Have you ever wanted to learn something, but just couldn’t get the hang of it? Is it hard for you to remember a bit of information like an address or a phone number? I think I have the thing for you.
Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers believed in the Method of Loci, which says that a person can improve their memory by visualizing specific physical locations.
1. In order to use this method, you need to first design your location.
For beginners, it is easier to use a place that exists in the real world that you are familiar with. A place that you know like, pardon this overused phrase, the back of your hand. Once you're more confident in your memorization, you can create your own imaginary place that best defines you. (Some users of this method refer to their place as their "Mind Palace".)
2. Picture the basic layout your location.
Visualize yourself walking around until you have a clear image in your mind that you can recall at will. Always take the same route through your location every time, or you will get a mental block.
3. If you're ready to store information, make sure you are completely focused.
Close your eyes, listen to relaxing music, whatever it takes. Only have your mind on this task. It's like meditation: A bit disorientating, but strangely refreshing. I will use the words "image" or "object" to describe the cues that trigger the information, but you can also use colors or sounds. Anything wordless that can help you remember something is acceptable.
For instance, if I want to remember the exact date of the failed Gunpowder Plot, I use the V's mask as a symbol for it!
4. In order to fill the empty spaces of your location, you need to insert objects that will trigger the memory.
The best triggers are either ridiculous leaps or logical leaps.
An example of a logical leap: I had to remember that ‘Belief In’ is an attitudinal belief, involving personal choices and values, while ‘Belief That’ is a factual belief. In the BBC show, "Sherlock" (whose titular character also has a mind palace), the belief in Sherlock's detective skills is a feeling and that feeling governs the fact. The fact that Sherlock isn’t a fake informs the characters' feelings of belief in him. So I envision a painting on the wall of the silhouette of Sherlock with the phrase ‘I Believe in Sherlock Holmes’ across it.
An example of the ridiculous trigger: I had to remember Hume’s saying ‘You may as well compare the universe to a vegetable." I pictured Hugh Laurie sitting at a desk, chomping on a carrot. Hugh sounds like "Hume", and that causes the leap.
I will admit that the Loci Method is difficult at first. You need to learn your place intimately. If you're going to use it for an exam, you need to have everything in place at least a month in advance. A long-term “mind palace” is a huge commitment because your mind is like your muscles. If it's not used, it will weaken. You don't have to update it every day, just review it every other day or so. If you do, you'll be able to remember things years from now. Using this method could benefit you, and I highly recommend it.
