Anthony Metivier's Blog, page 26

February 21, 2019

21 Study Tips [Fast And Easy Ways To Learn Faster]

21 Study Tips Image of LibraryAre there any study tips that I’d kill to know if I were going back to school?


I get this question all the time.


And although I wouldn’t kill for anything, a few suggestions do come to mind…


Fewer pints of Guinness, for one thing (and I’ll explain exactly why).


More time in the library.


Perhaps even committing to another area of study altogether.


(Even if that might have lead to an entirely different career path.)


So with some reflection on the years since I’ve earned my B.A., two M.A.s, and a Ph.D., I’ve assembled 21 study tips for you.


Let’s jump in.


#1. Learn Memory Techniques Earlier

This is, without a doubt, my no. 1 criticism of my own learning career.


(Yes, even more than all those blurry post-study session happy hours!)


I wish I would have started learning memory techniques sooner.


Cruising altitude

We are all familiar with the expression “cruising altitude,” right?


Generally this is the point in the flight where the “seat-belt light” is turned off, you’re free to move about the cabin, and everything is smooth sailing.


What if I told you this cruising altitude was attainable…faster? All it takes is getting started. Seems like a no-brainer, doesn’t it?


If you commit to learning memory techniques sooner you’ll develop this intuition – knowing what to do, how to do it, and when.


The true roots of inspiration

Growing up, we all had that mother figure that just knew what we needed.


The decision to learn memory techniques will serve you and reward you tenfold.


You’ll be able to:



Adopt them on the fly because you’re always prepared.
Learn more, and more precisely because information will have a place to be stored.
Avoid decision anxiety because you will know which memory techniques work for you.

As Brian Tracy once said, “The hardest part of any important task is getting started on it in the first place. Once you actually begin work on a valuable task, you seem to be naturally motivated to continue.”


Start there, and I promise, you won’t regret it.


#2. Keep a Memory Journal

What do you do to remember those important points from a professor’s lecture?


Surely you don’t just sit in the classroom and hope you remember what was discussed that day come finals week. You take notes don’t you? Of course you do!


Well, why aren’t you taking notes in all areas of your life? Valuable information can slip away too easily if it’s not recorded. It’s such a simple fix, taking minimal time to physically write things down.


To learn faster, to really learn the information you need to know, you must sort through the “junk.”


The ultimate “decision tree”

This means deciding:



What must be captured in your memory
What you can legitimately reduce
What will relieve cognitive load
What you can let go of completely

In other words, prioritize.


I’ve found using The Freedom Journal as my Memory Journal works great for helping me discover and determine the big levers I need to be focusing on.


Anthony Metivier using the Freedom Journal

Anthony Metivier using the Freedom Journal


If you put in the work of creating and maintaining a Memory Journal, here’s the beset part:


Flipping back through the pages will show you not only how far you’ve come, but where you can make improvements.


#3. Double Down on Memory Palaces

Excuse the casino speak, but I would undoubtedly double down on the number of memory palaces I created.


Let me be clear, I made a ton, but when I think about the benefits of memory palaces I know I should have created a lot more. By creating memory palaces you’ll unlock your:



Spatial memory
Autobiographical memory
Episodic memory
Procedural memory
Figural memory
Semantic memory

I know creating Memory Palaces may be overwhelming. I know you may not know where to start, but this is something that you just need to dive in and try.


My free course will guide you, step-by-step, in this creation process:


Magnetic Memory Method Free Memory Improvement Course


#4. Complete a 00-99 P.A.O. sooner


This is another one of those special memory techniques that my best advice is to just dive in and get it done.


Think about what a sizzling fast memory would be like, learning as fast as you want to.


That guiding vision, that inspiration, is possible when you have a P.A.O. (Person Action Object System) in place.


If you want guidance in creating one, check out How to Memorize Math, Numbers, Simple Arithmetic & Equations.


In brief:



Start with the Memory Palace.
Learn the Major Method.
Then use the Memory Palace and the Major together to complete your PAO.

Simply put:


If numbers are involved in how you need to study fast, this number-memorization skill is essential.


Avoid perfectionism

Your first P.A.O. doesn’t have to be perfect the first time. Mine wasn’t.


In fact, I still make changes to mine. It is in a constant state of flow, of refinement.


One step at a time forward…sometimes sideways to tweak your P.A.O. You’re always moving towards your goal if you try to be. As long as you’re putting forth the effort you will always be progressing.


#5. Read even more memory improvement books

Understand this:


The more you know, the more you can know.


The more you expose yourself to literature, you will get the benefit of the primacy effect, the recency effect, and serial positioning effect.


Anthony Metivier with Tony Buzan Books on Mind Mapping In Beijing

Anthony Metivier with a Chinese translation of a Tony Buzan book


Continually returning to a wealth of information, that repetition makes a huge difference in learning.


There is almost an infinite amount of memory literature on the market these days (including some great information from not-so-great teachers).


Patience is the key

My advice:



Cast a wide net
Use discernment to find what’s good for you
Be open to a variety of writing and teaching styles
Always continue to invest in your education

You will read more critically to retain information, and develop patience by reading a wide variety of literature from the memory tradition.


In short, read as much as you can.


#6. Teach memory techniques sooner

This goes for any profession. The more you want to learn something, the sooner you need to teach it.


Why?


You’ll learn what you seek to teach better because you’ll see where your understanding is lacking.


Plus, you’ll see where your ability to effectively enunciate and describe the information is lacking.


The science of feedback loops in learning

Then, you’ll figure out how to improve in real time as you receive feedback.


There’s even a name for this, the protégé effect.


The most important science in the article is this:


“Researchers have found that students enlisted to tutor others work harder to understand the material, recall it more accurately, and apply it more effectively…[These students] score higher on test than pupils learning for their own sake.


[Studies have shown] that first-born children are more intelligent than their later-born brothers and sisters…contributing their higher IQs result from the time they spend showing their younger siblings the ropes.”

The Roman philosopher Seneca said:


“While we teach, we learn.”


Now that this ancient wisdom has been proven by science, why not apply it in your own learning journey?


#7. Keep up card memorization practice

I took a break from my card memorization practice too soon in my educational career, and I know I would have learned much, much sooner incorporating this as a daily practice.



I found many, many benefits to card practice once I returned to routine practice. You will learn to:



Deal with multiple levels of information at the same time.
Deal with information that is repetitive and similar, yet still distinguish it.
Deal with long sequences of information along well-crafted Memory Palace journeys

#8. Language learning

From complicated formulas and symbols, to mathematical equations everything is language based.


The sooner you learn how to memorize words and phrases, the better you will build your skills for learning any information because any information you encode into memory palaces will be in words and phrases.


Languages = connections

Learning language gives you more sounds to work with. A greater range of sounds gives you the ability to work with abstract and concrete examples more easily. You mental dexterity will increase as well.


