Using Mind Maps for Creativity, Note-Taking and Productivity
That headline makes a bold promise, doesn’t it? Creativity, note-taking and productivity? Mind Mapping really is that useful. Read on and I will explain!
What Are Mind Maps?
Mind Maps are a visual diagram with lines and bubbles representing ideas and relationships between them. The core idea sits in the middle with related topics branching out from it. Ideas are further broken down and extended until your page looks like an impressionist painting of a spider colony.
That is my description. Here is a video direct from the source!
Why Are Mind Maps Useful?
There are lots of reasons Mind Maps beat other note-taking methods, not least of which I find drawing Mind Maps fun, here are some more serious reasons.
- Mind Maps are fast to create and no effort is wasted
- Hierarchy and categorization are visually and clearly defined
- Rather than writing out lots of superfluous words only the key ideas are represented.
- As well as using words you can draw symbols and diagrams to illustrate ideas
- You can read back a Mind Map at a glance, jumping right to the part you need
What are Mind Maps Useful For?
In the headline I mention three categories that Mind Maps can be used for, let’s look at some examples:
- Brain Storming - Mind Maps allow us to quickly get ideas from our heads and down on paper. Another benefit is they lend especially well to free-association. By recording then reviewing rapidly and freely generated ideas we can find connections and new relationships between concepts that we otherwise might have missed. Of course drawing your ideas is also ideal for staying in a creative mode where more logical and rigid methods might take us off track. Put your central theme or goal in the middle then add ideas or thoughts around it, further adding or relating concepts as you go.
Note Taking - As you listen to a lecture or read a book you can very quickly create notes using a Mind Map. You can use large branches for chapters or key points, with detail added from them. A whole book can be summarized on one page and it is remarkable how well you can recall the information later with only the map as a guide. This method is used by Sean D’Souza for his book reviews, an example of which can be found here for his review of The Long Tail. LifeHacker did an excellent piece on using Mind Maps for taking notes at meetings.- Productivity - I would argue that if you can generate ideas and take notes quickly and effectively you are already more productive, but Mind Maps also help in other areas of business.
- Planning can be helped a great deal with Mind Maps, in one diagram you can represent everything that needs doing, the relationships between tasks (eg. what has to be done before something else can be), and the relative priorities.
- I have used Mind Maps many times for outlining reports, books and talks. Even a couple of times using the Mind Map itself as my only notes to read from.
- When building a website now I always use a Mind Map to plan the site categories and content.
There is an interesting description of three categories of Mind Maps at the “Beyond Mind Mapping” blog.
Mind Mapping Software
Traditionally Mind Maps were drawn with coloured pens and paper. Tony Buzan recommends you use at least three colours. Of course computer technology has become a more popular method, bringing in searching, import/export and archival benefits, and since the rise of the web the ability to collaborate over distances.
- Bubbl.us - My favourite because it is free and online!
- IMindMap - The official software from the man himself
- MindJet - A commercial desktop tool with free trial
- Inspiration - Another popular desktop tool, especially with students
- FreeMind - A free and open source project
More packages are listed and reviewed at a blog all about Mind Mapping software.
Summary
You might tell I am a Mind Map fan! Do you ever use Mind Maps? Have any links you can share? Let us know in the comments …
Related posts:
- 10 Essential Mind Mapping Links
- Sketch Your Presentation With Sketchcasting
- Ten Ideas For Productive Lists
- Get Google Maps Phone Directions and Locations Without GPS
- Is it Content Theft or Free Distribution?
