Mind Tools - Memory Techniques - Expanding Memory Systems

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Expanding Memory Systems

Once you have mastered simple memory systems such as the number/shape system, you can use mnemonic enhancers to expand the range of the systems.

As an example, you might use the convention that encasing a mnemonic image in ice adds ten to a simple number/shape image: i.e. if you have previously linked the number 2 to the word 'wine' by using an image of a drunken swan guzzling a bottle of wine, then you can change it to link wine to 12 by imagining the swan frozen in ice.

First Stage Expansion

Tony Buzan, in his book 'Use Your Memory', suggests the following scheme. Modify it to reflect the way that your mind works so that the images created are as vivid as possible:

                               Mnemonic Enhancers applied to:
                      Simple Peg System                  e.g. Major System
                                         Normal Range
                            0 - 9                              00 - 99
Imagine  image:
1. Frozen in ice:           10-19                              100 - 199
2. Covered in thick oil     20-29                              200 - 299
3. In flames                30-39                              300 - 399
4. Pulsating Violently      40-49                              400 - 499
5. Made of Velvet           50-59                              500 - 599
6. Completely transparent   60-69                              600 - 699
7. Smelling good            70-79                              700 - 799
8. In a busy road           80-89                              800 - 899
9. Floating on a cloud      90-99                              900 - 999

As another example, you could link 'compact disk' to the number 38 by imagining an egg timer (8) with its middle going through the centre of a CD, engulfed in flames (30-39). Perhaps you could strengthen the image by imagining the play of the light of the flames off the grooves of the CD.

This list of images can be remembered in correct order by using a simple peg system.

Expanding this approach again

Once you understand this technique, you can expand it again and again. For example you could take it to the next level by associating the images produced with a strong and vivid colour, for example:

                                  Mnemonic Enhancers applied to:
                       Simple Peg System                  e.g. Major System
                                          Initial Range
                             0 - 9                               00 - 99
                                    First Level Expanded Range
                             00-99                              000 - 999
Imagine image coloured:
1. Red                       100-199                           1000 - 1999
2. Orange                    200-299                           2000 - 2999
3. Yellow                    300-399                           3000 - 3999
etc.

The expansion here might be red - 1, orange - 2, yellow - 3, green - 4, blue - 5, indigo - 6, violet - 7, white - 8, grey - 9, and black - 0. If you prefer to use colours in a different way, then do so!

Keep on expanding the method

You might to decide to expand this system to additional level by associating sounds to the images (e.g. a soprano singing, wind chimes, etc.); by associating smells; linking friends to images; etc.

Summary

So by using these techniques to expand mnemonics, you can significantly enhance the power of simple systems and the volumes of information that can be held.

At a particular complexity of image you may find that mnemonic enhancers become too complex or unwieldy - maybe after using three or four enhancers together you find that the system breaks down. This will be individual to you, and is for you to decide. This is perhaps the stage to start investigating some of the more powerful memory systems.

Using Mnemonics More Effectively Memory Hints

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