Advanced Memory: The PAO System

Are you ready to take your memory to the next level? Meet the PAO memory system, a powerful technique that has been used by memory athletes worldwide to achieve extraordinary feats of recall. PAO stands for Person-Action-Object and it’s a powerful method that utilizes the natural human ability to remember people, actions and objects, to help commit information to memory. Whether you are a student looking to improve your study habits, a professional wanting to boost your productivity, or an aspiring memory athlete, the PAO system is a must-have tool in your arsenal. This powerful technique can help you to remember anything from names and faces, to shopping lists and appointments. Let’s dive into the world of PAO and unlock the full potential of your memory.

What is the PAO memory system?

PAO stands for Person–Action–Object. It assigns a recognizable person, action and object to each code (often 00–99 or each playing card). For a six-digit number, take the person from the first two-digit code, the action from the second and the object from the third. One unusual scene can therefore represent six digits.

For example, for 71–39–04, this article’s chart uses Catwoman (person 71), mopping (action 39) and a sarcophagus (object 04). Imagine Catwoman mopping an oversized sarcophagus at the first stop in a familiar memory palace. When you revisit that location, decode each element back to its original pair of digits.

Upgrading to a PAO System

I used to rely solely on the Major System to remember numbers and playing cards. While the Major System is a useful tool on its own, I realized that it wouldn’t be sufficient for competing in memory competitions.

However, as I developed my use of the PAO memory system, I incorporated elements of the Major System to make it even more effective. By including the Major System, I can use the consonant sounds as a clue when I am struggling to recall information.

For example, if I were to stumble upon the number 04, I know that the person, action, and object associated with it will all have the sounds “s” and “n.” With this information, I may be able to deduce that the image is Isaac Newton sneezing on a sandwich.

How to build a PAO list without getting overwhelmed

1. Start with 00–09 rather than all 100 two-digit codes.
2. Choose different, instantly recognizable people, actions and objects for each code.
3. Practice identifying each component in both directions: code to image and image to code.
4. Combine three codes into a single scene, keeping the person, action and object in that fixed order.
5. Put each complete scene at the next memory-palace location and test your recall.

The original 00–99 reference table below is a personal example, not a universal mapping. You can change any associations that are confusing, outdated or uncomfortable. Readers interested in cards can continue to memorizing a shuffled deck.

Why use a PAO System?

It’s true that the PAO memory system does require some initial effort to set up and master. However, once it is learned, the benefits are well worth the investment. The way that information is condensed into a single scene can turn multiple digits into one memorable image.

For example, by using my PAO chart, the number 713904 becomes a vivid image of Catwoman mopping a sarcophagus. When combined with the use of a Memory Palace, it becomes an incredibly powerful tool for memorization. So, while there may be more work upfront, it’s a technique that can give you a significant head start in remembering information.

How the PAO System Works

I will be using a two-digit PAO system, meaning that every set of digits from 00 to 99 has a person, action, and object attached to it. When we read off a number, such as 713904, we first break it down into a series of two-digit numbers, in this case: 71-39-04. The first two digits correspond to the person, the second two to the action, and the last two to the object.

As an example, if you refer to the chart below, you will see that 71 is associated with Catwoman, cutting, and cat. In this case, we only need the person, Catwoman, from this selection. Similarly, 39 is associated with Miss Piggy, mopping, and map. Since it is the second set of digits, we need the action, mopping. Lastly, 04 is associated with Salman Rushdie, serenading, and sarcophagus. Since it is the final set of digits, we will take the object, sarcophagus.

It’s essential to visualize these vignettes as vividly as possible and to place the story inside a Memory Palace, which is another technique that can be used to enhance the effectiveness of the PAO system.

The table below preserves the author’s original 00–99 PAO associations as a reference, not as a universal code. For additional examples and practice, visit the PAO chart and flashcards article.

Enjoy exploring this powerful memory technique!

Next; Practicing the PAO System

Continue practicing PAO and memory palaces

For a worked example of placing six-digit PAO scenes along a route, see how to use a PAO system in a memory palace.

See the original PAO chart and flashcard page, the Major System number code, and how to memorize a deck of cards.