Posted on August 28, 2007 by Chris Garrett
Filed Under Most Popular, Productivity
Comments
54 Responses to “Using Mind Maps for Creativity, Note-Taking and Productivity”
Leave a Reply
- Using Mind Maps for Creativity, Note-Taking and Productivity
- Announcing the Creative Commons PDF Converter
- The Freelancer's Toolset: 100 Web Apps for Everything You Will Possibly Need
- Announcing PostWisdom for FireFox: Your Personal Blog Writing Coach
- Adobe
- Blogging
- Cogniview
- Collaboration
- Content Licensing
- Copywriting
- Creative Commons
- Enterprise 2.0
- Excel
- Excel Template
- Excel Tips
- Funny
- IT
- Methodology
- Microsoft
- Office 2.0
- Productivity
- Sad
- Series
- Uncategorized
- Video Tutorials
- Web 2.0
-
Keep this site going
Subscribe with RSS
[…] Using Mind Maps for Creativity, Note-Taking and Productivity Bookmark!: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. […]
I liked your article, it is a very nice overview. I use mind maps every day to aid in writing, organization and information / knowledge management. One software package that wasn’t mentioned that I would recommend highly is NovaMind. It is similar to iMindMap in that it gives you the ability to easily create very natural and good-looking maps, but also has really excellent information management capabilities and is better engineered in my opinion.
I’m a big fan of mind maps too. One notable limitation is that they are difficult for someone to read if that person did not create the mind map originally. I wrote about it a couple years ago (linked to my name).
Thanks for a good article. I’ve also linked to the IHMC concept-mapping product. It is free, easy to use, and a little more powerful for my uses than other mind map products I’ve used.
There is a great list of 99 Mind Mapping resources that someone just posted.
Hope this list helps.
http://www.collegedegree.com/library/college-life/99-mind-mapping
JD
I use mindmaps mainly for quick and dirty brainstorming and seeing how ideas and concepts fit together.
I’ve really enjoyed using MindMeister, because it has just what I need, and not a lot of bloat or features I’ll never use. I also like the ability to share maps.
Wise Mapping is the web mind mapping tool that leverages the power of Mind Maps mixing new technologies like vectorial languages (SVG and VML) and the power of the whole Web 2.0 concept. No pluggin required and it’s free.
http://www.wisemapping.com/c/home.htm
Mind mapping is a great tool, and I was blown away by the maps produced by Jane Genovese and her mother. Here is a series of mind maps on the topic of global warming.
http://learningfundamentals.com.au/global-warming/
@Arthur - I will check out NovaMind, so far I have been pretty stuck on the free tools
@Scott - I think it depends who created them, for example with Seans book reviews I get a good idea of the book without reading it
(though Sean doesn’t adhere to a strict methodology)
@Jonathan - Great list, thanks!
@Tony - Sharing maps is a really new and cool feature in the world of mind maps. My fave online tool linked above now has import and export, I am going to play with the xml export as I can see all sorts of future uses for that
@Satish - Ooh free, I like free!
@Glenn - Excellent, and nice find
I’ve been playing around with www.mindomo.com and www.mindmeister.com and have found them both helpful and useful.
Hi Chris, I use FreeMind a lot, here’s a post a wrote a while ago: http://smartwealthyrich.com/brainstorming-is-useless-if-you-cant-see-the-big-picture/
and recently I started using the “Blueprint” feature of 8apps.com , here’s a post I wrote on my other blog: http://freelancefolder.com/taking-task-management-brainstorming-and-social-networking-a-step-further/
Jonathan
mindomo looks pretty cool, there seem to be more of these popping up all the time!
Hi Chris,
Greetings from Mindjet. I just came across your post and noticed you’re familiar with MindManager. Are you a current user? Let me know if you’d like to chat, I can be reached at the email address I provided. Thanks!
[…] more from the Codswallop blog? Here is Chris’ most recent post on "Using Mind Maps for Creativity, Note-Taking and […]
I have been using mindmaps as a creative thinking tool for several years. I have used both iMindmap and Mindjet software - both have trial versions, iMindmap is more intuitive and visual.
An excellent variation on mindmaps is called the Lotus Blossom:
http://creatingminds.org/tools/lotus_blossom.htm
Mindmaps are also an excellent group creative thinking tool. You can make huge mindmaps by taping easel pad sheets together and placing on a wall. As the map builds, ideas flow as people make connections.
