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How to Mind Map: A Beginners Guide

Posted on March 7, 2009 in: Academic Success, IQ Matrix Maps

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Introduction
Mind Mapping is a visual information management tool that enables us to structure,
organize, memorize, arrange, brainstorm and learn information in a highly specialized
way. In fact, the last 10 years have brought us amazing insights into the human mind
and our limitless capacity to think, comprehend and store large reservoirs of
information. If anything, these studies have proven that our capacity to think effectively
and quickly is very closely tied to our imagination and our ability to create associations
between information chunks.
Mind Mapping has come a long way since the early days when Tony Buzan introduced it
to the world. It is now on the brink of becoming a mainstream tool that enables
academic students, business professionals and many other individuals to tackle and
take control of the overwhelming amount of information that we are forced to absorb
every single day. Moreover, Mind Mapping is changing shape and form, turning into a
Visual information management tool that brings with it a vast amount of flexibility and
affordability.

Visual Mapping has come into its own over the past 5 years. There are now more Visual
Mapping software applications out in the market than can be counted on our fingers and
toes. The world of Information Organization is definitely changing course, and Visual
Mapping is quietly becoming the revolutionary tool that will enable the few early
adopters to gain a foothold and advantage within their industry. The question is, Are
you on board YET?
This article post will introduce you to the principles behind Visual Mapping from a
beginners perspective. It will also present you with several Visual Mapping examples
utilizing different Mind Mapping software programs; to enable a visual comparison of the
features and graphical appeal of each tool. The bulk of the discussion will however be
built around the IQ Matrix Mind Map presented at the top of this post. This IQ Matrix is
available as a free full color pdf download from the IQ Matrix Shop.
The 1st Branch of this IQ Matrix provides a definition of Mind Mapping. The 2nd Branch
delves into the benefits of Mind Mapping. The 3rd Branch describes a variety of uses for
Mind Maps. The 4th Branch identifies the industry accepted process of drawing a Mind
Map. And finally, the 5th Branch breaks down the rules of Mind Mapping. These Rules
are expanded in greater depth and detail within each of the computer generated mind
map images presented towards the end of this post.

Defining Mind Mapping


Mind Mapping is a method of storing, organizing, prioritizing, learning, reviewing and
memorizing information. It effectively presents an overview and summary of a body of
knowledge that fuses words and pictures; helping simulate logic and creativity for
proficient and effective thinking practices involving the 5 senses.

The Benefits of Mind Mapping


The benefits of Mind (visual) Mapping are extensive and far reaching in that it naturally
expands our biological thinking capacity and ability to think laterally in any given
situation.
Here are some of the prolonged benefits experienced by serial Mind Mappers (those
who regularly utilize Mind Maps to clarify their thinking and organize their ideas):

Improved capacity to see the bigger picture.


Improved capacity to see detailed information.
Improved capacity to remember complex information.
Improved capacity to remember related chunks of information.
Improved capacity to cope with mental clutter.
Improved capacity to cope and manage periods of information overload.
Improved imagination.
Improved memory and retention.
Improved levels of concentration.
Improved note-taking ability.
Improved level of interest in the content or subject one is studying.
Improved problem solving ability.
Improved management of study and revision time for Academics.
Helps unlock hidden understandings within information chunks.
Helps unlock unexpected creative insights and ideas.
Helps save time.

Helps make learning fun.


Clarifies goals.
Clarifies plans of action.
Clarifies ideas.
Clarifies habitual patterns of thinking.
Triggers creative associations.
Triggers comparison of facts, stats, data and ideas.
And much more that is based upon personal experience, need and ability.
All the benefits presented above are of course open for discussion and interpretation.
However, keep in mind that the true benefit lies in committing yourself to the act of
utilizing Mind Maps for a period of at least two weeks, and measuring the results for
yourself.
Remember that you dont necessarily need to be a visual thinker in order to benefit from
this process. Visual Maps after all dont require the use of images, and can in fact be
built entirely around key words and phrases in a somewhat linear fashion. Either way,
they will assist you to better organize and manage the ever growing amount of
information that comes your way every single day.

Using Mind Maps


Since the dawn of the Internet age, Mind Mapping has been growing steadily as an
accepted means of storing and organizing information. Over this time, many people
have shared extraordinary tales of how they utilize this Visual Thinking medium to
organize, manage and improve their lives.

Mind Mapping for Work Productivity


Here are some ways people utilize visual mapping at work:

Planning sales strategy.


