

Tip: The images that are put into mind palaces are called mnemonic images. We’ll combine the two lists (locations and shopping list) in the next step. We now have 10 mind palace locations and 10 objects to place in the mind palace - one object per location. To keep this introductory tutorial simple, we’ll use the mind palace to memorize a shopping list, because a shopping list consists only of simple objects that can be visualized. The second step in using a mind palace is to create an image for each fact you want to memorize. Create Mnemonics for the Information You Want to Memorize You should mentally walk through the picture until you can close your eyes and visit each location in the mind palace in order from memory. You could even turn every object in the room into a small mind palace of its own! If you needed more locations, you could use every object in the room as a location. Here’s a list of the mind palace locations that are marked in the picture above: When you have a cluttered room like this, it’s possible to create many locations, but to keep this tutorial simple, we’ll make only 10 locations. I find it easiest to generally try to go from left-to-right and from top-to-bottom. Create the Mind Palace Locationsįirst, we’ll pick some locations in the room to create a journey. Here are the four steps to memorize information with a mind palace: 1. Tip: If you’re interested in watching Sherlock episodes that include mind palaces, some episodes to check out are The Hounds of Baskerville (season 2, episode 2), The Abominable Bride (2016 special episode), and His Last Vow (season 3, episode 3).įor this example, we’ll use a photo of the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London. It’s also possible to create virtual mind palaces from pictures, which is what we’re going to do below. Mind palaces are often created in places that you know well, like your home, workplace, school, parks, stores, or anywhere that you’re familiar with.

#Sherlocks mind palace how to
How to Create a Mind Palace Like Sherlock Here is one of the world’s fastest memorizers using a mind palace to perfectly memorize 30 random pictures in less than 10 seconds on Memory League: Even if you don’t think you have a naturally good memory, you are probably going to amaze yourself, your friends, and your family! If you’re interested in becoming a mental athlete, start with our how to learn memory techniques page. memorizing 30 random pictures in order in less than 10 seconds.memorizing 50 random words in less than 35 seconds.memorizing the names and faces of 30 random people in less than 40 seconds.memorizing a shuffled deck of cards in less than 13 seconds.memorizing 80 random digits in less than 13 seconds.Some example feats that people have accomplished using mind palaces (and related memory techniques) on Memory League include: Memory League is a platform where you can train your brain and compete in real-time, online memory competitions with other players. Tip: If you’re interested in seeing what is possible with mind palaces, check out the Memory League Leaderboard. Today, in the 21st century, mind palaces are used by busy students, professionals, and memory champions to memorize vast amounts of information quickly. Cultures that didn’t have access to nearly unlimited amounts of paper, like we do today, needed to use other methods for remembering things.įor example, the Ancient Romans used mind palaces to memorize information, including speeches and rhetoric. The technique has been used since prehistoric, hunter-gatherer times and by the Ancient Greeks and Romans. “Mind palace” is another term for memory palace, also known as the method of loci. The answer is yes - mind palaces work amazingly well, especially for long lists of information!

Here’s a video clip of Sherlock’s famous mind palace scene:įirst, does the mind palace technique actually work? All you have to do is find your way back to it.” You plot a map with the location - it doesn’t have to be a real place - and then you deposit memories there, and theoretically you can never forget anything. ” Mind palace - it’s a memory technique sort of a mental map. Watson, his sidekick, groans and says to another character: In episode 2 of season 2, called The Hounds of Baskerville, Sherlock Holmes utters the famous line:
#Sherlocks mind palace tv
There’s a great TV show called Sherlock that features the mind palace technique in several episodes. It can even be a virtual space, like a painting, computer game, or a scene that you invent yourself. The palace can be any space that you are familiar with, like your home, school, workplace, or neighborhood. The mind palace technique is a method for memorizing large amounts of information by placing facts into locations inside of an imaginary “palace” in your mind.
