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You can subscribe to the Mind Map Inspiration Blog to receive new Mind Maps at http://www.mindmapinspiration.com/ and follow me on Twitter @mindmapdrawer http://twitter.com/mindmapdrawer Also available: E-Books designed to help you create stylish and artistic mind maps of your own - visit the Mind Map Inspiration Website for more details: http://www.mindmapinspiration.co.uk/
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Why I feel Visual Thinking Works
I feel Visual Thinking works well because it can be used without language; often without the need of labels or written
instructions, like universal signs that everyone recognises.
Each time we move, our brain helps us observe our surroundings instantly. Wherever you are you tend to assess the
surroundings with very little analysis, quickly seeing colours, shapes, sizes, textures and the safety of your immediate
environment. When you walk downstairs for example you are not labelling every single item en route, each object is
acknowledged in a flash and you move through the environment to get where you wish to go. Your brain is drinking in
the information and makes instant observations and decisions; recognising images at lightning fast speeds. I feel this is
a crucial point – we don’t see everything with a written label on it or need a complete essay unless we make a conscious
decision to stop and analyse each object in greater detail.
The brain is an incredible computer capable of thinking of and identifying many images or objects simultaneously and
ultra-fast.
Associations
A quick example; seeing, hearing or thinking the name “Clint Eastwood” I instantly have a picture in my mind. If I then
consider words and associations, I may think of: a man in a cowboy hat with stubble smoking a cigar and squinting his
eyes. I might then add more detail such as westerns, cowboys, horses, Malpaso films, director, producer, actor, tall,
good-looking, hundreds of roles, famous, spurs – even though I know very little about Clint Eastwood I have a picture
and some associations in my mind. They may not all be accurate, or presented in order, yet now my mind knows (or
thinks it knows!) about Clint Eastwood. All this started from an instant visual picture in my mind on hearing the name.
I wonder what the similarities might be here – say a huge number of people were asked to list the words that come to
mind for a specific phrase and the words were compared? Could be an interesting experiment.
We make lots of assumptions about the “known”. That’s why I feel a lot of innovation comes from forgetting the known and looking at creating the unknown. It can be tricky to do this if you know your subject thoroughly and that is why I
feel collaboration with others outside of your field provides new insights.
Visual exercise
If you use your imagination, you can come up with many seemingly absurd combinations and connections – imagine
walking the same journey downstairs and labelling everything you see with a name other than what it is. If you try it you
may unearth some incredible ideas; perhaps create a walking internal commentary and purposely name everything
something else; for example the carpet could be sawdust. Pictures on the wall might be cabbages growing. So now we
have the unlikely combinations of “sawdust and cabbages” and expanding the idea further; “sawdust carpets” “cabbage
walls” “cabbage carpets” etc. Another wacky idea - when eating a burger call it something else – “I am eating an
aardvark and lettuce baguette” Why not? You might invent something! You might also improve the taste of the burger
you are eating!
Seeing anew
Visual thinking reminds me of how a baby views the world. They look fascinated by their surroundings. Without any
learned concepts or vocabulary they watch in awe and drink in their surroundings without labels. If they could speak
they would probably be saying “wow” a lot! Without words, I feel they are having a peaceful experience and
understanding on a different level – with little or no need of thought. After all – can they think without having learnt
words? I think the visual element gets covered up to a degree as we grow older and start learning “stuff” and applying
“labels”. As we age we tend to start “seeing” with our minds based on our individual learning rather than actually seeing
anew or seeing what is. It’s tricky thinking without known concepts - try thinking back now to how you might feel
putting your hand in cold water for the first time with no knowledge of what it is!
Simple recognition
Visual thinking is often simple – like quick universal signs everyone recognises. I feel the brain looks for simplicity to
understand – so even when confronted with big words and complex concepts it really seeks simplicity, clarification and
understanding – like translating or diluting into meaning. We keep asking questions until we understand. Naturally the
more complicated something becomes the more it is open to different interpretations and levels of understanding, so the
dilution can either become wrong or at least different to what others interpret.
Could it be simpler?
We have hundreds of thousands of words – spoilt for choice! What if there were more letters in the alphabet? More
words – would it result in more confusion? Probably!
What if there were less words? What if we simplified our language? What if we began to look at alternative ways to
communicate other than words. What if we look beyond words, beyond thought, to nature, to the potential of our
imaginations? What if instead of adding more confusion we create a simple vocabulary? Perhaps dilute our language?
Maybe create one simple universal language for the planet. I wonder if it might create greater understanding. I’m sure it
could improve communication. Imagine removing all negative words and honing in on positivity. Imagine a solely visual
language.
Fast build
Clear and simple instructions are far better than ambiguous details – think of constructing home-assembly furniture:
sometimes the instructions are brilliantly clear other times totally useless! Often it is easier to start building without
looking! Occasionally you see instructions in images and arrows and they can sometimes be easier to follow than words.
Simplicity for me is about making things user-friendly; creating a smooth path to the intended goal. Visual thinking I feel helps encourage simplicity and makes life easier. I feel it brings us home to awe and excitement, to a love of learning
and to a world of fascination and less confusion.
If you create products, for example, I feel that by utilising simplicity you open your market out to a whole new audience.
In our modern day living environment, people like quick, fast and easy to understand; straight to the point: people want
convenience and solutions. Simple products are easy to understand, so I feel simple sells and simple wins; same with
ideas and concepts. Here is a question to ponder: “How could I make what I do so simple it would be impossible to fail
when using it?”
