The Magnetic Memory Method Podcast

It's a popular perception among many people that listening to binaural beats has a special effect on the brain. They think binaural beats can help you follow a diet or stop smoking. Or they think these sounds can amp you up for a competition or calm you down, or even improve memory recall, focus and concentration. The question is… Doesn't listening to any type of relaxing music have a similar effect? Possibly. In this post, we'll find out if listening to specific frequencies can have a better impact on your mental prowess than listening to Mozart for Pink Floyd! What Are Binaural Beats? The word binaural means "having or relating to two ears." The process works by sending a slightly different sound frequency to each ear. This has to be done simultaneously and through earphones or headphones. When two different pure tones are presented separately but simultaneously to each ear of a listener, the listener hears the illusion of a third tone. This third does "appears" in addition to the two pure-tones presented to each ear. And it is this third tone that is called a binaural beat. Let's break this down:When you play a 350 Hertz (Hz) tone in the left ear and a 360 Hertz tone in the right, it yields a beat with a frequency of 10 Hertz. This third beat is the binaural beat. The brain then uses a process known as 'frequency following response' to follow along at the new frequency (10 Hz). This process produces brainwaves at that rate of Hertz. However, this outcome (apparently) occurs only if the the difference matches the alpha frequency range that lies between 7-11 Hz. Music or white noise embedded with binaural beats is very often used along with different meditation techniques and positive affirmations to gain varying results. In the memory training and memory improvement world, some claim you will experience results ranging from improvement in recall, concentration, focus, creativity and alertness. There is more: Listening to these beats is also said to provide relaxation, stress reduction, pain management, and improved sleep quality. Who Heard Them First? A Brief History of Binaural Beats Binaural beats were first described in 1839 by Prussian scientist H.W. Dove. However, it was Gerald Oster's article in Scientific American in 1973 that brought this process to modern attention. According to Oster, the tones needed to produce binaural beats had to be relatively low-frequency and the beats themselves were in the range of one to 30 hertz. This is the range the human brainwave frequencies fall in. What to know the real story? Humans have the ability to "hear" binaural beats as a result of evolutionary adaptation. "Many evolved species can detect binaural beats because of their brain structure. The frequencies at which binaural beats can be detected change depending upon the size of the species' cranium. In the human, binaural beats can be detected when carrier waves are below approximately 1000 Hz." (Oster, 1973) The Binaural Process In Real Music Of course, binaural beats in terms of therapy is quite different than the binaural process found in music. This process was apparently invented by Manfred Shunke who used models of the human head created with the help of computer design software. As music historian Rob Bowman wrote in the notes for Lou Reed's Between Thought and Expression:"The detail was as precise as possible down to the size, shape, and bone structure of the ear and ear canal. Microphones were then designed to fit each ear so, theoretically, what they recorded would be exactly what a human sitting in the position the head was placed would actually hear." Binaural Beats To Manage Pain:Why The Truth Matters For Your Memory Chronic pain impacts between 10-50% of the adult population, while costing U.S. businesses over $61 billion annually. The neuromatrix theory suggests that the brain's inability to return to a state of equilibrium is at the crux of chronic pain (Melzack, 2001; Melzack, 2005). Binaural beats has been effective in synchronizing brain waves, also known as entrainment, with an external stimulus (Kennel, Taylor Lyon, & Bourguignon, 2010), and has been associated with a number of positive psychological outcomes (David, Katz, & Naftali, 2010; Lane, Kasian, Owens, & Marsh, 1998). Research shows that an external audio protocol of theta-binaural beats is effective at reducing perceived change in pain severity. How does this affect your memory? The answer is simple: Pain free people pay better attention to their surroundings. Freedom from pain means that your levels of focus and concentration are automatically better than when impacted by ongoing or recurrent pain. Being pain free is especially important for learning, something that requires high levels of concentration. Kind of like crossword puzzles require high levels of concentration (not that there is much evidence they will improve your memory). Speaking of which: Do Gamma Brain Waves Improve Memory & Concentration? The highest frequency brain waves are apparently called gamma waves. These waves can have a frequency of anywhere between 25 and 100 Hz. People whose brains produce more gamma waves are said to have greater ability to concentrate, focus and experience higher levels of cognition. A recent study by Jirakittayakorn and Wongsawat tried to find whether "modulation of the brain activity can lead to manipulation of cognitive functions. The stimulus used in this study was 40-Hz binaural beat because binaural beat induces frequency following response." According to the study, listening to 40-Hz binaural beat for 20 minutes enhanced working memory function evaluated by word list recall task. Does that mean we can change our brainwave patterns by listening to specific sounds? Maybe… But also maybe not! A research project by Richard Davidson, a neuroscientist, found that the brainwaves of trained monks who regularly engaged in meditation produced powerful Gamma waves. Whereas the control group – with non-meditating volunteers – had little to no gamma brain waves. What does this fact imply? One way to improve concentration is to go Buddha style and practice long-term or short-term meditation. Within a week of consistent meditation, you can start to experience improved concentration. So long as you're not letting binaural beats combined with smartphone addiction get in the way. Meditation can be used to remember something because better concentration has a direct link to improved memory. But Can Binaural Beats Help Memory? Not in theory or practice according to a research article by David Siever in 2009 called Entraining Tones and Binaural Beats. But before we go any further, the actual claims are important to look at. So let's take a step back and try understand how binaural beats work. The proponents of binaural beats claim that it induces brainwave "entrainment." This entrainment supposedly influences and drives brainwave activity to a more desired mental state. More specifically, entrainment is a "synchronization of two or more rhythmic cycles" and the process of brainwave entrainment relies on the natural phenomena of synchronization. Think of it like this: When you strike a tuning fork and then place another one next to it, the second tuning fork automatically starts to vibrate at the same frequency. This is a natural synchronization. Pendulum clocks, metronomes, fireflies are few other examples of natural synchronization. However, Siever states that entrainment occurs only when a constant and repetitive sound of sufficient strength to "excite" the thalamus is present. Siever also noted that binaural beats are not very noticeable because the modulation depth (the difference between loud and quiet) is very small at just 3db, a 2 to 1 ratio. Here's a longer quote: "This means that binaural beats are unlikely to produce any significant entrainment because they don't activate the thalamus. But they do have some hypnotic and relaxing effect by way of dissociation (as does white noise and music). This outcome may be, in part, due to the Ganzfeld effect. The Ganzfeld effect is the process where the mind quietens as a result of having a monotonous sensory input. A natural example of the Ganzfeld effect may be experienced while sitting in a large field in the country while staring into the wide, blue sky. While sitting there, imagine listening to the white noise from the fluttering of leaves on the trees – away from the noise and other stimulation of urban life. In other words, thanks to the Ganzfeld effect, binaural beats, through passive means, may help a person relax. If, in theory binaural beats do not produce entrainment, do they produce entrainment and drive brainwaves in reality? The simple answer is NO!" It's not just Siever! In another study, Gerald Oster used an EEG oscilloscope to conclude that binaural beats produce very small evoked potentials within the auditory cortex of the brain. What does this? It means that binaural beats are of little benefit in producing AE or auditory entrainment. (Oster, G. (1973). Auditory beats in the brain. Scientific American) Researcher Dale S. Foster also found that binaural beats in the alpha frequency produced no more alpha brainwaves than listening to a surf sound. Here's Foster's conclusion: "The analysis of variance of the data revealed that there were no significant differences in alpha production either within sessions across conditions or across sessions. Although alpha production was observed to increase in the binaural-beats condition early in some sessions, a tendency was observed for the subjects to move through alpha into desynchronized theta, indicating light sleep. Subjective reports of "dozing off" corroborated these observations. These periods of light sleep — almost devoid of alpha — affected the average alpha ratios." A More Effective Way To Gain Mental Prowess The beauty of the human brains is that it needs a goal to improve. Your memory improvement training should always be linked to memorizing information that will immediately improve your life. 4x Australian memory champion Tansel Ali agrees. Moreover, the memory improvement activities should always be measurable since tracking your outcomes leads to rapid improvement. This is where the secret method of building Memory Palaces the Magnetic Memory Method way comes into play. Using this Method, you not only get to remember the information faster, but also get predictable and reliable permanence that grows in strength each time. Even better: All other memory techniques including listening to binaural beats can be used inside of Memory Palaces. But this never takes place the other way around (For example, you can't use Memory Palaces inside of the Major Method the way you can use the Major Method inside of Memory Palaces.) If you are looking for a complete brain workout try this brain fitness method… You can also see more Unconventional Techniques Guaranteed To Help You Conjure Your Best-Ever Ideas. The Ultimate Memory Improvement Beats? Listen to Music That Inspires! Use sound beats or music as a means of relaxation, rejuvenation or inspiration. When you feel relaxed and inspired you can create effective Magnetic Imagery that will enable you to build better Memory Palaces to improve recall, retention and memory. Now is that music to your ears, or what? The post Binaural Beats And Memory: Can This Crazy Music Make You Smarter? appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

