Mind Map Handbook

Mind Map is not a test of your artistic ability!

You now know that Mind Maps have many advantages, including saving time, organizing and clarifying your thinking, generating new ideas, keeping track of things, dramatically improving memory and concentration, stimulating more of your brain, allowing you to keep your eye on the ‘whole picture’, and, very importantly, being fun to do!

Phrases or sentences tend to dampen this triggering effect.

Mind Maps are the reflection of your brain’s natural, image-filled thinking processes and abilities.

your life easier and more successful.

Mind Mapping has a whole range of advantages that help make

Mind Maps help you to learn, organize, and store as much information as you want, and to classify it in natural ways that give you easy and instant access (perfect memory!) to whatever you want

Mind Maps are that phenomenal data-retrieval and access system for the gigantic library that actually exists in your amazing brain.

never again get confused about which character is which, what time is when or what is actually going on! The Mind Map will be like a beacon for you, lighting your way as you progress, and giving you a far richer, deeper and more complete understanding a

Start in the CENTRE of a blank page turned sideways. Why?
Because starting in the centre gives your brain freedom to spread out in all directions and to express itself more freely and naturally.

Use an IMAGE or PICTURE for your central idea. Why?
Because an image is worth a thousand words and helps you use your Imagination. A central image is more interesting, keeps you focused, helps you concentrate, and gives your brain more of a buzz!

Use COLOURS throughout. Why?
Because colours are as exciting to your brain as are images. Colour adds extra vibrancy and life to your Mind Map, adds tremendous energy to your Creative Thinking, and is fun!

CONNECT your MAIN BRANCHES to the central IMAGE and connect your second and third-level branches to the first and second levels, etc. Why?
Because, as you now know, your brain works by ASSOCIATION. If you connect the branches, you will understand and remember a lot more easily. Connecting your main branches also creates and establishes a basic structure or architecture for your thoughts. This is very similar to the way in which in nature a tree has connected branches that radiate from its central trunk. If there were little gaps between the trunk and its main branches or between those main branches and the smaller branches and twigs, nature wouldn’t work quite so well! Without connection in your Mind Map, everything (especially your memory and learning!) falls apart. Connect!

Make your branches CURVED rather than straight-lined. Why?
Because having nothing but straight lines is boring to your brain. Curved, organic branches, like the branches of trees, are far more attractive and riveting to your eye.

Use ONE KEY WORD PER LINE. Why?
Because single key words give your Mind Map more power and flexibility. Each single word or image is like a multiplier, generating its own special array of associations and connections. When you use single key words, each one is freer and therefore better able to spark off new ideas and new thoughts. Phrases or sentences tend to dampen this triggering effect. A Mind Map with more key words in it is like a hand with all the finger joints working. A Mind Map with phrases or sentences is like a hand with all your fingers held in rigid splints!

Use IMAGES throughout. Why?
Because each image, like the central image, is also worth a thousand words. So if you have only 10 images in your Mind Map, it’s already the equal of 10,000 words of notes