The purpose of this article is below to help you understand the fundamental problem with memory and what you can do about it.

Experiences we do not forget memory

One of the problems with life is that we accumulate so many memories and experiences that it can be emotionally overwhelming at times.  I like many people feel they had pain in their lives and wish to forget a lot of my suffering or go back in time and correct it.

I have often fantasized about a time machine to go back and correct my life situation, however, I doubt this is possible and if it were, we would erase all memory that we went back in time as our lives would be on a different trajectory. This is the paradox of time travel. Therefore, we are generally stuck with our memories for better or worse. The issue is not forgetting but forgiving our memories and our past experiences.  Not even learning from them as much as forgiving them.  Often times there is nothing to learn, just forgiveness.

Memory as a retrieval problem rather than a memory formation problem

Therefore, I do not think the problem in life is people have a bad memory or forget things, but rather memory is a retrieval problem. That is how to retrieve the useful information you need when you need it.

You remember everything.  The implication for learning is you can almost learn anything you want given proper exposure and experience.  The difference between one person who masters something and another person who fumbles through something they have tried to learn is mostly the ability to pull out what they need when they need it.

Remembering is the real trick

How can you retrieve information of of your brain when you need it?

Here are some ideas which you can use which I have learned from learning and teaches languages:

  • Use flashcards to train your brain to retrieve – flashcards are the ultimate learning tool because they teach your brain how to get information out in a second.
  • Before you go to bed, try to repeat your day in vivid detail in your imagination, perhaps even in a backward sequence.  This will amp up your brains ability to store information subconsciously during the day. Or take five minutes and recall the most important points of what you have tried to learn that day, then relax and sleep.
  • Play memory games. Do not worry if you are not too good or they are painfully embarrassing, they help.
  • Learn a foreign languages.  This is a practical application of memory exercises.

Of all the above ways to improve your brains ability to recall things I would say that flashcards are the best. They not only improve what you are trying to learn but the general health of your brain and teaches it recall. Therefore, when you learn another set of information, your brain will find it easier.

If you personally have had any experience with how to improve your memory or learning, especially the idea that retrieval not formation is the fundamental issues with memory, please let me know.

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