John’s Blog

How to Build Myelin for Faster Performance

By John Graham

The Autobahn is a highway in Germany with no speed limit. You can drive as fast as you want…and people do.

Imagine your brain functioning like a Ferrari on the Autobahn.

Imagine the connections in your brain running 2x, 5x, 10x…even a 100x faster than they do now.

You could think faster, remember faster, and function faster.

Everyone else would think you were moving in FAST FORWARD.

Science has proven that you can reach this potential by developing more myelin.

Myelin?

Myelin is what wraps around your brain neurons. It protects them and allows electrical impulses to travel faster and faster and faster (the more myelin there is).

Myelin allows for high speed delivery.

It builds around the connections of the brain that you use the most.

How do you build more myelin?

Easy…

Repetition. Repetition and focused practice tells your body where to produce more myelin.

Myelin is what allows rock stars to play their guitar at electric speed. It allows athletes to perform superhuman feats.

It’s also what allows me look at and memorize a deck of shuffled deck of playing cards in 30.8 seconds (I just set a new personal best yesterday).

It’s impossible to pick up a brand new skill and perform at world-class levels. When you start anything new, your brain functions as slow as a pushcart on a rocky, dirt road.

When you dedicate your daily life to practice, repetition, feedback, and focus…your myelin builds and allows your brain to function like a Ferrari driving top speed on the Autobahn.

If you want to learn more about myelin, check out “The Talent Code” by Daniel Coyle.

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How I remembered 229 names and faces in 15 minutes

By John Graham

We all struggle with remembering people’s names…so today’s Q&A should help everyone.

Question:

It’s astounding to me that you memorized 229 names and faces in 15 minutes at the 2019 USA Memory Championship.
I’m curious if you can share a few examples of how you would remember different names, let’s say Matthew, Scott, and Isabel.

Answer:

The key for remembering names is to use the first thing that pops into your mind, when you hear/read their name. Then associate whatever pops into your mind to something you notice about the person (feature, body language, emotion/vibe).

Here’s what I would do for each of those names:

Matthew
This is my brother’s name, so I think of him. When I meet someone named Matthew, I imagine that they are my brother.
Very quick and effective.

Scott
Scott makes me instantly think of Scott brand paper towels.
Let’s say Scott has glasses…I would imagine wrapping Scott towels around his face and glasses.

Isabel
Isabel makes me think of a “bell”. She “is a bell”.
Let’s say Isabel is fit, thin and athletic…I would imagine her thin figure is expanding out and now she’s shaped like a bell. She even shakes from side to side and makes a bell sound.

The hardest part in learning this technique is trusting the first thing that pops into your mind. Don’t question it or think that it won’t work. Don’t search for a better option right away.

Use what comes to you and attach it to the first thing you think of when you see/meet the person.

Practice it this weekend.
Practice it on characters in the shows/videos you watch 🙂
Practice it in person.

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How To Remember Hard Names

By John Graham

Today’s Question: How do you remember HARD names?

The basic technique for remembering names is to create an image or association for their name and attach that image/association to the person. Create a simple, memorable story.

Examples:
Olivia makes me think of an olive.
Olivia has black hair.
I imagine her black hair is made out of olives.

Stephanie is also my neighbor’s name.
Stephanie has a really beautiful smile.
I imagine Stephanie visits my neighbor with a big smile 🙂

But what if you can’t think of an image or association??

Here’s what I do:

I meet a girl named Gabriella.

Her name doesn’t make me think of any image or association…and I don’t know any other Gabriellas.

First, I repeat her name back to her.
“Gabriella, where are you from?”

I repeat her name a few more times in my head.

THEN
I use the first sound of her name “G” and think of an image that starts with the same sound. Could be “gum” or “gas” or “grab”. Doesn’t really matter.

Then I associate that image to her.
I imagine Gabriella is chewing gum and then she sticks it in her curly hair.

I think to myself, “I know she has a longer, harder name so this will help me remember what it starts with.”

