If I had a dollar for every time someone has said that to me.

Ask the average person what percentage of our brain we use and the majority will say 10%, very few will say we use 100%, which would be the correct answer. Imaging methods have shown that even simple tasks produce activity throughout the whole brain.

So where did this 10% myth come from?  It seems to be traced back to the American psychologist William James, who in his 1906 speech ‘The Energies of Men’ said:

“We make use of only a small part of our possible mental and physical resources.”

He never actually stated a percentage, yet somehow along the way this ‘undeveloped potential’ was picked up and morphed into a percentage. One example is a 1929 ad that ran in The World Almanac, which read:

‘Scientists and psychologists tell us we only use 10 percent of our brain power’.

But it really took hold and was popularized in 1936 when American writer Lowell Thomas, in the preface to Dale Carnegies best seller How to Win Friends and Influence People, falsely stated that:

“Professor William James of Harvard used to say that the average man develops only ten percent of his latent mental ability.”

Then there was no stopping it. Fortunes and careers have been made over the years with self-help books tapping into this myth. Individuals involved with the paranormal have championed this ‘fact’ to explain the potential for psychic powers.

Even Uri Geller, remember him? He made a career out of convincing people he could bend metal with his mind. He claims in his book, Uri Geller  Mind-Power Book:

“Most of us only use 10 percent of our brains if that.”

Having us believe that he has tapped into some, if not all of the remaining 90%.

Think about it logically, if big chunks of our brain were never used, then damaging them would have no effect on us.

Please share, below. You can also join me on Twitter, Facebook and or LinkedIn for more brain/memory information, links are at the top of the page.

Cheers, Bob
Motivational Speaker

Rick Perry memory lapse

If the absolute necessity for a trained memory in politics hasn’t become evident by now, then it never will be.

Similar to Sarah Palin, all he needed to do was to tap into the incredibly powerful visual side of our brain and convert what he wished to memorize to images, and then link them together in a crazy, ridiculous, creative fashion. He needed to visualize images or pictures that would immediately remind him of each department.

Here are the images I would use to represent the three departments:

Commerce = A Comma, a gigantic Black typewritten Comma.

The beauty with memory systems is that the ‘reminder image’ doesn’t necessarily have to relate to the word you are trying to recall, it can simply sound like it, as in this case. The word Commerce is left brain, non-visual, yet the word Comma is more right brain and certainly conjures up an image, and that is always the key, changing what we wish to remember into images, or nouns.

Education = A Mortar Board Graduation Cap.

That’s the first image that springs to my mind, you may think of a favorite teacher, or an apple. Whatever you first think of, as long as it conjures up an image, will always be the strongest.

Energy = A can of Red Bull.

Like the image for Sarah Palin wishing to recall Energy in the earlier article. A chocolate bar, bag of sugar, wind turbine or solar panels would also work.

Now lets link them together.

So knowing he’s going to bring up these three points should he be elected to the White House, this would be our starting point or image, the White House. To this image he must link or associate, in a strange and creative way, the image that represents the first department, Commerce.

Go ahead and visualize a gigantic 70’ Black typewritten Comma hanging from the roof of the White House.

To this strange image we link the Mortar Board Cap, so again, make this image gigantic, visualize a 50’ x 50’ Cap balancing from the tail of the Comma.

Finally for Energy we have the Red Bull. Visualize the tassels of the Mortar Board Cap replaced with gigantic cans of Red Bull. Go ahead and see that ridiculous image. Hear the sound of the Aluminum cans as they bump together.

So now when Rick wants to bring up the three departments he would shut down should he be elected to the White House, he immediately sees the image of the White House, and hanging from the roof is a large what? Yes, a huge Comma, which would give him the first department….Commerce. From the tail of the comma, he sees a 50’ x 50’ Mortar Board Cap, which will give him the department of Education, and what’s making all that metallic rattling sound? Oh yea, those huge cans of Red Bull in place of the tassels hanging from the cap, which will give the third department, (which originally forgetting could well have blown him the nomination), the department of Energy.

Four images, three links….saved credibility….oops!

Please share below if you found this informative. You can join me on Twitter, Facebook and or LinkedIn for more Memory/Booking information, links are at the top of the page, cheers,

Bob Gray CSP HoF

keynote speaker

So here is my tenth and final post on memorizing the US state capitals. Again, please take a moment to read the April 2011 post regarding how our memory tends to cling to the absurd and make sure you are reviewing these crazy images at the critical times in order to store them into your long-term memory. (See below)

OK, let’s memorize the final five capital cities for Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The capital of Virginia is Richmond. Quite simply I see a Rich Man, covered in Bling lighting his cigar with $100 bills and drinking a Furry Gin (Virginia) a glass of Gin perhaps in a Furry cup holder.

