Knowing your brain animal can become your biggest secret weapon in unlocking your limitless mind. Each animal has unique strengths and cognitive preferences in how they learn, read, interact with others, and yes, even actively recall information. If you’re curious how each animal can develop memory techniques that work best for them, we’ve compiled some suggestions below.
Remember to take the quiz and unlock the C.O.D.E. to your unique brain type. Once you do, you’ll have taken the first step towards understanding how to leverage your strengths and develop strategies to overcome your biggest challenges.
Owl (Logical Thinker):
Owls love organization and structure. That’s why mnemonic devices are perfect when it comes to remembering complex information. No matter how complicated the material, connecting it to a well-known pattern or rhythm will help you recall the information quickly and easily.
You can also use your organizational strengths to categorize information into logical groups or hierarchies. Maybe you have the grocery store laid out in your head, which makes remembering your list by aisle and food groups easier. You might learn the names of different people in your company based on the management structure. If you learn the information based on a structure that makes sense, you’ll have a much easier time recalling it when necessary.
Because Owls prefer a more methodical approach to learning, spaced repetition can be incredibly helpful to cement information into your memory. Practice reviewing flashcards at set intervals, taking breaks, and then repeating the process. Increase the intervals so that you have to remember the information for longer and longer, and watch how much you start to retain.
Cheetah (Instinctive Doer):
Cheetahs prefer a hands-on learning style, which means you want to use this same approach for memory. Use the body list to attach information to your physical self and come up with motions to help trigger the memory when you need it. If possible, use movement and activities to help give yourself experiences to tie information to.
While you’re using your physicality, you want to try to create mental images or visualize scenarios related to the information you want to remember. Your hair might have the movement of running your hands through it on your body list, but maybe it’s spaghetti so you don’t forget it at the store.
Another way you can solidify your understanding and memory is by teaching it to someone else. It might not seem like explaining it to another person is action-oriented, but it helps ground you in the moment. And having someone ask questions helps keep you focused and engaged, two traits perfect for a Cheetah.
Dolphin (Creative Visionary):
The Dolphins creative brain can use mind maps with stunning accuracy. You can create detailed and dynamic visual representations of information and connect them easily to different concepts. The more outrageous the visualization, the more likely you are to remember it.
You also have strength in storytelling. For each location in your mind map, you can create a story that ties it to the next piece and the next, and so on for quite a long list of information. These narratives can be used to remember anything from the periodic table to a vocabulary list to a speech.
The creative experience is essential to a Dolphins learning process, but it’s also important to memory. Listen to music, tie certain smells to different study sessions, use drawings in your notes, or create a vision board representing what you want to learn.
Elephant (Collaborative Connector):
Elephants do best when you study with others. The process of discussing and sharing information can be a game-changer in reinforcing your memory. You can extend this by asking people to study with you and quiz each other. The collaborative process will help embed the information into your long-term memory easier and faster than on your own.
You can work with others to create vivid “memory palaces”. Associate specific locations or objects in a familiar environment with key pieces of information. Using places like your home or office, where you have an emotional connection can reinforce the memory and make recall effortless.
When you have someone to practice with, or even in a group setting, practice active recall exercises. Summarize information to another person or have them summarize to you. Teach each other key elements and then test each other. You’ll strengthen your memory connections through the interactive process. And because you’ll also have an emotional memory thanks to your interactions, you’re even more likely to remember what you’re learning.
Conclusion
Each animal brain type has unique strengths and preferences. By adopting the techniques tailored for you, you can enhance not just how you learn, but your ability to retain and recall information faster and more effectively.
If you want to learn more about what habits can help improve your memory, watch this video:
