As a keynote speaker and memory expert, the most common question I receive is, "How do you improve your memory?" Paying attention and being visual are very powerful techniques.
Are You Absentminded?
Do you forget where you put your keys, parked your car, placed your cell phone? Have you ever been sitting relaxed watching television and a thought occurs to you?
You jump out of your chair, you dash into the other room and stop... You ask yourself, "Why am I here?" Then you start looking around the room for clues. Have you ever wondered why you have to go all the way back to your chair and sit down before you remember why you got up in the first place?
How Your Memory Affects Your Life
Actually it's not so bad you forgot where you put your car keys. It's the damaging side effects.
The Damaging Side Effects
Lost Time & Money: You've been looking for your keys for twenty minutes. Could you have just missed an important appointment? Could that cost you money?
Physical Stress: What is happening to your body? Your heart rate is up, your blood pressure is up, your stress level is up. This isn't good for you.
Family Impact: Should any member of the immediate family approach you right now? Wouldn't be good for the family member either.
Psychological Damage: What is this doing to you psychologically? What are you telling yourself right now?
Our Internal Dialogue
"I'm stupid, I'm dumb, I'm an idiot. Oh, they're in my pocket, I'm such a fool."
I had a professor in college tell me how he remembers where he puts his keys. For example, if he were to put the keys on the table, he would do the following: In a very loud commanding voice he would yell, "I AM NOW PUTTING MY KEYS ON THE TABLE!"
He said it works great. "Not only do I know where they are, but everyone in the house does too."
Pay attention and say it out loud.
What if you have many things to remember? Perhaps 10 items you need to buy at the store. Perhaps the original colonies or capital cities of the United States to help your child pass a test in history class.
Improve Your Memory Through Visualization
The visual memory is powerful.
Let's attach your memory to something you already have memorized – your body.
Try This: Memorize the First 6 Colonies
Delaware → Head
Visualize a Deli Sandwich and underwear on your head. Go ahead. Close your eyes and see this taking place.
Pennsylvania → Forehead
Visualize a bunch of pencils sticking out of your forehead.
New Jersey → Eyelids
Visualize a new jersey hanging from your eyelids.
Georgia → Nose
Visualize a Georgia peach up your nose.
Connecticut → Upper Lip
Visualize two pairs of scissors connecting a cut from the left and the right of your upper lip, meeting at the middle. You connected a cut.
Massachusetts → Shoulders
Visualize an animal with a lot of Mass. Perhaps an elephant. Visualize elephants on your shoulders.
By simply starting from your head and working your way down your body, try repeating the list of states you just visualized.
Now make up your own list of grocery items and place them around your body the same way.
The Key Insight
You already have a powerful memory. You just need to learn to improve your memory and discover what your memory can already do. Memory techniques like these will help you rediscover what you were already capable of doing.