Washington’s capital is Olympia. Easy, I see large white bed sheets hanging from a Washing Line, as it’s known in the UK, a clothes line elsewhere. I picture the Olympic rings painted across the bed sheets. Anything to remind you of Washing will work, a Laundromat, washing clothes in a stream, washing your face in a basin in your bathroom, any of the Washington sports teams will also work, then incorporate the large Olympic rings into the picture.

The capital of West Virginia is Charleston. I still use the Furry Gin for this association and to differentiate West Virginia from Virginia I see the Gin getting spilled on a vest (West) worn by a man dancing the Charleston.

Wisconsin’s capital is Madison. For Wisconsin I see Cheese, and for Madison I see a Mad Son, a small son eating cheese and going mad!

And finally the capital of Wyoming is Cheyenne. Here’s one for you. A Homing Pigeon (Wyoming) carrying a Shy Ant or Anne if you know one (Cheyenne) on it’s back. Or you can use Wire for Wyoming.

So to review:

Rich Man drinking a Furry Gin

Virginia/Richmond

Olympic rings painted across your mother’s Washing

Washington/Olympia

Spilling Gin on your Vest while dancing the Charleston

West Virginia/Charleston

A son eating Cheese and going Mad

Wisconsin/Madison

A Homing pigeon carrying a Shy Ant

Wyoming/Cheyenne

Here is my standard wrap up.

Again, make sure you review these images within 60-75 minutes from now, it takes less than 60 seconds but is critical for long term storage, then again within 24 hr’s, then 1 week later and then 1 month later.

That’s all fifty states and their capital cities; hopefully you have found these helpful in understanding how the ridiculous and absurd tend to stick in our minds.

Please share, below, if you found this informative. You can also join me on Twitter, Facebook and or LinkedIn for more memory information, links are at the top of the page, cheers.

Bob Gray CSP HoF

keynote speaker

So here is my ninth post on memorizing the US state capitals. Again, please take a moment to read the April post regarding how our memory tends to cling to the absurd and make sure you are reviewing these crazy images at the critical times in order to store them into your long term memory. (See below)

OK, let’s memorize the next five capital cities for South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Vermont.

The capital of S. Dakota is Pierre. Again, as in North Dakota, I will use the actress Dakota Fanning. This time I see her in a swimsuit; this allows me to differentiate from North (cold) to South (hot). So I see her perhaps on the beach and see her juggling huge Peas in the Air, Pierre.

Tennessee’s capital is Nashville. Anything related to Tennis will work here. Your favourite tennis player, a tennis court, a racquet, or even Wimbledon. For Nashville I think of Ash, so I imagine Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal playing centre court Wimbledon, and instead of using tennis racquets, they are using gigantic cigarettes which are dropping mounds of cigarette ash onto the court. See them trying to smoke between sets, disgusting and memorable!

The capital of Texas is Austin. This is an easy one for me but very English. For Texas I see the Alamo and driving onto the Alamo is an old Austin 16, a car that my dad had when I was growing up in England. You could use a Texas Longhorn to represent Texas and for Austin you could use Steve Austin, the old Six Million Dollar Man, or Stone Cold Steve Austin, the retired wrestler, see either, or both of them riding a Longhorn, or see Stone Cold wrestling one in a ring.

Utah’s capital is Salt Lake City. Utah always reminds me of the Bonneville Salt Flats. For Utah I think of You Tar and I see the Flats covered in hot sticky Tar. Perhaps someone is trying to set a new land speed record and they are stuck in the Tar. Or you could see a huge Salt Cellar stuck in a huge puddle of Tar. Once you remember Salt, you should automatically remember Salt Lake City.

And finally the capital of Vermont is Montpelier. I change Vermont to Fur Mint and Montpelier to Mt. Peel. So a Furry cat eating a Mint on top of a Mountain of orange Peel. Go ahead see that image!

So to review:

Dakota Fanning juggling Peas
South Dakota/Pierre

Roger and Rafael smoking at Wimbledon
Tennessee/Nashville

Stone Cold Steve Austin wrestling a Longhorn
Texas/Austin

New land speed record halted by Tar
Utah/Salt Lake City

A furry Cat eating a Mint on top of a Mountain of orange Peel
Vermont/Montpelier

Here is my standard wrap up.
Again, make sure you review these images within 60-75 minutes from now, it takes less than 60 seconds but is critical for long term storage, then again within 24 hr’s, then 1 week later and then 1 month later.

