Proven Tricks To Improve Your Memory
July 30, 2007
When you can't remember a phone number or where your wallet is, it's time to play some mind games. You can take steps to improve your memory and recall huge amounts of information.
1. Method of Loci
This is an ancient and effective way of recalling a lot of information, like a speech. You associate each part of what you have to remember with a landmark in a route you know well, like your commute to work.
Bill Clinton had been known to use this trick to remember his speeches! |
2. Cues
Do you keep forgetting a task you have to do every day at a certain time? This amazing little trick will do wonders.
Assign a cue to that task. For example, tell yourself "when I take my first cup of coffee in the morning, I'll also check my credit card balance".
Giving yourself a cue helps your intention to do something. Doctors use this trick to help their patients take medicine on time.
3. Chunking
When someone gives you a phone number, don't swallow it whole! Chunking is a way of remembering long things in smaller digestible chunks.
So when you have to remember 512125695487, break it down — 5121 2569 5487 or even 51 21 25 69 54 87.
It's even better to chunk numbers according to something you find meaningful, like someone's age or address. This way chunking improves your recall memory even more. |
4. Routine
Routine is memory's best friend. Make ordinary tasks in your life routine and forget about them. Give your memory a vacation!
Put car keys in the same place when you enter your house. You're programmed to pay little or no attention to small events. So make them a routine and forget 'em.
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