Mastering Memory
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It’s easy to read this book and think, “Well, that’s pretty cool. Now I know how to remember better.” It’s harder—but much more effective—to put these tools into practice. Embrace the approaches even if they seem foreign. They are being used worldwide everyday by people just like you to remember better in life, school, and work.
Mastering Memory for Life
If you haven’t already, pick the situation that most interests you and commit to it. Practice the technique or method for seven days. Set aside at least 10 minutes a day to improve your memory. Here are some daily and weekly activities to try.
•Memorize license plates during your commute.
•Learn the names of cashiers, servers, and anyone else you interact with regularly.
•Remember a new phone number every day.
•Review what you want to remember every time you brush your teeth.
•Every time a friend has a birthday, commit the date to memory.
•Learn something new. Pick a foreign language and learn five new words per day or expand your English vocabulary by learning one new word (and its spelling) per day.
Memory mastery comes from practice. As you develop your creativity and skill of translating difficult-to-remember material into images, your mind will change. What seemed difficult in the past will become easier, and your memory abilities will grow daily. You will feel more confident and be perceived as a memory master.
Share the Gift of Memory
As you gain mastery, you will naturally be asked, “How do you remember so well?” You’ll be ready to share your story, which I suspect is similar to mine—that you didn’t have a great memory, you learned some techniques, and you improved your memory abilities.
People hunger for a better memory. You can now pay it forward by helping others. Start small by sharing the three essential memory steps (FAR). For many people, that may be enough to get them on a memory improvement path. Most of us try to multitask or don’t pay enough attention when the information enters our minds and then blame forgetfulness on our “horrible memory.” Encourage people to stop multitasking to help them help their minds remember better naturally.
This is especially important with our younger family members and friends. Work with them to identify which of the three steps they are having trouble with and help them fix the area of biggest concern. Play memory games with them (see here). Most important, lead by example. Start relying on your memory instead of your smart device. Seeing you make the effort to master your memory will inspire them to learn for themselves.
Conclusion
CONGRATULATIONS! Many people these days have resigned themselves to a poor memory, but not you. You have put in the effort, and the results are starting to show. Stay on the path and resist the temptation to revert back to any old habits (like outsourcing your memory to your smartphone or sticky notes). Your mind will stay sharp. Your memory detective will continue to reward you by “solving the case” and providing you with the memories you need when you need them!
Further Reading
Memory and Learning
The Hack-Proof Password System: Protect Yourself Online With a Memory Expert’s In-Depth Guide to Remembering Passwords, by Brad Zupp
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning, by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel
Mastering the Mind
Do the Work: Overcome Resistance and Get Out of Your Own Way, by Steven Pressfield
How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind, by Pema Chödrön
The Way of the SEAL: Think Like an Elite Warrior to Lead and Succeed, by Mark Divine with Allyson Edelhertz Machate
Resources for Kids
A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles, by Thich Nhat Hanh
Unlock Your Amazing Memory: The Fun Guide That Shows Grades 5 to 8 How to Remember Better and Make School Easier, by Brad Zupp
Physical Fitness
Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body, by Michael Matthews
I Love Me More Than Sugar: The Why and How of 30 Days Sugar Free, by Barry Friedman
Thinner Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Female Body, by Michael Matthews
Mind Maps
Mind Map Mastery: The Complete Guide to Learning and Using the Most Powerful Thinking Tool in the Universe, by Tony Buzan
Mind Mapping: Improve Memory, Concentration, Communication, Organization, Creativity, and Time Management, by Kam Knight
Creativity
A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative, by Roger von Oech
Learn Something New
Massive Open Online Courses, www.mooc.org
Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org
Memory Presentations and Coaching
For adults: Brad Zupp, www.BradZupp.com
For students in grades 3 to 12:
Exceptional Assemblies, www.ExceptionalAssemblies.com
References
University of Waterloo. “Drawing Is Better than Writing for Memory Retention.” Waterloo News. Accessed February 28, 2019. https://uwaterloo.ca/news/news/drawing-better-writing-memory-retention.
About the Author
BRAD ZUPP is a memory improvement expert, motivational speaker, memory coach, and author. Since 2009, he has been dedicated to testing the limits of his own memory while helping others discover the benefits that come from memory improvement. He is also a memory athlete, participating in memory competitions worldwide as his schedule allows.
Brad hasn’t always had a world-class memory. When he turned 40, he noticed his daily memory abilities diminishing. Determined not to suffer a so-called “natural” memory decline as he aged, he threw himself into memory improvement and discovered that remembering better is possible.
He has been featured on The Today Show, Fox News New York, The Dr. Steve Show, and in USA Today and the LA Times. He is also the author of two other books about memory: Unlock Your Amazing Memory and The Hack-Proof Password System.
Brad’s accomplishments include:
•Memorizing the names of 117 people in 15 minutes at a memory competition
•Setting a USA record at the World Memory Championships—two years in a row—for memorizing digits spoken at one number per second, never read or reviewed
•Memorizing 11.5 decks of shuffled playing cards perfectly in one hour at a memory competition
•Memorizing the first 10,000 digits of pi in an attempt to set the world record called “The Everest of Pi Memorization Tests”
At age 50, Brad’s memory is sharper than ever. He’s living proof that with a few simple techniques and a little effort we don’t have to struggle to remember.