Whether you are trying to memorise someone’s name or a speech, there are simple techniques you can use to recall and stores information like a pro.
Did you know that all of us have the same capacity to remember and recall information? The problem lies in the fact that most of us use the worst possible technique for remembering information. And that is by repeating it over and over again, so-called rote memory.
Before I will show you how to improve your capacity to remember and retain information, I want you to know that there is no such thing as a bad memory. Bad memory is a consequence of storing and recalling information in a sub-optimal way.
Therefore, step one in the process is simply to stop telling yourself that you have a bad memory, because that is simply not true. Instead, say you are working on improving your memory (which is true since you are reading this article).
With that out of the way, let's learn how to drastically improve your memory.
Why Repeating Information is Ineffective
Before I reveal the method world champion memory champions use, we first need to understand how our mind works.
The brain and the way it functions have been developed and refined through hundreds of thousands of years of evolution. Throughout most of human history, we didn’t use the complex language that we use today. There was no need for it. As civilizations formed and grew more complex in the last few thousand of years, language evolved along with it.
This means that consuming complex language in the form of written text is a relatively new occurrence for us humans. As such, the brain has not had the time to develop to optimally deal with today's information overload.
The way most of us tackle this problem is by rereading information multiple times until the information “sticks”. The problem with this method is that it's ineffective, doesn't produce a long-lasting memory, and is not an accurate way of retaining information.
For example, can you vividly recall a book you read 10 years ago word for word? Unless you are exceptionally gifted, probably not.
However, you probably can vividly remember images all the way back to your childhood. Not only that, but most likely you can recall these memories in great detail. If it’s an especially fond memory you might recall how you felt at the time. You might also remember sensory experiences like how things smelled or tasted.
Here lies the big secret to flawless memorization, don't try to memorize words, memorize images instead!
Your brain has evolved to recognize environments and patterns in those environments with great precision (as there was an evolutionary need for being able to do so).
We can use these evolutionary features of the brain to our advantage when we are trying to memorize important information.
Mnemonic Devices
Enough theory, let's put this information into practice. We are going to use an example to learn the technique. The word we will be memorizing is Trichotillomania.
For anyone that is curious, Trichotillomania is a phenomenon where people have an unexplained desire to pull out their own hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows.
I think this example is perfect as you probably already have a strong image of what that would look like in your mind. You might also have a strong emotion linked to this phenomenon, which is great since this will only enhance the likelihood of the memory sticking in your mind.
We are now going to memorize this word by using our technique which is divided into 4 steps.
1. Divide the word into multiple smaller words
First, we need to break down the word into smaller parts. The word Trichotillomania is very long and it will be easier to “manage” the word if we break it down. Below I have broken down the word into 5 parts:
Tri - cho - till - o - mania
The reason we do this will be apparent as we continue the memorization process, so bear with me.
2. Associate words with images
Next, we need to look at the smaller broken-up parts of the words and try to associate them with an image. Preferably an object, person, or something you can clearly visualize in your mind's eye.
The important thing is that the image you associate the words with makes sense to you! So there is no right or wrong way of doing this.
In this example, I will associate Tri with three (three of something). Cho with the actor John Cho. In this case, we can picture three exact copies of John Cho.
I will then associate Till with Till Lindemann from Rammstein.
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For O I will picture a large pool shaped like an O.
And finally, for mania, I will associate with a maniac (like the Joker laughing hysterically).
3. Create a vivid scene
To memorize the word effectively you need to make it memorable so it’s easy to recall. The scene needs to really stand out in your mind. If the scene you create is “too ordinary”, the technique won’t work.
To illustrate how this work. Think about what you had for dinner 1 year ago. Most likely you won't remember unless something special happened during that dinner. For example, if you had dinner with the president of the USA one year ago, you would probably remember that event vividly.
That's because this event was out of the ordinary hence your mind flagged it as something worth remembering.
This is the key when you are memorizing your word and the scene you attach to it. It needs to stand out.
We accomplish this by painting a short but strange and unusual scene in our mind. Use the images we associated with the parts of the word we are trying to memorize to create a scene.
Remember, the crazier the scene is, the more likely it is you will remember it.
It's also important that the scene is short and happens within a time frame of seconds. The whole scene should be quick and snappy.
4. Create a definite ending
When you have composed the scene, there needs to be a definite ending to the scene. Don't skip this part as it's important to know when the scene ends. If you leave it open-ended, it can be difficult to accurately recall the word and you might doubt if there is more to the scene and if you are missing anything.
An ending could be as simple as things blowing up. Or a ton of bricks lands on the subjects in the scene. You can get creative here. The more cartoonish and unreal the ending, the better.
