We see some people committing mistake after mistake despite his or her erudition. A seasoned businessman, despite his wealth of market experience, gets entangled with another transaction that makes him further plunge in to the quagmire of losses. A sportsman again loses an opportunity of winning the coveted gold medal despite his vast exposure to international sporting arena.

But why?

  • All the above people are endowed with rich knowledge in their respective fields. Despite this, why they encounter with failures? 
  • Why they are succumbed to severe stress, because of their failures?
  • Why they are unable to learn from their past mistakes? 
  • Why they are unable to move from their places to where they want to move?
  • Why they are unable to turn the stumbling blocks in to stepping stones to success?

Having bundles of information is knowledge?

In these days of internet it’s possible to have gigabytes of information on any subject just with a click. I know about a kid who is having an amazing memory. At a tender age of 5, he got mathematical tables up to 20 by heart.But, when he grew up he failed to calculate the cost of 2 oranges, each costing Rs.2.

So this unravels the reason and offers a clear-cut answer to all the questions above. 

Lack of working memory.

As I said in the above lines, mere information will not solve the problems. Applying the information at your disposal to solve a crisis to getting away from a complex problem. The crisis or problem may be in any sphere.

  • A crisis in the office.
  • A tussle between husband and wife at the home front. 
  • This is where the knowledge of ‘Working memory’ comes in to fore as a savior.

What is Working Memory?

Working memory is that skill, that enables one to use the existing knowledge to solve a crisis or to unknot a complex situation in a quick way. Simply put, the ability to correlate the data that is already there in your mind to the present situation.It means, if you are asked to carry out a multiplication of two numbers say 45 and 54 without using pen and paper. The first thing you do is to remember the numbers 45 and 54. Then you turn towards your previously acquired knowledge of Multiplication.When you face a difficult situation, you should be able to call back such incidents and how you succeeded in solving them that happened earlier. 

  • You should be able to recall  how your friend or your neighbor won over such situation.
  • You should be able to recall those incidents how in such adverse conditions the central character in the book that you read .
  • Same figures and same calculations, But one stock broker sits on huge heaps of money, while another laments for lack of money. 
  • One police chief succeeds in maintaining law and order in his jurisdiction, while his successor fails miserably in keeping the law and order in control where his predecessor succeeded.
  • Though two people read the same Law text book, one becomes a successful lawyer, while the other struggles to survive.
  • Answer for all is ‘Working Memory.”Its presence and utilization takes one to the pinnacles of glory, while the other stays back at the first rung of the ladder, if he lacks Working memory.

Can the mind be trained? 

Working memory is like an unfinished and uncut form. You have to shape to see it in its prismatic glitter and glitz. You have to churn out to extract butter from butter milk.  Some may have skill of working memory naturally without efforts. But anybody can achieve Working memory with sincere efforts. It all amounts to one thing. That by training your mind, you can achieve the working memory.

How working memory works.

Several studies say that there are certain activities linked with working memory like Puzzles, playing chess to name a few. If these activities are done on regular basis, different centers in the brain are activated. Following are different centers in the brain and their functions.

Prefrontal cortex or PFC is located in the front part of the brain. Just behind the forehead. PFC is responsible for regulating human behavior. It enables in making choices between right and wrong. It also predicts the results of good choices and bad choices. This center controls the social behavior and controlling of emotions according to the situation and context. 

The second center in the brain is known as  Hippocampus. This center belongs to Limbic system and plays vital role in crisis management and decision making. This center is responsible for preserving the old memories.  So, if this center fails in its functioning, humans lose their memory. This is what happens in Alzheimer’s disease.

Amygdala is the third center of the brain, that roughly resembles an almond. It belongs to limbic system. This center controls the emotions. When you hear the screams of people ‘Fire’, ‘Fire’ and people are running with panic, the Amygdala takes the charge and advises to do the right action.

