What are mind maps? How will mind maps help me?
A mind map is a whole-brain method for generating and organizing ideas which is largely inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's approach to note-taking. The concept was brought into the mainstream by Tony Buzan and is based on patterns found in nature and research on how humans think and how the brain works.
Mind maps can be used for all of the following:
- Personal goal setting
- Problem solving
- Writing a business plan
- Generating ideas
- Improving reading comprehension and retention
- Studying for exams
- Learning languages
Basically, you place an image at the center of a piece of paper which represents the subject matter of the mind map. Then you write down a key word that describes your topic. Next, you proceed to draw branches leading out from the central issue which represent the main associations that come from thinking of said issue. From each main association, you then branch out into sub-associations.
Make your branches organic and free flowing, instead of making them structured and rigid. Add just one word per branch. In addition, it's important to use color and images when creating your mind maps to further stimulate both memory and imagination.
Read much more about mind maps on this lens!
(Image taken from wikipedia.)
Important!
The note-taking styles of many of history's geniuses--such as Charles Darwin, Michelangelo, Mark Twain, and Leonardo da Vinci--feature a branching, organic structure complemented by lots of sketches, creative doodles, and key words.
Using Mind Maps to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci
Mind mapping activates your whole brain.
In "How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci", Michael J. Gelb explains that by using mind mapping regularly, you can train yourself to be a more balanced thinker, like Leonardo. Gelb goes on to say that everything is an interconnected network, from the roads in major cities to the structure of a tree, and from our global communications system to the solar system.Gelb adds that mind mapping stimulates both brain hemispheres: it lets you develop a logical sequence and detailed organization of your material, while encouraging imagination and spontaneity.
photo credit: MAMJODH How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci
“Our minds don't think in lists and lines or in monochrome. Our minds think organically and in color.”
Maximize the Power of Your Brain With Mind Maps
Tony Buzan on Mind Mapping
"Mind Maps use letters and numbers and they also use color and image, which means that they engage the left and the right sides of the brain. This is why you can increase your thinking power synergistically when you use Mind Maps. Each side of the brain simultaneously feeds off and strengthens the other in a manner which provides limitless creative potential." (Mind Maps at Work, by Tony Buzan, pg. 9)
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curated content from YouTube
Mind Map Tip #1
Association plays a dominant role in nearly every mental function, and words themselves are no exception.
Every single word has numerous links attaching it to other words, ideas, and concepts.
Visualize
Think in pictures!
How to Make a Mind Map
Learn How to Create a Mind Map: Step-by-Step Instructions
Read the laws of mind mapping below and then watch the video in the next module to see the laws in action.
- Get a plain sheet of paper and turn it so that it's on its landscape side. You're also going to need colored pens or pencils.
- Mind maps represent a task or idea in pictorial form with a minimum of words. They rely on key pictures and key words that act as triggers. In the center of the page, draw a picture or image that represents the central concept of your mind map.
- Use colors throughout. Adding images and colors stimulates right-brain thinking; that is, it stimulates creativity and imagination.
- Write down a key word which represents the central idea. Throughout the mind map you'll use just one key word per line. Keywords exercise your analytical "left brain" and help you find the essence of your subject. A phrase or sentence locks the meaning of a word into a very restricted area. Using just one key word per line gives you the freedom to discover the maximum amount of creative associations for your key word. When you first start mind mapping, the temptation to use complete phrases will be enormous, but you should always look for opportunities to shorten phrases to a single word.
- What are the main concepts or ideas that can be derived from the image and key word you've placed in the middle of the page? Draw anywhere from five to nine thick branches leading out from your central image/key word. Each of these branches represents a Basic Ordering Idea (BOI), and you're going to find an image and a key word for each.
- Look at your main branches--your BOIs--and begin making free associations. Draw smaller sub-branches that stem from each BOI to accommodate the new associations you're making. Then connect third-level branches from the ends of the sub-branches, and so on. Let your mind work freely by association and have fun.
- Make the branches curve and flow.
- Use images throughout. The images make the mind map more interesting and more memorable. In addition, pictures generate far more associations than words do.
Mind Mapping Books by Tony Buzan
The first book below, "The Mind Map Book", is considered to be the seminal work on mind mapping.
Mind Map Tip #2
Don't be arbitrary in your use of color, shapes, line styles and other visual elements of your map.
Each of these can help to convey additional meaning or context, if used consistently and systematically. Used arbitrarily, they can cause confusion.
Mind Mapping Software
This is the software endorsed by Tony Buzan himself. Get the free 7-day trial:
Mind Map created using iMindMap Software
Photo Credit
The image of the mind map on the Polariod above was taken from here.
