Posts Tagged ‘memory’
Steve Tyler Smashing a Bureau to Remember the Presidents!
Wednesday, May 15th, 2013
I mentioned in my previous post how as a keynote presenter I often have the audience remember the US Presidents as a creative exercise for forming images. I thought I would extend it beyond the first 10 and write a series of posts to show how to recall all 44.
We memorize the 1st five presidents by linking them together in a crazy story, with the first president, Washington, associated to your 1st location in your home, I used my downstairs hallway and placed a huge Washing Machine there. If you don’t recall them, please go back and review the 1st five images in the previous post.
The next five presidents, (Quincy Adams to Harrison), will again be linked together in a crazy sequence with the first, Quincy Adams, being associated to your next location or Loci. In my home it would be the Front Living Room. This is where we open our second folder containing the next five presidents.
We now need to place an image, which reminds us of Quincy Adams, and place it smack bang in the middle of the living room. Already being familiar with the name Quincy Adams, all we need is an image with the ‘Q’ sound….a huge Q-tip would do. Go ahead and imagine a gigantic 6′ tall Q-tip standing erect in the middle of your living room (or whatever second location you are using).
Next: Q-tip to the Jackson Five (Andrew Jackson)
Now we link the Q-tip to the image representing the 7th president, Jackson.
Imagine this: Visualize the Jackson Five all hanging onto, and singing into, this gigantic Q-tip as if it were a microphone.
Next: Jackson Five to a Van transporting a huge Bureau (Van Buren)
Imagine this: See the Jackson Five, still holding this gigantic Q-tip, ‘moonwalking’ backwards onto a ramp that leads into the back of a Van. Inside the Van is an old ornate wooden bureau. The Jackson Five sit around the bureau and start opening drawers looking for pens and paper to sign autographs.
Next: The Van containing the Bureau to Harrison Ford and George Harrison (Harrison)
Imagine this: Separating the Jackson Five from the driver is a glass partition; they bang on the partition and yell at the driver to get going, as they are late for a gig. Look who’s in the driver’s seat, it’s Harrison Ford from the Raider’s movie. See him in his Brown leather jacket, bullwhip and revolver in hand, his fedora hat, and look who’s in the passenger seat, it’s George Harrison from the Beatles sitting there strumming his sitar.
Next: The Harrison’s to Steve Tyler (Tyler)
Imagine this: The Harrison’s say, “We can’t go yet until that nut job Steve Tyler gets off the roof of the van.” You hear this loud thumping on the roof, and the roof is starting to buckle in with the weight of Steve Tyler jumping up and down. The inevitable happens and Steve Tyler smashes through the roof and lands on top of the bureau, mic stand in hand with his trademark silk scarf tied to it, he’s singing his heart out.
If you are not familiar with Steve Tyler from Aerosmith, then you can perhaps visualize a Tiler with a work belt and kneepads ’tiling’ over some huge holes in the roof of the van.
So, to review. What is standing erect in the middle of the Living Room? (Our second location). Of course, the Q-tip….Quincy Adams. Who grabs hold of the Q-tip and starts to sing? The Jackson Five….Jackson. Where do they ‘moonwalk’? Into the back of the Van, which contains what? The Bureau….Van Buren. They bang on the glass, who is driving? The Harrison’s….Harrison. They say they can’t go until the nut job is off the roof, Steve Tyler….Tiler.
Just as with the first five presidents, you need to review these images within the hour then again tomorrow, then review them each time I post another five. By the end you will know all 44 in sequence, a great exercise to show how images need to be formed to take advantage of memory systems. Remember to share with your children.
Tags: how to remember peoples names, Keynote Speaker, Public Speakers, Motivational Keynote Speaker - Bob Gray – Memory Edge, memory, Motivational Keynote Speaker - Bob Gray – Memory Edge, Public Speakers, remember the presidents
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Why a better memory should be your New Year’s Resolution
Tuesday, January 15th, 2013
I thought I’d give it a couple weeks before I spoke about New Year’s Resolutions. Did you make any? Have any of them already fallen to the wayside? Although New Year’s resolutions are obviously personal to an individual, there are plenty of “greatest hits” that show up for lots of us time and time again. That’s because things like losing weight, quitting smoking, and getting more exercise are perennial goals that we all feel could have a big impact on our lives.
