by Tansel Ali
How it works
1. Take the main topic and put it at the centre of a page.
2. Create section headings like thick branches starting at one o’clock and moving clockwise.
3. Create subheadings from the section headings.
4. Use colour and images throughout to engage the brain.
SWOT analysis
This mind map has subheadings that create an order of information understood at a glance.
Speech preparation
This next mind map is a forty-minute presentation I gave on two topics: the perfect job interview and time management. I also added time estimates to help me prepare more accurately. A mind map can be a great help with visual presentations if you’re using software programs such as MS PowerPoint or Keynote.
Speed reading
Imagine completing your reading in hours instead of weeks. Imagine, too, managing your social media and all those emails, reports, assignments and documents with time to spare and a greater understanding of their content. Speed reading truly can be life-changing, and for those who are not natural readers (like me) it can be especially rewarding. Bibliophobia is the fear of books and speed reading cures that fear.
When we were children we were taught to read word by word. This is fine for learning how to read, but as our brain gets better at comprehending basic text we should be able to absorb information in larger chunks rather than individual words. Speed reading uses techniques to encode words into images, enabling faster, more effective reading. Our brain has the ability to group together phrases so that we visualise what’s happening rather than reading word by word. Speed reading enables you to absorb information in chunks as you read; it creates better comprehension as you visualise groups of words together in context rather than each word.
How it works
Using a visual guide
Reading with a finger or some sort of pointing device like a pen along the line helps to reduce the number of times you need to go back to reread. This in turn allows quicker reading.
How to use
Run your finger underneath the words as you read as a guide. This tricks your brain into reading more as your eyes will not only follow your guide, but see further along from the guide, forcing you to read faster. The more you practise the less you’ll notice your guide because you’ll be so involved in the text. The more you’re involved, the more you will remember. The more you remember, the better you will comprehend what you read.
Image flow
Words are grouped into contextual meanings instead of set chunk sizes. This results in a more consistent and visual flow of reading.
How it works
(The quick brown fox) (jumps over) (the lazy dog).
Words are grouped into their meaningful context. This enables the brain to process three phrases rather than reading nine individual words. If one word takes one second to read, then nine words will take nine seconds. But reading three phrases using image flow should take only a second to process each context, which means you will already be reading three times faster.
Speed reading exercise
Here is an exercise on how to view images in chunks using image flow. Try visualising the content in brackets before moving along to the next bracket.
(Seven Tips) (to Reduce Stress at Work)
(In 2014) (I presented in Iran) (at the International conference on Memory) (and Stress Management). (Here are seven tips) (on how to reduce stress) (and become a happier worker).
1. (Be aware)
(Most people are oblivious) (to the fact that they are stressed). (Their breathing changes), (heart rate increases) (and even their speech) (is faster than normal). (They can sometimes be a nuisance) (to others without even knowing). (Making a conscious effort) (to take a critical look) (at yourself) (and see if you’re stressed) (can help you enormously). (Once you know you’re stressed) (you are then able to) (take action) (to reduce that stress).
2. (Take a break)
(Often when stuck) (in front of the computer) (for hours) (things can get quite stressful), (especially if you’re on a deadline). (Taking a quick power nap) (or a brisk) (fifteen-minute walk) (from a stressful situation) (can alleviate some stress symptoms).
3. (Be healthy)
(If all we’re eating is rubbish), (then we will feel like rubbish). (Eating good food), (exercising) (and avoiding drugs) (all help to reduce stress). (One cool trick I’ve learned) (from Tony Buzan’s book) (Head Strong) (is to keep telling yourself) (that ‘you are in the process) (of becoming healthy’). (This engages the brain) (in the present) (and helps you to) (take action). (Try it!)
4. (Have a laugh)
(A proven stress destroyer), (laughter can take your mind) (off things causing you stress) (stressors). (Watch some videos), (talk to some funny friends), (crack some jokes), (do whatever it takes) (to give yourself) (a positive experience) (so that you not only) (reduce stress), (you enjoy life).
5. (Learn to say no)
(Here’s a big one). (A lot of stresspots I’ve met) (in office environments) (have made a habit) (of saying yes) (to everything). (Stop it, dammit!) (Now!) (It creates further work), (pushes mental) (and physical boundaries) (and of course), (gives you more stress!) (You will also find) (that saying ‘No’) (is so liberating). (Know when to say no) (and you will be) (saving yourself).
