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Archive for the ‘Memory Techniques’ Category

Speed Reading

Monday, October 26th, 2009

One of the best ways to save time is to do speed reading. When you read fast, you can get a rough idea of what material is presented to be read. Remember, speed reading is not an alternative to normal reading, but actually an exercise to make normal reading more effective.

How to read faster? The technique of speed reading involves the use of your finger. You need to train your eyes initially to follow your finger and after that as you increase the speed of your finger, you will be able to read faster.

To start with, take any book with only textual information and turn it upside down. Now keep your finger just below the line you are starting with. Move your finger as you read. Do this at least 10 minutes and then start increasing the speed of your finger, soon there will be no need to take the finger from one end to the other-you will just be able to keep it in the centre of the lines.

Now put the book straight again and use your finger to read. Will you be able to read faster? Of course! Measurements of word speeds indicate up to 50% increase in speed.

Do this 20 minutes exercise for a week. Your mind may not initially be able to cope up with this, but soon it will get used to.

Well, we don’t necessarily read at super speeds. But by being able to cope with fast speeds, one can grasp more at slower reading speeds. This makes reading effective as well as interesting.

Posted in Concentration, Memory Techniques | 5 Comments »

Activate the Weaker Side

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

Using your non-dominant hand to open the door to your house might unlock a stifled memory.

Have you ever tried to write your signature with your non-dominant hand? Remember how hard you had to focus to get even your first name down on the page. By struggling through an activity that normally comes very easily to you, you are activating under-used pathways in your brain that are just waiting to be tapped.

Pick any activity that you naturally do with one hand or the other: brushing your teeth, buttoning a shirt, tying your shoes, dealing cards. When you do it with the opposite hand, the brain registers the immediate contrast to your normal modus operandi. Opposing brain hemispheres, normally unchallenged when doing this task, are activated by the sensory and motor information sent by that different hand or foot which means major gains in brain circuit development.

Try to incorporate several nondominant hand tasks into your daily habits. Like any lifestyle change, you may not feel immediate results, but they will gradually accrue over time.

Naturally, though this challenge is just for risk-free tasks, I’d be a little cautious about using your nondominant hand for certain things. You don’t want to cut steaks or use power tools or chain saw.

Posted in Memory Techniques, Mind & Thoughts | 5 Comments »

Remembering Names

Sunday, April 19th, 2009

Always Associate
Examples:-
Renu might like to run.
Prasoon might have monsoon as his favourite season.
Cathy might love cats.

  • When introduced, ask for the name to be repeated. Use the name yourself as often as possible (without overdoing it!). If you find the name to be unusual, ask how it is spelled, or where it comes from. If it is similar to a name you know, a friend’s or relative’s or if you’ve never heard a name like it before, mention it. The more often you hear the say the name, the more likely it is to sink in.
  • If not sure of the spelling or the pronunciation, try to spell it. Either you’ll spell it correctly and flatter the person, or he’ll correct you and be flattered by your interest. Either way, you’ve helped to ‘knock’ that name into your memory.
  • Always use the name when you good-bye. That should help you in remembering the name till you meet the person the next time.

Posted in Memory Techniques | No Comments »