But this goes beyond you…


Just as teaching others accelerates your learning, learning a language and being in contact with more people sooner is a powerful tool to increase your learning speed.


Take advantage of those connections you build with others, because people are one of your greatest assets with memory work.


#9. Read WAY more history

Whenever you are using memory techniques you are using information that already exists in your head.


Put it this way:


The more information that you have already in your head, the more you’re able to use it in your memory encoding, using mnemonics.


Makes sense, right?


The more that those are real, substantial people, then the more real and prominent they’re going to be in your mind.


Even better:


This knowledge will be more accessible. Raw accessibility will reduce the cognitive load on your mind because you’re working from the real instead of wrangling with the imaginary.


Off the deep end with history

Reading history gives you a greater pool to draw from in your Magnetic Imagery. This, in turn, increases your ability to learn faster.


No matter the subject – choose something that interests you – and get your nose in a book about it.


Heck, I even read while walking just to make good use of the time:


How to Improve Focus And Concentration Anthony Metivier Walking While Reading

Walking and reading in Denmark


I know it may seem counter-intuitive to add another “to-do” to your list, but think of the long-game.


There may even be unusual ways to complete note taking on the fly too. (Not to mention creating and using impromptu Memory Palaces)


All these steps are beneficial to your overall brain health, not just accelerated learning (though it is something to desire).


#10. Do more leadership/community work

Leadership is a huge skill. You can read people better, seeing their strengths and where they need support better.


Developing your qualities as a great leader and expert in your field, partnered with the idea of teaching, with help you learn more, more quickly.


Everything leads back to the Primacy and Recency effect.


The more you are continually coming across the topic, the deeper it will get into your memory.


Learn the natural way

This truly makes learning natural.


Plus, in-depth conversations will occur in these group settings. You will be effortlessly immersed in your topic so that you are continuously learning without even realizing it.


Easy peasy, no?


Image of Anthony Metivier helping some local entrepreneurs use Thinkific in Brisbane

Helping some local entrepreneurs use Thinkific in Brisbane


#11. Apply for more scholarships

Though I received some great scholarships, doubling down on the amount I applied for is another thing I would do, without questioning, if returning to university.


I would do whatever it took to apply for more, and there’s a number of reasons why:



Alleviating money worries frees you to “worry” about the future.
Concentrating on your education instead of whether you can afford rent and tuition creates a more powerful resume.
You’ll improve your application skills.
Not only will practice create a better application essay, but your collection of reference letters will grow. You’ll extol your own great qualities more eloquently, but so will others.

It’s amazing what a little positive mental attitude and encouragement from others can do to transform your life.


#12. Invest in more training

There is so much more you can learn by supplementing the core subjects you’re learning.


You can learn so much more by applying what you’re learning in other areas.


You can also learn more about areas you’re already expert in. That’s why I attended a ThinkBuzan memory training, after all.


Anthony Metivier with Tony Buzan

Anthony Metivier with Tony Buzan


Whether its CPR certification, martial arts training (those were just a few of my “should haves” when I think about things I should have learned sooner), a combination of short-term certifications and long-term training can be beneficial to developing learning skills.


They don’t have to be related to what you are studying per se, but will be beneficial if they were.


For example, I know I would dive into memory training a lot sooner had I realized the impact it would make on my life in the future.


Whatever you’re learning, find ways to apply it to other disciplines for maximum return.


#13. Get a writing mentor

Look:


Your goal here is not to become the next William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, or Jane Austen (though I’m sure none of us would mind the accolades). It’s simply to improve your writing skills.


The best way to do that is by having a writing mentor.


Jon Morrow Blogging and Writing Mentor and King of Blogging

Jon Morrow of SmartBlogger.com and Unstoppable.me


My main writing mentor for this blog is Jon Morrow. If you compare his life lessons post to my life mistakes post, you’ll see why he’s considered the King of Blogging.


Free writing mentors are everywhere

But if you can’t afford a mentor, here are some suggestions:



Have a graduate English student look at your writing
Join a writing club
Find online people for whom writing is more than just their passion, but also the kind of career you want to experience

This focus will help you find people who genuinely care for the end product. Their suggestions can lead to greater ways of packaging ideas, and better mental organization, and, in turn, greater powers of expression.


You can improve the world with your words and should strive to do so in every sentence.


#14. Hire a proofreader/editor

To further improve your writing skills, not only is a mentor a great asset, but a proofreader or editor as well.


This doesn’t necessarily mean hiring, or exchanging money for their services.


This can also be a great chance to peer mentor with others.


Exchange writing, give each other feedback on clarity, grammar, sentence, structure, etc.


I did this a lot in university – just not nearly enough.


Hiring is worth it

And if I were to do it again, I’d just hire someone for help.


After all, writing my dissertation twice… really sucked.


The question is… why is this a study tip?



If you have an editor of any kind work with your writing, you’ll save time – time that can be applied to more studying.
You’ll study what your writing looks like after it has been improved.

Both of these outcomes are incredible.


#15. Write non-fiction sooner

While I wrote a lot of fiction while in university, I didn’t write nearly enough non-fiction.


If you are already honing your writing skills with the help of a writing mentor and proofing/editing, the writing process itself can be beneficial to accelerate your learning.


With nonfiction you are putting in the work of research, through reading, and, many times, interviews – conversations about your topic, as discussed above, create an atmosphere of immersive study.


Again, this sounds a bit off topic when it comes to study advice, but it really isn’t. Practicing different kinds of writing directly amounts to studying those kinds of writing.


#16. Research more before following medical advice

This is something that may be hard to hear, but sometimes doctors are wrong.


It’s the brutal truth, though.


Medical Anatomy skeleton image related to memory techniques


And if you’ve ever sought out a second opinion when you felt a diagnosis or treatment option was incorrect, you know it.


In fact, in Principles, Ray Dalio shares a frightening story about how he avoided a completely unnecessary removal of his throat by getting multiple medical opinions.


Oftentimes, as a college student you may not feel like you have the means or the time to seek out that second opinion.


Advocate for your own health

Think of it this way:


What could be more important than advocating for your own health?


I’ve shared my Bipolar memory adventures before, and still think I would have been better off getting a second opinion. I just didn’t know that I could or even should have sought it out.


Double check the advice you are given against medical and scientific literature.


Do your due diligence

Doing your own due diligence before following the advice of a medical professional can save you time, stress, and money, leaving you free to concentrate on your education.


This is another example of an obstacle that can be prevented easily, with care on your part.


It’s also another area that will give you practice in the kinds of study tips that can save your life.


#17. Move to another country sooner

Moving to another country, for even a short period of time (studying abroad for a semester, for example) is a great tool to help you learn faster.


