How To Learn Anything And

Remember Everything
3 books in 1

HOW TO BECOME A LEARNING MACHINE

HOW TO LEARN ANY SKILL FAST
HOW TO BECOME A MEMORY MASTER
How To Become a Learning Machine

HTeBooks
Copyright © 2016
 Copyright © 2016 HTeBooks

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without
the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Disclaimer

This book is designed to provide condensed information. It is not intended to reprint all the information that is otherwise
available, but instead to complement, amplify and supplement other texts. You are urged to read all the available material, learn as
much as possible and tailor the information to your individual needs.

Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible. However, there may be mistakes, both
typographical and in content. Therefore, this text should be used only as a general guide and not as the ultimate source of
information. The purpose of this book is to educate.

The author or the publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity regarding any loss or damage
caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this book.
Table of Contents

How Will This Book Help You?

What is Learning?
The Importance of Learning
Factors Affecting Learning and how to Prevail Over Them
Increasing Knowledge
Cultivating Skills
Attaining Wisdom
Become a Learning Genius
How to Apply What You've Learned?
 How Will This Book Help You?

This eBook aims to help one become a learning machine by defining what
learning is, acknowledging the importance of learning and identifying and
prevailing over the factors affecting it to promote learning in all aspects by
increasing knowledge, cultivating skills and attaining wisdom.
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and
write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” ~Alvin Toffler
 What is Learning?

“All our knowledge begins with the senses, then proceeds to the
understanding and ends with reason. There is nothing higher than reason.”
- Immanuel Kant

Learning is defined as the act or process of gaining new knowledge, skills

and attitudes or modifying or strengthening existing ones and integrating
them as may be deemed useful to achieve one’s goals.
Learning as a Process
Learning is not completed at one single time. It does not simply involve
receiving information. It is a continuous process that is undergone by every
individual who uses his reason to take in information and arrange them in
such a way that they become understandable and useful.
Gaining New Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes
Knowledge, skills and attitudes may be acquired in various ways: through
reading, observation, experience and teaching. Reading enables one to
learn something through someone else's documented testimony or evidence
of a subject he sought to explain through investigation, research or even
experience. Observation enables the acquisition of personal knowledge
about certain matters. Experience enables the acquisition of knowledge
which may or may not have been taught. It is particularly important in
learning skills, which must indeed be practiced to be learned. Knowledge
acquired from being taught may be either enlightened or corruptible.
Enlightened knowledge refers to that which requires explanation to be
understood such as mathematical or scientific principles. On the other
hand, corruptible knowledge refers to that which may be tainted with the
teacher’s biases upon being taught such as history and theology.
Modifying and Strengthening Existing Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes
Learning enables one to modify or strengthen his existing knowledge, skills
and attitudes when he acknowledges and accepts new developments or
revisions to that which he already knows. In simpler terms, this is what is
known as adapting. It is particularly useful in finding better solutions to
problems. An example of this is the development of vaccines to avoid
being infected or afflicted with a serious illness.
Integrating
Finally, the key to learning lies in integration. Integration involves
synthesizing all the information acquired through time and evaluating how
they have been used in history or how they can be applied in a particular
situation at present or even in the future.
In other words, integration entails the use of reason. Reason is defined as
the ability to make sense of the information at hand by relating ideas to one
another and understanding them with cause and effect (consequence), fact
or fiction (truth) and good or bad (morality). It requires a conscious effort of
validating facts and applying logic to justify or change existing beliefs and
practices.

*Learning entails the use of reason.

 The Importance of Learning

“Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never
regrets.”
- Leonardo da Vinci

Since the dawn of time, life has posed many challenges for man—from the
allocation of limited resources and fear of the unknown to the consequences
of failure. However, civilization continues to thrive as man persists in
enduring and overcoming them by using the innate ability of his mind to
learn.
Learning starts even before an individual is ready to go to school. While
children and even babies are known to display an interest in learning,
studies conducted within the latest decade have shown that an individual’s
motivation for learning declines upon reaching his teens. In fact, data from
the National Research Council reveals that more than 40 per cent of high
school students are constantly absent or withdrawn from school due to lack
of motivation.
Nevertheless, such a condition is subject to change over time as research
shows that more than 90 per cent of adults are more motivated to learn with
various personal reasons such as to get a better paying job, boosting
confidence, improving the quality of life and satisfaction.
While such reasons may encourage one’s desire to learn, the importance of
learning is simply that it allows individuals to freely stretch the limits of
their humanity to find answers to their questions.
In other words, the universal and primary importance of learning is that
through it, man is able to fulfill his essence as a thinking being and nothing
can be greater than that.
*Learning is important because it enables man to fulfill his essence as a
thinking being.
 Factors Affecting Learning and how to Prevail
Over Them

“The knowledge of all things is possible.”

- Leonardo da Vinci

It is possible for man to know or learn everything he wants. However,

learning is not easy. It may be affected by internal and external factors
which must be dealt with so that true learning may ensue.
Internal Factors
Internal factors are those which originate from the individual’s genetic
make-up and intelligence. More specifically, it consists of his capacity to
learn, his attitude towards learning and his motivation.
Capacity to Learn and Attitude towards Learning
An individual’s capacity to learn and attitude towards learning often go
hand in hand. While an individual’s capacity to learn may be affected by
his physical condition or traits, innate talent and intellect, the lack thereof
does not necessarily preclude him from learning. It also doesn’t mean that
just because an individual is born with talent, he should not continue to
learn to improve his craft. This is where an individual’s attitude towards
learning plays an important role. A major component of this attitude
towards learning is having strength of will. If he is determined to learn and
persists in doing so in spite of all the odds against him, then he shall most
likely become a genius in his own right.
For instance, in spite of his musical talents, German composer and pianist
Ludwig van Beethoven devoted his time to studying and learning under the
direction of Classical composer Franz Joseph Haydn before setting out to
become a composer. Although he became deaf by the age of 26, he was yet
able to continue producing great works such as his famous masterpiece, The
Ninth Symphony.
Similarly, American author Helen Keller, who became deaf and blind due to
an illness before reaching the age of two, persisted in learning until she
graduated cum laude with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Radcliffe College.
In spite of her physical disabilities, she was also able to write several essays
and twelve books which were eventually published.
On a different note, contrary to the impression his fans have of him,
basketball star Michael Jordan likewise had to learn how to perfect his jump
shot to become a legend in spite of his phenomenal athletic skills and
complementary physical attributes, as revealed by his longstanding coach,
Phil Jackson.
Another component of an individual’s attitude towards learning also
requires him to have an open mind. This involves challenging ideas before
accepting them and accepting them only if they have not yet been displaced
by new discoveries or innovative ideas.
An example of this—though considered controversial in other places
around the world--is learning without any religious biases. It is difficult to
learn many things about life in general if one has to start with the
assumption that everything comes from God. Another example is the
acceptance of the flat earth model which was held from the classical to the
Hellenistic periods until a new idea of the Earth as a sphere emerged with
Pythagoras until it was proven by Christopher Columbus in his voyage
around the earth.
Motivation
Unless a person acknowledges and accepts his essence as a thinking being
as the primary motivation for learning, he is only capable of obtaining
provisional knowledge which can fade through time after the particular
motivation for learning has been attained. Accepting one’s essence as a
thinking being enables the pursuit of true learning: learning for learning’s
sake.
External Factors
External factors are those which are usually beyond the control of the
individual. They include the availability of resources, the source of
learning, the cost of learning and the environmental conditions.
Availability of Resources
In reality, everything can be considered a resource for learning. However,
the availability of resources for specific learning may be limited and quite
costly. For instance, the individual’s financial resources may not be
sufficient to cover the cost of learning a particular course like Law which
requires paying fees for enrollment in college and subsequently, Law
School including the cost of materials such as law books and other
incidental fees like transportation and lodging which can reach a minimum
of approximately $30,000 to a maximum of more than $80,000 and may
vary according to state.
Nevertheless, the lack of resources must not serve as an obstacle for
individuals who truly want to learn as other options may be available. For
instance, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, learned
the law and became a lawyer without going to law school. He studied the
law independently and obtained his license to practice law after passing an
oral examination in front of a panel of lawyers in the Sangamon Country
Court, Illinois. Although circumstances may have become more difficult in
the past few decades, options for learning to become a lawyer are still
available particularly in the states of Wyoming, California, Virginia,
Vermont and Washington where self-study of the law together with
apprenticeship can qualify an individual for the BAR exams and eventually
practice law as an attorney.
Another valuable resource which people often fail to consider is time. It is
limited to the present because the past no longer exists and the future is
always unknown. Thus, an individual who wishes to learn must start now
and even if the future holds no certainty, he may still set a reasonable time
for everything he wants to learn. After all, time is only consumed in so far
as events transpired before the present. The future still holds possibilities.
Source of Learning
One factor that affects the quality of learning is its source. It can either
encourage true learning or serve as a hindrance to it. This is particularly
true for subjects which are taught without the need for presenting empirical
evidence. For instance, the lessons of history can be tainted with the
teacher’s ideological biases which can influence the students’ minds. True
learning is best obtained from firsthand experience or authoritative
documentation such as books, academic journals or published texts by
specialists on the given subject. On the other hand, true learning is impeded
when one merely relies on opinionated articles or readily available or
secondhand information particularly in the internet such as Wikipedia. In
the words of the great Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero himself,
“The authority of those who teach is often an obstacle to those who want to
learn.”
Environment
The environment largely contributes to an individual’s ability to learn. It
consists of the areas in which he moves such as the home, school and
neighborhood as well as the city, state or country where he belongs.
Home
The home is one’s primary place of learning. From his earliest motor and
cognitive skills to his first interpersonal relationships as well as academic
pursuits, the home has served as his first school. Thus, an atmosphere
conducive for learning must be maintained always. This includes the
encouragement and support of family members, the neatness and
orderliness of study areas as well as freedom from noise and other
distractions.
School
An individual usually pursues more specific areas of study in school. It can
inspire him to pursue higher learning or discourage him from further
learning depending on the following elements: teaching style, system of
assessment, extracurricular activities and pressure groups.
Teaching Style
Teaching style can greatly affect an individual’s learning as it refers to the
manner in which lessons are taught. Studies have shown that interactive
teaching styles are more effective than traditional information transfer
through lectures as they produce better understanding and higher grades.
System of Assessment
Grades are based on the system of assessment which may vary for every
teacher. However, subjective criteria for evaluation should be avoided to
measure actual learning with more accuracy. Moreover, the system of
assessment must also be able to measure how much the student has learned
and not just provide a basis for grades. In other words, tests must be
formulated to generate critical thinking based on the given information
while projects and other requirements must be an application of relevant
theories, principles or ideas. For instance, history tests must not consist
solely of identification of names and dates but more importantly, of reasons,
causes and effects. Similarly, math and science projects should present
more challenges by encouraging new ideas in the application of
mathematical and scientific knowledge.
Extracurricular Activities
Learning is not limited to the intellect. The existence of extracurricular
activities such as intramurals, school fairs, dances, homecomings,
competitions and other organizations encourages an individual’s complete
learning as he is allowed to explore other aspects of his being.
Pressure groups
While the presence of pressure groups such as bullies, junkies, frat men,
sorority girls, racists or snooty cliques can discourage an individual from
learning in school, they can, on the other hand, serve as competition and
push the strong-willed to learn more or serve as subjects to individuals who
want to learn about human behavior.
Neighborhood
An individual’s neighborhood can either function as his prison cell or his
laboratory, depending on his desire to learn. For instance, a neighborhood
run by goons or drug dealers can prevent him from exploring his
surroundings due to the threats he may come across. On the other hand, a
peaceful and secure neighborhood can function as his laboratory where he
is free to explore his surroundings and interact with his neighbors healthily.
City, State or Country
Finally, an individual’s learning can also be affected by the larger area
where he belongs. More specifically, some cities have strict regulations
such as zoning laws which may prohibit certain activities on particular lots
while some countries which continue to discriminate against race and
gender prohibit the education of certain groups. For instance, in Middle
Eastern countries like Kuwait and Oman, education is biased in favor of
male in students as female students are required to obtain higher averages to
be able admitted in certain courses like engineering as well as in Saudi
Arabia where more classes and courses are made available to men than to
women.
Democratic countries such as the United States, on the other hand, provide
greater learning opportunities for all through government-funded
scholarships, grants and other incentives. Similarly, companies and non-
governmental institutions create educational opportunities as well.
Considerably, nothing can prevent an individual from learning except
himself.
Prevailing over these factors will enable him to pursue true learning by
increasing his knowledge, cultivating his skills and attaining wisdom.