Planning marketing strategy.
Organizing and managing projects.
Organizing and managing meetings.
Preparing for networking.
Preparing for interviews, and conducting interviews.
Business planning.
Research and development.

Mind Mapping for Academic Success


Here are some ways students utilize visual mapping at school:

Learning languages.
Learning grammar.
Preparing for examinations.
Preparing structure for essays.
Preparing presentations.
For teaching purposes.
Brainstorming ideas.
Problem solving.
Thinking creatively and critically about topics.

Memorizing subject notes, books and materials.


For general study and revision of information.

Mind Mapping for Life Management


Here are some ways people utilize visual mapping to manage their life:
Managing time.
Managing events.
Goal setting.
Keeping a diary.
Holiday planning.
Financial planning.
Tracking important dates, events and information.
What can be achieved, and the amount of information we can manage at one time using
visual Mind Maps is absolutely extraordinary. And this list only scrapes the surface of
what is possible.

Drawing Mind Maps


Drawing a Mind Map is a rather simple process once one has a grasp of the basic
structure. Its in fact a process that requires very little step-by-step explanation. For that
reason I will present it here as briefly as possible.
Here are some quick guidelines to help you draw your first Mind Map.
Take a large sheet of paper and place it horizontally in front of you.
Draw a reasonably sized (colored) memorable central image that represents the topic
you are going to be mapping.
Draw at least 4 thick organic looking branches radiating outwards from the central
image. Make sure to use a different color to represent each branch.
Write key topic words along these branches that represent the central image and
the topic you are mapping.
Draw additional branches that extend from your main branches. The words on these
branches are essentially sub-topics of the words you wrote on your main branches.
Keep expanding the Mind Map outwards with additional sub sub-topics / key words
and branches.
Refer to the Mind Mapping Rules presented within the next section to help improve
your memory and recall of the information contained within the Mind Map you are
creating.
For more information about drawing a Mind Map step-by-step see Drawing a Mind
Map from Start to Finish.

Mind Map Rules


The content of this section is built upon the Mind Map software examples presented
within the next section. You will gain significantly by downloading these images and
referring to them as you move through the content presented here. These Mind Map
software screen captures will also provide you with a visual representations of the key
points of emphasis discussed below.

In order to improve your memory and recall of the Mind Map you are drawing, it is
important to utilize a number of imaginative tools that will help stimulate deeper
associations. Keep in mind that its not necessary to use all these suggestions, however
by incorporating them, you will build a strong long-term memory of the information you
are learning.
Use symbols to classify different types of thoughts and ideas.
Use key words on lines. Short phrases can also work well.
Use multi-headed arrows of varying color, size, style and dimensions.
Use codes to help draw your attention to specific sections of the map.
Use good spacing between topics to separate your ideas.
Use stimulating images and colors throughout the map.
Use images to represent words in a metaphorical, sound-like, or direct manner.
Create boundaries and borders to draw attention to specific branches.
Create linear hierarchies of ordered numbers, lists and letters.
Create line hierarchies; radiating from thick to thin lines.
Create word hierarchies; varying word sizes to emphasize importance.
Create memorable central image and associative pictures.
Draw different shapes to represent ideas and segments of the map.
Draw multi-dimensional words and objects.
Draw thick branches that radiate outwards away from the central image.
Vary word case. Use UPPER and lower case to emphasize importance of words.
Vary font styles to separate ideas and topics.
Vary branch colors in order to separate topics.
Vary branch endings in order to emphasize words or phrases.
Vary branch thickness in order to highlight specific ideas.
Vary image / picture colors, emphasis, and size to enhance memory and recall.
Drawing Mind Maps in this way helps to stimulate imagination while at the same time
creating strongassociations. And it is these two factors
- imagination and association - that stimulate long-term memory and recall of
information.
Below is a Mind Map drawn by Paul Foreman presenting the above mentioned Mind
Mapping Rules in a visually stunning graphical format.

| View Large Image | Paul Foremans Blog |


Drawing Mind Maps in this way allows for greater flexibility and freedom, while providing
your mind with avenues for creative expression.
To see more of Paul Foremans ever growing collection of creative and inspirational
Mind Maps; visit his Mind Map Inspiration Blog. Paul also has a very unique Drawing
Tips for Mind Mappingebook where he teaches his readers how to create Mind Maps
from scratch.
For further insight into Pauls drawing and Mind Mapping techniques, have a read
of How I Drew My Mind Maps ebook. Here Paul discusses how he draws his Mind
Maps step-by-step in a simple and easy to follow manner.

