Being able to quickly remember new words and their correct meaning is a powerful skill to develop.

For those of you who may have only joined my blog recently, I am memorizing a dictionary. Command of words is important to me and as someone who loves learning but is dyslexic, it’s an area I’d like to grow in. It is also natural as we age to find it harder to recall the right word. Thankfully this is something we can work on.

I hate the feeling of not having the right word at my disposal to accurately explain what I’m trying to convey. It also frustrates me when I read or hear something and I know I’ve missed the full meaning because there are words I don’t know. And learning language has a snowball effect – the more you learn, the easier it is to learn the next thing.

So, as a memory coach how do I go about remembering new words?

By following these 3 steps. As you’ll see in the example below these steps are not rigid but included here in full for completeness.

Step 1: Look up the word, write it out, think about it

Make sure you understand what the definition means. Check that you understand the full meaning of all the words used in the definition. You may like to look up the etymology or origin of the word.

Think about the intention of your learning

Do you want to be able to use it in speech? If so make sure you look up how to pronounce it if unsure. Do you need to be able to spell it? Take note of any tricky parts and notice that your memorization focus may need to be here. Do you need to know the definition word-for-word, or just have the general idea of it?

Make the definition succinct

If you don’t need to memorize the definition word-for-word then see if you can write out a shorter meaning to memorize.

Step 2: Memorize the word and its definition using mnemonics

There’s an example coming up after step 3 to explain this in more detail.

Here you are aiming to join together an image for the word and another image (or story) for the meaning. Ideally the mnemonic you create also has relevance to the actual word and meaning.

Difficulty with spelling or how it sounds

If it is a word that is difficult to spell or pronounce and you want to focus on that, then add information to the above mnemonic to assist (also see example).

Ideally don’t over complicate these images/story. There will be some spaced repetition and sometimes it is better to just have a simple hook.

Say the word and definition out a few times while looking at the story in your head.

Step 3: Practice spaced repetition, to ensure long term learning

Mnemonics are great for memorizing information faster in the short term. It is an efficient way to create new links and associations that lead to greater success in long term learning. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need to go back over new information to ensure it sticks around.

So what can you do with all the new words you have memorised to make sure you keep them in the longer run?

My favorite way to deal with this is to use a flashcard program that tells me what I need to review and when

Anki is a fantastic tool. You can have it on your PC as a web version or a PC application, and also as an app on your phone. And all your accounts sync.

I will soon complete a more in-depth blog and video on using Anki, but in short – you add a new word into a ‘deck’ of ‘flashcards’.  One ‘card’ for each word and its definition. For words, you name the deck something ingenious like “New words”. I have decks for all sorts of information I have learned.

Then the word on the front of the card is shown and you try to remember the definition. Tap the card to flip it over to the other side to see the definition, then select how easily the answer came to you. Based on your response Anki sets the card due to be shown to you again at an appropriate time interval. When a card is new, it could be shown again later that day but if it is easy for you or an older card it may not be shown again for a few days, weeks or months.

The nice thing about Anki is that you know you won’t lose your hard-earned learning. You don’t need to stress that you will forget something you already learned, and worry about when you should optimally go back over it. An app backed by learning science has your back (pardon the pun).

Most days I check my Anki app on my phone to see what is due for review and run through everything it shows me. It only takes a couple of minutes a day, or longer if I’ve just added lots of new learning.

Ok, Let’s take an example

Yesterday I came across the word putative.

Step 1

Definition of Putative :  commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed.

Here is my thought processing as I look up the definition of putative. Note that everyone will come up with different stories, unique to their own past associations.

For simplicity in this blog I will remember the general idea of the meaning rather than the word-for-word definition. Note that word-for-word memorizing uses the same technique but has more images and a longer story.

I think I understand what the definition means and how to use it in context. I’m not sure how to say it but looking it up find out it is pyoo·tuh·tiv.

Step 2

The pronunciation of pyoo instantly reminds me of either the metal pewter or the Warner Bros cartoon character of the skunk Pepé Le Pew.

