A Simple Number/Shape Memory System

A Number/Shape Memory System uses a special list of key images that never change and to which everything that you wish to remember will be linked and associated.

The best images to use are the ones you will create yourself rather than those I supply to you. Simply because everyones mind is different, and the links and images that you have will have different associations for you than they do for me or for others.

In the Number/Shape Memory System, all you have to do is think of images for the numbers from 1 to 10 to an image. Each image should remind you of the number because both the image and the number have the same shape.

Here are the numbers from 1 to 10, with a sample beside each number for you to see. Create what you think is the best image to fit the shape of the numbers for you to remember them by.

As you select the words, try to make sure that they are exceptionally good visual images, with colour feel and emotion attached to them. They should be images which you will be able to remember with ease.

Here are several examples:
1 ........Pool cue
2 ........Swan
3 ........Bulging Cheeks
4 ........Teepee
5 ........Wheelchair
6 ........Noose
7 ........Fishing line
8 ........Race track
9 ........Sperm
10 .......Laurel and Hardy

Give yourself a few minutes to complete the list from 1 to 10.

Now that you have generated several of your own number-images, take a piece of paper and draw your image for each number. Do it several times. Don't worry if your not good at art, this is not a contest just make sure you can visualize the image as the number it represents.

Use all your senses in your images, it makes them easier to remember. IE. Red-cheeks, Cold-snowman, the Smell of the lake as your fishing, the Feel of the Pool cue in your hand, etc.

Now that you have drawn them, close your eyes and run through the numbers from 1 to 10 in order, then from 10 to 1 and finally in random order. Mentally link each number, it with the key shape you assigned it.

Practice this until you can easily and clearly bring to mind the image you created for each of the numbers and the number it represents.

You have now created an image system that you will be able to use for the rest of your life and uses both the left and the right sides of your brain.

Now lets test it: 3 minute time limit

Try to remember this list of 10 things:
1 Coca Cola
2 Fish
3 Melons
4 House
5 Pyramid
6 Rubber Chicken
7 Wish
8 Arrow
9 Battle Front
10 Submarine

To remember these items all that you have to do is to link them in your mind to the appropriate Number/Shape association you created. As with all memory systems, the more imaginative you can be, the better.

Once you have completed your memorization of these ten items, write them down on a piece of paper then check and see how well you did.