hat they were first introduced to Mind Maps in two minutes on some course or other and that as a result they just didn’t “get it”. That is a real shame, because, although they are easy to use, a few guidelines and directed practice means that people get far more benefits from the technique. The following suggestions may help to increase effectiveness when you making a mind map.
- Just focus
Start your session in a quiet, light environment where you will not be disturbed until you are finished. If you are doing your mind map on your computer, turn off your chatting client (YM!, gTalk, MSN), email, social media such as Facebook and Twitter, and everything else that you have running except the mind mapping software. It is too easy to “take a small break” that turns out to waste 30 minutes. If you are using paper, make sure your desk is clear, except for the paper and your writing materials.
- Start with good question or idea.
Think about what you want to accomplish during your session, and start with an idea that is precisely defined, so it will help you work towards your goal.
- Write down every thought or idea that comes to you.
Do not judge your ideas too heavily before you put them down, because you may change your mind later and regret throwing them out.
- Set your goals, but feel free to deviate from it.
As your brainstorm grows, follow your creativity and expand it however you like. Don’t feel constrained by that bubble in the middle, because it is only there as a starting point.
- Leave yourself enough room to expand.
Don’t expect to fit everything onto one piece of paper. Make sure you have extra paper, and draw your branches generously far apart, so you have room to expand on ideas. Obviously this does not apply to brainstorming software on your computer, as you can move stuff around easily. Color code, doodle, scratch out and do whatever else you want to your brainstorm, if it will help you get a better understanding of it. Again, you don’t have to be neat and tidy. Think of your brainstorm as art, and act creatively.
Once you understand how to make notes in the Mind Map format, you can develop your own conventions to take them further, just like the way I use this when start up.
- Use single words or simple phrases for information.
Most words in normal writing are padding: They convey facts in the correct context, and in a format that is pleasant to read. In your own Mind Maps, single strong words and meaningful phrases can convey the same meaning more potently. Excess words just clutter the Mind Map.
- Print words.
Joined up or indistinct writing can be more difficult to read.
- Use color to separate different ideas.
This will help you to separate ideas where necessary. It also makes your Mind Map easier to remember. Color also helps to show the organization of the subject.
- Use symbols and images.
Where a symbol or picture means something to you, use it. Pictures can help you to remember information more effectively than words.
- Using cross-linkages.
Information in one part of the Mind Map may relate to another part. Here you can draw in lines to show the cross-linkages. This helps you to see how one part of the subject connects with another.
Which is the best tools for mind mapping?
What’s “best” depends so much on how you use mind maps. Some people use them for study, some for planning projects, some for organizing information, some for sparking ideas and facilitating brainstorming sessions, some for planning the writing of a report or blog. Some mindmap alone, others mindmap in groups. Most of us probably do all of these from time to time, so we need a quiver full of arrows to choose from.
So, it could be up to you. Every tools are great if you know how to do. There are several software products available for mind mapping. I personally use MindManager on my desktop computer and have also used it on my Windows XP laptop.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of good options in this area. Here are 30+ very powerful mind mapping tools (applications & web services) that you can use for brainstorming, strategizing