We found this technique in a book of science experiments, Real Live Science.
Memorize the grand piece of poetic genius below, and you’ll never again forget the to-do list that pops into your head while you’re in the shower. Try to picture each item as you say it.
1 is a bun
2 is a shoe
3 is a tree
4 is a door
5 is a hive
6 is sticks
7 is heaven
8 is a gate
9 is a vine
10 is a pen
Got it? Here’s how it works:
Assign a visual image to each successive number, linking it with the object in the poem. It doesn’t have to make sense.
OK, that’s confusing. Here’s my list to show you how it works:
1 is a bun: Order a swimsuit that covers my buns (and a lot more)
2 is a shoe: Imagine slices of pepperoni stuck all over a shoe, to remind me to call a friend with a Sam’s Club membership to pick up some pepperoni for our Pizza Fridays.
3 is a tree: Visualize money growing on trees so I can remember to balance the checkbook.
4 is a door: picture the door in my bedroom, surrounded by unfinished drywall. Remember to mud over the screw heads and tape the closet to give hubby a headstart on the project when he gets home tonight.
5 is a hive: Think of the wasp hives under the house and head down there to finish up the last section of hubby’s birthday shelves.
6 is sticks: This one was really hard. I need to iron, so I pictured hubby’s wrinkled clothes dangling off the branches of the tree in front of the house. It doesn’t have to make sense, it just has to create a connection in my brain. Connection created.
7 is heaven: Me with a halo, because I’m doing a good deed. I’m mailing a box of books to a homeschooling family who recently lost everything in a fire.
8 is a gate: We’re walking through the entrance gate to a park, because I need to remember to call my friend about getting together at a park this week.
9 is a vine: Again, this one was hard but it doesn’t really have to make sense. I need to remember to ask hubby a question about the Vision Forum affiliate program, so I’m picturing the Phillips boys swinging on vines through the jungle. Just for the record, this reflects more of my own addled brain than it does the behavior of the Phillips boys.
10 is a pen: I want remember to read Proverbs 16 as a group today, so I picture King Solomon penning his words of wisdom to his son.
In case you’re wondering, yes, these did all pop into my head while I was showering.
I assigned them in order as they occurred to me, not picking and choosing where I could most easily make a connection. I reviewed the list once or twice as I compiled it, then didn’t think about it again for hours.
This works for any list of 10 items or less: groceries, bills to pay, people, phone calls to make…
And my memory is the worst case scenario. If it works for me, it will work for anyone.
Try it out and let me know!
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At first I thought, wow that’s alot of work just to remember something. But then I tried it and it did work. Usually I would number the amount of things to remember but then couldn’t remember what the numbers went to. Besides, you get to amuse yourself in the process.
Wow! That’s very clever. I’ll try it.
Thanks for sharing!
Pepperoni all over a shoe, eh? Doesn’t sound like very tasty pizza…. but I’m glad it works! Couldn’t resist telling you about my favorite site for #1, in case you haven’t seen it. http://www.modest-swimwear.net/index.htm
but I’m getting together with a friend tomorrow to start on some for our collective daughters, so maybe mine will actually get finished this year! I found the best fabric deals looking for “4-way lycra” on Ebay, you usually have to buy about 10 yards, but with all of your girls, I doubt excess fabric would be a problem lol! Blessings, Heather
2 pieces (simple bathroom breaks!) comfy, cute, modest, and equally importantly, EASY to sew! I made these for my girls last year…and cut out mine