Get these right and you’ll remember everything you need.
Did you know that your brain is designed to forget?
That’s right, to forget!
No, it’s not a misprint – your brain is working hard all day forgetting things so that you are not having a brain overload malfunction.
Imagine what it would be like if your memory remembered every detail of every moment of your day. It would be like a camera clicking every nanosecond.
Your clever brain filters out everything it thinks you don’t need.
So you need to give your brain clear signals about the things you want to remember.
How do you do that?
Well, it’s a big topic to cover here (full story in 7-Day Brain Boost Plan)
But here are your 5 top memory tips:
1. PAY ATTENTION to what you need to remember.
Don’t expect to remember if you have glanced at (or half-listened to) something for a second or so. You need to concentrate for seven seconds if you want to remember something later. Try it, it will seem a long time but, if you spend this time repeating, connecting or visualizing the data, you will remember it.
2. Attach MEMORY TRACES to what you want to recall.
Connecting new information to something you already know in as many ways as possible is the key to recalling something later on. The more memory traces, the more chances you have to retrieve those lost keys, glasses, wallets ……. Not sure what memory traces are? Read more here
3. REVISIT new information.
To be absolutely sure you KNOW something, you need to revisit the information 5 times. Ebbinghaus, a German psychologist in the 19th Century was the first person to document how easily we forget information (see the red line). One input is certainly not enough!
4. ORGANISE your surroundings.
Use ONE diary. Put everything in there so that you are not looking through several places each time you want to check something.
Establish places for all of the items that you regularly lose, and use them! Hooks for your keys, drawer for your wallet, mobile, glasses and diary – all need a defined place where you put them. Concentrate while you place them there.
5. HELP your brain!
Use post-it notes, lists, alerts on your phone or computer, digital photos – PAY CLOSE ATTENTION AS YOU DO IT. Whatever you choose will be creating memory traces in your brain as you devise the reminders. (Often you don’t need the reminders at all because your clever brain has already stored the information you need.)
Forgetfulness can ruin your confidence and your life.
But this does not have to be the story of your life. Taking a few easy actions can quickly provide certainty in your memory, every day.
For many more tips and fuller explanations of how you can regain your youthful memory, get 7-Day Brain Boost Plan by Dr. Allison Lamont, PhD & Gillian M. Eadie, Edition 2. (Paperback and iBook)
You’ll be glad you did!
You are so right, I now keep a diary near me and make sure I put it in the same place each time I have written in it, same as my house and car keys, less to think about.
I am also always asked by my husband in the supermarket what was on the list we stick on the fridge at home? But I faithfully tear off the bottom bit where he or I have written what we want and no bother remembering or forgetting. The mind is getting a workout not forgetting to take the note along and where my house and car keys are! It is so used to these positions I don’t even have to think about it!
I have never regretted enrolling in your Memory Course Ladies!
Memory Traces are great
I do appreciate your emails – just as much as the course you ladies ran at Selwyn College! keep those wonderful hints coming!
It’s important to keep a check on taking your meds. I have a notebook with columns for a week at a time and put a tick on Monday, Tuesday, etc. a.m. and p.m. Then I know I haven’t forgotten to take them.
I ALWAY REMEMBER AND USE THE – 7 – SECONDS” METHOD AFTER READING THE BOOK
A FEW YEARS AGO.. THANKS.
An excellent tip! Thank you. Getting organised is half the battle won, isn’t it?
Thank you – we love hearing from our readers and class members. Keep up those memory strategies – they can change your life!
Even writing that list is a way of processing information – then your brain knows that you really want to remember. You (and your brain) will get so clever at it, you’ll find you know what is on the note, even if you misplace it between home and the supermarket. Great organisation, too!
We are so glad you are putting those strategies into practice! Memory traces are easy to make – we just have to remember to attach them to information that is important. Well done!
