Strategic Solutions are planning a tour of schools on the south coast with Guinness world record breaker David Thomas, to help students revise for their exams.
We caught up with the memory man on how he got into the industry and why he feels it’s so important to start young when thinking about financial education and memory training.
Tell us about your background and how you got into motivational speaking?
I didn’t do well at school and left to work in a factory. I became a firefighter at the age of 20 but struggled to pass the exams. At the age of 27, I bought a book on memory and learned how to improve it. 8 months later, I went to the World Memory Championships and came 4th. Over the following years, I developed one of the most powerful memories in history. I broke a Guinness record for reciting Pi to 22,500 digits, a world record for memorising and reciting 100 packs of playing cards and became US Memory Champion. I became a motivational speaker because people wanted to hear my story.
Why is educating students about finance and giving them these skills for life so important to you?
Managing money is one of the top three life skills any student could learn. The future is so uncertain that the only way anyone can guarantee their own future personal and professional stability is to understand the basics of money management. Learn this and you will enjoy less stress, more freedom to do what you want and a great retirement.
What is the one piece of advice that you would give a student with regards to training their memory to help them when revising for exams?
I will give you two. Firstly, sleep. I have been reading a great deal about sleep and teenagers are notorious for burning the candle at both ends. This MASSIVELY affects the brain’s ability to function well. Secondly, don’t leave it too late. Almost all students leave their final exam revision until the last minute. Then find they need to cram too much information in.
What is going to be your next big achievement?
Nothing to do with memory, I am entering a bodybuilding competition in 5 weeks for the first time at the age of 51!
David Thomas will be taking part in an educational tour of Dorset, funded by Strategic Solutions Chartered Financial Planners from 23rd September. To find out more click here