This guest post on effective brain training exercises for mental illness sufferers comes from Alex Moore. Take it away, Alex! Would you like some brain training exercises to keep you sharp and on top of your game all the time? I hope the answer is a resounding, "Yes!" Here's why: Conditions such as mental illness and aging contribute to mental decay. All the more so if you're already suffering from mental illness, not to mention the medicinal side effects of psychiatric medicine. These medicines, even when useful, can cause your memory a lot of harm. Here's the good news: Losing control over your cognitive functions can be hard, but it doesn't need to happen. There is a way to avoid cognitive decline, and all it involves is training your mind. In this post, you'll learn everything you need to know about brain training exercises to help keep your memory healthy. All About Brain Training Although many people believe that brain training is a modern invention, it actually has a rich history. To take one example, check out the brain training exercises admired by the Edwardians nearly 100 years ago. In fact, mnemonic systems were all the rage in 19th century Great Britain. Famous author Mark Twain even had one called "The Memory Builder". Then there's Pelmanism. Like the brain exercise training favored by the Edwardians, Pelmanism is a product of Great Britain, and became very popular during the first half of the 20th century. Get this: More than 500,000 people reportedly used it, and one of them was the Prime Minister of the country himself! Why was it so popular? First, the system revolutionized brain training because it targeted the same mental functions we focus on optimizing to this day: Attention Concentration Creativity The Pelman Scientific Mind Training Program focused on each of these to help people exercise their minds. Participants were mailed monthly booklets with games and exercises designed specifically to stimulate one or more of these functions. All of which goes to show that brain training isn't new. And of course, Anthony is always coming up with different brain exercises you can explore. Check these out: Even better: We have even more scientific evidence than ever to guide us these days. Modern neuroscience has managed to prove beyond any shred of doubt that our brains are in fact malleable like plastic. In fact, we all have to ability to modify the structure and functions of our brains. Of course, a lot depends on the internal and external factors of our lives, such as other bodily processes or environmental changes. But overall, every single person can intervene and create a better mental life. Sadly, though, cognitive decline is becoming increasingly common past the age of 30. One reason is that people don't understand the difference between memory loss and forgetfulness. Nevertheless, slowing down the aging of our brain through training is a prospect that fills us with hope. And research shows that it's completely achievable. However, if having a sharper memory is something you aim for, you need to know right now that it takes work. In order to remain in a constant state of connectedness regardless of whether you're 30, 50 or 80 years old, you need to push your mind to learn something new each day. There is nothing more stimulating for your synapses than being put at work. In turn, this leads to tangible improvement in more than one aspect. For example, according to Dr. Jee Hyun Kim of the Florey Institute, focus diminishes with age. Due to this deterioration of focus, stimulating your attention regularly can be crucial. By activating the frontal cortex and the hippocampus, you are not working only on this function, but on your memory and thought as well. How Brain Training Can Increase Focus And Attention There are many ways to achieve better focus and attention. One possibility lies in a simple, yet intellectually stimulating mobile app. Similarly, reading new books, especially with a re-reading strategy, or solving math and logic problems puts all the areas of your brain to work and boosts cognition in the process. Then there's meditation. You can do a walking meditation or sit just to sit Buddha-style for improved memory and concentration. And recent studies that will be discussed shortly suggest that it might even help treat mental illness. Treating Mental Illness With Brain Training Exercises Let me give you some context: I have spent the last couple of years researching alternative treatments for mental conditions that affect memory and cognition. Why did I choose this path? Well, three years ago, someone I care about deeply was diagnosed with schizophrenia. I have spent all my days since trying to educate myself on the topic as much as possible. In my journey, I have found that many specialists believe that brain training can help prevent degenerative neural diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer's. And that's not all. In fact, such practices can help with instances of mental illness as well. This comes as great news for the vast community of patients struggling with such afflictions. Recent medical science-related endeavors back up this seemingly bold claim. A study conducted at McLean hospital in 2017 has uncovered the potentially beneficial results of brain training in the treatment of mental illness, namely bipolar disorder in particular. The lead scientist was Eve Lewandowski, Ph.D., an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and developer of McLean's bipolar disorder and schizophrenia programs. According toLewandowski, BPD affects the memory, processing speed and executive function of most of the patients who suffer from it. This impacts their daily existence and overall quality of life quite negatively. Therefore, working on improving cognitive dysfunctions is crucial for symptom relief in this case. And what better way to achieve that than through brain training? Lewandowski's research found that the participants who used techniques pertaining to this area exhibited visible betterment that was maintained for at least six months afterward, if not more. She got the idea after noticing how effective this approach was in keeping the symptoms of even more serious conditions such as schizophrenia under wraps. People going through the four stages of schizophrenia have exhibited visible improvement in their symptoms after cognitive therapy. In fact, previous trials conducted under the supervision of professor Barbara Sahakian of the Department of Psychiatry at Cambridge have shown that something as simple as playing brain-stimulating mobile games improves cognition among schizophrenia patients. And it helps in areas where drugs have previously failed, which is even more important to keep in mind. Just imagine how beneficial the effects could be if this would be tried in the long run. Lewandowski and her colleagues support the importance of acknowledging brain training as a viable treatment for mental illness. Modern psychiatry should recognize its merits and integrate it into the roster of available therapies. But until that happens, you can also try doing at home. To tap into the healing properties of this approach, you don't need to download a mobile app or buy fancy books and puzzles to keep your mind sharp. There are plenty of mental techniques that you can try at home and see how they work out for you. Here are the best three. The Best Brain Exercise Techniques 1. Memory Palace If you're looking to train your memory specifically, Anthony Metivier's approach to the 'Memory Palace' technique is one of the best to get the job done. Famous historical and fictional figures alike, such as Hannibal Lecter from the renowned Silence of the Lambs book and film series are perfect examples of how this works. Association is the key to creating your own memory palace to walk around in whenever you need to retrieve certain pieces of information. When these have been assimilated long ago, you need to correlate each of them with a specific part of a location. A good starting point is your own house because it is familiar territory. For best results, draw out the floorplan of your first Memory Palace by hand. Like this: But before you start drawing, walk around your house first. Then, once your'e done, assign various memories to various rooms. To take it one step further, do the same thing but using objects within the same space. Fill your memory palace with everything you think is worth remembering, but make sure that you build a strong mental route in the process. When the time to remember he information comes, simply retrace your steps along that path. It will take some getting used to, and you will surely fumble at first. Nobody is born an expert, and when you're dealing with cognition-impairing mental illness, it might be even harder. But practice makes perfect, and it keeps your mind sharp too. Of course, things might not be as simple or straightforward. Sometimes, direct associations simply aren't possible. This is where your imagination and the ability to create allegories comes in. For example, let's imagine you want to remember something that has to do with a dandelion, a hose, and a Calico cat. You are standing in your living room and there is a dandelion on the table. You go up the stairs, towards your bedroom. A hose is hanging on the door. You enter, and the most adorable Calico cat is sleeping on your bed, purring. You have now memorized this sequence by simply making associations between its elements and actual, palpable places in your house. 2. Mind Mapping The concept of mind mapping is a slightly similar one, but it is far more schematic and two-dimensional. In fact, it consists of a visual outline that starts with one core concept and then branches out into information that relates to it. Some people prefer to do this on paper because they find it stimulates their assimilation of the notions even better. Such a diagram can represent anything, from words and concepts to more specialized information such as tasks that need accomplishing. And if you're not a fan of writing it all out, you'll be happy to find out that it can be used in combination with the Memory Palace technique. The two have a very strong meeting point between them. In fact, you can listen to Phil Chambers discuss using mind maps and Memory Palaces together. [smart_track_player url="https://traffic.libsyn.com/magneticmemorymethod/How_To_Combine_Mindmapping_And_Memory_Palaces_With_Phil_Chambers.mp3″ social_linkedin="true" ] Chambers, a world mind mapping expert, mind maps serve even more complex purposes. A mind map follows all the principles of memory, but it also helps you think. But memory palaces are better for actually remembering information, while mind maps are more suitable for processing and understanding it. The two are sometimes useless when not together. For this reason, finding a middle ground that includes mind maps into your memory palace can be a great way to stay sharp and on top of your game. Furthermore, together they stimulate more essential areas of the brain, thus preventing premature decay. 3. Dominic System The Dominic mnemonic system is one of the most famous brain training techniques in the world. It was designed by famous British mnemonist Dominic O'Brien, who also happens to be an eight-time World Memory champion. Most brain athletes use it nowadays to memorize long strings of digits for competitions. So, why is it so effective? Just like the Major system associates numbers with sounds, the Dominic system notoriously does a similar thing by assigning them the initials of a person's name. It's a highly effective person-action system that can be combined with the memory palace technique, thus creating the Hotel Dominic, as many experts lovingly call it. But O'Brien's contribution to the world of brain training doesn't stop here. He also famously established that the strategical recalling of information following a five-step pattern is the best way to cement said information in your brain. This should happen in the following order: • The first review takes place immediately; • The second review follows it 24 hours later; • The third review then happens one week later; • One month later comes the fourth review; • And finally, the fifth review occurs a total of three months later. Thus, in the span of roughly four to five months, you will be able to remember anything. By sticking to this routine, you will be able to fight the cognitive decay that many mental illnesses bring, too. When your schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are playing tricks on your mind, relying on a strict pattern to memorize relevant information can be a true lifesaver. Final Thoughts To sum up, it must be noted that medical science is just now starting to look more into the beneficial effects of brain training. Cognitive dysfunction can be caused by many things. These range from something as naturally occurring as old age to more complex issues such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Fortunately, practicing one or more of the three techniques discussed above can be beneficial. It is something that can help you refocus and even excel when it comes to memory and thought patterns. As a short recap, these are: • The Memory Palace. This famous approach is based on making associations between physical locations and various pieces of information. The best way to build the memory palace is by correlating them with specific spots around your home. The familiarity of the territory is prolific for this purpose. • Mind mapping. It consists of a series of diagrams that represent two-dimensional connections between concepts. Creating mental maps works best when used in combination with the memory palace. This activates more areas of the brain than the two would alone, thus preventing decay and enhancing performance. • The Dominic system. Focused on numbers, the Dominic system heavily relies on the connection between these and letters. These usually are the initials of someone's name. When used together with the memory palace technique, it is known as the Hotel Dominic. As it has been established, the three techniques are equally efficient standalone as they are when combined. In order to choose what suits your needs, you will need to try them. Presentations and explanations can only do so much. Nevertheless, having this knowledge is essential for the future. If you or someone you love, as it happened in my case, are slipping down the slope of mental illness, take action now. Explore the possibilities given by brain training and build a better tomorrow. About Alex Moore Alex is a Psychology undergraduate who strives to discover the intricacies of the minds of the mentally ill, with the ultimate goal of helping them and those around them. When he's not writing about the efficiency of memory improvement techniques, you'll find him contributing to www.schizlife.com. The post 3 Effective Brain Training Exercises for Mental Illness Sufferers appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

