To make it easier to perceive and analyze any incoming information, you need to use some methods to streamline it. For these and not only these purposes, the English psychologist Tony Buzan suggested using mental maps or mind maps (they are also called memory cards, mind maps or mind maps).
The concept of mind maps
A mental map is a representation in a graphical, systematized and complex form of a certain event, process, idea or thought. Usually this is a kind of diagram on a large sheet of paper that captures a huge number of connections between different objects in the area under consideration. This presentation of the material has advantages over its presentation in writing, since it highlights only the most important images, words and relationships.
With the help of such seemingly confusing maps, the human brain can more easily perceive information, analyze it and make some kind of decision or determine an action plan. And all because the brain also does not think linearly, a lot of neural connections are born in it, before integral information appears.
Freehand mind map
In order to competently make a mind map that will give the desired results, you need to adhere to several rules when performing it. One of the first rules is the horizontal position of the sheet. This is due to the closeness of this form to natural. The human eye perceives better "rectangles" lying on the long side (as is the case with a TV, computer screen or blackboard). It is also better to place words on the map horizontally so that you can see the whole picture without moving your gaze.
In the center, you need to place the main element of the map (goal, plan name, proper names, etc.). This center needs to be designed accordingly: brightly (using more than three colors), with pictures, frames and an original font. There are branches around this center: either subgoals, or sections, or points of the plan, etc. They must be connected to the center with lines, and the lines, depending on the type of connection (associative, causal or indirect), should be decorated with different colors or even using drawings in the form of thick chains, thin threads, strong fishing line, etc. There should be as many graphic elements in the map as possible: they are perceived better than words.
From objects of the second order, which are associated with the central object, you can also assign new positions that clarify and make more specific points of the plan or subsections. In terms of specifics, there is no need to go deeply and highlight unnecessary or self-evident points. It is advisable to use one keyword or phrase to describe each line and each position.
It is worth noting that when creating a map dedicated to one issue, you should not touch on completely different areas. Even if the associative connection led a person to some new topic, it is better for her to develop a new map, while indicating a link to the old one.
There should be a lot of colors, textures, various lines and arrows on the map, but it is important not to overdo it. The main purpose of the map is to organize information and ease of work with it, and the meaning can be lost behind a lot of unnecessary details. Thus, the mental map needs to be made expressive, vivid, emotional, but at the same time clean and clear. Practice will help you achieve this much-needed balance.
By analyzing the created mind map, you can take a different look at the object or topic in question. Perhaps the associative array will bring a person to a completely new and creative way of acting or changing a goal due to the impossibility of achieving it in the previously planned way.
Computer programs
To help advanced people in terms of technology, special computer programs have been invented for creating mental maps. Although their disadvantage is stereotype and some stereotyped, there is always the opportunity to finish the map by hand or using a graphics tablet.
The advantage of computer programs is that the maps created in them are easy to modify and correct without completely redrawing. In addition, it is easier to store it on an electronic medium, carry it with you or show it to those interested.
The closest to manual creation of maps are programs Visual Mind and iMindMap. They have some drawing tools that will allow you to create a unique, vivid and expressive mind map. Slightly less flexible settings are presented in the MindManager and MindMapper programs. Easily and quickly, but not too expressive, you can create a memory map in FreeMind.
