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Memorizing a list is by far the easiest thing to do when memorization techniques are involved. The reason this is so is because you deal with images of actual stuff that you have to commit to your memory. You are seeing real objects in your mind’s eye.

But what about completely abstract things, such as numbers? Well, here you will have to learn some things by heart. You will devise your own system for memorizing numbers. And once you do, you will see how easy it is to memorize any kind of number at will.

In this lesson, I will show you the basics of number memorization. More advanced methods will follow, of course. But first, you must learn this one.

Before proceeding, arm yourself with a pen and a sheet of paper. Shove your keyboard aside at least once in your life, for Web’s sake!

What’s in a number?

I want you to try something out. Read once and try to memorize this number: 1879031419550418.

OK? Without looking above, can you remember the number with all of its digits in perfect order? Try writing it down. Most likely, you can recall the first 6 or 7 digits, after which there is a blur or void. This is normal, because you are dealing with abstract data.

You want to be able to memorize any number quickly and be able to recall it later at will. In order to do that, you must associate numbers with shapes, objects or living beings. Here is how you do it.

Seeing images instead of numbers

Write down the numbers from 0 to 9 (0, 1, 2, 3…) in separate rows. Each number should be placed in its own row on your paper.

Now, I want you to write down what comes to your mind when you see 0 (zero)? Next to zero, write the first thing that you associate with that number. Maybe it’s a wheel, a donut, a ring?

The thing that I associate with zero is a freshly cut off human head. Sounds shocking? If you remember, when I explained to you how to remember lists, I pointed out that our minds are wired in such a way that we tend to best remember scenes that involve big, overgrown objects, absurd situations, sex and violence. This isn’t obligatory, but tends to work quite well. Choose any association that suits you.

Fine. And what about the number 1? Because I have a history of training in martial arts, the first thing that I saw in my mind’s eye was a metal spear. You may choose a pen or a tower if it’s a better association for you. Continue like this until you have a thing associated with every number from 0 to 9.

Here’s an example of things you might choose to associate with numbers from 0 to 9:

0. Head
1. Sword
2. Swan
3. Breasts
4. Sailboat
5. Fish hook
6. Cherry
7. Boomerang
8. Glasses
9. Balloon

Take your time to find the best associations for yourself. No need to rush!

Learn by heart and practice regularly

OK. Now that you’ve got them, you have to learn these associations by heart. You must be able to associate a number with its respective object instantly.

Once you start practicing and applying this method in your everyday life, you will see that these associations will come to you naturally.

Applying the basic number memorization method

OK, now that you have these associations, let me show you how to memorize that number from the beginning of this article. It was 1879031419550418 (these are Einstein’s birth and death dates, actually: 1879.03.14 and 1955.04.18.)

To commit it to memory properly with all of its digits in perfect sequence, you will use the journey method which I already explained when I taught you how to memorize lists. For this example, I will use the objects from the list I wrote above. Follow my method, but use your own associations! So:

You wake up in your room in the morning. You see a big sword (1) standing upright in the middle of the room. In your mental journey, you walk into your bathroom and you see a pair of giant glasses (8) floating in midair and distorting the things that you see through them. Once in the kitchen, you see a boomerang (7) flying wildly around the room, hitting and breaking stuff. Move to your living room. There is a big, colored balloon (9) floating around. I use a big hot air balloon, which is used for actually flying in real life, because it looks absurd in the middle of a room, with its basket and fire heating the air inside it - be creative, let your imagination run wild! After that, go to your house’s entrance or wherever you go after the living room and imagine a big, bloody head (0) on the floor. Move on along your journey, until you have placed all of the objects associated with all the digits that belong to the number that you have to remember.

Whenever you wish to recall the number you memorized, just go through your journey. Start with the bedroom and see the scenes. You will recall every single digit in perfect order.

OK, now you know and understand how this works. But it’s a bit time and space-consuming, don’t you think? To make your mental journey shorter, place two objects in the same spot. For example, in your bedroom, you can place the sword and the glasses on top of it (1 and 8). You can make the sword break through the lenses with its tip. Scatter the glass around. Feel the sharp edges of glass shards. Remember, the more detail and sensory input you add to your mental images, the quicker you will memorize them and the easier you will recall them later. And practice, practice, always practice. Each day!

The number memorization method applied to everyday life

Let me give you another example of this memorization method’s application. Let’s say that you have to memorize the PIN of your ATM card/library card, etc, so that you don’t have to carry it around. Let’s say that this number is 1034.

Where to place the images for this number? Not in your house, you will need that for your mental journeys, lists etc. Place the number in the spot it is associated with: If it’s your ATM card, place it in front of the ATM that you usually use. If it’s your library card number, place the scene inside your library.

I suppose that you clearly understand now how this works.

Pay attention: The order of objects is important too! Place them in a sequence so that you memorize your number properly! Do that by either placing them from left to right, or in a manner which suits you. You could place them in the direction you arrive at your ATM, for example: The first digit (the object associated with the number, that is) of your PIN number would be the farthest away from the ATM, while the last one near it.

An important notice before you start

Learn these number-object associations by heart. But don’t use them to memorize anything more than single digit numbers! Why? Because I will show you a much more effective method for remembering bigger numbers and number sequences (phone numbers, etc) next time. And you will still use these single-digit number associations, too.

Do you have any questions? Need clarifications? What objects did you use to make your associations?

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