How to make mind maps

To make it easier to perceive and analyze any incoming information, you need to use some methods for streamlining. English psychologist Tony Buzan for these and not only these purposes, proposed the use of mental maps or mind maps (also called memory cards, cards thinking, or the intellect-cards).

The concept of mental maps

A mental map is called a representation in a graphical, structured and complex form of a specific event, process, idea or thought. Usually this kind of scheme on a large sheet of paper, which fixes a huge number of connections between the various objects in this area. This feed material has the advantages of prior to its submission in writing as highlights only the most important images, words and relationships.

With such intricate mind maps the human brain is easier to perceive information, analyzes it and makes a decision or determines an action plan. And all because the brain does not think linearly, there comes a mass of neural connections, before you receive complete information.

The mind map by hand

In order to properly make a mind map, which will give the desired results, you need to follow a few rules when doing it. One of the first rules is the horizontal arrangement of the sheet. This is due to the proximity of this form to be natural. The human eye perceives better "rectangles", lying on the long side (as in the case of a TV, computer screen or the wall). The words on the map are also better positioned horizontally to see the whole picture, without taking a glance.

In the center is placed the main element of the map (goal, plan name, proper names, etc.). The center of this is necessary to issue accordingly: bright (using more than three colors), picture frames and original font. Around this centre there are branches of either sub-goal, or sections or paragraphs of the plan, etc. They must be linked with the center lines, and line depending on the type of connection (associative, causal, or consequential) to make it in different colors or even using the drawings in the form of thick chains of thin threads, durable fishing line, etc. Graphic elements in the map must be as large as possible: they perceived better than words.

From objects of the second order, which related to the Central object, it is also possible to take new positions that clarify and make more specific points of the plan or subsections. In terms of specifics it is not necessary to delve deeper and highlight unnecessary or self-evident points. To describe each line and each position it is desirable to use one keyword or phrase.

It is worth noting that when you create a card dedicated to one issue, do not affect the entirely different area. Even if an Association has led man to a new subject, for it is better to develop a new map, including a link to the old one.

Colors, textures, different lines and arrows on the map should be a lot, but it is important not to overdo it. The main purpose of the cards is the ordering information and the ease of working with her, and for a large number of unnecessary details, the meaning can be lost. Thus, the mental map you need to create expressive, colorful, emotional, but at the same time, clean and clear. To achieve this much needed balance will help you practice.

Analyzing a map of thought, another way to look at the object in question, or topic. Perhaps, associative array get the person to a completely new and creative way of action or change the goal due to the inability to achieve previously.

Computer programs

Help advanced in terms of technology, people invented special computer programs to create mind maps. Though their downside is stereotyping and a kind of stereotyped, there is always the possibility to finish the map by hand or using a graphics tablet.

The advantage of computer programs is that maps created in them, easily modified and corrected, is not redrawing completely. Besides, on electronic media it is easier to store, carry or show interested in.

Closest to the manual creation of the maps are program Visual Mind, and iMindMap. There are some drawing tools that will allow you to create a unique, vibrant and expressive mind map. Slightly less flexible the settings are in programs MindManager and MindMapper. Easy and fast, but not too expressive, you can create a memory card in the program FreeMind.