it felt like a step down in the world.
And I must admit that I was ashamed as I stood in front of a mirror wearing the ill-fitting white shirt, black dress pants with the ridiculous stripe down the side and pseudo-military shoes. Which is why I tossed the uniform into a clothing donation bin on the way to my first day at work.
Of course, I realized that tossing the uniform was illegal to let a uniform of authority out of my possession like that and the property wasn’t mine to dispose. But the story of how I got the uniform back out of the donation bin and in the hands of the employer is a story for another day.
As is the story of eventually drumming up some cash doing magic on the streets and convincing Haydee Windey to hire me at ELIT after applying three times.
She’s the one who gave me the keys to her school, an office to write in and students to teach memory techniques as part of their literary education and ultimately the Magnetic Memory Method. It was for these students that I wrote everything down in what would become the first book in the Magnetic Memory Method Series.
But again, a story for another time.
“Hard times arouse an instinctive desire for authenticity.” – Coco Chanel
When my application to the education program at Simon Fraser was rejected, I was completely lost. Because I couldn’t get into the program, I couldn’t get a student loan. Without a student loan, I wouldn’t be able to survive much longer and I couldn’t housesit forever. No one would make me go live on the streets, but the pressure from all sides made it feel like I was going in that direction.
And I had my bipolar disorder on top of that to deal with too. The doctor I found refused to give me my medication for longer than 30 days so he could monitor my moods and I had no time to find another one. It had already taken long enough to find this one, Plus, this doctor was … Well, that again is a story for another day.
But my friend did not let me give up. He convinced me to appeal the university’s decision. This meant more painful trips to the campus for meetings and forms and registration fees.
And it was during this time that I started teaching at ELIT. As an after school program that fills in the gaps left by the school system, it was a blessing. I admired the place, its students and the parents who want their kids to have a better chance.
But I was still pushing for a place in the Education program at Simon Fraser University.
And my friend’s belief that I could get into the education program if I fought for it proved true. But after Haydee allowed me to teach at ELIT the way I wanted to teach …
“I don’t often veer away from a big melodic song with big words for big stadiums.”
– Robbie Williams
I couldn’t stomach the idea of offering students anything less than the teaching I’m capable of giving. Of course, Haydee was nervous at first when she saw me writing terms like “architectonic tautology” on the whiteboards of her classrooms. But I proved that the students were up to my university-level challenges time after time.
And yet I still went ahead with the Education program. I braced myself for the classes I was about to attend that would teach me how to teach according to grade levels decided upon by the government.
Then, one morning on my way to ELIT and six weeks before the education program would begin, I got the call. My friend had died.
Years later, I still mourn his passing. But I never mourn the fact that I betrayed his final wish for my future.
For six weeks, my stomach churned every day at the future before me. I went up and down that hill to get textbooks and study for my courses in advance. It all felt wrong.
Yet the memory of all those conversations with my friend held fast. And the idea that teaching high school now would prepare the stage for a victorious re-entry to university teaching years later echoed in my ears.
But the logic was false. Why suffer now and take part in an education system I know in my heart is broken so that I could enjoy my earlier career later? It made no sense.
And yet, on the first day of classes, I found myself on the bus winding up the hill, imprisoned by the ghost of all those discussions with my friend.
“The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.”
– Carl Rogers
But even though I went up the campus, I didn’t go to that first class. I didn’t even leave the bus bay. With tears burning in my eyes and the feeling that there must be a better way to find my place in the world I got off one bus and stepped onto another and headed back into the city.
Just as I had dumped the security guard uniform in the donation bin, I left the wishes of another person behind on the bus bay at Simon Fraser University. I left the future and unhappy identity it would have created behind. And I’d like to think that I honored my friend by doing my own thing instead of his.
And because I freed myself from the memory of those conversations with my friend and the conviction he had about my teaching high school, I’ve since educated more people in a few short years than I could have during an entire career as a high school teacher. More than 51,000 people have read a book or taken a Magnetic Memory Method course. It
And with nearly a million podcast downloads, half a million YouTube views and hundreds of comments and reviews, I think it’s fair to say that I made the right decision.
“I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.”
– Harriet Tubman
The other route would have delivered me into Slave’s Luck, defined as making it into a career you wind up hating. In some cases, people hate that career before they even start preparing for it. In others, they start hating it as part of the journey to qualification. In every case, there’s no point in going through such a long journey only to wind up wearing golden handcuffs.
So what ghosts and memories are powering your behaviors against your own wishes and desires? Take a moment to think about what advices, words of wisdom or the wishes of others might be holding you down.
And then write down what you really want from your life. If you had no pressure from family or friends and had all the resources needed to be fully you and play out your wildest and most fulfilling dreams, what would those be? Additional ideas can be found on my post about how to live an interesting life.
For me it was always to write books and correspond with my readers. I remember in grade 8 reading Ray Bradbury talking about all the mail he received and how he answered every letter. I thought then as I think now that this exactly what I want to do.
“Writing in a journal … offers a place where you can hold a deliberate, thoughtful conversation with yourself.”
– Robin S. Sharma
But before I got there, I had to go through the exercise of writing down what my true dreams are every day.
And so that’s what I want you to do. And do it every day for at least 90 days.
If you can’t do that, then you know what you’ve chosen isn’t really your dream. No amount of knowledge or use of memory techniques is ever going to change that fact.
So as you write every day, refine your dream and your vision of what you want to do. Sooner or later you’ll find what you really want, that thing you can describe again and again for at least 90 days.
And as you do so, your unconscious mind will start finding opportunities to get you what you want. Even better, you’ll discover a personal philosophy, which is very important to have.
I’m convinced of it, but you need to try for yourself in order to be sure. You don’t have to take my word for it, but I’m confident that it will be one of the most rewarding experiments you’ll ever make.
And it’ll be totally unforgettable too.
So let me know how you fare and until next time, keep Magnetic.
Further Resources
https://youtu.be/TWT7zcYyfXQ
Memory Techniques Are Big In Japan
Mar 12, 2015
How To Build Memory Palaces – Even If Your Home Is Microscopic!
However, I’ve got a solution to suggest on today’s podcast Q&A. It will give you plenty of ideas that will boost your success no matter how small your abode may be.
And the best part is that you can also read the entire episode right from this page.
Your Cramped Home Is Bigger Than You Think
Hello Anthony,
I am just having a few obstacles come up with completing the worksheet and building the foundations of the Memory Palaces. For example, I know that I have been living at various spots throughout my life, but maybe I am not so confident about the layout of say, the school I attended, or the shopping mall I visited, etc.
How vivid and detailed do these locations have to be in order for them to qualify as a Memory Palace? Obviously, these places are in my memory, but it has been years since I have been physically there, and in other cases as much as 10+ years since I visited them.
Another question would be about distance. What if I cannot remember in detail where things are in my journey of the Memory Palace? For example, walking around campus in my University. Things that I do remember are sometimes far apart from each other. Also, I am just naming spots, like the library, the parking lot, etc. I can probably go online and look at a map and that would most likely jog my memory as I mentally walk through the campus, and it would have the proper names of the buildings and the locations.
How do I not get crossed up in a cramped area like my apartment? I live in Japan, and things are unbelievable tight in these apartments. This could be a real challenge. Are there strategies for not getting crossed up when memorizing the layout of a memory palace. Do we stay on one side of the wall or walkway and exit through the other side?
For example, the school I work at now. How would I navigate this? (I could also pdf you a map of the layout). Imagine a Square with one side missing. And classrooms go down to the end of each side. How do I not get crossed up walking over the same path here? This has me a bit confused.
Also, are we walking or are we flying / floating through our Memory Palaces since walking through large spaces like a Shopping Mall, or a University Campus, or an Amusement Park would take too much time to navigate?
Thank you so much for your help and support.
How To Wake Up Your Imagination And Make Even A Fishbowl Seem Like A Football Stadium In Your Mind
Thanks for this question!
Ultimately, a lot of these questions will be answered by experience. But based on my own experience, I can tell you this and then expand on some ideas: I personally don’t need my Memory Palaces to be so vivid.
However, when I take the time to go through various exercises I’ve created (or heard about from Magnetic Memory Method readers and course participants), each Memory Palace becomes more vivid. And the effects are more immediate, intense and long-lasting.
The exercises are simple, but depend upon being relaxed. In fact, all of the technical strategies aside, the number one piece of Magnetic Magic underlying the Magnetic Memory Method is relaxation.
The Surprising Techniques That Makes Everything As Easy As Whip Cream
So here’s what to do first: Get yourself in a relaxed state. Use mediation, Pendulum Breathing, progressive-muscle relation and any other principles you know. Everything will come together.
Once you’re in a relaxed state, all you need to do is wander through the Memory Palaces. Figure out if you can take a journey through the Memory Palace in a way that follows the Magnetic Memory principles of not crossing your path and not trapping yourself.
The journey can be simple or relatively complex so long as these principles are in effect, and you can make a natural journey. I also recommend that you don’t try passing through walls like a ghost or jumping out of windows, etc.
Why?
Because these activities use mental energy and take the focus from simply going from one station to the next. You need that so you can quickly decode the imagery you’ve created and placed at the station.
Can you proceed to memorize using a network of Memory Palaces without following each of these? Of course … but you risk spending mental energy on remembering where to go next. And this prevents you from focusing on what comes next during recall practice.
Very Private Matters That Only You Can Tackle
Again, personal experimentation is key.
Dealing with distances is an interesting issue, but it is again solved by personal experimentation.
I use the campus of one of the universities I studied at extensively, but always focusing on individual college or administrative buildings. There were also not any unusual distances between the buildings.
But if I were to face long distance issues, I would consider creating multiple journeys and labeling each accordingly.
In sum, it sounds like your apartment might not make an ideal Memory Palace.
But don’t throw it away! You can save it for when you are at a more advanced level and start working with virtual Memory Palace elements. These would include bookcases and the like.
How To Play Memory Like Music In Your Mind
As for flying/floating, I came up with the term “Magnetic” because as things work for me, I am simply drawn from station to station. Almost as if a Magnet had pulled me there.
You might like to fly or float, but this is something you will learn from practice and experimentation.
I realize that I “pass the buck” onto practice and experimentation a lot, but there’s a reason for that. It’s because learning the Magnetic Memory Method is essentially like learning music. There are many elements that come together in order for a musician to produce sound based on reading marks on a page.
The Magnetic Memory Method is those marks on the page and you are the musician.
Sure, there are a few shortcuts here and there, but if you want to experience the music (i.e. the boost in fluency made possible by memorizing vocabulary en masse) then you’ve essentially got to know
1) How to read the music and
2) How to perform it on your instrument (which in this case is your mind).
But There’s A Paradox!
A lot of people say “but my mind is different!”
To a certain extent that is true. But how music is written and how it is performed relies on the same eyes, ears, fingers that most of us have to work with. And the principles of music are more or less universal. In fact, music is inherently mnemonic itself as you can see from the circle of fifths.
Although music has universal characteristics, we have the paradox of individuality. Each person who picks up an instrument has the amazing ability to play it in a way that is unique from every other musician. I don’t know if Heavy Metal is your thing, but there is no one else on earth who can write and play riffs like David Mustaine from Megadeth. Literally no one else on the planet.
You can even use musical terminology to describe his note preferences and some of the flavors and tones he uses. But at the end of the day, only he can do it. This is true of all musicians, whether they are great musicians or not.
And this is true of all language speakers.
Whether it’s our mother tongue or a second language, we learn it and then use it through a vast network of personal mental associations. These are our entirely our own and yet are still based on universal principles.
And That’s A Wonderful Thing!
Why? Because you have all the “Rock Star” substance you need to excel. You’ve just got to take this piece of music I’ve given you, fill in the words you want to memorize and then start to perform.
The last thing I would suggest to you (for now) is that you start visiting new places and take care to pay attention to their layout. If you haven’t got enough places in your past, the good news is that the future is a big place. There is no end to the new locations you can collect for:
a) General enjoyment in life and
b) Memory Palace development
Carry a notebook with you, make a list of new places you’ve been and take a few seconds to draw a layout or take some photos if that helps.
Trust me, you won’t regret it.
It’s True: Size Does Not Matter
On the matter of size, I was in Leipzig the other day, but it really doesn’t matter that the hotel room was small. I still made a mental image of it because there are all kinds of occasions where even just a tiny space can quickly provide ten stations for memorizing something.
There is no building too large or small for Memory Palace construction and use.
I hope these thoughts help you move forward! Let me know if I’ve missed anything or if you have any further questions and I hope to be in touch again soon.
Memory Improvement Techniques For Kids
Feb 13, 2015
It’s okay. You can admit it.
Your years in the traditional educational system were painful and boring, weren’t they?
But even though you may have hated wasting all those hours away, I’ll bet you also wished that you had learned more. It’s a terrible irony, and yet you’re not to blame.
And neither is your memory.
Although there will always be problems with state education, just imagine what it would be like if learning could always be fun and interesting and that young people could remember everything they learn. Wouldn’t that be cool?
Get Ready For The Good News About Memory Improvement Techniques For Kids
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Imogen Aires and her father Kevin talk about the powerful role memory techniques have played in her life as a young student.
Even in a short period of time, Imogen has used a Memory Palace based on her school and another based on the home of a relative to memorize the names of royalty and the titles of Shakespeare’s plays.
But the amazement doesn’t end with memory pyrotechnics. Kevin tells us about his surprise when he found that these memory stunts had an unexpected side effect: Getting Imogen – and the rest of the family – interested in the history of kings and queens.
Even better, soon Imogen was reading abridged editions of Shakespeare’s plays. Kevin talks more about this in his recent TEDTalk:
https://youtu.be/s_DrOglHtSk
Tune into this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast and you’ll also hear about:
* One of the best books for helping kids learn memory techniques (and adults too).
* Why kids are perfectly capable of using memory techniques … and how this can lead to incredible “fluency” in Shakespeare’s plays.
* Why Imogen finds that exercising her memory is anything but boring. Kind of like how Kevin Richardson turned his memory into the perfect Learn Japanese App.
* Exactly why the mnemonic images you create need to be funny and weird so that they “stick” in your brain.
* The kinds of information that kids find the most interesting to memorize and why.
* How using memory techniques can serve as a “gateway drug” for developing interest in education.
* Why kids have more than enough locations in mind in order to build many Memory Palaces, including schools they no longer attend.
* The one thing that everyone has that makes creating your first Memory Palace incredibly easy and fun.
* How you can practice what you’ve memorized simply by talking with other people by teaching them these incredible techniques.
* How Imogen’s father turned what he thought would be a simple party trick into a moving TEDTalk about teaching memory techniques to young people.
* Kevin’s “edge-ucation” concept and how to apply it to your exploration of memory techniques and any subject of interest.
* Why mnemonic associative-images are like theatre plays and how that “restaging” them is the best path to getting the most out of your Memory Palace (and Memory Palaces if you’re using more than one).
* Why you’re never too young and it’s never too soon to become a “memory consultant.”
8 Unusual Memory Tips From Actors Who Don’t Clown Around
Feb 04, 2015
Even if you’re not an actor, you’ve probably wondered what it would be like to get up on stage and completely forget your lines.
Or maybe you’ve just asked yourself what that would feel like … To go completely blank in front of a crowd.
Probably not very good.
The closest I’ve come to blanking out involved an anxiety attack while delivering a lecture. And I’ve experienced unexpected issues when delivering my TEDx Talk.
For example, people failed to laughed at a spot where I’d made a joke. Later, they laughed on a line where I wasn’t expecting laughter.
Thanks to some of the tips I’m about to share, I caught myself in time. The performance went on to great success and I lived to deliver another day.
Ready to discover these tips from serious actors and gain some inspiration for what to do when you lose your lines?
Let’s get started with this example of how Christopher Walken responded after forgetting his next line. It’s a fascinating example of how he tried to cue himself:
https://youtu.be/rJP1m8XfXqA
So as you can see, forgetting lines does happen, even to the best.
During my research into how actors deal with forgetting like this, I was quite surprised by the range of activities actors use.
I was surprised to find that not all actors use conventional mnemonics, making each of the following memory tips interesting in their own right.
1. Don’t Memorize Your Lines
Sounds weird, right? After all, Peter O’Toole famously said that he and most of his colleagues get paid to memorize lines. The acting they do for free.
But in reality, many actors forgo memorization, at least at first.
Instead of committing the lines to memory, they read their scripts again and again. Anthony Hopkins, for example, talks about reading his scripts several hundred times.
But if they’re not memorizing the lines, why all the repetition?
It’s because they’re looking for the intentions of their character. They try to find the motivations and the emotional experiences their characters go through. As we know from how we can use mnemonics to remember complex information, emotions can provide very memorable triggers and build many durable connections quickly. That’s why I continually point out just how important emotion is when using mental imagery.
And if you think about it, the most memorable scenes from movies all feature hugely exaggerated reactions based on emotional states.
https://youtu.be/5j2F4VcBmeo
In sum, the repetitive reading some actors do while preparing for their roles builds associations at a microscopic level.
The smallest detail in the dialog can make the lines much more memorable to the emotional being of the actor who must react from feeling just as much as from memory. And it’s the smallest twitch of a facial muscle that can make the difference between a blockbuster flop and an Oscar-winning movie.
To make those facial twitches happen, a deep emotional understanding needs to be there and re-reading is the key.
Wondering how you can get yourself to read and re-read texts in similar ways? Check out my personal re-reading strategy here. It’s a bit different than what Anthony Hopkins talks about, but will help you get in at least a little repetition to boost your memory in a more organic way.
2. Use Location and Movement
Acting takes place in time and space. It is an art of change, and as Plato and Aristotle pointed out about memory, change is always movement.
And just as actors link their lines to emotional states, they also link them to movement. Knowing where a character says something, in which emotional condition and in response to what context all provide powerful cues.
This cool technique resembles Memory Palace work in many ways. But instead of using a familiar home as a Memory Palace, the film set or theater stage becomes a specific-purpose Memory Palace designed to accomplish a specific task.
World Memory Champion Mark Channon
Both Mark Channon and Scott Gosnell have talked about different ways of making Memory Palaces like this on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast before. As an actor himself, Channon has used the technique just described. And Scott told us about going to an examination room before you take a test to install your imagery.
This “immersion” technique works extraordinarily well because you’ve got a real representation of your Memory Palace in front of you.
This immediacy lets you focus on the memory triggering power of your associative-imagery with great immediacy. And if you’re an actor or want to perform well on an exam, you need immediacy. In fact, you need the target material to leap into your mind like mice on cheese in a world free from cats and barriers.
https://youtu.be/XVFj358waK8
3. Focus on Emotions
We’ve already talked about emotions in the first part about mentally processing the lines of a play again and again. The idea here is that the more you read the lines, the more dimensions of the character in the context of their narrative world you’ll understand.
But the actor also needs to feel those emotions at a legitimate level. And theoretically, by making oneself feel the emotions in a genuine way, the lines should be more memorable.
And if you think about it, you’ve probably had more than one experience in your life where you could remember parts of an argument word for word.
Maybe you’ve experienced arguments so intense that you can still remember things you’ve heard and said. And it’s this power of supercharged emotions that actors use to help them remember their lines. They hunt for that same spike in feeling in real life that people use to win arguments and memorizers use to make information more memorable.
Those are the three main ways actors remember their lines and they can all add something to your practice as a memorizer. And you don’t have to go to your high school or college examination room to get results with real location projection.
Try using your home as a Memory Palace sometime. Take lyrics from a song or a poem and stand at or beside or on a station. Create associative-imagery for the first line and with eyes both open and closed, burn that imagery into place.
Do this with a couple of lines, physically moving from station to station. Then, looking back, see or reconstruct your associative-imagery using words and decode it. If you like, go back to the station itself and put some motion into your “act of recall.” If you’ve struggled with decoding associative-imagery before, this simple exercise in acting may be the breakthrough you need.
https://youtu.be/U5don9ACZEI
Other Ways Actors Have Memorized Their Lines
Since we’re here, let’s look at some other ways actors have “memorized” their lines. This part of the post is just for fun, so don’t try any of the following when the stakes are high like during an exam for school or professional certification. You could wind up failing your exam or even getting kicked out of school.
4. Don’t Memorize Anything At All
This tip for improving your memory is not going to help much, but it is a tribute to the talent of many film and television actors. They simply show up and have their lines fed to them, one at a time.
Remember when we talked about using the set of Deadwood a little while ago as a Memory Palace? Well, go ahead and use it to practice virtual Memory Palaces and recalling information, but rest assured of this. Although the actors on Deadwood certainly prepared by memorizing their lines, rarely did they deliver them as scripted.
Why?
https://youtu.be/RfMSxf6P_AM
Because the creator of the series, David Milch, changed the lines up to the last minute, including during the shooting of Deadwood. To deal with these changes, actors would assume their places and call “line” in order to be told by someone off-camera what to say. And then they would repeat the line, and their call for help would later be edited out of the footage during post-production.
Knowing this behind-the-scenes fact about Deadwood certainly has increased my appreciation for how well those actors managed to stay in character. How about you?
5. Scatter Your Notes Around The Set
It was pretty awesome having Marlon Brando play Superman’s dad back in the Richard Donner film, wasn’t it? But it seems that the much-adored thespian was either lazy or Super-forgetful because, in this bit of film history, he insisted on having his lines on pieces of paper scattered around the set.
The people who worked with him were not pleased by his lack of professionalism. Yet, when you watch the film, he certainly does a great job of playing the father of one of the greatest superheroes ever invented.
And keep in mind that reciting from a script does not equal bad writing. Cartoon narrators do it all the time and no one criticizes them for that.
Still, it’s kind of a weird feeling to think that Brando couldn’t be bothered to memorize his lines in this film. But I’m sure most fans will forget this fact and forgive him. 🙂
Of course, if you’re a student, not an actor, you’ll want to keep your notes organized. Here are some tips.
6. Use An App In Place Of An Assistant
There’s an app that looks interesting called Rehearser. It’s only available for Andriod, so I haven’t been able to assess it, but the idea is that you can import a script and it will feed you the lines that go before yours. These prompts train you to respond without needing an acting partner or a coach. Throw a dedicated Memory Palace strategy into the mix and you’re golden.
https://youtu.be/5eHK4rhItXQ
Another way of thinking about apps is to use movies themselves. Here’s how to memorize a story in a unique way you might not have considered before. It’s related to a memory technique called the story method.
7. Let The Gods Of Acting Pump The Lines Invisibly Into Your Ear
Angela Lansbury will likely never be forgotten for her role as the star of Murder She Wrote. Yet, as age took its hold, and she boldly refused retirement (and apparently the Magnetic Memory Method), memorizing her lines became increasingly difficult.
Her solution when acting from the stage?
She wore an invisible earpiece that allowed someone offstage feed the lines to her when the going got tough. According to Dom O’Hanlon, it didn’t negatively impact her performances.
But O’Hanlon does argue that it wasn’t fair to the other actors. As puts it, learning your lines is the job.
Personally, I think it’s hard to decide upon one way or the other. On the one hand, we’re justified if we want to watch an actor perform a role without assistance.
On the other hand, does it really matter if the actor has some assistance with the lines if they’re able to create emotions in us and successfully draw us into the fantasy?
As a magician, I’ve done a lot of memdeck work – literally using a memorized deck that only appears shuffled. This means that part of the effect I’m creating is “real magic” because it’s not sleight of hand. I really do know the order of all the cards.