*The propensity to overcome obstacles is directly proportional to one’s

desire for learning.
 Increasing Knowledge

“To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true
knowledge."
- Confucius

Knowledge is defined as information consisting of facts or theories

pertaining to a certain subject. In a more general context, it is the sum of all
truths and principles acquired and accumulated through time and upheld by
humanity. It may pertain to truths which must yet be established or those
which have already been ascertained or at least, have been accepted as true.
Learning truths which must yet be established
There are two ways of generating knowledge which remains to be
established: through rationalism and empiricism. Rationalism makes use of
innate ideas, logic and deductive reasoning which relies on premises to
arrive at a definite conclusion. On the other hand, empiricism involves the
use of observation and inductive reasoning which only requires strong
evidence instead of absolute proof as the basis for the conclusion.
Knowledge through Rationalism
Rationalism presupposes that man is born with innate ideas which,
according to philosophers like Plato, can explain why some individuals are
naturally better at performing or resolving some tasks than others are in
spite of the similarity of experiences. It also acknowledges reason as the
major cause of knowledge in contrast with the senses which, according to
rationalists like Descartes, can only give opinions since they can be
deceived. Thus, conclusions can be proven with certainty using
rationalism. An example of this is Descarte’s attempt to prove the existence
of God where he starts with the premise that he has an idea of a perfect
substance but since he is not a perfect substance, a perfect substance like
God must exist because only perfection is capable of creating perfection.
Knowledge through Empiricism
Empiricism, on the other hand, presumes that knowledge originates from
perception. More specifically, philosopher John Locke explains that simple
ideas are based on perception or observation of physical qualities like shape
or color while complex ideas are formed by combining simple ideas.
Empiricists reject innate ideas as the source of knowledge because
individuals do not demonstrate knowledge at birth or in the early stages of
their life as in childhood, where children must learn how to talk and walk.
Thus, empiricists believe that things cannot be proven conclusively as no
one can be certain that the thing remains the same once the individual stops
perceiving it. In other words, the mind is likened to a blank slate upon
which experience imparts knowledge in all aspects—intelligence, social and
emotional behavior.
Debating on their acceptability is quite useless since there is absolutely no
conflict as both ways can be applied in learning. Rationalism may be used
to learn about things which observation cannot answer such as the existence
of God while empiricism may be used to learn about things which must rely
on observation to be applied effectively as in scientific studies on the effects
of medicine, etc.
Learning truths which have already been ascertained or accepted as true
Rationalism and empiricism are generally used in obtaining knowledge
which has not yet been accepted as true. However, for facts which have
already been ascertained or accepted as true, one may employ one or more
learning styles to aid in his absorption of knowledge. These learning styles
can be generally divided into two: individual or social learning.
Individual learning
Individual learning style presumes one’s preference for self-study. The
desire to work alone usually enables one to learn at his ideal pace and align
learning objectives with personal values and standards.
Individual learning further enables one to choose freely among the
following learning styles to suit his needs: visual learning, auditory
learning, physical learning and logical or mathematical learning.
Visual learning
This learning style generally starts with looking at an entire system, the
whole or the “big picture” before probing into the details. It makes use of
images such as photos, drawings or other visual aids like tables, graphs and
charts instead of words in learning. It may also use imagination or
photographic memory and color-coding of notes. This style is
recommended for learning how to write foreign words which require the
use of characters such as Chinese, Japanese or Korean, memorizing
geographic locations and descriptions or legal cases involving family
relations or crime.
Auditory Learning
Auditory learning makes use of any kind of sound whether used as a
background for studying or to facilitate association or recall. For instance,
using classical music, particularly that of Mozart as a background for
studying, has been shown in studies conducted at Stanford University to
have beneficial effects including the reduction of learning time, the
decrease in errors and the improvement of clarity. On the other hand,
association and recall of information may be enhanced by developing them
into rhymes or incorporating them in rhythmic beats and popular jingles.
This also includes recording one’s voice or orally repeating important
points which can help strengthen memory. This type of learning is
particularly useful for learning how to speak a foreign language.
Physical learning
Physical learning entails field work or active participation by making use of
physical objects to help demonstrate theories which may be difficult to
understand. For instance, using common tools like a nutcracker or tweezers
to demonstrate laws of physics may help in understanding terms such as
effort, fulcrum and resistance more easily. Similarly, toys like cubes and
balls or origami creations may also be used to explain geometric theories
like lines, planes, spheres and space. It may also mean learning while doing
a physical activity such as jogging, going back and forth across the room or
eating.
Logical or Mathematical Learning
Logical or mathematical learning generally entails using specific principles
in the mathematical system to understand how formulas were derived to be
able to solve mathematical problems more easily in contrast to
memorization without reason, which can produce disastrous results if there
is a mental block. An example would be using theorems to prove
congruence in geometry and properties of multiplication, addition and
equality to solve for unknown variables in algebra.
Social Learning
This type of learning is for individuals who prefer to learn from others in
groups through activities like sharing, role playing, constructive
argumentation or debates.
With all the learning styles available, man has no excuse to remain ignorant.

*There are many ways to gain knowledge.