The Mind Map as a Creative Thinking Tool
Mind maps are a powerful creative thinking technique. They stimulate all of the skills usually associated with creativity and innovative thinking: imagination, free association of ideas, and flexibility. Tony Buzan explains that there are five steps in the creative thinking process:
1. The Quick-Fire Mind Map Burst
Place an image in the center of the page that represents the topic for which you want to generate ideas. From that image, start to radiate out every idea that comes into your mind on that subject-matter. For about twenty minutes simply allow the ideas to flow as fast as possible. Working quickly helps prevent the brain from falling into habitual thinking patterns, and it helps to quiet your inner critic.
2. First Reconstruction and Revision
Take a short break. When you get back to work, take the mind map you created in the previous step and look over it carefully. Notice which ideas repeat themselves, and which ideas are closely related. See if you can come up with even more associations. Then categorize the ideas you've come up with so far and create hierarchies. Based on this analysis, create a new mind map.
3. Incubation
After intense focus on a problem, the best thing you can do is disconnect from the problem and go do something else. This allows your subconscious mind to continue working on the problem as your conscious mind is engaged in a completely different activity. People such as Einstein have reported having sudden "Aha!" moments while engaged in simple activities such as going for a walk or taking a shower.
4. Second Reconstruction and Revision
Now that your mind is well-rested, it's time for a second mind map burst. Reconsider the information you gathered in the first three steps and allow the ideas to flow once again. Now create a comprehensive, final mind map.
5. The Final Stage
Look through your final mind map and decide which idea your going to implement. Now go out into the world and implement your idea.
1. The Quick-Fire Mind Map Burst
Place an image in the center of the page that represents the topic for which you want to generate ideas. From that image, start to radiate out every idea that comes into your mind on that subject-matter. For about twenty minutes simply allow the ideas to flow as fast as possible. Working quickly helps prevent the brain from falling into habitual thinking patterns, and it helps to quiet your inner critic.
2. First Reconstruction and Revision
Take a short break. When you get back to work, take the mind map you created in the previous step and look over it carefully. Notice which ideas repeat themselves, and which ideas are closely related. See if you can come up with even more associations. Then categorize the ideas you've come up with so far and create hierarchies. Based on this analysis, create a new mind map.
3. Incubation
After intense focus on a problem, the best thing you can do is disconnect from the problem and go do something else. This allows your subconscious mind to continue working on the problem as your conscious mind is engaged in a completely different activity. People such as Einstein have reported having sudden "Aha!" moments while engaged in simple activities such as going for a walk or taking a shower.
4. Second Reconstruction and Revision
Now that your mind is well-rested, it's time for a second mind map burst. Reconsider the information you gathered in the first three steps and allow the ideas to flow once again. Now create a comprehensive, final mind map.
5. The Final Stage
Look through your final mind map and decide which idea your going to implement. Now go out into the world and implement your idea.
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Use Mind Maps As a Learning Aid
Improve Retention and Reading Comprehension
In my blog post Read with Greater Speed and Comprehension - PhotoReading I explain that photoreading has been called the best reading improvement program available.The creator of PhotoReading, Paul Scheele, explains that before you begin to read any material, you should have a clear sense of purpose; that is, you should know why you're reading the document in front of you, and what you want to have accomplished by the time you're done reading.
Once you know why you're reading the material, and you've made sure that you're completely focused on what you're reading, you survey the material to get a broad sense of its underlying structure. Surveying involves looking through the reading material and noticing the following:
- titles and subtitles
- text on the back and front covers
- the table of contents
- the index
- text that's printed in bold or italic
- summaries, previews or review questions
You continue with the PhotoReading process and when you get to the activation step you create a mind map with the key terms you gathered while you were surveying the material, in order to help you with your reading retention and comprehension.
Stephen Pierce does a great job of illustrating how to use mind mapping to help you with your reading retention in the video below.
photo credit: demi-brooke Mind Mapping by Stephen Pierce
Discover how to to quickly double the amount of information you retain from reading books.
curated content from YouTube
PhotoReading Personal Learning Course
Mind Map Tip #3
Try to make each branch as long as the keyword that's written on it.
Other Uses for Mind Maps
Tony Buzan once remarked that mind maps are the Swiff-army knife of the mind. You can use them for just about anything. Here are some more ways in which you can use mind maps:Problem Solving with Mind Maps
When problem solving, insert an image which represents the problem you're having in the center of a piece of paper, along with the appropriate key word. Now draw six branches leading out of the center image/keyword and write one of the following questions on each branch:
- What?
- When?
- Where?
- Why?