There are numerous benefits, including:



Learning another language
Exposure to many different people, giving you the opportunity to learn multiple topics through experience with them
Unlocking parts of your brain
Inspiration for building more Memory Palaces
Your numeracy skills will improve by dealing with different currencies and banking systems

Avoid the “some day” trap

Many people toy with the idea of starting a new life by reinventing themselves in a foreign country.


Anthony Metivier Magnetic Memory Method in a Berlin Memory Palace

My favorite Berlin Memory Palace


But they see this as a “someday” dream.


Don’t do that. If you think of the practical reasons and benefits to a “big move” you’ll just start packing.


And the research you do along the way will build your study skills and give you the adventure of a lifetime.


(I saw this as a person who has lived in 4 countries and visited over 30).


#18. Be clearer about my purpose sooner.

Having a big vision to pull you through mundane tasks is the key.


Get clear about your goals and what you seek to achieve, and you will have the motivation to “power through” all the steps we’ve discussed.


If you know what you want to do, if you have clarity in purpose, you will put forth the effort to make your vision a reality.


#19. Diet, sleep, fitness, relationships

University is the time when many young people are “on their own” for the first time.


Students are figuring out their newfound freedom, and oftentimes this is an experiment in self-control.


Mental garbage is a barrier to learning faster, and is a result of not eating well, sleeping well, and engaging in, sometimes, toxic relationships.


Everything consumes

Understand this critical point:


Your brain is an energy consumption device. It’s consuming energy.


A great relationship can fuel it with energy.


A bad relationship can rob it of energy.


Remedy this by setting simple goals about the kinds of relationships you want.


The big picture

Remember that “big picture” vision we just talked about? From friendships to romance, and stick to this vision. Your energy will flow properly, and not hinder your ability to learn.


Otherwise, your study time will be chewed up on searching for a new or replacement mate. And that can seriously mess with your focus.


#20. Meditation for Better Memory

I had many, many opportunities to meditate, but I didn’t start my practice soon enough.


I would have began my practice earlier had I realized one important, yet simple fact:


There are multiple kinds of meditation.


Walking Meditation works for improving focus and concentration

Walking meditation works too!


For years, I imagined it as purely mental, or sitting just to sit.


But meditation is much more than a mental activity.


No matter the form, they all help with mental organization, concentration and focus.


Focus is a fact

Obviously, the better you are able to focus on information. The better you can focus on the things that matter in life, you do not get caught up in all the little things that don’t.


Explore the different types to find what works best for you, be it mindfulness meditation, transcendental meditation, or guided meditation, among others. Experiment to find out what works best for you.


#21. Cut out the booze

Yes, you read that correctly, and, no, it’s not a typo.


Alcohol is a brain killer.


I’m not going to preach about it any further than sharing my story.


I drank like a fish in university and it was almost certainly the true cause of my many depressions.


These horrible mental states interrupted my ability to focus, concentrate and remember.


Sure, memory techniques helped me get through. In fact, I used to flaunt the fact that I could remember names and do memory-related magic stunts while completely inebriated. All that sounds foolish to me now given the price I’ve paid.


How to avoid mental and physical misery as a student

If I had only been smart enough to eliminate alcohol in my life a decade sooner, I would have saved myself a ton of mental agony and physical pain.


All that misery?


It caused serious personal conflicts too, which on top of everything else, interrupted by ability to learn as quickly and thoroughly as I wanted.


If I had a time machine, I’d slap myself silly for inviting so much chaos into my life!


Short And Sweet Final Thoughts

Does any of this make sense to you?


If so, here’s how to get started:


Begin by incorporating one or two of these techniques into your routine. Then gradually expand.


You will find that with each new addition or removal I’ve suggested on this page that your learning, over time, has accelerated.


You will remember more, much faster. So much so that you’ll be able to enjoy much more of life, all guilt-free, all as a reward for a job well done.


The post 21 Study Tips [Fast And Easy Ways To Learn Faster] appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on February 21, 2019 20:31

February 14, 2019

3 Memory Palace Training Exercises [Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced]

Memory Palace Training Exercises Feature Image of Athlete with a thought bubbleAre you searching for Memory Palace training exercises and an easy way to build 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? 

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.


And here’s the very good news:. 


I have developed three simple Memory Palace training exercises.


And I know these exercises will help you to build an effective Memory Palace network. (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?


Anthony Metivier with The Freedom Journal for memory improvement and language learning


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?”


The Alphabet Memory Palace Exercise Image of Letter 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. 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.


Memory Palace 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.

Anthony Metivier Brain Exercise Memory Palace of Berlin Apartment

Simple Memory Palace drawing “recovered” by completing this simple Memory Palace training exercise


Need more? Here are 5 Memory Palace Examples To Improve Your Memory Training Practice.


You can also see how Kevin Richardson used multiple Memory Palaces for Japanese. They’re beautiful!


In this simple example with Allen, I uncovered three 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?)


The Teleportation Memory Palace Exercise Image of Wormhole to illustration the concept


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 earlier, 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. Yours will too.


Autobiographical memory gets a boost as well. To that end, here are two more “recovered memory” exercises to try.



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 naturally progress 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.


The Heavy Metal Memory Palace Exercise Image of Anthony Metivier with Sergio Klein of The Outside circa 2013

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.


If you like Heavy Metal and want to use one my old bands, I think you’ll dig The Outside.



No matter what music you choose, combine the two.


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:



Focus with less effort
Concentrate more easily
Study for longer periods of time.

For more examples of how putting obstructions in your path can help improve your memory, check out these memory training secrets with 208 USA Memory Champion John Graham.


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.


Then encode information you want to memorize into one of your Memory Palaces.


Decode it immediately to test the integrity of your Magnetic Imagery.


Then, work at decoding later in the most distracting circumstances possible.


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:


Magnetic Memory Method 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.


Bonus: 


Here’s the replay of a live stream we in the Magnetic Memory Method Family held on this topic. Some great questions were asked!



The post 3 Memory Palace Training Exercises [Beginner-Intermediate-Advanced] appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on February 14, 2019 17:30

February 6, 2019

From Mnemonics Beginner To Memory Palace Mastery with Sunil Khatri

Portrait of Sunil Khatri for Memory Palace Mastery interview on Magnetic Memory Method PodcastDo you find memory techniques like the Memory Palace daunting?


Not sure where to begin with your Magnetic Imagery?


And are you having a hard time getting creative and wish you could just leave the “heavy lifting” to the experts?


Believe me, it’s not just you.


I receive so many emails from students of memory and lifelong learners just like you.


People searching for help…


Asking for mnemonic examples…


Guidance that will make creating and using their Memory Palaces easier…


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:



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.