 Cultivating Skills

“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing
them.”
- Aristotle

To become a learning genius , one must not confine himself to the pursuit of
knowledge. Whether born as or developed into, geniuses are exceptional at
different forms of learning. As shown in the previous chapter, they can
successfully use their reason to discover new knowledge or modify
accepted truths. In terms of skills, learning geniuses can either discover and
unleash their skills or establish themselves as creative geniuses in the
performance of their skills.
A skill is defined as the ability to perform physical tasks with a certain
degree of aptitude. They may either be general or specific.
General Skills
General skills are those which are transferrable or applicable to various
activities or functions in all sectors—whether household, commercial or
financial, industrial, educational or social. They include leadership,
organization, budget administration, time management and communication.
Specific Skills
Specific skills, on the other hand, are those which are functional or effective
only for a particular task such as auditing skills for an accountant, culinary
skills for a chef or hair cutting and coloring skills for hairdressers.
Like knowledge, skills may either be learned or enhanced. In both cases,
training, practice and persistence are required.
Training
Training is defined as the process of acquiring certain competencies from
professionals or experts in order to achieve a higher standard of
proficiency. It may be undertaken through formal lessons for talents such
as singing, dancing and playing the piano or apprenticeships for technical
skills for electricians and auto mechanics.
Practice
Practice entails the repeated performance of specific exercises designed to
increase proficiency. In order to obtain the best results, one must first take
note of his mistakes and avoid committing them again. Moreover, he must
not reduce the act of rehearsing into a mere routine. Instead, he must
perform passionately and seek to surpass each performance with a
challenge to go beyond perfection. After all, one can find himself in losing
himself.
Persistence
Persistence is a quality which enables one to continue doing something in
spite of some difficulties he may encounter. For instance, although Van
Gogh began drawing in his childhood until he decided to become an artist,
he produced a multitude of sketches in order to improve his talent for years
before he finally completed his best art works in the remaining years of his
life. Although it took more than a decade for his works to be recognized, he
continued to strive for perfection.
Similarly, four-time Grammy Award winner Taylor Swift, who started
writing songs when she was five, persisted in writing and singing her music
in spite of being mistreated by fellow students in school and unfairly judged
by critics until she was finally recognized by Sony Music publishing and
became the star that she is.
Talent without persistence can go unrecognized.

*One can be born with talent and skill but it is in persistence that he
can achieve greatness.
 Attaining Wisdom

“Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire

it.”
- Albert Einstein

More than knowledge and skills, the ultimate goal of a learning genius is to
acquire wisdom. Wisdom is defined as the ability to incorporate
knowledge, awareness, experience, retrospection and understanding in
order to act or make a choice. As such, it cannot be taught or learned in
school. It is the result of one’s assessment of his experiences where he
recognizes his mistakes and resolves to avoid them in future instances.
It requires knowledge relevant to the given situation in order to evaluate his
predicament and determine what can be done, awareness of what he is faced
with (resources, alternatives and advantages or disadvantages), experience
and retrospection in order to enable him to make the right judgment and
understanding in order to be able to deal with the possible consequences of
his choice. In other words, it is knowing exactly what to say or do in any
given situation and being ready to accept the consequences of one’s actions.
Thus, wisdom has four components: the ability to accept the limits of one’s
knowledge, the ability to find the middle ground, the ability to exercise
objectivity and the ability to apply foresight.
Accepting the limits of one’s knowledge
In order to make a good decision, one must turn to his own knowledge
involving the issue at hand. However, he must learn to admit when his
knowledge is insufficient to allow him to make the correct decision. In
such cases, he may either refer to other sources or seek counsel from
qualified authorities before making a decision.
Finding the Middle Ground
Finding the middle ground entails the ability to compromise. It involves
reaching an agreement where all parties forfeit individual benefits in favor
of a mutually advantageous arrangement. This is particularly useful in
situations requiring negotiations such as collective bargaining agreements,
business transactions or even a hostage crisis.
Exercising Objectivity
In order to arrive at a compromise, one must necessarily exercise
objectivity and weigh all matters from each party’s respective standpoints.
It is only by doing so that a mutually beneficial arrangement can be
reached. Furthermore, objectivity enables one to think clearly and use his
reason more effectively as it will not be clouded with subjective biases.
This is best exemplified in judicial pronouncements of acquittal or
conviction as well as matters pertaining to morality.
Applying Foresight
Foresight is the ability to foresee all possible outcomes of a certain course
of action. It allows the individual to choose the best course of action out of
all possible actions and enables him to accept the consequences that may
arise therefrom, knowing that the outcome was the least disadvantageous
result among the only courses of action available at that time. This may be
applied in times of financial crisis when one is faced with various
alternatives for producing funds. For instance, choosing to sell one’s assets
instead of contracting an interest-generating loan would be the less
disadvantageous for the individual as his liabilities will not increase.
All in all, wisdom guides man in all his judgments. Thus, it is the greatest
purpose of learning.

*The attainment of wisdom is the ultimate goal of learning.

 Become a Learning Genius

“Change is the end result of all true learning.”

- Leo Buscaglia

While one might argue that there are truths which cannot be changed like
the law of gravity or that a routinely life does not enable the discovery of
anything new, everyone nevertheless learns something new everyday. This
is because everyday is a different day. It is not yesterday.
A learning genius never runs out of things to learn for he knows that there
are still other things which he does not know and what he knows today
might not be the same tomorrow or if not, after an extended period of time.
For instance, the geocentric model of the universe espoused by philosophers
like Aristotle and Ptolemy which ancient civilizations accepted as true for
hundreds of years was later on replaced with the model of heliocentrism as
advocated by Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler,
which did not become popular until the 16th century.
Similarly, the theory of spontaneous generation promoted by philosophers
like Anaximander, Hippolytus, Aristotle and Anaxagoras which provides
that life could be produced from nothing (as in the case of maggots coming
out of biodegradable objects like animal carcasses or rotting fruit) was
generally held as true for centuries and was proven wrong only after the
1700s with the use of the scientific method where such theories were
tested. More specifically, they were immediately proven wrong when
microbiologist Louis Pasteur used experimentation to show that maggots
did not appear on meat which was sealed in a container and were instead
produced by airborne microorganisms as seen through the microscope
which was newly invented at that time. To wit, new inventions and further
experimentation can lead to new learning which can refute and modify
existing truths.
As long as there is life, everyone continues to learn by observation and by
experience. Some choose to continue to improve their skills and strive to be
better than yesterday while some choose to give up. Nevertheless, each
choice made by an individual is a learning opportunity for another. Every
question generates an answer and each answer is a new learning for the
inquisitive mind. Only the mind can challenge what it already knows.

*A learning genius, therefore, never ceases to use his reason in all

things, at all times.
 How to Apply What You've Learned?

*Learning entails the use of reason.

*Learning is important because it enables man to fulfill his essence as a
thinking being.
*The propensity to overcome obstacles is directly proportional to one’s
desire for learning.
*There are many ways to gain knowledge.
*One can be born with talent and skill but it is in persistence that he
can achieve greatness.
*The attainment of wisdom is the ultimate goal of learning.
*A learning genius, therefore, never ceases to use his reason in all
things, at all times.
How To Learn Any Skill Fast

HTeBooks
Copyright © 2016
 Copyright © 2016 HTeBooks

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without
the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Disclaimer

This book is designed to provide condensed information. It is not intended to reprint all the information that is otherwise
available, but instead to complement, amplify and supplement other texts. You are urged to read all the available material, learn as
much as possible and tailor the information to your individual needs.

Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible. However, there may be mistakes, both
typographical and in content. Therefore, this text should be used only as a general guide and not as the ultimate source of
information. The purpose of this book is to educate.

The author or the publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage
caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this book.
Table of Contents
How Will This eBook Help You?
Finding a Project You Love
Focusing On Your Skill
Setting Your Goals
Breaking Things Down
Finding the Right Tools
Breaking Down the Barricades
Making Time
Finding Feedback
Quick, Timed Practices
Practicing a Lot
How to Apply What You've Learned?
How Will This eBook Help You?

Think about all the things in life you’ve always wanted to do. Learn a
language, ride a bike, climb Mount Everest. Everyone has a list of things
they want to do and they usually put it in the back of their mental attics and
label it ‘maybe, someday, when I find the time.’ Then after gathering a
plethora of things to do, people end up sitting in front of the television or
computer idling away their hours. They go about their days like this
because deep down they know – or think they know – that they neither have
the skill nor time to get these things done; but then again, deep down, they
also know that they would like to learn how to.
What usually deters people from going out and learning all that they can is
the perceived barriers to learning. They feel that they will be setting
themselves up for frustration and failure. Ultimately they see it as a waste
of time. This is indeed a reasonable concern. However, what is really gained
without a little grit and hard work? Who can ignore the satisfaction of
having learned something, from scratch no less? Wouldn’t it be cool if you
could do what you’ve always wanted to by learning quickly? Imagine the
fun you could be having with a new set of skills.
Well, everyone starts out unskilled. Everyone has to realize this. Even some
persons branded as prodigies had to learn skills to make use of or
compliment their innate abilities. What everyone needs to know is there are
less painful and frustrating ways of achieving what they want in the least
time possible.
This book is precisely meant to help you do just that – make learning easier.
It is not a ‘learn how to….in a day’ book, although it is quite possible to
learn something in a day. Instead it is a guidebook to help you learn the
smart and efficient way. Learning will not be instantaneous. However, it can
be done considerably easier. This book is meant to help address two
important concerns: time and skill. It will teach you how to manage your
precious time so that you can learn skills that are fun and dear to you. Get to
ride that bike, converse with people from different parts of the world,
conquer that mountain you’ve always wanted to climb – fast! By simply
managing how you think about learning, you can achieve quick results you
did not even imagine was possible.
In this book, you will find a step-by-step checklist of principles. Each
principle has its own chapter explaining how it will help you acquire skills
you’ve always wanted in the least possible time. These are general
principles that can be applied to any endeavor, big or small. By the end of
this book, hopefully you will be transformed into a learning genius.
 Finding a Project You Love