I will continue to post state capitals and their crazy images in groups of five. I have just five more to go then you will have all 50 memorized and a great handle on how to visualize the ridiculous and absurd. This is essential for us to apply memory systems to more practical business applications like recalling Names and Faces, speeches and presentations, model numbers, prices, to-do lists etc.

Please share if you found this informative, thanks.

Bob Gray CSP HoF

keynote speaker

So here is my eighth post on memorizing the US state capitals. Again, please take a moment to read the April post regarding how our memory tends to cling to the absurd and make sure you are reviewing these crazy images at the critical times in order to store them onto your long term memory. (See below)

OK, let’s memorize the next five capital cities for Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Carolina.

The capital of Oklahoma is Oklahoma City. For Oklahoma is see an Oak tree. I always picture the one in the backyard which played a huge part in my childhood where I grew up in England. If you cannot picture a particular Oak tree then any tree will do. In this tree I imagine hundreds of model skyscrapers (City) hanging from the leaves like Christmas tree ornaments.

Oregon’s capital is Salem. I change Oregon to Oar Gun and picture two gigantic guns being used as oars in a sailing boat. I can’t help but instantly think of the Salem Witch Trials whenever I hear the name Salem. So I imagine a couple of witches rowing this boat, see real ugly caricature cliché images of witches, perhaps like the witch from The Wizard of Oz.

Pennsylvania’s capital is Harrisburg. This is an easy one, how about a huge Pencil stuck in a Hairy BURGer……imagine taking a bite, disgusting I know……but memorable!

Rhode Island’s capital is Providence. I picture a lonely Road winding its way across an Island, I then imagine a Professor Dancing along this road, Prof Dance/Providence.

And finally the capital of South Carolina is Columbia. I see Carol Singers again, just as I did for North Carolina, only this time they are dressed in swim suits which represents warmer weather in the South. Personally I see old 78 and 45 rpm records stuffed into their swim suits. Whenever I hear the name Columbia I am immediately transported back in time to my living room in England. I see my dad playing his old 78’s with the Blue Columbia labels, I also see my old Columbia 45’s with their black and white labels. If you are young enough to have only ever downloaded music and have absolutely no idea what I am talking about regarding 78’s and 45’s, then you can picture the Carol singers in their swim suits, and they are stacking a Column of Beer/Columbia in front of the door where they are singing.

So to review:

An Oak tree with Skyscrapers as Christmas ornaments
Oklahoma/Oklahoma City

Two Witches rowing a boat using guns
Oregon/Salem

Eating a Hairy Burger with a Pencil stuck through it
Pennsylvania/Harrisburg

A Professor dancing along a lonely Road
Rhode Island/Providence

Carol singers dressed in swim suits with records stuffed in their suits
South Carolina/Columbia

Here is my standard wrap up.
Again, make sure you review these images within 60-75 minutes from now, it takes less than 60 seconds but is critical for long term storage, then again within 24 hr’s, then 1 week later and then 1 month later.

I will continue to post state capitals and their crazy images in groups of five. I have just ten more to go then you will have all 50 memorized and a great handle on how to visualize the ridiculous and absurd. This is essential for us to apply memory systems to more practical business applications like recalling Names and Faces, speeches and presentations, model numbers, prices, to-do lists etc.

Please share if you found this informative, thanks.

Bob Gray CSP HoF

Motivational Speaker

OK, let’s memorize the next five capital cities for New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota and Ohio.

The capital of New Mexico is Santa Fe. For New Mexico I see a Sombrero Hat, it originated in Mexico but good enough to remind me of New Mexico. Santa Fe I change to Santa’s Face, so I see Santa covering his face with a huge Sombrero.

New York’s capital is Albany. I use the Statue of Liberty to remind me of New York and I change Albany to Album Knee. I see the Statue of Liberty smashing my favourite Beatles album across her knee, or see her doing the same with a photo album.

North Carolina’s capital is Raleigh. I see Carol singers, which also represents snow and North. I use a Raleigh bike to represent the capital. So I picture a group of Carol Singers standing on my porch singing away while holding up or riding Raleigh bicycles. You could throw Sir Walter Raleigh in the group too to make sure!

North Dakota’s capital is Bismarck. I see a giant Dakota Fanning, the actress, sitting astride the Bismarck, the German Battleship. I also imagine that it’s snowing, just to help differentiate between North and South Dakota. If that doesn’t work for you, how about a Decoder, in Snow, and a bus driving over it leaving its mark, Bus Mark.

