Devoted to how insight is developed, shared and acted on
It's All In The Mind!
If you don’t use Mind Maps®, you’re missing a trick. They provide a great way of capturing and recalling thoughts and ideas, and they harness the power of both sides of the brain – the logical side and the creative side.
Tap into maps
The concept of mind mapping is credited to Tony Buzan, who also owns the trade mark to the name. He developed the idea to help people to learn and brainstorm more effectively. Over the years, he was written numerous successful books on the topic, including “The Mind Map Book”, “The Ultimate Book of Mind Maps”, and “Mind Maps at Work”.
Fundamentally, Mind Maps involve a new way of thinking, using pictures, codes and connecting lines. Leonardo da Vinci was one of the sources of inspiration for the idea, as he used these elements in his notes. Mind mapping is a visual alternative to writing notes and lists (which can actually restrict creativity). Buzan claims that mind mapping taps into the power of the unused parts of the brain.
Branching out
To start producing your own map, begin in the centre of a blank page. This will give your brain the freedom to spread out in all directions. Use an image or picture for your central idea, and then connect your main ideas as branches from the centre. You can add further thoughts leading off from each branch. Make your branches curved, like the branches of a tree (not straight lines, as the brain apparently perceives these as being boring!)
Use colours throughout your map to stimulate your brain and energy levels. Capture each thought in one key word rather than a sentence. This makes it easier to read and to recall, and keeps it much more flexible. Use images as much as possible – again to boost creativity and recall (don’t forget: a picture paints a thousand words!)
This process will help you to link items by association – it enables you to remember elements initially and also later when you reference your mind map.
The route to success
You can use mind maps for a wide range of activities, including:
- Planning anything – whether a presentation, report, agenda or event
- Summarising a situation – so you can see the whole picture on one page
- Making notes or taking minutes – or simply doing a brain-dump on a subject
They help you to organise and clarify ideas, solve problems, plan and communicate.
You can even get software to produce Mind Maps if you want to keep and/or distribute them.
Copyright © 2012 Customer Insight Solutions. All Rights Reserved