"The best thing that can happen to a human being is to find a problem, to
fall in love with that problem, and to live trying to solve that problem,
unless another problem even more lovable appears."
- Karl Popper

The first step to skill acquisition is not a complicated one. You simply have
to find something that you love to do. This is an important part of the
process because every skill is essentially a solution to a problem. So this
means that skill acquisition involves finding a solution to a problem or
point of difficulty. When trying to learn a skill, you can then expect to hit a
lot of snags that can slow you down or ultimately make you quit. Loving
the task at hand will lessen the frustration that comes along with learning a
skill and solving problems.
Making mistakes will not sting as much if you enjoy what you’re doing.
You can just shrug it off and laugh. When you do make gains in learning the
skill, it will be all the more satisfying. Ultimately, it will give you the
impetus to work through the struggles and apply more effort. More effort
and less frustration would translate to acquiring the skill faster.
Finding the suitable skill or activity for you is almost entirely personal. It
mostly involves finding a balance between the enjoyment you will get out
of the skill and the urgency or need for it. While nothing is wrong with
learning a skill just for fun, nothing beats learning a fun skill because you
know you can use it. Assess what your interests are and rank them. Now
cross-reference this to which skills are useful to you at the moment. It is
natural for you to learn higher ranking skills than lower ranking ones.
For example, you think that learning Italian would be cool. If it has been
your life-long dream to learn it, then you will most likely learn it faster.
Suppose that you’ve also wanted to learn Swedish and you also plan on
taking a trip there in a few months. The added incentive of actually using
the skill will give you more drive to learn Swedish faster than Italian. In
fact, you might want to set aside the less useful skill for later.
Remember though that your interests and needs might change over time. So
what is important and fun to you now can lose its appeal in the middle of
the learning process. So you have to really want to learn something if you
want to learn it rapidly.

Find a skill/project that you love, enjoy and can use.

 Focusing On Your Skill

" Success demands singleness of purpose. You need to be doing fewer things
for more effect instead of doing more things with side effects."
- Gary Keller

One pitfall of deciding to acquire skills is trying to do them all at once. The
previous chapter touched upon the issue of having a hierarchy of several
interests. You would choose one over the other because it appealed to you
more. However, what happens when you can’t decide which you like best?
Most people would attempt to learn several things at once and end up with
nothing.
This happens to be one of the problems of the formal education system:
students are forced to learn several skills in a limited amount of time. The
result is that they have to juggle things around. At the end of the semester
or school year, they are left with no actual skills because they could not
focus on just one due to the constraints of the system. You on the other
hand, are not limited by the same constraints. You are not forced to learn
several things at a time. You have the luxury of focusing on one skill at a
time– so use it!
Remember that the goal is to acquire a skill in the least amount of time. So
it is just logical for you to take things one at a time so that you can learn
your desired skill faster. The more time and effort you put into other skills,
the less time and effort you have for your desired skill. If you spread
yourself too thin between several things, then you will waste too much
energy on switching between skills. You will end up frustrated with one
thing and move on to another. This will impede your learning and get you
nowhere.
Focus is the name of the game if you want to learn really fast. Focused and
deliberate effort on one skill will help you absorb information faster. Your
brain is indeed capable of processing several things at one time, but if it
gets too cluttered you will not gain much progress. You are trying to
minimize impediments to learning and maximize your chances of acquiring
your skill. If you really want to learn several skills, it would be better for
you to pick one and list the rest of them down for now. You can tackle the
others in the future, keeping in mind your level of interest and need for
them.

Concentrate your effort on one skill at a time.

 Setting Your Goals

" A problem well stated is a problem half solved."

- Charles Kettering

The next step in the process is to set your specific personal goal. Your
general goal is to learn a skill. Your specific personal goal is what level of
skill you want to acquire. You should be clear on what is good enough to
you before you start. Otherwise, you would never know if you’ve
accomplished what you set out to do. If you can tell yourself what you want
to achieve, then the only problem left for you is achieving it.
You should be clear on what you will be able to do when you are done
learning. The more specific you can make your goal, the easier and faster it
is for you to reach. With this goal in mind, you can gauge whether or not
you are actually getting closer to learning or if you have to use a few more
hours of practice.
Defining your personal goal will usually depend on the reason why you
want to learn the skill. If you are learning the skill just for kicks, then you
should necessarily want to work at it until you lose the frustration and start
having fun at it. If you intend to use the skill for something more serious,
you should set your minimum level of performance. Once you reach your
minimum goals, you can always choose to get better at the skill or you can
cross it off the list and find another project to start.
Generally, the more relaxed your specific goal is, the faster you can acquire
it. Remember, you are trying to be capable and sufficient as fast as possible;
you are not trying to be the greatest master of the skill yet. You can get to
that after. Right now you have to start from somewhere.
Another note on the matter would be thinking of your safety. Some skills
have a measure of danger attached to them. Make sure you are aware of
these dangers and sufficiently prepare for them. Include them in considering
your specific goal. You do not want to hurt yourself in the process of
learning.
Lastly, your goal will resonate all through the entire process of learning. It
might help to write it down in a progress notebook or post it on your wall.
This way, you can always refer back to it when in doubt.

Specify your goal – what you want to be able to do.

 Breaking Things Down

" The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started
is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks,
and starting on the first one."
- Mark Twain

When you think of skills, you tend to imagine them as a single unit that you
have to learn in its entirety. However, most of the things you label as skills
usually consist of smaller parts or sub-skills. Take for example the skill of
portrait painting. You would think that it is pretty straightforward: you pick
up a brush and start painting things and people. In reality however, it entails
many processes such as selecting the kind of medium, subject matter, kinds
of brush strokes, color blending, and the like.
If you remember, in the second chapter, it was noted that when you try to
learn several things at a time, you will most likely not learn anything at all.
The same idea applies here. You should break down your desired skill and
tackle each part to ensure focused learning. This keeps you from being
overwhelmed by the amount of information you have to take in. You don’t
have to juggle all the parts in your mind. Instead, you can train your
attention on what is at hand then move one to another when you are done.
More importantly, this allows you to see which parts of the skill are
essential to beginners and which are better suited for experts. If you can
isolate the critical portions of the skill, you can make more progress without
being burdened by the less essential things. By stripping the learning
program of things that are not important for the goal or performance level
you set, you can cut down the time it takes for you to acquire your skill. As
an added bonus, each segment of the skill you learn gives you the
satisfaction of achieving something quicker. You would expect that each
sub-skill can be learned faster than the entire skill itself. Enjoy learning
each and you will compound the satisfaction of putting them all together.
Now, bring your attention back to the example of portrait painting. Suppose
you set your goal as being able to do an accurate self-portrait in black and
white based on photograph. Your goal is specific enough and allows you to
cut out parts of the skill such as blending colors and painting moving
subjects. Instead, you can prioritize learning sub-skills that are more
essential to you, like shading and scaling.

Break your skill into sub skills and prioritize.

 Finding the Right Tools

"If you ain’t got no axe, you can’t cut no wood."

- John Eaton

Most skills you want to learn need some tool or other resource for
practicing or performance. If you want to try archery, then you would
necessarily need a bow and a bunch of arrows, you can’t shoot a basketball
without a ball, and so on. Before you get to practicing, you need to know
what implements are needed. Make a list of what you need now and will
need in the future.
The main idea here is accessibility and convenience. You cannot effectively
practice if you have to constantly spend time and effort in looking for things
you that you could have prepared beforehand.
Take note of things that you already own. Look for what you can buy or
borrow. See what your budget covers based on what you want to achieve.
You can lose concentration and drive if you keep on thinking of expenses.
More importantly, you can lose resources if you do not plan well, and that is
not fun at all.
Cover all the bases so it will be smooth sailing when you start practicing.
Remember that some skills do not only require tools, but also venues and
environments. You need a skating rink if you want to learn ice skating. You
also need a quiet place if you want to learn Chinese meditation techniques.
Maximize your time spent training and practicing by having all you need at
hand. If your skill has an element of hazard to it, then make sure that you
take account for this. Find a practice area away from populated areas if
necessary.

Know the things you need and prepare them.

 Breaking Down the Barricades

" If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It
will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are
only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them."
- Bruce Lee

Several things can prevent you from effective practice and ultimately
learning. These can be physical barriers in the form of lack of tools,
misplacement of things and a disorderly workplace. The constant need to
borrow what you need can also serve as an impediment. As stated in the
previous chapter, you should make sure you have access to what you need
when you need it. This saves you the effort and energy. It ultimately makes
for smoother practice and faster learning.
You can also be distracted by external factors such as constant phone calls,
television, social networking, and the like. Place yourself in an environment
suitable for what you intend to do. Minimize unnecessary distractions that
can make you lose momentum and take up precious learning time.
Emotional issues can also prevent you from learning effectively. You might
be afraid or embarrassed to start working on your project. You may want to
learn something, but it might be a bit dangerous or edgy. Make yourself
comfortable by getting safety gear or finding assurance that you will not be
hurt. If the activity seems awkward, do it with other people to make you
comfortable that you are not doing it alone. Or you can always do it in the
solitude of a secluded place so you will not fear ridicule while you are still
getting the hang of things. Always keep in mind that you are trying to learn
something you would love and enjoy. The satisfaction of acquiring a skill
will always trump whatever misgivings you have. Have fun with the
learning process and don’t worry about failure. Laugh and shrug it off. The
more relaxed you are in practicing, the easier it is for you to absorb what
you are trying to learn.
You cannot always rely on willpower alone to overcome these barriers
while you are practicing or training. You need to take care of these before
you even start. Rearrange your surroundings to make it easy for you to
begin. You cannot spare any time for distractions if you want to acquire
your skills fast and effectively.

