Thursday 3 November 2011

Mind Mapping

When I am stuck, when I can't decide where to go or what to do next I do a mind map.


It is like brainstorming ideas onto paper. It helps layout all the ideas from you head and make some sort of sense of them and even prompts new ideas too.


It breaks down the subject into understandable pieces and makes connections so that you can see the 'big picture'.   It makes sense of things, stops you from becoming overwhelmed and lost and gives you direction and a master plan.


It also allows you to act like a kid and get the coloured crayons out ...


So how do you start?


1. Write the title of the subject that you are exploring in the middle of a piece of paper and draw a circle round it.


2. Then jot down around it major subheadings related to that topic - just whatever comes into your head, then draw lines out from the centre circle.  

3. As you continue you will discover further levels of information, more subheadings - draw lines linking these to the subheading circles.

4. Then for individual ideas, facts or details, draw lines out from the appropriate heading line.



5. As you discover new information link it into the mind map as you see fit.


A finished mind map will probably have lots of main topic lines radiating out in all directions from the centre, with sub headings all branching off like a mad spiders web.  You don't need to worry about how pretty or neat it looks.


Tips:


Use single words or keep the phrases simple.


Excess words clutter up the mind map so keep the words/phrases strong and short.


Don't use joined up writing it is not so easy to read.


Use different colours for separate sections or ideas.


Use symbols and images if this helps.


Some information in one section may link to another - join it up with a linking line.


This doesn't just work with mundane issues and subjects, try it for spiritual ideas too, spell working, crystals, herbs etc - see where it takes you!


Tansy
x

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