What is a Mind Map?
A Mind Map is a powerful graphic technique which provides a universal key to unlock your brain's potential.
It harnesses the full range of cortical skills - word, image, number, logic, rhythm, color and spatial awareness - in a single, uniquely powerful manner. In so doing, it gives you the freedom to roam the infinite expanses of your brain. Mind Maps¨ can be applied to every aspect of life where improved learning and clearer thinking will enhance your performance.
Popularized by Tony Buzan, Mind Maps are now used by millions of people around the world - from the very young to the very old - whenever they wish to use their brains more effectively. Similar to a road map, a Mind Map will:
- Give you an overview of a large subject/area.
- Enable you to plan routes/make choices and let you know where you are going and where you have been.
- Gather and hold large amounts of data.
- Encourage problem solving by seeing new creative pathways.
- Enable you to be extremely efficient.
- Be enjoyable to look at, read, muse over and remember.
- Attract and hold the eye/brain.
What would I use Mind Maps for?
Uses
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Benefits
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| Learning |
Reduce those 'tons of work'. Feel good about study, revision and exams. Have confidence in your learning abilities. |
| Overviewing |
See the whole picture, the global view, at once. Understand the links and connections. |
| Concentrating |
Focus on the task for better results. Using all your cortical skills attracts your attention. |
| Memorizing |
Easy recall. 'See' the information in your mind's eye. |
| Organizing |
Be on top of all the details for parties, holidays, projects, or any other subject. |
| Presenting |
Speeches are clear, relaxed and alive. You can be at your best. |
| Communicating |
In all forms with clarity and conciseness. |
| Planning |
Orchestrate all details and aspects - from beginning to end - on one piece of paper. |
| Meetings |
From planning to agenda, to chairing, to taking the minutes... the jobs are completed with speed and efficiency. |
| Training |
From preparation to presentation, they make the job easier and much faster. |
| Thinking |
Having a method to analyse thoughts - almost a 'way-station' for them. |
| Negotiation |
All the issues, your position and manoeuvrability on one sheet. |
| Brain Blooming |
The new brain-storming in which more thoughts are generated and appropriately assessed. |
How to Mind Map with NovaMind
- Start a new NovaMind document.
- Select your topic, problem or subject to be Mind Mapped.
- Gather any additional materials - research papers, text information.
- Type in your Mind Map title.
- Use dimension, expression and at least three colors in the central image in order to attract attention and aid memory. Do this using images, text properties, borders, shapes etc.
- Your top-level branches that radiate from the title are your BOIs (Basic Ordering Ideas), categories or chapter heading equivalents on the branches.
- Add child branches under your BOIs to hold supporting data (most important closest to the centre) the further down the tree, the more detailed.
- Use images wherever possible = branch shapes, attach graphics, graphic text.
- Use colors as your own special coding to show people, topics, themes or dates and to make the Mind Map more beautiful.
- Capture all ideas (your own or others) then edit, re-organize, make more beautiful, elaborate and clarify as a second stage of thinking.
- Save your document and print scaled onto one page or half-a dozen which can be aligned together to make a poster. You can even export to Keynore or PowerPoint for an online presentation.
The Laws of Mind Mapping
- Start in the centre with an image of the topic, using at least three colors.
- Use images, symbols, codes and dimension throughout.
- Select key words and print, using upper or lower case letters.
- Each word/image must be alone and sitting on its own line.
- The lines must be connected, starting from the central image. The center lines are thicker, organic and flowing, becoming thinner as they radiate out.
- Make the lines the same length as the word/image.
- Use colors - your own code - throughout.
- Develop your own style of Mind Mapping.
- Use emphasis and show associations.
- Keep the Mind Map clear by using Radiant hierarchy, numerical order or outlines to embrace your branches.
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