Remove all the barriers that prevent you from learning.

 Making Time

"You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it."
- Charles Buxton

The above quote is dead on when it comes to time. Most people tend to
think that they can miraculously ‘find time’ in a day to practice. The reality
is this never happens. If you do not set aside a certain part of your day for
practice, then you will tend to waste hours just idling around. If you decide
to learn a skill and you want to do it quick, then there is always the
necessary trade-off of spending more time on it and less on other things. So
this means it’s time to cut down on some less important things like
television, video games and surfing the net. The previous chapter already
warned you about distractions from starting. Removing these unnecessary
impediments will also work to eliminate delays in your skill acquisition.
A good tip is to take a notebook and log how you spend your day in hours.
Once you do this, you can visualize your day and shuffle things around to
make time. You can see where you waste time and where you can save it.
Remember that you have twenty-four hours in a day. Eight of these hours
are usually spent sleeping, which is important if you want effective
retention of information and training. You are left with sixteen hours that
you have to allocate between work and spending time with friends and
family perhaps.
You should not neglect your responsibilities, of course. The time left from
these activities has to be given to your practice and training. If you really
want to learn as quickly as possible, then the trick is to allocate bigger
blocks of time for practicing. Uninterrupted practice is always best and
leads to better results. A good starting point is to allot at least an hour and a
half a day for your practice.
It is also recommended that you commit yourself to do at least a total of
twenty-four hours of practice. When you hit a snag, you should push on
until you reach the target hours or your target goal. If you find that twenty-
four hours seem to be too big an investment for your skill, maybe you
should reassess if you really want to learn it. You can move on to another
one and come back to it later. Pre-committing a definite amount of time will
help you through the rough patches of early practice. You can expect that it
will be hard at first and will be filled with frustration.
Setting a twenty-four hour goal gives you something to visualize and is
helpful in maintaining your drive. You should look at this as an exercise in
persistence. You should not let tiny hindrances stop you from doing what
you set out to do. Once you hit the target number of hours, you can assess if
you achieved your specific goal if you have not done so earlier. From there,
you are in the proper position to decide whether you should keep on
practicing or if you are ready to acquire a brand new skill.

Dedicate a definite amount of time to practice.

 Finding Feedback

" I think it's very important to have a feedback loop, where you're
constantly thinking about what you've done and how you could be doing it
better. I think that's the single best piece of advice: constantly think about
how you could be doing things better and questioning yourself. "
- Elon Musk

Getting feedback means getting information on whether or not you are

doing well. Feedback is very important for learning because it is what tells
you when progress is being made. Conversely, it also tells you when more
work has to be put in. If you are doing well, carry on or do better. When
you see that you messed up, make adjustments and try again.
If you want to gain a skill fast, your feedback also needs to return to you
fast and accurate. The longer it takes for you to get feedback, the more time
it will take for you to learn because it means more time to wait before you
can make your adjustments. The time you can practically get feedback will
vary greatly depending on the skill you want to learn.
If you are trying your hand at grafting ornamental plants, then you may not
know when the graft is successful for a couple of weeks. However, if you
want to learn ornamental pruning, you can immediately see the effects of
your practice. You can compare diagrams with your work or you can even
ask the neighbor or a local gardener if your work looks good. The best kind
of feedback is the most immediate.
You can find feedback in several forms depending on your skill desired.
You can find trainers, coaches or other experts who can mentor you while
you practice. They are excellent sources of tips, tricks and feedback. For
instance, a gym trainer can give you real-time feedback on your
weightlifting form while you do it. If you prefer to do things solo, then you
can also opt to use video capture of yourself practicing to help assess your
progress. Part of your preparation in finding the right tools could include
finding implements, measuring devices, computer programs or the like that
can help you assess your progress. The more sources of feedback you can
find and utilize, the faster you can learn your skill.
Remember that feedback has to be accurate as well. You will be wasting
time if you kid yourself with biased and unreliable sources of feedback. You
will end up with a big ego and no skill to show for it. Be honest with
yourself and admit if you are not doing well so you can objectively assess
your results.

Establish a fast and reliable feedback system.

 Quick, Timed Practices

" What I have achieved by industry and practice, anyone else with tolerable
natural gift and ability can also achieve."
- Johann Sebastian Bach

The early parts of practice will usually test your patience. You will probably
feel like time is moving very slow and this will make you feel frustrated.
Your mind is simply not wired to accurately tell time. This can lead to
frustration and the feeling of fatigue even if you’ve only been practicing for
a short period of time. This can make learning hard and near impossible at
times.
The best way to remedy this is to time your practice sessions. Get a
countdown timer, set it for say twenty to thirty minutes. Once you start the
countdown, you need to practice until the time is up. No excuses. This way,
you can stop worrying about time moving slowly. All you have to do is
focus on practicing.
Let the timer worry about how long you have been at it. Repeat this over
and over extending the countdown over time. This simple process will help
you get used to practicing over longer periods of time and help you break
through frustration and fatigue.
Doing a lot of these timed practice sessions will help you learn faster. You
can set up as many as six of these in a day. Doing this will definitely get
you great results in a short period of time with less frustration.

Practice in timed intervals and practice often.

 Practicing a Lot

"I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man
who has practiced one kick 10,000 times"
- Bruce Lee

When you are starting out, you will most likely be thinking that you have to
practice perfectly. After all, they do say that ‘perfect practice makes
perfect’. However, you should remember that you are not trying to be a
grandmaster of the skill just yet. Your goal is to learn the skill and be
capable at it in the shortest possible time. Bruce Lee may have been a
perfectionist. You are not aiming for perfection. Instead, you should take a
leaf from his book when it comes to quantity of practice. Practice your
kicks ten thousand times before you think of perfection.
The trouble with aiming for perfection at the onset is that it takes too much
time even for a master at the skill. You can just imagine how long it will
take for a beginner to do something perfectly without any training at all.
Add to that the frustration that this can build up if you expect yourself to
perform near perfectly when you are just starting. Keep in mind that you are
just starting out, it is alright for you to start out awkwardly.
What is important for you now is to start practicing and practicing often.
For rapid skill acquisition, quantity of practice trumps quality. The faster
and more often you practice, the easier it is for your mind to pick up
patterns and apply these to future sessions. Your mind is hardwired to work
with repetition. The more you do something, the easier it will be for you to
repeat it. Once you are familiar with the motion or activity, it will be
simpler for you to make subtle adjustments to achieve your specific
performance level goal.
This is not to say that you should not try to achieve good form when you
practice, but this is best done after you have gotten in a few sessions to get
used to the skill being practiced. The rule is that your first sessions should
be focused on doing the activity or getting used to the motions. When you
are familiar with it, try achieving or at least approximating your target level
of skill. You can then speed up your training.
The more sessions and the faster you can do them, the quicker you will be
able to progress. Of course don’t forget the system of feedback you
established, you cannot learn without knowing if you are actually
improving. The bottom line is that you should not kill yourself over
perfection when you are starting out. Focus first on getting more sessions
in, progress will follow.

Practice and more practice: quantity of practice first, quality is for

later.
 How to Apply What You've Learned?

