What is a mind map?

The mind map is a registered trademark of The Buzan Organisation. Mind maps are a unique tool that can help you accomplish many things, or do them a whole lot better :)

Mind maps are made up of colour, words and pictures. All of these words, colours and pictures are linked together by branches that all route back to the central idea or image.

This unique way of organising your thoughts lets your brain naturally branch out into sub categories and sub-sub categories, while keeping the idea flowing and growing. The mind map is about as brain friendly and organic as it gets. It works with your brain, for your brain.

Before I talk about the marvelous wonders mind maps can work and how you can use them to your advantage, please take a look at the examples of mind maps page.

Mind maps really do work wonders, they can help you do countless things. I have listed just a few of them

• Remember things and improve your memory
• Be creative and keep ideas flowing
• Organise your thinking
• Planning a piece of writing (In fact I use mind maps for planning these website pages!)
• Studying for tests and exams
• Note taking...

Why do mind maps work?

These days, most people know that your brain has two parts to it. The left side controls the right half of your body and vice versa.

The left half of your brain deals with things such as words, logic, numbers, sequence, linearity, analysis and lists.

The right side deals with rhythm, awareness, imagination, daydreaming, colour and dimension.

Which side of your brain do you use the most?
The answer is probably left, right?
This is because...
The main feature of your notes are words
You make notes in lists
Your notes are vertical and in a downwards structure
Your notes are on lined paper
You try to be smart about what you do
But most importantly, when you try to remember something, you try to remember the facts and figures.

You see what I mean, you are only using HALF of your brain to remember things. Imagine if you could incorporate both sides of your brain into learning and remembering things. Your brain power would double!

But you know what the best thing is; mind maps do exactly just that! Mind maps use both the left and the right side of your brain.

Do this quick exercise to show yourself how your brain literally loves using the right side of your brain too.

Think about the last concert you went to. Think about it for a few seconds...

What band/ singer was playing?
What songs were they playing?
What was the venue like?
Was anybody there with you?

Now tell me how your brain thought about this.
Did it come up with a list of all the things that happened.
I think not!
Your brain, most likely gave you a picture in your mind of what this concert was like. You pictured the band, you heard a snippet of the songs they were playing, you pictured the stage.

And optionally, complete this survey to see if mind maps would be a great substitution for your notes. If you want to submit and view results from all the other people that have taken the survey, click submit, but remember to come back here after!

If you answered yes to 4 or more of the questions, then mind maps would be a perfect soloution to note taking for you.

So now you see? Mind maps double your brain power (and much more) because you are using the whole other half of your brain.

Consider taking some time to watch this video featuring Tony Buzan talking about mind maps.

Click here to continue onto the how to mind map page.