When is a Mind Map not a Mind Map?

Posted by Faizel Mohidin on Jul 5, 2009 in Mind Mapping, Mind Maps in Education | 1 comment

When it is a colourless, confusing web with no centre, no emphasis and random association!

There are various forms of Mind Maps that aren’t really Mind Maps. According to Tony Buzan, the inventor of the Mind Map, these structures are often called spider or cluster diagrams. They lead to confusion, monotony and chaotic thought.

These structures are often drawn by people first starting out with Mind Mapping, or people who have heard of Mind Mapping, but have not learned the Principles of Mind Mapping.

They look like Mind Maps to the untrained eye. If they look like Mind Maps, how can they be so ‘wrong’?

There are a number of differences between these ‘Mind Maps’ and real Mind Maps. As they grow, they become increasingly random and lead to confusion instead of clarity.

A real Mind Map will stimulate the brain and lead to structure and clarity while keeping the creative juices flowing.

In these Mind Maps that are not really Mind Maps, ideas are often reduced to the same level and each one becomes disassociated from the others.

The keys to memory are emphasis and association.

• A Mind Map has a central idea, preferably in the form of an image.
• A Mind Map has the central branches radiating out from the central idea.
• A Mind Map ensures that the central branches are thicker than the outer ones.
• A Mind Map uses flowing, organic branches.
• A Mind Map uses colour.
• A Mind Map uses symbols, pictures and even codes to bring structure and creativity.

So I suggest that you go and learn the Mind Map principles so that your Mind Maps don’t result in confusion, monotony and chaos.

To help you with this, I’ve included a Mind Map on the Mind Map Principles. If you really want to get a solid grounding in the Mind Map principles, I strongly suggest that you do our no obligation Introduction to Mind Mapping course, which won’t cost you a cent. In the course you will learn the principles by using tangible objects as a basis for your Mind Maps.

Mind Map of Mind Mapping Principles