Vanda North

A complete guide to get you started on this revolutionary concept by Vanda North.

What is a Mind Map?

A Mind Map is a powerful graphic technique which provides a universal key to unlocking the potential of the brain. It harnesses the full range of cortical skills - word, image, number, logic, rhythm, colour 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. The Mind Map can be applied to every aspect of life where improved learning and clearer thinking will enhance human performance.

Originated in the late 1960s by Tony Buzan, Mind Maps are now used by millions of people around the world - from the ages of 5 to 105 - whenever they wish to use their brains more efficiently.

The Laws of Mind Mapping

1. Start to draw in the centre of a blank, unlined page of paper, with an image of the desired topic, using at least three colours.
2. Use images, symbols, codes and dimension throughout your Mind Map.
3. Select key words and print - using capitals or lower case letters.
4. Each word/image must stand alone, on its own line.
5. The lines must be connected, starting from the central image. In the centre, the lines are thicker, organic and flowing, becoming thinner as they radiate outwards.
6. Make the lines the same length as the word/image.
7. Use colours - your own code - throughout the Mind Map.
8. Develop your own personal style of Mind Mapping.
9. Use emphasis and show associations between different related topics in your Mind Map.
10. Keep the Mind Map clear by using numerical order or outlines to surround your branches.

How to Mind Map

1. Place a large white sheet of paper horizontally, or use a Mind Map pad.
2. Gather a selection of coloured pens, ranging from thin nib to highlighter.
3. Select the topic, problem or subject to be Mind Mapped. This will be the basis of your central image.
4. Gather any materials, research or additional information that is needed, so that you have all the facts at your fingertips. Now start to draw in the centre of your page.
5. Start in the centre with an unframed image - approximately 11/2 inches (3cm) high and wide for A4 and 4 inches (10cm) for A3.
6. Use dimension, expression and at least three colours in the central image in order to attract attention and aid memory.
7. Make the branches closest to the centre thick, attached to the image, and 'wavy' (organic). Place the Basic Ordering Ideas (BOIs) or chapter headings on those branches.
8. Branch thinner lines off the end of the appropriate BOI in order to hold supporting data.
9. Use images wherever you find it is possible.
10. The image or word should always sit on a line of the same length.
11. Use different colours as your own special code to show people, places, topics, themes, dates and to make the Mind Map more attractive visually.
12. Capture all your ideas, or those that others have contributed, then edit, reorganise, make more beautiful, elaborate, or clarify as a second and yet further advanced stage of thinking.

Uses and Benefits of Mind Mapping

1. Learning Reduce those 'tons of work'. Feel good about study, review and exams. Develop confidence in your learning abilities.
2. Overviewing See the whole picture, the global overview, at once. Understand the links and connections.
3. Concentrating Focus on the task for better results.
4. Memorising Easy recall. 'See' the information in your mind's eye.
5. Organising Parties, holidays, projects, etc. Make it make sense to you.
6. Presenting Speeches become clear, relaxed and alive. You can be at your best.
7. Communicating Communicate in all forms with clarity and conciseness.
8. Planning Orchestrate all aspects, from beginning to end, on one piece of paper.
9. Meetings From planning to agenda, chairing, taking the minutes ... these jobs can be completed with speed and efficiency.
10. Training From preparation to presentation, make the job easier.
11. Thinking The Mind Map will become a concrete record of your thoughts at any stage of the process.
12. Negotiating All the issues, your position and manoeuvrability on one sheet.
13. Brain Blooming The new brain-storming, in which more thoughts are generated and appropriately assessed. It is often assumed that the greater the quantity of ideas generated, the more the quality declines. In fact, the reverse is true. The more you generate ideas and the greater the quantity, the more the potential quality increases. This is a key lesson in understanding the nature of your own creativity.
14. Lectures When you attend a lecture, use a Mind Map to keep a vivid visual memento of it.

A Mindmap

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