But, if you are looking to make a real impact on your social life and career this year – and pick up an easy-to-learn skill along the way – I suggest you make building a better memory one of your top New Year’s resolutions.
It’s a common misconception that you are either born with a great memory or you aren’t. Decades of research and personal experience has shown, however, that this idea just isn’t true. Men and women with poor memory habits can quickly improve, and even people who already have great memory skills can get a lot better. That’s because building a better memory is as much about mental exercise as it is natural ability… anyone can do it, and it doesn’t take as much effort as you might think.
Consider what you get from a better memory:
Better career prospects. The ability to remember names and faces alone can be valuable to managers, professionals, and salespeople. When you add in the fact that most of us have to remember passwords, phone numbers, product details, prices, features, benefits and so much more, building a better memory is one of the most valuable things you can do for your career.
More time in your day. The less time you spend looking up information, searching for misplaced files, or putting off important projects because you can’t recall what you need to know, the more time you have to spend on more important tasks (or just things you actually want to do). Having a great memory is a good way to give yourself more available hours every week.
An improved social life. Learning to associate names and faces is probably the most popular topic in building a better memory, and for good reason: It’s not just invaluable at work, but also in social situations. If you want to have an easier time making and keeping friends, a strong memory can help you.
I meet people from time to time who think that learning about memory must involve lots of headaches, charts, diagrams, people in white coats with pocket protectors and other things designed to bore you to tears. Few things could be further from the truth – getting a better memory isn’t just easy, but its very creative and can be lots of fun! If it weren’t, I wouldn’t have spent so much time learning the simple techniques myself.
Tags: how to improve your memory, how to increase your memory, Keynote Speaker, Public Speakers, Motivational Keynote Speaker - Bob Gray – Memory Edge, memory, memory improvement skills, Motivational Keynote Speaker - Bob Gray – Memory Edge, new years resolutions, Public Speakers
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Are You Ready to Make the Most of Holiday Parties?
Friday, December 7th, 2012
They say that a good deal of success in life just comes down to who you know. That’s certainly true, but I might amend that to include the people you’ve met and can remember.
If that seems like a small distinction, it isn’t – most of us meet hundreds, and maybe thousands, of people who could help us live better lives in dozens of different ways, if only we could make the right connections and associations at the right times. In other words, if we could recall the name of that great contractor we met, the recommendation for the dentist we got, or who the boss’s nephew was again, more things would tend to go our way.
That’s why it’s important that you make the most of holiday parties this year. It’s a virtual guarantee that you’re going to meet someone you’d like to know, or at least remember, at a later date, but most of us aren’t as strong with names and faces as we would like.
With that in mind, here are some quick tips for remembering the names and faces of people you meet at holiday parties this season:
Make a quick image association. This is one of the easiest memory techniques to learn, and one of the most powerful. When you meet a new person, associate their name with some image in your mind; perhaps they remind you of someone you know or someone famous. Or simply associate them with someone you know or someone famous who has the same name. Hold it firm for a moment or two. The stronger the picture is, emotionally speaking, the easier it will be to recall later.
Remember where you are when you meet someone. If you can recall where you were when you met someone, or who you were with, you stand a much better chance of recalling their name later. So, take a quick mental snapshot of your location and associate it with the new name.
Spell their name. Spelling their name forces you to hear it, most times we don’t actually forget a name, we just don’t remember it in the first place, and this is usually because we don’t hear it.
Say or repeat their name. Use the name once or twice in your initial conversation. Say the person’s name, either out loud in conversation or quietly to yourself. Then, remind yourself again at a later time of their name, and it will likely stick in your memory.
These are only simple techniques, of course, but they work. In my keynotes and workshops, I teach attendees to quickly memorize names and faces in rapid succession, and you can easily learn to do the same. Best of all, if you practice these techniques regularly, the names won’t just stay with you, but you’ll be able to recall them later, and maybe even for years to come.
Imagine how convenient it would be to remember the names, faces, and details of everyone you met at holiday parties, industry events, and social gatherings!
