To understand how to improve your memory, let’s first look at what we know about how memory works. Although scientists keep learning new things about how our brains function, author Kenneth Higbee2 suggests some myths about memory, some of which you might have heard, and some you might even believe. Here are five of these memory myths and what experts say about them:
Reality: Although the memory ability you are born with is different from that of others, nearly everyone can improve his or her ability to remember and recall. Improving your concentration will benefit your ability to remember!
Reality: Some individuals have truly exceptional memories, but these abilities result more often from learned strategies, interest, and practice than from the natural ability to remember.
Reality: Experts believe that practice often improves memory, but they argue that the way you practice is more important than how long you practice.
Reality: For all practical purposes, the storage capacity of your memory is unlimited. In fact, the more you learn about a particular topic, the easier it is to learn even more. How you organize the information is more important than the quantity of the information.
Reality: No one knows exactly how much of our brain’s resources we actually tap. However, most researchers believe that we all have far more mental ability than we actually use.