Are you a polyglot? No, I don't mean a ghost that walks around the attic making loud noises and moving objects. That's a poltergeist! A polyglot, on the other hand, is a more tame individual who is fluent in several languages. Then there are the hyperpolyglots – those who actively learn and master six or more languages, like Emil Krebs, a 19th-century German diplomat who had mastered around 65 languages by the time of his death. While only 1 percent of people are polyglots; more than half of the world's population is bilingual (those who speak fluently in two languages). Being bilingual (or multilingual) is said to enhance your better problem-solving abilities, and improve your concentration and focus. These are valuable resources in everyone's life! And reason enough to start learning a new language. If you are geared to pick up a new language or just want to get better in your mother tongue, use these five amazing hacks: And while you practice your German or French, ask yourself this: Will Being Bilingual Help You Get a Healthier Brain? Seriously: There is a ton of research backing claims that being fluent in more than one language is good for your brain. More importantly: Unlike other areas of science and memory, few articles evoke grave doubts on the advantages of being bilingual. That said… A 2015 article in the New Yorker by Maria Konnikova "Is Bilingualism Really an Advantage?" makes an interesting point: Konnikova says the bilingual advantage seems to have more of a protective effect on the aging brain than it does anything to enhance executive-control functions of healthy individuals. While the Konnikova's arguments are persuasive, I am sure of one thing: When you learn a new language and use new words and grammar rules, multiple areas of your brain work together. This is a great long-term workout for your brain. And since your brain is a muscle, it needs regular workouts to remain strong, supple and stable! The Inside Story: Why Bilingualism Is Not Just About Speaking Two (Or More) Languages Contrary to general perception, bilingualism is not just about the ability to speak two languages fluently. There are a lot of little nitty-gritty aspects involved. For instance: You could be a "simultaneous bilingual" who learns two languages from birth. Or, you could be an "early sequential bilingual." What the heck do those terms mean? "Early sequential bilingual" is a fancy term for those kids who speak one language at home but learn to speak the community language at school. There is also the "late sequential bilingual" – someone who grew up with one language and then moved to a country that speaks another. Why are these terms important? The differences in how and when you learned your second language often leads to different levels of proficiency and fluency. This, in turn, affects your level of being bilingual. For instance, if you were fluent in French (along with English) in high school but have been using only English ever since, your bilingualism and its related advantages may have deteriorated. In fact, according to a study, simultaneous bilinguals and early sequential bilinguals show different levels of behavioral performance in a lexical representation task that measures how quickly you can classify a stimulus as words or nonwords. (Sebastián-Gallés, Echeverría & Bosch, 2005) Remember this: The more articulate you are in a language, and the more fluently you use both your languages in your daily life, the more bilingual you will be. "You have to use both languages all the time. You won't get the bilingual benefit from occasional use." This quote is by the cognitive neuroscientist, Ellen Bialystok who has spent almost 40 years learning about how bilingualism sharpens the mind. A recent study by Yeh-Zu Tzou shows how working memory is important but language proficiency in the native language (L1) and second language (L2) assumes a more critical role in a person's ability to process and store information simultaneously. Another study shows bilingualism is not a categorical variable (that is you are either bilingual or not) but rather the "bilingual experience is composed of multiple related dimensions that will need to be considered in assessments of the consequences of bilingualism." The Trouble With Knowing Two Languages: Each Fight For Supreme Control As a bilingual, when you use one language, the other is also active at the same time. This creates a persistent linguistic competition which can result in language difficulties. For instance, bilinguals are known to be prone to the tip-of-the-tongue syndrome where you can remember specific details about a word but cannot conjure the word fully. Some mnemonists and memory champions also term it as "ghosting." I refer to it as "Magnetic fossilization." Either way, if you have ever been in a position where someone's name is right on the tip of your tongue but you can't get your brain to say it out loud, remember that the word is competition with some other information or similar sounding words in your brain. But there is good news: The bilingual brain relies on control mechanisms such as attention and inhibition, every time she or he speaks or listens to maintain the balance between the competing languages. Due to this constant practice, these control mechanisms are strengthened with changes occurring in the associated brain regions. Could there be other benefits to this constant brain workout? Bilingualism And Its Connection With a Better Brain As I said earlier, being bilingual is a constant brain exercise. Regularly juggling two languages gives the brain better abilities to filter out unnecessary information which helps in improved focus and attention. Since bilinguals are used to switching between two languages, they are also excellent at switching between tasks, even if these tasks have nothing to do with language. A study by Dr. Viorica Marian and her team proved that bilinguals are better at filtering out unnecessary words than people who speak only one language. In the study, participants were asked to perform language comprehension tasks where they had to hear a word and then recognize its corresponding photo. For example, volunteers would hear the word "candy" and then they would see four pictures, including a picture of candy and a picture of a similar-sounding word, such as "candle." The experiment aimed to see how well the participants were able to recognize the correct word and ignore the similar-sounding competing word. The results showed that bilinguals performed better than their monolingual counterparts at ignoring the competing words. This is because people who speak more than one language are already used to controlling two languages and suppressing irrelevant words they don't need. The ability to tune out irrelevant information is a strong indicator of mental abilities and can help bilingual individuals concentrate better by blocking outside noise in a busy classroom or office space. Another advantage of speaking two languages – you have more efficient monitoring systems. According to this 2009 study, when conditions required high monitoring demands, bilinguals were faster than monolinguals. The most persistent advantage to being bilingual comes at a later stage though. It seems that the aging brain of a bilingual person can resist the effects of dementia far better than those who speak only one language. Research has also shown that multilingual people have a higher density of grey matter in their brains, and older people who speak more than one language tend to have better-maintained white matter. But the big question remains: Does Bilingualism Make A Healthy Brain Smarter? The answer I am afraid is no! No research (that I can find) proves bilingualism enhances executive intelligence, emotional intelligence or intelligence quotient. A Simple Method For Maintaining a Superior Brain (And Mastering Another Language) The truth is … Improving brain function and memory does connect with mastering a new language. But the real gains come from eating a balanced diet, getting lots of hydration, maintaining an active lifestyle and sleeping for 7 hours every night. Add consistent memory training to that healthy mix and you're golden. But if you leave aside the health benefits, the simple act of learning a new language in itself is a fun proposition. It enables you to interact with interesting people and exposes you to new cultures and practices. Any new challenge and novelty help to keep the brain active and vibrant. Like doing crosswords, for instance, stimulates the brain and makes for a fun workout… So long as you don't let them frustrate you! And of course, being multilingual can be extremely useful when trying to impress a date. But the coolest, most fun way to quickly master a new language while maintaining a superior brain is to build Memory Palaces the Magnetic Memory Method way. One important reason why Memory Palace is effective and attractive to many users is that it reduces cognitive overwhelm or overload. There's more… Creating Memory Palaces the Magnetic Memory Method way unlocks the power of your multiple intelligences plus autobiographical memory, episodic memory, semantic memory, procedural memory and other kinds of memory. This incredible combination of intelligence and memory strengthening is very powerful because, combined with Recall Rehearsal, the holistic process lets you move information from short-term memory into long-term memory faster. If you are keen on this memory training technique… Click on the image below to get started: When Words Don't (And Won't) Boost Your Brain… Knowing many languages has the power to help you express yourself fluently. And language learning is tremendously useful when you are trying to improve memory, clarity, and focus. With the Magnetic Memory Method, you gain the ability to not only remember information faster but also get predictable and reliable permanence. This grows in strength each time you create Memory Palaces using this method. Ready to add this memory improvement method to the lexicon of your life? Let me know in the comments below or feel free to post your questions. The post Why Bilingualism Makes For a Healthier Brain appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

