Memory Enhancement Technique: The Simplest Technique Sure to Help You Remember More

Do You Worry Your Memory isn't what it used to be?

Whether you're five, 55, or 100, you're learning something new every day. But much of what goes in your brain just seeps back out unless you figure out how to remember and recall that information.

Perhaps like so many others you worry your memory isn't what it used to be. Relax. You can remember anything you put your mind to. The trick is to choose one thing to focus on, and apply the simplest memory technique you'll ever use to put it to memory.

So what is it you'd like to remember? For me it was putting to memory the location of a Costco in another town with a gas station. In this article I'll show you how I applied 'the simplest memory technique you'll ever use' to find my way.

When You Have a Reason to Remember, You'll Be Motivated to put Your Mind to the Test

You can remember anything that's important for you to remember. It's just that most of the time it's not important. Unless you have a purpose or reason for remembering, you'll lack the motivation to do so. Once you find your reason to remember something, you'll discover your motivation to apply this fun and simple memory technique.

My motivation for taking the time to use this memory technique came on a recent trip to visit my 94-year old father in my hometown. With gas prices so high, I wanted to remember where the Costco with the gas station was located. Truth be told, I've visited and asked for directions to this Costco many times before and failed to put the directions to memory. This time, however, it was important enough for me to take the worry out of finding the best gas prices for me to finally decide to use what I know and create an image that sticks.

The Brain Doesn't Remember Facts, It Remembers Meaning

What I know is the brain doesn't remember facts, it remembers meaning--and strong visual images. If I want to remember facts, like driving directions, I need to create a picture story to associate with the thing I'm trying to put to memory. The more meaning we give something through creating stories, associations and visual images, the easier it is to remember and recall that information.

The Simplest Memory Technique You'll Ever Use

The simplest memory technique you'll ever use is based on the old adage, 'a picture is worth a thousand words': You create a picture story to associate with whatever it is you want to remember and recall. The more outlandish the picture story, the easier it is to remember.

Driving directions, like phone numbers or credit card numbers, are just a bunch of facts. If I was to finally get myself to remember the route to the Costco with the gas station I needed to get creative and create a picture story to help me see and remember the route. I needed to remember two roads--highway 84 and Middlefield road--and I needed a way to link them together in my memory.

How Sylvia, the Wily, Wise-cracking Cartoon Character Helped me Find Costco

I let my mind play with associations between the two roads. I thought '84' was like middle age, and that made me think of Sylvia, the wily wise-cracking character. She certainly would think 84 was middle age. That made me smile--and I knew I was on my way to creating an image I wouldn't forget.

I blazed the image of Sylvia riding a rocket down highway 84, holding a martini, and turning right on Middlefield road. I always thought martinis tasted like gasoline so this added to the image of being on route to the gas station.

As you can see, I haven't forgotten the picture story,or my way to the Costco gas station--and I won't. I've used two of three keys to memory-my imagination and creating an association, to apply the simplest memory technique I'll ever use.

Memories Associated with Images

Now before you think you aren't creative enough to come up with good visual images, trust your brain, and trust yourself! Our brains are amazing in how easily they pull up memories associated with images. You don't have to make up your own mental pictures; you can borrow from the images around you. I did. Sylvia's image and humor has been passed around the internet for ages.

By putting your imagination to work for you creating zany, silly, or bizarre images associated with what you need to remember and recall you can create easy to pull up images.

What Do You Want to Remember and Recall?

What's been stressing you about something you keep forgetting? What do you need to get into your memory and be able to recall at will? How can you use your imagination and association to create an image that will stick?

Go ahead-have fun creating a picture story to help you remember and recall one thing of importance. Start with something small. You'll be amazed at what a boost in confidence it gives you.