I was first introduced to the concept in the early 1990’s with the book “Writing the Natural Way”, but was reminded this morning about it from Sandy at the Purple Wren and Sean at Craphammer who linked to Tony Buzan the author of Mind Mapping and many other books. I’ve read two of his books and they really make sense. Visualize the ideas flowing and growing organically instead of write with words in a linear fashion. The brain radiates out with thoughts like a tree branch, the nervous system or circulation system or not linearly like an outline you might write for English class.
This is an awesome tool. Although I love writing with words, using visuals is much stronger. It would especially be stronger if I had any artistic ability at all. So I end up mind mapping with words, rather than sketches.
It’s great for people who are maybe more creative than analytical because it applies a left brain approach to many things that are normally a right brain activity. And getting both sides of your brain going,
It really really helps with writers block. Although Stephen Covey talked about beginning with the end in mind, he maybe didn’t realize how stifling that can be when writing. I’ve seen many writers who don’t want to give themselves a rough draft, a doodle draft, a rev 1, 2, 3… they want to write it once and have it be the final copy.
Many sources, including the note books of Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee and Winston Churchill have been found to contain notes or drawings that are similar to, or follow a sub-set of the Mind Mapping rules.
Tony Buzan now has software which is shown in a YouTube video in the link under his name, but I’d have to try the software before I endorsed it. However I do know the freehand version of this concept works for me.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
If you’re interested in mind mapping, you’d better check this
out: http://mindmapping.typepad.com/
WOW! what a resource! I’ll be busy. I already got sidetracked with this link from there that focuses on 10 small business marketing mind maps. http://www.squidoo.com/gmmindmaps/
thanks so much!!!
Thank you for encouraging me to pursue the topic of MindMapping further. Although I had ‘resorted’ to using images to assist my thinking since middle school, I found solace in the fact that it is a professional tool for marketing, and used by the ‘geniuses’ of the world !
I would like to add the thought that there is a physiological connection from before birth, ( happening about the eighth week of gestation) between the fingerprints and the left and right heart that leads to the brain.
Although you say you are not artistic, I would suggest you try this: Use large blank paper, color markers, and your non-dominant hand with no concern about the art. For an amazing experience, listen to some Disney tunes,get yourself a lollipop, and do not speak with words for the duration.Communicate, if you must, with your hands only. Do not cheat by reverting back to your dominate hand. Dream and Draw.
To Things you Never would have Thought!
Mary Helsel
Mary:
Thanks so much for joining in here. I loved the speech you gave about mind mapping and really have to agree with you about the parts we don’t realize are so interconnected. Thanks for your comments,
Chris