Can stress cause memory loss and confusion? Not if you've got a gun in your face. Like Ben Thomas. Ben was walking through an L.A. neighborhood when he was robbed at gunpoint. Next day, when the detective asked him to identify the perpetrator, Ben was able to do it very easily. Over time, however, the author who experienced this violent incident, reported that he "remembered fewer images and more facts: the colors of the thief's hoodie and pants, the words he'd said, even the exact time displayed on my iPod (12:36) at the moment I'd handed it over to him". Why would Ben remember more facts than images? It's because some memories formed under highly stressful situations get so strongly encoded in our brains that we never forget them. But does that mean you should put yourself under stress to memorize your sales presentation? The Answer Is A Big NO! Because, in general, stress impairs memory, makes you forget things or even remember things differently. Ben, for instance, could recall the thief's face vividly for a day or two but after a few weeks, he couldn't picture the guy's face at all. And keep in mind that Ben's no dummy. He's not only an author, but also someone who happens to be an independent researcher who studies consciousness and the brain. High IQ or not… When we're stressed, some memories stick like super glue while others get warped or lost. For that reason, please understand this: It's never a good idea to induce stress when trying to memorize a book, your lessons or your campaign presentation. You never know what essential information your brain will skip remembering! Instead, increase focus and concentration from the ground up using a WRAP technique: When Are You Under Stress? A Scientific Definition This quote is worth reading twice: "When an organism faces emotional distress or is physically challenged the autonomic nervous system, a subdivision of the sympathetic nervous system, is automatically activated. Once activated, a cascade of physiological changes occurs that better enables an organism to confront (i.e. fight, freeze) or escape (i.e. flee) danger. The term "stress" applies to the condition under which the autonomic nervous system is activated and stress hormones are released." (Impairing and Enhancing Effects of Psychosocial Stress on Episodic Memory and Eyewitness Report, Siobhan Marie Hoscheidt, 2011) And guess what? When you're frozen, or busy running away, learning gets really tough. Worse, there's a part of the brain that controls stress that can really wreak havoc on your focus and concentration. When you undergo a stressful event, the amygdala – a part of the brain that enables emotional processing – sends a distress call to the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is like a command center that communicates with the rest of your body through the nervous system so that you have the energy to fight or flee. Stress Can Make You Forget Things… Even If You're a Memory Champion Want in on a little secret? Stress doesn't discriminate between the regular Joe, a presidential candidate or a memory champ. It does and will mess with your brain. Like it did for world memory champion Jonas Von Essen. When Jonas was called to recite the closing credits of Newsnight from memory, he struggled to remember the presenter Jeremy Paxman's surname as well as some other names. If that doesn't put the spotlights on just how bad stress can be for even the best memory athlete, I don't know what does. Even as a memory expert, Jonas felt on the spot and stress was part of his embarrassing flub on TV. But is it really a fail? The answer is a bit more complex, so let's have a look. How Does Stress Affect Your Memory: The Inside Story When under stress, brain freeze like what Jonas encountered happens mostly because your thinking is preoccupied with the stress-inducing stimuli – am I looking cool on TV – blocking out other thoughts. But that's not the complete picture. While low levels of anxiety can affect your ability to recall information; high-stress situations, like being robbed at gunpoint, increases your brain's ability to encode and recall traumatic events. A study by Marloes J. A. G. Henckens and team demonstrated how "acute stress is accompanied by a shift into a hypervigilant mode of sensory processing in combination with increased allocation of neural resources to noise reduction. This reduction of task-irrelevant ambient noise, in combination with a stress-hormone-induced optimal state for neural plasticity, may explain why stressful events attain a privileged position in memory". What Does This Stress Memory Loss Chemical Connection Mean? In simple words, when you are anxious, your brain will put you on red alert and increase your focus and concentration on that stressful event by eliminating any other distracting information. This can aid in encoding some information into your long-term memory better. However, there's more to this story. Chronic stress, like constant worry about losing your job, can have devastating effects on memory. Here's another one of those quotes worth reading twice: "The effects of stress on memory are not always facilitatory. Several studies have demonstrated that while memory for emotional information is enhanced when encoded under stress, memory for neutral information can be impaired (Payne et al., 2006; 2007)." (Impairing and Enhancing Effects of Psychosocial Stress on Episodic Memory and Eyewitness Report, Siobhan Marie Hoscheidt, 2011) Here's another: "Schilling et al. examined the effect of varying levels cortisol (a common measure of stress) on recall performance. The results provide evidence that stress and memory performance have an inverted U-shaped relationship, where too much stress has a deleterious effect on memory performance." (Psychosocial Stress Increases Activity-but not Event-Based Prospective Memory, Mollie McGuire, 2016) What does all this mean? Simple: When under stress, your body activates a part of the adrenal gland that dumps cortisol – also known as the stress hormone – into the bloodstream. The Truth About Memory, Stress And Cortisol In the short term, cortisol may be beneficial (basically because it mobilizes white blood cells and enhances the immune system). However, cortisol binds to cells in that area of the brain that converts new experiences into memory. This binding disrupts the memory-forming process, ultimately making memory impairment permanent. Researchers at the University of Iowa also found a connection between cortisol and short-term memory loss in older rats. Another study by Cheryl D.Conrad found that chronic stress reduces spatial memory: the memory that helps you recall locations and relate objects. "Chronic stress clearly impacts nearly every brain region." Precisely the reason you sometimes forget where you kept your car keys when you are about to rush to the office for an important (read stressful) meeting. High stress also activates the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream. Adrenaline increases your attentiveness which is important to support your defense mechanism of "fight or flight" when put in a stressful situation. However, adrenaline and memory do not mix well. While the increased attentiveness may have a fleeting beneficial effect on memory; the anxiety and distress – that causes adrenaline production – is likely to lead to brain fog and forgetfulness. A Non-Stressful, No Brainer Memory Booster It's actually counterproductive if you worry about not remembering important details. The more you worry about losing your mind, the more your brain gets stressed and the more you forget! In reality, your ability to remember is related to the level of concentration and focus you used when trying to memorize facts than anything else. Focus and concentration are key to memory recall. They are necessary for creating complete memories without any added stress. One way to improve your concentration and focus is through meditation. This mental exercise which involves sitting comfortably, focusing on your breathing, and then bringing your mind's attention to the present is also beneficial in calming the mind and reducing effects of stress and anxiety. Another thing to remember is that a ton of stress comes from poor diet. Specific types of food can have beneficial – or detrimental – effects on memory. Moreover, it is possible to change your diet to maintain, and achieve better levels of memory. But if you want just one thing that is not only the ultimate stress reducer, but also an effective memory enhancer, build Memory Palaces the Magnetic Memory Method way. This powerful memorization method was even adored by the ancient Greeks. I've added lots of additional tools, including relaxation techniques that enable you to get more from your memory – without the hassle of stress. Why Use A Memory Palace? Good question. It boils down to this: The Memory Palace is the best memory technique because as a foundational learning technique, it allows you to develop and use spatial memory in a way that unlocks the power of autobiographical memory, episodic memory, semantic memory and more. This enables you to move information into long-term memory faster and with reliable permanence. Building a Memory Palace is a simple technique. You start by associating information with specific areas of a familiar location. Then you walk through that location (in your mind) and place pieces of information that you wish to memorize in specific areas. When you want to recall that information, you go through that mental path and access that information easily. If you are interested in this memory method, click on the image below: You can use more than just visual imagery to remember information through association! Truly magnetic imagery involves a combination of these six Magnetic Modes: Conceptual (Ideas) Olfactory (Smell) Gustatory (Taste) Kinaesthetic (Touch) Auditory (Sound) Visual (Sight) A quick memory tip: If you are struggling to remember these Magnetic Modes, rearrange them to make the acronym COG KAV. Next, create the image of a giant machine in a cave. Simple? Now, you will never forget your Magnetic Modes. Here's an infographic to help make this strategy clearer: Lead A Balanced Life Dealing with constant stress and worry is not a great way to lead your life. Neither is it a reliable memory enhancement strategy. The good news is that leading a balanced life is simple. It involves a good night's sleep, nourishing diet, meditation, and an effective, dedicated memory strategy (like the Magnetic Memory Method). Combined, these simple activities will enable you to create strong memories that you can enjoy without worry. Now how does that sound? The post Can Stress Cause Memory Loss And Confusion? appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

Stoic philosophy has helped thousands of people live better lives. But can it help you use memory techniques to learn a language better? Turns out… The answer is a resounding Yes! And to show you exactly how, Christopher Huff joins us on this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast. Click play and you'll learn: * The secrets of rhythm you can use to help you remember words. * How Christopher used the American presidents to better remember Chinese tones. (This approach is kind of like a hyper-focused PAO without a Major System supporting it.) * How to memorize the prepositions in English in alphabetical order using a simple song. * The powerful lesson Christopher learned from his first interaction with mnemonics. [smart_track_player url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/magneticmemorymethod/Stoic_Secrets_For_Using_Memory_Techniques_With_Language_Learning.mp3″ social_linkedin="true" ] * Why Christopher places a cap on how many Magnetic Images he creates when using Anki. * The biggest mistake Epicurus says you can make – and how it applies to memory techniques and language learning. * The matter of jokes and telling lies in Toki Pona. Regarding that cool language, make sure to subscribe to Christopher's Language Fan YouTube channel and check out his language learning videos. * Christopher also has an amazing video about the Goldlist Method, and in this interview he mentions the super-fascinating Leitner system. * Christopher's powerful definition of fluency, and how you can legitimately feel fluent even with a small pool of words and phrases. * Why Christopher compares the use of mnemonics for language learning to skitching. * The ultimate tool for developing fluency – something that we all have access to and yet too few people use! * … and many more memory strategies of the world's best language learners. For more cool things from Christopher, please check out his Instagram – he draws cool comics and is constantly traveling all over the place. And if you have questions or comments, please leave them below so we can get back to you. In the meantime, if you haven't already grabbed my FREE Memory Improvement Kit, here's where to get it: The post Stoic Secrets For Using Memory Techniques With Language Learning appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

Discover the intriguing world of aphantasia, where some people lack the ability to form mental images. Learn how famous figures like magician Penn Jillette thrive despite this challenge. Explore memory strategies that don't rely on visualization, such as verbal gymnastics and spatial memory palaces. Anthony shares insights on the brain mechanisms behind aphantasia and suggests practical exercises like image streaming to develop your mental imagery. With innovative techniques, even those with aphantasia can enhance their memory skills.