Sharing knowledge & ideas
I think we could also make better use of collaboration across niche sectors. It may uncover fresh ideas and new ways of thinking; the more odd the connections the better to help nurture fresh thinking.
Getting caught up in analysis and the known can prevent us reaching new solutions or alternative ways of working.
Stuck in problems rather than transcending them. I feel that as we learn, to a degree we move from awe to analysis. I’d
like to see a move away from thinking we know. More collaboration for joint success; perhaps working with competitors
rather than always trying to outdo them. Start anew – revisit old themes and design and invent the future as we would
like to see it. Work backwards from optimum vision to drawing board concept.
Rediscovery
What if we could rediscover the already discovered?
Imagine mixing and blending what the planet produces, like a painter creating new tints. There might be a combination that surprises us! Could there be a new formula from the already known? Using combinations, exploring and asking
questions, might we discover that the planet has more to offer us than we thought? Mix a pineapple, two coconuts and
six potatoes and we could have a new substance that cures baldness! Who knows what the possibilities might be!
Imagine the fun in experimentation – the awe of discovery open to all of us.
I’d like to see a journey back from analysis to the awe of the unknown.
The whole World was once entirely new to you – could it be new again?
To see more Mind Maps by Paul Foreman visit the
Mind Map Inspiration Website www.mindmapinspiration.co.uk
and
Subscribe to the Mind Map Inspiration Blog to receive
new Mind Maps, plus creativity and drawing tips.
Blog at www.mindmapinspiration.com
Mindmaps ® were invented by Tony Buzan
They help us progress from "linear" (one-dimensional) through
"lateral" (two-dimensional) to "radiant" (multi-dimensional) thinking.
For more information see his books and visit the following website:
http://www.thinkbuzan.com/uk/a_id/4b6af8ce8268d (Affiliate link)
E-Books available from http://www.mindmapinspiration.co.uk including:
In this E-Book I share how I create ideas and help guide you towards the land of infinite possibilities.
Never be stuck for an idea again!
Contents
Why simple is often best
Fresh ideas
Use thinking – don’t let it use you
Lifespan of an idea
Simplicity of an idea
Everything stems from a thought
Planning ahead and the bigger picture
Sparking ideas Random thinking styles
Creativity Toolkit
Outside the box outside the box
Ideas don’t dry up – thoughts do
Constant Daily Learner
Land of infinite possibilities
Includes the following Mind Maps:
5W1H
Idea Creation
Topical Ephemeral or Practical Immortal
Theory of the Brain
Idea
Planning Ahead and the Bigger Picture
Sparking Ideas
What is Original?
Thinking Styles
Thinking styles template Creativity Toolkit Mind Map
Planetary Thinking
360° Thinking
Creative Focus
Odd Combinations
Thinking outside the Box
Thinking outside the Box Checklist
Curious Brain
Constant Daily Learner
Beginners guide
Colour wheel and use of colours
Suggested Equipment
Drawing Fish
Drawing Cats
Drawing Books
Using Stencils & Templates
Drawing Hats
Mind Map Templates
Drawing Curves & Shapes
Detailed breakdown of “Fantasy Mind Map”
Enhancing Creativity through Thought Reduction
Drawing Speed Tests Drawing Faces
Lettering
Photo to Cartoon transfer
Drawing Tips and Tricks
Doodleboards
Mind Maps
Learn how to take your drawing to the next level
in my second E-Book and discover the secrets of
"How I drew my minds"
Including:
The thoughts behind the maps
Mind Map structure
What products I use
Tips and tricks for drawing
Colour placement
Image placement
Detailed image analysis Illustration walkthrough step by step
Fast sketching
Idea generation
From a simple line and curve to an image
Overlap and 3D
Plus a few surprises!
“Happiness Beyond Thought” 85 Page illustrated E-Book - Including Mind Maps £5.99
Discover true happiness and inner peace
Learn how to stop incessant thinking
and take control of your thoughts
Learn how to meditate, relax your
mind and body and foster inner calm
How to stay in the present moment
How to let go, find simplicity and
transform your life for good
Simple tips and strategies for
a harmonious and stress-free life
Includes:
Happiness is your primary state
Stop Thinking
Happiness is inside you
Go Within
Meditation
Organisation – Inner & Outer
Coming back to now (Present Moment Awareness)
Includes the following Mind Maps:
Happiness is your primary state
Stop Thinking Tips
Happiness is inside you Go Within
Meditation
Organisation
Present Moment Awareness
Positive Acronym Your Name
Letting Go
Plus a Bonus Mind Map
“Mind Map Game Boards” 46 Page E-Book Plus 8 Large JPEG Image Set £5.99
Choice Maker Game Board
Use the Choice Maker Game Board as a Random Choice Selector for idea generation, fun and more
Choice Maker Blank Version
The Blank version allows you to create unique Choice
Maker Game Boards of your own
Boredom Buster Game Board
Select random hobbies, ideas, pastimes and interests; for
occasional daytrips, days out, or lifetime pursuits
Chore Choice Game Board
Add a fun element to sharing out or selecting chores using
the Chore Choice Game Board
Positive Thinking Game Board
Enhance your mood and create a positive thinking
environment with the Positive Thinking Game Board
Theme Maker Game Board
Create ideas and storylines from the images within the Theme Maker Game Board
“My Favourite” Mind Map
Outline your personal favourites for a snap shot of your
unique personality
Bonus Mind Maps
Two Bonus Mind Maps
Mind Map Game Board Image Set
(8 Individual Large Size JPEG Images)
You can print the images out in whichever size you wish
and even laminate them for longevity