Some people find it easier to mind map while activating and other after. I think the ones that the one who like to do it during activating or reading are probably more auditory than visual and trying to remember what they collected after 30 minutes of reading and then creating a mind map is more challenging than for those who are visual since the visual memory sets off more cues.

If you amongst those people who feels like they forget before the end of 30 minutes you might like to try this.

Set a timer for 7 to 11 minutes pose one or 2 mind probing questions and start your mind map with a key word from you question/s use the activation technique that works best for you, on textbooks I personally notice I skitter more. Now for some flexibility... if you find the answer to you questions during your activation, add them to your mind map, pose the next question, write a key word and continue activating. Now the reason for my suggestion of a 7 top 11 minute time. If you think you haven't found the answer at the end of that 7 to 11 minutes take five minutes or less to reflex, ask the question in a different way, note on the mind map any thoughts or ideas that come to you about the subject. If you wind up with more questions, note them on the mind map.

If you want to keep some order in your subject. Eg you're activating chapter 10 from the Photoreading Book Enrich your Photoreading Experience. Your central image could be the chapter heading or better yet. "Enrich photoreading experience - How & Why" usually there is some information about that immediately beneath the chapter heading. Then look at the subheads (same thing again the information is immediately under it) Eye mind connection is going to be one of the branches the sub branches could be the who, what, when, were, why and hows, You'll select which ones are important to you. For that subhead it might be, 'what is', 'How to' When...

Try it question and answer style. When you look at good mind maps you'll notice there was an underlying question. The branches start answering the questions.

Be flexible. Try it different ways and see what works for you. Whatever works for you is the right way for you.

Alex