Press play above now to hear Sunil and I share:



How to make a great first (and lasting) impression on others by remembering their names
How to use everyday surroundings in new ways to create memory palace networks
The potential of apps as legitimate memory training tools
All the most important details of Sunil’s massive success with learning Japanese using mnemonics
Why you need a flexible memory method
The truth about Using Remembering the Kanji by James Heisig for language learning
How to develop memory reserve with memory techniques and language learning
Writing as a study technique to commit terms to memory
The importance of group discussions in experiencing success with mnemonics
How virtual reality may be the future of memory techniques

EPISODE BONUS: Exciting Bridging Figure Mnemonic Example

It turns out that Sunil is also a pretty adventurous guy.


When he sent me this image I instantly realized he is now a great Bridging Figure:


Picture of Sunil Khatri Skydiving Useful for a Mnemonic Example Bridging Figur


Any time you can use images like these of people you know, you’re already using memory techniques better.


Why?


Because this image of Sunil skydiving is naturally exaggerated.


It’s also colorful, large in the frame, and indicates a lot of speed.


Keep an eye out for images of your friends and actors like these!


And as if this bonus from Sunil wasn’t enough, check out these…


Further Resources on the Web, This Podcast, and the MMM Blog:


How to Enhance Your Memory with Virtual Memory Palaces


Remembering the Kanji on Amazon


How to memorize hiragana


How to Learn and Memorize the Vocabulary of Any Language Course


Teach Yourself Using the Best Language Learning Books by Olly Richards


How Kevin Richardson Turned His Memory Palace Network Into The Best Japanese Learning App


Why Bilingualism Makes For A Healthier Brain


The post From Mnemonics Beginner To Memory Palace Mastery with Sunil Khatri appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on February 06, 2019 18:00

January 24, 2019

3 Powerful Visualization Exercises [Step-by-Step Walk-Through]

3 Visualization Exercises For Better Resuls With Memory Techniques Feature Image with a woman imagining a cityWhat 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 what if I told you that I’ve discovered something profound about visualization?


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


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 few alternative visualization exercises 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 as a mature learner in a practical way?


Again, it’s more than seeing pictures in your mind.



But don’t get me wrong!

Aphantasia Image Streaming Magnetic Memory Method PodcastThe 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.


Visualization is at its most powerful when embedded in a multi-sensory experience.


Here are three exercises that show you exactly how:


3 Beginner Visualization Exercises 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.


Image of An Angel with a Candle to Illustrate The Candle Exercise For Multi Sensory Visualization Exercise Projection


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?

The Lit Candle Variation

You can also try gazing into a lit candle then 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 one step further and incorporate our other senses once we have mastered the “visual” aspect.


Try visualizing an apple.


The Apple Visualization Exercise Using Interaction With The Body For Better Results With Memory Techniques


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 exercise further:


Follow the apple through your body as your entire digestive system interacts with it.


Don’t take this exercise 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.


The Negative Space Visualization Exercise


Where is it in the room? What is the negative space surrounding it?


Think of this exercise almost as an optical illusion.


We are all familiar with Rubin’s vase, though we may not know it by name.


Rubin Vase to Illustrate the Negative Space Visualization Exercise


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 exercise 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

Hopscotch to illustrate the Number Skipping Visualization 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.

Images to represent three ways to symbolize threeThree 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.

Happiness Beyond Thought By Gary Weber Book Cover for blog post on memory training practice habits


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 exercise will undoubtedly aid you in further memory training.


In other words, the ability to not visualization helps you visualize because you can shut out competing images.


Speaking of further training…

Visualization Mastery Course in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass


The New Visualization Mastery Course in The MMM Masterclass!

If you’re still struggling to visualize when using memory techniques…


I just finished producing 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 of use a kind multi-sensory visualization approach.


And in this new course, Visualization Mastery


I didn’t JUST come up with these exercises out of nowhere.


I did it with the help of dozens of memory athletes, 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…


And the calm confidence that tells your brain that you’re serious about memorizing information quickly, efficiently and permanently.


This course in visualization and visualization meditation includes:



Video 1: Multi-Sensory Projecting
Video 2: Exercises for Conceptual Visualization
Video 3: “Details” Exercises For Multi-Sensory Self-Study
Video 4: Visualization Meditations
Video 5: Auditory-Visual Exercises
Video 6: Mental Rehearsal Exercises
Video 7: Conclusion & Next Steps

For more information, here’s the course trailer:



If you’re already in the MMM Masterclass, please login now to take the course.


Or, if you’d like access this special training course and much, much more, you can read all about the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass here.


The Bottom Line When It Comes To Effective Visualization For Memory Improvement

Complete these visualization exercises 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.


Really, the sky’s the limit here. The more you play with this visualization exercise, the more benefits you will receive and the more ideas for more brain exercises will emerge.


Above all, keep challenging yourself and your memory for growth. It’s when we stop getting brain exercise that we go downhill. These visualization exercises will help you keep moving forward.


The post 3 Powerful Visualization Exercises [Step-by-Step Walk-Through] appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on January 24, 2019 15:57

January 17, 2019

Idriz Zogaj On The Truth About Memory Training Apps

Idriz Zogaj Memory Expert and creator of Memotopia a Memory Improvement AppEver 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:



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).


I’ve talked about my reservations about using Virtual Memory Palaces and even movies and TV series to improve your memory before, but Idriz opened my eyes to an incredible fact I did not know before.


The point?


My own advice to keep studying the memory tradition and all the people who use it keeps paying off – there’s so much to learn!


More Memory Training Resources From Idriz Zogaj


Idriz’s website


Idriz’s YouTube channel


How to Become a Memory Master


Follow Idriz on Facebook


Follow Idriz on Twitter


The post Idriz Zogaj On The Truth About Memory Training Apps appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on January 17, 2019 00:47

January 9, 2019

1200 Digits: How to Memorize Pi And Recite It Live

Portrait of Marno Hermann Memorizing Pi to 1200 Digits And Reciting It Publically Magnetic Memory MethodEver wondered how to memorize pi?


Marno Hermann did…


… and then he got busy memorizing as much of pi as he could.


The amazing thing is just how far Marno got based purely on rote learning!


Then it happened.


Marno discovered memory techniques and vastly accelerated his progress.


In this interview, I ask Marno about the differences between memorizing so many digits of Pi using rote and using Memory Palaces with mnemonic imagery.


Before long, Mano had memorized 1200 digits and secured a top spot on the Pi World Ranking List!


Marno Hermann Number One Record for Memorizing Pi to 1200 Digits


“Always believe in the impossible,” is what Marno wore on his shirt when he stepped up to the podium to recite 1200 digits of Pi.


And he recited all 1200 digits in just 10 minutes and 15 seconds!


Yet…


How To Set The Record Straight When You Memorize Pi And Make A Mistake

Even as Marno proved to himself and the large crowd of people assembled to hear him recite Pi…


Something went wrong.


You’ll need to listen to this powerful episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast to learn all about what happened and how Marno set the record straight.


Portrait of Marno Hermann Reciting Pi From Memory In Front of a Crowd


I’m very impressed by Marno’s story, and you will be too.


