Now almost everyone knows the expression “business training”. They are used everywhere in large companies and small firms. As a rule, with their help they try to organize the work of all personnel as efficiently as possible. They came up not so long ago, but it was with the help of the visualization method that the trainings became much more effective. A mental map is the best way to identify goals and means. It greatly facilitates the detailing and organization of all elements.
History of creation
The system of popular mental maps was invented by the famous psychologist and writer Tony Buchan. He has already published several hundred articles and books on intellectual development, psychology and the problems of human thinking. Of course, he did not become a pioneer in the visualization of goals and methods of achieving them. With the help of special charts and graphic drawings, Japan in the 70s was able to practically carry out a revolution in the economy. But it was Buchan who introduced the entire scientific world in 1974 to his own improved theory of radiant thinking. The mental map has become a hit at the turn of the millennium.
Tony was able to effectively combine psychology, neurolinguistics, mnemonics and the ability to read speed, as well as many scientific theories and methods for developing and improving creative thinking. For example, when taking notes, he introduced only two colors in the graphics, and memorizing them became much easier, as well as more interesting. Together with his brother, Buzan was able to piece together and build into a harmonious theory all the scientific developments. So there were modern intelligence cards.
Areas of use of the developed program
The method of mental maps has found its practical application in the most diverse fields of human activity. Mind mapping will be useful to the head, employees of any company, teachers, journalists, etc. In addition, it can be used in everyday life to solve various everyday and organizational problems.
This technique will be most suitable for developing your own creative abilities and introspection. This will allow to detect and overcome all the shortcomings, as well as highlight areas for further development and improvement.
Mental maps will be especially convenient in such areas:
- memorization (preparation for all kinds of exams, memorization of lists, tables, etc.);
- training (optimization of abstracts, writing creative assignments and better mastering of textbooks);
- brainstorming (teamwork, new ideas);
- presentation (highlighting the main and effective transfer of a common goal and thought);
- planning (developing your own projects and behavioral strategies, as well as the ability to plan your own time efficiently);
- decision making (in-depth analysis, balanced and informed conclusions).
Intelligent Card Efficiency
Using this technique allows you to see many previously hidden things and nuances. At the same time, new creative opportunities are opened, associative thinking is activated . All this helps to solve insoluble problems and find an elegant way out of the most complicated situations.
Ready-made mental cards allow you to store and constantly return to important information and goals, structure and improve your own "I". In this case, the information stated in a radiant way is easily perceived and quickly remembered. The main work takes place in the process of creating intelligence cards. Subsequently, one glance is enough to recall all the necessary details. This can be useful both in fulfilling global tasks and in everyday worries when it is difficult to focus on a goal.
Of particular interest is the fact that every person has a special mental map. This is a reflection of individual thinking, the imprint of the work of a particular brain.
The basic rules for creating mental maps
Each method has its own principles of functioning and the order of work. So the compilation of mental maps has its own rules, which Tony Buchan himself defined:
- You should start with a colorful color picture in the center.
- All words must be written in capital letters.
- Structurally, all proposals should be visually linked.
- Don't use keywords too often. It is optimal to use one key per line.
- Pictures and familiar characters will only give clarity to the map.
- It is better to use some bright colors in the project.
- No need to try to limit your own thinking. It is required to fix absolutely everything that comes to mind on a given topic.
Some features of building effective mental maps
Also in the process of creating and using a smart card, there are several more features that require scoring and highlighting:
- To visualize goals and objectives, you will need a sheet of standard A4 format. Then the mental map will be well perceived and will contain all the information of interest.
- Keys should be located directly above the lines. This contributes to visibility.
- You need to use block letters.
- The length of the drawn branch should correspond to the key.
Mental map: how to make
Creating a mind card is quite simple. After all, this is a kind of tree diagram, where the central branch represents the main idea.
To begin with, the main idea should be defined. Then you need a blank sheet of A4 paper. The whole mental map can easily fit on it. How to make a tree, tells the subconscious. In the middle there should be a basic idea, and logically interconnected branches come from it. To draw a map correctly, it is enough to follow the simple rules laid down by Tony Buchan himself. In addition, the mental map can be supplemented with numerous notes so as not to miss anything important.
Mental maps in education
As you know, most of our lives we learn something: at school, in a specialized institute, at work, and even at home. But not everyone can remember and, most importantly, practically apply the acquired knowledge. Too much information and limited time do not allow you to learn and remember information fully. One of the solutions to such problems can be called mental cards in education. This method was used at the dawn of the development of the theory of Tony Buchan and showed stunning results.
First of all, the method is useful in creating simple and memorable abstracts, visualizing lectures, writing coursework and essays, etc. Cisco CCNA Exploration is recognized as one of the most striking examples of the use of intelligence cards in international education. The essence of this program is that the academy divided all the work into several parts, chapters and subheadings. Moreover, each element of training is presented in the form of a mental map highlighted in a specific color. This greatly simplified the presentation and storage of information, and also halved the time spent on teaching theory. Easy and understandable courses are especially popular with students and teachers.
Programs for creating various mental maps
We still live in an age of high and advanced technology. Now you can use not only your own creativity and creativity, but also special templates and computer utilities. There are also special programs for creating mental maps. They can be easily found on the Internet, while the programs are paid and free, complex and simple. This gives you the right to choose an assistant on your own. The most popular of them:
- "Mindomo." Both free and more advanced paid versions are available. Made in the style of Microsoft Office.
- "Maomyself". The main feature and disadvantage is that there is no possibility for several users to work simultaneously.
- "Mindmeister." You can create three cards for free. The interface is simple and straightforward.
- "Mind42". Pretty simplified version. There is no way to link cards and attach additional files.
- "Xmind". The most popular utility additionally allows you to work with Grant diagrams.
- "Freemind". Free application, fully adapted to any platform. The disadvantage is the outdated design.
- "BubblUs". Free online program. Creates beautiful and understandable intelligence cards.
Mistakes in building a mind card
When you do something yourself for the first time, small blots and miscalculations are not ruled out. The same statement applies to the construction of a visualized project. To avoid them, you need to study the most common errors that occur when working:
- Too complicated and multi-level mental map (it is best to use peculiar notes, and leave the maps as simple and clear as possible).
- The same drawings, colors and fonts for different levels and branches (each level and key must be appropriately highlighted to visually differ).
- Lack of drawings and icons (these are the elements that provide the functionality of the map. But you need to choose them in advance).
- Ambiguity and confusion (all elements should be logically interconnected. Otherwise, this is just a list).