What is Mind Mapping? (and How to Get Started Immediately)

What is Mind Mapping? (and How to Get Started Immediately)

A mind map is a graphical way to represent ideas and concepts.

It is a visual thinking tool that helps structuring information,

helping you to better analyze, comprehend, synthesize, recall and generate new ideas.

Just as in every great idea, its power lies in its simplicity.

In a mind map, as opposed to traditional note taking or a linear text, information is structured 

in a way that resembles much more closely how your brain actually works.

Since it is an activity that is both analytical and artistic, it engages your brain in a much,

much richer way, helping in all its cognitive functions. And, best of all, it is fun!

So, how does a mind map look like? Better than explaining is showing you an example.

This is a mind map about – conveniently enough – mind mapping itself. 

It presents, in a visual way, the core elements and techniques on how to draw mind maps.

Yes, I know this may look a little too messy initially, but bear with me:

once you break the ingrained habit of linear note taking, you won’t look back.

Benefits and Uses

I think I already gave away the benefits of mind mapping and why mind maps work.

Basically, mind mapping avoids dull, linear thinking,

jogging your creativity and making note taking fun again.

But what can we use mind maps for?

Note taking

Brainstorming (individually or in groups)

Problem solving

Studying and memorization

Planning

Researching and consolidating information from multiple sources

Presenting information

Gaining insight on complex subjects

Jogging your creativity

It is hard to make justice to the number of uses mind maps can have – the truth is that they can help clarify your thinking in pretty much anything, in many different contexts: personal, family, educational or business. Planning you day or planning your life, summarizing a book, launching a project, planning and creating presentations, writing blog posts -well, you get the idea – anything, really.

How to Draw a Mind Map

Drawing a mind map is as simple as 1-2-3:

Start in the middle of a blank page, writing or drawing the idea you intend to develop.

I would suggest that you use the page in landscape orientation.

Develop the related subtopics around this central topic, connecting each of them

to the center with a line.

Repeat the same process for the subtopics, generating lower-level subtopics as you see fit, connecting each of those to the corresponding subtopic.

Some more recommendations:

Use colors, drawings and symbols copiously. 

Be as visual as you can, and your brain will thank you. I’ve met many people who don’t even try,

with the excuse they’re "not artists". Don’t let that keep you from trying it out!.

Keep the topics labels as short as possible, keeping them to a single word – or, better yet, 

to only a picture. Especially in your first mind maps, the temptation to write a complete phrase 

is enormous, but always look for opportunities to shorten it to a single word or figure – 

your mind map will be much more effective that way.  

Vary text size, color and alignment.

Vary the thickness and length of the lines. Provide as many visual cues as you can

to emphasize important points. Every little bit helps engaging your brain.

Final Thoughts

Mind mapping is an absolutely fascinating and rich topic – this post only scratches the surface.

If you want more reference material now, Wikipedia is always a good starting point.

Mind mapping is a passion for me, and it is one of the strongest drivers behind this blog.

I plan to explore it in much more depth – publishing mind maps, providing tips,

talking about computer mind mapping, and much more.

In the meantime, please give mind mapping a chance – try it out. Follow these handy tips 

and see the results for yourself. Don’t worry too much about doing it the "right" way – just make it fun.

To inspire you, one more great mind map from Buzan Centre Australia on Creative Intelligence.

http://litemind.com/what-is-mind-mapping/

Turbo Charged Mind trees cover the points they need.

I'm told that aural learners (of the ear) prefer bullet points 

as below as they can hear the points in their mind.

Introduction to Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

A practical overview of Turbo Charged Reading YouTube
How to choose a book. A Turbo Charged Reading YouTube
Emotions when Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

Advanced Reading Skills Perhaps you’d like to join my FaceBook group ?

www.facebook.com/mreenhunt

www.pinterest.com/mreenhunt

Perhaps you’d like to check out my sister blogs:

www.innermindworking.blogspot.com         gives many ways for you to work with the stresses of life

www.ourinnerminds.blogspot.com               which takes advantage of the experience and expertise of others.

www.happyartaccidents.blogspot.com         just for fun.

To quote the Dr Seuss himself, “The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn; the more places you'll go.”