by Florian Rustler
Foreword by Tony Buzan
Contents at a Glance
Part I: Mind Mapping: The Swiss Army Knife for the Brain
Introducing Mind Mapping
Visualising Information
Generating Mind Maps
Why Mind Mapping Works
Part II: Traditional Mind Mapping in Practice
Preparing Talks and Lectures Using Mind Maps
Handling Text with Mind Mapping
Note-Taking in Talks, Lectures and Meetings
Part III: Mind Mapping Software
Software versus Traditional Mind Mapping
Taking a Tour of Mind-Mapping Software
Introducing Mindjet MindManager.
Exploring ThinkBuzan’s iMindMap
Part IV: Advanced Strategies for Mind Mapping
Mind Mapping Reading Techniques
Learning and Preparing for Exams with Mind Mapping
Project Management with Mind Mapping
Knowledge Management with Mind Mapping
Mind Mapping for Creativity
Part V: The Part of Tens
Ten Tips for Working Efficiently with Mind Mapping
(Almost) Ten Tips on How to Make Mind Mapping Your Everyday Working Tool
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Book Details
Price
|
2.50 |
|---|---|
Pages
| 266 p |
File Size
|
9,529 KB |
File Type
|
PDF format |
ISBN
| 978-1-119-96915-0 (pbk) 978-1-119-94375-4 (ebk) 978-1-119-94376-1 (ebk) 978-1-119-94377-8 (ebk) |
Copyright©
| WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim English edition 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd |
Florian Rustler is an innovation coach working at international level and the
founder of creaffective.
As a process moderator he presents strategy and innovation workshops in
German, English and Mandarin Chinese to help his clients produce new solutions
quickly; for example, when developing new products and services.
As a tutor he teaches organisations the processes and techniques of creative
problem solving and assists them with generating an innovation culture.
He learned Mind Mapping while still at school. A teacher introduced the technique
in just ten minutes during class but then took it no further. However,
Florian didn’t let these ten minutes go to waste. He got hold of Tony Buzan’s
book on Mind Mapping, the only one available at the time, and subsequently
applied the technique. He later qualified as a Mind Mapping tutor and since
then has given hundreds of Mind Mapping classes and published an online
Mind Mapping course.
You can find out more about him at: www.creaffective.de.
Foreword
Mind Mapping For Dummies is an apt idea, as Mind Mapping is something
we already know how to do – we do it constantly without even realising it!
Mind Mapping replicates the way our brains think and the way we absorb
information. When we think of any idea, our mind instantly starts connecting
this to other images, thoughts and concepts. So why do we force ourselves to
make notes, plan and create in a way that our brain doesn’t like?
When I was at university, struggling to study with the mass of lined notes
I had made, Mind Mapping helped me to make sense of the information,
reduce my notes and remember more. Now it is doing the same for millions
of people around the world, helping them to be more productive, creative
and efficient in their everyday lives. Join them, and start using the full potential
of your mind every day.
With this guide, Florian has created a comprehensive resource on Mind
Mapping, which will be of great use to those wanting a step-by-step guide to
using this powerful tool, also known as the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of the brain!
This book shows you how to Mind Map, what to avoid and gives you the
information you need to navigate the jungle of Mind Mapping software out there.
You find out how versatile the Mind Map really is, and how you can apply this
technique to plan, study, manage projects, solve problems and brainstorm.
Enjoy exploring the potential of your amazing mind!
Tony Buzan
Introduction
Many people have heard of Mind Mapping at least once or twice – and
presumably you too, since you’re holding this book in your hand! Or
you saw the front cover with the Mind Map and found it somehow familiar.
Mind Mapping has now become so widespread and well-known that the term
has entered English usage.
What is Mind Mapping? Mind Mapping is a visual technique for structuring
and organising thoughts and ideas.
If this sounds all rather general and wide-ranging, then you can also use Mind
Mapping in a general and wide-ranging fashion, whether you generate Mind
Maps with a pen and paper or with special Mind Mapping software.
