My Secret Memory Technique

Do people say you have a poor memory? Do you have a difficult time remembering things? Do you forget a list of 3 items that was told to you 2 minutes ago? Do you go to the grocery store, and then forget why? Do people say that you have a “poor memory”?
	photo by lapolab

I used to be the same way. I would forget 2-5 item lists almost as soon as they were told to me. Any list over 5 items was hopeless, I thought there was no way I could possibly remember it. I accepted the fact that I had a bad memory, and I would just have to live with it.

I have a GREAT memory now!

Not any more! I’ve found a little trick that’s cured all of that. It’s called “peg words”; and the idea is that you imagine hanging items from your list onto “pegs” that you’ve previously memorized. It’s much easier to use than it is to describe, so keep reading!

I don’t recall where I picked it up, but I’ve been using it for years, and it’s really amazing. It’s also very easy to do. Anyone can do it.

Here’s how you can have a great memory too.

How? You simply memorize the 10 “peg words”, such as the list below. This list is ALL you need. You DON’T need to memorize a separate list each time you want to remember something. Memorize the list below, and it will serve for most situations. You need not memorize anything beyond the peg word list in order to use this technique.

You don’t have to use MY words if you don’t want to, you can use any words you’re comfortable with, as long as the word rhymes with it’s number; GUN rhymes with ONE, SHOE rhymes with TWO, TREE rhymes with THREE, and so on.

The peg word list that I’ve developed is;

1. gun
2. shoe
3. tree
4. door
5. hive
6. sticks
7. heaven
8. gate
9. wine
10. hen

Again, memorize this list one time only. You don’t need a separate list for separate situations.

What good is this list?

How do you use this list? When you want to remember a list of items, spend a couple of minutes visualizing your item as somehow related to your peg word.

Make the visualizations silly, or dramatic, or disgusting, or disturbing. They are easier to remember if you attach humor or controversy to them.

For example; I use #9 to help me to remember my access badge to get into the secured building where I work.

To relate my badge and “9. wine”, I imagine pouring red, sticky wine all over my badge and the table it’s resting on, really making a mess of the white tablecloth.

Now that image is burned into my brain, because it’s so dramatic and silly.

Here’s an example.

How can we use these words to keep from forgetting a list? I’m glad you asked!

Let’s take an example. One of the ways I use the list is to remember all of the things I need to take with me when I leave the house for work in the morning.

• I start by saying “one gun”. Well, that one’s very obvious, I don’t even need to relate anything to it. I make sure my squirt gun is in my pocket. ;)
• Next, I say “two shoe”. I visualize shoes being made of leather, and my wallet is made of leather. I check my back pocket for my wallet.
• “Three tree” gives me an image of a tree, with a giant cell phone as the trunk. The tree is using it’s branches to dial a number on itself. A very silly image, but it reminds me to check my pocket for my cell phone.
• Then I say “four door”. Doors are opened with keys. Is my keyring in my pocket?
• After that is “five hive”. I see an image of a beehive, bursting at the seams with honey. As the sun shines on the honey, the reflection becomes so bright, I need to wear sunglasses. I make sure my sunglasses are packed in my murse.
• “Six sticks”. Sticks can be tools. I need tools to get through my day. Is my pocket knife in my pocket, and my Leatherman tool in my bag?
• Next comes “seven Heaven”. I envision a single ray of light bursting through the clouds from Heaven. That ray of light reminds me to check my bag for my flashlight.
• After that is “eight gate”. I think of my ipod as a gate to peace, when I’m feeling stressed. I put my iPod into my bag.
• Then comes “nine wine”. I’ve already told you that one! Is my access badge on my belt? If not, I’d better run and find it.
• Finally, I say “ten hen”. I see a mother hen running after me, nagging me to not forget my lunch, and my Thermos of tea. If they’re not in my bag, I grab them from the fridge.

I NEVER forget any of this stuff anymore!

And that’s it! The entire list takes me 20-30 seconds to run through in my head, but it ensures that I never forget anything I need to start my day.

Tomorrow, I’ll show you how you can use this same technique to memorize ANY list of 10 or less items. No more forgotten grocery lists!

p.s. I would LOVE to hear your methods of remembering lists like this. Please leave me a comment by clicking on the {comments} link below this post.