Improved Ability to Remember

Improved Ability to Remember How many of us have been in the situation where we are late for an appointment and as we are about to leave we only need one more thing … our keys but where did we put them last? They only appear after a complete and frantic search (sometimes searching the same place twice!). Consider another situation where we are worried about an exam. Although we have studied in the weeks before, we enter the exam room, look at a few questions, somehow know the answer but are unable to recall it! The answer finally does come, but only as we are leaving the exam room!

There is a common factor evident in these examples, and that is stress, fear or anxiety somehow repress your ability to recall.

How Does Stress Inhibit Remembering?

Sub conscious mind Firstly your mind has two parts, each with separate functions - there is the conscious part, which is 12% of our mind, and the subconscious part, which is the other 88%. The conscious part is the one we readily identify with, it is our "doing state" which is what we use to perceive the world and to make decisions such as " I need to find my keys". The subconscious part is responsible for storing our memory ("your keys were left on the kitchen bench") and habits, personality, self-image and it controls our bodily functions (notice you don't have to consciously think about doing these things). In between these two parts of the mind is a filter called The Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Filter A recent major scientific discovery identified the functioning of the RAS. When you are under stress this "filter" is closed and your ability to remember diminishes - blocking recall, but when you are relaxed, the filter is opened and allows entry into the memory bank, and therefore recall is enhanced.

Therefore the ability to consciously relax and remove stress is crucial in assisting you to remember.

How Can What We Teach Assist Memory

There are many other things that affect memory - for instance emotion. Have you ever wondered why you can always remember a bad or a good event? Emotion is a big key. There are more keys - association, using the abilities of the brain, using the whole brain, making lists, using colour, doing mind maps and using positive self talk.

In the Life Skills Seminar the ability to remember is dealt with by teaching and practising many important skills:
  1. The ability to relax and remove stress any time anywhere.
  2. The ability focus your mind so that it does not become distracted.
  3. Using the whole brain for links and association.
  4. Using colour and mind mapping.
  5. Developing an awareness of our self talk.

You May Ask "How Effective Are These Techniques?"

How about I let some of the seminar participants explain that to you?

Georgina Bovill In 1990 I was advised that doing my Higher School Certificate was probably not in my best interest, as I should not, and really could not expect to receive over 40 as a TER. The truth is, I had nothing wrong with me, no crippling disease or brain disorder, but more, that talent of being dyslexic, and this is where Sandy helped me.

After completing Sandy's CALM Seminar in 1991 I learned that being dyslexic was a gift I had been given. There were of course the frustrations of being 18 years old with a reading and spelling capacity of an 11 year old. This, coupled with an extremely high IQ, tremendous determination and dedication, made learning a challenging experience. By applying techniques learned from Sandy I found myself in the top 10 in all subjects. Not only was my school work dramatically improving, but I also increased my interest in Stage Management, where by the end of 1992 I had managed 10 professional and school productions. My chronic asthma was controlled, not through large doses of medication, but by intense meditation.

In 1992 I set myself targets and goals in regard to my Higher School Certificate. I quickly learnt that setting goals is one thing, but doing them is another.

CALM taught me to take control of my life and "Seize the day". In January 1993 I received my Higher School Certificate results. I had visualised the whole experience from the opening of the envelope, my excitement, my parents expressions of delight. Sometimes all the visualisations can not get you prepared for the actual event.

The event was as I visualised, but far more. In all my subjects I was in the top 10% of the state, as well as being placed 5th in the state for Modern History.

I set my goals, I worked towards them and the best part is I out did them. CALM has allowed me to turn a negative into a positive, believe in myself, set goals and out do them, but most of all I have learned "the sky is the limit".

Thanks Sandy and may all the success in the world come to you.

Georgina Bovill, NSW


Yvonne PottsI have had many successes in my personal life since doing my first CALM seminar with Sandy. I think the one that stands out the most was my end of year exams. At age 45, going back to school to study was a very big decision I had made. In my second semester we had a teacher in Business Statistics who wasn't doing his job very well and I knew I had to do something to help me get through.

I had bought Sandy's tape Achieving in Exams and Effective Study. So during the last month before my exams I would listen to the tape and then study with Accelerated Learning Music. I also used Mind Maps. When it came time for the exam I felt that I had done my best but was not confident that I knew the work well. I also got copies of past papers which I studied. When it came time to take the exam I became really excited when during the 10 minutes reading time I was able to recall my mind maps and the answers just came flooding into my mind and the exam was so easy that I knew I had been successful. I've received my results to that exam and I got the A I visualised, in Business Statistics. I put my success down to the positive attitude that I had after meditating with my tapes.

Yvonne Potts, NSW

So What is the Next Action Step that You Can Take?

CALM makes suggestions on how you can develop your skills in dealing with Improved Ability to Remember using Sandy MacGregor's low cost Tapes, Books, CDs, Videos and Seminars which have been utilised by thousands of people successfully since 1990. [click here]