However, some magicians use a “crib.” This means they might have the order of the memorized deck secretly written on the back of a Joker. Or, as Ellusionist produces, you can buy a “stack watch” that has the Mnemonica stack order hidden in plain sight.
Is this cheating?
Personally, I’ve seen magicians use cribs like this and still perform deeply affecting card magic.
I would say that if Angela Landsbury or any other actor uses technology in a way that still leads to an engrossing entertainment experience, that’s fine by me. There are still other aspects of memory involved to be impressed by, such as procedural memory. In other words, both magicians and actors still have to remember how to move, and call upon emotions at the right times.
Another way of getting at the point I’m trying to make is that intelligence and memory are connected. But sometimes you have to use your intelligence to get certain aspects of memorization done differently. Let’s celebrate all the solutions people have come up with, rather than taking things too seriously.
8. Textual Analysis
Ashley Strand has memorized the entire Book of Mark and recites it on stage as part of his King James Live one-man show.
As he explained to me in a discussion we recorded for the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, far too many people skip textual analysis.
He says that it’s not really about reading commentaries on the plays, though that can be helpful when memorizing monologues.
Ashley told me that reflecting deeply on what the texts mean creates both insight and memory. Reflective thinking is indeed a powerful mnemonic strategy. And it circles us back to the first point about re-reading texts to help find motivations and intentions.
Now You May Be Wondering …
Is there a way for an actor who needs radio controlled prompting to make improvements, regardless of age or present mental condition?
Of course there are ways. Lots of them. I would probably begin with some basic training in the correct construction of Memory Palaces. People who fail to have success with them usually haven’t had exposure to the finer details, which is why I created the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
Following that, I would add a few simple memory drills. Memorizing a deck of cards would be one of them. Purely for strengthening visual association skills, it’s a great exercise. It’s also a memory exercise that paves the way for memorizing increasingly abstract words and phrases with greater speed and accuracy.
But were I to coach an actor with memory issues, I would soon add a simple drill we’ve talked about before: Memorizing using dice.
Starting with just one die and a poem or longer speech from a play, I would have the actor roll and come up with a number. Whatever number comes up, that’s how many lines she or he will memorize.
For example, take one of Adriana’s speeches in Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors. If the actor rolled a one, then we would work on memorizing one line on one station. If the actor rolled a five, then we would go for five lines.
I would them send the actor home and let them roll that die a couple times a day for a week with the goal of having as many lines as possible memorized.
Then, when they show up for the next coaching session, we would roll again. Except this time, if they rolled a three, they would need to recite three lines starting from the third station. If they rolled a six, it would be six lines from the sixth station or six lines backwards if the actor had reached the end of the memorized material.
From that point onward, we would add more dice every week.
And you can use this memory tip for anything. If you’re working on a foreign language, roll the dice and memorize as many words as the number indicates. Then, use the dice to recall as many words as the dice indicate. Giving yourself a sort pattern like this is the mental equivalent of working out in a gym with skipping rope.
Just Do It
As I’ve hoped to show, actors use many different ways to memorize their lines, and we can take some tips from them to improve our memory abilities when using memory techniques.
So what are you going to do with this information? Let it sit like an unproduced play collecting dust on a shelf?
I hope not!
Get out there and put these ideas to use because taking action by staging a play in the gym of your mind is the only way to get results.
And these fun and games? They’ll make your memory Magnetic.
Memory Improvement Fun And Games: Mark Channon Talks About How To Remember Anything
Jan 28, 2015
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Grand Master of Memory Mark Channon talks about memory improvement from his perspective as an actor, personal trainer and game show host creator.
As you can already tell, Mark has an incredible background that brings special qualities to his status as a memory expert and trainer.
As the author of How to Remember Anything, Channon takes the value he has for you one step further.
In this epic memory improvement book, Channon presents us with stimulating ideas and actionable techniques you can get started using right away.
And in this interview, Mark demonstrates just how profound his “Total Memory Blueprint” will be for you.
Click play above to listen and you’ll learn:
* How to build your memory skill set, even if you’re a busy person.
* How to memorize the streets of London using a Memory Palace, a bit of 21st Century technology and a memory technique Mark calls mnemonic chaining.
* How to create powerful reference stories that you can refer to months and years later to recall information.
* How to deal with the occasional “effort” involved in the fun and games of using memory techniques by discovering your purpose.
* How to develop concentration, even if your brain is busy as a beaver.
* How to let go of your inhibitions and remember more without even using any memory techniques whatsoever.
* The secrets of being present and active listening and the three levels of communication to focus on.
* How to memorize lines for a Stephen Spielberg audition when the film in a foreign language – even if you’ve never learned a word of that language before!
* The best mindset to develop for memorizing long texts or monologues verbatim.
* What you can learn about mnemonics from Iron Man in the Avengers.
* How to use relaxation to create focus and energy without putting yourself to sleep.
* How to harness the power of “tiny habits” to be more present, remember more information and deal with information overload.
* How to use memory techniques to get tips if you work at a bar or restaurant and one crazy party trick that will amaze your friends – and make them wonder if they can trust you!
* Why you should focus on memorizing “anything” rather than “everything.”
* … and much, much more.
Amazing Clip From the Pilot Of Mark Channon’s Memory Masters
https://youtu.be/n-bBnJ0-c-I
Mini-MMM Review Of Mark Channon’s How To Remember Anything
As you know, books on memory skills are a dime a dozen. And few are memorable.
But what makes Mark Channon’s treatise and training on the art of memory so unique is its blend of unique ideas and Channon’s emphasis on sharing the sources of his learning and inspiration.
And you’ll want to be following up on many of those sources. Ranging from training for actors to ideas drawn from psychologists, Channon not only helps you take control of your memory. You learn to take control of many other aspects of your life too, including better note-taking.
How to Remember Anything highlights the paradox of memory. It is both absolutely central, yet at the same time, peripheral to much that we do with it.
Channon talks about the power of forgetting – or at least allowing ourselves to align so completely with the present that the ego steps out of the way. And when that happens, you can let memory fulfill its natural role of providing exactly what we need at exactly the right time.
Channon compliments the book with brain science, but not to the point of overwhelm. He has many stoic secrets you’ll benefit from.
If you’re interested in how and why the brain works, Mark’s book presents a snackable primer and all the resources you could ask for if you want to explore further.
Each chapter of the book is well-structured and the exercises pack a punch. Many have value apart from raw memorization as well. You can use them to learn more, develop creativity, think critically at a higher level and elevate your communication style.
In sum, How to Remember Anything gives particular understandings of the classic memory techniques that will widen your perspective of how they can be used.
And there is plenty more for those interested in memory improvement that you won’t encounter in other books on mnemonics, so be sure to check this one out.
Resources Mentioned In The Podcast And More Powerful Tips!
Mark Channon’s free resources on his Memory School website
How Ashley Strand Memorized and Performed the Book of Mark
Scott Gosnell Talks About Giordano Bruno
Dec 21, 2014
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method, Scott Gosnell, the translator of two books by the mnemonist Giordano Bruno talks about the man, his writings and the application of his memory techniques to everyday life.
Since recording this interview, a lot of people have asked if they should read Giordano Bruno.
My answer:
https://youtu.be/GZv4IDNaDhA
My opinion aside, listen to Scott’s knowledge on this Magnetic Memory Method Podcast interview.
You’ll learn:
* How to use Star Wars (or any movie you’re familiar with) as a Memory Palace.
* Why Scott’s translations of Giordano Bruno are the product of perhaps the best form of procrastination you’ll ever hear about (and maybe even be inspired to do some similar procrastination of your own for the good of humanity).
* Scott’s amazing Memory Palace technique for students, possibly the most amazing technique you could add to your studies that I’ve ever heard!
* Bruno’s idea that an intelligible system exists behind the world and how this connects to memory.
* Why Bruno was really interested in the psychology and neuroscience of the human mind – not magic.
* Why Bruno thought his memory system could give you an internal representation of the entire universe … or did he?
* Why Bruno felt it was a practical concern to keep your Memory Palace well lit and not place your associative-imagery on a background of the same color.
* How context sensitive cues can either help or harm your memory.
* Why Bruno likens Memory Palaces to writing so that you can scan a Memory Palace for memorized information the way you would scan a page looking for a particular word.
* Why Bruno’s execution probably had nothing – or at least very little – to do with his mnemonic systems.
* Thoughts on Bruno as a “marketer” of memory techniques.
* Why memory techniques were a very useful talent for a king to have (and still are even if you’re not a king).
* Why Bruno most likely wasn’t a spy – but probably would have made a good one had he been.
* Why Bruno thought that the Memory Palace was the best and most effective memory method available, even though he also used smaller methods like linking, lists and poetry.
* … and much, much more.
Further Resources
De Umbris Idearum by Giordano Bruno, Translation and Introduction by Scott Gosnell
Miskatonic Books has released a new translation by John Michael Greer.
Please visit their store to order one of the limited editions of On the Shadows of the Ideas by Giordano Bruno.
Or if you’d just like to learn more about my initial impressions of the book, check out this replay of my recent YouTube Live Stream about On the Shadows of the Ideas by clicking play on this video:
https://youtu.be/qcDgpIogjTo
Luca Lampariello On How To Master Any Language
Dec 16, 2014
Wanna Know Exactly How To Master Any Language?
I got good news for you. The amazing polyglot Luca Lampariello showed up in Berlin and we had a good long chat about language learning. And the best part is …
We’ve got it on video!
https://youtu.be/ujV3lsY2PH4
Anthony: Hi, this is Anthony Metivier. I’m here with Luca Lampariello, and we are doing a very special interview. We are here in Berlin. I live in Berlin but Luca is visiting.
Luca: Yes.
Anthony: We thought, “Well I’m the memory guy and he’s the language-learning guy.” We both operate in the same sort of industry so to speak, because his business is memorizing words and my business is helping you memorize them. It’s really not a business. It’s more like a passion.
Luca: Yes.
Anthony: For people who don’t know you, you’ve got dozens upon dozens of videos on YouTube that train people in a particular brand of language learning, but for people who do know you, which I think probably many, many people who are watching this already do, one thing I’ve noticed is that we have never heard much about your personal life and I mean I don’t even know if you have a ‑
Luca: You meant to pry. You want to know the real secrets.
Anthony: The real stuff, like the dirt; for one thing, I’ve never asked you if you have a middle name.
Luca: Yeah, actually my name is Luca, everybody calls me Luca, but my other name is Vittorio because my grandfather, that’s my grandfather’s name. The Italian tradition is to call a son or a daughter after your grandmother. It’s an old tradition coming from the south. I don’t know if it’s the same thing in Canada. He is actually my father’s mother. His name was Vittorio. He was a physician, a doctor who used to be in World War II unfortunately, and he was in Africa. Unfortunately, I never got to meet him. My mother told me he had very interesting stories to tell about World War II. Because one of the things I like the most, apart from language, is history.
Anthony: Did any of those stories survive that you remember from your grandmother?
Luca: Yeah, I remember a lot of things that my mother told me. Not only my grandfather actually, my other grandfather as well and my grandmother, I got to know my two grandmothers and they were telling us about what happened in World War II. One is from Calabria which is deep south. The Americans and the Allies invaded Sicily and then went up to Calabria, and my other grandmother actually comes from the north of Italy. I’ve got the whole family from everywhere in Italy. So I have all these different traditions and also dialects. One thing that I never say is that my grandmother when I was a little kid just talked to me in Calabrese dialect. I learned that as well.
Anthony: Well that’s a lot of different parts of Italy but I know you are living in Rome at the moment. Is that where you were born?
Luca: Yes, that is exactly where I was born and I’ve been living there for 34 years almost because I’m turning 34 actually in two days.
Anthony: Thirty-four in two days.
Luca: Thirty-four, I’m an old man.
Anthony: Well happy birthday in advance.
Luca: Thanks.
Anthony: But you’ve also lived in Paris?
Luca: I lived in Paris for three years. I lived in Paris and Barcelona.
Anthony: Okay so the three places. What strikes you as being some of the major similarities and major differences?
Luca: That’s a very interesting question. Barcelona is very similar to Italy – the weather, the people, the traditions. I always say that Spaniards are a little bit like our cousins in a way because I believe that the language is like part of the culture and our languages are very, very similar and that reflects a certain kind of mentality.
Paris on the other hand, the French are similar to the Italians in so many ways but at the same time they’re different. Paris is like a northern European city and the weather is kind of different. It’s a little bit chilly there, like here in Berlin.
Actually Berlin is not as cold as I thought. It’s like 6.
Anthony: Plus 6.
Luca: Plus 6 you know. So I’m kind of liking it.
A month ago I was in Russia and expected to be minus 20 and it was plus 8 and now it’s plus 6 so I might bring good weather or maybe I’m just lucky. I tend to lean towards the second. I have to say that the French and the Spaniards and the Italians are very similar in so many ways. It’s not easy to pin down these things because you have to live to understand, but basically I also believe that the language plays a huge role, and obviously history. We’re all Latin peoples so to say so there is a common trait to our culture and the way we eat food and etc.
Anthony: You mentioned history as one of your interests. What interests you about history?
Luca: Well everything interests me. The thing that interests me the most is that if you know history, I feel that if you know history you know the world you’re living in right now, because we’ve been shaped. We’re the product of history. We are the product of all the things that happened in the last 4,000 years actually, the last million years.
So what interests me the most, if you want to be more specific is World War II, because I find it, I might be a little bit maybe naive to say that, it’s really like I see it as a clash between the good and evil even if sometimes you think of it the Allies bombing German cities and so many people dying. Is that good? Does that serve a specific purpose? Was it strictly necessary? Yeah, obviously it served the purpose of defeating Nazi Germany but at the same time was it strictly necessary.
We’re not going to delve into politics but I’m very interested in like how it was possible that all that thing happened and the fact that we’re living in, I wouldn’t go so far to say that we’re living in a peaceful world, that is not true, but at least in Europe, if you think about it, that’s the longest period we have had peace, 70 years. If you think about it, Europe has been ravaged by war for centuries and there’s been a period longer than, I don’t know, never been like 70 years. We’re lucky. Canada as well. It’s been at peace for a long time. So we have to consider ourselves lucky. We take it for granted but it’s not granted at all if you consider all the wars actually right now in Syria and in many, many other places in the world.
Anthony: Absolutely. I want to ask you about some of your other interests but just not to abandon this for a second, do you think that the capacity for language learning has been involved in the peace that has developed over time not just in terms of as if anybody has any better abilities now to learn languages but the spread of language training both hardcopy things and online.
Luca: I believe so. I believe, for example, if we had a war right now it wouldn’t be the same. People are biased in so many ways. For example, the Italians tend to (not all Italians obviously) tend to think that the French are a little bit snobbish or the Germans are a little bit close minded. It’s absolutely not true.
Are We In The Best Period Of History For Learning A Language?
The fact that we live in a peaceful society right now, I’m talking about Europe obviously, has so many – for example yesterday I was at a party. There were so many people from everywhere around the world. You could talk about anything and people want to mix. There is not this, “Okay, you’re a foreigner.” No, you are part of the European community and this has revolutionized, I would go as far to say that it has revolutionized the way young people, this young generation is learning languages.
I don’t know if you ever heard about the Erasmus project. Canadians and Americans might know about it, but it’s a European thing, where a student can decide to live abroad and learn a language. It’s not just because they go study there. Obviously they go study there, but the people who went there just completely change the way they see their own country and their own existence and their own traditions, etc.
So I do believe that peace has contributed enormously to the development to this multilingual society in which we live in. This is a fantastic thing. Obviously the Internet plays a huge role as well. But I do believe that the peaceful conditions in which we live do play a huge role in the way we live and we consider the reality around us.
Anthony: Okay so we’ve got history, and we’ve got language, and it seems that they’re tightly wrapped up in one another. Do you have an interest that you would say has nothing to do with language?
Luca: Yes. Before I talk to you about my other interests, I just wanted to say that for me, when people talk to you for example talk about you and talk to you and say oh, you’re the memory guy, they’ll refer to you as the memory guy.
Maybe yourself you’ll refer to yourself too as a memory guy, but the thing is that, and when they talk to me, the first thing they want to know is how many languages I speak, and the people who already know me treat me as friends as well. We talk about a lot of things but mainly they think that my main interest is languages. Now, actually languages is one of the things that I like but it’s not just the only thing I do.
When I think about history for example, I’m very interested in World War II and specially the Eastern Front and what happened between Nazi Germany and, for example, the Russians. That helped me delve into this and actually sparked this interest in understanding how the Russians saw the war, and I’ve been reading a lot of books in Russian and a lot of books in German to understand how the two parts lived the war.
So this is just one event in the course of history but there are many other events which actually push me to read more and more in the languages. We have just spoken of the countries that were involved in the political-historical processes that I was trying to understand and read about. So history is actually contributed as other interests to perfect and improve my language skills.
And to go back to your question, as other interests that have nothing to do with languages, sports doesn’t necessarily have to do with languages unless you want to read a blog about running for example in English or in other languages. Sports is one other thing that really interests me. If I think about it now, for example, I really like movies but this has to do with languages right.
Luca: So I’m trying to find something that has nothing to do with languages, and I would say sports. I like jogging. I’ve been trying to jog. I decided to jog in 2003, I decided that I wanted to try it. Have you ever run? Have you ever tried?
Anthony: I have actually. Unfortunately, I developed arthritis in my knees so I can’t run. But I did run quite avidly as a young person.
Luca: And also football. I used to play football a lot as well as with my twin sister. Yeah, she’s a professional now. Yeah, so this is for example one of the things that I’m interested in that has I would say not – everything potentially has to do with languages because language is the way we convey our thoughts, but yeah sports is one of the things I’m interested in and that’s it.
Anthony: Well the sports thing is very interesting I think because there is a phenomenon of jogger’s high and actually I’ve interviewed you before and you mentioned the relationship between joggers high and language learning as a kind of finding the zone or finding a spot where things really start to come together and happen and you mention that also in your master class.
Luca: Absolutely.
Sleep, Meditation & Fitness Can Make Or Break Your Language Learning Experience
Anthony: What I wonder, a question that I’m thinking is, and I’m not sure exactly the best way to elaborate it, but one thing I work on is meditation and finding this clear spot without thought, without thinking and, well that’s not the best way to say it, but a place where thought is so focused and intent that it’s sort of beyond language or one word, and I’m just wondering as someone who has dealt with so many languages and found mastery in so many languages how do you get silence in your head? Is it just the running or do you have any other kinds of personal practices?
Luca: That’s a very interesting question. I’ve been thinking about mediation a lot recently. I’ve never done it, but I’ve been hearing more and more people actually trying to meditate because they have been overwhelmed by life. Sometimes we are overwhelmed by life, like myself. You were right when you said that sometimes I’ve a storm of languages or thoughts.
I think one of the most difficult things to do is actually to find a moment where you’re not listening to anything, not even to your inner voice, you’re just at peace with yourself. If find it a very difficult thing to do because we live in a world where we get stimulated continuously all the time. This is one of the things that I actually want to try because I’ve never tried it before.
I think that, going back to the running thing, you are right that when I run I think better for some reason. Maybe chemically because you’ve got a lot of chemical substances like serotonin and we release substances when you run and are more relaxed. When you go back home you take a shower and you are peace with yourself and with the world, but at the same time you still have this flux of thoughts and memories is stilled.
I don’t know if it ever happened to you that you try to sleep and you have so many things that you can’t, so many things in your head, whirlwind of things that you can’t concentrate.
So this is the next frontier, the next thing that I want to try to achieve is actually silence. It might be strange for a polyglot or a multilingual person with a lot of speaking so much because I do like speaking, but actually this is one of the things that are the New Year’s Eve resolutions.
Anthony: Well I’m working on a book right now actually called The Ultimate Sleep Remedy and I’ll hook you up with a copy after and it gets into mediation and different strategies that you may be interested in.
Luca: I have an article on my blog myself. It’s a guest post from a friend Joseph, he’s Swedish who actually gives very valuable advice as to how to sleep because some people just can’t sleep. Insomnia is one of the biggest problems. People don’t talk about it that much, but actually there’s a lot of people that can’t sleep and not being able to sleep is a terrible thing.
Anthony: You know that’s another thing that has come up when I’ve spoken to you before. You are talking about being with Richard Simcott, and he uses the story of him staying up so late at night and just being fascinated, and just not stopping. How do you, given all that you do and all that’s required of your brain power, how to do manage to do so much and also be well rested. You’re obviously a very fit and healthy guy.
Luca: Fit, I don’t know about fit.
Anthony: But I mean what’s with sleep, and your ability to retain and working memory and all these kinds of things that are required for learning a language.
Luca: I’ll give you one very simple answer. My answer would be that I manage to speak and maintain languages because I live them every day. I found the best environment for me. There are a lot of people focused on the best method, the best approach and then they focus on getting the materials, etc., but first I believe that the human factor is one of most important things.
Language has been created in order to communicate. We convey thoughts through language and if you find the best conditions, your brain and your capacities are going to thrive. So what I did is I told myself when I started speaking more than three or four languages, I told myself that the only way I could maintain so many languages at a certain level was to live them.
On the one side you can structure your day so that can for example listen to the radio when you’re washing the dishes or you can read books. But that’s time you choose to spend on the languages. But on the other side, if for example you live in a city like Berlin or Rome or Paris and you surround yourself with what I call the microenvironment with foreigners. You live with foreigners, you go out with foreigners, and you tend to speak languages all the time. Like currently for example I am living with my friend Davie. He is from London, you know him, and a Dutch girl, and that allows me to speak Dutch and English on a daily basis.
I also go out very often with a lot of friends who live in Rome, and I tend to speak other languages. I have a lot of friends everywhere. One the one hand in real life I have this microenvironment where I speak two or three languages at home plus when I go out I speak other languages with other people, with my friends, and I work with languages.
Why Language Learning Is More About Managing Your Time Than Words And Phrases
As a language coach what I do is basically I give classes in the language about language but also about a structure, how to organize your time, etc., and I do it in various languages, for example in all sorts of possible combinations. For example, Americans want to learn Spanish, Spaniards want to English, Italians want to learn English, Americans want to improve their Italian, and so on, from Russian into English, English into Russian. So I’ve got to practice a number of languages on a daily basis and one of the best ways to learn is to teach.
If you teach you learn a lot. I guess it happened to you as well. You’re trying to figure out ways to help as many people as possible and this means that you are going to do some research and you’re going to apply it to yourself. So you’re going to understand the process better. This is exactly what I’ve been doing in the last five years, trying to figure out ways to help as many people as possible, figure out their best way.
So it’s not only a psychological growth, because you have to understand people better. It’s not just understanding people better. A good language coach and even a good language teacher doesn’t necessarily have to speak the language perfectly but has to have the capacity of understanding the student’s needs and tastes, etc., being able to relate to him, and I think the psychological process, I’ve said it a number of times, is absolutely important to thrive in language learning, because without psychological aspect, you can try to nail everything but things probably will not work.
Anthony: So speaking of coaching, if I were to come to you and say, “Luca, I want a coach and I need that personal attention from an individual because nothing else is going to work.” What is the first thing that you’re going to say to me in response, assuming that we go through the mechanical stuff of transactions and filling out forms? What’s the first thing that you’ll say?
Luca: The first thing I will say is why do you want to learn this language? First I’m going to ask you about the reasons why you’re doing this and then your personal story, you’re personal history in so far as language learning is concerned, and I’m going to ask you about yourself. What do you do? What are your interests?