The principles given in these chapters are ideally meant to be followed step-
by-step and speak mostly of preparation both physically and mentally for
the process of learning new skills. They are made as general as possible to
accommodate any skill you wish to learn. They may not all fit perfectly
with everything you want to learn, but most will be essential to it. To help
you apply these guidelines even better, you can take note of the broader
ideas being espoused. This way, you can add to and tweak them to suit your
needs.
First, we have the principle of efficiency. You should always think of how
you can achieve better results through spending the least resources.
Resources mean your time, effort, energy and even financial resources.
Streamline the learning process so that you can get rid of what is
unnecessary and focus on what is essential. You have already eliminated the
physical and emotional distraction, what else is slowing you down? Is there
anything peculiar to your skill that can be tweaked? You have already
determined the core sub-skills, which sub-skill will make learning the
others easier?
Second, there is the principle of orderliness. Take note of ways that you can
structure your learning. An orderly process is always friendly to learning. If
you plan your learning in such a way that is logical, you can be sure that
you will learn much easier and faster. This is not limited to orderly planning
either; you can also consider the orderliness of your practice area. Are your
tools where they should be? Is your work area clean? Is it affecting your
learning? Are you logging your hours in a proper way?
Third, you have the principle of managing your expectations. You cannot
expect to learn something immediately. Set your expectations reasonably.
This is the reason why you set a specific goal as to your level of skill. Do
not feel bad if you do not achieve things right away or if things are taking
too long. You can always go back to the checklist and see if there is
something else you haven’t considered. Or maybe you need to set your
expectations higher for the amount of time you want to invest in the skill.
Rapid skill acquisition is about setting manageable skill goals.
Fourth, you should stack the deck. Part of your preparation should be to
make sure you know as much about the skill you want to learn as possible.
Learning should start even before you practice. Stack the decks in favor of
getting the best possible result. Read books, watch online videos, visit
exhibitions. This will make you familiar with the related ideas and
concepts. If you do this, then you will lessen the ‘I’m new to this’ feeling
and speed up progress.
Lastly, have fun with it! Learning is an enjoyable process. The principles
given in the chapters are meant to take away the frustration and grief that
comes with learning, but the experience in itself is fulfilling. Many find that
frustrations are part of it. They love a challenge and are not afraid to fail.
Having this attitude is very helpful in acquiring skills. Learn to love the
process as much as the result. Again, you are not trying to kill yourself over
a new skill. Be a learning-junkie, it is one step-closer to becoming a
learning genius.
How To Become a Memory Master

HTeBooks
Copyright © 2016
 Copyright © 2016 HTeBooks

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without
the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Disclaimer

This book is designed to provide condensed information. It is not intended to reprint all the information that is otherwise
available, but instead to complement, amplify and supplement other texts. You are urged to read all the available material, learn as
much as possible and tailor the information to your individual needs.

Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible. However, there may be mistakes, both
typographical and in content. Therefore, this text should be used only as a general guide and not as the ultimate source of
information. The purpose of this book is to educate.

The author or the publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage
caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this book.
Table of Contents

How Will This eBook Help You?

Simple Tricks for a Failing Memory
Improving Memory with a Healthy Lifestyle
Making Brain Exercising a Habit
Enhancing Your Memory at Home
Sharpen Your Memory with Physical Activities
Taking Memory-Enhancing Herbal Remedies
Eating Memory-Boosting Foods
Adding Memory-Enhancing Supplements to Your Diet
How to Apply What You've Learned?
How Will This eBook Help You?

Memory decline is a normal and natural part of the aging process. You will
experience it whether you like it or not because your brain ages as your
body does. Likewise, you will experience some difficulty recalling things at
some point because your mental health is closely linked to your emotional
and physical health. Needless to say, everyone has his or her own share of
ups and downs. A simple case of stress or severe case of depression can
both lead to memory decline, albeit usually, only temporarily.
The concern here is not really to stop memory decline, but to delay it and
alleviate the changes to as mild as possible. Many older people past the age
of 80and still have clear memories because they have successfully delayed
their mental aging through mental exercises, healthy lifestyle, and optimum
support. All of this will be discussed in this eBook.
You will grow old but you can refuse to get rusty. This eBook aims to show
you the proven ways to stop memory loss altogether and maintain your
sharp memory all your life. You might experience some stumbles one time
or another, as with anybody else, but the important thing is you become
consistent with your mental performance.
 Simple Tricks for a Failing Memory

"The sense of smell can be extraordinarily evocative, bringing back pictures

as sharp as photographs of scenes that had left the conscious mind."
- Thalassa Cruso

Sometimes, the key to thinking harder when trying to recall something is

not overthinking it. There are quick tricks you can do whenever your
memory is failing you. These tricks will help you if you need a quick
mental fix.
1. Sniff rosemary and lavender fragrance
Aromatherapy is a homeopathic solution to failing memory. Specifically,
rosemary and lavender have shown promise in enhancing memory by
stimulating the brain, especially when sniffed or when you are trying to
recall something. Instead of going for the fruity scents, use these fragrances
in the form of diluted oil, potpourri, candle, or even air freshener.
2. Move your eyes left and right
Moving your eyes left and right whenever you are trying to recall
something, such as a term or formula, can help you trigger your memory
because by doing so, you are realigning the two regions of your brain to
make them work harder. You can do this trick even when not trying to
recall something, like every morning as a part of your mental preparation
for the whole day.
3. Move your eyes to the left
Moving your eyes to the left several times when trying to recall an idea you
have created, such as a storyline or plot, can help you trigger your memory
because the left side of your brain is dedicated to your creativity. You can
do this trick when writing or talking about your ideas. Just avoid doing it
when in an interview because the interviewer, who probably has a
background in psychology, might think that you are making up stories.
4. Move your eyes to the right
Moving your eyes to the right several times when trying to recall a formula
(any mathematical operation for that matter) or reason out will help you
because the right part of your brain is in charge of math and reasoning.
5. Read words aloud when memorizing
When you memorize, you chiefly use your eyes to record words or pictures,
while you rely on your visualization skills to recall things that you have
memorized before but do not naturally pop into your head (like the name of
a person familiar to you but you do not necessary call by name everyday).
You are practically tapping just a single sense. By using another one, you
are getting a reinforcement to make memorization easier and recalling
faster.
To do this, read aloud the words you are memorizing, so your auditory
sense is also activated. If you are memorizing a speech or presentation, read
it to yourself over and over again, so your brain also records the spoken
words aside from the printed words.

Key Points/Action Steps:

*)Do not fret when recalling seems too hard at times. You need to keep
cool and just do the tricks shared in this chapter.
*)Do these tricks even when you are not having a hard time recalling.
They will serve as your exercise to help you in the long run.
*)Forgetting something is not absolute on normal cases. Your memory
is definitely improvable.
 Improving Memory with a Healthy Lifestyle

" Own only what you can always carry with you: know languages, know
countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag."
- Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Living a healthy lifestyle will help you live a fuller life, free of blank pages
in your head. The brain is connected to your body and so what you do to
your body happens to your brain. You have to love and take care of yourself
if you want your brain to reciprocate with good memories. You might not
feel any changes now with regard to your mental performance, but sooner
or later, if you will not change your bad habits, you will suffer an early
onset of age-related memory decline.
Here are some tips to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
1. Go out more often
How can you improve your memory if you do not have much valuable ones
to recall to begin with? As your brain deletes short-term memories and
stores long-term ones, you also need to feed it with new ones constantly to
keep it building and working out. You have to stimulate your imagination
with real images and sensations. You also have to learn new things to
reinforce old memories.
Experience is the best teacher, and it can be the best memory booster as
well.
2. Sleep early and enough
If you don’t feel tired even if you only got a couple of hours’, sleep does
not mean everything is fine. Usually, your brain suffers what your body
cannot feel. As you deprive yourself of proper sleep, your brain’s function
also starts to wane considerably, but the long-term effect probably won’t be
apparent until you hit your senior years.
Your sleep time is your brain’s chance to fix everything that needs fixing. It
deletes short-term memories and reinforces long-term memories. This is the
time when your brain connects related information together and stimulates
the production of new neurons that will keep the passage of data active.
According to the journal Sleep Medicine, insufficient sleep of less than
eight hours a day will lead to slower cognitive ability, less mental
concentration, and faster mental exhaustion.
3. Take a rest when mentally tired
Students like to spend the whole night reviewing past lessons during their
exam weeks. Employees like to work nonstop to get the job done the fastest
way possible. Most people want to push their mental capacities just to get
their tasks done without actually considering the risk of getting bad results
with poor mental performance.
The brain is responsible for the 20% of your entire daily calorie
consumption. Just imagine how much workout your brain actually does in a
day. That is tiring.
When you push your brain too hard, you are actually damaging it by
encouraging more deletion of memories than storage. The brain does this to
lessen the burden it experiences from trying to recall so many bits of
information even if you do not have sufficient energy to do so.
You won’t be able to think clearly if you are mentally and physically tired,
so better reserve your energy for another time.

Key Points/Action Steps:

*)Your brain is like muscles; it needs rest if you want to feel the
strength.
*)Rest your body and brain when needed. Not feeling the exhaustion
does not mean everything is fine.
*)Do not be too hard on yourself whenever your memory is failing.
Sometimes, the cause of the problem is you and not your brain.
 Making Brain Exercising a Habit

" An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even
how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you
know and what you don't."
- Anatole France

The brain needs exercising the same way the body does. This is the
principle behind self-directed neuroplasticity; the new and most widely
accepted theory behind the brain’s full potential. As opposed to the old
notion that the brain stays the same as far as nervous impulses and synapses
“wiring” go, this newer theory highlights the importance of brain exercises
to enhance it according to your needs and desires. Self-directed plasticity is
now widely used in the treatment of brain injuries.
To start your mental workout, here is a list of the most effective brain
exercises you can try without sacrificing the fun.
1. Crossword puzzles
Elders who regularly solve crossword puzzles have stronger retention and
recalling ability. They also have 10 points more on their IQ and are more
mentally cohesive than the average senior citizen. This has been the
observation in a study involving Californians.
Particularly, crossword puzzle improves the linguistic and lexical
intelligence of a person. This is a good start if you often fumble for words
or just need to joggle you memory regularly.
2. Computation
Many people don’t do this very basic brain exercise anymore. When was
the last time you did a long computation manually, such as your grocery
expense or utility bills? Although you can always go the convenient way
using a calculator and an excel sheet, there is no need to totally shy away
from mental arithmetic because the benefits are huge.
Make it a habit to do simple computations manually. If you are not
confident with your answers, you can always double check with a calculator
anyway. The important thing is that you practice your mathematical acumen
and counting skills. Besides, don’t you find it fulfilling to know you nailed
a computation only using your hands and mind?

