When people describe someone as “smart,” they often mean that the person can solve problems quickly. For instance, if someone can do mental math effortlessly, you might think, “Wow, they must be smart!”

But what determines problem-solving speed?

The Role of Working Memory

Working memory is a part of the brain responsible for holding and manipulating information. Research shows that “Complex problems contain a considerable amount of relevant information, which often must be held in students’ working memory. As the working memory load of a problem increases, success rate decreases.” [1].

However, humans can only store about 7 to 9 items in their working memory at once, and this limit cannot be changed.

The Solution: Leverage Long-Term Memory

How do you solve a problem that requires holding more than 9 pieces of information?

The answer lies in long-term memory. Unlike working memory, which is limited, long-term memory has nearly infinite capacity. By offloading information to long-term memory, you free up your working memory to focus on critical tasks like reasoning or calculation. This significantly boosts your problem-solving speed and makes you appear—and feel—smarter.

While the capacity of short-term memory is fixed, your long-term memory can grow endlessly. By increasing the useful information stored in long-term memory, you enhance your ability to think critically, solve problems, and make meaningful connections.

Here’s how to manage and optimize your long-term memory:

Step 1: Consume Information Effectively

The first step to improving your long-term memory is learning in a way that sticks. Here’s how:

  • Focus on Relevant Content: Choose information aligned with your goals or interests, and avoid irrelevant details that clutter your memory.
  • Take Smart Notes: Write down key ideas in your own words. This reinforces understanding and retention.
  • Relate New Information to What You Know: Build connections between new and existing knowledge. These mental links make information stick longer.
  • Practice Spaced Repetition: Periodically review what you’ve learned instead of cramming. This helps transfer knowledge to long-term memory over time.

Step 2: Recall Information Effectively

Storing information isn’t enough—you need to retrieve it when it matters. This requires two key strategies:

a. Make Knowledge Easy to Access

Indexing knowledge is like organizing books in a library; it makes information easier to find when you need it.

  • Organize by Themes: Use mind maps, outlines, or categories to structure your knowledge.
  • Create Mental Tags: Assign keywords or associations to ideas for quicker recall.
  • Use Visual Aids: Diagrams, charts, or color-coded notes can help you remember more efficiently.

b. Actively Recall Information

The more you practice retrieving information, the easier it becomes to access later.

  • Quiz Yourself: Regular self-testing identifies knowledge gaps and reinforces what you’ve learned.
  • Summarize Without Aids: Try explaining concepts from memory to test your understanding.
  • Teach Someone Else: Sharing your knowledge with others solidifies your grasp on the subject.

By consuming information effectively and improving your ability to recall it, you can optimize your long-term memory. This allows your working memory to focus on solving problems faster and more efficiently. Over time, this practice will make you a sharper thinker and a more effective problem solver.

References:

[1] National Academy of Sciences report