First of all it’s about trying to figure out who you are, what you want, why you want it and all the lessons are tailored around your tastes and needs, and I take into account what kind of person you are. For example, let me give you a very concrete example. If you are a very shy person, and you have difficulty expressing yourself some reason, the very first thing that I am going to do is focus on the things that you are good at, for example, at reading or listening and small tasks to get out of your comfort zone. You might even learn how to memorize a song in a foreign language.
I’m not going to talk to you immediately, okay, we’re going to have this conversation in the language right now. Because it might be detrimental actually. So the very first thing that I do is to try to understand, you know language experience does count. Because I’ve noticed that the people who have never learned a language before and maybe they’re in their 50s, struggle a little bit more than people who say have learned another language.
But it’s not just about language experience. It is multiple factors that play a role and you have to try to tackle every single aspect and to try to do it from the very beginning.
Why Children Suck At Language Learning
Anthony: You mentioned people who are in their 50s, and you’ve said before and you mention in your master class that actually we often make the mistake of saying that children have some special advantage in language learning and older people are thought struggle more than children, but you kind of have an interesting take on that, and if you could say something about that kind of paradox about age and language learning.
Luca: It’s a paradox because first of all I don’t believe, this might sound absurd to a lot of people who have been claiming that the acquisition of your first language is different from the acquisition of the second language, I believe that the mechanisms and the way we learn languages as adults or kids are almost the same. There are differences in the way our brain is wired that’s true. It’s true that in a way that kid’s brain develops fast and that it’s a little bit different psychologically. They want to blend in so what they do is they tend to play with their schoolmates, etc. They develop the language in a certain way.
If you think about it, I’ve met in my life, I’ve met adults that speak a given language, a foreign language extremely well, because for example they have lived in the country for three years and they have family. Let’s suppose a French guy living in the Czech Republic. He moved there maybe 30 years ago, and he’s been speaking the language ever since, and he’s got a family, and he speaks to his kids in Czech, to his wife in Czech. He might have an accent, but he might develop the nuisances that are characteristic of a native speaker.
I lived in France for three years. I’ve learned so many things. Not just about the language, the way they talk, the way they move their mouth. These are things that I actually do. When I speak English it’s a very different thing but I digress. What I wanted to say is that basically I think that any person who speaks his native tongue well can learn any language.
Think about it, as a native speaker you can hold hundreds and hundreds of thousands of words, hundreds of thousands of combination of words and expressions and it’s amazing. I strongly believe that our capacity of learning anything is not infinite but it is huge. If you think that we have more neurons than there are stars in the sky, there are millions, I don’t know it’s a mindboggling number. So I believe that you can accomplish anything in life if you put yourself in the right circumstances, conditions, etc., your brain is literally and your capacity is really going to thrive.
People think for example that it’s exceptional that a person speaks ten languages. I would say it’s exceptional because just a few people do it, but it doesn’t mean that people can’t do it. It’s just because it’s a combination of things. I do believe that talent can play a role. It can facilitate the process, but I also believe because I’ve seen it firsthand that, I’m talking about language learning but this goes for everything, you can do amazing things or supposedly amazing things that look amazing but actually they are within our brain’s capacity.
You Don’t Have To Be Talented To Learn Another Language
Anthony: Talk a little bit about talent. I mean we did some magic tricks the other night, and I just want to bring that up because you were saying teach me a trick. Some people show me tricks. They never want to teach me trick. That’s true. There are certain things that I can do with cards that you can do too and there is nothing particularly talented about them it’s just putting in the time and analyzing where the hands need to be and analyzing the audience and doing this and doing that and saying this at a particular moment and not another moment. But I think the number one challenge is actually sitting down and doing it.
But if there were more, what are some of the talents that you think that you have in particular that have gotten you this kind of success that another person could look at himself or herself and say I am lacking in that area and then they could actually build a talent.
Because we’re talking about age and all that stuff, we know that neuroplasticity is a reality and the brain can change and certain activities that we engage in can cause new neural networks to form and that sort of stuff. What do you think that you have in particular that others may not that they could then work towards getting in order to put some stuff in their toolbox?
Luca: You ask very interesting questions. Thinking about language, language is a huge field actually. I would say that the thing that I have developed which may differentiate me from other people might be phonetics. It might be the way I pronounce languages. But I don’t really know whether I have a talent for that or I have a knack for sounds.
I would say that I believe, I strongly believe that the reason why I pronounce certain languages well or supposedly well, that’s what people tell me, is that I train. I train not just sitting down and thinking okay now I’m going to train. I train in every possible situation. Think about it, I don’t know if you ever talk to yourself. That might sound a little bit crazy but everybody does. Once in a lifetime they’ve done it.
Anthony: I’m talking to myself right now. No I’m listening to you very attentively.
Use This Butt-Naked Fluency Secret First Thing Every Morning
Luca: What I do for example instead of sitting down and thinking okay I’m going to deliberately spend some time doing this activity, I just train while I take a shower or while I go walking. Once I was even in the metro, and I really felt like speaking. I couldn’t talk to anybody. I just couldn’t come up and say, “Hey, hi, how are you doing?” But start a conversation like in the metro would have been a little bit weird unless I had a specific purpose, right?
So I just got my phone out of my pocket and I just started talking as if I were having a conversation with my girlfriend. I was calling this imaginary girlfriend and talking with her in Dutch because I wanted to practice Dutch. So I was imagining and literally taking pauses as if I were listening to this person talking to me and I was replying. So I was imagining this conversation for the purpose of training. I was calling her. I remember that I was imagining in my mind imagining her sitting with her friends and talking about stuff. What are you doing? Where are you going? What are you going to do tonight? All sorts of things.
This helped me actually articulate the sounds. I don’t remember how many facial muscles we have but you have to train your facial muscles as well as your mouth, etc., because it’s like sports. When you start jogging, the very first time you go jogging you are like breathless and you tell yourself who made me do this. You’re cursing yourself for going to the park, but actually it becomes easier. It is the same thing for languages.
When we speak languages we tend to step out of our comfort zone so far as sounds are concerned because we have to utter sounds that are completely different. Sometimes they are very, very different and difficult to pronounce at the beginning but if you do it consistently it gets easier and easier in a matter of two, three or four months and the way to go about this is not just – you can do some work at home sitting down but what counts is that you find a purpose. You tell yourself I want to communicate certain idea to somebody even if it’s an imaginary girlfriend that you are talking to on the phone in the metro and you just talk.
People tend to consider, this has been my experience, tend to think and tend to focus too much on the small details instead of taking a look at the bigger picture. Imagine that you are taking a look at a picture and somebody tells you, you start looking at this picture and you focus on the small things instead of figuring out the message the picture wants to convey.
What I do is, in very specific terms, don’t focus on the pronunciation of the single words but try to utter a sentence. If you want to practice one word say it within a sentence. This is called a top-down approach. Because if you start with bottom-up approach, what happens is you start with pronouncing single words, then might pronounce a word correctly or very well, but when you have to chain sounds one after the other in a sentence, then it gets a little bit difficult. But if you start from the very beginning with short sentences then it gets better and better.
How To Enter The Mazes Of Phrases And Get Out Alive And Fluent
For example, let’s suppose an Italian wants to practice the word church because it is difficult for us to say church. So instead of telling him to try to say church, church, church, for ten times, just try to say I want to go to the church. You would practice it a number of times, and then maybe you can make your sentence longer and try to say I want to go to a church because I want to meet some people because I love God, etc., etc. So you start with a short sentence and then you make it longer so that if you think about it you’re practicing the pronunciation of ten words instead of just one at a time. It makes a huge difference in the long run.
Anthony: So what do you do with someone who says but I can’t memorize, I can’t even get myself to memorize or pronounce “I want to go.”
Luca: What I tell them is that don’t think about the fact that you can’t memorize, just do it. Meaning, what I would say, the meaning of the thing that I would say is that remember that you speak your first language. Why do you speak your first language, we talked about in another podcast that languages are just networks. What I would suggest and this is my approach, maybe yours is different in memorizing words, but what I do is I always tell them that if they build the network like a spiderweb then the flies, which are the words, are going to get stuck automatically in the long run.
One concrete example, this doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily super easy, when it comes to languages for example that are very different like Russian, Russian is a Slavic language so a lot of words have Slavic roots and they are difficult to remember. But when you start delving into the language you’re just recognizing the small clues that are inside words. Once you memorize that it becomes so much easier to memorize words. Because some words even contain other words.
So when you start at the beginning, you might struggle a little bit but if you expose yourself, and you still consider the language always as an effort when you read, when you listen, when you talk, etc., things become easier and easier.
For example if you have to remember the word РАСПРОСТРАНЕННЫЙ, it’s difficult to pronounce. You can focus on the sound. You can focus on РАСПРОСТРАНЕННЫЙ, which means common, but instead of just thinking wow this is like a long word. I’m not going to remember. You might remember it now because you are going to commit it to your short-term memory, but then you have to actually remember it maybe in a couple of days and then in a conversation it’s going to get a little bit complicated.
So my suggestion is even when you have words like that, break them down into shorter pieces. For example РАСПРОСТРАНЕННЫЙ, you can divide into РАС-ПРОС-ТРА-НЕННЫЙ and then if you break it down, this is a technique called back chain, you repeat this word a number of times and then your brain will actually figure out the elements.
One other example, German is very famous for putting words – you can see these words are huge because they are made of four or five words. But actually if you spot the words or a pair it becomes much easier. They put an “s” to put these words together sometimes. So, everything boils down to how you see things.
If you see this word and you tell yourself this is too difficult, you’re already lost, you’ve lost the battle. But if you tell yourself, hmm, let me look at this word actually. Take two seconds to look at the word and tell yourself actually this word is not so difficult because look at this. This is like spot the “s” in the case of German and you will see that the “s” separates two elements, and then you will see these two elements and maybe if you know one you just have to remember the other one.
Why You Need To Use All Of Your Senses (And Your Muscles)
And I always suggest this is probably how I figured out my memory works. My memory works visually meaning that I can – actually when I’m fairly advanced in a language I can memorize words also just by listening to them, but normally I strongly believe that if you want to commit any piece of information to your long-term memory, what you should do is you should try to use all the senses.
Well, not all of them but like sight, so you have to see the word. Then you have to listen to it and then you have to pronounce it so you’re using your mouth, your using your ears and then you’re using your eyes and the more you do that, instead of just listening, some people advocate that you just listen and it’s great, but then if you don’t have a base, being able to see the word might help.
So I just put all these elements together and then I don’t sing in the shower, I just talk. Some people sing in the shower, I just talk for example and even in the car. I don’t know if you ever noticed it, some courses just give advice and they say, you know, maybe when you’re driving the car just talk to yourself. The person next to you and think you’re totally crazy but maybe you’re just talking on the phone. A person talking to themselves the first thing you’re going to see is you’re going to try to spot a microphone or try to spot a telephone to help them see maybe they’re not crazy. They’re just talking to somebody. And it turns out to be true like 95% of the time. Depending on where you go.
Anthony: That’s hopeful anyway that they’re doing something like that and not talking to themselves. But let me think here, so I’m not going to try and do the tongue rolls but РАСПРОСТРАНЕННЫЙ ‑
Luca: РАСПРОСТРАНЕННЫЙ
Anthony: Yeah okay. So, break that down a little bit. When you are learning that, that means common right?
Luca: Yes.
Anthony: And so, just the process that you, just quickly, you encounter that word. How did you encounter it and/or in what context and then what do you do next, and what do you next and what’s going on?
Luca: Very good. What I do is just, if you want to memorize that word, I think that you not only understand and this is the first process, you first decipher it. You break it down.
You then get a text, not a list of words. So you just have to grab a text and it should be interesting to you. I believe that one of the reasons why a lot people fail learning languages is school and not only at school because they tend to be exposed to text or materials which stops and they’re not interested in. If you’re interested in something, you know, thing about five things you like. Then you just go and look. The Internet allows you to search for any sort of material. Then you just get exposed to it, preferably with an audio.
Then what I do is, I try to listen. I try to read at the same time and what I do, for example, I stumble upon a word like РАСПРОСТРАНЕННЫЙ, first I break it down into parts. The very first phase is to decipher and understand the text because you can’t learn something you don’t understand. If you understand you’ve got a higher chance of retaining the information.
Then what I do, I might have delved into this because this is very specific, but what I do is to use a system, a space-time repetition system. A space-time repetition can work/cannot work. I know that for some people it doesn’t work, but it depends on how they do it. They have to personalize this process as well. If you hear that the best technique is to have a space-time repetition system in which you have to repeat a word every single day or every two days, it doesn’t work.
Possibly Each And Every One Of Us Learns In A Different Way
Every brain is different. Possibly, each and every one of us learns in a different way. So you have to find the best way that adapts to the way you’re learning and committing information into long-term memory.
Mine was to build a system where I found out the best intervals of time in which I’m not just repeating stuff but I’m using that word or attacking that piece of information from different angles. One day I read it, one day you listen to it and one day I use it.
The other piece of advice that I’ll give is use this thing. Languages have been created to be used. If you can use these things you’re telling your brain that this or that piece of information is important, and the brain is going to retain it. So this is kind of important.
So I’ve structured, I’ve built a system in which I tend to first of all put myself in the best conditions to understand something, and then to use it basically. Then to review it in a certain way and then finally to start using it. Obviously there are some words like РАСПРОСТРАНЕННЫЙ which is a common word in Russian but there are like very uncommon words that you might not use in your lifetime. The reason why we know it as native speakers is because for some reason we’ve been exposed to them, or when you read. But how many times are going to use words like “grate” in English. I don’t know. It depends right.
Why Word Choices Are Personal, Context-Specific And Based On Practical Use
Anthony: I use it all the time.
Luca: Well you use it all the time but the point is that everybody is different. So some people and this I think this has not been tackled anywhere, my way of dealing with words has to do with – I believe that we have this core of words that that everybody uses because they’re absolutely necessary. You can’t avoid using these words. Some words might not carry a lot of information like “and, the, on,” etc. These are common words. But there are other words that depend on the specific field of your work, of your life, etc.
Maybe somebody working in the lumberjack business, for example, might know some specific words that have to do with wood or their specific work. Screwdriver for example, somebody working the specific field. Some other people will never use that word. Screwdriver is another common word but if you think about rate, if you think about things that are very specific, once I saw in forum a person say if you don’t know these words it means – I remember it was hot flashes. I didn’t even know it at the time when I saw it, hot flashes, first I’m not a woman.
Anthony: Well you can get andropause if you’re a man.
Luca: I can get andropause, that’s true. But I didn’t know this word and I found it a little bit shocking that some people really believe that fluency has to do with – it does have to do with the amount of words you know up to a certain level because you have to know a lot of words in order to speak fluently, but for some people advocating that if you don’t know like ten words that are almost never used or it’s going to be very unlikely that you’re going to hear it, then you don’t know the language.
If you think about it, even in your native English and my native Italian, we don’t know a lot of words. We know actually a tiny fraction of the words that exist and our vocabulary is huge. There’s hundreds of thousands of words. English has, I don’t know how many words, a million words? It depends. Obviously some people want to know all the words as they explore bilingualism but in most of the times you don’t need to know all the words but you need to know who to use a tiny fraction of the words that you have to use in order to communicate.
So my idea is what a person should do is to learn how to put them together, syntax, how to structure a sentence and then you can learn all the words that you want. So to me it’s first build the structure, and then add the content, the meat.
Anthony: Well we’re talking about words and words and one of the things that I always get asked about is what do you do if a word has more meanings than one. So for instance grate which you were mentioning can also be to grate, to make something small, like grated cheese. So how do you contend with that?
Luca: Interesting question.
Anthony: Because many, many words have that quality of meaning more than one thing and the technical term for that, speaking of the million words in English is polysemy, the polysemy of words, the poly – the many-ness of the semantics.
Luca: Which is another aspect that is quite important. Well I would say the easiest way to tackle this is to get exposed to language as much as possible because with multiple contexts you’re going to see that these words are used in a different way in languages such as Chinese, for example, they don’t have many sounds and very often a sound, I’m not even talking about a word, a certain sound can mean not only different words but can be a verb, can be an adverb at the same time, to be a noun depending on where you find it. So you have to, if you want to tackle this, you better tackle it immediately and you have to tackle it with a certain mentality and tell yourself, when you look up a word, don’t just restrict yourself to thinking okay this word has just one meaning but go and actually look at dictionaries, like online dictionaries such a word reference has this but many dictionaries offer that. Try to see the possible meanings or the possible uses of that word.
Okay this word РАСПРОСТРАНЕННЫЙ means common, got it. No, try to see it in two or three sentences where this РАСПРОСТРАНЕННЫЙ could mean different things. I’m not talking about РАСПРОСТРАНЕННЫЙ but another word. In English you use some words it can be a pronoun or can be a verb or can be an adjective depending on where you find it. In Italian it is the same thing. There are some special cases like in Chinese in which this is particularly important.
Language Is Almost Like DNA
But the idea, it all boils down to the way the mentality with which you approach a problem. If you think that there is just a simple correspondence between one word and the other words in language and that one word has just one meaning then you’re missing out on the bigger picture. I wouldn’t go so far to say that it’s detrimental but it can slow you down because you have to see a language, once again I know that I insist on this, as a network. Like DNA almost. So a certain piece in a certain position has to be linked to other pieces around it in a certain spot. It’s different in another spot.
Anthony: So given this kind of need to see things in a network sort of sensibility, what do you think is the number one thing that people do that prevents them from entering that network, to becoming a part of it and keeps them outside rather than in the field so to speak.
Luca: There are a number of things that can keep you from figuring that out. First is to consider words as isolated elements of the language and the other thing is that I think it is actually important is they don’t use the language. They might think okay I just am studying this language and using books but they’re not using it.
So my piece of advice, especially in languages that are similar to your native tongue, is to start using the language and make it meaningful to you. One of the best ways is to get to know people. Nowadays even if you live in Alaska or Australia or some places like in a small island near New Zealand you can still find people on the Internet or people you can talk to, and you better find people you want to talk to. If you find a person or stumble upon a person you don’t want to talk to or people have the same interests or whatever, what counts is that you’re starting to use the language and the language becomes meaningful to you and all doors open because your brain is going to absorb the information in a much easier way.
If a language is confined within the realm of just books or things that are not even interesting to you, you’re going to struggle. You will see that the moment you start using the language, and using the language mind you doesn’t necessarily mean speaking the language, you could even just type or you can listen. There’s a number of ways you can translate. You can do a number of things to make it meaningful to you that don’t necessarily imply speaking. Speaking would be the best option because by speaking you reinforce certain mechanisms and your brain learns how to use the language like live with people and emotions are involved and it facilitates the process.
But you can do a number of things once again without necessarily speaking if you are a shy person or simply if you don’t feel like speaking to somebody.
Anthony: One thing I’ve always wanted to ask you, I’ve actually thought about it before, it came up after our second interview, and I just thought wow why didn’t I ask this. Having to do with language coaching and so forth, I wonder if I were an actor, like I was going to be in a new movie with Tom Cruise and I had a pretty big part and I needed to speak Russian, and I don’t want to learn Russian. I just want to be able to look like I can say 12 lines of text perfect, dead on and everything like as if it is just exactly my mother tongue. What would you do in that case and or would you even touch such a case as a language coach?
Like An Actor, You Need To Understand Why You Say Things In A Certain Way
Luca: Yeah, why not. Anything is feasible. What I would do first of all is to teach them how the language works, the basic intonation patterns. It’s a very interesting thing that if you think about it every language has basic intonation patterns that can be reproduced, it can be easily spotted if you do a certain training and this is a training I’ve been doing for a number of years in five to six languages, and instead of just telling them you have this text learn it by heart, I would tell them first of all try to understand why you say things in a certain way.
Let me give you an example. If you are an Italian native speaker and you want to learn, for example, a sentence in English, you have to understand why certain things are said in a certain way.
If you say, “I want to go to church because I like it.” Instead of telling this Italian guy, okay just listen to this and say, “I want to go to church because I like it.” Think about it. You say you have two sound units. So as you attach all the words together the first thing that you say is “I want to go to church” and then you raise the frequency, you know the vocal cords vibrate. They have like a certain fundamental frequency and you go up, and I will tell them, the reason why you go up here and you say “I want to go to church” ‑ you can say it in a number of ways obviously, but the reason why you raise your tone is because you’re about to say something else.
If you think about it we constantly raise and lower our tone to convey meaning and to let the other person understand what we’re about to say. Every time we raise our tone in certain spots within the sentence, we are actually telling the other person that either we have finished delivering one piece of information, or we’re about to say something else. All the sentences that have a secondary clause, something like “I want to go to church but,” “I want to go to church and,” “I want to go to church although,” and I have this pattern. You build and you actually train people.
The first thing is I would train people in basic patterns. I would say every time you say a sentence, you should probably start with short sentences, you have a point where you have to lower you tone because it’s a statement. Any statement, any possibly statement unless it’s a question, has to end somewhere. So you see the end just by seeing it written. But the end in terms of sound is simply when you lower your tone on a certain syllable within a word which is very often the last word but not necessarily and that means that you have finished. That means that I have finished, fi-nished and all the rest is low.
So every single sentence you have to see every single sentence as a message. So if somebody who wants to be a good actor, the very first thing is what is it that you’re trying to communicate. The thing that you’re trying to communicate is a message and if you have that message and there are small mini messages inside the message as well. So instead of telling, once again, you have to repeat this by heart, which could be difficult. If you understand something it is going to be much easier.
Break It Down
You first break it down into smaller chunks. You first explain. Then you explain to them why the chunks are pronounced in a certain way. You focus on the chunks and you put them all together. This is basically how training works and it works very well if you know how exactly. They commit it to long-term memory because they understood it. You can tell, even if an actor is very good, you can tell that if they speak the language or they don’t speak the language.
For example I suspect that you might know the guy. I don’t remember his name, memory fails me, but there’s a very famous movie by, I don’t remember his name either, but wait, I’m going to do this like I’m going to try remember Tarantino, Quentin Tarantino, Inglorious Basterds, and you can tell, I don’t know if you’ve seen it?
Anthony: Yes.
Luca: And there’s this guy that speaks a number of languages. He is a fantastic actor.
Anthony: Christoph Waltz
Luca: Yes, you’re the memory guy, you surely have a better memory than I do. For example, I have a problem with names. I don’t remember names. Not because I don’t remember them, it’s just because maybe I’m not interested. Well this is another thing.
Anthony: I can help you with that. 😉
Luca: You’re going help me with that. So fixed. Deal. So we have Christoph Waltz who speak a number of languages very well, like he recites very well but I could tell, I suspect, I don’t know, I’ve never looked it up, maybe we can do it later, that he speaks French because his French is natural. He does not look like, oh of course it’s not perfect, he sounds foreign, but his French is so natural in the way he talks that I suspect that he knows French well. English the same thing. Italian instead he just recited a couple of lines but you can tell it’s a little bit stiff. So even if he’s a very good actor you can tell obviously its normal. It’s not his native tongue. I don’t think it’s that easy to pronounce language perfectly, but I still believe that there are certain things that can facilitate the process.
If he had probably understood like how Italian intonation works, and he put some more possibly, you know a lot of people don’t think that it’s necessarily important that he speaks like a native. It adds a flavor to it if you speak as if you have a foreign accent.
