A Beginner's Guide
to Memory Success



=== SUMMARY OF THIS PAGE ===

Read & Practice:

Read what to do and then do it.

Step by step.

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A checklist approach is not the fanciest management approach. Nevertheless it is effective.  

Here are some questions for you.  

If your answer is NO: then attempt the recommended action.

If your answer is YES (and only if it is yes): then move on to the next step.  


1. Do you want to learn memory techniques?

(Or phrased slightly differently: Are you willing to practice about 5 minutes per day?)

If NO: find something that really interests you, something that gives you butterflies in your tummy. Apparently having a better memory ain’t on your list of goals. Good luck and God bless.  

If YES: What exactly do you want to achieve?

Be as specific as you can.

Do you want to remember 10 items on your shopping list?

Do you want to remember a deck of cards?

Do you want to remember 1000 words in Italian?

And: Please write your goal down. Once you put it on paper it is a lot easier to achieve.    


2. Do you know how association applies in memory techniques?

If NO: Please READ the chapter on association (CLICK HERE)

If YES: Start practicing what you have read. (See next paragraph)  


3. Have you practiced step 1: Association?

If NO: Download the FREE Demo Game. And start practicing.

And then, either you devise your own exercises (For tips CLICK HERE);

Or: you might as well invest a little bit of money and get the full version of the first memory game: Step 1: Association (CLICK HERE)  

If YES: Very good. Without association there cannot be any memory success.

And YES means here: You have achieved a couple of times 10 out of 10; and you feel relaxed about doing this exercise. Well then move on to the next step.  


4. Do you know what the journey method means?

If NO:  Please READ the chapter on Location and the journey method (CLICK HERE)

If YES: Start practicing what you have read. (See next paragraph)  


5. Do you have (at least) one journey of 10 stages?

If NO: Build up a journey of 10 stages. If you don’t know what that means ... Come on, you are kidding me: You haven’t read the chapter on Location (CLICK HERE)

If YES: Start practicing what you have read. Memorise 10 items.

Either you devise your own exercises (For tips CLICK HERE);

Or: you might as well invest a little bit of money and get the full version of the second memory game: Step 2: Location (CLICK HERE)  


6. Do you recall 10 out 10 items; in correct sequence?

If NO: Are you clear on your journey?

If you are hesitating here, then you know exactly what I mean. Go back and revise the journey. And then give it another go.

Are the items not coming back? Go back to step 1: Association. Only come back to the journey method if you feel really !!! comfortable with that.

If YES: Enjoy. And celebrate. 10 out of 10 in correct sequence puts you into the top 1% of the population, concerning memory abilities. And now, you could move on to the next step.  


7. Have you read Step 3: Visualisation?

If NO: Do it. Here you learn to change any item, any piece of information into a picture. (CLICK HERE) 

If YES: Start practicing what you have read. Memorise 10 (difficult) items. Either you devise your own exercises (For tips CLICK HERE);

Or: you might as well invest a little bit of money and get the third memory game: Step 3: Visualisation (CLICK HERE)  


8. Do you recall 10 out 10 items; difficult items?

If NO: Do you have a clear picture?

Again, if you are hesitating here, you know exactly what I mean. Please distinguish: the meaning of the word and a picture of the word. It is NOT necessary to know the meaning; however it is absolutely essential to have a picture. Go back and practice.

If YES: You must feel delighted and excited. Enjoy the feeling. You set out to achieve memory success, and you are doing really well. Congratulations!!  


9. Is there anything else (that you want to remember, but don’t know how)?

If NO: That’s fine. Keep practicing. And if you want, you could drop me a line. I do appreciate feedback. (CLICK HERE).

If YES: What is it that you want to achieve?

Go to ASK COACH JOE and you will get personalised advice from me. Don’t be shy. (CLICK HERE)

Just one note though: You have to have mastered Step 1 & 2 & 3 before you can move on to other areas.

Which may be: numbers, cards, names & faces, formulas, how to hold speeches without cue-cards.  

Or even some nonsense stuff. One of my favourite pieces is this: Tell me a date and I tell you which day of the week it was; any day between 1st Jan 1600 and 31st Dec 2099. Quite impressive at parties, though very little practical value.

Or how to remember binary numbers. No practical value, but a nice show-case of what is possible.  

Anything missing? Let me know.  


10. Are there any other ideas to improve learning in general?

Yes, there are. Go to Study Skills. (CLICK HERE) Loads of ideas there. Some may be even very surprising for you.

And it includes a sub-chapter on Creativity. (CLICK HERE) Well worth reading.    


That’s it for the moment.

10 questions and 10 answers.

Wishing you success on your journey, may you build confidence besides a good memory.

God bless.  


Joe Thornton          



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