Thinking about the images that pop to mind, and in context to the meaning I choose Pepé le pew as a story begins to grow in my mind. I see the skunk character and I note that he is commonly regarded as smelling (being a skunk).

In my mind I grow out this image/story to see this as me leaning into Pepé and sniffing and then nodding and confirming to some group that just as it is reputed, supposed or commonly regarded, Pepé does indeed smell.

Ok, what about the sounds tuh and tiv, and the spelling? The tuh and tiv I know will come with a bit of spaced repetition. If I find it doesn’t then in a couple of days I will “edit” my image story to help. This is best done later as often it is not needed, and even when needed it is easier to add after the word is “nearly learnt”. Adding too many images at once can make things confusing.

To remember the spelling of the word, spaced repetition will help here too. Because of my dyslexia I will add a spelling focus to the image as well. For this I first try to anticipate what part I am likely to get wrong. I think it will be the putative part (not spelt pew). I go on to slightly adjust the image story I have made to see pepe le pew standing on putty. The story has the same ending – I lean in and nod and as is supposed Pepé does smell.

Now I just look away from the word and its definition and try to say it out loud a few times (while viewing the image and story in my head for reference). I also spell it out. Don’t worry if this still feels a bit wobbly.

Step 3

Add the world and definition into the Anki flashcard program and don’t worry about it further. As long as you review what Anki prompts each day, you’ve got this.

On the front of the Anki “card” is the prompt – the word putative. On the back of the card is the prompt and the answer –  putative (pronounced pyoo·tuh·tiv): commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed

Tomorrow when Anki shows me this new word card, it offers just see the front. From the word putative, I try to recall the image and story to get the definition.  When I then show then answer, I select if remembering it was hard, good or easy, which the Anki algorithm uses to decide how soon I need to see this word again.

And that’s it.

How many words can a person remember like this?

It is possible to remember hundreds of new words quickly like this (or even a dictionary over time). Like all things, you will get better and quicker at is as you practice.

My YouTube video Remember new words has more details and 4 further examples. You might also like Learn SAT words Fast. Should you want to dive into a memory course to help with words my Master Your Memory one is best.

As a memory coach I notice that students are often held back by an inability to focus effectively.

Focus and memory training go hand in hand. Memory training can help you learn to get focus just as improved focus helps with your ability to remember.

First, why might you suffer from a lack of focus?

There are lots of reasons you may not feel focused or switched on.

Life can throw the unexpected at you, or you are still thinking about something else. Perhaps a colleague or superior lists off some important information you will need to recall later, but you were finishing an email and so could not switch your attention.

Other times we are distracted. Maybe you are worried about a presentation you are about to give so you don’t even properly hear the names of the 3 people you were just introduced to (even though you wanted to connect with them later).

Often, it’s just something as regular as hormones, a period with poor diet or inactivity, ADHD, or even just a few nights of bad sleep.

Recently I have returned from holiday.  I know that until I get back into regular memory training, say a few times a week, my focus, thoughts and recall will feel sluggish.

A lack of focus can be from of a lack of confidence

Let’s say you just started a new job and as you are getting trained you feel so worried about doing well (while suffering from first day nerves) that you can’t focus on what you are being taught.

Before I discovered memory sports, this was definitely me.

Whatever the case for you, memory training can help not only improve your memory when you are switched on, but it can also help you learn to switch your focus back to on, when its off.

The confidence you gain as your memory and focus improve creates a snowball effect where both improve further.

Using memory techniques to learn something

Mnemonic techniques are fantastic for study, or to learn for a certain goal. They can speed up how quickly you remember something along with far better retention than rote learning.

Using memory techniques for regular focus and memory training

The most beneficial form of memory training for working on your focus and improving your speed of any future learning is by regularly doing timed memory training.

This is why I like all my students to do some regular training outside of their current learning goals.

