“Brain fog” is a common complaint these days. But there are techniques that can help organize thoughts and tasks to cut through the haze. Have you ever tried mind mapping?
My team at work recently experimented with collective mind mapping to exercise our mental muscles and recharge our creative batteries.
Basically, a mind map is a way to work with information that is more experiential and less linear than simply jotting down notes.
The term “mind map” was coined by the late BBC personality and author Tony Buzan in the 1970s. Buzan’s mind maps were based on the “abstracting” principles of general semantics developed by Alfred Korzybski.
The principal involves crafting diagrams representing ideas, tasks, actions, and relationships around a central concept by using lines and shapes and images and colors — instead of relying on text alone.
The process forms a more communicative, memorable, and impactful exploration of information.
Mind Maps are fun
To create a mind map, start with a single idea or topic. Then “grow” relational branches radiating from it to create a graphical data visualization.
Mind maps can be created with online tools. (We used Miro for our remote interactive exercise, but there are a variety of others available.) They can also be drawn by hand on paper or a whiteboard.
They’re engaging
Depending on the depth of exploration desired, a mind map can be a sophisticated and highly detailed study or a quick and rudimentary sketch.
They’re practical
Regardless of scale, mind maps are more intuitive than outlines and more informative than lists.
They are great for brainstorming and tend to spark creativity, so they form an excellent framework for collaborative documentation.
They’re also handy for personal use in simplifying complex processes, uncovering buried insight, or establishing clear structure for ideas that seem unwieldy.
And that makes them a great tool for clearing brain fog!
The next time you have to take notes or outline a project, try structuring your thoughts as a mind map.
Here are some tips:
On a large blank piece of paper or online whiteboard, write a central topic or question in the middle of the page (or select a representative image) and circle it.
- Begin by writing down ideas or descriptions branching out from the center circle as spokes or branches that are related to the central topic. Use symbols, shorthand, acronyms, and/or drawings to capture concepts. Don’t worry if they’re obvious or silly, that’s part of the process.
- Try to find related sub-ideas or descriptions for each spoke/branch. Some may generate a whole new cluster with its own branches and sub-ideas. Draw a shape around these satellite hubs to emphasize them. If possible, use color and line thickness for linking ideas or emphasis.
- Keep going until you fill the page, completely run out of ideas, or your allotted time runs out.
- When you’re finished, take a moment to assess the map. If you spot connections/similarities on separate branches, draw a dotted line or arrows connecting them.
Review what you’ve done: Did any directions surprise you? Could you explain how your thoughts moved in retrospect? Do you have greater clarity on the topic or question?
I’m betting the answers will all be yes!