Let's face it—sometimes real life is just too much. We've all been there, staring at the face of our boss or professor, knowing words are coming from his mouth, but hearing nothing, absorbing nothing, learning nothing.
Well, we'd like to help you out with that. We've compiled the best 111 tricks to keep you on top of your intellectual game. With these tips, you'll remember more, come up with better ideas, and be able to communicate your thoughts better.
We have 13 sections of different strategies, so make sure you check them out all. They cover everything from avoiding caffeine to solving riddles to making up songs to using aromatherapy.
Also, for more articles on learning, check out our Tips and Tools section. We have some great article like The Art of Concentration and The Best Compilation of Time Management Resources on the Web.
Well, we'd like to help you out with that. We've compiled the best 111 tricks to keep you on top of your intellectual game. With these tips, you'll remember more, come up with better ideas, and be able to communicate your thoughts better.
We have 13 sections of different strategies, so make sure you check them out all. They cover everything from avoiding caffeine to solving riddles to making up songs to using aromatherapy.
Also, for more articles on learning, check out our Tips and Tools section. We have some great article like The Art of Concentration and The Best Compilation of Time Management Resources on the Web.
Improve Memory
Having a spotty memory isn't only annoying—it can throw a real wrench into your productivity. Luckily, the many tricks that exist to improve your memory aren't very hard to implement in your life. They really just involve a little restructuring of the way you go about your day, like eating a bowl of blueberries instead of Fruity Pebbles for breakfast, for instance. And, scientists have learned that engaging in the type of mental exercise we recommend can actually slow the onset of dementia and help you keep a healthy brain further into old age. (American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry)- Use mnemonic devices These learning tricks, like acronyms and rhymes, make remembering lists and details easier.
- Eat Ginkgo Biloba This natural supplement enhances memory and concentration and can be found in traditional Chinese cuisine.
- Do brain exercises Brain exercises stimulate the pre-frontal cortex and improve memory.
- Avoid excessive drinking Too much alcohol impairs memory and problem-solving ability.
- Seek treatment for depression Depressed individuals have high levels of cortisone, which can diminish function in multiple portions of the brain.
- Avoid caffeine Caffeine affects blood flow to the brain and can impede memory function.
- Reduce Stress Stress taxes your body's systems and affects overall brain functioning.
- Reduce Cholesterol Elevated cholesterol levels can increase the chances of developing dementia. Try eating more garlic and less red meat.
- Eat brain foods Nutrient-rich foods help with brain development and maintenance. Try eating more salmon, blueberries, and vegetables for starters.
- Increase your vocabulary Learning new words not only exercises your memory, but it will also help you form and communicate your ideas better.
- Write, don't type Writing requires more time and concentration than typing does, which improves your chances of remembering the content.
Increase Your Concentration
Today, we're bombarded with more information and means of entertainment than ever before. While those reams of online journals might be great for working on your current research project, it's easy to get distracted from real work by links to cute cat videos or the latest episode of your favorite sitcom. Taking the time to identify what's distracting you and to make small changes in the way you work can mean you actually use today's glut of information for good, and not for evil (Yes, we just identified cute cats as evil—but only when you're trying to work!).- Get rid of distractions This minimizes the time you spent on unimportant things and also forces you to focus on the task at hand.
- Focus on one thing at a time Focusing on a single task makes it easier to master one thing and also stops you from being overwhelmed.
- Identify the essentials When you can identify the most important aspects of a problem, it's often easier to tackle it effectively.
- Cut down on TV TV can waste time and fill your head with unimportant information.
- Slow down Taking your time can help you see you things properly.
- Solve puzzles and riddles Puzzles improve your problem solving skills and also exercise your concentration.
- Keep a journal Keeping a journal helps you figure out what's important and what deserves your attention.
- Take breaks Breaks rejuvenate you and get you ready for the task at hand.
- Vary your activities Switching gears will keep you from getting bored.
Improve Your Health
According to Mark Twain, "The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd druther not." While we wouldn't go that far, staying on top of your health does require a little maintenance. There's no way around it though—it's impossible to be at your brain at its best without paying attention to the demands of the rest of your body.- Drink more water Hydration keeps your heart healthy, gives you energy, and prevents and cures headaches, among other things.
