Mnemonics are a way of taking information that may be difficult to remember and making it into a code to help the brain remember. Choose pleasant or vivid images when creating the mnemonic codes you will use to remember. Often using especially funny or unusual ideas will enhance your ability to remember information.
Once you have imagined something vivid to use for the mnemonic, it is necessary to create the association between the imagined image and the information you must remember. They must be linked in your mind to create the mnemonic so that it can be used to remember the information.
The link method works well to remember lists. For example, to remember a short shopping list containing bread, eggs, milk, apples and coffee a link mnemonic can easily be created in your mind. Take the first letter of each item, in this case B E M A and C and put them together to form the made-up word "bemac." Now you need only to remember the word "bemac" and you will likely be able to remember that b stands for bread, e stands for eggs, m stands for milk, a stands for apples, and c stands for coffee, and you will be able to remember your entire list without writing it down.
This can also be effective for remembering a password. For example, if the password is Ebl4Cpac, construct a sentence to help you remember. In this case the sentence might be, "Every boy loves 4 Cherry pies and cake." Memorize this simple sentence and the password will be recalled.
If remembering names is a challenge, there are mnemonic tools that will help create associations for enhancing the memory.
When you are introduced to someone new, try to notice something unusual or striking about her appearance. Perhaps her hair is especially beautiful or a style or color that is unusual. If there is a facial feature that is memorable, notice this. Make a connection between this unusual physical feature and the person's name in your mind. For example, if you are introduced to a woman named Veronica who has short, spiky red hair you can connect the short spiky red hair to the name Veronica. Even the "k" sound in spiky and the "c" sound in Veronica can be connected for further mnemonic help. Also, repeat the name after you first hear it as you shake hands and make eye contact with the person. After you leave the person's presence repeat the name to yourself and repeat your chosen mnemonic connection to cement the name in your memory.