Can smartphone addiction fry your brain cells? Not literally, but that twitchy connection to your phone? It definitely affects your abilities to concentrate and think deeply. And that means device addiction harms your ability to remember. Worse: Smartphone addiction not only turns you into a social pariah… It Can Also Be Fatal! In 2015, distracted driving (due to texting or talking on the cellphone) killed 3,477 people and injured another 391,000. And there's more bad news… According to the National Safety Council, using cell phones while driving can make you more accident prone than even drunk driving… No wonder people are concerned over how cell phones are affecting their lives! In January this year, two of Apple's biggest shareholders wrote an open letter to the company requesting it to provide "more choices and tools" so that parents could restrict their children's smartphone usage time. The letter added that researchers have found this shocking statistic: "U.S. teenagers who spend 3 hours a day or more on electronic devices are 35 percent more likely, and those who spend 5 hours or more are 71 percent more likely, to have a risk factor for suicide than those who spend less than 1 hour." Smartphone addiction is a serious issue and may need some creative problem solving using the C.R.E.A.T.E. formula: But here's the real question: What about YOU? Are you displaying cell phone addiction symptoms? Let's find out: Are You A Nomophobic? I know you will never admit it, but when you are unable to find your phone for even 30 seconds, it causes a minor anxiety attack. How do I know this? Because it happens to people every single second of the day. Look at this poor fellow: So, is he a nomophobic? Absolutely! Nomophobia or 'NO MObile PHOne phoBIA' is the fear of not being able to use your cell phone or have access to your device. Want to know if you're truly addicted? Take this online quiz to find out. Nomophobia is real, but the medical community is not ready to declare overuse of cell phones as a clinical addiction. Ignoring The Data? They neglect to do so in the face of some shocking data. As the Joker suggests (I misquote), "whatever doesn't kill us, only makes us stranger"… Nearly one in ten people admitted to using their smartphones during sex, in the shower, on a movie date, in church or other place of worship, as per the 2013 Mobile Consumer Habits. What's more, nearly three-quarters of the respondents said that they were always within five feet of their smartphones. Although doctors do agree that if you can't stop using your phone, even when it's harming your life, you may be "addicted." "Only a small percentage of people qualify as addicted. But many people overuse their smartphones." This quote comes from Dr. David Greenfield, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Connecticut and founder of the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction. Smartphone addiction is not listed as an official mental disorder listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. However, psychologists are debating about whether that should change. Some researchers also say that the development of smartphone addiction is similar to that of a gambling disorder (or gambling addiction), which is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. How does addiction work? With gambling, the reward of winning once in a while is what hooks people to the habit. Smartphone addiction works on a similar principle. Most of the time, a phone notification will be insignificant. However, every once in a while… Something Meaningful Happens! Like a phone call from an old friend, or a Facebook notification that someone has tagged you in a photo. Researchers say this type of messages are irresistible and can lead to overuse or addiction to your device. There's more… Device addiction can extend far beyond just the smartphone. Recently, the World Health Organization announced that video game addiction will now be classified as an official mental health condition in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases. According to the WHO, gaming disorder is "characterized by a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior manifested by: 1) impaired control over gaming (e.g., onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination, context); 2) increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities; and 3) continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences." "The behavior pattern is of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning," WHO adds. Whether it is to play video games or check your Facebook notifications, here's the truth: Spending too much time with your smartphone will slowly but surely harm your mind. How Smartphone Addiction Damages Your Memory For starters, the presence of smartphone alerts is disrupting our already weak ability to focus on the task at hand. Moreover, excessive use of cell phones also causes headaches, impaired concentration and memory, and fatigue. If you are constantly using your mobile phone to surf the internet it affects the brain's frontal lobe and brainstem functions, resulting in decreased ability to speak, reason and comprehend social cues. Researchers also found that smartphone addiction can lead to an imbalance in brain chemistry that triggers depression and anxiety. Ultimately, smartphone addiction can impair your ability to interact in the real world to the detriment of your personal and professional relationships. It's Not Just Brain Damage Smartphone addiction does more than alter your brain chemicals. Your posture also gets affected when you use your phone all the time. And according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, posture affects mood, behavior and memory. Therefore, frequent slouching to look at your device screen can make you depressed. What's more, Researchers at the University of Michigan state that the tucking your chin (or chins) and hanging your head to look at the smartphone is also causing empathy levels to fall and narcissism to rise among individuals. A Reliable, Easy & Fun Way To Learn Things (Without Googling It On Your Smartphone) We have all done it: Reached for our smartphones the instant we want to verify a fact, learn a new bit of information, watch a video or read an ebook. But there are other approaches. One simple way to undo the damage done by mobile phone overuse is to switch off the phone and go back to a real book for information or entertainment. Need more incentive? Re-read of a book from the past. This way you'll not only defeat Digital Amnesia, you'll also enhance your attention as you give your brain the opportunity to revisit information from the past offline. You can also Mind Map, and I've recently shared one of my own to demonstrate just how powerful this approach can be for memory, focus and concentration: Digital Fasting… The Cure For Smartphone Slavery? But the ultimate technique is called "Digital Fasting." It's easy: Just leave your smartphone at home or sit in a cafe with no WiFi so that you are not distracted by your device and can dedicate mental space to the book at hand. And if boredom strikes and you feel the need to sneak out your smartphone, use these 3 ridiculously boring ways to add focus and excitement to your life. But no memory improvement training will work to the highest possible degree if its not linked to memorizing information that will immediately improve your life. And to do that, you learning projects need to involve Memory Palaces (ideally by creating them the Magnetic Memory Method way). Why On Earth Is That? Because when you create Memory Palaces using the Magnetic Memory Method it lets you measure your memory improvement activities. And tracking your outcomes leads to rapid improvement in the way information gets stored in your long term memory. Even better: All other memory techniques including playing crossword puzzles can be used inside of Memory Palaces. But this never takes place the other way around (For example, you can't use Memory Palaces inside of the Major Method the way you can use the Major Method inside of Memory Palaces.) Building Memory Palaces is also great for dealing with a diminishing attention span. Use the tips in this video about how to break through your attention span myths and limitation to help you craft the attention span you deserve. If you are looking for a complete brain rehab try this method… Click on the link below to get started: Get More Out Of Your Existence You want to live a full, vibrant, exciting life? You don't want a zombie-like existence where a handheld device controls your emotions, moods, experiences and even what information your brain can or should store? If "hell yeah" is your response then we are on the right track! But don't worry if you don't have it all mapped out when trying to get rid of the smartphone addiction habit. You don't have to. You can create your own hacks for building better habits. Better still, use the magic of Memory Palaces to unlock your brain's true potential and lead the magnetic life you deserve. Come on, say it loud (just not into your smartphone) – hell yeah! The post 3 Shocking Ways Smartphone Addiction Erodes Your Brain And Memory appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

Tansel Ali is possibly the most positive memory champion on the planet. Turns out there's a solid reason why. A few reasons, actually. And in this episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast, I speak with 4x Australian Memory Champion Tansel Ali talks about memory improvement and positive thinking. This may well be the most valuable hour you spend listening to a podcast about memory improvement. Why? For starters… In addition to discussing the role of gratitude in coming up with effective visualizations when using mnemonics, Tansel discusses the importance of reading, memorizing cards with music on and focusing on the right things to maximize performance in your memory and life. Plus, when you scroll up and click play above, you'll soon discover… * Why Tansel was originally skeptical about memory improvement and thought all TV memory trainers were fake. * The factors responsible for making people suspicious of memory techniques because they seem like magic "tricks." * How Tansel wound up at his first memory competition and took second place. * The other rewards memory improvement brings you, including mindset, job performance and fun. * Tansel's transition from memory competition to enhancing his own life and the lives of others through teaching memory. * Why you need to continue challenging your memory almost like the physical training of the body to keep the mind in top shape. * Exactly how participating in memory competitions help you develop preparation and developing positive self-talk. * Why Tansel sometimes FORCES himself NOT to use memory techniques in order to challenge his brain. * Tansel's definition of consistency and the development of successful habits that you can use to challenge yourself. * Why you should go without fear of making mistakes for the health of your brain and the development of effective discipline. Tansel Ali book signing of The Yellow Elephant on Kindle for me in person. * Tansel's personal training regime and how he makes it count. * How Tansel thinks about visualization as a kind of muscle and how he trains it for competition. * A quick comparison of Alex Mullen's training regime and Tansel's focus on efficiency to improve the right skills and maximize performance. * A discussion of aphantasia and why you don't actually have to see pictures in your mind to use memory techniques. * How Tansel uses feelings and thinking in words to create mnemonic imagery – and why feeling creates more impact. * How to give the mnemonic imagery you create greater value through personalization. * Practical reasons you should memorize cards. For one thing, they set you up to make creative decisions that goes beyond just remembering information. And here are 13 more reasons you should have a system for remembering cards. * Tansel's thoughts on music and memory and how he memorizes cards with music playing. * The benefits of training your memory and where to start (also discussed in this video): * The importance of making memory training fun and interesting, rather than a chore. * Tansel's history with apps for memory training and meditation and how to reduce stress. * How Tansel changed from wallowing in negativity to living in positivity. * Why you don't have to use bizarre or violent imagery to remember information and positive options you can explore for creating and using mnemonics. * Why we both approach shows like Breaking Bad with caution in order to maintain a positive mindset. Not that Breaking Bad can't be useful for memory improvement, as you can see here: * The role of gratitude in increasing the value of your imagination by focusing on specifics. * Why "the law of attraction" is useless without taking action – and how you can use mindset to create the excitement needed to make sure you achieve your goals. * Why Tansel wishes he had read more as a young person. * Some of Tansel's favorite memory books and why they changed his life, including books by Tony Buzan and Dominic O'Brien. * Tansel's take on Digital Amnesia and why he chooses to see the positive side of the debate about the so-called Google Effect. * How Turkish is helping Tansel learn Japanese even without using Kevin Richardson's Learn Japanese App (a.k.a. Memory Palace). I want to thank Tansel for being on the show and thank you for listening. Please be sure to grab his books, visit his site and get connected on his various online platforms using the links below. Further Resources Yellow Elephant: Improve Your Memory And Learn More, Faster, Better by Tansel Ali How to Learn Almost Anything in 48 Hours: Shortcuts And Brain Hacks For Learning New Skills Fast by Tansel Ali Subscribe to Tansel Ali's YouTube channel Visit Tansel Ali's website Tansel Ali on Twitter Tansel's World Memory Stats The post Tansel Ali On How Gratitude Can Help You Remember Almost Anything appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

