Top Techniques to Remember Numbers or Digits
Numbers are involved in almost everything we do throughout the day, and we're constantly retrieving and recalling them. You need to remember numbers when you make a phone call, enter your PIN, work out expenses, count and much more. Dealing with numbers can be easy or difficult, and you may love or hate them, but that doesn't change the fact that they're a part of your life.
In today's hectic world, we all need to remember lots of numbers, and if we don't, we often end up disorganized and confused. Numbers can be hard to remember because they are abstract. For instance, if you think "paper," you can instantly picture a sheet or a ream of paper. But if you think "1256," you'll probably have a hard time visualizing it. Because visualization is one of the best ways to link memories, you'll probably also have difficulty committing that number to memory.
How can you improve your memory for numbers? It may not be as difficult as you think, because there are several memory techniques you can use strategically. Here are three of them.
Use your senses
Your visual and auditory senses can help. For instance, "2689" is easier to retain if you say it out loud as "twenty-six eighty-nine." Breaking the number into smaller units makes it easier to remember, and bringing in your voice and your ears helps create memory links.
You can also write the number down several times; the act of writing helps your brain store the memory more firmly. Creating a vivid image of the number in your mind can also improve retention.
Associate the number with other things or ideas
You can associate "2689" with an address, a zip code or a date. You might think of "26" as your age and "89" as your father's age. You can also associate numbers with personal experiences and memories. If those experiences are hard to forget, the number will be too.
Convert numbers into words
Of the three techniques described here, this one may require the most thought and effort, because you have to translate numbers into words. Some people use the letters on a telephone keypad. You may have your own methods that work better for you. If you assign A=1, B=2 and so on, the number "521" becomes "EBA," which in turn can become "Everybody Bought Apples." Because this is a memorable phrase, you'll be able to remember the number, too.
If you'd like more ways to sharpen your memory, read our guide on how to improve your memory.