Professor Richard Wiseman has been featured in the book club before, with his book “Rip it Up”. I make no secret of my slight “fan girl” approach over his work; he writes with a great combination of science and humour! “How to Remember Everything*” is part of a selection of short books by publisher “Quercus Editions”, a series of “How to” books that give us “little ways to live a BIG LIFE”. Only 51 pages long, it contains tips, techniques, and exercises that not only teach us memory tricks but explain the science behind them! So, if you are looking to “remember names and faces, birthdays and meeting, telephone numbers and shopping lists, exam answers and pub trivia”, then you need to have this book!
Knowledge is power! I am sure we have all heard this phrase! Yet, we are in a world where we have to remember so much that something that knowledge seems to just leak out of our ears! From multiple pin numbers, due dates of work to brand new processes and systems. Whilst I may jest a little, not being able to remember things can also knock our confidence; it can make you feel like you aren’t good enough, you can’t do your job anymore or you will end up missing something very important. It’s an issue that comes up many times in my coaching; so when I came across the book “How to Remember Everything*”, it made sense that it got added to the Book Review schedule!
Many of the parents I support with return to work coaching share their worries about their memory – that they are struggling to recall what they did before, or the embed the information they are learning now. It is a common concern and one that we don’t often share for fear of judgement. The fact is, lots of things can impact our memory; but it’s not ABILITY! Through this book, Prof. Wiseman talks about all the things that can negatively impact our memory (I bet it’s no surprise that sleep is one of them!) and reassuringly, the ways you can train your brain to remember things!
In true Clara Cliff Notes style, here are the four things you need to remember (won’t apologise for the pun) about “How to Remember Everything*”
Memory isn’t simple
You have two types of memory; short-term and long-term. It is your short-term memory that is helping you understand this blog: a small amount of information that you are aware of RIGHT NOW. Your long-term memory is attained over a longer amount of time; your longer-term memory of what the letters and words mean! How these two things interact (and how you can train them) can impact your memory (and your ability to RECALL information, not just recognise it!)
Forgetting things is normal!
Research has found that forgetting things is often associated with being busy! We all know that the mental load is a genuine issue, so it would be useful to pay attention to what ELSE is happening around you when you forget things!
The brain likes pictures
In the 1970s a researcher called Allan Paivio started working on a cognitive psychology model called the “Dual Coding Theory”. Simply put, this shows that the brain remembers visual information very well. The brain sees pictures, then associates words to them: it remembers the visual and the verbal! So when you are trying to remember information, don’t try and remember the words. Create a visual representation and it doubles your memory power!
Your environment helps or hinders your memory
Wiseman includes Ten Top Tips to help with your memory. (Get the book to find them!) but the one I want to stress the most, especially for those will children that don’t sleep through the night, is this. Research shows that whilst you sleep, the brain is sorting out information. It keeps the things that count and discards the things you don’t need (research shows that the dreams we have are part of that sorting process). So, if you aren’t sleeping, it is no surprise that your memory is not where it once was!
Whilst the book itself seems pricey for the length, what you are paying for is its content. It’s full to the brim with techniques to help you learn, recall and retain information right now and will help all the students in your household! You and those around you can get ahead of the game by learning these techniques now – it will make a real difference in your life!
What do you think? Have you used any of the methods mentioned in the book? Come along to Creating Careers to Enjoy to share your memory techniques.
If you want to read any more of the book reviews, check them out here!
If you want to talk to me about my return to work or career coaching, you can find out more here or book in a call
*This is an affiliate Link. If you click on and buy something, I may get a few pennies, but it won’t impact the price you pay.
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