Many people have heard of Mind Mapping but don’t really know what it’s all
about. Or perhaps you’re one of those people who know what Mind Mapping
is and have tried working with it, perhaps with Mind Mapping software
installed at work. Somehow it didn’t work out and the method failed to live
up to its promise. I want to change that with this book, for Mind Mapping is a
very powerful method that can be of great assistance in many aspects of life.
Whether you’re a complete novice or already have some experience of Mind
Mapping, this book is bound to be of benefit to you.
Conventions Used in This Book
If this isn’t your first book in the For Dummies series, you’ll recognise many
aspects from other volumes in the series. I use the following conventions:
✓ Italics are used for words or concepts
✓ The action part of numbered steps are in bold.
Table of Contents
Foreword.................................................................... xvii
Introduction.................................................................. 1
About This Book...............................................................................................1
Conventions Used in This Book......................................................................2
Foolish Assumptions........................................................................................2
How This Book Is Organised...........................................................................2
Part I: Mind Mapping: The Swiss Army Knife for the Brain...............3
Part II: Traditional Mind Mapping in Practice.....................................3
Part III: Mind Mapping Software............................................................3
Part IV: Advanced Strategies for Mind Mapping.................................3
Part V: The Part of Tens ........................................................................4
Icons Used in This Book..................................................................................4
Where to Go from Here....................................................................................4
Part I: Mind Mapping: The Swiss Army Knife
for the Brain................................................................. 7
Chapter 1: Introducing Mind Mapping 9
Presenting Information Visually..................................................................... 9
Give it a try!...........................................................................................10
Taking the Mind Map a stage further.................................................12
A little reflection please.......................................................................13
A Simple Technique with Many Applications.............................................14
‘Cribs’ for lectures and presentations...............................................15
Taking notes from texts and books....................................................15
Taking notes from presentations and discussions...........................15
Project management.............................................................................16
Knowledge management......................................................................16
Pen and Paper or Computer?........................................................................17
Revising Mind Maps.......................................................................................18
Advanced Strategies Using Mind Mapping..................................................19
Chapter 2: Visualising Information . 21
How and Why Visualisation Can Help You..................................................21
Text as a form of visual information..................................................22
Reducing complexity and presenting information
in a different way...............................................................................22
Two examples.......................................................................................22
Visualising Information as a Core Skill........................................................24
What science has to say.......................................................................25
The visualisation method used for Mind Mapping...........................27
Chapter 3: Generating Mind Maps . 29
The Basic Rules: Helping You to Use Mind Mapping Effectively..............30
Branches – it’s all connected..............................................................30
Keywords instead of phrases..............................................................32
The exception proves the rule............................................................34
A Picture Says More Than a Thousand Words...........................................35
Colours – not just pretty to look at....................................................35
Your personal set of symbols.............................................................36
Boxes and clouds – highlighting what’s important..........................38
Making arrow connections quite clear..............................................39
Chapter 4: Why Mind Mapping Works 41
Different Routes to Information....................................................................42
Pictures: Unique and unforgettable....................................................43
A picture says more than a thousand words....................................44
How we think.........................................................................................45
Mind Mapping as a Brain-Friendly Technique............................................46
More Than Just the Sum of its Parts............................................................48
The big picture and details..................................................................48
More information dimensions and greater
information density...........................................................................48
Part II: Traditional Mind Mapping in Practice............... 51
Chapter 5: Preparing Talks and Lectures Using Mind Maps 53
Freedom and Flexibility with Mind Maps at All Times..............................53
Preparing Lectures: Step by Step.................................................................55
Step 1: Marshalling your initial thoughts...........................................55
Step 2: Determining the main themes................................................57
Step 3: Adding detail.............................................................................58
Step 4: Testing the Mind Map..............................................................59
And Now for an Example...............................................................................59
Chapter 6: Handling Text with Mind Mapping . 61
Converting Text and Sentences into a Mind Map.......................................61
Example: Motivation.............................................................................62
Example: Email guideline.....................................................................65
Interlude: Scientific Definitions as a Mind Map..........................................67
Processing Whole Books with Mind Mapping............................................68
