How

Why

Use a blank sheet of paper, letter size or larger; turn to landscape orientation.

Blank paper allows 360 degrees of freedom to express the full range of your cortical skills, whereas pre-drawn lines restrict the natural flow of your thoughts. Using landscape orientation gives you more room to write horizontally.

Start in the center.

Thoughts start in the centre of our mental world.

Create a central image that represents the topic about which you are writing or thinking.

§       Use at least three colors.

§       Keep the height and width of the central image to approx. 2’’ or 5 cm (proportionately larger for bigger paper).

§       Allow the image to create its own shape (do not use a frame).

A picture is worth a thousand words. It opens up associations, focuses the thoughts, is fun, and results in better recall:

§       Colors stimulate the right cortical activity of imagination, as well as capturing and holding attention.

§       This size gives plenty of space for the rest of your Mind Map, while making it large enough to be the clear focus of the topic.

§       The unique shape makes it more memorable and enjoyable. A frame makes the centre a monotony of shape and disconnects the branches

Draw the main branches of the Mond map from the central image; these are your main ideas, like the chapter headings in a book.

§       Print this word in CAPITALS or draw an image.

§       Place on a line of the same length.

§       The central lines are thick, curved, and organic—like your arm joining your body or the branch of a tree to the trunk.

The main themes, connected to the central image on the main branches, allow their relative importance to be seen on the Mind Map.

§       Printing (versus cursive) allows the brain to photograph the image thus giving easier reading and more immediate recall.

§       Word length equals line length. An extra line disconnects thoughts, length accentuates the connection.

§       Curved lines give visual rhythm and variety and so are easier to remember, more pleasant to draw and less boring to look at. Thicker central lines show relative importance.

§       Connected to the image because the brain works by association not separated, disconnected lines

Start to add a second level of thought. These words or images are linked to the main branch that triggered them.

§       Lines connect are thinner

§       Words are still printed but may be lower case.

Your initial words and images stimulate associations. Attach whatever word or image is triggered. Allow random movement of your thought; you do not have to finish one branch before moving on.

§       Connected lines create relationships and a structure. They also demonstrate the level of importance, as from a branch to a twig

§       The size and style of the letters provide additional data about the importance and meaning of the word/image

Add a third or fourth level of data as thoughts come to you.

§       Use images as much as you can, instead of, or in addition to the words

§       Allow your thoughts to come freely, meaning you ‘jump about’ the Mind Map® as the links and associations occur to you

Your brain is like a multi-handed “thought catcher.” The Mind Map allows you to catch and keep whatever thought is thrown by your brain.

Add a new dimension to your Mind Map. Boxes add depth around the word or image

To make some important points stand out.

Outline branches of a Mind Map® with color, if desired.

§       Enclose the shape of the branch. Hug the shape tightly.

§       Use different colors and styles.

The outlines will create unique shapes as you find in clouds and will aid your memory.

These provide immediate visual linking. They also can encourage follow-up and remind you of action you need to take.

They can highlight a connection between branches by using the same color outline.

Make each Mind Map a little more

§       beautiful

§       artistic

§       colorful

§       imaginative

§       dimensional.

Your eyes and brain will be attracted to your Mind Map.

§       It will be easier to remember.

§       It will be more attractive to you (and to others as well).