On an average day, literally thousands of thoughts go through our minds. It is probably safe to say that most of those thoughts are soon forgotten. However, there are a few really important thoughts that we want to remember and when these, too, slip away, we usually say something like, "Oh dear, I must be getting old" or "I just can't seem to remember things." But is forgetting the things we really want to remember a sign of old age? Are we really stuck with a "bad" memory, or is there a way to improve one's memory?
I have discovered that not only is it possible, it isn't even all that difficult. We simply need to expend the time and effort required. An English historian once wrote, "The true art of memory is the art of attention." In other words, once you put your mind to it, your memory will improve. Here's a few simple suggestions:
• Remember to remember. Tell yourself that you want to remember something and concentrating on it will bring immediate results. If you really want to remember something, you will.
• Sharpen your observations. Few people really take the time to notice details. By paying close attention to what you see and hear and really looking and listening, you will remember more.
• Practice recall. Most of our forgetting occurs right after learning, so make a deliberate effort to repeat and review immediately. Repetition helps to fix the fat or image in our minds.
• Concentrate. When you are trying to learn, do all you can to eliminate distractions, such as fatigue, noise, and competing visual images.
• Stop saying that you're not good at remembering things.
