Most memory improvement programs have you perform exercises to develop your ability to visualize and manipulate pictures in your mind's eye. They suggest several memory tools based on this skill, such as peg lists and picture stories, which are sometimes difficult to apply in the fast paced information blitz of day to day work. However, the exercises do mobilize latent memory capacities that seem to spill over into several aspects of knowledge work. By having done the exercises, and by applying them in certain situations, the student seems to be doing something in their mind that improves their ability to remember things in all situations. The following mini-version of the peg list exercise will give you an idea of the principles involved.
Peg lists show up in almost all memory training books. This technique involves committing a series of number-picture associations to long term memory, and then using them whenever you need to remember lists of things. For example, here is a list of number-picture associations for the numbers one through five:
The first step is to memorize this list so completely that when anyone mentions any number, you immediately can think of the picture, and vice-versa. You should be able to walk the list forwards and backwards. This is an excellent chance to try the periodic review strategy discussed in the last section. Try writing them out several times, or calling a friend and describe this weird memory exercise which involves a list of five items, "a Space Needle, a door, etc."
Once this peg list has been transferred to long term memory, you are ready to use it to remember a list of items. For example, let's say you needed to remember to perform the following five tasks tomorrow and didn't have a pencil to write them in your schedule:
In your mind you could associate the above tasks to your peg list items as follows:
The next day when you get to work, you ask, "What was the first thing on my list?" This triggers the memory of the Space Needle, which triggers the memory of G.I. Joe climbing it shouting "allCay eMay" and so forth. While this probably seems ridiculous, it is a great exercise for strengthening your visualization muscle.
There are some drawbacks to using peg lists in day to day work. In addition to taking a fair amount of time to dream up word pictures for each item you want to remember, there is the issue of figuring out how to manage all the different lists. You almost need a peg list to remember your peg lists. Additionally, it is more difficult to apply this technique to a list of concepts than a list of objects.
Another reason you should not fill your mind with ludicrous imagery on a habitual basis is that thoughts are things. Any time you think a thought, you increase the probability that it will come into existence. Lastly, once you develop the skill of being able to create, remember and manipulate visual images deftly in your mind, you must discipline your use of this skill. You must be careful to limit your mind to positive imagery or at least use negative imagery with extreme caution!
Copyright © 1996 by Patrick T. Magee