Mind Map

What is a Mind Map - Definitions

Tony Buzan, the inventor of the Mind Map, states that a Mind Map is a powerful graphic technique which provides a universal key to unlock the potential of the brain. Wikepedia, the free online Encyclopaedia, calls the Mind Map a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea. In the 'Ultimate book of Mind Maps', a Mind Map is described as 'the whole brain alternative to linear thinking. Whatever the definition is, does not really matter. How you can use a Mind Map in your everyday life is what matters. If you have not seen a Mind Map before and want to know what is a Mind Map, have a look at our examples. Perhaps the best way to get an overview of what is a Mind Map is to look at examples.

Mind Map properties

Describing a Mind Map is not as easy as it sounds. I would describe a Mind Map as having the following properties: y y y y y y y It contains a central image and/or key words that represents the topic you want to Mind Map. Connected to the central topic are Organic branches that radiate out from the centre. The branches start our thick and end up thinner at the ends. These branches can be seen as headings for your topic. Connected to these branches are thinner organic branches. These branches can be seen as sub headings. This is followed by thinner organic branches containing details.

These basics will give you diagram representing your thoughts in a way that radiates out from the central image and thinking in this way is actually called radiant thinking. While this may a reasonable description of a Mind Map to most people, Tony Buzan insists that a Mind Map should also have the following properties: y y y y y y y A coloured image in the centre Images throughout the Mind Map Printed Words Words on the lines Lines the same length as words Lines connected to other lines One word per line

What is not a Mind Map?

This question may be as important as what a Mind Map is, but can be a subject of heated debate. Many people draw diagrams which look like a Mind Map, but are not really Mind Maps if judged by Tony Buzan's laws. While Tony Buzan goes to great lengths to prove that his version of the Mind Map is the most effective and only real Mind Map, the jury is still out and not completely convinced that this is true. While we won't be going into the philosophical debate of how important it is to stick to the Mind Map laws, we will be using Mind Maps that are close to the puristic version of the Mind Map. As Tony Buzan says in the Mind Map book: Accept, Apply, Adapt. Try to stick to the Mind Map Laws as much as possible in the beginning. It provides consistent structure. Once you have a lot of Mind Maps under your belt, feel free to experiment and do what works best for you.

Benefits of Using Mind Mapping

Mind Maps can be very helpful and can be used in various diverse areas. Some of the areas where you can use Mind Maps are: y y y y y Education Business Work Career Personal Development

You can also use Mind Maps for the following: y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y Memory Creative Thinking Problem Solving Learning Studying Note Taking Note Making Running Meetings Presentations Time Management Interviews Exams Marketing Business Plans Business Concepts Operations Management Goal Setting Mission Statements

How to Mind Map - Introduction

I suggest that you start learning how to Mind Map by drawing them yourself using pens and paper. While I don't object to using Mind Map Software, I would like you to get the 'feel' of Mind Mapping by at least doing the ones i n the introductory lessons by hand. The chance of having pen and paper ready is far greater than having your computer with you. You will need the following: y y y y Clean sheet of unlined paper, preferable A3 or equivalent size An A4 or equivalent will also work, but an A3 gives you more freedom to expand Coloured pens. I suggest felt tipped pens, but any coloured pens will do. Your Imagination!

You are now ready to draw your first Mind Map. And to surprise you, you won't be using any words at all! 1. Draw an image of your house in the centre of the page. I recommend that it is about 3cm x 3cm (+-6-7 inches) 2. Draw five branches coming out from the image. Make them thicker closer to the centre and thinner as they radiate outwards. 3. Draw two to three thinner branches off these. 4. Ensure that you use different colours throughout. 5. Now draw an object that you thinks represents each room in your house on the main branches. 6. Draw some of the objects in the rooms on the sub branches. 7. You now have your first Mind Map! Don't worry whether you can draw or not. This Mind Map is for you alone. You don't have to show anybody. Have a look at my crude hand drawn Mind Map below. While the drawings are simple, I can recognise what I drew immediately. In fact I can 'read' these simple drawings better than I can my own handwriting!