6. (Socialise)
(I know) (when I was stressed) (the last thing I ever wanted) (to do was meet up) (with people). (But research shows) (that socialising) (is a great form) (of reducing stress). (It takes you away) (from your bubble of life) (into the lives of others). (Suddenly you find yourself) (enjoying company) (and talking about things) (that are exciting) (and interesting), (again taking you away) (from worrying).
7. (Get rid of distractions)
(You wake up) (and first thing in the morning) (you check your emails). (You end up regretting it) (and it affects your mood) (while you’re getting ready), (eating breakfast) (and travelling to work). (As soon as you get to work) (you switch your computer on) (and look at more emails). (Aghhh!) (They keep coming throughout the day) (and you just keep checking them). (What a life). (When you check your email) (it creates a world in your head) (full of the content) (in the email). (Some worlds are small), (some are massive), (some irrelevant). (In any case), (there are hundreds of worlds) (out there in your head) (that you are worrying about). (The best plan) (is to clear your head) (of these stories) (by checking your email) (less often) (and doing them in ‘batches’), (as Timothy Ferriss explains) (in his book) (The 4-Hour Work Week). (This will help restore) (sanity into your life).
Practise speed reading with a variety of materials to help you build your visual reading skills. It is not the easiest of memory techniques, but it may prove to be the most rewarding.
• Make sure your linking and association connections are not overlapping. Item 1 has no relationship with item 3, and while it may feel natural to assume a connection there, it could make you lose the order of memorisation.
• Visualise your locations and objects in the Method of Loci as much as you can. Having imaginative and visually clear loci is a huge help with recall and retention in long-term memory.
• Mind maps order your information visually.
• When reading, use your finger as a guide by running it under the words. Doing this will not only help you read faster but also improve your comprehension.
CHAPTER 4
ADVANCED MEMORY TECHNIQUES
Remembering numbers can be really tricky unless you use a particular technique. Here are several that are incredibly useful.
The Major system
; This encodes numbers into phonetic sounds based on the letters of the alphabet—but not vowels (including the letter y). The following numbers represent the letters next to it.
0 = s, z, c (ceiling)
1 = t or d
2 = n, gn
3 = m
4 = r
5 = l
6 = sh, j, dg (hedge), ch (chair), g (George)
7 = c, k, ck, ch (chord), g (goat)
8 = f, v, ph, gh
9 = p or b
How it works
Take a pair of digits and make a few small words using the above code. The number 32 can be man, for example, 77 cake, 86 fish and 09 soap.
How to use
There are many uses for the Major system, but it’s mostly used for remembering a long series of numbers. (NB: You do not need to know the Major system codes off by heart. Just have them close by for reference.)
Memorising numbers
To remember this twenty-digit number we would pair up the numbers and then make a story using linking and association.
92573391144768217282
92 (pen) + 57 (leg) + 33 (mummy) + 91 (bat) + 14 (door) + 47 (rock) + 68 (chef) + 21 (net) + 72 (gun) + 82 (fan)
The pen writes a large squiggle on my leg. When I stand up I see a mummy three metres tall holding a bat. I run as fast as I can, open a door and go inside. There he is – The Rock holding eggs, about to bake a fairy cake. He is dressed as a chef, wearing a net on his head. Then he swaps his net for a large machine gun, and his fans watching applaud the action hero.
How long? Around two minutes to remember all the digits after reading the above story.
Using Method of Loci
We can also use the Method of Loci to store numbers in pairs for each location.
All that is left to do is to recall the story from each location, which will in turn give you the word associated with the numbers above.
1. front door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. bed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. shower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. sink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. cupboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. television . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7. couch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8. dishwasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9. fridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10. table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How long? It will take between ten to twenty seconds to make the story (connection) with a location and item to be memorised. So for ten items it’s around three minutes.
Memorising playing cards
Create an image for each card using the Major system or use the references below.
Using Method of Loci
Using the Method of Loci here’s how to memorise ten random playing cards. Each card is connected to a location for an imaginative story to be made.
After you’ve memorised ten playing cards, try doubling that effort to twenty. Ultimately your goal is to memorise fifty-two playing cards in fifty-two locations.
How long? It should take around twenty seconds to create a story with the location and card, so for the ten items it’s around three minutes.