Tags: better recall, bob gray, how to improve your memory, how to increase your memory, how to remember peoples names, Improve your memory, increase your memory, learn to memorize, link memory system, memory, memory improvement techniques, Motivational Keynote Speaker - Bob Gray – Memory Edge
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Bob Gray named one of the Best Keynote Speakers by Meetings & Conventions Magazine
Friday, November 23rd, 2012
I’m thrilled that I’ve been named by Meetings & Conventions Magazine as one of the best Keynote Speakers in the area of Personal Development. The list was compiled by a group of 114 meeting planners who chose their favourite keynote speakers they’ve heard in the past two years.
“ Bob Gray has a humorous, entertaining approach to improving memory and other business skills. memoryedge.com ”
Check out the full article by Loren G. Edelstein here.
Tags: Best keynote speaker, better recall, how to remember peoples names, Improve your memory, Keynote Speaker, Public Speakers, Motivational Keynote Speaker - Bob Gray – Memory Edge, learn to memorize, memory, memory improvement skills, memory improvement techniques, Motivational Keynote Speaker - Bob Gray – Memory Edge, Public Speakers
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Why Social Media is Making it Easier to Enhance Your Memory
Thursday, November 22nd, 2012
One of the easiest ways salespeople, self-employed professionals, and just about anyone else can get ahead is to enhance their memory. Learning to remember important details about clients, executives, coworkers, and other contacts can be just the ticket. These details include names and faces, of course, but could also be things like their birthday, spouse’s name, children’s names, even the name of their dog – ask any dog lover!
For a long time, getting this kind of information together, much less remembering it, required a lot of work. You might have to make detailed notes after a conversation, keep a filing system, or even put together a set of index cards with the person’s photo, if you could even find one. That meant that your post-networking event routine could turn into something resembling an FBI profiling chart.
With that kind of hassle involved, it’s no wonder very few people took the time to try. All of that has changed with the rise of social media, however, meaning that there is literally no excuse for not knowing what you should about your most important customers or contacts. With a simple look through someone’s Facebook or LinkedIn profile, for example, you can enhance your memory and remember the details
Enhance your memory with information like:
What their face looks like
The names of their spouse and/or children
Their hobbies and interests
What city or college they come from
What sort of positions or careers they worked at in the past
… and the list could go on and on. While I’m certainly not advising you to engage in cyber stalking, what I am recommending you do is start to build a mental profile – and maybe even a quick set of reminders that you can look over at regular intervals. You can then apply a memory system so you can recall this information quickly and easily. It’s not so difficult to enhance your memory after all.
The benefit? Well, let me put this scenario to you. How often have you bumped into a client outside of a prearranged appointment, where you don’t have the luxury to reacquaint yourself with all their personal information, say at the supermarket, and you find yourself ducking down the next aisle to avoid them because you can’t remember their name? Well, now when this happens, you’ll have the confidence to ask how their spouse is doing, or whether they are still hitting the golf course on the weekends. Doing so makes you seem more sharp and professional and their estimation of you is immediately raised. Recalling important information about a client or customer is after all the foundation of all relationships, and in any client-based business, a good relationship eventually spurs into referrals.
Isn’t that worth the effort for a few minutes a week using social media as an easy info-gathering tool? Try these tips out and enhance your memory.
Bob Gray is a popular keynote speaker and memory expert. You can find out about his speaking availability, rates, and other information by contacting his office directly.
Tags: better recall, chain system, how to improve your memory, how to remember peoples names, Improve your memory, increase your memory, increase your memory skills, Keynote Speaker, Public Speakers, Motivational Keynote Speaker - Bob Gray – Memory Edge, learn to memorize, memory, memory improvement skills, memory improvement techniques, Motivational Keynote Speaker - Bob Gray – Memory Edge, Public Speakers
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Memory Keynote: They Aren’t Just for Students and Salespeople
Thursday, November 15th, 2012
Not long ago, someone asked me what the most unusual group I had ever spoken for was. I suppose the answer depends a bit on how you define “unusual,” but in terms of an association booking a memory keynote speaker, the first that comes to mind was the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Association.
