Today’s post is a guest post by Paul Foreman of MindMapInspiration.com.
When I first read books by Tony Buzan, the inventor of mind maps, I was fascinated; I even dabbled with the technique, yet big blunder of blunders, I took it no further. A few years on, paper met pen again and I am totally hooked.
Mind Maps Work
The reason I’m hooked is because mind maps work. Whether you are planning, problem solving, clarifying your thinking, or exploring your creativity to name just a few uses, mind maps ignite your brainpower and unlock infinite ideas.
You can use mindmapping software or create hand-drawn mind maps or both.
Create Your First Mind Map
If you have never created a mind map before, grab some coloured pens and a blank sheet of paper, preferably A3 (A4 will do) and I’ll show you how to mind map a subject you know intimately.
With your paper in landscape format, add a picture of yourself in the centre and your name. Create between 4 and 11 main branches; example main topics might include: likes, dislikes, experiences, plans, values, qualities.
Use different colours for each main branch, thick main branches and thin sub-branches and use one word per branch. Add images to help stimulate your mind as pictures aid recall and retention.
Develop each main branch by adding single words to new sub-branches as each word sparks a new thought. For example, on the “likes” branch you might add films, books, foods, drinks, colours, clothes; the additions are infinite.
You can quickly see how using links and associations your ideas grow organically with greater freedom and potential than using standard written or list formats.
Map the Possibilities
Mind maps have endless potential uses both in business and personally. They allow you to tap your inner resources and capture and harness your unique creativity.
Please learn from my blunder and persevere; after you have created a dozen mind maps you will begin to wonder how you ever coped without them.
Are you ready to ignite your brainpower with mind maps? Here are some resources to keep your fire burning:
Mind Map Resources
List of online Mind Map Libraries
List of free Mind Map Software
Tony Buzan iMindMap ® Software
Meet Paul
Paul Foreman creates and shares mind maps for inspiration and motivation. Further examples can be seen at his Blog and Website.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for allowing me to guest post Ken – much appreciated
Best wishes
Paul
.-= Paul Foreman´s last blog ..Why I feel Visual Thinking Works =-.
Glad you are featuring this technique. I use mindmaps to plan my life, by making one general one for every 4-6 weeks of my life. Through the creative process of making it (actually a few drafts that lead to a final) I get clear about what’s going on the page for that period of my life, and what’s not. I get to see how different areas of my life are getting attention and what’s getting neglected. I have an intuitive sense of what “full” or “too full” feels like when its all getting put down on the page this way. Its really changed the quality of my life -focus, organization, clarity – to plan this way.
.-= Tara Mohr´s last blog ..Bits and Pieces for Today =-.
You should check out Paul’s blog. He’s got some real beauties on there.