But in that case I think that for some actors if they want to recite 12 sentences in a language I would spend some time training, four or five days in making them understand why things are the way they are, and then things are going to be much easier and provide a visual aide, visual guidelines.
People talk about they can see the notes when they play the music, musicians. You can do the same thing for language. You can literally find a system which is consistent. In phonetic books there are all sorts of systems that can be used, visual systems but every system is different depending on the author but what they have in common is that they are consistent. These are the things like for raising tone you use something like this. You’re going up with an arrow or you’re going down, etc. Other people do other things. What counts is that if you have a visual guideline, actually it’s going to be very, very helpful for your memory because you are understanding things, you’re breaking things down, and you’re going to repeat and produce something that you have not understood that has a meaningful message.
Anthony: We have been talking about acting now, and we talked about magic earlier, and there’s an old saying that says that a magician is really just an actor playing the part of a magician, and I wonder to what extent you think that that might apply to language learning.
Luca: It applies a lot because the moment I’m talking to you now for example in American English I feel a different person. So you have to be an actor in a way. Obviously it’s difficult to be an actor all the time, because an actor is just reciting. But I would say in the big show of life, if you are consistent, you’re telling your brain that when you speak the language you have a certain way of moving and talking to people, etc., and if your brain absorbs it, then it actually becomes easier to be phonetically consistent and to speak in a certain way.
Language Is In The Hands
Now if we talk about sounds, because language is mainly sounds that you would produce, but it’s also in the way use hands. For example the way I’m using my hands right now, I would not use them in the same way as if I were speaking Italian. I would go more like crazier, I don’t know. But the way I use my eyes, my nose, my tongue, my hands, my body is different and whenever I speak the language the amazing thing that happens is that, I suspect and I’m not a neuroscientist, but I believe that the reason why I speak in a certain way is the product and the result of the experiences I lived through that specific language.
In English sometimes I see things, I see specific sentences and specific situations that I’ve seen actors use, heard actors use in certain movies for example. So movies and the characters who are in the movies played a role as well as the people I met in real life and they all contribute to my personality, or I wouldn’t go so far as to say personality but a side of my personality, because I don’t believe that speaking a language changes my personality but actually it shows another side of the personality that I have when I speak another language. So a person potentially can express all the facets of her or his personality if he spoke a number of languages, and I do believe that’s exactly what happens when you speak a language, and the better you speak a language the more evident this becomes.
Like in English I hope I speak English easily. I have this, this thing, this is very evident. Like I feel a different person. I’m not a different person but I feel different because I’ve lived the language, and I have a parallel life. I have my Italian life but I also have my life I live through Engligh which makes a huge difference. It’s because of the experiences that I lived.
Anthony: Your English is excellent.
Luca: Thanks.
Anthony: But it’s interesting what you mention about gestures because I don’t think I’ve done this nearly as much as I have since living in Germany because as a Canadian we just don’t do that that much. I’m not sure what the alternative is in Canada. I wonder, as you’ve traveled around living in these different countries, do you ever feel that you have become less Italian?
Luca: Yeah, well that’s a yes and no. That’s a difficult question to tackle. I believe that I have, I’m still Italian, but I wouldn’t say that speaking other languages made me less Italian but it made me richer, it made me more. It didn’t make me less Italian. It made me more international. So I’m Italian but I’m more international.
What I would say is that it made me understand, it made me see Italy and Italians and myself in a bigger framework so I understand why we say certain things, why we think certain things, and other people think certain things. It made me understand my own country better. It made me more conscious of the person I am living in this world but I wouldn’t go so far as to say that it made me less Italian though.
Can Living Abroad And Learning A Language Destroy Your Cultural Identity?
Anthony: It’s kind of a weird way to phrase the question. I was just thinking of a friend of mine who told me that when I first moved New York he said, “Oh, three months from now you won’t be Canadian anymore.” It will be impossible because the country the flowing. It’s in its own zone so to speak and once you’re out then you re-enter. It’s like you can’t step in the same river twice kind of philosophy. I just thought, come on man, that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. I’m Canadian and I’m going to be Canadian for the rest of my life but eight years later, I go back to Canada and I have no conception of where, I don’t recognize the place anymore and I don’t recognize myself inside of it. It’s what they call reverse culture shock. I kind of did not mean to say that less Italian, that was a weird way of phrasing it, but that kind of thing of can you reenter and have it.
Luca: That’s a different ‑
Anthony: You know what I’m trying to get at?
Luca: Yeah, absolutely. Well the thing that happened after living three years in Paris is that I became a little bit more, I don’t want to use the word intolerant, but there are certain things that I cannot stand anymore that I took for granted. For example waiting for the bus for 45 minutes without anybody telling you, maybe under pouring the rain, without anybody telling you why that is happening is very irritating. In France if something like that happens, people are going to start the second revolution, the French revolution.
So there are certain things that I found difficult to accept after living in a country which is, let’s face it, more efficient, and on the one hand I appreciate some things more because every country has problems and every country has good and bad things. Italians I believe they are a wonderful people but there are some things that could be changed if we, and I include myself, put some energy and some will into. There’s just no will to change things because Italians say we got this far and who cares.
So in a way, once again, I’m not less Italian, I’m just more conscious of the things that could be better, things that other people might not be conscious of because they’ve been living in that environment for their whole life. So they don’t know that actually things can be different, it can be better and that’s it. I think it made me a richer person and because I see and I think I can see a problem or a reality from different perspectives. There’s not one bad thing I could say when somebody tells me, this is quite common actually, oh yeah, you are just good if you speak English. You have been living in Germany for eight years right, if I remember correctly.
Anthony: Well I’ve been out of Canada for that long.
Luca: Yeah, for a certain amount of time, would you think that your experience would be same if you didn’t speak a word of German?
Anthony: Uh, I don’t know because I do speak, I speak lots of German.
Luca: But at the beginning would you think that if you didn’t speak a word of German you wouldn’t be able to talk to certain people and people might speak English to you but they might not be as warm and trustworthy and all sorts of things if you didn’t speak their language. There’s like this English bubble. People can live here obviously, people can understand you, you can order things, you don’t need words, you just need your finger to just point at things. But speaking the language gives you the experience and the thing you experience are completely different.
Anthony: Yeah, that’s actually an interesting question, and you probably have this experience as well. Being a second language speaker or third language speaker, you’re always speaking in context. There’s always a frame, a framework around what you’re doing. So there’s something called Amtsdeutsch in German which is the kind of German that you use in public offices.
So when I go to the Ausländerbehörde which is the immigration office, there is a special kind of German there that is used and if you’re Canadian then that special kind of German that you might be struggling through is treated differently than if you are from a poor impoverished country that these people struggle to get in.
So there’s that kind of issue that goes on in language learning and then there’s the kind of German that you hear at a doner stand or where you get grilled chickens and there’s just all kinds of different Germans. There is not one German language and so I wonder what you think about that. That’s another piece of the puzzle of language learning. We treat it as if we are learning a language but each language is languages in and of itself.
Luca: Yeah, I agree. There are all sorts of languages within a language because in ever context you can learn to express yourself in a certain way or you have to use certain words and there is registers. You would not talk to your friend, you know you’re having a beer in a bar, and you would not talk to him or her in the way you would talk when you go to an office or when you have to go to university and you have to talk to your professor, you have to talk to your friends and family, etc. So there are all sorts of things you have to understand.
Why People Are The Most Important Part Of Learning A Language
It’s about cultural consciousness and this is particularly important when it comes to the languages like Japanese. In Japanese there are these registers and I believe in Korean it’s even worse. The situation is even worse. People actually get angry at you unless they understand you are like a foreigner because you’re just talking to your professor as you would say, “Hey buddy, how you doing? What’s up?” Image you walk up to your professor and you say, “Hey buddy, what’s up?” Your teacher is going to take a look at you and say he’s crazy. I’m not going to talk to this guy or you are going to fail and flunk the exam. Which is a more likely possibility. So it’s absolutely correct that you have to learn that the language you find in a book might not be the language you actually get to hear every day.
Actually that’s the reason why people are so important. When you watch a movie and you watch it with foreigner, I’m sorry, when you watch it with a native speaker, it’s so enriching because you might not understand a word or that person and that happened to me quite a lot of times and say you know, this is a common situation. This is this the thing that people say in that situation. This is a very common sentence because everybody knows this movie. So they are helping you understand not only, it’s called pragmatics, how you’re supposed to use the language.
They read a book by Oscar Wilde and then I go around and talk like the book, like Oscar Wilde, people obviously would say you’re talking like the book. You’re still communicating but talking like the book is not like talking in normal life. So, this also is kind of important because I think that one of the mistakes, the very common mistakes is that people tend to focus on things that are not strictly necessary.
If first you understand your goal, if you actually realize that your goal is one of communicating with people, it’s one thing. If you want to understand and read literature, like ancient literature in a given language that’s another goal completely. So if your goal is to talk to people, just start talking to people and you’re going to understand and you’re going to realize very quickly what kind of language is being used. Well the book is something else or you can do both.
A native speaker normally does both because most native speakers have a certain path. They live within a family, they go to school, they go to university, so they understand all these sorts of things by living the language, but a person who is an adult or like a second language learner and who learns a language in a certain way might actually end up learning just one piece of the language and not understanding that actually there are a lot of facets, there is a lot of aspects to a language they are not aware of and they should be aware of if their goal is to speak like a native speaker or speak a language fluently and blend in.
Anthony: Speaking of speaking like a native speaker, you’ve got a new course out which is a master class. Can you tell us a little bit about that and the benefits involved in being a student of that course.
Luca: I have been learning, I’ve been teaching, I’ve been training I would say, I would use the word training a lot of students in the last five years but still I’m just one person. So I can help people. I saw how beneficial this can be for people if you just show them the way.
I don’t know if you’ve heard of this thing that a great teacher is the one who shows you the way but doesn’t tell you what to see. What I mean is I try to show them the way and but I couldn’t help the one-to-one conversation or one-to-one class. So I have in the last five years I’ve had so many requests from people, and I can’t possibly work with everybody because it’s impossible.
So I told myself the best way to do this is to create a course that people can actually watch and they can take, extract information, valuable information, and I basically tackle what I consider the most important things for a language learner to make somebody independent and to figure out for example, the things that we’ve been talking about, to figure out how to decipher intonation, pronunciation with a very special approach. This is one thing.
Another thing is how to tackle a conversation because I believe that holding a conversation is a kind of art, and how you can develop your language skills very, very fast by knowing how to use Skype. Skype is just an instrument but if you know how to use it, it becomes very powerful.
Obviously also the memory thing, how to use your memory efficiently because one of, I think, the biggest struggle is to remember words. People want to remember a lot of words. They’re like the bricks of the language, they don’t know how. I believe that the reason why a lot of people can’t is not because they can’t because they speak their own native tongue. To speak thousands of words is possible. They just don’t know how to do it. If you know how to do it things are much, much, much easier. I told myself, I figured this out. I want to give this to people because I think that it can be very, very beneficial.
I’ve been seeing governments spend thousands and thousands of Euro and like you go to school for five years and you can’t string a word together. Why is that? There must be a reason. The reason is that their people are not trained to learn languages. They are taught the language. I don’t believe that you can teach a language. You can lead a horse to water. You can’t make him drink. So what I think every school should do or every institution is show, train people to learn and then you show them the direction. You’re not just telling me, going back to what I was saying before, if you tell them what to see, for example grammar patterns, they’re not going to nail them. They have to understand how to tackle grammar patterns and they’re going to do them themselves.
If you try to teach them, so I put this comprehensive course together tackling what I believe the most important things and especially focusing on training people and the last thing is for example time management. I believe that time management is absolutely important. People don’t know how to manage their time. People, me included sometimes, I told myself I don’t have time for this. It’s not that you don’t have time. Every day you have to find the time to do something you like. So it’s not about having time. It’s about finding the time and if you start, you will revolutionize your world and every time you tell yourself you don’t have time. Instead of telling yourself I don’t have the time you say I did not find the time then the next day you might find the time. You know what, I do have the time actually.
Learn A Language By Doing Something You Like Every Day
It’s just every day you do something you like. Every day you do find the time to listen to music, to take a walk or whatever. So you can do exactly the same thing for language and in only 30 minutes a day or 15, 15 minutes is nothing if you thing about it, 15 minutes a day you can accomplish a lot. I explain, for example, how to use your time effectively in all sorts of situations even when you’re waiting for the bus. It’s all these things together and a lot of people actually watch that master class. I’m very happy about it.
Anthony: Yeah, I’ve taken it myself actually and even as I guess I would say an intermediate language learner, I wouldn’t say I’m advanced in that sense, but certainly advanced in the memorization field that goes along with language learning, but I learned a great deal because and I’ve been on both sides of the coin, learning in a language class and learning in a self-taught context and the idea and the structural – basically it’s not really a system but there’s a systematic element to what you’re teaching where you can help yourself come up with your own system is very well described and expressed and just some of the diagrammatic elements that are laid out for you are really fantastic and I learned a lot and benefited a great deal.
Also, I don’t want embarrass you or anything, but you’re a great teacher. It’s interesting to listen to, it’s fast paced and there is useful things that you can take away if you keep notes and revisit the course more than once because you’re not going to get it all in the first time, and I think above all there is the most important thing which is the inspiration to take action that you get from going through this and seeing it from a master the actual procedure that he’s used himself. It’s not theory handed down by the government that goes into a classroom from a teacher who is getting paid almost nothing to handle a bunch of students who don’t want to be there in the first place. This is someone who loves language learning. Who has demonstrated beyond the call of duty by helping so many people on YouTube and so forth that this is real, and this is a methodology that works no matter who you are or where you are or what your situation is.
So I have benefited from it a great deal and am very grateful that I had the opportunity to do so.
Luca: Thanks, I’m glad you have appreciated it.
Anthony: Absolutely, and the website where people can get a free introduction to the course with a number of videos, maybe you can share that.
Luca: Yes, it’s called Master Any Language.
Anthony: All right Master and Language and we’re going to have that on the screen as well and I highly recommend you go and get these free videos and really one of the most amazing things I thought is your introduction on that page you’re speaking multiple languages and with subtitles so you can really see for yourself just how rapidly Luca can switch between these languages and read the message in subtitles if you don’t know those languages and it’s one of the best paths that you’re going to find in the world that will get you to learning those languages or even just one language.
Can You Learn More Than One Language At A Time?
I guess my last question would be for you, one that I get a lot, is it possible or is it recommendable or is it realistic to learn more than one language at the same time.
Luca: Absolutely yes. If you know how to do it, it all boils down to if you know how to do it and you know how to manage your time you can do it.
I’ve been learning two languages at the same time since 2008 and there are some guidelines even and I elaborate on my blog talking about how people can learn two or three languages at the same time. My suggestion is to learn two languages at the same time. Three might be a little bit too much unless you’re a very experienced language learner. But it is absolutely feasible. I see no reason why you could not do that.
But once again, it’s not just about a matter of learning two languages at the same time but you have to try to find a system where you can maintain the other languages that you are learning because one of the things that I heard very often is that, for example, if an American learns Spanish, goes to Spain and he spent three years in Spain, speaks Spanish quite well, then he moves to Italy and starts speaking just Italian then there is going to be a conflict and every time, for example, I’ve heard this a number of times, the person says, “Oh, now I speak good Italian but I’ve forgotten everything about my Spanish.” The reason why that happened is because you just stopped speaking Spanish. But if you go to Italy and while learning Italian you find a partner and you tend to practice Spanish, then you’re going to speak both languages well.
When it comes to learning two languages at the same time, remember to structure your time so that you can learn these two languages but you have to maintain the others. This is exactly what I’ve been doing in the last 20 years. I told myself I’m going to learn a new language every two years but while I was adding languages I made sure that I kept reinforcing and maintaining the languages I already knew. Sometimes even using some languages I had already learned to learn others.
It’s true up to a certain point that the more languages you learn the faster and easier it gets if for example the language that you’re learning is similar to one of the languages you already learned. If a language is completely different from any language you’ve ever learned, you’re going to struggle at the beginning a little bit because it’s completely different. But, obviously the more languages you learn the higher the chance that the language you want to learn is going to be similar to one of the languages that you have under your belt.
To answer your question, it’s absolutely feasible to learn two languages. There are no limits. The only limits you have are the limits that you have in your mind. But if you can break the barrier, anything is possible. The reason why a lot of people think it’s not possible is just few people have accomplished supposedly amazing things because they took action.
Anthony: Well speaking of taking action, what are you working on now? What’s your next step?
Luca: Insofar as language learning is concerned, my next step and we were just talking about that is Hungarian. The language is completely different from anything I’ve ever learned. I’m going to learn, I’m learning Japanese right now. It’s a really big commitment and my next language is going to be Hungarian and I want to put together other courses which are going to be more specific and I really have a passion for this. I really believe that to show the way is the best way. If you can show the way, you can consider a couple of texts and you show them, for example, how the intonation in Spanish works, that they can tackle any text. This is one of the things that I would really like to do.
One of the projects is to start tackling specific languages for specific learners because I do believe that everything depends, everything is relevant as Einstein used to say. If you’re a native English speaker, learning Spanish is going to be different that if you were an Italian speaker. So you have to also consider the relative systems. I see language as a system. So if you have a certain system you have to consider that in order to learn how another system works.
One of the first things that I do with my students is to show them how, if they speak the language I speak, how their language works phonetically to understand how the other language works, the new language they want to learn and this is very, very important because if they’re conscious of the way their language works, it’s going to make things so much easier.
Anthony: Well this has been very inspiring and very helpful, filled with lots and lots of valuable information, and I really want to thank you for meeting with here in Berlin.
All you need to do is keep an open mind and experiment.
And it’s with these principles in mind that I can tell you I especially admired this recent letter I received from a member of the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
What Do I Do If I Don’t Have Enough Memory Palaces?
It’s a good question, and we’ll look at the nuances in depth on this page.
And in this video, I will introduce you to the Infinite Memory Palace technique:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn05eskjIFg
Here’s a variation on the question I often receive, followed by a number of suggestions:
I’m going to apologize in advance, this email is going to be a bit long, and… I am very sorry for that. I would be, however, very grateful for your help.
I have to say this… I watched a lot of your videos, listened to a lot of podcasts, and…I honestly am pumped to get started really seriously learning Japanese vocabulary.
However…
At the risk or sounding like I’m obfuscating things…I just have a few quick and simple questions, involving the “Art of Association” itself, so to speak.
Should one prefer memory palaces, or images?
If you have looked at Japanese before, you probably have noticed that its spelling is in no way similar to western languages, so I came up with two possible ways to memorize vocabulary, but, I’d rather do things the right way, the easier and more efficient way, right from the get-go.
So, in idea one, I thought of treating each kana as a sentinel, to give each one a specific image that will be tied to vocabulary. I’d create 26 memory palaces, a-z, and store words based on their first letter when transliterated. Then tie the actual first kana image, to the rest of the word. That way I can have words like yasai and yokoshiro in the same palace, with distinct “sentinel” images attached to them, to give away the first kana itself. This idea uses less palaces, but more images. And is, as I think of it, “Palace-Conservative”.
The second idea, (Don’t worry, there is only two), is “Image-Conservative”, and, the general idea, is to use a single palace for each kana. Now, there are variations to this, really, in variation 1, I only looked at the hiragana, (because katakana uses the same sounds but different symbols), and would store words based solely on the first kana in the word. (no transliteration). Including the Datuken, I would require 70 palaces. If I included “Combo-Hiragana”, I’d require 106. (Roughly). To blow this up even more, in variation 2, if I were to treat the katakana and hiragana separately, to remember the proper spelling of words (Like, which kana syllabary to use), I’d need roughly 212 palaces.
I’m brand new to Memory Palaces, and the Magnetic Memory Method, and really, the “Palace Conservative” idea sounds more intuitive to me, but, haha, this is coming from a guy who thought rote learning and spaced repetition systems like Anki were the only way to go. And I really, really didn’t like them.
Memory Palace Acquisition, a problem?
For me, yes. Let me explain: I’m 21 years old. I live in a town of 5000 people. Nearest town has maybe 500 people. Nearest city, of 250,000, is 400km away. I have no car. I have no drivers license. I also have a night job, and sleep during the day. I have spent 13 years of my life here, about 8 years of my life in that small nearby town, and 4 months in Barrie. I don’t remember those 4 months very well, I was only 7, and…well, I was extremely depressed, and in short, that’s the reason I ended up back in this town to begin with.
Anyways…during the Palace Recitation exercise I was only able to come up with about 60 palaces. And I really thought about this, with a lot of time and effort. Occasionally, 1 more might pop up, but…I believe I have pretty much maxed out now. And I really don’t want to sound pessimistic, I love this method thus far, and I can see myself using it forever, and ever…and ever. But, until I’m able to move out to a city, where I can actually just “go memory palace hunting” so to speak, I’m stumped about what to do. I don’t know if you ever lived in a small town before, but just going out and getting new friends and doing all that, is really…it’s very hard to do. For example I can’t just, you know, burst into the little high school we have and start socializing with a bunch of the kids there. It’d be…inappropriate, to say the least.
I played one of my favourite video games, Ocarina of Time, as remade for the 3DS back in 2011, and spent about an hour, really visualizing and exploring one of the “Dungeons” in the game, both as a visualization exercise, and because I may use it as an imagined memory palace.
I was thinking of using many, many more buildings I have found in video games as well, but…recalling these structures adds a layer of complexity on top of storing the images…so, I wanted to know how “practical” it would be, in general, to save up a bunch of imagined memory palaces?
What about large imagined memory palaces?
Okay, so, recalling large, real buildings, is fairly easy. Our brains are tuned for that. But what about…large, imaginary buildings?
I know it sounds like a no-brainer, like, “it’s imagined and it’s large and so there’s more to try and remember about the layout, so of course it’ll be harder to remember!” But, I was wondering if it’d be more practical to memorize a large imaginary palace, (Take Ocarina of Time’s Shadow Temple or Spirit Temple for example), versus, trying to memorize the layouts of say, ten or fifteen small or medium sized imaginary buildings?
I suppose it depends on the volume of related information I’d want to store in it, but…if I wanted to learn about multi-threaded programming, and store it all in imagined palaces, should I store all the info across several imagined palaces, or contain it in a single, large one?
Not crossing your path, and long hallways…
On the note of not crossing your own path in memory palaces. During my “Virtual tour” of the “Shadow Temple” in ocarina of time, I realized there are many hallways and, “leaf” rooms. Or, really, a hallway that leads to a room, and that room leads to 5 more connected rooms, but the only way to get back, is to go down that hallway again. Does that…count as crossing my path? Or does it only really count, if there are stations in that hallway?
Okay I’m done bombarding you with questions for now! I hope you can answer, and…I hope they are good questions (Well, there’s no such thing as a bad question, really) but, I hope they are at least…entertaining questions or…something positive. I love you videos, your method, your website, (I also love that it is mobile-friendly), and your podcasts. I listen to them while I’m at work!
Prose Version Of My Answer
Thanks for your questions!
Do you know of Giordano Bruno? Check out his book On the Composition of Images in particular. He had some great memory systems and I’ve been able to look at some archival documents and will be putting together something special over the coming year based on his work.
He’s really important because he shares ideas for placing Memory Palaces inside of Memory Palaces. I would also suggest you check out these Memory Palace books.
The long and short of the answer is this:
Use The Alphabet
A lot of people miss this step.