Just to be clear, I don’t mean that there was anything unusual about the audience members themselves; rather, it’s that people have trouble understanding why such a group could use a fun and entertaining keynote presentation about memory improvement. I can see how someone would think that way, but the better question is: Who couldn’t use sharper memory skills?
While salespeople trying to remember names and faces and students attempting to learn new facts are obvious targets for what I do (and in truth, I do a lot of speaking for those groups), virtually anyone can benefit from the kinds of tools I teach.
Here are just a few of the best reasons why a memory keynote would work for you:
Improving your memory is a good way to improve your confidence. The more information you can recall at a moment’s notice, the more confidant you’re going to feel in almost any career situation. And as we all know, simply feeling more confident is a great way to improve your job performance, not to mention the impression other people have of you.
Besides, with a very small number of exceptions, being able to interact with others socially is important to your career development. So, being able to remember names, faces, and important details about a person is a good way to improve relationships with clients, supervisors, and others you’ll find in almost every organization.
Safety measures are ideal for memory training. As with our Sewer and Watermain engineers, along with Ontario’s health and environment, being dependent on these engineers, safety on the job is always a priority, for any safety procedure recalled out of sequence could potentially be fatal. There couldn’t be a more perfect situation to employ the Chain or Link method. Using this memory system, they are able to instill the procedures deeply and keep themselves safer in high-risk situations.
Nearly every job and organization has details to keep track of. You might not know hundreds of clients, but you may well need to remember dozens of product codes or various prices at any given time. The fact of the matter is that, even though the specific details themselves might change, there is always something to know and remember in any career. If it can be recalled without having to look it up, then that saves time and money.
It doesn’t matter what kind of office or setting you work in – or even if you do your best work underground. Enhancing your memory is a great way to improve your career prospects and have an easier time doing your job, and hey, it’s fun too!
Why not contact our office today to find out about Bob Gray’s entertaining memory keynote presentations?
Tags: better recall, chain system, how to improve your memory, how to remember peoples names, Improve your memory, Keynote Speaker, Public Speakers, Motivational Keynote Speaker - Bob Gray – Memory Edge, learn to memorize, memory, memory improvement skills, Motivational Keynote Speaker - Bob Gray – Memory Edge, Public Speakers, remember better
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How to Give Kids a Lifelong Skill
Friday, November 9th, 2012
When I’m brought in as a keynote speaker for various conferences and events, I always enjoy talking to the attendees and audience members afterwards. Most of them don’t realize how powerful their memory truly can be, and it’s a joy to be able to teach them a life- changing skill.
One thing that I’ve noticed over the years, however, is that a lot of people don’t necessarily realize that it truly is a skill. Many tend to assume that I was just born this way, with a special mental gift for reciting names, numbers, and so on.
That’s actually not true – my memory skills are the result of practice, not any genetic gift or mutation. My first exposure to memory training came when I was about six or seven years old when I discovered a memory technique in a magic book, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
As much as I strongly advocate children learning these systems, adults can also learn, adapt and apply these systems to help them move ahead in their careers. They can be mastered and applied in a surprisingly short period of time (a topic I’ll cover in a coming post). But, if you really want to give children a head start in life, why not give them a boost with memory training?
I’ve seen myself how well it works. My own daughter was only about four years old when I started teaching her the Chain memory system, used for recalling items in a specific sequence. We played a game where several items were placed on a table, and she had one minute to try to remember all the items. A sheet was placed over the items, then I would take one item away without her seeing, then the sheet was taken away and she had to try to remember which item was missing. By initially “chaining” or “linking” the items together in a crazy story, she simply had to retrace the story in her head until she reached the missing item. This was a fun way to introduce her to the foundation of all memory systems, which is chaining visual images together in a creative way. Those tools to this day help her succeed in school, and will be a big asset to her in her coming career. I teach this same method, and more, to professionals to recall information like speeches, presentations, model numbers, prices and client names.
Here are a few things you should know about teaching memory to kids:
1. Somewhere around four years old is when I started with my daughter. Kids don’t have to be very old to learn the basics of memory improvement; the sooner the better. Arm them as soon as possible in order to take out the laborious rote memorization from the learning process. But it’s also never too late; I have taught people in their seventies!