We all make mistakes. In fact, life mistakes are inevitable. Heck, in many cases, they're even desirable. After all, we learn from our mistakes when picking up a language – including our native mother tongues. But some life mistakes are probably avoidable. Like the 4.1 I'm going to discuss in this post. They are in no particular order of importance. But I've stuck the one with a tutorial at the end. I believe if you pay that final point the most attention… … and put its mini-lesson into action… You will avoid SO much pain and suffering. I wish I had known about that unique set of strategies anyone can use at least 21 years sooner! So whether you're 41 or any other age, let's dive in with these mistakes life has burned into my memory and that I could have done without. 1. You Cannot Fulfill Anyone Else's Dreams (No Matter How Hard You Try) Maybe it's all the Romantic poetry I read. Or maybe it's just in my genes. Whatever the reason, I have somehow wound up with a tendency to try and make others happy. But it's a trap! Every time. First off, "happy" is mostly meaningless. There are too many possible definitions. Most of them are far from impressive, let alone correct. I prefer the Greek term eudaimonia. Some people translate it as happiness, but it actually refers to "flourishing." Already, that sounds better. Concrete. Something you can feel, see, embrace. But even then, you cannot give flourishing to another human being. The best you can do is reach out and try to connect. Share with them some of what you know and the story of how you came to understand it. Yes, there is "hard teaching." There is the do-this, do-that of the Memory Palace. Anyone can repeat the process, even if they're a skeptic at first. (Especially if they're skeptical.) Likewise with brain exercises. But getting people to complete the exercises? That's entirely on them. The best you can do is offer inspiration and encouragement. And if you love them, let them be. Our siblings on this long-suffering earth can only do the things they are going to do. And those of us who have traveled to a particular destination, can only show the way – the way we took, amongst many possible paths. Though to reach some destinations, there really are only singular and definitive ways to reach the end. Either way, if student and teacher are lucky enough to meet somewhere on the road, they can break bread. Maybe sing a song or two together. Or just hang out on a YouTube Live like this one we did for my birthday: (If you're not subscribed to my YouTube channel, you can take care of that here.) But sooner or later, both will be off again on their individual journeys into the unknown. And that's a beautiful thing. But when you try to tether ships together… All too often, the ship bows start to knock. And no two sails interpret the wind quite the same. How could they? Same wind. Different sails. If something you've taught them about sailing helps them correct course to wherever it is they're trying to navigate, that's great. But they ultimately accomplished the task of navigation. From the deck of their own ship. And there are lots of possible destinations. We can't all wind up on the same islands together. Nor should we. Anyhow, I've wasted a lot of time and energy trying to redirect some of the wind filling my sails to help others. It never works. Here's What Guides You To Success Better What does work is this: Sharing the miracle of what one has learned about harnessing the wind's power. And respecting what the wind can do. It sometimes makes sense to help a friend patch up one of their moth-bitten sails. But you've got to make sure you don't get stranded on their ship. Especially during a storm. Keep yourself tied to your own mast. That way you'll always have a way back to your own ship. And you reduce the danger that you may be the reason why the ship of your friend has started to go down. Because the cruel reality is that help can be a hindrance. Keep your awareness high of that potential problem and you'll be better off and help save yourself and others from drowning under the weight of wisdom they may neither want nor need. Is all that too abstract? Perhaps. But rest assured that the stories lurking behind these images are memories I could do without. And I think that even without concrete examples, they could help you avoid many disasters too. 2. You Always Have All The Resources You Need (Even If You Sometimes Fall For The Scarcity Illusion) Actually, I don't have any unusual nightmares lurking behind this life principle. But I've seen many people not take action because they believed in scarcity, rather than abundance. They didn't have enough money. They didn't have enough energy. They didn't have enough time. In every case, I could easily spot why these claims weren't valid. And when I opened my mouth about why I thought so… well… see point one above. It's very hard to make abundance visible to people convinced that they don't have enough. In fact, it may be impossible. It seems like a universal rule that they have to figure it out for themselves. I hate cliches – especially when they're right – but I too have been the horse you could not force to drink. Not often, but I get it. I've just been blessed not to be duped by the lie of scarcity all that often in my short life. But I'm aware of its potential for evil. And the scarcity-mindset truly is evil. The "Else" Exercise That Erases Scarcity From Your Brain If you suffer from it, here's a simple tip Jonathan and I talk about in Branding You Academy: "Else." When you're asking any of the famous "W" questions (What, Where, When, Who, Why) always add an "else." Like this: What else? Where else? When else? Who else? Why else? And of course: How else? Get out a big fat sheet of paper and let it all out. Brain dump. Mindmap. C.R.E.A.T.E. the way I talk about in this YouTube Live: Do whatever it takes to squeeze out every possible option. Whatever it is you want to accomplish, you can find a way. At the very least, you can find a way to get started. And there will be magic in the movement. Action is a special energy. Without the woo-woo of "the Secret" or "the Law of Attraction," I can explain why you will start to attract all the resources you will need if you just start moving – and keep moving: It's simple: Because movement reveals hidden resources! And it gives you what Gary Halbert calls a Fighter Pilot Attitude. The Amazing Self-Help Secret Buried In A Fragment From Kafka I also think of that story from Kafka. You know the one (I'll add a bit of my own flair, if you don't mind): The man who always takes the train to the next town for work misses his train. So he borrows a bike. When he gets to the next town, he asks an old man to watch over the bike as he goes to work. Before he leaves, he tells the old man: "I can't believe how many more things I noticed about the landscape while riding the bike." The old man replies: "Just think how much more you'll notice if you walk." Exactly the same thing will happen to you if you take action. Instead of sitting on a speeding train of inactivity with your eyes blind to all your options, take another route. And take that route another way. You'll start to notice a whole new world of detail – and possible avenues of action. And you'll talk to people you never noticed before. People who will open you to even more perspectives. Before you know it, you'll be walking everywhere – the world will seem too abundant not to take your time and bask in everything it offers. 3. There Is No Such Thing As Free The Internet is pretty cool. But I've been burned by it many times. It's like jacking the Gutenberg press directly into a vein. The only problem is… No one can consume all that content. And even if any of us could… They'd never be able to take action on even a small percentage of that knowledge. And that's a real problem. Thanks to our genetic heritage, we are hunter-gatherers. And the Internet triggers that ancient need to hunt and gather things that seem valuable to us. We stock 'em up and store them for the great famine. Works great with berries and meat – if you know how to preserve them. But with knowledge? It's horrible. We've got a world full of people with all the knowledge they'll ever need at their fingertips. There's NOTHING you cannot hoard into your coffers on the Internet for free. And that's a real problem for reasons that go far beyond file-sharing and lost revenue for content creators. It's a problem for all of humanity because discipline is slipping. Completion rates are plummeting. And those who escape the grip of Digital Amnesia and don't fall prey to the attention span myth are getting fewer and fewer. The consequence appears to be a growing elite of action-takers. This elite wins more and more as an ever-increasing majority of people fall into the munching gears of the machines and algorithms that have turned human attention into a commodity. People struggle to pay attention on digital devices. And they're not processing information the same way. For this reason, information now costs far more than ever before. Learning costs you more time and mental energy. Why? Because it takes longer to consume content when you're endlessly flipping between 100 tabs and interrupted by dozens of notifications per minute. And then you have to go over it again because the information is far too quickly – and easily – forgotten. We're still learning the lessons we need to learn, but the solution won't change: Invest in offline education at least as much as online education. How To Complete The Quest For Balance Between Online And Offline Knowledge Find a balance between the two. Get and read at least as many print books as digital books. Attend at least as many live training events as the video courses you complete (assuming you can finish them in a world of digital distractions). Invest in others by being with others. That will help you invest in the future. Sure, it's grassroots. Not always as International as the Internet seduces us into wanting. But we know from basic brain chemistry that we need the chemicals that only being around others create. And so much of the confidence and self-esteem issues, not to mention the vapid tribalism that seems to be getting worse and worse, is quite obviously tied to how much time we're spending in online tribes instead of local ones. That said… 4. There Is No Such Thing As Failure The truth about failure is a hard and contradictory lesson to learn. Especially when living at the top of your game technically requires you to fail a fair amount. Or at least… That's the way it's usually framed. Here's the truth, however: No one likes failure and they're right to try and avoid it. Failure is painful! And the typical way people advise us to "hack" failure is, to be frank, totally obnoxious: "Fail fast. Fail often." Uhmmmmmm… No. And A Thousand Times No I say this with certainty because the best antidote to failure is simple: It's success! Now, I realize that I waxed messianic at the beginning of this post about the serious role mistakes play in our success. I have not forgotten that little speech. But mistakes aren't failures. They're sign posts that something needs to be changed. Like you sometimes need to change the ways you approach learning faster and remembering more. Dive in because taking action leaves clues regarding what to change and often reveal precisely how to change things.lan Especially if you use the "else" exercise I shared above. But there's also something else that leaves clues and shows us how to correct things that have gone wrong. Again, it's success. So instead of failing and failing often, how about succeeding and succeeding often for a change. And to do that, maybe you do have to put yourself in situations where you will "fail" from time to time. But often enough, with just a bit of research and self-understanding, you can put yourself in contexts bound to give you more "quick victories" more often. For example, if you know about your sensory preferences and the personal learning hierarchy I teach you how to discover in The Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass, you can "engineer" learning situations in which you'd actually have to try hard to fail. In brief, we all have at least 6+1 Magnetic Modes. The main 6 look like this: The 7th is space itself. The 7th is the Magnetic Mode we use to create and use Memory Palaces. Do You Know Your Learning Hierarchy? You Learning Hierarchy is based on knowing whether you are more visual, auditory or kinesthetic concerning a particular topic. Oh yes, your Learning Hierarchy can change! (It's sneaky that way!) But self-understanding is the way you stack the chips in your favor. Sadly, most people are stacking those chips against themselves. I've done it to myself far too many times. But here's the cool thing about getting older and having been fortunate enough to stumble into the art and craft of