Do you know that our brain is constantly uncluterring itself, trying to forget things that it considers unimportant? However, there are lot of things that one might want to remember even years after it has passed. Not only that, sometimes we struggle with even basic stuff as to carrying a jumper to work, forgetting where the car key is, or leaving behind your phone at home! However, there is in fact, a trick to help your brain remember things better than expected. According to business magnet Elon Musk, to remember something well, you need to give it meaning or connect it to an unusual or absurd memory. Let’s see how…Why does our brain forgetOur brain is not designed to remember everything forever. Think of it as a garbage can. If you keep throwing stuff in there, it will eventually get full, and even smell! This might sound strange, but forgetting is actually a useful process. It helps us clear out unnecessary information and focus on what is important. So, the brain filters out what it thinks is not useful. This is why you might forget where you left your phone or the details of a book you read long ago.
Forgetting also helps us adapt. If we remembered every single experience in perfect detail, it would be hard to learn new things or make decisions. So, forgetting is a natural and necessary part of how our minds work.Elon Musk’s Trick to remember thingsElon Musk has shared that the key to remembering something is to give it meaning. When you connect information to something meaningful, your brain treats it as important and is less likely to forget it.For example, if you want to remember a person’s name, try to associate it with something special about them — maybe their hobby, a funny story, or a unique feature about their face, laugh, or style of talking. This creates a mental link that makes the name easier to recall later.Meaningful connections help because our brains are wired to remember stories and emotions better than random facts. When you add meaning, you turn boring information into something interesting and memorable.Using funny associationsAnother powerful way to remember things is to link them with absurd or funny images. The brain loves unusual and surprising things, so it pays more attention to them.For instance, if you want to remember to buy bananas, imagine a giant banana wearing sunglasses and dancing in your kitchen. This silly image creates a strong mental picture that sticks in your mind.Elon Musk’s idea is similar: when you associate information with something out of the ordinary, your brain finds it easier to keep that memory. The more vivid and strange the association, the better it works.How to use these tricksHere are some simple steps to help you remember better using Elon Musk’s method:Find Meaning: When learning something new, ask yourself why it matters. How does it relate to your life or goals? This makes the information more important to your brain. For example, if you wish to buy bread, buy it thinking you will make a sandwich out of it the next day, and not randomly.Create stories: Turn facts into stories or connect them with personal experiences. Stories are easier to remember than isolated facts.Use funny images: Make up funny or strange pictures in your mind related to what you want to remember. For example, think of the sandwich as a monster who will eat you if you don’t eat him!
Repeat and review: Go over your meaningful or funny associations regularly to strengthen the memory.Stay curious: The more interested you are in something, the easier it is to remember. Try to find something fascinating about what you want to learn.What does science sayMemory experts explain that our brain stores information better when it is linked to emotions or strong mental images. This is because emotional and visual parts of the brain help create lasting memories.When you give meaning or create absurd associations, you activate these parts of the brain. This makes the memory stand out from the millions of other things your brain processes every day.Also, meaningful and funny memories are easier to recall because they form stronger “neural connections” — the pathways in the brain that hold information.The importance of practice and patienceEven with these tricks, improving memory takes time and practice. Your brain needs to build new connections and strengthen old ones. Don’t get discouraged if you forget sometimes; it’s quite natural, and part of growing up.Try to use these methods regularly, whether you are studying, meeting new people, or trying to remember daily tasks. Over time, you will notice your memory getting sharper.