2. Enhanced memory systems are more than “tricks.” Occasionally, teachers and administrators ask if I am teaching children more than simple tricks and gimmicks. I am, but that’s not even the point: Anything that helps kids be more knowledgeable and confident at school is a good thing, and that can carry over throughout the rest of their life. If they can remember the things they need to, who cares what you call the systems they use? All knowledge is memory; if you can find a fun, creative way for children to both store and retrieve information, then that’s a good thing in my book, no matter what you call it. Once they can do that, then you as a teacher can show them what to do with that knowledge.
3. You don’t have to be a parent to help kids with memory. I have spoken at many teachers’ conferences and other educational events. I’ve seen myself what kind of impact teachers, professors, and administrators can have on the lives of young people. You can help them take the first steps to improve their memory, and improve their lives in the process. Make memorization fun.
To learn more about an incredible memory system for recalling numerical information, which I adapted to help my daughter remember the Multiplication Tables, check out my book: Turbo Tables.
Or, contact my office to find out about my fees and availability as a keynote speaker for your next event.
Tags: better recall, chain system, how to improve your memory, how to remember peoples names, Improve your memory, increase your memory, increase your memory skills, learn to memorize, memory, memory improvement skills, memory improvement techniques, Motivational Keynote Speaker - Bob Gray – Memory Edge
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Why Bob Gray Memory Presentations are a Perfect Match for Students and Universities
Thursday, October 25th, 2012
Over the years, I’ve had the chance to hold memory presentations at dozens of colleges and universities, and have always enjoyed the experience. Not only do students have a lot of fun learning about memory, but they’re amongst the people who need it the most. Sharpening your memory can do wonderful things for your grades and testing ability, of course, but it’s also a good skill to help you throughout the rest of your professional career.
So, for all of my college-aged readers out there, here are three quick tips that I always include in memory presentations to help you earn better grades and exam scores:
1. Know the difference between learning and studying. You are in college to learn, with the goal that you’ll hopefully graduate as a well-rounded person who understands key concepts and ideas well enough to succeed in your chosen profession. When you study, on the other hand, you’re typically trying to retain important facts and ideas to pass an exam. Learn to recognize the difference (between concepts and facts), and devote your attention accordingly.
2. Use both halves of your brain. Don’t just study by making lists; instead, try drawing “mind maps” with colored pencils, doodles, and other forms of pictures and imagery. While this might not seem like the most creative thing in the world, it actually engages the right half of your brain as well as the left, making key facts and details that much more real and memorable.
3. Follow the right study plan. Although all-night studying is a bit of a time-honored tradition in some circles, the fact of the matter is that it just doesn’t work very well. Just because a particular way of doing something is popular, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best.
With that in mind, repeat after me: No last-minute cramming! Studying a little at a time at fairly frequent intervals is better than studying for long periods at less frequent intervals. Thirty minutes of study every day over a week will produce better results than a week of neglect followed by a 5-hour cramming session. You’ll be less stressed, and get much better results.
4. Do not use rote memorization. Instead of using constant repetition, read something and then try to recall it. Research shows that you only gain another 7% comprehension from a second read through material, and only an additional 1% on the third. So this valuable time spent on rereading is way out of whack for the results you can expect to gain from it.
Instead, make notes in colored pens about what you are reading. Then, ask yourself questions about what you have just read.
Try to make your studying the last thing you do before going to bed and revise the material in the morning.
Interested in having Bob Gray come and do a memory presentation at your school or university? Call or e-mail our office today to check dates, fees, and availability.
Tags: better recall, chain system, how to get better grades, how to improve your memory, how to remember peoples names, how to score higher on tests, Improve your memory, increase your memory, increase your memory skills, learn to memorize, memory, memory improvement skills, memory improvement techniques, memory system
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Why a Strong Memory Can Multiply Your Sales Income
Thursday, October 18th, 2012
I will be completely upfront in telling you that I think any person, in any occupation, can strongly benefit from improving his or her memory. It’s just one of those skills that carries over into so many parts of your personal and professional life that it would be hard to overvalue.
With that being said, however, one of the groups that I tend to work with most often are salespeople. If ever there were a set of professionals who could use a memory presentation to make more money right away, it’s these hard-working folks who turn ideas into commission checks.
