Do you ever feel like you have some great ideas, but when you sit down to write them, they’re not so great? Or even worse, you can’t really get a sense of what the ideas were?

One technique that makes use of a normally underutilized part of our brain is called “Mind Mapping.”

What is a Mind Map?

Tony Buzan, who created the word “Mind Map” and has written extensively on it, describes it as a powerful graphic technique that makes use of the way our brains naturally work. He says it has four characteristics.

1. The main subject is crystallized in a central image

2. The main themes radiate from the central image as branches

3. Branches comprise a key image or key word printed on an associated line.

4. The branches form a connected nodal structure

How Do You Mind Map?

Mind mapping is best done in color. If you have some markers or colored pencils, and a sheet of white paper, you’re ready. If you don’t, just use what you have.

Start with the central idea that you are trying to wrap your mind around. It could be the big picture (e.g. your next chapter) or a smaller idea (e.g. the next few paragraphs.) Write it down in one or two words at the center of the paper, and draw a circle around it. If there is a symbol or picture that you can put with the words, sketch that in. The idea is that you are activating the non-verbal side of your brain. The quality of what you draw is not important, since you will be the only one seeing it. The same is true for the ideas you come up with. Don’t edit, just put in what comes to mind.

There are no rules for the way to proceed from here. I tend to break rules, anyway. The way my mind works, I start thinking of related ideas, categories, and ideas, which I write in little circles surrounding the circle in the middle. I then use lines to connect them.

Tony Buzan likes to draw curved lines emanating from the center, and write the related or associated ideas on the lines. The result looks like a tree emanating from a central spot.

My technique looks more like a bunch of lollipops.

As you continue to add associated ideas to your outer circles or branches, you continue to draw the connections. You will notice as you fill them in that there are cross connections that appear. I find it helpful to draw lines between those interconnecting ideas.

How Does a Mind Map Help?

The brain is an associative network, and the right hemisphere (in most people) is responsible for non-verbal, visual, associative and much creative thinking. Normally when writing, we are mostly making use of our left hemisphere, which tends towards the analytical, one-thought-at-a-time approach. Our internal thoughts, however, are not shaped like that. Thus we have a roadblock as we try to get our brilliant thoughts on paper.

By using a Mind Map as a starting point for thinking, you can bypass the blockage and feeling of overwhelm caused by overly analytical thinking. The Mind Map allows you to see more than one thought at a glance, and in doing so helps clarify your thinking. It shows the way ideas are interrelated (or less related than you thought.) It allows more access to creative, non-linear parts of your brain.

How Can Grad Students and Professors Use Mind Maps?

At this point, you’re probably thinking, “How is it that she writes so brilliantly and clearly? How does she keep all her creative thoughts straight?” The secret is that I use Mind Maps to write my articles. So it’s not a high IQ but my Mind Mapping skills that got me where I am today.

Here are some helpful ways to make use of Mind Mapping.

1. Use it for brainstorming ideas for your proposal or new research project.

2. Make a Mind Map of your next chapter or the one you’re currently stuck on.

3. When planning your career, make a Mind Map to show the pros and cons of your available options.

4. Use a Mind Map to take notes.

5. Mind Mapping can help keep you awake and interested in your subject.

6. Prepare for an upcoming meeting with a Mind Map and use it to explain your ideas.

7. Use it in teaching, both to prepare classes and for handouts.

Play around with Mind Mapping. You’ll find it’s a refreshing break from the one-foot-in-front-of-the-other way that we approach many things in life.

Gina J Hiatt, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, tenure and dissertation coach who helps faculty and graduate students realize their dreams.  Her web site is chock full of self-assessments, articles, resources, polls and newsletter archives. Check out her site and get help with time management, procrastination, writing, creative thinking, career decisions, choosing research topics, teaching and more. Sign up for her newsletter at http://AcademicLadder.com

Check out these sites for mind mapping online, either on your own or in collaboration with others.

MindMeister.com

Mindomo.com

Mind42.com

Text 2 Mind map.com Enter your list of words or an outline and watch it convert to a map. Free tool, downloadable image of your map.

Mappoi.com – links to 1000s of other mind maps

With mind mapping, concepts are graphically represented, allowing you to actually picture the ideas and goals. It’s a very simple method of organizing thoughts and ideas.

Check out these sites for mind mapping online, either on your own or in collaboration with others.

MindMeister.com

Mindomo.com

Mind42.com

Text 2 Mind map.com Enter your list of words or an outline and watch it convert to a map.
Free tool, downloadable image of your map.

Mappoi.com – links to 1000s of other mind maps

Mind Mapping 101

To illustrate mind mapping, let’s start with a typical handwritten list of goals. Now add action steps to this list and draw lines to show how one action relates to another. All of a sudden your list mushrooms into a map and you need more paper to write on! That’s a basic mind map.

Mind maps work well with your brain because you’re using a structure that’s very close to the way your brain works. It includes artistic and analytical activity, getting your brain more involved in the information. You may even find mind mapping to be fun!

As you see how things on your list relate to each other through mind mapping, you will figure then be able to prioritize better.

Benefits of Mind Mapping

* Mind maps jog your brain’s creativity and make information easier to learn, remember, and work with.?

* Mind maps allow you to envision the big picture and how each part contributes to it.

* Mind maps help you focus on the important projects and tasks that are most beneficial for your business or career goals.

Various Uses for Mind Mapping

Mind maps are a new way of formulating a list of ideas into a visual plan. They’re excellent tools for brainstorming, whether it’s for personal, work, or educational purposes.

Mind maps are great for taking notes as well, making notes much easier for students to visualize and remember. Because of mind maps, your job or task can be easier and less time consuming due to memorization and studying information.

Problem solving and planning are simplified by mind maps. They work wonderfully for presenting information, from simple to complex. A mind map can be the perfect solution when trying to find a way to get your creative juices flowing.

You can gather information from different sources, and a mind map can help you consolidate the information.

* Mind maps come to life as you add in the details. They help you form action steps and timelines to reach your goals and bring you the success you desire.

How to Make a Mind Map

Making a mind map is easier than you may think. Have a large piece of blank paper, and something like a pen or pencil to write with. You’ll want to start out in the middle of your paper so that there’s room to expand in any direction.

Here are the steps to creating a mind map:

1. Draw or write down a specific idea.

2. Around the main idea, illustrate or write out different subtopics or tasks that relate to it.

3. Draw lines to connect your subtopics to the main idea.

4. For each subtopic, you can go on to develop more details and ideas, drawing lines to them as well, until everything is connected together.

There are also various mind map software tools freely available online. Once you start putting your ideas into a mind map, you’ll be able to see your projects with clarity and accomplish your goals with ease.