One final tip to make the scene really stand out is to involve as many senses as possible.
The more senses you involve in the creation of the scene, the more likely it is to stick in your mind.
Now let's put it all together.
Example
Three exact copies of the actor John Cho are standing on the edge of the moon. Behind him Till Lindemann from Rammstein runs up behind them. He is wearing a pink ballerina dress. He pushes them so they fall screaming down into a giant O-shaped pool.
As they fall toward the pool a maniac (The Joker for example) is waiting for them laughing hysterically. As the three John Cho's hit the pool it explodes. The end!
Breakdown of the scene
This scene contains a few important elements, so let's break it down. First, we have three exact copies of the actor John Cho (pick someone you are familiar with and whose name you know by heart). This indicates the first two parts of the word "Tricho".
Then Till Lindemann comes running up behind them in a pink ballerina dress (this style of clothing will make Till stand out in our scene). You can also add a sound to the action. For example, if Till is running you can imagine a swoosh sound as he moves forward.
We now have "Trichotill".
Finally, the three John Cho's are falling toward the O-shaped pool, where the maniac is laughing hysterically. As they hit the pool the whole thing explodes. We now have the whole word Trichotillomania.
This all might seem confusing at first, but with practice, this will become second nature. You just need to exercise your imagination muscle a bit.
Initially, this process will feel a bit awkward. But the reason why it's worth memorizing a word in this way is that it allows you to memorize a lot of information accurately. Also, this information can then be recalled easily a long time after you have memorized it.
Now it's your turn to practice what we learned.
Practical Exercise
Practice memorizing the following 3 names and words. Use the 4-step formula as explained above.
Try memorizing the name of this actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Next, try to memorize this medical term for stomach growl: Borborygmi
Finally, memorize this musical term: Pianissimo
Remember to follow the 4-step formula:
1. Subdivide the word into smaller parts
2. Create an image or reference to each of the smaller parts
3. Compose a scene (make it crazy and vivid involving as many senses as possible)
4. Create a definite ending to the scene
Memory Palace
Another problem with memorizing information is that they are not grounded in anything. The information is just floating around in your mind. This makes it hard to retrieve the information.
It's like randomly throwing your keys into your living room. Instead, it would be a better idea to have a designated place for your keys where you always put them. That way you don't have to run around in your living room fumbling around looking for the keys every time you need them.
We are once again going to use our brains' excellent visual memory for this, more specifically its spacial memory.
Our brain is very good at memorizing spaces accurately. Even if you haven't been in a place for a long time, I'm sure you have an idea of how the space was structured and where all the biggest objects were placed.
We will now create something called a Mind Palace. In our mind palace, we can store our memories.
For example, if you need to memorize work-related information, using your work environment as a mind palace would make sense.
You can then create a system where you designate one room per category of information.
When you select a room, imagine yourself standing at the entrance of the room. Find no more than 8 spots to place your memories per room. Always place the memory scenes in a clockwise manner.
You simply place your memory scene on furniture in the room.
The important thing is that you create a system that you always use when you are storing information in your mind palace.
Let's put this into practice with an exercise.
Practical Exercise
Pick a room in your house.
Place the memory scenes as described above. In this case, it will only be 3 scenes you need to place in your room.
For a certain period of time, see if you can recall the memories whenever you walk into the room. Notice how easy or difficult it was to recall the memories.
Of course, you don't have to physically be in the room to recall the memories, but going into the room can act as a trigger to help you remember practicing the technique.
Make Your Memories Permanent
The final step of the memorization process only applies if you want to store the information you've memorized permanently.
The way you are going to do this is by recalling your scenes from memory without any written aid. No peeking on notes or anything.
Do this recall at several specific times.
Do the first recall, the day after you composed the memory scene. Next, recall the memory a week after the creation of the memory. Then you wait 1 month to recall it. And finally, you wait 3 months.
If you can recall the memory with perfect clarity this memory will be permanent (or so my mentor who taught me this told me).
Obviously, you need to put a system in place to remind yourself of doing the recalls. That's completely up to you how you want to do that.
Practical Exercise
This exercise is optional, but if you really want to memorize the words I gave you, you can use the method described above.
However, I would much rather that you select some words you actually want to memorize and go through the process. Then come back here and do this final exercise. That way this exercise will be of actual value to you.
Summary
I have now shared one of the biggest keys to memorizing long complicated words. This is just the tip of the iceberg and there are so many more techniques you can use to improve your memory.
This technique will take some time to get used to, but once you have the technique down, you'll have a very powerful memory technique at your disposal.
Have you tried the exercises? Did it help you to better recall long and difficult words and names?
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