Learn the secrets of remarkable memory from author Ryan Holiday, who shares his three-step system involving active note-taking, revisiting and revising, and organizing information into tangible note cards.
Have you ever wished you could read a book and retain every bit of information from it? Remembering and recalling details from what one reads is a superpower that many aspire to possess. In this article, a system for improving memory and retaining information from the books one reads will be explored. Ryan Holiday, an author known for his exceptional memory, uncovers his secrets of remembering. He reveals that he has read over 3,000 books but notes that it is difficult to keep an accurate count.
Remarkable Memory System
Ryan Holiday's memory system revolves around three key steps:
- Taking Notes While Reading: As one reads, actively annotating the book by folding pages, highlighting important passages, and jotting down their own thoughts. Ryan Holiday was introduced to this technique by Robert Greene, whom he worked for as a research assistant. This method of note-taking helps to capture important ideas and concepts that resonate with the reader.
- Revisiting and Revising: Once the reader finishes the book, they should go back to their notes and review them. This helps to reinforce memory and enhance retention. By revisiting the notes, one engages with the material a second time, which strengthens understanding and ability to recall the information.
- Categorizing and Organizing: After revisiting the notes, Holiday suggests transferring the most impactful insights and notes onto note cards. These note cards are categorized based on themes or topics, creating a tangible external brain that helps organize and access the information later. By sorting the note cards into different categories, a systematic and organized way of storing and retrieving the information is created.
Why This System Works
The success of this memory system lies in how the brain processes information. The explicit memory, which deals with the recollection of facts and events, prioritizes frequently used, recently used, and decision-making relevant information.
By actively engaging with the material, taking notes, and revisiting them, one gives the brain the necessary cues to retain and recall information more effectively. This process of repetition and organization helps to strengthen the neural connections related to the information, making it easier to access and remember.
Analog vs. Digital Approach
While digital formats like audiobooks and e-books are convenient, Holiday suggests that a more analog approach, using physical books and note cards, may enhance memory recall. Engaging with the material in a physical form, away from screens, allows for deeper cognitive processing. It helps to create a multisensory experience with the text, improving retention and recall.
Benefits and Reflections
It's important to remember that the aim is not to achieve perfect memory, but rather to digest information, think critically, and enjoy the learning process. While the system may not work the same for everyone, the benefits lie in making concepts stick and enabling the application of knowledge gained from books.
Holiday emphasizes the pleasure of reading and the value of taking one's time to engage with the material. He likens it to having a conversation with the best authors in the world and encourages readers to enjoy the process, rather than rushing through it.
Improving memory and retaining information from books requires a systematic approach. By adopting Ryan Holiday's method of note-taking, revising, and organizing, one can enhance memory recall and make the most of what they read. Whether one chooses an analog or digital approach, the key is to start implementing a system tailored to their needs. Remember, the goal is not perfection, but continual improvement in the ability to remember and utilize the knowledge gained.
In summary, developing an amazing memory is within reach. Start applying the memory system outlined in this article and unlock the potential to remember everything one reads.