Mind map
A mind map is a visual way of organizing information around a main topic and its associated associations.
Definition
A mind map helps you see the relationships between concepts, problems and decisions instead of keeping them only in working memory. It is not proof of the truth of thoughts, but a tool for organizing material. It works best when used for organizing and discovering relationships, rather than for decorative rewriting of notes.
Key ideas
- Relationship visualization
- Relieving working memory
- Connecting concepts
Practice and life
Put the topic in the center of the paper, add 5 main branches and write down facts, questions and possible actions for each.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to treat the map as an end in itself. Often the map becomes a nice graphic, but it does not lead to decisions or better understanding.
> Thought organizes itself when you see its connections with reality.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- What is the main topic of this map?
- What connections really matter?
- What decision or hypothesis is it supposed to help me sort out?