Mind Maps: Their Definition and How to Draw Them

I will never forget the day I learned about mind mapping. This was at the trainers' training session I attended about 10 years ago. The guest trainer conducted a session on mental mapping, starting with the concept of the "rule of memorizing 7 elements in memory", and then went on to talk about ming mapping and how to do it.

My life has changed completely. For years I had a hard time getting past the writer's lock because I thought the only way to draw a chart was the traditional linear method: the opening, then the first point, then the second and so on. However, why didn't anyone teach us Mind mapping in high school? Mind mapping has provided me with a lot of possibilities.

Benefits of Mind Mapping:

I first used mind mapping to take notes of my leaders when conducting a new training course. Now I can look at a paper that has keywords, drawings, symbols, and colors to guide me through my workshops. Then I started using mind maps to design the workshops. I was sitting in front of a large whiteboard and brainstorming how I would go through the course content. I even use mind maps in my personal life for my to-do lists.

What is Mind Mapping?

Mind mapping is also known as the thinking tree. It is a technique based on the premise that we often think in a random and non-linear manner. Therefore, our observations must match the way our brain works. It is a method of taking visual notes that use keywords, drawings, symbols, and colors. Mind maps have a long history dating back to the third century.

As  it is a free way of thinking, it benefits the user by helping speed up their thinking process, and then helping generate ideas, make decisions, or solve problems. Mind mapping can be used to help trainers or public speakers develop presentation content, assist instructional designers formulate a task analysis, lesson plan, or project, and help learners take notes during the presentation or training.

Mind Mapping Method:

• Write the topic at the top or middle of the page.
• Start your individual brainstorming session by writing down all the key points in the order you have in mind. These points must be written throughout the page instead of drawing a sequential outline and at different corners of the page rather than showing them line by
• Use only one line with one or two words for each idea “no phrases”.
• Draw symbols or drawings instead of words to add some visual diversity.
• Focus on random thoughts rather than logical patterns. You will easily find patterns when you have finished the entire map.
• Clarify the previous points when needed, and when this happens, write the new idea as a branch of the previous idea.
• Keep writing and building branches this way until the ideas run out.
• Number all key points in the sequence you plan to present them in.
• Produce a conventional chart by reproducing your mind map in a linear way.