Tansel Ali is a world-renowned memory expert, international bestselling author, and four-time Australian Memory Sports Champion, famously known for memorizing two entire Yellow Pages phone books in only 24 days. With over 20 years of experience, he has helped thousands worldwide sharpen their memory.
As a memory coach, Tansel helps individuals quickly master name recall, effortless speech memorization, absorb large amounts of knowledge fast, and even pass difficult certifications and exams. As a champion memory athlete, he also trains those striving for peak mental performance to optimize their brains for success and winning.A sought-after keynote speaker, Tansel has inspired global audiences and been featured in bestselling books like Deep Work by Cal Newport and Tony Buzan’s official biography, along with major media outlets worldwide.Committed to impact, he has led initiatives like the Australian Memory Championships, School Mind Games, and TEDxDocklands while serving as a celebrity ambassador for Crohn’s and Colitis Australia and the Australian Football League (AFL). Tansel holds a double Master’s degree in IT (MISM) and Business (MBA) and resides in Melbourne, Australia.→ Read Tansel's personal story
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10 Ways To Improve MemoryMemory is one of the most important cognitive functions we have. It enables us to learn, adapt, and recall essential information. Yet, many people struggle with memory lapses, whether it is forgetting names, losing track of important details, or failing to retain what they read.The good news is that memory is not a fixed ability—it is a skill that can be developed and improved. With the right strategies, you can train your brain to remember more, recall information faster, and retain knowledge for longer periods.The following ten techniques will provide you with practical tools to enhance your memory and improve cognitive performance.1. Use the Memory Palace TechniqueThe Memory Palace technique, also known as the Method of Loci, is one of the most effective ways to store and retrieve large amounts of information. This method has been used since ancient times by Greek and Roman orators and remains a preferred approach among memory champions today.How It Works:Choose a familiar location, such as your home, workplace, or a frequently traveled route. Assign specific locations within this space to the pieces of information you need to remember. Mentally place exaggerated and memorable images in these locations.For example, if you need to remember a grocery list, you might imagine a loaf of bread sitting on your bed, milk dripping from the ceiling, and apples scattered across your sofa. The more unusual and vivid the imagery, the stronger the recall.This method is highly effective for memorizing speeches, study material, historical dates, or even complex numerical sequences.2. Strengthen Memory Through Linking and AssociationMemory works best when new information is connected to existing knowledge. The stronger the associations, the easier it is to retrieve information when needed.How to Link Information for Better Recall:Associate new knowledge with something familiar. If you are learning about Paris, mentally connect it with the Eiffel Tower or a past visit.Turn information into a narrative. A structured story makes facts easier to remember and retrieve.
Use mind maps to visually link related concepts.Personalize the information by relating it to your experiences.For instance, if you need to remember the word "hippocampus" (a brain region responsible for memory), you could visualize a hippopotamus on a university campus struggling to find its class.The more engaging and unusual the association, the stronger the memory retention.3. Boost Recall with SMASHIN SCOPESMASHIN SCOPE is a structured approach that enhances memory retention by making information more engaging and meaningful.* Senses – Engage multiple senses (sight, sound, touch, etc.) when learning.* Movement – Attach physical actions, such as walking while memorizing, to reinforce memory.* Association – Connect new knowledge to something familiar to anchor the memory.* Self – Personal relevance increases retention, so relate information to your own life.* Humor – Unusual or humorous images are more likely to be remembered.* Imagination – The more creative and vivid the image, the stronger the recall.* Number – Group numbers into smaller, meaningful units.* Symbols – Convert abstract ideas into recognizable symbols.* Color – Highlighting key information with different colors improves retention.* Order – Structuring information in a logical sequence enhances recall.* Positive Emotions – Emotionally engaging content tends to be remembered longer.* Exaggeration – Enlarging, distorting, or making elements absurd strengthens recall.Applying these principles to any learning situation significantly enhances memory retention.4. Read Visually for Faster RecallMany people read passively, which makes it difficult to retain information. However, reading visually by engaging with the material in a dynamic way can dramatically improve comprehension and memory.How to Read Visually:Create mental images as you read. Form a visual representation of the content in your mind.
