Memory techniques are very simple. The best part - they can be applied in just minutes. Memory techniques go deep in history - even ancient people used them. They were especially used by ancient orators to remember long speeches.

Think about it. How could someone remember a two hour long speech without memory techniques? I couldn't and I think you couldn't either. But with memory techniques everybody can do that. Doesn't matter how bad you think your memory is - you CAN remember a two hours long speech with memory techniques.

You probably have watched memory experts on TV performing mind blowing memory stunts like memorizing phone numbers or names of 400 people audience. You can do that, too - when using memory techniques. Actually it's very doable.

Memory techniques can improve your life in many ways. You can remember more with them, cut your learning time and never forget things you need to remember. You can also impress your friends with your excellent memory and get a raise in salary at your workplace. There are many ways in life how memory techniques can be applied.

In this article I'm going to give you some hints how to use memory techniques to make things easier to remember. I will only explain each thing in one sentence just to give you general idea. I won't explain each memory trick in detail because there isn't so much space in this article. When you use memory techniques you completely eliminate rote memory. No rote memory is needed - only imagination. The best part - remembering things with memory techniques is interesting and you have extra motivation to do so.

Remembering shopping lists or long list of items with memory techniques is a breeze. What you need to do is associate each item with next one in list. You need to associate two items in some unusual way that stays in your mind.

Computers have replaced typewriters, but two-finger,hunt-and-peck typing can never replace touch typing of a trained professional.

A recent report by Robert Johnson in Boston Globe highlights decline of typing skills. Human resource managers are finding it surprisingly difficult to recruit candidates with most basic of all office skills. According to Johnson, “the rapid-fire 100-word-per-minute applicant has virtually disappeared. Today, a mere 40 words per minute is enough to gain many administrative jobs.”

Paradoxically, as computers are being used by more and more people, it has become apparent that typing is not just a skill required by typist anymore. Strong typing skills are vital when conducting a thorough web search, entering data into a spreadsheet or using any other computer program. Ubiquitous email means that merely doubling your typing speed could save hours each week! Yet many of us persist with two-finger, hunt-and-peck typing method.

How did we end up in such a mess? When people first begin to use computers, many do not take time to learn how to type correctly. Using keyboard may seem to be simple, when compared with learning complex business software. People do not realize that by learning how to type properly, their use of software will be more effective and their time spent on a computer will be more productive.

Attitudes in school teaching have also had an impact. Typing skills were once taught in most secondary schools. Johnson notes that these low-tech classes consisted of little more than a teacher with a wind-up clock and rows of typewriters. The textbook showed keyboard and specified which fingers should strike various letters and numbers in order to quickly copy business documents such as invoices and memos. But most schools phased-out typing class as demand for broader computer instruction increased.

Of course, many people manage to get by with two-finger, seek-and-tap method. But getting by is all it is. By learning to touch-type, you step into a new realm of computer experience. No longer do you need to fret over physical process of keying in information, whether it is a quick response to an instant message or a 30-page report. Instead, as a touch-typist you are free to concentrate on what you are writing, while your fingers do “thinking” about which keys to hit.

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