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Why There’s No Such Thing As A Photographic Memory By Brain Coach Jim Kwik

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Have you ever heard someone claim to have a photographic memory?

It’s a skill often associated with geniuses and superheroes. With simplicity and ease, they’re able to pluck names, dates, and numbers out of thin air at will.

And you think to yourself: boy, were they ever lucky to be born with such a great memory.

But in this video Brain Performance Expert, Jim Kwik, explains that there really is no such thing as a good or bad memory – only a trained or untrained brain.

Is Photographic Memory A Real Thing?

It’s not about mental intelligence, it’s about mental fitness.

—Jim Kwik

True photographic memory — the ability to look at a photo once and recall its every detail without error — is a phenomenon that’s widely contested.

Researchers have been studying both eidetic and photographic memory for many years. Among those who reportedly possessed this superpower were Charles Darwin, Nikola Tesla, and Teddy Roosevelt.

But is photographic memory a real thing? It’s hard to say, considering how complex the memory-storage system of our brains is. Some experts believe photographic memory is possible. Others suggest that better recall can be achieved through the use of memory techniques. 

What we do know is that having a powerful memory is something that can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and practice.

Contrary to popular belief, a good memory is not something you’re born with. It’s something you create.

And this is precisely what Jim Kwik addresses in the video above.

Can You Develop A Photographic Memory?

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, right? But is it really the case?

Whether you’re a working professional looking to learn new skills, a student trying to study for exams, or a senior wanting to stay sharp, there are things you can do and techniques you can use to actively and permanently improve your own memory.

Memory, like focus and creativity,  is a process – it’s not something you have, it’s something you do. And when you know how to optimize the process, then the outcome naturally improves.

That’s where Jim comes in.

Peak performance expert and memory guru, Jim Kwik, explains that a good or bad memory isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you develop.

And the greatest thing holding our brains back from their true potential? Our ingrained beliefs.

If you identify as someone with poor memory, you’ll create a self-fulfilling prophecy that will follow you indefinitely.

But there’s a way to change this.

Watch the video to discover the number one stumbling block that prevents us from remembering, maintaining focus, and getting creative. (HINT: It’s nothing to do with an inherent lack of ability.)

Unleashing your very own Superbrain is easier and more accessible than ever before. And with Jim’s guidance, you’ll soon discover the inherent power of your mind. 

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Written by

Shannon Terrell

Shannon is a former contributor writer at Mindvalley. She is a professional writer who specializes in topics related to mental health. In 2019, she published "The Guest House", a collection of creative non-fiction stories. As the lead writer and spokesperson for NerdWallet, Shannon also writes about credit cards and personal finance.
Picture of Shannon Terrell

Shannon Terrell

Shannon is a former contributor writer at Mindvalley. She is a professional writer who specializes in topics related to mental health. In 2019, she published "The Guest House", a collection of creative non-fiction stories. As the lead writer and spokesperson for NerdWallet, Shannon also writes about credit cards and personal finance.
Jim Kwik, Mindvalley trainer and brain performance expert
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Jim Kwik is a brain coach and a world expert in speed reading, memory improvement, and optimal brain performance.

Known as the “boy with the broken brain” due to a childhood injury, Jim discovered strategies to dramatically enhance his mental performance.

He is now committed, through programs like Mindvalley’s Superbrain and Speed Reading Quest, to helping people improve their memory, learn to speed-read, increase their decision-making skills, and turn on their superbrain.

He has also shared his techniques with Hollywood actors, Fortune 500 companies, and trailblazing entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Richard Branson to reach their highest level of mental performance. He is also one of the most sought-after trainers for top organizations like Harvard University, Nike, Virgin, and GE.

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