95 times out of 100 I will easily remember their name later on, because
a) I repeated her name a few times
b) I made a simple image/association to remember the first sound of her name. This will trigger the memory of her name.

One more thing you can do is visualize how her name is spelled. Almost as if you imagine reading it on a name tag. Do this when you repeat her name to yourself. This helps me a lot.

Good luck and always try to remember people’s names!

Everyone loves hearing the sound of their own name and everyone loves it when you remember them.

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Why Everyone Sucks at Remembering Names

By John Graham

Everyone sucks at remembering names.

CORRECTION: Everyone THINKS they suck at remembering names.

How many times have you been afraid to talk to the person you just met, because you couldn’t remember their name?

Add those all up over the course of your lifetime.
You’ve missed out on connections, relationships, opportunities…

All cuz you couldn’t remember a name.

That changes today.

You’ve probably heard my tips on remembering names before, but I want to give you something new today.

Normally when you remember someone’s name, you think of an image that reminds you of that name:
Liz = lizard
Joe = sloppy joe
Adam = apple

Then you imagine that image on a prominent feature of their face.

But sometimes you come across a name that doesn’t conjure a good image.

Names like Madison and Henry. Or harder ones like Monique and Gustavo.

That’s when you get creative.

Imagine people you already know with that name:
That girl from your high school named Madison.
Imagine the Madison you know wrapping her arms around the Madison you just met.

Or take part of their name to make an image:
Henry = hen
Gustavo = gust of wind

Or make something up…using the first thing that pops into your head:
Monique = imagine she’s moaning…and think “she’s unique“
(moan + unique)
It’s weird, but effective.

I don’t recommend telling people you are doing this. Remembering their name is the goal…not weirding them out.

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How to impress women by remembering their name

By John Graham

Want to know how to impress women (and men) and get them to like you more??

Remembering and calling them by their name is STEP #1.
(Most people SUCK at this. Don’t be like most people here.)

*Yes, I knew all of their names (Russian names) within a minute or two by following the steps below.*

Step #2 is demonstrating that you are unique and that you hold value (I’m not talking about money).

If you forgot, here’s HOW to Remember Names:

1) Focus on getting their name. Don’t let your mind wander by thinking about lunch. Be present with them.

2) Turn their name into an image. Based on what it reminds you of or sounds like. For example:

Elaine = car lane
Liz = Lizard
Victoria = victorious! (like she just won something)
Mark = marker
Ben =bending

3) Pick a feature on them that sticks out to you.

Curly hair, freckles, earrings, mustache, big nose…

4) Attach/link the image to the feature. Create a story.

If Elaine has curly hair = you’re driving a tiny car on a lane thru her curly hair and get tangled. Imagine her reaction to this.
It’s silly, but it will stick in your memory.

__________
My secret mission in Russia (part 2) was a success…as you can see in the picture 🙂

Here’s a link to watch my TV episode with these Russian ladies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-yM2wE3vEs&t=

I will share with you in a few weeks (hopefully sooner) what this was all about and give you an inside look at HOW I did what I did & how I really met all these women.

Stay tuned…

Do svidaniya!
(that’s “goodbye” in Russian)

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How to Remember Faces

By John Graham

I get asked a lot:
“How do you remember FACES, not just names?”

First of all, if you think you are “face blind”, it’s probably something you’ve just told yourself over the years and you now fully believe it.

Stop telling yourself such stories.

You can recognize and remember people just fine.

Here’s How to Remember Faces

Step 1a: Feel their vibe

When you see someone for the first time, look at their face.
How do you feel about them? What’s your gut reaction?

This should be something you don’t even think about.

Do they seem angry?
Tough?
Arrogant?
Confident?
Sleezy?
Awesome?
Excited?

Trust your mind.
These are not facts about the person, these are your initial instincts and judgements.

Step 1b: Notice a distinct feature from their face

This forces you to look at them closer.

What ONE feature sticks out to you about them?

Blue eyes?
Big nose?
Curly hair?
Freckles?
Huge earrings?
Too much makeup?

Step 2: Create an image from their name.

