Memory Techniques

Have you ever started to introduce someone and their name escapes you?
      Our brains evolved to code and interpret complex stimuli such as images, colors, structures, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, positions, emotions and language. We use these to make sophisticated models of the world we live in. Our memories store all of these very effectively.

      The key is to coding information using vivid mental images. This approach allows both information and the structure of information to be coded. Vivid images are easier to recall when you need them.

      Following techniques below illustrates how to code information vividly, using stories, strong mental images, familiar journeys, etc.

You can do the following things to make your mnemonics more memorable:

• Use positive, pleasant images. Your brain often blocks out unpleasant ones.
• Use vivid, colorful, sense laden images – these are easier to remember than drab ones.
• Use all your senses to code information or dress up an image. Remember that your mnemonic can contain sounds, smells, tastes, touch, movements and feelings as well as pictures.
• Give your image three dimensions, movement and space to make it more vivid. You can use movement either to maintain the flow of association, or to help you to remember actions.
• Exaggerate the size of important parts of the image.
• Use humor! Funny or peculiar things are easier to remember than normal ones.
• Similarly, rude rhymes are very difficult to forget!
• Symbols (red traffic lights, pointing fingers, road signs, etc.) can code quite complex messages quickly and effectively.

      There are three basic principles that underlay the use of mnemonics:

Imagination: - create and strengthen the associations with the information you wish to recall. These  associations can be universal or highly personal. The strength of the image and your ability to visualize it determines the mind's effectiveness to recall at some future time. Try using your initial impression to create the imagery you use, in your mnemonics, as you are much more likely to remember it.

Association: this is the method by which you link a thing to be remembered to a way of remembering it. You can create associations by:

• Developing a rhyme or phrase
  
• Combining things that link with one another
  
• Linking images by color, smell, shape, or feeling.

Location: assigning a specific location allows you to use the same coherent context by storing different data as different location or situations that you can easily keep separate with no danger becoming confused. You need to personalize these locations into your mnemonics to strengthen your ability to keep the data separate.