I learned a system for remembering everything

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Hi there 👋 If you're new to my videos my name is Matt D'Avella. I'm a documentary filmmaker, entrepreneur and YouTuber. I've made a couple documentaries for Netflix. I also teach courses on everything from filmmaking to habit change. If you like to nerd out about self-development as much as I do, you can subscribe for weekly videos.

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[bill]

I learned a fast way to improve my memory of books in college. Instead of highlighting phrases, sentences or paragraphs I would highlight only one word in an important section. The key was to highlight a word that would make me question why I had underlined that word. For example, in the sentence "Studies show aspirin use to be associated with reduced risk for a number of cancers including prostate, pancreatic, and rectal" (Source: "Surviving Cancer Covid-19 & Disease, The Repurposed Drug Revolution" by Justus R. Hope, M.D.) I would highlight one word like "risk" so that when I scan through the book later my curiosity makes me ask "What's this about risk?", or I might underline "aspirin" so that when I see it later I think "What's this about aspirin?"
This way I can quickly reinforce the key points by scanning the book several times until I can recall all the important points.

[pallavibanerjee]

“You are better off starting imperfectly than being paralysed by the hope or delusion of perfection”
Loved this statement and it hit deep

[simamkelemadikane]

The key to remembering anything is BEING PRESENT IN EVERY MOMENT. When you are present, the memories create themselves organically.

[robert_negoita]

I feel like this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson fits perfectly here:

“I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so they have made me.”

[aakashailajan]

“Imperfect Action is better than Perfect Inaction” Most important takeaway is to just get started, make it a regular habit, and you will discover what works for you well, whether it be highlighting stuff, keep a journal, or just re reading those books again 🙂✌🏼

[Junkdogray]

When I was a kid I was to be able to read any book and summarize almost everything in it. My teacher ask me to summarize all the points we read yesterday for a student who missed class. Almost word for word I said everything that happened and finished exactly where we left off, my teacher accidently blurted out you so smart. I laughed because I though see was over exaggerating but turns out to be very hard for most adults to do this . After a decade of tik- tok I find myself finding it hard to remember what I did this morning let alone a book I read I month ago. I'm hoping after a social media detox I get my brain back to that exact point.

[MrGraemeb]

'It's better to start off imperfectly rather than be paralysed by the hope or delusion of perfection'.
Thank you Ryan.

[hermes_logios]

Memory is derivative of necessity. It's similar to learning a language (either your first or a foreign language) -- we don't learn by passively absorbing what others say, but by feeling a need to speak in a way that's understood by others. Same with retaining information in books. Memory is created not when you passively receive some idea, but when you feel a need to explain it to someone else.

Read every book as though you intend to be able to teach the same ideas to others.

[marcusatm]

Great video:
1. Read a book. Analog is better than digital.
2. Don’t be scared to take notes in the book, Highlight, book mark. You’ll have to build a system.
3. When you’re done, go through all the notes that stood out to you and write them on flash cards.
4. Digest the information, think of ways to use it.
5. Enjoy the process!! Take your time.
6. ORGANIZE ALL YOUR NOTES. File them in separate boxes.

[mhmsklj]

When you want to retain what you learn while you're learning:

1.) Take conscious time in taking down key notes you want to remember.
2.) When done, Review your notes, revise when necessary.
3.) Apply what you have learned in the real world (In this case, its the organizing and categorizing into a box).
4.) Repeat. You get better at it and can develop a system that suits better for you.

[shinobi]

What works for me is to learn or study with the intention of teaching it later on. This gives the brain a real life application to memorize it better.

[tom]

Recently finished 'Wealth's Loyal Companion: The Uncharted Path to Prosperity, ' and it's an eye-opener. It brilliantly goes beyond finances, offering insights into a well-rounded life. The book's blend of true success stories and actionable advice is fantastic. It really drives home the importance of discipline and continuous growth. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enhance their life in a meaningful way!

[Theworldisatlarge]

For years, I’ve been taking notes, highlighting, and folding pages. I recall more than I give myself credit for. This system takes it a step further. I’m going to try it. ❤

[FaizaKhan-jkyt]

"You better off starting imperfectly than being paralyzed by the hope or delusion of perfection" got me!

[egoponte]

"I cannot remember the books I've read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

[fbysljc]

Omgosh! I highlight the books I read. A temporary experience in college, I would use index cards as well to recall info. Thank you. I'm happy to see this reminder in this channel.

[colwilpro]

I think the best way to recall what you learn is to use the data as soon as possible, even if its just jotting stuff down and discussing it with friends...playing around with it in as many ways you can think of, so you create "doingnesses", which solidify things in your mind.

[ChristopherSalisburySalz]

The guy remembers all that stuff because he is probably telling people those quotes day in and day out. That's his life. You remember stuff you talk about and think about all the time.

[Slam_]

As any university student knows, using Holiday's technique is definitely the most effective route but by far the longest. I tried his technique a year ago in university, and it worked great. By the mid-semester test, I nailed it - a 50% increase in grade from all previous tests for my courses. However, come the end of semester test, not only was I unprepared but my knowledge and notes were five whole weeks behind. Obviously this is a skill worth practicing, but just be aware that it's not easy to develop straight away. I still find myself over-highlighting and taking too many notes because almost every sentence has value. A 30 page anthropology reading quickly turns into a 3 hour expedition, and there goes my day. It's far better to accept prior to reading that, when time is on your shoulder, you won't remember everything.

I'd say that it's more about reading less books but with more intention. There's often more knowledge to be learnt in a single book than the knowledge gained by reading 100 books without intention.

[robdas]

I tried it. I went at it with a few books - using a pen and a highlighter, and made notes in the margin. The library fined me the replacement cost of the books.