But if you just sit down and complete one of the fist Magnetic Memory Method exercises, it should be easy to find an abundance of Memory Palaces.
Start with the letter “A”. Think of people you know with that name. And stores that start with that letter.
Just about everyone on the planet knows the location of at least one Apple store, for example.
You might be rusty in the beginning, but that’s why this is an exercise. For more on the importance of the alphabet to your success in using the Memory Palace technique, see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caCUFPy7j0I
Don’t Make It A Numbers Game
Many people write to me and say, “But I have to memorize thousands of words! I’ll never find enough places for that.”
First of all, whether you’re a child or an adult, everyone learns one word or phrase at a time. It’s really important to relax and realize that everyone goes through this process. It’s simply part of how memory works.
Next, people get worried about the volume they’ll need before they even know how to memorize ten words.
Why are you worried about thousands of words before you can memorize a few dozen?
Here’s the reality:
As you use the Memory Palace technique, you can:
Re-explore the alphabet and your past for more options
Pay attention to the world around you and create more Memory Palaces
I always go back through my past. Just the other day I remembered the time my dad picked me up at a bus station in British Columbia.
I can now use that bus station as a “B” Memory Palace. Or I can use it for a “G” Memory Palace (it was a Greyhound station). Or I can use it for both.
In sum, don’t slow yourself down by worrying about needs you don’t have yet. There’s plenty of time to come up with all kinds of Memory Palaces.
If You Build The Skills, You Can Reuse A Memory Palace
Another problem people face is that they give up before they have the skills fully developed.
Reusing Memory Palaces isn’t always the best strategy, but in language learning, you have an exception. Here’s why:
For every station you use in a Memory Palace for one word, you can later add a phrase that uses that word.
This means that every single station can evolve from one word to fifteen or more, depending on the phrase or sentence.
This is one way to “reuse” a Memory Palace and scale the technique.
You can also reuse some Memory Palaces entirely. Let’s say you memorize a number of verbs in a Memory Palace and they’ve all entered your long term memory. You can then go in and use the same Memory Palace for nouns.
But if you don’t have the foundational skills first, you can never do these things.
So focus on developing the foundational skills. It makes so much more possible as your brain relearns the meaning of “location” and “space.”
Regarding The Memory Palace For Language Learning
It’s great to hear that you’re excited for learning Japanese. And I like what you’re thinking.
The honest answer is that you should try both of your ideas. At first glance, I think your sentinel idea is going to work better, but I still think the only way to know is to at least give a percentage of the 212 Memory Palace version you are thinking of a try.
Why?
Because it might open the floodgates in your mind in a way that will never happen if you opt for just the one. I’m going through the same experimentation phase with Kanji and I simply have to do the extra steps of trying different approaches I come up with or risk never knowing what will
a) Work best b) Stimulate new ideas and results I could not anticipate without at least giving it a try
There’s a third way, however, and one that I don’t think you should take because you’re obviously advanced enough not to need it. And that’s to either use Romanji or the principle of homophonic transliteration to create your own Romanji.
Ultimately, this can create more problems than it solves and I only recommend it to people who need to get their foot in the door in order to at least have speech recognition and the ability to speak. But since you want to read, spell and have such a high order of thinking already working for you, go with these two options and settle on the one you like best. You’ll figure it out in short order.
With respect to life north of Barrie, Ontario, I lived in Toronto for 10 years, so know your neck of the woods quite well. I’ve driven through at least 5 times throughout my life. I’ve also lived in places smaller than you, though admittedly Silver Creek is within 20 minutes of Salmon Arm by car. Of course, I had to hitchhike a lot to get there, but it was still not that big of a deal and I did wind up walking more than a few times too.
In other words, I think I understand your situation and have to say that 60 is an impressive number given the circumstances. But I think you can probably stretch it out further.
About using the school you mentioned, often schools have evening programs and public events. It’s Christmas time, so maybe you can go to the Christmas concert or take a one-day seminar. There’s probably a community events calendar available online that you can look into.
Failing that, you could just go to the principal’s office during the day, tell him about the Magnetic Memory Method and say that you need a new Memory Palace. Tell him that you know it sounds creepy, but if you could make an appointment a 4 or 4:30 after you’ve woken up and all the students are gone home to have a guided tour, that would be great. If you’re upfront with people, they’re usually very helpful, no matter how strange your story may be.
Again, Most People Give Up Too Soon!
Have you tried the local hospital? You should be able to walk around in there without anybody even asking about your presence and get lots and lots of stations.
I don’t know if you’re a religious person or not, but there are often tasty snacks after the Sunday service and churches make for great Memory Palaces. I have several.
Have you covered the gas stations and restaurants? Admittedly, these aren’t the greatest, but a gas station with a restaurant can work wonders just by sitting for a cup of coffee.
Finally, when I used to walk those long stretches, I encountered many barns and I can still remember them. Even without seeing the inside of them, I know that they all have four corners and have used these corners to memorize information.
What If I Don’t Have A Car?
I didn’t have a car myself for a long time. Then I had one, and now I am without a car again and have been since 1998.
I walk or take the bus everywhere. If it’s safe for you to do so, it’s a perfectly fine way to find more Memory Palace options.
You can also save up for a taxi, or take a city tour. Many cities have walking tours too and they are a great way to gather these powerful mnemonic devices.
Using An Imaginary Memory Palace
About virtual Memory Palaces, I really don’t find them practical for most things for the precise reason you’ve expressed: they add a layer of complexity. More than that, you have to rebuild them while you’re staging and decoding the associative-imagery. It makes no sense in most cases.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t experiment with it. You most certainly should. I’ve had some interesting successes with them, especially with memorizing poetry and other verbatim texts. This is because the text itself serves as a kind of aid to memory because it’s a chain. So one thing you can do is practice Virtual Memory Palaces based on video games using poetry first and then adapt them for other purposes such as vocabulary.
This represents an extra step, but I think you’ll find that it pays off in the long run. You get good with using Virtual Memory Palaces with something relatively trivial first and that lends itself to the practice and then switch the ability you’ve gained over to something more difficult. It’s kind of like how a baseball player practices swinging with 3 or 4 bats in hand so that they have more power and agility when they gear down to just one bat during the game.
Peer vs. Enter
About crossing your own path, the solution here is to not enter the rooms. Just glance into them. I call this at certain points in the Masterclass the “Peer vs. Enter” technique. And it literally is just that: peering in through the door and casting your mental eyes around either clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the nature of your journey and then moving on. It helps a lot of people a great deal.
The other alternative is not to travel your Memory Palace at all. You don’t have to be a figure that moves along the journey. You can be like a god who lifts up the roof and then peers down at the layout, looking from room to room and station to station. There will be path-crossing issues with this too, but it is another way to think about traveling through a Memory Palace.
Back to Virtual Memory Palaces – there is a full video about reusing Memory Palaces related to this topic in the MMM Masterclass. It goes through some of the more advanced techniques and will give you some ideas.
You’ve also given me some ideas of illustrations that I can make to better demonstrate the Peer vs. Enter technique. As you know, using a Memory Palace with these optimized methods is one of the best memory care home solutions we’ve got, so I’ll work on these and make them exclusive to the Masterclass.
I hope that these notes answer your questions. Please do be in touch if you have any more and let me know when that something special I put into the mailbox for you the other day arrives.
To sum everything up, the answer is to be both logical and rational about this journey at the same time. Anyone who can walk down any street will probably never run out of Memory Palace options.
Talk soon!
Sincerely,
Anthony
P.S. Visiting Giordano Bruno nearly killed me. LOL!
I want to thank you kindly for visiting and look back to this page soon for a full discussion of the episode, the Method of Loci, mnemonics, creating a Memory Palace network and more topics related to memorizing math.
All that said, here is the correspondence I received as referred to in this episode of the podcast:
Hi Anthony,
I have a question I would like to ask. Using mnemonics what have you committed to memory?
I’m interested in using mnemonics to educate myself, to learn and be able to remember a vast sum of knowledge, that I find enjoyable, and I find it inspirational to hear, what others have achieved using such techniques.
Kind regards.
This is a great question, and answering it helps me describe just how versatile the Magnetic Memory Method – and mnemonics in general – happen to be.
Over the years I have memorized a wide variety of information types.
For me, the ultimate trick has always been to use locations (spatial memory). Some people toss their visual associations “into the void” of their minds without locating them some place.
And for some people, that’s just fine.
But I’m an advocate for localized organization.
Why? I’ve talked about this a lot before in other editions of the Magnetic Memory newsletter, the key idea being that we have an unconscious fear of losing things (objects, certainly, but especially losing our minds).
Thus, when we create a visual image to help us remember something and then stick it in a clearly visualized mental location based on a familiar location, we eliminate the fear and anxiety we naturally have a losing things and can focus on embedding that information instead.
Just a theory?
Perhaps.
But theory is irrelevant when it comes to real life applications of these techniques.
This stuff works.
And there’s science behind it too. And incredible teachers of memory like Barbara Oakley of Learning How to Learn who also stick to the science.
Anyone who knows me knows that I have very limited patience for anything that can’t be empirically demonstrated in front of a council of disinterested men and women in lab coats.
The reality is a Memory Palace is itself a collection of pegs. When people don’t realize this fact, they miss out on the power of both memory techniques.
Just so we’re on the same page, here’s a brief rundown of what a Peg System is and when you might want to use one:
The Peg System (sometimes called the pegword method) is just what it sounds like:
The exercise of “pegging” (or linking) one thing to another. It assumes that you know the first thing, so it’s just a matter of Magnetically connecting the next in your mind.
I’m going to be giving some examples of how this works, and I want you to follow along.
But here’s an important caveat:
Following my examples or the examples of any mnemonist is not the best way to learn memory techniques. As you read, treat these examples and demonstrations only. Immediately create your own images in your mind.
Only in this way will you be accomplishing two things:
1. Learning the link system 2. Exercising your imagination
How To Attach A Number-Rhyme Peg System To A Memory Palace
If you really think about it… wouldn’t it be easy to number each Magnetic Station in a Memory Palace and give it the rhyme peg you created?
Illustration of the Peg System built into a Memory Palace
Notice in the image above how this works.
The couch serves as Magnetic Station #1 in the Memory Palace. The gun for the number rhyme is always there, always ready to be used for the purposes of elaborative encoding when you want to memorize something.
On Magnetic Station #2, you have the shoe and on Magnetic Station #3, a bee.
To make these associations clear to your brain, I recommend that you make your pegs concrete and specific.
For example, instead of a generic bee, think of the Jerry Seinfeld character in The Bee Movie. Instead of the idea of a shoe, think of your favorite shoes from high school and use those. Specificity makes everything in the world of mnemonics work better, even better than flashbulb memory.
What On Earth Is This Memory Technique Really All About?
To be clear:
This memory system is about mentally “hanging” one piece of information onto another. In this case, you are hanging a rhymed word onto something you already know and will probably never forget (the numbers 1-12). You’re associating them.
There are some problems with the rhymes I just gave you, however.
Here’s the major issue:
Although all of the items that rhyme with the numbers (something that is in and of itself part of creating memorability), not all of the words I’ve given you are directly visible.
For example, what does heaven look like? Clouds? Angel wings? Fields of grass as shown in Gladiator as Maximus makes his way to Elysium?
Who can say?
And that lack of specificity can be a problem.
But not usually if you know your system and always use it … religiously.
Here is why:
What we’re going to do with these rhymes is use them to memorize more information.
For example, let’s say that you’re going to an important business meeting and you’ll be meeting twelve new people.
The 11th person you meet is named Ralph.
How are you going to associate Ralph with 11? Well, you could see him floating on a cloud (heaven).
Or you could see him with angel wings bursting from his back (heaven).
Or you could see him on the roof of the Sistine Chapel flirting with God’s finger (heaven).
The important thing is to be consistent.
And include wild, exaggerated action in a visual way. It’s great if you can make it absurd too. So instead of seeing wings bursting from Ralph’s back, you could have them bursting from his chest, perhaps even poking through the “Ralph” name tag on this chest.
A Concrete Alternative
Personally, I never use “heaven” for 11 the rare times I use the Peg System. It’s too abstract and vague and there are too many possibilities. I use my friend “Evan.” I’ve known him for years and can see what he looks like in my mind (he’s almost always got a goofy smile).
And if I were to meet a guy named Ralph and wanted to memorize him as part of a list of names, I would have him interacting with this new dude Ralph in a weird and interesting way.
Or better yet, I might include some other Ralph I already know to “peg” Ralph even deeper into the connective tissue of my mind.
For example, Ralph Macchio from The Karate Kid might show up and do some fancy footwork in a fight between Evan and my new business associate Ralph. It would be large, bright, vivid and filled with zany action.
Go One Step Further
To make this process truly Magnetic, you can add a Memory Palace component to your pegs.
In fact, as I suggested in this episode of the podcast, pegs are perfect for use within Memory Palaces as much as possible.
Why?
Because having a location increases your chances of recall and reduces that anxiety we were talking about.
Not only that, but you also use and strengthen your spatial memory.
And the more you do this, the more you’ll become a Memory Palace fanatic and get the massive results that only Memory Palaces make possible.
More On How To “Link” The Peg System With A Memory Palace
Let me leave you with three fuller examples from the list above, but this time with examples of names and how they could be memorized.
Again, make sure to come up with your own examples so that you can learn this method by doing instead of just running the examples through your mind.
Don’t make the mistake of hoping that they’ll work for you next time if you’ve only just read this over.
That’s activity.
Go for accomplishment.
1 is a gun.
Memory Palace station: My bed.
Target name: Kirsten.
Associative-imagery: My gun shoots a gun made from pillows and the curtains where Kirsten is standing.
Notice the similarity between “Kirsten” and “curtains” in terms of sound. This is the Principle of Compounding. Use it as much as you can.
2 is a shoe.
Memory Palace station: My desk.
Target name: Amir.
Amir plays a drum kit made of mirrors using shoes instead of drum sticks.
Notice the “mirror” contains the “mir’ sound of Amir. It is the most striking part of the name, so the image is centered on capturing that for decoding later.
3 is a bee.
Memory Palace station: The wall where my guitar rests.
Target name: Phil.
I see my other friend Phil swatting at a bee with my old philosophy textbook while my new associate Phil puts a filter on his camera lens before shooting the action.
Notice that I am using a friend I already have named Phil, plus a book of philosophy.
I also have Phil putting a differently spelled but similar sounding filter on his camera.
To some people, this compounding procedure might sound like overkill.
However, I recommend that you practice getting good at it. It will make the difference between memorizing material effectively just some of the time and all of the time.
And since I assume that you’re into mnemonics for total memory mastery, then you’re going to want to get started with the principle of compounding right away. You can do this even faster by developing an alternative approach to pegs called the PAO System.
For more on the Memory Palace technique and advanced ways to use it:
Bruno Furst, who also taught a version of the peg system
The Original Email That Forms The Basis Of This Podcast Episode
Just in case you aren’t able to listen to the podcast, here is a copy of the original letter I received. If you’d like to write in and have a question addressed on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, please feel free to get in touch.
Associating in the void does work although I have to admit that your loci system for storing vocabulary may have two advantages:
Having a location might improve fluency
There is something very slightly superior seemingly to the loci system versus the peg system for example.
I would like to expand a little on number two. I had used the peg system for 30 years before I started using the loci system. Once I started using the loci system I began to notice that there are actually two separate associations one makes with the loci system as contrasted with peg system.
One is the interaction with the item stored there at the locus. The other is the visual image of seeing the word one is trying to remember at the locus with no real interaction except visually being there. With the peg system in contrast there is only the interaction between the word one is trying to store in memory and the peg word for the numeral.
So in conclusion I think that loci system involves an extra association with essentially two chances to recall the word or image whereas the peg system only involves the actual interaction between the peg and the word to be recalled.
Even so I would like to see the two systems compared experimentally. Keep in mind that the peg system could be used for language learning as well as simple list learning just as the loci system can.
Jonathan Levi Talks About Becoming A Superlearner
Oct 07, 2014
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Jonathan Levi talks about how to become a SuperLearner using speed reading and memory techniques.
Tune in now and learn:
* Why speed reading is not snake oil and Jonathan’s amazing bucket, hose and water metaphor for understanding your memory.
* Why long term memory functionally has no limit and how to maximize what you can place inside your mind.
* The precise meaning of what a “superlearner” is and how to achieve this ability not just in your mind, but in your body too.
* Why you must change how you digest and interact with information in order to improve how you learn and memorize information.
* The bottleneck effect that comes from using Duolingo, Spreeder and other rote repetition programs and how to use your mind to gain an advantage over those who limit themselves to these tools.
* Why the memory tool “chunking” may not be good for learning every single topic and why you need to have multiple tools.
* The relationship between driving manual transmission in your car and using your memory.
* Why adults learn differently and how to make sure that you can fulfill this requirement throughout your life.
* Why Jonathan doesn’t use the word “mnemonics” and why it caused all kinds of suffering and even made him resent learning.
* The “kinesiology tape” phenomenon and how it relates to memory competitions and the culture of memory games discussed in Joshua Foer’s Moonwalking With Einstein.
* The Daniel Tammet issue and how it relates to psychics, mentalists and magicians (and why you should never fraudulently represent your advanced memory abilities once you’ve developed them).
* Jonathan’s amazing story of demonstrating exactly how someone who thought she had a bad memory easily memorized a phone number using memory techniques – without even realizing it!
* The two dominant ways to memorize huge strings of numbers and the kind Jonathan relies upon predominantly – including the reason why the Major Method is not his go-to method.
* How to use association to memorize pronunciation (using a fatty example from Russian).
* How Jonathan used Superlearning to solve his knee pain and restoring himself to health.
* SMART goals and why using them will help you become a Superlearner and maximize your time.
Jonathan Levi is an experienced entrepreneur and angel investor from Silicon Valley. After successfully selling his Inc 5,000 rated startup in April of 2011, Levi packed up for Israel, to gain experience at Rhodium, a Venture Capital Firm specializing in New Media and Mobile.
While in Israel, Levi enlisted the help of speed-reading expert and university professor Anna Goldentouch, who tutored him in speed-reading, advanced memorization, and more. Levi saw incredible results while earning his MBA from INSEAD, and was overwhelmed with the amount of interest his classmates expressed in acquiring the same skill set.
Since acquiring this superlearning skill, he has become a proficient lifehacker, optimizing and “hacking” such processes as travel, sleep, language learning, and fitness. He’s also managed to improve his ADD and has gone on to give a great TEDx Talk on memory.
Hindi Alphabet Memory Palace Secrets
Sep 24, 2014
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, MMM practitioner Rose goes into detail about how she memorized the Hindi alphabet using the most potent memorization tool known to humanity: The Memory Palace.
Even if you don’t want to learn Hindi, you’ll learn a lot from this podcast, so be sure to tune-in.
And in case you prefer to read, here’s the …
Prose Version Of Rose’s Guest-Podcast!
I did it! I did it! I am so excited to learn Hindi! And I’m having a blast doing it! You’re right Anthony! You can learn an unknown and many-charactered alphabet in an hour and a half using the Magnetic Memory Method! For me it was actually an hour and 40 minutes for 48 distinct characters of the Hindi alphabet (There’s actually 60+ but I’ll get into that in a moment).
My name is Rose and I am on the edge of my seat, so to speak, with so much enthusiasm and ‘can’t wait to do more’ kind of energy. I am recording my initial experiences for you in case it is of some benefit to another person who’s thinking about learning this outrageous method. I hope any background noises from a roaring monsoon filled river and many singing birds outside my window here in the foothills of the Himalayas won’t interfere with hearing this.
To be clear I am able to start anywhere in the alphabet, go forward or backward, jump around, etc. I recognize and remember the symbols and stories and locations of where I ‘planted’ them; I can retrieve them quickly and it’s all vivid and hilarious. That is astounding!
Yet even more amazing, which to me is nothing short of a miracle, I thought I’d see how well I’d do at writing the symbols. I figured that would require more sessions of practicing, practicing, practicing. To my astonishment I was able to easily draw them all correctly just by remembering the image/ picture/story I had given it, and I did that in less than 5 minutes! I am truly blown away by this! Recognizing something visually and then taking pen to paper to draw it are two very different mindset applications.
I can understand why you would love to see more and more people using this astounding method!!! And I see what you mean when you say building Memory Palaces does a lot more than help memorize vocabulary, poetry, names, concepts or whatever. Once I started coming up with images it became easier, just as you say. It was as if the rusty cogs in the brain machine were getting oiled. But even better, I was having a blast coming up with more and more outrageous images and stories. Feeling more creative? Trusting my imagination and what it brings forth? Laughing out loud while memorizing a foreign language? Are you kidding? Wow! I’m 62 and I now know I can learn Hindi and have fun doing it. This should be taught in all schools!! Can you imagine kids being excited about learning?
So let me back up to how I arrived at this – The preparation required to even begin the actual memorizing part was enormous, but what a fantastic learning experience.
You recommend to just get started. Just do it and see how it unfolds. I figured if I waited to read everything you’ve written or listen to all the podcasts before actually doing anything, I’d never get around to doing anything. So I took your advice and your course and just dove in…. and nearly drowned….but your Excel spreadsheet idea was my life preserver. Here’s why.
The first thing was determining how many letters there are in the Hindi (Devanagari script) language. That was an adventure unto itself and my first challenge. Depending on which source I looked at there are 11-13 vowels and 33-40 consonants (I won’t get into all the whys and wherefores of this). So anywhere from 44- 53 distinct symbols. Add to this the fact that 10 of the 11 vowels have two forms, two distinctly different symbols depending on what positions it holds in a word. So you have to learn 10 more distinct symbols. Then there are many conjuncts but 6 have unique symbols that don’t look anything like their individual parts along with making a new sound. So those must be learned. Now we’re up to what number? I’ve lost count.
I’m saying all this just to point out how important it is to know where to begin, what you’re dealing with. I began with pencil and paper. I thought I knew how many stations I’d need, etc. Then I’d check one of my resources and there’d be another variation. Okay. Cross that out, start over. New piece of paper…..this happened several times. This is when I thought I was going to drown, going a little crazy, saying well, what the heck is the alphabet then? I just want to build a darn memory palace!!
Using your Excel spreadsheet idea (another learning curve for me) I was able to make changes and adjustments more easily. I also went out and purchased a 1,000 page Hindi to English dictionary (no English to Hindi in it!). This was a great investment. I figured the Oxford version should be reliable. It was actually a great exercise and very enjoyable (I can’t believe I’m saying that) to just flip through the pages and learn about the history of the script, how Oxford went about setting up the dictionary, how the letters are ordered and organized, and very importantly which letters had a lot of pages or just a few which would help me know what size memory palaces to build for each letter when it comes time for me to start memorizing actual words.
All of this preparation took several hours just to get to a complete ‘alphabet’ and how I was going to set up the memory palace. I may have belabored it more than I needed to, but it just wasn’t a straightforward alphabet. It was the best thing to do though. It helped me understand how the script is put together, what some of the nuances and exceptions are and I have a much better foundation to build upon. Now I see why your video on ‘Preparation and Predetermination’ is so valuable.