Dominic system
Created by Dominic O’Brien, World Memory Champion for a record eight times, this technique is similar to the Major system and encodes digits into people and actions. The numbers coded are:
0 = O
1 = A
2 = B
3 = C
4 = D
5 = E
6 = S
7 = G
8 = H
9 = N
How it works
Group the digits of numbers to be memorised into pairs. The letters of the first pair of digits creates a person using the initials of their first name and surname. The next pair relates to an action or activity of the person.
How to use
Let’s memorise this number using the Dominic system.
92593300154268217282
Using the above table, we see that number 92 makes NB with 9 = N and B = 2. From this we can use the initials to create a name. In this case, Napoleon Bonaparte. Since we have a person for the number 92, we can now attribute an action. In this case we have chosen Napoleon Bonaparte fighting in battle. The action element comes in when we are combining numbers together.
• The first two digits are always a person.
• The next two digits are always an action.
Using the Method of Loci to help, you can now use the person/action strategy of the Dominic system:
• You do not need to know the Major system codes as you start memorising, just have them close by as a reference. Before long you’ll know them off by heart.
• When linking numbers make sure you don’t mix up the order of the numbers you are trying to remember. If you make an incorrect story you will recall incorrect numbers.
• When using the Method of Loci to remember numbers, always attach the story deeply into the location. Remember, physical connection makes for stronger memorisation.
• The Method of Loci is the fastest way to memorise playing cards. create as many loci as you can so you don’t get your stories mixed up by repeatedly using the same location.
• creating a spreadsheet listing people and their actions is super helpful when using the Dominic system.
• Impress others with these new skills and spread the love.
CHAPTER 5
PLAN, THEN ACT
‘The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.’—Herbert Spencer
So now you’re completely across the principles and techniques of memory training. In the following chapters you’ll see how to apply them to many different topics and will soon be able to apply them to any area of learning you want. In my thirteen years as a memory trainer I haven’t met anyone—from the ages of four to over ninety—who wasn’t able to use these strategies.
Anyone who has an imagination is able to use memory techniques to enhance their memory.
Ah, I hear you saying, it’s not that simple. Sure, it requires commitment, but if you’re keen to learn more about the world and the millions of wonderful things in it (and out of it) then stick with it for a while. Too often we give up on things before we really get started. New Year’s resolutions are a perfect example of this. Don’t wait till 1 January to try new things, but do take some time to plan a strategy and mark your time carefully.
There is more than one reason why people fail to achieve their goals.
A lack of discipline
According to self-development entrepreneur Brian Tracy, discipline is being able to do what you need to do, when you need to do it, whether you like it or not. Get into the headspace of working towards your goals even at difficult times. Such sacrifices mean not just achieving your resolution, but creating a successful habit.
A lack of passion
On New Year’s Day (depending on if you’re nursing a hangover) anything seems possible. But as the weeks roll on other things happen and what motivation you had is compromised. Before embarking on a new project, create an image of your goal in your head. Write it down. Then hit it with all the feelings that achieving it will give you. If you want to learn a new language or skill, say, visualise how great it would be to speak that language. Write down all the feelings that it will give you and keep adding to it. How would you feel speaking the language when travelling, or for work? The more emotion and feeling you have, the fiercer your pursuit of the goal will be.
A lack of focus
Your goals end up being ‘too hard’. You’ve managed initial s
teps then realised that it’s going to take much more energy and effort. At this point you start to feel overwhelmed and you give up. Instead, create a plan with all the steps necessary to complete your goal. Knowing what’s needed makes the journey easier.
A lack of accountability
Being accountable for your actions increases the chances of reaching your goals. It’s easier, too, if there are other people, friends or family, who share the same goal. Search around. If not, are there any clubs or societies you can join? You can let yourself down, but letting others down is much more disappointing.
Too busy
People often tell me they ‘don’t have the time’ to do what they want to, and it’s true we’re busy—possibly working several jobs, looking after children and maybe elderly parents. Plan each day from the night before and rid yourself of time-wasting distractions. Practice the Pomodoro Technique—breaking down tasks into twenty-five minute intervals with a couple of minutes’ break in between—for better time management and you’ll be surprised. Then work on your goals.
Too forgetful
Learning memory techniques is not just about remembering, it’s also about creating successful habits of the mind. Visualisation is the key to memory. So try and use your imagination for everything!
Caught up in negative thoughts
There may be people out there who do not want you to succeed, but if you start to worry about them then you will likely fail. Instead, focus on the passion you have for achieving this goal to sail through the negativity. It’s not easy, but it is oh so rewarding once you get there.