- How?
- Who?
Use Mind Maps for Meetings
I found this example on how to use mind maps for taking notes during a meeting in a Lifehacker article. Basically, you do the following:
- Write the purpose for the meeting in the center of the page.
- Each agenda item is one of the main branches on your mindmap (get the agenda ahead of time, if you can).
- As the meeting progresses, add sub-branches to each agenda item with the main points discussed for each item (ideas, facts, budget, who is going to do what, and so on).
- Draw pictures and interlink items.
This example of how to use mind maps for home improvement projects is from the same Lifehacker article as the previous example:
- Write the main goal of your home improvement project in the center box.
- Your main braches will consist of categories such as: budget, supplies needed, when to do it, major features of the project, and so on.
- Now expand each category with ideas, facts and figures by drawing sub-branches.
Create a mind map to set your life goals. The branches can be the following: family, career, finances, hobbies, contribution, health, and so on. Here's an example.
photo credit: CJ Sorg Free Mind Mapping Software Applications
Here are the three best free mind mapping software applications:
- FreeMind
- This is a widely used free mind mapping application.
- MindMeister
- MindMeister is a pretty simplistic mind mapping tool, but this can be an asset.
- XMind
- The interface is simple and intuitive to use.
More Books on Mind Mapping
Best For Sale Mind Mapping Software Applications
- iMindMap
- Endorsed by Tony Buzan.
- Mindjet MindManager 8
- This is the king of mindmapping software applications.
What do you think about mind mapping?
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Make mind maps by hand:
Mind Mapping Supplies
Gather your mind mapping supplies and get started!
Important!
Pen & Paper v. Software
If you're unsure whether to use paper or software for your mindmaps, try them both. For one month create mind maps exclusively using pen and paper. At the end of the month write down what you experienced.
The next month, create mind maps using a software application. There are several open source mind mapping applications you can try and those that are for sale usually have a free trial period. Again, record your experiences.
Now compare your notes and decide which one is better for you.
The next month, create mind maps using a software application. There are several open source mind mapping applications you can try and those that are for sale usually have a free trial period. Again, record your experiences.
Now compare your notes and decide which one is better for you.
More Creativity Lenses by Me
Insanely Useful Mind Map Links
- Mind Map Wiki
- Index to hundreds of wiki articles on mind mapping.
- Mind Map Library: Thousands of Mind Maps
- Browse through this library of mind maps to get ideas to create your own.
- 99 Mind Mapping Resources, Tools, and Tips
- Whether your using colorful markers and paper or using state-of-the-art computer software, you'll find using mind maps are a much more interesting way to take notes than you ever have in the past!
Can Mind Mapping Make You A Genius?
Tony Buzan At The Royal Albert Hall
curated content from YouTube
Important!
Start Practicing with Mind Mapping
- Create a summary of the last book you read.
- Make a mind map of the key concepts you learned on this lens.
- Take your notes from the last lecture you attended and turn them into a mind map.
- Plan a trip with a mind map.
- Create a strategy for losing those last 10 pounds with a mind map.
- Prepare in advance for a telephone call with a quick mind map.
- Generate ideas for your next blog post or short story with a mind map.
- Come up with alternatives to solve a problem you've been having.
- Make a mind map of the key concepts you learned on this lens.
- Take your notes from the last lecture you attended and turn them into a mind map.
- Plan a trip with a mind map.
- Create a strategy for losing those last 10 pounds with a mind map.
- Prepare in advance for a telephone call with a quick mind map.
- Generate ideas for your next blog post or short story with a mind map.
- Come up with alternatives to solve a problem you've been having.
More Creative Links
- Mind Maps: Everything You Need to Know
- A mind map is a whole-brain method for generating and organizing ideas which is largely inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's approach to note-taking.
- 20 Creative Thinking Techniques
- You can overcome routine thinking and stimulate creative thought by using specific techniques that will help both stimulate and constrain your mind so that it can solve problems more effectively and generate more ideas.
- 25+ Audacious Creativity Tools
- Here you'll find over twenty-five different tools to help kick your creativity into high gear. You'll find a wide range of tools, such as creativity cards, tools to scribble, idea markets and a random word generator.
- 75 Creativity Quotes
- Seventy-five quotes to get your creative juices flowing.
- 54 Tips For Writers, From Writers
- Who better to get writing tips from than famous writers?
Did you enjoy this lens?
Then you'll love my ebook (click on the book for more information):
Here Are Some of the Methods, Tips, and Resources You'll Find Inside:
* Three proven frameworks recommended by top creativity experts that will help you to generate ideas and find solutions to problems.