And finally the capital of Ohio is Columbus. For some reason I think of Cheerios when I say Ohio, so I see Christopher Columbus standing in the crow’s nest of the Santa Maria eating Cheerios…nice one!

So to review:

Santa covering his face with a Sombrero
New Mexico/Santa Fe

The Statue of Liberty smashing an album across her knee
New York/Albany

Carol Singers riding bikes
North Carolina/Raleigh

Dakota Fanning sitting astride the Bismarck in the snow
North Dakota/Bismarck

Christopher Columbus eating Cheerios
Ohio/Columbus

Here is my standard wrap up.
Again, make sure you review these images within 60-75 minutes from now, it takes less than 60 seconds but is critical for long term storage, then again within 24 hr’s, then 1 week later and then 1 month later.

I will continue to post state capitals and their crazy images in groups of five. We are already more than half way through. Before we know it you will have all 50 memorized and a great handle on how to visualize the ridiculous and absurd. This is essential for us to apply memory systems to more practical business applications like recalling Names and Faces, speeches and presentations, model numbers, prices, to-do lists etc.

Please share if you found this informative, thanks.

Bob Gray CSP HoF

Keynote Speaker

Bob Gray CSP HoF

Motivational Speaker

OK, let’s memorize the next five capital cities for Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire and New Jersey.

The capital of Montana is Helena. I immediately picture a mountain for Montana, sat on top of the mountain is Helen of Troy. If you know a Helen, see her sitting on top shouting AAAAHH… (Helen AAAH)

Nebraska’s capital is Lincoln. For Nebraska I see a huge wheat field. Picture Abe Lincoln giving a speech in the middle of this huge wheat field, perhaps his audience is a bunch of scarecrows. If you like, for an added association see a Lincoln car cutting donuts through the wheat field.

Nevada’s capital is Carson City. I simply see Johnny Carson playing slot machines (Las Vegas). Could use Carson Daly for you younger ones out there who are saying, “Johnny who?” If you don’t know a Carson, then break it into Car Son; see a car with a small boy sitting on top of the roof playing a slot machine.

New Hampshire’s capital is Concord. You can visualize a Hamster piloting the Concorde.

And finally the capital of New Jersey is Trenton. You could use a sweater for Jersey. There are Jersey cows, or the small island off the coast of mainland Britain. How about any of the characters from the TV series Jersey Shore, can’t say I know any as I haven’t seen the show, but know it’s popular. For Trenton I would change it to Train Ton. My personal image is of a Jersey Cow driving a Train that is pulling a Ton weight.

So to review:

Helen of Troy sitting on top of a Mountain
Montana/Helena

Abe Lincoln talking to a bunch of scarecrows in a wheat field
Nebraska/Lincoln

Johnny or Carson Daly playing the slots
Nevada/Carson City

A Hamster piloting the Concorde
New Hampshire/Concord

A Cow driving a Train
New Jersey/Trenton

Here is my standard wrap up.

Again, make sure you review these images within 60-75 minutes from now, it takes less than 60 seconds but is critical for long term storage, then again within 24 hr’s, then 1 week later and then 1 month later.

I will continue to post state capitals and their crazy images in groups of five. Before we know it you will have all 50 memorized and a great handle on how to visualize the ridiculous and absurd. This is essential for us to apply memory systems to more practical business applications like recalling Names and Faces, speeches and presentations, model numbers, prices, to-do lists etc.

Please share if you found this informative, thanks.

Bob Gray CSP HoF

Keynote Speaker

OK, let’s memorize the next five capital cities for Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Missouri.

The capital of Massachusetts is Boston. I immediately conjure up a Church Mass, for Boston you can choose several references, perhaps everyone in church is eating beans, (Beantown) and they have gas! Or a large tin of beans is giving the sermon. How about everyone standing up with large teapots in their hands and pouring scalding tea on top of each other, (Boston Tea Party).

Michigan’s capital is Lancing, I simply see a Gun (MichiGUN) with a huge lance sticking out its barrel.

Minnesota’s capital is St. Paul. For Minnesota I see a large can of Soda, sitting on top of the can of Soda is a Ball with a Halo, Halo for Saint and Ball for Paul.

Mississippi’s capital is Jackson. I imagine Randy Jackson dancing on the American Idol stage with a Hippie. Or you can use a river for Mississippi and anything associated to Jack in the Box, perhaps its character floating down the river, or a huge burger. If you are not familiar with the chain, then see a toy Jack in the Box springing out of its box as it floats down the Mississippi river.

