4 Ways on How to Improve Memory Recall

Memory is one of the most powerful elements of the mind.

And it is an aspect that can be worked out.

Us humans for the most part do not have a memory problem.

We have a memory recall problem.

We are subconsciously pulling up memories from our past.

But oftentimes, we fail to be able to CONSCIOUSLY pull up the memories.

So in a situation like this, we are pulling up memories of trauma, people who angered us & our failures.

All memories which serve minimal practical use.

Let’s put it like this…

If you are holding onto a grudge or a trauma, you do not have a memory problem.

Rather, you are recalling things that you have little power over.

In this article, I am going to share 4 unique ways to EXERCISE your mind.

Exercise your ability to recall memories that serve you.

Pick whichever method works for you.

And constantly practice.

Having confidence in your memory is a staple of communication.

A strong mind leads to more congruency in how you carry yourself.

Let’s begin.

1. Use Memory Aid’s AKA Mnemonics

Mnemonics are memory aids that help us remember something.

And whether we are aware of it or not, we often create memory aids subconsciously.

The goal is to consciously do the act.

This is a great way to leverage how to improve memory recall.

A few ways to use memory aids:

1. Make it Rhyme

If you make it rhyme, you will remember it every time.

Rhyming is powerful because it engages your emotions.

There is a feeling you get when you make a word rhyme.

This feeling engages your body & your cognitive faculties.

Find a rhyme to a concept that you want to memorize.

And make that rhyme by getting creative.

2. Creating Associations

Although my name is Arman…I often go by Armani.

Why?

Because when I first came to this country, a lot of people could not pronounce my name.

They would say, Armen, Armand, Armando.

But when I helped them out by saying “Armani without the i.”

They were able to say it easily.

Not only were they able to say it easily…

Something more unique happened.

‘What bro?’

They remembered the name for a long time.

Why?

Because Armani is an association with a name brand that they are well versed on.

And this connection was personal to them in context to their life.

3. Mini Stories

Stories are a great tool to relay information.

It’s effective for memorizing large pieces of content.

Stories are even more powerful when YOU are the one actively creating it.

This story does not have to be too detailed.

But the mere fact that you created it makes it more personal & potent in terms of your life.

Get creative & design a tale.

Imagine that you have to tell this story to a little kid to interest them or make them laugh.

With this intention, you can make the subject of your story more appealing to memorize.

All in all, mnemonics are a great way to build memory recall.

Although they may take some time to create…

Once you create it, the association can last for YEARS.

2. Engage your Order of Importance

The order of importance is what matters to YOU in terms of your life.

That’s code for saying, we remember what we care about.

You ever saw that one person who normally seems aloof and slow…

But once you get them to talk about celebrity gossip, for example, they can talk for a long time with vivid detail?

They are stating facts, events, & stories about celebrities on autopilot.

How did this slow person suddenly become a genius?

It’s because they CARE about celebrity gossip.

It is on their order of importance.

-Same with sneakerheads & shoes.

-Car fanatics & car models.

-Sports fans & their favorite sports team.

What does this mean for you?

In context to your life, see how you can frame information in terms of what is important to you.

Find a way to make it relate.

Let’s say you are learning storytelling concepts.

But you’re having a tough time.

And you happen to be a sports fan.

See how concepts of storytelling can relate to sports.

Storytelling & basketball for example.

The basketball hoop is the main point of your story.

Your voice is the ball.

The dribbling motion is the unique combination of words you use.

Now drive the point home.

Seeing these connections from different fields framed in your order of importance makes the information sticky.

This makes the information stand out the next time you try to recall it.

Find your order of importance in life.

And try to appeal to that to supercharge memory activation.

3. Re-Read the Same Book Multiple Times

Reading is different than watching something.

Why?

Because reading is an active process of turning words into images.

I’m not shitting on watching something.

But when you watch something, the images are being presented to you.

When you read something, your mind is FORCED to turn words into images.

When you read something multiple times, those images turn into motions.

The ability to WILLINGLY create images and motions with your mind builds spatial intelligence.

Also known as the power to visualize.

This is what allows public speakers to memorize LARGE speeches with ease.

It’s because they have supreme spatial intelligence.

Well, you can too. 

The goal is to re-read the same book multiple times.

That isn’t to say you don’t read other books.

But have a routine where you read your favorite book every day.

-At first, you will see words.

-Then, you will see flashes of pictures.

-Then, you will see streams of pictures.

-And finally, you will see motions.

See motions willingly in one facet of your life, and then it is easier to replicate this process in other facets of your life.

A book can be the bridge that leads to learning how to improve your memory recall.

4. Recall Small Moments from your Life

We often recall the BIG moments from our life.

But how often do we recall the SMALL moments from our life?

‘Uh…’

Not much.

Spend some time to actively recall something small that you completely forget about.

As you command your brain to go down memory lane, you direct yourself to be highly aware of small events.

You’ll surprise yourself.

This is why practices like gratitude and journaling are powerful.

It forces us to acknowledge different aspects of our life.

You can do this exercise in your free time.

Rather than just thinking about these small events, say it or write it out loud.

This forces you to engage your memory recall & speech/writing processes of your brain.

Which works out the brain & memory to a larger degree.

Call that a 2 in 1.

Supercharge your Mindset

A sharp mindset is a staple of communication.

Because communication is the effect.

The mind is the cause.

Words are just a representation of our thoughts.

How well versed are you in your thoughts?

How confident are you in your memory?

If not much, then try out the tips discussed in this article.

From creating mnemonics to appealing to your order of importance, re-reading the same book multiple times…

Or even recalling the smallest events from your life.

All these activities (when done with conscious awareness) gives you control over how to improve memory recall.

This allows you to have more power over what you think.

Gaining control over your mind allows you to make a graceful transition from a victim to a victor.

Grab your life by the horns by taking control of your memory recall capabilities.

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– ArmaniTalks