Hi Chris
I experimented with mindmapping to help me think through the process for choosing another blog topic. I did a mindmap to illustrate this, including a mini review of Mindomo.
http://www.growyourwritingbusiness.com/?p=256
Hi Chris,
Here’s some links on articles I’ve done on mind mapping:
http://cuberules.com/2007/05/02/mindmanager-70-release-announced/
On the release of Mind Manager 7.0
http://tenkeyboards.com/2007/07/09/5-reasons-a-writer-should-use-mind-maps/
A writer’s use of mind maps
http://tenkeyboards.com/2007/04/03/mindmanager-can-aid-your-writing/
How Mind Manager can aid in your writing
Not that I’m a fan of mind maps or anything…
@Gaelen - I have tried it on the advice of Sean D’Souza who recommends it while doing his own with a pen on the back of paper bags
(you can see his book reviews linked above) but have stuck to free tools for now
@Innovation - Lotus blossom, a new one on me but I love the name, looks a bit more rigid than mind maps?
@Yvonne - Nice stuff, your mind map is a great example
Our team launched a new collaborative web-based mind mapping tool called Comapping. It is worth checking it out at comapping.com.
[…] Using Mind Mapping for Creativity, Note Taking and Productivity, by Chris Garrett, is the post that prompted me to write this. It gives a good description of the many uses of Mind Mapping. […]
@Omar - Interesting, I will take a look
Hi Chris
A great summary of the uses of mind maps. I’m a group facilitator and have used MindManager with groups by projecting the screen on the wall. It’s a great way to collaborate. It’s especially useful for sorting, sifting and summarising the output from traditional brainstorms. It also has the wow! factor for group project planning when combined with MS Project.
You can see examples and thoughts at my blog: hhtp://www.vismap.blogspot.com/
Yeah I have found Mind Maps go down well in groups, especially if you use lots of graphics/drawings rather than all text
[…] I posted about Mind Mapping I asked for you to provide any links you had on using Mind Maps. Here are 11 of the best resources […]
Great article and lots of comments and energy around mindmapping. I am a creative right brain and have used mindmapping in previous jobs as a training manager. Your article and all of the comments make me want to take out a piece of paper and do one. I have lots of ideas and projects that I need clarity about and I know that a mindmap would help me get my thoughts organized. Thanks for sharing this article! I am on my way to Digg!!
Darlene
Interview Guru
www.interviewchatter.com
[…] Using Mind Maps for Creativity, Note-Taking and Productivity […]
[…] using the task information feature, when things change. Want more from the Codswallop blog? Here is Chris’ most recent post on “Using Mind Maps for Creativity, Note-Taking and […]
Hey Chris, thanks for this link. I’ve been intrigued by the idea of mind maps, and I’ve done a few on paper. But for one reason and another I’ve never used and mind mapping software that i liked at all. But this thing is cool. It’s easy, simple, flexible and best of all the mind maps look like what mind maps look like in my mind for the most part.
I think I’ll be producing mind maps for a number of things in the coming days.
[…] Garrett posted about using mind maps for creativity, note taking and productivity and mentioned a cool new website called Bubbl.us where they offer a free, flash based, online mind […]
[…] 3rd, 2007 by senescal07 Leo vía Chris Garrett una recomendación sobre un artículo “Using Mind Maps for Creativity, Note-Taking and Productivity” para aumentar la productividad en toma de decisiones y procesos de generación de ideas usando lo […]
@Dane - It was a bit weird at first using software but now the editing, reordering, import/export, etc advantages have won me over. I am just trying out a Mac package that looks good, review to come soon
Can one keep the mind maps that one makes on the sites viewable only for selected persons?
[…] Using Mind Maps for Creativity, Note-Taking and Productivity […]
Mind Maps are very useful tools for solving any complex probelms, very good site.
