Welcome to Excellence and thank you for reviewing our newsletter. Our first month was exhilarating, exciting and fun. Our website has been streamlined with lean content and easier navigation. Our Creative Thinking Express programme has been launched, as promised, on 31 Oct 03. Our Speed Reading and Power Memory programmes are now offered at 2 levels: eLearning and the new eBook/eGym. 3 free samples are available to our guests. A complete and enjoyable experience.

	Imagination is more important than knowledge. Einstein
	If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants. Isaac Newton

Memorising new information, in any form, is usually achieved by one of the following systems:

 1.     The Chain; where each piece of new information is linked to the next

The chain is the simplest memory technique, as it does not rely on any pre-requisites. You link each piece of information, in a list, with the next. Hence, no ‘outside’ references are necessary.

2.     The Peg; where each piece of new information is ‘pegged’ (attached) to an already established series or list

The Peg system relies on the prior establishment of a familiar list (table, matrix) of Pegs. The Pegs are objects that are chosen according to a specific technique. Once the Peg list is established, any new information is attached (hooked/linked) to the Pegs in sequence according to a certain method. The recall of the actual objects/items/pieces of the new information is performed by going through the Pegs list and recalling for each Peg the attached object/item (using the memory method).

For example, the Pegs list, a frame of reference that you can easily remember, can be established using one of these techniques:

o       Sound of numbers (e.g. one, two, three, etc.)

o       Shape of numbers (e.g. 1, 2, 3, etc.)

o       ‘Inspirational' picture of numbers (4: car/wheels, 9: cat/lives, etc.)

o       ‘Phonetic picture' of numbers (t, n, m, etc.)

 So, should you decide that the shape of numbers is your preferred technique, and that the digit/number 1 is to be represented by a pencil, the pencil becomes your first Peg in the list. The first new Object in the list to be remembered will be attached (linked/hooked) to the pencil Peg using a memory method.

Creative thinkers enjoy unique characteristics and employ simple techniques to enhance their creativity. Let us illustrate this with an example: Colourful Basketball.

4 basketball players are practicing their game. Adam, John, Paul and Tom. Each player is using a different colour ball. The balls colours are red, blue, orange and green.

1. John is not playing with an orange ball.
2. Paul is not playing with an orange or blue ball.
3. Tom is playing with a green ball.

Match the players with their coloured balls; who is playing with which colour ball?

Think about this problem for a few seconds, if you prefer to stop now and try to solve the problem, fine, otherwise keep reading to discover how do creative thinkers approach a problem solving challenge. Basically, they start with the facts, define the goal, state their observations and ask relevant questions.

2. The Goal: Find Paul, John & Adam's ball colours.