CHAPTER 3

Reading and

Creating Idea Maps

35

In this chapter you will:

• Review the laws of idea mapping

• Learn how to read an idea map

• See how an idea map is developed

• Create your first idea map

The Laws of Idea Mapping

The word laws as it is used here can be misleading if taken out

of context. After all, this is a tool to tap into your creativity!

These rules are not meant to restrict your creativity or thinking.

Just as traffic laws help us travel safely from point to

point, these laws are meant to be guidelines that will maximize

the power of your mind through the idea map, rather

than restrictions or obstacles that hinder your ability to use

this tool. These laws will provide you with the resources,

tips, and freedom to explore your infinite brain capacity.

Once you have developed a strong habit of following the

laws, you can make deliberate choices to break them based

on your purpose and flair for artistic interpretation! You'll

see specific examples of this in Chapter 10! In the meantime,

let's first master the basics.

36

Lesson Five-

Starting position:

Follow the laws-for now.

The laws of idea mapping reflect the strengths of the cortical

skills on both sides of the brain. Now you will have a

whole-brain tool that will enable you to integrate logic, lines,

words, lists, numbers, and sequence with color and images.

Best of all, the right side of the brain loves the gestalt of having

everything on one sheet of paper and seeing the interconnections

between ideas.

So let's review these laws and at the same time learn how

to read an idea map. You will need a set of colored pencils or

markers that won't bleed through the paper in this book. Refer

to Figure 3.1 as the laws are described. The topic of this

idea map is The Laws of Idea Mapping. For a colored version

of this and all subsequent idea maps go to www.IdeaMappingSuccess.

com.

How to Read an Idea Map

Central Image

With all idea maps, the creation of the map begins in the center.

The central image or word-image combination represents

the topic or theme of your idea map. It should contain

at least three colors so that it is visually memorable. The central

image in Figure 3.1 is a stack of idea maps. Use at least

three different colored pencils, highlighters, or markers and

Reading and Creating Idea Maps

37

IDEA MAPPING

38

Figure 3.1 The Laws of Idea Mapping

Reading and Creating Idea Maps

39

add color to the central image. (Yes, it's OK to draw in your

book!) As I explain this idea map, you will add images, color,

codes, and humor to make the map more memorable-by

making it your own.

Main Branches

The main branches are those that touch the central image.

These branches signify the major subject areas. An ideal

number of main branches per idea map is between five and

nine. Our brains can typically hold about seven pieces of information

before getting distracted, so this is a good starting

number. If there is an order to the information in an idea

map, you read it clockwise beginning with the main branch

at the 1 o'clock position. On the otherhand, you may start by

reading all of the main branches first in order to get an

overview of the topic. In this particular example, there isn't a

critical sequence other than starting in the center. For ease of

the explanation, let's begin at the PAPER branch and work

clockwise.

You read the PAPER branch and all its subbranches

before going on to the next main branch. The words Blank,

Landscape, and Start are associated with the word PAPER.

Center associates to Start and also has a connection (through

the arrow) to the word Colors on the next branch. Here's

how to interpret the meaning of the key words in the PAPER

branch: Use a blank piece of paper turned sideways. (It's easier

to get more on the page using a landscape rather than portrait

orientation.) Start in the center and use at least three

colors to draw a central image. For 8.5″ × 11″ paper the central

image should be roughly two inches in diameter. You will

IDEA MAPPING

40

apply these guidelines at the end of this chapter when you

make your first map.

Still referring to Figure 3.1, take another pencil or

marker and color in the thick part of the PAPER branch.

Continue coloring over all the subbranches (not the words)

connected to this branch using the same marker. The words

are both physically and visually connected through color and

lines. Again, using the same color you used on the idea map,

you may want to highlight or underline the bolded words

(PAPER, Blank, Landscape, Start, Center, and Colors) in

the previous paragraph. This will help to visually tie the idea

map to the text of this book through color.

The next branch at the 3 o'clock position is USE. Idea

maps use Images, Color, and Words. Images have Color

and Dimension to make them stand out. Symbols make

good Images as well. Any time you can make the Images

Humorous you will add enjoyment, which creates better recall.

Color is used throughout the idea map and can be used

as your personal Code. Words should be Single Key Words

that are Printed on the lines.

With a different color than you used for the PAPER

branch, color in the thick part of the USE branch, and continue

highlighting over the tops of its subbranches. On the

Symbols branch, add a couple of symbols or icons using a

variety of colors. Add images to any part of this idea map as

it pleases you. Images can include anything that enhances

your recall. For example, you could add a flower over the

Bloom branch, or try using the "l" in Bloom as the stem of

the flower. Add a rainbow of colors over the Colors branch

or a ruler to the Length branch. Be creative.

The LOGIC branch is at the 5 o'clock position. Idea

Reading and Creating Idea Maps

41

maps use the logic of Association through the Bloom and

Flow of ideas covered in Chapter 2. Choose a new color to

fill in the LOGIC branch and its subbranches.