What does their name sound like or make you think of?

Examples:

Terry = tearing their face
Tony = Tony the Tiger
Jerry = Cherry
Amelia = Amelia Earhart (pilot goggles)
Amanda = she’s “a man, duh!”

Step 3: Create a QUICK story about them. Imagine this story.

Here’s the formula:

Vibe or Feature + Name image = Story

(If you’re a more visual person, use their feature. If you’re more emotional/intuitive use their vibe…OR USE BOTH for a stronger story.)

It seems complex, but it’s not.

Again, trust what your mind creates here.
Even if it doesn’t make sense.
Weird = memorable.

EXAMPLES:

Brad
Vibe: Brad is a tough guy. Has an intense/strong face.
Name image: Brad = bread
Story: Imagine Brad’s face is a chunk of stale/tough bread.

OliviaFeature: Olivia has long eyelashes with too much mascara.
Name image: Olivia = olives
Story: Her long, pointy eyelashes have olives stuck on them. When she blinks they don’t fall out, the mascara is holding them on.

Going forward

Practice just the first part of this and notice people’s facial reactions and emotions. Notice their unique features.

Be more interested in people watching.

You are no longer “face blind.”
You have the power to recognize and remember everyone you meet.

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My “Xtra Ordinary” TV performance in Indonesia

By John Graham

Last weekend, I was on the biggest TV station in Indonesia demonstrating my memory skills on a show called “Xtra Ordinary.”

They challenged me to do 2 things:

1) Memorize EXACTLY where 50 people in the audience were sitting. Then, they blindfolded me and rearranged everyone…even adding in a few “strangers”. Then, I had to put everyone back in order AND identify the people who didn’t belong!

2) Memorize a 4-digit combination for 10 locks. On stage there were 10 lovely Indonesian models locked up in chains. I had to use my memory to unlock and set the ladies free.

One of the lovely female panelists asked me on air if I was single. The models wouldn’t leave me alone during rehearsal and backstage.

I guess when you’re as amazing and good looking as me, it’s hard to resist! 😉

If you want to watch the clips here are the links:
Part 1 (50 faces): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nunaDzcxCOY&t=
Part 2 (10 ladies handcuffed): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVQ2zXFM6pA

As a bonus, I was also on the largest morning show in Indonesia the next morning (after 3 hours of sleep).

I talk memory techniques and memorized 22 playing cards for them.
Here’s the link for that video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re30Whl_7Ow

Work hard and have a vision for reaching your dreams.
You’ll be amazed at the opportunities that await…

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Train Hard, Fight Easy

By John Graham

The military has a saying: “Train Hard, Fight Easy”

If you train in harder, faster, or more stressful conditions, your actual competition / performance / battle will be EASY.

If you are trying to improve any facet of your life…

Runner
Competitor
Athlete
Performer
Public Speaker

You can make your performance seem like a piece of cake.

Here’s how I did it:

When I competed in my first memory competition (the 2014 WORLD Memory Championship), I was a mess.

My heart rate must have been over 120 beats/min for the entire half hour of the first event. My nerves were shattered. I almost gave up and walked out a few times.

My training had always been in peaceful settings. I had never experienced stress like this.

A few years later, I started (what I call) “CHAOS training”.

In preparation for a memory competition, I would practice in DISCOMFORT (noise, heart rate up, stress).
Before or during my memorizing, I would do things like:

Not do my mental warmups
Do 20 pushups
Play a Youtube video of people talking loudly

The results:
In the next World Championship, I broke personal records in all the events.
In the next US Championship, I became the champion.

It was painfully obvious during the competition that all the CHAOS Training I had done was making this easy.

How can YOU apply this philosophy to improve?
First of all, attack/challenge what gives you trouble when you perform or compete.
Is it a mental aspect? A physical aspect?
Make that part harder in your training

practice at a faster speed
practice with a shorter time limit
create/listen to more noise
get your heart rate up

More examples:
If you’re a runner, run in the heat or the rain.
Train by running 10k distances for your 5k event.