About memory palaces in general. I didn’t see how I would ever be able to come up with so many memory palaces as I’m a rather reclusive kind of person. But your suggestions of homes you’ve lived in, neighbors’ and relatives’ homes, neighborhoods, parks, schools, doctor’s offices, stores, streets, and on and on, got my mind rolling. So I just put the course on pause and took a long walk down memory lane starting from my childhood, thinking of all the places I had been. It was actually an interesting journey to see who and what popped up along the way, but I easily came up with over 100 potential memory palaces just from that one 15 minute effort. So I now know I can easily build on these. And you’re right, you do start paying attention to your surroundings and ventures out into the world more! Just last night I went to a local restaurant and looked at it from the perspective of using it as a memory palace. I just have to laugh.
I now understand why you are so specific in your guidelines such as beginning your first memory palace with one word or letter per room,. Well I didn’t do that because with an alphabet of 60+ distinct symbols I couldn’t grasp (at the time) how to do that with multiple memory palaces. I surely didn’t have a place I could recall well enough that had close to that many rooms. I also wanted to keep the alphabet in my current home, which is on the small side.
By the time I really understood why you said that I had gotten too far into the process to make such a drastic overhaul. But I got to learn from experience that my first memory palace had too many substations in each room (8 in each) and it required more thinking and remembering on my part, just as you say. In fact, each room had a different number in the beginning. I realized soon on that would be too much remembering. Does the guest bedroom have 4 substations or 6? How many substations do I have on the balcony? By putting the same number in each room I didn’t have to use my mind to remember how many for that room. Thanks to the flexibility of the spreadsheet I adjusted and made each room consistent. Yes, I found consistency is important.
You talk about setting certain rules or guidelines for yourself to minimize extra memorization. I found that helpful too. For example there are some symbols that have a 2nd version with a dot underneath. I made a rule that anytime the dot was part of a symbol there was a certain ‘thing’ it represented to the overall symbol. Or a rule that if I used a door as a substation it would only be the side when exiting the room, then I wouldn’t have to remember did I use the door in that room for a substation? Both the inside and outside? Or deciding not to use doors at all. Another example is in the bathroom- there are 4 different faucets. At first I designated them as substations before assigning images and stories. When I came to that location on my journey I realized I was getting too confused keeping the images and stories memorized correctly. I experienced the extra effort required to memorize using all 4 faucets. So I chose to use only one. It worked so much better. Yes, Minimize the extra stuff.
Now I see why you devote one of your course talks on the “Perils of Perfectionism”. I witnessed the tendency in me to want it ‘right’. But like you say there isn’t a ‘right’ way, it’s what works for the individual. As I’ve shared I made many changes along the way…a change to an image, a change in a story, a change to a station. I found as I went along certain things made more sense to my mind than what I may have originally come up with. And each step along the way more and more understanding and flow comes (just like you say!!) And so much fun!! Oh, and now I don’t live alone. My house is full of strange animals, funny people, and weird objects doing bizarre things.
By the way, Now I see why you say we must actually set aside the time to do memorization and recall because before you know it you’ll find your head on your pillow realizing the day somehow slipped by yet again without doing any vocabulary memorization. So setting a specific time, whatever that may be, is really vital.
This brings me to your recent survey asking people whether they would see benefit in having you provide images for students to use to help them memorize instead of coming up with their own associative-imagery. I SAY A RESOUNDING NO! Had I not taken the course and jumped in to do it I may have said yes, that sounds like a good idea. But the ‘yes’ most likely comes from the uncertainty people feel about starting. Because it’s such an ‘out of the box’ approach to learning/memorizing we ask ourselves if we’re really creative, if we have a good enough imagination, or an imagination at all, or doubt that we know enough places to designate as potential memory places. What if I don’t get it right? On and on…
Now that I’ve actually ‘done it’ (by making lots of blunders) I fully agree with you that the images coming from one’s own imagination will be the strongest and easiest to remember. The imagery you presented in the survey was surely interesting. But what if I don’t know who Ezra Pound is? Or I am not familiar with the Christian symbol for fish? Or the eels don’t look like eels to me? Then I’ll have to memorize even more than the alphabet letter these images are meant to represent. I agree with you, it’s more work.
It’s adding another layer that isn’t necessary. Our cultural and educational backgrounds, our life experiences, our emotional nature….all of these will contribute to our understanding or lack thereof of someone else’s images. I would say because of your unique background, extensive education and expansive life experiences you can draw on a vast number of images that I wouldn’t have a clue about or any connection with. You give examples of your images and stories in the course which I feel are enough to spark one’s own imagination. Maybe giving a few (just a few J) more graphic examples would be helpful just to let people see how far out there one can take it.
I say just start. Trust yourself. Trust the process. It may go slow in the beginning, but very quickly a door opens up into a whole new world and perhaps a whole new relationship with your mind. It’s like giving yourself permission to be inventive, creative, a little crazy. And who knows where that will lead! I wouldn’t give up the fun I’ve been having making up images and wild stories!
I’m also glad I didn’t listen to all the podcasts or read too much before building my first memory palace. There’s more than enough in your course already. All the other tips and suggestions from you and other experts in the field would only put too many ideas in my head and then I would be overwhelmed as to where to begin. I can always pursue those at a later time.
For me, the course stands on its own. It is so finely crafted, inclusive, easily paced with short enough segments. I never felt I had to stop in the middle of a section because it was too long. Taking notes was helpful along with the titles you used for each segment. I was able to go to that particular section or review my notes as it was really useful for me to revisit certain ideas as I was creating my first memory palace.
I found your presentation style engaging yet simply straightforward and accessible. Your course(s) and newsletters reveal your enormous generosity with your time, knowledge and experience, a genuine commitment to helping each person with their questions, and an uncommon generosity to network people and support other experts in the field. I appreciate your passion for learning and experimenting with life and the brain’s infinite capacity. Quite a package you are Anthony! A rare bird indeed. You’re an inspiration and I send oceans of gratitude, and blessings to you for your gifts to reach out to an ever-widening circle of people.
Next for me is choosing the vocabulary to memorize. I have decided to devote approximately 10 memory palaces to themes such as food, time, colors , numbers, grammar, etc. as I get the feeling this will be helpful to have for quick reference, as well as for words I can use right away in everyday activities. Then I’ll have memory palaces for each letter as well.
Okay Monsieur Metivier. All for now. I hope this hasn’t been to long, but if any of this can be of benefit to another you are welcome to share. I’m just so glad I found you, and I know if I get stuck or overwhelmed that I can email you my questions and you will respond. That’s a gift in itself.
One more thing…
P.S.
Before I finish here I thought you may want to know how I found you.. I stay connected with my mom by playing an online scrabble type game. I ‘accidentally’ saw a video of yours that popped up on a site I came across when doing a search for two-letter words. I got drawn into the site… I found myself clicking on memorization techniques (primarily because I never remember the two-letter words, or much else for that matter!) a video of a 6 year old who had memorized the U.S. presidents using different rooms in her house, and another video about Ron White, who apparently is a champion memorizer (I’m new to this). But somehow, without my conscious intention or choice, a podcast of yours came up ( I can’t even find it again on this website!?!) and I listened to it…I really was drawn to the sound of your voice, what you were saying, even though I had never seriously thought about improving my memory, and next thing I knew I went to your website,
Then I signed up for your newsletter (I am typically loathe to do that! I’m a chronic unsubscriber!), read several and enjoyed every one, found myself getting excited about improving my memory and learning Hindi (I’ve been living in India for way too long not to know it!), then I signed up for your online course.
Here’s the part you can laugh at if you’d like. It’s embarrassingly funny (to me). You offer your online course on Udemy. For some reason I thought Udemy was only offered on IOS devices. This was because I use an Ipad for most all my internet stuff. When I clicked through to your course from the website I had to download an app for Udemy. Well I’m not so up-to-date on all things technical – the app required IOS 6 or later. I still had 5.1 and for reasons I won’t go into I can’t currently upgrade. I thought, well, my phone, an old iPhone 3 has IOS 6 and I’ll download it on there. So I proceeded to take your full course looking at this tiny little screen, using a magnifying glass whenever you showed documents. Do you think I was serious about learning?
Okay, here’s the funny part. When I finished the course and I got to the part where I wanted to use an Excel spreadsheet I took out my 7 year old Macbook and as I was setting it up and doing some internet surfing I had a flash (talk about belated). Wait a minute, I wonder if Udemy is available on laptops. So I found the site and signed in and saw that I could have taken the course with a normal view. OMG! I just didn’t connect the two in the beginning.
The other great surprise was how much more info is available-all the answers you give to questions.
Mnemonics, Language Learning And Virtual Memory Palaces In Discussion With Timothy Moser
Aug 31, 2014
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Timothy Moser of Master of Memory, Accelerated Spanish and Ace Productivity joins us for the second time. If you haven’t heard that first interview, check it out. Timothy’s ideas will make you more productive, especially when it comes to using memory skills.
In this episode, we open the discussion further by talking more specifically about mnemonics and language learning. From there, we move into speculative areas about virtual Memory Palaces and the realities of teaching mnemonics to others. You’ll also learn about:
* Timothy’s emphasis on stressing syllables in order to gain recall boosts when studying foreign languages … and even your own mother tongue.
* Why mnemonics are almost always fun (and the main reason they sometimes aren’t).
* The specific way Timothy uses location-based memory strategies from a “functional standpoint”
* Timothy’s patterned Recall Rehearsal and how he reduces revision over time. He’s all about getting the most out of the minimum and he tells you exactly why so you can model the approach.
* How to arrange words for the concept of time in Spanish using a single, theme-based Memory Palace.
* How talking about mnemonics with other people will improve your understanding and use of the techniques.
* The dangers and benefits involved in sharing associative-imagery with others. I’ve written about why mnemonic examples rarely work before, but Timothy has a fresh take on this.
* Why professional mnemonists are opposed to giving examples – and why they are both right and wrong about their resistance in this area.
* Ideas about music mnemonics and different approaches to using them. This is an area where people interested in mnemonics can definitely experiment more and stretch the limits.
* The truth about “virtual” Memory Palaces and how to experiment with them in an informed way. There may not be a right or wrong way when it comes to success with imaginary places to store information in your mind, but certainly some ways are more realistic than others.
* Why real locations are almost always better than invented Memory Palaces and why you should never discount the power of the places you know.
* Why none of us will ever run out of Memory Palaces in our lifetimes and how to overcome Memory Palace “scarcity” (it’s easy).
* The relationship between sex, death, memory skills and video games.
* The right and the wrong way to use rote repetition and the truth about spaced-repetition.
* Why you need to be open to new ideas if you want to succeed with mnemonics.
* Why those who learn about learning leverage the greatest results.
* Why you shouldn’t treat your education as entertainment and why you need to take action in order to get results (we tell you what you should do and it’s probably the only way).
* Own struggles and current projects with memorizing large amounts of information.
* … and much, much more.
This episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast gives you a fascinating look behind the scenes as two thinkers and action-takers in the world of memory skills show you exactly what it takes to get started, keep going and get amazing results. You’ll hear from people actually in the trenches of memory who not only get great results for themselves, but for thousands of other people too.
Further Resources
Timothy has a number of memory courses you can study for free. These include lessons on memorizing a book of the Bible and using mnemonics to help you learn Spanish.
I have several posts on memorizing music. This one was mentioned during the podcast. It’s called Memorize Bach On Bass.
Click play above and read the article below for more nuance.
Program Notes
This episode is a response to emails that I often receive like this one:
I am new to memorization as detailed as you propose and am trying to justify learning it. I have bought and read two of your books, the one about Memory Palaces and am currently reading Magnetic Memory Mondays. I am 76 years old and have set a goal to reteach myself Classical Latin and from their progress to other Roman languages. I want to use your Memory Palace idea but am not a very visual person and thinking of a preposterous image for each vocabulary word seems over-whelming. I like the idea of using current and past homes or places but want the right one to begin with. Any suggestions? Can you send me a list of your other books on this topic?
Listen, it was hard for me in the beginning too.
If you look through all of the newsletters starting with Volume 1, you’ll encounter dozens of ideas in addition to those in the book. It basically boils down to getting relaxed and getting started. Surrendering to the feeling of overwhelm is very dangerous, but taking action is always a benefit.
Also, you can experiment with not actually seeing the images but just thinking about them. I’ve done this for years until I started to develop my imagination by drawing, looking at lots of art, paying attention to the visual aspects of movies I was watching and doing creative memory exercises like looking at an apple and then trying to “rebuild” it in my mind.
One of my most difficult challenges right now as a primarily non-visual person is the Hiragana for Japanese. If you’re not familiar with the Hiragana , they are these crazy little images that indicate sounds. You need to use your visual memory a lot to learn and read them.
As I teach in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, to ease the “cognitive load,” I use “Bridging Figures,” characters that go along the journey. Because they can be used for more than one word or letter or piece of information at a time, that’s one less aspect of the crazy image that I’ve got to come up with (or that you’ve got to come up with).
Here’s just three images with Ezra Pound as my bridging figure that I’ve created to help me both “see” and “hear” what the following hiragana mean:
あ (a) Ezra Pound standing in Jesus Christ pose with a Christian fish symbol attacking his legs. He shouts Ah!
い (i) Pound with two eels in his mouth, squirming, one long like an upside down seven, one short. They are squealing eee eee eee.
う (u) Pound leaning on a stick with a beret cooing ooh as the weight is relieved by the stick.
This process works great thanks to a fuller understanding of mental imagery. Simply by “leaning” on Ezra Pound throughout the journey as a highly dynamic Bridging Figure, I was able to memorize fifteen hiragana in fifteen minutes. I’ll soon be making more time from Japanese and expect that I can do between 40-60 characters in 1.5 hours with reliable recall.
Plus, I keep a positive mindset when it comes to the work involved. As I talk about in the book, there will need to be corrections along the way and I will need to rehearse the material using proper spaced repetition.
But hey: it beats fussing around with index cards when you can turn the stations of your Memory Palace into amazing and vibrant indexes for silly little images to remind you of the sound and meaning of words, or in the case of the example I just gave you, the sound of certain typographical images and how they look.
I really wish you the best with the experience and want you to know that I’m here to help as best I can, affording that I get lots of questions so can take up to a week to answer.
But that’s why the Magnetic Memory Newsletters are available from Kindle. I’m 100% confident that after writing 1000+ pages answering questions just like these that you’ll find all the answers you need. My Amazon page is easy to find.
I’ve also got some video courses if you like to learn by that medium.
But really I think in this email you have all that you need, which in sum is:
1) Mindset. Toss worry aside and get started. Fear is the mindkiller.
2) Create a bridging figure when ever possible to reduce the cognitive load. If it’s someone that you care about, all the better. I’m deeply fascinated by Ezra Pound and he also had a connection to Chinese and Japanese, so he works really well in this connection.
In Latin, you could use Derek Jacobi or some actor you like who you’ve seen prancing around in a toga to keep things interesting. (Or an actor you’ve never seen in a toga, for that matter, to keep things extra memorable).
The point is that it shouldn’t be too difficult to come up with zany images if you take familiar things and put them in unfamiliar situations.
3) Make sure to rehearse the work that you do in order to ease the material into long term memory .
So I hope the discussion on this place helps you understand that there are great ways to combine vibrant images in Memory Palaces and have the target information stick. Successfully memorizing foreign language vocabulary depends on it.
Hanging Out With My Magnetic Memory
Aug 10, 2014
Dear Memorizers,
Richard Gilzean, long time friend of the Magnetic Memory Method and the man behind the delightful blog peeleye, recently shared with me some great writing he has done to chronicle his adventures in using memory techniques and related skills like juggling.
How are memory techniques and juggling related?
Read on to find out.
And a Magnetic thanks to Richard for not only sending this to me and allowing me to post it on the site. I’m proud to make it the first Magnetic Memory Method Guest Post ever and know that you’re going to love reading these reports from a memorizer making great strides with the techniques. Richard is an inspiration to us all.
Hanging Out With My Magnetic Memory
By Richard Gilzean
28 July 2014: Where to start with this recollection on what I have learnt about myself over the past 12 months? The idea came to me this morning on the train as I was commuting in to work. While passing over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and looking out over the harbour, I was listening to the podcast interview between Anthony and Kerstin Hammes. Just after Anthony had explained what a “John Henry” was to Kerstin, she suggested that language learners can benefit from keeping a journal of their efforts in order to better see and appreciate where they have come from in their respective journeys.
What a cool idea, I thought. I’ve been on my own personal development journey for almost a year and it is as good a milestone as any to take stock and recount what has happened. (Although in reality it is a process I have been undertaking with varying degrees of application for many years).
In my case a whole bunch of factors came into play, not one particular flash of inspiration. I had wanted to get back into studying German language, but in a way that was different from my past efforts of going to classes, studying stacks of flash cards and reopening the German text books which had taken over a shelf in my study. There had to be another way.
In embarking on this quest for self-improvement, mastery, getting-my-act-together, call it what you will, I found myself quickly inundated with information and opportunities to explore this open-ended field of inquiry. I browsed the websites and purchased a bunch of e-books on memory improvement/training.
Last October I watched the television documentary series Redesign my Brain on the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). From within the topics explored, including visualization, mnemonics, magic and memory training, I became interested in the art of juggling. After a few weeks of tossing and catching and dropping I became a reasonable 3 ball juggler. But more importantly I was reminded of the values of concentration, regular practice, focus, relaxation and keeping it simple.
More recently, in one of his newsletters, Anthony disparaged that hoary notion “If something is worth doing it is worth doing well”; rightly noting that it is a load of old cobblers. Juggling tells me that something worth doing is invariably preceded by failure and persistence. Embrace failure people, because failure gets you closer to what you’re good at.
30 July 2014
Slow Hand. Did I want to memorize a couple of packs of playing cards in under two minutes like those described in Joshua Foer’s Moonwalking with Einstein?
Not really.
But I did like the idea of impressing family and friends by being able to shuffle a pack of cards and casually rattle them off one by one. So I followed the tried and true mnemonic system of associating each card in a deck to an image, rehearsed it a couple of times and now I have all 52 cards locked in – plus the joker for good measure. I’m still pretty slow at it after almost a year and so I still need to keep up the rehearsal – keeping my hand in, so to speak.
While tucking into my Schnitzel and Weissbier and with an acoustic backdrop of yodeling music on a stereo loop, I made a mental note of the large hall which included a “Herzlich Willkommen” reception, Stammtisch, dance floor with band stage, drinks bar, maps and flags of the Austrian regions, air rifle trophies, several mounted animal heads and a painting of people sitting at a table that looked like it had been knocked out by one of the locals after one too many ales. With my pack of cards I have spent an enjoyable half hour recreating such Memory Palaces, as well as holiday houses, places from my childhood, museums, cafes and the local art gallery.
31 July 2014
Geography, poetry and the in-laws. One of main goals for wanting to improve my memory has been to increase my overall ability to communicate in German. One of the first exercises I undertook after reading Anthony’s book on how to memorise German was to memorise the 16 Bundesländer together with the names of each capital city. I chose the house of my partner’s long deceased Tante Annie in Munich.
I never met Annie, but I did get to spend a couple of excellent summer holidays there a few years back. Her house has also become my Memory Palace for all of my German vocab words starting with the letter ‘a’. Even though Annie’s old house has now been knocked down and replaced with a bunch of townhouses, I will always have a strong imprint of all the rooms and apple trees in her house and garden.
I have also memorized poems both in English and German. Not a huge repertoire to date, it includes Shelley’s Ozymandias, the German children’s poem Der bitterböse Friederich from the Struwwelpeter book of poems and Heinrich Heine’s Die Lorelei – about a guy in boat with an unhealthy obsession for a girl. Armed with this new knowledge, I have tested my partner’s knowledge of the German states (she didn’t pass) and entertained my mother-in-law with a recital of Die Lorelei (she was very impressed with her son-in-law).
1 August 2014
The Memory Wars. 6am. I slide out of bed, shuffle downstairs and crack open the smart phone. There, in my inbox, sits my Magnetic Memory Newsletter; as regular as the ravens, kookaburras and lorikeets making a racket outside my window. This morning’s post is not Anthony’s usual considered replies to someone’s magnetic memory question, but a spirited defence of the daily newsletter against the detractors and critics who have ‘issues’ with his approach.
Personally I don’t have a problem with the format of the newsletter. On some mornings I will quickly scan the text, satisfy myself that I’m across the main point and hit delete. But usually the points raised are of interest and I’ll read a bit more closely and save the post for future reference. I recently read an article which argues that we live in an age of warring internet tribes. Whether it’s climate change, immigration, religious belief or the kind of pet you have, people are going to have entrenched positions and whose opinions cannot be changed.
I guess memory training and approaches to learning are not immune to blog wars and forum stalking. It’s not just that we differ, but our sense of self is developed in our disagreements. Conflict is inevitable, but disagreement can still be productive. Which, in my mind at least, is what I took away from this morning’s post.
Personally I’ll stick with Anthony’s daily newsletter. His commitment to the cause confirms for me that he practices what he preaches.
2 August 2014
By now I have come up with more that enough memory palaces to serve as staging posts for all the things I want to be able to remember and use. I’ve already mentioned Tante Annie’s house, but there is also the house I live in here in Sydney, my parent’s apartment block, my son’s local scout hall, the swimming pool, the places of my youth and journeys around my neighbourhood.
Cafes are handy, as are cinemas and my daily commute from home to office. They are all listed on a spreadsheet and some are used more than others. I have a very large cork board sitting over my office desk (measures about 1m x 1.5m) and around the edge I have pinned a collection of business cards, postcards and photos, 35 in total.
I’ve been training myself to employ this notice board for capturing the key points of podcasts that I listen to every now and again.
5 August 2014
Flash celebrities over at the school. Another website that I subscribe to is German Flashcards run by Antosch-and-Lin.com. The site turns out a daily newsletter containing a word and phrase of the day and is designed for the spaced-repetition brigade. I wrote a blogpost for their site a few months ago about my experiences and struggles with learning foreign languages over the past 24 years.
You’re welcome to have a look at Wrestling the Bear, Part 1 of what plan to be a three part series. Armed with the daily phrases that I consider to be useful and which add to my vocabulary, I have compiled a hefty list.
But how best to memorize them? My solution has been to create an A-Z spreadsheet of famous names and people I know and assign a phrase to each of them. (I’m not sure where AM – Anthony Metivier fits in – famous or people I know – but you’re in the mix). Each name / phrase is then placed on a route that runs from my front door and heads out towards my son’s local public school, a Memory Palace I am very familiar with.
So far I have gone from Andre Agassi to Conchita Wurst. With the exception of Q – X – Y (too hard), I have most of the spreadsheet filled with names. However, if someone can suggest a name with initials IO I’d be grateful.
6 August 2014
Meet Bob the Builder Roman Soldier. Of all the positive benefits I have achieved over the past couple of months, without doubt the most personally rewarding has been being able to impart my learnings onto my nine-year-old son. Math is not one of his strengths, and my wife and I have invested a lot of time and energy in helping him to stay on top of the topics covered in the class.
Towards this end, and in part inspired by Anthony’s interview with the young girl who memorized all of Shakespeare’s play and sonnets, I have had some wins in using the Magnetic Memory Method to help with times tables, shapes and volumes. My son is now getting the hang of creating his own memorable characters, including Bob the Roman soldier, who walks through his mapped-out classroom and nominating stations for the Roman numerals I V X L C D & M and figuring out how the sequence of Roman numerals operates.
