More and more people use mind maps for studying. I really enjoy the sessions I have with (adult) students. They are there for one thing and one thing only. They want me to deliver on the promise that they can summarize a complete book, without having read one word from it before, and create a mind map on that book… in 50 minutes.

To do this, you really need to be able to focus and keep your eyes on the price, the summary.

It is also important to know that these 50 minutes you invest will pay back tenfold (at least) while studying the topic and reading the book. During my workshop I give the students insight in their book and make going through the book next time a lot easier. The best thing is that at the end they understand they can gain lots of time and reduce their stress significantly because of the simple 7 step process I give them.

The mind map they create from this first 50 minute period helps them in reading faster and understanding their topic better. It actually is more a rule than an exception that at the end people tell me they already have a good insight in the content of the book, just by participating in the workshop.

This is however not the reason I write this article. If you think it would be smart I explain this process in detail (and show things on video about this), let me know and I create this. I do need your ‘green light’ on this project though…

The reason for this short writing is that I believe a mind map is something good in studying, but there are far better techniques for remembering information. Which ones do you use? Or are you confident you can use mind maps only?

The technique I am talking about is the usage of memory techniques like memory palaces. Next time you want to remember the information from the mind map, use a memory palace. Here’s a brief description how you can do this:

Imagine your living room. In this room, you have between 5 and 50 items that you can recall. I do mean recall or remember because they are actually in your living room as we speak.

Create a list of them and make sure you keep them in order. So you might choose the order this way: first item is on your left hand side when you enter the room. The second item is next to that in a clockwise order, etc. All the way until you reach item 5, 10, 20 or 50 in your room on your right hand side.

These positions/items or Loci (from the Latin word for location) are anchor points in your mind.

Now you connect the information in your mind map to these fixed items in your living room. Make sure the connection is strange, involves action, is absurd, perhaps painful, or involves humour. The stranger the connection the better you will remember it.

Do this for all the items in your mind map or your summary… and I am sure you can vividly remember all the things you had on paper or on your computer screen. Can’t remember one? Imagine you are in your living room and you are standing in front of the item in your original list. When the connection is strong enough, you can’t forget the information connected. If so, make sure you make the connection stronger.

Let me know how you are doing. I am sure you will enjoy this for studying, giving presentations, or for simply remembering information.

Add your thoughts, results and ideas in the form below.

Talk soon!

Arjen

That’s right, I was challenged to do the impossible. My friend and mentor Rick and I were having a conversation about mindmaps and how most people use them.

What I see is that many people want to create a good looking mindmap. But as you know by now, I don’t think that is the most important part of mind mapping.

To me, a mindmap needs to create clarity and overview. When my first intention is to create a nice looking map… I start all over again, using a single color .

I use mindmaps to guide me through the noise in life and keep the distractions away from me, yes… really practical indeed.

Rick asked me if I can create a solution which enables people to remove the noise and discomfort from their lives.

I said YES.

… but… can you do it in such a way that the problem is gone in 7 days or less?

I said YES!

So the challenge began. Rick challenged me to ask the people who read the articles on this website and who receive my email updates to come up with real life situations and pick from that list the most urgent one and the most interesting one.

So now it is up to you…

You can receive this solution for free if your response is chosen.

So right now, describe your area of most noise and discomfort in the box below or email me and I will get back to you!

Talk soon!

Arjen

Today I have a question for you.

A couple of days ago I asked you what you think about mindmaps and what they are.

As you already know, mindmaps are just names for a visual representation of information, done in a certain way. The real question one should be asking is this:

What are the biggest benefits of mindmaps?

For me mindmaps are overviews of information. To be more precise, simple and practical overviews of information.

Using a mindmaps, I can create insight and understanding in information easily and move forward with that what is needed (in stead of doing what I think should be done).

What is the biggest benefit of mindmaps for you?

Send me an email on this or add your thoughts to the comment box below.

Talk soon!

