Feats of memory anyone can do | Joshua Foer

Tutorial: How to Improve Your Memory Using Ancient Techniques

Step 1: Visualization Exercise

1. Imagine yourself standing outside the front door of your home.
2. Visualize a pack of overweight nudists on bicycles crashing into your front door.
3. Step over the threshold into your foyer and appreciate the quality of the light.
4. Walk through your living room with vivid imagery of Britney Spears and Cookie Monster.

Step 2: Learning About Memory Contests

1. Listen to the speaker's experience covering a memory contest in New York City.
2. Discover how competitors memorize random numbers, names, poems, and playing cards.
3. Understand that memory champions use ancient techniques to enhance their memory skills.

Step 3: Understanding Memory Techniques

1. Learn about the concept of "elaborative encoding" in memory.
2. Explore the Baker/baker paradox and how associations aid memory recall.
3. Discover the art of transforming information to make it more memorable.

Step 4: Memory Palace Technique

1. Understand the concept of a memory palace dating back to Ancient Greece.
2. Create mental images of things you want to remember in a vivid and bizarre manner.
3. Utilize spatial memory to recall information effortlessly.

Step 5: Applying Memory Techniques

1. Practice recalling topics or concepts by associating them with visual images.
2. Implement the memory palace technique to remember information topic-by-topic.
3. Experiment with memorization exercises to enhance your memory skills.

Step 6: Embracing Memory Challenges

1. Challenge yourself to remember poems, names, or other information daily.
2. Engage in memory exercises to make learning and remembering enjoyable.
3. Consider participating in memory contests or competitions to test your memory abilities.

Step 7: Reflecting on Memory and Attention

1. Understand that great memories are learned through attention and engagement.
2. Recognize the importance of being mindful and finding meaning in information.
3. Embrace the idea that our lives are shaped by our memories and the attention we give to them.

By following these steps and incorporating memory techniques into your daily routine, you can enhance your memory skills and lead a more memorable life.