A LITTLE SECRET TO REMEMBER WHAT YOU READ

One of the little secrets I use to remember things I've read is to make connections. In case you haven't noticed, I read a lot of biographies, memoirs, and historical works. 

How do I remember these things? I make connections. 

How? I connect them with the things I can relate to.

Here is an example. 

I am currently reading a book on Abraham Lincoln. Today I met a wonderful woman who was describing her husband to me, I told her, "Oh, your husband is just like Abraham Lincoln", I then went ahead to narrate to her what in particular made them similar. I am very sure that I will never forget that story. Why? Because I have made a physical connection with Lincoln. Lincoln lived nearly 200 years ago, but I have transported him into my present reality through the life of another person. Lincoln has become connected with my world. 

It is these sorts of connections I make regularly in my head. It ensures I rarely forget a thing. 

Let me tell you another example. I once read the biography of Andrew Carnegie by David Nasaw. Carnegie's life ended with his philanthropy. Rather than leave Carnegie in text, I have made a connection with him and Bill Gates. They were both the richest men of their generation, they were also very practical and studious, and they ended their lives with philanthropy. See, it's not so hard to remember Carnegie anymore. 

One last example. CS Lewis, my favorite author of all time died on 22nd November 1963. That's a date I can easily forget. But I don't forget often, why? On the same day, President John F Kennedy, a very popular US President died. Now, I don't need to remember when CS Lewis died, I just need to remember the date that John F Kennedy died. 

The ability to make connections is nothing novel or new. It is inherently part of how we learn. But few harness its full power. If you learn to harness it, intentionally, you will remember more things.