The next big hurdle is the decimal system. After cogitating long and hard about how to introduce something that is active, vivid and magnetic, we came up with the idea of using one of his favourite cartoon characters “Ben TEN”. It was while I was rummaging through his bookshelf that I came across one of his picture books: Animalia by the illustrator Graeme Base. After about 15 minutes of working through his amazing illustrations I was able to lock down a quick Z to A memory recital sequence.
I wish I had been shown how to use my mind to memorize all the stuff that they threw at me during my school years. I wish I had been show how to study properly, period. I am determined to make sure that my child will be able to realize his potential and dreams without the stress and pressure that hangs over the education system like a heavy cloud. So I lend my wholehearted support towards the idea that mnemonics – and the Magnetic Memory Method in particular – have a worthwhile and important place in the education toolbox, regardless of whether you are 9 or 59 years old.
So that just about sums up what I have achieved in a relatively short period of time. My German vocab excel spreadsheet continues to grow and I still find the whole process mostly fun, even on those days when it seems like some word is not sticking despite repeated attempts to recall. Just remember that it is not a race and to relax. As for the future, well I have a desire to memorize all sorts of things including music, Japanese, Italian, chess patterns and especially my command of my mother tongue.
About the author: Richard has a background in fiction writing, ESL teaching and mnemonics. He has a love of all things German, believes that more men should wear proper hats, and would never be want to be called a ‘polyglot‘ because it sounds like a pathological condition. Check out his post on memorizing German phrases for an updated tutorial on his progress with learning, memorizing and recalling German en masse.
Olly Richards Talks About Language Tech And Real Communication
Jul 26, 2014
In this very candid interview with polyglotOlly Richards, we’re getting a look behind the scenes into the workings of one of the hardest working, most effective and interesting language learners on the scene.
He’s the creator of the Teach Yourself short story books amongst many other accomplishments. These books have helped many language learners find intermediate and advanced reading material in a variety of languages that had been previously difficult to find.
Tune in now and you’ll learn:
* The difference between the desire to communicate and the desire to learn a language and how bringing these two distinct quests together can give your study efforts a boost.
* Why consuming a lot of information will not enable you to suddenly speak the language.
* Why even self-directed learners will need to use some of the same techniques used in traditional language-learning classrooms.
* How to escape the prison of blaming grammar for your language learning troubles and what to focus on instead.
* Why “context is king” in language learning.
* Why perfectionism is your worst enemy and how to overcome it.
* The relationships between learning languages and learning music.
* Why studying jazz enabled him to be able to hear the auditory elements of the languages he has learned at a deeper level and react quickly in his mind even at the early stages in order to create greater conversational flow (improvisational jazz, as my virtual bass teacher Scott Devine has described, is the art of correcting yourself as you go).
* How to know if the particular language aspects you’re studying have a “high surrender value” so that you’re spending your time in the right areas that will serve you the most over the short and long term.
* Exactly when (and why) Olly resorts to mnemonic devices instead of relying on spaced-repetition alone.
* The importance of knowing when to stop forcing a learning step and how to come back to it later with a more receptive mind.
* What Olly does to break the monotony of flash cards and get started using the new language he’s studying (this technique may surprise you!)
* The amazing benefits of incorporating Excel files into your language learning. Check out Olly’s amazing video about this below.
* An in-depth analysis of what the term “language hack” means and how best to use this concept to approach your language learning efforts.
* How to focus on your methods in order to focus better on the content of the language.
* The “language mediation” phenomenon in which people in your target language will make it easier for you to converse with them instead of launching into idioms and expressions that won’t make any sense (just one of many reasons why you should never fear just getting out there and speaking).
* Olly’s fascinating definition of “fluency” (one of the most powerful we’ve ever heard on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast in addition to what we’ve heard from Luca Lampariello and David Mansaray).
* Olly’s personal feelings about losing a particular level of fluency in a language, but why there is never any reason you can never go back and achieve even greater heights if you treat learning multiple languages as a revolving door.
Olly’s video on using Excel as part of your language learning:
https://youtu.be/wkddc5gubf4
Kerstin Hammes Talks About The Real Meanings Of Fluency And Memory
Jul 21, 2014
In today’s episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Kerstin Hammes talks about the real meanings of fluency and memory. Kerstin provides us with a number of fresh perspectives on what is really involved in learning a language and is a very inspiring figure in the language learning world. Tune in now to learn:
* Exactly what it feels like to know multiple languages.
* How learning a language can be just like putting up a little shelf to place books on.
* Kerstin’s thoughts on the one-upmanship in the polyglot community and why it is often more destructive than it is useful.
* Why language learning is sometimes like entering an discouraging gym ad how to overcome some of the more prominent challenges.
* Why “fluency” is a funny word and not something one should really aim for because it is a mostly “meaningless” goal – and what you should be shooting for instead.
* Exactly where the title of Benny Lewis’ title “Fluent In 3 Months” come from and why it isn’t sales pitch flim flam.
* The various personality aspects that can create barriers to your language learning experience and how to overcome them.
* Why spaced repetition learning software most likely cannot teach you a language.
* “Vocabulary curation” and how to maximize your efforts in gathering the most useful and important words quickly.
* How to play “Sherlock Holmes” while learning a language and use other people to effectively speed up your learning process.
* Why most of the problems people face with language learning really have nothing to do with the languages themselves.
* The relationship between time signatures and culture and how the way we learn our culture effects our ability to understand others at a deep level.
* Why language learners need a structure to follow and usually do not benefit from “random acts of learning” like watching foreign language films from time to time.
* Why Kerstin finds mnemonics helpful and why they are one of the best ways to experience contextualized learning (as opposed to decontextualized learning and semi-contextualized learning).
* Why leaving stickers around the house to the label your furniture with what these items are called in your target language is a kind of Memory Palace and how Kerstin uses the physical layout of the objects in her home to “see” words she wants to recall in her mind.
* Why Bon Jovi might be the best way to learn English in context because they are a “piece of reality.”
* The specific benefits of blogging about your language learning experiences.
* The relationship between memorizing names and foreign language vocabulary and how the stems and origins of words can help you draw connections between your mother tongue and the target language.
* Why grammar is more like a map, rather than a set of rules.
* The four skills you need to achieve language competency and how they will build your confidence and move towards greater fluency.
Phil Chambers Talks About The Outer Limits Of Memory Skills
Jul 04, 2014
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method, we have a special interview with Phil Chambers. Phil is a World Mind Mapping Champion who works closely with the World Memory Championships as a scorer and statistician who does not believe that memory competitors have even come close to reaching their limits.
As a memory skills trainer, Phil is also the founder and managing director of Learning Technologies and author of Brilliant Speed Reading. Amongst other co-authored books, he has written with James Smith How to Remember Equations and Formulae.
Tune in to this episode with Phil Chambers now and learn:
* How Tony Buzan‘s Use Your Head program and Use Your Head Society introduced Phil to Dominic O’Brien and how this led to him competing in the third ever World Memory Championships.
* Why anyone (including you) can use the same techniques that memory champions take to competitive extremes and use them to increase your productivity and social success in every day life.
* The two major aspects of learning and studying that most students get wrong … and how to get both of these right.
* Why the non-linear thinking possibilities of mind maps can revolutionize how you learn, remember and recall information while also creating new insights and knowledge.
* How Phil recommends students use index cards in combination with mind maps in order to see connections in powerful ways that will advance your success in high school or university beyond your wildest dreams.
* Why Phil prefers journeys based upon real locations rather than fictional Memory Palaces – and an explanation of exactly why Memory Palaces and journeys are both the same and different.
* The exact difference between semantic memory and memories based on experience and how memory techniques allow you to transform semantic memories into experienced memories with ease so that even the most abstract material becomes much more memorable.
* How an understanding of the psychology of memory can help you come up with your own memory techniques – or at least hack the classical principles so that they suit your own personal learning style with greater precision.
* Phil’s thoughts on the “upper-limit” of exactly how much we can remember and how Memory Champions are constantly pushing themselves to reach new heights and achieving new levels year after year as the national and global memory competitions continue offering memory athletes the opportunity to stretch their skills.
Phil Chambers with Tony Buzan
* How competitors like Ben Pridmore have changed the Major Method so that it can compress three digits and are working now even on four digits to increase the amount of information that can be memorized.
* Why the only real limit to card memorization is how quickly you can move your hands and how this memory skill will move beyond the matter of physical dexterity using technology to increase the speed of card retention and recall in what is now being called an “extreme sport.”
* A range of techniques that people who feel non-visual can use to increase their ability to use memory techniques grounded in associative-imagery.
* Why Dominic O’Brien‘s habit of daydreaming provided the source of him becoming a World Memory Champion eight-times over.
* A quote from Leonardo Da Vinci that will deeply improve your imagination within seconds.
* Why even in our age of technology, we can still benefit from having improved memory skills.
* Why the human brain scores way greater in the creativity department than what a computer will likely ever achieve.
* The two major mistakes that would-be memorizers make that causes them frustration to the point of giving up – and exactly how to overcome both of them.
* How to overcome any difficulties with memory techniques by starting with those strategies that give you an instant ability to memorize material without hassle (you’ll learn exactly what these are).
* Why someone with a “bad memory” who uses memory techniques will still have a better memory than even someone who seems to have been born with superior memory skills.
Anthony Metivier is the founder of the Magnetic Memory Method, a systematic, 21st Century approach to memorizing foreign language vocabulary, dreams, names, music, poetry and much more in ways that are easy, elegant, effective and fun.
Luca Lampariello On Working Memory And The Oceans Of Language
Jun 11, 2014
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Luca Lampariello treats us once again to a focused array of language learning secrets that you can put to use today in your foreign language study efforts. Tune in now and you’ll learn:
* Why you need to train your working memory (and exactly what working memory is) so that you can make use of the best parts of your mind when working with languages.
* How to link your ideas together so that they flow naturally together.
* Why you should never drink the night before translating a speech by Obama.
* The amazing reason why people fail at the study of new languages and how to avoid it.
* Why it’s not about what you “know” in your mother tongue, but what you can “do” with it that matters.
* Why a deep knowledge of the culture and country of the language you’re studying helps you with learning the language.
* The importance of understanding irony, puns and jokes and why this can be much more critical than having piles of vocabulary and grammar rules in your memory.
* The absolutely best conditions for language learning.
* The difference between internal and external motivation and how to use this understanding to excel with language learning.
* Why rote learning is the number one mistake that language learners make (and what to do instead).
* How to build a network that will let you see how the syntax of a language works so that you can build sentences with greater ease.
* When to add quantity to your pool of foreign language vocabulary.
* Why building a language core is like building a spider web to which new vocabulary sticks (even if you’re not yet a polyglot).
* Some of the exact ways that Luca makes his mind learn languages much more quickly, the exact same techniques you can adopt for yourself.
* Why you should never be prejudiced about a different culture or be seduced by generalizations such as “the French are snobbish.”
* Why languages belong to no one and are only ever used, never owned.
* Luca’s feelings about how English sounds to him from his perspective as a polyglot with Italian as his mother tongue.
* Exactly what the “bucket effect” is and how to use its power in your language learning efforts.
* The “combinatory logic” behind syntax and how to use this to understand the “gist” of what other people are saying as you build towards to fluency.
* The relationship between vocabulary, circles and layers that move between objective, subject and literate levels of language learning.
* Why building “language islands” is the best way to prepare yourself for exploring the depths of the “language oceans” that characterize all of the world’s many modes of speaking.
* Why even a highly established English-speaker like Luca always watches English movies with the English subtitles on (and why you should too).
* How to give your brain points-of-reference using a simple notebook.
* The real reason why second-language speakers have accents.
* How to understand the “jogger’s high” effect when it comes to language learning and how to avoid its opposite, “jogger’s depression.”
* Why fear is one of the hugest problems that language learners face and how to overcome it.
I’d also like to recommend that you check out Luca’s website, The Polyglot Dream. There you can find links to Luca’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube offerings, all of which offer you amazing language learning ideas, inspiration and dedicated training.
As always, feel free to get in touch if you have any questions, and …
How To Write A Dissertation (Or Essay)
May 27, 2014
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I follow up on the “How to Memorize a Textbook” podcast with “How to Write a Dissertation” (or any article or essay).
Tune in now and you’ll learn:
* The best ways to use index cards to create a “skeleton” that you can use again and again for other writings or to memorize material for a public presentation.
* Why index cards are better than Evernote and Anki.
* How to make writing a dissertation as interesting as writing a screenplay for television or the movies.
* How to use the floor of your apartment to organize an entire dissertation into multiple chapters so that you can present the evidence in the best possible order simply by sitting and writing.
* The best conditions to create and maintain a writing space for composing your writing.
* The need for syncing to Dropbox or some similar service while you’re writing.
* How to avoid the need to re-read your dissertation before the defense.
* How to know almost exactly where in your dissertation you’ve made various points.
* The best way to keep your research material “mobile.”
* How to apply the techniques in this podcast and “How to Memorize a Textbook” to memorize and write blog posts about gardening, cooking or whatever area of interest you might want to write or present about.
* … and much, much more.
I also invite you to an upcoming webinar titled Memory Secrets of an A+ Student, which I highly encourage you to sign-up for and attend. I’ll be talking more about using memory techniques as part of scholastic success with an eye to making sure that the techniques can also be used by everyone.
As a student, as you may know, I was pretty foggy in my mind most of the time for various reasons I’ve talked about before. Memory skills and the index card research technique that I talk about in the podcast were key to my success and although paper and pen seem like ancient technology to students today, I still highly recommend using them.
Handwriting uses, rather obviously, the hand, and there are good, scientifically grounded reasons that explain why that handwriting creates higher levels of cognition. Couple this with a Memory Palace, location-based memory technique and you’ll quickly experience much larger results than typing. It’s not entirely clear to me why typing differs from handwriting, but the effects are plain and the practical benefits evident. As I talk about in this episode, it’s easy to lose or accidentally delete a computer file, but so long as you have an ordered stack of index cards, you know the order of points you talked about in the writing and can re-write it relatively easily.
You may even be able to dictate directly from the index cards, which is a point that I neglected to address in the podcast itself. If you have dictation software and are able to verbally respond to index cards off-the-cuff, then the writing processes can go even more quickly for you, making your job simply one of editing.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, please add a comment here, subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher and feel free to share it with anyone you know who is currently writing a dissertation or writing in general.
Anthony Metivier is the founder of the Magnetic Memory Method, a systematic, 21st Century approach to memorizing foreign language vocabulary, dreams, names, music, poetry and much more in ways that are easy, elegant, effective and fun.
Timothy Moser Talks About Memory Skills and Productivity
May 09, 2014
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you’ll hear from Timothy Moser, the man behind www.masterofmemory.com. The major theme of the interview is how memory techniques relate to productivity and in addition to Timothy’s fascinating thoughts about the history of mnemonic strategies and memory techniques, you’ll learn:
* Why mnemonics is neither cheating nor a cheap trick.
* How memory skills can help you deal with the massive amounts information on the Internet.
* Why Timothy hates Qwerty keyboards and how mnemonics might have a competitor when it comes to learning a new keyboard system.
* Timothy’s history with graduated intervals (and what graduated intervals are).
* The difference between learning and association and why the latter may be a more powerful way to think about education.
* How to get a “compound effect” when using music to memorize information and information to memorize music.
* Why everyone can be a “grand” master of memory (even if you have to take the “grand” part away).
* How to be proactive about the things you naturally remember so that you can link them to pieces of information that your brain doesn’t latch onto so easily.
* Why you should engage in all your activities based on results, rather than on the time you spend.
* Why mnemonics allow you to spend more time reading and thinking instead of losing time on rote learning.
* Why you should pay attention to stressed syllables when memorizing foreign language vocabulary so that you mind can take care of the rest (kind of like letting it “fill in the blanks” so that you don’t have to work so hard).
* Timothy’s simple, three-part solution to the problem of teaching mnemonics through examples and how to find the right “starting point” so you can smoothly sail through the seas of mnemonics and other memory skills.
* How to get the “bigger picture” when memorizing textbook material so you don’t have to worry about memorizing every little detail verbatim.
* The best foods to eat so that your mind is clear and your memory is ready for mnemonic activity at the highest possible level.
* Why both the deep history and the recent past of memory techniques are an important part of your journey into enhanced memory abilities as you learn new things.
* Why memory tactics fell out of favor in the 18th century, but are coming back to help us all as part of a Mnemonic Renaissance thanks to the Internet.
* Why education and fun can be one and the same thing so that people of any age can enjoy the learning process and use the natural abilities of their minds to enjoy their lives and their minds at a very high level.
* Why you are unlikely to drop your brain on the sidewalk, but should be prepared with memory skills for the day that your smart phone crashes.
* How you can use memory skills not just to memorize a bunch of facts, but connect those facts to a larger picture of knowledge so that you develop critical thinking skills as part of your memory improvement project.
* Why you need to be willing to test out new mnemonic approaches and test them to find out which ones work best for you.
* Exactly what to do if you’re not a visual person and still want to use mnemonics by “segmenting” pictures.
This is an exciting interview packed with ideas that you can use immediately to start using your mind with greater productivity starting today.
Before you go, check out this additional interview with Timothy here on the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast:
The Most Controversial Language Learning Technique In The World
Apr 20, 2014
In this week’s episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you’ll learn:
* Why David Mansaray’s Language is Culture Podcast (now sadly defunct) is one of the finest language learning resources you’ll ever find online.
* Why the idea that mnemonics are artificial is a dangerous meme (and how to stop worrying about the natural/artificial division and start loving all learning methods).
* Exactly how and when to use rote learning to achieve your goals in ways that won’t bore you to death and fritter away your energy when you could be using lightning-fast memory techniques.
* The most powerful way to think about context and language learning and how to unleash its power.
* Why the number 13 is so awesome for overcoming any fears you might have.
* The REAL reason you need to go to the library and stop trying to learn everything online.
* Exactly why “natural” language learning involves more artificial means than any other language learning technique.
* Why NOT using index cards and paper for rote-learning and using memory techniques instead can reduce emissions and save the planet.
* The precise relationship between memory techniques and martial arts and how to make sure you can find the balance between them (even when you’re not in a fighting mood).
* Why using the associative-imagery involved in mnemonics will never confuse you or make you juggle your thoughts any more than you’re already juggling them anyway.
Dr. Jim Samuels Talks About How to Reduce Stress With Mnemonics
Apr 03, 2014
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Dr. Jim Samuels talks about how to use mnemonics to lower stress and eliminate negative memories from your life.
How to use the numbers 1-12 as a special kind of Memory Palace where numbers are represented by objects (something you can also use to memorize spellings.
An amazing way you can use mnemonics to reduce any stress you may be feeling about your daily to-do lists.
How to use a simple act of measuring to improve the results you get when using the power of your mind to memorize information.
How and why confidence in your memory can protect you from stress, and possibly even stress-induced memory loss.
The three “dramatic” stages of fatigue and exactly how deadly they can be to your memory.
Why you need to use the first mnemonic images that “spring” to your mind so that they’ll “spring” back in when you need them later.
The amazing power of “reframing” to change the quality of your memories so that you can increase the quality of your experiences.
How to overcome “rogue” or disturbing memories using mnemonics and remove the trouble they bring into your life.
How to use “cartoon level” images to completely erase negative memories, release stress and improve performance in everything you do. (This is kind of like a guided visualization you create on the fly, exclusively for your own personal use.)
The important power of becoming the “cause” of your memories, instead of the “effect” of your memories.
Exactly how to get yourself to “play” with mental imagery in order to create mnemonics, even if you’re a “serious” adult who normally doesn’t spend time making crazy and exaggerated images in your imagination.
How to use mnemonic devices, even if you’re not a visual person.
When to know that memory training is nothing you should be bothering with (it’s rare, but possible that you simply don’t need to improve your ability to recall information).
Dr. Samuels’ views on memory competitions and why we need to get past the idea that these people are extraordinary beings so that we can all experience the benefits of mnemonics.
Dr. Samuel’s take on the history of Memory Palaces and why we learn the alphabet as a song.
Why rote learning trains your brain to detect unpleasant patterns and reject boring learning experiences.
How to use the “Clear-Capable-Confident” formula in order to master any subject or area of expertise.
How to use memory techniques to get out of any argument – or at least feel tremendously relaxed so that the feeling of conflict just melts away.
Why Dr. Samuels says that using mnemonics is “breathtakingly fast” compared to writing.
“Evidence-based confidence” and why you need to develop it.
The techniques, tactics, strategies and philosophy behind both Martial Arts and mnemonics.
The importance of remembering your goals and memorizing your new year’s resolutions.
Why stress comes primarily for memory and how to use memory to reduce it.
And much, much more …
Please enjoy this valuable interview and get in touch with either myself or Dr. Samuels if you have any questions.
MMMP 013: The Amazing Relationship Between Memory, Serial Killers And Bees
Mar 29, 2014
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you’ll learn about the amazing connection between location-based memory strategies, serial killers, graffiti and bumble-bees.
You’ll also learn:
* The reason why Memory Palaces may have originated in ancient China and not ancient Greece.
More on that topic on this episode of Magnetic Memory Method Live on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/_r-RqUsbRKI
The video was inspired, in part, by the following email:
I’d love to ask for your advice on a PAO system I am working on for my family to use:
Background:
I have thought about encoding 8 to 12 digits along a journey in each location by using an enhanced PAO system from 0-99, I call PACO (Person, Action, Object + a Container)
The container is a different kind of object that only works because I ensure the types are mutually exclusive. I plan to later add a discrete food object and a discrete pet to each double digit as well.
See the list below for example. The rationale for this is that I work in a data intensive industry (valuing and helping to buy/sell companies), where memorizing many figures, stats, and historical charts would be of great use. I’m not as interested in rapidly memorizing a deck of cards, though I wouldn’t mind spending some time on that later…
To support this system, I follow certain restrictions:
The Person can’t be a pet/animal type
The Object is usually a small thing done with a verb
The Container is a large thing that houses people/animals.
I’m trying to make this a kid friendly system for my family and thus I stay away from the R-rated options
My long term thought is that I can have a person doing an action on an object frozen in my mind inside of a container. Each of these PACOs could be eating a food and own a pet.
Thus, in one loci, if it is graphic and memorable enough, I can encode up to 6 double digit items. I’m just wondering if this is overkill and what may be the best way to get my brain to internalize the PACOs. My question is, should I develop a separate journey of 110 location (perhaps 11 rooms of 10 loci), which I use to memorize the PACOs?
Also, if I start with just the traditional PAO and add the additional C later, will that be counterproductive to just memorizing all the options up front? Do you have any other advice on how I can most effectively internalize the system, so that I just about think of pictures in place of double digits?
Thank you for any thoughts on this topic!
Thanks for the question. You’re doing some great concrete thinking on the topic.
In terms of an answer, everything is covered in this episode of the podcast and this YouTube Live. Here’s a list of everything I covered for you:
* Why you really aren’t using memory techniques at all if you don’t have a location-based strategy involved in the mix.
* How to use Magnetic Bridging Figures and Word Division to maximize your use of mnemonic locations in your Memory Palace network.
* Why you must always use a Memory Palace whenever exploring the possibilities of memory techniques.
* Why competing in memory competitions isn’t for everyone (memory champions still make mistakes, after all!).
* Why you need a method – not necessarily a system – that will work for you with respect to the specific memory goals you are trying to pursue.
* Why the Magnetic Memory Method is a way of thinking about information storage and retrieval as a kind of way of life.
* Why location-based memory strategies are the best for easing information into long term memory.