Use color-coding to highlight important points, differentiating sections with distinct colors.Convert complex ideas into diagrams or mind maps to create a visual framework.
Transform text into a narrative rather than memorizing isolated facts.For example, if you are studying the solar system, rather than memorizing the names of the planets as a list, imagine them as characters in a story. The more engaging the imagery, the easier the recall.5. Remember People’s Names More EasilyRemembering names can be a challenge, but it becomes much easier with the right strategies.Steps to Improve Name Recall:Create a mental image based on the name. If you meet someone named Tom, imagine him holding a large tomato.Use rhyming or alliteration, such as "Sandy on the beach" or "Lisa at the Leaning Tower of Pisa."Pair the name with a location in a Memory Palace for added recall strength.The more engaging and exaggerated the mental image, the more effective the recall.6. Train Your Memory with GamesMemory training should be both practical and enjoyable. Playing memory-based games helps improve recall, enhances cognitive function, and strengthens neural connections.Recommended Memory Games:* Memory League – A platform for real-time memory challenges.* Dual N-Back – A scientifically tested game that enhances working memory and intelligence.* Card Memorization – Training yourself to memorize an entire deck of shuffled playing cards.Regularly engaging in these activities keeps the brain agile and improves long-term retention.7. Get Expert Memory CoachingMemory training is often more effective with expert guidance. A memory coach provides personalized instruction, feedback, and accountability to help accelerate your progress.Benefits of Memory Coaching:*Customized strategies that align with your learning style.*Expert guidance to fine-tune your memory techniques.*Accountability and motivation to maintain consistent improvement.*Faster progress through structured and targeted training.*For those serious about enhancing memory, coaching offers a direct and effective route to mastery.8. Read Books on Memory EnhancementBooks provide an in-depth exploration of memory techniques and practical applications.Recommended Reading:*The Yellow Elephant – Tansel Ali (Shameless plug)
*Moonwalking with Einstein – Joshua Foer
*Unlimited Memory – Kevin HorsleyThese books offer both theoretical insights and actionable exercises to improve memory retention.9. Use Video-Based Learning for Hands-On PracticeFor those who prefer a visual and interactive learning experience, video-based content can be highly effective.Step-by-step demonstrations make complex techniques easier to understand.Guided exercises allow for real-time practice.Frequent content updates provide ongoing opportunities for improvement.Online platforms, such as YouTube, offer an extensive range of memory enhancement tutorials that allow learners to engage with the material in an interactive way.I have over 280 videos on memory and learning by clicking here.10. Teach Others to Reinforce LearningOne of the most effective ways to solidify memory is by teaching others. Explaining concepts requires active retrieval, which reinforces recall and strengthens understanding.Why Teaching Improves Memory:* Forces organization of information, making it clearer in your mind.* Identifies gaps in knowledge, prompting deeper learning.* Strengthens recall by actively engaging with the material.* Teaching can be as simple as explaining concepts to a friend, writing about them, or even creating video tutorials. The process of articulation enhances comprehension and retention.Memory is not a static trait but a skill that can be developed with deliberate practice. By implementing techniques such as the Memory Palace, linking information, using structured learning strategies, and engaging in active recall, you can significantly improve your ability to retain and retrieve information.These methods can be applied to learning new subjects, professional development, and everyday cognitive tasks. The key is consistency—small, daily improvements lead to substantial long-term gains.If you would like to take your memory to the next level, join my free weekly memory lessons by clicking here.
