I am hoping to address three main questions in this post: What is a Mind Map? Why should I use Mind Maps? And why are Mind Maps so effective? In the next post, I will then cover how to create a Mind Map and look at some of the best software options for Mind Mapping.

What is a Mind Map?

Mind Maps are a form of non-linear notes developed by Tony Buzan. The term ‘Mind Map’ is actually a trademark of his company. While conducting a study, Buzan realised that whether it was a genius like Leonardo de Vinci or a college student who was achieving high grades, many successful people did not take linear notes. Rather they had free-flowing scribbling’s full of illustrations, keywords and connections. Combining this discovery with his knowledge of psychology and memory systems, Buzan was able to develop a system of non-linear note-taking. He developed a system that anyone could learn: the Mind Map. Although not strictly the same thing, some people refer to Mind Maps as Concept Maps, Spray Diagrams or Spider Diagrams.

Why should I use Mind Maps?

I first came across Mind Maps when I was preparing to do an intensive course where I knew I would have to learn a lot of information very quickly. In Tony Buzan’s book, ‘Use Your Head’ I came across the chapter on Mind Maps, and this intrigued me enough to get his book on Mind Mapping.

Having devoured the book I took to the system very quickly. I have always been someone who has doodled all over my work and now I had found something that embraced and encouraged it; I was a convert! Mind Mapping was engaging and fun, and I was so enthusiastic that I immediately taught one of my friends how to create Mind Maps too. We both put our new Mind Mapping skills into practice on the course and promptly came first and second in the class for the theory exam. I was now doubly sold on the system.

Since adopting their use I have used Mind Maps for planning essays, taking notes in lectures, for brainstorming ideas, for visual facilitation in workshops, and more besides.

Why are Mind Maps so effective?

There are some basic principles behind Map Maps that make them such powerful tools. Using images as well as words is seen as engaging both your creative and logical attributes. This is seen as engaging both left and right brain activity and pictures are particularly good at representing whole concepts. As the famous phrase goes: a picture paints a thousand words. Pictures are also better for recall and memory. The use of colour, codes, symbols, highlighting – and anything else you need to bring your notes to life – is encouraged. Arrows and lines are also used to show relationships. In this way, you can create connections between various concepts. You can also group related ideas together.

The discipline of keeping the notes to one page means that the finished product is an efficient summary of a subject. Equally, having to summarise each section of a Mind Map in a single word or picture forces you to actively engage your mind. This is in contrast to just scribbling things down by rote. This avoids the problem highlighted in this quote:

“Lecture: a process where the notes of the professor become the notes of the student, without passing through the minds of either.”

Mindmapping Software

That’s it for now. I will cover how to create a Mind Map in the next post and also cover some of the best software options.

You can also hear me talking with Michael Tipper on his podcast. Just follow this link to The Mind Mapping Show Episode 010.

In the last post, I wrote about what Mind Mapping is and why it is so effective. In this post, I will cover how to create a Mind Map and discuss some of the best Mind Mapping software that is available. This will help if you want to make Mind Maps on a computer or another device.

How do I create a Mind Map?

It is very simple. Start with a blank piece of paper in landscape (rather than portrait) orientation. Draw an image in the centre that sums up the subject of the whole mind map. Now create lines that branch out from the central image for your main subheadings. Use one word or image per branch and keep the length of the branch to the size of the word or picture. Use larger sized letter, lines and images towards the centre of the Mind Map and let them become smaller as they fan out.

I have created a Mind Map and turned it into a video presentation (on iMindMap) that sums up the basic principles and techniques of Mind Mapping. This will give you an idea of how a subject (such as the content of this post) can be summed up successfully with Mind Mapping.

You can access the video via The Right Questions YouTube channel or watch the embedded film below.

What is the best Mind Mapping Software?

I started off just drawing Mind Maps freehand but I now also use software too. I love the absolute freedom of freehand Mind Mapping. But now – more often than not – I have my computer on me rather than a notepad. Software options are also good for sharing Mind Maps. Hand-drawn Mind Maps can be harder to read and there is never a copier or scanner to hand when you need one. With software-based Mind Maps, it is very easy to save, reproduce and share Mind Maps that are legible and look professional.

iMindMap

Some Mind Mapping software, such as iMindMap (now replaced by Ayoa) also have cloud-based backup and collaboration tools available on their premier products. This is a very useful addition when using Mind Maps in a business context. I have found iMindMap very easy to use; within ten minutes of downloading it, I had produced my first Mind Map. There is an example below showing a Mind Map that I created about The Right Questions.

VideoScribe

I now make my videos using Videoscribe. As you can see from my YouTube channel (The Right Questions), I incorporate many of the principles of mind mapping in how I create these videos. The software is easy to use and I enjoy creating content with it.