Do You Want To Memorize Pi?

If so, you’re not alone.


And Marno isn’t the only Magnetic Memory Method Family member to use the techniques.


Check out Paul Deery’s incredible performance in front of a crowd:



The trick?


Well, as we’ve learned from Marno, you actually can get quite far with rote learning.


But obviously you’re going to want to have mnemonic tools to help.


Why Should You Memorize Pi?

Great question.


Although I’ve never done it myself, the benefits are obvious:


1. Memorizing any amount of Pi will help you prove to yourself that you can do it.


Still doubtful? Here’s 3 Reasons Why Skeptics Success With Memory Techniques Better Than Anyone Else.


2. You’ll be able to memorize any banking number, phone number, historical date, plane seat or price with ease.


3. You’ll experience the real magic of memory techniques in a way that will inspire you to take on more challenges.


4. If you’re a parent, you can demonstrate the technique to your kids and wipe out their anxiety around math for the rest of their lives.


5. It’s great brain exercise.


6. You can extend the skills to memorizing a deck of cards for memory stunts and magic routines.


7. You’ll become an active participant in this great tradition of using your natural creativity and the Memory Palace.


Further Resources That Will Help You Memorize Pi

First, consider learning the Major Method.


You’ll want to use that to create a 00-99 P.A.O. More on that coming soon, so to be notified, if you’re not already part of the MMM Family, start here now:


Magnetic Memory Method Free Memory Improvement Course


Brad Zupp has helped us learn how to memorize numbers when he shared his mnemonic tips for turning your brain into a passwords manager.


Florian Dellé has shared his Major System Secrets on the show as well.


Nelson Dellis has great training on this extensive interview tutorial on visual memory techniques based on his book Remember It!


You’ll also want to learn the 3 Most Powerful Memory Techniques For Memorizing Numbers to supplement your success.


(For the musically inclined, here are some ideas for applying memorized numbers to music mnemonics).


So what are you waiting for?


Scroll up, click play and listen to Marno share exactly how he memorized 1200 digits of Pi and how you can easily do the same.


The post 1200 Digits: How to Memorize Pi And Recite It Live appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on January 09, 2019 21:56

January 2, 2019

The Wise Advocate: Become A Better Leader Of Your Memory


Authors of the Wise Advocate for the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast with Josie Thompson and Jeffrey SchwartzThe 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 Thompson 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.


The Wise Advocate Book Cover By Art Kleiner Josie Thompson Jeffrey Schwartz


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:


Homepage of Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D.


Josie Thomson’s website


Further Reading from Art Kleiner


Wise Advocate Enterprises


Order The Wise Advocate from Amazon


More About Habits (How to Hack Habits with Joanna Jast)


Goal-Setting with Memory Palaces



The post The Wise Advocate: Become A Better Leader Of Your Memory appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on January 02, 2019 20:53

December 27, 2018

7 Powerful Mind Mapping Examples For Better Method of Loci Success

Mind Mapping Examples for better Method of Loci Results Featured ImageWe all know about mind mapping and the Method of Loci as independent learning and memory tools, but …


How many people use the mind mapping technique to help them use the Method of Loci better?


The answer is simple:


Not as many people as I would like!


Worse, some people struggle unnecessarily with how to find Memory Palaces.


They know they need many of them in order to get the Method of Loci operating properly, but they struggle to find enough of them.


Let’s put an end to this struggle right now.


On this page you’ll discover how they can work together to help you create dozens, if not hundreds of Memory Palaces by creating a simple Mind Map.


How To Get Started With Mind Mapping For Finding More Memory Palaces

If you’re anything like me, there’s only one frustration that comes with learning a new skill.


You want things to be perfect… instantly!


Seriously – who doesn’t?


Well, let me caution you that using mind mapping to help you benefit from the Method of Loci is NOT for perfectionists.


Be willing to drop your perfectionism and progress towards consistently becoming better.


Bring your flexibility, your willingness to “just do it,” and joyously make mistakes for the purpose of growth.


Mind mapping is not a final destination, a journey from point A to point B.


The Biological Secret Behind These Mind Mapping Examples

Instead, it is like a brain cell on paper, with multiple tributaries that radiate outwards from a central point.


It’s kind of like how rivers flow from lakes out into the oceans.


In other words, mind mapping is organic.


And the process is not a linear race to some end point. Rather, it is a process and a journey – not unlike the “journey method” of the method of loci itself.


Except, in this case, we’re “unlocking” as many journeys as we can assisted by mind mapping.


Understanding this concept is the first step to success. Then understand the process.


Why is this point so important?


Because as a lifelong learner, you will always be stepping into an unknown future.


But if you have a hyped-up destination in mind based on bankrupt ideas about how your brain works, you’re just begging for frustration.


Indeed, you’ll be paralyzed by inaction before you can even begin.


So just relax.


Take a deep breath. Put pen to paper.


The First Step In Mind Mapping For Generating Memory Palace Ideas

The starting point to creating an effective mind map, as taught by Tony Buzan in Mind Map Mastery is to have a large central image that uses at least three colors.


This central image should be inviting, one you’ll want to revisit.


You don’t have to be a great artist.


Once again, don’t overthink it!


Let your mind wander as you draw, but wander in a focused way.


The First Mind Mapping Example: 

The Parthenon

To mind map the Method of Loci, for example, our central image could be a Parthenon-esque column to represent the origin of this incredible mnemonic device.


Mind Mapping Example with the Parthenon for Memory Palace Discovery


I chose the Parthenon due to an association with Simonides of Ceos and stories that link the origin of the Memory Palace with ancient Greece.


But you might choose something else, perhaps from even earlier in history based on Lynne Kelly’s discoveries about this technique in The Memory Code.


A Simple Process That Unlocks the Power Of The Method Of Loci

From that central image, we travel outward by creating a radiating tributary.


Then use a simple process of asking yourself questions. For example, ask:


Where do you spend a majority of your time?


What surroundings are most familiar?


What environment is the most recognizable?


For most people, the answer is home.


Memory Palace ideas for different homes unlocked by this Mind Mapping Example


How To Use Mind Mapping To Find Multiple Homes For Memory Palaces

Whether you list your childhood home, college dormitory, a beloved first apartment, or your current residence, “home” is a place that you know frontwards and backwards, inside and out.


List every “home” that comes to mind.


This choice already opens up so many possibilities for multiple Memory Palaces, doesn’t it?


Thank the Mind Map process. And this:


Magnetic Memory Method Free Memory Improvement Course


 


Why Mind Mapping Helps You Start Finding More Memory Palaces

Don’t worry. This is just the beginning of the ideas I’ll share on this page.


But it will help you even further if you understand why this process is so valuable to your progress.


Think of your brain as a garden.


You have this rich soil (your brain cells).


Let’s say that about 10-20% of that soil is involved in your spatial mapping and spatial memory abilities.