3. Video games
This may not be a traditional brain exercise, but playing video games is still
an effective one. Contrary to popular belief, playing video games enhances
brain activity by 50% because you are forced to push your mental agility to
your highest. Your responses are more acute, and your brain-eye-hand
coordination becomes more accurate.
As you play, your brain programs the different moves and strategies, so you
can respond better and faster next time. That is already an application of
neuroplasticity. This makes memorization and recalling faster for you.
Likewise, studies shows that children who play video games, when matched
with proper learning habits, tend to score higher on IQ tests.
4. Sudoku
Even though Sudoku involves numbers and grids, it is actually more of a
game of logic than math. The computation involved here is minimal, but the
real test is really in the analytical part of the game. It trains your brain to
look at a bigger picture and take into consideration every angle. By doing
so, you are enhancing your analytical and visualization skills.
5. Journaling
Normally, a forgetful person has all the information stored in his brain. The
recalling part makes the memory faulty. Usually, it is the person’s inability
to arrange data in his head according to a certain pattern, such as
chronological order, association, or trigger, is the one causing forgetfulness.
To solve this, you have to practice juggling your memory on a daily basis,
and that is by journaling your day. This brain exercise makes recalling a
routine, which will mold your brain like how muscles grow with daily
workouts. It also develops your vocabulary and mental cohesion, which you
will definitely use in your profession.
6. Jigsaw puzzle
First marketed as a brain training aid because of its effectiveness in
enhancing memory and increasing IQ, jigsaw puzzles are now one of the
most popular hobbies of all time. The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
acknowledges its effectiveness in improving visualization and analytical
skills. At the same time, it tests your patience and concentration for the
better; you are actually exercising your brain while having fun.

Key Points/Action Steps:

*)The brain needs exercising the same way your body does.
*)Make brain exercises a habit for bigger benefits.
*)To achieve the optimum neuroplasticity of your brain, you have to
train it religiously like how you train your muscles repeatedly.
 Enhancing Your Memory at Home

" Never make your home in a place. Make a home for yourself inside your
own head. You'll find what you need to furnish it - memory, friends you can
trust, love of learning, and other such things. That way it will go with you
wherever you journey."
- Tad Williams

The home can be your own training center and learning institution. There
are many ways to improve your memory and a lot of tools for you to enjoy
and help you at the same time right in the comforts of your own home.
Staying at home is no excuse to take your mental health for granted. Here
are ways to enhance your memory at home.
1. Meditation
Where else is the best place to practice meditation but in the comfort of
your home. This relaxation technique can enhance your brain’s performance
by 20%, with special improvement in your mental accuracy, clarity, and
concentration. It also lowers your stress level by reducing cortisol and CRH
(corticotropin-releasing hormone) – two hormones that speeds up the death
of your brain neurons. Starting your day with meditation will also enhance
the oxygen uptake to your brain whenever your exercise later on.
There are many meditation techniques to choose from, such as mindfulness
technique and mind-body relaxation. All of them work. The important thing
is that you make it a habit at least 15 minutes a day.
2. Intermittent fasting
Fasting is easier when at home because you have less temptation. Take
advantage of it to unleash a sharper and more accurate memory.
Neuroscientist and author Dr. Michael Eades says intermittent fasting for 25
consecutive days, 16 straight hours a day, stimulates your brain’s excretion
of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). It is a type of protein that
ensures the consistency of nervous impulses by generating synapses as they
die or get damaged. Synapses are your brain’s “highway of information”
which when left broken will also result in disruption of memory (this is
where recalling becomes almost impossible). Aside from this effect, you
will also get less distressed because of lower cortisol production.
Fasting for almost a month might be too intimidating to you. It is a good
thing you have an alternative. According to Dr. Mark Mattson, another
expert in neuroscience, people can do intermittent fasting; they just need to
make sure that there are at least two days in between fasts. This is
recommended for those who do not have bad memory to begin with but
only want to improve it the fastest way possible.
Whatever you choose, both experts agree, you should be able to see the big
difference just after a month from your last fasting.
3. Lumosity
The only reason why the game Lumosity is in this chapter is because it aims
to change your gaming habits. Lumosity is a popular online gaming series
specifically developed to increase IQ and memory. Developed using the
neuroplasticity principles by the University of California at Berkeley,
Stanford University, and University of Michigan, this series promises a
more powerful brain just by playing it for 15 minutes a day. It is no hype as
scientists certify its effectiveness, not to mention the 14 million users
playing it on a regular basis.
It works on the five aspects of your brain all at the same time. Through its
indexing system, you can monitor your progress by checking its Brain
Performance Index (BPI). Just a warning though: this is addicting like any
other online games, only it is truly worthwhile.
4. Put a pattern on your household chores
Acclimating yourself to mental patterns is better started at home where you
have total control without the pressure of meeting a certain standard. Start
by putting a pattern in your daily household chores, like the order of doing
things, step-by-step routines, the time of task, etc. By doing so, you are
putting organization back to your system, and your brain should be able to
adopt it.
Usually, memory starts to lose its accuracy when the bits of information
added with confused emotions become out of order. In such case, you are
practically forgetting mental organization, so you just have to relearn and
practice it.
5. Load your fridge with dark chocolates
Forget chips and burgers, dark chocolates are everything you need for
snacks. Not only is dark chocolate good for your palate, it is also good for
your memory.
First, dark chocolates are rich in antioxidants that will help protect your
brain from oxidative stress and other damages caused by free radicals. A
pure bar even contains more antioxidant than green tea and blueberry – not
even close!
Second, dark chocolates have the right amount of caffeine to stimulate the
brain – not too much like what is in your coffee (decaffeinated included). It
is a good snack for students reviewing lessons at home or for professionals
who have to take their work home.
Lastly, dark chocolates have a high concentration of phenylethylamine, a
type of feel-good hormone that gives the feeling of being in love. It also
increases the production of endorphin to fight mental and emotional stress,
as well as, serve as your natural pain reliever.
6. Perform breathing exercise
Breathing exercise is more than a relaxation technique. It also helps your
memory improve in three ways.
First, slow and deep breathing induces relaxation that can help you think
clearer and faster. It also calms your senses, so you can focus only on
memorization or recalling.
Second, deliberate deep breathing increases the absorption rate of oxygen
for your brain. Optimum oxygen uptake means bigger brain for you,
literally.
Lastly, scientists found out regularly practicing breathing exercise
specifically enhances the function of the hippocampus, the region of your
brain in charge of recalling and sending electrical impulses called Theta
wave.

Key Points/Action Steps:

*)Improving your memory is very much possible even while staying at
home.
*)Stressful household chores can become memory enhancers if you will
look at them in a different way.
*)Improving your memory is possible even while resting or having fun.
 Sharpen Your Memory with Physical Activities

"Thinking is like exercise, it requires consistency and rigor. Like barbells in

a weightlifting room, the classics force us to either put them down or exert
our minds. They require us to think."
- Oliver DeMille

Studies show physical activities in general can enhance the brain’s

performance especially in the memorization department. The mind-body
connection is so overpowering that not having the two in synch will cause
either one to fall apart.
Initially, experts believed exercising is important to preserve sharp memory
to improve blood circulation, which in effect increases the supply of oxygen
to the brain. However, further studies discovered the connection is deeper
than first assumed.
Here is a deeper look at physical activities and their importance in
sharpening your memory. Try these exercises to keep your body fit and your
memory sharp.
1. Jogging
Do not underestimate this simple yet effective cardio exercise because
doing it for only 20 minutes is enough to increase the brain’s size; thus, also
increasing its performance. Researchers from the University of California at
Irvine discovered this when they were trying to figure out how mere cardio
exercises provided significant boost in memory tests. To achieve the best
results, jog before your day starts.
2. Yoga
Harvard-based psychiatrist Dr. John Ratey recommends performing yoga
for 10 minutes every day because it is a great way to incorporate relaxation
with physical activity without straining the body like when you do heavy
workouts. According to him, it significantly enhances blood circulation that
in effect increases the oxygen supply to the brain. At the same time, it
induces relaxation and mental clarity because of the meditation that
naturally comes with the practice.
You can try yoga nidra (lucid dreaming) and bhramari pranayam (physical
and breathing yoga matched with meditation).
3. Stretching
Not everyone considers stretching an actual physical activity. However, this
is more than enough to improve your memory for two reasons. First,
stretching for 10 to 15 minutes early in the day sets your body’s phase and
enhances blood flow to the brain. More oxygen means healthier brain,
right? Second, stretching stimulates your body’s excretion of feel-good
hormones that will allow your brain to work faster and harder. Studies have
confirmed a person who feels happy and relaxed memorizes and recalls
better than someone who is emotionally unstable.
4. Stationary biking
In a Swiss study, experts discovered stationary biking at least 40 minutes
three times a week could significantly reduce your cortisol level while
increasing your brain’s oxygen uptake, as compared to other cardio
exercises also improves blood circulation. What makes this exercise better
is the fact it does not strain the body as a whole and only focuses on the
respiration (remember hat heavy workout increases cortisol).

