Many people like to use Excel files to help manage their Memory Palace Network, especially since I started teaching the technique as part of the Magnetic Memory Method.
Basically, the idea is to keep track of your activities while developing your mnemonic systems.
There are five in total to work on:
- Memory Palace system
- Alphabet system (a.k.a. pegword method)
- Number system (typically based on the Major System)
- Symbol System
- Recall Rehearsal (based on spaced repetition)
Here is a video I created on how to do this when using the Magnetic Memory Memory for memorizing vocabulary – one of the most common ways that I apply mnemonic systems myself.
You can use this technique for other kinds of information too. Just about anything encoded in either numbers, letters or symbols.
This video will show you how you can:
- Use Excel to create alphabetical groupings of your Memory Palaces
- List your stations in each location
- Store images, actions and the meanings of your words
- Memorize phrases
- Test the accuracy of your recall
Note: Although I enjoyed making this video, and the technique still works, I no longer use this software in this way.
One reason:
I now doing all I can to avoid Digital Amnesia.
A Powerful Alternative To Creating A Memory Palace Network
These days I prefer the The Freedom Journal. Or using a more free form style of journaling for self improvement. I’ve also learned a lot from how the memory athlete Johannes Mallow uses journaling.
If you go with the Freedom Journal, it lets you set 100 day goals based on 10-day sprints.
It also helps you with proper time management so you can reach your goals. And there’s a space one each day for drawing a simple Memory Palace.
Of course, you’ll want to make sure you have the Magnetic Memory Method Worksheets and video course. That way, you’ll make sure to complete a very important step before you dive into using Excel:
If you continue to keep track of your Memory Palaces with Excel files, you might consider using Google Sheets.
Google Sheets makes it easy to share them with a language learning teacher.
As discussed on this post about using Skill Silo with language learning teachers, there’s another cool software I recommend too.
There’s more to the story as well. Here are 5 more Memory Palace examples you can explore.
Other Uses For Excel Files With Memory Techniques
Beyond language learning, mnemonics often involve a lot of lists.
Major System:
For example, you might want to learn the Major Method and a 00-99 P.A.O. List:
An Excel file (or Google Sheets) make it easy to list out your images for each of the 2-digit pairs.
It’s as simple as listing, to give a few examples:
- 00 = Thomas Szasz
- 01 = Sad (tragedy mask)
- 02 = Sun (from Sunshine)
Etc. all the way up to 99 (which for me is the Pope).
Completing this simple memory task is the fastest way to memorize numbers by the pound. And you don’t have to take my word for it:
Listen to my interview with Marno Hermann who used the Magnetic Memory Method to help him memorize and recite 1200 digits of Pi.
Alphabet List:
One great way to memorize spellings or even just to concentrate better on the topics you study involves developing an alphabet list.
Just as the Major System helps you assign a character to every 2-digit pair, an alphabet list lets you assign a person-action-object matrix to each letter.
For example:
- A = Al Pacino
- B = Batman
- C = Courtney Love
… and so on.
You can list all of these in an Excel file and link each letter to a Magnetic Station in a Memory Palace.
The best part?
Each and every step gives you a powerful visualization exercise.
The Best Way To Keep Track Of Your Memory Palaces?
Ultimately, the best way to track your Memory Palaces is the way you’re going to use consistently.
I suggest you try a number of approaches, the main two being a Memory Journal or Excel Files.
You can also keep multiple folders on your computer, or explore Evernote as a memory boosting option.
What matters is that you dive in, explore and keep taking consistent action. That’s what will lead you to what Ron White calls having a Black Belt Memory.
Whether it’s learning a language, creating your first P.A.O. list or just beginning to explore the Memory Palace technique, now is the time to get started and keep going.
Everything you do will prepare you for the next level. And when you’re ready for that, these 21 Study Tips will help.
So what do you say? Are you ready to start using your Memory Palaces in a better and more organized way?
