Creating Mind Maps: Get out of your thinking rut

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Challenge: Write a blog post for LIT-SIS about something other than AI because people are kind of reaching the end of their AI tolerance.

Problem: Once again, that cursor is blinking at me.  Once again, my mind is blank.

Solution: I have a go-to tool that works nearly every time: Create a mind map!

What is a mind map?

What’s a mind map?  This:

In words, it’s a way to visually organize information in a way that is flexible and malleable.  My mind maps start with a main topic, and then I add subtopics, which can then have their own subtopics (and so on….).  I can then rearrange the map, add new sections, or remove parts that aren’t making sense.  Once I have a map that makes sense to me, I convert the map into a Word outline and go from there (e.g., write an article or use CoPilot to turn the outline into a PowerPoint).

Using Mind Maps

My approach is just one way of creating mind maps.  Maps can be arranged in various ways – radial, with subtopics branching in all directions, right side so the subtopics are arranged top down, like an org chart where subtopics branch across the page, along with many other arrangements.  Maps don’t even need a main topic – you can create maps with many individual topics and subtopics that don’t necessarily connect.

Day-to-day, I use mind-maps for:

  • Brainstorming: I don’t have to put my ideas down in any kind of order.  Instead, I create subtopic boxes and move them around to see what works.
  • Creating outlines: This lets me convert the map into a format I can use to start writing.  Once I have an outline, writing is much easier.
  • Check the flow of a presentation/article/post: Do my ideas flow logically, or should I change the order?

For example, for this blog post:

  • Created the main topic: Mind maps
  • Added a few subtopics: My use cases, other uses, software
  • Put in additional subtopics: E.G. I figured I should add “what is a mind map” to the beginning
  • Exported to Word: Once in Word, I used the outline to write this post.

Mind maps can be used for much more than brainstorming.  They are great for:

  • Project planning: Many mind-map software platforms include templates and other tools for project management lifecyclea.
  • Flow charts: Many platforms offer tools to create and update flow chart
  • Org Charts: These can be easily updated whenever changes are needed
  • More! Including To-Do lists, schedules, timelines, and diagrams

Creating Mind Maps

The mind map tool that works best for you will depend on your needs:

  • Location: Cloud or desktop?  Some offer both.
  • Price: Free, one-time purchase, or subscription?  Some offer free trials, though you might not be able to test all features.
  • Export options: Most will let you export maps as images or PDFs, but not all will export into Word outlines or other formats.
  • Templates: Do you want a library to choose from, or would you like to create your own?
  • Shareable: Do you want to collaborate with others?
  • Use cases: Some tools are better for brainstorming, while others are great for project planning or for flow charts.

Final thoughts

Mind maps can be a great tool for brainstorming ideas, tracking projects, outlining articles, and so much more.  However, they aren’t for everyone.  For example, if you’re more text-oriented, a traditional outline may be better.  And the software can be expensive and not intuitive to use.  But if you’re ready to give them a try, check out one of these options to see how mind maps might work for you.

But know that, in the end, even with the best mind map, you still have to write the article yourself!

 

Or you can get AI to do it kind of poorly if that’s your angle.

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Manager of Emerging Technology Initiatives, Harvard Law School

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