Hi, I’m Tansel.I used to have a terrible memory. I’d forget people’s names, conversations I had just had, numbers, and even had difficulties retaining what I had just read. I had pretty much given up and accepted having a bad memory. This acceptance, which I thought was a fact, also affected things like my listening ability, learning new things, and being mindful and attentive on a daily basis. I was absent-minded a lot!Even my bass player in the band I was playing in at the time was constantly frustrated with me as I could not, for the life of me, remember the notes on the guitar. All he remembers me saying is that I had a ‘shocking memory’.Whilst my bad memory didn’t affect things like my confidence, I felt it did affect my learning ability. I was frustrated. I was failing my one university subject required to obtain my degree, year after year. All the hours of cramming and rote learning, no matter how many hours I spent, didn’t work. I would eventually graduate after three failed attempts.How it startedOne night, watching late-night television, I saw so-called ‘memory experts’ remembering everyone’s name in the audience, memorising long lists of words, numbers, dates, and so on. I thought they were fake and were trying to simply sell their memory tapes. It had to be fake, right? As my memory was terrible, I did not connect.Later on, a friend of mine came up to me and told me he could memorise a random list of forty words in a matter of minutes. I didn’t think he would be able to do it, so I had to test him. After giving him a list of random words, he memorised them all perfectly. Just like the experts on TV.At this point, I wasn’t convinced. I thought he was playing a trick on me. He told me it was no trick, and that all he used were memory techniques he had learned from a book. I asked him which book, but he couldn’t remember!This now piqued my interest. Would I be able to do this as well? I found myself Googling memory techniques and came across many great websites and resources. I learned very basic systems and practised them. To my surprise, they all worked!I couldn’t believe all it took was learning a memory technique to show me my memory was not terrible but, in fact, untrained. As I started to learn more, I was hooked.One day away from deathThen life took a turn for the worse. I was rushed into hospital. I was in extreme pain. I had an abnormal growth in my stomach and had to be operated on. I was advised by the surgeon that if I hadn’t had the surgery on time, I would have been dead.They cut out part of my intestines, added 31 staples from my chest down to my lower abdomen, showing a nice scar, and for three months, I lived with an ileostomy bag.The new job I had started had already sacked me by then whilst I was recovering in hospital, and I had lost a total of 30-odd kilograms (66 pounds) and was on 20+ pills a day due to my chronic illness.Five years prior to surgery, I was diagnosed with an inflammatory bowel disease called Crohn’s Disease. It had indeed almost spelled the end of me. Fair to say, life was kicking me in the guts. I needed something to focus on. Something to bring life into a new healing body and mind.So I continued my quest into memory training. All from my hospital bed. My friend who introduced me to memory would visit me in hospital, and we would chat about memorisation methods. I would be in my hospital bed trying to memorise a pack of cards.Once I re-learned how to walk and was out of hospital, I was fortunate enough to make it just in time for my university graduation day, ileostomy bag and all, and I was slowly getting my life back together at the age of 24. Recovering at home, I spent quite a bit of time reflecting on life, reading, and getting back to my newfound curiosity about memory techniques.My curiosity grewI was amazed at how quickly the techniques were working for me, despite my terrible memory. I was remembering lists of words and had systems for remembering names and everything else I wanted to do. As I kept researching and learning more about memory, I came across the Australian Memory Championships. From that point on, my life had taken another big turn: entering the competition as a memory athlete.The Australian Memory ChampionshipsThe Australian Memory Championships was a memory competition that tested competitors' memory like no other. There were ten events in a whole day competition which comprised remembering things like random lists of words, hundreds of digits of numbers, dates and poems, random shuffled decks of cards, and even people’s names and faces.The late Tony Buzan, our mind mapping and memory hero, was there overseeing proceedings along with organisers Bill Jarrard and Jennifer Goddard, who had laid the foundation for memory sports in Australia.The best memorisers in Australia had flown down, and my friend and I were nervous. At this point, I still believed I had a shocking memory and only knew a few memory techniques to help me memorise for the competition.Thinking we’d come last, my friend and I ended up breaking national memory records and finishing 2nd and 3rd in Australia. Before we knew it, the media had picked up our achievements in the competition, and we were on television being interviewed on prime time as ‘memory gurus’. More media interviews followed soon after, then papers, magazines, radio, and then more television.Imposter SyndromeAt this point, I thought I still had a crappy memory, but the techniques made me look a lot better than I was. That is when I got hit with a good dose of imposter syndrome. Who was I to be a so-called ‘memory expert’ or ‘memory guru’ when all I did was just apply memory techniques for the competition? In reality, my memory was still