In some cases you may not succeed in constructing a definite picture for the thing which you wish to remember. Memory is brought about by interested attention and concentration. In cases where the visualization proves to be difficult or even impossible, you will experience the fact that the effort made to form the picture has produced sufficient concentration to help wonderfully in the problem of remembering. Thinking by Pictures If you have never given it thought it will surprise you to notice how much of our thinking is in picture form. The architect sees the completed building, sees it in detail and puts this creation of his brain on paper to guide the builder in reproducing it. The engineer sees the completed bridge spanning the chasm before a workman has turned a hand to rear it. All successful captains of industry think largely in pictures. Children do so naturally and lose the ability by lack of use and substitution of the "more modern methods," some of which are most detrimental. See to it that your children appreciate the value of visualization, that they use it continuously in their thinking and study. Uses of Hitching Posts This picturing your errands with code words is a principle of mental operation the uses of which are almost limitless. It will be profitable to note how business men apply it in their business. A physician lists his calls and the appointments he has made. A factory manager hitches up the many instructions he wishes to give during the day. A lawyer uses six words for the six days of the week and hitches up his court appointments. A salesman makes a list of his calls, arranges them in the best order, and fixes one with each word of the list. A groceryman uses it for remembering the things he needs to buy for his stock. A real estate man lists some of the places he has for sale to be able to talk about them when away from his office. A salesman lists his selling points systematically and does not leave out any important ones. Anecdotes and stories can be listed and easily recalled when wanted. Points of a sermon or lecture can be quickly pictured with definite words and recalled later. Speaking Without Notes One of the most valuable applications of the "Hitching Post Idea" is its use for fixing in mind the points of a talk, sermon or lecture. Most of the nervousness of talking in public is caused by the fear of forgetting. It is doubt of your ability to recall the points you wish to talk about. This is easily overcome by the use of your Hitching Posts. If you wish to make five points in a talk, make a picture to remind you of each point and hitch them in turn to the first five words of a list. Review the picture a couple of times, be sure that you can recall them easily; before you are to speak, review them again.