Key Points/Action Steps:

*)The body needs proper exercises in order to benefit the brain.
*)Seasonal exercising won’t do; you have to do it regularly, preferably
on a daily basis.
*)Heavy workouts, such as strength and resistance training, that are
good for the muscles are not always the best for the brain.
 Taking Memory-Enhancing Herbal Remedies

"Just as food eaten without appetite is a tedious nourishment, so does study

without zeal damage the memory by not assimilating what it absorbs."
- Leonardo da Vinci

Eastern medicine has not always been in the same playing field as Western
medicine, the latter receiving the more attention and interest in the past.
However, as alternative medicine becomes more accepted, they need further
scientific studies to back up their claims. Now, even medical doctors agree
memory enhancement is possible with certain herbal remedies.
Here is the list.
1. Bacopa monnieri
Also known as brahmi, this plant has already been scrutinized in a research
published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Experts say it delays dementia and Alzheimer’s disease while sharpening
the memory, giving even old people the ability to recall just as if they were
still young. They suggest drinking brewed dried leaves gives the same
benefit of a 300-milligram capsule, its supplement counterpart.
Furthermore, it also shows promise in managing ADHD, allergy, anxiety
disorders, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in younger people.
2. Green tea
You need this for three reasons. First, it is very high in antioxidants that can
fight free radicals that can damage your brain. Second, it can prevent
inflammation, which is also a common reason of temporary memory
decline. Third, it contains a phytochemical called EGCG (epigallocatechin
galate), a chemical that is proven to induce neurogenesis, the natural
formation of new neurons in your brain that is necessary to maintain
“youthful” performance and processing of stored information.
3. Rosemary
Two significant studies prove that it is more than a spice in your kitchen or
scent in your bathroom.
In the journal Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, it was
observed that a significant boost in cognitive ability alongside the natural
preservation of memory. It makes memorization more accurate and faster.
Second, a published study in the International Journal of Neuroscience
found that the rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid of this plant are potent
enough to protect the brain cells from natural damages brought by aging.
4. Panax ginseng
Contrary to marketing claims, panax ginseng does not significantly boost
memory by enhancing recalling ability. However, it greatly helps in the
process of memorization because it improves mental concentration and
accuracy, perfect for students and professionals who need to memorize a lot
of details all the time.
5. Huperzine
It is not as famous as the other ones on this list, but initial studies suggest it
can be the next big thing when it comes to memory enhancement the
Ayurvedic way. It captures interest in the medical field simply because
huperzine can somehow replicate the effects of real drugs for Alzheimer’s
disease.

You are probably wondering why the most famous memory-enhancing herb
– gingko biloba – is not on the list. Sorry to disappoint you but that herb is
nothing more than a product of shrewd marketing hype. The Journal of the
American Medical Association reported in 2009 that although gingko biloba
showed promise in protecting the hippocampus in the brain, there was no
solid link between this benefit and memory enhancement – only normal
nutritional value that makes it like any nutritious herbal plant.

Key Points/Action Steps:

*)Try to integrate herbal medicine with your dose of conventional
memory-boosting routines for better results.
*)Replace your regular cup of coffee with these healthy and brain-
friendly herbal remedies.
*)Always consult your doctor if you are taking medications to prevent
adverse reactions.
 Eating Memory-Boosting Foods

"Feasting is also closely related to memory. We eat certain things in a

particular way in order to remember who we are. Why else would you eat
grits in Madison, New Jersey?"
- Jeff Smith

What’s good for the body is good for the brain. That is true. However, what
is good for the brain is not always the best for your memory. Feeding your
brain with the right nutrition does not always equate to optimum memory
because some foods are meant to work better with the other aspects of your
health. For instance, fiber-rich foods are best for your digestion while those
containing high ascorbic acid work best for your immune system. If you
specifically need memory enhancement, eating random healthy foods might
not suffice.
You can fill your plate with the best memory-boosting foods, and you can
start with the foods on this list.
1. Blueberries
Adding a cup of blueberries to your diet everyday prevents oxidative stress
which can lead to accelerated age-related memory degeneration caused by
dementia or Alzheimer’s. Dr. Steven Pratt of California’s Scripps Memorial
Hospital added that it does not only save your precious memory but also
enhances your learning capabilities, particularly motor skills.
2. Avocado
Many people avoid it because it contains the highest fat content among all
fruits. Nonetheless, surprisingly, its monounsaturated fats actually help
lower blood cholesterol and blood pressure. What’s more is that it enhanced
blood flow to the brain, which keeps it more active and well-supplied with
oxygen. Dr. Pratt recommends eating half of it a day.
3. Wild Salmon
Being a deep-water fish makes it clean, but the best part of it is its high
omega-3 fatty acid content. Numerous studies have already confirmed that
omega-3 enhances oxygen uptake to the brain while lowering inflammation
that can result to long-term damage. Regularly eating foods high in omega-
3, wild salmon in particular, also delays the onset of Alzheimer’s disease
and dementia, in case you are historically prone to them.
4. Seeds and nuts
Seeds, such as sunflower seeds and flax seeds, and nuts, such as walnuts,
chestnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, and almonds, are all high in vitamin E that
has been proven to prevent cognitive decline as you age. Choosing them as
your snack will also make you think and understand faster. Eat an ounce a
day to get the best benefits.
5. Whole grains
Eating oatmeal, brown rice, or whole-grain breads every morning does
more than improve your digestion and lower your cholesterol. According to
Dr. Ann Kulze, a well-known author and diet specialist, whole grains are
some of the best memory-booster because they have everything your brain
needs – fiber, vitamin E, and omega-3. Of course, a healthy heart also gives
you a healthy brain.

Key Points/Action Steps:

*)Choose foods for your brain and heart, not for your tongue alone.
*)Make these foods a staple of your grocery list.
*)Cook and serve them in variety to maintain your appetite.
Adding Memory-Enhancing Supplements to Your
Diet

"Seek out the memories depression takes away and project them into the
future. Be brave; be strong; take your pills."
- Andrew Solomon

As the term implies, dietary supplements are not meant to take over the role
of real foods. They are only here to give your brain an extra boost,
especially if you cannot maintain a variety of appropriate diet. Nonetheless,
choosing the best ones for your brain will help you preserve your memory
for a long time, even when you are already past your prime. Starting young
reaps better results, so you might want to change your supplementation
now.
Here are memory-enhancing supplements that should definitely be in your
medicine cabinet.
1. Vitamin E
Vitamin E stops age-related memory decline by protecting the brain cells
from oxidative stress. This way, the lifespan of your brain cells are
extended even if they should naturally die faster when you are past your
prime. A study also concludes it can delay the development of certain
mental disorders, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Vitamin B12
As aforementioned in a previous chapter, vitamin B12 deficiency is one of
the most common culprits of memory decline. However, you will need
more than your daily recommended 6mcg allowance (RDA) to make the
most out of it. Take B-vitamin complex that contains at least 15mcg, or
equivalent to the 250% of your RDA.
3. Omega-3 fatty acid
Not everyone has the privilege to spend for salmons, tuna, fresh sardines,
and mackerel everyday. Thus, taking 1000mg of omega-3 fatty acid with at
least 180% DHA is necessary. Researchers in New Zealand’s Massey
University believe it is the new wonder supplement for the brain. It lowers
risk of inflammation in the brain, boosts blood flow and oxygen uptake to
the brain, and delays the progression of Alzheimer’s and dementia – what
else can you ask for.
Here is a bonus benefit for you: It is also said to boost libido on both sexes
and the erection in men.
4. CoQ10
CoQ10 or CoEnzyme Q10 also works like omega-3 by improving blood
flow to the brain and protecting the cells from free radicals. It is best for the
heart that in a way benefits the brain. There are also claims it can fight
mental disorders, although no concrete study has yet to prove that.
5. Acetyl-L-carnitine
It shows promise in reversing the effects of Alzheimer’s disease to one’s
memory, but the biggest news here is its capacity to slow down memory
decline brought by mental disorders. As an amino acid, it works best for
your muscles and metabolism. However, the general interest from the
scientific community is enough to make it one of the priority supplements
you have to take.

Key Points/Action Steps

*)Make dietary supplementation a regular part of our diet.
*)Choose supplements that best address your memory concerns, such
as the ones listed here.
*)Never make these supplements, or any supplement for that matter, a
replacement to real food.
 How to Apply What You've Learned?

This book will not be able to help you if you refuse to accept what has been
shared with you. Thus, you have to religiously follow the steps and embrace
a new lifestyle for good.

Remember the key ideas from this ebook:

*)Memory decline is not permanent. You do not have to worry too
much because that will just make matters worse.
*)There are quick fixes to do when your memory is failing you.
*)Make brain exercising a habit continuously developing your mental
power.
*)Adapt a healthy lifestyle that is good for the body and brain.
*)The home can be your own training center and learning facility. Do
not stop learning new things and honing your memory even while at
home.
*)The brain is like a muscle; it needs exercising to grow.
*)Support your mental and physical health with the right herbal
drinks, foods, and supplements.