Regular speed training is like going to the gym but for your brain. You do it because your memory and ability to focus gets stronger over time. Just like the gym, its not always fun. But to get the results you want it’s what needs to be done.

For my memory coaching students we look at what type of focus and speed of recall they need in their life and then ensure they are getting the right training.

Most students start with 60 second intervals using the specific memory skills that athletes use in different disciplines. For example. how many names and faces you can remember in 60 seconds. Over time we work to improve the speed. This training develops the ability to block out distractions and just focus on the task at hand.

Depending on the individual, we may then work towards a memory “marathon” and build up longer periods of memorization and focus. For example building up from memorizing 60 numbers in 60 seconds to being able to exactly recall  200 or more numbers in 15 minutes. Some even end up doing 1 hour number marathons!

Any start in memory training is good

Don’t let the sound of a number marathon put you off, just like with the exercise analogy. You don’t need to be able to run a marathon to improve your fitness. Just ‘get down to the gym’ and start any regular timed memory training.

A good place to train for minimal cost is on a site called Memory League, or you can train for free on the official International Association of Memory site. I’ll be writing a blog soon outlining where to start and how much you should do.

Want to get good at memorising quickly? Take a look at my step by step Master Your Memory course. If you need a bit more guidance Master Your Memory Plus includes one on one memory coaching.

If you are like many people, you probably don’t remember many phone numbers.

I mean, why do we need to anymore? In a convenient world with smartphones and the internet it can feel like there is no need to memorise anything.

However, there are good reasons. One is memory health (see this blog). Another is when our convenience fails us, like a flat battery, or a lost or broken device.

In moments like these, where you’re caught without your phone in a sticky situation, a Telstra payphone could be your much-needed lifeline. In Australia, Telstra, is our largest telecommunications provider and operates a network of over 14,000 payphones across the country. The best part, these community payphones are completely free for all national calls to both mobiles and standard landlines (plus over 3,300 of them also offer free Wi-Fi access!), so you don’t need any change or phone cards to use them.

But to use them without your mobile phone’s stored contacts…

You need to be able to remember a phone number!

This is where memory techniques can help.

I’ve teamed up with Telstra to create a simple hack to help get Aussies remembering phone numbers again. Our aim is to encourage the nation to rediscover the value of remembering important phone numbers.

You can learn the Chop, Swap and Don’t Stop memory hack on the Telstra Blog and how to video.

Want to get good at memorising quickly? Take a look at my step by step Master Your Memory course. If you need a bit more guidance Master Your Memory Plus includes one on one memory coaching.

Ace your exams

When it comes to preparing for exams, a memory palace can be your best friend. They serve as mental filing systems, aiding in information retention and help your brain organise your learning.

This blog is aimed at an intermediate level, so if you yet haven’t heard of memory palaces, check out this quick blog and video first.

Why memory palaces are an essential tool for your exams

In its basic form a memory palace is a mental construct where you “store” information in sequential locations in an imaginary place.

It is a particularly useful technique when you need to remember a sequence of items, but here are a heap of reasons to use them as well.

1.Memorise information in order

When you use a memory palace you are naturally remembering the information in an order. Make sure you take advantage of this! If you are ever memorising information, question before you begin if it would help to order the information differently. It might be you can order the information from date, size, etc. Taking this time at the start will maximise your learning.

2.Memory Palaces ensure a complete answer

Memory palaces do more than sort information in order – they are excellent tools to ensure you don’t miss any crucial details, even when order isn’t important.

Example: Remembering famous scientists and their contributions

Imagine your exam question is to provide details about various famous scientists and their contributions. You rely on your memory palace to retrieve the information. Each room in your home has a different scientist and their contributions. As you write your exam you may feel you have not covered every example from class. Simply walk around (mentally) each room in your childhood home, following the path you used inside each room. If for example you notice something missing from the room of Albert Einstein, it will prompt you to review your answer and include the missing fact for full marks.

Had this information not been placed in a memory palace you may well have left the exam with a niggling feeling you had missed some details.