I discovered I was sometimes leaving the garage door open overnight which was not good even tho I don’t have internal access; so I devised a scheme!! Every time I closed the door I would put the keys at one end of the table and if they were not there I would look out the window and there was the garage door—— open! I then closed the door every time I came in from where ever and put the keys at the correct end of the table and soon it became a habit even if I was only in and out. Now the habit has stuck and I don’t even have to think about it. Come in, shut garage door, put keys at right end of table and get on with something else. If by chance the keys are not where they should be there has been a glitch somewhere, maybe the phone is ringing, and sure enough the garage door is open. It works like a charm so one frustration less.
I do enjoy reading your memory tips especially remembering peoples names. I was at a function last weekend and each time I met someone new I repeated their name a couple of times and it certainly helped to remember it. One lady’s name was Mary and I related it to Mary Had a little lamb, so didn’t forget it.
I also have a calendar on the wall by my desk at home and every thing is written on that. I highlight special appointments so that it stands out.
Well done! Putting those strategies into practice is the key to improving your memory!
Thank you for helping us all to improve and establish memory traces. My GP has told me today that the medication I am on may affect my memory, so I will work harder at your fun tasks to compensate
That’s a sound plan. And give your brain time to complete tasks as the brain connections may take a little longer when you are taking medication – but they will be working for you!
I always enjoy reading your emails. Got my grandson to show me how to use notes on my mobile. Great memory aids for all sorts of things!
A great idea! Grandchildren can teach us a lot about using technology. And don’t they love teaching us, too? Once you know how, a whole world opens up to us. Well done!
Thankyou so much I was really interested in your talk. I am putting things in place so it will become easier for me.
Glenys
Well done, Glenys. Find a brain challenge everyday! Have you tried these? https://www.brainfit.world/2015/07/22/memory-skills-practice-videos/
Like nearly everyone I know, I find it both inconvenient and time-consuming (let alone embarrassing!) to be trying later to track down someone I’ve just met whose name I’ve forgotten before I’ve even finished my conversation with them! The trick of repeating the name two or three times after being introduced works a treat!
I enjoyed your talk at PROBUS the other day. All my appointments etc go on my
calendar and I prefer that to a diary. I also put a hook on the wall above my jug
for my keys as I often put them down anywhere then wasted time looking for them.
A tip I read a few years ago to recall forgotten information was to move my eyes
from side to side so the two brain hemispheres came together and the information
would either come to mind immediately or a few minutes later. I was very sceptical
but decided to give it a go and it definitely works. I have mentioned it to several
friends, some think it’s a joke and others have tried it and are amazed that it actually
works. Best tip I have read for memory recall. You keep your head still and just move
your eyes.
Hello there
Thank you for this tip and it is one more way to make sure your brain pays attention to what it is you want to recall later. Paying attention and keeping your focus are important for moving information from your sensory memory into your short-term memory. Thank you for sharing this great tip – we love to hear about the ones that work!
Thank you very much. I enjoyed your talk on Monday and am sure it will be Helpful.
Thank you for your message and I am so glad you enjoyed the session in Whangamata. You all live in such a beautiful part of the world!
What a beautiful thing to learn these different ways of remembering in 3 seconds, my brain starts activating. As the saying goes, use it or you lose it. So true! Thank you FYI.
Greta Fisher. Thank you ladies, Gratitude. Reached age of new Driving Licence. New doctor said it was a test for Dementia, I thought it was a joke, anyway, one question was a list of numbers – I remembered four out of six, then had a conversation with Nurse, then suddenly she asked ‘What were those numbers’. Brain had not recorded but remembered two. Was given 80% pass, then the young nurse said ‘I could not have done that’! Have new Driving Licence. Keep me at it dear ladies, guess what I loaned your book out, was never returned.
Congratulations, Greta! That Driving test is quite searching so 80% is a very commendable score. Funny you should say that about your 7-Day Brain Boost Plan (or was it Seven Second Memory?) – we get quite a lot of re-orders because people have loaned the book to friends never to see it again!