If you’re an aspiring public speaker, sign up for Toastmasters.
Speak in front of people you don’t know. Become a substitute teacher for a few days to get used to talking in front of groups.

Make your training HARD and I guarantee your battle will be EASIER.

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Performing Under Pressure on Russian TV

By John Graham

Here’s a link to the trailer for the Russian SEASON FINALE I’ll be on: https://www.instagram.com/p/BpWh3_fAsh2/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

It airs this Sunday in Russia.

How do I get better at performing under pressure?
I’ve been on several TV shows:
FOX Superhuman
Xtra Ordinary (Indonesia)
Now, Incredible People (Russia)

Each time, I was asked to memorize superhuman amounts of information in a short amount of time. Things 99.999% of people in this world currently can’t do.

It’s always “do or die”. I get one chance…no retakes. Make 1 mistake and I look like a fool in front of thousands…or even millions of people.

No pressure, right!?

This is how I do it AND how I know I can do it…

Before I walk out on stage, I’m usually nervous. But I’m always excited because I know I have the ability.

Nerves show you care and that you are human. Everyone gets butterflies before performing. They become less of a factor the more “stage” experience you have.

In that moment, if you haven’t put in the time to train (and don’t know your limitations) you will regret not putting in the practice…and you’ll be thinking about failure.

I have trained virtually every day for the last 2.5 years, so I know exactly what I can do and what I can’t (yet) do. This is key.

So when a TV show asks me to be on, I can tell them what is possible for me and what isn’t. Once I know the specific challenge, I play out all the scenarios and start training HARDER or FASTER than I will on TV.

Remember, you should try to make training harder and more stressful than the actual event. That way the event seems easier.

Even though I know I can do it on TV, there is always risk of losing focus and making just ONE mistake. That actually happened to me during rehearsal for this upcoming show I’m on. I lost focus, tried rushing through the information and said the WRONG thing. It was embarrassing…

BUT, it was the best mistake I ever made. It was just rehearsal, so it didn’t matter…and it made me focus that much more for the actual show.

I knew I could fail on TV. But what good does that thinking do? What good would it do if I stayed at home, afraid to TRY?

For me, there is no risk. I grow as a person every time I experience something BIG like a TV performance. The emotion and energy are unexplainable.

I still feel imposter syndrome from time to time. But I remind myself every day how amazing I am and how much work I’ve put in.

I am confident and comfortable with what I can do.
YOU should be too.

So how do you perform under pressure and succeed?

Put in the work, train stressfully, visualize yourself succeeding. When you’re prepared, you will know…and you won’t be thinking of how you will fail, but instead how you will succeed.

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Chaos Training

By John Graham

The qualifying event for the USA Memory Championship is approaching (March 17th in Pennsylvania). I’ve been busy “Chaos” training every day.

I have a personal method that use to train for big events like this. I call it CHAOS Training.

When I competed in my first memory championship in 2014, I almost gave up at certain events because I felt so much anxiety and pressure (mental and physical).

My heart wouldn’t stop racing. My mind wouldn’t calm down.
My scores were at least 30% worse than when I practiced at home. The pressure got to me.

A lot of competitors said to expect scores that were 20% lower than what I was used to.

I didn’t like that.

I wanted the pressure to have 0% effect on me.

So, I came up with CHAOS Training.
I’ve used it to train for every competition (and TV appearance) since.
“Train Hard, Fight Easy”
-Alexander Suvorov

CHAOS Training just means I put myself in stressful conditions when I train.

I do things like:

Do 25 pushups, right before memorizing
Play music or distracting noises on Youtube
Train outside or in a public place with distractions around me
Run in place while memorizing

This forces me to train with my heart rate up and put intense focus on what I’m doing.

Last December, I set a USA record. I credit that success to always doing 25 pushups right before training. During the competition, my increased heart rate didn’t bother me. I was already used to it.

Do things behind the scenes that disrupt your comfort zone and cause you to make mistakes.

When it actually counts, people will ask you how you make it look so easy.

Train hard, fight easy…

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