Memory Stacks

So you say you have trouble remembering?

Process: This static exercise begins with a challenge. The speaker suggests that over the next few minutes he will speed through a list of 20 words that he wishes the delegates to commit to memory. The will have "a full three minutes" to complete the task and are not able to write anything down. At the end of the exercise, the speaker asserts, delegates will be able to recite the list forwards and backwards without hesitation. From this sceptical position delegates see how by building the random words into a story, with fun graphic imagery, the memory test becomes a breeze.

Outcome: This never fails to bring a sparkle to the room. The task seems onerous but the speaker is able to show how simple visualisation techniques can allow anyone to memorise long lists with ease. This exercise teaches a simple technique that will prove helpful, for example, in memorising the sequence of a presentation. Also, importantly, it can be structured to encompass the key themes from the conference.