Concept development - Idea Generation - Mind Mapping

1. Take a blank piece of paper, A4 or larger - Blank paper allows 360º of freedom to express the full range of your cortical skills, whereas pre-drawn lines restrict the natural flow of your thoughts
2. Use the paper in landscape orientation - Words and images have more space in the direction we write, so they don’t bump into margins as quickly
3. Start in the center - Thoughts start in the centre of our mental world. The Mind Map® page reflects this
4. Make a central image that represents the topic about which you are writing /thinking - A picture is worth a thousand words. It opens up associations, focuses the thoughts, is fun and results in better recall:

• use at least three colours - colours stimulate the right cortical activity of imagination as well as capturing and holding attention
• keep the height and width of the central image to approx. 2’’ or 5 cm (proportionately larger for bigger paper) - this size gives plenty of space for the rest of your Mind Map®, while making it large enough to be the clear focus of the topic
• allow the image to create its own shape (do not use a frame) - the unique shape makes it more memorable and enjoyable. A frame makes the centre a monotony of shape and disconnects the branches

5. The main themes around the central image are like the chapter headings of a book - The main themes, connected to the central image on the main branches, allow their relative importance to be seen. These are the Basic Ordering Ideas (BOIs) and aggregate and focus the rest of the Mind Map®

• print this word in CAPITALS or draw an image - printing (versus cursive) allows the brain to photograph the image thus giving easier reading and more immediate recall
• place on a line of the same length - word length equals line length. An extra line disconnects thoughts, length accentuates the connection
• the central lines are thick, curved and organic i.e. like your arm joining your body, or the branch of a tree to the trunk - curved lines give visual rhythm and variety and so are easier to remember, more pleasant to draw and less boring to look at. Thicker central lines show relative importance
  
• connect directly to the central image - Connected to the image because the brain works by association not separated, disconnected lines

6. Start to add a second level of thought. These words or images are linked to the main branch that triggered them. - Your initial words and images stimulate associations. Attach whatever word or image is triggered. Allow the 'random movement of your thought; you do not have to ‘finish’ one branch before moving on

• lines connect are thinner - connected lines create relationships and a structure. They also demonstrate the level of importance, as from a branch to a twig
• words are still printed but may be lower case - the size and style of the letters provide additional data about the importance and meaning of the word/image

7. Add a third or fourth level of data as thoughts come to you - Your brain is like a multi-handed thought-ball catcher. The Mind Map® allows you to catch and keep whatever ‘thought ball’ is thrown by your brain

• Use images as much as you can, instead of, or in addition to the words
• Allow your thoughts to come freely, meaning you ‘jump about’ the Mind Map® as the links and associations occur to you

8. Add a new dimension to your Mind Map®. Boxes add depth around the word or image - To make some important points stand out
9. Sometimes enclose branches of a Mind Map® with outlines in colour - The outlines will create unique shapes as you find in clouds and will aid your memory

• enclose the shape of the branch. Hug the shape tightly - these provide immediate visual linking. They can also encourage follow-up and remind you of action you need to take
• use different colours and styles - they can also show connection between branches by using the same colour outline

10. Make each Mind Map® a little more:

• BEAUTIFUL - Your eyes and brain will be attracted to your Mind Map®
• ARTISTIC
• COLOURFUL - It will be easier to remember
• IMAGINATIVE - It will be more attractive to you
  (and to others as well)
  
• DIMENSIONAL

11. Have fun! Add a little humour, exaggeration or absurdity wherever you can - Your brain will delight in getting the maximum use and enjoyment from this process and will therefore learn faster, recall more effectively and think more clearly