- Education and Science
Mnemonics (Memory Techniques): How To Develop A Super Power Memory - Part 1
I Remember, Do You?
How would feel to know someone that remembered everything you had ever said, everything you had ever done and could even describe in fine detail things about you from decades ago that you could not yourself even remember?
Such people exist.
Although some of these people may just naturally have an impeccable memory, many of them are using methods which they have learnt. Whilst the sheer power of the human mind is commonly appreciated the techniques on how to utilize and improve these powers is not so common and so here I will delve into the subject of mnemonics. Unfortunately the subject cannot be explained within the context of one article and so this will be in three parts.
What Are Mnemonics?
Computer programmers will easily understand the theory of mnemonics which have been proven to be extremely effective. In computer programming mnemonics are used to represent machine code so it can be understood in human terms. In actual fact, computers and the human mind are incredibly alike and both can be programmed.
For those of you not familiar with computer programming I will put this in as simple terms as I can: Just as in computer programming whereby data or information can be stored within something called a 'variable', data can also be stored within a variable inside the human mind. The data can then be retrieved from the 'variable' as and when needed.
Even more importantly, groups of 'variables' relating to a specific topic can be stored inside something called 'arrays' so that all the variables can be stored safely in a relevant place. So, essentially what we are talking about here is a database of information within the mind, just as with a database in computer programming.
Don't worry, this isn't difficult!
The Memory Mansion
Some people use what I will refer to as a memory mansion. Although the task of building a memory mansion may seem like a tricky concept at first, the underlying methods that are utilized actually make it fairly simple. A memory mansion is simply an imaginary mansion or palace within your mind, ultimately it should be a place you are familiar with - if you used to live in a big house this is perfect, if not somewhere large that you visit or have a vivid memory of is a good choice. However, seeing as though this is imagination you could simply choose your old house and expand it so it's bigger.
The reason I say your old house is because if you choose your current house then there will be real-life distractions which may distort the information which is stored in your memory mansion.
Basically this mansion is your database, it is where all the information to be remembered will be stored safely away ready to be retrieved whenever required. You will be making use of objects such as wardrobes, chests of draws or any other furniture or familiar items within the rooms of your mansion in order to store data. You will be placing labels on these objects though they will not be text, they will be images. You will also be using visualization techniques in order to retrieve information.
In order to develop a super-power memory you will be using a mixture of techniques involving your representational systems. These representations can be used to recode any experiences, information or data which needs to be stored in your mansion. Mnemonics is one area that traditional NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) doesn't delve in to.
I will also show you a technique that will help you to remember directions or routes to a specific location so that you can easily find your way there in the future purely by using the power of your mind!