A method for programming a memory including a plurality of memory cells is provided. The method comprises selecting a cell and executing a program and program verify operation for the cell, including applying a sequence of program pulses and performing program verify steps. The sequence includes a starting pulse having a starting magnitude. The program verify steps use a program verify level. The method also comprises determining the starting magnitude for a next cell as a function of a magnitude of the program pulse in an instance of the program verify step in which the current cell passes verify at the program verify level.