“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.” — Tony Buzan
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.
To learn much more about mind maps continue reading below.
(The image of the mind map above was taken from here.)
Using Mind Maps to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci
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. In fact, he explains that the note-taking styles of many of history’s geniuses–such as Charles Darwin, Michelangelo, Mark Twain, and, of course, da Vinci–feature a branching, organic structure complemented by lots of sketches, creative doodles, and key words.
How to Create a Mind Map: Step-by-Step Instructions
Here are step-by-step instructions for creating a mind map:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Use colors throughout. Adding images and colors stimulates right-brain thinking; that is, it stimulates creativity and imagination.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Make the branches curve and flow.
8. Use images throughout. The images make the mind map more interesting and more memorable. In addition, pictures generate far more associations than words do.
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 you’re going to implement. Now go out into the world and implement your idea.
Use Mind Maps As a Learning Aid
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
While you’re surveying the document, gather a list of key terms which embody the core concepts in the material. These are highly visible, repeatedly used terms that present central ideas and help you identify the key message of the material. Just flip through every twenty pages or so of a book and notice which words catch your attention.
Continue with the PhotoReading process. When you get to the activation step you create a mind map with the key terms you gathered while you were surveying the material; this will 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: Lori Greig
Other Uses for Mind Maps
Tony Buzan once remarked that mind maps are the Swiss-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?
Answer these questions in the sub-branches of your mind map and proceed to free-associate solutions to your problem from there.
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.
Use Mind Maps for Home Improvement Projects
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.
Set Life Goals With a Mind Map
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.
Mind Mapping Software Applications
There are several free mind mapping software applications. Here are the three best ones:
In addition, here are the two best for-sale mind mapping software applications:
- iMindMap (endorsed by Tony Buzan himself)
- Mindjet MindManager 8 (this is the king of mind mapping software applications)
Using Pen and Paper to Create Your Mind Maps
You can create beautiful, very effective mind maps with just colored markers, paper, and colored pens. Here’s an example:
If you’re unsure whether to use paper or software for your mind maps, 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–as mentioned above–, and those that are for sale usually have a free trial period. Again, record your experiences.
Now compare your notes and decide which one works best for you.
Start Practicing Right Away
Create a mind map for any of the following:
- Create a summary of the last book you read as a mind map.
- Make a mind map of the key concepts you learned in this article.
- 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.
- Create a mind map to generate alternatives to resolve a problem you’ve been having.
Editor’s Note: This post contains affiliate links (as I’m sure you noticed).
Great Mind Mapping Links:
- Mind Map Library: 1000s of Mind Maps
- 99 Mind Mapping Resources, Tools, and Tips
- Creating Mind Maps: Everything You Need to Know
Mind Mapping Books:
- The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain’s Untapped Potential
- Mapping Inner Space: Learning and Teaching Visual Mapping
- Idea Mapping: How to Access Your Hidden Brain Power, Learn Faster, Remember More, and Achieve Success in Business
- Mindmapping: Your Personal Guide to Exploring Creativity and Problem-Solving
Recommended Products:
Learn to meditate, increase your focus and concentration, boost your creativity, and augment your brain power with the Silva Life System, the world’s most popular meditation program.
Visit the Silva Life System web site and get a free course on the basics of the Silva Life System, which includes their famous 30 minute guided meditation.
My ebook “How to Be More Creative – A Handbook for Alchemists” explains that creativity is not the sole domain of the arts but is important in any field, from medicine to business, and from engineering to developing a creative solution to a negotiation impasse. Whatever you do, creativity helps you do it better. Discover practical advice on how to be more creative in every life endeavor by reading my ebook.
Did you enjoy this article? Subscribe for free by RSS or e-mail and you’ll always know when I publish something new. (What’s RSS?).
Also, please share it on the social media site of your choice, thank you. 