Without you knowing it, the above exercise demonstrated the following: y y y y y y The enormous power of the visual cortex The memory's amazing recall abilities through the use of images for emphasis and association Aesthetic pleasure - simple enjoyment of the images themselves The breaking down of resistance to the use of images in the learning process The ability for a Mind Map to aid in mental relaxation The beginnings of developing the extraordinary powers of visu alisation and perception as utilised by the great artists/thinkers like Leonardo da Vinci

You are now have the basics of how to Mind Map. Try a few 'image only' Mind Maps before you move on the the more advanced lessons. If you do this, you will not only learn how to Mind Map, but also how to Mind Map using your amazing visual abilities and the powers of imagery.

How to Mind Map in Seven Steps...

Take the time to learn how to Mind Map with these seven steps, and use the Mind Map principles to guide you. 1. Start in the centre of a blank page 1. Turn the page sideways 2. Your brain has more freedom to spread out in all directions 2. Use an Image or Picture for your central idea 1. An Image is worth a thousand words 2. It stimulates your imagination 3. It is more interesting 4. It keeps you focused 5. It helps you concentrate 3. Use Colours throughout 1. Colours are exciting to the brain 2. Colours add vibrancy and life to your Mind Map 3. Clours add energy to your creative thinking 4. Connect Main Branches to the central image 1. Connect second and third level branches 2. The brain works by association 3. The brain likes to link things together 4. Linking the branches creates structure 5. Make your lines curved 1. Straight lines are boring 2. Curved branches are attractive 6. Use One Key Word per line 1. Single Key Words give your Mind Map more power and flexibility 2. Each word or image creates its own associations and connections 3. Each Key Word is able to spark off new ideas and thoughts

4. Phrases dampen this triggering effect 7. Use Images throughout 1. Each image is worth a thousand words 2. 10 images will give you 10 000 words! Try to memorise these seven steps. Use the Mind Map overview of the seven steps to help you remember. I hope that you've noticed the inclusion of Mind Maps in our articles. This enables you to get used to seeing things in both a linear and Mind Map format and therefore allowing your brain to adjust without any effort on your part. You are now armed with all the knowledge to do your first Mind Map using both words and images. If you want to, you can either review the principles and steps again, or go on to the next article and use the Mind Map example to create your first Mind Map. Learning how to Mind Map with our short, easy articl es and Mind Map examples will make you a Mind Map expert in no time.

Principles of Mind Mapping

By using the Mind Map principles, as defined by Tony Buzan, the inventor of the Mind Map, you will obtain the maximum benefit when Using Mind Maps in your daily life.

Organic
y y A Mind Map, in its ideal form, should be organic. It should use free flowing branches that are curves.

y y

The inner branches should be thicker closer to the centre and become thinner as they radiate outwards. The outer branches should be thinner that the inner ones.

One Word Per Line

Each branch should contain only one word . Tony Buzan is very strict when it comes to this rule. He believes that one word per branch generates the most creativity by making the Mind Map 'open', as each Key Word can generate an almost infinite number of associations and ideas . Our experience has shown that this is the rule that is broken most often and will be your biggest challenge when learning to Mind Map. We have our own set of rules governing this rule, which you will discover as you use our material.

Word Length
Word Length should equal Branch Length . This ensures that the link between the two is maintained and therefore more likely to be remembered.

Colour
Colour stimulates the imagination and enables you to remember more. You also learn easier and faster if colour is used and, more importantly, it makes the process FUN!

Images
As the saying goes, 'A picture is worth a thousand words.' Pictures are also a universal language and the way humans communicate. All the geniuses of the world used images in their notes. Have a look at the notes of Da Vinci, Darwin and even Beethoven.

Words not important

Words alone are not important. It is actually the images that the words create that are important. Choose words that create the clearest image of what you are trying to remember.

Clarity
By printing clearly and structuring your Min d Maps properly, you will have both clarity of thinking and structured thought. Like any discipline in life, sticking to the Mind Map Principles when you do your Mind Maps will give you the best possible results. If you do intend to break them, first wait until you have enough experience in Using Mind Maps. Experience teaches you when to obey the rules and when to break the rules.