One of the most interesting things happens when people start to mindmap.
I tell my students to use more images when mapping their information. I let them know they need to make a nice picture of their notes. They learn to use different colors. And what happens next?
About 90% of them creates a map that shows words while using only one or two colors. Would you believe me that the first pen they usually use is blue?
Yes, habits are hard to break, even when you are doing it as conscious as possible 
Of course I shouldn’t expect people to put their entire system of thought aside immediately, even if it is for only 5 minutes.
Still, they might be in for a surprise! After all, looking at the same information in a different format opens your eyes and allows you to grow, move forward, explore, increase understanding and much more.
Most people, when creating notes on a topic are about 80-90% left brain side oriented. The other 10-20% is because of perhaps a different outline of data and relationship lines.
Create more balance in your own notes and above all your own life.
Let your right brain meet your left brain and work together. Their combined forces are stronger than just the one on its own.
CAUTION: Mind Meets Map
This is where we take things a little deeper… I want to share with you a deeper insight for making your left AND right brain work together in creating your map.
The paper is where the Mind meets the Map. You feed the map with your information.
You are already aware that you have to use images and colors to complement your words and lines. All of these can be perceived as being left brain as well as right brain expressions. For example:
- Straight lines are more connected to the left brain, curved ones to the right brain
- Technical images are usually left brain, artistic images right brain
- Words written in block letters are left brain, curved with a strange font more right brain
- Grey, white and black are left brain, colors are right brain
You and I know all this.
What is interesting is the kind of information added to the maps.
Most people add information directly from their left brain side to the map. The ‘think freely and associate‘ part which is right brain side is normally neglected… a lot.
Next time you mindmap, make sure you use both your left and right brain side to add information to the map.
This will improve your maps and help you to think more with your entire mind.
How To Do This
Don’t just add information.
There is an interaction between your mind and the map. In fact… you may even think about it this way: The map is the place where you visualize the information in your mind. In the beginning this is mainly done by using your left brain side.
When you are done doing that… stop.
Look at your work. Let the information in your map flow back into your mind. After all, you created a clear and more organized overview.
The information presented in the map creates new thought patterns in your mind. Both your left as well as your right brain side contribute to this.
A cycle of increased understanding and clarity starts. Your mind meets your map again. Here is a picture showing this process. Also have a look at the little tree . You are really growing knowledge and understanding from this exercise.
When done you should have found what you were looking for. If not, just put the map away and return later to add more information.
Doing this, you create a more balanced mindmap where both your left, as well as your right brain side have contributed equally.
Use with caution!
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