Well, without “excavating” more Memory Palaces from the soil of your mind, you’ll never have enough rows to plant seeds of memory using association-based mnemonics.


But when you get this right, you’ll have multiple perfectly tended rows to load full of seeds that will eventually create an incredible harvest every time you wish to remember new information.


More Incredible Mind Mapping Examples For New Memory Palaces

Consider the remaining blank space on the page with your mind map.


What other homes are you familiar with?


Friends’ homes?


Extended family?


Amazing “Virtual” Memory Palace Ideas You Can Experiment With

What about homes of fictional characters?


Aren’t we all familiar with Monica’s iconic apartment on Friends?


What about the Addams’ mansion, or the lush greenery of The Shire, home of Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings?


Relax, extend, and cultivate to expand your mind map.


Then think about schools, movie theaters, video rental outlets and even think about how to increase memory by watching movies and TV series.


Mind Mapping Example using TV shows and movies to improve memory


The possibilities are endless for exploration.


Once you realize this fact, mind mapping lends itself to a natural flow.


The only warning I have is that you might need additional training so you know how to enhance your memory with Virtual Memory Palaces properly.


Branching Out Further For More Method Of Loci Tools

Once that flow has been created, get out of your own way.


You may associate home with your childhood home, then, in turn, your childhood years in general, which naturally leads to reminiscing about “school days.”


Given about seven hours a day, Monday through Friday, for over a decade were spent in school, this is another familiar place that can lend itself to a branch on your mind map.


Then there are churches, libraries, movie theaters. These are all big, grand, familiar places from which we can expand our web.


All of these places have specific areas inside of them, details that you can, and should, allow your mind to explore, and revisit.


Then use a central image and let the ideas flow.


How Mind Mapping Helps You Creatively Follow Chains Of Association

As you relax into the process, the combination of keywords and images will trigger memories.


For example, in your elementary school there was likely a playground, gymnasium, library, and cafeteria.


Thinking of your library may lend itself to thinking of your favorite books, then favorite authors, or favorite movies that were adaptations of those books.


Exploring the idea of your cafeteria may lead you down a path of your favorite lunch day, or a memory of your Batman lunchbox.


Where does that notion of the Batman lunchbox lead? Perhaps back to the early television series with Adam West, then back to a notable “home,” the Bat Cave.


How To Uncover Amazing Car Memory Palaces

You can also use cars. I have four that I use – the same four that I drove during high school and early university.


Mind Mapping Example of Finding 4 Car Memory Palaces


It’s pretty simple:


Just reflect back through all the cars you’ve owned.


You could also add cars your family members and friends have owned and potentially cars from movies that stand out in your imagination.


Use these places, these ideas that seemingly come at random and record them onto a mind map, taking note of how they weave together.


It’s just part of how to study fast. Fun, isn’t it?


How Mind Mapping Can Unlock Dozens Of Churches For The Method Of Loci

For example, I drew a simple cross to represent the idea of a “church.” This instantly led me to think of churches I’d been to as a kid and that I’d visited while living in Europe.


As luck would have it, the Kaiser Wilhem Memorial Church in Berlin (Gedächniskirche) leapt to mind. It’s a powerful Memory Palace!


Mind Mapping to find a Memory Palace for the Method of Loci from the Gedaechtnis Kirche in Berlin


With more practice, you’ll see that these ideas aren’t random at all. The mind mapping technique is helping you make better associations that lead to more familiar and powerful Memory Palace options.


Mind Map Your Body, Furniture, Musical Instruments & More

Yes, you can use your body as a Memory Palace.


Your guitar, your sofa, anything goes.


Mind Map Example Large Image With Many Memory Palace Ideas


The important thing is that you:



Get out a large piece of paper.
Create a central image that represents the goal: Identifying multiple Memory Palaces for developing your method of loci skills.
Understand that the tributaries “radiate” outwards.
Allow these tributaries to radiate further (i.e. from “home” to the homes of your friends, family and even fictional characters.
Use both keywords and simple drawings.
Relax before you get started.
Focus on progress, not perfectionism.
Draw each Memory Palace you identify.
Use the Memory Palaces as soon as possible.
Come back to mind mapping to find more Memory Palaces and get more out of the method of loci technique.

Summing up, the ideas I came up with this process were:



Homes:

All the homes I’ve lived in
The homes of all my relatives
Homes of all my friends
Homes represented in movies and TV series


Movie related areas:

Movie theaters I love
Old movie rental outlets (remember those?)
Film sets I’ve visited


Churches

From when I was a kid
From years of travel


Cars

Cars I’ve owned
Cars of family members
Cars of friends


Body Memory Palace ideas

My own body
Bodies of friends
Bodies of actors
Bodies of fictional characters


Furniture for small Memory Palaces
Musical instruments for use with music mnemonics

In sum, this amounts to seven categories and dozens of potential Memory Palaces.


The Mind Map Template That Never Ends

There is more stored in your mind than you might realize. Use mind mapping to tap into it.


It’s all there. Waiting to be retrieved. Waiting to be used.


Your brain really is the mind map template you’re looking for. You just need to exercise this powerful memory technique so you can use all other memory methods better.


Let mind mapping help you bravely tap into your creativity and revitalize your memory.


But your journey doesn’t stop there!


Just the opposite in fact.


This is truly just beginning…


To fully utilize these Memory Palaces mind mapping has helped you identify, use them a.s.a.p to store the information that’s important to you.


Need more? Check out these 5 Memory Palace Examples To Improve Your Memory Training Practice.


Enjoy the process as a practice to use again and again for life!


BONUS! Mind Mapping Examples Unpacked Live

This blog post was originally created on a live stream with help from the Magnetic Memory Method Audience.


Feel free to watch the replay while you’re here:



The post 7 Powerful Mind Mapping Examples For Better Method of Loci Success appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on December 27, 2018 23:56

December 20, 2018

How to Memorize Vocabulary: A Step-By-Step Guide

How to memorize vocabulary Count Von Count Mnemonic Example for Magnetic Memory Method Blog Featured PostYou’d love to know how to memorize vocabulary at epic speeds, right?


Whether it’s for improving your mother tongue or learning a new language, the desire to expand your vocabulary is natural.


In fact, if you don’t want to get better with language, you really need to sit down and think about why you aren’t devoted to lifelong learning.


Knowledge truly is power, after all, especially when you apply it to speaking.


People who speak well perform better at all aspects in life, love and professionalism.


A Brief History Of How I Fell In Love With Memorizing Vocabulary

During both high school and university, I loved looking through my thesaurus.


I would regularly “beef up” my term papers with “five” and “ten dollar words” to make my writing more interesting and to teach myself more words.


For example, I learned the word “solipsism” when researching and writing a 3rd year university paper in “Shakespeare and his Contemporaries,” taught by Dr. Derek Cohen.


