Written by: Aden Eyob, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
When life gives you lemons, mind map your way to your lemonade. 2020 was a whirlwind, but that's not the flavor of 2021. I must admit, it had been a while since I have gone back to the drawing board. Although I have set my intentions, desires, and goals, I find that it is a healthy exercise to go back and re-evaluate the end destination every so often. One of the ways I do this is by mind mapping my intended outcome.
What is Mind Mapping?
Mind Mapping is a creative exercise that links vital concepts or ideas to your central topic or desire. It is in essence, a visual thinking tool that streamlines a large amount of information in a simple visual framework and in doing so, allow you to see the big picture, analyze and consolidate data, and see patterns and relationship between your ideas to your central topic.
Mind mapping stems from the concept of radiant thinking, which is the notion that thoughts radiate from a single idea, often expressed as an image. The beauty of this simple yet effective tool is its influence on the brain through dynamic learning. It dispels the traditional linear thought process by allowing both hemispheres to co-exist. It's an analytical and creative activity in nature, thereby engaging both the right and left brains to develop innovative yet well-thought-out ideas and opportunities. And, best of all, it is enjoyable.
How Can I Create A Mind Map?
Please keep it simple. You can use a piece of paper, whiteboard, or your tech-savvy apps such as MindNote.
Start with your paper or app in landscape format, as this gives the creative brain freedom. Begin by writing or drawing your central idea you intend to develop. Your main idea is akin to your desire or goal.
Now connect your sub-topics to your central topic, connecting each of them to the main subject with a line. Your subtopics are ideas that arise and can, in essence, facilitate the attainment of your central topic, desire, or goals.
The key is to keep it simple; It's not meant to be a pretty exercise. Allow the creative juices and download to come without making it look visually appealing and perfect. Furthermore, keep the topics as short as possible, using keywords to describe an image better yet. By refraining from complex sentences, you are allowing for clarity to form. I suggest that you play around using colors, symbols, text size, and drawings. It is meant to be a fun exercise to experiment without the fear of doing it right or wrong.
Once you have made your mind map, it is recommended to revisit it frequently to facilitate action. In doing so, it is good practice first to identify your learning modality. In Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), there are three primary learning modes: visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic.
Given that mind mapping is a visual activity, shouldn't be a reason to give up on implementing its benefits. It is simply a matter of applying your learning modality. For instance, if you are a visual learner, the mind map is already designed to cater to your learning processes. You can make it effective by regularly revisiting it and taking time to visualize your end outcome as though it has happened. Also, placing your mind map in a place that you periodically access will help keep your mind map top of mind (e.g., daily planner).
If you are an auditory learner, then consider adapting your visual mind map with a supporting dictation so that the words will anchor in the brain. Make it a point to listen to your dictations while looking at your mind map to make it effective and, ultimately, give you the action steps to achieve your desires.
For the kinaesthetic learner, it's about the element of touch. How can you utilize your mind map, so you engage your touch senses? One way to do so is to create a physical mind map, take time out to feel the paper, and write the words down until it's anchored into your brain. You can also choose to bring in additional objects that support achieving your central desires and take time to experience these along with your mind map to maximize the effectiveness in attaining your outcome.
What Are the Benefits?
Gain clarity
Create a simple roadmap that is innovative yet well-thought-out
Great for organizing many data and help you see patterns
What Can I Use It for?
Creativity
Brainstorming
Planning
Problem-solving
Memorization and retention
Researching and consolidating information from multiple sources
Presenting information
Gaining insight and clarity on complex subjects
Mind Map Resources
Good ole pen and paper
MindNode App (www.mindnode.com)
Miro (www.miro.com)
Last Light
I have used mind mapping in the past to gain clarity on my career, hobbies, traveling adventures, yearly targets, and yes, even relationships. Recently, I went back to this clarity invoking activity, except this time, I went with the focused intentions of creating a simple yet clear roadmap for my next four months. One may ask why only four months, well that's the vision I can see, for now in this pandemic. In the end, the journey is revealed when there's a roadmap.
What’s your roadmap?
Aden Eyob, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Aden Eyob is a leader in mindset. She is the clinical neuroscientist and author, The Book on Mind Training: The Secret for Positive Living. She is the founder and CEO of Mind Medication, a fusion of neuroscience-psychology and spirituality-based mindset consulting and speaker service that helps you uncover your why to unlock potential and free limiting beliefs to achieve the impossible. Her clients include CEOs, entrepreneurs, and celebrities—her mission: a world free from limiting beliefs.
