Introducing S.M.A.R.T - the Sundaram Memory, Action and Retrieval Technique for Optimizing Memory and Productivity.
Memory is a crucial aspect of human cognition that allows us to navigate through life with efficiency and purpose. It is the foundation upon which we build knowledge, skills, and experiences. However, in an age where information is abundant and easily accessible, managing what we remember and how we retrieve it becomes a challenge.
The Sundaram Memory, Action, and Retrieval Technique (SMART) is designed to optimize memory management by linking it to specific actions and goals, ensuring that the information we retain is useful, accessible, and productive.
Why Memory Is Needed
Memory is indispensable to human existence. It enables us to learn from our experiences, make informed decisions, and carry out everyday tasks. Without memory, we would be unable to retain knowledge, form relationships, or develop skills. Memory is not just about recalling past events; it is integral to the process of thinking and acting in the present. It is the cognitive glue that binds our experiences and knowledge together, allowing us to function effectively in the world.
In the context of productivity, memory plays a key role in how we manage information and execute tasks. Whether you're studying for an exam, working on a project, or simply trying to remember to take your medication, memory is the tool that allows you to retain and retrieve the necessary information to accomplish these tasks.
What Is Memory?
Memory is the process by which the brain encodes, stores, and retrieves information. It is a dynamic and complex system that involves multiple brain regions and processes. Memory is not a single entity but rather a collection of different types of memories that serve various functions.
1. Sensory Memory: This is the shortest-term element of memory, which allows us to retain impressions of sensory information after the original stimulus has ceased. For example, the brief retention of a visual image or a sound.
2. Short-Term Memory: Often referred to as working memory, this type of memory allows us to hold a small amount of information in an active, readily available state for a short period of time.
3. Long-Term Memory: This is where information is stored more permanently. It can be divided into explicit (conscious) memory, which includes episodic and semantic memory, and implicit (unconscious) memory, which includes procedural memory.
What Is Information?
Information, in the context of memory, refers to data that has been processed and given meaning. It is the content that our brain encodes, stores, and retrieves. Information can be anything from a fact or a concept to a sensory experience or a personal memory.
The process of converting raw data into information involves interpreting and giving context to the data. For instance, a series of numbers might be just data, but when you recognize them as your phone number, they become information. Information is what we work with in our daily lives; it is what we learn, recall, and use to make decisions and perform tasks.
The Connection Between Memory, Information, and Action
Memory is not just a passive storehouse of information; it is an active process that influences our actions. The connection between memory and action is fundamental to how we operate in the world. When we remember something, it often prompts us to take action, whether it is recalling a phone number to make a call, remembering a recipe to cook a meal, or retrieving a fact to answer a question.
This connection can be understood through the concept of retrieval cues. Retrieval cues are stimuli that help you recall information stored in memory. For example, seeing a photo might remind you of a vacation, or hearing a specific song might bring back memories of a certain time in your life. In the context of productivity, retrieval cues can be deliberately created to help you remember to take specific actions.
How Memory Works
Memory works through a series of stages, each of which is crucial for the effective encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.
1. Encoding: This is the first stage of memory, where information is transformed into a format that can be stored in the brain. Encoding can be automatic or effortful. For example, you might automatically encode the color of the sky on a clear day, but you might need to put in effort to memorize a list of vocabulary words.
2. Storage: Once information is encoded, it is stored in the brain. The duration of storage can vary from a few seconds (as in short-term memory) to a lifetime (as in long-term memory). The storage process involves the consolidation of information, which is influenced by factors such as sleep, repetition, and emotional significance.
3. Retrieval: Retrieval is the process of accessing stored information when needed. This can involve recalling information consciously (as in answering a question) or unconsciously (as in performing a well-practiced skill). Retrieval can be influenced by the strength of the memory trace and the presence of retrieval cues.
