So here we go again with remembering stuff. If you missed my first Hub about the Linking System, please read it first, then come back. The Roman Room method, or Loci, dates back to antiquity and if you want the whole history, read this Wiki Article.

Loci can be very useful for remembering lists such as shopping lists, errands, and speeches. You can also apply it to countless other things. Once you learn it, I’m sure you’ll think of some useful ways to apply this system.

Once again, I have to give full credit to Derren Brown's book, Tricks of the Mind. It's an import for those not living in the United Kingdom, but worth the wait. I can't give this book enough props.

We’re going to memorize a list of 10 errands and need 10 Loci points to place each errand. Your Loci Journey must be familiar to you. So let’s use your house (or apartment) for this exercise. My journey starts at my front door (point 1), then walking counter clockwise through my apartment, my next point is my daughter’s bed (her room is the first room after the front door). This brings me to the first rule; always move clockwise or counter to avoid any confusion later.

Take a couple of minutes to mentally walk trough your house and establish 10 specific points for your loci. As a beginner, spread the points out (like different rooms or pieces of furniture) to avoid confusion. Establish your points, traveling in the same directing each time, doing this until every point leads you to the next (without effort). Now do it 2 more times...

Every errand or item should interact or be on top of each of your points. Remember to make your images memorable (i.e. millions of, extremely out of proportion, and up close and vivid). I’ll explain my journey and give examples of what I’d use. Here’s our list of important errands:

1. Walk the dog- In front of my door is a huge dog with a leash in his mouth, waging his tail.

2. Get the car oil changed- My daughter’s bed is soaked with oil and my car resting on top.

3. Call mom- On top of my shoe shrank is a miniature mom with a huge phone in her hand.

4. Go to the Doctor- My doctor sitting on my son’s bed, millions of him.

5. Buy milk- There’s a cow in your bath tub and a farmer milking her. The tub’s full of milk.

6. Take out the trash- A huge mound of stinking trash on my bed.

7. Feed the cat- A cat in my fridge eating all the food.

8. Check the mail- A giant mail man sitting on top my dining table.

9. Write a new Hub- A giant computer screen on top of my couch with Hub pages opened.

10. Buy the book Tricks of the Mind- Millions of the books are swirling around in the wash machine.

Got it? Take a minute to really visualize the errands and adjust as needed. You should now be able to recall any of the errands by visiting each Loci point. You don’t have to visit them in order as with the Linking System. This method can be applied to your drive to work, school, a museum, and so on. Any route that you are familiar with can be used for Loci.

You’re on your way to building your own Memory Palace! I’ll continue this memory series until we’ve developed a perfect memory.