TY - BOOK AU - Rustler, Florian TI - Mind mapping for dummies T2 - For dummies SN - 9781119969150 U1 - 153.43 PY - 2012/// CY - Chichester PB - John Wiley & Sons Ltd. KW - Problem solving -- Graphic methods KW - Decision making -- Graphic methods KW - Creative ability -- Problems N1 - TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword xvii Introduction 1 About This Book 1 Conventions Used in This Book 2 Foolish Assumptions 2 How This Book is Organised 2 Part I: Mind Mapping: The Swiss Army Knife for the Brain 3 Part II: Traditional Mind Mapping in Practice 3 Part III: Mind Mapping Software 3 Part IV: Advanced Strategies for Mind Mapping 3 Part V: The Part of Tens 4 Icons Used in This Book 4 Where to Go from Here 4 Part I: Mind Mapping: The Swiss Army Knife for the Brain 7 Chapter 1: Introducing Mind Mapping 9 Presenting Information Visually 9 Give it a try! 10 Taking the Mind Map a stage further 12 A little reflection please 13 A Simple Technique with Many Applications 14 ‘Cribs’ for lectures and presentations 15 Taking notes from texts and books 15 Taking notes from presentations and discussions 15 Project management 16 Knowledge management 16 Pen and Paper or Computer? 17 Revising Mind Maps 18 Advanced Strategies Using Mind Mapping 19 Chapter 2: Visualising Information 21 How and Why Visualisation Can Help You 21 Text as a form of visual information 22 Reducing complexity and presenting information in a different way 22 Two examples 22 Visualising Information as a Core Skill 24 What science has to say 25 The visualisation method used for Mind Mapping 27 Chapter 3: Generating Mind Maps 29 The Basic Rules: Helping You to Use Mind Mapping Effectively 30 Branches – it’s all connected 30 Keywords instead of phrases 32 The exception proves the rule 34 A Picture Says More Than a Thousand Words 35 Colours – not just pretty to look at 35 Your personal set of symbols 36 Boxes and clouds – highlighting what’s important 38 Making arrow connections quite clear 39 Chapter 4: Why Mind Mapping Works 41 Different Routes to Information 42 Pictures: Unique and unforgettable 43 A picture says more than a thousand words 44 How we think 45 Mind Mapping as a Brain-Friendly Technique 46 More Than Just the Sum of its Parts 48 The big picture and details 48 More information dimensions and greater information density 48 Part II: Traditional Mind Mapping in Practice 51 Chapter 5: Preparing Talks and Lectures Using Mind Maps 53 Freedom and Flexibility with Mind Maps at All Times 53 Preparing Lectures: Step by Step 55 Step 1: Marshalling your initial thoughts 55 Step 2: Determining the main themes 57 Step 3: Adding detail 58 Step 4: Testing the Mind Map 59 And Now for an Example 59 Chapter 6: Handling Text with Mind Mapping 61 Converting Text and Sentences into a Mind Map 61 Example: Motivation 62 Example: Email guideline 65 Interlude: Scientific Definitions as a Mind Map 67 Processing Whole Books with Mind Mapping 68 The best way of dealing with the text 70 Chapter 7: Note-Taking in Talks, Lectures and Meetings 73 Block Text or Mind Map 73 Characteristics of talks, lectures and meetings 75 Give it a try! 77 Colour and symbol codes 79 Informative Conversations 80 Just Write It Out – Using Your Wandering Thoughts 80 Mind Mapping = in – out to the power of ten 81 Part III: Mind Mapping Software 83 Chapter 8: Software versus Traditional Mind Mapping 85 Software versus Pen and Paper – The Main Differences 86 The advantages of Mind-Mapping software over pen and paper 88 Mind-Mapping Software = Mind Mapping Reloaded 91 Chapter 9: Taking a Tour of Mind-Mapping Software 93 Suggested Programs – Genuine Mind Mapping 93 Overview of Desktop Programs 94 Aviz Thoughtmapper 95 Concept Draw MindMap 96 EMINEC MYmap 97 freemind – really free 98 iMindMap – from the inventor of Mind Mapping 99 Inspiration – recommended for schools 100 MindGenius 101 Mindjet MindManager – the market leader 102 MindVisualizer – particularly simple 103 MindMapper 104 Novamind 105 Matchware MindView 3 106 XMind – the basic version is free 107 Web-Based Mind-Mapping Programs 108 Mapmyself 108 Mind42 – simple and free of charge 109 MindMeister 109 Mindomo 110 Comparing Software Packages 111 Chapter 10: Introducing Mindjet MindManager 113 The Basics: Finding Your Way Around 114 Important control keys 115 Keeping it neat and tidy: Formatting options 115 Quick notes within branches 116 Hyperlinks – Integrating More Information into a Mind Map 118 Inserting hyperlinks – how it works 119 Less is More: Filter Functions 120 Simple but useful: Fading branches in and out 121 Power filter: Filtering by specific criteria 122 Project Management with GANTT Diagrams 124 Adding task information to branches 124 Exporting and Processing 126 Sharing your Mind Map 127 Mindjet Player – interactive pdf document 128 pdf – easy and practical 128 Image fi les for integration into other documents 128 Pack&Go – and all the links work 128 Word – presenting a Mind Map as a linear document 129 PowerPoint – from branches to bullet points 129 