Anthony Metivier with lots of books


He noticed that I used this word when grading the paper and this encouraged me to explore interesting vocabulary even more.


Soon I was talking about “architectonic tautology,” “paratexts” and whipping out all kinds of ancient Greek and Latin terms in my writing.


And never for the sake of my ego.


It was for the love of language and the knowledge that using words well brings.


These days, you can access an online dictionary and thesaurus in ways that are a lot simpler than thumbing through a well-worn set of word collections on your desk.


But no matter how you access your words, you really can make vocabulary acquisition effortless and limitless.


Why Rote Learning Any Word Is Painfully Slow

Back then, I used rote learning to memorize those words.


It was painful!


Why is rote learning so annoying?


image to express a student bored with learning


For one thing, it’s repetitive and boring.


It’s also not fun.


And research typically shows that you get only about a 40% rate of recall.


With mnemonics, on the other hand, anyone can boost that rate of recall to 80%.


And when you practice with memory techniques regularly, that rate will rise even higher. Here’s how to practice memory techniques for studying anything, including improving your language abilities.


I’m so glad I learned about memory techniques like the Memory Palace during my Ph.D. years.


This special strategy taught me how to memorize oodles of difficult vocabulary quickly.


So what if I told you that you could become an absolute Titan of word power in a way that is fast, easy and fun?


Well, you can. And you have this ability within yourself right now.


You have all the tools you could ever need to drastically expand your vocabulary, by improving your ability to memorize words.


Basic Rules That Let You Memorize Vocabulary Forever

Let’s begin with a bird’s eye view of vocabulary memorization.


Let’s face it:


You may be overwhelmed at the beginning with questions about where to start.


This feeling is normal.


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? Let me break it down in simple terms.


1. Your goal is to memorize the sound and the meaning of a word.


2. You do this by having a Memory Palace Network prepared in advance.


3. When you know how to navigate the Memory Palace Network well, you “encode” each word using Magnetic Mnemonic Imagery.


4. You use Recall Rehearsal to get the words into long term memory.


5. You use the Big 5 of Learning to speed up the process and ensure longevity.


If you have any doubts about putting these steps into action, please remember that bilingualism makes for a healthier brain. You owe it to your long term health.


The Amazing Truth About How To Memorize Word Meanings

Now, when I talk about memorizing the sound and meaning of a word at the same time, this doesn’t mean EVERY meaning of a word.


We’re talking about one, or at most two, meanings of any given word when we start.


Image showing a man frustrated by crossword puzzle multiple word meanings


Seriously:


Be willing to let the 430 other possible definitions and usages listed in the Oxford Dictionary go.


The same thing goes for German or any other language.


Speaking of German, here’s The Story Of How To Learn and Memorize German Vocabulary  It’s about my very first book on memorizing vocabulary and includes more mnemonic examples to help you memorize vocabulary forever.


You Do Not Have To Commit Every Meaning To Memory To Learn A Word

Again, just because multiple definitions exist, this fact does not mean you should commit them all to memory.


You need only to memorize the one, or very few, meanings relevant to you.


You do this by thinking about the Magnetic Station in your Memory Palace.


Then you create Magnetic Images that remind you of the sound and one core meaning of the word.


Then, take a deep breath.


Relax.


Walking Meditation works for improving focus and concentration


Come back and do Recall Rehearsal later and encode a few more words.


Or you can come back and add an entire phrase to the word.


Often less is more. Keep that principle in mind.


The Powerful Rule Of Difference In Vocabulary Memorization

Each word is different.


Words have varying syllables, different origins, and are fluid in certain grammatical contexts.


Words might also be changeable when you add prefixes and suffixes.


Don’t turn these changes into the enemy!


Just treat these changes like the beautiful differences in a diverse experience of language that they represent.


And then memorize them as individual examples like you would any other word.


If you want to scale the process, you can sometimes create a Memory Palace series just for regular and irregular verbs.


If you’re still unclear about what this technique involves, here are 5 Memory Palace examples. Even better, try this:


Magnetic Memory Method Free Memory Improvement Course


But only use Memory Palaces if you find them helpful.


Whatever you do, don’t generalize the process too much.


There is no “one-size-fits-all” magic bullet that will work with every single word when it comes to memory techniques for language learning.


15 Reason Why Language Learning Is Good For Your Brain


Words do not all behave the same, and we cannot treat them as if they do.


Once we understand that we must work with vocabulary individually we are ready to hit the ground running.


The Magic Of Word Grouping for Memorization

Do you remember learning to count syllables as a kid?


Perhaps your elementary school teacher taught you to clap with each syllable as you said words out loud.


Maybe he taught to you hold your hand under your chin and count every time your jaw would “drop” when you said the word aloud as a syllable.


I have a friend who remembers practicing se-ven, el-e-phant, yel-low, and rock-et as a young child. She made a game of it.


She found it exciting!


And it is exciting. You can take a little bit of that wonder, that excitement, and put it into practice with vocabulary memorization techniques.


How?


Group words with the same number of syllables together.


Arranging words in a like with like form based on syllable is a powerful tool to help with memorization.


You can also experiment with arranging words by vowels.


Another professor I learned a lot from named Christian Bök spent a long time arranging words by vowel for his excellent book, Eunoia. Here’s a sample:



Do you notice what he’s doing here?


All of the words in this passage feature only one vowel. “I.”


Although you might not do exactly this in your own Memory Palace Network, I’m sure reading more of Bök’s works will inspire you to think up many games you can play with language learning.


Sure, organizing words takes a bit of initial legwork.


The Horrible Price Language Learners Pay When They Fail To Plan

But what happens when you don’t craft a vocabulary list and arrange it for strategic memorization?


Random chaos!


But when you tackle it strategically for use in Memory Palaces, you will have a simple key to success with memorization.


Why Practice Makes Progress Better Than Any Memorize Vocabulary App

Once you have your target vocabulary organized and know what you need to commit to memory, you are free to practice using memory techniques for language learning.


You can now focus solely on the task of expanding your vocabulary.


It really is that simple.


How do you improve your abilities with memorizing vocabulary with consistent growth over time?


Simple:


You memorize vocabulary.


Commit to practicing a word list every single day.


The Freedom Journal used for language learning will help because I’ve shown you how to combine it with a Memory Palace technique.


Gradually you will notice improvement – if not very quickly.


Chart this improvement in your Memory Journal. You will soon see how far you’ve come.


The Power Of Context For Memorizing More Words Quickly

Then, use your memorized words in context.


Just as with any other memory technique, the key is immersion.


Use your vocabulary when reading, writing, speaking, and listening.


Use The Big Five techniques to your advantage.


How To Choose The Words You Memorize Wisely

Another rule of context that is so simple, yet profound is to choose the words you memorize carefully.


Just as we discussed the bird’s eye view of memorizing relevant definitions, the actual words you seek to memorize should only be ones that will improve your life.


