Boosting our memory

Do you ever wish you could remember all that you need to recall as simply as downloading content onto a USB stick?

While memory isn’t quite as straightforward for humans as it is for a computer, we do have tools that we can use to help. Storytelling, visualisation and association are all key components of making content more memorable.

Our brain holds onto stories much more easily than it does to data. So, if we tell a story and “hide” data within it, we are more likely to keep hold of the facts along with the narrative. This is why a great history teacher doesn’t just list dates, they tell you the more engaging, human stories behind them.

Our subconscious speaks with pictures and emotions, so if we create a vivid, colourful, surprising image of something that we are trying to remember, in our minds, then it is more likely to stick. Try it out the next time you’re introduced to somebody. If you meet somebody called Bridget, imagine a bridge on their head. Or, if you meet a guy called Mark, imagine a tick mark on their forehead!

As a coach these are invaluable tactics to learn. As a Christian, I see that God has always known these tactics work for us. The Bible is full of stories that tell us about who God is and how we can live life to the full. It also encourages us to mark important occasions with visual, involved festivals or traditions that recall key moments in history. I'm conscious that I could do more of the latter and am mulling over how to introduce more celebratory traditions into my life in particular. How about you?