Here is another simple memory improvement techique I would like to share with you, one which forms the basis for many other memory improvement techniques and if put into use can really improve your memory. This technique is about association, associating things you need to memorize with other things you need to remember, and so on. What happens is, you just need to think of the first item on your list and it brings back the next thing which continues to bring back the next, eventually covering the whole list.

 An Example List

I will give you a short list of five objects here, and then guide you through the technique to memorize this simple list. You may think that memorizing a list of five simple objects is easy, and it is, but I am just using this to demonstrate the technique, which when learned can be used to memorize lists in excess of fifty items. Here's the list: cat, apple, TV, notepad, CD. This is a fairly simple list, now lets get onto memorizing it.

Ok, so the first item on the list is cat. Fairly straightforward, just picture a cat, if you want to make it more memorable make it a giant cat, or something funny. Now we need to think of something that can link the cat to the apple. You could have a cat eating an apple, which works. So now, make the image bigger in your mind, you have a giant cat and make it be eating a giant apple. Next is the TV. How are we going to link the apple to the TV? You could imagine the TV showing a giant apple, or even better, a news report on TV showing a giant apple, that should be memorable enough. After apple it's the notepad. This is slightly more tricky, how about the image of the tree from which the apple came from being chopped down and made into paper to produce the notepad. The technique is to make the image memorable, however bizarre, as long as it's memorable and easily pictured in your mind then it'll work well. Ok, finally it's the CD. You could imagine opening the notepad and a CD falls out and smashes on the floor. That's it, now you've got the whole list locked up in your brain. Wait a few days and you'll see you can still remember it.

More Uses for This Technique

This technique is not limited to obscure lists. No, it can be used for memorizing names of people you meet. Many people find they can easily remember faces, but when it comes to names, you wish you had paid more attention. Well, all you need to do is find something about the appearance of someone you meet which is memorablem, say they're tall. Then you need to associate an image with their name. Let's think of an easy one here, say he was called Andrew. Well it's not that straightforward, but for the name Andrew, you could pick out the work 'drew' as in drawing or sketching. Now, you've got this tall guy named Andrew, picture him standing tall because his legs are made of long pencils, which will bring back the memory of drawing, which should hopefully bring back the name Andrew.

As I mentioned earlier, this method is the basis for many memory improvement techniques, associating something with another is how your memory works, and with this technique we can use that to our advantage. Another powerful skill that is harnessed within this technique is your mind's ability to vividly picture something, be it an object or anything that you can think of! These two fundamental aspects of memory will help you to improve your memory greatly.