If the list of words is not improving your life and moving you towards your goals, then the words really have no business being memorized.


There are many sources of word lists, but Ogden’s Basic English is a great and free source for figuring out what words you might want to learn in any language.


You just need to make sure you have goals – meaningful goals.


Image of Scrabble letters saying Carpe Diem to express the need to take action now with memorizing vocabulary


What are some goals you might have for memorizing vocabulary?


* Learning a foreign language


* Studying Medicine


* Preparing to pass a law exam


All of these goals add meaning to your efforts, which is essential to the formulation of a life long skill that becomes habitual.


A Review Of The Fundamentals With A Few Mnemonic Examples

Why does meaning matter so much when memorizing vocabulary?


To really commit words to memory they must be more than just words.


In addition to having a reason for memorizing them, meaning will help you come up with associations, especially when the going gets tough.


For example, there are a lot of Sanskrit words I’ve been memorizing and it’s only because I have a meaningful goal driving my project that I’ve been able to push through.



In addition to the mnemonic examples in that video, recent research further validates the notion that the signing and chanting element also play a role in memory formation.


Of course, we usually aren’t singing the vocabulary we learn. Definitely do that in the shower if you’re worried that people won’t like your voice!


And with singing on your side, here are some every day words in English that are quite challenging.


All you have to do in addition to having a Memory Palace ready is to associate each word with images.


And think about how these examples apply to the words you want to learn and memorize.


“Account” Mnemonic Example With Magnetic Action

Think of the word “account.”


If you’re like me you grew up with Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, and a host of other characters on the children’s show Sesame Street.


Who taught you numbers? Count von Count, right?


He’s the one who taught me, and because he is deep in my brain’s chemistry, he’s the perfect “sound-match” for “count” in “account.”


But we have an additional “AC” to add to that word.


For that, think of an air conditioner falling out of a window onto the Count.


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.


Why?


Because movement catches the “mind’s eye.”


Even if you have “aphantasia,” you will likely find this imagery shocking to you.


The only “trick” is that the images and actions are meaningful to you.


The next example will demonstrate this principle a bit further.


“Agreement” Mnemonic Example with Personal Magnetic Imagery

As with the Count in “account,” the word “agreement” needs some tender loving care.


Since I took Agriculture 11 in high school where we learned to farm and about different cuts of meat, I can visualize my teacher of that class, Mrs. Sanderson.


Although I never saw here getting greedy with mints or cackling like the Wicked Witch of the West at her desk, it’s useful to think of her that way.


Why?


Because she taught Agriculture and her being greedy over her drawer full of the red and white disc peppermints helps create the sound “agreement.”


Mnemonic example of how to memorize vocabulary words like agreement with teacher greedy for mints


Next, all I have to do is see, feel and hear myself agreeing with her greed so that I’m in agreement with her actions.


This visualization easily helps me commit the word agreement to memory as I paint this picture in my mind.


The Truth About Mnemonic Examples For Learning And Remembering Vocabulary

Mnemonic examples like these can only get you so far.


You need to understand and then practice the mnemonic principles that underly the memorization techniques.


Take what is relevant to you from these examples and apply the techniques to the words that will help you achieve meaningful goals.


Create engaging mental pictures that come to life in your mind as you break the words down into parts.


You can also create stories from the actions you create if that helps you.


Here’s the best part:


Because you have taken the time to play with these words and interacted with them you will naturally start to remember them.


It’s so simple once you break it down, word by word, piece by piece.


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.


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.


Vocabulary is crucial and essential to improvement in all areas of life. In short, words are fundamental to success as a lifelong learner.


To grow you must have a solid foundation.


So let me know:


What vocabulary are you going to memorize now that you know these memorization secrets?


The post How to Memorize Vocabulary: A Step-By-Step Guide appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on December 20, 2018 13:06

December 12, 2018

How to Study Fast: A Guide To High Volume Learning At Speed

How to Study Fast Magnetic Memory Method Blog Featured ImageIf 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!


Illustration of Red Kit Eagle To Illustrate How Preparation Helps You Study Fast Magnetic Memory Method Blog


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.


Why You Must Plan Your Study Breaks

It’s also important to plan for breaks.


Giving your mind a reprieve is essential for effective studying.


How to Improve Focus And Concentration Anthony Metivier Walking While Reading


When I was in university I would study in the library, usually near a section that was music related.


This way, after I had studied for my predetermined amount of time, I could read about a topic I was generally interested in.


Or I would take a walk and read.


Unusual, I know, but it’s actually very relaxing and helps you keep learning while getting a break at the same time.


Plan For Unexpected Interruptions To Your Studies

We must remember though that life happens.


If we have a perfect plan in place for our study sessions then an emergency comes up, what then?


What if there is an illness in the family or a professor strike at university?


Because such things do happen, we must be flexible and revisit our plan.


Plan, and plan again, because life truly is unpredictable.


Finally, as you create and revise your plan make sure to schedule time for creating Memory Palaces.


Why?


Because a solid Memory Palace strategy is, without a doubt, the most effective way to study efficiently.


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.


Nelson Dellis Featured Image For Remember It Interview Magnetic Memory Method


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?


These ones:



Autobiographical memory
Episodic memory
Semantic memory
Procedural Memory
Figurative memory

And more… all unlocked through a Memory Palace devoted to improving your memory for studying to make your study sessions faster and more powerful.


In sum:


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.


Illustration of man with brain on fire to illustrate digital amnesia


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:



Reading
Writing
Speaking about the topic
Listening to others
Doing all of this from memory to help you remember everything better.

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.


Illustration of a cool and calm student who knows how to study fast


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.


For more on this technique, please see, How to Memorize A Textbook.


Use The Major Method (Or Major System) To Help Rapidly Remember Numbers

You can also use a memory technique called the Major Method.


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.


Magnetic Memory Method Free Memory Improvement Course


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.


Illustration of a person speed reading on how to study fast Magnetic Memory Method Blog


What is pre-reading?


It’s simply this:


“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.


Instead, you need to be engaged, present in the moment and taking creative notes.


I detail everything about this in the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast here.


You can also use this style of note taking to create your Memory Palace networks. Add mind mapping for best results.


The Speed Learning And Memory Magic Of Acronyms

Use acronyms. We’re all familiar with them, especially in the digital age. ASAP, MIA, BTW, LOL, FYI – the list could go on.


Take a look at those acronyms again.


I’ll bet that you could identify all of those shorthand phrases with ease, and for good reason:


These are powerful memory tools that can help you instantly recall information.


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.



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).


Remember: Digital Amnesia is real.


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

Meditation is by far the biggest lever.


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.


Happiness Beyond Thought By Gary Weber Book Cover for blog post on memory training practice habits


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?


The post How to Study Fast: A Guide To High Volume Learning At Speed appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on December 12, 2018 15:35