below average. So I really wanted to do something about it and get better at this skill and actually feel that I needed to live up to the guru name.Competing at the world levelSo the following year, my friend and I entered the Australian Memory Championships, again placing 2nd and 3rd. We were much better ‘memory athletes’ this time round and decided to compete internationally at the 2003 World Memory Championships in Malaysia.We were the first-ever competitors to represent Australia, which was exciting. I thought we were definitely going to come last, competing against the very best. The World Memory Championships is a three-day event, as opposed to the shortened one-day affair of the Australian Memory Championships. We had events that took one hour of memorisation, instead of the usual five minutes.Nevertheless, despite our lack of experience, we gave it a good crack. Both of us did really well. Personally, I had broken five personal best memory records and had a total of six Australian memory records (out of 10 events). Something which had not been achieved before.I had even beaten my memory hero and eight-time World Memory Champion Dominic O’Brien in two events – Names & Faces and random/historic dates. I also achieved a Grandmaster of Memory Norm (a special international memory achievement) for memorising a randomly shuffled deck of cards in under three minutes. A feat which not many competitors had achieved back then.Fair to say, it was a successful trip and it made me realise that someone like me with a ‘shocking memory’ could actually learn to remember anything I wanted. I just had to learn the skills and apply them.The EpiphanyThis led me to believe that if I could achieve what I had achieved, then what about everyone else? So I thought it was incumbent upon me to show these techniques to others, so they too may see results and experience transformation in their lives. But where would I even begin?I started working with students as I thought something like memory techniques would help them learn a lot faster and better. I ran student workshops, presented in schools, and did a lot of personal coaching.At the time, I had no idea what I was doing. I just wanted to help as many people as I could, so I spent a lot of my time working for free and donating my time, volunteering, making sure the techniques reached the people who needed them the most. The results were amazing. I couldn’t believe the impact that these skills were having on students, teachers, and the whole learning/education community.Dyslexia caseI remember one family who had heard of me, asked me to come and coach their dyslexic/ADHD children. These children were being driven by their parents to a ‘memory specialist’ on the other side of town, over an hour’s drive, every week, for a whole year.Their parents were paying a lot of money each visit along with travel costs. I went to their house and immediately tested their children. I gave them the most basic words to spell, and they messed up every single word. Not one correct.I thought, "Wow, these kids have been travelling for a whole year to a specialist. What had they actually learned?" I felt for the parents as it was such a burden on them, yet they kept at it in the hope that somehow their children would change.Well, it seems that they obviously hadn’t. After my initial test, I showed the children some memory techniques to apply for remembering how to spell certain words.I gave them a new test with different words, and sure enough, they memorised them all perfectly. The kids and parents were shocked. In the space of twenty minutes, their memory, and more importantly, their learning had transformed. It gave me a whole new level of appreciation for memory techniques, and I knew I had to get this out to more people.Professional exam caseExaminations of any learning endeavour tend to be difficult to deal with. However, one person came to me with quite an odd request I’d never received before. It was to pass the Master Sommelier exam. This is considered by many the most difficult exam to pass in the world.I asked my client when he was sitting the exam and he held his breath and said – in two months' time. I didn’t know why he came to me last minute, but I thought there might still be a chance, so we set out to pass an exam I had no idea about. My client was stressed because if he didn’t pass the exam this time round, the situation was going to be very dire for him, so training his memory was the only option.I knew memorisation was simply not enough to pass the world’s hardest exam, so we set out strategies, systems, processes, and mental maps that assisted with not just remembering, but understanding a very large amount of information. And not just in English, but in multiple languages. After only one month, my client knew everything. In the second month, all he did was revise. He flew to Austria to sit the exam amongst several others. One week later, I received a text message from him saying he was the only one that passed.I was ecstatic for him and it demonstrated the true power of memory skills. I’ve since helped individuals pass the BAR exam, medical, IT, finance, even police exams with amazing results. One of my high school students even went from averaging 70s to achieving a top 5% in Australia (90s) in her final year of studies.Keynote Speaker CaseAs my understanding of the power of memory grew, I knew it could also be utilised for public speakers since I was already one. TEDx speakers, I’ve noticed, have more fear than most. That is because it is broadcast to millions watching on YouTube, and if the talk is “good”, it can literally be seen by millions of people.One of those speakers came to me freaking out about