5 Memory Improvement Exercises That Don't Need Another Annoying App

It's annoying when the memory improvement exercises on your smartphone don't help, isn't it?

Your smartphone is supposed to be smart after all.

But instead, it's packed full of junk you never use or apps you never get results from.

And if you're like most people, you've downloaded a few brain trainers, some of which included memory improvement exercises.

Don't worry. I've been there. And the good news is …

Memory Improvement Exercises Make Everything Better

It's true. It's not just about improving your memory. It's also about bringing a higher level of fitness to your mind.

But the truth is that the science just doesn't stand in favor of apps for exercising your memory.

Far from it.

Worse, companies have even been punished for some of the claims they make about the memory improvement an app can make possible.

Stop wasting your time on memory improvement apps.

Mind you …

I have discovered one that I think is worth your time and I'll be talking about it later this year after I gather some more experience with it.

But for now – and even if you take up the app I'm using now in the future – you never need memory improvement apps in order to complete the best memory improvement exercises in the world.

Let's dive in to my Top 5 faves.

5. The Gary Small Memory Improvement Exercise

It's been awhile since I interviewed Dr. Gary Small, author of the excellent book, 2 Weeks To A Younger Brain.

My favorite exercise from the book involves a simple exercise that will amaze you. You not only feel your memory improving over time, but you get a clarity boost too.

All you have to do is pay attention to people in the world.

Pick one of them.

Notice four details.

Then, later in the day, recall that person and the four details you noticed.

For example, the other day I chose a man I saw on the way to the gym. He wore a red scarf, black jacket, held his key in his hands and had scuffed brown shoes.

Don't Try To Memorize!

This is important: I didn't try to memorize these details.

Instead, I just noticed them and asked my brain to pay attention.

Then, on my way home from the gym and once again later in the day, I recalled those four details.

It's such a simple exercise. Better than all the memory improvement vitamins in the world.

And it feels so good.

I've played a lot of memory improvement games and not a single one of them created nearly as much pleasure.

Best part:

You don't have to stop with just one person. You can do this memory exercise all day long and really stretch yourself.

For example, when I got to the gym, I made it a point to notice four things about the woman at the desk who took my card and gave me my wristband.

I noticed the grooming of her eyebrows and the colors of her sweater, jogging pants and shoes.

And that made me more present.

Something we all need to be practicing. We know that meditation is good for the brain, and this exercise, although not a form of meditation, relates to the practice because of how it keeps you aware of your surroundings. Instead of being lost in thought, you're actively paying attention to the world and the things you encounter in it.

4. Memorize Information From A Book

But not just any information.

Information that matters. Information that enhances the experience or even helps you make the world a better place.

For example, some of us are sloppy readers. Because character names are repeated so often, we never bother to memorize them. That, or the authors focus our attention on the meaning of names in order to ensure that we instantly remember them.

But what if we made it our goal to actively practice our memory by making some memory improvement exercises from the characters?

For example, you can modify the Gary Small memory improvement game. Even if the author doesn't provide visual details for you to practice remembering …

You Can Simply Make Them Up!

I do this all the time when reading. For example, the novel I'm reading now has a character named Stone Luckman. For obvious reasons, that name is instantly memorizable, especially since you can see the character getting stones thrown at him.

(Congrats to the novelist Matt Eaton of Blank for building an amazing mnemonic into this character's name!)

But I add details. Like that he's bald, has a scar on his cheek, wears a vest and knee-high military boots.

Disrespectful to the author?

Perhaps, but as Stephen King points out in On Writing, he tends to scrimp on physical details in his writing because he knows readers go ahead and paint their own portraits of the characters anyway.

The only question is …

Do Readers Remember Those Details?

Probably most don't. But you most certainly can.

To let this exercise show you how to improve concentration and memory, give yourself a simple test with the next character you encounter in the novel you're reading.

You are reading a novel, aren't you? If not, no worries – the same exercise applies to non-fiction as well.

For example, I just finished reading No Limit: The Rise And Fall Of Bob Stupak And Las Vegas' Stratosphere by John L. Smith. (Nothing like a book about buildings that can be used as Memory Palaces, right? )

In this case, I looked up pictures of the people mentioned in the book and commanded my mind to remember details about them. Then, I ask my mind later in the day to recall those details.

This is one of those memory improvement exercises that simply can't be beat.

And You Can Do It Too!

You improve your imagination and knowledge of the world through reading and by adding one simple feature, improve your memory too.

Oh, and discipline helps too. Here's how to get some:

If you want to take things to the next level, you can also check out How To Memorize A Textbook. Go ahead and download that episode of the Magnetic Memory Method Podcast and the infographic. I know you want to!

3. Create More Than One Memory Palace On A Single Day

If you've been following the Magnetic Memory Method for any length of time now, you now the phrase:

"One is the most dangerous number in memory improvement."

People want just one book.

Just one memory technique.

Just one memory improvement guru.

Just one Memory Palace.

And no fantasies, like the belief that binaural beats can improve your memory.

