Mind Mapping

By Nigel Temple

Mind Mapping is one of the most entertaining and productive things you can do with your clothes on.  It can help you to: make better use of your time; be more productive; improve the performance of your business; improve your memory; and be more creative. Mmmm, that's quite a list, isn't it?

Here is what a Mind Map® looks like:

Business applications include:

• Thinking and Planning
• Meetings and Agendas
• Brainstorming and Team Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Presentations and Communication

It was developed in the 1970s by Tony Buzan, the psychologist and author who now travels the world teaching people how to make the most of their greatest resource - their brains! Here is a Mind Map which shows you more ways to use it.

A Mind Map has a central image and several branches - radiating out from the centre. Individual lines then radiate out from the tip of each branch. Each branch or line has either one word or an image on it (or both!). Yes, I know that this sounds surprisingly simple; but you can do so much with it...

The technique can be used in the following scenarios:

1. Mind Input: e.g. note taking during business meetings, telephone conversations, training sessions.

2. Memory Output: You can recall a speech, a product specification or your travel schedule from your Mind Map. NB: In this instance, you don't need to refer to the actual Map. In your ‘minds' eye’ you'll recall the central image, various other images, your use of colour and the key words. The result can be quite startling - in terms of confidence, focus and outcomes.

3. Creativity: Many people don't think of themselves as creative. However, the human brain is 'hard wired' for creative thought - in that it is intrinsically a 'pattern forming' mechanism. Creativity is driven by the association of (apparently) unconnected information. It is out of these connections that art, scientific breakthroughs and wealth creating ideas spring. Given the right environment and motivation, anyone can be taught the basics of creativity. Mind Mapping is one of the best techniques I know for nurturing it.

One of the reasons that Mind Maps are so effective is that they enable you to sketch out your main ideas very quickly (the brain loves to work at high speed!). Then, with your ideas laid out in front of you - on one page - it's easy to see the connection points and how one thought relates to another. Mind Mapping is a very useful intermediate stage between the thinking process and achieving your optimum 'outcome'. This outcome could be a business plan; a sales proposal; your thoughts on a new member of staff; a marketing campaign; an investment decision.... as you can see, the list is literally endless.

When you reach for your coloured pens and start to draw, be prepared for a few questions. I find that people are fascinated by the technique. It can become an 'icebreaker' in its own right, as prospective / current clients chat away about the fact that they can't draw, or that more practical thinking skills should be taught in school and business, etc. In fact, I couldn't agree with them more - as I have taught numerous executives and directors how to use practical creativity techniques and strategies.

If you Mind Map in a meeting, the interesting thing is that you will have more time to look at the speaker - which in turn aids the listening process.

I've found that my Mind Maps fall into two categories. The 'Modern Art' and the 'Renaissance'. I've reached the stage that I have to Mind Map (yes - it's become genetic!). Therefore, the former are when I'm in a hurry (I bet this never happens to you) and/or when I'm just taking it all down as it comes. I then find that re-drawing the map helps me with both understanding and recall. I also find myself 'sketching' first and then redrawing, prior to, say, insertion in a business presentation. This process overcomes any difficulties such as inadvertantly putting an item in the 'wrong' place; running out of space; or imperfect draftsmanship.

Although Mind Mapping may feel a little strange at first, I notice that most adults really enjoy getting back to colour and drawing. Do you think that you might be even better at problem solving if you were having fun whilst doing it? The meaning of any communication lies in the impact it has on the recipient. Who is the recipient of your Mind Maps? You are! So don't worry about draftsmanship - it's the thinking part that counts.

For further information on Mind Mapping try "The Mind Map Book" (BBC Books, 1995), and "Use Your Head" (revised edition 1995), both by Tony Buzan. I am proud to tell you that Tony included one of my Mind Maps in The Mind Map Book.

Written by Nigel Temple, the UK based marketing consultant, trainer, speaker and author. Visit: www.nigeltemple.com