LINES (branches, subbranches, and arrows) are Connected

and Organic. Main branches are Thicker where

they touch the image in the Center. The Length of the line

should be the same as the length of the Word or Image sitting

on the line. The idea here is to avoid wasting space or

creating visual disconnects with long lines and short words.

Finally you may find you want to Outline a branch to make

it stand out or to differentiate it from a neighboring branch

if things get a bit crowded. Instead of an actual line around

the whole branch, I've seen people use crayons or light colored

pencils to shade over the branch. Choose a new color

for the LINES branch. You know the drill now.

IDEAS-this branch is at the 8 o'clock position. When

do you Stop the flow of IDEAS? That's a personal choice

based on the Purpose of your map. Keep all your IDEAS in

your idea map, even if they seem Silly. Don't edit. They may

provide the creative spark that leads you to another brilliant

idea. Color in this branch with a new color. If you run out of

colors, don't hesitate to repeat some favorites!

Idea maps have a Radiant STRUCTURE (10 o'clock)

that builds ideas from the inside out. The most important

ideas in the Hierarchy are in the central image followed by

the main branches. Then work your way out to the smallest

detail branches. The Order of the branches on this idea map

is clockwise, so on the left hand side of the map the sequence

of ideas is from the bottom up . . . 1-2-3. Color the entire

STRUCTURE branch.

The last branch at 11 o'clock is UNBLOCKING. If

IDEA MAPPING

42

you get stuck or forget the word you were going to add, draw

Empty Lines off the branch in question to indicate where

you want to make the addition. Our brain loves the Challenge

to complete, and by just moving on, 99% of the time

the idea will eventually resurface. This phenomenon is similar

to struggling to recall a piece of known information such

as someone's name or the title of a movie. Several minutes or

hours later, you might be doing a completely different activity

when all of a sudden you recall the data. Color this branch

with a new color.

This description of the laws and how to read an idea

map took several pages of linear text. Isn't it fascinating to see

that same information (Figure 3.1) on one piece of paper

with your additions of color and imagery? Now it's time to

show you how an idea map is created using these laws and the

power of association.

Developing an Idea Map

Figures 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4 provide an incremental demonstration

of the steps to developing an idea map. This series of examples

represents building a map of my current "To-Do"

list. It includes both personal and professional tasks. Refer to

these figures as you follow along with the description of how

the final idea map was developed. I have incorporated the

blooming and flowing association techniques described in

Chapter 1.

Look at Figure 3.2. In this idea map, I started with a

central image that represents my typical to-do list. The first

idea that came to mind was the MEETING I was going to

have at Noon with Kevin. The next thought was the STOPS

Reading and Creating Idea Maps

43

I could make while I was out. Notice that I used the 7 o'clock

position for this branch rather than working my way around

clockwise. When there is no sequence to the idea map, I recommend

visually balancing the placement of the branches

around the central image. This approach leaves room for additional

branches and helps to avoid ending up with a lopsided

map.

Now look at Figure 3.3. As thoughts came to mind, I

added more specifics to the STOP branch at Costco, an-

IDEA MAPPING

44

Figure 3.2 Idea Map Part I

other MEETING, and a branch for PRACTICE at the 5

o'clock position. By using an arrow, a relationship was created

between the Music I need to practice and the Band

rehearsal at 7 PM.

Finally look at Figure 3.4. Here I added a new branch

for CALLS at the 11 o'clock position, plus two additional

main branches, more details, and a couple of icons. The ideas

Reading and Creating Idea Maps

45

Figure 3.3 Idea Map Part II

were added in no particular order. They simply went into the

map as they came to my mind.

You may be thinking, "It would be faster to create my

normal list." At this stage of your learning, you may be right.

However, I think you will notice a couple of things.

1. Most people are buried in random messages, sticky

notes, and lists of action items. Whether these are electronically

generated or handwritten, they are typically

IDEA MAPPING

46

Figure 3.4 Idea Map Part III

housed in a variety of places and lack organization. Creating

an idea map will enable you to embrace all these

tasks and organize your thoughts on one piece of paper.

2. Secondly, when learning a new skill it is best to start

small and work your way up to more challenging levels

of competence. I will incrementally build on your learning

rather than overwhelm you right from the beginning.

Such is the main objective of this activity. We'll

progress to more challenging idea maps in later chapters.

By using your natural ability to associate, it is amazing

the number of items you can remember. It's fun, more visually

appealing, and you can still check off the completed tasks!

Creating Your Own Idea Map

Now it's your turn to create one for yourself. Start with a

topic that's easy and familiar. This way the focus can be on

creating the idea map rather than determining the content of

the map. Use your to do list, an agenda for a meeting, or anything

else that seems relatively easy.

Using a set of colored markers, preferably with fine tips,

create a central image in the middle of a blank piece of paper,

and remember to turn your paper to the landscape orientation.

Let your mind have a party as it jumps from idea to idea.

Don't worry about perfection. This is just an opportunity for

you to practice! When you are at a stopping point, sit back

and admire your work ☺! See Figure 3.5 for a summary of

this chapter.

Reading and Creating Idea Maps

47

IDEA MAPPING

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Figure 3.5 Chapter 3 Summary