- Eat breakfast Eating breakfast helps to moderate your blood sugar and keeps your brain fueled.
- Check your medications Keep track of your medications and pay special attention to side effects that may impair your ability to learn.
- See your doctor There's no better way to make sure your body and brain are functioning properly than to have regular check-ups with your doctor.
- Avoid excessive sugar High blood glucose levels negatively affects your memory center and impairs overall brain functioning.
- Take vitamins Vitamins help you fight illness and improve your overall health.
- Eat a balanced diet A good diet helps you keep your blood sugar levels, immune system, and energy in check.
- Eat regularly Regular meals help your metabolism and keep your blood sugar levels low.
- Pay attention to your body If you're feeling tired or sick, you won't be a good learner. Paying attention to your body helps you sense problems so you can solve them before they get worse.
- Get a flu shot The flu keeps millions of people out of work and school every year.
Increase Your Motivation
Sometimes, a big part of really kicking yourself into gear is tricking your mind into believing that the task at hand is what you actually want to be doing, rather than say, lounging in a pair of PJs in front of the TV. Much of this trick of motivation is simply not being a productivity goldfish—you've got to remember why you're doing something and where it's going to get you in the end so you're not distracted by the immediate pleasures of the flesh.- Remind yourself why you want to do something Your reasons for learning will help motivate you and remind you of why you should keep at it.
- Reward yourself When you look forward to a reward, you'll work harder and remember more.
- Challenge yourself When tasks are challenging, you're less likely to get bored and more likely to stay focused on the task at hand.
- Divide tasks into smaller parts A large job will seem less daunting when divided into smaller, more manageable parts.
- Praise yourself Praise is an excellent motivator, so if you're not getting enough from your co-workers or boss, give it to yourself.
- Plan your tasks By planning ahead, you'll be better able to monitor your progress and see your accomplishments.
- Set goals Sets of goals work like checklists; once you get a couple done, you'll want to just move ahead and cross them all off the list.
- Stop procrastinating You can't learn something if you don't ever get it a chance; stop wasting time and just get to it.
- Set a deadline A firm deadline will keep you on track and make sure you get done what needs to get done.
- Learn about your tasks When you know exactly what's expected, you're more likely to be comfortable taking them head-on.
Use Verbal Techniques
Words and sounds can become deep footprints in the fresh clay of our minds—just think of that cereal jingle from 10 years ago that still replays in your brain from time to time. You can repurpose this long-used verbal technique from advertisers and elementary-school teachers, and put it to use in your own life. Saying it out loud -- whether it be singing, rhyming, or just free associating -- can be a great way to focus and tune in your mind.- Talk out loud For some, hearing information makes it easier to remember.
- Brainstorm Talking it out with your colleagues can help you come up with new ideas and also cement old ones in your mind.
- Teach someone else By teaching another person, you will gain a better understanding of the subject.
- Rhyme Making rhymes can help you remember key terms.
- Use word association By associating new words with familiar words, you will find it much easier to remember the new ones.
- Use repetition Sometimes repeating an idea can help you memorize it more quickly.
- Sing it People have a natural affinity for songs, so if you can insert your ideas into a tune you know, you'll be more likely to remember it.
- Ask questions Asking the right questions can help you learn extra, unexpected facts.
Use Auditory Techniques
We commonly take information in through our eyes, but reading isn't the only way to learn and remember. Switching it up can keep your brain on its toes and reinvigorate your ability to pay attention when you're tired of staring at a page. Hearing information on top of reading it will also add an extra layer of association in your brain and make it that much easier to recall what you've learned at a later point.- Listen to music Music is shown to increase recall; playing a song you were listening to when you learned something brings back that memory.
- Record yourself and listen to it Hearing your own voice say things makes it easier to remember them.
- Learn a second language Learning a second language helps you to better understand the mechanics of speech in general.
- Tell stories Putting the facts in a fictional story can help you associate and remember them.
- Listen to podcasts With podcasts, you can learn on-the-go and learn anywhere; being constantly exposed to information can help it sink in.
- Close your eyes Repeating facts without looking at them can help you remember them.
- Record and replay lectures When replaying information, you may hear facts that you missed the first time.
- Sound it out Divide phrases into words and words into syllables to help you remember the whole thing.
