Be More Productive Using A Mind Map
A Mind Map is a great tool for quickly capturing ideas, presenting them in beautiful, graphic, and hierarchical form. But can it be used as a task list?
Your to-do list can be found in many different formats and you may already have on paper or adhesive notes or captured on some electronic devices. Some people use good old Notepad, but many apps help you pick up your tasks, such as Remember the Milk, Evernote, IQTell, OmniFocus, or simply Microsoft OneNote.
I have succeeded in using mind maps to store my tasks for several years and many people loved and adopted this idea. I think there are some great advantages: just try it!
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What Are Mind Maps?
The mind map is basically a chart that connects information on a central theme. I like to think of it as a tree, although it has a more radial structure. However, in the center of your main idea, for example, poetry, branches are sub-themes or related ideas, such as famous poetry types, poets, and poetic publications. Greater levels of detail branch out from there and branches can be linked together.
Mind maps can be used largely in any thinking or learning task, from studying a subject (such as a new language) to planning your career or even building better habits.
Asian Efficiency's blog offers some unusual ways to use mind maps you may not have thought of: creating a knowledge bank (because the Mind Maps program lets you attach files and add links), solving problems (such as a credit card to use), creating book summaries and setting goals. It's also great for teams to use, for group brainstorming and interactive presentations.
Why Mind Maps Are Better Than Text Notes
Mind maps can be more effective than brainstorming and taking other linear notes for many reasons:
- It's a graphical tool that can include words, images, numbers, and colors so that creating and reviewing them is unforgettable and fun. Combining words and images is six times better to remember information than words alone.
- Mind maps link concepts and brings them together through natural associations. This helps generate more ideas, find deeper meaning in your subject, and also prompts you to fill in more or find what you miss.
- The mind map can immediately give you an overview of a large topic while also retaining large amounts of information.
- It's also a very intuitive way to organize your ideas since mind maps mimic the way our brains think - ideas bounce back from each other, rather than linear thinking.
- You can create ideas very quickly with this technology and you are encouraged to explore different creative paths.
In one survey, executives who began using the mind mapping program said they were able to work faster than before and reconcile more complex projects with mind mapping. Research suggests that mind mapping can improve learning and memory by 10 to 15% versus traditional note-taking and study techniques. It can also save you time, as the Learning Fundamentals blog states:
A student recently told me ...
"I thought mind mapping would take a lot of time to do, but it actually saves me time because I don't have to read my notes over and over again."
Mind mapping helps you study less because you understand information at a deep level as a result of creating mind maps. If you just read your feedback over and over again, you'll understand the content only on a surface level and you'll waste a lot of time.
How To Start Mind Mapping?
You can create a mind map on paper, in a drawing app on your tablet, or one of many common mind mapping software tools, such as XMind, Metabrain readers' favorite mind mapping program.
Pen and paper may be better because you can get your thoughts out more quickly and branch drawing can help you remember. On the other hand, using your computer can make your mind maps searchable and include attachments. If you're having trouble choosing from many digital tools to choose from, Mind Mapping Software suggests you look for these five features: the ability to add links and attachments, add notes, filter content, export to other programs or formats, and use keyboard shortcuts.
Once you've chosen your tools, follow these seven steps and tips to create a mind map, from British author Tony Buzan, who trademarked and published the term "mind map" in the 1960s:
- Start in the middle of a blank page that is sideways upside down. Why not? Starting from the center gives your brain the freedom to spread in all directions and express itself freely and naturally.
- Use a picture or image of your central idea. Why not? Because the image is worth a thousand words and helps you use your imagination. The central image is more interesting, keeps you focused, helps you focus, and gives your brain more fuss!
- Use colors all over. Why not? Because colors are as exciting for your brain as images. Color adds vitality and extra life to your mind map, adds tremendous energy to your creative thinking, and it's fun!
- Connect your main branches to the central image and connect the second and third levels to the first and second levels, etc. Why? Because your brain works by link. He likes to tie two (or three or four) things together. If you connect branches, you'll understand and remember a lot more easily.
- Make your branches curved instead of straight-striped. Why not? Because having nothing but straight lines is boring for your brain.
- Use one keyword in each line. Why because individual keywords give your mind map more strength and flexibility.
- Use photos all the time. Why because each image, like the central image, is also worth a thousand words. So, if you only have 10 pictures in your mind map, they are already worth 10,000 words of notes!
Or well, here's a mind map about mind mapping:
However, there is no single standard way to create a mind map. If you want to use more than one keyword or add more text to a branch, this is a personal choice. Go with what suits you effectively.
For more information and inspiration, check out these and other mind map galleries and other resources, which illustrate the many ways you can use mind maps in your life:
- Mappio - mind map gallery
- Mind Map Art - gallery of beautiful hand-drawn mind maps
- MindMappingStrategies - a blog about mind mapping
- Mind-Mapping orgone of the most extensive resources about mind mapping software
- Learning Fundamentals - tricks of the trade for mind mapping, particularly on paper
It's Visual
Your to-do list is no longer just a flat list with some text - some people hate to-do lists because of it. Using the mind map, you can maintain, overlap, and reorganize the hierarchy of tasks and priorities. You can also apply different lines and colors, or create hyperlinks. It's your list, so you can organize it in your own way.
It Involves Emotions
With only one look, your mind map can show you where you are. You can see it and you can feel it. Sometimes, you can see that a project is over-burdened, that you have too many delegated tasks, or that there is one task that has existed ever since forever because the goal was not clear. With each completed task, you can see your progress by noting how the "Done" section grows. It's great to look at it this weekend and be proud of it!
Tracks Delegated Tasks
I often see that many people suffer because their job lists cannot track the task assigned to someone else. Either it is marked as "done" (I've done my part) or stays there, calls for action, and makes the picture blurry. A section dedicated to delegated tasks solves the problem and also keeps the list visible.
It Tracks The Progress
Since there is a separate section for tasks already completed, you can see how this grows and feel good about it. With just one look you can find out where you are and how much you've already accomplished this week, and it will be much easier to write reports or summarize your work. These small achievements are your small victories.
It Calls For Retrospectives
After one week, the "have" section may be too large and this is the moment to clean it up. Of course, you can simply delete completed tasks from the mind map, but you can also spend half an hour, or even just a few minutes, thinking about them. What gave you the most satisfaction? That drains energy from you? What can you do better next week?
When you're done, delete it, but it'll feel like a little victory. A lot of people are surprised when they see that list at the weekend!
It Can Be Personalized
Another wonderful thing is that you can apply your format to it. You can change fonts, apply different colors, or add photos to different projects. You can add codes to some tasks, for example when you think there are some risks associated with them. The mind map is entirely yours, when you think something can be done your own way, just do it!
Summary
I think this technology has many advantages compared to traditional "Flat" to-do lists. It can be used on any device using any mind maps app you want. There's no special charm behind this. You can easily improve it over time and adjust it to your personal style. You can see and you can feel the progress.
If you try this technique, I would love to hear your comments about it below!
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