their talk. They handed me a six-page script, which I instantly tore. The look on their face was like I had ripped through their heart. After spending only twenty minutes on a call, showing them the techniques, this person not only memorised their talk at TEDx, but they also became the star of the day, having a massive impact on their audience.Memory wasn’t just about remembering information, it was about creating a memorable impact on those in the audience. I felt a sense of joy for the person delivering the talk, but even more so, I realised memory wasn’t just about remembering things. It was about connecting with people and creating an impact.Reaching Greater HeightsSo the more I trained and learned about memory techniques, the better I understood how to apply them to many areas of life. Remembering speeches perfectly, learning languages, passing professional exams, managing time, killing procrastination, boosting mental athletic performance, even reducing stress and anxiety – all with the use of memory techniques!Over the years, I was regularly invited to speak to thousands internationally, work with some of the largest organisations, and coach massive celebrities and executives to empower them with super-powerful memory and learning abilities. You can check out some of my client success stories by clicking here.Writing my first bookMost people would have no idea that memory techniques could help with managing stress or earning a higher income. Yet, these all require the mind skills to make it happen.Eventually, I wrote my first memory book, The Yellow Elephant. It was my greatest achievement. Not because I had written a book, but I had poured ten years of my heart and soul into a package that I knew would benefit humanity.Two years later, I followed it up with my next book, How To Learn Almost Anything In 48 Hours. Both would eventually go on to become bestsellers. More importantly for myself personally, they would go on to help thousands around the world. The success of the books would eventually land me memory expert roles in various TV shows, documentaries, newspapers, magazines, etc. It also led me to speaking around the world on a topic where only years ago I felt useless. I had indeed turned into one of those experts I saw on television and was sceptical about.The World’s First School Mind Games CompetitionI wanted to introduce memory techniques into schools, but in a way where the skills were actively applied and not just viewed as a one-off presentation. Inspired by the initial success in schools, I initiated the world’s first School Mind Games competition.I trained a few fellow enthusiasts as my trainers and we went into participating schools and ran workshops on memory, speed reading and mind mapping. When competition time arrived at the end of the year, the students, who were thirteen at the time, read my first book, The Yellow Elephant, a 200-pager, in only 10 minutes.Then they mapped out all the book's contents on a wall, memorised its entire contents chapter by chapter, and presented it back to the audience and judges in great detail. As a bonus, they also memorised one of my student’s 11-minute TEDx talk – word for word!All this in the space of a couple of hours. Aside from all the shock and media publicity we gained, the students and teachers had knowledge and confidence that would re-shape their entire learning and education. Memory techniques had indeed changed their lives for the better. You can read more about it and check out the photos of the event by clicking here.Looking backI never would have gotten into this if it wasn’t for discovering a system that worked and busted the myth I had in my mind about having a bad memory. Maybe it was by chance. Maybe it was luck or timing. Nevertheless, I did something about it. And my aim was to help people that had once suffered like I did with a terrible memory to experience the same transformation.So for over 20 years now, I’ve been helping individuals to create a better life through memory techniques. You can check out just some of my success stories by clicking here. I now know that it is not simply about ‘remembering’ things, but having a greater value of ‘connection’ to the life we want to live.That’s my story. If you think you have a bad memory or you want to challenge yourself, then there is always something you can do. Reach out and let’s have a chat. It might just change your life too.
Tansel Ali is a world-renowned memory expert, international bestselling author, and four-time Australian Memory Sports Champion, famously known for memorizing two entire Yellow Pages phone books in only 24 days. With over 20 years of experience, he has helped thousands worldwide sharpen their memory.As a memory coach, Tansel helps individuals quickly master name recall, effortless speech memorization, absorb large amounts of knowledge fast, and even pass difficult certifications and exams. As a champion memory athlete, he also trains those striving for peak mental performance to optimize their brains for success and winning.A sought-after keynote speaker, Tansel has inspired global audiences and been featured in bestselling books like Deep Work by Cal Newport and Tony Buzan’s official biography, along with major media outlets worldwide.Committed to impact, he has led initiatives like the Australian Memory Championships, School Mind Games, and TEDxDocklands while serving as a celebrity ambassador for Crohn’s and Colitis Australia and the Australian Football League (AFL). Tansel holds a double Master’s degree in IT (MISM) and Business (MBA) and resides in Melbourne, Australia.→ Read Tansel's personal story
→ Join Tansel's memory lessons
→ Work with Tansel - book a call
→ Get in touch