Comparing Visual Map Software Applications


There are several dozen Visual Mapping software applications available today. For links
and information about these software applications, please read Advanced Mind
Mapping Study Skills.
Below I have presented the Mind Mapping Rules (discussed above) within 4 leading
Visual Mapping software applications. Each one represents this information in a slightly
different fashion. A short explanation of each softwares unique features is presented
under the images. These images will provide you with a good point of reference of the
capabilities of each software application. However, keep in mind that each software also

has other additional features and tools that you can only come to appreciate through
use and application.

Tony Buzans iMindMap

iMindMap is a cartoon-like Mind Mapping software applications that most closely


resembles the process of hand-drawn Mind Mapping presented by Paul Foreman. This
software is designed and created by Tony Buzan the world renowned author who for
many years has been a pioneer within Mind Mapping circles.
The software is relatively simple to use, allowing each user the ability to draw and
extend branches with their mouse or a computer pen. Content is added to each branch
via the keyboard once that branch (line) has been selected. Colors, fonts, images,
symbols, and discrete notes can also be added to each branch as required.
The software is quite pleasing on the eyes from a graphical perspective, and is probably
most suited to young children and those who are just starting out with Mind Mapping.
However, iMindMap does lack quite a number of business, productivity and
information organization related features that can be found in the other software
packages presented within this post.
Personally, I utilize iMindMap to present simple snippets of information in a creative
and visually appealing format.

Mindjet MindManager

Mind Manager is a feature rich Mind Mapping application that structures content and
information in a very systematic and organized manner. Predominantly utilized for
business purposes, Mind Manageris today gaining inroads into educational institutions
and the home environment.
Mind Manager provides the user with great flexibility to organize, arrange and
categorize information in a variety of ways, while providing seamless Microsoft Office
and Outlook integration. The software also allows the user to attach discrete notes to
every branch, to insert symbols, images, web-pages, file shortcuts and folder links. The
recent version of Mind Manager now comes with an integrated browser and enables

users to save their Mind Map creations in an interactive pdf format that can be shared
with others who dont have access to the software application.
I have personally utilized Mind Manager extensively for the past 5 years. I plan out my
blog posts, set goals, organize my time, manage the information I am learning on a
daily basis, brainstorm ideas, and much more. My life would no doubt be very cluttered
without it

NovaMind

The Visual Mapping market is very broad, as each software application positions itself
within the marketplace somewhat differently. At one end, we have the cartoon-like
layout of iMindMap. While at the other end of the spectrum there is the very structured
layout of Mind Manager which is primarily utilized for business mapping purposes.
There are also 3D applications such as Topicscape which is discussed a little later.
NovaMind seamlessly blends the features found within iMindMap and Mind
Manager and improves on them in several respects. Within NovaMind you have the
ability to position the branches exactly where you want them (which you cant do
in Mind Manager), while at the same time having the ability to create different branch
styles (which you cant do in iMindMap). On top of this NovaMind also provides the
use of many different layout options like the rainbox coloring, FlexiBranches, attached
graphics and text, reflections, glassy styles, and high quality images in the graphics
libraries, all of which enable the user to make absolutely stunning Mind Maps easily.
NovaMind also allows the user to edit the outline of the Mind Map on the same screen
as the Mind Map itself something that cant be done within Mind
Manager or iMindMap which helps people who like to work backwards and forwards
between the two representations.
NovaMind is great for teaching and learning, as it provides a number of unique and
helpful features like the Suggesterator which suggests new ideas related to what you
already have on your Mind Map. There is also the BranchStorm capability which helps
you blast ideas out very quickly, while providing the user with the ability to print out
Mind Maps without text on the branches to assist with note-taking, memorization and
revision.
NovaMind also has specialist features for Screenwriting, presentations, and project
management, as well as a long list of import and export options, including
the NovaMind Connect social Mind Map sharing website.
Ive only recently been introduced to NovaMind, and on first impressions its ease of
use and features have surpassed my expectations. Its definitely a Mind Mapping
software application for the creative mind, and for those who seek a feature packed
flexible solution for information management purposes.

