Mind map smartens up brain functions

Mind map smartens up brain functions

Ida Indawati Khouw, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

When people grow older, they usually start experiencing
difficulties with their memory, concentration, slow thinking,
time management and other problems related to their brain
mechanism, which developed while still in childhood.

Most of the time people overlook the marvelous workings of a
child's brain, which operates at twice the speed of an adult's.
Thinking like a child can also save time and effort more
effectively and reduce stress.

To reach results similar to those achieved by children, a
British expert on the brain and learning, Tony Buzan, has devised
a method that focuses on redeveloping the natural childhood
genius that relies on the use of the whole brain and all of the
senses.

"The best way to solve problems associated with the brain is
to fall back on our knowledge of how the brain works during
childhood. Just see how a child naturally uses the left and right
halves of the brain together when learning something, using all
the senses," said Buzan during a recent "Use Your Head" seminar
here.

He said research had discovered that the brain operated most
effectively when the left cortex - controlling emotional
functions - and the right cortex - having the cognitive functions
- worked together.

Problems occurred when people started to think in a way that
disrupted this balance.

"Our school, culture and work environments emphasize left
cortex skills. We can see it all over the world, almost all
teaching systems are focused on the use of words and have stopped
focusing on the use of color and imagination. On the other hand,
psychology has discovered that these two elements act as key
memory aids," said Buzan, the author or co-author of 82 books on
the brain.

In Buzan's view, children are taught to memorize in a way that
is at odds with the brain's natural mechanisms. This learning
system "forces" children to write on lines with a pen or pencil
in only one color, which is very boring.

"It leads to a linear way of thinking, whereas the brain works
radiantly. It forces people into a 'what to learn' way of
thinking instead of a 'how to learn what to learn' way," he said.

Research has shown that this development has resulted in a
decline in people's natural creativity.

"At the kindergarten stage, children spend 90 percent of their
classroom time using creative tools. When they are between 10 and
12, they only spend 75 percent of their time using these tools.

"It decreases to below 50 percent when they hit 17, falls far
below 50 percent when they reach university and drops
significantly to below 20 percent when working," he said.

The 59-year-old graduate of the University of British Columbia
- who achieved honors in Psychology, English, Mathematics and
General Sciences - said the danger of imbalance manifested itself
in the form of poor memory, an inability to innovate, stress and
poor physical and mental health.

"When you're thinking of something or someone, you use their
images and colors instead of lots of words. People all over the
world have problems related to brain function because they don't
follow the mechanism."

Buzan, also a prize-winning athlete and poet, invented the
mind map method in 1971 to help people with cognitive problems.
The method is designed to help people think in accordance with
the brain's natural mechanisms. It is meant to enhance people's
capacity to make plans and choices, gather data, act efficiently,
solve problems, enjoy life and achieve many other goals.

The mind map is based on the work of brain cells, which are
numbered in their millions. When someone is thinking of an idea
or learning something new, these brain cells interlink to
transfer information among each other. This creates a pattern
known medically as a memory trace.

The mind map is actually a simple method of visualizing things
which are in people's minds when they are thinking.

Mind maps can be applied in different situations like planning
for shopping, holidays, and other activities. It may be helpful
for people to put the maps in the office, school or even kitchen
to remind them when formulating their plans.

Tips for making and reading mind maps

Here are tips from Vanda North and Tony Buzan as mentioned in
their book Get Ahead, Mind Map Your Way to Success.

To read the mind map:

1. Start in the center, that is the focus of the mind map.

2. Read the "key words" which connect to the central image. They
are equivalent to chapter headings, and give you the main themes
or topics of the mind map.

3. Read out from the center on each branch.

4. Note any links between the branches.

To make the mind map:

1. Take a blank piece of paper measuring roughly 23 by 21
centimeters. The blank paper allows 360 degree freedom to express
the full range of your cortical skills, whereas pre-dawn lines
restrict the natural flow of your thoughts.

2. Use the paper landscape to give the words and images more
lateral space, so they do not bump into the margins as quickly.

3. Start in the center.

4. Make a central image that personally represents the topic
about which you are writing or thinking because "a picture is
worth a thousand words".

- Use at least three colors in the image to stimulate the
right cortical activity of imagination as well as capturing and
holding attention.

- Keep the height and width of the central image to
approximately 5cm, as it leaves plenty of space for the rest of
your mind map.

- Leave the image open (do not use a frame) as a frame gives
the center a monotonous shape. A free image is more memorable and
enjoyable.

5. The main themes around the central image are like the chapter
headings of a book.

- The word is printed because printing (versus joined up
writing) allows the brain to photograph the image and thus allows
for easier reading and more immediate recall.

- Place on a line of the same length, as an extra line
disconnects thoughts, whereas the same length accentuates the
connection.

- The central lines are thick, curved and organic. Curved
lines give visual rhythm and variety and so are easier to
remember.

- Connect directly to the central image because the brain
works by association, not by separate disconnected lists.

6. Add other main theme branches by imaging other "chapter
headings".

7. Start to add a second level of thought.

- These words or images are linked to the main branch that
triggered them. Your initial words and images stimulate
associations.

- Attach those words to whatever word or image triggered them.

- Allow the random movement of your thought - you do not have
to finish one branch before moving on. Remember that lines
connect and are thinner in order to create relationships and a
structure. They also demonstrate the level of importance. Words
are printed but may be lower case.

8. Add a third and fourth level of data, as thoughts come to you.
Use images as much as you can. Allow your thoughts to come
freely.

9. Add dimension to your mind map. Box and add depth around the
word or image to make important points stand out.

10. Sometimes enclose branches of a mind map with outlines in
colors, hug the shape of the branch. The outlines will create
unique shapes and will aid your memory.

- Use different colors and styles and arrows and codes between
pieces of information to show connections.

11. Make each mind map a little more beautiful, artistic,
colorful, imaginative and dimensional so that your eye/brain will
be attracted to your mind map.

12. Have fun by adding a little humor, exaggeration or absurdity
wherever you can. Your brain will delight in getting the maximum
enjoyment from this process, and will learn faster and recall
more effectively. Studying becomes much more enjoyable.