The intraparietal sulcus (IPS), another center in the brain which is located on the lateral surface of the parietal lobe. Its function is processing symbolic numerical information. It also plays a key role in interpreting the intent or purpose of others.

An example is, if a person asks you, ‘Where can I get a glass of water?’ intraparietal sulcus interprets that the person is thirsty and he is in need of water. As it was mentioned most of the mathematical calculations get a solution in this center.

With the advent of calculators and computers, many of us stopped using intraparietal sulcus. With this human mind has become work-less and dull. Owing to this reason researchers stress on doing simple calculations mentally in order to boost the working memory.

For example, start with a simple numerical calculation. Multiply 50 with 6. Then multiply 6 with 6. Add both the totals. And then go on further using bigger numbers. Raise your bar every time raising the number of digits. This exercise gives an opportunity to intraparietal sulcus  to work. This in turn sharpens your Working memory.

Broca’s area is that center in the brain that helps in learning and interpreting new languages. It means, learning a new language will enhance the levels of Working memory.

Difference between Memory and Working memory.

“Change makers” is a famous book that deals with all the things that businessman wants to know. You read it many times. And you got the entire book by heart. That is memory.

Suppose one of your friends invited you for a party arranged in connection with his starting of a new business. Remembering that the book “Change makers” you read and got it by heart will make an appropriate present to your friend who just stepped in to a new business. That is Working memory.

Factors that boost working memory.

As it was said earlier that working memory can be boosted in many different ways. here are some ways with which one can boost his or her Working memory.

Greenery

Researchers say Greenery has a link with working memory. As and when you get time spend a few moments amidst lush greenery. You need not go all the way in search of a green patch. Just look at the distant greenery for a few moments from the balcony of your home or office.

Learn a new language.

Learning a new language is a great mental exercise that boosts your working memory. Researchers from York University, Canada revealed after intensive studies that the more you learn languages. more stronger will be your Working memory.

Jogging.

Most of us know jogging works excellently for reducing weight. Very less people know that Jogging can boost your Working memory also. Studies say that barefoot jogging will improve the working memory more efficiently than a jogging with shoes.

Sleep.

If you become tired, your working memory also gets tired. The spent out working memory gets recharged during your sleep. To have a sharper working memory, it’s mandatory to have an uninterrupted sleep of minimum 7 hours.

Read a Book’.

Books are the treasure chests of knowledge. Books are considered as the windows to the world. And it’s one of the best tools to boost your Working memory. Recapitulate what you read in a favorite book of yours. mark whatever you are reading. Imagine what lies ahead in the story you are reading. This is a game that helps in increasing your Working memory.

Meditation.

Amishi Jha of university of Pennsylvania says meditation empowers a practitioner to control the thoughts. It helps in focusing those results in concentration. It also empowers the practitioner to cultivate the habit of decision making. In total meditation helps in increasing your working memory. 

Food.

Food plays a vital role in enhancing the working memory. Food you eat will have an effect on your thoughts.  Food consisting of Omega fatty acids like fish will do a lot of good to your working memory. Different coloured vegetables, green tea, black tea will have an effect on the health of brain. Food consumption in moderation and fasting too will decide the health of brain.

Games.

The game of chess involves lot of imagination. If the player wants to go forward, he has to imagine at least ten moves and the opponent’s counter moves are to be imagined. He gas to imagine his opponent’s counter moves in response to his moves. 

This exercise will contribute greatly in sharpening the brain. This sharpness in its turn fortifies the working memory. In a similar manner the game of Sudoku will boost the working memory. According to the research conducted by the State University of New York, it was found that those who have skills in Sudoku are endowed with a strong Working memory. 

Other games like Tennis and Foot ball  require a player’s ability to take quick decisions on the spot, while recapitulating such  previous conditions and the actions taken will help in deciding the result of the game. So playing games often will contribute greatly in enhancing the working memory.

Say No to harmful addictions.