Topicscape

| View Large Image | Download Trial of Topicscape |


3D Topicscape is different from all other Mind Mapping software tools, and was
included here to show the broad diversity of Visual Mapping software applications. It is
designed to help people who want to organize very large collections of computer files
and notes in a Mind Map format, but find that most Mind Mapping software soon runs
out of steam. With large bodies of information, such software easily becomes
overburdened, and the screen is so full of information that it is crowded and unusable.
Topicscape takes a different approach. It builds a landscape that uses the Mind
Mapping paradigm, but allows rapid zooming and flying. You can take a broad overview,
instantly zoom in on an area for more detail, and just as quickly zoom back if thats not
what you were looking for.
Thousands of files can be associated with one landscape and Topicscapes very
extensive searching capabilities makes handling these easy.
The Mind Map shown here was imported directly from a MindManager file and
in Topicscape terms is very small.
I personally utilize Topicscape when I have vast amounts of information I want to
collate, arrange and organize into a simple cataloged format thats easy to refer to and
work from.
To view more images of this Topicscape map, please refer to the Gallery Images
presented at the top of this post.

Final Thoughts
I hope that this introduction to Mind (visual) Mapping has helped answer any questions
you might have had about the tool that is gaining momentum within both Academic and
Business circles. If you havent as yet utilized Visual Mapping at home, school or at
work, than the chances are that over the next 5 to 10 years you probably will.
Mind Mapping is growing in popularity every single day and gaining an ever greater
foothold within niche specific industries where information management is of critical
importance. As a result, it will continue to grow and expand as the software tools evolve
and adapt to our ever changing needs for information management.

Drawing a Mind Map from Start to Finish


by Paul on February 3, 2009

As the subject matter for this Mind Map I decide to investigate what a Curious Brain is and how it could impact
continual learning and development
Starting with a central image that best represents the subject being explored; in this case I have used an illustration of
a brain and have started to add main branches (initially I work in pencil so that adjustments can be made if necessary
before adding ink and colour)
To avoid the Mind Map becoming crowded and particularly if you are using it as a memory aid, it is preferable to have
no more than 11 main branches

I start to consider what a Curious Brain is.


The easiest way to investigate this is simply to start adding keywords and branching out without too much
contemplation or the mind starts to think in a linear fashion.
The beauty and diversity of using Mind Maps is that it encourages radial thinking which uncovers wider and more
interesting ideas.
From the starting point of invent I travel quickly to other words (it is best to use single words as a phrase can stop
the train of thought)

I add the word think as another main branch and then progress again by adding more main keywords

Look comes to mind, so I then add that keyword and branch out further

Same again for the word write

And positive

Followed by experience
I could have added more main branches and even more words to each branch, as the system of Mind Mapping
creates infinite possibilities, yet I decide I have enough branches for this particular Mind Map.
I have covered Curious Brain in my own unique way if anyone else had Mind Mapped this subject they may well
have formed an entirely different set of keywords and that is another fantastic element of Mind Mapping.

To make the Mind Map more memorable and exciting to look at I add sketches and illustrations, concentrating on
simplicity. I always have in mind when adding pictures what is the best or easiest way to represent the words and
concepts. It is not necessary to illustrate every word and in fact, it is just as likely that the images get created when
adding the keywords. I have split the tasks here for demonstration purposes only. Because Mind Maps use a
combination of words and images they are far more brain-friendly than a list of text; brilliant for memorising
information and fun to create.
Here is the Mind Map with sketches added.

It is preferable to colour each branch differently. In this case, I used a very thick pen to create the branches and that
helped when it came to filling the colour by computer. Normally the main branches from the central image would be
thicker working out to thinner branches as you add new words so that it is easy to see the main points.

I then add colour to the rest of the images to highlight the Mind Map.
Two brilliant tips here are to use light colours and spread the colours fairly evenly throughout the Mind Map so that
there is a good balance overall.

Here are some basic Mind Mapping rules (in the Tony Buzan style)
Details extracted from WikIT the Wiki for Mind Maps
(Visit http://www.informationtamers.com/WikIT)
1.
2.
3.
4.

Start in the center of a landscape sheet of blank paper.


Use a picture for your central idea.
Use colors throughout.
Connect your main branches to the central image and connect your second-level branches to the first and
so on.
5.
Make your branches curved rather than straight-lined, the central lines being thicker, organic and flowing,
becoming thinner as they radiate from the center.
6.
Use one keyword per line.
7.
Use images throughout.
8.
Develop your own personal style of mind maps.
9.
Use emphasis and show associations in your mindmap.
10.
Keep the mind map clear by using radiant hierarchy, numerical order or outlines to embrace your branches.
Mindmaps were invented by Tony Buzan

They help us progress from linear (one-dimensional) through lateral (two-dimensional) to radiant (multidimensional) thinking. For more information see his books and visit the following website:
http://www.thinkbuzan.com/uk/

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