Scroll Top

“Chunking”: The Real Secret to Effective Communication

By Josiah Hultgren Brain Hacks Communication

Ever notice that sometimes people don’t communicate well?

One of the main culprits is a specific limitation of the human brain.

To illustrate, take a look at these numbers for a sec and then close your eyes and try to remember them all:

1 – 8 – 0 – 0 – 5 – 5 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 5 – 7

Can you recall all of them after just a couple of seconds?

Yeah, me neither.

Apparently, only one in a hundred people can do it.

If you’re one of them, that must nice and I’m not jealous at all.

If you remembered 4-6 of the numbers, you’re like most humans.

Your brain quickly captures an “image” of the four chunks of information or so and places them into working memory for only a few seconds.

If you want to hack this, you can chunk the numbers this way: 1-800-554-5657. But, even then, unless you have a good reason to remember the number, you’ll probably forget it within 20 seconds. (If it was the hotline for free bags of gold with big dollar signs on them like in cartoons, your brain will magically do much better.)

Now take a minute to imagine how many words are said in a normal conversation.

More than 4-6 words, eh?
We often retain only the most unimportant of those chunks.

So, when you’re talking to someone about something important, keep in mind that they, like you, can only remember a few key words.

You don’t have many bullets in the revolver, so take aim.

Be brief, keep it under 10 words, and listen to their response as if it means a lot to you.

2-3X Your
Learning Speed

The new science of lock-picking your brain-activity like a felon.

Unlock New Ability

50% OFF!

Inkblot test pattern with the word "Klexos" at the center, embodying the art of dwelling on the past.

Klexos: The Art of Dwelling on the Past

“Your life is written in indelible ink. There’s no going back to erase the past, tweak your mistakes, or fill

Colorful digital portrait of Alan Watts, an older man with a beard, with neon light effects inspired by the Art of Meditation.

Alan Watts on the Art of Meditation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd2Ot6hLCtM Alan Watts on the art of meditation and why it is important to practice it: “A person who thinks

An exploding cassette tape with vibrant pink and teal accents against a dark background, embodying the concept of "Audio Recall" as its best asset.

Need to Memorize Something? Audio Recall is Not Your Best Asset

A recent study by researchers at Univeristy of Iowa suggests you are far better at recalling information from some of your senses

Illustration of a woman leaping off a cliff into the sea below, embodying too much happiness.

Can Too Much Happiness Harm You?

Being happy is a great idea. BUT there are some gotchas to look out for if you’re a tad TOO

Josiah Hultgren / About Author

Josiah Hultgren is Founder of MindFullyAlive, a Senior Lecturer at California Lutheran University, a Certified NeuroCoach, a featured neuroscience writer at Medium, and the leader of the Consciousness Hacking group in Santa Barbara, CA. Josiah is also among the top three hosts of the legendary cult comedy/philosophy podcast The Henhouse. He has taught at Esalen, the epicenter of the Human Potential Movement.

For over a decade, he has been mentored by Mark Robert Waldman, one of the world's leading researchers in practical-neuroscience according to Time Magazine. Mark is also the best-selling author of How God Changes the Brain, How Enlightenment Changes the Brain, Words Can Change Your Brain, and Neurowisdom.

In 2013, Josiah's brain made a left-turn and smashed into a state of kensho - sprinkling infernos of curiosity about the existential relationship of consciousness, qualia, and brain-states upon the landscape of his mind. Josiah now creates and curates research-backed techniques to optimize the brain for the best possible multiverse.

☕ Support my work on Buy Me a Coffee

More posts by Josiah Hultgren

Comments (1)

Paul Heitmeyer

March 5, 2015 at 9:06 pm

Reply

excellent advice i need to remind myself daily!

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Top Searches:

Stress Focus Creatvivity