The best way of dealing with the text................................................70
Chapter 7: Note-Taking in Talks, Lectures and Meetings . 73
Block Text or Mind Map................................................................................73
Characteristics of talks, lectures and meetings................................75
Give it a try!...........................................................................................77
Colour and symbol codes....................................................................79
Informative Conversations............................................................................80
Just Write It Out – Using Your Wandering Thoughts.................................80
Mind Mapping = in – out to the power of ten....................................81
Part III: Mind Mapping Software.................................. 83
Chapter 8: Software versus Traditional Mind Mapping . 85
Software versus Pen and Paper – The Main Differences...........................86
The advantages of Mind-Mapping software over
pen and paper....................................................................................88
Mind-Mapping Software = Mind Mapping Reloaded..................................91
Chapter 9: Taking a Tour of Mind-Mapping Software 93
Suggested Programs – Genuine Mind Mapping..........................................93
Overview of Desktop Programs....................................................................94
Aviz Thoughtmapper............................................................................95
Concept Draw MindMap......................................................................96
EMINEC MYmap ...................................................................................97
freemind – really free...........................................................................98
iMindMap – from the inventor of Mind Mapping..............................99
Inspiration – recommended for schools..........................................100
MindGenius..........................................................................................101
Mindjet MindManager – the market leader.....................................102
MindVisualizer – particularly simple...............................................103
MindMapper........................................................................................104
Novamind.............................................................................................105
Matchware MindView 3......................................................................106
XMind – the basic version is free......................................................107
Web-Based Mind-Mapping Programs.........................................................108
Mapmyself............................................................................................108
Mind42 – simple and free of charge..................................................109
MindMeister........................................................................................109
Mindomo..............................................................................................110
Comparing Software Packages....................................................................111
Chapter 10: Introducing Mindjet MindManager 113
The Basics: Finding Your Way Around......................................................114
Important control keys......................................................................115
Keeping it neat and tidy: Formatting options.................................115
Quick notes within branches............................................................116
Hyperlinks – Integrating More Information into a Mind Map.................118
Inserting hyperlinks – how it works.................................................119
Less Is More: Filter Functions.....................................................................120
Simple but useful: Fading branches in and out...............................121
Power filter: Filtering by specific criteria........................................122
Project Management with GANTT Diagrams............................................124
Adding task information to branches..............................................124
Exporting and Processing............................................................................126
Sharing your Mind Map......................................................................127
Mindjet Player – interactive pdf document.....................................128
pdf – easy and practical.....................................................................128
Image files for integration into other documents...........................128
Pack&Go – and all the links work.....................................................128
Word – presenting a Mind Map as a linear document...................129
PowerPoint – from branches to bullet points.................................129
Presentation Mode: From Mind Map to Presentation
in a Single Click.........................................................................................131
Chapter 11: Exploring ThinkBuzan’s iMindMap 133
Basic Use – Finding Your Way Around......................................................134
Branches..............................................................................................135
Three kinds of branch........................................................................137
Two Input Methods: Mind Mapping and Speed Mind Mapping..............138
Speed Mind Mapping – how it works...............................................138
Formatting with iMindMap................................................................138
SmartLayout: From linear to radial Mind Maps..............................140
Project-management mode: GANTT view........................................142
Project Management with iMindMap, Step by Step.................................143
Step 1: Select the branches concerned............................................143
Step 2: Inputting task details.............................................................144
Step 3: Adjusting views......................................................................145
Presenting the Mind Map............................................................................145
Really quite presentable: Presentation mode.................................145
An alternative: Exporting as a PowerPoint presentation..............147
Part IV: Advanced Strategies for Mind Mapping.......... 149
Chapter 12: Mind Mapping Reading Techniques 151
Appreciating the Fine Art of Preparation..................................................152
Step 1: Skimming the text..................................................................152
Step 2: Recalling background knowledge........................................153
Step 3: Setting questions and aims...................................................153
Honing the Reading Process.......................................................................154
Step 1: Skim reading...........................................................................155
