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There is no such thing as a photographic memory.
Karen Kay Mitchell, a noted Canadian educator and author of Memory: The Art of Remembering, suggests no such thing as a photographic memory.
Many people think that they have been blessed with an incredible ability to remember what they see. They believe that they must have photographic memories because they can remember the events or information from long ago or more obscure parties in great detail, like what someone was wearing in fifth grade.
However, while some people may have what many would call a photographic memory, it is a rare ability. It is not what most of us are already calling a photographic memory.
However, the following seven tips will help boost your memory and improve your recall of events.
1. Join a Memory Group
Most of us spend an excellent deal of time with family and friends. As we age, however, it becomes more difficult for us to remember everyone's names. Joining a memory group is an excellent way to ensure that you're surrounded by people who will help you recall as many details as possible about every person you meet.
If you do not already belong before one, consider joining one of the local groups sponsored by your local library or senior center.
2. Learn a Memory System
Several memory systems have been developed over the years to help people remember information better. If your recall is beginning to fail you, consider learning one of these memory systems.
While they may not allow you to recall details like what people were wearing all those years ago, they will undoubtedly help you to remember more critical information like birthdays and anniversaries so that you can avoid last-minute scrambling to find a gift or card.
3. Keep Notes
You can get a lot more from any day, week, or month by carefully logging the details of that day, week, or month. Of course, you will never be able to recall every detail, but you will at least have an idea of the kinds of events that occurred.
Keeping notes also helps you to review past events and see where your memory failure has been.
4. Use the Imagination
If you find yourself forgetting something significant, it may not be necessary to use an actual method to recall it. Sometimes all it takes is a little imagination. Suppose there was a fire in the kitchen of your house. In that case, you might have difficulty recognizing what that particular item was.
However, you are likely to remember everything else that was in that room at the time. If it is just some utensil left on the stove or a forgotten book returned to the shelves, then you may be able to visualize those items. By putting those items into your mind's eye, you can begin to remember the event's details.
5. Enjoy a Hobby
Many people enjoy hobbies that allow them to create something new. Whether you are a knitter or a scrapbooker, you are likely to remember details about every item you make.
6. Use a Substitute
Keep a notebook on hand so that when you need to remember something, you can jot it down without searching in your head for the information. Look for ways to schedule certain events in your life. Set aside a moment each week to review your notes from the past.
For example, if you can't remember what was on television last night, set aside ten minutes before bedtime to check the programming from the previous night and see if you can remember anything useful.
7. Engage in a Memory Competition
Varying from games played for fun to games played by formal groups, memory competitions are a great way to boost your recall. While you may not win every contest, you will undoubtedly learn new strategies that will help improve your recall over time.
While there is no such thing being a photographic memory, there are many methods and strategies that can assist you in remembering more of what happens today. Try out these tips to see which ones work best for you.
Conclusion
There is no such being as a photographic memory. However, there are ways to help you remember more of what happens around you. While nobody may have a photographic memory, many people do enjoy some degree of remembering that results in them recalling what happened last night or where they might have left their keys.
It is possible to boost your memory. By spending time with people who will allow you to learn their memory system, keeping notes in a journal that you can refer to later, and participating in a memory competition, you can learn strategies to help you recall information.
keep it up
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