Mind Mapping in 5 easy steps

Have you ever watched a person create a mind map? Wondered how they link information together with such ease? What do people gain from using this technique and why? and, why it is becoming one of the most popular note taking techniques? In this article I explain how to create your own mind map; guiding you through the creation process. I also explain the benefits of using this technique and when you can apply this technique.

“The soul never thinks without a mental image.”

– Aristotle, De Amina (III, 7, 431a, 14-17)

As my role in business has grown, I have found that the information that I have to absorb, understand and then articulate at a later date has become increasingly more complex, and larger in volume.

I’m sure this is a challenge for the best of us, because we are “human”. Even with our best intentions we unconsciously delete, distort and generalise the information we are exposed to. Then through information processing (thinking) and memory recall, the process can repeat itself.

Thankfully there are a number of tools and techniques that support timely, efficient accurate, and effective information capture and recall. One technique I use with monotonous regularity is the mind map. 

I cannot recall where I first came across this concept or when I started using it. I do, however, know that it is a skill that has developed over time. I find that I can capture a lot of information easily, quickly, and in a single place – from a piece of A3 paper in the workplace to a napkin in a coffee shop…and I’m notorious for the latter!! My point being it’s as agile and impromptu as you need it to be…

5 steps to your first mind map:

Initially, many people struggle to put pen/pencil to paper. The root cause is somewhere between the fear of making a mistake, and it not being the perfect “creation” that they want it to be. My suggestion is to just start…put pen to paper and allow yourself to learn through trial and error following these 5 steps:

1. Get a piece of paper (Letter or A4) and write your main topic in approximately the centre of the piece of paper. Draw a circle around this topic name. Encircling the topic name helps visually navigate the page once more information is present on the map.

2. Write the first related sub-topic name a short distance away (3cm to 5cm) from the main topic. If you imagine that the main topic is the centre of a clock face, I usually write my first sub-topic at approximately 1 o’clock. I also circle the name of the related sub-topic and connect the main topic to it by drawing a connecting line or arrow.

3. Around this subtopic I add related key information, words, symbols and pictures etc and connect them to the first subtopic using connecting lines or arrows. There may even be related subtopics linked to this first subtopic which I may encircle, or I may draw attention to in another way. The image above shows the basic principles: a single main topic linked to a sub-topic, which in turn is further linked to 2 separate related topics. In this manner a visual information hierarchy is created.

4. Continue to add subtopics to the main topic, being careful to leave some space for information to be added between these subtopics. I often will use a different colour pen per subtopic. I tend to space out the information on the page as best I can whilst using a number of visual management techniques (see below) to identify key information and help the eye navigate the page quickly.

5. Lastly, be creative with your mind map. Being creative also stimulates the brain and I have found that ideas tend to be more free-flowing and more areas are explored due to the matrix nature of the information capture. Remember to focus on the content rather than trying to make it perfect. You will make mistakes; therefore you can create using pencil first or accept that the first few mind maps may be untidy or spatially cramped as you learn.

Mind map visual management:

There are a number of ways to visually manage and segregate information on a mind map. I tend to use visual management techniques in a consistent manner to ensure that information of a similar importance or nature can be easily noticed. Below are a few of the key methods:

1. Colour – use colour to segregate topics from one another. Even if information gets close together it will be possible to segregate what belongs to what based on the topic colour.
2. CAPITALS – use capital letters to distinguish key pieces of information. This visually draws the eye to the information if the majority is in lower-case.
3. Underlining – underlining places emphasis on information again allowing the eye to quickly isolate the relevant information.
4. Encapsulating in a shape – drawing a shape around text or information allows it to be easily segregated. I usually use shapes to encapsulate topics or sub-topics.
5. Symbols or pictures – these segregate information and they can also make the mind map “fun”. Examples include:
   1. “check boxes” for tasks to be done;
   2. “light bulbs” for ideas;
   3. “exclamation marks” for information of high importance or risks
   4. “question marks” for questions
   5. “£” for money or costs
   6. “flags” for goals or milestones

Benefits of mind mapping:

There are many benefits to a mind map:

• They display a lot of information on one page / small space. This allows the reader to quickly get an understanding of the topic without having to read pages and pages of text.
• They structure information. Mind maps capture information hierarchy and relationships in an intuitive manner. This makes the mind map ideal for activities such as complex problem mapping, project planning, essay planning, note taking or sharing information with others.
• They can increase productivity. Quick to create, mind maps allow ideas to be freely captured, a word or symbol can capture the essence of what would be a sentence or paragraph using traditional written methods. Brainstorming ideas becomes a breeze, and communication becomes more effective as the main topics of conversation can be quickly identified.
• They allow more information to be captured. Mind maps comprise of consolidated information – they save lengthy written or typed notes that, let’s be honest, hardly ever get revisited, and can be difficult to understand post event. Note-takers often miss out content, regardless of their skill and experience, because they have to concentrate on what they are writing. This means either: (1) incomplete notes; or (2) revisiting the notes to ensure information is accurate and complete. 
• They can be created digitally, saved and linked together. There are lots of software providers who cater for the mind mapping enthusiast. MS Visio is often used in the workplace, however there are plenty of shareware offerings available with a quick search of the internet. The advantages of creating an electronic version are: (1) the map can be as large as you need it to be; (2) the map can be rearranged if you need to add more information; (3) mistakes are easily corrected; (4) the map can be updated over time without the need for re-drafting the original; and (5) digital maps allow media to be included as well as links to other maps or related information (e.g. websites, articles, pictures etc).

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this article please share this with your network and help someone gain an advantage from this great tool.