Topic 2: The Link System - Introduction

Building Memory Chains

In Tutorial 1 you were introduced to the concept of consciously associating items together in your mind. In doing this, you were applying a small part of the 'Link' or 'Chain' Memory System. You were forming the links of a memory chain, by systematically linking one item to another. If you make the associations strong enough in your mind, then one item in the chain must lead you on to the next item.

Once the Link system has been applied to a list, you can retain that list for as long as you wish. Of course, there's no reason why you should retain the list of items you Linked during Tutorial 1 - they were just everyday items with no logical connection.

Practical Applications

When you begin to apply the Link System for practical reasons, you will be memorising lists because you intend to make use of those lists. The practical use will provide the motivation to remember it in the first place.

The Link System can be used to memorise any information which has to be learned in sequence:

Speeches

Presentations

Stories

Jokes

Recipes

Formulas

Developing Your Imagination

The most common problem experienced by people trying to learn the Link System is how to make their mental pictures sufficiently ludicrous to make strong associations. It does take a certain amount of imagination to form ridiculous pictures in your mind. Children have no trouble in forming silly or ludicrous pictures - they do it naturally.

Unfortunately, as we grow up, most of us tend to use our imagination less and less, and so it becomes a little rusty. However, that capacity for imagination we had when we were children is still there - it just needs a little oiling. Applying the Memory Master systems will automatically provide the exercise that your imagination needs.

So don't worry if at first you have to apply some effort to create those ludicrous mental pictures. After a bit of practice, you'll find that you can do it quickly and easily.

Five Principles for Strong Associations

There are five basic principles you can apply in forming your mental pictures which will help to make your associations strong and long lasting:

Out of Proportion

In all your images, try to distort size and shape. Make things huge or microscopically small.

Example: Picture a "huge" sausage or a "gigantic" tie from Tutorial 1.

Substitution

Substitute an out of place item in an image to increase the probability of recall.

Example: Footballers kicking a television instead of a football, or pens growing on a tree instead of leaves.

Exaggeration

Picture vast quantities in your images to make them more memorable.

Example: Tutorial 1 used the word "billions" of bananas tumbling out.

Movement

Any movement or action is always easy to remember. Incorporate dynamic elements.

Example: Cutting into a sausage and gallons of ink squirting out and hitting you in the face.

Humour

The funnier, more absurd and zany you can make your images, the more memorable they will be.

Example: Create ridiculous scenarios that make you laugh.

Applying any combination of these five principles when forming your images will help make your mental associations truly outstanding and memorable.

At first you may need to consciously apply these principles, but with practice, they will become an automatic and natural process.