Work to enrich our memories and experiences
Summary
- When we have positive experiences, take some time to encode and dwell on it so that it remains in our memories
Details
- Spend more time on it. dwell i the moment, don't be distracted.
- Intensify the moment by getting excited about it
- Expand it: notice related things around. For example, look around and observe the weather or what is happening around
- Freshen the moment by looking for what is different about an experience
- Value the moment by thinking about what we learned, why the moment was important to you
Reflections
- I will test this
References
Quotes
There are five ways to enrich an experience:
- Lengthen it. Stay with it for five, ten, or more seconds. The longer that neurons fire together, the more they tend to wire together. Protect the experience from distractions, focus on it, and come back to it if your mind wanders.
- Intensify it. Open to it and let it be big in your mind. Turn up the “volume” as it were by breathing more fully or getting a little excited.
- Expand it. Notice other elements of the experience. For example, if you’re having a useful thought, look for related sensations or emotions.
- Freshen it. The brain is a novelty detector, designed to learn from what’s new or unexpected. So look for what’s interesting or different about an experience. Imagine that you are having it for the very first time.
- Value it. We learn from what is personally relevant. Be aware of why the experience is important to you, why it matters, and how it could help you.