A couple of days ago I posted a message on computer mind mapping and hand drawn mindmaps on the website. I received a number of personal responses via email on this topic.

People love to create computer mindmaps, but they were hesitant to get started, because mind mapping on a computer could be difficult… or so they thought…

There are a couple of tips I want to give you to make computer mind mapping as smooth as possible.

#1: Easy Does It!

The first tip is probably in the beginning the most important one. You should investigate which software tool is the easiest to use for you.

With this I mean that you want your mindmaps to go from your head, to your screen with as little distraction and keystrokes as possible. A mindmap tool has to take care of the mind mapping part for you. You have to enter your data. That is it (in the first stage of computer mind mapping).

Since there are about 300+ mindmap tools available… this could be difficult. Should you test all of them? And what is important when you choose a tool for your mind mapping?

I believe 2 things are important in this. First, the tool has create maps that you need. There is a big difference in the mindmaps these tools create. Some look like hand-drawn maps, others are very formal, and are much more flow charting overviews.

Second, the input method is vital. Do you need to use the key to add a new branch? Or perhaps the key? Or can you just start typing away?

I prefer the last solution. I don’t want to spend another keystroke to add a branch or topic. This may sound silly or even crazy… but think about it… when you are creating a map with dozens of topics, you want to spend all your time working on the information, not with the software tool!

#2: Keep Your Hand Where I Can See Them!

This is a little bit in line with the whole ‘use as few keystrokes as possible’ rule I have.

People who start using mind mapping software often go back to the mouse and add branches or information using their mouse. Or they go from one area in the mindmap to another using the mouse! The result is that you distract yourself this way. Your focus is changing from in front of you to the side (and back). You start to point your attention to the menu, in stead of looking at the content.

Don’t do that. You should only focus on adding information (in the beginning).

We humans are not really the multitasking kind of species. Even women, who should be able to do more things at the same time, benefit from single tasking.

Do this by only using the keyboard. Don’t take your hand away from the keyboard. Use the cursor keys to navigate through the map. The only time you should take your hands away from the keyboard is when you get something to drink or when you are done adding information!

Another way of only using the keyboard and not using the menu is by using the full screen mode of your tool. This way you only work on the mindmap, not with the tool!

#3: Keep It Simple

When you are creating overview in your information, you need to make sure that you keep it as simple as possible. Don’t overdo it. A simple map is much more powerful than huge maps with lots of pictures and colours.

This may be obvious to you… but most people try to create the most wonderful mindmaps, because that will be so much better… they think.

The fact is that your mind loves simple things. We start to over-think and this makes it much more complex for us to understand what happens and what we should be doing.

Don’t start with adding pictures to the map. First simply use colours.

Don’t use too many words. Use only simple terms and as few as possible.

Remember this last tip above all others when you are mind mapping on your computer. Over 70% of all people start typing away and add way too many words. Then they come to me and tell me the map isn’t working out for them…

YOU THINK???

Just because you can type really fast with nearly all your fingers doesn’t mean you should!

The people in my workshops who are no good in typing are usually the ones who create clear mindmaps. This is just because they think about each word before they start typing. The meaning and weight of each topic is the best it can be.

When you do that as well, the map is clear and the content will start to work for you.

So these are 3 tips you can use to get started in making computer mindmaps as well.

Enjoy the creation of your next map!

I’ve been getting a number of questions lately regarding mindmaps. Many people want to know what they are. After they know that, they want to know what mindmaps can do for them.

For me, mindmaps are tools to get a different perspective on your information. Because you get a different perspective/view on the information, you get new insights and better understanding. For me a mindmap is using words and colors and adds highlights to important information. Most of the time, my mindmaps don’t include images (the map itself is an image after all).

Now here’s my question for you.

WHAT ARE MINDMAPS?

I know that for most people a mindmap is not the same as Mr. Tony Buzan says they are. Yet they still work for you, so you are doing a good thing .

Please answer my question using the comment field below or by emailing me.

I look forward to your answers and to reading your insights.

Talk soon!