And finally.

Missouri’s capital is Jefferson City. I know someone named Jeff and I imagine him sitting at a table, head in hands crying with Misery. You can change Jefferson to Chef Son and see a Chef’s son crying.

So to review:

Tin of Beans giving a sermon
Boston/Massachusetts

357 Magnum with a huge knight’s Lance sticking out its barrel
Lancing/Michigan

Ball with a Halo balanced on top of a Soda
St. Paul/Minnesota

Randy Jackson dancing with a Hippie
Jackson/Mississippi

Jeff or a Chef’s Son crying
Jefferson City/Missouri

Here is my standard wrap up.

Again, make sure you review these images within 60-75 minutes from now, it takes less than 60 seconds but is critical for long term storage, then again within 24 hr’s, then 1 week later and then 1 month later.

I will continue to post state capitals and their crazy images in groups of five. We are half way. Before we know it you will have all 50 memorized and a great handle on how to visualize the ridiculous and absurd. This is essential for us to apply memory systems to more practical business applications like recalling Names and Faces, speeches and presentations, model numbers, prices, to-do lists etc.

Please share if you enjoyed this/these posts.

Bob Gray CSP HoF

Motivational Speaker

OK, let’s memorize the next five capital cities for Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine and Maryland.

The capital of Kansas is Topeka. If you have been following along with my previous posts you are probably starting to conjure up images without much prompting. For Kansas we obviously see a gigantic Can, whatever image first comes to mind, use that one. I see a huge opened can of beans. Topeka, guess what’s peeking out from the can of beans……sure, a giant Toe, Toe Peeking, Topeka.

Remember, you cannot just read what I am writing; you MUST conjure up these crazy images in your mind, close your eyes for a few seconds and try to see the ridiculous picture in as much detail as you possibly can. Perhaps see yourself holding the can, is it cold? Can you feel the aluminium; perhaps the toe has a hangnail, I know, disgusting….but memorable? OK next.

Kentucky’s capital is Frankfort, this has to be a box or tub of the Colonel’s Kentucky Fried Chicken. See yourself opening a box of Kentucky Fried Chicken but instead of finding wings and legs, out springs hundreds of German Frankfurters. Or perhaps see yourself being blocked from entering your local KFC by a gigantic Frankfurter, imagine that the Frankfurter actually has arms and legs and is fighting with you. Feel the Frankfurter, imagine its smell.

Louisiana’s capital is Baton Rouge, or Red Stick. If you are lucky enough to know someone named Lou, Louise or Anna see them running rampage with a huge Baseball Bat (ton) or Red Stick, their face is Red with rage, hear them puffing. If you don’t know anyone with these names then an image of a Lasso will most likely be all you need for Louisiana. Baton Rouge could be converted to Button Rouge, see a Button with a four Rouge Lipsticks inserted through each of its holes. So a lasso roping a huge button with the red lipsticks would work.

Maine’s capital is Augusta. If you are a golf fan then Augusta would immediately conjure up the Masters golf course. How about a horse with a huge Mane (literally touching the ground) running down the first fairway of Augusta chasing Tiger Woods. Hear the hoofs as they gallop and tear up the beautifully manicured fairway. Or you could change Maine to Moon and see A Gust of wind tearing across the Moon’s surface.

And finally.

Maryland’s capital is Annapolis. Again if you know someone named Mary, this would be a big help. You could see her taking A Nap with a Police man. Or you can pick a famous Mary to sleep with the cop, Mary Poppins, now there’s an image, Mary Tyler Moore, Mary Anne from Gilligan’s Island, Mary Queen of Scots, any of these will work as long as you can see that image.

So to review:

The Toe peeking from the Can of beans
Kansas/Topeka

Fighting with the giant Frankfurter in front of KFC
Kentucky/Frankfort

Lassoing the Button with four Red Lipsticks inserted through its holes
Louisiana/Baton Rouge

The horse with a huge mane running down the fairway of Augusta, or the gust of wind on the moon
Maine/Augusta

Mary Poppins taking a nap with a policeman
Maryland/Annapolis

Again, make sure you review these images within 60-75 minutes from now, it takes less than 60 seconds but is critical for long term storage, then again within 24 hr’s, then 1 week later and then 1 month later.

I will continue to post state capitals and their crazy images in groups of five. Before we know it you will have all 50 memorized and a great handle on how to visualize the ridiculous and absurd. This is essential for us to apply memory systems to more practical business applications like recalling Names and Faces, speeches and presentations, model numbers, prices, to-do lists etc.