The Sisyphus Comments

I Don’t Remember! – Part IV

Hopefully, after reading the first three parts of this series, you are beginning to realize that, with a little effort, you can improve you ability to remember names and other information that will help you in all areas of your life. So far, we have discussed how the use of association and visualization can improve your recall. However, concentration is the glue that holds the entire memory process together.

What is concentration? Concentration can be defined as focusing one’s attention on one thing to the exclusion of all else. Since concentration is such a critical part of remembering, lets look at how we can learn to concentrate better.

Visualizing is one way to help increase your concentration since it forces you to focus on one thing only. When you make an effort to picture what you want to remember in your mind, it forces you to concentrate more intently on the information.

Next, those of you who have taken a speed reading course know that one of the cardinal rules of speed reading is that you never look back. When you do not allow yourself to look back, you are forced to concentrate in order to insure that you get the meaning the first time.

You can also improve your concentration by simply knowing “why” you are reading or listening. Having a purpose will improve your focus and limit the amount of attention shifts to unrelated matters, which are also referred to as mind-wanderings or “spontaneous thoughts”. Since you know that you need specific information, you tend to concentrate more intently to accomplish your purpose.

Finally, it is important that you eat a well balanced diet and supplement it with a multiple vitamin. Certain vitamins can improve your memory enough to make a big difference in your concentration:

1. Vitamin C protects nerve tissue – a deficiency can contribute to mental confusion
2. Vitamin B-1 (thiamine) produces energy for nerve cells in the brain
3. Vitamin B-3 (niacin) aids in concentration
4. Vitamin B-6 builds protein from amino acids – a deficiency can lead to lack of concentration
5. Vitamin B-12 (folic acid and iron) prevents anemia which can lead to difficulty in concentration
6. Lecithin and Choline are essential for memory
7. Tyrosine, an amino acid, helps long-term memory

If you can learn to improve the length and intensity of your concentration, you are well on your way to making significant improvements in your ability to remember.

I Don’t Remember! – Part I

I Don’t Remember! – Part II

I Don’t Remember! – Part III