* Why you don’t need to memorize long string digits of numbers in order to “prove” that you are succeeding with memory skills.
* Why you need to join the mnemotechnics.org community immediately – but only if you’re going to apply what you learn from the community.
* The unbelievable connection between bumblebees, serial killers, graffiti and location-based memory techniques.
* … and much, much more!
Thanks as always for your interest in the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, videos and the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass. I appreciate your interest in the PAO very much and look forward to further interesting questions about it.
In the meantime, if you struggle with it or find that it’s simply not for you, check out the Major Method. It might work better for you. As an alternative, you can also try number rhymes.
David Mansaray On Passion, Polyglots and Positivity
Mar 07, 2014
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, renowned polyglot and language learning expert David Mansaray talks about how to make sure that you’re smarter tomorrow than you are today by using positivity, writing, observation and many more simple ideas you can start applying to your life immediately.
Listen to this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast right now to learn:
* The difference between self-education and self-directed learning and how to be proactive about your own education so that you can grow in the direction you want without hassle.
* The best way to use writing to refine your language skills so that you can experience boosts in fluency faster and with greater ease.
Got questions about David Mansaray, the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast or memory in general? Get in contact, subscribe to the Magnetic Memory Newsletter.
MMMP 009: Memory Training Consumer Awareness Guide
Feb 24, 2014
For Episode 009 of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I’ve created an audio presentation of my Memory Training Consumer Awareness Guide, which is also available as a PDF.
Mnemonics are fantastic, but many consumers have questions about the products available on the market, so if you’re hunting for a Memory Palace book, audio program or video course, be sure to listen to this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast in order to make the right decision.
You’ll hear:
* 3 costly misconceptions about your memory and memory training products.
* 3 recommendations to consider before investing any time or money in a memory training product.
* 14 questions you should ask each and every time you lay out your hard-earned cash.
Enjoy this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, and get in contact if you have any questions.
Tap The Mind Of A 10-Year Old Memory Palace Master
Feb 12, 2014
What if your child could memorize all of Shakespeare’s plays… in historical order?
And have fun while doing it?
That’s exactly what Alicia Crosby did at age ten after reading just one memory improvement book.
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I speak with Alicia and her father John Crosby to talk about how she accomplished this feat after reading Lewis Smile’s The Memory Palace.
Ready for more ways to unlock the power of your memory?
Grab my free course on using the Memory Palace technique. Just register by clicking the image below:
This course teaches you more about:
How to create effective Memory Palaces.
The five key mnemonic systems that work together to produce lasting recall.
Ways to apply a variety of memory techniques to real-life learning goals like passing exams, delivering speeches and improving how you read.
Stay mentally sharp as learning becomes more and more fun.
Related Kid-Friendly Episodes of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast
For more interviews like this, please check out Memory Improvement for Kids with Kevin Aires and his daughter Imogen.
You may also like to learn about how to remember the planets with a Memory Palace. It’s a simple memory mission for both kids and parents to enjoy.
MMMP 006: How To Master Your Highly Targeted Memorization Goals
Feb 09, 2014
Are you learning a language and struggling to pick which words and phrases to learn?
In Episode Six of The Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you’ll learn the number one way to discover the words you’ll need to experience boosts in fluency quickly.
That way you can enjoy targeted conversations in your dream language when using mnemonics.
Plus, you need to know how to pick the right vocabulary to memorize. This is such a critical skill because so many people overwhelm themselves by focusing on words they don’t actually need to know.
Or they overwhelm themselves by turning language learning into some kind of numbers game.
Neither strategy works, and the reason they can’t work is simple:
If you memorize vocabulary you don’t need to use, you’re sure to forget it
If you constantly tell yourself about how many thousands of words you need to learn, you’ll frustrate yourself
You need to create targeted learning “missions” and focus on the vocabulary you’re actually going to use immediately.
You need to use numbers in your favor, and not against yourself.
For example, you can use the power of small numbers to create a simple Memory Palace. Focus just on filling one Memory Palace and before you know it, you’ll have ten new words, then twenty, thirty, etc.
Rest assured, frequency lists can be helpful along the way.
The real magic happens when you get deeply involved in the planning and consistent execution.
I hope this episode of the show helps you out and I look forward to hearing from you with questions for future episodes of the show!
Car Crash Survivor Michael Gusman Talks About Mnemonics And Brain Trauma
Jan 27, 2014
Can memory techniques help people recover from traumatic brain injury?
Obviously, you need to consult with a doctor first, but you might find the Michael Gusman’s brain trauma experience inspiring – and something you want to share with your medical professional.
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you’ll hear directly from him.
Why should you care?
Because Michael’s a memory enthusiast who was t-boned by an SUV at 55 miles per hour.
As a result, Michael suffered multiple injuries and a brain hemorrhage that left him with short term memory loss.
In this interview you’ll learn Michael’s personalized Memory Palace methods and wound up healing his memory.
He’s not the only one to experience memory improvement following brain injury. Matt Barclay not only recovered his memory, but gone on to give an incredible memory demonstration.
That means if you’re having memory issues from an accident, you stand a chance at great recovery too.
Plus, when you listen to this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast:
You’ll learn what the journey method is and how it can help you recall information without any effort.
You’ll learn how having a dedicated memory strategy helped him deal with the fear and confusion of memory loss following his accident.
You’ll hear about exactly how much of his recovery he attributes to the use of memory techniques.
You’ll learn how to directly place information into your long term memory so that when you want to recall it, it’s just like turning on a faucet.
You’ll learn about number rhymes and wax tablets, key techniques that anyone can get started using right away.
You’ll learn why memory techniques are a lot easier than they seem and how to use exotic action, images and even smells to help you memorize information.
You’ll learn Michael’s biggest mistakes as he was first learning memory techniques and building Memory Palaces so that you don’t have to make them yourself.
And before you go, it’s not just car-crash induced brain trauma that mnemonics can help you recover from.
Check out this TEDTalk for some very interesting research into the use of Memory Palaces to help Alzheimer’s patients remember the names of their loved ones:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMcduh1HEHA
I’ve also run across an interesting report about people using Memory Palaces to stave off the effects of so-called “chemo brain.” That will be fantastic news if it really helps people cope with the terrible suffering of the cancer itself and the side effects of the medicines used to treat it.
So as you can see, even if you’ve experienced memory loss from brain trauma, there’s hope.
If you can see in your mind or even just think about where your kitchen is in relation to your bedroom, you’re halfway there. (And if you can’t, look up my video on aphantasia. Believe me, you can still use a Memory Palace and memory techniques.)
And if you can get an image or thought about your favorite actor or cartoon character in your mind, then chances are, you can learn to memorize just about anything.
You just need to work at it a little bit every day and have something you want to memorize. Make it something that will make a meaningful difference in your life, like Michael did. He skipped memorizing shopping lists and went straight for scripture with great personal meaning for him.
And if you’re worried that you don’t have any locations you can use to base a Memory Palace on, just have a listen to this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast. It will help you out a great deal. 🙂
If you’ve experienced memory loss from brain trauma or illness, let me know in the comments below. I’m always searching for ways to help! 🙂
MMMPodcast Episode 003: Memorizing Mathematical Formulas
Jan 16, 2014
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you’ll discover how to use a Memory Palace to store mnemonic associative imagery for numbers and formulas.
Why?
Because that will enable you to recall any mathematical term of formula you could possible desire.
You’ll also hear some fun and interesting mnemonic examples featuring nuns, pyramids and Pythagoras’s abs!
Why would you want to use such weird associations?
Once you’ve mastered those memory techniques, it’s important to make sure that you are memorizing the right formula.
For example, in how to memorize a textbook, I gave a perfectly good mnemonic example, but the formula I was given was incorrect.
I’m mentioning this because paying attention is the number one skill, a point memory expert Harry Lorayne has drilled his readers on for decades.
Assuming you’re memorizing the correct formulas in the right configuration, you can also explore techniques that will help you deal with symbols and letters. These include:
A Powerful Memory Improvement Drill Using Plain, Old-Fashioned Dice
Jan 10, 2014
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I talk about a cool dice game you can use to put a little variety into you language learning efforts.
If you’d like to learn more about applying these techniques to your personal learning goals, here’s what I suggest.
You’ll also want an element of what is called active recall. You use personalization and variety along with a bit of stretching to help form memories faster with these approaches.
Throwing dice allows you to add a random element that optimizes the primacy and recency effect that make the Memory Palace technique tick.
How To Perform This Memory Improvement Drill Using Dice
The Greek Alphabet Is Easy To Memorize (Audio and Video)
Jan 06, 2014
Memorizing the Greek alphabet is not that difficult.
In fact, one of my students, Kevin Wax, wrote to me that:
With your incredible help, I’ve been able to memorize the Greek alphabet (words and symbols) front words and backwards in about 3 or 4 total hours of work.
I was very worried as I tackled this project, but your techniques were so very helpful.
That’s right. He did it in just 3-4 hours.
Personally, I wouldn’t call the process “work,” but I’m just glad that Kevin got it done.
If memory serves, he was memorizing scripture at the time, something many of my students want to do.
And the Magnetic Memory Method is proven to help with that.
Just check out what Jeannie Koh had to say in her testimonial after taking my course:
So that you can experience similar results, here’s what’s very new:
I went a little hog wild this time, creating both an audio and video version of the same suggestions I gave both Kevin and Jeannie.
You can download the Mp3 above or watch as we wind our way through my Memory Palace and the mnemonic imagery I used to memorize each letter of the Greek alphabet. Here’s the video:
For example, for the letter aleph, consider using a famous person named Al, such as Weird Al Yankovich or Al Gore.
You’ll also want to read Greek as often as possible. As you do, memorize interesting vocabulary. Spell the words out after you’ve memorized them and mentally rotate each Greek letter in your mind. This process is as useful with Greek as it is with Hindi.
To take things to the next level, consider learning the pegword method. This mnemonic technique will give you an image for each letter of the alphabet, making memorizing new words in Greek easier yet.
If you ever have questions, feel free to post them below, or get in touch using the contact page.
MMMPodcast Episode 001: 5 Ways To Ruin A Perfectly Good Memory Palace
Dec 31, 2013
How to use relaxation throughout the process for maximum success
https://youtu.be/ZhjaNuzBhOE
The mistakes talked about in this episode of the podcast simply aren’t necessary. Please take this information about using a Memory Palace in the most sophisticated manner possible and put it to use.
Of the many mistakes, not picking a place for the information you want to memorize is amongst the deadliest you can make. You simply must use some kind of location-based memorization strategy if you want true success.
The only problem is that so many people struggle with identifying Memory Palaces.
That’s why I created the podcast episode How to Find Memory Palaces. It will help you find more Memory Palaces than you can shake a Magnetic stick at.
And then there are people who want to make changes to existing Palaces they’ve built. That’s not entirely recommended, but you can give renovating a Memory Palace a try and see how it works for you.
At the end of the day, a solid, unchanging Memory Palace will serve you best because it allows you to “magnetize” your properly created associative-imagery to the “roller coaster rails” of the MP journey. Without that certainty, you’ll wind up constantly second-guessing your Memory Palaces.
And doubt is a recipe for disaster.
Why?
Because you want all of your focus to land squarely on quickly finding and decoding the target information – the information you need. The information you used all of this beautiful mental architecture and imagery to help you remember in the first place.
Then you need to make sure that imagery is big, bright, bold and bursting with vibrant color. You really want the images to pop into your awareness as you journey through your mind.
Never forget: they call it the art of memory for a reason (ars memorativa). You’re literally “crafting” memories when you use mnemonics.
And you get to create the rules of play, meaning that you can memorize as much information as you want for as long as you want to hold it in accessible memory. You just need to know – not just what to do – but what mistakes to avoid.
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If you want to experience incredible transformations leading to substantial accomplishments, positive visualization can help.
How would your life improve if you could perform six mental operations at the same time?
Can you guess how many benefits of critical thinking you’ll enjoy along your journey of mental mastery?
Have you ever made a decision, only to realize you could have been more objective and less emotional?
We just need to be aware of the fact that we all experience 
Ars combinatoria is a mental technique that helps with both memory and decision making. The term means the art or technique of combination and is very powerful.
You’ve probably heard that you need active reading strategies in order to understand and remember more. 
If you’re as skeptical about speed reading claims as I am, you’ve probably wondered about skimming vs. scanning. 
Wondering how to stop subvocalizing? 
To be fair, I once submitted myself to reading an entire chapter of a Dostoevsky novel using one of these software programs. Sure, it does feel like you’re following along. 
If you’re looking for critical thinking strategies to help yourself or others, congratulations.
Do you have a hard time focusing and wonder if concentration meditation will help?
It is no secret that we are all constantly in a state of self-examination. 
Dr. Bruno Furst created a number of memory improvement courses and You Can Remember! is one of the most famous. 
Do you need to focus your mind?
The center of our solar system is the sun. Moving out, we encounter…
If you need to memorize the 27 Amendments to the American Constitution, you’re probably thinking it’s going to be a lot of work.
If you’re looking for a review of the Mega Memory program, you probably just want to know: Does it work?
Next, you’ll learn:
It’s hard to find a decent guided visualization specifically to reduce anxiety, isn’t it?
Are you looking for the perfect set of memorization techniques? 
If you’re in a rush to improve your concentration while studying, here’s the research-backed criteria I used to survive university and eventually earn my PhD.
If you want to concentrate better, you probably think it’s going to take a lot of work.
Zoning out sucks, doesn’t it? You’re sitting there, wishing you can concentrate, wishing you knew how to increase focus on demand … and yet … your mind is just dancing all over the darn place.
You’ve experienced obstacles in your visualization meditation practice, right?
If you can’t stand your current lack of concentration, don’t worry. There are concrete steps you can take. They will reduce, and potentially eliminate, your problems with focusing.
If you want to know how to memorize the periodic table, chances are you’ve heard the following advice:
Want to know how to memorize a monologue fast?
Want a quick and easy way to memorize the presidents of the United States?
Ever really stopped and thought about how language learning occurs?
If you want to know how to memorize a song, the process can be much easier.
Control.
As you sit down to read…
Can you really supercharge your memory with memory vitamins?
No one has demonstrated the multi-sensory nature of memory techniques with as much grace as Anastasia Woolmer.
Do you remember your first trip?
We’ve all been there. Drudging through a book that’s hard to grasp without any decent reading comprehension strategies.
You Are Not So Smart — David McRaney
Happiness Beyond Thought & Evolving Beyond Thought — Gary Weber
The Power of Now — Eckhart Tolle
The Direct Path, A User Guide — Greg Goode
Mind Map Mastery — Tony Buzan
Rest, Why You Get More Done When You Work Less — Alex Soojun-Kim Pang
The Art of Learning — Josh Waitzkin
Indistractable — Nir Eyal
A Question of Memory — David Berglas & Guy Lyon Playfair
Simon Luisi is a memory enthusiast who has helped organize memory competitions in Canada. 
When James called me this morning from the cafe, I was able to give him exact directions to my pad thanks to having strong cognitive maps.
Memory competition is one way to train your brain and keep your mind sharp.
Focused attention is…look a squirrel!
How many books have you read this year? 
Want to become a memory champion? 
She disappeared in a flash, but when I closed my eyes, I could see her beautiful face looking pleadingly in my direction. 
Ever heard the phrase “Work smarter, not harder”?
Have you ever thought about how improving your memory can improve your life? Not just surface level, daily routine improvements, but really transform who you are as a person? 
Do you struggle with the Memory Palace technique to complete large learning goals?
Did you have toast and eggs for breakfast while reading the newspaper? If you can’t remember those specific words, then it is time to learn how to improve your semantic memory.
It only took three pages for Memory Craft to become my favorite book on the art of memory.
* How to “dialogue” with your memory aids.
Do accelerated learning techniques really speed up learning? 
If you want to create an unshakable Memory Palace training routine, here’s the most important point:
Elaborative encoding isn’t the sexiest term memory science has come up with, is it? 
All self improvement requires delayed gratification, especially memory training. 
Even if it feels like trying to capture the entire cosmos in a jar, it’s actually pretty easy to improve short term memory.
Do you ever wonder how memory competitors get so good at their craft? 
Dominic O’Brien suffered from ADD and dyslexia.
Ever signed up for a memory course or read a memory improvement book and thrown your hands up in the air?
If you’ve been looking for an aphantasia cure, you’re in luck.
As someone who is not very visual, I’m glad I learned how to tap into various aspects of my sensory memory to help me use memory techniques better.
Are you searching for Memory Palace training exercises and an easy way to create your first (or second) Memory Palace Network?
Do you find memory techniques like the Memory Palace daunting?
Ever wondered if you can just 
The Wise Advocate wants to help you avoid the terrible habits that keep you locked into habitual thinking…
If you’re serious about learning how to study fast, get ready to say goodbye to those horrible emotions of anxiety and fear.
Looking for the best memory techniques for studying?
If you’re sick of struggling to reach your memory improvement goals, you need what James Clear calls “atomic habits.”
Evernote for better memory?
The answer is…
If you want to know how to train your memory, the journey to greatness begins with recognizing something odd about that brain between your ears:
Looking to teach yourself a foreign language and need the best language learning books? Let me introduce you to my friend Olly Richards.
Have you ever wondered about apps like Cogmed for 
Have you been looking for a memory method you can use to learn and remember difficult information? 
And growth can be constant. In Buzan’s classic, The Memory Book, he gives this formula:
Are you a 
Can stress cause memory loss and confusion?
Stoic philosophy has helped thousands of people live better lives.
Can smartphone addiction fry your brain cells?
Tansel Ali is possibly the most positive memory champion on the planet.
We all make mistakes.
Does your episodic memory help you remember your first prom?
Can you write legibly with both your left and right hands?
Do you have enough mental exercises to genuinely help you experience real and 
These methods of “association” are similar to the Peg System. It is also based on the principles of the Memory Palace technique – where you visualising a room and then associate each object in the room to each piece of information you want to memorize.
When you have to memorize the names of hundreds of bones and muscles, usually in complex Latin terms, you don’t want to spend hours fiddling with boring and ineffective flashcards. You just want to know how to memorize anatomy in a way that works.
It happens. We all have verbal diarrhea from time to time.
Would you like to eliminate the ‘busy-work’ from your language learning activities?
Let’s face it. Everyone has fantasized about having a memory implant.
The experience of memory loss creates the kind of story you normally only see in the movies.
I’m a pretty calm and relaxed guy.
What would you give if you could have the world’s best mentor accessible at any time?
What if I told you that turning your brain into a passwords manager is the easiest thing on the planet?
Would you like to pick the mind of the greatest living Major System masters?
Have you ever heard the phrase, “writing is re-writing”?
Go ahead and admit it.
Hey, it happens.
Ever hear that crazy phrase, “knowledge is power”?
Have you ever wished you had the ability to memorize information in real time?
No question about learning and memory enters my inbox more often than than “why aren’t these memory techniques taught in schools?”
It’s annoying when the memory improvement exercises on your smartphone don’t help, isn’t it?
Annoying, isn’t it?
Entrepreneurs need a ton of skills to achieve their goals.
Remember Joanna Jast and all those tips she gave you on 
2020 Update: If you’re American, here’s 
Studying about boring topics you don’t give a hoot about sucks, right?
Want to improve your ability to use memory techniques almost overnight?
Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could create a Memory Palace on the go?
Are you interested in learning how to learn at a higher level? I’m talking about mastering math, sailing through high-pressure exams and making the most of your study time. Every time you sit down to learn.
A lack of memory training plagues every nation. It’s true.
If You Don’t Know Tony Buzan And His Mind Map Technique, Here’s How To Learn Faster and Remember Everything!
Did you know that your ability to be a moral person directly connects to the quality of your memory? At least, that’s an argument made by Albertus Magnus. and I think he’s right.
You probably think you can get all the memory training you need from books, right?
Have you ever gone through a phase that forced you into starting over from scratch?
Alex Stone Shows You How Magic And Memory Can Heighten Your Sense Of Reality
You’ve dreamed about learning a foreign language for years.
You want your children to remember what they learn, right? You’ve probably even hoped that they’d learn enough to succeed in life.
Amazing Language Learner Olly Richards Pulls Back The Curtain On Exactly How He Learned 8 Languages In Record Time – With More Than A Full-Time Job Crowding His To Do List … Tune In To Learn How You Can Do It Too! 
Do memory supplements work?
Auguste Deter was only in her late 40s when she started showing signs of dementia. Her husband Karl, cared for her as long as he possibly could.
If you want to know how to live an interesting life, stop missing the big and important details.
If you’re lucky enough, eating foods that improve memory is something you do every day. If you’re like most of us lucky ones, it might be something you do too often every day.
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Guinness World Record Holder Dave Farrow talks about 
Let me ask you something:
Jonathan Levi is an insanely smart guy.
Have you ever thought about getting into marketing?
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, USA Memory Champ Nelson Dellis teaches you how to win the USA Memory Championship.
This is Andrew Barr and today I’m sitting in for Anthony in this guest post.
Do you get overwhelmed and frustrated every time you need to come up with new ideas when using memory techniques as part of your brain training? Especially when learning a 
Here’s a great question about how to memorize textbooks I received from a Magnetic Memory Method fan:
This Man Shows You How To Unlock The Extreme Power Of Your Memory
Wouldn’t it be great if you could experience memory improvement …
The ugly sister effect explains so many things when it comes to the memory blocks we all face.
To celebrate the release of a course I put together with Jonathan Levi called, Branding You™: How To Build A Multimedia Internet Empire, we’re re-releasing an interview I gave on his Becoming a Superhuman podcast. So when you’re ready, hit play and learn …
The days rush by, don’t they?
You’d like to have psychic powers, wouldn’t you?
How To Use Your Emotions To Memorize More Instead Of Letting Them Take Over Your Life And Make A Big Fat Mess Of Everything
One of the most common questions I receive is… how do I find Memory Palaces?
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Timothy Moser of Master of Memory, Accelerated Spanish and Ace Productivity joins us for the second time. If you haven’t heard that first interview, check it out. Timothy’s ideas will make you more productive, especially when it comes to using 
e better. I’m deeply fascinated by Ezra Pound and he also had a connection to Chinese and Japanese, so he works really well in this connection.
Dear Memorizers,
I’ve been training myself to employ this notice board for capturing the key points of podcasts that I listen to every now and again.
greater conversational flow (improvisational jazz, as my virtual bass teacher 
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method, we have a special interview with Phil Chambers. Phil is a World Mind Mapping Champion who works closely with the World Memory Championships as a scorer and statistician who does not believe that memory competitors have even come close to 
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Luca Lampariello treats us once again to a focused array of language learning secrets that you can put to use today in your foreign language study efforts. Tune in now and you’ll learn:
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I follow up on the “
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you’ll hear from Timothy Moser, the man behind 
In this week’s episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you’ll learn:
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, Dr. Jim Samuels talks about 
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, you’ll learn about the amazing connection between location-based memory strategies, serial killers, graffiti and bumble-bees.
In this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, renowned polyglot and language learning expert David Mansaray talks about how to make sure that you’re smarter tomorrow than you are today by using positivity, writing, observation and many more simple ideas you can start applying to your life immediately.
For Episode 009 of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I’ve created an audio presentation of my Memory Training Consumer Awareness Guide, which is also available as a 
What if your child could memorize all of Shakespeare’s plays… in historical order?
Are you learning a language and struggling to pick which words and phrases to learn?
