Mind mapping is a technique that organizes your thoughts and ideas into a visual map or diagram that is easier to process. It can be quite useful in brainstorming or problem solving, and some pastors, like Ed Young, use it to organize their sermons. If you would like to learn how to mind map, Innovation Network offers the following 8 easy steps to mind mapping.

1.Center First
Our linear, left-brain education system has taught us to start in the upper left-hand corner of a page. However, our mind focuses on the center … so mind mapping begins with a word or image that symbolizes what you want to think about placed in the middle of the page.

2.Lighten Up
Mind mapping is simply a brain dumping process that helps stimulate new ideas and connections. Start with an open, playful attitude … you can always get serious later.

3.Free Associate
As ideas emerge, print one or two word descriptions of the ideas on lines branching from the central focus. Allow the ideas to expand outward into branches and sub-branches.

4.Think Fast
Your brain works best in 5-7 minute bursts so capture that explosion of ideas as rapidly as possible. Key words, symbols and images provide a mental short-hand to help you record ideas as quickly as possible.

5.Break Boundaries
Use ledger paper or easel paper or cover an entire wall with butcher paper … the bigger the paper, the more ideas you’ll have. Use wild colors, fat colored markers, crayons, or skinny felt tipped pens.

6.Judge Not
Put everything down that comes to mind even if it is completely unrelated.

7.Keep Moving
Keep your hand moving.

8.Allow Organization
Sometimes you see relationships and connections immediately and you can add sub-branches to a main idea. Sometimes you don’t, so you just connect the ideas to the central focus. Organization can always come later; the first requirement is to get the ideas out of your head and onto the paper.
Also, don’t forget about Bubbl.us, a free online resource to help you mind map.

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