When Is Memory Needed? The 7 Memory Tags
To optimize memory for productivity, it’s useful to categorize the types of information we need to remember. The SMART model proposes seven "memory tags" that can be used to organize information:
7 Memory Tags of S.M.A.R.T (© Sundaram Applied Technologies Inc. 2024)
1. Read It: This tag is for information that you need to read and retain, such as articles, books, or reports. The key here is to encode the information in a way that makes it easy to retrieve later. Techniques such as summarizing, highlighting, and note-taking can enhance memory retention.
2. Learn It: This tag is for information that you need to learn and internalize, such as facts, concepts, or skills. Techniques such as spaced repetition, active recall, and mnemonic devices can help strengthen these memories.
3. Use It: This tag is for information that you need to use immediately or in the near future, such as instructions, plans, or strategies. This type of memory is often reinforced through practice and application.
4. Do It: This tag is for tasks that need to be done or completed, such as appointments, deadlines, or chores. Prospective memory, which is the ability to remember to do something in the future, plays a key role here. Setting reminders and creating to-do lists can help ensure these tasks are not forgotten - 'Remind me to do it'.
5. Keep It: This tag is for information that you may not need immediately but might be useful later, such as contact details, reference materials, or backup plans. Organizing this information in a logical and accessible way can make it easier to retrieve when needed. This tag is also for information that you want to keep in your memory permanently, such as important life events, personal milestones, or core knowledge. This type of memory is often reinforced by emotional significance, storytelling, and regular reflection.
6. Repeat It: This tag is for information that you want to incorporate into your routine or habits, such as new exercises, dietary changes, or productivity techniques. Repetition and consistency are key to incorporating new information into long-term memory.
7. Share It: This tag is for information you want to share with other people such a news article or other useful webpages like a new recipe or a new place to visit.
You can use these tags in NoteDex to categorize your cards, and action them accordingly. Read this article 'How to use Tags in NoteDex'
Organizing Your Information for Productivity
The SMART model provides a framework for organizing information in a way that aligns with your goals and tasks. By tagging information according to how it needs to be remembered and used, you can optimize your memory for productivity.
- For Information You Need to Read (Read It): Create a system for summarizing and storing the key points of what you read. This could involve using a digital note-taking app, keeping a reading journal, or using a service like Evernote or Notion to categorize and store articles and notes.
- For Information You Need to Learn (Learn It): Use active learning techniques to enhance memory retention. This could include creating flashcards with an app like Anki, using spaced repetition software, or teaching the material to someone else.
- For Information You Need to Use (Use It): Create actionable plans for how you will use the information. This could involve drafting outlines, setting goals, or creating checklists to ensure that the information is applied effectively.
- For Tasks You Need to Complete (Do It): Use a task management system to organize and prioritize your tasks. Tools like Todoist, Trello, or Microsoft To-Do can help you track deadlines and ensure that you remember to complete important tasks.
- For Information You Need to Keep (Keep It): Create a digital or physical filing system for storing information that you might need later. Organize it in a way that makes it easy to retrieve, such as by category, date, or relevance.
- For Information You Want to Incorporate (Incorporate It): Set up routines or habits that incorporate new information into your daily life. This could involve setting reminders, using habit-tracking apps, or creating visual cues in your environment.
- For Information You Want to Remember Permanently (Remember It): Regularly review and reflect on important memories and knowledge. This could involve journaling, creating memory maps, or discussing significant events with others to reinforce the memories.
Conclusion
Memory is more than just a repository of past experiences; it is an active process that drives our ability to learn, act, and achieve our goals. The Sundaram Memory, Action, and Retrieval Technique (SMART) provides a structured approach to optimizing memory by linking it to specific actions and outcomes. By tagging information according to how it needs to be remembered and used, you can enhance your productivity and ensure that your memory works for you, not against you.
In a world overflowing with information, the ability to effectively manage and retrieve memory is a key to success. The SMART model empowers you to take control of your memory, organize your information, and use it to achieve your goals with efficiency and clarity. By understanding the connection between memory, information, and action, you can unlock the full potential of your cognitive abilities and become more productive in every aspect of your life.
I hope you find the S.M.A.R.T. model useful. Created by Prem Sundaram, Founder and Creator of NoteDex.