For visual project planning, nothing beats GoalEnforcer. In my opinion, it is ahead of the pack. It uses a better visualization concept than traditional mindmaps (no clutter).
www.goalenforcer.com
[…] future work as you have them, even if you can’t get to them immediately. I like to use mind mapping software if I need to show hierarchy of ideas and outlines. Other times, I just make a flat list. […]
I appreciate the cross-functionality I have with Mindmanager. I love the fact I can type an entry one time and move it across a multitude of platforms. I build, create and maintain activities, current topics, future topics, personal/business goals, music/book shopping lists and work flows (just to name a few) in Mindmanager. If something pops into my brain while I’m working, I put it in GyroQ once, then import to Mindmanager and then move it appropriately at the end of the day. My iPaq syncs with Outlook, so I send over my ToDo Lists, shopping lists and reminders to book appointments from Mindmanager. Type once - send to the correct spot. Love it!
[…] Try it out and see how it works for you. I think it could be a fun way to create tutorials and creating live Mind Maps. […]
Hi Chris:
I enjoyed your overview. I have been writing about mind mapping on my blog for several months and will be hosting a session for Mindjet on how educators can use mind mapping in and out of the classroom on November 8th. Take a look at my blog and let me know what you think. Brian
Try this… it’s not quite mind mapping, but I swear by this.
[…] Using Mind Maps for Creativity, Note-Taking and Productivity : Codswallop (tags: learning mindmapping creativity) addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scholastici.us%2F2007%2F10%2F09%2Flinks-for-2007-10-09%2F’; addthis_title = ‘links+for+2007-10-09′; addthis_pub = ”; […]
[…] Codswallop - Using Mind Maps for Creativity, Note-Taking and Productivity […]
There’s a search engine focused specifically on mind mapping at http://www.mindmapsearch.org and it has all the authority sites on mind mapping organized into category pages as well - might be useful.
Regards
Vic
http://www.mind-mapping.org
The master list of mind mapping &
information management software
[…] planning. Mindmaps are ideal for any sort of general planning you need to do, either for business or personal […]
[…] MindMaps, prima o poi devo imparare Inserito Ottobre 18, 2007 di luiginter Ogni volta che incrocio il MindMapping Mind Maps are a visual diagram with lines and bubbles representing ideas and relationships between them. The core idea sits in the middle with related topics branching out from it. Ideas are further broken down and extended until your page looks like an impressionist painting of a spider colony. (Cogniview) […]
[…] Information Business. 10. Planning quotidien. Les Mindmaps sont idéales pour toute sorte de planification générale que vous avez faire, que ce soit pour le business ou les questions plus […]
[…] Using Mind Maps for Creativity, Note-Taking and Productivity: Mind maps are useful for a lot of different things, and this article gives some guidance and suggestions on the best ways to use them. […]
[…] Wozu Mindmaps nützlich sind […]
I saw an article about this in one of my writing magazines. I ended up buying the full version of SuperNotecard by Mindola. It’s really good. They have a free version on their website. It’s made it really easy to write snippets of what I need and shuffle them around like notecards, only I can tag them in a variety of ways and add extra notes to the cards for those specific tags.
[…] Using Mind Maps for Creativity, Note-Taking and Productivity: Mind maps are useful for a lot of different things, and this article gives some guidance and suggestions on the best ways to use them. […]
www.dekstrus.com has a tool called the DNE that doesn’t quite do mind mapping, but that also lets you map information. It is not as good for quick & dirty brainstorming, but is better for organizing access to the information in your computer, since every object on your map is also like a folder, so you can get all of your files directly from any map.
There’s a video example at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXN_wJemXTI
[…] Source: CogniView […]
[…] Using Mind Maps for Creativity, Note-Taking and Productivity: Mind maps are useful for a lot of different things, and this article gives some guidance and suggestions on the best ways to use them. […]
Thought I would add details of my Hand-drawn (& painted) Mind Maps…I have a website at - http://www.mindmaps.moonfruit.com It could help spark ideas for you and your readers. Everything is FREE to download including example Mind Maps.
Regards
Paul
I find mind mapping the most useful tool for developing my business strategy/