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.