Remember, the quality of your exam answers are only as good as the information you have memorised. So take the time at the start to make sure what you are memorising is what you need to know. Once you really know how to use memory palaces this preparation is actually the most important step. And, while we are at it – even if the exam doesn’t need it – you could add ‘free’ information by ordering the scientists by year : )

3.Improved understanding of related topics

Memory palaces can be used to link related topics or concepts. This approach helps you visualize relationships between different pieces of information, making it easier to understand and recall how they fit together.

Think of it as like a mind map. For example, you may have a memory palace with rooms of famous scientists and their contributions. In another separate palace you have rooms full of in-depth information about the theory of relativity. While creating the Albert Einstein room in the first palace a visual image code was added to recall his development of the theory of relativity. If you use this same image ‘code’ in the second theory of relativity palace, your recall will be likely to effortlessly connect this to the roomful of information about Albert Einstein. These added associations help strengthen the understanding of connections and deepen the recall.

For a massive project (such as studying for a legal bar exam) you can have a whole memory city, not just a palace. Do some city planning before you begin. Here you have Tort Law Terrace and there is Family Law Lane 😊.

4.Reduce study time and therefore improved understanding

Like all effective mnemonic techniques, memory palaces can massively reduce the time spent on traditional rote learning and reviewing, in particular during initial memorisation. They work because people are generally good at remembering places they have been and pathways they have taken. Recall is enriched by scaffolding new information onto some location that is well known. This saves a lot of time, allow time for deeper comprehension and applying problem-solving to the material.

5.Convenient study material

This one is actually a biggie for me. Stuck somewhere boring without your study materials? (ie like in a dentist’s chair). This used to drive me nuts and feel like a waste of time. But it is easy to pull out the palace you need to review in your mind and get going. If you have any blanks, look them up when you get home.

6.Reduced anxiety and stress

This is also a biggie for me! The confidence that comes with knowing you’ve effectively memorised your study material can significantly reduce exam anxiety and stress. Memory palaces provide a systematic study approach that boosts self-assurance.

7.Long-term retention

The information stored in a memory palace can be retained for an extended period. This is especially helpful for exams covering a broad range of material, such as final exams or standardised tests. This technique aids in long-term memory retention beyond the immediate exam. You will still need spaced reviews of the palace contents to cement it as long-term learning.

8.Quickly differentiate information that’s otherwise hard to recall

Using different palaces to represent groupings can be very useful. This is best explained with a language example. Select any language with grammatical gender – masculine or feminine. Looking for which particle to use for a particular vegetable? If it is a masculine vegetable, you could place the foreign word (when first learned) in your brother’s kitchen. If it is a feminine particle, you will find it at your sister’s place in her kitchen.

9.Adaptability and use of a range of learning styles

Memory palaces are versatile and can be adapted to suit various learning styles, catering to both visual and spatial learners. Whether you’re a visual thinker or someone who benefits from tactile memory, memory palaces can be tailored to your preferences. You can store objects, actions, any of your senses, or even feelings to represent the information you are learning.

10.Active engagement with material

Creating and navigating a memory palace is an active and engaging process that requires focused attention. This hands-on approach encourages active learning, which is more effective than passive reading or highlighting. The fact that it is fun also helps to keep up the memorising mojo.

11.Improved exam strategy

Memory palaces can provide a strategic advantage by helping you to structure your exam responses. By mentally walking through your palace with its ordered information, you ensure you include all the necessary details in your answers. If you have spent time thinking and organising your information before memorisation it will lead to a more comprehensive and organised response than you could provide normally under time pressure.

Exploring Memory Palaces Further

Ok, so clearly I am a fan of the memory palace. I hope that you become one too. Read more about them here and here, and watch this video. And practice, practice.

If you are not sure how to use one for your learning situation, I’d love to hear from you!

Want to get good at memorising quickly? Take a look at my step by step Master Your Memory course. If you need a bit more guidance Master Your Memory Plus includes one on one memory coaching.