Exceptional video on the improvement of cognition:
Content is given in two main segments, summarized as follows:
Kwik Learning, Video 1 (13:40-24:15)
School is good for what to learn, but not how to learn, think, focus, be creative, remember, etc. No learning without remembering. Memory is the greatest advantage, ultimate success multiplier, and foundation of all achievement. Memory potential is limitless and can be dramatically improved.
To learn most effectively, follow FAST:
Forget 1. what you already know about a subject (set it aside), 2. everything else going on that doesn’t need your attention (can only focus on 7+-2 bits of information at a time, so focus all attention on present), and 3. limiting beliefs and negative self-talk (mind is a super-computer and self-talk is a program it will run). Empty mind and be ready to receive.
Active, participate, learning isn’t about a teacher pushing information into you mind for your passive consumption. Active learners ask questions (how am I going to use this, teach it to others, apply it to what I already know, etc.). Questions are the answer. Don’t outsource brain to smartphone and succumb to digital dementia, use your brain and build its strength by working it out. Take notes to boost retention by 50%. Whole brain note-taking activates left and right brain (left is logic and linear, right is creative and emotional), divide note paper in half and note “take” on the left and note “make” on the right (impressions, questions, how to use, how it relates to what you know, how you will teach, visual queues). Speed readers read faster because they read with both sides of the brain, understanding the content and relating the material.
State, present mood of mind and body, all learning is state dependent (brain hack). Check current state before learning, emotion attached to information becomes long-term memory, learn in a curious, excited, fascinated state and then that will be the energy with which you retain and apply the information. Knowledge is potential power that only becomes power when applied.
Control state by changing mind or body. Change mind by asking questions (how do I find this exciting, how does it relate to what I know, how will I use this, how will I apply this, etc.). Change body before learning or teaching by doing physical exercises for educational kinesiology (human kinetics, scientific study of human movement, physiological, mechanical, and psychological mechanisms): Elbow to opposite knee repetitions, wrist rotations then alternate doubling the speed of each side, forward arm circles then alternate the reverse of each side.
Teach, learn material with the intention of teaching it to someone else, think about someone important to you who you’d like to teach it to then you will naturally learn more deeply and retain the information. Read a book a day. Memory is a verb, not a noun. People with exceptional memories are doing specific things that others are not. Role model those of genius. Children are the fastest learners because they apply this sequence and approach learning with curiosity while asking questions.
Kwik Learning, Video 1 (29:13-34:59)
To have an exceptional memory, follow MOM:
Motivation, memory has nothing to do with capacity to remember and everything to do with motivation to remember. Reasons reap results, so the key to motivation is the question why. Remembering peoples’ names is a critical networking and business skill, so ask yourself why you want to remember a person’s name (to show them respect, to establish a business relationship, etc.). What is your level of motivation to remember something and then how can you increase that level through such questions. H^3, head, heart, hands, something in the mind must have the energy and emotion of the heart and then be acted upon by the hands. Energy and emotion tied to information make it a memory.
Observation, memory is about paying attention, not capacity for retention. Be silent and listen, people don’t remember peoples’ names because they don’t listen since they are having a conversation in their own head about how to respond. Be present and talk to someone like they’re the only one there, don’t think about other things and other people, be sincerely interested in what they have to say.
Mechanics, tactics, tools, strategies for how to remember, learn, speak, etc. (subsequent videos)
