The benefits of mind mapping (for use at work or to enhance clarity)
Before we dive deep into the benefits of mind mapping, let’s discover what exactly mind mapping is. Mind mapping is a simple, visual way to organize your ideas for better clarity and recall. Mind maps focus on only one central concept or idea and are based on radial hierarchies and tree structures.
If you are someone who gets stuck in their head and has trouble finding clarity in situations then mind mapping is for you! Literally laying the contents of your brain out in front of you to create a mind map, can help give you a better look at your ideas objectively, prioritize, make connections, and in the end, find some clarity. You will also find that you will feel more confident in your day-to-day decisions, in life and in business.
Research shows that the brain likes to work on the basis of association, and it will connect every idea, memory or piece of information to tens, hundreds and even thousands of other ideas and concepts. This is why mind maps are beneficial for countless tasks. Here are some more reasons why mind maps are super effective:
They help you ditch the usual, bullet-point style of thinking, which pushes you to use your creativity.
They are presented in a brain-friendly format — and people can grasp the linkages quickly.
They allow you to see the bigger picture
They keep you focused on key issues.
They help you retain and recall more information through patterns and associations.
What are the benefits of Mind mapping?
1. It helps you remember and recall information
Before you read on, stop for a moment, close your eyes and think about a tree. Picture it in detail, then think about what your tree looked like. Did you picture the image of a tree, or the word ‘tree?’ And was it in colour, or black and white? Like me, you probably pictured an image of a tree in full colour. This is how the mind works… so working with that rather than against it helps us with recall and memory. In fact, in one study on mind map efficiency, researchers discovered that the benefits of mind mapping when studying and revision included boosting retention by 10-15%.
2. It helps you learn new concepts
Mind Mapping works to help create meaningful learning as it creates a connection between new and existing knowledge, essentially piecing your knowledge together. There are three types of learning:
Non-learning is used to describe a state where there’s no measurable difference between a student’s knowledge before and after being taught new material. In other words, in one ear and out the other!
Rote learning is used to describe when new knowledge is learned but not connected to any existing knowledge you have on the subject.
Meaningful learning is used to describe when you have acquired new knowledge and have connected that new knowledge to knowledge they already had.
3. It makes complex ideas easier to understand
Mind mapping is a great tool to unpack complex ideas. It helps to put a new perspective on things by allowing you to see all the relevant issues and analyze choices in light of the big picture. One study found that mind mapping helped students plan their essays and projects more effectively, improving the quality, structure, and coherence of their written work.
4. Increased productivity
By allowing the free flow of ideas in a controlled manner and creating easy visualization, mind mapping can reduce the completion time of different tasks, thereby significantly boosting a team’s productivity. Mind mapping is definitely a skill to have in the business world: being able to do all of the above more efficiently saves you time and improves the quality of your work. Contact Amelia, a career counsellor, who will help you build strong mind mapping skills. Find out more here.
Research by specialist Chuck Frey, reveals businesses that this tool for meetings, presentations, planning and more, increased productivity by an average of 25%.
5. Creative thinking and innovation
Creative thinking and innovation are two skills that of late have become very vital in the workforce, especially for small businesses. Producing a mind map is an effective way for businesses to come up with creative, innovative ways to brainstorm an issue, deliver a marketing campaign, develop a new product, or make a pitch. It also is a great way to transfer tedious information into something more visually appealing and memorable.
6. It improves your presenting?
Mind maps improve your ability to recall information, which is a bonus when it comes to presenting work. Challenging questions become a lot easier to answer when the information is deeply embedded. Studies have found that presenters who used visual language were seen as being clearer, more interesting, more credible, and more professional by their audience than those who didn’t.
How can I get started with mind mapping?
The best part about mind mapping is all you need is a pen and paper, or if you want to get super fancy maybe different coloured pens! If you aren’t a fan of the old school way, there are applications you can download that allow you to create mind maps on your computer or tablet. Your career coach can help you navigate different mind mapping tools. Contact Amelia here.
Whether you’re a manager planning your next big project, or a marketer creating content ideas for a client, we highly recommend making them a core part of your learning and brainstorming method toolkit.
Amelia McDermott is a Career Coach and Coaching Psychologist, based on the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne. With nearly 20 years of training and experience working as a psychologist, Amelia has a strong understanding of how to uncover what makes people tick, and how to help people find an authentic career that aligns with their unique talents and values. If you’re looking for Career Advice or Career Counselling, look no further than Uplift Coaching and enjoy a consultation with Amelia to see if a Career Coach is right for you. Book a consultation here.