self-observation: I feel I've managed to get out of the major life ruts we humans tend to fall into… … just in time to set the stage for a much more enjoyable passage into the next stage of life. Speaking of self-observation, here's what I really wish I'd discovered sooner: 4.1 Not Learning To Meditate Sooner Created Years Of Unnecessary Suffering Frankly, every minute spent in meditation is the best investment of time and energy in the world. And I wish I'd taken it more seriously sooner. I first learned about it in Grade 12 English. Our teacher took us through a guided meditation out of the blue. I'm not sure why he didn't do it at the beginning of every class. But it made sense to me then and although it would be many years yet before I got into it seriously, the practice made a mark. However, I'm a skeptic at heart. And I need science that makes sense before I take action on certain things. And I just didn't know that a lot of science supports a number of the meditative practices I had dismissed. Like these reports on how to improve concentration and memory Buddha-style. To be fair, a significant amount of the science I needed to discover wasn't out there yet. And the Internet, as dangerous as it can be for taking action, wasn't around to make it discoverable. Plus, I was in that deadly hunter-gatherer mode that leads us to "save data for later" in the form of books marks and other dangerous tools of forgetting. Why There Truly Is Happiness Beyond Thought And it wasn't until a friend told me about Happiness Beyond Thought by Gary Weber that I ordered a print copy of the book and gobbled it down in a way that never happens online. (Thanks to Ben at Project Monkey Mind for the wind I needed in my sails!) At least for me, it was important to get the physical copy. Reading it would never have happened online because it's just too twitchy a space for me to get any reading done. Anyhow, Weber gave some solid science. And he explained how research reveals certain yoga moves are more likely to help men for some reason. Yet, oddly enough, a number of those moves tend to be practiced more often by women. Meanwhile, men lock themselves into poor results because they tend to be more attracted to the cerebral brain exercise-type meditation. Lo and behold, I gave some of these more movement based meditations a try. And before you know it, I was enjoying PNSEs like there's no tomorrow (Persistent Non-Symbolic Experience). At first, these experiences scared me. How I Escaped My "Dark Night Of The Soul" I guess you could say I had what some people call a "Dark Night Of The Soul." It lasted for almost a year. Across this period of time, I mainly experienced the oneness that the non-dualist Advaita Vedanta-types talk about. And frankly… I didn't like it. For awhile, I couldn't even understand the point of being alive at all given the conclusions this experience raised in me. But then… With consistent, persistent practice… The warm soft glow Gary Weber talks about started to emerge. It wasn't like other stories where it just suddenly happens. It was a soft glowing ember. I have to keep blowing on it. But it gets warmer and warmer. And the more I explore the techniques and add kindling to the ember, the warmer this glow grows. I almost can't believe how amazing it all is… I never want it to end. And I want the whole world to have this feeling. So to conclude this long 41st birthday blog post, here's basically what I've been doing to grow this ember. I have a feeling it will work for you too, even if it takes a while. How You Can Meditate For Focus, Concentration, Memory & An Incredible Sense Of Well-Being In Just 15 Minutes A Day 1. I start the day with some simple stretching and movement. I learned a lot of these moves years ago from Scott Sonnen and later in Systema. 2. I do some journaling. Often I use The Freedom Journal. But I also use a number of different journals at the same time. It helps keep thoughts organized. The point is to reserve some of your journaling for gratitude and another part for describing what I call the "Perfect Present." Basically, you just write out the way you want things to be. And test your description for honesty by doing it multiple times. 3. I do three kinds of stretches I discovered in Happiness Beyond Thought. The first just involves touching your toes. The second is a kind of cow-tow thingy. The third is like a sun dog yoga stretch 4. Breathing routines I usually start by breathing in for a count of five, holding for a count of five and then exhaling for a count of five. I do this until I feel centered. Then I do this: Next, I do breath withholding. This involves breathing in for a count of 5, holding for a count of 16 (or four rounds of Sa Ta Na Ma), then breathing out for a count of eight. I usually do this twice. Finally, I will do the same count as before, but this time hold for sixteen with the lungs empty. Weird, I know, but it helps to step all kinds of problems, including self punishment. 5. Number-Skipping with breathing Next, I practice number-skipping. I will inhale to the count of one, then breath in but suppress the thought of two, followed by counting the third breath. This practice amounts in some ways to the "don't think of a red cat" game. The very question practically forces you to think of a red cat. And yet… strangely enough, it is possible to "skip" counting numbers by replacing them with the awareness that you are deliberately not counting the number. So the number is there and it isn't there. This exercise is excellent for developing focus, concentrate and presence. 6. Language learning and memory training We know that language learning helps develop white and grey matter in the brain. There's even scientific proof for why bilingualism makes for a healthier brain. That's not the reason I do it, but I believe that spending at least a little bit of time every on language learning using memory techniques is part of the sense of well-being I experience. It's effortless to do. I talk a lot about it in this live discussion of using The Freedom Journal in combination with the Magnetic Memory Method: 7. Juggling I don't practice juggling every day, but I find the benefits incredible for developing focus and a feeling of well-being. And check back here soon. I'm collecting footage for a little documentary about learning to juggle and recite the alphabet backwards. It's kind of like juggling balls and thoughts at the same time. And anyone can do it. Anyone Can Experience Bliss Well, that's basically what I've done each and every day of my fortieth year. It's basically what I plan to do each and every day of my forty-first year too. I wish I'd been doing it all along. And I'm not going to fall prey to all of that "no regrets" nonsense. No, I don't really regret it… But by the same token, I really do. The past really could have been a lot better had I known to do these things sooner. And if any of these suggestions make sense to you, I suggest taking action on them. The sooner the better so that you can see what works and dismiss what doesn't. Failure to take action and try things is not to know. Ignorance is most certainly not bliss. Avoid it like the devil. The post 4.1 Painful Life Mistakes Burned Into My Memory And How To Avoid Them appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.

The Freedom Journal… sounds ambitious right? Well, what if I told you that I've discovered profound memory benefits from journaling for language learning, including boosts in physical and emotional wellbeing? Benefits that definitely deserve the word "freedom." That's what I am going to tell you about. And it's all happening right now in this step-by-step guide. This page will show you how to use The Freedom Journal to experience multiple levels of mental freedom while using it to learn a language with consistency and confidence. The best part? You don't have to journal blindly. You don't have to start from scratch or wonder exactly how you're going to chart your path towards improved fluency. You just have to: Click play on the podcast above. John Lee Dumas himself is on this episode of the MMM Podcast to help explain how this amazing tool came into existence. Grab yourself your very own Freedom Journal (ideally in print for the fullest brain benefits). Then, have the language you want to learn… A couple of Memory Palaces… 5-10 minutes in the morning, another 5-10 in the evening… And you're ready to experience brain benefits and fluency like never before. Ready? Let's go! A (Very) Brief History Of Journaling You know what journaling is, right? Your words. About you. On paper. Or written inside a digital document. Take your pick. More carefully defined: A journal (or diary) is a place you store entries on a daily or near-daily basis. It is voluntary, helps you put problems to rest and keep yourself moving forward. You can journal to maintain flow, learn more about yourself and use the Magnetic Memory Method better as you go. Or, like the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote in Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν (To Myself), you can journal purely to capture your thoughts. These days, "To Myself' is known as Meditations. Aurelius wrote it in the second half of the 2nd century AD and, even though this book started as his journal, it is still a bestseller today. Here's the important point: Journaling is powerful and the practice has stood the test of time. Therapeutic Journaling And How It Can Help You Learn A Language Did you know that in the 1980s, James Pennabaker's expressive writing paradigm opened scientists onto a whole new world of understanding what makes journaling so good for your health? He started by looking at journaling as a tool for helping people deal with trauma. But soon after that, dozens and soon hundreds of studies started to appear showing similar effects. A lot of them are gathered up and synthesized in one of my favorite books of all time, 59 Seconds: Change Your Life in Under a Minute. Sounds like hype, right? It isn't. Wiseman is one of the best science writers of our era and if you want the hard data on why journaling, ideally by hand on paper, works so much magic, you'll want to read 59 Seconds. Here's why all this matters: Journaling Makes You Feel Better And Remember More Feeling better literally helps you remember more because the absence of pain is an incredible way to increase your focus and concentration. And that is a huge help when you're learning a language. That said, if you don't feel frustrated or discouraged, then maybe you don't need journaling. But before you decide, check out these… 3 Warning Signs That Scream You Need Journaling To Succeed With Language Learning We've talked before about these 15 Reasons Why Learning A Foreign Language Is Good For Your Brain. And the reason you need at least bilingualism in your life is simple: Learning a language is excellent for the resilience of the white and grey matter in your brain. The ongoing use of other languages creates has been shown to fend off Alzheimer's and Dementia. (So long as you're not reducing your results with Digital Amnesia and self-deception about your attention-span.) But often, scientific proof isn't enough to create significant motivation for language learning. In fact, you might be experiencing one of these 3 warning signs that you need journaling for Language Learning. 1. You're Not Consistent There's no doubt about it: Learning a language takes time plus consistency. Consistency is a skill, and for many of us (including me), not always one that shows up on autopilot. Journaling can help. 2. You Struggle With Organizing Your Time Let's be honest: Time is a slippery fish. Yes, yes, we all know the old line: "Everybody gets the same 24 hours a day." But you know what's so maddening about that cliche? Even if it's true… Not everyone has your life situation, nor your obligations! Journaling (with the right journal) can help you find a tailor made solution. 