Presentation Mode: From Mind Map to Presentation in a Single Click 131 Chapter 11: Exploring ThinkBuzan’s iMindMap 133 Basic Use – Finding Your Way Around 134 Branches 135 Three kinds of branch 137 Two Input Methods: Mind Mapping and Speed Mind Mapping 138 Speed Mind Mapping – how it works 138 Formatting with iMindMap 138 SmartLayout: From linear to radial Mind Maps 140 Project-management mode: GANTT view 142 Project Management with iMindMap, Step by Step 143 Step 1: Select the branches concerned 143 Step 2: Inputting task details 144 Step 3: Adjusting views 145 Presenting the Mind Map 145 Really quite presentable: Presentation mode 145 An alternative: Exporting as a PowerPoint presentation 147 Part IV: Advanced Strategies for Mind Mapping 149 Chapter 12: Mind Mapping Reading Techniques 151 Appreciating the Fine Art of Preparation 152 Step 1: Skimming the text 152 Step 2: Recalling background knowledge 153 Step 3: Setting questions and aims 153 Honing the Reading Process 154 Step 1: Skim reading 155 Step 2: Preview 155 Step 3: Immersion 156 Step 4: Difficult passages 156 For Advanced Students: Generating a Mind Map from Different Sources 159 Chapter 13: Learning and Preparing for Exams with Mind Mapping 161 Preparing for Exams 161 Step 1: Taking Mind-Mapping notes 162 Generating special Study Mind Maps 163 Step 2: Entering your own thoughts 163 Step 3: Revising regularly 164 Step 4: Explaining it to others 165 Especially for Students: Generating Study Mind Maps from Different Sources 165 Chapter 14: Project Management with Mind Mapping 169 ‘One Page Management’: Everything on a Single Page 169 Software is Sensible 170 Projects You Can Plan and Control with Mind Maps 172 Structuring projects with Mind Mapping 172 Further Examples of Mind Mapping in Project Management 177 Planning a business trip 177 Managing distance learning 179 Chapter 15: Knowledge Management with Mind Mapping 181 Keeping Your Eye on the Ball 181 Assembling Digital Information in a Mind Map 182 Example: Personal start centre 183 Multi-Level Mind Maps 185 Managing scientific work with Mind Maps 186 More Ways of Using and Applying Mind Maps 188 Chapter 16: Mind Mapping for Creativity 189 The 4P Creativity Model 190 Creativity yields results 190 It’s a personal thing 191 Modelling the creative process 191 Principles of creativity – two-stage thinking 193 Example: Publishing an eye-catching book 193 Mind Mapping as a Support in the Creative Process 194 Me on my own (no groups) 194 Using Mind Mapping in the second stage 196 Developing and Ordering Ideas with MindManager: A Step-by-Step Approach 196 Step 1: Formulating an issue 197 Step 2: Inputting ideas 198 Step 3: Evaluating ideas 198 Step 4: Structuring ideas 201 Part V: The Part of Tens 203 Chapter 17: Ten Tips for Working Efficiently with Mind Mapping 205 Using the Right Paper 205 Having the Right Equipment Ready 206 Using the One-Word Rule 207 Working with Symbols 207 Perfection Not Required! 208 Writing in Block Capitals 209 On Paper: Organic Mind Maps 209 Writing in Reading Order 210 Developing Mind Maps Outwards and Not Writing Vertically 211 Storing Your Mind Maps 212 Filing away hand-drawn Mind Maps 212 Generating master copies 213 Using tablet PCs 213 Chapter 18: (Almost) Ten Tips on How to Make Mind Mapping Your Everyday Working Tool 215 Practise, Practise and Practise Again! 215 Start Small and Take It From There 216 Trying It in Non-Critical Situations 218 Don’t Make Mixed Notes 218 Having Materials Always to Hand 219 Making Mind Maps Visually Appealing 220 Have Fun! 220 Drawing Maps by Hand and with Software 221 Choosing Your Software 221 Index 223 N2 - DESCRIPTION Unlock your brain's potential using mind mapping Mind mapping is a popular technique that can be applied in a variety of situations and settings. Students can make sense of complex topics and structure their revision with mind mapping; business people can manage projects and collaborate with colleagues using mind maps, and any creative process can be supported by using a mind map to explore ideas and build upon them. Mind maps allow for greater creativity when recording ideas and information whatever the topic, and enable the note-taker to associate words with visual representations. Mind Mapping For Dummies explains how mind mapping works, why it's so successful, and the many ways it can be used. It takes you through the wide range of approaches to mind mapping, looks at the available mind mapping software options, and investigates advanced mind mapping techniques for a range of purposes, including studying for exams, improving memory, project management, and maximizing creativity. Suitable for students of all ages and study levels An excellent resource for people working on creative projects who wish to use mind mapping to develop their ideas Shows businesspeople how to maximize their efficiency, manage projects, and brainstorm effectively If you're a student, artist, writer, or businessperson, Mind Mapping For Dummies shows you how to unlock your brain's potential ER -