Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ PhotoReading, Memory Optimizer Need help on Mind Maps

I find Mind Maps very useful and I would like to use it more, but I always tend to want to include all the information on a subject. This means that I end up with very messy MindMaps (even when it's on A3 paper) that don't appeal when I come to review them. They also take me ages to do, especially if I draw pictures to represent ideas.

Any advice on how to overcome this problem would be much appreciated.

Another question I have about MindMaps is from P.111-112 of "The Mind Map Book" by Tony Buzan(1st Edition). On P.112, under the figures is the statement, "Mind Maps that aren't really Mind Maps". I've read the explanation on P.111 but still don't understand what the author means. So can someone please explain it to me. Looking at the figures they look just like the "MindMaps" that I make, it's quite worrying.

That is in reference to MM that are not MMs. One is too boring & redundant; the other is haphazard and confusing. MMing is radiant thought like a tree or any mandala. There is a sense of organic to a MM. Be sure to use only strong words. The fewer words the better b/c you really don't need so many words to recall stuff.

Try using Nancy Marguilis (sp?) Mapping Inner Space. It's very nice. If you don't want to draw, then just use lots of color. You can get by w/o drawing; it's not mandatory. Color, however, is. Gels, highlighters, pens, etc.

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Originally posted by explorer:
I Any advice on how to overcome this problem would be much appreciated.

Another question I have about MindMaps is from P.111-112 of "The Mind Map Book" by Tony Buzan(1st Edition). On P.112, under the figures is the statement, "Mind Maps that aren't really Mind Maps". I've read the explanation on P.111 but still don't understand what the author means. So can someone please explain it to me. Looking at the figures they look just like the "MindMaps" that I make, it's quite worrying.

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I too was dismayed to find my Mind Maps exactly matched those that Buzan says aren't MM.

A couple of the differences are clearer when you review his Rules; words should be along lines, rather than at the end of a line; and lines should only be as long as the word. Also, in his MMs lines emerge from all along the length of a line, they don't just all sprout from a word or a labelled blob at the end of a line. These approaches allow for much more creativity.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for the replies, Margaret and SAJ!

I finally see what's wrong with those pseudo-MindMaps. My own MMs are quite rigid and inflexible but with practice this should improve. I'll also check out "Mapping Inner Space".

More about my problem: I impose a time constraint on myself so that I only put down keywords. But usually I go over the time limit because I go back to my bad habits. I think it's partly the insecurity I have about my memory. I've had experiences where I reviewed my MM several days after making it and couldn't remember the meaning of certain symbols that I'd used. I've noticed though, that listening to the Memory Supercharger (I listen to it whenever I can now) does help my memory.

I waffled on posting or not, but when you said your bad habits I decide I must.

I was exposed to mind maps 10 years ago. My comment is play with it. It's a different way of taking notes. Don't try and structure the notes, except in the selection of the first word(s). The rest should just come when you think of those words. Then more form those and more from those.

But the old note taking methods, of temporal or causal lines is not BAD. It's just different.

BTW, if you look on-line you'll find software that will help you make mind map on the computer... and maybe help you advoid that messy sheet.

Again the caveat, I haven't recieved my material so I may be off the mark.

I take linear lecture notes. Most of them are quite messy like my mindmaps. The main reason being that most lecturers talk so fast I don't have time to decide if I need to note something down or not. So I end up writing down as much as I manage to. Especially with the less well structured lectures, I find it easier to take linear notes.

Iam, thanks for the suggestion. When my exams finish I'll search for some MM softwares and try them out.

Explorer,
Since i'm putting the fininshing touches on a workshop in Accelerated Learning, i've done a fair amount of research. In order to get a feel for music, i've had to listen to lots of music to see how i'll present it thruout the 5 hrs.

I have noticed that it really does help me w/ concentration, learning, visualization. The music from www.thebrainstore.com called The Sound Health Series is just excellent. I have the combo of Music for Learning & Music for Thinking. I turn it on very low when working. Then i turn it up a little for just visualizing what i've just been working on.

What i'm trying to convey is that taking 5 minutes to listen to great Baroque, beautifully played and arranged to visualize what you have just been working on can do WONDERS!

Today, i went into the a-state for a few minutes. Studied for 20. Went back to the a-state after turning up the music a little & visualized what i took in. In just a few moments, i had organized what i wanted to do w/ the material i had covered. It is just so amazing how quickly the stages of studying >>> having it down can go---- w/ a few well-chosen techniques.

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Originally posted by explorer:
Thank you for the replies, Margaret and SAJ!

More about my problem: I impose a time constraint on myself so that I only put down keywords. But usually I go over the time limit because I go back to my bad habits. I think it's partly the insecurity I have about my memory. I've had experiences where I reviewed my MM several days after making it and couldn't remember the meaning of certain symbols that I'd used. I've noticed though, that listening to the Memory Supercharger (I listen to it whenever I can now) does help my memory.

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Iam,
Yes, there is nothing "wrong" w/ traditional note taking.

However, there is so much to be gained from MMing. Not to have to search for previously written material; to be able to see key concepts as they surface is so helpful; the waste of energy in writing even short sentences. During a very boring course, i took MMs. After each lecture (3 hrs.), i'd collate the MM notes into 1 pg. It was so easy to do & it did not feel time-consuming at all. I can't think of any worthwhile reasons to persist in traditional note-taking b/c of the energy loss. Spatially MMing is terrific. Even to post-it-notes if needed. There's no limit to the things one can do to extend that 1 page of info.

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Originally posted by Iam:
I waffled on posting or not, but when you said your bad habits I decide I must.

I was exposed to mind maps 10 years ago. My comment is play with it. It's a different way of taking notes. Don't try and structure the notes, except in the selection of the first word(s). The rest should just come when you think of those words. Then more form those and more from those.

But the old note taking methods, of temporal or causal lines is not BAD. It's just different.

BTW, if you look on-line you'll find software that will help you make mind map on the computer... and maybe help you advoid that messy sheet.

Again the caveat, I haven't recieved my material so I may be off the mark.

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Margaret, your post has got me very excited!! (especially because I'm in the middle of exams right now) I'd like to ask you on the specifics:

1) Do you listen to Baroque music for 5 mins at the start of your work period or throughout the whole time?

2) Does the baroque music get you into a-state? (personally I really like the tangerine technique but I can't seem to keep the relaxed state for more than a few minutes) And how do you know if you're in a-state?

3) Can you please explain a bit more about the visualisation part? For example, what should I visualise when revising my lectures?

About MMs instead of linear notes, I agree MMs would be so much easier to learn from. But I feel my MM skills are still inadequate for MMing lectures.

PS Sorry to take up some more of your time!! Thank you so much for your helpful advice.

Margaret, I was wondering. Do you use your mind maps only for personal use, or do you use it in presenting information in the courses you conduct?

I must admit that I haven't given MM a serious try, but I take and generate well organized notes.

My personal observation, has been if my notes get messy, it is because I don't fully understand the material. So in the school days that meant I hadn't prepared for the lecture properly (remember they're professors not teachers {too bad}). Or it I'm preparing documentation, it means I either don't know what I'm talking about, or don't know what I want to say, or even possibly I haven't visualized my audience well enough. But that's me and it's way off MM. Sorry, but when you're waiting for your material you have time to spare.