3. You Forget Where You Left Off (And Even Why You're On The Journey) Do you know why artists use sketchbooks? Yeah, they're convenient. Duh. But they're also a time machine. They reveal the ongoing progress and serve as reminders of where things need to go. And just as an artist needs to see the development of their strokes and abilities with shading… So too do they need clues about what to work on next. It's exactly the same with language learning. With a journal, you can look both forward and back into the past with ease. How To Stop Gambling With Your Language Learning Success Gambling? C'mon, Dr. Memory. Isn't that a rather theatrical way to put it? Not if you value your time. After all, every minute you spend learning a language only to forget what you've learned… Frustrates you. Demotivates you. Chips away at your resilience and makes it harder and harder to succeed. Enter John Lee Dumas And The Freedom Journal All of a sudden one of the most impressive Kickstarter campaigns I have ever seen was everywhere. Great videos and images were talking about how to gauge your pace by setting proper goals and breaking them up into sprints. I'd already been journaling for years. I'd already seen variations on the "regimented journal" many times before. But The Freedom Journal was different. I instantly saw how it could help language learners. And, quite frankly, I was pretty sure it could help me too. Because if there's one thing I hate above all things… It's gambling with my time! My First Experiment (And MASSIVE Success) With The Freedom Journal Learning a language is a big project. And I had just started with Chinese at the time. But I had another project I knew I had to get off my shoulders. The Zeigarnick Effect it was giving me had gotten far too strong. The course is called Genre Frameworks and I'm delighted that it's finally done. But before I sought help from The Freedom Journal, this incomplete project was interfering with my mental space for Chinese and a few other things. So I decided to see if I could bolt the two things things together: 1) Finally get one of my old Film Studies lecture courses into video format and… 2) Learn enough Chinese to ask April's dad for his blessing to get married. After a bit of small talk, of course. All while still showing up for my day job, which involves: Blogging Vlogging Podcasting Developing Branding You Academy Plus… …wearing the 9000 other hats stubborn entrepreneurs with a massive vision for improving lives around the world gladly heap onto their heads. No matter what your calling, perhaps you can relate to be being busy in your own life too? At any stage of your career, or in any life situation, you really can get multiple things done if you have a plan and follow a structure. So to pull of these two projects while still keeping the Magnetic Memory Method ship rolling along without skipping a beat, here's what I did: How The Freedom Journal Helps You Take Charge Of Your Time & Memory The Freedom Journal starts off by helping you define a goal that you: a) Want to achieve b) Can achieve within 100 days It walks you through a simple process for "fact checking" yourself so that you're not stacking the chips against you and your project. Remember, no one likes to gamble with time. When you do, you always lose. With the Magnetic Memory Method on my side, and all the things I've learned from Olly Richards about how to consistently get quick victories with language learning courses, I hopped on a call with my Chinese tutor. I booked every single session with my tutor in advance, another little trick I learned from Olly to "brute force" your way into showing up consistently. Using the Magnetic Memory Method Vocabulary Builder in combination with The Freedom Journal, we charted out a course for the next 100 days with 2-3 speaking sessions per week. Using the Freedom Journal, I broke the 100 day mission into 10-day sprints. For language learning, that process looks like this: 1. The Rule of Ten Magnetic Memory Palaces Create 10 Memory Palaces with no less than 10 Magnetic Stations (ideally a bit more than 10 to give yourself some breathing room and fend off Memory Palace Scarcity). Then keep creating Memory Palaces for the spatial memory benefits. 2. The Rule of Ten Words Per Memory Palace In each of these Memory Palaces, memorize 10 words per day. If you're more advanced, you can immediately add phrases to each word. If you're not yet skilled enough with memory techniques, do this instead: Focus on individual words for the first 2-3 sprints. By the time you hit your stride in 2-3 weeks, you'll easily be able to memorize both core vocabulary and entire phrases. 3. The Rule of Journaling Every Day The Freedom Journal is so valuable because on a time budget of just two pages a day, you get all the emotional benefits and psychological benefits discussed in the scientific research that supports the benefits of journaling. You also get the art sketchbook effect where you can see your progress over time and comfortably predict the future. And by the end of the 100 days, you'll have 100 words and anywhere from 50-80 phrases in long term memory. A Detailed Anatomy Of The Freedom Journal For Language Learning Part One: Conquer the Morning, Conquer the Day Step-by-step, here's how a typical morning using The Freedom Journal works: 1. A Powerful and Inspiring Quote First, you get what I've come to think of as a "Mindset Adjuster." It's a great way of thinking positively and remembering the things that really matter. Many of them are worth committing to memory too. 2. Quick Reflection Next, you reflect on what makes you grateful. Now, you might be wondering… Does gratitude actually work? The answer is "absolutely." Again, 59 Seconds is great reading for the proof, but you can also check out Dr. Erin Olivo. The way she describes journaling really resonates with me: Journaling has been demonstrated beyond doubt to create greater levels of happiness. Thus, happiness is a choice. Bonus tip: Over deliver on gratitude by pushing for as much as you can. When you realize how lucky you are to have things like food and water, it's gets pretty difficult to focus on the wee bit of effort learning a language takes. After all, you could be wandering through the desert under the weight of two barely functioning buckets instead of reading this post on a mobile phone on the bus or in a Starbucks, right? 3. Break The Steps Down Yes, The Freedom Journal asks you to do this every day. For really long projects like the one I completed, I'll be honest with you… It got a little tedious. But I practice what I preach, so I'm going to put my Nikes on before I climb the soap box: Just. Do. It. The cumulative effects of reminding yourself of what needs to be done are powerful. 4. Action Plan On the day you see pictured here, I'd already done most of my language learning activities. You likely won't fill it out at the exact same time every day either. But that's the beauty of it all: By checking in with The Freedom Journal daily, you develop the habit of translating your journaling into action. So keep journaling and filling these parts out even after they become second nature to reinforce them. And if you're wondering about exactly what I did with my language learning ritual, check out Mandarin Chinese Mnemonics And Morning Memory Secrets. Basically, it works like this: Come already prepared with the vocabulary and/or phrases you want to memorize ready to go with your Memory Palace for the day already drawn in The Freedom Journal. See Part Two for more. 5. Morning Mind Relief We know from many creativity studies that a quick switch to something else helps keep you sharp. And so part of the genius of The Freedom Journal is that it gives you something else to think about for your creative projects by suggesting a resource each and every day. Even if you already use the tool under recommendation, it triggers ideas. And that's good for your brain. Part Two: Conquer the Evening, Conquer the Morning 6. Record Your Wins & Your Memory Palaces At the end of the day, I love listing two quick wins as structured by The Freedom Journal. And by luck, fate or some other level of synchronicity, there's just enough room in the corner to sketch out most Memory Palaces. But any time I needed more space, no problem. I would just use one of my Memory Journals or Mind Mapping journals, like the kind you see in this video: 7. Acknowledge Any Struggles We all have blind spots. And that means we keep bumping into obstacles. Or maybe it's physical pain, like I was struggling with at the time. But reflecting on what we might not be seeing can be huge for opening up even the most bruised and blackened eyes. And as they sometimes say, in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king. Or in the case of chronic pain, acknowledging it and owning it is the best way to get over it and move forward. I certainly wasn't going to let my psoriatic arthritis symptoms get in the way. So if you want to finally rule over your obstacles and issues, this part of The Freedom Journal will help. 8. Prime The Future For Success If it's true that conquering the morning will help you conquer the day, then this is also true: Conquer the morning before you hit the sheets. The Mastery Journal, which is the "sequel" to The Freedom Journal has additional tools for making every tomorrow successful. But if you've been thinking Freedom Journal vs Mastery Journal, my suggestion is to start with The Freedom Journal and graduate upwards from there. Seriously, even just this little "tomorrow priming" section can make a huge difference. You can use it to pump yourself up or even make a quick action plan for the following day. 9. More Musing Please don't dismiss this step: There's tons of science that demonstrates just how good mind wandering really is for the human brain. You can literally allow yourself to just write anything. For more of the evidence supporting musing and mind wandering as a deliberate practice, check out Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang. 10. The Freedom Journal's Hidden Asset For Magnetic Language Learners No, it's not a huge amount of space. But I knew it would be just enough the instant I saw it. And it's just right for 10 words. Plus, if you do the math, 10 words over 100 days is 1000 words. 1000 Words Memorized In 100 Days? Totally Doable! Well chosen (perhaps using the MMM Vocabulary Builder), developed into phrases and used in combination with The Big Five Of Language Learning… … even just 500 words based on a 50% accuracy rate will represent an enormous boost in fluency. Most people who really get into memory techniques, however, will have a 85-90% retention rate, which is massive compared to rote learning studies. And even if the best can still get around 40% retention from rote learning using either index cards and Spaced Repetition Softwares, these approaches: 1) Cannot scale the way a solid Memory Palace practice quickly compounds over time 2) Take way too long and way too much discipline for the effects to settle in (for most people) 3) Bore the tears out of the majority of learners Again, some people get on just fine with rote learning. There's even a science to it that many polyglots have mastered. But even polyglots use memory techniques, especially for what they call the Stubborn Quintile. Your First 10 Days With The Freedom Journal For Language Study Most people don't want to be polyglots, however. They'd be happy to get traction in just one language and grow from there. To that end, here's a quick suggestion for your first 10 days using The Freedom Journal: Start with the pronouns. Like this (noting that some languages may not have each of these in play): Day One: I You She He We They Me Him Us Them Day Two: My Your His Her Ours Their Mine Yours Theirs Myself Day Three: Yourself Himself Herself Ourselves Themselves No one Anyone Someone Everyone Everything Day Four: Anything Something Nothing These Those This Days Five-Ten: Go back and add phrases to each of these core vocabulary words. Still Skeptical?… Good! If you're still skeptical that mnemonics can work for you, well… skepticism is good and will help you improve your memory. And if you need extra discipline, then The Freedom Journal in combination with the process you've just learned is a way to get it. Seriously. Just dive in. The map is definitely not the territory here. But The Freedom Journal is excellent for helping you create the map as you navigate the territory. One day a time. Plus… The Freedom Journal Gives You A Pat On The Back From The People Who Matter Most Can you guess who the first person is? That's right: It's you. You're the one gets to enjoy a massive boost in fluency. You're the one who gets to relax into better conversations and reading experiences. Not to mention going to the movies and listening to music in the language you're studying. And you can do it all while completing more than one project. The other people are your family. Your friends. Your tribe. The ones who notice and appreciate your success. Because the pat on the back I needed? Well, I've always like that phrase, "too cool for school." And even though it still breaks my heart a little that I don't have a traditional university to call home… Using The Freedom Journal, I not only reached my goal with Chinese and set the foundation for speaking the language with my new family… The Most Portable Language Learning Tool In The World I also got that dang video course off my back. (Without breaking my back either.) And with that massive project finally done, I now have the means to grow a completely new tribe with whom I get to talk about things other than memory. And in 100 days, I completely edited each and every lecture, which included getting the book version manuscript nearly print-ready. (It's called Genre Frameworks: How To Understand The Structure, Story And Symbolism In Any Movie) In that same 100 days, April helped me shoot each and every video for the online course version. And we still managed to take a trip around Europe too, The Freedom Journal forever close at hand: In sum: The Magnetic Memory Method snaps together very nicely with The Freedom Journal. You can get The Freedom Journal and then click the graphic below to get my free Memory Improvement Kit to learn how to create and use Memory Palaces: So what do you say? Do you think that The Freedom Journal could help you learn a language? I'm confident it will and can't wait to hear your success story. And you still have doubts, here's a replay of a live version of this post to show you how I use The Freedom Journal in practice and answer any questions you may have: And now you know how to use The Freedom Journal, let me ask you this: If you're struggling to learn a language, wouldn't even one word a day feel incredible? No matter where you're at now, this incredible journaling tool can help. Dive in and grab your own Freedom Journal here now! The post The Freedom Journal For Language Learning: The Ultimate 10-Step Guide appeared first on Magnetic Memory Method - How to Memorize With A Memory Palace.