Apply the techniques#

When it comes to using the techniques, there isn’t too much to say here. It’s a matter of applying them and noting the outcomes.

Before you do so, make sure you are in good learning state. Depending on which techniques you use, you may also want a quiet isolated environment for the first time. Sometimes this is not possible.

Keep an open mind while trying out the techniques for the first time. Don’t let previous judgments or beliefs sway your opinion on their effectiveness. All the techniques are in this book because they work for many people.

How does frequency and timing influence retention?

An experiment on a simple nervous system found that forty exposures (frequency) to an experience in a single session (timing) resulted in a memory that lasted only ten to fifteen minutes. Any more than ten exposures in that single session had little impact in the overall recall. In contrast, forty exposures spread over four days resulted in a memory that lasted three weeks. That’s a two thousand-fold increase in the length of retention! Use this principle in your own training. Five repetitions spread over a week are usually better than fifty repetitions on one day.

Certain techniques may not work as you expect though. Sometimes it will take some time for the techniques to work, so don’t give up too early. Review the instructions again, or review the section at the end of the techniques chapter for help on common problems. You may also try looking for some further help on the website. If you still have difficulties, relax and try out some of the other techniques.

Regardless of how you go, be sure to write down some basic notes on your application of the techniques. If you have some suggestions or improvements, feel free to contribute them to the website.