You’ve got a project you want to accomplish, but you can’t seem to get started. The ideas you have, if any, are an overwhelming jumble in your brain. You’re stuck.

Sound familiar?

Creative people aren’t naturally creative all the time, but they do regularly make use of certain tricks when they get stuck. One of those is Mind Mapping, and you can do it, too.

What is Mind Mapping?

Mind Mapping was invented by Tony Buzan, an author, consultant, and speaker. It is a means of brainstorming or note taking, a way to organize a particular topic or the barrage of thoughts you might be having.

It helps you focus and can be used to solve a problem, generate ideas, or even study for a test.

As explained on the website:

“A Mind Map is a powerful graphic technique which provides a universal key to unlock the potential of the brain. It harnesses the full range of cortical skills…in a single, uniquely powerful manner. In so doing, it gives you the freedom to roam the infinite expanses of your brain. The Mind Map can be applied to every aspect of life where improved learning and clearer thinking will enhance human performance.”

How to Create a Mind Map

Mind Maps are personal, so there are a lot of different ways to do them. All you need is a pen and a piece of paper.

Once you’re done with it, sometimes it’s helpful to rewrite it more neatly and perhaps use colorful markers or pencils.

All Mind Maps start with a central idea, and then you draw branches to new ideas inspired by your central idea. From there, add branches from the new ideas to create a third tier, and so on.

Photo Credit: @sapphiresstudies

Photo Credit: @StudyingwithJenni

Here are some simple steps for creating your Mind Map:

1. Start with a blank piece of white paper placed horizontally in front of you. You’ll start at the center of the page so your mind can expand in all directions.
2. Use a word, topic, or picture as your main idea in the center of the page.
3. Connect your branch ideas to this central image. Connect your third-tier ideas to the second-tier ideas. The brain appreciates links and association, so by grouping your Mind Map thoughts in this way, you’ll have an easier time remembering the material.
4. Draw curved branch lines; curves are more interesting to the brain than straight lines. You want to do everything you can to keep your brain active and engaged with this activity!

Benefits of Mind Mapping

• Memorize material more quickly because the mind map’s organizational structure actually reflects how your brain organizes ideas.
• Boost creativity.
• Save time by focusing on the key words and ideas.
• Focus your attention.
• Reduce stress by knowing you have a go-to solution for creativity blocks and study challenges.
• Clarity of mind by brain-dumping.

Quick Tips

• Relax. There’s no pressure here. No one else has to see your mind map.
• This is a tool that is going to help you. Keep that in mind if you find it hard to get started.
• Develop a Mind Mapping habit. I do this every Friday. It’s my way of brain-dumping all the week’s ideas and stresses onto a piece of paper and out of my head.

What will you use mind mapping for? Let me know in the comments!