Sure, some people can get away with that. Memory competition history holds some legendary tales about people who scanned through a single book and went on to win in a short period of time.

But Those Cases Are Rare!

And the truth is that one is never enough, especially when it comes to the power and the glory of the Memory Palace.

If you have only created and used one Memory Palace, that's like enjoying pizza at just one restaurant.

Sure, you've had pizza. But do you really know what pizza's all about?

Didn't think so.

The reality is that the full experience of pizza is always yet to come. You can always learn more about what defines a truly great pizza by eating another one.

(Pizza's a really bad example, by the way, but like the Memory Palace, it has stronger originary ties in Ancient Greece – and even then, that's still not the beginning of the story. Eat these foods that improve memory instead.)

Creating a Memory Palace the right way is really simple. Make sure you have the Magnetic Memory Method Worksheets and free video series so that you're good to go.

And then make it one of your favorite memory improvement exercises to simply sit down and create at least one new Memory Palace each week. It's easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy.

2. Use A Memory Palace Every Day

You knew this one was coming, right?

Well, the truth is that I've gotten a lot of people to make Memory Palaces. I've got folders on my computer full of pics and scans from people all around the world.

And making them is great memory exercise. It's great memory activity for kids and one of the most powerful memory exercises for seniors.

But there's a difference between creating a Memory Palace and using one.

And you can certainly benefit by creating Memory Palaces and not using them. I do this all the time.

But the real magic and the real way to blast far and beyond what the memory improvement apps can do for you is to actually use them.

What Are Memory Palaces Good For?

They're good for encoding and decoding information you want to memorize. That's a fancy way of saying that we use a Memory Palace to place information into long term memory so you can remember it any time you want.

Information like:

• The Vocabulary Of Any Language
• Professional Terminology From Any Field
• Poetry, jokes, quotes, long speeches Any string of numbers or equations
• The most important information from textbooks
• Names and faces
• Concepts
• Oaths
• Computer commands
• Streets on a map
• Facts from history, geography, science and all disciplines
• Important points from lectures
• Things said during conversations
• … and much, much more, all with near or total accuracy!

I suggest that you pick whichever of these categories interest you the most and get good at just that area. You can learn more on the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass product page if this training might suit you the best.

Then add another.

Before you know it, you'll have skills that enable you to use a Memory Palace to learn and remember anything you want!

The point is that we should always use memory improvement exercises that involve Memory Palaces to remember information that improves our lives.

Which leads to …

1. Remember And Recall Information About The Ones You Love

You wanna know why families fall apart?

The following is a bit of speculation on my part, but I honestly think it's true.

And I'll bet a recent experience proves it.

Let me set the scene:

I got married recently. It was awesome. April and I went all over the map on our honeymoon.

And yes, I can tell you the name of the judge who married us.

How Memory Improvement Exercises Can Create The True Ties That Bind

I don't say that to brag, but I see stuff like that as a kind of cement that binds two people together.

And when April and I finally got our butts to Beijing for the family party …

I went out of my way to ask for and memorize the name of every single person I met.

Why?

Because the old cliche is true (and I don't care if people send hate mail after reading this):

A happy wife = a happy life.

And what could make a person happier than a spouse who cares?

A spouse who can talk about different family members by name?

Heck, a spouse who can actually look someone in the eye while shaking their hand and say, "Hey, Steve, thanks for coming. We appreciate it."

And then do that again and again and again.

Now in my case, there really was a Steve at my wedding party. And because he's Chinese, I had to do double-duty in some cases.

In others, I just went with one name.

The Curious Reason Memory Improvement Exercises Are The Most Powerful Investment You'll Ever Make

But the point is that I was not just practicing my memory.

I was investing in my wife.

And my challenge to you is that you learn to be a good partner to your loved one too.

Even if you're single, equip yourself with this skill.

I'm not just saying this because Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

I'm saying it because it's true:

Love = Happiness

At least … most of the time.

And one of the best ways to express love is to actually care about the names of the people in your family.

And what about your partner's friends?

Their childhood pets?

And all the other names we all throw around in our day to day lives?

Why let that information pass you by when you can capture it all, pop it into a simple-to-create Memory Palace and remember it forever? Use it to help improve your episodic memory?

I'll tell you why.

I'll tell you the major objection.

Stop Leaving Your Success In Life To Chance

It's because people leave their lives to chance.

They prefer it that way.

Rather than lifting a finger to make life awesome now and prepare for a great future, they open themselves up for that divorce request that comes out of the blue a years down the road.

Except that request ain't out of the blue.

It was set into the wall of the life you're building right now.

Because whether you like it or not, you are building your life.

And if you want to know what real love is all about, you're going to want to make sure that memory improvement exercises are a part of your life.

It Really Is That Simple

So what do you say?

Are you ready to get out there and do some simple memory improvement exercises?

If the answer is yes, then you already have more than you need to get started here on the Magnetic Memory Method blog and podcast.

Have fun!

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