Organize your mind - part 1: Mind Mapping

As an entrepreneur, there are often too many ideas and concepts floating around in my mind at one time. I needed to find tools to help me organize what I was thinking and doing - and maybe even help me link the two.

I use 2 ways to represent the mess that is sometimes my mind. The first is Mind mapping and the second is Concept Mapping. I will expose Mind Mapping here and get to Concept Mapping in part 2.

Mind Mapping: the principle
From Wikipedia :
"A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks or other items linked to and arranged radially around a central key word or idea. It is used to generate, visualize, structure and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, decision making, and writing. It is an image-centered diagram that represents semantic or other connections between portions of information. By presenting these connections in a radial, non-linear graphical manner, it encourages a brainstorming approach to any given organizational task, eliminating the hurdle of initially establishing an intrinsically appropriate or relevant conceptual framework to work within.

The elements are arranged intuitively according to the importance of the concepts and they are organized into groupings, branches, or areas. The uniform graphic formulation of the semantic structure of information on the method of gathering knowledge may aid recall of existing memories."

Mind Mapping : where the problem comes from
From Peter Russell:
The issues with traditional linear note-taking
- Energy and time wasted writing down superfluous words.
- Other information may be missed while noting down one idea.
- Take longer to read and review.
- Associations and connections between key words and ideas not readily apparent.
- Attention wanders easily.
- Lack of color and other visual qualities handicap memory.
- Traditional notes aid forgetting not memory.

Mind Mapping : the advantages (Peter Russell)
- Mind maps work the way the brain works -- which is not in nice neat lines. Memory is naturally associative, not linear. Any idea probably has thousands of links in your mind. Mind maps allow associations and links to be recorded and reinforced.
- The mind remembers key words and images, not sentences -- try recalling just one sentence from memory!   Mind maps use just key words and key images, allowing a lot more information to be put on a page.
- Because mind maps are more visual and depict associations between key words, they are much easier to recall than linear notes. (For example, although you may not have studied it in depth, see how much of the Home Mind Map of this site you can recall in your mind's eye.)
- Starting from the center of the page rather than top-left corner allows you to work out in all directions.
- The organization of a mind map reflects the way your own brain organizes ideas.
- Mind maps are easy to review. Regular review reinforces memory. Best is to try reviewing in your imagination first, then go back and check on those areas that were hazy.
- We remember what stands out (where were you when John Lennon was shot?). Visual quality of mind maps allows you to make key points to stand out easily.

From MapYourMind, we get a list of applications, that resume well how I use it myself
- Learning: Reduce those ‘tons of work’. Feel good about study, revision and exams. Have confidence in your learning abilities.   
- Overviewing: See the whole picture, the global view, at once. Understand the links and connections.
- Concentrating: Focus on the task for better results. Using all of your cortical skills attracts your attention.
- Memorizing: Easy recall. ‘See’ the information in your mind’s eye.
- Organizing: Be on top of all of the details for parties, holidays, projects or any other subject.
- Presenting: Speeches are clear, relaxed and alive. You can be at your best.    
- Communicating: In all forms with clarity and conciseness.
- Planning: Orchestrate all details and aspects – from beginning to end – on one piece of paper.
- Meetings: From planning to agenda, to chairing, to taking the minutes … the jobs are completed with speed and efficiency.
- Training: From preparation to presentation they make the job easier and much faster.
- Thinking: Having a method to analyse thoughts – almost a ‘way-station’ for them.
- Negotiating: All the issues, your position and manoeuvrability in one sheet.   
- Brain Blooming: The new brain-storming in which more thoughts are generated and appropriately assessed.

Mind Mapping : how it's done
Tony Buzan, father of Mind Mapping gives us 10 foundations to a great mind map.
- Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors.
- Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout your Mind Map..
- Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.
- Each word/image must be alone and sitting on its own line.
- The lines must be connected, starting from the central image. The central lines are thicker, organic and flowing, becoming thinner as they radiate out from the centre.
- Make the lines the same length as the word/image.
- Use colors – your own code – throughout the Mind Map.
- Develop your own personal style of Mind Mapping.
- Use emphasis and show associations in your Mind Map.
- Keep the Mind Map clear by using radial hierarchy, numerical order or outlines to embrace your branches.

Mind Mapping : the tools
Bootstrapper has a fantastic list of tools that are available to help organize your mind. I use 2 free tools quite frequently (a little too much according to my employees). Did I mention they were free ? I have used many other paying tools, but these free tools do 80 % of what you will ever need.
1. Freemind. An open source java based mind mapper.
2. Cayra.net. A fantastic free tool that I've started using recently and is replacing my freemind maps.

Enjoy mind mapping. It will change your life.