Memory palace guide for beginners

The memory palace (method of loci) is how memory champions memorize decks of cards and long speeches. It uses your brain's spatial memory, which is far stronger than rote memory.

Choose a familiar place: your home. Walk through it mentally and identify 10 distinct locations: the front door, the hallway mirror, the kitchen counter, and so on.

To memorize a list, place vivid, exaggerated images at each location. The weirder the image, the stronger the memory. A giant banana brushing its teeth in your bathroom mirror is unforgettable.

Practice with Elephant Memory Training, which walks you through building your first palaces with guided exercises.