Language Journal

Memory Principle

Before learning memory techniques, it is essential to build a foundation for your memory. Having a foundation gives you the basics to remember and learn anything. Without it you will not learn as effectively and will need to keep going back to review your work. Interestingly, the two major principles discussed in this chapter build both memory foundation skills and creativity; they work hand in hand, complementing each other in the memory process.

SMASHIN SCOPE
One of the greatest learning methods I've come across in my many years as a memory trainer is called SMASHIN SCOPE. It was devised by British learning entrepreneur Tony Buzan, who also created mind mapping (more of that later), and his colleague Vanda North. It's an acronym that details how we can use our brain to greatly enhance our visual perception. These twelve principles not only help us remember better, they help us become a more creative and lateral thinker.

Synaesthesia/Senses.
This interesting word refers to our senses and sensations. Generally when we picture something it is a static image. If I said 'whiteboard', most people will see in their mind's eye a whiteboard—either mounted on a wall or on castors. Rather than just 'seeing' the image, if we use our other senses we can become further engaged and involved with our subject—think of smell, touch, taste and sound. If you went up to the whiteboard and licked it, what would it taste like? Next time you see static images, use your senses to exercise your mind.

Movement.
Movement makes a static image dynamic. Using the whiteboard example, we can now visualise it spinning around, moving from side to side, or even growing legs and walking out of the room. The subject could even be you moving around the object—maybe you're flying around it or vice versa. Movement creates traction in the brain that connects its subject, making it more memorable.

Association.
Without association there is no connection. If there is no connection then there is no memory. Visualise a pen next to paper—this is a weak association because there is no physical connection, but if the pen writes on the paper there is a connection. But to make this more exciting and memorable, what if the pen scribbles on the paper, ripping it to shreds? Writing on paper is a very logical and common thing. The shredding story doesn't occur every day so it's more memorable, with the brain saying, 'Wow, what just happened?

Sexuality/Self.
Tony Buzan says we all have a good memory around this topic so let's use it. Maybe what you're trying to remember or visualise resembles a certain body part. There are many ways to use this type of imagery for people so inclined. When I'm working with kids, though, I tell them to visualise themselves as the subject: imagine being the actual whiteboard. How does it feel to have people write on your face all day? Do you get a kick out of it or are you stuck and wishing to be free?

Humour.
Something funny can be a huge help with your visualising. This doesn't mean you have to be the funniest person in the room, it means use what's funny to you. When I meet someone called John, for example, I immediately picture him sitting on a toilet. For me that's funny, for others it may not be—but it is memorable. I believe comedians are often super-creative beings because they find ways to communicate a point and to make it entertaining and unique. If you want to exercise your creativity, why not learn more about comedy?

Imagination.
When we visualise we usually think of real things in our world. We try and make logical associations with what we are trying to remember: I sat down on the chair; I stopped at the red light; I typed on my laptop. These examples are perfectly normal, but they are not memorable. If we want to have a great memory and become more creative, we need to step outside this logical realm. Instead of just imagining sitting on a chair, how about the chair turning around, jumping and then sitting on you? Your brain sees this image with stunning clarity precisely because it isn't a normal occurrence, and so a stronger mental image is created. Imagination is your friend that can take you to places and help you see things you have never seen or experienced before. As Victor Hugo so vividly put it: 'Imagination is intelligence with an erection.'

Numbers.
Sometimes we need a bit of order in our visualisations. Numbers create that order and provide some much needed relief for the logical thinkers among us. Applying numbers that mean something to you to an image can create a much stronger emotional connection to that image. The number 23, for example, reminds me of the great sporting hero Michael Jordan. If I see the number 23 anywhere it reminds me of him and the day my Jordan 5 shoes were stolen while playing interschool football.

Symbolism.
As we've heard, a picture is worth a thousand words. Symbols often carry a great deal of information at just a glance. They also help communicate a specific message. What would happen, say, if street signs were written in sentences? You wouldn't have time to read them before another sign appeared, and then another, then Bang! you've crashed. Your brain processes images much faster than words, which is exactly how speed reading works.

Colour.
Creativity loves colour. Used well, colours can help you think and remember very quickly. Instead of visualising a bright red tomato, perhaps see it as a bright blue tomato. That whiteboard might actually be black and blue, not white and silver. All you need to do is visualise the difference, and that will be enough to make it memorable. But you don't always have to choose a different colour to visualise the item. Imagine Uluru in all its beauty against the setting sun, the amazing red rock glowing as you move closer to it. It is mesmerising. If you use the same colour as the thing you're visualising, then accentuate it and bring out that experience in your mind. Try and feel the colour if you can.

Order.
Creating a sequence of events or stories allows our brain to follow a visual pattern that helps us to remember. Creating these patterns and sequences not only builds creativity, it also assists us in grouping things and storing them safely in our brain. This is where techniques such as the Method of Loci help us connect random objects together

Positive Images.
Happy, positive images make you feel all cosy inside and they do help you remember. Negative images are often as memorable or even more so. When visualising you can use either: the bright red tomato looked so tasty I ate it; the tomato was rotten, but I still ate it—and then I vomited. The brain loves drama and gets attached to it.

How it works?
Think of a subject and then apply SMASHIN SCOPE to make it more memorable.