What is a mind map
?
A mind map basically reflects our brains;
the way our brains function at
best.
Our memory consists out of
associations . Not in a linear way (the way we take
notes).
You're probably not going to be surprised when I tell you that
every idea you have, is probably consisting out of hundreds if
not thousands links/associations. A mind map empowers you to
structure this amount of links and associations. And this is
gives you a more in-depth insight and overview over your
idea.
We think in keywords or key-images. We actually
don't remind sentences so well. We remember keywords and when
we tell what we remember, we are producing sentences which
connect these keywords/images to each other. We only do this in
order to make bridges between different keywords and key
images.
If we want to remember a line/sentence, most of us would have
to cram on this line in order to recall this line
exactly.
This is difficult and definitely not fun to
do.
Normally when trying to recall a sentence literally, we
remember the context of the line, but not the precise
words.
Keywords and images in a mind
map
A mind map consists out of keywords and
images (we are literally going to use the saying: an
images is worth a thousand words), colors and a
STRUCTURE. As a result 90% of the normal info we would
use, we can forget in a mind map. Due to this we can
stuff way more info in a mind map. All this info on one
sheet of paper! This paper will provide you with an
overview over the project and at the same time the
mind map will contain detailed
information.
Just imagine: This is not possible with
our normal way of note taking.
Look at what we normally do. We note our
important thoughts. These thoughts form lines/sentences.
We all write these important thoughts down on a piece of
paper. This piece of paper is growing by the minute. Soon
these notes become two, three, and four ...endless
amounts of pieces of paper.
But realize this;
1. The moment you are turning a paper, you're actually already
out of context.
2. Finding crucial info back becomes nastier the moment the
amount of papers is growing.
3. Last but not least; the way you write your notes is very
monotone. How do you expect your brains to like what you're
writing and therefore easily remember it?
Your brain loves action, variety,
out-of-the-box material; it will instantly remember these
weird things.
That is exactly what you can do with a mind
map.
And with a mind map you will stay IN
CONTEXT. Even when doodling on the same piece of paper on
which you make your mind map, you're still in context;
I'll bet you that this doodle will still contain relevant
info about the subject: But still, all notes are on
one piece of paper.
A mind map is way more visual by nature than
our standard way of note taking. In a mind map the
structure shows and clarifies the nature,
hierarchy and associational link between keywords in
a blink of an eye.
A mind map can pull your attention to specific subjects while
maintaining the helicopter view.
A mind map makes you remember effortlessly in contrast
to our conventional way of thinking and note
taking.
I will say it differently; a mind map is
structuring info almost the same way that our
brain is doing it.
While saying this, you'll probably realize
that reviewing info in a mind map will be done quickly as
well. If you review your info in a mind map on a frequent
basis (which will probably cost you about 2 to 3 minutes
every time you review) it will result in:
1. Review time is way shorter than the usual way.
2. The brains will absorb the info
automatically.
The mind map actually
is like a road map
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