* Learn how to move sideways to solve problems by taking different perspectives, questioning your assumptions, and trying different points of entry. Stop trying to solve problems by digging deeper in the same hole.
* Create a "toolbox" of creativity techniques you can use to solve just about any problem.
* Discover the secret formula behind the amazing creativity of the world's most famous product design firm.
* Get lots of ideas on how to break out of your routine to look at problems and challenges with fresh eyes.
* Find out how to play your way to new ideas and laugh your way to solving problems.
* Learn how to approach almost anything creatively and how to see life as a series of opportunities for everyday creative acts: whether you're deciding what to wear, fixing dinner, or entertaining your child. The world-renowned psychologist Abraham H. Maslow called this kind of creativity "self-actualizing creativity".
* This ebook will teach you the secrets to get your ideas to reproduce like rabbits.
* Discover how to use visual thinking to get unexpected results (it's how Einstein developed the theory of relativity).
* Learn the traits that highly creative people share (it doesn't matter if you don't have these characteristics now, just fake it 'till you make it).
* Join the debate: is creativity work or inspiration? Learn how to skyrocket your creativity by answering that it's both.
* Learn tips on how to turn your ideas into reality.
* Get step-by-step instructions on how to enter the most effective creative state there is: the flow state.
* Discover even more ways to get your creative synapses firing.
* Learn how to move sideways to solve problems by taking different perspectives, questioning your assumptions, and trying different points of entry. Stop trying to solve problems by digging deeper in the same hole.
* Create a "toolbox" of creativity techniques you can use to solve just about any problem.
* Discover the secret formula behind the amazing creativity of the world's most famous product design firm.
* Get lots of ideas on how to break out of your routine to look at problems and challenges with fresh eyes.
* Find out how to play your way to new ideas and laugh your way to solving problems.
* Learn how to approach almost anything creatively and how to see life as a series of opportunities for everyday creative acts: whether you're deciding what to wear, fixing dinner, or entertaining your child. The world-renowned psychologist Abraham H. Maslow called this kind of creativity "self-actualizing creativity".
* This ebook will teach you the secrets to get your ideas to reproduce like rabbits.
* Discover how to use visual thinking to get unexpected results (it's how Einstein developed the theory of relativity).
* Learn the traits that highly creative people share (it doesn't matter if you don't have these characteristics now, just fake it 'till you make it).
* Join the debate: is creativity work or inspiration? Learn how to skyrocket your creativity by answering that it's both.
* Learn tips on how to turn your ideas into reality.
* Get step-by-step instructions on how to enter the most effective creative state there is: the flow state.
* Discover even more ways to get your creative synapses firing.
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godinhora
Aug 26, 2011 @ 2:44 am | delete
- Great lens, very helpful I've used mind maps for years, this lens has refeshed the method thanks.
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COUNTRYLUTHIER
Feb 24, 2011 @ 10:17 am | delete
- It looks interesting. I need to research it a little farther. Thanks for sharing this powerful lens.
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gbrettmiller
Feb 16, 2011 @ 4:13 pm | delete
- Great intro - and some good detail - on the value of mind maps. I still bounce back and forth between apps and pen/paper. Some great resources here.
Thanks for sharing.
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ChrisDay
Jan 5, 2011 @ 2:07 pm | delete
- must look into this more deeply.
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RitaK
Nov 22, 2010 @ 6:55 pm | delete
- Marelisa this is such a wonderful lens! I have had an interest in mind mapping for a while, I even checked out a library book on the subject, but never was able to really get into the idea. You have presented it so well that it now makes sense! Thank you so much for the great information!
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_Joan_
Oct 1, 2010 @ 1:14 am | delete
- I've never tried mind mapping; I tend to be a VERY left-brained person. I'm curious to see how this would play out for me.
I'm giving this lens an Angel blessing and will feature it on my SquidAngel At Your Service lens.
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CDT
Sep 22, 2010 @ 6:12 am | delete
- A realy useful guide to Mind Maps - I used to use them a lot in my previous job - blessed by a SquidAngel :)
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WordCustard
Sep 9, 2010 @ 3:16 pm | delete
- Mind maps are a great way to organize ideas. Thanks for the tips!
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GonnaFly
Oct 23, 2009 @ 9:15 pm | delete
- You have some great tips here. 5*
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Barb-orderwithin
Aug 20, 2009 @ 10:03 pm | delete
- I love this! I use mind mapping all the time, and was looking for information to write an article about it. Thanks for a fantastic resource. Great work.
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by Marelisa
Marelisa
Hi, I'm Marelisa Fabrega. I blog over at Abundance Blog at Marelisa Online.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown...
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