Here is an interesting and accurate pair of YouTube videos of how memory works and how you can train yourself to use it better. I first saw them on a blog called The Optimized Life.

First, let's watch them  - they'll take about 8 minutes (part 1 and 2 -- it was a bit long for just one video)




Impressive, eh?And here's the thing....You're not likely to need to go around memorizing long lists of random information.

But you do need to remember stuff.

And what is the most valuable part of these videos from my perspective is the idea that the memory is about networks of information.

The denser the networks -- meaning the more connections there are -- the easier it is find a bit of information. That also means it's easier to learn new information of any kind.

You just need to practice making connections from something new to things you already know. And those things don't have to be locations, as in the example here. If you are learning a new sport, connect the new skills to sport knowledge and body movement skills you already have. Or link strategies to strategies you learned in another context.

It doesn't have to be about geography and it doesn't have to be about memory tricks. It is about getting new information in your head, connecting it to as many nodes in as many networks as you can, and having multiple paths lead you to it later.

What "networking" techniques have you used to make new learning easier? Do share!