Step 2: Preview....................................................................................155
Step 3: Immersion...............................................................................156
Step 4: Difficult passages...................................................................156
For Advanced Students: Generating a Mind Map
from Different Sources.............................................................................159
Chapter 13: Learning and Preparing for Exams
with Mind Mapping 161
Preparing for Exams.....................................................................................161
Step 1: Taking Mind-Mapping notes.................................................162
Generating special Study Mind Maps...............................................163
Step 2: Entering your own thoughts.................................................163
Step 3: Revising regularly..................................................................164
Step 4: Explaining it to others...........................................................165
Especially for Students: Generating Study Mind Maps
from Different Sources.............................................................................165
Chapter 14: Project Management with Mind Mapping 169
‘One Page Management’: Everything on a Single Page............................169
Software is Sensible......................................................................................170
Projects You Can Plan and Control with Mind Maps...............................172
Structuring projects with Mind Mapping.........................................172
Further Examples of Mind Mapping in Project Management..................177
Planning a business trip.....................................................................177
Managing distance learning...............................................................179
Chapter 15: Knowledge Management with Mind Mapping 181
Keeping Your Eye on the Ball......................................................................181
Assembling Digital Information in a Mind Map.........................................182
Example: Personal start centre.........................................................183
Multi-Level Mind Maps.................................................................................185
Managing scientific work with Mind Maps......................................186
More Ways of Using and Applying Mind Maps.........................................188
Chapter 16: Mind Mapping for Creativity 189
The 4P Creativity Model..............................................................................190
Creativity yields results.....................................................................190
It’s a personal thing............................................................................191
Modelling the creative process.........................................................191
Principles of creativity – two-stage thinking...................................193
Example: Publishing an eye-catching book.....................................193
Mind Mapping as a Support in the Creative Process...............................194
Me on my own (no groups)...............................................................194
Using Mind Mapping in the second stage........................................196
Developing and Ordering Ideas with MindManager:
A Step-by-Step Approach.........................................................................196
Step 1: Formulating an issue..............................................................197
Step 2: Inputting ideas........................................................................198
Step 3: Evaluating ideas.....................................................................198
Step 4: Structuring ideas....................................................................201
Part V: The Part of Tens............................................. 203
Chapter 17: Ten Tips for Working Efficiently
with Mind Mapping 205
Using the Right Paper..................................................................................205
Having the Right Equipment Ready...........................................................206
Using the One-Word Rule............................................................................207
Working with Symbols.................................................................................207
Perfection Not Required!.............................................................................208
Writing in Block Capitals.............................................................................209
On Paper: Organic Mind Maps....................................................................209
Writing in Reading Order.............................................................................210
Developing Mind Maps Outwards and Not Writing Vertically................211
Storing Your Mind Maps .............................................................................212
Filing away hand-drawn Mind Maps.................................................212
Generating master copies..................................................................213
Using tablet PCs..................................................................................213
Chapter 18: (Almost) Ten Tips on How to Make Mind
Mapping Your Everyday Working Tool . 215
Practise, Practise and Practise Again!.......................................................215
Start Small and Take It From There............................................................216
Trying It in Non-Critical Situations.............................................................218
Don’t Make Mixed Notes..............................................................................218
Having Materials Always to Hand...............................................................219
Making Mind Maps Visually Appealing......................................................220
Have Fun!.......................................................................................................220
Drawing Maps by Hand and with Software...............................................221
Choosing Your Software..............................................................................221
Index........................................................................ 223
Bookscreen
About This Book
Mind Mapping For Dummies equips you in five parts with everything you
need to successfully apply the Mind Mapping techniques. As a qualified Mind
Mapping tutor I have introduced Mind Mapping to thousands of people in
seminars and so have a good idea of how the technique can help and what
difficulties people usually encounter when learning it. The composition of
this book is based on the structure of one such seminar.
So, I start with the principles of Mind Mapping and then take you through
various and increasingly complex areas of the technique. You discover how
to use both pen and paper and Mind Mapping software in this book. The
method is the same however you generate maps.