Good habits and healthy life style enhance the working memory. Similarly bad habits will kill the working memory. Keep yourself away from bad and hazardous habits. Smoking, boozing and drugs affect the brain in a drastic way.. Brain becomes old and becomes numb and ineffective. This in turn takes a heavy toll on Working memory.

Learn culinary art.

Cooking is an art. Read a cookery manual. Read it thoroughly. Close the manual. Enter your kitchen with self confidence. Then start your venture. This way you can test your ability to remember what you read. And this is the first step towards enhancing the Working memory. 

Day to day examples of Working memory.

We have seen the crux of Working memory. It can be summed up through this equation:

Old incident + New memory = A new thought.

It may be a solution to a complex problem. It may be a new idea to a business venture. It may be an answer to a question. In a nutshell, Working memory can be compared with an expert librarian who preserves every fragment of information that looks like a useful data. Not in a haphazard manner, but in a systematic manner. The librarian keeps an eye on the preserved data is not mixed up creating confusion. And the greatest trait of this librarian is, he produces the relevant data instantaneously whenever you need it.

So, the responsibility of utilizing this helpful librarian’s services to your advantage lies in your own hands.

A clerk’s working memory.

He committed mistakes in the early days of his job. As a result, he received warning letters from the management. After gaining experience, whenever he is on the verge of committing a mistake, his working memory alerts him. Cautions him to be careful.

A young man’s working memory.

In the beginning days when he was learning how to ride a Bike, he used to start his Bike without checking the fuel stock in the fuel tank of his Bike. As a result he had to face difficulties. He had to push his Bike laboriously to the petrol station all the way. Since then, whenever he takes his Bike, Working memory taps on his shoulder and asks, “Did you check the fuel tank?” 

An entrepreneur’s working memory.

One fine morning, a management graduate decided to start his own business. He wanted to put his plans and proposals in an online ‘Business Plan’ competition. Then he started thinking about the best business plan for the consideration in the Business Plan competitions. He remembered the hardships he had to undergo once, to reach his village because of non availability of the buses. Immediately, he has come to a decision to start ‘online ticket booking.’ It goes without saying that his business plan has hit the jack pot.

Every angle in life is tied up with Working memory.

It has been revealed in the studies conducted by Washington state University that people who are endowed with Working memory, aim at long term plans and success of highest order. In the case of those who have inadequate working memory aim at immediate benefits and short term plans.

Individuals with strong working memory have the power to overcome their weaknesses. Because of their quality of having clear thoughts, they will be able to visualize the bad effects of their weaknesses. With this advantage, stepping in to a wrong path can be avoided. 

With the sales strategies like, “ Don’t miss the gala discount facility. Valid for 2 days only. Hurry up”, the talkative salesmen suffocate us and lures us. You will be subjected to a kind of pressure. This strategy will not work with the people endowed with working memory. They have the capacity of viewing the things beyond the visible.

Is working memory an inborn quality ?

This was the opinion of the people until 5 or 6 years back. Recent researches confirmed that there is no truth in it. Researchers compared working memory with a rubber band. One may have a bigger rubber band. Another a small one. But a rubber band can be stretched within its limits.

Super Mario

More than 25 miners were entrapped in a coalmine collapse.  The rescue teams fought for 69 days. And succeeded in rescuing the trapped miners. All the miners who were rescued were on the verge of death, except one. His name was Mario. Doctors and the rescue team were astonished to see Mario in a hale and healthy condition. The curious members asked him how he could remain hale and healthy for such a long time in a  dreary and depressing conditions. He replied that he refrained from thinking meaningless thoughts. He further said, he recollected most enjoyable moments of his life and relived in them. He recalled an incident of his childhood, when his parents locked the house by mistake and left for a neighboring village, while he was asleep. Mario compared the incident with the present incident in the mines.

Hearing this amazing story, the world press described him as ‘Super Mario.’ Many do not know that behind his super survival, there was ‘super working memory.’


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