How can a stronger memory multiply your sales income? Here are just a few of the most obvious ways:
By helping you to remember every key point in a sales presentation. Using this system can assist you in not only recalling key points, but also delivering them in the correct sequence. Too many times salespeople give a dynamite presentation only to remember 30 minutes later that they forgot a key point. This leads to lost credibility . . . and potentially lost sales.
By helping you to remember customer names. Is there anything worse than sitting face to face with an important prospect – or seeing them at a convention or social setting – and not being able to remember their name? Putting names together with faces is the top challenge that salespeople ask me about, and it’s also one of the easiest skills to teach.
By letting you build stronger relationships with clients and colleagues. There is more to building rapport with customers than remembering names, of course. The more you can recall about their spouse, children, career background, and so on, the easier it is for your buyers to feel like they know and like you.
By giving you an edge with product knowledge and account details. There is also a professional component to your memory. When you have key product features, prices, part numbers, and other details available off the top of your head, you look and feel more confident. In addition, you are able to move sales forward more quickly.
By keeping you on top of what your competitors are selling. If you are able to master your competitors’ products as well as your own, you can counter nearly any objection. It isn’t enough to know about your industry – you need to be able to remember all key information at a moment’s notice to make it worthwhile.
To find out more about memory training for salespeople and my entertaining keynotes and seminars, contact my office today.
Tags: better recall, bob gray, bob gray remembers capital cities, chain system, how to improve your memory, how to increase your memory, how to remember peoples names, how to remember state capitals, improve memory, Improve your memory, increase your memory, increase your memory skills, learn to memorize, memory, memory improvement skills, memory improvement techniques, memory systems
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How to Turn Your Next Major Presentation Into a Walk in the Park
Thursday, October 4th, 2012
Executives and professionals in nearly every industry are called upon to make presentations at some point in time. There are also numerous other occasions to make public presentations, whether it’s at a school board meeting, in your church, or some other setting.
Unfortunately, many people don’t feel confident in their public speaking skills. What’s worse, they have trouble remembering the key ideas they want to convey, which only makes their anxiety worse.
Luckily, there is a very simple and easy-to-use way to remember what you need to say during a presentation, and I’m going to share it with you today. Here is how it works:
First, outline the major steps or points you want to make. Be thorough in this process, ensuring that you have made a note of everything that has to be covered in your talk or presentation.
Then, represent these key points with a visual image. If the start of your presentation is about “fundraising,” for example, visualize a gigantic collection box or plate. If the next point is about “strategy,” visualize a chess piece, and so on.
Next, start to associate or link these images with items of furniture in a particular room in your home. This can be a piano, fireplace, table, lamp, or any other item along a route that you walk frequently. By doing this, you are giving visual “shape” to each of the ideas. It sounds like a simple technique, but it’s surprisingly effective.
So, if the first piece of furniture in your living room is a couch, visualize a huge collection box sitting on your couch. If the second piece of furniture is a piano, see a large chess piece playing the piano. Remember, it’s the ridiculous images that are memorable!
Then, practice your “mental walk” a number of times. As you do, make sure you recall the items of furniture or items along the route in the same identical sequence reinforcing each point or detail with the piece of furniture or landmark. In a short amount of time, they’ll become intertwined in your mind.
Finally, when it’s time for your presentation, simply take the identical “mental walk” through the room or route and recite them back with ease. You’ll be amazed at how well and easily you remember the key points. Best of all, it’s a system you can use again and again, so it will still be there for you the next time you need to speak in public, too! In fact, if you have many speeches to deliver in a short period, you can simply choose another room or route.
To make your memory more powerful, stop by my blog again in the near future. Or, if you’re looking for a fun and entertaining presentation for your group, contact my office to check available dates today.
Tags: better recall, chain system, how to improve your memory, how to remember peoples names, how to remember state capitals, improve memory, Improve your memory, increase your memory, increase your memory skills, Keynote Speaker, Public Speakers, Motivational Keynote Speaker - Bob Gray – Memory Edge, learn to memorize, memorize state capitals, memory, memory improvement skills, memory improvement techniques, Motivational Keynote Speaker - Bob Gray – Memory Edge, Public Speakers, Remember US State capitals
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