Succeeding Today

Mind mapping is a wonderful way to improve your thinking, to get you organized, and to enhance your creativity. If you know about mind mapping, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you don’t know about mind mapping I’ll need to do some explaining.

In the U.S., as children, we learn to organize our thoughts in linear outlines, but mindmapping theory suggests that our minds don’t really think that way. Rather we are more comfortable with the core topic at the center with branches and sub-branches radiating around that center.

To put it more formally, Wikipedia calls a mind map:

An image-centered diagram that represents semantic or other connections between portions of information. By presenting these connections in a radial, non-linear graphical manner, it encourages a brainstorming approach to any given organizational task, eliminating the hurdle of initially establishing an intrinsically appropriate or relevant conceptual framework to work within…The elements are arranged intuitively according to the importance of the concepts and they are organized into groupings, branches, or areas.The best way to get started mind mapping is to grab a large piece of paper and some colored pencils and pens—and just began putting down your thoughts.Use single words were very short phrases for each category and related subcategory. Make your map is colorful and as creative as you can. If you’re writing down a list of current projects, you’ll want to include all the most important elements for each project. If you’re even the least bit visual, you will find that even a rudimentary mind map elicits creative thoughts and ideas that surprise you. And, if you’re process person, mind mapping will add structure, efficiency, and creativity to your days.