Last time, you saw how attention came from interest, and how memory followed from attention.

You also got a glimpse of how to create interest!

Now, I'm not going to talk more about that, you can read about it in the book. Today, I'd like share with you some thoughts on how to train your ear, so that you'll develop a better memory for sounds.

Just as it is true that it is the mind and not the eye that really sees; so is it true that it is the mind and not the ear that really hears.

You Hear, But You Ain't Listening

Many sounds reach the ear that are not registered by the mind.

You pass along a crowded street, the waves of many sounds reaching the nerves of the ear, and yet the mind accepts the sounds of only a few things, particularly when the novelty of the sounds has passed away.

If we sit by an open window in the country on a summer day, we may have many stimuli knocking at the gate of attention: the ticking of a clock, the sound of the wind, the cackling of fowl, the quacking of ducks, the barking of dogs, the lowing of cows, the cries of children at play, the rustling of leaves, the songs of birds, the rumbling of wagons.

If attention is centered upon any one of these, that for the time being acquires the importance of a king upon the throne of our mental world.

It is a fact that the mind will hear the faintest sounds from things in which is centered interest and attention, while at the same time ignoring things in which there is no interest and to which the attention is not turned.

A sleeping mother will awaken at the slightest whimper from her babe, while the rumbling of a heavy wagon on the street, or even the discharge of a gun in the neighborhood may not be noticed by her.

An engineer will detect the slightest difference in the whir or hum of his engine, while failing to notice a very loud noise outside.

A musician will note the slightest discord occurring in a concert in which there are a great number of instruments being played, and in which there is a great volume of sound reaching the ear, while other sounds may be unheard by him.

The reason that many persons do not remember things that they have
heard is simply because they have not listened properly.

Poor listening is far more common than one would suppose at first.

A little self-examination will reveal to you the fact that you have fallen into the bad habit of inattention. You cannot listen to everything, of course, it would not be advisable.

But you should acquire the habit of either really listening or else refusing to listen at all.

The compromise of careless listening brings about deplorable results, and is really the reason why so many people can't remember what they have heard.

It is all a matter of habit.

To acquire a habit for really listening, have a look here.

Next time, I'll tell you 12 Secret Questions you can use to improve your memory.

See you then!